...Jealousy is a very subtle- as small as a mustard- deathly and fleshy seed which takes root in the soil of a human's heart, further sprouting wildly like shrubs and weeds, choking the good(mulberry)tree from producing good fruits.
I have been a victim of the silly seeds of jealousy several times and as a matter of fact, I just uprooted one -while writing this post- because I know the effect of that terrible,very deadly seed.
Jealousy can ruin a very fruitful vine. From the seed of jealousy comes the branches called envy, hatred,bitterness, gossip, backbiting, pride(inability to take another person's achievement and a refusal to accept others as better than us), an unteachable spirit and many more.
Jealousy is such a destructive seed which can be sold to others at no cost. I sell fruits :), I supply to people,companies etc different kinds of seasonal fruits as a way of encouraging a healthy eating habit and living a fruitful life. If for instance I sell sour,spoilt fruits many stomachs would run. The same goes with the works of the flesh. Sell jealousy, hatred, pride, and all kinds of evil and produce death.
What has been the cause of most of the competition,bench marking et al in this world we live? It's the stinking seed of jealousy disguising as a way of life. For no substantial reason, we begin to "beef" people,slight them, criticise and condemn them even when our facts/rumours about them are unfounded. "Dem say, dem no say" is the MOST common one among Nigerians but if you follow the gist to the root,its all a hoax peddled against innocent victims.
The typical seeds of jealousy or hate in the hearts of people are as a result of other's landmarks, successes like "she's promoted, she's always in the circles of the high and mighty and I am not", "she's married,her husband pampers her and I'm not". "He owns houses, he's recognised everywhere he's known as the most brilliant, he receives awards and I don't." I have realised that all this has led men/women to doing jazz, witchcrafts, to consulting mediums,crystal balls and spirits. Jealousy has caused lies and betrayal to separate best friends and families ,innocent ones have been maimed and even assassinated.
Today, refute every seed of jealousy in your members. When you flip throw a magazine and you find an hour glass babe-meanwhile you're a size 18- wishing in the right side of your heart that you could be that slim, please take it in good faith and don't pass that sarcastic remark. If your effizy neighbour just bought the latest Toyota car while you're struggling with an old model Subaru, hold your hate and celebrate him except the source of his riches are questionable.
A litmus test: If you can't handle another person's progress, jealousy is taking root hence the need to be sincere to God. Personally,I've experienced this severally and almost always,I chant; "God I'm jealous,help me". Its a big shame on my flesh for nursing jealousy, humanly speaking jealousy can be a way of life but to the Lord its SIN. Whatever it is I haven't achieved now,will happen in God's time so no point fighting anyone who has made it before me.
Another simple way(and this has worked each time I try it) to avert those deathly seeds is to openly commend, bless and speak well of them from your heart.
May our God and Father help us to live a blameless life amen.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Naija problem in my opinion
After reading Ibhade's- Housewife tales- post(please look for hers and read) on her estate wahalas, it got me thinking so much about this country called Niger-area.
Hmm, IT IS WELL-though an awesome word in the scripture- is one unusually used cliche to wave off the obvious. But I choose not to lie to myself this morning that all is well because the problems are so glaringly ugly,irksome and sad. I may ramble abit but follow my flow keenly:
I'm not one person given to criticising nigeria because in all honesty I have a deep seated passion for her but this "fifty γεαr old-looking baby" at this moment needs to grow up. My sixty something γεαr old mum cannot be shitting in her pants nor my four γεαr old nephew,he knows he would be spanked. But it seems my dear Nigeria is like one country with all the shitty problems stuck to her pants. Its either government is reeling out a bla blah point agenda/propaganda on things its yet to achieve, or its passing bills into laws(laws yet to be properly effected) or efcc is-boring us with news on- diverse probes and arrest of Ex law makers or an ex-governor or ex-one somebody or the other. The cases never seem to have an end. Now how much has been recovered at least right from 1998(after the dictator passed)? How much of all the millions recovered from Swiss banks or stashed away has been used to build this country to International standard? I mean built to a point where NITEL(a government owned telecoms) provides cheap call rates and we can spend a while talking on phone and pay less? Or NIPOST(government owned postal service) is taking letters round Nigeria in less than forty eight hours, where at the Ports Authority goods are cleared,etc ASAP, where the railway corporation is working 2-4-7 and we won't need to fly bikes on major roads or struggle with rickety buses. Where immigration, customs, Police face their duties responsibly without oiling hands, where we won't have to sink our boreholes but fetch and drink water supplied by water corporation, where Nigeria Airways is the national carrier used by many with very sane air fares, where environmental Sanitation agencies clean every nook and cranny, clear gutters, empty dust bins and even provide bins in strategic places for people to throw refuse. I mean, where Fire service and emergency help lines are in order,not arriving one hour after a crisis.
Where this nation state as oil producers will sell PMS(premium motor spirit) and other petroleum products at an affordable rate; where government hospitals are equipped and people won't have to "kick the bucket" because of negligence and a care free attitude; where NEPA/PHCN supply uninterrupted power (and I weep right now) #hiss and all other like NTA, NN-acronym and NN-parastatals are JUST WORKING as it was when I was young....
