Verse 4

New poem actually written today lol. Partly inspired by Proverb 27:4. Keyword: Jealousy.

Verse 4: 

You. Dare. Challenge. ME?

I am a force not to be reckoned with.

Even Anger and Wrath acknowledge this

And graciously, humbly and rightfully bow before me.

My results, power and impact when fully revealed are Catastrophic at its least.

Disaster and I are close allies,

Scheming, creating and producing our latest release

On how we plan to water the already planted seed in you,

To unleash the beast in you,

Causing major collisions along the way.

I’m more than a high,

Surging through every vein in your body and every thought in your mind.

I’ll get you higher than Weed,

Then crush and make you crumble to your weary knees,

Leaving you in need

Of another fix.

I’ll destroy relationships,

Be the cause of World Wars,

I’ll engrave the deepest scars

And leave you crazy insecure.

Honey,see, you need to understand that the more we engage,

The stronger I remain

And the weaker you become,

Till every ounce of you will succumb to My will.

You’re My Whore

And I’m Your Pimp.

So honey you can trust me.

I’ll protect you and build walls

Barricading your heart, mind and soul

From letting Love in.

Or letting Peace, Joy and other like minded diseases.

But honey, I’ve. Got. This.

I have your best interest in mind.

Simply to dominate your mind.

AM I being unreasonable?

IS that too much to ask?

Because I’m getting tired of you battling and threatening to leave me

For contentment, humility and complete security in He.

But this He shall not be mentioned in this place.

Because this is my Kingdom

My Domain

Where I reign

And so I ask you again

You Dare Challenge Me?

I am a force not to be reckoned with.

Even Anger and Wrath acknowledge this and

Graciously, humbly and rightfully bow before me.

So bow.

The Phone Call

Written on 15/02/2011

Hey beautiful people,

So pardon me in advance for what may be a lengthy blog.  Maybe? Take breaks if you need to, but please be sure to finish it and comment if you feel to do so. So… After having a beautiful, thought provoking and fruitful conversation with one of my older brothers today, I really felt to share some of the content of with you all.

So Sunday just gone, I went back to church after a little while of not attending, and boy, am I grateful I went back?  Definitely. Don’t worry I didn’t backslide or lose faith, I just temporarily lost sight of my priorities and allowed myself to wallow in self pity because of some challenging situations that had been taking place over the past few weeks. Which may not be a reason or an excuse, but it is what happened. I want to share and elaborate on the sermon my pastor preached and really hope we all are blessed and learn. So follow me…

The sermon was entitled “Walking in the Light”, and from the moment the title left his mouth, I knew this message was going to hit home. See, I was not in the best of places, in every ramification possible; emotionally, mentally, spiritually, financially, etc, but I had had enough , so I deliberately and desperately sought and asked God that morning to give me a word to put me back on track as I go to church later in the evening. And He did.

Over the past few years, but more evident in the last several weeks, I have been going through some situations in my life (as many of us do) that left me in a place where I had practically given up on calling on God for help. I had found myself so lost and soaked in my mess, that out of defeat as opposed to arrogance or pride, I had even stopped asking God for forgiveness. My mind told me “there was no point, you’ve gone too far to be forgiven”.

The first and main scriptures for the sermon was 1John 4-10 (take a read please when you can, but it was mainly verse 9 that struck a chord in me, hard:

“9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and all to cleanse us from all wickedness”.

The thing about this scripture , is that, during the years that I have been a Christian , I have read these words, said these words, preached these words, on countless times and occasions. But at that very moment, on Sunday evening, when the pastor read them, it felt like it was the first time I had ever heard them. The words pierced so quick and so deep into my heart, I barely noticed the tears of joy and relief that trickled down my eyes until they fell on pages of my Bible. It wasn’t over for me. A truth I had always known, but often forgotten. Many of us know, but often forget.

The verse above ensures us that through God’s faithfulness and just character, not only would we be forgiven of  our sins, but cleansed- if we confess them. According to dictionary terms, “Cleanliness is the absence of dirt” or “to be free from dirt”. To be pure, ultimately is what we’re talking about.

