You Raise Me Up

Throughout last week (or if I am very honest with myself, since I’ve gotten back to base), my dear colleagues have been a little worried about me. Apparently it’s written all over my face and I look a hot mess. It’s the New Year, a year filled with so much hope, dreams, fulfillment of purpose, but it seems my soul appears so downcast. I believe You Lord, so why the gloomy look?

The mountain climb has been a little overwhelming, for the wind of thought has appeared to me more violent than anticipated, the lantern almost snuffed out, and my feet no longer as steady as it ought to be; and the first month of the year has not fully ended yet, let alone the next 11 months of the year. I have started planning how to spend the rest of the year sleeping, that way my mind will not be playing tricks on me. Surely I cannot be slightly depressed? Wake up Life of a Stranger, wake up. Today you still have a choice. Choose life and you will see if God will not bring about your captivities as if it were a dream (Psalm 126:1-6)... huh?

Let it go, Life of a Stranger.

I have fallen again this time deeper than I thought. I wasn’t expecting this. How did this happen, surely I was on the way up you may ask? Yeah I thought so too, why the gloomy view. But for a moment I took my eye off Jesus, and it happened, and now I’m back on the ring road trying to get off at the first Junction unto the straight path. I need to forget the mistakes of the past and look to the future, one so wonderfully paved with unimaginable joy. And a future that starts even now because today, this day is the day the Lord has made and I am commanded to rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118 vs. 24). The Lord Jesus tells you today He has forgiven you all of your sins, and you have been immersed and washed in His blood. That in itself is more than enough when life’s burden or worries tries to bring you to the point when it seems all hope is gone. Your SINS Are forgiven Life of a Stranger, did you hear that!! Eerm yeah

Get a grip Life of a Stranger.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize - 1 Corinth. 9:24 – Why are you giving up on the race, you were doing so well. Gal. 5:7-(You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?). YOU just need to push just that bit harder to the finishing line regardless of whatever You face. Acts 20: 24 (However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace).

But Lord, I keep falling.

And I will keep raising YOU UP until you get to the end of the race. So that Your testimony will be like that of Paul’s: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith - 2 Tim. 4:7. Dear Lord I want to and NEED to Fight this fight and finish this race well by keeping Your Faith, but for how long?

Dear Life of a Stranger, don’t be like the pace setters in the long distance races that goes into strict training, lead the pack, only to drop out before the finishing line. For as long as it takes, keep pushing, because one day the race will end and there is a prize waiting at the end of it all. And because I love you with an everlasting love, I am always with you, even in the toughest of it all (Jeremiah 31:3-4). “But I don’t want to keep holding on. I’m tired of trying. What If I choose not to, what will happen? You will miss out on EVERYTHING I have put together for you. So keep holding on. You’ll see it really is beautiful. Cheer up; you are living in the best days of your life, and what better than to know that the creator of the whole wide world has got your back. You have to go through the refiner’s fire for Holy living (Zechariah 13:9), so that in the end everything in you that causes you to fall will be removed.

Really! Ok Lord, I’ll try.

And even though the young may get tired, because you Hope in Me (Isaiah 41:30-31), I will never disappoint you, and will strengthen you. You are the apple of my eyes (Deuteronomy 32:10, Zechariah 2:8). You are most precious to me, my master piece, my most cherished possession; I gave up all just so that you can have access to me. Stop worrying about yesterday’s mistakes and the troubles of tomorrow, for today has enough trouble’s of its own (Matthew 6:34), which Jesus have already overcome for you (John 16:33). Take heart, Stay alert, stay focused, and focus on ME.

Lord You’re just so deep. That’s why you just Rawk you know.

*sigh* Kiss Kiss, I love you Lord. I feel so much better now. So you should. I KNOW I rawk……..

Yay….. Bring on February!!!.

Confused

I have to confess I am indeed one of those that like to make plans (well I don’t have much of a social life, so I guess that explains a great deal), thoroughly enjoy the planning process and look forward to the execution of the plan, but for some reason totally beyond my control, something always comes up that prevents the plan from coming together, which really unsettles me. I hate to admit this, but this has been going on for many years now. And each time am always left wondering what the point of the planning, looking forward and holding on was really about. Especially, when it appears that the seeds I plant always seems to get uprooted. A feeling that tends to overwhelm and move me to a state of confusion.

Genesis 4:6-7: Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

One thing I’ve learnt and found is that whenever am not in the word I tend not to get a firm grip on my emotions. Yet, I keep making this mistake repeatedly, as in when will I learn? I tend to worry a lot, and tend to believe the lie of the enemy. I also tend to forget that it is what Christ says about me that matters at the end, and also that making heaven is actually our most important goal in this life and everything else and the comforts of life is the extras that come when we PLEASE God.

Like in the bible passage example that I gave because Cain lost control of his emotion, he lost out completely in his destiny, I wonder what kind of life it would have been. Am sure it would have been filled with so much regret. And even if we were to repent of our mistakes the damage has already been done, not just to the person but also to you, and to your relationship. I guess Cain didn’t think much of his brother Abel, lacked respect, and probably thought he was the reason for his problems. A feeling of being unappreciated and being surrounded with so much negativity. And so aptly narrated by David, in Psalm 41:9 - "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me"

My life should be a life of commitment, that my Yes be Yes and No be No. That everything I have said I would do, and given my word to do to stick to it. I am tired of having a story to tell or a reason why something I said I would do didn’t get done. I want to be able to make a difference with my life, that this 2009 will no longer be a year of planting and uprooting, and that every thing I sow will remain planted and no longer uprooted by MY hand.

