OPEN MY EYES TO SEE

As I stood one more time in the William Fryman Chapel at the Good Samaritan Hospital, within the final two hours of my clinical rotation at this memorable hospital, I looked again at the image that I have loved so much and beheld several times in the past 16 weeks. I saw something in the image that I have never paid attention to. 

Mind you, I have stood almost every Saturday in this chapel (first thing in the morning) to pray for all the patients, families, and staff before rounding, but I have never paid close attention to that image. I know the two obvious objects in it are that of Abraham and his son getting ready to offer a sacrifice unto God. I saw their commitment, their vulnerability, the struggle going on (possibly) in Abraham's mind that he was about to slaughter the same promised child that took forever to have. Don't even mention the emotions that run through Isaac as he surrendered to his old man who insisted God spoke to him to do this. 

But on my final day at this hospital (as a chaplain resident), I decided to take an intentional look at that image, and to my amazement, there are two other people in that image. You can call them whatever you like, my guess is those were the two young men that followed Abraham on that painful journey (Genesis 22:3-5). 

My point is, are there THINGS in your life (situation and circumstances) that need another INTENTIONAL look - second, third, fourth, or 50 more looks for you to see and understand and appreciate more. Okay, how about this? Are there PEOPLE in your life that you have been living with or relating with for years and you have been looking at them but you have not actually looked at them? Guess what, I am speaking to myself as I write this because I have looked at that image for four good months and only saw two people whereas there have been four. Would you pray for me and with me that God should open our eyes to see beyond the facade and increase our desire to see when we look. (05/03/2020@7p.m)

During my last week at this hospital, I had a brief (7mins) interview with the staff chaplains, Stephen Summers and Susan Janos, here is the link https://youtu.be/sTIhe_VXAJ4

REFLECTIONS FROM BBT's BOOK, HOLY ENVY

“Across all our differences, we come into the world more or less the same way, through the body of another human being. We breathe the same air and depend on the same earth for our sustenance. We all weep salty tears and bleed red blood. Though we find different things funny, we laugh (and sneeze) in amusing ways. Up to a certain age we are so curious about each other that someone has to teach us to fear each other. None of us is born with a belief system or a worldview. We acquire those from our elders, along with our DNA. This does not diminish the importance of our religion, but it does establish a certain priority. What we have most in common is not our religion but our humanity, which is recognizable across class, continent, and color – unless someone goes to a great pains to blind us to one another.” (p.76)

MY MUSINGS: BETTER TO USE "RESPONSES" INSTEAD OF "ANSWERS"

During one of my meetings with a group of Adults a few days ago, I discussed a topic on “Spirituality and Gratitude”. Towards the end of the meeting, I handed out a Gratitude worksheet that has these questions:

1. Write down a gratitude ritual you do now.

2. Write down an everyday privilege (blessing) you've noticed that you used to take for granted. 

3. Name someone you're grateful to have in your life and why.

4. Describe a way you've thanked someone or intend to thank someone.

Some of the participants volunteered to share what they put down and were very meaningful and helpful to all of us. After I dismissed the class, one of them said, "I never thought I will have something to thank you for because when they invited me for "Spirituality Group", I thought it's going to be just one of that religious stuff. But I enjoyed attending this meeting and I just wanted to say Thank You!" I appreciated him and everyone for participating.

As if that was it, then comes a learning moment for me: After everyone had left, he was still in the room. As I was about to step out, he said to me again, "I really want you to know that I appreciate the discussion on gratitude again. Just a suggestion for you," he continues, "I teach Creative Writing in one of the universities here in the State." Wow, I never knew a college professor was part of my audience thankfully. "When you were asking for volunteers to read what we put down for the gratitude worksheet questions, you said, 'who is willing to share his or her 'answers' with us?' Next time, it is better to use the word 'responses' instead of 'answers'. When you ask people for 'answers' in a meeting like that, it often suggests there are 'correct ones' and you are only interested in hearing those who are 'correct'. Something tells some people, 'i better not share mine because it might not be the correct 'answer'". He graciously explained. "Responses are personal and easy to respond to but answers are specific. You see whenever my students give me a wrong answer to a question, I don't tell them they are 'wrong' but use an expression like, 'you answer this incorrectly' and teach them how to answer correctly." He concluded.

I expressed my gratitude to him for his kind feedback about the class but much more for teaching me how to better communicate. I know English is not my major or first language but guess what, effective communication is a life-long art we all have to continue to master with all humility. I hope that helps someone. I can't wait to teach that class to another group of people!

ONE INFORMATION FROM ONE GOOD BOOK CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER!

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson that said, "If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads." I'm sure you know that he is referring to women as well. 

In these two books, I shared some testimonies about what God's word can do for you and through you, and the necessity of divine direction. Just for TODAY, March 27th, you can get both for FREE! 

Click on this link http://amzn.to/2mWIjVo and this http://bit.ly/2pHD2jU to download the KINDLE FORMAT ABSOLUTELY FREE! 

