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CasNova:
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😊

I support non violent, diplomatic resolution.

Following.

New Dawn


(Stories of Inspiration)


Toyin Raphael



Life is all about hope and inspiration. I mean how will life be without these vital ingredients? Dreadful, I suppose.

This is a compilation of stories that will synergize you never to say never again.

See you at the top.



Acknowledgement: The stories are from different sources.



















































1. Laziness won’t get you anywhere

“In ancient times, a king had his men place a boulder on a roadway. He then hid in the bushes, and watched to see if anyone would move the boulder out of the way. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers passed by and simply walked around it.

Many people blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none of them did anything about getting the stone removed.

One day, a peasant came along carrying vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to push the stone out of the way. After much pushiA g and straining, he finally managed.

After the peasant went back to pick up his vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and note from the King explain that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the road.”








2. Don’t say something you regret out of anger

“There once was a little boy who had a very bad temper. His father decided to hand him a bag of nails and said that every time the boy lost his temper, he had to hammer a nail into the fence.

On the first day, the boy hammered 37 nails into that fence.

The boy gradually began to control his temper over the next few weeks, and the number of nails he was hammering into the fence slowly decreased. He discovered it was easier to control his temper than to hammer those nails into the fence.

Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father the news and the father suggested that the boy should now pull out a nail every day he kept his temper under control.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

‘You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.'”






3. Stop wasting your time complaining

“People visit a wise man complaining about the same problems over and over again. One day, he decided to tell them a joke and they all roared with laughter.

After a few minutes, he told them the same joke and only a few of them smiled.

Then he told the same joke for a third time, but no one laughed or smiled anymore.

The wise man smiled and said: ‘You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over. So why are you always crying about the same problem?'”



Source: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/a-new-dawn/54247

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List Of Nigerian Praise And Worship Songs
By BP-Pub-1- January 6, 2017165


This is an UPDATED list of popular Nigerian Praise and worship songs.

Happy……Singing……………

Good morning Jesus
Good morning Jesus, good morning Lord
I know you come from Heaven above
The Holy Spirit is on the Throne
Good morning Jesus, good morning Lord.

I Will Enter His Gate
I will enter His gate with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His court with praise
I will say, this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

He has made me glad, I am so glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

He has made me glad, I am so glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

Abraham Blessings
Abraham blessings are mine
Halleluyah!

Abraham blessings are mine.

I am blessed in the morning, blessed in the evening

Abraham blessings are mine.

You Are A Great God
You are God, you are not just big oo, you are not just large o, you are a great God

LIFT JESUS HIGHER

Lift Jesus higher, higher,
Lift Jesus higher, higher, higher.
Lift Him up for the world to see.

For He said if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me.

ALL OTHER GODS

All other Gods
They are the works of men
You are the only God
There is none like You

TODAY OOOO, I’LL LIFT UP MY VOICE

Today oooo, I will lift up my voice in praise (x2)
For all I know, You are always there for me
Almighty God, You are my all in all
No matter what I see, when trouble/success comes my way
I will praise Your name

YOU ALONE ART WORTHY

You alone art worthy Lord, to be praised and adored (d/c)
You’ve been faithful Lord, from the ages past, that is why your reign (oloruko nla) is forever more

Imela oh!
Onye ne mme mma
Imela Imela x3
Imela eh!
Imela eh!

Imela oh! oh! oh! oh!
Onye wem, Imela oh! oh! oh!

Cast your burdens, unto Jesus
For He cares for you x2
Higher higher
Higher x6
Lift Jesus higher

SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE

Shake shake shake, into the fire. The light of God is glowing in me. I know the Truth and it shall set me free, I’m gonna shake up/off the beast, And i will feel no harm, shake it up

(REPEAT CHORUS and add Voice Overlays)

Voice Overlay: I’m a K.K, K.K in the Lord. I’m a B.A, I will never go back to the world. I’m a K.K, since I repent(ed), I’m now Born-Again (born again), I’m a King’s own Kid).

