Joy Comes In The Morning

There may be no room for God in your heart but in my heart I know He will not abandon us. 

I know it's been tough but if you give up now despite all the pain and suffering you've been through in the past years, you will not have God to blame but yourself. 

Yeah, no doubt you’ve come a long way, crossed the deserts, ocean, mountains and seen things few men have seen.

But there comes a time you'll sit in the convenience of your home, drinking wine, rejoicing and telling tales few men have lived to tell. 

You know, Although the former state is ordinary but the future will be extraordinary.

Just keep the hope alive and re-ignite the fire within that keeps that desire burning, for there's always light at the end of the tunnel. 

God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.... You should too!

Declaration Of Faith 

Oh Lord, my God, never do I want to be caught operating in the flesh, let my decisions be influenced by you. I want to work and walk by you, with you, for you and through you. 

I pray this day that you give me the strength to hold on to your promises and be able to fight till the end. And as I declare your goodness upon my life and my entire household, let us begin to appropriate your blessings in full. Amen!

Kay Magnate 

Killers Of Our Destiny

Waking up every day with a dream and an empty pocket on your Jean may seem to be the easiest thing for you to do these days but the more they try to frustrate your effort in the fulfillment of your dreams, the more ruthless and determined you should be to achieving them. 

It is a wicked world out there and no matter how much work that's put into making sure your set goals and life aspirations come true, there are people who are set out to nullify every of those endeavors and would rather make you seem lazy, lost and out of place. 

The truth is, I never use to believe in spiritual warfare but it’s real, trust me and only God can ultimately save us from the killers of our destiny. 

With that said, what makes it worse and heartbreaking is the fact that we run to our pastors, prophets and spiritual leaders in general for some kind of safety and comfort and sadly but often true, they are actually the vessels to which these evil plots are carried out. 

Funny enough, initially it seemed pretty hard for me to come in terms with this fact because I couldn't just place my hands on why a man of God would stoop so low into allowing himself to be used by the same people he was ordained to preach and wrestle against in the first place. 

However, it is beginning to make perfect sense to me, what the scripture was trying to say in the book of Isaiah 9:15-16 and guess at this point, it's safe to say that the church can be most persuasive but my vow is to God, not to the man who murder in His name. 

To this end, I conclude by advocating that we begin to love and serve the God of man and not the man of God. Fear Him, believe in His deliverance, keep pushing and most importantly, let nothing and no one stop you from reaching out and fulfilling your dreams. 

Kay Magnate 

Winning Begins With Our Attitude, Get A Clue

You may seem devastated and out of luck when you find yourself at a crossroad where nothing seems forthcoming and it just feels like you're taking a step forward and ten steps back. Life has its ways of breaking a man and squeezing the motivation out of him, but what makes it beautiful despite the shortcomings and frustration you dine with every day, is the fact that you've already been able to win the war in your mind, having concluded that nothing will ever make you give up on getting to that desired destination. 

At this point, letting go of the fight feels much a harder fit to achieve and will rather keep pushing against all odds and that for me is the definition of a glorious man. God never said it will be easy, He only guaranteed us that He'll always be there with us through the storm. The truth is, if it came easy, we wouldn’t really appreciate its worth and when you're a major project of God's, be rest assured that you won't only go through the storm but will almost get drown in it and when the tides no longer frightens you, He comes to the rescue, knowing fully well that you're ready to swim its banks, and that my friend, is the kind of soldiers the Lord is in the business of making. 

Instead of whiling up in self-pity and engaging in demoralizing thoughts, why not begin to learn the lessons of life that the storms bring your way and put it upon yourself to know and understand what it is actually preparing you for, because only then can you qualify for the glory ahead. As hard as it may seem to comprehend but the truth still remains that there can never be a glory without a story. Apparently, the depth of your struggles will determine the height of your success. And you know, Sam Adeyemi often says that we cannot rise beyond the quality of our thoughts, which makes perfect sense to me by the way because it all begins in our mind. Basically, if you can think it, you can fake it and better still, live it. So braise up and start living the dream that starts within you.

Luckily enough, I believe you've been racing on the right track and it won't be too long before you arrive at the finish line if you find yourself fitting in the same shoe as I was writing this piece, because it only shows that you haven't given up on your dream and will give all it takes to making them come true. Basically, the only thing I believe that kept you this far is your attitude, that ever burning desire not to give up, because every other thing I must add, plays second fiddle to that. Without the right attitude, our passion, dream and hopes for the future dies and get buried right before our own very eyes long before life itself comes along to strangle the living day out of us. 

"There is no dream too big for you, winning begins with your attitude. Get your mind right and faith it till you make it. Hustle Hard, Hustle Right and Hustle God", I believe those are words of Toke Makinwa, the bestselling author of "On Becoming" and you can make them yours today. I know how frustrating life can get when you find yourself pitching the ball from the wrong side of the line. But remember, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. It is not over till you win. Inherit a more aggressive mindset by studying the word, reading great books written by great minds and above all, looking to the mirror not to see who you are but who you want to be. God bless !

Kay Magnate

Living My Own Romance, Inspirational Novel

I really don't care about the fat checks and huge sacks of Naira notes because I know they'll come at the right time. What matters to me right now is touching lives and helping the lost and hopeless rediscover themselves. You know, life is not a bed of roses but through my pen I try to hand you a rose with a scent so strong, it paves a way through. However, It is okay if you don't acknowledge the great work the Lord is doing through me, in as much as you profess the transformation it's doing in you and spend each day aspiring to live to your greatest potential. 

