... At the foot of the Hill [Psalm 121]

Showing posts with label Love... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love... Show all posts

Feb 22, 2015

Through my lens || Love is Impossible


I am taking my photography alot more seriously this year and I have been going through a 52 weeks challenge (More on this soon) with a group of photographers this has made me just want to take pictures of everything and I am one of those people that cleans her ears every second (if possible) and I got this inspiration from my earbud container (obviously -_-) as it was the season of love, I took to Instagram to share some Lovey-dovey message, If you follow me there you'd have seen this. I must say, I am proud of myself for this idea. I think its rather creative (if I can say so myself)

This is my best shot
 It's the season of Love and the world will once again want to shove Its definition of LOVE down our throats... But we are not going to be defined by that anymore. 
Away from what the world thinks, I will be sharing about what I have learnt of Love from a Biblical standpoint.

What is Love?
How to Love?
Why to Love? 


God's view > World's view. lets dance ;) 


There are alot of definitions to the word Love. Today we would explore what Love is from a Biblical Standpoint. Love is not a tingling sensation or whatever it is defined as these days... Love is sacrificial... Love if giving...
Love puts the other before self - Meets needs.
Love does not discriminate...
Love gives ALL...
Love Forgives in advance...
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.


Long and short, Love is Impossible in our human nature, we have to rely on God. God is Love, his very nature is LOVE and guess what happens when we take on God's nature? 
We also flow in Love and express it as our nature... Love then becomes our way of life! [ 1Corinthians 13, John 15:13, John 3:16, 1John3:16, Matt 22:37, John 13:35, Romans 13:10, 1John4:7-10, 19-20]



How and why do we love?

By looking at the way God loves us we are getting a glimpse into how we should love. 
God first loved us. We should make the first move, do a good deed to someone, make the call, forgive first whatever it is you're doing do it first. 


We didn't deserve the Love given us, in that light we should love before 'they' deserve it. Your loved ones do some annoying things? Love anyways... Love serves, be willing to serve people. 
And remember, NOTHING ABSOLUTELY, NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THAT LOVE. 
Why do we Love? 
One of the reasons God loves us is because it's HIS nature to express love and HE is glorified in expressing Love. 
If we don't have God's nature inside, we can't give what we don't have, we can only express this kind of Love if we have accepted it.






At the end of the day, Its YOU. ME & GOD
What does love mean to you? What difference does it make with the way you relate with people?

Apr 25, 2013

Book Review: When Heaven Weeps.

SO, Its no huge secret that i am a Ted dekker groupie, Picked up this book last week and i was engrossed through out the week till i finished it. Although the book is old but then it so alive. Once again, Ted (Yeah, we on first name basis now *Yimu*) delivered.

google images


This book is all sorts of amazing.

I got to a point in the book and i just closed it and i was balling my eyes out, really it was that touching.

We always hear about God's Love for us but this book is centered on Our Love for God.

Love so deep and pure that you willing to die in order to live. get that?

"In living we die and in dying we live"

getting to a point in your walk with God where death doesn't scare you because you know there is a greater reward, laughter, Joy, peace. Amazing right?

This book was also Ted's Version of the Hosea Story in the bible, one of my favourite books in the world is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, its her re-tell of the Hosea story from the bible too and reading it again from another perspective was Amazing.

google images
Let me share a few quotes from the Book...

“Suffering is an oxymoron. There is unfathomable peace and satisfaction in suffering for Christ. It is as though you have searched endlessly for your purpose in life and now found it in the most unexpected place: In the death of your flesh. It is certainly a moment worth of laughter and dance. And in the end it is not suffering at all. The apostle Paul recommended that we find joy in it. Was he mad?” 
― Ted DekkerWhen Heaven Weeps

“So where does Stan fit in this equation?...
We are told to meditate on scripture, even the hald that details the consequences of evil, the consequent of Jericho and all. Not to pretend out God has somehow changed since the time of Christ. Obviously, Paul's idea of admirable and noble is quite different from ours. God forgives us, Bill. We have mocked His victory by whitewashing the enemy for the sake of our neighbirs approval."
No Greater Love has any man...” 
― Ted DekkerWhen Heaven Weeps

“What is pure Bill? Or excellent or admirable? The death of a million people in a flood? God evidently through so. He is incapable of acts that are not admirable, and it is He who brought about the Flood. How about the slaying of children in Jericho? There are a few Bible stories that are not as terrible as they are happy. We just prefer to leave out the terrible part, but that only makes the good anemic.” 
― Ted DekkerWhen Heaven Weeps

“What a terrible thing it is for children to see death, you say. We have it all wrong. If you make a child terrified of death, he won't embrace it so easily. And death must be embraced if you wish to follow Christ. Listen to His teaching. 'Unless you become like a child...and unless you take up your cross daily, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.' One is not valuable without the other. 

