KNOTS

In some cases, knots are not seen as a positive thing – like when anxious or tensed and you feel a knot in your stomach or when your necklace ends up in knots that’s difficult to undo.
But knots are important when used with knowledge and skill, knots are one of the keys to smooth sailing because they provide security.
On a boat, there are lots of ropes- but these ropes are called lines. Many lines have one function and purpose: to be tied to something secure. In order to be secure, each line must be tied to something fixed on the other end by a very strong knot.

Before you tie a knot, you need to make sure that what you’re tying it to is strong enough to hold it secure. The strength of a good knot comes from the thing to which it is tied.
All I’m saying boils down to this: Our lives have a lot of lines as well. It is easy for those lines to get knotted to about all sorts of things, with bad knots in the middle that keep us from sailing with ease. These obstacles come from tying ourselves to things we should not be tied to: false obligations, guilty feelings, our fears and worries, etc. But we can learn to untie those knots and retie them to the right things – the things that make us secure and set us free at the same time.
Hope runs along lines that are tied with strong knots to the right things. This means the lines cannot be tied to another person or possessions cos when we tie the lines of our lives to those things, we end up in knots, feeling insecure. The BEST knot we can tie is to CHRIST. That is the line that makes us secure and sets us free at the same time. He is the anchor and the cleat for the lines of our lives.

This is the reason the bible calls Hope our “Spiritual Lifeline”. Because when the lines of our lives is tied to something strong enough to support us, we have great hope. When we tie the main sail of our lives to Christ, the line is made secure by the strong knot of His Love, and it will not pull loose. He is holding it tight on the other end and that gives us SECURITY.  He directs our lives with the wind of His great love and we get glorious hope freely and generously from Him.
It’s time to Let Go and Let God.
***
Who or What are the lines of your life knotted up to?
Its never too late to untie those knots and retie them.
                    Lots of Love, MayreeH.

ESSENTIALS

* Life is demanding and requires a lot of prayers and planning. But as  you allow God into your daily life and schedule, He will guide your steps as you move towards the future.
* Whatever you value most gets your time and energy. Is spending time with God a daily priority? Or is He getting squeezed out of your busy schedule?

* Never allow someone else’s expectations drive your daily agenda.
* You can have it all but not all at the same time. There is a difference between abandonment of responsibility and adjustment of priorities.
*The brain is very much like a Bank. Everyday, you make thought deposits in your “Mind Bank”. These thought deposits grow and become your Memory. Deposit only positive thoughts in your Memory Bank.

*Never underestimate your own intelligence. Don’t sell yourself short, concentrate on your assets.  It’s not how many brains you’ve got that matters… It’s how you use your brains that counts.
*Above all paths, plans and people, deliberately rest in God’s will for your life.

Just essentials / reminders for the week. May God grant us the Grace and Strength to be patient enough to wait on Him and trust His Will for Our Lives. Amen
  Have a Bountifully Blessed Week
                                      MayreeH

REFLECTION

We often get too bothered about how we look that we go extra miles to look better but who is underneath the clothes, hair & makeup? What is your Standard based on? Who do you reflect? God or the World?
Though it is important to look good physically but how great it would be if your inside was just as good or even better.
The best way to achieve this is by building an intimate relationship with that one person who will love you just the way you are, more than you can ever imagine- God.
Makeovers and Clothes give only temporary change but the real change is made by God. It is deep and permanent. He will make a change that is sweet, beautiful and free. And He will perfect everything that concerns you but that is only if you are willing to let Him in.
The best part is that when God is involved within, everything about you- in and out (face, smile, voice, thoughts, work, actions, attitude)- stands out, you begin to reflect Him.
With God, you can be yourself, you don’t have to put up a show.
To God, you’re not too short, too skinny, too fat or too slow. With Him, you don’t always have to say the right words, look perfect or follow the latest trends.
With God, underneath your cool clothes, hair and makeup is a happy heart- a heart made free and clean and beautiful by the One who created it. There is no pressure to look perfect or live up some impossible image.

Ask yourself… Who do I reflect? What is my standard based on?

Let God be the person you look for when you look into the mirror every morning. And you know what? He’s ALWAYS there. 

         Have a Fabulous Sunday
           Love You Plenty Much,
                                     MayreeH.

What Went Wrong?

