12 Things

Hello peeps,


Once upon a time there was a creator, who created the heavens and earth, he formed a being from clay breathed in his nostrils and called him man. This man who can be grouped by race and creed was created in the likeness of the creator

This creator who also created thirty+, ness is the greatest of the greatest, the only God, to him be all praise and glory
So my very dear friend and pally shared this with me and I thought wow, it's bloggable. Even though this was written about a hundred years ago, it is still relevant and not just for negros, white, caucasian, red indians and so on, indeed there is one or two principles to learn for all of human race. My comments are in red italics

12 Things The Negro Must Do For Himself by Nannie Helen Burroughs
Posted by Black Men In America.com Founder & Publisher Gary Johnson from the original book by Ms. Burroughs. (Circa Early 1900's)

1. The Negro Must Learn To Put First Things First. The First Things Are: Education; Development of Character Traits; A Trade and Home Ownership (three out of four is not bad eh).

The Negro puts too much of his earning in clothes, in food, in show and in having what he calls "a good time." The Dr. Kelly Miller said, "The Negro buys what he WANTS and begs for what he Needs." Too true!

2. The Negro Must Stop Expecting God and White Folk To Do For Him What He Can Do For Himself.

It is the "Divine Plan" that the strong shall help the weak, but even God does not do for man what man can do for himself. The Negro will have to do exactly what Jesus told the man (in John 5:8) to do--Carry his own load--"Take up your bed and walk."

3. The Negro Must Keep Himself, His Children And His Home Clean And Make The Surroundings In Which He Lives Comfortable and Attractive.

He must learn to "run his community up"--not down. We can segregate by law, we integrate only by living. Civilization is not a matter of race, it is a matter of standards. Believe it or not--some day, some race is going to outdo the Anglo-Saxon, completely. It can be the Negro race, if the Negro gets sense enough. Civilization goes up and down that way.

4. The Negro Must Learn To Dress More Appropriately For Work And For Leisure.

Knowing what to wear--how to wear it--when to wear it and where to wear it, are earmarks of common sense, culture and also an index to character (so true, I remember the term "power suit").

5. The Negro Must Make His Religion An Everyday Practice And Not Just A Sunday-Go-To-Meeting Emotional Affair (Amen sister).

6. The Negro Must Highly Resolve To Wipe Out Mass Ignorance.

The leaders of the race must teach and inspire the masses to become eager and determined to improve mentally, morally and spiritually, and to meet the basic requirements of good citizenship.

We should initiate an intensive literacy campaign in America, as well as in Africa. Ignorance--satisfied ignorance--is a millstone abut the neck of the race. It is democracy's greatest burden.

Social integration is a relationship attained as a result of the cultivation of kindred social ideals, interests and standards.

It is a blending process that requires time, understanding and kindred purposes to achieve. Likes alone and not laws can do it.

7. The Negro Must Stop Charging His Failures Up To His "Color" And To White People's Attitude.

The truth of the matter is that good service and conduct will make senseless race prejudice fade like mist before the rising sun.

God never intended that a man's color shall be anything other than a badge of distinction. It is high time that all races were learning that fact. The Negro must first QUALIFY for whatever position he wants. Purpose, initiative, ingenuity and industry are the keys that all men use to get what they want. The Negro will have to do the same. He must make himself a workman who is too skilled not to be wanted, and too DEPENDABLE not to be on the job, according to promise or plan. He will never become a vital factor in industry until he learns to put into his work the vitalizing force of initiative, skill and dependability. He has gone "RIGHTS" mad and "DUTY" dumb.

8. The Negro Must Overcome His Bad Job Habits. He must make a brand new reputation for himself in the world of labor. His bad job habits are absenteeism, funerals to attend, or a little business to look after. The Negro runs an off and on business. He also has a bad reputation for conduct on the job--such as petty quarrelling with other help, incessant loud talking about nothing; loafing, carelessness, due to lack of job pride; insolence, gum chewing and--too often--liquor drinking. Just plain bad job habits!

9. He Must Improve His Conduct In Public Places. Taken as a whole, he is entirely too loud and too ill-mannered (Guilty as charged, just been called aside for my loud telephone call which I taught was okay to shout as I was in one of the office meeting rooms - alas the soundproofing of the room was not made with my decibels of nosie in scope, in my defence I was talking to my father who kept saying so oro soke (speak louder) according they guessed it was me because it was an African Voice yeeepa!. There is much talk about wiping out racial segregation and also much talk about achieving integration. Segregation is a physical arrangement by which people are separated in various services.

