OF SEX, SEXUALITY AND SOULS: CONVERSATIONS OF AN AFRICAN SAINT

SCENE ONE

THE BEGINNING



Truth often times cannot be simply stated or we would have no need of teachers, or at best it would be a parable. This is not an apology but rather an explanation for the length of this write up, contained herein are my contemplations and attempt to glean wisdom from a multitude of teachers, if this article is lengthy it is because their thoughts and words were much.



(it is advised that you read a scene per time and digest the thoughts before the next),



We will begin with examining the meaning behind the statement; “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul. “

Prov. 6: 32



The feelers from the above are;

It takes ignorance to commit adultery thus a wisdom challenge

A man by adultery destroys, deprives, batters or spoils his soul

In the context of this text, the soul referred to the creature within the man, the source of vitality, freshness, purpose, passion, the living man.



Adultery on the other hand implies to apostate, to renounce a belief or an allegiance, it often is taken to include fornication.



Sexual relationships in my opinion is the most creative and most gratifying experience available to man. Therein man, the most powerful, unique and influential force on planet earth is created by the union of a man and woman or their seeds to give birth to another individual.



This new individual possesses a flesh and other non-physical part ; a soul and a spirit, the spirit and soul of the offspring is clearly distinct from those of the parents though the flesh is a random combination of both.

This distinction in the body, soul and spirit components of a new spring gives the following pointers;

1. The body of the newborn is a product of a unique random genetic mix of his parents.
2. His spirit however is very unique and very much independent of that of both parents.

My contemplation from the above is that in a every sexual activity, there is a third factor that is responsible for the spirit of the newborn. Thus God is an active participator in every sexual activity and this is regardless of the religious orientation of the players. Thus this God-factor is the birthing power that births the spirit of the newborn (the real man), this explains why nobody is an accident or illegitimate.



The scenario like in rape or in an extramarital relationship might be wrong, an accident, cruel or improper but the birthing of the righteous spirit of a newborn is always right, it is initiated but not brought about by the parties.



This bears repetition and I will repeat it, no one is an accident or illegitimate. Like a piano master or a painter like Michael Angelo, the canvass can be wrong but not his art. For when the master is done, the canvass or the initial music would look just appropriate for the event.





SCENE TWO

SEX NOT MARRIAGE



From the last contemplation, sexual experiences regardless of the legality or morality create a template, canvass or a system through which the infinite resource of God is channeled to create the biggest force on earth; man. It is in my opinion that this system created by the union of a man and a woman is not like a reversible reaction, it is irreversible. Is also is God’s avenue for providing resources for the work on earth (ideas, passions, burdens e.t.c).

“What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith He, shall be one flesh.” 1Co 6:16

The author of this text was quoting the statement of God in Genesis that “the two shall become one” for an adultery scenario.

This tells me that it is not “marriage” that makes two one but sex. One can thus be one flesh with another regardless of whether they went to the altar or not, I’ll dare say that the statement “What God has joined together” is not because the two came to the altar to become joined but rather because they partook of God’s “joining system” for creation. When we partake of sex, he joins us.



Note that the term “the two shall become one” was a statement made by God in Gen 2. It is the covenant basis for the joining. In 1 Cor 6: 16, it becomes clear that this joining is not limited to a marriage scenario but to every sexual relationship and this also can be gleaned from the fact that God didn’t make that pronouncement because there was a crowd of witnesses (as in marriage) but because Adam spoke.

So, whenever two individuals become joined in sex they inadvertently invoke God’s joining and then spirit creation when there is a baby.



THE HOLY INSTITUTION

Sex and by extension marriage is the only institution or system that gives God a legal entry (in a way) to create in our universe, it is therefore His Institution. If humanity decides not to have sex or to pervert sex (as in sodomy and adultery) the Hands of God is in a way held back. This explains the devil’s winning strategy with homosexualism, divorce and adultery.

I am of the opinion that the system is not only necessary for procreation but also for work fulfillment, God said that Adam needed help with the Work and a sexual relationship was the answer (not just company). A woman therefore does not just bring company to man or an avenue for sexual satisfaction but also an avenue to supple soulish and spiritual resources that only her can supply. Resources that the man definitely needs for it is not good that he be alone, thus a man needs a woman except when he decides or is assured by God that he needn’t that nature of help!

Remember that the whole institution was a product of a man’s proclamation/intent; “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man”. It is not based on ceremonies or witnesses or because we came before an altar, if that were the case Isaac wouldn’t be said to have married Rebecca.



Remember that the motivation for this contemplation began with;

“Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul. “ Prov 6: 32



SCENE THREE



THE NATURE OF THAT JOINING

I’ve hitherto deduced that there is a joining which is irreversible that allows the Creator to create a spirit and that the environment, legality or scenario of the act is immaterial to the quality of the creator as they do not contribute to the spirit of the newborn. So we are all direct creations of God held in trust by our parents.

That irreversible system, what is it made of?

This joining, to me is really holistic and occurs in three dimensions;

1. Flesh: the sexual act and maybe the mixing of the seeds
2. The soulish-spirit component, I am yet to make a clear divide between this but suffix to say that the soul is that which is essentially man’s (under his influence or as a result of his deliberations and is more or less a reflection of and the pathway for the interactions between the spirit and the flesh). The spirit is not really his though it is the inner him.
3. As above

We do not own our spirits, the spirit is God’s. that is why He is God (The Father of all spirits).

Thus on mating individuals create an interface for fusion of the contents of their spirit (not the spirit itself), their soul components and their bodies. This explains why one could get possessed by sleeping with a possessed individual, (spirit joining), acquire HIV or STD (flesh) and also the passions, aspirations, proclivities and ills (soulish) of his/her mate.

Our souls are the ultimate beneficiaries of the success or loss of our spirit and flesh. And any deprivation of the spirit or flesh is a deprivation of the soul.



“……………..he sins against his soul”





SCENE FOUR

IMPLICATIONS

…………………….he sins against his soul



Jesus made us to understand that adultery is more than fornication but a change of allegiance (apostate) and when one lusts after a woman or man they’ve committed adultery because they have only one person to desire or to be in allegiance to (the spouse).



