We often wonder if God loves us, at least I know I ask myself that a few times. When we ask ourselves, it is often because we are going through a challenge and wondering why God hasn't come to save us yet and then He does, and then we wonder why we ever doubted in the first place..... and sometimes for many of us, the circle continues, over and over again.
We are wired to always look for evidence to support our thinking and actions, to rationalise everything, which in it itself is not a bad thing. However, God calls us to have faith; to believe in Him totally. We should not rely on how we feel or the state of our surroundings to gain assurance of His love for us, we should trust Him completely to work it all out. This can be hard but it takes getting used to; I'm still on that lane as well.
So does God love me? Is He concerned about everything that concerns me? Yes He does and yes He is.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Friday, April 08, 2011
Me, My Sin, and I
This is for everyone who has ever fallen short of God's best; who has gone astray, even if only for a second. For everyone who struggles with some sin and desires the liberation that only God can give. If this describes you, then this is for you.
I didn't start out planning to do what I did but then I found myself doing it, and again and again and again.
"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do -- this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:18-20, NIV)
The thrill, the excitement, the adrenaline rush, racing heartbeats...my mind longs after this BUT I know I shouldn't be doing this; I honestly can't help myself. As I do it, I'm gradually sucked into this vortex of pleasure; damn it feels good! Blood coursing through my veins, my heart beating ten to the dozen, my face getting flushed with the release of blood....but deep in my heart, I know I shouldn't go down this lane.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."(Proverbs 14:12, NIV)
I know because I've been on this road before. It's always very busy, I always have willing co-travellers; some I know only too well and others I may never see but they are there. I feel them, perceive their aura as they saunter past, feel the air break as they weave through the streets.... and I can feel the lure, the attraction, the enticement, calling out to me.
"She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way." (Proverbs 9: 14-15, NIV)
I'm doing what I should not, going where I must not go but it's hard to slow down, stop, or even turn back. I say to myself "let me at least take the first few minutes after that I promise I will not go ahead, continuing in the path I know will lead me astray"....but I'm rarely ever successful as I find myself going the whole 9 yards.
I know it's really not right and I should ask for forgiveness but I'm quite high right now and I say to myself "I'll ask for forgiveness once I'm done". I'll pray to God and He'll forgive me just as He said in His word (which is really true BUT have I considered the repercussions?)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, NIV)
Oh yes, God will forgive me no doubt but I'm forever going to be weighed down by cause and effect; I am responsible for my actions and the results thereafter.... and have I considered this? Well maybe I have and maybe I haven't but the pleasures of the now seem more encapsulating than the pains of tomorrow.
Lord strengthen me that I might not yield myself to sin but keep your righteous banner lifted high... Helen Baylor (Hunger for Holiness)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Blazing the trail
Lola’s story… Ikenna’s story… Jane’s story… Hassan’s story… YOUR story?? (PART 1)
It is 10 February 2010 and here I am, at a meeting where some speaker is about to give a talk about achieving my dreams and the usual blah blah blah! Gosh, I’m tired of hearing all this drivel. People just come and talk, and then no one knows exactly how to go about actualizing what the speaker has said. So why say anything?
Ok, so what would I really love to hear? I know I’m going somewhere to happen, but where exactly am I going and how to get there is what I need to know. I have BIG plans but where do I start from? I have so many interests but which do I focus on? I still have my day job and how exactly does that tie in with my very big plans? My business doesn’t seem to be growing! How do I achieve my plans? How do I launch out?
I need direction… I need to be shown the way… I need a solid plan of action… God, I need you!
Could this be your story?
Maybe you believe that you don’t have the right opportunity, so you just keep waiting for that perfect time. Perhaps you know that the opportunity has presented itself but you are just not ready to handle it or even worse, you just ignore it.
What makes it seem like life’s working for one person and the other person appears to have got the remnants? Why does everyone one else seem to have all the luck and you just can’t get it going?
