Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Your Mindset Determines Your Destiny !
This year, citizens of the Republic of Zambia will be going to the polls to elect new civic and political leaders from a number of political parties.
It is during this time like this that each party is trying to outdo others by massive campaigning to attract the attention of the voters.
Very well written manifestos will be distributed around the country.
As usual, the electrorate is promised good developmental programmes by each political party.
After 47 years of political independence, my heart bleeds when I realise that, despite the campaigns, the attitude of an average Zambian towards basic things like hygiene and self development is still wanting.
As an example, I was recently in Kitwe City Centre when I decided to go home by public transport. The family car was being used for another purpose in town, so I took a shortcut to the bus stop, via an alley that passes between two commercial banks on one end and some shops on the other end.
The water drain was full to the brim with stagnant and dirty water.
On closer look, I noticed that the water could not flow freely because people who walk along the alley have thrown away all sorts of litter into the drain, thereby choking it !
An average Zambian who has gone to school knows that stagnant water is a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, which is the cause of the deadly malaria disease. Thousands of people are killed by malaria across Zambia every year.
It is a pity that after so many years of Independence the mindset of an average citizen is not tuned to self discipline towards looking after surroundings.
There is a general tendency amongst us that the Government and local authorities will do everything for us.
If litter is thrown away so carelessly resulting in water drains being blocked, what sort of development are we expecting in the country ?
Is there any political party that will change our mindset to develop ourselves?
What every citizen should know is that this country will not be developed by any politicians if we are not tuned to develop ourselves in the first place.
Do we need a council policeman to guard that drain for 24 hours to prevent irresponsible people from choking the water drain by throwing away litter
anyhow ?
Do we need foreign experts to come and show us how to look after our cities properly ?
Remember your mindset determines your destiny !
NOTE : -
To see the water drain referred to click the link below:-
http://files.myopera.com/hmsialex/operamini/1302872245.jpg
It is during this time like this that each party is trying to outdo others by massive campaigning to attract the attention of the voters.
Very well written manifestos will be distributed around the country.
As usual, the electrorate is promised good developmental programmes by each political party.
After 47 years of political independence, my heart bleeds when I realise that, despite the campaigns, the attitude of an average Zambian towards basic things like hygiene and self development is still wanting.
As an example, I was recently in Kitwe City Centre when I decided to go home by public transport. The family car was being used for another purpose in town, so I took a shortcut to the bus stop, via an alley that passes between two commercial banks on one end and some shops on the other end.
The water drain was full to the brim with stagnant and dirty water.
On closer look, I noticed that the water could not flow freely because people who walk along the alley have thrown away all sorts of litter into the drain, thereby choking it !
An average Zambian who has gone to school knows that stagnant water is a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, which is the cause of the deadly malaria disease. Thousands of people are killed by malaria across Zambia every year.
It is a pity that after so many years of Independence the mindset of an average citizen is not tuned to self discipline towards looking after surroundings.
There is a general tendency amongst us that the Government and local authorities will do everything for us.
If litter is thrown away so carelessly resulting in water drains being blocked, what sort of development are we expecting in the country ?
Is there any political party that will change our mindset to develop ourselves?
What every citizen should know is that this country will not be developed by any politicians if we are not tuned to develop ourselves in the first place.
Do we need a council policeman to guard that drain for 24 hours to prevent irresponsible people from choking the water drain by throwing away litter
anyhow ?
Do we need foreign experts to come and show us how to look after our cities properly ?
Remember your mindset determines your destiny !
NOTE : -
To see the water drain referred to click the link below:-
http://files.myopera.com/hmsialex/operamini/1302872245.jpg
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Deception of Wealth
Have you ever wondered why money keeps on losing value every time ?
Just after Independence, the Zambian Kwacha was equivalent to about two US dollars. Today it takes nearly five thousand Kwacha to exchange it for one US dollar.
We have heard of countries whose national currencies became worthless, to a point that to buy a loaf of bread, one has to carry a suitcase full of cash!
Money in itself does not represent wealth. Money is a means of exchange of wealth or value.
To illustrate this:- Suppose you were given one million US dollars cash today, you would be an instant millionaire and would be jumping all day long.
The one million dollars would have some value if it was given to you in a city flourishing with all types of goods and services that money can buy.
