THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT.....?

ON THE 12TH DECEMBER 2015 Harare's 'CHRONICLE' reported    Zimbabwe's Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku  with the headline

CHIEF JUSTICE SLAMS ANTI

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ADVOCATES!

I found this interesting - if only because no one else seems to have been saying what he has, and also because of an article that appeared on Page 8 of our Kenyan Daily Nation on Friday 22nd January this year.

BOY DIES AFTER TEACHER CANES HIM FOR LATENESS 

'14 year old boy, in Standard 6, died after being caned by a teacher for coming to school late.  Caning is banned in Kenyan Schools..'     The boy was caned with nine strokes.   He collapsed while he was being caned.    This was excessive punishment to my mind.   

There is no doubt in my mind that children are still being caned by teachers, even though they are well aware of the Ministry's directive New teachers joining our own private school are often found to be using the cane even against clear instruction not to do so.    There are, no doubt, clear dangers to the child - or anyone - where corporal punishment is allowed without proper restraint and supervision, but should it still be on the statute book anyway?

In the 1950s teachers and parents could be arrested and sued for improper and excessive corporal punishment.    But at that time International Law still permitted and accepted corporal punishment, as had been the custom and practice for more than time remembers. The change in thought came suddenly - within a very few years, and ever since we have seen mankind slowly protecting himself from hurt or pain of any description - from a headache to correction of any kind.    Where this has been related to punishment for anti social behaviour it has not been seen to produce a drop in anti social behaviour as a whole.     Our prisons are still as full as before - if not more so, and our educational institutions continue to riot, and discipline is increasingly more difficult to enforce.

Chief Justice Chidyausiku lifted the BAN on Caning in Zimbabwe on 15th June 2015 whilst requesting a careful and balanced consideration of caning as a disciplinary measure in his Country.

Later in the year, in November he was to challenge the Lawyers and other legalists by asking them 'to explain the impact of such an action on the behaviour of children in Zimbabwe.'    He again 'asked the lawyers if it was prudent that Zimbabwe simply adopts the decisions of other countries ........in other Countries that don't allow corporal punishment, how do the children behave?   Do you think it will be acceptable in Zimbabwe to have children going to school with knives and guns in their jackets?   We hear of Zimbabwean teachers who have gone to teach in such countries, who have had to abandon the profession because the children are uncontrollable.'           

It is interesting that recently the Chinese Government have found no reason to ban the cane in Schools, and that parents are quite happy to use it at home as well.

My personal opinion remains that Corporal Punishment should be established and permitted as part and parcel of criminal and anti social behaviour of all kinds, and that where improper implementation of this is discovered then it should individually be dealt with as it has been in the past.

Many like to quote the old adage 'Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child', and others deride this as from God.   Actually these exact words are not found in the Bible as such.    BUT the Bible does uphold, as necessary,corporal punishment, and the principles found in the Bible have their root in distant antiquity and have been found relevant and true.     For example in Proverbs 13v24 it is written -

'He who spares his rod, hates his son,

but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.'

And again in Proverbs 19v18 -

'Chasten your son while there is hope,

and do not set your heart on his destruction.'

I see no lack of wisdom in these words - all embraced by Solomon who is believed to have been the one most endowed with wisdom ever to have lived.    His Wisdom came from experience, and is confirmed and backed up by GOD, as His Word for our life.       I can only personally remember being caned twice in my life - once by my parent for a serious misdemeanour in our home - and the other was at school for a fault mistakenly committed.    I did not enjoy either occasion, but I was grateful for both, and I believe a lesson was learned which affected the rest of my life.    I have never resented it, but instead have profited from it with thanksgiving.      

I believe that King Solomon was also prophetic when he also wrote in Proverbs 16v25 -

'There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death.'

ONLY GOD knows and is able to communicate the Way that leads to LIFE - a healthy life spiritually and physically.      MAN is not always right in the way he thinks, and is easily deceived into believing that he is even more intelligent that the One who Created him.     GOD warns and exhorts us when He says

TRUST IN THE LORD with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.

IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and He will direct your paths.

Do NOT be wise in your own eyes - fear the LORD.  Provers 3v5-7

FINALLY for today, I feel truly ENCOURAGED by the words of the Hon. Chidyausiku;  so refreshing to find at least one person who doesn't jest swallow what the rest of the world is saying, but examines everything in the light of his own culture and faith.   Very refreshing.     The Chief Justice actually deferred final judgement, but I hope he is finally courageous enough to stand with God rather than with Man.

