Counting My Blessings

The year 2008 has been filled with lots of memorable events, God has been merciful, He’s been gracious and He’s been faithful. If I should literarily count all of my blessings, it would take a long while before that task will be concluded.

This year, I got a permanent job, was asked to resume even before I completed my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and got a promotion within a space of eight (8) months! God has granted me favour in the sight of my colleagues as well as bosses. I have had the opportunity to be on various projects that have sharpened my technical skills in the period.

During the year I have had to travel quite a number of times and God has granted me journey mercies. There was one flight from Abuja to Lagos that I won’t forget in a while; it was during the rainy season and the flight was delayed. We took off at 10 pm and the flight was everything but smooth. In fact, at some point people started praying out loud in the aircraft and by the time we landed a quick session of praise and worship was had!

God has been good to my family members. My parents are in good health and financially God has been awesome. My siblings are all doing very well where they are and can attest to God’s magnificence in their lives. His grace and love binds us together and will see us through coming years.

The year 2008 saw some of my friends get married, give birth to children, some got jobs, some wrote and passed their professional examinations, some gained admission to study for their Master’s degree, some won scholarships.

It has not all been rosy, but the challenges have made me stronger. I once was robbed but I was not harmed. I said no to a “fantastic” job offer with an oil company because I chose to be a “man of my words”. Some things I held on to were snatched out of my hands. I have shed tears and I have laughed.

Through the good and the bad, God has been awesome. The song that comes to mind is this hymn my father loves so much and taught us from childhood:

Through all the changing scenes of life
In trouble and in joy
The praises of my God shall still
My tongue and heart employ.

To you my dear reader, you are the reason I have not stopped writing. I wish you the very best of God in the years ahead.

Thank you.

Dearly beloved,

God has been awesome to me this year; hence I’m saying a big thank you to Him. But guess what? You are one of those He used to bless me and so I am saying "Thank You" to you as well.May He continue to enrich and bless you in every way possible. Amen.

Lotta luv,
Ibiyemi

Diligence

The Bible says a man diligent in his work shall stand before kings and not mean men. (Prov. 22:29) Diligence means persevering, it means determination. Research has shown that most of the successful people in all fields of endeavour are no born geniuses. They have reached the peak of their careers through hard work and diligence. The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is extra! A little more effort than your contemporaries are putting in will make a lot of difference.

You, however, need to have a clear vision of where you want to be and what you want. What legacy do you want to leave behind? Try to see beyond the present. Let your dreams be big. A man called Seneca said, “To the person who does not know where he wants to go there is no favorable wind.” Where there is no vision, people perish. (Prov. 29:18)

With vision and diligence you can reach great heights in whatever field you choose. Now imagine how much you can do with hard work, diligence and GOD. The sky won’t be the limit for you; it will simply be a stepping stone. His grace and favour upon your life will make you outstanding. His favour upon your live means when you ask you receive, when you knock the doors are opened and when you seek you find.

American poet, James Whitcomb Riley said of achieving success, “The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” Disappointments will definitely come, but remember that all things work together for the good of those who love God. (Rom 8:28) When you fall, dust yourself up and try again. Failure is not the worst thing in the world; the very worst is not to try. It was Napoleon Hill that said “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”

God has equipped us with all that we need to succeed. We have access to His grace through His son. Go ahead, spread your wings and fly! Remember, there are no limits except that which we have set for ourselves, by ourselves.

Against all odds

A leader, once convinced a particular course of action is the right one, must have the determination to stick with it and be undaunted when the going gets tough.
—RONALD REAGAN

Barack Obama has become a household name, a name that would not be forgotten in decades to come, a name that stands for courage, a name that is synonymous with hope. He represents a purpose, a people and a passion. He emerged as the first African-American President elect of the USA, was the first African American to be elected by a major US political party and was also the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review.

He has shown all that he truly believes in "the audacity of hope". He showed us that hope never fails, that tenacity fights to finish. I remember watching the popular movie series, 24, with some friends and a guy criticised the producer for casting a black man as the US president. He said it was "unrealistic". I guess there is no point arguing over that anymore, Obama has shown us there are no limits except that which we have set by ourselves for ourselves.

