"'Nuff Respeck"

Bonjour à tous!!!

So another titan in the world of Tennis retired yesterday in the wake of Ronaldo's retirement announcement. "Super" Mario Ancic, former number 7 in the world, amidst tears, announced that he was retiring from tennis after a terrible case of mononucleosis (he was out for 6 months in 2007) and a back injury that he's been living with for over 5 years. The 26 year old Croat's game was electrifying - serve and volley and always on the offensive. He could've been a name to reckon with. He was also a pleasure to look at, but that's beside the point. He will be missed.

In light of this loss, I have decided to dedicate this morning's offerings to my favorite athlete..EVER.

ROGER FEDERER
Anyone who knows me knows that I believe this guy is the best player in the game of tennis. The guy is a maestro with that racket! There are some things that he does with that small yellow ball sometimes that leaves commentators who were players like him speechless.

His game is a work of art:
His return of serve is out of this world, his serve is probably the most calculated I've ever seen - it might not be fastest (where has Andy Roddick's fast serve gotten him? Hiss), but he places them so strategically that he hits aces more than guys with fast serves. He is the only one I know that uses the one-handed backhand. And his footwork, oh his footwork! Stellar!! I mean, he barely makes a sound! Except the occasional "come on!" and fist pumping, the guy is just stoic on court even when things are not going very well for him. Some think he's cold, I say, he's calculated! And he HARDLY sweats! I mean, in Wimbledon 2009, he had on whites with a belt on! Bobo had no marks on him after the game (which he won of course!). His opponent (Andy Roddick) had changed his shirt like 4 times and was still sweating profusely like a Christmas goat!

"In an era of specialists, you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard court specialist...or you're Roger Federer." - Jimmy Connors, a former tennis player.

Roger Federer is the Greatest Of All Time! Period! With 16 grand slams (4 Australian Open, 6 Wimbledon, 5 US Open, 1 French Open titles) and counting and he did it in 8 years! An all-time record, as Pete Sampras won his 14 in 13 years!

Roger Federer, The Swiss Maestro, The Fedxpress, Darth Federer or Simply Maestro is just 29! Deadly! Just Deadly! And to top it all off, he's happily married with twin girls - who were born on the same day as my sister! We've got a connection! And his wife is not some model floozy, he married his girlfriend of 9 years.

I LOVE ROGER FEDERER!!!!

Nuff Respeck!

Dead Sea

Guten Tag Schöne Menschen!!!

So, I was doing a little research on the dead sea a while back and it kind of shot me back to a point that we prayed at Church last Friday. I'll get to that in a minute, but first let me give you a few facts about this sea -


1. First, it's not really a sea! It's a salt water lake.

2.There's no marine life in the Dead Sea, hence the name. The high mineral and salt content of the body of water make it impossible for fish and plants to live. The name 'Dead Sea' is actually a kinder, gentler translation from the Hebrew name 'Yam ha Maved', which means, 'Killer Sea'. Fish accidentally swimming into the waters from one of the several freshwater streams that feed the Sea are killed instantly, their bodies quickly coated with a preserving layer of salt crystals and then tossed onto shore by the wind and waves. Brutal!

3. Water flows into the sea from smaller rivers and ponds, but it doesn't flow out.

4. The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest on earth, almost six times as salty as the ocean! The seawater comprises about 300 grams of salt per kilogram of seawater.

5. Because of the extremely high concentration of dissolved mineral salts in the water, its density is way more than that of plain fresh water. What this means is our bodies are more buoyant in the Dead Sea. In fact, people are so buoyant in this body of water, it makes it kind of tough to actually swim. Most people like to just kick back in the water and read, like the guy in this picture!

This got me thinking about the point we prayed last Friday. We prayed for the grace to bless others as God blesses us. It is important that as God adds to us, that we add to others and not be like the human Dead sea that has water flowing into it but does not flow out (#3). We cannot afford to hoard God's blessings and expect that God will continue to pour into us; at one point, your cup gets full and there's no reason to keep pouring. No one wants a life of drought, a life that doesn't build anything; a life that kills and stifles everything in its path (#2).

