Give Thanks

TEXT: LUKE 17:11-19

Key verse: “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17).

Those who bear the stigma of HIV/AIDS know the sorrow they go through every passing day even though society has come to realize that not all sufferers came by it through careless lifestyles. Those who have received their miracles from such embarrassing condition know what it means to be free.

Likewise, the stigma of leprosy in Bible days was so strong that the victims were isolated from all forms of social associations and interpersonal relationships to avoid any possible contact, because it was a deadly contagious disease. Those who received the divine intervention of being cleansed owed it a duty to give thanks to God. Giving thanks to God for His kindness, mercy and goodness is a function of individual heart’s condition and capacity to reflect correctly.

Our text today is an eye-opener to the danger of forgetting to offer praises to God after miracles of healing, deliverance, salvation and breakthrough in life. Ten lepers cried to Jesus for healing and cleansing. In answer to their plea, Jesus sent them to the priest for a confirmation of a gracious healing received. Their miracle was based on the simple principle of asking and receiving. Unfortunately, only one of them, a stranger, came back to give thanks. The rest nine went their ways. Jesus then asked with concern, “where are the nine”?

It is common in modern days to receive great miracles of healing, deliverance, provision and escape from danger with an ungrateful disposition. Those who do not sit back to count their blessings will not see sufficient reasons to thank God.

Of course, refusal to thank God for all the benefits received does not diminish His divine attributes of showing mercy and compassion on His creatures; yet, giving thanks to God opens more doors of greater miracles and benefits from Him. He that offers praises glorifies God. Grateful Christians grow in grace and understanding. How often do you remember to say “thank you Lord”? Those who have received God’s love, mercy and salvation with other physical and spiritual blessings must endeavour to come back to Him with grateful hearts of praises.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY : Praise is comely for the upright.

Transparent Holiness

TEXT: JOB 31:1-12

Key verse: “If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands” (Job 31:7).

The Jews picked up stones to put a woman taken in adultery to death. But a question by Jesus that any of them who was free from sin should cast the first stone disarmed them. They were hypocrites in the garb of religious people. They knew they were fake! But Job’s example of righteousness stood out in prosperity and in adversity. He left no one in doubt, including his friends-turned-detractors, when he had to defend himself over flimsy charges levelled against him. It is interesting that Job was so confident to make pronouncements as in verses 5 to 10, more like pronouncing curses on himself, if he had done evil.

How many Christians are as sure of themselves today as Job was then? Whereas the trends in fashion and dressings have turned the attention of many a professing Christian to outward appearances, Job was concerned about not paying attention to these outward shows. Paul, in Ephesians 4:17-24, obviously stressing the same factors Job earlier pointed out, warned believers not to walk in the vanity of their minds.

Job did not speak of the things here recorded by way of boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He understood the spiritual nature of God’s commandments, as reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to let our actions speak for us; but in some cases, we owe it to ourselves and to the cause of God to solemnly protest our innocence of every false allegation levelled against us.

Let us therefore walk circumspectly and carefully avoid all sinful means of getting wealth. Let us dread all forbidden profits as much as all forbidden pleasures. What we have in the world may be used or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without strict honesty and faithfulness in our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet, how many professors are unable to abide by this touchstone!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Self-deceit if unrepented of will eventually result in self-destruction.

Recipe: CUTE FROZEN BANANA PENGUINS

If you want to try a snack recipe for your kiddos then try these cute and adorable banana penguins. To make these first cut bananas in half and melt some chocolate. Dip the top part of bananas in chocolate and some lower part too. 

Detail the chocolate dipped bananas with candy eyes and orange chocolate candies. Pop them in the freezer and serve frozen.



Your kids are surely going to fall in love with these little banana penguins. For more details about this snack head over to momma told me blog.

BLUE RIBBON DIFFERENCE

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made.

Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time.

First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community.

She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony.

Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning.
He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt.

Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going.

Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius.

The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him.

His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart.

As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else?

The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today.

I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius.

Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says ‘Who I Am Makes A Difference' on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor.

