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!!!

I see it all from a Great Height!!

I came off a swing, an object that rocks you from one place to another neither taking you anywhere but gave you something to do. Something to occupy your mind, your focus, your purpose, but lacking any form of progress. And there I was, invited to take that bold step. Reluctantly as I did getting off the swing, I was invited on a small journey, a journey that was to be “this life of mine”.

I was told to look down, and there it was; in a distance the entire oceans of the world with its demarcations that showed that even the world’s oceans can be seen in its entirety. And almost immediately, I was asked what it was I see before me. A little confused, perplexed, I have always known this image was impossible to see unless I was a Hubble telescope, and even then, to see it, I would first of all see the round shape of the world, and thus I remained silent.

I was asked again to look up, but how could it be? I see the sky, yet so far into the distance, as if I were looking from the ground, the sky all lit up as it would during the night, with all its twinkling stars. How I marveled at such a sight. Incredible as it was, unbelievable as I thought. Still more confused, I continued in my silent manner.

I was told to look at where I was standing, and as I looked at my feet, I could see a pebble, grayish in colour and oval in shape. And as I stooped low to pick it up, I realized I was standing on a gauze, a metal wire mesh of some sort with openings, from which I could see what was below me. In the deep was the world in its entirety, but not round. I became immediately afraid, hoping not to step too hard so the metal gauze does not give way.

Then I was shown a higher ground that still needed to be explored. I have already been elevated, but there were still mountains still to be explored. And I wondered surely I’ve done enough.

For some of us, where we are today have been made up of bold little steps, which has added up to this huge height. But how we got there, has always remained alien to us. For many of us, we have attained such heights so early in life, and the struggles to get there have all been forgotten. Still, for some of us where we are, is still of little significance to us, because we see the journey before us, and have all but forgotten how far it took us to get to where we are today.

But if only we can first look at how far we have journeyed, it would be of little value, the distance yet to be covered, or perhaps the mountains yet to be conquered. And regardless of where we are, the heights we have attained, until that final call, there still remains other mountains yet to overcome.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you- (Psalm 32:8). Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know – (Jeremiah 33:3)

Naturally, a misunderstanding on how to charter your path will only lead to a longer and more painful route. But a clearer vision will make the journey worth the time.

Thank you Lord for Your guidance, and Your word, for indeed they are a lamp to my feet. Has it all been a waste of time? A resounding No!! I may have missed the turning at many cross roads, but I still have much more to cover. And for the first time in a long time, seeing how far I have come, I am more than convinced I will make it all the way.

The Plan of my Choice

I eagerly looked forward to the meeting Pa K had arranged with me. After church this Sunday, I have something to tell you he said. Could it be concerning the wife issue I spoke to him in confidence about. Surely it can’t be already, for only three months have passed since that day I walked into his office. As I impatiently anticipated this meeting, I drove in into the front parking lot opposite the first church building, confidently parked my car, and strolled effortlessly towards the main building. As I walked in, I looked around in a bid to see if I could locate Pa K, but it seemed that they were having some sort of an event, and maybe it would be better if I looked for him after the service.

As I looked for a nice seating area (not too far from the front rows and must be an aisle seat), my eyes drew to this life form. Yes, without loss of the proper words, I saw her, the yin of my yang; something in me leaped for joy. I wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it did. I then tried looking to the left and right of where I stood, to check if I was indeed in a dream, and that this sight was indeed happening in real life. But alas, I wasn’t in a dream, it was a Sunday morning, and I am at the COD meeting, and there is indeed a lady of exquisite taste and dimension walking towards the middle front two rows to take a seat on the 3^rd seat from the left.

She was introduced as a visitor who would sing a special number. And there it was, I was so moved, she split me in two. My goodness, what a feeling!! I watched her, as she came off the stage, to her seat, and watched her say a silent prayer. Wow, God, what did I do in this life to merit such a woman, to find such a woman, to have such a woman, for such a woman to be made from me and for me? Well, I didn’t care at this point if she was betrothed to a man or not, she was mine by “fire”. As she waved her hands in the air, I watched closely to check if there was that exclusive jewel that was supposed to adorn the 2^nd to the last finger on that all important left hand. But I sighed a sigh of relief, for there was none; except for the big flowery ring on her right middle finger. Surely that cannot pass for an engagement ring I wondered? But I kept staring at her all through the service and prayed hard that she would be mine. All mine.

