A FLASH IS ENOUGH

Greetings to you all my people, I am sure you wonder why I have not written here all this time. Honestly, I just didn’t have the urge to write anything and I want it to be real each time I sit here and write stuff. I have been through a lot lately and this morning I got the urge to finally write this piece and tell you all that a flash is enough.

Many people have grown up believing that the whole world owes them something and the world should pay particular attention to them for reasons only these people can understand. Many have grown with a heart filled with complaints and also a safety first approach to life and this has led many to mediocre lives or a deep feeling of low self worth.

These people never go out of their way to try anything or learn anything. They just keep waiting for the perfect day and perfect time, hence, hindering other people around them because of this weakness of theirs. I have seen many people complain and judge everyone who has come in contact with them and say it is because of him, her, and them that they haven’t reached their own personal goals.

Therefore, I received the leading from GOD this morning to write this message to everyone who is reading this now and those who would read it later. The message is (a flash is enough). I would do my best to explain what I mean with a few illustrations.  I am convinced that many of you would be blessed and would spring into action when you read this.

A baby can cry all He/she wants for hours the parents many times would only know the exact problem when the baby gives them a flash. A sign, a gesture that suggests the baby wants to do A, B, C, and D. The minute the baby points at His mother’s breasts the Mum knows immediately without a doubt and she feeds her baby. The baby didn’t have to write a letter, proposal, or give a speech. The baby knows that a flash is enough.  I have been learning to swim for a while now and I would go into the pool and just do anything I think feels like swimming, get half way across the pool, and start to struggle for air. The life guard would usually see me there daily but He never said anything. One day, I saw this elderly European swimming and decided that I would imitate this man and do exactly what I see. Then, I started to imitate Him. Immediately the life guard who had been quiet all this time got up, walked straight to me and started to teach me how to use that style perfectly. Within 12 hours, I was able to swim across the pool, to and from, without running out of breath halfway. The elderly European and the life guard instantly became my instructors immediately I gave them a flash.

Many of you have talents, dreams, visions and hopes. Many out there are still in the school of complaints. Complaining about this and that which is totally normal sometimes but my point is it shouldn’t end there. GOD said it is impossible to please HIM if you don’t have faith. I also want to believe you know that faith is an act and the actions you take would show how much faith you have got. A Flash is what you need, show those people what you can do, start practicing, go for try outs, do not wait for the perfect day. Make today the perfect day, a flash is enough, GOD Bless you. 

The Unexpected One.

Yes, I feel really led to write this one. Its late and I had a very tough day today but lovely one at that. I have noticed a trend and I see it happening again and I feel I should just write this now.I just hope that you read this one and really gain something from this because of the season we are in spiritually and physically.

 Now, Faith is a supernatural ability its not something that comes naturally to a people. Its takes a super natural being to understand what someone who is supernatural is saying ,to really be able to digest it and work with it. Unfortunately, there are not many supernatural people around so when a supernatural person says something in the midst of natural thinking people, His words are like the sound of thunder,heard but very easily forgotten.



I have noticed that the people who really hit it hard and made a mark at first were the " unexpected ones" the ones who didn't really look like it. People really didn't expect much from them because there wasn't anyone like them. Now isn't that ironic, there is no one like JESUS, yet we worship Him,you would think that when there is none like something or someone everyone would want and like it or the person right ? But its not so many times for the unexpected one. The fact that He is different makes people hate and detest Him more.

JESUS CHRIST who preached LOVE, peace, redemption, Freedom, and a new day " to mention a few". You feel they should have accepted Him right ? He did nothing wrong right ? He sin was that  He was distinct and unique. That should be great and Loveable right ? Followed right ? That's not the case of the unexpected one. JESUS was likened to lamb in the Bible,they expected a Lion saviour the didn't see that the Lion decided to come as a Lamb. the just misunderstood and misjudged Him.

Joseph the dreamer in the Bible. His Brothers would have never imagined that the little kid they threw away would later become the saviour of His family and nations. He was the unlikely one. He was the least expected. Their tiny, big mouthed,over ambitious little Brother. Love was not the light to show them the way and so the tried to destroy their own way.

David was the youngest," inexperienced"to the common Man, the most hated discouraged, the most unexpected. This is a classic example for everyone to see. Even His enemy Goliath was surprised that David would be sent out to fight Him. David was always in the bush and His father forgot to call Him out when He was told to call all His sons. He had to be reminded about David.

Who would have thought that Jay-z (Shawn Carter), the same Boy/Man who sold drugs on the streets of Brooklyn,New York. The same person who was kicked out of record labels and told He was no good, would become as great as He is now.The one who sold His CD's form His Cars trunk. Jay-Z's rap style was not in existence then, it was unique, and His voice too. The should have Loved Him for that right ? Nope. He faced opposition and hate.

