Quotes from my current readings! How they apply for me

From Cheryl Strayed- Brave enough

"Allow your acceptance of the universality of suffering to be a transformative experience. You do that by simply looking at what pains you squarely in the face and then moving on. You don't have to move fast or far. You can go just an inch. You can mark your progress breath by breath."

- Having lost my mother in a shocking, sudden, unbelievable accident about 8 months ago, this hit me squarely. I am moving on because I believe I will see her again someday in heaven, does not reduce the pain but I look it squarely daily and I take a step forward. I lost someone dear, she did not lose because she is with the LORD, But I lost so much, we lost so much, our world lost! But we will move on and remember her for who she was, who she served, who she touched and we will keep moving on.

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday was thanksgiving and  I did feel the need to give thanks.
A whole day set aside by a whole country to give Thanks
No wonder we hear all around and within, God's own country
America the beautiful, the brave the great.
Let this truly be One of God's own countries
Or indeed are they not all??
In God we Trust.
Happy thanksgiving, God's own Country!!

Great to be back

Just feeling happy to be back to blogspot. For everyone who comes to these pages please keep coming back, I am back for real. As always I know this is the right time and He makes all things beautiful in his time. Amen

What I Learnt from Reading "Developing the Leader Within You" by John C Maxwell- Part I

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to develop or improve leadership qualities. It is a book you do not want to rush at all. The nuggets of wisdom ring true and are doable, if one wants to truly excel at leadership. In most cases  I will use his words and sometimes mine.

First John Maxwell says that Leadership can be taught; it is not an exclusive club for born leaders. This is encouraging as some people feel like they can never be leaders. He goes on to categorize those desiring leadership into four levels;

• The leading Leader
• The Learned Leader
• The Latent Leader
• The Limited Leader

For all of these levels most of the characteristic qualities can be acquired.

Leadership is the ability to influence others, and everyone can influence others to the level where they become followers of some sort. So a Leader can be defined as someone who has followers.
He shares that sociologists tell us that even the most introverted person influences about ten thousand people in a life time. This influence too is a skill that can be learned.

There are Five Levels of Leadership

1. Position
2. Permission
3. Production
4. Personnel development
5. Personhood

In climbing through these levels of leadership, it gets considerably longer to get higher and your level of committment also progressively increases.
John Maxwell calls the key to leadership, "Priorities" and the most important ingredient, "Integrity". I found these interesting.
A funny anecdote I got from reading the part on integrity building compared to image building was, "Two old ladies were walking in a somewhat overcrowded English country churchyard and came upon a tombstone. The inscription said: "Here lies John Smith, a politician and an honest man." "Good heavens!" said one woman to the other. "Isn't it awful that they had to put two people in the same grave!"

I found these questions which he posed for self assessment on whether you are an image builder or an integrity builder very helpful, and I hope others will:
Consistency:   "Are you the same person no matter who you are with? Yes or no."

Choices:   "Do you make decisions that are best for others when another choice would benefit you? Yes or no."

Credit:   "Are  you quick to recognize others for their efforts and contributions to your success? Yes or no."

Terror At Boston

His Name was Martin, and he was eight
He stood on the steps of his church
In His First Communion Suit
Holding in His hand His First Communion Banner
You see that picture haunts me now
Because right now I am working on the same Banner
Thinking of a First Communion Suit and maybe a Brunch too
My son and I are planning how best to make the Banner
Our Ideas blending together, our arguments loud
Creating Our very Own Master piece
 I am sure Martin and His Family Did too
They argued on where to place the Name, the Chalice, the Dove
And they came up with their special Banner
Which Martin held that day for all the World to see
Little did they Know.....Little did they see
He was eight, but wait, for now he is late
I feel it so much as I watched the morning news
Yes because Adults are Bullies too
They Bombed the Boston Marathon and Killed a little Boy
Just as they killed little children in Newtown and in other tragic events
Hacking down defenseless people especially children too
I weep for Martin, I did not know him
But now I know him and I will never forget
That Little Boy who stood on the Steps for all the World To see
I will never forget His Happy face, His victory Smile
He shames the world and its wickedness
Because you see, they meant to Hurt him
But they failed, for he rode high upon Angels' Wings
He lives with his Father above who loves him so much
He smiles down at Us, forgiveness in His Heart
Now I know Martin and I pray for His family
For the families who Hurt in Boston and all over the world
From the pain caused by Bullies, who walk upon the earth

