The Bible Story, By The Actors Themselves

I went to Genesis Hotels through
Exodus road. On the way, i saw
Leviticus recording the Numbers
of
people at Deuteronomy, while
Joshua was waiting at the beautiful
gate for Judges to see Ruth
calling
loudly "Samuel,Samuel".
At a stage, the, first and second
Kings of Chronicles were coming to
visit Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther
for
the misfortune of Job their
brother.

Then they noticed that Mr. Psalms
was teaching his children
Proverbs
concerning Ecclesiastes and
Songs
of Solomon. This coincided with the
period
that
Isaiah and Jeremiah were
engaged
in Lamentation for Ezekiel and
Daniel their friend. By that time, Amos
and Obadiah were not
around.

Three days later, Hosea, Joel and
Jonah traveled in the same ship
with Micah and Nahum to
Jerusalem . Habakkuk then visited
Zephaniah
who introduced him to Haggai a
friend of Zechariah whose cousin
is
Malachi.
Immediately after the old tradition,
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
got
involved in Acts with the
Romans
who were behaving like the Corinthians,
who were also
always
at loggerhead with the Galatians.

At
that time too, the Ephesians
realizing that the Philippians were
close to the Colossians,
suggested
to the Thessalonians that they
should first of all see Timothy
who had gone to the house of Titus to
teach Philemon his younger
brother
how to read and write in
Hebrew. On
hearing this, James asked Peter to
explain to him how the three
Johns
have disclosed to Jude the
Revelation of my journey.
Have a wonderful weekend and a new month in advance

On That Day A Man Marries.....

On that very day a man marries, the woman weds. Yes, on that very day one marries, the other weds. You may see it in his eyes. Or maybe in his best man's. Or maybe on his suit. His best wedding suit. It may be written all over it. Or in the confidence and 'pettyness' with which he holds anything. Or how he holds everything. Or in the distant feeling within the stealth in his eyes. He's getting married… and you surely will see it in the way he sniffs the air around him. Differently. Nonchalantly. Busily. But easily. Yes, that's what happens to a man the day he marries.

On the day a man marries, another one is born. The old one dies. Maybe partially. Maybe completely. Maybe forever. Maybe not ever. But, whatever the case, another is born. Different from the first. He dies. The old one dies. And a new one is born. Maybe quieter. Maybe more solemn. Maybe passive. Maybe not. Well, sky over earth, another is born. And the new one almost always kills the old one. Almost always. He has to in order for him to survive. The old one fades away as the new one takes over. Yeah, I know. I know this truth that the old man may want to sneak in from time to time with a desire to kill the new one. I know he has a way with not wanting to completely vanish - where he intrudes the new man's privacy and new life. But be that as it may, he can never take over the new one. It is true.

On the day a man marries, he tightens his belt. He also tightens his heart. And his eyes. He tightens his heart. He then weeds the garden that are his thoughts and often looks at the framed picture of his dad, err, his father. Quite often. He looks at it with wonder. He wonders just how fast he's joining his league. Then he chooses to change. He changes his walk, his talk, his hiding; and even the way he smirks. The day he marries he grows up. He has to. He becomes a leader. He rules his world. Not with fists and terror, and bother, but with diligence and fervence and love. Yeah, he may toddle in these ways, but he steadies fast. He grows up.

Oh that day a man marries, he becomes a perfect stranger to himself. Even to his OWN mirror. Even to his own walls and corridors. The whole earth becomes an alien the day he marries. And he wonders why. And how. And what. But it happens. It is what happens when men marry.

So when he marries and picks up a new pair of shoes at the altar - shoes he has never worn - and the crowd is gazing at him; some in bewilderment, some with regret, some with desire and others with fury; when he marries and they are gazing at him in that way, let him remember that beyond that day, his surroundings will scream at him louder with expectancy with every passing moment. He should know that the very congregation that is cheering him on is going to expect much more than the veils and suits or flowers and balloons he has offered to display. It is going to want so much more than he (together with his partner) can afford to give. Let him remember (I am told) that the one wedding him in this day needs him - she'll be needing him for a lifetime. That she is now him, and him, her. That they're going to build bridges and hunt lions, and deers, and rabbits, and troubles together.

That they're going to cry, and sing, and feel bored, and feel like giving up - but they'll need to hold it together.

I am told many things about 'the day a man marries', but above them all, what I hold onto most is: when a man marries, the Lord God is right there with him. He is there with them. He is watching and is waiting to lead him and bind him to the one wedding him, and the best thing he can ever do (while joining hands with the one wedding him) is to learn to daily tell Him (the LORD God who created them), "Dear Lord, here we come again…" I am told that the unison of those words makes ways through mighty rivers and can calm the most fierce of fires and storms - EmmyG will marry and that day draws near but God is here. The Day a Man marries

MY GENERATION by 'Nathaniel Bassey'

My generation is in a hurry.
We want everything now now now!
We want it to happen fast and right away or we’ll make it happen
We want the glory, without the story.
We want to be stars, without the scars of discipline
We want the prize, without paying the price
We want the limelight without the wilderness experience
We want thrills and frills, with no substance
We want to be eulogized without being circumcised.
We want an anointing, without the consecration.
We are controlled by what we see and feel than the voice of the Spirit and the word
We want hit songs, without the heat of the Holy Spirit’s fire
We want big platforms to perform, without first being transformed
We want huge success without going through the process
We want prosperity, with no posterity
We want to shine without being refined.

