There’s more!

Happiness is an emotional response. Joy is a state of being.

Happiness springs up from the things we have; joy comes from God who has us.

Happiness is temporary; joy is lasting.

Happiness is unpredictable, but joy is constant as long as we trust in God.

Happiness covers up discouragement, but joy overcomes discouragement.

Happiness is a thermometer that changes based on the environment around us. Joy is a thermostat with which we regulate the effect of the environment around us.

Happiness is good to have, but joy is essential!

May God’s joy be your strength in 2012

Visitors came from Kenya, USA, UK, Canada, Haiti, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Brazil, Columbia, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Iceland, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Singapore, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau! I had no idea!

Posts that got the most views included ‘My Real Employment Contract‘, ‘Sperm Bank Baby‘, ‘Open Letter To Finance Minister‘, ‘Life Stages‘ and ‘When It Doesn’t Make Sense‘

Thanks to all my readers for keeping up with what I had to say!

So… last weekend, a large # of people across the different Mavuno churches committed to take part in a 30-day ‘HatersNoMore’ challenge. For the next 30 days (Nov 21st – Dec 21st), we will commit to positively honor those who God has appointed to be leaders over us… whether national, civic, spiritual, social or at home. We will look for opportunities every day to either pray for, affirm or bless someone in leadership over us.

Some great stories came in yesterday, which was Day #1. On the mavuno blog, Muthoni committed to make amends with her mom, who she hasn’t spoken to in over a year, ‘because i wouldn’t want to be in the same position as a mother of a 19 year old daughter myself’. On my FB wall, Charity confessed she has surprised herself by saying something nice about the Nairobi City Council! On twitter (#HatersNoMore), RookieKe made a call that was overdue by 10 years! It lasted only 1.20min but it was a start. Kevansweli made up with his dad. Mes Teiy committed to ask the local councilor and police how to pray for them. The revolution begins!

If you haven’t yet joined the #HatersNoMore challenge, start today. And please share what activations you come up with and the results if any!

God bless

Dear Lord,
I thank You that You are my provider. I embrace my current position as a kingdom posting.  I will work to extend your influence there until you direct me elsewhere. I renounce fear and complacency and choose to serve You as my employer to the best of my creativity and ability. I declare that my position is secured by You and not by any human being. I will not be intimidated by anyone or compromise my faith to fit in. I declare that my workplace is under God’s influence because I work there. My office will be my altar and place of worship. I declare that all the enemies
who work against me will be opposed by God himself. My priority will be to extend Your influence wherever you place me. May I bring glory and honor to You in all I do. And according to Your promise, I know that I will walk in the plenty of your kingdom prosperity & provision all the days of my life.  AMEN

CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

Entered into between: The Lord God (hereinafter referred to as “the employer”)

Of physical address: Heaven, earth and everywhere else in between

And

……………………………………………………………. (herein after referred to as “the employee”)

1. Commencement
This contract will begin immediately and continue until terminated as set out in clause 4.

2. Place of work
Your kingdom assignment, which shall be revealed to you continually as you faithfully serve in your current posting

3. Job description
Job Title – Kingdom Brand Representative

Duties
a. To stand against injustice
b. To pray for the peace and prosperity of your workplace
c. To ensure that as few of your colleagues end up in hell as possible
d. To do all you can to represent the employer’s brand well and extend His influence
e. Any other duties as may be assigned to you by the employer

4. Termination of employment (Refer to Guidelines Hebrews 13:5)
This contract carries lifelong tenure and is irrevocable.

5. Wages (See Guidelines cited below) The employee shall be entitled to the following allowances/payment in kind:

THUS DONE AND SIGNED AT …………………………………………. ON THIS ………… DAY OF …………………………. 20…

The Lord God

EMPLOYER                                                                                  EMPLOYEE

For a transcript of the entire message, please check here.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Circle the answer that BEST describes you. Only circle one answer per question
2. Please note that this is a self-evaluation quiz. You will not need to share your answers with someone else. So… please keep it real and be as truthful as possible!