The White Smoke Rises

I await, holding my breath
Who will it be
Who has He chosen
He who knows the heart of all men
He has chosen through His People
For Vox Populi Vox Dei
He knows, he has spoken
Who is our Pope
Who will lead us now
In these days of Disbelief and many transgressions
God guide us through this Pope
Let your spirit fill him up
And be his shinning light
We await his name a confirmation of Your choice
Thank God for the rising white smoke
In this lenten season God we give you thanks
Thanks, Praise and all the Glory

The Power of Praise

There is a lot to be grateful for but sometimes we forget because we look at the challenges we face and they overwhelm us. They also prevent us from counting our blessings as that beautiful hymn suggests. Again Praise is something we give because God deserves it; he has given us the gift of life, talents, family, friends, grace and the greatest of all His Son, to save us from our sins.
In short we need to praise God at all times because he lives within the praises of his people, the bible says he  inhabits the praises of his people. God is also moved by praise to do things far greater than we expect. In the bible we see the effect of praise when Paul and Silas sang and the Holy Ghost came down. David was another Praise singer and God loved him so much. David wrote so many Psalms of Praise, I have written down two that I love amongst so many.
This lent I have purposed in my heart to Praise and Pray.

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)


“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
    fulfill your vows to the Most High,
 and call on me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Pray for Faith

Madden Girl Zippedd Over the Knee Boot (Google Affiliate Ad)Sometimes the words that come out of the mouths of children can throw someone of balance and really show us that we do not have all the answers. We may be christian mothers and we may have been christians all our lives, it does not matter. It goes to show that we learn every day and we need to always seek God's guidance through his Holy Spirit and ask him daily to help us make the appropriate response. This brings us to a statement such as this, "The whole Jesus thing does not work for me." How do you address children's faith issues? How do you feel when all you have done for as long as they were born was to teach them about God's love, his mercy, his grace. You have taught them about God answering prayers and they have been privy to so many answers but one day being kids they ask for something and the answer does not come as they expect; they lose faith and they gain it again, but the real issue is for an abiding faith that will guide them through out their lives. A faith that will deny the lies of the world and show God as true again and again. A faith that will be unshaken despite the changing values of the world. How do we help our children to develop this kind of faith even as we still struggle with ours? We can pray for faith. The faith of David, who asked God before he undertook everything or anything. A faith of a man after God's heart, who sinned desperately but did not lose that faith. The faith of Abraham known as the father of faith, who believed God despite everything physical being against God's promise. The faith of Moses, who despite his stammer led God's people through the desert and is arguably the best leader in the history of God's people, who though he was not allowed to go to the promised land still followed God till his death. A man whom God buried by himself whose grave no one can identify to date (Deut. 34). The faith of Daniel, Paul, Peter, Joshua, Caleb and many others even modern day saints. You get the point, men of faith have walked the earth paying allegiance to God. The world today makes it hard to be faithful even for adult christians, not to think of little kids easily influenced by peers. We need to pray for faith so our children are not swallowed by the culture of the world that denies the very existence of God. We have hope because the bible assures us that prayer works and we can pray for our children. We can Pray for a faith that is unshakeable in the face of utter challenges. Faith works.


Here is a simple prayer to start Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of my children Thank you for deeming me worthy to care for these precious lives Lord Sometimes you know I know not how to but I depend on your grace and your guidance Lord as they grow may I direct them more towards you and may they embrace your presence daily Dear Lord I ask that you teach them to be faithful children of yours To desire to know you and live for you all their lives Lord I pray that the challenges they meet may drive them more to you and not far away. May they seek the faith of your most beloved saints that revered you in all they did May the distractions of the world and its lure not take away from you In all things may they know the joy that comes from knowing you. Thank you Lord for answering this Prayer. I ask through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen



"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2

Pray Against Fear

As we pray for our kids this lent, this is one area I find pretty common amongst children; Fear! From toddlers to Pre teens and beyond. Which parent hasn't had a child come into their bedroom at night in tears, "Mom I had a nightmare," Or "I cannot sleep I am afraid". I would usually ask, "why are you afraid?" The answer is diverse ranging from nightmares to strange sights, to just fear for no reason. Sometimes its just age related fear and nothing really serious, but sometimes its persistent fear. I have found it helpful to ask about movies, internet experience, video games and books.I try to monitor all these areas but who knows it may have slipped past me. In the case of any of the above being culprits, I would investigate and take them out of the child's room and possession. The next thing in this case would be prayers and renunciations with the child. Anointing the room with oil also helps. This idea I got from Stormie Omartian and I have personally used it with great results. Another area that really brought this up fiercely for me was the Newtown Shootings. I had so much explaining to do. "Why did it happen?" "Are we safe?" After that incident I did start reciting Psalm 91 and Psalm 121 nightly with my kids. It has really helped them with reasurance about God's protection.




A simple prayer for a child in Fear (You can use your words this is just a starter to assist) Dear Lord, thank you for the life of my child----------- Thank you for your love and grace which you have so lavishly poured upon us I come today asking for deliverance of this child from fear If there is anything that is specifically causing this fear please reveal it to me And dear Lord, teach me how to deal with it. You have not given us a spirit of fear but of a Sound mind. I rebuke every spirit of fear and I lay this fear at the foot of the Cross Lord, I know that you hear my prayer and that you are a God of mercy You desire the best for your children and fear is not of you. Let this child by your mercy and the blood of Jesus Christ be delivered completely from Fear I ask you this through Jesus Christ your son and my saviour. Amen The following passages will also help: 2Tim 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind." Quote other verses of scripture over them and teach them to recite some scripture. Specifically I recommend Ps 91 and 121 every night:


Psalm 91 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”


Psalm 121 NIV A song of ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Keep Praying and Praising and Godbless you.


http://mygodtube.com/how-great-is-our-god/

This Lenten Season - Prayer for Children and Songs of Praise

"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children." Lamentations 2:19 For a long time, I have often tried to be a "praying parent", a term I learnt from Stormie Omartian, I have read her Praying wife and Praying parent books over and over again and I must say they have served me well in times of need. This lent as if like a bolt of lightening it hit me why not take serious prayer for my children and take up praise daily. The spirit has been pulling me to deeper prayer for my children and a greater attitude of gratitude. This is my calling this lent. What is yours? Lent is usually a time of giving up things but also of taking up spiritual responsibilities, acts of charity and deeds of mercy. I decided that every morning I will wake up with Praise on my lips. It is strange though that the song that keeps coming to me is the scripture from Isaiah 61:3 "and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." The bible calls us to cry out for the life of our young children, will you join me to pray for specific but universal problems children face? Will you also join me to Praise like Paul and Silas, to bring down daily the Holy Ghost into your heart, home and highway? Come and Pray, Come and Praise!

Joint PEPFAR-UNAIDS mission spotlights progress and challenges in preventing new HIV infections among children in Nigeria

Joint PEPFAR-UNAIDS mission spotlights progress and challenges in preventing new HIV infections among children in Nigeria

