Thursday, August 27, 2009

Kardinali Pengo akemea wanasiasa kufundisha kazi maaskofu

ASKOFU Mkuu wa Jimbo Katoliki Dar es Salaam, Mwadhama Polycarp Kardinali Pengo amesema maaskofu wasifundishwe namna ya kufikisha kazi ya Mungu na kufikisha ujumbe wao kwa waumini.
Kauli hiyo ya Pengo ambayo aliitoa mbele ya Rais mstaafu Benjamin Mkapa, pasipo kutaja waraka, imetolewa baada ya waraka uliotolewa na kanisa hilo kuzua mjadala mkali nchini, ukihusisha watu wa kada mbalimbali. Mjadala wa hoja hiyo pia ulifika katika Halmashauri Kuu (NEC) ya CCM ambako ulijadiliwa na kutolewa maazimo.
Katika maazimio hayo, NEC iliwataka viongozi wa Serikali na Kanisa Katoliki kukutana, ili kupata ufumbuzi wa mzozo wa waraka huo ambao unataka wananchi wachague viongozi waadilifu wakati wa Uchaguzi Mkuu utakaofanyika mwakani.
Mbali na NEC, wakati akijibu mwaswali ya papo kwa papo bungeni hivi karibuni, Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda alisema ni vema uongozi wa kanisa hilo ukapeleka waraka huo serikalini, ili iweze kusambaza kwa wananchi, badala ya utaratibu wa sasa unaotoa mwanya kwa kila dhehebu kujiandikia na kusambaza nyaraka.
Akiendesha misa ya ibada takatifu ya kumuombea marehemu Askofu Mkuu Anthony Mayalla wa Jimbo Kuu la Mwanza, kwenye viwanja vya Kawekamo, Pengo alisisitiza, hawatakiwi kufundishwa namna ya kuandika barua kwenda kwa waumini wao, kwa sababu kufanya hivyo ni kuwafanya maaskofu hao washindwe kufikisha neno la Mungu kwa waumini
wao.
“Katu kanisa halitaruhusu maaskofu kuandika Barua na kuipeleka kwanza serikalini ikajadiliwe ndipo iruhusiwe kwenda kwa waumini. Kama itakuwa hivyo ni heri maaskofu hao wakaacha kabisa kufanya chochote,” alisisitiza.
Pengo alisisitiza kuwa suala la kuambiwa wanapotaka kuwasiliana na waumini wao kuwasiliana na chama (CCM) na serikali kwanza ni kuwapeleka waumini sehemu isiyostahili, hivyo kanisa haliko tayari kukubaliana na suala hilo.
Kadinali Pengo alisema maaskofu waachwe wafanye kazi yao pasipo kuingiliwa na mtu yoyote na kwamba, kanisa haliko tayari kuwaruhusu maaskofu kuandika barua kwa waumini na kuipeleka kwanza serikalini ama kwenye chama kwa ajili ya kujadiliwa.
Mjadala wa Waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki ulichochewa zaidi na mwanasiasa mkongwe nchini, Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru, katika Bunge la Bajeti mwaka huu baada ya kutaka kanisa hilo liuondoe kwa waumini kwasababu umejaa uchochezi wa kidini.
Kingunge baada ya kujibiwa na maaskofu, aliibuka tena akitaka kuombwa radhi kwa madai kuwa alishushiwa heshima kwa kumlinganisha na mafisadi.
Katika hatua nyingine Kadinali Pengo aliwaonya watu wanaopiga

Source: mwanachi

Mwakasege in Arusha

Mwakasege live in Star TV
kuanzia saa 10 jioni.

Mbarikiwe

Waislamu kuzindua mwongozo wa uchaguzi Alhamisi

SHURA ya Maimamu wa Tanzania, kesho inatarajia kuzindua rasmi mwongozo kwa Waislamu kuhusu uchaguzi mkuu wa 2010 na moto wa siasa za ukombozi.
Uzinduzi huo unatarajiwa kufanyika katika viwanja vya Mnazi Mmoja jijini Dar es Salaam, kuanzia saa 8:00 mchana.
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari Kinondoni jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Katibu wa kamati kuu ya siasa ya taasisi hiyo, Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, alisema uzinduzi huo utahudhuriwa na zaidi ya masheikh 100 kutoka katika mikoa 22 ya Tanzania Bara.
Alisema mwongozo huo utagusia masuala mbalimbali ya kitaifa yakiwemo ya kijamii, kisiasa na kiuchumi.
“Mwongozo unahusisha masuala ya elimu, afya, uchumi, demokrasia, siasa na kilimo. Mambo mengi zaidi tutayaeleza katika uzinduzi ,” alisema Sheikh Ponda.
Alisema kila mkoa utatoa masheikh watano ambao watawawakilisha Waislamu wa mikoa yao na baadaye kuwarejeshea salamu za pamoja za Waislaam kwa serikali ya CCM.
Alisema mWongozo huo utakuwa na salamu na ujumbe maalum kwa serikali kufuatia kitendo chake cha kukaa kimya wakati Kanisa Katoliki, lilipotoa waraka ambao kimsingi unahatarisha amani, usalama na umoja wa kitaifa.
“Ndani ya mwongozo wetu kuna ujumbe maalum kwa serikali ya CCM kwa kule kakaa kimya kwake kimya baada ya Kanisa Katoliki kutoa waraka ambao kimsingi jamii na serikali zinajua kabisa kwamba unahatarisha umoja wa kitaifa,” alisema Sheikh
Ponda.
Alisema huko nyuma, viongozi wa madhehebu ya Kiislamu walijaribu kutoa elimu ya uraia, lakini serikali iliwakamata na kuwawe ndani kwa madai ya uchochezi.
"Je waraka na ilani ya Wakatoliki hazileti uchochezi,” alihoji Ponda.
Alisema mwongozo huo utaweka mwelekeo na msimamo wa pamoja wa Waislamu kuelekea katika uchaguzi wa serikali za mitaa utakaofanyika mwezi Oktoba mwaka huu na uchaguzi mkuu wa urais, ubunge na udiwani utakaofanyika mwakani

Source: Mwananchi

Monday, August 24, 2009

This Week's Sermon.

