TIMES TODAY TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
Give in Obedience
CONTENTS My Pulpit message notes: | Give in Obedience | 3-5 My Devotional: Pray then what?| 7 My Education: Resilience and the Growth Mindset: Crucial Skills For A Successful Education | 8 My Inspiration: Guard your words | 9 My Entrepreneur: How to be calm in the storm 10 My Health: Plant-based meat vs. chicken: Which do we get more protein from?| 11-12 My Kitchen: Spice Cake |13 My Sports: CS Amina Mohamed Predicts Full Entry Of 70 Cars And 40 Motorcycles For The Africa Concours d’Elegance |14
Pulpit Message Give in Obedience
This week’s Pulpit Message is transcribed from the sermon preached at the Nairobi Baptist Church (NBC) Ngong Road on Sunday 26th June 2022. Preacher: Reverend Munengi Mulandi, Senior Pastor NBC. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 . Topic: Give in Obedience The economics of God can be traced way back to His own generosity, but perhaps in our practice in the time of the Jews as they were in the desert, they had been rescued from slavery and they are going into the promised land and they run out of food. And the LORD begins to rain food on them, manna. And manna would come in such a way that on the sixth day, it would come double. So you would be able to collect double manna that would last into the seventh day, the Sabbath day.
In no order of priority Paul encourages them that they will beneficiaries of their own generosity. Then he encourages them that their rich generosity is going to cascade into life and wellbeing for others, but ultimately these gifts that they give will bring many all their gathering and giving thanks/ gratitude to our God.
These gifts will be a blessing to you: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
But they were also told on the other days to be able to collect enough for what you need and if they kept it overnight it would begin to rot. They were told keep it for this day and use it. And then there was a statement that is made there that, He has told them all about the Macedonians, about the accountability of their ‘he who gathered much did not gather too much and he who gathered little did gifts when they are given, the gift is not going to be given to one person and not gather too little’ and so God’s people were provided for.’ then take it to those in need, no. “I am sending Titus and the brothers to prepare you, but also so that we do not carry these gifts ourselves. That is the same verse that we see carried into 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, that, ‘he who gathered much did not gather too much and he who gath- So in verse six he tells them “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also ered little did not gather too little.’ Deuteronomy 15, says that ‘there will be no reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” And he poor among you’ and you wonder what? But between chapters 1 and 15 the encourages them to be generous. LORD gives the formula that will make sure that there are no poor among God’s Using this agricultural metaphor, that Brothers and sisters in the LORD, I am inviting us to a season of people. He says that He Himself will prowhen you plant a single seed of maize vide abundantly. He will supply way be- generosity that we are going to conclude on July 31st. I want us to come our one plant, but several cobs yond what they need. But secondly He give willingly, according to our ability and beyond sacrificially. I with multiple of seeds. And Paul tells institutes a way that believers will be able want us to give in a way that God is going to bless us with His bless- them, because of your giving, your to take care of each other, that there will ings by His grace. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, service of generosity, then God will rebe no poor among us, because He warns member you and proportionately bless but I want us to sow generously that we may reap generously. against being tight fisted,- encouraging you. “He who sows generously will We want to give that will cascade to many people who are going generosity. reap generously”. through difficult times that this church wants to walk with them. Today we look at three points where Paul seems to be answering the question, where do your gifts go? ….
That’s a rather difficult passage of Scripture to preach in a church like this because we have been in our social media and other areas by those who preach what is called, ‘the prosperity gospel.’ You see, what is wrong with the prosperity gospel is its incompleteness and its overemphasis. However, for us to ignore these verses that encourage us to The people in Corinth had given and had pledged to give, but they had not give because God promises to bless, then we will be throwing the baby with the fulfilled their commitment and so as Paul is encouraging willing giving, giving birth water. according to your ability and beyond - sacrificially, he also takes to encourage them by helping them know where their gifts are going. The Bible is not encouraging giving in a casino gambling style. Far be it from us! But the LORD is saying that He is faithful to reward proportionately acIn fact, he is so committed to this that he tells them, you need to prepare, and cording to our giving and so as we give where do our gifts go? Some of these that is why we are sending Titus and others to help your prepare along this gifts come back to us in material, spiritual, emotional and all kinds of blessings letter that is also giving you warning, you don’t just want a gift that is abrupt, from our God. So he encourages the Corinthians, give generously and you will therefore it will be lacking in willingness and ability and the sacrificial nature reap generously. of this gift will be compromised. Ecclesiastes 11:1 “Cast your bread unto the waters for after many days it will But also Paul is sends this encouragement in this letter how they may be able to come back to you.” But many who preach that gospel I was talking about, ‘prosgive. So where do these gifts go? 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 perity gospel’, let’s just call it prosperity because it cannot be gospel because of it’s incompleteness. Many of them have a gambling thing where you give and 1: These gifts will be a blessing to you: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 you stand there waiting. this is not a transaction you and God are having. This is the gracious 2. These gifts will meet the needs of God’s people: 2 Corinthians Remember God who is saying, because you are generous, not because you are arm-twist9:12 ing Me. No. Because you have been generous I have chosen to bless you, because that is the only environment where you can cast bread upon waters and 3. These needs will result in thanksgiving to God: 2 Corinthians it comes back to you after many days.
