Are you eating or sowing?

“That he may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater” This is a phrase that brings questions to mind. It begs the question “are you sowing seeds and what type of seed are you sowing? Or are you a eater, one who eats without giving back? The quote above is from the book I love most; the Bible! Here we understand that opportunity and time is open to two categories of people. 1. The sower of the seed 2. The eater of bread A lot of us find it hard to move forward due to the fact that we find it difficult to sow, especially within our youths in this present generation. We see our friends in big cars and flashy cloths but what we fail to see is the time they have put into acquiring that which they have. It has become difficult for us to actually have the mindset to sow and wait patiently for the harvest while we prune, weed and cultivate the land in other for the seed to germinate and produce the good tree and hence good fruit. The eater is only concerned with today and the satisfaction of the stomach. They find it difficult to wait for the process of productivity and the time taken to sow and harvest. The eater can only see the now and not the future or the idea of the small mustard seed become a great tree. To them they look out for immediate benefit or gratification. No! They are hungry now and so must be satisfied. The word tells us that the rain water’s the ground that it may bring forth and bud to give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. The question now is you a sower or an eater? Do you look out for the now and present not thinking of the repercussion for tomorrow? Or do you sow a seed of goodness and growth for yourself and your business? Luckily for most of us reading this words; we have heard the saying that “patience is a virtue” whether that is true for us or not, we must know that the energy you exert in running a hundred meter dash is different from that for a marathon. As individuals we need to realise that he who sows lives to eat bread for many days to come. But he who lives to eat bread will eat for today and begin to look for where to get bread for tomorrow. In business sowing your seed; means you are saving towards your future to ensure that your business grows and becomes great. That we must plant and water thinking of tomorrow and while we are patient we continue to water (follow-up) on the seed we have sown. The follow up and level of management input says a lot about the harvest we get when it is time to reap the reward of the labour of sowing. The farmer is a very patient man as he would work diligently to have a good harvest by going to the farm daily to prune, weed, fertilize and continually ensure that pests or unwanted harm does not come the seed he has sown. This should be the same with every entrepreneur with our business as we work towards having a good harvest. Entrepreneurship and business is not about the here and now but about the solutions we can provide for tomorrow. So now let us start by asking ourselves the same question; am I a sower or an eater? Do I live to eat or do I live to sow? This will give us a better perspective of who we are and how the future will be.

The Humour of my Day!!!

This morning I woke up gearing to go! I had planned my day and meeting and had set the time to leave the house. Then all of a sudden it began to rain and it rained but I just knew that I would have to leave the house in the rain. Don't get me wrong; I LOVE THE RAIN!!!. I went for my meetings which was very fruitful by the way. Thank you. Then the rain started again. This time it really rained and because the meeting was fruitful I could relax and enjoy while me and my colleagues had a nice chat about life in general. Okay then we decided it was time to head home and we left; hold I am not there yet just getting started. I boarded a tricycle and since it was still drizzling I wanted to seat on the side that had the shield from the rain but to my dismay a man (who I termed as not been a gentleman) boarded and decided that he just HAD to seat at that angle. I was pissed big time. In my mind I was like this is not a gentleman just as the tricycle moved in traffic and I gradually got wet and he remained all dry and dandy. Wait........................ The best part is yet to come! Okay now I am at the last leg of my return home and I have to board another tricycle which I did. Now things had switched and I was the one on the side with the shield from the rain and a man was on the side without the covering. The guy hala ehn! When it was my turn all my grunting and anger was inside not voiced but this nice man voiced his own grievances and I just began to laugh. I just could not help it (please o! It was a silent laugh). You know why? I just remembered that this was me a while ago and I also remembered that this is how we react to things that happen in our lives. We complain when things happen to us even at times thinking why me why not the other guy. But why must it be the other guy who has to get wet? What's wrong with you getting wet for a change? Truly I really got the drift when it came to mind and I just could not help but say thank you God that it was me who got wet. Let us remember that things happen to us not because we are special or better off; not because we are worse off either. My friend says "it has your name on it" lol. I wonder where she got that from. But Just enjoy getting wet and don't expect the guy to be a gentleman and get wet so you can be dry. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and God bless Nigeria!

