“Christians worsen the national liquidity crisis"

Afternoon to you All

The church ( source:https://www.google.co.zw)

Zimbabweans are undergoing a severe liquidity crunch at the same time there is a growth in the number of churches in the country. Therefore, one can ask himself/ herself why the nation is experiencing economic difficulties yet there are a number of “Christians” who can pray for the economic stability for the country.

Below are some of the comments I got from the interviewees:

Mthandazo Nyoni, a business reporter at the Southern Eye( Bulawayo newspaper) said any economy is shaped by the effectiveness/ ineffectiveness of the government. He strongly distanced Christianity and the economy saying that people should not hide behind the bible, it is a matter of human errors.

Acccording to Felistas Mpofu, a form six student at St. Columbas High school, said that many churches nowadays are draining people’s monies.

She narrated even the story of Uebert Angel, the leader of the Spirit Embassy church, who is on the run for “fraudulently” possessing a Bentley Continental vehicle worth $300 000.

Therefore, this gives an impression that churches are now worsening the suffering of the innocent general populace. Can this be true? Are the churches treating the congregants as the sources of investment?

Let’s work together regardless of our religious beliefs and fight the national liquidity crunch.

Technology changing our minds completely

Afternoon to you all

Felistus Mpofu

Today, I would like to give my personal perceptions regarding technology as an empowering tool in changing one’s lifestyle. Below is a story I once came across with during my childhood.

Felistus Mpofu, aged (19) grew up in a Methodist household until her parents divorced. She is a very intelligent girl and is now doing her “A” level studies.

She said: “What I’d been taught in church confused me and I grew further and further away from the institution. At one point, when I had completely rejected Christianity and spirituality (at that time the word ‘Jesus’ made me cringe!), I had my life-changing experience. It changed everything. Through a chain of miraculous events, I was led to a book, Sylvia Browne’s The Other Side and Back, that spoke of God the Mother. When I first read this, I threw the book across the room, calling it ‘Satan’! A day and a half later I picked the book back up and read it. My eyes have been opened ever since.”

To “re-grow” the church, Felistus believes we must change language and symbolism to include multicultural female names and images of the Divine. Language and symbolism are absorbed into our consciousness and we become them.

Given the above Felistus’s story, one has to note that behaviour change requires a high self esteem in christians so as to overcome world things. Learn more by interacting with people physically and even online. Together we can change our lives completely for the betterment of our world preview

Helping youths manage new technology effectively.

Afternoon to you all

Emmanuel Sibanda( Author)

This piece of work seeks to give an overview on how the public can manage their new technologies especially the youths. These new technologies in my view have a great impact on the health of many people. To some people, just to have a sleep without the mobile phone under the pillow is a health hazardous. Most people have become so attached with the new technologies thereby causing health problems. Can such people put the same effort in attaching themselves with the Bible/God? If one forgets the bible at home when going to church, can s/he quickly return to get it? What about forgetting a cell phone at home?

Then the big question is: why is it that the world seems to be largely associating itself with technology as compared to God himself.

Therefore, everything depends on an individual and below are some of the points that may help one in changing the behaviour.

Our thoughts and ways of thinking, wield a great deal of power to change our emotions, moods, and ultimately, our behaviours. By heightening our awareness or mindfulness of our physical, mental and emotional states, and thoughts, as well as our reactions to our thoughts and states, we can empower ourselves to be better equipped to successfully navigate and manage situations and events. Eventually, we can succeed at changing our behaviors.

Identifying our thoughts and restructuring them is the basis of many effective techniques frequently being utilized by behaviour change experts.When we learn to process our thoughts in realistic, positive, and/or flexible ways, we experience optimal emotional, behavioural, and physical reactions to situations and events. These types of reactions, in turn, support positive health behaviour change. By changing our thoughts, we can change our emotions and moods which, in turn, can change our behaviour.

Therefore, becoming more mindful of our thoughts can assist us in interpretation of our thoughts, and in turn allows us to shift our way of thinking to not let distressing or negative thoughts jeopardize our behaviour change actions and goals. It is also helpful to “distance” our thoughts and allow adequate time to evaluate them mindfully, as opposed to impulsively.

We cannot change what we are not aware of. Pattern identification is particularly effective in maintaining positive behavior change. Therefore, one has to be aware of the historical trends so as to build a powerful positive behaviour.