It is raining, all around me, I can feel it, The latter rain, Ride on Jesus giving more reign, Until I’m blessed and I am soaked in the latter rain.

See List Of All Igbo Praise And Worship Songs

HOSANNA SONG

All glory, all glory glory glory to the Lord (Repeat Twice)

Alleluia, Hosanna Hosanna Hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord.

HAVE YOUR WAY

Have your way Lord, have your way (Repeat Thrice).

Oh Lord, have your way.

Who is wonderful? Is Jesus
Who is wonderful? Is Jesus, Who is marvelous? Is Jesus.
Shout halleluyah, halleluyah.
Shout halleluyah, halleluyah.

Aka mara nma kam gakuru Chineke muo
Aka mara nma kam gakuru Chineke muo, aka mara nma 2x
kuwara ya aka mara nma 4x, aka mara nma.

Our father
Our father, our father who art in heaven amen, hallowed be thy name.

Our father in heaven
Our father in heaven we glorify Your name we bow down before Thee.

I kwesiriii
I kwesiriii, eligwe na si ikwesiri, ikwesiri, mu onwem na si gi nara ekele.

List Of Hausa Praise And Worship Songs

OBI NA-ASO M RIKPO

CHORUS: Obi na-aso m rikpo (twice) Mma mma Chineke n’eme mu kori-kori mara-mara. Ekene Chineke n’eju obi mu o.

1. I nee anya n’ihu m NGOZI! I nee anya n’azu mu, NGOZI! Ngozi ngozi, ekene Chineke na-eju obi mu oo, ewoo. Mma mma Chineke n’eme mu kori-kori.

Repeat Chorus.

The thing wey you do me
The thing wey you do me,
Dey sweet me for body, dey sugar my honey, dey make dey wonder ooo
Dey sweet me for body, dey sugar my honey, dey make dey wonder ooo

Alle! Alle! Alle!
Hallelujah! Hossana!
Alle! Alle! Allelujah!
Allelujah! Hossana! yeh!!

Who is on The LORD’S side
Who is on The LORD’S side, I want to know o
I am on The LORD’S side x2

I am on The LORD’S side
I will never give up
I am an overcomer
For The LORD God is by my side x2

I have a very big God O
By my side By my side!!!
I have a very big God O
HE is always by my side
A very Big God O
By my side, by my side

List Of Efik Praise And Worship Songs

MMIRI MARA M

Mmiri mara m, ebe m na-eso Jesuu. Anwu chara m, ebe m na-eso Jesuuu.

Mmiri mara m, o mara m ma na owutero m! Ebe m na-eso Jesuu, Jesu chelu mu o, aghakwana m. Jesu chelu mu o , aghakwana m.

AYAYA OOO

Ayaya ooo, Ayaya ooo

Abasi mi Ayaya ooo, Ayaya ooo nanando

ALL THE WAY TO CALVARY

All the way to Calvary He went for me, He went for me, He went for me.

All the way to Calvary, He went for me, And now He’s set me free.

List Of Yoruba Praise And Worship Songs

MAN OF GALILEE

I love that man of Galilee, He has done so very much for me! He has forgiven me all my sins and sent the holy ghost to me, I love that man of Galilee!

BECAUSE HE LIVES

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all my fear is gone. Because I know oo ooo, He holds my future. My life is worth living just, beacuse He lives.

He sent His son, they call him Jesus. He came to die, he died for me. He died and He eeeee rose, to bury my burden. The holy cross, is there to prove, that my Jesus lived.

THERE’S NO ONE, THERE’S NO ONE LIKE JESUS

There’s no one There’s no one like Jesus, There’s no one There’s no one like Him

I waka waka, no one, no one

I searched and searched, no one, no one

I turned around, no one, no one

There’s no one, there’s no one like Him

CAST YOUR CARES

I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime I don’t know, what to do, I will cast all my fears upon you.