Ephesians: Lessons In Grace

Submit To One Another

One of the hardest things to do in life is what Paul asked the Ephesians to do in Ephesians chapter 5. Paul wrote:

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).

It may not sound that hard. In fact, it probably sounds quite reasonable. It’s like listening to Jesus, and nodding in agreement, when He says, “Love one another” (John 13:34). Of course we should love one another. That’s the most reasonable thing in the world to do. But it took on a whole new meaning when Jesus defined what it meant to “love one another.” Jesus said:

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

When your life is at stake, it’s no longer quite as simple or convenient to “love one another.” It’s especially hard when the other person you’re supposed to be loving just happens to be a jerk. But Jesus went beyond just loving his friends. The Bible says that Jesus laid down His life even for those who were sinning against Him. Paul wrote:

“Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:7-8, NLT).

It’s the same thing with submission. It might sound easy enough to “submit to one another.” But the truth is, none of us want to submit to anyone! It goes against human nature. It goes against “free will.” It goes against the “rugged individualism” that many people think made our country so great.

But by submitting to one another, by surrendering your will to someone else’s, you’re demonstrating your love to them in one of the greatest ways possible. While it may be one of the most difficult things to do in life, it’s also one of the most gracious. And it can turn your relationships around in a heartbeat.

I got a call one night from a couple who was having a knockdown, drag- out fight. I had only recently met them, and the wife said she was trying to decide if she should call me or call the police. When I got to their door and heard them fighting inside, I was wondering myself if she should have called the police instead!

But when we all sat down to talk, it turned out that the husband truly loved his wife, and the wife truly loved her husband. But their lives were so busy that when the husband wanted to spend more time with his wife, he expressed it in anger and frustration at their schedule, and she gave it right back to him with frustrations of her own. It quickly became a battle of the wills, and the fighting escalated from there.

I asked the wife if she believed her husband truly loved her, and if she could see that his anger grew out of an honest desire to spend more time with her, and she said, “Yes.” I asked the husband if his wife were in danger, would he willingly give up his life for her, and he said, “Yes.”

Then I shared with them the next words that Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord....Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her...” (Ephesians 5:22, 25).

That truth helped them through another night. I’m thankful to say it’s now been over fifteen years since that night, and they’re still together and serving the Lord. It’s hard work to submitting to one another, surrendering your will to someone else’s. But the benefits to you, to others, and to the Lord far outweigh the work involved.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Lay down your life for those you love--and even for those who are sinning against you. As you do, I pray that God’s love and grace will flow from you to them--just as it flowed from Christ to you.

Let’s pray...

Father, thank You for challenging me to submit to one another out of reverence for Your Son. Lord, even though I know it’s hard, I pray that You would give me Your Spirit to help me to do it, for I want to be as gracious and loving as I can be, and I want to honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God bless you so much, you are always welcome at Sayuni e-House.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Wapinga tamko la CCM kuhusu Mahakama ya Kadhi

Baadhi ya Waislamu jijini Dar es Salaam wamepinga kauli ya Halmashauri Kuu ya Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kutaka Mahakama ya Kadhi ianzishwe nje ya mfumo wa serikali.
Aidha, hatua ya Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), kuagiza Serikali kukutana na viongozi wa dini, kufanya mazungumzo ili kusafisha kile ilichodai hali ya hewa imeelezwa kutokana na chama hicho kukosa ujasiri na kukumbatia ufisadi.
Akizungumza jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Katibu wa kutetea haki za Waislamu Tanzania Issa Ponda alisema, kufanya hivyo ni kutaka kuwaundia Waislamu mahakama wasioiahidi tofauti na walivyoahidi kupitia ilani yao ya uchaguzi ya mwaka 2005.
"Kusema kwamba Mahakama ya Kadhi ianzishwe nje ya mfumo wa serikali ni kutaka kututengenezea mahakama ambayo hawakuiahidi, kwa sababu ilani ya CCM haukusema hivyo," alisema Ponda.
Ponda aliongeza kuwa, "Kabla ya Mahamakama ya Kadhi haijavunjwa nchini ilikuwa ikiendeshwa na serikali, na CCM walipotamka kuwa watairejesha walikusudia kuirejesha ile ya zamani, sasa kukiuka hayo ni usanii."
Ameitaka serikali iingize mahakama ya kadhi katika mamlaka yake ili itambulike kisheria na iiendeshe kama vile ilivyosaini mkataba wa kuyahudumia makanisa kupiia "Memorandum of Understand".
Kwa upande wake Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema Dk, Willibrod Slaa alisema kuwa mbali na CCM kukosa ujasiri hatua hiyo ni sehemu ya rushwa. Alisema iwapo viongozi wa dini watakubali kukutana na kuongea kwa siri na serikali watakuwa wamenunuliwa.
"CCM kutaka serikali ikutane na viongozi wa dini kwa mazungumzo ya siri ni kitendo kisicho cha ujasiri, ni sehemu ya rushwa," alisema Dk. Slaa na kuongeza; Nitawashangaa viongozi wa dini watakaokubali kukaa na Waziri Mkuu kwa siri na kunywa naye chai kwa mazungumzo hayo."
Akizungumzia hatua ya CCM kupinga waraka uliotolewa na Kanisa Katoliki huku mwanasiasa mkongwe Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru akishika bendera, Dk Slaa alisema hatua hiyo haina tofauti na kuunga mkono ufisadi.
Alisema inashanga kuona watu wanapinga waraka ambao unaelekeza namna ya kupata kiongozi muadilifu, asiye fisadi, mla rushwa au mbinafsi anayeweza kupatikana katika imani yoyote ya dini.
"Yeyote anayetaka kupinga waraka wa Wakatoliki ni fisadi kwa sababu unazungumzia maadili mema ya kiongozi bila kuelekeza atoke dini gani: Kwenye wapagani kuna waadilifu, Uislamu kuna asiye fisadi hata dini nyingine wapo wasiokula rushwa. Yeyote anayekataa hilo sina jingine ni fisadi tu."
Kwa Kingunge sishangai, kupinga waraka ule kwani hata majina ya mafisadi pale Mwembe Yanga alikuwa wa kwanza kuyapinga akisema wapinzani ni waongo, sasa Kiko wapi?," alihoji Dk Slaa na kuongeza: Kama unamkataa asiye fisadi basi wewe ni fisadi, sisi tunawombea Mungu CCM waendelee kupingana na wapinga ufisadi." Alisema CCM imefika mwisho wake na haifai tena mbele ya jamii kwa kuwa inakumbatia ufisadi tena bila kificho.
Akizungumzia tamko la CCM kuitaka serikali ikutane na viongozi wa dini ili kusafisha hali ya hewa iliyochafuliwa na waraka wa Waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki , Ponda alisema njia itakayoweka hali hiyo kuwa nzuri ni Waislamu kuandaa waraka wao ambao alisema watautangaza mwishoni mwa mwezi Agosti mwaka huu.
"Hakuna njia itakayorejesha hali nzuri zaidi ya sisi nasi kutoa waraka wetu.Tuko katika hatua za mwisho kuukamilisha na ifikapo mwishini mwa mwezi huu(Agosti) tutautangaza"alitangaza Ponda.
Aidha Ponda alimshutumu Katibu wa NEC (Itikadi na Uenezi) John Chiligati kwa kuiamuria Kamati Kuu kwani kikao cha kujadili hayo hakijafanyika wala kutoa maamuzi juu ya hilo.
Chiligati juzi akiwa kwenye kikao cha NEC aliagiza serikali kukutana na viongozi wa dini ili kufanya mazungumzo ya kusafisha hali ya hewa iliyochafuliwa na waraka wa Wakatoliki na pia kuitaka serikali ianzishe mahakama ya kadhi nje ya mfumo wa dola.

