Money cometh, money runneth

How can I get more money?
Oh how I wonder,

Where does all my money go?
Oh how I wonder.

One minute my bank account is overflowing and threatening to burst,

The next minute, it's sending out SOS signals for aid.



The Jones next door are making me sweat,

Trying to keep up with them is no easy task,

They've got a new ride, with alloys shining and the horse power of a thousand horses,

"Isn't it wicked? Isn't it sick?" The boys on the street shout as it goes past.


End of season SALE, red stickers are like magnets,

As the search for a bargain, gets the better of me.

I try to hold on to my Benjamins, but like a slippery eel they make their getaway.

Someone once said, the best way to have money,

Is to give some to God and spend a little,

Give some to others and save a chunk.






Then Apple will come along with their new iPot ... yes that's right, iPot.

The sleek pot that lets you cook, take pictures and listen to music all in one handy appliance.

I ask myself...do I really need it?

But then again every one's got one, so before long I join the crowd.

No wonder then, the holes in my pocket increase.



Someone once said, the best way to have money,

Is to give some to God and spend a little,

Give some to others and save a chunk.

 

Then there's the gambling gurus that want to put their hand in my pocket,

"Place your bets," the man shouts,

Machines glistening with coins, poker tables and  betting on who will win Big Brother,





Even the State Lottery keeps calling me,

Surely one day my luck will come and my number will be called.

I wonder.



Someone once said, the best way to have money,

Is to give some to God and spend a little,

Give some to others and save a chunk.


Money is NOT the root of all evil BUT the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.

Stealing candy from a baby...

Jasper loved stealing.

An apple here, an orange there. Then later a Nokia phone here, an ipod there.

When Jasper was younger his mum had always warned him about his new found habit.
His grandma had also taught him the commandment "Thou shalt not steal."
But Jasper had never paid any attention to them as a child and now as a grown man, he was set in his ways.

There was no changing his mind about stealing.
After all it had taken many years and hard "work" to perfect his art. He was no ordinary thief.
He was the Thief Extraordinaire...

Until one day when he decided to help himself to the offering basket at the Blessed Believers Church.

                                                         ****
Zam Zam couldn't take it anymore. It wasn't easy being a wasp when you couldn't sting.
Even her own mother was beginning to lose faith in her. Her friends were beginning to talk about her. After all who would want to hang out with a wasp that was useless at stinging? Wasn't it their job to defend the colony?
Zam Zam knew what she was called to do. She was one of the Hundred Defending Wasps but she didn't want to inflict pain on anyone...
She was just too kind...

But one day the taunting became too much for her.
She was minding her own business when she overheard two of her friends talking as they ate some fruit and nectar on a tree branch.

"Here comes the wasp with an attitude.." the slim wasp said to the chubby one.
She pretended not to hear them.
"Miss Think She's Too Good To Do Her Job. I'll bet she won't ever find a mate. I mean who would want a woman who isn't all woman... What's a lady wasp without her sting?" the chubby one said with a sneer.
They laughed.
Zam fought back the tears. It was all too much to bear. Rejection by her family and friends. Why didn't they understand how she felt?
She flew past them in a huff knocking over the leaf filled with the nectar which the two were enjoying.
"Hey watch it!" the chubby one called, mouth full, waving its leg.
Zam didn't care. She just wanted to get as far away from the colony as possible. She flew off, not sure where she was going.

                                                              ****

Jasper clad in his only grey suit sat in the back row, so as not to arouse any suspicions. 
Half an hour after the service started, it was time for the offering.

"Give and it will come back to you," the choir members sang heartily.
"Fools," Jasper thought to himself, "Today you're giving to me and it certainly ain't coming back to y'all."

As the basket was being passed round, Jasper smiled and pretended to sing along, clapping his hands out of rhythm.

Then the basket got to him. He pretended to put something and then dropped the basket on the floor.
"So sorry" he called to the usher at the end of the aisle, "I'll pick it all up for you."

Faster than lightning, Jasper stuffed several £20 notes and several offering envelopes into his pocket. As he was about to get up from the floor where he was pretending to rummage for lost coins and notes, he saw another twenty wedged deep in the basket. He grinned. He had to have that one as well.

He shoved his hand right to the bottom where he could see the twenty pound note sticking out...
It was then that he felt it.
It was the sharpest pain he had ever experienced in his life.

"Ouch!" he shouted and everyone turned and stared.

Unbeknown to everyone deep within the offering basket sat Zam Zam, who had been relaxing after her long flight from home. She had seen Jasper's hand come towards her and fearing for her own life she had stung the young man using her ovipositor to release the venom.

