I am no Theologian although one of my bucket list goals is to study Theology. I find the whole concept about God completely fascinating. That said I have no doubt at all that God exists. It’s the knowing that does not call for evidence since that evidence is everywhere; I am the evidence of a God that is at work in people’s lives. I therefore tackle the God Principle from a lay Christian perspective. Try and indulge me….
Hearing Silence
Yes, there is such a thing as hearing silence. The type of silence that is so loud that it’s palpable. You can almost touch it. There are different spaces where silence can be heard. Have you ever entered a room when people were talking and they suddenly go silent? That silence is experienced the way air is sucked from a room and the vacuum that is left is what you hear. Silence is like a Spirit that moves in and out of spaces. I am sure you are familiar with the silent treatment that some couples give each other – they all know there is an issue that needs to be discussed but none of them is brave enough to start the conversation! Oh yes, silence can be deafeningly loud.
Appreciating Dreams
What has been your experience with dreams? I meet a lot of people who tell me that they don’t ever dream. There is a difference between not remembering one’s dreams and never dreaming. The myth that there are people who don’t dream is just that – a myth. I have interacted with people who claim they never dream and after exploring the world of dreams they start telling me about some of the dreams they now have and yes, they vividly remember these dreams.
Generosity 101
I have two friends that I have admired for many years. I consider them role models and the kind of people I love to have in my corner. They are not hang up about a little money spend here and there to help someone in need. And this is no secret even to them. They are the kind of friends who will never, ever visit your house empty handed. Pastor Mukisa calls going to visit anyone empty handed as adorning “helicopter hands” – hilarious when demonstrated. The kind of generosity these two friends of mine show is in contrast to other people who could easily get sick at the thought of parting with 500/- for anything. What is surprising though is that those who don’t like parting with any money tend to be the same ones who expect others to come to their help and yes with money!
The Desires of Your Heart
Every so often I take time to do a stock take of my life and reflect on the journey I have been on. Where I have come from, where I am going, what I need to do to get there and the like. The usual musings of the heart. It always surprises me when I realise that stuff that was “big” in my wants and dreams has become actualized. The surprise comes from the fact that I often forget that the goal I am chasing was once a dream and desire. Even more of a surprise is when I go on my usual reflective mode and realise I am living a life that was once a dream.
People, Places & Purpose
Over the years, I have found myself drawn to spending time either sculpting a future I desire, reviewing a situation or conversation that did not quite make sense or just reflecting on a past event or conversation. I seem to be in a perpetual mode of sense-making; trying to make sense of stuff so I can determine the next steps to take or even how to “file” the episode in my Life Folders. And yes, I am one of those people who like to journal. I don’t do it daily but I hold huge volumes of journals where I have captured dreams, visions, thoughts or events that I sensed were significant.
A Universal Church
Growing up I only knew of a few church denominations. The Catholic Church was the most prominent in the area I was brought up and it greatly influenced my early perceptions of Christianity, God, Church and the like. Like many Catholics I went through the catechism classes necessary to start taking the Holy Communion and also to get confirmed. Just recently my Life Group discovered the names I was given during baptism and confirmation – hilarious!
The Power of a Praying Parent
Good things in life come in threes! I know they say that when it rains it pours in reference to trouble coming in threes but the opposite holds true as well. Power! Praying! Parent! Any of these by themselves is good but when they come together, that’s nothing short of amazing! My Mum is a staunch Catholic, I mean staunch. The ones that constantly plan to go to Chumvi, Katoloni, Rome, Israel, the works…… You know them. There is a Novena and a Rosary to be said for practically anything. But today she is not the subject of my writing.
Is Tithing still Relevant?
For some time now I have been going back and forth, debating with myself as to whether to even dare voice my views on the topic of tithing. A friend just helped me make that decision (by sharing her views on her blog). Yes, I will chime in on a topic considered quite controversial. I have been on both ends of the argument and I appreciate the very strong opinions that proponents and dissenters have on this subject. My view is that money has never been a neutral topic and any number of views or opinions are unlikely to achieve 100% change of mind from one perspective to the next.
Divine Networks
Networking is not something I personally enjoy! I can wade my way through it but it is not something that particularly energizes me. They say show me the five people that you hang around with the most and I will tell you what your future will look like. This is so true. It is an evaluation we should never get tired of making and at least ought to undertake once a year. I thought of my five as I wrote this blog.
@My Father's Feet 