Tuesday 30 September 2014
Wednesday 17 September 2014
Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death…Dr. Ada Igonoh survived Ebola – This is her Story
http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/09/15/must-read-through-the-valley-of-the-shadow-of-death-dr-ada-igonoh-survived-ebola-this-is-her-story/
Courtesy of Bella Naija. Here is the link to the story of a junior colleague of Dr Adadevoh who survived the Ebola virus. It is quite long, but worth a read.
Tuesday 16 September 2014
At the evening of tributes for Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh
At the evening of tributes for Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, I looked around the room packed to capacity, and the various people who had come to honour her as I did. The tributes were drawn from various constituencies; childhood friends, university friends, family members and professional colleagues. There was an air of expectancy. The sum total of what everyone said was the same; that Ameyo was consistent through her whole life in displaying the strength of character that was evident in her handling the Ebola index case .
The following morning, in my devotion I read two scriptures which brought Ameyo to mind, in the context of how her life has been a true example of the messages contained in them.
(1) John 15:16 | NIV
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
(2) Genesis 1:28 NLT
Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground."
John15:16 says to me that God chose Ameyo first and that His choice is centred on purpose. The purpose is to bear fruit. An expression of the divine mandate given to Adam and Eve at the origin of human history, and also He said in Genesis 1:28 ' be fruitful and multiply'
Fruitfulness
What is the evidence of fruitfulness? There is scripture that says 'by their fruits you will know them'. That is, whatever fruits we bear will be self evident.
It takes time for fruit to grow and ripen. Before fruit comes, there has been a process leading up to this. In the first place, a seed is sown. The seed goes into the ground and dies before the new life bursts forth from it in the form of a seedling. The seedling goes through many growth stages before it reaches maturity as a bush or a tree. Many unseen things go on while the seed is underground, before it's shoots come up through the soil.
In the same way, God uses the seed of our life's choices in an unseen manner until an appointed time when our character shows through, and exactly what kind of plant we are becomes evident. Once the shoot comes through, the new plant must undergo a lot of necessary stages in order to grow into a healthy tree. There will be dew and rain, sometimes with storms and flood, there will be the sun, sometimes with scorching heat, there will be cool breezes, and sometimes punishing strong winds. And then there is the mystical element of life itself which God had already put in the seed, which carries the DNA of the particular plant.
All these elemental effects are absolutely necessary for a plant to survive and grow into a strong tree. In the same way, the vicissitudes of our lives train us up in character and strength so that we will grow into a tree who's DNA is the character of God. That is what I believe God is about when we read about man being created in His own image.
Once the tree is established with firm roots in the soil, the leaves multiply and in due season it yields fruit. The identification of the tree is made clear from both the fruit, the leaves, and the configuration of the stem and branches. The characteristics of these can be related to the environment in which the tree is planted. Some trees have deep tap roots, some a shallow but widespread root system, while some have aerial roots and so on. Some plants survive through the most hostile environments, and in the same way some human beings pull through in a victorious , fruitful manner despite the odds stacked against them. This is the core evidence of fruitfulness. In the eye of adversity, the mettle of each of us is tested and the hard knocks of life become opportunities to display the power of Godly character.
When the news of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria first hit our ears, I am sure many people were praying that the tide of destruction that it brings will be stopped. That it will be removed from our environment. We had no idea that our prayers aligned with God's will and purpose for Ameyo's life, and that the answer to that prayer would bring about the clear evidence of the 'fruit' of her life and a fulfilment of it. Her mandate as a Christian which I've extracted from Genesis1:28, was to :
- be fruitful
- to multiply
- to have dominion
- to be a good steward
These traits are clearly seen in full measure in her life, and that is why I rejoice for her life, and join millions of people who honour and celebrate her. There is no doubt whatsoever that she is with The Lord. These are the things that I have learnt from Ameyo's life.
Ameyo's fruitfulness:
-Kindness
-Sacrificial giving
-Generosity
-Bringing her sparkle to any where she is
Ameyo multiplied:
- healing to so many
- goodwill
- gave of herself personally and professionally
Ameyo had dominion:
- excellence in academics and medical practice
- keeping firmly to her resolve not to allow the index case to leave her charge
- positive influence in her sphere
Ameyo was a good steward:
- she used her talent and skill sets to serve others
Her family
Her friends
Her profession
Her nation
Bright is the light of Ameyo's life. She has borne fruit that will last for years to come. She is truly legendary and a beacon of light in her generation, and definitely a heroine.
What is the evidence of fruitfulness? There is scripture that says 'by their fruits you will know them'. That is, whatever fruits we bear will be self evident.
It takes time for fruit to grow and ripen. Before fruit comes, there has been a process leading up to this. In the first place, a seed is sown. The seed goes into the ground and dies before the new life bursts forth from it in the form of a seedling. The seedling goes through many growth stages before it reaches maturity as a bush or a tree. Many unseen things go on while the seed is underground, before it's shoots come up through the soil.
