Ethiocross Blog

wow I love it! God Bless You Brother!

Dear brother Endale,

I thank you so much a million times for your wonderful comments. Truly we loved Dereje but he is still in unforgivness spirit. His purpose and goal is not contexulalization and disapponted the new generation ministers. Your article is not only observation proffesional message it is also look every direction of the songs. May the Lord bless you I am longing to read the next point of view.

Shiferaw Feyissa (Pastor)

Every one has his/her a place in the Kingdom of God in general and in his/her church/fellowhip in particular. God uses us as much as our dedication to his call (Rom. 12).

I have been blessed by Dereje's ministry of songs through the years. The songs were, by and large, biblical in their doctrine and poignant in their context. Applying intellectual anlysis of literary criticism exercise to such messages would only lead us to doubt the validity of prophetic voices that the Lord sends us from to time. If Dereje is morally apt and doctrinally sound, His message would transcend the test of time, like the Word of God. I think we should examine our own life in Light of the message through the Spirit before God rather than spliting hair of the message and the messenger. God will honor us if we humble ourselves and seek His forgiveness instead of judging and doubting the messanger or his motive. I do not think he is simply expressing his frustration or bitterness, as someone put it. Even if that was the case, we should humbly confront him in love and win him back to the fold. The Lord migh have given the song when he was in the valley of bitterness. But, it is all for our instruction and His glory.

Certainly, brothers and sisters, truth hurts but God's grace heals. Let us recceive Dereje's sincere call to correction and repentance rather than resisting it. This call seems to encampass the pastors, the individual believer and congregations.


Dr. Dereje Kebede, you are a gift to the church of the Living God. You have blessed, challenged, comforted, corrected and encouraged me, my family and my fellow pilgrims. You are anointed by none but God. You do not need be constrained by any discouragement. You may change your method of the delivery but not the message. We are praying for you that you may impact, not only the Ethiopian believers but the world at large. God has not finished His agenda with you. Your know your reward is not here and now, but later in Heaven. He is the Judge Supreme of all motives, words and actions. We love you and the brethren and sisters in Christ who carry their cross every day and follow the Master.

God bless us all.

As much as I like Ato Endale's critical message and analysis of the poems and the songs of Dr. Dereje, I find it a bit contradictory. Ato Endale actually dared to quote Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro's) secular-and very bizzare-song to make his point against Dr. Dereje. Dereje might have been bitter. I agree that he has little if any exposure to what God is really doing in Ethiopia through the current generation. But, I still find that his messages are timely and we should pay attention to it. If we are to judge, let's give it time and God will.
God bless you brothers and let's all pray that God may use us to do his will.
T

May God bless Brother Dr. Deraje Kebede, you Wright bro. we know every one who is who. Dr. Dereje is never accepting invitation from Freon and that was the cause of his leave his country and resides in USA. Dr. Dereje is not study by poor people money like ato. Endale, What ever Dereje did the all school fee was from his pocket. Ato. Endale is according to where he live has not freedom of criticize some one on the wrong path just accepting everything as it comes and may be ato. Endale the one who receive the bone marrow after leftover. Ato. Endale you do not have any morale to criticize Dr. Dereje. He is better than you 100% with every thing you are many steps back of Dereje I am sure you can not catch him and do not try confusing our people by posting such trash words against our dear brother Dereje and no one give consideration for this your awful comment except mafia’s who make trade in the name of Jesus. Even Dereje is not touch the all point what is going on to day in Ethiopian church’s in side or out side the country. Dr.Dereje is just bringing message of conformation for pastor Genet Sory and the kids who bring message the “last bell”. I think Dereje is not the only person who bring warning message for our people. Time is come on whom using the name of Jesus for only successes of daily life. As well for pastor shiferaw feyissa (fes yalebet zilay ayechlem). I would like to give you this word of God for any one who using Gods house for your needs or pastors who you make your self king in the church.
45: And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46: Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Luks; 19:45-46

Dear brother Endale and Pastor Sheferahu hopefully you guys will respect and accept his songs after twenty years.
May the holy one Israel open our eyes.

Brothers and sisters Watch!.The devil is creeping up!little foxes are sniffing around, to bring more division to the body of Christ. dr. dere HOW LONG YOU WANT TO HOLD GRUDGES?.OTHERS LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!

I appreciate the hard work of literary critic. Although I was not as sophisticated as the above commentator, I used to be a chair-man of song critiquing committee for my church in 1970's during Dereje's debut as a teenager. After I left Ethiopia, I tried to connect with him and his contemporary choir members. Most of them have lived an impeccably holy and transparent life at the height of communist persecution. These are our heroes whose biographies should kindle revival in our souls if we are genuine Christians.

It is appaling that the brother has the audacity to apply higher literary criticism on Holy-Spirit prompted, bible-centered and soul-inspiring songs such as this one. Higher criticism of the liberal neo-Evangelicals has watered down the message and the mission of Christ. Interestingly, some of our "pastors", either did not have proper training to serve the Risen Saviour or attended liberal schools that teach "trash" academic thinking without any moral responsiblity. Most liberal schools deny the veracity of the Bible and the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour. No wonder the church is corrupt and ineffective: no legacy, no servant-leadership, no fear of God, no respect for the saints. As the Church of the Lord Jesus goes, so goes the nation. Kingdom-now and here theology of Sadom and Gomorah seems to invade the hearts and minds of sincere believers. Materialistic mommonism (the love of money and all that money can buy) seem to drive the world to desapir. This man of God, called Dereje has a message soothing to the souls of the few remnants. It may not make any sense to some pervert hedonists (1 Cor. 1: 16-18).

