Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [is like a butterfly] he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new

Friday, 11 June 2010

Two weeks in GA...and still going strong!


Yes, two weeks as a Legal intern in the 'Dirty Dirty' and I am loving every moment of it . My sincere apologies for not getting on facebook for awhile, I cannot access the world of social networking from my computer at the courthouse. However give me a few weeks and I will be on the old 'book' again with my new laptop.

Wow! I can't believe it, I still have to pinch myself to know that I am back in Georgia!!!  Having left Atlanta last weekend, I have officially began my job as an intern for Judge Beam at the Chatham County Juvenile Court. And it has been extremely crazy but a lot of fun! Sometimes...I wonder if it's right for me to say that working on child abuse/ child deliquancy cases are 'fun'. Ok, well it's interesting to say the least.
To be honest this place breaks my heart. Having to sit day in and day out listening to the plight of children and teenager can be very hard to stomach and one must have tough skin. Yet one must have tough skin and a tender heart.  Imagine having to hear excuses from mother's regarding why they shot their own child or why there child has been sexually abused by a family member. Ugh! But, God is doing a work within me...I really think I want to pursue being a child attorney. I don't really care for corporate litigation or commericial disputes, I feel my calling is right here with juvenile cases.
I've seen kids as young as 12 wearing jumpsuits and chains round their hands and feet.  No, my conviction will not allow me to pursue the wealth of capitalistic companies who constantly argue over "who stole which brand name from whom".  God is really doing a work within me.

Savannah is a beautiful city I must say. I will have pictures very soon! Right, now I will soon begin to learn the role as a guardian ad litem ( An individual (often a lawyer) appointed to represent the best interests of a child or incapacitated person for the purpose of a legal procedure) and I will soon begin working on cases regarding children who may have been abused.
Yes, I must say I love it out here! I still don't know where God will have me in the next few years to come but wherever it will be I know it's a good place. Will I be married soon? Who knows? I'm not counting on it though. I do want to have a family of my own one day As well as run in out of court cases all day. However, the Lord knows that all things are possible with Him. I just need to take one step at a time.

In Christ

Chizor

Friday, 28 May 2010

My dirty little secret- Atlanta to Savannah!

Don't worry, this blog post will not be full of scandals. It's just that I am letting my readers know that I am in the United States, Georgia for that mattter, pursuing God's call on my life. So, I know I have been keeping my mouth shut these past few months about my plans for the future. To be frank, I kept quiet all this time because the Lord wanted me to exercise wisdom, and part of that wisdom was keeping my head down and laying low.

So, without further procastination...I am currently on an internship with the Law School at the University of Emory where I will be interning as a legal intern in Child Advocacy!  My job will actually be in Savannah, Georgia at the juvenile court  where I will intern as a guardian ad litem (check it up on wikipedia, as I am not about to bore you with definitions).  Many people look at me and ask the same question over and over again: "Why would a british girl, a black british girl as a matter of fact come to Georgia ?".  Not to sound like a pompous git or anything but I come because it's God. Years ago, God actually showed me Atlanta in a dream and so from 2006, I began to work with different non-profit organizations in the inner city.  I enjoyed what I was doing but somewhere along the line I may have become distracted and missed the purpose of God, and the end result wasn't that great. I like to compare the voice of the Holy Spirit to a satellite navigator : if you get off track somewhere, God is always faithful to redirect on to the orginal path He had for you.
My 2nd year at Law School was an extremely tough one for me to be quite honest. I knew God was calling me to pursue a law degree for His glory but emotionally I was a mess and I couldn't see how I could go on another day. Yet God was faithful in the midst of it all.  I really understood that scripture in
Proverbs 18: 24  which states that "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother".  God had to do what I couldn't. He had to remove somethings out of my way so that he could be that friend who stuck closer to me than a brother. When I had cried all the tears in the world, God would just remind me of His faithfulness. Part of His faithfulness was this particular internship I have just secured. Which by the way gives an incredible grant to it's particpants. Just a little side note for those wishing to pursue law...
He reminded me of the call He placed in my heart for the inner city in Georgia and of how many children were out there, who may or may not be getting enough protection from the law. I want to thank Ms Brenda Rolle at the juvenile court in Atlanta, who I met last summer whilst interning for the Atlanta Metro Kidz, she didn't even know me but she encourged me to apply for the internship.  Seriously guys, God will always prove Himself strong and when He has a plan for you, He will begin taking things away only to replace it with something better. Ms Rolle was certaintly God sent.