"Owww help me, someone help me," Jasper cried as he pranced about scratching himself furiously. His face began to swell and go beetroot red.
"Oh my gosh, what's happening to him?"
"Something stung me and I think I'm having going into anaphylaptic shock. Help me, please!"
"Calm down sir, we've called an ambulance," a young usher told him.

As he jumped around all the offering envelopes and money began to fall out of his pockets.
"What's going on here?" "I don't believe this!"some of the church congregants exclaimed.

Everyone looked in amazement and as the reality of what had taken place began to dawn on everyone, the looks on their faces began to change. This man had tried to take from them. He deserved some form of punishment.

But they didn't have to worry about punishing him, because the Lord who works in mysterious ways had already done it on their behalf.


                                                           

The power of the gloss

I glossed my lips with my favourite shade,

Next came the powder and eye shadow in pastels,

Jewellery, Sensible heels and Clucth bag to complete the look,

I smell like an "Angel" thanks to Thiery Mugler.

One glance in the mirror told me, I was ready to go

Transformed and zangy, a Fashionista I became.


Out the door towards the car,

Spring in my step, a little swagger,

I press my lips together for the lipgloss to set

Little do I anticipate what will happen next.



The poor tiny insect didn't see it coming either

As he landed on my lips and got stuck in the gloss

Not sure if he drowned or got knocked in the crash,

I wipe off the small lifeless creature

Sad that I had played a part in it's demise.


Poor thing must've been thinking

Why, oh woman did you have to gloss so much?

You trapped me on your lips

And now my dinner I will miss.

I will make time...

I stumble out of bed,

More tired than I was the night before,

Work starts in less than an hour,

Out of the corner of my eye I spy my Word for Today

No time for Quiet Time

Will have to pray in the shower.




Boiler playing up, so its a cold shower marathon today.

Two minutes and I'm out, prayer will have to wait.

Weetabix and toast gulped down as I try to read my bible,

I lay it aside, can't concentrate at all.



Dashing out, I miss the bus, trot to the station heels in my hand,

My iPhone is ringing, the Blackberry is vibrating as peeps are hitting me.

Facebook is open and someone is poking me, another tagging me.

Everyone wants a piece of me

I have nothing to give.

I'm empty... I need refreshing...yesterday was just as bad

I need to make time,

Yes tomorrow.

I will make time

Tomorrow.


Three hours and two projects later, leave the office

Lunch with the girls, salads and chicken to fill our hard worked bellies,

Doesn't do much for me, should've brought my pounded yam from home.

Back in the office, memos meetings and deadlines

Where did all the time go?

I want some time to myself

Is it ever gonna happen today?

Doesn't look like it...

But tomorrow I will make time.


Soaps, Reality shows and Facebook keep me company as I have my supper

More phone calls and chats online.

As I get into bed, I want to pray

But my eyelids have a different mission

To the Land of The Nod I go,

Empty...

A void within needs refreshing...



I need to make time,

Yes tomorrow.


I will make time


Tomorrow.

A love like no other...

I love my family to bits. And there's nothing I wouldn't do for them and I know without a doubt they feel the same way about me too. I would do anything in my power to make sure they never lack or get distressed in any way. I would defend and support them in their times of weakness and try to make sure that no one ever did them wrong.

The other day God made me realise that He loves me even more than I love my family. And since He loves me more, wouldn't He be more concerned about my welfare than I could ever be concerned about those I love.
I realised in that instant that I should trust Him more than I do. After all He loves me more than I love my own family and if I am willing to do anything for any member of my family.
What more would God be willing to do for me?

Yes, it is sometimes hard to trust God when things are not going the way we want them to...we ask well does he really care? If He did would he let my loved one die? Would He not give me the job I want and so forth?
I don't have all the answers and it's certainly not easy to trust during such times but I've learnt that through the good or bad, He is the best person to cling to all the time. I share my anger and frustration with Him and tell Him honestly how I feel about everything and you know what, He totally understands my pain and my fear. During such times He gives me the grace to get through the situation and when I look back now I don't know how I got through some of those times... but I'm glad I stuck with Him.

I've always been very protective of my younger siblings. I remember when we were in Junior School, if anyone messed about with my brother or sister they had to answer to me. And because I was a Prefect in the school, it made me a force to be reckoned with. And so people knew not to mess with those dearest to me.

God feels the same way about us but take that feeling and multiply it by a zillion, that's just the beginning of measuring how much God cares about our lives.  He calls us the apple us His eye, His treasured possession...wow that's so amazing, that  a God so big and magnificent could take the time to care about each and everyone of us in a unique and individual way.

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus...

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus: Why, oh why would anyone make such a comparison? Me wonders.

