Philippians 2v4
Let each of you esteem and be concerned
not just for him/her self, but also for others
PAUL tells us, as followers of Jesus Christ, that we should always put the need and interest of others in front of our own. WHY? Because this is what Jesus Himself DID. He put your need and mine in front of His own. He was willing to be made uncomfortable, and even to be put in the wrong, to do so.
Matthew tell us, in his Gospel chapter 20 and verse 28, that 'The son of man, (Jesus) came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life to be a ransom for many.'
CONSTANTLY - all through His life on earth, Jesus put Himself last, and others first. He left very great riches and honour in Heaven, exchanging them for very great poverty and dishonour on Earth in order that WE might become very rich and honourable in Heaven - 2.Corinthians 8v9.
'For you know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor -
that you through His poverty might become rich.'
JESUS did not seek material riches on Earth for Himself, or for us. Even in Heaven He was not what we might call 'materially rich' - NO, He was instead rich in spiritual virtues; and in all those things that God Himself treasured and esteemed. He left all these behind when He came to Earth, and made Himself poor in an effort to make US rich in that which pleased God.
SIR PHILLIP SYDNEY was a Christian; he sought to live by the standards set by Christ Himself.
He was a Poet, and also a famous and successful Politician and Soldier, well known in England the Country of his birth. But in all that he did he tried always to put Christ's example first. He was loved and respected by all, and when he died in battle, he was buried with great honour in the midst of much sorrow by the people.
He died fighting for his Country, shot in his thigh by a musket ball. He was only 32. It took him twenty two painful and fever filled days to die. During his suffering a fellow soldier brought him a cup of water to assuage his awful thirst - but he refused to taste it. Turning to a comrade in arms, lying wounded by his side Sir Sydney said
'Here take this cup!
Your necessity, your need, is great than mine.'
Phillip died shortly afterwards, still in great thirst, demonstrating to the last his determination to copy his Master, Jesus, in putting the need of others first in front of his own. History assures us that Phillip Sydney was a very materially rich young man. Clever, intelligent, and holding high and trusted
office in his nation's Government. Yet he was not proud or arrogant, but rather a man of high honour and integrity,who did not have a high opinion of himself. He had seen himself but a sinner like all others, understanding his own need of forgiveness, and realising his own need to forgive and reach out with God's Love to ALL men. He was an uncommon and unusual young man - but he let JESUS into his life - not just in theory, but also in practise. He was brave and courageous.
He is barely remembered, if at all, for his literary, political and military fame - BUT his example in being seen to live like Christ his Lord and Master has never been forgotten, and remains undimmed as a lesson for all.
SO NOW, if God lives in MY heart, in the Name of Jesus, how will I act toward the need of my brother or my sister? Shall I turn away, looking first to my own comfort? Shall I find excuse to accuse them, and rage against them, because I some offence - or shall I forgive them and pray for them?
JUST NOW, and for more than two years, there has been a war being fought between two of our missionary families. A member of one, abused a member of the other. Self opinion and hurt has given birth to roots of bitterness, wrath, even anger. Neither side is truly ready to 'lay down their arms' (those weapons of our sinful world) in favour of turning away in forgiveness of the offence caused.. They were close friends at one time, now almost deadly enemies, and that after much loving council and prayer from their brethren. But the GRACE of God is not demonstrated in full.
My enemy, and yours, is loved of God, and God let Christ even die for him or her. Do I want to judge him unworthy? Even in my enemy's life a purpose is being worked out, a purpose that entails his or her's final salvation. MUST any of us insist on our own 'pound of flesh', our own satisfaction and victory against the other? What WOULD Jesus do?
God says - just let it be - I will revenge! Meanwhile all you need do is to forgive, love, and trust me to do what is truly Right. God help US from our 'self - rightness'. God help us to have love in our hearts for ALL
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IT IS RAINING NOW, AS I TYPE, in Eldoret. Long may it so continue. The Rains are VERY late this year, already the Nation is feeling threatened with famine. Here our Prayer O Lord.
THANK you, all those who prayed, for little baby Abigail - she is crying right now, but not because of Colic which has now eased considerably, but because she had usual Injections at the doctor's yesterday. She took them them well, today and tomorrow we expected her to have to suffer discomfort. But she is growing, and her chubby face has learnt suddenly to SMILE!
YES THIS IS OUR SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL. Do you see the double storey building at the far end? Well the Builder put a fairly large water storage tank in the room this end under the gable. Immediately below is the School Library AND a Computer Lab.
Two nights ago the Tank BURST open and all the water spilt out and down through the ceiling into the Library and Computer Lab!
You will imagine the mess and damage. Fortunately the School was already insured for at least part of the expected cost.
THIS IS THE COTTAGE I first lived in on arrival in Maseno, Western Kenya in 1968 - a three bed roomed mud cottage. The roof was made of iron sheets and was in good condition. Inside were four simple rooms three of which were bedrooms. No inside doors or ceilings. No glass in the exterior windows. A simple kitchen with no equipment of any kind and an outside toilet - a long drop as it is called - a small shack with a hole in the ground! The home of a few snakes, bats, rats, and lizards. BUT it was otherwise clean and well kept. In August 1969 our first children came to find refuge there and TFH was born.
AND THIS IS THE SAME COTTAGE photographed in September 2012, just forty three years later. We left it looking as above in 1972. The CHANGE in its appearance is very discouraging, since it only demonstrates the almost total disregard many people have for keeping property cared for and safe.
The roof looks ready to cave in, the whole exterior appearance as of a slum. Standing in the foreground is WILSON Swayi, the first child I took in, with his son. He took the photo remembering how things were!
THE FUTURE IS NOT ALWAYS any improvement on the past, but this photo tends to suggest that it CAN be worse ! But we must not condemn. It does take more than physical care to keep any building as it should be year after year. Wear and Tear cannot be totally avoided, and without funds over and above ones cost of living to pay for repair and redecoration, things CAN deteriorate.
We are now entering the 6th Month of the year. It has gone by VERY fast. God be with you all, and may you always remember those who have gone on before us as shining examples, and Lights not easily extinguished. Lovingly
John and Esther & Daryl and Carol.
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