Monday Night Musings... 21-12-15

The year has gone by sooooooo quickly.  It's crazy I know!  It feels just like a few days ago when we were all telling each other 'Happy New Year'  and now it's Christmas time and the end of the year already.  You will agree with me that it's God's faithfulness that has kept us through it all.  Just like the Bible says,  His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Well it's another new week,  and here I am musing over lessons learned in the last one week :

1. God is faithful.  He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)  

2. Many have lost sight of the true reason for this season; Jesus Christ.  I must never lose sight of Him because once I do,  then the true essence of Christmas is lost.  

3. Honoring God would mean going against the flow of the world but God gives trench to me to live in ways pleasing to Him for His glory.  

4. God made us and only Him can satisfy us.  Without Him,  we are all empty.  He alone fills hungry hearts with good things.

5.   I can take refuge in God's presence.  He's my safe resting place. 

6. Jesus gave up so much so that I could gain salvation.  Words cannot express my gratitude.  I must strive to live in a way that honors the sacrifices He made for me.  

7. Jesus' birth brought LIGHT into this dark world of sin. 

8. "Look and live,  my brother live. Look to Jesus now and live.  Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah.  It is only that you look and live!" (William Ogden) 

9. "Never fear to suffer; but oh!  Fear to sin.  If you must choose between them,  prefer the greatest suffering to the smallest sin."  (Thomas Guthrie) 

10. I must never compare myself with others who may 'seem' to be having it better than I am.  When I compare myself with people,  it only succeeds in breeding envy,  jealousy,  and contempt in my heart.  Trust me,  it's the truth. 

Well, as always I hope today you leave this page with at least one lesson etched in your heart. Have a wonderful Christmas celebration ahead! May love and compassion rule our hearts AND our actions this season.  God is counting on us to shine His light to a dark world.  

Good night!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..... 

Monday Night Musings... 14-12-2015

Hey guys!

It's me musing this Monday night again..  I'm sorry I couldn't post anything last week due to some technical difficulties..  Haha.  :)
I would go straight to the point.  Here are my Musings tonight as I snuggle in my blanket and drift off to dreamland.  

1. The cold in my present geographical location (Jtown) is just uncensored.  Don't mind me.  But it's cold.  Brrrr!!! 

2. It's Christmas time again!  Whoop Whoop.  The story of the cross and salvation is not complete without the story of Christmas.  There is no death without a birth.  Jesus' birth was the start of our story of salvation. I must never forget to celebrate the true reason for the season this Christmas and always. 

3. The secret of contentment is taking one day at a time.  It is realizing that God has given me everything I need for my present happiness.  

4. When I choose to follow Christ,  He begins to make me more like Him daily.  It's not about pretending to be what I'm not,  but about becoming more and more what I am in Jesus Christ.  

5. God is sovereign over the good and bad situations in my life.  He uses such to build character in me.  These experiences revelation who I really am inside,  after which God can directly confront my heart's problem. 

6. I must feed on Jesus Christ.  He should be the center of my desires. 

7. To gain contentment,  I must equalize my desires to my circumstances.  

8.My soul can be filled with nothing else but God Himself.

9. In a world full of fear,  I must remember that Jesus came as the Prince of Peace.  I desperately need His peace and when I look up to Him,  He will calm my heart and ease my fears. 

10.So some days ago I got into a taxi to go home after a long day at school and we approached my drop off point when I removed money to pay the cab man.  Moments before the person sitting beside me had given the can man money and told him he was paying for 2. But of course I didn't know him so I didn't care.  So when I tried to pay,  the cab man refused the money and then the person beside me told me he had paid for me.  I wondered why and he told me he'd met me before when one day I paid somebody's cab fare. Therefore,  he decided to pay my cab fare that day.  I was dumbfounded that if I was indeed the one he spoke about (because I've paid cab fares for quite a no of people),  then I was shocked that he remembered.  I realized that indeed we reap what we sow.  Sometimes we get our blessings here on earth.  That little good you do to someone may leave a lasting mark on that person's heart. Let's sow good seeds into the lives of people we meet.  Let others see Jesus in me and in you.

