MUTCU BLOGS

We Inspire Love, Hope and Godliness

Author: mutcunion

  • DEALING WITH CHURCH HURT BY JABEZ AYUGU

    We left church but not God”, “I like their Christ but not their Christianity” are some of the common phrases used by many of Christians who in one way or the other have been injured by the so-called brethren in Christ. These injuries may often result from unmet expectations, feeling judged and condemned, isolation, broken trust and even broken friendships or relationships with a fellow church mate/ Christian.

    We need to understand that Christians are still normal human beings with special ability of the Holy Spirit, so making mistakes is not an exception and the mistake may hurt you in a way or the other. I do understand that even in the confines of the church, born again people can hurt us and fracture our hearts but this should not push us out of the church but instead push us into Jesus and his love.

    Well, troubled and hurt brother or sister, If Jesus chose to carry the hurt caused by those around Him what do you think would be our story? what did Jesus choose to do?Those that hurt Him were the so called saints of that time. How did He deal with them? Let us look at the scripture;

    Colossians 3:13-14
    “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

    We need to understand that church hurt doesn’t invalidate the overall value of the faith and the principles that were left by Christ. In other words, it doesn’t make every Church ‘hell’. This is so helpful to build a broken trust and establishing new church relationships.

    First, Christ left us a commandment to forgive others as a prerequisite for us to be forgiven by God. Sometimes we just forgive not because the wrong doer has asked for forgiveness but because it’s God’s desire and also it Gives us enough peace. Healing from church hurt is a personal and intentional journey and it involves forgiving those who caused the harm.

    It also involves seeking professional help in extreme cases where a therapist would come in handy to help you out of the pain and agony caused. It is of importance that the therapist should be of the same faith.

    Healing from church hurt can also be done by separating completely or taking a break from the hurting group or church if the hurting is always being repeated and finding another place that God will lead you so us to avoid the wound from growing worse.

    Personal development and growth are of valueless help to get over a hurting process. It helps you focus on yourself and ensure if happens again impact is so minimized and reduced to the least effect. Spiritual health is the most crucial part of life of any believer hence spiritual growth will play the biggest help in the whole process of healing from church trauma.

    Reconciliation with the specific individuals who the drift came with is again priceless. Reconciliation fosters genuine repentance from the offenders. It should be done with a third party who is neutral but a spiritual leader or even a sound believer who will show the council of God in the whole scenario. At this point let us refresh our mind and renew it with what the Word says;

    Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church…”

    Above all, the help of the spirit is all that matters in helping one to heal from not only church hurt but any wound. He is ever close in distress, pain and even in best life moments. He stays closer than a brother. You have a wound so deep that you feel it’s too deep for you to forgive,allow the Holy Spirit to help you heal. Give up trying to heal by yourself.He knows you are hurting and He is so ready to help you heal. surrender the hurt heart and let Him do a heart surgery. Quitting church is not the option. Quit the stony wounded heart and let God teach you to forgive and love. He is the best reconciler who needs no certificate in reconciliation.

    “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

    If being hurt by the church makes you loose your faith in God then your faith was in people but not God. This is food for thought. I will leave you to ponder on this quote ;

    “Church hurt is one of the most difficult wounds to heal, but you must remember that the church is full of broken people trying to be whole. Healing begins when you stop expecting perfection from people and start looking for grace from God.”( T.D JAKES)

  • UNITED IN CHRIST

    As nations we gather,from north to south ,east to west,

    As the heavens rejoice of this great fest

    Different race and tribes gather together to face the world’s test 

    To represent Christ and work on the spiritual quest

    A symbol that reminds us that all was paid for our rest

    Shame,guilt, sickness and condemnation were removed to give us the best 

    A symbol of God’s unconditional, overwhelming love

    That He gave his only son from above 

    A symbol that shows unity 

    Together , Christ is the anthem as a community 

    We spread Christ ,,impact nations in every opportunity.

    POEM BY Grace Thuo, art concept creator Alice Mutemi

  • Toxic Relationships

    By Testimony

    Mr and Mrs Wamalwa are partners in marriage and they keep on arguing and raising their voices on each other. Do you think its a healthy relationship?

    What do you think a toxic relationship is?

    What’s you view on relationships as a Christian?

    “I told my computer I needed a break, and now it won’t stop sending me pop-up ads for vacation packages!!!”

    Toxic relationships are harmful connections marked by manipulation, control, and emotional abuse. They can appear in various forms romantic, familial, or friendships—and are far from God’s design for love, trust, and mutual respect.

