Christ. Is. Always. Checking. In.

JUST CHECKING IN

A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn’t shaved in a while.
His shirt was kinda shabby
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
Each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister’s suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
‘What are you doing here?’

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

‘I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

‘I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I’VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON’T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS MIKE CHECKING IN TODAY.’

The minister feeling foolish,
Told Mike, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime

Time to go, Mike smiled, said ‘Thanks.’
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
He’d never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Mike’s prayer:

‘I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I’VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON’T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.’

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Mike hadn’t come.
As more days passed without Mike,
He began to worry some..

At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he’d given them a thrill.

The week that Mike was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn’t understand
Why Mike was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse’s concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Mike spoke
Up and with a winsome smile;
‘the nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know,
That he’s in here all the while

Everyday at noon He’s here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

‘I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, MIKE,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO Mike, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.’
If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

May God hold you in the palm of His hand
And Angels watch over you.

So, FRIEND, this is ME … “Just Checking In Today”

Hard Work Pays

This poem is one of the most famous yoruba poems of all times, read and make sense out of it.

ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ ……..Work is the antidote for poverty

MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE ÒRÉÈ MI …….Work hard, my friend
ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA …….work is used to elevate one in respect and importance (Aspiring to higher height is fully dependent on hard work)
BÍ A KÒ BÁ RÉNI FÈYÌN TÌ, BÍ ÒLE LÀ Á RÍ ;……if we do not have anyone to lean on, we appear indolent
BÍ A KO RÉNI GBÉKÈLÉ ,…..if we do not have anyone to trust (we can depend on…)
À A TERA MÓ ISÉ ENI …..we simply work harder
ÌYÁ RE LÈ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ …..your mother may be wealthy
BÀBÁ SÌ LÈ LÉSIN LÉÈKÀN …..your father may have a ranch full of horses
BÍ O BÁ GBÓJÚ LÉ WON ,…….. if you depend on their riches alone
O TÉ TÁN NI MO SO FÚN O ,……you may end up in disgrace, I tell you
OHUN TÍ A KÒ BA JÌYÀ FÚN ,…..whatever gain one does not work hard to earn.
KÌ Í LÈ TÓJÓ …..usually does not last
OHUN TÍ A BÁ FARA SISÉ FÚN ,….whatever gain one works hard to earn
NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI …..is the one that lasts in one's hands.(while in ones possession)
APÁ LARÁ, ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN …… the arm is a relative, the elbow is a sibling
BÍ AYÉ N FÉ O LÓNÌÍ ,….you may be loved by all today
BÍ O BÁ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ ,……it is when you have money
NI WON Á MÁA FÉ O LÓLA ……that they will love you tomorrow
TÀBÍ TÍ O BÁ WÀ NÍ IPÒ ÀTÀTÀ ,…..or when you are in a high position
AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN ,…..all will honor you with cheers and smiles
JÉ KÍ O DI ENI N RÁÁGÓ ,….wait till you become poor or are struggling to get by
KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í SÍMÚ SÍ O ……and you will see how all grimace at you as they pass you by
ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ ,…..education also elevates one in position
MÚRA KÍ O KÓ O DÁRADÁRA …..work hard to acquire good education
BÍ O SÌ RÍ ÒPÒ ÈNÌYÀN ,…..and if you see a lot of people
TÍ WÓN N FI ÈKÓ SE ÈRÍN RÍN ,….making education a laughing stock
DÁKUN MÁ SE FARA WÉ WON …..please do not emulate or keep their company
ÌYÀ N BÒ FÓMO TÍ KÒ GBÓN ,…..suffering is lying in wait for an unserious kid
EKÚN N BE FÓMO TÓ N SÁ KIRI …….sorrow is in the reserve for a truant kid
MÁ FÒWÚRÒ SERÉ, ÒRÉÈ MI ,…..do not play with your early years, my friend
MÚRA SÍSÉ, OJÓ N LO …..work harder, time and tide wait for no one.