There’s something that’s been bothering me for sometime now.  I can’t help but ask myself “What’s happening?”, “What’s causing this change?”, “Who is at fault?”, “What can be done?”, “How can this be resolved?”, “What went wrong?”.
Working with children is one thing that fill me with Joy and gives me great fulfilment. Impacting in them & guiding them to become who God has created them to be is my Passion. Sometimes I take things so personal that I wonder where the drive comes from but I’ve realised it’s just who I am.
So back to what’s bothering me… the rate of indiscipline has increased in children and adolescents… WHY??? The most annoying part is the rate at which they are being indulged by their parents and even some teachers & school administrators. Yes, I know adolescents display some characters cos of the phase they are in but I’m talking generally now, even frm age 4.
I’ve been trying to find the reasons for the rate of indiscipline now compared to some years back & I was able to pick out somethings.
1) Most parents of this generation have become soooO lazy. I’m sorry to say this, yes I know it aint easy to be a parent but its just so bad… From my experience, I’ve seen some incidents that suprise me.. from parents coming to fight teachers themselves to them coming with a policeman and worst of all, coming with a thug… Yes Thug! It’s that bad. Their children say this or that and so be it, they don’t even bother to ask questions or investigate, knowing how creative & cunny these children could be.
I ask myself, “What went wrong?”. My parents never followed me to school to fight a teacher.
2) Parents have become toooo busy that they have no time for their children. Yes, I know things are tough, school fees are high, we’ve got to make money, etc. But how busy can you get that you don’t even know what’s happening in your child’s life? You can’t correct them or scold them, you say Yes to all their requests, … all because you are trying to cover up your lapses & make your child love you. Hmmmn…

3) Parents have no time to pray or study God’s word.
One thing I’ve learnt & I keep realizing is I’m NOTHING without God. Absolutely Nothing! The only way we can seek God’s face, know what He’s saying & communicate with Him is through Prayer & by Studying His word & these goes a very long way…
Parents will not be with their children all the time but it’s the prayers they’ve been saying even before having their children that keeps them going but it doesn’t stop there, these children have to learn how to pray for themselves and others too. They need to know who God is themselves.
I can go on and on but….

Okay.. you might be thinking, am i even a parent yet? Who am i to judge?
I aint judging anyone, these are things I experience daily and the good thing is despite the high rate of indiscipline, there are still few children that stand out marvellously. So the quetion is What are their parents doing that the parents of the indisciplined ones aren’t? They are also working very hard & are also super busy but they’ve placed their priorities right.
So Dear parents and parents to be… you can’t leave your responsibilities to teachers, teachers & parents are to work together. How does your teacher guide or discipline your child if you as a parent will come back to fight the teacher. It wasn’t like these in my days so what’s went wrong?
It bothers me so much that I ask God what’s happening.
The task of being a parent isn’t an easy one but everything worth doing is worth doing well. God blesses you with a child or children & He equips you to mould up the child to fulfil his purpose. Do you maximise the potentials He’s equipped you with or you hide under Work? “I’m busy” has become a popular term. It has been my excuse for not posting on the blog but the truth remains, I just have to make up my mind to. I just did! How much more a being? A creature of the Most High. God’s Grace is always sufficient but we’ve got to put Our trust in Him & allow Him take the wheel.

Using the comments box, please drops your thoughts on the reasons for the increase in indiscipline amongst children of these generation and how it can be reduced or any other thing you might want to add. God bless you all.
***
@Yeankar: Thanks for scolding & disturbing me to post on the blog. Thanks be to God for Inspiration.
I tell my students “Failures give excuses”. No more excuses ooO!
You’re Blessed and Highly Favoured, MayreeH.

JOY VS HAPPINESS

Hehehehe…. Am I supposed to say Happy New Year on the 17th day of the 4th month of the year? It’s my first blog this year… Imagine!!!
Don’t know if it is due to laziness and procrastination or trying to get balanced & used to the responsibilities that come with  being married… (yeppy! I got married to the Bestestestest Man on earth. All Glory and adoration be to the Almighty God. It was definately ALL of Him and none of me. I’m indeed grateful & happy.)
So back to the blog… I’m sooooO glad to be back, I missed blogging, I missed you all. Thanks to all those who kept encouraging me to get back here & continue blogging. May God Bless you abundantly.

Today’s post is going to be interactive. Last night, my friend, Tobi Osinowo and I were chatting about being Joyful in all circumstances, Praising God whether happy or sad, guarding our Joy and ensuring Nothing and Noone steals it from us and all of that. Then these questions came up:
1) What’s the difference between Joy and Happiness?
2) Can one be Joyful and not happy?
3) Which is more lasting? Joy or Happiness?

Through this discussion, we were able to share our thoughts and I got to learn from him.
Using the comment box below, please take out time to share your thoughts or opinions on the questions stated above and let’s learn from eachother.