I am just but a loyal and humble servant of the most high whose greater reward waits in heaven. The righteous like I'm told die with a lot of benefit and let's also not forget the wonderful blessings I get to enjoy right here on earth as well. The truth is, no one quits his or her job and walks about their broke asses each day dedicating their lives to doing the father's work and lives to regret obeying the instruction to do so. And just because I know this and can count on His promises, I am not moved by humans. I mean, human acknowledgment and fat checks just don't cut it, especially when I find myself in the midst of mortals who have sold their souls and lost total touch with the true essence of creation and would do just about anything for riches and self-recognition.

It is okay to be appreciative when you come across a good line gracing my pages but leave all praise and glory to the one who has sent me because the words belongs to him, I'm just lucky enough to be the vessel that banks them. If there's anything I've learnt through my long years in christian-dom and life generally, then it's to give honor to whom due and spend each second humbling myself because the owner of these gifts we possess and boast so much about can take them all away, by just a single snap of His fingers. 

Having said that, I admonish we live each day taking full advantage of the grace bestowed upon us but spend not a single day allowing ourselves to be carried away because that would only be paving way for pride to set in and that my friends is like purchasing a one way ticket to 'self-destruct'. You know, I've spent the past months sharing with you all some privileged information and life drama, and many of which happens to be my own personal story and today I would say, “My blog is about living my own romance and inspirational novel.”

 God bless!

Kay Magnate

There's No Shame In Being A Broken Man

You reach the bottom of the mountain much quicker than you reach the top. In other words, it is a pretty difficult task to climb your way up the ladder of success but dame easy to fall off and find yourself back at the bottom of that very ladder. Be silent and pray. You will need it. The truth is, not too many of us make it to see the day we would be able to make a statement. So amidst the pain and life struggles, be grateful if you eventually make it through. 

It is not how soon but how well as a very popular saying goes, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should sit your lazy ass down and always wait on luck to come to the rescue, because you just might run out of it sooner than you think and get knocked out by life. Success will never lower its standards to accommodate you. You have to raise your standards to achieve it. God provides food for every bird but not in their nest. Rise up to the challenges ahead of you and conquer your fears.

The fact you woke up today and your precious life hasn't been taken away from you is yet another great opportunity to become the man and woman you've always dreamed off. However, you must know that you have a lead role to play in this life's greatest adventure of rediscovering self and fulfillment of destiny. Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet. Success is sought for. You can't just sit down, you have to get up and act. Heaven they say help those who help themselves.

Although I know you may be scared because you're not sure of what awaits you at the other side of the line but may I remind you that courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success. Choose to start a new reign over lack, disappointment, failure, impossibilities and watch God crown your effort with a golden platt. Every path we take leads to another choice and some choices could change everything. Every dame moment for the rest of our life hangs on it but I've got a choice I have to make and I suggest you do the same.

I know things have been pretty difficult and you might be at the point of giving up but just before you do, I want you to realize that the depth of your struggles will determine the height of your success. God allows us to go through the test to create a testimony, that's how it works. It is not over until you win my dear friend. A present inconvenience may be necessary for a long term benefit. Your current position isn't as important as the direction you're headed in. Don't look at where you've been but where you're going to.

When the pain is deep, go deeper in prayer. And though I cannot promise you to have a smooth journey but this I can, God will never abandon us in times of trouble. When storms come your way, just remember you know the master of the wind. And may I conclude by saying, "The world breaks everyone; the good, the bad, the brave and those it doesn't break, it kills. There's no shame in been a broken man, you just have to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding." 

Kay Magnate

The Testimony Of A Repented, Apologetic Me

God created us so wonderfully and beautifully and not only did He do that but also gave us dominion over everything he made; both on land, in the air and under the sea. However, many of us have decided to recreate ourselves due to some earthly factors that are swiftly beginning to lead us astray, with selfish innovations having to top that very list but after a careful and critical analysis of the true essence of my creation and what I stand to lose if I perished in my old sinful and lustful ways, I've come to a realization that I've been living a wasteful life and can't afford to spend the very next minute unsure of my eventual end and that orchestrated a change in me and the best thing I've done since my birth was to hit that reset button and today I'm back to my old selfless self that does not only acknowledge but glorifies the Lord and the purpose for which I was created. 

Now many may wonder what inspired the sudden need for a change in me. I mean, why am I just beginning to see the need to fill the vacuum that has been left empty for decades through sin and my lustful desires, why have I been so blind to the fact that I needed God more than He needed me and only just deciding to live righteously after dedicating most of my youthful days to playing the devil's advocate. Well, these and many more out of curiosity would cross our minds but like I always say, it's funny how and when we tend to find God and my story is one of those very funny episodes as love or better still, an heartbreak lead me to God as I remember vividly well how I gave my life to Christ after a breakup that got a grown man crying like a little baby. 

You know, she was young, beautiful, ambitious and very intelligent just to mention a few. As a matter of fact, she had a lorry-load of attributes that a man would die for and that made it so easy to fall in love with her. I was working with an International Holiday company at the time we met and was doing pretty well for myself too. However, I felt unfulfilled regardless and saw a need for a change and the only thing that made sense at the time was to put my creativity in use so I decided to quit my job and sign up for a photography school where my heart had always led me. 

