My Golden Sunday..."You've Arrived at Your Destination...!!!"

Song of the week: Jeremiah Gyang [Featuring: M.I] – Kauna Allah!

Encouragement Verse: “...O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” – Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

Quote of the week: “Whatever happens, just relax and manage to make a smile. Life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be enjoyed. Make everyday your best day!” --- Author Unknown


Thank you God for a golden journey through these four seasons of HOPE.

I glorify your Holy name. I have definitely arrive at this destination by the grace of God. The miracle I seek has not yet come to past but I believe you are doing something new in my life. And at the appointed time you will bring to pass the work you have begun in my life... [Amen]

Thank you, Jesus!!!

So I know you are asking me, “What next?”

Mmmmm! I wish I can honestly tell you that this is what will happen but I would be telling you a lie.

What I can write (for now) is that I am grateful for a NEW BEGINNING!!!

*** Thank you everyone for your encouragement and walking with me through each stages that brought me to this new beginning...God bless you!!!

Credits:
Picture source: Ishockphoto

49th Sunday...Jésu ti tun mi sé...!!!

Song of the week: Coko – Rescue Me

Encouragement Verse: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

Quote of the week: “Just as God did not spare His Son from suffering, we cannot expect our lives to be free from difficulties. However, like Jesus, our lives are in our Father's hand. He will never abandon us.” --- WAU.org
My Journey began with a reverberation of Cece Winans’ Alabaster box playing continually in the distant. But it was what spurred me to a new beginning…a fresh start…and gave birth to My Genesis.

And even when it did get so busy, I still took time Out of My Busy Schedule to keep you all posted with what I thought has been a life-changing journey for me.

When I thought I would not make it, I completed the tenth (10th) post [“It had to be at 10:00am”]…and then I surprised myself and made it past the fifteenth (15th) Post [“The Shroud of the Past”]…and it got even better, the twenty-fifth also flew past like yesterday…and now what do I have??? It is the ‘Golden Sunday’ post gazing me at the face; but I can only Praise God for His goodness to me. It was not easy, but I will surely do it again in heart beat. It was a fun experience for me and a lot did happen in the course of these weekly Sunday post…

Just TRUST…
I once got to the point that I felt like this did not make sense any more and thought about quitting, at least, no one will notice or care. But I had to tell myself that this was not just a floating idea than came to mind but it was one that birthed in me by God. I did not have to understand but just TRUST…

Love is UNSTOPPABLE…
I was/am not perfect, believe me when I write that I did cheat every now and then but it was different because I knew the consequences for my action, so I made an effort to work on my weaknesses.

Oh my habit!!! I have to exclaim because you need to understand what I mean??? Gosh! Those habit that keep resurfacing when you want to do something significant…[One does not have to do anything to please God…He is already pleased and in love with us]. Now I do understand what Paul (bible) meant when he wrote, “…When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” (Romans 7: 21)

Saving the BEST FOR LAST…
You know what??? God does save the BEST FOR LAST…the LAST may not be next week but it will come on a day when you least expect it.

In almost fifty Sunday post, I can type these important gifts;

*My bad habits are not completely extinct but I am able to manage them properly
*Being able to reconcile with an estranged family member…
*Learning to take responsible for my own issues (We all have baggage...)
*Learning to forgive (for I myself, have hurt others also)
*And one more, went back to school…and this time around, it is more interesting than the first time (very interesting). I am there to be impacted upon and to impact on others…
We are SO CLOSE…
Even though I know we (Bankole & I) are far apart…for now, like Ruth, I will be going about my business. You know do something for me, as opposite, doing something only when I get married…can’t put my life on hold.

Lastly, I say, “Jésu ti tun mi sé…” [Translated: “Jesus has changed me…”]

Credits:
Picture source: iStockphoto

48th Sunday...Defying Gravity!!!

Song of the week: Jeremiah Gyang – In Love With You

Encouragement Verse: “He will make the darkness bright before them and smooth and straighten out the road ahead. He will not forsake them.” – Isaiah 42:16 (TLB)

Quote of the week: “Lord, allow others to be drawn to you through the gift & character you have embedded in me.” --- Daniel D. (The Violinist)


Two Sundays and one heartbreak…whose heart got wrecked? It was my heart…

My very first thought was to just crawling into some corner and cry my pretty eyes out but then why shed these tears for a situation that I am a Victor and not a Victim. Yes, my heart was broken but I did not have to compromise or stay in relationship (too long) that did not have a promising future for me. So emphatically it wasn’t worth me spilling my precious tear drops for...

