Posts by Deborah Osinowo

Dear Mentee || The failproof principle

Dear Mentee 7 Comments

This segment is where I write what’s desperately on my heart. Obviously, that’s what the entire blog is for, but this is different. On the blog, I’m addressing myself, addressing my future children and grandchildren, addressing you and your uncles and neighbours. This segment though is addressing my mentees or proteges, if you’ll like. The things that I desperately want to pass on to the younger ones (not only age wise) that’s what I’ll write here. They are some of the life tips I’ll tell my younger ones who come to sit beside me at night and say “advise me. Tutor me”. Its a broad range of advice. Little structures that give me the results I get.

I began to wonder what I should write to you about this time. It came to me and I was ecstatic. I think this will be my greatest principle of all time. On this blog, posts expressly dedicated to the Word are:

This principle is my backbone and the backbone of all I respect the most today. It’s the study of God’s word.

Study. Make a commitment of it. For example, a couple of times I’ve read Psalms, Hebrews, Ezra, Esther, 1st and 2nd Timothy but never before have I seen the gems in them that I have been seeing in them these recent months. I remember some four years ago when I read Isaiah and was bewildered. I thought “How come I’m getting it this clearly?”. It was no longer an Old Testament book that I had to push through. It became life.

You should know that there’s no stream of wisdom in the world today that’s not traced back to a biblical principle. Everything is from God. When you begin to study scriptures, you begin to tap into wisdom. Hidden wisdom.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple

Psalm 19:7

What makes a man succeed in an endeavour designed to fail is the hand of the Lord upon him. The hand of the lord rests mightily upon those who obey the principles of his word. You obey the principles of his word when you know (study) his word. Ezra’s entire secret is in chapter 7 verse 10. It was deep for him. It was a heart preparation standard.

 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel

Ezra 7:10

This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him

Ezra 7:6

You don’t get extraordinary results by doing ordinary things.

By the way, I’ve wanted to bring three posts to limelight again:

My take on House Chores. I think it’s very relevant for everyday living. Life isn’t always glamorous and we must maximize it still.

My trusted and simple False Adequacy message.

Secrets of a wise man is more recent and hasn’t gotten the traction it deserves yet for a timeless message.

In the False Adequacy post above, I mentioned the principle of locking yourself up in a cell so you have time to do this. There’s no excuse that suffices for not keeping to the Word.

I call the principle of studying, obeying and teaching God’s word failproof because I have seen every other thing fail. Everything but His Presence. Everything but his word.

In some other micro news, my guitar practices are starting to annoy me to no end for failing to produce the right sounds.

Enjoy your Saturday. Do drop a comment, and share with others.

Light and love,

Debby.

Life Update 2020 (3)

Life Diary Love and Lover 30 Comments

Hey guys!!

I’ve been skeptical about publishing a new blog post because I feel some set of eyes boring into me. Since my result was released, in some quarters, almost everything I do has been analysed in terms of my result. I tweet a scripture passage and wham, someone thinks it has to do with my result somehow. Lol.

It doesn’t.

So if you’re reading my blog because you’re inquisitive about my life, relax please. Life is simple. My blog is part of my introvert expression not an extrovert expression, so I don’t necessarily write what you expect me to write, nor when you expect me to.

If we’re on the same page, we can progress. I’m happy to write to you for one reason:

Somebody special told me to.

Mister Lover

Here’s a snippet of some of the text messages we exchanged yesterday.

Mister: Hello fried fish, I hope you have a blog plan for tomorrow.

Debby: Haha. I don’t o. Someone is drowning. Help

Mister: Do life update. Write about you and your Mister. About what it feels like to have someone who cannot help himself but love you and express it. And about God’s love. Lol. Even me I know that is personal. Second idea is to share on a recent message that has gingered your heart. Maybe from the evangelism and mission secretaries meeting.

Idea 1: He said I should write about what it feels like to have someone who cannot help but love you and express it. I want to, but as the cliche goes, I don’t know where to start.

By the way, don’t be bothered about his calling me fried fish, or barbequed moimoi in some instances. We can’t have it all. ?