So TODAY wonderful saviour, I ask thee oh Lord to help me MASTER my emotions, so that it will not lead me to a life time filled with regret. Open my eyes Lord to see what is happening around me, and understand the devices of the enemy. Help me Lord to be a committed Christian. Let my word determine my behaviour and help me Lord to do YOUR will and not mine. Let your power be revealed in my life and empower me for Holy living. That no more stories be associated with my life. For indeed I am a city on a hill. Lord this year I pray for your Wisdom as I plan my affairs. I no longer want to suffer for lack of knowledge of the devices of the enemy (Hosea 4:6 God tells us, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."). Help me Lord to be always vigilant and ready with your armour to combat the desires of the Flesh (Ephesians 6:10-17; Romans 12:1-2). Dear Lord, I want to be the man you spoke of in Malachi 2:5-6 - 5 "My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. I don’t want to take you dear Lord for granted. Not to mistake your love and your coming to my level as to do however I please. I don’t want to be contemptuous of You. I want to know what You want from me Lord, and things you don’t want from me. Dear Lord I want to live a life filled with your spirit. A life worthy of You. I know that what I’ve gone through and am going through have been a time of the sifting period (Luke 22:31-32), removing the things in me that does not bring glory to you, Lord I ask even in these times help me not to sin against you, and that my faith will stand the test of time.

What have you done lately?

Idi mma (You are Good)

In the midst of my sorrow, He granted me peace, in the midst of my confusion He gave me joy, in the midst of dishonour, He upheld me, in the midst of disgrace, He displayed me, and in the midst of my enemies, He enlarged my footsteps so that I would continue to stand head and shoulder above them – this was my testimony for 2008

Wow, it’s the New Year already.

In my last and final post for 2008 I testified of the goodness and greatness of God throughout the year of 2008. The year that the Lord was too good to me, and if I were to start testifying of His goodness and greatness, I wouldn’t have known where to begin, for the King of Glory was indeed so good to me, the Lord that only knows how to be good, was good to me, and indeed there is no one like Him, for He granted me total victory. However, Four days after the post, my favourite person in the whole wide world, the woman next to my mother, who taught me so much, and whom I lived to make proud passed away. Ever since I was a little girl, my grandmother had suffered a life filled with one illness after another. Mother told me that even as a young girl, Granma was given her last rites as a catholic, because they thought she was going to die even then. She had lost her husband at a very young age and a few years into her marriage, but that did not stop her from praising, worshiping and holding unto the promises of God (She was later honoured by the Pope as a Dame, and a woman who made history every where she went, a dynamic woman filled with the Love and Spirit of the Lord). In spite of the illnesses over the many years, she lived to see her 80^th birthday, and for that Lord I am grateful. Dear Lord, You have always been good, and only know how to do good. Thank you Lord for making me a grand daughter she was proud of, and giving me the opportunity to grow with her, for the times spent, and the many lessons I have learnt that have been invaluable to me as a young woman who intends to live a life that honours God. The journeys might not be an easy one, but we fall only to rise again stronger. Thank you Lord too for the opportunities my siblings also had, and how she was able to watch us all grow into men and women she was happy to call her own. Thank you Lord for doing us good. You Lord have indeed been the greatest healer, and indeed there is no one like you. King of Kings there is no one like you.

It is now 2009, and now the 16^th of the very first month of the year, and the Lord is still telling me that He is still a good God, and will always be good to me. He has reminded me to go to: Isaiah 46:9-10 - "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done." To go back to the promises He has made to me over the years, for He is watching to see that every word He has promised to me, to bring to pass (Jer. 1:12- The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching ^[a] to see that my word is fulfilled."). To re-examine them all again. That It doesn’t matter how long I’ve had them, and to keep holding onto them. For this has been a time for preparation. That the heavens have opened and the rains have started to pour, but I needed to be ready for it; to prepare for greatness. That this is no longer a time for planting and uprooting. That the seeds we have sown will remain planted, and a time we will enjoy the fruits of our labour. That this is No longer a year of fruitless efforts in Jesus Name, Amen. The seeds that we have sown, will remain planted in Jesus Name, Amen, and will be a year of our longings fulfilled. No more a year of wandering in the wilderness, but a year of divine visitation.

So Lord, in preparation of this: This year O God I ask You to search me, for this year I want to experience the manifestation of your promises in my life. This is the year I want to live a life devoid of sin, search me dear Lord, and grant me grace to remove all the things in my life that offends you oh Lord. For I need your visitation dear Lord this year, and every day of my life. I ask You Oh Lord that I may see myself the way you see me, and hear what you say about my life. My Lord and King, every corner of my life, I desire that the Holy Spirit will visit me, and continue to, and indeed find in me a habitation for God’s glory. Lord I want to honour you in every aspect of my life, in Jesus Name, Amen. Lord I pray that anything in my life and in the life of the people reading this that will hinder them from receiving your divine visitation this year, by your grace and mercy I ask that you remove right now in the name of Jesus, Amen. And that every heart may be prepared to receive a visit from heaven, and the Life of God may begin to manifest so that His people may carry His glory, in Jesus Name Amen.

I know I want to see the glory of God in my life this 2009. Don’t you? (Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God).

