Collecting firewood as a home chore!

One of the domestic chores that I had to do, as a young boy growing up from deep in the village in South Western Uganda was to collect firewood. I had to look at every dead branch of a tree with a keen eye. Firewood was, and still is a great resource in my community. During those days, I considered a dead tree as a big catch. Using firewood was the only way of cooking that I knew how to use. I did not even know that gas cookers existed. If you told me that you cooked on a gas stove or oven, I would not help it. I would have called you a liar. How could I fathom that one can cook using electricity yet we did not have electricity in our house? The closest I ever came to a modern way of cooking was by use of a charcoal stove. My Elder brother Edward made donuts and bread using a charcoal stove. My brother used a charcoal stove for business purposes only. This was because; we would have to buy charcoal. As for firewood, all that we needed to do was to walk in the hunt for dead trees and dead branches. If they were dead and dry, that was a lucky day. If they fell down before drying up, we would still take them home and give them an opportunity to dry. My brother Edward allowed me to be his salesperson for the bread and donuts whenever I had some free time. I loved it. I can credit the little sales knowledge that I have today to my brother who gave me a firm foundation. My brother also taught me how to do local baking. Perhaps, I need to start baking with an oven since I am staying in a house with an oven for this season.

As I write this post, I cannot stop thinking about the amount of firewood put to waste here in America. In fact, I picked a few dead branches this morning. For some reason, every time I walk by a dead branch of a tree, I am tempted to pick it up for firewood. Then a little voice whispers to me, reminding me that I am not staying in a village. Maybe I should start thinking of ways of channeling this firewood to places that could use it. I know a friend who could let me pick the firewood in their yard, free of charge. I perhaps need to look into transport logistics and export/import tariffs. So many schools including my very own Love Restoration School and many families could use the firewood that is redundant here. Besides, I have some experience in selling firewood from my high school vacation. So how best can we utilize the firewood around us? Perhaps, you can help my creative juice to flow farther. #Memories #business #thinkingalound #villagelife #townlife

Bring out your salt and Light!

The Bible calls us to be the salt and light of the world (Mathew 5:13-16). How can we be the salt to the world that is void of a good taste? How are we supposed to be the light in a place that seems to have so many dark spots? I will explain how in the proceeding paragraphs.

As the light, whoever see us should see how bright we are. Do we need to tell others, that hey I am ‘light’? I guess not. As far as I know, a little spark of light brightens an entire room. When a room gets bright, even the darkest spots get to be visible. Light never tells darkness that now that I have come you should flee. Simply put, light can not be hidden. If we were to be the light of the world, our titles would not mean anything much. All that would matter would be shining for Christ. I do not care about the title that you hold, Bishop or Apostle or Evangelist or simply Christian, I care if your light shines in all that you say or do.

Salt never boosts of being in the food.  Its taste is subject to the tester of food. We can boost speaking God’s word but if we utter it in a way that contradicts his loving kindness and mercy, we need to check ourselves.  I do not know how spiritual you may be or how much theological knowledge you claim to have. It is sad if you hold your opinions as gospel truth and demonize those with divergent opinions. The only truth that will always be is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we eloquently preach other gospels, we need to divert our energy back to the right paths.

As Christians, I think that instead of condemning the sinner, we should be condemning sin. We should treat the sinners with Love and Grace. We ought to pray for the lost so that they may hear the word, know the Lord and accept him as their savior. Our conduct ought to show those in the darkness that they can enter into the bright light of the Lord. Our lives ought to be a testimony of the Lord’s goodness in our lives. As we enter this day, I pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to discern what he wants us to hear from all the information that we will see and share. It is my prayer that we get to be able to differentiate God’s Spirit from the enemy’s spirit? In Jesus’ name, I pray. Will you shine for Jesus today?

