Honouring your parent(s) as a teen or young adult

This is the first of a 3-part series on honouring our parents. If you're still living at home as a young adult or have left home early 'cos you don't get along well with your parents, you might want to stick around to read what God has been teaching me and wants to tell us! This is critical for our times and for the good future we desire to have.

Does not Scripture say about itself that it’s inspired by the Holy Spirit and it's useful for correcting, rebuking, teaching and training the man (woman) of God in righteousness so that s/he will be thoroughly equipped for every good work?

Drum Roll, please… I can’t hear you, louder! …… Ok, ok, that’s enough. If you didn’t clap or drum on your desk, then you chose not to give God the glory. Aaah…Just kidding! :)

A parental rebuke and our recent church bible study on the 10 commandments have stopped me…... Shriieeeeek! Did you hear that? …… in my trucks. Deuteronomy 5:16. I’ve lately found myself falling short of God’s glory in the area of honouring and respecting my parents especially when I disagree with them or when I’m made to feel like a kid. The latter springs forth attitudes and reactions that you’d literally read as, “I’m not a baby, I can do this on my own,” or “Can’t you see that I already know how to do this?” Oftentimes, my non-verbal cues, the rolling eyeballs and my gruffly tone betray me. Aaaah… as a man thinketh so is he.

This has been an all time challenge for teens and young adults living at home. Most teens and young adults at home willl identify with me here. Much older ones, who have moved out, will look back on their hey days when they experienced similar conflicts with their parents. It is not uncommon for African young adults to stay at home for much longer periods than their American and European counterparts. Thus I'm still with my parents and choose to be with them in this season.

In this season, we are looking to establish our independence, identity, status and to navigate the stormy waters of transition to adulthood. Seemingly, we now know how to make decisions and do things. We think we know it all and have figured out how Life works but we really don’t.

LORD, have mercy and forgive us.


To be continued...

Not a Word: Accra by Day

I choose not to say a Word

Hmmm......There were different thoughts wildly jumping around in my small head amidst churning emotions as I read this. Hey, I choose not to say a Word! Just click here to read for yourself.

Perhaps over the weekend you might want to redefine your life goals, to see whether they are in line with the Eternal Perspective?
Or
Pray for national, religious leaders or traditional authorities?

Aaaaaaah! I've said waaay more than a Word!

Have a great weekend.

Mmawwh!

The Elusive 1 GH Cedi Coin

Ghana went through a redenomination process last year. Thus, according to the financial experts, 1 GH Cedi is almost equivalent to a US dollar. There is a 1 GH Cedi note which is pinkish, but the 1 GH Cedi coin has been elusive on the market. Or rather the Bank of Ghana refuses to produce more of such coins, I don't know. So when I bought something recently and was given this coin for change, I decided to take a picture of it before it departs from me in another purchase!

Trivial... I know, but I'm quite tickled. :)

Beauty Tip: Pure, Unprocessed Aloe Vera for blemishes

A few readers have commented on my ‘nice’ skin from my profile photo. For the record, it's not that 'nice'. But I’m sharing with you my latest skin care secret which I discovered last year. You might already know this beauty tip, I’m sure. There is nothing new under the sun.

Those who know me from my teen days will testify that I battled pimples and the resultant blemishes. I used all kinds of medicated soaps, face cleansers, astringents, lightening creams for black spots, etc. One face cream resulted in mild bleaching, because I wanted to get rid off the many black spots on my face. A few friends passed comments about my face getting lighter… I was soo scared and embarrassed. I didn’t want to become a coca-cola body and fanta face.* So quickly I aborted it after about 3 months use. I remember praying fervently that God will restore my natural skin colour and make my face even darker than the rest of my body! LOL. :) What was I thinking?

I’m not a beautician, a cosmetologist nor skin care specialist. This came to me by trial and error, through hearsays, on-line and book research on aloe vera. I noticed that a lot of cosmetic companies prided on products that have aloe vera extracts in them, as if it has some magical components for the skin, for the hair, etc. I remember watching an Oprah Winfrey show about women in their 60s and 70s who looked 20-30 years younger. One fabulous African-American in her 70s said that her secret was to drink aloe vera juice every single day.

No, I don’t drink that stuff. I tried it once, although not for beauty purposes, and it doesn’t taste good. What I do is to break some of the fleshy leaves or stem and part it up so that I can get the inside extracts. I literally rub it directly on my face and let it rest for 20 mins -1 hour before I bath or whenever I feel my skin needs to be cleansed. Then I wash it off with water before using my mild face cleansing soap. It has worked tremendously to clear dark spots and blemishes over a period of time and there are more spots to clear.
Note: I'm not speaking of aloe clearing pimples or stopping pimples from developing rather clearing the blemishes left over by them.

As a result of this recently discovered beauty miracle this plant has been propagated in my house in several flower pots now, so that there will be more for both facial beauty and for home beautification. I know when I move out of my parents’ home someday soon, I’ll plant lots of aloe vera in my new home.

Warning!

