Pretentious pretense the lot of them!!

Swollen eye lids, eyes that have refused to stop tearing, swollen lips (geez even Homer Simpson looks hotter than I am looking right now with those lips of his), and I’m not even in Nigeria. I look like I’ve taken a serious beaten, and have been crying for days on end. What seems to be the matter I keep getting asked? Should I milk this for what it’s worth? I heard it again, what seems to be the matter? I had to really think about it. Really is there anything the matter? You seem sad, you are looking rather dull?

This took me back to when I was young, younger than I am now (technically if I’m truly honest with myself, even now), when I looked forward to not so good news days; situations when I’m allowed to feel sorry for myself, so that when my mummy asked me if everything was well, I would sullenly reply and with the most exaggerated expression, enough for her to increase her prayers on my behalf, go out and get me some garments, and increase the pampering (no wonder I’m labeled as “such a princess” by a ton of people). I was jilted back again to the present, and no the enquirer is not my mummy, but still in a jiffy could run out to the shops to get me a get well card, some flowers to brighten up my room, and cherries that will last me a life time. And so I asked myself, should I milk this for what it’s worth, and is there really anything the matter with me?

I tried so much to remind myself of things and areas of my life where things weren’t working so well. Tried so hard to bring to mind situations that I appear to be currently facing that should make me sad, enough to justify why I looked dull, not emaciated, but just dull. I tried so hard to recreate broken times, times on end when things didn’t seem to be working. The fact and the state of things. My mind had become a court room where the opposition presented its case, and where the defense was armed ready to disprove it with the truth of the Word of God. The reasons presented by the opposition were quite conceited no doubt but it had a case. Can’t you see that a woman in your situation shouldn’t be happy? I mean look at you, married for so long and still with no kids? Single with no husband? Divorced twice and on your way to hell? Shut your mouth missy, what do you have to be joyful about? Yes you baby mother, you think a man wants to marry a woman who already has a child? You fat broke ass chick, trust me no man will and can ever love you! You think out of the group of people in your office, you will be promoted? You think there will be jobs available for you in this economic climate? I heard that there is a list with the names of people to be fired and your name has appeared on this list? Hahaha LMAO trust me you are finished! It seemed more like taunts, but in the real sense were facts being used against the defense. The opposition wasn’t making it up, their case was justifiable, and they were simply bringing to mind the current state of play. However, there was a problem with their air tight sealed case. Another fact had made it impossible for them to seal the case. The truth about the word of God which the defense team had knowledge of, which made it impossible for them to be fooled. It may have been a fact that indeed what is happening is really real, but what is coming was more real than what is. That the spiritual controlled the physical, and that the physical is not worth comparing to what is to come. And armed with this knowledge of the truth about the Word of God, the opposing thoughts could not stand a chance. And because my mind had been continuously immersed in the word of God, which I had meditated upon day and night, the opposing thoughts did not have the opportunity to come out into the open. And thus my mind a courtroom, where the defense team was actively and constantly winning, remained that of a conqueror.

And so I shrugged my shoulders, smiling and yet with a bemused sort of look, reluctantly said to him, it’s just a simple case of allergies, there is nothing internally wrong (nor would there ever be at the rate my defense team is working – I can’t even be allowed to feel sad just once I tell ya!!). As I walked away sniffing and touching my swollen lips, a tad bit disappointed, I finally realized that the “look at me I am suffering” days are well and truly over J. The childish days, times when I’ve refused to grow up are well and truly over ….No milking today!!, I see now that the word of God in me no longer permits me to feel sorry for myself again.. Aah kilode, a whole princess attention seeking drama queen like me, Nne I think your days of acting are well and truly over J.

$%^ SPOILLER: If you are an attention seeking drama queen, who loves to feel sorry for herself and for others to commiserate with you, errm, a continuous renewal of your mind with the word of God will so spoil this show for you. Don’t say I didn’t do you a public service by giving you a heads up in this area J. Geez Louise, I can’t even feel sorry for myself again. Oh Mehn! I can’t even throw an awesome pity party again. Oh well!!

How Dare You!!

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" – Matthew 26:67-68

He allowed himself to be handcuffed, be arrested, be hurled insults at, be spat on the face, be stripped naked, be put to shame in public and be beaten to the point of death. As if that wasn’t enough, they took him and hanged him up on a cross – for YOU and me.

After all this, YOU still have the audacity to grumble; you still have the effrontery to complain about your life’s turn of events; you still have the energy to engage yourself in fruitless worries; you you you YOU still have the nerve to say why me!!

I’m going to leave that with you for a moment.

It wasn’t as if He didn’t warn us about these coming trials. It wasn’t as if He didn’t warn us of all the troubles we will face here on this earth simply because we do not belong here (John 15:19). Simply because He chose us out of this world (John 17:6; 17:14; Matt. 12:18). Simply because He gave us His words and made us gods (Psalm 82:6; John 10:35). Simply because He made us clean through His word (John 15:3). And because of HIS words, things will never remain the same for us (John 17:18). And since no servant can ever be greater than His master, what He went through, so too we will go through it (John 15:20-23).

I am utterly amazed how quickly we’ve forgotten these in times of trials.

