KARIBU MLIMA SAYUNI...UWANJA WA UWAZI NA UKWELI KUHUSU MASUALA YOTE YA KIBIBLIA NA UKRISTO

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER THINKER

2012-02-28T14:30:00.002+03:00

Do you want to master the process of good thinking? Do you want to be a better thinker tomorrow than you are today? Then you need to engage in an ongoing process that improves your thinking. I recommend you do the following:

1. Expose Yourself to Good Input

Good thinkers always prime the pump of ideas. They always look for things to get the thinking process started, because what you put in always impacts what comes out.

Read books, review trade magazines, listen to CDs, and spend time with good thinkers. And when something intrigues you-whether it’s someone else’s idea or the seed of an idea that you’ve come up with yourself-keep it in front of you. Put it in writing and keep it somewhere in a favorite place to stimulate your thinking.

2. Expose Yourself to Good Thinkers

All of the people in my life whom I consider to be close friends or colleagues are good thinkers. Now, I love all people. I try to be kind to everyone I meet, and I desire to add value to as many people as I can through conferences, books, audio lessons, etc. But the people I seek out and choose to spend time with all challenge me with their thinking and their actions. They are constantly trying to grow and learn.

The writer of Proverbs observed that sharp people sharpen one another, just as iron sharpens iron. If you want to be a sharp thinker, be around sharp people.

3. Choose to Think Good Thoughts

To become a good thinker, you must become intentional about the thinking process. Regularly put yourself in the right place to think, shape, stretch, and land your thoughts. Make it a priority. Thinking is a discipline.

Recently I had breakfast with Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, a fast food restaurant chain headquartered in the Atlanta area. I told him that I was working on this book and I asked him if he made thinking time a high priority. Not only did he say yes, but he told me about what he calls his “thinking schedule.” It helps him to fight the hectic pace of life that discourages intentional thinking. Dan says he sets aside time just to think for half a day every two weeks, for one whole day every month, and for two or three full days every year. Dan explains, “This helps me ‘keep the main thing, the main thing,’ since I am so easily distracted.”

You may want to do something similar, or you can develop a schedule and method of your own. No matter what you choose to do, go to a special thinking place, take paper and pen, and make sure you capture your ideas in writing.

4. Act on Your Good Thoughts

Ideas have a short shelf life. You must act on them before the expiration date. World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker said it all when he remarked, “I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through-then follow through.”

5. Allow Your Emotions to Create Another Good Thought

To start the thinking process, you cannot rely on your feelings. In Failing Forward, I wrote that you can act your way into feeling long before you can feel your way into action. If you wait until you feel like doing something, you will likely never accomplish it. The same is true for thinking. You cannot wait until you feel like thinking to do it. However, I’ve found that once you engage in the process of good thinking, you can use your emotions to feed the process and create mental momentum.

Try it for yourself. After you go through the disciplined process of thinking and enjoy some success, allow yourself to savor the moment and try riding the mental energy of that success. If you’re like me, it’s likely to spur additional thoughts and productive ideas.

6. Repeat the Process

One good thought does not make a good life. The people who have one good thought and try to ride it for an entire career often end up unhappy or destitute. They are the one-hit wonders, the one-book authors, the one-message speakers, the one-time inventors who spend their life struggling to protect or promote their single idea. Success comes to those who have an entire mountain of gold that they continually mine, not those who find one nugget and try to live on it for fifty years. To become someone who can mine a lot of gold, you need to keep repeating the process of good thinking.

QUALITIES OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

2012-02-27T07:41:00.002+03:00

"Quench not the Spirit"

The apostles established the foundation for the role of a leader:

1) Perfect the saints for a fruitful life and the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11,12); and

2) Pass the truth on to successive "generations" of converts, that is, commit it "to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Tim. 2:2).

But this mandate, itself, is effective in the increase of the life of the gospel when it's obeyed by leaders who first live the truth, purity and power of the gospel. The author of this study is a pastor, writer and editor who struggles to increase the ordination of leaders, so that the springs of devoutness multiply. So any believer and leader, newly promoted in the body of Christ, may retain the image of their founder, Christ, whose life and character are not only preached, but are present in all those who lead others in his name.

1. GOD's calling (Is. 6:8,9)

Even when all are called, GOD designates those leaders who must guide others.

One of the tasks of the Holy Spirit is calling leaders consecrated to the kingdom. All men and women are "called" to GOD (Rom. 8:28,30); but only a few respond (Matt. 7:13,14; 22:14; John 15:16). However, the calling that leaders experience is different, and exhibits distinct modalities. 1) Many are called sovereignly. Moses was chosen by GOD, who had spoken to him from a burning bush (Exod. 3:1-4:17). The child Samuel was called while he slept (I Sam. 3:1-18). The young Isaiah was worshiping in the temple when he was called by GOD (Is. 6:1-9). 2) Others are called through human beings. Samuel went to David and anointed him with oil (I Sam. 16:1-13). Paul commanded Titus to designate elders in the churches of Crete (Tit. 1:5). There is a difference between being "a woman or man of GOD", as we are all called, and being "the woman or man of GOD", someone called to leadership.

2. GOD's voice (Matt. 16:13-20)

The ability to lead doesn't rest on human righteousness, but in the receptivity one has to hear GOD's voice.

The pious leader "hears" GOD; rather, his spirit is in tune with the impulses and lessons of the Holy Spirit. In Caesarea Philippi, a bastion of the ancient demon-gods of Syria, Greece and Rome, Jesus asked his disciples about his identity. Peter's answer (v.16) transcended human possibilities; thus Jesus commented that such a response came from GOD (v.17). Then the LORD declared, emphatically, that the leadership in his Church would act and rest, not on human ability to reason, but rather on its readiness and receptivity to hear GOD through "revelatory knowledge", or rather, those things that GOD manifests through the work of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:17,18; 3:14-19).

3. Faith (Gen. 12:1-20; 17:1-27; 22:1-19)

Abraham's aptitudes were proven in three aspects of faith: the attitude in the face of danger, trust in GOD and submission to His will.

Abraham's ability to lead was proved in three areas of faith: 1) Faith to risk (12:1-5). As a rich man, he risked everything to follow GOD. The dedicated leader is prepared to risk all for his trust in GOD and to adventure into the unknown. 2) Faith to trust (17:1-27). Abraham and Sarah were already long past the age of procreation. The dedicated leader doesn't believe solely in things that he sees but, through faith, he sees beyond those things. 3) Faith to yield himself (22:1-19). Abraham knew that sacrificing his son would destroy any hope of fulfilling the promise that pointed him out as the future father of many nations. The devoted leader is ready to sacrifice everything dear to him to please GOD.

4. High standards of leadership (James 3:1)

Leaders are subject to more rigid standards in order to exemplify Jesus in their conduct, words and actions.

Leaders are judged with a higher standard that those who follow them. In I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 much attention is paid to details, but here James reminds those who are in a position of leadership, that they would be considered responsible regarding following the example of Jesus Christ, as much in spirit and the conduct that they manifest, as in their words and attitudes. Governors, soldiers and business leaders, are rarely judged by their personal lives. The leaders of the kingdom, however, are judged not so much by what they achieve, as by the character that they reveal, that is, according to what they are, and not what they do. This high standard is applied not so much to the leader's successes as to the state of his heart and his spirit. It's possible to achieve great successes and even to maintain an orthodox comportment and, nevertheless, manifest an unholy and loveless spirit. But if there are no problems with the leaders' heart, the good behavior will always com after, and good leadership will be manifested.

5. Evaluation of character (I Tim. 3:1-13)

Leaders should be mature people and show a high ethic; otherwise, the leader should accept being removed till his conduct is verified.

The dominant idea among the leaders of the New Testament was that the ministry belonged to the Christian community in its totality. The ordination of leaders consisted primarily of the selection of individuals of maturity and proven character, to lead in such a way that the entire church could function effectively in worship, service, evangelization and carrying out the individual spiritual gifts. The characteristics that the leaders of the church should possess are carefully outlined in verses 1-13 and in Titus 1:5-9. There is no mention in them of the family lineage or any rite of passage, as occurred with the Old Testament priesthood. Instead, an evaluation is made of the leader's ethic and morals, sustained and proven. More than a dozen significant qualities are mentioned that a leader is expected to possess, among which are included spiritual preparation, self-control, good social disposition, domestic order and living a holy life. The basis for a permanent ministry is a sustained dedication. If a leader abandons these ethical standards, he or she must accept to be stripped of the leadership duties, until an adequate time transpires for a new verification of his character (Gal. 6:1,2).

6. Complete selflessness (Acts 26:19)

Paul demonstrated his total consecration to the spirit of his calling, discipleship and adaptability.

Paul was totally dedicated to the task of spreading the gospel and establishing churches in all the then known world. He lived what he wrote, "because the gifts and calling of GOD are irrevocable" (Rom. 11:29). His life demonstrated three basic concepts of leadership: 1) he was dedicated to the goals and spirit of his calling (Phil. 3:7,8); 2) he communicated his convictions to others (II Tim. 2:1,2) and bore all the difficulties necessary to achieve that end (II Cor. 4:8-11; 11:23-33). 3) he was alert to changes. The apostle adapted to cultural, social and political changes and, in this way, never lost his relevant position (I Cor. 9:19-22).

7. Humility (Judges 6:1-8;35)

Gideon offers seven keys for a devout leadership, characterized by his humility and disposition to serve.

Gideon demonstrated sever characteristics of the consecrated leader: 1) unwillingness to govern unless GOD called him (6:36-40); 2) continual dependence on GOD (7:1-8); 3) willingness to turn faith into action (6:25-27; 7:15-22); 4) disposition to use the gifts that GOD gave him to lead others. He told the 300 who remained with him to observe and follow his example (7:17); 5) he gave the glory to GOD before and after the victory (7:15; 8:3,23); 6) he humbly gave credit to others who truly deserved it *8:1-3); 7) he refused to establish a dynasty after having fulfilled the divine charge (8:22,23).

8. A spirit susceptible to instruction (Acts 13:32)

David was humble and someone ready to learn; he listened to his critics and the prophets.

Only one man is designated in the Bible as someone close to GOD's heart; the man who enjoyed such happiness was David, the king of Israel. David is better remembered as a very sinful man; he committed adultery, killed others, lied, betrayed his nation, committed several errors of judgment, wasn't an excellent administrator and, finally, couldn't even attend to his home adequately. And, nevertheless, GOD said of him, "I have found David son of Jesse, a man according to my heart, who will do all that I want" (v.22). Almost always when we read about David, he is doing something wrong; however, GOD praised the essence of his leadership. Who is this explained? The answer resides in the fact that after each error David repented; and something equally important: he learned from his own mistakes. Not only was he humble and showed himself capable of learning, but he listened to his critics, as well as his enemies. And, above all, he paid attention and listened to GOD's prophets. This willingness to receive instruction is the character trait the moved GOD to classify King David as the greatest of the leaders of Israel.

9. Vulnerability (Matt. 26:47-54; Luke 22:47-51; John 18:10,11)

Vulnerability means to be totally frank, hiding nothing and refusing to defend yourself.

Being vulnerable as a leader means staying totally open to everyone else, without hiding anything, and refusing to defend oneself. Few things induce a greater reaction in people than the sense of dealing with someone who sympathizes with and understands their needs, which they find when the leader shows meekness and self-assurance. By Jesus refusing to defend himself on the night of his arrest, Peter's protective action caused the High Priest's servant lose an ear. Immediately Jesus proceeded to cure his enemy, making himself vulnerable, running the risk of being hurt also, and that his action would be interpreted as another hostile movement. Vulnerability can expose us to misunderstandings, but can also bring healing.

10. Security (John 13:1-17)

Jesus demonstrated the psychological security essential to being a servant-leader.

When Jesus took the towel and washbasin to wash the feet of his disciples, he not only assumed the humble role of the servant, but he evidenced psychological security, essential in a leader. The lifestyle and lessons of Jesus established a model for a new class of leader: the servant-leader (Matt. 20:26-28). The servant-leader fulfills his functions being sure of himself, that is, knowing what GOD has entrusted to him, and resting on the confidence that GOD's hand orders his personal destiny (see this in v.3, in regards to Jesus). The pious leader is one who is inclined to help others, who considers everyone else above himself (Phil. 2:3,4), who gives his life for others (John 10:11), who seeks to serve before being served (Luke 22:27). As long as a person isn't inclined to wash the feet of others, he isn't qualified to be a leader of the kingdom.

11. Lead the way GOD does (Judges 8:22,23; 9:1-57)

Leadership isn't received because of natural charisma, but by doing things according to GOD's will.

Although Gideon wisely refused to serve as king of Israel (8:23), upon his death, his son Abimelech hired some assassins to kill his brothers in the hope of taking the government into his hands. Jotham, his youngest brother and the only one who escaped, climbed Mount Gerizim and prophesied that a kingdom founded on sin would soon be undone, and three years later, this happened. Gideon understood that GOD wanted Israel to be a theocracy (GOD as King). But, even though Abimelech had a natural charisma, he neither had the mind of GOD, nor had he been anointed or designated by Him. Consecrated leaders do things the way GOD does. Evil disqualifies a person from this type of charge. The leader who seeks to benefit himself, at the cost of others, is on the path to self-destruction. In contrast with his humble father, Abimelech was ambitious, believing that the end justifies the means. GOD judges leaders, not in terms of what they achieve, but in the manner that they do things.

12. Resist popular opinion (Num. 13:1-14:45; Joshua 6:1-27; 10:1-43)

The consecrated leader should call people to raise their faith in GOD, not to follow prevalent opinion.

Joshua was continually confronted with various alternatives, and the majority of his decisions went against popular opinion. But on each occasion he called the people to put their faith in the promises of GOD, instead of concentrating on the difficult circumstances that they faced. The leader doesn't condition his appeal to the sentiments or moods of the moment. The spiritual advance requires faith, and unbelief never sees anything but difficulties. Unbelief sees "walled cities and giants", rather than the presence and power of GOD. Unbelief sees the obstacles, faith sees GOD. Joshua and Caleb were prepared to do what was unpopular and called the people to a positive faith. Both directed the people toward the future, resisting the adoption of a negative attitude and helping raise a new generation that would serve GOD in faith.

13. Fasting and prayer (Acts 13:1-3)

The discipline of prayer and fasting form part, through divine mandate, of the life of leaders.

The leaders of the early church made important decisions unanimously after fasting and praying. In Antioch, the prophets and teachers fasted and prayed in search of GOD's direction for the church. And while they waited on GOD, the Holy Spirit instructed them (v.2). Thus was how the missionary work was initiated, through which, finally, the gospel must be preached to all the world. Pious leaders wait for GOD to instruct them and endow their lives and ministries with the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciplined practice of fasting, and constant prayer, are means already put to the proof to that end, and as such, obligatory in the lives of leaders (Matt. 9:15).

14. Dreams and visions (Acts 16:6-10)

The preliminaries for receiving GOD's guidance through dreams and visions are the Word of GOD and a mind that is transformed and inclined toward things from above.

On his missionary journey, Paul planned a journey to the north, to Bithynia. But that night he dreamed about a man who said, "Come to Macedonia and help us" (v.9). Because of this dream or vision, the Apostle changed his route. This manifests a character trait of leaders who are guided by the Holy Spirit. The impious leaders of the world consult the horoscope and diviners, in search of directions for their lives, but pious Christian leaders seek the direction of the LORD 1) through the written Word, the Bible, and 2) through dreams and visions (2:17). Their minds are cleansed of impurity (II Cor. 10:5), and don't conform to the standards of this world, but are transformed by the renewing of their mind (Rom. 12:2). They have to put their sight and affections on the things from above and not on those of the earth (Col. 3:2). For that reason, when the Holy Spirit speaks to them through visions (diurnal mental images) and dreams (revelations during a dream), they hear the message without difficulty (see also Psa. 16:7; Acts 9:10; 10:3,17; 18:9).

15. Signs, miracles and wonders (Acts 2:22)

Signs, miracles and wonders aren't chance acts, but evidence of divine anointing, which should be sought and welcomed.

Without exception, miracles, wonders and signs accompanied the ministry and preaching of the early leaders of the Church. Here Peter reminded the people that Jesus' credibility was based on his miraculous ministry. This same credibility accompanied those who were set apart for the leadership, such as Stephen, Philip, Barnabus, Silas and Paul, and also the first apostles (6:8; 8:6; 15:12; 19:11,12).

Miracles, wonders and signs were commonly accepted in the early church; and the leaders took the initiative in making room for this ministry. Also, the leaders of the early church prayed for miracles (Acts 4:30), and saw them, not as casual acts or occasional successes, but as evidences of the anointing of GOD in those who continually glorified Christ throughout the Church, and that, consequently, should be sought and well-received.

16. Unity and harmony (Acts 1:14)

The leaders in the New Testament agreed as much in spiritual as practical things.

Being "unanimous" or in accord is a dominant characteristic in the leadership of the New Testament. That the leaders of the early church always gathered in Jerusalem, tells us that they were united and in harmony with each other and with GOD (2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25). The unanimity was spiritual and practical, not just theological, since we see that they shared their lives and possessions. Acts 2:42-47 gives us a description of the leadership in the age of the New Testament: they gathered, studied together, shared their material possessions (2:45; 4:32-37; 6:1). Often they gathered to pray, which put into manifestation not only the good relations that existed among them, but also their total trust in GOD (2:42; 4:31; 12:5; 13:3).

17. Take command (Exod. 27:1-28:43)

Taking command is manifested in many ways by the wise leader.

GOD called Moses and directly commanded him: "take charge" (from the Hebrew veatta). 1) "And you will command" (from the Hebrew veatta tezave, 27:20). The supervisor should intervene and take charge of the situation, always when the delegated leader moves in the wrong direction or there is some type of confusion. 2) "You will take with you" (from the Hebrew veatta hakrev, 28:1). Occasionally, the leader directs by putting an arm around his subordinates to affirm them, encourage them or identify with them. 3) "And you will speak to all the wise of heart" (from the Hebrew veatta tedeber, 28:3).

Occasionally, to avoid misunderstandings, an administrator needs "to take charge", speaking directly to all the laborers instead of directing them through other subordinate leaders. The wise leader knows when to loosen the reins, but he won't give up full control until GOD indicates it.

18. Authority (Exod. 28:1,2)

The dual character of spiritual authority, represented by Moses and Aaron, is something necessary and complimentary.

Moses' authority came from GOD by direct revelation (33:11), while that of Aaron came from his office, through divine indication. Moses didn't have special vestments, but Aaron needed "sacred vestments", that gave him beauty and glory (28:2). Aaron's office and his attire were essentials to put his authority over the people into manifestation, while Moses didn't need any of those adornments. He was humble and modest, but in crucial moments, when clear and firm decisions were necessary, he was exacting and authoritative. This duality in the spiritual authority gave place to misunderstandings and, sometimes, to conflicts. But, we realize that no confusion exists in the divine order when we see that there are two types of leaders in the Bible, since both are necessary in a healthy and balanced church or organization. Every person who enjoys great popularity, has a strong will, or a prophetic vision, needs an Aaron, the priest who ministers most directly to the peoples' needs. The different levels of authority shouldn't be considered competitive elements, but complementary.

19. Inspiration (Judges 4:1-5:31)

The inspired leader supplies a model of integrity and courage while fulfilling his functions with a high level of excellence.

Deborah convinced her followers to go beyond their own vision. The leader who inspires others constitutes a model of integrity and valor. He gives his followers autonomy, and not only deals with them as individuals, but encourages their individual initiative. There is no better way to develop leadership than to give a person a job and let him realize it. This is what Deborah did with young Barak. She assigned him the task of recruiting an army to defeat Sisera; she wasn't afraid to become an example of valor and heroism by offering herself as bait for the ambush.

20. Fearlessness (Luke 3:1-20)

John the Baptist's ministry is characterized by the courage of his preaching and his decision to proclaim what nobody wants to hear.

John the Baptist began his prophetic ministry not only with the positive message of announcing the coming of the Messiah, but bravely calling the people to repentance It would have been much easier to simply proclaim the good news, but John was obedient to the prophetic ministry that challenged people in their careless attitude and their sins. His ministry was marked by fearlessness, the boldness of preaching what wasn't popular. John reprimanded the religious (v.8), called people to be generous (verses 10,11), denounced dishonesty (verses 12,13) and demanded a just administration of authority (v.14). Later, he confronted the immorality tolerated by the leaders (Mark 6:18), and was eventually arrested and decapitated for this reason. Jesus' tribute to the ministry of John the Baptist (Matt. 11:11) and lifted him us as a testimony to faithfulness and boldness as characteristics very worthy of leaders.

21. The administrative leader (I Cor. 12:28)

The New Testament recognizes three types of administrative leaders: deacon, steward and supervisor.

The New Testament seems to recognize three basic types of administrative leadership: 1) The servant-leader or deacon; from the Greek diakonia, which means "service or ministry" (II Cor. 8:19,20; 9:1,12). These "deacons" follow the model of the men who were set apart in Acts 6:1-6, to serve the widows in Jerusalem. 2) The butler-servant or administrator: from the Greek oikonomos or oikonomis, which means "butler", such as a pastor nowadays. The word says, literally, "administrator of the house", a position generally fulfilled by a slave in the 1st century of the Christian era. The word refers to those who "manage" the church (I Cor. 4:1,2; II Tim. 1:7); 3) The leader who manages the helm or the supervisor who fulfills the role of apostle or bishop. Kybernesis is a Greek term taken from life by the sea, and is used to designate the helmsman or pilot who keeps the boat on course. Here where Paul speaks of the spiritual gift of administration, the word is translated "those who administer" [KJV-helps] (I Cor. 12:28).

Askofu Mkuu Moses Kulola (Baba wa imani-Tanzania)

2012-02-23T21:54:00.000+03:00

What is Christology?

2012-02-23T21:10:00.000+03:00

Answer: The word "Christology" comes from two Greek words meaning "Christ / Messiah" and "word" - which combine to mean "the study of Christ." Christology is the study of the Person and work of Jesus Christ. There are numerous important questions that Christology answers:

Who is Jesus Christ? Almost every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet, or a good teacher, or a godly man. The problem is, the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than a prophet, a good teacher, or a godly man.

Is Jesus God? Did Jesus ever claim to be God? Although Jesus never uttered the words “I am God,” He made many other statements that can’t be properly interpreted to mean anything else.

What is the hypostatic union? How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time? The Bible teaches that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, that there is no mixture or dilution of either nature, and that He is one united Person, forever.

Why is the virgin birth so important? The virgin birth is a crucial biblical doctrine because it accounts for the circumvention of the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the eternal God to become a perfect man.
What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus is not God’s Son in the sense of how we think of a father/son relationship. God did not get married and have a son. Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God made manifest in human form (John 1:1,14).

A Biblical understanding of Jesus Christ is crucial to our salvation. Many cults and world religions claim to believe in Jesus Christ. The problem is that they do not believe in the Jesus Christ presented in the Bible. That is why Christology is so important. It helps us to understand the significance of the deity of Christ. It demonstrates why Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Christology teaches us that Jesus had to be man so that He could die - and had to be God so that His death would pay for our sins. It is perhaps the most important area of theology. Without a proper understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished, all other areas of theology will be errant as well.

An in-depth study of Christology has incredible personal impact on the believer’s daily life. As we delve into the heart of Jesus, we begin to grasp the amazing concept that He, being fully Man and fully God, loves each of us with a never-ending love the extent of which is hard for us to imagine. The various titles and names of Christ in the Scriptures give insight into who He is and how He relates to us. He is our Good Shepherd, leading, protecting and caring for us as one of His own (John 10:11,14); He is the Light of the world, illuminating our pathway through a sometimes dark and uncertain world (John 8:12); He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), bringing tranquility into our tumultuous lives; and He is our Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4), the immovable and secure base who we can trust to keep us safe and secure in Him.

UKWELI KUHUSU UZUSHI WA “DA VINCI CODE”

2012-01-31T10:27:00.003+03:00

Baada ya kukisoma kwa makini kitabu hiki kilichoandikwa na mwandishi na mtaalmu wa elimu ya dini Dan Brown,aliyejipatia umaarufu mkubwa kwa kueneza uzushi mkubwa duniani kuhusu imani ya kikristo na YESU KRISTO mwenyewe,nimeonelea ni vyema nikauanika uongo huu hadharani ili kila mmoja wetu apate kuutambua uzushi huu.

Uwongo huu unaojizolea umaarufu siku hadi siku sio kitu cha kupuuzwa hata kidogo na ni lazima sisi kama kanisa tusimame na kuupinga kwa kweli zilizopo (facts) bila kuuonea aibu wala kuugopa maadam ukweli upo wazi.Kitabu cha mwandishi Dan Brown kimeuza zaidi ya nakala milioni 40 duniani kote tangu kitoke kwa mara ya kwanza mwaka 2003.Pia f

ilamu iliyotengenezwa huko Hollywood Marekani kutokana na kitabu hicho imeshaonyeshwa karibu duniani kote ikiwemo hapa kwetu Tanzania ambapo hata nakala zake zimeshaanza kusambaa.Unaweza kushangaa kwa nini uwongo huu umepata umaarufu mkubwa kiasi hicho,hii inawezekana kwa sababu wapinzani wa ukristo wapo wengi na ile roho ya mpinga kristo ipo na inafanya kazi,2Wathesolanike 2:1-10;

Nafahamu zipo njia nyingi za kupingana na uwongo huu,ikiwemo njia ya maombi,kuwafundisha wakristo Neno la Mungu kwa usahii na hata kupuuzia huu uwongo ili upotee wenyewe.Lakini hatuwezi kukataa ukweli kuwa lipo kundi la watu ambalo hata mtume Paulo analiita “wenye masikio ya utafiti” ambalo litaendea kuzitafuta filamu hizi na vitabu hivi ili kutaka kujua kilichomo ndani. Nchi nyingi za magharibi watu wengi wamachukuliwa na uwongo huu na hata wengine wametokea kuuamini bila kujua ukweli halisi wa uzushi huu.Mfano msomaji mmoja wa kitabu hiki alikaliliwa akisema kuwa “kuanzia sasa sitaenda tena kanisani ..Sikujua kama ukristo ni hadithi za kutunga….”.