Chiefly, I would like to point out that the Chief Master of technology is God. Therefore, consume his products extensively at the same time praising time.

Have your say: ARE KIDS AT RISK?

Afternoon to you All

Early Childhood Development teachers in J.M polytechnic in Gwanda

Following my yesterday’s post, can one say kids are at risk?

Read the below article that captures the questions and answers regarding the story.

God needs kids who respect their parents. However, following closely the yesterday’s post, one could tell that kids or youths are at a risk in the eyes of God.

Secondly, they are at risk in souring their relationship with the guardians. Most youths are left with their grandparents as fathers and mothers migrate to South Africa in search of jobs. As a result, children tend to take advantage of the situation and consequently refuse to take orders from their grannies as they have become so “obsessed with these new information and communication technologies like whatsapp. This then in turn causes disharmony in the families.

Thirdly, children’s education to a certain extent is greatly disrupted by these technologies especially mobile phones. Children now concentrate more on their phones over the teachings in schools. On this one, it takes a clever and a well determined student to use technology as a weapon to success in education.

Do you want your child to follow the above routes, if not, start what we call parental guidance today, you will make it in life as a family and God himself is watching.

Youths give their Grannies hard time

Afternoon to you All

Gogo  MaNkiwane and her grandchild Nomsa

Today, the author would like to bring about a discussion on how technology has affected (positively or negatively) people of old age in the rural areas. The author did travel to one of the remote areas in Umzingwane district and found a lot of interesting stories on how some people view technology.

Let me point out the following before I get to news: We have seen failure of many technologies due to various reasons. Proper selection of technology is an essential prerequisite for the success of it. The selection of technology becomes more difficult inn rural areas compared to urban areas. this story focuses on the present situation of selection and management of technology in rural areas. 

Therefore, I think there is need for a set up of Local Resource Centres and Technology Development Centres to facilitate better management of technology in rural areas.

Mr Zithelwezinhle Ndlovu (62), a farmer in Umzingwane district said that the technology has improved his professional skills as farmer. He said that mobile phones have enabled him to get customers of his chickens from all the parts of the Matabeleland region. He said that communication with other stakeholders is now cheap unlike in the past where he used to conduct physical communication.

However, Ndlovu said the new technology like mobile phones, facebook and whatsapp on the other hand has grossly destroyed a number of marriages and families. He said that people recklessly use these technologies to cheat on their partners which in turn cause divorce in families.

“My son in terms of my business Whatsapp and facebook is ok but when it comes to family/ marriage issues I don’t trust these technologies” said Ndlovu

An old woman who identified herself as Gogo MaNkiwane said that her grand children are always busy on their phones and they have since neglected the daily home duties. She said that  she doesn’t like technology at all because she is now left with a lot of work to do as the grandchildren are refusing to do the work.

“umhlaba usutshabalele mzukulu ngamaphones enu lawa”( the living world is no more), said MaNkiwane.

Can such youths/ grandchildren enter the kingdom of God?

Taking technology with you to Heaven

Afternoon to you All

flying to heaven(source:www.google.co.zw)

I mean the cell phones, internet, library card catalogues on the computer, computers themselves and digital clocks.  We live in a digital age.  Technology grows and develops at a lightning speed – Sprint Speed.
We are driven by time.  We want it.all, faster, now, at this minute.  Where did that come from?  Here’s the interesting story:   Mechanical clocks were invented in the 12th century.  And if you wonder if technological advances are developed or used by people of faith, get this:  Mechanical clocks were invented by Benedictine monks.  Benedictine monks pray together at various times throughout the day, 8 times per day.  The monks were looking for a way that would improve their group prayer times so that they could build their relationship to God.  So they invented the mechanical clock to help to facilitate their prayer schedule.  But what actually happened?  They became dependent on the clock as they developed the new lifestyle.  The Benedictine prayer life in some ways became time driven, not Relationship-with-God driven.  And later, the industrial revolution happened; we became a non-agrarian society and were no longer following the daily rhythms day and night, sun and moon.  Instead, our days were dependent on the clock, and not on God’s creation.  Our lives began to be clock driven, not relationship-to-God’s-Creation-driven. Fore more information click http://www.newadvent.org/


Now we have digital clocks – more precise, more accurate, and more glowing.  With technology, our productivity is up.  Smart phones can help us multi-task, stay connected, keep our schedules, and work efficiently.  The digital age is embedded in our culture.  It’s here to stay.  We can’t fight it.  Today information flows like water at the Victoria falls. Information flows from the almighty, all-knowing, bigger than our human brains can comprehend…World Wide Web…. I bet you thought I was going to say God, right? 

