Soap in the Sand

You were made to cleanse
To eliminate the nonsense
You were made to add fragrance
And to bring out the essence

But what has become of your pride
You hated filth and all its shades
You devoted your life to make a change
But you have changed a great deal

You were too confident of yourself
You were too sure no harm will come to you
You entered anywhere you found filth
You gave up yourself to see others clean

You left your domain and area of influence
You entered a place too big for you
You became a soap in the sand
Thinking good intentions will keep you going

Not all dirt is yours to remove
Passion shouldn't overrule purpose
A good intention is not enough to decide
Your maker is specific

Though you see all the ills and have unrest
But there's a much bigger world for you

The world that influences you the most is the biggest for you
The world closest to is the biggest for you
The world you interact with everyday is big enough
It grows with your ability and strength

The day you leave to influence another
You begin to feel exhaustion then anger
Simply because you can't change it
You simply can't change it because it isn't your world

Not everywhere you find yourself is home
Home is where you retire after all
That's where your strength is effective
That's the place your leather can complete its work

Rise from the sand; take a shower
Return to the tub; return to the bowl
Be content with washing your little world
Don't be a soap in the sand

Another Christmas Meditation

When are we Going to be Finally ready?

We have prayed severally for God's will to be done in our lives. Sometimes we even got instructions to act upon. We were required to learn something new, forgive someone in our life, sacrifice something we are so attached to, relocate to a new place, walk against the norm or even do nothing. Yes. Do nothing is an instruction too. After doing all these, we now await God's promise to manifest and what do we experience?

Mary had endured shame and had accepted the will of God. Joseph had probably taken responsibility so that God's word can be rational for the faithless and those ignorance of prophesies. They even relocated to Bethlehem according to the word of God through the Roman Imperial-Ceaser. But what did they find? No room!

After we have done the will of God we have need of patience (Heb 10:35). Like Mary and Joseph we, after obeying God so far, would expect that we get a well furnished apartment with the best of medical practitioners to attend to us. But we found nothing but a manger! Honestly, this is the kind of thing i believe that Heb 10:35 is talking about. We shouldn't loose trust in God when things do not look like what we expected especially when we have done what we are required to do.

I do not attempt to answer the question. If I did there will be no need for faith anymore, because I already know what, when and how things are going to turn out. But I just want to encourage you to hold on. God reserves exclusive information like this to Himself. One reason might be that we do not loose our dependence on Him.

"When things do not look like we expect, hold on still, especially if you have obeyed up till that point."

The first Christmas is an illustration of the Final Christmas. By Final Christmas I mean that moment when Jesus will be fully revealed in our life. We have been saved and we celebrate it. We are being sanctified and we submit to God's dealings. God also has promised perfection-glorification and this is it-Final Christmas. We never know when Jesus will manifest fully in our hearts but we know He will. 1 John 3:3 says"suddenly." So do not be discouraged that there is no room in the inn. Jesus will be manifested anyway.

Merry Christmas

The First Christmas then The Final Christmas

At the first Christmas, baby Jesus emerged from a virgin womb. At this final Christmas, King Jesus emerges from the Church. Then, there were some characters of note just as there are now...

From the virgin Mary to the aged Elizabeth;
One who men adored to the one who was forsaken;
One who never bore to the one who had never been known;
Who we are doesn't matter. God wants to feature us in the redemption plan of this world

From Zechariah the priest to Joseph the carpenter;
One who's life is devoted to full time ministry or one who is righteous in his daily trade;
God isn't interested in our opinion and definition of ministry;
He wants us involved in bringing forth Christ again. This time not as a babe in a manger but as king on the throne.

From the learned Maggis to the noble shephards;
Those who are foreigners and those who are indigenes;
Those who are well read read to those who only know their trade;
Those who have to travel for miles for years to those who God will meet at their door step;
Our exposure, ethnicity and nationality don't matter. The Lord who made us all uses us all.

