My Journey to Salvation

I always feel some type of a way whenever I hear young people like me not wanting Christ in their lives.

 So I have decided to share my spiritual journey with y'all but this is gonna be hard kuba I am a private person ngendalo.

But I do hope it will inspire others to be unashamed of Jesus and start having a healthy relationship with him. For me it is never easy to open up.
 I am a private person and I have this protective wall around me and only a selected few are allowed to jump in.

 But Christ encourages us to share our faith. So yeah! Here's my path, the journey that made me change my lifestyle for the better.

 I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at the tender age of 17. It was on the 2nd of September 2006 at a Christian boarding school I attended.

 I know I am being exposed as the weirdo that I am for remembering the exact date I got saved coz most people don't remember but mine was eventful angekhe ndilibale.

 Pastor Mlungwana shared a simple yet a moving sermon. He said we should choose between life and death. I was young and have never experienced much but what he said forced me to look at my life.

Do a quick introspection and thought of what I've been through. And surrendered my life to Jesus that day.

 I have always wanted to lift my hand and accept Christ but I never had the courage. So many things weighed me down.

 But deep down I knew Jesus was my saving grace and only him can heal me and fill my void, the emptiness that was in my heart. The year before going to boarding school, I got sick. It wasn't asthma that I was suffering from or anything that could be attended to by a medical doctor.

It was a spiritual warfare, a generational curse. Something that was bigger than I and then I knew I had to place my hope in something that can rescue me.

For I was sinking. I'd be watching tv and when I look up on the window close to our telly I'd see different figures moving up and down. Strangely enough they only appeared when I was the only one watching TV.

One time I even thought I was suffering fromstroke cause I couldn't move my right arm as it was stiff and resembled a snake. The dark world was quickly closing on me.

Prior to this I have only heard of such things happening but never took it to heart. I never in my wildest dream thought I was ever gonna experience something like this.

 Sleeping at night was a mission and a half. I'd hear noises and often move my bedding to my gran's room coz I couldn't sleep on my own.

The atmosphere in my room to put it mildly wasn't pleasant at all. So much happened but I won't bore u with the gory details.

The point isn't to scare you or drag you to my past. My family strongly believes in traditions. Honouring the dead and doing some rituals every now and then. A typical Xhosa family.

At some point my late mom was igqirha or trained to be one. Andisakhumbuli. I was still a younging when she passed but I know she took off her beads (Intsimbi) before dying.

I don't know what that meant but I am glad she did it. So I got sick and had to be taken to a traditional healer. She performed some rituals and I got better and no longer saw things.  But two years later, I had to be taken to a traditional healer again coz things got worse.

To a point where I almost lost my mind. I couldn't walk properly. Hectic stuff happened. The healer consulted us. And I confirmed everything and who was doing this to me and their reason for doing so. All this time I knew who did this to me and I can never tell u how but I knew. I guess it's a gift. 

On our way back home I asked my aunt what should I do in order to get well. She said I must believe. I forced myself to believe but I couldn't. My heart failed me.

You know when you are sick and desperate and you want to believe in everything that can heal you. But not me!

 I have always kept a journal and I'd write everything down and I remember reading some of the stuff to my teacher. And I kept on saying it's Jesus who saved me.

I didn't know a thing about Jesus that time. He asked where's Jesus from. I didn't know and I just said he's from Greece. He too was an unbeliever.

And tried mocking the situation. Like I said. I come from a traditional family. And for me not to believe in what I was born to was just grace.

 To cut my story short when I got introduced to Jesus, I received healing. And no longer felt the void that was left by mom's passing. The dark cloud over my life moved.

I was free from everything. I began to see things differently. God opened my spiritual eyes and I became a spiritual being.

 But best believe it hasn't been an easy journey. But I press forward kuba I know it's worth it. And I became an unashamed believer.

 My prayer is for God to be gracious towards you. Asuse your unbelief and everything that hinders you from seeing the Way.

 UThixo uYise abenani.

 AMEN!

Is It Still Joyous After Joyous Celebration?

I have noticed the trend among Joyous Celebration alumni's of venturing to other genres after serving the choir.

I think it was last year when Nkanyiso Bhengu announced that after years of worshipping God the Father he had decided to sing Disco music.

Apparently he did not want his music to be boxed and wants to reach a wider audience.

Swazi Dlamini did not surprise me when she released a jazz inspired album and even now there is plenty of chilled sounds on her gospel Mino.

Idol winner, Khaya Mthethwa who wowed thousands of South African's last year when he became the first person of color to be crowned as the utmost winner. Juggles both worlds.

Thabo Mduli who describes himself as a fly Christian(I think I am one too lol) offered music lovers a pop album which was slightly different to his previous sound. I mean his music has always been inspired by RnB. I think.

Having not followed Asanda Bam's journey on JC, I was so perplexed to learn that she was once part of the team.

Then there is Sechaba Pali allow me to say he is an embarrassment to the gospel fraternity. Not only was he charged with statutory rape but he allegedly said he thought the 15 year old he had a sexual encounter with was 17.

I say its okay to come clean and admit the fact you are just making money bhuti!