Okay… here goes…

1. You’re out shopping for clothes when you spot the perfect outfit. It suits you to a T! Only one problem: It’s way out of your budget. What do you do?
a. Buy it before your conscience says no. Plastic is power!
b. Mutter under your breath about the shop’s outrageous prices and wait for the outfit to go on sale.
c. Buy it, agonize over your purchase all night long, and then take them back the next day.

2. Good news arrived in today’s mail! Your previous employer discovered they had not paid you benefits and bonuses amounting to 1M Ksh and want you to collect it immediately! You:
a. Tithe 10%, invest 10% and then start booking your vacation to that place you’ve always wanted to go.
b. Tithe 10%, buy a nice outfit and invest the whole amount in your retirement investment plan.
c. Tithe 10%, but a nice outfit and use the rest to pay your outstanding bills.

3. When it comes to saving money, you:
a. Can’t do it to save your soul.
b. Have set up a system that works for you.
c. Make (and break) a new savings plan & budget every so often.

4. Money-wise, what would you advise your lady friend to look for in a mate?
a. . A stable income and a conservative investment style.
b. A hot car in his driveway and a lot of shiny plastic in his wallet.
c. A lack of concern for material things.

5. Your worst money problem is your:
a. Lack of financial education.
b. Shopaholic tendencies.
c. Procrastination.

6. Your worst fear about money is:
a. Being awakened by the sound of creditors underneath your bedroom window, baying for blood.
b. Political violence or global instability leading to a stock and real estate market crash that reduces your net worth by 90 percent.
c. Realizing that you are 55 and don’t have enough assets to support your retirement.

7. If asked how much is in your bank account right now, you’d say:
a. “Do you want me to include the outstanding checks not yet posted to the account?”
b. “I’m not sure of the exact balance.”
c. “I hope I didn’t bounce any checks this week.”

8. When you get your bank statement or investment summary, you:
a. Check it over very carefully.
b. Give up trying to figure it out after a few minutes.
c. Toss it in a drawer and assume the company must be right.

9. A quality that you admire in yourself is:
a. Punctuality-you’re always on time.
b. Spirituality-you’re not into the money thing like so many others
c. Vivacity-you’re the life of the party.

10. The major reason you haven’t made us much through investments as you should have by now is:
a. You’re too cautious. You miss out on great investments because you don’t want to take a risk.
b. You spend it. You keep buying things you don’t really need.
c. You’ve been a bit too busy to follow up on investment opportunities.

ANSWER KEY 1. In the chart below, circle the letter (H, A, or S) to which each of your answers corresponds E.g. if your answer was 1c, then circle the letter A in the chart.

1. S H A
2. S H A
3. S H A
4. H S A
5. A S H
6. S H A
7. H S A
8. H A S
9. H A S
10. H S A

2. Then count the number of circles for each type and fill in the blanks next to each type.

H ___ A ___ S ___

If your highest score is 7 or more of a particular letter, then that letter is your predominant money type
Please note that if your highest score is 6,5 or 4, then you are predominantly an A
I’ve discovered that many who are predominantly S will score this test in a way that will tend to disguise their natural tendency

Once you’ve determined which type you are, then check here to learn more about the challenges a person with your money style faces! I’d love to know what you thought of the Sunday message so please be sure to leave your comments here.