CHURCH PEOPLE

I would be very free on this post and i expect all my readers to flow with me.First of all I would want to ask ''WHAT IS A CHURCH''?. I am sure I would have a lot of spiritual and religious definitions.Well, to a lay  man, ''A church is God's house where His children gather every other day for fellowship''. Going by this definition,is the church really a home for God's children or a mere building that is governed by the commander(The Pastor)? Some pastors have converted many odd places into Churches,their living rooms hotels,sex brothels,schools,family halls and the roads.
I want to take us through some very ugly trends that i have witnessed in our Churches especially here in Nigeria  and lets see how we can correct them.
I am not against the Church but I must say most of these points are threatening the very existence of Christianity hence forcing many to turn against the faith.The issue of tithing is first on my list,the way most pastors stress on it as if you don't give you hate God and would invoke God's wrath or create an opening for the devil's punishment,most pastors go as far as pronouncing curses on those who dont give or give in smaller denominations.As far as i am concerned,God loves His children,our giving only expresses our love for Him and not that is acts as a sure means to bribe God cos if all you do is to pay tithes and offerings and you dnt leave a holy life all na zero o. Another is when pastors are raising offerings they would start with high amounts,only the rich can afford the sums, denying the poor of the blessing; that's one thing that has led people into living a fake life,they want to impress the pastor and the church so they would come out even when its not convenient for them; money that can be used to pay their children's school fees or help in setting up business would be used as offering cos they believe if they don't give, then they don't love God (too bad). Well, that's a wrong motive for giving cos the Bible clearly states that God loves a cheerful giver. Its not only in the quality or quantity but the motive for giving to God.
This brings us to another issue plaguing the Church.Unbelievers now see the church as a money making venture: The Church is now a sole proprietor business,one man show as some may say.No one accounts for Church funds cause the signatories to the accounts are the Pastor,his Wife and most times Close family pals...Na wa!.This is why many people are scared of giving to God cos they believe they are enriching just one man.These days you'll find pastors soliciting for funds to build church projects that upon completion would be converted to their personal property. This brings me to a big question,what does the church do for the Church (its members?).What is wrong if the church gives Scholarships to the poor ones amongst them?. Why can't the Rich use their influence to help the unemployed to get jobs?. Instead of building State of the Art edifices just to show that the Church Building is world class,(i am not saying its a bad thing ooo), why not channel most of the resources into low cost building for poor church members?. The very rich in the church can have a project to sponsor some members for professional courses abroad.Why can't we have free schools as the Catholic Missionaries used to?; Why can't the Church have free medicals regularly for the elderly ones? .Yes the church can if they want but the Pastor may not promote it cos if he does, people would reduce their 'SEED SOWING'.. we all labor to give to the church through our offerings,tithes,special levies etc,apart from God's blessing that comes from Him directly and the joy of fellowship as brethren what other benefit?. Some Churches don't help in anyway(Marriage/Weddings,Burials,Dedications etc) you must pay a large sum even as a church member to use the Church premises for occassions.Infact they would ask for officiating ministers offering etc. In the early church in Acts 3 you'll find out that the rich sold their properties in other to help the poor we don't see these things again.The Rich now have a clique in Church.When they are not around the pastors would go to their houses to look for them. When their dogs die pastors are there to console them. The poor ones are not giving such preference; in fact pastors don't have their numbers, neither do they have access to them. Jesus ministry on earth was for all and not for the selected few.Why this ugly trend of favoritism?
