The Liebster Award

I was recently nominated for The Liebster Award by Ms. Patricia Townsend, who runs the blog Voice From the End Of Town at http://hsmentormom.blogspot.com. The blog is about her Christian faith and life in Christ. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to her for this warm gesture, and I am really touched and humbled by it. The Liebster Award is a real award that allows bloggers to give recognition to other bloggers and encourage them to continue blogging. To qualify for this award, you must follow the rules below:

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger, and link back to their blog.
2. Tell 11 random facts about yourself.  
3. Answer the 11 questions that the nominating blogger came up with. 
4. List 11 bloggers who (as far as you can tell) have 200 followers or less and you believe deserve a little recognition and encouragement to continue.
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominated to answer.
6. Go to the pages of those you have nominated and tell them. 
7. Do NOT nominate someone who has nominated you.

I should have done all this sooner (as I had informed Ms. Patricia), but have been so busy that I haven’t had time to post as much as I would like to. Well, so much for the delay. I have to do this and do it now, so here goes:

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I am the first born in a family of five kids: four girls and one boy.
2. I got born again in 2004 after listening to a sermon on TBN.
3. I’m single and see it as an opportunity to devote more time to seeking and serving God (1 Corinthians 7).
4. I recently shaved my hair and find that it is easier for me to manage it that way.
5. I would love to visit Israel sometime so as to see and experience the places and things I read about in the Bible.
6. I have only been out of the country (Kenya) once in my lifetime, when I was 5 years old and accompanied my mum to the UK.
7. My favorite childhood pastime was to write, read and narrate fairy tales.
8. I used to be a Catholic before I got born again, and now I’m the only one in my family who is not one.
9. My favorite-est snack is roasted peanuts.
10. When it comes to pets, I prefer cats to dogs. I find them to be so much more graceful and elegant. Maybe this is because I grew up surrounded by as many as eight cats at a go. As I write this, there are actually eight cats in my mum’s house right now.
11. I hate pessimism. I like to keep a positive outlook at all times.

Patricia’s Questions To Me 
1. How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in April last year. That is nine months ago.

2. What made you start blogging?

I started blogging so as to shine back the light that God has shone upon me in this dark world that I too was once blinded by (Matthew 28:19-20).

3. What was one of the greatest moments in your life?

When I finally understood God’s plan of salvation and got born again.

4. If you made a "bucket list", what would be #1?

Lead the whole world to Christ.

5. What's your favorite color and why?

Truth be told, I really don’t have a favorite color, but I prefer cool colors because I find them to be easier to blend and more professional-looking.

6. What season do you prefer?

Spring.

7. Maserati or minivan?

Maserati

8. Paris or Vegas?

Paris.

9. Moonlight serenade or dinner & a movie?

Dinner.

10. What one thing do you wish everyone understood about you?

I do not like to dwell on the past or on the negatives. I perform better when I'm encouraged rather than picked on or torn down.

11. In 100 years, how do you want to be remembered?

As a true lover and follower of God.

My 11 Nominees

1. Frank King, Frank King’s Blog: wwwefrankking.blogspot.com
2. Amircar Diaz, Christian Living: http://amircarmickydiaz.blogspot.com/
3. Richard Hobart, About The Master’s Business: http://www.heismyallinall.com
4. Scott Lolmaugh, Do You Believe That: http://dontbeliveit.blogspot.com/
5. Mel Libre, Blotfree: http://www.blotfree.com
6. Carl Jones, I’d Laugh…But All This Happened To Me!: http://youthguy07.blogspot.com/
7. Anthony (untonyto), Life and Times of Antony: http://antonyhimself.blogspot.com/
8. Freddy Winter, Media 4 Life Ministries: http://freddywinter.blogspot.com/
9. Sonam Dorji, Living Through My Thoughts: http://somdoji.blogspot.com/
10. Desmond Desyboy’s Blog : http://desybo.blogspot.com/
11. Krissy K, July Flame: http://krissyk-julyflame.blogspot.com/

My 11 Questions

1. Why do you blog?
2. What do you value the most in life?
3. If you were to start your life all over again, what things if any would you do differently?
4. What is your worst habit?
5. What is your best way to relax?
6. What is your favorite food?
7. What gets on your nerves (i.e. irritates you)?
8. Which human being do you admire the most?
9. What is your favorite quote?
10. What is your favorite TV show?
11. Who is God to you?

 

It's a New Year

We are now in the year 2013. You and I are among those who have been blessed with the opportunity to usher it in. There are many people who cannot join us in the celebration because they are not here with us. Some of them died just a few minutes before the new year began. Out of these, there are probably those who would rather be where they are now. Others, however, might want to come back (Luke 16:19-31).
We should therefore treasure and be thankful for each day that we see, because it is a God-given opportunity to do things that truly matter and that make a positive difference in our lives and those of others, both here on earth and thereafter.
Unfortunately though, this is not what always happens. Many are the things that we do that make our lives worse instead of making them better. Such things weigh us down, drain us, fill our lives with stress, depression, misery and regret, and also act as a barrier to God’s plans and blessings in our lives. They include bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, rage, ethnic divisions, rudeness, jealousy, strife, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, arrogance, and so on (Galatians 5: 19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Colossians 3:5-8, 2 Timothy 2:16, etc). They are of no benefit to anyone and only add unnecessary complications and gloom to our lives.

When we begin a new year, if we do not get rid of such things, then the new year ends up being just a continuation of the previous ones’ turmoil, baggage and setbacks. We end up rotating in a vicious cycle of unprofitable clutter that becomes harder and harder to break out of as days pass. As one famous quote says,

“Watch your actions for they become your habits;

Watch your habits for they become your character;

Watch your character for it shapes your destiny.”

It is therefore good to do some spiritual, mental, emotional and practical spring-cleaning so as to break out of the vicious loops that keep entangling us and holding us back, and move on to the greater things that God plans for us. This makes life more worth the while and less strenuous.

In addition, we should use the time that we have as wisely as we can, because just like those who have not seen this year, we do not know how much time we have left and whether or not we will see the next one.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16