Hmm,
Who sells the "Kparaga"(hard drink) under the bridges? A woman!
Who runs the beer parlours and mans them(at least 60% of the time)? A woman?
Who services the men who drive thro Island, and those regular pick up joints? A woman
Who is used like a water cistern and dumped like whet tissue? The woman
Who plays the harlot and is stoned after each round? The woman
Who bears the brunt of domestic violence,sexual abuse and rape? The woman
Who is thrown out of the home at the death of a spouse and is subjected to despicable tradition? The woman
Who is made to cower under dark clothes and is not allowed to table an opinion? The woman
Who feels the guilt and covers up in shame? The woman
She is the WOMB-man,
Created from His rib.
And bearing the seed-"man-child"
She is an essential work of creation.
She is not a second class citizen nor a feminist;
She is who GOD formed her to be-
A companion, a thinker and a HELP suitable for the man.
She is not a loose piece of cloth,
But an embodiment of knowledge.
She is a valuable piece of fine stone,
Carved out to shine through a man.
She is an honourable woman;
Who fears the Lord.
She is a praying woman
Who stands on the watch towers to intercede for her home.
She perhaps has flaws
Though repairable she is,
But is a joy to many generations;
Her works will be spoken of to many generations.
She is a virtuous woman
And she can be found.
She is not a heap of rubble (though may ooze with stinking weaknesses)
Within her lies springs of living water to wash her clean.
Treat her as gold, and she will sparkle;
Pamper her and her fragrance will change.
Show her extravagant love and her face will beam with smiles.
Soothe her with patience and the best of her will be revealed.
Treated her as weaker vessel
Because the Lord made her so.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
BREAKTHROUGH!
On the cool Sunday afternoon, I played some songs from Don Moen's collections and when I got to a particular song titled BREAKTHROUGH, in the Album “Hiding Place”, I paused and listened intently to every expression amidst tears till I was LIFTED .Then I borrowed certain words to express how I felt before the LORD- though broke with a lot of bills to settle, with some plans seeming so bleak and awaiting response- and in that state I wrote the words below to encourage a reader,perhaps to emphasise that God, our Father in the midst of us is mighty and all our challenges is still in line with His eternal purpose for our lives. I implore that you praise Him CONSTANTLY:
Breakthrough when life doesn’t make sense,
Breakthrough Lord, when the WORD is mere black and white and nothing more.
Breakthrough the status quo and every limitations;
Breakthrough our past failures and people’s opinion confining us.
Breakthrough when the songs do not sound like praise but a dirge.
Breakthrough Lord, when we wonder where the next meal will come from, when the bills will be paid and the debts appear as mountains;
Breakthrough the evil medical cum bad reports, dead situations until we see life spring forth
Break through hopelessness.
Breakthrough our unbelief and myopia
Breakthrough our shame and our frailties Lord;
till our humanity receive divinity, Father do not let us stay here,
Call us hither till we see your face.
Father breakthrough our hardened hearts and wipe the tears
Breakthrough barrenness and delays till we sing your songs in a strange land,
Until we see you face to face.
Breakthrough till we see the brightness of the morning
Until Jesus is revealed and our faith is unshaken and FOUND in you,
{And in the words of a friend}: till we sing our songs arrayed in royal cloaks and wear our crowns in strange lands, Lord Breakthrough;
BREAKTHROUGH till all we SING IS YOU amen.
Breakthrough when life doesn’t make sense,
Breakthrough Lord, when the WORD is mere black and white and nothing more.
Breakthrough the status quo and every limitations;
Breakthrough our past failures and people’s opinion confining us.
Breakthrough when the songs do not sound like praise but a dirge.
Breakthrough Lord, when we wonder where the next meal will come from, when the bills will be paid and the debts appear as mountains;
Breakthrough the evil medical cum bad reports, dead situations until we see life spring forth
Break through hopelessness.
Breakthrough our unbelief and myopia
Breakthrough our shame and our frailties Lord;
till our humanity receive divinity, Father do not let us stay here,
Call us hither till we see your face.