Muhammad Ali, was the first Heavyweight Boxer who moved gracefully, evaded punches like a light weight boxer with His hands down, would punch hard, sharp and fast, smile and chat with the press and clown at every time He had a chance to. They should have Loved Him right ? Followed Him all the way with praises right ? His sin was that they just couldn't understand Him and so , they chose to hate and mock Him as much as they could.

Dr Ben Carson was so good that when people got to the Hospital and they noticed it was just a small framed black Man, they thought twice about changing doctors even with His degrees, fame and qualifications. What was His sin? He was young, black, and too good to be true. They expected to see a bald headed doctor with some grey hair on the side. A big pot belly, and a lab coat to cover it all up. They didn't like the unexpected one even though its what they really dreamed of. How Ironic.


Lionel Messi, that short a kid who was considered short among kids. Known to be very shy as He touched the football pitch for the firts time at the age of 13(Hope that's correct). I am sure He was very young but surely was one of the most unexpected ones. He wasn't instantly regarded as the one but He knew He had it within Him.

I can go on and on here about people who have touched me including Mario Balotelli because these people have touched me in no little way but there is someone I want to talk about right now and the person for some serious coincidental happens to be ........................................................



YOU, for some reason you saw this on Facebook,twitter, or wherever and you didn't hold back.  You saw it and decided for some reason to read this. I know many people especially those you expected to easily understand you, have made you think twice about who you are, if you are for real, and if you really have a chance. I tell you this day, you are the one, the most likely who just appears to be the worst decision. Yes, I ask you at this hour to press harder than you have ever before.The night is darkest just before dawn, don't stop please, not now. It would have been better if you didn't start at all. You must let Love lead you to believing in yourself now more than ever. Let Love be the light to show the way,its time for you. The best one's I noticed are usually hated first, its a bitter pill to swallow but I see it a lot. Not all the time but at pivotal times I see you.In the end, like with all these names up there they always come back and accept you, the give you your due Love and respect. Yes you, the unexpected one.

Dear Good Man.

Dear Good Man,

          I felt this deep urge to send this letter to you because I have an idea of what you are going through and I know how you feel. Its hard, I know but deep inside you there is a voice that knows you are tougher and can make it to the end if you don't give up.I was thinking about you good Man and I thought I should write this.


       
        I know your number one problem is how invisible you have become, the Women have prayed and fasted for you and by the Grace of GOD you showed up but somehow they did not see you. Some of you were seen but then were not felt, some spoke but were not heard,some touched but were not felt. Yes, I know how you feel. You see when JESUS CHRIST was here in the physical He faced the same challenges from His people. They need Him to do something "big" they didn't see HE was something big. You know He had to borrow a camel, they didn't realize who He was and they can not see you now.


    
           You complain about doing good and not being given credit for it or being heard at all but then the guys with the scams and tricks seem to be the most felt. Do you not remember Barabas, the one who was a known armed robber, a "correct criminal", a thief. When it was time for the people to choose between the one who only healed and said the truth to all people they didn't go for the "good guy". They went for popular opinion,what their friends would say and parents would think.

          Dear good Men, I understand you feel empty sometimes and feel like its not worth it but I tell you. The Boxer who would fight for 12 rounds trains twice as hard  for 24 rounds. The Boxers who fight for 6 rounds only train for 12 rounds, and the 4 rounder trains for 8 rounds. My point is you are going for the 12 rounder marriage, the 12 rounder business partner, the 12 rounder life style and that's why its so hard and seems like forever. But be strong and take courage because, it is written that no eye has seen nor ear heard or heart conceived the plans that GOD has for those who Love HIM and are called according to His purpose.

          I heard one of you say that they mocked you,well they mocked JESUS, they don't believe you, well they didn't believe Him, they insulted you, they spat on HIM , they killed Him but now by HIM they can't kill you. Is that not a beauty,is that not a " shot of adrenaline" into your system. Life has many twists and turns and they are sometime placed to check if you would change form after going through a sharp curve.The car that make the journey is the one that recognizes the curve, is able to maneuver its way around it and not run into it or stop moving because there is a curve ahead. The curve may slow you down for a bit but at the end you pedal down and keep going.

       One thing I can guarantee you is that at the end they would always turn back and confess that you were for real and came around.They would admit that they were blind, they were lazy and they were stubborn. You would be where you were destined to be and be grateful to GOD  that you went through it. At that time you would not be complaining like you are doing now. No, you wouldn't you would arise with Love and Joy like the a child then you really are inside.If the end is guaranteed to taste good, please hold on dear good Man.