As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you.
"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you.

Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me.

Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook.

He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to."

REFLECTION:

In life we are to encourage and build up each other; not to discourage and tear down one another.

In life we are to add, not subtract; to multiply, not divide.

In life we are to leave an enduring impression; not a careless dent.

In life we are to smooth out the rough roads along the journey; not create new potholes.

In life we are to sing a joyful song; not just drone a groan.

In life we are to add our harmonious strains to life's symphony; not strain the symphony with clatter and clang.

In life we are to soar on eagles' wings; not to peck and cluck with our beaks in the dirt like chickens.

In life we are to radiate light into unseen places; not permit unknown fears to dim our radiance.

In life we are to leap in faith; not to limp with doubt.

In life we are to give freely of our time, our love, our resources; not to cling on to them greedily.

In life we are to lift up others; not push them down.

In life we are to open our hands to those in need; not to clutch our hands in fists of distrust.

In life we are to lend a helping hand to make loads lighter; not use heavy hands to hold others back.

In life we are to be messengers of peace, signs of joy; not Chicken Little portents of gloom-n-doom.

In life we are to enjoy, to savor, to remember, to reflect; not to overlook, to forget, to ignore, to reject.

In life we are to seek conscious awareness; not doze in the doldrums of half-awake.

In life we are to dare mighty things; not to fear things gravely.

In life we are to show up, stand up, step forward and speak up; not to cringe in fear, choosing to sit down, or to step back, allowing the voices of silence to speak so loudly.

In life we are to exercise proper stewardship of earth's resources; not pillage the heritage of future generations.

In life we are to move forward through forgiveness; not grind to a halt mired in bitterness and resentment.

In life we are to be wacky, weird, and wonderful in our own unique God-given way; not to be staid-n-proper lemmings, stuck on life's treadmill.

In life we are to reach, to stretch, and to soar; not to slink in fear, held back by mistrust and doubt.

In life we are to realize: "I am a remarkable Somebody!";
not listen to other's jabs: "You're a Nobody, an Everybody, an Anybody."

In life we are to comprehend, "I am worthwhile"; not tremble with feelings of worthlessness.

In life we are to create, to laugh, and to live life nobly; not to despair, to moan, or to live life less.

Believe in Yourself

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be.

That’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people disappoint you and let you down.

But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself.

There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.

Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are.

So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be.

Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.

Keep Believing in Yourself!

How I Met & Fell In Love With My Husband, Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo of KICC

Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo is the First Lady of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) one of the largest and fastest growing churches in Western Europe, with branches all over Africa.

Pastor Yemisi, who added another year on September 23rd, 2014 is married to KICC Senior Pastor, Matthew Ashimolowo and she is the proud mother of two sons, Tobi and Tomi. In a recent chat whith City People, she opened up on her love story...enjoy:

Now, let’s go personal Ma, how long have you been married to Pastor Matthew?
I have been married for 33 years.

Did you envisage that you were going to be married to a Pastor as a Pastor’s daughter?
No, no, no! Marrying a Pastor was the last thing in my mind. Because my Dad is a Pastor and as a Pastor’s daughter, I dreaded marrying a Pastor. My Dad has 2 brothers that are Pastors also but of different denominations. I never really wanted to marry a Pastor but God knows the plans He has for our lives.

So, how is being married to Pastor Matthew like?
First and foremost, I thank God that I never listened to the Unilag lecturer who warned me against marrying Pastor Matthew otherwise I would have been probably in a one corner room here in Lagos. But see how my life has turned out to be traveling all over the world to preach and minister. The lecturer never saw any future in Pastor Matthew as a Pastor but the lecturer is late now.
I didn’t know that marrying Pastor Matthew will end this way even I didn’t want to preach when I married him, I just wanted to be a full house wife but he was the one who really discovered me, and saw the beauty of God in my life. So, he mentored me to be what I am today. And I never knew that KICC would be a big church that it is today.