The sin of adultery (this includes all sexual acts outside of a marriage structure and lusting) therefore has plenty connotations;

1. A disobedience to God
2. Profaning or trivializing of God’s main entryway (see Scene 2)
3. A deprivation of the soulish-spiritual benefits of the spouse
4. A contamination of the soulish-spiritual identity of the person
5. A state of missing the mark as God has designed the system in such a manner that the spouse becomes a channel for reaching you and adultery messes up that system
6. Deformation of the soul; the soul is always longing for growth and expression and this is the main reason people opt for relationships in the first place, we want to express the innate potentials and this development could be powerfully fuelled by such sexual systems. Thus a comprehensive understanding of the tripartite nature of that system is needed to nurture, grow and cherish a marriage relationship. When individuals fail to balance the 3 points of growth (spirit, soul and flesh) or worse still venture outside that system they make a caricarture of the whole works (point 4)
7. However note that development of the gifting, thoughts, affections, morals, vitality, purpose and intellect are all components of the soul and is man’s first duty. The urge for sexual expression also is soulish in nature and in marriage brings a powerful stimuli to the development of all other soulish components.



SCENE FIVE

Deductions from the above

1. Premarital or extra marital sex (sex outside a lifelong commitment) is a trap of purpose

(one may ask; why premarital sex since sex is essentially marriage? Answer; individuals need to attain a certain level of physical, soulish and spiritual maturity to fare well in a joint system because once they have sex they’re joined. But if they can unravel therein, stick it out and do a good job, with the right counsel, age won’t be much of a limit though peculiar problems may arise)

1. God hates divorce because it messes up the platform/system for creation (not just babies but purposes).
2. God hates adultery for the same reason; it muddles up the canvass and deprives the parties.
3. The whoremonger not only sins against God, unlike other sins he sins against his soul.
4. The soulish component is the vitality, the purpose, the essence of man. It is the seat of creativity when in interface with the spiritual which can connect with God (Creator).
5. Adultery robs man of wholesome creativity, a creative individual who is whoremonger can at best produce distortions, perversions of the truth of God in him. He can be gifted but cannot truly use those gifts for the good of humanity but subjects those creativity to the influence of the spirits that he has acquired from his mates or can access him because of sin.
6. The Spirit of God does not reside in sinners, evil spirits do.
7. The gifts of God are soulish in nature.
8. Marrying a divorced individual is adultery as the bonding is not broken by the law of the land (it was never formed by it in the first place) but by God (Mark 10:11). The only provision he made for cancellation was in an adultery scenario (now we know why) and when the mate is unbelieving and leaves the partner (1 Cor 7:15)

10. The ability of a partner to sanctify his/her mate and offspring is because of the exchange of spirit content.

11. God always likened idolatry to adultery and the scenarios described above is identical.

12. Sexuality is really an issue of heart affection and sex is only an expression.

13. The subject of our affection is the subject and ultimately source of our resources (soulish resources in particular).

14. Adultery is therefore really apostasy (the Greek meaning); renunciation of faith or allegiance, it is ultimately an exchange.



SCENE SIX

In Conclusion



Man is the most powerful entity on earth and is charged with the function of multiplication and rulership on earth. He howeve needs a woman not only to procreate but to create a robust system through which all forms of creations arise. This creation is done in partnership with God who comes automatically on the scene and joins every two people in a sexual relationship.

The joining is tripartite and deviations from the ideal becomes man’s greatest challenge and results in a mangling, deprivation and offence against the soul and God asks; “what shall man give in exchange for his soul?”

Five minutes of pleasure?



GUILTY AS CHARGED!

If you’re guilty , you are not alone. The good news is here in black and white;



“And the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery. And standing her in the midst, they said to Him, Teacher, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned. You, then, what do you say?

They said this, tempting Him so that they might have reason to accuse Him. But bending down, Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, not appearing to hear.

But as they continued to ask Him, He lifted Himself up and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.

And again bending down, He wrote on the ground.

And hearing, and being convicted by conscience, they went out one by one, beginning at the oldest, until the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

And bending back up, and seeing no one but the woman, Jesus said to her, Woman, where are the ones who accused you? Did not one give judgment against you?

And she said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I give judgment. Go, and sin no more.

Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:3-12



Point is: Jesus forgives sin, even the sin of adultery and He also gives power to sin no more.



In my dictionary, that’s a whole lot of Good news!



Thank you

Okwonna Nelson

THE JOSEPH STRATEGY OF ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND VALUE CREATION

THE JOSEPH STRATEGY OF ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND VALUE CREATION

I hope you haven’t heard this before;

The story was told of a certain man, a body builder by training; stout and strong on whom hard times had befallen, he had gone job hunting and did stumble on an advert; “Well Built Man Wanted”. The notice was outside the gate of a local zoo, the man thinking that perhaps they needed a hand to lift things and stuffs entered and sought for the job, to his utter surprise he was asked in strict confidence to play the role of a large monkey, the management explained that some children were expected and the zoo had just lost its prized monkey. It wouldn’t be nice to disappoint the children; wonderful kids!

The man for no better option agreed to do the job, after all the economic meltdown is here, The next day met him swinging from pole to pole in his monkey suit to the delight of the children who offered peanuts and bananas, By midday he probably got tired of the poles or the bananas got the better of him and the next thing our hero accidentally slipped and fell into the nearby lion’s cage! “Help, Help!” He screamed as the very big lion majestically approached him and to his greatest horror and relief whispered “you had better shut up or we will both lose our jobs”!

               

Though this story is a fictitious one, it rings true and home. Perhaps you identify with someone  in the story but the issues are real. These are difficult times and there is a lot of monkey suits in town,  a colleague of mine offered an opinion one day, He said “the world is a vicious cycle where everybody is conning everybody, it depends on what you go home with at the end of the day” and this story aptly describes that scenario. In reality it is so for many individuals and when one finds himself in an ugly situation and screams for help, it is only to discover that the very person he is calling on is a bigger tougher fake probably employed by another fake organization.

If you found yourself in this story, then the discovery is a great one and probably the first step to suit dumping. The world economy on a macro scale is a game and few people know how deliberate it is, the house of cards has crashed and rebuilt itself many times and I doubt if you want to build something that will crash tomorrow. Most folks do so for no better option, truth is there is a better option and it is a sad thing my colleague believed what he said.

