THE SEARCH BEGINS

All cry of corruption

Even when they are involved in cubicle participation

So much of talk about the problem

Little or no input of the solution

So much talk about the leaders

Few actions from the followers

Are we ready for the coming change?

Will you be a part of it or the party that is looking?

I search for the voice in the village

Who feels the pains of those in the village

Provides shade for the rainy day and thunderstorms

Ready to give meaning to the life of those he represents

I search for the voice on the streets

Who does not believe in stealing little sweets

But believes that he has a role to play to make the nation sweet

Hence he acts as an agent of change to make the street sweet

Oh where are the voices from the churches

Who have touched heaven and are ready to bring solutions to the nation

Real ambassadors of the kingdom and not played by the earthly kingdoms

Releasing supernatural to affect the natural

It begins with all of us

Are you part of us or one of them?

IN THE MIX

Trapped in between two elephants

Busy fighting for the best available deal

While we are like the ants

Being used as the tool for bargain

Watching! We watched as hours begat months

Now some have given their minds comfort with a seal

Varying from work to new skills

However, we are not oblivious of the quality drain

Others have stopped the big work of day counts

And to some seconds have run by like bolts feel

Patiently waiting and slowly wasting

Different people with different effects of the falling rain

Oh! Everyone seems to ask for our pity

Although very few are not in it for the kitty

Hence we continue to get busy in the cities

As we await the final whistle from the umpire

Its days to the festivities of the season

Others ask for the end to come at the new beginning

While others will appreciate an abrupt end even in the Xmas eve

In all, we wait for they that hold the knife and the yam

-          Phlegvinyl

THE THIN LINE

            It is a risky fault line that exists on the Tectonic plate that holds a bulk of the relationships on earth. It is sometimes very visible and at other times subtle in appearance.What pains me the most is that it brings to halt, relationships that would have resulted into mega impacts . This causes a shift in the movement pattern;  and most times take heavenly intervention and earthly yielding to get matters solved. Earthquakes and Tsunamis that happen, leading to loss of lives and property are caused by movements of the vast plates- the underlying foundations on which everything on the surface rests (My Explanation). Using this as a background, I want to delve into a matter that has resulted into a number of various forms of losses.

           There is a thin Line between Love and Hate, though not easily crossed, but with the right atmosphere for reaction, the product might be the crossing of the line; especially at points when Love is understood to be just a feeling and not considered as important as a decision. While it has its own justification from various circles of life, this is a line that should not be crossed, because at often times, the same or better amount of emotional energy used in the positive can be translated into the negative, with colossal impacts. Infamous causes are linked to wounded love, rejected love, abused love and various forms of negative stitches to “Love”. This is a line that lovers have crossed, that some friends have crossed and at some other points colleagues in ventures that should have had successful ends. At some points this line is glaring and at some other points, the crossing is done, before the parties realise the product of their actions. How do we cope when this line is crossed?

             There remains a thin line between respect and disappointment. This looks like the most common and easily spotted, but it comes in varying shades with damages that can be unimaginable. Trust is an important foundation to fruitful relationships, and functions better when there is respect. Respect remains a concept that comes with a huge responsibility; little wonder people who want to get respected without putting responsibility into consideration, end up in pits.This line is more dangerous, if it is crossed in relationships of unequal standings (Vertical relationships), leader and follower, Teacher and Student, Mentor and Mentee, Pastors and Members etc, it can act as a blockage to further flow of quality contents, disregard of future excellence. It can cause a mutation in a quality journey, and bring a large-scale destruction. You tell me, this line is easy to see and the uniqueness of some people’s experience will certainly change your mind. I agree that there are general principles to help you avoid this particular fault line, but the amount of energy in emotions and other cognitive perceptions, can cause a step over that is not thought of at the start. It begins with respect at the other end and end in disappointment at the other end. This end is a mother of endless possibilities in negativity. Who really wants to cross this line, come to think about it, especially in matters of spiritual leadership and flow of contents. This line is so thin and yet so lethal. How do we cope with this line?

