'We're made of stardust'

My views have slightly changed since I wrote this post - I will expand on my present views at the end of this post. I have decided to leave my previous musings, as I believe it depicts how our view of the world changes as we mature in the Lord and better understand His Word.

On a recent trip to the Royal Observatory, I was shocked to hear a presentation about stars that said 'Stars are closer to us than we think, we're all made of stardust!' As I looked around the room, I could see proud smiles, I did not understand! To be honest, I found it insulting to hear that I was made up of atoms and molecules that were the remains of a star, that magically combined in some gene pool and through an accident, evolution made me!

Those who were listening to this presentation, seemed so proud to hear that they were made up of star dust, accidentally! What logic does that make? Why is it harder for them to accept the fact that they were made in the image of God, by God? Our society projects theories as facts to those around, thus adulterating the minds of many. What many forget in the course of their lives is that the 'Big Bang Theory' is just a 'theory' and the 'Evolution Theory' is just a 'theory' - no one has enough proof to claim that these theories are 'facts'. There are immense fossil records that disprove the evolution theory - if you are interested, research the 'Cambrian Explosion' - this is where the fossils of many different complex creatures were found with NO connection to any other organism! Moreover, the Big Bang itself is an incomplete theory! Those who choose to believe these don't do it for the facts (if they did, they would know that these theories are just non-provable myths for grown-ups), they do it because they do not want to accept the fact that God exists. The existence of these theories, explains very little but raises many questions, that is not the same with Creation...
Creation explains everything, logically, and no evidence has ever been found to oppose it - this fact, is ignored blindly by our society. It is easier and a lot more logical, to believe that 'in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth'!

Ecclesiastes 1:10 'Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.' - God created us and every other organism on earth. Things don't magically evolve into new organisms, everything we see now already existed. There will obviously be visual links between organisms, that does not mean they evolved from one another, it merely exhibits the fact that God is a splendid Creator, He wanted all organisms to fit in somehow and thus have a basic similarity e.g. 2 eyes, 1 nose .etc.

If you're still not convinced, may I take this opportunity to encourage you to read the Bible, read Genesis and see how much logic that makes and compare it to these incomplete theories. Remember, the DNA of a crocodile is closer to that of a chicken than ANY OTHER organism on earth - Lets see how the 'theory' of evolution explains this fact!

I am not going to attempt debating evolution, creation and intelligent design in this post. Although I was once staunchly anti-evolution, I have come to see how the Genesis account beautifully complements the theory of evolution by natural selection, and the evidence in fossil record. Of course God created the world, but how He chose to do so and bring each creature into existence is something we will only find out when we meet Him. Who are we to say He could not have used evolution to bring about such order!

'Sermon on the bounce' - METRO

The above article from the METRO (released on the 25th of August 2011), really thrilled me! This shows the sheer determination of a Priest in Russia. While the congregation's plan to build a Church building was constantly thwarted by authorities, the Priest's friend decided to help him out with this innovative and eye catching idea!
What I love about this 'Bouncy - Church' is that, it is exactly like a church inside, and it not only provides these people with a place of worship, but also serves as an evangelistic tool. Many will be curious and would want to have a look, and as a result would get the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Wow, hats off, not only for this unique innovation but also the determination found in this community to meet as God's people, no matter what opposition arises!

'Revelations put Billy on Route 666' - METRO

When I read this article on the 25th of August 2011, in the METRO, it shocked me! Billy Connolly and his friend ripped out pages from the book of Revalations to make a roll up cigarette. This is the appalling state to which our society is headed towards. It truly broke my heart to see that very few openly opposed it. Unless our society learns to regard and respect the Bible for what it really is - the Word of God - we will not see a true and massive change.
Why don't Christians, like other religious communities, unite their voices to speak out against such things? God has given us all a voice, a voice to stand up for what is right, let us use that voice before it is too late to make a difference... What this pair above did, was totally wrong, so lets show our disapproval for such actions in the future; even if we don't literally 'speak-out' let us at least pray that similar men would know their mistake and repent and above all be led to Salvation.

