“How I was Raised”.

I was taught to pray before going to bed at night, to thank God in prayers when I wake up in the morning.

 I was taught to study my bible always, to clean up my mess behind, and to help mum and dad at home, to clean up my room.

 To speak when I entered a room, to say please and thank you,

 To have respect for my elders,

To get up and let the elder in the room have my chair, to say yes Sir and no Mam,

To lend a helping hand to those in need,

 To hold the door for the person behind me,

To say excuse me when it’s needed, and to love people for who they are, not for what I can get from them!

 I was also taught to treat people the way I want to be treated!

Original script culled from @truthfollower.com with some adjustments made by Connie Aibangbee.

THE LAST STRAW

Thundering footsteps could be heard
it was as the sound of a mighty rushing wind.
The sky looked dark and cloudy.
The sun beat vehemently, dust everywhere.
Afar I stood watching bemused.
When suddenly the footsteps became louder.
What could this be I pondered????
When as though my thoughts could be heard.
A voice shrieked behind me.

“Alas! the captives are returning. The enemy has returned all!!!
They  hunt our steps that we cannot go out on the streets
Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of heaven.

How is the gold become dim!
How is the finest gold changed?
Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
Nevertheless, we have laughed best.

What is it the enemy has stolen?
What is that wound that cannot be exposed?
That weakness the enemy is sitting on? Academic disturbances? family troubles?
Arise and make war, go, recover all the enemy has stolen.
Stand upon your watch and give no place to the devil.
Brace up for the enemy has had the last straw and its time to return all  he has stolen.
He who laughs last indeed laughs best.

Written by

Connie Aibangbee

KITCHEN NIGHTMARE…………….

Hi there,

So I saw this somewhere and decided to share with you all a few tips and tricks you can use in the kitchen to help your cooking and keep that smile on.

There are so many kitchen tricks that many of us don’t know about and this list is an eye opener. You’re welcome!!

(1). When you mistakenly added too much salt to your food, Just drop in one peeled potato or yam. The potato helps absorb the excess salt.

(2). Angry over cracked boiling eggs? Add a pinch of salt to keep the shells from cracking.

(3). Burned a pot of rice? Place a slice  of white bread on top of the rice for 5-10 minutes to draw out the burned flavour. Be careful not to scrape the burned pieces off of the bottom of the pan when serving the rice.

(4). To clean iron cook-ware, avoid using detergents. Alternatively, scrub them with salt and a clean dry paper towel.

(5). When storing empty airtight containers, throw in a pinch of salt to avoid having that damp smell.

(6). When making gravy (stews) and accidentally burn it, turn your mixture  into a fresh pan and continue. Add a pinch of sugar, doing that takes out the burnt taste. P.S watch the quantity of sugar though.

(7). Never put citrus fruits (Oranges, Lemons, limes,etc) or tomatoes in the fridge. The low temperatures degrades the aroma and flavor of these fruits.

(8). Before you chop fresh red peppers, rub a little bit of vegetable oil into your hands and your skin won’t absorb the hot peppers.

(9). If you aren’t sure how fresh your eggs are, place them in about four inches of water. Eggs that stay on the bottom are fresh. If only one end tips up, the egg is less fresh and should be used soon. If it floats, it’s past the fresh stage.

(10). To banish ants from the kitchen, find out where they are coming in and cover the hole with petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Ants won’t walk through the jelly. If they are coming under a door, draw a line on the floor with chalk. The little bugs also won’t cross a line of chalk.

(11). Don’t store your bananas in a bunch or in a fruit bowl with other fruits. Separate your bananas and place each in a different location. Bananas release gases which causes other fruits (including other bananas) to ripen quickly. Separating them will keep them fresh longer.

(12). To keep potatoes from budding in the bag, put an apple in with them.

(13). If you manage to have some leftover wine, cocktail drinks at the end of the evening, freeze it in ice cube trays for easy addition to sauces (white wine works wonders in sauces.)

(14). The water for boiling pasta or potatoes, can be used on potted plants, first cool the water and use it to feed your house plants. The water contains nutrients that your plants will love.

(15). When defrosting meat from the freezer, pour some vinegar over it. Not only does it tenderize the meat; it will also bring down the freezing temperature of the meat and cause it to thaw quicker.

(16). Always keep an aloe vera plant in your kitchen. It’s invaluable when you scrape your arm or burn your finger. Just break off a leaf and rub the gel on the injury.