From the Simeon's and Ann's to John the baptist's of our time;
One at the nick of death and the other one at birth;
The old who will dream dreams to the lads whose lips will burst forth with prophesies;
Age is collapsed and all works together to make Christ emerge from within us. Young and old seeing the promise of God fulfilled.

Finally, the original Christmas story didn't happen in a day. Mary's visit to Elizabeth was 15 months before 'Christmas.' The Maggis travelled for a period of about 2 years. Theologians say they arrived 2 years after he was born. In summary, Christmas is a period of several years don't let the joy wane after today. Neither should your passion die for another 365 days. Rather than being lost in the celebrations, find where you belong and play your part for the manifestation of the Sons.

Are you Mary, young and inexperienced or Elizabeth, old and discouraged? Zechariah in full time ministry or Joseph righteous in business? An intellectual Maggi or Humble shepherd? An infant John or aged Simeon? Whoever you are, take your place there's a bigger Christmas that is imminent-the manifestation of Sons; emergence of Christ in our hearts.

Merry Christmas!

God's Army Rising II

Soldiers are people on assignment. They do not get entangled with civilian affairs (Tit 2:4). This is not to say they don't get involved. They just don't get entangled. They live in the world by the principles of the kingdom. Just like soldiers maintain the rules of their home nation wherever they find themselves.

God expects Christians in politics, entertainment and media, education, religion and business. But such shouldn't get carried away by cares and concerns of the world (Mat 13:7; Mat 13:22). They should not be drowned in the waters and consumed by the world's passion. They shouldn't be conformed to the world's ways. They should be resolute and focused.

We have fallen into either extremes, thinking God has no interest in this world and thinking God has no other interest apart from this world. The first creates a paradigm that ministry cannot exist outside Church walls. The second makes us totally earthly minded without consideration for God's ways.
We have lost many Generals on the battlefield. They got carried away by the plunder from war. They moved too fast or too slow or stayed too long or didn't pursue long and hard enough. We have lost too many soldiers too who got entangled.

We have also missed the service of world-have-been generals who didn't report to their duty post. They thought it was carnal- would have been police officers with integrity; politicians with accountability; educators with passion; entertainers with modesty; businessmen with a heart; brewers with a healthier recipe.

Dominion was God's first command and no aspect is left out.

God's Army Rising #Part1

An Army is a group of soldiers who have the same agenda. That emphasizes the quality of our individual lives and relationship with God as well as the importance of our fellowship together. As much as Christianity is personal, it has a collective phase. It is the lie of the Devil to isolate us. Isolation diminishes our individual strength and makes us vulnerable.

It is also the lie of the adversary to hide in the crowd while we neglect our own personal altar. That also diminishes our collective strength. Collective strength is drawn from individual spiritual status, of course, with Christ as our Grand Imperial.

Soldiers go through rigorous training, learn discipline and prompt obedience. They spend several years training, not how to respond to particular situations, but how to obey every command.

In our Christian walk, we have rehearsed ready-made responses to questions and memorized reactions to circumstances forgetting that we have a living God who still speaks. David pursued, Joshua waited and went around another time. You say it is contradictory but it is not. God isn't raising an army that can't change strategy midway. David was a mighty man of war. War strategies didn't make David great, God's word did.

Soldiers obey the last command. Our daily living should be based on God's proceeding word for the moment and not what we he commanded yesterday. We must be established in present truth. Denominations abound because each group sticks to a single word from God and considers it ultimate. God requires us to be open for new instruction and direction.

It will interest us to know that God's army comprises special forces to the streets, schools; intelligence forces in world of arts and science; elite forces to the corporate world; full time 'soldiers' dedicated to raise and train other soldiers.

If we are not sensitive, we will pass by our brethren because they are a peculiar (strange) people. We need to be alert because God's soldiers are arising from the most unimaginable places and they look nothing like the conventional Christian.

