WordToday

When our children were much younger, my wife put considerable effort in teaching them the so-called 'magic words' – ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. “Please” and “thank you” became a staple in the family. I had to watch myself too. Many times, my daughter would wag her little finger (just like her mother) at me for not saying thank you often enough. So, I wasn't surprised when recently, after walking through the length and breadth of Nairobi CBD with my kids and buying them books, shoes and  a very unhealthy lunch , my daughter gave me an energetic hug exclaiming; "Dad, thanks for a lovely day!" I have never quite understood their fascination with walking through the ever-crowded CBD and winding it off with some junk food. But that same evening I watched my son trying to explain to my equally bewildered wife how  “Dad has spoilt us today” . In a sense, vocalizing our gratitude should come naturally to us but so often it doesn’t. It is gracious courtesy to fellow man

Matthew  18:3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The things of God , particularly the way into a life-long relationship with Him, are incredulously simple. I say incredulous because the one who comes to God with lofty and intellectual ideas will more often than not, miss Him completely. All through my teenage and adult life I have taught small children in church-school in many different places. Their simplicity,  unbridled  joy or sadness and  innocence always  fascinate me. They present to us a world we once left but now, somehow, look forward to again. Their hearts and minds have not been hardened by the vagaries of life and for the most part, have also not known the temptations that bind many to a lifestyle they privately wish they could rewind. Therefore, their willingness to trust is unmatched.  They do not pretend to know everything and even when they do know, they bomba

Okonkwo remembered that tragic year with a cold shiver throughout the rest of his life. It always surprised him when he thought of it later that he did not sink under the load of despair. He knew that he was a fierce fighter, but that year had been enough to break the heart of a lion. "Since I survived that year," he always said, "I shall survive anything." Things Fall Apart_Chinua Achebe I heard someone say that when we are long gone, our great grandchildren will say of our time; Their world was suddenly stricken by a strange disease. It had no cure. Many fell under its unrelenting grip. When it had run its course, men clasped their hands, glad that they had survived. From the chocking confines of their homes they emerged, wearied by months of being hemmed in. They looked up and sighed, At least the sun was still there . But then, s ome picked up guns. A great battle broke out. No one could stop the war. Many were killed, much more than they had thought po

There is a precious sliver of scripture that Christians like to quote on their WhatsApp and Instagram:  " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" But can they? To gauge ourselves, let’s see what was going through Paul's mind when he wrote that statement. The first hint is in the context of the passage. The text is ensconced in a portion of Paul's letter expressing gratitude to the Philippian church for past support even as he makes another appeal for future help (Philippians 4:10-19).  “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do e

Against a backdrop of competing ideas, Paul wrote to the Ephesians; "Wake up,  O sleeper, rise from the dead,  and  Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14 Be very careful, then, how you live-- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 I recently chanced upon the disaster movie- The Day After Tomorrow  where a super storm finds a crowd of survivors hunkering down in a government building.  Soon they spot another group of survivors trudging towards some unknown refuge. A debate breaks out in the hallway as to whether they should remain in their present shelter or join the group outside. A young man desperately tries to convince them to remain within the building arguing that his father, a climatologist, had warned him that the weather would deteriorate very rapidly. Anyone caught outside would instantly freeze to death. Only a few listen to him. The majority brush him aside and join the group outside. In a s

Except for the so-called covid millionaires, the pandemic has taken its toll on everyone else.    To varying degrees each one of us lost something or worse, someone. For me 2020-2021 felt like one long year. How about you?  Many thought that 2020 was bad and hoped that 2021 would bring relief but alas!  Perhaps we can take a lesson or two from Winston Churchill who, at a particularly difficult time in British history said;    “Never let a crisis go to waste!” What did he mean?  The rather obvious answer is that in every crisis there will be either opportunities to be exploited or lessons to be learnt. Of course, it could also  mean that as far as it depends on you, do not be found on the receiving end of opportunists. It seems to me that even though the covid crisis seems to be petering out, the world will continue to face major challenges. Therefore, I advice three things:   1. Only children and fools tell the truth 2. Adversity comes with instruction in its hand 3. Keep hope