Some things are first seen by the heart
before they become visible to the eyes.
An invention for example, was first an
idea in the mind before it's given life
and then revealed to the world.

Don't search outside for what is within
Joy and peace are found on the inside
If you can't picture it, you can't draw (fetch) it out
Let the unseen influence the seen
and not the other way around.

The phases of transformation or
metamorphosis aren't always attractive
But the end result is usually appealing.

Take a cue from a beautiful butterfly 🦋
That was once an "unattractive" caterpillar 🐛
But she didn't stop evolving until she got her wings

No matter where you are along your journey
Never allow anyone terminate your growth
Someday, your caterpillar will grow wings and fly.

Just like you (I'll guess), I also feel
uncomfortable being trapped in
the comfort of my own home.

Though I have internet, TV, PC, mobile phone,
game console, a fridge full of food, snacks,
fitness equipment, king-sized bed
But all of these feel incomplete without freedom.

Suddenly, the home that I always look
forward to be in, now feels like a cage.
—
But, let us not forget, some people are
actually stuck in real cages -


Solitary confinement, 23 hours a day in
prisons, jails and penitentiaries.
Sadly, some of them for offences
they did not even commit.

While we are protecting our own body system
they are being ******* by
government policies and system.

There might not be anything you and I
can do about it
But let us keep things in perspective.

I hate to think of humans as
monsters, killers, murderers, cannibals
But for generations,
we've been taking one another's lives
all in the name of power, greed & jealousy
Rest in peace to legends like 2pac, Nipsey
And to all those whose lives were taken by
fellow human beings
We've got to do better as people
We need to do away with evil
We need to fill our hearts with love
And I know that true love only comes from God.
—
Yea, I'm saying that we need God.

When you realize that you have greatness in your DNA
And that nothing can successfully stand in your way
Obstacles & hurdles wouldn't bother you
because you know you'll always scale through
You become aware that nothing can limit you
because the greater One lives inside of you
You become conscious that you were born a winner
designed to be victorious and indomitable
And the only one capable of stopping you, is you.

We might not be able to choose
how or when we die
But we can choose how we live
Other people's lives are like canvases,
We make our mark on them like a dye
You could either paint beauty on them
or you could be a stain
Living is more than heaping monetary gains
Some rich people die with regrets and pains
So, what impacts do you want to make?
When you're gone, what will people say?
Between birth and death is the time to
make our mark.

Why do you bottle up anger and keep
within like it's a priceless treasure
Enclosed anger weighs down the soul
Speak out and set your mind free
Forgive and keep your soul at peace.

The thing about an assignment is that,
It can be done by another person
But there's a way you were designed to
do yours, that speaks of your uniqueness.
Therefore, let your uniqueness speak
Never allow its voice to be lost in the
myriad of voices out there.
And remember, our life is an assignment.
Our daily life is filled with many
mini assignments.
Be attentive as to how you do yours.

How can we walk together if we don't agree
How can we agree if you never listen to me
Everytime you go on your knees,
you're the only one that speaks
Before I say anything, you take to your heels
And there're things I could have revealed
Why have you turned prayer to a one-way street
It's meant to be a dialogue and not a voicemail
Next time you're in my presence, learn to sit still,
listen and receive instructions
That you might walk according to My will
And that you might be fulfilled.

This time, I applaud the internet technology,
different web platforms, desktop
and mobile applications.
In these times of physical separation,
you're providing us with virtual connection.
You're saving many from depression.
Even though, we might not be together,
We see one another in the palm of our hands.
I wonder what it would feel like,
if the internet was shut down as well.

Before you put labels on people
Endeavor to know them —
personally and open-mindedly.
Listen to all they've been through,
maybe you'll be surprised by your findings
maybe the labels will end up in a waste bin
and you could avoid committing a sin too
People don't necessarily want to be evil
Things make people do what they do
Instead of labeling, we could offer healing
Instead of judging, we could be more loving
Because love heals, rebuilds and renews.

Do you know the amount of strength
it takes to shed tears, especially in a
world that is quick to call you weak.
The weakness of many people, is that,
they bottle many things on the inside
and the heaviness keeps dragging them down until they burst at the seams.
Shed the tears and let go of the weight
Don't be bothered by whatever they say.

There're certain blessings that we enjoy daily
And often times, we take them for granted
Isn't it a blessing —
To breathe in natural air without any worry
To see trees, buildings, movies and be able to read this
To hear the different sounds of life
To put food down the belly with no assistance
To leave the house and return home safely
These things clearly sound simple
But many around the world pray for one or more of these.

