Excerpt From SUNDAY TRUST Newspaper, May 30, 2010.
Written by Abubakar A. Ibrahim
It is a strange name, InspiroLogos, but for this slender performing poet, it is the perfect stage name. It epitomises her belief in life that words can be inspiring. And she has not stopped at inspiring herself with words but everyone who comes across her.
On stage she is sensational, delivering poetry with verve and theatrics that leaves the audience ... well, inspired! ut for this poet, voice talent, song writer and motivational speaker, born Ifueko Fex Ogbomo, a 2003 graduate of Music from Texas Lutheran University, United States, there is more to this name, InspiroLogos.
"That came from my mind actually, she said. "Inspiro comes from the Greek word, the root word for 'inspiration' and logos means 'words' and because I try to inspire people with words as a poet and a speaker, I decided to create that name because I like to be unique. When people hear that name I want that description of me to follow - InspiroLogos, they know they are going to get inspirational words."
BACKGROUND
Lady InspiroLogos was born some 30 years ago to a mixed heritage. Her father hails from Edo and her mother is from Benue. She said she is glad to claim both states. "Since I was born by two parents, I count both states as mine ... and the entire country" she said, laughing.
Coming from two states with rich traditions, she has not been influenced much by either, as she speaks none of her parents' languages. "I don't speak either because my parents speak English in our house. Obviously in order to communicate, the speak the same language," she said.
For what many might consider a minus, the poet considers it a plus. "I have an excellent command of the English language because it is my first language," she said. This is something her trade depends on and she has no problems with that. For her dose of local language, she makes do with a smattering of Hausa, which she learnt while growing up in Kaduna.
POETIC LICENSE
Lady InspiroLogos did not set out to be a performing poet, it came quite by chance It started when she was younger, she said. "I was a child when I started writing poems. I didn't really know what i was doing. I just knew i always had something to say. So, if it was somebody's birthday, instead of buying cardss, I would rather write for them or write for my parents. I noticed that people liked and appreciated it more because it was coming from my heart instead of something I just picked up in a store," she said.
But at that stage, she had not realised the potential imbued in her until much later in life, outside the shores of her country when she went to school in Texas. "Over there, I was really encouraged that I do have a gift because I didn't see it as a gift, it was just like 'oh well, i had my own thing to say' you know. But they kind of pushed me and said, you really have a way with words and you need to do something about it."
She did not do much about it until she came back home to Nigeria, where her talent grew wings and flew as she recalled with pride, "It wasn't until i came back home that I got into Abuja Literary Society Poetry Competition that i realized i was as good as people said because i went in and won the competition." That was in May 2009. That triumph came as a surprise. She admitted she was not expecting to win and when she did her life was transformed. She decided to transform her art as well, from a bud to a blossom. She introduced costumes, she introduced drama and she brought in flair. "It gets bigger and bigger everyday, you know, more drama, more costumes," she said. Now her performances are greeted with wows, standing ovations and sometimes with tears. She has grown from the fledgling poet to an accomplished performer.
STAGE TRIUMPH
Her most exciting moment on stage was in September last year when she performed at teh Eagle Square, Abuja. It was a youth summit and most members of the audience were young. She decided to deliver a poem called "Nigeria, Arise!" which she described as a patriotic piece. Given the youths general apathy towards the nation, she was stunned by the boisterous standing ovation that greeted her performance. "My most exciting moment was to see thousands of people get up and cheer 'Lady I.' 'Lady I.' because I wasn't expecting them to even appreciate, because I wasn't there to entertain," she said.
STAGE FRIGHT?
There is no tale of laughable stage fright for Lady InspiroLogos. For as long as she can remember, she has always been on stage. The one moment she could recall as her first was at 14, when she led out her church choir. "I actually recited a three-foolscap sheet speech from memory and I had people on their feet screaming." When asked if she was nervous during the performance, she said "I really was (laughs) but they told me i didn't look nervous, that i looked really confident" And so began her march to a life on stage with unruffled feathers.
Even now, she exudes a confidence that belies the challenges she has overcome and in some cases, still battling with. Life as a performing poet is "very difficult." The thrills have always been there, the joy of seeing the effects of her words touching the hearts of her audience, the satisfaction of having tonnes of commendations from inspired fans. But beneath this, there is the trouble of financial reward, which she says is not much to write home about. "There are ups and downs to it, but I'm never gonna stop," she said.
BENEATH HER BEAUTIFUL MASK
That is not the least of her challenges though. For one born with the sickle cell disease life has been quite a challenge. . .
. . . "My poetry is sort of therapy for me and also a way to present myself and present my thoughts; it's a way to escape into my mind and a world where everything works. It's also a way to express when there's difficulty in my life," she said . . .