             The Thin Line between Trust and Distrust, it begins with a walk of a life –time that can come crashing like a pack of cards if crossed. This line is a foundation to a wide range of structures. Some call it an answer to prayer, while to others it is a dreaded predicament. It is a line that functions supremely on the power of the mind and its reminder. Sometimes, it is intentional and at other times, a mistaken reality. Very easy to navigate wrongly and requires a lot of mind rewiring to get fixed. The whole existence of the earth is founded on the principle of trust, the expressions of your life is largely dependent on whom you put your trust in. Little wonder the Bible states that beings should not be trusted and only God can be trusted, but if we expect humans to be extension of God, how do we combine this reality? There are no quality human relationships without trust. It is the representative of the stability of the existence of any entity. With dangers of unfolding magnitude, can we avoid crossing this line? Are there concessions that must be made along the way in the negative and positive? But again, how do we cope with this line.

picture courtesy :gurusfeet.com

                                                        

             These lines exist in various forms, but I begin the journey into this path with a probe to check the understanding of the subject matter, maybe traces of life can be found on it...These are lines to be thought about. My paragraphs cannot capture the whole picture, but can start a process of unveiling. Let the thoughts begin. If the lines stated above are crossed, what next? 

TRAGEDY OF WESTGATE

When joy turns into sorrows
And the shouts of excitement are drowned by gunshots
And the mall turns  into a place for the exchange of life and death
And the race of survival becomes a thing more than breath


The message filtered into the atmosphere through media spheres
From the shores of the giant nation I could feel the anguish and pain
And I could relate to the matter because of our own matter
Sometimes I wonder why people just take life in a slaughter


Some call it religion!so this is the kind of god you serve
Others call it politics?which nation wants to be led by gunshots  that add to the grave
Freedom fight?taking away the freedom of others;is that what we mean?

May the God of heaven console the families of the faithful departed
Keep strong the broken-hearted
Fight for the innocent and just
Help father!for I know you are merciful,kind and gracious

Oh church!the bride of the bridegroom
We are the sweeping broom
Let us not only teach on how to make the heavenly room
Or even to fill the earthly room
But  teach to take our places as intercessors,salts and lights

Souls have been lost to twin eternities
Two roads have been opened to those that left earth cities
For those of us that remain
Make your choice on where you want to spend it

                                      -phlegvinyl

Condolences to the families of the faithful departed and may the lord grant them the strength to move on. I encourage others to be steadfast and continue to live well by grace. The church should begin to take responsibility for her flocks in prayers, in intercession, and rightly teaching them scriptures... not hiding behind walls and shouting that its the period of endtime. If these are manifestations of the endtime,what is the church doing? God bless kenya,God bless Nigeria,God bless Africa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The last of three
Who has set out to be a tree
Setting people free
Reminding and telling them that the son has set them free


Oh! Let the trumpet sound
For a rare gem was today born
A beauty was today found
In whom Gods grace now richly abound

She is plus one
Another milestone in the counts of time

A reminder of the ticking time
And a life of testimonies


Blow the balloons
Bring home the cakes
Spread theblove around
For obiageli is one

Even nature responds to this day of the birth
Who has blessed many lives
Thank God for this day again
When lisa was born
               
              - phlegvinyl

GRACE SPEAKS 1

             Again! I want to enjoy this
             The joy of my salvation
              I stand from rhe pain of living out of position
              Even though my heart pants after righteousness

              
              I know I was saved by Grace
              Was? I am still under grace and sustained by it
              But wil I continue to drag this royalthy into filth?
              This is what pains me and not the bottomless pit
              

               Falling and falling, but again I rise
              The content that I carry never let's me remain lost
               Though sometimes what pains me is how my.  
               father feels
               Because he paid the price for me to live within the.                                             ........... seal

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER?