So Mister lover is my supporter. Complete supporter. While people congratulate me for my excellent result at the law school, mister was the one who fasted for me the entire week I wrote the Bar exams. I had to eat because I needed the glucose for the mental tasks in the exam hall. Mister was the one who chose to fast and continue praying for me.

One of the things I told him early on after I said Yes, was that he began to gain grounds in my heart when he began to come close to my dad on the subject of praying for me.

My parents pray for me selflessly. I think in particular, that my dad is my most fervent prayer warrior in the whole world. That gives me the spring in my steps.

Mister lover (amidst other things) covered considerable grounds in my heart by starting to pray for me. Deep, continuous and selfless prayers.

Test: When last did you pray for me?

Yep. I’ve come to understand that true, sacrificial love often reveals itself in prayers. There’s a passion in your spirit for that person which can only be channeled through prayer. It’s too deep to be completely uttered superficially. The welfare of that person consumes your mind.

I’m humbled by God to have that. To be a possessor of that kind of love.

Despite starting out by saying I don’t have what to where to start, I think I just told you one secret of my confidence. Selfless prayer warriors.

So if you’re yet to pick your special somebody, use the above checklist for them. Does his(her) love for you manifest in the things that count the most? And don’t listen to the people who tell you not everything is spiritual. They don’t understand. Lol. We’re not looking for a religious and pious cloak, but everything IS spiritual. There’s a kind of guy(lady) who can’t “break your heart” because of the Spirit controlling him. Get that guy/lady.

I love you mister. I always will.

http://www.tkpradio.org/I’ve been at a conference this weekend. It started on thursday evening. It’s been power-packed. I think a couple of people have their Christian diet very limited. There’s an all-round diet you should have from your local church. It should involve a regular dose of your biblical call to evangelize, sanctification and holiness, true faith etc. The work of missions has never been for “full-time” missionaries only. You don’t get to out-source the work. Jesus instructed YOU to make disciples of all nations. Based on Acts 1:8, you start at your Jerusalem (those around you), Judea, Samaria and the uttermost ends of the earth. You can connect with The Kingdom Projects, a missionary organization labouring to connect Christians with methods of carrying out the great commission through their secular jobs. The conference continues today and you can listen in through www.tkpradio.org or connect on YouTube or Facebook or Zoom.

Another tid-bit I’ll like to share with you is this –

God is more interested in who you’re becoming than in what (activity) you do. His expectation is that we conform to the image of his son whether things work out our way or not.

If your life isn’t moving at the pace you think it should, what are you learning in the midst of it? For me, Watchman Nee has been a good teacher this season. I just moved on to another book of his:

What are you reading? And what do you think about all the issues I raised above? Pray tell.

PostScript:

Babyyyyy my Sunshine. The way I was smiling as I read your blog, my cheeks would have reddened. Wow! I love you sweetheart! I woke up this morning with a freshness in my spirit and I prayed for you more than in the recent past. Then I saw your post. I will continue and increase in praying for you by God’s grace. You’re the best, Debby.

This morning’s text message. Haha

Love and light,

Debby.

Unraveled

The Christian Faith 19 Comments

While this post could’ve been titled ‘Dear Law School Graduate’, it shouldn’t be so titled.

It should be titled ‘Dear Christian’, because it applies to all Christians.

Unraveled though, does the job best.

I had wondered why the inspiration to publish yesterday (Saturday) wasn’t available to me – I get it now. The blog post was meant to be a Sunday post based off on Saturday’s events.

El Evento/ The Event –

Circa 11pm on Friday, July 3 2020, the Nigerian Law school result for April 2019 set was released.

In the course of my evening routine, I had wanted to sing a particular hymn but hadn’t gotten round to doing so at the time I got the information that made my heart do a rapid beat. Result has been released. Deciding I best soak in the Spirit first ?, I paused and sang the particular hymn I had been putting off.

I saw a first class degree. In that moment I thought there were many other first class results and it was a big big celebration everywhere. It wasn’t necessarily to be so (with regards to the first class and not the celebrations).

Spilling into Saturday, the congratulations that flooded my phone seeing I was one of the five first class graduates in the country was overwhelming.

Being overwhelming, I followed the whelm and … I got overwhelmed by men’s expectations.