How did it all happen between you?
Okay! I can still remember vividly, it was January 1980, when Pastor Matthew came to my Dad’s church to assist him as an Assistant Pastor. He just came out of Bible School as a fresh graduate then and he was immediately posted to Foursquare Bible Church as an Assistant Pastor to my father even though he had CAC background. And I saw this young vibrant man who was posted to my Dad’s branch. I remember, we were having a serious challenge at that time and we were worshipping outside because our properties were been thrown outside by our landlord over land problem in my area at that time.
It was at this period of time that this young and fresh man (Pastor Matthew) came. This man was so committed and the way he was serving God swept me off my heels. Then I told God that God, if only you can give me a man like this young and vibrant man that is newly posted to work with my Dad for a husband but must not be a Pastor, then I will forever be grateful to you. It was his commitment to the Lord that attracted me to him. This young man was so committed to the things of God.

Was it love at first sight?
Not really because he was a Pastor and I didn’t want to marry a Pastor but I was only attracted to him when I saw him. I must also confess, marrying Pastor Matthew is the best thing that has happened to me. But you know, as a Pastor’s daughter and having 2 Uncles as Pastors, I wasn’t interested in another Pastor again. But I thank God I married one now.

What has been the challenge(s) so far?
Definitely in life there will be challenges. But you need the grace of God to deal with them. And in the ministry, you have to meet and deal with different kinds of people and all of these takes the grace of God.

Marriage-wise?
Every marriage has its ups and downs and every marriage goes through challenges and as I said earlier, it only takes the grace of God.

HOW LONG?

LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph? They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. Psalms 94:3-4

Sometimes in the Bible, prayers of intercession take the form of a question. On some occasions, people get so desperate before God that their prayers for help turn into questions, crying out for an answer to their troubles.

Often, when we observe the arrogance of the wicked people and the boldness with which they defy God, we wonder about the Lord's fairness. With arrogance, they speak as if they own the whole world and can determine the outcomes of our lives.

As we encounter such arrogance of power, we ask questions, 'How long O Lord?'

These prayers, daring as they may be, are still expressions of hope in the ability of God to overturn the situations that perplex us.

They are not the cries of people who have given up on God; neither are they the sarcastic or rhetorical questions of doubters.

Instead, they are cries of intercession, from a people whose only hope is found in their God.

In asking questions, we express our total dependence on God. The Psalmist in our text cries out with this searching question because he acknowledges that God is powerful enough to change the situation facing him.

He also acknowledges that God will not delay in executing judgment for the righteous.

In other words, God is strong enough to intervene, and He is always perfectly on time.

He is always there even when we do not see Him or feel His presence. Yes, the wicked may seem to triumph over the righteous but when God lifts up His arm, the battle will turn.

Prayer: Turn the tide of evil O Lord and favour the cause of Your children.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 94:1-15

RCCG’s Living Faith Connections Choir nominated for Mobo awards 2014 ‘Best Gospel Act'

Award winning Gospel group Living Faith Connections Choir are flying the flag for a new wave of Gospel music in the UK and Africa at large. Having already been nominated at the Africa Gospel Music Awardsfor ‘Group/Choir Of The Year’ and reached the finals of the BBC Gospel Choir of the Year finals, the London based choir have now been nominated for ‘Best Gospel Act’, at the prestigious MOBO Awards.

The Living Faith Connections Choir released their debut album in 2013 titled Beyond The Norm, collaborating with award winning songwriter Evans Ogboi to create what has widely been regarded as one of the best modern Gospel albums to come out of the UK and Africa in recent times. The album’s lead single “Nobody But You” went on to win ‘Song Of The Year’ at 2013’s Africa Gospel Music Awards.

Living Faith Connections Choir now need your help to bring the MOBO Awards home! Taking place on October 22 at London’s renowned Wembley Arena,  Living Faith Connection Choir, are nominated for a MOBO award.

Please vote for Living Faith Connections Choir to win the ‘Best Gospel Act’ at the MOBO Awards here.

