Monday, 30 November 2015

Letters to Our Sisters.

Have you ever wanted to speak to a girl bound by the chains of prostitution, but never really had the chance to do it, or just plainly never had the courage to approach them? This is your chance. For iVow's next meet-up, I have prayerfully reached the conclusion that we reach out to our sisters and bring them into the fold of love and God that we enjoy. Most of these girls don't know better, and honestly it is so easy to sit down from the comfort of our homes and talk down at them. However, we are a girls group focused on challenging each other to live honorable lives in our minds, bodies and spirits. We must be mindful about the souls of those around us. Jude 1:23 "Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives."
What effect would we have if we keep our wisdom and encouragement to ourselves without reaching those that really need saving, right? So, just how will we do this right? It's simple:

As many as will like to participate will each:
-Write a simple and easy-to-read 1-page letter to a lady. (This letter must not be preachy because it's easy to get defensive when you feel "talked at" rather than talked with. So a simple, encouraging letter that seeks to connect with them as human beings, and not people "living in sin" is the guide. Each letter should communicate the power she possesses as a woman, and that she is loved, valued and cherished from another girl. This letter should be handwritten, because it's more personal and thoughtful, yes? However, if you know in your heart that  your handwriting requires grace and 20/20 vision please type it out and email it to and I will have it written out LOL!!! (This also allows those outside Abuja/Nigeria to participate in the letter writing, so no one is left out).

-In addition to the letter, and as Christmas is fast approaching, I believe that it will be in order to include our resources just as an extra touch of love. I don't know about you but I personally enjoy receiving letters or cards that have something in it :D (don't front, and act like you don't have a clue!) So as many as can, let's each put N3,000 (or whatever you can provide) in the envelopes with our letters. Hebrews 13:12 says "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."  I just believe it's easier to connect with them when we offer more than mere words. Sometimes, the deliverance a person needs is in our hands and not in our mouths. However, if you don't agree with it, or will do it grudgingly please don't participate. This is for a select few who have chosen to live a higher life, and reach out to others with all the resources they've got...time, prayer, wisdom, and money. Forreal! 

How will we go about it?
-On Saturday, the 12th of December, 2015 we will meet together as a group and there will be a brief talk/session on a selected topic. Also, to focus our minds on the bigger task that lies ahead. After the talk, rather than a large number of people going out, a group of about 10 people will physically go out to distribute the letters on the streets. This is for security reasons of course. We will pray as a group before we go out. Meet-up points and more detailed information will be communicated subsequently. We will walk in twos, and hand out the letters and whoever needs prayer or needs to talk will be listened to. 

On Sunday, the 13th of December, we can assemble for brunch just to share our experiences and talk about what we felt and such. (This is not definite yet).

PS: Safety is ensured as it won't just be 10 ladies walking the streets at night. We will employ the presence of strong men to watch our backs, so fear not! LOL.

So, does this sound good or what??? I'm excited about it. Really!!! We can't change the world but we can contribute at making it better one person at a time. Who knows? Our own healing can come from reaching out and touching those that need healing themselves. 

I look forward to this next event. I love you all. Mean it! Remain beauty-FULL!

Favor O.

Monday, 9 November 2015

The Right Time to Love (Guest blog by Florence Young).

Song of songs 8:4
Whoa!!! I wish I understood that immediately.
For two nights, somewhere in me was rummaging over this profound, true and real it is.
But I'm wondering, is it like when you see a dog sleeping and you disturb it, it barks nonstop and the noise is just so overwhelming and eldritch?...No! not good enough.
The Bible describes love as fire, “love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love neither can rivers drown it.”
So when i spark the fire, no quenching, no running...? I will sure enjoy the warmth, but i also should be able to withstand the heat and unfailingly, the burns.
I thought of the sun. Whoa! The sun rises and it sure sets, but we have to wait on it to rise and set regardless of how hard we try to speed the process.
However a man plans and strives, he must await the night process before he sees the sun rise, and he must pass through the day before he sees the sunset.
The Bible says there is time for everything. There is surely the time to love.
Perhaps we should wait to pass through the processes that eventually lead us to the right time when we can withstand this love. This love is so powerful it is likened to death.
If you awaken love at the wrong time, be ready to get burnt. The flames will blacken out your skin, the scars will linger. The pains are unbearable. Girl!!! when the fire burns out, you would wish it consumed you instead.
A wise woman therefore will in her wisdom, know when to awaken love and when love should sleep. Or else, whatever comes of it, she will surely bear the consequences which in most cases, she cannot run away from. The consequences might sound so funny as though there's a resistance to it. You may feel that you have seen the worst of it but I want to remind us that each hurt we experience in life especially emotional hurt doesn't come with less pain. It's always a new and fresh cut, but how we pull through the pains makes determines our strength. For love is as powerful as death and we all are victims.
Women have all it takes to arouse a man, in the words of Kenny Rogers, “you have got the kind of body that was made to give a man a lot of pleasure." We have the power to ablaze the flames of love but a woman must know WHEN to awaken love, to spark this fire.
Song of Songs 8:10
“I was a virgin, like a wall: now my breasts are like towers”

A tower is a place of defence for protection. Towers usually protect castles-magnificent mansions.
A wall depicts security.
A woman should build a wall around herself to protect radical entry that can crumble down her castle before her very own eyes. A strong tower to shield her walls. A wall-less woman in this age and time is sure to throw her value away with her own hands. We don't want to give our value to underserving  people who have no concept of value for themselves; let alone to even place value on you.
We live in a society where value depreciates and fades but women, whatever God values can never be depreciated by man. Its up to you now, to choose your criterion. God, anytime any day and forever is the best criterion i assure you.
Have an AMAZING week ladies, and remain beauty-FULL!!! I love you. Mean it!
Favor O.