How do you move from Point A in your life to your final Point B? How do you make the dream in your heart come alive? What’s the way forward for all the desires in your heart? How do you change the world from where you are?
GO DISCOVER THYSELF
You are at your own funeral, many years from now. A group of people are standing afar from the mourners who are by the graveside. You know some of them and you can hear them talking about you. What would they be saying? What do they consider to be your achievements?
Discover yourself: A lot of soul searching must go into this process to build a solid foundation for your future.
• What do you see for your future? What is your personal vision?
• How do you foresee you will achieve this vision? What is your mission?
• What are the things that you consider most important to you. Categorize your values.
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses; consider the opportunities available to you and also the likely threats to achieving success in your life. Do a personal SWOT analysis
• What skills do you possess? In what areas are you smart?
At the end of your days, what do you want to have achieved? Work your life backwards.
MAKE A PLAN
Plan, Plan, Plan: All tower projects first started with a blue print. Considering that your career is your major life project, you need to sit down and structure your expectations.
• Prepare your life plan
• What do you expect to achieve?
• How can you accomplish all that you want to achieve in your career?
This stage builds on the foundation of self discovery.
Focus on the following key areas;
1. Physical & health
2. Spiritual
3. Career & vocation
4. Finance & investment
5. Family & social
6. Contributory
7. Academic & professional
PURSUE YOUR VISION
Seek opportunities
It is 10 February 2010 and here I am, at a meeting where some speaker is about to give a talk about achieving my dreams and the usual blah blah blah! Gosh, I’m tired of hearing all this drivel. People just come and talk, and then no one knows exactly how to go about actualizing what the speaker has said. So why say anything?
Ok, so what would I really love to hear? I know I’m going somewhere to happen, but where exactly am I going and how to get there is what I need to know. I have BIG plans but where do I start from? I have so many interests but which do I focus on? I still have my day job and how exactly does that tie in with my very big plans? My business doesn’t seem to be growing! How do I achieve my plans? How do I launch out?
I need direction… I need to be shown the way… I need a solid plan of action… God, I need you!
Could this be your story?
Maybe you believe that you don’t have the right opportunity, so you just keep waiting for that perfect time. Perhaps you know that the opportunity has presented itself but you are just not ready to handle it or even worse, you just ignore it.
What makes it seem like life’s working for one person and the other person appears to have got the remnants? Why does everyone one else seem to have all the luck and you just can’t get it going?
How do you move from Point A in your life to your final Point B? How do you make the dream in your heart come alive? What’s the way forward for all the desires in your heart? How do you change the world from where you are?
GO DISCOVER THYSELF
You are at your own funeral, many years from now. A group of people are standing afar from the mourners who are by the graveside. You know some of them and you can hear them talking about you. What would they be saying? What do they consider to be your achievements?
Discover yourself: A lot of soul searching must go into this process to build a solid foundation for your future.
• What do you see for your future? What is your personal vision?
• How do you foresee you will achieve this vision? What is your mission?
• What are the things that you consider most important to you. Categorize your values.
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses; consider the opportunities available to you and also the likely threats to achieving success in your life. Do a personal SWOT analysis
• What skills do you possess? In what areas are you smart?
At the end of your days, what do you want to have achieved? Work your life backwards.
MAKE A PLAN
Plan, Plan, Plan: All tower projects first started with a blue print. Considering that your career is your major life project, you need to sit down and structure your expectations.
• Prepare your life plan
• What do you expect to achieve?
• How can you accomplish all that you want to achieve in your career?
This stage builds on the foundation of self discovery.
Focus on the following key areas;
1. Physical & health
2. Spiritual
3. Career & vocation
4. Finance & investment
5. Family & social
6. Contributory
7. Academic & professional
PURSUE YOUR VISION
Seek opportunities
Take initiative: Be a problem solver. Don’t wait to be told what to do, just find out what needs to be done and do it! Simple isn’t it? It’s a wonder some people make it sound so hard.
