On your marks, set set :-) goooo!!!

All these re-runs of Usain Bolt and Semenya have me  ready to burst with this inner hunger to throw on my running shoes and hit the track. Man, those athletes look amazing

What’s the plan? Ani aluleeta? Or some rooftop Christian clean fun? Musolini will be there :-_ and Nodesix is one of the sponsors, come on people.
I’ve got a dull ache in one of my molars (when was the last time anyone referred to their teeth by the word molars, lol). I’ve had to schedule an emergency meeting with my dentist (that didn’t sound right )

will let you know how that turns out,
till next time,
easy does it

God-encounters

They…went through the towns, preaching.’ LUKE 9:6

One night a man walking to church saw four boys hanging out on a street corner, so he invited them to go with him. They did, and they went back again the following Sunday. Actually, these four boys became the nucleus of the Sunday school class he began to teach. Years later his friends decided to contact the four boys, see what had happened to them, and invite each to write a special birthday letter to be read at a surprise party for their old teacher. Their letters were real eye openers. One boy had become a missionary to China, one was president of the US Federal Reserve Bank, one was the private secretary to President Herbert Hoover, and the fourth was – President Hoover himself. Sometimes your small encounters are God-encounters that take place when you’re busy with other things or on your way to somewhere else. If you’re not prepared you’ll miss a real blessing, a chance to grow and an opportunity to put God’s interests ahead of your own. Jesus left the comfort of Heaven to walk the road of human need. You’ll notice He didn’t set up a throne in each town and say, ‘This is My place, if you want to see Me come here.’ No, He went to the marketplace. He went to the boats of fishermen. He went to the homes of ordinary people. The Bible says that Jesus and His disciples ‘went through the towns, preaching the gospel.’ So the moment your compassion is activated, stop. What seems like a small encounter may be a God-encounter, and produce results you never dreamed possible.
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

So is anyone going to drop a few coins in the wee hands that reach out to you as you go along the street?! Mmmm, or give directions to that not-so-approachable stranger? Or… go figure, make us proud

Planning builds knowledge, which in turn builds confidence

Now if only I could get off my behind and get some real work done in all the fields that need work…It begins to feel like I don’t want ‘IT’ badly enough, and the ones that would normally have a little faith in me at the least, and pom pom waving cheers at the most….well, they are watching that hope in me sip away slowly but surely…

I’ve got to do something, and fast! Now!

till next time (see I’m doing that thing again)
easy does it

Encourage somebody today!
‘Encourage somebody today!’ ROMANS 12:6
There’s no better exercise for strengthening your heart than stooping to lift somebody else. Think about it: your best friends are the ones who encourage you. Who wants to hang around somebody who always puts you down? Dr Maxwell Maltz interviewed the son of a successful businessman. The boy had refused to take over the family business after his dad’s death, even though it would’ve made him wealthy. He explained, ‘You don’t understand the relationship I had with my father. He was a driven man who came up the hard way. His objective was to teach me self-reliance and he thought the best way to do it was never to encourage or praise me. Every day we played catch in the yard. The idea was for me to catch the ball ten straight times. I’d catch it eight or nine times, but always on that tenth throw he’d do everything possible to make me miss it. He’d throw it on the ground or over my head, so I’d no chance of catching it.’ He then paused tearfully and said, ‘That’s why I have to get away; I want to catch that tenth ball!’ This young man grew up feeling he could never measure up, never be perfect enough to please his father. Sound familiar? William James said, ‘The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.’ Most of us think wonderful things about people, but we never tell them. Praise becomes valuable only if you impart it. So, today go out of your way to encourage somebody
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

.. .. . … . . .bry

The art of illusion…

No worries, I’m making to put some final touches on the memo relating to that bry, kindly note that you’re requested to be a part of this, there will be a list of dishes to be prepared and you’re required to pick out the one that you can make really well, each one will carry a drink, a date will be set, the invitations will be sent out, and we’ll just wait and read the reviews.
Advise,
till next time,
easy does it

