Elvis C. Umez

PUSH UP? As I continue to ponder on the many activities associated with how Christian faith should be pursued, it becomes obvious to me that some of the questions in my heart are becoming very audible, even to the passerby. One of them is fitness. What should be the right perspective to it? I love to work out in the gym, and many times I get worried by some of the comments I get from people, like, “stop being carnal”, “stop doing the things of the flesh”, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood”, etc. As I consider these, I begin to lose interest, but then, I need to be fit in order to fulfill God’s purpose for my life. Yes, I mean, physically fit. Imagine if Jesus was not a carpenter, would he have been able to carry the cross? I believe, Jesus was a macho man with well-developed muscles following the way he was raised. And Luke records, “…Jesus increased in wisdom and stature…” showing His level of physical fitness before launching into His assignment. He was fit all round, spirit,...

THE KISS OF BETRAYAL As I continue to ponder over several concerns in comparison to the writings of the scriptures, with respect to the way life should be ordered, the contrast I see is so great, as if we are moving 100 miles per hour in a wrong direction. I am caught in the mesh of thought; either to emulate the prevalent models or live the life portrayed by the Master – Jesus Christ, in my work of life. I have so many examples, which are far from the truth in that they “have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof,” as Paul tells his protégé, Timothy, to beware. But also these seem to have great following, hence, the contraption, “results silence arguments.” Today, I will try as much as I can to look at the kiss of betrayal. Why did Judas have to kiss the Master for the high priests to identify Him? Did Jesus look the same as the disciples? Did His dressing seemingly not set apart from those of His followers? Were the high priests so dumb that each time they saw Him the...