A Dose Of Smile

  Defining Joy can be one of the most difficult things to define. I say so because we often mix the definition of happiness with joy. Truth is, one is temporary while the other is permanent. I love to define joy as a permanent state of gladness of the human heart. Joy is a choice but being a Christian, you have to understand that joy isn't an option for you, it is meant to be the permanent state of your heart. James 1:2 tells us to "...count it all joy when we fall into various trials". How's that even possible? How do you expect someone to still have an unexplainable joy when life throws stones at them? Learning to respond with joy during times of trials has to begin with a conscious awareness that God is at work in our lives and that He has a tangible purpose for why we may be experiencing these trials. Adding the next verse to the above scripture explains this; verse 3 "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The trials are mostly to t...

" God, have mercy on me". I said while beating my chest. Life had been quite a rollercoaster; working for and with the Romans hadn't been what I had expected. Also, I hadn't been anywhere close to the temple for such a long time. So, going to Jerusalem to see a relative gave me the opportunity to enter the temple to pray. As I said my five words of prayer, I noticed a Pharisee who was five metres away from me. I envied him dearly; my thoughts was that God would certainly answer his prayers way before mine. The Pharisees were wise and knowledgeable when it comes to the word of God - who could dare stand beside them to pray when they prayed - these were the 'righteous' men of Israel. Besides, tax collectors and the Pharisees weren't in any way best of friends - Derision, disgust and isolation in our community was what we always got. The contempt was strong but weren't we just doing our job? Following a heavy sigh, I said "God, I don't deserve t...

  There's something fascinating and intriguing about the story of Martha and Mary. One can identify their different personalities and as well learn from it and also their choices in life. One of the fascinating things includes the way Martha addressed Jesus. She basically took her anger and frustrations towards her sister out on Jesus. Reading that part, I sense a lot of frustration and irritation. Apparently Martha was tired of seeing Mary just sit with Jesus, while she was running around taking care of everyone. I bet she would love to sit down and listen to Jesus but is held back by the things she felt are needed to be in place. When you read this story, you can feel the tension between the two sisters.  Martha is frustrated and angry and apparently it sucks. She goes ahead to not directly talk to her sister but communicate her anger and frustration through Jesus hoping to hit and get her message across to Mary. By addressing Jesus, she hopes for recognition ...

Last week Saturday, the death of Chadwick Boseman broke the internet. The Black Panther star was battling colon cancer and passionately acting, such a bold thing to do. The major reason I wrote this poem as a tribute to him is because he was a believer before his death and I believe he's with God in a better place. In my culture, Death is not the end In Zion, We transition To a place of  better life To a place where death doesn't exist And a place where sorrow can't live In my culture, Eternity is our location Living in matchless glory And forever never feels long In my culture, We are renamed immortals We are giants who have conquered death And are finally living in God's unimaginable glory