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The Importance of the Question ‘Why’

When we are born, we come into the world without preconceived ideas on how things are done. We are born into a family which has its own way of doing things – its own culture, as it were. Automatically, we imbibe this culture and we do things a particular way because ‘this is how we have always done it’. For instance, I grew up with the family eating meals together at the dining table. Now, as an adult in her own home, we eat at the dining table because that is what is normal to me (and fortunately, to my husband as well). In some homes, teeth are brushed first thing in the morning while in others, they are brushed after breakfast. A husband and wife from these two backgrounds can fight for years about which is the right way because we all feel the way we were brought up must be the right way.

How I See The Prodigal Son

I got a new perspective of the story of the prodigal son this morning. A lot of times, the things we read in the bible seem distant from us and we don’t always know how they apply to our present day lives. Well, here’s a present day understanding of this parable found in Luke 15:11-32.

As Christians, we have a certain hope that is meant to keep us motivated to run the race set before us and that hope is Heaven and all that comes with transiting from time as we know it into eternity – the hope of resurrection from the dead , being completely transformed into Christ’s likeness, relating with God face-to-face, rewards, crowns, final freedom from the stresses and pains of life on Earth, etc.

Secular versus Gospel Music

Last night, during a phone conversation with a dear friend, we touched on the topic of Christians and secular music. As the call ended and I thought over the matter, a thought came to mind:
“I would rather my children listened to secular music from which they themselves can pick out the blatant contradictions to the truth we believe, than for them to listen to ‘gospel’ music that forms a mindset in the listener about God and about Christianity that is wrong.”

INPUT = OUTPUT
It has become common knowledge that we are a product of what we put into ourselves, whether in the physical realm (our bodies) or what we refer to as the ‘soulish’ realm (our minds).

Our Bodies:
What we feed our bodies produces what we see in our bodies and our state of physical health.

What Is Mine Is His

Sometime ago, I listened in on a discussion about the state of the education sector in Nigeria and it seemed to be the general consensus that before that sector asks for more funds to be allocated to it, the question needs to be asked and answered: “What did you do with what was given you?” I find it funny that we refer to the government like it’s setup of robots and not human beings that come from the same pool we (Nigerians) belong to. Whatever behaviour is displayed within the government is only a public manifestation of the behavioural flaws in us as a people.

What are you doing with what was given you?

Knowing God

So hubby and I fell out two nights ago.

I basically accused him of a character flaw indirectly when I misinterpreted a situation. Funnily enough, I knew he did not have this flaw….quite the opposite, in fact. To be honest, I often made boast of this particular wonderful character trait of his.

So why did the falling out take place?

I took a conversation of his out of the context of the person I was dealing with. I didn’t ask myself, “Is this who he is? Is this how he thinks?” Had I asked myself these questions, I would have been able to tell myself the truth – that the conversation did not mean what I suggested it did – and I would not have hurt the man I love.

Joseph’s Story

Chapter 37 of the book of Genesis begins Joseph’s story. After reading his story, here are lessons I learned.

Joseph’s attitude to work
Joseph prospered even while in captivity. [Origin of the word ‘prosper’: Late Middle English: from Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare, from prosperus ‘doing well’.] Joseph did well regardless of his circumstances. He didn’t do his work in bitterness of heart but rather with diligence, regardless of his circumstances.

“Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).” (Colossians 3:23-24, AMPC).

Steadfast Love

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.”
(Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

These are the lyrics of a very popular song from years ago. Yet they are still fresh and relevant to us today because they were lifted straight out of the scriptures and truth will always be fresh and relevant no matter the age.

The song came into my heart as I sat and thought about God this morning. You know we take it for granted that every 24 hours, a new day will begin; that the laws of physics – gravity and the rest of it – will keep things going as they ought to; even that we will wake up the next morning after we shut our eyes and go to sleep at night. This morning, I thought of these things and saw God’s great faithfulness. I was reminded that Jesus “is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power.” (Hebrews 1:3, AMPC)

I Want More

I don’t know where I read something that questioned the Lord speaking to us and saying things outside of the written Word (words in the Bible). While that sounds very religious, I find it inaccurate and a stumbling block in developing an intimate relationship with God.

When Joseph sent his brothers to get their dad and all their stuff so they could settle in Egypt under his care, Jacob had an encounter on their way to Egypt.

So Israel set out on the journey with everything he owned. He arrived at Beersheba and worshiped, offering sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in a vision that night:

The Journey of Surrender

Since sharing the blog by our ATMF writer, Bee, which highlighted the journey of forgiveness, my eyes have been opened to see that life itself is really a journey. Yes, I have made that statement myself now and again but I am only now beginning to understand the practical implications in my everyday life…..and I would like to share my thoughts with you.

I think we put too much pressure on ourselves in different areas of our lives. We expect instant perfection and instant harvests when these are just not practical or realistic. God has set processes in place like seedtime, watering of the seed, germination, growth of the plant, and so on, before harvest time. Paul talks about sowing of the seed, watering and God giving the increase. Whether physical or spiritual, there is a process. Can God sovereignly put aside His processes if He wills? Most definitely! However, this is not the norm but rather the occasional miracle.