    In these relationships, one person may use guilt, criticism, or fear to dominate the other, creating an environment of tension and unworthiness.

    From a Christian perspective, love is patient, kind, and does not seek to harm (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Toxic behaviors like gaslighting and control isolate the victim from positive influences, making it hard to leave. This contradicts the freedom Christ desires for us.

    The effects of toxic relationships can be profound—leading to anxiety, depression, and a loss of identity. But God calls us to protect our hearts and bodies, as they are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) .

    Breaking free involves recognizing the toxicity, setting healthy boundaries (Proverbs 4:23), and seeking God’s guidance for healing and restoration. Jesus offers peace and rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28), and with His love, we can find the strength to walk away and experience true freedom and purpose.

    “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
    Love never fails…”

    ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

  • GOD AND SCIENCE by Brian Ingwee

    For centuries, the relationship between Christianity and science has been misunderstood. Some have painted it as an ongoing war between two Opposing forces, with science being accused of Undermining faith and Christianity standing accused of resisting progress. But what if these two
    realms—faith and reason—aren’t enemies, but partners in a profound journey to discover truth? At their core, both Christianity and science are grounded in seeking the truth.

    The Bible calls believers to “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), which echoes the scientific method’s reliance on testing hypotheses and observing results. Both science and Christianity call for inquiry, reflection, and awe in the face of the unknown. They both seek to
    understand the complexity of the universe, but in different ways. The ultimate aim is the same: to uncover the glory and order of God’s creation. The God of Creation and the Scientific World. Let us start with the basics:

    Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The intricacy of creation itself reflects God’s divine wisdom and mastery over everything.


    Consider the vastness of the universe, the alignment of stars, and the fine-tuning of planetary systems—these wonders of science speak to the very nature of a Creator who ordered the cosmos.Physics tells us that the universe operates according to precise, elegant laws. In fact, the fine-tuning
    of the constants of nature—the force of gravity, the speed of light—point to deliberate intention. The psalmist declared, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). In this, we see science and scripture aligning. The observable universe, which Scientists study, does not contradict the existence of God; it proclaims it. The more we discover about the universe, the more intricate and beautiful it becomes, leading us to marvel at its Creator.

    Science Unfolds the Mysteries of God’s Creation. As we grow in scientific understanding, we uncover more of God’s design. For example, the laws of
    gravity, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics reveal order in the universe. These laws point to a designer who not only created the universe but sustains it with precision.

    Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” It is fascinating to see that what scientists call “natural laws” are in fact the same order that God uses to maintain the universe. The structure of an atom, the way ecosystem’s function, and even the intricate balance that allows human life to thrive—these all reflect God’s intelligent design. The more we study creation, the more we realize the world operates in ways far beyond our initial comprehension. Science reveals God’s creativity, His purpose, and His majesty.

    I will finish by saying these, the Bible encourages us to use our minds in worshiping God: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Engaging with science is one way to love God with our minds, as we seek to understand the world He created.Science is beautiful only when we embrace it with a christian perspective that God has blessed our minds with knowledge to come up with science but we must also be careful not to make science our god. Now that we are enlightened about science, Let us embrace it with a godly perspective to glorify God and bring solutions to our world.

  • FASHION AND CHRISTIANITY

    MUTCU MODELS 2023/2024

    How long should be my skirt? Should I dye my hair blue or red? What of sagging my jeans? Is wearing ripped jeans a sin? Are you conversant with these questions? Have you ever found yourself asking such? Can I be a fashionista who is a Christian or a Christian who is a fashionista? Well journey with me as I give a piece of my mind.

    Fashion in Christianity encompasses a range of perspectives on how believers should approach clothing and adornment. It is emphasizing on principles such as modesty, respect, and the reflection of inner spiritual values. Christianity should not be a boring religion just because of some stereotyped beliefs about how Christians should be dressed. Typically, in our Christian culture, church day is usually the day of showing off your cutesy dresses and your stylish suits. it is in Africa where you will find most Africans dressing best on Sundays compared to other days. Stereotypes often portray Christian fashion as being overly modest, conservative, and lacking in style or creativity. These stereotypes can be limiting, as they do not account for the diverse range of styles and expressions within the Christian community.

    Christians in the traditional setting did not uphold fashion in the ancient times. Fashion is not secular. Christianity and fashion are crucial in the current generation, commonly known as the Genz `s. Fashion communicates. It is an outward expression of a body language.