Source: Mwananchi

Askofu Mayalla afariki dunia

ASKOFU mkuu wa jimbo kuu la Mwanza, kanisa Katoliki Mhashamu Anthony Petro Mayalla (69) amefariki dunia jana mchana kutokana na maradhi ya moyo baada ya kuugua ghafla akiwa ofisini kwake.Kwa mujibu wa taarifa iliyotolewa jana na mkurungenzi wa mawasiliano wa baraza la Maaskofu (TEC) kanisa katoliki, Padri Revocatus.Makonge Askofu huyo amefariki baada ya madaktari wa Hospitali ya rufaa ya Bugando kuhangaika kumpatia matibabu bila ya mafanikio.Alisema kuwa marehemu aliamuka salama jana na kuendelea na shughuli zake za kila siku ofisini kwake mpaka majira ya saa 4:00 asubuhi ambapo alizidiwa ghafla na kukimbizwa Hospitali ya rufaa ya Bugando.Habari kutoka katika ofisi ya aksofu huyo, zimeeleza kuwa alipatwa na maradhi hayo wakati akiwa katika maandalizi ya ziara ya waziri wa mambo ya nje wa Vatican ambaye alikuwa akitarajiwa kufanya ziara jimboni kwake Oktoba 5 mwaka huu kwa ajili ya kufungua ujenzi wa hospitali ya watoto.“Baada ya kufikisha hospitalini hapo madaktari waliahangaika kuokoa maisha yake lakini nahati mbaya lifariki dunia majira ya saa 8;30 mchana,” alieleza Padri Revocatus Makonge.Askofu Mayalla alizaliwa Aprili 23 mwaka 1940 katika katika kijiji cha Nera wilayani Kwimba na kupata elimu yake ya msingi katika wilaya hiyo na masomo ya sekondari.Askofu Mayalla alikuwa amehitimu shahada ya kwanza ya elimu aliyopita katika chuo kikuu cha Loyola huko Chicago Marekani mwaka 1973 hadi 1975. Frederick Katulanda, Mwanza.

Ukizaliwa mara moja utakufa mara mbili, ukizaliwa mara mbili utakufa mara moja tuu!

Ukizaliwa mara moja utakufa mara mbili, ukizaliwa mara mbili utakufa mara moja tuu!

Bwana Yesu Asifiwe!

Daima namshukuru Mungu kwa neema zake na upendo wake mkuu kwetu sote (ni vyema kumshukuru Mungu kwa baraka zake kwetu, tunazoziona na tusizoziona) ile tuu kuweza kusoma ujumbe huu ni neema yake.

Karibu tena tushirikiane Neno la Mungu litakalotuongoza katika maisha yetu yote. Leo tutatafakari ujumbe huu unaosema “Kama umezaliwa mara moja tuu utakufa mara mbili, na kama umezaliwa mara mbili, utakufa mara moja”.Ndiyo, hii ina maana kuwa kuna kuzaliwa mara mbili na pia kuna kufa mara mbili.

Hebu tafakari mstari huu wa Yohana 3:3 “Yesu akamwambia, "Amen nakwambia, mtu asipozaliwa upya hataweza kuuona ufalme wa Mungu." Maneno haya Bwana Yesu alikuwa akimwambia kiongozi wa kikundi cha Mafarisayo aitwaye Nikodemo. Nikodemo alikuwa hajafahamu bado ni nini maana yake kuzaliwa mara ya pili, na ndipo Bwana Yesu akamfunulia zaidi: “Yesu akamjibu, "Kweli nakwambia, mtu asipozaliwa kwa maji na Roho, hawezi kamwe kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.” [Yohana 3:5]. Na pia “Kilichozaliwa kwa mwili ni mwili, na kilichozaliwa kwa Roho ni Roho. Usishangae basi ninapokwambia, ni lazima uzaliwe mara ya pili” [Yohana 3:6-7]
Bwana Yesu hapo kwenye mistari hiyo anaonesha kuwa kuna kuzaliwa mara ya kwanza na kuna kuzaliwa mara ya pili pia. Na anaendelea kwa kuweka wazi kuwa kuzaliwa mara ya kwanza hakutufanyi sisi tuoone ufalme wa Mungu (ndio maana kuna waliobatizwa wengi hawataingia mbinguni kwa sababu hawajaokoka), bali ni kuzaliwa mara ya pili (kuookoka) ndiyo kunatupa sisi neema ya kuuona ufalme wa Mungu [Yohana3:3].