An act of kindness

A man was driving home one evening on a small country road. Work in this small Midwestern community was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac, but he never quit looking for a job. Ever since his factory had closed down, he had been unemployed. And with winter coming, he had reached a point of practical desperation.
It was dark, and he almost didn’t see the old lady stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac sputtered as he walked up to her, and he noticed that she seemed very worried. No one had stopped to help her for the last hour or so. She was wondering: “is he going to hurt me? He doesn’t look safe; he looks poor and hungry. This does not look good”. He sensed that she was frightened, standing out there alone in the cold, so he offered her some reassurance: “Ma’am, I’m just here to help you. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm, and I’ll see if I can fix your car? By the way, my name is Joe”.
All she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Joe crawled under the car, looking for a place to put the jack. He cut his hands on the hard rocks underneath the axle but was soon able to change the tire. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was just passing through. She could not thank him enough for coming to her aid. He just smiled as he closed her trunk and started returning to his car.
“Tell me, how much do I owe you?” she asked. “I’ll be glad to pay anything you ask.”
To her surprise, Joe looked back at her and said, “If you really want to pay me back, the next time you see someone who needs help, you give them the help they need, and then—just think of me”. He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed home in the twilight.
A few miles down the road, this same lady saw a small café. She went in to grab a bite to eat and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy-looking restaurant. One could tell business was not going well. Nevertheless, the waitress came over and brought a towel for her to wipe her wet hair. She wore a sweet smile, and even though the lady could tell the waitress was extremely tired, she was eager to please. She also noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but neither the strain of the pregnancy nor the labor of the work was struggling just to make ends meet. She wondered how someone with so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she thought of Joe.
After the lady finished her meal, the waitress went to get her change from a $100 bill, but the lady slipped out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady had gone. Then she noticed something written on a napkin, in the shape of a poem. It brought tears to her eyes. It said:
You don’t owe me a thing,
I’ve been there too;
Someone once helped me out the way I’m helping you.
If you really want to pay me back,
Here’s what you do;
Don’t let the chain of Kindness
End with you.
The waitress finally made it to the end of the day. Later that night, when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she thought about the money and what the lady had written. How could the woman have known how much she and her husband needed it? With this baby coming next month, it was going to be extremely difficult, especially with her husband out of work. As she lay down in bed, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered, “Everything is going to be all right. I love you, Joe.”
Take every opportunity to be kind. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
PLEASE take note that your act of kindness might not end up like this. As a matter of fact it may even be quite far from this BUT “You’ll reap if you faint not” ~Gal 6:9~

Finding your Natural Habitat

It’s a great day!

A lot of people have constantly asked “how do I discover my passion and my purpose”?

This blog is an answer to that question.

Today, I’d like to share secrets to what I call “Finding Your Natural Habitat”.

Every creature created by God has a natural habitat where it functions to the best of its ability. Let me explain. Where’s a bird’s natural habitat? Of course, in the air! What about a fish’s natural habitat? In water, isn’t it?

Birds exhibit amazing abilities when they are in their element; air. Fish swim so gracefully when immersed in water. Have you ever seen a bird that died from too much flying? Or a fish that died from drowning because it swam too much? Of course not! So, the question is, “Where’s my natural habitat”?

I’m glad you asked.

You were designed to fulfil purpose. God sent you to earth to discover it and die fulfilling it! Anything outside that purpose becomes an abuse of purpose. You’ve heard it said that “when the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable”. Look at the word abuse; what does it mean?

Abuse is the compendium of two words. “ab” and “use”. “Ab” means abnormal and “use” of course, means to use. Therefore, to abuse means an “abnormal use”. Are you using your gift abnormally?

I always say, “God’s greatest desire is for you to do for a FEE, what He created you to do for FREE”!

Think about it. When we mention golf, what name comes to mind? Tiger Woods! Okay, what about free kicks? Beckham! Women’s’ Tennis? Did I hear u say Venus or Serena Williams? Information Technology? Bill Gates! Okay, so when I mention your name, what comes to mind? I don’t mean to be rude, but if your name’s mentioned and nothing comes to mind, could it infer that your name is a code? A code is a group of undecipherable alphabets, symbols or numbers that you key into a system that sends you an error in return.