Meanwhile, Miss Rose announced that we could go to our rooms to relax.

Our rooms? I was nonplussed. She smiled.

"Yes, this programme is residential, which means you will be lodged here until the end of the programme. Meanwhile, I will take your body measurements so I can get you extra wears and underwears you will use till Friday. While you are here, all your expenses will be taken care of."

She showed me my room. It was a standard room with a double bed, a chair and a desk for writing/reading, an eighteen-inch flat-screen and an en-suite bath-room/toilet. It was almost like lodging in hotel room.

After Miss Rose had taken my measurement and had gone, I switched on the television and relaxed on the bed. I was dozing off when she came to remind me that it was time for afternoon session.

It was a woman that came to present the second paper. The topic was Human Management. It took her two hours before she could round it off.

All the while, I noticed that Sharon hardly asked questions or made comment. She was beautiful and looked reserved.

That was the last presentation for the day. We went for lunch.

This time, they served fried rice, salad and chicken. Thereafter, I retreated to my room. Ms. Rose showed me the three packet shirts, three pairs of trousers, three boxer shorts and three singlets that were bought for me. I appreciated the magnanimity.

Later, when I tried one of the shirts and trousers, they fitted me perfectly. I lay on the bed as I watched the faith channel the television was showing. Later, to kill boredom, I would watch some movies on my i-pad. Around five p.m, there was a gentle rap on my door.

I went to open it, thinking Ms. Rose was there. It was Sharon I met at the door.

"Hello," I greeted.

"Hi," she replied and showed me the game of scrabble she was holding. "I got this from Aunty Rose. Do you want to play?"

Scrabble was a game I loved to play so I did not hesitate to ask her to come in. I offered the only chair while I sat on the bed. I then drew the stool to wedge us.

"How thoughtful of Miss Rose to have this," I said.

"Yes, how thoughtful," my guest echoed.

I noticed that she had changed from the formal dress she was wearing to a casual of t-shirt and jeans trousers.

We started the game. Sharon set the tone of the conversation, asking me sundry questions such as where I came from, what I studied in the univesity and my interests.

I answered her and asked the same questions. I could sense that she was not as reserved as I had thought. She told me she would prefer to relocate to Europe or America but that her dad insisted that she should take up this job. I smiled and told her that the job was not bad and that she could still travel out later after gaining some experience.

"You seem to have answer for everything," she teased. Was that true? I thanked her for the compliment. We played game after game. We felt at home with each other and it was as if we had known each other over the years.

"Won't your girlfriend miss you in the next few days?" Sharon suddenly asked.

Meanwhile, Miss Rose announced that we could go to our rooms to relax.

Our rooms? I was nonplussed. She smiled.

"Yes, this programme is residential, which means you will be lodged here until the end of the programme. Meanwhile, I will take your body measurements so I can get you extra wears and underwears you will use till Friday. While you are here, all your expenses will be taken care of."

She showed me my room. It was a standard room with a double bed, a chair and a desk for writing/reading, an eighteen-inch flat-screen and an en-suite bath-room/toilet. It was almost like lodging in hotel room.

After Miss Rose had taken my measurement and had gone, I switched on the television and relaxed on the bed. I was dozing off when she came to remind me that it was time for afternoon session.

It was a woman that came to present the second paper. The topic was Human Management. It took her two hours before she could round it off.

All the while, I noticed that Sharon hardly asked questions or made comment. She was beautiful and looked reserved.

That was the last presentation for the day. We went for lunch.

This time, they served fried rice, salad and chicken. Thereafter, I retreated to my room. Ms. Rose showed me the three packet shirts, three pairs of trousers, three boxer shorts and three singlets that were bought for me. I appreciated the magnanimity.

Later, when I tried one of the shirts and trousers, they fitted me perfectly. I lay on the bed as I watched the faith channel the television was showing. Later, to kill boredom, I would watch some movies on my i-pad. Around five p.m, there was a gentle rap on my door.