9:11-13
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
Pulpit Message It is only in the environment of the grace of God that He invites us to cast our bread upon the waters for after many days you will find it. That is a calling that in our generosity God in His grace chooses to bless you and I. And He is telling the Corinthians, “He who sows generously will reap generously.”
that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 11”You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
Proverbs 19:17, “He who gives to the poor lends to the LORD and the LORD will surely repay him.” I don’t know how to preach this verse, because it is one like you are walking on a tight rope. But just have some imagination with me. The LORD of lords, the God of all the heavens, has condescended Himself to have a conversation with me and is saying, If you give to the poor it is lending to the LORD.
One of the places where our generosity goes, is by the grace of God, a blessing to you and I. If you have been reading about this controversial dam in Ethiopia, the Renaissance Dam. There is a big tunnel in which water passes through so that it can go into the turbines and turn them to generate electricity. I wanted to illustrate 2 Corinthians 9:8 and 11 that God is saying, He will bless us so abundantly that we are able to meet our needs. Giving is not to impoverish you if it is in the LORD.
So in the morning when God is looking at His books and the angels are there sitting, ‘So what are we doing today? (That’s a ridiculous thing to say because He neither sleeps nor slumbers and time is in Him, He is not controlled by time so So all these stories we hear of this poor lady who was told to give by her church He doesn’t ask what are we doing today, but since His mercies are new everyday, to give all this and now she is languishing in poverty, that is not biblical giving. lets just use this example). He is saying He will bless you in such a way that you are able to meet your needs, but in such a way that it will overflow and give you opportunity to be generous So in the morning He is wondering, what blessings am I going to bless my son on every occasion. We are receiving from the LORD this kind of pipe. A tunnel Munengi Mulandi with? Then there are those general blessing that He gives to of blessing. But you see, we are only being required to have an outlet (small all the earth. Matthew 5:44-45 says that ‘He causes His sun and His rain to come pipe). This shows how being stingy is pure foolishness, because He is supplying down on the righteous and the unrighteous,’ so He tells angel, make sure that us with a tunnel, but is asking us to sow generously, yet He is promising that as Mulandi is there because He is part of the righteous and unrighteous. A general we do that, He is refilling. blessing. Three hours of giving with a small pipe, even if He gave you five minutes of fillThen there are other blessings that are for us just because we are believers. Imag- ing you with the tunnel, will not all your needs and my needs be met? And yet ine! If you are not a believer, you do not know what you are missing. You think with an ability to meet the needs of God’s people. it is only sun and rain. There are other things that you don’t get. Our money to God goes to three places, one; by His blessing to us, two; a blessRemember when the Jews were in slavery and He is saying to Pharaoh, ‘Let my ing to the people of God, meeting their needs. people go’ and Pharaoh is resistant and Goshen and there are these ten judgements that come on the land. There comes a time that He makes and distinction Paul says, “This service that you perform is supplying the needs of God’s people.” and He says, for my people, while it is dark in Egypt, there will be light in Goshen. When there are all these judgements, the crying of a first born, not a sound Remember we said that the church had began in Jerusalem and then a time of from where the people of God are. There are blessings that are attendant to you persecution came and they had been distributed all over. Then a small commuand I because we know the LORD. nity of faith begins to blossom in Antioch and there they say, ‘Set apart for me Paul and Barnabas to take my gospel to all these lands and they begin planting Then imagine, when they are looking through the books, so do we owe Munengi all these churches. Mulandi any money, i’ll hasten to say, it is not me who says, you owe me, because really what do I have that I have not received from the LORD? But there the But as that is going on there is a famine in Jerusalem and these churches, alangels are saying, oh let me tell you, the other day he saw an opportunity to give though they are going through a hard time, the ones in Macedonia, because and he just did his eyes, lefthand right. of the colonisation by the Romans, they decide, we benefitted spiritually from Jerusalem, we can be able to bless Jerusalem materially and so the Macedonians But you see the Bible says, ‘He who lends to the poor, lends to the LORD.’ Some give what they are able and even beyond their ability and now the Corinthians of you are wondering, why have I been blessed. Maybe it is an accident and a are being invited to do the same. And we see God’s people having their needs car just misses you on your side, not a scratch. Some go to your accounts and met because others were generous. wondering, what happened? I didn’t deposit. It is just interest. Blessings that are attendant to you and I because God in his grace has said, He is going to be a Today I hold in my hands two cheques from the monies that you have given by borrower of those who are generous. the grace of God that are going to two Christians organisations this week that focus on families that are going through a hard time because of COVID and Some of you are wondering, I bought a piece of land at 100,000, two days later, businesses that have collapsed. Two child-focused organisations that are movsomebody is saying, please can I pay you 1.2 million and you are wondering ing in the areas of famine and ensuring the wellbeing of children. We partner what is this? You lend to the LORD and He is repaying you back in His grace. with many organisation, but i’ll mention just these two; Compassion and World Vision that NBC is giving something because you gave and is going to result in Malachi 3:10 “and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour so ‘where do your gifts go?’ Meeting the needs of God’s people. much blessing that you cannot contain.” I remember once with such gratitude to God. I was an intern in this church and There are blessing attended to you and I when we obey they LORD and well up I was walking around the parking on a weekday and then I met this young man, like the Macedonians in rich generosity. maybe 20 /21 years of age and just because I was walking around I greeted him, hi, how are you ? Are you a member of this church etc, and you said my mother It is God’s Word that says in Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good is there (pointing across the road). Long story short, he had just become a total measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” Let us not let the orphan in a city that is cold without relatives who could come around him. His devil take this verses away, but let us use this verses in context, in completeness mother had just died and was ‘just there’ at the City Mortuary, the funeral home and appropriately. that is across the road. So God says, 2 Corinthians 9:8 “9 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
Pulpit Message And he said, I don’t have too much, myself I am not working, I’m just joining college, mum is the one who was doing all these things etc. I asked him if he had a faith community, to which he answered, no. ‘So I was just walking around as they finishing things because mum has just been brought she is just there’, he said.
But I want to tell us that if anyone asks you for money after the service please direct them to any of our pastors because on any Sunday we are able to give then First Aid and then direct them to come back during the week first to be able to vet if this is genuine, something that our qualified social worker, who is able to be compassionate and check if this is a true story and not only give them something that will help them eat fish today, but to be able to learn how to fish, I remembered the pride of belonging to a church, that because they give, I did sustainable philanthropy to the glory of God. You are supplying the needs of not need to ask anybody for permission to take up that young man and walk God’s people. with him through that journey, because you gave.
These needs will result in thanksgiving to God: 2 Corinthians 9:11-13
Today that young man is one of the business luminaries in this city. The only reason I don’t contact him regularly is because I don’t want him to think that because NBC was giving, now it was his turn to repay. No. NBC was doing it freely with no obligations that you even have to become a member although we didn’t share the gospel with him. Walking with him for no less than six years continu- Your giving is resulting to people who thrust their hands into ours saying thank ously from when, “My mother is there’. I am proud of this church, because where you and with much respect, but with their eyes to the sky saying, I asked this from the LORD and it has come from them. do your gifts go? God blesses you. There are blessings that God decides to shower on us because we have been So we don’t have too many places out there with plates saying, ‘done by NBC etc. Our youth have two or so children’s homes, OVCs that they visit every holiday, faithful to be generous. and they have no plate there, ‘done by NBC, because they go there, clean, play with the children, cook lunch and leave sufficient food for them. Their own giving and they are doing it to the glory of God. Those children are glorifying the God who visited them.
These gifts will meet the needs of God’s people: 2 Corinthians 9:12
I remember many years ago when we were meeting in the small sanctuary and there was a tall gentle man who had just lost his father and finished his O levels and was interested in the area of IT and was involved here and there just beyond casual level employment. I remember because of being in NBC church and needing no signature, and we as a church being able to walk and take to our prestigious school in Njoro, St. Andrews Turi, he among others of the interns who were taken there as part of a chaplaincy programme that we had. This one who was not ‘who’s son, or connected to who, the church stood with them and the School said, that we will only be able to accept these if the church will continue to provide training for them.
Like the Corinthians are being told here in 2 Cor 9:12 “2 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” You see these people know something 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks, “What do you have that you did not receive?” They know Psalms 50:10 “Every beast of the field is mine,” says the LORD. mIf He were hungry He would not be consulting you and I, He has resources that are beyond you and I.
