May june edition

David’s Camp Magazine

issued in the UK

Free | May/June 2016

Showing the way, the truth, and the life...John 14:6

7 WAYS TO PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE PAGE 8

Mr. Celebrity KELECHI IFY

MY GENERATION PAGE 9

PAGE 6

10 DANGEROUS DISTRACTIONS FOR A PASTOR PAGE 4

UNCLASSIFIED

IBRO

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YOUTH & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PAGE 10

CAN GOD GIVE YOU A

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?

15

QUESTIONS FOR SINGLES BEFORE YOU SAY PAGE 6

I DO

LETTER from

THE EDITOR

David’s camp Magazine you in Jesus name.

“You are Not the Only One”...1 Kings 19:14 & 18 “And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Don’t take yourself so serious, you are not the only one going through challenges. You only need to listen to another’s story to realise yours is just a minor.

Joseph must have thought “All I had were dreams, why these troubles after dreams?”

Genesis 37:26-27; 39:8-9, 20 Job must have thought all I did was to care for the needy and be a righteous man in my generation. Yet these calamities came on me. He was so upright, even God gave him a public recognition...Job 1:8-22; 2:3 Joseph and Job went through it and God delivered them, He will deliver you.

Joseph and Job were lifted up after their trials, God will lift you up after all you are going through at the moment.

Joseph and Job did not disappoint God, you will not disappoint God in Jesus name The latter days of Joseph and Job were more blessed than their early years, your latter days will be more blessed.

Joseph and Job fulfilled their destinies, you will fulfil your own destiny.

Joseph and Job enjoyed divine restoration, all good things you have lost, the Lord will restore them back to you in double measure.

Joseph and Job were called “blessed” among their brethren, in your generation, they will call you “blessed of the Lord.”

The dreams of Joseph and Job were not aborted, your dreams shall not be aborted.

God was proud of Joseph and Job, God would be proud of 2

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Remember nothing lasts forever; there is always an expiry date...Psalm 30:5b (MSG)...”The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.”

Let’s always remember brethren, all these trials will end in triumph...2 Corinthians 4:17 says...”For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE going through it!

This edition is really full of exciting articles that will surely bless our readers. It’s getting better, I must confess. Special thanks to our contributing writers, those who are praying for/with us and all the ideas given. We’ll be happy to receive your feedbacks, you can please send your e-mail to - davidcampministry2013@gmail.com. You can also visit our website:www.davidscamp.org

Oluwole David Editor in Chief

is a prolific writer, an ardent Bible student, an author and has compassion for the liberation of souls that are yet to know about the faithfulness and goodness of God. He wrote the book, “The 5 Smooth Stones that will defeat your Goliath.” He can be reached by email: oluwoledavidfg@gmail.com

Associate Editors Bayo Coker, Ibrahim Adebeshin

Contributing Writers Adebayo Coker Olamide Ajayi

Ron Edmondson Oluwole David Published by David’s Camp Limited, davidscamp.org@mail.com www.davidscamp.org

Designed and printed by shalomwales int’l 07806781603, myprints@shalomwales.com

PURPOSE

Can GOD give you A

?

O

ne day, there was a vacancy and someone was needed to get promoted into the realm of double favour so the panel gathered to conduct an interview to all candidates who had submitted application.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6) Every candidate put forward was found not good enough, bad records, indiscipline, lack of control, temperamental, list unending. The devil brought endless allegations against every candidate with evidences. At this point, God paused, and asked the devil, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”... Job 1:8 The devil accused God of being unfair with the interview process. He alleged God was giving Job an edge over all other condemned candidates. He was of the opinion if God hadn’t given Job a support, he wouldn’t be able to pass the interview just like others.

“So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” (Verse 9-11) At this point, God paused again, and being so certain of Job’s credibility, He offered to be Job’s referee. He gave him an instant reference and then urged the devil to do Job’s CRB/DBS (Criminals Records Bureau/Disclosure and Barring Service).

The question is Can God give you a reference? Can the Maker of heaven and earth trust you so much that He can vouch for you?

How many Christians today can their colleagues or bosses give a reference? These days, we get carried away with the praises of men with awards left, right, centre, accolades upon accolades, we forget that the only One that justifies and says if you are worthy and

- Oluwole David

righteous is God. Can God really give you a reference?