It is definitely up to the Negro to wipe out the apparent justification or excuse for segregation.

The only effective way to do it is to clean up and keep clean. By practice, cleanliness will become a habit and habit becomes character.

10. The Negro Must Learn How To Operate Business For People--Not For Negro People, Only.

To do business, he will have to remove all typical "earmarks," business principles; measure up to accepted standards and meet stimulating competition, graciously--in fact, he must learn to welcome competition (kerching, glad i am slowly and surely breaking the mold in my photography).

11. The Average So-Called Educated Negro Will Have To Come Down Out Of The Air. He Is Too Inflated Over Nothing. He Needs An Experience Similar To The One That Ezekiel Had--(Ezekiel 3:14-19). And He Must Do What Ezekiel Did.

Otherwise, through indifference, as to the plight of the masses, the Negro, who thinks that he has escaped, will lose his own soul. It will do all leaders good to read Hebrew 13:3, and the first Thirty-seven Chapters of Ezekiel.

A race transformation itself through its own leaders and its sensible "common people." A race rises on its own wings, or is held down by its own weight. True leaders are never "things apart from the people." They are the masses. They simply got to the front ahead of them. Their only business at the front is to inspire to masses by hard work and noble example and challenge them to "Come on!" Dante stated a fact when he said, "Show the people the light and they will find the way!"

There must arise within the Negro race a leadership that is not out hunting bargains for itself. A noble example is found in the men and women of the Negro race, who, in the early days, laid down their lives for the people. Their invaluable contributions have not been appraised by the "latter-day leaders." In many cases, their names would never be recorded, among the unsung heroes of the world, but for the fact that white friends have written them there.

"Lord, God of Hosts, Be with us yet."

The Negro of today does not realize that, but, for these exhibits A's, that certainly show the innate possibilities of members of their own race, white people would not have been moved to make such princely investments in lives and money, as they have made, for the establishment of schools and for the on-going of the race.

12. The Negro Must Stop Forgetting His Friends. "Remember."

Read Deuteronomy 24:18. Deuteronomy rings the big bell of gratitude. Why? Because an ingrate is an abomination in the sight of God. God is constantly telling us that "I the Lord thy God delivered you"--through human instrumentalities.

The American Negro has had and still has friends--in the North and in the South. These friends not only pray, speak, write, influence others, but make unbelievable, unpublished sacrifices and contributions for the advancement of the race--for their brothers in bonds.

The noblest thing that the Negro can do is to so live and labor that these benefactors will not have given in vain. The Negro must make his heart warm with gratitude, his lips sweet with thanks and his heart and mind resolute with purpose to justify the sacrifices and stand on his feet and go forward--"God is no respector of persons. In every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is" sure to win out. Get to work! That's the answer to everything that hurts us. We talk too much about nothing instead of redeeming the time by working.

R-E-M-E-M-B-E-R

In spite of race prejudice, America (United Kingdom, UAE, Germany, Afghanistan indded the whole world) is brim full of opportunities. Go after them!

So what is your action plan now?

Till later

Courage

Peeps

Oh that men will praise the Lord.

Just a quick one

Courage: "The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery"

Antonym: Cowardice

Tthere are some stories that just demonstrate what courage is, one of such is the story of Kayleigh. I also admire the CF Husband

Lord for these ones I pray for the healing balm to pour from your throne.

And I pray for them and all the readers of this blog (including myself) that we shall continue to "be strong and courageous, not afraid or terrified because of anything or anyone, for you our LORD your God goes with us; you will never leave us nor forsake us".

Image copyright: Peacefulone

Till Later

HIM and me

Hello Peeps

God is a speaking spirit, he is a good God

So there I was speaking with him in my heart and it went something like this

'I can’t'

'Yes you can'

'You don’t understand'

'Yes I do'

'You have never lived in flesh'

'Yes I have'

'Aaagggrrrrr it is easy for you to say'

'You really think so'

'I am going to scream now'

'Go ahead I made your mouth for such a time'

'Ok can I just swear so I feel better'?

'Like you have not done that in your heart already'

'Oh ....'