Circa 12:30am on July 5, 2020; In the middle of the night (when all the noise went to sleep), I got this message from God – Unraveled.

Here are my instant tweets as the thoughts developed:

While the song writer sang about fear, I see that a lot of us need to be delivered from worries of the future, from the expectations of men, from (insert your experience).

You need to be unraveled. Not harshly and scaringly, but with a song.

Picture that – being slowly but steadily unraveled from the cords of anxieties and expectations. Unraveled by God’s song. By God’s melody doing the work.

By his rhythm of grace.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30

God never created us to be complex and damaged. He created us to be whole and filled with his Spirit. Do not go about wrapped by bondage. But by songs of deliverance. We’re the sons and the daughters …let us sing our freedom!

You, dear reader, are not defined by your grades or your looks or your achievements. You’re wrapped in his arms of ever-singing-melodious-grace. You’re placed in a music chamber – you’re surrounded and made free by the Father and His songs.

Jesus set you free, why should you be bound?

Read also: My Playing Small Does Not Serve The World (which I wrote after my first law school dinner). In it, is this quote:

I AM A PERSON. I AM NOT A MACHINE, SPREADSHEET, AGENDA OR RÉSUMÉ. I HAVE A HEARTBEAT, SKIN, SCARS AND A SOUL. MY WORTH ISN’T CALCULATED IN EFFICIENCIES, RESULTS OR LADDERS CLIMBED. I AM NOT THE SUM OF MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS — OR THE SUM OF MY MISTAKES. I AM NOT MY AMBITION, ENERGY LEVEL, APPROVAL RATING, MASS APPEAL OR WORTH TO THE COMPANY STORE. I AM NOT AN A-PLUS OR D-MINUS. I AM NOT A MESS OR A MISCALCULATION. I AM NOT A MISTAKE. RATHER, I AM A MIRACLE. AND SO ARE YOU. BECAUSE I AM A PERSON, MADE OF LOVE IN THE HANDS OF GOD. I WILL BE A PERSON TODAY. I WILL BE ME. I WILL RESIST THE URGE TO BELIEVE I’VE GOT TO FIGHT FOR MY PIECE; GOD SAYS THERE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH TO GO AROUND. I WILL SEE THE BEST IN OTHERS AND RECOGNIZE THE BEST IN MYSELF. I WILL REACH FOR VIRTUE MORE THAN TROPHIES, DIGNITY MORE THAN STARDOM. I WILL CHOOSE ENCOURAGEMENT OVER ENVY. I WILL REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE. I WILL STAND TALL ON THE INSIDE, EVEN IF I’M FEELING WEAK ON THE OUTSIDE. I AM A PERSON, A CITIZEN OF THE KINGDOM, WHERE THERE IS UNENDING GRACE FOR ME. BECAUSE I AM A PERSON, AND I BELONG TO JESUS

Sing your freedom, you who are defined by God’s word and not the happenings of life. Sing your freedom.

#TeamUnraveled

You unraveled me with your melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance from my enemies Till all my fears are gone – Listen on YouTube

As always, Love and light

Debby.

BOOK REVIEW || The Masterpiece

Book Reviews 8 Comments

Heyyo!! I’m quite convinced that with changing my hosting service provider last year, I lost most of my book review readers. Most.

Notwithstanding, I’m still reviewing books if you like it or not. ?

Title: The Masterpiece
Author: Francine Rivers
Number of Pages: 496
Publisher: Tyndale House
Publication Date: 2018

I’ll have you know I only support the first paragraph of the blurb (and I debated uploading it or not). Its continuing paragraphs causes the book to lose its fancy to me; it creates some cliche and exhausting summary whereas I like the book for it’s Biblical message. Don’t be discouraged by the blurb, it’s a good read. And my review is right beyond it.

Book blurb

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with this unexpected and redemptive love story, a probing tale that reminds us that mercy can shape even the most broken among us into an imperfect yet stunning masterpiece.

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want―money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist―an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship―and both their lives―forever.

Review

I love the plot employed in Masterpiece. It begins on a high pace street chase but goes deeper to unravel the lives of two adults.
These are far reaching walls built with each betrayal experience.

Roman Velasco and Grace Moore are off to a rocky but civil start as they nurse old wounds and protect themselves from new ones in the course of working together.