Unfortunately for Job, he got offered a promotion for which he never applied. Oh dear, did the devil check him out? The fallen angel conducted a thorough Criminal Records check (CRB/DBS). By the time the devil was through with Job, the guy wished he was dead or never even born.

“After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And Job spoke, and said: “May the day perish on which I was born”, And the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’”

There are few around these days that God can offer to give a reference or even make a boast of in the face of the devil. Everyone wants success without scars, we want favour without failure, we want joy without first experiencing a loss, promotion without first going through commotion, glory without story.

Can I shock you? It will never happen. It doesn’t work that way. There must be “due process before you can enjoy good progress.” God didn’t bend the rules for Job, what makes you think you are so special, He will bend the rules for you? Some of us think God is so determined to take us to heaven, He has relaxed His standards.

Have you read about what God did to Ezekiel ben-Buzi, a priest and prophet living in exile in the city of Babylon between 593 and 571 BCE. God used His trusted prophet as an example, though a painful one.

“Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.”

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded”...Ezekiel 24:15-18 Definitely, God has no delight in killing people’s wives, especially His prophet’s but He just wanted to use prophet Ezekiel as an example and He knew He could

Continued on page 9

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10 DANGEROUS DISTRACTIONS FOR A PASTOR - BY RON EDMONDSON KEEP YOUR MINISTRY FOCUSED BY AVOIDING THESE 10 HINDRANCES.

I

encounter so many struggling pastors.

And unfortunately, I know so many who used to be pastors but no longer hold the position.

It may be through a blatant sin or a casual drifting from doing what they knew to be right, but it landed them in disaster. A pastor friend of mine said recently, “We need healthy churches and we need healthy pastors.” Amen. Agreed.

We must stand guard.

What are we guarding against?

No single post would be perfect. Obviously sin, but I can’t address everything that gets in the way of a healthy pastor.

I can only list some that are more common in my experience.

Here are 10 dangerous distractions for a pastor: 1. Neglecting your soul.

One of my mentors reminded me recently. “Ron, don’t forget to feed your own soul.” It was subtle. Almost given as a sidebar to our discussion. But it was gold. One of the biggest dangers for a pastor is when we begin to operate out of stored up knowledge of and experience with God. We need fresh encounters with truth and His glory.

2. Sacrificing family.

Families learn to resent the ministry when it always trumps the family. Ministry families get accustomed to interruptions. They are part of the job as they are part of many vocations. But the family will hopefully be there when no one else is around. Ministry locations change but the family does not—so we must not neglect them. I’ve sat with men who lost the respect of their family. I know countless pastors whose adult children no longer want anything to do with the church. Apparently, there’s not much that hurts any more than that.

3. Playing the numbers game.

Whenever we put the emphasis on numbers, we are always disappointed.

They will never be high enough. God 4

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is in charge of the numbers. We are in charge of what He has put us in charge of—but it’s not the numbers. We must be careful to concentrate on making disciples and the numbers will take care of themselves.

4. Comparing ministries.

There will always be a “bigger” ministry. Someone will always write a better tweet—or a better book—or a better blog post—preach a better sermon. When we begin to compare, it distracts us from the ministry we’ve been God-appointed to lead.

5. Finding affirmation among the rebels.

This is the one that gets me in trouble among the rebels when I point it out to pastors. But we must be careful not to get distracted by people who would complain regardless of the decision we make. Yes, it stings the way some people talk to a pastor. And it’s certainly not always godly how some people express themselves in the church. But what if Joshua had listened to the naysayers?

What if Nehemiah had? What if Moses had given up every time the complainers were louder than the people who were willing to follow? OK, he probably was willing to give up a couple of times, but he held the course. If you are leading, there will always be someone that is not happy with the decisions you made. People bent on pleasing others—more even than pleasing God—have a very hard time finding peace and joy in ministry.

6. Sacrificing truth for popularity.

It’s easy to preach the easy stuff. Grace messages are pleasant to share and popular to receive. And we need them.

Where sin increases—grace should increase all the more. But we need truth. Even when it is unpopular. Making disciples becomes impossible when we sacrifice either one—truth or grace.