Janjic Jovic, The Dance of the Dead, 1959” 
― Ted DekkerWhen Heaven Weeps

"A man can only live with so much, true enough. At some point he will have to die for something. if not now, then for eternity" - Ted Dekker, When heaven weeps

"Die? How would i die? Forgive. Love her without condition. Climb up to your cross, my friend. As seeds fall on the ground and die, it cannot bear fruit. somehow the church has forgotten the masters teaching" - Ted Dekker, when heaven weeps

"..... In reality the death of will is far more traumatic than the death of body" Ted Dekker, When heaven weeps.

"It was indeed God that had place this new tune in his heart. so he would dance a new dance- a dance of life, a dance of Love" - Ted Dekker, When Heaven weeps

There you have it, When next you are in a bookstore stop at the Ted Dekker stand and pick one, definitely worth your time.

Apr 4, 2013

New Blog design

Hello Everyone and Happy New Month.

This is just to show off my new blog, i think i have grown out of being a DramaQueen and as such the blog should also grow with me.

*Drum rolls*

Feb 14, 2013

(K)night Walker



In the spirit of Love.
*                                                     *                                              *                                          

I looked into the night sky,
Shining below, the numerous stars and the smiling moon.
I had to walk under this beautiful scene,
I let my legs sink into the sands and with every step, I felt a lot more confident than the last.


Then I saw you, still, staring ahead into the ocean, oblivious of the world.
I envied you, I wanted that,
You turned and looked in my direction,
The unmistakable blue eyes drew me closer.
No words.
You looked and saw my soul


Jan 15, 2013

Happy Nappy

Hello People, How is the 2013 Journey going? Mine? Lovely :) So, i've been meaning to do this and since i had alot of time on my hands today i decided to go through my pictures to share my Natural hair Journey. Hope You guys enjoy it :)

Journey so far!

My hair was really long before i semi-big chopped it, but when you are in the north with the weather and not knowing what to do with your hair and it starts breaking, your next instinct is to cut it off. Well thats what i did, now let me walk you through my journey.



Long hair :)



Transition!

 I Cut it the first time and i felt it was still too long and cut it lower a few days later.


TWA


TWA.. Does this length count?


TWA




I love Twist outs


Mini-Afro


Twist-out

Wash and go afro


Twist out fro-hawk

The best styles... The fro-hawk got me attention!!


Twist-outs and Afro


Kinky Afro!

Protective Styles!

Call it bad hair days... x_x


That is my Natural hair Journey so far... Getting ready to rock my Semi-big Afro!!! Yaaaay!! I LOVE MY KINKY HAIR!!!!!

Black and Proud.

Dec 16, 2012

29 Things you should do this year


I read about this Here on femme Lounge around July or so and i wrote it out in my note pad and i want to share the ones i did and my observations


