Last month,I was on my way to a new assignment.
I had been to the place once and so was not so familiar with the area and so I had a list of buses I could enter with me.As I waited for my bus at the City Center,it seemed like it took forever for it to come.Meanwhile there was a particular bus number that ran frequently.
I thought I had put two and two together as I asked the driver[God bless him] if he was going my way.He replied in the affirmative and I paid the fare.
To my dismay it was not along the path I had gone previously.I asked the driver again and he said it was the next stop.I came down and he pointed that where I was going was just 2 minutes away.I am sad to say that was far from the truth because I had to enter another bus eventually which took me about 8 stops away and after waiting trying to get on another connecting bus,I decided to return back to the City center.This time I waited patiently and got on the right bus with the number I had been given.It took me about 12minutes to get to my desired destination.Meanwhile I had wasted one hour in the merry go round because I became impatient.I am sure you have had a similar experience at one time or the other.
As I reflect back,I think about how similar this is to when we are waiting for something and believing God.How there are so many other alternatives which in the long run actually lead to nowhere near the best that God is preparing for us[it might lead somewhere].
Lord,teach us to be patient and not to give birth to Ishmeals as we wait for our Isaacs.
Amen.
The test of our strength and faith sometimes can be measured by how much we can wait.
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-lawyer
Thursday 13 November 2008
Thursday 6 November 2008
Live your dream!
Congratulations to all Americans and especially to the President elect Mr Barack Obama.
I salute your courage .It is so beautiful to see an African American elected as President of the United States. May God give you the strength to lead the nation in the right path.
As I watched the news of the results and the different reactions of people, I am particularly drawn to the tears streaming from the eyes of Jesse Jackson. I am sure he was weeping as he saw a dream come true.
What struck me most was this is a dream a man had.
He took steps towards it and today he has made history.
Live the dream-write the dream, talk the dream, walk the dream.
Write it down. It is so important to write it down.
In the next 10 years what and where do you want to be?
This is the time to write it down and begin to take steps towards it now. Enough of the self pity and regrets! Time for action.
If it is not written down, then we cannot really tell at any point in time if progress has been made. The trouble is most times we think it is too enormous and laborious and so we procrastinate the writing down of our dreams.
If Mr Barack Obama did not write his dream, take steps towards it by getting involved in politics, he would not have made history yesterday. Let this encourage us that nothing is impossible if you believe and are ready to face whatever hurdles.
Write your dream.
Talk your dream.
Walk your dream
Live your dream.
To live without a dream is just to merely exist!
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-lawyer
I salute your courage .It is so beautiful to see an African American elected as President of the United States. May God give you the strength to lead the nation in the right path.
As I watched the news of the results and the different reactions of people, I am particularly drawn to the tears streaming from the eyes of Jesse Jackson. I am sure he was weeping as he saw a dream come true.
What struck me most was this is a dream a man had.
He took steps towards it and today he has made history.
Live the dream-write the dream, talk the dream, walk the dream.
Write it down. It is so important to write it down.
In the next 10 years what and where do you want to be?
This is the time to write it down and begin to take steps towards it now. Enough of the self pity and regrets! Time for action.
If it is not written down, then we cannot really tell at any point in time if progress has been made. The trouble is most times we think it is too enormous and laborious and so we procrastinate the writing down of our dreams.
If Mr Barack Obama did not write his dream, take steps towards it by getting involved in politics, he would not have made history yesterday. Let this encourage us that nothing is impossible if you believe and are ready to face whatever hurdles.
Write your dream.
Talk your dream.
Walk your dream
Live your dream.
To live without a dream is just to merely exist!
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-lawyer
Thursday 23 October 2008
Why pray when you can worry?
"Take it to the Lord in prayer"
I was just thinking about a present challenge some minutes ago and just as it seemed to be looming over my head and tears wanted to start trickling down ,I just heard whispered "take it to the Lord in prayer".I have heard those words somewhere before,hmm,from a hymn.So I decided to check on the internet for the lyrics as I could not remember the first line of the song.I checked for the verses and want to share some with you.
It is a familiar hymn song and though it has been on for centuries(written as a poem in 1855 by Joseph Scriven and composed as music by Charles Converse),the truths in it are timeless.
"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer."
You know it is one thing to think about a challenge and allow it to overwhelm you,it is another thing to believe the Lord as you wait for his promises in your life to come true.Most times the problem is not receiving the promises ,but being able to wait for it like Habakkuk says till it comes to pass.(Hab 2 v.2).I am always intrigued and need to remind myself that God has my best interests in mind.He is thinking about me constantly and He knows all I go through.
As I write this piece,I remind myself that God wants to be trusted by all of us his children.I should trust Him enough and not give in to worry.Trust Him enough to carry everything to Him in prayer because He cares.Why do I pray if I can worry.Only one can be properly done at a time successfully.Worry will get me nowhere just as much as a rocking chair will do.It will be a lot of activity,analysing,draining me of my strength to carry on having robbed me of my joy.
No .I am not going to go down that path!
It is always unprofitable(that's a lesson I have learnt over the years).Rather I choose to pray about this and trust God.After all,that was why Abraham was counted as righteous.
God wants to be trusted.