God told Abraham in Genesis 12 vs 2-3 - " I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” In this passage, you see that in the promise of God to Abraham, He gives him a command as well. "...and you SHALL be a blessing" It's not a request. It's a requirement of God's blessing. Then verse 2 also states that God will bless those who bless Abraham. It's a two-way street; give and receive. Your vessel has to be empty (or close to it) to be filled! It'll look really ridiculous to carry a bucket already filled with water to the pond to fetch water, wouldn't it?

Proverbs 11 vs 25 - "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself". One canNOT go without the other. You have to have a generous soul to be made rich by God and as you are getting "watered" by God, do the same for others, or else....that supply will cease. It's the way of God.

I know I gave 5 facts about the Dead Sea, I actually had use for 2...I thought the other 3 were kinda cool! LOL.

Reflect on this and make a conscious effort to be a blessing to others in the things that you do and the way that you live.

On that note, have a blessed and God filled day!!!

C.S Lewis

Good Monday Morning Beautiful People!!

My new obsession - C.S Lewis!!! I would like to share him with you all this morning.

Clive Staples Lewis born in Belfast, Ireland on November 29, 1898 was an all-round literary genius, which awesome, profound books like Screw tape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia (yep, you guessed it! He wrote them books!).

This man's revelation and thought process is so distinct and heavy but it's so elemental and easy. It makes you think! It opens your eyes to what you already know. He was classified as a Christian Apologist, a field that aims to present a rational basis for Christianity (Apostle Paul was another one). Apologists have based their defense of Christianity on historical evidence, philosophical arguments, scientific investigation, and other disciplines.

1 Peter 3 vs 15 - "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect".

He did a good job of breaking down the profound into smaller, more basic pieces that is easily understood and digestible. I make a habit of going through his quotes every morning; there's always something in there that gets me everyday. You can see my daily selection in the "Quote of the Day" in the upper right hand corner of my page.

Here are some of my favorite quotes -

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

He died in 1963 at the age of 64 from renal failure three years after his wife's demise four years after their marriage at the age of 45 from cancer. But he left a legacy that will never be forgotten! The guy just rocks! He has already thought me to know Christ for myself and share what I know because there are people walking around without direction who need the little I have to get on the right path.

I encourage you to go on that page (linked up above) and just read through his thoughts...Insight galore!

On that note, do have a blessed and God-filled day!!

Cover Up

Aloha mi amigos!!

I heard this scripture on my way home from work yesterday,  it got me thinking and I feel it's important to share this with you. The times and seasons are getting darker and harder so we need to "Cover Up" our sensitive parts; parts of our lives that are easily susceptible to sin and tribulations.

Ephesians 6 vs 13 - 17
 ¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
 ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
 ¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
 ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

We are soldiers for Christ in this world and we have to dress up as such, with the right tools of the trade. The breast place defends the front and back of a soldier from neck to thigh. So it is important to guard ourselves with righteousness and truth as these areas are where we get hit the most. We have to be prepared to spread the gospel wherever you go, to cease every opportunity to let people know who we represent.

The shield is security for a soldier. In the same vein, as long as a Christian has faith, he is safe. It comes to his aid in every attack that is made on him, it is the defense and guardian of every Christian because without it we are not pleasing God and when we don't please God, we leave ourselves wide open to anything.  The helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit are the tools to do the actual battle - you can't go into a metaphorical battle without confidence that you've got a chance to win and you definitely can't fight without a weapon!

The Bible is so complete! You, as a Christian, a soldier, cannot, MUST not leave your house without these things! They are vital to your walk with Christ.

After all is said and done, we need to grace and mercy of God to run this race called life because like I explained two blogs ago, there are times we don't even pray talk less of dressing appropriately spiritually. (Ephesians 1 vs 5-10). Thank God for His grace that gives us what we definitely do not deserve!

On that note, have a blessed and God-filled day.

PS - Speaking of covering up, that should be thrown out the window 'cos it's gonna be a GORGEOUS day tomorrow. So trade your jackets, turtlenecks and winter boots for flip flops, spaghetti tops and sunglasses!!
AND...Lakers lost to the Cavaliers yesterday! A team with the worst losing streak in NBA history! Made my day!!!

Why Bother?

Good Morning everybody!!

