WHAT ABOUT THIS

Phil. 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (NIV)

Most people would like to be happy, carefree and self-confident: but the Apostle Paul described himself as 'content'. Happiness depends on what happens, carefree living has no responsibilities and self-confidence comes from competence and acceptance by others. It may sound like an idyllic childhood scene, but it is not the real world for most adults. By contrast, Paul's life of hardship included cold and hunger, riots and imprisonments, shipwrecks and false brothers (see 2 Cor 6:4-10 & 11:23-28) - yet he was able to claim he was content. Interestingly, many today, who have none of his disadvantages, cannot find contentment.

Paul's contentment was neither inherited nor the result of nice circumstances: it was learned in the hard school of the Christian life. Indeed, the dangers and personal insults were all part of the curriculum (so were the times of plenty). God was not being mean to Paul, but testing him in his training to see if he would rely totally on the power and grace of God. Such a man of God is usable for great tasks; and we know he fulfilled his commission well (see 2 Tim 4:7-8), because contentment is very different to complacency. Contented Christians are not wasting energy in fighting what they cannot win, but neither are they apathetic to the Lord's commands. On the contrary, contentment enhances faith, logic and zeal; it enables the job to be completed with clear sightedness and commitment.

Following Jesus will involve learning this essential lesson of faith. The learning process may be longer for some than others ... it cannot really start until we stop resenting the problems and start trusting that the Lord knows what He is doing. That thankful trust is not specific to particular circumstances, but is the normal response of mature faith to any and every situation which comes our way. Even the 'problem' of having an abundance of good things is a test of faith: the Lord is watching to see how we deal with the privilege He gives us. Like many lessons, we rarely achieve consistency in the early stages; and sometimes we have to relearn essential basics. However, the Lord is determined that we shall learn to accept His will in all things, and He will allow whatever is necessary to get us to that point. So think twice before complaining at work, or resenting a family member - the Lord wants you to pass the test so that He can use you more in the future than in the past.

Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for investing Your life in me. Help me to appreciate all the training You set before me, and the tests which show us both how far I have come in Your 'school of faith'. May I see changing circumstances as an adventure with You, rather than an assault on my security. Help me to see my work and friends as all part of Your training so that I can be more useful to You in the future. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Pray For an Open Door

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us…"
(Colossians 4:3, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD

In this life, we are blessed with so many opportunities and privileges. In this day and age, we have tools and resources to figure almost anything out. It's easy to just depend on our own natural ability to make things happen. But God wants to be intimately involved in our lives. He wants us to come to Him, depend on Him, and allow Him to show Himself strong on our behalf. He wants to open those doors for you, and He wants you to know that He is the one working behind the scenes on your behalf.

Today, if you are looking for an open door, turn to God. Pray and ask Him to direct your every step. Keep asking, keep knocking, keep believing because God will open those doors before you. He will lead you and guide you into the abundant life He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for ordering and directing my steps. Today I come to You asking for an open door. I know that You will make a way even when there seems to be no way. I choose to trust You with every detail of my life! In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Psalm 16:5-8

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot,

the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant pleces; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the LORD' who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

I have set the LORD always before me :because he is my right hand' I shall not be moved.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Family Health International (FHI) is dedicated to improving lives, knowledge, and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education, and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, reproductive health, and infectious diseases. We are seeking qualified candidates for the following position to be based in Embu:

DATA MANAGER
APHIA II, EASTERN
REF NO. FHI-DM-EASTERN

POSITION SUMMARY:
Responsible for AHIA II Eastern project data collection and management activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Designing setting up and management of project data bases
• Offer technical support in database management to meet data requirements for APHIA II Eastern and other stake holders.
• Under the guidance of the M&E Advisor assist in the compilation of quarterly, annual reports to the USAID and APHIA II Eastern and other ad hoc program data and reports;
• Assist in Program data analysis and other ad hoc analysis requests.
• Coordination of collection of APHIA II Eastern program data.
• Ensure and support the use of tools and a functional system for purposes of collecting, analysis and synthesis of monitoring data
• Provide technical assistance to partner staff on data management, Monitoring & evaluation activities.
• Facilitate capacity building and training of implementing partners in Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Offering technical assistance in designing of data collection tools to APHIA II Eastern implementation partners.
• Directly supervise assigned staff including data clerks.
• Keep abreast of latest trends in data management.

