Isaac Boluwatise: November 2013

Monday, November 18

Release of Kingdom Proclaimers

As LIFE Theological Seminary churns out 240 graduates, church leaders emphasise the relevance of passion and love in the propagation of the gospel

By OLUSEGUN ADEOSUN

Emecheta Onyeka, a young devout Christian, was once a popular cart-pusher and a load-bearer at the ever-busy Onitsha Main market, Anambra State. But the income from that business could not meet the financial demands of his secondary school education, having struggled to pass through a community primary school in Nnewi, hence Onyeka took to meat selling and few other businesses in the same market. "I worked at the slaughter as a cow butcher, I had identity card of barrow pusher, load-carrier. I have done many things because I had nobody to support my education," he said.

The ambitious Onyeka worked as a butcher for some years until he finally heeded the divine call to serve God in His vineyard after declining for some years. That was about four years ago, and today Onyeka is now a qualified pastor. On Saturday, November 9, Onyeka emerged one of the three best graduating students at a graduation exercise of LIFE Theological Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, where he had undergone a pastoral programme. Onyeka was announced the best graduating student in Greek language.

Reacting to his success, Onyeka said, "I am happy God has made everything perfect. I never knew I could make it to this level. I am so excited." Asked how he managed to scale through, Onyeka said he maximised every opportunity that came his way. "I was the least in my class when it comes to academics, but I had to put extra efforts into everything I did. I made sure I wrote and spoke Greek virtually every day." Folukemi Daramola was the best student in Hebrew Language, while Peter Lawani emerged the overall best out of the total 240 graduating students.

Lawani, an education consultant, who also holds a doctorate degree in Mathematics from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ogun State, said passing through LIFE theological seminary was demanding and very rigorous "because the academic standard is very high; there is no opportunity for you to cheat. So you have to really do the job and work hard." Ifeagwu Elizabeth, a graduand of Masters in Theology, corroborated Lawani: "You just have to know what you are doing if you must graduate here. As a wife and mother, it was tough, but I give God the glory today."

Cletus Orgu, provost of the seminary, said apart from meeting the academic requirements, a student of the school must be disciplined in character, spiritually and emotionally, "he must also be a church worker who is convinced about God's plans for his life." However, Lawani who surprisingly seemed unflustered by his covetable feat said his major achievement at the seminary is not coming out with the best grade, but helping people to be the best they can be in life. Lawani, who is also a proprietor of a secondary school, urged the newly admitted students to focus on God and be hard-working, "and help as many people as you can. You will meet people on your journey, help them and God will help you grow," he counselled. For Onyeka, the new students should strive and go the extra mile. "It is the little extra that will make them extraordinary."

Speaking on the subject, Proclaimers of the Kingdom Mysteries, theme of the event, Orgu said the word "mysteries" signifies what is hidden in past generations but has now been revealed to "us by the Spirit of God." Having understood the mystery, the provost urged the 'proclaimers' to exert themselves like Apostle Paul and herald the message of hope to all nations. "They should also be worthy ambassadors of Christ, worthy ambassadors of the school and they should make impact in the society and help in transforming it for better," he charged.

However, Felix Meduoye, general overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, believes that for a proclaimer to effectively propagate the mysteries of the Kingdom, he will need passion and power, adding that such person with passion would pray, evangelise shamelessly, and "will be ready to go anywhere, any time, because he has completely sold himself out to Christ."

As the four-hour event drew to a close, the 240 graduands marched to the rostrum to receive Diploma, Certificate, Degree and Masters of Theology certificates in various courses amidst intermittent ovation from the audience. The graduation ceremony also featured the dedication of the newly built two-storey female hostel and LIFE Music School.

The Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism, LIFE, Theological Seminary, formerly known as LIFE Bible College, was founded in 1954 by late Reverend and Mrs. Harold Curtis, Foursquare missionaries serving in Lagos. The school has since inception graduated over 10,000 students including Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, senior pastor, Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC, among other renowned ministers of God in Nigeria and other West African countries.

Section:

News

Original Page: http://tellng.com/news/release-kingdom-proclaimers

Thursday, November 14

7 Cultural Shifts That Should Start Within the Church

Most people agree the nations of the West are headed in the wrong direction when it comes to morality and culture. While it is very popular in some circles to blame presidents, Congress (or Parliament) and local elected officials, the Word of God makes it clear where to place the blame.

To quote evangelist Charles Finney:

"The error that lies at the foundation of this decay of individual and public conscience originates, no doubt, in the pulpit. ... Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree.

