Mega city??? You kidding me?

Been doing some home/office calling recently; I've probably been to your area two times over, if you live in Lagos. I couldn't help noticing how much Lagos of my memory has become just that; memories! Neighbourhoods that used to be friendly and warm because of the community life therein, have all become cold and noisy because they now have tables, chairs, air conditioners and generating sets as the permanent residents instead of humans. An average residential area of yesterday, that boomed with life and warmth of a community, has become a dark lonely alley with little or no life left in it, as residents cede their homes to offices and businesses ready to pay fortunes to have them. Look around you, take a walk down your street, and round your estate, it will shock you to realise how many offices there are, taking up buildings meant for residential purposes.

At Crossroads again!

Sola finished from the prestigious University of Ife or is Obafemi Awolowo University (what really is the difference? Hmm... That’s a story for another day, after all there are both Universities...) in 2000 with a Bachelor Degree in Law. One year Law School experience and a year of serving his fatherland after, he was living life comfortably enjoying working in his field of study… He was working in a Law Firm close to the home he shared with his parents and siblings. Life is good, at least he was not asking for more than he was getting, he had something of a saving at the end of the month after taking care of lunch and transport and he was doing better than some of his colleagues. Many of them that had left school before him are still struggling to get to his level. He would slap the streets of Lagos with feet if he had to, but never get himself bother about hitting in a rush. Moreover, he loves his work and is enjoying it…
But

Sugabelly's Language Challenge

My name is Seyi Falufosi. I was born on 17th April (I actually said the fourth month,) 1985. But was this really when I was born? Yes, I was born on Wednesday, 17th of April 1985. And I was named on the eighth day of my birth, that would be... the twenty... 24th of April, 1985. My father named me Seyi, Oluwaloseeyifunmi (It's the Lord that has done this for me) Titiniayomi (My joy is everlasting.) I was also named Sarah. Because my father's mother died about a year and three months before I was born and because I was the first female child born into our extended family since her passing, my father's family named Iyabo (mother has returned!) Is there still anyone alive that calls me by that name at all? Most of them are dead... but looks like there are still about two left... (pause...) 

Alright, let's

Definitives of HE

He can't be defined, He is definition..
He does nt just exist, He is existence...
He is not just alive, He is Life....

He is not just powerful, He is Power....
He is not in time n space, time n space are in Him....
He is in today,yesterday n tmr at the same time...

He is right nw in the past n the future...
u'all knw who i'm talkin bout...!

Growing Pains

Oh, how I’ve grown…
Have I done this feat I alone?
I’ve grown stronger flesh and bone
Can my skin any tougher be?

Look how tall I am…
Head and shoulders above all I stand
Can I forget e’er how my muscles cramped,
When I was stretch beyond my bounds?

If I say no pain no gain
It might sound all so lame.
But for me, sound it I again,
That the gain is worth all the pain…

A Commitment to Obey

Today, I commit myself to obeying You, Lord… so I start with Your first assignment and command for mankind.

“Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Today I declare that:

I bare fruits in my body, spirit, mind, lips, hands and every other area open to me…

I bare fruits in my body, the fruits of my womb are blessed; they are godly children that multiply themselves by influencing other children that they interact with. My children in turn give birth to godly children who multiply themselves in other godly children, so I replenish the earth with the fruits of my body, thereby setting creations free… As a safe blood donor, I declare that my blood produces and multiply healing and health in the body of the recipients, they recover supernaturally because of the life of God that flows through my body, and testimonies abound…

I bare fruits in my spirit; the fruit of love that God has planted as a seed in my heart reproduces itself in me, multiplying itself in Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. I declare that my love is contagious, infecting people with its fruits, filling their lives with them as they in turn multiply with all these fruits and liberation comes to creation through the fruits of my spirit…

I produce fruits in my mind; I come up with concepts, witty inventions, solutions, advices that set the pace for others to follow. My mind is never unfruitful. I’m never confused; I have the mind of Christ and connect my mind with His and produce Brain-Children that in turn lead to new levels of innovations and inventions that set this world free from unfruitful conventions…

I produce fruits from my hands… The work of my hand is blessed and because of them, I stand before kings and not mere men. I am diligent with my work therefore, I have fruits to show, I do my job diligently contributing to the development I see around in the world. I am a solution giver, and the solutions I give lead to development, and point way to other solutions that improve our world. I work and do not labour. My work is rewarding and rewarded. My businesses are blessed and fruitful; the fruits multiply and give back to the society in many good ways.