My God, HAVE MERCY! This country should be a million miles away from where it is now.
Do I blame the government alone? NO! Should the government perform better than it is doing right now? An uncountable YES from me.
But do Nigerians need to change their perspective and comments made about this country?YES. Can we make constructive criticism and join hands to build than stand back saying; "Nigeria issue no concern me or I no wan get headache on top naija mata? YES.
Even if you live in the moon and your name is "Ada, Eno, Yetunde, Hassan, your roots will still be traced back to Nigeria, every time you hear there's fire in Niger Delta, killings in Aba/Onitsha or Northern Nigeria,you will hold your breathe making frantic calls, praying it doesn't reach your loved ones.
Don't mind my lamentation this early morning. Its Ibhade's write up that's made me think so deep and I've attached a paraphrased comment I dropped on hers;
"...No amount of the "it is well" cliche can change Nigeria except we all stand up and effect changes where we can. You may not agree with me here but I believe our attitude(everyone)MUST change if Nigeria is to be like the Western countries we compare it to. People live orderly lives there and choose to abide by laid down laws. If government isn't working hard at keeping Nigeria clean,some of us dirty it even more. You find stacks of refuse,bottles, pure water wraps,food wraps, name them in gutters and on streets. At times I marvel at how sane people can live in dingy squalors-365 days of their lives- waiting for government to come and clean their immediate environs. I pass by some restaurants, stalls in the market and almost puke.
We live like lawless people always waiting for the government. Now who's the government?There are you and me who get into power and suddenly lose sight of their duties and problems in the land. There are those civil servants, neighbours etc who are dispassionate, lackadaisical,non chalant and passive about their jobs.
Our attitude must change as we play our part: Let's build our country with our words, Keep Nigeria clean, don't throw things on the road like a woman I sat with today who flung her gum on the road. In fact throwing things on the road and in gutters is a plague(sane educated or literate people throw gala wraps and bottles out of their cars). We need to learn/keep simple laws or make laws to guide you e.g queue up everywhere and don't jump the line, obey traffic rules etc."
I don't mean to be pessimistic or sound critical,but I'm stating the facts while looking to God the final judge for help. As Ezekiel in the 37th Chapter was led to the valley of dry bones, I stand there now looking at my dear country like those bones saying LORD thou knowest what will become of this country in five years but I speak to the dry bones to LIVE amen. I pray you Lord to scatter the cabals, dissolve caucus and godfathers surrounding the seat of power hindering progress.
I know without a shadow of doubt that Nigeria is a few steps away from change and it shall stand amen.
I say as provoked;
"NIGERIA shall FLOURISH again amen. "
Hmm, IT IS WELL-though an awesome word in the scripture- is one unusually used cliche to wave off the obvious. But I choose not to lie to myself this morning that all is well because the problems are so glaringly ugly,irksome and sad. I may ramble abit but follow my flow keenly:
I'm not one person given to criticising nigeria because in all honesty I have a deep seated passion for her but this "fifty γεαr old-looking baby" at this moment needs to grow up. My sixty something γεαr old mum cannot be shitting in her pants nor my four γεαr old nephew,he knows he would be spanked. But it seems my dear Nigeria is like one country with all the shitty problems stuck to her pants. Its either government is reeling out a bla blah point agenda/propaganda on things its yet to achieve, or its passing bills into laws(laws yet to be properly effected) or efcc is-boring us with news on- diverse probes and arrest of Ex law makers or an ex-governor or ex-one somebody or the other. The cases never seem to have an end. Now how much has been recovered at least right from 1998(after the dictator passed)? How much of all the millions recovered from Swiss banks or stashed away has been used to build this country to International standard? I mean built to a point where NITEL(a government owned telecoms) provides cheap call rates and we can spend a while talking on phone and pay less? Or NIPOST(government owned postal service) is taking letters round Nigeria in less than forty eight hours, where at the Ports Authority goods are cleared,etc ASAP, where the railway corporation is working 2-4-7 and we won't need to fly bikes on major roads or struggle with rickety buses. Where immigration, customs, Police face their duties responsibly without oiling hands, where we won't have to sink our boreholes but fetch and drink water supplied by water corporation, where Nigeria Airways is the national carrier used by many with very sane air fares, where environmental Sanitation agencies clean every nook and cranny, clear gutters, empty dust bins and even provide bins in strategic places for people to throw refuse. I mean, where Fire service and emergency help lines are in order,not arriving one hour after a crisis.
Where this nation state as oil producers will sell PMS(premium motor spirit) and other petroleum products at an affordable rate; where government hospitals are equipped and people won't have to "kick the bucket" because of negligence and a care free attitude; where NEPA/PHCN supply uninterrupted power (and I weep right now) #hiss and all other like NTA, NN-acronym and NN-parastatals are JUST WORKING as it was when I was young....
My God, HAVE MERCY! This country should be a million miles away from where it is now.
