MY EDUCATIONALNG BLOGS : 2016

Saturday 31 December 2016

A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE**PART 1*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

*PART 1*

My name is Adesewa. I was raised by God-fearing parents
who were blessed with six girls. My parents were deacon and deaconess in a pentecostal church. I happened to be their third
daughter, with three younger ones. I had my HND at Yaba college of technology and was
posted to Kwara state for my youth service.

I had given my life to Christ since my secondary school
days, and I used to sing a lot, sometimes I even composed
my own song. I joined the church choir when i was just nine years old.

After the 3 weeks orientation programme of d NYSC, I was
posted to a secondary school at Oyan for the one year service. I was given a room in the school compound at the Corp members’ quarters.

On getting to Oyan, I started looking for a pentecostal
church where i could be worshipping, and soon I was able to find one. Shortly after I started worshipping in the church, I joined the choir. Fortunately, it was at the time when the choir leader just
left the church and there was nobody to coordinate the
members. Before I knew it, I was made the choir leader
after being interviewed by the pastor, Pastor Williams. I was loved by everybody in the church, especially the
choiristers, because of my unique voice. Whenever I sang or led a song, the whole congregation had a way of murmuring “Huuuuunnnnn!” with a sigh of satisfaction when they heard my voice.
Most of the choir members were younger than I was, so
they called me “Aunty” or “Sister Sewa”. One of them was Bode, who used to play keyboard for us in the church. He was so gifted when it comes to instruments,there
was no instrument he couldn’t play. I always felt d presence of God whenever he was on keyboard.

Back to my background,
I was named Adesewa after my late grandmother, who
passed away shortly before i was born. My dad loved his mum so much and hence transferred the love to me, believing that his late mother was the one who came back, moreso, according to him, I was the mama’s carbon copy. It was after he became saved,
that he knew he was wrong.
My second name was Yetunde. My dad saw me as perfect. Anything i did or said was right, even when I myself knew I was wrong. In a nutshell, I was his favourite.
When my mum noticed that daddy was treating me like the apple of his eyes, she wasn’t taking things easy with me at all. She spank me at every slight mistake I made, mostly when my dad wasn’t at home. Sometimes she would lament..”You this spoilt brat!. Your father has spoilt you. See, I will make sure I deal with you before maggots
start coming out of your body….”

My two elder sisters too, also made life miserable for me,
especially,the first born, sister Temi. She would never
tolerate any nonsense from me, she took after mummy, but her own was just too much.

By the time I was serving, sister Temi and sister Tiwa had
got married, but I have been tamed already. So what happened to me???

What out in Episode 2

Episode 3**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

*Episode 3*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

Daddy did not give me money that day. He was so pissed with me, it was mommy that gave me transport fare and a stipend which I managed till January allowance was paid.
Thank God for the foodstuff I took with me from home, I would have learnt a wonderful lesson from hunger.

On getting back to Oyan, Bode was still around because there was no money for him to return to school. I told him what I went through because of him, and even then, I wasn't sure if my dad would send me money again as usual, so i couldn't give him money.
He felt sorry for me, and told me he would source for money elsewhere. I didn't know how he did it,but he went back to school the following week.

Soon there was a rumour among the choir members that something was going on between Bode and me. Before I knew it, it had become viral
among church members.

One Sunday morning, Pastor Mrs Williams sent somebody to tell me she would like to see me after service. I wasn't myself throughout the service. I kept thinking "what did i do? Why does she want to see me?"....Anyway, I said to myself, "if it's because of
Bode, there's nothing between us, and that is just what i will tell her....Period!." I didn't hear anything in church that day, I was already devastated by the rumour going on, and this?....

Finally, the service was over. I found myself sitting next to Pastor Mrs Williams on a three-seater sofa inside the pastor's office.
"Good afternoon ma"
"How are u my dear?."
"I'm fine ma."
"I know you would be wondering why I wanted to see you.".said Mrs Williams".
"Yes ma". I answered.
She continued...".It's about a rumour going on in the church. Can you please shed more light on the relationship between you and Bode?".
"Ma, Bode is like a younger brother to me, nothing more. Believe me ma. I only render assistance to him whenever he's in need and that has even stopped now." I told her.
Anyways, I've denied it on your behalf. I only wanted to confirm from you, because the very first day I set my eyes on you, I knew you came
from a christian home, and I have no doubt in my spirit that you are well trained..but then, *I want you to be very careful because there is power in tongues.* *Don't give the devil any chance at all, and don't trust yourself* If you see or hear a child of God saying " I trust myself, I can never commit sin"..then, you have heard or seen someone at the verge of falling.
So, please, be very careful and the Lord shall help you In Jesus Name.
I said "Thank u ma", and left the office.

As I was going home, I was telling myself "Now, I really need to be very careful....though there was nothing between us really, but how could anybody think I could be dating a boy about the same age with Oyindamola..our second to the last born? not even the one next to me!..Well, I just need to be
careful!"

Watch out for episode 4

Episode 4A CHURCH GIRLS TALE*

*Episode 4*

*A CHURCH GIRLS TALE*

It was 1st of April, my birthday. Bisi and some of the sisters of National Service crew came to my house to help in the cooking. The birthday was fixed for 12pm, since we would be having choir practice by 5pm.

We ate, drank and made merry. In fact, it was indeed a memorable occasion. I really enjoyed myself. Pastor Mrs Williams gave a short exhortation. She titled the message *Unique Grace*, citing practical examples from her own life experiences.
We were all blessed.

Despite the short notice, I was so surprised to see that some people still came with gifts. The most surprising one was the one sent to me from Bode’s mum. When Bode gave me the gift, I asked him how she knew because I remembered I didn’t tell her when I saw her in the market the previous day. He said he was the one that told her, and she said “no wonder she came to buy many ingredients yesterday!”..She then rushed inside her room and came out with a pack of 4 glass
cups. “Help me to wrap this and give it to her, tell her I wish her long life and prosperity”.
On hearing this, I automatically fell in love with the woman. I collected it from him with thanks and after the birthday, we went to church for the choir practice.
We ended the practice around 7pm. Everybody left for their houses. Bode was discussing with one of the brothers when I left the church.

I got to my room around 7.15pm, the sisters who cleaned the plates and utensils we used for the birthday did a thorough
job. They tidied up everywhere, including my room, and set everything in place. I undressed, almost naked, laid on my bed, closed my eyes, thanking God for the day and everyone He used to make the day a lovely one. I heard a knock on the door.
“Who is that?”. I asked as I quickly came out of my thought. I opened the door, to my utmost surprise,
“It’s Bode o”…………

To be continued in Episode 5.

*Episode 5**A CHURCH GIRLS TALE

*Episode 5*

*A CHURCH GIRLS TALE*

“Who is that?”. I asked as I quickly came out of my thought. I opened the door, to my utmost surprise
“It’s Bode o”…………Of course, I could recognise his voice. I quickly strapped myself in my night gown.
“Come in, the door is not locked” I answered.
Before he could enter, I sat on the bed, I adjusted
my dress and brushed my hair backwards with my right hand. I wondered why he came back, after all he had been in my house since morning.

When he entered, he sat down on a plastic chair in the room. He said his mum told him I came to buy ingredients from her the previous day, and that she loved my simplicity, and all those stuff. He said some other things, and upon all, I could get that he really didn’t have anything important to discuss with me, he only wanted to see my face again.

When the time was moving to few minutes before 9pm, I told him to go, as it was getting too late, more so, his mum had been calling.

Finally, he got up and said “Ok, Sis Sewa, good night”.
He came over to where I was, and gave me a very tight and warm hug. I could sense a feeling from that hug, but I ignored it. Anyways, he left that night. I was so shocked that I even refused to see him off. But what was his plan? Is this little young boy having any ulterior motive? I will be a big fool to fall for his schemes if he has any.

To be continued in Episode 6.

Episode 6**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

*Episode 6*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

Then something happened.
Bode lost his dad. It was then I got to know that the old man had more than one wife, as a matter of fact, he had four. One was late already, and Bode’s mum was the last and the only one living with him until he passed away. Among the children from the other wives, only few of them were educated, others were either bricklayers, drivers, carpenters,
tailors or petty traders. It was only Bode’s mum that was
struggling to send her children to school. She had three of them for the late farmer. Bode was the firstborn with two kid sisters who were still in high school. The one next to him was preparing to write WASSSCE when their dad passed away.

It was announced in the church and we (choir members) decided to go and register our condolence with Bode and other members of the family.

