Clergy preach peace during Kenyan elections

Clergy preach peace during Kenyan national elections

NAIROBI, Kenya - Peaceful voting and an impressive turnout are buoying this East African country’s clergy, who made a energetic effort to quell the often fatal violence that Kenyans fear on election days.

In the weeks before Tuesday’s election (Aug. 8), ethnic tensions ran high, prompting religious leaders - Christian and Muslim - to preach for peace. Memories of the 2007 election in particular, which sparked violence that resulted in at least 1,300 deaths, are still fresh.

Clergy seemed almost to will a better outcome this year.
“We are confident peace will prevail. We still call for peaceful voting,” said Bishop Julius Kalu of Mombasa, who noted the strong turnout in his region. “There is a lot of work that has been done to sensitize the people on the importance of maintaining peace.”

Lines formed early morning across the country, with thousands braving morning drizzle in Nairobi to cast their ballots. The voters came despite the weather and fears of violence. Kalu attributed the strong turnout to voter education, carried out by churches and other religious and secular groups.

On Sunday, thousands had camped in churches to pray for a peaceful election. Pastors and priests had stressed in sermons that it was the people’s right to vote, and urged them to choose leaders who would please God.

“Go vote leaders of integrity, who are faithful and trustworthy. It is sin for you not to vote. You shall be accountable how you vote before God,” the Rev. Joseph Ndebe, an African Inland Church pastor in Nairobi, told his followers.

Sheikh Yusuf Murigu, deputy chairman of the National Muslim Leaders Forum, said during an interfaith service in Nairobi on July 27: “We all one people. I don’t see why brother should turn against brother. Islam is a religion of peace and we Muslims join in the call for peaceful elections.”
Kenya is about 80 percent Christian and 10 percent Muslim.

Bishop Julius Kalu

Pastors and imams got some help before the election from former U.S. President Obama, whose father was Kenyan.

“I urge Kenyan leaders to reject violence and incitement, respect the will of the people,” Obama said in a statement quoted by the Daily Nation, a Kenyan newspaper. “I urge Kenyans to work for an election - and aftermath - that is peaceful and credible - reinforcing confidence of your constitution and the future of your country.”

The election pits President Uhuru Kenyatta, 55, against opposition party leader Raila Odinga, 72. Opinion polls weeks before the election showed that the two were running neck and neck.

Adding to anxiety were a flurry of fake news reports disparaging candidates and the killing of a high-ranking election official last week.

“We are the ones to determine the future. That is why we cannot let anyone decide for us, and lead us on the path of 2007. We must be heralds of hope, warriors for peace, and rebels resisting any war cry! We bear in our hands the future of our lives, and that of our children,” said Roman Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri in a statement he sent to news outlets.

Ethnic rivalries, the perceived dominance of certain tribes in politics and widespread corruption has fueled much of the violence in this country of 48 million.

“I think the people are looking back at 2007 when a similar situation caused a lot of violence. The same appears to be true (today). … There are perceptions that the election will be stolen,” said Kalu, who added that Kenya’s ethnic diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than weakness.

Exacerbating tensions, al-Shabab, the Somalia-based al-Qaida affiliate in East Africa, threatened to disrupt the election in the coastal county of Lamu. The group is widely suspected of bombing a power plant in the region recently and an attack on a vehicle, which injured two people.





Religion News Service

Churches must improve treatment of singles

Churches must improve treatment of singles or risk losing them, author says

Gina Dalfonzo

It’s high time churches wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to the single adults in their pews - and for the even bigger number of singles who aren’t there.

That’s a message book One by One: Welcoming the Singles in Your Church, is busily and urgently sharing with media outlets, pastors, laypeople and anyone else who will listen.
Gina Dalfonzo, author of the 2017

Just look at the numbers provided in recent surveys, she says. The Pew Research Center found that the number of married Americans is at its lowest point - about 50 percent - since 1920. Meanwhile the Barna Group reported that 23 percent of active churchgoers are single.
Yet, church-going singles consistently report feeling like second-class citizens in their own sanctuaries.