Hope you learn a thing or two today. Sleep tight! 

Monday Night Musings... 30-11-2015

Hey there,

I know many times we TGIF (thank God it's Friday) but today I've decided to TGIM (thank God it's Monday)!!!
Mondays to me are days full of expectation and hope for the new week.  Mondays give us something to look forward to in the new week.  Tonight I've decided to share some of my 'Monday Night Musings...' in other words, lessons I have learned today and am pondering on before I turn off the light, pull the covers and drift into dreamland.  (LOL)

1. Impatience never gets you anywhere.  Impatience causes great damage. I must learn to patient and wait my turn. If we all waited our turn,  I think many lines would move even faster.
2. Satan's power to do evil is subject to God's power.  No matter what even in the bad times of my life,  God is still steering the wheel of my life.
3. I must always be grateful and never allow vanity cloud my vision.
4. I must always remember that Jesus is my example for a godly life. Jesus alone.  He is all I need.
5. Finally,  others can be a great influence in me,  but it is Jesus Christ whom I am trying to imitate.

I hope you learn a thing or two.

In Christ,

Petite.

LOVE!!!

 Written by a dear friend of mine...

Lost!!! In the billions of beings around me

Loss and pain I see on their faces for something once loved but lost

Love, the most physical illusion, never touched but ever felt

The fountain of all things but never seen.

Ever abused for lack of physical proof that is always ignored.

Love is the only thing that keeps our broken world moving, for in love:

Lies the pain to hold on

Lies the burden of hate

Lies the motivation for man to be immortal

Lies the quest for power

Lies the tears of a broken world, yearning to be built back up with love.

It defies all logical reasoning, and man chases after it for the sheer thrill of

its unknown power.

Men often chase its shadow, thinking it’s the real thing,

Not knowing that love is the Breath of Life.

Some choke for lack, for their lungs are being strangled by

pride, lust, hate, greed, unforgiveness, self-righteousness and the heart

darkens each day with prolonged tolerance of these.

With each day losing the breath of life,

Which is Jesus Christ, He who loved first.

With each day passing, with the weight of sin slowly weakening the heart,

And death slowly begins to creep in like a snake and curls itself, nestling

between the comfort of ignorance and pride.

Unknown to its host, it patiently waits to strike.

But utmost humility and acknowledgement to He who breathes life itself,

Unsits death itself and gives life again.

What greater love is there, than when one gives His life for another…

For with a second chance one no longer sees shadows to run after, but

Mistakes to run from, and run for the GREATEST prize,

Which is true, undisputed love.

The crux of the matter remains:

In love all men are complete, and it is,

Has been, and will be the one thing life has not lost!!!

{Seyelnen Molwus}

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

References:

The Holy Bible  

God Is So…Personal

I feel so strongly to share this with you… it’s written by Joni Eareckson Tada, a disabled woman whose faith has built up many, including mine.

“When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who has various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them.”

(Luke 4:40)

In Luke 4 everybody from the surrounding countryside brought sick people to see Jesus. Now it could have panned out this way:

          Jesus surveys the crowd and says, “Okay, all you blind people, you sit over here. And everybody who has a contagious disease, you guys sit way over there. Now, where are the deaf? All you deaf people, gather on that hill. Paralyzed people? Calling all paralyzed people! Okay, get yourselves together in a group right in the front here. Now, everybody in position? Are you ready? Here goes!” Then, with a wave of His hand over the crowd, Jesus shouts, “Be healed!”

          Aren’t you glad it didn’t happen that way? No grand-scale miracles of epic proportions were performed by Jesus. Instead He laid His hand on each one who came to Him. His gentle touch healed the deaf, and He had nothing but kind words for blind people who reached out to Him. He ministered to each one…individually. In so doing, He performed divine feats in a loving and highly personal way.