REQUIREMENTS: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Experience in designing and setting up data bases
• Experience in data analysis and presenting statistical reports
• Working knowledge of APHIA II/USAID/PEPFAR data requirements
• Good planning and organizational skills
• Tact and diplomacy in dealing with implementing partners
• Demonstrated experience with Health Management Information Systems.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through informal and formal trainings
• Understanding of Monitoring & evaluation

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Degree in Statistics, public health, mathematics, IT or a related field with at least 2 years experience or Advanced Diploma in statistics/IT or related areas with 5 years experience
• Computer proficiency in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, including advanced skills in at least two of the following programs: SPSS, Access, Excel, Epi Info and, Stata,


FHI has a competitive compensation package and is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates please submit cover letter, resume including salary requirements via email to: Kenya-hr@fhi.org or mail to: Human Resources Office; P.O. Box 38835-00623; NAIROBI, KENYA to be received not later than November 16, 2009. Kindly note that only short listed persons will be contacted. Please quote the Ref No. provided on the subject line while sending your application. No phone calls please!

Question

Have you ever in your life asked yourself this Questions

And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them
There is a way?

If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?

And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them
There is a way? As Jesus is the way

This are the lyrics from
If We Are The Body a song by Casting Crowns

for them that are feelins down and stressed:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6


"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
Proverbs 18:10

THE MADNESS OF FOLLY

2 Peter 2:15-16 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--a beast without speech--who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness. (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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While a few people are intentionally evil, most do not set out to be wicked. This probably applies to the well meaning politician, the ambitious professional, the hard-working trader, and the compassionate spiritual leader. Yet many dabble in sin, are entertained by evil and consider alternatives to truth. This is because human nature is perverse and instinctively resistant to God and His Truth. So, along with everybody else, we are all tempted to play with fire. But 'going wrong', is rarely a sudden climactic event; it is the end point of a process that starts when we wander from the right way.

Of course there needs to be a reason to tempt us into sin (cf James 1:13-15). Peter uses the remarkable story of Balaam to illustrate his point that wandering off the right path leads to disaster unless stopped: in this case by a talking donkey! If you do not know the story, read it in Numbers 22:1-38 - it is one of the most ironic and amusing episodes in the Old Testament! But Peter gets under the skin of Balaam's character by highlighting his weak point; he "loved the wages of wickedness". In other words, as the 'high' or 'buzz' rewards the drug-taker and money rewards the thief, so every sin has an attractive outcome. That may only last for a moment, or may be overtaken by disaster; but the pull is strong enough for the temptation to be fatal (cf Rom 6:23a).

In God's mercy, Balaam (who was tempted to take money in exchange for cursing Israel) was rebuked by a talking donkey that could see God's way better than the false prophet. Sometimes God does intervene in unique ways to prevent us going off track (as in the Damascus road experience Acts 9:1-6); but far better when we choose to stay close to the Lord and not to wander. However well we have run in the past, keeping right still depends on our willingness to submit to God's Word. Failure to read, reflect on the scriptures and live obediently to them will inevitably induce spiritual instability. That spiritual wobble will make it impossible to steer a course straight towards Jesus. When that happens, a personal catastrophe looms ahead: if it happens to a teacher, many others are dragged off course too, and the judgement is more severe (cf James 3:1). So we need to keep coming back to the Scriptures and praying for those who presently refuse to do so.

Prayer: Father God. As You welcome home all the prodigals who repent, please help me to live close to You and desire to stay on Your pathway. I pray for those of my friends, family and colleagues who cannot see the folly of wandering off from You. Please bring them to repentance and faith, and help me to set them a good example. For the sake of the honour and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Name. Amen.