“The question is what are churches going to do about that?” said Dalfonzo, editor of BreakPoint, a project of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Congregations should be paying attention to the fact that demographics are trending away from marriage, and adjust their programs appropriately for the settings, she said. Failure to do so risks sending them out to join the growing ranks of the nones and dones.

Baptist News Global interviewed Dalfonzo about her observations. Here is some of what she had to say.

Did this trend with singles emerge with the rise of the Millennials?

I think it was before that. I am Gen-X myself… I was just noticing a lot of it going on among my generation. There was such a disconnect with marriage and relationships…. For a lot of us, it just wasn’t happening. Not only were we not getting married, we weren’t going on dates.

You write in Christianity Today about evangelical churches struggling with this issue. Are there other groups getting it right?

It’s hard for me to say. I went to a non-denominational evangelical church for about 30 years and now am attending an Anglican church. From what I see and what I hear, there are problems all over the denominations. The book and the message seem to be meeting with a pretty good response, which gives me some hope the time is right for this message and people are going to listen to this message.

How big of a problem is loneliness for singles - and how is it expressed?

It’s just a pattern that seems to emerge when you talk to people. I interviewed a number of single people for the book, via questionnaire, about their experiences… and loneliness is one of those factors that emerge. What is unfortunate is that the church is exacerbating that loneness when it should be the one rushing in to fill the gap.

What does it mean to take more seriously the stories of single people?

This is part of human nature. Our tendency, if someone says they are lonely or unhappy or bored, is to rush in and say “I’m just as lonely as you.” I think that’s a large cause of a lot of the trouble. Singles are still a minority point of view in the church, so single people are used to hearing the stories of married people. Married people are not usually used to hearing single people’s stories…. One story came from a single man who said he has often had the experience of families getting together after church and forgetting to invite him along.

Is this what you mean when writing that single people are often ‘outside the system’ at church?

Married people are the mainstream and their experiences shape the teaching, how we see things, who gets to be in leadership, our social activities and all kinds of things. It is centered on families and married people because that is the norm. In my book I cite a New York Times article on why single pastors don’t get hired. It’s just such a foreign thing in the church.

What kind of ministries can address these issues?

I think ministries can help. I think this is something churches can do on a case by case basis. Demographics are different and situations are different. They need to listen to their single people.

How can individuals make a difference?

Of course, listening to the stories is a very big part of it. But it comes down to our theology and our willingness to absorb it and live it out, especially if we really believe everyone is equally made by God and redeemed by Christ regardless of marital status…. We need to revisit and refocus on what we say we believe and be willing to look around and see the single people in the  church and not just look past them…. I do believe single people have a lot to teach married people in the church. We are living counter culturally in the world and the church is always saying we need to do that.

Do you have any evidence that singles are leaving the church over these issues?

I have heard a lot of single people who say they are done or are leaving or have left, but I don’t have a lot of numbers on that. The mere fact that only 23 percent of church goers are single is telling because the rate outside the church is so much higher. Why aren’t we getting more singles in the door?

What can singles do to contribute to a better situation in the church?

It’s not easy but I think we need patience and persistence and to just share what we can every chance we get.

How have your book and its message been received?

I have been really encouraged by the response. People have been saying this really opened their eyes and they are thinking about singles differently now. My favorite response came from a woman who… said she never invited single people over to dinner outside of her family, and that she was going to start doing that. That’s such a positive, practical thing to do.

Have you experienced what it’s like to be single in the church?

I’ve never been married and I guess it was just an idea that came to me and stayed with me over the years because I was hearing people say things about singles in the church that were not really true, that were tactless and thoughtless. And and you think, how can you say that? It’s because they are not seeing us for who we are….

What are some of those stereotypes?

With a single woman they might say she didn’t put herself out there enough - or she up herself out there too much. There are so many things that just leave you feeling like you can’t do anything right. Because you are single you must be selfish or you must be immature. And some pastors will say that marriage is what makes you into a mature Christian, with the implication being that if you’re not married, you’re not mature.