          I was moved to tears as I watched the video of Malaki Paul, a nine year old boy singing on Britain's got talent. The tears were not out of pity, but my heart was so filled with emotion, that one of the best ways to express it was water pouring from my eyes. You need to watch this video to see what I saw, I downloaded it from a friend's wall on facebook, and now I understand the beautiful comments that were below the post.
       It inspired me and the question that came to my mind was "what do you have to offer?" what's that thing that ou will do and the whole world will be wowed? what's that talent that God has put into you to affect your generation with.Nobody, I mean absolutely nobody was born to be a dullard, I refuse to be of that opinion, hence there is something within you that is waiting to explode if you nuture it in the right environment, around the right people, with the right attention and mindset and a strong believe in your source(God).
           I do not know maybe it was stage fright,but he stumbled at his first trial.But the excellence within him made him push on and the audience and judges were wowed at his effort. Forget it, nobody is not moved by excellence , they can only hide their expressions. Also the reaction to excellence might be negative or positive, but push on and continue to go forwards. Your motivation can include the external but the majority (90 percent) should come from within. Most times, what gives you an edge in situations is when people cannot understand the source of the beauty; how is this possible? they continue to ask within them.
             Again, I ask myself the question as I ask you, what can you offer to the world in a uniquely distinct style, why should they have to meet you when others are available...what is the value of your presence? you can give answers as I have given answers to myself. But there is something I have noticed, you can decieve everybody but yourself. Hence let the efforts begin.
              I was listening to Dr. Ehigie(an excellent Dentist) talk one day and he said that God is waiting for ready people to imput in their hearts ideas that will shake this world, inventions that the world is waiting for: this was to a christian congregation and this paragraph is also dedicated to them. Are you in that position? sadly some christians have tried to achieve great success with prayers without efforts... you are OYO(on your own),when favour meets hardwork, the product is outstanding. The creations earnestly await our manifestations as sons oh, not only in tongues and miracles but in having dominion as God planned it from the start. With christ, you ought to be at the height, relative to the function he has called you to do? if you are not run back home. The excellence in your personality is grounded in Christ and his lifestyle,live like him and watch gates and everlasting doors be lifted up.
             Fan your talents,gifts(spiritual and non spiritual) and learnings to flame that will give light and warmth to those around you.  You are not living until you are making impact. This world is coming to an end,will it just end without people knowing yo were around for something positive and excellent?

FORMING A RING AT THE RING : HBD BE7EXPRESS

           Family is an important circle when its importance is properly understood  and the people involved enjoy the beauty, either its a biologial one or its bone out of social or religious relationship.I beg to emphasise that the best family experiences is built on love,understanding, communication, unity,loyalty and more importantly christ. when all the mentioned contents are found,even in the midst of problems and qarrels, they stick tgether and come out stronger. Also, the strength of a family is in how closely knitted they can function, someone once said that , the hotness and brightness of coal is increased when the coals are in togetherness : so also is the family.
             Also, coming into school, i was priviledged to  join a house that has the shape of her logo as love and it is "The place where good things never cease". The bond was so tight that during my first holiday in the University, i missed school and wanted it to resume , just because I wanted to be in fellowship again. It felt so odd not being able to dance around the church enjoying Gods presence, the wonderful mix of excellent speakers I longed for, and my spirit stimulating drummer : passions. Do you know where I am talking about?
            In the midst of my wanting to just enjoy life from the background something changed and it affected the whole other story. I wanted this change when I first came into school as a fresher for the prestige and not for the responsibility not knowing that God had plans for me. As in better plan if you know what I mean. And then this change meant, another family within the family which is meant to keep the former family moving on the right track. oh my God,this was a new experience as a whole but Gods grace was sufficient. let me leave the story of this to when I would have finished the service and then I will give a proper expression of the beauty of that one man band.
            The major thing is that within the second time serving, I moved up the ladder as a servant and had to co-ordinate one of the most excellent set of people I have ever seen in my life. Most of our challenges were product of wonderful thoughts not really sweetened, but with touches had the capacity to move mountains. This family is called the learning EXCO, we are 22 in number but 6 of us are in the great land of EK-CITY,where creativity meets spirituality and Academics. The land which is another family of its own,with socials on its wonderful climax. Yesterday was the Birthday of BE7express and I enjoyed the bond and beauty of a family that bonds together.
             We chose to make it a night life and the middle of the city was an interesting choice. A place in front of royalty which also had a touch of a building to remind us of our patriotism around the road called ring. As the colourful waters splashed and moved in beautiful patterns our hearts pumped in joy as we took pictures to celebrate this rare gem. There was joy because we had the opportunity to celebrate the life still spending of a caring and wonderful person, and the fountains presented itself as spot. little wonder for he, himself is a fountain dishing out many wonders in beautiful colors and rhythmic order.
              FloSan led the proceedings before phlegvinyl and BOV took up the talk show that climaxed the days fun.we dealt with the body of an animal, wonderfully prepared under the blackness of coal, garnished with onions, pepper and some other things and washed it down with drinks called soft. The day ended with prayers and I LEFT the place with more prayers for this great family. God bless the 22 and keep us functioning in realms unimaginable.
              HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDJIDJE ESEOGHENE BENJAMIN, ESEOLOGY ...BE7EXPRESS and  wish you more impact on this generation as you begin a new count of days.

