Hello my dear blogspot friends,
The blogger bug just beat enybee's. I've been reading through certain blogs like Naijamum L's blog on "in my bags, read Dosh's "she lives..., read Sisi Yemmie's and Desperate Naija Woman's etc and I'm unable to comment. Its so painful I think :(
What do I do please?
Please Myne Whitman(my blog consultant and perhaps mentor,LOL) come to the rescue or anyone tell me what I need to do please. Help a sista out :-)
Thank you and great week y'all.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Be a blessing
Have you ever been stranded and you wished the man queuing in front of you or the woman sitting beside you in a bus could perceive your dire need? Yes I have experienced this severally. Sometimes it goes beyond physical needs to matters that touch the heart and reach to the soul.
What comes to my mind when I'm in need with no immediate help are: a "spirit of discernment and selflessness." To have this virtues means to know beyond your need,to reach out to other people as much as the power lies within you. To know without being informed of someone's challenges and how to offer help(it could be a short prayer, a phone call,an sms etc).
I know some days I'm so nasty and self centred that I would not give alms to a beggar or stop to meet a need as little as road direction. Sometimes, I'm boxed up in my world praying for me,myself and I. This is not to put myself down as unkind;I have those moments I render help on a bus,answer a question on the road, help a nursing mother and just go all out for people without a reward. I grin whenever I lend myself for another's good. But I want it to be part of my daily life- to be a blessing to others at no cost.
This life is woven around blessing-Love others as yourself-others as God teaches us to. If we must be Christ like,we must discern people's needs and lead selfless lives. We must know when to speak and not to,when to give,how to love,how to share, when to give a pat,a hug,a rebuke, counsel,instruction;how and when to sacrifice and understand people without them expressing their needs. This is simple religion at its best.
May God lead us daily to go out of our way,our problems and busy lives to bless a stranger and a loved one with a smile, money, kindness, a visit and all what not Amen.
What comes to my mind when I'm in need with no immediate help are: a "spirit of discernment and selflessness." To have this virtues means to know beyond your need,to reach out to other people as much as the power lies within you. To know without being informed of someone's challenges and how to offer help(it could be a short prayer, a phone call,an sms etc).
I know some days I'm so nasty and self centred that I would not give alms to a beggar or stop to meet a need as little as road direction. Sometimes, I'm boxed up in my world praying for me,myself and I. This is not to put myself down as unkind;I have those moments I render help on a bus,answer a question on the road, help a nursing mother and just go all out for people without a reward. I grin whenever I lend myself for another's good. But I want it to be part of my daily life- to be a blessing to others at no cost.
This life is woven around blessing-Love others as yourself-others as God teaches us to. If we must be Christ like,we must discern people's needs and lead selfless lives. We must know when to speak and not to,when to give,how to love,how to share, when to give a pat,a hug,a rebuke, counsel,instruction;how and when to sacrifice and understand people without them expressing their needs. This is simple religion at its best.
May God lead us daily to go out of our way,our problems and busy lives to bless a stranger and a loved one with a smile, money, kindness, a visit and all what not Amen.
Monday, May 23, 2011
And I shout ENOUGH
I have been this patient with life,waiting for a whole lot of dreams to come true. Recently, I realised that only the violent take it by force. I am surfing through the WORD in my head and right now, the host of my body I.e my intestinal members,my heart,mouth, hands,eyes and others are screaming; "LORD enough is enough." One of my favourite scriptures being the prayer of Jabez has popped up again on the screen of my life and I'm speaking out with authority;
"Lord enlarge, increase, break forth, open up, loose, bring to pass ALL I have patiently waited for. "
Even though I have a strong opinion that knowing God intimately is not(and will never be) all about "Bless me,bless me with shoe,car,house,clothes,money" etc. But material benefits are essential to life and are the other things added unto me to make life more comfortable at least Baba God no go gree me waka naked,he go cloth and shelter me.
