On Community : Ayo's Journal [A Birthday Special]

 Image via flickr

 

There is something more powerful than anybody - and that is everybody - Eddy Rickenbacker

3:45 am



August 1


Monday

It's morning and almost dawn. I woke up with a sense of nostalgia. Yesterday I came back from a teenage retreat organized by my church. I was a coordinator right there and sincerely miss everyone. It's the summer and most packed their bags for their various summer spots after. Okay, I'm gonna miss each and every one of my guys, I just said that again and sincerely I can't wait till next year when we all are gathered for another.


I'm sitting here listening to Audio Adrenaline's Glory. It's a bit rocky and it's from a CD I got when I left high school. The whole scene this morning gets me wondering how easily we tend to move on after a human contact. Everyone likes to prove 'strong' and fake the ' it's was really nice meeting you but i have moved on since then'. Sometimes we even give it a shrug humming at the end 'i have a life to live'. I remember high school days, I remember college days, I remember my service year. I remember the amazing and beautiful people I met. How I had a chance to pour into their lives and how they sincerely poured into mine too. The laughs, the cries, the worries we shared, the joys we both jumped to. I look back and smile. Now everyone has moved on both emotionally and in fact geographically. But one thing I try for time to time to do is to treasure those times in my heart and not just be cynical about them. I remember this truth from time to time; I cant have a real and sincere life without the people around me.

Dear friends we must remember, people need us and we need them too. Let's learn to freeze the beautiful moments we all have. Some people our paths would never cross again but it's in the moment we release ourselves to draw from the treasure of moments we had together that our paths cross again. And it's does a good thing to us. It clears the room in our hearts to love a little more and respect what it means to be truly human.

It's not that I do these things from time to time. Sometimes if not most I tend to lean to the side of being emotionally frozen but I'm learning too. I'm learning to pick up the phone once in while to send a big electric smile. I'm learning to retell a story of how an old friend helped me through a very hard time to a new friend. I'm learning to appreciate from day to day the various beautiful people I have come across my entire life. And I invite you to do the same. Though it might get us tender at first but we should remember this ' We can't have a real and sincere life without the people around us'.

The little lessons I have been learning about the importance of community has spurred this up. Finally I would like to give a big shout out to everyone I went to high school with, everyone I went to college with, everyone I did the national service with, in fact everyone I did primary school with, I sure remember you too. A big thank you for the joy days. It was a privilege sharing life with you. And lastly, to my church youth group, I sure have a date this time next year. I cover my eyes as I say this but I might just say it, I might as well be packing for the next retreat. It's a great privilege sharing life with you. :D






P.S.-


October 31


That was some months back. And today my birthday, as I look over the last year of my life, one of the many lessons I've learnt is 'not neglecting community'. People are important. This past year for me was a redefinition of why I am here. I had to make lot's of HARD choices, and serious my back still pains. LOL! I also had to say lots of nos and turn down lots of good things.

I'm grateful to God, my Sustenance who keeps leading me into all I need to be and learn  per time. I'm also thankful for friends who don't think I'm a monster for forgetting and not calling them on their own birthdays ( cause, really I'm not one) LOL! .  I'm wide-eyed and expectant for the year ahead. I hear romance and travel. Did you just raise a brow? There's a time for everything and it's beautiful when you wait for your time, oh yes it is. And yes, lots of writing still and some personal projects I would be embarking on.

And also to my readers, it's been a privilege. You are one of the many reasons I'm here.

This year expect the unexpected, God can do more than we can ever imagine. A little exercise: Pause, Imagine the best you can for yourself . . .  are you through? Where you stopped is where God starts! Lean your entire being on Him. Trust in Him

U R LUVED :)

If I had it to do all over again,

I'd get help

If you make it to the top alone,

then you didn't climb averyhigh hill - John C. Maxwell

Question of the day: What are your thoughts on community? How important are other people from your point of view? Would love to read your comments :)



iRecommend [Not Myself Anymore by Jessa Anderson]

If You Like : Taylor Swift, Cold Play, Maroon 5, Jill Phillips, Ashlee Simpsons, Anadara, Avril Lavinge (Her First Album 'Let Go' )


I got Jessa Anderson's Music some weeks back when I first read a review about it @ Jesusfreakhideout.com but didn't listen to it until yesterday. Jessa's Music is pure awesomeness! No two words better describe. The creativity of the songwriting would spark up imagination and the depth would pierce your heart. The music is so enjoyable, reflective and easy to listen to. And the lyrics sincere, heart-felt and honest.