'Go on I hear your unspoken words loud and clear'

'Mehn it’s like I am naked and totally bare before you'

'Like Adam and Eve Naked'

'Exactly, can I just go and hide for a minute to sort myself'

'Go ahead but you do know I am everywhere'

'Oh for the love of God'

'G O D, that’s the name you call me'

*Sighs heavily*, 'I surrender mehn'

'That is the spirit'

*Sulking*, 'I love you big'

'Can’t get enough of you either'

'Goodnight Sir'

'Sweet dreams child'

In the morning he poured some snow flakes on the road as petals for my feet

Till later

Have a Lovely Christmas

Didn't get the memo, still I believe

Hi

When time ceases to exist, when darkness looms glaringly, when void fills the vacumn, there is a Presence that is ever present, He is GOD (Gen 1:2).

Whether or not He is acknowledged is a matter of individual choice.

Today, GOD, I acknowledge you. I acknowledge you as my father, my master, my friend, my mentor, you Oh Lord are the lover of my soul.

I did not get the memo about 1st of December and then when I did, suke blogger would not allow me sign in to post. Better late than never ehn, so here goes.

• I believe in God because I met him not amongst a grand gathering or from the preaching of an eloquent preacher. I met God from the pages of the scripture, the book of John to be precise. Was given a New Testament Gideon's bible by an Uncle and he asked me to read the book of John. Being an avid reader I started on it when there was no pacessetter to read was and gripped. Especially when it got to what I called the climax, John 15. So gripped was I that I stayed back after school to finish reading. Was trying hard to understand why this hero who was about to die was so bothered about his friends, the one he also called brethren. A friend who had noticed the fact that I was reading a bible asked if I had become a christian and I replied no. She later asked to share with me and ask if I wanted to become one and I said yes (it was free so no harm, I thought). That was the begining of the journey.
• I believe in God because I was a withdrawn shy girl who had low self esteem especially because of my small frame and comical characteristics. From discovering God, I realise he never makes mistakes, my petite nature gives me a USP. He created me as such so that folks can not but remember me. I realise that a merry heart is like a good medicine and the comical character was meant for mine and others heart merriment. Today I am no longer the same.

I believe in God because there have been several occassions when I have prayed for specific things and got specific results attributable to the prayer I prayed. A few instances

1. I was in Class 3 and lost one of my gold stud ear rings, they were real gold and I had already lost quite a few. I remember mama 30+ strictly warning if you loose this earring I will let you know that God has no tribal marks. I searched the whole classroom, dining room, no show. I covered up but day 2 mama 30+ asked and I said it is hidden somewhere. School closed and dread came on me, I prayed as I have never done in my life while wondering if God was actually interested in that kind of prayer afterall it was because of my carelessness and being too playful. I stood outside the school gates dejectedly exhausted from praying and crying, suddenly felt impressed to look ahead of me and believe it or not there was tiny glistening in the sand I approached it and it was my tiny stud ear ring. I can never forget that feeling I nearly went crazy with joy. A small stud ear ring found outside a school gate the ground was not tarred mind you, it was covered in light brown sand. I know ear ring is meaningless but as far as I was concerned on that particular date it was a matter of life and death, you need to know mama 30+ to know what I am talking about.
2. Once my brother laid on the bed writhing in pain, clutching his stomach with no Mum or Dad around and no mobile phone technology to call anyone. I laid hands on him and prayed in the name of Jesus as I have read in the bible for the pain to disappear (I was probably 14 or 15yrs old). He slept within minutes and woke up perfectly well.
3. When things were tough in the UK, I had been asking God whether or not to go back to Nigeria and finally on this fateful day walking down the street decided to start packing as soon as I got home. I heard audibly and softly this words "it is I who works in you both to will and do of my good pleasure". I turned to see who spoke but there was no one behind me on that street. That settled it, I stayed, today I have no regrets.

I believe in God because I have never lacked comfort even though it may not be the comfort I asked at that particular time, comfort always come. A word from the bible, a phonecall, a remark, a scenery, a song, a post, a chirping bird, the sunrise, Banff Hills, my family, fresh air, food on my table, a good cry in his presence e.t.c.

One thing I know is that, He is ever present whenever I need him most.....then again I have made a choice to acknowledge him.

Do you acknowledge him?

RIP

Ma Peeps,

To him who is able to keep us in Perfect Peace do I Kira fun.

Anyway Anyhow 30+ must yin Baba God.

As per post title, ok hold yourselves no one died again at least not that I know of.

Like someone replied in the comments to Orun Makanju "I shall not die but live and declare the Glory of the Lord". Most folks just stop on the "I shall not die but live", they are not mindful of the rest of the statement which says "and declare the Glory of the Lord".

Are you declaring the glory of the Lord with all you have, your body, soul and spirit or you just want to live for the sake of it.