Sasa matokeo kama haya si mambo ya kupu

uzia hata kidogo,kwani history ya kanisa inaonyesha kuwa imani potofu mbalimbali zilizowahi kuibuka duniani zilianza na mawazo ya vikundi vidogo au mtu mmoja na zilipata nguvu kadri siku zilivyoendelea.Na ndio matokeo ya imani nyingi za uwongo tunazoziona leo hapa duniani na waumini wa imani hizo wapo tayari kuzitetea kwa hali na mali kwa kuwa hawakufahamu msingi halisi wa imani zao.Hii imesababisha hata kupishana kwa mafundisho baina ya madhehebu mbalimbali ya kikristo.Yapo madhehebu ya kikristo yasiyoamini kuhusu ROHO mtakatifu,Uungu wa YESU na mambo kadhaa.Kwa hiyo kanisa haliwezi kupuuzia hata kidogo uwongo huu.

Labda kwanza tungeanza kujiuliza hoja alizoanzisha mwandishi Dan Brown kama zinaukweli wowote,

Je, YESU alikuwa na ndoa ya siri na Mariam Magdalena?

Ni kweli Uungu wa YESU ulianzishwa na kutungwa na mtawala wa kirumi Constantino na Kanisa?
Ni kweli Constantino alitumia umaarufu na ushawishi wa YESU kutunga Uungu wa YESU?
Je vitabu vya agano la kale tunavyotumia siku za leo vilichaguliwa na Constantino?
Je kumbukumbu za kwanza kuhusu maisha ya YESU ziliteketezwa ili kuuficha ukweli?
Je, maandiko ya kale yaliyogunduliwa hivi karibu pamoja na injili za wagnostika (Gnostic gospel) yanatueleza ukweli kuhusu YESU?

Hayo ni madai makuu ya msingi yaliyomo kwenye kitabu cha Da Vinci Code.

Labda tungeanza na kuelewa kwanza nini maana ya neon “Da Vinci Code”.Hili ni jina la mwanahistoria,mwanasayansi,mwanafilosofia na mchoraji mashuhuri aliyekuwa akiitwa Leornando Da Vinci(1452 – 1519 A.D).Dan Brwon anadai kuwa huyu jamaa alikuwa ni mwanachama wa kikundi cha siri kilichokuwa kikidai kujua mambo ya siri ya wakati huo kilichojulikana kwa jina la “Priory of Sion”.Leornado Da Vinci ndio msingi mkubwa wa mwandis

hi Dan Brown kuhusu madai yake kuwa YESU KRISTO alikuwa na ndoa ya siri na Mariam Magdalena.Hii inatokana na mchoro aliochora Leornado Da Vinci ukielezea kalamu ya mwisho ya YESU na wanafunzi wake.Katika mchoro huu unaoitwa Da Vinci Code,inadaiwa kuwa Leornado amemchora Mariam Magdalena akiwa pembeni mwa YESU.Japo baadaye wakristo wengi waliamini huyo ni Yohana mwanafunzi wa YESU yule ambaye YESU alimpenda sana.Da Vinci hakuwa na lengo la kumchora Yohana kama kanisa lilivyokuwa likiamini bali alimchoro Mariam Magdalena, na ndiyo maana inaitwa “Da Vinci Code” yaani siri ya Da Vinci. Da Vinci anadai kwamba kwa kuwa YESU alikuwa na ndoa ya siri na Mariam Magdalena ndio sababu Mariam Magdalena ilibidi awepo kwenye kalamu hiyo ya mwisho.Angalia mchoro hapo chini.

Kutoka kulia kwenda kushoto ni Bartholomeo, Yakobo mdogo, Andrea, Yuda, Petro, Yohana(au Mariam Magdalena kulingana na Da Vinci Code), YESU KRISTO, Thomaso, Filipo, Mathayo, Thadeo na Simon.

Kwa hiyo Brown anaelezea uwongo wake kwenyer kitabu chake hicho kwa kumtumia profesa wa uingereza wa mambo ya kale yanayohusu elimu ya dini anayeitwa Sir Leigh Teabing.

Teabing anadai kwamba katika baraza la maaskofu zaidi ya 300 lililokutana Nikea mwaka 325 A.D, ”mambo mengi yanayohusu ukristo yalipigiwa kura na kutolewa maamuzi baada ya kujadiliana na kubishana kwa kirefu” likiwemo la Uungu wa YESU.

Teabing anasema kuwa kabla ya baraza la Nikea mwaka 325 A.D,YESU alikuwa anatambulika na wanafuasi wake kama mmojawapo wa manabii waliowahi kuwepo,na kwamba ni mwanadamu aliyekuwa na uwezo wa ajabu tu ila siyo Mungu kama inavyodaiwa.Kwa hiyo Teabing anadai kwamba YESU alifanywa kuwa mwana wa Mungu na pia alifanywa kuwa Mungu rasmi na baraza hilo la Nikea kwa kupigia kura uamuzi huo chini ya Mtawala wa Rumi wa wakati huo aliyejulikana kama Constantino.Tena anadai kuwa baada ya makubaliano hayo ya Maaskofu hao wapatao 300 ndipo nyaraka zote za muhimu zilizomuhusu YESU ziliteketezwa na kupotezwa kabisa.Kwa maneno yake Teabing anadai kuwa msingi mzima wa ukristo umejengwa juu ya uwongo.

Da Vinci Code haiwezi kujisimamia yenyewe bila kutumia matukio jalisi ya kilichofanywa katika baraza la Nikea, watu waliowahi kuishi kama Constantino na Arius na nyaraka zilizowahi kuandikwa kama injili za wagnostika.

Kwa hiyo kama tunataka kutengenisha kweli na uzushi huu, kazi yetu kubwa itakuwa ni kubainisha ukweli halisi wa hayo mambo ambayo bwana Dan Brown anayategemea kusambaza uongo wake.

UKRISTO NA CONSTANTINO

Kabla ya Constantino kuanza kutawala Rumi,wakristo walikuwa wakiteswa sana.Lakini baada ya Constantino kuwa mkristo(kuokoka) kwenye miaka ya 300 AD,akaigeuza Rumi na kuwa utawala wa kwanza wa kikristo na hivyo kanisa na serikali vikaunganishwa na kuwa kitu kimoja.Kutokana na hilo mateso kwa wakristo katika utawala wa Rumi hayakuwepo tena wakati wote wa utawala wa Constantino.

Kwa hiyo Constantino akaazimia kuunganisha utawala wake wa mashariki na magharibi ambao ulikuwa umegawanyika vibaya kutokana na kuibuka kwa imani mbalimbali za uongo,madhehebu mbalimbali,migawanyiko iliyotokana na tofauti za kiimani na mengineyo mengi ambayo yalitokana na mabishano kuhusu uhalisia wa YESU.

JE, KWELI CONSTANTINO NDIYE ALIYEANZISHA UUNGU WA YESU?

Kuweza kujibu madai ya Dan Brown ni lazima kwanza tujue ni kipi wakristo walikuwa wanaamini kabla ya Constantino na baraza la Nikea hawajakaa mwaka 325 A.D.

Wakristo walikuwa wakimwabudu YESU kama MUNGU tangu karne ya kwanza.Lakini katika karne ya nne,Kiongozi wa kanisa lililopo upande wa mashariki wa utawala wa Constantino aliyekuwa akiitwa Arius alianzisha kampeni akidai kuwa YESU aliumbwa kipekee zaidi ya malaika lakini hakuwa Mungu.Athanasius na viongozi wengine wengi wa kanisa kwa upande wao waliamini kuwa YESU alikuwa ni MUNGU katika mwili.

Kwa hiyo Constantino akataka kuumaliza mgongano huo ili alete amani katika utawala wake wa mashariki na magharibi.Kwa hiyo mwaka 325 A.D akawaalika zaidi ya maaskofu 300 kutoka kila sehemu ya ulimwengu wa kikristo wa wakati huo kwenda Nikea (ambayo kwa hivi sasa ni sehemu za Uturuki)

Swala kubwa hapa ni, Je kanisa la kwanza lilimchukulia YESU kama muumbaji au ni kiumbe tu – mwana wa Mungu au mwana wa fundi seremala? Je mitume walifundisha nini kuhusu YESU?Kutoka katika maelezo yao ya awali kabisa kwenye nyaraka zao walimwona YESU kama Mungu.Baada ya miaka 30 tangu kufa na kufufuka kwa YESU,Paulo mtume anawaandikia wafilipi kuwa YESU ni MUNGU katika mwili (Wafilipi 2:6-7).

Pia Yohana,mwanafunzi aliyekuwa karibu zaidi na YESU na kuishi naye kwa zaidi ya miaka 3 anathibitisha Uungu wa YESU katika maneno haya (Yohana 1:1-4,14) ”Hapo mwanzo alikuwepo Neno,naye Neno alikuwepo kwa Mungu,naye Neno alikuwa Mungu,………………………………………….naye Neno akafanyika mwili na kukaa kwetu.Nasi tukauona utukufu wake……………….”

Aya hii kutoka injili ya Yohana iligundulika kwa kutumia kipimo cha carbon-14 kuwa iliandikwa kwenye mwaka 175 A.D.

Kwa hiyo YESU alikuwa akitajwa kama Mungu zaidi ya miaka 100 kabla ya Constantino hajaitisha baraza la Nikea.Kwa hiyo tunaona kuwa madai ya uzushi ya Da Vinci Code kuwa Uungu wa YESU ni matokea ya mkutano wa Nikea karne ya 4 ni uongo mtupu.

Kwenye kitabu chake Dan Brown anadai kupitia Teabing kwamba maaskofu wengi kule Nikea walikubaliana na mafundisho ya Arius kuwa YESU ni nabii wa kawaida tu na kuwa eti mafundisho ya sasa kuhusu Uungu wa YESU yalikubaliwa kwa kura chache sana.

Ukweli ni kwamba ,kati ya kura 318 za maaskofu wote waliopiga kura ni wawili tu ndio waliokubaliana na mafundiho ya Arius ,lakini wengine wote waliamua kubaki na mafundisho ya mitume wa kwanza walioishi na YESU KRISTO kuwa YESU ni Mungu na ni zaidi ya nabii wa kawaida.

Baraza likaamua na kukubali kuwa YESU na Mungu Baba ni wamoja,Pia Mungu Baba,Mwana na Roho Mtakatifu ni utatu mtakatifu,(coexistent,coeternal Persons but one God).Mafundisho haya ya utatu mtakatifu ndiyo msingi mkuu wa imani ya kikristo.Japokuwa Arius alikuwa ni mtu aliyekuwa na ushawishi mkubwa,lakini baada ya majadiliano marefu na kutafuta ukweli na ushahidi wa kutosha baraza la Nikea likamtangaza rasmi Arius kuwa ni mzushi dhidi ya imani ya kikristo (heretic) kwa sababu mafundisho yake yanapingana na yale waliofundisha mitume kuhusu Uungu wa YESU

Historia inaonyesha bila mashaka yoyote kuwa YESU akikubali waziwazi kabisa kuabudiwa na wanafunzi wake.Paulo na wanafunzi wengine wanafundisha kwa uwazi kabisa kuwa YESU ni Mungu na anastahili kuabudiwa.Na hawa mitume walifundisha hivi na hata kumwabudu YESU tangu karne ya kwanza.Sasa iweje tena Teabing adai kuwa Constantino ndiyo aliyeanzisha Uungu wa YESU wakati kanisa lilikuwa likimwabudu YESU kama Mungu miaka zaidi ya 200 kabla ya Constantino.Huu ni uwongo wa wazi kabisa na wala hauhitaji mtu kuwa na PhD kuugundua.

JE, NI KWELI HISTORIA YA KWANZA YA YESU ILIHARIBIWA NA CONSTANTINO?

Da Vinci Code inadai kwamba Constantino aliharibu ushahidi wa historia ya kwanza kabisa ya YESU na kuamuru iandikwe upya kwa kutumia injili tulizonazo hivi sasa kwenye agano jipya na kuziharibu injili nyingine zaidi ya 80.

Hapa kuna mambo mawili ya kumjibu Dan Brown.Kwanza ni kujua iwapo kuna ukweli wowote katika madai kwamba Constantino alibadilisha na kulazimisha uchaguzi wa vitabu vya Agano Jipya.Pili ni kujua iwapo aliteketeza nyaraka za awali ambazo zingetumika kuandika Biblia.

Tukianza kujibu hoja ya kwanza, maandiko na nyaraka mbalimbali zilizoandikwa na viongozi wa kanisa karne ya pili na wazushi na wapinzani mbalimbali zinathibitisha matumizi makubwa ya vitabu tunavyotumia leo hii vya agano jipya.

Karibu miaka 200 kabla ya Constantino hajaitisha baraza la Nikea, mpinzani na mzushi Marcion alivikubali vitabu 11 kati ya 27 vya Agano Jipya kama maandiko ya mitume wa kwanza.

Na kwa wakati huohuo mzushi mwingine na mpinzani Valentinus alitumia sehemu kubwa ya maandiko yaliyopo katina Agano Jipya.Kwa hiyo tunaona kuwa hawa wazushi wakubwa wawili waliokuwa ni wapinzani wakubwa wa viongozi wa kanisa la kwanza walitumia maandiko hayahaya tunayotumia leo hii kwenye Agano Jipya, haingekuwa rahisi kwao kuandika yale ambayo maaskofu wa Nikea waliyataka, Hii inaonyesha wazi kuwa kanisa la kwanza walitumia sana vitabu vya agano jipya tunavyotumia leo kabla ya Constantino.

Hivyo basi hakuna ukweli wowote kuwa Constantino alishinikiza na kuanzisha matumizi ya vitabu hivi vya Agano Jipya wakati ambapo vilishakuwa vinatumiwa na mamilioni ya waamini kama maneno ya Mungu karibu miaka 200 kabla yake.

Na kujibu hoja ya pili kuwa nyaraka hizi za kale za injili ya wagnostika ziliteketezwa na kutoweshwa zisiwemo kwenye agano jipya ili kupotosha ushahidi.Teabing anadai kwamba injili za wagnostika ziliondolewa kutoka kwenye Biblia 50 za mwanzo ambazo Constantino aliagiza ziandikwe.

Injili hizi za wagnostika zinatokana na kikundi cha watu wanaojulikana kama wagnostika, Jina hili linatokana na neon la kiyunani (kigiriki) gnosis, likiwa na maana ya “maarifa”.Watu hawa walikuwa wakifikiri kuwa wao wanafahamu mambo fulani fulani ya siri ambayo watu wengine hawakuwa wakiyajua.

Kadri ukristo ulivyokuwa ukienea sehemu mbalimbali, wagnostika waliyachanganya mafundisho yao na baadhi ya mafundisho ya ukristo na wakaanzisha imani iliyokuwa na mchanganyijko wa kignostika na ukristo.

Katika historia ya ukristo iliyoandikwa na Oxford, John Manners anaandika jinsi wagnostika walivyochanganya ukristo na hadithi zao za kale, dini za miungu yao ya asili na mizimu na mambo yao ya kiuaguzi.

Tofauti na Brown anavyodai,si kweli Constantino ndiye aliyesababisha kuichukulia imani ya wagnostika kama imani potofu bali ni mitume wenyewe wa kanisa la kwanza ndio waliosema kwa uwazi kabisa kuwa imani ya wagnostika ni potofu.

Mfano Mtume Yohana alivyoandika kati ya mwaka 95-99A.D. Katika 1Yohana 2:22 “Mwongo ni nani? Ni yule anayekana kwamba Yesu ni Masiha. Mtu wa namna hiyo ni adui wa Kristo--anamkana Baba na Mwana.”

Kwa kufuata mafundisho ya mitume,viongozi wa kanisa la kwanza walitangaza waziwazi kuwa ugnostika ni imani potofu.Mmoja kati ya mababa wa kanisa, Irenaeus,aliandika miaka 140 kabla ya baraza la Nikea kuwa ugnostika ulichukuliwa na kanisa kama imani potofu.Pia alizikataa “injili” zao na akiunga mkono injili nne zilizopo kwenye agano jipya alisema “haiwezekani vitabu vya injili vilivyopo vipunguzwe au viongezwe”

Mwanatheolojia mmoja aliyejulikana kama Origen aliandika hivi katika karne ya 3 ,zaidi ya miaka 100 kabla ya Nikea.

“Najua kuna injili fulani inayoitwa ,”Injili ya Thomaso”,and “Injili ya Mathias”, na nyinginezo nyingi—Hebu na mtu asituone sisi ni wajinga kwa sababu ya hao wanaojifikiria wao wenyewe kuwa wanaoufahamu fulani[gnostics].Hata hivyo zaidi ya yote haya,sisi tumeshathibitisha bila mashaka yoyote ni injili zipi kanisa linazitambua,ni zile injili nne tu ndizo zinazokubalika ”
Kwa hiyo hapa tunaona kauli na mapendekezo ya viongozi wa mwanzo wa kanisa waliokuwa wakiheshimika sana kwa wakati huo.Wagnostika hawakutambuliwa kama wakristo na walijulikana kama imani potofu kabla ya hata baraza la Nikea

KUHUSU WAANDISHI WA INJILI ZA WAGNOSTIKA.

Swali la kujiuliza hapa ni,Je, kwa nini basi injili zote hizi za wagnostika zinadaiwa kuandikwa na wahusika waliopo kwenye agano jipya la Biblia tunayoitumia leo hii? Mfano,Injili ya Filipo,Injili ya Petro,Injili ya Mariam(Magdalena),Injili ya Yuda, na kadhalika.Je ni kweli ziliandikwa na wahusika wenyewe kama inavyodaiwa na wagnostika?

Injili hizi zote za wagnostika zimeandikwa kati ya mwaka 110 hadi 300 A.D.Na hakuna hata mwanazuoni yeyote anayeamini kuwa zimeandikwa na wahusika wenye majina ya hizo injili kwa kuwa hazina ushahidi wa kutosha.

Moja kati ya maelezo yanayopatikana katika maktaba ya Nag Hammadi huko Misri(sehemu ambayo injili ya wagnostika ya filipo iligundulika mwaka 1945) yanaeleza kwamba “injili za wagnostika ziliandikwa na waandishi wasiojulikana na wahusika wanaodaiwa kuandika injili hizo siyo wale waliopo kwenye agano jipya [tunalotumia leo]”

Mmoja kati ya wanazuoni wa agano jipya Norman Geisler akizielezea injili mbili za wagnostika,injili ya Petro na matendo ya Yohana(hizi siyo vitabu vya agano jipya tunavyovifahamu) anasema,”maandiko ya wagnostika hayakuandikwa na mitume ila na watu wengine katika karne ya 2 na kuendelea,wakijifanya kupewa ruhusa na mitume ili wafikishe mafundisho yao kwa wakristo.Katika siku za leo tunauita huu ni udanganyifu na utapeli”

JE, KWELI YESU ALIKUWA NA NDOA YA SIRI NA MARIAM MAGDALENA?

Hoja hii ndiyo ambayo imeonekana kuleta utata zaidi ulimwenguni na hata kusababisha kitabu hicho cha uzushi cha Dan Brown kuuzwa na kununuliwa sana.

Da Vinci Code inadai kuwa YESU na Mariam Magdalena walikuwa na ndoa ya siri iliyosabisha kuwa na uzao.Dan Brown anadai kwamba kikundi cha siri cha kikatoliki kinachojulikana kama “Priory of Sion” ndicho kinachotunza siri kuwa tumbo la Mariam Magdalena lilobeba uzao wa YESU ndio linaloitwa kikombe kitakatifu “Holy Grail”. Brown anadai kuwa baadhi ya wanachama wa kikundi hiki cha Priory of Sion ni pamoja na Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo na mzushi maarufu Leornado Da Vinci.

Je madai haya ni ya kweli? Hebu tuangalie wanazuoni wengine wanasemaje kuhusu uzushi huu.

Katika makala moja iliyotochapishwa na gazeti la Newsweek inamnukuu mwanazuoni mmoja akisema kuwa “Madai kwamba YESU na Mariam Magdalena walioana kwa siri hayana ushahidi wowote wa kihistoria,Hoja zinazotolewa na Da Vinci Code zinasimamia kwenye mstari mmoja wa injili ya wagnostika ya Filipo inayoonyesha kuwa Mariam Magdalena alikuwa na ukaribu na YESU”

Pia kuna mstari mmoja tu katika Injili hiyo ya wagnostika ya Filipo kuwa YESU alimbusu Mariam Magdalena.Lakini kumsamia mtu kwa kumbusu kilikuwa ni kitu cha kawaida katika karne ya kwanza katika eneo hilo la mashariki ya kati,na hilo siyo jambo la ajabu”.

Siyo hivyo tu ila tunaona kwamba injili ya Filipo ya Wagnostika ni ulaghai ulioandikwa kati ya mwaka 150-220 A.D na mwandishi asiyejulikana.Kwa hiyo madai yote yaliyomo humo hatuwezi kuyaamini hata kidogo.

Pia kuhusu kikombe kitakatifu (Holy Grail) na pamoja na Priory of Sion,Brown hana ushahidi wowote kuhusu hilo kwa sababu kikombe kitakatifu ni kile kikombe alichotumia YESU wakati wa kalamu ya mwisho na wala hakina uhusiano wowote na Mariam Magdalena.

Kuhusu Priory of Sion ni uongo wa wazi kabisa ambao Dan Brown anauzusha bila kuona aibu hata chembe.Leornado Da Vinci hajawahi kuwa mwanachama wa kundi hilo kwa sababu kundi hilo liliundwa rasmi mwaka 1956, miaka 437 baada ya kifo chake. Leornado Da Vinci aliishi kati ya mwaka 1452 hadi mwaka 1519.

JE NI KWELI KUNA NYARAKA ZA SIRI ZILIZOFICHWA?

Teabing anadai kwamba kuna maelfu ya nyaraka za siri zinazothibitisha kwamba ukristo ni hadithi za uongo za kutunga na kufikirika.Je, madai haya ni kweli?

Kama kungekuwa na nyaraka hizo kama anavyodai Teabing,basi wanazuoni wapinzani wa ukristo wangekuwa tayari wameshazisambaza tangu kipindi hicho.Nyaraka za uzushi zilizokataliwa na kanisa la kwanza wala siyo siri tena na zimekuwa wazi kwa karne nyingi sasa.Wala hakuna la ajabu hapo,kwani hazikuhusishwa kama sehemu ya maandiko yaliyokubaliwa na mitume.

JE, LERONADO DA VINCI ALIKUWA SHOGA?

Baadhi ya wanazuoni wanaamini kwamba Leornado Da Vinci alikuwa shoga au alipenda kujihusisha na mambo ya kishoga.Wanatoa madai haya kutokana na ukweli kwamba Leornado Da Vinci hakuwahi kuwa na mke.Lakini hili sio jambo hasa la kumfanya mtu kudhaniwa kuwa ni shoga ila tatizo hapa ni ile tabia yake ya kupenda kuchora picha za vijana wa kiume wazuri wakiwa uchi wa mnyama. Mara nyingine alichora vijana hao wazuri wakiume wakionekana kuingiliana kimwili wao kwa wao.Pia mwaka 1476,Leornado Da Vinci alifikishwa mahakani kwa mashtaka ya vitendo vya kishoga.Japokuwa alifungwa kwa miezi miwili lakini mashtaka hayo yalifutwa kwa kukosekana ushahidi wa kutosha.

UKWELI UPO WAZI KABISA.

Tumeona kwa uwazi kabisa ukweli usiopingika kuhusu maisha matakatifu ya YESU KRISTO mwana wa MUNGU na ni MUNGU halisi kama Biblia takatifu inavyosema katika Injili ya Yohana 1:1-4; 14

Tofauti kabisa na injili za wagnostika, ambazo waandishi wake hawajulikani (hazijulikani ziliandikwa na nani), Agano Jipya tunalotumia leo hii limepitia majaribio mengi likithibitishwa kwa karne nyingi sasa.

Mwanazuoni mmoja aliwahi kusema kwamba, kama unataka kusoma uzushi na hadithi za uongo kuhusu YESY KRISTO wa Nazareth, basi kitabu cha Da Vinci Code chaweza kuwa chaguo lako zuri, lakini kama unataka kuujua ukweli wa maisha ya YESU kutoka kwa watu waliomwona kwa macho na kuishi naye basi Injili kama ilivyoandikwa na Mtakatifu Mathayo, Mtakatifu Marko, Mtakatifu Luka na Mtakatifu Yohana ndiyo chaguo lako bora kabisa la wakati wote la kujua njia sahihi kabisa ya kuweza kumwona Mungu.

The Gospel of Mark

2012-01-28T14:59:00.001+03:00

WHO IS MARK?

According to tradition, the author, Mark is not an apostle himself. Not one of the original disciples, but rather the follower of one of them. Traditionally, he's supposed to be the disciple of Peter .... We don't know exactly where this Mark was or where he actually wrote. However, tradition places him at Rome, but one more tradition also has him located at Alexandria, and it may be the case that the story that we call Mark's gospel, which supposedly derived from Peter, is also an example of this passing on of an oral tradition. It owes its history to Mark, whether Mark is the person who actually wrote it down or not.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MARK

Why is the Gospel of Mark important, in early Christianity?

Mark's is the first of the written gospels. It's really the one that establishes... the life of Jesus as a story form. It develops a narrative from his early career, through ...the main points of his life and culminat[es] in his death. And, as such, it sets the pattern for all the later gospel traditions. We know that both Matthew and Luke used Mark, as a source in their composition and it's also probable that even John knew something of Mark in tradition. So, Mark is really the one that sets the stage for all the later Christian gospel writings.

SECRECY AND MISUNDERSTANDING

Mark retells the story of Jesus. He starts by taking a number of elements of earlier oral tradition. Mark seems to have a knowledge of at least one and maybe two or three different collections of miracle stories as a source. He weaves these together with other stories about Jesus, about teachings, about travels, about other things and makes those a part of his understanding of how Jesus' life worked and what it was intended to do. But, in the final analysis, Mark's gospel is really about the death of Jesus. It's a passion narrative with an extended introduction, some people would say. Mark tells the story by thinking about the death and letting all the events that lead up to that death move toward it and through it. So, it's the death of Jesus that's the guiding principle to Mark's gospel, not the life....