Trusted enough to believed and to be obeyed because the central issue in our walk with Him is a matter of trust.Every relationship is built and grows on trust.That is why the hymn writer,John Sammis in 1887 said "trust and obey".If we do not trust God,we cannot obey him.(obey him not to worry for a start!)
Take it to the Lord in prayer,He is able.
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-Lawyer.
I was just thinking about a present challenge some minutes ago and just as it seemed to be looming over my head and tears wanted to start trickling down ,I just heard whispered "take it to the Lord in prayer".I have heard those words somewhere before,hmm,from a hymn.So I decided to check on the internet for the lyrics as I could not remember the first line of the song.I checked for the verses and want to share some with you.
It is a familiar hymn song and though it has been on for centuries(written as a poem in 1855 by Joseph Scriven and composed as music by Charles Converse),the truths in it are timeless.
"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer."
You know it is one thing to think about a challenge and allow it to overwhelm you,it is another thing to believe the Lord as you wait for his promises in your life to come true.Most times the problem is not receiving the promises ,but being able to wait for it like Habakkuk says till it comes to pass.(Hab 2 v.2).I am always intrigued and need to remind myself that God has my best interests in mind.He is thinking about me constantly and He knows all I go through.
As I write this piece,I remind myself that God wants to be trusted by all of us his children.I should trust Him enough and not give in to worry.Trust Him enough to carry everything to Him in prayer because He cares.Why do I pray if I can worry.Only one can be properly done at a time successfully.Worry will get me nowhere just as much as a rocking chair will do.It will be a lot of activity,analysing,draining me of my strength to carry on having robbed me of my joy.
No .I am not going to go down that path!
It is always unprofitable(that's a lesson I have learnt over the years).Rather I choose to pray about this and trust God.After all,that was why Abraham was counted as righteous.
God wants to be trusted.
Trusted enough to believed and to be obeyed because the central issue in our walk with Him is a matter of trust.Every relationship is built and grows on trust.That is why the hymn writer,John Sammis in 1887 said "trust and obey".If we do not trust God,we cannot obey him.(obey him not to worry for a start!)
Take it to the Lord in prayer,He is able.
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-Lawyer.
Wednesday 15 October 2008
He has no nightwear.
"Behold he that keepeth Isreal shall neither slumber nor sleep"Psalms 121 v.4 KJV.
Two days ago,I was packing my things for an overnight job and needed to take my sleeping clothes as I packed my overnite bag.I used them and on returning home,I decided to sleep properly on my bed(you know the feeling).So I had to change again.
After changing clothes ,I decided to look at some of my study notes and came across a note I had made of a praise name of God that someone used while praying.She referred to God as the "God who has no night wear".
I am really used to so many praise names of God and all He has but this one that is seemingly negative left me thinking ....and suddenly it dawned on me.
He has no night wear because He does not need any night wear!
For him there is no night,He is never tired.He has just set the times and seasons for us.So He keeps watch 24/7 .I have been on call at various times but the most I have worked has been 13 hours sort of straight with breaks and whenever I get home from such long shifts,I am really exhausted.As humans we have been created with a need to sleep and rest.But going on over the ages ,without sleep is still beyond my imagination.
God is indeed awesome and worthy to be praised.While we are asleep,he watches tenderly over us.I am glad that God does not sleep.Imagine how the world would be if He ever did.How sad is it then that when we wake up in the morning,we do not just take the time to say "Good morning,Lord".
I beg that the next time you wake up from sleep,be it on your bed(not all can afford it) or in a chair(dozing,when you are supposed to be reading!),remember to praise the God who has no nightwear.
Continue to Flourish,
Grace Tom-Lawyer.
Two days ago,I was packing my things for an overnight job and needed to take my sleeping clothes as I packed my overnite bag.I used them and on returning home,I decided to sleep properly on my bed(you know the feeling).So I had to change again.
After changing clothes ,I decided to look at some of my study notes and came across a note I had made of a praise name of God that someone used while praying.She referred to God as the "God who has no night wear".
I am really used to so many praise names of God and all He has but this one that is seemingly negative left me thinking ....and suddenly it dawned on me.
He has no night wear because He does not need any night wear!
For him there is no night,He is never tired.He has just set the times and seasons for us.So He keeps watch 24/7 .I have been on call at various times but the most I have worked has been 13 hours sort of straight with breaks and whenever I get home from such long shifts,I am really exhausted.As humans we have been created with a need to sleep and rest.But going on over the ages ,without sleep is still beyond my imagination.
God is indeed awesome and worthy to be praised.While we are asleep,he watches tenderly over us.I am glad that God does not sleep.Imagine how the world would be if He ever did.How sad is it then that when we wake up in the morning,we do not just take the time to say "Good morning,Lord".
I beg that the next time you wake up from sleep,be it on your bed(not all can afford it) or in a chair(dozing,when you are supposed to be reading!),remember to praise the God who has no nightwear.
Continue to Flourish,
Grace Tom-Lawyer.
You've got mail!
During my undergraduate days,we had a Bible study in fellowship where the question for debate was whether Jesus ever laughed.Some brethen got up and said there is no scriptural reference to Jesus laughing!hmmm.Well after a lot of delibration,one brother said that we can infer that Jesus laughed because children came to him and children do not normally want to be with an adult that is frowning or not playful!
