What has Blogville Naija done?

If I never said thank you to my Readers and Naija Bloggers, today I am saying thank you. This is not a parting message, fear not. This is a renewed commitment to blogging, by the Grace of God.


I was introduced to blogging by a Naija blogger. From here, my story begins:

In this blogville, I have made great friends
In this blogville, I have been inspired
In this blogville, I have been encouraged
In this blogville, I have been consoled
In this blogville, I have rolled on the floor laughing, even when circumstances around did not call for happiness
In this blogville, I have known talent
In this blogville, I have learnt new words
In this blogville, I have read words of wisdom
In this blogville, I have learned to improve my relationships
In this blogville, I have realized I am not alone in my pain and fears
In this blogville, I have learnt to be optimistic about life
In this blogville, I have had a virtual loving family
In this blogville, I have learnt that the time to show love is now
In this blogville, I have known more about God.

Many of you do not know how positively your posts and comments have impacted my life. Words are not enough to describe it.

I do not know what blogville has done for you but it has done so much for me.

If you think blogville has done anything for you, now is an opportunity to appreciate those bloggers who have made your day, those bloggers who have inspired you, those bloggers who contributed to your knowledge…the list is endless.

Simply click HERE to start the process of nominating the bloggers of your choice.

Are you eligible to nominate? Yes you are as long as you are
1. A Blogger
2. A Reader
3. Family
4. A Friend
5. Anonymous
6. A Fan

The preacher said, after his long talk on A Time For Everything, “What do people really get for all their hard work?” [Ecclesiastics 3:9].

May we not respond to the above question with “Nothing”. Let us appreciate our bloggers. Let them get our support, love and nominations for all their hard work.

Have a blessed week ahead.

POST WILL NO LONGER BE REMOVED 24 HRS FROM WHEN IT WAS POSTED :-) Thanks to Blogville...

Dare to Dream

Tonight I dream
Tonight I dig
And go through things
Buried under disappointment
Shut behind doors of hopelessness;

Tonight I resurrect
Dreams lost because none could understand them
Hopes abandoned because of lack of self-belief
Faith grinded because they said it could not be;

Tonight
I dare to dream
Those dreams left behind years ago
I dare to dream, once again.

The Inspiration
As he listened to the testimonies in church, he clapped the loudest and nodded the most frequently. Yet he said, “God, I am happy for what you are doing in the lives of these people. I wish my case was like theirs. Mine is a hopeless situation. It has deteriorated beyond your power. I cannot even hope for a miracle…”

Sarah laughed within herself when she was told she would have a child. It was not a laugh of excitement or joy. It was a mocking laugh. She probably said, “My case is a hopeless situation. I cannot imagine it. God, let’s not go there. Talk about something else more realistic. For me, it is finished.”

God simply responded, “Is there anything to hard for the Lord?” [1]

You think your situation is hopeless. You think it is finished. Age and time only makes matters worse. You have dreamt too often but it ended up shattered and not realized. You are at the point where you are tired of hoping and dreaming.

You may have made several attempts. Yet you met disappointments. Maybe doors shut at your face. Each one leaving cracks in your heart.

It is time to dream and hope again. It is time to ignite your faith. Because there is nothing too hard for God. He says that we shall dream dreams [2]. And if He puts a dream in our heart, there must be something to make it come to pass.

And it shall come to pass that the LORD shall give you rest from your sorrow and from your fear and from the bondage you have been serving [3]. He will restore to you all the years taken from you that men may know He is the LORD your God, and His people shall never be ashamed [4].

He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think [5].

Dare to dream…again…

Have a blessed weekend ahead.

Bible References
[1] Genesis 18: 12-14
[2] Joel 2:28
[3] Isaiah 14: 3
[4] Joel 2: 25-27
[5] Ephesians 3:20

In This 2009, We Will...(1)

Rose had leukemia. She knew she was different from the rest of her family members. She had her uncertainties and fears. She prayed every day. One would expect that her prayers would be “God heal me of this condition…”. But no. Her prayers were “God, bless my parents. Give them long life and prosperity. God bless my sisters. Make them fulfill their purpose on earth. God protect my brothers. May they always be protected and live according to your will. God bless my friends…”

Amazing, isn’t it. I wondered, if I was her, would I do same? My prayers would probably be focused on what I want for myself.

In This 2009, We Will Pray For Others.

What is Prayer?
http://eastonsbibledictionary.com/search--prayer
Prayer is communication with God. It is the interaction of the soul with God, not in reflection or meditation, but in direct address to Him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, blurted out or formal.

Prayer assumes a belief in the personality of God and His ability and willingness to hold communication with us.

