Pray and stay Focused.

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree. As he went further, he saw a large wild “Tom” turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, “Pray first, aim high and stay focused.”

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still, the voice said again to him, “I said ‘Pray, Aim high and Stay focused.” So, the man decided to listen to God’s voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, Aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, “the past.” Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow. “Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you’re not willing to move your feet.”

Don't we all?

Hello Friends,

Its been a while but things kept getting better by the day. I read an article about two months ago.It touched me so much that i started seeing things in a different light. It has been on my mind for about a week to share the same with all my readers.Sit back and enjoy.

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."
"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm.
I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

Security Alert: Armed bandit on rampage in Lagos Mainland.

The issue of security in Lagos state is becoming a major concern, i mean what will you call the consistent harassment and robbery at gun point around Allen junction almost every day and no one including Men of the Nigeria police force has been able to tackle it. I was robbed at gun point at Allen junction and they even threatened to shoot me,despite that i didn't struggle with them.

I believe the next project of the Lagos state government after the beautification or better still while the beautification is going on is to ensure security of life and properties, but we cannot rely on the men of the police force. We need to revisit the issue of community policing or vigilante. I was robbed twice in a month and i was shocked at the level at which things were happening because the stories kept coming in on how people fell victims everyday.

I will use this avenue to talk about what happened to me and a few of the antics i have heard about so that we can be careful and conscious of what is going on around us:

The first one happened on 10th February around 8pm,i was on my way home and i stood at Allen junction bus stop to pick a bike.I got one and i boarded it. Just about 2 metres move,he told me he wasn't going that i should come down.Before i could say a thing,they rushed out with guns (Not locally made) and within 1 minute, everything i was carrying was gone.I reported at Alausa police station immediately.All they did was to congratulate me that i didn't struggle and they told me many gist's about the number of people killed recently around Ikeja. Though by divine intervention i got back one of my phones which was abandoned in a taxi and my international passport dropped on the road somewhere in Ikeja GRA.

The second one i cannot even classify it whether it was an act of God or carelessness. It happened after Ogudu bus stop. I was coming from Lagos island around 9pm and my car stopped on top speed and i started pushing it with my wife,behind wheels. After pushing for like 30 minutes with no help in sight, 4 men came out of the bush to attack us. Policemen came as soon as they finished robbing us, they didn't even stop to offer any help they sped pass us until we got to a comfortable place to run to. People told us that we are the fifth set of people to be robbed on the same spot that same night and that they always strike when police move away from their spot to patrol. what a timing! I was really convinced that police is actually my 'friend'.

Lolu Daniels a colleague of mine was robbed at first bank bus-stop on Allen, David Ugonna was also robbed at Allen junction. Angela an NYSC member serving in the same office was also robbed in the same manner. Paul a banker friend was almost shot, he missed death just by a whisker.All this within a circle, how many more that i don't even know about. The first one that happened to me was reported,of course they ask for money for paper, the second time i did not even bothered.

Here are the few way i have gathered they operate for readers to read and learn.

1) Their most consistent way is using bike popularly know as Okada.Be careful the kind of bike you fly at night and early in the morning, 3 of the victims was robbed on a bike.

2) The other one is for them to follow your car with a bike till they get to a comfortable place to strike.Whenever you are driving late,drive smartly and be vigilante.

3) Another amusing way i heard about is for them to hit your car, your normal reaction will be to rush out to see the extent of the damage, then they will jump down to perform what they know best to do. If someone should hit your car when and where you know it is not safe.Please don't bother to check it just move on.

4) Another antics is to rob people inside traffic log jam, be careful and wind up your car windows in traffic,in case you notice robbery while you are in traffic don't attempt to run either with your cars or abandoning it, many have lost their lives and so many women rapped.

5) The one i considered most creative is for them to pretend their vehicle broke down on a narrow road ahead of a number of cars,then they will jump out to rob unsuspecting cars trailing them behind. For this one am lost at what you can do, but always pray to God for protection.

Armed robbers are on rampage and Government is at loss of what to do or how to tackle them. For how long will this continue to happen?

God help Nigeria! we desire a change.

It is well!!!

2009 Forecast

Well many people have said so many things concerning 2009, but most of them were just diagnosing or talking about the problem without sordid solution. Here is an analyst view about 2009 i stumble on it somewhere. It tend to give direction as per what to do. Enjoy it.