I wonder, if you realise that Paul from 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 uses the word ‘grace’ not less than three or four times because this generosity that blesses us, that meets the needs of others, that results in thanksgiving to God is an act of grace. Your giving allowed us to walk with those, including our Pastor Ochola who was That is why last week we said in 2 Corinthians 8:5 that these Macedonians did one of the chaplains there in the latter parts of that programme, but to walk with the right thing. They first gave themselves to God and then to us. these young people. In fact the one that I am talking about was not only able to further his education, but is serving there today as the deputy headmaster, be- The old preachers used to say, ‘you cannot give your substance to God before cause you gave. Glory to God! you have given yourself to God.’ Three things that happen when you give. First, there are blessing that are attendant to you and I because he who sows generously will reap generously. But there are blessings that just cascade to others in difficult situations. I know places where when I go in NBC name, people greet me with a hand of respect, young as I am, but I notice, their eyes are in the sky because they know, it is not this man. There are people behind him who bring the force that God has channelled. Huge tunnels of blessing. Recently we had a mum from very far who was hospitalised in a certain hospital and by the grace of God got well. Mother has one daughter who had a job that was not very stable. They had paid the bill but had a balance. And I remember NBC issuing cash that we went and paid for this lady to be released and she asked, ‘But you people don’t even know me.’ We know Jesus, Jesus knows you. End of transaction. Our social worker who works with us just spoke to the headmistress of a school in the famine stricken areas that has 380 pupils who have said that some of their pupils are not going to school because the school was not part of the feeding programme and the children are starving to death. One person used to come to church here, but has relocated to the coast called and asked, what can my church do? How can we partner, my organisation and the church do to be able to provide for that need? You now understand why I am a proud member of this church because by God’s grace, your giving is meeting the needs of God’s people where they cry to him day and night. Among us there are people who are struggling financially. There are people whose businesses have gone down, especially SMEs and those who have the small businesses and this church is standing with them.
This professor went to a class with a bottle and put in rocks and filled the bottle with rocks to the top then lifted it up to the class and asked them, is it full and they answered yes. Then he went ahead and filled it with pebbles and shaking it until it was full of pebbles. Then he asked the class is it full and they answered yes. Then he took some water and the same bottle that had rocks, pebbles and filled it with water and asked, is it full, and they answered, yes. Try and imagine with me if he had done it in the reverse way. If he had filled it with water, would he have been able to fill it with rocks and pebbles? The illustration concludes this way; Even in giving, there has to be priority. The big rocks have to go first, then the pebbles, then the sand, then the water. Brothers and sisters in the LORD, I am inviting us to a season of generosity that we are going to conclude on July 31st. I want us to give willingly, according to our ability and beyond sacrificially. I want us to give in a way that God is going to bless us with His blessings by His grace. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but I want us to sow generously that we may reap generously. We want to give that will cascade to many people who are going through difficult times that this church wants to walk with them. But we want to give in a way that people when they receive these gifts will raise their eyes to the LORD and say, ‘I look to the hills and where does my help come from, my help comes from the LORD.’ But we cannot give to that extent and that generously unless we put the rocks first. We cannot give from our purses, our pocket books and our wallets before we give our hearts to Jesus.
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
My Life How to get saved and spend eternity with God His Love “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB) My response that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
My prayer Lord God Almighty, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed against You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died on the cross and You raised Him from the dead on the third day. Please write my name in the Lamb’s book of life. Help me to live a life that is holy and pleasing unto You. In Jesus’ Name I pray and believe. Amen
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
My Devotional By Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@ gmail.com | Image credit: navigators.org
Pray then what?