I produce fruits from my lips and my mouth… I declare that my words are goodly and godly, producing godly fruits and sowing godly seeds of in the hearts of the hearers. A man is ensnared by the words of his mouth; I declare that the goodly and godly words of my mouth encase me in the love, grace and tender mercies of God. A man’s belly is filled by the fruits of his lips; I declare that all my needs are met because my words produce provisions for them according to the decrees of God. I do not give strife, lack, needs any foothold in my life as a result of my lips. I am a son of God; therefore my words will never fall to the ground as I speak the Will of God to be in my life and the lives of others around me. I am a powerful witness of the Good news, I speak God’s Word to people and the words of faith produce bountiful harvests into the Kingdom of God. My lips are fruitful.

I declare that my life is an exceedingly fruitful one; I produce fruits daily, with harvest that the devil can never steal away. The fruits of my life are a source of glory to God, leading many generations to God like no other. My life is a light of many generations, even those yet unborn… As my day so shall my strength be. I am full of strength and I live a strong life. I live long and strong. With long life and length of days my Father God satisfies me and shows me His salvation. I am satisfied with life and abundance of life. My life is a source of blessing to others and trouble to the devil.

Today I declare fruitfulness as my way of life, my commitment to obeying God’s commandment. I am fruitful by faith in the Blood of Jesus… Amen

Should I go, should I stay...

Have u ever made a decision that involves other people, and keep it from them; just waiting... Waiting for what, I'm not really sure... but waiting...
Bear in mind, this decision can make or mar things for all involved...
But if it makes things... it gonna be rewarding...
Should it mar things... Irreparable...
Should I go, should I stay... should just hold to the info till...

TODAY I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE by Max Lucado

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference.

__________________________
From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)
Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002) Max Lucado
http://www.maxlucado.net/_product_30305/Shaped_By_God_(Gift_Edition)
==============================================

Last night, I found another reason to be grateful to God...

I happen to rescue an accident victim. I saw surrounded by people shouting as she was... It took a lot to keep them from tensing her up further. I told her to stay calm (whatever that meant) and got them to give me a wrapper which I got tied on the leg. The shin just above her ankle had open up and one could see everything under, the bone was not seen though but as I write this and can't help remembering the subject of skin in Biology back in Secondary School. I say kudos to Medical Officer and everyone that deals with such every day. There, I saw God wrought a miracle by hand, as open as the wound (can even call it wound; it's too big to be called wound,) big as it was she didn't lose much blood...
Talk about blood; men, human beings blood really stinks... It stinks real badly; all I could eat last night was a can of yoghourt and Bigi Sausage... I was almost a mess most of the night... I see blood nearly every three months when I go for blood donation as I am a Safe Blood Donor, that's my blood, given voluntarily in a comfortable environment among friends and family...
I thank God for making available at that time or this woman would have died bleeding and screaming as by the time we got to the Hospital, she was so weak, you'd ever to strain your ear to hear her.
As I got off the bus and walked by home, it occurred to me that the only time I've had to report to hospital was when I go for blood donation, and since I get a mini medical check before the donation, I never had to go to hospitals for anything else since over 3 years now...
For someone that enjoys weaving words together, I finding it hard to believe this is me, writing this less than articulate note...
But I am grateful, last week I was chatting with a doctor friend of mine and he went offline for a long while. Just as I was about complaining to him that he abandoned me, he told me that he had gone to treat an accident victim... So when it happened yesterday and as I rode with her to the hospital I couldn't help remembering Ay... Was going to tell him I wouldn't complain again if he abandons my message, it's just a message (except of course, it's not to attend to a patient.)
...sigh...
I'm ok. I'll check on her on Saturday when I go for blood donation. That reminds me, this is to remind you all of the Blood Donation Exercise coming up on Saturday @10A.M. Lagos State College of Medicine, Ikeja (General Hospital.) Venue: Blood Donor Clinic opposite the Accident/Surgical Emergency... Come and bring someone with one.