"If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it.

"If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it.

"Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation."

I say amen to this! The Bible calls Christ followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world—not secular political leaders. (Read Matthew 5:13-16.)

Consequently, I believe we will never see a positive shift in our general culture unless we first see a radical biblical shift in our churches.

The following are some of the church culture shifts I think we need to see first in order to shift the general culture:

1. Pastors need to promote the kingdom, not build their own empires.

Unfortunately, many pastors focus merely on building their own empires instead of the kingdom of God. We—and I say "we" because I have been a pastor for almost 30 years—are often consumed with the needs and challenges of our own particular congregation to the point where we forget about our surrounding community and the larger picture of the kingdom of God. The general theme of Jesus, John the Baptist and the apostle Paul in the New Testament was the kingdom—not even the local church! (Although the local church is the main agent of the kingdom.)

2. We needs to focus on "mega influence," not megachurches.

Too often the goal of pastors is to have large crowds instead of making disciples. Jesus told us to make disciples, not just new converts (Matt. 28:19; Luke 14:25-27). Crowds accommodate secular culture. Only disciples can transform it!

3. We need to go from a consumer mentality to a service mentality.

Too often believers only come to church to feel good and have their needs met. This is to be expected from a new Christian, but many believers I have known for years still come to church with a mentality of what they can get instead of what they can give. Until the body of Christ changes en masse regarding this mindset, we will never be culture-shifters but merely self-focused consumers. Mature believers commit to a congregation to serve the saints and their community and not vice versa.

4. We need to focus our prosperity on spreading the gospel.

Many people are drawn to congregations that preach prosperity because they have a desire to be financially blessed. While it is true God wants us blessed, it is also true He wants us blessed so we can be a blessing. Deuteronomy 8:18 teaches us that God has given us power to get wealth so He can confirm His covenant on the earth. We need to seek first His kingdom and be God's treasurers who steward His wealth for His purposes on the earth.

5. We need to make emotional maturity a criteria for all Christian leadership.

It is not enough that a person is gifted, anointed and able to preach before we put them in a pastoral leadership role. Too many leaders carry emotional wounds from the past that give them an unhealthy drive to be successful in order to prove themselves. The result is an ego-driven ministry not always led by the Holy Spirit regarding the mission and activities of the church. I believe we need to pay attention to the emotional maturity of a person before placing them in leadership, because the foundation of our life is not our ability but our character. Having emotionally mature leaders will attract the next generation of high-end leaders who are craving authentic, broken leaders who intimately know their God.

6. We must equip our congregations with a biblical worldview of cultural leadership.

Too often our preaching is more mystical and about escaping the earth instead of engaging it. The Bible is not a book about heaven but a book about how to steward the gifts God has given us to serve faithfully on the earth. That being said, it behooves pastors to equip the saints with a biblical worldview that enables discipled to think God's thoughts after Him regarding politics, economics, science, philosophy, education, family, music and the arts. If we don't start doing this en masse in the body of Christ, we will continue to lose the culture, because the saints will only know enough for personal salvation but not how to relate their faith to the secular world for the sake of kingdom's advance on the earth.

7. We must reach the next generation of high-end leaders in our churches and communities.

Many of the churches where I preach that are culturally engaged have an average age of 50 years old and older. If this age demographic does not dramatically shift in the next 20 years, these churches will not exist! The church needs to get Holy Spirit-inspired strategies and create a church culture that celebrates creativity and attracts the next generation of capable leaders. This is a must if our nation is going have a chance of being restored to Judeo/Christian ethics in culture.

Joseph Mattera is overseeing bishop of Resurrection Church, Christ Covenant Coalition, in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can read more on josephmattera.org or connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.

Original Page: http://charismanow.com/spirit/church-ministry/19037-7-cultural-shifts-that-should-start-within-the-church

George O. Wood: My 'Deepest Concern' for the Church

The secular worldview and culture of this age differ radically from biblical faith and practice, and even oppose them. This worldview admits of no ultimate truth about reality—no God-created beginning or God-controlled ending of history, no inherent meaning or purpose to life. The culture is relativistic; anything goes as long as everyone agrees and no one gets hurt.

The cultural consequences of this worldview are devastating. Sin and its effects permeate our culture: sexual immorality and family breakdown, materialistic greed and indifference to the poor, complacency in the face of injustice, and violence as entertainment. When anything goes, someone always gets hurt.

