Count your blessings
A story is told of a guy who died and went to heaven. He was in such awe of the sights and sounds as he was welcomed into eternal glory by Jesus christ, the lord. In wonder he bowed down and worshiped him. Soon after, jesus decided to give him a tour of the city of glory.

As they walked, jesus pointed out different mansions for different people. Some were huge others were extremely brilliant. The roads were paved with gold. There was no need for streetlights because the brilliance of god's glory brought light (he is the light of the world). It was great. This entire time the guy wanted to see his reward, his mansion-that thing the christ had been preparing for him. Turning off gold highway, they moved onto diamond road, a quick turn on to carnelian close and there at the end of jasper court, was his mansion. Jesus told him, “well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into eternal rest”. It was those moments where you know in heaven you're not supposed to cry, but he was overwhelmed. Wow!

Shortly after that, christ asked him to take him to a different building. “sure he said”. Anticipating even more stuff. Sure enough it was as he expected, it was a large warehouse full of gift wrapped boxes, in the hundreds of thousands, as far as the eyes could see and on top of the boxes were names of different individuals. Then at one corner, he saw his name and underneath was several hundred boxes. He asked what they were. Jesus replied, “all these were blessings you did not claim while you were living on earth”. He remembered ephesians 3:20 “now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”.  It was at that point that he thought to himself, what a waste. Here in heaven i have it all, but down there i did not claim these when i really needed them.

December 31st 2007 was a day i looked forward to. In light of the national crisis we were experiencing, not much happened that night, unlike the year before when we were on the ngong rd, site with thousands of young people praising god and watching fireworks. This time, my wife and i crossed into 2008 on a very low key. One thing i am glad is that i made it through 2007 and for that i am grateful-i was able to see 2008.

It is my hope that the situations around you don't cloud the amazing things god has done and continues to do for each one of you. There are many blessing that we can be grateful for in 2008. Why don't you take a moment and thank god for them and claim those ahead of you in 2008. Don't wait to get to eternal glory when you will have it all. 2 peter 1:3 sums it us “his divine power has given everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”. I finish with the old Sunday school song:

                                        Count your blessings name them one by one
                                        Count your blessings see what god has done
                                        Count your blessings; name them one by one,
                                       And it will surprise you what the lord has done!

Pastoral Corner: Lorna Irungu has been sick in ICU and was recently moved into the general ward earlier in the week. Please be in prayer for her. Her sister Carol has also been unwell; let us continue to pray with this family during this trying time

Let us give thanks in all situations, even in the current troubled situation in kenya. Praise god that the crisis is being averted. Praise god that calm continues to return in the country. Praise god that in spite of those displaced sleeping out in the cold, god has withheld any rains that would have made the situation worse. And praise god that we continue to see signs of white smoke.

Relief efforts continue to go on around the country. Thank god for the continued generosity of many kenyans; pray that we will continue to be generous with food and clothes and shelter for those that are suffering. Pray for red cross relief workers and churches that are volunteering.

Nairobi chapel is involved in relief efforts with karura chapel at their tent. Over 150 people are camped there this week. We are also working with pastors in kibera as we seek to provide relief for those displaced. Pray for this on going work.

Many people in the country are hurting and traumatized, especially the women and children as a result of the chaos. Many have lost means of livelihood following the needless destruction of life and property. Pray for a restoration of hope and healing: that kenyans would together smile again, that our children would again freely play and that we would without fear and anxiety go to sleep knowing that we are a united peaceful country. Pray that life for all of us would get back to normal. 

Pray for government efforts to restore normalcy. Pray for encouragement. Pray particularly against the spirit of violence.  Pray that the holy spirit would convict those that are destroying life and property to stop.
 
Pray for our leaders, whatever side of political divide they may be in. Pray for sanity: that they would recognize their duty to protect life and property in this done and remains a god of justice. Pray that his will fcountry. Pray that they would put kenya before their ambitions.

In spite of all the pain and hurt inflicted on the country, god is still on his throne. He sees the injustices or kenya would be evident to all of us. Pray that his purpose in all this would also be revealed.

Finally, the fight for this country is not against flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against powers of darkness that would want to take over the destiny of this nation. The best weapon of warfare for every believer is prayer. Pray then without ceasing that those powers will be defeated and that god would preside over the affairs of kenya. And still when you have nothing else to give to the country, pray!

Social justice:
Nairobi chapel is hosting a lot of internally displaced persons. Many of these have lost property and some their loved ones. We are asking chapelites to directly engage with them as we all seek to be a part of the solution to the crisis that is in the country.

We need  a volunteer administrator to help run a shelter that has been set up in karen off langata road to host some of the displaced people for a month or so. Please sign up at the information desk after the service (leaving your contacts) if you would be willing to help in this regard and we will contact you. We also need lots of volunteers to come help with the different needs at the shelter. Please set aside a day or two to spend with these people.

Adopt a family: do you have room in your home or do you know of a person that does? Many of the internally displaced people do not have families in nairobi and are waiting to reunite with their relatives in different parts of the country.  We are requesting people to extend a hand of kindness by opening up their homes to host a family or two as they continue to search for their relatives.    

Cross roads/ropes: cross roads classes start on the 2nd feb 2008. The first parents meeting will be on the 9th feb 2008 at the church grounds. Parents please register at the information desk. Those with a passion to teach this age group are also asked to sign up.  For any enquiries please call anne mburu. Tel:  0202144473/ 0725417073

Donate dry foodstuff: the needy amongst us have increased following the political crisis that has hit the country. Many of these are in need of food and clothes. Help us engage with them by donating cash, air time, dry foods (ugali flour, rice, ndengu, beans etc), bar soap, sanitary towels, diapers, sugar, cooking oil, mattresses, blankets, utensils etc. Drop these at the church compound in the week and we will make them available to those that are in need.  

Sign ups: we thank those who signed up last week to help in response to the needs. However, if you did not sign up and would still like to, there are more forms at the back outlining the different ways that you can engage. Pick and fill up a form at the information table and we will contact you.