Ni vyema kujiuliza, kuzaliwa mara ya kwanza na kuzaliwa mara ya pili ni kupi? Yule ndugu aitwaye Nikodomo aliposikia kuhusu kuzaliwa mara ya pili, lilikuwa ni jambo jipya kwake, hivyo akamuuliza Bwana Yesu:
“Nikodemo akamwuliza, "Mtu mzima awezaje kuzaliwa tena? Hawezi kuingia tumboni mwa mama yake na kuzaliwa mara ya pili! "[Yohana 3:4] ni wazi kuwa Nikodemo hakuwa amemwelewa Bwana Yesu, ndipo Bwana Yesu akamjibu katika mstari huo hapo juu akimwambia, “Mtu asipozaliwa kwa maji na kwa Roho {Roho Mtakatifu} hawezi kamwe kuuona ufalme wa Mungu.” Hapa sasa tunaelewa kuwa ‘kuzaliwa mara ya kwanza’ kunamaanisha ubatizo wa maji, na ‘kuzaliwa mara ya pili’ kuna maanisha kuzaliwa kwa Roho Mtakatifu, yaani kuokoka.

Kwa hiyo sasa tunaona kuwa ni kwa lugha ya sasa hivi mstari ule wa Yohana 3:3 tunaweza tukautafsiri hivi “Yesu akamwambia, "Amen nakwambia, mtu asipookoka hataweza kuuona ufalme wa Mungu.” Ndiyo ujumbe wetu wa leo, mtu asipookoka hawezi kamwe kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.

Je, ni nini kitatokea kwa waliokokoka na wale wasiokokoka?

Ninaamini unafahamu vyema kuwa ile siku ya mwisho, siku ya hukumu itakapofika, kama Biblia inavyosema, watu wote wa nyakati zote watakusanyika mbele za Mungu na hapo hukumu itatolewa. Kila mtu anapookoka, jina lake linaandikwa kwenye kitabu kule mbinguni sekunde ile ile anapoisema sala ya kuokoka. Kwa hiyo, itakapofika ile siku ya mwisho, watu wote waliokuwa wameokoka wakiwa hapa duniani majina yao yatakuwa kwenye kile Kitabu. Hivyo majina yatasomwa, na wale ambao majina yao yameandikwa humo wataingia katika ule mji wa Yerusalem mpya ulio tayari hata sasa. Wale ambao majina yao hayaandikwa kwenye kile Kitabu hao watatupwa katika lile ziwa la moto, liitwalo jehanamu pamoja na ibilisi na malaika zake waovu. Ni vyema kuyafahamu mambo haya kama yalivyoandikwa kwenye Biblia katika mistari ifuatayo:

Ufunuo 20:13-15: “Bahari ikawatoa nje wafu waliokuwa ndani yake; kifo na kuzimu vikawatoa nje wafu waliokuwa ndani yao. Kila mmoja akahukumiwa kufuatana na matendo yake.Kisha kifo na kuzimu vikatupwa ndani ya ziwa la moto. Ziwa hili la moto ndicho kifo cha pili.Mtu yeyote ambaye jina lake halikupatikana limeandikwa katika kitabu cha uzima, alitupwa katika ziwa la moto.”

Ufunuo 21:27: “Lakini hakuna chochote kilicho najisi kitakachoingia humo; wala mtu yeyote atendaye mambo ya kuchukiza au ya uongo hataingia humo. Ni wale tu walioandikwa katika kitabu cha uzima cha Mwanakondoo ndio watakaoingia ndani.”

Tumeshaona ni nini maana ya kuzaliwa mara mbili, sasa tuone ni nini maana ya kufa mara mbili?. Kufa kwa mara ya kwanza ni kifo kile tutakachokufa hapa duniani wakati wa Bwana unapofika, yaani kifo cha mwili huu wa nje tunaotembea ndani yake. Kifo cha pili ni kile kilichoelezwa katika Biblia, Ufunuo 20:14 “Kisha mauti na kuzimu vikatupwa ndani ya ziwa la moto. Ziwa hili la moto ndicho kifo cha pili.” Naam, Biblia inasema kuwa, kutupwa katika ziwa lile la moto ndiyo kufa mara ya pili. Kwa hiyo wale wote ambao watakuwa hawajaokoka [yaani walizaliwa mara moja tuu kwa kubatizwa], watakufa hapa duniani na pia siku ya hukumu watahukumiwa kifo cha pili {yaani ziwa la moto}, kwa hiyo hawa watakufa mara mbili. Lakini wale wote watakaokuwa wamekubali kuokoka [yaani kuzaliwa mara mbili, kubatizwa na kuokoka], watakufa hapa duniani lakini baada ya hapo hawatakufa tena, bali tutaishi milele, kwahiyo, waliookoka wote watakufa mara moja tuu. Na hiyo ndiyo maana ya ujumbe wetu wa leo, “Ukizaliwa mara moja utakufa mara mbili na ukizaliwa mara mbili utakufa mara moja tuu”

Je, wewe umeokoka?

Ni swali lako binafsi. Je, wewe umeokoka (kuzaliwa mara ya pili)? Kuokoka siyo dini wala dhehebu jipya. Ni wazi kuwa hatujamsikia Bwana Yesu katika Biblia akiwaambia watu waingie dhehebu fulani ili wauone ufalme wa Mungu, Yeye alisema tuu ni lazima kuzaliwa mara ya pili, yaani kuokoka. Kuokoka ni uhusiano wako binafsi na Bwana Yesu Kristo.