He told us many things about all that we will face, so that we will not abandon our trust and faith in him, on account of the troubles (John 16:1). Have you forgotten how He overcame the world? Did you forget about the truthfulness of the Words he gave to you and I, written all over in the scriptures. If we spent time researching His words, we will come to realize that Jesus is that Word, written about in the scriptures; who in the beginning was with God and came into the world to dwell among us for a time [John 1:1, 14]. You will find that He is indeed the true light that came into the world to guide us through the darkness of the world [Matt. 4:16; Luke 2:32; John 1:14; Matt. 5:14: John 1:9; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46]. Our good shepherd to guide us when we find ourselves at the cross roads of life and can’t seem to make up our mind which way to turn; for indeed He will never ever lead us astray [John 10:11, 14]. Have you found yourselves in a midst of confusion, He is that prince of peace that you will ever need [John 14:27; John 16:33]. He has been that rock that is higher than you and I. Our eternal rock of refuge, a firm place to hold onto and stand on in times of trouble [Psalm 31:2; 40:2; 61:2]. I know there have been times when I’ve felt empty and thirsty, and I have indeed found Him to be that living water that causes me never to thirst again, because He has become a well inside of me, and I know I will never be empty again [Jeremiah 17:13; John 4:10, 13-14; John 7:38; Revelations 7:17]. He has never let me down [Proverbs 18:24]. He loved us so much that He chose to die for us [John 10:11, 15, 17-18; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16]. There were many opportunities for Him not to go through it all, I mean He is God, but for our sake, He came into this wretched world, for our cause [John 18:37], to be our sacrifice, to restore back our dignity. To restore back our rightful place. Surely after this you will come to realize how precious and wonderful you are in the sight of God. Don’t you realize you are God’s collector’s item? Don’t you realize His love for you? Many times the Lord Jesus reminded us that He came to this world to reveal the Love of the Father to us [John 3:16; John 16:17; John 17:25-26]. Enough for the Father to give up Him (Jesus) that meant all to Him, His companion and Son for the likes of you and me. And still you have the temerity to doubt all that Jesus stands for in your life. The victories He has won in the battle for your life.

Well anyways, just incase Ya’ll have forgotten, you just have to make do with my bubbling :).

I’m sure you can now realize why I am so confident in my Father. Why my walk had to move on to another dimension in terms of swagger. Why I walk with my shoulders straight and my head held up high. Why my walk can never be showcased or seen at any fashion show because it’s in a totally different dimension :). Why I love Him with reckless abandonment. Why I am so crazy in love with Him. He has been so so good to me. Every word he has declared to me He has brought to pass. Just like it did in the days of King Saul, when all the words of the Lord spoken through the prophet Samuel into life of King Saul came to pass in one day [1 Samuel 10: 9], the Lord has done the same for me. All it took was one day. He simply blows my bind. He has done exceedingly, abundantly all I could ever, ever, ever, ever, think of, imagine, comprehend. He has done the impossible, and has put a smile on my face forever.

He’s no respecter of person, He truly rocks my world. And in this time, His time, He has smiled on me J. He truly is and has the Words of life in Him. Don’t you dare give up on Him just yet! He truly is an awesome God, and He is able to do that which He has promised you. Watch and see.. I see the clouds already forming in your horizon!!!

The count down has begun :)

You weren’t there!

I watched her as she walked in. Dressed in her very best, wearing a pair of Max Mara heels and a large bag to boot. She had on a shift dress, elegantly made from burnt orange dupioni silk with Swarovski crystals embellishment. It fitted her so well, as if it had been hand crafted and made by her very own personal fashion designer. She wasn’t wearing too much jewelry, but I could notice that she wore a Tiffany signature diamond gold necklace and a matching set of earrings. You could tell she must have visited a salon the day before, because her hair was so wonderfully made, and immediately I made a note to self, to ask her where she got her hair made. I couldn’t help but ogle her, she really knew how to carry herself, and all I could think of was MasterCARD. She sat down next to Didi and waited for the service to start. She participated well during the bible study group, and when it was time for the main service to start, as the choir stood to go on stage, I watched her take her heels off, and re-position herself in the center of the aisle, as if she was getting ready for a race or a dance off. I wasn’t quite sure what she was about to do, but I watched her nonetheless. Then the praise and worship session started, and she began to dance. She danced, and danced and danced and danced and danced and danced to the point that I got tired just watching her. Many a times I watched her jump, move her head so profusely that her nicely styled segmented hair came apart. But it didn’t stop there. I watched her as she waved her hands in the air, and was moving around as if she was in a rock concert, and I couldn’t help but say to myself, “ I wonder what could have ever caused her to make such a public show of herself, especially since you know, she was so nicely put together”.

You weren’t there the night He found me. How He picked me up, dusted me up, and put the pieces of my broken life together. How He washed me clean and put on new garments of praise on me. How He stilled the storms raging in my life, and smiled on me. No you weren’t there when he covered me with His glory. O how can you ever imagine the depths from which He rescued me from? For all this Lord I will bless YOUR name forever.

You don’t know the kind of joy that He brought into my life. How He became my joy giver in the midst of my sorrow. How He delivered me from all of my troubles. You don’t know the unimaginable peace He gave me. You don’t know the countless breakthroughs and victories that he gave me. You don’t know where He has brought me from, or where He is taking me to. No! You don’t know why I have to give Him my very best, because even that is not even good enough. You can never fathom the price that He paid to set me free. You don’t fully realize that I have nothing worthy enough to render unto Him, and even if I were to dance from now to eternity, praise Him from now to eternity, worship Him from now to eternity; it still will not even cover “1/thirillionth” of what He did for me. I will forever be indebted to Him. I will forever owe Him my life. For all this Lord I will bless Your Holy Name forever.

