In my life time, I have embarked on three different journeys, and planned for 5 graduations! Wow!

Encouraged by my parents amidst dire poverty, I embarked on an academic journey that took me to 3 primary schools, 4 high/secondary schools and 2 universities.

In this journey, I pleaded with the man of Galilee to help me attain the highest education possible, and yet remain as meek as Moses; Yea, more than Moses, the man of Galilee Himself!

Indeed, the good Lord heard my plea. I have since taken part in three graduations! I am not done with my request in that I am still working on becoming more like the man of Galilee-my Savior and Lord.

In December 1980, I embarked on another school. I joined the university of marriage. So that you may know, I applied for 13 entries but all were turned down. When I was about to give up, a woman called Rachel, accepted my request. Rachel and I have been in this university for 28 years! Hallelujah! Every time I think that I am making progress, I find myself back to square A. I am made to understand that in this university, there is no graduation! That being the case, I will continue studying and taking notes.

The last journey and perhaps the most important one took place somewhere in between the first one and the second one. I joined the university of Jesus. Of all my instructors, the man of Galilee, has been the principal per excellence. I have learned a lot under His feet. Every time I have been tempted to drop, and believe when I say that those moments have been many, He has encouraged me to journey on. Thank God!

Yes, Indeed, many are the times that like Moses, I have been tempted to strike the rock twice, but His grace has been sufficient.

And with His daily encouragement, I will journey on until I see Him face to face.

How has been your journey?

Just a thought!

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 07:56:21 -0800 [03/01/2009 09:56:21 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Determined to journey on!

I am sure that at one time or the other, you have wanted to know from your wife/husband, children, parents, friends, colleagues, community, fellow church goers, church members, employer, employees and many others what they think of you or the work that you do.

Their sentiments including positive criticism, helps you to grow as
a person or contributes in making you a better person. Do you think that this is seeking self glorification? By no means? If anything, we were born with a need to be appreciated!

That is why we have evaluations and opinion polls!

If you can recall, when the man of Galilee-Jesus Christ of Nazareth-Our Savior, friend, and elder brother, was on earth, he at one time desired to know what people thought of Him. Note how he paused the question:

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the son of man am?….He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (Mathew 16:13-15.)

I love Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Despite the many challenges that I have ever faced, He has always been there for me. He means everything to me.

I truly love His children and love to share the good news! Although my life is ever busy with two full time jobs-pastoral and cashiering, I still can find time to send His word out.

Among those who read my thoughts are:

-Family members
-Friends
-My church members
-And many Internet friends that I haven’t met yet

What I know is that I post a lot of thoughts ! What I have no idea, is how many read them.

From time to time, some of you drop a word of appreciation. Know that your comments are always appreciated.

But today, I would like to hear from all those who have had a chance to read my postings. Of all the articles that you have read, which one/ones blessed you most.

I have decided to declare a truce until the beginning of March so as to give you a chance to write to me. So for the next two weeks, I will cease to send anything. I’ll resume starting March, 2009!

I will be happy to hear from you. Will you spend a few minutes to get back to me?

Have a blessed two weeks.

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:49:57 -0800 [09:49:57 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Ever been blessed with my thoughts/writings?

I can’t believe how fast my attitude changed! As a matter of fact, it encouraged me to go an extra mile in all that I do! What Am I talking about?

You see, my cashier job was beginning to get into my nerves.
As a minister, I need more time to do that which the Lord has called me to do! The only reason why I took up this job was to assist my needy mum, siblings, and my orphan nephews and nieces back in Kenya.

But the schedule is something else. It differs from one week to another. Anywhere from 6:00 AM-11:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday, and 6:00 AM-4:00 PM on Fridays. As though that was not enough, the last couple weeks, they have been assigning me register three, one of the lanes that no one wants.

As you can imagine, I was beginning to read too much into the whole saga, when the manager’s words changed all that. As if they read my mind, the manager called me to his office yesterday and said things that really humbled me. “I called you so as to tell you how much we appreciate you and your willingness to work flexible schedule and work at any lane without complaining. We are happy and proud to have you as one of us!”

All I did was to nod my head in appreciation, although deep inside heart, I was truly humbled. I even felt bad that I had started reading too much into stuff that did not exist.

While driving home from work, I found myself thinking of many people who become overly offended because either they do not have a clear picture of the situation,or fail to see the reasons behind the whole thing. And others also fail to see any benefits, if any, that will come with such. Some examples will suffice:

-This last December, I celebrated 28 years of marriage. Although I am good at making Mandazi-bread- and soup, I normally don’t like to cook. Why? Because I love my wife’s cooking. Besides my mother, I know very few women who can cook as good as my wife. I have therefore told my dear wife that the reason why I want her to cook is not because of the man thing but because I love her food.