"But Mommy the cap didn't fit"; out of the mouth of babes

How many times have you been so moved by a child's statement that you remember that biblical phrase "out of the mouth of babes.." Well it occured to me recently. My little preschooler and I had gone out to do some window shopping and maybe shopping for real. It was one of those days when she would not listen, neither was she interested in anything I wanted to entice her with. Her first port of call was to sit at the window ledge of the shop we were at. An associate had nicely asked her to climb down from it. She did so promptly, but went out to the door of the shop. I was getting frustrated and tried to engage her in some lovely hats which I felt she would love. Hi baby come and try these hats, she loved a little pink one, but it was for 6-12 months old kids so it did not fit. I told her as much, I said it does not fit because it is for little babies. And she seemed to understand and dropped it. We went round and I had to leave for another shop as I didn't see what I wanted. A day later I called her, "mommy's little baby" come here. She looked at me like, I was bunkers. Out of her mouth came the following words, "the cap didn't fit." I was confused, What do you mean baby, "mommy I am not a baby I am a big girl now, the cap didn't fit." A day later, her older brother called her "baby." She used the same words, "I am not a baby the cap didn't fit!" "I am a big girl now." I laughed both times but I realized she had accepted her new position without much ado. She was no longer a baby because the baby cap didn't fit. She had moved on and wanted every one to know that too. It was so simple for her to accept the change of her status just because of a single event. In her mind that was all it took not to be a baby. I cried in my heart for my baby who was now a big "preschool"girl. I had been unconsciously buying little sizes for her for a while, then I would return them and say to myself, "my child is growing so fast." I was holding on to her as a really little baby just as we hold on to our younger selves and former status. We refuse to move on in age or in status, sometimes we are being called to a different life but we are so scared to move that we persist in wearing that "cap" that does not fit. That little child made me think so long and hard I had to put it all down. Are you stuck in a position or a "cap" that doesn't fit? Is God, your life or circumstance urging you to move to another level? Or are you still looking at your children as "little" and refusing to see their changing forms and needs? Move on, the cap doesn't fit anymore, get a new one. Listen more to the children, like the child who truly saw that, "the emperor had no clothes" and voiced it out they are the most truthful voices we will hear around us. Go, get a move on, "the cap, didn't fit."

An Unforgetable Message

Christmas is a funfilled time with lots of buying and selling. Gifting and regifting. A time when christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. My annual ritual and passion is to attend the mass on the 24th of December. As usual for the past few years I had forgotten that this particular mass was usually full to capacity with overflow to the basement of the church. On non festive days I usually always get a seat because the church though vibrant is usually not totally filled for my chosen mass. Anyway long story short I was late and I didn't want to join the overflow, but that looked like the only option. As I was about to herd off my kids downstairs who would approach me with a nod of his head but a young man. He said, "do you want my seat?" I said, "how many seats do you have?" He said "four". I said, "oh thanks", but as he stood up I saw him pick up his crutches. I said, "oh no, you can't, I can never do that". He said, "please have the seat I can stand". I said 'no' but with his two friends a young man and a lady he got up. I was ashamed that I was even going to grumble or whine about either standing or going to the overflow. Here was someone who obviously needed to seat and he gave up his seat to stand but that was not all. It was time to kneel for part of the mass, "The consecration", because there was no kneeler where I was I sat and bowed but who do I see kneeling on his good knee on the bare carpet but the same young man and his friends. I fell on my knees so did my son and my husband who had come in after the seat was given up. The gesture of that man and his message are unforgetable. Later as we left the church my son said mummy I felt so ashamed that that man gave up his seat and when he knelt down to pray I just had to kneel, I was seating before then. He had touched the whole family, my husband, my children and me. You know what, he preached no worded sermon, he judged no one. He only preached by example. So many times in life we refuse to give or help because we feel we do not have to give, but we always have something to give, we may be inconvenienced.I was baffled, he preached a great gospel to me. To give even when it is inconvenient like Christ did. Was it convenient for our master to live as a babe and in this human form? Was it convenient to die on the cross for people who did not even love, recognise or appreciate him? No it wasn't but he did it anyway for you and me. So the next time remember that you have something to give, it may not be convenient but a little sacrifice will not hurt and instead will bring a lot of grace in your own moment of need. Like St. Francis of ASSISI said, "Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words." That young man and his two friends preached a message so powerful that they touched my life and that of my family and they may not even be aware of it. God bless them. It was a pure, beautiful undiluted message from the Throne and preached without words but with profound action. May we be Christ in the world today. Merry Christmas and Godbless you as you read.

And the Ducks came to Stay

Long and hard my son pleaded Like it was all the world his Soul needed Please mom let the ducks come First he tried for the weekend then one He whined and he weedled He cried, prayed, siddled First to his dad and then to me "Just overnight" he said let it be We put up little challenges Little expectations and barrages He failed most, got some too In the end I said, "not the weekend boo" All I can say is we didn't rest or hear His prayers and God came to bear Just like we blunder through life Yet God's grace comes through strife The day shown bright it came so gay And then the nine little ducks came to stay We had fun, we worked a lot as one "And I learnt" my son said, "responsibility and fun" Sometimes we never get the whole picture Or see through the work in the structure We, parents think oh so much work