So please don’t you dare judge me. Don’t judge me when I go overly crazy over Him. When I act like a stalker where He is concerned. Don’t ask me why I scream and shout whenever I think of Him. Why I get so excited doing the things that pertains to Him. Why I am constantly filled with His thoughts. You see He is my super star, my pin up image, the Lover of my soul, the one I dream about. Don’t you dare judge me when I go berserk over Him, because you just don’t know! You just will never know. You will never be able to comprehend what He did for me. His place in my life can never be taken. And as long as I can walk, as long as I can talk, I will continue to bless His Holy name and shock out to Him. There is no situation the Lover of my soul has not delivered me from. He has been my anchor all these years, and my way maker. My mighty warrior in battle, the commander and chief of my armed forces. He alone is God all by Himself. He truly is awesome. He truly is Great. He truly is beyond comprehension. He truly is excellent. He truly is magnificent. He truly leaves me speechless and breathless when I remember all that he has done for me. My Lord and my God, what can I ever render unto you for all your wonderful benefits? All I can say Lord is thank YOU; Thank YOU, THANK YOU, for all that You’ve done for me. Lover of my soul, Thank You for choosing to lavish your Love on me.

Re-Inspire Me

Dear lifeofastranger it’s been a little over ten weeks since your post on the fight of faith. From what I recall, it was filled with words of proclamation, and things you were not just hoping but was speaking will happen in your life this 2010, and in mine if I believed. I was hoping to find out how far along the list you’ve seen, and if indeed, it has come to pass.

Wow!! Has it been ten weeks already since my first post of 2010, and twelve weeks since the beginning of the year? Dearest reader, I am so pleased to hear from you, and even more so now. You see, as I wrote then, and still writing, this 2010 has and will not just be an ordinary sort of year for me. So much has happened in these past ten weeks, and I’m not quite sure where to start from. You see it all started like this:

I had heard that there was a sound of heavy rain (1 Kings 18:41), and so I went about preparing myself in readiness for the rain (just like Jotham did in 2 Chronicles 27:6) by believing. I was told to write down what was coming as a result of this heavy down pour – HIS promises of restoration (Joel 2:23-27), increase and promotion (Isaiah 60:1-3), open doors and hidden treasures (Isaiah 45:1b-3), undeniable, unstoppable, unfathomable miracles, a time of rejoicing, a time of unending testimony, a time of uncommon breakthroughs – PLAINLY for all to see, and to run with it, because the appointed time to favour me ( that is you and I) was now (Psalm 102:13). And so I ran as fast as I could only stopping to tell those I found on my way who wondered if I had gone quite raving bonkers, what the Lord said He was about to do in our lives. I believed His word, and so I spoke IT.

Has it all happened as He said it would happen? Am I still ringing forth with a dance? CERTAINLY!! I am still jubilating, and learning all the necessary break-dancing skills. I am still declaring that God is a GOOD God, for if you knew how far He has brought me, and where He is taking me to, you too will praise God on my behalf. For it has all been like a dream, and He has filled my mouth with laughter, and my tongue with songs of Joy. And everyone who sees me can’t seem to stop speaking of the Great things God has done for me. King of Glory, Lord of lords, has indeed exceeded my expectations and has brought to pass His words concerning me. Words spoken in the secret, plans He had forged without my knowledge, revelations which He had given me a glimpse of before hand - He continues to remain faithful, and TRUE.

Am I experiencing the reality of life? A resounding YES! It’s all real, no more religiosity of life; or how else will one see the difference that God has made in my life. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power – 1 Corinthians 4:20.

Don’t give up just yet. KEEP RUNNING with the VISION. I heard and therefore have I believed. I believed and therefore have I spoken it. SURELY YOU and I have a delightful inheritance (Psalm 16:6). He who never slumbers nor sleeps is more than ABLE to bring His words to pass in your life. I am a living testimony of that FACT and TRUTH. You will yet see with your very own eyes what the Lord, CREATOR of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE will do in your life this 2010. And He does not show favouritism (Acts 10:34).

We are still marching forward! We are still on course. We will not be unnerved because of the promised down pour we have yet to see. We have heard the sound of heavy rain, and we know without a shadow of a doubt that the clouds are definitely rising on our behalf.

The Mathematical CODE to Life!!

What truly amazes me is when you ask the Lord for something and it happens. As in just like that. I know after everything He’s done for me and continues to do for me, He still surprises me even with the little things. Today is no different than the others, and I woke up feeling like.. Wow.. God You truly rock you know!!

OK :), back to today’s post.. Yes where was I? My last post was indeed very close to my heart, championing God’s biggest cause, which is His love for you, but today’s is a little different from the last. You see I was reading the book of Acts where in Acts 13:48 it says – “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed”

It got me thinking, as in really thinking, you mean there is mathematical formula for eternal life, which can be summarised as follows: if and only if you hear and honour God then you become appointed for eternal life (this is the code for the equation). This Code is so simple, not as complex as what you may be led to believe.