Grace finds support system in her friends to keep her accountable. Roman cuts off everyone and maintains an identity crisis till he comes to the borders of death.

Will their shortcomings be the passageway for being redefined as masterpieces?

I like the writing techniques. I suggest the romantically tense scenes were well written, as Francine is wont to doing. When the (symbolic) bird’s wings are cut off, I felt it personally. I liked how the writing danced around Roman’s art.

I’m not certain I have a favourite character, but perhaps Roman cuts it for me.

Likes
I’m made to appreciate the ordering of steps of the believer with Grace’s housing provision.

Disslikes
I slightly disliked the hurried yet dragged hospital experience. Seemed deficient.

In this book, the themes of toxic relationships and healthy relationships stand out to me.

I think the overarching message is well phrased by this (totally unrelated to the book,) quote I found from Sarah Jake Roberts:

The bridge from who you once were to who God has ordained you to be is created from bricks of vulnerability, humility as strong as a mortar, and master plan so perfect even the things that once hurt you would serve you in making you better”.

Overall, the story telling is gripping. I rate it 3.5 out of five stars. It would’ve been four stars but I really have no quotes to take away.

Oh wait, there’s a quote:

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago

Ephesians 2:10

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on it? Or are you up for reading it?

Love and Light,

Debby

Celebrations; Guitar, Cakes and some love

Life Diary 17 Comments

This is one of those posts where I just let you catch up while I catch fun. I simply want to celebrate myself because celebrations are an amazing landmark of God’s faithfulness.

My thoughts Yesterday: I just want to fling off my wig but I do not have decent plaits under. Ugh. I’ve been out since 12:40pm. The time is 5pm. I’ve got something to show for my outing but I am tired. I dislike stress, anyone that knows me intimately should know that.

Let’s do the things we need to do with less stress yet achieving the same efficiency. No sufferhead mentality is needed. My back up for this logic is a scriptural passage – “This is all that I have learnt: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated“. Ecclesiastes 7:29.

Quote this to stress anytime, anyday, anywhere. No need to thank me, what are friends for?

Due to my simplicity mindset, I would’ve ordered for the goods I stressed myself over online but I didn’t get the specifications I wanted online + shipping time was longer than I cared for.

For the stress I went through, drum roll please. Tadaaaa…

Her name is Ayuda. We’re both hoping her name sticks.
Baby Ayuda and I
Ayuda and I enjoying our photoshoot session

P.S: remember I told you guys I’m in love. In the midst of all my purchase stress, I was busy thinking about mister Lover. Thinking about how two of us would’ve been the ones buying Ayuda together if we lived in the same city. Everything you do with your loved ones is just more lovely. ‘In-love’ people in the house, attest to this, will you?

Other than baby Ayuda that got me stressed out, I’ve had another baby stressing me recently and that baby is as seen below. Drum roll again:

My delicious and moist marble cakes! Beep beep (baker alert).
My red velvet. Bold-faced plug: Hit me up to order for cakes of integrity. Holy Spirit cakes?
Chocolate lovers, I got you.
Vanilla la la
And in closing the cakes, Baby Ayuda makes another appearance, although I’m getting tired.

Today was meant to be for Carrot cakes but a lady is tired. I’ll show you pictures of my cakes after I get them iced. Somebody is proud.

Are you guys aware of this gratitude journal post I wrote some time last year? I got many positive feedbacks from people who started gratitude journalling. I’m however not certain they have sustained it. It’s a good culture to keep up. Read it if you haven’t.

My gratitude entry today is in appreciation of my friend, Gbems, who composed this spontaneous song that I do love and I wish to use as a crown to my celebration post:

Debby with the smile. Debby dance for Jesus

I’m grateful for my selfless friend who I get to twin with at this period. Did you spot her own guitar too?

Guys, celebrate. Have some gratitude entries. Share them!

Love and light,

Debby.