If you were given that sort of money and left with it at an isolated oasis in the middle of a desert, would it be any use to you? Certainly not. If no food and water was brought to you in time you would certainly starve to death!
For money to be useful to people wealth must be made.
Wealth comes in form of consumer goods and services that are produced by people working to have them realised.
Wealth can only be created in the nation when everyone is involved in productive work that produces value.
It is very sad to note that nowadays many societies are slowly changing from producing to consuming products.
In many countries political leaders are voted into power by promising the electrorate developmental projects in their areas.
These projects are either funded by money borrowed from other countries where wealth is produced (people working hard) or taxes of the working class.
The question we should ask ourselves is : Can development in any country be brought by merely changing political leaders ?
The answer is certainly a big NO.
Wealth can only be created when the citizens of any country are productive.
The role of the political leaders in any country is to put in place policies that will encourage productivity amongst its citizens.
If citizens are not empowered to produce wealth from the country's resources, no amount of political propaganda and bigotry will bring development to that nation.
Just after Independence, the Zambian Kwacha was equivalent to about two US dollars. Today it takes nearly five thousand Kwacha to exchange it for one US dollar.
We have heard of countries whose national currencies became worthless, to a point that to buy a loaf of bread, one has to carry a suitcase full of cash!
Money in itself does not represent wealth. Money is a means of exchange of wealth or value.
To illustrate this:- Suppose you were given one million US dollars cash today, you would be an instant millionaire and would be jumping all day long.
The one million dollars would have some value if it was given to you in a city flourishing with all types of goods and services that money can buy.
If you were given that sort of money and left with it at an isolated oasis in the middle of a desert, would it be any use to you? Certainly not. If no food and water was brought to you in time you would certainly starve to death!
For money to be useful to people wealth must be made.
Wealth comes in form of consumer goods and services that are produced by people working to have them realised.
Wealth can only be created in the nation when everyone is involved in productive work that produces value.
It is very sad to note that nowadays many societies are slowly changing from producing to consuming products.
In many countries political leaders are voted into power by promising the electrorate developmental projects in their areas.
These projects are either funded by money borrowed from other countries where wealth is produced (people working hard) or taxes of the working class.
The question we should ask ourselves is : Can development in any country be brought by merely changing political leaders ?
The answer is certainly a big NO.
Wealth can only be created when the citizens of any country are productive.
The role of the political leaders in any country is to put in place policies that will encourage productivity amongst its citizens.
If citizens are not empowered to produce wealth from the country's resources, no amount of political propaganda and bigotry will bring development to that nation.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
YES YOU CAN DO IT !
When I was growing up, as a child, I used to wonder how some people were able to do certain things with ease. This was amazing to me.
I could not , for example, understand how some people were able to climb up a tall tree with great ease.
A lot us are capable of doing things we never thought of doing sometime back.
Before attending school, letters and numbers never meant anything to us. Once one is educated and trained in a certain profession, he or she able to do a lot of tasks which can only be done by those trained in that particular field.
Any individual is able to do anything as long as he or she has a passion for it.
I have always been interested in finding out how equipment worked from my early life. It is therefore not a wonder that I eventually became an engineer.
One's capacity to do anything is not restricted by any physical limitations.
Mental barriers are always playing the major role in what one achieves in life.
One chooses what he becomes in life.
Some people choose to be rich right from the beginning of their lives. In a similar vein, poverty is not an inborn situation, it is "acquired".
Circumstances always play a part in what situation someone finds himself in. It is the way one responds to the situation that determines one's destiny.
In the 1980s, it was unthinkable in Zambia for anyone to buy bottled water for drinking. With the advent of Cholera in the country that killed hundreds of people, mineral water became a must for all travellers and in most homes.
Drinking of tap water was a common practice before the Cholera epidemics. Most homes now drink only boiled water or mineral water.
The adage that says "necessity is the mother of invention" is true for getting out of most situations we find ourselves in.
"Difficulty situations are sent to reveal to us what God can do in answer to the faith that prays and works. Are you straitened in the valleys?
Get away to the hills, live there; get that honey out of the rock, and the wealth out of the terraced slopes now hidden by forest " -- Daily Devotional Commentary.
"Got rivers they say are uncrossable, Got any mountains they say 'can't tunnel through' ?
We specialise in the wholly impossible. Doing the things they say you can't do."--Song of the Panama Canal builders.
The Bible says:
"I am able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13).