Another ugly trend is what I call fashion madness. Since the late 90's when the church movement changed to  come as you are, so as to embrace everyone putting aside the old religion of discriminating certain (Unbelievers), people now dress to church anyhow. On sunday, I worshipped in a Redeemed Church at Lekki.I must tell you it was a lovely service.The worship session was awesome;just as Iopened my eyes after being over taken by the worship,what caught my attention was a lady who wore a mini gown to church.As i was boiling, another girl's hot sexy gown provoked me the more.As the service came to an end on my way out i saw things that nearly made me cry.Even the angels in heaven would exclaim;"oboy eyyye" with eyes popping wide.Mehn this drama queen wore a panty hose with a tight,short club top with serious heels to church(which levels). I began to wonder how many men who saw that were be able to concentrate in Church.That was pure distraction to me.I am not saying one should dress shabily to church but the key word is modesty and decency. When people,especially girls wear indecent clothes to Church, what do they have at the back of their minds?. Is to seduce men and the Pastor, to look hot or just fashion?. We need to checkmate it. It wasn't so from the beginning. We can save our hot gowns for parties,clubs etc. In fear of not to losing members, no body would frown at it; even pastors wives now fix long nails,lashes,wear short dresses, no much difference between them and the so called unbelievers that the Church criticise and that is what their members emulate.
Lastly on this Church trends are those who steal in Church. You can imagine I heard a woman lost her car during a Church Crusade.People steal things in Church... too bad. God is watching!. People no longer fear God in Church. That's where you would find the worst things going on: Church members dating each other,Choir master sleeping with Choir members, Church leaders masterminding crime in their places of work etc.
This is not a post to criticize any one but to help check mate us. All these points raised are the truth and they  need serious attention.The Bible says God is a Spirit and we must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We must learn to call a spade a spade.We can all contribute to making things better by addressing the ones that affect us,eg  the issue of giving.Let's not give out of compulsion or to show off  to satisfy the Pastor.It is God who knows our hearts and would reward us not the pastor.Based on the issue of discrimination,let us show true love to our brethren,visit and encourage the needy in our church and environment,not just in words but also in kind; not that you would give a bag of rice to someone and announce it to the neighborhood or turn the person to your slave just because you paid the person's school fees. As for those who are fashion icons save your skimpy gowns for other outings,don't drive another woman's man into fornication or adultery,dress modestly,don't draw attention to your self with your possessions. Let your life be an example to the unbelievers, not that in your neighborhood you are notorious for looking down on people just because you have a car etc.As for those who steal in Churches, please change your ways,don't incur God's wrath upon your generation... Eheen,as for our Pastors lets keep praying for them that God would open their eyes to the truth and help them to get it right,and also if you have the boldness to advice them on it please do so...let's practice Christianity as it ought to be and stop allowing the hidden sins to make a mockery of our Faith.
Finally, I want to say that the Church is a place where people go to and expect love,show love,act love and be an epitome of love..Peacexxx     

