Olu-Thomas: Sharing The Love

N E W S O N G A L E R T 🎶💕💕💕💕

'Jesus in Me'
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🎶 Performed by Nonso
🎶 Produced by Toluwanimi Oni (White-Keys)
🎶 Music, Artwork & Distribution by Oluwabunmi Ololade Akinola

Released December 1, 2024
Click this link now to listen for free 👉🏽 https://selar.co/443323

The Golden Age
(My Story - Episode 116)

Few weeks ago we had a program in Church, it was a kind of parents - child discussion, between the young adults and the parents... We were actually treating one of my denomination material - The Disciple's Lifestyle. In that service I think we were schooled by the Gen Zs... But there was a comment from one grandpa that brought memories to me.

The old man share of how his father used to train him, and even "disciplined" him when he was younger, even after he was married.
When we say "discipline" in this context in Africa, it includes beating... Any kind.
But he concluded that, though his behavior tells a different story to his father, he was actually paying attention to his father's instructions, but as a youth, when you do youthful things, your sense of understanding is in question.

During my time in charge of this choir, though they were my favorite choir (out of 4), but they deal with me well... And I return the favor. It is mostly tough for both of us then... Especially the guys. Yet, they were set up to be the model and the nucleus of whole music ministry of the church in the future... And today, I can say they managed to achieve that.
But dealing with these people 12 - 14yrs ago, it was tough, if it is now, I don't think I would want to labour that hard on a set of people... Feeling too Old for that.

They look impenetrable.
Their behaviors doesn't match what we expect.
They don't seem to justify the investment I was making.
Yet, they were so talented, but too unruly, lack focus & synergy.
I became a motivational speaker for them.
A Story teller
A teacher
I instruct
I trained
I befriend them
I Pastored them.

Looking back, I am grateful for being able to do that with them. Almost all of them are still in touch with me and I still know things going on with them & in their lives. What it seems they weren't paying attention to, they have come to understand.

Sometimes some lessons comes too early for us. As a parent & teacher, we should understand this.
Now I enjoy my relationship with them.

V/V (five of five)
(My Story Episode 115)

Our first year's first semester results was delayed because of some changes in the seminary due to accreditation processes, so we were already in exam mode for the second semester before our first semester results came out. I got 4.5 out of 7 point GP. I was happy.

Then I got to class, everyone was interested in knowing my GP... I told them and they said, "We thought you'll be better, Eunice got 6.3". It happened that Eunice was a quiet lady in our class but she top the class for that semester. I became sad. Not because she top, but because I know, I should be better.

I went to Sister Eunice and asked how she did it. She said, "night classes". So I begged her to allow me to join her in the night classes. That was how I started night class in the seminary from year 1 till I graduated... Every day of the week, except I travel. This immediately helped my score in the second semester exams.

Seeing the benefits of reading ahead of class, I decided to go on our long vacation, which we normally use to work in a church, to get some money for next session school fees, with my books, especially the 4 unit courses - Tonal music 2. It's like a workbook, and I rigorously work on the book, completing 75% of it before resumption - that's almost 2 semester's work in two months!

By the time I got back to school, I have enough time to study more ahead of others. And the results was massive. It became evident that I was teaching my mates, majority of who were struggling with this subject. Then they started calling me V/V (5 of 5). By my third year, the set after us got to know I was good in theory of music & asked me to teach them. There was an example I made in my tutorial for them that came out of the exam as a compulsory question.

I love the results.
But the process started from hating my first semester's result, & deciding to read ahead of the class, even while I was working.
Nobody can measure the success that one can have when one is determined to succeed & is ready to pay the price!

Pic: I'm the one writing by the right.

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MY PASTOR'S ARE NOT HUNGRY
(My Story - Episode 114)

There's this woman among our church members that usually randomly send her children to drop off stuff either in my office or at home as gifts to us. Mostly edible things like, Salt, bread, eggs, milks etc. and I must confess, there have been times these little things really met a need.

Then one day she herself dropped off some loaves of bread for all of us pastors in the office. I wasn't around so I didn't know the story but the button line was she gave them to us. Then the evening of following day, I heard her agitated voice coming towards our apartment. I quickly notify my wife to attend to her.

Upon enquiry she said one of us pastors called her attention to the fact that the loaves she gave him, alongside us, was staled & bad. And since she said she wanted to invest in distribution of that bread she should be careful. That was the feedback she got from one of us pastors she gave the first batch of her stock to for blessing. She was embarrassed and felt cheated by the baker who mixed staled bread with new ones for her to distribute.