A GREAT FALLING AWAY - FIRST!

IS THIS THE END OF CHRISTIAN BRITAIN, 

asks the Daily Mail Newspaper?  

The majority of white adults say they have no religion, and the number is set to rise.?  46% of adults have NO religion, while 42% are Christian but generally non religious.  Churches are emptying, and only a small number with a hyped up presentation of the Gospel appear to be filled with young people.   The Roman Catholics and the Church of England are both experiencing a reduction in numbers of worshippers in their churches.    Yet when His Holiness the Pope visited England he was given a rapturous welcome by vast numbers - as was the case here in Kenya last year when he visited us.   WHY should this be so?    There are a number of reasons I believe....

BUT in Kenya ALL churches still seem to be filled, and well patronised, from the Traditional to the freer, and more varied Protestant and Evangelical Churches.   This could be due to the fact that here there is a greater liberty in how Church Worship is organised and expressed.     However I would say that in Kenya people generally accept the existence of God, and feel the need of His help and interest in their lives.   Indeed although the western nations still moan a lot about their hardships socially, it is in Africa and much of the Third World, that people suffer and struggle to live.     Might I put it too bluntly when I suggest that the First World has less to discomfort it than the rest?      On the other hand even the majority of those attending church in Kenya have little real knowledge of the Saviour who came to deliver and save us from sin, and instead of seeking God's forgiveness and then giving back to Him their life in love and service, they run to seek profit and pleasure.    I do a fair amount of interviewing for potential staff and an astonishing few, when questioned about their religion, though accepting they are 'Christian' have hardly any understanding of WHY they are, or WHAT Christ has to do with their life - apart from protecting them from trouble and paying their bills and other financial needs through prayer.    The truly 'spiritual'aspect is missing.    Religious they may be but there is no NEW LIFE about them.       All want a more comfortable life, from the poorest (the majority) to the richest!     Man has travelled far from the Garden in which he first knew happiness with God.
Esther and I travel in Europe and the UK occasionally - say once every ten years.   Each time we go we see diminishing returns in the churches -  smaller congregations, and less interest in the Word of God.
The Christianity of today, compared to the days of our fathers, lacks LIFE!     It lacks the manifestation of Christ's commitment and dedication to God the Father.     And, to an extent, this is the cause of a progressively lost VITALITY in Christians generally.      Not much that would make one AWARE of him; he is is just as others are with hardly any visible difference.     Jesus did not come to Earth with the intention of inventing a new Religion called Christianity.   Jesus came to introduce and GIVE us a NEW life - a WAY of living that would be in startling contrast to the way we were first born into at birth.         When we believe in Jesus, we are told, ALL things become NEW, including ourselves.     Adventure, Challenge, and Power lay before us.     BUT INSTEAD we find ourselves attending Centres hoping for Free Offers; and also Bargain Hunters, and Fund Raisers for those finding themselves in need to build houses, buy cars, or travel abroad.      WHERE is the NEW LIFE focused on giving to and loving those who have nothing; The new SINLESS life that is no longer corrupt?
Again, in England we found churches being built and even renovated to provide the greatest comfort - plush seating, lavish furnishing and decoration,  and it is being introduced here in Kenya as well.

The'atmosphere' is changing within the Church and her places of worship.     In a way this, to me, is not the worst change.     Buildings alone are nothing these days.    A thousand years ago they built the old cathedrals and churches with a regard for the OWNER of the house; with love, care and sacrifice. You can feel it when you walk in - that this house is God's.     But more often today we just throw up a church cheaply without much attention to beauty,,but rather to how many it will hold, or how much of a sensation it will cause.     JESUS said in John 4v20, 23-24  ' Believe me, the hour comes when you shall neither worship the Father in this mountain or even in Jerusalem ---- The hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the father looks for such to worship him.    God is a Spirit; and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth..,     TRUE worship for God will be in the heart!    

