My rich God

Hi good people,
Its been a while since I last wrote. The reason is that I have been planning my wedding...yes, am getting married soon and you are all invited :-) God's grace has been very sufficient during this period.

Today I woke up thinking about my wedding plans, the bookings, the dresses, the money, the demands, ....and and was tempted to be a little worried. The only thought in my mind was I need to pray now!
The Lord has the most beautiful surprises. As I read his word, he spoke to me in the most sweetest clearest voice that just calmed me.

Romans 10:12b The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.

Can you believe how precise the Lord is. He knew I needed to read this very word that very minute. And as if not enough he reminded me, his maid servant:

Romans 10:11 - Anyone who trusts in him (God) will never be put to shame.

How beautiful, how so wonderful to have a Savior like my Lord. And at once, the storm in my heart calmed down and I was once more at peace.

Below are a few pictures of my hand modelling :-)

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 18:1

Honey dripping mouth

Last week I was reading the book of Songs of Solomon during my devotion. I would like to share with you what God was teaching me as I sat at his feet in the mornings. Songs of Solomon is actually love songs between a groom and a bride. Very interesting read. As per today's topic, the groom was praising his bride in these words:

Songs 4:11- Your lips drip nectar my bride, honey and milk are under your tongue.

I thought wow! What high praise! This bride must have really mastered how to make her husband happy.
You see today in our culture, it has become usual for men to complain that women nag alot, talk too much and generally express much dissatisfaction towards their mates. But not this Songs of Solomon woman. Her mouth is used to utter beautiful words.

Words as sweet as nectar. Words of praise to her husband, words of praise to those around her.

As if not enough, under her tongue is milk and honey. She takes this business of speaking seriously and even keeps reserves of sweet speech under her tongue

Milk is a nourishing drink so this woman speaks life giving words unto people who surround her. She uses her
tongue to encourage, to build up, to correct gracefully and to admire.

Honey is a natural medicine. So we see this beautiful woman using her tongue to offer healing words. She comforts the grieving, she gives hope to the desolate with her words. She knows that her tongue has power. And when her husband, her king is stressed out and discouraged, she knows her words can heal him, and goes ahead to give him a dose of honey filled words.

May we strive to be like this beautiful woman. May we always use our words to praise, nourish and heal.

Proverbs 18:3b but the tongue of the wise brings healing

Baking and practicing for perfection

Hi all,

Last month I had a seven day break for work and I had a wonderful time, I thank God. I was home all along. I finished a book, Americana by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie which I will do a review later and I loved it. I also did a bit of baking which is something I had purposed to do and I trimmed my hair cause it had so many split ends. I will write about that later too.

I have never really baked in an oven. Our home oven was mostly decorative because no one ever uses it. So I just started without a clue of what to do! Guess what I learned from all this, Practice always makes perfect. I used only two recipes to cook, you have to start small lest you make a huge mess right? You can follow the links below for the recipes. Please note, I was using only what was available at home. So if an ingredient isn't withing my reach, skip :-)

1. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/honey-cake-recipe - For the honey cake. I used raisins instead of almonds and margarine (blue band) instead of butter.

2. http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/sustainable-living/eat-local/whole-wheat-honey-cake.aspx - For the vanilla cake. I skipped the allspice, nutmeg, baking soda and sugar. I used lemon juice and peel.

The first day, the cake burnt after five minutes! imagine! And as if not enough, half of it overflowed from the baking tin and spill to the oven. It was such a mess. The second time was better but the cake cracked at the top. See, practice does make perfect-ish.

Next time I will take pictures.

In those kitchen moments, God was reminding me that we are all works in progress. And with enough practice, we near perfection everyday. Of what purpose are we here on earth if not to daily improve ourselves?

1st Cor 9:24-27
²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

My race, this time was cake baking to the glory of God as I please my family ( and they were very happy)
Tomorrow I will pick another race. and on and on it goes till I win the crown, till I meet my Jesus.

 Practice makes perfect.

A different kind of woman...

"The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of christian,
But the fact that I am a christian does make me a different kind of woman."
~Elisabeth Elliot 

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 18:1

Honoring Your Commitments

I was watching a movie last week that caught my attention. A little girl had entered into a contest but when the time came for her to perform she shied away and wanted to forfeit. Her mother went to her and told her something that is the theme of today. 'My baby gal, you must honor your commitments. Even when you are scared, when you commit, you must fulfill'. That line hit me so much that I actually paused the movie and started to think if I always honor my commitments.
You see, in our generation, words almost count for nothing. We are quick to make promises and say Yes yet we hardly follow through our words with action. We quickly make commitments and we never fulfill them. As a result, we have become un-trust worthy people.

As Christians, we are called to higher standards. We are called to be salt of the world. I get shocked every time I see a christian who refuses to pay back money owed, who goes against their marriage commitment, who say they will do one thing and end up doing another.

Its better not to commit at all than to commit and forfeit. Same case applies to making promises to God then forgetting. The bible says its better not to make that promise at all. Eccle 5:4-5 (NIV) When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill.
See, even God hates dishonored commitments!

People of God, let us be known as men and women who keep our word. When we speak, let it be as good as an action. Let it be known that 'our words can be taken to the bank as security' because we always honor our commitments and always keep our word. When we are not sure we will be able to fulfill something, its better not to make the commitment. In that regard, it is important to learn the power of saying 'No' more often.

It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Eccle 5:5 (NLT)

A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

 Happy new year good people!!

Am excited about 2014!! Mostly because its a whole new year. A clean slate which I can fill with anything I wish. I purpose to fill it with valuable things in all aspects.

One of my goals this year is to acquire a gentle and quiet spirit. The Lord calls us to this. Actually, the bible calls it 'Imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.' I believe everyone of us wants to acquire imperishable beauty. I mean, we women rush for anti aging creams, sunscreens to say the least :-). How beautiful it is to realize that imperishable beauty is within our reach. With God's help, we can acquire.

So what does a gentle spirit mean?
It means to be calm, to be mindful of the people around you, The online dictionary describes the word as being considerate or kindly in disposition, amiable and tender. To be gentle is to not be harsh or severe but to be mild and soft.

A gentle person is not argumentative but one who loves peace and goodness.
You can say a gentle person has a sweet spirit.

What does a quiet spirit mean?
A quiet spirit is a rested spirit. A spirit that is not in a rush. A spirit that is not anxious or disturbed. A quiet spirit is one that has learned to trust and in our case, to trust in God. Its a spirit that believes that everything is working out for good because I trusts the Lord.

PS One needs not to be quiet in personality in order to have a gentle and quiet spirit. There are some quiet people who lack quietness of spirit. They worry, they are not kind, they do not guard their speech.
On the other hand, there are some very talkative people who have gentle and quiet spirits. They are kind and considerate, are easy to be with, are not anxious and trust things will turn out fine.

See dear people, we don't have to change our personalities in order to acquire imperishable beauty. All we need to do is obey God and have a renewal of the mind. God says "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. There we have our first 'to do' fill our hearts with gentle things, beautiful things,quiet things and our mouths and mannerisms and way of life will reflect the same goodness!

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1st Peter 3:3-4