It is well with my soul
‘My peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and…afraid.’ JOHN 14:27
The peace Jesus gives brings a sense of assurance that no matter what happens, you know ‘it is well with my soul.’ He says to us: ‘My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and…afraid.’ The peace Jesus gives doesn’t depend on conditions and circumstances. It comes from knowing you’re God’s child and that your Father controls the universe, loves you and always has your best interests at heart. That’s why people who’ve lost everything will often tell you they wouldn’t trade what they’ve learned, even if it meant recouping all their losses. Joni Erikson Tada discovered a supernatural peace when an accident confined her to a wheelchair, and Corrie Ten Boom found it in a Nazi death camp. Missionary Elisabeth Elliot found it ministering to the Indian tribe who massacred her husband. She wrote, ‘Only in acceptance lies peace…not in resignation.’ There’s a big difference! Author Creath Davis points out that: ‘Resignation is surrender to fate. Acceptance is surrender to God. Resignation lies down quietly in an empty universe. Acceptance rises up to meet the God who fills that universe with purpose and destiny. Resignation says, ‘I can’t.’ Acceptance says, ‘God can.’ Resignation paralyszes the life process. Acceptance releases the process for its greatest creativity. Resignation says, ‘It’s all over for me.’ Acceptance says, ‘Now that I’m here, what’s next, Lord?’ Resignation says, ‘What a waste.’ Acceptance says, ‘In what redemptive way will you use this mess, Lord?’ Resignation says, ‘I’m alone.’ Acceptance says, ‘I belong to you, Lord.’
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

Acceptance…amazing how different a perspective that can be. As for Resignation…now I know what that is, relief at this new found info is what I’m feeling right now, far better than a number two after amazing chinese, lol. Sorry! I had to make a comparison

Monday Blues…

May I suggest that we make this as interactive as possible, if you have a moment, what is it about Mondays that gets you every time?

Personally, it’s a clean slate…new opportunities, a new allocation of time….what I do with it, leaves only me to blame. Yourself?

till next time,
easy does it

Information overload! (1)
‘Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.’ DANIEL 12:4
Technology lets us do things we’ve never been able to do, but it can be addictive. You can become tied to it in ways that are exhausting. One expert notes: ‘There’s a strong tendency for humans to do everything they’re able to. Combine that with constant connectivity, and the workday need never end. It’s easy to contact anyone anytime, and with information always available on line you can keep clicking forever.’ Paul writes about ‘making the most of your time’ (Ephesians 5:16 NAS). We say, ‘Time is money,’ but in actuality time is much more valuable, because it’s a nonrenewablenon-renewable resource. Once spent, it’s gone forever. Managing information overload means reestablishingre-establishing boundaries that technology has demolished. So: Recognize Recognise the signs: if you communicate with people all day yet you’re still lonely, chances are, technology is dominating your life. Take baby steps: make yourself unavailable for short periods and see what happens. The wheels of industry won’t grind to a halt! Remember you have a choice: people who think they should be available 24/7, exaggerate their own importance or the control others have over them. Establish boundaries: rein in the emails and instant messages. Do you really need all those ‘FYI’s’ about the same thing? Give clear instructions: tell people you answer emails at designated times throughout the day, and let them know who to contact for an immediate response. Make a task list: that way if you’re interrupted you’ll get back on track faster. Stick to a schedule: constantly dipping in and out on the computer is classic self-interruption. Do a reality check: after a few minutes of surfing the web ask yourself, ‘Should I be doing this now?’
http://www.ucb.co.uk/index.cfm?itemid=88&testdate=16%20Aug%202009

Information overload! (2)