The Bible also says; The Lord who redeemed Abraham says to His people; "My people will no longer pale with fear or be ashamed. For when they see their many children and material blessings, they will recognise the holiness of the Holy One of Israel. They will stand in awe of God. Those in error will then believe the truth, and those who constantly complain will accept instruction."
Whoever is reading this should know that MY TIME has come and it is NOW. Some benefits are long over due so I grab the hem of his garment, I hold unto Him in a wrestle bout,I persistently hold the tassels of the judge's robe like the widow in Luke 18 and I am saying like Jabez;
"Oh that you will bless me indeed&enlarge my coast&that your hand will be with me&that you would keep me from evil,that it may not grieve me. "
And God granted him (Jabez) that which he requested...a man once living in the sorrows of his mother's birthing circumstance, a man who's name clearly defined his future- Mr. SORROW PAIN! A man who was barely managing life,accepting the blows,whips and punches as the norm till he reached the peak and couldn't take it anymore.
Yes,trials and tribulations are definitely part of the Christian faith but they have their place. In his case, this was a self inflicted pain not the chastisement of the Lord. Until Jabez made a succinct decision to address them, he would have lived with that pain and sorrow all his life but he refused to let it be and refused to be subjected to his mother/family experiences. He called on the God of Heaven and the Almighty heard.
I Enobong Ita Ekpott is "holding fast to the promise,the word God has spoken to me. I speak to the mountains and I cast them into the sea. Aha, the set time to favour ENO has come, NOW is the set time. I take it by force, I call forth everything for this season of my life from the far ends of the earth. I walk on my high places. I break forth into loud singing, I am lifted from the dunghill into my high places. I shout out in praise saying ENOUGH of the limitations, I enlarge and bust at my seams. I spring up from the lowly places of incessant pain and walk boldly into the season of joy and celebration. It's no longer business as usual,I no longer manage the little space and I will henceforth not say; "what will be,will be". I say ENOUGH to all the status quo, to the past, enough of the mid night cry,pain,lack and its various siblings. Right now, I embrace life through Christ which he abundantly and freely bestowed on me. So,Eno is wealthy and is blessed on ALL sides amen.
And I pray for you who's reading; "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine on you; may He lift up his countenance upon you and bring peace. May your testimony be as loud and clear like Hannah's, Elizabeth's, Mary's, Lazarus', Sarah's, etc and may men rejoice with you in the only most powerful and ever reliable name of Jesus AMEN.
"Lord enlarge, increase, break forth, open up, loose, bring to pass ALL I have patiently waited for. "
Even though I have a strong opinion that knowing God intimately is not(and will never be) all about "Bless me,bless me with shoe,car,house,clothes,money" etc. But material benefits are essential to life and are the other things added unto me to make life more comfortable at least Baba God no go gree me waka naked,he go cloth and shelter me.
The Bible also says; The Lord who redeemed Abraham says to His people; "My people will no longer pale with fear or be ashamed. For when they see their many children and material blessings, they will recognise the holiness of the Holy One of Israel. They will stand in awe of God. Those in error will then believe the truth, and those who constantly complain will accept instruction."
Whoever is reading this should know that MY TIME has come and it is NOW. Some benefits are long over due so I grab the hem of his garment, I hold unto Him in a wrestle bout,I persistently hold the tassels of the judge's robe like the widow in Luke 18 and I am saying like Jabez;
"Oh that you will bless me indeed&enlarge my coast&that your hand will be with me&that you would keep me from evil,that it may not grieve me. "
And God granted him (Jabez) that which he requested...a man once living in the sorrows of his mother's birthing circumstance, a man who's name clearly defined his future- Mr. SORROW PAIN! A man who was barely managing life,accepting the blows,whips and punches as the norm till he reached the peak and couldn't take it anymore.