If you don’t have amazon account, you will need to create one for free with your email address by clicking on this link https://amzn.to/2GdCqcW. 

If you don’t have KINDLE app, you can download absolutely free on your devices on this link https://amzn.to/2pDLmkS. 

Feel free to share this links with your friends and loved ones. Enjoy your week!

MARRIAGE: A "BLANKET" AGAINST COLD

Among many reasons, God designed marriage to serve as spiritual BLANKET against any harrowing COLD ATTACK. My wife and I live in Ohio and we have firsthand experience when it comes to winter (cold) seasons. Look at the Bible passage below:

"Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he’s in trouble. Also, on a cold night, two under the same blanket gain warmth from each other, but how can one be warm alone?" (Ecc. 4:9-11 TLB)

I pray for every couple reading this that every plan of the enemy/adversary to remove your God-given BLANKET from you be destroyed in the precious name of Jesus.

To appreciate God for the great deliverance in the life of my wife and children this month, I’m given away TWO of my favorite books to bless someone TODAY and TOMORROW. All you need to do is click on this link http://amzn.to/2mWIjVo and this http://bit.ly/2pHD2jU to download the KINDLE FORMAT ABSOLUTELY FREE! 

If you don’t have amazon account, you will need to create one for free with your email address by clicking on this link https://amzn.to/2GdCqcW. 

If you don’t have KINDLE app, you can download absolutely free on your devices on this link https://amzn.to/2pDLmkS. 

Feel free to share this links with your friends and loved ones. Enjoy your week!

Ogoji Egboogi

Brief History of How the Book Came About

This is brief information of how the book came to be. Back in 1999/2000, my mum was diagnosed with all kinds of sicknesses and other health issues largely as a result of several accidents she had while on business trips. Every time her blood pressure was off the roof and the possibility of her living long was ruled out by the doctors. As I was praying about the issue, I discovered the truth about God's word being used as medicine for our healing. I encouraged her that she will not die but she will need to engage the word of God in battle against sickness and disease.

Since she could not read English, I compiled about 25 Scriptures that have made tremendous impacts on my life in Yoruba and I titled that print out as "Egboogi Meedogbon Ti O Segun Gbogbo Arun". I told her to be faithful to reading it daily just like she had been faithful to doctor's prescriptions. To the glory of God, she started giving testimonies. She wore out the paper and I printed a larger copy for her.

That was since 2000, she is still alive today to the glory of God. After I relocated to the United States, I read the testimony of Joel Osteen's mum on how she was healed of a terminal disease by reading Scriptures to herself, and my mum encouraged me to publish this material for people who cannot speak English. Then I researched more into it. Few years ago, another woman was having some pains on her hands, I printed the same Scriptures for her to be reading and she also testified. Another woman suffered a massive stroke sometime last year and this same print out was sent to her, she also testified of God’s healing power inherent in His word. I join my faith with whoever is reading these Scriptures to experience the glory of God concerning your desire in the precious name of Jesus.  Shalom!

GRACIAS! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!

I have shared the testimony several times that I used to suffer chronic migraine many years ago. But after encountering the power of God in 1994 (July 10), migraine lost its grip over me and has never returned. From 1994 till date, I was admitted in the hospital one time in 2002 but God came through for me. Today, as I prepared to send appreciation notes to all (especially YOU) for birthday wishes, I stumbled over a note I sent to my fiancée in 2002 after leaving the hospital and I feel like sharing few lines with you:

“Dear, today is the last day in the month of February, the enemy wanted me to follow the month of February 2002 in to the dungeon of history. But I believe you, my darling wife and the host of other loved ones united your voice in the spirit and answered the enemy like Mama Lizzy answered him in Luke 1:60, "Not so." In the time when it seems I could not answer; you guys rose up and withstood him. What a nice thing to have relationships! I really appreciate you.

That's why I'm using this opportunity to announce to my generation never to prepare my grave because I'm not coming there yet! There are still songs yet to be composed; messages yet to be preached; victories yet to be enjoyed; books yet to be written; homes yet to be restored; relationships yet to be mended; shattered dreams yet to be fixed again; nations yet to be visited; friendships yet to be made; ministries yet to be birthed; lives yet to be turned around.” (Written Feb. 28, 2002)

At the time I wrote that, I have never published any book and I don’t even have a national (not to talk of international) passport or been to any embassy in my nation. 

But yesterday on my birthday, I preached at Mamre Christian Community Church (Haitian Congregation) and sold copies of my books (not just written books but helped others to publish). I have not just visited another nation but now a privileged citizen of the most powerful nation on earth (america) and a proud son of my “root nation” (nigeria)!

Thank you for your calls, texts, fb msgs, whatsapp msgs, gifts, birthday songs (both fuji and contemporaries). i’m grateful that god put you in my life!

Hear this, I just showed you again the power of words and writing stuff down. Watch out for my next workshop on HOW TO WRITE AND PUBLISH YOUR FIRST BOOK!

If you need professional photography, I will recommend my photographer, ImageCasts. Click ImageCasts

Remember, no matter what you are going through, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO WIN!