Posts

Showing posts from December, 2023

God is Love

Image
"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4: 8 ---- On my way to work at the theatre, I stopped off at the local supermarket to buy some tights, as my legs were freezing underneath my trousers. They didn't have any. I decided to try another supermarket. On the way, I was fascinated by the grittiness of the neighbourhood and decided to take some photos. After a while, I realised I was walking in the wrong direction. "Why didn't you stop me, Lord?" I said. "Because you were having so much fun taking photos," He said. I could feel Him smiling at me. After backtracking, I found a supermarket that sold the kind of tights I was looking for. I believe God has given me His love for particular things I enjoy doing like taking photos; my love for these particular theatres that I work in; and my love for chatting to people which I get to do at work. Interestingly enough, I noticed the word "Love" on a wall, which sym

Christmas Gifts

Image
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6 ---- A Christian friend and I had planned to have a catch-up. Before we met up, I decided to get her a Christmas gift. I went into this store and noticed some woolly hats and gloves. I wondered if I should get those as she likes hats too. I have never seen her wearing that kind of hat though, it's more my kind of hat. I decided to leave it. Before I started my shift at the performing arts centre  I decided to check out their shop where I found this necklace in my budget.  I decided to get it for her as I knew my friend would like it. The next day when I met up with my friend, she gave me a Christmas gift. I was amazed to see a woolly hat and gloves and they were very similar to the ones I saw at the store. She also liked the necklace I had bought h

Star Wars in My Eyes

Image
Today, I got to meet Darth Vader and his stormtroopers.😄

Man's Plan versus God’s Plan

Image
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29: 11 ---- A few weeks ago I asked my flatmate what her plans were for Christmas. I said it would be nice if we could spend it together.  She told me she planned  to spend a few days  with her daughter who lives out of London. Her daughter was going to pick her up on Christmas Eve. She asked if I had any plans. I told her I planned to work up to and after Christmas. I said I could look after her cat, Zeus, while she was away. I also planned to hang out with a friend who lives down the road from me after Christmas.  Things didn't go according to plan. First of all, I had a cold which meant I had to cancel all shifts I was booked on before Christmas and just rest.  During that time, I spent a lot of time meditating on and receiving revelation of God's Love.  When I got better, I accepted two shifts and worked till Christmas Eve

Jesus is My Life

"For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." Ephesians 5: 30 ---- I woke up in the middle of the night coughing with a sore throat. I reminded myself that Jesus is not only my health, He is my body. When I woke up later, the sore throat was gone and I was no longer coughing. Thank you, Jesus, for being my life. ❤️

Celebrating the Birth of Christ

Image
It's that time of the year again when Christians (believers in Jesus Christ who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour) celebrate the birth of God made flesh. We believe Jesus Christ took the form of a man so all who believe in Him can have real life, eternal life, and have fellowship with God. I believe Jesus is literally my life, my health, my body, my joy, my peace and my everything.  Without Him, I am nothing and I have nothing. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Christ's life, joy, love, peace and blessings. ❤️ "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1: 14

Mary Poppins

Image
"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2: 13 ---- When a colleague at work asked if anyone had some tissues, I reached into my backpack to get some for her. "Your bag looks like Mary Poppins' bag," she said. "From now on I'm going to call you Mary Poppins." "Actually, Mary Poppins is one of my favourite films," I said. A few minutes later, the same colleague asked if anyone had any sweets. I looked in the side of my backpack and pulled out a tin of mints, which I shared with her and several colleagues. "See, you are Mary Poppins!" Funny enough, a previous housemate used to call me Mary Poppins because she said magical things happen around me. I believe it is God in me, with me and around me who makes wonderful things happen. ❤️ Photos of my backpack.  The image of Mary Poppins is courtesy of Google Images

Arsenal v Liverpool

Image
"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence  is  fullness of joy; At Your right hand  are  pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16: 11 ---- On the tube this morning, I noticed this man and woman sitting opposite me. The man was wearing an Arsenal football club top. I was aware Arsenal and Liverpool (the football team I support), played yesterday and the match ended with a 1-1 draw. I was going to say something but he was busy on his laptop.  When he finally put his laptop away and looked like he was about to get off, it was time to make my move. I leaned over and said, Excuse me?" "Yes," he said. I pointed to the Arsenal logo on his top and said, "You got lucky yesterday!  I'm a Liverpool supporter. That's all I have to say about that." His girlfriend burst out laughing. "We did get lucky," he said. "You should have finished the job then." Before they got off, the Arsenal fan wished my team luck and I wished him the same