On getting there, I was so touched by the way I saw the widows sitting down on a mat, wearing black attire with bowls before each of them where people who came to sympathise with them put money. I said within me “if this kind of a thing should happen in my lifetime, I would NEVER allow my mum to be treated this way. This is humiliation in the highest order.Did these women conspire to kill the man?” Well, we greeted them. I didn’t even know what to say, as I never experienced such before. As the leader, I summoned courage, knelt down beside Bode’s mum and whispered into her ear “God will uphold you ma, He will send help to you from where you least expected. Please, be strong”.
She said “Thank you my child. I really appreciate you”. I gave her an amount of money on behalf of the choir. She accepted it, appreciated us, and we left.

When I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the woman. “Oh!.She was so young. Why did she marry a polygamist?..a man old enough to be her father”
There must be a reason.
Whatever the reason might be, I felt for her. She was such a beautiful young woman!.
“Never!.I can never go for that kind of a man, I will never allow any stupid love to blind-fold me. I can not even marry anybody from that kind of a family, see their house, the moment I stepped into the compound, I could vividly smell the stench of poverty. Where would I tell my dad I found that kind of a man?.Me?.I even trust myself..I,m more than that.”
Then my mind went to what Pastor Mrs Williams told me the day she said she heard a rumour about Bode and me
*“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.*
Fall? Fall for where? Falling is only meant for those who don’t stand well. Me, I can’t fall oo. I trust myself. I’ve been keeping myself since and I will continue to keep myself, I’ve determined that no man shall see my nakedness except my husband, and that wont happen until after marriage. That is it! Period!

While talking to myself in this manner, I slept off.
Then something came up.

Watch out in Episode 7.

Episode 7**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

*Episode 7*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

It was Bode that woke me up the following morning. He told me his dad’s burial had been for the next weekend, and there’s no money. He told me how his dad’s family members started blaming his mum for not giving them adequate information about his dad’s
illness before the old man eventually passed away.

All these stories made me love the woman more. At last, he decided to go. I saw him off to the door, and he suddenly
turned back, hugged me and gave me a peck.

I came back to the room, and started thinking of how I could help Bode and his mum concerning the burial. The only source I had was my dad, but I wasn’t sure he would even send money again this month ending as I was having a feeling he sent the last one because of my birthday. But then, I wouldn’t be able to wait till the end of the month, to know if he would send money or not, as the burial was fixed for 29th April. So, then what can I do oooo?.
“Oh Yes!..I have an idea. I will call my dad that I need money. But what if he asked what I needed it for, what would I say?.. “I will tell him somebody is sick and that the doctor said he needs surgery, but there’s no money, so, I wish I could render any little
assistance within my reach…Can you be of help sir?”.

That was exactly what I did.
He said “Who is this sick person?”. “It’s one of d ‘corpers’ sir”…I lied. “Ok. Since it’s something that has to do with life, I will try and send
any amount I can between now and tomorrow. My regards to him. We’ll also remember him in our prayers”.
“Thank you dad. Love you sir.” I hung up.

Then, my conscience pricked me gently “You just told a lie!.. How disappointed would your dad be if he found out!.” I felt bad, but I quickly consoled myself by a thought “what
could I have done?. How would he know?.Who will tell him?..he cant know!.”
Almost immediately, I was relieved.

I expected an alert from d bank throughout that day, to no avail, the following day too, no alert, but on d third day, I received an alert of 50,000naira. Wow!.

I quickly called Bode after withdrawing the money, to come and meet me at home after school hours, by then, it was just two days to the burial, 7th April. When he got to my room, I said “How much have you been able to get now for the burial?.”
He sai, "nothing", that his mum’s sister who promised to send an amount of money last week failed, but just received a message from her that morning that she would send 4,000naira. I opened my bag and gave him the 50,000 naira my dad sent.

He opened his mouth and couldn’t shut it. He held me very tightly, kissed me and before we both knew, we were both caressing each other!. Initially, I was somehow hesitant and uncomfortable, but it became more engaging and joyful with time. By the time I realised, we were both naked but the real deed had not been committed yet. As I laid on the bed, a thought came to mind saying, " Sewa, how can you do this, remember your vows and how people respect you, remember your holiness and spirituality, remember your family background, remember your big dreams, are you sacrificing all on the alter of sexual gratification, Sewa, remember your virginity, your honour". As these thoughts rushed through my mind within a millisecond, I made efforts to stand up, dress and drive that foolish boy away. But almost immediately, a different thought came to mind saying, " Ah Sewa, you've been a virgin from birth, this might be your only opportunity to test if the joy they talk about sex is really true. You might get it from nowhere if you let this go. Just try it. No one was really a virgin before they married, they lie, they all tried it first". This later thought crippled my conscience, I had no desire to resist again. By the time I came to my full senses, the first thrust was being made. It was painful at first but it subsided and became more accommodating with time. After about fifteen minutes, the deed had been done. I heard Bode crying and saying, "Sis Sewa, I am sorry, I never intended this, forgive me", still sobbing." I couldn't talk for the shame was too much for me than it was for him, I had covered my head in shame. He quickly dressed, took the money and sped off.

I felt really bad, one, because I have lost my virginity in a short period of about fifteen minutes, two, because he took the money, as if I have paid him to have sex with me. In about a period of five hours, I was blaming myself, hitting my hands and head on anything I find.
But who is to blame?

Watch out for Episode 8.

Episode 8**A CHURCH GIRLS TALE

*Episode 8*

*A CHURCH GIRLS TALE*

After the action, I locked the door behind him and started weeping. I wept till my
eyeballs turned red and my head began to ache. I was confused, I didn’t know what to do, I was just weeping. I couldn’t even pray, I never thought I could do such a thing. i thought I was strong enough to stand. Oh my
God!…How wrong I was!!.

The next day was Friday, I couldn’t go to school. I had headache, so I called my HOD to inform her I would be
absent. She promised to tell the Principal and wished me quick recovery. I couldn’t attend d burial nor singing practise on Saturday, I just locked myself up in my room and was weeping from time
to time.

On Sundays, I was unusually absent from church. Some choir members came to check on me after service. They met me under my blanket, shivering. Now I had developed emergency fever.
One of them quickly called Pastor Williams who rushed down to my place with his wife.

They took me to the health centre. I was treated on
malaria, given some drugs and injection, and was told to come on Monday and Tuesday to complete the injection.

The Williams brought me back home and asked if I wouldn’t mind to go with them to their place, so I wouldn’t be the only one at home, I declined. So, they left after praying for me.

I slept off and woke up late in the night. Now I felt like eating
something. I looked at my phone, it was 11.17pm.
I got up, ate bread with fruit juice and went back to bed.
I couldn’t sleep. I was turning from right to left, left to right
on the bed. Again, I remembered *“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed, lest he fall”* I started weeping again. I thought I was standing, now I have fallen. I so much trusted myself, I was so careless. I opened my mouth and began to pray “Lord, Forgive me….have
mercy on me….”

I didn’t even know when I slept off. When I woke up, I knew I had a dream in which I saw Pastor Mrs Williams talking to me, but I couldn’t remember a single word out of everything she said.

As I was trying to recollect what she was telling me in the
dream, I heard a gentle voice in my spirit, "Go and open up
to her" ….
“Ahhhh!.How on earth would I be able to do that? I cant
Lord!.I cant!!.”.

I didn’t hear the voice again, at least at that moment.

The next thing I heard was a knock on my door.
“Who is that?”..I spoke softly.
I didn’t hear any response from the other end.
I moved to the door, unlocked it, and opened.Guess who was standing there.

Watch out for Episode 9

EPISODE 9**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

*EPISODE 9*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

It was Pastor Mrs William. She was on her way to school that Monday morning as she taught in a primary school at Oyan, but she quickly branched at my place to check on me.

She came with a basket containing pepper soup, jollof
rice, vegetable soup. She said she didn’t know the one I would love to eat, but I
should try and take the pepper soup as it would deal with that malaria fever. She told me to warm them that as I could see she brought them out of the freezer that morning, and couldn’t wait to warm them before leaving the house to prevent her from getting late to school. I collected the basket from her, appreciated her and sat on
my plastic chair. “Can I drop you at the health centre for your injection?, since its
on the same route to my school”.She asked.
“I’m not ready yet ma, I will take a bike. Thank you ma”.
“It’s a pleasure my dear. So, how are you feeling now?.”
“I’m better today ma”.I answered.
“Oh!.Thank God. My mind was with you throughout the night. I really couldn’t sleep soundly. I started blaming myself for
allowing you to stay here all alone, I should have forced you to come with us yesterday. But, hope you slept well, and….”