Father breakthrough our hardened hearts and wipe the tears
Breakthrough barrenness and delays till we sing your songs in a strange land,
Until we see you face to face.
Breakthrough till we see the brightness of the morning
Until Jesus is revealed and our faith is unshaken and FOUND in you,
{And in the words of a friend}: till we sing our songs arrayed in royal cloaks and wear our crowns in strange lands, Lord Breakthrough;
BREAKTHROUGH till all we SING IS YOU amen.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My sincerest Love letter to God(with emergency response)
I woke up on February 14 with a genuine desire to get married with absolutely little or no feelings for Valentine. Though every red paintings, decorations and the day's activity blazed into my eyes, my innermost NEED is to have and to hold for better for poorer, in sickness and health till forever amen.
Customarily, I send several text messages to the man who's thrown me off my donkey and made this time in my life really meaningful. Its so sweet to love,the mystery of love(not fantasies or lust) lies with God who understands when a man loves a woman. I have never felt this loved and so taken off guard,I have had relationships in the past which I was partially committed to. My dear friends way back in University told me I was as hard as "rocks"(un emotional and in charge). All that was a farce or a mirage of the real me.
From the beginning of this month,I have been on a love spree not minding if its called the love month though I wanted my man to realize how red my heart is and to shock myself how much I can walk a thousand miles for a man who doesn't always love but also annoys me to the point where I refuse his calls(all nah yanga,"gra-gra" posing for attention). As a matter of fact, I choke the life out of him(so he says) and that makes him feel so accepted and so wanted. Yeah, that's no" cheapening"(making me lose my worth) myself but makes love a two way thing as Christ is to the church. He loves me more I think but he says I love him more than he does...whatever we just love!
But somewhere in the day while reading a certain mind blowing book, I stumbled on a part that addressed making life decisions(including marriage), my heart skipped and fear came knocking. I took time to meditate on the reasons I love this particular man not another?
Yeah, I am a full grown woman,very ripe to have a home yet crippled by fear. I hear or read people's experiences and wonder at love?I used to think I'm a love maestro until I realised how stiff I am with a man. I do not let my guards down so easily, I am so aware of my environment meaning I could jump in and jump out without a crease on my heart(all lies because I hurt).
So, I scribbled a love note to God the way I could express myself-with sobriety and pain that at some point I knelt down, I stretched out on the floor, I paced the room and I hardly remembered food.
I wrote some letters in three different ways: first repenting for all my past, second(the ONLY one I'd share here) listing some fears I've had and third was some deep self discovery.
Lo! the letter to God:
"Lord, its not time to beat myself for running into love and I'm sure its not a mistake I chose to love a man. You encouraged me to look on the brighter side of my past experiences. Though I've goofed a lot of times, made choices with my head and run ahead of you several times, I'm clean now and following you the best I can.
I've sat on a horse weigh too long taking all the time in my world to alight. I've dictated to you and refused to be "tweakable" to the demands of love. I'm too proud to beg and extremely set in my ways to let a man ruffle shoulders with me. I've carried mama's attitude not to allow a man mess with me neither am I supposed to love him more or quickly reveal the love I have for him. I have believed the old wives myths of not allowing a man access me till he's spent, covertly accepted worldly standards of love-to say "No" even if it should be a "Yes" until he's licked the soles of my feet trekked through deserts,sweated up and down Mount Everest as a prove of his undying love. I have secretly endorsed lying philosophies about men and agreed with some feminist moves about the L.O.V.E(some say single women should not be too available to a a man,while loving less). All of these are detrimental to the God kind of love you so desire I imbibe and embrace and these lies contribute to my staying on the same mountain all γεαr round. I have a misconstrued ideology of not letting a man know I love him because of someone's exaggerated analysis on men,even swallowed "panadol" for another babe's heartache, worn my neighbour's over sized jacket about men taking advantage of women therefore permitting all the negative experiences of marriage and divorce permeate my soul.
So Father I am here, an amateur lover who has the poetic skills and rhymes but so new to love. I confess I neither know how to or keep love. I have the words but lack the oil to lubricate the engine when in crisis. I am like a snail when there's a misunderstanding, my shell is safe to stay alone throwing tantrums and acting like a baby. I have a masters in frowning and a PH.d for mood swing when there are scores to settle....