The audience laughs!!

It’s not funny I interjected. I really suffered!!

Yes where was I? Good afternoon Pa K, good afternoon, brother T, I am so sorry I couldn’t see you before the meeting started, but I can see you now. Oh how excited I was, as I stepped into his office, and couldn’t wait for him to start the conversation on my invitation to the meeting, a glorious day, a day I met, and get to meet my wife.

So how have you been? Pa K, asked. I’m good sir. These past few months have been awesome, and God has continued to be so faithful in my life. Good Pa K responded; and continued saying, there is a lady I would like you to meet. She’s 29 and a… I interrupted. Sir, there is no need. I have found her. That woman I have waited my entire 33yrs for. The bone of my bone and the flesh of my flesh. The woman that completes me, and by God, I hope and pray to complete.

Really, Pa K said, I wasn’t sure if this was a good really or a bad one; but anyways it’s not important now.

So tell me about this young lady Pa K continued. Well you will not believe it but she is the lady that sang the special number, the invited minister. I could see Pa K, let out a little smile. But I continued anyways, she is PERFECT!!

That is good Pa K said, but you will need to go now and pray seriously about it, after which I would like you to meet the lady I was trying to suggest first, before the next step.

I shook his hands profusely, and thanked him for his time. And as I left I couldn’t help but feel like I was being cheated. What in the world is wrong with Pa K, I thought to myself, I said I have found the yin of my yang, and instead of you saying after the time with the Lord, come back and I’ll introduce you to her, you are telling me of this other lady. I couldn’t help but feel like Jacob did. I said I don’t want Leah (is it by force!!). It is Rachel that I want. This Perfect lady does not look a day over 24yrs, and her face radiates as if she was the sun. Such youthful elegance and my goodness what a walk!! Did you see the way she carried herself, personifying the daughter of the King of glory? And Pa K wants me to manage that 29 yrs old lady. It can never never happen.

The audience laughs again!!

I really didn’t find it funny at the time… I tried to say to them

So where was I again? Two days went by and no word from Pa K. Then 5 days, fourteen days, still nothing. I decided to do like Jacob did, and go to God with this in prayers. Every obstacle standing in the way of my breakthrough (even if it’s Pa K), be removed in Jesus Name Amen. Four weeks went by, still no word. I decided to fast and pray, and not stop until the story on my lady changed. Twenty weeks later, on a Saturday evening, I got a call from Pa K. Before that call came in, I felt a word telling me whatever he says do it. So when Pa K called and asked me, brother T, if I was now ready to meet the lady he talked about I agreed immediately.

I had lost some weight (ten Kilos) to be specific, and I could see my best suit didn’t look so dapper on me anymore. I realized I hadn’t cut my hair in a long while, and took to the shaver to clean myself up. It had been a tumultuous twenty weeks, but did I deserve it?

As I parked my car yet again on the same spot which I did twenty weeks previous, walking towards the main building, guess who it was that I saw coming out to greet me, none other than Pa K. He greeted me, smiled, and comforted me with the words it is well. He said to me, brother T, are you now ready to meet the lady I once tried to speak to you about, after which you can then take the next step? I didn’t need to think twice, I shook my head, and urged him to show me the way. He took me towards his office and as he opened the door, he said, I would like you to meet…. and there she was, I felt the same sensation I did the first time I saw her, and had to beat back the tears, for I felt Pa K had had mercy on me and introduced me to Rachel instead of Leah.

After shaking her hands I quickly asked if I could be excused making out I left something in the car. I ran towards the gents and wept copiously. It was finally happening, and I was finally getting her, yes the yin of my yang. As I walked back towards Pa K’s office, I met him on the way going towards the main building, and asked him, you changed your mind concerning the lady in question? He smiled and said they were always one and the same woman.

Does this remind you of a certain syndrome we as children have in dealing with God our Father?

He knew what I wanted and needed, but because I felt that what I needed was better than what He planned for me I had to suffer the consequences of my actions. If I had just cooperated with Him, I would have found out that what He planned for me was exactly what I wanted. That what I longed for was exactly what He had in mind for me.

