God bless you for this piece.

I always tell people that our churches these days should redirect their focus from soul winning outreaches to "in reach" meetings. We need to reduce our attempt to win souls who after conversion come into the church and see the rot in it but rather look inward the church, cry out to God for mercy, discover where we lost it and then get back on fire. If this is done, the people outside would be naturally drawn to us and to God because there would be power in us. After all the bible said that where the carcass is, the eagles gather. Whoever calls people to come and watch a fire burning down a building? where there is fire, people are drawn to the sight naturally.

We have lost the power because of our focus on mundane things and that is why the devil seems to be having a swell time in our midst. This is why robbers would go into a church, steal, rape, kill and even suicide bombers would blow up the church and nothing would happen. We need to cry for mercy, repent like in the days of old and call a solemn assembly.

We chase shadows, forget the most important reason why we are on earth and join the craze to accumulate wealth and even compromise our faith in our unwholesome attempt. Simple teachings on brokenness, pursuing intimacy with God, learning Christ are thrown into the bin. Oh that God would break us and show us the real intents of our hearts. I remember last year when God was dealing with me in the area of motives. He asked me simple questions that I could not answer and one I enjoin every true seeker of God to ask themselves.

1. Why do you serve God? Is it out of fear of eternal condemnation? what if He says now that there is no hell and good or bad, everyone ends up in heaven, would you still act the way you do?

2. What's your reason for preaching the gospel, winning souls and evangelizing? Is it because you want to be free from the blood of all men and in heaven to obtain a reward and possible mansions with a crown and stars glistening?

3. What if there was no promise attached to giving and no matter what you give, there is no receiving in return? would you still give or if you do, would you give at the level you are giving now?

The church needs to be broken. Testimonies in churches these days are centered around financial, marital, educational breakthroughs( all these are necessary) but in church yesterday, I was so glad because we had different kinds of testimonies. Those who by walking with God had noticed changes in their characters, who were able to overcome specific temptations were asked to testify. People testified of anger habit, pride etc being dropped and how they were able to overcome temptations to steal funds belonging to their companies when in dire need. The pastor even testified on how God broke him into kneeling down to apologise to his wife after snapping at her. Now that is a testimony!

We truly need God! and we should turn back to the cross.

I'm still asking those in support of this modern trend in our schools.

What happens after the "innocence" of primary school and the child enters adolescence and is in secondary school? Do you still encourage the celebration of val at that dangerous and critical age? Or do you then advice the child to wait until the time is right?

If your answer is the latter? What explanation would be given to the child to drop a practice adopted even at the nursery level?

Of course it is certain that these schools don't actually teach them that val is about romance. However, the truth is that whatever mummy teaches them or Auntie in school talks about how val is meant to be which is a day to show love to everyone, cannot really hold water as these kids observe a lot no thanks to the media age we live in.

No matter what the parents say, these kids already have an idea of what val is all about. So the school endorsing the celeb with all kind of "good intentions" only adds credence to what the child knows and understands val to be.

@Jidegirl12, I guess you didn't see anywhere where i mentioned bad parenting here. All I'm saying is that you should not expect kids to change in adolescence from what they have been taught to do at a tender age. For example, if a mother is cool with her child dressing in skimpy outfits as a teen then that is fine. All I'm against is when mothers begin to complain later in life about what they encouraged early. Yeah, I used to work with teens in church before and I have heard of parents complaining about stuffs like this but after questioning, you discover the root cause is in the early formative years of a child. So if you are cool with your son or daughter at 14 going on val dates and bringing home gifts then fine!

Ok, I maybe wrong or a little bit old school here but I was a little taken aback when I saw my neighbour's daughter yesterday all dressed up and looking pretty in white and red outfit. My first question to her was why she wasn't going to school and she said she was. I then asked if it is her birthday and she said that they were asked to dress up in red and white for valentine day. I began to think as to the reasonableness of such instructions. Firstly, there are so many celebrations wherein kids could dress up in different attires eg, Christmas, Easter, Independence etc without making kids overly into the valentine frenzy at such an early age. I mentioned it to my friend and she said that her niece of five even summoned up the courage to ask her mum to give her gift for her boyfriend in class and of course for "auntie" as they were asked to get gifts for their friends and teachers.

I remember while growing up that even up to secondary school level, my school used to do everything possible to discourage and kill the val spirit. This they do by coming up with ridiculous seminars on pregnancy, hiv et al including all manner of activites to frustrate any kind of val thingy. People used to hide after night prep to send and receive gifts in school bags through junior students and if you are then caught eh .

so why formally indoctrinate little kids into celebrating val or what reasonable explanation would you give a child as to the brain behind valentine. Of course some would say valentine is a day to show love to everyone and would go on and about how St valentine did this or that. However, lets face facts, all that story of st valentine blabla is long forgotten and dead and has been replaced with a day of celebrating lovers in every kind of relationship imaginable. My question is this "Do we after encouraging kids to celebrate val and making them conscious of it then turn around when they are mature and become adolescents and then begin to preach all the ills of vals day and for them to wait till they are mature....".

