A lesson or two...from Terry G!

 Fiddling with my laptop I thought of what to write, but didn’t feel like posting any pre-written article so out of boredom, I put on the TV, hoping to watch some documentary or some news but guess what I stumbled upon? An interview with Terry G yes, Terry G! Okay! So what is it about this 'bling'-wielding, street gangster-like “akpako master” that could possibly draw my attention enough to do an article on him? 

Well, before you run off (as I probably would) with bias concerning his person or on me for doing a piece on him, lets quickly learn…and run off still! Well, straight to the point. During the interview he was asked why he no longer has his piercings and he made valid points which struck me which I feel every artiste and individual reading this could learn a thing from. 

Firstly, he made a valid statement, “we are all children of God”. Of course we all know that yeah? Pretty sure a number of us including myself may be quick to judge this statement including the person saying it but hold on a second, I guess we were the same ones that judged the biblical Rahab in the Old Testament or Mary Magdalene or even, the 'brief' Zacheus! As much as we all advocate for a closer relationship with God, it is important that we never miss the baseline truth “we all are children of God”. As a Christian, Pastor, Preacher, Evangelist or Church leader, if you would bring someone to God, you must not miss this baseline truth. 

Whether the individual has taken up his son-ship by accepting and reciprocating this love is a different matter all together. Another thing he said regarding taking off the piercings was that “sometimes you have some friends you need to get rid of, some friends that are not just good for you” and then I remembered as a youngster how my parents were always particular about those I kept as friends. This of course helped me up to the point where I am today wherein I can proudly say, I choose my friends, people who are consistent with my values and beliefs. It takes guts to say NO to being friends with someone especially when you ‘go way back’ but it is better to stay off what can destroy you as its YOUR LIFE not theirs! 

The next thing he said is very important for every artiste out there. He said he got to a point where he discovered he didn’t need to look mad or wild to impact with his music. ‘Come for my shows, watch my performance and judge if anything has changed’ he said. A lot of us think embellishments are requirements for success in our artistry and this is a wrong notion. Terry G is a man who seems to have gained a maturity that eludes many artistes today. Let your music speak for you. Stop trying to create a person you are not all in a bid to impress and gain ephemeral influence. Let your music do the talking. 

If you are indeed convinced of your content, then why the fear? 

Follow me on twitter @FemiBellos and add me on BBM 2AE5A00E

A Walk In The Rain

It had been drizzling all morning and being a Saturday, one thing was sure with the perfect weather condition, sleep!

Lazily I got up and did a few things part of which was to go online and ‘see the world’ there. I also did a little cleaning and was about taking my bath when I figured it best to visit the salon first before having that 30-minute Saturday morning bath (you know it guys). So clutching my grooming kit, I stepped out of the house and my little nephew said he’d come along, he was tired of the ‘koko waves’ on his head, or so was his mother.

The drizzling had stopped so we walked hand-in-hand to the salon; of course the road was messy with the rains and all. As we walked, I noticed how my hand was fully wrapped round his and it struck me, how big is our God? How mighty are his hands that he is able to hold us, our dreams, ambitions and problems, no matter how big they are and lead us through the journey of life?

As we walked on with my hands held on to his, I would guide him as to where to step and where not to considering the road was a mess with potholes, mud and dirt everywhere. Having our hands in God’s is a surety for direction and guidance in life. He knows the path very well and he’s our best bet to getting through life and its situations unscathed. Yes sometimes a little mud spilled onto my slippers but then I remembered His word ‘…when you pass through the fire, it will not burn you, when you pass through the waters they shall not consume you’. The heat might cause you discomfort but it will NEVER burn you. Deep!

Even as we moved closer to the salon, he then pulled his hand away as if to say ‘I can now do this on my own’ then it hit me – sometimes after a walk with God, pride sets in and says ‘you can do this on your own’ and we more often than not, tend to fall for this trick of the enemy. God wants to walk with you ALL THE WAY not some of it, or most of it. There is that tendency to always want to do it ‘my own way’ but then experience has taught me that He wants me to trust in Him with ALL MY HEART, ALL THE WAY!

Writing this I realized, how easy my life would be if I decided to take a walk in the rain with this God and cast all my cares upon Him because he cares for me. Life would be so much easier!!! All He is asking is; would you put your hands in mine and let’s take a walk, through the muddy roads of life? 

Let’s take a walk in the rain.

follow me on twitter @FemiBellos and on bbm 2AE5A00E

BrideGroom indeed?!

On the wedding day or shortly before the wedding, the man is called the bridegroom and this is not without its reasons.

Take that word apart and it becomes pretty obvious; he's meant to be the bride-GROOM. That's not just a...ceremonial designation no, it's actually a job description. The job of the man is to 'groom' his woman. It subtly connotes an agriculture-inclined activity: to tend, to care for, to help improve, to supply essentials for growth and to bring out the best. The husband is not meant to bear the title 'bridegroom' just the wedding day (and night) alone rather, that is what/who he should be for the rest of his life! He should never stop tending, developing, nurturing and inspiring his bride to the fullness of her potentials.

So young Man, before you start 'delivering your manifesto', take a good look at your toolbox and ask yourself 'is my 'grooming kit' complete?"
"What exactly do I have to offer beyond material things?"
"Am I prepared to 'groom' this 'vine' or am I just craving its fruits?"

And my dear young lady, before you get carried away with whatever you're seeing or receiving, ask yourself: "does he have what it takes to help me become a BETTER PERSON?".
(Note the question: it's not just if he can give you better THINGS but if he can help you be a better PERSON).

What is his effect on your PERSON thus far? Are you becoming a better woman because of your association with him? Is there more clarity in your life? More discipline? More kindness? A better walk with God?

I once had a friend who during her birthday party, talked about how others had impacted her life and when she got to me, she couldn't place what impact I'd had on her. Silly as it may sound, it only left me with two options: I either cut off that friendship or start working towards being a positive influence on her.

Whatever the case, whether in a romantic relationship, a close or casual friendship, evaluate the influence ratio today and act in a fast but wise manner!!!

Follow me on twitter @FemiBellos and add me on BBM 2AE5A00E