Yes,trials and tribulations are definitely part of the Christian faith but they have their place. In his case, this was a self inflicted pain not the chastisement of the Lord. Until Jabez made a succinct decision to address them, he would have lived with that pain and sorrow all his life but he refused to let it be and refused to be subjected to his mother/family experiences. He called on the God of Heaven and the Almighty heard.
I Enobong Ita Ekpott is "holding fast to the promise,the word God has spoken to me. I speak to the mountains and I cast them into the sea. Aha, the set time to favour ENO has come, NOW is the set time. I take it by force, I call forth everything for this season of my life from the far ends of the earth. I walk on my high places. I break forth into loud singing, I am lifted from the dunghill into my high places. I shout out in praise saying ENOUGH of the limitations, I enlarge and bust at my seams. I spring up from the lowly places of incessant pain and walk boldly into the season of joy and celebration. It's no longer business as usual,I no longer manage the little space and I will henceforth not say; "what will be,will be". I say ENOUGH to all the status quo, to the past, enough of the mid night cry,pain,lack and its various siblings. Right now, I embrace life through Christ which he abundantly and freely bestowed on me. So,Eno is wealthy and is blessed on ALL sides amen.
And I pray for you who's reading; "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine on you; may He lift up his countenance upon you and bring peace. May your testimony be as loud and clear like Hannah's, Elizabeth's, Mary's, Lazarus', Sarah's, etc and may men rejoice with you in the only most powerful and ever reliable name of Jesus AMEN.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
"Rejoice with those who rejoice"
I ran up the staircase and into my room gleefully,jumping and releasing some adrenaline. Then I paused and wondered what made me so enthralled and full of life? It was goodnews that greeted me this evening about a friend who's been married for some years now and is "with child". OMG I felt like the one carrying the miracle baby,no wonder Mary ran over to visit with Elizabeth as she heard the Lord had taken away her reproach. It's a celebration in anticipation of the bundle of joy and no devil can stop that "John, Samuel,Isaac, Joy or Jemimah" from coming forth amen.
Yesterday, I commended a friend who has an exceptionally habit of celebrating people. I have learned a lot from her and now, I consciously CHOOSE to celebrate with people without holding any hidden jealousy or envy. I realise that men who genuinely rejoice,support and stand by people are always blessed. I have come to know under the sun that people who despite their challenges celebrate others who have successful stories always reap what they have sown in multiple folds. I am reading one of Rick Joyner's books where he shared a story of a pastor cum friend who had some jealousy rising in his heart for the former when he saw him with a new car while he was driving an old car. He recognised it and resolved to thank God for Joyner. A few weeks later,God visited him with a new car identical to Joyner's.
Every time you realise a critical spirit born out of jealousy or bitterness for another man's progress, please ask the Lord to douse that fire and fill your heart with joy. If you're single, an expectant mother, unemployed or challenged in anyway and you find someone whom you consider younger, less privileged,and the likes excelling ahead of you, please do not hesitate to celebrate with them. Don't moan or question God for being partial. Yes, its human to ask the Lord when your day of harvest is coming but let that not be on account of another man's day of rejoicing.
I have personally asked the Lord to help me celebrate with all my friends whom the Lord has blessed with good marriages, babies, homes, jobs, promotion, etc and refrain from tearing people down, criticising, back stabbing and expressing any negative spirits.
Some strategies I have adopted if I find streaks of jealousy are: praise(and not feigned eulogy) the person(s) who's attained a height I'm yet to reach, pray my heart out for them and support them in whatever way I can. That way, I'm free from "beef"while waiting for my own day to come.
So,I'm using this medium to celebrate all my friends getting married in May,June and July, I also celebrate with my sister who's just released her musical album. I celebrate with two dear friends who were "ICAN certified"-now Associate Chartered Accountants- on Wednesday;I'm celebrating with three couples who just received their bundle of joy(babies) and also celebrate with everyone who's reading this post in anticipation of their awesome testimonies. We shall come rejoicing, singing, dancing with loud songs of victory bringing in the sheaves.