Well,I have an elder brother who I look up to because of his great writing skills and the humour with which he writes.Because I am asking the Lord to increase my sense of humour,I will be sharing as much as possible, some of the humorous mails he sends to me with his permission.I am subject to the Data Protection Act.Please enjoy the one he sent sometime ago shortly after the census in my country.
From: "Godwin Tom-Lawyer"
Subject: Re: Why I never marry!
In recent times I have been questioned as regards my marital status (wetin concern dem? my Mama no complain), I usually parry such questions with standard responses such as "If I dont get married in 2007, then it will be 2008, if not 2009 or maybe 2010". The questioner usually walks away in laughter (Problem solved!)At other times I have had to respond "na the money we dey find", to which the retort is "you dont need money to marry" (Havn't they heard that song "No romance without finance"?).
Anyway some are brave enough to ask how much I need "N100 million would be a good starting point, infact if you give me the N100 million I'll let you choose an additional bride and name my first child male/female after you" Of course they dont have N100 million to give me. So I'm left alone. (Thank God!).
But the one thing I have refused to do is to say "we are still looking for the girl" God help you if you ever acknowledge needing help in that department.A friend who did had several passport pictures of apparently beautiful females sent to him, but on a sighting of the damsels...wahala dey... one particularly beautiful girl had a k-leg which according to my cousin Jumble "the babe k-leg start from armpit" (God abeg!)
Another friend asked his mother to send him a girl from the village "wey im eye never open" the poor woman sent a blind person!Another one said the people in the television were staring at her (okay, I'm lying! call Police for me)
However with the announcement of the recent census results my work has been cut out for me, my reason:"DONT YOU LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY? THERE ARE MORE MEN THAN WOMEN!"
PS: Truth is by the time you subtract the females you are related to, those who are married (monogamous/polygamous), engaged, about to marry and otherwise structurized, children, grannies, nuns, etc etc the demand far outsrips the supply i.e. the shortage is acute.(Q.E.D)Abeg make una leave me jare, I still dey office!
Hope u had a good laugh like I did ......
Life is meant to be enjoyed
laugh more!!
Grace Tom-lawyer.
Well,I have an elder brother who I look up to because of his great writing skills and the humour with which he writes.Because I am asking the Lord to increase my sense of humour,I will be sharing as much as possible, some of the humorous mails he sends to me with his permission.I am subject to the Data Protection Act.Please enjoy the one he sent sometime ago shortly after the census in my country.
From: "Godwin Tom-Lawyer"
Subject: Re: Why I never marry!
In recent times I have been questioned as regards my marital status (wetin concern dem? my Mama no complain), I usually parry such questions with standard responses such as "If I dont get married in 2007, then it will be 2008, if not 2009 or maybe 2010". The questioner usually walks away in laughter (Problem solved!)At other times I have had to respond "na the money we dey find", to which the retort is "you dont need money to marry" (Havn't they heard that song "No romance without finance"?).
Anyway some are brave enough to ask how much I need "N100 million would be a good starting point, infact if you give me the N100 million I'll let you choose an additional bride and name my first child male/female after you" Of course they dont have N100 million to give me. So I'm left alone. (Thank God!).
But the one thing I have refused to do is to say "we are still looking for the girl" God help you if you ever acknowledge needing help in that department.A friend who did had several passport pictures of apparently beautiful females sent to him, but on a sighting of the damsels...wahala dey... one particularly beautiful girl had a k-leg which according to my cousin Jumble "the babe k-leg start from armpit" (God abeg!)
Another friend asked his mother to send him a girl from the village "wey im eye never open" the poor woman sent a blind person!Another one said the people in the television were staring at her (okay, I'm lying! call Police for me)
However with the announcement of the recent census results my work has been cut out for me, my reason:"DONT YOU LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY? THERE ARE MORE MEN THAN WOMEN!"
PS: Truth is by the time you subtract the females you are related to, those who are married (monogamous/polygamous), engaged, about to marry and otherwise structurized, children, grannies, nuns, etc etc the demand far outsrips the supply i.e. the shortage is acute.(Q.E.D)Abeg make una leave me jare, I still dey office!
Hope u had a good laugh like I did ......
Life is meant to be enjoyed
laugh more!!
Grace Tom-lawyer.
Friday 10 October 2008
Counting my Blessings(2)
"Thou hast given so much to me........Give me one thing more...a grateful heart"-George Herbert
I came across that prayer for the first time two days ago and I could not help but pray it again .
We all know how gratitude fuels us to do so much more.Remember how you felt the last time someone said a warm "Thank you".It is just so natural that the next time the opportunity comes,you want to do something for the same individual that has expressed gratitude.That is the trick praise singers use to get money from people in parties.(niaja settings!)
What does a heart full of gratitude do?It puts things in the right perspective and sets you at the right altitude.To have things in the right perspective means to begin to see things the way Good sees it and to know that every detail of our lives is of imporatnce to him.Have you noticed what happens when you just start to sing God's praises and take out time to truly magnify his name.There is a sweet presence that comes that makes Depression fly out at a faster speed than light because you cannot truly praise him and be depressed and you cannot really praise him if you do not know Him and how do we know Him?By spending time with him .
Once more ,I just want to encourage you to take out time everyday you wake up and as many times during the day to say Thank you Lord.
