Refresh May 2012

REFRESH FROM THE WATERBROOK CHURCH

HE MADE US PAINT

COUNTERFEIT GODS A GENERATION GRAPPLING WITH IDOLS

The TWB Files A SUNDAY DIARY

Think like a Man?

MAY 2012

FIRST

THINGS FIRST i peeps, We are excited to bring to you another edition of the Refresh. Children's Day is here; in our feature article for this edition Ogo Okekeocha the new HOD of Kidzone, who as a teacher by profession and ministry, shares her interesting take on the role of parents in raising children. It is quite apt and I trust that there are more than enough nuggets of truths to

BACK STAGE

garner from that piece. Ona Ofunne also drops her exciting piece and is sure we can see our kids as precious and delicate as they are.

PUBLISHER Dr. Tony Rapu

In this issue we take you through an artistic journey of how we are engaging the culture for God and constantly dealing with the contemporary issues through the prism of scriptures. The TWB Expression @ Theater presented a brilliantly crafted musical play

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Pastor Dele Balogun

called: Hosea; in my opinion, it can easily pass for one of the awardwinning Broadway version of the best musical shows ever. It was simply a mind blowing sensation...a jaw dropping phenomenon!

Kudos to Shayo Oke and the Expression crew who wrote the script; they did a good job in getting under the skin of Hosea in the bible

EDITORIAL TEAM Ferdy ‘Ladi Adimefe

story and brought it to life with novelistic details and Shakespearean

Glory Edozien

intensity. One thing is certain they have aroused our appetite and we

Mandy Sowobi

are expecting more.

Bem Iordaah

One hidden theme in the Hosea play is idolatry. We explore the challenge

Ibifiri Mobolaji-Kamson

of counterfeit God's and raises poignant questions that will help us

Chuka Ajuluchukwu

confront and dethrone the false gods that have taken prime places in our lives.

Ojong tells the truth about the lies of feminism in his piece'Think Like a Man�, while Ifeoma Akobi gives a poetic summary of PTs last sermon and Terdoo's poem on family is also here for your reading pleasure.

If anything excites or bother you please do well to hit us a mail.

From the Refresh crew we say Happy Birthday to Pastor Udy and happy Children's Day!

Tega Efeduma

PHOTOGRAPHY Bash. 0703 2818075

To reach us: : editor@thewaterbrookchurch.org : the waterbrook : @_twb

Enjoy your read!

: the waterbrook Call: +234(0)802 749 1754.

COUNTERFEIT

GODS

FERDY ‘LADI ADIMEFE

A GENERATION GRAPPLING WITH IDOLS “Little Children, guard yourselves from idols” 1 John 3:21

have an iron will, and all my will has always been to conquer some horrible feeling of inadequacy. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being and then I get to another stage and think I'm mediocre and uninteresting. My drive in life is from this horrible fear of being mediocre. And that's always pushing me, pushing me. Because even though I've become Somebody, I still have to prove that I'm somebody. My struggle has never ended and it probably never will.”

These now famous words were said by Madonna in the April '91 edition of Vanity Fair, in a popular interview column called 'Truth and Dare'. Perhaps, if these words were recent, we could have dismissed them as the neurotic insecurities of a fading star, but in 1991, Madonna was close to the peak her career, yet these feelings were present in the midst of amazing success. I very much doubt that these sorts of feelings are unique to Madonna. Interestingly they echo through the human race irrespective of colour, race, tribe, gender and age. Popular American Author, Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862) described this age long malaise as a life of quiet desperation. And that is exactly it!

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Many of us may be oblivious to it, but we are in the grip of this powerful and compelling internal emptiness more than we care to admit. It is the ultimate agony of idolatry, borne out of a failed attempt to attain satisfaction in a culture of deep emptiness, and in a universe that is often bleak, cold and empty.

My first real life confrontation with my idols came when I performed abysmally in an examination. There was no end to my misery. I did question the reason for my existence.

Guys, it was terrible! It was as though my world caved in, my self-confidence took a plunge and I realized that a sense of achievement had become the centre of my affection and my controlling desire. Whatever gains control of our lives becomes our god. I did earnestly covet sterling academic credentials and thrived in it. No doubt, having good grades is highly commendable, having fame and fortune is really cool, but when we make such the ultimate, we have fallen into the trap of idolatry.

For Madonna, what drove her was an approval from the faceless, nameless crowd; mine could have been the

comfort and confidence in a flawless academic qualification. If you look closely around you, there seems a method to humanity's madness. Some people are driven by power; their life only has meaning when they are in position of influence. Some are driven by a sense of control; meaning comes from certainty or mastery in life. Some are driven by comfort; indulging in whatever gives pleasure or helps them escape pain. We acquire the latest props, gadgets and fancy toys in a bid to cope with the emptiness.