Type this into your cellphone. #555*1*2*kmji12377839987*SEND. What does it give you? UNKNOWN APPLICATION!!! Therefore, if your name doesn’t come to mind for anything, do forgive me again, it’s an UNKNOWN APPLICATION! Now’s a good time to say God Forbid! Tiger Woods LOVES playing golf, it’s not a job to him, it’s fun! He gets paid to have fun! Jayjay Okocha has fun dribbling people and gets paid for it. You should see me do what I do, I HAVE A BLAST speaking, it’s fun and I get paid huge sums!

Question is; what can you do for fun and still get paid for it?

Let me assist in curbing your dilemma. Would you like to discover your natural habitat? Well, here are 22 questions that I came up with; that I believe will help you. Here we go.

1. Am I happy with my results?

2. Would I like to grow doing what I do today?

3. Is what I am doing today using my natural talents and personality?

4. Would I like to be the best ever at what I am doing today?

5. What one thing do I need to do/ change that would make the greatest positive impact on my life?

6. Who is doing something closest to my dreams?

7. What would I like to be successful doing?

8. What area would I like to make a positive impact?

9. What would I like to be remembered for the most?

10. What mind blowing accomplishment would I like my name stamped on?

11. Michael Jordan – Basket ball, Tiger Woods – Golf, Bill Gates – Computers etc. What field would I like my name to define?

12. What do I do best with least effort?

13. What kind of assistance/ help do people ask me for most frequently?

14. In what area, do people show me the greatest regard/ respect/ accolade??

15. What can I do for fun and still earn money?

16. What frustrates me the most when it’s poorly done?

17. I usually lose track of time when I am…..?

18. I would like to win an award for excellence in….?

19. Which of all human needs touches my heart the most?

20. I am the solution, what is the problem?

21. Who has the problem? Describe as accurately as possible.

22. Which magazines/ discussions interest me the most?

Take some time out to honestly answer these questions and they will point you in the direction of your natural habitat.

Stay blessed guys

culled from; FELA DUROTOYE!

GUYS ONLY

>Now, this one is for my guys with all your swag and style…do read, ponder and act/change

From FELA DUROTOYE

I consider it a great honour and privilege to be writing to you, mighty man of valour.

A few days ago, I posted a thought on FaceBook, speaking to women, about Becoming the Woman of His Dreams. I wanted women to understand the age old question of “what do men want”?

In that note, I was able to outline the 3 types of men that were out there:

• The Scavenger
• The Hunter
• The Gardener

Time doesn’t allow me to redefine these concepts over again, but if you haven’t read it, do take some time out to read that particular article on the “Notes” section of my FaceBook page.

I was particularly touched by the comments made by the ladies; in response to it. It’s sad that they seem to be surrounded by either scavengers or hunters. I know that’s not who you are.

I know that you’re a gardener.

So, why am I here? I just wanted to “talk” to you for a bit.

To become the dream husband that your dream spouse is looking for, there are a few things that I think you should know.

• You must have VISION: As God’s man and the head of your home – to – be, vision is very important! Your vision is a picture of your future destination (yours and hers). A man without vision is blind. While I was dating and eventually married Tara, I would paint pictures of where God was taking me, and where inevitably, I was taking her. Even though my location denied my vision, there was something about the force of my convictions that inspired her to take a “crazy” leap of faith to believe in me.

At this time, I was “broke, busted and disgusted”, living in a small “one bedroom room” in a boys’ quarters, had only a mattress, cane dustbin and one chair. But I knew where I was going, who was taking me there, even if I didn’t know how I was going to get there! If you have no vision, don’t get involved in a relationship! Wait until you get one! Most men want women to submit to them and they throw a fit when they don’t. But take a look at the word “submission”. It’s a compendium of 2 words; “sub” (meaning under) and “mission” (meaning purpose or intent). For a woman to “submit”, she must first understand your mission before she can “sub” to it. What’s your mission? Where there’s no mission, there can be no submission!

• You must take ACTION: Vision without action is only a dream! You know the saying; “if wishes were Range Rovers’, everyone would drive”. But it’s not what you drive that matters, it’s what drives you!

Too many men talk, without having corresponding action. One of my sons, Remi Dairo always says; “those who take steps, get help”. You’ve got to take steps!

