MY PASTOR MY FRIEND (2)

I’ve had memorable days in all of my years,
Some filled with laughter, some filled with tears.
Some of them I remember, others I wish to forget,
Seeing that instead of joy, these ones brought regret.
But there is a day which stands out from the rest,
This was the day I came to know one of God’s best.
I remember that day as though it didn’t end,
It was the day I met my pastor, the day I met my friend.

When I walked in that day through the doors of the church,
I seemed to have entered his heart, as I left the porch.
Somehow though, he didn’t need to walk into mine,
It just felt like he has always been there from time.
I had walked in as a reject and a nobody,
Wanting to see how I will blend in with everybody.
He taught me that I’m not just anybody,
He made me see that in God, I am indeed somebody.

He believed in my dreams before I knew I had any.
He’s more than Joseph, his interpretations bring liberty.
Much more than a baker, he’s skillful in making bread,
Not the one you’ll take with tea; this kind gets your spirit fed.
Much more than a butler, he’s there to serve you wine,
Not like those from breweries; this one comes fresh from the vine.

What can I say about his spirit of excellence?
How can I describe his wealth of competence?
He’s got character, courage, commitment, compassion,
He’s a great leader in words backed by action.
In diction and elocution, he’s just so winsome;
In looks and complexion, good Lord, he’s so handsome!

Sometimes I inevitably get on his nerves,
Times I feared I’ll get the punishment I deserve.
But in these situations he maintains a calm reserve,
The friendship we share, he would rather preserve.
With gentle words and the maturity he shows,
He gives the rebuke so the child in me grows.

It might be easy to build structures and companies,
But only the truly sent can build lives and destinies.
They make you do much more than what you intend,
They are a few, like the one I call my friend.
So who is this my friend, you might say,
The one I’m speaking about this Lord ’s Day.
More than an acquaintance, he’s such a sweetheart,
He’s my pastor, my friend, his name is GoodHeart

MY PASTOR MY FRIEND (1)

My pastor is a man I see in different lights.
He’s blessed by God with deep insight.
When I’m like a starved sheep in dire need,
God’s Word from him is like succulent feed.
When I feel my search for nurture is complete,
He shows me there’s much more beneath my feet.
He prefers that I don’t run with the herd,
At such times in my life, he is my shepherd.

In seasons of life when like a defeated athlete,
I lay on the floor, intending to quit.
At his counsel I’m strengthened to take it on the chin,
He helps me to remember it’s not over until I win.
With his drills and exercises, mental and spiritual,
I build muscles of endurance and resilience to every trial.
He’s more than a cheerleader in his approach,
He’s my trainer, yes, he’s really my coach.

When in life’s school, it’s like a tough semester,
With so much expected, like one in her third trimester,
He moves me gradually from problem to solution,
Initial stumbling blocks become stepping stones.
Line upon line and precept upon precept,
His instructions make me so much more adept.
These are the times that he’s more than a lecturer,
He brings me to school and he is my teacher.

In happy times of increase and blessing,
I see he’s not intimidated by my lifting.
Though he’s glad that I’m now experiencing comfort,
He’s not hypocritical to be quiet when I fall short.
To those places that I need to go that he’s been,
He shows me an easier path than it was for him.
These are the times that he’s more than a motivator,
Without a doubt, he is my mentor.

Whenever I visit the House of Bread,
I’m always nourished, always well fed.
That’s because whether or not he’s around,
He ensures there’s enough bread to go round.
Like a butler he sees to drinks being on each table,
The wine of the Spirit he pours for all to drink as able.
These are the times that he’s more than a baker,
More than a brother, he is my father

There’s more to him than the eyes can see,
So many things that he’s been to me.
But one thing he’s really been, that’s hard to comprehend,
Is how sincerely he’s always been my friend.
Only a friend would be all the above to me,
Yet relate with me with such great humility.
Handsomely crafted like a great work of art,
He’s a sweetheart, a brave heart, his name is GoodHeart.

Meet my Shepherd, meet my Coach,
Meet God’s servant without reproach
Meet my Teacher, Mentor and Father,
Meet God’s gift to the church like none other.
Meet my Pastor, meet my Friend,
Meet Revd. GoodHeart O. C. Ekwueme.

