Revamping for Re-emergence: Styling Summer Staples

The only three-fold chord that is allowed in marriage is that of the couple and the Holy Spirit; this chord can never be broken.

Don’t Sideline Your Spouse: There are some people who come from very strong knitted families that they carry over these ties even into marriage that they leave out their spouse when it comes to decision making. Always carry your spouse along in family matters and deliberately severe every form of attachment that is unhealthy to the marriage.

 Don’t Cross the Line: You can’t totally be independent from your family but know where to draw the line. Over dependence on external family members for finance or other things can open the door for interference from in-laws.

Don’t Meddle: In-laws (Parents or siblings) should not be overbearing or meddle in the affairs of their children. It is good to show concern, but there should be a limit.  Don’t Speak Ill: Avoid sowing careless evil seeds about your family to your spouse. When you belittle your family, your spouse will never respect them. In the same vein, avoid reporting your spouse to your family members.

Summarily, let’s remember that boundaries set in marriage between couples and in-laws aren’t meant to severe ties but rather to strengthen it. This gives room for growth, mutual respect, and love.

The only three-fold chord that is allowed in marriage is that of the couple and the Holy Spirit; this chord can never be broken. May the presence and peace of the Holy Ghost bind, protect and build your marriage and give you wisdom to deal with your in-laws in love and respect in Jesus name. gw

IT’S TIME TO BLOOM

By Funlola Ifebogun

“To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…”

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-2

Have you ever had the opportunity to watch a slow motion video on the science of how a new flower buds and blooms? It is one of the most beautiful creative visuals you will experience. Watching every intricate expression will make you appreciate how detailed and particular our Creator is. Some plants flower within days while it takes others months or even years. Inside the bud, a tiny but complete flower forms. The sepals protect the bud before it opens. Over time, the bud opens and blooms into a mature flower. There is a lesson to glean from this creative science of a budding flower. Just like the bud, inside you is God’s intent; creations of witty invention, great potentials and innate unique abilities, great visions and dreams to name a few, forming to mature. Overtime you have been protected, watched, prepared, trained and to be launched into a new season of unveiling.

The opening of the bud majorly is due to the effect of light from the sun thereby causing it to blossom and become a beautiful graceful flower. Likewise the entrance of the Word of God in your life gives you the light for your glorious manifestation.

My “Blooming Tale” began in November 1994. I had been ‘budding’ for a while in a paid employment as a Marketing Executive. I was not fulfilled at work, so during weekends, I acquired new skills like sewing and other handcrafts. I was so creative with my hands; decorating and designing on the go. The entrance of the Light from God’s Word (Psalm 119:130) gave me the needed breakthrough at a business seminar I attended. The light shone so bright and all that was hidden was revealed. “There is something inside of you that the world is waiting for. Stir up the potential in you now!” These words I heard in my spirit man stirred up my faith. I obeyed and took action.

That same year I tendered my resignation letter and became an entrepreneur. I made unique cosmetic pouches and beddings with lovely trimmings and sold them at trade fairs and offices. That was how my company- Blooms Soft Furnishing and Gifts bloomed 25 years ago and the Light of God’s Word has continued to sustain it till date.

Like I said earlier, some plants flower within days while it takes others months or even years. Your time to bloom is here. Be patient and wait on the Lord. He knows the right season for you to bloom and He will make sure the Light of His Word will manifest you in due time. gw

Give Yourself Permission To LOVE AGAIN

Ibironke Olubamise Is it possible describe the pain of losing the love of your life, the bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh? I don’t think so. Only those who have walked in those shoes can; the rest of us who have not, can only imagine. For these ones, it is always hard to let go. The fears and concerns of being loved again by another. If Ruth who lost her first husband could give herself permission to love again, you too could probably give it a try.

After the transition to glory of a spouse, can you give yourself permission to love again? I say a big yes. But then, what is love?

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”- 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

That’s it! God is love.

If I am made in His image, then loving must be my attribute. So, of necessity, I am love. I am not supposed to try to love, I am love because I am born of God and His love has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. It is part of the redemption package. This love is the Agape love- God kind of love. This love is unconcerned with self but rather concerned with the greatest good of another. It isn’t born just out of emotions, feelings, familiarity, or attraction, but from the will and

But here is my take- wanting or desiring to remarry should not be an issue. After all it is a thing of the heart. But before you proceed, you probably would want to answer this question in all sincerity. Is your desire to remarry coming from a place of complete Agape-God kind of love?

choice. Agape requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything in return.

I personally think it is the source of all other types of love; be they the good, the bad and the ugly. Yes, I mean the ugly because there is a type of “love” that can make one commit suicide or murder.

But because I am born of God, I am love, and the love that springs from me is not conditional. It is not dependent on any man, situation, or circumstance. If this is so, then loving again should not be an issue. However, constant fellowship with my Father should be of utmost importance to me so that loving again and being united with another man will totally be dependent on His plan and purpose for me.

While many have advised that I remarry, I honestly have not gotten any serious reasons to do so. I have even asked myself if my reasons for not doing so are not stemmed from pride or fear. Yet, if anyone in my shoes should ask if they could remarry, I do not hesitate in telling them to proceed if that is their hearts desire. God cannot overrule what we desire to do unless we give Him permission to. Personally, each time I take it to God, I always end up in awe of Him. For every question I ask and the reasons I share with Him on remarrying, He gives me an answer of peace and tranquillity that makes me almost want to say, never. Some people may not understand and I don’t expect them to. It is totally personal.

But here is my take- wanting or desiring to remarry should not be an issue. After all it is a thing of the heart. But before you proceed, you probably would want to answer this question in all sincerity. Is your desire to remarry coming from a place of complete Agape-God kind of love? Is it unconditional, selfless, faithful, committed, and sacrificial without expecting anything in return? If your answer is yes, then by all means, give yourself permission to love again.

As for me, if in the course of my continual feasting in His presence, He says go, the next moment I will be remarried but if I continue to experience His love as I am currently doing and He gives me so much peace that earthly relationship cannot, then so be it. One thing is sure. I will never trade my fellowship with my Father for any earthly love. gw