Jesus Revealing Himself

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14: 6 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’" Acts 17: 28 ---- The other day, while I was lying in the bath, I was meditating on what life is. I thought that which most people think is life is not real life at all. Jesus is the only Life there is.  Anyone who lives and believes in Jesus get to experience His life, which is eternal. (John 11: 26; John 14: 19) The moment you believe you have your own life, then you're living a fantasy life which you can even choose to end at any time. I must have been soaking in the bath for about an hour.  Later, as I was getting dressed, I put on the UK God channel on my laptop. There was this man teaching from the Bible. He said, "What is life?" It was as if he was looking directly at me. He then cited the following passage

Calling Forth Calmness

"As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4: 16-17 ---- I believe God creates by calling forth that which doesn't exist into existence.  He calls light in darkness. He calls forth health where there is sickness. He calls forth life, where there is death. I believe all sons and daughters of God, who have been made in the image and likeness of God, are meant to create in the sane way. This morning, while my flatmate's cat', Zeus, was having a snuggle on my bed, I chatted to him out loud. I told him how much I loved him and what a good boy he was. I told him he was loved and safe and there was no need to be frightened when the postman drops a letter or if someone he doesn't know pops round. I told him he was a very calm cat. Later, my flatmate took him to the vet to have some medication. When they returned,  I ask

God's Love Revealed

Image
"So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at "home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 ----- While I was lying in bed with my eyes closed, I was meditating on God's Love: The Father so loved the world that He sent his Son, Jesus, to die for all of us so we can have everlasting life. Jesus who loves us so much He was willing to take on all our sins, sickness and curses upon His body and die for us so we can be reconciled with the Father. The Holy Spirit who loves us so much, He lives in us and is our Guide. I was now aware I was no longer feeling my physical body. I was now feeling weightless and being embraced with love that felt wonderful. Suddenly, I started seeing flashes of light around me. I then saw the dark sky and billions of stars around me. It was like I was looking at a

Missing Loved Ones at Christmas

Image
This year, I know and have heard of several people who have lost loved ones.To be honest, I stopped counting after 10. They were relatives, and friends who had lost their loved ones. I've attended 2 funerals in person and 3 via Zoom.  I was chatting to my cousin last night who lost her mum earlier this year. She was telling me how much she's missing her mum.  I know how it feels when you see people looking forward to being with their family at Christmas and you are mourning the loss of a loved one and missing them. For all who have lost loved ones this year, may God give you comfort and embrace you in His Peace. I promise it does get easier every year.  Peace and love to all. ❤️🌟 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 14 Photo courtesy of Google Images

Having Baths

The last time I had a bath was almost four years ago. Our shower broke down last week and we now have to have baths until it's fixed. I had forgotten what a relaxing experience having a bath can be as you relax in those bubbles.  🛁 As enjoyable as it is, I'm no longer a bath person. I can't wait till they fix our shower in a couple of days. 🚿😊❤️

Cropped Hair Backlash

Image
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1 Peter 3: 3-4, NIV ---- I hear there has been a backlash over the new Miss France 2024, Eve Gilles, because she has cropped hair. Give me a break!  Does this mean a woman is only considered beautiful if she has long hair? What about Zozibini Tunzi, former Miss Universe (2019), who not only had cropped hair, she had natural Afro hair.  How dare they see her as beautiful? The actress, Audrey Hepburn, had cropped hair in her hey day, and she was considered to be very beautiful. I guess beauty standards have dropped since then.  I believe beauty comes in many forms whether a woman has long, short, Afro, straight, curly, etc. I guess I must be biased as I have had cropped Afro hair since 1992. ❤️ https://www.independ