I have news for you. In this kingdom, the kingdom of our great God, there is something called the path of life. A way of glory. It’s the journey of dying to self and the flesh. Things don’t just happen.
Every man and woman out there, doing great and genuine works in the kingdom are those in the school of the Spirit. In this school, you wait ! You are tried, tested, empowered and released unto good works.
Is it Jesus? David? Paul? Or who? Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a ministry of 3.5years. In this kingdom, people don’t just emerge. They are first submerged in Christ, where they are transformed.
You want to reflect His glory? You have to behold it first. Common now !
You don’t just sow a seed into some person and expect to walk in their level of unction.
Well, in the other kingdom, that of this world, you can package it, work it and engineer it, and it would appear to work. But not here.
God has a room. It is a waiting room.
Psalm 105:19
“Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tested him.”
Hebrews 10:36.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise
You want good success? It has to be based on Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1.
Please send and share with a young person out there. Especially those in a hurry to make it.
We shall be a wise generation.
God bless you all.
Nathaniel Bassey

Jonathan Nelson Adds Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, Dorinda Clark-Cole & Sonnie Badu to Special Guest List at Upcoming Fearless Live Recording!

Embark on a fearless journey with chart-topping recording artist Jonathan Nelson, as his upcoming live recording for his new album FEARLESS, takes over his church The Faith Center, on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Sunrise, FL. Recently signing to award-winning record label Entertainment One Music (eOne Music), Nelson’s live album FEARLESS is expected to be released under eOne Music in Fall 2015. Acclaimed among peers for his gifted talents in penning hit songs, the audience will get a first listen at what are sure to become new hits from Nelson at this new album recording – as the multiple Stellar Award-winning singer, songwriter and worship leader leads a soaring live FEARLESS experience – and welcomes award-winning artists Dorinda Clark-Cole, Tye Tribbett, Kim Burrell, and African gospel star Sonnie Badu, to join him for special guest performances.

Inspiring fans with a vibrant evening of music and worship, Nelson continues to deliver songs to empower their faith and spirits. FEARLESS brings Nelson and fans together on a new journey at The Faith Center, following on his last album release, 2013’s #1 gospel album Finish Strong, which he recorded live in his native Baltimore. Revealing the best is yet to come in a broad music ministry that includes hits such as “My Name Is Victory,” “Finish Strong,” writing praise hits such as “The Struggle Is Over,” “My Praise Is My Weapon,” “Healed,” and more, Nelson’s FEARLESS live recording event is free to the public.

Growing up in Baltimore, Jonathan Nelson comes from a family that is steeped in ministry and music, and studied at the Baltimore School for the Arts, furthering his vocal training at Morgan State University. Named the minister of music at The Faith Center in 2009, Nelson continues to reach more through music and worship at the Ft. Lauderdale-area church. Joining eOne Music’s award-winning roster, Nelson is part of a diverse lineup that encompasses the sounds of contemporary gospel, and praise and worship, to urban inspiration, traditional gospel and more, including Gospel Hall of Fame legend Shirley Caesar, Gospel icon Dorinda Clark-Cole, Erica Campbell, Michelle Williams, Donald Lawrence, Ricky Dillard, and William McDowell.

Jonathan Nelson’s FEARLESS live album recording takes place in the Ft. Lauderdale area on Friday, February 20, 2015 at The Faith Center, kicking off at 7 pm. There is a host hotel available, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Sunrise-Sawgrass Mills, located at 13400 West Sunrise Blvd. Sunrise, FL 33323, with a special room rate available for Thursday/Friday, by calling 1-800-222-8733, using Group Code: NEL. Another nearby area hotel is the Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel, located at 1230 South Pine Island Road, Plantation, FL 33324.

Jonathan Nelson Live Recording – Friday February 20, 2015
The Faith Center
5555 NW 95th Avenue
Sunrise, FL 33351
7 PM – Free Admission

Earnest Pugh Releases New Single ”Wait All The Day” to Gospel Radio

Dove and Stellar Award nominated gospel crooner Earnest Pugh releases his newest single “Wait All The Day” – written by Pugh and William McMillian to gospel radio. The soul-stirring single is gaining adds and making its way up the playlists of leading gospel radio stations around the globe.

Among recent adds of the single are WFAI (Wilmington, DE), KHVN (Dallas), and WKSP (Augusta, GA). Pugh will appear on the Yolanda Adams Morning Show this Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 10am EST / 9am CST to premiere “Wait All The Day.”

“Often times in life it appears that our personal promises from God are stuck in a holding pattern,” states Pugh. “The true test of faith is learning how to be patient and quiet during that period of time. Psalm 25:2 gives us an amazing word to firmly plant our feet on while waiting.”

Pugh, a multiple 2015 Stellar award nominee, was recently nominated in the Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year category for his latest Billboard Chart topping #1 album, W.I.N. (WORSHIP IN NASSAU) and also nominated for Praise and Worship CD of the Year for his Billboard Top 10 album JUST WORSHIP EP.

Pugh is best known for his two #1 Billboard power ballads “Rain On Us” and “I Need Your Glory.” An artist, label owner, and Pastor of Worship, he routinely makes over 120 appearances a year and will be in Las Vegas during the Stellar Weekend to host a number of events and make several appearances at churches in the area.

With 8 recordings already under his belt, the powerhouse vocalist shows no signs of slowing as he is slated to drop a 2nd quarter release on his imprint P-Man Music in partnership with Central South Distribution

THE THREAT! Monday Haters Club!!!

My name is EmmyG and I have a confession to make...I used to be a Monday Hater! The hate for Mondays took a new dimension in 2010, particularly towards the end of the last quarter. The weekends were barely over before all social networks would be agog with the status updates on how dreadful mondays were and all manners of pictures to drive home the hate for mondays - monday @ d therapist, monday strangling its victim, it was hilarious.

My dread for Mondays back then could be compared to that of a kid dreading the first day at school, a wife with her mother-in-law, a babe with her toaster who just doesn't know when to be quiet and a guy, that babe that's all about the things his money can get her...I'm sure you catch my drift. All of a sudden, there was a whole band wagon of Monday haters, like a bell had gone off...'yes, yes, its time to start hating Mondays'. Truth is, Mondays can be tough, especially when it starts off a week long of activities you are totally uninterested in.