    BY MARTIN GITAU (MR MUTCU)

    Fashion is more than just clothing; it’s a form of self-expression that can reveal a lot about a person’s values and beliefs. Now that we are linking fashion and Christianity, let us see how fashion and spirituality are connected. Having a good sense of fashion as a Christian should not be underestimated. Like any other person, we all want to look beautiful and handsome and smartly dressed. This will include blending colors appropriately, dressing our bodies according to our body types and adorning ourselves moderately. This among other styling techniques qualifies us in being called fashionable. More often, we find ourselves going to the extremes of compromising our inner values just to appear “fashionable”. In the recent past, I have found myself compromising my values and ending up dressing in a queer way just to please others or due to some unrelenting peer pressure. This leaves others questioning your values. Just like me, many Christians have found themselves prey to this peer pressure.

    The real question is not what is right or wrong, or how to dress or not…It is what or who sets the standard for how we should do it. What is your motivation every time you wake up and dress up for the day? What is your real intention of dressing up the way you decide to dress?

    Fashion should never become an idol in our lives. The fashion industry and its products should not be something we worship. The vicissitudes of the fashion world reflect the fleeting nature of the world in general: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). A fashionist friend of mine in an interview gave me his peace of mind on fashion and I really found it making a lot of sense. It was a statement that left me building castle of uninterrupted thoughts. In his statement he said…

    Christians should not borrow fashion from the world. They should have their own fashion style so that they could influence the world with it. Think of a Christian named brand of stylish shoes or a Christian branded handbag. It would be a better and attractive compared to Christianized secular brand. What I mean is that Christians too have the needed creativity in making their autonomous brands and flourishing in them.

    BY AAYUGU JABEZ

    It isn’t wrong to wear nice things. It isn’t wrong for a Christian to be fashionable or operate in the world of fashion. But there’s more to life than fashion. Jesus said,

    “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:22–23).

    It isn’t wrong to be fashionable as long as we keep things in the right perspective and the fashions. We choose not to contradict biblical standards. Fashions that are immodest, selfishly draw attention to oneself. They blur the lines of gender, which are off-limits.

    We live in this world but are not of this world. Therefore, we ought to become beacons of light and represent our lord Jesus Christ. Fashions that require us to set Christ and His Word to the side, even momentarily, should be avoided. First and foremost, in our lives is Christ. We don’t have to throw away all fashionable trends. But we do have to pick and choose. In the end, we must purpose in our hearts to never throw away Christ. So, get up and be creative, unique and modest in your dressing. Inspire the world to look like a Christian. walk like it! look like it! dress like it!

    BY MS KANYIRI

  • TRANSFORMATION IN CHRIST (PART 1)

    by Henry Oriato

    Transformation in a Christian context can be defined as the renewal of the inner self -soul and spirit -in Christ and being transformed into the image and likeness of God. God is a Spirit and it makes sense that our transformation happens in the spirit and not by the outward appearance only.

    Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Transformation happens inwards goin outwards and not the other way round

    You may think you know yourself until the Lord comes and reveals to you your real self, the person He created in His own Image and likeness and He’ll transform you to His image.

    You can’t talk about the image of God and leave out His Holiness and purity and the abundance of the various forms of His Glory. God is Holy and as His children he has called as to be Holy.

    Transformation is thus a result of being born of the Spirit of Christ and becoming one with God just like Jesus was in God and God in Him

    No Human is perfectly perfect but we have the helper, the holy spirit for us who are born again, to lead and teach us the ways of God and transform us into the christlike nature and passion of pleasing God.

    JESUS LOVES YOU.

  • FEAR

    by Grace Thuo

    Am no longer a slave to fear
    For I am a child of God
    Fear not
    But sometimes I ought
    Fear to me is a reflex
    But how can I fix?
    Fear if will be able to handle
    Or rather walk away by my sandle
    My fear today is that today I might be able
    But what if I become vulnerable?
    Fear that I might be put to shame
    But who do I really blame?
    Fear that I might loose my fellowship
    But whom do I worship?
    Fear that will push me in that season
    To say have to say goodbye for no reason
    Fear that I might lack communication
    So I have to stay on my own without communion
    Forced only to have my meditation
    On the situation
    Fear that one day I will give up
    And the only option left is above
    Fear if I will be forsaken
    And left only broken

  • Devotion: Transformation Through The Power In Christ

    by Henry Oriato

    ‘But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ‘

    ~ Romans 8:9

    Until You accept Christ and receive the baptism of the Holy spirit, which is a free gift to all. (Acts 2:38), Which is a free gift to all, you wont understand the things of God. You’ll be hostile to him and his precepts.