Dear Mr. Finisher

Thank You for the privilege to see yet another year end. Indeed, You only start what You’ve finished.
I remember those times at the beginning of the year when, being full of hope and aspirations, I wanted to take on all the good looking opportunities that came my way. Thank You for instructing me at those instances that not all that glitters is gold and not all gold glitters. This made me see the blessings of shut doors and open windows. I’m grateful Sir.
I also remember sometime in the middle of the year when I faced some tests I couldn’t comprehend. Those times when it looked like You went quiet on me because all my prayers seemed to “go into voicemail”. I’m glad You later helped me to understand that The Good Examiner doesn’t talk to His candidate during the exam. Not because He hates him but because He’s confident in both the things He’s taught him and the student’s ability to remember them.
When the end of the year drew near and I didn’t know what to make of the things I wanted that hadn’t come, thank You for reminding me that not every thing that is delayed depreciates in value. Sometimes, we don’t value time enough until we have to wait for it. A minute may seem small until it stands between us and a miracle. A time frame is more valuable with expectation at the end of it. Like vintage wine, passage of time causes growth of not just price but value. Thus, even if some of the items on my list are still not ticked, I’m grateful that You have ticked out all the items on Yours because You know the plans You have for me. Surely, I’ll tick out all items on mine before the year ends.
I would also like to thank You for reminding me that a prophecy isn’t what I’ll see when You do a thing but what You’ve done that I’ll see in time. You went on to say that a wait can become wasted at the last minute because, like someone meeting another person for the first time in a crowded place, everybody seems to be that person. So, I’ll wait until what’s mine arrives.
Looking back, I see that I’m not where I used to be and all worry about the rest of the journey fades away when I remember You are the one leading me. I’m effusively thankful that not only is this year ending well, this decade is ending even better. I could go on and on but please note that the brevity of my words in no way measure up to the intensity of my gratitude. Thanks so much.

Yours in writ,
‘Bayor
12/12/2010

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GRANNY’S DIARY

She had been unhappy for quite a while and had been putting down her thoughts in a diary she’s had for years.

One day, she left her diary on the dining table and went to the porch. My curious mind couldn’t resist the temptation to know what she had been scribbling.

I checked her latest entry, the one she made on the 1st of the 10th month being her birthday. It read:

Mirror mirror on the wall,

I’ve got to be the fairest of them all.

Cause, with every stride I get the second gaze,

Sometimes I think I’m just the latest fashion craze,

With my ‘Y’ shaped necklace of twisted river beads,

I’m not surprised my saunter always turns several heads.

The guys kept promising I’ll no more be in need,

It turns out all they were after was just to fill their greed.

Another year has turned and as l look to my clock,

I know the time has come that I need more than just good luck.

It’s been a while since I walked away from nannies,

All those who wanted me just for my goodies.

Now I see my younger ones do far more than I do,

I watch in dismay because I know I’m capable too.

I know success is not how I measure with their deeds,

It’s how much I’ve done against how much I could have achieved.

I sense greatness in me the world is yet to see,

But how can all this be if I don’t even know me?

I’m not the weeping lady with just a jar of oil,

Because on the surface and beneath, I’ve got such great spoil.

The masters didn’t see it and it’s sad to say,

Some of the keepers also misused it and that’s why I’m like this today.

My neighbors get to see and use the sun all through the day,

Sometimes I have to do this my own unique way.

But like a brand new product, I feel life anew,

I’m the brand to rebrand; to rebrand me, rebrand you.

They call me many names but that’s okay,

I remain just who I am no matter what they say.

They label me because they think I’m just another nigger,

But I’m the mother can’t you see, turn the map, I’m the trigger.

See, I know just what they say about a fool at forty,

Of course I should know since I’m ten from sixty.

Please don’t join these folks in this name calling game,

Because every name I bear, you surely bear the same.

Won’t you please arise, o noble compatriot?

It’s me your nation calling, I’ll be glad if you’ll obey

Great lofty heights await, there’s greatness in what I see

Won’t you to be the good you, so I can be the great me?

