LIGHT UP YOUR CORNER

Jesus said “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt 5:16).” Gandhi said “Be the change you want to see in the world” and it was Cleaver who said “ it is either you are part of the solution or part of the problem”. It is not enough to spot the loop holes, attest to the deteriorating moral fabric of this nation, feel the load of how cheapen our political system has become, loathe the pace of industrialization and abhor our entrepreneurial spirit; you must do something about it.  And whiles you simply cannot jump into government or the direct responsible institution of change you can do something. You can light up your corner. He can light up his corner. She can light up her corner and I will light up mine and sooner than we think, the hope of a better future will shine even when the sun is not out. That is change and being part of the solution. Light up your corner by doing just three things…align your thoughts to the positives, worker harder and smarter and trust God. Be Inspired!

[One Page Inspiration]

NOT EASILY BROKEN

Stormy waves soaring high

High tides immeasurably strong

Against my tiny boat mismatch

Yet not enough to break me

Because in it I cruise with the maker of waves

Terrifying sounds echoing deep

Lonely night growing dark

Against my lantern mismatch

Yet not enough to break me

Because I lay with the extinguisher of fear

Artillery of war well aimed

Enemies strategically positioned

Against my sword mismatch

Yet not enough to break me

Because besides me is the commander of heaven’s army

Kwabena Mankata (C) Copyright ~ 2013 All Rights Reserved

Trust GOD

You see I learnt that it is not the responsibility of God to make us happy or sad or all that is in between. God created us in the image of God; meaning with all His wealth, health, abilities, love, authority, power and all He is made of. We have created the rest with our poor choices. And most of the time, the issue isn’t what we choose but misunderstanding what’s best for us. We don’t know the future and can only anticipate based on available information and trends. And most of the times, we are wrong. So why don’t you trust God who does know the future to make the right choices. You are indeed created in the image and likeness of God. Be Inspired

One Page Inspiration

Kwabena Mankata (C) Copyright ~ 2013

STOP FOOLING YOURSELF

I thought you wanted to be financially independent, owing no one and having reserves for unforeseen circumstances…..and yet you buy impulsively spending more than you earn, you have no saving or investment plan, you have fallen into the temptation to desire more, reach for more, and buy more to feed a false created impression of yourself. Who are trying to deceive?

I thought you wanted to manage your time…and yet you sleep late engrossed in movies and wake up late, toss and turn in bed, waste time changing channels by the television, gallivant aimlessly following friends, gossiping instead of discussing ideas. I’m sure you know what you are doing

I thought you wanted a better life for yourself…. and yet destroy your mind with impure thoughts, destroy your heart with unexpressed emotions, destroy your body with unhealthy foods and inadequate exercise.. Yeah, I get it you want a better life.

I thought you wanted your dreams fulfilled…and yet you have no detailed plan on paper, no reading or learning plan and have no standards, you have no morals and you are walking in the borrowed image of career prominence.

I thought you wanted to be a light to the world….and yet you spend more time reading novels and magazines than the bible. All your memory verses are the familiar ones everyone can quote them. Fasting and prayers are out of the deal for you. You have found all the medical excuses not to fast.  To you it is reserved for some “ojacious” few. Your prayers are short, repetitive and lack biblical backing. Light of the world. Really?

Well stop fooling yourself…because “We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.” - John Dryden and In the words of John C Maxwell  “We cannot live in a way that is inconsistent with our expectation for ourselves.”

Be Inspired!

Kwabena Mankata (C) Copyright ~ 2013 All Rights Reserved

I SAW GOD

I saw God
Invoked with madness yet full of calmness
I saw God
Chased with a rod, teased by a prod
I saw God
Confined to dine on waste
I saw God
Ignored yet not bored with his fate

I saw God

I saw God
Stricken with poverty with no surety
I saw God
Denied education by an unfortunate situation
I saw God
Surviving by begging yet robbed of his little earning
I saw God
Treated fairly, cheated daily

I saw God
Heartbroken in uncontrollable tears
I saw God
Deceived by a promise of unfailing love now his fears
I saw God
Emotionally traumatized innocently victimized
I saw God
Abused in many ways, confused for many days