Yesterday, I commended a friend who has an exceptionally habit of celebrating people. I have learned a lot from her and now, I consciously CHOOSE to celebrate with people without holding any hidden jealousy or envy. I realise that men who genuinely rejoice,support and stand by people are always blessed. I have come to know under the sun that people who despite their challenges celebrate others who have successful stories always reap what they have sown in multiple folds. I am reading one of Rick Joyner's books where he shared a story of a pastor cum friend who had some jealousy rising in his heart for the former when he saw him with a new car while he was driving an old car. He recognised it and resolved to thank God for Joyner. A few weeks later,God visited him with a new car identical to Joyner's.
Every time you realise a critical spirit born out of jealousy or bitterness for another man's progress, please ask the Lord to douse that fire and fill your heart with joy. If you're single, an expectant mother, unemployed or challenged in anyway and you find someone whom you consider younger, less privileged,and the likes excelling ahead of you, please do not hesitate to celebrate with them. Don't moan or question God for being partial. Yes, its human to ask the Lord when your day of harvest is coming but let that not be on account of another man's day of rejoicing.
I have personally asked the Lord to help me celebrate with all my friends whom the Lord has blessed with good marriages, babies, homes, jobs, promotion, etc and refrain from tearing people down, criticising, back stabbing and expressing any negative spirits.
Some strategies I have adopted if I find streaks of jealousy are: praise(and not feigned eulogy) the person(s) who's attained a height I'm yet to reach, pray my heart out for them and support them in whatever way I can. That way, I'm free from "beef"while waiting for my own day to come.
So,I'm using this medium to celebrate all my friends getting married in May,June and July, I also celebrate with my sister who's just released her musical album. I celebrate with two dear friends who were "ICAN certified"-now Associate Chartered Accountants- on Wednesday;I'm celebrating with three couples who just received their bundle of joy(babies) and also celebrate with everyone who's reading this post in anticipation of their awesome testimonies. We shall come rejoicing, singing, dancing with loud songs of victory bringing in the sheaves.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
IT IS FINISHED
Thank you "Maid of Heart/Histiara"(your blog blessed me) for reminding me that Jesus paid the ultimate price and no form of human striving and "flexing muscle" can pay the price again. Its relieving to know that its not by works lest I boast but GRACE....
I'm not particularly given to Easter celebrations but this period serves as a reminder to the finished work on Calvary. Easter assuredly ignites the reason we live and that reason is Christ but it's more than a Friday to Sunday in the month of April.
Jesus forgave all my sins and took them upon himself, covering me with His love. He is the gold and I am the wood--he blurs all my weaknesses with perfection- which is decked up into a beautiful piece of furniture all decked with purple, gold, and priestly(Kingly) apparel.
By the power of resurrection, Jesus gave me access to the Father, and I am alive with Him who forgave my sins once for all time and still forgives when I make silly mistakes. Anytime Satan strolls by to dig up my past or cook up lies to sway me again into bondage, I'm reminded that Jesus cancelled the record that contained the charges against me taking it and nailing it to Christ's cross.
When the devil rises like a flood, Jesus reminds me that He disarmed the evil authorities and rulers and made a public shame by victory over them on the cross. So I AM FREE no longer bound nor captive. By reason of the blood of Christ, I am brought near to God. I have peace with the Father and I am an heir to the throne with rights to the estate.
Now, I won't wait for another Easter to grab this truth or wait till then to read the accounts on the night of passover, his death and resurrection. I will always celebrate the cross daily because that's a sure symbol of my faith in Christ.
(References: Colossians 2:13-15;Ephesians 2:13)
I'm not particularly given to Easter celebrations but this period serves as a reminder to the finished work on Calvary. Easter assuredly ignites the reason we live and that reason is Christ but it's more than a Friday to Sunday in the month of April.
Jesus forgave all my sins and took them upon himself, covering me with His love. He is the gold and I am the wood--he blurs all my weaknesses with perfection- which is decked up into a beautiful piece of furniture all decked with purple, gold, and priestly(Kingly) apparel.