‘The servant is not greater than his lord.’ JOHN 13:16
When you’re constantly multi-tasking, important things can fall between the cracks. A lawyer who negotiated an unbelievable deal in favorfavour of his client was asked how he did it. He replied, ‘I was the only person at the meeting that day who didn’t spend the whole time text messaging!’ A respected researcher says we’ve trained our brains ‘to constantly flit around the universe of messages and information, seeking brief hits of excitement. Grazing ceaselessly, we never dig too deeply before moving on to the next distraction…and it ratchets up our stress levels in ways we’re only starting to understand.’ Another expert says: ‘We get more information in 72 hours than our parents received in a month, and most people don’t have the skills to deal with it. They let new things in, but don’t get rid of old information they wanted to act on.’ When was the last time you enjoyed some relaxed, uninterrupted down time? Can you even remember? We’re so results-oriented that unless we’re doing something that can be quantified, we think it’s a waste of time. The fact is you need time away from the unrelenting onslaught of information to regroup, reflect and recharge. Jesus had a schedule to keep, people to minister to, disciples depending on Him, and a short time to do it all. Nevertheless, ‘hHe withdrew…into the wilderness, and prayed’ (Luke 5:16). Now, since ‘the servant is not greater than his lord,’ do you think you’re above all that? Are you wiser than He? Or more spiritual? Jesus said, ‘Come… apart…and rest a while’ (Mark 6:31), because when you don’t come apart, you fall apart!
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

…to make a date, or to make a date…

I’ve been lucky enough as to sit awhile with some rather inspiring individuals, one of whom is like a spiritual mother to me, I just haven’t gotten round to spend as much time as I need to, you know, the way a mother and her children spend time together?!
That got me thinking about how little time I have been spending with my Maker…and it’s a dismal amount of time. I catch myself mumbling thanks at the day’s end, and mumbling more praises to Him when I awake…and depending on how fast paced my day is, will I mumble some more heartfelt things as I go along.
Not sufficient, I know.

This spiritual mom of mine, once mentioned that she had learnt to make time for Him. Every day she’ll get away for her lunch break equivalent and commune with Him, and nothing will come in between her time with Him, not her Boss calling, not an emergency, whatever you can think of…nothing can take the place of their Date time together.

I want that.
till next time,
easy does it

The ultimate source of wisdom
‘The wisdom that is from above is’ JAMES 3:17
As you gothrough life you discover there are many ways to gain wisdom, such as: 1) Writing down and reflecting on what you’ve learned through experience.
2) Gleaning from the collective knowledge of others. ‘By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom’ (Proverbs 13:10 NKJV).
3) Thinking outside the box. Statements like, ‘This is the way we do things around here’ warrant scrutiny when they’re used to defend ways that no longer work.
4) Not rushing to closure. Growth is always a work-in-progress. Creativity is untidy and unnerving. The ability to stay focused and faith-filled in the midst of change is a hallmark of maturity. But the ultimate source of wisdom is God! A young executive told his secretary he’d an important meeting and didn’t want to be interrupted. But his boss needed to see him and walked in. When he found the young executive on his knees praying, he withdrew quietly and asked the secretary, ‘Is this usual?’
‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘he does it every morning.’
‘No wonder I come to him for advice!’ said his boss. If you need wisdom, talk to God: ‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding’ (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally…and it will be given to him’ (James 1:5 NKJV). ‘The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy’ (James 3:17 NKJV). ‘I will instrict you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you…’ (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).
http://www.ucb.co.uk/index.cfm?itemid=88&testdate=14Aug2009

Am I that forgetable?

I just got off the phone with a good friend of mine and I was recounting to  him how it’s dawned on me that my invitation cards to  most of the weddings that have taken place, got lost on their way to me (tongue in cheek) or could it be that I’m that forgetable?!

I have to hold my breath there at the prospective responses to that last question, and feel free to be brutally honest about it

I resumed Cell yesterday, it was special, called to mind that the discipline of consistency in whatever we do, is learnt…it takes practice….looking forward to the next wednesday.

The radio show went well, there’s still room for improvement, isn’t there always.