He unearthed shocking news on Drum. He claimed half of the choir on Joyous during his time drank tjo!

I don't want to dismiss his claims altogether but it really posed a serious question. Not only in the choir but to Gospel music as a whole. Is it just business and not element of redemption in their music.

Doubtlessly Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba changed the gospel scene aphe'khaya but their efforts are plummeted with disgrace.

Generally I avoid being a ladder that faithfully lifts people to their destination but remain in the same place. This doesn't seem to bother gospel peeps anyway that's how I see it!

Not at Church Maan!

The house of God is the bridge between the rich and poor. Its where everyone is equal.

Times are evolving and technology plays a huge role in our lives but I believe the saints shouldn't conform to the standards of this world. In actual fact it must the world copying us Bazalwane.

Preaching from an ipad for me is not ideal.

What happens when the battery dies in the middle of a sermon? Or on your way to a revival notorious kids rob you of your belongings?

A Christian comedian on Thabo Mdluli's show mentioned that if it was today the two stone tablets that Moses held, could have been ipads.

I'm one of those that gladly hold the bible close to my heart when I go to church sort of making my neighbours aware that I'm going to church.

And reading the bible from my phone in the train might lead people into thinking "ndidlala u-facebook."

Maybe I am still stuck in the past. But I love the song that says give me the old time religion. It was good enough for brother Paul and Silas, it is good enough for me.

It pains me when I invite people to church and they decline because they don't have proper clothes. To some extent church services have turned into modeling ramps.

We have forgotten the great commission.  And bible verses that reminds us not to be like the world. I guess that idiom that says if you can't beat them, join them is true to some peeps.

Move! magazine carried articles asking if there should be restrictions on how congregants dress. It was pointed out that you can't dress like you going to a club and one should respect the holy sanctuary.

We shouldn't compete with the world. We are not of the world. One time I rolled my eyes so hard such that my iris tried to pop out. A sis was dissing people who wear fake lashes whilst she was putting on a weave?!! That's a perfect example of judging people who sin differently than you.

You might ask is it a sin to have artificial hair? Read 1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 9

Like Pastor Nathi Mbombela once said Ungaliphuculi ude uliphuncuke!

Kanye West - Good kid Gone Bad

Kanye West

I am one of those who jammed to Kanye West's Jesus Walks single. I have mad love for Rap or the Spoken Word. It just tickles my fancy.

Some of you are probably rolling your eyes right now wondering what has possessed udade Lol.

College Drop-out was released in 2004 and I accepted the Lion of Judah in 2006 remember?!

With that cleared masingene emxholweni!

Man this kid is talented, He is not a sought-after producer nje, we can't take that away from him can we?!

Yall know satan is an opportunist but one author explained this beautifully. He said if you not filled with the Holy Spirit you are certainly filled with Lucifa.

In simple terms my friend willingly or not lucifa is dancing in your heart and calling the shorts if you dust your bible on sundays only or during funerals.

How did he manage to twist the arm of Donda's one and only baby who once professed "...But if I talk about God my record won't get played Huh?"

When you are vocal about the social ills rest assured that you have made satan your enemy.

He is a smart, patient chap that waste no time in destroying what God has fearfully made.

He firstly sweeps you off your feet by flashing money and a breath-taking future that in your right mind, you can't say No to. Who doesn't want to be wealthy and lack noting? Huh?

More like those evil Madala's that hold influential positions that can make things HAPPEN for you provided that you do them a small favor(you don't want me to mention it, do you?).

I believe this is what happened to Kanye: Whoever controls the media sort of laid rules and made it crystal clear what he expects from his ambassadors.

For example most satanist are forced to kill immediate family members in order to progress in their satanic life.

This is aimed at making them ruthless beings that only want to get the job done and in the process it kills the connection they have with their loved ones. And rely solely to the devil.

One of the prerequisite of illuminati's is to blaspheme God and recruit others in their quest of making this world lawless.

Its a fact that Kanye is no stranger to controversy but what makes him sink so deep into challenging God. I don't want to think he doesn't know what he has gotten himself into. A son of a church counselor knows better.

I dont want to rant about what he has done that makes me believe that he is challenging God. A google search might help you on that one.

A more detailed post about illuminati will follow.

Couples Who Sing Gospel

Nqubeko & Ntokozo

It is highly discouraged for a sister to meddle or admire the marital life but I can not help but poke my nose to 'soul mates' that sing together.

God created us to worship him day in and out. How awesome it must be to some of our stars who are faithful to their heavenly Father by joining Heavenly Beings in worship.

You often hear at our local churches that praise starts at home, without a doubt some households practice it.

The love between Nqubeko Mbatha and Ntokozo Mbatha is 'beyond word's. I remember when they were both nominated for the same category and it was scooped by the Mbatha Queen she just humbly went on stage and recited her hubby's clan names.

The couple is blessed with two cuties though I haven't seen a picture, I can confidently say the two breeds harmoniously offspring with Ntokozo's beauty and Nqubeko's charm that would be a lovely combo.

Thabo & Nonhlanhla Mdluli

On the other hand Thabo and Nontlantla Mduli ignite fire on stage. The love and respect these two have melts my heart. With them I kinda change my perception that getting married these days is like that indemnity form that one signs before having a heart surgery- chances of dying are soo high.

