WE NEED MORE THAN A REVIVAL

Written by Oyelakin Gbolahan Pearl

Generations have come and gone! But things seem to be unchanged, despite the different revivals and spiritual awakening that had been. The assessment of the current conditions of our nation as in the national disorderliness, crises, killings and maiming of lives and destruction of properties; the national maladies became prominent not as a result of the most recent global economic depression or anarchy. But due to SPIRITUAL DEPRAVITY, a grave deterioration and retrogression. This decline has been revealed in every ramifications of humanity. Romans 1:18-32.


The ongoing universal panging quickly suggests one thing - "there is a doom ahead of this generation (that only God can remove) should we persist in the current trend." When the tide of evil and the power of wickedness threatens to overwhelm the Church, "The Spirit of God raise a resistance." Isa.59:19. The reason we need to seek a boon of God for divine intervention.

I have read, researched and recounted the movements of God in revival throughout major years in world history. The Azusa Street revival, The Welsh revival, The Hebrides revival, Irish revival, Shantung revival, Asbury revival, Monk's revival, etc are indeed notable periods; but I always asked why these experiences never outlived those generations. Why doesn't REVIVAL LAST?

Obviously, we need more than a revival. We need a REFORMATION that will ensure total transformation of all and sundry. We need events that will make us contain God's visitation and His supernatural manifest presence in an overwhelming reality. We need a change of status quo, a change of policies, programmes and processes, a change of mindset, a change from paganism to a Christ-centered system, a change from mere awareness of God to a life inhabited by Holy Spirit.

We need a change from man-made enthusiasm, face-value devotion & service to God and emotionalism that is superficial and cheap to a fearsome manifest of true conviction of one's sinfulness grounded in the reality of physical helplessness provoking genuine response towards God.

Consequently, we move with "guided" passion in righteousness and take necessary corrective actions/measures. This is what we need. This is what REFORMATION entails. We need more than just a rekindling, more than just a resurrection and more than just an awakening. We need a commensurate labour with God to rebuild our brokenness, repair the spoils and re-institute the destroyed standards. This is the legacy we can leave for the coming generation.

We need young men and women that will turn the world upside down for God and establish His Kingdom. Acts 17:6. We need Christians that will boldly SPEAK OUT and courageously confront the decadence that plagues us.
We need a Reformation that is accompanied with a profound realization of God's sovereignty, greatness, transcendence, self unworthiness and sheer dependence on Him.


"I have great confidence in the gospel of Christ; it is God's power to save all the world and salvage our predicaments." Romans 1:16 (Emphasized). The word of God strengthened with consistent, passionate and prevailing prayers is the greatest weapon for reformation. A people armed with TRUTH (God's word) and prevailing prayers are emerging fast. They are God's end time army that will never break their ranks. They shall be willing in the days of His power. Psalms 110:3.

God's revelation of His manifest presence (as He visits and intervenes) must set us out to deeply work and labour to reform our societies and nations. We must arise to possess the gates of the enemy, set the captives of the mighty free and retrieve the preys of the terrible/wicked ones. We must set out to rebuild our ruins and repair the broken standards which form our foundation. We must arise to SAY NO to godlessness.

Why reformation tarries, we must all seek the face of God day and night in EARNEST PRAYERS like the reformers of old. Reformer Elijah prayed earnestly for the supernatural and he redirected the course of the universe to withhold rain for 3.5 yrs. King Ahab of Israel trembled and became subservient. 1 Kings 17-19; James 5:16-18. Reformer Daniel just has he always did prayed and King Nebuchadnezzar praised and worship our Supreme God. Daniel 5:34-37; 6:10-11. Reformer John Knox prayed fervently on his knees “Lord, Give me Scotland or I'll die!” No wonder Mary Queen of Scots trembled when he went to his knees in prayer. One time she even declared that she feared his prayers "more than an army in Europe". Jesus Christ prayed and the whole world became subservient as He gained victory over the world. John 16:32-33; 17:17-26. Matthew Henry, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, Charles G. Finney, Sir Thomas Buxton, Father Daniel Nash, Edward M. Bounds, Jim Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, Billy Graham, Pa. John Elton and other contemporary prayer reformers are examples for us.


All world genuine reformers have one thing in common, that is PRAYERS while they rightly handled the word of God. The power of Revival, the power of Reformation and the power of Change lie in earnest prayers said from a contrite spirit reflecting the word of God.

Let's put all the jamborees behind us and put religious entertainment aside.

It's the set time to PUSH! Prayer Until Something Happens...

REFORMATION IS NEVER LATE...REFORMATION WE NEED!

Join the prayer the army here and subscribe for daily prayer points:
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THE WALLS OF HOME

(Dedicated to all broken homes trusting that God will restore them; and also, to my big home on earth, Nigeria.)

What are these walls made of?

Bricks, adobe, porcelain, illuminating glass;

Paper mache, cement blocks, aluminium panels;

Mables, mosaic tiles, ply woods, stones or concrete?

Huh! They are made of inestimable characters -

The fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, kindness, peace,

faith/faithfulness, patience, humility,

self-control and goodness.

...creatively crafted by godliness and contentment,

And arranged in courses by the bloodline.

Walls of home enclose the father, true and strong;

The mother in queenly quest,

striving to show the world God’s way is the best;

The children, led to know that truth is absolute.

The walls of home, like galleries,

hold pictures rich and rare;

All framed in golden memories,

and kept with loving care.