Take calculated risks: To get results that will propel your career, you must be prepared to take risks. Assess the every situation at hand, and then decide on what to do. It is very important that you take action, or else, nothing will happen.
Be an innovator: The more new business you create for your company, the more your profile rises within the organization. Companies are always looking for people who can introduce systems and strategies that will significantly affect their bottom line. Be that person in your company.
Improve your skills
Refine your communication skills: As your desire is to advance in your career, you must prepare to fly with the big wigs. Your communication skills are necessary to help you get what you want. You must be able to define exactly what you want and communicate that fact as at when necessary.
Brush up on negotiation skills: You will need to engage in a lot of negotiation issues along your career. Whether it’s for better pay, working conditions etc, chances are your skill in this area is what will see you through successfully. Develop a positive mind set that sees all things as possible.
Expand your network
Expand your network: Everybody has a network whether they know it or not. Unfortunately, a lot of people have the wrong network. If yours’ isn’t working for you, change your contacts. Radical it is but remember, it’s your life. Get to know people in the same area of business as yours and tap into all the benefits of your network (of course, you also have to contribute something or you’ll be regarded as a leech!). Learn how to promote yourself without seeming desperate. If you want to change careers, don’t take the big leap till you have built a network in that area. This will be your fall back for tips, advice and direction.
Embrace self development
Take calculated risks: To get results that will propel your career, you must be prepared to take risks. Assess the every situation at hand, and then decide on what to do. It is very important that you take action, or else, nothing will happen.
Be an innovator: The more new business you create for your company, the more your profile rises within the organization. Companies are always looking for people who can introduce systems and strategies that will significantly affect their bottom line. Be that person in your company.
Improve your skills
Refine your communication skills: As your desire is to advance in your career, you must prepare to fly with the big wigs. Your communication skills are necessary to help you get what you want. You must be able to define exactly what you want and communicate that fact as at when necessary.
Brush up on negotiation skills: You will need to engage in a lot of negotiation issues along your career. Whether it’s for better pay, working conditions etc, chances are your skill in this area is what will see you through successfully. Develop a positive mind set that sees all things as possible.
Expand your network
Expand your network: Everybody has a network whether they know it or not. Unfortunately, a lot of people have the wrong network. If yours’ isn’t working for you, change your contacts. Radical it is but remember, it’s your life. Get to know people in the same area of business as yours and tap into all the benefits of your network (of course, you also have to contribute something or you’ll be regarded as a leech!). Learn how to promote yourself without seeming desperate. If you want to change careers, don’t take the big leap till you have built a network in that area. This will be your fall back for tips, advice and direction.
Embrace self development
Take school along with you wherever you go.
• Invest in tapes, books, CD’s.
•Let downtime become uptime for you as you give every idle moment an assignment. Remember, information is the key that opens all doors.
• Be a continual learner.
•Develop a plan to learn new skills. Attend trainings, seminars and courses that will enhance your effectiveness at work.
Life is in the application. It’s not how many books you read, it’s what you apply and act on.
Lola’s story… Ikenna’s story… Jane’s story… Hassan’s story… YOUR story (PART 2)
It is 10 February 2015 and here I am, at a meeting where some speaker is about to give a talk about achieving my dreams. Wait a minute!!! Isn’t this that same guy that spoke at a meeting I attended a while back? It sure looks like him. Oh, I can see now, it is him!
I’m so glad I actually paid attention 5 years ago. I am on the way to becoming who I always wanted to be, simply because I listened and acted on what I heard.
• Invest in tapes, books, CD’s.
•Let downtime become uptime for you as you give every idle moment an assignment. Remember, information is the key that opens all doors.
• Be a continual learner.
•Develop a plan to learn new skills. Attend trainings, seminars and courses that will enhance your effectiveness at work.
Life is in the application. It’s not how many books you read, it’s what you apply and act on.
Lola’s story… Ikenna’s story… Jane’s story… Hassan’s story… YOUR story (PART 2)
It is 10 February 2015 and here I am, at a meeting where some speaker is about to give a talk about achieving my dreams. Wait a minute!!! Isn’t this that same guy that spoke at a meeting I attended a while back? It sure looks like him. Oh, I can see now, it is him!