Poetic Mondays - Untitled

Am but a soul looking for the truth
In a world that could show no light
What first stirs a man's soul
The realities of death perhaps
When I was a youth
I took life for granted

the earth was playground for my free spirit

But youth grows up and with it the search for the meaning of life
But where to find it
Who could say

Nature was my guiding star
To tread the sun backed fields
And see what’s underneath my native knees

And when night fell
With its dreams I would wonder beyond the stars
Where was I to find the truth
Sure, I heard of God and his son Jesus
But I was not sure

But all the same there was something in my heart

Which said, keep looking keep looking
So the years, years went by
Old dreams went and new dreams came
Oh!!! God, my soul yearns for the truth

Was my cry, until one day
A knock on the door
I was about to say
When something came over me
Come in to my surprise

Oh!!!!!!! What a day, what a day
When the sun shone on my weary soul
A never to be forgotten moment
The day I will behold your face

..............................................................................ETN 05/12/08 - LIFE

I am curretly away on Birthday, Christmas and New year Holidays, but have scheduled posts for Poetic Mondays. Hope you enjoy them.Merry Christmas Everyone. See you in 2009 Godwilling.

Poetic Mondays - You and Me

Its my Birthday week, and I am so excited to have this posted. I am in love with poetry and with him more today than ever ( I am still away in Nigeria, hope these Poetic monday posts have warmed the heart, as much as they've warmed mine). Merry Christmas Everyone, see you in 2009 Godwilling.

You and Me

When the winds rushes over the sweeping plain
I think of your hair how long and beautiful they are
Tossed long and flowing

When I see your face smiling at the jokes I make
I see a flushed valley summer still
And a couple who wander in the heat of the day

Your eyes when they glitter and the fragment's ferment
Tell of a sea and sky and an island of sand
With the palms swaying gently, while the owls decry

You next to me
Tell of a tall young tree
In spring time a-growing and summer to come
And am alone here wishing the day you shall be called mine

..............................................................................ETN 28/11/08 - LIFE

Poetic Mondays - Angel of Love

Angel of Love

Couched I lie in your bosom deep
In scarlet walls of velvet
steep, soft, dew pearled, in the early morn
To quaff your nectar
To breathe your scent
You are outlined, most reverent
A scarlet rose in an English garden
You are indeed a beauteous thing
If long I couch
Please beg my pardon
For your beauty makes my sad heart sing
What would the artist give
To capture your tinted hues of scarlet rapture
You are my angel of love

..............................................................................ETN 05/12/08 - LIFE

I am curretly away on Birthday, Christmas and New year Holidays, but have scheduled posts for Poetic Mondays. Hope you enjoy them.Merry Christmas Everyone. See you in 2009 Godwilling.

The Lord is INDEED GOD

It’s that time of the year already, and 9days to my birthday. This year without a shadow of a doubt has been the year, when I sought the Lord in all earnest. When I entered into this year, I was told it would be a year of rejoicing, a year the Lord will send rain to my “parched” life (1 Kings 18:1). To be rest assured, and to go eat and drink for indeed there was a sound of heavy rain coming (I Kings 18: 41). I went home rejoicing, and when the time came, I expected the breakthrough to come from the troubles that overwhelmed me at the time. I also expected a loud “hullabaloo”, loud noises to usher in the opening of the heavens. Well to be very honest I expected a great deal to have happened, but when the Lord did it, and the way He did it, I could never have imagined it would happen in such a way, and gently so (1 Kings 19:11-12).

For years now I have always dreaded celebrating my birthday (I enjoyed the cakes, the attention and the presents that came with it, but the number of candles on it appeared to be increasing); and even though I had much to be glad about, and have been blessed with so much during this young life of mine, there was that particular one that eluded me so; and even though this year have been wrought with troubles (which I am here to declare to you that will not come a second time – Nahum 1:9), and bad choices, I thank God that after the wind that tore up the mountains, the earthquake and the fire, He was there, he came and is here to stay. My gentle giant.

And so as I end this Happy Friday Everyone series for this year, I would like to take this fine opportunity to thank God, for indeed He has been so so good to me. And would also ask you too to thank Him on my behalf, for He has been faithful and true, and has brought His promises to me this year to pass. Recently also, He reminded me again of things, dreams I had kept in the back burner, which I thought might have been a tad too silly. Dreams I’ve had for a while now, which at the time of their inception thought the Lord was speaking to me about. Fast forward four years later, He’s still telling me to go back to them. Because He is watching to see that every word He has promised to me, He’ll bring to pass (Jer. 1:12). So I ask you, what dreams have the Lord spoken to you and is still speaking to you about? Go back to them. Examine them again. It does not matter how long you’ve had them. Keep holding onto them.

Truly this 2008 has been a remarkable year for me, in terms of my relationship with God, my faith in Him, and my confidence and Hope that He is more than able to bring to pass everything He has said He will do. And rightly so this year like the Lord did for Elijah in 1 Kings 18:37-38, The Lord too have done for me. And not only did he answer with fire, He showed up too with an abundance of rain. Lord I thank you for WHO YOU are. And I thank you Lord for choosing to lavish your blessing on me. I guess favour really isn’t fair.

Have a wonderful Christmas Everyone, and I believe 2009 will be a superb year for all of us. As my gentle giant keeps reminding me, it will indeed be a year that we will excel. Only believe. Watch me Rise ya’ll. You had better join me too.

Poetic Mondays - I shall love you

I Shall Love You

I shall love you
Till poets no longer rhyme
Till church bells refuse to chime
Till my hands cannot hold the sands of time

And I shall love you
Till a memory no longer lingers
Till the world produces no singers
Till the sand of time slip through my fingers

And I shall love you
Till children never play in the street
Till babies never search for the teat
Till the sand of time fall to my feet

And I shall love you
Till there's no one left to save
Till the sea can make no wave
Till the sand of time fill up my grave.......