          That’s what I find so amazing about Christ. Although the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Him, He didn’t make high drama of it. He glorifies the Father but not in a showy way. Unlike the unapproachable “smoke and fire” of the Old Testament Mount Sinai, Jesus makes Himself approachable through the love and tears of the New Testament Mount Calvary.

That’s the kind of miracle God wants to perform in your life. Today He encounters you with the same tenderness and humanity He showed two thousand years ago. You are not a face in a sea of nameless people whom He divides into groups like the deaf, the blind, and the paralyzed. He wants to give you His highly personal touch.

Lord, I’m grateful I’m not a what’s-his-name in your eyes. I’m not a face in the crowd. You thought of me, formed me, and designed every unique, wonderful bone in my body long before the foundation of the earth. Touch my life today in the personal yet powerful way you have touched people through the ages.

References:

The Holy Bible

More Precious Than Silver, Joni Eareckson Tada (1998)

Infinity Dreams Award!!!!

This was supposed to be posted days ago... my apologies, it was all typed but MTN won't give me network. Lol. 

Soooooo…. I was nominated for the Infinity Dreams Award (my first online award ever!!!! J) by the amazing Mfon Etuk, my fellow sister and blogger who runs the blog Dainty M (www.daintym.com). which seeks to inspire every reader to live a victorious life! Thank you!!!! You inspire me to be better. *hugs and e-hugs* 

So the rules of the award are as follows:

1.      Thank and link to the blogger who tagged you

2.      Answer the 11 questions

3.      Nominate 11 bloggers and ask them 11 questions

And here are the answers to the questions asked:

1.      If you were a superhero, which powers would you have?

Hahaha. Nice. Well… I’d have super strength, disappearing powers and superfast speed.

2.     What is your favorite song?

Hahahahha. Chai. I have a favorite song like every week so…. Honestly I don’t have a favorite song. But I think one time it was ‘What Dreams are Made of’ by Hilary Duff used in the Lizzy McGuire movie.

3.     Who is your celebrity crush?

Hahahahahha. Let’s see. I don’t know. *rotfl*

4.     Action flicks or romantic comedy (or both)?

Both!!!

5.     Dancing or gaming?

I suck at gaming so I’ll go for the dancing option (even tho’ I don’t know how to dance. LOL)

6.     What did you have for lunch?

Hahahhahha. Chai. I had tuwon masara (corn meal) and one very hot and peppery okra soup. 

7.     Are you a hugger?

Hahahhahaha. I try my best. So… I think that’s a yes.

8.     Would you rather travel by air or road?

Hmmmmm… I don’t like travelling at allllllllll… I don’t like being in one place for too long but well I like both air and road if I were to travel. Air because its faster and road because I get to look at the trees and the clouds and the mountains and pray to the one One who made them all. It’s a great opportunity for communion with my Maker.

9.     What are your hobbies?

Reading, listening to music, singing, doing business, and generally just being busy! (If that’s a hobby)

10. What is your favorite meal?

Aha! Pounded yam and Egusi soup, any day, anytime. *smilingwidely*

11.  How many kids would you like to have?

Hahahahahahhah… these questions tho… I’ll like to have just 10 only. Inspired by the movie ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’.

I happen to not know up to 11 bloggers (hahahhahaha) so permit me to bend the last rule. My nominations are:

1.      Frances Okoro

www.imperfectlyperfectlives.com

2.      Stacy Bright Davies

www.omolora.wordpress.com

3.      Enwongo Ettang

www.enwongoettang.com

4.      And finally, for a second time, forgive me… Mfon Etuk!!!

www.daintym.com

Here are your own questions:

1.      What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

2.      What was your most embarrassing moment growing up?

3.      Which celebrity would you love to meet before you die?

4.      Are you ticklish?

5.      Would you rather read a novel or watch a movie? Why?

6.      What is your favorite meal?

7.      What is your favorite color and why?

8.      What superhero do you admire?

9.      If you had a chance at possessing an extraordinary superpower, what would it be?

10. Pizza or shawarma?

11. Did you bed wet while growing up? *rotfl*

Can’t wait to see your answers!!!! J J

Love, 

Petite

DARE!!!

Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”

There is a well-known saying I particularly like. It says, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” This is indeed very true. It is very important for every person to have a set of principles and resolves that guide his or her everyday life. Just take a brief moment and imagine what your life would be like if you lived care-free, without any form of principle to guide your life. I just thought about it and I think my life would be a total mess because I’d be like a plant with no roots that the wind can carry anywhere it pleases; and that’s not good for business (lol) because then I'd land anywhere the wind blows me to, and in reality, that could be a really dangerous thing. In other words, I’ll have no mind of my own.

There is great power in the existence of resolve and principles. When we have principles, we have purpose. We know what we want and we are not easily swayed by any wind of change or doctrine. This is good for business (lol) because then, you will know where you are headed to and no “wind” will successfully blow you to just anywhere.

Look back at the verse above. Daniel RESOLVED… he knew what he wanted, and there was no room for rationalizing or debating. He knew that as a chosen child of God, food offered to idols was not what he should be eating. You may say that yes, the food was served to idols, but the vegetables he asked for also came from the King’s palace! Yes, I agree, but I believe that this resolve was guided by God and that his decision to ask for vegetables was connected with God and maybe even with the dieting laws of Israel at that time.  Now back to the pointJ. There are two main lessons that this one verse taught me:

Number one – Having strong resolve over little issues like food reduces the struggle to keep resolves over bigger issues. If you cannot be principled over very little issues, when big issues come, you will be like a plant without roots; you will not be able to stand. Even the Bible says that he who is faithful with little things… so, do you find yourself needing resolve in a little issue in your life? It could be food J too. Hahaha. Start now.

Number two – Daring to take a stand FIRST has the “domino effect”. If you’ve played dominoes, when the dominoes are arranged, if the first one is pushed, it falls on the one next to it which falls on the one next to it like that until the last domino is fallen. That is the domino effect. From the verses (if you read further) we see that the three Hebrew friends refused to eat the king’s food but rather vegetables. However, it was actually Daniel who first made the resolve not to eat the king’s food and I’m sure when the other Hebrew boys heard of it, decided to make the same resolve too. This taught me a very important lesson. It taught me that sometimes I need to DARE to make the right decision and by so doing, is able to spur others to make the same decision as me. This may not always happen, and I may be left alone with my resolve, but I am not alone, the host of heaven are standing with me.

I am to make the change. I am to be the change. So are you! Your decisions should spur others to do what’s right! And so I challenge you to dare to stand out and make/be the change! Remember that the change you desire begins with you.

God is counting on you.

I leave you with the words of this chorus, "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose oh, oh, dare to make it known!"

DARE!!!

References:

The Holy Bible (NIV)

Google Image Search 

STAY AFLOAT!!!

 “The world is drowning, don’t sink with it.” (Sever Andzenge)

Exodus 1:22-2:1-10 - ²² So Pharaoh issued a general order to all his people: “Every boy that is born, drown him in the Nile. But let the girls live.” ^1-3 A man from the family of Levi married a Levite woman. The woman became pregnant and had a son. She saw there was something special about him and hid him. She hid him for three months. When she couldn’t hide him any longer she got a little basket-boat made of papyrus, waterproofed it with tar and pitch, and placed the child in it. Then she set it afloat in the reeds at the edge of the Nile.

^4-6 The baby’s older sister found herself a vantage point a little way off and watched to see what would happen to him. Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the Nile to bathe; her maidens strolled on the bank. She saw the basket-boat floating in the reeds and sent her maid to get it. She opened it and saw the child—a baby crying! Her heart went out to him. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”

⁷ Then his sister was before her: “Do you want me to go and get a nursing mother from the Hebrews so she can nurse the baby for you?”

⁸ Pharaoh’s daughter said, “Yes. Go.” The girl went and called the child’s mother.

⁹ Pharaoh’s daughter told her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me. I’ll pay you.” The woman took the child and nursed him.

¹⁰ After the child was weaned, she presented him to Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted him as her son. She named him Moses (Pulled-Out), saying, “I pulled him out of the water.”