How can my grandsons, Jacob and Reese, become men of God in the midst of this age? How can they become holy, knowing that "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14, NIV)? Holiness in thought, word, deed and relationship is my greatest hope and deepest concern for my grandsons.

As pastors, you and I have the same hope and concern for our church members: How can they become increasingly holy? And what can we do to help them? Romans 12:1-2 answers both questions: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Sometimes when I survey the sin that permeates and deforms our culture, I cry for my grandsons, knowing the temptations that await them. They are becoming men of God in an age that disregards holiness, even dishonors it. As a pastor, I have cried for parishioners and staff members who have harmed themselves and others by falling to sin. Perhaps you have cried too.

But after the tears, as I look back on my own life and ministry, I also realize God has made it possible for us to make progress in holiness. In 1 Corinthians 6:8–11, Paul lists a variety of sins. Then he says, in some of the most hopeful words in Scripture, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (v. 11).

In our preaching, let us speak to this end: that our church members, our family members and we ourselves might increasingly worship God in "the beauty of holiness" (Ps. 29:2, KJV) through our thoughts, words, deeds and relationships.

Numerous worldviews and cultures compete for attention in the marketplace of ideas. As pastors, we must prepare our church members to be discerning consumers within this marketplace, knowing how to look past the slick marketing and fancy packaging of ideas to see whether the intellectual product itself is God-honoring, true and good.

In a pluralistic culture, preaching holiness requires preaching doctrine—both theological and ethical—and apologetics. Our church members will not continue to behave according to biblical standards if their thought lives ignore, misunderstand or willfully repudiate them. We must aim for changing people's minds.

George O. Wood is general superintendent of the Assemblies of God.

Original Page: http://charismanow.com/spirit/spiritual-growth/19086-george-o-wood-my-deepest-concern-for-the-church

5 Ways the Prosperity Gospel Is Hurting Africa

I'm not an African, but in 2008 some Nigerian friends gave me a Yoruba name ("Akinwale") because I have been to that country so often. My visits there, along with trips to Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Egypt, planted a deep love for Africa in my heart. My first grandson's arrival this year from Ethiopia made the connection even stronger.

I'm often asked to describe how God is moving in Africa today. Since I'm an optimist, I usually tell of the large churches, the passionate praise and the intense spiritual hunger that characterizes African Christianity. But there is also a dark side, and I think it's time we addressed one of the most serious threats to faith on the continent.

I'm talking about the prosperity gospel. Of course, I know a slick version of this message is preached in the United States—and I know we are the ones who exported it overseas. I am not minimizing the damage that prosperity preaching has done in my own country. But I have witnessed how some African Christians are taking this money-focused message to new and even more dangerous extremes.

Here are five reasons the prosperity message is damaging the continent of Africa today:

1. It is mixed with occultism. Before Christianity came to Nigeria, people visited witch doctors and sacrificed goats or cows to get prosperity. They poured libations on the ground so the gods would hear their prayers. Today similar practices continue, only the juju priest has been replaced by a pastor who drives a Mercedes-Benz. I am aware of a pastor who buried a live animal under the floor of his church to win God's favor. Another pastor asked his congregants to bring bottles of sand to church so he could anoint them; he then told the people to sprinkle the sand in their houses to bring blessings. The people who follow these charlatans are reminded that their promised windfall won't materialize unless they give large donations.

2. It fuels greed. Any person who knows Christ will learn the joy of giving to others. But the prosperity gospel teaches people to focus on getting, not giving. At its core it is a selfish and materialistic faith with a thin Christian veneer. Church members are continually urged to sow financial seeds to reap bigger and bigger rewards. In Africa, entire conferences are dedicated to collecting offerings in order to achieve wealth. Preachers boast about how much they paid for suits, shoes, necklaces and watches. They tell their followers that spirituality is measured by whether they have a big house or a first-class ticket. When greed is preached from the pulpit, it spreads like a cancer in God's house.

3. It feeds pride. This greedy atmosphere in prosperity churches has produced a warped style of leadership. My Kenyan friend Gideon Thuranira, editor of Christian Professional magazine, calls these men "churchpreneurs." They plant churches not because they have a burden to reach lost souls but because they see dollar signs when they fill an auditorium with chairs. A selfish message produces bigheaded opportunists who need position, applause and plenty of perks to keep them happy. The most successful prosperity preacher is the most dangerous because he can convince a crowd that Jesus died to give you and me a Lexus.