JOURNEY TO ZUMA

Our legs were almost touching our heads, panting is an understatement, as we found our way back to the bus. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Filled the air and those that came with their bible clutched it on their chest with passion. We could not wait for the bus to Move, our Teachers did not understand as they were far behind when the incident occurred. There was relief in our hearts as the bus kicked, and moved away from the monolith.

We have heard news about it, read about it and even spoken about. Hence, an excursion to Abuja without a visit will not have been complete. My school, Citadel International College, organised a 3 –Day Excursion to Abuja and I was privileged to be part of those that paid for the trip. We had been in Abuja for about a day, with visits to so many interesting sites like the Abuja zoo, Wonderland etc, but with much anticipation in our hearts, we wanted to see the popular Zuma Rock. On that day, clad in our White Ceremonial wear, we embarked on a Journey to the popular Monolith A day before; we had seen the Aso Rock, from whence the name of the presidential Villa was gotten. So we thought seeing large pieces of rocks were just normal activities.

During the journey, some of our classmates that have been to Abuja before, had informed us about some superstitious stories associated with the site of the Rock, but this only “GINGERED” us to want to get there faster. Unique among the stories was that the Rock cries and has human features.  Common knowledge was that Zuma Rock was in Abuja, but we had almost left Abuja itself before we got to the site.

From afar, we could see a Nigerian Flag on the top of the mountain, approaching the boundary between Abuja and Niger State; the bus came to a halt. The school had not taken permission to take us close and around the cultural heritage, hence we were told to just look around. But the excitement in our hearts as students in SS1 could not be confined to seeing such a monument of nature from afar, we wanted to get closer. First of all one of the information, disseminated in the bus had been confirmed, the rock had human features when looked at. It had a place for the Nose, eyes and mouth...but the excitement blinded our hearts from the remaining aspect of the stories, only for the veil to be removed later, you can guess what happened when the veil was removed...

 Without permission, we entered into a property (Land: government owned), with a view to getting close to the Rock, we hurriedly marched on the paths as the grasses and shrubs gave way. Some of my classmates refused to come down from the bus, others came down, but stayed with the bus (It was parked by the roadside). Later, we discovered that probably that was the right thing to do. As we got closer to the Monolith, we met an Old man, who stopped us and asked us what we were doing around the place and who gave us permission to come in. We explained that we came for sightseeing and that we were students of a secondary school. As we waited to listen, some others continued the expedition... the old man then instructed that we leave the place immediately! All pleas fell on deaf ears, as we moved forward to tell those in front what had happened, we looked back and we did not see the man again. Ye! Wetin happen? Where the man enter?... those questions raised in our minds and the veil dropped- those information that we were told started replaying, we did not wait for them to finish loading when the race began. I ran my life out, all that was in my mind was that let me just get to the bus... we forgot the idea of wanting to go close; we were satisfied with the one we had seen. Fear gripped us and relief was the atmospheric condition as the bus left the place, that was when I knew that some of my class mates had bibles and could pray. Though to some this might be funny, but to some, it wasn’t oh! Some of us began to form, why una run sef?(pidgin). We had seen people disappear in films, but this was too real to be false.

That night our lodge was very quiet, because we expected the consequences of our adventure to catch up with us; but fortunately for us, nothing happened. None of us wanted a replay, so another visit was not part of our agenda. We continued on our excursion trip and made it back to school on the third day. The excursion ended, but the thought and experience never left our hearts.

Its been long, so some details might not be the same or enlarged: abeg na the beauty of the work of art oh. Kudos to members of the 09/10 session that went to Abuja Excursion.