Did I have to go through what I did these past twenty weeks? Did I deserve it all? Oh how pointless and needless it was, if only I had decided to pay a little more attention to what Pa K had to say that day, instead of interrupting him with my own ideas. Look at me; I have become a shadow of a man I used to be and for what?

We are also reminded of the example of the children of Israel. When the Lord told His friend Abraham how his descendants will be strangers in a foreign land for 400 years after which He will deliver them and take them to the Land He promised Him (Genesis 15:13; 16). And even though it happened exactly as the Lord told His friend Abraham; when it was time for them to take possession of the Land his descendants the Israelites did not believe that it was possible for God to give them such a land since it seemed like a land that devoured its inhabitants (Numbers 13:32-33; Deut. 1:26-32).

How long must we continue to treat the Lord God with contempt with our unbelief? For how long will we continue to laugh at his face and scoff at Him, citing, that because He has yet to answer that particular prayer, He is no longer a good God. For how long will we refuse to Trust Him wholly? For how long will we measure His goodness with what is seen, what is immaterial, with what will only fade away, instead of the unseen surpassing glory that He is putting together for us. [2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal].

The word of God also reminds us that we perish for lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:6). And until we fully grasp or understand the goodness and greatness of our God, we will continue to perish. We are also told that only them that know their God will be strong and do great exploits (Daniel 11:32b). That you can only ever become victorious in life when and only when you truly understand and TRUST the God that you profess to believe in; and know without a shadow of a doubt that He really is a good and wonderful God; that He means what He says, and that His words are truly true for you.

Instead of possessing the land, the Israelites wondered in the desert for another 38years from the time they were about to take possession of it (Deut. 2:14). A needless and pointless wait, all because they didn’t think His Idea of a good land was the same as their idea of a good land. Had they believed, the generation that didn’t believe would not have wasted away in the desert, and for so long.

But thank God for second chances. Thank God for the Lord Jesus. Thank God for His mercy. Thank God for God. Thank God for insights. Thank God for revelations, but most of all thank God for Understanding. I will be a fool to think my plan could ever be better than the plans of the master planner that is my God. I have believed, and therefore I have spoken it.

Anon. the great built this

It has been cold in these nether regions for sometime now. But you wouldn’t think so looking out from the inside of my apartment. I did wonder if I should venture out, and brace the cold. But then again, I thought to myself, I must think it over a hot cup of tea. As I sat on my chair made from solid oak, set in front of my fire place, I became immediately convinced that it was better to go outside than to stay indoors and see what the day had to offer. And as I stood up taking one final look out of the window before making that all important decision, I needed no more persuasions as I watched the sun reflect off the leaves of the oak tree standing opposite my front window. For the tree had yet to completely shed off its leaves. Hurray I said to myself, I will go out and take a walk along the deserted streets.

I was wrapped up warm, in all my essentials, no point getting caught out in the cold; I wandered down the via madoninna, and made a left down the church alley way, up the via don tommaso, and immediately a bus came by. I hopped on the bus and after the tenth stop I made my exit. All excited as I was I looked up, and there it was a magnificent building. It was situated at the end of the square, and on each side of it were buildings which dated back to the thirteenth century, with murals (or fresco) all painted all over it. As I marveled at these sights, I couldn’t help but say to myself, my goodness great men have indeed walked through these paths. But who were they? As I continued to walk through the square, past the piazza duomo, and right towards the great cathedrals, I saw a statue of a waterfall, with all the embellishment that came with such a monument. But who built this I said to myself? Who was he?

I went into the information center to gather some information on the sights I had just beheld, and there it was, the names of the minds that conceived these great artistries. Some as old as 800 years, but who were they? As I tried to navigate my way through the streets, and the artistries conceived by such great minds, I couldn’t help but wonder; if these men were able to leave such a legacy here on earth, what became of them in heaven? I hear and see their names. Men of unrivaled minds, yet, what did heaven have to say about them? Indeed what did heaven have to say about them?

Was their entire life’s efforts in vain? Was it worth being the most famous artist, painter, architect, builder, stone mason in the entire world, and yet be recorded as an anonymous in heaven? Ecclesiastes 2:17-18: “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me”.

