Friday, 31 March 2017
Personal Finance for Single Ladies
Arese Ugwu a finance blog shares some advice for single ladies encouraging them to take full charge of their financial prosperity
Read below:
You are probably in your mid 20s, out of university, decent starter job, living at home with no real responsibilities. You feel like your whole life is ahead of you, so investing and saving can come later. The truth is there is no better time than now to set financial goals and learn about what investment opportunities are available to you.
1. Get Money
In order to maximize your earning power and have the ability to invest, you need to pursue a career you are passionate about and create multiple streams of income. This does not necessarily mean you have to become an entrepreneur. The reality is, not everyone is cut out to be ‘their own boss’ and you need to learn this early on. Being a boss is not about working for yourself and avoiding the discipline of a 9-5. It is about adding value and being a high performer, wherever you are. There are two ways to be stuck. (and you don’t want to be stuck in your 30s or 40s) Stuck in a 9-5 job you hate and stuck in an entrepreneurial role you can’t do. Turning your passion into a paycheck is more complex than it sounds. You need to figure out what comes naturally to you, than it does others. Just because you liked planning your wedding, does not make you a wedding planner. Liking something doesn’t mean its your passion, being good at it and willing to do what it takes to sharpen your skills, is what will turn your passion to profit.
2. Create a game plan for your money.
In order to take control of your money you need to devise a strategy that helps you allocate your resources efficiently and cultivate the habit of spending less than you earn and investing the rest in assets that generate income. (i.e mutual funds, real estate, money market products) The longer you leave your money invested the better your average annual returns will be, so time is on your side. 3. Change your money mentality Again, if you earn a N100m and you spend a N100m, what you have left is zero. People are generally good at working hard and earning money but they are terrible when it comes to scaling their consumption. If you can spend N250k on shoes, you should be able to make N250k in investments to match it.
4. Establish your Net worth
Aliko Dangote is not the richest man in Africa because he earns $23.5 billion as his salary. He is the richest man in Africa because his net worth (assets- liabilities) is $23.5billion. Therefore, building wealth is about using the money you earn to make more money by investing in building assets. For example, Tinuke makes N10m, invests N3m in land and spends the rest, assuming she has no liabilities and no other assets; Her net worth has gone from N0 to N3m. It’s not the number that matters but the progress. Set a goal to increase your net worth by 10% every year.
5. Your budget is your friend not your foe
Stop thinking of a budget as something that restricts you; instead think of it as something that tells you all the things you CAN do with your money. An easy way to achieve this is dividing your income into three parts. Long-term financial goal, (20%) short-term financial goal (10%) and living expenses (70%). Cultivate the habit of investing at least 20% of your income before you spend 1 kobo every month. It doesn’t matter if 20% of your income is N10, 000 or N100, 000 if you are saving and investing consistently you will definitely be richer in a few years than you are today.
6. Run your own race
Nigeria is fast becoming a place where, it’s more important for people (women especially) to be popular and LOOK like they have money, when in actual fact, they are struggling behind closed doors, to uphold an image they can’t keep up.
Buying things just so that you can look as though you have as much money as someone else is silly. When Tinuke buys a bag to top Ada’s bag collection, what she doesn’t know is, Ada owns several properties, as well as an investment portfolio worth 80m, so she won’t be ‘soaking garri’ after she buys a designer bag. Sometimes, the grass is actually greener so don’t compare your beginning with someone else’s middle. Instead of competing with her, use her as a point of contact “Baba God, my own go betta’.
If you are caught up in this mentality it's important to focus on surrounding yourself with winners. Friends, who genuinely support you in your endeavors (because friendship is not a competition) and mentors who can guide you on your walk to greatness.
7. Money and relationships
It is great to be Mrs. somebody but its even better to be a force in your own right so you can be a value addition to the right man. Even if your goal in life is to marry a rich man, being financially literate could help you see through the smoke and mirrors ‘before you go enter one chance.’ Some rich men are not necessarily generous (you don’t want to be the woman who can’t top up her phone without asking her husband) or in some cases not necessarily rich because the more you look, the less you see.
There are many instances of women who ‘thought’ they were marrying into wealth or miscalculated because they saw Family money, a Range rover and a Rolex, that are now ladened with the sole responsibility of paying the rent, staff salaries and children’s school fees.
