Thoughts Archives - The Olive Branch

Peace.

theolivebranchadmin — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 12:09:22 +0000

This will be the third or fourth time I will be staring at my laptop for the past 6 months trying to figure out how to write what I’m feeling and I’m finally going to write something in the easiest way I possibly can.

First of all, I have been stretched this year. I never knew I was this elastic 😂. Figuratively speaking, There was a lot of fog everywhere that I knew would only clear on its own accord.
You know that period that your emotions keep going up and down and for a moment you trust God, Nothing can shake you and suddenly again you become overwhelmed, tired, frustrated etc That is what I mean by up and down.

I won’t say I was worried or anxious. I was just tired, very tired. Of course this period made me closer to God which is something I’ve longed for. I would sometimes tell my friends that I just wanted to go to one mountain just me and God 😂. I know it sounds funny but God heard. The mountain was my room and it was for months. I had enough time to fellowship with Him and I studied the spiritual books I didn’t have time for before.
I also had time to rest. I started my hair tips page but in the midst of all these I still had some things at the back of my mind. So many uncertainties still dwelling in my mind even though I saw all these change of plans as God rearranging everything perfectly for me.
During my high and low days, prayer was the only thing that I knew strengthened me, I would tell God how exactly I felt and sometimes just tears was enough. There was no filter of any kind.
As Charles Spurgeon said “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence”. I found peace I can’t even begin to explain. Peace that is not just the absence of certain circumstances but the presence of God. I felt whole with God and away from the noise of this world. Everyone can testify there was a lot of noise these past 6 months.
Generally speaking, God shows himself to me in different dimensions which still awes me up till now. Last year I learnt to trust him and in the last 2 months I went to that bank of trust and God showed up as he always does. An example is that I prayed by faith that I would be able to attend my friend’s wedding before school resumes and he answered it. The wedding was 2 weeks before our resumption.

Conclusively, In this period, God has been my peace( Jehovah Shalom).

Phil 4:6-7 (TPT)
Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, Then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.

Estée ✨

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BEFORE YOU START THAT BUSINESS

theolivebranchadmin — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:36:08 +0000