No doubt, I knew it wasn't going to be an easy fit to achieve but I also knew I needed to and had to put in everything I've got; my savings, my time, my heart and my relationship was as stake as well and that imbibed a fear in me but I tried to shake it off, reassuring myself that everything was going to be okay and thank God for His special grace, I was opportune to be accepted into training by one of the best hands in the industry and he mentored me wholeheartedly, at least till the point I gave up and quit like I always did when something seemed too hard and impossible and that's another lesson I'm hoping that you all learn reading this piece because nothing good comes easy and we should never give up on what we believe in, no matter how difficult it may seem to achieve them. The fact that you could start it, you can finish it.

Anyway, back to my story… I started strongly and passionately no doubt but I was beginning to run down on funds after investing so much into acquiring my camera, lenses, paying for transportation in and out of work every day and feeding. It was a very tasking and demanding period for me as I woke up early and worked my butt out each day so as to achieve my goals and make my girlfriend proud but little did I know she had problems with the decision of quitting my job and chasing after something that wasn't visible and realistic, even though she had pretended to be in support initially. But then of course, human will always be human and it's just amazing how God tend to deal with us on a daily without losing His head and yet loving us unconditionally despite our unbearable excesses and that inspires me really. 

You know, she started acting strangely and became so distant and before I knew it, she was out there celebrating her birthday with a new suitor of hers while I stayed on my bed helplessly and sad I must add, because I was low on cash and didn't have the funds to take her out. And as if that wasn't terrible enough, she kept on changing her status on her blackberry messenger knowing fully well that I was on it and will be devastated by it. Apparently, she was already in a relationship with this dude she only just met on Facebook who has been chatting her up and also just got back from Canada and the fact I wasn't where I needed to be financially made it so easy to be tossed into the bin like a piece of trash but yea, she eventually payed for it with a more excruciating heartbreak as she was dumped the second her virginity was taken from her. Good readings….

Meanwhile, I had broken down and almost cried my eyes out before karma came calling and on one faithful evening I decided to take an evening walk to one of my favorite hangouts where I normally get high on my own supply and it was right there I gave my life to Christ while I was puffing on that 'weed' I spent over thirty minutes wrapping due to the state that I was in. I mean, my fingers just kept twinkling as it romanced the rizla. It was that day, the sixth day in the month of June, 2013, a date I still have written on my wall till this very day that I gave my life to Christ in a 'smoke joint' and went on to confess Him on a holy altar just a couple days after because I needed him to console me and help bring back my peace and indeed, He did. And ever since, there has not been any looking back from living aligned to His way, although there are some moment I got carried away but I was quick enough to acknowledge my sins and pray myself back to His loving and merciful hands.  

And with all these said, now I put it out to you, when and what led you to Christ? You know, you don't have to be shy about it. As a matter of fact, you have every reason to be proud of it because that was the best day of your life and should forever be thankful of it. Many have found Christ while locked behind bars, some while lying down helplessly on that hospital bed at the point of death and some were lucky enough to know Him from their youth. However, it really doesn't matter when and how it happened, what really matters is the fact that we know Him, confessed Him and dwelling in Him and only pray that the good Lord continue to give us the grace that we need so as not to backslid and someday we all shall meet and dwell with Him when that trumpet finally sounds. Rejoice!!!

Kay Magnate

Through My Life's Love Journey

We all have had our fair share of the heartaches and heartbreaks and as funny as it may sound, but I’m actually glad they happened as these times have thought me  a lot about myself, people, love and life in general. No doubt love is great and as a matter of fact, it’s a wonderful feeling but the excruciating pain its ripple effect inflicts on us makes it dame easy to change that smile we once had to an upside down frown, which I believe logically explains why there’s such a thin line between love and hate. However, I am most appreciative of these moments and they are actually one of the major high notes of my journey through life but what I still find hard to explain is how something that brought so much joy can change so quickly to cause us angst and make us cry so badly.

Who am I? I am that guy, that individual, a bad boy turn good and swiftly growing to be the man he was created to be, who hasn’t just been heart broken by women he gave his heart to and loved unconditionally but has also broken a couple hearts to, so I guess that qualifies me to talk about love as I’ve been through it all; the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to the matters of the heart. Growing up as a kid, all I ever wanted was to love unconditionally and sincerely but I still can’t remember how and when I managed to loose myself, my priorities and goals as regards relationships, only to fall in love with a selfish and heartless me, who activated the beast mode in me and hurting a couple pure and innocent soul in the process and just before you castigate and bury me alive, love already did, trust me.

You know, love knows how to fight its own battles and it’s true what they say about karma fighting back and hunting us when we least expect, and that dude if he was human must have hated my guts so badly, as he had a first row seat to my life and never hesitated to pay me an uninvited visit each time I got my hands dirty after a fair game of card. Apparently, I have always had to learn the hard way and hardly got away with anything I did wrong. I have had to pay back in full and double sometimes and that basically explains my recent records of the heartaches and heartbreaks but thanks to grace, I haven’t given up on love and never will. Through my life’s love journey, I have learnt a lot about women, life, love, hate and relationships and I’ve come to understand so much as regards putting my cards plain on the table and keeping my hands clean if I don’t want that same fire I’m igniting through my lies to turn back to burn me.

Love is kind and patient and a loving heart, pure and tolerant, it makes excuses for the one it loves. However, let’s be careful not to abuse its privileges or we watch it turn back real quick and aggressively that is, just like a rattle snake whose tail has just been stepped on. The truth is, for every good heart you allowed to cry attract a million chocolate boxes to another who’s just playing with yours and anticipating the day to say goodbye. Life is a bitch, isn’t it, but so are your words if they don’t percolate with the truth. The way you lay your bed, so you’ll lie in it. If you give me lemons, I’ll bring some vodka and we can mix it up and start a party, that’s what love is meant to be about; helping and complementing each other. You can’t leave others in the dark and expect to be shown the light. If you throw jabs at me, you can be rest assured that there’s someone out there heading your way with a knockout punch.  Whatever you sow is what you reap, period.

