HOPE

New Year, new beginnings, February here already and yet somehow I feel like am in the same rut. The only thing that seems to have changed is am more alert of the situation.
I have already waited and believe God must be applauding me for waiting faithfully. And am eagerly awaiting for the reward, yes waiting actively especially as I learnt recently that waiting is a verb, a doing word uh.
Does everyone have to wait? Forget waiting for the birthdays and the dates like Christmas that come each year; I mean waiting for their dreams to get fulfilled.
Not locked up, not locked down, simply working so hard to get there and not seeming to get there. It comes out as mediocre not a bad place at all only it is lukewarm and shouting “barely making it” hence the pursuit for more.
Carrying on with the thought that waiting is a doing word, I continue doing right trying not to get consumed with what is going wrong and instead focus on what is right.
Good things come to those who wait and am holding on to that hope.

GADDAFI

The media has successfully painted Gaddafi as a hard-core dictator, tyrant whatever you want to call him. However, the media as usual has also failed to show the kind, giving Gaddafi we never heard of. Gaddafi unlike most dictators I will refrain from naming them has managed to show his humane side, the very side we dream of seeing in other dictators who just talk.

I consider Libyans lucky to a certain extent and one wonders with the new democratic rule they cry for will it improve or worsen life for them. Yes, Gaddafi has spent millions of Libya`s money on personal ventures but is the average Libyan poor? We know others who take a country and destroy it until you feel like there is no hope of restoring this country… looting some prefer to call it. Did Gaddafi loot Libya in any way?

Now let us get to the unknown facts about the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi:



1.There is no electricity bill in Libya; electricity is free for all its citizens.

2. There is no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.

3. Home considered a human right in Libya – Gaddafi vowed that his parents would not get a house until everyone in Libya had a home. Gaddafi’s father died while him, his wife and his mother were still living in a tent.

4. All newlyweds in Libya receive $60,000 Dinar (US$50,000) by the government to buy their first apartment so to help start up the family

5. Education and medical treatments are free in Libya. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans are literate. Today the figure is 83%.

6. Should Libyans want to take up farming career, they would receive farming land, a farming house, equipments, seeds and livestock to kick-start their farms – all for free.

7. If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government funds them to go abroad for it – not only free but they get US$2,300/mth accommodation and car allowance.

8. In Libyan, if a Libyan buys a car, the government subsidized 50% of the price.

9. The price of petrol in Libya is $0.14 per liter.

10. Libya has no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion – now frozen globally.

Great Man-Made River project in Libya… $27 billion

11. If a Libyan is unable to get employment after graduation the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found.

12. A portion of Libyan oil sale is, credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens.

13. A mother who gave birth to a child receive US$5,000

14. 40 loaves of bread in Libya costs $ 0.15

15. 25% of Libyans have a university degree

16. Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country.

Which other dictator has done much good to his people besides Gaddafi?

JESUS

Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ’s 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all time.

Jesus painted no pictures; yet some of the finest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him. Jesus wrote no poetry; but Dante, Milton, and scores of the world’s greatest poets were inspired by Him. Jesus composed no music; still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach, and
Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the
hymns, symphonies, and oratorios they composed in His praise.

Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by this humble
Carpenter of Nazareth.
His unique contribution to the human race is the salvation of
the soul! Philosophy could not accomplish that. Nor art. Nor literature. Nor music. Only Jesus Christ can break the enslaving chains of sin and Satan. He alone can speak peace to the human heart,
Strengthen the weak, and give life to those who are spiritually dead.

Jesus Christ is the true Messiah, the Son of God, and Savior of the
world!

LONDON RIOTS

Britain is paying for the Biblical Saying in Proverbs, “Spare the Rod and spoil the Child.”

Human Rights should be respected but they should never reign over authority especially in the case of children as rules are drawn for a reason.

It is so wrong to stereo type. The riots aren’t about age, gender, race or status.

Charity begins at home. For an 11 year old to be involved is so wrong. Where were his parents? What advice/guidance have they imparted on him this far. That goes for everyone who was involved.

“The LOVE of money is the root cause of all evil.” The 11 year old’s mum a care assistant was out at work looking for a buck. The people who got involved impulsively were out for quick money. And that goes for the other copy cat ‘riots’ elsewhere in England the motivation was with no question the quick financial gain.

Social Networking sites are a necessary evil. The same channels that were used to create quorum for the riots were also used to bring people together of the cleanup of their communities.

The western media has focused on the Malaysian student who after being attacked in the riots; got on to be mugged instead of getting help. I ain’t as shocked as other people cos in good old Uganda, after an accident onlookers will quickly get to the scene not to give first aid but to ransack the victims for money and other valuables. It is very sad but what can one do; other people look at other people’s misfortune as an opportunity.

David’s Cameron’s 1st year as Prime Minister has been dominated by cuts, cuts and more cuts. I am no economist here but with a cut in the police budget supposedly coming is it justified or is he merely cutting for the sake of it. The cuts are definitely getting back at him .