Kama umeokoka, basi huu ni ujumbe wa kukutia moyo, songa mbele katika wokovu maisha yako yote. Kama hujaokoka na umeupata ujumbe huu, basi ninakupa shauri ufanye kama Bwana Yesu alivyoagiza, yaani uokoke. Ukiokoka Bwana Yesu atakusamehe dhambi zako zote kama ilivyoandikwa 1Yohana 1:7 “Lakini tukiishi katika mwanga, kama naye alivyo katika mwanga, basi tutakuwa na umoja sisi kwa sisi, na Damu yake Yesu Kristo, Mwanae, inatutakasa dhambi zote.”

Kama unataka kuokoka sasa
bonyeza hapa.

Ubarikiwe na Mungu aliye juu mbinguni, tuzidi kuombeana.

Katika utumishi Wake,

Frank Lema
www.lema.or.tz
savedlema2@yahoo.com

Arusha, Tanzania.
Aug 13th, 2009.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

CCM yatoa tamko kuhusu Waraka wa Wakatoliki, Mahakama ya Kadhi

HALMASHAURI Kuu ya CCM imeiagiza serikali kukutana na viongozi wa dini ili kufanya mazungumzo yatakayosafisha hali ya hewa iliyochafuliwa na waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki (RC), kuhusu uchaguzi, huku ikiridhia kuanzishwa kwa Mahakama ya Kadhi nje ya mfumo wa dola.
Waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki umekuwa ni gumzo kubwa katika miezi ya karibuni kutokana na kuzungumzia jinsi ya kuchagua viongozi bora kwenye uchaguzi wa mwaka 2010, huku wanaoupinga wakidai kuwa, utawagawa wananchi katika misingi ya kidini.
Chiligati aliwaambia waandishi wa habari jana kuwa, Nec imeagiza viongozi wakuu wa nchi kukutana na viongozi wa dini ili kufanya mazungumzo kwa lengo la kusafisha hali ya hewa na kujenga umoja na utengamano katika jamii.
RC imekuwa ikiwataka wanaoupinga waraka huo kueleza udhaifu wake badala ya kutoa maoni ya kiujumla kuwa haufai, kama ambavyo mwanasiasa mkongwe, Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru amekuwa akiupinga.
Kuhusu Mahakama ya Kadhi, CCM imesema inaunga mkono msimamo wa serikali kutaka suala hilo lianzishwe nje ya mfumo wa dola.
Katika ilani yake ya uchaguzi wa mwaka 2005, CCM iliahidi kulipatia ufumbuzi suala la Mahakama ya Kadhi, lakini katika miezi ya karibuni Waislamu wamekuwa wakishinikiza kutaka kuanzishwa kwa chombo hicho wakidai kuwa, CCM iliwahadaa kwa kuahidi kuwaundia chombo hicho.
“Halmashauri Kuu imesisitiza kuwa iwapo Waislamu wanaona haki zao hazikamiliki bila ya kuwa na chombo cha aina hiyo, wasizuiwe, alisema Chiligati.
“Waruhusiwe kuanzisha Mahakama ya Kadhi wao wenyewe na serikali isijihusishe kuiendesha mahakama hiyo kwani kwa kufanya hivyo itakuwa imejiingiza katika shughuli za kidini.”
Kwa mujibu wa Chiligati, mahakama hiyo haitajihusisha na kesi za jinai wala madai badala yake itakuwa ikishughulikia masuala ya ndoa, talaka na mirathi.
Katika mkutano huo wa Nec, Jasson Rweikiza alichaguliwa kuziba nafasi ya ujumbe wa chombo hicho kuziba nafasi iliyoachwa wazi na aliyekuwa mbunge wa Mbeya Vijijini, Richard Nyaulawa.
Rweikiza alipata kura 88 na kumbwaga kwa tofauti ya kura tatu mpinzani wake wa karibu, Ramadhani Maneno ambaye alipata kura 85 huku mwanamke pekee katika kinyang'anyiro hicho, Sifa Swai akiambulia kura 46.
Jambo lingine lililojiri ndani ya kikao hicho kikubwa ni pamoja na uteuzi wa makatibu wa mikoa. Katika uteuzi huo, Sauda Mpembalyoto, ambaye alikuwa katibu wa wilaya ya Hai na kapteni mstaafu wa jeshi, Frarten Kiwango ambaye alikuwa katibu wa wilaya ya Kibaha Mjini, waliteuliwa kuwa makatibu lakini vituo watapangiwa baadaye.
Source: Mwananchi

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Kingunge atangaza upya vita na Katoliki

