God loves me!

I am alive today because of the love God has for me. I take a lot of things for granted at times but after my experience this past Saturday/Sunday, my words will mean more and my actions a lot more from this day forth. I feel blessed that God in His infinite goodness and mercy, has chosen to keep me alive and as I live, I'll continue to seek His purpose for my life, continue to work towards satisfying that which He has called me to be and accomplish. Below is my testimony:

On Saturday, I got a call from the driver asking if I planned on going out. With no destination in mind but eager to go out, after spending most of the week dealing with one meeting or another, I asked him to pick me up. When the driver showed up, he had this look on his face, his eyes looked strange...At first, I thought nothing of it but as he drove me within the estate, I noticed a certain boldness within him that he hadn't displayed through the period we've worked together...Rather than referring to me as "Oga" as he usually does, he was referring to me as "Big bros", constantly raising his voice as he spoke to me or answered my questions ...At this point, I asked him to drop me at home and return for me later in the day...When he called back later in the day to pick me up, my spirit said I shouldn't go anywhere...I must say this was really tough for me because I was wayyy too bored, with practically nothing to do in the house, staying home wasn't appealing but I went ahead and told him I'd be staying in for the night. I asked that he pick me up for church the next day and he went on his way.
The next morning, I called to confirm he was on his way to pick me up for church...At first I got no answer...I tried his number again and finally got an answer...the driver had been involved in an accident Saturday night...the car had summersaulted three times but he survived with cuts. As I sat back in shock, it hit me...It should have been apparent to me on Saturday...his sudden boldness, the look on his face, his eyes etc...the driver was high.

Who knows what would have happened if he had picked me up that night? I normally sit in the back with no seat belt on...I am convinced more than ever, that God speaks to His beloved and I am thankful that for once I listened.

I realize I said I'd put up a post on Faith but I couldn't put off this testimony. I pray that God speaks to you all in ways that you'll listen, understand and know it's Him speaking, in Jesus name. Amen.

Andrew no check out ooo!!!

So I've been gone like forever and only a hand full of people have asked after me...What rubbish!!! Where is the love that we share...What happened to for better or for worse...I thought this was a marriage...I the writer and you the readers vow never to separate but to support each other through thick and thin. Oh well at least now I know not to feel bad and not to rush to post to keep you guys entertained.

So as some of you know, have heard or have seen (which ever be the the case), I've relocated to Nigeria. Yes my motherland...if America be the land of milk and honey, Nigeria is the land of dreams and dreamers. I mean there is no other country in the world, where you go to sleep with 1,000 Naira (local currency) and wake up the next day with over 100 Million Naira. Anyway prior to this visit, my last trip to Nigeria was about 15 years as such you know the remainder of this post is going to be filled with certain things some of you (frequent travelers or Nigerian residents) may find as commonplace but those of us that have been gone for a while will have a good laugh at.

So prior to landing in Nigeria, the company had made hotel and transportation arrangements for me. I was told I'd be staying in a first-class hotel (I should have known there was something amiss when they used first class rather than 5-star to describe the hotel). I'll skip the ride from the airport to the "hotel" because nothing interesting really happened...just the usual shock that welcomes one who has been away for a while. So rather than going into a long spill about what I have experienced so far, I thought it would be more interesting if I list the really interesting ones and in my future post, I'll go into more detail.

1. Ordered white rice, stew and friend chicken from the hotel...Dude brought me boiled chicken, I stated I wanted chicken friend...dude took the food back and brought me burnt chicken..I mean visibly burnt.

2. One of my helps looks at me one morning and goes "Oga it looks like you've machinated"...I go "what did you say?", He replies" Oga you've lost weight".

3. I turn on the generator and everything in the house blows up...TV, Fan etc

4. Stuck in traffic, two okada drivers clash...the guilty party (short dude) , immediately gets up from the ground, sends the innocent party (much taller dude) two quick blows...all of a sudden the innocent party looks guilty. What confused me the most was why he would allow such a short guy bully him that way but my driver said "oga for dis country you no sabi wetin persin dey carry oo...if short man wake up hit big man, big man get to hold back..cause short man fit get backup for pocket"...lol

5. Heading home after a busy day in the office, as we enter into the street where I am currently residing, the Nepa cable above us starts to spark, cuts from the main line and dangles right in front of us...Every house on the street still had light but mine.