. . . She is an elegant lady and if one never knew, one might never guess she has sickle cell. She seemed healthy, and vibrant as well. She calls herself an “overcomer,” having overcome what would ordinarily be an impairment. What happened, what transformed her from the sickly girl to a flowery poet gracing the stage with inspiring poetry and motivational talks? “I have a source of strength and that is my faith in God and what he has done for me,” she said. She has decided to commit her time and resources to fight the sickle cell disease by creating awareness. She has written a book, 'Through My Eyes: Then and Now!', based on her experiences and how she overcame the ailment. She wants sufferers of sickle cell to have hope and for intending couples to do the right thing by having their genotypes tested so they don’t end up with children having the disease. “The purpose is to tell a gripping story and at the same time, you are educating people about sickle cell disease. They are learning facts and figures they didn’t know before, dispelling myths that existed about it And they are also getting a message of hope, they are getting my survival strategy,” she said. . .
The book will be coming out sometime later this year.
The life of InspiroLogos is an inspiration as the poetic belle through her resilience, has demonstrated that thee is no challenge that is insurmountable and that in art, even the hopeless can find a light somewhere down the dark tunnel of life.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
I Love Her, I Love Her Not ...
Copyright © Ifueko Fex Ogbomo 2009
A faithful friend, she’s always there
A constant companion, she’s ever near
So compassionate, sensitive, and gentle is she
A more noble being there never could be
She gives to every needy person we meet
Even stops to help old ladies cross the street
Alas no one is perfect, no, not even she
Her motives are no doubt, as pure as can be
But I fault her in this, she’s a little too nosy
In my affairs she finds herself a little too cozy!
When I ‘stretch the truth’ to get out of trouble
She’s makes me come clean on the double
When I’m enraged and ready to give out a piece of my mind
She tells me to save it and instead be long-suffering and kind!
I once wished my fellow contestants would fall
So that I would be crowned the Belle-of-the-Ball
But one look into her baby brown eyes
And the error of my ways I at once realized
When controversy arises she’s ever equipped with a word
That pierces my heart like a double-edged sword
How I hate that I can’t seem to win whenever we fight
The exasperating fact is she’s always darned right!
When I secretly plan my revenge, executing it swiftly
She inevitably discovers it, and makes me feel so guilty
I wish she’d butt out and let me have my way
I wish she’d shut up and let me have my say
I love her not, Miss goody-two-shoes
She’s a friend I sometimes wish I could loose!
Alas, whenever I take a walk down memory lane
And I peek through my historical window pane
I see that in good times and bad, in glad moments and sad
She’s been there, always near, with a listening ear
I see that whenever I’ve taken her advice as I should
It’s always, always, worked out for my good
How happy I am when she’s constantly near
How sweet I sleep when she’s crystal clear
Oh I love her, and strive daily to love her more
For of this one thing I’m absolutely sure:
The most wicked of creatures I'd undoubtedly be
If my darling, my conscience, were ever to leave me!
_ _ _
Indeed, a tender conscience is a priceless treasure. One of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. A ‘divine red-flag’ as it were - warning us when our thoughts, words or deeds fall short of God’s standard of Love. Learn to be sensitive to follow the promptings of your conscience. I assure you, your life and the lives of those in your sphere of influence, will be better for it. Ignore your conscience often enough and eventually, it’ll stop speaking. What a tragedy that would be, for a man without a conscience is not a man, but a monster.
Selah.
Lady InspiroLogos.
A faithful friend, she’s always there
A constant companion, she’s ever near
So compassionate, sensitive, and gentle is she
A more noble being there never could be
She gives to every needy person we meet
Even stops to help old ladies cross the street
Alas no one is perfect, no, not even she
Her motives are no doubt, as pure as can be
But I fault her in this, she’s a little too nosy
In my affairs she finds herself a little too cozy!
When I ‘stretch the truth’ to get out of trouble
She’s makes me come clean on the double
When I’m enraged and ready to give out a piece of my mind
She tells me to save it and instead be long-suffering and kind!
I once wished my fellow contestants would fall
So that I would be crowned the Belle-of-the-Ball
But one look into her baby brown eyes
And the error of my ways I at once realized
When controversy arises she’s ever equipped with a word
That pierces my heart like a double-edged sword
How I hate that I can’t seem to win whenever we fight
The exasperating fact is she’s always darned right!
When I secretly plan my revenge, executing it swiftly
She inevitably discovers it, and makes me feel so guilty
I wish she’d butt out and let me have my way
I wish she’d shut up and let me have my say
I love her not, Miss goody-two-shoes
She’s a friend I sometimes wish I could loose!
Alas, whenever I take a walk down memory lane
And I peek through my historical window pane
I see that in good times and bad, in glad moments and sad
She’s been there, always near, with a listening ear
I see that whenever I’ve taken her advice as I should
It’s always, always, worked out for my good
How happy I am when she’s constantly near
How sweet I sleep when she’s crystal clear
Oh I love her, and strive daily to love her more
For of this one thing I’m absolutely sure:
The most wicked of creatures I'd undoubtedly be
If my darling, my conscience, were ever to leave me!