My pastor went on further and said “ walking in the light requires engagement and a response”. When you receive a phone call, in order to operate the situation to its fullness, you’ve got to respond the the person calling you and engage in a conversation with them. And without meaning to sound patronizing, but God expects this from us also. God has called us (His children), from our previous state (darkness), into the new state He is trying and willing to offer us (light). But see, like phone calls, you can choose to answer or ignore . God is not going to force us to pick up the phone. He is not going to force up to choose light, to choose life. God will not drag us.

There’s more I could say, but I do think this is enough… Come Home… Your phone is ringing… Answer it…

Love. Peace and Joy,

R.E.X.

We Are Woman

So, as most, if not all of you know, yesterday was International Women’s Day and so this piece is my tribute you could say. Enjoy…

We Are Woman:

This is not the ex-communication or depreciation of men,

No.

No.

But rather the declaration of the celebration and jubilation of the unification leading to the liberation of we;

The Oestrogen Dominant species.

From the existence of time to present day,

Our roles and importance have been debated,

For what confinement has said we should be.

We’ve tried to be boxed,

But we’ve demolished all boundaries.

Blowing minds,

Crashing expectations.

Our mothers saw freedom before speaking it;

Call them visionaries:

Rosa.

Emmeline.

My words alone cannot encompass all or do it justice!

But,

We like the Libyans,

We like the Egyptians,

We like the Israelites,

Arose and daily arise proclaiming:

“This is enough! We pave our own way to freedom”.

So we caught a glimpse of the revelation,

Started the renovation,

Thus , bringing forth and conceiving this revolution.

Daughters.

Sisters.

Wives.

Mothers.

Homemakers.

And in present day, we’ve taken a few steps further:

Teachers.

Lawyers.

Doctors.

Musicians.

Politicians.

Sociologists call it the double or triple shift,

I call it the multi-gift.

Career fulfilling women and homemakers !

Wonders shall never cease, when it comes to we.

And like Hannah, I have found favour in God’s eyes,

And can bask in pride,

That He has honoured me to be amongst

The Womb Carriers.

So thank you my mothers,

As it’s because of your boldness and courage ,

That my words on this day hold any weight.

And so I sincerely and fervently pray,

That I can be half and more the women you have been.

YES,

That my daughters can know of their Genesis

And be proud of their genealogy…

My fellow sisters suffering persecutions who’ve been forgotten,

WE have not forgotten you.

My sisters and mothers being mercilessly beaten and raped,

WE have not forgotten you.

My women being stripped of their dignity, right down to their virginity,

WE have not forgotten about you.

My women afflicted and tortured by the Media’s countless and relentless portayals of the “ideal”,

WE have not forgotten you.

And although situations and circumstances have rendered you

Faceless and Groupless,

We pray and restore you.

You . Are. Not. Alone, but belong amongst us.

I see you in me,

And me in you,

Though we are one,

We are many, in this army.

Each day its own song,

Each tear drop its own story.

So, I beseech you on this day,

Please DO NOT be deceived!

Your sex was no mistake,

Because before the foundations of the Earth,

Your DNA was founded,

And before the formation of life,

Your destiny grounded,

And your life tapestry intricately woven,

Taking in your beautiful scars, marks, shapes and designs,

Presenting and proving the glorious jewels you are.

And so again, my Estrogen Dominant creations,

I beseech you, while there is still time,

The scent of inspiration is still ever potent and urgent in this air,

Let us continue to build our future,

Thanks to our history,

So we may add to the legacy laid down before us…..

WE. ARE. WOMAN.