The bible says that it is the man’s responsibility to provide. 1 Timothy 5: 8 ‘ A man that does not provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever’. So being financially independent is less about not needing a man and more about learning to be self sufficient like the Proverbs 31 woman and at the very least having plan B, because even the most independent woman appreciates a good man to depend on.
We need to raise a generation of women who are financially literate. So that they are likely to become beacons of hope for survival in times of strife as opposed to cautionary tales of helplessness.
Greatest Hymns in Church History
Hymns are a part of our worship in fact, worship (church worship and personal worships) is incomplete without hymns.
Today, there are numerous hymns in various languages throughout the history of the church but there exist a select few that have stood the test of time and are with us today because they have changed us as a body.
Below are a list of 11 greatest hymns that have changed the Church as complied by author Tsh Oxenreider.
1. Be Thou My Vision
This humble prayer began as a medieval Celtic poem in the eighth century, but it wasn’t translated into English and put to music until 1905, by Mary Byrne.
2. All Creatures of Our God and King
St. Francis of Assisi was known as a lover of nature and animals, and he also loved music. He wrote over 60 hymns, including this one in 1225 reflecting his compassion for creation. It caused the Church to stop and recognize the power and significance of nature, and not just human nature.
3. Doxology
Thomas Ken was born in 1637 and orphaned soon after. Raised by his sister and her husband, he became an Oxford scholar and eventually became chaplain to members of royalty before becoming a bishop in the Anglican church. He wrote a manual of prayers in 1674, including a three-verse one simply named Morning Hymn. The doxology (which is simply a combination of two Greek words to mean ‘word of glory’) as we know today is the final verse of this poem, and it’s often sung without music.
4. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson was a rather difficult, headstrong boy, so when he turned 14 in 1749, his mother sent him to London for an apprenticeship (his dad died several years prior). He got in to even more trouble in London, and when he was 17, went with some of his friends to a meeting to make fun of Christians where George Whitfield would be preaching. It moved him deeply, and began his search for God where he finally became a Christian three years later.
He became a pastor, and at age 23, he wrote this poem to accompany one of his sermons, its words full of admittance to his own fleshly nature compared to God’s divine. It was set to music in 1813.
5. Amazing Grace
Considered a folk hymn, it was first published in 1779 but originally written for a New Year’s Day sermon in 1773 by John Newton, an English poet. Its focus is on the redemption found only in Jesus—a simple but profound truth during a lot of Church division.
The song actually wasn’t too popular until the American 2nd Great Awakening in the early 19th century, and it then became widely known as an African American spiritual.
6. Just As I Am
When poet Charlotte Elliott was at a dinner party in the early 19th century, an elderly man asked her if she was a Christian. She considered his question inappropriate, but later asked him what he meant. Charlotte eventually decided to follow Christ after talking with him, and wrote Just As I Am in 1835 soon after, remembering his words that she could come to Jesus “just as she was.”
This later became a popular song during Billy Graham’s crusades in the 20th century.
7. Holy, Holy, Holy
Reginald Heber’s widow found the words to his poem written in private (we’re not sure when), but it was years later, in 1861, when a publisher found it and asked John Dykes to compose the music. He wrote it in 30 minutes and first named it Nicea, in honor of the First Council of Nicea in 325, the first effort to attain consensus in the Church.
8. Before The Throne
Charitie Lees Smith was the daughter of an Irish pastor and his wife, and in 1863, at age 22, she wrote a poem called The Advocate to accompany one of his sermons. She continued to write other poems and eventually had them published in 1867 in a book titled Within The Veil.
Almost every line of her poem is taken directly from different parts of Scripture, making it rich with theology—useful for sermons. We’re unsure when its name was changed and music was written for accompaniment.
9. It Is Well
Abolitionist activist Horatio Spafford had a nice life in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and five children and always welcomed guests in their home. Then in 1870, his 4-year-old died of scarlet fever, and in 1871 the Great Chicago Fire destroyed most of his investments (which were in Chicago real estate).