And I did take a long, hard look at myself in the full length mirror (no details ) and maaaannnn!!! I need a few more ab crunches, arm presses and a generally upbeat outlook on life3 or else I’m going to end up eating myself out of the few bouts of blues that I’ve been experiencing lately, and I can be sure, this time next month, I’ll be posting pictures up on here, tee hee hee
till next time,
easy does it

Today, encourage somebody (2)

‘Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.’ PROVERBS 12:25

Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were friends; they met at a convention sponsored by Edison’s company where Ford worked as an engineer. Someone introduced Ford to Edison as ‘a young man who has made a gas car.’ Ford and Edison talked a while about the automobile, thenand then Edison banged his fist on the table with excitement. ‘You have it! Your car is self-contained and carries its own power plant.’ Ford later recalled, ‘No man up to then had given me any encouragement. I had hoped that I was headed right. Sometimes I knew that I was, sometimes I only wondered, but here, out of a clear sky, the greatest inventive genius in the world had given me complete approval.’ Sir Isaac Newton is best known for his Theory of Gravitation and description of the Three Laws of Motion. But Newton might never have published his work had it not been for Edmond Halley. A well-respected scientist in his own right, Halley visited Newton at Cambridge to discuss a problem he was working on, only to discover that Newton had already solved it. Halley encouraged Newton to publish his work, and even offered to do it at his own expense. The result was the publication of Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687, which laid the groundwork for the study of mathematics and changed the way people see the world. Who can you encourage to do great things? Who has God put into your life to cheer on, raise up, or assist on their journey? When you help others to do the things God created them to do, you share in their achievement.

http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

…now can’t keep the eyes open…

Am I pushing myself too hard? Can’t seem to keep my eyes open…
I’ll catch some shut eye after work, and hopefully return and drop a few more lines?!
till next time,
easy does it

Today, encourage somebody (1)
‘Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.’ PROVERBS 12:25
The nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. In the midst of his discouragement he received a life-changing note from an admirer of his work. The note read, ‘Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career.’ It was signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Whitman enjoyed a long career and is now considered one of the giants of American literature. But when times were tough he needed encouragement to keep going. And he’s not alone. When we’re on the brink of failure, the right word at the right time can keep us in the game. When we’re too tired or discouraged to keep going, an act of compassion can give us new strength. Encouragement is one of the central themes of the Bible: ‘Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad’ (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV). ‘Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees’ (Isaiah 35:3 NKJV). ‘For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’ (Isaiah 41:13 NKJV). Encouragement doesn’t deny the problem; it enables us to overcome it. It doesn’t validate stubbornness or stupidity; it simply corrects and guides us in the right path. It doesn’t leave us alone to carry the burden, it lets us know that God is present to help and strengthen us. So today, encourage somebody!
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

Thanks for looking out bespectacled friend of mine

…puffy eyes…

…That describes my facial traits as I write this, must say I’m glad you came through to sit and listen a while to my rumblings, will definitely consider and execute the bit about surrendering all to Him, and keep nothing under my sleeve,
I’m grateful for the time taken, I feel so much better,
till next time,
easy does it

If you want to succeed – prepare well!
‘Any enterprise …is built by wise planning, becomes strong.’ PROVERBS 24:3
What happens when you’re not well-prepared? Things you hope won’t happen, do, and they occur with greater frequency than the things you hope will happen. The dividing line between winning and losing – is preparation! Tennis champion Arthur Ashe said, ‘The key to winning is self-confidence, and the key to self-confidence is preparation.’ Singing, ‘If you wish upon a star’ won’t make your dreams come true; you’ve got to prepare yourself. Ever wonder what Jesus was doing during those pre-dawn risings and nights of prayer? Preparing! If you plan to keep growing, preparation must become a way of life. You must never stop asking, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do? What will it cost me in time, effort and resources? What obstacles must I overcome?’ If you live with that mindset you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Asked how long it would take to bring his ship to a stop, the Queen Mary’s captain replied, ‘A little over a mile.’ Then he added, ‘A good captain thinks at least a mile ahead.’ Your success in any venture is determined by how important it is to you, and your ability to prepare for it. The Living Bible paraphrases it this way: ‘Any enterprise is …built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.’ Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States, said, ‘Men give me credit for genius, but all the genius I have lies in this: when I have a subject to hand, I study it profoundly.’ So, if you want to succeed – prepare well!
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