We are going to be discussing one of the basic strategies and postures for creating immense value as an entrepreneur or corporate executive and avoiding the pitfalls that has become the hallmark of today’s market places.

I will tell you another story;

You might have met Ken, he is one of those very passionate individuals. Though most folks were passionate like Ken unlike him they have “grown up” and stopped “dreaming”. Ken worked in a public institution where he believed his potential will be met. He loved estate development and construction and during his years in school Ken had unlike most of his colleagues fashioned concepts and patterns of how social infrastructures could be avenues of socio-economic development, the lectures at school proved his theories right. Even Ken’s lecturers agreed with his posits but many believed he would soon find out what “reality’ looks like. After school he kept reading up on several new concepts and strategies for driving social and economic change via his chosen career.

A few months after the mandatory youth service corps, Ken had been “very very “ lucky to get a job in one particular public institution, though he would have preferred a position with a private firm but the kind of firms he had in mind where virtually nonexistent. His passion was a little “exerting” to some but Ken didn’t mind, His wife once said she married him for that particular quality and to Ken, that was enough.

Six months into the job, Ken found out what a lot know but few worry about; his job was of little influence. Undeterred Ken had started making wonderful suggestions to management to make the place more fruitful, he was appreciated, told off and sometimes even sneered for his “outspoken nature”. Majority told him his suggestions were not new and Ken wondered why little could be done with massive potentials. Ken was discouraged but the voice within didn’t stop and so Ken didn’t, though there were more than enough opposition at the office and he had fallen out of favor with some ‘kingpins”. He kept praying for the management and as a release he took to writing, he wrote in various periodicals and dailies. His were not write-ups of complains and woes but rather one born of insight, he analyzed scenarios and presented solutions. At first his ideas appeared ordinary but few saw the insights his works bore, his efforts were those born of compassion and spirituality.

One day, like in all cases for prepared folks his break came. A new management was in place and Ken’s “proposals” became the agendas at management meetings though Ken never made it to any of those meetings. The truth was nobody cared to mention his name and for those that knew, it would be unwise to say so, after all office politics is serious business.

Ken’s joy was that development was happening and value was created. A few years later, a private firm that executed some of the jobs that Ken’s proposals initiated was looking for  a senior staff and Ken’s name somehow came up. Ken was over qualified for the job, he had among other things gotten a post graduate training in business management.

The salary was  twice his current pay now as a senior staff and it still would have made economic sense even if it was lower as the management had a fantastic bonus package and everybody knew he would deliver. Ken could already imagine the smile on his wife’s face as he shared the news though inside him he was a little trouble. Something told him that staying  back with the public institution might yield greater value. His Boss at the public firm determined not to lose his “best staff” designed an “emergency foreign course” for Ken. Ken chose to stay for at least an additional three years with the public firm while praying that the next management after the present one continues with the same drive. The private firm knew Ken was their man and being more flexible arranged for a consultancy position with their company, the needs of the firm didn’t breach the confidentiality details of Ken’s public employment and Ken’s wife had something to smile about. The monthly retainer for his consultancy service was just a little below his current salary.

Coming back from the training, he was assigned to head one of the committees that would execute another of his “brain child”, he was the most junior staff in the team but he enjoyed the respect of the team.  Ken had retained his amiable nature and unsullied character even though everyone knew the Head of that organization dotted on him. His free spirit and ability to stay agreeable even in disagreement was an asset at committee meetings.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Question; have you met Ken or you know someone who would have been Ken.

What is the Joseph Strategy

I believe by now you would have begun to get an idea  of what I am talking about,

THE JOSEPH STRATEGY

The Joseph strategy is a business development or value generating principle at the work or market place that essentially includes the free provision of a valuable idea, good or service to a recipient.

In the story we shared, Ken was able to display this strategy in his work place, It is not enough to predict, unravel or understand the root cause, timeline and perhaps obvious consequences of a problem without the ability to propose a solution.

Such propositions must be backed with capacity and the willingness for an effective implementation. The change agent/entrepreneur in this case must also show evidence of such capacity. Such an evidence could be in the form of a job resume detailing the individual’s experience and competencies, a company profile citing the relevant experience or qualifications; the character and experience of the individuals on the company’s board of directors should also reflect such capacity. However,  in the absence of such the change agent should be equally as bold for there is always a first time.

This is the easiest way to get a job or a new client, find a future, present or unrealized problem/capacity and come up with a pragmatic options that makes the most of the situation. Every business arena is in dire need of factors like; increased profits,  market Share, Good will. Share price, and a better brand image. They are also much more disposed to honor anyone that provides these whether from within their ranks or from the outside. The nature and amount of the honor however depends on the nature of the organizations and their evaluation of the value offered.

A public organization would offer consultation fees, honorable words, awards of merits, contracts and in most cases employment opportunities for individuals or organizations that create such value.

A private firm is more poised to give immediate financial benefits like bonuses, promotions, fees and contracts. The reward need not be immediate or of material significance but there is always an exchange when value is provided.

It is the responsibility of the entrepreneur to begin to dispense this value packages and in the process determine their market value and also create the appropriate vehicles for appropriating this rewards.

The design of this vehicle is vitally important, like Ken in our story, a vehicle could be a private consultancy position or a more organized firm. He might however choose to allow things shape up for themselves, an entrepreneur however must design this vehicle himself.

For example, if you offer great business ideas to a private firm they might offer you a job position, if you made the proposal as an individual. If you make the same proposal as a registered business with a board and all the necessary business structures, you’ll likely get a deal. i.e. a contractual venture option. If you offer the same idea to a venture capitalist or a business angel, you will likely get an investment.

The same proposal however could raise eyebrows when you offer it to your family members!

So, the same business proposal would yield different rewards in different scenarios and each scenario demands a different presentation.

It is important to start dispensing of these packages early, first to commoners for free then one day to those that matters while you learn fast along the way.

AS AN ENTRY TOOL

This allows for an entry into a new industry. Microsoft Windows was at first offered free to the market and today we are paying for it. I do not believe Bill Gates planned to become a billionaire with that step, he just knew that was the way to enter the market.

After an entry, character; i.e. consistent performance would be needed to stay in league. And once there is sufficient demand for your product or service, you will notice that a price will be attached to it without too much fuss.