What does God think about all this technology?  First of all let’s remember that God is the creator of the universe and all that’s in it, including people who are made in God’s image. If God is a creator and made us in God’s image, we are creators too.  That makes us part of the grand scheme of God.  God created us to have the ability, the brain, to develop technology.  And God created the materials necessary so that we can develop new technology.  You could say new technology is God-sponsored and if all that God creates is good, so is that technology. 

Lastly, let’s remember that God wants a relationship with us.  Many would say that our sole purpose on earth is to be in relationship – with God, with others, our surroundings, and with ourselves.  Being in relationship requires presence in order to develop that relationship fully.  How?  My answer is, embrace technology from an objective and cleverly manner. Know what you want from the technological tools you are using.

 Let us keep techno-Christianity active.

Young Zimbos can make it happen

Afternoon to you all

teacher praises technology (source:http://www.nytimes.com/)

Today, I would like to give my own personal overview in regards to technology in Zimbabwe. The author has thought it best to highlight some of the issues as he is looking forward in interviewing more elderly people particularly in the rural areas during the weekend.

In order to bring the people of Zimbabwe out of perpetual underdevelopment and stifling dependency, as the nation, we should empower young people with technological knowledge. Let computer studies be a must in schools where there is electricity though not examined . They will work on developmental projects that will consciously link contemporary Zim- technology with the rest of the world and this will help the young generation in using the appropriate technological tools to specific community needs. 

Let me point out clearly without fear or favour that Zimbabwe/ Africa’s educational systems, without exceptions, have been either poor carbon copies of Western education systems or vague shadows of African and Muslim traditional educational systems. This, in turn, has helped to make the people of Africa the most dependent folk on Western scientific and technological knowledge while simultaneously being the least knowledgeable of today’s science & technology.

To prove this, all one has to do is to visit any of Africa’s schools- be it elementary or university –and see that most books and curriculum being used is of Western origin. I am a student at the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe, and we use the Harvard (Western) style of referencing and we normally quote the European scholars. Just quote an African scholar if you want to spend five hours explaining an African school of thought to the lecturer.

 National development and growth at the level of ordinary African is of central importance. However, at this moment ALL of Africa’s growth and development is outer-directed: for the imperial powers of the West and East. This means that Africa’s continental education system is structured to feed these imperial needs- not to help eradicate all the negative legacies of slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism. In addition, it also means that this educational system of dependency is shaped to re-enforce institutionalized racism by erasing Africa out of the history of science, mathematics and technology, furthering the dependency upon euro-centric forms of miss-education.

Can the so called Christians be left out in this dilemma? Definitely, NO. What then could be a possible remedy?

My own suggestions

 A need to establish research sites for schools in Africa regarding traditional sciences and mathematics with some of the best science education techniques and curriculum forums www.rethinkingschools.org. There are many more websites from different parts of the world that would be tapped into as resource/research cites.

The sites would utilize the latest in internet and computer software developments thereby promoting the creation of a Pan African Internet & Software Technology Institute that taps into not only what exist in Africa and elsewhere, but consciously and systematically recruit and nurture young Africans/ Zimbabweans to become the leaders in these fields. Hence, self empowerment is promoted< http://laptop.org>.

Can you then be a better techno-Christian if your educational foundation is embedded with Western ideologies? Start advancing today technologically so as to fit in the means of production, thus, gaining control over your own life. 

A masterful living with technology

Afternoon to you All

Mrs Virginia  Moyo

Hopefully, you are all well. Today, the author would like to discuss technology in relation to how female adults view it in our community. In most cases, women concentrate more on their valuables like cellphones as compared to men and I had to seize an opportunity to interview my home neighbour along those lines.

Just master what the young-looking old lady had to say;

  

Mrs Virginia Moyo, is one of saints at a local church in Bulawayo. She is 56 years old. Mrs Moyo dedicated her precious time this morning in sharing her views in regards to techno-Christianity.

She said that technology is advancing at an undefined pace and whosoever tries to challenge technology or seem to be ignoring new information and communication technologies is wasting his/her time. Mrs Moyo views technology as the only key to her success.