I switched off!..I was hearing in my spirit “Open up to her!.Open up to her!!”.
Then I heard another voice contrary to that one saying “Dont try it!.You’ll disappoint her. You can see how she loves and cares for u, she’ll withdraw the gesture..What if….”

Suddenly, I felt Pastor Mrs’ hand on my shoulder. She tapped me and said “Are u okay?.I’ve called you twice, but you didn’t respond.
What is bothering you? What are you thinking of?.Feel free to share it with me, I’m a mother..”

Before she could finish her sentence, I cut in “Nothing ma”.
“Hunhun!.Don’t tell me there’s nothing when obviously
there’s something. That’s a lie, and I don’t expect you to tell one, if you don’t want to share it, just say you don’t want to share it, instead of saying there’s nothing when
there’s something.”
I was dumbfounded. I didn’t know when I said “Okay ma, I
will tell you later”.
“That’s better my dear. See you later then. Hurry up so you can go for your injection on time. Make sure you eat before you go.” She said.
“Okay ma. Thanks mum.”
She left.

I got to the health centre that morning and saw Bisi. She was surprised to see me, and also to hear that I didn’t attend the burial of Bode’s dad. When she asked why I didn’t go, I told her I was sick, but didn’t tell her beyond that.

As I was getting back home, I met Bode coming out of the
Corp members’ quarters.
I was a bit shy to look at his face, remembering what
happened between us. I was no longer free with him. I wish I didn’t see him.
He gave me souvenirs of his dad’s burial, and said his mum sent her greetings, and that she promised to come and visit me as soon as she could go out. I took those things from him and thanked him. Then he said “Sis Sewa, I’m indeed very sorry for what
happened last week. It’s the devil. Please, forgive me..”
He wanted to hold my hand, but I didn’t allow him.
I said “It’s fine! It’s fine!! Just go!!!”

But what did he really have in plan?

Watch out for Episode 10 .

*Episode 10**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

*Episode 10*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

I didn’t attend choir practice on Saturday nor church
service on Sunday because I didn’t want to see Mrs Williams. I had made up my mind not to tell her anything and I knew she would ask me if she set her eyes on me.
I didn’t know I was only adding more petrol to a burning fire.

Some choir members came again after service to check on
me, thinking I haven’t recovered fully or not strong enough toattend service. Of course, when I saw them, I pretended to be weak still.

Bode came later in the evening when everybody had left. He said “I knew you didn’t come to church today because of me, not because of your health. You refuse to forgive me despite my plead. I told you it was the work of the devil, please let’s be doing as we used to
do before..please now”. He began to weep. I was moved with passion when I saw him weeping. I went to him, gave him a gentle pat on the back, and said “That’s okay. Stop crying. It wasn’t only your fault, but mine too. We
both need to ask God for forgiveness and to make sure it doesn’t happen again….”

Before I could finish my sentence, he got up, held me close and began to kiss me. Every attempt to rescue myself out of his hand failed. At a time, I surrendered, and again,…it happened!. This time, we were both deeply involved in the act than before. Oh Sewa, I have tasted the forbidden fruit, and here am I, sliding deeper and deeper into this evil act. Before I could put myself together, Bode dressed up and ran out of my room.

I started weeping.
“Lord, I’ve done it again. I disobeyed again” For days, I was praying and weeping, asking God for forgiveness and for what to do, I didn’t hear anything as I heard it earlier. More so, I was so fearful of pregnancy because I was in a period of my ladies cycle where I believed pregnancy can develop. But then, I was so naive of any preventive measures. What can I do, and who can I open up to. I can't imagine myself, a holy Mary, asking my fellow corpers of a preventive measure.

It was so obvious that something was wrong
with me, as I was a shadow of myself. Even my dressing
changed, a 60 year old woman would dress better.
Everybody was asking, “What’s wrong with you? Hope there’s no problem. Are you still sick?”. My usual answer was “No problem, all is well”..but within me, I knew nothing was well. I wasn’t attending mid-week services also. I would prefer to be in my room, and be thinking. The thought that bothered me
most was “Will God ever forgive me?.
If the first one was a mistake, what about this one?”.
Mrs Williams called me one Wednesday evening after having prayer meeting in church. “Sis Sewa, I noticed you were not in church today for the prayer meeting, how are you?. Are you not okay yet?”. “I’m fine ma”.
“Then, why have you been keeping yourself away from church?”.
“Nothing ma.”
“You’ve started again. Oh!. That reminds me, you promised to tell
me something the other day, will you come and see me tomorrow after school?. I will be waiting for you at the church office.”
“What time ma?”
“Let’s make it 4pm”.
“Ok ma”.
She hung up.

My heart began to beat very fast. I could hear the sound.
What will I say?. Maybe I should just cook up a
story. But, what if she knew it’s all lies. Oh my God!. What
mess have I gotten myself into?. How will I get out of this now?.

As I was pondering over this, my phone rang.
It was my dad. I picked it.
What did he say?.

Watch out for Episode 11.

Episode 11**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

*Episode 11*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

Daddy said he would be celebrating his 60th birthday on 30th of May, and would want me to come and grace the occasion with him and other members of the family.
I promised to come, but after the conversation, I started
praying that I would have gotten over the mood I was before going to Lagos, because I didn’t want anybody in my family to have an idea of what I was going through.

The next day I had an appointment with my pastor’s wife. I decided not to go as I didn’t know how to tell her what was wrong with me.
Fortunately for me, she called around 2.30pm to inform me that we would have to postpone the meeting as she needed to attend to a matter urgently. I was very happy to hear that. To avoid people coming to my house again, I decided to attend Sunday service the following week, only to discover that Bode was absent. I didn’t even ask of him as I preferred not to see him, but I overheard someone telling the pastor he had gone back to school.

Immediately after the service, Mrs Williams sent an usher to
tell me she was waiting for me at the church office. When I got there, she asked me what was bothering me. I was too scared to tell her the truth, so I said “It’s family
matter ma, my dad and mum are not in good terms, and it’s
seriously affecting me….”
She said “Are you sure?”
“I said “Yes ma”.
“Anyway, if that is the case, don’t let that affect you. There’s no
marriage without its own crisis. God will be glorified in that union it doesn’t have to bother you, after all, you know how to pray, just pray for them, and everything will be well.”
Then she paused,and looked at me “Sis Sewa, are you sure this is what is bothering you?.I’m having a feeling you are not telling me the truth.”
“That is it ma.”
“Okay. Let’s pray.”
She prayed with me, and I left.

As I was going home, the thought came to me.”Hunnnn!.You have just told another lie!!.That’s another blunder..Go back and confess your sins.”
I refused to go back.
How would I face her to tell her I told a lie, after asking me
twice if I was sure I was telling the truth, and which I answered in the affirmative?.

About a week before my dad’s birthday, I fell sick. I was
throwing up, nothing stayed in my tummy, in fact, I couldn’t eat. “But I just treated malaria, why this again?”.I said to myself.
I became very weak.
I decided not to call anybody’s attention. I was fighting it
alone. Then, very early one Saturday morning, Pastor Mrs came to my house. I was so surprised to see her.
“What’s wrong with you Sis Sewa?”. “Just a bit weak ma”.
“Just a bit weak? When did it start”.
“About a week ago ma”
She looked at me closely, and said “No, it can’t be. Let me see your eye and your palm”
She checked both.
“You are pregnant!”.
“No ma, I’m not, it’s malaria”.
She sat on my bed, and was looking at me.
“I said you are pregnant!.I knew it last Sunday when I saw you, but I didn’t want to be too fast. Okay, if you are not sure,et’s go to the clinic.”
“No ma, I’m not pregnant, I’m sure I’m not”.
“Now, tell me, what did you do?. Did you sleep with any man?”
I didn’t answer.
“Oh my God! You of all people? I’ve been using you to counsel sisters in church, I saw you as a role model to them….”
She bursted into tears.
I started weeping too.

But then, who was really Pastor Mrs Williams?

Watch out for Episode 12

Episode 12**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

*Episode 12*

*A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

I sent a message to Bode immediately Mrs Williams left my room,informing him about the pregnancy. I expected his reply throughout the night,but he didn’t.