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31 It was time to go and obey God’s command. This time around, Peter did not (NIV) cower. In Acts 2:14 and verses 40 to 41 the Scripture says, “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all As I sat there listening to the Word of God being preached, my mind drifted a bit of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what to one direction where I began asking, how do they do it? How does the preacher I say…. 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, manage to stand in front of a huge crowd on a raised pulpit where there is no- “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his meswhere to hide and speak so boldly every Sunday and on some days of the week? sage were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. I argued in mind, O well, they have gone through the training, learned the skill of public speaking coupled with their God-given gift of preaching. But still, where Where did Peter get the boldness to speak like that? Does that mean there no do they get the guts from? Perhaps only introverts like me are the only ones who longer trepidation whenever these disciples wanted to address crowds especially wonder and shudder like a youngster just out of a freezing cold swimming pool about Jesus Christ considering the threat of persecution that they were facing at at the thought of standing in front of crowds. the time? Then I wondered, did God consider our different personalities when He com- In many instances in the Bible whenever there was the threat to danger in doing manded us to go and preach the gospel to all generations. Did He have me in a God given task, prayer was the answer. Esther asked the Jews to pray and fast mind who is scared of crowds? for her for three days to gather courage to speak to the king when there was the threat to annihilate all Jews. Esther 4:16 Well, God sent Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt in Exodus 3:10-12a “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Isra- Even Paul, writing to the Ephesians, asked them to pray for him, “19 and pray in elites out of Egypt.” Moses’ first response in verse 11 was that of a scared man, my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambasIsraelites out of Egypt?”” sador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:19-20 Even after God assured Moses that He will be with him to help him in verse 12, “And God said, “I will be with you…” Moses went on and on and on giving Jesus Himself, at the garden of Gethsemane prayed in Luke 22:42-44 “Father, if excuses why he is the wrong person to be sent for such a task. In fact, at the end you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 of that exchange of words with God in Exodus 4:13 Moses said, “O Lord, please An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in send someone else to do it.” anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Moses actually made God so angry. We are told in the next verse “14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aar- Jesus Christ gave us a task to do that is outlined in Matthew 28:18-20 “18 Then on the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you alwere God to him. ways, to the very end of the age.” Turning to Peter in the New Testament, an extroverted individual, impetuous in nature, three times in one night denied Jesus Christ his friend whom he had walked with for three years. Realising his error, he was so disappointed with himself crying bitterly. But Jesus Christ, after his resurrection lovingly restored him and gave him tasks to do in John 21:15-17. Jesus tells him, if he loves Him, to feed His lambs, to take care of His sheep and to feed His sheep. Well, before He was taken up to heaven, Jesus told his disciples in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit touched down on Pentecost day in Acts 2 and Christ’s disciples who were gathered together in one place were filled with the Holy Spirit began speaking in other tongues as enabled by the Spirit.
Being first hand witness gospel of Jesus Christ, the first church still needed the courage to carryout this job. So what did they first do? They prayed. Then what? Acts 4:31 says, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Whatever your personality, extroverted or introverted, tempted to make excuses like Moses why you should not go and carryout LORD’s command and hoping against all hopes that there is another Aaron who could do the task for you on your behalf, it is about time we first prayed to God. Ask for filing with the Holy Spirit and to be given the courage to speak. Then what you may ask? Then see God carryout His will through you as you wholeheartedly surrender to Him. God promises to be with us always!
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
My Education Resilience and the Growth Mindset: Crucial Skills For A Successful Education By Agency
Jenny Coetzee, Managing Director Crawford International Kenya,
It is more important than ever for parents and educators to help the young people in their care develop resilience and a growth mindset from an early age, as this will have a significant impact on their wellbeing and self-actualisation not just immediately, but also throughout their lives, education experts say.
Angelica Ouya Education Director Makini Group of Schools,
ney helps children develop resilience and a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset understanding of I can either do something or I can’t,” says Coetzee. Angelica Ouya, Education Director at the Makini Group of Schools, sister school of Crawford, says positive strategies such as routine, a healthy diet, sufficient sleep and exercise have a major impact on brain development. “Cultivating a healthy lifestyle and a growth mindset assists students to manage their emotions and self-image when faced with fight or flight situations, for instance during high-stakes exams,” she says. “It is also important for all roleplayers in a child’s life to support them with a mastery-based view of the world. In other words, allow them to understand that every day brings a new opportunity to master milestones and improve upon the building blocks of yesterday.
“Our lives are becoming more dynamic than ever before. The world we grew up in is no longer the world our children are growing up in, and the future is uncertain. We must therefore help our children develop those skills that will not only help them achieve academically, regardless of where they start from, but also the skills that will help them overcome adversity and build resilience in the face of what their external environment presents,” says Jenny Coetzee, Managing Director at Crawford International Kenya, a brand of ADvTECH, Africa’s largest private education provider. She says many people still operate from a point of view that a child’s potential and future success is more or less set in stone, and that early aca- “Children must be allowed to experience failure and learn from their misdemic performance will forever be the indicator of that potential. takes. This helps them build resilience and perseverance, and develop a can-do attitude rather than a belief that their ability is pre-ordained and “However that does not take into account the phenomenon of neuroplas- set for life.” ticity – the fact that children’s brains constantly undergo development and ENDS the creation of new neural pathways. So even for those children who had a less than ideal academic start in life – it is never too late to start develop- ABOUT ADvTECH ing and supporting those skills that will empower them and allow them to reach the highest of their personal potential,” says Coetzee. The ADvTECH Group, a JSE-listed company, is Africa’s largest private education provider and a continental leader in quality education, training, She explains that during early childhood, a child’s brain undergoes an ex- skills development and placement services. The Group reports its perplosion of development, and each new experience and interaction creates formance in a segmental structure reflecting the Schools and Tertiary as new neural pathways that form the foundation for how a child can solve two separate education divisions, and Resourcing as the third division. problems and interact with the world around them. This neural pathway ADvTECH’s Schools division comprises 10 brands with more than 100 formation is a process known as neuroplasticity, and ultimately has an im- schools across South Africa and the rest of Africa, including Gaborone pact on a person’s ability to change how they think and what they become. International School in Botswana, and The Makini Group of Schools and Crawford International in Kenya. “What this means for parents, educators and schools, is that we constantly have to support students to understand that just because they have not yet It owns 9 tertiary brands, across 30 campuses across South Africa and the mastered something, the keyword there is YET. So in other words, I hav- rest of Africa. en’t mastered long division YET, I haven’t mastered coding and robotics YET. ADvTECH’s 9 resourcing brands places thousands of candidates annually, assisting graduates to make the transition from the world of study to the “Reinforcing at all times that education is a unique and individual jour- world of work.