7. Stealing glory.

My mama used to say “that boy got too big for his britches.” Sadly that can

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happen in ministry also. Many pastors struggle with ego problems. God is never honored in that. Pastors are in a Godglorifying position. Actually, everyone is, but it is written into our job description.

8. Poor boundaries.

In an effort to “minister” to people, I know too many pastors who fell into a trap because they didn’t have proper boundaries in place. The enemy enjoys a door of opportunity.

9. Neglecting friendships.

Most pastors struggle knowing who to trust, but because of that they have few people really get to know them.

Therefore, they often have no one who can speak into the dark places of their life. And pastors have them too. So they put on a good front—but inside, they struggle alone. It’s dangerous.

10. Abusing power.

The pastor holds a certain amount of power just because of position. It has been said, “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.”

One of the more dangerous things I see churches doing these days is giving a pastor too much power, without enough built-in personal accountability. (That’s coming from a church planter’s heart— and one who is prone to lead strong.)

By the way, I’m not for controlling the pastor or forced relational accountability—and I haven’t discovered the perfect system here—but there needs to be one that balances truth and grace equally.

Again, I don’t know how to systematize that, but it is a dangerous distraction. My challenge would be to the pastor or ministry leader to build this system into his or her own life absent a system within the ministry.

Those are some that I have seen. These distractions are displayed in a number of ways—and all of them are not fatal, thankfully—but all of them are real. And all of them are dangerous.

MARRIED & SINGLES CORNER

15 QUESTIONS FOR SINGLES BEFORE YOU SAY I DO DON’T GET MARRIED UNTIL YOU ASK THESE 15 QUESTIONS

NEW YORK TIMES SURVEYED CRITICAL QUESTIONS

W

e often hear friends wondering where they’re making the right move in marrying their significant other.

The New York Times surveyed what critical questions partners should be asking each other before taking the final leap, and this list of 15 questions is what relationship experts came back with: 1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?

2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?

3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?

4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?

5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?

6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?

7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?

8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?

9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?

10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?

11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?

12) What does my family do that annoys you?

13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?

14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to

move?

15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?

Those that fail to ask each other the above questions may one day find themselves at the center of an explosive dispute -- with much graver consequences than if you had fully shared your perspectives on these topics beforehand.

So, if you and your partner are looking to get married, make sure to ask each other this list of questions first, and hopefully you’ll be able to lay all your cards on the table and clarify any uncertainties between the two of you. If you are able to negotiate and reach a compromise on the above, you’ll be in a great place with your partner.

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EXCLUSIVE

INTERVIEW WITH

» Star Influence of our Time musician, and which is your favourite?

I have released 8 albums. Each of the albums are good and unique in their own way so it is difficult for me to have a favorite.

3. There is a song on the lips of most of your fans.

Please, tell us the story behind the song, “Unlimited expansion, this year I’ll be a celebrity.”

Mr. Celebrity KELECHI IFY

Unlimited expansion is a prophetic song that God gave to me just within first few months of my arrival in the UK to declare my future in this new land. It is also a song to speak to the lives of everyone about expansion, expanding beyond their limitations. As Jesus came to give life in abundance, in His name, we will receive everything we need in abundance. That is why I declared, “In Jesus name, success is mine, this year, I will be a celebrity”. By the grace of God, I have gone beyond my background and I see expansion daily in every aspect of my life. The glory of God is unlimited; therefore, my expansion is unlimited (no barrier, no limitation).

4. Your music is widely appreciated mostly by people of African-Caribbean origin but recently you ministered at a programme with Benny Hinn, how do you balance contemporary and African music, and their audiences?

M

eet the much sought-after “Mr. Celebrity”, Kelechi Ify...Star Influence of Our Time

1. There is no doubt, you’ve taken over London with a bang. You are in high demand and everywhere in the UK ministering, who is Kelechi Ify? Kelechi Ify is someone that loves God and believes in the gift of God upon His life even when others did not believe.

I pursued my dream and worked on it as I went through the right process of preparation yielding to the Holy Spirit. I desire to live a good life following God’s principles and to develop the gift of God upon my life.