This is my Jubilee cry, I’m out of all known wrongs

Blow the horn, sound the alarm, ‘cause I’m out of the storm

I believe in me, do you believe in me?

‘cause in reality you are the me they see.

I can’t be me if you won’t be you

So please arise and shine ‘cause everything depends on you.

I closed the diary and Granny walked in, holding a newspaper in her hand that described her birthday party. She looked with heavy eyes at me and said “did you know that the pilot hears two sonic booms as he breaks the sound barrier and enters into a realm of peace?” I was still pondering the relevance and significance of this question when she said “you read my diary didn’t you?” I answered with another question “who were you talking to”. She reached for her seat and said “go look in the mirror on the wall”.

- 'Bayor.

10:10:10

www.itunes.com/bayormartins | Facebook: Adebayo Emmanuel Martins

FRESH PAGE

Reaching through eternity into time, the Writer brings under the spotlight of His reading lamp, one of His many bestselling books. Published in the 80’s with handcrafted mocha genuine leather finishing, this book is an explicit summary in the series of six volumes from the publishing house of C&T Martins.

The Writer turns to the first page of the 29th chapter and He smiles as He observes the book’s sections in decades of age range, chapters of seasons, pages of months, sub-headings of weeks, paragraphs of experience, sentences of days and words of friends.

Spread out in gratitude, eyes wide shut in worship, the book smiles back at the Author, thanking Him for His choice of words: the verbs that account for action, the adverbs that help these verbs, the nouns, the pronouns that stand in for the nouns and the adjectives that describe them both.

The Author alone knows how to make an entire book feature as a word in another book and that’s why this book is grateful that YOU are one of such words.

Your being a bestselling book of meaning and being a word with great meaning, makes meaning.

As one of the Writer’s bestselling books, this book title wants you to know that though silver and gold I’m still acquiring, what I have I humbly share and declare:

May you become a word loaded with such meaning that every where you feature in His-Story: this book or others, the world will not only need a dictionary but an encyclopedia to unravel the mysteries of blessings the Writer has loaded you with.

May the Author, God of the Prophets and Poets, make you such a bestseller that your new tithe will surpass your previous income.

May the Writer delete from your life every word that either changes or adds no meaning to your life so that the pages to come in your future will out do previous chapters of your past in meaning and relevance.

May the WORD, cause every Word that He’s spoken over your life to go beyond just being spelt to beginning to count.

Thanks again for adding such meaning to this book title called 'Bayor.

As always and with ever true sincerity,

Thanks for being YOU!

- ‘Bayor

21st September 2010

RAIN OF GRATITUDE

Driving down the road to the office this morning, I was amidst feelings about the amount of money I had just withdrawn from the bank. This amount of money, little over the price of an iPod Classic of 250GB at the time of this writing, was just taken not because I wanted to get this iPod which I really desire to have but because it accounts for the full amount from one of my income streams. I wasn’t directly worrying about the amount but I could use some more.

This thought was running in the background under layers upon layers of several other things on my mind as I came to an intersection and had to make a stop behind a car that was trying to buy newspapers from a vendor. Now, it was raining, the sort of mild downpour capable of leaving one drenched and sentenced to a night under thick blankets sniffing whilst sipping hot tea. But despite the seeming excuse to stay at home, this vendor guy was selling his papers, carefully kept away in the polythene bag he had secured under his arm for those times he might have to literally make a run for his money if the traffic lights go "green" amidst transactions. I was taken aback in thought as I wondered what the guy would think of if he learnt of my worries. I am quite sure he would give anything to be in my shoes even though I would love a better pair (I also mean that literally).

With this thought, I came to see that sometimes, what we call a problem is someone else’s prayer point. Where someone is whining about his job, another is asking if he could at least have one. A mother is complaining about having to spend so much money on diapers but the one yet to have a child of her own would call that silly. There’s the guy who wants to buy a better car and another who would go to any length to own one. A bloke is bothered about the paint on his house while the other needs a place he can call a house first of all then perhaps a home at some point. And there’s the sister that desires a divorce so badly yet there’s one who doesn’t mind who he is, she just wants to be married.

