YOUR CIRCLE....

Too many times we move with the crowd, because we believe it will bring us some form of validation; like the more people we know and move with, the more relevant we become.

We carry on baggage of people who do not share in our vision or understand our mission . People who constantly hold us back and make the journey too tiresome.

You don't need everybody on your train, you don't need everyone to achieve your dreams. Nothing destroys a mission and vision faster, than so called "friends" who have no idea of where you are headed and provide no form of support in accomplishing purpose.

Validation comes from knowing yourself in Christ and relevance comes from the price he paid on the cross.

If you want to go far and remain on track while you are at it; keep your circle small and tight.

In the pursuit of purpose, strength is not rested in numbers, but in the genuine intentions of those who hold you up and run with you; it may be just one person.

Keep your circle small and tight....

Peaches and Cream

KG.

A PRAYER FOR YOU....

May the unconditional and undiluted LOVE of GOD find expression through you at all times.
May it be so strong that it brings hatred to its knees.
May you find LAUGHTER in a sea of tears. Laughter so boisterous that it makes the sea of tears insignificant.
May you find CALM, one so soothing and reassuring even when you face the storm.

May your barns OVERFLOW with plenty, that lack becomes a stranger.
For those you INSPIRE; may they never find a reason to bow their heads in disappointment.
For the ones who INSPIRE you, may their tree of inspiration never wither.
In brokenness, may you find MENDING
In pain, may you find HEALING
May you have an abundance of HEALTH, that sickness becomes history.

When life becomes like winter, cold and biting; may you find in GODs ,embrace a warmth like blanket
CLARITY in confusion; FAITH in fear; LIGHT in Darkness; ESTEEM in insecurities and PEACE in chaos.
May you SHINE so BRIGHT, that those in the dark can use your LIGHT to find redirection.
May you be a hand that REACHES OUT to help/lift; not a leg that kicks down.

Above all, may you be ALL that GOD wants you to be; all that you DESIRE to be; all you ever DREAM to be and MORE!

Peaches and Cream...

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.....REGARDLESS

All you hoped for in 2014 may not have come through, but be grateful that you are still here.

You may not have gotten all your wants, but if you look closely and are sincere, you would see that God made sure all your NEEDS were met.

It is easy to think that everyone else on facebook, twitter, instagram and all; got the promotions they desired, got married, had babies, bought new Cars, went on luxury vacations and/or had a picture-perfect-creamy-chocolaty-looking life; and your life didn't have enough to celebrate in 2014.

Well, we all know that things are never really as they seem. Remember, no one ever has it ALL together, no matter how hard we wish. Remember that we all experience joy and pain, laughter and sadness, health and sickness, gains and losses, victories and defeats.....the list is endless. People only let you see, the part they want you to.

Forget what you have seen, forget what you have heard in 2014 and be thankful for where you are, what you have and above all where you are headed.

If you are still here by 2015 , then you really have no reason to be unhappy, disappointed, depressed or feel defeated. You would have made it into a year millions could only dream about, and plan for; but never made it to. That is more than a gazillion reasons to be grateful.

All you need is hope, faith and an attitude of gratitude for the "seemingly little things".

You are here because you deserve to be. You are here because GOD is not through with you yet!

Do me a little favor; keep HOPE ALIVE!

See you in 2015! Happy New Year!

THE WAITING ROOM....

“Welcome ma’am; please kindly have a seat” a young man with a soothing voice said and gestured to the sofa nearby. “Thank you very much”, I muttered audibly as I sat down in the large airy room, which provided a spectacular view of the city.  As I got comfortable, and looked around, I realized there were so many people waiting to see the consultant. A look at the Clock on the wall and I noticed time was ticking by really fast; how long do I need to wait before it gets to my turn, I wondered.

“Be patient” I whispered to myself, while fidgeting and tapping my right foot endlessly. “Do I stay or do I go”; weighing the options and counting the costs. This meeting with the consultant was very important to me but I was getting really tired of waiting for what seemed like forever. As though he knew I was getting frustrated, I heard the young man ask “Coffee or Water ma’am”? To which I replied “Water”. He brought  a bottle of chilled water and pleaded with me to be patient. I thanked him sincerely and my wait continued.

Maybe it would have been easier to cozy up to the young man; flirt with him a little; flash a mega-watt smile or maybe give him a tip so he could let me beat the queue and see the consultant; but what would that say of me and my integrity? I wasn’t  better than those who were waiting in line; besides why the rush?, when we all will get a chance to meet with the expert, who listened attentively to every issue tabled before him and proffered life changing solutions. 