Acceptable prayer must be sincere, offered with reverence and godly fear, in humility, with earnest petition, and with unhesitating submission to the divine will. Prayer must also be offered in the faith that God is, and is the hearer and answerer of prayer, and that He will fulfill his word.

Some people feel inadequate because they lack experience and/or expertise in praying for others. Prayer need not be complicated or long and drawn out. It can be simple and to the point, just as a child would ask his father for something good. Consider how Moses prayed for Miriam’s healing from leprosy: “So Moses cried out to the LORD, "O God, please heal her!"” (Numbers 12:13 NIV). God answered the prayer and healed her after seven days [From Reference 4 below].

Why Pray for Others? Reasons and Benefits
Praying for others is same as intercession.
1. When we pray for others, we seize the opportunity to express God’s love to people.
Jesus tells us “You have heard that it has been said you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy, but I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you” [Matthew 5: 43-44].

2. When we pray for others it releases the power of God into their lives. [James 4:2].

3. When we pray for others, it helps us build a build love for them, chases away envy, and cleanses our hearts of unforgiveness. It has a transforming power. You will find yourself caring for someone who hurt you, loving someone who abused you, and having a changed attitude towards someone you never thought you could cope with. You even show more love to people you love.

4. When we pray for others, it removes our focus off our circumstances. It helps us not to worry. Our Heavenly Father knows what we need so ultimately He will grant us the desires of our heart.

Should we pray for 1) people we assume are better off than we are and 2) People we assume are more in tune with God than we are?
Yes to 1, because you do not know what everyone needs or is going through despite their outward appearance.
And yes to 2, because even men of God need our prayers. Paul asked the Thessalonians, “Brethren, pray for us” [1 Thessalonians 5:25]

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you [1 Samuel 12:23].

Let Brotherly Love Continue…

Prayer:

“Heavenly Father, thank you that you hear my prayers and that I am counted as righteous in your sight through the blood of Jesus. Please give me the desire to pray for others and teach me how to pray in faith. Please show me who to pray for and the words to say for the person. Please also show me who I can connect with for prayer. Thank you, Father! I praise you now and forever, In Jesus Name, Amen.” [Modified from prayer at http://www.porn-free.org/Devotions/devotion_intercession.htm]

References
1.People Need the Lord Part Four: Praying for Others http://www.lakeridgeumc.org/media/sermons/4-20-2008.pdf
2.What Intercession does for the pray-er http://net-burst.net/pray/benefits.htm
3.On Praying for others and ourselves http://www.quakersong.org/praying_for_others/
4.Intercession http://www.porn-free.org/Devotions/devotion_intercession.htm

Why His Words

Tom was addicted to alcohol. He came home drunk every night. He was aggressive. During the day, he was not productive. He was a Christian. On Sunday, he will go to church and always felt guilty after the sermon because he felt he was not perfect (and he would continue drinking after he left church). His frustrations grew everyday.

One day, he learnt there was a native doctor who could give him something to overcome his alcoholism. He visited the native doctor who gave him bitter leaf and told him to keep saying some words before he chews the bitter leaf. In his curiosity, Tom asked for the translation of the words he was asked to chant. To his disappointment, it was translated as “I will stop drinking!” He was expecting something thunderous and involving the mention of a god’s name.

"Is that all?” Tom asked.
“Yes, you can go now!” Native Doctor said.
“You won’t mix anything for me?”
Native doctor laughed. He saw that Tom needed explanations.
“The power to overcome the alcoholism is not even in the leaf or anything we mix. It is in the words you say. When you speak, the spirits hear and will back up what you say. We give you the leaf because you will believe that the leaf can do something after you’ve started saying the words” [Paraphrased].

This story enlightened the eyes of my understanding to know what the men of God meant when they preached. The word of God promises us that we shall have whatsoever we say [Mark 11:23]. It is the same principle the native doctor is working with, only that the power backing the words is different. So if I must say anything, why not the word of God?

Why His Words? Thank God His word is not mere word. I thank God that His word is backed up by power, a power that nothing compares to. This is the basis for the series on digging into the bible for the word of God to confess for any situation we face.

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMP

Hmmm, now I understand why a great friend of mine always got what she said, even though every time we thought what she wanted was not achievable.

Have a blessed day ahead, speaking positive words for you shall have what you say…

Before it becomes 2 Lies and 1 Truth

I enjoyed reading your responses to the 2 Truths and 1 Lie meme. I really ROTFL for some. But here is my story…

1. I have celebrated valentine’s day only once
Ever since JSS 3 when it seems everyone around me started having Mr. Valentines, I always wanted to celebrate valentine’s day. To me, Valentine’s day meant chocolates, teddy bears, perfumes, etc. It was really frustrating when no one asked me out on Valentine’s day let alone gave me those dream gifts. I assumed it was because I was "araless".

