On Being Thankful for June & Sweet Hiatuses


The winds are blowing towards the proverbial North, and just like a kite runner, I must run along now with my paper kite swaying in the wind to wherever my hand leads it.

I'm thankful for the month of June. Last year, God was a "Faithful God" to me. He gave and He sustained I, my husband, and my entire family, till the very end.

In these past six months, I can say God has been my "Confidant." He's been the friend that listens when no other is listening, and it's been such a fantastic thing to act like I'm talking to myself, when indeed it's God I'm talking to. Father, I love You.

In this month, I am also thankful to you readers who decided to nominate the Light-A-Lamp Blog for best Religion Blog. Christianity is a Religion, but more than that, it embodies the heart of God, that He sent His only begotten son just so that you and I can be close to Him (redemption)- and that we can be broken from shackles which bound us in our past.

But we must travel beyond the walls of Religion, we must be the hands and feet, and we must have ears to hear the words God is telling our generation today. This blog is not merely about Religion. We are more than rules and regulations. We are more than Religion. We don't do it because we have to, but we do it because we're in love. And when someone is crazy in love, they begin to do things that they can't believe they are doing. *Giggles*

I'm thankful for you who nominated this blog for the Nigerian Blog Awards (NBA). You're wonderful and amazing. Of course, the blog would love your votes as well when you are ready to do so.  :)

On Sweet Hiatuses:

In July, I will be going on a long journey with my pen and paper. I have to. Away from distractions, just me and the Holy Spirit speaking to me about a long-term project that I am supposed to write. I love you all, and may God continue to bless you even as you peruse the Archives of the Blog. Oh, I'll definitely miss you :)

PS: All the contents of this blog have been written specially with you in mind. Just go to the 'Top Ten Writings' on the sidebar, or the "Labels" at the bottom of the sidebar, and may the Holy Spirit lead you to what you need in your life right now.

Amazing How The Same Power is in You






[Image by His Noodly Appendage]
Fiction

Even with my frequent forgetfulness, that morning will forever be etched in my memory. It remains as clear as crystal.

I had peered closely at the child which came out of my womb at exactly two hours & thirty minutes into Tuesday. She had the same face as her father. The same rotundness. The same nose. A replica which could not be feigned, try as she might, not even if the entire medical staff decided to switch the babies in all the units.

I'd thrown my head back, evoking a loud-belly laughter. My eyes teared up and I wiped them with the back of my hand. And when my husband, who'd been sitting by my hospital bed reflecting, asked why I was laughing, I'd simply said, "No one can steal her away from you. She's your carbon copy."

Today, she stands here in our kitchen, and once again I look into those big brown eyes.

"It's my first day at work, mom," she says, as she tucks a strand of her naturally curly black hair behind her ear. "I'm kind of scared."

It feels like eighteen years have rushed by as fast as the Amazon river. Like a swoosh in the wind. A thousand years to us are like one day to you, God. It's already here, she's a grown woman herself now. She must take up more responsibilities. And receive Your power.

I take her hands into my experienced ones, and after we say a short prayer, I raise my head to look into her eyes again.

"Listen to me, honey," I say. "The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is at work in you right now. You've got to use it."

 She nods her head in agreement, but I don't know if she quite understands the impact of what I've just spoken into her life, even as she's leaving home for the first time to be plunged into the real world.

* * * * *

"[That you may know] what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named..." Ephesians 1: 19-21

The truth is, I don't know how to describe this kind of power. Or how would you suggest I describe it? Something so big that can raise a human from the dead? It's beyond me. Or you. Or anyone else. Or the depths of science.

It's incredible.

But one thing I can tell you right now is "that same power is in you."


Don't tell me you're not capable of achieving something. Because you are.

Don't tell me you can't do the unbelievable task in front of you. Because you can.

Don't tell me you're only second best. Because you're obviously not if the power used to raise Christ from the dead is the same one entrusted into your hands, and it's the same one in EACH OF US.

You can do amazing things.

Before you were born, that same power spoke a word, and things erupted upon the surface of the deep. Mountains, trees, oceans, valleys, creatures...man.

Before you came into this world, that same power parted the red sea, divided the Jordan, raised dry bones to life, flattened the walls of Jericho with human voices, caused the sun to stand still for 24 hours, provided manna in the middle of a desert, and water from a crack in a dry rock. That same power chose Esther (a supposed nobody) to be queen, Joseph to become Pharaoh's confidant, converted David from ruddy lad to giant-slayer, and Paul from murderer to spirit-filled.

Anything can happen when you're filled with this power. Things will start appearing where they weren't possible, and cups will be filled with water in a drought. But most of all, when something dies in your hands, this same power is the resurrecting power that can bring it back to life.