Despite these candid thoughts; I told the young man that I had to go and would be back another day. He felt disappointed and wished I could stay till it was my turn; but I didn’t want to hear any of it. I was tired of waiting and wanted to attend to other concerns. He brought out a diary and said “Since you insist, we would have to give you another appointment date”. Then it dawned on me that getting another date would mean starting all over again; because people had been booked on the new appointment date before me. I asked for some moments to weigh my options and then slipped into reality.

Many times we find ourselves waiting on God to fulfill a need or make a dream come true; we get so frustrated that we start to look for alternatives. We complain, we grumble and many times we walk away forgetting that the trial of our faith “worketh” patience (James 1:3). For every time we give up and move on , we lose the chance of getting our heart desires met ; like starting all over again. Can you trust God enough to wait on him, with the belief that when he gets to your turn, it would be an encounter that changes your life forever?

I know it’s tough to wait; be it at the Doctors, the Bank, Airport etc.  Believe me it’s tougher when you have to wait on God, especially since we are not privy to his Calendar and Clock of Life events and happenings. However God doesn’t need you to know the timing, he just needs you to STAND STILL or Sit Still whichever is comfortable for you. While you wait; look for something to do: like praising, praying, thanksgiving, etc.  Just like the way you while away time at the airport by reading a Magazine, or playing on your Ipad.

If you are already in Gods “Waiting Room” do not be in a hurry to leave until you have met with him. There is always a reward for Patience and Faith, because your ability to wait on God signifies your undying TRUST in his ability to come through for you at the appointed time.

Love

Kemi Gbadamosi

SING ME A SONG; THAT DEITRICK SONG

The atmosphere was charged; the church was just rounding up a prayer session. Some muttered their supplications, while others snapped their fingers continuously, emphasizing how desperately they desired a change from God. She was decked in a body hugging but not hurting to the eyes red dress; one that flattered her figure, making the Coca-Cola bottle seem like an amateur. Pretty face, lovely accessories, and beautiful black shoes that emphasized her endless toned legs.  She was all grace and looked like one who had a perfect a life; that fairytale life from a Disney book. You remember right?  

Like everyone else, she had been praying for the past five minutes. She gripped the sit in front of her in a hunched position, tapping her right leg intensely, her lips moving unceasingly and her eyes shut tightly.  Just as the prayers subsided, a soft tune wafted from the keyboard. She had heard that tune before. A voice of a young man pierced through the now silent crowd and began singing the words of the song.  Oh she knew that song so well; word for word, ad lib for ad lib. She fell on her knees, bowed her head and the tears began to flow, like a running tap with broken knob.

They didn’t look like tears of pain but rather tears from a grateful heart, tainted with hope for the future. Her mind drifted far into a dark place she used to be when she first heard the song, now the congregation was singing with so much enthusiasm; hands where raised in surrender, some faces looked up in expectation, while some were too emotional to sing. Every line in the song spoke to someone in the crowd and with the way they chanted, you could tell they were holding on to the reassuring words. Oh she knew the feeling so well!

                                

Her mind wandered again to that dark place, where she felt hopeless and alone. Where nothing seemed to move and the nights where welcomed with teary eyes and drenched pillows. A place where laughter was a luxury she couldn’t afford. When she felt like her prayers weren’t answered or God was upset about something she did and was paying her back by not giving her attention (very funny). The job was nothing to write home about, the relationship she had worked so hard for had fallen apart for no good reason. She had lost her dad when she needed him the most.  Friends were too busy with their blessed lives to even look her way, so she thought.

Yes she was desperately looking for happiness, she tried everything, but they left her empty and dry. “Maybe I will just lock myself up and cry myself to death” she said; but she had gotten to a point where the tears had gone cold. She was empty!  Then she lost the job. It was like everything was over! No job, No love and No self-worth. Her faith was far away at this point and she had gotten too tired to pray, too hurt to forgive and too bitter to rejoice. She had nothing to look forward to every time the Sun rose; she felt like she was drowning and  gradually losing the strength to keep her head above the raging water.

Out of the blue, a friend called to invite her to church for midweek service, she said she wasn’t interested and besides she hadn’t been to church in months. Her friend insisted, like that fly you keep trying to swat for stressing you out. Reluctantly, she agreed to go. As the pastor preached, her mind drifted far away, thinking about how she wished things were different. “What happened to all the promises God made in Jeremiah 29:11”? she muttered. Too neck deep in thought to realize the message was over and the worship leader was singing:

“God is able to do, just what he said he will do; he’s gonna fulfill every promise to you”

Don’t give up on God, cause he won’t give up on you,

He’s able”!