_ _ _
Indeed, a tender conscience is a priceless treasure. One of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. A ‘divine red-flag’ as it were - warning us when our thoughts, words or deeds fall short of God’s standard of Love. Learn to be sensitive to follow the promptings of your conscience. I assure you, your life and the lives of those in your sphere of influence, will be better for it. Ignore your conscience often enough and eventually, it’ll stop speaking. What a tragedy that would be, for a man without a conscience is not a man, but a monster.
Selah.
Lady InspiroLogos.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A look through my eyes ...
I was opportuned to be the Cover Story of ALLURE Magazine, featured inside the Sunday Vanguard Newspaper, today March 7, 2010. The article (which is featured below) is very dear to my heart, not just because I wrote it, but because the subject is personal.
Enjoy ... and I look forward to your comments.
_ _ _
THROUGH MY EYES, THEN AND NOW! – AN INSPIRATIONAL TRUE STORY
January 4th, 2007 - I’ve been staring at the same spot on the ceiling for the last three hours, I can almost hear each hurried beat of my overworked heart, and I count each one, just waiting … I lay down, motionless, except for the intermittent rise and fall of my chest. As I draw in each excruciating breath, I feel as though a hundred knives are being driven through my entire chest and back, only to be viciously ripped out and mercilessly driven in again, and again, and again ... A lone tear slowly makes its way down my face as I remember the countless times I’ve been in similar situations over the years ... If I had to qualify what I feel right now, the words excruciating, agonizing, and torment come to mind ...
The above are the opening lines of my story, titled ‘Through My Eyes, Then and Now!’ In this first chapter I describe what it feels like to experience what is popularly termed a ‘crisis’ - an episode of Sickle Cell Disease - a hereditary, chronic, life-long blood disease that affects millions of persons of African Descent, worldwide.
My story is a book, and in it I paint a vivid picture of just how devastating life with Sickle Cell Disease can be; but I point out that as terrible as this wide-spread disease is, and having no easily accessible medical cure, it is totally preventable with a simple genotype test. I wrote the book in the hope that via individual and collective efforts, this nation and other affected nations will wake up and take action to create more awareness of this disease and ensure that genotype testing, proper education and pre-marital counselling can become the norm in our education and health care institutions, so that further sickle-cell births can be prevented!
In simplistic language from the voice of personal experience, I also provide useful and practical information to Sickle Cell patients, their families, doctors and care-givers in order that the care and maintenance of persons battling this chronic condition can be greatly improved.
Finally, in this book I describe in detail my survival strategy: belief in God’s love and faith in His word, in order to let persons that are faced with this disease know that despite the many odds stacked them, they can live fulfilling and satisfying lives. In other words, with my strategy, a diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease does not have to be equal to a miserable, shallow and brief existence in a cruel world.
Through My Eyes, Then and Now! is a story of trials, tragedy and ultimately triumph, It’s a story that will undoubtedly make you cry and also make you smile. I believe it’s a story worth telling, but then again, it is the story of my life.
Here’s what Award-winning Broadcaster, Essayist and Author of ‘In the Blink of An Eye’ - Eugenia Abu had to say about the book:
"Through My Eyes: Then and Now! is an awesome book about pain, and the triumph of faith. Written in an exquisitely conversational style, the author engages us all in the story of her life, the journeys of her life, and the beauty that is her life. Through the Author’s life, we encounter Sickle Cell Anaemia like never before. The Author’s humour, matter of fact stories and special relationship with God gets us all ready to do whatever we have to, to find a cure for this debilitating disease.
The Author is at once teacher, preacher, pain bearer and friend.
An incredible read. A real page turner. Should be on your shelf."
It is my desire and hope that as this book is published and launched this year, it becomes more than just a touching story. It becomes a tool that informs, educates and enlightens everyone that comes across it, and more importantly, it becomes a catalyst of positive and lasting change as regards this issue of national and global concern.
Bottom line, if this story causes one person to test his or her genotype and therefore pick an appropriate match in their choice of spouse, thereby preventing the birth of more SCD sufferers, If this story causes the parents of a SCD patient to understand better what their child is going through and how to take care of that child better, If this story causes one SCD sufferer to have hope-against-hope for a bright future... then I could count my trials and tragedies to be triumph indeed.
Stop the Sickle Cycle – Test Your Genotype Today!
Inspirational Writer, Performance Poet and Voice Artist:
Ifueko Fex Ogbomo – a Sickle Cell Survivor!
- - -
The Book Launch is proposed for May 2010, in Lagos, Nigeria.