I soon forgot the cold and the whispering wind that tried to deny me of my much coveted scarf which kept the cold from reducing the temperature around the base of my head. And as the night drew near, I pondered upon my life, and wondered would heaven record me as anon?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What would heaven say about me, about you, about you and I? The bible reminds us of the importance of leaving behind a legacy for our children and children’s children (not just materially) – [Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 1:8-9; Proverbs 22:6; 5; Proverbs 29:17; Deut. 6:7; 20; Ephesians 6:4]; but most importantly it reminds us to rejoice that our names have been written in the book of life, because that is the greatest achievement we can ever attain in this life (Luke 10:20).

Would heaven record you as anon, or as someone who left behind a Godly Legacy?

Don’t even try to say that because you’ve messed up so many times disqualifies you from being noticed by heaven. Does anyone remember John Mark (the author of the gospel of Mark [John was his Jewish name and Mark was his Roman name])? You see we first hear of him early in the book of Acts; Paul and Barnabas had been sent off on a missionary work and they had John Mark as their helper (Acts 13:5), but in the middle of the journey he had left them (Acts 13:13), and we were told he had bolted, deserted them in Perga Pamphylia, a dangerous area, a known hang outs for thieves and robbers (sure he had good reasons, he probably didn’t want to die yet J). When it was time for Paul and Barnabas to be sent off for another journey, he (John Mark) wanted to go with them, and Paul said NO (Acts 15:38). Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement over this issue; and Barnabas went on his own journey taking Mark, whilst Paul took Silas and goes on another journey (Acts 15:38-40). But see what happens in Philemon: 24, many years had passed and here was Paul calling this same man a “fellow worker”. What happened? In 1 Pet. 5:13, Peter ends his greeting by calling Mark “my son” [don’t even get me started on Peter and the way he denied Jesus three times, his home buddy whom had taught him everything he knew, his friend and master – he too could have had reasons to see him self not good enough to be noticed by heaven – But we all know what became of him]. It was Peter who influenced Mark in writing his gospel and later Luke and Matthew both looked to Mark to get information for their gospels as well. And by the end of Paul’s life, he says of Mark in 2Tim. 4:11: “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in my ministry”. Wow, isn’t that something. This same man he had quarreled with Barnabas over. Isn’t that a legacy to show what God does with failures, Giver uppers and quitters. There is still hope for you yet. I was tempted, I was tried and often failing, but You Lord, You are my strength and my victory!!

Eternity will run for ever my dear friends, and can never be compared to all the years on this earth. And therefore whatever you run after here on earth will undoubtedly one day be destroyed, but be sure that your godly legacy built in heaven, will never be destroyed. For indeed our Salvation, Jesus our Lord and Saviour, Master builder, famous Physician; our walk with Him is by far the greatest legacy we can ever leave behind - So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life – Titus 3:7.

And how are we sure of this? Ephesians 1:11-14 “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory”

So what if I am the most sought after scientist in the entire world, and heaven doesn’t notice me? God forbid!! you can keep it. No thanks J. The only one that matters is the one that God recognizes. Ecclesiastes 2:26 - To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

So dear friends, what would heaven record you as? The choice is left to you.

I see Men as Solid Trees

Nnedinanma, walked briskly as if she were in a hurry, could it be an emergency of some sorts. She raced quickly to the other section of the house as she tried to make sure “Papa” was awake. He’s fine, in fine mood, and cheery too. Not so for Nkemdi. Since the rising of the sun he had been awake, meticulously trying to balance his accounts. But it was still not adding up. His outgoing was more than the incoming by a factor of two. And he was not due for a pay rise for the next fifteen months. How can we survive as a family for the next fifteen months especially since the school fees, mortgage and other expenses are mandatory – which explains the outgoing deficit! He could not see anyway out, and refused to borrow anymore. Exhausted with these thoughts, he slowly crept back into bed and continued to wonder what would become of his family.

Good morning dearest, you are awake said Nnedinanma, what would you have me make you for breakfast, your favourite? Nkemdi a little sullen replied, I’m not very hungry munchkins, don’t worry, I will be ready in a giffy to take the kids to school. Are they ready? I think so replied Nnedinanma, I’ll go check. It had barely gone past the hour when Nkemdi moved the car onto the drive way and the kids all jumped in and off they went.