MWANASIASA Mkongwe nchini Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru, ameendelea kuung'ang'ania waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki na sasa amelitaka kanisa hilo limwombe radhi kwa kumwita fisadi alipoupinga bungeni.
Waraka huo uliotolewa Machi mwaka huu, ulilenga kuwapa mwongozo waumini wa Kanisa Katoliki wa namna ya kushiriki Uchaguzi Mkuu ujao, vipaumbele vya kitaifa na aina ya kiongozi anayefaa kuchaguliwa.
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari nyumbani kwake jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Kingunge alisema alishangaa kusikia kanisa hilo likisema wanaohofia waraka huo ni mafisadi baada ya yeye (Kingunge) kutoa angalizo bungeni katika Mkutano wa 16 uliomalizika Julai 31 mwaka huu.
"Maaskofu wamenisikitisha sana katika hili. Hatuwezi tukakubali nchi ikapelekwa wanavyotaka wao, tunaomba waache," alisema Kingunge na kuongeza:
"Nashangaa, askofu mzima akazungumza na kuniita fisadi, hiyo ni dhambi. Askofu huyo akaungame. Mimi sipendi neno fisadi ni afadhali kama rushwa iitwe rushwa".
Hata hivyo, Askofu Msaidizi wa Kanisa Katoliki Jimbo Kuu la Dar es Salaam, Mhashamu Method Kilaini jana alikataa kujibu kauli hiyo ya Kingunge akisema hataki kulumbana na mkongwe huyo wa siasa.
"Sitaki kulumbana naye, mzee wa watu ni mzee wa watu tu, hivyo sitaki kuendeleza malumbano naye,"alisema Kilaini.
Kwa mujibu wa Kingunge, viongozi wa Kanisa Katoliki wamemkejeli na kumtukana kuwa hajasoma kwani anaamini kwamba aliusoma waraka huo vizuri na kuulewa kwa kina kabla hajatoa kauli hiyo.
'Niliusoma vizuri na kuelewa. Hivi nitashindwa kuelewa walichoandika, nimesoma maandiko ya dini ya Kiislam, Kihindu na nyingine, siwezi kushindwa kusoma na kuelewa waraka huu." alisema Kingunge juzi alipokuwa akihojiwa na kituo cha Channel 10 na kuongeza:
"Sikutaka kuingia katika maudhui, maana nikiingia katika maudhui ningelumbana nao kwamba dini inakuaje na ilani, ilani inapaswa kuandaliwa na vyama vya siasa tu na si vinginevyo," alisisitiza.
Kingunge alisema ni vizuri kanisa likaelewa kuwa lenyewe sio chama cha siasa na kwamba, halina uwezo wa kuandaa ilani ya uchaguzi.
Alifafanua kwamba, wakati anazungumzia waraka huo bungeni hakuwa anataka uhasama na kanisa kwa kuwa anaheshimu imani, ila alikuwa akitoa angalizo kwa kuwa dini haiongozi nchi kama serikali.
"Ukiona vyaelea, jua vimeundwa" angekuwepo Baba wa Taifa Mwalimu Nyerere hapa, kanisa hilo lisingethubutu kuandaa waraka huo, mimi pia ni mkongwe, hivyo hakuna yeyote ambaye anaweza kusimama na mimi kuhusu historia ya nchi hii.
Nataka niwaambie kwamba, tunajua mambo ya Kanisa Katoliki, lakini kwa bahati mbaya mwalimu hayupo,"alisema.
Kingunge aliendelea kulishambulia kanisa hilo akidai kuwa linataka kuwatoa Watanzania katika utamaduni wao na kulishauri kuunda chama cha siasa kama linaona ni vyema.
Alisisitiza kuwa dini si chombo cha kuunganisha watu, bali kuwatenganisha ndiyo maana kila mtu ana dini yake, lakini serikali ni moja, hivyo nchi yenye dini nyingi haiwezi kuunganishwa na dini bali siasa.
Katika malumbano hayo yaliyodumu kwa muda sasa, kanisa liliutetea waraka huo likisema kuwa sio mara ya kwanza kuutoa kwa waumini wake.
Lilisema huu umekuwa utaratibu wa kanisa hilo tangu mwaka 1995 ukiwa na lengo la kuwaelimisha waumini wake kuhusu namna ya kutekeleza haki yao ya kupiga kura.

Source: Mwananchi

Ubatizo wa maji mengi au maji machache?