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
My Inspiration Guard your words
By William King | Email: kingwilliam189@gmail.com | image courtesy: viaemmaus
Have you ever noticed that the Scripture speaks a lot more about the power of words? Jesus says about His Words, “The Words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63). Proverbs 18:21 says about our words. “The tongue has the power of life and death.” James wrote that our words direct the course of our life for victory. He even likens our tongue to a fire that can set the direction of life toward destruction. David prayed in Psalm 141, “Lord, set guard over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips.” He was saying, “God, don’t let me speak words that get my life off course. I want to speak words of faith.” Think about the woman described in Mark 5 who had suffered with bleeding in her body. She had spent all her money on doctors, but only got worse. Can you imagine the negative words she was hearing in her head? Her family and friends probably said, “You’ve tried everything.” She could have spoken all the negative words that said there
was no reason to think Jesus could help her but instead these words fueled her faith that day. These words gave her strength to push through the crowds thronging around Jesus. With that last reach behind Him she was still saying, “If I can only touch Him...” Her words got her to the hem of Jesus’ cloak and the power came out of Him and gave her a miracle. Do you see how her words set her on course to get where she needed to be? The same is true for you and me. She not only had to push through the crowd of people, but through the negative words in her head that said, “Don’t even try.” If you are going to direct your life in the course to receive your miracle, you have to push through the negative voices and the opinions of others. You have to be strong in your thoughts. The best way to get your thoughts to line up is to release your words of faith. Words can reinforce what you think.
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
Every Good G S ift
ells
Entrepreneur
Finding people who challenge you
By Joseph Lalonde |www.biblicalleadership.com
Everyone talks about mastermind groups. These are groups of people who regular basis. You don’t want to feel challenged, stretched, or looked down help you define your business ideas, become a better person, or encourage upon (not that they are looking down on you). You want the positive reinyou. forcement and pats on the back. Mastermind groups are great. I’ve seen much of my success come from It makes us feel good. Challenges do not. hanging out with similar, like-minded people. And that is why you need a challenger group. However, my thought process has begun to change on the types of people I want to hang around. We need to be challenged. We need people to ask the tough questions people are not asking because they fear the repercussions. Masterminds are typically people who are like-minded. This means they think similarly to you. You need a challenger group because it will: I’ve found this to be limiting. Like-minded people rarely stretch me. We - help you to continue to grow find ourselves agreeing on too much and not changing our limiting beliefs. - make you understand different viewpoints - expose you to people you wouldn’t normally associate with Instead, I have begun seeking out challenger groups. - expand your horizons - hold you accountable in a way you have never been before What is a challenger group? - push you beyond what you think you can do - give you proper feedback A challenger group can be made up of like-minded people; however the - help you reach a higher level than you’re currently at more diverse and different thinking the group, the better. - expand your understanding A challenger group is a group of people who are there to challenge you, Challenger groups are an amazing concept when done right. They will not to baby you or make you feel better. They look at your ideas, they tell push you to be better, do more, and go beyond what you expect of youryou what won’t work, and then they help you see what will work. self. They also help you see and understand others in this world. After all, leading and living is not all about you. This will change your life. Especially when you accept the challenges they present to you. The more you understand the world and the people in it, the more you will be able to relate to them. Why a challenger group? Find a challenger group. Grow yourself. Change the world. You might be wondering whyyou would want people to challenge you on a
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
My Health
Plant-based meat vs. chicken: Which do we get more protein from? www.medicalnewstoday.com |Written by Annie Lennon on June 23, 2022 — Fact checked by Alexandra Sanfins, Ph.D.
Researchers compared protein absorption between plantbased meat and chicken meats.