BIRTHDAY WISHES TO EWOMA: BISHOP CREATION

                Few months into the year 2011, I met one of the best persons in my life; too bad I had only few months to spend with him. Admission came sweetly, and I was informed that my campus of stay would be Ekehuan and not the hustle & bustle city of Ugbowo. Since the only accommodation I had in Benin, was at Ugbowo; hence I needed to get somewhere around the campus( EK-CITY).

                Like a meeting divinely arranged, an accommodation that was supposed to be temporary became permanent. An opportunity that I will forever appreciate till the end of time, little compared to much was the exposure, but much compared to little became the impact. Majority of the things I learnt were unconscious, because they just became part of me (made obvious to me by the comments of those around).

    

                His name is Uruemurie Ewoma Frank, popularly known as PZ( pastor Zino). Well built, tall, beautifully assembled bow legs (worth emulating based on the excellence of the owner) and a handsome face. So much for excellence, every second you spend around him has lessons to be learnt (in form of comedy, new information, Rhema, Pieces of advice, life application tools). Oh! He is a complete being, a life that GRACE has amplified the contents; leaving much to be emulated.

                PZ loved coke and Burger(Peanut),when he is angry; just get him that(It depends on what you do sha O), a temperament that was stretched by his two “lovable” roommates yet we still had enough of love to share. Consumption of knowledge was a compulsory assignment around him, as his library was an attractive sight to the curious. A lot of his books suffered in my hands, even at his complains of “Ope don’t touch my Table”....i still dey find my way jare.

The last Birthday in Uniben

                My room was almost like a counselling ground and I enjoyed some of the talks (Though I bin dey form,say I no dey hear oh). Till today, I do not know how and why I did not become a member of the Christian Fellowship International (CFi) because he was the president, but that house became like a family to me. My head dey suffer from information overload...but I just had to write about this gem on his Birthday. Happy Birthday my pastor, mentor, actor, motivator and friend; May God bless you

.

                May the grace of God be amplified in every aspect of your life, and you will continue to grow from strength to strength, favour to favour In Jesus Name (Amen). You will enjoy the fruit of your labour and most importantly perfect understanding of his words, he will grant you in Jesus name. Happy Birthday Great Man and God bless you. You guys should watch out for a more detailed account of this great man.

DOWNPOUR

Started like drops from the sky

Then the thoughts of men on the road began to fly

The clouds had began to cry

Getting a covering we had to try

Oh! We discovered that the ground had a smell

The meeting point of the two elements was evident with holes

Sun gave way for this marriage of giants

Day looked like night

Play ended; but had just begun in some corners

Jumping, laughing and shouting with wet clothes

The shallow roots smiled in reception

While the legs of the Iroko stored for the dry days

Leaves were made to jump and dance

Roofs sang and made melodies without choice

As the flood gates of heaven were opened

Drizzles became downpours

The wind felicitated with her brother

Giving him the power to scare further

Lightning and effects on the stage were added by thunder

Sitting in the hut, we meditated in the weather

Those that have shades get it employed

Those without have their skins bathed

To some its showers of blessing

Others experience flogging of nature

-          phlegvinyl

TO MY VALENTINE

Dear love,

                Nature brought us together about 3 years ago, but gave us a different path later on in the journey. From a sight that was annoying to you, I became one you couldn’t sleep without seeing. If we couldn’t see physically based on circumstances and distance, the mental representation that came with the sound of our voices were strong enough. Oh! If I had looked for reasons, why I chose University of Benin out of all the schools available; knowing you have become part of the options.

                The sun will not set well if he has not heard us talk, the lights of the moon are not as bright without the good night greetings, how complete is a day when the sun sets well and the moon shines brightest. I have not really settled down to reason, what brought us together as very good friends but both the outward and inward qualities hold me spell bound. A beauty in the sun ,a star to behold in the night sky; what more would I have asked for? God smiled and thought well of me when he chose you as my friend. A confirmation of his word “for I know the thoughts that I have towards you, the thought of Good and not of evil...” You were one of the good thoughts!