I’m so glad I actually paid attention 5 years ago. I am on the way to becoming who I always wanted to be, simply because I listened and acted on what I heard.
Monday, February 07, 2011
A Different Way
My past haunts me
Every day, I remember who I used to be
And who I struggle not to be
I'm hounded......
In the deepest recesses of my mind
The images are always so bright, and clear
Showing, revealing, describing in vivid colour
My mistakes, my wrongdoings, my trespasses
Sometimes I really do indulge
Even though I know I ought not
I revel in those scenes
When I was not who I am now
I participate willingly
In creating the stories of the past
Oh how I long to forget, forever
who I used to be
How I long to wipe clean the memories
And not remain bound in my mind
How I yearn to live, devoid of those memories
My heart, seeks to be true
but my mind, as always, has its own plans
Show me a different way
to tame this unbelieving mind
Open unto me, new vistas
Let me think on true things
The pure things, the eternal things
The things which remain true, which stand firm
I am free, from myself, from my thoughts, from my hurts
I remain unbound, from all chains, from all pains
Show me a different way, every day, in every way...
Every day, I remember who I used to be
And who I struggle not to be
I'm hounded......
In the deepest recesses of my mind
The images are always so bright, and clear
Showing, revealing, describing in vivid colour
My mistakes, my wrongdoings, my trespasses
Sometimes I really do indulge
Even though I know I ought not
I revel in those scenes
When I was not who I am now
I participate willingly
In creating the stories of the past
Oh how I long to forget, forever
who I used to be
How I long to wipe clean the memories
And not remain bound in my mind
How I yearn to live, devoid of those memories
My heart, seeks to be true
but my mind, as always, has its own plans
Show me a different way
to tame this unbelieving mind
Open unto me, new vistas
Let me think on true things
The pure things, the eternal things
The things which remain true, which stand firm
I am free, from myself, from my thoughts, from my hurts
I remain unbound, from all chains, from all pains
Show me a different way, every day, in every way...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The wind beneath my sails
A dispassionate individual will never achieve much because passion is what fuels our ambitions....
What makes people do really BIG things ? why are some people so fiery about their convictions? I'd say it's because they have a high level of passion.
It's not always easy when a man decides to follow his convictions, many will laugh and ridicule same, but only he, the vision bearer, truly understands what he's all about.... Sometimes no one can make sense of his dreams, his decisions, his directions, but only he truly understands.
It takes a lot to have faith in your dreams and stimulate passion to bring it to pass. Your dreams or visions may not make sense now (remember the Wright brothers and the airplane or even the first landing on the moon) but one day, it will and only because you did something about it.
Your passion is also like a match that can ignite others around you. If you truly believe that you can, then you can, and you will always have recruits to help you with your vision. It is your passion that will encourage the faint hearted, the doubting thomases, and the vacillating individual.
I realise that passion is such a strong force that it can birth both good and bad (that's how come the world lost 6 million jews all because 1 person thought they were the scum of the earth). The truth is we are all passionate about something or someone, but then again, is your passion channeled in the right direction? If you don't you'll eventually end up unleashing a monster you'll never be able to tame.
I'm not sure anything was ever birthed witout some form of passion because that's what gives you the conviction to go forward even when it seems that all's not well or things won't work in your favour.
So then, how is passion generated? By conviction I believe... if you believe in something or someone, you can become quite passionate. But then, how do you become convinced (or convicted which ever is more appropriate)? By acquiring information. Once you know a lot about something, you become more knowledgeable and can either defend or repudiate it.
A man without passion is like a rudderless ship, no direction, no desires, no expectations..... and passion ultimately is what gives you a raison d'etre; a reason to live....
What makes people do really BIG things ? why are some people so fiery about their convictions? I'd say it's because they have a high level of passion.