But
Father, I won't stay this way with a long list of who I am not supposed to be again. That was my sordid past and this is a new day for me to be a new creation. I am before you weeping till I'm changed. I want to love so true and love the way you directed us to. I am like a dissected animal open to learning. I need YOU then I can love my man.
I drop all false pattern of marriage picked from home, friends and neighbours. I lay aside selfish attitudes, the ME and only me nature, the subtle opinionated,domineering and wanting to stay in charge syndrome.
Take away independence, impatience, sarcasm, coldness and stubbornness. Don't allow that in ten years time,I'm bored stiff with marriage and regrets of settling for this man. Today(my deliverance has come), I shall love genuinely and wholly without prejudice or greed. I shall have the ONLY true pattern of love found in Christ and not man's experience.
Make every moment exciting for me to stay married. Let me enjoy marriage no matter the bumps, thorns and poodles we encounter. As we get to a fork or detour, help us to stop, ponder and wait for you to lead and guide us with your eyes. Let us trust each other for life knowing we are but frail and fallible.
Make me handy, homely and virtuous that he will long to run home to me forever more amen. "
As theoretical as my prayers sound, its the reality of who I have been all these while and today, I have found SALVATION and I'm now so ready to take the baton as a wife to the man who's made me love like the newest mad woman in town. The goodnews: I will marry Him!
Customarily, I send several text messages to the man who's thrown me off my donkey and made this time in my life really meaningful. Its so sweet to love,the mystery of love(not fantasies or lust) lies with God who understands when a man loves a woman. I have never felt this loved and so taken off guard,I have had relationships in the past which I was partially committed to. My dear friends way back in University told me I was as hard as "rocks"(un emotional and in charge). All that was a farce or a mirage of the real me.
From the beginning of this month,I have been on a love spree not minding if its called the love month though I wanted my man to realize how red my heart is and to shock myself how much I can walk a thousand miles for a man who doesn't always love but also annoys me to the point where I refuse his calls(all nah yanga,"gra-gra" posing for attention). As a matter of fact, I choke the life out of him(so he says) and that makes him feel so accepted and so wanted. Yeah, that's no" cheapening"(making me lose my worth) myself but makes love a two way thing as Christ is to the church. He loves me more I think but he says I love him more than he does...whatever we just love!
But somewhere in the day while reading a certain mind blowing book, I stumbled on a part that addressed making life decisions(including marriage), my heart skipped and fear came knocking. I took time to meditate on the reasons I love this particular man not another?
Yeah, I am a full grown woman,very ripe to have a home yet crippled by fear. I hear or read people's experiences and wonder at love?I used to think I'm a love maestro until I realised how stiff I am with a man. I do not let my guards down so easily, I am so aware of my environment meaning I could jump in and jump out without a crease on my heart(all lies because I hurt).
So, I scribbled a love note to God the way I could express myself-with sobriety and pain that at some point I knelt down, I stretched out on the floor, I paced the room and I hardly remembered food.
I wrote some letters in three different ways: first repenting for all my past, second(the ONLY one I'd share here) listing some fears I've had and third was some deep self discovery.
Lo! the letter to God:
"Lord, its not time to beat myself for running into love and I'm sure its not a mistake I chose to love a man. You encouraged me to look on the brighter side of my past experiences. Though I've goofed a lot of times, made choices with my head and run ahead of you several times, I'm clean now and following you the best I can.