If you would like to sponsor the publication and launch of this book, and/or Sickle Cell Disease awarness campaigns please send me an email on inspirologosworld@yahoo.com
Enjoy ... and I look forward to your comments.
_ _ _
THROUGH MY EYES, THEN AND NOW! – AN INSPIRATIONAL TRUE STORY
January 4th, 2007 - I’ve been staring at the same spot on the ceiling for the last three hours, I can almost hear each hurried beat of my overworked heart, and I count each one, just waiting … I lay down, motionless, except for the intermittent rise and fall of my chest. As I draw in each excruciating breath, I feel as though a hundred knives are being driven through my entire chest and back, only to be viciously ripped out and mercilessly driven in again, and again, and again ... A lone tear slowly makes its way down my face as I remember the countless times I’ve been in similar situations over the years ... If I had to qualify what I feel right now, the words excruciating, agonizing, and torment come to mind ...
The above are the opening lines of my story, titled ‘Through My Eyes, Then and Now!’ In this first chapter I describe what it feels like to experience what is popularly termed a ‘crisis’ - an episode of Sickle Cell Disease - a hereditary, chronic, life-long blood disease that affects millions of persons of African Descent, worldwide.
My story is a book, and in it I paint a vivid picture of just how devastating life with Sickle Cell Disease can be; but I point out that as terrible as this wide-spread disease is, and having no easily accessible medical cure, it is totally preventable with a simple genotype test. I wrote the book in the hope that via individual and collective efforts, this nation and other affected nations will wake up and take action to create more awareness of this disease and ensure that genotype testing, proper education and pre-marital counselling can become the norm in our education and health care institutions, so that further sickle-cell births can be prevented!
In simplistic language from the voice of personal experience, I also provide useful and practical information to Sickle Cell patients, their families, doctors and care-givers in order that the care and maintenance of persons battling this chronic condition can be greatly improved.
Finally, in this book I describe in detail my survival strategy: belief in God’s love and faith in His word, in order to let persons that are faced with this disease know that despite the many odds stacked them, they can live fulfilling and satisfying lives. In other words, with my strategy, a diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease does not have to be equal to a miserable, shallow and brief existence in a cruel world.
Through My Eyes, Then and Now! is a story of trials, tragedy and ultimately triumph, It’s a story that will undoubtedly make you cry and also make you smile. I believe it’s a story worth telling, but then again, it is the story of my life.
Here’s what Award-winning Broadcaster, Essayist and Author of ‘In the Blink of An Eye’ - Eugenia Abu had to say about the book:
"Through My Eyes: Then and Now! is an awesome book about pain, and the triumph of faith. Written in an exquisitely conversational style, the author engages us all in the story of her life, the journeys of her life, and the beauty that is her life. Through the Author’s life, we encounter Sickle Cell Anaemia like never before. The Author’s humour, matter of fact stories and special relationship with God gets us all ready to do whatever we have to, to find a cure for this debilitating disease.
The Author is at once teacher, preacher, pain bearer and friend.
An incredible read. A real page turner. Should be on your shelf."
It is my desire and hope that as this book is published and launched this year, it becomes more than just a touching story. It becomes a tool that informs, educates and enlightens everyone that comes across it, and more importantly, it becomes a catalyst of positive and lasting change as regards this issue of national and global concern.
Bottom line, if this story causes one person to test his or her genotype and therefore pick an appropriate match in their choice of spouse, thereby preventing the birth of more SCD sufferers, If this story causes the parents of a SCD patient to understand better what their child is going through and how to take care of that child better, If this story causes one SCD sufferer to have hope-against-hope for a bright future... then I could count my trials and tragedies to be triumph indeed.
Stop the Sickle Cycle – Test Your Genotype Today!
Inspirational Writer, Performance Poet and Voice Artist:
Ifueko Fex Ogbomo – a Sickle Cell Survivor!
- - -
The Book Launch is proposed for May 2010, in Lagos, Nigeria.
If you would like to sponsor the publication and launch of this book, and/or Sickle Cell Disease awarness campaigns please send me an email on inspirologosworld@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Picture of Peace
It's two weeks into the new year! Already? ... Yes, time flies!
Anyway, despite the many resolutions, conclusions, aspirations, and expectations for this awesome year, things might not be going as smoothly you thought they would. When a storm is in sight, wishing on a thousand stars won't still the storm. What you need is some real peace!
Speaking of which, I was inspired to paint a picture of peace.
As usual, my paintbrush is a pen, and my paint, some choice words from my imaginative vocabulary. ;-)
The result? ... Voila!
The Picture of Peace
Copyright ©Ifueko Ogbomo 2009
A picture of peace ... A picture of peace ...
How would it look, this picture of peace?
Stillness. Serenity. Quietness. Tranquillity.
Blue skies. Green Meadows. A soft breeze. A bright rainbow.
No yelling parents. No crying babies.
