OUR EYES WERE OPENED

 In view of the recent turn of events over the past few days @chukauni, some things came to light;  just how weak n feeble our hearts are. How we take things for granted until we finally realize that they are not normal. For instance; breathing, traveling home safely or reaching your destination, good health, just but a few.

See, had the accident that allegedly took mercy Sang's (one of the students @chukauni) life not happened, most of us would not have cared let alone remembered to pray for their journeys and those of other students on the way. I recall the conversation in one of the Whats app groups everyone wanting to know how the other's journey was fairing on and texts thanking God for their safe journey when they reached home. On his way home, one Kipla Kevo was in a vehicle that got flat tyres twice in the course of his journey and we were all praying for him. Another student Maggie was involved in an accident but came out unharmed. How the group whats app platform went active thanking God saying it was a testimony (which is true by the way). Those are just some few cases on traveling. Some even feared traveling home for their lives. 

#oureyeswereopened 

IT TAKES GOD'S MERCY TO TRAVEL FROM ONE PLACE SAFELY TO YOUR DESTINATION.

Then came in Tony Munyoki, Alias @thatguy (One of my friends) may his soul rest in eternal peace; He was fine all along, chatting in the group all so funny, got home safe. We wake up the next morning that he is in a critical health condition before hours later we receive news that he is gone to be with his maker. We could not believe it. We were chatting with him just last night. No it can’t be. It was not until we called his close allies when they confirmed the sad news. Gloom and sadness fell all over again; Distress and fear of the unknown. We decided to pray again for ourselves. Guys who were sick started telling others to pray for them. We decided to fast n pray for our institution. Others keshaad for the same.   

#Oureyeswereopened. 

IT TAKES GODS MERCY TO SLEEP HEALTHY, WAKE UP HEALTHY AND CARRY ON YOUR ACTIVITIES.

Allegedly in the counting, 4 lives had been lost in 2 days including one of a speaker who had preached in Chuka University Christian union. The tension built up by these occurrences, the accidents and others, way too big. The conversation moved, from condemning the perpetrators of the strike to condolences messages. Then people started seeing the abnormality and something that needed spiritual intervention. Even the most non-religious saw this abnormality. Only God had the answer. The social media platform for the institution especially Facebook went viral students asking students to seek God's intervention. Hash tags like #onmykneesforchukauni #ChukaforJesus went viral flying all over social media as people vowed how they will pray for our institution. Friday 12th February was declared a prayer and fasting day for the institution.

2nd chronicles 7 vs. 14... if my people who r called by my name will humble themselves pray seek my face and change from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.

 #oureyeswereopened

 IT TAKES GOD'S INTERVENTION WHEN WE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ON OUR OCCURRENCES.

 

Amazing how after the prayers things went back to normal. Confirming #Godisnotdead for those who still doubt the existence of God.

I can’t however forget to point out some few who always told us there was need for prayers. Actively forwarding texts encouraging others to pray, telling us how they were #onmykneesforchukauni. I however am still wondering what time they were on their knees while I always found them online any other minute.

#oureyeswereopened

PRAYER IS AN ACTIVE EXERCISE, MORE OF PERSONAL. SOME BRETHREN JUST PRETEND TO BE WITH YOU.

 

Lastly I won’t forget the few @chukauni students who thought that striking would solve their issues. Causing havok, disturbance, destruction of property both public and private including burning a university bus; Well, the solution you wanted is now in your eyes. Learning discontinued. Lives lost, some arrested, Et cetera.

  

#oureyeswereopened

THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO GET YOUR ISSUES ADRESSED.

 

Neither will i forget one student Waweru wa waweru now a reknown social media fan in Chuka university who thought it was time to attain celebrity status via the situation. He is among the many students who for what i'd term as stupidity of the highest order took advantage of the situation especially on social media, caused more panic and anxiety among students via their statuses on facebook. one Waweru took to @chukauni's facebook page to ask whether there were no more deaths happening?? reaaally Waweru? May God forgive you. Another one Shistan Wanjiku: this one posts to announce the death of One Javin Viqy with a condolescence message. students pour out their heartfelt grievances and polees only for Viqy to comment down there that he is alive followed by his own post of how alive he is. Comments come in some thanking God it was a lie, others condemning Shistan and others funny. like one comment: "nlikua najua viqy c mtu wa kufa hivihivi...

God be with Chuka University i must pray.

As we await the reopening of school, I hope all of @chukauni took this time to reflect and get insights that when we go back to school, it will be #oureyeswereopened. Peace.

 @mainakiwiri  

follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/MainaKiwiri

KICKS OF A DYING HORSE

By Maina Kiwiri.

I regret ever meeting you.

Talking to you and knowing you.

I regret falling for you and saying it.

I regret you loving me back,

I regret loving you even more.

Even though I know how sweet it was,

I still regret.

I regret moments we shared together;

The sweet, the bitter, the wrong, the fun, the good ones especially.

I regret ever opening up to you:

My secrets, my being, my thoughts, my self.

Ever placing you queen,

Giving you keys to my heart,

Giving my everything to you,

As if I’d already agreed with God you’d be my wife.

I regret loving you,

I regret.

I regret letting go

When the storm came,

And I couldn't stand.

I regret not standing with you then,

I wish I had sitted.

I regret taking for granted your efforts,

I regret walking out,

On you as if I needed you not.

Causing you so much pain,

As I made merry away with the world.

Knowing too well even then,

What a precious jewel you were to me.

I regret.

I regret you giving up,

On me after such a fight.

I regret you walking away,

Because you could not hold up any longer.

I regret pushing you to that edge,

Till in agony you left my camp.