6. Remember my TV that blew up? So I get an electrician to look at it..after charging me money, thing still doesn't work...So we call another...finally get to the fourth electrician, he claims to be a "Master" electrician...at this point I am certain he is going to have it sorted out...By the time dude finished with the TV, I had to pay a normal electrician more money to actually make it work.

7. Electrician who had been sent to find parts for the TV, returns and says "Oga We couldn't find the original but we found the equivalent". Okay so how much is the "equivalent?"...Oga the equivalent is more expensive than the original...I couldn't help but laugh...I doubt dude knew the meaning of equivalent because as I grilled him more, he gave in...lol

8. Walk into a restaurant, order some food...told the waitress to tell the chef to add very little pepper in my food...she goes "I got you!" I remind her a second time and she says the same thing "I said I got you!"...Let's just say for two straight days, I had an intimate relationship with restrooms in the office and at home... I can design a restroom in my sleep now.

9. So I have a security guard...dude goes to bed before I go to bed...he sleeps through the day...So I bought touch light and I've been guarding him...He is paid to watch over me but the roles are now reversed.

10. Walk into a dance spot to celebrate a mates bachelor eve...Standing there, a girl walks up to me and grabs my hand (at this point I am thinking to myself....I must be looking real fly)...Next thing I know she starts gyrating in front of me...At this point we figure she's a "lady of the night"...I guess as she's shocked at her inability to arouse me...she turns and goes "Are you angry?" ...I am like why? She goes "Cause you no dey stand"...Forgive the crudeness of this incident but I couldn't help but share...wayyy too funny.

11. In a meeting, talking about diverse things, I notice one guy seems knowledgeable in every area...So I ask him what he does for a living ...dude goes "Everything!".

I'll leave you guys with those for now...It's been fun though...I can't wait to see what today holds...Someone should do "Nigeria's funniest video" it will be a huge hit.

Trust you guys are cool. I heard something interesting and powerful recently. The devil isn't after your money, your health or other material things...think about it...the devil doesn't need money in order to carry out his evil plots/schemes...The devil wants to attack your FAITH...He knows if he can successfully attack your faith in God, he's got you right where he wants you. I'll expand on this one of these days...So When you face trials and tribulation or experience losses that you can't explain, remember what I've said and keep on trusting in God.


PS: If you notice a high amount of mistakes or grammatical errors, please bear with me... I am in Nigeria and every minute I spend making corrections, is time I would have spent charging for them....I love this town!

On the way to your destiny

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11

I sat back this weekend,just thinking of how blessed I am as a child of the Most High God, where He has brought me from and where He is taking me. As I sat appreciating the wonders of His work and how my best laid plans are nothing compared to what He proposes for me, I realized how some who are going through situations need a word to encourage them. I truly believe everything that happens in our lives are permitted in order to fulfill our destiny. For those that have come to the knowledge of Christ, you can be assured by His words in Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".