A Day-off - no labour. A leisurely drive - no traffic.
All debts paid. All needs met. All going good.
Ahh, 'tis the picture of peace, is it not?
I think not; ‘tis simply a picture of ease.
I looked far and wide, searched high and low
That a picture of peace I might see and know
And just when I thought I had no choice but to quit
There I saw it, in the pages of the Holy Writ
Ah, I stood back and stared in awe
As at last, the picture of peace I saw:
A raging storm. Boisterous winds.
Menacing waves crashing. A boat tossing and turning.
Uproar! Chaos! Cabin and crew madly rushing about.
They're shaking with trepidation.
Lips mumbling, stumbling over fear-filled prayers.
Minds frazzled, dazzled with images of a watery grave.
They're screaming in terror:
‘Abandon ship!’ ‘Women and children first!’ ‘Every man for himself, and God for us all!’
All perturbed. All disturbed. All save one.
See him: curled up in a corner, as though oblivious of the surrounding danger.
All worries forgotten. All cares forsaken.
See him: curled up in a corner, on a pillow he lies, fast asleep!
Assured that He who never sleeps, watches over him.
See him, the Prince of Peace; see thus, the true picture of peace
'tis not the calm before the storm, nay.
'tis the calm within the storm!
(My inspiration came from the scriptural story recorded in three out of four of the gospels, although Mark's account is my favorite. See Mark 4: 35 - 41.)
In Conclusion:
Life's challenging - that's a given. When you are blessed with a vivid imagination like mine, it's easy to get anxious over unpleasant unforseen circumstances and undesirable unexpected happenings. However, if you can keep the wanderings of your mind focused on God, focused on His abilities and not your inabilities, His strength and not your weakness, His omniscience and not your limited knowledge, and if you can trust Him, then that picture of peace, will be a picture of YOU.
How do I know that? Simple. it says so in Isaiah 26 verse 3:
"You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You"
If it's in the word of God, then it's inspired by God, who cannot lie, and that's good enough for me! Selah!
- - -
Lady I. - Positively Peaceful
Anyway, despite the many resolutions, conclusions, aspirations, and expectations for this awesome year, things might not be going as smoothly you thought they would. When a storm is in sight, wishing on a thousand stars won't still the storm. What you need is some real peace!
Speaking of which, I was inspired to paint a picture of peace.
As usual, my paintbrush is a pen, and my paint, some choice words from my imaginative vocabulary. ;-)
The result? ... Voila!
The Picture of Peace
Copyright ©Ifueko Ogbomo 2009
A picture of peace ... A picture of peace ...
How would it look, this picture of peace?
Stillness. Serenity. Quietness. Tranquillity.
Blue skies. Green Meadows. A soft breeze. A bright rainbow.
No yelling parents. No crying babies.
A Day-off - no labour. A leisurely drive - no traffic.
All debts paid. All needs met. All going good.
Ahh, 'tis the picture of peace, is it not?
I think not; ‘tis simply a picture of ease.
I looked far and wide, searched high and low
That a picture of peace I might see and know
And just when I thought I had no choice but to quit
There I saw it, in the pages of the Holy Writ
Ah, I stood back and stared in awe
As at last, the picture of peace I saw:
A raging storm. Boisterous winds.
Menacing waves crashing. A boat tossing and turning.
Uproar! Chaos! Cabin and crew madly rushing about.
They're shaking with trepidation.
Lips mumbling, stumbling over fear-filled prayers.
Minds frazzled, dazzled with images of a watery grave.
They're screaming in terror:
‘Abandon ship!’ ‘Women and children first!’ ‘Every man for himself, and God for us all!’
All perturbed. All disturbed. All save one.
See him: curled up in a corner, as though oblivious of the surrounding danger.
All worries forgotten. All cares forsaken.
See him: curled up in a corner, on a pillow he lies, fast asleep!
Assured that He who never sleeps, watches over him.
See him, the Prince of Peace; see thus, the true picture of peace
'tis not the calm before the storm, nay.
'tis the calm within the storm!
(My inspiration came from the scriptural story recorded in three out of four of the gospels, although Mark's account is my favorite. See Mark 4: 35 - 41.)
In Conclusion:
Life's challenging - that's a given. When you are blessed with a vivid imagination like mine, it's easy to get anxious over unpleasant unforseen circumstances and undesirable unexpected happenings. However, if you can keep the wanderings of your mind focused on God, focused on His abilities and not your inabilities, His strength and not your weakness, His omniscience and not your limited knowledge, and if you can trust Him, then that picture of peace, will be a picture of YOU.
How do I know that? Simple. it says so in Isaiah 26 verse 3:
"You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You"
If it's in the word of God, then it's inspired by God, who cannot lie, and that's good enough for me! Selah!
- - -
Lady I. - Positively Peaceful
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Celebrating the Celebrant!