Knowing too well what I meant to you,

 And me not reciprocating the meaning.

I regret.

I regret you taking his hand,

I regret you falling for him and not me.

I regret seeing you flirt with him,

But doing nothing to hold you back.

I regret you loving him for my place,

My rights gone and freedom of expression.

I regret allowing another man take my place.

I regret losing you.

I regret.

I regret coming back.

I regret loving you again,

Even more with the knowledge of loss.

I regret growing feelings for you again.

I regret not being able to hold them to myself,

The way I love you like never before.

The way I badly want you to myself,

I regret saying it to you already.

The way I cant back off even if I try.

I regret.

I regret wishing I had you again.

If wishes were horses.

I regret the way I cant stop loving you,

The way I cant let go of you

I regret the knowledge of what you mean to me,

 And the way you cant come back to me.

I regret.

 I regret the knowledge,

We can be back together if we wanted,

But its not an option for you.

I regret

I regret trying.

Too hard to win you back.

I regret fighting.

Fighting for what is rightfully mine.

I regret knowing.

Too well the way I wont tire,

Until I have you back.

I regret writing,

Writing down this piece;

Kicks of a dying horse.

DONT MISTAKE MY HAIRSTYLE FOR UNGODLINESS

by Maina Kiwiri

I echo the words of one Amos Karanja on spiritual life and dressing and modesty. The measure of what is in your heart has been made to be your appearance. Men with locks, long hair, and use of studs among others are deemed unspiritual and are not allowed to represent the church or hold office in the church in most part of Kenya. Since when did the measure of one’s spirituality be his outward appearance. Haven’t we seen men in locks lead worship in other countries and the spirit comes down? Haven’t we seen others in studs praying for the sick and they get healed? Haven’t we seen good music coming from Gods people not necessarily clad in suits and a tie? Since when did the Bible add a clause that decency and Modesty is in short hair, suits and ties and no studs?

Preacher Todd White in long dreadlocks preaches the Gospel of Christ at a crusade in Cameroon

Just because the African culture said that earrings are for women, it doesn’t mean that it’s so in the Bible. Haven’t we seen churches banish women from their fellowships attributing it to wearing trousers with an emphasis on women should not wear men’s clothing. * Deut 22 vs 5* while the same men banishing her cannot buy the same clothing in the market saying it is a woman’s clothing.

Long hair, studs, jeans, are just a manifestation of my sense of fashion which you long lost to the norm you were introduced to by your conservative spiritual leader. Your eye for new fashion is clogged with the belief that such clothing should not be taken to church as it is deemed ‘unspiritual’, ‘unholy’ and all manners of names that makes you not want to attach yourself with it. Tell me, where in the bible is it written that that clothing is unholy? Quote me one verse that holds to it that that piece of regalia is not to be worn by believers and I will banish it from my list. None. But your spiritual leader commanded you in a polite way of course never to wear such and you thought God had spoken. Read your bible. Understand it. Meditate on it. Then you also need to differentiate between what is culture and what the word is saying. Don’t mix the culture of a people and think it’s what the word of God is saying.

“The fact that i don’t dress like you walk like you, talk ,smile, cook, socialize or even have a hairstyle like yours, does not mean i am ungodly.  I am me. I am born again and Christ is lord over my life as me. I won’t become you.”

 (Amos Karanja 2015)

It’s my hair. It grows from the scalp of my head. Why does it bother you? You have yours too which you chose to shave and keep it short. I chose not to shave mine and display God’s blessing in me in form of appearance.

a section of the all time gospel reggae band Christafari perform at Big Church Day Out 2015

Every head has its best hair style. Just because you look good in short hair, it does not mean my head fits the same hairstyle. Just because your pastor shaves as you, does not mean I am doomed to perish in hell. I live by Gods word. That’s all that matters. Pleasing God and doing his will. I have never come across a verse that tells of how Peter at heaven’s gate will not allow men in long hair and locks to enter into the kingdom.

Men have fallen on the side Pharisees whose addiction to their own self-righteousness drove nails through the hands of the Son of God. Steeped in self-righteousness and dripping judgment, men have fallen into the sin of judging those with locks, long hair, studs and other normal regalia that seems abnormal thanks to their cultures. These are no longer godly and belong to the devil himself. Short hair, suits and ties have become a compulsory requirement for a people to be called Gods people and be candidates for heaven. Men have written their own bibles forgetting about the original Holy Bible they once followed. May Truth flood your hearts and wash the self-righteousness away.  May you be humbled at the thought of your own hypocrisy.

Reknown Vocalist and Gospel musician Jeremiah Woods.

Once you look deep inside, therein you will find men passionate for the Gospel.  So passionate, in fact, that they surpass most of you in faith, dreadlocks definitely making the approach towards others in sin simpler than if they were a clean-cut do-gooder in a suit coat. 

 

Indeed, Scripture does not focus on the physical appearance of Jesus but on His teachings. He came to seek and to save the lost, coming to live among humanity to provide salvation to all who will believe in His name (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

 This is not either a defense or condemnation of locks, long hair or wearing of studs in church and other regalia deemed by men indecent.  This blog is not the place for that.  However, it is a condemnation of people’s reaction to those things.  It is a challenge to understand that you never know how or by whom the Holy Spirit is going to work, and for you to get in the way of that with your own self-righteousness-steeped, judgment-dripping self is a move too dangerous to risk.  In short, the issue of clothing must always be carefully, thoughtfully and honestly studied from a scriptural perspective while allowing the scriptures to be the ultimate authority on such issues. Making a thorough study into the clothing norms of the Bible.

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."  ~John 7:24