Living Faith Connections Choir - “Yahweh” (Music Video):

Living Faith Connections Choir Perform “Total Praise” On BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p027fg60

To make this scrumptious recipe

To make this scrumptious recipe first dice 1 medium onion and sauté it in 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon crushed garlic. Cut 1 medium zucchini, 1 medium yellow squash, 1 medium potato and 1 medium tomato in slices. Spread a layer of sautéed onion in a greased baking dish and arrange the slices in the way shown. 

Sprinkle pepper, salt and thyme over the vegetables. Wrap the dish in foil and pop it into preheated oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. After 30 minutes remove the foil and sprinkle with 1 cup grated cheese. Then bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and brown.
Source: stylishboard.com

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The 7 Ways to Teach Youth to Discern Sexual Predators

When I was 17, I briefly attended an un-biblical church. I was drawn in by the size of the youth group and the swirl of activity. There was plenty of discussion about wealth and prosperity, satanic back-masking in rock music, and spiritual gifts. But I don't recall anyone talking about sin, repentance, sanctification, sacrifice, suffering or living for the glory of God. 

 

The youth-ministry leader was 22 and a recent convert. Plenty of rumors swirled around him, but I gave them no credit until he invited me over to his townhouse. When he acted just like the un-churched men I knew and attempted to initiate a sexual relationship, I called him out. Then I turned him in to the senior pastor. As similar situations surfaced with other girls, much chaos and gossip ensued in the weeks that followed. I'd like to say that this all went down well, but it didn't. It turns out that it is very costly to ignore both common sense (a single man only a few years older is leading the youth ministry?!) and Scripture's guidelines about leadership ("He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil") (1 Tim. 3:6). 

 

In the wake of this mess, I left that church and everything else to do with Christianity. I spent the next 12 years running from God, convinced I had seen the entire spectrum of faith, and it was hollow and deceptive. But God, being rich in mercy (sweet, sweet words!), arrested my attention and regenerated my heart and faith on one Easter Sunday on a trip to South Africa. While I doubt I was genuinely regenerated as a teenager (my journals show little fruit), I still ponder that early church experience from time to time and how it dishonored the gospel.

 

Most recently, I recalled it as I read about a youth director in a local church who for five years was sexually involved with many girls from the youth group. The church did a poor job in vetting the hiring of this man (his previous employer told them about inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old girl), in considering the doctrine of sin ("the senior pastor said he was shocked to hear that his youth director could be involved in inappropriate behavior"), and in observing and correcting his questionable public interactions with the teen girls (cuddling, personal attention, partying). What's commendable, however, is that the church has undergone a long, public transformation process to correct the problems and create a church that is responsive to victims of sexual abuse.

 

Nevertheless, over the past few months, I kept coming back to this one thought: We need to instill discernment in young girls so they can more readily identify abusers and predators. This ought to be embedded in our Titus 2 discipleship, our parenting, and our youth-group leadership. Now please hear me out. I am not piling on condemnation for the girls who were involved in this particular case nor their families. They have my sympathy. But as I read their accounts, I kept thinking about them and many other young women I know who have been tripped up by the same smooth lies. It's the trend I want to address.

 

Predators and abusers offer the same routine each time: You're special, no one else makes me feel this way, don't tell anyone, here's the justification for my questionable behavior, what we have is unique, etc. It never varies because it so consistently works. And you know why? I'm speaking broadly here, but I believe it is generally true: Because the rest of us puff up the minds of girls with princess mythologies, but we don't (often) equip them to recognize that Prince Charming needs to have some character, not just sweet talk.

 

I can't tell you how many young women I've mentored who couldn't connect those dots. And in fact, how many got defensive when you pointed out the gap between the words and deeds of the smooth dude in question.