Over 11 months gone, the year is almost done
It should be Celebration Time for everyone!
No matter how challenging the year has been
The mercies of God you’ve surely seen
So forget about the Stress, Struggles and Strife
Sing, Dance, Shout, Clap and thank God for the gift of LIFE!
Spread the Love that comes from above
Spread the Joy to every girl and boy
Spread the goods and some delicious food
Spread the Word about the Birth of the LORD
Spread the greetings of this Special Season
Share a hug and a kiss, with those you love and miss!
A Very Merry Christmas and HAPPY New Year,
From LADY I to everyone far and near!
p.s. Don't forget to celebrate the actual celebrant in this CHRISTmas season!
And in that spirit, allow me to share with you a little poem I wrote years ago, specifically on November 12th 2002:
HIS STORY
He was a baby, born in a manger, watched by the shepherds, served by the Kings
He was a boy, caught in the temple, teaching the aged, what His father taught Him
He was a man, baptized in the Jordan, from which He emerged as the dove descended
Then God proclaimed: "This is my Son, in Him I'm well pleased, He is my beloved"
He was still a man, hung on the cross, wounded and bleeding, despised by other men
His blood was shed, your sins to cleanse, your ills to heal, your hearts to mend
He is a King, a high priest is He, esteemed above all, the one I adore
Soon He will come, come for His own, the ones who choose to love Him more and more
From tiny babe to great King, He remains humble, with hands stretched out to you, He calls
Will you respond, will your surrender; your heart, your life, your love, your all?
_ _ _
Lady I. - Willingly Surrendered
It should be Celebration Time for everyone!
No matter how challenging the year has been
The mercies of God you’ve surely seen
So forget about the Stress, Struggles and Strife
Sing, Dance, Shout, Clap and thank God for the gift of LIFE!
Spread the Love that comes from above
Spread the Joy to every girl and boy
Spread the goods and some delicious food
Spread the Word about the Birth of the LORD
Spread the greetings of this Special Season
Share a hug and a kiss, with those you love and miss!
A Very Merry Christmas and HAPPY New Year,
From LADY I to everyone far and near!
p.s. Don't forget to celebrate the actual celebrant in this CHRISTmas season!
And in that spirit, allow me to share with you a little poem I wrote years ago, specifically on November 12th 2002:
HIS STORY
He was a baby, born in a manger, watched by the shepherds, served by the Kings
He was a boy, caught in the temple, teaching the aged, what His father taught Him
He was a man, baptized in the Jordan, from which He emerged as the dove descended
Then God proclaimed: "This is my Son, in Him I'm well pleased, He is my beloved"
He was still a man, hung on the cross, wounded and bleeding, despised by other men
His blood was shed, your sins to cleanse, your ills to heal, your hearts to mend
He is a King, a high priest is He, esteemed above all, the one I adore
Soon He will come, come for His own, the ones who choose to love Him more and more
From tiny babe to great King, He remains humble, with hands stretched out to you, He calls
Will you respond, will your surrender; your heart, your life, your love, your all?
_ _ _
Lady I. - Willingly Surrendered
Saturday, December 5, 2009
How Do I Go On?
This poem is dedicated to you who are facing overwhelming circumstances and wondering if you will ever get through. I feel you.
HOW DO I GO ON?
Copyright ©Ifueko Ogbomo 2009
A body broken. A love lost. A dream destroyed.
Pain indescribable. Misery irrepressible. Agony insurmountable.
A body racked with pain is brutal
A heart wrecked by despair, fatal
One minute all is well: The sky is blue, the grass is green,
birds sing sweetly, laughter rings freely;
One minute, you’re walking with a pep in your step; a twinkle in your eye and a super-sparkly smile
The next minute, everything changes
An argument. An accident. One morbid message. One calamitous call.
Instantly laughter is transformed into tears, exuberant joy into immeasurable sorrow
The light of day becomes a gross darkness, crushing your very soul
Life as you know it ceases to be
Then questions arise: Why this? Why now? Why me? Why? ...
The answers elude, thus the despair deepens.
The broken body will never mend. The lost love will never be found. The destroyed dream will never be realized.
Then the many questions become one: ‘How do I go on?’
When each dawn is but a despicable reminder of another dreaded day
The laughter of others but a dagger thrust deeper into my despondent soul
How do I go on?
Would that I stop feeling, for all I feel is raw, incessant pain – I long to go numb
Would that I stop seeing, for all I see conjures up terrifying memories – I long to forget
There is no more light, no, just a dark dark night
I am become but a shadow of what I once was
How do I go on?
My past, forgotten; my present, traumatic; my future, what future?
I know of none. I imagine none. I envision nothing.
How do I go on?
I have but one desire: to close my eyes in eternal sleep, and no more ever weep.
Or know you another way? Pray show me, please, tell me...