One day, I got thinking and realized it was a waste of time hating Mondays as being alive to witness yet another Monday should be a celebration of life. The gift of life surpasses whatever hurdles that have made us come to dread Mondays so. The Psalmist says today is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Short illustration: An Uncle in a village which is 13 hours drive from you calls you up and says you should come pick up a package of N$£xxxxx (insert amount that would appeal to you). The hassle of the journey would be inconsequential because you're anticipating something greater. In the same vein, God daily loads us with benefits (Psalm 68:19), yep everyday, all week long, Mondays too, believe it!

Trust me i feel the pain of Mondays, they can be outright painful, don't get carried away with dreading the day that you miss out on grabbing all the benefits it holds.

Way to go- Love all days.

So the new way, TGIM through to TGIF, S & S. Yep, thanking God all week long is the way to go.

A Surprising Challenge for Worship Leaders

Five years ago, I was helping my mom clean out my grandparents’ house after my papa passed away. I discovered a trove of treasures in my mama’s nightstand: a box full of scripture cards handwritten or typewritten by my mama and organized by theme. This was part of my inheritance and I was delighted to lay hold of it. My mama was a woman of great grace and faith, overflowing with love for the Lord and His Word. She was full of God’s Word too. It flowed out of her in songs and poems she wrote to the Lord, and it filled her conversations with family and friends as she spoke encouraging, timely words to heart after weary heart.

When I found her handwritten card for Isaiah 50:4, it occurred to me that my mama likely prayed this Scripture throughout her life as a believer.

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens me morning by morning. He opens my ear to hear as the learned.” —Isaiah 50:4 (NKJV)

Anyone who knew her could testify that God surely answered her prayer for a learned tongue and the ability to speak a word in season to him who is weary. Most everyone who knew her, including me, received such a word in their own seasons of weariness.

Five years ago, I began to pray and ask God to waken me morning by morning and open my ear to hear as the learned so I might also have a learned tongue and know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. In the past, I’d eagerly, zealously spoken many words, some in season, some untimely, some encouraging, some damaging. But as I continued to grow up in Christ, my heart desired more and more to speak truth in love, to encourage the downcast with God’s life-giving Word and unfailing promises. I was eager to do this in conversations, emails, handwritten notes, blogs, text messages, prayers and songs. But to do that, I realized I must have an open ear and be willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and submit to the study and instruction of God’s Word.

As I’ve revisited this scripture card, which now sits on my desk at work, my heart has been stirred to pray this again, specifically regarding my service as a worship leader. One of my primary functions is to make much of Christ, the Living Word, as I serve my church each week. Another function is to know the people that I’ve been charged to serve. And to know them is to know how weary they are most of the time.

To know them is to appreciate how heavy-hearted many of them are every time we gather. And to be able to serve them well is to have an open ear and a learned tongue that knows, by the Spirit of God, how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. To serve them well is to make much of Christ, the Living Word, who is not silent but always speaking life into every season we journey through.

Worship leaders, would you join me in praying Isaiah 50:4? Invite the Lord to waken you morning by morning, to open your ear to listen like one being instructed, to open your understanding to His will, to give you a well-instructed tongue and fill your mouth with His words of wisdom so that you know how to comfort the weary in your congregations.

As you read all of Isaiah 50, you’ll see that Jesus is speaking in this passage as our example in His own perfect submission to the instruction of the Lord. He, too, was wakened morning by morning, with an open ear and a learned tongue that He might be able to speak a word to our weary hearts in all our seasons of suffering and hardship. He continues to do this as our faithful and perfect Worship Leader, and He calls us to follow Him in service and for the glory of His name.

“The Lord God gave me the ability to teach so that I know what to say to make the weak strong. Every morning He wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student.” (Isaiah 50:4, NCV)  -Straight From Scripture by Kristen Gilles

Happy Sunday

CAN YOU LEARN?

We can’t know it all.  At some point in life most successful people figure out an important fact:  not only do they not know it all, they can’t know it all.  Any lawyer, physician, accountant or business executive can describe this phenomenon:  there is always more to know, to learn, to look up, another reference to check, journal article to read, stone to turn over for answers, future to predict...   

Being open-minded can be really tough sometimes. Most of us are brought up with a set of beliefs and values and, throughout our lives, tend to surround ourselves with people who share the same values and beliefs. Therefore, it can be difficult when we're faced with ideas that challenge our own and, though we may wish to be open-minded, we may struggle with the act of it from time to time. 

I'd like to say I'm a fairly open-minded person, but, like most people, I do have some pretty strong views about specific topics and find it hard to sway from those opinions -- no matter how others might try to persuade me. Of course, I fully believe that having strong beliefs can be a wonderful thing and I believe we should all stay true to what we believe in, but having strong beliefs doesn't have to mean having a closed mind. 

Though it can be tough to do sometimes, I've always found that when I open my mind, I've reaped a lot of rewarding benefits. There is much to be gained from opening the door to your mind and letting new ideas and beliefs come in. The more you know and discover, the more you find there is to know.

I'll end with this quote, “He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him. He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him.”

Remember, be open minded, learn something today and have an awesome weekend ahead. Thank God Its Friday

BNG Prepares ‘Stepping Stones’ As Next Single

Gospel music group, BNG has announced the release of their next single 'Stepping Stones'. The group had a wonderful 2014, topping radio chart with their hit single 'Many Things' which garnered a lot of buzz in Nigeria and in some parts of Europe, which resulted to them touring the UK last year.

