It was a jolly holiday time again! Pupils ran all the way home, their school uniform flying after them. They were very happy. No more morning bells; no more teachers’ cane. They were going to spend their jolly holiday.
Josephine the dreamer
Sophie ran all the way to her mama’s tailoring shop. Pupils were more than excited going for Christmas holiday, because there would be no report card that would spoil the holiday fun. Where there was no report card, there would be no sign that a pupil had perform below expectation at school.
Her mama had said in July, that if she passed her promotion examination, she would buy her a fowl and a gown for Christmas. And she had passed! Now was the Christmas holiday, she could not wait to eat the fowl’s head. Christmas was around the corner, it would arrive in two weeks time.
Sophie’s mama was a poor widow. She had no money but she had faith in God. She usually tells her daughter that even though they have no money, they are rich in the Lord. Inside of them, they are very rich.
She knew that she had promised her daughter a fowl head and a gown; she could not because of her poverty and break the little girl’s heart. She could not see herself, therefore shattering her daughter’s hope and expectations. She had to fulfill her promise. She would not bowl to poverty.
‘Mama, Ife said her mama had bought her Christmas dress. So was Kofo!’ Sophie announced brightly to her mama.
She was very excited. Though, she had not seen her own dress, she was sure her mama would buy her a Christmas dress. She knew it would be unlike Easter festival when she had wore her previous year Christmas dress. Afterall, she had passed her promotion examination.
She could not forget that Easter. She had cried and cried when her friends were wearing new cloths in the church. She could not play with them, she had to hide until it was time to leave the church and go home.
That Easter, she learnt that no amount of tears shed; usually give you the thing you are crying for. And she was told that to be happy in life, a person has to be comfortable and satisfied with whatever one has.
Sophie’s mama promised again to make a special dress for her. But as Christmas drew nearer, Sophie’s mama was yet to have money to buy Sophie’s new dress. Everyday, Sophie would sit with her mama in the shop. She would be watching her making other people’s cloth.
What a beautiful dress, mama used to sows, Sophie would admire each dress. But mama was not happy. Soon, it was 24th of December. It was Christmas Eve! Sophie’s mama had an idea, she called her daughter:
‘Sophie, you must know that I love so much,’ she said. ‘I will sow your cloth today; I will not do any other work today but to sow you a lovely gown. Sophie, you are all that I have!’ she was crying, though she quickly wiped her tears away. Been a widow was not daughter’s fault. She must not suffer on that account.
That morning, with the little amount of money on her, Sophie’ mama went to the market. She bought foodstuffs, soup ingredients and a fowl. The mere sight of the fowl made Sophie felt very happy. A fowl head was as sure as heaven!
‘My daughter,’ Sophie’ mama said to her, ‘I want you to be a Joseph, the dreamer. I’ll call you: “Josephine the dreamer” Sophie beamed with joy.
‘Joseph in the Bible wore a cloth of many colors. A special clothe made for him by his father. And Joseph did many great things for his people thereafter!”
Sophie listened, “Tell me the Joseph’s story’, she asked.
Her mama gathered all the pieces of cloth that was left of other people’s cloth. She put Sophie on her laps, “let me tell you the story, while I sow your own clothe of many colors.”
Her mama told the story while she was joining the pieces of cloth together. Each piece of cloth was joined together with love flowing out from mama to daughter. Sophie could not sleep that night, she could not wait to wear her clothe to church for everyone to see. She wanted to help her mama, she wanted to be Josephine that mama wanted her to become.
As soon as it was Christmas morning, Sophie woke up, cleaned the whole house and washed the plates. She had her bath. Sophie’s mama was very glad. She killed the fowl to make a delicious Christmas soup. Later the rice was ready.
After Sophie had eaten her Christmas rice and a fowl head, she wore her magic clothe. She was very beautiful in her gown and was happy.
At the Church, all the children gathered to look at Sophie’s dress of different patterns and colors. The children were laughing and making jest of her. Sophie was laughing with them; she knew they did not know what she knew. It was a happy and merry Christmas for her.