Dear Mentee || The Iceberg Principle

Dear Mentee Educative 12 Comments

I have this segment where I write what’s desperately on my heart. Obviously, that’s what the entire blog is for, but this is different. On the blog, I’m addressing myself, addressing my future children and grandchildren, addressing you and your uncles and neighbours. This segment though is addressing my mentees or proteges, if you’ll like. The things that I desperately want to pass on to the younger ones (not only age wise) that’s what I’ll write here. They are some of the life tips I’ll tell my younger ones who come to sit beside me at night and say “advise me. Tutor me”. Its a broad range of advice.

Never let a person come to your tree seeking shade but get scorched.

Never let a hungry person come for fruits and return hungry.

You should have more stuff within than it appears without. You shouldn’t appear to have more quality on the outside than you really have within.

But this, is the bloated mentality of the world today – particularly with the reign of social media e.g Instagram. Appearance. Appearance has won over reality.

By all means let people see the light within you, the beauty and glory. But do not be all for show. Why appear inviting but when people come close, they return hungry or scorched?

What’s the iceberg principle? An iceberg is a large piece of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or an ice shelf and is floating freely in open water. Usually of an height greater than 16 feet above sea level and the thickness must be 98-164 feet and the ice must cover an area of at least 5,382 square feet.

With an iceberg, what’s going on outside (above water surface) is such a small percentage of what’s going on underneath. You have to dive down.

In your life, let there be depth.

This is not a call to dim your light or shrink. Rather, it is one to tell you to that the light that shines farthest, is the light that shines brightest at home – C. T Studd.

Don’t just lead amazing prayer meetings when you gather round at church or campus fellowship. Lead a personal life of prayer. Don’t just have smooth Bible study language when you’re called upon to teach. Have a bible-directed life.

Don’t just wear makeup and glam up when you’re outside, keep your bed and belongings made-up. Don’t be more intellectually vibrant to the public eye than you really are. Strive for depth.

Let people come in and see the beauty of simplicity. See the brilliance of Jesus Christ who though he was King of all, came in an animal stable. And on the flip side, who though was birthed in an animal stable had enough stuff to keep the doctors and doctoral candidates in awe of his wisdom, and enough authority and truth to bring rulers to their knees.

They say the greatest investment you could ever have is personal investment in yourself.
“Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above” 2 King’s 19:30. Roots make the fruits.

That’s the secret today. Be more inside than you are outside. Be authentic. Be solid within. Internalize first before you express.

There’s a Yoruba adage that teaches you to keep good principles in your left hand so you don’t drop it when you use your right hand to eat. Hold the Iceberg principle on your left hand!

And with that, it’s a wrap for today. I hope you’re well. Feel free to check in through the comments section. And don’t forget to share this with your friends.

With plenty of love,

Debby.

Secrets of a wise man

Educative The Christian Faith 6 Comments 
Hola damas y caballeros (Hello ladies and gentlemen),

They say the average attention span of humans today is eight seconds. If in eight seconds, you’re not hooked, well that’s about it. I hope you stay hooked on this till the end. It’s quite a revelation you don’t want to miss.

I began a study on the book of Esther with a friend. There’s a thread I found with King Ahasuerus while reading. There are ten chapters in this book. And every single decisive step he took in these ten chapters were as a result of the counsel of those around him. Not one was a full self-conviction.

Let’s look at them systematically:

1.

4.
See also chapter 6: 1,4,6,10

On that night, the king could not sleep… And the king said “Who is in the court?” Now Haman was in the court of the King’s house… So the king said to him, “What shall be done unto the man that the king delighteth to honour?”…And Haman answered the king “For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse the king rideth upon, and the crown Royal which is set it upon his head…“And the King said, “Make haste even as thou hast said and do even so…”

Commentary: I suspect the king would’ve asked anybody he was told was waiting in the court. Could’ve been a wise or unwise guy who had access.

5.

Commentary: Whoever told Harbonah that it was the King’s intention to hang Haman?

4.
3:8,10 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus There is a certain people scattered abroad dispersed among the people in the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the King’s law therefore it is not for the King’s profit to suffer them…And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman, the Jew’s enemy.

Effect of Haman being around the king -mourning.
Esther 3: 15 And the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city Shusan was perplexed.
Esther 4:3 And in every province, whitsoever the king’s commandments and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing, and many lay in sack clothes and ashes.

Vs/Cf/Compared with:
Esther 8:5 So Esther arose and said… If it please the king, and I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite.