Where they in any way likening  the female and male genders to the green big headed creatures that we see in every Hollywood adaptation of Alien movies? I hope not, with a head that big it would be hard to get a weave that would fit well. And us ladies know that wouldn't work now would it?

I've always wondered about this as I was growing up and as the years went by in my interactions with my many male and female friends the truth of this statement began to emerge. Men and women ....are so so different.... and I'm not just talking about physical looks here..

Women love to yap yap, men don't.
I think every woman I know can talk for all England, including yours truly... (I'm certainly gifted in this area...and I don't need batteries to get me started...)
Men on the other hand love to give a summary of everything, a one liner will do the trick and then they shut up. (Well someone has to or else the women wouldn't be able to get their talk on...)
Here's a conversation I had with a male friend, "How was that wedding you went to?"
"It was alright."

When I've asked a female friend the same question, she said, "It was really good. Their colour theme was gold and cream. The bridesmaids had gold dresses and shoes. They had lovely flowers and balloons everywhere and the most beautiful glass centrepieces. As for the bride's dress, it was really lovely. It was a strapless ivory Alfred Angelo dress with diamante detail at the top and back...blah blah blah " I'm sure you get the picture!

Women also love to shop. Men generally don't. (They may be exceptions of course) Yes, girls you know we love us some retail therapy... for clothes, shoes, handbags, food, house stuff...u name it, we'll buy it. Especially if we see that big magic word SALE. All logic flows out of the window...
A woman can easily spend hundreds of pounds on shoes and clothes after a full day's shopping. Men generally shop for an hour or less and then they get bored. Even when they are shopping for technical gadgets  men will tend to take shorter periods of time as compared to women.

Women are generally safe drivers but they can't park to save their lives. (Oops did I just say that...?) Its true though, so may times I've gotten so impatient with women taking ages to park whilst I'm waiting to leave a car park. So annoying sometimes.
(I have to add parking is one of my greatest talents so if you need lessons you know who to speak to.)

Men love to channel surf and dominate the TV remote
There's a saying I invented, never come between a man and his remote. Men love to have full control of the remote (most anyway) and then when the adverts come, they love to do this thing of flipping from one channel to the other to see what else is on. Grrrr...
Women normally find a channel and they stick with it until whatever they are watching finishes.

Men love sports, sci fi and the tech gadgets shows. Women love soaps and chick stuff...you know the romantic, soapy , mushy stuff that gets us all emotional and then the tears start rolling...


Getting out of the house 
When men say they are ready, it means they are ready but when women say they are ready it means they're almost done as soon as they find their handbag, the right earrings and finish fixing their hair.
So in actual fact when a woman says give me 5 mins she probably means 25 mins.


Men say they don't get us and I guess we tend to think they don't just get it. Who knows someday we may reach a place where men may have a special enlightenment about the complexities that make up their feminine counterparts.

I guess the thing that makes life so interesting is the fact that we're all different. Imagine how boring it would be if we all talked the same, liked the same things and everything was predictable and constant.
Life would be a complete yawn. Thank God for our unique female nature...and certainly thank God for our macho men...what a weird and deprived place this world would be without them.

The "Tiger" within...

You see her in the office, hair in a weave, heels like a pencil

prancing about,

her Prada fragrance following her everywhere she goes.

She is an enigma to all who behold her

Her aura, filled to the core with allurement

She smiles at you on her way to the copy machine,

You smile back.


Your phone beeps, its the wife texting again,

The bolier is leaking and a reminder to pick up the dry cleaning.

You scratch your head, the money is nowhere in sight

Your life so full of worries, demands and insecurities.

Oh... if only you could get away

From all the stresses and hassles that threaten to engulf you.


You turn your gaze to her again.

She is such a beauty

Now why doesn't the wife look like that?

She drops her file as she approaches your desk

Then stoops to pick it, her loose top revealing all to see,

You jump, ready to help, but not before you catch sight of her twin towers.

You hand her the file, she smiles and whispers her thanks.

You pretend not to notice how her fingers linger over yours,

The so called innocent brush radiating heat up your arm,

Heating up your blood to a temperature higher than the boiling point of mercury


 Run my good man run.

Her claws long to clutch you, and entangle you like a spider's web

Once you're in her embrace there will be no escape.

So I say to you again,

Run my good man run...

Or stay and face death in the eye

And should you choose to stay

Know there will be no recourse to life's kindness...

No...

Decadence will become you.

The Boy is Mine

Susie watched him as he got out of the car, biceps like Van Damme, face like Denzel, a heart after God like King David.
What more could a Christian girl want?

"You're so lucky to have landed such a fine boy," Maggie said as Tim walked over towards the three girls who were standing near the church entrance.
"The Boaz prototype..." Anne added.
"You two are funny but I am blessed aren't I?" Susie replied eyeing her boy wonder. He was such a sight for sore eyes.

