Chronicles of Truth

Filters can mean a lot of things to different people. A chef will consider it as an instrument to gather or needed material for cooking. A photographer will see it as a tool to enhance beauty and art. A communicator uses it to sieve and remove unnecessary words and actions, so that (s)he can pass across a particular message to a specific audience. Most of the time it is used to separate or take out unwanted details from a composition. My focus today is on the analogy of photographers. The reason being that, at the end of the day, filters are used to make things taste, feel or look good. And that is what we do mostly. I want to believe at some point recently, you have taken a photo with your phone, camera, or by a photographer. This also means there is the possibility that you have filtered or done some kind of editing on it before you uploaded it somewhere or kept it on your phone. Whatever you did with it, I'm sure you can relate when I say filters. Why is filter the f...

Have you ever thought that you could handle your life the way you want it and only you decide whether you are on the right or wrong track? I'm sure if you made some decision based on that you can confirm that it can be a very dangerous mindset to keep.  When a person has a certain access to freedom, without the right mindset, freedom or choice can soon become a prison. Think about it this way. A child is given a master password that can open up anything in an estate. So, he decided to check up on all the houses and rooms in the area. Every house have their function, but he doesn't know that because he believes everywhere is a playground. Sooner than expected will he discover that there are consequences to the places and things he exposes himself to. But at that point, it might too late to readjust. My point is that you can't expose yourself to an unexpected life and not take the consequences of that path or way of life. So before you explore your options, consid...

Silence is deafening, can you hear it?  That was my friend talking to me in the middle of a silent session - everyone deciding not to talk for a while, then he broke that silence with his question. At that moment, it feels tiring hearing the silence around me. It's stressful and disheartening. It's not just the physical absence of sound, it more like numbness in the soul - uncertain of almost everything other than being alive. It's inescapable, everyone experiences it in different ways at different phases. It's the valley episode that balances life. It helps us appreciate our peaks and heights. It's a break, reflection, and strategy time. It helps us grow.  Helps us to be thoughtful and appreciative. It's nothing to be ashamed of, rather a season of praise for the glory ahead. Doesn't stop the fact that it feels numb at the moment, but we have an assurance and hope. In times like this, we count our blessings, plan for the future, ...

My mum and I recently had a conversation about why people at the hem of affairs are not satisfied with a leadership position well done. Why do they have to run for more?  What is so important about the top seat that they can't let other people who have not had the chance to take it up and run? Why must it always be their faces we see and the voices we hear? It has become stale and irrelevant because we keep hearing the same thing without any touch of freshness or transformation. I agreed with her on a questioning and lots of other ideas, but she said something that I couldn't argue neither did I agree. She said, "they are all greedy, and people who have tasted power don't want to stay ashore while people cross Jordan to rule."  I struggled with her ideology. I couldn't say she was wrong because I have no proof yet. I can't agree with her because I know there are exceptional cases. So, I kept it somewhere that in the cause of time, I...

Who else feels the same? That moment in your journey that you think the whole world is against you? Or you have too much burden to carry? Or an inescapable path to follow or no luxury of multiple choice ? All those and more are examples of situations that make me feel like I don't have any other option. No room to express my choice at all - road blocked. I want to believe I'm not alone on this journey. So, what do you do when there is no other way out or around a situation at the moment? How do you feel? That might be a situation you are going through, went through, or will go through. How are you handling or how will you handle it? Every one of us will go through seasons like that because it's inescapable. So today, let's consider postures to maintain in times like this - out of options.  First of all, see with the eyes of faith. This is a posture that will shift your understanding and manner of approach to things, people, or situations. This wi...

The power of being human is not just in living life one day at a time, it's the power to choose what kind of life you want to live and what you would have attained at the end of a particular time. Choice. We've all been choosing for a long time in our lives - the food we prefer as a kid up to the name of our children or any other aspect of our lives, and the way our lives are right now are a result of the decisions we've made from the day we started using that power. It might not be like the powers of superheroes in Marvel movies, but it is the very essence of living as a person. The ability to say this is what I want and how I prefer it to be. Of course, a lot of factors are in places that can facilitate our decisions, but at the end of the day, we still choose if a path is where we want to follow or not. Even if a person is being deceived, they still have the potent power of choice to accept the deception or ignore it. You always have a choice. The choice to b...

Things are not always the way they look on the surface. In lame man terms, a hyperlink is a word or array of words that can be clicked on a web page that leads to another page of a document, webpage, or a part of the same document. Something you probably have seen happen on Facebook, reading an ebook, or through email content. It is quite interesting that this same process happens when studying the scriptures or listening to a sermon, have you noticed? The experience is more like reading something and you find yourself connecting the dots using other Scripture so that a particular thing makes sense. Or listening to a preacher and you are understanding a different thing and the preacher's word sounds like puns of words - meaning different things apart from what's being said. At this point, it is the Holy Spirit at work with a person's mind to conceive a thought, idea, or strategy - depending on the intent of the Spirit at that time. Remember that time you were se...