The next day was Sunday.I didn’t feel like going to church. I was too ashamed to see anybody’s face,though no one knew about it yet, besides The Williams. I imagined what would happen when the news went viral among church members that I was carrying Bode’s baby….having denied that I was in a relationship with him earlier..
Oh my God! How did i find
myself in this mess?.
Then i thought of my dad.
Eeeeh!.My dad!!.
He trusted me so much.
I was his pride,his angel,the apple of his eyes.
How would he take it?.
I have disappointed him.
And my two elder sisters.
None of them had a child before marriage,even Sis Tiwa
was still trusting God for d fruit of the womb then,its only Sis
Temi that had a baby girl,expecting d second one.
Oh!..I’ve disappointed many people.
And Bode’s mum?.Wouldn’t she think i lured her son to
sleep with me?.Wont she see me as a cheap girl?.

As i thought of these things,tears was flowing freely from my eyes. Mrs Williams came to tell me to get dressed for service. I told her i wasn’t feeling like going to church.
She said “okay,its fine. Just make sure u seek d face of
God for forgiveness,mercy and the way out.”
I said thank u ma.
They left.

I switched off my phone.
Then i started thinking again and again,weeping and
asking God for forgiveness.
I also prayed for His mercy and way out,as Mrs Williams
told me.
After the prayer,I put on my phone,and almost
immediately,Bode’s message came in. I read the message which went like this..”I was devastated by your message. I think the only solution is abortion. I thought about it through out the night and that i think its the only way out. I’m
very sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused you.”

I threw d phone on the bed.
I said to myself “how i wish it was that easy.” As a matter of fact,maybe i would have agreed with him, if this woman was not involved,but now, i just have to bear the
consequences: The shame,reproach,rejection and anything that comes from it.
I threw myself on the bed, covered my mouth with a pillow and screamed into it.
JESUS!.JESUS!!..Pls have mercy on me….this is too much for me.

While doing this, i heard the Pastor’s car moving into the
compound. I quickly got up, wiped my face and pretended to be fine. Soon Pastor Mrs was in the room.
“How was your day my dear”.
“I was praying ma”.
“And weeping at the same time”. She said, smiling.
I didn’t answer.
I showed her Bode’s message.
She read it n said “i knew it. I knew that would be his
option.”

Then she sat beside me on the bed,hugged me n said “Listen
my darling,there’s nothing new under heaven. Many people have gone through this route before,and many will still go through it. I’m sure if not for divine intervention,you could have considered abortion as Bode suggested. But sometimes we offend God while trying not to offend man. Don’t use sin to cover sin. God is the Ultimate. Once He has forgiven you, it
doesn’t matter if anybody doesn’t. Now,i will tell you the story of my own life.”

What did she say……?

Continues in episode 13

VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PASTORS TO READ AND TAKE NOTE

*VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PASTORS TO READ AND TAKE NOTE*
The recent exit of Pastor Pete Wilson of Cross Point Church in Nashville is breaking the internet. The Cross Point Church is a church of over 7,000 members in five locations.

FACTS:
👉 50% of pastors exit the ministry annually.
👉 Pastors are not superhuman, they can get to breaking points.
👉 Most pastors don't have people to pour their hearts to (no one to share their problems with).
👉 The only army that shoots its soldiers and lieutenants without any tangible offence is the church.
👉 Pastors neglect their own needs to meet the needs of others but have no one to meet their own needs.
👉 A man of God is an ordinary man in the hands of a mighty God and is considered ordinary hand to be used and dumped by the powerful ones in the Church.

😣 *WHAT CAUSES BURNOUT*?

* Ministering without being ministered to by people who care less whether the Pastor and his family starve to death.
* Lack of delegation of responsibilities. The Pastor is seen as a labourer who must do all the work. If he is not there, he did not like us.
* Giving in to accusations and criticism by cliques within the Church who think they must have their way.
* Zero retreat
* No leave or vacation
* Indifference to hobbies and recreational activities.
* Un-supporting partners who wanted their partner to do other profitable and much prestigious jobs than 'Thankless Church service' by people they fast and pray for.
* Frustrations for personal needs
* Uncooperative team and associates
* Oppression from "fathers" in the ministry
* Prayerlessness
* Walking alone in ministry
* Satanic counter attacks

*HOW TO AVOID BURNOUTS*

* Have a mentor that you can pour out your heart to.
* Take time out from time to time to listen to what happens to others.
* Cultivate a Pattern of relaxation by engaging in some recreational activities.
* Know when to retreat so that you don't surrender.
* Delegate wisely and defend your juniors in the face of attacks by those who wish them to fail or envious.
* Don't be a lone-ranger (wisely relate with other ministers and ministries) you can't survive alone, but be wise.
* Relate well with your wife and children, they are your inner circle.

*ACTION*
*Send this message to every minister of God that you know.
*And to all responsible members that you also know so that they too can be of help and courage to their Pastors.

May God sustain true servants of God that labour day and night in His vineyard.

Can you please be a helping hand to your Pastor and remember to share with him this season?

#copied and edited.

11 TIPS MAKING RESOLUTIONS REALITIES

1. Make a list of your goals and select the top three to five that are the most important to you. Pray for God’s guidance in the process. He knows best.

2. Be realistic. Reaching for a goal should stretch you, but it should also be doable. Decide on a reasonable time frame for reaching each goal.

3. Don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on your top goal for a set period of time. Then move to goal number two, while maintaining the progress made toward reaching the first one, and so on.

4. Pray. Prayer brings into play the spiritual help you need to reach your goals.

5. Work with God. Change involves overcoming past thought and behavioral patterns. This is never easy, but change for the better is possible if you ask God to help and follow His lead. “With God nothing will be impossible.”

6. Chart your progress. Keep track of how far you’ve come, using a journal or chart. Keeping records and reviewing them periodically can also help you to identify weak spots.

7. Get help from others. Share your plan with a friend and ask for his or her help. Being accountable to someone will give you added incentive to stick to your resolutions even when it’s tough.

8. Don’t be discouraged by your mistakes. You will have some setbacks and “off” days. Take these lows as a reminder that you can’t do it on your own. Draw closer to God and depend more on His help. Tomorrow is a fresh chance to do better!

9. Be in it for the long haul. If you are truly serious about making a change, you will be willing to see it through, no matter how long it takes.

10. Visualize victory. Periodically visualize what your life will be like once your goal is reached. Picture the advantages you will gain and how much happier, healthier, or more productive you will be.

11. Reward yourself for each goal you reach. The real reward will be the feeling of accomplishment and the benefits you’ll experience from the change you’ve made, but having a physical treat attached to a specific goal can make it even more enjoyable.

—

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Proverbs 4:21 ESV – Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.

Job 38:4 ESV – Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

9 DECISIONS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EMBRACE IN 2017

For a woman and a woman in every man:
9 DECISIONS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EMBRACE IN 2017

1. YOUR JOY DOES NOT COME FROM MAN: Yes, your joy comes from God...... Not from any man; be it your husband, boyfriend, sibling or earthly father....... Until you connect with God who is the joy giver, man will dictate your mood and you will find yourself wallowing in the pits of sadness often....... Determine that nothing a man does to you will set the tone for how you feel....... Ask the giver of joy- Jn 16:24 and restorer of joy.

2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE: You are fearfully and wonderfully made Ps 139:14.....You do not need a man to validate who you are or your beauty....... Stop doing everything to gain approval from man....... The irony is actually that - those who try too hard, get nothing......Try hard to please God..... That's all that should matter.... No matter what you do, those who won't like you won't.... However, you don't need to do anything for those who will love you to love you..... Don't beg for compliments or feel bad if you receive none......If you get a compliment; fine. If you don't; compliment yourself ...... Remind yourself how beautiful awesome and wonderful you are.........don't forget how much God loves you...... Don't give anyone the right to damage your self worth...... Celebrate the work of God in you.

3. LOVE YOURSELF: You determine how people love you by how you love yourself........How much you love your self is expressed in how much you value and treat yourself...... So go on, love yourself...... Treat yourself with dignity and respect. This is not pride....... It's what you place a value on that you take care of........Don't lower your value for anyone. Remember, dont cast your pearls before swine, they will trample on it- Mt 7:6

4. FIND AND FULFIL YOUR PURPOSE: Contrary to widespread belief, you were not created as a woman only to find a husband, have many children and that's it........ Sadly, a lot of women have wasted too much time finding a husband(getting disappointed and frustrated in the process) while abandoning their life purpose........Some on the other hand have gotten married and spent the whole of their productive life being just a wife and mother, having as many children as possible without finding or fulfilling the purpose God created them for. Please don't let this be you... It's time to refocus..... You are a gift to the world.......There is something God has placed in you that will benefit the world. You were created for a purpose - Eph 2:10. And God will ask you what you did with it....Remember the parable of the talents?Mat 25:14-30.... Don't be deceived, entrance into heaven is not going to be determined by your marital status or how many children you birthed just because you are a woman..... It's time to find that purpose and begin to run with it......it doesn't matter the number of years that have been wasted......It's never too late to start so Begin now...