Talking of which, Life is for living, living to me means all that I do speaks and demonstrate that there is a God. Like the preacher said it is better to remember Him while we are here on this earth because once death comes like "ti e ba e, oyo lo wa" ("your own has caught up with you" as in your are on your own).

There is a question that keeps bugging me. You know how we all go RIP (Rest In Peace) when someone dies, is it more of a slang or is it heartfelt?

IMO - I often wonder whether RIP is really the right thing to say. Would it not be better to say something like "Wow he / she died, all the best on the other side o". Yes now, truth be told I can safely say 99.9% of folks who say RIP to a dead person have themselves never died before and hence have no clue what is happening on the other side so why do you wish someone to rest in peace.

If wishing peace is a good thing, what will you do if someone wishes you Rest In Peace as you are about to go to bed....I can imagine some folks reaction will including cursing the fellow or saying back to sender - lol.

Speaking strictly from the scriptures:

Death is a transition, the place of taking off this earthly suit in exchange for another one. It is appointed for man to die ONCE and after that judgement.

When I leave this earthly suit, I imagine I will be giddy with excitement more than that of 4 year old on a christmas morning probably will fly faster than the goodness and mercy angels to embrace the Lord Jesus. One time I will sign up to join the heavenly choir kia kia, and be among the ones that will do orisirisi dance and rababa for Father Lord.

There was this dude friend of mine and it so happened that we where praying together, on a particular occassion. Suddenly the guy started praying loudly (he was leading) for his mum for like 10 - 15 minutes, no biggie shey. Well the said Mum died like 5-7 yrs ago or somefink. Initially when he started on that prayer point, I had to open one eye to check if he was for real and yep he was dead serious (no pun intended). Prayers like make her comfortable, let her eat the best of the food in heaven and wear the best, wipe her tears, let her be happy look back and be a mother indeed and thing and thin…along that line sha….

Although I was Amen, but mehn I did not feel comfortable "which kind alakoba prayer is this". I was counter praying inside my head "Father the living and the dead have nothing in common", "Father Lord I bind any mama from looking back and seeing me in the name of Jesus", "I bind, I loose, I take captive, I cover myself in the blood of Jesus"

Later when I asked him stylishly about his odd prayer, he said no prayer was ever wasted....okayee o. I remain unconvinced, he prolly was praying like that to make himself feel better about the loss.

So back to RIP, when you say the word do you sincerely mean it as a prayer and do you think it makes any difference to the dead person. How come we don't say things like 'Have fun', 'Enjoy yourself', 'keep a space for me' e.t.c

It's just bugging me

Selah
Why do we people spend time creating chaos for themselves and the people around them only to have Rest In Peace engraved on the tombstone. Today seek peace with God, yourself and with all around you.

*Orun Makanju

Peeps mi,

How are you all?

Abeg Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

If you are reading this post, you sure have breath, why don't you praise God. There will be such a time when the breath will be no more, now that you still have it praise him.

Yesterday - I heard that a good friend of mine passed on. One with whom we worked in hand in hand, one who touched me and helped me in the path of this pilgrimage . He went to be with the Lord sometime last year but I knew not of it. You see I had not seen him for over a decade but believed that one day our paths will yet cross and we will exchange notes.

I will never forget the day I made Orifi cry, he was the first man I will see cry openly because of me (except my dad), he apologised even though I was in the wrong. I teared up inside but put up my stubborn front - he had shown me Humility. I will never forget how he persuaded me to change one habit, where others had faltered he spoke only two sentences, it was like a hammer that broke any questions or resistance of mine - he had demonstrate the power of the WORD. That day he gained my full respect, this was leadership like I never knew.

A kind hearted man, his stature physically was not intimidating but he was strong warrior, Orifi knew his God and he did exploits.

'Orifi ti lo o' (Orifi has gone).
I know our paths will meet again to part no more at the feet of our LORD.

Last week - I visited my neighbour who lost her husband who was well advanced in years yet no less painful for his widow. She let her tears flow freely, a partnership spanning more than 40years now severed.

Monday - I heard of the death of a former colleague, more of an acquitance than a friend, he was just a year my senior but in a neighbouring school. He was a young man whom I am sure had ambition.

Today - Veteran Ibadan politician died aged 81. When it comes to the grandfather of politics in Ibadan, it was Adedibu kan Ibadan kan (one Adedibu, one Ibadan) his influence extends beyond the borders of Ibadan going all the way to Aso Rock. I am sure Ibadan is in uproar, molete will be a no go area, *Erin wo gbogbo ile ni lati mi titi* (*An elephant has fallen, the ground must groan*). The face of Oyo state politics will never be the same.

"Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Eccl 12: 5-7 - NIV).

*Orun Makanju - A popular saying among the yorubas in time of death is 'orun makanju, gbogbo wa la nbo' literal meaning 'heavens don't be in a hurry, we are all coming.

SHALOM

Why I light a Candle

Hi Peeps

Been a wee while. Trust the One who created you is keeping you. No one can take care of you better than the one who made you for this I consciously choose to thank My Maker.

Been feeling a bit melancholic this past week because of some blogs I read and did not just feel like posting. To top it all Friday had me despairing about cycles and how I am aching for a change. Got my music in full blast all day now let the word be playing into my ears.

I have learnt that the Devil is a liar, you only need a small trigger for negative vibes to take over, No I will not allow it. I know enough not to allow that isshhh.

WE ARE NOT PERFECT BUT PERFECTED IN HIS LOVE. Whether you believe it or not, it is the Truth and that settles it.

In my melacholic state and thinking about London Buki's mom, I got curious as to why folks light candles for remembrance, prayers et al. Below are some of the reasons I discovered:

• Because we love, and candlelight is a reflection of that love
• To provide comfort in our sadness, soothe our sorrow, and heal the hurt of loss
• For sanctuary, the aura of candlelight creates a place to meditate, pray, and give devotion
• For solitude, contemplation, and reflection.

So, I am lighting a candle

• To show that I love all my Blogger friends, especially the ones feeling down in the dumps right now, don't stay there Get Up because THE ONE WHO MADE YOU LOVES YOU.
• For London Buki that God will comfort her and her family
• To remind myself that a melancholic state of mind is perfect for praying and meditating on his word.
• To reflect on Colossians 1 v 22, indeed I am free from accusation.

In case you haven't, please stop by London Buki to show some Love, after 5 years of battle her mum has moved on to Glory.

SHALOM

30 days of Thankfulness - Day 19

Join me in the Thankfulness Chain....if you've been tagged, please complete the tag on the assigned dayexample... if you're tagged for November 20... that is day 20 and you should title your post 30 Days of Thankfulness 2 - Day 20provide a link to the person that tagged you previouslyAlso provide a link to the two people that you're tagging for the next day so we can all follow the chain... DO let them know they're being tagged.. why they're being tagged, and how to grow the chainif you're unable to do the tag on your assigned day... still choose the day to reflect the date you do it (if you're choosing not to back date it) ...example... if you're tagged for November 25 but dont get to do it till November 27... and you're not back dating.. it's okay to do it as Day 27 you can post these rules or something to this effect to help it along.. :-) (From Diamond)

I was taggged by Bimbylads

This is Day 19th of Thankfulness Chain

I am thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ, whom I discovered through pages of the Bible, no cajoling from anyone, no hard message from the pulpit, you are real to me and I will never forget the day you stepped into my life the summer of 1987. Over the years you have been the anchor of my soul MY SAVIOUR, MY MASTER AND A TRUE FRIEND INDEED. Thank you JESUS for coming into my life, lifting me from a place of lowliness to a place higher than I, I love you so much, you mean the world to me.

I am thankful for the gift of my family, they are my greatest fan club.

I want to thank God for the gift of the pilgrim lifestyle because he is pushing me out of my comfort zone and expanding my horizon.

I am thankful for the gift of Blogville because I found friends and dare I say another family like no other and an avenue to share, bless and be blessed.

I want to thank God for the gift of humour because I can laugh at myself and make others laugh at the same time.

I am thankful for the gift of waiting because in it God is working out the fruit of Patience.

I want to thank God for my job because it is Purely God's compensation.

I am thankful because God never forgets.

I want to thank God because he rewards.

I amd thankful because he is the God of EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

I want to thank God for the gift of my emotion because even though it gets on my nerves that I feel/empathise so much it is God's way of ensuring that I just don't walk away.

I want to thank God because "won seun, anu won duro titi lai" ("he is good and his mercies endures")

I am thankful because he is "Ariroala" ("The mystery that speaks in dreams")

I want to thank God because he is "Aji pa ojo iku da" ("He changes times and season")

I am thankful because he is "Atobajaye" ("with him life is worth enjoying")

I want to thank God because he is "Emmanuel" ("God with us")

I tag Undacova, Jerusalem, Obiwanne, Isi, Nyemoni, Darklcee, Lighty, Mommy, Princessa and Aijay.

