“That the generation to come might know them, even the children that should be born; who should arise and tell them to their children”. Psalm 78:6

…so a few years ago, I started a series of journals called ‘The Gift of Words’.  It is a collation of notes from seminars, fellowships, training, nuggets from books I’ve read and much more.

Just before I started writing the journals, at a seminar, I was presented with the question “when your time on here on earth is spent, what life changing, enriching & lasting legacy are you going to leave for the next generation?”  That question ruffled me a little bit. More so because I knew the answer was not the immediate and automatic response most of us utter; property, money and cars. I has a funny feeling that the answer was meant to be a bit more profound than that.

The unease the question brought was the start of weeks of self assessment and reflections.  My thoughts focused on the tangible and intangible aspects of what a legacy could possibly be.  I asked myself repeatedly “What could I leave behind that will truly help and prosper the next generation; spiritually and physically?”.

I didn’t have an answer until about a month after the initial question was presented to me. It came whilst I listened to an old audio seminar message that discussed the essentials of living a life of purpose through influence and using our skills and gifts.

Whilst listening, I was taken back to ‘the question’ stated and proceeded to experience an ‘ah ha’ moment. I knew exactly at least a couple of things (God might feel the need to open me up to a bit more) that I could leave as a legacy for those coming after me.

As a tangible legacy, I decided that I will pass on ‘The gift of words’ that God has so graciously given to me. I don’t and have never taken these words lightly. They are precious. They have saved, blessed, enlightened, uplifted and inspired me more times than I dare to count.  I believe as God has used them to direct my path, it will help someone along the way.  I believe it will be a shame for all that insight, wisdom and silly quotations that I gather, to sit on a shelve somewhere, never to be read and mused over again. Nope, something had to be done about that.

For an intangible legacy, that one is a bit tricky.  A legacy of influence through rightful living is not for the faint hearted. It is a constant ‘going against’ the ways of the world, even when you so desperately don’t want to. It requires the help and power of the Holy Spirit and power.

A legacy of a life that brings glory and honour to God (not one of imperfection, for no one is perfect) and emits encouragement to others requires openness, commitment, willingness and obedience to God’s word, guidance and teaching.  Not an easy job at all, but with God all things are possible.

The most profound life changing impressions that have been left on my life has been through the experience of a life that encompassed, love, peace, joy, compassion and totally shaped and driven by its defined purpose. The intangible legacy by the grace of God, will unfold one day at a time.

A picture of a few of the journals. So far I have 7 and counting.  I buy the same shape, size and type of note book. I get these from PaperChase stationary store. They are really cool. I particularly love their colourful covers.  I need to try and make them look a bit less tattered though!

Turning the spotlight on you, what are you going to gift the next generation with? What will you leave behind that will bless their, spirit, body, mind and soul?  It would be great to read your thoughts.

Have an awesome time living a life of purpose; one day at a time.

Much Love,
Remi
Chief Editor, ADIGW

Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. Ephesians 5:2 The Message

.. and so another year and another February 14 is upon us. The word is going crazy with the colour RED; and conjuring up ways of how to use it to represent, show and express love to that very special person.

However, as you celebrate Valentine’s Day today, I encourage you to think beyond the red outfits, flowers, hearts and candy and think towards what True Love really means.

True love reaches out; it gives itself sacrificially, it is unselfish just as Jesus Christ was unselfish and gave us Himself up for us on the cross of Calvary.  This is True Love.

Today, if you have a special someone that you will be celebrating with be grateful and thankful, reveal in the intricate nature of unselfish, real and true love.

On the other hand perhaps today is one of the loneliest days of the year for you, and you are wondering if anyone out there is thinking of you.  Well be rest assured because the answer is a resounding YES! Jesus Christ is thinking about YOU. Yes YOU.  God says in Jeremiah 31:3 that “…Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you”.

God’s mind is full of his love for you. His love for you is REAL. It is ever increasing and eternal (forever and ever).  God is thinking about you today just as He thought about you even before you were formed in your mother’s womb and also when He stood the trial of crucifixion and as He continually intercedes (prays) for you as He sits at the right hand of the father.

So today, as you celebrate with love ones or alone, remember that YOU are the apple of God’s eye, Christ’s eternal joy, His beloved.

His mind and actions are full of love for you. His love for you is real, tangible and eternal

Happy Valentine’s Day beautiful people!

Much Love,
Remi

Hello folks,

It’s been quiet on this front and you can almost hear and see the tumbleweeds!  We have not stopped working or writing, we have simply been busy behind the scenes.

