tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52294436234068440842024-03-10T20:13:03.127+01:00iNyamu's Eldoradothe lady,her reality, her abstract, her life...... her blogJoy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.comBlogger767125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-27667350844175070082022-12-20T02:12:00.000+01:002022-12-20T02:12:08.393+01:00On Catching Flights... <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">My nieces and I had to part ways after security at the airport... we were on the same terminal, but our gates were about 30 minutes apart from each other. They were off to London and I to Nigeria. </span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every other person hugged them goodbye and left, but me… </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t like goodbyes and I worried if they’d be okay… so I figured I'd be able to get on the train with them to their gate and sit for a while before going back to my gate... but the information desk staff advised me against <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>it as my flight time was closing in. And so with tears in my eyes, I watched them get on their train and head off before turning back to mine. The time I spent being extra and emotional… the others who left were able to duty free shop, but I didn’t have enough time to shop leisurely and even missed out on buying what I saved money to get from the airport, as I had to rush to my gate as boarding had started.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You see, in life, salvation is like the airport we all meet at, but we have different flight paths, the destination is home/good success. It'd be foolish to go and sit in another gate because you love those there so much or you prefer their path, that you miss your own flight. Or maybe you prefer their plane; an Airbus A380… but the one assigned to your route is an old Boeing 777. So you sit there with them waiting… You'll realize too late that your boarding pass wouldn’t get you on that flight.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pay attention to your instructions. Boarding time is sometimes different, different gates, meet at the terminal and love on yourselves, but be resolute on going to your own gate. A lot of people are sitting at wrong gates and wonder why they don’t seem to be making progress. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Focus on your own vision and not the other person’s… you can help direct them to their gate, but you can’t sit there to make them feel good, you will miss out on life (except that’s what your boarding pass says to do). </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't go sitting in another's calling, because it looks bigger than yours… Focus on your own assignment. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Gal 6:4-5(MSG)</span></div></div>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-66917464354806411702022-07-04T23:22:00.004+01:002022-07-04T23:22:51.378+01:00On.... Disproportional Response<p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Aoc8FPl7ZSmNS970ORbrTIXP5jed4va4PB-lkC3JbtbfIV1CdN5UFHAGfCradWeRB28WCD3QF7TI7rUiGlem9pg6XUP8RXUvLaQ0VlkCi1AqwPm9IXOoYyVbPHy105UqhLKr7jvPPR7XqwAomjDqgrVKPysHf9HS3OU3o5rbxhm1-GOYU3kt9PGK/s960/290577760_10166365330875282_5969698886556200465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Aoc8FPl7ZSmNS970ORbrTIXP5jed4va4PB-lkC3JbtbfIV1CdN5UFHAGfCradWeRB28WCD3QF7TI7rUiGlem9pg6XUP8RXUvLaQ0VlkCi1AqwPm9IXOoYyVbPHy105UqhLKr7jvPPR7XqwAomjDqgrVKPysHf9HS3OU3o5rbxhm1-GOYU3kt9PGK/w437-h640/290577760_10166365330875282_5969698886556200465_n.jpg" width="437" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Its election season in </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nigeria</span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">! A lot of campaign teams are being formed and the rat race has started in earnest. This shot makes me feel like I could be a Josh Lyman or a Sam Seaburn on president Bartlet’s campaign team… I mean, a girl can daydream, can’t she?</span></span></span></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a fan of the West Wing Series, hence the Josh and Sam reference. I own the box set, and enjoy re-watching episodes ever so often. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s an episode titled 'Disproportional Response’, about the plane carrying the president’s personal physician, a naval doctor, who was just like a son to him, being shot down in the middle east. The president was so mad, his decision for a reprisal attack was illogical.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Let the word ring forth from this time and this place, you kill an American, any American, we don't come back with a proportional response, we come back (bangs fist on table) with total disaster!” </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was frowned at by the NSA. They argued for a proportional response.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"What's the virtue of the Proportional Response?" President Bartlet then asked.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You see, a proportional response reduces the likelihood of an escalation to full blown war. It’s more like, “you bomb me, I bomb you, God no go vex.” Less collateral damage. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, God isn’t a president with national security advisers... He is sovereign, and when it concerns man, He sees no virtue in proportional response. After man’s fall, we were held captive by satan, and our authority and qualification as sons to walk boldly in our inheritance was marred by sin… BUT God rose up to redeem us, His response for our salvation was disproportional… He left no chance, and dealt with the issue once and for all… not by the measure of our sins, but with grace greater than our sins. A price higher than the debt was paid. A full stop, where there can never be a counter response to ever make it a level playing field. He left the blood of bulls and went for the jugular, by giving his son...Jesus to die for our redemption. </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your sin and mistakes are not too great for the price redemption has paid for you. You’re not too bad for this good God to love and save. He’s got you covered on that cross… Stop running from God. Accept salvation and live freely in His love</span></div></div>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-12197082292070570432022-07-01T23:22:00.001+01:002022-07-04T23:25:46.357+01:00Beautiful July... <p> It's July... my birth month. My favourite month. </p><p>I'm looking forward to all the goodies bursting forth from this month. </p><p>It was a happy June... and how beautiful July will be, with God being my exceeding great reward.</p><p>Have a beautiful July... I intend to have one too. </p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-8574291923018815422022-06-09T22:20:00.001+01:002022-06-09T22:20:13.409+01:00On... Film Tricks.<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90ak59zt4DZkblyzFWrZ3FjsDFvqiL_9pXfXd_hAIbW2OBBw0TncrHtylWGqqubHdG1e6bxAjv0Z3JlhV3865KD5OnQRNRFgkvRdyJ4tH3wusEc_Iw4lIoH53NDORUeWCCcw9T3EOn92X_xNAHWZxf6uiJU5aRO9pdPFRiTLa9ainwy7ylyi8z0Uy/s1280/IMG_20220508_155102_036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="660" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90ak59zt4DZkblyzFWrZ3FjsDFvqiL_9pXfXd_hAIbW2OBBw0TncrHtylWGqqubHdG1e6bxAjv0Z3JlhV3865KD5OnQRNRFgkvRdyJ4tH3wusEc_Iw4lIoH53NDORUeWCCcw9T3EOn92X_xNAHWZxf6uiJU5aRO9pdPFRiTLa9ainwy7ylyi8z0Uy/s16000/IMG_20220508_155102_036.jpg" /></a></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I was one confused little girl the first time I experienced a sun shower. I just couldn’t fathom how the sun was still shining bright while it was raining. I remember calling out to my brother in wild wonder screaming "JoeJoe, they're doing film trick"(I can still hear my voice say that). Whoever 'they' meant … probably angels, certainly not Hollywood. LOL! </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">That was my only logical explanation... it had to be a film trick! Where the special effects are always top notch, but so subtle you almost forget it isn’t reality.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I always asked my dad loads of questions when we watched movies... “Daddy, would he die?” “How come this and that…?” I probably learned about film tricks from my endless questions, especially when watching those Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris and Terminator movies with incredible fight scenes with my siblings.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Life with God can sometimes feel like a film trick, the way He works… the way He turns situations around. The scripture says “When the Lord turned again our captivity, we were like them that dream...”</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">How He raises a man from the dunghill and sets him up amongst princes. How He heals the blind and raises the dead. How joy is seen radiating through person who has gone through an earth-shattering experience. How He works miracles.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The wonders of God are like film tricks… that special effect that makes the impossible seem so real; be it the appearance of the rainbow or a beautiful sunset, or watching in awe waterfalls, and how the sea keeps to its boundaries. And thank God, these special effects, are the real deal, often too good to be true, but so God it’s got to be true. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m tempted to scream 'Film trick'… as I see the goodness of God play out in my life, the supernatural in and through me, and the manifestation of words spoken over me. The reality of my life is way high above my qualification; not by hustling, sheer grace and favor... May you experience the heaven kind of film trick in your life, the boundless love of God.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div><p><br /></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-82986721133443504382022-03-14T11:00:00.028+01:002022-03-14T11:00:00.203+01:00Qualified... Take a Bow!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiLEEEGCh_ZXLHcAzW8GPk5Lir6L4h2bEXa43peWgi-YgA-eh9z63hEwraOVp_3-2_oWxmXPdlUVq_FsFSv79AFiFaq53FBuBkP4ntSZo_AOfRqf1ySxv1N6LUddJPJqOhT0bL2FbCOqgpki_flu_fIL5_oqKSmuHrL2u7ounIoOQv8-BWohw5Alay=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiLEEEGCh_ZXLHcAzW8GPk5Lir6L4h2bEXa43peWgi-YgA-eh9z63hEwraOVp_3-2_oWxmXPdlUVq_FsFSv79AFiFaq53FBuBkP4ntSZo_AOfRqf1ySxv1N6LUddJPJqOhT0bL2FbCOqgpki_flu_fIL5_oqKSmuHrL2u7ounIoOQv8-BWohw5Alay=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ministerial nomination season is always an interesting time in Nigeria as we watch the intrigues of politics play out. The unqualified are most times given appointments as compensation… or as the new government’s arm of friendship to godfathers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then the screening of nominees start in the senate and we watch in awe, as the questions of credibility are swept under the rug as the unqualified are asked to “take a bow and go” without due process screening </span>exercise, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">even when a question slips into the mix and he fumbles with the answer, “take a bow and go” is echoed. Ushering him into his new position… qualified or not! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A confirmation hearing to assess competence becomes a curtain call of subpar performance. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despicable in the world, b</span>ut… as a child of God, that’s how we roll. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">God calls the unqualified. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God has chosen you, He’s looked beyond your qualifications and lack of, <span>for being the recipient of His love, </span>grace<span> and mercy... for what He’s called you to be and do,</span> and He has spoken as the majority… saying to you with no hesitation, <b><i>“take a bow and go”.</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He isn’t telling you take a bow to leave you stranded in incompetence. No. He’s there helping you, to be what He’s approved you to be in Him, in purpose. When you’re at the end of yourself, the wisdom and help of God is there. The right assistance is there for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“You are anointed to do great things for the kingdom. Follow God’s leading.”</i> Dr Anthony Evans <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If God's qualified you, then </span>you're<span style="font-family: inherit;"> qualified... follow His leading and watch just how great </span>things<span style="font-family: inherit;"> will turn out for you. And even if the people oppose your call, you know, like those who gather around newspaper stands in Nigeria, or type </span>vigorously on<span style="font-family: inherit;"> their keyboard </span>criticising<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the government … He’s saying <i>“Who shall lay a charge against God’s elect? it is God that justifies.