To the present critics of Dereje, please, do not accuse him being pessimistic. Mind that the Ten Commandments starts with Do Not.... God knows that we are negative innately. By Doubling the negative He gives us the right command! Let us repent if the Holy Spirit convicts us, if not, let us at least respect his discipline or pray about it without much criticism. This song is not for "sale and entertainment" in the pretext of "worship". True worship should bring us to repentance, restoration and transformation.

We love you. God bless you

I have heard many times from many that they are disqualifying the validity of Dereje's Message based on where he has been living for the last 30 years. This does seem we are limiting the Great God based on geography or physical presence. God's people can receive His message any time, any where. The eyes of the Holy Spirt are every where. My concern is that,we don't miss the main message that is being loud spoken to our heart. let not forget The Bible has so many messages of correction to his people in the old and New Testaments which were strong, humbling and straight forward.
God Bless all!
Mike

Ato Endale , it good for you to take time before the Lord.

Dear Brother Endale,
I read your professional observation and appreciate the way you described your opinion in a Christian way. I believe you can do the same in other areas too. As you have said, most of the songs in Dereje’s new album show the problems & challenges the church is facing these days. However, I disagree with you in regard to what you stated in your observation as if none of his songs have any hope in it. I don’t believe the songs reveal the pessimistic view of the singer. That being said, I list the hope and possible solutions which I found in the lyrics.

1. Song 1 – God is to be praised because he deserved it.
2. Song 2 – Addresses just the challenges.
3. Song 3 – Reminds believers to be ready for the second coming of Christ.
4. Song 4 – When God comforts us, he fills our heart with thanksgiving.
5. Song 5 – Let’s worship God and upset the enemy.
6. Song 6 – Putting one’s life in God’s hand for spiritual checkup/ evaluation.
7. Song 7 – A prayer to have unity and one heart among Christians.
8. Song 8 – Let’s do something to those who need help and a prayer request for those who are sick.
9. Song 9 – A call for repentance on behalf of Ethiopia.
10. Song 10 – God is faithful but no one else.
11. Song 11 – God revealed himself in his creatures.

All books in the Bible follow the same pattern as far as sin is concerned. These are
• How God hates when people commit sin
• The consequence of sin
• The hope for those who repent and turn their face to God.

I believe the lyrics are scriptural and that’s all that matters. We have heard optimistic views in many other songs which are not based on the word of God. It is possible to declare false hope and live in denial just to feel good as opposed to declaring the truth. Let our measurement be the word of God.

Dear Endale. God bless you for your remarkable professional assessment. However, I'm concerned you would miss and may be encourage others to miss the message God is sending to our universal church body. Your assessment is so localized that you seem to compeletely ignore the universal nature of the church and our peoples' sporadic migration worldwide. So, please do not criticize Dereje based on your narrow scope of today's ministry. Dereje's song has a universal message for a universal Ethiopian and other communities. He has a universal credibility because he knows both home churches and churches outside of the country. I doubt you have that wider and extended exposure as our brother is. So please review your stand. Etiopian live every where in the worled and their churches are being planted every where, so the message is not only to the Ethiopia in the map but to the universal Ethiopian people living every where in the world.

I sensed a huge generational or understanding gap between those who lived and served the Lord through the communist regime and those who became visible and active in the church post communist Ethiopia. I believe most post communist Ethiopian christians will have hard time to get the message Dereje is spreading. So hold on. It is not your problem or Dereje's, but there is generational gap here.

Moreover, there is a huge discipleship orientation gap between generations. So rather than trageting individuals and miss the message let's examine our life and turn to the merciful God.

Do not forget Dereje's message is not only album 9, #2. He has sung about sorrow, comfort, "GIZEW", msgana...

God's blessings,

Selam Ato Endale,

I read your comments and felt sorry from the bottom of my heart. If you are such a critic person, why don't you write more to save our lost generation instead of blackmailing the gospel patriot, Dereje. No body told me about Jesus, he, Dereje Kebede brought me to God's kingdom.

Even Now I am advising you to do other businesses. Whether you and your friends appreciate Dereje or not it is meaningless. From wrong mind and negative mentality, no body expects good things. Good and blessing comments will be produced by Holy Spirit led mind, heart and pen. One time Dr. Tollosa Gudina said, "why are you talking about other things before you finish preaching and teaching about the good news". This message also applies to you and your friends. Your language and ideas are not blessing.

When do we bless our brothers?
when do we appreciate others?
Why do we become selfish?
When do we begin to live the life of Christ?
Why don't we learn from others?

All false teachers and prophets are talking, teaching and preaching about Dereje. You mouths shut for Gospel. Your hands bent for truth. Your hearts closed for love. But all are active to kill a generation. What kind of curse sow in this promised land! Who will harvest and collects all your curses? Please stop talking about our beloved and precious singers and preachers.

I am telling you the truth by the Spirit of God, you must confess your sin and ask for God's forgiveness. But if you have a plan to join some one (Pastor or Evangelist) who will have a plan to open a village church, I am sure you will never do it and finally you will be lost.

