EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP & MISSIONS (EDM)

Everybody here lies. There is the culture of selfishness. The prevailing culture is outsmarting the other guy to get a better vantage point. Rudh has struggled lately, since she got this contract. What was the source of envy for her friends and colleagues and from everyone has turned into a nightmare. Many times she has regretted ever getting the contract in the first place. That her friends lied about being happy for her is not strange, everyone does that. What was strange was their daring effort to sabotage her. The plant false stories, spread false rumours and keep valuable info from her that could make her job and life easier. There are no reliable friends here. What everyone accepts is, there are no permanent friends but permanent interests. Get what you knew at all cost, trample on anyone, step on any toe, backstab anyone standing on your way, fall and get up, whatever you do, get your plans done or end up trying. The cloud of mistrust, of self-centeredness, of p...

In my previous post where the foundation for both posts was laid we established the fact that God wants Christians to live healthy spiritual lives which reflect on our been productive in the kingdom of God. I wrote, "There is a big correlation between a healthy spiritual life and productivity just like there is between a grape vine and the grape's she produces. How do you know as a Christian that you are making progress or growing? It is by the fruit you produce. Healthy spiritual growth makes us fruit-bearing Christians. Jesus passionately explained to his disciples in John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." No tree can bear quality fruits without being healthy. There the spiritual well-being of believers determines if they will reproduce at all. We realized that the Word of God is the nourish...

There is a big correlation between a healthy spiritual life and productivity just like there is between a grape vine and the grape's she produces. How do you know as a Christian that you are making progress or growing? It is by the fruit you produce.  Healthy spiritual growth makes us fruit-bearing Christians. Jesus passionately explained to his disciples in John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." When Adam disobeyed God and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, he was disconnected from God. When Jesus died, he provided us path back to re-connection. The re-connection happens when we accept Christ in our hearts.  Everyone who genuinely receives Christ is reconnected to God. Jesus explained here using the vine. He is the vine, our re-connection to Him makes us the branches.  Isn't it sweet ne...

Walking home from the office on Tuesday, I was caught by a news item on the BBC Newshour 20h edition. Robot priest unveiled in Germany.  As the news anchor tried frantically to point out the strangeness of the idea, the spokesperson for the church was all excited and self-feliciting for the "pioneer" work they are proud to have achieved.  I was like, What? What are you talking about?  Ironically, this work was made to commemorate the 500th anniversary life and work of Marthin Lurther. How ronical! It is stunning that God who would not even allow angels preach, such a lofty calling reserved only for Jesus' disciples now gradually transferred to robots!  The Mirror published online under the theme: "Robot 'preacher' can beam light from its hands and give automated blessings to worshippers." The mirror further explained, "Five hundred years after Luther published the Ninety-five Theses in Wittenberg, kicking off the Reformation, an...

"Its a girl!" The midwife said glowing. I smiled but have been wishing the scanner was wrong. I wanted a boy. Well, I admit I was selfsih but it was my preferred choice. I wanted my first baby to be a boy, a replica of his father. So that anytime Derrick was on one of those long work journeys, he will still be at home in his baby. And secretly, I didn't want a girl to come first, and share my husband's love. Its mine! When she grows, she'll find hers. Woman's vanity, jealousy! So all through my 36 weeks of pregnancy, I kept talking to my boy in the womb. Derrick said she will be named Pauline and I quickly masculinized it, its a Paul. Every morning before going to work, he pulls up my dress, kneels down and kisses my heavily protruded tummy, "Good morning Pauline!" I never miss the opportunity to correct them both, "It is a Paul, I'm carrying a boy!" Derrick walks through the door laughing. As if he has forgotten. But how d...

I looked forward to this evening, since the appointment was made. I have known Konga for three years now. He has a difficult appearance and dread in the estate by some but supposedly unfriendly. And kept a small circle of hardcore friends that look alike, tattoos, earrings and intimidating muscles. I didn't know what he makes of me, a missionary. We have had just a few cordial greetings nothing much. But day and night I have desired to share the gospel with every single soul in this estate. After three years of seeing someone five days of the week makes starting a simple conversation less suspicious. I walked up to him a week earlier, on a Tuesday morning, smiled and tried a short chat. I didn't intend to blast off with a holier-than-thou repent-or-you-perish evangelistic jargons. I just wanted simple spark of friendly communication, and that I got. And much more! I got a smile, an invitation inside, more importantly an appointment to share the good news of salvati...

The Republic of Guinea, with its capital Conakry in West Africa has 96% of its population as Muslims while a mere 2% are Christians. Even then, there is freedom of religion and Christians can hold meetings, evangelize and baptize freely without fear of persecution. The Republic of Chad, the nation of Niger are equally Islam dominated countries yet have a very high level of freedom of worship. Missionaries and believers could take advantage and preach the gospel while it is still permissive. Years ago a brother from Nigeria, a businessman that I know had some business deals in far away Mali. And since he was staying a couple of weeks, he decided to share his faith. It was effective. Within weeks he was able to leave behind 12 believers. He saw the need because he was conscious of the state of the field. He didn't just go to make money, he went also as God's ambassador in business. The Church today is lagging behind when you compare us to the foresight of Muslims...