It's such a beautiful morning isn't it? Wait till Friday, then you'll want to work outside. So, this morning, on my way to work (as usual, right? it seems like my musings begin in my ford contour! lol), I was listening to 95.1 Shine FM (Awesome station!!) and this song came on - "...God bless the broken road.." and a line in the song sort of stuck out at me - "I set out on a narrow way many years ago hoping I would find true love along the broken road...."

Quick disclaimer before I move on - this is plainly my understanding of this line in the song. I believe that this narrow road is our walk with Christ; which entails leaving the things of the world behind.

Matthew 7 vs 13-14 - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

In light of the song, it just got me thinking about relationships and compromise. I know it's weird that listening to a really beautiful song got me thinking about compromising on relationships, but that's what happened. I seriously believe that at this point in my life with what I know, what I've been through and overcome in my life as a Christian, there are some things that I refuse to budge on regarding relationships.

We really shouldn't even consider "yoking" ourselves with someone who doesn't believe in the same things that we do; I mean, that only adds to the arguments that will naturally come up in a marriage or relationship. Why in the world would I want to argue with my husband or boyfriend about not going (or going) to Church or clubs? These things should be a no-brainer, right? There shouldn't be any doubt in your mind about your significant other's stand on certain issues like sex before marriage, for example. The topic shouldn't even come up!!

2 Corinthians 6 vs 14 - "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

Life has enough ups and downs that should keep us occupied; we really shouldn't go and consciously add to our issues with something that can be easily avoided, right? Yezzur!!

On that note, have a blessed and God filled day!!

PS- Barcelona is sooo going to DESTROY Arsenal today, it's not gonna be funny! It's really paining me that not only am I sitting in an office with no windows so I can't enjoy the gorgeous day but the internet connection at this client restricts online TV/Video streaming! Arrrggggghhhhh

Soliloquy

Ekaaro!

I had a thought this morning at 5:06am when my human alarm clock woke me up (I went straight to sleep right after, but don't tell her that). I am pretty sure I'm not alone in this - why is it that we pray to God "really quick", because we're probably running late for work or class or something or other and not wait or be expectant for a response? It really bothered me this morning (because I'm guilty of this), so I decided to dig a little deeper.

Prayer, simply put, is talking with God. Talking with and to someone entails that it's a two way street; you talk, there's a response. The Bible says in Ephesians 3 vs 12 that "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." But why do we go into God's presence without the intention to commune with Him? Can you imagine talking to your dad or mother and you do all the yapping for like 5 mins and peace out without letting them get one word in? That's how it is with God.
Now, I'm not saying that you should stay glued in one spot for 5 hours to get a response! I'm basically saying that we need to prepare our hearts to be aware that God speaks to us in diverse ways and be ready to hear from Him. He speaks through His word (Hebrews 4vs12), our thoughts, our conversations with others, and through issues and circumstances. That's one of the reasons we were given the Holy Spirit -

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" - John 14 vs 26.

However, it's one thing to actually pray and not receive a response and it's another not to pray at all! God wants to hear from you, but you also have to take the first step in the right direction. Once you decide to talk to God, there has to be a decision to listen for His response, instruction or direction. He wants to hear from you; make it happen!

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3 vs 20.

PS - Shout out to Oyin, Bunmi, Tomi O., Tomi, Tara, Eni O., P. Ge, Siz Biz...I love you guyzes plenty!!

PS 2 - Bobcats DESTROYED the Lakers yesterday!! Whohooooo! Bobcats Rock!!

Under Construction

Happy Monday everyone!!

So, I was thinking about a really beautifully constructed building I passed by this morning on my way to work and I remembered what that same building looked like about 8 months ago - really ugly and nasty looking; it had rained the night before so there was mud all over the place and there was no roof at that time, so there were small pools of water in the "house" itself. It was just plain unsightly.

That's how we are. We are still under construction, still amoebic. The pieces of the puzzle are not in place yet. We don't have it all figured out. We are still clay on the potter's wheel with countless imperfections. Our maker is still shaping and molding to make us the perfect vessel that He knows us to be. We still have insecurities and random kinks that need to be re-evaluated and so, it's really unfortunate that we look down on ourselves and worse when it's others that do it for us because all they (and we sometimes) see is the surface, the present. But God sees and deals with us based on where we are going and where he's taking us.
I basically wanted to encourage someone today to look beyond the "now" and be excited about where you're going. But on the other hand, you need to also have a vision of where you're going to be excited right?