Continue to flourish
Grace Tom-Lawyer
I came across that prayer for the first time two days ago and I could not help but pray it again .
We all know how gratitude fuels us to do so much more.Remember how you felt the last time someone said a warm "Thank you".It is just so natural that the next time the opportunity comes,you want to do something for the same individual that has expressed gratitude.That is the trick praise singers use to get money from people in parties.(niaja settings!)
What does a heart full of gratitude do?It puts things in the right perspective and sets you at the right altitude.To have things in the right perspective means to begin to see things the way Good sees it and to know that every detail of our lives is of imporatnce to him.Have you noticed what happens when you just start to sing God's praises and take out time to truly magnify his name.There is a sweet presence that comes that makes Depression fly out at a faster speed than light because you cannot truly praise him and be depressed and you cannot really praise him if you do not know Him and how do we know Him?By spending time with him .
Once more ,I just want to encourage you to take out time everyday you wake up and as many times during the day to say Thank you Lord.
Continue to flourish
Grace Tom-Lawyer
Tuesday 7 October 2008
Counting my blessings
Recently,a friend sent this text to me from Nigeria.It said"its been 20years that i ve known u.I want u 2 know that i love u very much.tanxs 4 puttin up wit me all dis yrs.its bn a blessin knowin u.missin u.God be wit u"-B.That was thotful.
The past month of September is one that always brings a lot of memories .Most school calenders start in the month of September and it is always a season of making new friends.It's just one week today from September, but today I look back with gratitude to God for friendships made over 20 years ago when I first started out in Secondary school.These friendships have stood the tests of time.We have known the laughter and sorrows of each other ,our families and it is just so good to remember those years when we did not seem to have a care .I always say that apart from salvation and my family,the next best gift God gave me are my friends.
Their strength,support,rebuke(o yes,that's needed),truth over the years have helped me to weather through the storms and joys of this life.
Do you know a friend who has been there for you?I know that even as much as we strive to be Christlike,we all know a few people who we would honestly not refer to as friends.O yes,almost everytime they give a ring,it is because they have a request,,and they are there to teach us longsuffering.Whenever I think of them,I think about how Jesus related with Judas knowing fully well he was stealing out of the bag.That bag could be a viewed as a deposit bank..the relationship bank account.These people seem to specialize in making large withdrawals with little or no deposits.I am not talking about them today.I am talking about those who have been there and I am not saying thay they are perfect......who is however?
Do you have a friend like that today?Who has been there for you.Apart from thanking God and whispering a prayer on their behalf today,I encourage you to pick up the phone,send a text message,or an e-mail and tell them that you appreciate them.It is great to let them know that when you count your blessings,they are in your list.
Continue to flourish as you count your blessings,
Grace Tom-lawyer
The past month of September is one that always brings a lot of memories .Most school calenders start in the month of September and it is always a season of making new friends.It's just one week today from September, but today I look back with gratitude to God for friendships made over 20 years ago when I first started out in Secondary school.These friendships have stood the tests of time.We have known the laughter and sorrows of each other ,our families and it is just so good to remember those years when we did not seem to have a care .I always say that apart from salvation and my family,the next best gift God gave me are my friends.
Their strength,support,rebuke(o yes,that's needed),truth over the years have helped me to weather through the storms and joys of this life.
Do you know a friend who has been there for you?I know that even as much as we strive to be Christlike,we all know a few people who we would honestly not refer to as friends.O yes,almost everytime they give a ring,it is because they have a request,,and they are there to teach us longsuffering.Whenever I think of them,I think about how Jesus related with Judas knowing fully well he was stealing out of the bag.That bag could be a viewed as a deposit bank..the relationship bank account.These people seem to specialize in making large withdrawals with little or no deposits.I am not talking about them today.I am talking about those who have been there and I am not saying thay they are perfect......who is however?
Do you have a friend like that today?Who has been there for you.Apart from thanking God and whispering a prayer on their behalf today,I encourage you to pick up the phone,send a text message,or an e-mail and tell them that you appreciate them.It is great to let them know that when you count your blessings,they are in your list.
Continue to flourish as you count your blessings,
Grace Tom-lawyer
Using Words wisely
"As Samuel grew up,the Lord was with him and everything he said was wise and helpful.All the people of Isreal from one end of the land to the other knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord.The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle".1 Sam 3v.19-21 NLT
Yesterday,we talked about using words wisely and I was looking through my study books and saw that I had jotted these verses at one time.
I remember being challenged by the fact that the Bible did not mince words and stated clearly that everything Samuel said was wise and helpful.Everything!And we have not known the Bible to exaggerate!
I will be the first to admit to you that not all my words have been wise and helpful always.I am striving to get there really.Get to the point that whenever I speak,it will be what will bring healing,bring hope,not what will cause disunity,strife.etc.
But as I pondered on that verse,I saw that there was a secret to Samuel's words being how they were.I think the preceding statements help us.It says that the Lord was with him .That means that as a result of his asssociation with the Lord,the language of God began to rub on him.Intimacy with God takes time and discipline.
In short,before that I am encouraged by the fact that the beginning part of the verse says As Samuel grew up....that means that getting to the stage where Samuel got to is not automatic,it comes as a result of growth which will only take place with time and nourishment.