I graduate by the God's grace from Law School next year and I am not sure what the next step will be but I've learnt that "All things work together for good, for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose" Romans 8: 28

If God can turn a bad situation in my life around, then He most certaintly will do it for you.

In Chirst

Chizor

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Don't let me fall Lord


This past week I have been waking up with butterflies in my stomach and the tightening of my chest.  I have been so afraid about the next step in my life.  God has given me a project to work on and as the deadline approaches, fear is rushing in like a flood. But we all know what the scripture says in Isaiah 59:19 When the enemy comes in like a flood God will lift a standard against them .
I keep on asking God the same questions over and over again ; "Why use ME Lord? I can't do it!' It's strange because I want to do it but I feel like it's so beyond me to complete. I think that's where the amazing power and testimony of God steps in and Philippians 4:13 comes into play. Without Him I can do nothing.
This morning I was speaking to my earthly father, just sharing my fears and how hopeless I felt completing this God given task.  My father made it clear to me that I need not worry because even though I may not  the most intelligent person in the world, God has anointed me and is with me.  It made me smile and I realises that it is okay to feel afraid at times. God isn't going to let me fall but desires for me to do the task and sometimes DO IT AFRAID.
I actually shake just thinking about the next step I am to take but I remember this particular scripture:

"Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours; your border will be from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the river, the river Euphrates, as far as the western sea." Deuteronomy 11:24


God has already given all things to you and me.

Monday, 17 May 2010

A little construction work

As you have probably noticed my blog has undergone a facelift or rather a face transplant.  It really is a season of new beginnings and one way I wanted to express this was by giving my blog a more of spring/summer look.
The blog switch is over is almost here...so watch this space.

Much love

Tuesday, 11 May 2010

All things are working for you and me

At the moment I am trying to complete my essay for Grad school and so far, so tough. Anyhow I've decided to take a break (please note I have only written the title) and write this blog.

Do you remember the story of Joseph and how his elder brothers whom which were so dear to him rejected and misused him.  His own flesh and blood sold him into slavery and I believe the icing on the cake for dear Joseph was when he ended up in a prison cell for several years.  What would you have done if you were Joseph? If you own brother betrayed you and sold you into slavery out of spite? I'm sorry I would've probably killed somebody...but then again that's just my erratic behaviour. But seriously, can we even comprehend what Joseph must have felt.
Years down the line God established His purpose for Joseph and exalted him far above anything Joseph could ever imagine or think.  I mean from the ol' slave house to the palace- Joseph was made governor of Egypt. I have often asked myself though, what was going through Joseph's mind during all that time as prisioner. Did he weep? Did he get angry at his brothers? Did he even get angry at God? I'm not in a position to answer those questions but I do believe that during this time Joseph went through some heart to heart therapy with the Lord. I always tried to put myself in Joseph's shoes. Completely different situation but the same pain and tears.
However, you cannot enjoy the story of Joseph's  incredible success and prosperity   without reading about his trials first. God used Joseph's trials to make him what he was.
Finally, when Joseph was well and established, his own brothers came  to HIM for help. I bet some of you are thinking right now : The audacity of it all! This is what Joseph said : " As for you , you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about this present result in order to save many lives" Genesis 50:20.
To be honest in it's utmost, it's been a rough 2nd year at university for me. Extremely rough and it was beyond something my human nature and heart would never have been able to withstand if it hadn't been for the Lord. I am writing this as a closing blog of my 2nd year at Law School.
I began this year heartbroken and in a right state. Pain was my meal of the day (that's if I even ate anything). The wounds were just open. Yet this is my final week of University and God blessed ne  above more than I expected. I didn't come out of this year struggling and trying to maintain calm. No! I achieved so much, more than I could possible imagine. Just the fact that I can even sit here and apply for Grad school is beyond me. All the trials and tribulations that I went through God was preparing me. He was preparing me for the ministry He had predestined me to do. Anything that God takes out of your life is only because it wasn't God's best for you. Joseph being with his family in Canaan wasn't God's best. No, Joseph had to go through somethings in order for the purpose of God to be fulfilled.