I went to open it, thinking Ms. Rose was there. It was Sharon I met at the door.

"Hello," I greeted.

"Hi," she replied and showed me the game of scrabble she was holding. "I got this from Aunty Rose. Do you want to play?"

Scrabble was a game I loved to play so I did not hesitate to ask her to come in. I offered the only chair while I sat on the bed. I then drew the stool to wedge us.

"How thoughtful of Miss Rose to have this," I said.

"Yes, how thoughtful," my guest echoed.

I noticed that she had changed from the formal dress she was wearing to a casual of t-shirt and jeans trousers.

We started the game. Sharon set the tone of the conversation, asking me sundry questions such as where I came from, what I studied in the univesity and my interests.

I answered her and asked the same questions. I could sense that she was not as reserved as I had thought. She told me she would prefer to relocate to Europe or America but that her dad insisted that she should take up this job. I smiled and told her that the job was not bad and that she could still travel out later after gaining some experience.

"You seem to have answer for everything," she teased. Was that true? I thanked her for the compliment. We played game after game. We felt at home with each other and it was as if we had known each other over the years.

"Won't your girlfriend miss you in the next few days?" Sharon suddenly asked.

[quote author=goodness4ever post=123569395]In the Gospel of John, Jesus states "I am the good shepherd" in two verses, .

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself." These are the words of Jesus. He remains omnipotent and caring forever.

I will praise Him
Oh, my savior
I will praise Him
Oh my savior
I will praise
Oh my savior
I will praise Him
for ever more.

Oluwa e tobi
E tobi o, e tobi,
Oluwa, e tobi, e tobi o,
E tobi,
Ko seni tale fi s'akawe re o
E tobi
Ko seni tale fi s'akawe re o,
E tobi
Oluwa.

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

If the organized labour has constantly and sincerely been challenging government's misdeeds and inactions, there will be no need for this strike.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. To be happy in Jesus, you must trust and obey.

Jehovah is Your name
Jehovah is Your name
Mighty warrior, great in battle
Jehovah is Your name.

Janet96:
Interesting.

Thanks.

Janet96:
Interesting

Thanks.

That is why you are called JEHOVAH
That is why you are called JEHOVAH 2x
What YOU says YOU will do, that’s what YOU will do
That’s why you are called JEHOVAH

(Yoruba)
Tori na le se n je JEHOVAH 2x
Eleshe Elewi, Elewi Eleshe
Tori na le se n je JEHOVAH

Charles Eliot was the president and then, in retirement, the president emeritus of Harvard University. During the summer of his 90th year, he made his way slowly down the road from his cottage in Northeast Harbor, Maine, to the cottage of his neighbors, the Peabodys. Mrs. Peabody greeted him warmly and invited him into the living room. After a brief conversation, Eliot asked if he might hold her new baby.

Mystified, she lifted her infant son from his crib and laid him in the arms of Harvard’s venerable president emeritus. Eliot held the baby quietly for a few minutes. Then, with a little gesture of thanks, he returned him to his mother, explaining, “I have been looking at the end of life for so long that I wanted to look for a few moments at its beginning.” (In Reader’s Digest [8/83].)

We all need hope. Especially in old age, but also at all other points in life, we need hope. One of the blessings that comes along with the little ones God entrusts to us is hope.

And yet, the hope that comes with children is an uncertain hope at best. There is always the uncertainty of disease or death. What parent of a newborn has not gone in by the crib in the middle of the night and put his or her ear down close enough to make sure that the little one is breathing? If the child survives disease or an early death, there is the uncertainty of this evil world. Crime, child molesters, drunk drivers, the threat of terrorism or war, and economic instability make every parent worry about the kind of world our children and grandchildren will grow up in.

Given these uncertainties, when we meet an elderly person who is filled with hope, we need to sit up and take notice. Here is someone who could be pessimistic, cynical, filled with fears and anxieties. But he is brimming over with firm hope. We had better listen. We might learn some things.