But that's not what brought her to our house. She wanted to confirm if we have not eaten the bread, so she can retrieve it or if we have to confirm if it was good or not. My wife said the bread was good. And the woman out of desperation started agitating that she is soup, how will she deliberately gift stale bread to we her pastors "Awọn pastor mi kìí ṣe elebi"... My pastors are not hungry people!

That statement stood out for me.
She said whatever she is giving is for own blessing not that she is dashing us the Pastors, because we are better off whatever she was bringing.
Hmmm 🤔
While there are those of us who doesn't give to pastors except they curse you for not giving, there are still some who give to pastor without a right attitude... But this woman's pronouncement hit me differently... My Pastors are not Hungry, why will I just bring spoiled bread to them?

How do you see your Pastor?
The way you treat your pastor, is the way you see him.

FIRST FRUIT 🍓
(My Story - Episode 113)

When by the Mercy of God My parents moved to their own property, one of the things I focused on was having as many fruits as possible on our plot of land. I search for & gather some of the best fruit seedlings I could lay my hands on: Sugarcane, Cashew, Ogbomoso mango 🥭, orange 🍊, pineapple 🍍 & pawpaw.

The pawpaw we planted was a special breed. It doesn't produce much fruits at a time because of its size & the size of the fruit. The size of the fruit is bigger than an average size of a yam... It's that big. And it has little or no seeds in it. It's specifically breed to be eaten.

When we planted it, we were experimenting with it as we don't know what it's like to have that kind of pawpaw tree. So after months of nurturing, the tree produced it's first set of fruits - only 2. We were happy & always look out for it, as we have intruders that do steal from our garden then.

Then one day, when we were already planning on the day we'll harvest the two pawpaw & feast on them, mom asked that I pluck one of the pawpaws for her. I did thinking she wanted to prepare it for us. Then she dressed up & make an "osuka" - a folded cloth to ease the burden of carrying a load on one's head, and she left for church!
Mom!
Yes, I'm giving this one to Reverend. It's the first fruit, I want him to eat it first.
I wasn't happy. But I kept quiet.
For God's sake, she wasn't the one who planted this garden or cultivate this particular breed, why would she now decide who get what? Especially when it's only 2!

The pawpaw didn't last long, it died, probably due to the weight of its fruits but we have seeds to replant it.
Several years after, when I've become a pastor, there were series of gifts & favor I enjoyed that I see God reminding me of this giving done by my Mom, being the reason for the blessing.

I am not preaching first fruit, but I believe in giving, especially to the servants of God as you are led. Do things that your children can declare, "I didn't deserve this, it must be my parent's good deeds that brought this my way".
Thank you Mummy!

ATTACKED
(My Story - Episode 112)

I had the opportunity to travel to the hometown of one of our member for a social function, representing the church & the pastorate. We were hosted by one wonderful family, but something happened there that drive home a truth.

On the second day, as we were being taken out for sightseeing, I noticed our host took hold of a short rubber pipe & was motioning towards one obscure angle of the building as we walk towards the gate. I follow his lead & saw a dog peeping at us; So hidden that you cannot know it's there. But our host said it is a stubborn dog. I couldn't see it's body as it's body was totally hidden.

Our host explained that he wanted them to eat before he cage them that morning, but their food was being prepared. Unknown to us, immediately we came out of the house it has sighted us & went ahead of us to await our arrival at the gate undetected through the other side of the building!

But a day before we left, we all sat outside the house, enjoying the company of our host. The dogs were released from their cage but because we were eating together with their owners, we were safe. Then someone who had visited came back looking for his keys. They traced the key to the person house & couldn't find it, so they came to check again. At this point, I felt I should help look for the keys too.

I followed the wife of our host to the gate & she went on in the dark of the night looking for the key. I couldn't follow her, so I decided to return to my seat with our host.
I have forgotten about the dogs.
I was already half way to my seat & away from the gate, when the dog sighted me alone. Without a whimper, it launched for me.
Should I run?
To where?
Before my host to say, "Max", I'm already on the floor scrambling to escape Max's teeth!
How I escape a bite was a miracle. Max was 9 months but weigh 80kg, fast & noiseless!

It was then it dawn on me that, Max has only been resisting attacking me because of those who are with me - it's owner!
See, who is with you, will determine who is for you & who is not!
The enemies & Blessings you have or enjoy are as a result of whose you are!

THE BROTHERLY TALK
(My Story - Episode 111)

It was a wedding ceremony.
Family usually have reunions at such occasions, one reason family involvement in wedding is important in Africa. My Dad has determined to use this occasion to have a serious talk with his brother.
When 2 brother go into a room to talk, if they come out smiling they probably lied to each other, but when they come out frowning, they have spoken truth to each other... This is not always true.

