Johnstone's Blog

All of us have been in one or more waiting periods. Currently, everyone is looking forward to when the world will reopen and activities will return to normal.

Often times, we miss out on the privileges that come with the waiting period. Patience is one of the core fruits we need to imbibe in such seasons but we must know that we need to have a good attitude while waiting.

Waiting has a posture!

Before the COVID-19 lockdown, I applied for a number of fellowships (in media and journalism) and I found myself always going to my mails to refresh and see if I've been accepted or rejected😂. But I made a decision to get my hands on something while I'm waiting for their replies. 

Most times, when you have a lot of free time you tend to procrastinate. So, are you waiting for job, an admission... just anything.

Don't sit idle! Do something!

It could be spending more time with God, studying, learning a skill, reflecting on your purpose. Just do something!

When Jesus went to pray with three of His disciples in the garden; He asked them to WAIT when he went further to pray. 

Unfortunately, Peter and his brothers took the wrong waiting posture; they were sleeping! Jesus had to protest when he came around.

Don't sleep amidst your waiting periods! It's a core part of the next level of your life. It's like the gap between your stimulus and the response.

Get busy! Get to know yourself more.

Don't give up!

Stay safe, Johnstone.

PS: What do you do while waiting? Share with me in the comment section. 

Is it true that the more time you have the less value you attribute to it? By the way, how far has it been staying indoors amid the coronavirus-sponsored lockdown?

It's quite unfortunate that where I am currently, we ain't observing the lockdown, no social and/or physical distancing activities are going on as usual. Some people are still questioning if coronavirus is existing!

I tour some parts of the town last week only to discover that passengers were travelling out of the state even though we claim to have the inter state borders under surveillance, how do they even pass through?

During the beginning of the "lockdown", I spent time taking online courses in my areas of interest and as well sharing my knowledge with various circles of youths. As the days kept going in I decided to spend more time in self discovery; this for me requires a lot of meditation and prayers. 

One thing I am learning during this period is the need to eschew procrastination and embrace consistency. We learn my doing not by acquiring certifications alone. 

Every weekend until the end of the lockdown, I'll share with you one word from my lockdown dairy. Stay with me through this journey.

Share your lockdown experience with me in the comment session  

Write to you soon, 

Johnstone. 

I could literally hear Ravi's voice and thoughts when Michael was speaking during the public lecture at the University Auditorium and the rest of the sessions.

My interest in Church History and Christian Apologetics started when I was in primary school. I spent most of my time with a family friend who was a Catholic Seminarian, I read most of the books in his library (even though I didn't understand some). I came across Ravi, CS Lewis and Fulton Sheen during that period.

Michael Ramsden wrote this few days ago after his visit to the Zacharias, "Only our Lord knows how much time Ravi-ji has, but it appears the time for him to be with the Lord he loved to serve is drawing near".

Ravi has been down with cancer, he was discharged from the hospital some days back. Today, I want to share with you ten of his quotes that have blessed me so much:

1. We have a right to believe whatever we want, but not everything we believe is right.

2. Sometimes we have the false sense that God is so far away is because that is where we have put him. We have kept him at a distance, and then when we are in need and call on him in prayer, we wonder where he is. He is exactly where we left him.

3. It is easier to hide behind philosophical arguments, heavily footnoted for effect, than it is to admit our hurts, our confusions, our loves, and our passions in the marketplace of life's heartfelt transactions.

4. If God is the author of life, there must be a script.

5. Only when holiness and worship meet can evil be conquered. For that, only the Christian message has the answer.

6. The first and foremost reality is that suffering and death are not only enemies of life, but a means of reminding us of life's twin realities, love and hate.

7. Sometimes in the shadows of one’s self lie the problems, and in the shadows of one’s shaping lie the answers.

8. Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing.

9. Let your devotional life be the beacon that guides you through the tough terrain you will face.

10. Faith is a thing of the mind. If you do not believe that God is in control and has formed you for a purpose, then you will flounder on the high seas of purposelessness, drowning in the currents and drifting further into nothingness.