While I was still living in that room, I started my company (then called V.I.P Consulting). I had no computer, no internet access, no printer, no tables nor chairs. But in my vision, I hired 2 staff! Since we had no tables or chairs, Tara and I would take out our bed in the morning, my “staff” and I would sit on the bed and cane dustbin as our “office”. Every morning, for 2 weeks, I facilitated an induction process for them! We had no clients at the time and seemingly, nothing else to do, but I would pump them for hours, telling them what this great company was going to do! Then, we would write our proposals and send them out to our clients. We didn’t just “talk the talk”, we “walked our walk”. Today, I walk in the vision I saw 10 years ago! Take steps now! Don’t just talk about it! Do it and let others talk about it!

• You must have WORK: I didn’t say you must have a job, I said you must have work! What’s the difference? From your job, you can make a living, but from your work, you find your life’s purpose. Remember that in Scripture, God put Adam into the garden to tend it and take care of it. But don’t get me wrong, a job is important! Like it or not, women are wired to recognize that a job means security. Women recognize the long term effects of being in a relationship with you. They’ll analyze whether or not you can take care of them, and inevitably, the children. You must be either be gainfully employed (with a job), gainfully employable (you’re the right candidate for employment in the process of getting a job) or gainfully employing (entrepreneur or business owner)! You must have the ability to stick to a course of action. Too many men are distracted. Don’t chase money! Let money chase you. Look for problems, proffer solutions that add value and naturally, wealth follows value as a reward.

• You must respect your BODIES: Most men have the ability to have relationships with many women over the course of a lifetime, but a REAL MAN is one that has the ability to stick with ONE WOMAN for ALL OF HIS LIFETIME! You must set the standards for physical intimacy in your relationship.
I know it’s not easy, but you must set boundaries for yourselves.

That means you can’t be alone in a room together, if you know that it causes you to fall and make mistakes. Meet in open places in full view of people. Don’t start what you know you can’t finish! There’s no point! The cost to both of you is high! I don’t believe in “safe sex”, I believe in “saved sex” (which is sex within the boundaries of marriage)! Can you handle the consequences of a few minutes of pleasure and a lifetime of regret and guilt? If you can’t remain celibate till marriage, then, get married. I know it sounds old fashioned, “everyone’s doing it”. That’s not true. God holds you to a much higher standard. Deal with your thoughts, because your mind will determine what your body does.

• Girls date guys, but marry MEN! You can’t believe the number of times I hear “Fela, there are no good men in church. All we see are boys”. That’s really sad! My dear gardener, women are extremely perceptive. They can look at you and instantly tell where you’re going! They know if you’re going somewhere in a hurry or nowhere fast! Don’t sag your trousers. It’s not the “responsible look”. Make sure your nails are well trimmed (don’t save that last multi-purpose finger nail), shine your shoes, smell and look like your future, not your present. Listen, money will determine the quality and quantity of what you wear or buy, but your mindset will determine HOW you wear it! Tara said that she knew how clean and neat I was simply by noticing the arrangement of my books. I would arrange them neatly in ascending order (I’m still like that, by the way)

• You must have the right ASSOCIATIONS: It’s said that “birds of the same feather, flock together”. The Bible even says “that he who walks with the wise, shall himself be wise; but the companions of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Who are you walking with? Are they considered wise BY OTHERS (not by you) or otherwise? If you want to be successful, start learning from successful men. I believe that “experience is not the best teacher, but other people’s experience is the best teacher”. When you learn from the experiences of others, it shortens your learning curve. Women can tell where you’re going, simply by looking at your associations!

• You must have the right COVER!

As Christ is the Head of the Church, you are the head of your family, but you must have cover. A covering could be a mentor that you respect and are in submission to. This must be a person of integrity, whose instruction you value and who has the right to call you to order if need be. A man without a cover is like a city without walls! Women recognize that if you’re not “under cover”, you may have no regard for authority. Your relationship with God comes first! You cannot lead your home, if God does not lead you. I don’t mean the regular act of Sunday worship or Friday prayers, you must have a relationship with God that goes beyond your religion.

Before I got married, I’d developed the habit of hearing from God. For example, God had told me that I was to get married on my 30th birthday, so I knew that I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend.

Over time, Tara knows that when I say “God said…” she knows that I’ve heard from God. Why? Because it’s been proven over time that I hear from God.

