"Activated Closet Prayers"

If you are like me, you might have had this problem or asked yourself this question: “How do I pray? I don’t even know where or how to Start!” Now, if this is you, the writer, Norman Peale came up with a solution that I’d love to share.

I share this because the Bible has told us to pray without ceasing. Some of us do not understand what that means, and how to even go about it. We do put in effort to start, but get stuck along the way.

Prayers to me is not structured. Its actually very simple- just talk to God in the simplest words you have, and he is right next to you listening; its like stepping into a closet, and shorting the door behind you.

For starters, following this steps I believe will help everyone polish their prayer lives, and teach other ways of structuring our prayers in order for it to be effective. Every prayer is effective? No, I don’t believe so. If you do not have any connection with God, sorry boo, you prayer hits the ceiling and bounces right back on your laps. Sometimes it doesn’t bounce, it just drops ☺

Well put a switch into it by trying this:

10 rules for getting effective results from prayer:
1. Set aside few minutes every day. Do not say anything. Simply practice thinking about God. This will make your mind spiritually receptive.
2. Then pray orally, using simple, natural words. Tell God anything that is on your mind. Do not think you must use stereotyped pious phrases. Talk to God in your own language. He understands it.
3. Pray as you go about the business of the day, on the subway or bus or at your desk. Utilize minute prayers by closing your eyes to shut out the world and concentrating briefly on Gods presence. The more you do this every day, the nearer you will feel God’s presence.
4. Do not always ask when you pray, but instead affirm that Gods blessings are being given, and spend most of your prayers giving thanks.
5. Pray with the belief that sincere prayers can reach out and surround your loved ones with God’s love and protection.
6. Never use a negative thought in prayer. Only positive thoughts get results.
7. Always express willingness to accept God’s will. Ask for what you want, but be willing to take what God gives you. It may be better than what you ask for.
8. Practice the attitude of putting everything in God’s hands. Ask for the ability to do your best and to leave the results confidently to God.
9. Pray for people you do not like or who have mistreated you. Resentment is blockage number one of spiritual power.
10. Make a list of people for whom to pray. The more you pray for other people, especially those not connected with you, the more prayer results will come back to you.

Remain Blessed ☺
XOXO

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D Anatomy of an Aeroplane "LIFT"- Adieu

As moments to my departure approach, hmmmm I feel quiet nervous & anxious- Could I be scared of what is in stock for me? I BETTER Not.

Its strange I feel this way considering I’m returning to somewhere I call “my home”! Oh! My home sweet home!
I panic because of the situation of things in Nigeria, but like a tortoise I actually believe we will get there…
The day I purchased my ticket, I let out a loud scream in my bedroom! Now I’m not sure if that was a sign of relief, or a "I'm freaking out" scream!
What I know for a fact is that I will miss a lot of things here in the states

Here is my own version of Neyo’s “Part of the list” --Top 7:

- "Oh! The Electricity is still on?" Yep! 24/7 baby! Not in Naija unfortunately!
- Not having to look left and right when I get home at night
- Running to the mall! Especially Marshals & TJ Maxx looking for good deals!
- My church, The people, the events, my DMV crew argh!!!!
- Jumping into the shower and having warm water running without having to play with the water heater switch!
- Awww my WINTER BOOTS!!! ☹
- And of course! ICE COFFEE! Oh LAWD!!! Starbucks better make waves in Naija.

To think I am retuning home and leaving behind four of my siblings makes it harder! Yes I have one more in Naija! He is my rock, by the way!
I can foresee arguments with my folks about what time to be home! Arghh Sigh*** Despite all these anxiety, I can’t wait!
God made this decision for me, and I know he isn’t setting me for failure! Hence, my excitement remains unmoved.

As Mr. A.L Yakubu (aka Father) said, “there is nothing to be nervous about, especially for a better move”. I hold on to that statement and to my faith because I believe God will NEVER expose me to what he thinks I am not ready for.

Most people see my move as a mistake, but here is what I know.
Like Myles Munroe said, an airplane gets to a certain speed that it lifts off of the ground because there is NO WAY in this world that it can remain on the floor, I liken that to my life! Because I have listened and obeyed God, he will fulfill his purpose in me! He will not forsake the “product” he created. Once I am locked into Gods purpose, that “LIFT” is irrefutable.
By his footstool I sit, and when I glance at him I get strength for the journey to take me through.