Mark tells the story this way in order to make sense out of the death of Jesus and in the light of the events of the first revolt. Those are the two guiding principles really of the story line of Mark....

For Mark, Jesus is a somewhat enigmatic figure and that's very important to his way of telling the story. Jesus is mysterious. Jesus intentionally keeps people from understanding who he really is, at times. At times, Jesus actually silences the demons who would announce his true identity. When he performs a miracle, he tells people, don't say anything to anyone about what I have done. He even takes the disciples away, off into a corner, and teaches them privately so that others won't hear and understand the message. He seems to be a very secretive kind of figure in Mark's gospel.

Now, why does Mark tell the story this way? It seems to be the case that he uses this motif of secrecy and misunderstanding as a way of reconceptualizing the image of Jesus. There's something about the the previous understandings of Jesus, even within the Christian community, that Mark feels compelled now to correct and to give a new meaning for, and it probably has something to do with the post-war experience. Why had it all happened? What had gone wrong? Why was Jerusalem destroyed? Mark tells the story in such a way to make sense out of that, in the light of the death of Jesus.

MORE THAN A MIRACLE WORKER

The fact that Mark takes these early oral sources of Jesus miracle stories suggests that, in fact, one of the earliest ways of understanding Jesus is as a miracle worker. But miracle workers are a dime a dozen in the ancient world. We hear about all sorts of people who can perform miracles, so that doesn't really seem to set him apart. There's nothing unique about that in antiquity. We hear of Jewish miracle workers, pagan miracle workers, good miracle workers, bad miracle workers. It seems to be one of the points of Mark's gospel to say, "he's not just a miracle worker; he's more." Mark actually has Jesus unable to perform miracles at certain times, or unwilling to perform them. In one case, he even has to perform a miracle twice in order to get it right. In another case, he heals a boy to death and has to bring him back to life later. So, Jesus is a peculiar kind of miracle worker, in the way he's described in Mark's gospel and it seems to be that that's one of Mark's concerns.

MARK'S MESSIAH MUST DIE

One of the main issues in Mark's way of presenting Jesus is what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. Now, it's true that within the gospel, many different people understand that he is the Messiah. At one point, he asks the disciples, "who do you think I am?" and they clearly say, "you're the Messiah." And yet, one of the most important dramatic elements in Mark's gospel is that even when they confess that he is the Messiah, they clearly do not understand the significance of his Messianic identity. Mark's gospel is playing with that issue, is forcing that issue to the front for his audience and saying this is the key point. It's what the disciples failed to understand that you must understand, and the whole point of Jesus' Messianic identity in Mark's gospel is that he had to die....

It's not always clear that he really thinks of himself as the Messiah all the way throughout his career and even when the disciples confess that he's the Messiah, even when they come to understand him as the Messiah, they don't really realize that he must die, that that's part of his Messianic identity. So, Mark is really telling us that to be the Messiah, [means] more than just being a miracle worker or just teaching wonderful teachings. There's something else at stake here.

DISCIPLES MISS THE POINT

Mark's gospel is a brilliant piece of dramatic composition because it allows this motif of secrecy and misunderstanding to be the occasion for bringing together a number of the key symbolic moments in the story of Jesus. So, while the disciples, his closest friends and followers, failed to understand his true identity, ... failed to understand that he will die as part of his Messianic identity, there are a number of marginal characters in this story who seem to understand him more correctly and more properly, without prompting and without instruction. In one sense, it's the marginal characters who provide the kind of dramatic foil for the Markan story. One of the best example is the story of the woman who just at the Last Supper of Jesus comes and anoints his feet and the disciples criticize her for for anointing him. Jesus says, "she's already anointed me for my burial and her action will be remembered." So, she sees something that the disciples themselves fail to see, and it's the women, the marginal characters, the demons, those on the periphery of the story who often carry the important realizations of Jesus' true identity. It's it's really quite a marvelous dramatic presentation....

JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

One of the best examples of Mark's literary craft is the way he weaves stories together. A good example is the double miracle of the raising of Jairus daughter and the healing of the woman with the hemorrhage or menstrual disorder. Now originally, these must have been two completely distinct and independent miracle stories. Mark puts them together by actually weaving the story of the little girl who dies, around the story of the older woman who is healed, and we can see that Mark is telling the story in such a way, as to make the stories read together, to make elements from one miracle flow into the other. For example, the little girl is 12 years old....

The way Mark tells the story, it goes like this. Jesus is on his way one day, and is asked to come heal the young daughter, age 12, of a prominent synagogue official. His name is Jairus. While Jesus is on the way to heal this little girl, he's going through the crowds and all of a sudden he's touched by a woman with a menstrual disorder. This interrupts the story momentarily and it's at this point that we actually see Mark inserting into the story of Jairus' daughter this separate miracle about the woman. Now, in the encounter between Jesus and the woman we have a very interesting play of symbols. ... The woman has a menstrual disorder. She's had it for 12 years, the same length of time that the little girl has been alive. So, the two elements in the story are starting to play together. The fact that the woman touches Jesus, though, because of purity regulations, means that she would have in fact, made Jesus impure. He shouldn't now be going to deal with a synagogue official, after having been contaminated by her impurity. So, there are plays of purity and impurity, of age, of her womanly status and the virginal status of the little girl and so on. There are a number of these kinds of dramatic elements that play through the story. So, each story is being set up to play off of the other.

What's significant is the woman is the one who recognizes Jesus, and reaches out and touches him and at that very moment is immediately healed. He doesn't do a thing. He feels the power rush from him and only then turns to encounter her and comment on her faith. In the process, while delaying to deal with her, the little girl dies and now when he proceeds on to the next stage of the story, he has to not only heal her but raise her from the dead....The dramatic conclusion to the story is when Jairus greets Jesus at the door and says never mind, she's already dead. Jairus, the synagogue official, doesn't understand who Jesus really is, what he can really do. He doesn't know what the woman did and yet, she's the last kind of person you would have expected to have that kind of religious knowledge in the first century. She's a marginal character and yet she brings a great deal of insight to Jesus' true identity.

Then Jesus proceeds to raise the little girl from the dead, thereby proving what his powers are really all about, after all, and in some ways, it's a kind of a symbolic moment because it's all foreshadowing his own resurrection from the dead....

MARK'S POST-REVOLT AUDIENCE

What gives us the insight into the situation of the writing of Mark's gospel are some internal pieces of evidence about the way he tells the story, about the audience that he's trying to address. One of the best of these comes in Mark 13, what is sometimes called the Little Apocalypse, because in it, Jesus has just come out of the Temple and his disciples turn and point to the magnificent structure and say, "isn't it all beautiful? What do you think, Jesus?" Jesus proceeds then to tell them about the destruction of the Temple. So, here is a story of Jesus, some 40 years before the Temple is destroyed, already predicting the destruction. But, as this story unfolds, it becomes clear that the audience for whom it is written has seen the destruction of the Temple, that whatever Jesus' predictions are supposed to suggest, that they themselves know it first hand.

The key comes, when Jesus is made to refer to the desolating sacrilege, which is set up where it ought not to be and then it says, "let the reader understand." Jesus never wrote anything. Who would be reading this in his day? It's as if we've had a soliloquy where the author, Mark, steps out from behind the character, Jesus, and addresses his audience, first hand, from their own experiences, from their own immediate past history. This is where we see the situation of the revolt and its aftermath really being a very important stimulus to the writing of these gospels.

PARABLES CONCEAL TRUE MESSAGE

One of the peculiar features of Mark's gospel in its presentation of Jesus is that, when Jesus teaches he often actually conceals the significance of his own words from the the popular audiences, and directs it only to his own disciples. Everyone will recognize that Jesus teaches in parables. But, in Mark's gospel, when Jesus teaches in parables, it says explicitly that he does so in order to keep people from understanding his messages. He teaches in these metaphors and in these word pictures so that people will not understand. It's a very different understanding of Jesus than what we might have assumed, traditionally, I think....

This motif of Jesus concealing things and the fact that the disciples characteristically misunderstand is part of Mark's way of re-interpreting the story of Jesus for the post-war audience. They're the ones who are supposed to understand. Mark is really taking a stock of traditional stories about Jesus that have been passed on now, through oral tradition. And, is assembling those in such a way as to provide a new interpretation, a new experience of Jesus, for his audience....

The fact that Mark is clearly reflecting on the destruction of the Temple as part of his understanding of the significance of the life and death of Jesus is a crucial interconnection in this gospel. By interweaving stories, Mark also makes the death of Jesus and the rejection of Jesus central to the story that results in the destruction of the Temple. Thus, the story of the cleansing of the Temple in Mark's gospel is really Jesus' way, according to Mark, of showing that the Temple is not bearing its proper fruit. Jesus also then curses a fig tree and the two stories are woven together, in Mark, in such a way that the symbolism carries over from one to the next. Jesus is standing against the Temple, in Mark's gospel and Mark wants us to understand that that's significant to why he must die and why Jerusalem will be destroyed.

DEATH OF JESUS IN MARK

Mark's gospel is also the first one that really tells us the passion narrative in as much detail. And the way Mark tells the tells the story of the death of Jesus... is to see him as a lonely figure who goes to his death abandoned by all of his followers and supporters and even abandoned by his God. Jesus from the cross says ..., "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me"? The Jesus of Mark's gospel is a lonely figure, at times, waiting for the vindication of God.

JESUS IN MARK - THE MESSIANIC SECRET

When Mark writes his gospel, he is already aware of very different images of Jesus or beliefs [about] who Jesus was.... One is the belief that Jesus is the Messiah because of the great miracles that he has done, and because of his powerful teaching, his healing, his walking on the sea. And Mark picks up that tradition, but he picks it up in a critical fashion. He does not deny that Jesus did these miracles, but he sums up Jesus' miracle activity in the question in the middle of the gospel of the famous confession of Peter at Caesarea Philippi in Chapter 8, [where] Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you think I am?" And Peter knows exactly who the one is who has done all these miracles. And says, "You are the Christ. You are the Messiah." And from then on comes a sharp turning point in the Gospel of Mark that tells the reader that to believe that Jesus was the Messiah because he did miracles is not a real understanding of who Jesus was. Because immediately after the confession of Peter, Jesus says, "the Son of Man has to suffer and to die." And Peter says, "This should not happen to you," and Jesus rebukes him as Satan....

The Gospel of Mark has for many years been discussed under the question of "the messianic secret." And there are a host of scholarly opinions, over a 100 years now of scholarship, about "what is the messianic secret?" It seems to me that the messianic secret is, indeed, that the true messiahship of Jesus cannot be recognized in his miracles. The disciples as they witness the miracles don't understand. They don't know what is going on. They are taught to understand from the prediction of the passion onwards who Jesus is. And that the messianic secret of Jesus is that he is the son of man who has come to suffer and not the Messiah who is going to do great miracles. And that will become clear only at the very end of the story of Jesus. And it is only the story of the suffering and the death of Jesus reveals that the secret of Jesus, and reveals who Jesus really is.

Mjadala wa kitheolojia Facebook (EXcasfeta Group)

2012-01-23T10:55:00.000+03:00

XXXXXX: Je nani hasa ni baba wa Yusuf (baba yake Yesu)? Ukisoma hapa Mathayo 1:16 inasema ni Yakobo na hapa Luka 3:23 inasema ni Eli.Haya waalimu,mitume,manabii,marabi,wachungaji na wainjilisti na mabawabu mtori huo

XXXXXX :Huu sio mtori kama unavyouita bali ni mfupa uliokomaa haswa. Majibu yake ni ya kiuanazuoni zaidi kuliko kiroho. Pia kwa mtazamo wangu yanaweza yasijenge sana kiroho japo ni ya muhimu pia kuyajua.

Kuna simulizi nyingi za ki-theologia katika suala hili. Cha msingi mtu asitatizwe na ubaba haswa wa Yusufu (Legal father wa YESU), bali atambue kuwa dhima kuu hapa ni kuwa Kristo Yesu ukoo wake ukianzia kwa Abrahamu vilipita vizazi 14 mpaka Daudi. Toka kwa Daudi mpaka Israeli walipochukuliwa utumwani ni vizazi 14, na toka walipokuwa utumwani mpaka kuzaliwa kwa Yesu ni vizazi 14 vingine (Math 1:17).Vizazi vimegawanywa hivyo ili kurahisisha ktk suala la kumbukumbu lakini pia ukivitaka vyote waweza kuvipata kwa majina yake ndani ya Biblia.

1. Abraham David Josiah

2 Isaac Solomon Jeconiah

3 Jacob Rehoboam Shealtiel

4 Judah Abijah Zerubbabel

5 Perez Asa Abiud

6 Hezron Jehoshaphat Eliakim

7 Ram Joram Azor

8 Amminadab Uzziah Zadok

9 Nahshon Jotham Achim

10 Salmon Ahaz Eliud

11 Boaz Hezekiah Eleazar

12 Obed Manasseh Matthan

13 Jesse Amon Jacob

14 David Josiah Joseph

Wakati Mathayo anaandika kulingana na Wafalme akimuonesha Yesu - Masihi kama mfalme wa wayahudi, Luka anaandika majina ambayo hayana wafalme wengi na wengine hata hawakuweza kudhania.Anaanza na Nathan mwana wa Daudi (Luke 3) Kifupi ni kwamba YESU alizaliwa toka ukoo wa Daudi aliyekuwa rafiki yake MUNGU.

Mengi yanaweza semwa hapa, hata hivyo yote yatakuwa ni kitheologia zaidi kuliko uhalisia.

XXXXX: Rabi XXXXXX majibu yako ni mazuri sana kwa kuulainisha huu mfupa na kuufanya kuwa kama urojo wa forodhani.Nakubaliana na uchambuzi wako.Kwa kuongezea ni kwamba wakati Mathayo anaandika kwa kutaja ukoo wa YESU kupitia kwa baba yake wa duniani Yusuf , Dr. Luke yeye kwa kuwa alifanya research ya kutosha ameandika pia na kutaja hata watu waliokuwa upande wa mama yake YESU yaani Mariam. Na hapa tunaona akimtaja Eli ambaye ametokea upande wa mama yake.....haya wapendwa karibuni tule mtori....

XXXXXX:Sawa kabisa Snr. Apostle XXXXXXX na hapo ndipo inapokuja discussion nyingine ndio maana nikasema mjadala huu ni wa kitheolojia zaidi. Ukiangalia namna ambavyo Luka anaandika, ni kana kwamba geneology ya YESU iko upande wa mama zaidi kuliko upande wa baba (Yusufu. Hii nayo ni debate kubwa inayoendelea baina ya wanazuoni wa Biblia ulimwenguni kwa miaka mingi.

Going deeper to the topic, If you look closely, you will find that in Luke 3:23 one needs to explain the words "son of". This is because "son of" is only assumed, but not actually in the Greek text. I believe it is better to assume that Joseph is "of Eli" as his "SON IN LAW", not his son. Thus, Luke's genealogy is of Mary, not of Joseph. To support this are Luke's words that Jesus was "being, as was supposed the son of Joseph". The word "son" does occur in this context. But Luke goes on to give the genealogy of Mary, who was indeed the natural line of heritage (Jesus being born of a virgin). In other words, Luke says "many think that Jesus is the natural son of Joseph, but in reality He is through the line of Mary, who is of Eli, of Matthat, etc."

Thus, Luke 3 carries the natural genealogy of Jesus while Matthew 1 traces the legal genealogy. Why is this important? Matthew is writing to Jews, who would want to know that Jesus is a legal heir to David's throne. Luke is writing to Gentiles who would want to know that Jesus is both a Son of David but also fulfills the Genesis 3:15 promise of the Seed of a woman (thus Luke's genealogy goes back to Adam).

So, Eli is not the only inconsistency. Ukiangalia vizuri kila jina toka kwa Eli kurudi kwa Daudi ni tofauti katika injili ya Mathayo. However, every name from David back to Abraham is consistent with Matthew's version! This shows us that, both naturally and legally, Jesus was the descendent of David. Mary came from David's son Nathan, while Joseph came from David's son Solomon. The consistency of the two genealogies from Abraham to David is evidence that both of these genealogies can be trusted.

Through whichever family tree you follow, Jesus will remain the son of David! Na kwa hili ndo maana hata wale wa dini ya Wayahudi ambao kwa sehemu kubwa ndo wamekuwa wakichallenge sana wafuasi wa dini ya kikristo hapa hawana ubishi na wanakubaliana na hiyo historia.

XXXXX:Ndio maana baraza la mitume likakupa upadirisho wa rabi maana kwa uchambuzi huu yakinifu uliokaa kitheolojia zaidi na umakini wa hali ya juu.Nadiriki kusema kuwa rabi XXXXXXX ni zaidi ya mwanazuoni...nimependa hii context hapa .".......Luke 3 carries the natural genealogy of Jesus while Matthew 1 traces the legal genealogy. Why is this important? Matthew is writing to Jews, who would want to know that Jesus is a legal heir to David's throne. Luke is writing to Gentiles who would want to know that Jesus is both a Son of David but also fulfills the Genesis 3:15 promise of the Seed of a woman (thus Luke's genealogy goes back to Adam)...." nadhani hiyo imeufanya huu mfupa hata usiwe mtori bali ni maji ya baridi ya kunywa.Kwa kifupi ni kwamba Dr. Luka anamwandikia Theofilo mtukufu, wakati Mtaalamu wa kodi Mathayo mbaye kwa asili ni mlawi anawaandikia wayahudi ili wamkubali YESU.Kwa hiyo kwa mosaic law YESU anafit kabisa na kwa kibaiolojia ambayo Dr. Luka kwake ni muhimu na pia anayeandikiwa Theofilo mtukufu (Researcher -pengine ndiye aliyemfundisha Dr.Luka au kumdhamini masomo yake) .Lazima Dr. Luka athibitishe kuwa YESU anatokana na King David na Abrhahamu kibaiolojia....Hili somo linaitwa Christology.....litakuwepo kwenye kile chuo chetu tarajiwa.....

What is the Shekinah glory?

2012-01-07T19:55:00.001+03:00

The word shekinah does not appear in the Bible, but the concept clearly does. The Jewish rabbis coined this extra-biblical expression, a form of a Hebrew word that literally means "he caused to dwell," signifying that it was a divine visitation of the presence or dwelling of JEHOVAH God on this earth. The Shekinah was first evident when the Israelites set out from Succoth in their escape from Egypt. There it appeared as a cloudy pillar in the day and a fiery pillar by night: “After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people” (Exodus 13:20-22).

God spoke to Moses out of the pillar of cloud in Exodus 33, assuring him that His Presence would be with the Israelites (v. 9). Verse 11 says God spoke to Moses “face to face” out of the cloud, but when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God told Him, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (v. 20). So, apparently, the visible manifestation of God’s glory was somewhat muted. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, covered him with His hand, and passed by. Then He removed His hand, and Moses saw only His back. This would seem to indicate that God’s glory is too awesome and powerful to be seen completely by man.

The visible manifestation of God’s presence was seen not only by the Israelites but also by the Egyptians: “During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, ‘Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt’” (Exodus 14:24-25). Just the presence of God’s Shekinah glory was enough to convince His enemies that He was not someone to be resisted.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the dwelling place of God’s glory. Colossians 2:9 tells us that “in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,” causing Jesus to exclaim to Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In Christ, we see the visible manifestation of God Himself in the second person of the Trinity. Although His glory was also veiled, Jesus is nonetheless the presence of God on earth. Just as the divine Presence dwelled in a relatively plain tent called the “tabernacle” before the Temple in Jerusalem was built, so did the Presence dwell in the relatively plain man who was Jesus. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). But when we get to heaven, we will see both the Son and the Father in all their glory, and the Shekinah will no longer be veiled (1 John 3:2).

BREAKING NEWS....!

2011-12-28T22:19:00.001+03:00

Mzee wa Upako Mchungaji Anthony Lusekelo ametangaza hivi sasa kupitia kituo cha television cha Channel Ten....kuwa mvuo kubwa iliyotangazwa na mamlaka ya hali ya hewa kuwa itanyesha jijini Dar es Salaam kwa siku tatu na kuwa italeta maafa haitaleta; haitaweza kuleta maafa kwa kwa neno lake na yeye kama mtumishi wa Mungu anao uwezo wa kuzuia na kuleta mvua.Akiongea kwa kujuiamini na mamlaka kubwa amesema kuwa anaongea wazi wazi bila kificho kupitia TV usiku huu ili kila mtanzania afahamu na kujua kuwa yeye anaye Mungu aliye hai na ni mtumishi wa Mungu.Amesema kuwa kama mvua hiyo itanyesha na kusabaisha maafa makubwa kama yaliyotokea basi yeye atajiuzuru uchungaji.Ila kama haitanyesha basi watu wasione aibu kukiri kuwa yeye ni mtumishi wa Mungu....amesema mvuo hiyo itanyesha kwa kawaida tu na haitakuwa na maafa makubwa kama ilivyotarajiwa kwani yeye ameshamuomba Mungu isilete maafa na imeshakuwa hivyo.Akianza kwa kusema kuwa maafa yaliyotokea Dar es Salaam wiki iliyopita ni kwa sababu yeye hakuwepo mjini Dar es Salaam ndio maana ilinyesha ila hii ya sasa haitanyesha....!

Kanisa na huduma za jamii

2011-12-27T12:51:00.001+03:00

Rais Jakaya Kikwete akipokea mchango wa shilingi milioni 10 kutoka kwa kiongozi wa kanisa la Efatha nchini, Mtume na Nabii, Josephat Mwingira katika harambee ya kuchangia Mfuko wa Maendeleo wa Mkoa wa Rukwa iliyoongozwa na Rais kwenye hoteli ya Kilimanjaro- Kempinski jijini Dar May 27, 2009. Zaidi ya shilingi bilioni 1.4 zilichangwa,Katikati ni Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda.

Kombora mbio za urais 2015

2011-12-27T12:50:00.000+03:00

Kombora mbio za urais 2015

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Monday, 26 December 2011 21:45

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Waziri wa Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Samuel Sitta

Mchungaji Lusekelo asema kuwaza sasa ni utoto wa moyo, Sitta: urais unakuja wenyewe
Fidelis Butahe
MCHUNGAJI wa Kanisa la Maombezi, Anthony Lusekelo amesema mbio za urais za 2015 zitalipeleka taifa kubaya huku akisema wanaofanya harakati hizo kwa kasi hivi sasa ni sawa na watu wenye “utoto wa moyo.”Wakati mchungaji huyo akisema hayo, Waziri wa Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki, Samuel Sitta amesema anachukizwa na tabia ya baadhi ya watu kuota urais kila siku na kuacha kuutumikia umma ambao umegubikwa na kero nyingi ikiwemo umasikini.

Kauli za Mchungaji Lusekelo na Sitta zinakuja kipindi ambacho baadhi ya wanasiasa wamekuwa wakipigana vikumbo kuwania kumrithi Rais Jakaya Kikwete mwaka 2015, huku CCM kikiri kuwa mbio hizo zimekiongezea mpasuko.

Hivi karibuni sekretarieti ya CCM ilipeleka kwenye Halmashauri ya CCM (Nec), taarifa ya hali ya siasa ndani ya chama hicho ikieleza mambo matatu kuwa ndiyo yanayokisumbua. Hayo ni pamoja na mbio za urais 2015, mchakato wa kujivua gamba na kura za maoni za ubunge za mwaka jana.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jana katika salamu zake za Sikukuu ya Krismas na Mwaka Mpya, Mchungaji Lusekelo maarufu kama 'Mzee wa Upako' alisema umefika wakati kwa wanasiasa kutambua kuwa 2015 si mwisho wa dunia na kwamba kuna maisha baada ya mwaka huo.

“Ni heri ilivyokuwa miaka ya nyuma maana ili uwe mwanasiasa ulikuwa lazima usome… walikuwa wakisomea pale chuo cha Kigamboni, jambo hili hivi sasa halipo na kila mtu anataka kuwa mwanasiasa,” alisema Mchungaji Lusekelo.

Alisema siasa ni taaluma kama zilivyo nyingine na kitendo cha wanasiasa ambao kitaaluma si wanasiasa kulumbana katika jambo fulani wanaoumia si wao, bali ni Watanzania.

“Si vyema kwa viongozi wa kisiasa kulumbana kwani watakaoumia ni Watanzania na jambo hili lisipoangaliwa, hali inaweza kuwa mbaya zaidi mwaka 2015,” alisema

Alisema kitendo cha viongozi mbalimbali wa Serikali kustaafu na kupewa kazi nyingine, ndicho chanzo cha kuwa na viongozi waliolewa uongozi.

“Huu ndiyo utoto wa moyo ninaousema, mtu anaacha uwaziri kisha anapelekwa kuwa kiongozi wa shirika au taasisi fulani ya Serikali, kila siku viongozi ni walewale na ndiyo mwanzo wa kuwa na viongozi walevi wa uongozi,” alisema.

Posho za wabunge
Akizungumzia posho za wabunge ambazo zimeongezwa kutoka Sh70,000 hadi 300,000, alisema tatizo si posho, bali ni mfumo mzima wa kulipana posho.

Licha ya kuitaka Serikali kutowatupa watumishi wake katika kuwalipa vizuri, Mchungaji Lusekelo alitoa angalizo kwamba kiwango kikubwa cha posho kitawafanya wasiokuwa wanasiasa nao kutaka kuwa wabunge.

“Tunaweza kuwa na bunge la watu fulani hivi waliofuata posho na si watendaji na wanasiasa makini,” alisema.

Katiba Mpya
Akizungumzia suala la mchakato wa Katiba Mpya ambao juzi Mwenyekiti wa Kigoda cha Mwalimu Nyerere, Profesa Issa Shivji aliuponda kuwa ni mbovu na hautazaa katiba bora, Mchungaji Lusekelo alisema ili kufikia tamati ya uwepo kwa Katiba Mpya ni lazima Watanzania waaminiane.

“Muswada ndiyo huo umepitishwa, nadhani kinachotakiwa hivi sasa ni kuaminiana tu, Katiba Mpya ni jambo zuri na mwenye uwezo atoe maoni yake juu ya Katiba anayoitaka. Katiba iliyopo ni nzuri ila ina upungufu wake hasa katika kipengele cha madaraka makubwa aliyonayo Rais.”