***
1)  New on the blog? Yay!!! Thanks for checking. Check out previous posts on the home page or you can click on those titles listed below this post or below the comment box.
2) I want to suggest you all get this book – BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND by Joyce Meyer. It’s a great book.
3) I’m now Mrs Alli… #winks
Wishing you a JOYFUL weekend.
                                With Love,
                                         MayreeH.
                                   

DON’T FRET OR WORRY!

….casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)
Care could be anxiety, worry, concern…
The fact is this: anxieties, worries and concerns have no positive effect on our lives. Apart from the fact that they don’t solve problems, they end up weighing us down and stealing away our joy.
All of these cares are just distractions and when we let them, they choke and suffocate God’s word in us and before we know it, doubt steps in and we become faithless & fruitless.
Are you always thinking of yourself, your problems, your personal needs? Are you overwhelmed by all that’s happening around you or to you or your loved one? Are you worried because you’re yet to achieve the goals you set for 2014?
Or do you think of God, His Love and His Purpose for your life?

Philippians 4: 6-7 says “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, Pray. Let Petitions and Praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” {MSG}

When we worry, it shows that we think we can solve our problems or assist God in solving it but God expects that we depend TOTALLY on Him.

Just Imagine living your life without Worry….
Though its not going to be easy at first but you can consciously begin to replace worries with prayers, praises and thanksgiving and before you know it, it becomes part of you, then you will start to enjoy being cared for by the Prince of Peace, the ONLY ONE who does ALL things well.

St. Paul sums it up by saying “You’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things that are True, Noble, Reputable, Authentic, Compelling, Gracious – the Best, not the worst; the Beautiful, not the Ugly; things to Praise, not things to Curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realised. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. {Philippians 4: 8-9 (MSG)}
Wishing you a WorryFree and CareFree Life.
                        With Love,
                               MayreeH.
***
Check out other articles on the Blog. Thank you.

ARE YOU GIVING ALL THAT’S WITHIN YOU?

Written by: OMOTAYO, Michael OluwaTosin
Exactly 8 days ago the whole world was rocked by the shocking news of the death of Dr. Myles Munroe.
But you know all through his life, Dr. Myles never talked about death as a tragic event. As a matter of fact he always talked fondly about going to the grave an empty man.
He believed that the main purpose of life is to live and die giving all that is within you to the world, which He proudly did.
The question his life and  death is asking those of us still around here is this: “How are you living?”. Hustling? getting by? surviving?
Are we careful enough to design a life we are convinced we are meant to live and doing something everyday to live that life?
“I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,I have kept the faith…”
Have a Blessed Week Friends.

TOMORROW

We get so obsessed about tomorrow, plan for tomorrow, worry about tomorrow, dream about tomorrow, then we change our plans and worry some more.
Sometime back, I would ponder on the words “do not worry about tomorrow” and I begin to think…. “Am I to sit and just wait for God?”, “so I don’t have to set goals and make plans?” … then I came across James 4:13 -17 and with God’s help I saw beyond those words.
James reminds us NOT to take charge and get so confident that we forget to seek God, ask for His Will, put Him in charge our lives.
Jesus warns against boasting about our future plans. Why? Because we are so small. We are but a vapour, and we are certainly not God. (James 4:14)
We are encouraged to make it a habit to say, “if the Lord wills it and we are still alive, we’ll do this or that.” But many say these words and still take the driver seat putting God on the back seat. It isn’t just about saying the mere words “if the Lord wills”, it requires a change of heart, the habit of holding our plans and dreams with open hands, acknowledging God as King over our lives – past, present and future.
The truth is no matter how perfectly we plan, many unexpected things pop up & then we are disappointed.
Today, acknowledge God as the King over your life and Trust Him TOTALLY. Lay all your plans before Him and be open to Him moulding them to become perfect, bearing in mind that “His ways are not your ways”, and when unexpected situations come up, remember “His Grace is Sufficient for You”
Stay Blessed….
           With Love, MayreeH.

THE POWER OF BALANCE

Awww! …..
One great lesson I’ve learnt in the last 2 months is the Power of Balance.
It’s sad how many of Us put the important things aside just because we got involved in something(s) or someone.
You get a job & you don’t even have time to pray how much more study God’s Word, you receive answers to your prayers & you forget He who answered the prayers.
Hmmmn… it might even be those that matter to you that you push aside…, or you get into a relationship & God automatically takes 2nd place in your life & nothing else matters…. Whichever way, we should learn to balance all that we do or are involved in so that NO aspect of our lives (spiritual, physical, moral, mental, social, academical, etc…) suffers.
Above all, Never forget the One through whom the Blessing(s) came. He deserves Our time, not just anytime but a special time assigned to be spent with Him & Just Him.
The fact is, it’s always tough at first especially when you’re involved in so many time consuming & challenging activities but along the line, you must CONSCIOUSLY try to place your Priorities right and Balance your life remembering that at the end of it all….. ALL IS VANITY.
Don’t give up, it’s Never too Late!
It’s really being a while… Thanks to all those who disturbed me at one point or the other to write. Here I am, I finally did! Yeppy! God Bless You All.
May God Grant Us the Grace to make Him our Priority by Actions and not just by Word. Amen.
Wishing You All a Balanced Life…. yeppy!