I dedicate this to all females across the world, but would like to especially mention and thank the following women:

Mama, Kemi Adetola, Christina Lara, Waiki Harnais, Sarah Olowofoyeku, Natasha Olowfoyeku, Michelle Davies, Fatmohn Jama, Jendella Hallam, Margaret Bakosi, Covenant Lawani-Idoko, Wonu Salau, Zinzile Togwe, Stephanie Sarfo, Temitope Bello, Samantha Chioma, Faith Jegede, Nathana Appiah, Lape Odebode, Latoya Louis, Maryam Adeleke, Aurelia Walcott, Aszerina Laviniere, Zoe Oputah, Marion Permaul, Karen Coulthard, Rosa Parks, Emmeline Pankhurst, Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, Claire Short, Pamela Masasi, Sotonye Diri, Mimi Michaels, Florence Nightingale, Joyce Meyer, Margaret Thatcher, Blair Linne, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Oraia and Adele.

R.E.X.

Meditate

Meditation, contrary to popular belief , is not the evacuation, or even the state of thoughtlessness. Such state is impossible. No, but meditation is in fact the mastery of one’s mind state. The ability to control one’s mind state, focus one’s mind state.

Meditation is a state in which peace transcends. A place of deepened soberness, where raging storms cease and fierce winds are silenced.

Shake In The Spirit

Written 16/01/2011

This morning, I woke up to read this broadcast message sent from one of my good friends:

“In the same room I sat years ago to commit suicide, I sit today totally overwhelmed by His love. Blown away. That what I deserve He doesn’t give me. He gives me love though I deserve His wrath. He’s near even though I treat Him as second best so many times. Brothers and sisters, let’s not take for granted His love, His mercy and His presence. I urge you to go deeper. To seek Him. To be in pursuit of Him. His love is extravagant. He has given us access: Ephesians 3:12- Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of His glad welcome. Lay aside the idols, which we so easily pick up and fix your eyes and heart on Christ…. Even tonight, just reflect on His goodness. The little things we look over.”

So there it is people, something I thought I would share. Be encouraged y’all and let there be a Shake in Your Spirit; there is in mine.

R.E.X

JDR explained

Hey people,

Ok, so I know some of you have read the previous post, my poem called “JDR and…” and may be a little confused or discomforted, maybe even a little concerned about me (ha) . I’m fine guys, don’t worry!

The previous poem was something I had written a little while back from a matter very pressing to my heart. So why, you ask? Ruth why did you write the poem?

Well, one reason I did was to vent my utter frustration to primarily modern Christian men, and secondly Christian women who have ostracised and looked down upon the three females mentioned in the poem and also any females in this generation/era who have been likened unto the misrepresentation.

I also wanted to shed some light to this particular topic. Understanding that it may seem controversial (the poem that is), do note that the intentions were good.

The meaning of the three womens’ names:

Delilah means “delicate, weak” in Hebrew.

Rahab means “spacious” in Hebrew.

Jezebel means “not exalted” in Hebrew.

Now, in one part of the poem I start to explain the meaning of the names, but stop and say “because you wouldn’t even give the meaning a chance”. This was referring the fact that due to how Christianity/Theology (especially Western Christianity/Theology) over the years has interpreted the stories of these women, their characters in totality never were explored and they were just written off. Now consequently, many of our minds have now been shaped and moulded into that same mindset. Even if they did do anything good, (see Joshua 2 were Rahab took in the two spies sent by Joshua) these good deeds or traits would be overlooked, due to the magnifying glass on their flaws.

Can I say this once and for all: “BROTHERS PLEASE STOP BLAMING FEMALES SOLELY FOR YOUR LUSTFUL/SEXUAL SHORTCOMINGS. PLEASE.”

Please, do not misunderstand me here; this isn’t the blame game or even the battle of the sexes. This is a call, a plea to stop operating in ignorance (for both sexes). I do not refute the fact that some females purpose to make living pure as a Christian man difficult, however the Bible advocates discipline, fleeing from sin and self control. Both parties have a part to play. And both parts are very much played. I’m beyond sick and tired of hearing loopholed stories of how some females have tried to “seduce” some males. With no intention to patronize, but can both sexes please take responsibility for their actions, know your boundaries and leave the blame game to Adam and Eve, thanks.