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the honour God has placed on you, He justifies you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The fact that you have been asked to take a bow doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be accountable. Because you’re accepted in the beloved, and </span>grace abounds to you, <span style="font-family: inherit;">does not mean you have room to </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">do anyhow</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are good works to do. Honour the one who loved you and called you, honour your call, honour your purpose, honour your kingdom, honour the trust that has been placed on you. Do good works to glorify your father, and men will see your light. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”</i> Acts 9:14-15<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">People would try to disqualify you from your assignment by dwelling on the things they have heard about you... Ananias heard about the horrible things Saul had done, these were true things… but God didn’t address the past, instead He spoke about who Saul was in His eyes, the Paul the world would come to know and be helped by his letters and teachings… God called him His chosen instrument.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gideon was timid and fearful, but in the same book of judges that described him as all that, we saw him become one the greatest judges of Israel… In his raw state, the angel of the Lord called him mighty man of </span>valour<span style="font-family: inherit;"> unqualified as he was… He was asked to take a bow that qualified him into the perfect plans of God. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“God has freed you from impressing people that don’t count. He has elected and selected you.”</i> Reigner David’s <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God has loved us, a people undeserving… accept His love… take a bow and go and rule your world. Live in purpose despite the fingers of accusation and voices that rise to try and disqualify you. remember, they </span>don't count.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Have single eyes… on the goal of being commissioned by God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John<span lang="EN-GB"> </span>15:16<span lang="EN-GB"> </span>TPT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the chosen series, and these words of the disciple Philip, spoken to Matthew who felt so unqualified to be in the company of Jesus struck me… <i>“What you think you know doesn’t matter, only that Jesus chose you, that’s where your confidence comes from now.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The same way Jesus called Peter, an unstable person a Rock… and what a Rock he was formed into despite his unstableness. Jesus indeed transforms us into what we are not… we are transfigured to the version of ourselves we never thought or imagined existed, when we put our trust in Him,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God has chosen you, because He loves you… that’s where your confidence should be anchored on, so when the storm of voices rise to tell you otherwise, you are not floored. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So my darling… you are qualified, </span>because<span style="font-family: inherit;"> God says so. Take a bow and go live a rich and satisfying life you’ve been called into. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-50233983699577745612022-03-02T15:49:00.000+01:002022-03-02T15:49:12.711+01:00I Believe in Miracles... E.A Adeboye at 80.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqfztA0ul_n-R3mIv-_LE9AYzDDfap0Xx7oR-aVtxYuXN4ObK3lWtQmFaiWEDNqAdCp8yVJy-BgUKMcPxqizlR4tMR8DQ5yWpRdVJ2UZNEM2kxMgQ9JrNUeos4e2IKfuuUVJhXv9dKAApP8y2D6GAWIWDlDS4KqHumqaiqbOrYREwOVHEQq_ahYlUT=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqfztA0ul_n-R3mIv-_LE9AYzDDfap0Xx7oR-aVtxYuXN4ObK3lWtQmFaiWEDNqAdCp8yVJy-BgUKMcPxqizlR4tMR8DQ5yWpRdVJ2UZNEM2kxMgQ9JrNUeos4e2IKfuuUVJhXv9dKAApP8y2D6GAWIWDlDS4KqHumqaiqbOrYREwOVHEQq_ahYlUT=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of people argue about the potency of Miracles. I don't. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And it’s not just because I’ve personally seen God work in my life and my family. I have seen God’s track record in His word. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So it’s Pastor E.A Adeboye at 80 today, and I just have to share this testimony again. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFn8-hB9euD7FCmfcpMuOnrRzq80NHVGWkiLN1o8Xu0fg7Nm8be5XjnpYz87yyDUmrgqfh8tQFcDXW3g7NgkFwZtujEtQTVnA7OaFPRJnrEUJKSS0RL6fMOqsgSmeqeoyEUwPrQ11iQQP8S8OulFXjSAXgxDeTOBNKchK3S3w-Ze8GLY_lys9bZIju=s960" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFn8-hB9euD7FCmfcpMuOnrRzq80NHVGWkiLN1o8Xu0fg7Nm8be5XjnpYz87yyDUmrgqfh8tQFcDXW3g7NgkFwZtujEtQTVnA7OaFPRJnrEUJKSS0RL6fMOqsgSmeqeoyEUwPrQ11iQQP8S8OulFXjSAXgxDeTOBNKchK3S3w-Ze8GLY_lys9bZIju=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">My absolutely gorgeous mum.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In 2014 we entered one of the darkest periods of my life. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mummy was ill. No one knew what was wrong. Hospitals in Nigeria found nothing. But I was home with her that period… watching her slip away. I worshiped my way through that season… speaking the life of Christ.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">She went abroad, and I sensed in my heart it was cancer. But I kept mum about it and just prayed and worshiped on. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">A scan was scheduled… and a growth was found somewhere between her spleen and pancreas. I forget the details. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Ah! It confirmed my fears. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The doctor was visibly worried about what he saw, thus scheduled a CAT scan for the next day, Saturday. That Friday night, happened to be Holy Ghost service. (Somebody shout Hallelujah!)</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">My sister Talatu called Mum to remind them to watch online(they usually do)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">While Pastor Adeboye was ministering, as his manner is, he declared… “there’s someone here scheduled for surgery, God has done the surgery for you.” Mum and and my sister screamed Amen to that word of knowledge. ( A surgery would have to be done after the CAT scan to get the growth out for a biopsy)</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">They went for the CAT scan the next day and alas, the doc was dumbfounded. He couldn’t find the growth. Instead he saw a scar. And he asked if my mum had previously done a surgery. She’s never! He said what he thought was a growth was a scar from a surgery. He couldn’t understand it. We did! </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">That’s God.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">He removed the growth and just to clear all doubt… he left a surgery scar, so we wouldn’t use logic to silence the miracle. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">O things didn’t get rosy from there… there were a thousand little miracles on this journey.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll probably share the full story some other time. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">But God. We saw His hands… and even when the devil acted like a roaring lion… we saw this first miracle from Daddy GO as a sign that God was with us indeed and mindful of what we were dealing with, and we held on to God in faith till we saw Him perfect her health. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I believe in Miracles. I believe in the anointing upon God’s servant EAA. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And I am thankful for his life at 80. It is indeed from glory to glory! </div></div>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-57385340242838238032022-02-14T10:53:00.001+01:002022-02-14T10:53:00.205+01:00The Love Collision...<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNEgNPsXfogELBcUvwx7ARyLfRMIXrLgb1mfGPyKPRy1NH3jtk-sMyVt2iozal4-tZ6iZG4IBq7X85Oo9IiclPB1lp-fgKpiOgZiOOrctJ6U71QXAZlsgmUHK-9YJzIsDYSMHe-eOk7vWLA6ta6S5XaeguczWNrqPff7vpfbD4h5hjtdgH8jBFhBXK=s1552" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNEgNPsXfogELBcUvwx7ARyLfRMIXrLgb1mfGPyKPRy1NH3jtk-sMyVt2iozal4-tZ6iZG4IBq7X85Oo9IiclPB1lp-fgKpiOgZiOOrctJ6U71QXAZlsgmUHK-9YJzIsDYSMHe-eOk7vWLA6ta6S5XaeguczWNrqPff7vpfbD4h5hjtdgH8jBFhBXK=w280-h320" width="280" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has merged itself with this fragile but hard heart. Its gentle touch has broken it down and something stronger has emerged.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This collision of love and rebellion has weaved a story of grace so beautiful, so romantic. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A blistering heat from head to toes, and heartbeats that feel like a storm is raging.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Unchartered territories are taken,</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Undreamed dreams are lived.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has taken a different twist… its beyond the fairy tales and empty words</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Oh, its not about empty words… its about words of power like<p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>“I have loved you with an everlasting love” Jer 31:3</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>Love forever… I expect love love more love.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I will answer even before you call on me</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I came to give a rich and satisfying life</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I am your ever-present help… no bathroom breaks. Ever present.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I delight over you with singing</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s no longer empty whispers in the dead of the night.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s a still small voice that is louder than a thousand thunders</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Words that quickens the heart to live and to conquer… </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love conquers all right?</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has caused me to be weak in my knees by its power.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s brought me to my knee just knowing it exist… just being in its atmosphere</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has given my heart words… words that have no sound, words that can only be expressed with arms outstretched, knees shaking and eventually giving way, laying prostrate in awe… Worship!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has given me a bloody cover…</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Its mercy is a salve over my flaws… love sees me through the looking glass of perfection</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has covered my ugliness with beauty</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My weakness with strength</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My foolishness with wisdom</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My darkness with light</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My filth with its righteousness</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My restlessness with its gentle rest... I lay down in green pastures</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s holding my hands, as we stroll beside still waters… no hustle, comfortable silence.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has covered me.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I am bold… bold as a lion. Love has made me brave, for this perfect love has cast out every fear.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Today I celebrate love in its rawest form, </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love, which has bent down and picked me up. Reached out into the mud and brought out this being and has patiently, diligently cleaned and remolded me, made me whole and made me better, perfecting me with each breath I take.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love that is life. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love has kissed me and I have no choice but to tell.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As He is, so am I… thus I am love.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Love will never leave or forsake me… peas in a pod!