*Aloe vera itches terribly as it dries up on the skin. If you have a sensitive skin, don’t try this at home! If you can’t stand an itch, don’t try it either! Buy the processed aloe gel from the store, but I can’t speak for the processed one. The point? Nothing good comes cheap or without some pain. *Aloe vera is awfully bitter. So try as much as possible to prevent it from getting on your lips. Also sometimes, the extracts seeps into your skin so you might taste it in the throat. *Aloe vera stains as is dries on any surface. So be careful. If it stains your bathtub it can be easily cleaned with soap and water, but not your clothes! *Effects will not be seen until after 3-4 months of consistent use. This is not a quick-fix face care regime.

I wish I had known this earlier. It would have lessened my beauty-related tears as a teen and saved me some money. I know others combine this with other extracts as scrubs and cleansers. So far this has worked for me with occasional steaming.

Got some extra beauty tips for pimples or blemishes? Send me an e-mail or use the click comment button to do so. I'd really appreciate your tips!

*Coca-cola body and fanta face- A term in Ghana, given to people who bleach their bodies, wanting their black skin to be lighter because of beauty/body image issues. Others do it to clear acne blemishes. However, oftentimes, the face becomes lighter than the rest of the body, thus a Fanta face and a Coca-cola body. This is strictly a practice found among black people.

Looks like some weeds need to be pulled out of this flower pot, huh?

Musings on the Sovereignty of God '07- 2

For the past few days, I’ve been ruminating on the Sovereignty of God over my life. I find Sovereign God a Mystery; I cannot fathom His ways. In as much as I try to figure out His ways to suit my selfish desires and ways, I realize how futile a search it is. Yet He is pleased to reveal Himself to me, if I’ll diligently seek Him on His terms.

How limited I am in knowledge about my own present circumstances, my past and my own future. Sometimes, I would like to know that I’ve figured out the very details of my own life, charting it out on paper. But my perfect-on-paper plans do not always work the way I want in reality. Wasted paper and ink, futile plans, I say to myself on reflection. Yet, God gently reminds me, His ways and thoughts are higher and greater than mine. That He knows all things, including the unknown future. Will I acknowledge Him and trust His ways are perfect, for my good and for His Glory? He asks. I sigh…… Recognizing the folly of my ways, I give them up and give in to Him.

As I try to live out His will in the short, flower-like life I’ve been given, I realize that I’ve come short of resources and strength to do what He requires of me. God whispers the word, “Unlimited.” Unlimited? I ask. Yes. His Incomparable Riches in Christ, that’s my storehouse of abundant supply.

I surrender, Papa God. I don’t know much nor have all things. I don’t have the power and I am not the LORD. Should I be made Lord, I’d destroy not only my own short life but probably the whole world as well. The many mistakes I have made, choosing my ways has led to sin and disaster; the evidence of the failed me-kingdom under her Ladyship Akofa. No, let God be LORD and me be the follower. I surrender. Let all be silent and let God be GOD.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

Lean not on your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him

And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Lady Akofa

4th July, 2007

Musings on the Sovereignty of God '07-1

I wrote this mid-last year. I was anxious about many things, uncertain about my future. Wavering between trust and anxiety. The poem came out of questions God asked me in response to my anxiety, self-pity and unstable emotions. He was steering me to Look Up to Him and see Him for Who He is and What He is able to do.

They were hard questions, but He couldn't have gotten my attention any other way, I guess.

Sovereign God

He is the Omniscient God.

Will He be the ALL KNOWING,

Thus admit that I know so little?

Trusting my Present,

most importantly the Unknown Future

to Him who knows?

Ecc. 8:7

He is the Bounteous God.

Will He be the UNLIMITED,

Thus acknowledge my poverty?

His incomparable riches, my storehouse of supply.

Philippians 4:19

He is the Lord of Lords.

Will He be LORD of my Everything,

Releasing control of my Everything,

All of me to Him?

He is the ALMIGHTY.

Will He be the ALL POWERFUL

Thus declaring my limitedness?

His POWER, my strength and fortitude.

Philippians 4:13

Lady Akofa

4^th July 2007

Read Part 2 here

THE NEW ME - THE MASAI WARRIOR

Hello blog readers and bloggie friends! I introduce to you one of my good friends who shares the same passion I have for writing. Our friendship goes way back, to the time when we were 5/6 years old. With her permission, I'm posting one of her poems that I love so much. I'd appreciate it if you do not re-post this poem on your blog or web. ~Thanks.~

THE NEW ME - THE MASAI WARRIOR

Out with the hassle,
Time for the tackle.

Enough on the defensive,
Ready for the offensive.

Been through my preparation,
All ready and out for my mission.

Away with problem reduction,
Time now for problem eradication.

Like the Masai warrior,
I quake not at your roar.

There, the Lion cower.
But I am no coward.

Full Copyright (Poem)- Sophia Lamiley Afriyie, 2008

Photo by Lady Akofa -A picture of a portrait in one of my uncles' home, who recently
returned from a 2-3 year sojourn in Kenya.

Among the Masai men, from Kenya, a traditional test of manhood is killing a lion. And we all know the lion: a Big head, sharp carnivorous teeth, very calculating and with a very small waist.

For us Christian women and men, our spiritual tenacity is constantly tested and proved as we fight the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

With our spiritual weapons of the Word, the Name and Blood of Jesus Christ, Prayer and Praise, victory is ours. Christ assures us that victory is already ours.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to... 1 Peter 5: 8-10 (NIV)

Click on each below for other Bible verses for Chewing the Cud:

God as a Warrior

Our weapons

We are more than Conquerors

Overcoming the accuser