Supporting Cancer Research UK and Kidney Research UK

Dear all,

On the 26th of May, 2012 and the 8th of July, 2012 I will join thousands of other people on a 5k and 10k run respectively as part of the Race for life initiative and the Kidney Research British 10k run. These events raises money for Cancer Research and the Kidney Research UK. The goal of this journey, is to raise funds for research into lifesaving work targeted at the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of both Cancer and Kidney diseases in the UK. Indeed, you will agree with me that such work have far reaching consequences and the benefits will extend to developing countries in Africa and Asia. 

I am writing to you today to ask for your support of this effort.

I know from my own experience of losing the best man at my wedding to cancer, that cancer is real and the effect can be catastrophic. He fought very hard, we prayed very hard, but in the end, we believe God wanted him home.  I have been forever changed by this loss and will continue to miss him deeply every day of our lives. By participating in this event, I hope to raise awareness of the serious threat that Cancer and Kidney diseases can pose and the treatment options that can help people overcome it. If one person can be saved from the illness that killed Dayo, my efforts to join these races and to raise money for this causes will be worthwhile.

My goal is to raise £500 or more for each organisation. I hope that you will help me reach my goal by making a donation today. Please don't wait until you know someone who has cancer or kidney disease before you donate.  Donate now! By doing this you are also sowing into a great cause and saying a prayer for yourself. 

To donate to Cancer Research click http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/Theblossoms 

To donate to Kidney Research click http://support.kidneyresearchuk.org/Beblessed 

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for being a part of my life in whatever shape or form. God bless.

Sincerely,
Adenike Lam-Johnson.

Psalm 5: a prayer for protection.

Listen to my words, O LORD,

and hear my sighs.
Listen to my cry for help,

my God and king!

I pray to you, O LORD;
you hear my voice in the morning;

at sunrise I offer my prayer
and wait for your answer.
You are not a God who is pleased with wrongdoing;

you allow no evil in your presence.
You cannot stand the sight of the proud;

you hate all wicked people.
You destroy all liars

and despise violent, deceitful people.
But because of your great love

I can come into your house;

I can worship in your holy Temple

and bow down to you in reverence.
LORD, I have so many enemies!

Lead me to do your will;

make your way plain for me to follow.
What my enemies say can never be trusted;

they only want to destroy.

Their words are flattering and smooth,

but full of deadly deceit.
Condemn and punish them, O God;

may their own plots cause their ruin.

Drive them out of your presence

because of their many sins

and their rebellion against you.
But all who find safety in you will rejoice;

they can always sing for joy.

Protect those who love you;

because of you they are truly happy.
You bless those who obey you, LORD;

your love protects them like a shield. (Psalm 5:1-12 GNT)

Psalm 2

Why do the nations plan rebellion?

Why do people make their useless plots?
Their kings revolt,

their rulers plot together against the LORD

and against the king he chose.
“Let us free ourselves from their rule,” they say;

“let us throw off their control.”
From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs

and mocks their feeble plans.
Then he warns them in anger

and terrifies them with his fury.
“On Zion, my sacred hill,” he says,

“I have installed my king.”
“I will announce,” says the king, “what the LORD has declared.

He said to me: ‘You are my son;

today I have become your father. (Psalm 2:1-7 GNT)


Again here we see God, call us to fear and reverence him (11,12) so that he can bless us.

Psalm 1

1 Happy are those 
      who reject the advice of evil people, 
      who do not follow the example of sinners 
      or join those who have no use for God.
 ² Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, 
      and they study it day and night.
 ³ They are like trees that grow beside a stream, 
      that bear fruit at the right time, 
      and whose leaves do not dry up. 
   They succeed in everything they do.

 ⁴ But evil people are not like this at all; 
      they are like straw that the wind blows away.
 ⁵ Sinners will be condemned by God 
      and kept apart from God's own people.
 ⁶ The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord, 
      but the evil are on the way to their doom. Good News Translation copyright Bible Gateway

It never cease to amaze me, how we believers, take one verse in isolation and begin to confess it. Yet, we complain when we don't get results. How many times have we confessed Psalm 1:3 forgetting the prerequisite for that blessing is found in obeying Psalm 1:1-2. 

God help us all.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 4:8

New Living Translation Ecclesiates 4:8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Proverbs 27:20 Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.

The letter I never wrote/ The apology I never offered

Dear DB,

We met over 20 years ago while studying at University of Ibadan. I remember that day very well when a mutual friend of ours BI introduced us in my room in the wooden block section of Queen's hall (This section is now no more). You were such a beauty and one of the very popular babes on campus. I was amazed that day at how very nice you were (I had previously thought otherwise). We chatted for a few minutes and you guys left for BI's room. Before, I continue this note, you need to know that around this time I had started exeprimenting with "not wearing my specs". My mum made me buy a pair of very "uncool" frames and I decided to stop wearing glasses. Unfortunately for me then, this meant I could not see very well.

Back to the story, a few days after our first meeting, I was coming from a lecture and stopped to rest just by the entrance of Queen's hall. As I sat there, I looked sideways and saw someone "not so clearly" afar off. The person seemed to be saying hello to someone beside me (or so I thought because I could not really see from the distance). It was later after you had left that I found out that it was you and that the person beside me did not know you and that in fact you were saying hello to me. I guess you thought I had deliberately snobbed you.  It all happened so fast.

I know as soon as I realised, I should have looked for you and apologised but I was scared of rejection that I didn't. I met you several times after that and you shunned me. Which was understandable, considering what you thought was my previous attempt at snobbing you.

You are very unlikely to read this note and I have never discussed this issue with anyone. However, lately this issue has been on my mind. I do hope that somehow we get to meet again one day and that we are able to talk about this and become good friends. Whatever the case, I paused at this point and said a prayer for you. I pray that God answer that prayer. God bless.

The world is white

Oh yes the world has suddenly become white in the UK!!! Its snowing everywhere and services have almost grounded to a halt. Airports are being shut and train are breaking down everywhere. One would think that with past experiences of snow in this country, situation will be better this time around. But no!!!!  In Thurrock where I live, all schools have been closed and roads are yet to be gritted!!!!!!!!!!!!!