    Precepts are rules or principles, especially those governing personal conduct. God is a spirit and you can’t satisfy him in flesh.(Romans 8:7-8) You must be born of the spirit.

    Most people are afraid to get born again because they don’t know how they’ll resist the desires and temptations of the flesh to sin

    Well, after your baptism into Christ you’ll no longer live but it will be Christ living in you (Gal 2:20) and he’ll guide you through the paths of righteousness for his name sake by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. You’ll have the passion of Christ in you, that is hating evil and pleasing God the Father by doing his will.

    ‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ‘

    ~ Galatians 2:20

  • Overcoming Fear in Evangelism: Fulfilling the Great Commission

    by Eudius Wabera

    “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” ~Mathew 28:19

    Jesus gives us some very important instructions in Mathew 28:19 to ‘Go’ and make disciples out of all nations, But for us, sometimes it’s easier said than done.

    Reminds me of the first time I went out for evangelism, I really was very anxious, because one; I had never evangelized to anyone ever, also I am kind of introverted myself thus approaching new people is not something that I do oftenly, I also wasn’t sure what to say so it wasn’t easy for me. But we had a prayer session before we went out for the evangelism and it really helped me a lot, I don’t know how but The Lord provided the utterance. I also had good guidance from of some of my friends who accompanied me who gave me some encouragement.

    “Evangelism scares us. When we’re not regularly telling others about Jesus, we feel guilty. When we are, we wonder if we’re doing it right, if the person we’re sharing with is going to reject us or, worse, ask us a biblical question for which we won’t have an answer. “

    ~baptispress

    Now, here are some things that can help us overcome the fear of evangelism

    Prayers

    Prayers is one of the ways we can communicate with our Father. Through prayers we can ask God for strength and utterance and above ask for His will to be done (Hebrews 4:16, Philippians 4:6-7). Through prayers and the word of God, the Lord also instruct us.

    “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

    ~Hebrews 4:16

    The Word of God

    The word of God is God breathed (2 Tim 3:17).It’s only through God’s word that we are transformed through the power of the Holy spirit given to us. The word being the lamp to our feet and a light to our path, (Psalms 119: 105) guides us and helps us overcome every challenge we may face. (Eph 6:17) ‘THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT’

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

    ~Timothy 3:16-17

    Guidance from fellow believers

    Heading out to spread the good news with your friends can really help you tackle any nerves about sharing your faith. You can lift each other up, swap experiences, and help each other out with any hurdles you encounter. It’s all about having each other’s backs!

    Being Intentional

    We are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of zealously sharing the boundless love of God with all, leveraging our unique capabilities to seize every moment and propagate the gospel. Let us keep in mind that the scriptures affirm that our lives are not our own, but a vessel for the indwelling of Christ; therefore, prioritizing the fulfillment of His will on earth must be our paramount focus.

    Remember that the Spirit Is in You

    We have the spirit of God in us. We are not given a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and sound mind. (2 Tim1:7) And we are called to overcome. During evangelism you can come across people who have questions, this should not intimidate you, just let the Holy Spirit use the living Word inside of you to bring the truth

    “I dare you to make a head first, eyes closed leap into a conversation with someone about Jesus.”

    ~ Jason Larson

    In conclusion all this is that the name of God may be glorified and there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents more than ninety-nine others who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

     

     I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

    ~Philippians 4:13

  • Excellence: Capacity building and Self development

    By Ms Kanyiri

     ” Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”

    ARISTOTLE

    Excellence means being exceptionally good and outstanding in all you commit to do. Well, It just means striving to be the best you can be and to do the best you can do in all your endeavor’s. Excellence reflects moral virtue and therefore strives towards what is positive, valuable and praiseworthy.

    Pursuing excellence begins from a point of  realizing that there is NO ultimate!! -You have to keep moving forward because there is more to God’s plan for you and me. Excellence comes as a result of building more capacity and developing yourself for increased efficiency. Bytheaway,  you might be asking yourself, “what is the whole point of developing and leading a life of excellence whose capacity is well built?” I will answer you shortly.

     I will start by narrating a small fable of a man who sets on one morning to chop trees.The man sets to work using a dull axe, and despite his best efforts, he makes very little progress. An  old man comes by and asks the man why he is struggling. The man explains that he is trying to chop down the tree, but his axe is too dull. The old man suggests to that man that he should take a break and sharpen his axe. The man is hesitant to take a break, feeling that he doesn’t have any  time to waste, but the old man insists, explaining that sharpening the axe will actually make the task easier and more efficient.The man finally takes a break and sharpens his axe. When he returns to the task of chopping down the tree, he finds that it is much easier and faster with a sharp axe, and he is able to complete the task in no time.