(17). Too much fat or grease in your stew? Drop in an ice cube. The ice attracts the fat, which you can then scoop out. This works wonders.

(18). To reuse cooking oil without tasting whatever was cooked in the oil previously, while heating the oil, drop a small piece of fresh ginger. It absorbs any flavors and odors.

(19). If your milk always goes bad before you can finish it, try adding a pinch of salt to the carton when you first open it. It stays fresh for a few more days.

(20). If two drinking glasses become stuck together after stacking, it’s not impossible to separate them. Just put ice in the inner glass and dunk the outer glass in warm water. The warm glass will expand and the cold glass will contract, making the glasses separate easily.

Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me

ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Ere by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate’er fall me
Jesus doeth all things well
All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Though a spirit joy I see

A FATHER’S LOVE

You were there when I was born
You gave me life to help me stand
A father’s love is all I need
To help me when I’m need

Chorus
A Father’s Love, A Father’s Love
Is all I need to help me live
A Father’s Love, A Father’s Love
Is all need to make me strong.

Verse
A father’s Love …
is more than anything.

Composed and written by,
Connie Aibangbee

COCKCROW AT DAWN

Great Swellings of the deep, the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. The constellations above, the sun, moon and stars in their courses above were shaken.
A tumultuous noise, such as of a multitude from the high mountains, a great number of people.
The hearts of men failed them and all faces were turned to paleness and gathered blackness.
The heavens shook and the sun gave no light.
Men, women, children were running to no defined destination.
Suddenly, there was a loud noise and the hearts of men trembled in them…..it was the sound as that of a volcanic eruption.
Ah ah ah !!!!!!… have mercy on us o lord they screamed but this God to whom they cried seemed too far away.
Alas! It dawned on them that the bridegroom has come and gone.
Oh! If only we had listened we wouldn’t have been in such a dilemma…
They screamed..........................!
The cock crows and it is dawn, teach us to number our days O LORD that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Make us men and women that have understanding of the times.
For the prayerful standing Christians, it is a day when we shall laugh last but for the unbelieving and wayward….it is a day of eternal doom.
Come now my friends…what would you be remembered for? When we stand before the lord our GOD would he say well done?
How many would be father’s over there of souls saved and how many would have souls they have brought to Christ? Would there be a witness for you in heaven?
Will your work pass the fire test and come forth as gold?
Stop here now and take a deep breath……remember crowns are exchangeable!
Let your hands be upon the plough and your lamps burning. Put aside  hatred,malice, fame, titles, riches, intelligence and eloquence and be more willing rather to serve.
Be on your guard and keep watch for a cock might just crow and it is dawn!!!
In conclusion… “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
Before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”— before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark,
And the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble,
And the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few,
And those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed
And the sound of grinding fades, when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
When people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets;
When the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along
And desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken;
Before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well,
And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7(NIV)
Remember…….time and chance happens to all men…it is appointed unto men once to die….

Written by,
Connie Aibangbee

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

On the 25th of September 2015, I woke up at 12:52am to study, so I got my book and sat down to read. Not too long, I felt weak and had a strong urge to lay down on my bed. As I did lay down a bit, I fell into a trance and saw a vision which I am about to share.

I saw myself in the life of a preacher(it was as though I was inside him or close by him). He was on his way to church to preach that day. While on his way, he met with many disturbances, both from people he knew and those around him. People came by his way to purposely annoy him and yes he did get upset and he warned them sternly not to disturb him. He somehow got to his church late after much struggle within dealing with the anger on his way. He met the church singing waiting for him to preach.

He decided to go into a quiet place first to look over his notes one more time while the singing continued. He was disturbed, his mind went back to the incident on his way to church and he also thought of the people he saw worshiping God so to say in a diabolically way while coming to church.

Soon everywhere was quiet he seemed to notice that the singing he had earlier heard was not there, so he decided to go to the church to see for himself but there was no one there. All the members and musicians were nowhere to be found. Just then I heard the words he said “they are gone and I am left behind…O LORD I am done”
Soon a man walked in and further confirmed his fears the more…..the saints are gone. In a split second, it was easy for each one left behind to connect with each other, they just knew who was left behind and where you were located. They all came together and this time the bonds that existed between them were much stronger than ever.

Those who never hugged themselves did so freely and cried in each other’s arm.
Someone came in and gave out orders for everyone to sit and gather together, numbers were given. Those left behind were wishing to die, many were lamenting and wailing asking GOD for mercy, confessing their sins but it was too late. Instructions were given by the men in authority on what to do.
I saw an apple was brought in and everyone was told to touch it and as soon as they did, the apple looked as though someone had taken a bite out of it. Just by touching it alone, it was as if you were eating the apple.

