Saturday, December 8, 2007

For Those who care about Kids

Hello Everyone. I do not have much to put up here, but are you are an adult, adult-wanna-be, or teenager, and you would like to get some help for your kid relative or friend who has been worried about exposure to pornographic information? There are a number of sites you could go to which may help. I will encourage you to check http://www.safefamilies.org/ out.

I went to a site http://www.techmission.org/, they are a Christ oriented organization that seek to help Urban (city) kids.
Below is a "copy/paste" of who they are:

.TechMission is a Christian non-profit social service organization.

"Our mission is to support Christian organizations in using technology to transform vulnerable communities. Our values are Jesus, Justice and Technology."

It was there I saw the safefamilies.org link. Enjoy... I hope you will find helpful information there. Stay blessed

God keep us all. Amen

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

No 'but' in Faith in Jesus Christ. (from Greater Luv Devotional)

Hey guys, and ladies, hope all' are doing well.
I really would like you to view, read, see (whichever one is fine with you) this article. I was excited by it, and feel provoked to keep my faith devoid of doubt's and 'buts'. God bless you as you read... copy and paste the link below.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GreaterLuv/message/1115

"for those who might be wondering, 'Ilorin' and 'Lagos' are cities in western part of Nigeria.
Fasting usually means to abstain from smt (typically food and water or drink)
A parish is a religious term for a district or a city group

Saturday, October 20, 2007

What To Make Of This "Unhealthy Relationship"

Hey friends,

I read an article on "Find Healing from the Emotionally Destructive Relationship", and coincidentally, Through the help God's Spirit I have been soul searching everything about me;life, relationships, e.t.c.
I observe there have been less good relationships and more 'not-so-good ones' if you know what I mean.
Well I know that God desires healthy relationships for everyone He created. However, through some nefarious means, less-than-healthy,(or worse) destructive relationships have been the lot of a number of us (believers and unbelievers alike).

So I thought it would be a good idea to discuss abit on 'Unhealthy Relationship'. I don't even know what ideas I have about it, so I am still thinking. I really would like you to reflect, and also put your contributions in the blog. As this is not a bashing forum, no name calling, and no 'the-other-person-did-it' articles are wanted. We all want to learn from our mistakes, and sharing how we have learnt, or are learning, with alot of Scriptural support will likely help everyone of us. Gratias:)

The goal is to elicit better ways (from your own experience in this short/long lifetime, and from scripture[where you can provide on, it is usually very helpful]) to improve myself, and yourselves as well. To this end, I placed a link to the article entitled "Find Healing from the Emotionally Destructive Relationship", at the end of the blog. Honestly, I should say that the article was the catalyst for this writing.

So I have tried 'loosely' to ask and provided partial answers to the term 'unhealthy relationship'. Feel free to evaluate and suggest yours.

Lets start with 'Unhealthy' : Simply put " (a)An action that is at 'variance with the written word of God. (b)what really does no true good (whether you are the one doing it, or it is being done to you). (c)What really is making life miserable, (medically and emotionally or psychologically) sick. (d)An involvement that is harmful,an action that causes pain or grief, economically unfruitful, and of no benefit to one and to society. (e)What are you blind to, that trust-worthy family, friends, close associates, are saying is doing you no honest, God-honoring good".


How about 'Relationship' : I guess it was somehow included in Unhealthy, but for the sake of attempting to describe it, you and I who read this or other article can be said to be relating (to the ideas being put forth). But I want to hone in on interactions that are repeated frequently, are prolonged, and some level of investment (time, money, emotions, fellowship, effort [physical or mental]) is expected.
With these partly clear thoughts, what then might one say is an unhealthy relationship?

Well I would try this: when something is being invested into, over and over (or for a length of time), and the actions of both investors are not helping each other grow in a healthy, helpful, godly, societally useful manner, the relationship is unhealthy.
Some people were born into an environment that thrives on unhealthy relationships, and that's all they ever knew.
Some create them through one or more 'vices' of the craving desires "envy, greed, incorrect evaluation of self, e.t.c"
Some have assimilated them as a result of trying to be noticed, wanted, liked, loved e.t.c

I bet we can give a world of possible reasons why we are or were in an unhealthy relationship.
I would like for everyone who honestly wants to know whether they are contributing unhealtily to a relationship, to read the article in the link below.

http://www.crosswalk.com/marriage/11556632/page2/

Do be honest friend, think about it...and you will find freedom in Christ Jesus.
Feel free to respond to vis blog...