 Susie and Tim had been together for three months and they had tried to keep the relationship under wraps for a while, between them and their close friends but word gets out in church like this. Its as if there was a 24 hour news broadcast keeping everyone informed of the latest news.
Tim had been the most sought after guy in church before he and Sue got together.
Now that he was off the market, a number of females' hopes had been dashed.
"Hey babe, you look great!" he said as he gave her a gentle hug.
"Thanks, I'm on duty so I'll see you after service babe. Maggie hun, we'll catch up later ok."
"Ok," she said turning her attention to Tim, "Did you watch the match?" Maggie asked him as Susie walked off.
Susie rushed off and left them discussing Alex Ferguson's expertise or lack thereof.
 
                                                              ****

"Anne, I just don't know what to do," Susie whispered in between tears.
"I'm sorry babe, just pray and give it to God," Anne replied.
"That's what everyone keeps saying but it's not that easy though is it?"
"I know hun, just give it time."
Susie grabs the Kleenex and blows furiously.
"He says he just doesn't feel that its God's will. This is the same guy that told me that God told him I was his future wife a few months ago. As if God would change his mind; such a jerk!"
It had been two weeks since their break up. Susie thought maybe he would reconsider but it didn't look that way. It hurt so bad, she still loved him.
And then there were all the plans she'd started making. She'd even pictured the dress.
She would get over it somehow.Yes she would, for now some Alicia Keys. Sleeping with a Broken Heart.

                                                                ****

They were in a church service singing "Trading my sorrows," when Susie first noticed them.
Tim and Maggie.
They were sitting three rows ahead of her. She hadn't spoken to Tim for a few months now, other than a hi here and a hello there. She felt a little stab in her heart, that Maggie and Tim could still laugh and talk, yet her friendship with Tim had been destroyed along with the relationship.
Susie tried to ignore them and went back to trading her sorrows.

                                                               ****

Susie could not believe it. She had seen them sitting very cosily at the Singles picnic. She had blinked and rubbed her eyes. But when she opened them again, they were still there, they were now holding hands.
She winced. It was as if someone had punched her hard in the stomach and knocked all the wind out of her.
"Hey Susie, are you ok?" Anne asked noticing her gaze.
"Not really. Are they...?" she couldn't even say it.
Anne nodded confirming Sue's unspoken question.
"I take it she didn't tell you. I'm so sorry, I thought you knew. I would never have suggested that we come here."
"How long have they been seeing each other?"
"Two or so months. They got together about three months after you guys broke up."
"I can't believe it. She's my friend. Isn't there an unwritten rule somewhere about dating your friend's ex. Seems like she couldn't wait to pounce on him."
"I'm sorry if it makes you feel uncomfortable. It must be difficult for you but if it makes you feel any better, I don't think she intentionally meant to hurt you."
"Yeah right. I think I'm gonna go."
"I'll come with you."
Susie told everyone she had a head ache or something to that effect and then she and Anne ambled off towards the car.


"Hi," a voice said.
Susie was busy doing her makeup in the church toilet when Maggie walked in.
"Hi," Susie replied. She was starting to come to terms with Tim and Maggie's relationship. It was hard but she was learning to let go of the resentment she'd felt towards both of them.
"Look, I never got the chance to speak to you. I wanted to call you but I wasn't sure what to say to you. I wanted to tell you but I knew how you felt about him so it just made everything awkward but you know, he liked me and I liked him and then ..."
"Its ok, you don't have to explain yourself. I'm fine."
"Really are you sure?"
"Yes, he's not God so yes, I can live without him. I'm over it, I hope it works out for you."
And with that Susie walked out of the bathroom leaving Maggie gaping like a fish.


"Did you hear the latest?"
"I don't wanna hear it. I'm done with Sky Church News."
"I know, I know but I'll bet you want to know that Tim and Maggie have broken up and guess what?"
"What?"
"He's now dating Maggie's cousin."
"No!"
"Yup...I kid you not. What goes around comes around babe!"

Let him go!

He says he's a Christian just like you but he never goes to church, swears more than Gordon Ramsey and thinks the "Twelve Disciples" are a rock band.

You say it's ok, he'll learn and change.

He promises to call but he doesn't, he shrugs it off and says he forgot.

You smile and say its ok.

He says he's going to come over, he doesn't and he gives you some feeble excuse.

You smile again and say ok.

His phone rings non stop when you're with him. Its always some girl or the other,

You ask, he says its his sister, his cousin and even his mother.

Ok, you say.

He slaps you occassionally, you take it, it has become the norm to you.

You think its because he loves you

...we correct those we love don't we...not in this case baby girl.