You might not be a fan of this genre but sincerely this is different and it would inspire you. As I kept listening over and over again last night, I kept saying to myself  "This lady has a story to tell", And yes she does. 'Not Myself Anymore' is an invitation to listen to the storytelling of Jessa and her inspiring, creative and easy to listen-to music.


For more info, you can follow the artist on Twitter and Facebook 
You can also visit her website by clicking here

Till next time on iRecommend always remember,
U R LUVED :)

" We'll take our chances on a big dream. Never won over by a sure thing. No longer run for cover ,hiding. We're moving on. Been underestimated by them. Told we were never gonna' make it. Without our ticket to what they have. But we're moving on. . .  " - Jessa Anderson (From the song 'Moving On')



Behind The Scenes

[Image by Chelsie Carolyn ]

 ‘She can’t get caught unless the writer wrote it that way’ I said to myself as I moved to the edge of my seat shaking. The tension was building and it wasn’t just in the movie I was watching but also in the room I was watching from. The protagonist in the story I was watching was being chased down by a killer. Near and miss, near miss, very near then the killer misses. You know the suspense bend and turns every action/thriller flick takes us through. It was so real, sometimes I found myself almost screaming for her. I was almost losing it till I reminded myself, this story was written and it was by someone. She can’t get caught unless the writer wrote it that way.

* * *

All the days ordained for me were written in your book - Psalm 139:16

* * *

That is a one writer story. I live in a two - writer story. The other writer isn’t really a writer, He is Satan and He is evil. His first tactic is to make the characters in this grand story believe he does not exist. Most do believe that lie and cast the blame on God for not writing for them a good story. God who is the true Author of this story is good. Everything that emanates from him is also good. He has made so many moves since this story began and the most powerful was to be crucified by characters in this story on a wooden cross as a man named Jesus. This was a costly move but it had to be done because of the Author’s love for us. This has established a boundary and invitation for as many as receive Him through Jesus to come into his story and live out his good handwritings.

God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are – Ephesians 2:10 (CEV)

I am in God’s story. I am living redemption’s story.  God is writing and sometimes I marvel at the twists and turns. I would be honest, sometimes it feels like I’m all alone and my author’s has let me to the devourers and enemies. Sometimes they are coming so close and the tension is building, then He shows up suddenly and delivers. I believe He writes well. When He’s the one writing our story, the evil that flies around can’t get or harm us cause He’s good and He writes good stories.

If you are in a place of so much pain and hard questions rather than blaming God for evil receive what he has done through Jesus His son. It's an invitation to be a part of the God story which has an happy ending. And if you are a believer, Please keep hope (the expectation of good) alive. God, the writer of your story is good (Want a prove of that? look at the cross) please keep your faith (Firm reliance and trust) in Him strong.

"What is our story if there are no forces painting facts against the truth that God ( who is the Author) is good? He has proven his goodness and love by coming into the story as a character named Jesus. He has shown us his wounds so that we need not suffer any more wounds. We blame because we cannot see the drama going on behind the scenes"

Question of The day:  Have there been events in your life that made you question the goodness of God? How did you move beyond that to a place of firm believe that all he does is good or what made you think otherwise?

" Our faith is an holy reminder . . . Not only to us but also to the forces of darkness. . .  'Look at this ones. On them is the blood. We have no right to lay our hands. His blood speaks for them' they whispered as they passed over . .  ."  

Seasons

[Image by Getty]

There would be seasons

There would be seasons you would have to wear the same tarred clothes for a long time

And walk in old shoes till they are due to have holes

Don't worry He would keep you

And Don't worry if the holes do not appear

There would be seasons you would be like a channel, you just can't store anything for the future

Somehow the future comes and you are replenished

You have enough to feed your household

There is no plenty but you are not empty

There's joy and enough food on the table

Sometimes we need to live like the sojourner that we are to remind ourselves that our God is faithful

When we trust him even when we wear the same clothes for a hundred years, they don't grow old

When we trust him even when we wear the same shoes for a thousand, they don't have holes

When we trust him even when we have nothing in our store houses at night we need not worry about breakfast

With the dawning of a new day he would rain enough manna for us and our household

 

The beauty of these moments

The beauty of these seasons is the beauty that springs forth in our souls

We are truly beautiful once again

Like how it was meant to be, we can't do without him in the 'evenings' once more

 

We trust

We long for his presence

We stop the 'Gomer' parade and find our rootings like cedars of Lebanon in the One by which we've been named

And somehow that's all we need

For a world that nothing in it remains when all is said and done

His presence sustains

P.S. - This day, my heart goes out to everyone (reading this) who is in a hard place. There might not be enough in the storehouse but look at the breakfast table. He has been faithful. Say 'Thank You'.