For three (3) days, this heart of mine fought to stay afloat the river of joy but it sank until God breathe life back into it. From the disappointment I arose to inscribe into my life’s story that this Love in my heart has defy gravity…again it has won the battle of being engulfed by the bitterness that tries to surround this situation. Lord, I am MOVING FORWARD.

…in utter disbelief, I read the note from the stranger over and over again. Distracted by the worries which life temporary threw at me, but then I was killed softly by the poetic words of my stranger. He came heating the oven when he neither was neither ready to cook nor did he know what to cook. For a moment, he acted like the real deal but then I discovered a Judas in his character. Underneath it all, I found the wolf’s clothing…

And then with one line, the relationship that was still a toddler hit the roads of uncertainty. He said, “You seem to be passionate about God”? “Yes”, I said. “It is God that has kept me sane all these years…” And the next thing I got was ‘THE NOTE’…it was over before it began.

Surely I know that I am not possessed by the spirit of any river goddess, and neither is there anyone out there in my village cooking up something suspicious against me. The Answer for the non-sticking relationship is? It just not the right time and so another one bites the dust in my search for Love…

What takes the weight off me is the faith I have in God to see me through the end of this and the fact that I have another chance to make a difference. So my readers, it is back to living out the life of ‘Elizabeth’ (the main character) in the Jane Austen’s book, ‘Pride & Prejudice’. Maybe in the end, I may get my Mr. Darcy…LOL

[It can only get BETTER…]

HAVE A SPLENDID WEEK WONDERFUL BLOGGERS…!!!

Credits:
Picture source: GettyImages

47th Sunday...Love is UNSTOPPABLE!!!

Song of the week: Daniel D. (Violinist**) – Knock You Down

Encouragement Verse: “You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance..” – Psalm 66:12 (NIV)

Quote of the week: “Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love.” --- Erich Fromm


Reading your comments on the last post, some felt like there was something missing from ‘Love comes knocking’. But what can I write than I have been swept away…an unstoppable current of Love has overwhelmed me that all I can do for now, is to just fall. And if I fall on my face, let God help me.

So I guess you figured it out, that is going to be an ongoing process that may have a happy ending or a another new beginning (Let’s just put it that way…no sad stories here. LOL)

I am stunned by the stranger, ‘Roti’ that I know I definitely haven’t done enough justice relating the direction this heart of mine is sailing. So if you avoid the comment segment like a plague, I forgive you.

So I ask myself, “How did I get here? And when did I get there? Is ‘Roti’ trying to oust ‘Bankole’ from the safe haven called ‘My Heart’?” [Ok! I know ‘Bankole’ may not be real to you but he is real to me.]
I always knew when to reverse out of the driveway of any unfamiliar zone but in this situation, I am poles apart with a sensible explanation.

God, please help me with this one, I need You to walk with me as I move forward…

[To you readers, Please forgive me but I can’t think properly, it is like I am under a spell. ]

Credits:
Picture source: istockphoto

**You can check out the channel 'DDProductions2007' for more from Daniel D. (Violinist)...'Knock you down' originally by Keri Hilson but I love this mix...Enjoy!!!

46th Sunday...Love comes knocking!!!

Song of the week: Solange – Sandcastle

Encouragement Verse: “...Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose.” – Isaiah 46: 10 (Amplified Bible)

Quote of the week: “And all people live, not by reason of any care they have for themselves, but by the love for them that is in other people.” --- Leo Tolstoy


“...I am hopeful I’d not be turned away before I have a chance to step into the presence of the Queen...” - The Stranger* (2009)

You may have heard or read this: “Open Your Door When Opportunity comes knocking…” For me, it is tempting to swing wide those doors especially when those open wounds have just healed. But what can I do when victory came knocking at the door of a woman once bended out of shape…

Even with so much distraction inside the house, I still gambled with a possibility theory outlined by my simple soul.
I peeped. But the face of the stranger, an alien to my memory.

He speaks. His smooth voice, yet the memory chips in my brain find no match to his voice. I shut back the blinds and was about to walk away when suddenly I hear a familiar name.

I froze on the spot. And to myself, I wondered how he was able to know that name. The only name that could thaw out this frozen heart once closed to love. Without knowing, I give him access…a total stranger.

He did not barge in on me still his presence invokes loads of curiosity about who this man is. The man who has the courage to step into the presence of the Queen…

[But what will happen next? Would this just be another love story that blows with the wind or would the tranquility of the atmosphere keep it around hanging in there long enough for a conclusion to a future best selling love story? The answer is unknown …but only God knows best!]

