HOW TOGETHER ARE WE?

POOR innocent PIGLET seems in real trouble! A friend sent this photo not long ago. If you are NOT a fan of Pooh Bear, and all the other friends of Christopher Robin you may not be much impressed by it. But my attention was caught, since 'Piglet' is still a friend of mine, and I felt quite devastated to see him stigmatised by so many of HIS friends. Knowing Pooh Bear as well as I do, I somehow feel HE would not have backed away or been satisfied to see his friends back away from one so dear, so innocent and helpless. He would have called Christopher Robin, and together they would have enlisted the help of OWL and left no stone unturned to make sure a case of influenza did not make part of their fraternity out of reach or suddenly undesirable. The photo has the caption 'Swine Flu - a Step too Far?' I have the Pooh Bear characters set up on a table in my Office. PIGLET (Depicted on the left) is still very much together with the rest, and no sign of segregation so far, OR of any one of them going down with the FLU. If you find yourself a bit in the dark you could do worse than look for books by A.A. Milne who wrote 'Winnie the Pooh' / 'The House at Pooh Corner' / 'Now We Are Six'. I still read them again and again - and still laugh!

TO-DAY's Daily Nation reports that KENYA now has 12 (TWELVE) positive cases of Swine Flu! Not many days previously the Minster of Health, Beth Mugo,was insisting we had only ONE case. It is said ALL of these cases are 'imported' and probably are students from the United Kingdom! Quite a few of them are now holed up in Kisumu just about 130 kilometers from

Eldoret! Not to worry, says the Health Minister - its not dangerous - in fact a very MILD form of influenza. Well I think we shall NOT worry whatever the case! Certainly we shall not be foun

d with masks on our faces - even though there is ONE student from the UK staying with us right now. But he looks strong and vigorous and is busy day and night! We will Praise the Lord. And we will stick together like glue - no matter what comes that might seek to separate us. And our old Enemy loves to find ways to separate or divide us from each other doesn't he? BUT we must seek always to be ONE, and undivided; keeping the UNITY of the Spirit at whatever cost. This is part of our SERVICE to God toward each other.

LAST SUNDAY reading in Psalm 143, a Psalm of David, I was struck by verses 7 to 12 in particular. It is really a list of requests from David to the Lord. Verse 12 is in a way the reason why God should answer - FOR I AM THY SERVANT. The question that hit ME, was just HOW MUCH am I His servant? IN much of our Christian Life we tend to look at God as OUR servant. YET the opposite, of course, is the real truth of the matter. Perhaps the measure of how good a servant we might be is in how much of what David was asking God in verses 7 onwards were actually achieved. How good a servant was he? How good a servant are you and I? Fortunately God is long suffering toward us, and very merciful......but!

ON FRIDAY, this week, our Fellowship were studying 1. Thessalonians 2v1-12.

We first noticed in verses 1-2 how single minded Paul, Silvanus and Timothy were in presenting the Gospel Message. Despised and shamefully treated by those who rejected their message, they were not to be deflected, by the fear, hurt or humiliation to which they were exposed. Neither did they dilute the message to please the hearer, but stuck to the Truth without any attempt to win favour for themselves. They were definitely not 'politically correct' and called a spade a spade.

In Verses 3-6 Paul continues to point out that they did not seek to make any material or other advantage for themselves in presenting the Gospel. It was given freely. Indeed rather than take ANYTHING from anyone Paul laboured DAY AND NIGHT making tents to provide for himself at least.

Reminds one of Abraham's determination in not taking even as much as a shoe lace from his benefactor for himself. (Genesis 14v21-24) Watching a video this week also about the life and ministry of the Singer/composer, Kieth Green (no relation of mine) it was interesting to hear that he would not charge admission fees to his Concerts, or even sell his own records. Whatever any wanted or felt led to GIVE gained them entrance to any performance, or possession of any record.

Here is demonstrated PASSIONATE dedication to the SERVICE of Jesus. Paul even says in verse 8 that -

'..We were well pleased to impart to you

not only the gospel of God,

but also our own lives,

because you had become so dear to us.'

Those last words - 'because you had become so dear to us' - are very telling. I sincerely believe, out of my own experience and walk with God, that it is ONLY when we realise the LOVE that God has for others (not just for ourselves) that we also become moved to love in such a way that we also will lay down our lives - all of our own way - for the lost! For myself it was only the realisation of this that energised and enabled me to leave ALL my sin.

Finally we noted that Paul gave the reason for his selfless, passionate and energetic presentation of God's Message as in order that -

you would walk worthy of God,

Who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. - v.12

Paul seeks his own life to be a faithful Role Model and example to all, in the hope that as many as possible might themselves devote their lives to the same purpose - even the service of God as a good and faithful child.

We were CHALLENGED afresh to live together, and in the midst of the world around us, with one mind and aim without seeking advantage for ourselves, but rather in making others rich in what is truly valuable, at whatever cost.

THIS SUNDAY, in the School Hall, there will be a Lunch provided for EVERYONE that is a part of the Community Fellowship (about 250). It is to be provided by the parents of Jesse Kiptoo, the little boy who was badly torn and mauled by some five dogs; he was only three years old. Initially it was thought he had in fact died by the time help reached him. But regaining consciousness, he was rushed to hospital where he has spent many weeks recovering as family, friends, and brethren prayed for him, believing for his total recovery. Today he is running free, laughing and apparently unaffected by the awful experience he went through. Scars are still evident on his scalp, face and arm. Also his left eye is still recovering from severe damage, but he can see, and talk, walk and jump. Amazingly and Wonderfully he demonstrates the Healing power of our God. Even the doctors have evinced their wonder at the speed of his recovery. His parents being themselves filled with Thanksgiving have thought to make a Celebration for all the company of believers here. Blessed by the Name of the Lord our God.

Next week I might make mention of a new movement that is creeping into Kenya. It claims to be Christian, but it has all the hallmarks of a cult - even a heresy! We need to keep awake.

God Bless you all, and know that you are most definitely LOVED.

John & Esther