Children think so much fun, oh duck In all both are entwined in the experience None can be without the other such brillaince In all we grow together and have fun and bond Yet we still work, learn and heal our wound Yeah the ducks came to stay and we all loved

I have often written out of the depths of my heart' I have often thought it was the best way to be Now I reconsider, maybe I should write from the bottom of my heart but not live that way People have often said I am too sensitive maybe thats true I learn daily that in a world were values become relative And truth seems a shifting ground that I stand as if alone I do not claim perfection I only claim that maybe character wise I try too hard to be perfect Maybe I take life too serious and insults personal Maybe I expect too much and drive myself too hard I need to know is it wrong to strive to be good? Or should I be proud of my falls and misdeeds? And expect the same from others Is it too much to be too plain and fear to do evil I hardly hear the word sin anymore This is real, am I the only sinner? Is sin no longer here? Then why the hurt of many by many, The death of love and the uprise of vanity, terror and sorrow Why are there many who lurk in the dark causing fear and being afraid Why are children missing and guns tooting Let us call it what it is So much sin And yet so much grace, abounds For the aching, the victims, the lost There is still a name for wrong doing it is SIN There is yet a bigger name for relief It is Salvation, both start with S I preach too much, so they flea, but I preach to myself Much more than to anyother I need the grace, for pain, sin, hardship and strength I need the grace and I am called grace. I am renewed by grace and I thank God for grace. Thank you Lord

So beautiful, yet so confusing

This may seem to many like the wondering of someone inept if nothing, these blogs show i am searching for what you may ask, to whom you may ask i do not have the answers and so i search on the sound of music song comes back to me after so many years of listening "climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow till you find your dream" my question is what is my dream, what is my mission? What if i miss the very essence for which i was made. It took Moses 40 years, or was it 80 years before he achieved his May be just maybe life is still long May be just may be i am here to ask the questions you all are afraid to ask Maybe just maybe you all know what to do may be just maybe i am the only wonderer and wanderer may be just maybe i am....... Life is so beautiful, but oh so confusing MAYBE, Just maybe....

A life of Challenges

A life worth living is full of challenges A challenge worth taking is fraught with tension Tension prolonged is stress unlimited A life of stress can be good or bad A bad life is chronic stress and more A good life is so much more and a little stress What are we here for and are we on course? Why were we made or did we evolve? I will not talk about evolving because I was born human All my ancestors are human too This is my belief and this is my truth As I was saying, this life is full of challenges However I will overcome because I live in the shadow of HIS wings I am in the great I AM! So the challenges just makes my relationship with him all the more exciting This is to the chagrin of them that think they cause them A life of challenges is a life worth living A life without "A Cause" is an empty tomb waiting to be filled Bring on the stress, the strife, the challenge I am in the great I AM, I have no fears Only laughter, only victory, only success

My mortality,

Born Laughing

I have often wondered why I am always smiling
Laughing even when it may seem to some ailing
In my pain I see cause to smile
In my foolishness I reason to laugh sly
Then it hit me and has persisted
I was born laughing as I resisted
The difficult passage of the birth canal
The harshness of the cold wind of life banal
I laughed and they thought I cried
They were glad as they furiously pried
Little and seeming ill prepared for life
Still I guffawed my way as sure as a knife
God made me slight to defy the stout
He gave me reason and grace to go about
And so even now aparently poorly adapting to my circumstances
I grimace and remember to laugh as I take stance
I still smile, laugh, guffaw, whatever
Just as I survived my birth however
I will survive this strife that I face daily
I will die laughing and my small world will rally
Round me laughing with me, and saying she laughed all through life
And even in death she still laughs on as friend, sister, mother, wife

Another reason to smile

To those who ask me why do you always smile
I say this, what is there to cry about?
You stabbed my back to make me die
You tried to pull me down so you can stand up
MY SMILE is in defiance, to show that you failed
I am glad that I also learnt the truth
In pulling another down you bend down too and may fall
In stabbing another you lose strength too and may hurt
In causing pain you fail again and again
Your wishes can only come true when you are true
To yourself, to your kin and to your God
I have another reason to smile
I have been stabbed yet I healed again and again
I have been pulled down yet I stand tall
I live to fight another day
I smile again because there's no reason to cry