In 1873, the family wanted to sail to Europe for much-needed time away from their tragedy and to help in a revival, but on the day of departure, Horatio had a last-minute business emergency. He sent the family on ahead and planned to follow on another ship in a few days. But their ship was struck by another ship and sank in 12 minutes—the remainder of his four children died and only his wife was saved and brought to England. He immediately set sail to be with his wife, and as his ship passed the place where his daughters drowned, he penned It Is Well, and music was composed to accompany it in 1876.
10. How Great Thou Art
Carl Bobert, a Swede, was walking home from church and listening to the church’s bells in 1885. A sudden, awe-inspiring storm gripped his attention, and then just as suddenly as it arrived, it subsided to a calm. After watching this display of nature, he went home and penned this poem. He published it in 1886, then it was matched to a Swedish folk tune in 1888, and then translated in to German in 1907, Russian in 1912, and finally English in 1925.
11. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas Chisolm spent most of his life sick, but in a rare bout of health, he went on a missions trip. While traveling, he corresponded with William Runyan, a good friend of his, and they often exchanged poems they had written. Runyan found this poem of Thomas’ so moving that he composed music to accompany it, publishing it in 1923. It wasn’t noticed until several years later by a Moody Bible Institute professor, who requested it be sung in their chapel services.
#HymnalFriday
Take my life, and let it be
Take my life and let it be
Author: Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)Published in 1027 hymnals
Printable scores: PDF, Sibelius
Audio files: MIDI
1
| Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. |
2
| Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee. |
3
| Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee. |
4
| Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose. |
5
| Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart; it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne. |
6
| Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee. |
Thursday, 30 March 2017
Jehovah Witness May Face Ban In Russia
Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian denomination founded in the U.S. in the late 19th century, may face ban in Russia following the decision made by the Russia’s supreme court, a designation members of the faith fear would lead to the shuttering of their more than 2,300 congregations in that country.
The possibility has galvanized many of the world’s 8 million Jehovah’s Witnesses, a minority denomination in every country in which they live, and one that is frequently harassed.
But their experience in Russia, where there are approximately 175,000 Witnesses, has been particularly hostile.
“An imminent ban is in the making,” said Jehovah’s Witness spokesman David A. Semonian. “There are other areas where we have faced challenges, but this is unique.”
The court is scheduled to take up the case on April 5.
It could be revealed that Jehovah’s Witnesses have already been banned in some areas of the country, where local officials consider their literature and criticism of the Russian Orthodox Church a form of incitement.
Throwback Thursday : Frank Edward share throw back pics
Nigerian Gospel singer Frank Edwards recently share a throw back picture of himself on a social media platform and someone thinks his head look like headies lol. See the picture below:
Overcoming Temptation
Everybody christian, no matter how old or young in God is tempted. God wants you to constantly overcome temptations.
In his bookThe Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren gives insight on how to overcome temptaions. Read it below:
OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
Understanding how temptation works is in itself helpful, but there are specific steps you need to take to overcome it.
Refuse to be intimidated.
Many Christians are frightened and demoralized by tempting thoughts, feeling guilty that they aren't "beyond" temptation. They feel ashamed just for being tempted. This is a misunderstanding of maturity. You will never outgrow temptation.
In one sense you can consider temptation a compliment. Satan does not have to tempt those who are already doing his evil will; they are already his. Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness. It is also a normal part of being human and living in a fallen world. Don't be surprised or shocked or discouraged by it.
Be realistic about the inevitability of temptation; you will never be able to avoid it completely. The Bible says, "When you're tempted, . . . " not if. Paul advises, "Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience."
It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted, yet he never sinned. Temptation only becomes a sin when you give in to it. Martin Luther said, "You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." You can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but you can choose not to dwell or act on them.For example, many people don't know the difference between physical attraction or sexual arousal, and lust. They are not the same. God made every one of us a sexual being, and that is good. Attraction and arousal are the natural, spontaneous, God-given responses to physical beauty, while lust is a deliberate act of the will. Lust is a choice to commit in your mind what you'd like to do with your body. You can be attracted or even aroused without choosing to sin by lusting. Many people, especially Christian men, feel guilty that their God-given hormones are working. When they automatically notice an attractive woman, they assume it is lust and feel ashamed and condemned. But attraction is not lust until you begin to dwell on it.
Actually, the closer you grow to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you. The moment you became God's child, Satan, like a mobster hit man, put out a "contract" on you. You are his enemy, and he's plotting your downfall.