She joined the other children to sing Christmas carol. After the carol, Kofo and Ife asked her, ‘Why is it that you’re wearing part of everyone’s cloths?’
Other children had gathered again behind Sophie. She turned around to let them see her dress. ‘My mama made it for me. With every piece she sews, she told me a story of a boy Joseph in the Bible!’ she explained happily.
One of the girls behind Sophie asked her, ‘is that why you are so happy wearing part of everyone’s cloth?’
‘Teacher even said that she has the most sonorous voice!’ another girl said.
‘Yes! This is not just a dress. This dress made me a “Josephine the dreamer!” it is a magic dress like that of Joseph in the Bible: Joseph wore it and saved his family and the world from hunger!’ Sophie answered. ‘Each thread of this cloth was sow with love. It is made just for me.’
The children were unable to utter a word. They were staring amazingly at the magic dress. Sophie was very happy, the Christmas was unlike before. She ran around like never before.
God had continued to whisper softly in his ears but his anger was too profound to make him hear a word. ‘The man who raped someone'sdaughter could kill someone!’ he was reasoning. He had made a decision and nothing would change his mind about what to do. His sleep had been robbed by this unfortunate incident.
The incident even sometimes made him forget what he wanted to do or what to eat. He was obsessed with the progressive plans on his mind. Each time he looks upon his daughter, he sees the man and feels the pain his daughter has felt. The more he felt the pain, the more he knew, he had to revenge the wrong to smile back on his daughter's face.
He was tossing and turning on his bed, rain was hitting hard on the roof and knocking on the windows. The winds were roaring outside. It had been like that all night. It was a storming night. The Priest got out of bed. The light was on in his daughter's room.
Maybe she could not sleep either.
The Priest‘s heart was shattered into a million pieces to see his family this way. He reasoned that if he had done something worthwhile about it, this would not have happened. And the memory would have gone away like a bad dream.
He walked back to his room like a strangled man. The worst of the world was written on his face like a ruin. He was waiting for the day to break so that he could put his house in order and bring smiles and laughter back to his home. There would be peace again.
He began by making plans in his heart: he would call his daughter to show him the man. He could not imagine what the devil would look like. Of course, he would be handsome, soft-spoken, and friendly.
The world has often made the mistake of imagination that makes evil men look like a creature that has claws and horns. How else would a rapist look like, if not like the rest of us! He decided to kill the man, his mind was finally made up.
He would turn deaf ears to his gentle inner voice and listen to his anger and disgrace instead. Otherwise, he won’t do anything about it, and worst of all, he would allow the evil to walk about free. Soon he would rape another man's daughter!
His priesthood had often denied him of his human right to avenge a wrong. He stopped listening altogether, and there was indeed a knock on the door!
‘Who could be calling so early at this hour?’ he wondered, ‘why had the caller chosen the church?’ It was a duty call.
Priesthood took over in that instant. He walked briskly to the church without a second thought nor a glance at his worries. At the church entrance stood a man in his late twenties. He was drenched and shivering. His worries were written all over him like a gigantic billboard.
The atmospherics was crying Christmas, Little children were naked with joy, Nature was giving out its gentle gifts. The happy children were dancing around Sarah, She was tied to a pole waiting.
Sarah and Nuru, her kid
Men were discussing Sarah’s meat, They were happy – Sarah was sad. Sarah watched as her kid, Nuru was Galloping with the rest of its kinds. Being free – being forever young.
Sarah sad about Christmas
Being free, Nuru had forgotten his fears, His mama was all fear for him. This kid of hers could smile his way into trouble. He was free and freedom was forever a trap! Nuru was jumping, galloping and dancing with nature, He was dancing to his mama’s fear.
All play made Nuru as hungry as death. He galloped to suck on his mama’s breasts, All smiles and hunger. Then he saw his mama crying! “Mama, this is but tears?” “My kid, when the world suddenly – Is happy thus, it says death is high!”