Do you remember a sibling when he was a toddler and the vocabulary was limited but now,imagine that the vocabulary of that sibling(even as a teen now) is different from when he was a child.Initially,there was a mutter,sometimes not getting the words right.
So be encouraged today to spend more time with God(guard that time passionately) and know that we are striving towards the time when heaven can record of us that everything we say is wise and helpful.
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-Lawyer
Yesterday,we talked about using words wisely and I was looking through my study books and saw that I had jotted these verses at one time.
I remember being challenged by the fact that the Bible did not mince words and stated clearly that everything Samuel said was wise and helpful.Everything!And we have not known the Bible to exaggerate!
I will be the first to admit to you that not all my words have been wise and helpful always.I am striving to get there really.Get to the point that whenever I speak,it will be what will bring healing,bring hope,not what will cause disunity,strife.etc.
But as I pondered on that verse,I saw that there was a secret to Samuel's words being how they were.I think the preceding statements help us.It says that the Lord was with him .That means that as a result of his asssociation with the Lord,the language of God began to rub on him.Intimacy with God takes time and discipline.
In short,before that I am encouraged by the fact that the beginning part of the verse says As Samuel grew up....that means that getting to the stage where Samuel got to is not automatic,it comes as a result of growth which will only take place with time and nourishment.
Do you remember a sibling when he was a toddler and the vocabulary was limited but now,imagine that the vocabulary of that sibling(even as a teen now) is different from when he was a child.Initially,there was a mutter,sometimes not getting the words right.
So be encouraged today to spend more time with God(guard that time passionately) and know that we are striving towards the time when heaven can record of us that everything we say is wise and helpful.
Continue to flourish,
Grace Tom-Lawyer
Monday 6 October 2008
Words....use wisely
"A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver"Prov 24 v.11 Ampl.
I took a long break from my house cell meetings and was planning on returning since the reason for the break was over.O,I had exams to do,glad to let you know I passed (celebrations already over!).So I was in church when one of the kids from my cell group walked up to me and said"auntie,why don't we see you in house cell anymore?"
Honestly that left me thinking and it was so thotful.I had actually sent texts to my leaders and some members of the house fellowship saying I would be absent for some time.I forgot to tell the children also and she reminded me of how wonderfully sincere children are.It also reminded me of the time David was going through stuff and his friend Jonathan told him"you will be missed because your seat will be empty.."1Sam 20v.18 NIV(italics mine).You need to read the story.
I thought to myself that if a child could notice that I had not been coming,that means that my seat was empty and I said to the Lord"I don't want my seat to be empty anymore,help me to co-ordinate and strike a balance between all the activities I have to do".
Perhaps you are wondering what happened to the list of things you outlined to do this year,or you have found yourself clearly out of balance and you feel you would soon loose your mind if you do not slow down.
Just sometime ago,we were saying Happy New Year and suddenly,it is another Christmas in less than 12weeks.
It is not too late to ask God for wisdom to strike a balance and have the right words as He will gladly tell you. Him.Jas 1 v.5NLT
I took a long break from my house cell meetings and was planning on returning since the reason for the break was over.O,I had exams to do,glad to let you know I passed (celebrations already over!).So I was in church when one of the kids from my cell group walked up to me and said"auntie,why don't we see you in house cell anymore?"
Honestly that left me thinking and it was so thotful.I had actually sent texts to my leaders and some members of the house fellowship saying I would be absent for some time.I forgot to tell the children also and she reminded me of how wonderfully sincere children are.It also reminded me of the time David was going through stuff and his friend Jonathan told him"you will be missed because your seat will be empty.."1Sam 20v.18 NIV(italics mine).You need to read the story.
I thought to myself that if a child could notice that I had not been coming,that means that my seat was empty and I said to the Lord"I don't want my seat to be empty anymore,help me to co-ordinate and strike a balance between all the activities I have to do".
Perhaps you are wondering what happened to the list of things you outlined to do this year,or you have found yourself clearly out of balance and you feel you would soon loose your mind if you do not slow down.
Just sometime ago,we were saying Happy New Year and suddenly,it is another Christmas in less than 12weeks.
It is not too late to ask God for wisdom to strike a balance and have the right words as He will gladly tell you. Him.Jas 1 v.5NLT
Humour-God has a sense of it!(2)
God daily loads us with benefits as His word says but most times ,we hardly notice.This is due most times to the fact that we have a TTD list for Him and seem to want to send him a "you have forgotten to do reminder". In 2 Cor 4 v 15-17,the Bible says"......not a day goes by without his unfolding grace....." The Message.
Not one day do we ever go through without God's benefits.Last time,I was talking about my friend.This same friend still had another encounter.This time around she was stuck with the last cash at home and was already running late ,so she decided to take a one way train to work.On arrival at her stop,she decided to start walking down to work and was approached by some people who asked for her directions.
She gave them directions and just as she turned to leave,they decided to show their appreciation for her time.They handed hersome paper.She looked and saw it was 3 valid megariders(weekly bus passes).They were actually strangers who had come to town and were leaving .She thanked them and started to think as she walked to work about the goodness of God.Leaving the house in the morning without a bus pass and suddenly being in possession of 3 buspasses for a week.Funny how God provides with more than enough,no wonder we insure with him!