But you may ask what was it that they heard? It was the message of Jesus Christ, the LIVING WORD of God - who in the beginning was the WORD, and was with God, and was God. He was with God in the beginning – John 1:1-2 – the WORD who in the beginning was God, had been spoken in their midst. They heard the “WORD” and honoured it by accepting it. Now the people in Acts 13:46 had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life by rejecting the “WORD” and dishonouring it; but the Gentile people of Acts 13:48 who had accepted the “WORD” after hearing it understood what this meant, an appointment with eternal life.

But you may ask, does that mean that there may have been some of the Gentiles present that where not appointed? You see because they heard the Word and honoured it by accepting it; they automatically became appointed for eternal life because they believed the “WORD”. Now going by this, it means therefore that those who are not appointed are people who do not hear the Word (either by rejection (Acts 13:46), or malicious accusations).

But you may say, being appointed, and actually entering it are two different things; for indeed many start well but don’t actually carry on in the Faith. That is true, that is why it is very important for us to continually hear the word and continually honour it. And the only way we can continually hear the word is by meditating on the WORD day and night and not letting it depart from us (Psalm 1:1-3; Hebrews 4:2; Psalm 119:97-98; Joshua 1:8; Colossians 3:16).

I truly understand that it may be difficult to hear and honour the “WORD” of God by believing because of our intellectual culture and all the scholarly books written on why we ought not to hear the “WORD”. But the fact that there has been over the centuries countless documentation on the existence of the WORD or its supposed lack of isn’t that enough for the intellectual among us to sit down and truly ponder. After all, if we can all attend conferences to meet like minded people to spruce up ones intellect, don’t you think pondering upon the LIVING WORD something worth thinking about?

I pray that this sentence does not describe you “Notwithstanding their intellectual culture were ignorant of the true God”. Being an intellectual is not enough of a reason to be ignorant of the true God. I lifeofastranger will not be deceived by what I see at the centre of learning.

Stop Imposing Him on Me!!

I have found it quite disheartening in the past (and more so in recent times) coming across comments placed on various websites complaining about how Christianity as a religion was “imposed on us black folks by our “colonial masters and missionaries””. And because the bible is not our culture we have no business peddling it. On another tangent, we have started a bible study group here at my centre and I am so excited about it. We read a book in the Old Testament on a weekly basis and then come together and discuss it. You don’t have to be “saved” to join in. So one of the members lives with a fabulous agnostic lady who when she saw her reading her bible asked her this question: “Will people living in the remotest part of the world, who have grown up in a completely different religion be doomed (by default of location), since they have no chance of hearing about the Christian message”? She a little confused came to me with the question, and thus I had to relay this.

And so I started: :)

Bit of History – From Noah to Abraham:

If we were to follow the creation concept instead of evolution then we will remember a man named Noah (Genesis 6:9). After the fall of Adam the earth had become corrupted, and the only inclination of man’s heart was evil and this grieved God (Gen. 6:6). But we find that because this man Noah was a righteous man and blameless among the people of his time, he found favour in the eyes of God (Genesis 6:8). Following his obedience to do what God commanded him (Gen. 6:22), the Lord sent the Flood, and only he and his family were left to re-populate the earth (Gen. 9:1). And from his son Ham came the people of Canaan, Ethiopians, Somalis, Nubians, Egyptians, philistines, Libyans; from Japheth came the now Europeans, Indians & Iranians, Medes and Persia, Afghans and Kurds; and from Shem the Semitic people, the Assyrians, Aram, Syria, Arphaxad and all the others. And because Ham had revealed the nakedness of their father to Japheth and Shem, Ham (the last son of Noah) the father of the Canaanites and Co. (see Gen. 9:22), was cursed to be a slave to Shem (see Gen. 9:26). And following the tower of Babel fiasco, the people were scattered to different parts of the earth and their tongues confused – Gen. 11:8-9. Now Abraham, who was a native of the Ur of Chaldeans, a descendant of Arphaxad, the father of the people of Israel and others was yet another outstanding man among the people of his time. But because God had promised Noah not to use water to cut off the earth again (Gen.9:11), instead of erasing mankind yet again (since they have still not learnt from the Flood experience, and still could no longer be trusted for the reason of its corruption), God made a new promise to Abraham, which involved where the salvation of the world had to come from above; and because of Abraham’s distinction, his line was chosen through which the promise was to be fulfilled (Gen. 12:2-3).

And thus the Jewish Religion was born!

Now true to His promise, through Abraham’s line, the Lord Jesus came to us (though he wasn’t of human decent, but had to come as human as a substitute for our humanity and as a perfect sacrifice).

Why as a man?

Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it – Revelation 5:2-4. Our accuser the fallen angel Lucifer famously known as Satan, Devil, who we gave over the keys to the ruler ship of this earth has been keeping a record of all our wrong doing and has been using it against us on a constant basis (Revelations 12:10). One of the many tasks of his job has been to represent us in heaven – Job 1:6-7. In order for Jesus to represent us in heaven, he had to pay a price. In the book of the Jewish Law, whenever someone did something wrong, they had to sacrifice a lamb. You see the life of a creature is in the blood and only it’s blood can makes atonement for one's life – (Leviticus 17:11). So Jesus had to come as a man to show that it is possible to live without sin, as the priest who makes the sacrifice and as the lamb to be sacrificed. So that in the end, there will be no human contamination (Leviticus 16:16); and since it was man who gave his authority over the earth, He as a man came and collected it back. And after presenting himself in heaven, received the verdict from his watchers; Satan (Lucifer), His Father and everyone in heaven and under heaven that He was worthy to act as our Judge and high-priest. And through the death and resurrection of Christ, the message of victory, salvation and another chance to be born again was born and we were told to go tell ALL about this wonderful news – Mathew 28:18-19.