Turn your fear into faith

Have you ever wondered why it is easy to live in fear? Employees live in fear of their bosses especially if they threaten to fire them anytime. Some bosses may want their superiors to comply with their instructions even when they may be logically incorrect. When intimidation and threats become tools of ‘effective’ leadership, fear takes a firm grip. For organizations especially nonprofits, it is easy to feel threatened by the donors’ inclinations to not give. Fear makes one feel like there is nothing left of his/her inner resources. Have you had moments when you seem not to have the physical and emotional strength to move on? That may be an indication of fear.

I would like to let you know that the greatest discovery that you and I can make is to realize that our strength is not enough. It does not matter the milestones you claim to have achieved. Even bush war heroes can fail to STOP those whom they call ‘pigs/hooligans’ as the case may be in Uganda. 'The Hooligans have so far assassinated over ten influential people which have left the country visibly shaken. The Political tension in the country has caused many Ugandans to worry and fear especially as they think of transitions. We need to see our weakness of fear and worry as an opportunity to tap into the assurance of God’s presence.

My question is who is safe from fear? The Bible answers this question in a more profound way than any human being can. 1 Corinthians 16:13, for example, says “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”. One can only get rid of fear if he/she stands firm in faith. How I love this, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Does this mean that our genuine love can only be possible if we do not live in fear? In whom should we put our trust then? The Bible asks us to “Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them” (Psalm 146:2). Earthly leaders can only do so much but God never fails.

Friends, would you write down all your worries and fears today and surrender them to God. I do not know what you may be going through today but God knows. Take to the Lord in Prayer #fear #faith #hope #Love #Iamnolongerastravetofear #IamachildofGod.

The room that you and I need!!

I have come to know of a room that I think everybody alive needs. This room is not concerned about one’s net worth. This room fits everyone’s budget. This room does not care about how long you have been doing what you claim to know or be doing the best way known to you. To this room, the level of experience that one claims to have does not count. Even people with the worst resumes need it.  It does not take into account the number of people who report to you or how many people you manage. With this room, not even the very learned with Ph.D.'s can claim mastery of it. This room still holds even when you make a great contribution to this world. This room is universal to everyone, young or old, rich or poor. This room does not pay attention to your origin or color of your skin. To this room, your religious affiliation is not a big deal. It works for all people irrespective of their position of authority. This room is the biggest room available for all people irrespective of their lifestyles. You do not need to have any rewards to get this room. This room is the room for improvement. Friends, I do not care who you are, where you are from or what you do, but I care if you have this wonderful room. Would you spare some time to nurture this room today? It can be in your relationships or work. You need this room in your daily life either at work or at home.

Just like a hotel room, here are four hacks about your room of improvement:

1.     It is an opportunity to make every day a memorable adventure. Each day is an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and improve on our strengths.

2.     It needs appropriate safety measures. Make it your priority and do safety checks before you conduct yourself in a particular way. Developing a teachable spirit and being empathetic may be good safety measures.  Set your room up for the safety of yourself and those that need to benefit from your learning.

3.     It needs you to inspect all the neglected areas and corners of your life. Some of those neglected areas may be your perception of self or others. If you are the kind of person that thinks is always right and the rest of the world is wrong, check yourself. Make sure that everything is tip-top before you get comfortable in your room.

4.     It requires you to check those annoying guests. Those people who always think less of you should not be in any of your worries. Learn from their utterances but do not dwell on them.  

May the Lord’s will be done as you enter into this room of daily improvement. Be different as you make a difference.

Do not make assumptions

Why is it easy to assume that you know someone yet you actually do not? Every day presents to us a gift of 24 hours for us to understand the people and situations around us. In most cases, we blow our 24 hours up. We find ourselves trapped in our own imaginations and the one-sided way (Self-centered way) of seeing things.

We find ourselves doing similar things repeatedly and expect different results yet we do not want to challenge our imaginations. Believe me; nothing will change unless your assumptions have circumstantial evidence. We have let our wrong assumptions guide our actions. We end up being toxic to ourselves and inflicting those around us. There are comments I have heard people say about me that really show that these people do not know me. Maybe I should request them to spend more time with me for them to have a better perception of me. Today’s technologically advanced and fast-paced world gives us great opportunities to understand each other. When you see a situation or perceive another person out of bias and selfishness, you will always go wrong on your assumptions. We should always find a way to prove our data. If it means investing time and resources into research, we should better do that than make wrong assumptions that often lead to wrong decisions. 