-I love my church members so much that whenever I don’t see them at church on Saturday, I send them an e-mail telling them that I missed them. As you might guess,there are some who started to think that I was monitoring them until I made it clear that mine was based on love and nothing else.

-The only reason why I am concerned about who my children will marry is because I love them and don’t want to see them suffer.

-Although many people don’t like cops/police, their work is extremely important. They want to make sure that all are safe! An understanding of that will change our attitude towards the cops.

How about our God?

It’s important to note that our God more often than not, applies the same principle. How so? Note the following:

-When God wants to get our attention, He sometimes allows certain things to come our way so as to wake us up from our slumber.
-In the story of John, the Baptist, as found in the Gospels, the good Lord allowed him to die in prison, so as to become an encouragement unto many over the ages.
-The apostle Paul writing to the Hebrew believers said this” Because the Lord disciplines those that he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son/daughter.” (Hebrews 12:6.)

So, my dear friend, before you react or throw tantrums,please wait until you have all the facts. Will you?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:35:18 -0800 [09:35:18 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: The explanation changes the picture!

During your pilgrim on earth, I am sure that you have come across someone in the following situation:

-Someone who lost his or her job
-Someone who graduated from school/college/university but has not been able to find a job
-Someone whose home went for closure
-A student who failed a class/a course
-Someone who has tried several times to be admitted into a program but all in vain
-Someone whose car was repossessed
-Someone who has failed to find a life partner
-Someone who either decided or was forced to divorce
-Someone who is always in financial challenges due to his/her lifestyle
-Someone whose driving license was suspended due to drinking and driving
-Someone who is living a lonely life because all forsook him or her because of his or her bad attitude and behavior

There is no question that anyone who finds himself/herself on the above situations needs prayers and encouragement from family, church members, community, or friends. What I find disturbing is when someone lives in a state of denial and starts blaming everybody else including God.
A case in point is about an incident that took place at work today!

After scanning her merchandise, a woman who heretofore had appeared to be a good person, started yelling at me saying that I had overcharged her.”There is no way this little things would be $ 50.00!” she alleged as I stood there condemned! “I don’t trust you at all!” she added! All I did was to print her a receipt of what I had scanned! With a very angry face, she read the receipt as someone studying for the final test! Meanwhile,
I stood there waiting patiently with couple customers waiting as well.

On finding out that everything was OK and that I had not over charged her, she paid and left grumbling!

It’s only fair that people learn to take care of their own problems/frustrations instead dragging others into their challenges. Don’t you think so?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:02:51 -0800 [08:02:51 PM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Stop blaming others please!

To succeed as a cashier, one must:

-Have good customer skills
-Be fast in scanning the merchandise
-Be accurate in receiving and processing payment

But there are times when other factors stand on the way . One such time is when the a message pops up “Item not found!” Any cashier can tell you that such message is but annoying and unwanted. And here is why!

-It will mean that you call the manager on duty thus wasting more time
-It will mean that you send the customer to go back and get another item with UPC-a code that we use in scanning every item. Want you to know that customers don’t like this.

But the greatest frustration is to see other customers leave your lane because tit’s taking too long. For you see from the time it happens to the time it’s solved, it takes a while

In most cases, the customer becomes annoyed and decides not to buy such an item until another day.

If anything, this message has come to remind me of another message in the Bible. Mathew 7:21-23 tells us that time is coming when the Lord of the universe will declare to some of those who thought that their names were recorded in the heavenly books, “I never knew you; depart from me you evil doers!”

Unlike the cashier hitch that is usually solved, the one by the Lord of the universe will be final! And boy! What a rejection that will be!

My appeal to all those of us who are called by his name is this. As we journey on, let us make sure that our names are recorded there? Shall we?

Just a thought.

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 04:50:46 -0800 [06:50:46 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Item not found!

Amidst the confusion that was caused by a loud and dangerous false fire alarm this morning at my apartment complex, my devotion took me to Ezekiel 2o:12. It reads: “Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.”

This passage of scripture spoke to my heart and opened my eyes to see something I had not seen heretofore.