Habakkuk 2 vs 2-3 says
"Then the LORD answered me and said, record the vision and inscribe it on tablets that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.

So the fact that you don't see it right now doesn't mean that it's not there or it's not going to happen. It's just that it's appointed time is not right now. So wait for it, the realization of the vision of God for your life will be so astounding and overwhelming that you'll forget what you went through to get to that point. Isn't that what happens to new mothers after labor? They say they don't remember the pain and anguish immediately after the child is placed in their arms. So right now might be your "labor" phase - once that child is born, all is forgotten.

On that note, have a blessed and God-filled day
...Happy Valentine's day!!

PS - Lakers lost yesterday!! And my Celtics beat the Heat!! Whoohoooo. What a gift!!

God's Love is the Deepest

Hello tena na Karibu!!

Currently watching the Grammys and feeling Lady Antebellum ( might actually buy their album sef) and I wanted to share a few things that I heard with you -

Since tomorrow is "valentine's day", I would be remiss not to at least address it. So, it's supposed to be a special day to mark the celebration of love; well, I have been experiencing an astounding expression of love from family and especially from God lately. I think it's because I'm now more aware of and more expectant for it. It's absolutely awesome!!

In that light, I was listening to Turning Point on 95.1 Shine FM on Friday on my way home from work (awesome commute, by the way! I was cheesing so hard, my cheeks started to hurt!) and the preacher was teaching out of the Songs of Solomon. He said a few key things that kind of caught me-
"Before you take the plunge, there are some things to learn from Solomon and the Shulamite:
1. Are you excited about the thought of each other? Just the thought!
2. There shouldn't be any hidden pockets of your life that your spouse knows nothing about.
3. You two should make each other a priority after God, because, really, things are better, smoother and less choked up with God in it."

Oh! And something my pastor said today was abosultely DIVINE!! She said and I paraphrase - Security in a relationship has absolutely nothing to do with money; it's more about "All I have is $5, but I am willing to give it all to you". That drew out a HUGE sigh from yours truly; so huge that quite a few people noticed. But that's heavy though, right? Yezzur!!

But imagine this, all I outlined and explained above is expressed everyday to us! Everyday, by God! His mercies are new every morning! His love has no depth, no length, no width. His arms are always wrapped around us; we're usually just never aware of it. It is important that in this season, we court the love of the one that really matters....all others are transient. He is not a loving God, He IS LOVE! 1 John 4 vs 7-8

"How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." - Psalm 36 vs 7

For those of you with plans for the no-holiday holiday, have a swell time and remember to show love to others this week.

Have a blessed and God-filled week ahead!

PS - So bummed J. Bieber didn't win Best New Artist! Who is that gyal that won by the way?? #bbmrollingeyes

And...Brazil's Ronaldo is retiring. You heard it here first! :-(

I must rant

Happy Saturday morning to you!

I have decided that since I'm not in such a good mood right about now ( I had to drive all the way to McLean VA from Bowie...womp womp!), I might as well vent a little, abi?

So Manchester United won! Big Whoop! Whatever! It seems a "correck" team cannot destroy that team; I guess I'll leave it up to the underdogs like the Wolves to obliterate them for me! Rubbish! I mean, how annoying is it that Arsenal is seven points behind this razz team? Not that I'm a Gunner, by any means; it's just that I do NOT like ManU. But the upside for me in this is that the team that I do like, Barcelona ( I am invested, my husband to be plays on the team) not only currently holds a seven point lead over Real Madrid ( I adored R.M until they traded my boyfriend, Raul..Not cool!), but they spanked them 5-0 the last time they played! Real Madrid is now running around like a headless chicken looking to buy Arsenal's Fabregas like that is going to make a dent in the indomitable force that is Barca! I mean, look at the epitome of Perfection in a team with Messi, the football wizard at the helm! Hiss

