WHERE DO YOU STAND?

In his 2009 album, the Blueprint 3, American rapper Jay Z on the song Forever Young ft Mr. Hudson, was quoted as saying, "Slamming Bentley doors, hopping out of Porsches, popping out on Forbes' list..." Also, in the song Can't Shut Us Down by Cross Movement's Christian rapper, Sho Baraka featuring Lecrae, Lecrae was heard saying, "I'll do this till the day I take my last breath..." In case you are wondering and asking, why this comparison? Well, today as I reflected on a couple of things, prompted by what I had seen online about a very popular pop artist's open declaration of her beliefs, the question that came to my heart was, WHERE DO YOU STAND? Folks, we live in a world with a variety of belief systems, we are constantly bombarded by different notions and people's perspectives and views on life. And truth is, in the midst of all these, it is easy to lose grip on what your beliefs are, and on where you stand and why. This is one of the problems with our generation: most of us no longer have a mind of our own, we are becoming more like clones, accepting and believing whatever we hear on the radio or CD or see on the T.V.

Furthermore, back to my references earlier. Now I know that Jay Z has been criticized by many for so many reasons. Lecrae himself regardless of the fact that he is a Christian artist, has been recently criticized by some for some reasons. But one thing that I see in both artists, at least from their public declarations, is that they are sure of what they believe, whether you agree with them or not. In this world, some are clear on what they believe, what they want, and where they stand. For them it's all about fame, fast money, fast cars, fast life, girls, glamor, flash and cash. For many others it is God, Christ, righteousness, holiness, salvation and making it to heaven while taking others with them. One group lives for themselves but the other group lives for God. But what bothers me is the others who don't even know where they stand. They are neither hot nor cold, they are just in between; accepting, believing and rolling with everything that comes their way. That's what bothers me the most. Because at the end of this life, when we all stand before God, it's not going be a question of what your favorite artist believed, or even what your pastor, mother, father or anyone else you love believed, but what you believed. So I end with this question, WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Remember these quotes, "we shall all give account of our lives" and "the world only follows a man who knows where he is going."
I'd like to hear from you. Share with me some of your very core beliefs in life and why you have these beliefs. 

LIFE NUGGETS: FROM THE HEART

Okay, so this is not my usual poetry, but just something I feel I should share with those of you who take the time to stop by. First of all, thanks for the support. So, I was just thinking of my life a while ago. I recall that when I was a child, I didn't care much about life; things like what to wear, what to eat, money for clothes, money for food, the tuition, future career, a life partner and the likes, didn't really mean much to me. Just buy me ice creams and candies, and give me some pocket change, and I'll be fine, even if I didn't know what to do with the change I was given. But when I became a teenager, a lot changed. All of sudden, I started becoming a little conscious about how I looked, then I started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, but still I didn't worry about a lot. But now at 21, I am becoming more worried about a lot of things: bills to pay, future goals, my career as a writer, what  life holds out there for me, what I have accomplished so far, what I'm doing with my life, whether my dreams will all be actualized and stuff like that. And truly, we all sometimes worry about these things and in the midst of it all, there are times when we just feel like we are being left behind. There are times when we feel like we may not accomplish all we set out to, and sometimes we begin to compare ourselves to others, thinking we are not as accomplished as the guy next door.
In case you feel that way, I'm not going to bore you with a long piece. All I want to say to you is STOP WORRYING, COMPLAINING AND COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS! The reason is because when you do so, depression, discouragement, sadness, anxiety and sometimes a nervous breakdown may set in. May be your life hasn't been what you thought it would have been 10 or 20 years ago, when you were in high school or college. But if you look around you, you will always find some things to be grateful for. So be grateful for the things you have and strive with diligence for the things you don't have. Life only gives to those who are ready and willing to collect from it. Prepare, train and develop yourself. Invest and look to each day with optimism, for success happens when opportunity meets preparation. You are not on anybody's time, we all arrived the world at different times and locations. So if today is that guy's turn, don't let it bother you, yours is down the way if you do the right thing with patience. I hope this helps someone today...

THE EARTHQUAKE, THE HURRICANE...MY VIEWPOINT, YOUR PERSPECTIVE

I had just finished ironing when suddenly I felt a violent shaking,
It happened so fast and then in a couple of minutes, or perhaps seconds, stopped.
But in a twinkling of an eye we all gathered outside talking about what had just happened-an earthquake!
Honestly, the incident got me thinking for a while,
And I did pose some questions to myself:
What if the earthquake was more severe?
My friends, family, acquaintances, loved ones,
What would have happened to the people on the train, over the bridges or even in the tunnel?
How about those working in the tunnels, the caves; those on the roof,
Construction workers mounted on scaffolds, hundreds of feet above the ground?
For that couple of minutes, I didn't think about how much I had in my bank account, or our cars parked outside on the street and in the parking lot,
My dreams, visions and goals, didn't it even matter to me anymore; I was only bothered about LIFE!
Which really got me thinking and asking, what really matters most in life?