In their usual manner of dishing out inspiring, groovy, and lovely gospel songs, we expect nothing less from their forth coming single. We are all anticipating the release of 'Stepping Stones'. We will definitely share the link with you immediately it drops. Be on the lookout. #Anticipate

MY DARK ROOM; What he did:::

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

‘3’s Up’ The New EP From Hip-Hop Artist DEE-1 Available for Pre-Order On 1.20.15

RCA Inspiration made 3’s Up, the new EP from critically acclaimed hip-hop artist Dee-1, available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon on Tuesday, January 20th. 3’s Up is the first major-label release from the New Orleans born and raised rapper, who has been called one of the most important artists in hip-hop music today. The album, which features the singles “Against Us” and “I’m Not Perfect” (see full track listing below), will be available everywhere on February 17, 2015.

3’s Up Track Listing:
“Against Us”
“Show On The Road”(featuring Jones)
“My Student Got Murdered” (Both Sides of The Gun)
“3’s Up”
“I’m Not Perfect”
The Interview (featuring Caren Green)

Chris Shalom Tells The Story Behind “Power Belongs To You” On Holy Holla

Fresh off Thursday's release of "Power Belongs to You", music minister Chris Shalom premiered the new single on Rhythm FM Holy Holla with Gozzim and Arthur on Sunday the 18th, 2015.

Chris Shalom did not only premiere the new single but also, he was engaged in a chat with the Holy Holla crew were he spoke about the story behind the song. How God gave him the song in the place of prayer and how he was smitten by the Spirit so that he broke down in tears.

Chris Shalom also revealed that "Shalom" isn't a stage name he adapted but his real name - "Christopher Shalom". He spoke about his sudden adoption into the choir at his mom's church at the tender age of nine, going to music school and also about being endorsed by his mentor; Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

It was such a swell time with the Gozzim-Arthur combo in the studio. The duo in their usual style pranked each other and also came up with various versions of pronunciation of the word - "Shalom".

Holy Holla is a radio magazine show that features spoken words, interviews, news, top 10 countdown and music on Rhythm 93.7fm on Sundays starting from 8am.

Optimism – The Difference between Optimsts and Pessimists

In order to better understand people’s views of the world, a researcher once placed two children, one a pessimist and the other an optimist, alone in separate rooms.

The pessimist was placed in a colorful room full of all kinds of imaginative toys…the optimist was put in a room filled with horse manure.

The first child played in the room for a little while, but soon came to the door asking to leave because the toys were boring and because they broke too easily.

Likewise, the young optimist soon came to the door…but rather than asking to leave, she asked for a shovel.

Of course, the researcher asked the child why she wanted a shovel.

She replied, “With all this manure around, I know that there must be a pony in here somewhere.”

Talk Of Impossibilities, You need to read this

Looked like an impossible situation... But there was a way of escape.. For your reading delight.

Good Morning all- Many hundreds of years ago in a small Italian town, a merchant had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to the moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the merchant's beautiful daughter so he proposed a bargain.
He said “I will forgo your debt, if I marry your daughter”.
Both the merchant and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.
The moneylender told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty bag. The girl would then have to pick one pebble from the bag. If she picked the black pebble, she would become the moneylender's wife and her father's debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven. But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the merchant's garden. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick her pebble from the bag.
What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her? Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:

1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.

2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the moneylender as a cheat.

3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.

The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.

"Oh, how clumsy of me," she said. "But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked."

Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. The moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty and the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an advantageous one.

Seemingly complex problems do have solutions; you simply have to think about them in a different way.

When you find yourself between a rock and a hard place this year, it won’t be a dead end.

God will make a way for you where there seems to be no way.

Lesson from the story.... if found in any situation where available options are not acceptable. Do not take any available option but look to God for a way of escape. He will surely make a way where there is no way. Keep faith alive. Do have a blessed day and a wonderful week ahead

For The Love Of Christ!!!

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.' This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.

He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it, then I know its fully refined!.......'If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Do you know someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever he/she is going through will make him/her a better person in the end. Jesus loves you
Happy Weekend

Kaka: I AM SECOND

I feel like talking about Kaka today. Soccer megastar Kaká (real name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite), who has won every major soccer award there is including being named the FIFA World Player of the Year, says it's all about being first place when he's on the field but there is someone in his life he would gladly lose to.

"I use a few phrases to let people know a little bit about who I am," says Kaká in an I Am Second video posted ahead of the opening of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil Thursday evening. "One of them is I belong to Jesus, which is a phrase I always wear on a shirt during the most important moments of my professional career."

Kaká, who has a habit of pointing two fingers up to the sky to thank God after a goal – which brings to mind for many Americans Tim Tebow's signature "Tebowing," or his kneeling with his fist to a bowed head to thank God for a touchdown – says his religious t-shirt and finger pointing is "simply to tell the world that I belong to Jesus."

In the second half of the I Am Second video, Kaká says in the soccer world he is always competing to win and be first place. But when he meditates on God's word, it becomes apparent to him that "Jesus [is] in first place."

"Because even though I am playing against others, and it is important to get there and win, I believe that Jesus is much more important than all of that," says the 32-year-old soccer star.

"In my whole life, Jesus is in first place," he says. "That's why I put that inside my cleats, Jesus in first place, because that is how I think."

Kaká is Brazilian and he is a devout evangelical Christian and is a member of the Sao Paulo-based Rebirth in Christ Church. His wife, Caroline Celico, was a former pastor at the Reborn in Christ Church, joining the church after she began to date the soccer player. During the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup final, Kaká and some of his teammates on the Brazil team wore t-shirts that read, "Jesus Loves You."

AC Milan's Kaka falls to his knees after winning the Champions League final soccer match against Liverpool in Athens May 23, 2007.

Armar’rae Hill & True Foundation, Set to Release New Album ‘We Are Royalty’

DREAM Gospel has announced the pre-release of 'We Are Royalty' album from Armar’Rae Hill and True Foundation! Armar’rae Hill is a Stellar Award credited music producer who presents his music ministry as a crossing of all boundaries. That’s the evident sound and diversity with this group, whose high energy and musical style combines Gospel, rock, neo-soul, pop, and jazz onto a spirited contemporary foundation.