This will be my last blog until the BIG BLOG SWITCHOVER but it's been a very painful year at university. Yet the Lord was faithful and he kept on blessing me. I can stand up and say that through all the confusion, misunderstanding, heartbreak, pain and sickness God turned it around for good. I thought it was me who planned my way but the Word says that it's God who orders a woman steps.

Too all those who prayed for me, helped me and just encouraged me your work is not forgotten. It has been an eventful 2nd year right from the gecko but all this was for God to fulfill His perfect plan and purpose.

Finally happy, finally content, finally in love with Jesus.

Friday, 7 May 2010

Ladies turn your face to the wall.

I've just returned from a coffee date with my good friend and mentor Denise from my church. She has been such a help these past few months and I pray God richly blesses her.

Well, as I was coming home these thoughts began to plague my mind. It was as almost as though Old Miss Low Self Esteem decided to pay me a visit. She just wouldn't let up the whole train ride home. Guys I am going to be truthful here, sometimes it's hard to fight those demonic voices of oppression, nevertheless I was determined in my spirit that I was not about to give in. But the thoughts kept on coming, thoughts such as "Are you really good enough? Can you really accomplish this? What gives you the audacity to say that you are beautiful and God has crowned you with His glory?"  I'm sure we hear these voices sometime in our lives but let me warn you . If these voices are not brought into subjection to the Word of God they will destroy you. I almost wanted to give into the voices of my past and just dwell on everything I had done wrong.  However, in Isaiah 40:31 it states  " But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles". I didn't have any strength left to fight off the words which were trying to oppress me but I turned my face to the wall just like Hezekiah did in 2 Kings 20 and I knew that my strength had to come from the Lord. I turned my back on whatever was being spoken to my spirit and did what I knew best  : turn my face to the wall and look to God.

Hezekiah was told by a prophet himself that he was going to die. I mean if it was me I would have just packed up, drafted my will and organized preparations for my funeral.  Nonetheless, King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, this meant he turned against the situation that was at hand and looked to God.  Women no matter what is going on, do not let anything overwhelm you. If it gets too much, turn right around in your spirit and look to God. When you "turn to the wall" you are saying no to the situation, you are saying no to well-meaning friends who may give you wrong advice, you are saying no to sympathisers and you are saying "GOD I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!".

Isn't He the same God that sent  fire by night and a cloud by night to protect the Israelites in the desert? When everything was coming against them , they knew that it was only the Jehovah Jireh that could provide a way out. Ladies, ignore those negative things which are being spoken over you! God loves you so deeply and has an amazing plan for you.  I know very well that it's so easy to think that God has forgotten about you and everything is going wrong. Listen to my words, I am a living testimony to God's goodness. I have literally seen with my own eyes God turn a bad situation right around.   I wouldn't just say this if I didn't mean it. Walk away from those negative things, walk away from anything or anyone holding you back. 

 Some of you have been called to leave your conventional lifestyle of potential housewife to minister to teenage girls who suffer from genitial mutiliation in rural parts of Somalia.   Some of you have been called to stop living upto your family and friends expectations but rather  pursue a degree in medicine in order to bring healthcare to third world countries or right in your hometown.  I know some of you ask God everyday the same question : "How can you use me I am just a woman?".  Turn you face to the wall.  Let me put this out there now. Maybe God has told you and your husband to stop having children for sometime and adopt an orphan from Thailand or Nigeria yet you fear what others may say. Turn you face to the wall.
I have been in each of those situations and often I have wept so bitterly just like King Hezekiah did when he faced the wall. I look at how much I have changed and I only changed because I wanted to please my Jesus. I feel like with Christ there is a whole new adventure set before me. I am not and never will be your conventional woman. If I am called to stay at home and look after my dear children then I will not be your conventional housewife. If I am called to fight furiously in Parliament for the rights of  the marginalised then I will not be your coventional politician. Why? Because I turned my face to the wall and looked to Christ who is my hope and glory.
Be blessed. x