Can man live without God? 

Ravi has spent his life time answering a lot of tough questions in defence to God and his kingdom. I'm grateful for who he is and I'm also grateful to whose he is. 

#ThankYouRavi

Do you know Ravi? 

Share with me any of his quotes in the comment box. 

Fr Edward has played a huge role in my formation from the junior seminary up to my philosophical and theological studies. He is an erudite scholar a great preacher and a Canon Lawyer. Until the doctors found out that he had cancer, he was an assistant Professor of Contextual Theology at the Pontifical University in Rome. 

The tumor around his sacrum has been responding to chemotherapy, meanwhile the area where the cancer metastasized became worst per second. The oncologist said, he has done all he could and the condition seems to be a rare one.

All we could do as brother Priests was to continually offer our prayers for him and pray that God heals him or grant him a happy death; Fr Edward was the most vibrant priest in our community.

Tuesday morning and evening came but I couldn't go to the sick bay to check on him and administer sacraments to him as I planned. I woke up early in the morning on Wednesday, immediately after my lauds, I rushed to the sick bay. While at the entrance I couldn't under why all the nurses were looking cold, I knew something was wrong.

I ran into his ward only to learn that he went back to the Lord few minutes ago. The nun that was taking care of Fr Edward told me that he was asking after me yesterday. She tried reaching me but my phone was switched off because of the power outage at the presbytery on Wednesday. What have I done to myself? Imagine if I didn't procrastinate; what did he want to tell me?

Imagine my life without procrastination, I would have spent the last hours of his life with him. I would have served him the Eucharist. After that experience, I made up my mind not just to keep to my words, but to resist procrastination at all cost.

Some tips for overcoming procrastination include:

1. Eliminating distractions. 

2. Make a list. 

3. Break down your routines.

4. Acknowledge God in your plans. 

It is true that life presents us with different situations and obstacles as we thread in it. However what defines our success on this journey is the level of confidence we face each day with and how much determination we have towards success. 

According to Christina Grimmie '' Confidence is not "They will like me". Confidence is "I will be fine even if they don't". Most times It's not about what they say of you, it's about how much effort you make towards getting it right with or without their support. 

We live in a society today where many young people feel frustrated, lost, unfulfilled, and seem to be constantly fighting an uphill battle of who they are ( i.e. an intense identity crisis).

This has, unfortunately, left many of them grappling with a false sense of identity which has lead to so many challenging societal issues. Research by Psychology Today states that ”Millennials are reporting the highest levels of clinical depression, anxiety, stress, and I dare to add suicide.

Identity influences every aspect of our lives, it forms our being, it drives our looks, self-esteem, self-worth, our lifestyles, friendships and relationships. But the truth is this – it is only in a relationship with the one who created and fashioned our existence that we truly discover our true identity, become whole and live a life of purpose. 

In as much as we won't want to admit, self-confidence has raised to become one of the major threats to destiny fulfilment, so many highly creative, innovative and industrious young people are not where they should be yet simply because the lack self confidence. In Odinaka's words, these young people sometimes know the thing, but how to do the thing is the thing! 

How can anyone see how great you are if you can't see it for yourself? How much value are you placing on yourself?  These are deep questions you must answer on your way to overcoming  self-confidence. You must understand that confidence comes naturally with success, however, success only comes with those who are confident, confident enough to make a move, confident enough to address an issue and confident enough to add value on yourself and others. 

The big question whoever will be; How do I overcome low self-confidence?

1. Purpose Discovery: Discovring your purpose gives you clarity to who you are and what you can and cannot do. It gives a clear definition to your identity. It gives your a clear pathway and also directs your energy to the right channels. 

2. Avoid toxic relationships: Comments or actions made by people in your life can  inadvertently affect how you perceive yourself. It can cause you to second guess your entire being. A friend once shared how much negativity hit here all through her life simply because her mom kept calling her lazy right from childhood, it limited her level of productivity until the day she took the bull by the horn and built the confidence to dare that challenge. 