2. How many albums have you produced as a gospel 6

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Yes, my music is going beyond the African-Caribbean origin. Although God has blessed and anointed me for this assignment, I desired to improve my skill by studying music in a music school where I expanded my knowledge on the different styles of music including contemporary music.

By God’s grace, I have taken time to make research and develop my music in order to create a unique style, infusing African-Caribbean with Contemporary gospel while in one hand, not losing my identity, and on the other hand, reaching out to my audience who enjoy contemporary music.

5. You have this project and passion of helping young and upcoming gospel musicians to produce their own albums. Could you please tell us about the project & your music studio?

I love to encourage, develop and give people, especially the young ones opportunities to use their gifts. I know the grace of God upon my life especially in assisting others in song writing so I don’t take it for granted. Its always a privilege to be a blessing to other people.

There are some new songs recently released like my wife (Uchechi Ify’s) single titled “I’ll sing your praises”, “Everlasting Arms” with Mary Alison, “Thank you Lord” with Sandra Peters.

Most of these songs and albums were recorded and produced in my music studio ‘Love Daily recording studio’.

I take my time to help in arranging the songs, lyrics and also getting the artiste ready before and during the recording sessions.

Coming soon “New day by Ike and friend”, “Sound of Africa” by Sam sax and “You did it all” by Debbie

6. There was a collaboration you had with Great Ormond Hospital not too long ago to raise money for the children with health challenges. Please, kindly shed more lights on such a wonderful initiative.

We are called to be a blessing with our gifts and I was challenged by the amount of work that Great Ormond hospital is doing for children so I partook in supporting their mission by raising funds for them during my Album live recording in March 2014. People really donated and we created an awareness of the great work they are doing.

Unknown to me, my son was going to need their assistance just 8 months after the collaboration. God used them to treat my son of complicated heart defects 6 weeks after he was born free of charge. Now he is completely healed. You never know how the good you do today bounces back to you tomorrow.

I also made some donations to some other Charities from the proceeds of my album titled “You Are”. These are some things we do that attract divine blessings. By God’s grace, all my albums are selling consistently with no stress and noise. At this level, I am not afraid to embark on a music project or to release new albums, because the profits made from my past albums are not for me and family alone. Some go into ministry outreaches, hence God’s backing and blessings are always on my projects.

It’s always good to involve God in your projects, making sure He is glorified after all.

I plan to expand my ministry to different continents of the world with worship outreach, music workshops and raising other worship ministers. Most of all, I submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit as I place my plans in God’s hands.

I will spend more time writing and producing songs for myself and other upcoming acts.

8. Any piece of advice for your followers, young and upcoming musicians all over the world and your fans?

For my fans, I say a big thank you for believing in me and for all your encouragement over the years. I will need your continuous support and encouragement to carry out this great commission.

For young and upcoming musicians, spend more time rehearsing, be creative, learn from others and build an identity for yourself. Be humble, I see lots of young and upcoming musicians who want to get to the top quick and this can affect your conduct. You need patience and you need to seek God the more.

Have a vision, connect with your destiny helpers and desire to grow beyond where you are.

Kelechi Ify can be reached via the contact details below.

Website: lovedailyministries.com Email: info@lovedailyministries.com kelechifny@yahoo.com Tel 01375769383 07413457611

7. What are your plans for the future?

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7 WAYS TO PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE I

n our busy lives as couples, it’s easy to forget to be in consistent prayer for our spouses. When a crisis hits (and it will, to everyone at some point in time), we want to be able to look back on our lives of intercessory prayers and have confidence that God is working even through the difficult days. #1) Pray they will grow closer to God. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18).

When a spouse takes the first steps in growing closer to God, it may seem odd at first. However, the joy and benefits of watching your husband or wife grow spiritually is worth more than gold. Not only does the dynamic of your relationship change for the better, but also for your children, extended family, and friends. The fruits from spiritual growth will be felt throughout many generations. #2) Pray that your love for each other will continue to grow.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Philippians 1:9).

Worldly love is short-lived and selfish; however, the love from God in a marriage is based on a attitude of unconditional and unselfish restraint. The focus changes from “what’s in it for me?” to “what’s in it for them?” The love of a married couple is meant to last throughout their lifetime. There’s a great mystery in the deep profound affections of a lover over time in the Lord. #3) Pray for their gifts to be used in ministry.