Friends, what is that dream that you have? How big is it? You have no excuse not to make an impact, none not to break fallow grounds. Remember the mark of a leader is determination, courage and hope that is audacious.

King's Daughter

My name is Ibiyemi
I am royalty by birth
I speak diverse languages
I'm a King's daughter



I was born into wealth
Never lacked anything good
So long it's good, I have it
All I need do is ask



You know my pedigree
An ancestory of great people
A line of role models
Names carved in stone



My father's kingship is eternal
His kingdom has no boundaries
His rulership is absolute
I'm proud to call Him father!

Work or Play?

What work I have done I have done because it has been play. If it had been work I shouldn’t have done it. Who was it who said, “Blessed is the man who has found his work”?
Whoever it was, he had the right idea in his mind. Mark you, he says his work—not somebody else’s work. The work that is really a man’s own work is play and not work at all.
—MARK TWAIN

Happy Holidays!

Hey!
Today is Friday and there will be no work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week because those days are public holidays. Everyone here is in high spirits and even now (5:20PM), the office is almost getting deserted! It sure is a long weekend and I am also looking forward to it.

Let's make the most of the break, take time out to reflect on those things that are important to us and make plans for the days ahead. We can also spend time with loved ones, go out and have fun or retreat for prayers.

Whatever you do, enjoy it and by the time work resumes, return as a better person.

Ciao!

Memories

Hi there!

Recently I was reading an edition of TW by Adesuwa Onyenokwe and she talked about how she needed financial support for an annual awards event that she organises (I think it's something about appreciating rare gems that have contributed to the society). She said getting such support was difficult because it was usually done low key with no hype about it. Since getting the "big shot's" to lend their support was difficult, she had to rely on her goodwill with individuals who "owe" her one favour or the other. According to her, she just approached such individuls and they volunteered to offer their services for free! For instance, Stella Damasus and the Synergy band performed for free, the MC (can't remember which one of the top comedians it was) also performed for free.

Then I remembered the story of the woman with the alabaster jar in Matt 26:6 - 13. Jesus mentioned that "wherever the Gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told also, in memory of her."

Now at the point where the woman was pouring the perfume on Jesus, she didn't expect such reaction from Him, it was just a simple act of love (even though it must have cost her a fortune, as evidenced by the disciples' reactions). I would also like to think that Adesuwa most likely did not even remember what she had done to help those people in the past.

Therefore, our little acts of kindness, the simple words of encouragement and affirmation, the gentle touch, the lovely smile and all go a long way to impact the lives of the recipients of such gestures. We might not remember those things (and we might), but they most likely won't forget and would have fond memories of such.

On the other hand, where such gestures had a negative impact, the person(s) at the receiving end will not forget either. At least I can remember one teacher in Nursery school who flogged me for staining my school uniform with blood! The uniform got stained from nose bleeding and i got no sympathy but a beating from the teacher! (By the way, I have no Misgivings towards her)

Now, I am not saying when you do your acts of kindness that you keep a record and expect a reward; you should do them, move on and expect a reward from only the Master. He knows how best to pay you back. Furthermore, as much as possible, do good to everyone that comes your way.

Remember, memories are longlasting.
Ciao!

The Anchor Holds in Spite of the Storm

We sure have all had to go through some stormy moments in our lives before. I have and I know what it feels like. There is, however, this song by Ray Boltz that I love so much and I want to share with you the wordings of the chorus:

The anchor holds

Though the ship is battered

The anchor holdsThough the sails are torn

I have fallen on my knees

As I faced the raging seas

The anchor holds

In spite of the storm

Now, an anchor is a device that holds a ship from moving. It is used to attach a ship to the bottom of a body of water at a specific point. The anchor could be a permanent or a temporary one. A permanent anchor is rarely moved. Vessels carry one or more temporary anchors on voyages. The anchor prevents a ship from drifting away due to the water currents or tide.

In my search for a deeper understanding of how an anchor works I discovered that the anchor itself does not act as the main weight to "secure" the ship in its position. The vessel is actually attached to the anchor by a chain or cable. On an anchoring run, the ship would lay the anchor together with a length of its iron cables on the seabed. The length to be released would depend on factors such as the depth of the water etc. So it is not the weight of the anchor, but the weight of the huge iron cables connected to the anchor that "secures" the ship. The anchor's weight does play a role, but it is mainly used to grip or hook the iron cables to the seabed. A ship properly anchored would be held to a circular area, the radius defined by the length of the cable released.

