Why did God create Kids!!!

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, hoping to have one or students... here is something to make you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"



"Don't what?" Adam replied. "Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said. "Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve...we have forbidden fruit!" "No Way!" "Yes way!" "Do NOT eat the fruit" said God.
"Why?" "Because I am your Father and I said so!” God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked! "Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?” God asked. "Uh huh," Adam replied. "Then why did you?” said the Father. "I don't know," said Eve. "She started it!” Adam said. "Did not!” "Did too!” "DID NOT!” Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.


Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed. But there is reassurance in the story! If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?
Things to think about!
1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up. 2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children. 3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.
4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.
5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own. 6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.


Advice for the day: Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day. And finally: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache,do what it says on the aspirin bottle: "Take two aspirin" and "keep away from children"!!!!!

Cocktail For Smile

"My amazing cocktail will not only keep you looking and feeling great, but this delicious mix will have you addicted in no time!!!
Step 1. Cut up all your worries into tiny little pieces, that way, they are easier to deal with and will seem insignificant when handled in small measures

Step 2. Mix together

1) the love of your spouse or significant other

2) the smiles and sticky hugs of your beautiful children

3) the blessings that you are able to wake up each morning and face another day

4) the tenderness you feel when you look at your mum and dad and know that they did the best job they knew how in raising you

Step 3. Add a little sunshine, because no matter how bad you feel, the warmth of the sun on your face is all the medicine you need to make you smile

Step 4. Blend these all together and take a good sip from your cup every time your smile slips just a little, what a marvelous taste and all your ingredients are free...enjoy and overindulge..."

Wise Men Plan

The new year is here again! its a time for thanksgiving and reflection, a time to look positively to the future, make new resolutions, improve your life, set standards and goals e.t.c. Most people make resolutions but by mid January they would have forgotten about it when pressures of all kinds come upon them e.g car break down that will cost lots of money to repair, salary not paid when you need it the most, unplanned medical bills, increase in transport fare and so on. Have you ever realised that January is one of the longest months ever..if you know what i mean.

Our lives are shaped by many different events in life, some good some bad, some are even very difficult to endure but wherever you stand you have to determine to make this year a great one for yourself financially no matter the obstacles before you. Planning will help you enjoy the good times ahead and you will be better equipped to cope with the more challenginging ones. Because you failed last year does not mean you will fail this year also. Winners don't quit and quitters don't win , don't let circumstances and past failures weigh you down for every plan, have a Plan A, B and C so that you will always have something to fall back on.

Financial fortune is as a result of wise and careful planning. The key to securing your financial future is taking many small disciplined steps over a long period of time. its about having a plan and plans require commitment, determination, discipline, consistency and time. Your financial stand can affect every aspect of your life e.g relationship, marriage, lifestyle and standard of living even your perception of yourself. The number one strategy of maintaining a future of financial fortune is to always live within your limit and means per time, refrain from borrowing and entering into debt, always make your money work for you by encouraging regular saving and investment and then develop your talent because every one has it.

No matter how much or how little money you have, no matter how old or young, whether you start from the scratch or you inherited a fortune wise planning will take you to your goal. It is better to suffer now and enjoy later than to be old and retire penniless, a yoruba musician sang a song " igba owuro lawa oba je ale san ni.....je kale ye wa" (we are young now, God let our old age be good).

Please note that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Money Problems in Marriage

Have you ever wondered the problems money can cause in marriage? Too much of it, no money at all or one patner having more money than the other partner! Thats why they say money is the root of all evils, but if you dont have it, its even more evil...

If some men have too much money they concentrate so much on making more and less on their families, all they think about is how to make more contacts, get contracts and so on, there will be money to buy almost every thing but virtually no more time to seat together with the family and no time for love and romance, they believe that what the woman wants when she romances a man is money and so they will satisfy her with that relegating the place of love.

If a man does not have money there is trouble because he will always want to strive to get it because he will believe he is lagging behind in his duty as the husband and head of the home but another problem can rise form here and this problem is common in most African men...the woman having more or earning more than the man...