..............................................................................ETN 05/12/08 - LIFE

I Believe in God

As part of the concerted effort on the blogsphere carried out on the 1^st of Dec., (An idea initiated by the loveliest Zoe Believer) I would like to do a Happy Friday everyone series on this. But I will have to confess I have not done this by myself. It’s a joint effort between me and him.

Last night I spoke to B and R about the Will of God. I was testifying to them how being in the Lord’s will is by far the most important. That in spite of where I am or where I think I ought to be, that where He has placed me and what He has offered me is by far the best. And that to be in His will and be at peace is what matters the most.

I believe in God, especially when I know that when I was not saved He was so busy at work to bring me under the saving grace of Jesus. He held out hope that one day, today that I will know Him and make my mind up to follow Him all the days of my life

I believe in God, because if not for Him, the troubles that overwhelmed me would have sent me to the depths of the grave, but for Him. For he is indeed my God that delivers me with His mighty hand

I believe in God, because in the midst of my sorrow, He granted me peace, in the midst of my confusion He gave me joy, in the midst of dishonour, He upheld me, in the midst of disgrace, He displayed me, and in the midst of my enemies, He enlarged my footsteps so that I would continue to stand head and shoulder above them

I believe in God, because I know for a fact under human reasoning I will not be where I am today; because He has already loved me, and not because of what I’ve done, but because He is love and that’s all that matters

I believe in God, for he promised me in the book of Gen. 4:6-7 that if I believe in him and follow His precepts, that my life will be bright with joy, but where I refuse, that I should watch out for sin is waiting to attack, longing to destroy, but these I know I can conquer only by believing in him

I believe in God, for in the book of Deut. 26:16-18, he commanded me to believe in him wholeheartedly, that I should - obey all of these commandments and ordinances that the Lord your God is given you today, having declared today that he is your God and have promised to obey and keep his laws and ordinances and to heed to all he tells me to do

I believe in God, for he said I should let everything that I do reflect my love of the truth and the fact that I am indeed honest about it, by believing in him he has assured me that His plans towards me is not what I should work out, neither are his thoughts the same as mine, for just as the heavens are higher than the earth , so are God's ways higher than mine and yours, this He confirmed in Isa. 55:8-9, and because He said it, I believe in him

I believe in God, because He speaks and His words comes to pass, for He is indeed faithful and true

I believe in God, for if I were given to the end of time, it would not be enough to declare his goodness to me. And if I were to write out my reasons for believing in Him, all the word document allowance will not be enough to write it all out. And due to the size of the document, it would be too large to be sent via the internet. So I’ll stop here.

So how about you? Who do you believe in? Think about it. Is your life displaying the life style worthy of whom you believe in?

How Saved are You?

She led him by the hand, and he was out of breath, She led Granddad to safety, and then she suffered death, the ones that were responsible will think upon this deed, Warning have been given, but these they did not heed. The only excuse they can give, a bullet went astray, but the facts cannot be altered, they took her life away. As she lay upon the ground, little arms by her side, her Granddad stood and wept and wept, until the poor mite died. People clustered round, horror on their face, to take the life of one so young, a terrible disgrace, the men, and I mean men; the police of our country carried her lifeless body and passed down in between people young and others old who stood on either side of the never-ending road in which the ''kiddy'' died. Each man that carried her, his face was full of awe, for in his arms, limp and still, a child of only four, peaceful and content, in one way, or the other, the smile upon her waxen face, I’m sure was meant for mother, with her she'll be united one day at heavens door, They'll pause awhile, then enter to live for evermore.

All who used a gun, or took part in this affray, please stand, think, and study, through each passing day, then go along to church and when you are within repent to the lord, this is a story of what happened in Nigeria some days past, how the life of an innocent child was taken by a stray bullet due to crises in the area; I can tell u that the men involved in this act didn’t know God. If I may ask you, you reading this, who do you believe in? Do you know God, have you known him, and those of us that do, if an innocent child like that could be hit by stray bullet on trying to take his Granddad to safety, what about you? If God forbid, something was to happen to any of us, what story will you’re life’s events be?

Today I would like to take the opportunity to introduce the “arts and literature event organised by Farafina Magazine”. If you would like to hurry down along, more information can be found on http://thefarafinist.blogspot.com , I won’t be able to make it, but I trust it would be too much fun. I hope they continue to organise more events that I can attend. So see you tomorrow for Happy Friday Everyone.

Poetic Mondays - Thoughts of a New Week!!

Thoughts of a New Week

For this Monday I give you this
May each awakening Monday morning
Be blessed in thine adorn
As stars at night-
Shine forth their light-
In grace to greet the dawn of that weekend

May each day bring anew-
Thy word so constant true
Let voices sing-
To praise our king-
Who died for me and you

May each approaching noon-
Evolve from May till June
For in this trace
This human race-
Shall seek our saviour soon

May each attending night
Behind its depths, thy light
Glow-by our side
God –be our guide
Our hope, our Faith, our righteousness
..............................................................................ETN 28/11/08 - LIFE

Behold He comes

Today in the mountains of northern Italy – in Trentino in the Alto Adige area, an area and people neither classed as Italians or Germans, but a mixture of both culture and heritage – it has been snowing. And heavily I might add. It’s not like it to snow at this time of the year, because in this region there tends to be a time and season for most things. September - October, they harvest their apples and grapes, in readiness for the November rains, and January - February it snows. This region is an autonomous community and thus they grow and produce most of the things they eat or use. So even though the people here have welcomed this beautiful change, which has happened throughout this week, they are still somewhat perplexed.