I bade you all Adieu! Peace ☺

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Positive Thoughts

Many weeks later after my last post
Working on getting over my grieve after losing a close friend
I found many ways to understand why things happen
Many ways to fill pain with happiness
I remembered the words that say God will not give you want you can’t handle
The lord takes and gives
He has reasons why he does the things he does
After all he is our creator, he is the architect of our lives
What more do we need?

Everyone has a specific way to get over pain or disappointments
One of many ways I discovered was listening to my local radio station

Every morning of listening to the station
They give out a lot of positive thoughts quotes
I quickly jot down and reflect on all the thoughts I come across throughout the morning
I felt it in my heart to share these words…and I pray it is a blessing to you





Here you go:
• One of the most basic core values is honesty.
• The height of your accomplishment will equal the depth of your establishment.
• One of the secrets of life is to make stumbling blocks into stepping-stones.
• Courage is being afraid but goes on anyway.
• If there is no faith, there will be no living in this world.
• We have to have a dream to make a dream come true.
• Laughter gives us distance, it helps us step back from an event and laugh or reflect.
• Life is a privilege and it offers us to do something more, by giving back.
• The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.
• Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
• The mind is like a parachute; it doesn't work until its open.
• The person who walks in another person’s tracks leaves no footprints.
• He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.
• One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
• The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
• A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
• A marriage might be made in heaven, but the maintenance must be done on earth.
• A minute of talk is more than an hour of talk.
I pray these words add to you, rather than take from you.
I hope you reflect on this! And I hope it means something

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"Like a Candle in the Wind"- Goodbye Sis ☹

Its been a while I blogged! But today with a heavy heart, I write. I write because I pray it helps me get rid of the pain, sadness, and grieve I feel in my heart.

Yesterday I lost someone dear, close, and a sister. She struggled for a number of yrs! All I could do was watch her fight for survival! Fight for her son! Fight to be strong! And God was on her side all the time. Its weird, but she kept me going! God knows I couldn’t do anything; especially not from far away. While we were together, I encouraged her and continued to pray for her, and always found a way to help her financially through my folks.

She made me realize cancer was not the end of the world. And I made her realize having a son at an early age in 2000 was Gods design because he knew the devil was at work, and would want to take happiness away from her.

When the cancer hit, I thanked God for giving her a son, Bijoux-Meaning "Jewel". He really was a Jewel. He brought happiness to her life and everyone around her. I always said God knows what would happen next, and he does everything on his own terms not on ours.

Although we were far apart she made an effort to CALL ME once in a while! I really was supposed to be the one doing the calling, knowing her situation!
She showed me the meaning of strength! And now all I pray for is strength to survive this loss!

Only God knows why! And we will not question him. Only God gives and takes. Only him restores the broken heart. By our faith alone we are sure our broken heart would be restored.

Lord Jesus, give us all strength to comprehend. Give Bijoux understanding to be able to take it all in.

When the devil attacks, he attacks our faith. This experience has taught me to hold fast to my faith, because this is the time the devil dives in to mess with us, our faith and our belief system; so protecting our faith should be our goal. Thank you lord for the life of Kandie Grace Gwanzuwang, my sister, my friend! You alone will restore the ailing heart.

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Temporary "Squeezelish" High

Apple so red, it made you fall Fall, Fall back into sin I could do worse I can make u sink, sink so fast u forget to blink I desire to be deceptive, you deserve to be receptive Sweep me off my feet? You’ll be off your feet! (Slushhhhhh….) The “Game” is soo tight, but my heart’s always flat My ego! My ego! Taking over my decency I remain mortal, fear-‘less’! Take the back seat No moan-‘ness’, No whine-‘ness’, No fuss-‘ness’ It just glides high, high it’s so wide Its gone with the wind Emotion‘less’ - Fear’less’ - Heart’less’ I can make your heart rock, and make your bed bounce Grant my desires, so I perspire Cos when you no dey my bed, I go make am without you “I dey feel you, I dey love you”, I say it cos you wan hear am Give me your emotions I give you understanding Cloud NINE sipping Be my temporary HIGH So we would FLY Fly high! high into the SKY ~Amina J. Yakubu~

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SWEET & SOUR MEMORIES I REMEMBER