This is the same argument I have against mothers who dress their little girls in really short skirts and gowns all in the name that she is only but a child and later begin to scold them when they mature as to their choice of clothing. For crying out loud, a girl of 8 who is used to dressing that way wont suddenly at 13 grow a flair for maxi gowns and below the knee skirts.

Anyway, this is just my take.

Ha! I must comment oh. I have been following this thread for a long while. God thank you for proving your Name on this thread. Thank you for letting the world know that the prayers here are not just for fancy. Thank you proving Your Word again. Yes You said that "He that watereth shall be watered".

How else do we show how mighty you are than being a living testimony? Thank you for blessing one of the finest prayer warriors here who always encourages others.

I bless you oh! Father, it remains Alwaystrue and the other beautiful women here. I'm confident because what You do for one, You can do for all.

Truly, the year isn't over yet

Disqualifying a nominee based on the fact that he has been warned or disqualified this year, for a less serious competition like poster of the year award, while going ahead to award the more prestigious and serious minded position like the moderating job, from persons who had in the time past being been banned severally, opened numerous IDS and have not conducted themselves properly is in my opinion very hypocritical.

Hmm Ilochi Okafor, what a man!!!. The true definition of a man who is faithful in little things, being faithful in bigger things.

As the Dean of faculty of law, he transformed the faculty and made it the envy of other students. Upon being elevated to being the VC, the guy changed the whole school.

He remains the reason why you can never hear of strike in NAU for whatsoever reason. The school with an unbroken calendar from 2003 till date. A man who fixes the whole calendar year and NEVER changes or postpones the dates stipulated. A man that you know the date of second semester exams even before first semester begins.

A man that shamed all the past VC's of the school by ensuring all faculties move to the perm site within a year of taking office. His achievements can never be numbered.

I was even waiting for him to enter politics soonest because his type is rare.

May God keep you safe sir and cause your release soon.

RIP My lord. We wish for more of your type at the bench

I'm going to address you as a christian. Firstly, please you would do well to ignore any advice that makes you think that God doesn't lead people to their spouses. All those talk of "check out his qualities, spirituality level, compatibility" et al are in my opinion very shallow.

Who told you that godly, wonderful, kind, compassionate, compatible etc guy you see today (even if he isn't pretending) cannot change tomorrow? Yes people change, people backslide, a cool guy becomes violent and there is no yardstick to determine the future life style of a person with our limited understanding.

That is why we have THE ONE(God) who can never be deceived, who knows the end from the beginning and we are to solely rely on Him.

Do you think all the women in bad marriages today met and married their husbands that way, this also applies to men too. So many look at their pictures in the past and can't believe the "transformation" in their partner.

Though hearing from God doesn't guarantee a life time of happiness because there is the human responsibility too, but you are assured that if God leads you both and you play your parts , then you are good to go.

All the stuff about God leaving man to his discretion since the days of Adam are all lies. The bible said "A good wife is from the Lord). Also, does the fact that Solomon who was blessed with riches and wisdom but who acted foolishly stop God from endowing man with Wisdom? So why should God for the mistake of one man withdraw from showing us our life partners? Was He lying when He said "for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God"

I have one question for you as a christian. How does God speak to you in matters that concerns you and in your everyday life? My reason for asking is that He would probably speak and lead you that same way.

The problem is that some christians have never trained themselves to hear from God in little things, they have never heard Him tell them to apologise to someone who wronged them, to lend a helping hand in the cleaning of church, to help a widow buy some groceries, to wake up and pray and study the word and all of a sudden, they expect to hear Him speak when marriage matter don come.

Truth is, you would never be able to discern His voice if marriage issue is the first time you are seeking Him. He said, the voice of a stranger you won't follow but that is becausen just like your earthly father, you know His voice.

Don't get mislead, never act on someone else's conviction. I'm happy you said he asked you to pray( though he didn't go about it the right way) but go to your Father and seek His Face without your emotions getting in the way. He is not a God of confusion.

P.S( I have heard of some people who weren't happy initally when God led them to their spouse, but later in the relationship(before marriage oh) when they obeyed, they came to appreciate and love their partner.

God bless

Hi everyone
@Modath, what I meant is that I had been skipping only without doing any strength or abs training at all. My muscles then got stiff and when I resumed again, it became difficult and painful. Thanks.

@Opella, sorry dear, thank God you are better now.
@HG, Modath, Agaba, Mlov, Taitee, Ikekings, Uj-sizzle and the whole house, I hail oh.

Wow, too much skipping isn't too good. Decided to go back to my JM 30 day shred after months of no strength and abs exercise and my les have revolted badly coupled with the fact that I did it with 5kg weights. So so painful. To think that this was a walk in the park exercise then (ordinary level 1 oh)

The Judge didn't make the law. Till the law is amended, there is nothing she or any other judge can do not even the appellate court.

Armed robbery=death sentence

Hmm. Nobody is sentenced to death by firing squad again. That law is so gone.

