The Perfect Imperfect Speech!

 Listen, folks, I stumbled upon this verse from 2 Corinthians 11:6a "I may be unskilled as a speaker but not lacking in knowledge".

I couldn't help but chuckle. Here we have the legendary Apostle Paul, claiming to be unskilled as a speaker. Now, if Paul thinks he's lacking in the speaking department, then I must be as eloquent as a babbling brook! 

 But hold on a second, maybe he's just being modest, right? I mean, who can forget that epic speech he delivered before Agrippa in Acts 26? That man was on fire! Now, I've got one more reason to eagerly await the New Age that's on its way! I can't wait to witness the greatness of this Paul of Tarsus with my own eyes. 

Perhaps it's time for me to step up my game and make a conscious effort to enhance my public speaking abilities. With dedication and practice, I am confident that I can deliver a speech of epic proportions, just like Paul did in front of Agrippa. And with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, my words will have a profound impact on my audience. Until then, let's embrace our inner potatoes and keep striving for greatness! 

 

HOPE IN TIMES OF DARKNESS AND DESPAIR.

Have you ever been in a situation where because of anger, depression, or frustration and exhaustion you could not sing? How can we sing the Lord’s song, lament one of the prophets and rightly so.  If our inability to sing is a sign of exile, then we must be in it for we are a people who can barely sing. 

In times like this one cannot help but resign to hopelessness and fear. We cry for justice, but it seems like a far cry. In a world where the wicked seem to prosper and the haughty scoff at justice, one cannot help but wonder, can we bring about an inversion to the situation? Yes, and indeed! 

Inversion may begin with change in the use of language. From the language of despair to hope and a radical song that sings of God’s enthronement and his deliverance. First about the God that we worship. 

He does not faint or grow weary, 

His understanding is unsearchable. 

He gives power to the faint, 

and to him who has no might he increases strength. (Isa 40: 28-29) 

 

And then the promise to all of us who are in exiles and weary; 

 

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

And young men stumbles and fall; 

But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles;  

They will run and not grow weary, 

They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31) 

 

Daring to hope and singing of God’s enthronement seems like absurdity and avoiding the reality of the ongoing situation. However, this is exactly what David did when his life was in danger.  

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? 

The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is in his heavenly throne. (Psalm 11:3&4) 

 

It is a common tendency for us, as human beings, to believe that we have control over our circumstances. If the world is out of control, then the world is out of control. The notion that God is ultimately in control may not bring comfort unless we approach it with humility. Two reasons why this perspective can bring solace and guidance during the times of turmoil. 

 

“The Lord is in his holy temple” which means that the presence of the Lord can be felt in his sacred temple, which is embodied by Jesus, our ultimate source of connection and fellowship. Through Jesus selfless sacrifice on the cross, we are granted an extraordinary opportunity to commune with God.  

 

“The Lord is in his heavenly throne” which means that God is fully aware of all occurrences and ultimately orchestrating everything for his magnificent glory.  

NB: This was written in the backdrop of the horrendous violence June (June 2023) in the state I love and called home!

 

 

 

WHAT'S IN THE BROCCOLI?

 

WHAT’S IN THE BROCCOLI? 

Broccoli isn't just any ordinary veggie - it's basically the Messi of the vegetable world! It's like a superhero packed with all the essential vitamins and minerals, making it the ultimate "Crown Jewel of Nutrition". Not to mention, it's part of the cool cruciferous crew and has more vitamin C than an orange! 

Broccoli is not just a vegetable, but a metaphor for life. Yes, you heard it right! Just like those tiny florets that make up a broccoli head, we humans come together to form the body of Christ. We are like the florets, each with our own unique role and purpose in this grand masterpiece called the Church.  

Now, let's dive into the depths of 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where Paul dishes out some wisdom about the body of Christ. He emphasizes that we are one body with many parts, just like a broccoli head with its countless florets. It's like a divine recipe for unity and diversity all rolled into one!  

But wait, there's more! Broccoli isn't just a veggie, it's a symbol of growth and nourishment. Just like how we seek spiritual growth and nourishment through the teachings of the Gospel, broccoli provides us with essential nutrients to keep our bodies healthy. So, next time you're munching on some broccoli, remember that you're not just eating a vegetable, you're savoring a delicious metaphor for life and faith.  

Stay floret-tastic, my friends! 

 

Goodness of God

 Oh, human race, such a uniquely comical species! We’ve got this uncanny ability to manufacture our very own predicaments, thanks to our delightful combination of stupidity and neglect. And then, like a bunch of blame-hurling champions, we point our fingers at God, Satan or whoever else happen to be nearby. It’s like we we’ve declared “why me?” as our official anthem. Classic humans, always finding a way to make life interesting! 

Can you believe it? We're all connected to Adam, the original responsibility dodger! When God confronted him with his terrible choice, Adam had the nerve to point his finger at Eve, saying “it’s all because of the women You put here with me” (Genesis 3:12). Talk about passing the buck!

Alright, let’s face it, we’ve all been there, done that, and made some epic blunders! It’s a never-ending cycle of facepalms. And when we mess up, we feel like we are in a doghouse with God, expecting an absolute dressing down. But have you ever thought about the first question God ask us when we make mistake? He simply askes, “Where are you?” Isn't he an omnipresent God? When God asks us a question, it’s not because He need information from us, but rather He wants to give us information. 

In the light if the fact our good deeds or righteousness are considered as “filthy rags” in the presence of a supremely holy God, how can we effectively engage with Him? Is it possible to have a meaningful connection with a God who is faultless, completely holy and inherently good? Let us explore further into the profound query put forth by the ancient prophet of the Old Testament. 

With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burn offerings, with calves a year old? 

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  

                                                                                                                                    Micah 6:6-7 

Imagine the immense value of ten thousand rivers of oil, worth billions of dollars, it still wouldn’t be enough to atone for our sins! Can the loss of our first born, the most agonizing experience for us humans, serve as sufficient recompense for our wrongdoings? In the presence of this exalted God, who is pure and holy, our relationship is not something we can earn or deserve. Now let us explore the most renown verse in the Bible. 

 

He has shown you, oh mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)

Without understanding the context, one might interpret the verse as suggesting that we can disregard offerings and religious practice. However, it is crucial to probe deeper and grasp the intended message. If we believe that this verse encourages us to abandon sacrifices and religious rituals, we are disregarding the fundamental teachings of the Old Testament. 

The ten commandments were bestowed upon the people, but they struggle to uphold them. Some individuals claim to adore Jesus’ “sermon on the mount,” yet they fail to truly comprehend its essence. If one genuinely comprehends it, they will humbly plead, “God, save me from the challenges presented in the sermon on the mount.”  

 

The preceding verse to Micah 6:8 emphasizes the necessity of atonement for our sins. However, it is impossible for us to atone for our sins on our own, regardless of our efforts. The act of atonement is accomplished by Jesus, who willingly gave up his throne and became one of us. He sacrificed himself so that the divide between the completely holy and righteous God and humanity could be repaired.  

 

To act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God mirrors Jesus' summary of the law which is to love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. So, here’s the catch – we can only truly fulfill these commandments in the light of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is through his death, atoning for our sins, that we can confidently claim acceptance from God to live out his commandments. The divine twist here is that we are following these commands not to win God’s acceptance, but rather because we are already accepted by Him!