The woman said she completed her diploma in teaching in 2010 at the Hillside College in Bulawayo and all her studies were enhanced by the use of face-book, emails and phone calls. Questioned on whether these new information and communication technologies like whats-app has had ever landed her in trouble before in her marriage, she only responded by saying “no” and said that, my young son, it’s a matter of having a right partner who fears God.

Asked on how Christianity has been affected by the advent of technology, the woman confidently responded by saying that it is God who is behind it and the world now uses technology for satanic acts.

Mrs Moyo said: “I think as long as the Holy Spirit is on you, no matter how the devil may use technology to spread his ideologies, he won’t succeed. Never make Godly prayers online if your heart is impure or if it's not yet ready to receive Jesus Christ.”

She also emphasised on the power of devil in technology that Satan has got power and uses these technologies to confuse and mislead the world. However, she concluded by saying that there is nothing wrong about the technology and it’s a matter of God-oriented faith so as for one to overcome the threats posed by technology.

This means that older people in our society do embrace technology and they are awre that it has got negative effects. This is a good masterful living. Hopefully, the young generation is paying maximum attention too.

Can technology make you a better Christian?

Good Afternoon All

 CAN TECHNOLOGY MAKE YOU A BETTER CHRISTIAN?

Technology act as per your command
( source:http://www.ecoustics.com/

Get my own view first; I'm typing this from a computer, so I'm obviously not opposed to all forms of technology. But I don't believe that having a computer, internet and other new information and communication technologies has made me a better Christian. My belief is that I use technology whenever I feel to apply it. Habitual use of technologies for one to be a better believer is “risky” since technology goes also with other religions which might be harmful to my beliefs. Motella Moyo, a student at the National University of Science and Technology, and is a  worshiper at a Pentecostal church in Bulawayo said: “AMEN!! I can not imagine living my life without technology, we communicate to one another as church members whenever necessary and this helps us to be always up to date on events. I can also use you as a good example because it was the use of technology (mobile phones) that enabled us to meet today and chat. My friend, if you don’t embrace technology nowadays, you are doomed and irrelevant in today’s world.” Learn more by clicking here

Vitalis Ncube, who declined to give me the name of his church said that he is a Christian highlighted that technology is killing Christians as married people use it to connect themselves with their past lovers thereby reviving love. He said face-book and whats-app is killing marriages through out the world and such incidents have been and are widely reported in the local and international media. Learn more by clicking here

Don’t forget to know who you are so as to view technology from your own perspective. 

Nearest the good, there is the evil !!!!!!!!!!!

nearest the good, there is evil(source: www.google.co.zw

"Older adults conquer technology"

Good afternoon All!!!!!!!

“OLDER ADULTS CONQUER TECHNOLOGY”

“We have many residents who are proficient on desktop computers but as the demand for and use of mobile devices have increased, our residents wanted to stay current with these technologies,” said Jayne Keller, Holly Creek’s executive director. The program is free and open to any senior interested in learning how new technologies can help them connect to family and friends www.christianlivingcommunities.

I have often wondered on how do adults in the African society view technology. At least, some of the adults from other parts of the world seem to have interest in these new technologies since they view it as an empowering tool for easy communication with family and friend.

It will be a great week this week, as the blogger is going to interview some of the adults from the African community, preferably, the village or kraal heads from Umzingwane district, Matabeleland South province, Zimbabwe. This is where I was born, lived there until year 2011 when I entered the city of Bulawayo to study my tertiary education.

Yes, technology is advancing to an extent that people of more than 90 years are still active users of technology. This is really amazing and interesting!!!!!!!!

      The 91-yr, R. Mugabe(second) and technology
 (source:www.google.co.zw) 

Together, we can make technology take us to heaven. 
Can this happen??? My answer is maybe, what's your take onthis one?. Click here for more discussions on the topic.

I believe that technology is not all about one's age but it is the passion that takes a 91- year old person to treat new technologies as one of his or her best friend.

What then can stop your grandmother and your grand father to get a taste of this technology. 

I would like to take this opportunity to challenge the young generation to assist their grand parents in using technology. Hopefully, there is nothing you are scared of in equiping others with such knowledge. The bible says: my people perish because of lack of knowlegde For scriptural verses on this subject click dailybibleguide.com .

Share the knowledge you have now..........

Strong reasons why e-Christianity is a "hot cake"

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!

power of technology( source: www.christianpost.com)

I received a number of calls yesterday as my fellows wanted to know the reasons why i say e-Christianity is a hot cake. Therefore, i take this opportunity to point out some of the obvious points related to the subject.