Epilogue

'Don't keep' I heard

'Take enough for you and your family'

'Eat and be merry'

Some kept it till the next day and there were worms at their table

(to be contd.)

Download New Album [Pocketless Souls] From Je'kob For Free Here!

If You Like: Kid Cudi, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Canton Jones, and Ambassador

Three weeks back, Je'kob ( member of the  Hip/Hop duo Washington Projects) tweeted about the release of his second full lenght album 'Pocketless Souls' and the amazing thing about it (like the first "Minor Setbacks For Major Comeups) is that it's FREE!

What came to mind about the first was that since it would be free then it wouldn't be so good but I was so wrong!. The album was just so good all in all and well produced.

So today I would love to annouce to you all on my blog that Jekob's second full length album is out and you can get it here.

I highly reccomend it and I love Jekob's music too. Here is what he has to say concerning his new album

“Prayerfully this record will hit home with a great deal of people out there struggling with the economy, addictions, feelings of inadequacy & their faith. The concept behind "Pocketless Souls" is simple. We are all spiritual beings who all too often get caught up in the rat race of life. It is an encouragement to prioritize your life around the reality that we can take nothing we acquire here with us into the afterlife. The most important thing we can do with our time here is to truly make it worth while & passionately spread the Good News every chance we get.” – Je'kob



You don't want to miss this guys, in fact there's a song on the album with Coldplay, it's titled 'Pushin' me'. Go now. Click on the link and get Je'kob's new album  ( It's FREE and it's great!) and tell me what you feel about it.

Waiting to hear from you :D

P.S- You can check out Jekob on twitter and his website. You can also get the first album 'Minor Setbacks For Major Comeups' here

Laundry Services

[Image via flickr]

He sat on the street bench aiming at the next act of wickedness and depravity. Tangled up in all that had gone by, each action seemed like digging a deeper grave and called for a stronger pull. All the sex and the drugs, “I give up and I’m not even trying again” he said to himself

“No one believes I can be good, everyone would even laugh at a though of me being good, even I . . . So what’s the point?” 

That was when he made up his mind to travel down the wide road. Five years later, he’s a pimp and a hustler. He’s rising as the second best party-club manager in his community.

But five years later could have been different. He could have been whole and holy if he only gave up the dirty laundry he kept wearing which he called designers.

 * * *

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us – Psalms 103:12

I pray Jesus keeps showing us (or rather show us) how far the east is from the west is just how far he has separated the person we use to be from the person he makes us in him.

Most times, we don’t accept the change he offers with his nailed scarred hands because the new person he offers us is simply unrealistic. And sometimes it just cause we can’t see who He says we are in Him. But choosing to trust him with who we would become is the first step into freedom.

No stains are too hard for Him. I absolutely believe that. As I write, my mind flashes on stories of people accepting their ‘stubborn stains’ and wearing them like designer clothing because they believe they were ‘born this way’ but sincerely I beg to differ. If you are in a hard place, hang on! Jesus Christ is your righteousness, let him work his righteousness through you. Let him. You can be all he has said you can and more. And if you don’t know him please bring your ‘laundry’ (your life). There is forgiveness no matter what you’ve done. I repeat, there is forgiveness no matter what you’ve done. And my God? He is crazily in love with you. He’s waiting for you.

The Lord has appeared of old to me saying:

“Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you “ – Jeremiah 31:3

So come.

We hear lies every day, from the media, TV and even the world around us that we can never change but Jesus offers change.

Like the character in the story we read, five years down the lane, whole or still broken, a pimp or a peculiar person who has been chosen by and doing great things for God, It really depends on a choice and only you is ‘powerful’ enough to make that choice.

Would you let Jesus come in and do your life laundry? His services are absolutely free

A new you awaits you.

"Scrub away my guilt

Soak my sins in your laundry.

I know how bad I’ve been

My sins are staring me down" – Psalms 51:1 (The Message)

"Soak me in your laundry

And I’ll come out clean

Scrub me and I’ll have a snow white life "– Psalms 51:7 (The Message)

“Come now, and let us reason together” says the Lord

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow

Though they are red like crimson

They shall be as wool” – Isaiah 1:18