P.S - You don't have to wait to be tagged, thank him anyway

Shalom

HAPPY 21st

Hi Peeps,

What's good y'all? I am fine o, just there are a few things I am praying and trying to resolve. It all relates to my pilgrim lifestyle at the moment but I am not going to bore you with the details maybe later when it has all come to pass...as it always does.

This is my 21st post and I am feeling gengencious about it and have decided to celebrate it, you may say I am trying to recapture the past years going by the noise I am making. You are not far from the truth, when I started typing and it hit me that this was my 21st post, suddenly the thought of my 21st birthday filled my mind, my plans e.t.c. It seems like donkey years ago when I celebrated my 21st Birthday, how time flies.

I was still in the University, I remember my mum wanting to make a big fuss and we nearly had a fight because I did not want any fuss. My reason; I was in Nigeria, my siblings were in the UK it just did not feel right to celebrate without them being there.

I also remember that at 21, some long term bloke friend of mine was pinning for me and I knew it not. I wondered why he looked sad in my birthday pictures, later found out he was pained because he did not know how to ask me out and I was messing up his plans to do just that (without knowing it). I on the other hand was also head over heels for the guy.......

At 21, I remember being happy and nervous at the same time. I was happy that to finally be able to call myself 20+, not just 20 to which some will say you have just left teenage years but from then on it was going to be 20 something. I was soon going to leave the University soon to face the WICKED WORLD. I still felt like a child yet everyone was saying I was now a Big girl. I secretly wished to turn back time and get more time to prepare me for this so called Adult life.

Soon I will have to start working and making money, no more allowance from parents. What if I did not get a job? What if I get a job and don't know what to do? Will I have to remember those lectures I had recieved at the Uni ? I prayed seriously hoping not to get a job with any element of PHYSICS (did and still do not like that subject). Anyways my international business will be my main income stream so even if they sack me I will just go into business full time (at least that was what I thought).

Little did I know what that sooner than I thought my life was going to take another direction altogether.....

Some other 21st news -(Surely this can not be true)
33-year-old man in northern Malaysia has married a 104-year-old woman, saying mutual respect and friendship turned to love.It was Muhamad Noor Che Musa's first marriage and his wife's 21st, according to The Star newspaper which cited a report in the Malay-language Harian Metro tabloid. "I am not after her money, as she is poor," Muhamad reportedly said. "Before meeting Wook, I never stayed in one place for long." The report did not say if any of Wook's previous 20 husbands are still alive. http://www.funnystory.cc/article.php?story=20060502091456454

Enough Story.......let the celebration commence....THIS IS MY 21st POST HIP, HIP HURRAY!!!

I was 21 and now I am 30+, truly God is Good, his mercies endure and he is faithful.







All these food just for 21st post celebration 30+ you sure hunger was not another factor for puttin so much food up (lol).

Ok I am sharing the food with Nigeria, since this is her independence anniversary week.

Shalom

Good News - Series 1

Hi Peeps,

Wuz up, trust you're all good. Got a new flatmate he seems alright he is a "light skinned white guy" (just as we have light skinned Naija's, he is like the colour of milk) and as quiet as a mouse. Although I am still wondering how he sat through my burning food which I left on and slept off. The smoke woke me up and I dashed to the kitchen coughing. Meanwhile my new flatmate sat in the living room adjacent to the kitchen, yet no reaction STRANGE I thought, but it's all good.

I read this writings in The Message and was really blessed (in italics are my own summations), hope it blesses you too

Chapter 53
Who believes what we've heard and seen?
Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?

Despised
The servant grew up before God
—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.

The Price
But the fact is it was our pains he carried
— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep that’ve wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence.

Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man.
Even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.

Checkmate
Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it
—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

Victory and Reward
Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced,
my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly
— the best of everything, the highest honors
—because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many;
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

Copyright The message - Isaiah 53

Till Laters, take charge
Shalom

I got mail

I got this in my in box, it blessed my heart and I identified so much with it especially the bit about SCARS. Every woman (and man) has one scar or the other from the different battles of life.

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator,but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way but sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Never judge another persons scar, because you don't know how they got them. Also, it is so important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these messages, without forwarding them to someone else.Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too- enough to not let them go.

Author unknown

TO ALL THE BLOGGERS ON BLOGVILLE, past, present and future, pmwah this is 30+ showing some love, REMEMBER HE WILL NOT LET YOU GO.

Shalom