    This metaphorical story shows the importance of taking breaks and investing time and effort into self-care, skill-building, and preparation before fulfilling our assignments.

    “Pursuing excellence begins from a point of  realizing that there is NO ultimate!! -You have to keep moving forward because there is more to God’s plan for you and me.”

    Building up and developing oneself takes significant time which may actually be mistaken for wasting time,  but in essence it is quite the opposite. It became easier for the man to cut the tree once he invested in sharpening his axe. The story emphasizes that taking time to sharpen our tools and skills can actually save us time and effort in the long run, and make us more effective and efficient in our tasks. And this actually clearly shows that developing oneself is for increased efficiency. Try to take a break from trying too hard and focus on sharpening  your skills. It may take listening to many scholars and reading hundreds of  books to perfect your writing skills, watching a number of tutorials to improve your cooking skills, attending a number of training sessions to better your coding skills and alot more. Achieving excellence is never easy to do. Excellence is a quality that people really appreciate, because it’s so hard to find.

    From a Biblical perspective, being outstanding or extremely good seem most applicable when it is seen as the pursuit of, or abounding in, Christ-like virtue. The fact that we have been perfected in Christ , does not exempt us from pursuing excellence.

    This is a mistake oftenly made by arrogant believers . Self development also known as personal development covers the entire being. We develop spiritually, economically, academically and socially.

    It is God’s will for us to develop. Outside Him, there is no development. It is only through Him and In Him that we can develop. Yes you heard me right. It is only through His way not the World’s way. Probably, you are wondering how, How so?  So, you want something more grounded, more of this world… Sorry, the Bible does not have much in common with these: leadership, speaker, success, team-building, manager qualities, training, speech, influence, vision, potential, focus, efficiency, business, coach, mentor and CEO. Not that it despises them − even its’  heroes have been recognized for these things – but puts in front of all these a coefficient of something else, an infusion of divine. Today, personal development is promoted without God. Instead, the biblical equation is clear: personal development = the knowing of God. so, if you want to know what does the Bible say, then look for people who have developed themselves with God.

    Excellence is a quality that people really appreciate, because it’s so hard to find.

    Have a closer look- see the personal development of Jesus: ‘Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men’.  An ideal example of how self development ought to be. It is a series of overlapping categories within four domains: mental (wisdom), physical (stature), social (favour with men) and spiritual (favour with God). Jesus has already set the bar for us. He has shown us how a life of excellence should be. He changed the entire portfolio of personal development. If we are to speak collectively, try Ephesians 4: 13-15, where the goal for all Christians is clearly set: to be as Christ, that is, to be at the height of His stature.

    The emphasy here is that we must grow in ALL things. He is the standard man. Jesus is the flawless standard man who knew the secret behind self development. We therefore must emulate Him , bringing us to the conclusion that self development comes from a point of knowing God first and then following the example of Christ.

    “The biblical equation is clear: personal development = the knowing of God. so, if you want to know what does the Bible say, then look for people who have developed themselves with God.”

      In conclusion, it is indisputable that the  building blocks of excellence form the bedrock upon which personal development is constructed. Self-awareness, goal setting, continuous learning, resilience, self-care, and positive habits intertwine to create a robust foundation that propels you toward growth and achievement. Personal Excellence is the journey of positive development beyond one’s self and is a step by step process of improving oneself in every aspect of life. Although the process is difficult and requires patience but it benefits those who want to live a successful life of excellence.It requires building up on a life of discipline. Many things get in the way of pursuing excellence, including apathy, carelessness, and laziness. Our sinful nature is that part of us that is unlike God and is in fact in opposition to God and His excellence.  We cut corners, we shirk and we find ourselves  settling  for second best (or third or fourth best).

     Aware that it is Christ Himself we are serving, we don’t want to present Him with anything but excellence. Whether it is leading in praise team or serving the community or whether it is cleaning the church or pursuing our careers. we should strive for excellence in work ethic, in character, and in craftsmanship. No one is good at everything, but we’re all good at something. God expects us to develop the skills and gifts He has given us in order to serve Him and others better. Paul addressed the subject of excellence in Romans 12:6–8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” In other words, find your gifts and use them with excellence.

    Blessings