</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I am the word made flesh. I am love made flesh… I am love. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I am kind, I am patient, I do not envy, and I do not boast, I am not proud, I do not dishonor others</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, and I keep no record of wrongs… I do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. I always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere… love never fails.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I am one with love and love is one with me. Intertwined with its beauty </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Illuminated with it’s light.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p> </p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-10281095230353801632022-02-09T10:28:00.002+01:002022-02-09T10:28:54.013+01:00Fan Girl...<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYy1Uv3n1FNFUMOhmpGO_XuAtF3Jd2e3c9l0NazTIJO6E51UTlGTGCuGzKDAPqVnr7od3vcZK3dvE_NOD2F_b5HQPZbvHoRIN-2-F_BvFOULRcAlHlG7lckNWRWwcP3TfH-8dEpQYWtywknwx3Z139P_vB-zQ31_D-SW57bfDjRYPp-dxSxqjYa-l/s1080/2262FA1E-E53B-4C57-996E-750A988337C4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYy1Uv3n1FNFUMOhmpGO_XuAtF3Jd2e3c9l0NazTIJO6E51UTlGTGCuGzKDAPqVnr7od3vcZK3dvE_NOD2F_b5HQPZbvHoRIN-2-F_BvFOULRcAlHlG7lckNWRWwcP3TfH-8dEpQYWtywknwx3Z139P_vB-zQ31_D-SW57bfDjRYPp-dxSxqjYa-l/w400-h400/2262FA1E-E53B-4C57-996E-750A988337C4.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">A top arsenal player’s son went to school with my nieces. I’d tag along to pick them up from school just to see him; the player, not his son… and I’m not even an Arsenal fan. Days when he didn’t show up, I’d stylishly stare at his wife and his son… silly, I know... possibly creepy. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">🤦🏽♀</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">️<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">I knew the barest minimum about his skills/playing position etc… nothing more than the media buzz because he was famous. I was just excited and in awe that he was a player for the major league. I’ve always been a Man Utd fan, and so I wasn’t going to ask for a picture with an arsenal player and be a sell-out… or maybe I wanted to, but didn’t because I wasn’t going to be that uncool person at his son’s school or embarrass my nieces. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">That’s how we behave, we have heard so much about God. He’s famous enough to know the details of His wonderful works. So, we are excited about him, but not fans/followers of Him because we believe it’d restrict us and take us away from the good life club we’re subscribed to. So wrong! We have refused to know beyond the basic knowledge of His being God… what are the specifics though? </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">🤷🏽♀</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">️<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">So, we go to church to catch a glimpse of Him, like I did with that player. Maybe we even care to take a selfie with him just for the sake of it. But we are not committed to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">We need to move beyond that to being a fan, have you seen how crazy fan girls are? They are in fan clubs/fandoms, buy merchs, attend every concert or match, and read up all they can about the person and sometimes become obsessive stalkers... that's not where we're going... we take a step away from crazy fan, to being a devoted follower… to having nice conversations with Him, beyond obsessing to actually listening and understanding Him even as we stay in awe of Him, and then being friends with Him, and learning about him, seeing Him as a Father, acknowledging His Lordship; knowing His ways, His likes and dislikes, His books… so we can love him beyond the fame of God; His skills, who He is… His wonderful works. The perfect sacrifice He made to keep this humanity FC on the victorious side. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">“A lot of people are fans of Jesus; they want to affiliate with Jesus but they don’t want to submit to him.” Kingsley Okwonkwo<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 12pt;">Living your best life is that life of submission, not looking from the outside in as a fan. But being in the inner circle. That’s a win. Plus, He’ll give you access to all His trophies, heavens glory and locker room, and the extravagant riches of His grace</span><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-17395070178019963942022-02-03T23:14:00.000+01:002022-02-03T23:14:12.853+01:00Yikes!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipCEPFL2ZKbiuMlEQq6Jt3gspWX910bZY3nMqgIiPTmxPz38IxtHNeNRhz2hjKCjYA1OI-26QfMa9DD_MegOADdy-rAmsIHVXGQfflAC3HY6Y5SvB2Ye-Dy7qZr7UBxgmRba0FcoKZjn5SN7birvTU-2DgnR7CayKK29VrVJOM0dMHdbgz21GO0zXv=s1080" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipCEPFL2ZKbiuMlEQq6Jt3gspWX910bZY3nMqgIiPTmxPz38IxtHNeNRhz2hjKCjYA1OI-26QfMa9DD_MegOADdy-rAmsIHVXGQfflAC3HY6Y5SvB2Ye-Dy7qZr7UBxgmRba0FcoKZjn5SN7birvTU-2DgnR7CayKK29VrVJOM0dMHdbgz21GO0zXv=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">I’m quite witty when I’m with those I’m close to and sometimes mischievous. I love a good laugh; intelligent jokes that is… and I can dish out a good one sometimes, I'm not so shabby with humour.</span><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">I have a handful of celebrity friends and acquaintances. They post hilarious things most times, and I have one too many laughs, but sometimes I don’t double tap to like, I catch myself from enjoying the humour, swallow the witty responses … type and delete…, and I leave the room as though I was never there and I never saw it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">And people are watching… trust me, they are!</span><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">One day I let loose my guards and dropped a comment on a friend's post, unfortunately, he's a celebrity with over three million followers. I just couldn’t resist it, my wits were going to burst with the response it had conjured so I had to let it out. It wasn’t so bad, it wasn’t crass, but it wasn’t graceful and it was quite unnecessary, promoting values that weren’t mine in any way. Because he's a public figure, my comment was thrown open to o many people. People laughed at my comment(because I mean, I'm hilarious), but you should see the number of messages I got from people who knew me and expressed shock at my humorous comment. Of course, they knew it was a joke… but… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Let your conversations be full of grace…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">“</span><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults; these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary…” Philippians 5:4(TPT)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">People are watching. You’re selling your market/brand whether in the market place or alone in your room with your phone. Maybe it’d have been fine if I DMed the joke and I had private banters like I usually do sometimes... But I shouldn’t even have endorsed such talk. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Sometimes we like the picture without looking at the content, or even comment without giving it a thought… and a random person sees and assumes you’ve endorsed the message being passed across, and it kind of influences him/her or make them question who you are. Look before you leap.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">It’s funny that as I wrote this piece I literally went on IG and saw a video by Dr. Mensah Otabil saying, “for the sake of having fun… you forget you’re the light of the world… it’s not fun to post some of those comments you post. Being a Christian is heavy. Jesus died for you to be saved.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">You're light. You're a brand. Know your values and be careful where you leave your footprints. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-49440907723477509492022-01-26T13:31:00.001+01:002022-01-26T13:31:00.176+01:00Small Chops for the Soul.<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Priority!!! </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Put God first in all you do, and He'll be the perfect gentleman, opening doors for you to walk through. He wouldn't let you fumble with keys and pick on locks to enter the fullness of His kingdom. He's cool like that.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Due Process!!! </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Manufacturing of products have to go through the production line for a perfect finish. Each step has been thoroughly thought out, and if you're foolish enough to skip a process to save time, you'll get a flawed finish, and you'll have to go through the process all over again(wasting more time).</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There's always a heavy price to pay when you skip the process God is taking you through. If God is taking you through it, then let Him. Instant gratification is not worth the price you pay. There's a greater glory in the end for those who are patient. Sometimes, when you stick with God, you loose the instant gratification of promotion with your mates even when you’re better, financial gain, marrying anyone that tickles your fancy etc. I Are you waiting on God? Then wait!!! Yeah, easier said than done, I should know... I have been through the manufacturing line that seemed slow sometimes, but totally worth it. Wait anyway.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Grey areas!!! </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">You know the areas of life that aren't spelled out in black and white in the bible? Remember this when in doubt. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">1 Corinthians 10:23 ' All things are legitimate [permissible--and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].'</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Got Jesus? </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yeah I know you go to church. But what does your timeline say about you? Things you share? Books you read?... Don't be a medium rare steak. Stay raw or well cooked. God loves a well done fine meal, not medium rare. Don't be spat out.</p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-79920458772004133262022-01-23T14:14:00.001+01:002022-01-23T14:14:00.222+01:00Boundless Love...<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisMW-oH5VsIzXRMTOlMI_HGfAf9-yjToIVdOK13WkFvscN5j8BRJCx3H2D3kiYnrBzrA3Uqmb0T4LaKS24zbr-WlEN5ftb3c7oVHItwO8K9wo5Gi4QvnsoKdy6c0Za4BbH2CYSiwH1PsYpk_3UI0PmU3-C-rTC_6NfahC-yKE9PcBmIrNPSzusSp8w=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisMW-oH5VsIzXRMTOlMI_HGfAf9-yjToIVdOK13WkFvscN5j8BRJCx3H2D3kiYnrBzrA3Uqmb0T4LaKS24zbr-WlEN5ftb3c7oVHItwO8K9wo5Gi4QvnsoKdy6c0Za4BbH2CYSiwH1PsYpk_3UI0PmU3-C-rTC_6NfahC-yKE9PcBmIrNPSzusSp8w=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></b></div><b><br /> </b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">The ability of the human heart to stretch in love is so unfathomable. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">A new child comes into the family/my life and I panic that I have poured out all my love on the last. It just can’t contain another... I just may not give as much of myself as I did with the last.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">And then even before he comes, I’m anticipating. I’m praying and I’m excited.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Then the child comes, and my heart stretches with even more love... it should be exhausting, but it’s not. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s so exhilarating! Satisfying. So full!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">A new baby just got added to my basket of favourite kids, my absolutely adorable nephew. As much as I am consumed with him, and thinking of leaving work to go straight to hold him. I’m still video calling the last baby before him, my 1yr old cousin and talking gibberish with him, and still calling my nieces and being pumped about the idea of them. I remember my nieces at different times <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">tell me that they were scared that when I got married and had my kids, I would love them less. I assured them that they were wrong.