You know, I’ve spent quite a number of years as an ignorant kid sagging my pants as I walked through the surface of the earth and most of which I had the choice of dressing right and staying sharp but I chose to act immature regardless. Through these times, I’ve also had the opportunity of finding peace with the old selfless me that wouldn’t hurt a fly but my ego had to meet the tiger in me and that got things pretty messed up. Now what am I trying to say? We are filled with choices each day and solely responsible for the consequences of whatever decision we choose to take. God wouldn’t force His will on us despite being the creator of the universe and neither will life. You are as good as your last decision because that gives birth to the next phase of your life so be careful when making these choices.

I will like to conclude by saying that love happens to define our existence in so much way than we actually think, it is the true essence of life itself and we are nothing without it. Even the creation of the earth and everything in it, which includes us of course, was done out of love and you’re dead the moment you cease to exude it.  However, the funny thing about it all is that there is no manual to how to love, it happens naturally. Any love forced is lust and headed for the bin. Through my life’s love journey, I’ve seen people been cheated on and hated for been too caring and loving, and on the other hand, I’ve seen people been loved and cherished for lying and treating their spouse like a piece of trash, it's just funny, the ways of love. You know, I’ve heard a million definitions to this four letter words I've spent the last couple of minutes talking about, but if only we look deep enough, we would realize that it’s only love that can truly explain itself.  Just be you, be ready and love will find you. True love I say is you finding that part of yourself that says I’m ready. We don’t find true love, true love finds us.

Kay Magnate

I Curse The Day We Met

Follow my blog with Bloglovin: God has created us wonderfully and yet so beautifully but many sadly have decided to recreate themselves to be cruel and heartless all in the name of wanting to acquire material things that are bound to leave just as fast as they came. It is just sad how we chase after riches, selling our soul to the devil in exchange of a mirage that seems to be there but really isn’t. And the truth is, nothing without God grows to stand the test of time and the only thing that grows without hard work are weeds. You can’t grow to become a millionaire overnight and expect to awake the reality of it in the morning without severe future consequences. Trust me, those that actually became true millionaires overnight must have put in countless hours of hard work over the days, weeks, months and even years and the good Lord decided to finally bless and crown their effort, making a testimony out of it.

You know, they didn’t just get their riches duping someone or from a wardrobe that spits out money like a rapper spitting out rhymes. And by the way, you should journey through the pages of our favorite music acts among many others and see how rough they must have had it making a penny from a craft they know so well and are dedicated to and then you’ll realize that making a dine isn’t ‘beans’ and yet some plant the seed, water it, have it harvested and even fry some plantain to go with it all overnight.  What is happening to the youth of our generation? Back in the days, our fathers could count the number of people getting their hands dirty and were so in a haste to make money but these days we can hardly single out a youth living right and not getting his hands dirty, all for the love of money, women and fame just to mention a selected few.

Lamentably, I turn to the pages of the dailies while surfing through my favorite blogs and all I can see are failed parents and I wonder how things got this bad.  Apparently, they’ve worked so hard to breed a bloodsucking generation and you can find on my pages for the first time, a scenario where hard work isn’t awarded for, because they obviously failed us regards. However, all blames shouldn’t be directed to them because I’m sure they put in work over the years and did their own honest bit to raise heavenly children but they refused to yield to their teachings. Moreover, there’s a popular Yoruba adage that says that one should rebirth oneself even after birth and guess what that is simply trying to say is that you should re-enroll yourself back in self-schooling even after graduating from the school of parenting and that I’ll like to call the school of life that totally gets you prepared, guaranteeing you to walk on the right path so you don’t fall off the wrong side.

In other words, there’s no excuse for failure, you’re the only one worth been blamed for your circumstances and I pray it isn’t too late before you start seeing all that you love and chase about so lustfully are just vanity upon vanity that the devils digs your grave with and he sure doesn’t need your permission as you already lost every right and bargaining power the day you crawled to him just like the snake that you are living among men.  And unfortunately and maybe fortunately for me, I seem to have a couple friends or better still, use to have a couple friends walking this lane as I recently just denounced the last one of them and if not for the God in me, it will be right to say I curse the day we met but then of course, who am I to blame?

The truth is that we all make mistakes and I’ve made mine and we can still make amends by deciding to retrace our steps and live right as long as we are still breathing. No doubt, money is good and we all want it but know without a doubt that there’s a problem the moment the hunger is more than a three square meal can quench and I admonish you run to God; the ultimate doctor to cleanse and heal your soul that very minute so you don’t lose it running after earthly pleasure that amounts to nothing but regrets and pain eventually. Deplorably, many have used their children, parent and other loved ones for rituals all to drive the latest wipes in town and many of which have ended up losing their lives changing gears doing a hundred and eighty on the third mainland, cruising in the same automobile that drove them to the devil in the first place but now living the reality of it. Ostensibly, you can’t eat your cake and have it, it’s either you choose life or death and while you’re at it, be sure to know that there’s an extension to that in the afterlife.