In the same way, God uses the seed of our life's choices in an unseen manner until an appointed time when our character shows through, and exactly what kind of plant we are becomes evident. Once the shoot comes through, the new plant must undergo a lot of necessary stages in order to grow into a healthy tree. There will be dew and rain, sometimes with storms and flood, there will be the sun, sometimes with scorching heat, there will be cool breezes, and sometimes punishing strong winds. And then there is the mystical element of life itself which God had already put in the seed, which carries the DNA of the particular plant.
All these elemental effects are absolutely necessary for a plant to survive and grow into a strong tree. In the same way, the vicissitudes of our lives train us up in character and strength so that we will grow into a tree who's DNA is the character of God. That is what I believe God is about when we read about man being created in His own image.
Once the tree is established with firm roots in the soil, the leaves multiply and in due season it yields fruit. The identification of the tree is made clear from both the fruit, the leaves, and the configuration of the stem and branches. The characteristics of these can be related to the environment in which the tree is planted. Some trees have deep tap roots, some a shallow but widespread root system, while some have aerial roots and so on. Some plants survive through the most hostile environments, and in the same way some human beings pull through in a victorious , fruitful manner despite the odds stacked against them. This is the core evidence of fruitfulness. In the eye of adversity, the mettle of each of us is tested and the hard knocks of life become opportunities to display the power of Godly character.
When the news of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria first hit our ears, I am sure many people were praying that the tide of destruction that it brings will be stopped. That it will be removed from our environment. We had no idea that our prayers aligned with God's will and purpose for Ameyo's life, and that the answer to that prayer would bring about the clear evidence of the 'fruit' of her life and a fulfilment of it. Her mandate as a Christian which I've extracted from Genesis1:28, was to :
- be fruitful
- to multiply
- to have dominion
- to be a good steward
These traits are clearly seen in full measure in her life, and that is why I rejoice for her life, and join millions of people who honour and celebrate her. There is no doubt whatsoever that she is with The Lord. These are the things that I have learnt from Ameyo's life.
Ameyo's fruitfulness:
-Kindness
-Sacrificial giving
-Generosity
-Bringing her sparkle to any where she is
Ameyo multiplied:
- healing to so many
- goodwill
- gave of herself personally and professionally
Ameyo had dominion:
- excellence in academics and medical practice
- keeping firmly to her resolve not to allow the index case to leave her charge
- positive influence in her sphere
Ameyo was a good steward:
- she used her talent and skill sets to serve others
Her family
Her friends
Her profession
Her nation
Bright is the light of Ameyo's life. She has borne fruit that will last for years to come. She is truly legendary and a beacon of light in her generation, and definitely a heroine.
Sunday 7 September 2014
10 steps to God centred living
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 4:8 Philippians 4:13
Romans 12:2
Above are some scriptures that I studied and drew some ideas and important directions from. I ended up with a ten point list
Furthermore I believe they speak to the truth about who we can be in Christ Jesus. Essentially that we are blue printed for flight, and not earth bound to 'circumstances' and how we can use inherent tools to work out our purpose. We are each unique; with peculiar characteristics that align with what we are here on earth to be and do.
And here is the ten point power list
1. Godly Potential: Ability to access what you need to move forward.
2. Mind of Christ
3. Power of the holy spirit.
4.Strengths and talents that need to be appropriately applied e.g
4.1 Lateral thinking
4.2 Creativity
4.3 Analytical and Critical thinking
4.4 Self awareness
5. Application of results of analysis ie Action oriented
6. Promptness and timeliness in taking action
7. Risk taking
8. Trancendence, ie appreciation of beauty, expression of gratitude, ability of hope, capacity for joy.
9. Faith- KNOWING that the battle is the Lord's and the outcome is always WINNING. Trusting God to do his part while you do yours
10. (PPL) Patience, Perseverance, and Long suffering aka 'grace to endure'
1. Godly Potential: Ability to access what you need to move forward.
2. Mind of Christ
3. Power of the holy spirit.
4.Strengths and talents that need to be appropriately applied e.g
4.1 Lateral thinking
4.2 Creativity
4.3 Analytical and Critical thinking
4.4 Self awareness
5. Application of results of analysis ie Action oriented
6. Promptness and timeliness in taking action
7. Risk taking
8. Trancendence, ie appreciation of beauty, expression of gratitude, ability of hope, capacity for joy.
9. Faith- KNOWING that the battle is the Lord's and the outcome is always WINNING. Trusting God to do his part while you do yours
10. (PPL) Patience, Perseverance, and Long suffering aka 'grace to endure'
This list is not exhaustive, do you have any further ideas that you would like to share?
May the power of His word be revealed to you in Jesus name.
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