Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Its all about love
I tried my hand at writing emotional poetry and now I've given emotional prose a try. Check it out - been in love?
Monday, November 09, 2009
God's Promise of restoration
The Day of the Lord
The prophet Joel prophesied about a terrible day - the day of the Lord - and even though it seems like a long time ago and for a different generation. When you read Joel 2 you cannot fail to see us - today's generation right there.
Joel 2 (King James Version)
1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
God is so merciful, so full of grace and love. He promised to always make a way out for us when we are in trouble. All we have to do is turn back to Him.
Joel continues:
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
We HAVE to turn to Him and He promises never to let us down. What is wonderful about our God is that He restores all that we have lost and more. Much, much more than we ever expected or dreamed.
Joel says it all:
19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
What a blessing! And He continues;
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Now is the time to call upon the name LORD ...
The prophet Joel prophesied about a terrible day - the day of the Lord - and even though it seems like a long time ago and for a different generation. When you read Joel 2 you cannot fail to see us - today's generation right there.
Joel 2 (King James Version)
1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
God is so merciful, so full of grace and love. He promised to always make a way out for us when we are in trouble. All we have to do is turn back to Him.
Joel continues:
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
We HAVE to turn to Him and He promises never to let us down. What is wonderful about our God is that He restores all that we have lost and more. Much, much more than we ever expected or dreamed.
Joel says it all:
19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
What a blessing! And He continues;
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Now is the time to call upon the name LORD ...
Thursday, October 15, 2009
from deep within
The water was calm and blue on the lake
And the wind whispered softly in its wake
The sound of rippling waves chattering endlessly
As the dipping sun caressed it wistfully
The aura stirred a whiff of romantic anticipation
A heart beat of warm tender yet agonizing expectation
The trees stood tall and straight around the lake
A towering shield a castle wall rock cake
Their shelter crumbling failing unnoticed
A passion slips stealthily through unvoiced
In the depth of the lake, at its centre, its core
Rhythmic tremors like the earth drums rapport
The turbulence begins a rumbling in the deep
The calm turns to turmoil and a charm slowly sweep
Emotions try to surface, so strong and so sure
No attempt can contain their breach of the demure
Bubbling, a volcano, an eruption presumed
Sensations once dormant, can now be consumed
Fear spreads its venom in a sly mulish way
Anxiety, apprehension, and anguish display
Nature won’t be stopped, the explosion begins
Its intensity and sound a million violins
Its pleasure an ecstasy, rapturous colours delight
Pure love, intense, delicate bursts of passion bite
A calm returns to the innocent still blue lake
Soft pleasure, content, satisfaction in its wake
The winds gentle touch an intimate embrace
A comfort, an affectionate warm loving place
A mutual pinnacle of euphoria coy and demure
The ardour remains profound and secure
©2009 Christina Sempebwa
And the wind whispered softly in its wake
The sound of rippling waves chattering endlessly
As the dipping sun caressed it wistfully
The aura stirred a whiff of romantic anticipation
A heart beat of warm tender yet agonizing expectation
The trees stood tall and straight around the lake
A towering shield a castle wall rock cake
Their shelter crumbling failing unnoticed
A passion slips stealthily through unvoiced
In the depth of the lake, at its centre, its core
Rhythmic tremors like the earth drums rapport
The turbulence begins a rumbling in the deep
The calm turns to turmoil and a charm slowly sweep
Emotions try to surface, so strong and so sure
No attempt can contain their breach of the demure
Bubbling, a volcano, an eruption presumed
Sensations once dormant, can now be consumed
Fear spreads its venom in a sly mulish way
Anxiety, apprehension, and anguish display
Nature won’t be stopped, the explosion begins
Its intensity and sound a million violins
Its pleasure an ecstasy, rapturous colours delight
Pure love, intense, delicate bursts of passion bite
A calm returns to the innocent still blue lake
Soft pleasure, content, satisfaction in its wake
The winds gentle touch an intimate embrace
A comfort, an affectionate warm loving place
A mutual pinnacle of euphoria coy and demure
The ardour remains profound and secure
©2009 Christina Sempebwa
Friday, September 25, 2009
from the heart
Song of Solomon 6:1
Where has your lover gone,
most beautiful of women?
Which way did your lover turn,
that we may look for him with you?
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Filling out questionnaires
I don’t generally like filling out questionnaires but when I read this one I thought it might tell me something new about myself and I wanted to take a break from work. So here goes...
1. What time did you get up this morning?
5.30am
2. How do you like your steak?
Well done
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Hair Spray
4. What is your favorite TV show?
NCIS
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
By the sea or lake or a river – near water away from the city
6. What did you have for breakfast?
A mug of coffee
7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Chinese
8. What foods do you dislike?
Sea food – gives me hives
9. Favorite Place to Eat?
At home
10. Favorite dressing?
mmm…
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Red, fast and comfortable car
12. What are your favorite clothes?
Jeans – dress, skirts, trousers
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
½ full
15. Where would you want to retire?
In the country side
16. Favorite time of day?
Morning
17. Where were you born?
Namirembe
18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Cricket
19. What is your favorite radio program?
BBC Network Africa
20. What is your favorite music genre?
Classical (piano) & African gospel especially from South Africa
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
Nobody
22. Bird watcher?
Yes
23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning
24. Do you have any pets?
No
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?