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

My Reflections on Temptations (III)

Let me conclude this way...
Am I being myopic because I talk about temptation and seem to be justifying God (and excluding excuses)? No!
Am I being dishonest? No way
Just as in any race in life, without preparation, people do not finish, so also with temptation: whoever is unprepared will yield to wrongly directed desires, and, whoever is well prepared will not yield. Why? Because God prepares us by teaching us His word, and as we learn, we know how ask by praying in faith.
  • Many years ago, I used to succumb to the desire for cigarettes and alcoholic drinks. I knew I succumbed, because I honestly did not want to continue to smoke or drink (in mind and heart I hated it, but my body had become so used to it, I was unwilling to do away with it). Believe me I cried, fought the urge, time and time again. Since it was tempting, I had my battles over and over again. It is now funny to think of, but at that time, it was not. Societally, I did not care much, but as a new creation in Jesus Christ, I really wanted the power of God completely changing my life
  • I had not been studying the scriptures so I had very little faith to hold. God was good to me, because, I got invited to a number of christian students organizations (fellowships, bible study, prayer times, or worship times) and those times were liberating. With time I got to pray more often (knowing God was listening) and studying scriptures (to really know the what, how, who, e.t.c about Him, myself,...), finding the good things that were done on my behalf, getting stronger in faith, and walking in more grace. Long story cut short: by grace of God I have not smoked since ~2003 December, and alcoholic desires have become dull to me.
  • Note: God is the one who is making us perfect, as we continue to walk willingly with Him.
  • Sobriety programs or other kick-the-habit programs, are well intentioned, though I would strongly encourage anyone who really wants to live a truly God honoring life, to go to the Father through His Son. (Freedom by Him is guaranteed) These are His words, not mine, so I am shameless to say them :).
  1. There are people who would not believe these words, because it seems un-realistic and one sided.
  2. There are people who do not believe in a deity, let alone the Living God.
I have no fight/quarrel with you, but only ask that you bear with me (as you might a fool) and read on. The message is primarily to the new believer in Jesus Christ, or whoever is struggling, and to them who may have become at ease with yielding to desires that are misleading.
The scriptures from Genesis to Revelations support what was written in Parts I and II, and here. The references quoted, were from Apostles James and Paul.
Help is available, if you only ask for it
In 1Corinthians 10:12-13, Paul also advised the "mature believer" to be really careful. He said "If you think u are strong, u should be careful so that u do not fall. The temptations that come to you and me, are common to every human being. We can trust God however, that He will not permit a greater temptation than we can stand, but when we are tempted, He always makes a route for escape so we can stand against it.". God then makes us aware of the situation, speaks to us on how to stand, and even drags us out, if we only say "Father, help me stand, I want to stand for your honor".
An old testament scripture that can help us, is Psalms 32:8 "The Lord says, I will show you the right way to go. I will teach you, and I will guide you with My eyes. Stop behaving stubborn like a donkey, or like a horse, for they need to be led with bits and bridle in their mouths, before they come to you".
Jesus, God himself, says more than twice "How to Pray...Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" and in another place "Pray to God for strength to Overcome temptation" and in yet another place "Simon, Simon, satan has asked permission to sift you like wheat from chaff, but I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail. And when you recover, strengthen your brothers". Jesus prays for us too. So friend, we should not fear trials, because Jesus Has given us our in-built Defense Mechanism (Faith, and Grace to Overcome).
Last of all... Please pardon my long message... I just felt the need to share it with you. God bless...
These concluding words were copied for our pleasure and strengthening, from GreaterLuv devotional: The trial of Job has shown us that before God approved Satan’s request, he clearly defined the boundaries. Every trial or temptation that comes to you follows the same process. Satan will make known his plan to tempt you. Thereafter the scope and nature of the temptation will be defined. This includes the go and no-go areas. This request will be processed through a special machine that has taken into cognisance your ability, and thereafter approval is given to the tests that come to you. This way, you can be sure that no temptation can stretch you beyond your ability. Temptation and trials may stretch you to certain limits but not beyond your ability. This is another way of saying that whatever trial or temptations you meet in life, no matter how tough and rough, it is within your capacity and ability.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

My Reflections on Temptation (II)

Welcome friend,
how are you today. May the grace of God be with u..
I am continuing what began the previous morning, in form of reflecting on temptation. Why I thought about this particular issue, I do not know. But I did, and I wanted to share it with you...
why, you may ask?, I also am not sure, but I hope it may somehow encourage you or someone you know. May God at least use it to bless you, or entertain you. Amen.
So, if you are willing, I will go on...