Some tableaux echo childish glee,

and others are serene;

While love, and faith, and loyalty

illumine every scene with astounding clarity.

Tho’ years may alter museum halls,

and banish transient arts;

The timeless joys within home’s

Walls are etched on human

hearts which stand in eternity.

Walls of home professionally finished and aesthetically ornamented

with the portrait of a real man, a real woman and godly seeds.

Walls of home make a healthy and well-balanced family,

properly equipped to withstand all the chronological seasons of life.

A family that is unique and typifies the heavenly family

Walls of home make the home not only

peaceably habitable;

But also, a home away from Home (Heaven);

A home where God’s will is sought;

A home where the Lord is an honoured Guest/Dweller;

A home where the altar fires burn with white flames;

and glow with a glorious, irresistible, infectious radiance;

A home that is free from the blight of wrong, intolerance,

prejudice, inequality, disorderliness, immorality,

religious disparity and disunity...

How so much important are the walls of home.

Home is the foundation of the society,

A healthy home makes a healthy nation;

And a healthy nation makes an remarkable history.

Can we view Nigeria as our ”National” (earthly) Home?

Then, with the walls of home,

A peaceful Nigeria, where the Lord is our God,

And where everyone is ONE is possible.

We become the happiest and strongest people on earth.

We are one big family and live in the same

Home called Nigeria.

Regardless our diversities, we are ONE.

One Big Family, One Great Home.

Thank God for the gifts on the Walls of home

which enclose us all and make us ONE.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE FAMILY...

TRUTH ABOUT MY MUM

THE GREATEST MUM IN THE UNIVERSE

Standing up today to celebrate motherhood,

I looked back down the memory lane;

There stood tall and very able,

A Mother in Israel -

An epitome of righteousness,

An enigma that is worth celebrating;

A woman of substance with faultless humility.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

Her worth is priceless, more than rubies.

Most blessed among women, respected by all;

Cherished by her own and loved by all and sundry.

Courageous, virtuous, sincere and abundantly endowed with beauty.

Your sweet words, golden eyes and golden hairs with a perfect countenance

Make the work of your creation perfect.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

A woman who knows how to turn sadness to joy;

Hatred to love, fear to faith;

Failure to success, sickness to sound health;

Backwardness to greatness, sorrow to bliss/happiness;

Hopelessness to great achievement and nothingness to something;

And makes you discover and believe in your god-given abilities.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

A woman who knows how to maintain her house

And make a godly home;

A home where love is the cord of unity,

A home where the Bible is loved and taught,

A home where the children are taught of the Lord,

A home where the Holy Spirit is her Senior Partner,

And Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone;

A home where she fully supports her husband in all things;

A home that is crowned with beauty which the love of God has wrought,

A home where she, in queenly quest strives to show others God’s way is best;

A home that is free from the blight of wrong and evil;

A home that you can proudly call ‘My Home’.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

You carried me in your womb for nine months,

Weaned and nursed me with so much love and care

That it’s impossible for me to forget till eternity.

You watched me carefully as I grow,

Through the days and nights, the thick and thin;

Through the stormy blast and the scorching sun,

In dearth and in abundance, in sickness and in sound health;

You raised me up to stand on your shoulders,

Taught me how to love and making me who I am.

You brought out the hero inside of me,

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

You showed me the paths of life where I need to follow,

Gave me over to Jesus –

One of the best decisions you’ve ever made on earth,

And you pray for me always.

You thought me that with patience, persistence and perseverance

Plus the fear of God, I can achieve all things.

You call and whisper to me

Through the quite and transient moments of the dark,

And cheerfully sing chants of praises

Which motivate me to see again the rising of the sun;

And the dawn of new heights in life.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

You sing like one of the Angels

That worship continually before God,

With a melodious voice that resembles

That of the Princess of the Island;

While you skillfully play your tuned violin,

Which causes even the dead to rise and dance

With uncontrollable gesture.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

Looking at you from head to toe, left to right and all around;

All I see is unimaginable beauty.

I have come to realize that

True physical beauty is not when a lady at her teen or up to 30 years

Is attractively irresistible;

But when a real woman after 50 years

Is still beautiful and gorgeously adorned with so much attractiveness.

And this is simply achievable

By fulfilling your god-given roles as a real woman.

I see that the Lord is a perfect Creator who works wonders.

Only God can create such a most desirable Woman like you.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

I wish a wish which I will always wish for you,

That God should grant you a longer life on earth,

So as to celebrate more of God in your life;

To see your labors coming to fruition;

And to see how you grow and increase graciously into nations.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

Should God ask me to choose another Mum,

I will choose you over and over again,

Because there is no woman like you on earth.

One of the greatest things I covet from God

Is for Him to grant me a wife

That is like you and greater than you in all ways.

You are the greatest Mum, a pearl and rare gift from God.

You are the greatest Mum in the whole Universe.

I love you dearie Mum.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY GREATEST MUM!!!

SAVING SEX FOR MARRIAGE–WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?

A young adult shares the experiences of several people that have helped her to conclude God does know what He is talking about on the subject of sex.

By Tamara Crow

Have you ever wondered, what exactly is sex? Is our definition of sex God's definition? When asked, most people would probably say that sex is simply intercourse between two people. Many in our society have come to see sex as that narrow definition.