Then a lady came in afterwards, she was among those in authority and she sneezed on the apple many times and then she stopped. Then I heard a voice say to me that” anyone who was once in contact with CHRIST in any way but was now left behind was repulsive to them” and that was why she sneezed many times. They just hated you and would not want your smell to remain on them.
Then I heard these words, “woe to them that are with child on that day…..this is a vision share it with the brethren”.
It then seemed as though time rolled backwards and I was alone and by myself again and I heard these words:

1. Don’t wait until the end of times to connect with each other, connect while you can now.
2. Do whatever you can do now to show care, concern and love for one another.
3. Whatever you do in the house of God, don’t see it as a routine or trivialize everything, anything you do, it all adds up and counts either for you or against you.
4. Don’t say I am too old to do this or that in the church and pull yourself away from serving GOD in any form.
5. Your character, attitude, mannerisms all speak loudest in heaven.
6. Your thoughts and how you respond to things matters a lot.
7. Have you talked about Christ to the people around you?

Now there has been a burden in my heart to share this around, and I am happy to do so it may not mean anything to you, but my life has changed ever since that faithful day. I pray GOD helps each and every one of us to keep standing until that day.I was shivering after I saw this and that voice was strong in me to share this to the brethren. I do not have an opportunity to share this in church but if you are by chance reading this please take note of these seven points, I did not fabricate them or wrote it off my head, just as I heard, I wrote it down as soon as I was out of the trance.
Let’s pray for one another and love each other much more than we ever did, for LOVE covers a multitude of sins. Go the extra mile now and do those things you have never done even to the one who has hurt or offended you, don’t let time pass you by. Express the love now before it is too late.
Blessings,
Connie Aibangbee.

SEASONS

Every season  we have  something special to do,something to look forward to..Just like  in Spring.. we see the flowers grow and all the rain pouring on the roof tops and shrubs springing forth.It just fills your heart with joy for even babies are born in spring.

Rejoice again to the heavens because the 7th month is  here,it is July ,the middle of  summer.Canada day is always celebrated in July and what fun to see and hear the fireworks display.

Summer shimmers with  lots of light but the light turns to night.  I go to bed but it’s not over yet,the cool breeze from across the sea blows by.I can smell the flowers and hear the birds chirping.

With every new season, we should try and get the best God has in store for us.I am  thankful to God for this summer even though it is very hot and the mosquitoes make you scream and go like arrrrgh…. but at least we get to see some sunshine and ride our bikes all day…..ah! and don’t forget a nice swim on a very hot summer and of course the ice-cream,popsicles…um yum yum.

Fall  will be here soon and Fall is falling with so many leaves .In Winter we play in the snow and we say happy NEW YEAR!

I am grateful to God for all seasons,I can’t complain,God made all things bright and beautiful.

NB-Rose flower art work painting done by Aisosa.

Written by,

Aisosa Aibangbee

Grade 4

WHEN WE GATHER

Going to church to some may seem like a routine and to others a necessity,still for some a lifestyle that they are obligated to live,some even stay at home,yet still to some it is a service both to the LORD and to themselves.
No matter the reasons as many as may seem,the fact still remains that the church is likened to a hospital where people of different ailments and background meet.No matter how frail and weakened they are,yet they all need each other to survive.

As Christians,no matter our weaknesses,sins,habits or flaws we all need each other to make it to heaven.If I choose to separate myself from my brethren and think I am being holy that way,then I am missing it and moving away from heaven.My ability to recognize my mistake and tolerate one another helps me to see that we all are weak at some point and until you walk in the other person’s shoe you cannot judge them.

Just as in a hospital whether you are headed to radiology,mammogram,ultrasound or cardiology even the operating room,you come in with fear and hopes that those trained are there to help you,the same way when we gather to church we come not to see a man or to look at the best clothes,we come with that same fear and hope that we cannot leave here the same again.Sometimes things don’t go the way you want it,even when you decide to be focused and pay attention,there is one distraction or the other. From your thoughts racing around,your attention is divided.The devil is fighting to keep your ears away from the pulpit and keep you busy with your phone or thinking what to eat afterwards.The blessings keep hovering around you but you don’t seem to get them.There are battles within and without,you ponder within yourself after the church service..why did she greet me that way? another train of bitterness and anger starts right there.