Sometimes while you are praying, Satan will suggest a bizarre or evil thought just to distract you and shame you. Don't be alarmed or ashamed by this, but realize that Satan fears your prayers and will try anything to stop them. Instead of condemning yourself with "How could I think such a thought?" treat it as a distraction from Satan and immediately refocus on God.
Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness.
Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it.
There are certain situations that make you more vulnerable to temptation than others. Some circumstances will cause you to stumble almost immediately, while others don't bother you much. These situations are unique to your weaknesses, and you need to identify them because Satan surely knows them! He knows exactly what trips you up, and he is constantly working to get you into those circumstances. Peter warns, "Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping."
Ask yourself, "When am I most tempted? What day of the week? What time of day?" Ask,
"Where am I most tempted? At work? At home? At a neighbor's house? At a sports bar? In an airport or motel out of town?"Ask, "Who is with me when I'm most tempted? Friends? Coworkers? A crowd of strangers? When I'm alone?" Also ask, "How do I usually feel when I am most tempted?" It may be when you are tired or lonely or bored or depressed or under stress. It may be when you've been hurt or angry or worried, or after a big success or spiritual high.
You should identify your typical pattern of temptation and then prepare to avoid those situations as much as possible. The Bible tells us repeatedly to anticipate and be ready to face temptation." Paul said, "Don't give the Devil a chance." Wise planning reduces temptation. Follow the advice of Proverbs: "Plan carefully what you do.... Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way."' "God's people avoid evil ways, and they protect themselves by watching where they go."
Request God's help.
Heaven has a twenty-four-hour emergency hot line. God wants you to ask him for assistance in overcoming temptation. He says, "Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me." I call this a "microwave" prayer because it is quick and to the point: Help! SOS! Mayday! When temptation strikes, you don't have time for a long conversation with God; you simply cry out. David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and millions of others have prayed this kind of instant prayer for help in trouble.
The Bible guarantees that our cry for help will be heard because Jesus is sympathetic to our struggle. He faced the same temptations we do. He "understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin."
If God is waiting to help us defeat temptation, why don't we turn to him more often? Honestly, sometimes we don't want to be helped! We want to give in to temptation even though we know it's wrong. At that moment we think we know what's best for us more than God does.
At other times we're embarrassed to ask God for help because we keep giving in to the same temptation over and over. But God never gets irritated, bored, or impatient when we keep coming back to him. The Bible says, "Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it."
God's love is everlasting, and his patience endures forever. If you have to cry out for God's help two hundred times a day to defeat a particular temptation, he will still be eager to give mercy and grace, so come boldly. Ask him for the power to do the right thing and then expect him to provide it.
Temptations keep us dependent upon God. Just as the roots grow stronger when wind blows against a tree, so every time you stand up to a temptation you become more like Jesus. When you stumble-which you will-it is not fatal. Instead of giving in or giving up, look up to God, expect him to help you, and remember the reward that is waiting for you: 'When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After then have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever
Culled from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Integrity
Every Christian with a heart to please Christ faces a daily challenge to maintain and even grow in integrity—to be as good on the inside as we may seem to others on the outside. The measure of character, as has been wisely observed, is what we do and think when nobody is looking. While accountability relationships can be helpful, this is a challenge that must ultimately be faced individually.
In the same way, there are integrity challenges that every organization must face. These challenges have the same root as those that individuals face, centering on honestly being who you say you are and doing what you say you will do. Good organizations face them head on and address the issues publicly and with transparency, normally employing outside auditors to affirm their claims, at least with regard to financial issues.
Less quantifiable issues generally receive much less attention, but it is often these that are most telling for organizations that name the name of Christ.
Some of the most important of these issues might include:
- Making clear to all what the organization is in business to do.
- Providing a track record of how the organization has gone about achieving its purpose, and what the results have been.
- Being explicit about its faith commitments, especially concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible.
- Explaining how the organization navigates the most divisive issues of the day, whether they are within the Body of Christ or vis-Ã -vis the society generally.
- Being clear about the kind of people the organization wants to join with them, and what discriminatory disqualifiers the organization will not tolerate.