Effect of Esther being around King: Rejoicing.

8:17 And in every province, and in every city, wheresoever the king’s commandments and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day.

This much power is what your company wields around you. The assignment you’re given by God to accomplish will suffer or prosper by the doing of those around you.

You are not macho Man (x3). You are super succeptible to the advices of those around you. Watch out (in my secondary school principal’s voice).

What’s your greatest lesson here? Share your thoughts.Yours lovingly,
Debby

Blogging ^^ Readership

Life Diary Uncategorized 14 Comments

I just concluded a one-man interview with myself with the beam light on my blogging journey. 2013 till date. Precisely, 2013 and not 2014 – despite what’s on my About Me page.
It was quite an interview. We patiently traced the process of my discovering the blogosphere, my reading of blogs, my connection with other humans who blogged, my blogging, and why I still blog.


In all barefaced honesty, blogging is one of what I enjoy best. I would take breaks away from the discomfort I get out of social media-infiltrated blogging experience, or that from the gist-only readers experience. But when I return from the breaks, I still blog. What I need is to blog.

What do you need?

I made reference to the gist-only loving people. But people love gists! Some of most viewed posts are gist related. Debby is in love made the waves. Oh well.
I don’t blog for the views. I don’t blog for the traffic. Some people ask me about it. Its out of their good intentions so I answer them well enough.

But that’s not why I blog. That is not my goal. I would love if my messages reach a wider audience but the word ‘audience’ will first have to be defined. I would love if my words reach people who care enough to do better, an audience of people who are patient enough to learn, and of people who savour words.


One of the things I’ve loved most in blogging is the reach of countries my blog posts get to. I also love genuine feedbacks in form of comments on the blog (valued for all ages) and personal messages from those who can get in touch with me.

Every venture has its low moments, it vulnerable moments, exasperating moments and I’ve mentioned two of those triggering factors for me.

Its therefore in those moments when I get reminders of how people are helped by certain posts and enjoy certain posts that I jump-start my blogging engine.

I want to know – which has been your favourite post (or type of post) on the blog since you started reading? Even if you’re a gist-only-lover. What do you come expecting, if anything? What posts do you personally intend to see more of? What recommendations do you have for me? You can send this by entering it here, or in the comments below.

I hope you’re coping well. I’m about to start a series on my NYSC experience (or non-experience). Stay upbeat, guys.

Finally, I have three postscripts.


P.S 1:

These days, it takes a thick skin to maintain Christian practices which have their core grounded biblically. Society has made a living out of badly criticizing strict Christian principles. I think we need these encouragements from each other so we do not faint in our resolve. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering” 1 Peter 5:9. Take a look at this passage to be sure Jesus promised we’ll go through this:

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

John 15:20

P.S 2:

I think a number of people are fretting less about Corona Virus. But some still are. There are genuine reasons for concern and they differ from person to person. One thing to note though, is that all scripture passages telling us to be an example to others, or to not fear are passages that contain no caveat. Corona Virus is not a caveat to the passages. The trials biblical heroes of faith faced were not a caveat. If therefore your food supplies are out, do not worry. If your sibling has contracted the virus, do not worry. Whatever causes your heart to worry, keep buried in the word and prayers. Be a billboard of encouragement and not worry. Corona virus is too small to make me fret. Glory to God!

P.S 3: On a lighter note, have you all seen the movie ‘Five Feet Apart’? I teared up a little. Bwahhhh.

Don’t forget to get back to me on the questions I asked above. Truly, its a pleasure to write to you.

As always,

Much love.

BOOK REVIEW; Little Fires Everywhere

Book Reviews 7 Comments

Title: Little Fires Everywhere

Author: Celeste Ng

Publisher: Penguin Press (2017)

Pages: 237 (my copy)

Celeste Ng compels readers to trace blurred lines of morality.
To trace the dynamics of good intentions and bad choices.
To analyze harrowing motherhood. That’s what Celeste Ng does.

Little Fires Everywhere reveals the clarity and disruption Mia and Pearl Warren bring with them in a fifteen year old VW Rabbit car to Shakers Height, Ohio in 1996/1997.

