RAPTURE: END OF THE WORLD?

This week has been veryy busy for me... yes, a little bit stressful, but good all the same. Now, going by what is currently circulating all over the world..the new theory by radio evangelist, Harold Camping, that Judgment Day is coming this Saturday which is certainly generating lots of media attention, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Will the world end TOMORROW?

Women: Bringing lasting change in our society

Women have always had roles to play in the home front, work places, communities and country as a whole. Women in today’s world are accomplishing their given roles as mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, daughters, etc.
According to a speech given by Josette S. Shiner, an editor of The Washington Times, on the ‘Role of Women in the 21st Century,’ women have accomplished so much, yet so little.
“I have found that in many ways women share a common language. No matter our culture, our background, we can understand each other. I have spoke to women leaders in America, and as these women went out to speak to young women of America, they addressed only one topic over and over again: How could women be more successfully compete with men and learn to behave more like men? These speeches were often filled with resentment and anger; they were urging women to be tougher, to learn to fight, to learn to ‘play the game’ in the world like men.
“But I find it very interesting that when I meet with other women in media or politics, many of who gave up having a family to pursue their goals, I find them asking themselves whether their career achievements really add up to the sum of a successful life. This means that achievement in a career does not mean fulfilment in life generally, there’s more to life than it being about yourself alone,” she said.
To Akinola Ajayi, legal practitioner, women have more to offer than they have the opportunity to demonstrate.
“Women are like the pillars of society. In the workplace, home, and across society, women’s contributions are enormous and deserved commendation. In every sector, we have women who have done greatly in their chosen careers, passion, and this country as a whole. We have more confident, educated, serious, hardworking women in our society, who speak out for others, who desire a change in the society, especially when it comes to addressing issues that pertain to sexual abuse of children, women, harassment in work places, etc. Not only that, they also speak out for the men folks as well, an example is Funmi Iyanda, who is a real role model indeed. These days, women are the ones that give the most to society.”
Josette also agreed with Akinola when she says no matter the background, women can make a difference. “Just as a family needs a father and a mother, so too must these qualities be available to complement each other in every aspect of society. I am convinced that women's value will not be in trying to imitate men, or in becoming more like men. Our value will be in honouring our womanhood and femininity, and offering to the world the wisdom that is held in this other vital half of humanity. At this very moment, in every single city in the world from Nigeria to Nepal a girl is being born. These young ladies will become women in the new century. They will soon be looking to us for guidance on what their hopes, dreams, and responsibilities will be in this new world; that is why we must be very serious about the example we set and the legacy we leave, because what the world needs very simply are individuals with commitment and genuineness of heart. The world is starving for this heart, and as women of commitment, we must have confidence that we can and will make a difference,” she states.
To Mercy Agbokobia, mother, and professional actress, even though women are not perfect, they still do all in their ability to secure the home and families.
“Women bear children; take care of the home, and even extended families. Many women are breadwinners in their homes, helping their husbands and children to be all they can be. Go to most churches, I don’t know about mosques because I’m not a Muslim, but you’ll discover that women are more than men! Only a woman can be a mother. In addition to bearing, nurturing, and raising our own children, women should share a united responsibility to maintain, uplift, and improve our homes, society and nation at this crucial time. All women should endeavour to be the best they can be for the sake of our children’s future and the society as a whole.
“There are pressing issues women can focus their energy on to make positive impacts. Drugs, drinking, careless sex of youths, and violence have destroyed many lives all over the world, women can spearhead campaigns to address and bring about changes in these areas. Our children are making choices that may preclude a hopeful future and in doing so, are risking the very future of our world. Women must continue to step forward to fill the moral gap, to remind our children of our culture, religion, spiritual, and moral values, which empower and protect us,” Mercy advised.
Finally, women must help in making each of their loved ones, relatives, society, and nation as a whole return to God; for Him to heal this nation and erase every trace of tribal, religious, and cultural animosities which can destroy this great nation.
Women can make that change...

Reflection of a mother’s heart

Stephanie Dawson
Friday, June 27, 1997 was a memorable day for me in so many ways. The first and most significant was the birth of my son, James.
Not only was he my miracle child, but he would be my only child. Born by emergency caesarean section, James entered this world prematurely; had convulsions, stopped breathing and was resuscitated, but not expected to survive. However, against all the speculations of the doctors and by God’s grace, he did!
Another memory of significance that day brought me was the contemplation of being a mother. Wow – I was a mother! Yes, me, a mother! A barrage of questions and thoughts ran through my mind simultaneously: Was I equipped to do this job? (After all, it was, and still is, a huge responsibility).
And was I ready for this major task and life-changing episode? Of course I was – all mothers are! We run on instinct and intuition, but we just don’t appreciate our worth and abilities at the time.
Regardless of the number of text books and instruction manuals available on being a mother, there is no knowledge or skill as important as first-hand experience. And there’s certainly no substitute for the lessons life teaches!
As I reflect on the joys and pains in giving birth to my son, I also recognise the joys and trials of my own mother.
My fondest memories of childhood are the days of innocence, which seemed carefree at the time, with no worries to weigh down. I now appreciate how I was living under the protection of a strong mother and her awesome God, little realising the hardship and pressures that actually existed.
I can also reminisce my son’s earlier years and remember times in my life, growing up, where I felt the sense of my mother’s presence at every moment – even when I knew she had gone to work or shopping.
There was no hiding place and there was no escape from the hawk-like eyes that missed nothing! And so it is with our Father in Heaven – nothing is unseen by His eyes; no prayer goes unheard by His ears and no thought unaffected by His heart.
Despite the fact we are so very different in so many aspects of our lives, I can still see so much of myself in both my mother and James, and I have learned to see them through the eyes of God our creator.
Every emotion, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude, is stirred in me when I recollect the disappointments; the tears, laughter, the tests, the heartaches, the pain, and the joy of a mother’s heart, borne from the love of God.