It also is an entry tool for a Job seeker, say you are unemployed and looking for a job, chances are that despite the fact that you are unemployed you still manage to eat three square meals a day. I therefore propose you find a place to offer your skills and services for free.

If you are an accountant, offer to handle the accounts of small businesses for free and do a great job, make the effort relevant to the overall goals of the firm. Find someone that needs your service and offer it free of charge, for starters you’ll be building a resume! Then you are gaining experience, it is like going to school again. It is paying for your education, every business man understands that the early challenges and mistakes of a startup business is like the tuition fee for classes in the market place. It is a practical class though and one that involves a greater degree of innovation, novelty, independence and responsibility. It is here you begin to test your ideas and chances are that if you are good at the work you will find a job or a deal.

VALUE VS SOLUTION

To create value is great but a solution is better. Not all value creation are solution generation, if you live in a metropolitan and I happen to give you a free bicycle, chances are that I have created value but not necessary solved a problem. Though a bicycle is worth something to you, it does not really solve your transportation problem. It won’t make sense riding to work in a bicycle if you lived in Lagos, Nigeria!

In Africa, we have millions of research papers from credible universities and Lectures that have a lot of value-content but very little solution-content. The difference is simply “intentionality”, we don’t chance on change, we drive change with our eyes open and clearly seeing tomorrow.

Thus real value creation is one driven by a commitment to solution identification and maximization.

WHAT TO PROPOSE

You cannot offer what you do not have and there are certain things one is best adapted to having, we have areas of gifting and purpose and it is the duty of everyone to discover this. That gift is your soul’s desire, it is that which you are aware of almost intuitively. It is the “Aha” of your spirit, never trade this soul-ish longings for anything. When we lose this soul-ish longings on the altar of meeting immediate needs, oppositions, hardships, temptations or worldly cares then nothing in the world would satisfy.

With identity comes the responsibility for ownership, protection and development. You do not really own that which you do not understand says Myles Munroe and you can’t offer a legal or mental protection to that which you do not own.

Own your Vision and gifts, it is a protection against the rough tides of the job-place, it will keep you from unemployment and the long queue at social welfare. It is your God-given advantage, master and protect it. A lot of folks would scream if you scratched their cars or even ruffled their well plaid attires but do nothing when you threaten their vision. Your predisposition to protecting your God given Vision and Purpose is the test of character.

The best form of defense is attack, the one talent man in the parable of the talent didn’t know this bit. To increase competence in an area of gifting is an individual responsibility,  like a piece of property given on lease by the government, there is a mandate that the government can revoke the lease if not developed within a given time duration.

Competence development is your responsibility and one, which you may have to overcome great odds to attain. Most great footballers and artists suffered immense tribulations and sacrifice to give attention to this soulish longing. Note that in doing this, they developed something called character.  To achieve development, exposure is critical

Character is a position of constancy brought about by perseverance against tests, it is the mother of hope and hope is what great men and businesses are built of.

When you have hope, you are not ashamed of the circumstances called “today”, because within you is a clear picture of where your gifting is taking you to.

Thus the pattern is this; identity. Ownership, protection and then development.

The Challenge of Development

There is this thing about become who you are that many people fail to achieve and that is a transformation of the mind, we are often adept to remaining as we were. The environment demands conformity, people do not want you to change. They’re most times surprised when you do. One of the greatest challenge at this stage of developing capacity is the uncertainty that such exposure portends, like a butterfly undergoing metarmorphosis one could be accused of having an identity crisis. Don’t mind the externals, stay with your internal scorecards as you learn what works and what doesn’t. it is always easier to run back to old habits, for an entrepreneur that just left the job there is a great temptation to call your former boss. I had to make this a personal saying; “when you sack your boss, never take her back!”. For someone learning the skills your talents require, the challenge of refining what you have might just appear too arduous but stick with it. The price of exposure and transformation can be paid only by you alone. You are like a boxer training muscle in the ring, stay at it, sucker punch and all!

Your gifts however must be organized and offered in such a manner that individuals or organizations would pay maximum premium for it,

Remember, the Joseph Strategy is that you make an offer; your offer.

OFFERING

You may have to at first offer this value-packages of yours for free, I suggest you learn to do these even if you don’t have to. If you are into public speaking, find a crowd, any crowd and talk! Afterwards appreciate them for coming. If like me you are into business or resource development, find those that need your services and get them to listen, show your competence and faithfulness with any given assignment.

In the process you will learn the market position/evaluation of your packages and the best way to present it. This is the time to read massively and develop structures, a famous beautician with a line of cosmetics in Lagos, Nigeria; Tara ………….., began her multi million Naira business by first offering to do free make up for wedding brides in her estate, few people then would agree that someone could pay for a make up! Now it is big business. Most un employed individuals and start up businesses would be amazed at the employment opportunity and client base there is to find with this strategy.

For example, a young accounts graduate could offer to do the accounts of neighboring small businesses for peanuts, in the process he is learning a lot, discovering new problems, contacts and building a resume. A small scale business man can package samples of customized products for his intended market and in the process learn the market evaluation for them. This is important because the field is where muscles are trained, ideas are tested and clarified, theories reformulated and dreams take shape.

One must keep growing, by finding new ways to satisfy and exceed the expectation of your clients/employer you will learn what works and what doesn’t. you will have to device new ways to make them pay adequately for the services rendered.

THE OPRAH WINFREY EXAMPLE

OPRAH built a mighty empire by doing something so little that a lot of people have missed especially in developing nations, the reason why her little strategic step is so vitally important is that paid employment or public services seldom bring out the massive potentials in man especially when under poor leadership

WHAT OPRAH DID.

Oprah Winfrey began her TV career as a  reporter for a radio station WVOL in Nashville, while studying at Tennessee State University. She was probably paid peanuts for this student job but it did grant her entry and experience of the Television industry.

Because of her gifting and competence, At age thirty she had already become a very successful talk show host working for WLS-TV, The Oprah Winfreh Show enjoyed enormous followership.

On meeting Jeff Jacobs, an entertainment lawyer in 1984 she was convinced to set up her own company instead of being a talk show host hired by somebody else.

Harpo inc was established in 1986, with Jeff Jacobs eventually joining in as president. Jeff brought his business acumen to match Oprah’s creativity and intuitiveness.