29. Attend a funeral. It has a way of reminding us that life in finite, and tells us we should     treasure every moment we have on earth.
Checked - I attended 2 funerals this year and i visited a friend that lost her sister and grandma within one week or two weeks. You are really reminded of how short life is and you would get the urge to just do everything before its too late. My condolences go out to those that lost a loved one this year, may God comfort you. 
28. Bath under a waterfall, climb a mountain, or drive through a game reserve. Whatever you do make sure you see nature at its best, like you have never done before.
I was supposed to go to the waterfall in Niger but... but.... i was too lazy to go on that 5hrs journey, so i could not bath under a waterfall, but next year dear tomi thats your birthday present!
27. Be the answer to someone’s prayer and a solution to someone’s problem. Guide the lost stranger, feed the poor, teach the ignorant, serve a sick person breakfast in bed, and maybe give your maid a day off
I THINK i might have been the answer to a few people's prayers this year, being in the north gave me the opportunity to help a few people, wont go into details but i am very glad i was given the opportunity, i would definitely do it over again. did you help someone this year? 
26. Do you have a favorite author, designer, actor or musician? Write a fan letter to all your favorites and send it to them. Some will get it, some never will.
see where i got the idea to write Ted dekker? well now you know, i wrote and i got a reply *doing the happy dance* i want to write another one. overkill? x_x *hums oliver twist*
25. Face your Fears. If you hate crowd then by all means go to a stadium, if you are afraid of having all eyes on you then go to sing at a karaoke bar, and if you are afraid of teddy bears, go to bed with twenty! You will discover that Fear is really what it is – False Evidence Appearing Real!
My fear? talking in front of a crowd and maybe something i've not discovered yet, but then i taught a group of people with so much confidence considering that they were either older than me or looked older than me (i'm small like that -__-) i'm not done with the crowd phobia oh, but i notice the difference + i entered a pool this year! Yaaaay! 
24. Find a reason to throw a party and invite everyone you really want to be there, it could be to celebrate your birthday, or even your break up, or just because it’s another Friday! Have fun being celebrated.
i nor throw any parry oh... i dont like throwing or attending parties - even for the rice -__- i would rather have a party for one... or two *coughs*
23. Find your passion and be involved in a cause. Donate your time, money or even blood. Volunteer with organizations working in that field and help spread the word too.
Still searching................. Know any orphanage i can volunteer? get at me. Thanks :)
22. Forgive someone. Make a deliberate decision to forgive someone that had hurt you in the past, let go of your pain and bitterness, whether the person is sober or not.
I forgave myself. i forgave myself for wanting to depriving myself of this beautiful life God gave me, I forgave myself for my failures, I forgave myself for my mistakes, i forgave myself for the hurt i've cost me. admitting it wasn't easy but it was worth it. 
21. Have a junk food day! Spend a whole day eating all the junk food you love without feeling guilty.
oh! Yessss... This was fun, i shouldnt tell you, you know that already. i Love burgers any type well except its from KFC *rme*, i love taking myself out, i'm not expensive at all, one burger and a bottle of water and the girl is good. what would you eat if you had a junk food day?
20. Keep a gratitude journal. Don’t be carried away by your never ending to do lists. Take time out to count your blessings and be grateful to life for every progress you make
I've kept a gratitude Journal actively since the 8th of August, i just list all that i'm grateful for, for the day. It just helps reflect on the day and count your blessings and you definitely be reminded of how the little things count.
19. Learn not to say yes when you what you want to say is really no. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
I TRIED to do this, but some people you just cant hurt them, for example how would you tell someone that calls you alot that his calls disturb you? knowing that he just calls to check on you. you feel me?
18. Learn something new. Salsa dance, how to make apple pie or even how to speak Spanish. Add a new knowledge to yourself and meet other people who share the same interest.
I picked up Spanish. I'm still learning sha, dont let me scatter ground here with my naija-polished Spanish *pops collar*
17. Love yourself, Love others too. Don’t hold back all you can give and be to yourself and to others. Love without fear.
This struck me so deep and i took it as a challenge, its hard but its possible and i'm learning and i constantly caution myself when my mind want to start saying "not loving" people, especially random people on the street. 
16. Listen to elderly people’s story of what life was like when they were younger; let them tell you about their regrets and victories, and what they would do differently if they have a new shot at life.
I sat next to my pastor's wife on my way to one of the burials i attended and within the short period we talked i had learnt alot from her regrets and things she said she could have done differently and ofcourse right now i would be stupid to make that type of mistake. 
I made friends with older people alot more this year, its not that i dont  have people in my age group but i just feel good around people that can talk to me honestly, without judgement and with plenty maturity.
i think older people are closer to the grave so they don't have time for nonsense, so no idle talk, when its work, its work, when its play, its play.
15. Make a collection of everything you love in a scrap book. Insert picture of your favorite actress, your favorite chocolate wrapper, a ribbon from your old sexy lingerie and even your favorite bible passage.
I did this too, it was fun cutting up old newspaper, magazines and pictures. Speaking of which, i should update the scrap book. i recommend it for any girly girl that has plenty time and needs personal in-expensive fun!
14. Make a list of all those who have touched your live positively and you will be really surprised how long the list could be. Send them a mail, a text or postcards to appreciate them.
I've done the first part of this, but why have i not gotten to sending the mails? x_x
13. Make friends with children, learn to communicate with them and understand what makes them tick. Experience what life is like in their world of possibilities.
This one was funny and hard work mhen! i asked myself again "Do you want children?" your ears would almost wear out from stories, this 10 year old girl i met recently is a talkative chai, she can talk for africe, we spent 1-2hrs together that day and she had told me about home, friends from the neighbourhood, friends from school and their silly fights. i smiled through it all, i was genuinely interested and i just wanted to got back to being a kid when all i worried about was why mummy wont let me go out to play *sigh* growing up sucks, to think that i've not even "grown" up *hot tears*
me: What do you want to be in future
random small boy: I want to be a footballer
me: why?
random small boy: Because they have plenty money and i want to drive big big cars
me: o_o 