I saw God

I saw God
Hungry in a town full of bread
I saw God
Naked in a town full of clothing
I saw God
Homeless in a town full of homes
I saw God
Sad in a town full of fun

I saw God

I saw God
You saw God
We saw God
In need
And then walked away

Kwabena Mankata © all rights reserved for MANKAtA Pictures

ROOM FOR ONE MORE

I have a story
You have a story
Everyone in this family has a story

We have to yell it
But I don’t get it
Why we don’t tell it

To let them know how God has being good
To us and even our neighborhood
Turning us into a royal priesthood

For the path we did tread
We were hanging on by a thread
But His grace found us
And brought us
Out of the gutter
Unto a silver platter
Showing us love unfeigned
Which does not fade
Whether or not we remain under His shade

We have to tell it
So they get it
That where they are
We were once there
Before we got here
By His grace

We have to tell it
So they get it
That we did elope
To hang on a rope
Because we could no longer cope
But He gave us hope

We have to tell it
So they get it
That the sin that entangles them
Bundled us up
Even strangled us
But His mercy extended a hand
And today we are free

We have to tell it
So they get it
That our soul was once sold
Leaving us sad in a fold
Yet His grace laid on us a hold
And today we are no longer cold

We have to tell it
So they get it
That they can come as they are
Abused or Used
Confused or Bemused
Rejected or Dejected
Hopeless or Useless
Sad or Mad
Empty or Dirty
Weary or Weak
Broke or Heartbroken
Sick or Disadvantaged

We have to tell it
So they get it
That their past would fall in oblivion
He so faithful a companion
With Him all things are possible
All ideas are feasible
All plans are workable

We have to tell it
So they get it
That they don’t have to pay a dime
Or bring collateral
They need no signatories
Or recommendations from referees
They simply have to believe, accept and confess
JESUS as their Lord and personal savior

We have to tell it
So the get it
That in Christ
There’s always room for one more

Kwabena Mankata 2012 © all rights reserved for MANKAtA Pictures

RIGHT TO JOY

I too have believed this
That my joy resided in another
Whose kind words I sought
Warmth affection I desired
And many times I got otherwise

Loneliness filled my heart
Sadness ravaged my soul
Revenge erased my smile

I too have believed this
That my joy resided in an ambition
Which fulfillment left me tired
Drained and even penniless
And when I failed

Discouragement mocked my ability
Hesitation sat on my effort
Self pity killed my urge

I too have believed this
That my joy resided in a change
That denied me food and sleep
Scarred my knees in prayer
And when the change delayed

Doubt threatened my faith
Confusion shocked my trust
Frustration swallowed my hope

But now I see clearly and live such life no more knowing I have right to joy no matter what happens.


Life presents both joy and sadness no doubt. Too often we allow other people; situations and failures to rob our joy entirely. We have turned into sad faced people and worst we transferred our sadness and ill emotions to people around who don’t deserve it.
Relationships with husbands, wives, girl/boyfriends, sons, daughters, and so on will always produce hurt feelings through words, actions and indifference. Any wonder those you love hurt you most. Sometimes it is our expectations that hurt us most. But we have to the right to speak our minds, our feelings and more importantly to joy. To joy no matter what has being done or said to you. It might take time but you have the right to joy.

Failures are inevitable and sometimes our prayers don’t seem answered. Well I don’t have answers to that but I know that you just have to keep on keeping on and not give up. Patience and perseverance overcome great difficulties. And as Edison rightly said “I have not failed, I have just found a thousand ways that wouldn’t work”

Whenever anything happened in our lives, we have two options, either to allow what has happened to get to us and break us or we remain who we are and do something about what has happened.
Sometimes you have to include yourself in the people you love. You got to forgive not only people you hurt you but yourself too.

Finally and most importantly………..OUR JOY COMES FROM THE LORD.  We should afford to leave the burden and aches right at His door steps and move on.


Kwabena Mankata (C) Copyright ~ 2011 All Rights Reserved