Being in the Spirit and Being Spiritual

I have heard the phrase "be in the Spirit" used in many funny ways. Sometimes when one is lost in thoughts, they say "he is in the spirit." Other times, when you don't want to interrupt prayers and end up not responding to a greeting, they say "he's in the spirit." What is being in the spirit? What does it mean to be spiritual?

Being in the spirit does not always mean we are prohibited from interacting with the world around us. Being in the spirit does not always translate to pacing the walkway and moving the lips inaudibly or crying out our hearts behind closed doors. Being in the spirit is not always when we are unconscious. Even though all of these things are not explicit reflections of one who is in the spirit, they are occasional occurrences.

Being spiritual is not the discrimination of saints and sinners. It is not avoiding people with varying doctrines and beliefs. it is not picking up your bible and reading during work hours or inability to carry out your duty in the office because you are praying or resting from a vigil the previous night. Being spiritual is not avoiding political, sports or economic issues. Being spiritual is not perpetually having your bibles open on your table. Being spiritual is not avoiding materials that are not in agreement with your beliefs.

Being in the Spirit is following the lead of the Spirit. Being in the spirit is the source and motivation our actions and not necessarily what we do. Being in the spirit is living up to out expectations as sons of God. Being in the spirit is carrying out our daily routine with the strength, power and insight that God provides. It is doing normal things with a kingdom paradigm.

Spirituality is alertness to the leading of God. It is the ability to see through popular opinion and news headlines and perceive the perspective of God. Spirituality is not being cut off from the world around. Spirituality is being alert to the invisible as we interact with the visible. Since the unseen is the origin of the seen spirituality is the ability to discern circumstances and know its origin, purpose and our most appropriate reaction. Spirituality is the patience and endurance to hear out a heretic to extract the lessons God intends to teach you. Spirituality is the diligence to run through thousands of pages of books and journals to find one statement of truth.

Spirituality is in a nutshell receiving instruction for our daily living from heaven and following it to the detail.

My Conversation with an Atheist #Part1

Here is the details of a conversation i had with a friend of mine. He is intelligent and vast. I intend to write a short profile so that you will understand his responses/questions. But I realized that it is in actually reading that you would understand. In summary, his over the past 5 years, his profile has changed from atheist to humanist and to pantheist. Good luck and read with caution.

Atheist Friend: My gay friends are way cooler than you straight punks. 

Me: That's their selling point. They have to be

Atheist Friend: And straight folks have to be "not cool" because of their sexual orientation? 

Me: haha... take it easy? Was just teasing. But honestly, I think straight folks do not require extra attention because thing happen more naturally. I'm not justifying why they should be "not cool." I'm just saying your gay friends have to pay more attention to their looks because they are sailing against the tides 

Atheist Friend: The tides are now turning for them, civilization is starting to win 

Me: These tides do not turn. People only persist and invent technology to make their voyage easier. 

Atheist Friend: So what's that? At a point people weren't intelligent enough flowing with a certain tide inventing religion but now we have the same tides in another direction, flowing with exhilarating human knowledge and human freedom if I may add .I know u like the freedom? 

Me: Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. - Pope John Paul II 

Me: Moreover, "religion" dates as far back as you can trace. Intelligence has only made it formal and given it a definition or redefinition and of cause aberration too. 

Atheist Friend: Actually it doesn't date back as far as I can trace, it wasn't existent when Homo erectus was around and that was because the capability to talk isn't present. Religion was discovered when man knew he could speak hence he could lie 

Me: Homo erectus? Are you for real? Were you there? Anyway, I think we have a divergent perspective on religion. However, just to let you know that speech is not the medium over which 'religion' is established. My view of 'religion' is not a body of knowledge and thus is not speech-driven. My view of 'Religion' is built on the very essence and origin of man. 

Atheist Friend: Oh! Now u want to bring the ‘were u there?’ Because I wasn't doesn't make it not logical, might not be true but then I'd rather know what is than believe what should be. Religion isn't about the essence and origin, it’s a drug for the masses, a tool for kings, and it’s never wholly about life which we have now but the one which we don't have. As for science, it has not pretended to tell me about what isn't but emphatically tells me what is which is now, here and I like it. 