He always asks for money from you all the time and drives your car all over town, he can't keep a job,

You make excuses for him, he's still trying to find himself.

He's not interested in you other than for the physical reasons,

but you say it's ok, someday he'll fall in love with the real you.

He hurts you over and over again

But try as you might you can't leave.

You love him, or so you think.

You're afraid of being alone,

Unwanted, rejected, battered

Don't fool yourself girl, he ain't worth it.

Look in the mirror, you're fearfully and wonderfully made,

Don't settle for less,

Walk away... 

You're a Diamond, worth far beyond rubies, special and unique, a cut above the rest.   

Listen to me, sweet one,

Wait for the One,

Yes, the one who knows your worth,

The one who will treat you like the jewel you are

Shine on, sweet Diamond, shine on.

This one is for my sisters who are in dating relationships and deep down know that the men in their lives have gots to go!

Te Amo - Yeah right ... The joys of loving the unlovable

He took her hand and looked at her, dazzled by her twinkling soft brown eyes and radiant smile.


“I love you,” he said.


Her smile widened revealing a sparkling row of perfect teeth.


"I love you too," she replied.


Yes, no doubt about it, the brother was in love.


Oh... if only life was as sweet and simple as that. You know, me loving you and you loving me and all that jazz. Life would've been all dandy innit? We'd all join hands and sing Bob Marley's "One Love" whilst sipping some tea.


Sadly life ain't like that. Personally I've met a few people in life who I just couldn’t stand. Yeah yeah, don't judge me, at least I'm honest. And ... Yes I’m a Christian but these people just got on my nerves because of things they did or said or maybe what they didn't do or say. So after a while I decided they didn’t deserve an ounce of my time.
And God said, "Uh uh girl, you have to fix that." I didn’t want to be nice to them. I tell you nothing within me wanted to have anything to do with them. I wanted to talk about them and what they had done. And believe me they had done me wrong. In all fairness I was justified to feel the way I did.


But God said that's not how things work. If you only love those who are nice to you and lovable, then what credit should go to you? You’ve done what any person on the street can do. What a Christian needs to do is to go the extra mile and love those that are unlovable. The ones that smile at you when you know they’ve been talking about you behind your back. The ones that invite all your friends to their Christmas party and conveniently “forget” to invite you.


Loving friends and family is easy (for most people anyway) but loving your neighbour or enemy is hard coz they may be the kind of people you feel like strangling half of the time. I think we have all met someone who really tries all our patience, the kind of person that makes you want to go on a spiritual holiday and give them a slap.




People are sometimes hard to love especially when is situations like :


Talking about you behind your back,
Spreading lies about you,
Walking past and ignoring you as if they didn't see you,
People who use you, you know the kind that don't call you or ignore you until they need something from you and then they're all smiles or start calling you
Impossible and inconsiderate work colleagues and flatmates,
Saying one thing and doing another, people who break promises
Insincere smiles and pretenders


Is there someone who you keep doing something for but they just don’t seem to appreciate it or do anything in return for you. Every time you see them you feel like singing Janet Jackson’s “What have you done for me lately?” I am sure most of us have been there at some point in time.
The list is endless...I'm sure you have some of your own...

Where are all my married peeps at? Some of you might relate to something similar in your marriages ...Has your spouse ever annoyed you so much that you wanted to ignore them for the rest of eternity?  How could they do that to you?  You told yourself that you were not going to let them off so easily yet somehow you found yourself being nice to them again the next day...well I guess that’s love.

However bad people may be towards you, the bible says we should walk in love. And boy is that hard or is that hard.


What really is love anyway?

When the French say “Je Taime,” it is just as heartfelt as when the Tswanas' say “Ke a go rata.”

Love, love, love!
What really is this contagious phenomenon?


For centuries the word has been tossed about, sometimes almost carelessly without any real thought as to it's real meaning or significance. Is it the strong feeling you experience when you see your beloved? Or is it the fluttering feeling of butterflies in your stomach every time you think of them? Or the tingling sensation that radiates through your body when you hear their voice? It seems love means different things to different people at different times.
One dictionary defines it as “a profoundly tender and passionate affection for another person.”


Wow! That's deep.


The bible calls it the “affectionate concern for the well-being of others.”


I was asking God how do we walk in love...What are we supposed to be doing? 
These are some of the things I received...
 

1 It means doing things for others without expecting anything in return.

2 Being patient with people when they act in unbecoming ways, remember not everyone is as spiritually grown up as the next person.

3 Not taking things personally. When someone walks past you pretending they didn't see you and doesn't say hi, smile at them and say hi to them instead.

