Tag: God

Experiencing God’s Presence Beyond Worship

I don’t usually speak like this — not because I don’t believe, but because I believe deeply. My struggle isn’t with faith itself, but with how it’s sometimes portrayed; how the church, in its passion to express God’s love, can sometimes end up commercializing what should be sacred and simple.

Lately, that’s been weighing on my heart…

There’s something I haven’t done in a while — just speaking straight from the heart.
Usually, I’d write it all down, but lately, I haven’t had the strength for that. Still, this question has been sitting heavy on my mind, and I don’t want to hold it in any longer. I don’t want to grow cynical about my faith.

So here I am, just putting it out there — hoping that maybe someone will understand what I’m trying to say.

Recently, I was listening to a live worship session. I noticed something that’s always been there. This time, it really struck me. The worship leader said something like, “We’re going to feel the presence of the Lord tonight!”

And I realized how often I hear that phrase — Come and feel the power of God. Come and feel His presence. Experience His love tonight.

It’s everywhere in how gatherings, events, and worship nights are advertised. And it made me pause.

Because sometimes… it feels commercialized.
Almost like we’re trying to sell people an experience — like we’re offering them air, when air is already all around us.

Why do we make it seem like the love or presence of God is something confined to a church building, or a particular atmosphere?
Why can’t we remind people that God’s love can be felt right where they are — in the quiet of a new morning, in good health, in the warmth of family and friends?

Yes, it’s beautiful to gather with others in worship — there’s power and encouragement in community. But we shouldn’t give the impression that that is the only place God’s love resides.

His presence isn’t an event.
It’s existence itself.
Every breath, every sunrise, every moment of peace is proof that His love is still here.

I think we sometimes sensationalize His presence — we turn it into something to be felt rather than lived. But maybe to truly feel the love of God, we also have to love Him in return.

If you don’t carry love for God in your heart, how can you recognize His love when it’s already around you? It’s not that His love arrives only when the music swells or the preacher calls for it — it’s that our hearts finally open to notice it.

Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe not.
But it’s something I needed to say — and maybe, someone out there feels the same.

—
(Thank you for reading. If you’ve ever thought about this too, I’d love to hear your perspective.)

My Dark Muse (My Muse is Black today!..)

My Muse is Black today!..

She is black today…

She weighs upon my chest
words that make no sense,
Much nonsense put on paper
with the many blip-blips to censor
dark expression flowing from a broken center

My muse damns me to this inspiration,
Choke-filled with life’s putrid manifestation
Vexed from the stings of bites not felt
yet heard and seen…

I am ANGRY! because its Death for breakfast,
War and Anarchy! My pain is palpable- come- cut,
taste with me- This muse is ours,
Awakenings to life’s woes she showers us constantly

Even in the comfort of home, exposed
by the media drawing my attention to the next bomb
that explodes, Reports of wars-disasters and poverty
“Oops! This just in, more fatalities…”
Fake- ass governments and their bullshit policies,
Resolute terrorists making God seem the enemy…

Her essence causing these scales fall- BUT resiliently,
For lies will always be sweeter than honesty, now
lying naked to the truth and left questioning,
Existence!… is it Hell or is it Purgatory?

I WANT SUPERMAN!

In a relationship, whether platonic or intimate there is a part of us that expects a sort of perfection from our partners. He or she is supposed to be that rock you can lean on in times of insecurity. You have a bad day and they’ll be there to say the right words, cook you your favourite meal or even ease the tension with mind blowing sex…. But what happens when all that doesn’t help? Allow me share with you a lesson I was taught yesterday…

I was having an evening of unclear moments about the future and so I started a whatsapp chat with my BF (Boyfriend of course… But yeah also Best friend). I expressed my feelings of depression and how unclear I was about work, my future and sorts. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from a man two continents away from me, but it just felt like the best thing to do at the time. Sure that his response would be how sorry he was for not being here to comfort me… not necessarily through sex, I waited for the pity party to begin.

Conversation went thus:

Me: Getting real low right now. Missing my dad.

BF: I’m sorry sweetie, What’s going on?

Me: Freaking out about work and my future. I think its the flu getting to some nerve in my brain

BF: Well you should watch 2 videos before I say anything to you. First YouTube joseph prince, I forget the title.

Me: Prince of egypt?!

BF: Something like letting Jesus works or something. NO, Joseph Prince.