                I just heard a whisper from around! Doesn’t she have weaknesses and bad side? My mouth twitched in smiles, since everybody has. But the sweetness of the nectar attracts a bee to the flower irrespective of the risks attached. I have learnt to deal and live with those aspects because the love I have for you is full package and is ready to accommodate all, so far your name is attached to it. I feel blessed having you as a friend, because even when I knew it was going to rain and didn’t come with an umbrella; you gave me shade and scolded me in love. My faults were made bare at your tender statements and at the heights of offence, I could Jump into your arms and feel safe. Safety at this point was not devoid of correction and chastisement, but I feel bad and repentant as your magic tough.

                If I can still remember clearly, the day the knock came into my heart, for me to open that a friend was at the door...was very exciting. I opened the door and what did I see, ask me again, what did I see? I saw a wonderful figure, with the best if cheeks you could ever want in life around an excellent shape of lips. Not too fat but blessed, beautiful and an excellent body shape. The most important feature that struck me was that she was also a Christian like me and functioned almost in the same ministerial gift like me. As at when I let the door open, I did not know properly the worth of the Jewel that I let into my life, but from then till now, my life has never remain the same.

                Thanks for being my friend, sister and a mother. Surprisingly, upon this closeness nuptial bells are not part of the contents of our connection, though we already have plans for whoever the lucky person comes for either of us. I Love you still, and on this day when the world celebrate lovers and the love they share, I celebrate my best friend and the love we share. May the good LORD bless and keep us a long time to come, and may the love of God be shared abroad in our hearts to do the will of our Father, because in him is our connection found.

                                                                                                    FROM YOUR VALENTINE

                                                                                                                                                phlegvinyl

DAIRY

The whole world has their eyes on you

To some the blink of their eyes is in envy of your prospect

While others hold you with heights of respect

Flowingly filled for adding fragrance to peoples heart

All rosy and beautiful

Until you get to a pool not too full

With a thought that I will just go through without a pull

But it has become my fool’s school

At every point when I remember the voice of the father

I take a look at the ladder

Have my actions taken me farther?

Remorse fills my soul and wants to shine brighter

Alas father, I fall deeper and deeper

Though my actions doesn’t get any stronger

But the thought of wanting to be better

Leaves me at the mercy of a guilty heart

Daddy’s voice calmly says I am with you always

Will I continue to say I am sorry?

Can’t I just hold on without doing what you don’t like?

I knowingly jump into the pit and later shout for help

Though he never complains, but I feel bad about myself

His seal within me tells me to look up to him

That sooner or later my life will sing hymns

So far I rely on him and stop living for myself

I refused to be condemned by myself

Take guilt out of my shelves

Put on the garment of repentance

And ready to live the life

Though fall has almost become a part of me

I will rely and stand up

On Christ the solid rock I stand

His blood though must not be abused is always available

Oh God! Help me not to misbehave again

For it is in my nature to be holy like you

For every other thing is considered loss for this gain

Once again my sky is blue

-          phlegvinyl

KEEP IT BURNING

The reflections you see in the water are not always exact

The road less taken is not always the best

Results are not always consummate with effort

But experience and knowledge survive the times

Gird your loins and pick up yourself

Do not relax but continually locate the shelf

The effect is like that of a catapult

Allow the extent fall to propel you to greater height

Do not allow your mind to wander

Because it can result in strength plunder

Giving a more dangerous output than the input

The greenest grass most times come out after the field has been burnt

Do not put a lid on the creativity in the pot

Continue to allow the aroma circulate

Carefully select the best of ingredients and put

For the result of yesterday is not always decider of today’s slot

     

                             -phlegvinyl

INSTRUMENTALIST

“Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!”(Psalm 150:3-4, English Standard Version (ESV)⁾, “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”(Psalm 150:3-5)... these and many more scriptures underscore the importance of instruments in praise and worship in the house of God.

Though, I will not encourage anybody to disconnect from worship because of the key of the singer or the inefficiency of the instrumentalist... but the possibility of people disconnecting when the quality of music is low, is relatively high. My main emphases today are the instrumentalist!

Have you ever started service while set up is still going on and the drums are not set? Or enjoyed a service with wonderful sounding but the organist is lost; what of a situation where the instruments are at war with each other and harmony is a lost course...these questions spark up pictures in our minds  and realities that are not entirely favourable to us. The instrumentalist is very important part of any service, and any congregation that wants to grow, understands the importance of that section of the house.