The story continues…

Credits:
Picture source: istockphoto

[*The Stranger*...I call him 'Roti' for now]

45th Sunday...Giving A Second Chance???

Song of the week: M. I – Pulling Me Back & Jordin Sparks – Battlefield

Encouragement Verse: “...What are you, O mighty mountain? Before [Zerubbabel*] you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!.” – Zechariah 4: 7 (NIV)

Quote of the week: “Always be willing to give someone a second chance. After all, that’s what God does for you. Now in extending grace you can get hurt and disappointed, but if you're going to be Christ-like it's a risk you must take...” --- [Excerpt from The Word for Today, May 24, 2009]


*I thought really hard about my pick for this ‘song of the week’ - Pulling me back by M.I... [M.I. is a Nigerian rapper that I have so much respect for] before choosing it. I don’t really listen to rap music but this song does it for me. But since I am unable to upload his song I decided to play “Battlefield” by Jordin Sparks…

Have you ever been in a relationship (any kind of relationship) where you know you are been used but you still stick around because you love that person and don’t want to hurt their feelings? That I would write is my recent dilemma…

The actual post I wanted to write was about giving a broken relationship another chance but after last night…I find that I have been hurting myself.

This relationship (with this person) I have found out has become so toxic that I fear that it might contaminate my future relationship. Nothing I will ever do will make them accept me for who I am…they will never be at peace me even if I change who I am.
I tried to give it a second chance but my time has become too valuable to spend so much time feeding a relationship that is already dead and buried…I need to walk away from it.

Prayer: “God, please help me! I have tried my best to show how much I am willing to try to make this relationship work but God I am broken. I need to let go off it or I find I might become so bitter. Help me, God!!!”

**I know my quote of the week contradicts this post but I believe that there are some relationships that are still worth fighting for…and I know and pray that when it is time to back out of the drive way of that relationship, you will do the same. God bless you!

*Recent Update: On KemiPenelope.com => !!! One Night with 'Bankole' !!!

Credits:
Picture source: istockphoto

44th Sunday...Lettin' Go Of the Crutches !!!

Song of the week: Syesha Mercado – I Believe

Encouragement Verse: “...God He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” – II Corinthians 1: 21 - 22 (NIV)

Quote of the week: “Refuse to be locked in the room of previous bad decisions...” --- Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo


“God will hold us more responsibility because we have seen more than our parents have seen…admit the failure and possess the future…”[1]

God stopped me on my track and spoke to my Spirit when I was about to get angry at a friend whom I realized I had began to use as a crutch. So what is Crutch? Or can I write, ‘Crutches’, since generally most people need two to move properly.

“Crutches are medical devices used when a patient is injured usually anywhere below the waist. They usually consist of supports to provide the patient with extra stability to enable normal movement.”[2]

Now, what led me to bring up this whole account/explanation on what Crutches are, I am sure you may or may not be wondering…?

Well, the drama about the Crutch played out a week ago, when I had a very important appointment to meet with someone. I certainly needed help getting around to the place of my appointment since it was out of my way. For this reason, I had called a friend to pick me up at certain time and also made arrangement to leave the office earlier than my close time.

As noon-time approached, I buzzed her many times on her mobile, but no one answered the call. By this time, I was becoming really nervous…which in a few minutes, changed to fury. To show how furious I was, I even began rehearsing the lines; I was going to rain down on her when she finally picks up her phone. But no avail, she still did not.

Right at that point, I decided to call the person I was scheduled to see and cancelled my appointment. And as I got off the phone with them, I was even angrier than a minute ago.

I knew had no other choice than to go home (since I had left my office area to wait for her) so I walked to bus stop as the rain fell. As I stood there, still contemplating what I was going to tell my friend for disappointing me, God stopped me on my tracks. He was like,

“Kemi, why are you using your friend as a crutch? I placed her in your life as a temporary helper to assist you when I deem it necessary then. But now you have to let go of those crutches you have place in her and hold on to me. Let me be your CRUTCH!”

It was then that I recognized what I had been doing and how ungrateful I had been towards my friend. This friend of mine in the past, had gone above and beyond in assisting me. This realization made me cry.

I had been making serious plans to get a new car but kept putting it off because I thought it was not necessary getting one right now. You know with recession, inflation, credit crunch...you name it! I used those excuse. But who was I to decide when the time was or not. All I had to do was show up and then show my faith in God…and from that point God will work with my little faith.