Sitta: Urais unakuja wenyewe
Katika hotuba yake aliyotoa jimboni kwake Urambo Mashariki mwishoni mwa wiki, Sitta alisema urais ni jambo linalokuja lenyewe kwa watu waadilifu hivyo hakuna haja ya kuuota kila siku.

“Urais unakuja wenyewe kwa watu walio waadilifu. Nachukizwa na watu ambao wao kila siku wamekuwa na mawazo ya urais na kuacha mambo ya msingi ya kutumikia wananchi wa Tanzania,” alisema.

Sitta ambaye alikuwa Spika wa Bunge la Tisa, alisema anachukizwa pia na kuhusishwa katika harakati za urais wa 2015 akisema ni mapema mno kufikiria jambo hilo sasa kwani bado kuna muda mwingi.
Alisema urais si suala la kukimbilia wala kulitafuta kwa nguvu na mbinu chafu akisema siku zote watu waadilifu wanafahamika na hakuna haja ya kutumia nguvu nyingi kutafuta madaraka hayo ya juu ya nchi.

“Haya mambo ya urais kila siku hayana maana. Kibaya zaidi watu wanahamisha mambo ya msingi na kuyapeleka katika fikra za ovyo. Hebu ufike wakati tuangalie matatizo ya wananchi kwanza tusifikirie vitu ambavyo havimsaidii mwananchi wala taifa,” alisema.

Source:

http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/component/content/article/37-tanzania-top-news-story/18799-kombora-mbio-za-urais-2015.html

There is a principle of power in you...Part 1

2011-12-15T06:27:00.003+03:00

There is a principle of power in you;this power is the result of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.Acts 1:8 says...but you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you....the word shall means it is a must that I have this power as long as the Holy Spirit is with me.This power that indwells within me I can use anyhow I want for the wills of God.If I touch people by my hands this power can enter into their bodies and cures their diseases.If I speak to my bank account .....be prosper....my bank account will have abundance.The original word used in the Acts 1:8 for the word power is the Greek word...dunamis...means dynamite... explosion. if you use it and apply it in a certain way you can overcome all heredity, and master all circumstances and conditions you shall become a great and powerful personality.Few men and women of God has discovered this power and they know how to it.They became greater and mighty.They attracted money and all kind of prosperity.Most simple minded Christians called these people witches or they are using power of darkness to get more members in their churches or to get prosperity in life.The secret is the right usage of this indwelling power.Once you learn how to use this power through the Holy Spirit who indwells in you, you shall not only end up speaking in tongue every Sunday morning in your church but you will learn how to release this power for your advantage.This power can be transported or taken out from you to any where or thing you wish.When the woman with the flow of the blood touched Jesus, the Master said ....someone has touched me....Peter ask how did you know..the Master said...because this power has come out of me.As you read this message which I have inspired by this very power...I know some healing is taken place in your body,in your finances, in your marriage, in your job, in you business and in your spirit.Some of you will start experiencing this power in a new dimension before the end of this year.Some call this power anointing ,some Power of God, some presence of God but whatever good name it might be called , all in all we know that this power is coming from the Holy Spirit indwelling in our spirit...don't you know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?...As I release this power to you.I want you to pray this pray with me so that this power may manifest in your life in Jesus name.......FATHER GOD IN THE NAME OF JESUS.I AM ASKING NOW THE MANIFESTATION OF THIS POWER IN MY LIFE,MY FINANCES,MY HEALTH,MY MARRIAGE,MY FAMILY AND MY CHURCH.I RECEIVE IN JESUS NAME...AMEN ...May God bless you all as you receive this Power of the Holy Ghost...amen and amen...!

Kutoka kwa Sr.Apostle Baraka -Part 4

2011-12-13T18:44:00.001+03:00

MOTISHA AU NIA SAHIHI (CORRECT MOTIVE) KUMTUMIKIA MUNGU

Mathayo 9:35-36 "Naye Yesu alikuwa akizunguka katika miji yote na vijiji, akifundisha katika masinagogi yao, na kuihubiri habari njema ya ufalme, na kuponya magonjwa yote na udhaifu wa kila aina. Na alipowaona makutano, aliwahurumia, kwa sababu walikuwa wamechoka na kutawanyika kama kondoo wasio na mchungaji. "

Huruma ya kiMungu ilimvuta Yesu kuwadumia na kuwaponya watu misiba yao. Aliwaona watu wakiwa wamechoka na kutawanyika Kama kondoo wasio na mchungaji

Tamaa ya fedha katika huduma inaweza kuiua huduma yako na ukashindwa kulitimza kusudi la Mungu maishani mwako. Iko mifano ya watu wengi ambao wito wao au huduma za kiMungu zilizokuwa ndani yako zilikufa kwa tamaa ya pesa.

a) Tamaa ya fedha iliiua huduma ya Gehazi ambaye alipaswa kuirithi huduma ya Elisha (Kama ambavyo Elisha aiirithi na kuiendeleza huduma ya Eliya)

2　WAFALME 5:20～27

Lakini Gehazi, mtumishi wa Elisha mtu wa Mungu, akasema, Tazama, bwana wangu amemwachilia huyo Naamani Mshami, asivipokee mikononi mwake vile vitu alivyovileta; kama Bwana aishivyo, mimi nitamfuata mbio, nipokee kitu kwake. Basi Gehazi akamfuata Naamani. Naye Naamani, alipoona mtu apigaye mbio anakuja nyuma yake, alishuka garini amlaki, akasema, Je! Ni amani? Akasema, Amani. Bwana wangu amenituma, kusema, Tazama, sasa hivi wamenijia kutoka milimani mwa Efraimu vijana wawili wa wana na manabii; uwape, nakuomba, talanta ya fedha, na mavazi mawili. Naamani akasema, Uwe radhi, ukatwae talanta mbili. Akamshurutisha, akafunga talanta mbili za fedha ndani ya mifuko miwili, na mavazi mawili, akawatwika watumishi wake wawili; nao wakayachukua mbele yake. Naye alipofika kilimani, alivitwaa mikononi mwao, akaviweka nyumbani; akawaacha wale watu kuondoka, nao wakaenda zao. Lakini yeye akaingia, akasimama mbele ya bwana wake. Elisha akamwambia, Watoka wapi, Gehazi? Akanena, Mtumwa wako hakuenda mahali. Akamwambia, Je! Moyo wangu haukuenda na wewe, hapo alipogeuka yule mtu katika gari ili akulaki? Je! Huu ndio wakati wa kupokea fedha, na kupokea mavazi, na mashamba ya mizeituni, na mizabibu, na kondoo, na ng'ombe, na watumwa, na wajakazi? Basi ukoma wa Naamani utakushika wewe, na wazao wako hata milele. Naye akatoka usoni pake mwenye ukoma kama theluji.

b) Tamaa ya fedha iliiua huduma ya Yuda Iskariote aliyepaswa kuirithi na kuiendeleza huduma ya Yesu Kama ambavyo mitume wengine 11 walivyofanya baada ya Yesu kupaa mbinguni

LUKA 22:3～6

Shetani akamwingia Yuda, aitwaye Iskariote, naye ni mmoja wa wale Thenashara. Akaondoka, akaenda akasema na wakuu wa makuhani na majemadari, jinsi atakavyoweza kumtia mikononi mwao. Wakafurahi, wakapatana naye kumpa fedha. Akakubali, akatafuta nafasi ya kumsaliti kwao pasipokuwapo mkutano.

c) Tamaa ya fedha iliiua huduma ya Anania na mkewe Safira (na kufupisha maisha yao hapa duniani) ambao walipaswa kuiendeleza kazi ya Yesu Kama walivyotenda waamini wengine baada ya Yesu kwenda mbinguni

MATENDO YA MITUME 5:1～5

Lakini mtu mmoja jina lake Anania, pamoja na Safira mkewe, aliuza mali, akazuia kwa siri sehemu ya thamani yake, mkewe naye akijua haya, akaleta fungu moja akaliweka miguuni pa mitume. Petro akasema, Anania, kwa nini Shetani amekujaza moyo wako kumwambia uongo Roho Mtakatifu, na kuzuia kwa siri sehemu ya thamani ya kiwanja? Kilipokuwa kwako, hakikuwa mali yako? Na kilipokuwa kimekwisha kuuzwa, thamani yake haikuwa katika uwezo wako? Ilikuwaje hata ukaweka neno hili moyoni mwako? Hukumwambia uongo mwanadamu, bali Mungu. Anania aliposikia maneno haya akaanguka, akafa. Hofu nyingi ikawapata watu wote walioyasikia haya.

Kutoka kwa Sr.Apostle Baraka -Part 3

2011-12-08T19:07:00.000+03:00

HUWEZI KUMTUMIKIA MUNGU NA MALI

MATHAYO 6:24

"Hakuna mtu awezaye kutumikia mabwana wawili; kwa maana atamchukia huyu, na kumpenda huyu; ama atashikamana na huyu, na kumdharau huyu. Hamwezi kumtumikia Mungu na mali."

Mali na Mungu wote ni mabwana wanaoweza kutumikiwa na wanadamu ila huwezi kuwatumikia wote kwa wakati mmoja. Ukitaka kuwatumikia wote lazima utamchukia mmoja na kuambatana na mwingine.

Ukiamua kuitumikia mali utafuata kile ambacho mali inataka ukifanye ili uipate na hata Kama kwa kufanya hivyo utamkosea Mungu. Vile vile ukitaka kumtumikia Mungu itakulazimu kufanya kile ambacho Mungu anataka ufanye hata Kama kwa kufanya hivyo utaikosa mali.

Kile ambacho Mungu atakutaka ufanye ukiamua kumtumikia na kile ambacho mali itakutaka ufanye ukiamua kuitumikia ni tofauti kabisa na Mara nyingi vitapingana ndo maana huwezi kumtumikia Mungu na Mali kwa wakati mmoja. Hawa ni waajiri wawili tofauti wenye mashariti yanayotofautiana kabisa.

Kwa mfano Mungu amesema tukiamua kumtumikia itatulazimu kutoa bure kile alichotupatia: yaani, tumepewa bure (vipawa, huduma) na tutoe bure. Mungu anatuagiza tutoe huduma bure bila kutoza pesa. Lakini Kama ukiamua kuitumikia mali itakutaka ufate kanuni zake ambazo ni kutoza pesa kwa Kila unachokitoa ili upate fedha au Mali zaidi.

HUWEZI KUMTUMIKIA MUNGU NA MALI LAKINI UNAWEZA KUMTUMIKIA MUNGU KWA MALI.

LUKA 8:2～3

na wanawake kadha wa kadha ambao walikuwa na pepo wabaya na magonjwa wakaponywa; nao ni Mariamu aitwaye Magdalene aliyetokwa na pepo saba, na Yoana mkewe Kuza, wakili wake Herode, na Susana, na wengine wengi, waliokuwa wakimhudumia kwa mali zao.

Moja ya sababu kwa nini Mungu huwa hawapati baadhi ya watoto wake Mali ni kuwa hawajui kutofautisha kumtumikia Mungu kwa mali na kumtumikia Mungu na mali. Kama huko tayari kumtumikia Mungu kwa mali basi hu-qualify kupewa Mali na Mungu maana ukizipata utaanza kuzitumikia na hivyo kuanzisha mgogoro na Mungu.

Money should be a tool to serve God and not a master of our lives. Kumbuka uzima wa mtu hauko ktk wing wa vita alivyonavyo

LUKA 12:15

Akawaambia, Angalieni, jilindeni na choyo, maana uzima wa mtu haumo katika wingi wa vitu vyake alivyo navyo.

TAFAKARI, CHUKUA HATUA

Kutoka kwa Sr.Apostle Baraka -Part 2

2011-12-08T19:06:00.001+03:00

‎2 WAKORINTHO 8:9

Maana mmejua neema ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, jinsi alivyokuwa maskini kwa ajili yenu, ingawa alikuwa tajiri, ili kwamba ninyi mpate kuwa matajiri kwa umaskini wake.

Kumbe Yesu aliishi maisha ya kimaskini ili Mimi niishi maisha ya kitajiri. Yesu alidhihirisha kuwa akubali kuishi maisha ya kimasikini maana Maandiko yanasema:

MATHAYO 8:20

Yesu akamwambia, Mbweha wana pango, na ndege wa angani wana viota; lakini Mwana wa Adamu hana pa kulaza kichwa chake.

Yaani Yesu aliyekuwa tajiri (maana dunia na vyote viijazavyo ni Mali yake) alifanyika maskini kiasi kwamba aliazima mitumbwi ya kuhubiria na hata alipotaka kupanda punda ilibidi aazime. Kumbe Yote haya aliyafanya ili abadilishane utajiri wake ne umaskini wangu. Kama hii ni kweli kwa nini wakristo wengi tu maskini na tumeridhika na umaskini kana kwamba umasikini ni sehemu ya kuwa wa rohoni na ikitokea

Kutoka kwa Sr.Apostle Baraka -Part 1

2011-12-08T19:04:00.002+03:00

MHUBIRI 6:3

Mtu akizaa watoto mia, akaishi miaka mingi, nazo siku za maisha yake ni nyingi, lakini nafsi yake haikushiba mema; tena ikiwa, zaidi ya hayo, amekosa maziko; mimi nasema, Heri mimba iliyoharibika kuliko huyo;

KUMBUKUMBU LA TORATI 8:18

Bali utamkumbuka Bwana, Mungu wako, maana ndiye akupaye nguvu za kupata utajiri; ili alifanye imara agano lake alilowapa baba zako, kama hivi leo.

TAFAKARI, CHUKUA HATUA

Umaskini ni roho na Utajiri ni roho

2011-12-08T18:49:00.004+03:00

Yesu aliwahi kutoa mfano wa tajiri na maskini Lazaro....naupenda mfano huu kwa kuwa Yesu alitufuudisha kuwa mtu akiwa maskini hapa duniani.kuna uwezekano mkubwa akaendelea kuwa maskini hata huko mbinguni kama atafanikiwa kuingia....maana ni ngumu sana kwa maskini kuurithi ufalme wa Mungu au kuingia mbinguni.Tajiri alikuwa akiishi maisha ya anasa (na hii ndio dhambi hasa iliyompeleka motoni---kutowajali wengine hata kama unavyo vingi-na wala sio utajiri wake ndio ulimpeleka motoni) na maskini Lazaro alikuwa akiingoja chini ya meza ya tajiri ili ale hata makombo...na alikuwa na vidonda mwili mzima hata mbwa walikuwa wakija wanalamba vidonda vyake.Na kwa kuwa huyu jamaa alikuwa ni maskini wa kutupwa, hata

hakuwa na pakukaa na alikuwa akiishi nyumbani kwa tajiri..Siku moja wote wawili walikufa na tajiri alienda motoni na huyu maskini lazaro alienda "peponi" a.k.a paradiso.Maskini Lazaro hakwenda paradiso kwa sababu ya umaskini wake ila ni kwa kuwa alikuwa mcha Mungu.

(hakuwa mtu wa kulaumu matajiri kwa hali aliyonayo--moja ya ishara ya roho ya kimaskini

inayomfanya mtu asiende mbinguni ni kulaumu matajiri kwa hali walionayo).

Maskini Lazaro alipofika mbingu aliendelea kuwa maskini...na hii inajionyesha dhahiri kwani hakuwa na mahali pa kukaa...matokeo yake akaishia kwenda kuishi kwa tajiri Ibrahimu.(alikaa kifuani mwa Ibrahimu)..unajua kwa nini? ni kwa sababu Ibrahimu alilifahamu andiko linalosema jiwekeeni hadhina yenu mbinguni ambapo nondo na wezi hawafiki....maana mahali mtu hadhina yake ilipo(pesa yake ilipo) na moyo wake utakuwepo.Tunaona kuwa ukiwa maskini hapa duniani na ukiwa mcha Mungu ukifika mbinguni unaweza kujikuta unakosa pa kuishi na unaishia kwenda kukaa kwa watu ambao ni matajiri na waliweka hadhina zao mbinguni. Unajua kuwa moyo huwa unafuata pesa na wala sio pesa inaufuata moyo...ndio maana Yesu anataka tuitumikishe pesa na iwe mtumwa wetu.Pesa ikikutumikia lazima utaiammbia iende mbinguni na itatii...lazima ukiitumikia pesa....ikikwambia amka saa 10 asubuhi uwahi sehemu lazima utaitii..maana usipoitii itakunyima chakula....Hatuwezi kutumikia mabwana wawili Mungu na pesa ....na njia rahisi ya kukwepa kuitumikia pesa sio kwa kufunga na kuomba. Ila ni kwa kuwa tajiri hapa hapa duniani na kuitumikisha pesa na kuituma....then tutaweza kuiambia iende mbinguni kwani moyo huwa una tabia ya kuifuata pesa...(alisema Yesu)....Umaskini ni roho na utajiri ni roho....!

Tafakari......chukua hatua....haki utajiri....!

All Churches Should Be Multiracial

2011-12-02T06:10:00.001+03:00

In Divided by Faith: Evangelicals and the Problem of Race in America (2000), sociologists Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith argued that much of the racial dysfunction in the American church today is the result of an individualized theological worldview that blinds white evangelicals to certain societal injustices. The book's shocking assertion stirred debate and became a paradigm-shifting read for many evangelical leaders.

Three years later, Emerson teamed with fellow sociologists Karen Chai Kim and George Yancey and with theologian Curtiss Paul DeYoung to write a sequel,United by Faith: The Multiracial Congregation as an Answer to the Problem of Race (Oxford, 2003). The team—who define a multiracial church as "a congregation in which no one racial group accounts for 80 percent or more of the membership"—did an intensive, three-year study that included 2,500 phone interviews, written surveys taken by 500 congregations, and firsthand observations of churches in four diverse metropolitan areas.

Again, the authors provide a compelling challenge, and intensify their call, which they argue is a biblical one, for more churches to become multiracial.

In this issue, we condense and excerpt their biblical argument, listen to four pastors respond to their thesis, and tell how one Arkansas congregation lives out its multicultural calling.

The nation's racial landscape is vividly changing. According to the 2000 Census, people of color as a percentage of the United States population have more than doubled to 31 percent since 1960, and the growth of non-Europeans is expected to continue at an accelerated rate. In just the last 20 years (1980 to 2000), the African American population grew by nearly 30 percent, the Native American population by 75 percent, the Latino population by 142 percent, and the Asian American population by 185 percent. In absolute numbers, the United States had well over 35 million more people of color in 2000 than it did in 1980. This is more people than lived in the entire United States during the Civil War period of the early 1860s.

Race, as it always has, plays a significant part in the lives of people living in the United States. It shapes where people live and whom they live with, where people send their children to school, with whom they can most easily become friends, their likelihood of having access to wealth and health, whom they marry, how they think about themselves, and their cultural tastes. Race also shapes how people value others, how much they trust others, provides quick stereotypes by which to classify people, and shapes fears of crime. As Cornel West succinctly puts it, "Race matters."

For many of these reasons, race matters in where one worships. The nation's religious congregations have long been highly racially segregated. If we define a racially mixed congregation as one in which no one racial group is 80 percent or more of the congregation, just 7.5 percent of the more than 300,000 religious congregations in the United States are racially mixed. For Christian congregations, which form more than 90 percent of congregations in the United States, the share that is racially mixed drops to 5.5 percent. Of this small percentage, approximately half of the congregations are mixed only temporarily, during the time they are in transition from one group to another.

The explosion of racial and ethnic diversity in the United States has introduced dramatic tensions within faith communities. How should they respond to a pluralistic society? What should congregations look like racially? Does considering the racial composition of congregations sidetrack faith communities from more important religious matters? Given the current and historical racial context of the United States, are certain racial and ethnic communities best served by having their own congregations?

Families prepare for Hamas-Israel swap deal

2011-10-18T07:58:00.002+03:00

Families of Palestinian prisoners and Gilad Shalit are preparing for the return of their relatives, a day after Hamas and Israel reached a historic deal to free the Israeli soldier in exchange for 1,027 Palestinians.

No list of detainees to be freed, nor the exact dates of the swap, have yet been announced, but many Palestinians have started preparations for the possible return of their imprisoned family members.

Noam and Aviva Shalit left their protest tent outside Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday and headed home to plan their son's homecoming after more than five years of captivity.

Gilad Shalit was captured by Hamas, the Palestinian faction which governs Gaza, in a cross-border raid in 2006.

Shalit, now 25 years old, will return home "in the coming days", Netanyahu said in a public address on Tuesday, though he did not specify a date.

In a televised address from Syria on Tuesday, Khaled Meshaal, leader of Hamas, said the Palestinian detainees will be released in two phases: one in the next week and the second in two months, adding that the majority will be returned to their homes in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Meshaal met with Morad Mowafi, Egypt's intelligence chief, on Thursday to discuss logistics related to the swap. Meshaal also thanked Egypt for its role in the "intense negotiations...which led to this historic success for the [Palestinian] resistance", reported Egyptian state television.

Anxiety and scepticism

Scenes of celebration in the Gaza Strip and in Jerusalem greeted Tuesday's announcement of the prisoner-swap deal.

But such euphoria gave way to Gazans' scepticism that the siege on their coastal enclave will ease and Israelis' growing anxiety that the swap could lead to new violence.

Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston said the deal was not expected to have any real impact on the siege on Gaza, which intensifed at the time of Shalit's capture in 2006.

"The siege is stilll very much in force even though we do have more imports now allowed into Gaza," she said.

"The people of Gaza, they have really paid a very heavy price for the capture of Shalit - a five-, six-year-long blockade, with no end in sight."

"It's important to note that originally, Hamas had wanted the siege to be lifted as part of any agreement about releasing Gilad Shalit but clearly that hasn't happened. That issue appears to have quietly been dropped."

In Gaza, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), one of the three groups which captured Shalit along with Hamas and a Salafi group called the Army of Islam, said they had informed the soldier his release was imminent.

"The PRC-Nasser Brigades informed Shalit, the prisoner it holds with the other factions, that the prisoner swap has been completed and it may be implemented in the next few days," Abu Attaya told AFP.

The agreement, which won the backing of Israel's top military and defence chiefs, was approved by the government early on Wednesday, although Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's foreign minister, and two others voted against it.

"This is a great victory for Hamas," Uzi Landau, National Infrastructure Minister, told army radio, shortly after voting against the deal, which he said sent a clear message that "terror pays."

Israel's chief negotiator David Meidan said he was due in Egypt soon to finalise details of Shalit's return home. "The mission is not complete yet; it will be when Gilad returns home. Let's hope that will be in a matter of days," he said at the start of a working meeting with President Shimon Peres.

The agreement, which won the backing of Israel's top military and defence chiefs, was approved by the government early on Wednesday, although Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and two others voted against it.

Skendo ya madawa ya kulevya kanisani

2011-10-12T08:16:00.001+03:00

SINEMA imefika patamu, serikali imepanga kuwaonesha waandishi wa habari mkanda wa video wa mtandao haramu wa viongozi wa dini wanaojihusisha na biashara ya madawa ya kulevya.

Wakati tukio hilo likisubiriwa kwa hamu, Uwazi linakuwa la kwanza kulitaja kinagaubaga kanisa ambalo linaundwa na viongozi wanaojihusisha na biashara haramu ya madawa ya kulevya.

Askofu John Said.

Uchunguzi wa Uwazi kwa kuhakikishiwa na kikosi kazi cha kudhibiti madawa ya kulevya cha Jeshi la Polisi Tanzania, umebaini kuwa Kanisa la Lord Choose Charismatic Revived ni moja ya makanisa yaliyo chini ya mtandao huo.

Kanisa hilo, lipo Biafra, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam na waumini wake ‘hupigwa domo’ kuwa kuna uponyaji lakini ndani kwa ndani, viongozi wake wanajihusisha na biashara hiyo haramu.

Askofu mkuu wa kanisa hilo, Chidi Okechuku, alishatiwa nguvuni na kikosi kazi cha kudhibiti madawa ya kulevya, hivi sasa anasubiri hatima yake kutoka kwa ‘pilato’.

Askofu Chesa Elias.

Okechuku, raia wa Nigeria, ndiye anatajwa kuwa mkuu wa mtandao wa viongozi wa dini wauza madawa ya kulevya nchini.

NI AIBU YA KANISA
Siri kwamba kanisa hilo linajihusisha na biashara ya madawa ya kulevya, ilibainika Machi 4, 2011 usiku wa manane.
Siku hiyo, Kamanda Nzowa aliongoza kikosi chake na kuvamia nyumba aliyopanga Askofu Okechuku, Kunduchi, Dar na kunasa idadi kubwa ya madawa ya kulevya.

Okechuku, alikutwa na kilo 81 za madawa ya kulevya aina ya Heroine.
Askofu huyo alikamatwa akiwa na wapambe wake, Hycenth Stan, raia wa Afrika Kusini, Shoaib Mohamed, Pakistan na Paul Ikechuwi Obi wa Nigeria, wote walikutwa kwenye nyumba hiyo yenye namba 593.

Askofu Chidi Okechuku.

KANISA LAPOTEZA WAUMINI
Uwazi limebaini kuwa kutokana na kashfa hiyo, waumini wengi waliokuwa wanaabudu kupitia kanisa hilo, wameanza kupukutika.

Anatory Magesa, aliyekuwa muumini wa kanisa hilo alisema: “Wengi tumeondoka, tumehamia makanisa mengine. Ni aibu, kumbe kanisa letu ndilo kitovu cha madawa ya kulevya.”

NI MAISHA JELA
Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Kudhibiti Madawa ya Kulevya katika Jeshi la Polisi nchini, Godfrey Nzowa aliliambia gazeti hili kuwa mtu anayekutwa na hatia ya kujihusisha na biashara ya madawa ya kulevya adhabu ya juu kabisa ni kifungo cha maisha jela.

Nzowa alisema: “Tumekuwa wakali sana, tunasimamia kifungo cha maisha jela ili kukomesha biashara hii haramu. Inawezekana hakimu akapima kosa la mshtakiwa na kumhukumu miaka 30 jela lakini ukweli ni kwamba sasa hivi adhabu ya juu ni kifungo cha maisha jela.”

MAASKOFU WALIZUNGUMZIA KANISA HILO
Mchungaji wa House Prayer of Information, Kaleb Simba alisema: “Tatizo wachungaji wameacha kazi waliyopewa kufanya na kuingia kwenye tamaa za dunia.