Do not be afraid to show off what you are capable of doing. It is your birthright to do what you are good at.
Always remember this "Yes you can do it!"
As Mark Alofokhai puts it : "
Is it showing off when you do the extraordinary things you are capable of doing?... Is a bird showing off when it flies ? ".
Of course not!
Decide today to start a business that you have always been dreaming about.
Stay blessed and remain in the Lord's favour. Amen !
I could not , for example, understand how some people were able to climb up a tall tree with great ease.
A lot us are capable of doing things we never thought of doing sometime back.
Before attending school, letters and numbers never meant anything to us. Once one is educated and trained in a certain profession, he or she able to do a lot of tasks which can only be done by those trained in that particular field.
Any individual is able to do anything as long as he or she has a passion for it.
I have always been interested in finding out how equipment worked from my early life. It is therefore not a wonder that I eventually became an engineer.
One's capacity to do anything is not restricted by any physical limitations.
Mental barriers are always playing the major role in what one achieves in life.
One chooses what he becomes in life.
Some people choose to be rich right from the beginning of their lives. In a similar vein, poverty is not an inborn situation, it is "acquired".
Circumstances always play a part in what situation someone finds himself in. It is the way one responds to the situation that determines one's destiny.
In the 1980s, it was unthinkable in Zambia for anyone to buy bottled water for drinking. With the advent of Cholera in the country that killed hundreds of people, mineral water became a must for all travellers and in most homes.
Drinking of tap water was a common practice before the Cholera epidemics. Most homes now drink only boiled water or mineral water.
The adage that says "necessity is the mother of invention" is true for getting out of most situations we find ourselves in.
"Difficulty situations are sent to reveal to us what God can do in answer to the faith that prays and works. Are you straitened in the valleys?
Get away to the hills, live there; get that honey out of the rock, and the wealth out of the terraced slopes now hidden by forest " -- Daily Devotional Commentary.
"Got rivers they say are uncrossable, Got any mountains they say 'can't tunnel through' ?
We specialise in the wholly impossible. Doing the things they say you can't do."--Song of the Panama Canal builders.
The Bible says:
"I am able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13).
Do not be afraid to show off what you are capable of doing. It is your birthright to do what you are good at.
Always remember this "Yes you can do it!"
As Mark Alofokhai puts it : "
Is it showing off when you do the extraordinary things you are capable of doing?... Is a bird showing off when it flies ? ".
Of course not!
Decide today to start a business that you have always been dreaming about.
Stay blessed and remain in the Lord's favour. Amen !
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Take The Step of Faith
The Bible says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.
For by it the people of old received God's commendation.
By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God's command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible." (Hebrews 11:1-3).
An example of faith is when you flick a switch to "ON" for an electric bulb to give you light.
If you live in a home that is connected to mains electricity, you do not see the electricity but you have faith that it exists.
When you turn the knob of the switch to "ON" you expect the light bulb to give out light.
In a similar manner when a child is tossed high up in the air by its parent, it is by faith that instead of being terrified, he shouts out in joy.
If the child has no faith of being loved by the parent, he would cry out in terror at the thought crashing to the ground after being tossed up into the air.
The child has faith in the parent that no harm would come to it. He knows that the parent would get a strong grip on him a few moments before hitting the ground.
Our heavenly Father is our faithful parent who would not break his promise of protecting us when we are facing trials in our lives.
I am a living testimony to this fact. I have gone through many trials and temptations from childhood as documented in my writings.
He says "No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When we are faced by trials it is only by faith that we know that we would come out of them unharmed.
"My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything." (James 1:2-4).
To a Christian trials are for testing one's faith in God.
The Bible, which is the Word of God, says :-
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it happen?" (Numbers 23:19).
Our human tendency is to make us to depend more on the physical rather than on the spiritual part of us.
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Galatians 5:16
Pastors Neil and Joanne Anderson, writers of the "Daily in Christ" devotional, say.
"If you are hoping for a magic formula or list of foolproof steps for walking in the Spirit, you will be disappointed.
The moment you reduce the Spirit-filled walk to a formula or an intellectual experience, you won't be Spirit-filled anymore."
Take the step of faith and live by the Spirit of God.
In Jesus Christ's name.
Amen!
For by it the people of old received God's commendation.
By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God's command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible." (Hebrews 11:1-3).
