What Makes You Happy

I am not happy mummy, stuttered my little girl. 

Mum: why are you unhappy? 

Child: because I am sad. 

Mum: why are you sad. 

Child: I don't know. 

Mum: think about it: why are you sad. 

Child: with hand in mouth, a thoughtful cute expression on her face 

Suddenly smiled and said, I am happy mummy. 

Kids, they are the cutest innocence creatures God created

This got me thinking about what makes us happy?

 

We are happy when we have a good summers day

We are sad when it is winter, it's cold or it's a rainy wet day

We are happy when we hear good news 

And sad when bad news greets us. 

Our happiness is predicated on something happening to, in and around us. Hence our daily state of being is based on our daily happenings, which determines whether we are happy or sad. 

Sometimes we are unhappy because being overly happy and optimistic is frown on by society. So in order to blend in around other unhappy people we wear an unhappy expression.  Which is sometimes necessary in funerals and weddings. 

So it is no surprise that in summer months everyone is happy because every one blends in. Same in winter months, some wear a sad gloomy, grey expression because everyone does the same. 

We are created with emotions of being happy or sad, nothing wrong with that. However the unfortunate thing happens when we remain in a permanent state of sadness. We can't seem to be happy when something good happens to us or one else, but easily identify with ill tidings. We just cannot understand why people are overly unhappy. 

Straight from my heart is this piece to encourage you that regardless of what is happening around you, do not blend in. We cannot be happy all the time, (although some people are). let's snap out of an unhappy state quickly, because the truth is, being sad or unhappy, is infectious. 

We often avoid anyone with an infectious disease, from the mildest cold to severe cases of Ebola. We go to great lengths to avoid contact with such persons. Why then are we comfortable around unhappy people? Those whom we know are always in a constant state of being sad.  

We expose ourselves to them, become use to them and wonder why we too are unhappy. 

The bible tells us to guard our hearts, for me this means being aware of threats to my state of being happy or joyous and to protect myself with the word of God. 

Do not give unhappy thoughts room to spread. They are like disease, once they infect you, it spreads fast infecting everyone you come in contact with, who in turn will have no choice but to blend in. 

If your unhappy state is as a result of things which happened in your past, seek help. Address these issues and try to find closure to arrive at peace shores. (Of course, if you have suffered the loss of a love one, it is normal to grieve for your loss, remember your love one fondly and in time your pains will become bearable).

However, If you are one of those who are in a permanent state of being sad regardless, do a embark on a soul searching excise, find out the reason for your state of sadness, address them, with help. 

Pause and think, you may find that there really is nothing to be sad about. Even if there is, find joy in Christ, be assured of his promises, let them fill you with hope. 

The realisation that Christ in you is all you need, will cause you to break out in a big smile and do a dance of happiness. Embrace your present life and enjoy the sense of freedom being happy brings. 

Then think about what makes you happy or can make you happy: 

Perhaps it's the blooming of a rose in summer 

The buzzing of the flying bees, flapping and dance to the inviting lure of sweet nectar

Perhaps it's the chiming of church bells as it rings out its worship call

Or the pitta patter of rain drops on the roof tops

Perhaps, it's the lapping of ocean waves rising up high, displaying the beauty of the power of creation

Perhaps, it's the chorus of choir singing melodious tunes in the dark

It maybe, the sight of your love ones, which causes your heart to skip a beat

Or it's the kindness of strangers

Or the dream of a better dawn

And the vision of greater things to come or

The laughter of a child dancing in the rain

The quietness of dawn, heralding the birth of a new day

Or the glow of sunset, displaying its golden hue on the horizon 

Whatever makes you happy maybe real or imagined.

Regardless of what it is,  be happy.  

Psalm 146:5 Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD 

A Salute to Fathers

It's Father's Day today and I want to dedicate this to all fathers, real or imagined. Now or in the future. 

Fathers who will and are raising faithful, tenacious, dedicated, strong children. 

Fathers who will arise and build their home and not destroy it

Fathers who will be a positive role model for their children and every young person they will come across.

Fathers who will love unconditionally, care unreservedly and provide unfailing 

To fathers who will not abdicate their role to mothers, society, teachers but will help, support, uphold and cherish their children.  

