I recall sitting in a closet located in the basement of the University of Indianapolis student center many years ago. This closet contained the celebratory attire the waiters and waitresses wore to serve on special occasions. I remember staring at the closet mirror and seeing myself clad as a waiter. How did I get to this spot I wondered, earning minimum wage? Now all was not bad because, after-all, this was my first hourly job. The money I made from it paid my rent [...]
Hello sir, my name is Banks Uchenna Nwokeji. Before I go any further with this e-mail, I would like to sincerely apologize (I know you're wondering what I could possibly be apologizing for, given the fact that we've not met or even had a conversation before). Well, I'm apologizing for not responding to your emails all these years and that's sadly because I've really not been reading them. I get a bunch of emails from a lot of people, mostly sites I subscribe to. [...]
Raising a family, going to school full time, being an athlete with no scholarship money, being a full-time worker and trying to pay tuition—all at the same time—broke my spirit. I suffered immensely in university. But I look back now, and I thank God for that season of life. I wouldn’t have the selective indifference I have today if it weren't for that sad season. It's reminiscent of David who was abused by the authority of his dad and was left behind to serve [...]
While in Tamil Nadu, India, I heard the touching story of Pastor Thilak who seemingly had it all. He had a large and thriving congregation in Bangalore. He had a house, and a comfortable and loving family. However, he found truth and discovered that some of what he taught in the past was not sound doctrine. He corrected his doctrine, but it appeared all hell was let loose over this just act. His denominational heads threatened to kick him out, and they followed through with their threat. [...]
As a track athlete at the University of Indianapolis, many years ago, I would do the practices with the team, get ready, even hop on the bus and travel to the track meet. However, when it was time to suit up and get on the track, I would develop cold feet and offer up an excuse why I couldn't run. I was afraid of the crowds. What if I came last? A boy named Bryce seized on this and laughed me to scorn, saying [...]
The Holy Spirit led me in praying the following prayer for the Church: "Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send more workers into His harvest field because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few". (Matthew 9:36-38). During prayer, I was led to Matthew 14:13-21 where Jesus only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed a multitude. He took the bread and fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks, and broke the loaves. The food was multiplied feeding 5 [...]
God is not unaware; neither is He uninformed. He knows fully well that someone just kicked dirt in your eye. In fact, He knew long before it happened. He does not sleep. He watched how unfairly you were treated. Every tear that dropped from your eyes in the privacy of your bedroom, He still holds in His hands, wet as they were when you first cried them. He just does not operate the way you do. He does not always tell you what He [...]