I've sat on a horse weigh too long taking all the time in my world to alight. I've dictated to you and refused to be "tweakable" to the demands of love. I'm too proud to beg and extremely set in my ways to let a man ruffle shoulders with me. I've carried mama's attitude not to allow a man mess with me neither am I supposed to love him more or quickly reveal the love I have for him. I have believed the old wives myths of not allowing a man access me till he's spent, covertly accepted worldly standards of love-to say "No" even if it should be a "Yes" until he's licked the soles of my feet trekked through deserts,sweated up and down Mount Everest as a prove of his undying love. I have secretly endorsed lying philosophies about men and agreed with some feminist moves about the L.O.V.E(some say single women should not be too available to a a man,while loving less). All of these are detrimental to the God kind of love you so desire I imbibe and embrace and these lies contribute to my staying on the same mountain all γεαr round. I have a misconstrued ideology of not letting a man know I love him because of someone's exaggerated analysis on men,even swallowed "panadol" for another babe's heartache, worn my neighbour's over sized jacket about men taking advantage of women therefore permitting all the negative experiences of marriage and divorce permeate my soul.
So Father I am here, an amateur lover who has the poetic skills and rhymes but so new to love. I confess I neither know how to or keep love. I have the words but lack the oil to lubricate the engine when in crisis. I am like a snail when there's a misunderstanding, my shell is safe to stay alone throwing tantrums and acting like a baby. I have a masters in frowning and a PH.d for mood swing when there are scores to settle....
But
Father, I won't stay this way with a long list of who I am not supposed to be again. That was my sordid past and this is a new day for me to be a new creation. I am before you weeping till I'm changed. I want to love so true and love the way you directed us to. I am like a dissected animal open to learning. I need YOU then I can love my man.
I drop all false pattern of marriage picked from home, friends and neighbours. I lay aside selfish attitudes, the ME and only me nature, the subtle opinionated,domineering and wanting to stay in charge syndrome.
Take away independence, impatience, sarcasm, coldness and stubbornness. Don't allow that in ten years time,I'm bored stiff with marriage and regrets of settling for this man. Today(my deliverance has come), I shall love genuinely and wholly without prejudice or greed. I shall have the ONLY true pattern of love found in Christ and not man's experience.
Make every moment exciting for me to stay married. Let me enjoy marriage no matter the bumps, thorns and poodles we encounter. As we get to a fork or detour, help us to stop, ponder and wait for you to lead and guide us with your eyes. Let us trust each other for life knowing we are but frail and fallible.
Make me handy, homely and virtuous that he will long to run home to me forever more amen. "
As theoretical as my prayers sound, its the reality of who I have been all these while and today, I have found SALVATION and I'm now so ready to take the baton as a wife to the man who's made me love like the newest mad woman in town. The goodnews: I will marry Him!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A Trip to the marketplace!
Today I went by the market to fix my pair of "good" shoes(I call it good cos I bought it with money I could have used for better things) and as I sat at the cobblers shop, I took time to study the marketplace. These men and women are everyday people like you and me,who wake up daily with some element of optimism and persistence to life. They have hope in the day's business,plan on how to close deals,make profit and will not quit because of yesterday's loss or recession. They are "go-getters", resilient, resolute,rugged and thick skinned able to accommodate blows and punches(such an uncanny ability I covet).
I watched the cobblers hang out their shoes and set up their office, shop owners putting out clothes,wares and tidying their shops, a printer cleaning up his tools to start screen printing etc. I watched them like the famous story of a man led to the Potter's shop and learned a salient lesson. These sellers believe and have hope. They do not choose the easy,comfortable side of life, they are fighters, they persevere and keep keeping on. They prefer to sit infront of their stalls probably chattering away and calling out to buyers,expecting just one customer rather than retreat at home musing over life. They won't give up because yesterday's sells were slow or business has been terrible, they keep trying determined today would be better than yesterday.
The cobblers were so busy cutting designs, carving skin and sewing shoes. They do not look sombre. They go about the day's work with diligence and so much zeal.
The lesson learnt is: DON'T GIVE UP, as simple as these sentence is, its powerful! Stay in the battle and fight in good faith with unimaginable joy. In my case, I'd say to all and sundry, pray without giving up, hold the anchor like its the last thread of hope and be joyful even though the fig tree has not blossomed. Yes, I can attest to the fact that life can throw you off the boat to a wreck but I implore we GRAB the anchor though the waters surge and the winds rage almost swallowing you up, HOLD on tightly till the waters cede and calmness of the eventide set in.