For once, both optimists and pessimist agree on one thing: 2009 would probably be one of the most challenging times in living history for most people.

Even those who predicted that Nigeria was too detached from the global economic crisis have all reversed their positions. Warren Buffet (arguably the greatest investor of our time) says: The secret to making money is to be cautious when everyone is greedy and to be greedy when everyone is cautious. But a lot of questions are on our minds:

Have the Nigerian stock market reached its bottom? Should I average down by investing at these low prices? Is there a real estate bubble? Will Naira depreciate further? What else can I invest in? Will I keep my job in 2009?

Will there be a banking crisis or consolidation? How best can I survive in 2009? This is our attempt to answer all these questions and more.

Many experts on the Nigerian economy agree on the following predictions:

Foreign exchange rate will depreciate further to between N145 to N155 per US$1 by the year end 2009; Nigeria’s foreign reserves may have halved by 2009 ending, from about US$52billion in December 2008 ($63bn in September 08); Prime lending rates would range between 20% and 25% depending on CBN’s willingness to print money and the mode of financing our N1 trillion deficit budget; Crude Oil prices would range between

$25 to $55 per barrel depending on weather conditions and events in the Middle East; Real Estate prices would adjust downwards by between 10% to 50% (especially in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island); Nigeria ’s cocoa exports would drop significantly;

There would be huge swings in share prices (upwards and downward) with an average slow trend upwards; Unemployment would rise (especially amongst bankers); Consumer confidence would drop and crime rate would rise; and the Foreign exchange ‘black’ market would re-emerge and trade at a premium of between 5% to 10% above the official exchange rate.

Generally, all you need in 2009 are the 3 C’s: CASH, COURAGE and CALM.

CASH to survive and take advantage of all the golden opportunities which will arise.

COURAGE to aggressively implement all the highlighted recommendations/Tips; and CALM to remain steadfast.

Other Tips Include:

Determine & Monitor your Net worth: Net worth is what is left after you add all your Assets and subtract all your Liabilities. For you, Assets

include:

Shares which have been dematerialized into CSCS at current market prices; Real Estate with proper title documents; Cash in Bank; Gold and any asset with a high probability to appreciate and easily determinable market values.

Please note that items like cars, cloths and furniture are deliberately excluded and are considered dead assets. Liabilities include: Loans, mortgages, and anything guaranteed to cause consistent cash out flows in the future. Your aim in 2009 is to measure and increase your assets/net worth consistently on a monthly basis.

Form a Cash Backed Family Reserve: In 2009 we recommend you have a Cash Backed Family reserve in your savings or Fixed deposit account. This can be calculated by estimating your total family expenditure for 6 months assuming you and your spouse lost both Jobs today. If you do not have this reserve, sell what you can and cut all unnecessary expenditure until you can form this reserve.

This amount should be left unused until 2009 ending. Once you have your cash reserve you can stop saving and start investing. Every additional inflow after your cash reserve forms part of your investible funds.

Avoid Debt:With astronomical interest rates you should be very careful before you use any debt in Nigeria .

Live below your means: If you cannot save/invest at least 10% of your income you are living above your means. To live below your means you should save/invest about 20% of your monthly income, every other expenditure should be cut off or suspended.

Take a Health insurance and a life Insurance: This eliminates 2 major financial risks you and your dependents may face.

Invest in Real Estate using Investment Clubs: With the proposed decline in real estate, small investments in different real estate ventures, with minimal debt would be preferable to large investments. This form of investment is usually available using an Investment Club.

TIPS FOR 2009:

Invest in Equities: Invest with a 2 year perspective in selected high quality company equities with higher dividend yields and lower P/E ratio’s compared with their pairs. Buy gradually, buy what you understand, and avoid stocks known to have manipulated prices. In addition you may invest in trusted Mutual Funds..

Investment in Private Equity can be very profitable if done via experienced managers. We recommend about 20% of your investible funds should be allocated to equities.

Invest in Fixed Income: Invest in Commercial papers, Bonds, Guaranteed investments, Treasury Bills, and foreign currency which can be easily liquidated to take advantage of interesting opportunities. We recommend that about 60% of your investible funds should be in this form.

Like Buffet SEEK ONLY ‘DEALS’: In 2009 a lot of once-in-a-lifetime deals would emerge, however only those who are ready with cash would be able to take advantage quickly. Make it a point not to part with your cash unless it’s a “deal of a life time”.. Don’t be in a hurry to invest. Always walk away if you are unsure. More deals would come subsequently. The opportunity cost of spending your cash is high.