While it would be possible to suggest some organizations that may not have fared so well with some of these issues, doing so would neither be fair, nor particularly helpful. More important is to ask how an organization that is truly Christian should go about addressing these issues, and how they can respond well to these challenges that we all face.
The tension that exists between presenting one’s organization well, and being completely open about one’s struggles is ever with all of us. The most important ingredient for all five of these issues, and many others as well, is to communicate truth consistently. This includes what is said and what is not said. It includes what is said in small conclaves, and what is written to the widest possible public audience.
Whether the organization spokesperson or leader is speaking to an individual, through a podcast, or through an advertisement in a periodical, what is said must ring with truth (“the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”), not just catchy slogans.
Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? But it usually isn’t. For instance, it is almost impossible to provide an accurate report on how the organization has gone about achieving its purpose, and what the results have been, if there is no structure and methodology established for doing so. If little effort has been made to capture and report that information throughout the orbit of the organization, chances of it happening are very slim.
There is also the problem of doublespeak, or even triplespeak, in which there are different descriptions for the same phenomenon, depending on who the audience is. Describing an event in a format that local participants will see or read should not be different in substance from what financial supporters thousands of miles away will see or read. Integrity demands the same truth for all, even if the specific goals may be different. Emotive appeals that would embarrass participants, for example, cannot be justified because of their potential impact on donors.
Another challenge to integrity is the temptation to leave the viewer or reader with an impression that is not true, but doing so without saying it explicitly. A common example here is focusing exclusively on your own organization’s role in some ministry success without ever mentioning that the results came about through the combined effort of several organizations or groups. This ought not be.
Where circumstances arise in which there is significant debate within the evangelical missions and/or church community, it is important for agencies to honestly and publicly acknowledge where they stand, or how they function, in regard to that issue. This is very different from saying you have to take sides, but it does mean you have to at least say how you deal as an organization with that issue. If your policy is simply to leave the issue up to the individual missionary or the missions team in a particular geographic area, then that should be forthrightly said. Whatever the policy or practice, if potential or current donors, candidates, partners, or other stakeholders know it, they can then knowledgeably make up their own minds how they might want to respond.
Perhaps a good way to summarize the matter is simply to appeal to the golden rule: whatever you wish organizations in which you invest would do to inform you, do that for others who invest in you. Maybe it really is quite simple.
Source: Gary Corwin
Top Gospel Artiste for Listed for Minstrels Launch
Nigeria's top gospel artiste like Nathaniel Bassey, Frank Edwards, Sammie Okposo, Wale Adenuga, Aity Dennis Inyang, Glowreeyah Braimah, Olumide Iyun, Ada Jesus, Nosa Omoregie, Obiora Obiwon, Eben, Joe Praize, Onos Ariyo, were dignitaries at the launch of a musical app in Lagos.
The musical app called "The Minstrels" is an app introduced by mobile banking and payments services provider, e-transaact Internatiobal Plc in conjuction with Life Tree Resources Inc and top Nigerian gospel ministers.
The app is already on the Google Play Store and Apple store and was designed to make access to the biggest gospel minstrels available to all users as easy as possible.
The Minstrels music App will bring music, video streaming and downloads of gospel’s biggest stars, straight into the hands of mobile phone users.
The app is using technology innovation to cause a proliferation of gospel music in Nigeria, Africa and the World by giving more power and control of their work to the gospel minstrels.
The Minstrels music app is currently free to download. Key features of the App available pre official launch are:
- Supported by the crème of gospel musicians in Nigeria.
- Download and stream gospel music from the app
- Exclusive releases from the Minstrels on the app
- Stream live music performances and get direct access to the Minstrels with special themed events and meetups.
- Fastest way to find and buy Gospel music in Nigeria directly from a Bank account powered by eTranzact’s Bank IT.
- Browse through thousands of tracks
- Share tracks and music videos with friends via email, Facebook and Twitter.
- Listen to play listed Minstrels tracks offline and on the go
Source: theminstrelsportal.com
86 year Old Man Gives $400,000 Life Time Savings To Charity
An 86 year old man has made a difference in his local Georgia community by giving up $400,000 he made from recycling to charity.
Jennings first began collecting newspapers and paper goods in the mid-1980’s when his son was young and he wanted to teach him the importance of having healthy financial habits in his life. So the two-some would go out at least once a week and collect and sell papers. And the profit that they earned together from their efforts would go into a special savings account for his only son Brent.