My Dad's brother was being asked to relocate back home. But he needed to raise some capital to establish something back home, to fall back on. Being a strong member of the ruling political party of the state of his residence, Dad encouraged him to take a contract to build a 2 bedroom in the state's housing project. The plan was that my Dad will do all the work & give the gain of the project to his brother to start life again at home.

Their plans didn't work.
Politicians frustrated it.
My Dad even took loan to complete the project so as to get paid & setup his brother. But their money was slashed & stashed. My Dad was angry at his brother thinking he double crossed him. So he wanted to have that discussion with him, knowing he must attend the wedding ceremony.

Either by design or accident, as they were having that conversation and the brother got to know how much loan my Dad had to pay, he slumped & that effectively brought the discussion to an end as they have to rush him to hospital. Dad was angry, because of the debt he had been dragged into because of his brother. It actually took years after, before the brother could relocate finally. And took Dad years too, to pay off the loan.

Sometimes helping siblings or family members are difficult. But everyone deserves to be helped & given second & third chances as much as they'll probably need it!

And those of you who usually use family functions to waylay people you haven't seen a long time, just to put them down or make them feel miserable, how has your life been better for it?
Did that really settle the lack of achievement in your own life?
Suddenly you wonder why they no longer show up for family functions!

ỌMỌ ÌYÁ
(My Story - Episode 110)

After I started my seminary training, the first major event was the Minister's Conference. My favourite Uncle, who is also a minister came around. The week was full of activities, so I & my uncle agreed for him to come to see me in my hostel a day before the end of the conference. But when I saw my Uncle, my matter was small beside the matter that he brought to my hostel that day.

He came in with his face red hot: Burning with deep-seated anger. He was shaking & weak. His lips were dried & body very hot. I knew something was wrong. I quickly asked him to lie down on my bunk bed. The cafeteria is directly behind my hostel, I quickly went to get him a chilled Amstel Malta. He took it slow with his eyes closed. Slowly & gradually, his tensed body began to relaxed, the breathing became normal & he could find his voice to talk to me.

His Pastor friends, who had come to the conference, had asked him to take them to one of his brothers. And 4 or 5 of them went to greet him in a near by village. On their way back, one of these friends asked that they branch at another of his brother's house, who also was a highly respected Minister in our denomination. He didn't want to go. But they insisted. They thought if they went in good company, the brothers would sheath their sword.
On getting there, it was fire & brimstones!
He left there angrily & came directly to my place.

Seeing this my Uncle in that state; with all the pain; the emotional pains that was so feasible, yet untouchable; I asked myself, what's the purpose of brotherhood if all we do is hurt each other? Just by coming to greet your elder brother in the company of admiring friends who wants to meet the elder brother, now family squabbles left all of them in tatters.

Few days later I met one of my cousin along the walkway, he was also a student in the seminary like me & I hugged him. We agreed that no matter what's going on in our family (extended), we, we'll be brothers!
Since then we call each other "Ọmọ'ya" - born of same mother
Siblings, settle your issues & stop hurting each other!

I THOUGHT I HAD FORGIVEN HIM 2
(My Story - Episode 109)

9yrs after, this my Uncle died.
I also started working with a new church. Then one of my late uncle's children came to visit my Snr Pastor. I was having a keyboard class that afternoon, when my Snr Pastor was seeing her off. As they passed me, my boss turned back like he just remembered something & asked if we recognize each other. We looked at each other, I make a bow & greeted her courteously but not warmly. The situation was becoming awkward, "Is that all" was the look on my boss.
She reached out to me & hug me.
I felt a rush of anger.
But she was my boss visitor.
I mustn't show it.

Months later, another of his children came to our church for a revival program. That's when my Oga tried to force me to be cordial. Even though, he didn't know what the matter was, he assumed it was the issue my Dad had with his, now late brother, that I was angry about.

Until that time, I actually thought I had forgiven my Uncle. As much as I tried, for more than 5yrs after his death, I couldn't bring myself to still relate with his son as he comes around every year.
And gradually I let go.

One day his children came around. I went to see him on a courtesy visit before his departure. And he was introducing me to his children. They were asking if I am an Alabi too. He answered them in the affirmative & also told them that the young fair boy that came earlier is my son, & that he too is an Alabi.
The kids were surprised.
They were meeting us, their family for the first time in their life.

This story is not about that my late Uncle.
It is about me.
About family.
About forgiveness.
I was offended & was unyielding... Like Proverbs 18:19a "A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city..."
I actually had forgotten about it until I met his children & the pain of the hurt, years before, welled up in me.