It has been over 10 years now since my dear father was laid to rest at the age of 108 years old. I truly miss him! Of the many things that I fondly recall of my father, two stand out: Here they are:

-Born and brought up in a humble polygamous home, my father worked his way up to become a very successful business man. He owned and operated retail stores, passenger vehicles, water/power mills, and many others! Bless his heart!
-My father allowed the good Lord to use him to bring the Adventist message to our village

Now, whenever I come across those who knew my father, they tell me that I look like my father! Well,you know as I do, that, that’s debatable! What is not debatable though is that like my father, I love cashier work.

Except for the fact that like my father, the good Lord called the unworthy me into pastoral ministry, I would have easily become nothing, but a businessman; a successful one too; I think!

So that you may know and understand, my dear wife, who is a nurse by profession, has never bought the idea of her pastor husband working as a cashier, and I do appreciate her reservations and sentiments. What my wife and others have failed to understand, though, is that cashier work reminds me of my father, that I truly loved and miss so dearly!

In like manner, according to Ezekiel, our heavenly father, loved and cared for His children so much that He gave us His Sabbaths, just to remind us that He is the one who sanctifies us. Hallelujah! Yea, even more, to remind us of the creation week. Thank you Jesus!

That is why during this week, when the world is celebrating Charles Darwin, the father of evolution theory, I am glad that the weekly Sabbath continue to remind me that the world and all therein came from our heavenly father!

How about you? Is there anything that reminds you of your loved ones? How about your heavenly father?

Just wondering!

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 07:04:40 -0800 [09:04:40 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: It reminds me of my loving earthly father!

Even with all the un-fairness that we come across every single day, there are areas where all human beings have an equal opportunity to succeed or do that which is right! Here are some:

-Each one of us has got seven days a week or 24 hours a day to spend as needed
-Each one of us as an equal opportunity to either chose or deny knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Savior
-Each student is free to decide on whether to work hard at school or not
-Each employee knows very well what is required to keep a job, get a raise or promotion
-Each one of us knows what it takes to succeed in life and/or to live peacefully with all people regardless of tribe, education, gender, religion or what have you.

Unfortunately, some get into trouble or fail to succeed due to their refusal to do that which is required! But even more disturbing, is the fact that such people turn around and become angry with people who are trying to do their job or who are trying to follow the rules laid down.
I will cite some examples:

-Students who don’t study hard but become angry with fellow students for performing well
-Employees who are lazy but become angry with fellow employees or managers for failing to get a raise or promotion
-Drivers who fail to follow traffic laws but become angry with the cops when they are stopped for over speeding or failing to stop at the traffic lights
-Customers who go to the store to buy merchandise but become angry with the cashier for asking them for an ID. They even throw the ID at the cashier or even call them names
-People who have chosen to have nothing to do with God but turn around and become angry with God for blessing others while leaving them out
-Parishioners who go to church to be blessed but come out angry with the preacher for preaching a message that touched them
-People who make wrong decisions in their lives and then turn around and become angry with everybody else besides themselves!
-People who have been doings things the same way without better results but become angry with people who examine that which they do daily to see if it has any fruits or not

I can go on and on, but the point is this: Before you become angry with anybody, please stop and ask yourself whether or not you are justified. Furthermore, take time to examine your attitude and reasons behind your failure to succeed like others! Will you?

Blessings.

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:46:33 -0800 [01/29/2009 06:46:33 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Being angry with the wrong person/people!

At my other job are magazines and tabloids that are placed at the front end. Some of them are so negative that I wonder why people buy them, leave alone reading them.

The last several months,some of them have carried negative articles on President Obama and his family!

Today, one of them caught my attention, “What’s Obama hiding from Americans?” As if that headline was not enough, they added, “8 shocking secrets that will tear his presidency apart!

A few minutes later, a customer walked in and pointed my attention to the article. He went on to say that he had read the article and it was nothing but silly stuff!

But the headline spoke to my heart in a different way! Right there,
I found myself doing some hard soul searching questions! Here is what the headline challenged me to focus on.

-Out there are couples who are doing stuff that they are hiding from each other
-Out there are employees who are hiding some stuff from their employers
-Out there are church members who have information that they are hiding from one another and their pastor
-Out there are pastors, including myself, who have information that they are hiding from their church members
-Out there are some leaders/Governments that have information that they are hiding from their people

If some of the hidden information came to light, it will no doubt cause untold havoc.

There are but three who know all that is happening in secret circles.
Here they are:

-The person in question
-Those that he is doing stuff with
-God himself

With time, those in the inner circle will sure tell on you! The only one who will never embarrass or tell on you is the good Lord.

Well, are there things that you are doing that you are not supposed to be doing? The best solution is to repent and follow a different route! Don’t wait until you are caught. Let the past be the past. Chose the right path and follow it! I sure want to go that route! How about you?