Mchungaji Christopher Mtikila.

“Wameacha misingi ya kanisa, ukiwaona ni mbwa mwitu wakali.”
Askofu Chesa Elias wa Kanisa la Victorious, Tabata alisema: “Kuhusu hilo, binafsi nadhani hakuna msamaha kwa huyo askofu. Watumishi wanapaswa kuwa watiifu na waaminifu, kutokana na hilo, ni lazima nchi ikae chonjo kuhakikisha wote wanaoingia kuendesha masuala ya dini hapa nchini wamethibitishwa.”

Askofu John Said wa Kanisa la Victorious, Mabibo, alisema: “Nchi isifanye suala la madawa ya kulevya ni la kitoto. Kutokana na hili, lazima nchi ione madawa ya kulevya makanisani ni janga la kitaifa.”

Mchungaji Christopher Mtikila wa Kanisa la Full Salvation, Mikocheni alisema: “Sheria haibagui nchi, kwa kuwa amekamatiwa huku kwetu ni lazima sheria ya Tanzania ichukue mkondo wake. Hivi sasa wachungaji wengi ni matapeli.”

http://www.globalpublishers.info/profiles/blogs/hili-ndilo-kanisa-la-wauza-unga

Source:

'If NATO attacks Syria, we'll fire missiles at Tel Aviv'

2011-10-05T08:20:00.001+03:00

Syria's Assad says Damascus can call on Hezbollah to launch rocket attack on Israel if western countries take "crazy measures," FARS reports

Syrian President Bashar Assad warned western countries on Tuesday that if Syria comes under NATO attack it would fire missiles at Tel Aviv, Iranian semi-official news agency FARS reported.

During a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmad Davutoglu Assad allegedly threatened: "If a crazy measure is taken against Damascus, I will need not more than 6 hours to transfer hundreds of rockets and missiles to the Golan Heights to fire them at Tel Aviv."

According to the report, Assad also reiterated that Damascus will call on Hezbollah to launch such an intensive rocket and missile attack on Israel.

"All these events will happen in three hours, and in the following three hours, Iran will attack the US warships in the Persian Gulf and the US and European interests will be targeted simultaneously," Assad said, according to FARS.

Assad's comments came as Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would set out his country's plans for sanctions against Syria after he visits a Syrian refugee camp near the border in the coming days.

The move heralds a further deterioration in previously friendly relations between Ankara and Damascus since the start of Assad's crackdown on protesters.

"Regarding sanctions, we will make an assessment and announce our road map after the visit to Hatay, setting out the steps," Erdogan told reporters, adding he expected to visit the region at the weekend or the start of next week.

Erdogan said last month that Assad would be ousted by his people "sooner or later" and warned that Syria couldslide into a sectarian civil warbetween Alawites and Sunnis.

At least 2,700 have been killed in the crackdown in Syria, according to a UN count. Demonstrators have begun to demand some form of international protection that stops short of Libya-style Western military intervention.

Use this video to challenge others to speak out for Asia Bibi

2011-09-27T12:49:00.000+03:00

Dear friends,

In July, VOM launched an online petition to help free Asia Bibi, a Christian wife and mother convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death in Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people from around the world have signed the petition for her release at www.CallForMercy.com.

If you haven't yet spoken out for Asia Bibi, please GO NOW and sign the petition.

Asia Bibi is still in prison, and we have not yet reached our goal of 1 MILLION SIGNATURES calling for justice.

To help spread the word of Asia's unjust sentence, VOM also launched a video contest. We invited readers to post a video on YouTube telling the story of Asia Bibi and asking viewers to sign the petition, which we will soon be delivering to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C. Among the excellent and creative entries, David K. earned the top prize with this 97-second video.

This video and the others in the contest are excellent tools for telling others about Asia Bibi and encouraging them to sign the Call For Mercy petition. You may want to post a video on your Facebook page or website, show it in your church or Sunday School class, or e-mail a link to your friends.

THANK YOU for helping us raise A CALL FOR MERCY on behalf of Asia Bibi. We will not be silent until she is free.

The Voice of the Martyrs

NASA Telescopes Offer Evidence of Bible's Creation Story

2011-09-16T08:29:00.001+03:00

Paul Hutchins is the author of the book, 'Hubble Reveals Creation by an Awe-Inspiring Power,' which offers scientific evidence that the Genesis account of creation is true.

Several thousand years ago, long before spaceflight and advanced telescopic technology, a description of how God formed and created the Earth was penned in the Book of Genesis. Today, author Paul Hutchins says that the discoveries of NASA's Hubble and Spitzer telescopes provide convincing scientific evidence that supports that biblical description.

While doing research for a book about the imagination of man, Hutchins came across images of the Sombrero Galaxy. It is about half the size of our Milky Way galaxy and contains about 800 billion stars.

Hutchins told The Christian Post on Tuesday that it was around that time that he asked himself, “If man's imagination is responsible for everything on the earth, then whose imagination is responsible for this galaxy and the whole universe.”

At that time he decided to change the direction of his research, leading him to write his second book, Hubble Reveals Creation by an Awe-Inspiring Power .

He spent two years studying all aspects of the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes, during which time he came across in 2004 some discoveries that showed stars at different levels of maturity.

The younger stars, he found, had a “protoplanetary dust cloud” around them, while more mature stars had little to no dust around them.

The cloud left behind by newly formed stars is made up of fine dust particles, which gravity's pull condenses into small rocks, which then crash into each other and “form like snowballs,” increasing in size until they grow into new planets. As this happens, the dust that is floating in space is absorbed by the new planet, clearing the space around it and making the nearby star more visible.

Hutchins' conclusion was that Earth was formed, by God, in a similar way.

The Genesis account in the New International Version 1984 describes the Earth as being “formless and empty” at first, and says that “darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Hutchins believes that if a person examines the Bible in the original Hebrew, they will see that the sun and the stars were already present at this time, before the Earth was totally formed.

The Earth had no form, he says, because the dust cloud had not yet condensed into a planet, and there was no light because dust particles shaded our planet as it formed. As the planet matured, and gathered the dust that had been shading it, though, the Sun became visible and “there was light.”

"It made perfect sense...even though we don't have the details of it, He gave us a brief overview of how the earth was formed,” Hutchins said.

"If He didn't exist then how could these writers of the Bible write this information, thousands of years in advance, and it exactly matches up with what the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes are finding? So my goal is, for people that their faith may be weak...or they're questioning the existence of God, this book will inspire them and reaffirm their beliefs."

The book, he says, is based on God's challenge in Isaiah 40:25-26 to look to the heavens and try to answer the question, “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?”

Hutchins, who is an amateur astronomer and has been a student of the Bible for 35 years, says that science and the Bible are not, or should not, be at odds with one another.

“It's not about doctrine. It's not about religion. It's about what the Bible says and what science says. The two agree.”

MWENYEKITI WA WAISLAMU WALIOOKOKA, AFRIKA MASHARIKI NA KATI!

2011-09-08T15:47:00.001+03:00

MWENYEKITI WA WAISLAMU WALIOOKOKA, AFRIKA MASHARIKI NA KATI!

Alitokea kwenye familia ya kichawi, mama yake alijiita ni Mungu na kufanya miujiza mbalimbali ikiwemo ya kunyesha mvua. Sheikh Alhaji Rashid Tatashajara Abubakar, aliwahi kufanya shughuli za kisheikh katika msikiti wa Ilala mtaa wa Mwanza ambapo pia alikua mwanafunzi wa sheikh Yahaya Hussein ambaye ni marehemu kwa sasa.

Alianza kujifunza madrasa, akapanda vyeo na kusomea vyuo vya kichawi baada ya kuhitimu majaribio mbalimbali ikiwemo kufukua makaburi, kunywa damu za watu, kuhamisha nyota za watu, na kumeza majini 360 na kufanikiwa kuchaguliwa kuwa mwenyekiti mkuu wa wachawi Afrika mashariki na kati!

Anasema katika mambo hayo yote, alikua akitumwa kushambulia watumishi wa Mungu mbalimbali, aliwahi kujaribu kwa Moses Kulola, Emmanuel Lazaro na Askofu Mwanisongole. Lakini alishindwa na kupata mieleka iliyompelekea kuumwa sana.

Akielezea ushuhuda wake kwa ufupi, Jinsi alivyompokea Bwana Yesu, ilikuwa sababu ya mke wake wa pili kupita kwenye mkutano wa Injili na kuponywa tumbo lililomsumbua kwa muda mrefu bila mafanikio ya kupona “mke wangu alikuwa akirudi nyumbani na kuimba nyimbo za makafiri, baadaye anaenda kanisani, sasa adhabu ya mtu anayekiuka sheria ni viboko 40, nilipotaka kumchapa mkono ukaganda, ndio mke wangu akasema piga magoti chini, akaniombea na mkono ukarudi mahala pake, baada ya hapo mengi yalitokea kukatisha story Mungu alianza kunifundisha na kunitumia”

“Siku Moja mtaa wa Salender Bridge kama mliwahi kusikia kisa cha dada aliyeota manyoya, alifikishwa kwangu nikamuombea kwa Jina la Yesu naye akapokea uponyaji. Kwa sasa yuko Marekani! nimemuona Mungu kwa jinsi ya tofauti kule nilikotoka nilikua namtumikia shetani, kwa sasa namtumikia Bwana Yesu, na kila ulimi utakiri kwamba Yesu ndiye Mungu”

Alhaji Rashid Abubakary kwa sasa ni mwenyekiti wa waislamu waliookoka Afrika mashariki na kati. Mungu amekua akimtumia kwa jinsi ya tofauti na amealikwa makanisa mbalimbali na kueleza shuhuda nyingi ambazo Bwana Yesu amefanya na kufanya kwenye maisha ya watu wengine. Ameonekana kwenye Televisheni ya kikristo ATN, ushuhuda huu kwa ufupi ameutoa tarehe 26 Agosti 2011, Kanisa la City Christian Centre.

SOMA HABARI HII KWA UNDANI HAPA WWW.RUMATZ.COM

Kathryn Kuhlman-Slaying Power Of The Holy Spirit

2011-09-07T16:15:00.001+03:00

JK: Kanisa halina mkono Mahakama ya Kadhi

2011-09-01T21:05:00.000+03:00

ASISITIZA HAKUNA DINI YA TAIFA, WAISLAMU WALILIA AMANI AFRIKA

Rais Jakaya Kikwete amewatetea wakristo nchini kwamba hawahusuiki na kuchelewa kwa mchakato wa kuanzishwa kwa mahakama ya kadhi, huku akionya kuwa fikra za aina hiyo si za kweli kwani zinaweza kuchochea mgawanyiko kwa misingi ya dini, hivyo kuhatarisha amani nchini.

Badala yake Rais Kikwete amesema mchakato wa kuanzishwa kwa mahakama hiyo umecheleweshwa na taratibu ndani ya Serikali na kwamba taratibu hizo zitakapokamilika itaanzishwa na kuendeshwa na Waislamu wenyewe.

Akihutubia Baraza la Iddi ambalo ni sehemu ya maadhimisho ya Sikukuu ya Iddi El Fitri mjini Dodoma jana, Rais Kikwete alisema Serikali katika kuruhusu kuanzishwa kwa Mahakama ya Kadhi itazingatia ushauri uliotolewa na Tume ya Kurekesbisha Sheria.

"Napenda kuwatoa hofu pia kwamba hakuna mkono wa mtu wapo mnadhania hivyo. Maana, tunajuana. Si ajabu kuna hisia kuwa huenda Kanisa limeingilia kati kuzuia au kuchelewesha,"alisema KIkwete na kuongeza:

“Nilipokutana na Jukwaa la Maaskofu Julai 22, mwaka huu walisema ngoja ninukuu……Kuanzisha Mahakama ya Kadhi nchini na jambo zuri linalowahusu Waislamu. Kwa kuwa ni jambo la kidini waachiwe Waislamu wenyewe walifanye ndani ya Uislamu, pasipo kutumia hazina ya Serikali ambayo ni fedha ya walipa kodi wote nchini……”.

"Na sisi katika kufuatilia utekelezaji wa jambo hili tulikabidhi Tume ya Kurekebisha Sheria kuishauri Serikali. Ushauri wa Tume hiyo ulikuwa kwamba Serikali haiwezi kuunda Mahakama ya kushughulikia masuala ya kidini ya dini fulani. Jambo hilo liachiwe Waislamu wenyewe kufanya,"alisema Rais Kikwete katika hafla iliyofanyika kwenye Msikiti Mkuu wa Gaddafi mjini Dodoma.

Alisema kimsingi Serikali imekubali ushauri huo na kwamba mchakato ulianza kwa kuunda Kamati ya pamoja iliyojumuisha Serikali na BAKWATA na kwamba nia ya Serikali ni kujihakikishia kuwa hicho kitakachoundwa hakiendi nje ya masuala ya kidini yaani ndoa, takala, mirathi na wakfu kwa mujibu wa dini ya Kiislamu.

"Katu si Mahakama ya kushughulikia masuala ya jinai au madai.Haitajihusisha na masuala ya wizi na kutoa adhabu kama vile za kukatwa mikono. Haitahusika na kesi za fumanizi na hivyo kutoa hukumu ya kuuawa mkosaji kwa kupigwa mawe. La hasha !! Narudia kuwa mamlaka yake yatahusu ndoa, takala, mirathi na wakfu,"alisisitiza Kikwete.

Aonya udini
Pia Rais Kikwete amesema viongozi wa dini nchini watumie nyadhifa zao katika dini kuhubiri amani ili kuepusha waumini wao kujiingiza katika masuala ya sio kubalika katika jamii kama vile chokochoko za kidini.
Rais Kikwete alisema viongozi wadini wanatakiwa kuacha kuhubiri udini na siasa pindi wanapopata kushiriki katika mikutano mbalimbali hapa nchini.

Alisema kufanya hivyo wanaweza kusababisha uvunjifu wa amani hivyo akasema watumie ipasavya nafasi yao ya kuheshimika katika jamii, kuimarisha amani.“Viongozi wa dini wananafasi kubwa katika taifa na kwamba wao wanaweza kusababisha kuibuka kwa tofauti katika jamii kama hawata tumia nafasi zao vizuri,” alisema Kikwete.

Aliongeza kwamba viongozi wa dini kama watatambua umuhimu wa kuzungumzia umoja na amani iliopo nchini basi watakuwa wameweza kulisaidia taifa kuendelea kuwa na mshikamano na umoja kwa wananchi wake.
“Kama viongozi wa dini watazungumzia umoja na amani pindi wanapokutana basi taifa litaendelea kuwa na watu wenye umoja na mshikamano. Na wananchi wanaweza kupiga hatua za kimaendeleo,” alisema Rais Kikwete.

Rais Kikwete alifafanua kwamba hairuhusiwi kwa kiongozi yoyote wadini kubeza dini ya mtu mwingine na kwamba kwa kufanya hivyo ni kosa la kisheria.“Hairuhusiwi kiongozi wa dini kubeza dini ya mtu mwingine kwa sababu kila mtu ana haki ya kuamini dini ambayo anaitaka yeye mwenyewe,” alisema.

Mufti Mkuu
Naye, Shehe Mkuu wa Tanzania Mufti Issa Shabani bin Simba alisema, wanaishukuru serikali kwa kutilia makazo juu ya viongozi wa dini wanao jihusisha na uzaji wa madawa ya kulevya.Alisema, Viongozi wa dini wanao jihusisha na uzaji wa madawa ya kulevya wanatakiwa kuchukuliwa hatua pindi wanapobainika kufanya hivyo.

“Tunaishukuru Serikali kwa kuonyesha mwanga wa kuanza kupambana na viongozi wa dini wanaojihusisha na uzaji wa dawa za kulevya na kwamba hii itasaidia kuondoa matatizo ya taifa kuwa na vijana wasiokuwa na uelewa wa maisha,” alisema Shehe Mkuu.

Mapema Rais Kikwete akiwa katika msikiti waKichangani Magomeni Mapipa jijini Dar es Salaam, aliwatakia heri ya sikukuu ya Eid el Fitri Watanzania wote.

Wahimiza amani
Katika swala za sikukuu ya Eid Eid el Fitri zilizofanyika katika misikiti mbalimbali nchini, viongozi wengi wa dini ya Kiislamu walihimiza Watanzania kuishi kwa amani, upendo na kuheshimiana.

Viongozi hao walionya kuwa ili kuwepo na amani ya kweli ni lazima watu kuepuka dhuluma, rushwa na vitendo vyote ambavyo vinamchukiza Mungu.

Isitoshe, viongozi hao waliwataka Waafrika kuwa macho na mbinu za mataifa ya Magaharibi ya kutumia mbinu mbalimbali za kuhakikisha wanapora raslimali za Bara la Afrika.

Kitaifa Dodoma
Katika swala iliyofanyika kitaifa katika msikiti wa Gaddafi, mkoani Dodoma, Sheikh wa mkoa huo, Mustafa Rajabu Shabani aliwataka Watanzania kutambua kuwa jukumu la kulinda amani na utulivu nchini ni la kila raia hivyo lazima misingi hiyo ijengeke kuanzia ngazi ya kaya na familia.

Sheikh Shabani alisema hakuna mtume yeyote aliyewahi kuja duniani asipate kuhubiri na kuhamasisha amani na utulivu hivyo itashangaza kama Waislamu na Watanzania wote katika dini na madhehebu yao watatokea kupuuza suala la amani na utulivu.

“Jukumu la kulinda amani ni la kila raia. Amani na utulivu katika majumba yete, katika nchi ni amana. Pindi tutakapopoteza amana hii ambayo ilianzishwa na mitume, hakika hakutakuwa na maendeleo tena. Hakuna kufurahi wala kutulia,” alionya Sheikh Shabani.

Alisema mbali na mitume na manabii wa kale pia waasisi wa maiafa ya Afrika wakiwamo Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta wa Kenya, Kwame Nkuruma wa Ghana nas Muamar Ghadafi ni mifamo bora ya viongozi waliohakikisha hadhi ya Mwafrika.

Alisema Uafrika na rasilimali za nchi zao zinalindwa na kumnufaisha kila raia pamoja na kuhimiza amani na utulivu.
“Hao ndio simba wa Afrika, waliweka misingi ya amani na kulinda hadhi ya Mwafrika. Wamekuwa wakipigania amani na kupinga ubeberu wa nchi za Magharibi ambao hauashirii amani,” alisema Shekhe huyo mbele ya mamia ya waumini waliokuwa wakimsikiliza.

Aliwataka Waafrika kuwa makini na kuziepuka hila za mataifa ya Magharibi na mataifa mengine ya Ulaya ambayo yamekuwa yakipenya katika nchi za Kiafrika kwa malengo ya kuvuruga amani.Alisema nchi za Ulaya kwa kutumia mwamvuli huo zimekuwa zikieneza chuki na kupenyeza vibaraka wao ili ziweze kupora rasilimali za nchi husika barani Afrika hasa almasi, dhahabu na mafuta.

Kufuata mafundisho
Sheikh wa Wilaya ya Pangani, Tanga, Juma Luwuchu alisema waisalmu wamesahau maagizo muhimu ya dini yao ya kutoa sadaka na kuwasaidia kwa hali na mali watu wasiojiweza.

Alisema kwamba waumini wengi wamekuwa wakitekeleza ibada hiyo katika kipindi cha mwezi wa Ramadhani pekee huku wakisahau kuwa wanahitajika kufanya hivyo wakati wote.

“Waislamu tumeacha ibada muhimu ambayo kama tutaifuata kama alivyoagiza Mtume Mohamad, tutajikuta tukileta amani na mshikamano miongoni mwa jamii na hivyo kuiletea baraka nchi
yetu,” alisema Sheikh Luwuchu.

Kuhusu vijana, Sheikh huyo aliwaasa kuacha kuiga tabia za watu wa Kimagharibi na kwamba Uislamu unautamaduni uliokamilika kuanzia mavazi, kutembea, kuzungumza na hata namna ya kujenga mahusiano
na watu.

Kufuata ibada
Akizungumza katika swala ya Eid iliyofanyika jana katika msikiti wa Ibadhi Jijini Tanga, Imamu Mkuu, Shekh Mohamed Said alisema ikiwa muumini aliyeweza kujifunga kwa kula na kunywa na kuacha vilivyoharamishwa katika mwezi mzima basi ni wajibu wake kuendeleza akiwa na imani hiyo.

Alisema Mungu hakuharamisha vilivyoharamishwa katika mwezi mmoja wa ramadhani tu, bali haramu inabaki kuwa haramu na kuwasisitiza Waislamu waliohudhuria ibada hiyo kuwa mafundisho walioyapata wanayaendeleza pia katika miezi mengine.

Alisema mara nyingi waislamu wanafurika katika misikiti wakati wa Ramadhani kwa kufanya ibada lakini mara mwezi huo inapomalizika mahudhurio yanakuwa ya watu wachache.“Ndugu zangu Waislamu tumeshuhudia kipindi chote cha mwezi mtukufu jinsi waumuni waliyofurika katika nyumba za ibada na baadhi kushindwa kupata sehemu ya kuswalia. Hii inaonesha kuwa Ramadhani ni mwezi wa machumo,” alisema Imamu huyo.

Bakwata Dar walalama
Sheikhe Mkuu wa Bakwata, Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam, Alhad Salum ameiomba serikali kufanya uchunguzi ili kubaini uhalali wa Radio Imani ya mkoani Morogoro kutangaza siku ya Eid bila kuzingatia taratibu.
Alidai redio hiyo ilienda kinyume na maadili ya dini ambayo mwenye mamlaka ya kutangaza sikukuu ya Eid ni Sheikh Mkuu wa Bakwata.

Alisema hayo wakati ambapo Waislam wa Ansawar Sunna walisheherekea Eid Jumanne wakati ambapo Bakwata ilitangaza kuwa siyo sikukuu kwa sababu hakukuwepo taarifa za kuandama kwa mwezi Tanzania Bara, Zanzibar, Uganda wala Kenya.

Alisema taarifa zilizotolewa na kituo cha Radio Imani cha Morogoro kuwa mwezi umeandama, kulisababisha mtafaruku miongoni mwa Waislam.“Mwenye mamlaka ya kutoa taarifa za kuandama kwa mwezi ni Bakwata kupitia Sheikhe Mkuu na sio mtu yeyote,” alisema Salum na kuongeza:

Kwa taarifa zilizotolewa na kituo hicho cha radio, kinaweza kusababisha mpasuko na machafuko kwa Waislamu kwa kutoa taarifa alizodai hazikuwa na ukweli.

Source: mwananchi.co.tz

Oyedepo Richest Pastor —according to Forbes

2011-08-24T08:15:00.002+03:00

Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, also known as Winners Chapel, is now the richest Nigerian pastor.

Pastor Oyedepo

Oyedepo is officially said to be worth over TSh.243 billion, a blogger with Forbes, the American magazine that keeps a tab on the world’s rich, has revealed, following intense research.

But, those familiar with Oyedepo’s immense wealth believe that TSh243 billion is a gross underestimation of the wealth of a man with a publishing company, two elite universities, four private jets, with a hangar at the Lagos airport and hundreds of thousands of worshippers nationwide who pay tithes, offerings and voluntary donations running into millions of naira every day.

Reports said Oyedepo once received a single donation of N400 million (Naira) from a business tycoon based in Lagos.

Papa, as Oyedepo is known in his church, also owns several homes in London and the United States, according to the report.

The Forbes blogger, Mfonobong Nsehe, disclosed that the official wealth of five Nigerian pastors, including Oyedepo’s, is between N31 and 37 billion.

“Preaching is big business. It’s almost as profitable as the oil business,” he said.

The wealth, he disclosed, covers various areas of business, from hotels to fast-food chains.

The Nigerian blogger said Bishop Oyedepo is followed on the rich list by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers’ Loveworld Ministries. He is worth between N4.7 billion and N7 billion.

“These pastors are flamboyant. You see them with private jets and expensive cars,” the blogger said.

“Oyakhilome’s diversified interests include newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate,” Nsehe said.

Three of the other richest pastors, according to him, are Temitope Balogun Joshua of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, who is worth between N1.5 billion and N2.5 billion. He has a TV station, Emmanuel TV and sells tapes showcasing his miracle sessions to followers all over the world.

Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre is worth between N0.9 billion and N1.5 billion.

Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church is worth between N500 million and N1.5 billion. He owns landed property in Lagos which is a money spinner. He is also said to receive frequent donations from celebrities in his church.

Nsehe said representatives of all the clergymen, except Pastor Ashimolowo, confirmed ownership of the assets he had listed on his blog. He said the pastors acquired their wealth from various sources, including their congregations.

“We have Nigerians who are desperate, looking for solutions to their problems. They go to church for salvation, redemption and healing and pastors sometimes take advantage of them,” Nsehe said.

The Pastors’ Rich List

Bishop David Oyedepo

Affiliation: Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel

Estimated net worth: $150 million (TSh.243 billion)

Chris Oyakhilome

Church: Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy

Estimated net worth: $30 million – $50 million (N4.7 b – N7b)

Temitope Joshua

Church: Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN)

Estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million (N1.5b- N2.5b)

Matthew Ashimolowo

Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)

Estimated net worth: $6 million – $10 million (N0.9b- N1.5b)

Chris Okotie

Church: Household of God Church

Net worth: $3 million -$10 million (N500 – N1.5 b)

More details here.....

The saying, ‘As poor as a church rat’ is now a misnomer because churches are no longer poor. According to the article by Opeyemi Adesina, Tayo Salami and Chika Morkah, the four richest Nigerian pastors were identified as: Bishop David Oyedepo President and Founder of the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel; Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre; Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy; and Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua of Synagogue Church of All Nation. And based on these findings these churches are far from poor…read on.

Bishop David Oyedepo President and Founder of the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, aka Winners Chapel
Winners Chapel is a megachurch founded by Bishop Oyedepo in 1981 with over 400 branches. The Ota, Ogun State headquartered Ministry, Faith Tabernacle is the largest worship center in the world, with a sitting capacity of 50,000 people and an outside overflow of 250,000 and holds three services every Sunday.

