In the midst of all the devastation in Nigeria, we still must recognize the light (no pun intended).
Click here to read about Paula and Peter Imafidon, two nine year old twins set for high school.
Praying for our future.
12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech,
in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
2 Timothy 4:12
I never intended for yesterday’s post to be selfish and insensitive. I hope you did not construe it as such. And if you did, I apologize.
Nigeria. A country of battles. When people think of devastation by humans in the continent of Africa, they think of Darfur or the Sudan. But everybody tends to forget Nigeria. The country for which Doctors Without Borders was created — in the darkness of The Biafran War.
When faced with the news of the most recent horrible evil in the country, I was struck by three things:
1. One reason that explains this fighting.
2. How blessed we all are.
3. How powerful God is in the country.
1. Simply, the name should show one the arbitrariness of the country. Niger-ia = Niger Area. A name chosen by the Europeans after drawing arbitrary lines, pushing a whole bunch of people into it – regardless of ethnicity, religion and language – and labeling it a country. This is not to say that before colonization, there was no fighting, but the different tribes, people groups, language groups, etc., knew where they were, what they owned, which land was theirs and what they are fighting for. Throwing a bunch of people together and calling them a country, because they happen to look alike, does not make it so. And these years of unrest throughout the entire continent has proven this.
But, this is not to say that the people should not rise above it. And I’m praying every day that the new generation of Africans as a whole can change. Both those living at home and abroad. Because the whole continent (and yes, I am going to generalize) is destroying itself. Fighting themselves today, instead of finding a way to work together to become what they can tomorrow – one of the greatest, richest, most powerful countries in the world. Yes, in the world! We have so much in natural resources alone. It is disheartening.
2. We in this North America can complain about anything we want, but to see how blessed we all are, we must look to what is happening in the other parts of the world. If we compare ourselves… well, we really cannot. Period. I work with parents, teens, children. I am a sister to foster siblings. I have known so many capable people that are limit themselves by blaming others, finding excuses, never taking responsibility for their own lives. I will never disregard a person’s past. Yes, things that happen have an effect of people. Obviously. But when an individual is surrounded by people who are trying to help them, when they have so many resources to choose from, when they are given many opportunities and instead of utilizing it, they sit back and say, “life is not fair” “you don’t know what I’ve gone through” “It’s my dad’s fault” “It’s my mom’s fault” — I can’t stand it.
Yes, I will give you time and help you with your healing. It may not be easy. But, as a person and as a counsellor, I look for someone who will help themselves. Because like I said before, we are blessed. Life is NOT fair, but at least we’re alive.
Comparing yourself to others should do two things: show you what you can achieve and show you how blessed you are.
(The preceding was basically a rant. Perhaps it didn’t make a whole lotta sense, but you know what I mean).
3. Where God is the most present, Satan will insert himself. Where God is the most powerful, Satan comes to destroy. Nigeria is a country that loves God. I think Nigerians are born prayer warriors. That’s a big reason there is so much devastation. Satan does not appreciate the love for God. Basically, if one is a true Christian and is living the way a true Christian should live, there is one thing for sure: Satan will attack. Because it’s not only a physical war, it’s a spiritual war. What is our job as Christians inside of and outside of Nigeria? To remain strong. How? Put on the whole armour of God. Ephesians 6:10-18.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Let us all continue to pray.
“That’s too bad. D and I are just feeling sick over today’s horror in Nigeria. So sad. So, it could be worse. Laugh my love.” <– This was sent to me by text in response to telling my friend the news that I was edited out of the Coke Zero commercial that I filmed last December. Just when I was on the verge of feeling sorry for myself. I received that text.
Perspective = I am blessed.
Thanks Johanna.
I rarely get sick. But when I do, I hurt.
For the last few days, I have been suffering from a major toothache. I have never EVER hurt as badly as this. And I believe I have a high pain tolerance.
It was somewhat an emergency and I called the dentist to see if he could squeeze me in. They managed to, although it would simply be for an x-ray and prescription. I was thankful for anything.
They saw me, told me that it was most likely a cavity (and before you tsk tsk me, I have all my wisdom teeth and apparently the grooves in my teeth are very deep, too deep for the tooth brush to reach. The pain is in the farthest tooth on the top right) and also that it was probably being bothered by my extra tooth.
That’s right, I have an extra tooth in the very back of my mouth. One more than most people. For a while, this tooth was below the surface, but just recently, at the end of 2008, it grew. The doctor kept on telling me how lucky I am.
He was referring to the crazy extra tooth, but looking deeper, I realize how “lucky” I truly am.
I can go on and on and on. I am truly blessed.
God never said we would never feel pain. But He does provide healing.
Love this quote –> Life hurts. God heals.
Ok, I realize that this post may not be my best, or even coherent, but remember, the Tylenol 3s?
‘Nough said.
The problem of pain is atheism’s most potent weapon against the Christian faith.
C.S. Lewis
Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature
and existence of free-wills involve,
and you find that you have excluded life itself.