As I grew older ("arafull"), the people to ask me out were available. Somehow, the heartbreaks happened either on December just before the next year’s valentine, or on February 12th. Probably the amendment of the break up would happen on the 16th of February. Mr. Valentine was lucky to escape the expenditure.

As I drew closer to God, I learnt that Valentine’s Day was just a day like every other day in the year. If I wanted love, I needed to sow love. And love was not meant for only one day in the year. It was meant for every day of the year. So I began sowing seeds of love in people’s lives. Only last year did I celebrate Valentine’s Day. By then I had learnt that the benchmark for love was intangible, and if we want love, we have to give love [Luke 6:38].

So lest it becomes a lie, I had to put up this post before 14th of Feb, 2009.

2. I remained a science student because of a crush on my physics teacher
To be or not to be a science student? This was the question I pondered on when my chemistry teacher sent me out of her class for not having a note. My note was stolen by my 1st mid-term in SS1. I did not care about the choice I was going to make. I felt I could be an excellent art or social science student. Not until my mother sat me down and told me she knows I will do very well in the sciences. She made me sit at home one day, copy the note from beginning to end and write an apology letter to my chemistry teacher. Grudgingly, I went to my chemistry teacher and showed her my new up-to-date note and the apology letter. She allowed me back to her class. Today I am enjoying the dividends of remaining a science student.

Would I have remained a science student because of a crush on my physics teacher? I don’t know. My mother may not have allowed me to if she knew it was not good for me.

Beloved people, let us take out time this valentine season to appreciate our parents who helped us make decisions that have brought us this far. [Ephesians 6:1-3]. They sent us to school, they corrected us in ways we did not like, and they gave us food.

Therefore, No. 2 is the lie.

3. I am a 23 inched-waisted woman
Since we have identified the lie, we know this one is true. Yep, the waist has always been a reason for conversation when I wear those big-belted outfits. Maybe it is because of my slim stature.

I used to joke that if I ever get up to 50kg, I would do thanksgiving. To keep to my words [Ecclesiastics 5:4], I want to thank God for my weight. I came into marriage 45kg and currently I am fluctuating around 50kg (depending on how I march the scale, it can be 52kg). And guess what, the waist still remained the same.

That’s all for my 2 truths and 1 lie. Those who got the lie, you have done too well. You have passed the entrance exam for the FBI.

Kafo, you sounded too sure I was beginning to doubt myself…
Naughty Eyes, hmmmmm…We'll take it offline...

Happy Valentine’s Day in advance to you all...

Meme shortens Blogging Hibernation

Beloved people, I trust you all have been doing great. I have missed blogging. I was on blogging hibernation when Olufunke said I have been tagged on the 2 truths, 1 lie meme.

Before I start with the 2 truths and 1 lie, let me give you a hint on what’s the plan for EROLyrics.

1. We will have a series captioned “In 2009 We Will…”. This will be a series showing us the steps we will take to see the physical manifestations of our heart’s desires. Surely, this is our year!
2. We will have a series where we dig into the bible to find the word of God for our heart’s desires. We cannot run with a word if we do not have a word. We will look at scriptures specific to our situations, and how we can use the word of God to bring our heart’s desires into reality.
3. Then the EROLyrics you have always known.

So, I was tagged and here are the rules for those I have tagged too

1. You have to tell us 3 things about you, 2 truths and 1 lie.

2. Link the person who tagged you.

3. Mention the rules in your blog.

4. Tag 6 bloggers, link them.

5. Leave a comment on the blogs of those you have tagged.

I lied 3 times in 1 day this week. The person I lied to (my boss) caught me each time I lied. Good to know I am not a good liar.

Please help me enjoy the euphoria that I do not know how to lie, by identifying the lie from the 3 statements below:-

1. I have celebrated valentine’s day only once
2. I remained a science student because of a crush on my physics teacher
3. I am a 23 inched-waisted woman


I hereby tag the following people:
Fanwest
Standtall
Fantasy Queen
Jaycee
~Sirius~
Temite

Please if you have been tagged before, no vex…opportunity to talk more truths…

Have a blessed weekend ahead…

For Your Eyes Only

Let me start by saying a formal Happy New Year to you all. I feel so blessed to be in this great year full of promises. A greater part of my blessings last year came from learning from you in ways you may not imagine.

I will be away for a while (like I've already been), reorganizing my spiritual and personal life.

So I leave this picture with you to ponder on for a minute. What ever can you deduce from it?


And then, I leave these pictures with you...from the eyes of children...
































Click this link to read One of the most touching testimonies one could ever read...

Remain blessed, Beloved.