And by the way, my pen is in a really good mood and will be leaving you with a third option of living life in death on earth but have in mind also it doesn’t count as that makes you a perfect example of a living dead and you can as well purchase of your casket because you are dead and ignorant to the truth. I love money you know, but love my life even more and wouldn’t trade it for the finest girls in the prettiest bikinis or even a mansion on the Bahamas and a couple billion Naira notes to my name. The bible apprised that we seek first the kingdom of God and every other thing would be added unto us and that’s exactly what I’m doing and you should be doing. Let us not be too impatient, I know how hard it is to struggle through life each day without a penny to your name but I also know how harder it will be to stupidly enjoy life like you think you are now and manage to only get a glimpse at what heaven looks like if at all you’re lucky enough to get a million yard close on your way to the unfortunate end your purchased for yourself out of greed, impatience, foolishness and total disregard for the scripture. A word they say is enough for the wise so think twice before you roll that dice. God bless!

Kay Magnate

Peter's Experience

Today just like every other day is a day the Lord has made and I am here to talk to you about divine increase and we’ll be using Peter as our case study. And to set the ball rolling, I want us to know that the Almighty is a God of increase and He is interested in our increment. He created us into a world of no lack; a world that has all we need and would ever need to succeed and have a fulfilled life. He is interested in our prosperity and never wants us to fail. But then, you also need to realize that you are not qualified to experience this level of success and all the good and wonderful things that He has made possible for us through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ on the communion table unless you belong to His family.

The fact still remains that He loves sinners but the sin in them is what He hates and as long as we live in sin, we can't fully appropriate His blessings. So therefore, let’s make up our mind today to live aligned to His ways so that we may begin to experience divine increase like Peter did. Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need. God is interested in your increase. He created human being in His own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then He blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground".

The truth is, God wants us to flourish and as long as we seek him, we’ll find him. Now let’s take a look at our case study for a minute, Peter was someone that experienced God's divine increase. He labored all through the night but couldn't catch even a single fish. He worked really hard day and night and didn't have anything to show for it but Jesus stepped into his case and his story changed. Now the question is, why did Jesus figure him out from so many? First and foremost, Peter was a chosen vessel of God. You know, it wasn't as if he was the only fisherman there but he was a vessel unto honor fit for the master's use. Apparently, he is a royal priest, a holy nation, God's very own possession. Jesus knew that he could show others the goodness of God, for he called him out of the darkness into his wonderful life and if you take time to study the scriptures well, you will realize also that he was a man of character.

You know, before God can give you anything, He has to see your character is that which glorifies His name. Basically, you must be a man of integrity to start with. In addition to that, you must be humble, diligent and trust worthy just to mention a few. If you don't have a good character, you cannot be a vessel unto honor fit for the master's use and He cannot deposit the oil of increase in your life. According to the bible, Jesus discovered that Peter had the tendency to do the work of the last hour. He had commission and the basic truth is that we all are commissioned to go out into the world to save souls; to go and turn around destinies but it's so sad because people are no longer committed to carry out the works of the creator. However, Peter’s case was different as Jesus saw commitment in his life. He knew he had worked so hard but was still so dedicated to his purpose even though he had nothing to show for it. Now the ultimate question is, how committed are you to God's work?

And moving on from that, I want us to realize whatsoever we have is what God will use to our increment. Moses had a rod and it was with this rod that the Israelite were set free. Let us also remember the poor widow whom all she had was just a pot of oil which she gave to Elijah and not knowing that little gesture of hers was going to provoke a supernatural transformation in her life. You know, she didn't know the pot of oil was going to change her destiny, thereby transporting her from a level of poverty to prosperity. Now let’s look at Peter, He only had a boat and that was what changed his story. Jesus wouldn't have been able to borrow his boat if he didn't have one, would He? Ostensibly, whatever you have is what God will use to your increment so don't under-mind whatever you have no matter how small or big it may be, it will someday come to serve its purpose. Furthermore, let us not forget that Peter was also dedicated and Jesus saw the leadership trait in him. While Jesus was in his boat teaching, Peter sat down and that only shows that he was a hearer of his words.

Truth be told, God will not deposit his anointing into you when you're too busy for Him because He knows that you wouldn't make use of it well. You have to dedicate yourself and your time to Him. Be a part of his kingdom and see how things would turn around and begin to work for your own good. I want us to realize that Peter didn't just get the miracle we all read about today. He didn't just wake up one morning to experience that life changing encounter he had with Jesus Christ. You need to realize that he had struggled and worked through the night but still couldn't catch a fish. He had someone on a sick bed at home and also had his children's school fees that were yet to be paid. In other words, he wasn't going through the best of times until Jesus stepped into the case and changed his story. Now tell me, what is that thing troubling you that seem so hard or maybe you're the hardworking type and yet you have nothing to show for it? Well, I want you to know that God is able to turn your situations around and just as Peter's story changed when Jesus stepped into his boat, the Almighty will visit you today and give you a new song. Amen

Kay Magnate

A Grateful Heart

I will like to start by saying those who don't always have a reason to thank God, He always moves away from them. He who remembers to say thank you for today lives to receive tomorrow. Even the bible tells us a story of how John the Baptist died in prison because he was complaining when he should be thanking and praising God. I have come to realize that people are more in the business of asking than giving thanks for that which has already been given to them. And with that said, allow me to quickly take us back to the bible where it tells us a story of the ten lepers that Jesus cleansed as He entered into a certain village while He was passing through Samaria and Galilee. According to the scripture, one of them turned back and with a loud voice, he glorified God when he saw that he was healed. He fell down on his face at His feet giving thanks and he was a Samaritan, and with Jesus answering, He said, “Were there not ten cleansed but where are the nine?”