Brother Dereje, God bless you abundantly. I found nothing wrong from your songs. Please do it more. Previously your songd were shaking the dark kingdom outside the church but now you began to shake false teachers and prophets from the house of God. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Pastor Tamirat Haile asked God to give us one. Don't afraid of them. There are millions with your side who need holiness and justice in the country. Most welcome back to your beloved song ministry and service. With lots of Love.

Mercy to Ethiopia,
God's judgment will begin from the church and His glory will shine all over the country.

Mr Endale- He should not be a citizen of Ethiopia or a resident of the country to say what he said in his songs. He belongs to Christ after all. It seems that you want people who live in Ethiopia or working with Ethiopians only have the right to edify the christians people and that is totally wrong sir.

I don’ think that it is the intention of Endale Besher to criticize Dereje Kebede personal affair, but to reflect his concern regarding Dereje’s song objectively. Pls brothers, don’t judge the critic too in such manner. Be reminded that you are exercising insulting which is again sin. Criticism shows our development in the area of discipline in which we are engaged for.

Many Blessing! Think positively and respond positively!
Misrak Taye

God bless you brother Endale

I really astonished and also anxious to read all this comments and harsh words. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if this message (song) is for us, let us repent and return to the Lord’s grace, if not ,let us pray for the body of Christ (Church) to clean her clothes with His blood and ready to receive the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ). I didn’t see any point to make big deal out of this song, I like constrictive and edifying discussions but here I didn’t see that. Let us fear God and control our emotion when write comments and think twice before you start writing. Remember this word on James 3:6 “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil. Placed among the parts of our bodies, the tongue contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.” ISB 2008
Also remember Christianity is a life of Love, humbleness, meekness, sacrifice and Holiness. If you follow Jesus and be like him! Speak the truth and truth sets free!
I grew up in Ethiopian Church back home and know almost all ministers, Pastors and Singers. We are really blessed with many God fearing Ministers and need to thank God for these Committed and disciplined servant of Christ. They looked ahead their rewards from the Lord as Moses did. Hebrews 11:26 “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward “NIV 1984
And also we know some “ministers” who are addicted to power, money and fame, I think everybody knows them; we are embarrassed by their deeds on the body of Christ. Even any non believer Ethiopian who lives at home or abroad recognizes what the contemporary Ethiopian Evangelical Church problem is, our name is on the mass media. Most of our Church minister’s quarrel is in the court, just go and goggle it you can get the news about the Ethiopian Pastors and elders politics. Here (USA) in many states these problems happened and the city police interfered and some of the cases are still in courts. In Ethiopia the same things happened in many Churches, just for the sake of power, money or fame. This is fact!!!! Why we deny the problems and pretend. I am not talking about this song or the others; I am taking about the facts that we are facing day to day life in our churches.
You can’t challenge or tell the right way of Christian life for any Pastor, Choir or church member about his or her personal Christian life, if you try to do so they label you as fanatic, holiness preacher or old fashion Christian and corner you. Really I am lamenting to the Lord, Holy Spirit is grieved by many self appointed Pastors, Prophets, solo singers and “Apostles”. Let us pray for these Ministers, I love them and don’t want to miss them in God’s kingdom and some of them start with genuine motive to serve the Lord but failed to see the right way in between.
In my understanding, the real solution is let us go back to the word of God (read and meditate daily) , have daily devotion time personally with our Lord and see his gracious face , ask Holy Sprite to fill us daily and give us strength and revelation for our life destiny and shine the power of resurrection in our life and light the darkness .Let us show Jesus everywhere and share the gospel with our neighbors.
Lamentations 5:21
“Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old” NAS 1995.

Here is an article on Dereje and his new CD in Amharic at the site below. Pls pass it on to as many as you can. Blessings.
http://www.ethiopianchurch.org/

Any one starting a ministry thinking of a short way of making a living or getting rich by serving Jesus does not have a speck of idea of the DEVINE CALL. John the Baptist, the disciples and the Apostle Paul were ideal examples of the CALL to servanthood. Most of those "ministers" Dereje is concerned with are self-servants. To them the end justifies the means (yetem fichiw, duqetun amchiw). They serve their own interest, not the cause of Christ. Their message is about the goodies they can get by manipulating the Scriptures and the believers. They prey on pleasure seeking, shallow-rooted and unquestioning believers. They juggle between psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology and diplomacy to entertain their flock. They feed their venom to the young and weak seeker. Of course, we should still love them but not thier deeds. They hate correction and confession. They cannot stand serious prayers, fasting and Spirit-filled holy life. Some of such men hope to win DV lottery or marry a winner and start a "church" instead of working a menial job in America. So, what our brother Dr. Dereje is saying is so true. Therefore, it is the responsiblity of every believer to correct them in love as most of you said.