But is sex only intercourse? The Bible shows that sex is so much more. It includes sexual intimacy, emotional intimacy and the union of two people, even if they haven't "gone all the way."

Satan's use of sex in our society

Satan has used sex in this world to destroy the God-designed sanctity of marriage, working through people's desires, insecurities and ignorance. There are many different reasons people have sex at a young age. Boys and girls may have sex because society promotes it as normal, fun and exciting. They may have sex to try to heal a relationship or to make up for other problems they are having. They might use sex as a way to get affection or to feel loved and connected to someone. Girls or boys may believe they can keep their boyfriend or girlfriend from leaving them by having sex. And sometimes it is simply the case of trusting the wrong people. Just because someone is a "Christian" or "in the Church," doesn't mean he or she will never pressure you to go further than you want to.

Sadly, some people who have already gone down this road believe they've already messed up and lost their virginity and, therefore, God has no use for them. The damage is done and they can't take it back, they reason, so they might as well keep having sex.

Then there is the much too common excuse: "You have to have sex with this person before you get married to him, so you know if you're ‘compatible' or not." Have you ever kissed someone and been reminded, for one reason or another, of someone else you've kissed? Do you want to be thinking of someone else when you are kissing your spouse?

Satan has made it almost impossible to remain pure in this world. He has given us the illusion that sex equals love, that everything we see in the movies—all the hype that surrounds sex—is true. The constant barrage of pornography in our world today is often too enticing for curious boys and girls. These images demean sex and desensitize watchers to the real effects of premarital sex. In 1 John 2:16 it tells us that the lust of the flesh, what Satan is constantly trying to get us to go after, is not of the Father but of this hurting and damaged world.

God's purpose for sex

Is this what God wants for us? Surely not! The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor." Ephesians 5:5 adds, "For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."

God intended sex to be a union of two lives into one (Genesis 2:24), uniting with Him in a covenant bond, not something to be treated lightly. Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." God intended sex to be a wonderful experience shared between a husband and wife.

The book Song of Solomon shows us that God views sex as a right, wonderful and beautiful intimacy between two people, but only in the right context, which is marriage. When you have sex with someone, you "own" a part of that person. It is God's intention that this only happen within the loving commitment of marriage.

What is sexual immorality?

What does the Bible mean by "sexual immorality"? In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 the Greek word used is porneia. The definition of porneia tells us that sexual immorality encompasses any illicit sexual activity, including fornication, sex outside of marriage and indulging in lustful thinking (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance With Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary, 1994). We shouldn't let our passions overtake us (1 Thessalonians 4:5-8); we see that by doing so we would be rejecting God.

But really, how does this affect our lives in the long run? Can having sex outside of marriage really hurt us? Let me share a few people's stories to show how sex outside of marriage has affected them.

"Janelle's" story

When "Janelle" (names have been changed to keep their anonymity) was 19 years old, she had sex for the first time. Why did she do it? Her parents had continually told her "no dating out of the Church and absolutely no sex before marriage." Why do we do anything we know and feel is not right, as Janelle did? Sometimes it boils down to a desire to "feel" better and a lack of real understanding. Janelle knew her parents said it was wrong, but she didn't know why or what God said about it or what the consequences would be.

In this relationship she was mentally and emotionally abused. Her boyfriend told her that he was the only person who would ever love her. Why did she stay with him? He was always "supportive" of her religion, she was comfortable with the familiarity of their relationship, and she was scared of being alone.

He pushed pornography and sex on her until she finally broke down and gave in. After she had sex, she felt like she had lost God's trust. This made her even more scared to leave her boyfriend, and so it continued for over a year. The mental anguish and threats got worse and the sex brought tears to her eyes every time she had it. Somehow, God and her parents eventually saved her and she learned that she could be forgiven if she asked God to forgive her and help her forgive herself.

After her experience, her body and mind were trained to think sex was bad. Unfortunately this training has followed into her marriage; it was, and may always be, difficult for them to fully enjoy sex. Moving on from her past and the destruction it caused will take a long time to overcome. Through counseling, continual love and commitment, they will make it, but she would do anything to have known then what she knows now and give both her husband and herself the special intimacy and bond God intended for them to have.

Sarah's story

Sarah's story is different from Janelle's. Sarah met the man she would marry, Justin, when she was young, just 13 years old. They met at a church dance and started dating soon after that. They kissed and "made-out," but they didn't get more physically involved at first. Sarah always tried to do what she thought God wanted her to do, and she knew that sex before marriage was wrong.

A couple of years into the relationship, they had gotten much more intimate, but never crossing the lines of what they thought of as "real sex"—intercourse. Sometime after that, Justin had been drinking and another girl shared the same intimacies with him. Sarah was devastated, and they broke up. However, they kept in touch, both realizing it was probably a good idea to date other people, since they were still young.

Sarah had a couple of relationships after they broke up, one or two that were "serious" and she shared the same intimacies with these boys that she had shared with Justin. Later, Sarah and Justin started dating again, but she was racked with guilt over the other relationships she'd had and was still hurt from the initial break-up with Justin. She felt guilty for crossing so many lines with him before they were married. Later, when they did get married, she still viewed sex as something that was bad. This mentality and belief created many sexual problems for her. Now almost five years later she still hasn't recovered from her past.