ABOUT DREAM GOSPEL

DREAM was founded in 2008 to provide artists with a genuine approach to how real artist development should be done. By allowing for a partnership as a business model, Dream’s artists empower themselves to develop and carry out a real vision for their lives as they affect other people’s lives with their music and message. Incorporating social media, press, radio and touring it’s allowing it’s artists grow together as a family.

ABOUT ARMAR’RAE HILL & TRUE FOUNDATION

Armar’rae Hill and his group True Foundation are gearing up to release their anticipated album, We Are …Royalty. He is a Stellar Award credited music producer who presents his music ministry as a crossing of all boundaries. That’s the evident sound and diversity with this group, whose high energy and musical style combines Gospel, rock, neo-soul, pop, and jazz onto a spirited contemporary foundation.

Hill is no stranger to the music industry. He worked with Eddie James new CD “Shift,” and also penned songs for James Grear & Co., Mitchell Jones of the famed group Commissioned, and a collaborate song with music scene new comer Mali Music. Hill has been featured in concert with Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, John P. Kee, Jason Nelson, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton, Deitrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard, and Canton Jones. Armar’rae is also an Associate Minister at mega ministry, Faith Apostolic Ministries under the leadership of Pastor YPJ Miller.

EOne Music Garners 33 Nominations for the 2015 Stellar Gospel Music Awards

Entertainment One Music (eOne Music) marks a momentous year delivering a broad range of chart-topping hits over the past year – garnering 33 Stellar Awards nominations across 19 categories for 6 artists – from nominations for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, to Female Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and more, for the upcoming 2015 Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Creating a powerful repertoire, Erica Campbell, Ricky Dillard, James Fortune, Donald Lawrence, William McDowell, and Michelle Williams have continued to inspire fans across the world with their latest hit releases, encompassing diverse sounds from contemporary gospel and urban inspirational, to the sounds of choir and praise and worship. Multiple Stellar Award-winner and esteemed Bishop Paul S. Morton will also be honored with a special award, receiving the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s show.

Phil Thornton, eOne Music Vice President and General Manager, Urban Inspirational, says: “We are honored that eOne Music has received 33 nominations for this year’s Stellar Awards! We are thrilled to congratulate Erica Campbell, Ricky Dillard, James Fortune, Donald Lawrence, William McDowell, and Michelle Williams on the recognition across multiple categories supporting their work over this past year, and also celebrate Bishop Paul S. Morton’s special honors on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Their work has been filled with many milestones and they continue to inspire us all with their prolific creative gifts and powerful music ministry.”

The incomparable Stellar Award-winning choir master Ricky Dillard garners 10 Stellar Awards nominations for his acclaimed release with New G, the 25th anniversary Ricky Dillard & New G livealbum Amazing. Featuring the #1 hit single “Amazing” – one of the biggest songs of the year which has remained atop the Gospel radio chart for over 7 months – Dillard’s #1 Gospel album receives nominations in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for the single “Amazing,” Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Choir of the Year, Producer of the Year,Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year, and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.


Making a splash with her first solo record, Mary Mary’s Erica Campbellbranched out with the chart-topping release of her highly-anticipated solo album Help. Continuing to garner accolades for her #1 Gospel album, Campbell’s award-winning album receives 10 Stellar Awards nominations in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for the single “Help” (ft. Lecrae), Female Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year (for album producer Warryn Campbell), Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, Urban/Inspirational/Instrumental Single/Performance of the Year for the single “Help” (ft. Lecrae), Music Video of the Year for the single “Help” (ft. Lecrae), and Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.

Award-winning songstress Michelle Williams racks up 4 Stellar Award nominationsfor her hit album Journey toFreedom, her fourth solo album. Garnering nominations in the categories of Song of the Year for the chart-topping#1 Gospel single “Say Yes” (ft. Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland), Female Vocalist of the Year,Urban/Inspirational/Instrumental Single/Performance of the Year for “Say Yes” (ft. Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland), and Music Video of the Year for “Say Yes” (ft. Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland), Williams continued to challenge musical conventions as a singer, songwriter and producer, with indelible vocals and global beats on additional songs such as “If We Had Your Eyes” (ft. Fantasia), “Free,” “Fire,” and more.

The release of the live album Live Through It, from the award-winning James Fortune & FIYA, garners 3 Stellar Awards nominations, in the categories of Group/Duo of the Year,Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational/Instrumental Single/Performance of the Year for the hit single“Live Through It.” Fortune’s chart-topping album also features the songs “Forever,” “Never Forsake Me,” “Best Praise,” and more on the two-disc set.

Stellar Award-winning artist, producer and songwriter Donald Lawrence racks up 3 Stellar Awards nominations surrounding his acclaimed #1 Gospel album, Best for Last. Nominated in thecategories of Group/Duo of the Year, Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year, and Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Lawrence’s 20-year anniversary live album showcases the dynamic talents that have garnered him abundant recognition among peers and fans as one of the industry’s most prolific artists, continuing to make an indelible mark with hit songs such as “The Gift,” “There Remaineth a Rest” (ft. the Tri-City Singers), and “Best for Last” (ft. Yolanda Adams).

Bringing fans another chart-topping hit, award-winning worship leader William McDowell enveloped listeners in a live worship experience with the two-disc release of Withholding Nothing.Featuring his first-ever combined CD/DVD collection including the hits “Withholding Nothing,” “My Heart Sings,” and more on his third album, McDowell is nominated for 3 Stellar Awards in the categories of Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional CD of the Year, and Praise and Worship CD of the Year.