 She had never heard the song before now, and didn’t understand why she felt drawn to the words. The more they sang the chorus, the more she was desperate to know about the song. Every time they sang “Don’t give up on God, cause he won’t give up on you” she felt like she was being broken down and stripped bare. Like something was happening on her inside, as her eyes moistened with tears. It felt great to know that God wasn’t ready to give up on her; oh! it had never crossed his mind to.

By the time she got home, she surfed frantically on the net for the song, and couldn’t stop listening once she found it. Every word brought healing and comfort with it, God was still going to do more than she ever asked or thought. It was in that place, her mind took a turn for the best and so did her life!  Still on her knees, her mind wandered back as she sang the song with gratitude. Three years ago, God reminded her with this same song, that no matter how dark the cloud is, he will always be there and every day brings her closer to the fulfilment of the promises he made.

She was in a happy place, with so much hope for the future; God is indeed able!

If you ever find yourself in a dark place, don’t give up on GOD because he will take you through it and beyond! You may not understand the whole plan and reason for the dark season, or the lessons there-in.  Whatever it is, just don’t give up!

It is not really about the challenges we face, but the determination to keep hope alive!!!

Lots of Love :)

Going back to the Basics.......

In the wake of so many tragedies and sad stories; i thought it wise to do an appraisal of my life so far and my journey as a Christian. 

I wasn't too pleased with some of the discoveries i made about me , it was tough not to live in denial but after so much struggle, i decided to surrender totally and wholly  again . 

I sat down at work one day , and some words began to drop in my spirit, they were so real and boy! i had chills . I couldn't keep them to myself  because i had no rest trying to do so. 

 I decided to put them down on my blog, please read:



Friday, 15th February 2013 @ about 3pm (Malaysian time).....

I do not know how long i have left to live , for that is determined solely by God. 
We all have big dreams and hopes , but only God knows just how much , or how little of those we will achieve, before our time on earth is done.

Regardless, i have made a resolve to live my best life now. This minute; my best life to God and to man.  So if there is anyway i have hurt you , knowingly and otherwise, i sincerely ask that you forgive. 

It's time to make a U-turn, back to the old rugged cross in spirit and in truth. To be done with the hypocrisy and maliciousness , and embrace that which is true and just . I urge you all to do same.

Everyday , i am constantly reminded by the signs and stories around that we are not promised the next minute and it would do us all a lot of good , if we stop being lukewarm or having double standards; and start being the salt and light of the world , in words and in deeds.

It's no longer may i live long , but may i live right (a heart that is right with God)


I pray someone is stirred in the right direction through the words above, or is prompted to have that much needed meeting with themselves (as Joyce Meyer would say) and be honest enough to say , " I've screwed up and its time to do it right".


Love


Kemi Gbadamosi

Spoken Words........

Hello beautiful people and happy 2013!!!!

It feels really good to be privileged enough to see a new year  and i am looking forward to making the most of it; i hope you feel the same way too?

For a very long time , i have pondered on sharing this very topic with you guys , as i constantly scanned through series of words , i have heard over the years, especially in times when i was down and presumably out.  While it maybe impossible to keep tabs of  every single word we have heard over the cause of our lives , we can all agree that certain words strike the chords of our hearts or "hit straight home " , or become Rhemas as some people would say.

Anyway , after combing through my little diary of wise words that have changed my life and impacted me positively , i decided to share just a few of them from preachers, everyday people, close friends and family. To encourage and motivate someone who might be reading this. 

1.  " It's not  what i was , but what i should be; that's how Mercy sees me"                                                                                            - Anonymous    

2. " When you find your purpose, you will quit struggling"

                                                  - Rev. Nkechi Anayo                 

3. " Even if God has not done it before, for your sake / my sake he will"

                                                  - Rev Chris Oyakhilome

4. " The fact that everything else around you is not moving, doesn't mean you should stop moving"

                                                  - Amsa Yaro (a former colleague)       

5. " Learn to see life like cars on a highway, some are ahead, some are behind, some are in the middle and some have broken down by the way side, either  waiting to be fixed or abandoned. Regardless of their position, if  you drive carefully and cautiously , you will get to your destination. After all it is not a competition of who gets to their destination first"

                                                  - My Mum  

6. " I am not saying you should date him or you shouldn't date him, i will just tell you one thing; choose your battles wisely, because there is no point choosing a fight you can't win"     

                                      - Emmanuel Garry (choosing the right relationship)

7. " Whatever you do all the time, is who you really are; be guided"

                                                 -  Ken Iriogbe

8. " If you have to let it go, then cry it out in Praise"

                                                -Frank Edwards            

9. "Whatever you think and believe, you can achieve. All you need to do, is put GOD first"

                                                - Bryan Okwara ( former Mr. Nigeria)   

10. " Until you understand the concept of times and seasons, you will keep struggling in someone-else season"

                                             - Pastor Goodheart Ekwueme    

Alright people i will stop here for today, and will definitely bring more words from my little diary . Just for the records , the Bible is my ultimate book of  life transforming and soul uplifting words.