How the thrust of the Gospel went to the gentiles!!

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! – Mathew 23:37-38. The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvellous in our eyes’? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it…… Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them – Mathew 21:33-45. Now the originals the princes (the Jewish majority) (Matthew 22:3-10; Luke 14:16-24) were not too keen on the message of Christ and what He stood for, and their rejection gave us the opportunity to come in. And following the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 (a point that marks when the thrust of the gospel was given over to us non-Jews (called Gentiles)); the message of Christ went further than the gates of Jerusalem. So now - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise – Galatians 3:28-29. Wow Thank God for second chances!!

My rounding up: And since we are now co-heirs, to the promises made to Abraham, then this promise is no longer to one people but to ALL. It is no longer about the Jewish religion or the white man’s religion, but it is also our religion :). Yours and mine!!

So even though during the Middle Ages, the reformation came with death penalties (i.e. if you don’t follow our religion we will burn you alive), that does not mean that it was the way God wanted it. He is not a forceful God. He alone chooses what to do to us and for us, not we deciding how it should be. So if I have been told to tell you the message of Christ, and I have done so, it is up to you to accept or reject it – I am not imposing it on you, just doing what I was told to do. And so in answering V’s question, the people in the remotest of villages will never loose out, because they have been inscribed in the palm of God’s hands, and thus can never be forgotten. The message of Christ will undoubtedly reach them, just as it did you and I. It is then up to them to accept it. It’s even funny how we all laughed together as we told V to start packing her luggage to go over to those places she had mentioned to give them the message we had just shared :). She laughed too.

Paul reminded us before his return to Jerusalem ………I have done what God told me to do, so I am free of your blood (Acts 20:25-27). A time will come when we will all give account of the people we have met in our journeys through life. And I for one don’t want to be among those that get blamed for not telling P and Q. I apologies if my message makes you uncomfortable, it’s just that I’m only doing what I was told to do :).

So back to the original comments, it’s not about culture or tradition but the message that was brought to us. The message they were told to go into the world and tell. The message I and my fellow believers have been told to tell, the message of the love of Christ. I just thought you ought to know. And if I have offended you by my message I am sorry. I just love God way too much not to do the simple things He has asked me to do. If I can be every ones biggest fans why can’t I at least champion God’s biggest CAUSE? HIS LOVE FOR YOU!!

Time Travel

I had tried all week to put together a post, especially relevant for this time of the year. However, when the time came to pen my thoughts, the only thing that wanted to be written was the subject of “Time Travel”. I know right, what does time travel have to do with anything? :). I have no formal training in physics except for taking it during my “A” levels and my favourite teacher of all time Mr. Bancroft was my physics teacher :). The more I tried to ignore such an irrational thought on the concept of time travel; I still couldn’t succeed in removing it completely from my mind. And thus I was resigned to the fact that it was best to at least try to read up on it, and maybe do a little bit of research.

It turned out that after asking all the Physicists in my group and checking all the excellent website (those who may be interested check out Wikipedia, Kurt Gödel the logician, John Archibald Wheeler, Albert Einstein among other of course), I gathered that it was impossible to travel through time in our universe since the universe needs to be of a certain curvature for that to happen. However, I did remember from my “A” level physics class (X-file days) and from Wikipedia that:

“In classical mechanics, time is treated as universal and constant, being independent of the state of motion of an observer. However In relativistic contexts, time cannot be separated from the three dimensions of space, because the rate at which time passes depends on an object's velocity relative to the speed of light and also on the strength of intense gravitational fields, which can slow the passage of time”.

I know right what does time travel have to do with my Happy Friday Post? Errmm, Im I the only one having like a light bulb moment here :).

Check this, if we were to apply this to the context of our walk with God – suppose if we start to move at the speed God wants us to move at, relative to Him, whilst at the same time becoming grounded in Him (not being properly grounded can affect our speed you know :)), then it means that whenever challenges in our lives arises, because we are already in another area of space/time we will clearly be oblivious to it. That is to say, problems that may have risen will never be noticeable, since, because of our rate of movement with God, we will undoubtedly always be ahead of any challenging situations that may be springing up. So, even though it is impossible to travel in time, as objects of God’s creation our ability to continually remain ahead of exigent events in our lives will be dependent on if and only if we are in a relationship (i.e. related) with Him.

You see my thinking :), my goodness, and you will never believe that this concept isn’t new. The Lord has always encouraged us to draw near to Him, because only then can we attain a level where situations whether negative or positive doesn’t really matter in the concept of the grand scheme of things. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you – 2 Chronicles 15:2b.

Can you imagine getting to a point where no one need ever encourage you since discouragement comes from the challenging circumstances you sight! And because you are always ahead of the challenging circumstances, the downtime that affects your walk with God will be insignificant; which in the end will ultimately add up to making you an unstoppable “somborri”.

Wow Weeeeeeeeee!! Easy Lifeofastranger!