James gives us a caution on how to avoid being polluted by the world. The Bible tells us that “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. A religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”(James 1:26-27). Friends, what will your tongue say today?

Before you concoct your assumptions, can you please dig deeper. It helps when one makes evidence-based decisions other than using self-inflicted evidence to jot a course of action.

Here are six action items for you and me to reflect on today:

1.       Ask questions before making un-informed decisions

2.      Discern people’s perceptions

3.      Test your assumptions without a selfish bias

4.      Admit that your perception of things and situations can be wrong at times

5.      Develop a zeal to change perception once your assumptions get challenged

6.     Maybe it is time for you and me to put on new ‘Perception Lenses’. Pay attention to such promptings.

Maybe you and I should stop taking things for granted.

On April 28^th, 2018,  I got the pleasure of visiting San Diego Zoo in California. It was a great way to spend a portion of my day walking around the zoo. The nature and the many species of animals in this habitat caught my eye. When I got to the Gorillas section, my heart skipped a bit to my homeland Kisoro Uganda. I remembered that my town is a home to many Mountain Gorillas. I still cannot believe that I have never gone to Mghinga National park in my town to check on my neighbors (Mountain Gorillas). Why is it easy to think of the beauty that is at a distance? I grew up in this beautiful place with wonderful features but I never paid a close look at them. I saw them but I guess they did not mean anything much to me yet many tourists from all over the world travel to come see them. Calderas like Sagitwe surround my place.  I wonder why it took me all this long to know that I had to visit them, hike around them or even take pictures. Do you think of traveling so far away as the only way to appreciate beauty? If you your answer to this question is a yes then you and I are in the same boat. 

Here are three things we need to do to stop taking things for granted,

1.      Pay a closer look at where we are. God has placed us where we are and each of the places we get to be in has a beauty to embrace. We just need to notice it.

2.      Explore our surroundings: You do not need to wait for that air ticket to travel to a distant place. Appreciate what is around you and enjoy each moment of being around them. If that opportunity to go to a distant place comes, it will be an added advantage.

3.      Be content: Do you have a place to visit on your wish list? If yes, that is perfect. You, however, need to be content where you are until that time comes for you to visit your dream place. 

My eyes are now open to seeing the beauty in Kisoro Uganda. I cannot wait going back home to explore the beauty that I have taken for granted for over twenty years.  Uganda is gifted with flora and fauna. I am looking forward to exploring my motherland than ever before. I am looking forward to exploring the world around me than ever before. Blessings as you enjoy the beauty around you.

Whom do you serve or glorify?

In a society that is result driven and performance oriented, it is easy to think that ministry is all about numbers. Some organizations today would rather have many branches opened than actually changing anybody, one person at a time. Should ministry be all about numbers? Why is it easy to pride in one’s achievements without acknowledging God- the giver of it all?

No matter where we are placed, we have that inbuilt selfishness attitude. There is a tendency of looking at ourselves as better than those around us. Since when did ministry become a competition? Why should greed and selfishness drive what we do every day? If we are serving one master, should we compete with each other in the search for prominence or favors? I believe that the Lord created each one of us for a purpose. Our aim should be to serve diligently as we follow our calling. It does not matter how much yield we make but it matters if we make a yield. Our yield is still valuable in God’s Kingdom no matter how insignificant it may seem to be especially in comparison with other people’s yields.

Today I am reflecting on Paul’s words, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). It is my prayer that whatever I do will be to Glorify God. I calm down all the moments when my selfishness wants to take the show. May my life manifest the Lord’s presence. Oh, how I want his living image on my face. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen

#WhateveryoudodoitforthegloryofGod #Always