Sarah was crying
Nuru’s eyes was on the big breasts. In that moment – the mouth could say: I’ll catch the moon and the sun.” Nuru looked at his mama boldly and said: “ Whatever is nigh, I shall lick for you, mama!” “My kid, it’s death, it conquers all.” “For you mama, I shall lick it,” promised Nuru.
Sarah’s tears was all blood and salt. “My kid death is invincible – in fury, Many lives had been lost to its schemes. It takes forms, my kid – it sets its traps.” Nuru was confused – Mama was talking riddles. How could this death conquer mama?
Nuru wondering about Death
“Nuru be careful and trust not all that you see..” She had not finished when men came to tie Her legs and put knife in her neck. Nuru was looking but trusted not his sight. Sarah’s blood washed the floor for Christmas dancing. Nuru was crying while the children were laughing. All is well that ends well.
Ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom to come. They were waiting to go with the bridegroom to the wedding banquet. It took a long time for the bridegroom to come. All the virgins fell asleep!
Virgins signify purity, sanctification, holiness and love. The virgins represent the chosen and expectant Christians, who are waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ. They are pure, sanctified, holy and loving.
All the ten virgins had the above qualifications. They all reasonably assumed that with all the qualifications, it would be automatic for them to welcome the bridegroom.
Yet, of the ten virgins, five virgins were wise and five virgins were foolish.
The wise virgins eventually made it with the bridegroom to the wedding banquet. The foolish virgins did not make it. They failed, despite their qualifications.
Lessons from the five wise Virgins:
• They were ready:
They have all the qualifications: Purity, sanctification, holiness and love. They were qualified and ready to welcome the bridegroom. Thus, they were qualification-wise ready.
• They were expectant:
They were waiting anxiously for the bridegroom. They were very sure that the bridegroom would come.
• They were alive Spiritually:
They kept their lamp burning. They kept themselves in the light while they were waiting.
• They prepared themselves for any eventuality while waiting:
They kept extra oil! The extra oil would keep them from burning out. The oil of anointing would sustain their fire of Holy Spirit and therefore keep them in perpetual divine light.
• They were focused on their expectation:
Their expectation was the coming of the bridegroom. They were so wedding-banquet conscious. The bridegroom was the only way through whom they could get there. His coming was life and eternal joy for them.
• They readily prepared to avoid hindrances:
They had seen the end from the beginning. Thus, they considered all the likely hindrances and prepared to avoid them.
• Though they slept, they were alert spiritually:
They could hear the announcement that the bridegroom had come, though they were sleeping. Their bodies were sleeping, but their spirits were alive!
• They planned from the beginning to welcome the bridegroom:
They had studied about waiting and they understood the importance of preparation. They were knowledgeable that fire won’t burn forever. The oil needed to be renewed to keep the fire burning.
Lessons from the five foolish Virgins:
• They were also ready:
They had all it takes to welcome the bridegroom and therefore go with him to the wedding banquet.
• They were careless while waiting:
They did not prepare for eventualities. They were not with extra oil. They take necessary things lightly.
• They were expectant:
They were also sure that the bridegroom would come. They too were expecting him anxiously.
• They were alive spiritually:
They too kept their lamps burning. They were also in the light while they were waiting.
• They eventually slept spiritually:
Though they trimmed their lamps as soon as they woke up, their lamps were already going out! The fire of the Holy Spirit in them was waning and there was no extra oil of anointing to sustain the fire.
• They became distracted by the absence of oil and light:
They needed oil to lit their lamps. They knew that they could not welcome the bridegroom in a state of lamplessness.
• Their focus was changed:
They became shifted from where they were watching and waiting. They went out to look for oil to buy. At that moment, their focus was shifted from the bridegroom to we-must-get-oil-to-buy!
• They put hindrances on their own path:
They also saw the end from the beginning. But they did not prepare for any eventuality. They were very okay with their qualifications.
They were ignorant of hindrances, and they eventually perish in their ignorance.
• They planned to fail from the beginning:
They had no plan. They were careless of their lamps. They were clueless of the importance of preparation.
The Life Hack:
While we are waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us to Keep watch, because we do not know the day or the hour.
