DC's Healing Hearts

It was another glorious Divine Connection (DC) event as mature spinsters and bachelors gathered for "Healing Hearts".

Members of the Organising Committee were on hand at 8:15am to pray and commit the event into God's able hands and ensure that everything was ready for the guests. Our registration table staff were ready when the first guest arrived. Guests were required to sign in with their details and pick conference materials which included the programme, newsletters and our life changing book - What is wrong with us? Nuggets about mature singles.

In matters of the heart, it is unfortunate that most believers, who should know about time and season, turn up late. As such the programme which was scheduled to start at 9am began at 10am. We had to apologise to the Guest Speaker who was already sitted; of course she put the time to great use by acquainting herself with the environment and praying.

Due to the lateness in starting we couldn't follow the order of the programme and ended up skipping two items (Living Single and Resource Management). But, we made it up to those that arrived early and went the extra mile by giving gifts. The first male and female to arrive received our book - What is wrong with us? Nuggets about mature singles and travel mugs. The two Organising Committee members who posted the flier and information on Facebook got in addition to the book, bread and buscuit bins respectively and the two guests who attended based solely on their contact with the flier received stainless food flasks. At DC, we share knowledge, counsel and prayers to enrich lives.

The President of RCCG Throne of Grace Singles' Fellowship, Abel Adeniji, set the ball rolling with the opening prayer after which the Singles' Fellowship Choir led us in melodious high praise. The environment was saturated with grace.

The host of DC, Omolola Omoteso Famuyiwa, stepped forward to cause a stir in the audience as she went straight into the Gender Cross activity for the day. Two females and males were randomly selected and given a slip each. It turned out they were to role play as couples. The first male was to try and get a date from the female while she was to play hard to get. The second female was to try and get her male acquaintance to attend a family event while he was to play uninterested. It was obvious to all that "toasting" or "chiking" is never as easy as it seems especially because often times folks trying to get a date meet as strangers.

The first couple had a lot of goofs while the second couple proved that it is possible for a lady to initiate friendship even with a seemingly uninterested male. In all, it was a learning experience and the exciting applause commended it as such.

Thereafter, the Singles' Fellowship Choir took to the stage for their special song. The rendition turned out to be another high praise as the audience couldn't remain seated.

There was musical interlude during which guests were encouraged to meet and greet. O'boy! It wasn't as easy as we expected. Instead of gravitating towards opposite sex, males were meeting males and females were meeting females. The DC host used this opportunity to create an interactive session were some guests were called out to talk about guests of the opposite gender they have met. These made more guests warm up to folks of the opposite gender to interact. If we must enter into straight monogamous relationships, interaction with the opposite sex is just the starting point.

"Alone in the Crowd" is the title of the drama ministration by The Nehemiah Company, the drama group of RCCG Throne of Grace, led by Lekan Olorunkunle. It is the story of a woman who grew up with bitterness because as a girl she returned home from running errand for her rich dad one day to find her entire family wiped out by armed robbers' bullets. She survived by turning into the streets, accepting the offer of prostitution and other ills. She soon became pregnant and decided to end it all via suicide. The timely intervention of a friend who connected her divinely via a DC flier saved her perilous life. Attending the DC event gave her hope as members of DC showed her love and care beyond human understanding. They pointed her to the  God who saves and heals. Whao! The ministration hit a chord and set the tone for the rest of the programme.

Before Pastor Grace Okonrende, the Resident Pastor of RCCG Pavillion of Redemption, Texas-USA was called to the podium, there was a solemn moment during which guests took in the drama ministration while they listened to The Prayer Song by Celine Dion and Josh Groban. The lyrics of the song spoke to some guests as others wondered what was coming next during the interlude which took about 5 minutes. Ms. Famuyiwa took to the podium thereafter and asked what guests have been doing with the wait period in their lives. She explained that the wait period in our lives is not scheduled by God to make us waste away or wait aimlessly. We are expected to plan and utilise our wait periods prayerfully so these wait periods can actually become spring boards to purposeful living and divine connections.

The environment fully spiritually charged, Pastor Grace Okonrende's was invited to minister on the theme - Healing Hearts. Before she commenced, she invited Pastor Dele to minister in songs. Her ministration was soul lifting.  Pastor Grace thereafter spoke about why singles' hurt, and how they can find healing. She used examples from the Bible and drew scenarious from her previous ministrations. Her approach was simple, understandable and inspiring.

After her ministration, many joined in the prayer of proclamation, others came out for the altar call; some wept, some hung over but as God's healing hands touched them via the anointing of the minister, they returned to their seats cheerful.