Silly Me 😛 : O! Lol! OK

He referred me to two wonderful 6 minute inspirational videos, one of which was titled “Let go and let God’s supply flow.

Fast forward through our conversation:

BF: Watch em both. I have an interview in 3 minutes so I’ll leave you with this: You haven’t made any mistakes in your life yet.

Not much of a pity party after all! 🙂

We all want someone that will understand and feel for us when we are down. We want him or her to give us that shoulder or back rub and ask what they can do to make it better or even go away, and when they are miles away, for them to tell us how things will get better as soon as they get back… “Just a little while longer babe!” They say.

Well that chat was an eye opener for me. I learned that as much as I want a man to be there for me, to be that shoulder to cry on and ear to listen to me jabber rocks about life’s woes and all, I also NEED him to be real. A real partner will listen, he or she will support you but what they won’t do is try to play superman because IT DOESN’T WORK!

1st Scenario:
You’ve ranted about how things aren’t just working out. Partner starts with some words of encouragement, a back rub, your favourite meal and finally great sex, but then what? You probably get tired, you drift off… and then when you wake up later you find yourself back at square one.

Understand that the coach talk, to the massage , to even the point where you both are knocking boots is just a fix. Empathy and petting are all necessary but what is MOST important in times of uncertainty and weakness is for a partner to make you see how they actually don’t have all the answers … They probably don’t have any!

Along with the show of empathy, encouragement and care, he/she is meant first and foremost to get you back in focus with The Big Man Himself. Only HE is able to meet you at your point of need.

2nd Scenario:
You get home feeling downcast and your partner says “Baby, you have a problem, I get that and its ok. You know I love you and am here for you if you need to talk but right now what I need for you to do for me is to take sometime to talk to Jesus. I know it might not be what you want to hear, but you will thank me later. Now go pray while I make you that ___ you love so much.” Rubbing your back he or she says “I’ll be right here when you are done ok baby. I love you.” You probably get a quick but loving kiss planted on your pouting lips 😉

Well I feel that partner has played his/her true role as Superman don’t you?

My BF set a standard for me last night… He taught me that a real Superman is the kind of man or woman who will not only endeavour to support you body and soul, but will ALSO make you see how much of a superman imposter he or she really is.
The perfect partner will lovingly remind you how when in search for “Superman” you will find Him while on your knees in prayer! 🙂

Cheers! 😉

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

In the name of God…

In the name of God inquisitions have transpired
 In the name of God, death to the heretics and liars!
In the name of God crusades have been fought
 In the name of God, religions have been brought to not
In the name of God wickedness is at its highest
 In the name of God corrupt religious leaders smile the widest
In the name of God suicide bombs explode
 In the name of God horrors still unfold
In the name of God many lives are lost
 In the name of God an embassy was just torched
In the name of God, such foolishness is caused
 In the name of God LETS STOP HURTING OUR GOD!

I’ve got a new Blog!!!! …. “What My Preacher Taught Me”

Hi people! 🙂

I’m writing to introduce a new blog of mine. Its called  “What My Preacher Taught Me“

For a while now I have been making notes of  Sunday sermons from my church, which I have either been able to attend or listen in on. Up until yesterday I had sent some of these notes to friends after church, through texts and other forms of messengers.

Today however, I decided “why not just create a site where you can post these wonderful teachings, in order to bless the minds of not just the familiar but the unfamiliar alike?”. So here it is! I pray that you will be spiritually moved in some small way by these abstracts of mine, courtesy of sermons from Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.

PS- This blog was inspired by fellow bloggers such as Deb Feller, Paulette’s Blog  and Ben Nelson who have knowingly or unknowingly challenged me to becoming a tool in the hands of THE ONE whom I serve, not just in my being but with the little talent I possess.

I thank God for this blog; I thank Him for you all and I pray that this post makes Him smile just a little wider 😀

Thanks for reading and please feel free to stop by at “What My Preacher Taught Me“  🙂

Blessed week! 🙂

(O yeah! PLEASE give me till the end of the week! I should have my previous notes up by then, and from there the journey continues with other Sundays to come… God willing)

The Encounter by Queen Ewere

I watched his lips part
As I clung to his every word
In the sweet essence of presence
Swooning at his mercy
My eyes grow heavy
In betrayal too soon, dims

My heart drums up uneven beats
And I rumble into an ecstatic dance
My blood’s on a fiery course
Sweat breaks out on every pore
Yes, the world’s beneath my feet!
As my spirit sets to soar, I must be Alice

Shhh! Suddenly sublime
The crescendo comes to a screeching halt
“No! Please stay” I cry
And like a million others I wake.
Is this it? Did you feel it too? I search
Hesitant, yearning I rise from my kowtow.