Simeon was such a man. When he held the infant Jesus in his arms in the temple courtyard, we see more than just an old man taking hope in any newborn. Rather, we see an old man who has put his hope in the promises of God. This was no ordinary newborn! He was the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. As we observe this elderly saint with this child in his arms, we learn some valuable lessons about the hope we all so desperately need:

Those who hope in God’s promises in Christ will be rewarded.

Let’s look first at the hope that Simeon had and how it was rewarded. Then we will look at the object of his hope.

1. To hope in Christ means to live righteously and expectantly in the power of the Holy Spirit.
A. TO HOPE IN CHRIST MEANS TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY.
Simeon is described as “righteous and devout” (2:25). “Righteous” means that his behavior in the sight of God and towards his fellow man was in accordance with God’s standards. He wasn’t a phony, practicing his good deeds to be seen by others. He quietly and consistently obeyed God, even when people weren’t looking.

“Devout” has the connotation of reverent. It sometimes means careful. It means that Simeon wasn’t careless about the spiritual life. While you can skim over these two words in a flash, they reflect a lifetime of cultivation. No one accidentally becomes righteous and devout. Simeon cultivated his walk with God.

The key to Simeon’s righteous life can be seen in his view of himself in relation to God. In verse 29, the word “Lord” is an unusual one, used only five times in reference to God. We get our word “despot” from it. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that it means “absolute ownership and uncontrolled power.” Simeon saw God as the Sovereign Lord who had prepared His salvation (2:30, 31) and had graciously allowed Simeon to see it. And Simeon saw himself as the slave of this Sovereign Lord. Slaves have no rights. They belong to their owner and their only obligation is to obey. Simeon had a high view of God and a humble view of himself.

Keep in mind the times in which Simeon lived. The Jewish religious leaders were largely political and not deeply spiritual. There had been no prophet in Israel for 400 years. Israel had been oppressed by one foreign power after another during those long centuries, and even now they were ruled by the corrupt Herod under the dominion of Rome. It would have been easy for Simeon to get caught up in the political fervor of the times and to wonder skeptically, “Where are these great promises of God for His people?” But instead, he was righteous and devout.

If we hope in Christ, we must take care to live righteously. We will view God as the Sovereign Lord, our Master, and ourselves as His slaves. We will comb His Word to determine how He wants us to live, and we will walk with Him every day. To hope in Jesus Christ means to live righteously.

B. TO HOPE IN CHRIST MEANS TO LIVE EXPECTANTLY.
He was “looking for the consolation of Israel” (2:25). This refers to the time prophesied by Isaiah (40:1-2) when God would comfort His people and remove their sins by sending His Anointed One, the Messiah. How long had Simeon been looking? Probably all his life! It would have been easy for him to think, “Generations have come and gone and these promises have never been fulfilled. Why expect that it will happen in my lifetime? Just settle in for the long haul, and give up this notion that Messiah will come.”

Do you live expectantly? Do you expect God to answer your prayers, or are you surprised when one gets answered? Must have been a coincidence! Do you expect the Lord to return soon? Maybe you’re thinking, “Come on, people have been expecting that for 1,900 years, and it hasn’t happened.” But those people were the better for living each day expecting Him to come in their lifetimes. In our day, the signs of His coming are all around us. Will the Son of Man find faith in us when He comes (Luke 18:? People of hope live expectantly, waiting on God to fulfill His promises.

On getting home, I decided to call Precious. I wanted to share the good news with her. Once again, she refused to pick or acknowledge. I decided that in days to come, I would have to see her mother and explain things to her.

Her mother was an assistant pastor and I believed it was high time she intervened in this matter. I went to school early Wednesday morning to drop my resignation letter.

It was about the end of the month, so I would have to forfeit the salary for that month. I did not stay long as I had to get to Dolphin Estate on time.