Will soon be moving to my own house
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
Teacher, Secretary, Doctor, Vet Doctor …
27. What is your best childhood memory?
Singing Peter Rabbit with my Dad on the piano after lunch before going back for afternoon school
28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog
29. Are you in relationship right now?
No
30. Always wear your seat belt?
Always
31. Been in a car accident?
Yes
32. Any pet peeves?
Not really
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
Vegetarian with extra cheese
34. Favorite Flower?
White carnations
35. Favorite ice cream?
Pistachio
36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Don’t have one
37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
None
38. From whom did you get your last email?
Quarantine Summary
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Siblings and Lesanza Girls
40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Yeah, but can’t tell
41. Like your job?
A lot!
42. Broccoli?
Yes please
43. What would be your favorite vacation?
The Bahamas with my girls
44. Last person(s) you went out to dinner with?
My boss
45. What are you listening to right now?
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor
46. What is your favorite color?
Purple
47. How many tattoos do you have?
None
48. What’s you favorite animal?
It’s a tie between an Elephant and a Dolphin
49. What time did you finish this quiz?
12.21pm
50. Coffee Drinker?
Yes
1. What time did you get up this morning?
5.30am
2. How do you like your steak?
Well done
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Hair Spray
4. What is your favorite TV show?
NCIS
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
By the sea or lake or a river – near water away from the city
6. What did you have for breakfast?
A mug of coffee
7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Chinese
8. What foods do you dislike?
Sea food – gives me hives
9. Favorite Place to Eat?
At home
10. Favorite dressing?
mmm…
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Red, fast and comfortable car
12. What are your favorite clothes?
Jeans – dress, skirts, trousers
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
½ full
15. Where would you want to retire?
In the country side
16. Favorite time of day?
Morning
17. Where were you born?
Namirembe
18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Cricket
19. What is your favorite radio program?
BBC Network Africa
20. What is your favorite music genre?
Classical (piano) & African gospel especially from South Africa
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
Nobody
22. Bird watcher?
Yes
23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning
24. Do you have any pets?
No
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?
Will soon be moving to my own house
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
Teacher, Secretary, Doctor, Vet Doctor …
27. What is your best childhood memory?
Singing Peter Rabbit with my Dad on the piano after lunch before going back for afternoon school
28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog
29. Are you in relationship right now?
No
30. Always wear your seat belt?
Always
31. Been in a car accident?
Yes
32. Any pet peeves?
Not really
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
Vegetarian with extra cheese
34. Favorite Flower?
White carnations
35. Favorite ice cream?
Pistachio
36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Don’t have one
37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
None
38. From whom did you get your last email?
Quarantine Summary
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Siblings and Lesanza Girls
40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Yeah, but can’t tell
41. Like your job?
A lot!
42. Broccoli?
Yes please
43. What would be your favorite vacation?
The Bahamas with my girls
44. Last person(s) you went out to dinner with?
My boss
45. What are you listening to right now?
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor
46. What is your favorite color?
Purple
47. How many tattoos do you have?
None
48. What’s you favorite animal?
It’s a tie between an Elephant and a Dolphin
49. What time did you finish this quiz?
12.21pm
50. Coffee Drinker?
Yes
Friday, August 21, 2009
An encounter ...
I sent out a cry for help and it was answered. This is sort of how it went down…
Never Alone
In the depth of my misery
In the cloudy fog of pain
A quiet yet firm voice spoke
In the heart of my remorse
In the hollow pit of emptiness
The words were strong and clear
“I am here
I have always been here
Will you let me help?”
In surrender to my Lord
A calm stillness overshadowed
the hurt, the anguish, the agony
The constricted chest
Still tight
The hollow tummy
Still empty
The broken heart
Still in pieces
The cloudy mind
Still foggy
The torn soul
Still ripped
Beyond all is the spirit
Alive, strong, and whole
In His hands, His control
Have faith, just believe
©2009 Christina Sempebwa
Never Alone
In the depth of my misery
In the cloudy fog of pain
A quiet yet firm voice spoke
In the heart of my remorse
In the hollow pit of emptiness
The words were strong and clear
“I am here
I have always been here
Will you let me help?”
In surrender to my Lord
A calm stillness overshadowed
the hurt, the anguish, the agony
The constricted chest
Still tight
The hollow tummy
Still empty
The broken heart
Still in pieces
The cloudy mind
Still foggy
The torn soul
Still ripped
Beyond all is the spirit
Alive, strong, and whole
In His hands, His control
Have faith, just believe
©2009 Christina Sempebwa
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Deep expressions...
I fell off the deep end and it's as if I have never learnt to swim! I have heard that you never forget this sort of thing so I don't know for the life of me why I can't seem to stay afloat. I am sending out a prayer for help ...
Help me Lord
There's a constriction in my chest
However much I try to relax it
It just becomes tighter and tighter
There is a pit in my tummy
However much I try to fill it
It just grows deeper and deeper
There is a hole in my heart
However much I try to mend it
It just gets bigger and bigger
There is a cloud over my mind
However much I try to clear it
It just becomes thicker and thicker
There is a tear on my soul
However much I try to repair it
It just spreads out more and more
Dear Lord, I pray
Please help me!
Help me Lord
There's a constriction in my chest
However much I try to relax it
It just becomes tighter and tighter
There is a pit in my tummy
However much I try to fill it
It just grows deeper and deeper
There is a hole in my heart
However much I try to mend it
It just gets bigger and bigger
There is a cloud over my mind
However much I try to clear it
It just becomes thicker and thicker
There is a tear on my soul
However much I try to repair it
It just spreads out more and more
Dear Lord, I pray
Please help me!
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