Brothers and sisters,
I truly encourage the openness you are demonstrating. However, my concern is the point we all are trying to make out of all these.
we all need to remind ourselves the focal point of the gospel which is love, mercy and the truth as revealed in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He told us to check and evaluate ourselves before we judge others so we can be in a position to correct others.
We are all before the Lord and so let's all remember " Let the one who has no sin, stone her " of John 8:7
May God open up the eyes of our understanding so we all can keep the unity of faith through the bond of peace.
God bless you all,
Ytadegal

It is funny how Ato Endale dare to say what he said. There is no doubt Ato Endale is leaving in a complete denial and hypocrisy. We as a Christian society failed to leave upto God's expectation. To make things even worse we don't even admit our problems when God speaks to us. This is not Derje's first album from exile. I think his previous two albums are also released while he was in exile. He addressed different issues and we praised and hailed him much. However, this time when he tells our wickedness and selfishness, we start to critisize him. This is funny. To be honest, Ethiopian church is deep in crisis. There is nothing we can be proud of. It is a crystal clear that our Christianity is deteriorating and we need divine intervention. May God help us. Yes we behave as if we never heard the word of God. Yes we steal and take advantage on the poor!! Why we are not able to speak about this? Why are we proud of shame? why we blame Dereje? I feel there are a lot of things to learn from Dereje apart from the message he brought for us from God! May God help you ato Endale!

Thank you all, for your contributions triggered by Endale's critiques of Dr. Dereje. The Ethiopia church must now go back and seek the truth where it left. This is not to say everyone is lost but the church has lost its mission and purpose. Most of our leaders are corrupt and incapacitated. The sheep seem to know better than the shepherds. To restore confidence and trust, the shepherds (pastors, evangelists, teachers, apostles, prophets and all ministers of the gospel) must repent in unison. Dr. Dereje and a few other marginalized leaders must come to the fore and take the mantle to lead everyone to hearty confession and repentance. Here lies the healing of the land and resoration of the people of Ethiopia. I think a movement like Nehemiah's should start by concerned serious believers.

God bless you all.

DearMr.Endale i`m not comfortable by your statement which says "be etiopia west yelu yewangel gebd eyeseru yelu agelgayoh bezmeru yemerbachewal?" is taht to ignor foreign ethiopian evangilists ,churches,singers or pastes ? take a look globali & widen your out look! i dont think Dereje songed for only local ethiopian(which found in ethiopia)he songed what he looked around him too(ethiopian church in western countries too..) some of your ideas are senseless!

I'm orthodox christian. I have been following the progress of protestsnt churches in Ethiopia. In my observation the devotion and maturity of the church is degrading fron time to time. Early protestant songs had strong biblical messages and transforming power. During those days I used to listen to protestant songs than orthodox songs. I still love to listen those songs. I started reading the bible after listing those inspiring songs. But recentlly I prefer the orthodox songs specially those wriiten by Begashaw and Tezetaw. These days it seems that any protestant can write and sing. Their message and use of words are so poor that one can't listen them more than once. The orthodox youth (organised and guided by mahebere kidusan)is donig a fantastic job in this regard. If it continue like this the protestant churches will be weakened in the next few decades and the orthodox church will shine again.

one more thing!! I don't see the difference between celebrating 'yeDereje adnakot ken' and celebrating 'teklehaimanot day'. repecting and celebrating 'ye kidusan ken'. 'kemetash mariam tamtash' That is just my personal observation.
thank you
thank you

Dear Ato Endale,

As far as I know the word " Review" comes from two words namely "RE" and "View". So to be a reviewer you must be a good viewer.In my opinion you are trying to be a reviewer without viewing .
Even the Ethiopian government is kindly requesting diaspora to get involved in national issues. Suprisingly,you and Shiferw feyissa are marginalizing the diaspora on spiritual matters!
Moerover your review( actually it is not a review]has no any biblical back up! I expect you to quote a verse from God's word but you are telling me about "Blues,Regae,writers,etc.]
Also it seems that you are not comfortable with Dr.Dereje's academic success! You tols us that you have an MA degree in Literatre and ashamed to mention Derje's doctorate title! You simply said " Great Soloist Derje".
Typical Abesha's view!
Finally pls be a good viewer if you want to be a reviwer and have tremnedous influence on Ethiopian church history like Dr. Derje Kebede!!!

Good comment visitor that is the problem .you are correct typical abesha view.God bless you keep singing for god not for people

Dear Endale,
God bless you. May Lord almight open your heart.We all need to swallow the truth told by Dr. Dereje Kebede even if it is sour. Do you deny the reality the singer addressed?Alebabsew biarsu be arem yimelesu new.
May God bless Dereje abundantly.

Dear Endale,
Are we going to read soon the next part. I am really interested to read, may be the final, conclusion. I will keep checking this blog. God bless you.

selam ato endale,more than ur comments the main thing that surprise me is u have MA IN literature but what's literature?pls again read,read,read some books. with ur examples i saw where u r.what's pessimism ?to be concerned for we r in is pessimism?swiming in the sea of words and living in spiritual like worldly visions is ur optimism?atleast u have to respect this pioneer with full of pains of our spiritual blindness?he has a pain of truth ,a pain of Godliness,i think the ppl who were appreciate him will understand his words more than u,let me tell u u r full of hatred of the whole truth in his songs,and u wanna feed us ur poisioned honey in the name of christianity,ato endale try to read some books that fits ur title rather than lulling urself with stephen king and eminium.God bless u Dereje u r always the light bearer in my darkness from my early age.

Dear Fellow christian familiies,

We don't have to be afraid to accept reprimands. We have to be brave enough to listen our weaknesses. derje has said whta is really happening in the church? call it 1st hand or second hand information -it is true. Then let's get back to Life. As bible says " only the truth lets you free.
Derje God bless you.