Some African men believe it is almost like a taboo for a woman to be the one cathering for the home or a woman having or earning more money than the man. They let their ego take precedence over their love which gradually bridge a gap in the home and in some cases break it.

I believe that there is nothing wrong in a woman having more money in a realtionship, the most important thing is the love and understanding that exist between both of them, no matter what the woman should not let the man lose his respect whether in front of the children, in-laws, family or neighbours. There is nothing wrong in woman building a house or buying a car for the family so far the needs of the family is met at the time due but no matter what so ever the woman does with her money she has to be submissive, she doesn't have to keep telling people she did this or that, even the kids don't have to know the deficiency of their father, the man has to maintain his position as the head of the household and the woman his help mate.

Lots of woman have tried to help their husband and in the process gotten their fingers burnt. But the problem with the world is that we let other peoples mistakes affect our judgement of life, some men have seen instances of woman having more money and taking over the control of the home and misbehaving and so as a result of this they are determined not positively but negatively not to let a woman rule them even if she is not, they mistake all the signs and in the end they end up losing the woman that should have been their precious jewel. A man should not become the lion of the tribe of his own home or a monster because of inferiority complex, instead understanding, togetherness, love and respect for each other, your wife is not a slave and should not be enslaved, she is your helpmate and not your flat mate.

Not all women are bad and not all men are ungrateful but if you let the mistake of one person rub on you negatively you will lose that which you are supposed to hold on to. The place of love and understanding in marriage is very important because you can give without loving but you cannot love without giving....

COVENANT RESPONSIBILITIES IN MARRIAGE

For a marriage to be successful and for both parties to enjoy a fulfiled marriage life, each partner must be aware of their covenant responsibilities to each other and to their family.

Covenant Responsibilities Of The Husband

When a husband and his wife occupy their covenant positions in the home, they are bound to enjoy a hitch-free married life. So, let us now consider the covenant responsibilities of each member in the marriage covenant.

The husband's function in the home becomes easy when the covenant platform for its operation is known. That platform is love. A man will find it difficult to win the submission of a wife he doesn't love; but he won't need to pray and fast to win the submission of a wife that is loved. Submission flows naturally from a woman who is loved. The carnal nature of man makes him put himself first, and everybody else after. But by this covenant demand, everyone in the home must be considered first, before the man. Nothing makes a man's role in the home effective as love. When love is in place, it won't cost you anything to protect your wife and children. Providing for them will be a natural thing to you. You will not need to force yourself to train and raise your children. You will do it joyfully. As the husband, head and leader of the home, you are not to take advantage of other members of the Family, but to serve their interest. As a leader, you are to serve the interest of your subjects, and not oppress them. You should be interested in their wellbeing and fulfilment, and not be an opportunist or sadist. If you adopt this leadership style, you will enjoy the honour, submission and love of your Family members. The husband is to take care of his wife you owe your Family a protective responsibility, so do everything to ensure their social security and protection. Don't watch the devil tear down your children and molest your wife. God instructed Adam to dress and keep the garden; that was why God did not spare him when the serpent gained entrance into the garden. He failed in his duty. The husband has to be a hard-working and thoughtful man. He must also be a genuine planner, because God has ordained him the provider of the home. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Child training is another covenant responsibility of the man. You don't watch the errors in your children degenerate into crisis. When reports came to Eli that his children were not behaving well, God sent Samuel to warn him. But Eli's response was, "He is God, let Him do it." Eli failed woefully in his responsibilities towards his children. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Note that you don't raise children with a whip, you raise them with the Word of God.