Recently, in the UK, mainly London, addressing mainly the Urban Gospel/Christian Music “Scene” sect, there has been a sudden eruption and uproar of complaint from some Christian men regarding females. Any female who is beautiful is now deemed a “killa”. Or if they happen to see an attractive woman , it’s a “TFT” (Temptation Flee Ting). Guys (and I mean males),  ”Lecrae’s ‘Killa’ song is actually a metaphor; he’s not talking about a real woman. To then take this phrase ‘Killa’ and apply it to real young women out there is offensive at best, ignorant at worst….” , as Jenni so wonderfully put it. The message I took on from “Temptation Flee Ting”; a song by young Christian UK rapper, Jay Dolph, from what I saw of the music video, was that “brothers, please gain self control, do not put yourselves in compromising situations and to flee lust at all cost”. Again brothers, I beseech you, behave and please say things in context, please.

My main message for this piece (as cheesy and annoyingly cliche as it may sound) is really “don’t judge a book by its cover”. I don’t disregard for a moment that these women or other women (including myself) haven’t had a past, or don’t bear unpleasant traits, but that goes equally for the opposing sex, and gives no one , male or female, any right to dehumanize and depersonalize that individual based upon these flaws. For Christians, it’s unbiblical and for us simply as humans beings, it’s morally unsound.

It would surprise you how similar you are to some of the biblical and real characters you write off and penalize. Really.

Funny enough , my girl Jendella, posted something very similar to this today( no it wasn’t planned!) , and I think she did a great job, so be sure to check it out…. www.jendelland.blogspot.com

Feel free to comment , ask questions, make criticisms …. it’s all love. Let’s work together, to make things easier for each other ok? Truce? or as Jendella says in her post :

“You watch your lanes and we’ll watch ours. You make sure that you don’t flirt and play games and make inappropriate, thinly veiled, sexual innuendos and we’ll make sure we don’t wear leggings that show off our jiggling backsides as we walk etc. You agree not blame us for your own failings as a male and we’ll agree not to moan about how there are no good men in church. Deal?”

Love, Joy & Peace y’all,

R.E.X

JDR and…

I am Jezebel.

I am Delilah.

I am Rahab.

Jezebel

My name means – it doesn’t matter-

Because you wouldn’t even give the meaning a chance…

Delilah

My name means – it doesn’t matter -

Because you wouldn’t even give the meaning a chance…

Rahab

My name means – it doesn’t matter -

Because you wouldn’t even give the meaning a chance…

My fellow sisters, you’ve been warned not to be like us

My fellow brothers, you’ve been warned to flee from us

Truth cuts deep, but you don’t even know us.

You’ve been spoon fed raw meat: one state.

But cooked meat: another state – you have not yet encountered.

Multi-faceted like you, is also what we are,

We are more similar to you than you’d like to believe.

So next time you decide to eat raw meat – DON’T. Cook it first, I’m sure it’ll taste different.

So next time you decide to judge a book by its biased cover- don’t. Open and read it. I’m sure it’ll look different.

Pillow Thought Ramblings Pt 1

It is extremely easy to get led and lost by the winds of life. Being tossed to and fro. Just living through the motions and “winging it”…

Just living through the motions, taking each day as it comes; rather than referring to tapestry of your destiny for some direction.

In neglecting this tapestry, passions are confused or even forgotten. One loses the desire to live. Hence commences the purposeless life.

When one’s life purpose lacks clarity and materialisation, one’s soul becomes vacant to thoughts and emotions that birth insecurity.

Pillow thoughts. Pillow talk. I can understand those who get lost in Pillow talk. I did. Solution is simple- Apply Wisdom. Pillow thoughts.
It is within Pillow thoughts the seeds of great history are sown.

Pillow thoughts become daytime actions= Leaving legacies.

“If they can’t let GO of your PAST, they don’t DESERVE to be a PART of your PRESENT or your FUTURE”. -Broderick Rice

Insanity at bay…Pillow thought ramblings creeping into the day.

La Paz
R.E.X.

Motions

Written on 20/11/10 8:14am

I wrote a new song today and I actually cannot wait to record it. I had like an hour or so before my coach to London arrived, so I had to make do with the time productively. So I opened my mouth and notes started flowing. Call it a gift.(Ha!) The song title in consensus with this blog title is called: “Motions”.