I remember...
We used to drive many hours by road from Warri to Kaduna for the holidays.
Chasing around the ducks and chickens in the courtyard to make a meal.
The smell of grand ma’s kosai balls and doya (fried yams) in the mornings while waiting for morning devotion to be over so I could indulge.
Dancing in the courtyard with the drummers a day before New Years.
Cooking in a hut with firewood at grandma’s.
Fetching water from the well in the village

Technology has transformed things now. Perhaps knowledge is now available
Hmmm...Sweet Memories

I remember...
Getting grounded all the time, but still managed to get around.
Getting a sweet slap on the back because my lil bro hurt himself while under my care.
Fetching buckets of water on the head, to preserve for later use.
As a child being selective of my friends & what they should look like.
Falling in love so hard that I couldn’t get up the ground
Hmmm...Sweet Memories?

My memories became a moment of sudden revelation...
No matter who you are...
Days go by, people grow, hearts break
Choices come, decisions made, goals crack
Lets keep it stable? Lets keep it sensible? Lets keep it steady?
Naaa, change is woobly
Change is inevitable
Choices have to be made
Decisions show signs of growth

My memories has created the platform for my future
The choices I make has set the path in my present
With my ability to discern right from wrong
...The right choices will be made & my future guaranteed.

~Amina J. Yakubu~

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What Woman Should I be?

I don’t know about you, but for me and some people I know ☺
at this age most of my friends are married, some with kids…
It is a scary stage…
I remember when I was 18 years old I knew exactly when I would get married
I knew I had options…I still do ☺ because I am a freaking magnet! LOL!
But truly, I had my life mapped out. By 25 I knew I would be married.☹

Its strange because these days, the more I think of marriage the colder my feet gets
Of course there are many reasons why I feel that way.
I asked my friend the other day, what do men really want!?
I told him I would like to understand men, he said I shouldn’t…
Why?
I really just wanted to understand why a man has his wife at home, but he is out scouring a prey
I wanted to understand why a man can’t just go home, and safely indulge in the approved sin with the approved person

Anyway, here is the interesting part of our conversation. Warning: It is kinda vulgar. (Note: Name changed to protect identity)

Amina: Im tryna understand men
Dlo: don’t
Amina: I shouldn’t!!
Dlo: we can’t understand women either
Amina: Ah no o! Help me understand. If the thing catch you, you should be able to go and grab your wife na? Abi isn’t that the idea of marriage? The exclusivity?
Dlo: shebi u go soon marry?
Amina: ahhhhh! u don scare me finish
Dlo: dont b o..abeg men generally feel women change when they get married and start having kids..
Amina: change how? so that i make sure i don't change, pls tell me
Dlo: eh ehn..u go pay consultancy fee o
Amina: no wahala. i go pay
Dlo: You must arrange contract when you come
Amina: lol. no long thing
Dlo: Changes: and this is from discussions with my married friends...
1. y'all get comfortable
2...y'all take things 4 granted after marriage
3...no excitement except when it comes to shopping, what happened 2 d fun loving girl we married
Amina: lol
Dlo: 4...Sex starts becoming routine. Sometimes we men want good ole fashioned bread breaking fucking. lady in d streets, freak in d bed?
Amina: lol. omg
Dlo: Men need their wives to be consummate, motherly and whores...
Amina: oh snap! Lol ok keep going
Dlo: u guys just stop surprising especially after babies…Show interest in football. Offer to follow us to pub sometimes, even if we say no.
And always give us space… because we ain’t talking much don’t mean something is wrong u know?
Men are logical beings...most men. Our lives are pretty much organized and calculated...its very stressful for us when women mess up our routine one way or the other, especially when it makes no sense to us.
End of conversation...

Now, does this mean the problem is from women? Are we the problem?
Its possible.
I know I will be taking a lesson home from this.
My husband will not have any reason to go out, Amen
I will get a pole in my room ☺, if I have to
My husband won’t be left wanting...

Having all these information at our disposal should prepare us.
We should stop blaming men, and see what we can do.
Maybe the world will be a better place?
Its possible ☺

We should endeavor to be hot and on fire like this lady instead!Hehehe ☺

And things might change in our home! He might reduce the amount of time he spends outside the home, and move it inside. Be more exciting, and Spontaneous!

Thoughts?

~Amina J. Yakubu~

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