I am very much concerned with the motive of Pastor Shiferaw, his comment on Dereje's album has been very destructive. His comment on a megazine known as Mattetis published in Ethiopia has raised much anger. Especially his outrageously destructive phrase,"be ethiopia betekirsitan enkrdad endezera ekotrewalehu" has angered many Ethiopians at home. Has he something personal against him or what. Or he is representing the many offended pastors who wanted to remain behind the scene for whatever reasons?

Pastor Shiferaw, act like a pastor. "Lewegene Yitekmal..." motive doesn't help anyone. Ultimately, it is heeding Dereje's comment that helps the young pastors you are trying to please than your blindly presented biased comment on Dereje's album.

May God's grace be upon you all,
Shalom.

Dear Ato Enadale!

Your comments are very compelling!! I am one of the people with a second degree, and also a christian. What I can see from your 'intellectual' analysis is more of the typical Ethiopian 'unsubmissive' and 'not reasonably accepting the truth' mood. They also appear to inappropriately mix up the academic and the christian ways to justify but not actually rationalize, and impose the 'socially respected' person's egos. There are lots of conflicting ideas in your message and I believe you should take some more time to revise them. This is the era of information, and you could be one of the people that know about and probably argue on a hell of informations about TB Joshua, Pastor Chris, the full gospel church in south korea ... the same is true here. What if the same message came through Dr Tollosa, or Benny Hinn ? Why don't you weigh the songs from God's word perspective, and hair split not only the two songs about today's church/freedom of worship? Why can't you say something about the expressiveness of the 'zemas' to the respective 'gitim'? Why can't you see that he is remind us that the bird/butterfly/high lands/waterfalls are enough evidences about God's presence and unwavering power, which we seem to loose while being emersed in this busy world? And please let us not be in a hurry to 'discourage' our brethern and at the same time probably be disagreeing with God's work/people?

Dear Mr. Endale
You must be one of (some words were edited by editor ) or be hind them that mentioned in one of Dr. Dereje's Song. Hope your next comment will be on the basis of word of God not only on your inellectual background as you tried to expose. Dr. Dereje's Messege is not only for Ethiopian churchs , it's global.Atlast not least what i want tell you is plz don't be a weapon for exploiters & don't forget you're abusing your intellectualty while you trying to please"Kelawachoch"
God Bless our Brother Dereje!

Dear briother Endale.

After reading your article I really felt ashamed. this not something coming from a christian. God bless Dereje kebde.

Daniel

i wanna thank Dere b/s he showed as not only the real song, but also the real art for ETHIOPIA.in this new album too, he did a tremandous change both in the content of lyrics & confidence on his work.may God bless Your entire life.we miss u .....

Dear comment maker,

I see a lack of maturity in ur comments. You need to grow before rushing into comments.
Secondly, I do not see the relevance of posting ur MA dergee. Did you think that will qualify you to be "comment maker? Not at all!
Others, please keep on listening the new album and pray for the mixed christianity in Ethiopia.

God bless Ethiopian Church.

Yared L.

Dear mr. Critic (Ato Endale) you came up with strange ideas, but it is very real and logical. Be patient to carry the load of the hammer poured from christian bros and siters. Be reminded that you are paving a road to criticism though it is new to Ethiopian Context. Dereje kebede is not perfect always as he did in the early days. He needs Reprimads! Otherwise we are allowing him to...

bravo!!!!! i wish all the singers of our age to learn from the legendary derege .woye zemeru wey zeme bellu!!!!!!!!!!

I was traying to see the comment which is given by ato Endale about Dr Derje songs.As to me it is not fair to say derje is having pesmastic attitude towardes Ethiopian church.It is known for every body about derje spiritual life.Still his example by God grace to Others,therefore insted of saying unwanted things let us hamble in front our lord based on the message in the songs.God bless you.

Gobez are wedet new
Geta nebiat, astmariwoch,me/Kidus seten ahun degimo derejen lakelin yesum aldelanim ahun degimo ene memihir ZebeneN bemesaslut eyegesetsen new. bekiRbu degimo Bewketu Siyum yawetaw yekeld CD lay endih bilual
"Beggeta sim beaganint yetaserutin asfetu
Bene sim account Kifetu"
Pastor shif Endalen million gize mamesgenun aqumina ende dereje yane wengelawi beneberik gize yastemarkewin wengel mesbeK jemir (menga belelebet eregninetum Yikribih.)beterefe wegenoch yehagerachin wengelawit bete kiristian bizu satafera endatiderik linitseliy yigebanal.

Dear brother Endale,

God bless you for your wonderful critic of the songs of brother Derege. Yes, he is extremely pesimistic and out of touch because he alienated himself from the body of Christ. In one interview he said that he did not believe in "organized religion". And that organized religion, I suppose, is the Church of Jesus Christ. No one knows even how he passed the last 25 or 30 years of his life. And yet he has something to say to the church which he defamed as organized religion. It is shameful even to try to make any advice. If I were him I would first submit myself to the authority of the church and the Word of God. At last, in his album he sings about what he calls "addis kidan church" as if there is an Old testament church. Any ways what spiritual means is not singing or preaching for that matter but to bear the fruits of the Spirits. Let our brother Dereje come to church and make himself accountable and then we will hear him.