Yohana 3:3 “Yesu akamwambia, "Amen nakwambia, mtu asipozaliwa upya hataweza kuuona ufalme wa Mungu."
Kuhusu ubatizo wa maji:
“Yesu akamjibu, "Kweli nakwambia, mtu asipozaliwa kwa maji na Roho, hawezi kamwe kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.” [Yohana 3:5]
Bwana Yesu asifiwe!
Ninaamini kuwa wewe unaendelea vyema na Yesu ni mwema kwako pia, ndiyo, Yesu ni mwema.
Ndugu mmoja aliniandikia na kuomba ufafanuzi kuhusu suala zima la ubatizo kwetu sisi WaKristo. Ndugu huyu ameuliza ni ubatizo upi sahihi, wa maji mengi au maji kidogo? na akauliza je, mtu anatakiwa kubatizwa akiwa mdogo au mtu mzima ajuaye mema na mabaya? Anasema ameuliza hivi kutokana na mapokeo/imani zinazohubiriwa na makanisa mbalimbali tunayosali. Na mimi nimeona nimjibu kwa njia hii ili iwe faida kwa wote. Na nitamjibu kwa kadri Roho Mtakatifu alivyonipa kuelewa na kuamini ndani yangu. Kama ujuavyo, huduma hii ya mtandaoni haifungamani na dhehebu lolote lile.
Ubatizo ni agizo la Mungu kama tusomavyo katika Biblia, kwa mfano Mathayo 28:19:"Basi enendeni mkawafanye mataifa yote kuwa wanafunzi, mkiwabatiza kwa Jina la Baba, na Mwana, na Roho Mtakatifu......" na pia mstari huo hapo juu wa Yohana 3:5.
Tunajua kuwa madhehebu mengi yamekuwa yakihubiri mengi kuhusu uwingi au uchache wa maji ya kubatizwa, lakini sijasikia waliojaribu kufikiri ni kwa nini Mungu anataka maji yatumike katika ubatizo, na isiwe kimiminika kingine chochote, na Bwana Yesu hakulizungumza hili. Lakini ninaamini kiini cha jambo hili ndio kimetajwa katika Waraka wa Kwanza wa Yohana 5:8-9 "Kwa maana wako watatu washuhudiao mbinguni, Baba, na Neno na Roho Mtakatifu na watatu hawa ni umoja. Kisha wako watatu washuhudiao duniani, Roho na maji na damu, na watatu hawa hupatana kwa habari moja....."
Hakuna mahali Biblia inapotaja tutumie kiasi gani cha maji katika ubatizo, kama tulivyoona, Biblia inasema tuu kuwa tutumie maji. Ili mradi maji yapo, mbatizaji anaweza kuamua atumie maji kiasi gani. Anaweza kubatizia baharini, ziwani, mtoni au kwa matone machache ya maji, mradi tuu maji yawepo pale kwani ni mojawapo ya washuhudiao hapa ulimwenguni.
Ubatizo wa maji kidogo ni sawa, na ubatizo wa maji mengi ni sawa (huo wingi wa hayo maji unatofautiana pia).Hivyo ndivyo tunavyotakiwa kuamini na kutokukubali kuyumbishwa na mtu yeyote pasipo ridhaa yetu.Wazungu wana msemo usemao "A man living by the river never uses spittle of water for washing", yaani mtu aishiye kando ya mto hatotumia matone ya maji kwa kuoshea, kwa sababu anayo maji mengi.Hali kadhalika,Yohana Mbatizaji angeweza kuamua kubatizia watu mtoni kwa sababu alikuwa karibu na mto Yordani. Mtu ana uchaguzi huru wa kuamua kubatizwa kwa maji kidogo au mengi kiasi gani, kama atakavyopenda yeye mwenyewe. Kwa mfano leo, tukiamua sisi tuliookoka wa Tanzania, tukajikusanya na kuamua kwenda kuhubiri injili kule Darfur, Sudan, na tukaambiwa na waandaji wa huduma hiyo kuwa kule tutakapokwenda kuhubiri injili ni jangwa tupu, hakuna maji mengi kama tulivyonayo huku kwetu, je tutafanyaje basi? Je, tutakataa kwenda kuhubiri kwa sababu kule hakuna maji mengi ya kubatizia? Je, tutaacha kufungasha Biblia katika mabegi yetu na badala yake tutabeba maji ili tukifika kule tutengeneze mto wa kubatizia? La Hasha! Ukisoma kitabu cha "A table in the presence" kilichoandikwa na Lt.Carey H. Cash, ambaye ni Mchungaji wa Jeshi la Marekani (Military Chaplain) aliyeshiriki vita ya Iraq, utaona kuna mahali ameeleza habari za Mchungaji mwanajeshi mwingine aliyekuwepo katika vita ya Vietnam, alijiwa na askari wakitaka kubatizwa kabla ya kuelekea kwenye mapambano, lakini wakati huo hakuwa na hata tone la maji, na alijua wazi kuwa kwa mazingira ya vita,baadhi ya wale askari waliotaka kubatizwa anaweza asiwaone tena baada ya pale kwani wanaweza kufa vitani, hivyo hawezi kuwaambia "Njooni baadaye",ungekuwa wewe ungefanyaje? Anasema yule mchungaji katika hali ile (kwa alivyoamini) aliamua kutumia mate yake kuwabatiza, na akawabatiza!
Ninafikiri kinachotokea katika mwili wa Kristo sasa hata watumishi wa Mungu hawashirikiani katika kuujenga mwili wa Kristo ni mbinu tuu za shetani za kutaka kututenganisha ili tusiwe na umoja Bwana aliotuombea katika Yohana 17.Nafikiri unaweza ukawa umeona namna madhehebu yalivyojitenga, kila mmoja akieleza ubaya wa dhehebu lingine badala ya kueleza ubaya wa shetani. Shetani anataka kumfanya kila Mkristo ajione kuwa bora kuliko mwenzake na tusiweze kuungana katika kumpinga ibilisi.
Kuhusu kiasi cha maji ya kubatizia kiasi chochote kinafaa, kila mtu na afanye kama apendavyo,mradi tuu maji yatumike.
Kuhusu ubatizo wa watoto au watoto wazima, ninaona pia kuwa kila watu na wafanye wapendavyo wenyewe. Wapo wanaoamini kuwa mtoto hawezi kubatizwa,na kwamba lazima mtu aokoke kwanza ndio kisha abatizwe (kwa sababu Biblia imesema kuwa "Aaminiye na kubatizwa ataokoka"), na wapo wanaoamini mtoto mchanga anaweza kubatizwa (“Yesu akamjibu, "Kweli nakwambia, mtu asipozaliwa kwa maji na Roho, hawezi kamwe kuingia katika ufalme wa Mungu.” [Yohana 3:5] -ameanza kwa maji, yaani kubatizwa na kisha kwa Roho(kuokoka)) hivyo hawa huanza kubatiza kwanza na kisha wokovu, ingawa akitokea mtu mzima katika madhehebu hayo hajabatizwa (kwa mfano mshirika mpya) hubatizwa pia.
Siyo lazima mtu awe mdogo au awe mkubwa ili abatizwe,ubatizo ni kwa yeyote yule. Ndiyo maana kuna baadhi ya watu walipata neema ya kuokoka wakiwa bado watoto wadogo sana, hadi miaka sita,je hawa wakiokoka tuwazuie kubatizwa kwa sababu ni wadogo? Hebu soma kilichotokea kwa Mtume Petro katika Matendo 10:44-48.
Ushauri wangu mimi, Ubatizo wa maji mengi ni sawa na wa maji kidogo ni sawa, mradi maji yanatumika hakuna ulio bora kuliko mwingine, pia, kubatiza watoto wadogo ni sawa, kubatiza wakubwa ni sawa,hakuna ulio bora kuliko mwingine, nami ninaamini kuwa nina Roho Mtakatifu.
Tusikubali tena shetani aendelee kututenga sisi tulio viungo katika mwili mmoja wa Kristo, ndiyo kusema, Tujenge madaraja (ya kutuunganisha) na siyo kuta (za kututenga). Na tukumbuke, siku ya mwisho watakaoingia mbinguni ni wale ambao majina yao yameandikwa katika kitabu cha uzima, yaani waliookoka,na siyo waliobatizwa. Wapo waliobatizwa ambao hawataingia mbinguni kwa sababu hawajaokoka.(Kwa hivyo unajua ni wapi pa kuweka bidii kubwa)
"Mtu yeyote ambaye jina lake halikupatikana limeandikwa katika kitabu cha uzima, alitupwa katika ziwa la moto.”-Ufunuo wa Yohana 20:15.
Kwa utukufu wa Mungu,
Frank Lema
www.lema.or.tz
savedlema2@yahoo.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

Use Your Gifts To Serve Others

Use Your Gifts To Serve Others

By Eric Elder

I once belonged to a church that had 3,500 ministers! That’s a lot of ministers! But it wasn’t because they had 3,500 people on staff. It was because they considered every member a minister. They expected and encouraged every member to minister to others, to serve others, with the particular gifts that God had given them.