 

Bongi & Collin

I must confess I didn't get the Bongi and Colin duet. I felt like they are better apart, musically that is but there is something about them that makes me to stop whatever I'm doing and listen.

This sacred institution has lost its value on society. Seeing public figures that are determined to make it work under the scrutiny of people who probably go to their kittens and dogs when the sunsets   but have the audacity to spot the cracks in people's lives when the sun arises.

Keep blessing us with your music ministries and making the word of God heard by the Gentiles ndinithanda thandi!!!

Countless Effort/ No Cheating Booi

I saw a dark,cute and chubby guy reading a book about totems and clan names. More like where do you come from typa thing.

I asked if he was Xhosa (imagine being asked that) and my question amused him.

He turned out to be Xhosa though I had concluded that he was Nigerian and he was interested in  poetry and literature.

Like any devoted born-again Christian I don't pass any opportunity of  telling people about the marvelous works of my savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

I threw a couple of questions and I must say I was blown away by his response.

"I am reading poetry because I want to be able to express myself to God."

I love any form of art and its always moving to see a brother respecting the craft.

His passion made me think of the sweet psalmist King David who had a way with words.

Its good that he is taking initiative to grow his relationship with his maker. A number of young people do not bother.

They are living their lives with the blind  hope that God will sort out everything without them taking part.

He is God moss taking care of us while we are busy doing the exact opposite of his word its his duty nhe?

The truth of the matter is that we no longer have to go to great lengths to have God's attention. Even the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) would be happy with the fact that we no longer slaughter animals to make offerings to our God.

Long and skillfully arranged prayer does not make him understand us better.

He wants us to be his children, children are forgiving and make countless mistakes in the name of growing up.

I find it really cool to just break down before God. He knows the real you and fumbling in his presence means you  acknowledge His role in your life.

There was a lovely story in a book called 'Reaching Out to God'. Sithi kukho lotata that worked with his kid & he regularly asked his kid to lift the table with him and there is no way the child could lift the table on his own and working closely with his father pleased him. They were co-workers and it did not cross his mind that the actual wait of the table was carried by his father.

The moral of the story: God carries the weight of our sins, he is our shield and  he gives us a chance of working with him.

Ukhumbule, He does not need us but we need him. His expertise and vast knowledge of the world would save us big time if we allow him to be God in our lives by that I mean not calling Him only in your hour of need with a bag full of a to do list.

No doubt He is our savior and fighting our battles is what he does gladly and I know He would appreciate a big thank you of obeying his Ten Commandments.

Anyway that's how I see it & nawe feel free and tell me what you think we should do as the new breed that want to leave a holy life in this world.

God bless you.

So I'm Too Young For God?

This is what I’m told whenever I tell people I’m a born again , blood washed believer.

Haibo, you need to live a little, do what people your age are doing. You need to be saved from  something and wena you’re still young. So they say.

And my question is does Satan ask people their age before leading them astray? Is he interested in your innocence?  NO, his mandate is to do the exact opposite of what God does.I was so surprised to learn that like God he has his trinity. What a copycat.

In some people’s eyes I’d be a better Christian when I have three children with different fathers that would collectively make R1000 a month of social grant- A testimony that the world has tested me.

To them it’s unacceptable for me to be saved and my peers often ask if I’m allowed to date or swear. I guess that’s what keeping them in the world.

Those who want to dim my light, ask me how long have I been saved and my answer never changes- second of September 2006 and they’ll tell me it’s still early.

It’s like people fear this big monstrous failure that’s waiting to devour anyone who calls themselves the obedient children of God.

We are smarter than animals, we have a better ability to see things that could harm us from a distance and  discern from good and  evil.

Salvation is not new,  there are so many young people who have blamelessly  walked this path and kept the faith and we are strengthened daily by the failure of some who also wanted to live this pure life till the end but the ever deceiving Satan trapped them.

May His Soul Rest in Peace?

Rest in Peace seems to be the most sensible thing to say when you hear the devastating news of someone’s passing.

Some people even go as far as saying “they are in a better place now and they will be our angels or ancestors.”

The truth is not everyone that dies goes to heaven. You cannot live your life anyhow and expect to wake up next to gospel greats. Askies, this time around you can’t have your bread buttered both sides. It does not work like that.

Izulu liyasetyenzelwa, alingenwa mahala. You work your way up to heaven (figuratively). It just does not happen, it’s like an art piece, you take time crafting it and make it presentable to the buyer because it’s not yours and one day you’ll hand it over to someone, who has invested in your art and expects to see a good product at the end.

As much as we are the YOLO(you only live once) generation and we don’t want to think about tomorrow or the future. We want to think about now and today Life does not end here and we need to prepare now for eternal life. It’s inevitable but at the same time you chose now what you want.

We are all God’s children and he has given each one of us a chance to repent and live a life worthy of heaven and the hour of grace is now.

When you die without a healthy relationship with God, you’ll go straight to hell. Injalo nje!

I know people don’t want to insult the dead and say horrible things about them but we should not confuse the living.

Mazi enethole.