Covenant Responsibilities Of The Wife

The wife is the God-ordained helper of the man. In Genesis 2:18, God said, "...I will make him an help meet for him." She is a supporter, not an oppressor. God established the marriage institution in order to give the man a suitable helper. Just as the man is an ordained leader, the wife is an ordained helper in the home. The wife's ministry is to ensure that the man does not fail in his duties and that the home or Family system does not break down. The responsibility of raising the children is the wife's, because she spends more time with them than the man does. She is there to ensure that the children are properly brought up, exhibiting good character. She must also be hospitable. Hospitality in the home is determined by the woman. The more hospitable you are as a woman, the more blessed your home becomes, because distribution is the only way to multiplication. The wife must be ready to welcome strangers and make them comfortable. Proverbs 31:10-15 enumerates the helps ministry of the wife. She is a genuine supporter and home maker, not an oppressor of the helpers in the house. She treats both her children and helpers equally. She doesn't cook a different food for her Family, while the house maids are left to eat whatever food is available. Neither does she treat the maids as slaves, by serving them food in horrible plates. A wife is supposed to promote her husband. As a home maker, she gives her husband the rest and dignity that is due to him. For a home to be glorious, the husband must operate on the platform of love. His relationship with every member of the Family must be based on love selfless love, the kind Jesus has for the Church. The wife must operate on the platform of submission. She must support her husband and succour him in every area of life. This must also be extended to other members of the Family. As parents, perform your covenant responsibilities towards your children, without being forced to do so. Learn to plan together, so you can live a stress-free life.

Do everything with the wisdom of God, and your generation will thank God for your life. Your home shall be blessed and be a blessing to others, in Jesus' name! It shall be a pace-setter, showing others what a successful home is like, and causing them to desire it. Your home shall be fruitful! Love, joy and peace shall abound there! You shall not fail, in Jesus' name!

THE 7 R'S FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOME

There are seven Rs that make for a successful home. They are:

1. Relate
2. Respect
3. Reason
4. Romance
5. Rule
6. Resist and
7. Realise.

1. Relate
Relationship is a social togetherness which regards each party as relevant, thereby establishing a mental liberty that allows a free flow of communication, with no party feeling enslaved. Many couples just co-habit as room-mates; without really relating with each other and enjoying any form of togetherness in their marriage. Marriage is designed by God for togetherness and social integration of the two individuals involved. Both of them leave their parents and cleave to each other, the two becoming one flesh (Gen. 2:24). There is a trinity of agreement in a marriage union. Socially, they are one in mind. Spiritually, they see the things of God in the same way. Physically, they are the only two people that are permitted to be one in body. This trinity agreement clearly shows a three-fold cord that cannot easily be broken. That is why the enemy keeps trying to cause trouble in homes and separate married people. He wants to weaken them, so he can take advantage of them and afflict them.

Benefits Of A Good Relationship In The Home
The advantages of togetherness in the home are enormous. When there is love and harmony in a home, it becomes too strong to be defeated by the enemy. The atmosphere in such a home makes it conducive for the Spirit of God to dwell and function, giving you a victory advantage in the battles of life. The destinies of the couple that enjoys a good marriage relationship is bright and colourful. God is covenantly bound to back them up. A relationship that lacks mutual benefits is nothing but slavery.

2. Respect
The next key that will guarantee a successful home is Respect. This calls for the couple submitting to one another. They both should pay attention to each other's observations and respect each other's views. They are both to accord honour to each other, thereby adding colour to the home. Because the man will most likely have a problem with this, Peter advises in 1 Peter 3:7: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. The sweetest woman on earth is the one respected by her husband. A wife is by covenant a joint-heir, with her husband, of the promise of life, and so should be accorded the respect due her. The man should not wait to be respected by the woman. Respect should be mutual the woman respecting her husband, and the man according her the same as well. This way, peace, joy and love will reign in the home, making it a haven of rest.

3. Reason
Reasoning is the capacity for logical, rational, and analytical thought. Because each party has the mind of Christ, they should be able to look at issues logically and proffer solutions to whatever challenges may be confronting them. Majority of the crisis in many homes is as a result of poor reasoning and management. You should know your worth as a Family, and what can be afforded per time. Trust your wife with your money. Don't go to the market and start asking for the price of fish and pepper. Relax, and trust her; because every great thing requires other people's input. You can't successfully manage your home alone. Reason and plan with your wife. Don't bite more than you can chew, and then start believing that "The Lord will do it". The Lord won't do your planning for you. God gave you a brain, so you can give Him rest. He gave you a sound mind so you can reason and make logical and reasonable plans. Sound planning and management of available resources brings ease and serenity into your marriage.