 And while the news and slight shook of the earthquake was still in the air, there was also the news of Hurricane Irene,
And Today I saw the areas it had already started approaching.
Really, to think that this one is headed in this direction,
To also think that an even greater earthquake is headed in the direction of the East Coast, according to expert reports, leaves me pondering, slightly afraid, but still confident in God's divine protection,
But really, it is times like this that make wonder where our world is headed,
Times like this make me reflect: if the world ends today, what would be my fate?
Not the fate of any other person, but mine,
What if all these are a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, which I believe they are, regardless of what people may say,
I mean think about, an earthquake in the East Coast! That's unprecedented, but it happened,
What if everything the bible says is true, and these happenings are a sign of the times, the end time I mean,
I'm not trying to scare anybody or impose anything on anybody or sound religious, I'm just giving you something to ponder over,
'Cause from my observations, everything the bible prophesied is gradually coming to pass,
So you just reflect on all these things happening today in our world apart from the natural disasters,
And while you are at it, think about your eternal destiny: are you saved and ready for Christ's Second Coming?
That's just MY VIEWPOINT. What do YOU think about all these things? What's YOUR PERSPECTIVE? I would like to know, so stop by and leave a comment.
Peace.

TEENAGE EXUBERANCE-PART THREE

But as these thoughts run through my mind, I am reminded of the fact that this child was destined for greatness, God created it for a purpose. I am also made to understand that this NIGHTMARE of YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE is not inevitable; it is avoidable, if the two most important parties concerned (the parents and the child) play their individual roles. In my few years of studying, reading and interaction with people, I have come to understand that at birth the child is considered a “tabular rasa” or “clean slate” and its mind is pliable-susceptible to influence and indoctrination. Hence the Bible book of Proverbs holds its application here, “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Dear parent; mother or father, are you too busy to begin the inscription of godly and moral values on the “clean slate” of your child’s mind? Are you so much of a workaholic or even a “shopaholic” that you now live the upbringing of your child to the society? Remember that there are three factors that affect a child’s development-Nature (the genetic composition of the child, which are congenital; the child is born with it), Nurture (which refers to parental upbringing or child training) and Environment or the Society (which constitutes the acquired traits of the child). In all these, the last two hold a significant influence on a child’s life, that is, Nurture and Environment or the Society.

TO BE CONTINUED

TEENAGE EXUBERANCE-A MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE-PART TWO

...Furthermore, the child’s PSYCHOLOGICAL transformation which is tantamount to SELF-DECEPTION, leads the child to believe it is “MATURE”. Disrespectfulness, arrogance, and derogatory attitudes towards the same people that gave birth to it- its parents, set in. So we start hearing phrases like, “I am old enough to take care of my self”, “I am no longer a baby”, “Why are you so bossy to me”, etc-all directed towards the same people-parents and perhaps, elders-may be uncles and aunts. All of a sudden, it appears the forces of YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE has won the WAR, and the trophy over this once precious child’s life has been seized by the veterans of ADOLESCENCE and the armies of the TEENAGE AGE.

          As a result of these, the mother begins to weep and sob; shedding tears of pains and sorrows as she goes down memory lane to that lovely day, which marked the end of 9 months of pregnancy and that moment in which 12 hours of labor culminated; when her once lovely child was born. She is plagued with the pang of fear and her soul is constantly being whipped with the whips of uncertainty as to where this surge of YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE will lead; it becomes her nightmare, haunting her each time she shuts her lids and lays down to sleep-both at the fall of the night, the break of dawn, and the sunset of noon. This seemingly helpless, but once joyful mother is now constantly troubled over her child’s misdemeanor and depravity.

          Then when  the pressures, forces and agents of YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE have fully ran their course, the result follows-Drug Addiction and months, if not years in the Rehab, Armed Robbery or even Murder and then Life-imprisonment or an  elongated Prison Sentence, Pregnancy or STDs, and perhaps, the termination of educational career and sometimes there is  the Pill Drive to terminate an unwanted pregnancy from a life of promiscuity-Abortion, which may lead to death or reproductive complications as simple as ruptured fallopian tubes or dysfunctional ovaries, which may lie within the borders of surgical correction or as complex as a damaged or totally destroyed uterus which can never be corrected, and then there is the Suicide mission or attempt from frustration, and dejection. Then the mother’s nightmare finally unravels, its nature is illuminated and its manifestation seen and felt. Now there is sorrow and shame, and sometimes regrets in the heart of the once joyful mother, upon the mind of the once proud father and on the faces of the once happy family members and friends. Their joy has been turned to sorrow, and their laughter to weeping and mourning. What a shame, what a sorrow?