That was the church where I finally decided to put my faith in Christ. It wasn’t just because of the great sermons, or the powerful Sunday School lessons, which were important. It was also because of the various members who reached out to me, who invited me to Bible studies in their homes, who prayed for me, and who served me-- ministered to me--in various other ways.

When the truth of God’s love for me in Christ finally broke through to my heart and mind, I decided to devote the rest of my life to serving Him, too. That didn’t mean that I went immediately into “professional” ministry. It meant that I had now become the three- thousand, five hundred and first minister at that church, using the gifts God had given me to minister to others.

This is how the Bible describes ministry. While there are certainly specific gifts--or “graces,” as the Bible sometimes refers to them-- that are given to some to preach or teach, to prophesy or evangelize, or to oversee the workings of the church, these gifts are simply a means to an end: to equip the rest of God’s people for works of service.

Here’s how the Apostle Paul puts it in Ephesians chapter 4:

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.... It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7, 11-13).

The Apostle Peter puts it like this, in 1 Peter chapter 4:

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11a).

When I first put my faith in Christ and received the gift of eternal life, I was surprised to find out that God still had more gifts to give me! I thought eternal life was enough! But it wasn’t enough for God. He still had more He wanted to do in and through me, so He poured other gifts into my life, gifts that were not just for me, but to equip me to serve others.

If you’ve already received the gift of eternal life by putting your faith in Christ, God still has more He wants to do in and through you, too.

For some of you, God has called you, gifted you, and equipped you with the ability to teach, preach, evangelize, prophesy and oversee His work here on the earth. If so, God wants you--He needs you--to use those gifts to equip others, “to prepare God’s people for works of service.”

For some of you, God has called you, gifted you, and equipped you with gifts of faith, mercy, encouragement, serving, giving, leadership, administration--and the list goes on and on (just read Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13, or to the Romans, chapter 12, for more about spiritual gifts and how to use them). But all gifts are given for the same reason, “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Your church doesn’t have just one minister, or two, or ten or twenty. Every member is a minister, when you use your gifts to serve others.

Let’s pray...

Father, thank You for giving me the gift of eternal life, and thank You for going further and giving me even more gifts beyond that! Help me to think of ways today to use the gifts You’ve given me to serve others. Help me to not neglect those gifts, but to put them into practice so they can grow better and stronger, not only for my sake, but for those You want to touch through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A breakthrough requires a trial to break through.

A breakthrough requires a trial to break through.

It would be nice to simply wake up one day and suddenly be a mature Christian, but in order to grow up in God, we will have to go through trials. There is no other way to grow strong spiritually than to go through trials.

1 Peter 5:10 says, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. You may not like trials, but this verse says that when you are going through trials after you have suffered a little while, you will grow to be firmly rooted and grounded (strong, firm and steadfast) in God.

Similarly, James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Here again, you don't get the rewards (the crown of life) until you have persevered under trial and stood the test.

So, learn to be thankful in your trials, because in order to get your breakthrough, you need a trial to break through.

Therefore, don't be discouraged during times of suffering. Know that after you have suffered a little while, God himself will make you strong firm and steadfast.

Pray for persecuter Christians..

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18

VOM-USA Prayer Update for August 7, 2009

PAKISTAN – Muslim Mob Attacks Christians – VOM Sources

On July 30, Muslim extremists attacked Christians, burning more than 50 homes and animals in Faisalabad, Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Muslims falsely accused Christians of burning the Quran during a wedding ceremony the previous day. Muslim extremists claimed they attacked believers because police did not arrest anyone for their complaints about a burned Quran. This is the fifth incident of persecution against Christians in two months. Muslims are threatening more attacks. Pray for believers who have lost their homes and livestock. Ask God to provide for and encourage them. Pray false accusations by Muslims will draw believers closer to the Lord and for their faithfulness to draw non believers into faith with Christ.

Psalm 91

ERITREA- Christian Dies in Prison – Compass Direct News

On July 23, Yemane Kahasay Andom, a Christian imprisoned for his faith in Eritrea died after authorities denied him medical treatment, according to Compass Direct News. Yemane is the third Christian to die in prison this year. He died at Mitire Confinement Center from complications with malaria and was reportedly tortured while in prison. It is believed his body was secretly buried at the camp. According to Compass Direct, two weeks prior to his death, Yemane was allegedly weakened by continuous physical torture and solitary confinement because he refused to sign a recantation form. Though Compass reports it is not clear what was written on the recantation form, most Christians interpret the signing of such a form as the denouncement of their faith in Christ. Pray for the Andom family and believers in Eritrea. Ask God to comfort others who have lost loved ones. Pray that Eritrean Christians will continue to follow Christ's example of faithfulness, even at great cost. Pray that Eritrea's leaders will repent and come to faith in Christ.

Romans 8:34-36

CHINA – Youth Camp Raided – China Aid Association

On July 23, Public Security Bureau (PSB) and Religious Affairs Bureau (RAF) officials raided a Christian youth camp in Nanyang city, Henan province. PSB and RAF officers took away all 20 students attending the camp for further investigation . The students, each under 18 years old, were released to their families that afternoon. Two instructors, 40 year-old Cheng Ping, and 30 year-old Miao Miao, were arrested and sent to the Yongan Lu Detention Center in Nanyang city. They were reportedly sentenced to administrative detention. The lengths of their sentences are unknown. Officials told church leaders who organized the camp not to speak publicly about the case. Pray the young people who had this strenuous experience remain faithful to Christ. Pray for their instructors who remain in prison. Pray believers in China will continue trusting God despite increased persecution.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

Please pray.

God bless you,
Sayuni.