PhiDims' Muse

My 2022 Father's Day message to you is the story of a man rarely told - a great man that walked this earth and left an indelible mark. It is the multigenerational legacy of Jonathan Edawards.  This piece was first published on July 1, 2017, by Larry Ballard.  Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards was a Puritan Preacher in the 1700s.  He was one of the most respected preachers of his day. He attended Yale at the age of thirteen and later went on to become the president of Princeton college. He married his wife Sara in 1727 and they were blessed with eleven children. Every night when Mr. Edwards was home, he would spend an hour conversing with his family and then praying a blessing over each child. Jonathan and his wife Sarah passed on a great, godly legacy to their eleven children. An American educator, A.E. Winship decided to trace the descendants of Jonathan Edwards almost 150 years after his death.  His findings are remarkable, especially when compared to another man from the same

The month was December 2019, the new strain of the virus had already taken over the city of Wuhan and breaking out in other parts of China. The World was watching as this health emergency grew, spreading to Europe, the US, Africa, and other parts of the World. Before we knew it, it had become a global health emergency. Alas! It is COIVID-19! In 2020 the World realized it is in for a big fight. By March Nigeria was forced into lockdown alongside other Countries of the World. People were immediately forced to stop work, business, and recreational activity to stay at home. It was a drastic change in lifestyle for the world. Billions of dollars in business and investment were lost in addition to jobs. And the World was locked at home. The first week seemed like a public holiday until reality began to dawn on people.  With an immediate change in routine in a total lockdown, there was little to do around the house; with repetition, boredom began to set in and as time went on, depression and

Like the men and women of promise who despite having not seen, held on to promise and persisted through faith as they waited for the unfolding & fulfilling of The Promise. So I, waited through thick clouds, whirlwinds and waves...peering daily into His promise. A pivotal lesson I have learned in the past two years is to find His voice amidst tough seasons, confusion and doubt. Our sister, Kari Jobe, heartily expressed that:  "God is so kind as to show us where He is in the midst of trials and tough seasons. Lean in to listen for His voice. I know that His heart and desire is to meet with you right where you're at".  Right here I can testify that He- God, is always with us. Yes, "that scaffold sways the future." And if you look keenly, you'll find that "behind the dim unknown, standeth God within the shadows, keeping watch above his own."  He keeps watching over us whether in the muddiest mud or highest Mountain. Do you believe it? Like a beauti

 "I kept reaching for my muses, floating on clouds filled with their passions", yet they elude me. The euphoria of a New Year easily blinds the mind from taking stock of the past year & leaping from it. The zest for "new year resolutions" quickly detracts us from the truth of how we did in the old one and we never really get anywhere in our quest for fruitful progressive living. In 2020 I made mistakes, stepped on toes,  failed in certain responsibilities; and yes I won in others. I got many rejection letters and aye, I got some congratulatory letters too. I fell, I rose. I despaired, perspired, fainted, and so on. Yet in all of these, grace outran me.  As we journey in and through faith, we shared the experience of Paul as He lettered, "we are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed,  but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body". Indeed, H

Today was a bit challenging for me. I had some mixed emotions that I can’t even explain! And so, I decided to taste my own medicine- play therapy!!! In my practice, I have 8-10 play techniques that I use to help children with mental health, behavioral, emotional and academic issues. One of them is music.  I listened to a song I loved as a child. A song that defined who I am and what I want to achieve. Listening to it again helped me to let go of the challenges of today and refocus on my goals and gains.  I’m reminded of the number of times I would replay this song and dream about my future. And this gives me more confidence in what I do with children in play therapy.  Lessons from this-  1. What your children listen to is important!  2. Play is stress release! I colored while listening to the song! It made me feel free and calm.  3. I wrote the song because I love to write. I’m thankful for parents that allowed me to be myself and not force me to be like other children.  4. Adults need

Wrapped in Light in the midst of the night; Caught In the tides at His feet laid right Herald of glorious adventure; Caught and bought by His blood-venture   Thought in His heart; Wrought by His hand,   In His season he gazes in the eye of His view, Found he the seed in the heat of the dew.   Jeer at me, but know ye- at dawn, the Father makes known.   Lights Might Heights.   That we may know;   MaltiBwe- an eternal blessing that knows no bounds! There is no limit to the gifting of God in you for the Nations.   I celebrate you,   To you and to all that is to come- Feliz cumpleaños, Aurora Borealis!  

For many years I have lived, but not fully I would say.  I have run from the reality of my total person. Yes I have made progress, I have grown in some instance, and yes I have blessed many - yet I did not fully accept my total person.  I find that I'm living but not in the full spectrum of my person. I'm not brought face I face with every facet of my life. I'm currently being brought down, at the foot of the cross. It's at this point that a divine redefinition is birthed deep within for the making of the total man herein.  Brokenness is divine.  It's the making of earthly saints.  Sheer perfection from catastrophic weakness.  Sinners into Saints. Here, the journey begins...