I know for a fact that I want to be unstoppable. I know for a fact that I no longer want to be discouraged. I know for a fact that it is the will of God for me to draw near to Him (James 4:8; 2 Chronicles 15:2; Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7; Hebrew 7:19; Psalm 51:17; Job 17:9; James 3:17; Leviticus 26:11-12; Hosea 2:19-20; Deuteronomy 23:14). I know for a fact that it is His desire for me to move away from the thinking of this present world (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15; 1 Peter 1:14; Ephesians 4:23; Ephesians 5:10) and I know for a fact that He has asked me to pursue Him earnestly with all of my might (Luke 10:27; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 22:37-4; Mark 12:30-34; Hebrews 8:10). “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” – Philippians 3:13.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins – 1John 4:10.

So, since moving in the relativistic context will make me unbeatable, I don’t think I need to be a physicist to apply this in my journey with God. Thank You Lord for such an invaluable opportunity to live a victorious life in You.

A Letter to my Friends

Dearest Friends,

I wanted to remind you that it is not by accident that I have found myself in this part of the world, and among the most beautiful people in the entire world, yes you guys. However I need to remind you to remain encouraged, not discouraged, that you need not be upset or offended where you are at in life, be it career or anything.

Where you are at may not be where you thought you should be by now, but I would like to tell you to REJOICE in the Lord (Philippians 3:1), because He alone makes everything beautiful. Matthew 11:6 reminds us that every offence against God is a trap of the enemy for us to be offended by God. God is indeed not behind your problems, He is waiting to help you.

You have suffered enough, you will not suffer again. The Lord Jesus died on the cross so that you no longer have to suffer defeat or frustration. He died to shatter every spirit of stagnation and depression and to restore back to you the Joy of your salvation. So whatever you have lost to depression the Lord Jesus is restoring back to you. You no longer need to be disheartened; the Lord said you should take heart he has overcome all your problems.

He truly is wonderful, and Loves YOU SO MUCH. TOO MUCH Infact.

It is time for you to start to be joyful. Because Joy guarantees your harvest, a supernatural harvest, which is impossible without joy. It doesn’t matter if you feel you have not been seeing any results; every wasted labour of your life comes to a final end now in the mighty name of Jesus Amen.

Even though one can be happy, only the believer in God has Joy indefinable – 1 Peter 1:8. He wants to make everything perfect for you.
…………………..

“In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” – John 3:3

Please say this prayer after me:

Lord Jesus I accept you tonight as my Lord and my saviour forgive me my sins, wash me with the blood of Jesus. I believe You died for me, and on the third day you rose again that I may be justified. Right now, I believe I am forgiven, I’m justified, I’m saved, I’m born again, I’m a child of God, I’m free from the power of sin and Satan to serve the Living God. Thank You Lord for saving me. Amen.

………………………..

My Lord Jesus Your grace have brought ……. and …… Lord, let your grace preserve them. I cover them and their families with the precious blood of Jesus. And they will remain covered until the day of the Lord Jesus appearing. Open their hearts and mind, and meet them at the point of their need. Whatever that is struggling with their destiny, King of Glory silence in the mighty name of Jesus. And let them experience You in a NEW way, in a fresh way, in a way that will totally transform their lives for you. Thank you Lord for answered prayers, In Jesus Name. Amen.

……………………………..

For our next meeting, write your prayer requests and bring it, and we will pray over it. It is time for you to start living the life God created you to live. And he will perfect all things that concerns you - Psalm 138:8. Be encouraged, the time for God to favour you has come. Therefore arise and take it – Psalm 102:13.

Expect divine perfection, expect supernatural promotion, and expect supernatural restoration; and the Lord will definitely meet you at the point of your need. Because you serve a LIVING GOD. The God of Daniel is still alive today and forever. Stay Encouraged. All is indeed well with you. He is not limited by time and season. Whatever you think is over in your life, there will be a total reversal in Jesus name Amen. The Jesus of Lazarus (John 11:44) is alive, all you need do is believe, and He will show Himself strong on your behalf.

Have a wonderful day J

He was my friend!

Impulse or whatever you may call it, today I telephoned Nnamdi. He was a childhood friend but we were not that close. He was a boy and I was a girl, but I remembered him nonetheless. He went home in ambulances, not the normal ones but the ones used in funeral processions.

I remember him, because my dad often spoke quite fondly of his dad. I think they may have been friends. Maybe very good friends, that I didn’t know.

I once spoke to his mum about attending Cardiff to study a particular course and wanted to know what life in Cardiff was like. I think some years back, moma told me that she had passed away. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Today I decided to find out what happened to the boy who went home in ambulances. I FB searched him and found him. There was also a contact number which I immediately called. He was pleasantly surprised to hear from me after 22years had passed. I wanted to know what he'd been upto all these years, and if he'd followed "the" family tradition of medicine. I also wanted to ask how his dad was. Following the many new revelations he also told me his dad had just recently passed away a few weeks back. I am yet again so sorry for your loss.

After our conversation I immediately sent a text to my dad to tell him a man named Dr. E had passed away, maybe he may still remember him. My dad disillusioned and shattered by the news called back exclaiming he was my friend. Dr. E was my very good friend!!

Until then I hadn’t realised they had grown up together and were contemporaries. Friends and advisers. Motivators and encouragers. I had no idea the bonds that tied their friendship. How can a young man of 67years pass away without as much as a goodbye?

I’m so sorry dad; I didn’t know he was you friend.

.................................
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jehovah, for the life of my precious dad. Whom through the years He has kept alive for me. Thank you Blessed saviour for allowing my dad to still be around, and I know that it is not becasue of who or what I am, but because of your mercy and grace that my dad is still here and strong. I love you dad.