God bless you.

Dear Brother Endale:

Thank you for your stand on truth regarding Dereje's songs. It takes a lot of gut to swim against the tide. As a matter of fact our beloved brother Dereje's pessimistic idea began to show up way before this album came out. In his interview with Mattates magazine he blatantly called the Church of God an organized religion and said that he did not have the kind of nature to fit together in the holy assembly. And now in this album he became a stumbling block for the non believers by negatively portraying the Church of Jesus Christ. Do not get me wrong that I am not saying that the church does not have its own problem. But, it would be fair for him to speak to her as an inside voice not as an outsider. He has not been, I believe, a member of any Ethiopian church here in the US at least in recent years. Yet, his comments seemed as though he knew it from the inside out. In my opinion, his album has done more damage than repair. in that the Lord Himself will hold Him accountable. At last, I will pray for him that he opens up his heart for his brothers and sisters for prayers and dialog for edification.

God bless you.

In His Love.

Those people who critics Derje's song are revealed them selves as the character that Dereje practicaly put in the song .There critics conformed the fact of the ministers of our days that already dereje says.

Since I read this article, I was thinking for a long time to respond formally to Ato Endale. However, I see that time is running out.

Therefore,...let me just say the following: I would simply refer Ato Endale's article itself as "a pessimmistic review"; because I believe that he wrote this article in a purely unbrotherly and unchristinian spirit.

First of all, he said all (ALL?) of Dereje's songs are "pessimistic" and "don't have hope in them." Brothers & Sisters: Is this really true? I say "absolutely not!" I characterize this simply as an "allegation" and an "injustice" done by Ato Endale; because the songs (out of eleven) are not "pessimistic" at all; and the songs surely "have hope in them" if you listened to them in open heart (and without preconceived ideas). You simply listen to all the songs and at least you end up with quite few that have a concrete message. In addition, you don't need to be an expert in Literature to see that the songs are neither "pessimistic" nor "hopless."

Second, I see that Ato Endale has raised five points in his article. Unfortunaltely, he missed all of them! I gather that according to Ato Endale's "pessimistic" review, Dereje Kebede is: (i) a pessimist, (ii) a soloist, (iii) doesn't qualify to earn a Ph.D., (iv)an opportunist; i.e., he didn't leave his country due to persecution; and (v)is not part of The Body of Christ!

I don't think that it is necessary to go into details [I will leave the answer to the above points to the readers]; however, it just baffles me to think how Ato Endale would shamelessly refer his brother in Christ as a "soloist"? How does he compare this prominent "gospel singer" with "M & Ms?" [whoever they are!] How could he compare "light" with "darkness"?

Finally, I would like to tell Ato Endsale that I feel so sad whenever I read this "pessimist" article of his.

In His Name!

Endale, I really appreciate your article about Dereje's song. I have always sought to think one step back into what prompted a singer to sing a particular song............as you described a singer like Dereje never sings a song just for the sake of singing. Although I don't have stronger evidence like knowing him in person to agree or object your observation. I think it is likely that his songs are partly aftermaths of his attitude or worldview.

Here I don't want to expound on my reasons for why I think so. But I have another observation from the comments forwarded to you. I skimmed through all the comments, I am sure you did too. I will be surprized if you were n't shocked by how people interpreted and reacterd to your article. Honestly from reading the comments, I assume a significant proportion of the readers fall into the following:
1- either have severe inability to comprehend the gist of the article; or 2 are unwilling to reexamine thier perespective in the light of a new one (whether they agree or disagree), or 3- are rediculously intolelerant of deviant ideas in spritual related issues.

(example: Watch out comments #5, #13, #25,#29, #33, #34, #36, #43, #44.....)


I beleive these bloggers will benefit if they evaluate their mindset seriously before saying anything to anyone next time around.


Hold on...did I include myself...may be I should be in the list too.
thanks
Z

Dear Z [or Azariyas];

Could you please explain why you skipped analyzing the contents or messages of Dereje's current songs first? Without this foundation, I think you quickly and prematurely jumpped into analyzing and responding to the comments made against your friend Ato Endale and his article.

If I may, let me ask you: if you have listend to the songs? have you? If so, which songs are "are partly aftermaths of his attitude or worldview"? I gather that Ato Endale is not a Psychiatrist. He is in the Literature world. But he deemded Dereje to be a "pessimist." Not only that, he also referred him as a "soloist" and compared him with rappers (whoever they are Ato Endale knows best as he indicated in his article that he seems to listen their trash).

Therefore, if you agree with his view, could you please let us know "why you agree?" You may be a Psychiatrist (but you said don't know Dereje in person); so could you please explain why you said "his songs are partly aftermaths of his attitude or worldview"? Which songs are you talking about? And how?

If you don't have answers to the above questions, I surely think you should include in yourself in your (and yours only) selected list.

God bless you.