(Idea adapted from a similar quiz in the book ‘It’s More Than Money – It’s Your Life: The New Money Club for Women’)

In Southeast Asia many years ago they came up with this ingenious and simple method to catch monkeys alive and unharmed. The hunter takes a pot with a wide bottom and narrow opening and buries it in the ground so that the opening of the pot is just above the ground. In the pot the hunter places pieces of fruit or nuts. The smell of food soon attracts a monkey. The monkey naturally reaches into the narrow opening of the pot to grab hold of the treat. But as it attempts to remove its hand, it finds it is impossible to free its hand so long as it’s holding on to something else. The monkey will stand there screaming, firmly clutching on to the food for hours! Eventually, the hunter returns and throws a net over it. Even as it sees the hunter approaching, the money holds on tightly to the food, unwilling to let go, until it’s too late…

Please note: There is no middle ground. Money is either a tool that will help you serve God and achieve His purpose OR a trap that will destroy you! The most important thing you can do when it comes to money is free your heart! (Matthew 6:24)

So, do you tend to be a hoarder, a spender or an avoider? What are some of the things you have practiced that have helped you free your heart?

So not long after I had done my reading today, I came across this poem on the internet who’s author I couldn’t trace. All I can say is… wow!

WAIT (Author Unknown)

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, “Child, you must wait!”

Wait?, you say, wait!” my indignant reply.
” Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By FAITH I have asked, and am claiming Your Word.”

“My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and You tell me to WAIT?
I’m needing a ‘yes,’ a go-ahead sign,
Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign.”

“And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, as we shall receive.
And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
I’m weary of asking! I need a reply!”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, “You must wait.”
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting…for what?”

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.
All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want — but, you wouldn’t know ME.”

“You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint;
You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there;
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.”

“You’d never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You’d know that I give and I save … (for a start),
But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.”

The flow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.”

“You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’
Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss! if I lost what I’m doing in you!”

“So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That THE GREATEST OF GIFTS IS TO GET TO KNOW ME.
And though oft may My answers seem terribly late,
My wisest of answers is still but to WAIT.”

Not an easy reply. But helpful nonetheless. If you’re going through a tough time of waiting right now, I hope this is encouraging to you. If you’ve struggled with feeling the book of Job like me, I hope this gives you some extra perspective!

God bless and have a great week!

Discussion Question: If you were God, why would you place one of your servants in your current role/position?*

How many of you have watched the movie ‘Amazing Grace?’ It tells the story of a young politician named William Wilberforce. When he became a Christian in 1785 at the age of 25, Wilberforce’s first reaction was to leave politics and join ‘ministry’. He thought, as many other Christians still do today, that ‘spiritual’ affairs are far more important than ‘secular’ affairs. His pastor who was called John Newton (who by the way was the converted slave trader who wrote ‘Amazing Grace’) convinced him that God wanted him to stay in politics. Newton wrote to him, ‘It is hoped and believed that the Lord has raised you up for the good of the nation’. After much prayer and thought, Wilberforce concurred. God was calling to serve Him alright, but as a member of parliament, championing the rights of the oppressed. He wrote later in his journal, ‘My walk is a public one. My business is in the world; and I must mix in the assemblies of men, or quit the post which Providence seems to have assigned me’.

Two years later, already a member of parliament, Wilberforce became found himself attracted to the cause to abolish the slave trade, even though at the time, almost every Englishman thought the practice as vital… and in fact necessary for the survival of the British economy and very few thought there was anything morally wrong or evil about it. As he researched the issue however, Wilberforce became increasingly convicted. In a speech to the House of Commons, he later said, ‘so enormous, so dreadful, so irremedial did the Trade’s wickedness appear, that my own mind was completely made up for the Abolition. Let the consequences be as they would, I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its abolition.’

Wilberforce, the young M.P, had found his calling. He was to spend the next 50 years, practically the rest of his life, working tirelessly to accomplish his goal. He was opposed by powerful corporates and the colonial government, as well as most of the royal family. He was on two occasions waylaid and physically assaulted by his opponents. He retired from parliament in 1825 because of critical illness, but it wasn’t until 1833, 3 days after hearing the news that slavery had been abolished throughout the British Empire that William Wilberforce died. His incredible contribution has been referred to by historians as ‘one of the turning events in the history of the world’.

I wonder what would have been if Wilberforce had become a pastor? Perhaps he would have still been influential; but it is questionable whether he would have accomplished what he did.  His story reveals one myth that many of us have believed about calling.