With a prolific global ministry, Bishop Paul S. Morton pastors one of the country’s largest church organizations, as founder and bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, and has released 10 albums in his multiple Stellar Award-winning recording career. For his influential work in ministry, Bishop Morton will be the special 2015 recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Stellar Awards.

The upcoming 30th Stellar Gospel Music Awards will take place at a new venue for 2015, with a live taping at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on March 28, 2015, and air on TV One on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

In Place, But Not Connected

TODAY'S WORD FOR TODAY


One Bible teacher writes: ‘Mobile phones can be life-savers…but the batteries have a limited lifespan and need to be recharged. One weary weekend I was as drained as my ‘phone battery. I went through my evening routine, dutifully placing my mobile ‘phone on its charger. Unfortunately, I neglected to plug the charger into the socket. Next morning I woke refreshed—but my ‘phone was no better than the night before. It was in the right place…but it wasn’t connected to the power source! Sometimes the consequences of not “plugging in” can be more severe…many people dutifully march to church every week, but leave as drained as when they came.

They’re in the right place, but they’re not plugged in to the power of God…and without that it doesn’t matter if you sit in a pew or on a barstool…You can study the Scriptures for hours on end, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7 NAS); you can even do great things for God but lack power in your life.

If I’d left my mobile ‘phone on the charger for days or weeks instead of overnight, it wouldn’t have helped. Multiplication of effort isn’t a substitute for true power…Guard against things that disconnect you from the power source…obviously sin will do that, but so will weariness. We can’t remain connected if we’re weighed down by busyness. We can spend so much time doing things for God that we neglect our relationship with Him.’ Jesus said, ‘You cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.’ That means reading the Bible, praying and resting in His presence.

What doesn't kill you...An Inspiring Testimony

Cyril, my fan and friend sent me this story and I'd love you to read up. here it is;

"My friend Hans Zimmer had a serious
motorcycle accident and lost the use of
his left hand.

"Fortunately I'm right handed," he
told me as he adroitly served me a cup
of tea. "It's amazing what I can do
with just one hand."

Despite the loss of his fingers, he
learned to fly an airplane in less than
a year. But one day, while flying over
a mountainous region, his plane had
engine problems and crashed. He
survived, but was paralyzed from head
to feet.

I visited him in the hospital. He
smiled at me. "Nothing that happens is
really of any importance," he said.
"What matters is what I decide to do
now!"

I was dumbfounded. I thought my
friend was just pretending, and that as
soon as I left he would start crying
and regretting his situation. That
might have been what he did on that
day, but he wasn't finished yet. Life
still had some fine surprises in store
for him.

He met the woman of his life during a
conference for handicapped people. He
invented a system of digital writing
that responded to voice commands. And
he sold millions of copies of a book
that he wrote about developing the new
system.

On the back cover he wrote this short
note: "Before becoming paralyzed, I
could do a million different things.
Now I can only do 990,000. But what
sensible person would worry about the
10,000 things he can no longer do,
while there are 990,000 things left?"

Positively yours,
Cyril"
__________

"What doesn't kill you makes you
stronger."
Epictetus

A Costly Mistake.

A pretty and wealthy woman was serving life sentence in prison.
Angry and resentful about her plight she had
decided that she would rather die than to live
another year in prison.

Over the years she had become good friends with one of the prison caretakers. His job, among others,
was to bury those prisoners who died in a graveyard
just outside the prison walls.
When a prisoner died, the caretaker rang a bell,
which was heard by everyone.
The caretaker then
got the body and put it in a casket. Next, he entered his office to fill out the death certificate before returning to the casket to nail the lid shut. Finally, he
put the casket on a wagon to take it to the graveyard and bury it.
Knowing this routine, the woman devised an escape plan and shared it with the caretaker;

The next time
the bell rang, the woman would leave her cell and
sneak into the dark room where the coffins were
kept. She would slip into the coffin with the dead
body while the caretaker was filling out the death
certificate..
When the care-taker returned, he would nail the lid shut and take the coffin outside the prison with the woman in the coffin along with the dead body.
He would then bury the coffin. The woman having pre-arranged with the caretaker for special vents in the coffin knew there
would be enough air for her to breathe until later in the evening when the caretaker would return to the graveyard under the cover of darkness, dig up the coffin, open it, and set her free.
She wld also carry along a small flashlight to cope with the darkness beneath until the hour of expected freedom.

The caretaker was reluctant to go along with this plan, but since he and the woman had become good
friends over the years, and knowing dat he stands to gain a lot from this pretty and wealthy woman, especially when he catches glimpse of the well defined 'V-shape' between her thighs he more than agreed to do it.

The woman waited several weeks before someone in the prison died. She was asleep in her cell when she
heard the death bell ring.
She got up and slowly walked down the hallway. She was nearly caught a couple of times. Her heart was
beating fast. She opened the door to the darkened
room where the coffins were kept. Quietly in the
dark, she found the coffin that contained the dead body, carefully climbed into the coffin and pulled the lid shut to wait for the caretaker to come and nail the lid shut.

Soon she heard footsteps and the pounding of the
hammer and nails.
Even though she was very uncomfortable in the coffin with the dead body, she knew that with each nail she was one step closer to freedom.
The coffin was lifted onto the wagon and taken outside to the graveyard. She could feel the coffin being lowered into the ground. She didn't make a sound as the coffin hit the bottom of the grave with
a thud.
Finally she heard the dirt dropping onto the top of
the wooden coffin, and she knew that it was only a matter of time and she would be free at last.
After several minutes of absolute silence, she began to laugh...happily feeling free already nd chanting she was free! she was free!
Feeling curious, she decided to light the flashlight to find out the identity of the dead prisoner beside her.

To her horror, she discovered that she was lying next
to the CARETAKER....her only hope to freedom.