All these things are meant to block/limit you from climbing higher each day,as you come in to church,come and drop your pains and troubles,the person next to you also has his/her own issues that is why we all come to church.Just as the hardship of life in a human body is prone to breakdowns and subject to aging is why we need hospitals,the same way we need the church and each of us are members of that one body-CHRIST.

I cannot say I am the hand and I do not need the legs anymore or the stomach anymore,we are joined by a stronger bond that cannot be broken,nicely knitted together and framed as one body,designed to speak the same thing and to have the same feelings for one another such that we cannot function without the other part weak and frail.

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so [b]it is with Christ. For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].

For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 amplified bible.

When we begin to see ourselves as patients in a hospital setting then the stance of I am better than this one or more holy than that one would cease,pride would be eliminated and each one of us would come with one heart and mind to the FATHER’S feet to draw from that well.We need to come to a place of unity not minding our status then shall the power of GOD dwell amongst us in totality.Love is key here.
He(CHRIST) makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Ephesians 4:16 (living bible)

When we gather,let us come with a heart that we are nothing in the hands of our maker.All who enter the church must admit there is something wrong and they need restoration.

written by,

Connie Aibangbee

PEACE WHEN TROUBLE BLOWS

Can there be peace out of  a storm?

Can one find tranquility and solitude in the midst of chaos?

How can I keep calm when all is not well?

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,(Hab 3:17NLV)

When we see a day of trouble approach and come to stay, it concerns us to prepare.

We are troubled on every side,yet we keep calm,confusion looms ahead,yet we need to stay focused.

Infront are piles of bills and debts to pay,behind are struggles and issues to tackle.

We look on every side but fail to look within.

I tell God to please help me whenever  I come face to face with challenges, help me  that the first thing I do is call on your NAME.

In a typical African setting,the first reaction to trouble is to” scream and say I am finished”.

If only we can but learn to say O Lord please take control…let go and let God step in.

This is a struggle for me,in as much as I try not to panic..”my id” wants to react immediately.

The id is the impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche which responds directly and immediately to the instincts.

The personality of the newborn child is all id and only later does it develop an ego and super-ego.

Perhaps Freud’s single most enduring and important idea was that the human psyche (personality) has more than one aspect. Freud(1923) saw the psyche structured into three parts (i.e. tripartite), the id, ego and superego, all developing at different stages in our lives.

These are systems, not parts of the brain, or in any way physical.

Although each part of the personality comprises unique features, they interact to form a whole, and each part makes a relative contribution to an individual’s behavior.

( http://www.simplypsychology.org/psyche.html)

I am human see but yet God wants to be not just in me but even in my first unthinkable reactions.Let it not be God in me only but also God  exhaling through me so to speak.

Just as the fragrance of a perfume envelopes the room so we pray that God fills us to the brim and overflow that even when in the mud all we can cry out is O LORD this is your part of the game,this is when you step in LORD.Come, take your place

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know or saya
It is well, it is well, with my soul.)

“It Is Well With My Soul” is a hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed byPhilip Bliss.

I have a song I wrote in one of my trying times.This song was taken from Isaiah 26:3

‘Thou would keep him lord in perfect peace,perfect peace,perfect peace

Thou will keep me lord in perfect peace when my heart is stayed on you.

Yes I will trust in you,trust in the lord

In the lord Jehovah is peace,everlasting peace

Trust in you,trust in the Lord in the lord Jehovah is strength”

The pain would pass,the smiles would come back,there would be money enough to feed.

Everything happens only for a season,to make us strong……only if we leave it all there before the LORD  and not let our flesh dictate the tide of events,

Yes there can be peace in the midst of a storm…be still and know that I am your GOD.

Written by ,

Connie Aibangbee

I will worship the Lord, For He is worthy;

I will lat down my sword, The Prince Of Peace is His name.

King of the flood, The Lord is mighty; The Lord can quench the evil flame.

Peace when trouble blows, Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows;

He is my peace, when sorrow nears, Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears.

Feel the presence of God, Upon the water,

Hear the voice of the Lord, Within the thunder that rolls,

King of the flood, The Lord is mighty,

The Lord can calm the troubled soul.

Peace when trouble blows, Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows;

He is my peace, when sorrow nears, Jehovah sees, Jehovah hears Like the breath,

I need to live, Jehovah takes, Jehovah gives; Gives me peace,

When trouble blows, Jehovah sees, Jehovah knows.