Do I blame the government alone? NO! Should the government perform better than it is doing right now? An uncountable YES from me.
But do Nigerians need to change their perspective and comments made about this country?YES. Can we make constructive criticism and join hands to build than stand back saying; "Nigeria issue no concern me or I no wan get headache on top naija mata? YES.
Even if you live in the moon and your name is "Ada, Eno, Yetunde, Hassan, your roots will still be traced back to Nigeria, every time you hear there's fire in Niger Delta, killings in Aba/Onitsha or Northern Nigeria,you will hold your breathe making frantic calls, praying it doesn't reach your loved ones.
Don't mind my lamentation this early morning. Its Ibhade's write up that's made me think so deep and I've attached a paraphrased comment I dropped on hers;
"...No amount of the "it is well" cliche can change Nigeria except we all stand up and effect changes where we can. You may not agree with me here but I believe our attitude(everyone)MUST change if Nigeria is to be like the Western countries we compare it to. People live orderly lives there and choose to abide by laid down laws. If government isn't working hard at keeping Nigeria clean,some of us dirty it even more. You find stacks of refuse,bottles, pure water wraps,food wraps, name them in gutters and on streets. At times I marvel at how sane people can live in dingy squalors-365 days of their lives- waiting for government to come and clean their immediate environs. I pass by some restaurants, stalls in the market and almost puke.
We live like lawless people always waiting for the government. Now who's the government?There are you and me who get into power and suddenly lose sight of their duties and problems in the land. There are those civil servants, neighbours etc who are dispassionate, lackadaisical,non chalant and passive about their jobs.
Our attitude must change as we play our part: Let's build our country with our words, Keep Nigeria clean, don't throw things on the road like a woman I sat with today who flung her gum on the road. In fact throwing things on the road and in gutters is a plague(sane educated or literate people throw gala wraps and bottles out of their cars). We need to learn/keep simple laws or make laws to guide you e.g queue up everywhere and don't jump the line, obey traffic rules etc."
I don't mean to be pessimistic or sound critical,but I'm stating the facts while looking to God the final judge for help. As Ezekiel in the 37th Chapter was led to the valley of dry bones, I stand there now looking at my dear country like those bones saying LORD thou knowest what will become of this country in five years but I speak to the dry bones to LIVE amen. I pray you Lord to scatter the cabals, dissolve caucus and godfathers surrounding the seat of power hindering progress.
I know without a shadow of doubt that Nigeria is a few steps away from change and it shall stand amen.
I say as provoked;
"NIGERIA shall FLOURISH again amen. "
Saturday, June 11, 2011
In a nutshell...
I've not had so much time this week and each time I think of what to write,so many thoughts cloud my mind. This week has been very interesting,extremely challenging and perhaps hectic. With time,I'd like to share on this blog my personal experiences-lessons learnt in a short period of time- as a new business person striving against the odds like power failure and immobility yet forging ahead like a rugged soldier.
Though this post isn't to talk about the business I do but I'll like to mention briefly: I am a "fruit supplier/seller LOL who's out to encourage healthy eating. I have started supplying companies fruits in bowls for lunch breaks and as a healthy snack for the health conscious folks. So if you live in the Lagos environ,have this in mind that we can cater for your events as well or supply fruits(either nicely chopped,or whole fruits in a basket) to you in the convenience of your home and offices. We are also getting ready to produce pure,fresh juices and smoothies in addition to our fruit baskets, fruit platters etc. We encourage people too BLESS homes with fruits as the healthiest and best gift idea because we know the essence of staying alive by munching fruits. I'd like to talk about the importance of most fruits subsequently.
My business page on facebook is: ENYBEES KIOSK and I can be reached via email:enybeeskiosk@gmail.com or on 07065561595 :D #marketingstrategy
I'd also like to share the link below with you for your perusal:
http://michaelhyatt.com/how-to-become-your-spouses-best-friend.html
Its an interesting read for married and intending couples to learn from. Happy reading.
Though this post isn't to talk about the business I do but I'll like to mention briefly: I am a "fruit supplier/seller LOL who's out to encourage healthy eating. I have started supplying companies fruits in bowls for lunch breaks and as a healthy snack for the health conscious folks. So if you live in the Lagos environ,have this in mind that we can cater for your events as well or supply fruits(either nicely chopped,or whole fruits in a basket) to you in the convenience of your home and offices. We are also getting ready to produce pure,fresh juices and smoothies in addition to our fruit baskets, fruit platters etc. We encourage people too BLESS homes with fruits as the healthiest and best gift idea because we know the essence of staying alive by munching fruits. I'd like to talk about the importance of most fruits subsequently.
My business page on facebook is: ENYBEES KIOSK and I can be reached via email:enybeeskiosk@gmail.com or on 07065561595 :D #marketingstrategy
I'd also like to share the link below with you for your perusal:
http://michaelhyatt.com/how-to-become-your-spouses-best-friend.html
Its an interesting read for married and intending couples to learn from. Happy reading.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Help! What's happening...
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.
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.
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.
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