The Appointed Time - iPray 28 Days

Prayer Changes things!! I know that for a fact.

Let's join Zoe (http://amarasviewonstuff.blogspot.com/) in this month set aside for when all bloggers come together to call upon the name of the Lord for 28 days, and seak His face concerning His words and all His promises to us this 2010.

You will surely be blessed. I know I already am.

I love the LORD

I love you.

Today I woke up and realized,
I am running out of time and have nothing to show for it that will please You Lord.

I love you so much.
I was excited this morning when I spoke to Ivan concerning You.
A once professed atheist who now visits “shamas”!
has now bought the Bible and will start with the book of John.
Lord I’m excited that my many talks with the help of the Holy Spirit will one day yield fruit.

I love you so much.
My heart aches sometimes when I think of all the things I have still yet to do in Honour of You. My life is changing every moment, and all I see in everything is You.
My life is slowly fading out into a Life that only wants to dwell permanently in Your presence.
Lord, what can I ever render unto You for all Your wonderful mercies towards me?

I love you so much.
You are all I desire and will ever want.
This fleeting earth has NOTHING I desire Lord.
You are my sanity,
My Joy, whose smile towards me gladdens my heart.
My Love, who keeps me steady and catches me when I stumble.

I love you so much.
My heart aches whenever I feel that I have in someway disappointed You.
My life’s desire is to live a life that will please You.
Help me Lord, empower me Lord, and enable me Lord,
So that I am able to please You the way you want me to.

I love you Lord.
All my Life I will still Love You.
And till death I will remain in Love with You.

Faithfully Yours

Me

SPEECHLESS 2

*giggles* *giggles* *giggles*

“What are you giggling about”? Followed by a hiss! A man remarked walking past albeit very quickly, in a most terribly vexed manner, as if someone had somehow irritated him.

Some people have gone quite raving mad, He said, how can one be standing in front of a dry fountain and a dead tree a stone throw from a grave yard, and still have something to giggle about? continued the man as I watched him hasten his steps. He even started to run at times, as he went up the road, from where she stood still giggling. Often times he would turn around to see if she was still standing there, time and time again he would shake his head in disbelief, for she still continued to giggle to herself.

After what seemed to be an eternity, I watched her depart from the spot, and making sure her garments were securely fastened to her body, she crossed over to the other side, still smiling to herself. Hmm, what an odd experience I thought, and so I went towards the spot, and tried to figure out what had just happened. It was the middle of January; the floor was still covered with ice, and some of the snow that had been on the ground for a while had refused to melt away. I knew also the tree she stood in front of all too well. In fact it is the very same cherry tree I occasionally stop to look at on my way to and fro (I know it was a cherry tree because I know the tree very well); and you should see it during its season; and the fountain, it never stops flowing in its time. And because I go past this exact spot every day, I have found that there were set times for the fountain to be switched on and off, and the season to which the cherry blossomed. And the grave yard, well it looks better when there is day light.

Looking at this spot now, all dull, dry and empty; you would never believe what it looks like when in season if I told you. You would never believe me if I tried to explain to you how it looks. It truly is Magnificent. But you see it appears we have happen upon it during its lifeless period. The tree was not recognisable, in truth you would not be able to identify what tree it was.

Then I too started to smile to myself.

And silently I thanked the Lord Jesus for His revelations

Some times what you know for certain about the Sovereignty of God can simply render you speechless; and it finally made sense why the lady was lost for words. For even though she had happened upon them in their season of “drought” she already KNEW what awaited them. And so she smiled and giggled and laughed, for she already saw their glorious manifestations which was SURE, but moments away.

If I can be confident of the glorious destiny that awaited my fountain and tree, how much more do you think God is when it comes to us? For He has said of us - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you – Jeremiah 1:5a. And know this for certain of us - My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them - Psalm 139:15-17.

What the man had failed to realise was that even though the fountain was dry and the tree appeared dead, it was in fact a building up, strengthening, and self preservation period. It was indeed a period which was necessary for their survival. It may not have been outwardly visible but it was there nonetheless. The fountain had no water running through it, so that it doesn’t become frozen and crack the fine marble work which it uses to hold the water in. And the tree, well, it has to get rid of all the unnecessary parts that may expose it to the extreme elements of the cold weather designed to kill it if adequate measures were not taken. They are both well, but just not functioning at their very best. They may appear dead, but their dead, dull, dry and empty nature was working “in secret” to keep them alive for their glorious season, for their glorious destiny.

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God- Romans 8:20.

And therefore - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us – Romans 8:18.

Since - our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all - 2 Corinthians 4:17

I have finally truly realised that indeed nothing is real. It is true that our God who is the God of all time and seasons, is the controller of all things. The spiritual that controls the physical, what was not seen that controlled what she saw. And therefore, every season of stagnation in our lives is momentarily, which means it has a valid from and an expiry date. But we must understand the purpose of the seasons, and become conscious of what it is working out for us – our greater glory. So whatever that may seem dead, lifeless, dormant, stagnant, not progressing, lacking any form of movement, is working for you a far greater glory than you may ever think of or even imagine.