Reconfirm the status of your Pension (PFA) contribution: Those little monthly contributions could amount to a fortune in future.

Safeguard your assets and yourself: This includes enhancing your immediate security as crime rate is expected to increase. Also, insure your House and any major asset.

Do a Will or a Trust: As morbid as it may sound, this would make a world of difference to your dependants, just in case the unfortunate happens.

Form the habit now and continue updating the Will as you increase your net-worth.

Set 2 major Financial Goals: i.e. Education for you and your kids and Housing for the family. Invest towards them aggressively.

Remain Motivated and seek opportunities aggressively: This is the time to remain motivated and violently seek opportunities. No gentle man survives the war front.

Do a Budget and stick to it meticulously: To manage your expenditure you need to measure them continuously.

In Conclusion aggressively preserve your cash. This would give you more options in 2009. Most importantly, be OPTIMISTIC not necessarily about the future which you cannot control, but about your ability to make the best out of whatever the future presents at you. Amidst this uncertainty, most of the traditional assumption that determine the industry boundaries/rules would have silently changed. Now more than ever, a Game Changing Idea will work.

Unknown Soldier.

Today as i watch Obama take the oat of office as the 44th president of the United state of America also as the first African American to occupy such position, i can see tears of joy on the faces of people, i can see so many full of admiration, i can also see so many Afro American full of pride for their very own. I can see the man himself walking tall and am sure he is saying to himself i have done it. But in the mist of it all, i can not help but ask myself what would the grand mother who raised him up and thought him the basics lessons of leadership have done today that he is becoming the most powerful man in the world.

Like a dream she passed away, a day before the election she has been dreaming of for years. Am sure she even helped him during the process of dreaming and birthing the dream, but today she is no more.Though many will be sorry for her because she is not there today. Men that do not know anything about the days of little beginning will surround him. But history will never ever forget this woman that fought and conquered in her room and possibly on her knee so that the rest of the world can conquer. She must be really proud wherever she is now.

Am so happy and my faith in God is strengthen. Imagine this son of an American immigrant doing the impossible. What can a man not do?

Congratulation Mr Obama
See you soon.
Yes we can!

Advice on Marriage: By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

I want to spend some time talking to the youth and parents on the choice of a life partner, on behavior during the period of courtship. Because I have discovered that ;this is a very a challenging area for youths and even for parents. Some parents that you think will know better, don't even know as much as the youth themselves.So my beloved children please listen to me carefully, I have been married for forty one years so I know what I am talking about.

1. Never chose an unbeliever as your future partner, I mean never, never ever. When you say you will convert him later, that is the most dangerous gamble that you can ever engage in. James4v13-15 makes it clear, you don't know tomorrow. Only God knows tomorrow. Oh! He is very nice, only that he is not yet born again. Oh she is a very courteous girl, only she is not yet born again. Don't choose the devil. But let me tell you the truth my children; if you marry the right person, then heaven have started for you on earth, if you marry the wrong fellow, hell have started for you on earth.I Am praying for all the youth here tonight, you will not marry the wrong fellow in Jesus name.

You are a child for God, you are standing on the rock and somebody is in a miry clay and you say I will pull him up. Let me tell you mathematically you are standing on the rock and somebody is a miry clay, the probability that you will pull him up is fifty, the probability that he will pull you down is also fifty, fifty and if he is stronger than you good bye. Never, don't even think about it, don't choose an unbeliever.

2. Don't choose a baby Christian. He got born again two months ago. You want to marry a [baby]? You don't even know whether his salvation is genuine.

3. I will take a step further and this is for you my daughter[s]; a man is at his best during courtship.
A man is at his best during courtship; You are my sweetie, you are my honey, That is what you are suppose to hear during courtship. Immediately after marriage all his hidden faults comes to the surface. There is a saying; they say love is blind; it is marriage that opens it eyes. That man that is pretending to be an angel," there is nobody like him, he is very generous, very caring, very patient" wait till he gets what he wants.

So if somebody is suppose to be at his best during courtship and during courtship he begins to quarrel with you. You should know straight away that there is no way here. The elders have a saying; they said the eye that will last till the evening, it will not begin to give trouble in the morning. So if you have already entered into a relationship, if you are in courtship and you are already settling two or three quarrels go and pray again. To before warn, is to before harm.