"JUST BEFORE YOU SAY I DO"

The rate at which marriages are breaking gives me serious concern and breeds so much fear in me.I know of couple who had dated for almost 9years,they had a very big society wedding,with all the glitz and glamor,there was so much fun,love and happiness in the air,friends, family and well wishers,where are present to witness and celebrate their unique friendship which blossomed into marriage, infact most people  concluded that the wedding was just a mere party owing to the fact that the had courted for a very long time.At the end of the day,every one went home and left the 2 love birds to continue their lives,Exactly 9 months later rumors hit the neighborhood that their marriage was at the verge of breaking,in another 2 months it was now glaring,they were apart,the lady moved to another city unknown to the man and moved on with her life...i was so heart broken with the news considering the fact that i was at the wedding,i witnessed the show of love and affection. The rest is history now,that marriage is no more,and no one has been able to get the real fact why they both couldn't keep their marriage. I know of another couple who have been married for over 24 years,they are always having issues,for years they dont talk to each other but they leave under the same roof,i begin to wonder,cos i heard this same people where love birds in the past. What went wrong?
 I have come to understand in my very short experience with relationships that love is not what keeps it going its the mutual understanding and trust that does.Many times women go over board with our emotions,we nag,we suspect a lot,we allow our intuitions to be governed by our immediate emotions etc.Men have their own weakness too but i believe in every relationship a woman plays a more significant role in ensuring its sustenance.
I want to say that most young people dont understand marriage before they jump into it,they prepare for the ceremony and not the main thing,thats the reason why when the they are faced with the challenges that come with marriage,they chicken out easily. I always say that single hood is a unique period of our lives,we must seize the opportunity to prepare for the the future.Most girls believe marriage is all about going to leave with the one they love and can spend the rest of their lives with etc,that is a very wrong notion,a woman is created to complement a man,help give meaning to his life,thats why the bible refers to us as a help meet, ie someone that has a mission to accomplish in a mans life. when women start thinking towards this direction,it would help in preparing them for the task ahead. as for the man,he must start seeing himself as a man with a divine mandate to establish a generation,he must come to a point where he knows he needs a woman not a girl in his life not just as a companion but also as a complementer,with such mindset his choice would be easier and wouldn't be carried away with vain beauty that is been paraded everywhere. If singles really take out time to think and pray about marriage it would be much more easier.
Just before you say i do, it is not too late to walk out,its better to walk out one minute before your exchange bands than after. Another reason why marriages fail is that people dont truly fear God,if they do,why would you stand before the alter of God been witnessed by friends and family and when crisis come instead of asking God for solutions you would damn Him(God) and walk out from the marriage allowing the devil to have his way.
Friends,if the relationship aint working,it aint working,let go and take some time to work on your selves to give it a 2nd trail,if it doesn't then let it be,dnt allow mere emotions or pity drive you into what you wouldn't enjoy for the rest of your lives. Long courtship or love is not the main criteria why you must marry some one,if you both aint compact able, why push it? family,societal,religious,influences should not be considered when making your choice,reasons been that they would stand by you before and not after the marriage.Also the church and other religious institutions should help prepare couples for life after marriage not only taking them through marriage classes and test but see to their progress after marriage.
Finally,i want to say that we young people should not just look out for someone who has money,prospects etc but also a man/woman that has a teachable spirit,forgiving heart,humble,easy to understand,can let go of grudges and above all, one that fears God from the heart and not lip service,to me this are the basics the rest can be improved upon. Take out time to prepare,for the women,learn to cook,wash,basic home keeping,dnt rely on house maids,develop a particular skill that can generate funds for you to assist the man in running the home(Yes of course,a help meet has to contribute no matter how small) dont  be a liability,be a treasured asset. As for the men,work hard now so your family would be well taken care off,develop other skills to create funds,be a defender and not a nuisance.Read the bible,books and other helpful materials on marriage and look out for a mentor who would influence you positively. I look forward to seeing long lasting marriages. Stay blessed.