It is not news that the world we live in at the moment is becoming dangerous by the day. God is being gradually taken out of every single aspect of society. I was thinking about all the stuff going down and I’m just like, ‘Oh mehn, I really don’t wanna bring a child into this drowning world which is sinking real deep and deep in the twinkle of an eye. It’s scary raising a child in such a world. He would have to be protected from almost everything at a point. #sigh#  It’s truly scary. However, there is still hope for the coming generation if we play our cards right. Yes, there’s hope.

Let’s take a look at the Biblical account above. Three important things stand out from that story; the Nile, the basket, and the lady Miriam.

v The Nile River represents the world and its many distractions. Because of course we live in the world, we are in no way shielded from the many distractions it presents. It is a flowing river with numerous distractions. Some of these distractions include humanistic beliefs, the fashion craze, ungodly music, the crave to belong, homosexuality and many others. There are distractions grabbing at our attention by the day. And what are these distractions? In simple terms, they are things that take our eyes off the goal ahead of us. Therefore, we must beware of such distractions and rely on God’s helps and grace to keep us focused on the goal, which is to live for God’s own pleasure.

v The Basket represents the Word of God. The Word of God is what is able to keep us afloat the waters of evil. Without the Word of God we will sink deep down into the waters of the ‘Nile’ (the world) and drown. Moses’ mother made a basket of papyrus and even went ahead to coat it with pitch and tar so it would stay afloat and so also to prevent the waters of the Nile from seeping into the basket and drowning her child. A time will come when we would have to release our children into the waters of the world and the only thing we can give them to help them stay afloat is the Word of God. The Word of God will serve as a basket that will keep them from drowning with the world. The Word of God is the only weapon that we have to fight the battle against the evil one. Therefore, we as parents and parents-to-be are responsible for immersing our children in the Word of God so that even when they aren’t under our watchful eyes, we can be confident that they will not sink, just like Moses’ mother had confidence that her baby wouldn’t sink in the basket she made for him. Also, she made the basket HERSELF. This means that no one else but US as parents must teach our children the Word of God. It is our responsibility and God will hold us accountable.

v The Lady Miriam represents destiny helpers and disciplers in the lives of our children. We must back up our teachings of God’s Word with prayer, constantly asking God to raise destiny helpers and disciplers for our children wherever they are thrown to in this life. Such people serve as watchmen and encouragers to our children. God can raise them anywhere; at their schools, work places, church, wherever. God raise some for a season, and some for a lifetime, but in every place, He has placed ‘Miriams’ who will help our children walk into the destiny that the Lord God has prepared for them.

Moses’ mother saw that her child was a special child and had a destiny to fulfill and that was why she did all she could to keep him alive; which included letting him into the Nile. To current parents and us future parents, we must see our children as special and each with a destiny to fulfill. The life Moses’ mother preserved became the redeemer of his people.

To us as parents and grown people, the world is drowning, but we can’t and shouldn’t sink with it. We have the Word of God which is able to keep us afloat and alive to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

So… there’s hope for the future, I just have to play my role well and be confident that God’ Word will be able to keep me and my child/children from drowning.

STAY AFLOAT!!! The Lord is counting on you to raise a godly generation.

 REFERENCES:

The Holy Bible (MSG & NIV)

STorMs oF LiFe...

Luke 8:22-25 “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

1.       You were born to face the storm – I’m sure you’re most likely wondering, like huh? Well… the truth is that you were actually born to face the storm. Storms of life were never reserved for a particular set of people.  As far as you are alive, life will definitely bring storms your way, small ones and mighty big ones.

2.     Jesus does not promise me a life void of storms, but He does promise to be there with me and give me peace when the storm comes. - Jesus, being God, most definitely knew that a storm was coming on when He and His disciples got into the boat. He is well aware of the fact that I will experience storms in my life, but when the storms come, His peace which passeth all understanding will guard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). God’s presence and peace is far greater than any storm I have faced, I am facing, or will ever face.