The dynamics of our ministry has changed and we are going to some much needed structural (team) and web presence (website) change. For instance, I am sure you have noticed the addition of our online store. This we hope will get bigger and better very soon.

However, all writing activities will commence on Tuesday 14 February 2012.

In the meantime, please watch out for information on the following changes:

• BSL Section:  It has been a great experience translating articles into BSL, however it has been a challenging one for our in-house BSL coordinator, Doose. Due to other work demands, she is unable to devote much needed time to transcribing, thus, we are currently reviewing outsource opportunities.  In the meantime, this aspect of the ministry is now on hold. We will keep you informed of progress

• Shop: We now have an online shop, and soon this will be filled with all sorts of wonderful goodies for you to win for free or purchase. They will range from books to all types of cute gift ideas.  Please stay tuned for more information.

• Guest writers: This year we will continue and expand our guest writer’s forum. Through this medium, we hope to bring you Blog writers, authors and artists that will inspire you to be all that you have been created to be.

• Book Club: We are looking to start a new season of intense reading and writing from March 2012. Our aim this year is to make it more interactive and though provoking. We hope you will join us.

•  His Fit Temple: This year is about taking our talk of fitness to a different level; a physical one. We hope to back up our articles with physical evidence of challenges and the progress we make.

So until Tuesday next week, I charge you to “Arise and Shine for your light has come”.  Be who God has created you to be and no one else.

Much love,
Remi

So in 2011 we read a lot and I hope acquired a lot of wisdom, inspiration and encouragement. We did manage to read for the 52 weeks however we didn’t really get to 52 books, as we almost ran out of time! But we didn’t do too badly either. We read a total of 44 books!  And I tell you that was a lot of reading!

When we started the challenge in January 2011 we didn’t realise what a challenge it would have been. I personally, have read almost everywhere possible; on the train, bus, or whilst waiting for one. I have read in the ‘throne room’ in bed, whilst cooking, whilst having a slow day in the gym (think cycling and kindle in hand), whilst shopping or waiting for friends to complete shopping. I have read in between dance and drama practice, whilst eating, even whilst watching TV!

I must admit, I tried using audio books so that I could get some more ‘reading time’ in, but I didn’t like them much. But thankfully ADIGW team got me a kindle and that has been the best present ever! I can safely say it is one present that I have used every single day.

So here is a heat filled WELL DONE to everyone who participated in this book challenge; be it one book, two or the whole lot. You have read more than you did before, learnt more and broadened your horizon and information base for the better!

Here is a list of all the books we read in 2011:

• A mercy by Toni Morrison
• That Thing Around Your neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusa
• Write It Down, Make IT Happen, Knowing What You Want And Getting It by Henriette Anne Klauser
• The conversation by Hill Harper – Yeah we didn’t want to read this one. We just wanted to stare at the book cover for hours on end!
• For coloured Girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
• Arsene Wenger: The Biography by Xavier Rivoir
• The Room by Emma Donoghue
• The secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch
• Before You suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evan
• A Heart T Mend by Myne Whitman
• The Five Love Languages: How to Express heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
• All the Living by CE Morgan
• In My Dreams It Was Simpler, by Popoola, Alofe, Abayowa and Adegbite
• Live Your Dream: Planning for Success by Mark Chironna
• Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels
• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
• Single with a difference by Faith Oyedepo
• Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda
• The Last Warner Woman by Kei Miller
• Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson
• How To Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier cool
• A Lineage of Grace: Five stories of Unlikely Women Who Change Eternity by Francine Rivers
• Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them by Liz Curtis Higgs
• The Go-Getter: A Story That tells You How To Be One by Peter B. Kyne
• The sacred Diary of Adrian Plass Aged 37/3/4: (sacred Dairy of Adrian Plass)
• Eat This And Live: Simple food choices that can help you feel better, look younger and live younger by Donald Colbert
• What the Bible Says about Healthy Living: 3 Principles that will change your diet and improve your health by Rex Russell.
• How to Run Your Business by The Book: A Biblical Blueprint to Bless Your Business by Dave Anderson
• Lord, change My Attitude before it’s too late by James MacDonald
• How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Friendshifts: The Power of Friendship and How It Shapes Our Lives by Ian yager
• Friends to End: The True Value of Friendship by Bradley Trevor Greive
• The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbour – seeing others through the eyes of Jesus by Mark Labberton
• Friendship with God by Neale Donald Walsch
• Purity – A new Moral Revolution by Kris Vallotton
• Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
• Rededication: A Story of Sex, Repentance and Restoration by Armond E Mosley
• I really want to change – So, Help me, God: God’s Power to Transform Lives by James McDonald
• What’s So Spiritual about Your Gifts? By Henry Blackaby and Mel Blackaby
• Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World Class Performers from Everybody else by Geoff Colvin
• Secrets of the Vine: Breaking Through to Abundance by Bruce Wilkinson and David Kopp
• If God is Truth: How Lie Separate us from God and bring pain into our lives by Alfonso Femandez
• True to Life: Why Truth Matters by Michael P Lynch