I guess that explains how an anchor works. Let’s take a look now, at how it applies to our faith. The Anchor of a Christian is Christ. Hebrews 6:19-20. The Anchor of our souls, Jesus is unmovable and cannot be broken. Our faith, the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are the cables that attach our lives (the vessels) to the Anchor (Jesus).

The storms of life can be anything, any circumstance, any trouble, trials or unpleasant situations we find ourselves in. The weight of the Anchor, God’s words and His name, remain constant and dependable, but how strong are the cables attaching our vessels to the Anchor? How is your daily walk with God? What is the place of the Holy Spirit in your life? When the storms arise, will the cables be long and strong enough to hold your vessel attached to the Anchor? The ship might be battered, the cables might get worn but the Anchor holds. Just fall on your knees as you face the raging seas and the storms of life.

Remember the Anchor holds in spite of the storm. When there is a gap between you and God, you can be sure who moved. You did!

Follow His steps

I recently heard a story about Mahatma Gandhi; and a young boy and his mother.

The young boy had become addicted to sugary things and the mother was afraid for his health. So she took the boy to Gandhi asking him to talk to her son to break the addiction because she believed the boy will do anything Gandhi said. Gandhi told the woman and her son to leave and come back to see him in two weeks.

Two weeks later, mother and son went back, Gandhi asked to speak with the boy alone, the boy and the mother left and the boy was totally delivered of his addiction. The mother went back to Gandhi and asked him, “what did you say to my son?” Gandhi’s response, “you have not asked the right question, the question you should have asked is, ‘why did you ask us to come back after two weeks?’” He said that was where the key was.

Gandhi explained that at the point the mother and son approached him, he also had a habit he needed to break and he realized his words won’t make any impact on the boy if he didn’t break that habit in his own life first. So in two weeks, he worked on breaking the habit in his own life and then talked with the boy.

Our supreme example is Jesus, there is nothing we go through He hasn’t been through. There is nothing He asks us to do He didn’t do. He is the perfect role model and our essence as Christians is to model our lives after His.

Apostle Paul in 1Cor. 11:1 (Amp) says "Pattern yourselves after me (follow my example), as I imitate (and) follow Christ (the Messiah).

Shalom.

Seasons

For the God of the universe to have thoughts and purposes for us also means that He'll be at work in us and around us to bring them to pass.
- Henry Blackaby
Created to be God's friend

Do you know that God chose you before time? That all things are working together for your good. That when He says all things, that it means the good, the bad and the ugly? That your mistakes are included in "all things"? That your hurts and pain are part of "all things"?

Do you remember He said "when you pass through the waters, I'll be with you; .................... and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned" Did you notice that it says "when"? Meaning you definitely will pass through the waters and walk through fire.

He will never lay on you a load too heavy for you to carry and He'll never put you in a river you can't cross. So, the next you are in that fix and you are feeling really sad, remember it's just for a season and for a reason.

Cheer up! In its time He makes all things beautiful.

Dunno what title suits this

Hi!

It's been a while and really still don't know what to write today. I only know I'm not in the best of moods. So maybe you could say a prayer for a sister.

Thanks.

The Daffodil Principle

I recently read an article that blessed my life and I think I should share it with you. I pray the message in the story blesses you.

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say “Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over.” I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. “I will come next Tuesday” I promised reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn’s house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. “Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch.” My daughter smiled calmly and said, “We drive in this all the time, Mother.” “Well, you won’t get me back on the road until it clears, and then I’m heading for home.” I assured her. “But first we’re going to see the daffodils. It’s just a few blocks, you’ll never forgive yourself, Mother if you miss this experience” Carolyn said.

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, “Daffodil Garden.” We got out of the car, each took a child’s hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me laid the most glorious sight; it looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different colour variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique line. There were five acres of flowers!