In Tennis news, JO-Wilfried Tsonga, the French #18 has misyarned...BIG TIME! I mean, who is he to say that the era of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal is over? I mean, the last time this big oaf was in a big stage was reaching one Grand Slam final and ascending to as high as No. 6 in the rankings, but he isn't the kind of guy who should be lobbing truth bombs at the world's best. Win a Slam, then have an opinion! Rubbish and Nonsense. We shall see about that; there are still 3 slams to go for the year....In better news, Kim Clijsters is the new #1 on the women's side! Now that lady is one heck of a come-back kid! Got married, retired, got preggers, had the pikin and came back to win the US Open in 2009 and it's been uphill ever since! Sweet deal, right?

Okay, rant over! I plan to have an awesome day and so should you!

On that note, have a blessed and God-filled day!!

Los amigos

Hello Everybody!!!

Aren't you glad it's Friday?!! Another work week is over...NOT! Well, some of us have to work tomorrow and it's really paining me. Well, pity-party over!
So, I had the best time yesterday night with my best friend and sister after a really long day at work and I decided to dedicate today's blog to friends! Here are a few of my favorite quotes on friendship:

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." - Unknown

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." - Eccl 4 vs 9-10

"The best mirror is an old friend." - Unknown

I have been truly blessed by God with the friends that I have. These people are awesome, kind, caring, sincere and just plain good and Godly people. They just get me! I mean, I am really quiet ( I really am!) but when I'm around these people, I tend to get crazy and loud - so if you see me acting like a complete goof, blame it on my friends. Real and true friends are very important - I mean, they keep you in check, tell you the truth (especially when you don't want to hear it), stick with you when others kind of find their square root to the exit, laugh with you, cry with you, pray for and with you. There's a huge void in one's life when there are no friends to turn to for counsel, advice, encouragement or just to vent.

My favorite friendship till date is that of David and Jonathan. It says in 1Samuel vs 1-3 that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.". Now that is deep! It was so deep that years later, David went back to the house of Saul to show kindness to Mephibosheth because of the covenant he had with Jonathan in 2 Samuel 9.

In that vein, isn't it awesome to know that there's a friend who sticks closer than a brother? Who, in my mind, is WAY cooler than everybody else? Who gets your dry jokes, understands when you don't feel like talking on the phone or chatting on BB? I mean, I've had some instances on the metro that I am having this hilarious conversation with God and I just start to giggle erratically and I get weird looks from people, like the poor girl's loony! He has such a great sense of humor, doesn't He? It's too cool! He's the one that never ever leaves or turns His back to you. A man might still get hurt by your human failings, but Jesus celebrates those! He loves that we have issues and shortcomings! Absolutely Awesome!

So as we wrap up the week, please appreciate the friends that God put in your life and be aware that Jesus is also a great and cool friend to have....

Proverbs 18 vs 24 - "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
On that note, have a blessed and God-filled day!

PS - HALLELUJA!!! Mubarak is GONE!!!!!

Reflection

Olá novamente e bem-vindos!!

Did you hear about the Congressman from New York, Christphopher Lee's abrupt resignation from office? He has been dubbed the "Craigslist Congressman". This is a married man, a father to a young son who answered an ad a woman placed in the "women seeking men" section of Craigslist, claiming to be a divorced lobbyist. This whole issue would have probably never come to light if he didn't feel the need to send the woman a picture of himself preening in front a mirror with his small muscles flexed! Now, he's ashamed and has disgraced not only himself, but his entire family and has left a lot of disillusioned followers in his wake. This got me thinking....

Like it or not, someone is watching your every move - your actions, attitudes, lifestyles, the company you keep and such. You are a role model/example for someone, whether you know it or not. A good illustration is how tweens and teens just see someone on TV a few times that can hold a note or who took a few acting lessons that paid off and decide to emulate them. I mean, people go to get the "Beiber cut" or the "Aniston bob" or whatever. Talk about emulation! 
Well, the same applies to you. You don't have to be a Hollywood star or TV personality to be looked up to. The fact that we are not under media's scrutiny or that the paparazzi's lenses are not fixated on you 24-7 means absolutely nothing! Don't you have that 14 year old boy who is your mother's sister's brother-in-law's cousin's son that takes everything you say as the gospel? Well, that's scrutiny enough! 