Bad behavior(s) doesn't imply a bad person
Don't judge the fruit without finding the root cause
Because every child is born innately good
Life experiences shape and mold people
Walk a mile in another person's shoes
Listen to what they've been through
An unhealthy home can leave a dent on a
person for life if not remolded
Most bad acts are aftertaste of bad upbringing
Instead of condemning, let's show empathy
People deserve a second chance multiple times
If it took years to be crooked, then,
with love and patience,
any human can be remolded.

Sometimes, you have to break the soil
before you can successfully plant in it
A heartbreak is not always what it seems
sometimes, growth is quickened by them.

The fastest does not always win the race
Where certifications and qualifications fail
Where connections and man's promises fail
Where beauty and appearance fail
Where human wisdom and knowledge fail
You can count on God's favour and grace,
Those are keys that can unlock any door.

If I was asked to say what I know about you,
here are a few things I'll say. You are –

Adorable, Brave, Charismatic, Dependable,
Exemplary, Friendly, Genuine, Hospitable,
Indomitable, Joyous, Knowledgeable,
Loving, Majestic, Noble, Observant, Peaceable,
Queenly (Kingly), Reasonable, Supersmart,
Tenacious, Upbeat, Victorious, Wonderful,
Xenial, "You-nique", Zestful.

Keep being you, my friend.

Chaos and uncertainties in the world
It's time to sharpen my sword the more
I mean spending more time in the Word
Studying & meditating on the Scriptures
To stand strong & firm from being tossed
by all the news and happenings around
To saturate my mind with peace that
comes from above
It's time to be immersed in the Word.

Maybe by not "receiving" what we prayed
for, is the true answer to our prayers.
While all we can see is the now,
God can see far into the future.

Maybe if you had received the car today
It would have claimed your life tomorrow.
Maybe if you had gotten the job from the past weeks
You wouldn't have applied for something bigger.

God knows better and He sees farther
plus He cares for us 'cause He's our Father.
Some things might look displeasing to us
But it's for our good if we were to see
the full picture
We just have to rely and trust fully in God.

It just dawned on me that
most of our stress comes
from one doubt or the other –

What if all these plans don't work out?

What if I'm not good or capable
enough to do "this and that"?

What if that person which is
is supposed to do "this or that"
fails to do so?

What if after all my prayers,
God doesn't do "this and that"?

The fear of uncertainties
stresses us the most.

But isn't that what faith is supposed
to address?

What if my faith doesn't work?

Ultimately, it all boils down to trust.

How much can we trust God knowing
that all these things are all within His
control – ourselves, our plans, others
and the others things that we are uncertain
of are subject to Him.

Dear Lord,
My life is all Yours,
Please call the shots.
I have tried to run by my strength,
I always fall short.
I figured there are no shortcuts.
I humbly bow at Your feet,
Lord, please take the wheel.
Steer me in the direction of Your will.
Here is all of me for Your use.
Let me be a tool in Your hands.
Here is where my stubbornness ends.
Take the rudder, make the orders.
I can't go all alone any further.
I can't keep this wall up any longer.
Dear Lord Jesus, please come to my aid.

The waters that were to drown me,
I walked on them
The fire that were to burn me,
they made me shine better
The stumblingblocks that were to trip me,
they took me higher
The naysayers that were to discourage me,
they motivated the achiever in me
The rough roads that were to weaken me,
they made me stronger
Attempting to stop a winner,
makes them go even farther.

You are the God that cleansed me from
my ***** and sinful past
You are the God that illuminates my path
Daily, I swim in Your endless ocean of love
I'm constantly drenched in Your beauty
Your kindness towards me knows no limit
You've handpicked me by your grace to be blessed
You've set me aside from knowing distress
The peace You give calms my heart & soul
Your Spirit within me makes me whole
Your power at work in me makes me undefeatable
Your mercies towards me are ever new
I cry when I think about Your love for me
I'm not the most faithful, sometimes I act
a fool but You always find me loveable
What more can I say than to thank You Lord.
Sweet Jesus, my God, my all!

The news sow the seeds of fear into the air
To have them germinate in the heart of men
They know that the eyes and ears are conduits leading to the mind
So they use the news as a channel to control the masses
The only true good news that I believe come from Bible verses

It is known that information is power
But misinformation is used for the redirection of power
What you see and hear is not all there is
The news create insensitivity or sadness at the least
I don't want to be ignorant, yet I don't want to be fed negativity
What you read and hear affects how you live

So, I'll rather keep my heart stayed on the Word of God
Than to be played by the news in the world
That's why I limit my exposure to TV screens
Because it's up to me to protect my inner peace.