Dear Azariyas, I have read your message and couldn't get your point clearly. It seems you want to create new truth to yourself. Let me tell you, new way of thinking need its own examining Technics you should follow, and you better see endal's review critically by asking questions like why, how, etc. I am not against your right to give opinion, however, when you put yourself in judgement, you better look to the facts first. May be let me add you one more word, "it is also possible to see light without being in dark" so tune yourself to tell the truth to your heart ( psalm 15:1-5)

The appropriateness, timeliness and legitimacy of Dereje's message could be highly controversial, and may be offensive to many who believe he is directly criticizing them. Therefore, Mr. Endale with an MA in literature is entitled to his own fair share of opinion about Dereje. However, the topic of 'Dereje and his latest work' must not be characterized as only a reflection of the person of Dereje as mere pessimist and troubled individual. The best thing is, instead of being on a defensive, it is better if every one of us examine our lives and ask God why the message is so difficult to hear. We are increasingly becoming sensitive if the message does not go well with our expectations. We like to be praised and showered with flowers when we truly do not deserve it. We hate sticks, because it is painful. To avoid it, the Church and Churchgoers have to correct ourselves. We can hide from our brothers and sisters, but never from the eyes of God. Remember the holy men came from the wilderness and spoke to the people about the coming wrath of God, so that they repent. As a result, many changed their course and some continued in their rebellion and paid the price. It is no wonder; the bible says 'there will be time when people no more tolerate criticisms.' We need more courageous brothers and sisters like Dereje who have no fear to speak out. Let us not give a reason to justify our unwillingness to do the right thing.

As I am reading comments, I was thinking of how we all are blessed as members of the only true Church to have all these brothers and sisters who are open to share what they feel about "Dereje Kebede and his latest work". It is healthy to release our emotions whether we are for or against it. In my experience of three decades, this is the only time I see Christians engaged in an open and free conversation. Yes, it is Dereje who fought communism, atheism, and theory of evolution, with his songs such as 'Yelem Yel Jemere', 'Zingero Aydelehum', and many more, who again gave us this rare opportunity to talk about life in the Church. As one of his close friends tells, he was a true worrier in his daily life. The message and Dereje never were separate. Mind you, the songs I mentioned above came out during the pick time of socialist revolution in Ethiopia. Those of you who were young enough to remember what really happened read for curiosity Kiflu Tadesse's book, "YA TEWLED". It is then with his guitar and God's message alone, Dereje confronted the tide of rebellion. He was living in Addis Ababa, near Meshuwalekia area by Hadid Sefer. He lost his older brother who was killed at the hands of the then government forces. To say that he was never persecuted, it is very unfair and far from truth.
Do we have problems in the Church? I believe, we do have a lot of it. Is there only one individual for all these problems? No, we all as members of the body of Christ are responsible for the anarchy. Therefore, we all in unison have to turn to God for guidance how to clean His house. Honestly, Dereje's role is only one as he did in the past, which is bringing the talk of the kitchen in to the living room. Big and small, let us not feel disrespected or violated, rather feel comfortable to air our opinions in a respectful manner without calling names. Let the spirit of unity reign in our midst. May God bless all of us!

When you comment, please do it according to the message below!
From our daily bread

THINGS SAID IN SECRET

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious.

Eph.4:25-32

Some say that anonymity is the last refuge for crowds. Judging from mail and comments I have read that have been submitted anonymously, I would agree. People hiding behind the screen of anonymity or a false identity feel the freedom to launch angry, hurt full tirades. Anonymity allows them to be unkind without having to take responsibility for their words.

Whenever I am tempted to write something anonymously because I don’t want to be identified with my own words, I stop and reconsider. If I don’t want my name attached to it, I probably shouldn’t be saying it. Then I do one of things: I either toss it out or I rewrite it in a way that makes it helpful rather than hurtful.

According to Ephesians, our words should edify and impart grace(4:29).If I ‘m unwilling to use my name, there’s reason to believe that my motive is to hurt, not to help.

When you’re tempted to say something in secret—perhaps to a family member,

Co-worker, or your pastor—consider why you don’t want your name to be identified with your words. After all, if you don’t want to be identified with your words, God probably doesn’t either. He is gracious and slow to anger(Ex.34:6)and should be the same.

Prayer

O Lord, help us to turn aside,

From words that spring from selfish pride,

For you would have Your children one(daily bread)

it is a great revelation to our Ethiopian church.Realy it is the truth I accept it.God bless you dereje kebede

I read all the comments above. And one word come to my mind which is founded from the bible. i.e. in amharic '' hasetegna nebiyat be menfese freyachew yetawekalu" Menfese fre malet, selam, desta, begonet,... so, I think it's better to see his sprititual wellbeing inorder to help us see if he is from the wrong path. In addition, our sprit in us also help us approves the message coming from the songs. Let's live in God's love instead of insulting each other. I am also eager to what endale will reply. Please do!

God bless you Mr. Endale for your openness. But I would like to encourage you to take the messages hounestly. I see some leaders and singers hate dereje for rebuking and saying even to take back his sword to its place. There is no sword here but strong truth, bitter as our cultural medicines but healing!. Jesus didn't preach only mercy. Once he used a whip against those who sell inside the temple.

Lets Swallow the bitter medicine those who divide the church and separate believers. Repent those of you who
admired people than our Lord.

I challenge all of 'us' we 'protestants' have never praised king David or Poul or "Teklehaimanot" or "Abunegebremenfeskidus" in our churches.

........Lets Swallow our pills......
Though we did it in 'purity' if Dr. Dereje leaves us, we will follow to the other great singers and start "Zikre-Tesfaye, Tamirat, Shewaye..
........Lets Swallow our pills......