By the power of resurrection, Jesus gave me access to the Father, and I am alive with Him who forgave my sins once for all time and still forgives when I make silly mistakes. Anytime Satan strolls by to dig up my past or cook up lies to sway me again into bondage, I'm reminded that Jesus cancelled the record that contained the charges against me taking it and nailing it to Christ's cross.
When the devil rises like a flood, Jesus reminds me that He disarmed the evil authorities and rulers and made a public shame by victory over them on the cross. So I AM FREE no longer bound nor captive. By reason of the blood of Christ, I am brought near to God. I have peace with the Father and I am an heir to the throne with rights to the estate.
Now, I won't wait for another Easter to grab this truth or wait till then to read the accounts on the night of passover, his death and resurrection. I will always celebrate the cross daily because that's a sure symbol of my faith in Christ.
(References: Colossians 2:13-15;Ephesians 2:13)
Friday, April 15, 2011
"What's it about me"
How will writing "about me" (my autobiography)be complete if I cover up my flaws and weaknesses? It will never be a full story if I make the canvas look so clean and white yet the flip side is dark and crimson.
Oh grace has redeemed me from all my flaws and weaknesses though once in a while,I fall short of the glory and my life feels like a ridicule to me. People may not see those mistakes but my soul,spirit and body know how much I fall below the standards of righteousness.
Check this, in some years time,I will be spoken of as a go-getter, a risk-taker,a bold,courageous and pushful business mogul who's has righteous principles depicting the kingdom mentality but no one will ever say I was; "laid back,disobedient,jealous,judgmental, spiteful,selfish,stubborn, seldom lazy, proud, haughty, rebellious etc. All those will be pushed behind the scene because they don't make a great success story(and I agree they soil the scroll). I think that there's really nothing in my life worth hiding and if I need to tell people about them, I sure will. I also believe all my mistakes are essential for growth and -whether anyone disagrees with me- they are useful for my purpose in life. Everything that I have experienced in life- the good and bad- were destined to happen and God is in them all.
Please get me right,I don't mean to celebrate my weaknesses here and make a mockery of the work Providence did, I wish to say that the story of my life will never be carved out on a canvas to look so superficial and perfect without encouraging all and sundry how I failed in Secondary school and Uni; how I refused to submit to constituted authority and how I back beat my friends,quarrelled with some and never ever agreed with certain many. How I broke laws, messed myself, and made jest of people or had a rough season with my father and made uncountable false starts before the light of his glory shone on my path and drowned all the gory issues of the past.
It won't make a good story till I tell the world about my past and how I was saved by grace- though its "past" and gone, there's a learning for people who think its a way that seems right and cool but leads to death. I will make them know that HE picked me from a miry clay and made me into vessel he can use.
And for keeps to His glory,the potter worked through me once again.
In retrospect, no great warrior started off at the pinnacle, they were raised from the sheep pen, out of the dust and waste places, from the wilderness and prison yards. Some were found in unknown lands and others lifted out of the whore's womb. That part of their story we read in a hurry because it sounds "yuckish" and murky but we stump our feet in celebration when the clergy hypes their victory story.
Watch this,Providence carefully uses the foolish things born in a manger, born in obscurity and hidden in a nile born into the least tribes and conceived in an adulterous union but raised up to assume kingly positions. Yes,they made Headlines in their day .e.g."The prostitute now living among God's people";"the son of a Prostitute now a great warrior","Son of an adulterous relationship emerged king"; an orphan gets the kings approval and becomes his queen" etc.
We read their raw,unedited and unmasked life as it was.
I also realise how much I love to identify with such people who started life like it would tear them to shreds yet they emerged like that dreamer who saw the sun,moon and 11 stars bow to him yet passed through the prison yard or is it he who lived in the fields tending sheep and smelling dung or the one who slept on classroom desks because he had no where to lay his head?