I don’t know about you, but I have come to learn that one of the best ways to make bad become good is to do what you would do when the good comes even while in the bad. Since joy comes in the morning, I had better start rejoicing in the night so that the day breaks earlier. In the order in which it comes to mind, I am grateful that:

1. I have a God I can thank for giving me things to thank Him for.

2. I have things to be grateful for.

3. I am alive and well, not been to the hospital or admitted for over two decades.

4. I am able to see, talk, think, walk, run, sit, dance, eat, drive, sing, write, read, drink, smell, feel, love, give, taste, swallow, remember, forget, appreciate, urinate, masticate, gesticulate, meditate, contemplate, etc

5. I have a family that is not ashamed to call me a son, brother, uncle, nephew etc.

6. I woke up this morning and didn’t have to ask “where am I?” because I have a sound mind and didn’t need to be told my name or who I am.

7. I have the ability to create music and enjoy music.

8. I know people who have misunderstood me thus making me understand myself.

9. I have people who believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself.

10. I don’t look like what I’ve been through in preparation of where I am going to.

11. I have access to things money can’t buy, things money can buy and money itself.

12. I have mentors and spiritual fathers who are men after God’s own heart.

13. I have contacts on my phone some people book appointments and fill forms to see e.g. the person whose eyes are reading this…YOU.

14. I have people who are actually willing to associate with me - meaning there must be something I have or do and someone I am.

15. I have seen eight months of this year and some people barely made it through the first.

etc

The list goes on but I believe the message is clear.

Thank you so much for taking out time to read this far. When something grand happens to you, I’ll surely be there to cheer but, in the meantime, what are you grateful for?

‘Bayor

August 30, 2010

Dear Mr. Author

 I am so honored to be writing You this letter on a computer knowing that You’ve been writing even before writing materials were discovered. I read that You wrote on tablets of stone, palace walls and even on human hearts – with your finger… I won’t bother thinking about how that was achieved. I prefer just standing in awe that You did, hoping that I would not hear of anyone You slapped.

Your Book is to my mind, best-selling, best-read and best-written. That it’s been given out to quite a number of people all over the world and has been quoted, reprinted and revised more times and into more languages and versions than I can dare to enumerate, lends credence to this. The fact that Your Book contains over 60 books and efforts of several authors, perhaps over 30 in number, speaks volumes of Your influence in no small way.

Also, I learnt that You are the only Author that’s present anywhere, anytime, everywhere and every time Your Book is read and will go the distance to explain the text to the one who asks. Indeed, if life is a movie, Your Book is The Script; No wonder it’s called SCRIPT-URE.

Your Book teaches the needed language to study so as to understand when You communicate in similar parlance. It’s little wonder then that people read Your Book and surrender their lives to You.

Your Book describes Your kingdom with the streets of gold and I long to meet You there with as many people as possible that I can get to love reading Your Book.

By the way, permit the use of “Mr. Author” because going through Your Book, I knew I had to pick a name seeing You have quite a “few”.

Motivational speakers get paid to talk about great people but You, greater than the greatest, will pay those who talk about and properly represent You both now and in eternity. Now, that’s what I call Great.

I want to be a bestselling author someday like You when I grow up and I am grateful that You have put in some of the strategies and business ideas into Your Book.

I would have asked for an autographed copy of Your Book but the signature of Your presence is already appended on every page of it.

My warm regards to Your Son; the Word and main theme of Your Book.