By quarter to nine, I was at the gate of address of the venue. A uniformed security man attended to me.

"I am here to attend a workshop," I told him.

"Your letter of invitation, please?"

I showed him the letter. He only too a cursory look at it before opening the gate for me.

"Just go straight towards that door and knock," he directed. “They will attend to you."

I thanked him and moved to the door. I knocked at it gently. Almost immediately, a lady opened the door.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm here for the workshop."

She smiled at me. "You must be Seyi, right?"

I nodded and brought the letter. She did not even bother to read it.

"Come inside."

I stepped inside the air-conditioned reception room.

"I am Rose," the lady went on. "You can sit here for now."

A lady was already sitting. She was the one I had met at the firm's office the previous day.

"We meet again," I said. "Good morning."

She smiled and reciprocated my greeting.

"I'm Seyi. Can I meet you?"

"I'm Sharon."

I nodded. "I'm pleased to meet you."

It turned out that Sharon and I were the only ones to attend the workshop.

When it was a few minutes to nine, the lady that had introduced herself as Rose came to us.

"Lady and gentleman, follow me."

We followed her to the corridor and to the first door by the left. She opened it and ushered us inside. It was a room designated for seminar.

There were a white board, a projector, four desks and four chairs.

"Take a seat," Miss Rose said.

While Sharon took the one to the right, I took the one to the left. "Your facilitator will be coming any moment from now."

She left but some back with a man in black suit.

"This is Pastor William, your resource person for this session," Ms Rose annouced.

The first session started in earnest. Pastor William presented a paper on Office Ethics. I already had writing materials, though he gave each of us a copy of his presentation.

From him, I learnt that Faith of God Chapel (FGC) was our employer and that we would be working at the national head quarters.

I could hardly believe my ears. FGC? It was not the denomination that I attended for church service, but I had heard a lot about the church. It was one of the biggest and richest pentecostal churches in the country. I considered working for a Ministry like this as working in the vineyard of the Lord.

By ten thirty, Pastor William finished his presentation. We were taken to another room for breakfast. Toast bread, tea, coffee and fruit juice were made availble and we could have much as we wanted.

Pastor William left as soon as he finished the meal. The afternoon session would not start until one o'clock, so we still had a long break. Meanwhile, Miss Rose announced that we could go to our rooms to relax.

Our rooms? I was nonplussed.

On getting home, I decided to call Precious. I wanted to share the good news with her. Once again, she refused to pick or acknowledge. I decided that in days to come, I would have to see her mother and explain things to her.

Her mother was an assistant pastor and I believed it was high time she intervened in this matter. I went to school early Wednesday morning to drop my resignation letter.

It was about the end of the month, so I would have to forfeit the salary for that month. I did not stay long as I had to get to Dolphin Estate on time.

By quarter to nine, I was at the gate of address of the venue. A uniformed security man attended to me.

"I am here to attend a workshop," I told him.

"Your letter of invitation, please?"

I showed him the letter. He only too a cursory look at it before opening the gate for me.

"Just go straight towards that door and knock," he directed. “They will attend to you."

I thanked him and moved to the door. I knocked at it gently. Almost immediately, a lady opened the door.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm here for the workshop."

She smiled at me. "You must be Seyi, right?"

I nodded and brought the letter. She did not even bother to read it.

"Come inside."

I stepped inside the air-conditioned reception room.

"I am Rose," the lady went on. "You can sit here for now."

A lady was already sitting. She was the one I had met at the firm's office the previous day.

"We meet again," I said. "Good morning."

She smiled and reciprocated my greeting.

"I'm Seyi. Can I meet you?"

"I'm Sharon."

I nodded. "I'm pleased to meet you."

It turned out that Sharon and I were the only ones to attend the workshop.

When it was a few minutes to nine, the lady that had introduced herself as Rose came to us.

"Lady and gentleman, follow me."