4. Romance
It is socially impossible to successfully run a home without a sound romantic relationship. Marriage is designed for your enjoyment. It is also to keep you from burning. God Himself put the sexual instinct inside the man and woman, to be given expression to and satisfied in marriage. Sex and romance are expressions of the love shared between a man and his wife. But it is only safe in marriage. When this is tampered with, a burning that can be disastrous is created. The cause of quite a number of problems in homes today can be traced to a breakdown in the romantic relationship between husband and wife. Husbands and wives are not only supposed to be united mentally and spiritually, they should also be united bodily. This completes the triune nature of their union. The more romantic your marriage, the more established your home will be. Also, a good romantic relationship between husband and wife gives room for effective communication in the home, making it very vibrant spiritually. You must create a natural romantic environment in your home. A sexually deprived marriage is heading for destruction. Your marriage will not be destroyed! Be emotionally committed to each other, and you will enjoy a sweet and strong Family.

5. Rule
Biblically, the home is a human institution set up by God; but He leaves man with a responsibility, if he desires fulfilment in it. Maintaining order in the home is very important. There must be an administrative structure in the home, and all the parties involved in that government must see the need for it and comply with the rules. There must be a leader in every home, for ease of administration and order. It is the man's duty to assess everybody else's opinion, and to make a decision that will be best for the home. Because the man sees better, he is able to determine what is best for the organisation. Women should accept the leadership of their husbands. Support your head, because the body (which you are) is useless without a head. God placed him there, no matter his age, social or economic status. For instance, the president or head of state of a country is not usually the oldest or smartest man in the country. The cheapest way to win the heart of a man in the home is to recognise his leadership position. If you do, he will go out of his way to preserve your honour and dignity. You never know how enjoyable your husband's love can be, until you demonstrate genuine submission to him. Your husband has a divine position from God. You shouldn't propagate his deficiencies, but rather give your covenant support to him, in the overall interest of your Family. In every home government, the man is the speaker, while the wife is the deputy speaker. The children are the listeners, who are allowed to make contributions when they are grown up enough to do so. Every successful husband is a good listener, but he must be firm enough to make his decisions. Just as every accident is blamed on the driver of a vehicle, and not the passengers; the man is to be blamed for every crisis in the home. He is the driver of the home. In spite of all the excuses Adam gave, God didn't spare him, so don't allow problem-seeds to blossom in your home. Your wife is to be respected, not merely in theory or words, but by believing that she has something to offer in the home. She should be given an important role to play in the home government, otherwise it won't work efficiently. The wife must have a well-defined portfolio. This helps her to be more responsible, and to work for the interest of the home. When both the man and his wife are involved in the home government, they have succeeded in checking the devil out of their home. Lack of administration leads to frustration, and the essence of administration is to establish order. You will not fail!

6. Resist
No good thing comes easy. This is where resistance in marriage comes in. Don't watch the enemy tear down your home and destiny; rise up and shout him down. Don't allow error to survive in your home, resist it spiritually and physically. If you notice that certain individuals come to visit your home or spouse, and when they leave, your home and relationship with your spouse becomes sour, approach your spouse and tell him or her you are not comfortable with the person's visit, stating your reasons for this. If you don't resist such intrusions, the entire home might be corrupted over night. Don't stop resisting, until the error is lifted. Resist the devil continuously, till he bows out. Your resistance must be done in wisdom. Resist without making your husband or wife look like a fool, but making an observation that you know is in the interest of the Family. I see your home becoming a land flowing with milk and honey, in Jesus' mighty name!