The point is she built a business around her gift and retained ownership thus her show could be aired on other stations besides those of her former employer, the advert arrangements would differ and she retained intellectual property for the shows. The motivation for delivery was immense and though it wasn’t an easy part, she persevered.

With the independence and motivation, Harpo inc diversified into movies and in 2000 O, The Oprah Magazine was born.  Today, She is the chair of Harpo, Inc,; Harpo Productions; Harpo Studios, Inc,; Harpo Films Inc,; Harpo Print LLC; and Harpo Video, Inc,.

Though she still cannot read a balance sheet, she was able to maximize her gifting and to build a structure that enabled her display amazing creativity.

Question:

Do you know anyone who would have done better with this approach in the entertainment industry or other industries?

Did you notice the progression of events?

Can you read up Bill Gates Biography and relate this story to his?

Can you identify a common thread with yours?

LESSONS FROM THIS STORY

She was probably paid pea nuts for the first job; entry

Competence pays

Continuous learning is key

Ownership is essential if productivity and remuneration are vital statistics

Skills and competence are great, but you need Strategy

Find help where you need it

Be good at what you are gifted to do

COMPONENTS OF THIS STRATEGY

The business arena is a value exchange arena and to make such offerings for free you need to have an abundance mentality, a lot of young people have failed to make this strategic entry simply for their penchant for immediate rewards.

An abundance mentality says there is more from where this is coming and even if I am not paid initially I’m glad to offer value.

COMPASSION

To really maximize your inherent potentials and creative genius there is need you come over to the higher realms of compassion.

At a higher plane, the bedrock of discovery is compassion. Science is a product of sincere inquiry into things men are passionate about. It takes desire to seek, desires are born out of compassion. It could be for a cause,  humanity or for systems but ultimately it is all about people. Some people have limited their compassion-field to themselves and maybe their families, if your compassion-field is limited, so will be the issues that would probably attract your sincere inquiry and hence the number of opportunities you will see.

I do not imply a complaining kind of concern but rather a reasoning concern that is ready to divulge the emotionality of an issue and raise practical pragmatic theories.

e.g. does the economic scenario in your city bother you? In Nigeria, we have a moribund textile industry that could employ more than 500,000 individuals and provide for millions of dependents, every day I see a lot of business potentials in that sector and have been devising strategies for more than 5 years now. My point is that the idea I will come out with at the end of the day is borne from more than 5 years of research, reason and deliberation. I am also in a better shape to utilize any new emerging opportunity that any political or economic wind can bring.

It is a rule that Global/National Interest is a product of National/Global Concern. It is not a surprise that two of the richest men in the world; Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are much concerned about Global issues, I do not think they became concerned because they are big. I believe they became big because they were concerned, resources migrate to individuals with the heart for it.

The vision of Microsoft is to make lives easier for individuals and organizations and sincerely they have.

What bothers you? What do you see on the street and it makes your heart lurch? Those are your concerns. Can you make time for a little inquiry and nature of this stimuli?

Richard Branson of Virgin World said “Business is what you do about the things that bother you”.

Can you attend to your interests? The things that provoke your compassion most times are things you can do something about, most times your capacity to do something about them does not immediately appear but stay with it. Let your spirit brood over them and you will see them begin to take shape in your heart, you would need to research and read up about it and one day you will be surprised to know that you are among the leading thoughts in that area or that you are at full comprehension of the leading thoughts in that area.

Should an opportunity appear on the horizon, these prepared heart has something to say, a proposal to make or a decision to make.

A lot of potentialities have been drowned in the murky and shallow water of selfish interests, I believe this is the biggest limit to innovation. There is a creative genius in man that is hindered by selfishness which is at best myopic and inpatient.

TRAINING

If you are concerned and compassionate, the demand is on you to go to school (study) in your area of concern. Develop competence in that arena, your biggest asset is yourself. Make the most input as possible as you can and when you think you are ready go and test your hands! Offer the first proposal.

Proposals are borne out of an understanding, understanding is a product of insight or wisdom and both are a product of a meditating heart or a studious heart.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

 Okwonna Nelson

THE NATURE OF SALVATION

In a world of diverging religious world views (Plurality) and consequently Personification (which says “make sure you keep your views at home”) a diligent seeker still needs to find coherence; what makes sense, the unity in diversity. The truth that unifies all truths and this is what University stands for “Unity” in “Diversity”.
Can all religious world views be right? Are they fundamentally the same? Are they all a quest by man to fulfill His need for a God?

I believe that there is a God, man has found it impossible to escape from Him, (I have made this point in my earlier notes in “An attempt at Meaning” and “Reason on Trial”) but another good question is; which God? I ask that question because two mutually exclusive opinions cannot be correct at the same time.

Two mutually exclusive religious world views cannot be correct at the same time.
None the less, as humans any good world view must provide the answer to

Origin: where am I from?
Condition: Who am I? And why do I do the things I do
Salvation: how can I be helped
Destiny: after here?

In my earlier notes I have written on why I know Jesus is the answer, one of those ways is in “the nature of salvation”.

Does man need Salvation and salvation from what? Of recent there was a very high profile discussion among elite circles on the topic “What does it mean to be Human”. It doesn’t take much imagination to fashion the course that discourse must have taken, the reality is that even people who are not intellectually inclined have agreed that man got a problem, implicit is the sentence that “the bent of man is towards evil”.

And man has from medieval times cried out for atonement. Long before Judaism, Christianity and Islam (the three major religions) man has made countless sacrifices on altars to appease “the gods”, apparently they weren’t.

The question is why? Why do we seek to be forgiven? Or better still is there anyone who does not need forgiveness? The sensation of Guilt and total unworthiness is the major cause of suicide and depression (antidepressants sale compete with that of coca cola), and you and I are witnesses to the length humans have gone to mask that emptiness.

What does God say about the condition of man? In the Torah and the Talmud (the Old Testament and Holy book of Judaism, God calls our condition “sin” and the penalty was death!)

To understand salvation one has to understand the nature of Sin. Sin is not the violation of God’s law per say, it is the violation of God himself (Who is described as being too Holy to behold iniquity). In the words of Max Lucado “God is not holy, He is not even Holy Holy, He is Holy Holy Holy” Holiness is the essence of His Godhood.