I watched the cobblers hang out their shoes and set up their office, shop owners putting out clothes,wares and tidying their shops, a printer cleaning up his tools to start screen printing etc. I watched them like the famous story of a man led to the Potter's shop and learned a salient lesson. These sellers believe and have hope. They do not choose the easy,comfortable side of life, they are fighters, they persevere and keep keeping on. They prefer to sit infront of their stalls probably chattering away and calling out to buyers,expecting just one customer rather than retreat at home musing over life. They won't give up because yesterday's sells were slow or business has been terrible, they keep trying determined today would be better than yesterday.
The cobblers were so busy cutting designs, carving skin and sewing shoes. They do not look sombre. They go about the day's work with diligence and so much zeal.
The lesson learnt is: DON'T GIVE UP, as simple as these sentence is, its powerful! Stay in the battle and fight in good faith with unimaginable joy. In my case, I'd say to all and sundry, pray without giving up, hold the anchor like its the last thread of hope and be joyful even though the fig tree has not blossomed. Yes, I can attest to the fact that life can throw you off the boat to a wreck but I implore we GRAB the anchor though the waters surge and the winds rage almost swallowing you up, HOLD on tightly till the waters cede and calmness of the eventide set in.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
A weary soul
Lord "Shepherd" me lovingly
And Father me in your mercy.
Give me not to Pharisees lest they throw me in the dust
smashing me with stones of condemnation.
Though you grieve at my disobedience,
Forgive me like only you can-surely only you can L♥√ع me.
Take away the idols i bow to;
Control my yearning for them and keep my body, soul,
spirit and mind to honour you.
Lord hold me in your arms;
Let me feel safe in your steadfast love.
Uncover my sins and cleanse me with blood.
Wash me O God from intentional mistakes and approve me.
Remind me of your loving kindness and caress me till
I'm filled with your love.
Take away the guilt and shame lest the drown my faith and grace,
Show me favour and unlock my Heavens for abundant blessings this season.
Lord help me to see you and only you.
Deliver me from the voice of strangers and the sneer of men'
Keep me safe from evil guiding my steps in your will.
Do not give me up to my stubborn ways but rock me while I wait for you.
Sing me a love song till I'm resting peacefully as a baby.
Lovingly take my hands off the oxen while I let you tread the corn.
Enable me to offload all the burdens and worries plaguing my heart and
Help me to depend wholly as I find rest in you.
Amen!
And Father me in your mercy.
Give me not to Pharisees lest they throw me in the dust
smashing me with stones of condemnation.
Though you grieve at my disobedience,
Forgive me like only you can-surely only you can L♥√ع me.
Take away the idols i bow to;
Control my yearning for them and keep my body, soul,
spirit and mind to honour you.
Lord hold me in your arms;
Let me feel safe in your steadfast love.
Uncover my sins and cleanse me with blood.
Wash me O God from intentional mistakes and approve me.
Remind me of your loving kindness and caress me till
I'm filled with your love.
Take away the guilt and shame lest the drown my faith and grace,
Show me favour and unlock my Heavens for abundant blessings this season.
Lord help me to see you and only you.
Deliver me from the voice of strangers and the sneer of men'
Keep me safe from evil guiding my steps in your will.
Do not give me up to my stubborn ways but rock me while I wait for you.
Sing me a love song till I'm resting peacefully as a baby.
Lovingly take my hands off the oxen while I let you tread the corn.
Enable me to offload all the burdens and worries plaguing my heart and
Help me to depend wholly as I find rest in you.
Amen!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Mixed emotions-Praise God i tell myself
Some days ago, I could hear my heart cry loud, I could feel the heavy tear drops but my eyes were dry and I still wore a calm demeanour. My heart bled and my soul was thirsty but I chose to take courage in God. I could feel a deep frustration about so many things but my response was;"I know God STILL and can...."
I was a bit pensive, sober, restive and disturbed but in my usual God-orchestrated manner SURE of God. I mean it got to a point I should question God and believe the arch enemy's lies that God can not carry all upon his shoulders and he will not fulfil all that concerns me. I was forced to feel that "afflictions" have a salient way of repeating itself over and again BUT I have HOPE in God that all HIS WORDS prove true and the pains and sorrow will not rise up a second nor an umpteenth time amen.