TO BE CONTINUED

Copyright Lysious

TEENAGE EXUBERANCE- A MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE-PART ONE

TEENAGE EXUBERANCE- A MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE

       It’s a lovely day; the culmination of 9 months of gestation and 12 hours of labor. A child is born, a baby delivered and an atmosphere of joy saturates the hospital room. A joy, it is, reflected by broad smiles on the face of the recuperating mother, and laughter in the deep manly voice of a proud father, as his friends say to him, “congratulations-you have done it”. Subsequently, there is so much celebration in the family at the arrival of this new born into a world so enigmatic and dynamic.

       Exactly 12 months later, it’s the baby’s first birthday celebration, and everyone especially the mother is so elated at how her little child has grown to be so cute and lovely. Then a few years later it’s time for Pre-school, and then Kindergarten, and later Middle school; the child still remains mummy’s little angel and daddy’s favorite child- it’s obedient, respectful, humble, listens to teachers, does home works, doesn’t stay up late and is the best student in class. Some more years following, the child turns THIRTEEN; a teenager and prospective High-school student. At thirteen it remains mummy’s little angel and daddy’s favorite child-as lovely as ever.

       Possessing so much intelligence, talent and character, the gates of High school flings open to the child and so do the doors of the TEENAGE WORLD. There is a distraction; to resist the pressure, overcome the pull of the crowd, face studies and remain good, or to compromise, join the crowd, take a deep plunge into the ocean of ADOLESCENCE and the waters of the TEENAGE AGE- it’s a hard choice; one which will either make or mar the child. Then there is the BIOLOGICAL PRESSURE of raging SEX HORMONES, surging within the child like the Victoria Falls of Zimbabwe. The child begins to experience an unusual attraction to the opposite sex, hence the thoughts of the desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh preoccupies the mind of the child. At this point nothing is left of its goodness; very little is seen of mummy’s little angel and daddy’s favorite child is no where to be found.

 TO BE CONTINUED
Copyright Lysious

FINDING TRUE LOVE: THE SERIES-PART TWO

...Further more, in order to have a better comprehension of this subject matter, permit me to offer you a free tour through an institution of higher learning. It is called the college of Marriage and Family, with millions of campuses all over the world. Here you will be taught relationship 101, Dating 102, Sex 103, and off course Marriage 104, under the tutelage of Professors like Endurance with a PhD in Tolerance, Doctor Understanding with a Masters degree in "for better, for worse" and a PhD in "till death do us part". And lest I forget, the Vice Chancellor of this college is Professor Love, with a Masters degree in Agape Love, Filial Love, Eros and off course True Love. I hope you got the point? Alright, even if you don't or haven't, you will as we move on.
     The Marriage Institute unlike every other Institute of the society, is one with so much so much uniqueness and importance attached to it. This is because it began at what I choose to call "the Garden of Beginnings"-The Garden of Eden. It is an Institution ordained by God (Gen. 2: 24), for the purpose of exchange of agape and Eros love between two people of the opposite sex as well as procreation (Gen 1: 28). It is also an institution ordained for the purpose of building godly families; thereby fulfilling God's intent for it. However, it is rather disheartening to note that we, the society in which we live, and even the government that governs the society, have both twisted and bastardized the God ordained modus operandi (mode of operation) of the Marriage Institution by acts like granting gay marriage rights, filing for unnecessary divorces, cohabiting without being married and sex outside wedlock. Which brings me to the second question. "Why ask for a divorce after marrying a man or woman you once truly loved?" "Is that to say that true love grows stale?" Well, we'll find out as we progress...

TO BE CONTINUED...
Copyright Lysious

FINDING TRUE LOVE: THE SERIES-PART ONE

     Growing up from adolescence to adulthood, I found myself asking a question which to me seemed difficult and rather thought-provoking-"Why Do Many Marriages and Families get broken?" A question it has been which got me thinking and brainstorming over issues of Dating, Courtship, Relationships, Sex and Marriage. A question it is remains which led to a lot of personal soul-searching, spirit-scouting, and mind-meditation, all leading me to asking the question of why two lovely people seemingly or obviously in love live the subsequent days, weeks and perhaps, years of their nuptial lives after marriage, at logger heads with each other. It is a paradox, and an obvious irony, but it is a factual phenomenon, or should I say, scenario, which has eaten deep into the fabrics of many marriages, collapsed once happy homes, destroyed many lives and killed a lot of joys. It is therefore with a deep sense of melancholy and heartfelt desire to see a change in the nuptial trend and marriage scenario of our society, that I write to share and bare my thoughts...

TO BE CONTINUED
Copyright Lysious