Yours in scribbles,

Bayor Martins

22nd May 2010

Swagger Home

My Head of Department asked to see us all so I had to stay back when most members had gone. I kept poring over the unique teaching I received that evening and the emphasis on understanding the glorious future ahead, made me feel like starting the service all over. I walked to the main street to pick a cab after the meeting and I opted to alight at a point that though much closer home, wasn’t as well lit as the one I would have stopped at usually. However, being already late, I didn’t want to spend any more time outside than usual. So, I started walking towards this eerie path through the “woods” just opposite my apartment. Midway through, I could almost hear footsteps behind me but the much louder voice within me saying ‘I do not have a spirit of fear’, made me pound my feet harder into the ground. With my laptop backpack and my hard-sole ankle shoes, thumping away with so much audacity, you would think it was a one man army approaching.
Seeing there was a gorge of some sort across the route, I decided to follow another path that led to the street in front of the house facing mine so I get to walk around the path and not through it as it were. As I moved toward the street, I saw a figure lurking at the narrow exit from the dark alley to the street. I thought to myself that he definitely chose a wrong day if he intends to mug anybody because with the Word I just heard brewing in me and the song “I’ve got the light of God in me… I've got the spirit of the Son of God” playing out in my mind – a song I haven’t heard or sang in ages that came completely out of the blue – I knew something was about to happen…or so I thought. With the thump in my strides sending shockwaves through the ground towards him, he moved out of the way quickly and when I made my way through, I was expecting him to foolishly lift a finger so I would once and for all confirm if what I was feeling inside of me was the anger that led David to tear open a lion and kill a bear or not. On the contrary, with a rather puzzled voice, he told me “bros, I was just robbed there (referring to the path I just walked through), so please be careful”. I gave a casual response and walked on thinking to myself if he was really robbed or was too confused to rob when he saw “us” coming. The rest of the walk home had more swagger because now I had a further confirmation that “yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”
Well, you don’t need to tell me, I won’t walk that late through the path again but if I have to, it will be a physical “us” this time around and I will be the one holding the cudgel.


‘Bayor Martins
November 2009

Morning Song

I feel your love around me,
Invisible yet my eyes can see,
Gracious goodness, loving kindness,
Tender mercies, boundless blessings.
Strong as a banner, flowing like a river,
Sweeter than honey, richer than manna,
Refreshing fountain, life giving water,
Living spring, bubbling with life forever.

None compares to You Lord, No one,
Am so glad am a joint heir with your Son.

Copyright © Bayor Martins, 27/01/10

The Butterfly

In the premier of my youthful age, I was rather supposed to be proud of the stage. But little as I was back then, I still had a mind for the best of what I could obtain. In those epic and very wondrous years of my metamorphosis, I became quite fed up with the whole process. If it were you, I know you would feel the same. In fact, you might have even felt more shame. Agreed, growing up should be fun and all that but…it really wasn’t that easy because, for me as a worm, all I had to do was eat the green leaves around and hope that someday I would eventually spread my wings and fly. But it just didn’t seem feasible enough for me. I often wondered to myself if all the fancy and beautiful butterflies I see around ever passed through the same stage I was presently passing through. A lot of things went on in my mind and in response to my ardent desire for answers, Heaven sent me a word through Wisdom that appeared as a little white dove. Now, mama told me to stay off strangers but somehow, he looked like me and I would have considered that thought as a stupid one until He spoke up and said;
“thou son of man, why do you complain saying my cause is disregarded by my God? Do not be afraid, o worm Jacob, o little Israel, for I myself will help you…”
In that moment, I became rather mesmerized by the awareness of His dazzling white and radiant presence that I began to tremble. Indeed I was as one that was dead and even thought that he might as well eat me up. Rather, he called my name and I looked up to see a very strange looking leaf stretched towards me and He said;
“that which is set before you, take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour but in your mouth, it will be as sweet as honey”
I took it and ate and He went on to say;
“I once was a man like you. You’re the apple of my eyes. I see what you see and my glory today can be traceable to those times on earth that I sat and understood by books and the Book. You must have heard of the impact I made in just three years after my 30 years of growth and preparation. I’ll advise you to stick to your vision which won’t lie.”
He then turned to go and before I called out after him saying “but who are you Lord?”, he was already out of sight. I however heard His lovely voice from deep within me saying “I am that I am”.
Today, I stand as a young butterfly to testify that those times of hard work paid off and though it wasn’t easy, it was worth it. Surely, sometimes, feeding on the Word and study may be tiresome but it makes all the difference between who you are and who you should be.
Friends, don’t give up the struggle. Feed on, read on and move on. You will make it. I have to fly now. See you at the top.

Copyright © Bayor Martins, Winter 2002