The healing, interaction, networking and transforming event ended with participants singing the theme song "Let There Be Love Shared Amongst Us" after which we had the closing prayer and shared the benediction.

  

But of course it didn't end there! We had a lot to eat and drink - yummy cup cakes, delicious meatpies and choice drinks to go with it. This went on as more and more guests warmed up to each other for the purpose of purposeful networking.

The Guest Minister continued to minister to participants one-on-one and gave access to those who wish to have further ministration by sharing her contact details through the DC Host. From attendign to the calls and scheduling appointments; I can tell you that many guests took advantage of the access to this woman of God who always go the extra mile in her ministration. Some guests met with her at her RCCG Camp residence for deliverance an counselling sessions.

It was indeed a great event. I definitely look forward already to next years event. To know more about DC, contact the DC host or visit our DC Facebook Group page. We minister to mature singles and connect them to purpose and partner. As we say, we connect singles, but God connect hearts.

Children Can Teach...

How many days a week do you feel like life is just too complicated? Even if it isn't, it doesn't take us long to make things complicated. Human beings just have this innate ability to ramp up everything to the next level.

I once tried to plan a simple barbecue party...I was going to invite two couples from church, grill hot dogs and hamburgers, and just sit around and fellowship. Sounds good, right? Well, in one week I managed to turn two couples into 20, buy expensive steaks I couldn't afford and drive my family crazy with a list of chores I was convinced we just had to do before company came over.

Frankly, I just wanted to impress people. And because of it, I had a miserable week—and I made my family miserable too.

What's the simple solution to all of this? I believe the answer is in Luke 18:17: Whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].

Did you notice it says little? As children get older, even they begin to have the ability to complicate things. But when they're really little, there's just none of that.

Little children aren't complicated. They don't live their life trying to impress anyone. And they can teach us a lot about how to enjoy life. Simply observe them during play time.

Lesson 1: Let Things Go

“ Multitasking may be popular, but the Bible tells us to give our mind to what we are doing. ”

One thing about children is they are extremely forgiving. One minute they can be fighting over a toy and the next minute they're hugging.

I can tell you that hating people is complicated and it's hard work. You can carry a grudge and be bitter, resentful, mad and offended. And every time you see "that person" you can cringe inside and you can talk about them behind their back—or you can spare yourself the trouble.

Listen, don't waste the rest of your life sulking about some unfair thing that happened to you. Get yourself off your mind…and simplify.

Lesson 2: Be a Dreamer

Another thing children do that makes their lives simple is that they so easily believe. They believe in magic and fairytales. They have no problem coming up with imaginary playmates or imagining life to be amazing and fantastic.

There's a book by John Ortberg called God Is Closer Than You Think. And in it, he writes about a little girl who said she knew Jesus was living in her heart because when she put her hand to her chest, she could feel Him walking around.

Now, we adults know she was just feeling her heartbeat. But that little childlike spirit felt God inside her! And when you think about it, she was right because a beating heart is a sign that life is in you.

As adults, we need to move into the supernatural realm and start dreaming again. We need to create joy in our own lives. It's a right and privilege we have as children of God, but it's a decision we must choose to make.

Lesson 3: Pick Up Your Toys

Some of us can simplify our lives very easily, even without using our imaginations.

For one thing, we can go home and clean up our rooms. Keep the stuff you use and keep the stuff you love. But give away what you're holding on to for someday because odds are when you need it, you won't remember where you put it.

Lesson 4: Focus Your Attention

Another way you can simplify your life is to practice doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may be popular, but the Bible tells us to give our mind to what we are doing (see Ecclesiastes 5:1).

Lesson 5: Ask Your Father

Finally, you can simplify your life just by trusting that God loves you and hears your prayers. Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (NIV).

If you want something, ask Him for it. If it's right, He'll give it to you. If it's not, just know He has something better for you in mind.

It really is that simple! I encourage you to stop questioning God with your mind, and start trusting Him with your heart.

Be a little more childlike in your approach to life. Who knows…you may just feel Jesus walking around in your heart.

This article by Joyce Meyer's is taken from her four-part audio series Happy to Be Me.

15 Relationship Questions by Christians

Is virginity still a virtue?

Yes. It also keeps you psychologically balanced and somewhat immune to hurt. But don't deceive yourself that you are waiting for anyone. The man would most likely not be a virgin. Waiting too long have negative effects.

Is female virginity over-rated?