  • We all have desires, and we know what happens when we let them stray without keeping to the boundaries God has set for us ( As I pen my thoughts, I am aware that I feel a temptation to not be truthful. i.e, to make this blog more watered down. God, help me too). Our forebears Adam and Eve, also yielded to their own desires.
  • We read in Genesis 3, that Lucifer (the Devil) used their desires to cause them to stumble. God placed the tree there (true), but I do not believe that God placed the tree to tempt Adam or Eve? It is abit like saying God placed the opposite sex, or that goody, for me to steal it, to tempt me to sin (not true either). Eve, and then Adam were led off by what they thought was appealing (in their case, becoming wise like God, and knowing good and evil, as Satan suggested), even though God had commanded them not to eat. It is like me or you wanting to do wrong with the opposite sex, even though we know God has said wait for marriage before sexual relations. If stealing was okay, why then if caught, were they to pay back as much as 7-times what they stole(Book of Deuteronomy for reference)? You see, If it was okay, then God would not say "the soul that sins, shall die" and "these evil habits will make it impossible for the doers to enter heaven"
  • in the following scriptures Isaiah 14:10-17, Ezekiel 28:11-19 God created Lucifer (true), and made him a very important angel (with great responsibility and splendor), but God also set limits beyond which Lucifer was not assume authority. Lucifer was led astray also by his own desires (I think among the other reasons, he probably wanted these: to be equal with God, showmanship, failure to respect the boundary set for him, e.t.c). "I want more than He allowed, Satan had said to himself. Whatever God has for me is not enough, I do not like His conditions so I will defy them". God had to do away with him and kicked him (and his followers) out of heaven.
  • I am also realizing that temptation usually comes in form of "partial truth" persuasions. I guess if you think about the temptations you have encountered, you would get the gist. This is not what God has in mind for you or for me. He desires us to be with Him in heaven. If we read the blog "Father's Love Letter", we can see all the truthful and wonderful plans God has for us, and he also shows us how to receive them. That blog gives a beautiful summary of what the Father of lights has in heart and mind for you.
Please Read "My Reflections on Temptation Part III" for the concluding remarks

My reflections about Temptation (Part I)

In James 1:13-17
The Apostle James reveals something we have a tendency to ignore. He said "God cannot be tempted with/by evil, and He will never tempt anyone of us with it...". The apostle goes on to show you and I how temptation comes "But we are tempted when we are led astray by our own desires and enticed". Afterwards he describes what happens to us as a result of the straying.
I used to think God liked to allow satan tempt me, but I got a bit of shock when I read 1Thessalonians 4:3-6 "God wants me/you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins. He wants me/you to learn how to control our own bodies (desires) in a way that is both honorable, and holy..." I was thinking about this...
I realize that God did not tempt Adam in the garden of Eden. God only permitted the devil who must have asked to tempt them. God planted all the good things He had in mind, and created Adam and Eve. God also gave Adam desires, as He gave Eve. God allowed Adam and Eve to eat anything they liked (even fruit from the tree of Life) but He gave them a special warning. "You o Man, must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and of evil, for the day you do this, you will surely die". Now think about it, does God not have the right to tell us what to do and what not to do? well we know the follow up to that story.
See Part II for more on "my reflections about temptation (tomorrow)

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Father's Love Letter

My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad


http://www.fathersloveletter.com/

Shout Out to College Kids and Alumni

Hello folks, I wish to use this medium to shout out to the (soon to be, and current) College kids, and Alumni in the group.

I wish us all serious deliberations on all aspects of our pre- current- and post college experiences, and pray that we make meaningful career choices, for the honor of Jesus Christ. I mean we should do what is reasonable, right and God honoring.
I am coming to realize the importance of not being a hypocrite. "Ouch", I know that's not an endearing word and someone might say, We all know that hypocrisy is foolish. But, if we do not stop to pause on who we say we reflect as Christ's followers, we may inadvertently become 1st class hypocrites, not only in the eyes of others, but even to ourselves.

My, what babbling eh? Think about it anyway...

Stay blessed, and give your life a Christ-oriented Challenge.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Every good and Every Perfect gift is from Above

A question crossed my mind and I would like your thoughts on this.

James 1:17 (NIV) says : every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down (to us) from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The question is: how would a young believer identify, and avoid bad and imperfect gifts.

I wish to get some advice here, preferrably based on the responder's experience.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Welcome Everybody

Hi everyone of you,

We hope this would be a wonderful means of communication to stay in touch with all of you. Please do share with us any important issues and/or topics (actual, inspirational, religious etc) so we can all discuss about them.
!!! Please be notified that this blog is still under construction and as a result changes on this page will occur, every now and then !!!
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Stay blessed.

Memory Verse for the Week:


Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.