Other assets of the church include two aircraft (Gulfstream 1 & Gulfstream 4) and a fleet of over 400 buses that convey worshipers to and from Faith-Tabernacle, Canaanland. Plans are in the making to purchase a third aircraft for use by the vice president, Bishop David Abioye. The Church also owns Dominion Publishing House, which turns out books and other materials written by Oyedepo. An arm of the Ministry World Mission Agency(WMA) provides welfare and other health and humanitarian services to the needy in the society.

The Sunday tithes collection in the church averages 30 million Naira per week (approximately 300,000 dollars), this amount excludes offerings and other levies, franchises including literatures.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Pastor of Believers’ LoveWorld Incorporated aka Christ Embassy Church
Christ Embassy headquartered in Lagos has 30,000 members. The church owns a large business empire with invests in banking, publishing, broadcasting, entertainment and the hospitality industries. The major money spinning arms of the ministry includes LoveWorld Cyber Ministry, LoveWorld Television, Love World Christian Network, LoveWorld Multimedia Ministry and LoveWorld Publishing Ministry. Love World the first 24-hour Christian Network from Africa to the rest of the world.

Monthly financial yields of the 2 billion Naira printing press is approximately 10m Naira.

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)
KICC church has 12,000 members and it is one of the richest churches in the UK. The church started in 1992 and it is pastored by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. Pastor Ashimolowo, who earns an annual salary of £100,000.00, earns more than the Archbishop of Canterbury, the official head of the British church.

KICC’s profit in 18 months was approximately £4.9m profit. It also has assets of £22.9m, more than three times the amount held by the foundation which maintains St Paul’s Cathedral. In 2008 the church received £9.5m in offerings and tithes, dwarfing the £33,000 that the average Church of England congregation gave over the same period.
In 2005, KICC’s charity, The King’s Ministries Trust, was investigated by Charity Commission for financial irregularities and mismanagement. The report alleged that Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo acted as both a trustee and a paid employee of the charity, contrary to existing UK charity law, and was responsible for approving payments and benefits to himself and his wife, Yemisi, totaling more than £384,000. Benefits received included free accommodation for himself and family, including an £80,000 car and purchase of a Florida timeshare property for £13,000 using a charity credit card, and over half a million pounds paid out to Ashimolowo’s private companies, which were operated from church property and had unclear business relationships with the charity. New trustees were appointed.

Ashimolowo earns his salary from preaching as well as royalties from sermons published in books and on DVDs through his own company. Ashimolowo Media Ministries made a profit of close to £60,000 in 2003.

According to the accounts filed with Companies House, KICC finances were boosted also by the sale of its Waterden Road home in Hackney for £10.1m to the London Development Agency which needed the site for the 2012 Olympics. It is planning to spend between £50m and £80m on a five-year project to build a complex at a site in Rainham, Essex, with capacity for 8,000 worshippers, classrooms, a TV studio, bookstore and offices.

Prophet T. B. Joshua Synagogue Church of All Nation
SCOAN, Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has over 15,000 members on Sundays. SCOAN headquartered in Ikotun, Lagos State, has been controversial due to reports of miraculous signs and wonders that occur every week from the very first service held in 1987 to the present day. Numerous videos have been produced which purport to document the healing of incurable sicknesses such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and paralysis; showing people’s conditions before, during, and after prayer from T. B. Joshua. The Synagogue has over 15,000 members at its weekly Sunday services. The church currently has branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Greece. The Prophet draws his crowd with his miracle services.

Another Ministry is the humanitarian arm of SCOAN, with projects catering to the needs of widows, dwarves, the elderly, physically challenged, orphans and the destitute. The church provides scholarships to orphans and children of the less privileged, with educational support promised from primary to tertiary levels. There is also a rehabilitation program for armed robbers and prostitutes. During his 45th birthday on June 12, 2008, T. B. Joshua made a large donation to the less privileged. Joshua has also provided scholarships for numerous physically challenged students and sponsored many physically challenged athletes. He is known to help people, irrespective of faith or denomination. After the devastating Haiti Earthquake on January 12, 2010, the Emmanuel TV Haiti Earthquake Relief Team, the television station of SCOAN & broadcasts, was sent to the disaster area.

Viongozi wa dini vs Madawa ya kuevya

2011-08-23T09:13:00.001+03:00

Na Makongoro Oging'
MAMBO yameiva, Jumamosi iliyopita serikali ilitimiza ahadi ya kuwaonesha wabunge mkanda wa video wa mtandao haramu wa biashara ya madawa ya kulevya, ulio chini ya viongozi wa dini nchini.

Kufuatia mkanda huo, Uwazi lina habari kamili jinsi kikosi kazi cha kupambana na madawa ya kulevya chini ya Kamishna Msaidizi Mwandamizi wa Polisi, Godfrey Nzowa, kilivyomnasa Askofu Mkuu wa Kanisa la Lord Choose Charismatic Revived Church, Chidi Okechu.

Okechu ambaye kanisa lake lipo Biafra, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam ndiye anatajwa kuwa mkuu wa mtandao wa viongozi wa dini wauza madawa ya kulevya nchini.

ASKOFU NDEGE TUNDUNI
Kwa mujibu wa Uchunguzi wa Uwazi, Machi 4, 2011 usiku wa manane, Kamanda Nzowa aliongoza kikosi chake na kuvamia nyumba aliyopanga askofu huyo, Kunduchi, Dar na kumkuta akiwa na kg 81 za heroine.

Askofu huyo alikamatwa akiwa na wapambe wake, Hycenth Stan, raia wa Afrika Kusini, Shoaib Mohamed, Pakistan na Paul Ikechuwi Obi wa Nigeria, wote walikutwa kwenye nyumba hiyo yenye namba 593.

KUNDUCHI NI PEPO YA WAUZA UNGA?
Uwazi limebaini kuwa mbali na askofu huyo na wapambe wake, msako mwingine wa Februari Pili, 2011, uliwezesha kunasa watuhumiwa wengine wa biashara ya madawa ya kulevya waliokutwa na kg 179, Kunduchi.

Waliokamatwa ni Fred William Chonde, mkazi wa Mbezi Beach, Dar pamoja na raia wa Pakistan, Shahbaz Malik na Abdul Ghani ambao mbali na kukutwa na unga, pia walikutwa na shilingi milioni 15 kwenye gunia.

WATOA SIRI NZITO POLISI
Habari zinasema, Februari 4, 2011, Abdallah Rajabu alikamatwa Uwanja wa Ndege wa Julius Nyerere, Dar akiwa amemeza pipi 54 za cocaine, Juni Mosi, mwaka huu, Mwanaidi Ramadhan Mfundo, raia wa Kenya na Watanzania Sara Daud Mnuo, Antony Athur Karanja na Ben Nganer walikamatwa na kg 5 za cocaine na heroine.

Machi Pili, mwaka huu Chime Ajana alikamatwa Uwanja wa Ndege wa Julius Nyerere, Dar akiwa na kete 54 za cocaine, akijaribu kusafirisha kwenda Nigeria.

Habari zinasema kuwa watuhumiwa hao waliokamatwa ndiyo waliotoa siri nzito za viongozi wa dini wauza madawa ya kulevya, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwezesha mtego uliomnasa Askofu Okechu.

MZEE WA KANISA NAYE MBARONI
Mzee wa kanisa moja ambalo halikutajwa, Raymond Gilbert Jungulu naye amekamatwa.

Wengine ambao wapo mahabusu wakituhumiwa kujihusisha na biashara ya madawa ya kulevya ni Bosi Chizenga, Ally Haji Mitanga, Gaban Abubakar na Gabar Diagar.

VIONGOZI WA DINI WAUZA UNGA NI WENGI
Kamanda Nzowa aliliambia Uwazi kuwa orodha ya wauza unga aliyopewa Rais Jakaya Kikwete mwaka jana ipo na ina majina mengi ya viongozi wa dini.

Ripoti za kipolisi zinaliingiza matatani Kanisa Katoliki pamoja na Baraza Kuu la Waislam Tanzania (Bakwata), kwa maelezo kuwa kuna wauza unga ambao wamekuwa wakitumia mwamvuli wa taasisi hizo za dini.

Habari zinasema kuwa baadhi ya watu wasio waaminifu, huingia mpaka kwenye msafara wa Papa Benedict XVI na kupitisha unga kutoka sehemu moja kwenda nyingine kwa kuwa hawakaguliwi.

PENGO AIUDHI SERIKALI
Hatua ya serikali kuliambia bunge kwamba Kanisa Katoliki nalo ni mwamvuli wa biashara hiyo haramu, imekuja baada ya Askofu Mkuu wa kanisa hilo, Jimbo Kuu la Dar es Salaam, Kadinali Polycarp Pengo kuitibua ikulu.

Uchunguzi unaonesha, serikali ilichukizwa na kauli ya pengo kumwambia JK kwamba ni msaliti na hana ujasiri kama mwanamke mjamzito kwa sababu hajataja waziwazi majina ya watuhumiwa.

MAKANISA YA KIROHO YACHAFUKA
Gazeti hili limebaini kuwa tangu skendo ya viongozi wauza unga itajwe kwa mara ya kwanza na JK hivi karibuni, makanisa ya kiroho yamechafuka, huku viongozi wao wakituhumiwa moja kwa moja.

Pamoja na tuhuma hizo, Uwazi limebaini kuwa Askofu Zachary Kakobe, Mchungaji Getrude Rwakatare, Nabii Josephat Mwingira, Askofu Moses Kulola, Mchungaji Josephat Gwajima na wengineo ni wasafi, kwani bado hawajaingizwa kwenye skandali hiyo.

Baadhi ya maofisa wa kikosi kazi waliongea na mwandishi wa habari hii kwa sharti la kutotajwa majina yao walisema: “Nzowa yupo makini sana na kazi yake na angekuwa mtu mwenye tamaa ya fedha asingepata mafanikio.”

Nzowa alipozungumza na mwandishi wetu alisema: “Ninachoomba nipewe ushirikiano na wananchi kwa kuwa wao ndiyo askari wa kwanza.”

WABUNGE VILIO
Habari zinasema, baadhi ya wabunge walishindwa kuficha hisia zao na kutoa machozi walipokuwa wanaona mkanda wa video unaoonesha mtandao wa viongozi wauza unga.

Wabunge, walikwenda mbali zaidi na kushauri viongozi wote wa dini wauza unga wanyongwe.

Source: http://www.globalpublishers.info

Smith Wigglesworth Quotes

2011-08-17T08:48:00.000+03:00

Smith Wigglesworth Quotes

"The devil is a liar."

"The heart is the mainspring."

"There is power in the name of Jesus."

"Forgive, and the Lord will forgive you."

"God has chosen us to help one another."

"God's word is from everlasting to everlasting."

"God has designed that the just shall live by faith."

"The living Word is able to destroy Satanic forces."

"All things are possible through the name of Jesus."

"God is gracious and not willing that any should perish."

"The devil will endeavor to fascinate through the eyes and through the mind."

"It is impossible to overestimate the importance of being filled with the Spirit."

"Before God could bring me to this place He has broken me a thousand times."

"I am never happier in the Lord than when I am in a bedroom with a sick person."

"God's canopy is over you and will cover you at all times, preserving you from evil."

"The Lord will allow you to be very drunk in His presence, but sober among people."

I never get out of bed in the morning without having communion with God in the Spirit.

"God has given us much in these last days, and where much is given much will be required."

"There is a fruit of the Spirit that must accompany the gift of healing and that is longsuffering."

"The man who is going through with God to be used in healing must be a man of longsuffering."

"There is a place where God, through the power of the Holy Ghost, reigns supreme in our lives."

"The moment a man falls into sin, divine life ceases to flow, and his life becomes one of helplessness."

"This blessed Book brings such life and health and peace, and such an abundance that we should never be poor any more."

"To discern spirits we must dwell with Him who is holy, and He will give the revelation and unveil the mask of Satanic power on all lines."

"God has ordained this speaking in an unknown tongue unto Himself as a wonderful, supernatural means of communication in the Spirit."

"It is a wonderful thing to pray in the Spirit and to sing in the Spirit, praying in tongues and singing in tongues as the Spirit of God gives you utterance."

"Perfect love will never want the preeminence in everything, it will never want to take the place of another, it will always be willing to take the back seat."

"Enter into the promises of God. It is your inheritance. You will do more in one year if you are really filled with the Holy Ghost than you could do in fifty years apart from Him."

"When the saint ceases to seek after holiness, purity, righteousness, truth; when he ceases to pray, stops reading the Word and gives way to carnal appetites, then it is that Satan comes."

"I know that God's word is sufficient. One word from Him can change a nation. His word is from everlasting to everlasting. It is through the entrance of this everlasting Word, this incorruptible seed, that we are born again, and come into this wonderful salvation. Man cannot live by bread alone, but must live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This is the food of faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

"Before God could bring me to this place He has broken me a thousand times. I have wept, I have groaned, I have travailed many a night until God broke me. It seems to me that until God has mowed you down you never can have this longsuffering for others. We can never have the gifts of healing and the working of miracles in operation only as we stand in the divine power that God gives us and we stand believing God, and having done all we still stand believing."

"God's word is from everlasting to everlasting. His word cannot fail. God's word is true and when we rest in the fact of its truth what mighty results we can get. Faith never looks in the glass. Faith has a glass into which it can look. It is the glass of the perfect law of liberty. "Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." To the man who looks into this perfect law of God all darkness is removed and he sees his completeness in Christ. There is no darkness in faith. There is only darkness in nature. Darkness only exists when the natural is put in the place of the divine."

"God has never changed the order of things that first, there comes the natural, and then the spiritual. For instance, when it is on your heart to pray, you begin in the natural and your second word will probably be under the power of the Spirit. You begin and God will end. It is the same in giving forth utterances under the Spirit's power. You feel the moving of the Spirit within and you begin to speak and the Spirit of God will give forth utterance. Thousands have missed wonderful blessings because they have not had faith to move out and begin in the natural, in faith that the Lord would take them into the realm of the supernatural. When you receive the Holy Ghost you receive God's Gift, in whom are all the gifts of the Spirit."

Jimmy Swaggart ..True repentence

2011-08-05T09:39:00.000+03:00

1988: TV evangelist quits over sex scandalJimmy Swaggart, America's leading television evangelist, has resigned from his ministry after it was revealed he had been consorting with a prostitute.
In front of a congregation of 7,000 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he sobbed and confessed to "moral failure" without actually going into any detail.
I have sinned against you and I beg your forgiveness
Jimmy Swaggart
"I do not plan in any way to whitewash my sin or call it a mistake," he told shocked members of his Family Worship Centre.
Turning to his wife, Frances, he said: "I have sinned against you and I beg your forgiveness."
Mr Swaggart's confession is all the more scandalous since he himself unleashed fire and brimstone against rival TV evangelist Rev Jim Bakker a few months ago for committing adultery with minister and secretary Jessica Hahn.
Rev Bakker was subsequently defrocked and fired from his multi-million-dollar Praise the Lord TV station.
This time it was Mr Swaggart's turn to repent after officials from the Assemblies of God church were given photographs showing him taking a prostitute to a Louisiana motel.
They were handed in by rival TV evangelist Martin Gorman who was also defrocked after Mr Swaggart accused him of "immoral dalliances" in 1986.
Mr Gorman, who ran a successful TV show from New Orleans, had launched an unsuccessful $90m law suit against Mr Swaggart two years ago for spreading false rumours.
He also suggested Mr Swaggart was trying to undermine rival TV shows.
Big business
TV evangelism is certainly a lucrative business.
The Jimmy Swaggart Hour is watched by up to two million families and donations raised amount to about $150m a year.
After the Bakker scandal, donations from the faithful dropped dramatically and the same is likely to happen to Jimmy Swaggart's show.
The resignation will also displease Republican presidential contender Rev Pat Robertson. He is currently trying to drum up support in the "Bible Belt" southern states ahead of the Super Tuesday primaries on 8 March.
Rev Robertson has threatened to sue anyone who calls him a TV evangelist and prefers to be described as a businessman.

Four days later Debra Murphree, the prostitute photographed with Jimmy Swaggart, told a New Orleans TV show he was a regular customer but insisted they had not had sex.
She said he liked to watch her undress.
Along with his son Donnie, Jimmy Swaggart continues to broadcast to 30 countries but viewer numbers are not what they used to be when he was preaching to more than 100 nations around the world.
Pat Robertson at first said the Swaggart scandal was engineered by his rival Vice-President George Bush to scupper his chances of entering the White House.
A week later, Mr Roberston retracted this accusation and flew to Louisiana for a public show of support for the shamed religious TV star.
Mr Robertson's presidential bid failed but in 1989 he launched the Christian Coalition, a conservative Christian pressure group that has some influence in the Republican Party.

Jewish People in Tanzania

2011-07-27T07:42:00.001+03:00

There are Jews in Africa, and they have demonstrated their historical resiliency; both adapting to the local culture, yet fiercely retaining their Jewish faith and customs. The immigration of Jews into South Africa began in the early 1800s when South Africa was given freedom of religious expression. The Jews have played a large part in the development of South African trade and industry. The South African Jews are affluent, well educated and have a strong pro-Israeli bent. Yet they have resisted accepting Jesus as their messiah, just like their counterparts in Tanzania.

There are only a few dozen Jews in Tanzania. The African Jewish Congress (AJC) helped the small community in Dar es Salaam come together for Rosh Hashana, a Jewish holiday, but they have never formed a minyan. In 2001 the AJC co-sponsored two Lubavitch rabbinical students to travel to Dar es Salaam where they organized the first Friday night service in at least 30 years in the city.

To be effective in witnessing to Jews, it is important that the gospel not be viewed as anti-Semitic, but rather as a fulfillment of the work of God promised Abraham centuries ago.

Pray for sensitive, loving Christians to work among the Jewish communities in Tanzania and South Africa. Pray that God will grant Jewish believers favor as they share their faith in the Messiah with their own people. Pray for Jesus to reveal Himself to Jewish leaders in Africa.

Apple's iPhones and Google's Androids Secretly Tracking Users

2011-07-27T07:16:00.001+03:00

Apple Inc.'s iPhones and Google Inc.'s Android smartphones regularly transmit their locations back to Apple and Google, respectively, according to data and documents analyzed by The Wall Street Journal—intensifying concerns over privacy and the widening trade in personal data.

Google and Apple are gathering location information as part of their race to build massive databases capable of pinpointing people's locations via their cellphones. These databases could help them tap the $2.9 billion market for location-based services—expected to rise to $8.3 billion in 2014, according to research firm Gartner Inc.

In the case of Google, according to new research by security analyst Samy Kamkar, an HTC Android phone collected its location every few seconds and transmitted the data to Google at least several times an hour. It also transmitted the name, location and signal strength of any nearby Wi-Fi networks, as well as a unique phone identifier.

Google declined to comment on the findings.

Until last year, Google was collecting similar Wi-Fi data with its fleet of StreetView cars that map and photograph streets world-wide. The company shut down its StreetView Wi-Fi collection last year after it inadvertently collected e-mail addresses, passwords and other personal information from Wi-Fi networks. The data that Mr. Kamkar observed being transmitted on Android phones didn't include such personal information.

Apple, meanwhile, says it "intermittently" collects location data, including GPS coordinates, of many iPhone users and nearby Wi-Fi networks and transmits that data to itself every 12 hours, according to a letter the company sent to U.S. Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas) last year. Apple didn't respond to requests for comment.

The Google and Apple developments follow the Journal's findings last year that some of the most popular smartphone apps use location data and other personal information even more aggressively than this—in some cases sharing it with third-party companies without the user's consent or knowledge.

Apple this week separately has come under fire after researchers found that iPhones store unencrypted databases containing location information sometimes stretching back several months.

Google and Apple, the No. 1 and No.3 U.S. smartphone platforms respectively according to comScore Inc., previously have disclosed that they use location data, in part, to build giant databases of Internet WI-Fi hotspots. That data can be used to pinpoint the location of people using Wi-Fi connections.

Cellphones have many reasons to collect location information, which helps provide useful services like local-business lookups and social-networking features. Some location data can also help cellphone networks more efficiently route calls.

Google also has said it uses some of the data to build accurate traffic maps. A cellphone's location data can provide details about, for instance, how fast traffic is moving along a stretch of highway.

The widespread collection of location information is the latest frontier in the booming market for personal data. Until recently, most data about people's behavior has been collected from personal computers: That data generally can be tied to a city or a zip code, but it is tough to be more precise. The rise of Internet-enabled cellphones, however, allows the collection of user data tied with much more precision to specific locations.

This new form of tracking is raising questions from government officials and privacy advocates. On Wednesday, Rep. Markey sent a follow-up letter to Apple asking why the company is storing customer-location data on its phones.

"Apple needs to safeguard the personal location information of its users to ensure that an iPhone doesn't become an iTrack," Rep. Markey said in a statement.

Google previously has said that the Wi-Fi data it collects is anonymous and that it deletes the start and end points of every trip that it uses in its traffic maps. However, the data, provided to the Journal exclusively by Mr. Kamkar, contained a unique identifier tied to an individual's phone.

Mr. Kamkar, 25 years old, has a controversial past. In 2005, when he was 19, he created a computer worm that caused MySpace to crash. He pled guilty to a felony charge of computer hacking in Los Angeles Superior Court, and agreed to not use a computer for three years. Since 2008, he has been doing independent computer security research and consulting. Last year, he developed the "evercookie"—a type of tracking file that is difficult to be removed from computers—as a way to highlight the privacy vulnerabilities in Web-browsing software.

The Journal hired an independent consultant, Ashkan Soltani, to review Mr. Kamkar's findings regarding the Android device and its use of location data. Mr. Soltani confirmed Mr. Kamkar's conclusions.

Transmission of location data raises questions about who has access to what could be sensitive information about location and movement of a phone user.

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey are investigating whether smartphone applications illegally obtained or transmitted information such as location without proper disclosures, the Journal reported in April, citing people familiar with the matter.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said the office "had concerns" about using cellphones to collect Wi-Fi data and has expressed those concerns to Google. "The whole issue of the tracking capabilities of new mobile devices raises significant privacy issues," she said.

The business of collecting location information began in 2003, when Boston-based Skyhook Inc. launched and began the practice of "wardriving"—cruising around in cars to collect information about Wi-Fi hotspots. Comparing the names and signal strengths of nearby Wi-Fi hotspots against a database allows for a cellphone's location to be determined within 100 feet, in many cases, Skyhook says.

"For the first four or five years, people thought we were nuts," said Ted Morgan, Skyhook's founder and CEO. "We invented this whole concept of driving around and scanning for Wi-Fi and tuning these algorithms."

In 2007, Google began building its own Wi-Fi database, using the StreetView cars. Last year, Apple switched from using Skyhook and began creating its own database of Wi-Fi points for use on its newest phones, although it still uses Skyhook data for older phones and Macintosh computers.

Skyhook's Mr. Morgan says the company attempts to protect users' privacy by collecting data via cellphone only when a person requests location from its servers—for instance when they are actively looking at a map. Each time a user requests location, the information is encrypted and gathered without any identifying user numbers, Mr. Morgan says. That means Skyhook can't follow a person from one location to the next, he says.

Google seems to be taking a different approach, to judge from the data captured by Mr. Kamkar. Its location data appears to be transmitted regardless of whether an app is running, and is tied to the phone's unique identifier.

In its letter to Congress last year, Apple said that it only collects location data from people who use apps that require location. It doesn't specify how often a person must use the app for intermittent collection to occur.

Apple also said in the letter that it collects Wi-Fi and GPS information when the phone is searching for a cellular connection. Apple said the data it transmits about location aren't associated with a unique device identifier, except for data related to its mobile advertising network

Apple gathers the data to help build a "database with known location information," the letter says. "This information is batched and then encrypted and transmitted to Apple over a Wi-Fi Internet connection every twelve hours (or later if the device does not have Wi-Fi Internet access at that time)," the company wrote in the July letter to Congress.

The letter, which is available on Rep. Markey's website, became newsworthy this week in light of findings from two researchers who uncovered a file on iPhones that keeps a record of where the phone has been and when it was there. The file is unencrypted and stored by default.

The discovery of this location file touched off a furor among iPhone owners who could see for the first time a trove of location data about themselves stored on their phones. The researchers, Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden, said that they had no evidence that the file was being transmitted to Apple.

Christian Converts From Islam Continue to Be Killed in Somalia

2011-07-27T07:09:00.000+03:00

Two Muslim extremists in Somalia on Monday murdered a member of a secret Christian community in Lower Shabele region as part of a campaign to rid the country of Christianity, sources said.

An area source told Compass two al Shabaab militants shot 21-year-old Hassan Adawe Adan in Shalambod town after entering his house at 7:30 p.m.

“Two al Shabaab members dragged him out of his house, and after 10 minutes they fired several shots on him,” said an area source who requested anonymity. “He then died immediately.”

The militants then shouted “Allahu Akbar [God is greater]” before fleeing, he said.

Adan, single and living with his Muslim family, was said to have converted to Christianity several months ago. Area Christians said they suspected someone had informed the Islamic militants of his conversion. One source said that a relative who belonged to al Shabaab had told Adan’s mother that he suspected her son was a Christian.

“This incident is making other converts live in extreme fear, as the militants always keep an open eye to anyone professing the Christian faith,” the source said.

Two months ago there was heavy fighting between the rebel al Shabaab militants and forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), in which the TFG managed to recover some areas controlled by the rebels. Al Shabaab insurgents control much of southern and central Somalia.

With estimates of al Shabaab’s size ranging from 3,000 to 7,000, the insurgents seek to impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law), but the transitional government in Mogadishu fighting to retain control of the country treats Christians little better than the al Shabaab extremists do. While proclaiming himself a moderate, President Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed has embraced a version of sharia that mandates the death penalty for those who leave Islam.

Al Shabaab was among several splinter groups that emerged after Ethiopian forces removed the Islamic Courts Union, a group of sharia courts, from power in Somalia in 2006. Said to have ties with al Qaeda, al Shabaab has been designated a terrorist organization by several western governments.

On Jan. 7, a mother of four was killed for her Christian faith on the outskirts of Mogadishu by al Shabaab militia, according to a relative. The relative, who requested anonymity, said Asha Mberwa, 36, was killed in Warbhigly village when the Islamic extremists cut her throat in front of villagers who came out of their homes as witnesses.