“Who did this?” I asked Carolyn. “Just one woman” she answered. “She lives on the property. That’s her home.” We walked up to the house. On the patio we saw a poster, “Answers to the Questions I know You are Asking” was the headline. The first answer was a simple one, “50,000 bulbs” it read. The second answer was, “One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain.” The third answer was, “Began in 1958” For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman, one day at a time she had created something of extra-ordinary magnificence, beauty and inspiration.

“What might have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it “one bulb at a time” through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!” My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. “Start tomorrow”, she said. She was right; it’s so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, “How can I put this to use today?”

There is no better time than right now to start that business, to write that book, to help that child, to build that house. Stop waiting............. until your car or home is paid off, until you get a new car, until your kids go off to school, until you retire.

There is no better time than right now to be happy.

Fulfillment

The word “Fulfillment” could mean different things to different people, but a definition that could be generally acceptable is “a feeling of satisfaction at having achieved one’s desires”. Meaning that for one to say he/she is fulfilled, the person had desires or expectations that have been met. I would think that the timing of such factors or occurrences that met such desires or expectations will be of essence.

Some circumstances around me in recent times have made me to start thinking seriously about these words: desire, satisfaction and fulfillment. A lot of questions have arisen in my mind and I have finally come to a conclusion. I trust God that you would be blessed as you read along.

When I was to settle for a job, a lot of questions came to my mind as to what kind of job I would like to settle for, the location, career path and so on. Now for me I had an early start and by His grace I had options, I could choose between job opportunities. I considered banking but I said “no way”. Lecturing, I said “maybe later, let me get practice experience first”. Consulting, I said “that’s it” and here I am as a Financial Adviser.

Now you would think, so she’s satisfied or fulfilled – she got what she wanted. But before you come to that conclusion, let’s look at it a little bit more closely. I work with one of the “big four” accounting and professional services firms and you would think that’s one of the best things that can happen to one career-wise. The thing is, people will tell you it’s good for the experience you’ll get on-the-job, you’ll learn a lot of things, build a solid network (from working with different clients) etc. The question is “at what cost?” I’ve been on a job for some time that took all my optimal hours away, all my Saturdays and one of my Sundays!

If you are a banker, people say the pay is good but we all know about the not-too-good things about that industry. If you are in Oil and Gas industry, the pay is the bomb, you probably have a lot of time on your hands but I am sure there is one thing or the other about it that’s not “too cool.” You probably have your own business but I know sometimes you wish you had a job where you have a steady source of income and can expect to be paid salary at the end of the month.

The point I’m trying to make is, in life, fulfillment is only found in God. Those things that we hope and long for will come and we will hope and long for more. There is hardly anything in life that brings total satisfaction; it’s only those that have learnt contentment at the feet of the Master that can have that peace and fulfillment we long for.

Job 36:11 says “If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”

Shalom!

No Excuses

Hi all,

I have been gone for too long and I know it. I can make excuses for myself, but trust me, such won't be valid. Why? It's because we always have alternatives to choose from. I could have, amidst all those things I can give as excuses for keeping me from writing, chosen to create time to write. I could have denied myself of some other things or could have simply just placed writing above some other thing(s).

There is one thing that God has blessed human beings with; it’s our ability to choose. God, through His word, tells us the good and the bad, the right and the wrong and He makes us know the consequences of our actions but He still leaves us to choose what to do. He says He “stands at the door and knocks”, meaning He won’t come in unless you choose to open the door.

There is always another way, at times a better one, to do things. It’s usually a case of our mindset; we see what we want to see. It’s like the analogy of the half–filled cup and half-empty cup.

Now, don't be quick to argue. Just think of any possible scenario and look hard enough and you'll find you do have a choice. That's the reality, the sad thing is just that we don't look hard enough or are too lazy to put our thoughts to productive use.

So, why didn’t I make out time to write? I plead guilty as charged! I am back to inspire and bless you with my posts. Thanks for taking time to read this piece and others.

Cheers!

So.........................long!

Happy new year to you all! But, is the year still new? don't mind me. Here's wishing you all a blessed and fulfiling 2008 ahead. May God bring to pass the fulfilment of your wildest dreams. It's good to be back. Been gone for so long, i hope to inspire you with my posts this year. Enjoy