Relationships, money, sex and many good things we end up abusing are often a symptom of these idols. Yet God ought to be our goal, priority and guide; nothing else can compare, nothing else matters.

The stark and inevitable truth is that there is eternity and a void in our hearts that can only be filled by an eternal God. We are wired to seek an object of worship to set our hope on. We are configured to worship something or someone, unfortunately nothing and no one can satisfy. When we attempt to fill this yearning with something or someone other than God, we end up with idols-avatar gods, and we are worse off. When we do things to gain personal significance and emotional security outside God, we just might be pandering to the antics of counterfeit gods. Sometimes even when we seek God, we are caught up pursuing God for his benefits and not for himself.

It is very easy to slip into idolatry. I am still thinking through a lot of stuff asking myself why I do what I do. It is important to keep checking our motivation and chipping away at our idols. It is okay to question; why do we even try to portray an image at all?

Why do we care about what people think? At the end of the day, those who do not hold unto the fact that we exist for God and that it is in God we find our meaning and fulfillment will end up battling suicidal thoughts and a lack of purpose. Really, we don't exist for us or for stuff; we exist to give full glory to God. When we make 'good things' the ultimate, we fall into the danger of idolatry. Our greatest joy is to give full expression to God's glory by enjoying him forever. Our greatest contentment is to understand that God is our source in all that we are and do.

David Powlison in his book, “Seeing with New Eyes� gives these X- Rays questions on unraveling the idols within.

1. What do you love? Hate?

2. What do you seek, aim for and pursue?

3. Where do you bank your hopes?

4. What do you fear? What do you not want? What do you tend to worry about?

5. What makes you tick?

What sun does your planet revolve around? What do you organize your life around?

6. Who are your role models? What kind of person do you think you ought to be or want to be?

7. On your deathbed, what would sum up your life as worthwhile? What gives your life meaning?

8. Whose coming into political power would make everything better?

9. Whose victory or success would make you happy? How do you define victory and success?

10. What do you see as your rights? What do you feel entitled to?

11. What do you pray for?

12. What do you think about most often? What preoccupies or obsesses you? In the morning, to what does your mind drift instinctively?

13. How do you live for yourself?

EMBRACE THE DAWN A new season has come It is not a season of blessings It is a season of the Blessing Look to Abraham your father Look to Sarah who bore you Do not be afraid to stand alone I am your portion, you're my own Come into a covenant with me Receive the blessing sorrow-free More than what's meant for keeps That you may also be a blessing Don't rob me of tithes & offerings Don't rely on your sweat & toiling This is a season of creative, witty inventions A season of faith, righteousness and wealth creation It's a season of balance, handling the physical yet seeing the spiritual.

Ifeoma Akobi (IDDIVA)

REFRESH | 5

THE TWB files A SUNDAY DIARY

Oxygen Class 07: 42 a.m., Function Room II, t's in Luke 17: 6?' class and picked a face randomly, 'Wha

P.Tolu looked around the if ye had faith as a grain of mustard Lord increase our faith. And the Lord said She rattled off, 'And the apostles said be thou planted in the sea; and it tree, Be thou plucked up by the root and seed, ye might say unto this sycamine lu said as the class continued. ask God to increase your faith…' P.To should obey you.' 'So you see, you can tures. I read the Bible like a novel, so You know, give a pinpoint recall of scrip 'How do people do this?' I wondered. the verse and all. The constant h broad descriptions but no specifics like most times I remember it as a novel-wit Now, I was one of those who me I hadn't read my Bible that morning.

Bible flipping going on around reminded town. You remember when she the last time Michelle Hammond was in eagerly stuck their forefingers in the air just a verse, shouldn't be more than a verse of the Bible each day? C'mon asked 'How many of you promise to read , 'And since after reading a like a seasoned auctioneer she continued 5 seconds.' So we raised our hands. Then le chapter. So how many of you w up on it, you know just read the who follo to not ard awkw be ld wou it , verse air, smile on my face and each day'. I was there too – fingers in the promise to read a chapter of the Bible determination in my heart. my spiritual life; sometimes I get so long broken that vow. Reminds me of had I red mbe reme I ing, morn this , Well I wonder, isn't God tired of and slowly I start the ascent again. And m, botto Rock !

Boom Then . good all high and it's you rise and fall again. At times like would pick you up from a fall only to have this ascent and descent? Surely none I totally understand why you can't l salvation Lord, you're far too kind and that, I want to say 'Thanks for the initia forgive me AGAIN, no hard feelings.’