THE ESTHER'S GENERATION

We live in a age where moral standards are falling,people no longer hold on to core religious,moral and social values,parents/guardians are losing grip on their children. What a generation! Fashion has gone wild,we want to wear,act and potray all we see in the movies,even mothers who are supposed to uphold these values have joined the trend in a bid to look "sweet sixteen",the society no longer frown at skimpy dresses,even the church in a bid to have more members have coined the saying;"come as you are" the common slogan;Mind your business" is what you get if you advice! This is not an article to criticise anyone but just a peep into our topic of discuss. This brings us to my point,every lady wants to be have the Esther kind of grace and favour but no one wants to pay her price, I took time to study the life of Queen Esther and I drew a lot of inspiration some of which I'll be sharing with you. I can bodly say its rare to find her amongst us today, young women today are driven with the passion to look trendy,to be a "Tush chick","What's up girl" this same passion has driven a lot to indulge in nasty things just to earn them the looks. I aint negating the fact that a woman should look good and flashy but let it be modest. This brings us to a big question...Does just external/surface adornment make a beautiful woman or wife? The answer is best known to men but for me,I'll say a big NO! Last year,I met a handsome,charming dude called Sonny,we met through a friend,we met a few times and he indicated intrest in me,instantly I liked him,cos he was a gentle man,after a while he kept a distance,I was deeply hurt cos I liked him. One day after about two months,we had a chat and I asked him why he disappeared into thin air,he said the day we went out that I wasn't wearing any make up,he didn't percieve any fragrance from me,he complained about my size etc! Wow! I was amazed and I thanked him and moved on,.for the fact that I didn't have those,made him feel I wasn't in tune with the trend but he liked my person...but to me I was a super woman that I didn't meet his "Standards" doesn't reduce myself worth,it only brought me to the conclusion that most men are moved by what they see. Back to our topic,Do we still have Esthers in this generation? From my research I found out the following characteristics that made Esther a real queen.First to note, Esther was from a slave background,today people have the notion that only those from rich backgrounds are queens. Esther was comely(Esther 2:7-18), all other maidens took extra time to adorn them selves but she had this inner glow and a heart in tune with God,that goes to show us that it's not about the make overs etc but the grace,she had a teachable spirit,most young women today wouldn't follow simple instructions because they think they are strong on their own,we all need mentors and people who we look up to for positive influence,Esther knew her self worth,inadequate preparation and sloppy performance didn't suffice for her,she was quick to understand her divine mandate to save her people. Another very important attribute of Esther was her humility,which I believe was what endeared her to the king.For this same reason Queen Vashti lost her queenship to Esther.Never allow pride and arrogance to deprive you of your rightful position, Just before we take out some actions,we should always know someone out there is watching. What is the essence of beauty with out character? Same as beauty without brains.Pride has taken over the sense of reasoning of so called beautiful girls,they find it difficult to exchange pleasantries with people,they place themselves so high that even a man that has genuin intentions wld be scared of going close to them. Every man wants a woman that is humble and down to earth,a woman that can treat his family as hers. Lastly,Esther never forgot her background,she kept in touch with her people.Don't be too busy or carried away with positions and forget your background.When people get new jobs or appointments,they spend money buying things to look good and forgeting their origin,they try to cover up or pretend to be what they are not,they dissociate themselves from their family &friends,some go as far as denying their family.Esther was proud of her people no wonder she sacrificed her life in exchange of their freedom.If she was too busy for them,she'll have lost her entire people and probably her life too. In all,Esther's life is a complete example of what a woman should be.let's all draw inspiration from her and choose to be different cos they are still kings out there who are not moved by what they see.If we truly want Esther's grace then face her race. True beauty lies in our inner strenght and a real woman is one who sees her self as a hand maiden who is uniquely prepared for a special calling to fufil in her family,and the world at large. Rather than enhancing just beauty,but also how to groom our selves into role models.Best wishes!

Build A JAMB Result Checking Website To Win 150,000 Naira

This is the latest from Nigeria's own Oluwaseun Osewa the owner of nairaland forum. In the past he has contributed to the trend in software and application programming initiatives that encourages the youths in IT in Nigeria to challenge themselves towards been creative. This Competition is open to unemployed application / software programmer. If you are a Nigerian and can write a program in python, cherrypy, MySQL or HD in google code PLEASE ATTEMPT THIS!!! To get the full gist and read the comments of those interested in the contest please visit http://www.nairaland.com/904050/build-jamb-result-checking-website Hello Guys & Girls, The JAMB website goes down every year when results are released. It's a national embarrassment, and it needs to be fixed right away. I bet the JAMB website is going to crash again after the next UTME exam if we don't show them how it's done! I hereby announce a programming contest to create an open source JAMB result checking script just to show the JAMB Tech guys how it's done. You're to create a simple JAMB result checking website that works just like the official version and can handle millions of candidate records and heavy traffic from all of them trying to check their results on the same day. I'm also offering a prize of 150 thousand naira to the person who writes the best JAMB result checking script, but in order to win the prize, you must satisfy certain conditions: 1) You must be unemployed or employed/self-employed and currently earning less than ₦251k per month. 2) You must develop your JAMB result checker with Python 3.2, CherryPy , MySQL 5+, & hg on Google Code. 3) You must indicate your interest before 12 noon on Sunday 1st April by posting a link to your repo here. 4) You must complete the result checker before 6pm on Friday 6th April and link to it on this thread. The writer of the best result checking script as assessed by me and other judges will win One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only (N150,000), provided you qualify and follow all the rules. The money will be deposited into your account about 3 days after the submission deadline. Ask me any question about this contest and I'll try to answer you promptly. May you win the One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only (N150,000). Good luck! Oluwaseun Osewa Founder Nairaland

Creativity and beauty - the beginning