How will you speak of the world's richest men without mentioning their failures?
On my paternal grandpa's tomb is written; "Here lies a great man of achievement" while that statement sounds true, he went through very challenging faces of life. His greatest achievement for me is hearing the Highest call and living for the king of glory,the immortal and invisible Lord of all the earth.
In my lifetime, just as my late Grandpa and other successful people, I want to be known as a woman who lived an excellent life glorifying my Creator while using every part of my life-including the good, bad and ugly- to encourage anyone who's gone through the bumps, curves, forks and thistles I have ever(and I am still going through he quarry) experienced.
Oh grace has redeemed me from all my flaws and weaknesses though once in a while,I fall short of the glory and my life feels like a ridicule to me. People may not see those mistakes but my soul,spirit and body know how much I fall below the standards of righteousness.
Check this, in some years time,I will be spoken of as a go-getter, a risk-taker,a bold,courageous and pushful business mogul who's has righteous principles depicting the kingdom mentality but no one will ever say I was; "laid back,disobedient,jealous,judgmental, spiteful,selfish,stubborn, seldom lazy, proud, haughty, rebellious etc. All those will be pushed behind the scene because they don't make a great success story(and I agree they soil the scroll). I think that there's really nothing in my life worth hiding and if I need to tell people about them, I sure will. I also believe all my mistakes are essential for growth and -whether anyone disagrees with me- they are useful for my purpose in life. Everything that I have experienced in life- the good and bad- were destined to happen and God is in them all.
Please get me right,I don't mean to celebrate my weaknesses here and make a mockery of the work Providence did, I wish to say that the story of my life will never be carved out on a canvas to look so superficial and perfect without encouraging all and sundry how I failed in Secondary school and Uni; how I refused to submit to constituted authority and how I back beat my friends,quarrelled with some and never ever agreed with certain many. How I broke laws, messed myself, and made jest of people or had a rough season with my father and made uncountable false starts before the light of his glory shone on my path and drowned all the gory issues of the past.
It won't make a good story till I tell the world about my past and how I was saved by grace- though its "past" and gone, there's a learning for people who think its a way that seems right and cool but leads to death. I will make them know that HE picked me from a miry clay and made me into vessel he can use.
And for keeps to His glory,the potter worked through me once again.
In retrospect, no great warrior started off at the pinnacle, they were raised from the sheep pen, out of the dust and waste places, from the wilderness and prison yards. Some were found in unknown lands and others lifted out of the whore's womb. That part of their story we read in a hurry because it sounds "yuckish" and murky but we stump our feet in celebration when the clergy hypes their victory story.
Watch this,Providence carefully uses the foolish things born in a manger, born in obscurity and hidden in a nile born into the least tribes and conceived in an adulterous union but raised up to assume kingly positions. Yes,they made Headlines in their day .e.g."The prostitute now living among God's people";"the son of a Prostitute now a great warrior","Son of an adulterous relationship emerged king"; an orphan gets the kings approval and becomes his queen" etc.
We read their raw,unedited and unmasked life as it was.
I also realise how much I love to identify with such people who started life like it would tear them to shreds yet they emerged like that dreamer who saw the sun,moon and 11 stars bow to him yet passed through the prison yard or is it he who lived in the fields tending sheep and smelling dung or the one who slept on classroom desks because he had no where to lay his head?
How will you speak of the world's richest men without mentioning their failures?
On my paternal grandpa's tomb is written; "Here lies a great man of achievement" while that statement sounds true, he went through very challenging faces of life. His greatest achievement for me is hearing the Highest call and living for the king of glory,the immortal and invisible Lord of all the earth.
In my lifetime, just as my late Grandpa and other successful people, I want to be known as a woman who lived an excellent life glorifying my Creator while using every part of my life-including the good, bad and ugly- to encourage anyone who's gone through the bumps, curves, forks and thistles I have ever(and I am still going through he quarry) experienced.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)