4. When you are going to chose and he/she says is a Christian, he has been born again for three years or more. I beg you chose within the fold. You know why? So that you will be speaking the same spiritual language.

Because born again doesn't mean the same thing everywhere, there are born again robbers, there are born again 419(fraudster). Let me give you an example, some years ago in one of the universities where I go normally to go and teach them and fellowship with the. We declared a fast and then one day one of the "born again lecture" was testifying, he said I have been fasting; I use to smoke 17 cigarettes per day now I smoke only fifteen.

Abraham said in Gen24v1-4, he said to his servant, don't get a wife for my son from among these people, go and get from among my people. Marry within the fold; so you will be speaking the same spiritual language.

5. Now my daughters, whatever a brother may say. Keep yourself pure and holy during courtship. I will tell you why.

(A). there will be plenty of time for sex after marriage.

(B). don't sell yourself cheap. Am a man I am talking to you as a father, men don't have regard for women, when they say let's do it and she says yes. They will say what [is] the difference between this one and a harlot? Hen! but we are going to marry any way, listen to me my daughter, you are not even sure of marriage until the very day, until the pastor says you are husband and wife, you cannot be sure.

(C). Not only that, sin committed during courtship, always hinder prayer after marriage. You sinned during courtship, you got married, problems/challenges comes and then you kneel down to pray and the devil will say "with what mouth are you praying"? Can't you remember this, this and this. Sins committed during courtship will be waiting for you during marriage.

That is not to even mention there is something called AIDS. I saw one advert; it says HIV AIDS never show for face. That beautiful sister, do you know the kind of danger lying under, that brother, do you know what he is carrying. Don't kill yourself.

6. There are some of you who say, well I know how to discern who to marry, and we will just toss a coin. And then you select two sisters and say God, the light complexion one is the head and the black complexion is the tail. So I want to toss the coin, whichever is the two you have chosen for me and you are tossing the coin between a witch and mummy water[mermaid]. Don't do it that way that is not the way God chooses. I pray for you once again, you will not choose the wrong fellow in Jesus name.

7. Now there is something that you have learn[ed] now, I don't know where you learn[ed] it from, you call it dating, it is a way of checking you out, let's go and eat somewhere and I will check you out. How can you be so childish; you are dating me, you want to check me out, and do you think I will be so stupid as to show you my ugly side? How can you be so childish?

We are just dating, we are just seeing ourselves specially, and before you know it you are in the trap of the enemy. Don't check out, pray instead, call to the one who knows all details, call to the one from who m nothing can be hidden. What if we call on him and he didn't answer, I preached a sermon [s]ome fifteen years ago, titled when God is silent. I have told one of my sons to make one thousand copies, so those of you who are youth can get one somehow. Because many a times when you say God is not speaking, God is speaking only it is you that you are not hearing. You don't want to hear, this is the fellow I want [you] to marry, so you are saying if you want to talk say yes. Get the tape it will help you, to know what happen when God is silent.

8. Let me tell you my children, marriage is for keeps. As far as the word of God is concerned, it is only death that can separate them according to roman7v2-3. But the court can divorce us, it is the court that did its own, God has not done. The word of God says those who God has join together, let no man, no woman, no parent put asunder. Marriage is forever. you are old fashion daddy, after all you've been Married for 41 years.

Okay let us assume that divorce is allowed, at least you will agree with me that divorce, destroy your C.V. when they day are you married, single or divorced? If you marked divorce, you signal to your employer; here comes a failure. They may not say so, but the moment they see divorce, they know here is somebody who could not make marriage work. Every marriage has its challenges, but divine love gives victories, Turns every challenge to testimonies. Once you marry, you are married forever until either of you dies.

9. Now let me say a word to those of us who are of marriageable age but are not married. Some of us who thinks we are getting up in age, therefore we should hurry up;

Now let me tell you those of you boys who are of marriageable age who are still checking people up. Let me tell you, time will pass you by, there is an age a man gets to and it is of no longer any consequence.

So let me tell you boys, if you are of marriageable age, you have a good work, don't marry if you don't have a job, job comes before marriage. Those of you who marry, and it is your wife that is feeding you, go and pray again. The bible say two are better than one, you boys go and marry. Bible says if two agrees concerning anything on earth, it will be agreed in heaven. The bible say one will chase a thousand; two will put ten thousand to flight.