The Problem of Pain – C.S. Lewis
It’s that day.
The day that falls on the 14th day of the 2nd month every year.
I joke and say it’s Singles Awareness Day.
But it’s not that much different than any other day for me.
I have been aware of my singleness every day for 28 years… haha
Although I have also nicknamed it Bleak Sunday (or any day on which the day falls).
Anyway, one would think I would be extra depressed on such a day, especially surrounded by marrieds and engageds and daters and such.
I would be lying if I said my status did not suck. But today I had a happy day. Hearing and reading about other couples’ happiness. Yep, it’s tough to be reminded of my singledom, but it’s cool seeing people happy.
For instance, my friend Dana. She and her boyfriend were unable to get together today because they both had to work. They will make it up on Tuesday. But her boyfriend sent her flowers and a card that read something like this:
[front of card] There is nothing sweet or sexy about this card [inside of card] except for the person reading it.
If that does not spell cute, what does?
And I know that I am constantly quoting and referring to this blog. And I am not a stalker, I promise. I just loved the entry found here.
I talked to Dana on the phone and read Bianca’s entry all within seconds. And their happiness just made my day.
Yep, it’s hard to be single happy in the face of everybody’s couple happy.
But I said hard, not impossible.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30
What is the one thing that is widely argued, debated, talked about? What is a leading topic constantly mentioned across the world?
Answer: Homosexuality.
A day does not pass where there is not news concerning the issue.
Whether it is the right to marry, the right to serve in the military, the right to adopt, the right to live, hate crimes, slurs, homosexuality and Christianity.
I’m not here to preach. I here to introduce the following video and see what people think. He’s a Christian. And he’s talking about homosexuality. And he’s not gay.
Lumen 1.31 – Andrew Marin from mariners church on Vimeo.
Click here is above video does not work.
The church and the gay community.
Your take on this video?
It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict. It’s God’s job to judge. It’s my job to love. – Billy Graham
…love what I do, not only do what I love.
…stop doubting myself.
…prove those who doubt me wrong.
…succeed.
…put myself in the position to better help my family – immediate and extended.
…pay my debts.
…buy a house.
…stop procrastinating.
…stop self sabotaging.
…get into better shape.
…start a charity.
…be an entrepreneur and work for myself.
…trust in God.
(not necessarily in that order)
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
I discovered the Mars Hill Church iPhone app through this beautiful lady’s tweet. I downloaded it and so far love it. I had heard of the church before, but this was the first time I got to hear the teaching/preaching.
I started with the series on Luke, entitled “Luke’s Gospel: Investigating the Man Who Is God.” I loved, loved, LOVED the first episode, but at the end of it, I just so happened to scroll down and saw a series called, “Redeeming Ruth.” Of course, I then started listening to that one, me being Ruth and all (don’t worry, I’ll will definitely go back to the Luke series and you should too).
One part that struck me in the episode was the descriptions of Ruth and Orpah, Naomi’s daughters in law. Both were ready to leave their native Moab and travel back to Bethleham with Naomi. Leaving their families and all that was familiar to them. But after just a little bit of prodding, one decided to turn back and return to her homeland. Orpah.
One cannot really blame her. Although she married a Jewish man, she was living in her hometown, where she felt safe and secure. Essentially, where everybody knew her name. She probably proclaimed her love for God with her lips, but at the first sign of “freedom” she took it, abandoning Him and her new family and fleeing back home to what she knew. Fleeing back to her gods. She was a pagan pretending to be a Christian (well, before Christ), but abandoning Him when things got difficult.
I don’t judge. Is it not easier to remain where you are comfortable than to step into discomfort? Or what is known as earthly discomfort? What she did is what most of us would do. Right? She is only human.
And then there was Ruth. She obviously took her vow to God very seriously. She abandoned all that was familiar to her, to accompany her mother in law – not her birth mother, but her mother by marriage – to her hometown. She would know nobody. She would be alone with this older woman with no other people to call friends. And if that wasn’t enough, she vowed to Naomi, that she would take her people as her own and take her God as her own. That is amazing. Unlike Abraham, God never spoke directly to Ruth (thanks Pastor Mark) so she was ready to accept God by pure faith. Which one of us can say that we would do that?
The bible says that we are to drop everything and follow Jesus. But how many times do we make excuses for not following Him wholeheartedly? Without reservation. It’s our human nature.
And I know I will stumble. Many more times in my life. But God is there to help me stand and the Bible is there to support my walk.
I strive to be more like Ruth.
In more than name.
I’m not going to lie. It’s gonna be tough.
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you
or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,
and where you stay I will stay. Your people
will be my people and your God my God.
ruth 1:16
You know the drill. Especially in the movies. Someone wants something. Or wants to know something. And they will ask God to give them a sign. A sign that they are doing the right thing, making the right decision, or even a sign that He, God, exists.