While I seriously condemn the gruesome death of these boys which by the way is heartless, despicable and barbaric to say the least. My mind wonders as to the real reason behind the jungle justice that happened in Aluu and has been prevalent everywhere in this country. I believe the answer is not far fetched.

It is simply because everybody has lost faith in the justice system of this country, hence the need to take laws into our hands.This is a country where:

1. A person goes to report an incident at the Police station and immediately becomes the suspect (accused).

2. The police after arresting criminals, goes ahead after the greasing of hands to release the suspects who then take vengeance on the poor complainant.

3. Criminals boasts openly over the fact that there is nothing anybody, not even the police can do to them on the basis of their connections.

4. Cases stay pending in court for a period of 10 years and more while the accused walks the street free during that period to the pain and detriment of the wronged party etc.

If we have a system where we all are assured that justice will be served expeditiously, recourse would not be made to jungle justice. After all we say "justice delayed is justice denied". If I have the confidence that a man who stole, raped and what have you will be adequately dealt with, why the need to take the laws into my hands. It is so sad and pathetic because no matter what we say, if those wicked villagers are asked why the case wasn't reported to the police, we can all guess the answer they will give.

So sad that these young lads paid the ultimate price for a failed system. While condemning this act, let us at the same time deal with the root cause of these actions.

Hello Everyone
@Modath, long time oh!
@ikekings

Log for yesterday

B- 2 servings of beans and chicken with half banana

L- 2 servings of beans, 2 pieces of plantain and a piece of turkey

D- slice of pawpaw

Exercise-3,000 skips

While building your wardrobe with beautiful clothes. Also endeavour to invest in a good gym wear and loose that fat.

Very important

@002

Sorry dear, I believe no one set out to ignore you. Just an omission. Oya smile now .
Personally I think you should make that target a December one. What we "preach" here mostly is that we try as much as possible to go on a diet that is sustainable. From your log, I doubt if you are even eating up to 1,200 cals. I may be wrong though. Also, do u work out?

@hyelhira, Rahamaniyya didnt only collect from Intercontinetal Bank sef, he also took funds from Fidelity Bank, and Oceanic Bank which he later paid when Olisa Agbakoba, SAN went personally to threaten him. 90% of the funds are always diverted that I can say for sure. The best of them enjoy so much protection and if we begin to talk of facts within our knowledge eh!. God go help us sha

Whenever this issue of bank loans comes up, I get very disgusted and angry. I wonder if the useless banks in Nigeria actually needed to wait for Sanusi before taking action on this chronic debtors. This is way too belated and I can only weep for a nation where the likes of Otedola, Ifeanyi Ubah etc are parading the streets as rich men whereas in saner countries, they would have since being declared bankrupt. Why should a bank like Union Bank have a total of over 300 Billion Naira as non-performing unsecured loans. Abeg how won't the bank crash? Time to give out N500,000 loan to young promising entrepreneurs na lie!. If you go through the records, you go vex tire. A man gets a facility,he is not servicing it, the time frame has lapsed and he asks for 5 times the initial loan and the bank obliges him, restructures the loan and the cycle continues.

The worst part of it all is these men actually employ the services of the best lawyers, SANS who they pay heavily for that matter and who go all out using every technical method in the books in court to frustrate the abilities of recovery agents and lawyers to recover the funds not to talk about the protections they enjoy from the powers that be. No thanks to our legal system which leans towards the side of technical rather than substantial justice too. These men never have the intention of paying their debts and they rather move from bank to bank to collect more.

They shouldn't stop them, they should continue doling out more billions so that the system would one day crash on everybody including the shameless lawyers and those criticising Sanusi would rest.

Hallos everyone

@HG, I see you oh!

Back and better. Never to derail again

Exercise of yesterday 2,000 skips

Welcome new members.

Yay! its finally out!

Trust you made it

@asanwababy, I don't envy you at all right now. Geez, the awaiting period is terrible to say the least!Very traumatic, the most annoying part is you trying hard not to fidget and everyone around you asking "is the result out yet" and your tummy doing a backward flip immediately.

Thank God we survived .

Success dear. Hope you come out tops.

Now I am convinced that so may people on this site don't read before posting .

Isn't it clear that the twins merely answered the question put forward by the reporter .

Did they mention P-square out of the blues.

Pschewww

Next please!

Why a yahoo account?

Hello everyone .

I can see this place has been bubbling as usual

Log for yesterday

B- 2 servings of beans and a handful of garri

S- a piece of cake

L- 2 servings of beans and 1 turkey

Dinner- 3 bananas

Exercise-1000 skips

Happy Birthday ML.Today should be declared an indulging day on your behalf on this thread . So please send the 3-food, e-drinks and e-cake asap. God bless, increase and cause you to shine in this new year. Hope the LO is doing well.

Exercise-poor

Good diet-poor

water consuption-poor

Hmm, Na Wa

Well done better people.

Hi everyone
@HG, thank God for your health

Log for yesterday

B- 1 N10 worth biscuit
Lunch-1 serving of rice and a piece of turkey
Dinner-one piece of fish with pepper soup
Exercise- nil