Plant-based vs. chicken
For the study, the researchers created a plant-based ‘chicken’ Protein absorption was higher for chicken meat than for meat from soybean concentrate and wheat gluten. The final plant-based meat. product had a protein content of 24.2%. The researchers concluded that the nutritional value of The plant-based meat was then cooked alongside chicken plant-based meats could be improved by modifying formu- meat, ground to simulate the chewing process, and passed lation and production conditions. through a 2.36 mm sieve to avoid sample size-induced effects on digestion for the two samples. In recent years, plant-based meats have become more common as a way to ‘enjoy the taste of meat’ without hurting The resulting ‘meat clumps’ then underwent various in vitro animals or the environment. tests to model protein absorption during digestion. Although plant-based meats’ low fat and cholesterol levels may help reduce obesity and cardiovascular disease risk, studies show that they may be less digestible than animal-derived meats.
From these tests, the researchers found that the water solubility of plant-based meats gradually increased during in vitro digestion, reaching around 8% after gastric digestion and then 14% at the end of intestinal digestion.
Knowing more about how plant-based proteins are digested They found, however, that chicken peptides were consistentcould help assess their feasibility as a main source of dietary ly more water-soluble than plant-based peptides. protein. Furthermore, they noted that of the 110 peptides identified Recently, researchers compared protein absorption from in the plant-based meat, around 50% remained after the diplant-based meat with chicken meat. They found that plant- gestion process. based protein was absorbed less during an in-vitro digestion process than protein from chicken. Meanwhile, of the over 500 peptides identified in chicken meat, only 15% remained after digestion. This, they wrote, The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and suggested that peptides in chicken are more readily-abFood Chemistry. sorbed than those from plant-based sources. TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th| 2022
My Health Underlying mechanisms
study was 28% wheat, the present findings may not apply to plant-based meats made purely from soybeans.
When asked what might explain why human cells absorb less protein from plant-based meats than chicken, Dr. Da Still good sources of protein Chen, a post-doctoral researcher at Ohio State University The authors concluded that the nutritional value of plantand author of the study, told Medical News Today: based meats could be improved by modifying formulation “Proteins are subjected to digestion before being absorbed and production conditions. by human intestinal epithelial cells. After digestion, proteins become mainly peptides. The size and polarity of peptides “When assessing the quality of plant-based meat, not only have been reported to associate closely with their absorp- the texture but also protein nutrition should be considered,“ Dr. Da Chen told MNT. tion.” “In our study, peptides produced from the digestion of plantbased meats were larger [and less water soluble], which makes them pass through the epithelial cells slower compared to chicken, resulting in less efficiency of absorption,” he explained.
“The study findings begin to provide some insight on how different plant and animal proteins influence human health. This will enable the food processors to understand the advantages and limitations of different food processing technologies and ingredients.” — Prof. Balasubramaniam
Professor V.M. (Bala) Balasubramaniam, from the Department of Food Science and Technology at Ohio State Univer- Dr. Chen also emphasized that plant-based meats were still viable sources of protein. sity, who was not involved in the study, agreed. “I concur with the author’s observation on this. As they noted, chicken meat proteins exhibited better swelling capacity, which helps promote digestive enzymes. The soybean proteins contain certain antinutritional factors (e.g., phytate and tannins) which may limit protein hydrolysis [water solubility],” he told MNT.
“To consumers, plant-based meats would still provide valuable protein nutrition because it contains a good amino acid profile. Whether the consumers should eat more plant-based meat in order to get equivalent nutrition is out of scope in the present study because it depends on the daily intake of proteins, which has not been conducted,” he said.
“In addition, structural differences between plant and an- Larger studies needed imal-based foods may also influence how proteins are reWhen asked about the study’s limitations, Dr. Chen said, leased,” he added. “We only used soy/wheat proteins as the main protein David Julian McClements, distinguished professor at the source for meat analog production, for those making with Department of Food Science at the University of Massachu- other proteins or different formulations, the results could be setts, who was also not involved in the study, noted that di- different.” gestibility and absorption depend on several factors, includ“Our study [also] only used in vitro digestion, it may show ing: some differences compared to that of in vivo digestion. Future [studies] should be focused more on clinical trials,” he protein type added. protein denaturation protein aggregation Dr. McClements nevertheless noted that this study, and othfood matrix effects ers like it, are crucial. He said: “If we are going to replace antinutritional factors animal foods with plant-based alternatives, we do not want processing and cooking methods He thus said that the findings from this study might not ap- to have any adverse effects on human nutrition and health.” ply to all plant-based meat comparisons. “Consequently, it is important to design plant-based foods An example of this is that wheat gluten is not water-soluble to have similar or better nutritional profiles and digestibiland has more rigid structures than soy and chicken proteins ity/absorption behavior as animal-based foods they are demaking it less digestible. As the plan-based meat in this signed to replace,” he concluded. TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th | 2022
My Kitchen Spice Layer Cake BY MARIAN COOPER | https:// www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/ recipes
INGREDIENTS
with parchment paper, and grease paper.