 

Therefore, based on my own experience, this particular church incident, and the interactions I've had with other women, here are the initial basics of a discipling discussion about discernment that I think we should have with every budding teenager (boys need to know these standards, too):

• If you can only remember one thing, this is it: What is legitimate and godly is done in the light, known by others, and doesn't violate biblical standards. Anything you experience that is done furtively, in the dark, and kept secret is nearly always sinful.
• Which means young women need to know biblical standards for godly living. They also need to know the Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 passages about the qualifications of leaders so that they can recognize those who twist the Word for their own gain.
• They need to know that a man who genuinely loves them will honor this relationship publicly, a love that is shown like a banner over them (Song 2:4).
• They need to know that a godly man and a future husband is an imitator of God who walks in the light, avoiding sexual immorality, taking no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, and who desires to nourish and cherish his wife (all of Ephesians 5). Therefore, one who pursues sexual immorality and encourages them to lie and deceive others is not an imitator of God and needs to be confronted or exposed.
• They need to know the standards of godly speech, so that a man (especially a man in authority!) who texts and talks to them nonstop about sex is automatically suspect in his motives, because this reveals the defiling overflow of his heart (Matt. 15:19).
• They also need to recognize, in humility, that their desire for romance and pursuit is legitimate, but it can become the very thing that trips them up if they aren't willing to acknowledge this is exactly how predators and abusers operate. If they aren't willing to consider that they are being lied to in any particular situation, then they aren't going to ask the hard questions—of the men or themselves.
• Love is an action. It is measured equally as much in the deeds of those who claim friendship or affection as it is in the proffered words. Make sure they match. 

This are just some of my initial thoughts. I'd like to hear your perspectives too. I don't want young women to distrust men, but to be wise and discerning, able to question improper actions but also eager to encourage the godliness of others around them.

 

Source: Carolyn McCulley

EASY BEADED BRAID BRACELET AND NECKLACE

Beaded braid bracelets and necklaces are high fashion and loved by nearly every girl. So how about trying making a two-in-one version yourself? To start making it first cut a silk ribbon cord in three strands of equal length. Then tie one end into a knot or secure with a ribbon fastener. 

Clamp this end with a clipboard or any other thing you find suitable and start making a braid by slipping in beads in the middle strand one by one as shown. When the beads are done make a simple braid of the remaining length of strands and fasten the end with a ribbon fastener. Wear it as a bracelet or a necklace. Happy crafting!

Source: stylishboard.com

Recipe: YUMMY BANANA PUDDING POKE CAKE

To make this delicious banana pudding poke cake first you have to make a yellow cake from a 10 oz box. After that when the cake has cooled down for a few minutes poke holes in it with a skewer. Mix 2 packs of instant banana pudding in 4 cups of milk and pour the pudding over the poked cake sponge. 

Pop it in the fridge for the layer of pudding to set. Then put a layer of 1 tub of whipped topping. Crush almost 12 vanilla wafers and put a layer of them over the cake. Enjoy this banana poke pudding cake when chill. Happy caking!

Source: stylishboard.com

BE IN LINE WITH GOD

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

There is a line that separates everything we do. It separates the right from the wrong; the good from the bad; the wise from the unwise.

And too many of us walk the edge of that line trying to see how close we can get before we have to face the consequences.

We walk on the edge between sin and righteousness and keep pushing the limits to see how far God will allow us to go.

God tells us, though, in order to reach our potential, in order to gain the full and rich life that he has in store for us, we can't walk that line. Instead, we need to be in line with Him.

He wants to make our paths straight and our ways clear. And to be in line with God we must acknowledge Him is our lives and make wise, insightful decisions.

When we fail to do that, we spend a good amount of time wallowing in the pit of regret. We look back at our lives and the decisions we have made and shake our heads and say, "If only... if only... if only."

The best way to avoid living a life of regret - the best way to make the right decisions is to ask ourselves the right questions.

As you go through the decision-making process, look at each option with sobriety.

When you are in sober about your decision making process, you will gain the insight that allows you to see what is obscure to the rest of the world.

This week, ask yourself if your decisions are going to reflect what you have learnt from your walk with God. Trust in the Lord, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge Your presence, power and sovereignty; please direct my paths.