3.     Do NOT chicken out of a storm! – Just like there’s light at the end of every tunnel, so also is there land at the other side of every storm! Be ready for the storm and courageously face it. Once you have Jesus in your boat, you do not need to worry about the storm. Because He has power over every storm, I do not need to fear anything.

4.     Faith in Jesus will see me through any storm –Where is your faith? Are you passing through depression, fear, the loss of a loved one or even physical pain? Put your faith in Jesus Christ! These are all storms of life and only your faith will take you through it all. Faith is key if I must successfully get to the other side of the storm. Sure, you’ll probably lose it every once in a while but do not lose your faith. Remember that even if you have faith like a mustard seed, it can work wonders for you. (Luke 17:6) In those moments when you think you are drowning, call out to Jesus to raise you up! He is able!

“Lord, I do not ask you to prevent me from the storm because I am not immune to storms of life. All I ask is that you increase my faith in You. Deliver me from doubt so that You can bring me to the other side. Amen.”

References:

The Holy Bible

Images from Google Search

Nuggets To Help You Study Better

Hey folks!

Personal study has helped me a great deal in my academic journey for the few years of my life nowJ.  I would like to share with you what I have learned and practiced over time that I believe will help you study better. Yes you.

1.               Identify what keeps you alert: This is very important as a key element in studying is staying awake. It’s obvious that you can’t study while asleep. For some people like me, music is quite adequate to keep us awake while we study and does not pose much of a distraction. For some other people it’s sipping on coffee or eating. Find what keeps you awake.

2.           Develop a positive attitude towards all your subjects: In many cases, when you dislike a subject, you find it very hard to want to study it. This is because your dislike for it will cause you to see only the difficult sides of the subject and make it look impossible to understand or even eventually pass with good grades. When I developed a positive attitude toward Mathematics, I found it easier to study and had good grades at the end. Attitude is important folks!

3.           Study in a conducive environment: It is best to avoid noisy or crowded places. It is also advisable to stay away from places that have any distractions that you know will cause you to have divided attention. A serene and quiet environment is the best to study in. This does not include your bed!

4.           Set out a specific time daily to study: Set out an hour or two, or even three that is convenient for you to study on a daily basis. Try as much as possible not to allow this time encroach upon your resting time. Avoid time stealers! Do not allow anything unimportant to take you away from you study time.

5.           Sit up!!!! : Do not make the mistake of fooling yourself thinking that you can study lying down on your bed. This technique is very tricky! You can become too comfortable and fall asleep before you know it. Therefore, it is advisable to study using a table and chair.

6.           Are you a night owl or a day person? : When do you study best? At night or during the day? Find out what time suits you and fix your study period then. Personally, I find it easier to study at night.

7.            Set goals: For each daily period of study, set goals for yourself. Write down all the things you want to achieve in that period. It is important to write it down. This list should include the subjects you want to study, the duration of time allotted to study each subject and the topics you want to cover under each subject. Additionally, set long term and short term academic goals. What do you want to achieve in each particular subject by mid-term? End of term?

8.           Turn it off!!! : Unless you are using your mobile phone for research purposes, if possible, turn it off while you study. You will see the difference.

9.           Rest well: In order to study better, you also need to rest well. Make effort to get enough sleep daily.  Well, I would say 8 hours if possible. Hahaha. This will keep your mind ticking and also aid in avoiding exhaustion.

10.     Pay attention in class: This too is important for better studying. When you listen in class, it makes your personal study easier and more understandable. You will only be studying to refresh your memory from the lecture and you will have more time to carry out more research on your topics.

Finally, my advice? STUDY, STUDY, STUDY. Do not wait for the rush period before tests or exams to study.  When you study daily, you will be able to make more valuable contributions in class. You will also be better prepared, have better composed answers, and be much more relaxed for tests and exams. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV) Burn your midnight candles, bulbs, phone lights and torchlights now, it will all be worth it in the end.  J

References:

The Holy Bible (King James Version)

Pictures from Google Search Engine