Question for today: Would you walk in this same power today, or would you just shy away from it by saying "this power could not possibly be in me?" Remember, it's toward us who believe.  
Listen to this:



Hidden Baskets of Left-Over Fragments






[Image by Vlasta2]



Left-overs are the forgotten, despised sisters of delicious well-cooked meals. They have always carried a derogatory meaning. Almost as though cursed, no one ever wants them. No one desires the remains of what someone else has eaten (or what they themselves have eaten). Oh, how despicable.

But have you ever filled the palms of your hands with soft left-over crumbs of bread from a breakfast meal? Have you ever had many guests at a party, only to be overwhelmed by what left-overs they throw in the thrash? 

Let me tell you something amazing: Jesus understood the power of hidden baskets of left-over fragments. See what he said after miraculously feeding five thousand men, women, & children with only five loaves of bread and two fish. 

"So the men sat down, in number about 5,000. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." Therefore, they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets..." [John 6:1-14]

* * * * *

In reading about the miracle that happened that day, I could not stop thinking about why Jesus felt it was necessary to gather up the left-over fragments. 

So that nothing is lost...(was what He said). So that no part of the miracle is lost. So that no part of the testimony is gone unacknowledged. 

In the midst of our testimonies, do we remember the spill-overs, or the remnants? 

We forget that God blesses us for one day, but it spills over to a thousand days after...so that nothing is lost. 

We forget that we're saved once, but it will last us for the rest of our lives unto eternity...so that nothing is lost. 

We forget that we're redeemed once, but we have enough grace to pour over to the rest of our lives...so that nothing is lost

We forget that we have in abundance so that we can share the spill-over of wealth to the hungry and thirsty...so that nothing is lost. And the baskets go around and around, in circles and connections across the entire globe...

"You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over. Surely, God's goodness and mercies shall follow me all the days of my life." [Psalm 23: 5-6]

There's power in the left-overs of our testimonies. Think deeply about the last testimony for which you gave thanks to God. Do you find that there's so much more to thank Him for? Do you see that your testimony can be divided into twelve baskets and you might still keep filling up more baskets? 

In God's gifts, He never gives just one testimony...He ensures that as long as you remain in His embrace, your testimonies keep spilling into multiple baskets...and even the left-overs carry so much weight. So that nothing is lost. That's because a loving Father is not satisfied with giving His child just one blessing. There's always something more. There will always be the remnants of an indescribable grace. That's the power of baskets of left-over fragments, that our mouths will be continually filled with praises. To me, left-overs are no longer a curse. 

Question for the day: Have you ever had testimonies which spilled over, and one blessing kept leading to another? That's the power of your left-over fragments. Never forget those crumbs of blessings which spilled over from one. Have a blessed week, readers :)

  

A Perpetual State of Rejuvenation, Renovation, & Preparation





[Image by Sufino]

This is about me and how I was inspired by something I did.

On Sunday morning, I woke up very early with an extra burst of energy. Feeling wonderful, ecstatic, and almost whistling (I still don't know how to whistle), I sauntered (you might call it dancing) to our dainty living room.

"What can I do to create more space?" I asked myself. "How can I redesign it into something more amazing?"

Before I knew it, I was pushing couches aside, turning tables around, dragging shelves to the middle, and realigning the big old entertainment center into its new position. Not to forget we bought a new Art-work for the our dining area (yippee!!!). More space was what I wanted. More color was what I desired.

Questions were running through my mind as I reorganized. What if I had more than two guests soon? What if I were to host a fellowship meeting (which I know I am scheduled to do soon)? What if people came to visit, but they were more in number than I could ever imagine? More than what I was used to (maybe one or two people at a time)? There were so many "what-if's."

I was in a state of preparing for a great future. Yes, I've just started my own (albeit small) family, but it's never too early to prepare for a bigger event in one's life.

Today, I can tell you that I was able to create more room and add some more color to a once picturesque living room.

* * * * *

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. (Matthew 24:42-47).

Redesigning my living room space reminded me of how we all have to prepare for greatness. If greatness has not met you yet, how would it find you? Would you be prepared or would you be found wanting?

There are higher visitors that want to show up in your home- God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But when they come, would they find you prepared? When God wants to put you in charge, would you be ready to be a leader? When God is ready to anoint you for a greater purpose, would your head be ready to receive the oil?

Friends, I want to encourage you to be in a perpetual state of rejuvenation, renovation, and preparation. There's always gonna be a higher rung in the ladder, a higher place God wants to take you. Never get comfortable in a sweet spot. Never feel you've "arrived," because you serve a great God and He doesn't run out of ideas.

Question for the Day: Has anyone been feeling they need to move things around in their life to prepare for a greater purpose? If you have been feeling this way, then go ahead and prepare yourself for the greater works God is calling you to. How have you guys been? I've missed ya! Have a blessed week, Readers.