Scriptural Reading: Proverbs 3-10

Prayer for new week

You shall lack nothing. God will exceed your expectations. He will cause you to walk in abundance. In the areas where you lacked, you will become a blessing to many in Jesus name. The blood of Jesus will speak for you. His favour will shield you from the attacks of the enemy. Indeed, no evil will come near you in Jesus name.

You are created for significance. The days of obscurity are over. Your influence will be evident in the nations. The Holy Spirit will empower you for exploits in Jesus name!J

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

The Hand Of God

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there thy right hand shall hold me" (Ps.139:9-10)

It was God’s mighty omnipotent Hand that wrote the ten commandments of law; and today as we see His Hand at work, we marvel and stand in awe!

It is the Hand of God that makes us,

The Hand of God that saves us,

The Hand of God that keeps us,

And the Hand of God that leads us.

It is the Hand of God that corrects us,

The Hand of God that protects us,

The Hand of God that heals us,

And the Hand of God that seals us.

It is the Hand of God that justifies,

The Hand of God that purifies,

The Hand of God that sanctifies,

And the Hand of God that glorifies.

It was God’s mighty omnipotent Hand that resurrected Christ our King;

And that same Hand raises us to new life, holding us securely under His wing.

It is The Hand of God!

By His Hand, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Our God is awesome!!

A GIFT OF LOVE

“Can I see my baby?” the happy new mother asked.

When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears.

Time proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother’s arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. “A boy, a big boy … called me a freak.”

He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that he developed a gift, a talent for literature and music.

“But you might mingle with other young people,” his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart.

The boy’s father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? “I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.

Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man.

Two years went by. Then, “You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it’s a secret,” said the father.

The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs.

Later he married and entered the diplomatic service. “But I must know!” He urged his father, “Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.”

“I do not believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to know … not yet.”

The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come … one of the darkest days that a son must endure.

He stood with his father over his mother’s casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears.

“Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered gently, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”

“She sacrificed her ears for the love she had for you”, daddy concluded.

Reflection:

Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen.

Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.

There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.

There are no limits to where you can go and what you can do.

Your window to the world just might be your own front door. Step out in faith.

What you see depends on whee you look!

Inspirational Word: Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday

 Sometimes, people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be – a roommate, a neighbour, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger – but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes, things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones.

If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.

Give thanks to God for your life and pray that He protects your going out and your coming in. Make every day count.

Appreciate every moment and ask God for direction in all your endeavours.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and listen to what they have to say.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make anything you wish of your life. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live!

Reflection:

Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday.
Think About it? Was it worth it?

Recipe: EASY ROSE PULL APART BREAD

To make this bread first you have to knead bread dough with 350 g flour, 10 g yeast, 80 melted butter, 2 egg yolks, warm milk, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 sachet of vanilla sugar and half teaspoon salt. 

Once the dough is kneaded put it aside in a bowl covered with a cloth or cling film so that the dough rises and becomes double in size. Then make small discs out of the whole dough. 

To make every two roses overlap three discs and roll. Cut in the center and you will get two flowers. Make more in the same manner and put all the roses inside a cake tin. Bake in the oven until golden. Dredge the bread with icing sugar and voila.

Source: stylishboard.com

Ways to Resolve Trust Issues in Your Marriage

After only a couple years of marriage, my buddy and his wife still found themselves having multiple trust issues. The major difference now, was that his wife was pregnant with their first child.

That was great news, but it certainly didn't make the trust issues any better. As she got more pregnant, her insecurities only grew stronger and stronger.

As the relationship and pregnancy continued, things only got worse. He said that most of the occurrences happened when they were either fighting about something off the topic or when they were out in public and other women were present.

He expressed to me that as they walked around, she would ask him if he thought particular women were pretty or if he found them attractive. He mentioned that in most cases, he didn't even see the woman until she pointed her out to him and then he had to react. As he attempted to say no and confirm his desire only for her, she would push away with disbelief and get disgusted with him.

He felt that he was at a loss and had no way of getting around the lack of trust and insecurities in his marriage. I agreed with him that it would be hard but told him there was still hope and challenged him with the following questions.