Reminds me of Joseph,one day he woke up in the prison house and by evening,he slept in the palace.O that's Joseph you may say but I just want to encourage you today(and myself also)to thank God for his little mercies.In all the little ways....that you are sane,woke up on your own bed this morning,was not woken up by the sound of gunshots,brushed your teeth by yourself,you were able to make a wee,that you can even see and are knowlegeable enough to use the net and read this lovely article...yeah,there is somuch to be grateful for if we can but look.It is time to cultivate an attitude and atmosphere of praise,for there God's presence will dwell and become more real.
Not one day do we ever go through without God's benefits.Last time,I was talking about my friend.This same friend still had another encounter.This time around she was stuck with the last cash at home and was already running late ,so she decided to take a one way train to work.On arrival at her stop,she decided to start walking down to work and was approached by some people who asked for her directions.
She gave them directions and just as she turned to leave,they decided to show their appreciation for her time.They handed hersome paper.She looked and saw it was 3 valid megariders(weekly bus passes).They were actually strangers who had come to town and were leaving .She thanked them and started to think as she walked to work about the goodness of God.Leaving the house in the morning without a bus pass and suddenly being in possession of 3 buspasses for a week.Funny how God provides with more than enough,no wonder we insure with him!
Reminds me of Joseph,one day he woke up in the prison house and by evening,he slept in the palace.O that's Joseph you may say but I just want to encourage you today(and myself also)to thank God for his little mercies.In all the little ways....that you are sane,woke up on your own bed this morning,was not woken up by the sound of gunshots,brushed your teeth by yourself,you were able to make a wee,that you can even see and are knowlegeable enough to use the net and read this lovely article...yeah,there is somuch to be grateful for if we can but look.It is time to cultivate an attitude and atmosphere of praise,for there God's presence will dwell and become more real.
Humour-God has a sense of it!
You know the last time I was talking about insuring with God and recently something happened to a dear friend of mine which really made me laugh.
She rushed out of her home to work only to make a stunning discovery at lunch time that she had forgotten her purse at home(talk of the memory of the righteous being blessed!).She was hungry and was determined not to turn this to a fast(HIF-hunger induced fast).She decided to ask a colleague who gave her a few change which meant that she could only get something little.Well,better than nothing.
So she went to the Eatery and orderd something .However sat by her was a seeming gentleman who also ordered what she had ordered(what she would actually have had if she had her purse) in a larger proportion.
While they both waited for their orders,hers arrived first.As she was about to give thanks and eat,she noticed the man was watching her closely,and before she could get a bite,he grabbed her meal and ran out.She stayed dazed while the staff of the Eatery came over to apologise and begged that she be given another order.This time ,she got a large proportion.Talk of all things working together for good.She ate this very gratefully and when she told me,I could not help but think of the All sufficiency of our God .No wonder He is called our father and checking the Hebrew meaning for that word is SOURCE.
God provided as He always does ,leaving us doubtless about the source,with a sense of humour.
She rushed out of her home to work only to make a stunning discovery at lunch time that she had forgotten her purse at home(talk of the memory of the righteous being blessed!).She was hungry and was determined not to turn this to a fast(HIF-hunger induced fast).She decided to ask a colleague who gave her a few change which meant that she could only get something little.Well,better than nothing.
So she went to the Eatery and orderd something .However sat by her was a seeming gentleman who also ordered what she had ordered(what she would actually have had if she had her purse) in a larger proportion.
While they both waited for their orders,hers arrived first.As she was about to give thanks and eat,she noticed the man was watching her closely,and before she could get a bite,he grabbed her meal and ran out.She stayed dazed while the staff of the Eatery came over to apologise and begged that she be given another order.This time ,she got a large proportion.Talk of all things working together for good.She ate this very gratefully and when she told me,I could not help but think of the All sufficiency of our God .No wonder He is called our father and checking the Hebrew meaning for that word is SOURCE.
God provided as He always does ,leaving us doubtless about the source,with a sense of humour.
Saturday 4 October 2008
When I was a child(i)
You know it is so easy to be impatient and wonder what is wrong with some new christian and how foolish and utterly zealous the wrong way they may seem most times.But recently,I started beginning to recap how it was when I first became a christain(some 20+x)years ago.I and my friends as typical of new christaians devoured the scriptures with as much available time as we had.And we practically took everything as literally as possible and shared our various revelations.
Then one of us stumbled upon a revelation in Psalm 91.You guessed rite.The following verses "for he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone" Psalm 91v.11&12.NLT.
However the issue with that verse was that in the boarding school where we were(niaja) ,there were lot of stones which we used to demarcate paths and for aesthetics.So we started walking carefully but whenever you hit your foot against any stone,you had to stop and find that sin you had committed that had made the angels leave you at that time.
Hmm,I see you laughing but that was how we thought then and I tell you sometimes it was difficult to find what you had done wrong but that was our revelation.I thank God we know better now,realizing that God's protection over us and his love is constant.Moreso that we do not need to wait to hit stones to know we have done wrong but have developed a sensitive conscience to the promptings of the Spirit.
Maybe you remember one of those revs of those days.It will be nice to share them as I will try to do anytime I remember.It just helps my sense of humour.