What picture are you painting for them? That you are a wishy-washy person with blotchy ideals? What image are you reflecting to others? What and WHO do you represent? Or are you the type that is Person A in a particular setting and Person B in another? Do you have multiple personalities, like Congressman Lee, who is a respected man in the House of Congress with an approval rating of 88% on one hand and a freaky, raunchy liar on the other?

Be conscious of your reflection - 'cos someone is watching. You might be the only Jesus they will see.

On that note, have a blessed and God-filled day!

Breaking News: It seems that Egyptian President Mubarak may soon step down! Long time coming, if you ask me! The man is almost 90 years old! Come on now!

Champion

Ni Hao Everyone!

On my way home after a long day at work yesterday, I decided to deviate from my daily routine of blasting some correct Nigerian music to listening to something edifying and uplifting. So, combing through my I-pod (before pulling out of the garage of course! Safety first!), I came across the new Tye Tribett album that I completely forgot I had! So, decision made, I set out on the road. The songs were getting good until I got to Track 10, which was basically like a prelude to the next song and it was then that I knew that something special was coming. Then BAM! Track 11 - Champion came on. This song and the one right after were on repeat till I got home about an hour later because I caught something from those two songs; and I'm about to share it with you.

Have you ever thought that you are in a race or fight that has been fixed? That there is absolutely no way that anything can overcome or defeat you? Have you ever thought that it's only a matter of time before the issues and trials and rough patches give way and succumb to do your bidding? Well, if you're like me, the answer to those questions will be "sometimes". Well, that's a colossal mistake! We should always walk into a situation, knowing that it's not only temporary, it's just another way to show off who you have in your corner.

Imagine a metaphoric light weight boxer going into a $150 million fight without his gloves and he just saunters into the ring with a smirk on his face, like "I'm so going to destroy you!!" That should be our attitude; nothing should cause us to panic or fret because we KNOW who is on our side. But here is the kicker: a lot of us don't really know or understand what we've got. It's like a person who inherited a billion dollars but doesn't know it, so he is still going around wearing knock-offs and having huge blisters from wearing worn out shoes that are not even his size! All that person has to do is cash in! But how can he cash in on something he doesn't even know he has?!

I have come to that place where I know without a shadow of a doubt that indeed greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (1 John 4 vs 4). Those are not just words to me anymore. It's like the passage in 2 Kings 6 where Elisha's servant saw that they were surrounded by chariots and horses that were sent by the King to capture Elisha and became afraid. In verses 16 and 17, Elisha said " Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them." His servant's eyes were opened and he saw that everywhere was filled with horses and chariots of fire. What happened next was astounding. Read up on it.

We just need to have our eyes opened so our attutude can change; so we can walk with our heads held high like royalty that we are. Because with God, we can't lose, we always win! This race is tilted in our favor; the game is fixed to favor us. Whatever we go through is only to build our character and draw us closer to the God that will fix it at the end of the day. He is the Most High God! Basic deduction just means that there is nothing higher than Him. Period. Shikena.

Once we catch that, things will not remain the same.

On that note, I hope you all had a blessed and God-filled day!

It's time we find it

Hello and Welcome....Again!!

So, at 2pm yesterday, I went down to the cafeteria at my client's and I got there just in time to grab some nice steamy cornbread! They were packing up when I got there, so I was forced to eat cornbread and french fries for lunch (that's what I get for not packing lunch); but I am grateful for the way things turned out because when I got back to the audit room and cut into the steamy, moist cornbread, I realized that one piece was not going to be enough- I dashed right back and got another! That cornbread was awesome! Crunchy outside, moist and delicate with the perfect amount of texture inside! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

French fries forgotten, I literally inhaled the rest of the cornbread and it got me thinking about Food Network and two of my favorite personalities - Rachel Ray and Guy Fieri. I have no idea why my mind went straight to them during my personal time with my cornbread but it did and I realized that those were two people who have found their calling in food, their niche in life. People (like me) watch them talk about food with such passion and conviction that we can't help but be drawn into their little world for the allotted 30minutes. There are times that I find myself using some of Rachel's idioms like "EVOO" and "Yum-o" or Guy's crazy phrases like "Trip to flavor-town" or "That's money!" I'm sure they don't regard what they do as work and yet they get paid ridiculous amounts of money for doing it!