An example of faith is when you flick a switch to "ON" for an electric bulb to give you light.
If you live in a home that is connected to mains electricity, you do not see the electricity but you have faith that it exists.
When you turn the knob of the switch to "ON" you expect the light bulb to give out light.
In a similar manner when a child is tossed high up in the air by its parent, it is by faith that instead of being terrified, he shouts out in joy.
If the child has no faith of being loved by the parent, he would cry out in terror at the thought crashing to the ground after being tossed up into the air.
The child has faith in the parent that no harm would come to it. He knows that the parent would get a strong grip on him a few moments before hitting the ground.
Our heavenly Father is our faithful parent who would not break his promise of protecting us when we are facing trials in our lives.
I am a living testimony to this fact. I have gone through many trials and temptations from childhood as documented in my writings.
He says "No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When we are faced by trials it is only by faith that we know that we would come out of them unharmed.
"My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything." (James 1:2-4).
To a Christian trials are for testing one's faith in God.
The Bible, which is the Word of God, says :-
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it happen?" (Numbers 23:19).
Our human tendency is to make us to depend more on the physical rather than on the spiritual part of us.
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Galatians 5:16
Pastors Neil and Joanne Anderson, writers of the "Daily in Christ" devotional, say.
"If you are hoping for a magic formula or list of foolproof steps for walking in the Spirit, you will be disappointed.
The moment you reduce the Spirit-filled walk to a formula or an intellectual experience, you won't be Spirit-filled anymore."
Take the step of faith and live by the Spirit of God.
In Jesus Christ's name.
Amen!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Pawns of Political Bigotry
A few days ago, there was a news item informing us that the results of a by-election that was recently held in one province in Zambia has been nullified by a Court judge.
This was because of the violence perpetrated by the rival political parties during the campaign period.
The violence, which was unprecedented in the country, save for that seen during the " Cha Cha Cha" era before Independence, saw a number of people seriously injured.
What attracted my attention was the observation the learned Judge made about the violence.
He noted that despite the violence, none of the aspiring candidates who were in the opposing political camps had any scars on their faces as result of the violence!
He directed that one young man who lost an eye during one fracas should be compensated.
I just wondered who was going to foot the bill for that? The State, I presumed? If this is the case, why should the tax payer pay for political bigotry ?
Furthermore, one may also ask, why should innocent people find themselves maimed as a result of other people who are aspiring for political office?
The unfortunate fact is that some individuals find themselves being used by others to achieve their political ambitions.
Whereas there maybe different reasons why this scenario is evident in our country, it is clear that politicians are fond of taking advantage of the weak in our society.
It is common practice during elections for politicians seeking favour from the electorate to use various methods to win their support.
With this state of affairs, the atmosphere becomes conducive for tempers to rise up.
There are cases where a group of people who have been members of one political party for many years, would suddenly change their minds and crossover to the rival party!
Are these people really genuine supporters or just political drifters?
These people are used as pawns by political bigots.
One man, whose writings I follow, Rick Warren is the Author of the book called "Purpose Driven Life". He says :-
"If you are not living on purpose , you'll be driven by pressure, pleasure, popularity, power,
prestige, possessions, your past, or pain."
Without a purpose in life one would find himself being manipulated by others.
In Africa, by elections or no by elections, we always get the best out of a bad deal from our politicians.
I pray that this scenario will never show its ugly head in Zambia in future.
This was because of the violence perpetrated by the rival political parties during the campaign period.
The violence, which was unprecedented in the country, save for that seen during the " Cha Cha Cha" era before Independence, saw a number of people seriously injured.
What attracted my attention was the observation the learned Judge made about the violence.
He noted that despite the violence, none of the aspiring candidates who were in the opposing political camps had any scars on their faces as result of the violence!
He directed that one young man who lost an eye during one fracas should be compensated.
I just wondered who was going to foot the bill for that? The State, I presumed? If this is the case, why should the tax payer pay for political bigotry ?
Furthermore, one may also ask, why should innocent people find themselves maimed as a result of other people who are aspiring for political office?
The unfortunate fact is that some individuals find themselves being used by others to achieve their political ambitions.
Whereas there maybe different reasons why this scenario is evident in our country, it is clear that politicians are fond of taking advantage of the weak in our society.
It is common practice during elections for politicians seeking favour from the electorate to use various methods to win their support.