So what are our reading goals and ambitions for 2012 I hear you ask?  Well this year, we will be reading fewer books but that is to give us more time to explore, discuss and dissect its contents; how to implement the good and learn from the bad.

More information about 2012’s reading plan will be up on the website this week, so stay tuned.

Until then, I wish you an awesome time of acquiring the right information to give you increased wisdom, inspiration, understanding and courage to make a great year.

Much Love,

Remi

*pictures by reading-guides blogspot & Google*

“Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us…” Romans: 5a

And here we are the final hours of 2011. What are your thoughts or feelings about being here, right now; angry, afraid, emotional, secure, assured or hopeful.

Congratulations everyone, by the grace of Almighty God and through the power of His Holy Spirit, we have made it through the final hours of 2011 and by His mighty power and grace we will gloriously cross over into a beautiful and promised filled 2012.

We are here are thankful to God that we have made it to the end of the year, that along is a huge thing to be thankful to God for.

Why? We think about so many who started this year with us and for some reason or another are no more. We thank God that despite one of the most chaotic years in the history of man (think in the lines Global economy meltdown, recession, moral decay) we have been kept safe and well.

We are thankful that we have had food to eat, roof over our heads, we have been able to pay our bills, we have had more than enough time and resources to be a blessing unto others.

We are thankful Papa God for everyone who has visited this website, who has been blessed, uplifted and inspired to seek, know and embrace who you are.

We are thankful for the lives that have been saved and changed around through A Day In God’s Will. We are thankful for the promotion you have given us through New Christian Media.

We are thankful for all these and more, but we are most thankful for showing and growing us in knowledge, strength, hope, love and faith in you God. We are thankful that you have shown us what it means to be hidden in the name of Jesus, safely shielded from the craziness happening in the world. We are thankful that we have experienced your protection in every single area of our lives; financially, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually.

We are thankful that you have been more than GOOD and LOVING TO US. We thank you so much.

TO YOU OUR READERS

We really thank everyone who has participated in this 31 Days Thanksgiving and Praise to God for His wonderful love for us. We pray that you will be ushered into 2012 gloriously. We pray that God will be with you and as such no one will be able to hold out against you.

We decree that God will be with you, He won’t give up on You; He won’t leave you.  We pray that God will be your strength, courage and wisdom as you journey through 2012.  He will empower you to give 2012 everything you have in you so that you will ARISE and SHINE for His glory.

WE WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

Be uplifted and Inspired to be WHAT & WHO God has created you to be!

YOUR INVITATION TO GIVE THANKS

Beautiful people, this is your invitation
What are you thankful to God for this year and this day?
Place your basket of Thanksgiving and praise in the ‘Comments’ section.

Make an awesome day thanking God for seeing the end of 2011, regardless of how it has been. Thank Him for the onset of a new year to start again and be everything He has already declared you to be.

Much Love, Remi
On behalf of ADIGW team

“And there is hope for your future, declares the LORD…” Jeremiah 31:17 ESV

As the year 2011 gradually comes to an end and we take time out to think about the emergence of the new one; praying, seeking God’s face and putting together plans, visions and goals for 2012, we are exceedingly grateful and thankful to God that we have HOPE for our future.

HOPE is defined as having ingrained belief and trust. It is to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence that what is expected to happen or to have will come to pass and be received.

Hope is an emotional belief in the possibility of positive outcomes in life. It is believing that something is possible even when there is evidence to the contrary.

You might ask why are we thankful for HOPE for a year that we know nothing about, especially when all the news seems to be about how difficult 2012 will be.  Well have you seen a man without hope? It is a terrible and depressing sight. He is filled with depression, sadness, and misery and barely alive!  A man without hope is one that has no desire to live; he wishes to lie down and never wake up!

