Positive Quote For Today

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."— Maya Angelou


Thinking About Death

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"For we are strangers before them, and sojourners, as were all our fathers." ~1st Chronicles 29:15.

Oops! A neighbour of ours, whom my Mum used to know as Mr. Munyu, passed away last Sunday. I was a bit surprised to hear of his demise because I hadn't known he was ill in the numerous times I have met him this year.

Mr. Munyu was a short, quiet man who seemed to me to be always absent-minded. Whenever we met on the road-side and he happened to spot me, he would get jolted out of his absent-mindedness, smile, greet me and then lapse back into his absent-mindedness.

One thing I liked about Mr. Munyu was the way he loved cleanliness. He was always clad in suits and well-polished shoes. I remarked to him about his love for cleanliness two or three years ago, to which he replied in Kikuyu, "Yes, I love cleanliness. And I always ensure even the most hidden parts of my body are clean."

So if cleanliness is next to godliness as the cliché goes, then Mr. Munyu was a godly man - which makes me think he is now resting with the angels in heaven.

Mr. Munyu is now the fifth neighbour I have lost in the last two or three years. That has led me to think about death since we are all destined for the grave. And several authors have actually encouraged me in their books and speeches to think about death.

There is Rick Warren who in his internationally acclaimed book, The Purpose Driven Life, advises us to live with an eternal perspective because our time on Earth is ephemeral. I agree with that since we only live for seventy or so years which is short compared with the age of the Earth which scientists estimate to be 3.8 billion years old.

There is Stephen R. Covey who in his international best-seller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, encourages us to think about the kind of compliments we would love spoken of us during our funerals by our family, friends, relatives, work-mates and community members.

There is Steve Chandler who in his book, 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself, exhorts us to think of death as one of the ways of motivating ourselves to make the most of each day. He says living without thinking of death is detrimental to our lives much in the same way as playing a match as if it will never end.

There is Pepe Minambo who in his relatively small book, Be Inspired Before You Expire, beseeches us to live such a wonderful life that the organizers of our funerals shall have an easy time coming up with our eulogies.

Then there is Steve Jobs who in his famous 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University encouraged Stanford graduates to think about death regularly. He said:
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
It is such kind of thinking about death that drove Bill Clinton to accomplish much at a young age, for he says in his autobiography that his father's early death infused him with a sense of mortality that made him make the most of each day. If you didn't know, Bill Clinton was first elected governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas at the tender age of 31.

So I have also decided to be thinking about death as one of the ways of motivating myself. I will strive to be grateful for each day, greet it with a smile and spend it productively and enjoyably. And I will strive to leave a legacy of faith, hope and love by looking at the best in others even when they see the worst in me.

And when will I die? Well, I can die any time from now. But I am sanguine if I continue deepening my faith in God and working on my physical fitness while engaging at a labour of love, then I will clock 90 as a sprightly, grey-haired nonagenarian.

How about you? Ask yourself what difference you'd love to have made in the world by the time you die. And try to continually imagine the kind of words that will be spoken of you during your funeral. Adieu!

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Part 2: Lessons From the Bible

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With permission, I have extracted this photo with permission from Quotefancy.com. All rights reserved worldwide.

To tell you the truth, there was a time I didn't believe in the Bible for reasons I won't disclose today. I even made it known to my fellow church members at Kiserian Catholic Parish in 2006 that I didn't believe in the Holy Scriptures despite the fact that I attended church.

Those who considered me lost those days were right. But those who thought I was completely lost couldn't relate the story of Paul who was once a prosecutor of Christians and then was suddenly transformed into one of the most ardent believers of the gospel. And you know what? Paul went on to author more books in the Bible than any other believer.

So in a sense, I am more like Paul. Don't be surprised if I end up authoring many stories on God and His Word in this lovely blog of mine; I, Thuita J. Maina, who was once an unbeliever.

Yes, I nowadays believe deeply in the Bible because of the way it answers most of the mysteries of life and the issues that concern us humans. Okay, let me tell you about them.

To begin with, the Biblical account of creation is more accurate and plausible than the theory of evolution that was first propounded by Charles Darwin. That theory of evolution, for instance, doesn't explain why apes still exist; as in, why were they spared from the process of evolution? Clearly, there is something that is not adding up in that theory of evolution.

The theory of evolution also doesn't explain the origin of sins. And you know what? Sins bother humans a lot. You go out there and listen to the stories of people; then you'll discover how people are hurting from theft, divorce, rejection, disagreements and other sins. Others are consumed with hate, fear, guilt and jealousy.

Yes, people are really bothered by sins; a mystery that the theory of evolution doesn't explain.