Every time God asked me to give out a car, it was by instruction. I heard Him first. You must never use God’s Word to you to manipulate your spouse; that amounts to witchcraft! Get a word from God before you get married; ask Him if who you’re with is your wife or not.

Remember, I believe in you and I trust that as a true gardener, you will see women as seeds to nurture and bring out their potential, not as prey to satisfy or gratify your needs for conquest as hunters do. Stick with one woman and bring out all that God has pushed into her.

Make me proud!

The proof of a good gardener is his garden.

I know you’ll take care of yours.

FD

YOU

Dear You,

This is the first time that I’m writing to you [and in fact to be honest, this is the first time that I’m writing anybody] but I’ve been trying so hard to reach you and this is a last resort.

The reason I’ve been trying so hard is that I have a very important message for you. Listen, I want you to take this seriously, but also…I…I really don’t know how to put this is easy terms. So I’ll just say it like it is okay?

You are dying.

I’m sorry; forgive my rudeness I didn’t even realize that I hadn’t introduced myself. I am YOU. Yes I know it’s shocking to get a letter from yourself but like I said, I’ve tried every other method to catch your attention and now have to resort to this.

I am you – or more accurately, Y.O.U.

What was that you asked? Who exactly am I? But I told you before – Oh! I didn’t tell you what Y.O.U stands for – my apologies. I am Your Own Uniqueness…

I’m the reason you’re not a clone.

Although you try so hard to make me go away. And judging by how much you purposely try and resemble EVERYBODY else in your age and social groups – I’d say you’re also trying very hard to be a clone…but get this -

You are dying.

Do you understand that? I know that over the years you have built a mechanism to hear those words but refuse to understand or dwell on the concept, so I want you to pause and really understand what I am telling you – You. Are. Dying

There is nothing you can do to stop it. No way to avoid it. As sure as there is a sun in the sky. You Will Die. And it has already begun, with every passing day…

We have so little time so please quit trying to figure how someone else did it, or trying to copy the exact path someone else followed to ‘make it’. You are not them, but more importantly, they are not you.

Use you/Y.O.U for the betterment of someone else and you’ve found happiness; silence the noisy voices of this clueless raving mad world, listen to God. Listen to your heart – and you’ve found you

Why am I writing this to you? First to tell you, remind you, clearly of your impending death, and to ask you to QUIT complaining! You have things to do. A major mark to leave on this world, get to it!

I don’t even want to hear any of your tired excuses..i can’t just…’ or the usual ‘How do you expect me to simply…’

Oh puhleease…

There’s no second shot. No ‘later I will’. LIFE IS NOT A TEST DRIVE!!! This is ALL you have. One shot and it’s over. So quit it with the petty excuses

Quit EXISTING. LIVE!!!

No More Excuses. No More Delays. Why’re you still reading this anyway? Drop this RIGHT NOW and get out a sheet of paper and start to list all the things we’re going to accomplish in the next two hours. RIGHT NOW

Don’t even play games with me. I know you, remember? I AM YOU. What do you mean that you don’t have any dreams? No plans? I know that little thing in the back of your head that you’ve been trying to ignore for years. That thing you would have really loved to do but ‘this is Nigeria and those kind of things don’t work here’.

For the sake of both of us, be quiet and obey Nike

JUST DO IT!!!

Yes I know it costs money, Umm-hmm I know you are not qualified for it. I know there’s no time. We can continue talking about it while you start doing it.

What if you fail? What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t make any money. So what? You don’t become a superstar – and then? Wetin Happen?

God is real. Y.O.U’re real. Love it or hate it. Admit it or not.

REAL.

You Are Dying. You Are Not A Clone. Accept It. I Am Your Own Uniqueness. Accept Me. You Have A Dream. Dreams….plural, but it all starts with just one…

Just Do It!

LIVE!!!

You want to know HOW to do it? How to write me back? How to get your dreams out of your head and into reality? There’s a sheet of paper after this that can get you started

This is a long letter, but this is it. The rest is up to YOU. Please extend my greetings to the family and your friends – you’ve hidden me from them for a while but I hope I’ll meet them soon…
I hope they get to meet Y.O.U…

Yours Sincerely
Y.O.U

Life is like a cup of coffee