10: 00 a.m., Banquet Hall

and P.Del said something about The as usual. Church was filled to the brim ing -blow mind was hip Wors and e Prais e to life before us.

Then it happened; the book of Hosea cam Underground joining us for a presentation.

I heavenly. Watching this made s, music, Indian dance and costumes were was blown out in so many ways. The prop is not through with me yet, to be and to renew my vows knowing that He ven, forgi am I when ve belie to lve me reso for my wardrobe sometime ers, and also, to get a purple priestly robe intolerant of sin but understanding of Gom soon – very nice outfit I tell you!

PASTOR UDY A Man I Admire

DR. FOY

One man you can't help but admire is Pastor Udy, but I struggle to say what I admire the most about him. Could it be his passion for God? Could it be his tireless sense of care and mentorship? Could it be the doting ways he talks about his children? I can safely say I admire him for all of these and more.

As I grow up, I realise the concept of freedom; it’s not only those behind bars that yearn for freedom, but everyone to an extent seeks freedom… but one of expression. We seek a place to express ourselves; we seek a place to become ourselves. More still, we seek a person that would teach us what freedom is, and will be free enough in themselves to let us be who we are. I admire Pastor Udy because he is such a man and more.

His doors are wide open to welcome just another mentee; he loves without reservation and gives without inhibition. He is a cheerful man in the middle, far away from the extreme ends of extremities, he is the spinner of the golden wool, a real lover and a 40 year old wise man... Happy Birthday Sir!

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THINK LIKE A MAN? NKIMUSOWO OJONG

N

eyo is a multiple awardwinning artist, celebrated for

Notice that Adam was written twice as a man in verse 1 and then

writing hit songs like

both male and female in verse 2. These verses puzzled me a lot.

'Irreplaceable' by Beyonce,

Even with other versions replacing Adam in verse 2 with mankind,

'Take a Bow' by Rihanna and

it was still confusing. Then the Holy Spirit enlightened me; 'We

'Think like a Man' by Jennifer Hudson. His

took what was in and brought it out, that's the difference between

affinity for feminism and his ilk for vilifying

male and female but they are the same'. If you take a sock and

philandering men in these songs stem from a

turn the inside out, there is a difference but it's still the same sock.

childhood without a father.

God took the soft side of a male's inside and formed the female's outside while he took the male's hard outer covering and formed

The infamous tales of absent fathers and single

the female's inside but it's still the same man.

mums bringing up children on their own has produced a generation of men who empathize

The strong woman mantra is not new to God but an underrated

with the strength and virtue of women. Sadly,

fact; widows live longer than widowers, there are more male

this strength has been erroneously polluted

sufferers of stroke than female, men commit more suicides than

with secular humanism; especially in the

women, men living with HIV are more likely to die than HIV women

entertainment industry. Young girls love this

and lastly, abortion will quadruple if men were the ones to carry

new fad of strong women who can kick

babies. God made it this way so we complement ourselves, not

cheating men to the curb, get another man,

abuse his creation. That's why we are attracted to each other

make money, pay their bills, be independent

because the shell of the opposite sex agrees with our insides.

women and my favourite; 'Think like a Man'. It is very complicated to apply these views in an

This new craze for 'Strong Women' is a dangerous misuse of the

African environment, one that is mostly

truth, created by people who are victims of dysfunctional

chauvinistic.

relationships or non-existing relationships. It is a breeding ground for gender egotistic behaviour akin to Jezebel; an evil queen that

What does the word of God say to counter

used her strength to bewitch and embitter Israel. These very

these errors with truth?

spirits lurk behind new trends that mislead God's children.

In Genesis 5:1-2(KJV):

Revelation 2:20-22.

'1. This is the book of the generations of Adam.

In the day that God created man, in the likeness

Listen ladies, being a strong woman or thinking like a man is like

of God made he him. 2. Male and female

pouring water on water to make it wet. Pursue God and find your

created he them; and blessed them, and called

true essence.

their name Adam, in the day when they were created.’

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WOMEN IN GOD’S SERVICE - W I G S

-

THE WIGS

MICHELLE HAMMOND

P. AMANDA, MH & IJEOMA

MH & THE LADIES

BOLA BILESANMI

BROOK BROTHERS

THE BROOK BROTHERS

TONYE COLE

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JOE

P. DEL

MICHELLE HAMMOND @TWB

MICHELLE HAMMOND

WORSHIP

MH & P. DEL

HARRIS, TOJU, OSAZUWA & IMAZE

PRAISE

ASOKA P. KEMI, UMAR, MH, P. AMANDA & MOBO

PRAYER

PRAISE

PASTOR NIGEL @TWB SHOLA & GODWIN

FRIENDS @ TWB

PRAISE

TOYIN HARRIS & SEGUN A.