Is there anyone out there that still remembers that there’s no God like Jehovah. He alone is greater than anything or anyone that you can ever imagine. Greater than your problems. Greater than that situation.

When my friend and colleague spoke to me this morning and said to me, Life of a stranger, this week is unlike what we know or have experience and I’ve lived here my whole life; I couldn’t help but to wonder, in the spiritual sense what does this mean? Throughout this year, most churches have spoken about this year being a year of new beginnings, a year for the fulfillment of God’s words and purposes in our lives. Many have experienced this change, and nations can attest to this, but individually is there some still wondering if it true? Still waiting for that change in their lives.

Some previous happy Friday everyone post I remember writing out what I felt the Lord was saying to me then - In these days he has shown his favour and taken away “your” disgrace among the people - Luke 1:25. He is watching to see that “His” word is fulfilled (Jer. 1:12), and "You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." - Numbers 11:23. He continued on to say “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5). And even though at the time it came, I scoffed at it, and made light of it like Sarah did (when the visitors spoke to her husband about her conceiving this time next year – Gen. 18: 9-18); I did wonder what it all meant. You see, it came to me three months before the year was ending, and even though I knew my God is able, I figured, maybe He didn’t really mean it exactly as He said it. Maybe there may be other interpretations.

There may be less than 5weeks remaining till the end of the year, but it still doesn’t mean that God is still not able, to bring His words to pass in your individual lives. I did ask Him once, this year, You said and I heard and you told me that this is the year. At the time in pain and anguish, rose before dawn and took my petitions to Him (Psalm 119:147). He answered, and expressly did it too. He surprised me and surpassed all my expectations. He confirmed His words in my life. And In His season (and not the season designated by other), the heavens opened and showers of blessings started to pour down.

So you may ask, what does this mean, it means expect the unexpected. Hold on. Just because the year is almost over, does not mean He is not able to bring about what He has promised to you. For His words are eternal and stands firm forever (Psalm 119:89). And are indeed a lamp for our feet, and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

Poetic Mondays - Commitment

Commitment

Screams compelled by stomach that twist
From flying sofas that spin and spiral and bounce and whirl
With candyfloss frothing dizzy expressions
To the strident music ascending excitement
Jewelled lights tattooing the air
Blurring all focus
Increasing involvement
Oasis of fantasy
Eventually to STOP

Let me shArE this with you
I had a love of long ago
He was a soldier as you can see
he died that we could be free
I was too young to understand
What a man will do for his land
But older now I try to see
Just what this soldier did for me
He gave his life that we could go
Forward with no enemies so
Now I beg all stop and think
Before you kick up all that stink
About some silly chit or chat
That in the end matters not a drat

Now think about your self
Can you die for your friend?

Or any body in your family?
But Jesus died for you and I
In return what have you done for him?
He is neither greedy nor selfish
Just a little praise and thanks ..........
He ask from you and I
It cost nothing
Not expensive and easy to say
Yet we are too busy to do so
He who can take his own life
Can also take yours, even that job that makes you too busy
My dear
Just close your eyes for a second
And say
Lord Jesus thank you for dying for me
That I may live
May I never be too busy to find time and worship you
Teach me to live for you and you alone

......................................................................... ETN 17/11/08 - LIFE

Me, God and the other man

“For those of us that know me, they know how much I love God and how important He is in my life. However, it appears every time He allows a “wonder” to come into my life, I always seem to forget about Him or never seem to go before Him to ask if the wonder is a blessing or a curse. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I always seem to get carried away with it all, until the day it all comes crashing down like a pack of cards. Problem is, that’s when I go back to God, only for Him to gently inform me of where I had gone wrong, and how important it is for me to “stay in His Will” and none other”.

I’d like to tell you a story, one of a man and a woman. The Lord had commanded for a certain woman to be blessed (He said “I have commanded” her to be blessed – 1 Kings 17:9- "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food "). Problem there in lie that she didn’t know that her time to break up unploughed ground had come (Hosea 10:12). She had no idea that her time for breakthrough had come. She had no idea that a new day had dawned in her life of pain and misery (1 Kings 17:10-12 -So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks….He called to her and asked "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die."). When she received the visitor, even though she neither recognized where he was coming from, her single act of warmness unlocked the door of breakthrough. And even though by having him in her life, she neither lacked for food, she never fully realized the blessings of the Lord upon her life and her family, and it took a single life changing moment, when her only son died and was brought back to life did she really believe that the miracles was from God and that indeed the visitor was from God and spoke the TRUTH (1 Kings 17:24 -Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." ).

How many times have we taken for granted the love of Christ, His daily mercies of giving us life, good health, the countless ways He’s been protecting us and the provisions He has made available for us. Such that can be mirrored to the “jar of flour and the jug of oil”, that are new every day never to out. But then again because the Lord does this on a daily basis, they are no longer praise worthy miracle. Must we have to wait for that “MAIN prayer request” before we know that God is God. In the case of this woman it took for her only son to die before she recognized that God is God.

Going back to me, maybe If I had gone back to God to ask Him about the visitors that came bearing gifts (if they were real or false), then Just maybe, I didn’t have to experience the pain of knowing the TRUTH, the truth that they are not.