Samantha's story

The next story is of Samantha. She had a boyfriend in high school who wasn't in the Church. She knew it probably wasn't a good idea to date outside the faith, but she had been infatuated with him for a couple of years. When they started dating, it was like a dream come true. They were pretty serious, although she knew ultimately that he wasn't the one for her. One night at his house, they were "making out" and they ended up having sex. She didn't know if she said it out loud or just in her head, but she said "No," she did not want to do this.

She was devastated by what she'd done but by then, it was too late. The next day at school, she couldn't look him in the eye and went out of her way to avoid him, not knowing what to do next. A day or two later she had come to the conclusion that what was done, was done. God was mad at her, she reasoned, and there wasn't anything she could do to change what had happened. She knew that she was only supposed to have sex with one person, so this was it for her and she'd have to live with the choice she made.

She stayed with her boyfriend for quite a while, continuing in their physical relationship. She never enjoyed the sex, and he made her miserable. He ended up cheating on her and breaking up with her, leaving her carrying guilt and shame for what she'd done. Years later, she hasn't forgiven herself even though she realizes that because she's repented, God has. She is still battling guilt and shame and wonders if anybody will want her now.

Madeline's story

Madeline's story starts out similarly to Samantha's. She had a boyfriend outside the Church while in high school. They too had sex. Madeline tried to block out her first-time experience, also being racked with guilt for something she knew was against God. But the almost unthinkable happened—she found she was pregnant. Unable to face the Church or her family for the consequences of her actions, she had an abortion.

She continued her relationship with her boyfriend and it lasted quite a while. After they stopped dating, she ended up in other relationships that became physical and thought less and less of the consequences and what God wanted sex to mean. After a couple of years, she stopped coming to church altogether and is now questioning the validity of the Bible itself. Sex took her completely away from God.

What can we learn?

There are many conclusions we can draw from these stories.

• Sex isn't bad, when it's in the loving commitment of marriage, as God intended. But you can't "own" several people before marriage and have their memory ever disappear completely.
• Some people think they need to figure "it" out for themselves, but they don't always realize what they're getting themselves into.
• There are emotional and sexual consequences that stay with you and affect you long after the relationship is over, no matter how physical you choose to be.
• Just choosing not to have sexual intercourse doesn't mean that you can avoid emotional hurt or sexual problems. Being physically intimate is emotional, even when intercourse isn't involved.
• It's important to talk about what the Bible says about sex and God's purpose for sex and intimacy in marriage. Make this a Bible study topic.
• Don't allow guilt to rule you or eat you up inside. Although sex before marriage is not what God intended, God forgives when we repent, and we can move on from our mistakes. If you're truly sorry for your actions and you understand where you've strayed from God's way, repent and God will forgive you. Learn how to forgive yourself. God still has a use for us even if we've messed up.

How can we keep on the right track?

We should strive to be as God said and remain sexually pure. And there are things that we can do to help us remain pure in Satan's world.

• I know it's cliché, but avoid being alone with a person of the opposite sex. It's easy to keep away from temptation if you don't put yourself in a position where things can get out of hand.
• Have a plan to get out of a situation you know you shouldn't be in. If things are going farther than you want with your boyfriend or girlfriend, say you need to go to the bathroom, find some way to break the mood or just be straightforward that things are going farther than you want.
• Know where to draw the line before you're in a difficult situation; in other words, don't let somebody else dictate your relationship. If your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't like it, you need to think about if you really want to be with somebody who doesn't respect your decision.
• Have somebody you're going to be accountable with—a friend who wants to remain true to God. Motivate each other and help each other through hard times and tough decisions.
• For you girls, go to a Princess Workshop, if one is offered in your area. A Princess Workshop is given by various women in the Church and it helps show you how to empower yourself through God and God's plan for you.
• There are a couple books I would recommend that are very good and in line with God's teachings:
— I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.
— And the Bride Wore White: The Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity by Dannah Gresh.

No matter where you are in your life, this is an outlook you can have. Sex in marriage is a beautiful thing and keeping it there will help you avoid sexual and emotional hurt and problems. God wants us to have a wonderful, healthy sex life, but He wants us to make a covenant with our spouse and Him first. VT

AS A TALE THAT IS TOLD!

Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
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Our life is a story.
One day it will be told.
One day it will be read by someone.
Each day like pages of a story book,
Each moment like lines written to tell a tale.

Each thought, now hidden by our silence, will be rudely brought to the fore for men to see the hidden weakness or wickedness of many a heart.
Each word, cleverly coined or carelessly spoken that lifts or dampens men's spirits, will be accurately repeated, word for word, on the housetops for the world to hear.
And every action or inaction, deliberate or thoughtless, which goes to make or mar men's destinies will be shown up for what it actually contributed to God's purpose.

Our thoughts, words and deeds, go to tell a story whose total lessons can only be seen when the final scenes have all been read.

There were men and women in history who lost sight of this careful recording and so were careless in their decisions. I perceive they may be tortured with moments of regret whether in Heaven or in Hell, thinking back and wishing they can go back to right what they did wrong and rewrite the story the way they would have loved it to be read.

If only our mother Eve had known that I will one day read her high treachery and sell-out of the human race to the serpent, maybe she wouldn't have eaten the enticing apple. Maybe Pa Adam would have opted to rebuke and repent on her behalf if he knew that I will one day read how he sold my inheritance to the devil.

If Esau, the man born with a hairy garment destined to carry the lineage and covenant of Abraham had known that history was being written the day he swore and signed to sell his birthright for a plate of porridge, I guess he would have known how to discipline his appetite and value eternal things over transient hunger.