Suicide

Don't be caught dead without Christ! That's suicide... Accept Christ today as the One and only Redeemer before it's too late...

THE POWER OF LOVE

I read this today, though it had been shared on our yahoogroup since February and I thought I should share it. Especially since I'm yet to be done with my next post... Please enjoy and don't forget to share too...

A long time ago in China , a girl named Li-Li got married and went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all. Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.

Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting. But what made the situation even worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband great distress.

Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it! Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs. She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.

Mr. Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, 'Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you.'

Li-Li said, 'Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do.' Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, 'You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious. Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving. Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspects you when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. 'Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen.' Li-Li was so happy. She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law. Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper, obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother.

After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with. The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in-law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter. Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening.

One day, Li-Li came to see Mr.. Huang and asked for his help again She said, 'Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law. She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her.'

Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. 'Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude towards her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

HAVE YOU REALIZED that how you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: 'The person who loves others will also be loved in return.'

God might be trying to work in another person's life through you.

God loves you, and so do I

Yesterday was my best CLF memory yet, I'm looking forward to many more...

I had so much fun that when I look at what we went through I would like to think it was all worth it. Given the chance, I will do it again (but of course, with better funding)

CLF Memories

My best CLF Moments; I had quite some. Lighthouse Generation picnic (especially the one at Parks & Gardens where we fried chinchin, I had a lot of cake that day thanks to Ayokunumi), LXG party, Inter-Department games, Valentine Ball Service, Xmas Rave, Foundation Sch picnic at Erin Ijesha…
What’s yours? SMS 08054547577 or e-mail seyifalufosi@yahoo.co.uk, tweet @OluSeyiFalufosi...

Diary of a Soldier’s wife (looking back 20 yrs)

May 12, 2011

I used to day dream about being married to a man like Superman; a journalist in the day, and a vigilante at night. At times I would see myself caught in the crossfire between his enemies and his allies. When he finally found me, wasn’t sure it was he; maybe because he was not like my fantasy. I remember looking across the room at his face during an international flight, when a friend asked me about my fiancé. He asked me if we hoped to be together forever and I wondered to myself looking across the room, if I wanted to spend my always with this man that was yet to meet my fantasy. All I could do to keep my friend from probing further was smile sheepishly and nod. Then I changed the topic to how tired I was and I would love to sleep in the next day.

Things changed all of a sudden and before I knew it, I sitting in a van looking at my fiancé getting behind the wheels of an armored personnel carrier. Before zooming off, he blew me a kiss and said he love me. That began a turnaround in my love story; my fantasy could no longer be…

We got married about 4 years after and though I don’t remember the wedding ceremony I do remember how I would hold him in my embrace each time he got back, knowing that I soon would have to say goodbye again. I remember going to the base each time they were back from their tours, which took months, sometimes years. Though I would try to be strong, he knew too well how I had suffered in silence, especially in his absence.

Though he is retired after investing 44 years of his life in his country, I can’t forget that sensation, that awareness of him that was always in my heart when I think of him so far away… I can’t call it feeling, because it was more than that; I could always sense he was alive, when he was in danger. I always knew he needed my prayers. My trouble years as a teenager and a young woman paid off, as they served as a training ground for me to pray for my husband day and night. I would pray and pray for him until all strength went out of me. I would pray for his protection, that he would be a light to every unit he was posted to, drawing everyone to Christ with his life. He became a beacon that everyone looked to and he never wasted time in pointing them to Christ. He was one of the few soldiers that never fell ill; he didn’t even have a single bullet wound throughout his military career. So that stood him out; he either wasn’t going his job or there was something different about him. And there was; he has Christ and a praying wife who loves him. I don’t know whether it is right for Christians to be soldiers and go to war “killing people.” But, I do know this: God protects Christian Soldier out there on the battlefield; my husband is a testimony.