Today, I telephoned my friend Nnedinanma, of ten years to see how she was, and how family life was treating her. Since it’s my day off I wanted to drop in on her before carrying on with my home chores. As I stopped by her house, I found her relaxing on a two by two settee, whilst watching desperate housewives. Her house was in an immaculate order, especially when children were supposed to live in the house, and it’s only 10am.

Dina I exclaimed, even the house cleaner I pay good money, is not able to have my house in such order and you are no better than I, spill! She replied saying, I have an aunt that has been living with me for the last seven months, who can not stand the sight of dust, and she has been helping with the kids, Papa, and even all the house chores. Cooking too? I asked, hmmm she replied, her food tastes better than mine. Then I said to her, what then do you do? Dina replied, I am a housewife, so the house is my domain. Dina I replied, for the last seven months you have been doing nothing since your aunt came, wouldn’t you consider getting a Job, especially when I know I will hire you in a matter of seconds. You’ve always been the best statistician I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and I wouldn’t mind having you in my group. She replied saying, it is the role of my Husband to provide for my family and for me to be provided for. I asked her, so how long will your aunt be staying? She replied saying, since she’s Papa’s only sister, she wants to be around to make sure Papa is taken good care of. But Papa now lives with you I interrupted. Exactly, she said. So you mean, yes, indefinitely.

I spent the next couple of hours talking and laughing with my good friend Dinanma, and didn’t realize how time flew. It was now 3.30pm and Nkemdi drove in with the kids, greeted us, and continued on his way back to work. I looked at her again and said to her do you really mean to tell me Nkemdi brings the kids back too? The house is my domain she replied. On realizing how late it had gotten, I decided to take my leave and promised to visit her again before the year runs out. But I couldn’t help but ask her one more question. So if you are in charge of the home, what happens to the financial responsibilities? She replied, Nkemdi is the provider, and he is in charge of making everything balance.

On leaving the house I couldn’t help but wonder on the role we as wives have to play in helping our husbands, and if Dinanma was fair in her attitude towards the distribution of roles.

In the story, we see a family in a temporary financial mess (which if not dispelled could lead to even greater problems). And all it needs is a “fifteen months bridge” to help get them out of the small mess. Currently Dinanma is free and wouldn’t find it difficult to find a job, but is not interested because of the way she views her husband’s responsibilities. He is not complaining, he just needs some help until he is able to sort out the mess. After all if aunt wasn’t around, Dinanma would still have been busy with her chores. But that is not the issue. If he had told her of the current status, would she want to help, since she is of the view that it is “his responsibility to provide for her” By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures – Proverbs 24:3-4; The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down – Proverbs 14:1; Genesis 2:20b, But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

How suitable is she to the needs of her husband and to her family. How flexible is she, and is she willing to compromise? What sort of help does that make her? What is your perception of the role of your husband, and is he therefore responsible for falling short in difficult times.

What Lies Underneath

It’s the first time this week the burrow seemed clear. A fine day I’m sure filled with so much possibilities, said Mr. Mouse, as he tried to take a peek out of his hole onto the distance. He needed no further convincing, and decided the time to step out and go yonder was now, and the day no longer to be wasted was today. As he struggled to walk on the snow covered undergrowth, deep inside the forest on a mountain peak, he couldn’t help but wonder if it may have been too soon to wonder out, for it had all of a sudden turned too cold, and his fur no longer as strong as it used to be against the wind. As he moved along, a van came alongside, swerving from one side of the path to the other albeit slowly in front of him. He observed, the two wheels on the left was completely eroded, and the two on the right had been replaced with the smaller emergency proxy – “I’m sure you’re only ever supposed to have one of these he thought”. The body covered in sooth, and out of the exhaust came black smoke. Immediately Mr. Mouse gave a hot chase, even he knew that he could outrun this van, for he thought to himself any moment now this van is heading for a disaster. As he came close to the driver’s side, he called out to the driver. The driver saw him acknowledged him, and made an attempt to stop the van. He had pressed on his breaks, which was unresponsive, but technically wasn’t needed; and he watched it roll to halt. They exchanged greeting, after which Mr. Mouse went on to ask him - “are you aware that your van is in a really bad way”? The driver replied, “I didn’t think it was that obvious”. Mr. Mouse continued, “I can be of help”.