If king David had known that his careless walk on the balcony, looking into other peoples' bathrooms and sleeping with a girl young enough to be his granddaughter, would enter Church storybooks and be read the world over by children in countless Sunday schools, he would have fought harder to resist committing "lookery" and "touchery" before it resulted in "adultery".

If only Judas had known that his "foolproof plan" of making a quick "loose change" on the side by selling out Jesus, whom he was so sure no one can arrest, would become the way of fulfilling such a negative prophecy, he probably would have thought twice before throwing out his bishopric for a mere, paltry thirty pieces of silver.

But then, there were other men who kept this in focus and made better use of their historic moments.

Pa Abraham knew he will one day become rich . . . . made rich by Jehovah, so he refused the stolen goods offered by the king of Sodom "lest it be said that someone made Abraham rich"

Genesis 14:22-23 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
That I will not [take] from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
_______________________________________________

Nehemiah was sent to rebuild the walls broken down and the gates burned with fire. He set a time to return and most likely to come give report. His ministry was divinely guided by reading privately and publicly from the Holy records of men before him. So you will see a man repeatedly praying that God will remember every detail of his labour and reward him accordingly. He knew that as I am reading the story of Solomon who allowed "outlandish women to lead him to sin" so will men one day, read my story.” Neh. 13:19, 22 - 31

Our Master and Saviour knew that His life will be a Gospel to be preached one day, so we hear Him declare . . . .

Matthew 24:14 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
_______________________________________________

Matthew 26:13 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world,[ there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
_______________________________________________

Be careful beloved. Be watchful, be vigilant; every action or inaction goes to tell the complete story. Do not let momentary pressure of pain or pleasure mar the beautiful story that God is labouring to tell the world by your life.

If you spend all your years struggling with a besetting sin, dragging your feet in making decisive commitments and doing shameful things in secret because you think no one will know, I beg you to have a rethink. There is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing secretly enjoyed in private that shall not be shamefully endured in public.

Every day, every hour; every action, every word, every thought; none is hidden, none is missed by the faithful Angels, (recorders in Heaven) and God's holy Scribes(recorders on the earth) who write the eternal records that men will read when you are gone and all will read later on in Eternity.

Dearly beloved, "Live your life the way you will want the story told."

Culled from Living Seed Ministries.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

(Dedicated to all my friends and followers on Facebook, Blog, Wordpress, Twitter, Hi5, Naija Stories, Google, Yahoo, Yookos, Vimeo, YouTube, MySpace, IMs and other social media.)

That friends are pearl gifts from God is not an understatement any longer to me.

From far and near, home and away, across the oceans and distant borderlands; the sweet echoes from the hearts of my friends resonate in my deepest heart.

To have friends that are truly friends is indeed more than a blessing. Friends who communicate with you all through the year; who stand in the room with you when everyone else leaves; who comfort you in lonely moments and wipe away your tears with their joy; and cheer you up to rise again each time you fall…these are great friends called family.

Friends who love you and keep the memory of you despite distance are true friends.

Someone asked me sometimes ago that who are my family? I said, “My family is not in whose blood I carry or just only the people I see everyday that we sucked from the same breast, that we eat from the same pots or that we sleep together on the same bed. My families are those I love and who love me equally.”

You are my family and I love you.

Friends are God’s idea and He has bestowed on them the strength to scale barriers and become carriers of His blessings. You overcame strong barriers from distant and near shores, and became carriers of inundating blessings which you delivered to me on my birthday. Your calls, text messages, prayers, wall messages, MMS...You are wonderful people. I love you.

Friends are one of the astounding, indisputable evidences of the existence of God, because only God can create true friends.

Friends are like fences strategically located by God in different parts of the world. They fence our lives from intending dangers or attacks coming from different parts of the world.

Friends are like trees that are planted by the rivers of water, which flourish forever.

Friends are indeed pearl gifts from God to us to always remind us of His unfailing and unfeigning love, help and tender mercies or care.

To all my friends in the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America and Europe – across the Pacific and Indian Oceans…I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

Always remember that, “FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER.”

That’s just the way it is.

...on Wedding Planning

Our elders used to say that, “The path of lies may be projected for long or seems forever but, one day truth will surely show up and come along with us.”

Truth is so powerful that it can offend mental judgment and refused by popular acceptance; especially, when it doesn’t conform to popular essence. Truth tastes very bitter when swallowed by a mouth full of lies and when it is received into a deceptive heart.

A survey recently carried out revealed that, over 60% of yet-to-marry women in Nigeria today look forward to getting married intrinsically because of the euphoria that wedding ceremony usually gives and all other things that are attached to it; not because they have plans for the reality of marriage (the life after wedding). Their dreams are usually focused on the wedding plans.