God has used his life to save many young Soldiers out there on the field; whether on camp while they were chatting, while a soldier on his unit was mortally wounded and he led him to Christ on his last breath or when all else failed (especially medical science,) and he had to lay his hand on the young in faith that Jesus is the healer. He was never a preacher out there, but he always took his time to talk about the God he know for himself and God did use him for the Soldiers of our country that went out with him. His career was a fairy tale that was all too real.

Now, we spent our time counseling young military men and women; he counsels the mostly the soldiers and I focus on their wives and families, helping them go through life in the military with the ease that comes with having the Grace of God upon your life.

I waited all my life to have a good Christian man, but every night I lie beside him, watching him go to rest after laying down every troubles at the Master’s feet, I simply thank God for giving me the BEST Christian man as my husband. I asked for cake, but He gave it to me with icing, so that even after 57 years of marriage, he is the next best thing that ever happened to me after salvation.

-Amanda

Dead or Alive

This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life, whoever doesn't have the Son has not life. 1 John 5:11,12
Are you dead or alive. Christianity is a way of life and it is simple: you either are or you are not. You are either dead or alive. You either have Christ or you don't. Many people today are walking dead, they have everything else a living person has, yet they still don't live. They are not dying; they are simply dead and they had been for a long time. Only God knows how much time they have left. Denying Jesus is denying yourself life; without Him you are just a moving corpse, stone dead is what you are. If you are reading this and you want to live and not remain dead, then you should desire to be alive to God. To do that, just accept Jesus into your life, confess Him as Lord and Saviour, then you've been born, and your life activated. So if you are that person, please say this prayer with me:
Dear Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, who was sent to die for my sins. I hereby repent of my sins and accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. I declare You are God over my life and that from today, I am alive in You. Thank You, God. In Jesus' Name. Amen

You are now alive. Activated...

How? I wonder

How I wonder...
How do you keep from doing anything from selfish ambitions or cheap desire to boast, while being humble towards everybody and considering them better than you? It got me wondering; especially if you’ve got something to show for being better than some of them.

And how do you have the same thought with people of backgrounds, thought patterns and life outlook that are different from yours? Sharing the same love shouldn’t be so hard, but how you get t be one in mind and soul with others? Looking out for one another’s interests is of course easier when you don’t let yours suffer too much loss. However, I am keen on knowing how to blend these all in, to make me more like Christ, after all that is the original design (Genesis 1:26. ) I really desire to be exactly like Him, how ever did He do it??? I sure would love to know; my earnest desire.

Oh, wait… I have a clue, but that too needs more working on. My life in Christ makes me strong and His love comforts me. The key: Have fellowship with the Spirit and have kindness and compassion for everyone. Wow… My heart is almost exploding as it expands to grasp this truth: LOVE is the key.
Like someone says: “even in this age of computers, only love can reboot us.” So I say: "wake up everybody; no more sleeping in bed…”

Read Philippians 2:1-10

What can I do for love? Rather, what won't I do for love?

If asked this question, what will be your answer?

Someone said, I will fly for love... (He just saw HITCH)

Another: I can do anything for love.

If I catch my girlfriend with another guy, I won't want to see her anymore. (He still can do anything for love)...

I still wonder what my answer really is. Let's see...

What have I ever done for love? Love, love...

I remember back in 2004, 11 months break OAU had... I got myself all loved up but...

It happened that there was one thing I couldn't do for love. It ended I got myself begging for what would have done me no good. Thank God it didn't work.

But I remember real good, that I cut up textured cardboards, got myself colored pens and made greeting cards for my "lovely boyfriend." Interesting... It took about seven years for the recipient to know the value of the card. Well, that was the last time any guy got a card from me. Imagine me, designing a card for a guy...

Anyway, I am still thinking what I can do for love. I know I won't design a card for love.

Psalm 23:5

Tu dresses devant moi une table, En face de mes adversaires; Tu oins d'huile ma tête, Et ma coupe déborde. (Français)

Du bereitest vor mir einen Tisch im Angesicht meiner Feinde. Du salbest mein Haupt mit Öl und schenkest mir voll ein. (Deautsch)

You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. (English)