God bless Dereje

Brotha Endale
I liked the way you humbly critiqued. Balanced but not biased, respectfull but not flattery, and deep but not skimmed. However, I had hard time to underestand some of your wordings. Geez?
Other than that, Good job and you answered my questions.

I respectfully bless & affirm.

ato endale reconcider your word.you are not be some body becouse you said this. or there is always this types of peopel who are critisizaing,any way like he mention he is not after hyman radar, but after Gods radar, some might bless you, but thw queation is who are they, the word of the profits are not rabish, but hard and strong, if it though to you pray and God may help you.
not only for me but for milloins of peopel he is still brother and spritual father, his songs are still alaive and will alive. his songs are profetical. and you will be a witness when it happened, and put your hands on you mouth, ato endale you have nice picture.

I realy surprised about Pastor Shiferaw Feyissa. He is always want to hide truth which is like sun light that any one could not put any shade on it. I know Dereje shaked the life of people who are chitting in the name God. Eventhough Indale Bashier want to distort the image of people of God Dereje is still our legend.

Jesus is alive!!!!!!!!!!

Before Dereje express about our current churches position on his lyrics, we all agree and talk about how our churches leaders, singers, preachers became self center. This is not a grey stuff /fuzzy/. Everything what he said about a church is right. I live in Ethiopia and outside Ethiopia. I don’t need to hear somebody s witness, because I have seen and See, I have heard and still hearing everything what happening right now. In this case I can tell “this is our current churches image in every parts of the world”. /In Ethiopian churches and other countries peoples churches/. Mr. Endale, My advice for you is please, don’t just jump and write before you analyze things. /of course it is all your personal opinion/.

The overwhelmingly majority Christians always seem hesitate to speak boldly the real facts we are observing in and around churches and make them as taboo issues though our heart feels the problems that embrace us. Personally I refuse to be pessimist on issues which are not original to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Thus Dereje's ideas are not pessimistic rather they are facts dared to look our weakness and anyone can observe in our churches; no need to substantiate these facts. Bravo Dereje in this way we can march forward unless we can not be sure we are following a light which would take as to dark!!!!

OH ETHIOPIANS!

...LOVE EACH OTHER! ...THINK POSITIVELY!
otherwise, we will left as one of 'poor' country in the world...'spiritually', 'mentally'and 'economically'
guys, i respect all's idea but i hate Justice without LOVE, HUMBLE SPRITE and TRUTH...i will repeat...JUSTICE WITHOUT LOVE, HUMBLE SPRITE AND TRUTH IS DANGEROUS...
oh!!!! God bless Ethiopia.........

Mr.Endale
I read your comment on Dr.dereje's song.rising comment on someone work is good if it is based on bible or godly heart.I thing you are seeing nothing in Ethiopian church because your understanding about church is so little.The gospel message preached out of the political boundary(geographical location).why Poul write his messages to nations? If you think there is no problems please read the bible.Academic MA without holy spirit is nothing.
2 Timothy 3
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 4
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
the grace of God for us(me and you) is must. May God bless all of you.

I agree with Endale especially on the Dereje's pessimistic response to the appreciation day organized for him. I really felt sad about this incident. It is not our culture. As the writer said that the organizers idea was to appreciate him not to glorify him as God. I start question his christian life. Christianity is about forgiving and being humble. Please dereje come to your sense.
God bless you all.

Makes me sad to read majority of the comments form the hard-core Christian brothers and sisters (extremists) without even understanding the whole content of the review. Go Indale. I fully agree with you.

I like Dereje's songs, period! They reflect the truth. I don't oppose peoples' free opinions either, but, be rational and admit mistakes. The Abesha churches around the world (including Ethiopia) and all churches for that matter, are deteriorating spiritually. But, this does not mean that God's work has stopped. So please be fair on your comments. Go brother Dereje! I have always loved your lyrics and I will always do. It does not matter whether you are an "insider or outsider" to the church, you have sung the truth. Stay blessed.

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Endale Besher (MA in Literature)! :)))

My point: inspect attitude and self gratification from this author.

Right/wrong is what the kingdom of God is about. Balance, optimism/pessimism, ... are tests human organizations.

Let's learn to stay home--stay with ourselves.

I might not care about Dereje Kebede at all; but Edale, you did a such a human evaluation.

Well, this time I am commenting after having a deeper listening and analysis on Dereje's song. I am so humbled by grasping what's in him. I believe this is the message our brothers and sisters in the "believer section" need to listen and wake up. I believe this will help alleviate the big problem in us: beiling everything from the elites is from God and compromising even on physical sins.

Endale is such a funny dude who mentions an MA after his full name :)))--you do that when you get your PhD to mean you are a Dr. :)) and you are such a hostile attacker that starts with praise--please read the last paragraph right after you read the first.

Such a big mistake with Endale which I would take as a big attitude of neighborhood-abroad complex: Dereje never mentioned no country in reference or ranking; but Endale... :) i'll get you a ticket man...am jk.

A question to Endale: What makes the Ethiopian church miskin--economy? We are talking about spiritual stuff in God's kingdom. You sound a little with complex on Dereje's or anyones living abroad. Get a ticket--check it.

@ Musie: would you do mendacity to save others? It's funny how you relate telling the truth about the religions' status with salvation. We were not supposed to be in mendacity in our ordinary life let alone in the deeds of the Almighty. You need to wakeup!