E- Christianity is a cake because it embraces the word of God and trillions of people in the world are living and being guided by the word of God that can now be accessed online. One can enjoy such fruits by surfing the internet at any given moment of time.

One can meet his or her ''churchmates online'' and share christian values.This enables one to grow spiritually in the word of God. Not only church-mates can be met online but other Christians from the utter most parts of the earth can be reached

You can meet your Pastors and church leaders online and seek clarification on any subject there by cutting travelling costs as physical consultation is minimised. One of the online publishers said: "We are here for the calling of Revival in America and beyond. God's plan for this ministry is to reach the Pastors, Saints and lost sheep. Through this ministry, you will find rejuvination, inspiration and a burning for revival and Salvation sown into your heart".
Please click here for more information. 

New social media acts as a healing platform for the people from all the parts of the world.

Lastly, the cake is a hot one in the sense that any religion can have an online publication which might be a threat to other religions. In brief, Christians with low- self esteem can easily be taken away by other religions through the use of online platforms. For further interests on this point please click here, 

Please don't be taken away from your religion by technology but use it to defend your religion.

Technology is a blessing no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!

Afternoon to you all,

   pastor at work               

Today's focus is mainly on the issue raised in the comments section on the subject: Is technology disruptive on youths in shaping up their future?. Yes, there is nothing wrong in technology but it’s the users who end up abusing technology. However, one may argue and say users abuse technology through the use of the same technological tools. Think about it!!!!!!

 I had a telephone conversation and face-book chat with one of the church pastor and gave me some of the ways God uses technology in church. The goal is provide you or your church with ideas you’ve perhaps never thought about before. According to Pastor Sibanda of Brethren In Christ Church, here are some of the important points to note:

1. God is pleased with offering the gift of technology to Him when the media ministry is executed at a professional level.

Pastor Sibanda said:” I truly believe that this is one position in the church that should not be short-changed. If the church wants media ministry results, then prioritizing this ministry is a must. Perhaps providing training to volunteers would be a great start in achieving this goal. He quoted the below verse:

I Corinthians. 10:31 -So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

2. God uses technology team volunteers who have a heart for the church ministry and skills for the job.Technology in churches helps congregants who practice video shooting to acquire new skills in the field. This also creates good job opportunities for such people.

II Chronicles. 6:19 – For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

3. God uses media ministry to reach people beyond the walls of the church.

Pastor Collen Sibanda highlighted that he would want his church to open a website so as to reach as a many people as possible and said he will also lead by example by opening a facebook page for the church by next week. Lets wait for the page and learn some concepts

Indeed God is behind Technology!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get your mind strengthened on the topic 

         

Also visit the bible on the air

Is Technology disruptive on youths in shaping their future???

bible and technology inseparable

Most people in the world have taken technology as a blessing from God with some associating with Satanism. In my view,God was and is still behind technology inventions and advancements and Satanism only manifests itself in the process of technology consumption.

Youths are active users of online platforms and some of them have gone to an extent of abusing such a blessing from God.One of the interviewees who requested her name and that of her church not to be published said:" I am a christian aged 23 and to live without  my whats app is something else, better i divorce my husband than to divorce my whats-app",

Surprisingly, the woman seem to be a principled and a devoted person in the works of God. Asked how can she think in that way, she responded that whats app keeps her entertained day and night just like her husband who is always online.

From the above, can the couple get more time in discussing family matters so as to build powerful and prosperous family. The big question is : who is monitoring the time one has to be online and offline.Constructive and destructive messages get through second by second and in most cases either party seem not to be worried yet in the real sense it actually disrupts one's psychological stability.

I have wondered whether face-book and whats-app do share christian concepts more than just social issues. i think one has to ask himself/ herself the main motive of adopting these new social media platforms.

My fellow Christians who are on whats- app normally posts highly insensitive pictures with sexual connotations and i have wondered and i still wonder what could the real motives of this,, Christians being entertained by such issues? What brings a lot of disgrace is that it is the school-going individuals who are so "taken away" by these "ungodly" images. Very little would one find in whats app messages talking about educational programmes, However, one would argue and say all this is determined by the social structure one is in.

youths being active online( source: online)

 Youths, let's take advantage of new Information and Communication Technologies in achieving our educational and personal goals rather than to solely treat them as tools of entertainment.