My challenge to everyone, especially the elderly ones, is to go back & settle all family squabbles that is tearing you generation apart before you die. Your children & their children don't deserve to become enemies or be lost to each other, because you had issues with your siblings & won't settle it.

Forgiveness is hard.
But it must be done.
Take your time to heal.
But forgive, you must.

It took me around 15yrs to forgive. For 9yrs I live in denial of the offense and the offender. Even after the death of the person that hurt me, I couldn't bring myself to be cordial with his children. It's God's mercy I didn't die in this state. You may not have my opportunity. Forgive and do it ASAP.

Is there anyone you too have thought you have forgiven, but because you are not in close proximity, you think there is no deep seated hatred or anger in you? Reach out now, and purge yourself.
It's not about the wrong done to you. But about your peace with God.

Messi in the documentary about the reason for his smile when France equalised during the final of FIFA world cup 2022:

“I felt like football was telling me, this cup was not created for me to be it's champion. I felt that the 2014 scenario would be repeated and I would be sad, but something inside me told me, ‘Wake up, you fool. This is no longer your dream. It has become the dream of the world.’ And indeed, I stood on my feet again and said, ‘Nothing will stop me.’ Realizing my dream this time”

Moral: If all you seek is just for yourself, you'll be defeated and mostly lack power to get back up. But seek to achieve what'll be of benefit to others along with you, and you'll see the collective energy aiding you on!

This is a reminder... The reason for your hustle is and should be because of the whole other destinies that are tied to your success. Your success is not an end in itself... It should be a means to an end.

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I THOUGHT I HAD FORGIVEN HIM 1
(My Story - Episode 108)

My Dad once had issue with his brother. My parents did everything they could to settle this issue. Several times they appeal & extend hand of friendship, but his brother won't budge. It's around my first year in the seminary, so my mom asked that I visited this my Uncle before I come home after the first semester break. It was a December, I attended a program a night before, & there was a leading for me to sow a seed into the ministry of this my father's brother.

I was lead to sow my savings for the whole semester... Money I planned to used to buy a laptop to aid my school work. I obeyed. Went to my uncle's house with the gift. Met with the office secretary, drop the gift for the ministry & then entered the house to greet him before going. I was on my way out of the compound when I was called back by the secretary. I didn't want to go back in, because I sense it wasn't going to be a nice meeting. But the secretary was pleading, he can't go back in with the envelope in his hands without me.

This time I was ushered into a big office. There were other Ministers there, & what I heard I that office that day was enough for me to not want to see this my uncle again in his life & even all his children. I consider them D£ to me... After all, I was called a son of a rebel among other unprintable names.

We were raised to never join in any issue our parents have with people. My parents make sure that they never did poison our heart against anyone, let alone their family. But this is no longer my parents' issue, it's my personal issue with him, I will decide base on what he did to me.

How I got back to seminary that day, only God knew. I remember, kneeling down at my bedside & praying some nasty prayers... Something like accusing God for setting me up by leading me to him. And I make sure I told God that whatever sending he has for me to this man and his family in the future should be considered disobeyed before he even ask me. And I make sure I confess that I forgive him but I'll have nothing to do with him anymore.

To be continued...

MY NUMBER ONE SUPPORT
(My Story - Episode 107)

I was a fresh graduate from the seminary that year. Even though I've been pastoring in the church for a while, I still understand that, as a pastor, you don't have integrity and authority automatically over members of the church you pastor and on people as an entrepreneur.

So there was a need in the music ministry of the church, and having received the go ahead from the church pastor, I seek to raise some funds for the needs.
I shared the need and the reason for us to arise to meet the need.
I shared how people can buy into the project.
As I am not a fan of just asking selected few to give to projects.

To my surprise no one indicated their willingness to support the project.
I was sweating on the pulpit.
LORD what do I need to do?
Wait.
I looked around and only one young lady was standing up... Willing and ready to offer her lunch money for the project.

My senior pastor came to the pulpit and said exactly what I said earlier. And almost every adult member gave towards the project. We realize the money needed and was able to execute the project within a week.

But I was baffled.
I thought very deeply about what happened and I questioned the Holy Spirit why I had to experience that.
Then I got to know the purpose of that experience.

Only your family will buy into your vision without questioning - most of the time. Others want proven track records.

Because you are a pastor doesn't mean everyone trust you with their money. And because you have a brilliant business idea doesn't mean people will trust fund your idea... Only people who believed in you or are willing to take a gamble.

Anyone supporting your vision or business at the inception, is a family - hold them dear!
The best way to float a business or get funded is through you trusted people - Family!

I asked this young lady later why she stood up, she said, she believes in the project because she believes in me. And since then she has been openly supporting me.

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