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Thank God for the capacity He’s given us to love... as He is, so are we. We may struggle with our human nature to cross hurdles in love but we have the capacity to love as He loves. Not just our babies, family and friends, even when it’s hard to sometimes, but everyone. Love your enemies </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; font-size: 11pt;">😭</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Oh, I’m still reseating exams on this but we will pass I promise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">I remember watching a video of bandits/terrorist flogging a Nigerian man. I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Then a thought formed in my heart… “what if he’s a mean man in real life?” and then I started imagining that one or two people who were in my naughty books would be good for that flogging, and everything in me revolted against that thought. It doesn’t matter how naughty or mean, my heart just couldn’t take it that they go through that. You can’t in your right mind wish hell on people. Some people are deserving, but gosh! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">For God so loved the world! The heart of the Father... stretched to eternity in love, well and able to accommodate each and every one of us with unique intensity and oh, God loves me special... I am so consumed in my conviction about this, that I’m not looking at how He loves you to determine how He loves me. Sometimes, it’s almost arrogant, that if there’s something good happening in the room to one person, I expect it to be me. But I don’t doubt His love even if I don’t win or get it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">There’s no doubt really. I’ve had experiences in life... but it’s never made me doubt! Oh how can I doubt this love? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Enough about me, how can you doubt? How can you doubt this love? It’s overwhelming. Nothing can separate you from it, not even your mistakes, it’s steadfast. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">I’m one of the toughest girls I know with the softest hearts... I cry sometimes when I watch movies, or write stories or read books. But mostly I cry when I think about the love of God... or talk about it, or write about it, like now. I’m unashamedly his baby girl and I would cry in the face of love always because words can’t express what the heart feels... how my heart feels when it lives and stands face to face with love. Wow<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">“Though we are many, yet You’re engaging us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">ONE ON ONE…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">We have a Father who’s capable of reaching us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">ONE ON ONE”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">As Faces are Different – Dunsin Oyekan</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-54046983603174537922022-01-21T09:46:00.001+01:002022-01-21T09:46:00.205+01:00Follow Follow...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgsSO9TunsDCIXrTz8EyHrnqK_FQ0FlNKrMvl0msCxdsgav2dFyT8SyrZ24SeFn1Z_UPxNOQecpT0F7uh_vqwaQA-QgVSJwdM-yBBRvgm9zLNLjahH8Gsz5nVE26Dctxm1jM5JZpu-nWOwgSFpQjRdJEtMyJFaFix5JNGnFzDPeywxQPPWCzo0ve_=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFgsSO9TunsDCIXrTz8EyHrnqK_FQ0FlNKrMvl0msCxdsgav2dFyT8SyrZ24SeFn1Z_UPxNOQecpT0F7uh_vqwaQA-QgVSJwdM-yBBRvgm9zLNLjahH8Gsz5nVE26Dctxm1jM5JZpu-nWOwgSFpQjRdJEtMyJFaFix5JNGnFzDPeywxQPPWCzo0ve_=w320-h427" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">I followed Olive on a ‘walk’ one morning. I had been going on evening walks by myself and doing just fine, but hers sounded more 'fun', so I followed.</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">First mistake was chucking my preferred walk time which is in the evenings… <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We started out together like normal humans, I was all pumped and excited… then she began to fast walk... that wasn’t a problem because I could do that... but then I soon realized it was a problem, because her fast walk pace was my jogging pace... then she began to jog... her jogging pace was my running pace. <img alt="😩" height="16" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/4ab852fc-b2f6-4a28-acb6-3b621e48af5d" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4" width="16" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I fell back and was far behind her, not from lack of trying to catch up. I was so sure I was going to throw up right before passing out after going uphill on one of those Guzape roads... she was already long gone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I gave up even trying, picked up my phone and called her not to bother to wait for me, then sat down for a while on a rock by the roadside, before getting up to attempt to backtrack my steps home… it was when I found myself considering what the worse that could happen would be if I lay down on the pavement, that I knew I needed backup. It was such torture, I shamefully called Olive to pick me up when I couldn’t get through to the driver… she was already done with the trail and back home. And so I got into the car with my 'full chest' <img alt="🤣" height="16" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/490923e0-b5c7-4357-827c-98c043368b1a" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3" width="16" />to hide my shame when she found me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My excuse is... I woke up with a weird cramp that morning.<img alt="😀" height="16" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/8e26dad4-b28b-4afd-b84d-08d918386078" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" width="16" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Truth is, I attempted following another’s pace knowing my stamina was different. I do walks by self at my own pace, and I cover the same number of steps, even more sometimes … but on a different route from hers, and I’m not usually feeling like I’m being murdered in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When you see someone jog past(in life or on the streets), you don’t know what they’ve been doing; the prayers, diligence, motivation… don’t just start following blindly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this case… Olive was probably motivated to move so she could fit perfectly into her Alonuko wedding dress <img alt="😀" height="16" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/8e26dad4-b28b-4afd-b84d-08d918386078" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="16" />amongst other reasons best known to her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Know your pace and follow it. You may follow another blindly and end up in a ditch or fainting by the roadside if you have different goals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I managed 4km that day before my life felt like it was going to end. I’d done 4km and more prior to that in my own pace and I was fine... I did it in another’s pace, trying to match up her energy and I was done for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Faith is not boldface! If you hear a person saying certain things boldly.... they must have studied and found a truth in it to amplify their voice of faith. Scriptures just may have come alive in their hearts… to see hope in that situation... or you don’t even know what God has said to them to give them that audacity. You may copy, and say what they’re saying louder than you heard them speak but ,without a revelation you may not get the results you expect, then you call it a scam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Don’t follow to buy the designer wears, or that luxury car because the next person has it or it's the new IT item... you don’t know what they’re doing to afford it... they just may be making what you earn in a year in an hour without having to sweat. You’ll buy and buy to keep up and end up frustrated and out of breath, sitting on a rock and calling people to lend you money for your basic needs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Life is beyond keeping up appearances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Go at your pace(the pace God is leading you) for the best possible outcome for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God has a prepared path for everyone... it may be similar, but it's always unique to you. Let others motivate you, but don't put undue pressure on yourself to keep up with what you're not built endure...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hear what God says to you caught up in 'follow follow' syndrome. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Psalms</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">32:8</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">NLT</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Look to Him for direction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There’s a group of people we’re advised to follow though… but like I said, we follow in the similar paths of examples but at paces and with experiences unique to us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“So don’t allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hebrews</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">6:12</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">TPT</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In other words... follow with wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-17402158367021234302022-01-18T09:51:00.001+01:002022-01-18T09:51:00.201+01:00On... The Power Of Words. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyOUfQhOaBiPPbXQU9sWGacexipHyejmQLkx8PChk55znga-yvQOb5KT-9eBwbewb8SSfsWHr-TcIvY49aghwpRquEHYf9-MJoCeIVcY3_XI2iA6bWis7AceJEqGdCnfHj3llCbqSjKDscgk7kn4ckJR5uYL5deY2V_ZmUpSTV-l0onEnQl-4oRmP2=s3000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyOUfQhOaBiPPbXQU9sWGacexipHyejmQLkx8PChk55znga-yvQOb5KT-9eBwbewb8SSfsWHr-TcIvY49aghwpRquEHYf9-MJoCeIVcY3_XI2iA6bWis7AceJEqGdCnfHj3llCbqSjKDscgk7kn4ckJR5uYL5deY2V_ZmUpSTV-l0onEnQl-4oRmP2=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I had promised someone that I would attend His wedding. He had gone out of his way to invite me, and followed up with a call, and a card. I felt obliged. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I woke up that Saturday and all I wanted to do was stay in bed after the busy week I had. I reasoned that we weren’t close and he wouldn’t even notice my absence, and my presence wouldn’t make a difference. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">But I felt a stirring in my heart reminding me that I had given my word. So I forced myself out of bed, and showed up! Without a wig or makeup, I was that off. I only put effort into wearing a dress in the color of the day and showing up.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The power of words! </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Words are important to me. I try not to lightly throw them around. They are not empty... I hold words in high esteem, thus as much as I can, I keep my words.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I believe words. I also remember words… not all words, mostly the ones that strike a cord. Unfortunately some memorable words aren’t always good… you have to consciously work at disarming them so they don’t have the power to hurt you, and some life changing words are not always memorable, you’ll have to push through to arm yourself with it, to allow it take root in your life. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">God exalts His word above his name... that’s powerful. He will not violate His convenant or alter the word that goes forth from His lips. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a new year. Words have come forth from God for the year… individually and corporately. If you’re in the camp that mocks prophecies… just like my picture and stop here. I chose a nice looking one for you. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If you aren’t… then this is for you. God takes His word seriously. Do you? </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Honor God’s word to you. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The words that have come forth, chew on them… swallow, regurgitate… until it’s one with you… and then repeat. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m only human, and I try to keep my word, I fail at it sometimes. But God is God… He doesn’t try… He does! He stakes His honor on it, His name on it. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Hold in high esteem the words you hear. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I can only speak about what I’ve experienced. Every year, I see the words I hear from God become flesh in my life. I have loads of testimonies … from holding in high esteem the word of God… to me, through Scriptures and words of prophecy etc. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I’m looking forward to double Honor, where Joy and gladness are found in our midst, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Soar, spread and be settled. How about you?</div></div>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-40329863221214641542022-01-17T09:45:00.001+01:002022-01-17T09:45:09.465+01:002022<p> It's a new year.