Does Prayer Really Work?

By God's grace my exam results were in and He did not let me down. Although I was expecting more and was even upset with Him slightly to begin with, He taught to trust Him and His ways - He knows what is best for me. As I reflected on the 2 years of my GCSEs, I could see God's miracle working, grace filled hand continuously working - even the grades that He gave me now, were ones I totally did not deserve!
Before every exam and during an examination, I have a conversation with God - I pray! Many have asked if it really helps or if its all just to soothe myself, but, let me tell you, it really does work - prayer on its own has no power, it works because we are talking or crying out to the one, true, living God. He not only hears but listens, He not only listens but He answers. We've got to have faith in Him, trust Him, submit our situations into His hands, expect Him to work without having preconceptions on how He'll work and above all, never doubt Him! Isn't this what Jesus said:

'You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it' 

'Ask and it shall be given to you' 

'If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you'

Let me take this opportunity to encourage you to never give up on praying. Here are two major events that blew my mind and that I pray God uses to strengthen your prayer life and relationship with Him...

In January 2010, I took my first Chemistry GCSE exam which was 45minutes long. I was seated at the end of the, then cold, exam hall. As I peered to the board at the front to see how long I had, I by mistake, read the time for a different set - I checked the clock and assumed I had 20minutes left instead of 5! I rushed onto the last question of the exam - this question was worth a lot of marks - I took a couple of minutes to read and understand the question, and when my pen touched the paper, the invigilator screamed, "TIME'S UP! PENS DOWN!' I was shocked and terrified, I checked the board and the clock again and realized my blunder - I had NO TIME to even write a sentence answering the last question. I closed the paper and said a prayer which I believed with all my heart, asking God to miraculously write an answer in for that question. Days passed, but I trusted Him, when I got my results, to many's surprise I scored full marks - although they award full marks even if you had made a few mistakes - it was a miracle, I knew I had made many blunders throughout the exam paper and there was no way I would've got that result by completely missing the final question too. I praise God and may all glory be to Him!

The second instance that blew my mind, was during a Maths entrance-exam for a school. For an Indices Question, I had to find the value of the unknown indices which would work for two different situations(I don't think what I have just writtem makes sense but its very hard to describe a Maths question). I had NO IDEA about how to find these 'unknown values'. While I was on the verge of letting my anxiety get to me, I took a minute and prayed, asking God to show me two numbers on my calculator after I type in, a weird, made-up calculation, I trusted Him! I typed in this calculation and got the numbers 2 and 3. Without doubting, I wrote those answers down as the value for each of the two indices. About 5minutes later, I was tempted to check the given equation with these values to check if I got the answers they had shown - to my surprise and God's glory, they were correct and the equation worked perfectly! My friends couldn't believe it, neither could I, but isn't God famous for working in ways that we cannot imagine? Although some said that it was a 'coincidence', what are the chances of typing a crazy calculation, which had nothing to do with the equation given, and coincidentally getting two numbers that answered the question perfectly, all after praying? I am sure that everyone would agree that the probability of that scenario happening is very very low!

Thus, never underestimate what God can do. He wants to be a part of our lives daily, that is the message I constantly learn from Paul Miller's book, 'A Praying Life'! In all we do, let us seek His guidance, rely on Him, trust Him and above all expect something great from Him - but never have preconceptions on what that 'great thing' is going to be, because God will certainly work in His way and therefore break our preconceptions - if that happens, we miss the sight and awe of His glorious hand working in our lives. What ever you do, always remember to pray - wherever, whenever, whatever, however - Prayer Works!

When Death...

When death shrivels my body
and breath and heart beat stop,
my soul will awaken
and fly to a land far above.

The path will reach beyond the skies,
even beyond our Milky Way,
with the Sun hardly visible
and earth no where in sight.
The path will be lit by the stars,
with trumpets and harps making music,
the distant 'Hallelujah' will resound
from angels and saints long gone.