So I challenge you all, have you fallen into the trap that the Widow of Zarephath fell into, where the provision of food, shelter, a good place to worship, loved ones have just become a mundane and not real breakthroughs. Because I can tell you, that you did not do them yourself, God did them all for you. The Fact that you are alive this morning is a miracle itself, because there are countless others who are not here to glorify God. Let us give God that glory He deserves, because truly He has been so good to us. I don’t want to have to wait for some major ailment for me to know He is God; I Know He already is, because He has allowed me to live even for this second.

As for me, I am so excited of the wonderful promises that God has commanded to come to pass in my life, you see this is why He says ears have not heard or eyes seen (1 Corinthians 2:9), if the Lord had not sent Elijah to the Widow, would she have known that a commandment of blessing has been placed upon her life? Now check this, when Elijah met her, she was already throwing a pity party, of how she’s just gathering sticks to cook the handful of flour so that she and her son would eat and die, how many of us can relate to this? We have waited and waited, and have decided to give up, even though a word has already been spoken into our lives. Even though the Lord has already given a commandment for us to be blessed. Just because it has not manifested in the physical realm does not mean He has not given the command. And this was during the time when Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit had not been sent into the world, how much more now. If the Lord came through for all this wonderful ladies and gents of the Old Testament, how much more us who have the finished work of Christ pleading on our behalf.

Let’s continue to give God all the praise and glory that He deserves for He alone is indeed worthy of all our Praise and worship. There’s no God like Jehovah. Think about all the wonderful Countless Commandments and pronouncements God has made concerning your life. Wow, I for one am Truly truly excited.

Poetic Mondays - A friendship

A friendship

Where did it begin?
This stream so luminously clear?
Its waters so warm
That even I cannot escape
From its vapours
Which now envelops my every being
I wish I knew
And yet I know it’s good

How deep does it run?
This stream of contentment
I try to gaze through
The ripples of laughter
But yet my eyes are blind
They do not wish to see
For fear of seeing the truth
I wish I knew
And yet I know it’s good

Where does it lead to?
This stream so warm, so deep,
So luminously clear
Will it be shared again?
By hearts that once thrived
Upon its healthy vapours
I wish I knew
And yet I know it’s good

..................................................................... ETN (14/11/08) - LIFE

Speechless

Today for the first time I have no words to say, no wisdom to share, no messages to relay. This week I have had to listen, be told, be taught, and be informed to be transformed.

Today I have finally learnt that I am the weakest link in this partnership, that every time I say “I’m too tired, I can’t do this? I was not taught it at school, I am in the wrong place” I am reminded to look at my sister, who rose above her weakness and challenged herself to succeed. Who refused to be intimidated by her weakness, and boldly picked up the manual for her life and transformed her life.

She is no better than you are, but she held on believing that God who has given her this opportunity called life, has provided the wherewithal to succeed. So that when she sees Him, she would tell Him I might have been given one, but see what I’ve done with it (Matt. 25:14). No excuses, no self pity, no reliance on others, only the belief that because the Lord our God is with us (2 Chronicles 32:7b - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged…; 2 Chronicles 20:20b - Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld), He is more than able to bring us to an expected end.

What will you tell God when you see HIM? Today for the first time I have no words to say, no wisdom to share, no messages to tell. Today I am listening.

News just in..

Life of a stranger will be featuring also weekly monday posts called poetic mondays (did I say every mondays - these will be posts written by none other than by my very good friend and confidant..lol.., watch out for the first installment on monday.. Loves it..)

Do Boats go to Warri?

It was the end of the “convention” and the time we all went home, not too far now as the clocks ticked away. I was given a few options by the event organizers (one before the nightfall and another first thing day break), and as I contemplated the best, I was convinced that the former was the better and soon I will be home. But, as the time drew nearer, I realized I was unprepared. Convinced as I was, “sade’s man” (I called him so, as I never once thought to ask for a name) would help in such matters with the times and hours. Quickly, I darted out from my block (block D, room 1) in search of he, he who would be my greatest help. As I left, on my way there I met a few all set, and making their way to the set place in good time. I called out to them asking if they knew where I could find such a man, without hesitation they informed me I was on the wrong floor (on the 2^nd floor standing in front of 202) in the wrong place and I ought to make my way to the third floor to 332. As I hastily made my way to 332, I met an already hurried man, indeed he confirmed what I already knew, that the boat was due to leave in 7minutes. However, he did mention that the final stop was “Warri”. “Warri” I said to him, are you sure this boat is going to Warri? (albeit this part had been conveniently concealed previously – but for what purpose?).

In spite of this new revelation, I was still determined to get on board; and even though I had no business in Warri, and it was never the intended stop, I would board all the same and thereafter make plans on how to get to my final destination.

As I tried to make a dash back from the block that housed 202 and 332, back to 1D I wondered if I was ever going to be able to make it back to the boat on time, this very boat that everyone appears to be boarding. And even though I had no business in Warri and knew that home was still a long way from the boat’s final stop, I did however question why it was so important for me to board this boat before nightfall, instead of sitting out the night till the day breaks for the non-stop morning ride home. And although a part of me tried to reason with me, the other was more persuasive and quick to point out just how I could be the only one left behind, and how important it was to join in and be part of it all. And though this journey was not suitable and would undoubtedly create difficulties later, I couldn’t help but wonder why I was driven to make the nightfall journey. After weighing my options, I threw caution to wind, proceeded back to 1D, hurriedly picked up my things, and speedily made my way to the port.