This article was first published at Baptist News

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

VERA BANKSTON-JONES |  FATHER GOD, YOU PUT ME WHERE I NEEDED TO BE FOR MY PPLz AND I THANK YOU! A TRUE BLESSING ALL THE WAY AROUND. YOU ARE

SOO AMAZING!.......SELAH

Angelina Trevino | Please pray for my dad Antonio Jr. Trevino he just got bonded out of jail. It was all a misunderstanding. He was recently baptized and we're Christians. I just feel like the enemy is trying to attack our family. I would really appreciate anyone's prayers. Thank you and God bless.

frances concepcion | I have been admitted in the hospital last night August 9, 2017, cause of my Multiple Soclrosise disease and I pray that God will heal me but I guess I deserve this but it is me killing myself cause of my Immune system that is attacking my nerves in my brain and I am getting tired, my family is just getting anoid cause I say I'm sorry, please pray for me that God looks on me and have Mercy on me cause I believe in his Holy Son Jesus Christ....amen

 Precious | Praying for help in my marriage and that God steps in and fights the battles with my enemies

"vijay aggarwal  | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

Archp Dr Marina R Mendez | Please pray for a divine healing from chronic headaches (migraine) and chronic acid reflux (Gerds) Thanks and God bless you

Our Conversation

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 15 (KJV)

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Scripture Meaning

Verses
1: A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words.
(2). He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.
(3). Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners.
(4). A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.
(5). If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin.
(6). The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing.
(7). We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good.
(8,9). The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased.
(10). He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.
(11). There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts.
(12). A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart.
(13). A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others.
(14). A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself.
(15). Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling.
(16,17). Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.
(18). He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled.
(19). Those who have no heart to their work, pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state, because always in neglect of some duty.
(20). Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly.
(21). Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy.
(22). If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass. (23). Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions.
(24). A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither.
(25). Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support.
(26). The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart.
(27). The covetous man lets none of his family have rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain often tempts to projects that bring ruin.
(28). A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well.
(29). God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance.
(30). How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ!
(31). Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life.
(32). Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body.
(33). The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.

Scripture Application

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 15. In our text today we see a continuing of practical wisdom. What catches my eye are the many references in controlling our tongue or what we say.

In making application I am reminded of how a ship is controlled by a tiny rudder, we are controlled and directed by our tongue. Our conversation will direct our life just as a rudder directs a ship. How about you? Do you see the power of your conversation? Let us learn from our text today to realize the power of our tongue and then to submit our words as instructed by the Lord.

Surviving an Affair

God can bring blossoms of joy out of the dirt of your despair

On August 12, 1988, my husband, Patrick, confessed he'd committed adultery.

His revelation was as unbelievable as if someone had told me the moon had fallen from the sky. The man who told me he'd lived a secret life of sexual sin seemed so different from the man to whom I'd been married for nine years.

But as the months went by, Pat found the strength to change, and our marriage was slowly, painfully restored. I discovered I needed God's grace as much as Pat did. And I had to choose-with God's help to remember that if God could forgive Pat's wrongs, I could, too. Today, almost 11 years after Pat's confession, thanks to God's love and power, our life together is better than ever before.

As I share my story of hurt and hope, women often reveal the terrible traumas their husbands have gone through infidelity, bankruptcy, depression, rebellion against God. But you can't "fix" your husband; you can only pray for him. When you come to the end of yourself, God will come through.

I've learned that, as a Christian, forgiveness isn't optional. But I don't think we ever forget the pain. Suffering teaches us deep truths about God's grace and love.

A few years ago, Pat surprised me by planting tulip bulbs in our flower beds. For many months-before beautiful tulips bloomed everywhere-all I saw was dirt pelted by rain. That's just like life. Sometimes all we see is the dirt watered by our tears. But God promises to bring back our joy (Isaiah 61:1-3). If you or your husband are hurting right now, trust God to bring blossoms of joy out of the dirt of your despair. He brought joy and laughter back into our lives; he can do it for you, too.




cred-Connie Neal as told to Jane Johnson Struck

The is article first appear on Todays Christian Woman