“So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those 8

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that build up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12).

Many times, spouses and families are the direct beneficiaries of each other’s gifts in the Spirit. However, these gifts are also meant for the building up of the body of Christ. It’s an opportunity to be used by God in order that the church will be healthy and strong enough to reach out to the world. God will use spouses to encourage each other in the workings of their spiritual gifts. #4) Pray for them to know and follow God’s will for their life.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Sometimes it’s difficult to know what God’s will is. There are times when God shows great clarity in the next steps to take and other times where it’s difficult to know what is next. However as you pray for each other and submit to the Lord’s leading—there can be a united step in faith towards God’s will for your lives. There’s great joy in the unveiling of God’s purpose and plan for your family. #5) Pray for their emotional and physical health.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 2).

and each other. Stay alert to the tactics of the enemy and the flesh to cause your spouse or you to stumble in neglecting to take care of your health. #6) Pray for insight in how God can use you to help them grow in their faith.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

You are the best resource to help your husband or wife grow in their faith.

Because of the intimacy and closeness of your relationship with each other—you will know them better than anyone else.

Therefore it’s your responsibility to help each other grow in the faith in prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. We must not be content with a status quo in our relationship with God, but be willing to be stretched and grow every step of the way. #7) Pray for their joy and contentment to be complete in Christ.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12).

The world, the flesh, and the devil will constantly pull on your spouse to work towards earthly pleasures. However, this world isn’t your home and it’s the heavenly goal that must be the focus of your relationship. You can pray for wisdom in how to help your spouse become more concerned about what’s necessary in the

Many times couples marry each other without insight into emotional and physical issues that may appear quite unexpectedly. The health of your spouse is important for your family to continue to grow; however, the Lord could use a season of emotional and physical trials to deepen your relationship with Him Continued on page 9

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Continued from page 3

trust him. Friends, can God trust you & I just like He trusted Job and prophet Ezekiel?

“And the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things signify to us, that you behave so?” Then I answered them, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Speak to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I will profane My sanctuary, your arrogant boast, the desire of your eyes, the delight of your soul; and your sons and daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword. And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips nor eat man’s bread of sorrow. Your turbans shall be on your heads and your sandals on your feet; you shall neither mourn nor weep, but you shall pine away in your iniquities and mourn with one another. Thus Ezekiel is a sign to you; according to all that he has done you shall do; and when this comes, you shall know that I am the Lord God.’” (Ezekiel 24:19-24) All God needed prophet Ezekiel for at that time in Israel was just to be a sign. Can God make of you a sign?

If No! Then don’t expect God to make you a wonder because “signs and wonders” go hand-in-hand.

Can you boastfully say as Isaiah said in Isaiah 8:18...”Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel From the Lord of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion.”

MY GENERATION

M

y generation is in a hurry.

We want everything now, now, now!

We want it to happen fast and right away or we will make it happen.

We want the glory without the story.

We want to be stars without the scars of discipline.

We want the prize without paying the price.

We want the limelight without the wilderness experience.

We want thrills and frills with no substance.

We want to be eulogised without being circumcised.

We want an anointing without the consecration.

We are controlled by what we see and feel than the voice of the Spirit and the Word.

We want hit songs without the heat of the Holy Spirit’s fire.

We want big platforms to perform without first being transformed.

We want huge success without going through the process.

We want prosperity, with no posterity.

We want to shine without being refined.

spiritual realm than that of the natural one. Living out your own life with joy and contentment will be the first step in this process of discovering heavenly pursuits.

I have news for you. In this kingdom, the kingdom of our great God, there is something called, “the path of life.” A way of glory. It’s the journey of dying to self and the flesh. Things don’t just happen.

Every man and woman out there, doing great and genuine works in the kingdom, are those in the school of the Spirit. In this school, you wait! You are tried, tested, empowered and released unto good works.

Is it Jesus? David? Paul? Or who? Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a ministry of 3.5 years. In this kingdom, people don’t just emerge. They are submerged in Christ where they are transformed.

You want to reflect His glory, you have to behold it first.

Common now!

You don’t just sow a seed into some persons and expect to walk in their level of unction.