Then the Bible goes on to shed light on issues that still concern civilized man today: health, wealth, marriage, corruption, knowledge, paying taxes and life after death, just to mention but a few. Allow me to discuss on the few issues I have listed.

First is on wealth. I am sure it is everybody's wish to be wealthy because we all need enough money to lead a decent life. The Bible says that we all have to be patient in the acquisition of wealth. Whoever is quick to get rich will not go unpunished. And the best way to acquire wealth is through hard work.

On health which is another wish of every person, the Bible extols it as the greatest gift. The inspirational Book of Sirach found only in the Catholic Bible says "better the poor in vigorous health than the rich with bodily ills".

And do you know what the Bible recommends for good health? In addition to exercise and a good diet punctuated with an occasional glass of wine, we also need to think noble, cheerful thoughts. Let me spare you the list of verses that point out those keys to good health. You read the Bible deeply and you will identify the verses for yourself.

Third is on knowledge. The Bible says knowledge is the key to success. And it adds in the Book of Psalms that a man who has riches without undeerstanding is like the beasts that perish. So in a sense, the Bible advises all youngsters out there to acquire as much knowledge as they can by pursuing education to university level.

Fourth is on paying taxes. I have chosen to discuss on this issue because I usually read in the media of people all over the world charged in court for tax evasion. Jesus Christ himself counsels us in the Book of Matthew to pay our share of taxes which is because governments play an important role in our lives. They provide security, administer justice and build the infrastructure that bind us together. Those are noble causes, aren't they?

And that brings me to the issue of corruption. The problem with most governments, especially in the developing nations, is that most funds meant for those noble causes end up in personal bank accounts of corrupt officials; the kind of corruption that the Bible condemns. That's one reason that hinders development.

Let me leave that issue of corruption and dwell on marriage, another issue the Bible addresses. It says the keys to a successful marriage are marrying the right partner (faithful, upright and God-fearing) and submitting to one another. If every child was born in a successful marriage, the sins of this world would be greatly diminished because the criminals who create hell on Earth are as a result of the hoi-polloi who bear children they are unable to nurture into responsible adults.

Lastly, let me discuss on life after death which the Bible promises us. Let's face it; we are here on Earth for seventy years or so. That's a very small number of years compared with the age of the Earth which scientists estimate to be 3.8 billions years old. For me, the Bible's promise of life after death inspires me with hope beyond measure. Adieu!

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RECOMMENDATION: If you've enjoyed this part 2 of lessons from the Bible, you might also enjoy part 1 of the series. Just click here to jump straight into the story.

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Bible Quote

"Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do... Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand."

~Phillipians 4:4-7 (TLB)

About the Author

Name: Thuita J. Maina
Nationality: Kenyan
Lives in: Kiserian, Rift Valley, Kenya
Mission: To inspire the world to godly living, one person at a time.

Just For Laughs

There was this drunkard named Azoge who loved drinking at Josiah's Bar. On being told a certain Hon. Nanga was flying to America to be conferred a law degree so that he could be admitted to the bar, Azoge replied, "Why fly all the way to America to be admitted to the bar while you can get into Josiah's Bar any time?"



The 7 Deadly Sins

  1. Pride
  2. Envy
  3. Gluttony
  4. Lust
  5. Anger
  6. Greed
  7. Sloth

Author's Note

I am learning to treat life as a journey, not a destination. So I am trying to enjoy each day as I anticipate to fulfill my dreams especially meeting my soulmate and traveling abroad. Tomorrow may never be mine.

Fun Facts

  1. The fear of having no cell-phone service, running out of battery, or losing sight of your phone is called Nomophobia, reportedly affecting 66% of people.
  2. A single Google search needs more computing power than it took to send Apollo 11 to the moon. The Apollo computer was less equipped than a modern toaster.
  3. Besides being some of the biggest names in the tech industry, HP, Apple, Google and Microsoft share another commonality. They all started in garages.
~Extracted from Codingforums.com

Health Tip

So many of us take for granted the wonderful construction of the human body and the workings of its various parts. Some of us even expect it to function efficiently with less than the minimum care and attention. Learn the much you can about your body and how the care of it can help to give you that greatest blessing of all - good health.


Wonders of the Modern World

  1. The Simplon Tunnel
  2. The Sky-scrapers of New York
  3. The Boulder Dam of Colorado
  4. The Panama Canal
  5. The Golden Gate Bridge
  6. The Taj Mahal at Agra in India
  7. The North Sea Oil Drilling Rigs

Great Example for Politicians

"My life in politics was a joy. I loved campaigns and I loved governing. I always tried to keep things moving in the right direction, to give more people a chance to live their dreams, to lift people's spirits, and to bring them together. That's the way I kept score."