4 Forgiving those who do wrong to you. Yes, even that girl in church who swiped the guy you'd just told her you were interested in.
5 Pray for those who hurt you. Even Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive those who crucified Him for they knew not what they did.

As we go through life we will meet those that are made from "sugar and spice and all that's nice"...and then there will be those that are made from all the other stuff... you know snails and puppy dogs tails (I'm sure you know the nursery rhyme). When we meet those kind of people I pray that God will give us the grace to turn the other cheek and treat them with the uttermost love. As Obama said in '08 "Yes we can!"

    

Just messin about....

It's Friday, relax and unwind... and of cos have a laugh:

Man:     Doctor, Doctor I feel like an apple

Doctor:  Right  lets get to the core of this matter then.




Did I ever tell you the joke about the margarine?

I better not tell you, you might spread it around.



Man: Doctor Doctor everyone keeps ignoring me.

Doctor: Next patient.

I better stop now before you mouth runs dry from all these dryyyy jokes.... ke ke ke

Have a lovely weekend ya'll!

Keeping a zip on my gob

Have you ever noticed how we seem to derive ounces of pleasure from things that aren't so good for us...?

Take the example of eating several big slices of cheesecake, chocolate cake or any other cake for that matter... it melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more...and if you aren't disciplined enough...you could eat the entire lot without any help from anyone. Momentary pleasure with dire consequences. A few months down the line and you begin to look and feel like a blob of cake...

Over the years I've noticed that talking is one of my greatest gifts. (and also undoubtedly one of my greatest flaws) I can talk for all England and even Africa for that matter. Those of you that know me personally will be able to relate to that...ke ke ke...

Talking in itself is not all bad but the problem is when one does talk a lot there is the possibility that it could land you in a bowl of hot soup!
Hence the warning from the bible that we should be slow to speak.

A few days ago I was complaining to a good friend of mine about how one particular woman did this and that. In fact someone else had also complained about this woman doing the same thing so I felt I was justified because this woman was doing a lot of wrong (in my eyes at least).
Before I even finished my complaining, my dear friend said to me, "Would you tell this woman what she is doing wrong to her face?"
"No, I don't think so," I replied.

"Well maybe you shouldn't be talking about her then. What good is it to keep criticising her, if you're not willing to tell her?"
At that point I realised that God had used this friend to check me and my attitude. I thank God for friends like him because he loves me enough to tell me the truth. I felt so bad because I knew deep down I had no business to be talking negatively about somebody in that way. I asked God to help me stop acting in that way. On reflection, what I should have done instead is to keep my mouth shut about it and pray for God to help that woman to change.

I remembered how God had dealt with me about this issue before and for a while I had refrained from such behaviour but after a while I would slip back into complaining and criticising people or sharing juicy stories about other people's lives. And I know I'm not alone on this one...it's so easy to do it but oh how it breaks our Father's heart. I thank God that I can sense His conviction because at least I can recognise that I have done wrong and correct the situation.

The book of James says that we should watch our tongue and make sure that every thing that comes out of our mouth is a blessing to those that are listening.

Its so easy to talk about people, their weaknesses and imperfections....
How many times have you heard things like:
"Did you see what she was wearing?"
"Yeah, it was disgusting."
"Did you hear that so and so is pregnant?"
"No way!"

As with everything in life, we can never reach perfection; all we can do is to strive towards it, one day at a time. If we do this, with each day we will be a step closer to being worthy vessels for God. We will be better than we were the day before.
I pray that God will help me to do right by Him and may He do the same for you.

Don't worry be happy...!

You may feel that life has thrown some pretty tough stuff your way... how do you deal with it?
You would probably feel justified to sulk or pout because things are not going your way but please don't give in to that...it will only make you feel worse. A pity party? Don't even go there...you may find yourself being stood up and being the only guest...and what good is that?
 I don't know how you handle challenges, it certainly aint easy especially when it seems like you're the only one going through hard times and everyone else seems to be having a ball.

Bobby Mcferrin nailed it in the head with his old 80's hit, "DONT WORRY BE HAPPY!"
Worrying doesn't accomplish anything, it just makes you physically sick and stressed. Even the bible says "Do not be anxious about anything...make your requests known to God." Phil 4:6
Try the following and see the wonderful results that will follow:

1.Pray

2.Praise God

3.Love those around you and be a blessing to them.

4.Serve faithfully

Do all these things and maintain a joyful attitude and watch how God will supernaturally give you His grace to be able to go through the whole thing.
Remember "...weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning..." Ps 30:105b

Return of the Mac

I've been away from my writing desk for a while hence the lack of posts on my blog....so much has been happening.... Who knows I may let you in on some of the juicy details...hhmm we'll have to see...
Anyway summer is almost over though it feels like it started just the other day though. Its been one interesting summer what with the World Cup which vuvuzela-d its way into our hearts, a wedding or two to attend and I have read a few good books whilst eating Magnum ice cream...yummy...one of books was a Francine Rivers novel and this author comes highly recommended...trust me...
Anyway stay tuned...