Cliches are good sayings that have become the norm. It has become a prerequisite, not an achievement anymore. But it used to be the other way round before. They used to be wise saying bad rare commodity if wisdom, but became commercialized. This however doesn't stop the efficiency of the work. It works just as it used to. It might not be potent to you because you are not close to its usefulness, but it has become a popular saying. When you get to where it's needed, you will find it handy and useful to you. Clichés work. Nothing is new under the sun. Concept, context, use, location, pattern, building, material and many other things that makeup discoveries or inventions are all old stuff rebranded when we look closely.  "There's noth­ing new on this earth. Year af­ter year it's the same old thing. Does some­one call out, "Hey, this is new"? Don't get excited—it's the same old story." (Ecclesiastes 1:9; MSG). Cliches is s...

This is the big word for being real and true to yourself in the midst of a lot of people. It's one of the main ingredients in the standing-out recipe. It's starts from accepting who you are at the moment, looking forward to who you can be, and following the pathway to get there with procedures that are meant for you and your DNA. Not copying and pasting another person's life. Imagine two people trying to get somewhere looking classy. But one is a plus-size, while the other is a size 6. Even if they have access to the same fabric and style, the uniqueness of the sewing is according to the structure of each person's body. The same thing happens when you face everyday life with an authentic mindset that says "I'll be true to my person today, irrespective of temptation to conform to the norm". This is not an advocacy for rudeness. It is the beauty of embracing personal identity and showcase it gracefully. This is how people stay fresh and relevant ...

Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! (Psalms 90:12;MSG). So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalms 90:12; KJV). Without an old, they can't be anything new. We celebrate a new year because there was an old one. We also went through thick and thin in our previous phase. But thank God we are here now. In this new season, I want to share what I consider needful for the journey ahead. First and foremost, thanksgiving. Be grateful to God for everything in your life and appreciate the people in your life that keep showing up. They don't have to, but they are there for you.  Be positive: One thing 2020 has taught and reiterated is that tough times don't last, tough people, do. How do you intend to survive if you are a pessimist? Try being an optimist person this year and your world will revolve in a new direction. It take a positive heart to be thankful. Have courage. A lot of people are like me - knowing wh...

Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out ( Ecclesiastes 7:8; MSG). The end justifies the means and starting could be great, but there is nothing as fulfilling and satisfying as the wrapping up of a thing with strength and grace. It is better not to start anything at all than to give up halfway. If we must start a thing, then we must follow through to the end. It builds discipline, consistency, and focus. When a person sets out for a journey, the thing expected on the way can only be assumed but not accurate. Which makes the destination and finishing well a necessity for greatness and forging further. This year has been amazing and some many things were unexpected, but regardless of the emotions experienced, God is good! When we thought it was over and there was no way we will make it, He showed and made a way. The most important thing when we are wrapping up anything is Thanksgiving. It could have only been God. If only we c...

Have there been times in your life when you thought you had all the faith or knew exactly what to do and how to do it? Or that feeling that made it seem like you were high in the Holy Ghost and every mountain was going down and valley lifted high?  Well, I could go on and on describing the things that could cross our minds at that point, but the real question is do you always feel that way?  I'm sure you are thinking about it and you're about to say NO. Which is exactly my point! You do not always live or feel a certain way for the rest of your life. Starting on a happy note seems good, but what about times when we think the world is going to end because it wasn't going as we've planned it? As the world ended? No. Will it end one day? Yes. Will it end on our terms? No. So, irrespective of what we feel or don't feel, the Lord still controls things. We are not supposed to be controlled by our feelings. They are fickle and can't be trusted. ...

Growing up, there were things that children have to be subjected to so they could behave appropriately at home and around other people. There was this concept that made the person in the position of power or authority to have an edge over some people and then legislate on their behalf. At the home front, it's most likely to be the parents. They make sure their children are brought up in the way of the Lord, to be respectful. As good as that was, the concept wasn't capturing the totality of the Scripture. As children, we did as we were instructed and any default could result in lashes (in whatever form). There was an understanding that parents could be wrong, but there was no gut to talk back because there has been a cloud that has been forming—respect, that you can't rise beyond.  A child like that could grow up to believe that standing for what is right is wrong because of the single side of God's Word (s)he was exposed to. And the list goes on and on, depe...