Well, in the other kingdom, that of this world, you can package it, work it and engineer it, and it would appear to work. But not here.

God has a room. It is a waiting room.

Power of a Praying Spouse

Psalm 105:19...” Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tested thin.”

Won’t trials get you out of the church instead of getting you closer to God? Can God make a good example of your life like He made of prophet Ezekiel? Can God be so convinced that you won’t disappoint Him that He will be so willing to give you a reference? Can God give you a reference?

7 WAYS TO PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE

Continued from page 8

There’s amazing power in praying for your spouse. God listens and moves in the Spirit from the prayers of His people. The best books for both spouses to have throughout the duration of their marriage is by Stormie Omartian, ‘The Power of a Praying Wife’ and ‘The Power of a Praying Husband’. Each of you can take a prayer every Sunday to pray over your spouse throughout the week. You will have many regrets in life, but you will never regret taking the time to pray for your spouse. I pray you’ll not be put to shame over your spouse in Jesus name. I also pray your spouse will not cause you shame.

Hebrews 10:36...”For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will God, ye might receive the promise.”

You want good success, it has to be based on Joshua 1:8 & Psalm 1 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8) I pray we shall be a wise generation!

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YOUTH & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

are also essential to your time management if you want to be

an entrepreneur. Personal time management involves everything you do. No matter how big and no matter how small, everything counts. Each new knowledge you acquire, each new A Certified leadership development and advice you consider, each new skill you develop should be entrepreneurship Expert taken into consideration. Having a balanced life-style should be the key result in having personal time management. This is the main aspect that many practitioners of ‘personal time management’ fail to grasp. Time management is about getting results, not about being busy. Successful people don’t just get busy. They get into business and produce RESULTS!

BY OLAMIDE AJAYI

H

ave you almost given up the idea of becoming an entrepreneur because you thought you were not born with effective qualities that make up a great business person? Do you feel inadequate every time you are around your friends who seem to have everything going on for them? Do you aspire to be more successful and lead a meaningful life but also bugged down with concerns that you haven’t got all it takes to become the person you’d like to become. The reality is, there isn’t a perfect person in this world and no one was born a business giant. All people have their own limitations and weaknesses.

If you observe, you will find that most CEOs of major corporations, Presidents of school organizations, Captains of varsities teams, Head of major parastatals began their lives with a sense of inadequacies not sure if life held much for them. So there’s nothing wrong with lacking certain qualities that would help you get to where you want to go. As long as you are open to acquiring these qualities and you are ready to develop them and make them a part of your system, then there’s nothing else that can stop you from becoming the next great business Leader that you desire to be.

There is always room for improvement for every one of us.

Business Leaders Manage Their Time Well Stephen Covey in his book ‘Seven Habits of Highly effective People’ said; “The key is not spending time, but in investing it”.

Time management is life management. No entrepreneur can accomplish much who doesn’t care a thing about how his/ her time is been used. Time basically is about being focused.

Do you remember the ‘Pareto’ Principle which is also known as the 80/20 Rule? This principle states that 80% of efforts that are not time managed or unfocused generates only 20% of the desired output. However, 80% of the desired output can be generated using only 20% of a well time managed effort.

Although the ration 80/20 is only arbitrary, it is used to put emphasis on how much is lost or how much can be gained with time management. We all know time management as a list of rules that involve scheduling of appointments, goal settings, thorough planning, creating to do lists and prioritizing etc. These are core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. But there are more skills involved in time management than the core basics. Skills such as; decision making, inherent abilities such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking 10

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The six areas that personal time management seeks to improve in anyone’s life are physical, intellectual, social, career, emotional, and spiritual. The physical aspect involves having a healthy body, less stress and fatigue. The intellectual aspect involves learning and other mental growth activities. The social aspect involves developing personal or intimate relations and being an active contributor to society. The career aspect involves work. The emotional aspect involves appropriate feelings and desires and manifesting them. The spiritual aspect involves a deep-relationship with God which gives birth to personal purpose. Thoroughly planning and having a set of ‘todo list’ for each of the key areas may not be very practical, but determining which area in your life is not being giving enough attention is part of time management. Each area creates the whole-you as an entrepreneur. If you are ignoring one area then, you are ignoring an important part of yourself.