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P. NIGEL

ESTHER

ISAAC & MICHAEL

P. DEL & SHAYO

SEGUN, TOYIN & P. DEL

MRS. RAPU @TWB

MRS. RAPU

GLORY

THE WORD

MOJI

BABY IMO, INEM & EUNICE

WORSHIP

ONA

P. EMO, MRS. RAPU & P. AMANDA

IYOBOSA & SHAYO

YEWANDE & P. MOBO

FRIENDS @ TWB

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KIDZONE

A VERY BIG THANK YOU!...

The Waterbrook would like to say a big thank to Obiajulu Uzoigwe for your unflinching commitment and diligence during your service as The Kidzone Principal. God bless you richly.

WELCOME ON BOARD! ... And Congratulations to the new principal; Ogochukwu Okekeocha.

May God grant you grace and wisdom for this new assignment.

Welcome on board!

BEAUTY & JOSH

JAJA

DARA & OJ

MOREWA, DJ, JOSH & SAMMIE

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DEMI, KASOPE, YOHAN, OYINDA, DJ, CHINWE & SAMMIE

JAJA & OGO

MOREWA, JAJA & SAMMIE

The Family: Sweet Secrets, Secret Tears and Laughter.

In Rules of Unity, Members are Literate, A Small but Great Entity...

OBI, ANI, OGO, DARA & ANTHONIA

The Family: In Little and Plenty, Never a Heart is Weary...

Though Scattered Abroad, Still Bound in Loves Cord...

The Family: Mother, a "Super" Wife Icon...

Father, a "Perfect" Husband Icon, Keeping Steady the Flow of the Income, Inspiring Terrific Meals in Return... Yes! The Family: If all These in Yours Is Missing, If There's No Love Among The Siblings, If God's Not The Head, If The Atmosphere Is Like... Dead...

Then The Family Is Lost.

CHIOMA, MOREWA, MOJOLA, BEAUTY, JOSH, KESS & OJ

Check It, There Must Be A Cause...

- Terdoo Iordaah

HE MADE US PAINT OGOCHUKWU OKEKEOCHA

often say that parenting is the biggest and most important profession on earth. To become a doctor you get trained; you spend a large part of your life studying to get qualified…same goes for every other profession. But how do we learn to be parents? No schools of parenting exist, no lecturers, no degrees nor professional exams either. Woman gets pregnant and nine months later she is a mother, and man a father. Then they begin what we could call experimental parenting, making mistakes they sometimes learn from and correct, or not.

At birth a child is like blank canvas, and life hands its handlers buckets

grandpas, nannies, aunties, uncles, and

of paint. Every person or experience the child has is like a splash of

even you stranger! TEACHERS? That's

paint that leaves a mark; in the end some handlers create a beautiful

talk for another day. Lol.

picture, but some mar the work. Some splashes are indelible, and some can be erased. Genes play their part too in determining who and what a

For every moment with a

child becomes, but in my opinion, the environment and life's

child…SWISH…there's a splash of paint.

experiences play a bigger part in determining the final picture on the

Please use your yellow more often; its

canvas.

brightness cannot be ignored. Try your pink too on that girl; it makes her pretty.

Quickly imagine two women, one from the most remote areas you can

And for the boy, blue is soothing and

think of, and the other the Queen of England herself. Imagine that both

calming. Yes, reach for white too; purity

women get pregnant and deliver their babies same place, same time.

can never be overrated. Red adds a dash

Imagine then that the doctor makes a switch, and that the Queen goes

of boldness and confidence. And oh, my

home with the other woman's baby and vice versa, and they both never

beautiful royal purple, the colour that

know. Which of the children will grow up to become a Prince/Princess?

reminds us who we really are in God. Go

Which would speak Queens English? I bet you get the picture.

on and make a beautiful bright painting, and do not be ignorant of the dark

Now go pick up your child, and look into those eyes. There, right there,

colours.

is your canvas and a golden opportunity to make a beautiful picture.

Your EVERY word, action, and decision make a splash on your that

May the Almighty give us inspiration.

canvas. Painting is an art that takes time. It is by inspiration. It is a

Every one of us has a part to play, so

deliberate act. Sometimes the painter never knows how the work would

start now to make deliberate careful

turn out, but he carefully dips his brush in his pallet and deliberately

strokes.

strokes the canvas.

Here's the good news. There is a spirit within man, the breath of the Almighty within him that makes him intelligent. Our children shall be taught of the Lord! Guess what? He, the Almighty, has put the brushes in our hands. Your hands, my hands, mums, dads, siblings, grandmas,

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