The length of time it takes for you to get to your promised land is determined by a number of factors. Day in Day out, friends have asked how I've managed to keep my dreams alive in spite of the reports I've been getting...in spite of what looks like a never changing narrative, I tell them that my assurance is in the word of God in Isaiah 55:11 that says "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;It shall not return to Me void,but it shall accomplish what I please,and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it". You see the God we serve has a great sense of humor, He is like a father that watches His child struggling with something and patiently waits for the child to ask for His help. Most times the child never seems to turn to His father until he/she has ran out of options/ideas. Which leads me to our first factor:
1. Our actions/inactions - So what do you do when things aren't going your way? Do you sit back and throw yourself a pity party? Or do you encourage yourself in the word of God. In my case, I tend to praise a lot. I sit back and actually compose praise songs which I sing to God. One of the things I've noticed studying the bible is how many times we are told the children of Israel sang praises as they headed to war or while warring with their opposition and how on each occasion they were victorious. David was a man after God's heart because of his worship. He worshiped regardless of what he faced. Can you imagine a man worshiping God, while another man is after his life? Or a man rather than mourning the death of his son, worshiping God instead? Now that is what God expects of us.
2. Our confessions - The bible says that the tongue is like a two-edged sword...you can either use it in a way that would lead to your blessing or to your curse. When you face a situation, what are your confessions? Do you confess the problems/trials you face or do you confess victory over it. Choose to confess victory daily.
3. Faith trophy case-Like a successful athlete with many trophies, you should continually shine your faith trophy case. Your faith trophy case is a reminder of the hurdles you've overcome in the past because of God's love and mercy. Your ability to remember these triumphs and God's hand in ensuring your victory, helps in building your faith and assuring you that this shall also pass.
4. Your spiritual house- If you find yourself in the same predicament, time and time again, there is the need to go back and rebuild your spiritual house. If you haven't accepted the Lord as your personal savior, you'll definitely have to in order for God's promises to come to past in your life and if you have but continue to face these trials, it might be wise to rededicate your life. As in the physical houses we see, if the foundation isn't strong, the house won't stand when the winds and storms come. So by rebuilding our foundation, we rebuild our faith and by rebuilding our faith, we recognize the power and might of God above all else and the victory we are assured of by His word.
5. The breaking makes you strong- I compare this to our time in school. In order to move onto the next class, you typically have to pass an exam. God will not promote you if you constantly fail in the little you've been challenged with. For His word says He will not give you more than you can handle. I truly enjoy the challenges I face because it gives me the assurance that something big and better is about to happen in my life. In order for gold to become valuable, the raw material is put through fire and it's only after then are we truly able to appreciate it's beauty and value.
6. Let God be your source, your reference and your guide- As I mentioned above, the quicker you hand over your problems to God, the faster it is for God to handle them for you. In all things and all decisions, allow God to guide you.

Finally, I think it's important I touch on counterfeit blessings. Most people after they've been expectant for a long time finally get something that looks like what they've been looking for. Let's use a situation I am all too familiar with - A job! So I've spent a considerable amount of time looking for a job within a specific sector and I've determined within myself to find it...After praying and fasting, I finally got what seemed like the perfect job. I didn't have to negotiate anything but for some strange reason, my spirit wasn't at peace...traditionally, folks will sign up and work and thank God for the job but one thing I know is that when God gives you what is yours it comes with no concerns. A week before I was to leave, I turned to God and prayed...thanked Him for the opportunity but requested a sign that the job was from Him. When you read the story of Hezekiah (2 Kings chapters 18-20), He prayed to God to extend his life and When God sent Isaiah back to him to inform him that He (God) had decided to extend his life by 15 years, Hezekiah asked Isaiah to go back to God and ask that God show him a sign that it was really from God. God showed Hezekiah the sign and as the story goes, Hezekiah lived 15 more years before he died. I believe Hezekiah understood what a counterfeit blessing was...As God gives good gifts, the devil also gives us gifts and most times those gifts lead to our destruction/downfall....that is why it's important to constantly ask God if this is from Him. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death".

You've been born to outlast every trial you'll ever face. You've been armed with the necessary tools to fight your every trial. Choose today to be victorious...For your tomorrow is based on the decisions you make today. May God guide you, May His desire for you become evident as you seek His face and choose to do His will. And may your destiny be one that would bring glory to the kingdom and also fulfillment to that which God has called you to achieve. In Jesus name . Amen.

Picture Prospect Club

You want to join...Membership is free...opportunities with this club are endless. You've just had a preview of the club I've been invited to join. I must say it's always nice when folks think your profile fits the caliber of folks they are trying to attract. While my mates are getting invites into the inner circle of the Bill Gates of this world, I am getting invited to join the Picture Prospect Club.

The Picture Prospect Club is for professionals looking to settle down but who lack the "liver" to toast a lady, can't easily locate ladies, are too busy to make time out to find their mate or for one who friends have termed a "hopeless" case in terms of meeting a lady. I've been told by those that seek to induct me into this club that I fall into the fourth category. So you might be wondering how does the Picture Prospect Club's (PPC) operate? Well they fill your inbox with pictures of ladies, some you know and many you don't know. The idea is for you to go through the pictures, inform the power that be if any interests you at which point they go into hook-up mode.