After it had suffered a while (the bitter cold conditions), the season of its fruitfulness was always restored. And the proof of its restoration was the fruit it bore, oh yes, my favourite fruit in the whole wide world, the CHERRY fruit. Like my cherry tree and the fountain, we have not been created to be stagnant for a LONG time. That is why you notice how quickly while in season it bears fruit - the revelation in its appointed time will come quickly and there will be no delay – Habakkuk 2:3. And if the season has come and there is still no proof of it, then it must be under a curse of the Law (Deut. 28:58-60 - If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God- the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. He will bring upon you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you.; and Exodus 15:26).

But because we have been redeemed, from the curse of the law, the blessings of speedy restoration is all ours – Galatians 6:20 - He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.. Just like my cherry tree, because we have been redeemed, we are no longer permitted to stay stagnant longer than what the season requires. SO SINCE the proof of our restoration is the fruit (answered prayers) we bear, SEE to it that whatever is making a mockery of it is placed under the curse it is entitled to.

There is a time and season for all things (Eccl. 3:1), therefore see to it that in this season the year of HIS glorious manifestation, your fruit come into bud, and become radiant so that all eyes who once doubted the presence of the Omnipotence in your life, will see it, and call you blessed. For indeed every eye is upon you waiting for you to be PUBLICIZED. Remember - The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed - Romans 8:19. You are a child of God, it is your season of honour and glory, so arise and let your light shine forth – Isaiah 60:1.

The Fight of Faith

So I’ve got me a brand new Note book writing out what I want the Lord to do for me this 2010. The pages are endless but there is ONE that seems more important to me than the rest of them put together is the desire to HEAR the VOICE of the Lord AUDIBLY. ..

I lifeofastranger will put up a fight of Faith to see prophesies fulfilled in my life this 2010

Lord I want to hear your voice, I want to hear your voice, I want to hear your voice. Not just the still ones, the dreams, visions and revelations, but I want to be able to be walking down the street and be having major conversations with the Lord. Abraham and Moses did, why shouldn’t I :) (So I may not be the father of faith (like Abraham – Hebrews 11: 8-19) or the servant of the Lord and great prophet (like Moses – Deut. 18:18-19, Hebrews 3:1-6), but ****t, I want to be able to hear Him, the way I hear my mum with her long stories, or JJ trying to gist me, or sisbee telling me how wonderful I am. I want to hear Him audibly and very clear.

I want to be like John (one of Jesus’ apostle), as we were told in John 12:28-29 - Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him; when John heard the voice of the Lord, some of the people thought it was thunder they heard, and still others thought it was an angel that spoke, yet Jesus and John knew it was God that spoke. I know for sure I don’t want to be like the crowd that mistook the voice of the Lord for something else.

So how do I intend to achieve this? I intend to start by spending more time awake preparing myself than asleep: So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God – 2 Chronicles 27:6. Is Jotham the only one that knows God? I too must do like Jotham did. By fire this 2010 I must prepare my ways before the Lord, because this is what happens when you prepare your ways: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD – Proverbs 16:1. Once my ways are prepared, God will have to show up for me. I can’t wait. What stories we will share, things my mind could never comprehend.

To prepare myself, (1) I intend to spend more time in His Word. Not just read and study my bible, but start to learn the Greek and Hebrew meanings of the original translations. Not only study His word, but understand what it truly means. (2) Pray continually in the spirit; and (3) Fast and pray like never before to strengthen me to fight the fight of Faith to handle those prophesies God has fulfilled in my life this 2010. I remember august 2005, when JJ and I decided to fast and not stop until God told us when to. We did it for 31 days (we started to become delirious and vexed and had to break it after 31days :)); it was truly an experience. This Year will be better.

This 2010 is not just an ordinary year for me, it is THAT year I have been waiting for. It is going to be a year of determination for me. Where I am now is not the ultimate (You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked - Rev. 3:17; Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy – Micah 2:10), it is indeed a stepping stone to where God is taking me. So So you can see how excited I have now become after finally realizing the plan of God for my life. This is why this 2010, I am determined to prepare myself, to put up a fight of Faith to attain a greater level for myself: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father – John 14:12. Yay!!!

All I need now is the courage (2 Chronicles 15:8-15) to seek the Lord with all my heart, so that I may find Him. And the confidence to approach Him, so that I may obtain mercy and His grace this 2010 (Hebrews 4:16). For in this 2010, He has restored back to me and completed all the things which he has spoken concerning me (Joel 2:23-27). This is the year you will see me arise and shine, for His glory rises upon me (Isaiah 60:1-3), and nations will come to my light and kings to the brightness of my dawn. My light will shine so brightly this year, so that kings, promotion and undeniable miracles will locate me this year because of the brightness of my light. A time to rejoice because the Lord, King of glory, Lord of lords has exceeded my expectations and has brought to pass the words He has uttered concerning my life. Indeed a year of supernatural glory, for in this His time, a time to favour me (Psalm 102:13), He has enriched my life with joy unspeakable and given me beauty for all my ashes. My best year so far, and a year I will experience the reality (and not the religiosity) of life. A year of unending testimony (a year you will see me not being able to recover from all the testimonies of the things God has done for me this year, because all You will hear from me is the incomprehensible which God has done for me); a year of glory uncommon, a year filled with the manifestation of His promises. A year YOU will see me laugh, and not be able to control myself. Oh what a year.. what a year.. WHAT A YEAR!!. ring forth with a dance!. Hallelujah, for He alone is worthy to be praised.

Watch me Praise Him!!!