Have a blessed day
Then one of us stumbled upon a revelation in Psalm 91.You guessed rite.The following verses "for he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone" Psalm 91v.11&12.NLT.
However the issue with that verse was that in the boarding school where we were(niaja) ,there were lot of stones which we used to demarcate paths and for aesthetics.So we started walking carefully but whenever you hit your foot against any stone,you had to stop and find that sin you had committed that had made the angels leave you at that time.
Hmm,I see you laughing but that was how we thought then and I tell you sometimes it was difficult to find what you had done wrong but that was our revelation.I thank God we know better now,realizing that God's protection over us and his love is constant.Moreso that we do not need to wait to hit stones to know we have done wrong but have developed a sensitive conscience to the promptings of the Spirit.
Maybe you remember one of those revs of those days.It will be nice to share them as I will try to do anytime I remember.It just helps my sense of humour.
Have a blessed day
Friday 3 October 2008
dwelling safely
"The children of your servants shall dwell safely and continue ,and their descendants shall be established before you"Psalms 102:28..Ampl.
As part of my resolve for the last quarter of the year,I planned to study 5 chapters of Psalms and 1 chapter of Proverb daily and I came across this promise for the children of the righteous and it reminded me of an incident during one holiday when I was a teen.
I was watching a TV show when a commercial came up.It was by an insurance commpany urging people to take a life insurance.Apart from potraying a grieving family(in most African setting,the widow wears black),it also showed their house destroyed by fire and the children not being able to continue their education.The family was in obvious distress.The caption that later came up was how different things would have been if they had been insured.
Well in my little mind and in a flashI jst tthought about what would happen to us if something happened to my dad.
I turned and asked "daddy,who is our insurance company?"
He replied in five words that over the decades I have been ruminating over .
He said,"Grace,we insure with God".
That was a defining moment for me and I thank God for the wisdom with which my father answered me.I did not understand the depth of that truth then.
I am not against insurance but over the years I have tasted what it means to be insured with God.....when the bills come and you do not even have a job and He sends someone to give you some money.He is not like insurance companies who will need to do all manner of investigations before you are paid because He is there,was there when the incident occured,knows which will even occur next.....hmmm..no wonder He says He is acquainted with the birds in the forest.That is whay He is God.
I am GLAD(don't know about you)with the N0 1 insurance policy that I have.This insurance covers myself and all the memebers of my family,property and everything that concerns me.It is comprehensively comprehensive.Like the Psalmist I can say of Him"You are my portion in the land of the living"
As part of my resolve for the last quarter of the year,I planned to study 5 chapters of Psalms and 1 chapter of Proverb daily and I came across this promise for the children of the righteous and it reminded me of an incident during one holiday when I was a teen.
I was watching a TV show when a commercial came up.It was by an insurance commpany urging people to take a life insurance.Apart from potraying a grieving family(in most African setting,the widow wears black),it also showed their house destroyed by fire and the children not being able to continue their education.The family was in obvious distress.The caption that later came up was how different things would have been if they had been insured.
Well in my little mind and in a flashI jst tthought about what would happen to us if something happened to my dad.
I turned and asked "daddy,who is our insurance company?"
He replied in five words that over the decades I have been ruminating over .
He said,"Grace,we insure with God".
That was a defining moment for me and I thank God for the wisdom with which my father answered me.I did not understand the depth of that truth then.
I am not against insurance but over the years I have tasted what it means to be insured with God.....when the bills come and you do not even have a job and He sends someone to give you some money.He is not like insurance companies who will need to do all manner of investigations before you are paid because He is there,was there when the incident occured,knows which will even occur next.....hmmm..no wonder He says He is acquainted with the birds in the forest.That is whay He is God.
I am GLAD(don't know about you)with the N0 1 insurance policy that I have.This insurance covers myself and all the memebers of my family,property and everything that concerns me.It is comprehensively comprehensive.Like the Psalmist I can say of Him"You are my portion in the land of the living"
Saturday 30 August 2008
And she came later
If you are probably like me,you will wonder who actually came later.Well ,it is actually a little story in the book of Acts 5 I have decided to talk about today.
It's perhaps a story we might be familiar with, remembering it for the fact that a couple died in the presence of the Lord because they lied in the church.
The wonderful story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira.We all know how they agreed to lie about the amount they sold the portion of land ...lies.........how sometimes they are told to make us look good,impress ,feel among the crowd.
But if a lie killed Ananias,what actually killed his wife?
I have read that story over and over again and I am amazed at the fact that she actually went to that service 3 hours later.
The same service ,hmm I will call that megalate.Perhaps her life would have been saved if she was around as at the time her hubby was asked the question.Who knows but I really see a slim chance of her being present and hearing her husband face immediately the consequences of lying and still go ahead to do the same.I would not do that and I bet you would not.
But I see that the habit of latecoming to church is actually very alarming these days.
We seem to find time to do every other thing on time until it is time to go to the place of fellowship.Or perhaps a meeting in church...a music rehearsal,committee meeting,something that we are not really at the helm of affairs and then we just take it with laxity.I tell you,when we are the leaders,we seem to make it early to those meetings and wonder why brethen do not turn up on time.