Though this is questionable, and I know that proponents of feminism like August Bebel and Shakespeare will want to argue this out. To be candid, let’s look intently into our society today, is it not indisputable? Come to think of it, if a home is built on wedding plans and not marriage plans, the union will only survive the nuptial night.
Therefore, proper definitions have to be given to both wedding and marriage. While a wedding is an occasion for just a day or maximum 2-3 days when you consider the pre-wedding day’s activities like wedding engagement and reception preparation; marriage is for a lifetime, that is, “till death do us part”.
A man has to dream and properly plan for his marriage before going to the altar to say “Yes, I do!”, else, he will say later that, “What did I do?” He must have seen the future and get his plans right. Common, not just daydreaming, but feasible plans and propositions.
Some may argue that some women do have plans for marriage. I agree, but they belong to the less than 40%. More so, as soon as the thoughts on wedding begin to flood their hearts, they flush marriage plans into the lagoon; thoughts like, the bridal train, the cake, the bridal gown, make up artist, bridal colour, bridal rings and all other wedding needs or necessities.
If a woman truly has a right vision or plans for her intended marriage before her wedding planning (and not in marriage), a lot of the extravagance and other extravaganza that usually complement the exchange of marital vows will be avoided. I mean, frivolous expenses will not be included in the wedding plans. The precious time spent in preparing for the occasion reception will be minimized. Believe me, culture has nothing to do with this; it’s about you having the understanding and making up your mind on this.
It’s a cultural illusion and absolute self-deception to think that the way to exhibit wealth and show case one’s social status is in wedding extravaganza. Wrong! Such should be reserved till marriage years when the reality of togetherness, responsibilities and pursuit of purpose become substantial. This isn’t to say that you should not plan well and have a hilarious and phenomenal ceremony – No! Only that moderation should be the watchword. Moderation cannot be overemphasized as there is no culture that doesn’t approve moderation in all life’s endeavours.

I tell you, this will save many a people a lot of headaches, financial debts and other hiccups.
Save the precious pre-marital, courtship or engagement period to focus and plan for marriage so as to be fulfilled. The culture of debt, incurring unnecessary and avoidable debts should be discouraged and must stop. This kind of culture is an abnormal social practice which breeds social deviants and now, we have turned it to a cultural norm.

“Cut your coat according to your size.”

“When a man is ready to settle down, what he looks for is not what most women think…” (Pearl Advocate)

He that hath ears let him hear what the voice of truth is saying. The voice of truth has spoken.

On Valentine's Night: NOT ENOUGH

>>>What kind of Val's gift do you desire???

Just like the owl’s eyes
completing a cyclic motion;
The rotation of the clock
and the look I took across the dock
seems the year now tends in tens-count.

The caravan of spices
and the alteration in the decor
along the main roads
ascertained the arrival of Valentine.
Chants of love filled the atmosphere.

He sat, he stood and he shivered;
The thought that valentine’s fine
will find him again got him aggrieved.

Just hear him out first…

They met at the rendezvous,
her arrival almost bamboozled him.
Her aesthetically well-treated façade
will intimidate even the Prince of Persia,
if they stand or sit face-to-face.

Huh! But he’s bold and confident.

In the midst of this (emotional) confusion,
only an action was needed to bring satisfaction…
An expression of love.

(What could this be?)

He gave her a quick kiss,
she said, not enough.

He gave her an i-card (interactive card),
she said, not enough.

He gave her an android mobile device,
she said not enough.

He gave her a social media navigator,
not enough.

He gave her a teddy bear,
hey, ey! Hmm, not enough.

He gave her a sleek cinderellical dress,
not enough.

He gave her key to a new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 car,
not enough.

He gave her flight ticket to Dubai,
not enough.

He gave her a Tiffany diamond jewelry box,
not enough.

(He paused for awhile)
Then, gave her a…………BIBLE,
that’s enoughhhhhhhhhhh.

What a great valentine gift to desire.

The Word of God,
that’s enough.

The Walls of Home

What are these walls made of?
Bricks, adobe, porcelain, illuminous glass,
Paper mache, cement blocks, aluminium fills,
ply woods, stones or concrete fillings?
Huh! They are made of inestimable characters -
The fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, kindness, peace,
faith/faithfulness, patience, humility,
self-control and goodness.
...creatively crafted by godliness and contentment
And arranged in courses by the bloodline.
Walls of home enclose the father, true and strong;
The mother in queenly quest,
striving to show the world God’s way is the best;
The children, led to know that truth is absolute.
The walls of home, like galleries,
hold pictures rich and rare;
All framed in golden memories,
and kept with loving care.
Some tableaux echo childish glee,
and others are serene;
While love, and faith, and loyalty
illumine every scene with astounding clarity.
Tho’ years may alter museum halls,
and banish transient arts;
The timeless joys within home’s
Walls are etched on human
hearts which stand in eternity.
Walls of home professionally finished and aesthetically ornamented
with the portrait of a real man, a real woman and godly seeds.
Walls of home make the home not only
peaceably habitable,
but also, a home away from Home (Heaven);
A home where God’s will is sought;
A home where the Lord is an honoured Guest/Dweller;
A home where the altar fires burn with white flames;
and glow with a glorious, irresistible, infectious radiance;
A home that is free from the blight of wrong, intolerance,
prejudice, inequality, disorderliness, immorality,
religious disparity and disunity...
How so much important are the walls of home.
Can we view Nigeria as our ”National” Home?
Then, with the walls of home,
A peaceful Nigeria where the Lord is our God
And where everyone is ONE is possible.
We become the happiest and strongest people on earth.
We are one big family and live in the same
Home called Nigeria.
Regardless our diversities, we are ONE.
One Big Family One Great Home.
Thank God for the gifts of the Walls of home
which enclose us all.