…I needed the timeout…

…
…
…
I still do now
till next time,
easy does it

Are you a good listener?
‘Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.’ JAMES 1:19
Someone quipped, ‘God gave us two ears and one mouth because we need to listen twice as much as we talk.’ Learning that means being ‘quick to listen, slow to speak.’
Good listening builds relationships. But good listeners aren’t born, they’re bred! So here are a few suggestions to improve your listening:
1) Listen without interrupting. Resist the temptation to jump in and finish the sentence, or hijack the floor. Rein yourself in – just listen.
2) Listen to understand. Try to understand their point of view, feelings, thinking and needs. Good listening is hearing what they actually think, mean or feel, not what you imagine they do. Instead of guessing, ask, ‘Am I understanding you correctly? Do you mean…? Are you feeling…?’ In other words, don’t assume – verify.
3) Listen without judging. Don’t rush to conclusions. If what they say doesn’t quite add up, keep listening. ‘He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him’ (Proverbs 18:13 NKJV). When you hear more, it may make sense.
4) Listen without correcting, countering or devaluing. Saying, ‘That’s not the way it was,’ or, ‘What did you expect? If you hadn’t…’ or, ‘You’re just being too sensitive,’ puts people on guard and stops real communication.
5) Validate the speaker. Accept their perceptions and feelings as valid expressions of a valued person. ‘If I understand you correctly, you’re thinking…feeling…Am I right?’ Ask them to help get you on the same page with them. ‘Given what you’ve told me, I can see why you’d feel what you feel,’ is very validating and will increase their confidence and willingness to consider the solutions you may offer.
http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

…He gave me a set of ten fingers….does that mean I should write more?!
Let me ask Him.
Be good

The Boss called me up today…

…and I mean C.E.O.
So you can imagine my state of being for the most part of the afternoon today. To say the least, I’m glad he’s looking out for me, and my social activity is going to have to drop a couple of notches.
Apparently word reaching him is that I’ve got a drinking problem, and that my conduct is questionable, but that in telling me all this was in his capacity as my buddy and not my Boss, needless to say, he’s cool like that.

till next time,
easy does it

Brokenness (1)

‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.’ PSALM 51:17

A world that celebrates success doesn’t see value in broken things. But God brings beauty out of brokenness. For a plant to rise from the soil the seed must be broken. For a baby chick to experience larger life the shell must be broken. Even a thoroughbred horse must be broken; it must learn to respond to the tug of the rein and the sound of the master’s voice. Getting the idea? After a humbling encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road, Paul re-evaluated all the religious activity he once boasted about and called it ‘dung’ (Philippians 3:8). And you don’t brag about dung, you’re repulsed by it. Brokenness is the work of God by which He strips us of self-sufficiency so that the character of Christ may shine through us. Now don’t misunderstand; being broken doesn’t necessarily mean experiencing some tragedy. Many people suffer tragedy without drawing closer to God or even acknowledging Him. Indeed, the same sunshine that melts the butter hardens the clay. The issue in brokenness is not so much our circumstances, but our response. What is God trying to teach us? True brokenness is when He strips us of self-sufficiency to the extent that we’ve no strength left to fix ourselves. When God blocks every exit we try to take and we come to see that He alone is our answer, we make a life changing discovery. ‘And what’s that?’ you ask. When God is all you have – God is all you need! Bottom line: God’s power is reserved for those who have given up trying to do it in their own strength or to accomplish it for their own ends!

http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today

My problem at the moment is I’m still trying to figure out a way out of this current predicament I’m in…I have thought about leaving the country (call it my ‘Jonah’ moment), or keep a low profile for sometime, half-thinking to myself  that this will blow over…just thinking out loud or is it thinking on virtual paper, go figure.