Blessings.

Pr Birai

– – –
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:44:44 -0800 [03:44:44 PM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: What’s Obama hidding from Americans!

Those of us who have had an opportunity to go to high school/college/university know that there are chore courses and elective courses!

Whereas each student has freedom to choose any elective, all students for reasons best known to the curriculum designers must take core courses no matter how tough they are!

In like manner, in real life, our greatest teacher-the man from Galilee, Jesus Christ of Nazareth- expects each one of us to enroll for both electives and core courses!

Below, are some topics/subjects that may be taken as electives in our daily interaction with others:

-Politics
-Social life
-Business
-Family issues/matters
-Helping others in finding work or going to college
-Entertainment
-Internet chat/correspondence
-Finding a life partner
-Many others like such

The core subjects, in my opinion, should include the following:

-Study of the word of God
-Witnessing
-Research on the last day events
-What the Bible says about the use of God’s money, marriage, divorce, death,day of rest and about the home of the saints.

What has been of great concern everywhere that I have been is that most people if not all love to take elective courses and spent all their time there at the expense of the core courses. It seems to me that the core courses herein have been ignored days without number!

Wait a minute! Must all take the core courses. Yes! And here is why! We are only strangers in this world. Today, we are, tomorrow we are gone. And therefore in so many words, God expects all of us to take core courses!

Well, I re-enrolled this morning! How about you!

Just a thought.

Pr B

– – –
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:54:10 -0800 [09:54:10 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Borrowing a leaf from academic world!

I am here, sitting in front of my computer, wondering how in the world I got here! You see I used to blame the apostle Peter for the manner in which he denied the Savior of the world by even swearing that he did not know Him! But now, I don’t do it any more! How come!

I have found out that I am worse than Peter, at least as far as swearing is concerned! Many years ago, I had no doubt that I knew myself! If asked, I would have sworn under oath that I knew myself! I now have a different opinion about myself. Here is why!

I have always resisted the notion of stereo type. I thought it to be un fair to use the behavior/actions of one to describe the whole village/people group. But after some twenty years, something has happened that changed my original perspective! Wow!

Since coming to this great nation, I have spent most of my time in these three-school, ministry, and working as a cashier! It’s in cashiering that I finally gave in into stereo type mentality!

For the many years that I have worked as a cashier, a certain group of people-my race- have been so mean to me to say the very least; So mean that some of them have called me all kinds of names that you can think of. This has happened so often to the point that along the way, I started using one for all kind of reasoning. Whenever I saw any of the said group coming through my lane, I almost anticipated the same reaction!

But am I the only one? Have you ever found yourself struggling with this stereo type mentality? How about generalization? Is it fair to use ones irresponsible behavior/actions to apply to all?

Going by what I always hear from my children, I know that I will get over with this! But, I have but one major concern and that is all the negative things that have been said about my God! What have they said! Several things, but I will mention but a few!

-They have denied him credit for creation
-They have denied his existence
-They have denied him Divinity
-They have denied Him ownership
-They have questioned his love and mercy
-Some have blamed him for all the problems in the world

All these plus many more have made others to view my Lord with stereo type mentality! But my Lord is not like that! Here is what He is:

“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:6.)

Will you please remind those who are angry with God that they have a wrong concept of God!

Just a thought.

Pr B

– – –
Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 16:39:57 -0800 [01/08/2009 06:39:57 PM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: My Lord is not like that!

If you ask me, I will tell you that there is no age group that has got an advantage over the others! But that will be in sharp contrast with Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. According to him, the youth should remember/serve their Lord before the evil days!

What are the evil days? Let us start with what we know. There were days when:

-You used to put in so many hours
-You were very good at sports
-You were very active at church
-You used to travel near and far to either preach or attend some programs
-You used to do great things to the surprise of many.

However, with time,all that changed because of:
-Age
-Accident
-Environment
-Family issues
-Hostile political climate
-Discouragement by friends, family members, church members, pastor and….
-sickness

Solomon was therefore inspired to see a time when the climate will not favor the preaching of the word. The ‘evil days,” as he referred to them will come to us at different times of our journey home! If such be the case, then like Solomon, I wish to make this urgent appeal:

– If you have friends, please share with them about the good news of salvation
-If you are an employee/employer, use every opportunity to witness
-If you are a christian, please become active in your mission of growing the kingdom of God
-If you are a pastor, do the best you can to prepare yourself and others for what is coming!

well, in short, let us realize that a time comes when we are unable to do that which we have always done. Let us therefore use every opportunity that we have before “the evil days!” Shall we?