5. PAMPER YOURSELF: You deserve it! I wonder why women feel too guilty to breathe... Arrange a spa visit...time out with friends with a common purpose, relax....take a long warm bath....buy yourself something new.....just do something for yourself for once...

6. MENTOR SOMEONE: Whether you realise it or not, you have a sphere of influence....someone somewhere is watching you.....wants to be like you....wants to learn from you.....so you think you are not good enough?.....yes you are........While we won't all have a crowd following us, you can start with one person......encourage someone.....help someone.......you have it in you.....

7. NURTURE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS: Release the bad ones....let them go....... There are some relationships that will not suit your progress and the level God is taking you too so let them go. Some will be envious, jealous or even betray you..... Let them go now!.... Not everyone will celebrate your progress and letting them go will help you grow. You must understand that there are relationships that stifle....these people are not going no where....they see no reason for growth and want you to stay with them.....some don't necessarily hate or dislike you....they just don't understand your journey and it's okay to let them go.....it's your journey not theirs......

8. IDENTIFY YOUR PRAYER WAR ROOM(SPACE): You need prayers to survive in life.......to achieve all you need to be...remember , "we wrestle not against flesh and blood...." Eph 6:12......don't think you can't pray....everyone can pray.....you may not be able to set aside a room but you can set a time and place...... prayer is a conversation with God!......don't be discouraged by those who boast of fasting for very many days and months when you can barely go without food.......start somewhere......you can get a notebook and list out all your favourite praise and worship songs.........tell God your fears, hopes and aspiration.......schedule a place or time in your home to commune with your maker....with time, you will enjoy spending time with God that you will not realise how long you spent praying.....God knows, God listens ........believe me prayer is the key......connect with God through prayer.

9. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: Last but not the least, you have got to believe in yourself to do all of the above....people may mock you and sometimes you may even feel discouraged but you have got to go on......if you don't believe in yourself, no one will believe in you......belief in yourself will give you the fuel to go on when it looks like it's not working.......NEvER quit......if you need to be encouraged , remember God's thoughts towards you are of good, not of evil to give you a hope and a future- Jer29:11....

Wish you Merry Christmas and the best of you in 2017 as " the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Rom. 8:19

SEIZE THE DAY!

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.
—Dale Carnegie

The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the “buts” you use today.
—Les Brown

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
—Albert Einstein

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have.
—William A. Ward

Build to-day, then, strong and sure,
With a firm and ample base;
And ascending and secure
Shall to-morrow find its place.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (“The Builders”)

You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.
—Harriet Martineau

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.
—Groucho Marx

Never let yesterday use up too much of today.
—Will Rogers

I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today!
—William Allen White

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Light tomorrow with today!
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning

—

James 4:14 ESV – Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 – I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

Psalm 31:14-15 – But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

9 DECISIONS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EMBRACE IN 2017

For a woman and a woman in every man:
9 DECISIONS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EMBRACE IN 2017

Wish you Merry Christmas and the best of you in 2017 as " the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Rom. 8:19

CHANGING FOR THE BETTER

God wants only the best for us.

Psalm 84:11b: No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Matthew 7:9–11: Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Luke 12:32: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

God can and will help us change for the better, if we let Him.

2 Timothy 1:12b: I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Philippians 1:6: Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:13: For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

But the natural man resists change.

Mark 7:9: And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!”

Luke 5:39: And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’

Yieldedness to the Lord’s will is the key to beneficial change.

1 Samuel 3:18b: So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

Psalm 40:8: I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.

Isaiah 64:8: Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Jeremiah 42:6: Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God.

Matthew 6:10b: Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

During the changing process, we must do two things: not worry about the past and keep our eyes on the goal ahead.

Philippians 3:13–14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:18: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Colossians 3:2: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Hebrews 12:1–2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

THE SEASONS OF LIFE

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…

Thank You, God, for the seasons of my life, each having its own special beauty.

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”—Psalm 118:24

A time to be born, and a time to die…

Thank You for the gift of life, and thank You that one day I will pass from this life to the next, carried onwards through Your love.

“My times are in Your hand.”—Psalm 31:15

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted…

Thank You for both success and failure; experience is a hard but faithful teacher.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”—Psalm 37:23–24

A time to kill, and a time to heal…

Thank You for the sicknesses and other troubles that You have allowed in my life, so that I could rely more on You. Thank You for bringing me through them all.

“To you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.”—Malachi 4:2

A time to break down, and a time to build up…

There have been disappointments and losses; thank You for how they have made room for better things.

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”—Romans 8:28

A time to weep, and a time to laugh…

Thank You for seasons of sorrow and of joy, for the sunshine that is even more appreciated after a storm.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”—Psalm 30:5

A time to mourn, and a time to dance…

Thank You that despite the sadness I feel at the loss of loved ones, I have the enduring comfort of knowing they are happy in heaven and we will be together again.

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.”—Psalm 30:11

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones…

Thank You for changes, which remind me that You are the one constant in my life.

“[Nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 8:38–39

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing…

Thank You for the company of friends and loved ones, and thank You also for times of loneliness when I experience the comfort that You alone can give.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”—Deuteronomy 33:27

A time to gain, and a time to lose…

Thank You for the times of need as well as the times of prosperity, each in their own way teaching me to appreciate my blessings.

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”—Job 1:21

A time to keep, and a time to throw away…

Help me to let go of pride, selfishness, and other sins of the heart. Whatever the future holds, help me to hold onto what are most precious—You and Your love and truth.

“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.”—Philippians 1:6

A time to tear, and a time to sew…

Even when I go astray, You never withdraw Your love. Your mercy and forgiveness make me want to do better.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”—1 John 1:9

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak…

Thank You for always being there to listen to my problems, offer solutions, and put me on a positive path. Help me to be more like that with others.

“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.”—James 1:19

A time to love, and a time to hate…

Help me to forgive those who wrong me—to “love the sinner but hate the sin”—as You do with me.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”—Ephesians 4:32

A time of war, and a time of peace.

War will be with us as long as evil exists in this world, but thank You that one day You will put a stop to all that. In the meantime, help me to be a peacemaker.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”—Matthew 5:9 KJV

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

LET ME BE A LITTLE KINDER

A popular song that made a big impression on me as a teenager seemed to be a prayer. I say “seemed” because the song didn’t mention God or prayer. It also didn’t sound like any religious music I’d ever heard. The lyrics were deceptively simple—big truths about character and success in life expressed humbly and winsomely. I wanted to be like that, I remember thinking. It was the best sermon I’d ever heard.

Let Me Be a Little Kinder
Let me be a little kinder,
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me;
Let me praise a little more.

Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery,
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me.

Let me be a little braver
When temptation bids me waver;
Let me strive a little harder
To be all that I should be.

Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker;
Let me think more of my neighbor
And a little less of me.

Let me be when I am weary,
Just a little bit more cheery;
Let me serve a little better
Those that I am striving for.

Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker,
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me.
—Glen Campbell

If that was what religion was all about, I also remember thinking, it wasn’t so bad. It would be a few more years before I read from the Bible for the first time, but when I did I was pleasantly surprised to learn that was what true Christianity was all about—loving God and others. I was also pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to muster that love from within myself. It is a gift from God, freely available to anyone who asks for it. All it takes is a simple, sincere prayer. Like that song.

—

Genesis 21:23 NIV – Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 11:17 ESV – A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

#HappyWeekend
#LastDayin2016
#LastSaturdayin2016

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

LET ME BE A LITTLE KINDER

Let Me Be a Little Kinder
Let me be a little kinder,
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me;
Let me praise a little more.

Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery,
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me.

Let me be a little braver
When temptation bids me waver;
Let me strive a little harder
To be all that I should be.

Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker;
Let me think more of my neighbor
And a little less of me.

Let me be when I am weary,
Just a little bit more cheery;
Let me serve a little better
Those that I am striving for.

Let me be a little meeker
With the brother that is weaker,
Think a little more of others
And a little less of me.
—Glen Campbell

—

Ephesians 4:32 ESV – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 11:17 ESV – A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

#HappyWeekend
#LastDayin2016
#LastSaturdayin2016

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

Friday 23 December 2016

Was Jesus born on December 25?

Question: "Was Jesus born on December 25? Is December 25 Jesus' birthday?"