She is survived by her children – ages 12, 8, 6 and 4 – and her husband, who was not home at the time she was apprehended. Her husband and children have fled to an undisclosed location.

Oprah Winfrey Called 'Antichrist' by Christian Evangelical

2011-07-18T19:21:00.000+03:00

Mike Bickle, leader of the International House of Prayer (IHOP), has said that 57-year-old former talk show host Oprah Winfrey is “the antichrist.

In this still image of a computer screen showing the YouTube website, an image of talk show host Oprah Winfrey is seen, April 24, 2008. The YouTube video, which features Oprah denying Jesus as the only way to God and promoting New Age ideas, received millions of views.

Bickle has received criticism and backlash for his statements in a film released by People for the American Way Right Wing Watch which was aired on God TV.

He stated, “I believe that one of the main pastors, as a forerunner to the Harlot movement, it’s not the Harlot movement yet, is Oprah.”

The evangelical pastor continued, “She is winsome, she is kind, she is reasonable, she is utterly deceived, utterly deceived… “

The “Harlot movement” Bickle speaks of includes doing good deeds “for all the wrong reasons.”

He called Winfrey “a classy woman, a cool woman, but has a spirit of deception and she is one of the clear pastors, forerunners to the Harlot movement.”

“The Harlot Babylon is preparing the nations to receive the antichrist," he asserted. “The Harlot Babylon will be a religion of affirmation, toleration, no absolutes, and a counterfeit justice movement. They will feed the poor, have humanitarian projects, and inspire acts of compassion for all the wrong reasons.

“They won’t know it, beloved they will be sincere, many of them, but their sincerity will not in any way lessen the impact of their deception. The fact that they are sincere does not make the deception less damaging.”

Winfrey recently retired her multi-award winning talk show in May to focus on her network channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and is known as the greatest black philanthropist in American history.

Kakobe, Mtikila wapambana ubalozi wa Marekani

2011-07-11T11:49:00.002+03:00

MCHUNGAJI Christopher Mtikila andaiwa kwamba amevuruga mpango wa kwenda nchini Marekani wa Askofu Zachary Kakobe wa Kanisa la Full Gaspel Bible Fellowship (FGBF).

Mtikila anadaiwa kuuomba Ubalozi wa Marekani nchini kumnyima viza kiongozi huyo mkuu wa FGBF kwa maelezo kwamba ana kesi ya kujibu mahakamani.

Kupitia taasisi ya Liberty International Foundation, Mchungaji Mtikila ameuandikia barua ubalozi wa Marekani nchini, akiutaka usimruhusu Kakobe kwenda nchini humo, kwa kuwa ana kesi ya kujibu.

Akiwa ameorodhesha tuhuma mbalimbali anazoeleza kuwa zinamkabili Askofu Kakobe katika kesi hiyo, Mtikila amesema, mpango wake wa kwenda Marekani, umelenga kuikimbia kesi hiyo.

"Tunaomba Askofu Kakobe asiruhusiwe kwenda Marekani hadi hapo kesi yake Namba 78 ya mwaka 2011 iliyofunguliwa kwenye Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania itakapomalizika," alisema Mtikila katika barua hiyo ya Julai 5 mwaka huu.

Mtikila ambaye ni Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa taasisi hiyo ya haki za binadamu, amefafanua kuwa Askofu Kakobe ameshtakiwa na wachungaji watatu wa kanisa lake la FGBF ambao ni Dezedelius Patrick, Angelo Mutasingwa na Benedict Kaduma.

"Anahusishwa na matumizi mabaya ya fedha za kanisa hilo zinazofikia Sh14 bilioni," alisema Mtikila katika barua hiyo na kuongeza:

“Tunakuandikia kuomba mamlaka zako husika kumnyima Zacharia (Zachary) Kakobe kibali cha kuingia nchini kwako hadi hapo kesi dhidi yake iliyofunguliwa Mahakama Kuu itakapoamuliwa.”

Katika barua hiyo, Mtikila ameueleza ubalozi wa Marekani kuwa Askofu Kakobe anataka kuimbikia kesi hiyo na kuhamia katika mji wa Boston, ambako ataishi na kuendesha taasisi yake inayojulikana kama Bishop Zachariah Kakobe International Ministry.

Mwananchi lilimtafuta Askofu Kakobe juzi na jana ili kufahamu undani wa safari yake ya kwenda nchini Marekani, lakini simu yake ilikuwa ikiita muda wote bila kupata majibu.

Baadaye gazeti hili lilimpata msadizi wake ambaye alisema kwamba askofu huyo asingeweza kuzungumza kutokana na kwamba alikuwa kwenye huduma.

Achaguliwa tena kuongoza FGBF
Wakati hayo yakiendelea, Kakobe amechaguliwa tena kuwa Askofu Mkuu wa Kanisa hilo kwa kipindi cha miaka mitano ijayo.

Kakobe alichaguliwa kwenye mkutano Mkuu wa kanisa hilo uliofanyika mjini Dodoma Julai 4 hadi 9 mwaka huu.

Akizungumza kwenye ibada maalumu iliyofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam jana Kakobe aliwaambia waumini wake kuwa alichaguliwa akiwa mgombea pekee katika nafasi hiyo.

“Katika uchaguzi ule hakuna mtu aliyejitokeza kuwania nafasi hiyo, hadi tunaanza mkutano hapakuwa na jina, hali hiyo ndivyo ilivyokuwa hata katika mikutano ya uchaguzi katika vipindi vitatu vilivyopita,”alisema Kakobe.

Kakobe alisema hiyo ni kutokana na kanisa lake pamoja na viongozi kuona suala la uongozi na vyeo siyo kitu cha msingi kwa na badala yake kuhubiri neno la Mungu.

Akizungumzia uchaguzi alisema ulitimiza vigezo kwa kuhudhuria na wajumbe wote wa mkutano mkuu ambao ni maaskofu na wachungaji.

“Mkutano ulihudhuriwa na wajumbe 447 ambao kati yao ni maaskofu 19 toka kanda zote za Tanzania na wachungaji wote,”alisema.

Katiba ya Kanisa
Alisema uchaguzi ulifanyika Dodoma ulikuwa halali na ulitokana na utaratibu uliowekwa na kanisa hilo kwa mujibu wa sheria na katiba na si shinikizo la watu waliofungua kesi mahakamani.

Katiba ibada hiyo Askofu Kakobe alitumia muda mwingi kuzungumzia katiba ya kanisa hilo aliyodai wengi wanaipotosha.

“Watu wengi wanatumia katiba hii ya mwaka 1987, wakati huo kanisa hili halikuwapo na kulikuwa na kikundi cha uinjilishaji kilichojulikana kwa Gospel Evangelist Team.

Alisema kikundi hico ambacho yeye alifanya nacho kazi kama kiongozi wake kilikuwa na jukumu la kufundisha injili nchi nzima na kulihusisha mkusanyiko wa vijana kutoka makanisa mbalimbali.

Alisema baada ya kufanya kazi kwa muda mrefu Kakobe alifanya uchaguzi na kugundua kuwa waumini wake hawakuendelea na imani waliyofundishwa ndipo alipopatwa na maoni ya kuanzaisha kanisa la FGBF.

Alisema hatua hiyo aliifanywa mwaka 1989 alipowasilisha taarifa wizara ya Mambo ya Ndani ya kutaka kubadilishwa kwa jina la Taasisi ya BET na kuwa FGBF.

Alisema baada ya hatua hiyo ndipo walipoandika katiba mpya inayotumika hadi sasa.

Kakobe alifafanua kuwa kwa katiba inampa mamlaka Askofu mkuu kuteua katibu Mkuu, mweka hazina na maaskofu wa majimbo mbalimbali.

Alisema pia askofu huyo ndiyo mwamuzi wa mwisho kwa mujibu wa katiba juu ya mambo yote yahusuyo kanisa ikiwa ni pamoja na nidhamu pamoja na mafundisho.

“Katiba inampa mamlaka askofu kuonya na kuwafukuza wanachama au waumini pindi anapoona ipo haja ya kufanya hivyo,”alisema Kakobe.

Katika ibada hiyo Kakobe huku akinukuu vifungu vya katiba alimteua na kumtangaza Askofu Nathan Meshack kuwa Katibu Mkuu wa Kanisa hilo na Askofu Jimmy Sekuye kuwa mweka hazina.

Tuhuma kwa Serikali
Katika hatua nyingine Askofu alituhumu serikali kuwa imekuwa ikidharau makanisa ya kipentekoste kwa kuyaona kama ya vichororoni. Alisema sera hizo ni za tangu enzi ya ukoloni na zimepitwa na wakati.

Wakati sasa wa kuona kanisa ya Kipentekoste ni ya uchororoni umepita, hivi sasa kanisa ni kubwa na linapaswa kutambuliwa,” alisema Kakobe. Alisema kwa kipindi kirefu sera za nchi zinatambua makanisa machache.

Kesi inayomkabili Kakobe
Kakobe amechaguliwa katika kipindi ambacho baadhi ya waumini wake wamefungua kesi mahakamani wakimtuhumu kuhusika na ufujaji wa fedha za kanisa hilo.

Juni 21 mwaka huu wachungaji watatu walimfungulia Askofu Kakobe kesi ya madai namba 78 ya mwaka 2011 katika Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania wakimtuhumu kwa matumizi mabaya ya fedha za kanisa hilo yanayokadiriwa kufikia Sh14 bilioni.

Lakini babari zilizolifikia gazeti hili jana, zimeeleza kuwa kesi hiyo ya msingi, imepangwa kuanza kusikilizwa kesho Jumatatu, Mahakama Kuu Kanda ya Dar es Salaam.

Kulingana na hati ya mashitaka hayo, wachungaji hao wameorodhesha vipengele 19 vya madai, ikiwamo kutaka Mahakama imuamuru Askofu Kakobe kurejesha Sh14 bilioni ambazo wanadai alizitumia kwa njia ya ubadhilifu.
Kadhalika wachungaji hao katika baadhi ya vipengele kwenye hati ya madai, wanamshutumu Askofu Kakobe kwa kutoitisha mkutano mkuu wa kanisa hilo tangu mwaka 1989.

Walalamikaji wanadai kuwa kulingana na katiba ya taasisi hiyo ya FGBF, mkutano mkuu ndio kikao chenye madaraka ya uamuzi wa juu na hufanyika kila baada ya miaka mitano, au wakati wowote ikiwepo dharura.

Kadhalika wachungaji hao wanalalamika kuwa katiba inataka kanisa liwe na Katibu Mkuu, mweka hazina ambao watalinda mali za kanisa pamoja na bodi ya wadhamini badala yake Askofu anafanya mambo yote peke yake.

Source: http://www.mwananchi.co.tz

Do we have two or three parts? Body, soul, and spirit? Dichotomy or trichotomy?

2011-07-04T10:28:00.001+03:00

Genesis 1:26-27 indicates that there is something that makes humanity distinct from all the other creations. Human beings were intended to have a relationship with God, and as such, God created us with both material and immaterial parts. The material is obviously that which is tangible: the physical body, bones, organs, etc., and exists as long as the person is alive. The immaterial aspects are those which are intangible: soul, spirit, intellect, will, conscience, etc. These exist beyond the physical lifespan of the individual.

All human beings possess both material and immaterial characteristics. It is clear that all mankind has a body containing flesh, blood, bones, organs, and cells. However, it is the intangible qualities of mankind that are often debated. What does Scripture say about these? Genesis 2:7 states that man was created as a living soul. Numbers 16:22 names God as the “God of the spirits” that are possessed by all mankind. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life,” indicating that the heart is central to man’s will and emotions. Acts 23:1 says, “Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, ‘My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.’” Here Paul refers to the conscience, that part of the mind that convicts us of right and wrong. Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” These verses, and numerous others, refer to the various aspects of the immaterial part of humanity. We all share both material and immaterial qualities.

So, Scripture outlines far more than just soul and spirit. Somehow, the soul, spirit, heart, conscience, and mind are connected and interrelated. The soul and spirit, though, definitely are the primary immaterial aspects of humanity. They likely comprise the other aspects. With this is mind, is humanity dichotomous (cut in two, body/soul-spirit), or trichotomous (cut in three, body/soul/spirit). It is impossible to be dogmatic. There are good arguments for both views. A key verse is Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” This verse tells us at least two things about this debate. The soul and spirit can be divided, and the division of soul and spirit is something that only God can discern. Rather than focusing on something we cannot know for sure, it is better to focus on the Creator, who has made us “fearfully and wonderfully” (Psalm 139:14).

"What is the origin of the different races?"

2011-07-04T10:19:00.000+03:00

The Bible does not explicitly give us the origin of the different “races” or skin colors in humanity. In actuality, there is only one race—the human race. Within the human race is diversity in skin color and other physical characteristics. Some speculate that when God confused the languages at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), He also created racial diversity. It is possible that God made genetic changes to humanity to better enable people to survive in different ecologies, such as the darker skin of Africans being better equipped genetically to survive the excessive heat in Africa. According to this view, God confused the languages, causing humanity to segregate linguistically, and then created genetic racial differences based on where each racial group would eventually settle. While possible, there is no explicit biblical basis for this view. The races/skin colors of humanity are nowhere mentioned in connection with the tower of Babel.

After the flood, when the different languages came into existence, groups that spoke one language moved away with others of the same language. In doing so, the gene pool for a specific group shrank dramatically as the group no longer had the entire human population to mix with. Closer inbreeding took place, and in time certain features were emphasized in these different groups (all of which were present as a possibility in the genetic code). As further inbreeding occurred through the generations, the gene pool grew smaller and smaller, to the point that people of one language family all had the same or similar features.

Another explanation is that Adam and Eve possessed the genes to produce black, brown, and white offspring (and everything else in between). This would be similar to how a mixed-race couple sometimes has children that vary in color. Since God obviously desired humanity to be diverse in appearance, it makes sense that God would have given Adam and Eve the ability to produce children of different skin tones. Later, the only survivors of the flood were Noah and his wife, Noah’s three sons and their wives—eight people in all (Genesis 7:13). Perhaps Noah’s daughters-in-law were of different races. It is also possible that Noah’s wife was of a different race than Noah. Maybe all eight of them were of mixed race, which would mean they possessed the genetics to produce children of different races. Whatever the explanation, the most important aspect of this question is that we are all the same race, all created by the same God, all created for the same purpose—to glorify Him.

Who was Cain's wife? Was Cain's wife his sister?

2011-07-04T10:17:00.000+03:00

The Bible does not specifically say who Cain’s wife was. The only possible answer is that Cain's wife was his sister or niece or great-niece, etc. The Bible does not say how old Cain was when he killed Abel (Genesis 4:8). Since they were both farmers, they were likely both full-grown adults, possibly with families of their own. Adam and Eve surely had given birth to more children than just Cain and Abel at the time Abel was killed. They definitely had many more children later (Genesis 5:4). The fact that Cain was scared for his own life after he killed Abel (Genesis 4:14) indicates that there were likely many other children and perhaps even grandchildren of Adam and Eve already living at that time. Cain's wife (Genesis 4:17) was a daughter or granddaughter of Adam and Eve.

Since Adam and Eve were the first (and only) human beings, their children would have no other choice than to intermarry. God did not forbid inter-family marriage until much later when there were enough people to make intermarriage unnecessary (Leviticus 18:6-18). The reason that incest today often results in genetic abnormalities is that when two people of similar genetics (i.e., a brother and sister) have children together, there is a high risk of their recessive characteristics becoming dominant. When people from different families have children, it is highly unlikely that both parents will carry the same recessive traits. The human genetic code has become increasingly “polluted” over the centuries as genetic defects are multiplied, amplified, and passed down from generation to generation. Adam and Eve did not have any genetic defects, and that enabled them and the first few generations of their descendants to have a far greater quality of health than we do now. Adam and Eve’s children had few, if any, genetic defects. As a result, it was safe for them to intermarry

Iran's Supreme Court upholds death sentence for pastor

2011-07-04T10:01:00.000+03:00

The death sentence for a pastor found guilty of apostasy in Iran has been upheld by the country's Supreme Court.

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was arrested in October 2009 while attempting to register his evangelical house church in the city of Rasht.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), his arrest was connected to criticisms he made about the Muslim monopoly on the religious instruction of children in Iran.

He was initially charged with protesting but the charges were later changed to apostasy and evangelising Muslims, and he was sentenced to death last year.

CSW has received reports that the death sentence has now been upheld by the third chamber of the Supreme Court in the Shia holy city of Qom.

Pastor Nadarkhani, who belongs to the Church of Iran, has been held in Lakan prison since his sentence was passed.

His lawyer filed an appeal last December but has now confirmed that the appeal was unsuccessful, although no official notification has been issued by the courts so far.

CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said it was a "devastating outcome" for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family and the Church of Iran network.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them," he said.

"CSW condemns the decision to uphold this verdict in the strongest possible terms.

"The death sentence for the charge of apostasy is not codified in Iranian law.

"The ruling has deeply worrying implications for all Christians in Iran, and is yet another indicator of the regime's disregard for basic human rights and freedoms."

Mr Johnston said the Iranian regime often enacted death sentences without advance notice to prisoners' families, lawyers and sometimes even the prisoners themselves.

He called upon the international community to urgently put pressure on the Iranian regime to rescind the "unjust" ruling.

He said: "Freedom to change one’s religion is a fundamental right which Iran pledged to uphold when it signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Iran must therefore be urged adhere to its commitments under international law.”

House churches have come under intense pressure in the last year, with a wave of random arrests and increasingly anti-Christian rhetoric.

In May, high profile Iranian cleric Ayatollah Mesbah Yadzi reportedly chided the authorities for failing to stem the growth of house churches despite stepping up their efforts.

He called for better discipline and supervision of those authorities tasked with suppressing the churches, and suggested that the government set up a central system to monitor and coordinate the suppression of churches.

Zambia's first elected President Frederick Chiluba dies

2011-06-18T14:46:00.000+03:00

Frederick Chiluba, Zambia's first democratically elected president, has died at home at the age of 68.

Mr Chiluba was hailed as Zambia's "liberator" by his supporters when he came to office in 1991 after 27 years of single party Socialist rule.

He won praise for his economic and political reforms but was later accused of embezzlement and turning a blind eye to corruption.

The cause of his death is not known but he was known to have heart problems.

Under Mr Chiluba, Zambia was considered to be a model of African democracy and his presidency was welcomed in the West.

The former trade union leader and son of a copper miner introduced many reforms which dismantled the restrictive policies of former President Kenneth Kaunda.

But he was dogged by corruption allegations and was accused of taking an authoritarian approach to his political opponents, firing critical colleagues and jailing outspoken journalists.

He attempted to alter the constitution to allow him to run for a third term in office in 2001, but stood down after huge public protests.

Mr Chiluba was prosecuted for alleged embezzlement in 2002 but acquitted after a six-year trial.

In 2007, he was convicted of fraud by a London court and ordered to repay $58m in embezzled funds, but the ruling was never carried out by Zambia.

He spent his final years at his resident in Lusaka, confined by ill health and the confiscation of his passport by the authorities.

Pastor Peter Mitimingi

2011-06-05T12:29:00.000+03:00

Steps to overcome masturbation and pornography

2011-06-02T09:36:00.000+03:00

Steps to overcome masturbation and Porn

If you are having problems with masturbation and porn, these prayers are for you. Take the following steps:
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1. Declare a fast. Your flesh must die before you can overcome sexual sins. The more you fast, the more yoour spirit man comes alive and you sub due your flesh. Fast periodically, once a week…..as the spirit leads you.

2. Cut off evil friendships. Most people that are into these, are introduced into it by friends and peers. Surrond your self with godly people.

3. Watch what you watch, hear and see. Evil communications, the Bible say, corrupt good morals. There are some Television stations I have banned in my house in order not to corruptly influence the children. Cut off romantic movies, sexy films, x ray magazines…you have no business reading novels with explicit sexual narrative

4. Be aggressive and cast off any thing that leads you to sexual perversion. If you are the type that jumps from one chat room to another visiting looking at naked pictures..then it is better you throw off your web cam..and dash out your computer and internet facilities. The Bible says it is better you enter the kingdom of God with one eye..than enter hell with two eyes.

5. Make your mind to overcome evil..the spirit of God will streghten you as you make up your mind.

6. If you are single and ripe for marriage, get married instead of burning with lusts. If you are married, and your wife or husband is not living with you…..then…make a rearrangement so that you can be cleaved with your husband/wife as the Bible says.

7. Tell someone your problems…as you are doing that you are exposing the demon sponsoring masturbation in your life. Evil thrives under secrecy. Dont hide your secret sin. Expose it and disgrace the enemy. Tell someone to pray with you on this.

8. Fast and Pray

9. Compile scriptures on Holiness and stand on them.

10. Seek deliverance from a church that understands what you are going through, not from the spiritually docile and entertainment churches that pervade the land.

1 comments:

Mike said...: Thank you bigtime You are truly heaven sent to rescue my dying me. Ive been in bondage for six years despite being born again,but with your steps and prayers i'll truly overcome! Hope to get intouch with you soon to testify my deliverance. Mike; June 1, 2011 10:09 PM

Women Week at FWC

2011-05-25T15:57:00.008+03:00

Women week at Faith Word Church on 16-22,May,2011 was very exciting and inspirational.

FWC women ministered under the influence of the Holy Spirit during all church services.

FWC-Dar es Salaam chairperson,Mrs. Setebe on the picture taking women praise team footage as the service continues.

FWC women fellowship choir performing during the climax of the women week on Sunday, 22nd May,2011 in the FWC –Dar es Salaam

Part of the crowds flooding during the climax of the women week last Sunday

Praise and Worship team

Mrs. Pastor Mwansasu and Mrs. Pastor Idabu pose during the speech given out by Mrs.Setebe

Mrs. Pastor Idabu preaching during the Sunday morning service on women week

This is the reality..

2011-05-23T06:29:00.000+03:00

*Most 'First Class' students get technical positions, some become Doctors, some Accountants and some Engineers....

*Then most 'Second Class' students go for MBA,then become Administrators, Managers, Directors... and control the 'First Class'.

*And then, 'Third Class'(gentleman pass)students, enter politics.......... and become politicians, Ministers..... and control both.

*Last, but not the least, The 'Failure' students join the Business World and control all the above.

Hoja ya Babu wa Loliondo facebook.(part 3)

2011-05-17T08:12:00.001+03:00

Kutoka kwa Apostle Baraka Thomasi

Mtumishi wa BWANA John Chalukulu asante kwa mchango wako. Mimi sidhani kama babu anatakiwa kuanza kuwathibitishia watu kuwa katumwa na Mungu. Huwezi kumlaumu eti amewaacha watu kwenye dilemma. Human beings are complex creatures, no matter what you do you can never satisfy them all. There is nothing you can do to clear ALL the doubts from peoples' minds maana hata Yesu pamoja na upako wake wote bado wayahudi hawakumwamini na walidai anafanya miujiza kwa kutumia Belizabubu mkuu wa mapepo. Mimi simtetei babu na wala sina haja ya kufanya hivyo lakini nataka tuwe objective tunapom-support au kum-criticize. Kwa mfano nataka atokee mtu atwambie (with Biblical evidence) kuwa anachofanya babu ni ushetani au katumwa na Mungu. Hii itawasaidia watu kupata mwanga na baadae wataamua kukubali au kukataa (based on their own perception or beliefs) maana pamoja na ukweli kuwa wakristo wote tunaiamini Biblia lakini bado kila mtu (mmoja mmoja) kuna mambo fulani kwenye Biblia hawayaamini kama kweli yanaweza kutendeka. Kwa mfano, Biblia kwenye Mathayo 10:2 inasema, toeni pepo, fufueni wafu lakini kuna walokole wengi tu ambao hawaamini kuwa wafu wanaweza kufufuka na ukiwaambia msibani kuwa wakuruhusu uombe maiti ifufuke watakupinga na kukuona chizi si kwa sababu siyo watu wa Mungu bali ni kwa sababu uhusiano wao na Mungu uko kwenye level fulani (au frequency fulani) na wanamwamini Mungu mpaka level fulani tu. Tusijaribu kumweka Mungu kwenye boksi fulani halafu tukategemea ataendelea kubaki hapo. God is great and can do things which we have never heard. Ndo maana maandiko yanasema kuna mambo ambayo macho yetu hayajawahi kuona, wala masikio kusikia; mambo ambayo Mungu amewaandalia watu wake. GOD CAN DO ANYTHING USING ANYONE OR ANYTHING. Si lazima anachofanya babu uwe ushetani au uMungu lakini let us be fair on how we handle this issue. Ningefurahi kusikia mtu akitufundisha kwa maandiko kuwa anachokifanya babu ni ushetani au UMungu. Tusim-crash tu kwa sababu hafanyi kama tulivyofundishwa sunday school. Lakini pia my point is very clear: WE CAN NOT STOP PEOPLE FROM GOING TO BABU BY OUR EMPTY WORDS. Watu wana matatizo na wanahitaji msaada (and seriously they dont care huo msaada atautoa mtumishi wa Mungu au wa Shetani) na ndo maana hata babu wa Loliondo akistaafu kutoa kikombe bado watu watasaka msaada kwa mwingine wanaedhani anaweza kuwasaidia eg waganga wa kienyeji. The church must come with an alternative. Tuwaambie watu (na waone kweli) kuwa Mungu wetu anaweza kutatua matatizo yao. Tuwaelekeze kwa Mungu kwa ujasiri maana amewaita "wanaosumbuka na kulemewa na mizigo waende kwake". Na kama wakija kanisani wakapata ufumbuzi wataambia na wengine nao watakuja kama ilvyokuwa kwa yule mwanamke msamaria aliyekutana na Yesu: alisema "twendeni mkamwone mtu aliyeniambia siri zangu zote" na maandiko yanasema kijiji kizima kilimfuata. Kama Kanisa lisipotoa majibu watu wataenda sehemu "wanasikia kuna majibu" na huwezi kuwalaumu au kumlaumu wanaemwendea. Kipindi cha Yesu makutano makubwa walimfuata na akatatua matatizo yao na sisi ndo mabalozi aliowaacha Yesu kuendeleza kile alichokuwa akifanya hapa duniani na kama hatufanyi hivyo TATIZO NI LA KANISA na tusijaribu kumtafuta mwingine wa kumlaumu. Mimi binafsi naamini kanisa likisimama kwenye nafasi yake watu wakayaona aliyosema Yesu kuwa tuyafanye (na UWEZO wa kuyafanya bahati nzuri tumepewa) hapatuwa na haja ya kuwakataza watu wasiende kwa fulani. PALIPO na MZIGO ndipo wanapokutanika TAI. Hata kipindi cha Yesu waganga wa kienyeji walikuwepo lakini Yesu hakujisumbua nao. Yeye alifanya alichotumwa kufanya na watu wakamfuata akawaponya

Hoja ya Babu wa Loliondo facebook.(part 2)

2011-05-17T08:04:00.003+03:00

Kutoka kwa Maranatha (Chalukulu John-Australia)

Hii ni habari ya kweli ambayo itatu-cost wa-Tanzania. Hao walio-publish hayo matokeo ya concortion ya Babu ni kwamba hawakupitia procedures zote za kisayansi ili kuthibitisha uhalali wa kwamba hiyo kitu inatibu magonjwa yaliyotamkwa na haina madhara kwa mtumiaji (after/side effects). Naomba nisiingie kwenye details nyingi lakini mpaka sasa sample za hiyo kitu zilipelekwa South Africa (University undisclosed) na kwa bahati ni mpendwa m-TZ (Dr. in Chemistry) aliyezipokea ambaye ni Lecturer huko na analysis ilikuwa ifanyikie kwenye lab ambayo iko chini ya usimamizi wake na wadau wengine huko. Hao ndugu walitakiwa wapeleke sample halisi ya mti na sio liquid extracts kama walivyofanya wao. Sasa kabla ya huo mchakato haujakamilika jamaa huku nyuma wakatoa matokeo yao based on literature review. Cheap popularity na ufinyu wa mawazo!! Kazi kwenu!

Anyway tukirudi kwenye neno huyo ni sawa na mganga wa kienyeji tu hakuna tofauti na waganga wa Misri!! Maana hata wao walikuwa na miungu including chura. Kama kweli hiyo dawa ni maono ya Kimungu, why hakuna injili inayoambatana na matibabu yake? Yaani mchngaji mzima ushindwe kumtaja Yesu? Something is missing somewhere!!! Kweli amezidiwa hata na hospital za Kiroma ambazo nyingine walao hupitisha yale maji yao ya baraka kuwaombea wagonja kwa majina ya watakatifu kibao including Maria mama wa YESU! Hata Sheikh Yahaya walao huwa anatamka ile "Wala hakubali" na mgonjwa unaambiwa itikia "hakubali" !! It is sad na sielewi ni nani aliwaloga "wapendakote" kiasi cha kushabikia ushirikina huu. Tulianza katika roho na sasa tunataka kumaliza katika mwili. Nachelea kusema kwamba kiasi cha roho kimetindika na sasa tunapenda short cuts, huku tukisahau kwamba "Short cuts are always wrong cuts" Nawakilisha!

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Naona mtumishi umeamua kuinyambulisha zaidi hii mada ambayo bado kwangu sioni kama ni fumbo la imani. I will stick to that!!. Narejea tena hayo matokeo yaliyotangazwa na serikali are scientifically and ethically invalid andsubject to disputation! Jst few ppl looking for cheap popularity! Period will ashame them!

OK! Nikijaribu kudadavua baadhi ya vichokoo vyako naweza sema serikali imempa cheti babu kwa halali na cheti sahihi - Mganga wa Jadi! Nashukuru kwamba Yesu wangu, Elisha na hata Luka hawakuwahi kuwa wala kuitwa waganga wa kienyeji, why Babu tena mchungaji?? Shame to christianity and the retired old pastor!!

Dawa nyingi ni aidha products za miti au vimeng'enyo vingine vya kemikali. Sina shida na matumizi ya dawa za mitishamba au hospitali, kibaya kinakuja pale matumizi yake yanapoendeshwa/kuhusianishwa na ibada nyuma yake. Kwa mfano unaenda kwa Sangoma anakupigia ramli then anakwambia katumia mti huu au maji yake baada ya kuchemsha mara tatu kwa wiki na usioge siku nne, hapa kuna tatizo. Nadhani hii ni ibada ya sanamu moja kwa moja.Dawa nyingi za waganga wa kienyeji zinaendana na masharti kama hayo na mengineyo mengi tunayoyafahamu. Babu kwenye hili ana-qualify moja kwa moja maana shari mojawapo ni lazima akupe yeye mwenyewe hiyo dawa kwa mkono wake.

Kuwaambia watu wanywe dawa na watapona kwa imani bila kuwaambia hiyo imani unaijenga katika msingi upi,it is wrong both biblically and theologically. Biblia inasema imani chanzo chake ni kusikia na kusikia huja kwa neno la Kristo, sasa yeye hiyo imani inayomponya mgonjwa anayoizungumzia asili yake ni wapi? Aseme wazi kama ni Kristo au Allahtujue! Sipendi na nasema ni kivuli cha kujifichia tena ni uongo kusema ni imani katika mungu! Kutamka "mungu" peke yake is a vague term. Anybody can claim "god heals", but if you are not specific of which god unaweza kuwachuuza watu kwa urahisi sana na wakaingia mkenge. Yohana Mt. 14:9 Biblia inasema Yeyote aliyemuona Kristo amemuona Baba (Mungu), na pia Kristo Yesu na Baba ni wamoja, sasa kama ana uhakika huyu Babu yetu kwa nini asiseme tu kwamba hii dawa nimeoteshwa na Mungu Baba wa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo - YAHWE!! Anachoogopa ni nini? Au anajitafutia utukufu wake mwenyewe? Bado tiba ya Babu haikidhi vigezo vya kuiweka ktk kundi la matibabu ya kiimani na haswa kupitia nguvu iliyo katika Kristo Yesu! Nitaendelea kuamini kwamba huyu ni mganga wa kienyeji/jadi kama sheikh Yahaya na wengineo tofauti ipo kwenye approach tu! Huyu kajificha kwenye kivuli cha ukristo ati alikuwa mchungaji (ambao nina mashaka nao hata sasa kama haukuwa wa mshahara tu)! I remain to be corrected with someone having strong and convincing arguments! Maranatha!!

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Nikirejea nukuu za Mtumishi @ Baraka Thomas Teggesioni kwa nini kama mtumishi wa Mungu aliye rohoni mpaka sasa anaendelea kuwa kwenye dilemma na kuacha maswali kama haya yaendelee kuelea hewani. Kutoka madhabahuni inatakiwa yatoke majibu ya kuwatosheleza kondoo na sio kuwaweka in suspense!

Watu (including Babu) na vitu vyote viijazavyo nchi vimeumbwa na Bwana (Kol. 1:16-17). Kila mtu au kiumbe au kitu kilichotumika na Mungu kilikuwa na kusudi na kilitumika kwa muda maalum kama si tukio moja tu na tukio hilo lazima limtukuze Mungu na kumpa utukufu yeye peke yake! Roho mbaya au pepo wachafu wametumika sehemu nyingi tu ktk biblia. Kwa Ahabu, kati ya Abimeleki na Shekemu (Waamuzi 9:23), kwa Sauli (1Samuel 16:14). Mara zote ambazo roho chafu imetumika ni kwa ajili ya kuleta maangamizi na sio uponyaji kama ambavyo wengi wamekuwa wakisema kwamba Mungu anaweza tumia roho yeyote ile. Na kwa wale ambao roho mbaya (ya uongo au upotevu) ilitumwa/iliachiliwa kwao kwa sababu ya watu hao kufarakana na Mungu (II Thes. 2:11-12) "...Kwa hiyo Mungu akawaletea nguvu ya upotevu, wauamini uongo..." Na kama wangalikuwa ni watumishi wa Mungu wangelikuwa na ufahamu wa kutambua kwamba jumbe zilizotumwa kwao ni uongo!

Kwa watu waliokua kiroho uwezo wa kupambanua kati ya mema (good) na uovu (evil) ni muhimu sana vinginevyo unaweza kuwa mzee wa siku kanisani lakini kiroho ni wa kuvikwa "pampers" nepi (Waebrania 5:13-14) "...ambao akili zao, kwa kutumiwa zimezoezwa, kupambanua mema na mabaya..." Hawa ni mojawapo ya watu ambao waliweza kupambanua kati ya walio wema na waovu: Akishi mfalme wa Gathi (1 Sam 29:9) Alimwambia Daudi "...U mwema machoni pangu kama malaika wa Mungu..." Eli alitambua kwamba roho wa Mungu alikuwa akiongea na Samuel (1 Sam 3:7-10 ) na mfano mwingine mzuri ni wa Paulo (Sauli) (Mdo 16:16-18) "...akageuka na kumwambia yule pepo (lilikuwa ndani ya kijakazi), Nakuamuru kwa jina la Yesu Kristo mtoke huyu..."

Sasa kwa mfano wa Pauo huyo kijakazi alitumika kuagua watu kwa siku nyingi tu na aliwapatia bwana zake fedha nyingi (e.g. 500 Tshs kwa kila anywaye kikombe) kama vile ambavyo Babu ameendelea na ataendelea mpaka siku ile ambayo naye kikombe chake kitafurika. Na hakika huyu (Babu) anawapatia fedha nyingi sana hao ambao wanamsitiri. Maana inaanzia kwenye kodi za serikali, kanisa lake na viongozi wa kisiasa.

Nikirejea kwenye matumizi ya vitu kuanzia kwa Njiwa wa Nuhu, Kunguru wa Eliya, na Punda wa Balaam hao wote walitumika aidha kwa ajili ya 1. kudhihirisha uweza wa Mungu (Kati ya nyoka wa Musa na wa Farao wa Misri),2. kuwahudumia watumishi wa Mungu (kunguru wa Eliya na njiwa wa Nuhu) au 3. kuleta maonyo (Punda wa Balaam). Na kama ni kipande cha mti kile cha Elisha basi kilitumika kurejesha shoka lilozama majini, na pia chumvi ilitumika kuponya mauti iliyotokana na matango mwitu. Na yote yalifanyika kama miujiza tu kwa sababu maalumu! Sasa Babu wenu wa Loliondo yeye yuko kwenye fungu lipi?

Watu wa Mungu kama tumeshindwa kupambanua roho huo ni udhaifu wetu tukubali tu kwamba tumeshuka kiviwango ndo maana midahalo imekuwa mingi ndani ya kanisa la Mungu juu ya suala hili. Kwa muda wote niliokaa kanisani na kumjua Mungu sijawahi sikia popote pale mchungaji au mtumishi yeyote wa kiroho awe anaponya kwa mafuta au kwa kupuliza (Power) akipewa cheti cha uganga wa kienyeji! Japo wengine tuliwashutumu na bado shutuma zinaendelea juu yao miongoni mwao. Haya sasa Babu kapewa cheti cha uganga wa kienyeji na karidhika nacho huku si kumdhalilisha Kristo?

Kwa nini yeye kama mchungaji mwaminifu na shuhuda mwema wa Kristo na sacrament anakula ashindwe kutamka hii dawa nimeoteshwa na Kristo Yesu na ninaponya kwa jina la huyu Yesu?? Ndugu zangu maswali ni mengi kuliko majibu kwa huyu Babu.

Hata kama watu wanajifanya wako njia panda lakini hebu na dhamiri zetu zitushuhudie basi kwamba hapa kuna roho ya upotevu! Maana mpaka serikali (ambayo ni secular) imeshtuka sisi wacha Mungu je haikutupasa kuwa macho na kuona mbali zaidi? Ni nani aliyeturoga hata tukakosa ujasiri wa kutamka hadharani iliyo kweli? Hivi leo ukipewa madhabahu mkutano wa nje, ukapewa neno hubiri juu ya waganga wa kienyeji ewe muhubiri hivi utakuwa na ujasiri kweli wa kukemea waganga wa kienyeji wakati miongoni mwenu mmewajengea vibanda? Tuache masihara wapendwa hiki ni kipimo tosha kujua ni nani aliye upande wa Bwana na nani aliye wa adui! Ole wetu maana hata sasa siri ya ile namba wengi hatujaijua kwamba yaja kwa namna gani kabla hatujashtukia nina mashaka wengi watakuwa wameisha ipokea chapa ya yule mnyama. Hapo ndo kutakapokuwa na kilio kikuu!

I stick to my words, Babu ni mganga wa kienyeji na hakuna kiroho wala kimungu pale! Asilani hakuna hata "fumbo la iman"i!!!

Maranatha!

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Nashukuru mtumishi Baraka Thomas Tegge kwa ufafanuzi ulioutoa. Ndo maana nikasema kwenye moja ya maandishi yangu kwamba kanisa limepungua nguvu kiasi kwamba tumeshindwa kupambanua roho na kukosa ujasiri wa kutamka hadharani kwamba huu nao ni uganga wa kienyeji.

Miongoni mwetu tukiulizana ni wapi sigara imekatazwa na kusemwa kuwa ni dhambi nina uhakika hakuna mwenye hilo andiko zaidi ya kujizungusha tu au mfano ni wapi imesemwa kwenda Disco ni dhambi? Kibiblia hakuna ila roho wa Mungu ametushuhudiza ndani yetu kwamba na mambo yafananayo na hayo ni dhambi. Juzi na jana kabla Babu hajatokea tulikemea uganga wa kienyeji kwa bidii zote wewe ni shahidi wa mikutano yetu, leo mganga huyo katokea kanisani tunashikwa na kigugumizi, kwa nini? Uganga ni ule ule tu haujabadilika! Je! Akitokea mshirika akaoa mitara kisa Daudi, Suleimani na wengine wengi walikuwa na wake wengi utamuacha aabudu kanisani mwako? Jibu li wazi, HAPANA! Sasa kwa nini hapa tunachelea kusema au kufundisha kama usemavyo?

Binafsi nionavyo kuhusu uganga na uaguzi watu wamefundishwa sana na haswa makanisa ya kiroho (labda kama mtu ameokoka hivi karibuni) Tatizo ni ukosefu wetu wa imani na kushuka viwango ndo chanzo cha maangamizi yetu kiasi kwamba tumeshindwa kutenda yale ambayo yalitakiwa tuyafanye na kubakiwa na siasa makanisani na jumbe za kutungiana!

Ni kweli hatuwezi wazuia watu kwenda kwa Babu, lakini inapaswa tuwaambie iliyo ya kweli ili hata kama watauendea uovu wajue hakika tuliwaambia. Cha ajabu hata huo ukweli hatuusemi!!! Na pia magonjwa hata kama kanisa likisema liponye kibiblia haiwezekani kuwaponya wote! Na haijapata kutokea mtumishi yeyote hata wale ambao kivuli chao kiliponya kuweza kuwa jawabu la magonjwa yote duniani. Wagonjwa na maskini tutakuwa nao siku zote. Jordani ilikuwapo siku nyingi na hata sasa ipo, je ni wangapi waliponywa kupitia maji yake? Naamani peke yake!

Hofu yangu ni hii hata wateule ambao kwao wengine tulijifunza huduma nao wametekwa katika hili la Babu na kunjwa kikombe, sasa hawa nao tutasema hawakuwa na mafundisho? Na kama wao walihubiri na kushuhudia utendaji wa Mungu lakini sasa wametekwa na kunywa kikombe kweli kuna kiroho tena miongini mwa kanisa la Mungu? Kwa walio Dodoma fuatilieni imetokea sasa ni wiki ya pili Mtumishi wa siku nyingi aliye mtumikia Mungu kwa miongo kadhaa leo kanywa kikombe sasa na huyu tumwiteje?

Mauti imeingia sufuriani, inahitajika chumvi!

Hoja ya Babu wa Loliondo facebook.

2011-05-16T13:51:00.002+03:00

Kutoka kwa Apostle Baraka Thomasi Tegge.

Wakuu, mimi naona hii issue ya babu wa Loliondo tunaijadili kwa hisia zaidi na itikadi za kidini. Hakuna anayekuja na Biblical evidence pu-prove kuwa babu katumwa na Mungu au hajatumwa na Mungu.

Wako wanaodai babu ni mtumishi wa Mungu na wengine wanadai ni mtumishi wa shetani lakini hakuna anayetudhihirishia kimaandiko kuhusu mtizamo mmojawapo.

Ninachokiona ni kumshambulia babu kihisia na kiitikadi kuwa si mtumishi wa Mungu au kusema ni mtumishi wa Mungu simply eti kwa kuwa watu wanasema wagonjwa wanapona. Issue ya wagonjwa kupona au kutopona baada ya kupata kikombe cha babu haiwezi kuwa proof kuwa babu ni mtumishi wa Mungu au si mtumishi wa Mungu.

Wote tunaamini Mungu wetu anaponya na nimeona watumishi wengi wa Mungu wakiita wagonjwa na kuwaombea kwa jina la Yesu lakini wagonjwa hao hawaponi lakini hii haimanishi hao wanaombea si watumishi wa Mungu.

Na pia nimeona watu walioenda kwa waganga wa kienyeji wakiwa na matatizo na "ikaonekana matatizo yao yametatuliwa kabisa" lakini hii pia haimaanishi hao waganga wa kienyeji ni watumishi wa Mungu. Suala la kuwa mtumishi wa Mungu au wa shetani si rahisi sana kama tunavyoweza kufikiri. Mungu anaweza kumtumia mtu yeyote au kitu chochote kutimiza kusudi lake na anayetumiwa na Mungu si lazima awe "mtumishi wa Mungu" kwa tafsiri yetu.

Maana kwa tafsiri yetu tunadhani mtumishi wa Mungu ni lazima awe ameokoka, kabatizwa na ananena kwa lugha. Ni vyema tukubali kuwa akili na njia za Mungu ziko juu sana ya njia/akili zetu. Kuna siku Mungu alimtumia punda kutimiza kusudi lake na sidhani kama huyo punda aliongozwa sala ya toba kabla ya kutumiwa.

Siku nyingine Mungu alitumia kunguru kufanya kazi yake. Kwa hiyo Punda na Kunguru wamewahi kuwa watumishi wa Mungu lakini siku ukienda mbinguni hutawakuta hawa viumbe mbinguni eti kwa sababu tu waliwahi kumtumikia Mungu. "Worse enough" as you may think, Mungu amewahi kumtumia pepo mchafu kutimiza kusudi lake. Ndiyo, nimesema pepo mchafu (au jini) amewahi kuwa mtumishi wa Mungu. Ngoja nitoe andiko kabla sijatupwa kwenye gema kwa "kumkashifu Mungu" kuwa aliwahi kutumia pepo mchafu 1 Falme 22: 20- 22 "Bwana akasema, Ni nani atakayemdanganya Ahabu, ili akwee Ramoth-Gileadi akaanguke? Basi huyu akasema hivi; na huyu hivi. Akatoka pepo, akasimama mbele za Bwana, akasema, Mimi nitamdanganya. Bwana akamwambia, Jinsi gani? Akasema, Nitaondoka, na kuwa pepo wa uongo kinywani mwa manabii wake wote. Akasema, Utamdanganya, na kudiriki pia; ondoka ukafanye hivyo" Nadhani kama tungemkuta huyu pepo akidai kuwa AMETUMWA NA MUNGU KUMDANGANYA AHABU tusingekubaliana naye.

Tungemkemea kwa nguvu zote kwa kujidai eti katumwa na Mungu kusema uongo. Lakini huo ndo ulikuwa ukweli kuwa pepo mchafu kwa wakati huo ALISIMAMA KAMA MTUMISHI WA MUNGU kutimiza kusudi la Mungu kwa Ahabu. Wakati fulani Mungu alimwita Koreshi (mmataifa anayeabudu sanamu) kuwa ni mtumishi wake na alimtumia kuijenga upya Yerusalemu iliyobomolewa. Mimi sijui kama Babu wa Loliondo ni mtumishi wa Mungu au siyo. I don't have enough evidence ingawa pia siwezi kwenda kupata kikombe chake. USINIULIZE Kwa nini. What i am trying to say here ni kuwa tusimhukumu kwa hisia na itikadi za kidini. Hata kama babu si mtumishi wa Mungu lakini kuna mambo mengi yamenitia changamoto mimi binafsi kama mtumishi wa Mungu: MAVUNO NI MENGI NA WATENDAKAZI NI WACHACHE. People have a lot of issues na wanatafuta msaada bila kujali gharama. Kama upako wa Mungu ukiwa juu yako hata ukifungua kanisa msitu wa Tandahimba watu watakuja tu. We should stop giving excuses kuwa kanisa letu haliko eneo zuri ndo maana hatupati washirika. Nadhani ndo maana kipindi cha Yohana watu walimfuata msituni ingawa hakutangaza redion kuwa watu wakienda watapata msaada.

Hii ni changamoto kwetu wakristo kumtaka Mungu na NGUVU ZAKE ili adhihirishe yale aliyoyasema kwenye NENO lake kuwa tukiweka mikono juu ya wagonjwa watapata afya na kuwa wamwaminio Yesu yale aliyoyafanya (KUPONYA, KUFUFUA) tutayafanya na zaidi. What is missing in the church today ni udhihirisho wa nguvu za Mungu. Tunaelekea kuwa wanasiasa - giving a lot of explainations why miracles are not happening. Nimalizie kwa kunukuu alichokisema apostle Paul: Basi ninyi msihukumu neno kabla ya wakati wake, hata ajapo Bwana; ambaye atayamulikisha yaliyositirika ya giza, na kuyadhihirisha mashauri ya mioyo; ndipo kila mtu atakapoipata sifa yake kwa Mungu 1Kor 4:5. TUFANYE KAZI YA BWANA NA KUZAA MATUNDA.

Huwezi kuwashawishi watu kuwa babu si mtumishi wa Mungu kama wanaenda na kupata majibu. The best we can do is to preach what we believe to be the true gospel accompanied by signs and wonders so that people may be drawn to God. Apart from that we will lose a lot of our time trying to critise others who are producing results no matter they are from God or the devil and people wont listen to us because all that they need is the solution to their problems. Nadhani mnamkumbuka Yule jamaa aliyewaambia wayahudi kuwa: "Kama ni mwenye dhambi mimi sijui. Lakini kitu kimoja najua: Nilikuwa kipofu, na sasa naona." Yohana 9:25. Trust me, human beings have not yet changed. They care less about the vehicle which carries the solution to their troubles. And we have been called to deal with people.

The Secret of Being Great-16

2011-05-12T05:02:00.000+03:00

Every thought therefore is a cause and every condition an effect; for this reason it is absolutely essential that you control your thoughts so as to bring forth only desirable conditions.

All power is from within, and is absolutely under your control; it comes through exact knowledge and by the voluntary exercises of exact principles.

A majority of mankind lives in the world without; few have found the world within, and yet it is the world within that makes the world without; it is therefore creative and everything which you find in your world without has been created by you in the world within.

The world within is the cause, the world without the effect; to change the effect you must change the cause.

You will at once see that this is a radically new and different idea; most men try to change effects by working with effects. They fail to see that this is simply changing one form of distress for another. To remove discord, we must remove the cause, and this cause can be found only in the world within.

The Secret of Being Great-15

2011-05-10T16:25:00.002+03:00

1. That much gathers more is true on every plane of existence and that loss leads to greater loss is equally true.

2. Mind is creative, and conditions, environment and all experiences in life are the result of our habitual or predominant mental attitude.

3. The attitude of mind necessarily depends upon what we think. Therefore, the secret of all power, all achievement and all possession depends upon our method of thinking.

4. This is true because we must "be" before we can "do," and we can "do" only to the extent which we "are," and what we "are" depends upon what we "think."

5. We cannot express powers that we do not possess. The only way by which we may secure possession of power is to become conscious of power, and we can never become conscious of power until we learn that all power is from within.

6. There is a world within – a world of thought and feeling and power; of light and life and beauty and, although invisible, its forces are mighty.

7. The world within is governed by mind. When we discover this world we shall find the solution for every problem, the cause for every effect; and since the world within is subject to our control, all laws of power and possession are also within our control.

8. The world without is a reflection of the world within. What appears without is what has been found within. In the world within may be found infinite Wisdom, infinite Power, infinite Supply of all that is necessary, waiting for unfoldment, development and expression. If we recognize these potentialities in the world within they will take form in the world without.

9. Harmony in the world within will be reflected in the world without by harmonious conditions, agreeable surroundings, the best of everything. It is the foundation of health and a necessary essential to all greatness, all power, all attainment, all achievement and all success.

10. Harmony in the world within means the ability to control our thoughts, and to determine for ourselves how any experience is to affect us.

11. Harmony in the world within results in optimism and affluence; affluence within results in affluence without.

12. The world without reflects the circumstances and the conditions of the consciousness within.

13. If we find wisdom in the world within, we shall have the understanding to discern the marvelous possibilities that are latent in this world within, and we shall be given the power to make these possibilities manifest in the world without.

14. As we become conscious of the wisdom in the world within, we mentally take possession of this wisdom, and by taking mental possession we come into actual possession of the power and wisdom necessary to bring into manifestation the essentials necessary for our most complete and harmonious development.

15. The world within is the practical world in which the men and women of power generate courage, hope, enthusiasm, confidence, trust and faith, by which they are given the fine intelligence to see the vision and the practical skill to make the vision real.

16. Life is an unfoldment, not accretion. What comes to us in the world without is what we already possess in the world within.

17. All possession is based on consciousness. All gain is the result of an accumulative consciousness. All loss is the result of a scattering consciousness.

18. Mental efficiency is contingent upon harmony; discord means confusion; therefore, he who would acquire power must be in harmony with Natural Law.

19. We are related to the world without by the objective mind. The brain is the organ of this mind and the cerebro-spinal system of nerves puts us in conscious communication with every part of the body. This system of nerves responds to every sensation of light, heat, odor, sound and taste.

20. When this mind thinks correctly, when it understands the truth, when the thoughts sent through the cerebro-spinal nervous system to the body are constructive, these sensations are pleasant, harmonious.

Osama Bin Laden's Compound Was In The Shape Of Israel

2011-05-05T08:55:00.004+03:00

Osama Bin Laden's compound was shaped like Israel, and his house was where Jerusalem would have been.

Here's a satellite look for more perspective.

The Power of Pain by Bishop Noel Jones

2011-04-28T15:42:00.000+03:00