Leading Ladies

I call it a small miracle when a man gets to see himself grow. I was informed by my previous blog hosts that they'd be shutting down, so I quickly extracted the few articles or write-ups (or whatever these are called) from the site. I decided it'd be nice to put them up here, but a few of them had to go, cause they didn't sound like something you'd be interested in reading.

Now, it wasn't my tone or style of writing, but what I chose to blog about. Some may at this point refer to "Head vs. Heart" as too personal, but the real message is not in the storytelling... Nevertheless,

Hello People,

How've you been. I received a message a short time ago concerning a very popular and prominent female leader in the Gospel community. It was reported that she had been beaten by her husband, another prominent man of God, a third generation bishop in fact (his father and grandfather before him had been bishops). The police had to get involved because the assault took place in public- outside a mall.

According to the article, this televangelist, popularly addressed as Prophetess, had been beaten black and blue by her own husband, with welts and bruises on her body. She has been, for a long time, a pillar of hope and a source of strength to many women all around the world through life changing books, messages, crusades, seminars and workshops.

Few days later I heard about another televangelist as successful and popular as the first. She and her husband announced that they were getting a divorce, but would remain in their respective leadership roles; she, her television ministry and he, the church.

I'm not passionately hung up on pastors and ministers except they're my local or senior pastors, whom I have had the chance to know personally, so I wasn't shattered by this news. However, knowing that there would be many people who'd be dissapointed and want answers to their questions, I decided to write this to encourage everyone who might feel bad or think differently about the kingdom of God on hearing such news.

Truth is, whatever happens doesn't change the fact that these people are human and subject to the same challenges we face; maybe more because they lead complicated lives. So, we owe them our prayers for all the benefits we enjoy through their ministry.

Secondly, if our focus is more on them as our source of inspiration, rather than God, then we're bound for heartbreak. Many women are probably wondering: "If these high profile women of God are failing in their marriages, what hope do we learning ladies have?" Well, they may be role models, but they're never perfect. Everything you hope for should only be in God; only He can supply you with virtues you need for a successful marriage and the kind of husband that's just right for you and is committed to you in all manners of speaking.

And if you find yourself, for whatever reason, in such a predicament, dont just sit there. Stand up, dust yourself up and get moving! Your life consists of much more than you see. Keep doing the right thing and in time, you'll experience the changes you desire. You're no better than any other lady, but something makes you different. Find out what makes you stand out and build it uo. It may be a gift, your children, a job... Once you keep up the positive attitude you derive from your areas of strength and appropriate it to all other areas, your whole life will begin to radiate the joy and strength within you...

Well, ladies, pray for the best and strive to be the best in all you do. But!... a scripture in the Bible I once read comes to mind "...I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy..." I just hope in my case it's me He has mercy on, and that all the sacrifices made and seeds sown dont go to waste for these and other remarkable women like you and me who face challenges.

Diva.

Michael Jackson: "Osondi Owendi"

"Osondi, Owendi"That's all I can say right now. It's a phrase I learnt this morning, the chorus of a popular Nigerian south-south song that means "some will be celebrating and others will not". A sarcastic meaning meant only for those celebrating, but now...

It's funny how one person could attract so much criticism and controversy. It reminds me of a Bible passage: "to whom much is given, much is expected". Few people were willing to accept Michael Jackson for the good he did; rather they chose to re-count and number his crimes. Now, with all the rumors flying around (some of them made up by the Jackson team, no doubt, to shield him from the scathing eyes, venom and claws of strangers who really didn’t care), no one knows what really were the issues with him. Did he really have vitiligo? how many plastic surgeries did he have? did he really molest those boys? did he really have a ‘black-white’ complex? his father-did he really abuse him verbally, sexually and physically? I wasn’t there and neither were you. I don’t have the answers to these questions, but what I do know and everyone will attest to is: MICHAEL JACKSON IS THE GREATEST SINGER, ENTERTAINER EVER!!! He is much more than just the King Of Pop.

Let the stats help you do the math:

- He debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 and till date, five of his solo studio albums are still some of the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

- Thriller has remained the biggest selling album of all time with reported sales of 109 million and a Recording Industry Association of America certification of 28 million units.

- He became one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

- Other achievements include 13 Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"

- 19 Grammy Awards,

- 22 American Music Awards,

- 15 World Music Awards and the sale of over 750 million units worldwide.

- Michael Jackson also won numerous awards for his humanitarian endeavors, was honoured by two Presidents of the United States.

- He was also named as the artist of "the Decade", "Generation", "Century" and "Millennium" and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Now, against what do we compare all these: “In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of child sex abuse charges brought against him in 2003 following the Living with Michael Jackson TV interview. This was the second time allegations were brought against him, the first being in 1993. However, the first set of charges had been dropped following an out-of-court settlement between Jackson and the accusers”. = http://wikibin.org/articles/michael-jackson-controversies.html

Would anyone say there’s a reasonable comparison for criticizing the man? I say NOT. I do not approve of the wrongs that he did, but I’d be the last to condemn him for I am no better than he. Heck! Nobody knows us, much less our secrets and weaknesses. So who’d publish the story of the uncle who rapes his niece; or the father, his daughter? Who’d broadcast the scandals that seep out of our lives each day and expose the murder of last night? Who’d please, help us expose and brand these people for the world to see? But here’s frail ol’ “Wacko Jacko” whose life is conversation for all and sundry at every boring hang-out or stale dining room. In all the controversy surrounding his life, did one line of his lyrics ever mention his travails or victories? Did he ever tell you “don’t bring your girlfriends home ‘cause I’m a flirt”? did “Whacky-Jack” ever cuss his mama out or wish his father dead like li’l Em? But we endorse these people everyday, applauding them for being honest and forthright. I call it downright rude and cocky.

Finally, if you want to Osondi at his death, no one will stop you; but remember, none of us is without a flaw. And for those who are right now “Owendi”-ing, it will get better. Remember he left such a great legacy, it will outlive not just him, but even the youngest of us… I guess that’s what we should all be talking about… how to leave a lasting legacy and how to live life so that every moment counts because no one knows who’s next or when... and you gotta be sure where you're going. Michael Jackson, you left a mark and though 50yrs may seem short, may people achieve much less in a lifetime. You were favored, blessed and definitely loved by God.

Love,

Omoye Uzamere.


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