Answer: Speculation as to the time of Jesus’ birth dates back to the 3rd century, when Hyppolytus (ca. 170-236) claimed that Jesus was born on December 25. The earliest mention of some sort of observance on that date is in the Philoclian Calendar, representing Roman practice, of the year 336. Later, John Chrysostom favored the same date of birth. Cyril of Jerusalem (348-386) had access to the original Roman birth census, which also documented that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. The date eventually became the officially recognized date for Christmas in part because it coincided with the pagan festivals celebrating Saturnalia and the winter solstice. The church thereby offered people a Christian alternative to the pagan festivities and eventually reinterpreted many of their symbols and actions in ways acceptable to Christian faith and practice.

December 25 has become more and more acceptable as the birth date of Jesus. However, some argue that the birth occurred in some other season, such as in the fall. Followers of this theory claim that the Judean winters were too cold for shepherds to be watching their flocks by night. History proves otherwise, however, and we have historical evidence that unblemished lambs for the Temple sacrifice were in fact kept in the fields near Bethlehem during the winter months. With that said, it is impossible to prove whether or not Jesus was born on December 25. And, ultimately, it does not matter.

The truth is we simply don’t know the exact date of our Savior’s birth. In fact, we don’t even know for sure the year in which He was born. Scholars believe it was somewhere between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C. One thing is clear: if God felt it was important for us to know the exact date of the Savior’s birth, He certainly would have told us in His Word. The Gospel of Luke gives very specific details about the event, even down to what the baby was wearing – “swaddling clothes”—and where he slept—“in a manger” (Luke 2:12). These details are important because they speak of His nature and character, meek and lowly. But the exact date of His birth has no significance whatsoever, which may be why God chose not to mention it.

The fact is that He was born, that He came into the world to atone for our sins, that He was resurrected to eternal life, and that He’s alive today. This is what we should celebrate, as we are told in the Old Testament in such passages as Zechariah 2:10: “'Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,' declares the LORD.” Further, the angel that announced the birth to the shepherds brought “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Surely here is the cause for celebration every day, not just once a year.

GOT POTENTIAL

GOT POTENTIAL?

What can you realistically expect to be or accomplish? That depends in part on how you define “realistic.” Nobody knows what we’re capable of better than God, and often His definition of “realistic” is “potential.”

He knows our limits—“He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust”—but He also sees our hearts and continually looks at us from the viewpoint of what we can become.

God expects us to do what we can, but He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He knows we’ll never be perfect, and if we’re smart we’ll realize that it’s foolish for us to try or pretend to be. We have to do our part, but our part isn’t to be perfect—and that’s the beauty of God’s plan!

Once we receive Jesus as our Savior, He lives in us. And if we will remember that we’re weak and imperfect and nothing, really, without Him, He can come through and be our everything. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” His strength is made perfect in our weakness. God loves to do amazing, extraordinary things through some of the most unlikely, imperfect people who find themselves in the most seemingly impossible situations. He does that to show us what He can do. It’s never about how good or strong we are. It’s about God and His goodness and power.

With God nothing is impossible, and He knows that no matter what has happened in the past or what our current weaknesses or lacks may be, we can change; He can make us better. We must learn to see ourselves through the eyes of faith, through the perspective of what we can become, what God’s power can transform us into, what Jesus can be in us.

So what if you aren’t perfect! Who is? You can still be a great success in life if you let the Spirit of God work in you and through you. His Spirit will fill in the gaps of the little problems and imperfections. God doesn’t need perfection from us to work His wonders.

Make room for God to work by not looking at your shortcomings and imperfections, but rather by looking to Him to help you reach your full potential as you do your part and hold Him to the promises He has made to you in His Word.

—

Psalm 103:14 ESV – For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

John 15:5 ESV – I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV – But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

To one degree or another, just about all of us are unsatisfied with ourselves—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A certain amount of dissatisfaction is necessary if we’re going to keep making progress. To become all that we can be, we must dream of being more than we are. The problem is that too many of us stop there, in the dream stage. Why do you suppose that is?

I suspect that more often than not it’s because we don’t think we have what it takes to turn our dreams into reality. And we’re usually right about that. We can make some changes by sheer willpower or working harder, like reaching a new sales quota or dropping a dress or pants size. But what about the bigger changes, the changes inside that we know would make us happier and better people? It’s that kind of change that is often most elusive.

We’re not good enough, we tell ourselves. We have too many flaws and make too many mistakes. We’ve tried and failed too many times. What’s the use? It’s just not in us!

Jesus summed it up simply when He said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” The secret lies in putting ourselves in God’s hands and letting Him do the impossible for us and through us and sometimes in spite of us. We may be small and weak and incapable, but there is a very big, strong, capable God just waiting to give us a hand. With His help, it’s easier than you ever imagined to make those “impossible” changes in yourself.

—

Matthew 19:26 KJV – But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27 KJV – And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Mark 11:24 KJV – Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

APPRECIATE THE GOOD

After I commented on my blog about a Christian song that I had found particularly inspiring, someone wrote and asked if I was aware of certain personal details about the singer/songwriter. I wasn’t, and learning these things about him came as a bit of a surprise.

I still appreciate the song, though, and I don’t feel that this man’s lifestyle choices change the fact that the song contains a beautiful truth. I’m thankful for the way that song moved me, and for how it is reaching people with God’s love.

We don’t have to embrace everything about a person in order to appreciate the good that he or she does. If we can take on this attitude, it will help us to be less exclusive and to find common ground with people who are different from us.

If we judged everyone according to things they have done that we don’t agree with, or by the sins they may have committed, we would miss out on a lot of very good things. We would have to reject the book of Psalms, because the author of most of those psalms, King David, plotted an innocent man’s death. And we couldn’t appreciate Moses’ leadership or the five books of the Bible that were authored by him because he killed a man in a moment of anger. We wouldn’t appreciate and benefit from a good deal of the New Testament, either, because the apostle Peter denied Jesus, and the apostle Paul persecuted some of the first Christians before he found Jesus. We would have little inspired music if we started to dissect the lives of those who wrote or produced each song. For that matter, we’d have very little in life that we could appreciate or benefit from, because no one is perfect. Where would we draw the line?

The point is, when we see a beautiful piece of art or hear some beautiful music, we can appreciate it and the inspiration behind it. Even if the artist or composer didn’t know where that inspiration was coming from, we do. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.”

Think about Jesus’ interactions with mankind when He lived as one of us. He welcomed people who had made choices that He certainly didn’t agree with. Those things weren’t what mattered to Him. What mattered was that they wanted His love, and He gave it freely. If Jesus, perfect and without sin, was that accepting and welcoming of everyone, how can we do less?

—

Psalm 31:19 ESV – Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Psalm 27:13 ESV – I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

James 1:17 ESV – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

THE EDGE Episode 7

*THE EDGE* *Episode 7*

Mide had just finished attending to an emergency patient suffering from a heart attack. The patient was admitted and put on a life supporting machine. She was tired and later retired into her office. She decided to have a short nap and she had another dream.

In the dream, She was climbing a hill with someone she's so familiar with. They were both laughing and playing all the way till they got to the top of the hill. They were both having a good time and suddenly the person she was with, pushed her down the hill. She was going down and shouting for help when suddenly a rope from nowhere caught and started pulling her back up. She got back up and realized someone else pulled her up.
The voice of one of her colleagues woke her.
"Dr Martins! Dr Martins!"
She raised her head up suddenly and realized she had been dreaming all along. She wiped her face with her hands.
"Yes Dr Ayo!" she replied
"Your attention is needed in ward 87" he said
"Alright" she replied, getting up immediately from her chair and reaching for her lab coat and stethoscope. She staggered to the entrance of her office's door. Her colleague had to hold her to prevent her from falling.
"Are you okay Olamide?" he asked feeling concerned before leaving her on her own.
"Yes i am" she replied with a smile. "Now let's go save a life" she added jokingly as she went out of the office with her colleague.
But the truth is, she wasn't really okay. The two dreams had terrified her. Nobody need to tell her she needs to go see Pst Mrs.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in the Adejuyi's house. Pastor Adejuyi had traveled the previous day for a Ministers' conference held outside the country. The rest of the family, consisting of Pst Mrs and the children had just finished their morning devotion when they suddenly heard a knock on the door.
"Faith, go and check who is at the door" Pst Mrs ordered.
"Yes Mummy" replied the 9yr old baby of the house. She came back few seconds later with a lady behind her.
"Mummy, it's sister Olamide" she announced with a smile.
"Good morning Mummy" she greeted, kneeling down.
"Morning Olamide" Pst Mrs replied. The other children greeted Mide and she replied them with a faint smile.
"Are you okay? You look so down" said Pst Mrs after a thorough observation.