Me: I know that's what you mean by religion and that why I have mine in quotes "religion". I'll use "My Faith" instead to avoid confusion. Science is in a world of its own and not the alternative to faith. Science makes deductions based on available and constantly changing evidence. Science defines purpose from observed properties. Science is the privilege God gives us to shape our world and utilize its resources. It was never meant to be the definition of our purpose. 

Atheist Friend: I don't mean it as in faith against science, I mean it as in faith against doubt , scientific faith vs. religious faith which for the umpteenth time u have called purpose and which I disagree .our purpose shouldn't be for a god 's happiness , 

Me: There's nothing like scientific faith. Science is based on available evidence. Purpose must be defined, thus it can never be over emphasized. Our purpose indeed is to please God but how? Our well being pleases God. Our seamless relationship with others pleases God. A perfect, peaceful world pleases God. Maximizing our potential pleases God. Every good thing pleases God. However, God reserves the right for the definition of "good." 

Atheist Friend: So what's doubt? Isn't it faith in the negative form? I don't think omnipotence needs to be pleased , I don't think it is worth trying since we are finite and god is infinite .you sympathize with your god ,he needs people to defend him ,what peace has god ever brought without war, how do u know a nation is peaceful if there is no war in some other place ? You god associates with the strong, brave but not the senseless, crazy, but then again the power to be crazy comes from this same god. And last every good thing pleases god a replication of man, I’d say this your god is made in the image of man and more so he needs the devil for his entertainment. 

Me: You speak wisely. Firstly, God is infinite and in His "infiniteness" he is still mind-full of man (Ps 8:4). That's what makes Him remarkable. Secondly, it is impossible to please God (without faith Heb 11:6). Our effort at most can only be repulsive to Him (Isaiah 64:6). And this is the crux of Christianity. God drawing the weary, those exhausted from search for truth, weak, helpless, hopeless and dying to receive rest and comfort (Matt 11:48). Jesus came to save the lost and not those who are full of themselves (John 9:41). The physician treats the sick who come. 

Atheist Friend: Do u think if evil wasn't here, would God be able to fulfil anything at all? 

Me: Oh! Absolutely. God had a plan before evil came (Gen 3). Ridding the world of evil is a secondary plan. God's primary plan is in background progress and will return to full swing as soon as evil has been completely eradicated. The bible did not stop at the eradication of death or the defeat of the devil. There is much more to faith than eradicating evil. 

Atheist Friend: I see, do u think we are reasoning here or we are just believing what is in the bible. I don't think we can meet. As long as every question is answered by the word "god" scientific inquiry is simple impossible. I wouldn't allow my child to live under the influence of eternal pain, reason shouldn't be limited to a book ,and that is why religion hates science ,faith detests reason .get out ,ask questions why God ? As a matter of fact ontologically, evil and god are the same? It is even possible for man to see evil, but God who has? 

Me: This is another issue entirely. So I assume your last question was answered. Science has its application. We shouldn't stretch it beyond its scope. 

Atheist Friend: I just feel I shouldn't be part of any association that brings man down ,that attributes our glory to God (nothing) ,that constantly lies to us about us being evil ,that makes belief more important than reason ,faith more important than doubt, eternal damnation is just the worst and time and again we are reminded about our homes in heaven which are also heavily classed .tell a man death is not the end and he's ready to fly planes into building, there is no evil or good ,only us exist and we are the measure of all things. 

Me: If there is no good and evil, then you shouldn't be bothered about planes flying into a building. If we were the measure of all thing we should be able to tell how much longer and where it all ends. Nonetheless, the faith I profess changes my heart. I loose selfishness and learn service. I loose hatred and learn love. I see the harmony within the chaos and mourn at the excess. I do not fear death but I do not make others miserable because of that. There's more to life and I desire that everyone has this kind of faith. 