As I got closer, the boat had started to pull away, instantly I started to call out to the men on the harbor, please don’t leave me behind, please wait for me. My baggage a little heavier than I had expected, breathless, fatigued, unfit as I was, I continued, wait for me, don’t go, I have my tickets, but it appeared that my drowned out shout was falling on deaf ears. Still reluctant to give up, I gave a last push willing myself to get just that bit closer, maybe then they will see me and stop. But alas, they couldn’t hear or see me. And slowly they began to disappear from sight. As I sat on the pier, wondering how silly it was of me to have pressed on, I couldn’t help but to think, maybe just maybe being left on the waterfront might have been a blessing after all.

After resting a little while on the bay, I picked up the pieces of my broken self, and slowly started to head back to block 1D where I had the only option of waiting patiently for the morning boat, the non-stop express that would take me home. And even though the nightfall journey from a distance might have appeared closer to home, in reality it would have left me stranded, as I tried to console myself.

Lord I thank You for your WORD (Isaiah 40:8) and how You take the promises (Jeremiah 33:14) You made to us seriously. When You said the steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord (Psalm 37:23), You meant it in its entirety and because of that promise I know it is well with me (Isaiah 3:10).

No matter how hard I tried to board the wrong journey, to set foot on the wrong path, even though it appeared that I was missing out, since everyone was “missing in”; praise God that His very own perfect undeniable, unstoppable “WILL” was what He intended for me, and even though it came in the morning after a long eventful night, it did come, and I made it to my final destination. For what He had purposed for me He used His hands to bring to pass (Isaiah 14:24; 27). For what He planned Long ago in my day break he brought to pass (Isaiah 37:26). Thank you Lord for helping me to wait (Hab. 2:3), and though I tried to create my own visions, thank you Lord for taking away the punishment my disobedient incurred (Zephaniah 3:15) and reinstated your Vision by bringing me to my resting place(Zephaniah 3:20).

I try not to imagine what could have happened if I had made it onto the wrong path. But for God, I am here to thank Him for His love, His dedication, His goodness and faithfulness. For He dared me to Hope, even after all my hopes had died. He dared me to believe even when all was lost. He pushed me to hold on, even though the lines were blurry. He urged me to take a bold step, even when fear had crippled me. He chose me even after all had rejected me (Isaiah 41:9), He loved me even after one had hated me. He honoured me even after one had dishonoured me (Zephaniah 3:20; Isaiah 43:4); He crowned me with glory in place of the shame and disgrace lying in wait for me (Isaiah 50:7). He turned my mourning into gladness and joy in place of sorrow (Jeremiah 31:13; Isaiah 61:3). And though I stumbled on countless times, I did not fall, for He steadied me and made my ways firm (Psalm 37:23-24). And though thick darkness surrounded me, He guided me still through unfamiliar paths and turned the deep darkness into light (Isaiah 42:16). And because of the finished work of Christ on the cross, I can rejoice and have His peace upon me (Isaiah 53:3-5).

So today dear Lord I ask you to help me to be patient at all times, to be driven by YOU and not by the world. To correct me Lord with your unending Love and Justice (Jeremiah 10:23-24); because now I know that only You Lord directs the steps of a man. To know when to move and when to stop, and to humbly follow your lead and not be strong willed and be disobedient. Today Lord I thank you because you have shown to me that your promises supersede all and even though they tarry they will never prove false, for indeed each of them have and will indeed come to pass. Thank you Lord for exposing my ignorance, for indeed all boats that go to Warri, do not go to Nkwerre, Oron or Ekpoma (you can add your own place here).

How conditional is your Love?

Recently I heard Him ask, Is His Love not enough? Is His glory that acts as a shroud over me not enough (John 17:22)? Is His death on the cross not enough (Mark 8:31; Philipians 2:8)?

As I stood there drenched in tears, just for one moment, I wondered if it really was. For that one moment I couldn’t help but wonder, after everything I have seen Him do in my life, that even I, could be counted among those whose love for God could be classed as conditional. That I would deny Him, just because I had chosen to walk by sight and not by faith. Because if my love was unconditional I wouldn’t have to throw tantrums or disbelief just because everything is not what it appears. Because if my love was unconditional, I would not have been so quick to look for an alternative instead of sticking with God, all the way.

Time and Time again He has asked, keeps asking, and is asking still, is His payment on the cross not enough?

Lord your payment was far too much for an unworthy, pitiful, not fit for any good like me, but thank you Lord for qualifying me (Romans 8:33), and counting me as one of yours, even though by all counts, it makes bad business sense to stick with me. Lord help me to be counted when it matters. Help me Lord to be among those whose love for you is unconditional, no matter what the cost.

Which Hijacker?

I just came back from a workshop meeting solely dedicated to my subject of expertise, and the question I had tried to answer in my seminar and which I had posed to the audience was “how can changes in the concentration of a single protein in the nucleus be involved in the increase of cells (in cancer) and yet at the same time cause immediate cell death” – two characteristics pretty opposite in character.

As I tried to make sense of it all, I came to a realization that we as people created of God face this same dilemma in our day to day life. How can a single decision either lead to a relationship with God or cause one to wonder away from His saving grace.

Just as the protein receives a signal that hijacks its highway of decision to either cause cells to proliferate or cease to live depending on its signal input, we too are capable of receiving a signal that hijacks our highway of decision making fate that inevitable will cause us to act in such a way that the phenotype is a decision to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to life, or to abandon His teachings and Laws for the way of the world.