</p><p>I'm thankful... we've been through so much, but look at us, still living, still hoping and still praising. I'm expectant and excited about the year. Basking in the love of God and just rolling in the hay of joy.</p><p>Going through a pandemic and all the after shock tremors, and not smelling of the smoke of it all is a blessing. </p><p>I pray that this year rolls in reasons to be thankful, and this hangs on the hinges of our perspective. Choose to see the good and meditate less on the reasons to hold back your praise. </p><p>I've been dwelling on this scripture this year... as I stay excited about all God has in store for us...</p><p>"And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small." Jeremiah 30:19</p><p>Happy New Year.</p><p><br /></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-21667340855538649152021-03-20T03:10:00.001+01:002021-03-20T03:10:03.196+01:00On... Bleaching.<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="2029" data-original-width="2029" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNc7iavY0E2wKpz8SivNmLbCM6i7nbHmHOdu6fglENbm6bONDeMQ-0zvZBZTk3kLN7pR46Qh9XE7GunSFC0LoHvqoBYHT-cd67It60jbB5gq_sCvVwsUzvSBVzkQvLmPDW_Su6JB2oe4/w400-h400/39364740-B033-42AF-9240-39FA1713F644.JPG" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); color: #0000ee; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline;" width="400" /></p></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">My bleaching story </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">I had breakouts that left my blemish free face with spots. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">That’s how I was referred to Alhaja. She was the go to in Yaba Mkt for authentic cosmetics/skincare. I trusted her and the American product she gave me, as they had just made a big show of relaunching in Nigeria. After all it was Alhaja who knew all things... you took her word for it, you wouldn’t even dare argue with the imposing figure.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">I consistently used it for weeks. I wasn’t checking to see if the spots were gone after two days; not doubting the efficacy of the product, I just assumed it was sorted. Then I went back to school and heard one too many questions of what “cream are you using?” I gave the name not knowing people were asking to get on board with me🤦🏽♀️</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Then some boy told me point blank “stop bleaching, you looked better without it”... hayyyy God!🙆🏽♀️ Me? Bleach? Never!!!! That’s when It hit me. I immediately discontinued the product & my face went back to status quo minus spots. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">See? I took Alhaja’s word for it. Planted the seed and went to sleep. I wasn’t fretting over the progress because I trusted her recommendation to work. I was consistent In my belief/application; if bleaching was my aim, consistency was the vehicle that landed me in the light skin gang street however short my sojourn. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Perhaps you have some stubborn spots... Know that God is the custodian of all things good and perfect. Come confidently to Him and take His word for it concerning your health, your pain, your dreams etc. Take the cream of His recommendation... the assurance of His word and plant it... rest assured that It’s working for you. Don’t keep digging up your seed to see if it’s working, you wouldn’t give it the chance to grow. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Consistently apply God’s word until the spots disappear(& you turn light skinned 😄) Sometimes people around you will notice the change before you do. Maybe it’s a spot of a hot temper... one day you don’t just lash out as you usually would, then they look at you and say “you’ve changed”. </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(38, 38, 38); color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">“Miracles and faith always follows the law of patience. Stubbornness! Standing your ground on what you believe until it happens.” - Reigner Davies</span><u><br /></u></span></span><br /></div>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-4454293458214008382021-03-18T03:08:00.002+01:002021-03-18T03:08:21.489+01:00... On Breaking Young Boys Hearts.<p><br /></p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwfRg7X8RmpBeqeUONQSPFNisTIssc4cRU3fyqE926e7vFihoVdaX_P6DyJpNOKUwAUhprGjr6PDkQtFdjTXdk2EwfuGulg-Z4KVunL3E6GYcxb2RlcTO6r3_-aJk4YTYg3YjPX2a-Tw/s4000/IMG_5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwfRg7X8RmpBeqeUONQSPFNisTIssc4cRU3fyqE926e7vFihoVdaX_P6DyJpNOKUwAUhprGjr6PDkQtFdjTXdk2EwfuGulg-Z4KVunL3E6GYcxb2RlcTO6r3_-aJk4YTYg3YjPX2a-Tw/w480-h640/IMG_5356.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">My first yes, was the shortest relationship ever... I was driving recently and the story flashed in my mind and oh what a good laugh I had. I’m not sure why this floated up from my memory bank… but after my laugh, I thought deeply about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">I’ve had a lot of male attention all my life. From when I was a young girl in primary school to being a full-fledged adult. Grown men have chased me. I’m thankful that I don’t have an abused story. God shielded me, even with all the unwanted attention I received. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">It’s funny how in secondary school, grown men were chasing me and now in the school of life... school boys are trying to make me, old enough to be their mother, blush. I kid you not... but story for another day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">So, I always had attention. And then boom, I’m in uni and it quadrupled. It was now bolder... one boy or another coming to my house. Always different cars parked outside my gate with me sitting on the hood of the car with the guy, or standing impatiently, not bothering to Invite them in because I need them to leave. I mean I had seen my three older sisters go through that, and my parents had seen it all as well, so it wasn’t strange, but it was tiring. One day I had the audacity to cry about my looks was a curse, because I couldn’t even see what they were seeing, and I was tired of the attention. It was annoying. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">And so, one boy prevailed on me... after saying no to many, in my first year, this one was quite impressive… keyword here is ‘quite’, not absolutely, but superficially so. I just couldn’t shake him off, as I didn’t know what I wanted, so I said yes to the be my girlfriend nag. Gosh!!! The joy on his face..., I still remember it. My heart on the other hand was heavy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">The walk from the gate to the house was all it took to change my mind. Like, ahhhh! What are you doing? No boyfreeen for you… You’re not ready, and even if you are... not that one. Before I got to my bedroom, I had taken back my No, and couldn’t wait to find him the next day (no mobile phones in those days) and say I take it back… it was a mistake. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">The next day, I rushed to school… I’m not sure how I knew where to find him, but as I walked into school, he was right there, under that tree… I remember it was a weekend. He had this huge smile on his face with his Timberlands, walking towards his girlfriend… and as soon as I got to him, I said “no” … I bet he was confused at first, I can’t remember the exact words I said, but I remember how his smile faded and the downcast look that took over. I felt horrible. I’m not sure we were ever friends after that episode. He must have bragged to his friends that I was his girlfriend, only to be told his relationship had been annulled after less than 24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Not one of my finest moments in handling the feelings of another… but my finest moment in understanding what was best for me and not saddling myself with a relationship so young and so early. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Why did this story come back to me?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">We say yes to God, and before He’s even out of the room, we think it’ll cost us a lot, and then we say... “wait Lord, can we do it another time? I’m not ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">But God? He says yes to us, and this is where the beauty of God is seen. He has put His hand on the plough, and he’s not looking back. Thank God for that. He has made His decision to love us, and that cross, when Christ died on that cross, that was the point of no return, that was the no looking back covenant. And He keeps His word. I love God for a lot of things and one of which is His integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Ploughing requires a tenacious focus… God has that single-minded focus towards us. He’s not like me who thinks of the cost after making the decision. He already saw the cost when He put His hand on the plough. So, my human imperfection isn’t going to make Him find me under a tree and say No to me, taking back the promise of His love and righteousness because he realised just how I don’t always want to love my neighbours, or how petty sits down for dinner with me sometimes, and how I get in my zone sometimes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">God loves us, and that’s final. He isn’t changing His mind about it… that’s why He wants us to keep announcing His love to those who do not know, so they can say yes to Him. That’s why you will see traces of the love of God even in the life of unbelievers. If ever there was a time you felt like God had seized to love you… stop and think, you probably turned your back on His love, it never grew dim, you just moved from His embrace. His love is set like flint, unchanging, unashamed to be seen with us even in our worst state… nothing can separate us from this love. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">“So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles,[<u>a</u>] fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” Romans 8:38-39(TPT)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">If you’ve said yes to a relationship with God… don’t look back, you made the right decision. There’s so much goodness in the mix for you… this Lover you have picked, is the best thing to ever happen to you, and rest assured, He isn’t changing His mind about you, He knew who you were before He loved you, He also knew how powerful His love is and how it can perfect you in Him.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-12996146521204340742021-01-02T00:51:00.003+01:002021-01-02T00:51:37.244+01:00... 2021<p>I'm excited it's a new year.</p><p>I'm thankful that even with the gross darkness the world same... the unprecedented chaos... I experienced God's perfect peace.</p><p>I'm thankful for my family.</p><p>I'm thankful for the teachers of the word God placed in my path.</p><p>I'm just thankful for life... for hope... for grace... for the love of God.</p><p>I pray we dwell under the shadow of the almighty in the new year.</p><p>That we break forth on every side.</p><p>That the honor of God will come upon us.</p><p>That joy and rejoicing finds a home in our camp.</p><p>Choose to see from God's perspective... </p><p>Be deliberate about your peace...</p><p>Rise and shine for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.</p><p>Happy New Year. </p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-78216138548924482372020-10-13T23:59:00.001+01:002020-10-13T23:59:05.726+01:00On Our Confidence... The Joy of Being Lost & Found.<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV59_JrgkKStOi7hMIicu9PF47r0-ha9fBXT32XDixU1BthyphenhyphenRVygYbjr6OdJDtESiJCFdVyjm4RuKEKXnvdv677tepwDLCV8i4CSUKwZIuPnVOGHdJepIecxtRVjg91LkrcC0ziqJ1l7A/s1024/c0c50922-06c2-4cb2-b70b-e5ea78af75a6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV59_JrgkKStOi7hMIicu9PF47r0-ha9fBXT32XDixU1BthyphenhyphenRVygYbjr6OdJDtESiJCFdVyjm4RuKEKXnvdv677tepwDLCV8i4CSUKwZIuPnVOGHdJepIecxtRVjg91LkrcC0ziqJ1l7A/s16000/c0c50922-06c2-4cb2-b70b-e5ea78af75a6.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">I called niece Gabs one evening, and she sounded low. I assumed she was tired after a long day In school, that’s before then she mentioned her art folder was missing. It had most of her art work, including some school projects. She had forgotten it at the train station.... went back to check and it was nowhere to be found; the station officials had not seen it, it wasn’t found among the missing items either. </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">I prayed with her and assured her it’d be found. Days came and went, and it wasn’t found. She got herself another sketch book to start her art projects all over again, she really was sad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">Weeks later... while she was in class, she was called out to the school office. A phone call had come from the station to her school, saying they had her folder. It was a miracle to us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">Oh, how elated I was. The picture above was taken and sent after she picked it up. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">This is the confidence we have in God... that He hears us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">Prayer changes things. God hears us. The prayer of the righteous man availeth much! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">You may say we ‘pray’ too much as a nation... but nothing’s changed. Well, just like we didn’t find the folder after It was lost, it didn’t mean God had not answered. We got the folder when all Hope seemed lost. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">We catch glimpses of answered prayers in the boldness of youths daring the streets over injustice... some in protest, others in prayers. Brings to mind the second stanza of our national anthem...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">“Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">Guide our leaders right <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">Help our youth the truth to know<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">In love and honesty to grow<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">And living just and true<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">Great lofty heights attain<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign. ”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;">It’s a prayer we’ve been singing, and our youths the truth are knowing... a nation where peace and justice shall reign is not impossible... our leaders will be guided right! Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-86337242896726202592020-10-05T23:55:00.002+01:002020-10-05T23:55:26.181+01:00On Product Placements... Sell Ya Market Right!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9uG5cSXabnZ4S3QkCjDZh2lAk3hAYw2ogp3X42qBh5H9mltZWbs-6GNY9j2gmbcw-_7L88kCcWzZ2yYY5WJM3-_s6nk9yPtXexRCqcDHZLFqqk3wkEgwK4OQISAyGHR3rPvoCe_gQII/s2048/D9CFB370-79F5-4A7F-A0AD-27D5BA429DE6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9uG5cSXabnZ4S3QkCjDZh2lAk3hAYw2ogp3X42qBh5H9mltZWbs-6GNY9j2gmbcw-_7L88kCcWzZ2yYY5WJM3-_s6nk9yPtXexRCqcDHZLFqqk3wkEgwK4OQISAyGHR3rPvoCe_gQII/w367-h383/D9CFB370-79F5-4A7F-A0AD-27D5BA429DE6.JPG" width="367" /></a></div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve been quite shameless lately! It’d be appalling if I wasn’t enjoying it… K-dramas/Chinese dramas! Even with all the times I roll my eyes at some extremely cheesy scenes… and how ridiculous are the excessive slow mo effects/side angle shots? It is a guilty pleasure I find myself indulging in with all the silliness I have to put up with. Ha!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">I generally love to read and watch foreign books/movies… but K-dramas don’t fall in that categorie.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">I’ve never seen product placement so distastefully done like in K-dramas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">It’s always so non-discreet, you’d think the scenes were actual ads inserted in the movie... the placement most times are so random it doesn’t even blend with the scene. It’s off-putting! They’d talk about benefits of the product in conversations... like just get a room please. I thought I was the only one having a laugh at this, until I paid a visit to my friend google. I had such a laugh at people’s comments about this. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about…I got this comment off one of those Kdrama forums…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">“I'm in the middle of watching Signal for the first time, and what do I see but our main character get served the freshest Subway sandwich and subway fountain soda straight from someone's kitchen! Now I'm no stranger to the Subway product placement but that one certainly got a chuckle out of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">“It's been awhile since I watched it so I don't remember the exact details but in Chief Kim, the main character gets angry at his rival and storms into his office, hands him some Papa Johns breadsticks out of the blue, and then they proceed to have a tense stare down and exchange some veiled threats with tons of macho posturing. It was super weird and the breadsticks absolutely did not belong in the conversation.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Product placement is basically a non-traditional advertising technique used by companies to promote their products, usually through non-obvious appearance in film/media. It blends with the movie; fits perfectly into scenes you wouldn’t even know it’s a placement. That’s a far cry from our dear Asian dramas… I say Asian, because Chinese dramas are quite as bad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Perfect product placements in movies that blended in with the script and achieved its purpose, was Tom Cruise's iconic wayfarers shades in “Risky Business,” it literally rescued the Ray Ban brand, as sales skyrocketed for the company that was on it’s way to closing down. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Sarah Jessica Parker made Manolo Blahnik shoes desirable in SATC! Women wanted to wear Blahnik’s just because... Carrie Bradshaw! She loved her shoes and the way she loved them made them desirable to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">What’s the Product placement in your life? What’s so obvious without you having to shout it out for people to notice because they can’t see? Do people notice ‘there’s something different about you’? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">We are called as believers to <i>“go into all the world”, </i>The 7 mountains of society/Spheres of influence... what are we displaying? Excellence? Integrity? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">Let people see your Faith, that they desire what you have. That’s the idea of God’s Product placement, that’s why believers don’t leave to heaven as soon as they’re saved. Jesus prayed for God not to take us away but protect us from the evil one. (Jn 17:15) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">We are needed on this earth to go into ALL the world… as God’s product placement of grace, mercy, sprinkles of salt and rays of light to make disciples; show the world the salvation found in Christ… and how it is the answer to the heart cry of nations. Our lives and the salvation we preach are so intertwined that people don’t even realize we are ads, they just fall over themselves to have what we have when we declare the truth of salvation that is not abstract to us. It is not false advertising, or done in a way that puts people off. I read that certain K-dramas began to lose viewers because of the ridiculous influence of product placements which had no relation to the context of the plot. God’s placements are not off-putting and they blend in with the all of life’s scenes because <i>Christ was tempted in everyway</i>… He knows what it’s like to be human, what we face, and that’s why His grace has been configured to help us in every possible situation, and given to His brand ambassadors. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">I am God’s Product placement of righteousness, grace, peace, joy, victory, hope and the power of salvation in this world. I am well blended with the script of life; just living my life like it’s golden, even in the midst of gross darkness and chaos in the world. I have been transformed by the truth of the gospel. I am selling God’s market well! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;">(Notice my Incense apparel Product Placement in this post?<img alt="😄" height="16" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/67ca9bf7-f92b-4bcd-b055-acaa77b714ff" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_16" width="16" />)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 22px;"> </span></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-29018746492234142722020-09-20T22:58:00.003+01:002020-09-20T22:58:29.443+01:00Come Dine With Me... <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HIThNDIgXQE7Gru3hsoxK9yJOPk3s79XyVq3E5_sihb_1MRGXxkKlJzHLp_SmfGDRMmvWO-00Njcu8ZgoetGNpg0P6aDiNAHiaZjeVe0aJ1sLyqIoPoKB9pdpcjqaTYD9AL2ob77ajE/s2048/IMG_6563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HIThNDIgXQE7Gru3hsoxK9yJOPk3s79XyVq3E5_sihb_1MRGXxkKlJzHLp_SmfGDRMmvWO-00Njcu8ZgoetGNpg0P6aDiNAHiaZjeVe0aJ1sLyqIoPoKB9pdpcjqaTYD9AL2ob77ajE/w441-h320/IMG_6563.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Sometimes, after I have been introduced to a restaurant that I like, I would go back alone. Bask in the joy of the new discovery and treat myself either in my day dreams(hahahha) or physically. And then I invite someone else to joy in this new found delight.</span><span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t invite anyone to come with me until I know I can afford to pay for them, just Incase they can’t afford to splurge on eating out in that moment, I make sure my purse can cover what I expect them to order, and if they don’t follow the script, I can still cover what they order. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Because it’s selfish and wicked to go out to this place I gush about, and order for my meal while they watch me eat because they can’t afford it. Why bring them out if they’re only going to watch me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Now that’s what it’s like sometimes. People go to church and hear this ‘revelation’ that excites them, or even hear God reveal certain truths to them... and just like that, they rush to post it on facebook even before they have digested it for themselves. The people on their timeline can’t afford to pay for the meal they serve, thus they cause confusion and unnecessary arguments under their post. Because people don’t understand the point they’re trying to make.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Until you’re able to pay for the next man’s meal, don’t take him with you to eat out. Meaning, until you’re able to explain in the simplest terms the words you have heard, don’t feed another person. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t post all I’ve heard or all I know, and goodness, my head and heart is saturated with so much, some that bless my socks off, others that still get me thinking, because I haven’t fully digested it. But until I catch the spirit of those words, and I’m able to express them in simple terms, I wouldn’t be taking anyone out to eat with me, unless I know they can afford to pay for themselves, then we can discuss these things together and I’ll learn from them as they maybe even pay for me, by broadening my understanding of what I bring to the table.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">You don’t just drop ‘Rhema’ you have heard online and then when people come to argue with you because they can’t afford to swallow what you wrote cos they don’t understand it, your responses are so vague and make no sense, making you look foolish, and undermining the truth of what the message hears. You don’t give people a ‘take it or leave it’ clause, when they don’t understand what you’re trying to tell them. That’s wicked and evil.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">“He must have a firm grasp of the trustworthy message that he has been taught. This will enable him to both encourage others with healthy teachings and provide convincing answers to those who oppose his message.” </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Titus 1:9 (TPT)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">You must have a firm grasp of the message you have been taught before you run out to serve others, like the scripture above says. People pervert the message of grace because they have not understood it. So they peddle it as a license to sin when in truth, it empowers us to live above sin. They pervert the gospel because in all its simplicity, they’ve put too much spice in it to confuse people. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">“The depth of revelation is by how simple the message is.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> Moyo Akin-Ojo<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">“So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment— then pass it on to your sons and daughters.” </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 2:2 TPT<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Train your heart to listen and open your spirit wide to discern so that you can pass it on to your sons and daughters with ease. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; font-size: 11pt;">Until you have chewed the word for yourself and broken it down to the simplest bit for easy digestion, don’t be in a hurry to share... even if it’s the truth. Because when you’re unable to answer a question or pay the bill of the meal served... <i>Na problem o</i>. You’ve driven the person further from the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-8301766622377957002020-08-15T13:36:00.005+01:002020-08-15T18:26:01.426+01:00... On Being Rejected.