We all have friends who belong to this club..whether they realize it or not. Anyway Friday night, was guys night out...I hung out with seven guy friends...we decided to go to my favorite cafe, chill, hang out and generally reminisce. For some strange reason (I guess out of excitement I was finally going out on a Friday night), it didn't hit me that all the guys were married...Now I don't know how it works when the ladies have their night out but with the guys, if you happen to be the only single guy in the midst of married men, be sure that if you don't have strong yabs, you are going to be the bunt of their jokes ..ALL NIGHT! After settling in at the cafe, the salvos began...Almost every lady that walked into the cafe became a potential wife for Miguel...Talk about embarrassment galore...

So you'd think I learnt my lesson from that experience...Naaaa not me...Sunday, I decided to carry my head and legs to a surprise party for a friends sister, who happens to be married. Now I didn't think nothing of it until I noticed that 85% of folks in attendance were married, 12% engaged and the remaining 3% either in a relationship or single with a comma. Anyway so while looking for a group to interact with, I was left with the most obvious choice...the married men! And yesssssss you catch my drift I was the bunt of their jokes...Those that knew me went through my past like they were rumbling through trash for something of value. Anyway at this meeting I guess the decision to induct me into PPC was birth.

The PPC must be a successful club cause it beats me why women continue to send these guys their pictures. I mean the fact that a guy is married doesn't mean he'll have great success hooking you up with his single friend. The funniest thing I gathered is women actually send updated pictures...lol...

Anyway, I am off to visit my inbox...Who knows I might find a picture of you in there...lol

Nothing do you!!!

Wow!!! It a miracle!!! I found my way to my blog!!!...Lol...I realize I have been gone for a while...Wish I could blame it on something...hmmm...let's see...Yeahhh...Face book!!! It's taken over the little social life I have...I hardly feel the need to blog these days. I must confess I've thought about shutting down this blog but I can't seem to do it...I guess it remains the only authentic way I can freely express what is going on in my life and in my head. Oh well...Summer is here and we all know what summer brings...new love, challenges and weddings.

So during my time away from my blog, I've discovered and become a fan of NE-YO. Yeah dude is a genius!!! I mean his song writing skills are off the hook!!! Yup you read me right...I've become a huge Ne-Yo fan...I've downloaded majority of his songs onto my IPOD. Each time I tell my friends about this new discovery, I get a strange look like "what jungle has he been in for the past few years?"... Don't blame me... I just got tired of the direction I felt music was headed...I stopped listening to the radio or watching music channels for fear I'd get a migraine.

Anyway, just thought I'd swing by...show some love and let you guys know I am still alive and plan to keep updating this page. I am looking forward to an exciting and fun filled summer...Hopefully with a lot of gist to share. So until I come your way again, enjoy your summer...remember life isn't worth living if you aren't willing to explore. I am off to exploreeeeeeeee.

DDD!!!

Yeah yeah yeah...I've been gone for a while but folks you can't blame this brother ooo ... The past three weeks have been hectic...I've had to make some whirlwind trips, dance like music was ending tomorrow, network like rapture was about to happen. I mean as I sit here typing this, I am getting ready to jet out tomorrow. A friend said with the way I have been traveling, the current credit crisis hasn't touched me yet... How I wish that was the case. It's touched me in so many ways, I feel violated but it's God that keeps His own.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages...it's with deep sadness, a deafening realization and painful admission of my aging bones that I announce my retirement from break-dancing and any form of dancing that require mimicking MC Hammer. This retirement has been in the works for a number of years but it's been tough admitting to the changes in my physic as I have aged. Last weekend,I went to a friends bachelor eves party, not only did I bring the house down with my dance moves but I also brought about excruciating pains to my joints in the process. Advice to those still living in the 90's ...Please for the sake of your generation unborn (especially guys), do not attempt to do a "split" when dancing!!! Yeah I am sure folks will scream in ecstasy but trust me the pain you get from hitting your knees on the floor and pulling your groin isn't worth the screams.