I believe He seems to be saying in that verse that many receive mercy but only a few are thankful. And the painful part of it all is that they don't know the power of thanksgiving and they would spend the rest of their lives thanking and praising God if only they did. Thanksgiving and praise holds the key that opens the prison. They seal up miracles, making them permanent. If a heart is not grateful, you see an ingrate but if you see a heart that’s filled with so much gratitude, it shows in the act of that person. Gratitude by faith shows up in action and when it doesn't, it means it is dead. Show me a man that is grateful to God and I will show you a man with gratitude. In 1king 3, the bible tells us that Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. He went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

Solomon did all that because he was a grateful son and knew how to say thank you. Don't be an ingrate, you been one only takes you back to the slave land. When you are grateful to God, he opens doors unto you. The question now is this, “what is the act of a grateful heart?” First of all, if your heart is grateful, gratitude and thanksgiving will come before all requests. Often times when we go to God, we come to him with a list we call our prayer point or prayer request depending on which you prefer and to be sincere, the number one thing that should be on that list is thanksgiving. Give Him thanks for what He has done, what He is doing, what He’s yet to do and wouldn’t do but capable of doing. If you pray for ten minutes, let thanksgiving be more than five minutes. The first act that you see from a grateful heart is that thanksgiving will come before all requests.

Secondly, the act of thanksgiving will not be conditioned on the things expected from God. You know, it shouldn't be because of what you want Him to do for you but because of who He is, what He has done and capable of doing. Give Him thanks for He's worthy of your praise. Make it a habit to praise and give Him thanks, it provokes the blessings of God. The fastest way to His heart is through praise and thanksgiving, basically. Have you ever thought of why God loved David so much and said he was the man after His own heart? Well, for those who don’t know or those who do but needs to be reminded, it is simply because David knew how to praise Him. There's more to praising than we may ever know so if I were you, I’ll spend more time praising him than asking, it pays to, trust me. Next on the list is when a man puts up an uncommon, unusual and a record breaking act.

I mean, when one does something uncommon that springs up surprises that provoke the other party asking what the meaning of what he did is and he responds with a hug smile saying it's because of what you've done for me. Our show of gratitude will reflect what's in our heart. In 2 Samuel 6, David thanked the Lord in a way that no king has ever thanked him that even his wife was wondering what kind of king he was. Let us begin to give our best to God, we can't be too big for Him, remember He's the one that made you what you are today. Do uncommon things to thank Him and as you do so from today, may the heavens be opened unto you In Jesus mighty name. Furthermore, a thoughtful heart is a grateful heart because it takes a thoughtful consideration before thanksgiving can come out of the heart. Always remember God made you, you didn't make yourself. If you think deep, you will thank him.

There you are looking so beautiful but remember there are people without a sound mind that would rather turn that beautiful piece of clothing you are putting on into a rag. If you think deep, you will find a reason to be thankful. It is usually the things we take for granted that should be most treasured. In psalm 116:12, David asked “What shall I render? What shall I give back that He doesn't have for all He has done for him?”, and the answer to that question came in the verse fourteen of that same chapter, saying he will offer thanksgiving to the name of the Lord. If you are grateful, let it show in your act. Let it show in your giving, in your dancing, in your praising and in your testimony just to mention a few.  Be thankful to the one who has preserved you and have not allowed the devil to have his way in your life. Show appreciation, give Him thanks always. God bless

Kay Magnate

Selfish Us In A Selfless World.

When the title of this piece came to me while I was in the bathroom taking a shower, I got frozen for a bit because I was lost in the depth of the sound of it and needed to take a moment to understand or at least have a clue of what inspiration was bringing to the table and then I thought about the selfish nature of man and how the world has been created so wonderfully and yet so beautifully and how God has given us dominion over everything in it. You know, you can be who you want and what you want to be, you just have to ask yourself what you intend doing with your life.

We need to stop blaming everything on the world, what you ask of it is what it gives, period. Our selfish nature makes life more difficult and complicated than it literally is. We tend to use one another to get what we want in order to attain a particular height but how much longer do we think it will take before we fall. There is no shortcut in life, if you go in through the window, be rest assured to fall right back, only that this time you may fall harder up against your back and might never be able to rise.

Why do we remember one another only when we need something? Friendship these days are built on what the other party has to offer and the moment they seize to do so, we are quick to show them the way out. Gone are the days when one would say “What are friends for if not for inconveniences”, right now the only logical expression worth using is “What the heck are you bringing to the table”. Basically, there is some self-interest behind every friendship. In other words, there’s no friendship without self-interest and that’s the bitter truth. We tend to use and dump one another and the circle just keeps moving on.

What an ungrateful race we are walking through the surface of the earth heartlessly, if our creator was half as selfish as we are, don’t you think he would have had all the ‘red light specials’ to himself and made the babies all by himself even after creation and just put us in the world without a single erection or the ladies having to save their virginity till or before marriage. We are dame so good with using one another. It comes naturally and I guess it should be added to the list of our skill acquisition program and we can get to teach it to our unborn children since it has become a fast and easy way to get ourselves out of the box whenever we find ourselves in an uncompromising situation.

Apparently, whatever we don’t suffer for will never stand the test of time. If you use that lady or gentleman you call your friend to get over your emotional trauma or whatever situation the circumstances of life must have dished at you, be rest assured that a bigger and more nerve wrecking heartbreak is just around the corner. There is no shortcut in life, I repeat. Let us love and appreciate one another for who we are and not what we are or expect to get out of the intending union.