“She looked at him fiercely, almost a glare. Moody saw that her eyes which he thought were hazel, were a deep jade green. And that moment, Moody had a sudden clear understanding of what had already happened that morning: his life has been divided into a before and an after, and he would always be comparing the two.”

Pearl Warren will do that to all four of the Warren children in her quiet and brilliant way. All will find their lives in intertwined threads that never get untangled.


Without glaringly being a Young Adults fiction, Little Fires Everywhere builds up primarily around the lives of five teenagers, and that of their parents. It has a subplot of a court case with the end point of gaining custody of baby May Ling/Mirabelle.

This will be the opening to the questions:
Who is a mother? What makes a woman a mother? Biology? Or love?


Little fires everywhere will answer questions such as:
Will a two year old child betray a loving mother for a biological mother?
Will a teenager betray the well organized and suburban mother for the enigmatic and unpredictable mother? Or will it be vice versa?

Will a woman decide she is a mother against the contracts she had signed otherwise?

Will another woman decide she isn’t a mother based on the time the child arrives?


What I liked

The theme of motherhood is explored magnanimously.

What I didn’t like

The book has a slow pace.

 

Written in third person point of view, a reader is exposed to why each character does the things they do.

The book also explores the privilege of wealth and opportunities.

They dazzled her, this Richardsons: with their easy confidence, their clear sense of purpose no matter what time of the day


“You should consider taking portraits professionally” Mrs Richardson suggested. She paused, “Not that you aren’t a photographer professionally of course. But in a studio maybe, Or for weddings and engagements. You’d be highly sought after“. She waved her hands at the photographs on the wall as if they could articulate what she meant. “In fact, perhaps you could take portraits of our family. We’d pay of course”
“Perhaps“, Mia said ” But the thing about portraits is that you need to show people the way they want to be seen. I prefer to show people as I see them. So in the end, I’d probably just frustrate us both” She smiled placidly, and Mrs Richardson fumbled for a response.

 

“Everyday it appeared, Pearl absorbed something new from the Richardson family, a turn of phrase (I was literally dying), a gesture (a flick of the hair, a roll of the eye). She was a teen, Mia told herself over and over; she was trying on new skin as all teenagers did but privately she stayed wary of every change she saw”

 

They have secrets. They have diverse personality traits. And we, have one haunting yet relieving story.

The writing style is simple and in fact very straight forward for a novice reader. The characters are credible.

Immediately after reading it, I rated it 4/5 stars. On reflecting, maybe 3.75/5 stars or the average of both.

There’s an adaptation of the book into a television miniseries which I saw on DSTV. With the licence movie producers have, the series is a berth away from the novel. Both do good though, so you could as well watch it.

I particularly think Young Adult fiction readers, mothers and intending mothers will find this book enjoyable.

Have you read this one? Do you think you are interested? Let me know below.

*I did not complete War Story as promised in my last post. I’ll get there.

Love and light,

Debby.

Life and Living in 2020 (2)

Life Diary 31 Comments

I have (2) written above because I take it that this post serves as life and living post (1) even without bearing that title.

I do not have my laptop with me. I blame that on my reluctance to blog. But that isn’t the only thing. If I’m being more accurate, it draws back to why I was discreet about my blog after I began blogging in 2014. I wanted to share freely yet I wanted freedom from the thought of having prying and doubtful eyes of people I’ve met in person speculating over every detail of my life. Maybe I’ve completely lost that now. Maybe.

Two weeks ago, I published a blog post on the topic “Debby is in Love“. Why did I do that? I needed to give that message some air – launch it from its bottled up space in my body system and out into the world. To achieve that, subtility would not do. So there, it found some expression.

I’m not ready to write introductory posts about Mr.Lover but I am ready to share snippets from my relationship experiences and learning every now and then. I would therefore make reference to Mister every once in a while when I need to. I hope this explanation has shed more light on that sudden blog post. If it hasn’t done so yet, you’ll just have to exercise plenty patience. But we will get to that introductory post later.

Feelings are fickle…

Every time I commence writing a life update post about a week prior to the intended date for publication, I end up not publishing the post. By the time publication date draws close, I’m thinking differently, I’m feeling differently and I cannot in good conscience publish otherwise.