Mide had been given the rest of the day off after she fainted in the hospital. Her call was supposed to end by 12pm the following morning. The hospital's CMD (Chief Medical Director) had advised she should go home and rest since a sick doctor can't treat a sick patient. She didn't go home but rather came to Pst Mrs's house straight from the hospital early that morning.
"I'm not fine Mummy" she honestly confessed. Physically and Emotionally, she's stressed.
"come, let's go to my study and talk" Pst Mrs said as she stood up, held Mide's hand and took her to her study.
"Sit down and tell me all about it" she said, immediately they entered a small room in another part of the house.
Mide felt reluctant talking at first but she later threw away her garment of fear and told Pst Mrs everything starting from Dara's bossy attitude up till the two dreams she had but she didn't mention the part where he slapped her or when he came to apologize.
"Hmmmmm" Pst Mrs sighed heavily after hearing all Mide had to say, then she asked "Is that all?"
"Yes Mummy" replied Mide
"so how about the part where he slapped you and came back to apologize the next day and you hopefully took him back" she asked with a motherly smile.
Mide adjusted her seat uncomfortably.
"Listen Mide, i know everything you've just told me"
"You do?!" Mide exclaimed in disbelief
"Yes. The holy spirit told me all about it before you came"
"chai! This holy spirit sha! He doesn't even know how to keep somebody's secret" thought Mide.
"Now let me tell you the interpretation of the first dream you had. The expensive car you were driving is your pride, ego and status. The GPS is the holy spirit. Despite your pride, you were still following his directions and you never got into trouble till you got to where the two men stood. The one with the map is Dara and the other man is Samuel" Pst Mrs narrated with a gentle motherly voice. She's always like that when giving counsels.
"Samuel??? No Mummy! It can't be" Mide exclaimed. She could already guess where the interpretation is going to. Nevertheless Pst Mrs continued
"The map Dara was holding was his pride, ego, beauty and social status which you fell for thinking you are on the same page. You equally thought Samuel's keg of petrol, his humility and service in the vineyard would dent your beautiful and expensive car, that is your pride and status. And so therefore you went for Dara. I think you can guess the rest of the story now" Pst Mrs narrated, then paused for a while.

Mide was already soaked in tears by the time Pst Mrs finished.
"Now to the second dream. Just like the first one, the familiar person you went up the hill with is Dara. Listen Mide, I'm your spiritual mother and i won't lie to you, if you marry Darasimi, yes you will get to that height God has designed for you just like in the dream but Dara himself will be the one to push you down. According to the dream, the man who rescued you was Samuel"
"Noooooooo!!!!!!" Mide screamed. She's just can't accept the fact that Samuel would be her husband.
"Hmmmmm Olamide! Samuel is God's will for your life. You can choose to follow it or not but if you are going to follow it, do so before it's too late just like it is in the dream"
"But i love Dara Mummy. I love him so much" wailed Mide
"Yes we all know you do but he is not God's will for your life. Slapping you was proof enough. You have to cut off that relationship as soon as possible or else you'd put your life at risk" advised Pst Mrs as she pats Mide's back. She was already sitting on the floor crying her eyes out.
Pst Mrs continued
"I knew this was the reason why you said you wanted to see me yesterday. I couldn't help but ask the holy spirit why you wanted to see me and he revealed everything to me. God wants to use you mightily for this generation Mide and the devil will stop at nothing to terminate that plan by giving you one of his own as a husband. Mide, you are at the edge of the cliff of your life. The choice you make now will determine if you are going you fall or not" Pst Mrs said.

Mide almost cried her eyes out that morning. She was hurt, not only because she has to leave Dara no matter what but because she just can't afford to go out of God's will for her life. She doesn't have a choice, NOT ONE!
She kept on weeping and Pst Mrs kept on giving her tissue paper to wipe her tears till a whole roll finished. She went to take another one in the bathroom and started giving her again. Pst Mrs gave her all the luxury to cry well.
"It's better to cry till you get tired now than to live in regret all your life" she said.

After crying for over 30mins non-stop, she got up and sat on the chair.
"but why did God allow me to go this deep in love with Dara when he knows he's not for me Mummy" she asked softly. Her voice is gone out of crying too much. Hardly would anyone hear her.
"Because he didn't give you a go-ahead before you went ahead and said Yes to Dara. He just wanted to prove to you that you can do nothing on your own and his will will forever supercede yours. You can go miles without him but you'd still have to go back and start again just like it happened in your fits dream" explained Pst Mrs.
"Mummy, by the time i got back, Samuel had already gone with another car"
"Well, maybe that's your punishment for going against God's will"
"And what does that mean Mummy?" she asked curiously
"It means God might have given Samuel another daughter of his. If that's the case, you'd have to wait till God gives you another of his children. The more you pray, the sooner it will be" she replied.
"Aaaah" Mide put her hands on her head " I'm done for" she said and started the second round of her weeping.

To be continued... In the Next episode.

THE EDGE Episode 6

*THE EDGE* *Episode 6*

Pastor Mrs Oyinkan Adejuyi is the Pastor's wife of Olamide's church. She is not only a Pastor's wife or a Pastor but she's also a Teacher and a caring Mother. She has a discerning spirit and so many youths fear going to her for counseling because she knows when you are lying or keeping some part of your story. So if you are going to her, go with a complete open mind. She is as sensitive as that.

She is also the Principal of a well known high school in the town. She was preparing for work as usual the following morning Mide had the dream when her phone suddenly rang.
"Hello Mummy" Mide's voice was heard from the other end. "Good morning ma"
"Oooh Olamide, Good morning my dear" she replied, smiling
"How was your night ma?" Mide asked
"We give all glory to God" Pst. Mrs replied, then added "I hope you slept well too"
"Yes ma, Thank you ma" Mide replied then paused for some seconds and continued
"How is your schedule like today ma?" she asked
"Well, it's not too tight. I hope there is no problem?" Pst. Mrs replied
"Not at all Mummy. I just have some issues to discuss with you" Mide replied.
"Alright, i'd be home from 3pm. I hope it's fine with you"
"I think so, because i'd be on call at the hospital from 6pm till the following morning" Mide replied
"Ok. Let's do it this way. Can you come and meet me at school since there's nothing you will be doing at home from morning till then. We can talk and if we don't finish, we can go continue at home" Pst Mrs suggested.
"How did she know it's an issue that will take a long time? This Pst. Mrs won't stop behaving like a witch sha" Mide thought, then said
"Alright ma, I think that will be better. I'd be there around 12pm"
"it's okay. I'd be expecting you then"
"Alright ma. Thank you ma" Mide replied as she ended the call.

Mide got out of bed immediately she dropped the call to go prepare for her meeting with Pst Mrs. She was done dressing up and when she checked the time, it was 9.30am. She still had time so she decided to relax and watch TV. She decided not to tell Desola about her break up with Dara before she tells Pst Mrs and so when Desola called her earlier that morning, she only gisted her about the visit to Dara's family's house.
She was peeling an orange when she suddenly heard a knock on the door. She was surprised because she wasn't expecting anyone so early. She went to the door and pulled the curtain to see who it is before opening the glass door. She was taken aback with who she saw. "DARA!!!" her heart screamed
He was looking so sober and had obviously been crying. He pleaded with his hand for Mide to open the door for him.
"What do you want Dara?" she asked, immediately she opened the door.
"Mide please just let me in, then i'd tell you why I'm here" he pleaded on his knees.
Mide looked at him with so much pity. She had never seen him looking this way before. She cleared the way and let him in. Dara entered into the house while Mide adjusted the curtain.