I will see patches of gold dust,
an indication that 'Home' is nigh.
Finally will I stand awestruck
before the pearly gates.
As perfection surrounds my soul
I will know all that I believed,
in God, my Savior and my Lord
and in the whole of eternity.

I will stand humbled
at the profound purity before me,
something I could never achieve completely
in that earth far, far away.
What makes me worthy
of such a gift as this.
Thus, my soul hesitantly waits,
reluctant to even make a move.

Then I'll see Him running
with arms stretched wide
love blanketing His beautiful eyes
and wisdom glowing in His smile.
He'll carry me into the pearly gates
where a banquet lies await,
a loud cheer and trumpet blasts
will welcome such a soul as mine.

Only by His grace will I attain
such a gift as precious as this
His life ransomed for one,
someone, as lowly as me.
In Him will I be worthy,
in Him I am renewed
penalty paid and perfection acquired
reflecting my holy Lord.

Now, I'll strive and eagerly wait
till the day death will take its toll,
as it is the day I will be 'Home'
to my precious Savior and Lord

London Riots - What can we learn?

A topic that has always interested me is the Omniscience of God. I used to wonder that, if God knew what would happen in the future, and if what would happen was really bad, why didn't He stop it? I feel that many would have these questions, and especially with all these London Riots and the damage they have caused to many lives, it is important we address it.

Psalm 139:16 says, Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. This verse clearly depicts the omniscient nature of God; He knows what has happened and He knows what the future holds. He knew that these London Riots would take place even before anyone had planned it. Then why did He let it happen?

God treats us as individuals, He has given us 'free-will' - He is our Father, we are His children, not robots, and we are responsible for every action we choose to take. We can choose what to do and how we want to act - we can choose to act in a mature way or in a very rowdy and violent manner. God wants to be a part of our lives everyday, He wants to be part of our decisions and each and every one of our actions, however, He is a gentleman - He does not force Himself or intrude. Revelation 3:20 says, Here I am! I stand at the door at knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. This is where constant prayer comes in, we need to let God be the center of our lives and evaluate every action before we do it, to see if its pleasing in God's eyes. Our world and our human race is 'fallen', therefore, sinful nature is in our blood, to overcome this strong force, we need God.

The Bible says that 'the fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom'. What 'wisdom' is this referring to? Righteous Discernment. If our society and all these youngsters feared God, they would submit to His will being done, they would think before they act, they would care not only for public property but for all the lives they've been damaging. God allows certain things to happen for societies and people to learn a lesson, to bring about a greater purpose for His glory. We can't question Him, we've got to trust Him.

As history has time and again shown, violence is not the answer to anything. God hates violence; He is a God of love. He is also a God of justice. Like the Psalmist says, 'I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.'. 'Free-will' means that there are consequences for every action we take, God is not just going to watch His children suffer, those who trust in Him and cry out to Him will be heard.

David Cameron said, "When we see children as young as 13 looting and laughing, when we see the disgusting sight of an injured young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things that are badly wrong in our society" - Yes, I agree, there are things that are wrong but what can we learn and now do about them?

- Develop the 'Fear of God' in our society
- Encourage patriotism in schools, homes and society itself
- Discipline children from an early age in homes and schools; remember 'Spare the rod and spoil the child'
- Give police more support, freedom and power, so that they are respected
- Re-think some laws that really exist to spoil the society and will lead to further detriment
- Get involved with near-by communities to help clean up - London Riot Clean Up
- Share the message of hope and love by sharing God's love and support to those afflicted
- Share the message of God's saving grace to those involved

There are plenty more ways we can get involved with, whatever we do, let us not be aloof! As Christians we have a duty towards our communities, and as our church secretary, Chola Mukanga, preached this Sunday from Obadiah on violence - 'God wants us to look at our responsibility not the size of the problem'