authority

Authority comes with a lot of responsibility to carry out a task. Public offices expose you to the public as a whole for constant cross examination.

When one is put in authority, he/she is to have all the respect that comes with the office. Unfortunately, it is not so in my country. The Higher your office, the higher your chances of being disrespected. in the name of freedom of speech.  Our radio stations are usually characterized by degrading messages and calls to officials in high places by people who I believe know very little about what goes on in the running of the country.

Issues on the ground suddenly turn political and persons are attacked instead of the office. People from differing political sides personalize the issue and personalities are belittled  in the name of democracy. Sad to say the President and father of the nation is not spared. He seems to bear the weight of the wrong deeds of his ministers and MP's.

Have these people ever thought about what the families of the affected go through when they hear such comments. If you would not dare call your biological father a liar, why call the President a liar? Is it because he would not slap you like your father would? Why insult the Policeman protecting you? Is it because you know the law better or because your taxes pay him?

I am not supporting the wrong that people in authority do. All I demand is some respect for public offices. Before you call a radio station to criticize, check your facts and get them right. To every situation, there are two or more sides, weigh both sides and put yourself in the persons shoes. Did you do that?

Now I am sure you can give a constructive criticism to help the office /person and not to degrade them.

If the men are being treated this way, then how would we treat our Heavenly Father who has all authority in Heaven and on earth. 

Romans 13:1-7
[ Submission to Governing Authorities ] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ...

Peace...

the extra mile

In life it is so easy to be to adore and love what we see and come into contact with but I feel there is the need for us to go the extra mile. I find myself in this situation as well and I really want to get out of it. We are fond of doing what we are comfortable with. What about the uncomfortable things?

It is simple to write a cheque at a church fund raising than to devote 3-4 days a week evangelising to win souls for Christ. Why don't we all get active in the work of the kingdom.
It is easier to give a coin to a beggar on the road than to give him a hug. Is it because he is all dirty and smelly?
It is easier to spend money lavishly on a dead person who will never come back, than to walk into an orphanage and make a donation.
It is our nature to rebuke children on the streets for being ignorant and not going to school than to ask of their parents.

It is quite disturbing the way we turn deaf ears and blind eyes to certain issues because of the package they come in. 

Of course, the world wont know your status  if you quietly make a donation, but they would once you throw a banquet. The beggar would get food with your money but lives in isolation and sadness. Children from broken homes, needing love and correction will get their woes worsened with your insults.
Besides, no one will pay you for the evangelism program. Think though about the number of souls that would have heard the message.

The rewards that come with going the extra mile to do uncomfortable things are immeasurable. For Jehovah is a God of love. Remember, He sacrificed his only son (imagine how uncomfortable that would be) so we can get close to him and be saved. Why?  Because of His love for us. He went the extra mile for us.

Keep it down!!

There are times you set off for work and trotro (public bus) is the most convenient mode of transportation; usually due to the cost. Unfortunately, you don't always have the peace and quiet you may desire to enjoy the ride.
There is the bumpy roads to toss u about and dusty roads to give your clothes and hair a new shade. As well as the local radio stations providing exaggerated reports. Some drivers play the sweetest gospel music to liven up the morning. As a passenger there is very little you can do about these.
But why do some passengers have conversations to the hearing of everyone in the bus? I find this very disturbing as they don't seem to care about informing strangers about what is going on in their lives. Is it that they are naturally loud or simply cant be bothered. In my immediate surroundings, you will even be scared to prompt someone to lower his or her voice( though the women are worst culprits).
Are we to lose our privacy the moment we get in a public bus? And if so why dont we try to maintain some amount of discretion in the amount of information given out.
Someone like me doesn't care a bit about the problems between you and your landlord, or about what your sister did at the funeral, or about your itenary for the day. But a thief, or scammer or a brother of the person you are slandering may be in the car as well.
My advice?
Keep phone calls short
Conversations between two passengers should be in very low voices
If your contribution will escalate aroused emotions....SHUT UP!! u will cause a fight
If you are having a hangover or drunk,...SHUT UP! u have bad breath
The only ones permitted to talk loud enough to the hearing of all are pastors preaching Gods word and the mate.
No matter how public a bus may be...respect the privacy of the person next to you.

Being Thankful

Its my first day here and what am I going to write about.....?

BEING THANKFUL

I read a devotion this morning on my way to work and it opened my eyes, my mind and my heart about how ungrateful I am. It took only the first line after the bible text(col 3:15) to get me thinking?

If you are reading this, there are literally millions of people
who would trade places with you.

After reading this line i stopped to think and suddenly I felt sad. God has been so good to me over time. I admit i have had my fair share of challenges and wahala but seriously, it cant be compared to the tragedies we hear and read about.

I have a wonderful husband and a pretty daughter who is always full of smiles. My parent and siblings are all well.

I wake up every morning strong and healthy. I goto work and come back safely. My husband and little girl are healthy and happy.

so many good things I cant list here so why do I always feel that I lack something? Why do i always wish I could be happier if I had this or that. Why do I feel sorry for myself at times?

"Usually the more someone has, the less thankful they become".

I dont know how you feel about this simple sentence but it speaks volumes to me. I remember fasting and praying about my wedding. God was good and it was beautiful. I remember fasting and praying for a baby and God gave me one. I prayed for a job and here I am now. At my office desk praying for something else. Is it ingratitude? Is it greed or selfishness? or to console ourselves we would say its human nature.

the devotion continues to tell me that we need to change our beliefs. If we believe we can get more (which we can) and focus on that desire, we forget about what is present. We all need to develop a heart of gratitude for what we have.

Remember, you deserved punishment. Instead, God gave you what
He deserved, and EVERYTHING you have -- every breath -- is a
gift. Keep this in focus and you will become a thankful person.

A thankful heart would make us much happier people.

LUKE 12:15 LB
15 Beware! Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For
real life and real living are not related to how rich we are."