Just a thought.

Pr B

– – –
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 18:12:44 -0800 [01/07/2009 08:12:44 PM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: The evil days!

There is every need to remember certain dates in our journey in life!
A failure to remember them more often than not leads to other problems; serious ones at times! Below are some of the dates and the reason why we should remember each one of them!

1. The day you first joined school-Primary/secondary/college?
-You will appreciate the great sacrifice that was paid by your parents and whoever paid your school fees.
-You will need to be reminded that the good Lord was there all the way!

2.The first day that you started working?
-You will appreciate the struggle you went through by attaining the necessary education/training
-You will appreciate whoever helped you to get the job
-You will realize how luck you were at the time your friends were still tarmacking!
-You will be reminded that the good Lord was behind every move to help you succeed!

3.The day you said “I do,till death alone do us part!”
-You will recall the many sleepless nights as you tried to figure out who it was
-You will recall all the promises that you uttered from your own mouth and the good plans you had then for your family
-You will recall how stubborn you were by not listening to anyone who advised you otherwise!
-You will recall the first time your sweet heart came to your home and how excited you were by introducing her/him to everyone. You even carried some of her/his pictures everywhere
-You will need to be reminded that the good Lord was there through your search and disappointments. In the end, He saw you through

4.The day you migrated to the city/another country!
-You will recall the joy and excitement
-You will appreciate all those who helped you to settle
-You will appreciate every contribution that was made by both family and strangers
-You will be reminded how many hours you spent on your knees pleading with the good Lord to intervene and all the promises that you made to God!
You will be reminded that the good Lord has sure kept all His promises while you have forgotten Him days without number!

5.The day you first believed(For Christ’s disciples)

-Will remind you all the bad things you did before you surrendered
-Will appreciate the gift of forgiveness and the joy of belonging to God’s family
-Will appreciate those who introduced you to the man of Galilee
-Will remind you of your promise to leave this world alone and how you have walked away from all your promises
-Will help you appreciate God’s willingness to continually forgive you!

6. How often you have said no to the gentle invitation by the man of Galilee!
– Will be reminded of how stubborn you have been
-Will remind you of the devil’s hard work to have you remain in his camp
-Will appreciate the prayers of loved ones who would like to see you surrender and lead a better life
-Will remind you that everything else was done to save you but you ignored it all

And finally, you and I need to remember that we are but, “a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away!” James 4:13

Blessed are those who remember all these things! Are you? Am I?

Just a thought!

Pr B
prcanb@yahoo.com
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 01:29:36 -0800 [03:29:36 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Dates that we must always remember!

There are many things that I am still trying to understand, but these three have always puzzled me!

-Why siblings/brothers and sisters fight, hate each other/one another, don’t talk to each other/one another and go about destroying each other/one another!

-Why people who were once very intimate friends and shared many things and good times together slowly but surely turn against each other, start destroying each other and/or share information that was only meant for them during the good times!
-Christians/congregations of different faiths don’t like one another

Today, I will focus on the last point:

-We must understand that we all come from different backgrounds and therefore will never see things the same way
-Some of us are what we are because of our parents,siblings
-Some of us read the scriptures and made a personal decision based on the word to join some church
-Some of us were influenced by some preacher or friends
-All of us believe very strongly that ours is the best and I see no problem with that! How come! Listen! If you don’t believe in something, then you are likely to fall for anything

So, how should one react when, say,
– you ccme a cross someone who believes otherwise?
– you come a cross a book that teaches against your beliefs?
-A friend starting talking about his/her faith thus putting yours down!

There would be many different approaches but allow me to suggest the following:

-You don’t have to feel bad or start cursing, thus loosing the qualities that each child of God should have!
-This will be a golden opportunity for you to share your faith as you understand it. As you do this, begin and proceed with an open mind.
-Make sure that you know what you believe and be always ready to defend it
-It’s not enough to remind others that even so and so who belongs to the club of the rich and famous is a member of your church! That may not qualify as good enough reason!
-Without any doubts, your best defense will be the word of God. “Thus says the word of God,” is more powerful than thus preaches/teaches Pastor Birai or so and so.”

But if you forget anything else, please remember this, “after all is said and done, we are but brothers and sisters!” We serve and love the same God and each one of us is trying to understand and do His will. To this end, let us pray for one another as we seek to understand Him better. Shall we?

Just a thought

Pt B
Prcanb@yahoo.com
www.themaranathasdachurch.org

– – –
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 06:52:31 -0800 [08:52:31 AM CST]
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: We’re but brothers and sisters!