In my muse some days ago, I felt no one cared for me(still the enemy's lies) but the LORD made me see that each person I look up to has a challenge, a struggle and a hurdle to overcome so I should look to Him. My good friend would always say to me; "Eno,LOOK UP". He is the ONLY author and finisher of our faith and it's in Him we live, move and have our being. Therefore, vain is the help of man. Men can rally round but they will not fill the vacuum meant for God.
Now I imagine how Paul and Silas sang and prayed in the face of trials, seeing the prison doors locked against them but hoping in God to deliver them. They may not have sung for freedom from unjust jailing but to let the inmates know that God remains God in good and gory times. So I got myself to praise God-it was not pleasant yet I did-not because I'm waiting for "sudden" results though I wouldn't mind if the answers came instantly but because he remains the unquestionable God.
Praise the Lord I told myself and praise the Lord I will keep telling myself.I will not resort to self pity nor allow anyone do so. If anyone should, let it be God.
Today as I write, God showed me some powerful scriptures spoken through David. One says;
"O my people trust in me at all times. Pour out your heart to me for I,God am your refuge. He said to me; "I have spoken once and many times have you heard me,Power belongs to me and I say to God; "Unfailing love belongs to you(paraphrase mine)".
In gratitude I also read another Psalm; "Lord you crown the year with a bountiful harvest;even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The wilderness becomes a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy! Amen.
I owe God all the gratitude for a well spent 2010 even though some fig trees have not blossomed, there is hope for 2011. I particularly thank God for life, I am not six foot down voiceless,ripped to skeletons and confined to grave clothes. I am alive and I rejoice. The troubles of today shall not overwhelm me neither are they to be compared with the glory I shall receive. I can only say; " I shall emerge with testimonies"
Praise God I tell myself!!!
I was a bit pensive, sober, restive and disturbed but in my usual God-orchestrated manner SURE of God. I mean it got to a point I should question God and believe the arch enemy's lies that God can not carry all upon his shoulders and he will not fulfil all that concerns me. I was forced to feel that "afflictions" have a salient way of repeating itself over and again BUT I have HOPE in God that all HIS WORDS prove true and the pains and sorrow will not rise up a second nor an umpteenth time amen.
In my muse some days ago, I felt no one cared for me(still the enemy's lies) but the LORD made me see that each person I look up to has a challenge, a struggle and a hurdle to overcome so I should look to Him. My good friend would always say to me; "Eno,LOOK UP". He is the ONLY author and finisher of our faith and it's in Him we live, move and have our being. Therefore, vain is the help of man. Men can rally round but they will not fill the vacuum meant for God.
Now I imagine how Paul and Silas sang and prayed in the face of trials, seeing the prison doors locked against them but hoping in God to deliver them. They may not have sung for freedom from unjust jailing but to let the inmates know that God remains God in good and gory times. So I got myself to praise God-it was not pleasant yet I did-not because I'm waiting for "sudden" results though I wouldn't mind if the answers came instantly but because he remains the unquestionable God.
Praise the Lord I told myself and praise the Lord I will keep telling myself.I will not resort to self pity nor allow anyone do so. If anyone should, let it be God.
Today as I write, God showed me some powerful scriptures spoken through David. One says;
"O my people trust in me at all times. Pour out your heart to me for I,God am your refuge. He said to me; "I have spoken once and many times have you heard me,Power belongs to me and I say to God; "Unfailing love belongs to you(paraphrase mine)".
In gratitude I also read another Psalm; "Lord you crown the year with a bountiful harvest;even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The wilderness becomes a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy! Amen.
I owe God all the gratitude for a well spent 2010 even though some fig trees have not blossomed, there is hope for 2011. I particularly thank God for life, I am not six foot down voiceless,ripped to skeletons and confined to grave clothes. I am alive and I rejoice. The troubles of today shall not overwhelm me neither are they to be compared with the glory I shall receive. I can only say; " I shall emerge with testimonies"
Praise God I tell myself!!!
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