“Hope is a waking dream”  ~ Aristotle

We are thankful that we have HOPE in God, who has a wonderful future planned out for us; in every area of life.  Jeremiah 29:11 puts it this ways “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you HOPE in your final outcome.”

So even though we might experience trials and tribulations in 2012, we are thankful that are hope is anchored in God’s abilities, and we are thankful that our stance for 2012 through it all will be that of Romans 12:12 which encourages that “Let your HOPE make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.”

We are thankful our Hope is anchored on the faithfulness and promises of God. He has shown time and time again, that He has our best interest at heart and He will lead us into 2012 and beyond just like He led Moses, how led the children of Israel and how he led His successor Joshua as they crossed over Jordan.

On that note, our faithful Father and God, we thank you for bringing us to a glorious conclusion of 2011, we thank you for your faithfulness, protection and love.  We thank you for the HOPE and faith we have in you for our future; 2012 and beyond.  We thank you for your encouragement through your word, nudging us to prayerfully hold on to and focus on you.

We thank you that our HOPE is secure in you because we know that you are able to bring us into and through a beautiful 2012 for that is your desire for us.

Papa God as we place our basket of thanksgiving and praise at your feet for the absolute HOPE and FAITH we have in you, we pray that our offering is sweet smelling, and acceptable in your presence today. Lord we pray that your name is glorified and praised as we display our HOPE in you, now and always. Amen

YOUR INVITATION

Beautiful people, this is your invitation
What are you thankful to God for this year and this day?
Place your basket of Thanksgiving and praise in the ‘Comments’ section.

Make an awesome day thanking rekindling and re-fuelling your HOPE and FAITH in God; the one who is able to see you into a glorious 2012 and manifest His best for you.

Much Love, Remi

**pictures and references by Google, Bible Gateway & Dictionary.com**

“… And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15b (NIV)

A letter of thanks to a Father who has been faithful, merciful, loving and awesome in every way this year.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for my friends; for those who understand me better than I understand myself, for those who know me at my worse and still like me(!) and for those who have forgiven me when I had no right to expect to be forgiven.  I thank You for my family, for keeping them safe this year even though the devil has tried to steal their lives. Thank You for the manifestation of my mother’s vision that is Templegate Academy, Nursery and Primary School.

Thank You for drawing close to me every time I take that step towards a deeper and more meaningful relationship with You.

I praise and thank you for being my Healer, Deliverer, Redeemer, Comforter, Strength, Shelter, Friend, Advocate, Restorer, Strong Tower, Husband, Hope, Provider, my Love, Mediator, My Everlasting Father – You are all these to me and more! Thank You!

I thank You Lord, that Your present and future plans for my life are good,

I thank You for Your love, peace, joy, faithfulness, grace, mercy, kindness, truth and healing which I have experienced this year.

I am thankful because this year you have shown me how to and what it means to depend on your word.

Thank You for calling me with a holy calling, not according to my works, but according to Your purpose and grace which You gave me in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:9). Thank You that in my distress, I can call on You. And when I cry out to You, Lord, You hear my voice and answer.

As I present my basket offering of thanksgiving and praise at your feet with a grateful heart, I pray that it is sweet smelling and acceptable in your presence this day.  May your name be forever glorified, honored and praised. Amen.

YOUR INVITATION

Beautiful people, this is your invitation
What are you thankful to God for this year and this day?
Place your basket of Thanksgiving and praise in the ‘Comments’ section.

Make an awesome day thanking God for the umbrella of His grace that has covered you, everyone and everything concerning you this year.

With a thankful heart,

Doose
**references & pictures by Google, Bible Gateway, Dictionary.com**

“… And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15b (NIV)

A Thank You letter to the awesome, magnificent, loving, merciful, graceful and faithful father.

Dear Lord,

I want to thank You for waking me up every morning. Thank You for keeping me safe at night whilst I sleep. Thank You for commanding Your angels to guard and keep watch over me and steer me from harm’s way. Thank You for the air that gives the breath and life, for the sun that warms us and for the good food that makes us strong. Thank You for happy homes and for the friends we love and for all that makes it good to live!

Thank You for work and the ability to work and to do a job well done. Thank You that in all the labour there is profit of one kind or another according to Your word in Proverbs 14:23. Thank You for the abilities You have given me and the doors of opportunity to use my skills and closing the doors that I am not to go through.

Thank You for wisdom and the knowledge of how to use the wisdom You give to us from above. Thank You for Your Word that is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It is food to my very soul and I cannot live without it. Thank You that Your Word contains everything I need to live this life and it even helps me to improve my speech! Thank You, Lord, that when I look into Your Word, I find You.