After years of collecting and saving, Brent, the son of Johnny Jennings stated that he had enough for a down payment for his first home when he was ready to purchase one.
The wonderful life lesson left a lasting impression on Brent and also encouraged his father to continue recycling whenever he could. So for the past 32 years, long after his son has been out of his home, the 86-year-old has continued to do so and donate every penny to a charity dear to his heart, the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries.
As a teen, Jennings first went to the home. Saying that, “When I was 18-years-old, I visited the children’s home and we had a meal with the people there.” But, “As we got up to leave, three little boys grabbed me around the knee and asked me to be their daddy.” A heartbreaking request that he couldn’t fulfill at such a young age, but “From that point on, I did all I could.” Like providing them with food, clothes and “whatever they could use.”
And after all these years and nine million dollars worth of recyclable product he’s been able to contribute about $400,000.
The President of Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, Kenneth Thompson said, “Johnny Jennings is one of the most gracious individuals I have ever met. I have always admired his quiet, humble spirit, his commitment to helping others and most of all, his love for the children in our care.”
Adding in “We are so blessed to have someone of his character dedicated to serving our ministry.”
Source: Ecclezia.com
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Motivation Tuesday: God's Not Giving Up On You
The Fern and the Bamboo
One day I decided to
quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...I wanted to quit my
life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. “God”, I said. “Can
you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised
me. “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?” “Yes”, I replied.
“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I
gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green
covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit
on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing
came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In year three there
was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not
quit. The same in year four. Then in the fifth
year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the
fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months
later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the
five years growing roots. Those roots made it
strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any
of my creations a challenge it could not handle.“Did you know, my
child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been
growing roots?
I would not quit on
the bamboo. I will never quit on you. “Don’t compare
yourself to others.” He said. “The bamboo had a different purpose than the
fern. Yet they both make
the forest beautiful. Your time will come”, God said to me. “You will rise
high.” “How high should I rise?” I asked. “How high will the
bamboo rise?” He asked in return. “As high as it can?”
I questioned. “Yes.” He said, “Give me
glory by rising as high as you can.”I left the forest,
realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never
give up on you.
Never regret a day
in your life. Good days give you
happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life. Serenity isn’t
freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm.
Largest Church in Africa is Deeper Life Bible Church- Researcher
Deeper Christian Life Ministry has topped the list of Africa’s largest churches with actual attendance list of 75, 000 worshipers in a gathering and 30, 000 largest weekly seating.
This list, compiled by Warren Bird Ph.D who has been researching global megachurches since 1991, also contributing to a North American megachurch list since 2006, and posting the global megachuches online since 2010.
The list is not based on membership but on actual worship attendance — adults and children, all services, all physical campuses on an average weekend for the year. It is limited to Protestant congregations. Multisite churches are counted as part of one congregation if they are all under the same leader and governance, adhere to the same doctrine, identify together under a similar name or association, and share finances at some level.
Following Deeper Life is Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) and The Apostolic Church (LAWNA) with actual attendance of 50, 000 worshipers in a service. while Winners Chapel records equal figure for its largest weekly service attendance, LAWNA’s largest attendance during a weekly service skyrocketed to 100, 000.
Also on the list is The Redeemed Christian Church of God with 40, 000 largest attendance, Word of Life Bible Church, Christ Embassy (Believer’s Love World Fellowship) and Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Church with 30, 000, Household of God, House on the Rock, First Baptist Church, Church of God Mission International, Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI), amongst others.
Some other Africa churches that made the list include Jesus Celebration Center, Mombasa, Kenya, Rhema Bible Church, Johannesburg, South Africa, Christian Life Church, Kampala, Uganda, Christian Revival Centre, Bloemfontein, South Africa , amongst others.
source: selah afrik
Stop the killings- Archbishop Okoh
The Primate of Church of Nigeria,
Anglican Communion Archbishop Nicolas Okoh, has asked President Buhari to put
an end to the killing of Nigerians across the country.