It’s funny how I’ve spent most my post doc years trying to decipher this specific question, to find out “what that decision making mechanism is”. As complex as it in the biological sense, it is not at all the case in our lives as that mechanism simply is our mindset and the signal what we feed to it. In Prov. 4:4 - His word reminds us to – Lay Hold of God’s words with all your heart and not to forget God’s words or swerve from them (Prov.4:5). For His word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105); and life to those that finds it and health to a man’s whole being (Prov.4:20-23). If His Word is the dominating signal that is transmitted to the decision mechanism, then a healthy life can only be the resulting factor.

The problem in lie that if we are not laying hold of God’s words, then the reverse can only be the prevailing factor. A highway unused by God and solely used for the transfer of worthless and hollow messages can only lead to a decision that leads one away from life everlasting surely.

Surely this can only result in a lifeless, thirsty, empty and dry existence. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that if one had to choose between Life and Death, I wouldn’t mind having to pay for the former, just so that I made it onto the VIP list. But unlike many things in this world, to get onto this VIP list is so free (Ephesians 5:1-7). For the Lord Jesus Christ already paid the price (Matthew 20:28; 1John 2:2), just so that we can be set free. And through this we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that He may help us to understand the things that have been freely given to us by God (1Corinth. 2:12).

Choose life, choose His word, and choose God. Let Him awaken, revive, fill and activate you. Let Him lead you to Life everlasting. Why don’t you allow God to hijack your decision making fate, and lead you to a Life filled with His wonders, favours and overwhelming love. Trust me, I know Him to be a great commander, the Lord of Host, the King of Glory, God Almighty; and He is more than able to bring you through to a restful end.

Walking with Limitations

Look around you he said, what do you see? Really, take your time in replying:

Today was no different to the others, I had woken up excited, looking forward to hearing that beautiful sound made by birds I think, not that I’ve seen one around here, but I suppose could be coming maybe from a nearby forest; what lovely sounds, like music to my ears. My! I would exclaim, what a place, such dry beautiful surrounding, as I tried to grasp the beauty of it all. I thought I heard the guard whisper, he’s always mumbling something or the other but today I think I heard him. Yes I heard Him clearly. Slightly rotating towards his direction, I asked him saying, did you say something? Did you try to talk to me? He smiled. Technically today was the first time I heard him speak, audibly and coherently that is. Look around you he said, what do you see? Really take your time in replying:

As if in a trance, could it be a vision, whatever this state of memory intervention could be called – I saw it all, I think.

My life couldn’t get any better than it is right now. I saw myself, just the way I had always wanted my life to be. Free to go where ever I please, ate a variety of meals (mind you, I’m quite fussy, so the variety was only limited to a few dishes). Wore the latest garments, come to think of it, trends were determined by what others around were wearing, so even though garment diversity may not have changed so much among the people around me, I still wore the latest. Different shades of grey I think, and because I was so comfortable where I was I was just simply satisfied. Then I saw him, yes him the guard, always following me, what I would do just to be rid of him; always causing me to experience a feeling totally unfamiliar to me. …….. reluctantly I said to him, you are always there, ever present around me. Are you supposed to guard me or something? Are you some sort of a body guard, watching my every move? Then a thought came to my mind, I’ve never once asked him, like really asked him what he was doing, steadfast, watching and at such a close distance. As I looked at him intently, I could see him smiling to himself. As if I was standing before a judge, I continued saying, I knew the times when I had to wake up and go to sleep, lights out and all, always knew the hot spots to go and show off my skills, this had subconsciously been planted into my mind, but for some reason or the other, I’ve been unable to place my finger on how it came about.

He smiled again, and said a second time, what is it you see before you? This time using your sight not just for seeing but for understanding (Hosea 4:14b). I see steel bars I exclaimed, a walled gate as high as my eyes can see. It follows in a circular motion, all around me. The people around me are just like me, Inmates. The garments are prison wears, and the food, only fit for beggars. The hotspots, places where I had previously thought I could show off what I’m made of, my breakthroughs and successes, my favours that comes from being loved by others, were merely random exercise breaks to stretch out my legs from constantly being restricted in a single place. You mean it has always been like this, you mean I’ve been living the life of a prisoner, a life filled with limitations, restriction; and here I was bolding stepping as one who had it all. Why didn’t you tell me all this, why have you allowed me to live a life of ignorance (Hosea 4:6), and for so long.

Lovingly He replied saying, because you had freely entered into this place, I had to wait until the time when you freely chose to leave. Look again he said: Your gates have always stood open (Isaiah 60:11), I had already gone ahead of you to break down and cut through the barricades (Isaiah 45:2-3) that is why your gates have never been shut. From the day you walked in to this place, I had already posted watchmen on the wall (Isaiah 62:6), that is why up until now you have come to no harm. I had believed today will come, a day when you will finally hear my voice, steadfastly waiting, unwavering, because I knew one day will be today. I was eagerly awaiting the day when you will know the truth, and be set free (John 8:32).

Come He said, I will show you (Jeremiah 33:3) all the wonderful things I have been storing up for you, you see all this years away has resulted in your inheritance, your property to be gathering dust. And because your lot has been made secure for you (Psalm 16:5), no one else could inherit your property.

As He stretched out His hands towards me, beaming with a smile, He asked me saying, Are you ready to leave now?

I don’t know about you fellow inmates, but I sure am ready to leave this horrible gates of bronze and rusty bars of iron, for the untold riches uniquely stored in hidden places for me, for He has always guarded me, and has refused to watch me continue to live this world wonder called limitation.

Lord I thank you for refusing to give up on me. And even though many times I had purposely ignored you, thank you Lord for not allowing my failings to come between me and YOUR love for me.

I love YOU my wonderful guard. You can guard me any time.