7. Realise
Continuity is the secret for realised dreams. It is wisdom to keep investing in what you know to be an asset. It is wisdom to continue in the pursuit of the six keys mentioned above until you obtain your desire. Every beautiful art work comes out of long hours spent in its production. The beauty you anticipate in your home requires that you keep at the facts that make it work.

Follow this 7 steps and you will realise your dream of a sweet and fulfiled home.

YOUR OWN HOME

Have you ever wondered what it is like for a family to have a home of their own? I can just imagine it, you wouldn't have to think about what your landlord will do when you don't have money to pay for the rent at the end of the year, you wouldn't have to think about how the landlord and other co-tenants will feel when you buy a brand new car or when you decide to host a big party and make so much noise that the landlord will have to call you for a meeting the next day to chide you and give you reasons why you must not behave like that again....and so on.

Having a house of your own starts with putting your priorities right and knowing what you want your future to look like, but the problem is how do you start, how do you go about buying a land when you earn so little and have so many problems (school fees, family matters, house rent, transport e.t.c) to deal with? But think about this, Do you want to retire without having a place to call your own?

Well the good news is that you don't have to kill yourself, you just have to do what you have to do and do it right. The problem about procastinating about whether to buy a land now or wait till later is that land will always continue to apprecaite and by the time you are ready you might not be able to afford the land. There is this saying that if you want to live long you have to live your size per time, imagine, how can someone earning N20,000 a month think of renting a house in VI! But its true people do this because of this social class syndrome, they want to be at par with their collegues but what they don't know is that their collegue is doing something more....

Well back to the land issue, the issue of lands has been made so easy now that virtualy every one can be a land owner only if...You can take the risk, don't mind the area or the distance, or even transportation or road network. Let me tell you this i remember when my parents moved into their house, the area was nothing to talk about, but roughly 10 years later, the place became a major attraction. When my father bought the land then it cost him less than a thousand naira but now its close to over 4 million for the same land, and companies pay as much as 30 million to secure a land on the major road. My Friend and her husband bought an acre of land in Mowe in 2002 for 40,000 and shared it with some friends, today a plot in mowe is over 400,000 so an acre is over 2 million. Think of it, if they had so much money and bought lots of acres then and sell it now how much do you think they will make?

Don't think that the bush you see today can never become a city because it might take time but it will get there and what will be your reaction then? Are you thinking that if you buy a land and build it it will be too far from your place of work? then i will tell you its a no , do you know why? this is because you will not work in that organisation for life, you could lose the job or better stiil you might decide to look for a better position or start your own by then the issue of distance will no longer matter but where will you be then, will you still be battling with paying house rent or waiting for your land lord to tell you he wants to use his house and that you have to pack out? If you buy a land now and get all the neccesary papers and try to build either a fence or a foundation on it, you might leave it till you are ready or till you think the area is habitable to complete it or you might even complete it and let it out but the fact remains that it is yours.

Don't let the issue of omo onile disturb you, get all the necesary papers so that no one can collect your land, make findings about the land from the ministry to be sure of the genuity and other things and gradually plan towards getting a c of o (that can take time and can be expensive but it will put your mind at rest) then you can relax bck and enjoy your future. Don't think that when you start you might not be able to finish, no. Be positive and believe, plan with your leave allowances, bonus, medical allowances, savings e.t.c

Well i think that this new year is when one should start pondering on this issue, you don't have to wait till you get married, have kids, be old enough or even retire to think about a home of your own, the time to do so is now, this is January, start planning with the little you make and see how far you can go by December, you can start a coperative, thrift contribution or even save liitle sums in your account each month in a bank or mircofinance bank. You will have to deny yourself some luxury but you will never regret doing this. If you think your friends will mock you, you are joking because that your close pal might be building a house and he will not tell you all you will hear is that Hey guy i will be dedicating my house will you come? How will you feel, they wouldn't tell you what i am telling you, they wouldn't advise you, do you know why, they don't want you to be like them because why? You are not the same so don't try to match with them, be your own man!

Let this new year be your year and you will surely manifest. Wecome to the year 2009.