BUT, how many hearts are reaching out to God in fact.    How many even BELIEVE in God?   More and more of our Teachers, Lawmakers, and others live and talk as if He is and always has been a myth.
We could be on the way to a world WITHOUT any Religion,     In fact we are being told that NO RELIGION is the new norm in society as a whole - yes I know we can point out exceptions but even these are feeling the effect of a changing world unaware of God generally.      And this has an effect on our humanity as a whole, for without GOD consciousness where is the CONSCIENCE OF ANY NATION?     If the Christian is leaving the church where is he going to if Christ is not in his life and heart?    He is being sucked out and away into a 'black hole' of unbelief that has no bottom.

St. PAUL says that the END of the world will be be preceded by a 'falling away first - AND then the Man of Sin will be revealed (2. Thessalonians 2v3).    AND Jesus said in Matthew 24v12 - 'Because iniquity / sin / corruption shall abound the love of many shall grow cold.'     These words are a commentary on our world society as it is today.    People do not love God, do not honour, respect, or put him first  BECAUSE of  love of their own way more.     Look at 2. Timothy 3v1-5 as a back up to this.
THINGS ARE CHANGING.     Be sure it is not for the better.     Do not be abandoned by God.   Do not tempt Him to break the thing that He lovingly made and in which He had such good intentions.

SENSITIVE ISSUES

WILL THIS BE A HOLY CONVOCATION, or a rather UNHOLY huddle of Anglican Bishops? 

Hard to tell from a photo like his one.   There will be Bishops from Kenya attending this year's Conference in Lambeth Palace in London. Bishops from all over the World who belong to the Anglican Communion of Christians.
Reading in this week's Daily Nation, here in Kenya, I found it interesting to read the comment included, relative to this 'Bench' or 'Psalter' of Bishops!     They are the Leaders, the Shepherds of their Flocks; those looked upon as the Guides and Teachers that hold up the Word of God, rightly dividing and defining that WORD as the ONLY Truth and Way of Life that will bring a Believer to GOD, and to the Kingdom of God.     Millions look to them for the correct 'example' and advice on how to respond to the 'Darkness' of this World.
BUT being a follower of Jesus Christ in this present world is no Fancy Dress affair.    It is not partying and revelling but a rather challenging and awesome affair.     For more than two thousand years it has needed that 'believers' COME OUT of the World; out from AGREEMENT with what the world holds to be righteousness.    A Believer is separate from the unbeliever, and does not accept what the world accepts.   And although he lives IN the world,  it becomes clear that he cannot identify with it, its ambitions or its pleasures.  
SEVENTY years ago in England, there were still fewer Believing Christians than unbelieving sinners - yet generally the population, like the little demons, accepted the FACT of God, and 'trusted' in the Bible that it WAS God's Word.       Even today they Swear by Almighty God in the Law Courts, holding the Bible in their Hand as confirmation that they will 'Tell the Truth'.     BUT there IS a change sweeping through the land.     Perhaps in Kenya also?     LESS are READING the Bible, and even LESS are BELIEVING in what it actually SAYS.     The majority never open it, and its importance and relevance - even as literature - is fading fast.        We cannot today rely upon the uplifted hand declaring THE TRUTH, even with the Bible held up firmly with it!   AND IF, the BIBLE can be put aside, even ridiculed; if it can be re-interpreted, and even scorned, how should we be surprised that the world is seeing the disintegration of Christian Opinion and religious thought and morals universally?    YES the world is moving on, and perhaps in this age, it is actually leaving the spiritual knowledge and respect and belief in ANY God BEHIND it.    It this is so then indeed we all together face a depth and quality of DARKNESS worse than the Dark Ages;   A darkness more totally terrifying than the darkness within the stomach of Jonah's Whale, or the thick, powerful, blackness of  the stalking Panther.    The WORLD has always lain in 'darkness' since the beginning, and its government is still -for the moment- in the hands of a Dark Lord, even Satan, but not for long.

The BIBLE says Satan, through his governance and evil influence, has deceived, and will continue to DECEIVE the world, and the people of the world in particular!      We are likely all being led in the direction that will find WHITE is believed to be BLACK and vice verce.        In the days of Jesus, his Roman Judge, Pilate, asked the question 'What IS Truth!'      Today it is  billions of times more difficult to find the answer - especially if you cannot accept God's answer which He gave through Christ   'I AM the Truth, the Way and the LIFE.'
There IS no other truth - everything can only be measured up against Jesus, His Words, His Life.