Perspectives

I believe our various bodies give us different perspectives of the world. Recently, while I was working at this art gallery I noticed one male guest was extremely tall. I asked him how tall he was and he said 6 ft  6 inches. I also noticed his girlfriend was shorter than me. ( I am 5ft 5.5 inches). "I hear some tall men like short women," I said. "Is that what attracted you to her?" "Actually it's because my girlfriend likes tall men," he said, which made me laugh. Sometimes, I ask really tall men I see if it's windy.up there. 😊 One thing I've often wondered about is what it's like to have 20-20 vision. Do people with 20-20 vision have clear and perfect vision in both eyes? I have won glasses since I was a kid. There was one time when my vision was so poor I thought I was going blind. It was a very scary time for me. One day, my vision cleared and it returned to normal, at least what is normal for me. When I have an eye test at the

Baking is a Piece of Cake

There is a baking reality TV programme I watch where a baking team compete for a monetary prize. In each episode, the bakers are given a theme and asked to create equivalent cakes. I  find it interesting to see how the themes are expressed in solid cake forms.  I do cringe at all that sugar. I don't know how the judges can consume so much cake, day in and day out.  That would be my worst nightmare. It just shows God has given us different gifts. Baking and eating lots of cakes are certainly not mine, but for those who have that gift, baking is a piece of cake. 😊

No Filters

Yesterday, I met a Facebook friend at a venue I was working at. As he's a friend of a friend, we've never met in person before. The moment I saw his face, I recognised him from his photos. Some people use so many filters on their photos that they look different in real life. It was good to see my friend was  authentically himself. It was good to meet my friend in person and I gave him the VIP treatment. 😊❤️

One Spirit

Image
"But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." 1 Corinthians 6: 17 ---- Yesterday I was thinking of an ex work colleague who used to tease me when I would say "I'm going to the ladies."  She is in her late 20s and in her generation they simply say "toilet" or "loo." Today, I received a text from the same friend and she was sharing a link to a video which she recommended. The last time I received a text from her was in October. It got me wondering whether my thoughts about my friend inspired her to share the video with me. Well, my friend is a fellow Christian and we one spirit. ❤️ Here is the link to the video that you friend shared.

God’s Blessings are Constantly Available

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Ephesians 1: 3 ---- When I woke up this morning, I logged on to this UK Christian channel on my laptop to watch some pastors I enjoy watching early on Sunday morning. The pictures were coming through, but there was no sound. I checked the app on my phone and it had the same issue.  I decided to watch the American and African versions instead, which were working just fine. I believe God's spiritual blessings in Christ are constantly available. If we are not receiving them, the problem is never the Source, but our receptors which could be our false beliefs. There was obviously a receptor problem on the UK Christian channel that was preventing UK viewers from receiving the sound. I still received God's blessings through the American and African Christian channels. I give thanks for God's spiritual blessings in heavenly places

God Protects My Account

A cautionary tale A week ago, I received a phone call from a private line. The caller addressed me by name and said they were calling from the fraud department from my bank. That got me alarmed. However, I silently thanked God for protecting me from fraud. He said they'd noticed some activity in my account and they believed someone had got access to my debit card and was using it to purchase something at this store. Did I know anyone in Glasgow (Scotland)? I said no. Have I recently been to Scotland? I said no. He said they were going to  have to block my card. He asked me to confirm recent transactions I have made including direct debits. I did. He asked me how much I had in my account. I told him. He then asked if I could confirm my card details and I did. He told me he was going to text me a code to confirm that I wanted to block my card. After I received the code, he said he was going to speak to his manager about the fraudulent transaction. He even gave me a reference numb

Jesus is For All Time

Note to self: While Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season, Jesus is not confined to a season. Jesus is for all time. In other words, every day is an opportunity to be grateful for Jesus' birth and sacrifice for all humanity. Thank you, Jesus. ❤️ "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13: 8

Knock Knock!