We followed her to the corridor and to the first door by the left. She opened it and ushered us inside. It was a room designated for seminar.

There were a white board, a projector, four desks and four chairs.

"Take a seat," Miss Rose said.

While Sharon took the one to the right, I took the one to the left. "Your facilitator will be coming any moment from now."

She left but some back with a man in black suit.

"This is Pastor William, your resource person for this session," Ms Rose annouced.

The first session started in earnest. Pastor William presented a paper on Office Ethics. I already had writing materials, though he gave each of us a copy of his presentation.

From him, I learnt that Faith of God Chapel (FGC) was our employer and that we would be working at the national head quarters.

I could hardly believe my ears. FGC? It was not the denomination that I attended for church service, but I had heard a lot about the church. It was one of the biggest and richest pentecostal churches in the country. I considered working for a Ministry like this as working in the vineyard of the Lord.

By ten thirty, Pastor William finished his presentation. We were taken to another room for breakfast. Toast bread, tea, coffee and fruit juice were made availble and we could have much as we wanted.

Pastor William left as soon as he finished the meal. The afternoon session would not start until one o'clock, so we still had a long break. Meanwhile, Miss Rose announced that we could go to our rooms to relax.

Our rooms? I was nonplussed.

Are you burdened?

Are you troubled about life?

Are you so much in discomfort that you contemplate taking your own life?

Hold it.

Here is good news for everyone. Jesus cares. Cast your burden upon Him and watch as He takes the burden away.

Jesus is our rock and salvation. He is the good news that will nurture and sustain our being.

Accept Jesus. Be steadfast in your trust and obedience. The good news that Jesus brings will not cease from our lives in Jesus mighty name.

WHAT IS BONDAGE? Bondage is anything that hinders somebody or something from moving or functioning normally. No matter the storm you are going through, Jesus can take you out of bondage. Put your trust in Him and He will deliver you.

Nice update.

Through out that weekend, Precious refused to pick my call or respond to my messages. I could not understand her grouse.

Was she not a pastor's daughter who should understand the sanctity of my stand? I did not hear from the firm too until late Sunday afternoon when they sent a message congratulating me and directing that I should report to their V.I office by nine o'clock Tuesday morning.

That morning, I tried to look my best in the formal clothes that I wore. I had to set out early so that I would beat the traffic. This time, I realized only a lady and me were invited. I was called in before the lady.

I met a panel of three members who asked me sundry questions, ranging from educational qualification to professional qualification, including my membership of institute of public relations.

They said what their client was willing to pay me. The pay was satisfactory but I was puzzled by the use of the word 'client'.

They explained that all they were doing was on behalf of the client. Now that everything had been concluded, I would start the job that week.

"Can I know who the client is?" I asked.

The only female member of the panel smiled. "You will know in due course," she said. "All I can tell you for now is that he is a very reputable member of the society."

The head of the panel hemmed. "Tomorrow, you will start a three-day workshop," he said. "It is a crash programme to prepare you for the challenges of the new job. Before you go, you will collect a letter from the secretary that will detail the themes, venue and time of the programme. For now, accept our congratulation on your success."

He extended his hand for a hand-shake. I stood up to take it.

"Thank you, sir."

The other panelists took turn to shake my hand. It was the end of the interview.

I went to the secretary. She gave the letter for the workshop and explained that the letter of employment would come upon completion of the workshop. I thanked her and left the place.

The letter I got showed the venue to be Dolphin Estate, Lagos. The three-day programme would start by nine a.m. There would be morning and afternoon sessions with break in-between.

I was happy I would be starting something new. It suddenly dawned on me that I would have to resign my teaching appointment with immediate effect.

While I would not miss this opportunity, I would certainly miss my students and colleagues. Well, in life, change is a constant thing.

On getting home, I decided to call Precious. I wanted to share the good news with her. Once again, she refused to pick or acknowledge. I decided that in days to come, I would have to see her mother and explain things to her.