Swimming against the current;
Loving when I should Despise,
Giving when I should Withhold
Being there when I should be absent
Forgiving even before being asked to.
Embracing Integrity even when it would cost me.
Swimming against the current of my Humanness
Swimming against the current of my Unrefined Self
This is what it means to grow,
when one swims against the current that wrestles with their Soul.
T.M (C)
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
The Truth
I pondered on a thought that lead to this personal realization, to my truth:
I do not pursue a relationship with God because I am perfect,
I seek Him because I am in need of Perfecting.
After all those who are well have no need for the Physician.
Matt9:12
I do not pursue a relationship with God because I am perfect,
I seek Him because I am in need of Perfecting.
After all those who are well have no need for the Physician.
Matt9:12
Monday, 12 October 2009
Selah
"So don't be afraid little flock. For it gives your Father
Luke 12:32
You won't be hungry for much longer...
GREAT HAPPINESSto give you the Kingdom."
Luke 12:32
You won't be hungry for much longer...
Friday, 9 October 2009
Love Is in the Little Things TOO:
Apostle Paul said this: "If I gave everything I have to poor people, and if I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel but didn't love others it would be of no value whatever." 1 cor 13:3
A lot of us are familiar with the grand gestures of LOVE, but what of the little things, a smile, a listening ear... the little things do matter.
I read the message below and I was truly inspired and blest, I HOPE you are too:
Your Kindness Quotient
by Max Lucado
How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family—e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee—without being asked?
Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn’t speak the language. Maybe she doesn’t fit in. Are you kind to this person?
Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they’ll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).
And, here is a challenge—what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:
Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.… If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … [L]ove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. (Luke 6:27–28, 32, 35–36)
Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don’t you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.
Since he is so kind to us, can’t we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don’t know me, Max. You don’t know my faults and my thoughts. You don’t know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don’t, but he does. He knows everything about you, yet he doesn’t hold back his kindness toward you. Has he, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?
No, he is kind to you. Why don’t you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don’t you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don’t you agree? He believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower, even his child. Why not take his cue and believe in yourself?
Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth his kindness. And he’s a good judge of character.
A lot of us are familiar with the grand gestures of LOVE, but what of the little things, a smile, a listening ear... the little things do matter.
I read the message below and I was truly inspired and blest, I HOPE you are too:
Your Kindness Quotient
by Max Lucado
How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family—e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee—without being asked?
Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn’t speak the language. Maybe she doesn’t fit in. Are you kind to this person?
Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they’ll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).
And, here is a challenge—what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:
Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.… If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … [L]ove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. (Luke 6:27–28, 32, 35–36)
Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don’t you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.
Since he is so kind to us, can’t we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don’t know me, Max. You don’t know my faults and my thoughts. You don’t know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don’t, but he does. He knows everything about you, yet he doesn’t hold back his kindness toward you. Has he, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?
No, he is kind to you. Why don’t you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don’t you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don’t you agree? He believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower, even his child. Why not take his cue and believe in yourself?
Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth his kindness. And he’s a good judge of character.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Epilogue
Thank God for everything; I am here again by the grace of God, I keep taking long breaks whenever I go to NIgeria its about time someone asked me 'whats up with that?' anyway God willing no disappearing act, and by his grace messages that would inspire and bless ME.. and then you. Me first because I too need to be taught, be feed by him, and it is what he graciously gives me that i can share.
Summer was a testimony, hiccups here and there, but God was faithful and gracious none the less. I am in my final year @ Uni!! thank you Lord, never thought it would come so soon, so much to be done... His grace is sufficient.
Anyway hope y'all have been well,
Believer I don't know when my first post would be, but hopefully a word comes soon.
***********************************************************************************************************************
"This was God's plan which he had made long ago; he knew all this would happen." Acts 2:23
Ever wondered 'why is this happening to me?'; ever asked "God if you knew I will face this why did you let it?' sometimes these BIG questions get a silence from God, not that he has ignored you or that he has not heard your query, or your tears, but because There is a Plan. There is a Plan. The book of Jeremiah 29:11 says God has a plan for you and I; a plan for GOOD and not for EVIL.
The plan may not have been for things to get to tangled up and murky but the murky and the tangled up must surrender to the plan of God.
I am never prepared for a lot of the 'all that happen', but Acts 2:23 says "He knew...'
I am not prepared for this battle, this mountain, but God not only knew there would be this challenge, he knew I would not be ready for it because there was no way of me seeing it before hand.
No one likes to be taken unawares, someone drops by to visit without informing you they were coming or that they had no intention of leaving your home that day, such little things get most of us all worked up and bothered, How much more the BIG things, when life happens, when people leave, when you come face to face with your imperfection or fallibleness, what do we do when the unexpected happens? what do I do? I cry and agonize, and query God... and take a large dose of self-pity.
But;
what CAN I do when the unexpected happens? what CAN you do?
we can claim the Peace of God, claim his strength and divine ability.
we can remind ourselves that it is not about us, never, but it is about God, the devil won't bother with you if you didn't have God on your side, that is why God said the 'Battle is His.'
when we are faced with the unexpected, Act 2:23 encourages us to relax, God is prepared to see us through it, one day at a time, one step at a time.
His peace.
Chichi
Summer was a testimony, hiccups here and there, but God was faithful and gracious none the less. I am in my final year @ Uni!! thank you Lord, never thought it would come so soon, so much to be done... His grace is sufficient.
Anyway hope y'all have been well,
Believer I don't know when my first post would be, but hopefully a word comes soon.
***********************************************************************************************************************
"This was God's plan which he had made long ago; he knew all this would happen." Acts 2:23
Ever wondered 'why is this happening to me?'; ever asked "God if you knew I will face this why did you let it?' sometimes these BIG questions get a silence from God, not that he has ignored you or that he has not heard your query, or your tears, but because There is a Plan. There is a Plan. The book of Jeremiah 29:11 says God has a plan for you and I; a plan for GOOD and not for EVIL.
The plan may not have been for things to get to tangled up and murky but the murky and the tangled up must surrender to the plan of God.
I am never prepared for a lot of the 'all that happen', but Acts 2:23 says "He knew...'
I am not prepared for this battle, this mountain, but God not only knew there would be this challenge, he knew I would not be ready for it because there was no way of me seeing it before hand.
No one likes to be taken unawares, someone drops by to visit without informing you they were coming or that they had no intention of leaving your home that day, such little things get most of us all worked up and bothered, How much more the BIG things, when life happens, when people leave, when you come face to face with your imperfection or fallibleness, what do we do when the unexpected happens? what do I do? I cry and agonize, and query God... and take a large dose of self-pity.
But;
what CAN I do when the unexpected happens? what CAN you do?
we can claim the Peace of God, claim his strength and divine ability.
we can remind ourselves that it is not about us, never, but it is about God, the devil won't bother with you if you didn't have God on your side, that is why God said the 'Battle is His.'
when we are faced with the unexpected, Act 2:23 encourages us to relax, God is prepared to see us through it, one day at a time, one step at a time.
His peace.
Chichi
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