If God be for us, who can be against us?
Not that they wouldn't dare but we know
that the victory will be ours in the end
Trials and persecutions might come
but we're confident that we'll overcome
Fear might try to step in the way
But faith will certainly prevail
God on our team and we on His
We operate from a place of peace.

Get out of your own head
Your life isn't bad as you think
Your life is more valuable than you think
Your skills and abilities are
better than you think
Your future is brighter than you think
You have more love in your heart than you think
Keep a close eye on your thoughts
Because they ultimately drive you –
either backwards or forwards.

Dear Father, with a loud voice, I cry out
to you like Jesus did... If you will, let this cup pass from me.

I hear the echo of my voice bouncing back
from the mountain that I told to move into the sea.

I have yelled and I have spoken softly.
Yet, this mountain still stands rigid, winking at me... Lord, won't You interfere?

Even if all hope seem lost, in You will I still put my trust. I succumb to Your will, let it be done.

Some say no news is good news
I say that is somewhat true if
you aren't expecting any news

If you are waiting for some news
No news is high blood pressure
You don't think that is true?

Ask the man whose wife is in labour room
Or the woman who recently did a job interview
Or the family with a pending immigration application.

In some cases, good news is irreplaceable!

Sometimes, we're so worried about what's
next that we forget to be grateful for
how far we've come and to be thankful
for all the hurdles we've jumped.

Sometimes, we hold onto the "ugly" past
that we overlook all the current blessings
The rough/beautiful past or the imagined
future often distract us from savouring
the beauty of the now.

Nothing exists outside of the now!

You might not be famous (yet)
But you are a super star
Let your light continually shine
Fulfillment is key and primary,
fame is secondary (maybe unnecessary)
Social media can't define your worth
Don't let people tell you what you're not
You're a vessel created unto honor
Infused with glory, power and might
Darkness can't obscure your light
My friend, shine... Shine without worry.

The pursuit of purpose is vital,
It is the pathway to fulfilment.
Each person has their own unique calling
Here's a simple thought –
Imagine you have private jets and cars (sweet eh)
You wouldn't fly a jet to a nearby store
And you wouldn't drive across continents
Each vehicle will be used for what they
were designed for & what they are best at.
If you (no), when you find your life's purpose,
Live it to the fullest unapologetically.

How does one kneel before God to ask for
forgiveness with a heart full of grudges?
In order to receive, you need to give
The way you treat your fellow human
is an indicator of your love for God.
Judge others and be ready to be judged.
What goes around comes back around
If you sow apple & reap orange, it's a scam
Do to others what you want done to you
If nobody pays you back, it's being saved
in the bank until the harvest is ripe.

When people need something from you
they're all over you like a smoke-filled room
They become all you see and breathe
The moment they receive their ask
****...They disappear like vapor in the air
It makes me wonder how God feels
People kneel daily in prayer when in need
When their prayers are answered
they return to their knees when next
they have some other wants or needs
(I'm somewhat guilty of that myself)
I think we all have to do better than this.

The path might look somewhat unclear
My heart might be throbbing due to fear
My pillow might still be moist from tears
Still, I wouldn't stop moving onwards
The path becomes clearer as I proceed
Even with the fears, I'll push through
undeterred
Until the tears of pain becomes the
tears of triumph.

I love the man that I see in the mirror
Not because I am blind to his scars
But the scars reinforce that he's a victor
His eyes glow brighter than the night sky
His pains and hurts, I cannot find, 'cause
they've been overshadowed by the Divine
What I see in him is grandeur & splendor
He's beautiful as well as handsome
He is replete with abilities
He is more than enough and indomitable
This mirror man is who I am really & truly
And I won't let anyone or anything take
or ****** this man away from me.

An individual lacking a particular talent
but is honest, open-minded, teachable,
enthusiastic and adamant has a higher
chance at success than a talented person
lacking all the other qualities.

A dream is like a seed in a number of ways

A seed in hand (not planted) remains
a seed and a dream in mind (not worked
out) remains a dream.

A dream needs a favorable environment
to materialize like a seed needs a fertile soil.

A dream requires time to become
a full-blown reality, same as the growth
of a seed into a tree.

A dream can be choked when surrounded
by wrong people like a seed planted
amongst weeds.

A seed becomes a plant and gives out oxygen,
fruits to people. A dream should be beyond self
but be beneficial to other people.

Even in the challenging times of life
There's usually something to be grateful for
And gratitude opens closed doors
It's also a matter of one's focus –
Is it on a seemingly big problem or
an omnipotent God?

Why wait for the light at the end
of the tunnel, when the one in
the tunnel has great light on the inside.
Shine bright, that's what you've been
called to do.