So by evening when she (my friend) finally returned my call, she apologized that she had overslept. I was no longer angry…I even found myself apologizing for being so ungrateful and how I should have had a back-up plan.

So what am I writing here? But that we should hear from God in any situation we are faced with. And ask ourselves when we find ourselve getting angry that there's no one on earth that will ever meet all our needs.

So I tell you bloggers, readers, commenters…let's let go of the crutch we have found in your friends, spouses, parents, siblings, leaders, Ministers…it is time to let God be your CRUTCH!!!

Have a fulfilled week, holding onto God as your crutch…!!!


Credits:
Picture source: istockphoto
Song "I Believe" originally sang by Fantasia Barrino (American Idol)

[1] Lines from a Sermon by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo

[2] Crutch, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crutch

43rd Sunday...A Dance With Dad!!!

Song of the week: Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father

Encouragement Verse: “Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts..” – Psalm 145: 4 (The Message)

Quote of the week: “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” --- Jim Valvano


I don’t know what stories you have of your Father in your archive…Maybe there are good ones…properly bad or even worst, Ugly ones. But what I do know is that a Father is one who is warrior, one who is not afraid to love even when they know how hard it is for a man to show affection.

I found it kind of TRICKY composing a line or two for my Father; I guess it is becuase I realized I was never program to say those ‘lovey-dovey’ words about Dad, who I have to write really means so much to me.
Most of us, grew up learning to keep Mother’s day special…but it was not until I grew older that I realized that there was a day set aside specially for Fathers. And then again, musicians even made the matter worst because there are more songs dedicated to Mothers than there are of Fathers.

But when I look back in my life, I know my Father played an important role in the person I am today. He made me an independent woman who first believed in who I am before people believe in me. A fighter. A woman of Virtue. My Father first validated me…My Father made me still have a heart to love when I could have stop loving.

He does not say much but when he does speak I gain immeasurable wisdom from him...


Memories of my Father?

The night he prayed with me when I was unable to sleep. The Days, as a valiant, he fought to keep at bay crooks of the night. I remember when I would run into the restroom and cry eyes out after eavesdropping on conversations between my Father and Mother.
He would speak about the battle he had to fight to provide for his family. In all his struggles, he never came back empty handed.

He could have been a coward and ran off but he did not.

I love you, Dad.

“Father, you made me a beautiful woman any man would be blessed to have as a wife.”

[I find myself wondering...
Did I give you your due..
For all that you've done for meDid I ever thank you?

For all of my childhood memories
For helping me deal with life's stresses
For helping me accept my defeats
And celebrate my successes?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
Good judgement, courage, and being true
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared
Did I ever thank you?

If I have forgotten,
I'm thanking you now
You taught me right from wrong....
I hope you know
how much you're loved and appreciated
I hope you, instinctively, knew it all along.

Happy Fathers' Day, Dad

excerpt from Card Poems, "Father's Day Poem Verses quotes", Dad Poem #10]



Picture source: istockphoto

42nd Sunday...My Time to Bloom !!!

Song of the week: Omolara [ft. M.I] – Tonight

Encouragement Verse: “Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” – Ezra 10:4[NIV]

Quote of the week: “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” --- Dale Carnegie


January 1, 2009 (New Year), I wrote in my journal:
“…it is not going to be a year free from trials…or tribulations but God will see us through it all. I may or may not get to meet that special one but in my process of finding ‘the One’…”Bankole*” I will get healed spiritually…”

[* at time of writing, I had another name in mind but down the road that was lost in the forest of yesterday…]

God has a reason why we have to go through a series of ‘Soap opera’ moments before we get our breakthrough…Realize that if everything came to us easily then people won’t be able to embark on the journey of self-discovery or growing in relationship with God. Definitely, everything does happen in accordance to His wisdom and timing…
So what does Kemi have to share this Sunday?

[As I flip through entries in my little book, I personally call, ‘Pink Book of Encouragement’]

Um…Ok, I will share with you, what might seem like an insignificant testimony but it is something that I see the hand of God.

As these Sundays hasten toward my ‘Jubilee’ Sunday…I can’t help but share another ‘Amazing Grace’ instant with readers of this blog...

On the preceding Sunday, I shared with you on how I began this ‘Sunday Blogging’ and how God used a Pastor to minister into my life His provision. But unknown to me, something was happening that I did not realize until I was speaking with a friend, when it hit me like a ton of brick what was happening.

On the weekend, when I complete my milestone of fifty (50) Sunday post, it will be the same weekend I will be a Bridesmaid at my friend’s wedding [Check out, ‘Making it Easy’ post].