Life would be more easy and splendid only if we begin to see it from a selfless point of view and I believe this goes out to every one of us because even I authoring this piece isn’t left out as I am equally as guilty, at least up till that very moment the liquid soup washed off through my back to the grey shinning tiles of my bathroom floor. However, I decided to live the next minute without a single guilt as I rinsed it all off by the birth of this piece and hope the towel of change is there for you as it was for me to dry it all up and then you can step out clean and ready to fit into a new garment.

A word they say is enough for the wise, you can keep using people all you want but have it at the back of your mind that you’re only helping them pave a way for a greater glory because they will definitely be getting a payback for their good deeds while you bury yourself ignorantly in life’s deepest ocean and you really don’t want to take that dive, trust me. It is a beautiful world we live in and we can choose to help each other rather than use one another. It balls down to partnership basically but the motive is what differs and really matters and that’s where we all seem to fail. You can give me a couple Naira notes because my leg stinks so badly and I’m desperately in need of a new shoe but don’t expect me to polish yours in return.

Until we get to that stage where we don’t expect something back for favors done, life seemingly would be difficult and unrealistic even in our imagination. And the truth is, we can’t imagine what we don’t believe and believing starts with setting ourselves free and that means finding our true self. I wish to go on and on but I rather just stop now when I still can because I don’t seem to trust my pen, it is really bad at patching up wounds and may bleed for days. And with that said, I am grateful for today’s inspiration and pray the good Lord helps us to reconnect with our old selfless selves and begin to love and treat one another with respect and pull each other up as we climb and not break others down to climb. God bless.

Kay Magnate

Letter To My Unborn, Aborted Child

Baba Dotun, that’s what my friends called me on that sunny afternoon as I walked home from school, my girlfriend had just aborted our baby, a child I didn’t want anything to do with and looking back to those times and how badly I chose to handle the situation, it’s fair to conclude that I was an ignorant, selfish and heartless creator ever close to been called human because I obviously wasn’t at the time and I didn’t just fail you but I failed myself and everything I stood for. I was young no doubt but was also very dumb and childish and if only I could turn back the hands of time, then I guess we would at this moment be getting set to celebrate your 17^th birthday and I definitely wouldn’t have had to struggle for the past 16 years of my life.

Apparently, you were an angel sent to me from above and nonchalantly messed it all up and also killed an innocent soul in the act and only hope my sins are forgiven even though I’ve had to pay dearly but the truth is that we can’t pay enough for taking a life we cannot create and can only continue to ask for mercy and hope someday that helps to pay in full. You know, the past years have been filled with so much drama, it just seems like I’ve been taking a step forward and five steps back when I should have been basking in his grace and I turned what should have been a blessing to more than a decade full of disaster and still paying till this day but hoping for a better tomorrow.

Well, I’ve learnt never to keep dwelling in the past and we can only learn from it and choose to live a better life as we move on. I know that I and your mother failed you but it really wasn’t her fault, I neglected her right from the very moment she told me that she was pregnant and she went through so much pain too and only hope someday she finds a place in her heart to forgive me even though she said she already has. She is a very strong woman and a goodhearted one at that and want to use this medium to thank a very close friend of mine who stood by her through those awful times even though that sure wasn’t enough because she needed my touch to constantly reassure her that everything was going to be fine but I chose to give it to other girls instead.

Son, I can’t count the number of sleepless nights I had and those mornings I woke up and wished you were lying next to me. The truth is, the devil has his ways of coming to steal from us when we least expect and incapable of making the right choices either because of the life we choose to live or the company we chose to keep and now I see one of the reasons why the bible advice that we serve the Lord in our youth because that makes it difficult for the dark faceless one to creep in and cripple a future so bight by a single mistake we make. Wish I knew God earlier, I definitely wouldn’t have picked up those cigarette sticks or poured a glass of champagne, talk more of those dry gins and bottles of my favorite lager beer I took off the crate and buried in me.

And funny enough, I picked up all these disgusting and health wrecking habits just about the time I made the biggest mistake of losing you. Ostensibly, the year 2000 was a deciding moment for me and delayed my destiny by this singular act, thus opening the door for evil to come in and can only thank the good Lord for showering me with so much grace that kept me alive till this day to be the one telling my story. You know, she was about six months gone when the abortion was carried out so there’s a face to this story and I was told he looked just like me and the thought of that kills me even more. Anyway, mum and I through the years have patched things up between us and I am sure she is doing great and misses you too. I am a grown up man now and indeed ready to take care of my responsibilities so please come back son and allow me make up for those lost years.

We can still rock those baggy jeans together, I tend to be growing younger in style everyday despite my white beards and don’t worry as well about the Nike shoes, got the store on a speed dial. I miss you son and today I’m finally free and hope the world learns from this and never mistake their blessing for a misfortune. Nothing is a mistake with God and though it may seem wrong out-rightly but if it’s destiny at work, you can never go wrong. You just have to be very careful diffusing the situation and handling it the best way possible. Our lives have been planned and scripted out even before our creation and let’s not disrupt our journey ignorantly, a single mistake can last us a whole life of pain and regret and that wouldn’t be our portion in Jesus name.