C.S. Lewis






"But, of course, ceasing to be 'in love' need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense -- love as distinct from 'being in love' -- is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit ... 'Being in love' first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it."


Source: C.S. Lewis. Mere Christianity. pg. 109.

Funny Marriage Quotes!

Marriages may be made in heaven, but they sure have to be managed right here on earth. That's easier said than done. Take a dig at the funny side of marriage. These funny marriage quotes are good stress busters. They make you laugh at the banalities of marriage. When you read funny marriage quotes, you realize that even a perfect marriage has its inherent flaws but those flaws add to the charm of marriage.


Ogden NashTo keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you're wrong admit it;
Whenever you're right shut up.
Bill Cosby
For two people in a marriage to live together day after day is unquestionably the one miracle the Vatican has overlooked.
Patrick Murray
I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me and the second one didn't.
Gloria Steinem
I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career.
Groucho Marx
Some people claim that marriage interferes with romance. There's no doubt about it. Anytime you have a romance, your wife is bound to interfere.
Agatha Christie
An archaeologist is best husband a woman can have: the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.
Milton Berle
A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
Zsa Zsa Gabor
A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.
Henry Youngman
Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing… she goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.
Joyce Brothers
My husband and I have never considered divorce... murder sometimes, but never divorce.
Homer
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye-to-eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
Rodney Dangerfield
My wife and I were happy for 20 years… then we met.
Rita Rudner
I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.
Ogden Nash
Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets.
Lord Byron
All tragedies are finished by a death, all comedies by a marriage.
Phyllis Diller
Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age - as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.
Katharine Hepburn
If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead… get married.
Joyce Brothers
Marriage is not just spiritual communion; it is also remembering to take out the trash.
George Lichtenberg
Love is blind, but marriage restores its sight.

Forgiveness in Marriage

Daily Marriage Quote and article culled from About.com: With Sheri & Bob Stritof, your Guide to Marriage Forgiveness: Saving Your Marriage


Today's marriage quote is by Mimi Schwartz. 
"Long term marriage is about reinventing yourself and your marriage many times, so that neither gets into a rut."
Source: Mimi Schwartz. Thoughts From a Queen-Sized Bed. 2003.








Being able to forgive and to let go of past hurts is a critical tool for a marriage relationship. Additionally, being able to forgive is a way to keep yourself healthy both emotionally and physically.
Health Aspects of Forgiving
If you hold on to old hurts, disappointments, petty annoyances, betrayals, insensitivity, and anger, you are wasting both your time and your energy. Nursing a perceived hurt can eventually make it in to something more - hate and extreme bitterness.
Lack of forgiveness can wear you down. Additionally, being unforgiving is not good for either your physical or mental well being.
How to Forgive
•Be open
•Make a decision to forgive your spouse
•When images of the betrayal or hurt flash in your mind, think of a calming place or do something to distract yourself from dwelling on those thoughts
•Don't throw an error or mistake back in your spouse's face at a later date. Don't use it as ammunition in an argument
•Don't seek revenge or retribution. It will only extend the pain
•Accept that you may never know the reason for the transgression
•Remember that forgiveness doesn't mean you condone the hurtful behaviour
•Be patient with yourself. Being able to forgive your spouse takes time. Don't try to hurry the process
•If you continue to be unable to forgive, or you find yourself dwelling on the betrayal or hurt, please seek professional counselling to help you let go and forgive.
How to Ask for Forgiveness
•Show true contrition and remorse for the pain that you've caused
•Be willing to make a commitment to not hurt your spouse again by repeating the hurtful behaviour
•Accept the consequences of the action that created the hurt
•Be open to making amends
•Be patient with your spouse. Being able to forgive you often takes time. Don't dismiss your spouse's feelings of betrayal by telling your spouse to "get over it."
Marriage Relationships Need Forgiveness
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has grumpy days. Many people say things they do not mean now and then. Everyone needs to forgive and to be forgiven.
No relationship, especially a marriage relationship, can be sustained over a long period of time without forgiveness. Even though you may find it difficult to forgive, being able to forgive is crucial in marriage.
Knowing When Enough is Enough
If your spouse abuses you, continues to betray you, continues to lie to you, etc., then it may be time to say enough is enough and to end your marriage. In these situations, forgiveness for the past hurts may take longer and that is okay.

Today's Marriage Quote

Barack Obama
"Sometimes, when we're lying together, I look at her and I feel dizzy with the realization that here is another distinct person from me, who has memories, origins, thoughts, feelings that are different from my own. That tension between familiarity and mystery meshes something strong between us. Even if one builds a life together based on trust, attentiveness and mutual support, I think that it's important that a partner continues to surprise."