Stay tuned for the big blog switchover in a few weeks

Thursday, 29 April 2010

I'm finally in a relationship


So the secret is out! I'm in a relationship! Ok, before some of you start blowing up my phone asking for details I'll write it on this blog.
Let me describe this special someone. In Numbers 23:19 it describes this someone as not being a man. It's actually God. Yes, I've finally come to that point in my Christian walk with God that He really is or rather He has to be my all in all.
I can't explain it guys but I'm so in love with the Lord. I went through a painful time laying down my rights to a "relationship" and eventually I've just let it go.
My heart cries out for women who cling to men hoping to find their self-worth and fulfilment. I used to dance to the same record of  "You are nothing without a guy in your life".  I don't know if I was really serving God before, I guess I was but He was always second in my life. I know, the shame of it all.  Nevertheless, right now I can get up and talk about God's faithfulness because I've seen it myself. I can get up and preach about God drawing near to the brokenhearted because the past 6 years of my life I've seen the hand of God in my life.
I'm finally in a relationship guys.  There is still this longing for human companionship but oh that void I felt for years, God is filling it.  If I am to become the "missing rib" of one young man, I am just a vessel because God can only fill that space in a guy's life really. 
This morning I was on my knees praying and I just began to cry and the tongues just began to flow. My heart began to stir up again for the Philippines. For some of you who didn't know but it's been a childhood dream to travel to the Philippines. However, I believe I got distracted by the things of this world and forgot all about it. I endeavour to travel out there when I graduate from Law School next year. It's in God's hands at the moment. There are  women that I am beginning to admire. I've put my Help-Meet books aside and have taken up books by Amy Carmichael and Carrie ten Boom. These women were World Changers.  Currently I am reading "Sacred Singleness by Leslie Ludy".  This book is A-mazing! . I can't stress this enough women of God. Never ever take this single season as a waste of time. When my heart began to break just as God's heart broke it was because He was uncovering all the desires He had placed there earlier. God doesn't just want us to just say the "sinner's pray". He desires a relationship with us young ladies.  I don't think I was in a relationship with the Lord before. I really wasn't.  I was just a Christian but God had been knocking on my doors for years.
Nowadays, I wake up in the morning with a "go-getter" attitude.  I know it sounds childish but I feel as though I can conquer the world and with Him all things are possible. My desires that I had planted in me years before were just stagnant and were gathering dust but my Lover has uncovered them.
My parents always told me that if I am to marry in the future, the guy should be able to uncover dreams and desires within me.  The guy should want to propel me forward in every way imaginable. That's exactly what God has been doing these past few months.
How can I sit here and say that my affliction, my tears, my struggling was in vain? Heaven forbid! I learnt who my Maker was in those dark times. I will be forever grateful. I learnt that nothing could ever take the place of God. Nothing! Do you know how horrible and tormenting it can be to always look at the opposite sex for security? Young women have ended up in Mental Institutes due to failed relationships or worse ended up in the grave.
I have so much to be thankful for and go on my knees for. I remember I got a personal message from Joyce Meyer herself and she gave me a book as a gift.  She planted a seed in my life and so many others did the same thing.  My heart breaks for young women, my heart breaks for broken families, my heart breaks for the brokenhearted. I want to be able to give back...

 Opportunities have just been coming up from the left and the right these past few months and yes I am grateful that I am single so I can do all these things.
 So Mr Right hasn't come along just yet. Well actually he Has. God is Mr Right. Whoever said He can't be? I'm finally in a relationship and I just want to go deeper and deeper with God.

Thanks for reading! Remain blessed

BLOG SWITCH OVER IN A FEW WEEKS- STAY TUNED!! It's going to be wild!