And man is sinful. In the same Old Testament we find the source of Sin; disobedience. Adam didn’t just disobey he violated God himself (that is why the punishment is death), but then man is Spirit.
the first man died a spiritual death , it is of then necessity that the restoration of man be Spiritual; a quickening of the dead spirit. It is then pertinent that we understand therefore why the blood of rams cannot take away sin, if so why then did God give the Law?

The Law was given so that man could see his need for salvation and to serve as a code of conduct. But it couldn’t make the person righteous. Well, only an ill patient seeks a doctor. And God said the illness (sin) is a life and death issue.

In Abraham, of whom the three major religions call Father, we see God declaring him righteous because He believed Him, Not because He performed certain rites. This was way before circumcision (a mark of the relationship that was borne out of His obedience). See Gen 15:6.

What we see in our society is a great malady called “Sin in the Heart of Man”. The multiplicity of religion, the despair of man and the resort to wantonness and deadening of conscience is as result of man’s interaction with the law which is written in our hearts. You and I know that our great great grand fathers without reading the Ten Commandments observe it to a very high extent.
Is there salvation?

Answer; God did not leave man alone in this dilemma, it is important to note that only God can initiate Man’s salvation, But God’s Justice must be satisfied also; someone must die for the sin of mankind and sinful man does not qualify.

When people wonder that how could Jesus, the Son of God as we claim in the Christian Faith come and die for Sinful humanity.

My answer is:
Could God (A Holy, Just and Loving God) do less to save His idea (Man)?

The silent question I believe in the heart of many is; what is the nature of God, does He? Could He have a son? What manner of Love is such?
Fortunately you can find that out for yourself; close your eyes in reverence to God and ask Him the very question; you can read the bible for yourself.
The seeker finds out He is sought.
Thanks

UNDERSTANDING THE FAITH: SURPRISED BY JOY SERIES 1

Dear significant friend, this piece is for the believer or seeker who intends to understand the Faith. It is really important that we truly have a good grasp of the themes, settings and pillars of the Christian Faith especially in times like this. In my young but eventful life in the faith I’ve found the level of ignorance to be quite high and considering that I suffered from such ignorance myself I felt compelled to write this to enable someone perhaps to live a more comprehensible and productive Life.

C.S. Lewis said of himself in his book “Surprised by Joy” that he was the most reluctant convert in the whole of England! (J.R.R Stolkein, the author of the “Lord of the Rings” was influential to Lewis’s comeback to Christianity), Oscar Wilde lived a life of pleasure all his days but at his deathbed asked for a priest as “God alone was big enough to cleanse this heart of mine”. On the floor of my hostel room at the age of 18 I began a fresh and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ.

Regardless of how and when we come to the Lord, the great news is that we came; you came.

THE PLACE OF UNDERSTANDING

“they do not know, they do not understand. They walk about in darkness. All the foundation of the earth are unstable” Psalm 82:1

“it seemed good to me also, having had a perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus” Luke 1:3.

Perfect understanding is attainable and when it is absent, instability is the rule.

WHAT HAPPENED AT NEW BIRTH?

The death and resurrection of Jesus brought several realities to bear;

1. Jesus died for the sins of the whole of humanity: from the Middle east to the Antarctica, humanity’s problem is not a “sin” issue it is a “belief “and an “understanding” issue. (1 Cor 15:3) Belief for those who don’t believe and understanding for those who do. People will go to hell for rejecting Jesus alone. For more see the meaning of salvation

2. He rose from the grave: His death and shedding of blood secured forgiveness, His resurrection provided the Life. When He died, He took a trip to hell and got the keys of Hell and death (Rev 1:18, Math 28:18). He disarmed principalities and led a triumphant procession out of captivity (Eph 4:8, Col 2:9). His resurrection marked the conquest of death which is a product of sin (Rom 5:13, Gen 2:17). Note that death is spiritual. If you are afraid of death or hell, lose it. He has got the keys.

On resurrection, He offered us the opportunity to live a life devoid of death (eternal life) 2Tim 1:10. This provision is called GRACE and is accessed by FAITH (Rom 5:2). Grace encompasses forgiveness and righteousness. This righteousness is not because we have not sinned but rather because we believe, it is called the righteousness of Faith (Rom 10:6-11).

So God sees me in the Light of Jesus Christ (in HIM), we are free of the burden/conscience of sin (Heb 10:22). I am also able to serve God on planet earth (Heb 10:19).

The Christian life is life in Christ

Jesus among other gods

Eckankar and other eastern religions subscribe to a doctrine of spiritual enlightening via many spiritual exercises; all are aimed at attaining this eternal life (the God kind of life). Islam on the other hand focuses more on atoning for sin via rites (a similitude to the karma, Hindi caste structure and reincarnation theories as all are a form of penance for offence (the present and previous-life).

Christianity offers forgiveness by a God who could forgive and an eternal life to those forgiven. Forgiveness and Salvation is the central theme of the Christian faith and is lacking in every other faith. We have a savior!

THE OBLIGATION OF THE SAVED

“for if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” Heb 10:27.

It is then my responsibility to live this new found life. It is essentially a Love life (Faith works by love –Gal 5:6) see my allegory of the Christian Life

Another good reading in dealing with everyday life can be found here “Word Patterns in Life’s Kaleidoscope”

What Happens when I do sin?

Know this for certain; provision was made (note the past tense) I John 2:1-2, you however have the ability not to sin and you must access this ability by faith see “The Bondage Breaker: Overcoming sin”.

THE BATTLE FIELD OF THE MIND

Your flesh in not born again though your Spirit is. So the significant you (the spirit You) must win the tussle by transforming the mind with the Word and prayer while starving the flesh of it’s desires (you know what…….). it is like the two heavy weight dogs of a certain man that fought for bets from onlookers, the owner always knew which dog was going to win. when asked, he stated that the secret was plain simple “starve one and feed the other”.

In conclusion, I hope this was not too long? I will close with the prayer of Blaise Pascal, the great French scientist:

“Almighty God who gave your servant Blaise Pascal a great intellect that he may explore the mysteries of your creation and who kindled in his heart a love for you and a devotion to your service; mercifully give us your servants according to our various callings, gifts of excellence in Body, Mind and Will and the Grace to Use them diligently in and to your glory through Jesus Christ our Lord who love and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God now and forever Amen.