We all know that, for you to do anything; excellence is a key virtue, a popular aphorism states that “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well”, so my main trust of this discussion is not on the expertise...because I think that is an obvious fact i.e. we should be very good in what we do. Excellence is not negotiated for anybody in the Christian faith because, within us lies the spirit of excellence, which should be translated into every aspect of our lives including our talents (Learned or unlearned). Hence, please I want to use this medium to encourage all instrumentalists in the house of God to continue to rehearse and master the craft, for they are not average...they have something those in the world do not have.

The focal point of today’s discourse is the “spiritual” of being an instrumentalist. As I have earlier explained in an earlier post, there is no aspect in Christianity that can be done outside the guidance and supervision of the Holy Spirit. The sounds of your piano might be excellent to the eardrums; the excitement coming out from the combo as a result of your bass send cold shrills down the spines of worshippers, Ooohhhhh!  The sounds of your cymbals may bring brethren to a different realm...but when the procedure is not right, there are always questions to be answered. You cannot worship God outside God! It is not possible...

That the atmosphere is changed and transformed when you minister does not mean everything is right; God admires and love his people and “sometimes” will not allow the shortcomings of anybody to hinder the work he has for them. This is not to condemn! Far from it...but to encourage and exhort instrumentalist that purity in all form is good for their musical health. The gift of the lord is without repentance and his mercies endure forever, it is my sincere desire, that we understand this and function under the guidance and direction of God. There is a story, I like sharing; it’s from scriptures: David only played the harp and the evil spirit that tormented Saul relived him (possibly left him at those points in time)... who says in this generation that the sounds from the guitar, conga, piano, drums etc...Cannot heal the sick, raise the dead, settle situations in the lives of people etc. It can! I tell you again, it can! A ready heart, through his skills can unleash such level of power. But to begin with, INSTRUMENTALISTS have to begin to understand that they are ministers of the most High God, hence when they have opportunity to express; that lives must be ministered to.

The joy of the aftermath of an event should not be that I nailed it...but that lives were ministered to. People should hear the sound of your drum rehearsals and give their life to Christ because anything that portrays Christ carries unlimited power! The spirit is one, expression in different dimension by the spirit of God through different persons in one service to achieve a goal (–exalt Jesus) also includes the instrumentalists.

Do not ever feel left out my dear! The choir or praise team have opportunity to sing, the congregation can sing and dance but the drummer, pianist, guitarist etc might not be able to sing but you can express it with the cymbals and percussion,  organ and piano, guitar etc. Get lost in the Holy Ghost; play under the anointing of the father and something must happen. I often hear this from my president “Do not be so carried away by what God is doing through you and mistake it for what God is doing in you”..It’s dangerous! Instrumentalists of the Third day, I want a revolution from your department...Let the whole world praise God through you. Do you understand what it means to be the drummer in the presence of God? Through your piano alone, the presence of God comes down mightily in a place?  It is my prayer that the passion with which I write this flows through the hearts of all who read as they read.

I do not want to major on the minor but for the purpose of mention let me branch a little into it. You do not play for the church today, and tomorrow you are playing in......... (Fill in the blank spaces with anywhere that does not glorify God), how many masters do you want to serve. Scripture says seek you first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and every other thing will be added unto you (Why do we tend to want to overturn the sequence and search for money and fame first). I do not know how true, it is; but I have always been hearing that CHOIR and INSTRUMENTALIST are the most corrupt in any church setting (I sincerely don’t know the yardstick for that assertion, so I am not building on it). But I call this situation the minor because, with a good relationship with the father, all these things do not come into play...his spirit directs you. He that is born of God does not continue in sin (1 John 3: 9).

Fellow minsters in the vineyard! Drummers: pick up your sticks, let there be a relationship between the sticks and the vellum,  cymbals in rhythmic intervals... all to the glory of the lord. Organists: let your fingers navigate through the white and black nations of the board, producing wonderful sounds... any instrument you play: express God- God is excellent , hence always try to improve. As from today, make up your mind to perform with the heart that it is for God and him alone, all glory and honour belongs to him... and let it be done under the control of the holy spirit.

Disclaimer: I might have said something that you have reservations about, just contact me...we continue to learn every day