THE MYTH OF ‘FULL-TIME MINISTRY’

This myth is based on the belief that the ‘spiritual’ aspects of life is of more interest to God than the ‘secular’, and that following God’s call means leaving the ‘secular’ realm and working in a ‘spiritual’ setting. One problem with this view is it results in a 2-tier Christianity: the experts, the elite (those with a ‘higher calling’, people in ‘ministry’), and everyone else, for whom the expectations are low except that they support the work of those in ministry. And of course, this distinction is not biblical. Look at someone like Abraham: What was his profession? A rancher, perhaps businessman. Certainly not a pastor or priest! Go through the bible and you will find that a large proportion of people it talks about are people who were not religious professionals of one type or another. God calls people like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah, Mary & Joseph, Priscilla & Aquila. These are ordinary people who live out their calling in various professions; national leaders, civil servants, business people, craftsmen, mothers.

Martin Luther, the great reformer, in addressing this myth, once wrote, ‘the works of monks and priests do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone… indeed the menial housework of a manservant or maidservant is often more acceptable to God than all the fastings and other works of a monk or priest, because the monk or priest lacks faith’. The biblical truth is that Christ is not just interested in being Lord of the spiritual realm, but of all creation and over every realm of life.

I believe that God is calling the church of our generation to not just tolerate and accept business, but be actively involved in the business world. I believe that God is not just the God of the church but He’s also the God of the marketplace.

A second myth that we sometimes have believed about calling is

THE MYTH THAT CALLING = CAREER

If the first myth elevates the ‘spiritual’ above the ‘secular’, then this does the opposite. Work in and of itself, is seen as sacred, and so long as one is doing their work well, becoming the best at what they do and developing in their career, then they are seen as being faithful to their calling. Popular phrases her include, ‘be all you can be’, ‘follow your dream’ or ‘just do it’ The focus here is living up to your potential, being yourself, serving as productively as possible, and becoming the best at what you do.

At least this view helps us recognize that every Christian has a calling. The problem with this view is that ultimately, it too is unbiblical.  The bible teaches that God has a specific purpose for the gifts he has created us with, Eph.2:10 – ‘We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ You cannot follow a call without listening to what the Caller wants. To simply advance in your career, without seeking to engage in discovering God’s purpose, is to misunderstand calling. Os Guinness, a writer & philosopher says, ‘The truth is not that God is finding us a place for our gifts but that God has created us and our gifts for a place of his choosing – and we will only be ourselves when we are finally there.’

If these are common myths about calling, what can we learn about each Christian’s call? Here are 3 Truths about the mind & heart of God for your career…

1.      GOD CREATED EVERYTHING

Gen.1:1, Jn.1:3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. (Understands the stock exchange, business strategy, HR issues, the economic recession – whatever challenges I face doing business in this environment)

2.      GOD OWNS EVERYTHING

He didn’t just create it & move on but has retained ownership over everything he has created and continues to be actively involved in it

Psa.50:10-12 Every animal in the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills… for the world is mine & all that is in it.

Psa.24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Society says ‘What I posses, is mine’; God’s word says, ‘What I possess, God owns completely’

Lk.12:13-21 – story of the rich fool… in the world’s perspective would be re-named the story of the astute investor!

3.      WE ARE MANAGERS (OR TRUSTEES) ON HIS BEHALF

Psa.8:6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands and place everything under his feet…

1 Cor.4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

The primary purpose of your career is to serve God’s kingdom! Our business decisions are spiritual decisions! As trustees, each one of us will stand before God and answer the question, what did you do with the career/business I entrusted to you? Here’s what I’m saying…

Your career is a Kingdom Resource to help you fulfill God’s purpose.

Discuss: How different would my career look if I believed that God really owned it?