Sue me but I’d let this be my first elucidation in reference to my Mister and misterial affairs (relationships). You shouldn’t get into a romantic relationship based on feelings only. It’s a recipe for disaster. You need convictions anchored on the word of God to you. Feelings are fickle.

Let’s move into some of those probably fickle but certainly recent thoughts and experiences:

Thinking: No matter how deep this post gets, I should start off by showing you my hair. My natural hair when it was newly made and not as it is now having experienced rocky night rests on the pillow.

Flat twist and loose twists.

Feeling: Somewhat dissatisfied with my blog. I have this personal desire to revamp it and give it more edge. Like I wrote above, feelings are fickle.

Discovering: more areas I personally need to improve upon.

Savouring: My love for flowers, fresh air and strolling. My friend, Sisi Gbems and I decided to pick up exercising. Rather than jog, I prefer to walk and just enjoy the fresh breeze. I did that a bit in university and I always plucked flowers as I walked by. I’d just throw this in because I can: On his last trip to see me, Mister bought me lovely flowers. Sorry, but no sorry.

My latest attempt at plucking what looked like a flower before the lockdown began. The picture symbolizes freshness to me. Freshness in a new city, freshness in a new experience altogether.

Reading: War Story by Steven Elliot, for a very long time for slightly over a month ago. The book is only 300 pages long but I think the storyline has lost its appeal to me. I promise to complete the book by my next blog post and notify you. So help me, God.

I have within the past month read and completed Martin Luther had a wife written by William J Peterson, Sanctified and Consecrated for ministry life by Zacharias Tanee Fomum, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, while reading some chapters of other books. It’s quite interesting when I see certain readers complain of how the lockdown has ruined their reading habit. Ironic but relatable. More time = Less reading.

I have a review coming up of Little Fires Everywhere. The book’s major theme is one that always gets to me. Without shame, I say watch out for the review! shame, shame, shame.

Interested in: sharing on emotional manipulation. Manipulations: There’s much to be said on emotional manipulation but we must all ensure at the very least that we’re not the manipulators. You do not control anyone. You may have control over certain aspects of people’s lives but that is as far as it gets, you don’t have control over another human.

To discover whether you’re being emotionally manipulative, consider the way you speak to someone subject to you. Consider the atmosphere you create within which they have to live or work. An atmosphere that does nothing but control them to your own suiting is manipulation (regardless of how noble your intentions are). God infinite and almighty does not manipulate you. Brother, sister, do not manipulate another person.

Eating: Food. Obviously.

Ohhhhh I prepared fried rice for Easter. Lol. Six of us ate the food and the food left in the pot remained half of the original quantity. In other words, I think I prepared fried rice for twelve. I didn’t prepare it alone, it was concerted effort but if it had gone awry, I think I would’ve been to blame. It didn’t go awry, delicious actually (so delicious I forgot to take a picture of it) so then, I get some fried rice praise.

Being a lifestyle blogger involves taking pictures of everything you do. I don’t really do that for the blog. Its a good thing then that I like taking some pictures for memories sake and in the process they aid the blog.

Watching: More movies than usual. I’m amused. Mister encouraged me to watch The Chosen; it’s a series on Jesus Christ. I started just yesterday and it’s been engaging.

I’m also watching many sermons on YouTube.

I watched this video my mum sent me, a lovely evangelistic video on the platform of corona virus. It suits me to spread this kind of news on the corona virus.

Man infected with Covid-19 was dying then God sent a hospital cleaner.

What have you been listening to this period? What have you been watching? Its so beautiful that there’s plenty of time to break God’s word together now. I’ve been drawn to and I love some of the teachings by Pastor Sola Osunmakinde of Household of David church on YouTube recently.

Do you know that the believers meeting in the first century was a daily meeting – the constancy of it is a biblical pattern, a huge recipe for Christian growth. Key in to teachings and fellowship. Many other christian platforms have daily bible study plans. No excuses.

Its been said that if at this period, you do not do the things you always wanted to do, lack of time isn’t your problem, indiscipline is. No pressures, do it gradually. Add something of benefit daily. Pray for thirty minutes. Listen to one sermon daily. Share with one friend in a week. Grow and enjoy.

Tell me, how have you been?

With much love and dedication,

Debby