THE DEMAND OF DEMOCRACY

Today, we live in a world where the major system of government that can reliably deliver desirable dividends to the populace is “democracy”. Democracy, a system of government that is of the people, by the people and for the people…This simply implies that, it is a selfless service that is out-rightly ‘others-centred’. It requires selflessness and self-sacrifice.
The process of consolidating democracy in our country saw the emergence of several politicians with selfish intentions, visions, social agenda and political programmes. This explains why we have not been enjoying the expected benefits of democracy even after about 11years of consistent democratic leadership in the nation. One can say that we have barely seen a true leader we can call a statesman, because our leaders are not leaders but rulers ruling with their rods of corruption.
How can we achieve true sustainable development, increasing nation-building and see the desired change or transformation? This question resonates in the heart of everyone seeking for a change.
50 troubled years have passed, we are still wading in the sea of confusion, increasing rate of corruption, abject poverty, youth unemployment, poor health system, bad transportation system, poor education system, miasmic economy, homelessness, epileptic or erratic power supply and socio-cultural integration almost in a dreadful state, a bizarre cynosure as we witness intermittent intra-tribal and religious mayhem in the Northern part of the country, with ungodly kidnapping which has become youth employment innovation in the Eastern part of the country. These pose serious threats to our existence and make our survival as a nation more difficult. A revolution might be inevitable to achieve some of the dreams of our fathers. After all, J.F. Kennedy (35th President of the U.S.A.) once said many years ago that, “Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.” The reason for the agitations, emancipations, quakes and crises in the Niger Delta. Also, the intermittent religious and intra-tribal clashes in the North.
We have paraded and seen more of political liars and rulers as leaders; people who lied and deceived us to power with their countless points agenda, with little or no achievement as a proof to ascertain their customary lies and deceptions (which have become national polity in governance). They left the nation impoverished and systematically looted the national treasury of which they refer to as “national cake”, thereby becoming richer than ever imagined. No wonder they had refused to declare their personal assets.
The demand of true democracy is truth, nothing more; that we begin to say the truth, nothing but the truth – “…for we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.” 2Corinthians 13:8b.

“Democracy demands that the truth should be told always and that charlatans and saints should be called by their proper names.”
Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

They thought killing Dele Giwa, Ken Saro Wiwa and other notable journalists who stood for the truth is killing truth. They only succeeded in killing lies forgetting that truth will always prevail.
Jack Kemp said, “Democracy without morality is impossible.” Where is the morality of truth, honest, sincerity, justice, equity and freedom in our nation?
Disunity and lies are the bane of our national polity.
Gerald R. Ford (38th President of the U.S.A.) noted few decades ago that, “Truth is the glue that holds government together.” Truth in politics, nation governance and public service is not just calling a spade a spade, but walking and working one’s talk always. It is to fulfill all the promises made during political manifestoes and campaigns. It is to deliver sustainable development, meets the needs of the electorates and considerably improve the standard of living of the citizenry. It is for all public leaders to have a sense of accountability and as well to hold them accountable. It is for justice and equity to become the cause of the orders. It is to sacrificially love other humanity just as you love yourself. It is to always walk in absolute fear of God. These are what true democracy that will deliver needed results demands.
This was what our founding fathers conceived that enabled them to serve our Motherland faithfully, selflessly and sacrificially.
Have you ever taken time to meditate on our national anthem and pledge, especially, the second stanza of the anthem?

“O God of creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide thou our leaders right;
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honest till to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign.”

Alas! More than 60%Nigerians cannot recite the first stanza of the National Anthem perfectly not to imagine the second stanza.
You can see that for our nation to really achieve development, attain great heights among others in the world and build her walls with abiding peace and justice; TRUTH is indispensable and UNITY is unavoidable. Both the young and the old, male and female…all must adopt the principle of truth and unite as one entity.
This is a clarion call to all that we should begin to assume our post and take a stand on truth, and hold each other hands-in-hands to lift high the banner of our nation among the nations of the world.
As 2011 general elections knock at our national door, I call on all and sundry to look for credible leaders and vote for truth not for political party. Your vote is your voice of truth; you cannot afford to be disenfranchised by standing indifferently. The success of this coming election will determine our next phase as a nation and you hold a stake to its success.
Consequently, as we all begin to promote and celebrate truth, hope is re-liven in us and I tell you, change we will see. Alfred E. Smith said many decades ago that, “All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.” This is not just only a fact, it is very true. To many skeptics who believe the resurgence of military administration is what we need for transformation in our nation, I urge you to realize the need for the continuity of democracy.
Hereby, I see a new United People of Nigeria; I see a new sovereign free states standing united as one entity rise high as the King of Africa; her people bounded by brotherly love, love towards one another across our diverse ethnicity.
I see a new United People of Nigeria; a new nation where the sons and daughters of the Islamic adherents play together in peace with the sons and daughters of Christians on liberty or unity playgrounds.
I see a new United People of Nigeria; a new country where resilient, entrepreneurial and high-spirited brothers from the Niger-Delta join their fellow brothers in the East in genuine brotherhood to establish an unparallel economy we can be proud of.
I see a new United People of Nigeria; a new country where the languages we speak matter not and the differing faiths we practice become insignificant to nationhood, but the beauty of our unity despite our diversity guides our paths daily and informs our national mindsets of which we package and sell to the world.
It’s time to build a nation you and I can be proud of; a nation we dream for our children and children’s children, a place they can call their home.
I am still as hopeful as ever before now.

Happy 50th Anniversary to everyone both at home and in diaspora.

God Bless Nigeria! God Bless Us All!!