Thank you.

Okwonna Nelson

nnamdiokwonna@yahoo.com

WORD PATTERNS IN LIFE"S KALEIDOSCOPE

The title suggests a manner of things in Life’s maze; I have come to realize that on this side of the divide, in God’s dealings with us there is a way He does His things. As a kingdom citizen there are some three basic facets of Life you are interacting with everyday and your success will be measured by the fruit of those interactions.
1. God’s promises
2. God’s ways
3. God’s commandments

The way we see life, our attitude and all we do is a function of our understanding of the above, though our individual experiences and mannerisms cannot be identical, our paths of faith are. I will summarize these thoughts without a stepwise pattern.

A cardinal issue is our view of God and our relationship with Him, a father or a God? A son or a servant, a dependant or an Heir: My association with Christ and His works: a finished work or a partial work. My understanding of the death and resurrection of Christ, is it just for salvation? What is the nature of that salvation? : Forgiveness of sin or power over sin, or both?

My interaction with evil forces: my battle or a finished battle? My position in Christ: the Power in that position. These perspectives and understanding matter a great deal and I would just stress one; victory over sin. For young people this is a prerequisite for birthing the purposes of God on planet earth. It really doesn’t take a special unction, it is an endowment on all born again believers, you have the power over sin! Yes you do (Rom 5:17, John 8:12). yet if you should sin, God will forgive. The issue most young people have is that we forget that the blessed man of Psalm 1 will not do some things for him to do some things and that every statement in the Bible is assessed by faith (they are spiritual).

The place of God in everyday life: God is the God of the whole universe. More importantly He is not just the God of the whole; He is also the God of the individual parts! So He understands commerce, I.T, pharmacy, medicine, quantum physics and Mechanics more than anyone. His influences is not out of those realms. They are everyday issues, in the Hall of Faith (Heb 11) all the men mentioned there were interacting with everyday issues as you and I. I said that because we often limit His influence to “spiritual” stuffs forgetting that all the parables of Christ were about everyday stuffs.

To bring the above point home, do we believe that it is God that ministers the advances in commerce, I.T, business, Medicine, Agric, etc to the hearts of man! A popular Scientist was quoted as always reciting these words as he entered his laboratory; “Lord open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things out of thy word”! Next time you look at the sun, remember it is made by the Word and the maker could minister the seed for the next alternative energy solution. God is not archaic! He is on the cyber and more!

All things are made by the Word! All! Everything we see, both the good and the bad are all provided for within the plan of God, He may not have been the one behind the death of that loved one but His plan provides for that eventuality! The day Bill Gates conceived Microsoft it was at the impulse of God, He knew I would be writing this from Windows Vista Home Basic service pack 1! In God’s kingdom there are not only sons, there are hired servants as well (Luke 15:17) and all are for Him. He is good to all! His sons have special privileges but He won’t force them to take it, He respects growth and will not give a man’s inheritance to a child for He had better the child be poor than lose him (He is Love). So if you are wondering why “not-so-good” people are thriving remember that our father is just and loving and in His plan He uses everybody; servants, hired servants, sons and children.

He is spiritual yet He makes the physical, the spiritual makes the Physical and he detests individuals that walk by the physical (unbelief). His blessings are spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph 1:3), they are not physical cars and houses. He doesn’t give wealth per say; He gives the power to make wealth.
He has given the earth to man and He respects His ordinances. Man must pray “thy will be done on earth” or it won’t, and man can only pray what has been revealed to him. So man’s greatest assets are the Words spoken to him, your greatest asset in Life are the Words of God in your heart, that dream that is burning holes in your heart, put them in a ledger. When the time comes they will speak. In the father’s agenda there are always intervals between the promise (the passion/seed) He has ministered and the fulfillment, once you have received such a ministration the next thing is processes.

Words are the only things that have equal significance in both the physical and spiritual realms, they bear the power of life and death and they are products of the heart, God knew and is much bothered with my heart. He knows that left to itself the hear would stray so He commands me to meditate on His words, He tells me to speak it and not allow it depart from my mouth for only then can I really prosper. He informed David to remind me that since 24hours is all I have I must not walk with, reside with or take the advice of certain folks before I can handle the word.(Psalm 1).
The primary prerequisite he demanded from those that walked with Him were independence, it takes an independent man devoid of emotional clutches (they owe me mindset) to walk with the Father. No one owes you anything! Depend solely on God, our continued dependence on individuals, connections and manipulations is the reason there are no difference in the lives of citizens of the kingdom and common folks. I must be independent of friends and general consensus, following the Father most time is an invitation to controversy but if you follow Him long enough those same people will chant your praises. Fans are a dime a dozen, they come and go; don’t take them to heart.
Only people of Faith can please Him, when you step out on faith keep stepping. It is like walking on solid water, if you doubt the water will melt! The faith walk has this inbuilt correction mechanism that provides a sinking feeling anytime one considers the odds (Mat 14:30) but thank God for His ability to rescue even in moments of doubt. When He communicates specific promises to you He calls you to process, His training is painful, He is never in a hurry, He understands how weak you are and why proper work must be done to enlarge your depth else you flow with the tide!
In the process, be faithful with everyday issues. It is a kingdom, the King makes provisions for His subjects and He knows you need most of those things on your prayer list! But you must seek the Kingdom first and its righteousness. Its righteousness implies the way things are done in the kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not limited to heaven (as a location). It is the counsel of God; the operating system of heaven! (You can read up the parables on the kingdom).
In the Kingdom, it is an Agrarian economy; seed time and harvest time. Things start small in the kingdom-mustard seed; there are no “rich men” there! You lose “mine” mentality, there is plenty there too. In the kingdom it is capitalism: you trade the talents well, you get more yet the Lord owns all. For God to trust you with a billion dollars He will first be sure your heart can handle it and that you won’t bank it! The question is can you stand to be blessed? To be blessed is not easy, believe me!

In the kingdom of God the perception of it is by being “born again”. The experience of it is by being “born of the Spirit and the Word”, (John 3:3-5) folks can be born again without being born of water (The Word) and of the Spirit. Outside of the Kingdom there will be gnashing of teeth, walking in the ways of the Kingdom and the revealed will of the King is righteousness (getting saved is the baseline righteousness!(2 Cor5:21 KJV). It will guarantee peace (Peace is the umpire of the will of God), and then Joy in the Holy Ghost.