Image
While I was in my bedroom,  I heard someone knocking on my bedroom door. Who can it be? My flatmate's at work and I haven't heard her come in. I opened the door, looked down and saw Zeus (my flatmate's cat) sitting there.  He's been in his cubbyhole all day. I guess he wanted some alone time with me. Here he is sitting on my Lap. ❤️

The Word is Literally True

"I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law." Psalm 119: 113 ---- Just before I got on the bus 141, I noticed it had 102 on the side of the bus. That got me confused.  "Is this bus 141?" I asked the bus driver. He nodded. "But it says 102 on the side." The driver shrugged his shoulders which I interpreted as "Don't know, don't care."  I got on the bus and tapped my card. During the journey, I thought literalists like myself, i.e. people who take things literally, must find this world a very confusing place.   Later on the way back, after I got off the first bus, I noticed the live timetable said the bus I was waiting for was the second on the list, but it was due in 15 minutes. I thought, I don't believe I have to wait that long.  My bus was the second to arrive, but it arrived in 1 minute. It arrived so fast that if I hadn't beckoned for the driver to stop, he would have driven right past me, as I was alone at the bus stop. Be

Natural Makeup

Note to self: When a casting agency asks you to upload a selfie with natural makeup, they don't mean no makeup. They mean base with no eyeshadow, no fake eyebrows, no fake eyelashes, no highlights, no bright lipstick. I never wear mascara, fake eyelashes, fake eyebrows or highlighter. I rarely wear eye shadow. Just as well they only want natural makeup as I wouldn't know how to put on all that slap anyway. 😄

Light Shines in Darkness

Image
 "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John.1: 5, NIV ---- Wow, the Happy House does come to life at night! Light shines in darkness. ☀️❤️ Ps: The Happpy House is at Moorgate 

None of Me, All of You

On my way to work, I was meditating on God's presence and thinking, "None of me, all of You." After I finished my first shift at the museum, I had just about enough time to get some grocery shopping and then catch the tube to my next shift at the art gallery. While we were briefed about our shift,  I started feeling pain on my right foot. It was getting so bad, I started thinking that I won't be able to work as I have to stand up. I quickly dismissed the thought and reminded myself that I walk in God. During my shift, I was so engrossed chatting to my colleagues and visitors, I lost all awareness of my foot. By the end of the shift, I was aware that both feet were now hurting.  Lord, I am going to have to rely on Your Grace to walk me home. I noticed as I was walking with a colleague to the tube station I was gliding and I felt no pain. It was like I was on one of those travelators that they have at the airport where you are being moved while you're walking.

Unmerited Favours

Image
On the tube, this man sitting beside me pulled out a huge bar of chocolate.  He asked me if I wanted some. He said it was his favourite chocolate from this particular store I couldn't possibly say no and thanked him. I told him I will have it later at home. We had a bit of a chitchat. It was soon my stop and I quickly said goodbye.  When I arrived home, I found a lovely surprise on my bed from my flatmate  - a box of chocolate Advent Calendar.  Thank you, God, for your unmerited favours. ❤️

Hit Shows

Last night, I was booked as a host at the theatre where they were performing songs from various hit shows written by the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin etc.  At first, I was put at the cloakroom. I wasn't happy there as I was hoping to see the show. My manager asked if I wanted to swap shifts with someone else working at the theatre door. Another staff member offered to swap with me. I asked if she didn't mind. She said she wasn't happy about working at the door as that style of music wasn't her cup of tea.  At the theatre, my colleague and I took it in turns to sit in the theatre and we got to listen and watch the performance. I loved  the part I got to listen to. They were great singers. What I loved the most about this show was the guests. I would say 90% of them were in their 60s and 70s. I found them courteous and delightful. They were a breathe of fresh air. Thank you, God, for making my shift a big hit. ❤️ https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/song

From Natural to Supernatural

At the last event I was working at, I was mostly standing up. My manager kept asking me if I  wanted to sit down, but I said no.  She told me I was a "superstar" for standing up for hours and not complaining. I told her I was standing by my faith and God was giving me the strength and stamina. She still insisted I was a superstar. What I didn't tell my supervisor was before I went to work, I thanked God for doing everything. The truth of the matter is if I depend on my strength and stamina alone, I would be exhausted after 2 hours.  When I let God do the standing, I can stand up for hours and still be full of energy. Can God he depleted of energy?  No. While my colleagues who were 20 to 30 years younger than I were exhausted, I was full of beans and enjoying chatting to visitors. Natural man has limits. When natural man submits to God, he becomes supernatural. Is it any wonder that my supervisor was calling me a superstar? 😀 Thank you, God, for making me supernatu