Towards an authentic African Theology:

As a biblical scholar and a theologian, I take the term “theology” to simply mean, “Faith Seeking Understanding”. In this regard, I hold the opinion that any theological thought must engage Scripture, History, Human Experience, Reason (and to some extent, Tradition). In the coming days, I will make several proposals towards an authentic African Theology. Kĩriakũ

Spiritual Leadership

The Church universal is gifted with many talented leaders who have not only impacted our church and our neighborhood but also the world. We are an army of experts that God can use mightily to move many towards the agenda of God. God has promised us, as a community of faith, his presence and his equipping if we submit ourselves to God-self. When we yield our will to God, God can shape our lives according to his purposes. As we journey together as Christ's beloved, I am challenged to ask: How can we move the church on to God’s Agenda?

God intends us to be people of great humility, integrity, and faith. Most important is the call to go back to the basics of life: a heart that is pure, love that endures, faith that is fervent and hope eternal. To be successful in our vision and mission, we need women and men who have the clarity of mind, deep sense of commitment, and individuals that are open to learning. We need women and men who fully understand that the overall mission of the Christian Church is to enable every individual believer to achieve fully and more readily their ultimate happiness.

The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:8 that Christian leadership develops through the active work of the Holy Spirit. Every task that we perform, whether leading teenagers, erecting buildings, administration, or fundraising, requires the Spirit’s presence. Like Zerubbabel of old, we are reminded that true spiritual leadership is not by strength or by might, but by God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6.) True leadership does not seek or pursue narrow individual or group interests. God is raising a new army of believers who are ready and willing to move God’s people on to the Agenda of God. This I believe!
- Kĩriakũ.
 

LOVE DARe: Day 40

Love is covenant.

I am elated as I enter my fortieth day of the Love Dare. It marks my commitment to myself and my wife. But even as I come to the end of the dare, I am nakedly aware that this is only part of a journey.

The experience and challenge of loving my wife is something that never comes to an end.

"Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God" (Ruth 1:16).

I am rededicating myself to my wife.

The rededication has no expiration date - "till death do us part".

I am taking up my role as a covenant keeper.

No matter what may arise hereafter to challenge my faithfulness to this covenant, I give myself to my wife and commit to this marriage for life.

This covenant cuts off all avenues of retreat or withdrawal.

I fasten my love afresh on the one the Lord has given me to cherish, prize, and honor.

I dare to take hold of it and never let go!  

LOVE DARe: Day 39

Love endures.

"Love never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8).

Though threatened, love keeps pursuing. Though mistreated and rejected, love refuses to give up.

If love can be told to quit loving, then it's not really love. Love that is from God is unending, unstoppable.

Love is based on the will of God, the calling of God, the Word of God. When all else fails, the truth of God will still be standing.

Therefore, my love should bear the same unchanging characteristics. 

Loves never fails.

Never!

LOVE DARe: Day 38

Love fulfills dreams.

"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

Dreams and desires come in all shapes and sizes. But love takes careful notice of each one.

Many are the moments when I have found myself asking what is it that my wife would really, really love.

Unfortunately, I have let "no" become too quick a response to such moments.

Yet in today's dare I am reminded that love sometimes needs to be extravagant.

I am also reminded of the many times God's love has met needs in my heart that once seemed out of the question. Yes, there have been many occasions in my life when I have thought life was over as certain setback took all the wind out of my sails. In such moments I break down and cry out to God. Though it has not always been easy getting back up and trod on, I have somehow found myself surviving the storms. God has in many of such moments met me with His promised peace "which surpasses all comprehension" (Philippians 4:7) and kept me on my feet.

I am thus reminded that God is the One my love is designed to imitate! I dare to be extravagant in loving my wife.

I dare bring forth to mind the things that are unique to our relationship, the pleasures and enjoyments that bring a smile to our faces.

I dare to daydream about the many opportunities to pour out my love so regularly that my wife's desires become mine as well.

I dare to overwhelm her with love!

LOVE DARe: Day 37

Love agrees in prayer.

"If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father" (Matthew 18:19). 

The unity that grows between a man and woman who regularly pray together forms an intense and powerful connection. 

When we were joined together as husband and wife, God gave me a perfect wedding gift - a permanent prayer partner for life. 

In prayer, two people remember that God has made them one. Praying for my wife leads my heart to care more deeply about her. 

Prayer is a privilege to be enjoyed on a consistent, daily basis. God's blessing falls on us when we agree in prayer.

LOVE DARe: Day 36

Love is God's Word.

God has the right plan for everything. God has revealed these plans in God's Word.

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Because the Holy Spirit now lives in my heart, by way of salvation, He illuminates my path with the truth of my Maker. This I know because "these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (1 Cor. 2:10).

As the Scripture says about the rules of God: "More to be desired are they than gold, even fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:10).

Today's dare remind that I have to continue establishing my marriage and home on the rock of God's unchanging Word which insures against destruction. Amen.