Stay with me, I'm going somewhere with this- These two people have found their purpose, in my opinion. Can you imagine Rachel working as an Art Curator in a Museum? What would the "food world" be like without the bubbly Rachel who sprinkles salt over her shoulder for luck and cooks up delectable (I hope) food in 30 minutes? The dictionary would not have been graced with a new abbreviation "EVOO" coined by Rachel for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Or can you imagine Guy working as a Accounts Paybale Clerk in some Fortune 500 Company in a suit and tie? I mean, look at him, with his bleached hair (that he gets done every two weeks, by the way), tattoos and sunglasses! It would be a shame if someone else was the host of Triple D or Big Bite, right? Right!

Can you imagine using a microphone as a drumstick or using a board marker as an eye-liner? The first would definitely not be pleasing to the ear and the second would probably work if you were moonlighting as a clown. Are you doing what you love? Are you just existing and not living life? Have you found your purpose, what you were put on this earth to do? A very wise man, Pops, my big brother, Bidemi said something that resonated with me a while back -  He said that it seems that some been brainwashed to think that life is all about the "9 to 5"; which is why a lot of people have been sucked into the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck and putting in the 8+ hours, rolling out and returning the next day to do it all over again.

Don't get me wrong, that could be someone's passion; to be an executive at a big firm. But really this is for people who wake up dreading the day ahead; who always have the case of the "Mondays" every single day; who hate their jobs but have a talent or "hobby" that should probably be nurtured into something great. It breaks my heart to see people with awesome skills that they were not trained for not doing anything with it.

It's like the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28) where some wasted the talent that was given to them and others multiplied it. I've been thinking about this, about what God put me here for. We were not born by mistake. There HAS to be reason we're here. We were born to reign, to rule this world. To dominate and multiply....but in what? Where is your niche? Where is your throne? Where is your kingdom that has a crown for just your head? Have you been asking these questions?

If you have, take these questions to God and if haven't, it might be time to start; He formed us, He knows. It's time for us to start walking in the path that God prepared for us -

Psalm 139vs 16 - "your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
To Jeremiah, God said in Jeremiah 1 vs 5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

On that note, have a blessed and God-filled day!

PS- I wonder what eating a hot dog for lunch will trigger if cornbread inspired this thought! :-D

Ciao e benvenuto

Hello and Welcome to my very first blog....ever!!

I was talking to a friend of mine about how I used to write as a teenager in Nigeria, but life seemed to just take that key part of my life away. So, she encouraged me to document my thoughts and share it because you never know who needs what you have to say at some point or another. I am a talker; I always have something to say - ranging from Jesus (a lot of Jesus) to Sports and everything in between. I decided to insert that little widget in there because you might find yourself reading about The Boston Celtics (who are totally awesome, by the way!) one day and return to find Tola writing about the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (sorry, the Accountant in me is showing) the next.

But for today though, I heard a song this morning while on my regular hour and a half commute to work on the radio and it took me back to July 2000 when I gave my life seriously to Christ. I said seriously because I was notorious for giving my life to Jesus every few months and also visiting multiple Churches because I knew that at the end of the service, they would have refereshments for the newcomers. I was 12 years old.

I honestly don't remember what the Pastor preached or looked like, but I believe very strongly that God was just tired of the games I'd been playing and decided to arrest me once and for all because that was exactly what happened. I changed. I went from the scrawny girl who hopped from Church to Church for a 35cl Coca-cola and biscuit to one who volunteered to have a bible study fellowship at her house. I became involved in several activities in Church, made awesome friends with like minds and became very interested in this book called the Holy Bible. The best way to describe it is 2 Corinthians 5 vs 17 - "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

It made me remember how God transformed me; and reminded me of who I was - Forgiven, beloved, hidden in Christ, made in the image of the Giver of Life, righteous and holy, reborn and remade.

God doesn't change, but He sure knows how to change. One encounter and you're not the same.

Have a blessed and God-filled day!!