 

        Lastly good Man, promise me this please. When they come back after all these years,weeks months,days or even decades. Please try to accommodate them,find a way to smile and share with them. Good Man,find a way to genuinely laugh because they all came together to mysteriously build your character.  Dear Good Man its said that all good things come to an end,I disagree because its always the best at the end when you leave this earth. Words, can't describe the Love an joy that's on the other side.I wish you all the best Sir.


                                                                                                              From Shawn.
        

THE LONELY ROAD THE ONLY ROAD

It is written in the book of Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it". The narrow way,the lonely road. Its the dreaded road,most people who drive around Lagos State Nigeria would tell you they rather go through the mainland than drive alone through the third main land bridge at night. For those of you who do not live in Lagos or even in Nigeria,the third main land bridge is a long and lonely dark bridge at night where if a person gets in trouble He/She is "alone",one His own.

What does it mean to be alone ? Its very simple,you are on your own. It can also mean something deeper. Many times it can mean rejection,abandonment,solitary confinement and a lot more. You would hardly find a person anywhere who doesn't need someone to lean on. We all need someone to talk to,to share our dreams,to be laugh with,help out in time of need. No body wants to be alone,though we ask for some time to ourselves we want to come back home.

Nonetheless, I have noticed that certain individuals who have really hit it hard have had to go through that lonely road.They had to go through sleepless nights alone,had to cry alone,be confused,be strong,be their own Mum,Dad,Brother and the list goes on.Lets take a look at our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. As His crucifixion drew closer HE panicked on night and was praying seriously even asking GOD for a chance to back out of the destined painful death.On that Night He needed His disciples,His soldiers,His friends but they were not there.He went back to where they were but they were fast asleep.

Just at the height,the exact point where you feel I need them the most you may just find there is no one there but you. The lonely road,is the point between life and death and sometimes the sweetest victories ever experienced come just after the lonely road. In 1974 Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman for the heavyweight title in Kinshasa, Zaire. It was said that Muhammad Ali would  loose to George Foreman. His wife was so scared and though He would be killed. The whole of the Muhammad Ali entourage was in silence in the dressing room. His corner Men cried while they were marching towards the ring. This is because George foreman was 24 years old while Muhammad Ali was 32, Foreman had knocked out Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, the only two Boxer who were able to beat Ali at this point of His career.. Only Ali knew He was able to beat George just after the deep loneliness and darkness,great joy came.

 

The lonely road like other roads is not forever,its just like birth pains. People only feel sorry for you,cheer you on,or even pray for you. You experience it alone, you go through the hardship alone but when you come out at the end there is a crowd and there is celebration.

Some of you reading this are on that journey now. Someone has rejected you at work,or you just got dumped by your girl/boyfriend, your family doesn't believe in you,your friends talk good in your face but when you turn around the mock you,you just got  divorced. What ever it is as long as 1. GOD gave you that vision 2. You are willing and obedient enough to 1. Have Faith 2. Believe 3.Work Hard 4 . Keep Going 5.Again,Keep Going. You would be shocked how far you would go.Its is written

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--

Those who Love GOD always want to achieve their GOD given purpose. Keep going and as I always say let Love be the light to show the way. I know the road is dark and your legs hurt, I see the grief in your eyes,please keep going. The lonely road might just be the only road.

HURTING ????.....BE STRONG

I am a Lover, I am in Love,I know you may not believe me, but I am always in Love. Fired up, I always get in trouble, I always get hurt and heart broken. I get used, misunderstood, misinterpreted  and misjudged. In all these things I stay strong because in all my years I have discovered that in LOVE I always find a way.

                                                                          

                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                           Shawn Love Rapha 

"They never really miss you till you're dead or you're gone so on that note I'm leaving after this song." 

                                                                                                                    Jay- Z

 "With the same sword they knight you they are gonna good night you with, that's only half if they like you. That ain't even a half what they might do,if you don't believe me ask Michael. See Martin , see Malcolm, see Biggie, see Pac,see Success and its out come. See Caesar, see Brutus, see JESUS, see Judas see success is like suicide  "

                                                                                                                    Jay-Z

He who hasn't learned friendship hasn't learned any thing is his life. He who thinks at 50 the same way He thought at 30 has wasted 20 years of His life. 

                                                                                                                 Muhammad Ali 

The truth has very few friends and lies gather a crowd until the moment of truth. When the shot is fired and 

the race begins, the truth remains strong and constant and the lies flounder like smoke. Only this time they never even existed. If you are alone in the race of life, one thing I ask of you. Never give up, keep going.

                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                    Shawn Love Rapha