To explain it short regarding everything I write – I write what I feel and observe as well as imagine. It gives the truest reflection of my walk as a human as well as a Christian. The two walks are intertwined. And I as mentioned in an earlier blog, in doing this, (in my opinion) keeps my craft real. It keeps it alive. Write whatever the weather so when you reflect, you have a full basket of rich experiences and so much to thank God for.

An old African proverb says “if you think well, you can praise God”. Sounds simple enough right? Wrong. We frequently get lost in all the things we don’t have and want that we often are blinded or fail to recognize what God’s strength has already brought us through. I know I did/do. But rich (deep) experiences bring rich(deep) reflection which (should) result in rich (deep) praises and appreciation.

But yes the song; sorry I digress. This song really tries its best to encapsulate what I’ve been feeling for the past few months of this year especially, if not the last few years, in all honesty. For someone who outwardly seems so “organized”, “focused” and “has it together with her 10 year plan” according to family, friends and associates, I’m not. At least I haven’t been. Life has been a blur. A real fog of recent months. Like a plug yanked unexpectedly out of its socket- I’ve just been disconnected.

I feel it is so important to be able to feel. Pardon me for the lack better phrasing, but hopefully you understand what I mean.

The main part of the bridge in the song says ” The ability to feel; to want, to touch, to hear, to hope, to fear. Emotional diversity is required in my humanity; truly a necessity.”

It is really easy to start living in the limbo where life resembles a big fog. You don’t know whether you’re going or coming. The acknowledgment or awareness of time is minimal ; if not completely void. I remember starting university and the past two months in all honesty has left me behind.

So this song was like my wake up call from God to get it together because time is really not waiting for me anymore, it never has, it never will, and if I’m not careful, 60 years will pass me by and I won’t know what hit me. Some may in jest suggest that mental/medical assistance is what I need and that I’m a nutcase (Ha!); but (seriously) I really believe that this a experience/zone that many humans encounter at a stage if not several stages during their lifetime. But, it is how this season is overcome that makes the difference.

I want to be able to keep track of time, so a practical solution alongside getting my heart and mind out in my poetry, writing and music is that I’m going to return back to my trusted journal. (Yes I keep a journal, say something!) A day to day recollection of my experiences, challenges, highs, lows and lessons learned, so that time doesn’t have the fraction of a chance to slip back into this immovable concept. (I would recommend this for everyone and anyone).

Above all… Prayer… I am telling you, it works. Take it from someone who was once Anti-Prayer. It does work. Prayer is open communication with God- Get it all out in prayer. One of the greatest therapies out there… Prayer changes things…

La Paz
R.E.X.

As Long As The Sun Rise

Written January 3rd 2011 at 10:12am

This morning I made a huge mistake. A mistake so thoughtless and costly, I was almost certain it had ruined my entire year. Great way to start the year Ruth. Just great. I was ready to throw in the towel before the match had even begun.

Upon being encouraged by a friend to get whatever I was feeling into writing, this blog proved as one of the outcomes. She asked me to look upon this morning’s situation through a new perspective.

In the faithful words of M. Bakosi. “‎​It’s never too late to be at peace with yourself, just keep working towards it. The most important thing is that you get to see the sun rise”.

So I leave you with a short piece I wrote this morning. Apologies, as it is still raw and unkempt in structure, each line soaked in triple meaning. I may go on to develop it further and re-post it at a later date. But as it is now, for this purpose, it’s perfect.

As Long As The Sun Rise:

Legalism has many faces,
As with Hope.
Yet hope’s message remains the same no matter the delivery:
“Try again, it’s not over”.
The storm will receive a reprimand and be told “you’re only temporary”
After this season, through the voice of reason produces clarity.
Growth will come, healing will be, strength will abound, peace will capture, love will reign and wisdom will resonate…

As long as the Sun rise.

Dedicated to M.Bakosi and everyone else who relates.

La Paz
R.E.X