3. Stop unhealthy comparison: Sometimes it's not pain caused by others that contributes to low self-esteem, but it's the pressure we place on ourselves. Always remember Psalm 139:14, 'I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.' Have you heard your mom tell you "Can't you see how XYZ children are behaving? Or probably why can't you behave like XYZ Children for once in your life? 

One major thing that also limits our self-confidence level is the "Jeremiah's Complex" ; The "I'm just a youth" mindset!  Trust me, this sometimes, stops us from achieving what God has called of us. I guess that's one of the reasons why we have the stories of King David and King Josiah in the Bible. Who said being a youth is a limitation to achieving more? It's about you and the actions you take, the moment you become serious everyone because serous with you and even if they don't keep being serious until you produce results. The results you produce always answers the "Why and the How comes? " You need to always know that God qualifies and equips those He calls. Always be aware of your identity; spend time studying God's words and talking to God through prayers, don't neglect the gathering of brethren.

It's cool to note that confidence is contagious, but well so is lack of confidence. Be mindful of the people you spend most of your time with, the things you hear sometimes inspires the things you think and also say. When you hang around confident people, your confidence level is likely going to rise, you should try it. 

Another fact is, doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will, it's about being real with yourself, not perfect. You must learn to always tell yourself the truth, by so doing you unconsciously increase your confidence level. Don't give up! You'll definitely raise your self-confidence level but it will only cost you the confidence to take action now.

Written by:

Johnstone Kpilaakaa 

Odinaka Kingsley Obeta 

Sometime during my primary school days I read In love With Sex by Msgr Eugene Ugonna that was my first encounter with a literature on Christian Sex Education and sex education at large. I came across the book on our family altar table; the table housed most of the Christian literatures in our house. 

A few years back the book went missing, just this afternoon I was going through my Facebook feeds and I learnt of the death of the author; Mgsr Eugene Ugonna it brought back the memories of the lessons I learnt while reading his book. Coincidentally, the book was published on birth year. 

From the messages I've read about Mgsr Eugene, he was a great preacher; who used few words to throw his congregation to deep ponder. 

In the preface of 'In Love with Sex', Msgr Eugene state that:

"In this book, we have ventured to unveil sex of its negative investiture and revest it with its proper clothing, as a value worthy of love and respect.

Sex has an indispensable place in human existence and has played a vital, sustenance role in human history.

Only true love, that incarnates, within accepted laws and limiting freedom, can accord sex its premier position in the human society of love and a rehabilitation of sex.

Read it and you will be able to live with sex without living in sin and equally discover that it is a thrill and a joy, not to be ashamed of, to be in love with sex."

You can get the book in Catholic Bookstore nationwide. Also, I'll update this post if I come across the PDF. 

Padre, adieu. 

FOR HOW LONG?

Deep in sin

You call it "Pleasure"

Under the the bondage of the devil

You refuse to believe this

But for how long would you continue to DIE  IGNORANTLY?

You don't study the scriptures

You say, "no time"

You hold your Bible in your hands

You say "going to church"

But for how long would you continue to HOLD your Bible while you're FAR from it?

Prayers means nothing to you

You say, "no need"

You struggle with your battles alone

You say, "no one cares"

But for how long would you continue to DISREGARD this WEAPON?

You study the scriptures

Yet you struggle with sin

You pray a lot

Yet you're chained by evil

But for how long would you continue in this BONDAGE?

You don't like him/her

You say, "she/he is evil"

You set a trap for him/her

You say, "she/he deserves it"

But for how long would you continue to PAY EVIL for EVIL?

You can't give Him your time

Yet you say, "I love God"

Sacrifice is a big problem for you

You say, "It's too much"

But for how long would you continue to DECEIVE yourself?

Aren't you tired of this "PLEASURE"?

Aren't you tired of PRETENCE?

Aren't you tired of DECEIT?

Aren't you tired of  BONDAGE?

But for how long will this continue?

Why don't you ask God for Grace?

Written and composed by

Yol Favour Nguuma