<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Have you ever been rejected before?<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">What a feeling!</span></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjbGUS0x-11K54ozzjAtzhGCaqxFLPVCubt_YqXhDb4RX3YdSlxK4lgyYDKLYFFDeG8w2RgjXDuZJ7LZ4M_dha3d611LPLrbZPsmm4E6aT3vuU7RLvPpLcjNMVFgQtNXlQ8sGCc9Cnfo/s650/rejected.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjbGUS0x-11K54ozzjAtzhGCaqxFLPVCubt_YqXhDb4RX3YdSlxK4lgyYDKLYFFDeG8w2RgjXDuZJ7LZ4M_dha3d611LPLrbZPsmm4E6aT3vuU7RLvPpLcjNMVFgQtNXlQ8sGCc9Cnfo/s640/rejected.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s quite horrible actually. Really horrible. </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">The one you’re in love with doesn’t love you back, or your application doesn’t sail through, or you don’t qualify for something you really want to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I was refused a visa application two years ago, and it shocked me to my bones. It hurt real bad. I’m laughing now, I was laughing then, but deep within, I was sad. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">It made me realise that rejection of any and every sort, no matter how 'insignificant' it may seem, has the power to leave you <i>shook</i> and if you let it, it’ll break you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I assumed because I travelled often to this country, and usually stayed long months on trips, my omission of certain documents wouldn’t matter. They had my travel and application history after all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I submitted my account statement with an account balance that couldn’t cover my trip, because I assumed the healthy activity of inflow and outflow was enough evidence that I could afford the trip. I didn’t even put evidence of source of funds… nothing. In all my years I have never been so arrogant with an application. I just assumed. This is what Nigerians would tag <i>“village people”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I have an excuse though... <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I needed to travel by a certain date and couldn’t wait for the alert I was expecting in my account to boost the balance before applying, and like I said, I believed my history would speak for me. The very polite letter that followed my rejection said, even though I had been a frequent traveller to their country, they were not satisfied I could afford the trip, and there was no evidence of my income. </span><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-size: 11pt;">🙆🏽♀</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Rejection is painful. The hurt is real! I felt some type of way for days, devastated. My chwest!!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Then there’s a reluctance to try again even when the conditions have been met, because fear creeps in; what if you’re still not good enough? What of you’re rejected again. What if’s become a prison for precious souls. What if I don’t find love again? What if they still disqualify me for that contract? What if I’m still not accepted into that school? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I was so vexed, so vexed about being rejected, I reapplied immediately. That’s what we should do, we should show up again, against all odds, against the <i>what if</i> questions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">My accounts received the expected alert and I gathered every possible financial document: my book contract, </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">CSCS, dividend statement </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">every account I had that now had cash in (savings, current, domiciliary), my sister as my sponsor's bank statement. I gave them every document I could find. </span><span face="" lang="" style="font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-size: 11pt;">😄</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I crossed all my t’s, which I should have done in the first place, and I got my visa and travelled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Can you imagine the confidence you have about something and then one little omission makes them reject you and labels you unworthy! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Most people feel rejected by God! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Because of a little omission or large omissions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Because of their sins and mistakes.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Because they don't pray as often as they should, or tithe or serve in church.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Imagine the number of people moving around with the feeling of rejection. Believing there’s an <i>“Access Denied”</i> sign waiting for them if they dare to try to come back home to God or even approach Him for the first time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">If an embassy made me feel so horrible, how much more the feeling of being unqualified to be called God’s own?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">God loves you, choose the path of love and receive grace; grace doesn’t disqualify, it doesn’t make you cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s before embracing you. It tells you to come as you are, when you come, it qualifies you without looking at your files, your past records don’t matter in grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">It says come boldly to His presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Come home... God is running to welcome you when He sights you walking down the driveway. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">If you feel rejected, don’t throw in the towel on your salvation story, just like I reapplied immediately after my rejection and got my visa, keep showing up. Don’t let the sin and mistakes make you feel disqualified to come or to even make a case before God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">If a church or anyone tells you that you don’t qualify to be saved... they lied. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">God, the author of salvation says <i>““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”</i> Isaiah 1:18 NKJV<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">I went back to reason with my visa application! That trip was too important to go make my bed with rejection. I had to show up again. Even though condemnation was barking at me with words of how foolish I was, and how I wasted money due to my foolishness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Condemnation would try to keep you in bed with your feeling of rejection, because you know what you did! Don’t let that bed fool you, jump up and run home! God is waiting. You may condemn yourself but He says to you who comes home, <i>there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">No matter how bad you are... when you come to the table with Him, and proclaim Him as Lord over your life, He gives a clean slate, and never remembers your sins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><i><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">“For I will demonstrate my mercy to them and will forgive their evil deeds, and never remember again their sins.””<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">Hebrews 8:12 (TPT)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="" style="font-size: 11pt;">The only past you have business holding on to, is the past of what Christ has done... His dying for your sins, your past is forgiven and swallowed up in what He's</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> done for you on the cross.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Stop creeping around God. Stop feeling rejected. You are not cast away. The King is calling for you, if you stop to listen, you would hear Him, and when you come to Him, you’ll receive grace and mercy. If you don’t stop to listen, you wouldn’t hear Him, and you’ll go through life carrying the weight of condemnation and the deep scars of perceived rejection.</span></span><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </p><p><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">God </span><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">hasn't</span><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> rejected you, your </span><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">self-condemnation is what's holding you back. </span></p>Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-51833119934947349442020-07-13T23:29:00.001+01:002020-07-13T23:29:18.549+01:00Are You Happy?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Someone asked me this question today. Randomly pulled it out of the hat… and threw it at me. Like I have been putting up some form of façade. Like my life must not be in perfect form, because, as much as I have somethings together… somethings haven’t fallen in place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I mean, he didn’t come out to say anything of these, and he probably wasn't even thinking that… but I believe a lot of people think these thoughts and wonder if I'm truly happy, if </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">I'm</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> truly enjoying my life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not married, don’t have kids… she must be unhappy, it doesn’t matter what’s going for her... as long as those two are not ticked... then she must be a sad sad woman! (Wow, </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">I</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> just called myself a woman and </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">It feels weird. I should say a sad sad girl... more like it)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Before I even respond to this in the flesh, I’ll respond in the Spirit… </span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; font-size: 11pt;">“What bliss we experience when these blessings fall! The people who love and serve our God will be happy indeed!”</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 144:15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">I</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> am happy indeed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This is a reason to be happy… Jehovah is my God. He loves me, and </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">I</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in turn respond to His love by loving and </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">serving</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Now back to the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I had to think about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Am I happy? Or am I putting up a front?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Final answer is... *drumroll*... I am happy. I really am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Do I face oppositions and come across problems?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of course, I do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But they don’t determine the joy in my heart. Because I have learned to set my heart on things above. I mean, I could do with a trip to London right now… but I’m fine, I'm not depressed about a hundred things </span><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">I</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> could pull out of the bag right now. My happiness is not tied to my possessions. I am as fine today as I was on days when I had no money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Like Paul, <i>“</i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-size: 11pt;">I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-size: 11pt;"> Philippians 4:12(NIV)</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I will be as fine today, as I will be on days I tick off things on my list. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I find my joy in being in Christ. With joy, I draw from the wells of salvation. I am a happy girl… because God is my God. He has redeemed me, made me whole and given me purpose and reason to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I am not putting up a front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-44322881826677047902020-07-06T20:39:00.001+01:002020-07-06T20:39:55.434+01:0035... Birthday and Thank-day.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50AUx_xVSzud-8t9J9QBxFduim7IbyIeF_3RoyOKaJvh22uOo6yJNimROyZ8aZy1bFW81vHBNSZajoSYs3OKXib107yxPLqIa7usx5o3s2eK2YqH13HEurljHeoZvv72twxjUmFw6pD0/s1600/DSC_4739-EDIT-EDIT-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50AUx_xVSzud-8t9J9QBxFduim7IbyIeF_3RoyOKaJvh22uOo6yJNimROyZ8aZy1bFW81vHBNSZajoSYs3OKXib107yxPLqIa7usx5o3s2eK2YqH13HEurljHeoZvv72twxjUmFw6pD0/s640/DSC_4739-EDIT-EDIT-2.