With this state of affairs, the atmosphere becomes conducive for tempers to rise up.
There are cases where a group of people who have been members of one political party for many years, would suddenly change their minds and crossover to the rival party!
Are these people really genuine supporters or just political drifters?
These people are used as pawns by political bigots.
One man, whose writings I follow, Rick Warren is the Author of the book called "Purpose Driven Life". He says :-
"If you are not living on purpose , you'll be driven by pressure, pleasure, popularity, power,
prestige, possessions, your past, or pain."
Without a purpose in life one would find himself being manipulated by others.
In Africa, by elections or no by elections, we always get the best out of a bad deal from our politicians.
I pray that this scenario will never show its ugly head in Zambia in future.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Zambia is Not for Sale ! Zambia is Not for Sale !
On 14th December 2010 at 21:50 hrs, I was praying with fellow Christians who are members of "The Gospel Invasion Incorporated" on Facebook which Pastor Choolwe led at 21:50 hrs, 05:40 hrs. and at 12:50 hrs.
(Check the link below)
http://is.gd/iO37t
Members were requested to read the following verses:
Psalm 103: 1-7 Psalm 105: 1-11 and Psalm 107: 1-5
Psalm 107:1 says.. "O give thanks unto the LORD for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever".
As I was praying to the Lord to shine his light on us in 2011, I heard a voice telling me that He shall provide leaders that will take this country to higher heights.
This was around 21:55 hrs.
I started to think of the following title for my next post on Facebook and other Blogs I write.
"Zambia is not for sale. Zambia is not for sale !"
After the prayer session, I was wondering to myself. What was God's Words trying to tell me?
I asked the Lord to tell me what He meant by providing leaders who will take this country to higher heights ?
On 16th December 2010, which was two days before my Birthday, I was reading the "Our Daily Manna", a daily devotional booklet by Rev. Dr. Chris E. Kwakpovwe.
To my surprise I noticed that the day's devotional was entitled "My Head is Not for Sale!"- Part 1 and "My Head is Not for Sale!"- Part 2 followed the next day.
So this is what the Lord was telling me on 14th December 2010 !
After reading Part 1 of the devotional, I learnt that there are some people who would go to any length to get what they want. The story of the Nigerian man who dug up human skulls from graveyards for rituals was hair raising.
In Zambia we have the Parliamentary and Presidential elections next year.
Looking at the present methods being used by the various politicial parties to gain political leverage over their rivals, it is worrying to visualise how the campaigns will be like.
My prayer for all politicians is for them to be patriotic and put God first in their campaigns.
We have only one Zambia as our country and have nowhere else to go.
"Zambia is not for sale, Zambia is not for sale !".
Amen !
(Check the link below)
http://is.gd/iO37t
Members were requested to read the following verses:
Psalm 103: 1-7 Psalm 105: 1-11 and Psalm 107: 1-5
Psalm 107:1 says.. "O give thanks unto the LORD for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever".
As I was praying to the Lord to shine his light on us in 2011, I heard a voice telling me that He shall provide leaders that will take this country to higher heights.
This was around 21:55 hrs.
I started to think of the following title for my next post on Facebook and other Blogs I write.
"Zambia is not for sale. Zambia is not for sale !"
After the prayer session, I was wondering to myself. What was God's Words trying to tell me?
I asked the Lord to tell me what He meant by providing leaders who will take this country to higher heights ?
On 16th December 2010, which was two days before my Birthday, I was reading the "Our Daily Manna", a daily devotional booklet by Rev. Dr. Chris E. Kwakpovwe.
To my surprise I noticed that the day's devotional was entitled "My Head is Not for Sale!"- Part 1 and "My Head is Not for Sale!"- Part 2 followed the next day.
So this is what the Lord was telling me on 14th December 2010 !
After reading Part 1 of the devotional, I learnt that there are some people who would go to any length to get what they want. The story of the Nigerian man who dug up human skulls from graveyards for rituals was hair raising.
In Zambia we have the Parliamentary and Presidential elections next year.
Looking at the present methods being used by the various politicial parties to gain political leverage over their rivals, it is worrying to visualise how the campaigns will be like.
My prayer for all politicians is for them to be patriotic and put God first in their campaigns.
We have only one Zambia as our country and have nowhere else to go.
"Zambia is not for sale, Zambia is not for sale !".
Amen !
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