Atheist Friend: Wow, I shouldn't be bothered. What about losing my loved ones? I don't get. It’s not going to end...it never began...the universe is omnipotent, omnipresent and we are the measure because we said it. God as never existed outta human concept, the understanding of man is necessary for everything to be here or not here. 

Me: You are bothered because evil is real as well as good. You don't want to lose the ones YOU love. That sounds like love coated with selfishness. That is a mixture of good and evil. Why not for all? Your life's story is our world's story-evil messing up good. I do not need to state again that in God's plan, good eventually wins and a perfect world will come to stay forever. It will be unfair to have such a callous world exist for too long (1 John 2:8; 1 John 2:17). But no matter how long ("Habakkuk 2:3 this vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming--it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. "), it will come. “Revelations 21:4 He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared."

To be continued...

Vigils, Dance and Sleep #DiaryOfAFanatic

As a kid, we took our mats along to church when there was a vigil. The richer kids took a portable mattress and small pillow. We admired it because it was more comfortable. We'd both sleep and I'd even sleep longer and more peacefully in the midst of the loud music and heavy sermon. We'd only wake up when it was time for drama or time to leave for our houses. I think that must be where I learnt to sleep in the storm like Jesus. I wonder why people can't sleep with music on or a party in the next compound. I realized it is not ordinary. I received the impartation in Church by learning to sleep at vigils.

As we grew older, we were required to stay awake at least during the sermon and take notes. As time went on, God put a thirst in our hearts. We desired His word and looked forward to the sermon. We began to stay awake for longer periods. There have been vigils that I was awake all through. I am not saying I do not sleep anymore at vigils. In fact, recently I surprised myself. I had to excuse myself to go and sleep. I couldn't just keep the eyes open. But I have been able to identify the reasons why I fall asleep now.

I realised that we often times come to vigils exhausted from the day's work. When we arrive church the heavy music and 'necessary' dancing complicate matters. I understand some people try to keep the people awake by occasionally introducing dance and jumping in between. but I understand my body. My body cannot be cheated nor deceived. Once the dance is over, the sleep returns with 8-times more potent force. I have seen ministers fall asleep just after taking their session right in the front seat.

I am not ruling out the place of discipline and restraint in avoiding sleep at vigils, at the same time, self control has limits. I'm not also ruling out the fact the we can sincerely trust God to keep us awake. This will probably happen and be accompanied by a supernatural occurrence.

First, i will implore that we attend vigils well prepared. We should rest well ahead and be sure there is enough time to rest afterwards so that our 'natural' life gets a fresh burst of energy rather than a weak or tired approach.

Second I Suggest vigils should be specialized. Since it is not a normal service, we shouldn't compulsorily have all the elements of the service. Generally, at every aspect of the service that is not engaging, you will find people sleeping. Cut short every non engaging aspect of the service. If the highlight is a teaching session, we should go straight to the point. Once we get to tired before a session. especially one as passive as just listening to a teaching, we can fall asleep.

Someone asked me to play the piano one time during a vigil to keep people from sleeping. I didn't understand the rational behind it. Sweet music accelerates sleep even more. It succeeded in keeping me awake but i was the cause of many more people falling asleep. Even ushers are awake simply because they are busy keeping people from sleeping.

Finally, I would say that we shouldn't force anything. We should only do what we are sent to do. When we try to force activities or programs to keep people busy, we end up draining them. In the days of God's power, His people will we willing. When God has a word for His family, He prepares their hearts and keeps them alert. It is when we cajole people that we will have to force them to stay awake.

My Idea of Fanaticism #DiaryOfAFanatic

From the nature of this diary, the supreme authority for references is the Holy Bible. However, I want to take a dictionary approach today. It seems a lot of people have 'faith' in the dictionary. I do too except for when its authors decided to remove 'male and female' and replace with 'any two persons' in its definition of marriage. Nonetheless, we can agree with some other words. My intention is to dissect the word 'fanatic.'