Thank You for the Blood, for the Cross and for the forgiveness of sins. Thank You for suffering and dying on the Cross for me, and for rising again to defeat death and hell. Thank You that my enemy is defeated because of what You have done. Thank You that You have given me authority over him according to Luke 10:19. Thank You that even though the enemy tries to take me captive to do his will, You have given me the power to escape his snares completely (2 Timothy 2:26). Thank You that You have delivered me from him (Psalm 18:17) and You are my shield because I live Your way. Thank You that I will never be brought down by the enemy as long as I stand strong in You.

Thank You, Lord, that I do not have to be afraid of bad news because my heart is steadfast, trusting in You. Thank You that You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from falling (Psalm 116:8). Thank You that I walk before You with hope in my heart and life in my body. Thank You that I shall not die by live and declare the works of the Lord!

Thank You for a year of unprecedented and amazing blessings and favour. Thank You for the people whom have crossed my path and for those who are no longer in my life. Thank You for closure and healing from past hurts and heartbreak. Thank You for wisdom – that keeps me protected from future hurts. Thank You for my car, the flat, my community, my country (both of them!) and my fellows.

Thank You for the experiences that are never wasted with You and for the blessings of living with a hearing loss.

As I present my basket offering of thanksgiving and praise for this at your feet, I pray that it is sweet smelling and acceptable in your presence this day.  May your name be forever glorified, honored and praised. Amen.

YOUR INVITATION
Beautiful people, this is your invitation
What are you thankful to God for this year and this day?
Place your basket of Thanksgiving and praise in the ‘Comments’ section.

Make an awesome day thanking God for His faithfulness in your lives.

Much Love, Doose
**references Google, Bible Gateway, Dictionary.com**
**pictures by Google & Photobucket**

God is my strength, God is my song, and, yes! God is my salvation.  This is the kind of God I have and I’, telling the world! This is the God of my father- I’m spreading the new far and wide! God is a fighter, pure God, through and through. Exodus 15:2-3

Today I am simply thankful for the abundance of Strength; in my physical body, spirit and mind. I am thankful for the strength of God that has carried me through today; one of those exceedingly long days!

I am thankful for the strength of God which will carry me through tomorrow and through the last few days of 2011, finishing strong and victorious in Jesus name.

Thank you Papa for your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Where I stopped today, your strength carried on and got me through the day.

I pray that my basket of thanksgiving and praise for your strength oh Lord, is sweet smelling and acceptable in your presence this very day.  May your name be forever glorified and praised.

YOUR INVITATION

Beautiful people, this is your invitation
What are you thankful to God for this year and this day?
Place your basket of Thanksgiving and praise in the ‘Comments’ section.

Make an awesome day thanking God for His strength that is made perfect in your weakness.

Much Love, Remi

**references & pictures from Google, Bible Gateway, *

Hello fellow bookworms,

I am hoping you had a wonderful time celebrating the life of our saviour Jesus Christ; with family and friends and extending love to the less privileged.

To say the year is coming to an end fast would be an understatement.   This is a time where we all sit back and reflect on how far we have come during the year. It is a time when most bring out the list we made on paper or in our minds and start ticking them off one by one.

It is also a time when we must not forget to plan for the next coming year. It is a time to sit down, and look far ahead, work with God to establish His will for our lives and with the help of the Holy Spirit, map out the co-ordinates of how we are going to walk, live and manifest it.

The book reading for the last week of the year will help us do just that.  It has been proven that adequate planning be embarking on any event in life increases the percentage of success.

This week I believe will be filled with reflections and lots of planning for a glorious 2012.

On that note, for the last week of 2011, we will be reading the following book:  write it Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It by Henriette Anne Klauser.

Brief Synopsis:

In Write It Down, Make It Happen. Henriette Anne Klauser, Ph.D., explains how simply writing down your goals in life is the first step toward achieving them. Writing can even help you understand what you want. In this book, you will read stories about ordinary people who witnessed miracles large and small unfold in their lives after they performed the basic act of putting their dreams on paper. Klauser’s down-to-earth tips and easy exercises are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Before you know it, you’ll be writing your own ticket to success.

This book is available in the following formats:

• Paperback
• Hardcover

We will be consuming this book from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 31December 2011.

Have a productive time planning for the bright and beautiful future you desire. I pray that your 2012 will turn out great, awesome and successful in Jesus name.

Much Love,
Remi **references & picture from Amazon**