12. Make new friends and stay in touch with old ones. Get connected with a childhood friend that you haven’t seen in a long time and visit her.
I tired my best, connected, re-connected and dis-connected from some childhood friends this year, it was nice while it lasted - again :)
11. Plant a flower or vegetable, in a garden, at your backyard or in a jar. Nurse it and watch how it changes from a seedling to a full grown plant.
Plant gini? who get time? (sorry Tobi, im not insulting your garden) Next!!
10. Put on your best clothes, have a makeup done on you and have a photo shoot. You know how you admire models in magazines and try out different poses in front of a mirror? Now go do it without inhibitions, express yourself before a camera.
I wanted to mix this abit, dress up, make-up go to a bar a meet random people, but who get liver? You? Try it for both of us. :)
9. Reflect on your greatest weakness, and your greatest strength and how they can make you a better person.
Hard but one of the best things to do, i didnt even bother with the strengths much because thinking about them may make my head over swell, so i reflected on my weakness without being hard on myself to see how i can make me a better person and i do like evaluation and make mental notes of where i'm falling short. Hard work - i know, but its worth it!
8. Re-visit your favorite childhood books, movies and music. What really made you tick when you were younger?
where are we, the yankees? that you wee be having fav childhood books or movies or music? is it just me? *Looks around* NOOOOOO... I cant possibly be the only one naa! did you have any favorite childhood anything? 
I remember now, i had one fav Tyre rim, yes RIM *rme* that i always rolled around and pet sef *smh* x_x it was a long time ago naa, dont judge a sisteh, yes the razzness started from back then. #RazzandProud dont loud it!
7. Send a message to an unknown person. Write something, put it in a bottle, close it and throw it in the ocean, hoping someone, someday will get it.
Bottle ko, bottle ni *rme*
6.Sleep under the stars. When was the last time you look at the sky and marvel at the beauty? Spend a night looking at the stars and sleep off while admiring the sky.
Sleep under the sky in nigeria? better have more than one can of baygon. I marveled at the beauty of the stars and moon every night in kontagora, that place just had a way of bringing it all to your attention. Its really beautiful but biko i cannot sleep, forgive me!
5. So what if you get lost? You will find you way again! Throw the map out and go on a drive in an area near you that you don’t know well, explore the area and figure out how it’s all connected till you find your way again.
And get kidnapped? Nahh........ I'd pass!
4. Spend a day at the beach with your loved ones. Run, swim, eat, laugh and build an elaborate sand castle.
I'm still waiting for the day this one will happen x_x
3. Spice up your sexual life. Take a break from the old routines. Try out new and daring things in your sexual life.
*Coughs* #TeamAbstain here. Thanks!
2. Take a vacation from the world. Switch off your phones, log off the internet, and spend time alone with yourself doing the things you love.
I'm so looking forward to this, i guess its more recommended to people with a busy and crazy life, and i know my life would get busy and crazy soon, then i wee now take a well deserved break, but now i have not earned any vacation.
1. Talk to God. You might not fully understand the role He plays in your life, or what He really expects from you, maybe it’s time to unravel the mystery, talk to Him and listen to Him.
Saving the best for last :D The best decision i made this year was to talk to God more, i mean talk not pray, prayer is different, i adopted the "Dear God"  style and i write them down when i can or just talk like God is sitting next to me, well technically he is :) Its fun and there is a peace that washes over you after and "offloading" it all on him! feels good!