Was that  you Lord, I ask?
An incoherent whisper,
“Maybe next Sunday I hear,
Just maybe Alice dear…”

By: Queen Ewere

Hello 🙂 

Its that time again so please join me in giving a big welcome to my newest feature, Queen Ewere 🙂

I read this piece off of her phone yesterday and it moved me. Its seemed like a verse out of songs of Solomon… you know, romantic yet spiritual. To me it portrayed a sort of spiritual ecstasy. What’s your view? 🙂

Anyway, thank you Q.E for allowing me share such a wonderful poem, and thank you reader for stopping by! 🙂

Cheers!

Blogging, Broadcasting and Christ

When I first started my blogs I never realized just how many people would get to read my posts, neither did I consider the sort of people that would come across my messages. Today however, was an eye opener to that reality.

People from all facets of life will read your stuff and if you make enough sense the usual case is that they get impacted with some form of entertainment, encouragement or inspiration. They will leave comments telling you how wonderful your post was or how touched they were by your message or even use one of your posts as a reference. Its a good feeling, the attention, but what happens when you start getting it from a crowd you never expected?

One of my latest posts got a pingback from a blog site today. On getting the notification I clicked on the link only to realize that I had stepped into a world absolutely different from mine. Its okay when you get on your blog and see that your blog post was liked by “your kind of people” or that they were touched by your ideas and opinion, but what do you do when your message is applauded by someone you have always considered different from you? I can’t go into detail as to what makes this person different, but my guess is that you have a few ideas relating to what I’m going on about.

Anyway, I saw the blog and noticed that my article had been made reference to in one of the blog posts. My first reaction was to trash the comment, but then something in my head or maybe my heart stopped me.  This all happened while I was at the office so I really didn’t have time to fully assess the situation. After quick deliberation I finally decided to spam it for a time, at least until I was sure about my convictions. Meanwhile, I had been receiving this broadcast from friends on my blackberry network all day saying:

“Hello, I am Jesus Christ,u hardly have time for me. I love You and always bless you.I am always with You. Today I want this message across the world before midnight, please do not cut it and I’ll help you with something that you are in need of.“

I’m sorry,  I love Christ and all and I RRRREALLY do, but why some people try to make him look like some sort of sales person or item is beyond me! I feel broadcasts like this one just belittles the image of my Lord and Saviour.

So what does this have to do with my initial story? A lot!

Me not rebroadcasting that message had got me feeling a little uneasy from the moment I started receiving it. I felt irritated and yet just because the message bore the name Jesus Christ in it, I was filled with guilt for not wanting to follow the B.B re-broadcasting horde. “Don’t I love Jesus enough?” I thought to myself. Then the blog issue hit! Whether or not I would accept this blogger’s comment on my page would be a test of my faith.

The sense of guilt seemed only to increase when I decided I wouldn’t delete the comment. “O so you’d rather have funny people on your blog, but rebroadcasting a message about Jesus is an issue huh?”. I wondered how Jesus saw me at that time.

At home I took my time to read this persons blog, and though their opinion and way of life is FAR DIFFERENT from mine, I could see how my message might have helped through certain feelings and emotion. It was then I realized, “your kind of people” or not, its all about making a positive contribution to a “LIFE”. Loving your neighbor as yourself and bringing peace and joy to others, isn’t that what being christian is all about?

I decided to reach out to this person and apologize for my initial reaction to their comment because in the end its all about practicing what you preach… I preach Love and acceptance, judging not so that I too will not be judged.

My final take. You can broadcast or rebroadcast messages about Christ a million and one times believing that this is your contribution to the christian race , but if your message only tends to scare, irritate or even put people on a spiritual guilt trip then maybe you need to re-think your strategy on how to draw lost sheep to The Father and Son. Its not about selling him as an idea but becoming more like him in spirit and person, that others may see and draw near.

Let your actions, thoughts and behavior speak louder than your broadcasts…

Cheers!