When I began this journey, little did I know that it will be happening this way…Even my friend (getting married) was uncertain that she would be marrying the guy she was dating at that time. When she first told me that she wanted me to be one of her bridesmaids, I wanted to give her ‘100 reasons’ why I could not but I did not want to disappoint her heart because I was one of those who kept encouraging about finding the ‘One’.

[Sidetrack tale: Another surprise, is that this will be the first time I will be a Bridesmaid in my life…I have been a last minute Maid of Honor (MOH) once but never a Bridesmaid…Have caught the bouquet like a gifted skilled athlete trained for bouquet-catching but never the Bridesmaid. I have bought almost all the aso-ebi for my entire friend’s wedding…but never the Bridesmaid…]

Anyways, I realized that these series of coincident event have been taking place before my (How do I write ‘Korokoro’ eyes in Queen’s English? That will be for another day…anyways) eyes.

The funny thing is that on my ‘Jubilee Sunday’ post, I will actually be sitting in the Church of the pastor that God used to minister to me. First time there and I will be going there because that’s where my friend will be getting married in.

The year (in my own context of posting) will be ending with me as a bridesmaid dancing with my friend down the aisle to God’s altar celebrating His goodness in both our lives.


And like another friend put it, it is your ‘time to BLOOM’…

Next Sunday:
~ Remember to write a letter to all the fathers to show your appreciation to them...

Pixel source: Istockphoto

41st Sunday...From emptiness to His fullness!!!

Song of the week: Seal – This Could Be Heaven

Encouragement Verse: “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” – Philippians 2:13 [Amplified Bible]

Quote of the week: “Our strength often increases in proportion to the obstacles imposed upon it.” --- Paul De Rapin

Have you observed how redecorating a particular room has an enormous outcome not just on that room but also how it determines the outcome of the other rooms? Well, that what God want to do in our lives. He sees our determination to change on the interior part of our life and His love for us makes Him reach out a helping hand to our broken and wounded hearts. And as we experience this transformation, people begin to notice a difference in our lives…and also it impacts their lives in some way...

This Sunday, I begin my countdown to my ‘Jubilee’ post…and with only nine (9) Sunday post left, I recall the reason behind this Sunday journey.

Ok, let’s do the moonwalk back to the past…

One of these years (in this century), I found myself in hot waters with some relative while led me into a period of anger, bitterness, and depression. Months to come, I fell into the fallacy of blaming others for the problems I was facing. I blamed everyone but myself. And when I found myself in the corners of failure, I would run my mouth of excuses as to why I was still in the same place. Even giving myself a pat on the back for successfully swindling the mind of my listeners…I made myself the perpetual victim…How pathetic!

Now help me hit the Fast-forward button on the remote called ‘Life’to the present (ok, not quite the present as in this year but last year)…

Here I was a broken woman, hungry for change in some areas in my life, I decided to seek other ways to betterment. Since it wasn’t a stranger who hurt me but someone I would be unable to purge out of my life, I knew I needed the grace of God. I could have given up but I wanted more…I was not ready to settle for less (Remember NTA 2 Channel 5’s Slogan, “Don’t settle for less”). So definitely Miss Kemi was not about to settle…I needed MORE.

So one Sunday, I decided to do something different and it was to listen to a preacher on TV[ Now, you need to understand where I was coming from, I was the closed minded kind (Madam I.T.K - I TOO KNOW) and I did not believe in seeking out help from others – My belief was that they would try to sway me from my faith. But down the road, I learnt that if you have a strong faith & understanding in God nothing can shake from the place you stand...I wanted to be transformed but I needed not to fall into the excuse that it was the Church I attended that made me this way]

As I watched and listened on, his words encouraged me to believe that I could still experience change in my life but I have to be willing to open up to God to use me to His glory. At this stage, I found myself in tears and it was like the huge burden (in my heart) was hauled away.

To be honest, the battle is not over but that was the beginning of God taking charge of my life. It was then I decided to begin my Genesis the Sunday after… [Even though I began this blog March, 2008]

I still keep pressing forward with Hope in my heart believing that things will be different because I will be MAKING AN EFFORT to pursue change not just in the areas concerning my life but in the way of thinking, my relationship with Him...and then my walk with other people He places in my path .

By His grace, I WILL BE A GRADUATE in every stage because I will make an effort…

***Remember to listen to the calm voice in the midst of your storm

Next Sunday On Afunrun gin a Anya:
~ It is my time to bloom like the flowers...It is SUMMER!!!

Pixel source: Gettyimages