As for you girls, who think maybe you are getting on in age, I agree that two are better than one, but believe me honestly, it is better to be single in Christ, than to be married to the agent of the devil. There are some lazy boys out there; no job, nothing, no responsibility and they are looking for girls who will become bread winner for them.

They will sit down at home watching TV, the girl will go and work and you said, once they call you Mrs. No be Miss. Be single and be confident. You never can tell, God may be preserving you for someone special. It will be well with you in Jesus name.

Do you still like me? Because I didn't hear your amen.
Alright If I don't tell you that, nobody else will do so.

Is your Job secure?

As we begin the new year, there is a big uncertainty looming everywhere. For a large majority of people, the uncertainty is about their job. Is it safe? In other words, will they have a job or not if the real effect of the global melt down should bite deeper? Or may the real question should be "Is someone really employable in the new economy or not?" but that's a topic for another discussion. This is a quick exercise to do a status check on the "safety" of your job. The questionnaire is in no way complete. The focus is to make you think beyond your "job responsibilities" outlined in your offer letter.

Note: Not all questions are relevant for people at all levels.

1. Is your job core to what the company stands for?
When there is a crisis, an organization tends to drop non-core and adjacent activities. The approach will be to play to their strengths to survive and thrive. If your job does not contribute to the strengths of the organization, you have to quickly re-invent yourself so that it does align with the company core purpose. If what you bring aligns with the strengths of the company, the follow-up question is "how much capacity are you adding to the company?"

2. What will the company/department lose by eliminating your job?
Please note that the question is not, "What will the company gain by keeping you in that job?" During a crisis, avoiding threats (rather than going after opportunities) will take center stage. If there is no significant threat, there is no big safety net for the job. Even when you are in a strategic R&D project, look at what this R&D project will mean to the company. If you are not happy with the answer, it's time to re-think, re-invent, and re-act.

3. Who is borrowing the brand power?
Is your department proud of you because of your personal brand? OR Are you proud of the brand of your department? The answer should ideally be: Both

4. What is the assessment of your "value" in the eyes of the stakeholders?
If the answer is vague, such as "A lot" or "Significant," you have to re-visit the topic. Can you quantify your value in some measure, and is that value justifiable?

5. Is your job "offshorable?"
If your job can be moved offshore, then chances are it will be in some form or fashion. In other words, you have to question yourself about whether you are doing commodity work. If you are doing work that a machine can do or someone in another country can do for a smaller fee, the chances of those moves may be very high. The thing is that you may not have control of your job if you are engaged in commodity work.

6. Do you care as if it's your own?
If you don't care about your product as if it's your own, you can't expect the company to do that (about you) either. When you care as if it's your own, the passion is clear. Passionate people win all the time. In troubled times, an organization needs passionate people to keep the place alive. And, the thing about passion and caring is that you can't fake them.

7. Can you handle office politics well?
OK, you may not like office politics, but if you are working in an office, you better learn to deal with it. All else being equal, someone who knows how to deal with office politics will always come out a winner.

8. What is the cost of maintaining you?
There is the cost that you can measure (money, overhead, etc.) and there is the cost that is "real"— which includes, but is not limited to, the emotional cost of dealing with you everyday. For example, if you like to whine a lot, you increase your cost of maintenance. In troubled times, if your real cost to the company is significantly higher than the measurable costs, you are in trouble.

9. Are you likeable?
Unless you work for NASA, you don't have to be a rocket scientist. In tough times (and probably all times) a combination of 7 out of 10 on skills and 9 out of 10 on attitude is preferred to the other way around. If you are not likeable, it will hurt you in ways you would never imagine. People don't always make rational decisions, but they will definitely rationalize it after they have made the decision. So, people may not dismiss you because you are not likeable, but they will find a way to justify why they dismiss you beyond the likeability factor.

Happy 2009

So many people are saying all sort of things concerning 2009.In fact economics figures and facts are all pointing to a tougher year ahead for so many people. Am so amazed that in the mist of all these God is set to bless his people in 2009.Which means when men saying there is casting down, we will look up and know there is a lifting up.Here are the few words that am holding unto this year,which am sure will produce results in the mists of economic chaos.

Living Faith Worldwide (Winners Chapel): Manifestation

Ever Increasing word Ministry (Rhema Chapel): Super Abundance.

Daystar Christian center: Miracle, signs, wonder and change.

Personal: Restoration.

Generis Solutions: Establishment/Shining.