God in Music, God in Everything

I believe God reveals Himself through the vaguest of means, take Music for instance. Besides gospel, I listen to some songs (mostly instrumental) and I’m caught up in some sort of rapture, I feel His presence (true beauty), which leads me to cry like a 5 year old :D.

Below is one of my favourite compositions done by David Buckley, one of the soundtracks to the movie “The Forbidden Kingdom“. He for one must have been touched by a higher power to have come up with such an amazing piece of Music.

God in Everything

He stretches forth His arms to share his presence in every way
The rustling trees, starry nights, the breaking of each day.
A baby’s cry, a canary sings;
all symphony and  silence give
testament to His Manifestation.
Therefore embrace His reach
through all of  His creation.

… I thank God for His beauty in all its shapes and forms.
Cheers! 🙂

Letter to God

Might I sing a song like Solomon‘s,
asking for your arms to embrace me;
to shield me from the cruelty of Adam,
his unknowingness and the deep darkness of his heart

Can I ask for your love to guide me;
to steer my soul,
to be my north star in this maze called life….

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

My Resolutions

Its the month of the crab people! 🙂 (OK, the other month of the crab) and JUST A FEW WEEKS TO MY BIRTHDAY!!! No, this post does not contain my wish list ….that will come later 😉 (lol!)

This may sound funny, but I have always seen my birthday as the real moment for ushering in the new year. I take my time to make new resolutions weeks before “D-day” and spend the next year working on my new cause. I turned the big “THREE- O” last year and weeks before my birthday, no, this time it was months before my birthday! I began panicking about entering the 3rd decade of my life without the “would be” fulfillment of most women my age (you know- A home, marriage, kids and perhaps a dog or maybe even a cat). I was fortunate enough to have the encouragement of friends older than myself, either of a similar circumstance or lucky enough to be living the fairytale life.

I specifically remember the advice of a girlfriend of mine. Chidinma, then in the 2nd year of her 30’s, 4 years married and a mom of 2, told told me with eyes rolling

“marriage and all that comes with it is …yes, wonderful! But if you don’t have it at this time, don’t sweat it, it will come at the right moment and hopefully you will have what it takes (i.e. the maturity and patience)to see  yours through. No panic, go throw yourself for the wrong man hand o! This is the time to love yourself and love life, and instead of becoming desperate for what you don’t have, look to what you do have and appreciate it ALL.”

I took that piece of advice and have held on to it till this very day! 30 has finally come and as its about flying out the window, I can proudly say that I have spent this year being more appreciative of my every breath  of life and the people I share it with. So on to the next one! 🙂

This coming year its all about:

  • Eating Healthy –  I seem to have over indulged myself for most of last year ( must’ve  gone a bit over board with the whole love myself move :D). I believe I gained about 10 pounds ’cause I’m almost a dress size bigger now 😐 . So no more sweet stuff for me! No more junk! no more cakes! …Getting very sad as I write all this :(, but its called sacrifice 😉 and luckily for me not only is Chidinma a wonderful counselor, she’s also coaching me through this new life style of mine … GO CHIDINMA!!!! 🙂
  • Joining a Cause – I believe that is very necessary for everyone to join a selfless cause at some point in their life and for me its going down in mid- 2012! Well I’m still looking for one though, so if you have any ideas or links please hook me up pronto!!!  THANKS! 😉
  • Rekindle my passion for Pets (Dogs to be more exact) -There was a time I could tell you  a lot about dog breeding and care; I could walk into most houses where there were dogs unafraid, and when all my passwords had something to do with canines or bore the name of my pets. I still love dogs and have 2 beautiful Alsatians back in my home town, but its time to step it up a bit. I intent becoming more informed about these wonderful creatures (the different breed, their temperaments, and how best to care for them). No, I’m not looking at becoming another “Dog Whisperer“, but I do plan on taking care of a number of them like I did as a kid someday.
  • Keep Loving ME and Stay Positive about the Future – I believe that sums it up. Still single, no kids and yet to land my dream job but hey, THIS IS LIFE and I am and will continue living it for all its worth :). Sure, sometimes I ache for the next chapter whatever it maybe, but I will be sure to keep reminding myself that it is best to be thankful for “the here and now” and be hopeful for the future.

I know there is so much more I intend doing this new year but I can’t think of them all right now, so I’ll be sure to fill you in on my progress come next year God willing.  😉

Cheers! 🙂

P.S- Wish list coming soon 😉

😀 HEHEHE!!!!