Anyway so I flew into DC during the week, finally met up with Ms. Whine-Chat (I've known her for about 10 years but this was our first meeting)...this babe is a trip!!! lol...I wish I had a couple more days to spend with her catching up but Ms. Whine-Chat, it was fun finally meeting you in person.

So Last week I fulfilled one of my many desires (I have a list of things I want to accomplish before I leave the US)... I got a chance to drive from DC to NY. For those of you that know me, I enjoy taking random road trips...I've covered a number of popular routes but never done the tri-state. So I rented a car from DC and drove into NY...succeeded in getting a speeding ticket in DC(silly camera caught me), a toll violation in Delaware (I didn't have cash on me to pay the tolls ...in my defense I completely forgot about tolls), a lesson in parking in NY...Ahhh!!! the sort of experience an adventurer like myself craves. I am of the opinion that driving should be banned in NY...Jokes apart oooo but with the way folks drive in that city, you could drive in there a saint and leave there an agent of the devil. You are not just battling with the other drivers but also with the pedestrians who have no regard for street lights or speeding vehicles...to make matters worse, Mapquest decided it was in a city such as this that it should play its part in losing me, it had me circling central park like a tour bus taking tourists on a ride. You know what they say about men and their problem with stopping to ask for directions? It doesn't apply in NY. You stop to ask for directions and folks think you are crazy...even the cops! I parked in the middle of the road (it's common practice out there), walked up to this officer and asked for directions...She gave me this weird look... I thought it was because I had parked in the middle of the road but nooooooooooo it was the fact I walked up to her to ask for directions...Ma'm please how can I get to Queensboro bridge? ..What? (with a scary look on her face)...I am looking for Queensboro bridge... Just drive down and ask someone! Huh? drive down and ask someone? I AM ASKING YOU!!!

In other news, sharp rise in number of engagements and weddings, and an even sharper rise in number of early divorces (3 months-1 year). Forgive me for the analogy I am about to make but it's the best way I can express the stories I've been hearing of late. Folks now compare marriage to a car buying experience. You go out, decide on the type of vehicle you want(a truck, SUV, coupe),the make (BMW, Benz, Lexus) and the year (2008, 2007, 2006)...Negotiate price, then decide if you want to buy it or lease it. These days most marriages happening are leases... Folks decide to get married, after three months you hear they are getting a divorce!!! You ask them what went wrong and the excuses you hear these days would floor you... I was talking to one of such and expressed my shock and the lady goes..."why are you surprised?...at least we lasted a year. I know others that didn't even last three months. Nowadays, no one has time to waste ooo if it is not working, we find our square roots". That conversation got me thinking and this weekend as I attended a wedding reception, I finally found somewhat of an answer. I bumped into this babe that I've known for quite some time....Let me give you some background..a couple of months ago, she was single and looking for a man...Anyway as we exchanged pleasantries, I noticed a ring on her finger...When I asked she said she had just gotten engaged...How long had she known this guy? a matter of weeks. Another babe just broke up with a guy she was engaged to two weeks ago and I've just gathered she's engaged to someone else now...I realize some would argue that finding a partner or love has nothing to do with length of time you've known the person but I tend to believe the current spike in divorce rates are as a result of misplaced priorities and a lack of proper due diligence of which length of time you've known a person plays a huge role.

Whatever the case may be, it is still a worrying trend. I just hope those of us looking will take this into consideration as we seek our help-mate.

In all I am excited...Good things happening..I'll be breaking some huge news soon...so watch this page! I love summers...Loads of weddings!!!

Anyway I need to go put 3-T to sleep (He is such a big baby!!!), prep for my next mission and prepare to diss the Manchester United vs Chelsea game...I really don't care who wins...How I wish there was a way to end the match without a winner! Arsenal for lifeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Tireeeeed!!!

Just got into town from a quick, exhaustive trip. I need to get some rest but I'll be back in a day with some gist. I must say anyone planning on moving back to Nigeria, should take a trip to New York first. Rent a car and experience the driving there...if after such an experience you are convinced you can handle that on a daily basis, then you are prepared for Nigeria!

Anyway not to spoil the gist...I'll be back shortly...In the meantime, enjoy this video by Gbenga Adenuga, Wale Adenuga and Kunle Fadahunsi...Be blessed!