"I repeat, what do you want?" she asked rudely
"Olamide, I'm so very sorry. Please forgive me. I don't know what came over me last night. I'd never do anything to hurt you. I love you so much Ola" he pleaded, on his knees with tears on his face.
Mide chuckled and said "This is unbelievable! So you can still have the guts to come to my house to tell me this Dara, after what you did last night" Mide roared.
"I know Olami but I'm so sorry. I swear it won't repeat itself again".
There's only one occasion Dara calls Mide "Olami" and that's when he knows he's really at fault and really wants Mide to forgive him.
"I can't live without you Olami. I want you back in my life" he continued.
Mide sat down on the nearest sofa with her heads bowed. Just some hours ago, she was regretting ever loving him now she just couldn't see him weeping. She wasn't expecting him to apologize since it's not his style, so seeing him on his knees with tears in his eyes could only mean one thing, "He's a changed man"

"just get up please" she said as she pulled him up and hugged him. "it's okay dear. I've heard you"

They were together for the rest of the day. Olamide completely forgot her appointment with Pst Mrs. She switched off her phone just to avoid any unnecessary distractions from her new found love for Dara. "He could be bossy and arrogant but at least he's still gat that soft spot for me" she thought.
They went to a restaurant and from there to a park, laughing and playing all the way. Oh! What a cute couple they are!
Olamide got back from her world of fantasy when her clock struck 6pm. She suddenly got up like an ant just bit her.
"Oh my god Dara, I should be at the hospital by now"
"it's okay. I'd take you there right away" Dara replied
"No, I can't go looking this way. I have to go back home to change. Besides, I have to take my car too, my lab coat and stethoscope is in there" she explained
"Alright, let's start going then" Dara said as he stood up from the field they were sitting on earlier. They both walked to the car and Dara zoomed off with speed.
Mide got to the hospital around some minutes to 8pm. She already had a lot of patients waiting for her so she started work immediately. She was doing a ward round when she heard a man making a call.
"Okay Dee, i'd come tomorrow morning when I finish the meeting with my Pastor" the man said and walked away.
It was at this point Mide remembered her appointment with Pst Mrs. She hurried back to her office to call her immediately.
"Hello Mummy"
"Yes dear. I've been expecting you since morning, I even called Adesola to ask if she knows your whereabouts but she said she called you last in the morning " Pst Mrs said
"I'm so sorry ma" Mide had to be careful of what she will say next because Pst Mrs will know immediately if she lies. "I had to go somewhere important with Dara, that was why I couldn't make it" she said, knowing fully well that Pst Mrs knows Dara. She counseled both of them during the Marriage counseling period.
"Ooooh" Pst Mrs replied, then kept quiet
"But i'd find some other time to come ma" Mide added.
"It's okay. I guess you are at work now" Pst Mrs asked
"Yes ma"
"it's alright. See you later then" Pst Mrs said as she dropped the call.
Mide heaved a sigh of relief immediately she dropped the call. It wouldn't have been funny if she had given a flimsy excuse and Pst Mrs would tell her she just lied. She really doesn't feel like telling her about the dream anymore. She felt it's no longer necessary since things are now back to normal with her and Dara.

To be continued... In the Next episode.

THE EDGE* Episode 5

THE EDGE* *Episode 5*

"How dare you ask me such a question Mide" Dara blotted out angrily.
"Jesus Christ! Dara! What on earth have I done again? Mide asked. She knew Dara is angry over something meaningless again so she sat down. She's still carrying the stress of working over night.

"Mide, I'm talking to you and you are sitting down?" Dara asked authoritatively with a mischievous smile.
"so I should hang on the ceiling right?" replied Mide being sarcastic. She has really had enough and she's ready for Dara's ranting so she needs enough strength.
"Ehn ehn, so you now talk back at me right? Ola!"
Mide refused to reply him. Anybody sensitive would know she's talking out of her reserved strength. She's really worn out, even Dara's Mum noticed and asked her if she was okay.
"Listen Dara, if you are not ready to tell me what's wrong then we can always discuss it later. Right now, all I wanna do is sleep" she replied.
"How could you be so impatient to the extent that you forced me out of my Parents house just because you want to come meet your useless friend?" He blotted out.
The whole sentence seemed like someone poured hot water on Mide. She didn't know where the strength to talk to Dara came from. She jumped on her feet out on anger.
"Dara, how dare you refer to my friend as useless? Who are you for crying out loud?" she raged loudly
"Who am i?" he asked rhetorically. "Mide, did you just ask who am I?" he said, then smiled mischievously.
"and speaking of your parents house, how could you say I forced you out of there? Haven't they been your parent before you met me?"
"Just shut up Mide. You have just proved to me that you are not worth been called a Mrs. Cause if you worth it, you wouldn't choose a friend over your future family" he continued.
They were both standing up and blotting out angrily.
"No! You should shut up Dara. I have really had enough of your bossy attitude. I thought you were better than this. First of all, you took me to your parents house without telling me earlier and........
"Oh, was that why you couldn't even treat my sister well? Because I didn't tell you earlier? I saw the way you responded to her greetings, like you hate her" Dara said, cutting in
"Yes!, and that's because of your insensitivity. I told you I've been working all night and yet you chose today of all days to take me to them. How else do you expect me to greet your spoilt sister who couldn't even greet. Can you even remember I greeted her first?" Mide blotted out angrily
"How dare you call my sister spoilt Mide? "
"and how dare you call my friend useless too? Desola is like a sister to me if you don't know and I won't take it from you calling her useless. Even if she is useless to you, she is a very important person in my life and she cares about me, unlike you that cares for nobody except yourself" Mide replied on the top of her voice. She didn't hear Dara say a word but all she heard was a resounding slap. Dara, her all in all, her soulmate, her lover and assumed friend had just slapped her out of anger.
"Dara! You slapped me?!" she said, with her hands on her cheeks. She still couldn't believe it. She'd vouch for him anywhere that he can't touch a woman.
"Yes I did!, what can u do?.......You deserve it with what you just said? How dare you Mide? I repeat how dare you compare me to that rubbish friend of yours. Who cares if she cares about you? I said it earlier that you've proved you don't worth being called Mrs yet. You need to be sent back living under your Father's roof so you'd learn from your Mother how to talk to a man that's gonna marry you" he blotted out unapologetically
"Yes Dara, and you have just proved to me that you are not worthy to be called the husband of any woman. Get out of my house!" Mide replied angrily, still shouting.
"You are sending me out of your house? Mide! " Dara asked in a rage
"Yes, it is my house and you have no say in it yet, now get out!" she replied with her hands pointing at the door.
"You can go to hell for all I care" Dara replied and walked angrily to the door.
"One more thing" Mide said and Dara stopped, he had opened the outside door already.
"This relationship is over!" she ordered
"Whatever!" Dara replied as he walked out and slammed the door.

Mide wept herself to sleep that night. She loved Darasimi with all her heart. She was ready to do anything just to keep him to herself but he slapped her! Shuuu! That was the needle that broke the Camel's back. She could take in anything a man does but not when he's abusive. She had heard a lot of stories about women in abusive relationships, she just can't open her eyes and go into one.

She slept that night
and had a dream.

In the dream, she saw herself driving a very expensive car. She was on a journey to an unknown destination to deliver a message. She had a GPS cause she didn't know where she was going to and was faithfully obeying the directions of the GPS. She needed someone to accompany her on this mission and there were a lot of people on the highway trying to wave her down to stop the car and pick them. She kept on going and when she got to a place where 2 men stood, she stopped to see if one of them can accompany her.
One of the men had a map that showed they were going in the same direction and the other man had a keg of petrol. She felt the man with the petrol would dent her car with his heavy load so she went for the second man with the map. She and the man was enjoying the journey till they got to a junction and the man told her to turn, cause that was what's written in his map. She insisted the GPS hasn't told her to turn yet and therefore she can't disobey it. The man got annoyed and got off the car and waited at the roadside for another car.
It was at this point she checked her fuel meter and realized she's short of it. She had just enough to take her back to where she left the other man with the keg of petrol but by the time she got there, the man had gone with another car. She couldn't continue her journey and regretted not going for the man with the petrol in the first place. She was still lamenting in the dream when she woke up.

Mide was confused. She didn't know how to interpret it but she knew it has a very vital meaning and there's just one person she knows will understand it. She decided to go meet that person the following day.

To be continued... In the Next episode

Saturday 31 December 2016

A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE**PART 1*

Episode 3**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

Episode 4A CHURCH GIRLS TALE*

*Episode 5**A CHURCH GIRLS TALE

Episode 6**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

Episode 7**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

Episode 8**A CHURCH GIRLS TALE

EPISODE 9**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

*Episode 10**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE

Episode 11**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

Episode 12**A CHURCH GIRL'S TALE*

VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PASTORS TO READ AND TAKE NOTE

11 TIPS MAKING RESOLUTIONS REALITIES

9 DECISIONS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EMBRACE IN 2017

SEIZE THE DAY!

9 DECISIONS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD EMBRACE IN 2017

CHANGING FOR THE BETTER

THE SEASONS OF LIFE

LET ME BE A LITTLE KINDER

LET ME BE A LITTLE KINDER

Friday 23 December 2016

Was Jesus born on December 25?

GOT POTENTIAL

GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

APPRECIATE THE GOOD

THE EDGE Episode 7

THE EDGE Episode 6

THE EDGE* Episode 5

History and Life... Wike: Stop Watering Your 2023 Ambition With the Blood of Igbo Youths 😭😭

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