The 271 Bus Stop

I was running late. I glanced at my watch again.
11:45am and not a bus in sight. I had a little over 45 minutes to get to Old Street where I had an interview with a leading private Telecoms Company.
"Where's this bus?" I muttered to myself.

An old woman coughed furiously as she walked past pulling her shopping trolley bag behind her. I looked at her sympathetically. Her frail pink skin was edged with lines of anxiety and weariness. She was muttering quietly to herself when she stepped on the edge of the pavement and almost lost her balance. I rushed over to her side and helped to steady her so that she wouldn't fall.
"Thank you my dear," she said softly as she regained her composure.
"You're welcome. Are you alright?"
"Yes, it's so hard at my age to walk around dear. I don't usually do it but my son's been trying to encourage me to do it often, you know to get exercise and all that. He reckons it's good for the joints and all; but I'm scared of something happening to me. What if I fell and broke my hip? What if some of those crazy kids attacked me and stole my handbag? I wish my son Trevor was around. I'm sorry dear to be troubling you with all my problems, its just that I don't feel safe."
"Where do you live?"
"Near the end of this road, by the roundabout."
That was about ten minutes away. I felt sorry for her but there was little I could do, I was already running late for my interview and if I escorted her home, it would just make everything worse for me. But I heard a voice saying "Escort her home." I knew that voice, I had learnt to recognise it over the years. "But Lord, I'll be late for my interview..."
The voice spoke gently again.

I didn't really want to escort her because it would make me late, but I had learnt a long time ago that I should always do as I felt prompted in my heart. So hand in hand the old lady and I walked down the road towards her home.
"My name is Mike," I said as we walked, "What's your name ma'am?"
"Mrs Myles or you can call me Sue."
"Mrs Myles it is."
We got to her house and she fumbled in her bag for the keys. Two minutes later I was helping her into her house.
She smiled back at me and said, "Thank you for your kindness. It's not everyday that people go out of their way for others. Are you on your way to work?" she asked as she gazed at my expensive suit which I had bought specifically for the interview.
"Actually I'm on my way to an interview, which starts in about an hour's time," I replied as I got ready to leave.
"You, young men of today work so hard. Even my Trevor is always busy slaving away in his city office. Anyway I wish you all the best in your interview."
"Thank you," I said as I rushed out of her house back to the 271 Bus stop.

An hour and a half later I marched into the offices of London Independent Telecoms. A young receptionist ushered me to a seat and as I sat there with my hands trembling, sweaty palms and my heart doing a marathon, I looked around at the contemporary office with huge plants that reminded me of the Amazon. Young slender women walked in and out of the reception on some all important task.
"Did you get the memo I sent?" one asked.
"Yes, I will start actioning it this afternoon."
I wondered whether the Managing Director who I was scheduled to meet would still want to interview me seeing as I was quite late.
Surprisingly he still agreed to meet me.

I was led into his impressive glass paneled office and he asked me to take a seat.
"I'm so sorry that I'm late sir but I had a bit of an emergency to deal with," I said wanting to make amends.
"Don't worry about it for now, these things happen," he said looking at me intently.
Then to my surprise the interview turned out to be a one to one interview. The rest of the interview panel was not able to make it for one reason or another.
He glanced at my CV again and remarked, "Your qualifications are very good but I'm sure you understand that we get thousands of applicants who are equally as good?"
I nodded not sure what to say.
"Now I'm sure you know already from the Interview Pack we sent you that the biggest characteristic we're after for this job is someone who can show that they have the uttermost commitment and loyalty to the firm. We need a person who can be selfless and deny them self for the good of the firm."
Again I nodded. This wasn't going too great. I felt like a silly child with all my nodding at different intervals.
"Do you think that you can demonstrate such loyalty, commitment and dedication to the point of denying yourself? You know we may ask you to put in extra long hours - evenings and weekends, a lot of travelling will be involved as well. It will be tough, can you give up some of your own personal interests to see the company achieve its goals?"