To the great people of the united states of the world, I will like to conclude by saying that this isn’t the time for sympathy and regrets, for the deed has already been done and we can only choose to educate our children so as not to find themselves making such a nasty fall that they might never be able to get up from. The road to destiny is a delicate and fragile one and the devil attacks us just at the time that our glory is about to spring up and shine bright. And to all those who find themselves rocking the same shoes like I did, it is time to stop hating yourself and do something about it.

No amount of pain and regret can change the past but we can choose to forgive our past and change the future. The future lies in our hands and the decisions we make today will determine if we are ready to let go of those bags full of worries and fear of the unknown and choose to run with the right team because there’s nothing you must have done that cannot be taken care of by the mercy of God. You just need to acknowledge your wrongs and repent from your old sinful ways and those lost years can be restored in just a twinkle of an eye. I know because I am a testimony to that and you can as well, God bless.

Kay Magnate

Your Legacy Lives On..

On the 31^st day of October, 1945, a great man was born and a selfless, hardworking, ambitious and a very intelligent and resourceful individual he was because he no longer lives with us, death had to take him away from us on the 21^st day of May, 1995 when I was just a young lad trying to know the amazing man that brought me to life. I remember vividly well that very day in my dormitory when I got a call from my house captain informing me that I had a visitor waiting for me outside and with so much joy filled up in my heart, I raced out in anxiety wondering who it was and the second I approached the gate, I saw my dad’s car and immediately the distance from the gate where I was and where they were parked seemed too far and wished I had wings and could fly.

But then of course, I couldn’t and was only able to make it there with my foot as fast as I could and got my first surprise when I eventually did and realized my dad wasn’t there and it was my brother and the driver who had darkened my door step. However, I wasn’t totally disappointed as I was told they had come to take me home because my dad was launching his new house and a newly acquired automobile which of course wasn’t so much of a surprise to me because at the time I left home to school, he was actually preparing for his 50th birthday and had series of plans in motion so I thought, what a great way it was to surprise me but little did I know I was headed for a shocker.

By this time I was still ignorant of what’s really happening and hurriedly ran back into my hostel to pick up a couple things I would need, as I was going away for the weekend and dashed right back, waving my friends goodbye as we drove off. And getting home, I saw a white paper pasted on my gate with my dad’s picture smiling back at me and I wondered why anyone would decide to make such am awful looking poster of him, with crosses sticking all around and announcing the date of his birth to the entire world. You know, at the time, I didn’t really understand what obituary meant, I thought it was just my dad as usual in a hot romance with one of his big vocabulary. I mean, my dad could speak well and words literally took turns at his feet.

Well, let me get back to my story before I get distracted because over and over I had wished he willed them over to me with a couple textbooks to brush myself up with and by now I’ll probably have been a professor of English language and those same words taking turns at my feet, only that this time, I would have them rocking Adidas because I love to buy myself some great shoes. Anyway, I stepped out of the car and walked right in and saw my mum rocking some black attire and was amazed at when she became a model because my mum hasn’t really been a fan of the color black but when I looked at her closely, I realized she had been crying, as she had a swollen face and so I thought I concluded too soon and on the contrary, she had become an actor and had met them shooting a movie scene but looked around and there were no cameras beeping and for the first time I pondered for a bit, puzzling what was really happening and it was then I was told my dad was gone and to be seen no  more.

You know, it’s been 22 years but still fresh in my memory is the sound of my mother’s voice as she broke the unpleasant news to me. I cried my heart out and for days I couldn’t come in terms with the fact that my hero was gone and I was never going to see him again and that left a permanent hole in my heart and even till this day, I still feel a void in me and only hope that the ink pouring out from my pen as I write this piece fills it out and these tears wetting my pages comforts me. Joshua Akintunde Falaiye, you were a great man alive and yet a great man in death. It’s true what they say that the dead still lives because I carry you along with me everywhere I go. You were the father of five amazing children who you loved so much and never hesitated to trash their asses whenever the boundary was crossed. And because I was the naughty type, your cane could make its way to my room even in the dark.

Daddy you know, for years I lived with hatred and anger because it’s been pretty tough since you left. Your family practically abandoned us because mum refused to marry your brother and at some point in my life, I decided to denounce that name but then I thought about it again because going ahead to do that will be me denouncing you and denying myself of my blessings and everything you lived for. Besides, it’s possible to disown the name but I can’t disown the blood flowing in me, so I decided to keep it anyway and hope they live to regret every tear I cried growing up in this lonely and wicked world. I miss you so much and I know you’re in heaven smiling down at the man your little boy is becoming and be sure you didn’t die for nothing because through me your legacy lives on.

And no doubt daddy, your son has been a very naughty child, I smoked, drank, womanized and reaped your wife off her hard earned money to hit the clubs and pop some champagne but today I know better and thankful to our creator for calling me back to order and helping me to retrace back my steps before I ruined myself. Today I’m living right but still waiting for that big break and although I might still be single but be rest assured that someday I would find that special woman to spend the rest of my life with and together we would have a son that would be named after you.

Apparently, God has been very faithful, your other sons are married and doing well and so are your daughters and beautiful wife. She didn’t remarry by the way but stayed married to making sure that we are all succeed and may the good Lord keep her alive to be able to enjoy the fruit of her labor because she’s been great and remains the best mum in the world and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. Thank you for all the times I was stranded and you came to my rescue even though at the time I didn’t know it was you but you never really left, did you. Like so many  people, I didn’t use to believe in life after death but now I know for a fact that the spirit of the dead are here with us and their memory lives on.

                                     (In Loving Memory Of Joshua Akintunde Falaiye)

                                               

                                                                Kay Magnate