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">I’m 35 today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">I have been so overwhelmed. The calls and the messages… some messages, extra special, those words, I have carefully copied word for word into my journal… because words are life, and those words, from the mouth of those ones spoke life. They spoke joy, peace and so much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s been humbling. I mean, people always say nice things about me. I’m used to it… maybe that’s why it bites extra when I hear not so nice things or lies. But the things I heard today, the testimonies of inspiring people… I don’t know. Of being a blessing… I don’t know. I cried. Because I don’t know how it is they say I’m all these things. All I do seem normal, seem ordinary, like what anyone would do… I’m being myself… and in being myself, God has made It mean something. Showing up as my ordinary self, in His extraordinary grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">I had a funny moment today. My sister ordered a cake for me. And we had a what I ordered vs what I received moment. It was so funny… but I didn’t stress, because I had a cake, and I had my family with me, even those far off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Have I said how thankful I am already? I was writing in my journal yester and started to say “ if I had ten thousand tongues…” and then I laughed out loud, thinking how God must feel when we say that to Him… because sometimes we don’t know what we’re saying, and even with the one tongue… we don’t utilize it enough in giving thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">All I can say is, God has been good to me, and His mercy endures forever in my life. God is faithful and God’s perfect peace rules my heart in this glorious year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">Hello 35… let’s do this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-4202897303389031482020-07-05T22:32:00.001+01:002020-07-05T22:32:43.661+01:00One Step to 35...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s 1 day to 35.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">What else can I say? God has been faithful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I spent time in thanksgiving today… it was on this day five years ago that I hosted my first incense meeting. And here I am today… God has been faithful and I am thankful. That was me launching out my 30<sup>th</sup> birthday… and there’s so much more to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">God has honored me in this life. Led me on ordained paths of honor, God Himself has honored me. I am a child of grace and favor. Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way, but I keep speaking this truth all my days… I am the one Jesus loves, the one He honors. A child of grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">This has been my declaration from the beginning of the year… the Perfect Peace Prophecy from Manifold Grace Ministry. It’s been such a blessing, and I’m sharing It here with you today… even as I declare it into my new year. Declare it over yourself as often as you can… See God’s peace and see your rest and deliverance… your victory and restoration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1. The year 2020 is my year of Perfect Peace. The Lord is granting me shalom at all times and by all means </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Isaiah 26:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:16). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2. The Peace I have in Him through Christ’ finished works </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">prevails in my mind and overwhelms my body,</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">resulting in remarkable testimonies of healings, miracles and breakthroughs </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Romans 5:1; Isaiah 57:19; 3John2; Luke4:18-19). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3. These praise reports are making me a mighty attraction for the Gospel, for through my testimonies, many shall hear and be turned to the Lord </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">( Psalm 18:35; Romans 10:15; Acts9:34-35). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4. This way, I explore possibilities, my destiny is realigned as the Gospel of Peace prevails in my heart, and in the heart of my hearers </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">( Ephesians 6:15; Acts19:20). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Spirit of faith and prophecy is in stronger manifestation in me in this new year (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 12:6; Ezekiel 37:10</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). 6. Concerning me and all mine, many issues about the decade will be settled at its beginning. (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 12:6; </span></b><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ezekiel 37:10</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">7. Strong utterance proceeds from me to calm the storms in my family (families), community (communities), city </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(cities) and nation(s), bringing glory to the name of Christ (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Mark 4:39; Romans 16:20; Job 5:12</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">8. The God of Peace is disappointing the devices of the crafty and bringing to nought the counsel of the evil one over </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">my life and spheres of influence (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 16:20; Job 5:12</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />9. By a strong and mighty hand, the Lord delivers me. Fear is silenced, and the Spirit of death is brought to nought </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Psalm18:50; John 14:27</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />10. As God’s own, I am walking in Peace and safety; I am abiding in the shadow of the highest even amid chaos and </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">gross darkness in the world (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 91; Isaiah 60:2-3</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">11. It is indeed my season of greatness, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of Christ (of which I am a vital part) (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 16:16-20</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">12. This Peace is accompanied by Joy and rejoicing, even in unusual circumstances, (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 15:3)</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. For me, no matter what happens this year, I choose to rejoice in every day and every day! I am not sad, sorry or regretful, for the Joy of the Lord is my strength; the Lord is the strength of my life! (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Nehemiah 8:10</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). With Joy, I draw water from the wells of salvation (</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Isaiah 12:3)</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">13. As a result, there are sudden turn arounds, remarkable takeovers and amazing restoration, glory to God! </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Job 42:10; Psalms 126; Jeremiah 30:16-19). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">14. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am obtaining promises in strange places as ancient mantles open gates of favour and rulership in various sectors </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Hebrew 11:33; Isaiah 60:9-13). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">15. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am rooted in the word of Peace. </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(John 16:33; Isaiah48:18). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I roar with the Spirit of faith.</span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(2 Corinthians 4:13).</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I stay humble under God’s mighty hand </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(1 Peter 3:10-11). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">16. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As I dig my wells and feed hungry nations with the tangible substance of this Peace </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(1Peter 3:10-11),</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I receive great help that makes the seeming impossible easy. The seemingly impossible is easy for me this year! </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Isaiah 66:12; Genesis 26:12-14,18). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">17. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Lord has spoken Peace concerning us </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(psalm85;8). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Doors, gates and portals shall announce it </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Acts 10:36; Psalms 68:11). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">His mighty angels shall enforce it </span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Hebrews 1:14, psalms 103:20). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And I, his own shall rejoice in it </span><b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Romans 14:17, Isaiah 55:12). </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">18. </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Perfect Peace rules my heart in this Glorious year! </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Let this be my gift to you… to join this praying community, to pray together for an hour every Friday. (</span><i><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">PWE is the Praying arm of Manifold Grace Ministries led by Rev. Ebowo Akin-Ojo. Join the Praying community; </span></i><span style="color: #191c28; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><i><span style="color: #0f54cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">bit.ly/joinPWE )</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229443623406844084.post-21641877204531336882020-07-04T22:22:00.000+01:002020-07-04T22:22:23.932+01:00Two Steps to 35...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8glNDQVFloScQWIbiJQF2vY2vmZoG3WRJ7z9lVinzUj0XxLVXcs-5KhV_HAqS_fDYufl8q1kN0ka1iuBaB6GETp2rYHw-2KW8r27Vqji4YsXHahtJ6O_P7RWDUnOy2X3gk41rpgYBfTU/s1600/1_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8glNDQVFloScQWIbiJQF2vY2vmZoG3WRJ7z9lVinzUj0XxLVXcs-5KhV_HAqS_fDYufl8q1kN0ka1iuBaB6GETp2rYHw-2KW8r27Vqji4YsXHahtJ6O_P7RWDUnOy2X3gk41rpgYBfTU/s640/1_.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s 2 days to 35.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I felt weird today. I was driving and talking to God, I explained how I felt like a deflated balloon… using my mouth and blown up cheeks for emphasis, then releasing the air I had stored up. It was a funny moment. But in that I declared that I would rejoice in Him always. I chose to scream a thank you at Him in that moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">You know, this life, this faith… it’s not about denying what is, it’s about superimposing truth on the facts on ground. The truth wins always. The truth is the MVP if we would only give it a chance. God delivers us from the many afflictions we go through. God’s peace is our stronghold… if we choose to see the truth. And that’s how I got my groove back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In two days, I’m 35… the best days of my life yet. Every day is a best, each day better than the last… I believe that. God is good always, and so I am in the best place always. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Scripture for today <i>“<span style="background-color: white;">Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.</span>” </i>John 14:27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I have had peace in the most unlikely situation. Not because I haven’t feared or felt anxiety… but like I said, there’s been a superimposing… knowing who God is to you, knowing what He’s said concerning you… should be in your heart always, and you will know His peace, when you carry this consciousness about with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Say this with me “I have God’s peace… so I shall not be afraid or let my heart be troubled.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Joy Akuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208651697541850438noreply@blogger.com0