The driver moved with the concern of Mr. Mouse, decided to oblige him. He set down his cargo, and they both started to work on the van. As they took the body parts off, they found that the base that should have acted as a shield had eroded away, and the main wafer type content insulator had been half eaten. “No, this will not do” exclaimed Mr. Mouse, “this will not do at all”.

The driver suggested an alternative, but it just was not enough. No no, Mr. Mouse insisted, it must be new. No, no, it must be clean. “I know a place” said Mr. Mouse. You need a complete rectangular base that is made of steel with winged edges - this will prevent any thing from penetrating in. I know too where to get four brand new wheels and a warm spring where we can get fresh water to wash out the dirt from the van including the cargo. This way whatever is left of the soft wafer part of the van could be protected from any further damage”. The driver excited at this followed Mr. Mouse and did as he suggested. His cargo washed of its dirt, was returned to him of greater worth than when he started; for it had become so clean and sparkled so.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

We awaken in the morning wearied and burdened so, but thinks as long as we stay away from people and hide our emotions, no one needs to know what is going on underneath. We think that because it is hidden deep within, it won’t affect the exterior part of us. *erm* wrong!! If everything is not ok, then it really isn’t ok and it’s time for us to find out how we can improve our lives.

We need to first admit to ourselves that we are broken. The outer appearance of the van was in a bad way, because the base had rotted with the worries of life and penetrated the heart. And we know the heart is vital for the maintance of the body. For many of us, our heart is almost on its last lap, and at any moment about to go belly up. But that’s because our shield that should be acting as our protection is not as strong as it should be. We have not bothered to build on it, and to make sure that nothing comes any where near it. And for those of us who have not tried Jesus, I beseech you to try HIM, and see if He is not more than able to shield you in times of trouble. There used to be a time when I battled with my emotion as I saw myself unworthy and therefore not fit to be forgiven or to be called His child. But instead of remaining in my sorry state, I kept being reminded that He has forgiven me all of my sins, and I have been immersed and washed in His blood. I believe that in itself is more than enough when life’s burden or worries tries to bring us to the point when it seems all hope is gone.

We have to be prepared to be open to take suggestions. The driver would have thought, *erm* what does this horrible looking stench living, not fit to be spoken to Mouse have to tell me, and would have missed an opportunity that would have brought a much needed change in his life. The bible tells us that it is a wicked man who puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways (Prov. 21:29). If in need and help is offered accept it. It also says in Prov. 20:18; 24:6 (Make plans by seeking advice…. for victory many advisers). Isaiah 9:6; Prov. 12:16; 9:9; 1:8 - listen to good advice.

I also find talking about the things that are eaten away in my heart brings me a much needed relief. So again we need to find a spirit filled person to encourage us along our life’s journey. Especially one who is accustomed to your way. For example, I have two prayer partners, my mum and my girl friend. Both of which are spirit filled and always ready with the word from the bible to encourage me. I also have my pastors and network of Christian friends who I know are on their knees day and night praying on my behalf. If you don’t have one or have yet to find one, I am more than happy to be of help. But know this that the Lord God Loves you and whatever you are going through is not just for you alone, but to be an encouragement to the people He is sending you to.

Be prepared to cast your load upon the waters. Like me for example when I want something so badly you’ll know cause am all up in your face and everything, and I find that when I try to force it to be mine, *erm* it just breaks apart. So I’ve learnt to just let it go and let God. If this thing is meant for me, it will come back to me better than I started out with. It’s like saying Lord I want YOU to give me this, not me forcing it to be mine. Like the denim jeans example, if you force yourself into it, it will rip to bits, but when you finally fit into it, you’ll won’t know how it all happened (I am speaking from experience, I fit into them all now :)).

So don’t suffer in silence, and you are not an island. Wherever you hide yourself God is more than able to find you and send help to you. He loves you too too much, this time is only the refinery stage, and you’ll see the end result sooner than you think. You are just Fabulous.