4. It works against the formation of Christian character. The prosperity message is a poor imitation of the gospel because it leaves no room for brokenness, suffering, humility or delay. It offers an illegal shortcut. Prosperity preachers promise instant results and overnight success; if you don't get your breakthrough, it's because you didn't give enough money in the offering. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Him; prosperity preaching calls us to deny Jesus and follow our materialistic lusts. There is a leadership crisis in the African church because many pastors are so set on getting rich, they can't go through the process of discipleship that requires self-denial.

5. It actually keeps people in poverty. The government of Malawi is currently under international scrutiny because of fraud carried out by top leaders. The saddest thing about the so-called "Cashgate" scandal is that professing Christians in the administration of President Joyce Banda have been implicated. One of these people stole millions of kwacha from the government and hid the cash in a teddy bear! Most people today in Malawi live on less than $1 a day, yet their leaders have been known to buy fleets of cars and huge plots of land with money that was not theirs. Sadly, the prosperity gospel preached in Malawi has encouraged pastors and leaders to follow the same corrupt pattern. As a result, God's people have been financially exploited.

When Jesus described false prophets as wolves in sheep's clothing, He warned us to examine their fruit. Matthew 7:17 says, "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit" (NASB). What is the fruit of prosperity preaching?

Churches have been growing rapidly in many parts of Africa today, yet sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where poverty has increased in the past 25 years. So according to the statistics, the prosperity gospel is not bringing prosperity! It is a flawed message, but I believe God will use selfless, broken African leaders to correct it.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma and the director of the Mordecai Project. You can follow him on Twitter at @leegrady. He is preaching in Kenya this week.

Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/fire-in-my-bones/19113-5-ways-the-prosperity-gospel-is-hurting-africa

How Your Anger Is Really Impacting Your Children

I am long familiar with the Golden Rule, yet it's only in the last month that I've thought of it particularly in terms of my children—not treating them as they are but as I would have them be. As often is the case, God used my son's little secular hippie preschool to bring this home for me.

At a parent meeting, the speaker asked parents their main concerns for their children's behavior right now. Parents yelled out things like sibling rivalry, angry tantrums, hitting, general snotty attitudes and so forth. Then she asked what character qualities we hoped they'd have when they headed to college.

The group suggested empathy, perseverance and self-confidence, among others. As a believer, I would add grace, service and love. I really want my boys to have personal confidence in who they are in Christ that equips them to extend grace to others. I want them to love as 1 Corinthians 13 defines it—with patience, with a long fuse, not rude, not keeping a record of wrongs, giving the benefit of the doubt and so on. I want them to serve like Christ.

Then the speaker led us in an exercise. She said, "Put your feet squarely on the floor." She did it, and we did too. "Sit up straight." She modeled, and we did it too. "Touch your thumb and first finger in an OK sign."

We did it with her. "Put the OK sign on your chin." But she put hers on her cheek. And every last one of us in the room without thinking put ours on our cheek too. She had made her point effectively. We say we want one thing with our kids, but so often we model something else. And they will always pick up what we model over what we say.

God got my attention. My son has an anger problem because I have an anger problem that I have well modeled for him. And when I get angry at him because he got angry and threw a toy, I'm not helping anything. Apart from Scripture, my default belief system is that when he sins, I need to get really angry in proportion to the seriousness of the offense—that the angrier I get, the more effective it will be at deterring him from doing it again.

The only problem is that my anger is not a deterrent to him doing it again. It just models anger for him and educates him in more sophisticated ways to act on it. That's not how God transforms me, and it's not how He intends me to disciple my children.

Here are Jesus' instructions from Luke 6:

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (vv. 31-36).

As I wish that my boys would do to me and others, I should do to them—not do to them in a reactionary response to what they just did. It's my job to break the cycle of act and react. I should just act. Stay on course. Love. Grace. Compassion. Endurance. Act on my vision of what I want them to be, and model consistently for them my end goal.

My angry little boy sure can make me angry. But my job in Christ is to stop the cycle, correct him and model for him with my life as well as my words a new and better way through gospel grace to deal with conflict.

Of course, the Golden Rule transcends child-rearing. I had just never thought of it in those specific terms. It applies to my children, my husband, my friends and my enemies. Do to them not in reaction to what they just did to me, but do to them with a vision of where God is calling them. And that is the essence of being salt and light in the places God has called me to function.

Adapted from Wendy Alsup's blog, theologyforwomen.org. Wendy has authored three books including By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman's Identity. She is also a wife, mom and college math teacher who loves ministering to women.

Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/19121-how-your-anger-is-really-impacting-your-children

Why Exercising While You're Pregnant May Make Your Baby Smarter

Moderate exercise during pregnancy may boost your baby's brain development, according to new research.

The study involving 18 moms-to-be and their babies found that "at 10 days, the children have a more mature brain when their mothers exercised during the pregnancy," says study researcher Elise Labonte-LeMoyne, a Ph.D. candidate in kinesiology at the University of Montreal.

Other studies have found health benefits for newborns and older children whose mothers worked out during pregnancy, the researcher says. And while animal studies have shown that exercise during pregnancy alters the fetal brain, she believes this is the first study to look at exercise's effect on human brain development.

For the study, which was scheduled for presentation Sunday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego, the researchers randomly assigned 10 pregnant women to an exercise group and eight to an inactive group at the start of their second trimester. The active group was told to engage in at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week at a moderate intensity—meaning it should lead to at least a slight shortness of breath. They typically walked, jogged, swam or cycled, Labonte-LeMoyne says.

On average, the workout group clocked 117 minutes of exercise a week; the sedentary group 12 minutes weekly. Using an EEG, which records the brain's electrical activity, the researchers measured the newborns' brain activity while sleeping when 8 to 12 days old. They focused on the ability of the brain to recognize a new sound, Labonte-LeMoyne says, noting this reflects brain maturity.

The babies whose mothers exercised showed a slight advantage, the investigators found. "The brain is more efficient; it can recognize the sound with less effort," she explains.

The differences may translate to a language advantage later in life, she speculates. The researchers are continuing to track the children's development until age 1 to see if the advantage remains.

It's possible that exercise speeds up a process known as synaptic pruning, whereby extra nerve cells and connections are eliminated, helping brain development, Labonte-LeMoyne says.

The study findings didn't surprise Dr. Raul Artal, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He has long touted the value of exercise for healthy pregnant women.

"It's known that babies respond to stimuli in utero," he says. The new research reinforces the belief that "pregnancy is not a state of confinement or indulgement."

"It has been documented that pregnant women who lead a normal life, exercise and eat judiciously have better pregnancy outcomes," Artal says, while a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and some diseases can hurt the unborn baby.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that women with uncomplicated pregnancies who are recreational and competitive athletes can remain active during pregnancy, modifying their routine when medically necessary. Women who were inactive before getting pregnant or who have medical or pregnancy-related complications should be evaluated first by their doctor, the guidelines say.

Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Original Page: http://www.charismamag.com/life/health/19103-why-exercising-while-you-re-pregnant-may-make-your-baby-smarter

Saturday, November 9

7 (extremely important) things every couple should STOP doing

by Corina Dondas

This tip is a bit related with the first one because by always wanting to be right means that you don't accept the fact that your other half is a different person, that he (she) has their own opinion and that sometimes their opinion might hurt you, but that doesn't mean that you always have to prove them wrong, especially if you aren't, in fact, right.

1. TRYING TO GET EVEN

In my opinion this is one of the most important things every couple should stop doing. I know that you may feel hurt sometimes because of something that your partner did, but you should know that revenge isn't the best way to solve a conflict and it will definitely not help your relationship heal. If your better half made a mistake, talk about it, find out the reasons behind his (her) actions and if it turns out that they never intended to hurt your feelings, try to forgive and forget. Forgiveness is one of the major ingredients in every successful relationship.

2. BEING TOO BUSY TO SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER

I know how busy everyone is now days and how much everybody needs to work in order to be able to support themselves and also provide to their families. But, even if sometimes you feel like you don't even have enough time for yourself, let alone for your partner, try to organize your schedule, learn how to manage your time more efficiently and always make time for the one you love. In those moments, give your partner your full attention, be present and don't think about everything that worries you, about what you have to do the next day at work or what are you going to cook for dinner. Spend time with your better half and you'll see how all those worries will magically go away.

3. FORGETTING TO COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER

I know you feel comfortable with your partner (and you should feel this way); after all he (she) is the only person in the world that knows you best. But, even though you think your loved one already knows how you feel about them, it doesn't hurt if you would remind them more often how special they are or how much you love them. Compliment your partner more often! Say something nice to them every single day, no matter how tired or busy you might be and then prove them your beautiful words are true.

4. WANTING TO ALWAYS BE RIGHT

5. HIDING PROBLEMS FORM EACH OTHER

I know that out of love, you may always be tempted to try to protect your partner because you don't want to see them upset and this might make you hide a few problems or difficulties you might be facing at work or even some personal issues. You should never do that. Just allow your partner to be there for you, to be able to help and support you. Even though the things you're going through might make him (her) feel sad, they might even be sadder if they didn't have the chance to do something to help you smile again. Remember that you're not alone and you partner might definitely make things more easy for you.

