Category: The 4th Dimension

One Solitary Life

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ Leave a comment

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held … Continue reading One Solitary Life

Where is God in Esther?

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ Leave a comment

The book of Esther is famous for being the only book of the Bible that does not mention God. Where is God in Esther? Is He just working "behind the scenes", inferred and "providential", rather than explicit? And is the God of Esther the God of the gospel that we believe in as Christians? I … Continue reading Where is God in Esther?

Church 101: A Senior Pastor’s First Message to the Church

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 4 Comments

My church got a new senior pastor last Sunday. Actually, he’s been around for quite a while (at least five years) as the Associate Pastor. But Ken Mbugua officially became the Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church on October 18th, 2015. His first message will remain etched in my mind for a long time. Not … Continue reading Church 101: A Senior Pastor’s First Message to the Church

When Obedience is Disobedience: A Gospel Primer

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ Leave a comment

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19 ESV) The difference between demons and the children of God is not in their "beliefs", but in their "lives". God demands PERFECT obedience. So does this mean that we are to always do right and never fail or fall … Continue reading When Obedience is Disobedience: A Gospel Primer

Why I (Sort of) Support the SCOTUS Ruling on Gay Marriage

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 1 Comment

Christians in the US did not lose the culture war when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage – because Christians have never won any culture war. In fact, I dare say Christians are not even expected to, let alone commanded to, win culture wars. Let me explain. For centuries, the “church” has enjoyed the … Continue reading Why I (Sort of) Support the SCOTUS Ruling on Gay Marriage

A Timely and Timeless Warning by Pastor Musyimi

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 3 Comments

I work on every other weekend, and last Sunday was one of those working days. But I found myself with nothing much to do and after writing a few stories, I stepped out of the office for a walk. I ended up at Mamlaka Hill Chapel (MHC), on Mamlaka Road, just a few minutes from … Continue reading A Timely and Timeless Warning by Pastor Musyimi

In Defense of Self Esteem and Other Self-Help Needs

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ Leave a comment

I am currently reading one of those books that people read in secret. You know, those books that would make us look bad and weak and inadequate if people saw them on our shelves? The title of the book does little to help my ego: How to Win Friends and Influence People. You are probably already drawing inferences about … Continue reading In Defense of Self Esteem and Other Self-Help Needs

A Biblical Example of a “Healing Service”

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 3 Comments

Did you know there is a healing service in the Bible? Actually, it is a healing and deliverance service and it is even Pentecostal. You have probably read the passage dozens of times but have never thought about it as an example of a healing service. The possibility that the first idea of a "healing" ministry or … Continue reading A Biblical Example of a “Healing Service”

How To Deal With Those Pesky Beggar Kids in Nairobi

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 2 Comments

"These street kids are everywhere these days, it is like an infestation." Those were the words that left my lips last Saturday at our weekly community group meeting. A few gasps followed the sentence, and then nervous laughter. Someone volunteered an explanation: "we have a doctor in the room, and the word 'infestation' carries a lot of … Continue reading How To Deal With Those Pesky Beggar Kids in Nairobi

What Is So Wrong With Positive Thinking?

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 1 Comment

Why do so many people (myself included) like to bash prosperity preachers? As a friend recently asked me after I posted a critique on a sermon by Creflo Dollar: "Cornell, what do you have against the man?" Before I respond to that question, three corrections:We (whoever we are) actually don't "like" to bash prosperity preachers. (at … Continue reading What Is So Wrong With Positive Thinking?

A Glimpse of How Creflo Dollar Twisted the Bible in Nairobi

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 6 Comments

Renowned American preacher, Dr Creflo Dollar, recently concluded his three day speaking engagement in Nairobi. He had been invited to the country by Deliverance Church Kenya, under Bishop Mark Kariuki. Dollar spoke on various topics, the most publicized being "Love, Sex and Relationships". Now, many things have been said about Dollar's visit. A brief scan through … Continue reading A Glimpse of How Creflo Dollar Twisted the Bible in Nairobi

Is the Bible a Work of Plagiarism?

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 1 Comment

I came across this interesting comic on the web (below). A teacher gave her students the following assignment: What is the "Golden Rule" and its source? The answers she got from her students are quite telling. In fact, many atheists use this example to illustrate why they think the Bible is not the Word of God but … Continue reading Is the Bible a Work of Plagiarism?

To Forgive or Not to Forgive (Yourself)?

~ Ngare Kariuki ~ 1 Comment

Guilt. It is a joy sapping, energy draining and hope crushing feeling. Guilt can imprison you in the past and make you unable to move forward. It will make you doubt yourself and even write yourself off. I know this because I have been guilty. Or rather, I have felt guilty. To BE guilty is a statement … Continue reading To Forgive or Not to Forgive (Yourself)?