Peace in Kenya?

Kenya president, rivals reach power-sharing deal

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga today signed a power-sharing deal that should bring an end to nearly two months of post-election discord.

Reuters quotes Kofi Annan, the former U.N. chief who served as a mediator in Nairobi, saying that the post of prime minister will be created and rival parties will be given a greater role in the cabinet.

BBC News says a new coalition government will be formed. "Both sides agreed that there should be a prime minister, but had differed on what powers the new post would have," the British broadcaster says.

Read more in this Associated Press story.

(Photo by Presidential Press Service via Reuters.)

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Encouragement

After a couple of bad weeks, God has brought incredible people into my life to affirm and encourage. God knows what we need and when. We all need encouragement.

Here is article by Mark Safferstone

The load of life is just too heavy to carry on our own. This is why God gives us brothers and sisters who can come lift us up in our discouragement and despair. The meaning of the word encourage is "to put courage in" someone.

The ultimate goal of every encourager should be to lead people to believe more about God and His promises. God Himself is the ultimate encourager, as the Scriptures listed here show.

Verse	Text	Teaching Point
Romans 12:8	If it is encouraging, let him encourage.	Some are gifted encouragers, some are talented, and some are not. Yet we can still learn to be an encourager.
Titus 2:6 - 8	Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those that oppose you may be ashamed because they have not bad to say about us.	We have an obligation to encourage those that are younger than us and there is always someone younger that we can encourage. Your words speak, but your actions speak louder than your words.
Hebrews 3:13	But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.	Encouragement must be consistent. Encouragement gives us strength to stand up to the worldliness of those around us.
1 Thessalonians 5:11	Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.	Encouragement provides strength. Once you’ve started, continue.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15	And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.	Regardless of your circumstances, reach out to all that can benefit from your encouragement.
1 Samuel 23:15 -16	While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.	When you learn that a brother is confronted by the challenges of the world, help him find strength in the Lord.
1 Samuel 30:6	David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.	Once another has instilled a spirit of strength and encouragement, you are more willing and able to find strength in God.

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My wife is incredible

My wife reminded me of this passage today. It was a great encouragement to me.

Psalm 39

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

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