How do I go on?
_ _ _
In answer to the above question, let me say the following:
You go on by looking up, and you do it one day at a time.
Don’t look downward or inward because all you’ll see is sorrow. Don’t look around you because your circumstances will overwhelm you.
Just look up to God.
Whenever I face situations that make me wonder how I could ever go on, I find solace in two scriptural facts:
1. Nothing, absolutely nothing, neither death nor life, the present or the future, will ever be able to separate mefrom the unconditional everlasting love God has for me (Romans 8: 38,39; Jeremiah 31:3).
2. Since I love God, and I’m called according to His purpose, then I know that God causes ALL things to work together for my good, ultimately (Romans 8:28).
When I’m overwhelmed by life, believing these facts give me the strength to go on, one day at a time and I hope they will do the same for you.
Remember, no matter how long a night is, it must give way to the rising of the sun - the light of a brand new day. Look up!
_ _ _
Lady I. – Still Standing Strong!
HOW DO I GO ON?
Copyright ©Ifueko Ogbomo 2009
A body broken. A love lost. A dream destroyed.
Pain indescribable. Misery irrepressible. Agony insurmountable.
A body racked with pain is brutal
A heart wrecked by despair, fatal
One minute all is well: The sky is blue, the grass is green,
birds sing sweetly, laughter rings freely;
One minute, you’re walking with a pep in your step; a twinkle in your eye and a super-sparkly smile
The next minute, everything changes
An argument. An accident. One morbid message. One calamitous call.
Instantly laughter is transformed into tears, exuberant joy into immeasurable sorrow
The light of day becomes a gross darkness, crushing your very soul
Life as you know it ceases to be
Then questions arise: Why this? Why now? Why me? Why? ...
The answers elude, thus the despair deepens.
The broken body will never mend. The lost love will never be found. The destroyed dream will never be realized.
Then the many questions become one: ‘How do I go on?’
When each dawn is but a despicable reminder of another dreaded day
The laughter of others but a dagger thrust deeper into my despondent soul
How do I go on?
Would that I stop feeling, for all I feel is raw, incessant pain – I long to go numb
Would that I stop seeing, for all I see conjures up terrifying memories – I long to forget
There is no more light, no, just a dark dark night
I am become but a shadow of what I once was
How do I go on?
My past, forgotten; my present, traumatic; my future, what future?
I know of none. I imagine none. I envision nothing.
How do I go on?
I have but one desire: to close my eyes in eternal sleep, and no more ever weep.
Or know you another way? Pray show me, please, tell me...
How do I go on?
_ _ _
In answer to the above question, let me say the following:
You go on by looking up, and you do it one day at a time.
Don’t look downward or inward because all you’ll see is sorrow. Don’t look around you because your circumstances will overwhelm you.
Just look up to God.
Whenever I face situations that make me wonder how I could ever go on, I find solace in two scriptural facts:
1. Nothing, absolutely nothing, neither death nor life, the present or the future, will ever be able to separate mefrom the unconditional everlasting love God has for me (Romans 8: 38,39; Jeremiah 31:3).
2. Since I love God, and I’m called according to His purpose, then I know that God causes ALL things to work together for my good, ultimately (Romans 8:28).
When I’m overwhelmed by life, believing these facts give me the strength to go on, one day at a time and I hope they will do the same for you.
Remember, no matter how long a night is, it must give way to the rising of the sun - the light of a brand new day. Look up!
_ _ _
Lady I. – Still Standing Strong!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Joy, Despite!
Okay, have you ever had one of 'those' days?
You know, when you wake up on the 'wrong side of the bed'?
Everyone and their mama-in-law is out to step on your toes and get on your last nerve?!
Basically, everything that could possibly go wrong does.
It's one of those days when your alarm doesn't go off for some mysterious reason so you're running late for work; plus your beloved dog chewed up your favorite shoes so your carefully pre-selected wardrobe has to be changed. Despite it all you're out the door in one piece and off to work. Ofcourse it starts to rain, and being late all the parking spaces are taken so you have to park two blocks away from the office and walk. that's when you realize you forgot to put the umbrella in your car, great! Well, walking the two blocks as fast as you can, you get mud-splashed as a car whizzes by, so now you look like a wreck. Just as you walk in the office you see all your colleagues leaving the conference room - the big boss had decided to show up early and have an impromptu office meeting which ofcourse, you missed and are now officially in the boss' black book. ouch. Well, moving on you get behind your desk and discover you have three messages on the answering machine:
1. Your partner at work is sadly indisposed and won't be at work today so your workload has just doubled
2. Your kid is in detention AGAIN, and his teacher needs to meet with you ASAP
3. Your spouse says something just came up and your desperately-needed, much-anticipated date night tonight is cancelled, until further notice. double ouch.