I am getting baptized this Sunday (January 24). People are quite surprised that I have not been baptized yet. I have no real good excuse, but the one thing that stopped me in my teen years, especially, was the feeling that I had to be perfect before I did it. And I know (and knew) that perfection is not possible and only Jesus is perfect. But my human brain cringed at the thought of being baptized and then disappointing people and God when I did something wrong. I grew out of that phase though. God says come as you are… well not in those exact words, but He did say that He came for the sick and the sinners; not the heathly and the righteous. He told Levi/Matthew, the tax collect to follow Him. He didn’t say, “Yeah, I want you to follow me. But please get better before you do.” And I am grateful for that. That God accepts me as I am because God knows that I am…imperfect. 
I have been a Christian my whole life, but my faith is not always the strongest. I would be lying if I said it was. But, I can say that it is hard for me to deny God if only for the signs He has shown me in my lifetime. Many times, and one time very recently, I have been discussing with a friend and he or she will ask me about my faith. They ask me how I know that Jesus exists. How can I be certain? I say because He has made it very hard for me not to see Him. He’s kinda like a kid, sitting behind you kicking your chair. If you don’t turn around, you don’t see him, but you know he’s there. There have been so many – yes I will use the word again – signs. And I’m not talking about the sheer perfection of creation – you know like the grass and animals and flowers and stuff – which is cool in itself. About about blatant punching me in the face with His awesomeness.
My parents survival in the country is riddled with God signs.
The fact that my first brother is alive and not mentally or physically disabled is a God sign.
The fact that I’m alive and not dead due to cult sacrifice is definitely a God sign (yep you read correctly. Wanna hear about this story?)
Jesus has shown Himself to me many times and in many ways. And although I have always followed Him, it’s high time to take the step and join the Body as He so commanded.
13Once again Jesus went out beside
the lake. A large crowd came to him,
and he began to teach them. 1
4As he walked along, he saw Levi son
of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s
booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him,
and Levi got up and followed him.
15While Jesus was having dinner at
Levi’s house, many tax collectors and
“sinners” were eating with him and
his disciples, for there were many who
followed him. 16When the teachers of
the law who were Pharisees saw
him eating with the “sinners” and tax
collectors, they asked his disciples:
“Why does he eat with tax collectors
and ’sinners’?” 17On hearing this, Jesus
said to them, “It is not the healthy
who need a doctor, but the sick.
I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners.”
mark 2:13-17
Anybody who knows me knows I want to be an actress and have wanted to be since I can remember (ok, I think I have started many posts with this, but bear with me). Slightly fewer know that I want to own my own business(es) because I cannot see myself working for somebody else forever. Sometimes I feel discouraged and believe my brain tells me to “be serious” or “be real.” Sometimes I feel that I will be stuck doing what I have to and not what I want to. But then I am bombarded with inspiration. Things/People that show me that I must continue with my dreams. ‘Cause I can achieve them. That they are possible. And I think that this year will be the year. 2010. I hope that by September, I will be doing what I want, full time. But meanwhile, here is a list of my current inspirations:
Kelsey Vanderhorst – KV Bijou
Kelsey started her business about a year ago. She quit her job, put her head down and worked on her dream. Where is she today? Making jewelry for the Sundance Film Festival! Ummm… what?! Such a tremendous inspiration.
This guy is living his dream. Doing what he wants and loving it. The road may not have always been smooth, but he is living his passion. And loving it. The operative phrase.
Bianca Juarez – In the Name of Love
This woman of God combines everything: her love of the Lord and her love for people. She does this and feels honored. But one cannot even begin to imagine how many people she has touched.
Randomly she is Bianca’s sister. Twins too. Look at her pictures and you’ll realize that I don’t need to say anymore. She is living her dream. In an industry that people constantly knock. How many times have aspiring photogs been told that “you can’t do that for a living.”??
Dammy Ogunseitan – Reach Magazine
Who says, one day, “I’m going to start my own magazine” and then does it??? Come on! And, this is not his first.
Sandra-Joy Unaegbu – Joyful Photography
Ok, she’s my sister, but she is freaking talented. She has the balls (ooops do I say that? …umm… sorry kids) to pursue what she wants to. Again in the face of opposition. That’s quite more than I have been able to do so far. She hasn’t been a photog for long, but her work looks like she has been doing it for life. Seriously talented. Contact her now because she will get too big for you soon!
I love the fact that she gave up her job as an accountant. She gave up her “real” job to do something she loves. I love the “About” section primarily where she says:
I don’t say this to boast, I say this because I believe! I believe that if I can do this, so can you. You can live the life you want you just need to believe in yourself, work hard, and move in a positive direction. Why not DREAM BIG? I do!
(And before anybody tsk tsks me about the newageyness about “believing in myself” she also says she deeply believes in our Lord).
Frankly. I will do what I must. I cannot do what I “have to” for the rest of my life. I will to quit my “real” job. I will do what I want to and what makes me happy. If I find myself doubting, I just remind myself of this list of people. It they can do it.
So can I.
Trust in the LORD
with all your heart
and lean not
on your own understanding;
in all your ways
acknowledge him,
and he will make
your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6