Personal time management shouldn’t be so daunting a task. It is a very sensible and reasonable approach in solving problems big or small. A great way of learning time management and improving your personal life is to follow several basic activities. One of them is to review your goals whether it be immediate or long-time goals often. A way to do this is to keep a list that is always accessible to you. Always determine which task is necessary or not necessary in achieving your goals and which activities are helping you maintain a balanced lifestyle.

If you manage your time well, you will have more than enough time to meet deadlines and keep memory of important issues around you.

Quote of the Edition “When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during a test.”

FAMILY LIFE

UNCLASSIFIED

IBRO

- by Bayo Coker

Mr. Adio is my father’s older cousin. He is the only son amongst six sisters from his mother. His mother was the second daughter of Pa Odulesi, my grandma was the first child and my mum was the last of the three sisters.

It is said in this clime that the filialness of a man must not be enumerated; maybe a carry-over from historical Davidean census of the Israelites. I must follow that line. Mr. Adio was encouraged to sow his wild oats because the continued existence of Zubair family name depended on the virility of his loin and he did that to the extreme. Thank God nothing stops a man’s wives from being counted. Mr. Adio has well over seven wives but none lives with him. He operated the kind of routine the king that married Esther practised. None of the women dare not come around if an emissary was not sent to her. Mr. Adio’s first wife, the mother hen, would send such away without blinking.

He was a big boy known in the neighbourhood and any woman would gladly go with him because he rode a Peugeot 504 car, one of the much respected toys of his generation. There had been cases that even married women sneaked into his room and a parlour apartment. Some unnoticed but greater number of them got divorcement after the lid got broken and in that small settlement most things went unnoticed.

The first time I watched a video was through a peep from an opened window of Mr. Adio. His living room was filled to capacity as almost all the elders in the neighbourhood had converged, of course, minus the aggrieved members of the community whose wives or daughters Mr. Adio had crossed. Such aggrieved individual maintained their aloofness because going there would signal an easy access and continuation of the malignation.

There is nothing apparently debasing to a man than sleeping with his wife right under his nose.

Teach your children in the way of the Lord I had positioned myself strategically that evening as I knew the window will eventually be opened to allow for fresh air; the room will sure be crowded. That had always been my strategy, since then, anytime a flick was being shown. I got to know about Arnold Schwazzeneger, Sylvester Stallone, Sean Connery, Amitab and Dramendra, Sholay, Amid Skuri, etc. I was one of the early watchers of Baba Sala’s Orun Moru on video.

Nagin was the film showing on the screen. All the viewers were captivated at the magic of the Indians in manipulating serpents to make such a feat.

“Ewo, b’ejo yen se n’se!” Even the elders amongst us got enrapt not to mention juvenile minds like mine.

We watched the Indians and we carried the story over to school. We even boasted to our classmates how we watched video at home. How the mechanism of the Video Home System works.

“O ma si la’to ri bayi…” that was a telling that the VHS will open its lid from the head after a button had been pressed on it after which a VHS Cassette will be inserted then pressed down and few seconds later the show will start.

Ibrahim, one of Adio’s sons was a fast guy. My older cousin came home one day with a ‘cassette’. At that time all of our parents had not returned from work.

The wooden-body-rectangular Grundig electronic box standing on four symmetrical wooden legs functioned as the television. Rarely would you find a colour television set and many of the fewest ones were parody of the original. A conversion done with the yellowish plastic wrap of Lucozade drink. The nylon would be pasted on the screen of a black and white TV then you have a makeshift colored appendage.

Ibro as we fondly called him was an early patron of film houses. He had seen all sorts of films and had studied Continued on page 12 David’s Camp Magazine

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how the VHS works; he inserted the cassette.

Lo and behold, it was an X-rated movie.

I remember one day, on our way from school, Ibro had stopped somewhere and he beckoned that I come with him. It was a film house built from packing case.

I peeped into the makeshift but ran back when I saw heavy fume occupied the atmosphere. Boys of different sizes were all seated with the older ones chewing smoking sticks like nobody’s business. I ran back because my liver wasn’t that strong to be in such a company and Daddy Lesson’s atori will spare me not if I arrive the after-school class late. I left Ibro and went home but I didn’t say anything to anyone, including my gran for I know that will be a betrayal.