Well in the Nation article in this Tuesday's addition page 6 the writer says -

'Sensitive issues like gay rights and same sex marriages

are expected to dominate discussion in the meeting

convened by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

He, Welby 'said a split in the communion over homosexuality

would not be disaster but a failure'

''These disagreements over sexuality could lead to a walkout

by conservative bishops'.

A SHARP division of the ONE Christian denomination could spell even great disaster for the whole of the Christian World.      The argument above is not merely one of moral opinion and interpretation, it is one which willfully holds the BIBLE, God's WORD, open to new values and understanding.   

The thing that seems to offend is the idea that Gays should be held to be wrong in the eyes of God, as far as their style of living is concerned.   The Bible clearly states that those who are practising Homosexuals will not be able to enter the Kingdom of God on their death.      They can sit in Christian Churches but they will not be able to become priests or bishops as long as their life style remains unchanged.     It is the outworking of having to be BORN AGAIN.     After all, would it be right to put a murderer who was unrepentant and likely to murder again into the church leadership?

It is sad when people seem to be, and sometimes are shut out or shunned in society.    We should accept ALL as men and women worthy of our compassion and consideration, but even if we do so, we still have an obligation, if we are Believing in the Word of God, not to encourage or accept what others do or say, if it might hurt society or confuse, and also may be prevent them from pleasing the God who is our Final Judge. 

St. Paul says of himself that he was 'not a man pleaser'.    He did not live to please MEN, but GOD. 

In this corrupt and self pleasing world society, his testimony would be a little, if not completely, considered foolishness.     BECAUSE of this corruption flourishes.      Because there is not a hard and fast bottom line - to base our life upon - firmly in place, we can all exchange and barter away our morals and integrity in a bid to grab whatever we can in whatever way we can from this deceitful world.

All men and women, gays and others, are free to choose their way, and to expound upon it.     Thus also those who may disagree are free to say so, and give a reason why.     I value, myself, all men and women just as they are.     In my heart I may be cast down because their lives seem to court the judgment of God, finally, at their end, but I cannot find it in my heart, either, to judge 'them' but to still reach out to those who are ready to be my friend - just as I am - and just as they are.   WHY all this LOUD, despicable and self righteous clamour.   Love each other; do good to each other; forgive each other - pray for each other - and take care of each other.   Remembering, as a duty, to warn one another, and to exhort rebuke and encourage one another away from spiritual death,,,,,,,to Eternal Live and the commendation of God.      Recently I lost an employee of many years.  He came to me confessing he was Gay, and I took him on.    He did his work well and honestly, never showing any sign of trying to encourage others in his lifestyle.   He was a friend - a good friend - to all, and will be greatly missed.      He knew how I felt and never showed resentment for it; we were also good workers together.    He will be missed.     I am glad I let him in.    But I do still think his choice was a wrong one, and it would be tragic for him to find himself in front of God, only to hear he missed his way in life - missed the TRUTH about himself.  And I pray for him that he will one day, before it is too late, come to know it.  

In allowing this freedom I have myself been blessed.      But I could not have done any of it without knowing and trusting in God's Word - a Word of Love, but also a Word of Justice.

When God says something is wrong, nothing and no one can change it.    It IS wrong.
How we deal with this wrong, how we permit Mercy, Compassion to work with Justice, Forgiveness, will depend largely on our own spiritual disposition.        What a man SOWS in his life and body he WILL reap the reward from - good or bad.     The fact remains God will not LIVE with in Eternity, what he has declared on earth He cannot accept or approve of.       Our decisions in life in regard to everything will evolve on who we want please and to put first - ourselves, people we live with, or GOD.    

God Bless the bishops!     God help them with strength and courage to stand for HIM, and for HIS declared and revealed Will through His written, and LIVING  Word.