Thus, while we watch and wait steadfastly in holiness, love, sanctification and purity:
• We should renew our anointing constantly through daily fellowship with God.
• We should sustain the Holy Spirit in us through holy living.
Now that the day is over, And men have come back home from work, Sleep has gone from my eyes. Many pictures are playing on my mind, Many voices; Many names; Different floating faces.
A love for me
Has there ever been love? Is this feeling not an illusion, Akin to the closing of the day? Oh! My heart, why hath thou so forgiven? Going back to your vomit, Chasing after shadows, Seeing affection where there is none!
Closing now the page of her life, Opening an empty page of my life: Just cannot wait – I can’t wait. Out there – there is love for me. Someone to call own, The bone of my bone. Someone to write my story with.
• Speaking in tongues is one of the evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. (Acts 2: 1-4) • It is a sign to the unbelievers. (Acts 2: 8, 1 Corinthians 14: 22) • It is one of the signs that will accompany those who believe. (Mark 16: 17)
The most important evidence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the change that occurs in men and women. We all experience a change when we receive Holy Spirit baptism.
• Saul became a new person and began to prophecy. (1 Samuel 10: 6) • Fearful Peter became bold. He courageously preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2: 14-41)
5 reasons some people are baptized in the Holy Spirit: though they bear fruit of the Holy Spirit, they don’t speak in tongues.
Speaking In Tongues
• Some are afraid to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. • Some don’t even ask for it. • Some don’t want the stigma that is often attached to people who are known to speak in tongues. • Some listen to Satan. Satan tells them they’re making up the words that come out of their mouth! • Some don’t believe in it to receive it. • Some have been taught that it is not biblical.
Satan has chosen Speaking in tongues of all other gifts to discredit it. And some people seem to get all upset when they see others speaking in tongues. Act 2:4: Says: “All spoke in tongues. “
It means that God purposely sent the gift and made them available to us because He wants us to have it! This point out that there must be something very valuable in speaking in tongues.
12 Values of Speaking in Tongues:
• When we speak in tongues, we speak secrets and mysteries unto God. Speaking in tongues is a spiritual language that Satan cannot understand. (1Corinthians 14:2) • When we pray in tongues, we edify ourselves and build ourselves up spiritually and also build up our faith. (Jude :20, 21) • When we speak in tongues, we are conscious of the fact that God lives in us. (1 Corinthians 14: 4) • When we speak in tongues, we are prophesying great things over our own lives. It is a great way to “Call things that be not as if they are.” (Roman 14: 17) • When we pray in tongues, it is a way to pray accurately when we don’t know how to pray as we ought. (Roman 8: 26,27) • When we pray in tongues, it enables us to pray much, even when our minds are tired. (1 Thessalonica 5: 17, Ephesians 6: 18) • Speaking in tongues allows us to pray for things an situations we don’t know about. And people we don’t know about and certainly don’t know how to pray for. • Speaking in tongues strengthens our relationship with God. • Speaking in tongues helps us to train our Spirits to hear the voice of God and to operate in the other gifts of the Holy Spirit. • Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift to help others and edifies others when translated. • Speaking in tongues refreshes our Spirits and our minds. And we can receive power from God. • Speaking in tongues helps God get control of our tongues.
We should encourage people to speak in tongues and not forbid them through our actions and teachings. (1 Corinthians 14: 39) Holy Spirit gives ability to speak out. (Acts 2: 4)
Growing in Nigeria, there were some popular rhymes and songs that we all sang. We learnt these songs from our teachers, peers and joined the multitude in singing the wrong lyrics for ages.
Some adults till date do not know the correct lyrics of the song and are still singing the wrong words.
Sandalili Sandalili
Every child who grew up in the 80s and 90s must have sung this song in primary school.
Remember dressing up like a teacher, doctor or farmer during the end of year school party and singing this song with all confidence and pride, not knowing you were saying the wrong words. Actually, the correct lyric is: Standard living, standard living‘.
Jangilova epo motor:
This is another popular rhyme that has been sung wrongly for years. You’re on the swing and singing jangilova epo motor which you probably heard from your older siblings or friends.