What are those phrases that have held you up and kept you going over the years? Keep them close to your heart and draw strength from them in this new year; while paying attention to new rhemas that will be sent your way, either through a Sunday service , a family /friends get together, a magazine, a talk show , telephone conversation, mentoring/motivational program e.t.c . You may want to write them down.

They may not come in handy at first, but trust me, they will eventually.

Finally one last phrase that got me laughing heartily:

" I know what God's favorite food is, Barbecue! ( Burnt offerings)"  

                                             - Pastor Michelle McKinney Hammond

Until we see again through this blog , keep the faith and tell your self , it can only get better!!!

Lots of Love 

Kemi Gbadamosi

MAN IN THE MIRROR........

Hello Beautiful People,

Its been like forever since i blogged, and i kept losing sleep over it..lol, i am not kidding. A lot has happened in the last one month, from moving house, to job training, losing and finding myself e.t.c. Well i am glad i can do this now.

I recently gave a  speech at my Toastmasters club meeting (it was my second project speech) and i thought to share, because the message is one that is dear to my heart.. Enjoy the read and above all be inspired:

On the 20^th of July 2012, as I turned on my television to watch the day’s news, I saw a breaking news that made me stop to think deeply . It was a day ardent fans and critics of Christopher Nolan’s super hero movie (Batman), gathered in Cinemas all over America for the premier of the third and last installment of the Batman series; titled “The Dark Knight Rises” .

In Aurora, Colorado, fans thronged the Century 16 cinema to watch Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway do justice to the final part of a movie they have all followed so passionately, but little did they know what lay ahead of them. Halfway into the movie, a young man, with a mask, came out of nowhere and opened fire on the innocent movie goers. In the end 12 were killed and 50 seriously injured.

                     

My heart sunk and my stomach tightened, as I tried to make sense of this horrifying massacre that stared me in the face, man’s inhumanity to man, wars and chaos, the wickedness and hatred that rules our world and the rapid devaluation of the human life. With tears in my eyes, I asked myself “how did we get here”?  As the question echoed in my ears, three answers came to mind that made it crystal clear that we are all to blame.

We have forgotten/ignore the Basics: We are so carried away by the rat race that we fail to remember the three most important things: Love, Faith and hope. With Love being greatest and most powerful force on earth that even strong men are subdued by it. 

When was the last time you reached out to someone in need?

When was the last time you baked a cake and sent to the old man/woman down the street?

When last did we remind our children that bullying is not act of strength or supremacy, rather an expression of weakness and cowardice?

When was the last time you sent a ‘get well’ note to a neighbor who was sick, flashed a genuine smile to a colleague who outdid you in a task?

It is not in the big things my friends, it’s in the seemingly little things we choose not to be bothered with. Mother Theresa puts in succinctly “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great Love”.

 

Turning a blind eye: You may say to yourself, “I am not evil, I don’t go about carrying guns and killing innocent people”. “I am not a bully, neither am I the government that declares war on innocent citizens”. Before we get too sanctimonious let’s not forget that knowing something is wrong and pretending not to see it or do anything about it, is as evil as evil itself.

That we are not affected today is no guarantee that we won’t be affected tomorrow, you are either guilty by commission or by simply turning a blind eye. As Dr Seuss will say “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better”.

                                      

Shifting Blames: It is interesting to see how people love to take credit for the good things but are quick to shift blames when things go wrong. We blame everything and everyone else but ourselves for the sad state of the world.We blame the powers that be; we blame our past; and we blame the devil. Let me ask when would we start to tell ourselves the truth? that no excuse is good enough to sabotage humanity and the world. Everyone is fighting some demon, but is that enough reason to unleash those demons on others? If only we dare to take responsibility, the world will be a better place. “Do not wait for Leaders, do it alone person to person” – Mother Theresa

We got here either by what we did or have failed to do and it will take us to make it right again, a world where our children and generations unborn can be proud to say “mama or papa was here’. A world we would gallantly leave because we know we gave our best.

As I penned these words, I reflected on one of the most poignant messages ever embedded in a song, which was sung by the late Michael Jackson and I knew there was no better way to end this speech and call us to action than with that message:                     

“I am starting with the Man in the Mirror

 I am asking him to change his ways, no message could have been any clearer,If you want to make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and make that change”.

Change can only begin with the man in the mirror!!!! 


Lots of Love

Kemi Gbadamosi