Cooking spray 3 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for pans 1 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground cardamom 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 c. packed light brown sugar 3 large eggs 1 c. unsulphered molasses 1 1/4 c. Buttermilk Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Frosting 8 oz. cream cheese 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 5 c. confectioners’ sugar Caramel Acorns and Piecrust Leaves Packaged caramels Dark chocolate, melted Pretzel sticks Pie dough scraps
Make the Cake: Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg in a bowl.
DIRECTIONS
Beat butter and brown sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated after each addition. Beat in molasses. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture, just until flour is incorporated. Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely. Make the Frosting: Meanwhile, make Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, scraping down bowl as needed, until well blended and smooth. Frost Cake: Place one layer on a cake plate and frost top with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat two more times. Add a thin layer of frosting to sides. Make Caramel Acorns and Piecrust Leaves: Shape packaged caramels into acorns. Dip tops of acorns into melted dark chocolate. Coat chocolate in finely crushed stick pretzels. Insert a 3/4” piece of stick pretzel into the top to create a stem. Use leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut shapes from pie dough scraps. Bake at 350 degrees F until golden. Let cool and garnish cake.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 (8-inch) round cake pans; line
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th | 2022
My Sports CS Amina Mohamed Predicts Full Entry Of 70 Cars And 40 Motorcycles For The Africa Concours d’Elegance Sati Gata-Aura shows his 1947 MG TC to (right to left) CS Sports, Culture and Heritage Amb. Amina Mohamed, Kenya Motor Sport Federation Chairman Phineas Kimathi, Homeboyz Entertainment CEO Myke Rabar, Africa Concours d’Elegance Event Director Bob Dewar and Alfa Romeo Owners Club Chairman Peter Wanday during the launch of the Africa Concours d’Elegance.
By Agency
Launching the 2022 Africa Concours d’Elegance at the Panafric Hotel Amina Mohamed the CS for Sports, Culture and Heritage predicted that the 2022 Africa Concours d’Elegance will have a full entry of 70 cars and 40 motorcycles for the 50th edition of the event which has been held annually since 1970 by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. Already the entry list has over 40 cars and shows a strong response from motorcycle competitors. Spectators will be flocking to the Nairobi Racecourse on September 25th to view the gleaming highly prepared cars and bikes.
Club with the organisation of the classiest event on the Kenya motorsport calendar. The Award also highlighted the KMSF role in the Safar Rally and the varied events on the motorsport calendar.
After welcoming CS Amina Mohamed to the Concours launch Peter Wanday the Alfa Romeo Owners Club Chairman introduced Phineas Kimathi, the CEO of the Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) and Renzo Bernadi, the Chairman of the Kenya Motorcycle Sports Foundation. Renzo Bernadi will be the chief car judge on September 25th.
The latest international recognition comes from the FIA awarding the Founder Members Heritage Cup at the General Assembly in Paris to the Concours and Bob Dewar the Event Director. The Cup was placed on display at the press conference.
It was noted with satisfaction that the entry list includes a rare 1990 Lancia Delta Integrale which will be driven down the judging line by an enthusiast from Tanzania. Among the other entries from outside Kenya is Kakoozar Wazir who will be driving from Kampala to contest the event. Tumaini Muthiga will have a busy day rushing from the car judging line in front of the Racecourse grandstands with his 1967 Ford Taunus to run to the motorcycle judging ring where he will be riding his giant Harley Davidson motorcycle. During the function Peter Wanday presented the Alfa Romeo Owners Club Chairman’s Award to Phineas Kimathi. This recognised the contribution made by the KMSF to support the Alfa Romeo Owners
In a brief address Phineas complimented the Alfa Romeo Owners Club for developing an event originally limited to Club members into an internationally recognised Concours d’Elegance. This now has Africa Continental status for cars and motorcycles and since 2006 has been recognised and sanctioned by FIM Africa.
In his capacity as the Event Director Bob Dewar reported that the regulations for 2022 are basically unchanged from those of previous years. Because of the harsh economic conditions the organisers have held the entry fees at the previous level. Once again judging will not take into consideration originality because of the wide variety of cars and motorcycles makes this impossible. The officials will base their marking on the cleanliness, condition and standards of preparation of the participating cars and motorcycles. To depict the high quality of the preparation by competitors a display featuring the 1947 MG TC of Sati Gata-Aura and Tumaini Muthiga’s 1967 Ford Taunus together with the giant Harley Davidson bike of Tumaini Muthiga.
TT 158 | June 28th - July 4th | 2022
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