THE RING

Amazing Day!
Thank you Lord for the gift of life…
The Ring?
Note: Not just for the ladies… guys learn too.
Its so sad how ladies have become so desperate, they throw off their standards, damn genuine relationships and do anything just to have a man put a ring on their finger. What exactly do you want? A ring or Love? To be married or to be Happy?
Sometimes, i dont even blame the ladies… parents, relatives, society have tagged marriage as the next phase of life after school. …..the pressure that comes from them en…., the house becomes so uncomfortable to stay in. Mum starts comparing you to your friend that just had a Baby, Relatives come around and are asking questions like “what are you waiting for?”, “What is his plan?”, “When will it be?”, What’s he waiting for?”, and all… then when they are leaving, all their prayer points is about marriage not even getting a job or achieving your dreams and purpose…. The soceity isnt left out…. “its her 26th birthday tommorow” and the next question is “when is she going to get married?, she isnt getting any younger ooO”……Seriously???? May God help we ladies oOo
My Dear Ladies (single, in a relationship, engaged), in no particular order, take note of the following:
1) Don’t ever be desperate for marriage, desperate people hardly ever make the right decisions. Whether its your Mother, Parents, relatives or friends that are harrassing you or it’s you that’s feeling like you are becoming old…… remember at all times: Marriage isnt Child’s play. Its forever! Till death….
2) Get a life…. get busy, develop your talent, get a job, pursue that dream, start that buisness…. stop waiting for a man to come and define your life, guys are even wiser now, they want assets not liabilities.
3) Don’t ever throw off your standards for a ring. Now don’t get me wrong, i’m not asking you to have unrealistic standards or hope for a perfect guy …Nope! What i’m saying is…. everyone has that one thing they can’t compromise, don’t overlook it for a ring. Don’t decide to manage or cope.
4) Don’t ever think that you can change a man… though you can influence somethings in his life, don’t think you can change major habits or behaviours.
5) Does he breath encouragement into your dreams, goals, aspirations? Is he attentive when you speak about your passion or plans? Does he think they are impossible or laughs at them or even underestimates you? This is really important.
6) Age aint maturity, being old enough or physically ready doesn’t make a man suitable and ready. He should also be mentally, socially, spiritually and financially ready. When i say financially i don’t mean he must have all the money, but that he should have a source of income. Love won’t pay the bills or buy pampers ooO #Fact
7) Friendship, Trust, Belief, Values, Family, Compatibility, Dreams, Purpose, Commitment…. ALL these are extremely important. Friendship is a great foundation for every relationship. If there’s no Trust, there’s no Peace and if you aint at peace, everything from your physical looks to your job, buisness, health, happiness….. will be affected.
8) For me the most important is GOD…. God’s got to be in charge of your life. You can’t be asking God for a good man when you don’t have a relationship with Him. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and EVERY OTHER THING will be added. His Timing is Perfect. He owns you. He knows your tommorow. He is Perfect. He knows what’s best for you… the list goes on and on. Dont take this major decision without Him. Make Him your Firm foundation.
If you are a Christain and you take God’s word seriously, submitting to your husband should be something you want to obey. Ensure he’s the kind of man you can submit to, the kind that you will peacefully and trustfully follow even if you’re blind folded. The kind that you won’t have to worry about his kind of decisions.
Ladies, don’t get excited when a man proposes to you or starts discussing marriage with you….. be sure his action is for the right reasons… be sure he isnt doing it out of pressure or desperation so you don’t end up fustrated. Be sure He’s who you can spend the rest of your life with.
Are you engaged? Ensure you accepted the ring for the right reasons.
***
I started this blog with the zeal to impact lives in every aspect possible. I may not be a Counsellor or Psychologist yet but i’m grateful to God for the inspirations, lessons learnt from personal experiences, experiences of others and happenings, knowledge gotten from books most especially His Word.
This is also an avenue to learn from each other, thats the purpose of the comment box so feel free to use and for easy access to posts, subscribe so you can get a mail as soon as a post is published. Also share posts with others.
God Loves You Than You Can Imagine,
    MayreeH.

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