Speaking at Atani, Ogbaru local
Government Area of Anambra State during the dedication of Basilica of St. James
the Great Cathedral by the Ogbaru Diocese, Archbishop Okoh decried what he
called the senseless killings of Nigerians by arms-bearing Fulani herdsmen. He said
it was the responsibility of the Federal Government to protect the lives and
property of Nigerians in the any part of the country.
Her also said that it was not
only in Southern kaduna that people where being massacred, stressing that “everywhere
in the country, Nigerinas are being killed every now and then”.
He urged the Federal Government
on the provision of adequate security for Nigerians in every part of the
country.
He further enjoined Nigerians to
continue to pray for the full recovery of President Buhari to enable him to
offer Nigeria the desired leadership for which he was elected.
The Primate also called for economic
measures to cushion the effects of the economic downturn in the country.
Monday, 27 March 2017
The Difference Between Love and Infatuation
Relationships take work and aren’t always what they seem on the outside looking in. Don’t get me wrong, relationships are wonderful. Full of growth and mystery, full of love, thrill and excitement. Relationships can lead to something really rewarding, but they can also lead to one of the most heartbreaking experiences you’ve ever endured, depending on how invested you were. They say that falling in love is easy, and anyone can do it. That’s why it is called falling in love—you don’t have to do anything.
Staying in love takes work. Staying in love can only happen when two people invest their whole heart into the relationship. Fighting for your relationship means learning to be patient, living selflessly, not taking things personally and keeping your love on no matter which crazy obstacles get thrown your way. It means forgiving, embracing and understanding. Relationships are not for the weak, and they were never meant to be something to get into if you’re just bored or looking for fun.
REAL LOVE VS. INFATUATION
Love is exciting, and people want to feel loved—they want to feel needed and accepted. Wanting to be in love comes naturally for everyone, but it doesn’t mean that everyone is necessarily ready for it. There are obstacles to endure and challenges to be faced. Real love means pushing through, despite your feelings. It means choosing to love someone even when you don’t necessarily “like” them that day.
Infatuation is the complete opposite though. It means basing everything off the way you are feeling and getting caught up in the emotion without totally thinking your way through. Infatuation is an intense but short-lived passion or admiration toward your significant other that may not make its way through the hard times.
Before getting into a relationship, you need to be in a place where you are perfectly OK with being alone. You need to learn to be content and independent. You need to find confidence in yourself—not cockiness. You need to discover who you are as a person and learn to chase after your passions and dreams without someone by your side.
INSECURITY VS. IDENTITY
Being in a relationship takes you to a whole new level, and if you aren’t secure in yourself and who you are as a person, you can lose yourself in the mix of the relationship. An unhealthy relationship depends on their significant other for happiness. A healthy relationship comes from knowing your identity in Christ, putting work toward the relationship to keep it solid, showing progress and having two strong people who know what they want, choosing to chase after it together.
A strong relationship means vulnerability and perseverance; accepting the other person for who they are and not trying to change who they were created to be. It means truly accepting the relationship for where it is and knowing that growth will come from perseverance. A relationship should challenge, sharpen and grow you into a better person. It should be stretching, but all done in love. It should not tear you down or lower your self-esteem. You should feel fully confident in stating your own opinions, but also respect and hear the other person out.
RELATIONSHIPS VS. SINGLENESS
Many people have this idea that relationships come easy, that being single is some sort of disease and that the cool thing to do these days is to find your “person.” I believe that a relationship will come naturally to you when you are ready for it—for a completely new change and growth. Relationships are rewarding, especially when you get through obstacles together as a couple. It’s the greatest experience to go through, but if it is not the right timing for you, it is not worth it. You need to be ready to lay down a selfish life of your own for someone else. You need to be ready to take on the challenges and insecurities that come your way. You also need to be ready to learn the flaws about yourself that will most likely change.
Singleness gives you the opportunity to grow in a different way. It means giving your whole self to the Lord, and pursuing the things on your heart without anyone holding you back. It is a different season that allows you to have more freedom in every area of your life in which you are able to explore and go after wholeheartedly.
Right now, learn to be content with wherever you are at in the present moment, single or dating. You are in this spot for a reason, and with that, you are going to grow no matter what. So, give it your all. And if it doesn’t work out, grow from it. For some, it may just look differently. But my advice to you is to enjoy the process. There is a reason for where you are at in your walk currently, and let me tell you—it is a beautiful journey.
