🎤"LORD JESUS, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT" (Acts 7:59)

⏰Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter (16 April 2024)

📖Acts 7:51 - 8:1a; Ps 31:3bc-4, 6 and 7b-8a, 17 and 21ab (R.v.6a); John 6:30-35

🎤"LORD JESUS, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT" (Acts 7:59)

Can you be brave enough to also make that last option for God? Remember always that heaven is our goal. All our struggles and way of life must be directed toward helping us to achieve that goal. Otherwise, we shall be running off the track.

When Stephen was about to die, he cried out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). That kind of declaration can only be made by one who is not attached to the material goods of this world but rather has his/her heart focused on God.

Can you also make such a declaration as Stephen? You can begin now to practise it through the manner of life you live. It would be hard to deny the devil at the last hour if you spent your entire life working for him.

Moreover, such a declaration can only be made from a personal conviction about the person of Jesus. That is why Jesus advised the Jews to cease their chase after signs and wonders and believe in him, who is the source of life and all that it offers (cf. John 6:30-35).

May God continue to give you grace to remain convinced and faithful to him. May he surround you with his angels to guide you at your last hour in this world so that you can really make the last option for Christ. Amen.

Have a grace-filled day ahead. Peace be with you.

http://www.fadajbcezeonwumelu.com/lord-jesus-receive-my-spirit-acts-759/

Film makers

Those Names And Title Credit You See Before A Movie Starts, Do You Know What They Do? Ok Lets Break Them Down For Those Who Dont Know.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER -This is the one sponsoring the movie. He/She provides the funds and financial backing to execute the project. EPs are usually investors looking to invest their money in a Movie.

PRODUCER -The Producer is the one who assembles the cast, crew, logistics etc  He/She is also responsible for paying for cast and crew services (using the funds provided by the Executive Producer) and making all necessary arrangements to make the movie successful. A producer sometimes is also the EP.

PRODUCTION MANAGER -This is one who assists the producer to manage the provisions being made by the Producer. The PM may also keep financial records and works with the Producer to ensure the Movie stays within proposed Budget.

DIRECTOR -The one who directs the projects from start to finish. Ditecting is the most important part of the moviemaking. He/She takes the lead and directs actors and the rest of the crew to give the movie the desired result which the Producer have outlined.

ACTOR -Actor gets into the character that must be portrayed. He/She has to be very skilled else the movie is not interesting to watch.

STORY -The one who created the story

SCRIPT/SCREENPLAY - The one who pens the story into spoken words, scenes and montages. The scriptwriter must know how many words that make up a scene in order not to make the scenes too lengthy or too brief.

SCRIPT EDITOR- Reads through the script to correct any mistakes or blunders.

EDITOR -the ones who arranges the video clips from scene to scene in order of sequence to create the movie. 

SPECIAL EFFECTS -the one who creates the effects. Example when you see a human flying in the movie

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY -this person takes the video shoots. He selects what camera angles will suit each scene.

LOCATION MGR -This is the person who seek out locations for each scene. He must know the

HOW TO HANDLE SEXUAL ATTRACTION IN COURTSHIP...

HOW TO HANDLE SEXUAL ATTRACTION IN COURTSHIP...

Of course, I had high chemistry for my fiance in courtship! This thing called love can "shack", seize your brain and scatter your logic!

It felt so warm, so electric and so hot being in love with Dewunmi and I ran after him as much a he ran after me. He loved me, all of me. His smiles always melt my heart and his high level of self control was a sexual turn on on its own.

I wanted his hug badly but he wouldn't budge. 5 years was exciting without sex because we did more talking, facing our academics, passing in flying colours and working out our goals.

Then we graduated and we both had our jobs and he would visit me. My tall, slim, handsome virgin dude would always visit me. When I couldn't handle the crazy urge to merge anymore, we got married and sex has been passionate IN MARRIAGE with him. The fact that he waited till marriage and sleeps with only me gets me turned on for him easily.

Here is the point:

1. SEXUAL ATTRACTION IS NORMAL IN COURTSHIP: If it is God's will, you will have chemistry for each other. It is the erotic love needed to fulfill God's commandment of "Be fruitful and multiply" in marriage. Don't kill yourself with guilt because you often feel like kissing, hugging and having sex with her (as long as you don't do it, no need to hang yourself with condemnation). I was once single. I felt what you are feeling. That crazy urge is part of the total package called love.

2. SET BOUNDARIES: Setting boundaries will help you stay in check. No visitation beyond 7 o clock, no hugging, no kissing, no pecking, no nothing that will stir your hormones and make you lose your brain. You must stay sexually pure in courtship. Setting boundaries will help you a lot.

3. BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER: Ovulation can sometimes jazz up your sexual desire making you lose control to something as simple as touch. Let him know the days you can't just see him talk less of touching. There are days as a man you know your libido is high, don't visit.

4. AVOID, FLIRTY, SEXY, MIDNIGHT CHATS: You will lose your sanity and get horny, the next time you see, you may land in bed and have sex with each other like crazy! Don't start what you can't finish and one day regret!

5. SET YOUR WEDDING DATE: If your sexual urge is getting unbearable, kindly set your wedding date and set yourself free. If you are still schooling, you might need to get a break from your courtship till you get your bearing and then resume.

Some singles might say, "What happens to self control?" Yes, you must have self control as a good born again Christian but courtship requires more than self control to keep your virginity/sexual purity. Setting boundaries is the key!

You can't be praying together on your bed on a cold rainy night and preach self control to each other. That is stupidity of the highest order! The bible says: "Can a man carry fire in his bossom and not be burnt?" Another passage says: "FLEE (run away) from all appearances of evil".

To keep your sanity in courtship, learn when to stay and when to run so you don't lose your sanity and come weeping you made a mistake.

May you not fall in Jesus' name.

Thanks for reading. See you next time. God bless you. Cheers!

© Seun Oladele, 2019; reposted,  2024

EVERY AFRICAN ARTWORK HAS A MESSAGE OR STORY TO TELL: MAZI MBONU OJIKE CONFIRMS THIS WITH EXAMPLES

EVERY AFRICAN ARTWORK HAS A MESSAGE OR STORY TO TELL:  MAZI MBONU OJIKE CONFIRMS THIS WITH EXAMPLES

Mazi Mbonu Ojike talking about African artists (carvers) and narrating his discussion with a carver in his hometown Arondizuogu said:

“And as he ((carver) explains the graphic meanings of his art, we perceive how ignorant we laymen are. He seeks to bring about a reform without a sword, without a word. His language is the language of ages, the philosophy of his society. He does nothing for personal gain; every symbol is designed to humble us, the selfish and the power-seekers. His logic of the order in creation is most bewildering.

A carver once picked up a calabash produced by another and asked, “What do you think these signs represent?” I had been eating from the vessel without the least curiosity to discern the meanings of the beautiful graphic forms on the cover. “I don’t know,” said I. “Please tell me.” He went on and brought a gun and ask me if I had ever seen a herd of beasts. I was frightened: I might be shot. “Yes,” said I. He showed me the forms representing the hunter, the gun, the animals; and gradually brought me to guess. “Oh,” I said, “it means that a hunter killed some squirrels.” “Wrong, but not much!” exclaimed he. The artistic meaning was that “if you discharge a big gun, the animas will flee”. I was so interested that I went and brought out the other half of the calabash and learned that there was a moral on it too.” 

"It depicted a struggle for existence where there were three levels of creation – the hen protecting her brood, the hawk trying to pounce upon the hen, and the hunter aiming at the hawk. The hunter shot down the hawk, and the hen, with her young, was spared. Asked the importance of “wasting” energy over so trivial an idea, the carver proceeded to tell me a story of how a big village went to war with a smaller one fifty years ago. The battle raged high and low until a bigger village attacked and over threw the aggressor. I said, “Yes, but what difference did it make? One village was defeated, anyhow, and all three belonged to the same town.” “You see, son,” he said, “the biggest saved the smallest, just as the hunter saved the chicken. The big village was the greedy aggressor, just like the hawk. Hence God, who does not sanction aggression, leaves one creature above the other, and another above that still, so that when one attacks the creature below, there is always another higher power to discipline it by force.” “Ihe kwulu, ihe akwudebe ya” – When a thing stands, another stands beside it.”

Culled from Mbonu Ojike, My Africa (London: Blandford Press, 1955), 167- 168.

………………………………………

When you see any ancient carving, think of the unassuming sculptor who laboured, gave his or her talents, time and energy to serve the people, including the generations yet unborn. Appreciate such works. Admire it. Try to decode the message hidden in it. It is for your good, your peace and progress. Do not think of burning it or throwing it away. Such acts of barbarism raise a big question mark on one’s educational and religious upbringing. 

Think about it as we commemorate World Art Day 2024.

Udo diri unu.

Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu

Over to you couples

"Baby, leave my breast let me watch this movie in peace na, you de rush the breast like say na shawarma wey you thief "

"Don't tell me that oh, when I married you, I paid for my breast too, besides eh, this movie I'm watching is not as interesting as what I am touching "

Oluchi almost choked with laughter 

"Okay, just put your hand inside since it's scratching you, ashawo husband like you"

"See you forming good person, when night reach now, you be wriggling like someone under annointing. You that does not allow me to sleep in the night, you de run marathon like all these people for Ethiopia and Kenya "

Oluchi looked at Ken, pretending to be angry. 

"So because I  de try manage you, you de run mouth ba? No worry, no show for you this night, konji go kill you this night, bet me" she said stretching out her hands. 

"If dem born you well make you try am. I will cry till the whole neighbors will wake up and ask what the problem is, I will tell them my wife does not want me to sacrifice to the gods "

She laughed hard again and gave him a mild kiss. 

"Oya, see eh, just make me my favorite food na, by the time the meal is ready, I will be done with the movie "

Ken quickly runs to the kitchen and puts on his apron as he proceeds to make her favourite food,  jollof rice and fried plantain. 

Just then there is a knock on the door and Oluchi opens the door to welcome Jude, Ken's friend. 

They exchange pleasantries and she tells him that Ken is in the kitchen. 

"Kitchen?" he asked with a surprise look on his face.

"What is he doing there? "

"He is planting mango in the kitchen sink, ofcourse he is cooking " Oluchi said with a smirk on her face. She's never liked him. 

"So your husband is in the kitchen cooking while you watch TV?"

Just as she was about to reply him, Ken comes out from the kitchen. 

"Ken wassup, I was just asking of you, your wife said you were in the kitchen " Jude said with a grin on his face. 

"You make it sound like its a bad thing man, how far na" Ken said. 

Jude drags Ken aside 

"But bro, this is wrong by all standards, how can you be cooking while your wife sits with the remote, watching TV? This isn't normal. This kind of thing cannot happen in my house na, a whole man like you, do you know how many girls used to rush you back in those days"

Ken wipes his hands on the apron as he shakes his head. 

"Jude Jude, why did you come here sef? "

"I came to inform you that we will be meeting later at the club , I called you but you didn't take your calls,now that I have seen you on your apron, I'm not surprised "

"Jude my good friend, first thing first,I am not you and will never be you. What works in your Family might not work for mine and I don't even want it to. My wife cooks everyday for me so what's the big deal in cooking for her just for today?  I am always with my wife in the kitchen  everyday to help her out, and so you know, I wash my clothes and hers when I have the time and I don't leave her to do the chores alone. She's my wife, not my slave "

At this point Jude didn't know what to say, he just stood there like a dumb lunatic. 

"Look Jude, no two marriages are the same, do  what you like but don't kill Becca in the process. Have you seen your wife lately?  She looks like a frustrated mad woman, so thin and almost invisible and you are here , forming man of the house "

Jude brings out his handkerchief and wipes his face. 

"I won't come to the club today, infact, I won't come for a while.My wife doesn't like clubbing that much and since she gave up her modeling career to do business because of me, I need to let go of somethings too. I need to get back to the kitchen, my regards to the boys "

Jude hasten his steps as he walks out of the house. 

"My husband my husband, double ration for you this night, correct man wey sabi. Infact you see eh, de go that kitchen, make I do u rush rush inside"😂😂😂😂😂😂

"Baby make I rush off the gas make we no do rough play burn house "

💥Leave people alone and stop forcing your policies on them

💥What works for you might not work for them, don't try to make people live like you except it's to make them better. 

💥Marriage is a union of happiness, make your home a playground, not a war zone .

💥Share the chores, don't call her a weaker vessel and still give her all the hard work to do.

May God Almighty gives us wisdom and understanding on how to go about our relationships/marriages in Jesus name

Written By Patrick Dominic

🤵🏼‍♂️ Xabi Alonso took charge at Bayer on October

🤵🏼‍♂️ Xabi Alonso took charge at Bayer on October 5, 2022 as 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 🎞️

It was the second worst start of the season ever for Bayer Leverkusen since 1979… also Xabi’s debut.

Xabi had 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 managed a senior team having joined Leverkusen one year & half ago from Real Sociedad B.

18 months, exactly 557 days later, Bayer Leverkusen won the FIRST Bundesliga title in 120 years of history.

It happened with 𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎 defeats and 43 consecutive games unbeaten in all competitions for this top team.

Bayer Leverkusen are also in DFB Pokal final against Kaiserslautern and in Europa League quarter finals…

It happened on Xabi Alonso’s 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭 season, first title and now dreaming for the Treble.

The only 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧 team in top European leagues.

No words needed. Just one. 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃. 🔴⚫️✨