Many people believe they have life all figured
out...that they are well connected and can arrange and pre-arrange things to their favour... but sometimes it just doesn't turn out the
way they planned it.


"I don't know what
tomorrow holds, but I know WHO
holds tomorrow."

The Happiest People Don't Have the Best of
Everything,
They Just Make The Best Of What They Have...But at times even the BEST FAILS...
Only one thing never fails...GOD. Do have an awesome week ahead

Amazing Isn't it?

It's really amazing how God can bring wisdom out of things that are "fooling" (foolish and actively fooling themselves)...Such is the case of the of the hymn ; "O holy night", whose wordings were birthed out of the heart of an atheist poet...

Please check out this little background
" O Holy Night" ("Cantique de Noël") is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe
Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit,
chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by a wine
merchant and poet, Placide Cappeau (1808–
1877).
In Roquemaure at the end of the year 1843,
the church organ was recently renovated. To
celebrate the event, the parish priest asked
Cappeau, native from this town, to write a
Christmas poem. Cappeau did it, although
being a professed anticlerical and atheist.

Soon after, Adam wrote the music. The song
was premiered in Roquemaure in 1847 by the
opera singer Emily Laurey.
Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, [2]
editor of Dwight's Journal of Music , created a
singing edition based on Cappeau's French
text in 1855. In both the French original and in
the two familiar English versions of the carol ,
the text reflects on the birth of Jesus and of
humanity's redemption.

Here's the lyrics of the hymn... please consider carefully...

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

I know Christmas period may have been passed for a little while but it sets me wondering about the magnificence and beauty of both His birth and Person...
Happy Sunday in advance

Here are some "scary" facts for you

 
George Barna wrote The State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced Christians and here's what he found about their knowledge of the Bible.

Now, remember these are Christians...

- 48% could not name the four Gospels.

- 52% cannot identify more than two or three of Jesus' disciples.

- 60% of American Christians can't name even five of the 10 Commandments.

- 61% of American Christians think the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.

- 71% of American Christians think "God helps those who help themselves" is a Bible verse.

Listen, you may or may not be an American, I don't know.

But the point is, you don't want to be a so called "Christian" but doesn't know what God's Word is.

You and I should consistently read, memorize, and meditate scriptures.

This way, we're ready to defend our faith and encourage others through God's Word.

If you feel some guilt with the message today then NOW is the time to change.

Get your Bible and start reading.

Good Morning!

Triumfant Muzik Announces New Album ‘Live Triumfant’

Live Triumfant-Album CoverIn 1968, at the height of the civil rights movement, amidst the darkness of oppression and partiality, some very brave men and women stood up for human and civil rights. Today, we live in a time where political pressures and philosophical oppression are rampant and the end goal is to strip our rights to proclaim objective truth and the singular standard of righteousness…Jesus Christ. Similar to the Freedom Fighters of the civil rights era, Christians are called to “fight the good fight” for freedom from the slavery to sin and the oppression of the world and our flesh through faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

In other words, we are to “Live Triumfant”. Triumfant Muzik brings to you the soundtrack of victory in the highly anticipated album “Live Triumfant”, which will be released on March 31st, 2015. Bangers like “Frontline” and “Love Today” remind the listener of the urgency to be in the trenches with truth and love as the chief weapons. Introspective tracks such as “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” from Lu-I and “Never Give In” from Larry BirthRight sing of the importance of perseverance.

Fee-Lo’s vocal arrangements on this project are masterful, giving “Live Triumfant” emotional depth and range. With features from the likes of Datin, Deraj, D. King and many others, “Live Triumfant” is by far the most melodic and lyrically well rounded project from Triumfant Muzik to date.

Watch the album announcement below...

My Testimony Of Healing -Pritchard Adams

Pritchard Adams served as a missionary to Haiti for 28 years. He was visiting Canada the morning he felt a pain so severe in his head that he collapsed to the bathroom floor. By the time paramedics arrived, his condition had gotten worse.

His wife Dana sets the scene, “Prit grabbed the back of his neck and his eyes just glazed over and he went unconscious. They immediately put the oxygen mask on him and whisked him away.”

In the emergency room, doctors discovered a subarachnoid hemorrhage; an artery at the base of his skull had burst, filling the space between his skull and the thin membrane covering the brain. Nearly half of all people with a ruptured brain aneurysm die. And those who survive likely have severe brain damage.

“They had to put a drain in his head to draw the blood out of his head. He just had tubes coming out from everywhere,” Dana says. “When I saw the look on the doctor’s face and heard the report of the aneurysm that there were few survivors that survived a brain aneurysm. I knew that things were very, very grave.”

Doctors performed surgery to stop the bleeding. But Prit had already slipped into a coma. They didn’t expect him to live through the night. By this time, people around the globe were praying and fasting for Prit’s recovery.

Dana: “We just immediately started to pray. And decided that we would let the medical community do their job and that we would do the thing that we knew how to do best and that was to stand by his bed.”

Prit survived, but not without complications. His blood pressure soared and he developed pneumonia and an infection. Doctors warned Dana that if Prit had a second aneurysm that he would not survive. Two days later, he went into cardiac arrest, and he had a second artery explode in his head.

Dana turned to prayer. “I knew at that moment that Prit was slipping out of my hands and that if God did not intervene we were going to lose him. Immediately I stood by his bed and I started rebuking the spirit of death. I said, ‘No, you cannot come here. You have no authority in this place.’ And I just began to declare, ‘Life Prit, live Prit live Prit.’”

Doctors resuscitated Prit and began to prep him for the surgery to repair the second artery that had burst. But before they could operate something changed.

Dana: “The neurosurgeon came in and he shook his head and he said, ‘Mrs. Adams, your husband is a perplexity to us. Three times now he has skirted death. We were getting ready, prepping him to take him in to do brain surgery to find out where the hemorrhaging was coming from and an hour ago he started to improve. We do not understand and all we can do right now is just say we will follow his progress.’”

Doctors were not optimistic about his full recovery. Cat scans showed the speech and motor areas of Prit’s brain were badly damaged and that he would have permanent and severe neurological impairment.

Dana reflects. “I got very, very tired, and wept, and wondered how long this trial was going to last. But I always believed that the Lord was gonna somehow heal my husband.”

Dana’s faith never wavered. She reminded God of His promise to take care of them.

Dana prays. “And I said, ‘You said in the day of adversity that I could call on You and today is a day of adversity. I need You and I need You now because there is no hope there is no way my husband is going to come out of this unless You give me a miracle, Lord.’”

On July 27th, 23 days after the first aneurysm, Prit woke up and a few days later he started to speak.

Dana: “We prayed that he would start talking and when he started talking he wouldn’t stop.”

After 52 days in the hospital, Prit left in good condition. Today, Prit has fully recovered except for some short-term memory loss. He walks two miles a day and is looking forward to going back to minister in Haiti.

Prit reflects. “I am more thankful than ever for my wife and for my children, for my family and for my spiritual family that we have in Haiti the churches, the believers that we have. I am thankful for every moment now, for every minute that we have and more than ever before.”

Dana: “I’m grateful that I have my husband back. I’m grateful that I have the father of my children back, my lifelong partner, my soul mate, my best friend. I would encourage whoever received a report that contained no hope for them, to take that report to the Lord. Prayer and the word of God are greater than anything they could face.”
Culled from CBN.com

My Christmas Story!

Yes, its over! The Christmas merriment but lessons have been learnt, memories fresh and I'd like to share my friend's Story. Most fairy tales begin, “Once upon a time, in a land far, far away.” Well, this wasn’t once upon a time, it wasn’t in a land far, far away, and it wasn’t no fairy tale.

It was nine years ago, in a blue house in Abeokuta. And, unfortunately, for me, it was very much true.

This is her testimony;

"Before I moved to the South West, I had such high hopes of what life was going to be like after I graduated university with business degree. A better job. More money. So many things I could do for my son, Michael.

When I dreamt I didn’t see castles in the clouds. Instead I saw a boy on horseback (a vacation at a dude ranch!), tantalizingly tender turkey piled high on a plate (money for entertaining!), and bows dancing, coaxing singing from sighing clouds (symphony season tickets!).

So I worked hard and finished my degree in three years, not four. I had great grades and thought I would have no trouble getting a job.

Well … it didn’t work out that way.

In my case, disappointment followed disappointment. After a few months, my bank balance was about as healthy as a hydrangea bush accidentally watered with hydrochloric acid. Any green that was there had been burnt – ashes blowing in a brisk breeze.

Humiliation became complete in a gray office populated by gray frowning faces. The Harmattan was becoming so serious; A number was called and I was handed an application by the disapproving receptionist. Welfare was the only option if I wanted to feed my 10 year old son.

I didn’t only feel I was a failure, I knew I was one. About as successful as Donald Trump’s comb-over.

I felt even worse just over a year later when I was still without work. And it was Christmas. Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!

My dream that year was of Christmases past. Christmases with tall trees, festooned with flashing stars of white and bright coloured globes, shiny packages underneath. Family and friends abounding at the table laden with plate after plate of steaming fresh food. Laughter amidst the sounds of Christmas carols.

Christmas – as I had known it in the past.

Yes, I did have a few meager presents for Michael. I had gone without eating for three weeks so that I had the money to buy him something.

I had even taken the Christmas decorations out of their boxes and placed them carefully around the unheated living room. But one corner stood empty. And that emptiness seemed to represent my own failure and emptiness inside.

I didn’t have a Christmas tree.

Now you may be saying to yourself, Christmas trees don’t cost a lot of money. You can get a cheap one for only N5,000. But N5,000 meant a lot for provisions. And that was a fortune when you only had enough money in your food budget for one carton a month.

Seeing my own breath fog in the cold of our living room, I burst into tears.

“Mom, mom, what’s wrong?”

“All I wanted was a Christmas tree. Just a little one. I even prayed that someone would give us one. It would feel like Christmas if we only had a tree.”

“Mom, mom, it’s okay. Why don’t go lie down, have a nap. You’ll feel better when you wake.”

I lay down but I couldn’t sleep. I twisted and tossed, tossed and turned. And I cried some more. But then I heard strange sounds from the other room.

I thought about investigating, about seeing what Michael was up to. But I was too exhausted to get out of bed. I pulled the covers over my head and tried to pretend it was all a bad dream.

I must have slept because I woke up two hours later. I stretched and then stumbled to the kitchen searching for a glass of water.

I didn’t make it to the kitchen. Because I saw tiny lights twinkling in the corner of the now-dark living room.

Behind me Michael exclaimed, “Mom, you don’t have to cry anymore. We don’t have a Christmas tree - but look - we have a Christmas plant!”

I rubbed my eyes to clear them, and I saw that while I had slept, Michael had strung tiny white lights on the tall, green umbrella plant. And then he had placed Christmas ornaments on its outstretched stems.

That Christmas I learned that Christmas isn’t about Christmas trees and Christmas presents. It’s about love. I didn’t have money – or a Christmas tree - but I had a loving son who cared for me, who loved me.

Yes, Christmas is all about loving sons.

The love of my son reminded me that there’s another loving son. Like my son, he cares for me and he gives of himself for me. No, this other son didn’t give me a Christmas tree – or a Christmas plant - but he gives to me a far greater gift – the forgiveness that brings hope and joy – regardless of the circumstances.

My wish to you is that you’ll learn from my lesson. You won’t make the mistake I did and think that Christmas is all about Christmas trees. Instead you’ll remember my story that Christmas is all about the gift of the son.

Happy New Week!