To Fathers who will bring a sweet FRAGRANCE of faith, Godly fear and wholesome flavor to their children 

Fathers who will RISE and help their kids attain their very best

Fathers who are TENACIOUS in business and TENDER in discipline 

fathers who are HELPERS in every way, building and not bring down

To fathers who are ENABLERS, ENCORAGERS and 

Fathers who are RAISING champions and are ready to do whatever it takes. 

I salute you. 

The Word

What is the word of God? And why is it vital to our daily existence? The "Word" is important because without it we are just ordinary people, the "Word" makes us extra ordinary.

God's word is our daily food, it contains vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals our body, soul and spirit needs. If this is so, why then do so many Christians struggle to lay hold of all there is to lay hold of within the word? 

I can't help but notice the latest trend amongst my Christian friends, they forward and pass around prayers and blessings spoken or declared by men. I.e their pastor, bishops, reverend etc. I have nothing against such prayers or men of God, what I do not subscribe to is that they can supplement God's word. 

What is a supplement you may wonder. The dictionary defines it as something added to compete a thing, make up for a defiance or strengthen the whole. 

I recent became interested in the supplements industry as part of my current business. Supplements are additional vitamins, minerals or nutrients we take in addition to our daily food. They are needed to provide us with certain vitamins/nutrients or minerals we may lack from our diets. 

As important as supplements are we are encouraged to get our recommended dose of vitamins from our food. This is often not the case due to our busy lifestyles, hence the growth in the supplements industry. 

Sadly some Christians supplement Gods word with those of a preacher.  Quoting a preacher rather than the tried, tested and infallible word of God. This should not be the case. The word of God should be our main resource, not a supplement. It is complete and lacks nothing. 

A Christian should be immersed in the word, living, breathing and speaking it and not depended on someone else's interpretation of it. 

God is His word, before the word was formed, He was. God's word spoken into any situation brings tremendous power. 

Let's begin to declare the word of God over sickness and every area of our lives. For the word to be active we need the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit acting on the word of God is all that is needed for the word to be active. Nothing else will supplement or assist it apart from the Holy Spirit, because He is one with the word.

David esteem the word of God higher than God's name. Because Jesus was not yet come in David's time, all they had was the word. I don't know what circumstance David found himself which made him declare that God had exalted his word above His name. All I know is that we have both the Word, His Name and the Holy Spirit with us today. That is enough. No word or declaration of man can assist the word to do what it was sent to do. 

As mentioned above, I know some Christians often quote their leaders, my pastor says this, my bishop declares that. As important as our men of God, their words cannot supplement the "Word".

It may all be good, nice, motivational words, however, if it is not in line with the Word of God it lacks power

Number 11:23, you shall see now whether my word shall come to pass or not.

Here God has promised provision for His people, but Moses could not see how, he looked to the crowd and wondered in unbelief. According to one writer: He looked to the creature instead of the Creator. But doth the Creator expect the creature to fulfil his promise for him? No; he who makes the promise fulfils it by his own unaided omnipotence. If he speaks, it is done--done by himself. His promises do not depend for their fulfilment upon the co-operation of the puny strength of man. We can at once perceive the mistake which Moses made. And yet how commonly we do the same! 

God's word is active, powerful and shaper than any double edge sword, let it be your food and declaration in any situation. 

Our religious activities like church attendance, charitable works, fasting and praying are all good Christian deeds, but they are no substitute for the "Word". 

We were admonished not to live by bread alone, but by every word which comes out of the mouth of God. For me it literary means we should cling to Gods word as if our life depends on it. 

Get in the habit of studying and meditating on the Word, because

it is effective, it carries the power of tens of thousands of dynamite, 

the word changes, it brings a turn around to any situation. 

the word delivers, it unlocks prison doors and stops the mouth of lions. 

the word heals, he sends His word and it heals us from our sickness.

The word restores, it replenishes the dying soul and revives the faint hearted.

The word is a guide, it illuminate our path and gives light to our feet. 

The word sets free those entangled with the York of sin. 

The word brings joy, it replaces the gloom in mans heart for the joy of the Holy Spirit. 

The word is God Himself. 

Let the word of God dwell in you richly for it is in it we will find great success.