6. HIDING FLAWS FROM EACH OTHER

Everyone has flaws and nobody's perfect but I'm sure you already know this. If you think you always need to hide your flaws because you might scare your partner or you fear you might even lose him (her), I must tell you that you might be mistaken. By always trying to hide your little imperfections, you won't give your partner the chance to truly know you and to decide for himself (herself) if those so called imperfections are not in fact features that make you interesting and unique.

7. RESISTING COMPROMISE

Every relationship takes a lot of time, effort and hard work in order to be fairy-tale perfect. You should be both working on it equally and you should know that sometimes you'll have to make some compromises or small concessions in order to solve a few conflicts that may appear along the way. Don't let your stubbornness get in the way and find a solution that will work best for both of you. Learn to cooperate and don't resist compromise out of pride! Do what's best for your relationship, thus for yourself!

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Read this article in All Women Stalk

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Original Page: http://www.ynaija.com/7-extremely-important-things-every-couple-should-stop-doing/

Friday, November 8

Opinion: Whatever happens, dont stop. Keep moving

by Ifeanyi Igbokwe

Have you ever wondered where your state governor was twenty five years ago? He probably was like every other man out there on the street working hard to make ends meet. But he kept moving.

Many times, people find themselves in the downside of life. Most times, they didn't basically drag themselves down there. While many have the privilege of being born in places where all they would ever need has been made provisions for, others would have to work really really hard, if they are to see the light of day.

No matter which side of the coin you may find yourself, my submission for you today is keep moving. Is life hard and harsh today? Keep moving. Do you hate where you are at the moment, keep moving. Do you hate your life? Keep moving. Keep moving because the graph of life may be very undulating, but its trend is always upward. Keep moving because this too shall pass.

Childhood was not so sweet for little Miles Munroe- life was hard and rough, for he woke up morning after morning with roaches bites from sleeping on a mat on a wooden floor in a village in Hawai. It was the 'bed' he shared with his 6 sisters, who equally didn't like it either but the day came when he had to choose between mere fate and a bright future. He had to choose between inheriting poverty and breaking away from lack and staying away. Knowing fully well that his chances of success are slim to none, he stuck with education and excelled knowing it was his best bet to the success he desired.

Little by little Dr Miles Munroes, kept at it, rising to become a choice consultant and pastor that today consults for heads of state around the world having become renowned author and teacher whose program benefits hundreds of thousands each year.

One thing is certain, if Miles Munroe had not woken up to the realities of his life and decided to work hard and change the direction his life was headed, he may have remained in poverty all his life.

Have you ever wondered where your state governor was twenty five years ago? He probably was like every other man out there on the street working hard to make ends meet. But he kept moving.

Long ago, I met a young man who told me a story I would never forget in a hurry. It was about a man who had once lived in hiscommunity. As a child, he parents were poor. It wasn't the kind of poverty we are used to. It was a case of extreme poverty. So impoverished was the family that they could not afford to keep him in school, so he was withdrawn and kept permanently in the farm. But the young child's spirit was too strong to give up on education. Being that he didn't have the privilege of siting in a classroom with his peers, what he did was to borrow the notebooks of his friends during holidays and digest them. This he continued until his peers got to SS3. By what time, he had both studied hard enough and has saved enough money to sit A-level exams, papers he cleared with so much distinction that he got a scholarship to study medicine in the UK.

Who would imagine that Tyler Perry would ever get to become a celebrated billionaire in Hollywood?He wasn't rich. He was the boy who was bullied for several years by his father. He was the opportunist who felt that he could write a play after watching Oprah's Show. Actually he wrote those script, but by the time he took it from one studio to the other, it was always the same story. It was always thrown out the window. He was a fresher and worse still, he wrote stories that featured black people with religious undertone and the big names were not interested.

Instead of giving up, he decided to produce his stories himself and was even more shocked when few people showed up. All of these experiments were with his hard-earned life savings. Eventually he ran out of money, went broke and began living in his car. But he was not one to give up on his dream. He still tried again and this time, fortune smiled at him.

Things may not be moving in your direction yet, but keep moving. It may not well yet, but keep on keeping on. In time, you will look back and be grateful to God that you found the courage to keep at it even when all else suggested otherwise.

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