When Ibro invited Jide Abengo, Gbenga and myself to see the movie I wasn’t surprised but I was afraid to watch the raw flesh of adults entering, melting and crescendoeing into one another. I watched with my heart in my mouth. I believed others too and of course with an exception of Ibro.

Ibro was the only child allowed to live with Mr. Adio.

All other children either stay with their grandma, Mr. Adio’s first wife or with their mother. His mother passed giving birth to him. The story we were told was that his mother was so much loved by Mr. Adio that everyone had though he was going to stop philandering but the cruel hand of death snatched the love of his life; he spent the mourning period with women so that he wouldn’t slip into mental anguish.

Ibro practically grew up on his father’s laps and must have watched him bring several women to the house.

No doubt, he must have peeped into the bedroom when his father must have gone in with a woman at one time or the other. Ibro is a very sharp boy! He was just a primary four pupil; two years my senior.

We all kept mute as we watched. ***** After many sessions with Ibro.

Expectedly, a child learns fast by picking on the environment. The enactment and re-enactment of life and seemingly life’s activities as observed by a child are all parts of growing process.

Taye and Ayi were girls in my age bracket. The older ones: Alaba, Toyin Abengo, Bisi, Ronke were older. Esther, Nimota, et al were younger but we all had acted ‘husband-and-wife’ at one time or the other. A full expression with no inhibition to the extent we can take it to. We would mount with no real penetration. We chinate sand and water- rice and stew respectively.

I was caught at a time while in one of those juvenile acts. I had dipped my index finger into Taye right in the courtyard one Saturday afternoon. My innocence and my early exposure through the videos had made me believe that you can do it with no care to any prying eye. And yes, it was under the prying eye of Iya Ibeji

that I was encroaching into her daughter’s territory.

Taye didn’t see anything wrong anyway. But countless criminally abara - back lash followed.

Quickly, a meeting was summoned as Baba Ibeji couldn’t hold his disgust to such a delinquency. Very understandable. “Talo ko e?” The many interrogators asked away and I couldn’t explain how I got to know something like that. I only stood still for I know that I will be badly dealt with by Daddy mi.

“Mo ti ma so fun e Baba Deola pe k’oye ma t’emi l’oyan l’oju awon omo yi” - You see what I always tell you Baba Deola? I have told you to stop fiddling with me in the presence of these children. My mother sounded to the ear of everyone. She must have thought I could have seen them locked onto one another like one of the scenes in the X-rated movie in our one room apartment. I must confess I had seen a scene like that one silent night sometime ago. We, the children, spread our mats on the floor, Daddy mi and Mama mi owned the bed. That night I had woken to pee into our small pokiti that we always kept in the room for the night. No one could go out in the dead of the night to pee or pooh at eyin ikule: It was believed some spiritual marauders were always out in the night preying on ordinary mortals. Half-asleep but with an ingrained deftness I limped into that space and to this space all through to where the homely latrine was kept; I wouldn’t want to hoof-wake any of my siblings who were long log dead in their sleep. I saw funny shadows of somebodies entwined in the middle but it never occurred to me in my little mind that these guys could be so raw tight in that little space on that four-by-six bed. After taking the pee before I turned around the shadows had disappeared and Daddy mi and Mama mi were snoring already so I thought it must have been an illusory perception after all what I thought I saw were shadows.

I was grounded. “Ma lo si e’n ku’le mo”, My father announced. But how possible? The bathroom and the toilet were at e’n ku’le - the courtyard.

Taken from yet to be published Years Of My Fears. ** The necking and subtle coitus act, oftentimes, loosely, displayed on some unclassified platforms and medium are ready materials that we unconsciously allow to teach our children. Their innocence is usually gnawed by these voids we ourselves allow to grow uncalibrated. Watch what they watch!

Adebayo Coker holds a BA(English) and Masters in Public and International Affairs from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria respectively. He is a Wordsmith. Societal Fragments, A Man Like Me: Noteography Of A Father To His Son and Wobbled Words are some of his published works. He blogs at www.pausibility. wordpress.com and tweets @adebay_c He lives in Lagos, Nigeria with his wife and a son.