There is a big gap between the rich and the poor. With parliament in recess most of the politicians were away on holiday. Sunday morning we wake up to the shock of what happened in Tottenham. London Mayor is nowhere to be seen and so is the Prime Minister. Both PM and mayor only canceled their holidays after the 3rd night of violence. I bet you most of the people involved in the riots have never been on a plane and to them the word holiday means creating mayhem as a way of keeping themselves busy.

Before these riots I was one of those people who advocated for, ‘ home is were the heart is.’ Well am changing my tune now. There have been so many racial hate responses online; almost 90% of the comments on the riots are out to get black people in general. Clearly the integration of races in this country is a cosmetic one. So if you can still call the place where you come from ethnically home ,i think it is good to have something there for the rainy days.

By day 3, about 415 arrests and the police cells in London were bursting. With legal aid amongst other benefits, Prison here is like booking a vacation with a self contained unit, gym, library and courses offered .So clearly these kids haven’t lost anything, the only people going to pay for these riots are the tax payers.

Groceries

As I was walking
Down life's highway
Many years ago, I came upon a
Sign that read
Heavens Grocery Store..
When I got a
Little closer

The doors swung
Open wide
And when I came
to myself

I was standing
Inside..

I saw a host of
Angels.

They were
Standing everywhere
One handed me a
Basket

And said 'My
Child shop with care.’
Everything a
Human needed
Was in that
Grocery store
And what you
Could not carry
You could come
Back for more

First I got some
Patience.

Love was in that
Same row.

Further down was
Understanding,
You need that
Everywhere you go..
I got a box
or
Two of Wisdom
And Faith a bag
Or two.
And Charity of
Course
I would need some
Of that too..
I couldn't miss
The Holy GhostIt was all over
The place.
And then some
Strength
And Courage to
Help me run this race.

My basket was
Getting full
But I remembered
I needed Grace,
And then I chose
Salvation for
Salvation was for
Free
I tried to get
Enough of that to do
For you and me..
Then I started to
The counter
To pay my grocery
Bill,

For I thought I
Had everything
To do the Masters
Will.
As I went up the
Aisle
I saw Prayer and
Put that in ,

For I knew when I
Stepped outside
I would run into
Sin.
Peace and Joy
Were plentiful,
The last things
On the shelf.
Song and Praise
Were hanging near
So I just helped
Myself.
Then I said to
The angel
'Now
how much do
I owe?'
He smiled and
Said
'Just take them
Everywhere you go.'
Again I asked
'Really now,
How much do I
Owe?'

'My child' he
Said , 'God paid your bill
A long long time
Ago.'

Life

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village.

A tourist complimented the local fishermen
on the quality of their fish and asked
how long it took him to catch them.



"Not very long." they answered in unison.

"Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"

The fishermen explained that their small catches were
sufficient to meet their needs and those of their families.


"But what do you do with the rest of your time?"


"We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children,
and take siestas with our wives.
In the evenings, we go into the village to see our friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.


We have a full life."

The tourist interrupted,


"I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!
You should start by fishing longer every day.
You can then sell the extra fish you catch.
With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."


"And after that?"

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring,
you can buy a second one and a third one
and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers.
Instead of selling your fish to a middle man,
you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants
and maybe even open your own plant.


You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even New York City !

[

From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?"

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years." replied the tourist.

"And after that?"

"After wards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting, " answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the fishermen.





"After that you'll be able to retire,
live in a tiny village near the coast,
sleep late, play with your children,
catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife
and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

"With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what we are doing now. So what's the point wasting twenty-five years?" asked the Mexicans.

And the moral of this story is:



Know where you're going in life....

you may already be there

Touched By An Angel

Yesterday my friend Angella Kyomuka passed on. Today as I reflected on her short life the concept of eternity was re-birthed in my mind. This is because I believe without a doubt that when Angella’s earthly clocked stopped her heavenly one started ticking.
Naturally in the midst of grief I had so many questions for God, all starting with why. It has been said God communicates in various way. Luckily for me He answered some of my questions today in the funeral service held for Angella at All Saints Church Kampala. The Reverend called the service a celebration of life and how rightfully so.
Angels do exist. This departed friend of mine was one and this fact came to life for me in her death. How do you explain a smile in whatever the circumstances, joy where there should be tears, love where there should be hate, giving when you are in need yourself.
Above all that her life was purpose driven as reflected in the eulogy by different people. All of us have a purpose in life but not all of us fulfil it especially as most are oblivious to their purpose on earth. Not this angel, she knew what she was here for and to her to live was Christ and to die gain.
Even as she lay in front of the church lifeless her brother gave his life to Jesus. Unlike other times before today when others have come home to Jesus because of this angel’s stewardship, this time she was there in heaven to celebrate with the other angels. I can’t help but imagine her dancing away. Indeed I can only imagine.
In memory of Angella, I pledge (So Help Me Good) to have a joyous attitude and to keep my eyes fixed on the cross. This is not easy but by His grace and mercy she excelled even in the midst of pain.
“It is enough that I live and die for Christ,who is to all His Followers a gain both in life and in death.” John Calvin.
The likes of John Calvin and Martin Luther stood for you Lord in the dark era so grant me grace to stand regardless cos i was touched by Angella.