You’ve been singing the wrong lyric because you had no idea it was even wrong. The original lyric to this rhyme is: ‘jingle over like a motor ‘.
The most Excellency is Jesus :
This is a very popular Nigerian song sang mostly by Christians. Unknown to them, they have been singing it wrongly.
The original lyric is, ‘The most excellent king is Jesus’.
Osingo singo, praise the Lord :
Sure, you’ve been singing osingo singo praise the Lord since time immemorial. How did we end up singing osingo singo when the right lyric is: ‘O sing my soul and praise the Lord’.
HIP for the hip for the hipopo, hipo hipo for the hipopo
The correct lyric is: ‘HIP for the hip for the hipopo, ‘ PO PO for the hipopo‘.
6. Old MacDonald had a farm iya iya o
Most people thought they were hearing iya iya o and that’s what they have been singing.
Sorry, you’ve been singing it wrongly as the correct lyric is: ‘Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E IO ’.
With thanksgiving, as we are living, sanctuary, for you
This is another one of the gospel songs that people have invented their own version. The correct lyric is: ‘With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, sanctuary, for you‘.
Did you know you’ve been singing it all wrongly since time immemorial?
The Software company – Opera Limited, has announced its brand-new Opera GX Internet browser, which it claims is the first-ever gaming browser.
Opera GX is a special version of the Opera browser built specifically to complement gaming. The browser includes unique features to help you get the most out of both gaming and browsing experience.
Features of Opera GX GX Control: This is one of these new features. Need every ounce of power your machine can give you? No need to close your browser. GX control lets you set limits on how much RAM and CPU usage your browser will take up.
RAM Limiter – GX Control’s RAM limiter lets you choose how much memory Opera GX uses. The default setting in the RAM Limiter aims to strike a balance between memory use and experience. The browser will try to stay at or below the selected memory allotment, but it will prioritize experience over the strict memory amount.
For example, if it’s able to keep a stream going or a cloud-based file active, it will let the memory usage go slightly over the set limit. The Hard Limit setting forces the browser to stay under the chosen memory limit no matter what.
The browser will not for any reason exceed the selected memory cap, even if browsing experience must be sacrificed.
CPU Limiter– The CPU Limiter lets you put a cap on how much of your computer’s processing the browser uses, so the rest can be reserved for gaming.
The goal of both GX Control features isto enable you to always be able to keep your browser open, even if you’re playing or streaming a resource-heavy game.
Twitch Integration – Opera GX also features Twitch Integration, for you not to miss a live stream. With Twitch right in your sidebar, you can easily see the channels you follow, who’s online, and choose to receive notifications whenever someone you follow goes live.
GX Corner– Stay up-to-date with the best deals, the newest releases, and breaking gaming news all in one easily accessible place.
GX Sound – Opera GX has in-browser sound effects, composed in collaboration with sound designer Rubén Rincón and the band Berlinist, who recently received a nomination in the BAFTA Games Awards for Gris game original soundtrack. Sound effects can be toggled on and off in the settings.
GX Design – You can customize your browser with any color you want and choose from different special effects and themes.
GX Themes– Choose from specially designed wallpapers, or easily select your own desktop wallpaper as a background.
Integrated Messengers– Chat and browse at the same time with Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Vkontakte, and WhatsApp integrated right into the sidebar.
Video Pop Out– Watch Twitch and YouTube with video pop out. The video stays visible in a floating window over tabs and also other applications.
AD Blocker– Enjoy a smoother ad-free web with a built-in ad blocker. Easily switch it off to support ad-based creators.
Free Browser VPN– Experience greater privacy and security with our free, no-log, unlimited browser VPN.
Extensions– In addition to Opera having its own extensions store, the Opera browsers are also compatible with Google Chrome extensions.
Where Can I Get Opera GX?
You can download the early access version forOpera GX for Windows PC here, the final version is expected to fully launch later this year.
![“The Second Coming of Jesus Christ Life Hack
[The Ten Virgins as Case Study]”](https://oracle69.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/images-1.jpg)