Reading the stories of great heroes of faith almost makes us believe that some of these men were never faced with Fear. Many times we focus on their bravery, focus, excellence, and strength to carry on (which is a beautiful template to be inspired from). But we must also understand that they were humans ; they had flaws and so many things were against them just like we have them in this time and age. So, they also must have experienced fear while trying to follow the instructions of God, making decisions, or starting some other things.  You and I are not alone in this. If they overcame, so will we. It is a matter of when. Fear, just like every other emotion we feel, at certain junctures in life, is inevitable. Being afraid or scared is not as important as the things we do with it and any other emotion. Fear drains, and standing from that point in prayer and mindset is extremely dangerous because it's might end up with a speech just like Job saying "The w...

In our previous post , we established the meaning, and the focus of the topic is self-control. We will continue from where we stopped – which was breaking free through the word of God. It's also the foundation for any tangible change in a believer's life. Today, we move! Moving on from where we stopped, another important thing is, be honest with yourself and God. You don't have to sugarcoat anything for God or yourself. You know yourself, at least your past; and God, He knows you more than you know yourself (past, present, potentials, purpose, and future.) Talk to Him honestly. Not hiding anything. It's like when a malfunctioning car is telling the manufacturer and itself, "I can handle this, just watch me as I run a thousand miles with a busted tire." You won't go far! Have an honest conversation with Him. Don't get me wrong, it is good to apply faith, but denying the present obvious situation is not faith. Be true to yourself at least ( y...

You can control you. Well, that wouldn't be you directly but the power and the life of Christ in you finding expression from your spirit to your soul. Thereby giving you strength to resist the temptations surging from your old life. Let's start like this:  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20, KJV). This is Apostles paul's testimony on how the old life and its path don't control or have influence over him. Giving our lives to God and receiving the life of Christ is the great start for a journey, but not enough to keep us going.  The fact that we were saved means that there was a track record of something in our lives. And though, our spirit is saved, there are so many things we must address in our soul to sustain us in the journey and help our growth in Christ. Today we will b...

A LETTER TO EVERY TO THE BABIES IN THE BODY. Dear babies,  The ones going to church and expecting that people change because of them or shouldn't have the liberty to express themselves because you are there. This is for you. My advice and message to you is, please GROW UP! Some of you have spent 1-3 years in the local assembly you are in. Yet, you expect that you should be checked up on because you missed church services and some activities.  This, of course, is not talking about faithful workers in the vineyard of the Lord - people who serve and honor the Lord with their time and resources. Always showing up to help and put things in order. The Lord will reward your labor of love in Jesus name, Amen. But to my brothers and sisters that feel entitled to the respect of everyone. In case your pastor or workers are scared of breaking your pride or losing you, I'll do it for them. YOU ARE A SPOILT BRAT!  You come into church and everything is set. You are not aski...

From my previous posts , we understand that we are on a journey and we need a lot of things as we go on in the way. This brought me to an important point that I believe is valuable in forming the basis of our defense for the Kingdom and the Father—Loyalty. A dog is said to be the most loyal animal to Man. In the sense that it will always show up for its owner any day or time. We are not dogs, but the figure of speech is needed for the message of this post. Being loyal is a state of having or demonstrating undivided and constant support for someone or something. It can also be a firm allegiance to a person or institution. It is a display of faithfulness to a person or cause. Judging by the standards of this definition—God has been faithful. He's got our backs at awkward moments and saved us from troubles, time and time again. He trusts and believes in us so much that He could entrust us with His Spirit—we've not earned or deserved it. We know God is faithful to us! B...

And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners  were  bound: and he was there in the prison (Genesis 39:20; KJV). The story of Joseph in the Bible is one of the stories that are so dear to me in a lot of ways. But like many people, I've always considered it a cruel journey of a confined man that God decides to show mercy. But on a second thought, what if it's not a "deliverance from oppression" story, but the delivery of a packaged gift to the world at an appointed time. It's good that we have a common understanding of a thing, but it's important that we see and understand things in a positive light. Because how we see often determine the trajectory of our lives. If all we see and deduce from an event or story is soaked in negativity and misery, then it might be hard to be excited about anything in life or hope for better days ahead. Being boxed is definitely different from being c...

Light in this context describes the weight of something compared to other things that can be involved in a situation. "Something light" is a term that can be used to illustrate anything small in quantity or by people's acceptable standards of measure. It might be insignificant to you and the people around you are not helping matters. But the good news is that those trivial things are big enough for God to open up a great channel that other people can be blessed from. Remember the widow that Elisha ministered to (2 Kings 4:1-7)? She had a pot of oil, but her family was saved from slavery by it. Nothing or void is enough space for God to work and fill if you'll let Him. Sometimes, people won't see problems and solutions the way you do because they are looking at it from the top and high places, and right from where you are (sometimes beneath the pyramid or a chain of command), you can spot the crack. Never underestimate or despise the power and grace you...