Too many Christians drift through life pursuing their opportunities and planning to one day serve God when they achieve what they want. They miss out on the awesome privilege of being God’s partners to transform the marketplace. They waste their lives

Let me end with a story I’ve shared at Mavuno, modified from a book called ‘Anointed for Business’ by Ed Silvoso (highly recommended). In a prisoner-of-war camp there are five types of prisoners…

1. Submitted – Prisoners who believe that the war is lost and they had better learn to compromise and to live with the enemy. They thus work hard to gain their captor’s favor (perhaps even informing on other prisoners) and to fit in as best as they can.
2. Resigned – Prisoners who also believe that the war will never be won and yet feel strongly that they had been fighting for the right side and could never compromise with the enemy. They have resigned themselves to live the best possible lives while looking forward to dying with dignity.
3. Activists – Prisoners who believe that even though the war is lost, they can do something to improve their conditions and those of their fellow prisoners. To that effect organize themselves and provide comfort and assistance to each other, especially to those who are distressed the most. They lobby for longer exercise times and larger quantities of bread and cleaner toilets. They don’t always get everything they want but sometimes they do.
4. Insurgents – Those who believe they can and should take over the camp. Always whispering in corners, they organize and train themselves, secure weapons and eventually liberate fellow prisoners. As soon as they are in control, they fortify the camp to prevent their former captors from coming back, and they wait for the war to be won and their army to liberate them from the surrounding enemy so they can go home.
5. Agents – The most dangerous group – They don’t think of themselves as prisoners but as undercover agents – they don’t just plan to take over the camp; they want to train their fellow prisoners to be an army that takes over all the other enemy camps, setting other prisoners free and to win the war from behind the enemy lines.

In the same way, when it comes to business and the workplace, there are five types of Christians…

1. Submitted – Christians who don’t believe the gospel has any relevance for their workplace and feel intimidated by their non-Christian colleagues – they thus try to fit in and act completely similar to those whom they work with – you wouldn’t notice anything different about them when they’re at work.
2. Resigned – Christians who have no hope that the workplace can be changed for better, but are determined to hold on and to do the best they can in a bad. Survival is their objective and church is a place of maintenance from the wear and tear of the week. They probably attend morning and lunchtime devotions as well to keep themselves going. They look forward to faithfully holding on until Christ returns and rescues them.
3. Activists – Those who believe that even though the world will always remain evil, some basic elements of the marketplace can be changed, and so they speak out against unfairness and discrimination, and lobby their employers to try and get the best possible conditions for themselves and fellow-workers.
4. Insurgents – Those who believe they should work to establish God’s kingdom in their workplace so that things can be run according to godly principles. They work hard to establish Christian offices or businesses which are an outpost of heaven on Earth
5. Agents – The crazy ones who believe that it is their job to change not just the business they work in but their whole industry and indeed the business environment of the whole city to God’s glory. They’re not waiting for heaven to come but they’re actively bringing heaven’s values into their world. They’re not just thinking of themselves but want to raise up/mentor other Christ followers. They are committed to the total transformation of the marketplace and see themselves on an undercover mission to change the way business is done.

Which kind of Christian are you??? My prayer is that every one of you will desire to be an agent, used by God to advance His kingdom agenda in your industry.

Next time I come (Wed 17th), I would like to talk about how to begin the very important process of discerning God’s purpose in your career. But for now, allow me to lead in a prayer of confession.

PRAY: Lord, if I could be truly honest, I have not approached my career as a resource fully submitted to your service but rather as something for me. Please forgive me. I choose from this day to begin to seek You that You may show me how to be a kingdom professional. In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN

*Possible Answers: 1. Give to ministry, 2. Impact the marketplace (model kingdom values e.g. integrity etc), 3. Give leadership/wisdom to church, 4. Create employment, 5. Create solutions for people, 6. Impact culture (set different standards/values e.g. compassion)

I typically am pretty adventurous with food and had a great time sampling different foods in China. But even I have limits! Here are some of the foods I opted to pass on

scorpions

assorted beetles

random crustaceans

silkworm pupae

starfish

sea urchins

centipedes