If you personally find yourself in a similar situation as the one mentioned above, I will challenge you with these questions as well. I would also ask that you don't lose hope or give up on your marriage. You agreed to some very sacred vows, and now you need to put in some time and hard work to get your marriage on the right track.

1. Are you being honest about the path your eyes travel and your temptations? I believe this to be more of the case early in the marriage, but many men do not realize how distracted they are with the opposite sex. Their own desire for lust and temptation masks their ability to recognize they are blatantly getting caught up in the passing beautiful woman. This question requires a man to take a deep look into his heart and into his past, and see if there is any truth to his eyes traveling in the wrong directions, especially around his wife.

This question also needs to wake men up to the time that maybe they did mess up and get caught by their wife. Since my buddy was only married for three years, I asked him if there was a particular time or moment that his wife did catch him. If so, did he honestly seek forgiveness for that time or did he brush it off, not realizing the negative impact it was going to have on his future relationship with his wife? If there were any past mistakes, it's time to man up to your wife and seek real forgiveness.

Confess that those were moments of failure, and you now realize how hurtful or "not loving" those were to her.

Confirm that you are working on this area in your life with Jesus and that she is the only woman you desire.

2. Are you aware of her past and if she experienced any trust or insecurity issues? If you have reviewed that first paragraph closely and believe that you are either clear of the questions brought up or continue to experience pains even after seeking forgiveness, you may be dealing with her past hurts. This is when it's important to ask some of the following questions. Was her father a faithful man to her mother? Or did he have a wandering heart? Did she have any previous relationship issues that might still make her insecure?

Personally, my wife and I experienced some intense trust issues early in our own marriage. Some of the issues did have to do with me falling victim to my own temptations, but the majority of the issues stemmed from her past relationships.

Even a couple of years into it, she was still battling insecurities from the man who came before me. Even though I loved her, she was still applying the issues she had with him to me. When I found out about this, I was very offended, but not to the point of ending the marriage. We both realized we needed real help.

If you feel that these scenarios are in line with you and your marriage, I would suggest seeking help on a higher level. Resolving past pains and hurts is something very difficult for the other spouse to resolve and handle.

Speak to your wife about this, but I would suggest the both of you seek marriage counseling. The best place to engage in this is at your home church. See what they offer for counseling or even marriage mentoring. You need to find a place where you can share your deeper issues and have someone experienced break them down for the both of you as individuals and for your marriage.

3. Are you praying for your wife or with your wife? Last and most important, I asked my buddy about his prayer life. Are you praying often? Are you honestly seeking out God about these trust issues in your marriage and asking Him for healing and direction? Are you praying with her?

Praying with your wife may be the hardest, but it could bring about the most resolution without seeking help from an outside source. The beautiful thing about praying with your wife is that you can say things to God that are directly impacting her.

"Lord, thank you for my beautiful wife and the blessing that she is my life everyday."

"Lord, thank you for bringing such a wonderful woman into my life. I pray that you would continue to watch over and protect our marriage from any outside sources of temptations or insecurities. Watch over our hearts everyday that we might seek You first above all things and seek each other in love. Thank you for my wife and continue to bless our marriage."

Now, imagine if you were to pray those types of prayers together. Imagine if she was sitting right next to you and you said these words every time! God is ready to do amazing things in your marriage, but He's also waiting for you to ask.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7).

Husbands, the vows you spoke meant something strong. They meant you signed up for the good and the bad. If you are experiencing anything like the questions or issues mentioned above, I challenge you to take action in your marriage today.

Review yourself. Seek assistance. Pray.

What are some effective ways you resolved trust or insecurity issues in your own marriage?

Manturity

Happy Independence Day Nigerians

 Happy Independence Day to all Nigerians home and aboard, I wish you a happy Independence birthday Nigeria and to all my family, friends and loved ones, a happy Independence celebration. May the Lord bless our dear Nation and give our leaders wisdom i pray. Wow i love the words of our National Anthem.  

Enjoy this by NIKKI LAOYE - THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

 Happy Independence Day from ASB-WORLD.