I am not talking about going late once in a while when you have done everything to leave for a meeting and last minute something goes wrong and we cannot but help but be late.I am talking of being late on a regular basis that you can even be counted for now as one of the people who will be late.You know there are some committees you will serve in and when you do not see one member ,you are not bothered because late coming is the person's trademark...hmmm.
I sincerely believe that turning up late for church or meetings is another way of saying this does not matter really.The value you place on something is shown by how seriously you take it.Whenever something goes wrong and I am running late for work,I make a call to explain I might just be in late and the same thing goes with me with any other meeting.
I believe it is part of integrity to say" I will be late or am running late".You know how we do not want God to be late (in our eyes) in answering our prayers and so we should strive to be early for meetings.Treat people with respect .If you have a meeting and you turn up late,do not just stroll in and sit down like nothing happened ,apologise for your lateness.
That gives you as a leader(we all are) more credibilty in the eyes of the followers.Have you noticed how easily contagious the spirit of late coming is?When people discover the meeting never starts on time ,they are encouraged to stay and turn up at anytime.
So in essence,and just for the last quarter of the year,I will like your resolution to be ON TIME ,for any and every meeting.
It's perhaps a story we might be familiar with, remembering it for the fact that a couple died in the presence of the Lord because they lied in the church.
The wonderful story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira.We all know how they agreed to lie about the amount they sold the portion of land ...lies.........how sometimes they are told to make us look good,impress ,feel among the crowd.
But if a lie killed Ananias,what actually killed his wife?
I have read that story over and over again and I am amazed at the fact that she actually went to that service 3 hours later.
The same service ,hmm I will call that megalate.Perhaps her life would have been saved if she was around as at the time her hubby was asked the question.Who knows but I really see a slim chance of her being present and hearing her husband face immediately the consequences of lying and still go ahead to do the same.I would not do that and I bet you would not.
But I see that the habit of latecoming to church is actually very alarming these days.
We seem to find time to do every other thing on time until it is time to go to the place of fellowship.Or perhaps a meeting in church...a music rehearsal,committee meeting,something that we are not really at the helm of affairs and then we just take it with laxity.I tell you,when we are the leaders,we seem to make it early to those meetings and wonder why brethen do not turn up on time.
I am not talking about going late once in a while when you have done everything to leave for a meeting and last minute something goes wrong and we cannot but help but be late.I am talking of being late on a regular basis that you can even be counted for now as one of the people who will be late.You know there are some committees you will serve in and when you do not see one member ,you are not bothered because late coming is the person's trademark...hmmm.
I sincerely believe that turning up late for church or meetings is another way of saying this does not matter really.The value you place on something is shown by how seriously you take it.Whenever something goes wrong and I am running late for work,I make a call to explain I might just be in late and the same thing goes with me with any other meeting.
I believe it is part of integrity to say" I will be late or am running late".You know how we do not want God to be late (in our eyes) in answering our prayers and so we should strive to be early for meetings.Treat people with respect .If you have a meeting and you turn up late,do not just stroll in and sit down like nothing happened ,apologise for your lateness.
That gives you as a leader(we all are) more credibilty in the eyes of the followers.Have you noticed how easily contagious the spirit of late coming is?When people discover the meeting never starts on time ,they are encouraged to stay and turn up at anytime.
So in essence,and just for the last quarter of the year,I will like your resolution to be ON TIME ,for any and every meeting.
Friday 4 July 2008
At last,she writes
Hi everyone,
I have had this baby[blog project] for so long that if it were in the medical realm, I would have been induced.
You will agree with me on the so many projects we can somehow start and not finish.
Thank God for some friends who will continue to make sure you are back on track and behave like our Father....yes, baba God who does not have any unfinished projects.
So this morning, as I began to rationalize again on my bed on how I did not have enough to start writing,I was asked quietly in my heart gently by that sweet voice ''how many fish did Andrew give to Jesus?'. I replied a few.Really yes ,to be precise two. ''And what was the result?''. The multitude got fed and it was really a multitude was my quiet reply to the second question and then it dawned on me.
God was asking me to use whatever I had now and believe that it would have an impact, I should use my availability and not begin to check how accurate I was. I once read somewhere that most of the work in ministry is showing up.
So friends, I will leave you with the word that whatever you have now can be used. Little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hands. No matter how that gift, talent or even time is, you can put it to use.
And be encouraged, start today.
I have had this baby[blog project] for so long that if it were in the medical realm, I would have been induced.
You will agree with me on the so many projects we can somehow start and not finish.
Thank God for some friends who will continue to make sure you are back on track and behave like our Father....yes, baba God who does not have any unfinished projects.
So this morning, as I began to rationalize again on my bed on how I did not have enough to start writing,I was asked quietly in my heart gently by that sweet voice ''how many fish did Andrew give to Jesus?'. I replied a few.Really yes ,to be precise two. ''And what was the result?''. The multitude got fed and it was really a multitude was my quiet reply to the second question and then it dawned on me.
God was asking me to use whatever I had now and believe that it would have an impact, I should use my availability and not begin to check how accurate I was. I once read somewhere that most of the work in ministry is showing up.
So friends, I will leave you with the word that whatever you have now can be used. Little becomes much as you place it in the Master's hands. No matter how that gift, talent or even time is, you can put it to use.
And be encouraged, start today.
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