EMPTY TEAPOTS

WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED IN KENYA, I found myself living on a windy hilltop in a very rural and poor area of the country.    I had been given an old and derelict Chief's Camp comprising a number of rather decayed and neglected colonial brick buildings.    I was using them to take care of some 39 destitute boys.    I had little money and no support for this venture, and as the only one of distinctive colour and little cultural knowledge I often found myself getting into problems with the local community.     THEY welcomed us with open arms, and were really very charming, but they thought I had come to develop their area, and in particular the Old Chief's Camp by providing a hoped for Medical Centre, School, and even more!    This stemmed from their own private assumptions and dreams  -    I, meanwhile, just thought their interest and friendliness was due to an inborn kindness and charitableness, that was appreciative that I had come to use the run down centre to help homeless children.     One day after I had been there about three months, I was approached by the Chief of the area who asked if I would mind holding a Barazza (a Meeting) with the local people and leaders.     Again I thought this was a good thing that interest was growing, and I happily agreed.     The Day arrived and my compound of some 5 acres was half filled with folk from all around.          After some little polite pre-amble, the elderly Chief stood up and commenced his Speech.     He said.    "We have come today to complain.     When we saw you come into our midst we thought you would lift us up and prosper us, in our long struggle against poverty.  But instead you take our water, and import children who are not from this place to mingle with our own to bring bad manners.         Bwana Green, you are a 'Teapot without any Tea'" and he sat down amidst considerable applause.   I was very much taken aback; in fact I did not immediately see what he was saying   =-   But of course I quickly realised that I had disappointed the whole community by not coming up to their expectations.     They had seen a hopeful source of comfort and provision.  It looked good on the outside - a white man always has money, influence contacts.   Surely one adventuring into the undeveloped countryside MUST have MORE money and plans to build, expand and develop.   Soon the shillings would be poured out, signs of building commence - but NO, we just sat and did nothing.     The Teapot looked enticing and profitable but when it came to it, there was no Tea inside it.    It was EMPTY!     And so we had to be informed and warned that we were not welcomed any longer unless we could fill the Teapot with Tea that could be enjoyed by all.    WOW!
Soon after that we moved to Elgonview in Eldoret.

Are YOU a Teapot without Tea?    Does you outward 'image' promote hope where there is NO hope?
Do you encourage Faith in your ability to make a difference when in fact you lack the ability to make that difference.     Isn't this very often at the bottom of getting elected to a Board of Management, or even to Government.     Elect me and I will.............       BUT will you in fact do so...are you ABLE to do so.....do you INTEND to do so?     Are you a man or woman of your word?       Are doing what you do in order to attract attention to yourself, or are you doing it solely to put YOUR shoulder toward helping the community as a whole. WHEN I took Testimony Faith Homes to the rural area I imagined they would sympathise with my small effort to help the homeless - even their own homeless.    I thought they would encourage me AND the children with me.   I though WE would encourage them by demonstrating how to overcome misfortune and human hurt,   It just did not work out that way.      Everyone was looking at US to improve themselves, without any thought of joining hands with us to help reclaim broken lives.       I suppose this is the same with the People and the Government.      The People WANT assistance.  They look at the Government to BRING and PROVIDE the assistance - immediately, overnight and without delay.  The government knows this, all those vying for election to some post or other know it.    They say "Elect me, I will build you a road, a school, a medical centre!    I will bring industry and provide jobs........"      And if they don't ? Well then there must be a Barazza and a confrontation of dissatisfaction.

I was a Teapot without TEA.       Sure I WAS in fact a Teapot, but the Tea was not made.   The tea leaves were there,  and maybe even the milk and sugar were to hand, but there was NO HOT WATER yet; it had not come to the boil..........and those who were thirsty were lacking in patience because their need as for NOW, and they would not wait.      PERHAPS, if they had, then Testimony Faith Homes and School would be THERE, and not in Eldoret.      Their impatience LOST them what they needed - at least for that time, and from us.       Voters and Governments often suffer the same way.     The People think 'heaven' will come the day after the Elections, and governments forget to explain BEFORE Elections, that it takes time to produce and supply what has been promised.   Much is often lost in the process.

I have a lady friend in England.   A married lady with family.   Since she was a teenager she was fascinated with Teapots and she began to collect different shapes, colours, sizes that she came across. She had hundreds of them now, and they are stacked up shelves in her home in a kind of display.They are quite interesting to look at - BUT they are ALL empty!     NONE of them them has ever had tea leaves or even hot water inside them - they have always been and always will be empty, and thus of little practical USE.       Just ornaments?     Well, yes I suppose so - but can really admire what is of no use.

God made us all to be Teapots; teapots with a high potential to be of use and benefit  to the world around us.    How goes it with us?   Do we live to be admired?   Or are we constantly being filled in order to be poured out to satisfy the NEED of those around us.     Think about it.