This is really long, hope i didnt bore you out before the end, what are the things you did this year that was memorable tell me, i'm interested! Thanks.
P.S: I'm editting my next vblog. :D Soon soon.
P.P.S: My sister now blogs, Check her out Here Its a gardening blog, i'm sure you'ld like it. Thanks

Sep 30, 2012

Love and Gratitude

When i read this passage i instantly fell in love with it, because it expressed exactly what i couldn't put into words at the time. Psalm 139(msg)
********************************************************

A David psalm. GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. 
 You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. 
You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. 
 I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too-- your reassuring presence, coming and going. 
 This is too much, too wonderful-- I can't take it all in! 
 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? 
 If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! 
If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, 
 You'd find me in a minute-- you're already there waiting! 
 Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" 
 It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you. 
 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. 
 I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! 
 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. 
 Your thoughts--how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! 
 I couldn't even begin to count them-- any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! 
 And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers--out of here!-- 
 all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. 
See how I hate those who hate you, GOD, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; 
 I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies! 
 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; 
 See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong-- then guide me on the road to eternal life. 

I honestly love God and i cant stop being grateful to him for his promises, his presence, his shoulder, his grace, mercies and for counting me worthy to be part of the living to praise him everyday despite my shortcomings, i feel blessed everyday. 


Lets get our praise on. He is more than worthy!!!


I also want to use this medium to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that reads everything i write, this blog is as good as a dead zone without you, special thanks to everyone that sent me stories for series of scars, meant alot. The support is soo massive. very very grateful. Mucho Gracias

Love!

Sep 4, 2012

31DayReset- Day 28

Today’s Challenge: LET GO OF THE PAST


Frankly i have dealt with alot of things that i was holding on to and i talked about some here and here There is really nothing more to deal with except maybe i don't know about it...

So, in the spirit of letting go,i deleted the 156 opened chats on my bbm and reduced it to 7... i know, i get attached to tiny tiny things like that x_x

All 'm doing now is trying to not get too attached to alot of things, started with twitter and i think i've weaned myself good, as much as i am tempted to go through  my TL, i just reply my dms, when i do get a notification and i get off, would def go back as soon as i feel i can actually do without it.

Aug 31, 2012

31DayReset: Day 23&24

Day 23 – PLAN YOUR RESET PROJECT

The exercise is to choose one specific area from your life map to make progress on within the next month. This should be from one of the several major areas of your life.

I've decided to focus on my health for the next month. Health is wealth right? The aspects of my health would be

     * Physical
     * Spiritual
     * Emotional
   

Physical Health: This would involve the food i eat, the exercises and generally what i do with my body.
I am gradually cutting red meat out of my daily meals (not like a eat 3 square meals x_x) and trying to replace with goat meat, I hear its d healthiest form of meat *shrugs* plus its sweeter but I don't know where to get it here :( still asking around tho'. I'm also cutting out a lot of carbohydrate, ate rice just once in 3weeks, its a miracle! Its only the garri that doesn't go :/

So, all I plan to eat is, aloooot of fruits and vegetables (bought some today) Oats, Yam, Spaghetti........ Seee? Not a lot of options *sigh* I would make do with this :D mean while I would be on 9jaFoodie's website.

Spiritual: I plan to keep reading my bible and communicating with God, keep reminding my self that knowing him is all a process and it takes time.

Emotional: I'm emotionally stable now tho', my head is clear, so is my heart so, I would fight to keep it that way. I have so much love to give right now, 'm channeling it all to my close friends and family, and the people that need it I guess.

Day 24: Rest, Reflect and comment!

Glad this is almost over, so glad that I'm growing and God is giving me strength to get through the week.

I loved the "Stop Complaining" Challenge, its just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for, and even when your day is not going so well you can sit back and think of the silver lining in every circumstance.

Starting a side hustle is kinda difficult at this stage, because a lot of things are not in order right now, but hopefully before the end of the year, I would have something concrete! Excited!

Looking forward to a lovely weekend (Not like anything special is happening tho') I would be having fun hanging out with myself as always :D!

Have a lovely weekend.

Thanks for stopping by - Again!
Love, Always.