It's not always easy when a man decides to follow his convictions, many will laugh and ridicule same, but only he, the vision bearer, truly understands what he's all about.... Sometimes no one can make sense of his dreams, his decisions, his directions, but only he truly understands.
It takes a lot to have faith in your dreams and stimulate passion to bring it to pass. Your dreams or visions may not make sense now (remember the Wright brothers and the airplane or even the first landing on the moon) but one day, it will and only because you did something about it.
Your passion is also like a match that can ignite others around you. If you truly believe that you can, then you can, and you will always have recruits to help you with your vision. It is your passion that will encourage the faint hearted, the doubting thomases, and the vacillating individual.
I realise that passion is such a strong force that it can birth both good and bad (that's how come the world lost 6 million jews all because 1 person thought they were the scum of the earth). The truth is we are all passionate about something or someone, but then again, is your passion channeled in the right direction? If you don't you'll eventually end up unleashing a monster you'll never be able to tame.
I'm not sure anything was ever birthed witout some form of passion because that's what gives you the conviction to go forward even when it seems that all's not well or things won't work in your favour.
So then, how is passion generated? By conviction I believe... if you believe in something or someone, you can become quite passionate. But then, how do you become convinced (or convicted which ever is more appropriate)? By acquiring information. Once you know a lot about something, you become more knowledgeable and can either defend or repudiate it.
A man without passion is like a rudderless ship, no direction, no desires, no expectations..... and passion ultimately is what gives you a raison d'etre; a reason to live....
Thursday, December 27, 2007
There's no turning back
The journey has been long and tiring. I've been on the road for so long
I'm tempted to stop, give it all up but I've almost made it to my destination it seems
Eventhough I'm weighed down by all sorts but I still must go on
I see where I'm going far ahead and I'm encouraged for it seems closer than it was yesterday
A lot has happened but I've grown and overcome
When I remember what I've been through in my past, I wonder how I ever made it this far
I know where I'm going and sometimes it seems like I may not get there, but strive I must
I can't turn back now, I've gone too far to give up on this trip
Where I'm going is far more beautiful than where I'm coming from
So on I go, towards my destination
I look not to the left nor the right, but straight ahead, my gaze is fixed
till I can almost touch my dreams
I'm not turning back. I'm going to forget my past and embrace my future....
I move on....................
I'm tempted to stop, give it all up but I've almost made it to my destination it seems
Eventhough I'm weighed down by all sorts but I still must go on
I see where I'm going far ahead and I'm encouraged for it seems closer than it was yesterday
A lot has happened but I've grown and overcome
When I remember what I've been through in my past, I wonder how I ever made it this far
I know where I'm going and sometimes it seems like I may not get there, but strive I must
I can't turn back now, I've gone too far to give up on this trip
Where I'm going is far more beautiful than where I'm coming from
So on I go, towards my destination
I look not to the left nor the right, but straight ahead, my gaze is fixed
till I can almost touch my dreams
I'm not turning back. I'm going to forget my past and embrace my future....
I move on....................
Thursday, October 18, 2007
I hereby tender my apologisation letter
It's been 5months since I blogged last, for many reasons chief of which was that I lost the inspiration or compulsion to write; speak yes, write no.
I've discovered that sometimes we need to go through a renewal process or a refining period, whatever it is we call it but we need to go through a time when we rejuvenate, and I hope that's what has been happening to me. I didn't intentionally decide to stop blogging, let's just say I never got round to doing it
So I hereby announce that I have begun blogging again! Thanks to all those who asked and/ or sent encouraging mails, I will not keep silent any longer, so watch this space!
Enjoy!
I've discovered that sometimes we need to go through a renewal process or a refining period, whatever it is we call it but we need to go through a time when we rejuvenate, and I hope that's what has been happening to me. I didn't intentionally decide to stop blogging, let's just say I never got round to doing it
So I hereby announce that I have begun blogging again! Thanks to all those who asked and/ or sent encouraging mails, I will not keep silent any longer, so watch this space!
Enjoy!
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