There is the trio of anxiety, offence and profanity. They will kill the anointing quickly; the Word of Faith is established on”The finished work of the Cross” therefore it does not permit anxiety over any issue. Anxiety says I am not sure He can handle it, Also you cannot be offended and be anointed at the same time, thus Faith (the currency of this kingdom) works by confident love. Love says I choose to treat you kindly because I can afford to! That is it; I can afford to love anyone! I am a child of the King! The King is apt to forgive, He expects same. The King cannot stand profane individuals, He is the King remember and His scepter is that of righteousness.

In the Kingdom of God, Sons pray. It is the only means of bringing the power of the kingdom to bear in any situation! The prayer of a righteous man avails much since the blessings are spiritual. It is only in the Place of Prayers that a righteous man can make tremendous power available, he must speak the revealed will or he will not form them on this side of the divide. This is not a bless-me club! i.e. calling forth cars and airplanes! There is a place for that if that is the Word communicated to your Spirit (James 4:3), but it is more of calling forth the virtues and characters that are in you (Isa 12:3), the will of God on planet earth, creative ways of solving problems, Africa is in dire need of Kingdom children. It includes devising ways to be a blessing to nations (Gen 12:3), the open secret in the Kingdom is that if you pursue being a blessing, you cannot lack, even when you try!

In the kingdom, though children are all over the place and are coheirs they are not much different from servants! (Gal 4:1,7). The truth is that the King is seeking for Sons and if you listen attentively, one of the common words your spirit ministers is “grow up, grow up”. When sons refuse to grow, they will work, be taught and be under the tutelage of servants! I have long refused that option.
All the revealed will of God calls one into a process (righteousness)
(2Pe 1:4) “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

We see this in the life of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David and Daniel. The process is often a wilderness but it is in those wilderness that King materials are made. There we lose our diapers and all childish tendencies, there our Heart is tested (our selfishness, abiding faith, dependence, forgiveness). On passing the exam we reign with the King in Life (this one here! Rom 5:17), the King said we already have Grace to pass.

In the Word of Faith, the Word of God is really a picture. If you continue looking at it you will line up with it. (James 1: 23=25, 2 Cor 3:18)

Dear, if you read this article up to this point then it was written for you, please I would like to hear from you.
We are still very much interacting with the promises of God for our lives. For more thoughts please visit www.nelsontalks.blogspot.com

”All things are made by the Word”

FAITH AND I

FAITH AND I

One thing about writing these articles is that I’m really describing my heart’s convictions as I stride in the garden of life, it is like a walk in a park. One observes and mentally notes some things, some are noted as irrelevant and others subjects of great interest, I commit them to paper with the hope that someone might benefit from the thoughts of a young man. Below are my fresh thoughts on the subject of Faith.

1.       Faith is not Christian, neither is it Hebrew

2.       It comes by hearing the word of God and God speaks to heathens too

3.       Faith is a visible posture, attitude or action brought about by one’s belief in God’s word in his or her heart (the invisible).

Rahab the Harlot, the widow of Zeraphath, The centurion of Great faith and the woman from Canaan who asked for the crumbs from the master’s table were all recorded to have been people of immense faith. They all were however not partakers of the commonwealth of Israel.

The Bill Gates of this world and the Zuckerbergs of our time did what many of us in Africa have refused to do; they believed the testimony of their hearts (most of us will never hear the thunder of God’s voice but every day we hear His inward witness). Another misfortune is that we are quick to limit these witnesses to “spiritual” realities. I’ve found God’s directions to be amply variegated, especially in enterprise development and innovation; He is the source of immense innovation. (He is the eternal novelty).

The word Of God is not limited to the written scriptures, it includes the voice that told Paul that a certain man was ready to be healed (Acts 14:9); He saw the man’s faith! Really the Word of God often comes as pictures in our hearts, like knowings in the spirit (see my last note on “The Conscience, the Mind and the Arena”. There are 4 postures to this word:

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER: SEASON 8 OF LUKE THE PHYSICIANS TALE

1.       Lack of understanding (ep¹ 12): wayside word, because it wasn’t mixed with Faith²

2.       Lack of depth (ep¹ 13): it takes a strong conviction to go with the word and a major source of low-level conviction is low level personal mental dedication to the truths/value of God’s word. it takes independence of will to follow God’s word (break ties).

3.       Cares of these word/deceitfulness of riches (ep¹ 14): “what shall I eat?”, “I don’t have the means”, Inability to defer gratifications. Note that the thorns were there before the word came.

4.       A noble, good and patient heart (ep¹ 15): The good soil. The Word has a way of requiring patience and a kingly mannerism. Strife will not achieve it.

THE TREASURE AND THE GATE

In His letter, Mr. Peter Simon the ex small scale fishing entrepreneur called the Word; “exceedingly great and precious promises”³ . Bill Gates thought them precious enough to leave Harvard. If it is a treasure then the Heart needs a lock! Guarding the heart is our greatest challenge as our world is pretty noisy. It is easy to fill it up with irrelevant issues and miss the treasure. In the Kingdom the ministry of internal affairs is the greatest ministry. Learn to study silence (of the heart and mind).

PROCESSING THE WORD

The seed is not fast food! Its speed is very variable, it is a function of the nature of the seed and the condition of the soil. However it will change you, it certainly changed me and a lot of other folks.

1.       It will make you a stranger⁴, please stay that way.

2.       It makes God’s people priests and Kings⁵

In everything I do, I’m beginning to learn not to believe the system and I urge you not to do the same. Don’t be quick to line up with general consensus on any issue and please don’t believe the lie about Africa and Nigeria (Madiba didn’t), don’t believe the business models (it is failing and W.Buffet didn’t either). You can even be skeptical about our educational system (R. Kiyosaki has changed that forever), judge everything by the Word and the judge the Word in your spirit by the written one for they must cohere.

“Now, the parable is this, The seed is the Word of God.” Luke 8:11

Thanks

Okwonna Nelson

nnamdiokwonna@yahoo.com

¹ episode, ²Hebrew 4:2, ³2^nd Peter 1:4, ⁴ Hebrews 11:13, ⁵ Rev 1:6, 1Peter 2:9.