Somewhat. A woman is told to keep her price for the man who most likely has many conquests in exchange.

Is masturbation or wet dreams a sin?

Masturbation is self pleasuring. Wet dream is secretion from sexual fantasies. Our bodies are wired to react to stimulation or fantasies. The part we may have to figure out individually is the issue of committing sexual sin in our minds especially because to masturbate, one draws up an image to fantasise about. The Bible condemns mental lust but both the married and unmarried are guilty. Also there may be damaging implications in marriage for those who become addicted to self pleasuring as singles.

Is polygamy wrong?

Rachael was Jacob's first love but she married into polygamy. Hannah married into polygamy. Mary may have married into polygamy. A bishop, pastor, deacon is not expected to marry more than one wife. David, a man after God's heart was polygamous so was Solomon. Isaac may have been the only patriarch who had one wife and lived with her till death. Nigerian Law recognises one wife but customary law permits more. Monogamy is the ideal as we saw in Eden but war, poverty, corruption have left the world with more marriage types. If all Christian men and all Christian women choose to get married today, the ratio if they must all be married will not be 1:1.

Should marriage be redefined?

Yes. More marriages are ending in divorce and many more or living separately. The slogan at the altar was, "For better, for worse... to live together till death do us part." The contract in my opinion is broken once the man or women decide to live apart (or abroad) where it is humanly possible for them to be together i.e. non war or non life threatening situation.

Why am I still single?

Because you haven't said yes to someone or asked someone into marriage. There is always someone who wants you as a wife or husband; it now depends on whether you feel that way.

Is there shortage of eligible men or women?

No. Eligibility is relative; as defined by you. Yet, someone that fits your profile is available somewhere, some place. You only need to find her/him somehow. I tried prayer and networking and I can confirm both works.

Are single mothers/fathers necessarily the product of earlier waywardness?

Becoming a single mother or father takes just one sexual experience. Some of them were raped and few become so bitter that it became their last sexual experience. The really wayward folks know about contraception and may have used the option of abortion.

Can career and marriage be successfully managed?

Yes. Examples abound even around you. It is a choice you must make but it helps to have the support of your spouse.

Do I have to give up my individuality in marriage?

Not really. Yet you have to be a team player. Amos 3:3

Is it wrong to ask a man out on a date?

In the African context it is regarded as wrong but Biblically it is not. Asking a man out on a date is merely an offer of friendship not a plea for marriage.

How can I cope with discrimination occasioned by singleness?

As long as people have different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, there would be discrimination. Learn to be strong and learn to believe in you especially in the fact that being single does not make you less human or capable than the married.

How can I position myself for "opportunities:" (relationship, friendship...)

Just as you learn skills to get the right job, you need to learn some skills especially communication and relational skills. You must be personable and tolerant. The Bible says he that must be a friend must show himself friendly. You also need to be prayerful; God's will remain the best ingredient for a successful relationship.

Is it wrong to desire a rich mate?

Ask and you shall be given. Be sure that you desire a rich mate for the right reasons and don't miss out on the right person because your desire is closed ended. Someone may appear rich only for you to find out such a person is a prodigal son. Yet someone may start out plain yet have skills that will number him among the Bill Gates of this world.

What are the essential qualities for a Godly relationship

Godly Character, Effective Communication, Cultural Tolerance, Career and Commitment to making it work.

Do you disagree with our response, feel free to share.

Do you have questions not listed here? Feel free to ask?

Article Source. Read other articles by the author at OU Journal.

Jesus Christ, is my life

This fact has been expressed in so many ways especially through my selfless offerings.

Here again, I am delighted to share the expression of the life that comes only from Jesus Christ.

Enjoy these expression of faith by New Yorkers!

PROPHECIES BY PASTOR E. O. ADEBOYE FOR 2012

Individuals

1. He said many considered to be absolutely barren will be fruitful.

2. He said family histories will be rewritten, including an end to premature death.

3. He said desperate prayers will get quick reply this year.

4. He said some will experience massive transfer of wealth from the wicked to the just.

Nigeria

1. God says He has surprises both for His own and for the enemies of the church.

2. He said before this year ends, it will be said of Nigeria; all is well that ends well.

3, He said we are to pray more for prominent Nigerians, so that those who see this year may see the next.

International

1. Daddy says there will be a lot of power transfer.

2. He said new phenomenon will startle scientists.

3. He said we are to pray against earth quakes of record magnitude, tsunamis of record proportion and massive hurricanes. if we pray they will be subdued.

4. The civil unrest that started last year, will begin to end this year.