A NATION IN SEARCH OF CHANGE

On latitude 4ºN to 14ºN of the equator
Longitude 3ºE to 15ºE of the meridian,
Spheres the grandest of all freed-shares,
Adorned with transcendent beauty,
Treasures and resources overflowing
Like milk and honey in Canaan;
Crowning him “the Giant of Africa” –
The largest cluster of Negro in the world.

Fifty years of turbulent, painful expedition has gone;
Led by different consortia of unscrupulous,
Corrupt, self-centred, nefarious tyrants.
Most of those who witnessed
The outset of the ultimate search for a real change
Will wonder how long it will take a nation
Blessed with all necessary primary tools needed
To truly discover the desirable change.

Lemme say, they have discovered some things:
They discovered prejudice, hatred and selfishness;
Greed, corruption, intolerance, bribery, state-theft;
Kidnapping, glorified lying, homelessness, insecurity;
Religious crises, intra-tribal wars, social unrest, retro-development…
Half a century has come and gone,
Here we are still searching for the misplaced change,
With no clue to finding it.

Fortunately, the golden year will witness
Another extravagant process of leadership shift of the present consortium.
What will be the fate of our generation and those yet unborn?
That is, the aftermath of 2011 National general election
Will determine the next phase of our strategic search.

This golden independence anniversary celebration is with mixed feelings:
Feelings of thanksgiving and worship to the Sovereign God,
For sustaining us despite the evil discoveries…
Feelings of distress, agonies, travails, cries, umbrage and disappointment.
Distress from indigenous slavery; agonies and cries of the innocent blood,
Maiming, destructions and kidnapping due to intolerance, insecurity and prejudice;
Umbrage and disappointment because of bad leadership and our retrogressions…

Feelings of hope, hope for an abiding change.
Hope that we can still discover unity
Regardless our different faith, beliefs and practices;
Regardless our tongues and culture.

Hope that we can truly achieve sustainable development
And build a nation we can be proud of,
Redeeming our lost image for our children and those yet unborn.
Hope that genuine leaders with good and selfless intentions and visions,
Who will depict true statesmen will emerge.
Hope that we will for the first time
Conduct a non-controversial free and fair, peaceful election
By 2011 with accountability.

Hereby, we will all converge sooner than envisaged
At our confluence to celebrate
The dawn of a change, a new beginning, a new United People of Nigeria.
Together we stand and change for the best,
Divided we fall and disintegrate for the worst.

Change we believe;
Change is possible
And change we will achieve/get.

God Bless Nigeria! God Bless Us All!!

NIGERIA SPEAKS

They said I can’t cry, but I cried;
They said I can’t move, but I moved;
They said I can’t fight, but I fought and won;
I won and INDEPENDENCE was my reward.
They said I can’t stand, but I stood tall to become the PRIDE OF AFRICA.
They said I can’t run, but I ran to survive.
I have been running for 50 years now,
Passing on the baton from one generation to another.
I was born with a vision of unity and faith, peace and progress;
Joined together in a connection with three resilient cords;
Forged at inception in the furnace of freedom, justice and truth;
Led in the direction of brotherhood and patriotism;
But, alas! Swayed by greed and nepotism
That breeds insatiable corruption;
And trusted in the illusion of pains;
I am Nigeria.

These raised a tension of separation,
An insurrection towards disintegration;
A digression that caused a national or federal dilapidation.
Yes, I am Nigeria.

My diversity is not equipoise to division,
It’s a divine design of beauty that generations will celebrate.
Though, the journey so far may call for sober reflection,
Rather than extravagant celebrations and attractions.
I will mention a suggestion,
Motion re-direction,
An illustration beyond imagination –
First, adoration to “Awimayehun”, the One that has the final say;
For His protection as a nation despite the turbulent past race.
Then, to consider the only option for a hopeful succession,
Makes the imitation of Christ indispensable.
This is communication of love.
Through communication of love,
Intuition of hope will be re-awaken in us,
Appreciable proportion of desirable change we shall get.
A golden rule everyone must allow to rule.

Imagine Nigeria with fully equipped, well funded schools (education system) – POSSIBLE!
Imagine Nigeria without potholes at intervals on highways – POSSIBLE!
Without traffic jams due to defiance, irresponsible leadership or above-the-law syndrome – POSSIBLE!
Without police checkpoints turning to toll gates and other checkpoint corruptions – POSSIBLE!
Without electoral violence, manipulation and mega-disenfranchisement – POSSIBLE!
Imagine Nigeria where electors vote and the votes of electorates count – POSSIBLE!
Imagine Nigeria with leaders having the fear of God and servant’s hearts – POSSIBLE!
With 400kmph metro lines in major cities and Nigerian Railways absolutely revamped – POSSIBLE!
With rural areas transformed to cities and cities to Mega-cities – POSSIBLE!
With a growing well-serviced world class economy – POSSIBLE!
With people bounded by brotherly love and united as one – POSSIBLE!
With an identity that generations yet unborn will be proud of – POSSIBLE!

All of these call out to a duo; You and I.
You and I to be the change we want to see in Nigeria;
You and I to arise and build a nation we dream for our children,
And children’s children.
You and I to begin to live for the truth, loving one another.
You and I are the hope of change in Nigeria.
You and I can make change possible in Nigeria.
No one will build Nigeria,
Nigeria will be built by Nigerians –
Nigerians like You and I!

God Bless Nigeria! God Bless You All!!
Happy 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration.