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Monday, October 02, 2006

merdeka Nigeria

God is good yeah? I would like to share about what He did for me. Thursday i found out i cannot find my calculator, looked everywhere but no, then i thought maybe i didnt bring it to school, got home and its not there also. Wah, tension, i didnt want to buy a new one, i dont like to think i'm careless, so i was sad going to school the next day. But i prayed and said God i cant lose my calculator, i need it, its special, it even has solar panels. I was really sad la. So i got to school and told all my friends to keep a clean eye out in case they come across it, maybe someone took it and i was not careless after all. I guess within me i believed strongly i would find it.

Got to the library, went downstairs talked to my friend for a while {small talk} and told him also about my missing calculator only to turn around to find the uncle behind me calling my attention, he reach into his table and handed me my calculator, i was like wow, thank you so much. I knew it was mine because i used correction fluid on it, and painted it pink at the back with my highlighter :p

I know it sounds a bit childish but for me its answered prayers, meets when i pray He listens and answers, means He is still there. Nice to experience that.

1st October 1960, Nigeria gained her independence from the British. 1st october 2006 SIB kuching invited the Nigerians to their church to share their culture and faith so in true Nigerian hospitality we stormed the church and gave our best to God, it was really nice to see all the work and effort pay off. It was really a Nigerian sunday and i didnt miss home for a while.

Called my mum and she said there was nothing special happening back home, just alot of prayers for the nation. There was a tragic incident where alot of top military officials died in a plane crash while en route to a meeting. So there's a heavy spirit in the nation.

After the service at SIB we took lots of photos together, and went to bethany. Worship was great as usual. Bethany is special. Pastor shared from Acts 9 {saul's conversion}. I need to look closely at it again, somethings were new this time. After church we went for a mega lunch, hmm yummy red pork :) It was really nice.

~shalom~

Monday, September 25, 2006

blessed be your name

I just want to use this opportunity to thank God for my tests, they have been really good. I had As in both, and i was the highest in management. Its really mind blowing, for me, i know its nothing for most of you but if you know me, then you know la.

Really want to give God thanks, and thats about it.

~shalom~

Thursday, September 14, 2006

wednesday meeting

So its no secret that on wednesdays we meet in inti college for a short time of prayer and worship, well this wednesday was special, not only did we get a record number of people to turn up, mrs Agnes invited sisilia {yeah thats the spelling} who is originally from fiji but lives in the outback to the meeting.

Now i've heard such wonderful things about what God is doing through her, her prophetic ministry and how precise the words that comes out of her mouth actually is. She is someone who is devoted totally to God, and relies on the holy spirit for her daily living, i see alot of patience in her and the power she has now is as a result of denying the flesh and its desires and seeking God with all her heart, paying the price in the process, one that took about 12years.

She shared about her life, how she came to the Lord Jesus and how her family background hindered the work of God in her life, he grand father worshiped the devil so that curse was on her family and it was not until the end of her seeking God through fasting and prayer for 12 that she was shown the source of all the troubles in her life and was able to deal with it.

After her sharing she picked people out and prayed for them, i dont think it was in any random order i think the Holy Spirit guided her in her choices. She called me out after praying for valentine and a few others and said alot of things about my life like she had known me and had known my thoughts and desires, dreams and stuff, i was like the women at the well in john 4 {come see this man who has told me everything i've ever done}. She spoke some prophetic words into my life one of which is the salvation of my father is october. I believe it strongly, it time for something to happen in my family, i've been praying for him for a while until i got tired after it seemed nothing was happening, and my mum would always complain 'he's getting worse'. Of course i would assure her not to give up, God is good and everything he does he does for a purpose, he does not say something and change his mind, no thats man.

She spoke alot of what will happen in the future, even things i've asked God for and it seemed he forgot or i stopped asking after a while all come up again, its amazing how precise she spoke. It was powerful.

One theme that ran through everything she said was these things are not for you, they are given to you to help others. She said they can only come to pass when we draw closer to God and press in to his presence in worship, prayer and fasting; something i need to practice more on.

It was so great to see even people who we would consider, determined sinners come and humble themselves to be prayed for, i was so blessed by their presence, and someone gave his life back to christ that evening. The service prolonged up until 2am and i really saw that pst sisilia was tired yet she pressed on, she spent time talking to everyone, giving them her best, and just allowing God's strenght to be made manifest in her weakness. I really admire that.

God is good. One profound thing she said is that God is in a hurry to do his work, so if you're willing and prepared he will use you, and times of extraordinary signs and wonders are ahead. The manifestation of the power of God will be great in the years to come and people will think its from the devil but its not. And we need now more than ever the gift of discerning the spirits. So ask God for that.

Truelly a life changing experience.

~shalom~

Monday, September 11, 2006

Give thanks?

I feel i should share this so things are sort of balanced, i dont want to give the impression that my life is all nice and rosy and i dont go through stuff. It quite personal and painful for me which explains my initial reluctance but i'll just share any way.

Last semester was one of the best i've had in a while, i felt most of the distractions and lack of focus was going away. I had 4 subjects and all were quite challenging, some more than the others. And i especially liked the management probably because a lady took it {she's good looking by the way, hehe} no seiously i just enjoyed the subject and it was more like learning how organisations work and why they make the decisions they make and why there are mergers and acquisitions and the rationale behind them and the general attitude of an employee in an organisation.

My interest in the subject reflected in my result, i was not the first in the class but i scored high in my assignments, tests and group work {collectively called coursework}. So i was pumped. Eagerly waiting for the exam day so i can get my A for sure. And very nicely it was on a friday, the last paper for the semester, and two days after the previous one so i had enough time to prepare and stuff.

On the day i got to school quite late, about 9 something, went straight to the library and went through some areas i felt would come out, trying to recall the parts i've already covered and then by 11 i get a call from my friend asking why i didnt come for the exam. Now this guy is a joker and i was like nice try, honestly i thought this was one of his pranks, but he was sounded serious. Joking or not i needed to be sure. I came out and there they were, all my classmates outside then i knew something terrible had just happened.

I quickly confirmed with them and yes i had missed my eagerly anticipated management exam, my heart just felt like it dropped or something, i felt like i lost something special and dear to me. I was confused for a while and in utter shock, how in the world could i miss my exam?

I obviously knew there was an exam that day but i guess i was too negligent and presumptiously thought it was one of those evening ones, the 4-7 exams like the others i wrote. A lot of thoughts came into my mind; why didnt anyone call me to ask where i was? What would my father say when he sees the result? I obviously could not bring myself to tell him, just can't.

After some moments of thinking i went to my head of programme and explained everything to him and he suggested i meet the head of exams and let him know, which i did and he asked me to write a letter to the board of exams, {i didnt even know there was such a thing like the board of exams until that day} although he assured me i wont be considered with my excuse but if i was sick or something, they could consider me and give me a make-up exam. And for a moment i thought, i could just meet the nurse downstairs and make up a story get my doctors statement and write the exam but its not something i'm good at, besides i've learnt over the years to face my problems head on.

Few days later i went back to the head of exams and he told me i would have to take the subject again, the board denied my appeal. I felt angry, disappointed, worthless, lost my dignity, shame. I would have to take management again. I was angry because my head of programme was powerless to help me in my time of need, he didnt even make any effort, i thought that was really weird, i mean why is he head when he can't do anything? I felt disappointed because i wrote the truth in that letter and the truth did not set me free in this case. I felt worthless because eventually my father would get the result and see an F there and i'll have to explain to him, he already thinks little of me, we dont get along well. I lost my dignity because i would be repeating a class i'm good in. It was a low point in my life, and made the holidays that followed less pleasant.

It easy to get depressed and angry and say God why did this happen? And sink in it, but i believe all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to his purpose. I believe this will turn out for good and i'll look back at this time in my life not with regret but with gratitude to God. I believe my life is ordered right from the first time i saw light to the last time i'll see it. And He that keeps me does not sleep or slumber, and he loves me no matter what.

I hope this encourages someone, someday. Few are the days of man and its filled with problems, but the just shall live by faith. And they that put their trust in God shall not be put to shame. i believe in Jesus.

~shalom~

Sunday, September 03, 2006

back to school

Going back to school, starting the short semester {about 5weeks or so} not willing to give up my holiday but what to do, hehe.

Part of me is glad that school's starting, back to homeworks and assignments and stress. I know its going to be intense but somehow i'm happy because of the subjects i'll be taking, and the teachers that take the subjects, this is my opportunity to get good grades before 2006 is over. Its not over yet, and yeah.

Good to see everyone well almost everyone come back to help with the nights of fire, nice to see people like andrew and jacky again. Nice to see some of my friends actually turned up for the concert that had over 3000 young people in attendance. Praise God.

The bbq was a time just to socialise and meet new christians, i met jacob, ben, ken, charmain {hope thats correct} and fione, they all go to the same school in 9th mile {i know, so far away} ben and ken went to sib while the rest went to st something catholic church, cant remember the name of the saint in question. Anyhow, it was nice to get them talking, at first it was difficult to get them to talk, the girls we so shy shy like that but as they became familiar with the food, they eventually opened up and shared abit of their life. Its good to be in a position were you are uncomfortable with just to learn to trust God to change the environment. Later after our meal was done, we took a group photo, it was a good night. Praise God :)


Sunday worship was really good, its nice having a full house at bethany and its really good to see su ee lead the worship, i guess God's work must go on, and He's raising him for greater works ahead. His promises makes rich and adds no sorrow.

Today's message on serving really blessed me, i get to see the ways everyone serves, not just in places like worship where everyone can see, and its 'glamourous' if i can say that, but also in things like taking the offering, washing cups, helping others, sharing knowledge and talents, encouraging one another, smsing parts of the bible that blessed you to others, or just smiling, the wonders of a joyful expression. Its good. And it touches my heart to see the great examples that God has laid before us to follow people like rebekah, timothy, abraham, ruth, even mary.

When I measure the extent of my service to God, it doesnt even come close when compared to these heros of the bible, but its not something to be depressed about but rather something to work on because God never condemns, i see him disappointed sometimes when we fall short, and happy when we prevail over difficult times. But his love is ever lasting. He's a good father.

I'm looking forward to what the future has in store for us, it would be really nice to see friends shining for Jesus wherever they are, just hanging on and trusting in him to move in our lives, not letting situations weigh us down but rising above them and moving on with Jesus because that the only meaning in this life we live. When all is said and done, only what is done for christ will stand.

~shalom~