~Bill Clinton

Scientific Marvels

  1. Space travel
  2. Heart surgery
  3. Fibre-optics communication
  4. Concorde
  5. Computers & Radios
  6. Anesthetics
  7. The atom bomb

My Supreme Desire

Although I'd like to be rich and famous, my supreme desire is to be radiant: to radiate health, cheerfulness, calm courage and goodwill. I wish to live without hate, guilt, worry, jealousy, cynicism and envy. I wish to be honest, natural, confident, clean in mind and body - ready to say "I do not know" if it be so and to treat all men with kindness - to meet any loss, failure, criticism and rejection unabashed and unafraid.



Greatest American Presidents

  1. Abraham Lincoln
  2. George Washington
  3. Thomas Jefferson
  4. Franklin Roosevelt
  5. Theodore Roosevelt
  6. Woodrow Wilson
  7. Andrew Jackson

Making Peace With the Past

"Dwell not on your past. Use it to illustrate a point, then leave it behind. Nothing really matters except what you do now in this instant of time. From this moment onwards you can be an entirely different person, filled with love and understanding, ready with an outstretched hand, uplifted and positive in every thought and deed."

~Eileen Caddy

Toughest Colleges to Get Into

  1. MIT
  2. Princeton
  3. Harvard
  4. Yale
  5. Stanford
  6. Brown
  7. Columbia

Why You Should Trust God

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities and pour out peace."

~Ezra Taft Benson

The 7 Greatest Scientists

  1. Albert Einstein
  2. Isaac Newton
  3. Galileo Galilei
  4. Nikola Tesla
  5. Aristotle
  6. Archimedes
  7. Charles Darwin

You Matter

"Always be yourself. Never try to hide who you are. The only shame is to have shame. Always stand up for what you believe in. Always question what other people tell you. Never regret the past; it's a waste of time. There's a reason for everything. Every mistake, every moment of weakness, every terrible thing that has happened to you, grow from it. The only way you can ever get the respect of others is when you show them that you respect yourself and most importantly, do your thing and never apologize for being you."

~Unknown

The Most Industrialized Nations

  1. United States
  2. Japan
  3. Germany
  4. France
  5. United Kingdom
  6. Italy
  7. Canada

Keys to Success

"...in his effort to withstand temptation, to economize, to exercise thrift, to disregard the superficial for the real - the shadow for the substance; to be great yet small, in his effort to be patient in the laying of a firm foundation; to so grow in skill and knowledge that he shall place his services in demand by reason of his intrinsic and superior worth. This is the key that unlocks every door of opportunity, and all others fail."

~Booker T. Washington

The 7 Social Sins

  1. Politics without principle
  2. Wealth without work
  3. Pleasure without conscience
  4. Knowledge without character
  5. Commerce without morality
  6. Worship without sacrifice
  7. Science without humanity

Cherish What You Love

"Cherish your visions, cherish your ideals, cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts - for out of them will grow all heavenly environment, of these if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built."~James Allen

The World's Largest Cities

  1. London in England
  2. New York in the United States
  3. Tokyo in Japan
  4. Berlin in Germany
  5. Chicago in the United States
  6. Shanghai in China
  7. Paris in France

Benefits of Optimism

"In terms of success, optimistic people out perform their pessimistic colleagues. Research shows that they are consistently promoted higher and make more money while working fewer hours than those who think pessimistically. Optimists also contribute more significantly to social progress. It is the optimists who start and run successful companies, who win elections and carry out reforms, and who make breakthroughs in the realms of science and technology."

~Pepe Minambo

The World's Greatest Lakes

  1. Caspian Sea in the Commonwealth of Independent States, C.I.S. (formerly U.S.S.R)
  2. Lake Superior in North America
  3. Victoria Nyanza in Central Africa
  4. Aral Sea in C.I.S.
  5. Lake Huron in North America
  6. Lake Michigan in North America

Demonstrating His Love

"Take your communication for instance - the way you address others. It ought to be with loving, gracious and edifying words. Never talk people down. Never use words that hurt and demean people. Communicate excellently with others without destroying their self-image or making them feel sorry for themselves. Talk to people in a way that they never forget the excellence of your words, the love and grace of Christ that you communicated. It's how God wants us to love."

~Dr. Chris Oyakhilome

World's Longest Rivers

  1. Missouri-Mississipi (U.S.)
  2. Amazon (Brazil)
  3. Nile (Egypt)
  4. Yangtse (China)
  5. Lena (Russia)
  6. Zaire (Central Africa)
  7. Niger (West Africa)