So, at this point your already massaging your aching temples and it's not even lunch time yet - speaking of lunch you obviously won't be having a break today, what with your doubled work load and all ... and then just when you think this rotten day can't possibly get any worse ...... it does! aaaaaaaarrgh!!!
Okay, so this is what one of 'those' days could look like - can you relate?
The truth is at this point you've got two options:
A. Go through the day mad at everything, yell at every helpless person you can find, and keep popping pills to manage your headache which is escalating to a migraine per minute; and throw yourself a pity-party while you're at it, cos you 'just can't catch a break' ...
B. Think about the facts that you still have a working car, a job, a loving spouse and kids (all things that millions of people are wishing for) plus your not laying on a hospital bed, locked up in jail or the psych ward, and certainly not in the mortuary, and take a couple minutes to give thanks for all that - and laugh about the day's unnerving events.
Umm, see i'd go with option B and i'll tell you why. Since 'those days' come around more often than we'd like, repeatedly going with option A will probably get you prematurely gray, maybe even sporting an ulcer, and it will definitely put you in the top slot for 'office grouch' - ;-)
Option B on the other hand will keep you cheerful,which means less wrinkles on your pretty face, and mental clarity - straight so you can find a way to get through your crazy day! Besides, believe me, it would make a great dinnertime story at some point!
Hey, bottomline we can't always control what happens in our lives, but we can ALWAYS choose our attitudes about it.
I like to say it like this: It doesn't matter if nothing goes right, I choose to keep my joy, despite!
So if you're having one of 'those' days, take a few minutes to think about the things that are working out.
Sing a song.
Dance a jig.
Find a way to laugh.
Do whatever it takes to get joyful and guard your joy jealously!
Finally remember: Even the worst day cannot last longer than 24 hours!
- - -
Lady I. - unapologetically joyful!
You know, when you wake up on the 'wrong side of the bed'?
Everyone and their mama-in-law is out to step on your toes and get on your last nerve?!
Basically, everything that could possibly go wrong does.
It's one of those days when your alarm doesn't go off for some mysterious reason so you're running late for work; plus your beloved dog chewed up your favorite shoes so your carefully pre-selected wardrobe has to be changed. Despite it all you're out the door in one piece and off to work. Ofcourse it starts to rain, and being late all the parking spaces are taken so you have to park two blocks away from the office and walk. that's when you realize you forgot to put the umbrella in your car, great! Well, walking the two blocks as fast as you can, you get mud-splashed as a car whizzes by, so now you look like a wreck. Just as you walk in the office you see all your colleagues leaving the conference room - the big boss had decided to show up early and have an impromptu office meeting which ofcourse, you missed and are now officially in the boss' black book. ouch. Well, moving on you get behind your desk and discover you have three messages on the answering machine:
1. Your partner at work is sadly indisposed and won't be at work today so your workload has just doubled
2. Your kid is in detention AGAIN, and his teacher needs to meet with you ASAP
3. Your spouse says something just came up and your desperately-needed, much-anticipated date night tonight is cancelled, until further notice. double ouch.
So, at this point your already massaging your aching temples and it's not even lunch time yet - speaking of lunch you obviously won't be having a break today, what with your doubled work load and all ... and then just when you think this rotten day can't possibly get any worse ...... it does! aaaaaaaarrgh!!!
Okay, so this is what one of 'those' days could look like - can you relate?
The truth is at this point you've got two options:
A. Go through the day mad at everything, yell at every helpless person you can find, and keep popping pills to manage your headache which is escalating to a migraine per minute; and throw yourself a pity-party while you're at it, cos you 'just can't catch a break' ...
B. Think about the facts that you still have a working car, a job, a loving spouse and kids (all things that millions of people are wishing for) plus your not laying on a hospital bed, locked up in jail or the psych ward, and certainly not in the mortuary, and take a couple minutes to give thanks for all that - and laugh about the day's unnerving events.
Umm, see i'd go with option B and i'll tell you why. Since 'those days' come around more often than we'd like, repeatedly going with option A will probably get you prematurely gray, maybe even sporting an ulcer, and it will definitely put you in the top slot for 'office grouch' - ;-)
Option B on the other hand will keep you cheerful,which means less wrinkles on your pretty face, and mental clarity - straight so you can find a way to get through your crazy day! Besides, believe me, it would make a great dinnertime story at some point!
Hey, bottomline we can't always control what happens in our lives, but we can ALWAYS choose our attitudes about it.
I like to say it like this: It doesn't matter if nothing goes right, I choose to keep my joy, despite!
So if you're having one of 'those' days, take a few minutes to think about the things that are working out.
Sing a song.
Dance a jig.
Find a way to laugh.
Do whatever it takes to get joyful and guard your joy jealously!
Finally remember: Even the worst day cannot last longer than 24 hours!
- - -
Lady I. - unapologetically joyful!
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