"Showing evidence of possession by a god or demon"
"Frenzied or overzealous"
"A person who is zealously enthusiastic for some cause, especially religion"
"Having extreme, irrational zeal or enthusiasm for a specific cause"

Above are dictionary definitions of 'fanatic' and related words. I will love to start from there. I will pick certain words and shed more light.

POSSESSION:
Here are five definitions of possession. They all are relevant but only one speaks about possession in the context we are dealing with at the moment-the fifth.

1. Control or occupancy of something for which one does not have necessarily have private property rights
2. Something that is owned.
3. Ownership; taking, holding and keeping something as one's own
4. A territory under rule of another country
5. The condition or affliction of being possessed by a demon other supernatural entity

The truth is that as a christian, we are possessed by the Spirit of God. He leads us. We have refrained from using the word 'possession' because of its negative applications. If we do not have his Spirit we are none of His.(Rom 8:9) if we are not led by his Spirit, we are not sons (Rom 8:14). Basically we are possessed and that's my view of fanaticism.

OVERZEALOUS:
"too zealous; too enthusiastic, determined; too fervent"

Zeal is enthusiasm towards a cause or activity. Ps 122:1 expresses David's excitement at the invitation to approach the temple. This is the height of spiritual activity at the time and for us now implies every leading of the Holy Spirit. It is the joy of our salvation that fuels our passion for spiritual things. Jesus expressed the same excitement at his visit to the temple at age 12. Such an excitement towards the knowledge of God that made him miss his flight back home. To welcome anyone who comes in the name of the Lord, is zeal. To be eager to hear God speak in personal devotion or gathering of the saints is zeal. That is my idea of fanaticism. You can miss a very important social function or football match, not because you are compelled to but because the voice of God is more soothing than your team's victory.

IRRATIONAL

Not rational; Unfounded or nonsensical (without sense, unmeaning; absurd; foolish; irrational; preposterous)

I love this word. Rationality is simply the compliance with reasoning, human reasoning to be specific. Fanaticism is taking decisions that often defy reasoning. Isa 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." How could Abram's cattle in the wilderness multiply faster then Lot's in a well watered valley? How could one innocent man's sacrifice liberate the entire humanity from destruction? Christianity is not rational. Not every irrational behavior is Christlike. For it to be, it needs to be according to God's leading and by instruction. However, often times, Where God leads and what He asks us to do is often irrational. Only in retrospect can we see the wisdom of God.

It takes faith not reasoning to obey. This is my idea of fanaticism.The Spirit of God dwells in me; The zeal of the house of God has consumed me; Sometimes what God says to do makes no sense but I still do anyway. That's my idea of fanaticism.

You Are Welcome to this Diary #DiaryOfAFanatic

Thanks for taking some tome to see what is going on here. I do not want to raise your hopes so much especially with what the title of the diary reads. I do not want to dash your hopes or break your heart with future posts. That is why I decided to make my first post an introduction to what the "Diary of a Fanatic" is all about.

This is not a place where I intend to pass spiritual criticism. Criticism is not a gift of the spirit. One doesn't need special endowment to be a critic. It is a place where I pour out my heart about how certain practices has influenced my life as well as the life of others. It will also be a place to give a word of advice.

I love the Lord and He is the only valuable possession I've got. He is my passion, my pursuit and my posterity.

The tone on this diary may be harsh but do not take it hard. It is zeal not hatred; it is passion not anger; it is me letting out the fire on the inside not casting critical stones.

If you are an 'heresy hunter' looking for an accomplice. Please before I mention that you are in a wrong place, I'd ask you to rethink your ministry and uphold truth rather than focus on pulling down falsehood. If you are a "spiricoco" looking to prove why attending a vigil and falling asleep at work is not wrong, you are also in a wrong place. Wait! Before you leave, God wants our faith to positively impact our life not deplete it.

I hope this is enough introduction. You'd get used to my idea of fanaticism as time goes on.