"Wait a minute, you escorted a lady home today on your way here? Tell me what happened..."
"I was waiting for the 271 bus to get here and this elderly lady almost fell..."
"Mike what was the name of the lady?"
"Mrs Myles," I said wondering why he was so interested.
"I don't believe this," he said scratching his head, "That woman that you helped out today was my mum. Just before you arrived she rang me and told me that a nice young man had taken the trouble to walk her home, Mike she said his name was. And now it turns out, you happen to be that nice young man. Thank you for helping my mum. She gets so distressed sometimes and it makes a whole of difference when people like you pause their lives to help people like her."
I was speechless.
"Well I think it goes without saying that you are a self less and kind person and we would be honoured to have you join our team here."
"I've got the job?" I asked unable to believe what was happening.
"Yes, congratulations." 
"Thank you," I said and half an hour later as I walked out of his office; I couldn't help but marvel at the way the Lord worked in mysterious ways. Sometimes I never understood what he was doing in my life but I resolved from then on to try harder to listen to His voice and do His will.

How To Stop a Lion From Eating You

Here is a puzzle for you
Imagine you are in Africa. You have been tied hanging on a tree with
a rope anchored on the ground, a candle is slowly burning the rope,
and the lion is waiting for you to drop and be his lunch. 

Your survival hinges on the rope staying intact, there is no one
around to help you.. What do you do now ..........? Think for a moment...


To find out the Solution please scroll below for the answer...











Solution

"Sing Happy Birthday To You" to the Lion

Have an amazing fun filled day!

Author Unknown

Smarty Pants ... or so you think?

A forty something year old man sits on a rush hour morning train from Brentwood to Liverpool Street talking to a fellow passenger.

"Look stop kidding yourself, there's no God," the man says to the young teen sitting next to him.

"I know and believe in my heart that there is a God. He's loving and kind and He's all powerful," the teen replied

"Kind? That's absurd! If He's kind why do we have wars and terrorists and all this bad stuff happening?"

"I'm not sure but I think its because we have removed God from every aspect of our lives. We have taken Him out of schools and other public establishments for fear of offending others but without Him we have no protection. Also we live in a fallen world where the enemy and sin prevail. I believe the enemy is responsible for all the chaos in the world. God is the perfect gentleman and He won't force His way into our lives."

"I don't know where you get all this religious tosh from but if I were you I'd stop myself from getting brain washed any further."

"I'm not brain washed, it's the truth. I hope some day you will experience the power of God in your life and know that He is real."

"Power of God, my foot!"the man says as he gets up from his seat to leave the train. No sooner had he taken two steps, his trouser, which isn't belted, suddenly comes down all the way down to his ankles. He frantically bends over to pull it back up and in the process loses his balance and falls over, landing face down with his backside in the air.

Everyone in the train carriage stares in amazement at his yellow poker dot underwear as he struggles to get up and get himself into a more dignified state, whilst mumbling all sorts of profanities.
His eyes meet the young teen's gaze and the young teen winks at him and says, "There is a God!"

"Only a fool says there is no God..." paraphrase of Psalms 14:1

I wrote this story after being inspired by the incident below in the paper. See below... lol

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3036365/Mayor-bans-prayers-then-his-trousers-fall-down.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1290869/Colin-Hall-Labour-mayors-trousers-fall-speaks-schoolchildren.html

Image courtesy of Metro UK

Just One Touch

Mark 5:25-34

Many years ago I read a book called The Midas Touch and it was about a king who had special powers and everything he touched turned to gold. Now you may be thinking wow, I sure wish I had that kind of power, I would touch as many thing as I could and get myself some gold. But I know another King who has special powers. But his touch doesn’t bring about gold. No, it brings something far better than gold. Just a touch from Jesus can take you from zero to hero.

The "woman with the issue of blood" in the scripture knew that just one encounter with Jesus could transform her situation. Her faith led to her breakthrough. In the same way, whatever you need in your life; one touch from Jesus can give you breakthrough.

Just one touch from Jesus can:

- bring you out of debt

- bring divine healing in your body

-deliver you from sin and addiction

Your marriage may be falling apart, your child may be running amok, your womb may be barren. It doesn’t matter what you’re facing. Only believe that Jesus can resolve any issue in your life. Though circumstances may seem to indicate otherwise, don't lose hope. Keep on believing.

^{Habakkuk 3:17-19 says}

¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud
       and there are no grapes on the vines,
       though the olive crop fails
       and the fields produce no food,
       though there are no sheep in the pen
       and no cattle in the stalls,  ¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
       I will be joyful in God my Savior.
 ¹⁹ The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
       he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
       he enables me to go on the heights. 

Let us not consider the dismal surroundings but rejoice in God, who strenghtens and enables us to climb to the challenging high places referred to in scripture as the "heights." We may get weary but let us hold on to Him who is faithful, He who will remain true forever and ever.

Reflection

Is there an area of life where you need breakthrough? You may have tried everything else in vain. Today I urge you to draw nearer to Jesus in faith, touch Him and experience total restoration. He is waiting for you...

Prayer

Lord I come to you with this situation.........deliver me, in Jesus name, Amen.