A lot of people have woken up to the reality that getting a job is not as easy as it used to be anymore and are therefore seeking for alternative means to livelihood. Even people who have the job have realized that their salaries are only enough to make ends meet and are also seeking for other ways to make wealth. Undoubtedly, one of such means is starting a business (i.e. becoming an entrepreneur). A lot of people these days have started one business or the other while some are just about to start one. If you are reading this and you are one of the people just thinking of what business to start, then this is the part where your attention is greatly needed.
Here are a few tips on things to consider before you start that business.
1. THINK OF AN EXISTING PROBLEM AROUND YOU AND WAYS YOU CAN HELP.
Helping people solve their problems is one major way to be successful as an entrepreneur. Before you decide on what to do, think of one thing that is lacking around you that you are sure you have the ability to provide. It could be goods or services. Take for instance in this COVID-19 era where schools have been shut for months, parents are afraid that their children will not remember what they were taught in the previous term and they need someone to help coach them. If you think you have the required knowledge and patience to handle kids, you can organize lessons for them. Don’t be surprised that even after schools resume, some parents may still want you to continue taking their children extra lessons. Gradually, you grow and soon, you may even have a large coaching center.
Don’t just started ANY business. Instead, look for a problem to solve. That is the spirit of an entrepreneur.
2. DO WHAT INTRESTS YOU
Before you even think of starting a business at all, you should understand that owning a business can be very challenging. It is therefore important that you choose a business you enjoy doing because when those challenges come, one of the things that will keep you going is the love you have for what you do. This is very similar to marriage. If you marry someone you truly love, that love will keep the marriage going even in the face of challenges and turbulence.
Consider what you love doing. You may pick one of your hobbies and start a business with it. I should however stress that once a hobby of yours becomes a business, you should let people know that you are no longer doing it as a hobby but now a business else, you may be easily exploited. In the same vain, do not convert all your hobbies to enterprises, else you won’t have anyway to relax and have fun.
3. GET TRAINED
Once you have concluded on what business to do, look for how to get trained and become professional at it. You should understand that no matter what problem you are solving, someone has already started before you and there is competition already. Your business has to the options customers/clients have to choose from for the same service/product. One thing that can give you an edge is your professionalism.
While starting a business, online platforms like YouTube, Instagram and even Google should be your friends. Don’t be too stingy to spend money on data to browse. It is called investing in yourself because you need all the knowledge you can get before starting a business.
4. SEEK ADVICE FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE
Get close to people who have already started your line of business. Ask them questions on how they started, the challenges they faced and how they were able to overcome each phase as they grow their business.
Have a mentor in your line of business whom you look up to for advice. Trust me, you will need all the counsel you can get as a fresh business owner.
5. GET THE RIGHT MARKET
No matter how nice your product/service may be, you sure need an active market for it. Consider what part of the population needs your product/services the most. They are called the target consumers. Find out the location where the target consumers are more abundant. That is your market.
6. REACH MORE PEOPLE
We are in the digital age where one can reach more people from one’s comfort. The consumers in your immediate environment can never be enough for you. Therefore, you need to reach more people. Make use of social media platforms to advertise yourself. Cretate an awareness for your new business everytime you have the opportunity to. You may even make a tee-shirt that carries your business name which you can wear once a while. Tell everyone you meet about your new business at every chance you get.
7. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOU GROW
This is very important. The people who surround you are very likely to determine if your new business will grow or not. You need friends and family who will show support by patronizing you and/or referring you to potential customers. People who are ready to trust you on what you do. People who will give you encouragement and support.
8. PLAN
A business plan is very important. Do a survey. Ask around for what will it cost you to start up. Count your cost and make sure you have almost everything out in place. A business start-up without a plan is already tending to collapse.
9. PRAY
Not everyone believes in God, but if you do, please pray to Him to help you through your new journey. He will surely lead you on the right path and connect you with the right peoole.

After all these, you are most likely to have although not challenge-free but a successful journey in your new business.
Feyisayo Mercy Olufemi.

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The Gift

theolivebranchadmin — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 21:00:33 +0000

At midday,
My mind was flooded
With different thoughts.
After much thinking,
I sighed and said to myself;
When single,
You are at a valley of indecision
All you see are pretty boxes
Beautifully wrapped
In different blinding colours
In different shapes and size.
So many appeals to you
And you’ve been instructed to pick one
Not just anyone
But the right one.
You can shake
You can feel
But
you can’t open just yet.
The moment you’ve picked the right box,
You can open and see
What’s been wrapped up all for you.
The funny thing is,
It’s a never ending box.
Almost like a Pandora’s box.
Aren’t we all gifts
wrapped up in colorful ribbons
Waiting to be unwrapped someday?
Aren’t we all beautiful boxes
Waiting to be opened
And wanting to be discovered piece by piece?

Estée ✨

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Dreams

theolivebranchadmin — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 21:07:44 +0000

Are dreams always my imaginations?
Or they just come spontaneously?

Most nights I can’t wait to dream.
It feels like I’m in another world
Sometimes perfect
Sometimes not perfect

It’s like an escape for me
But then I get interrupted
Because reality sets in
Then I have to continue in the real world.

I eventually leave fantasy world alone
Where my dreams seem to come true.

But those dreams are sometimes
What I imagine.
Of course God tells me
And shows me what He will do
He warns me ahead
Like a road map for me.

Are my imaginations my desire?
Are my desires what God actually wants for me?

I live in two worlds
The real world and my blissful world
I’m so lucky, very lucky
I’ve got the best of both worlds

In the blissful world I have,
A lot of good memories I savour
And would love to have them in real life,
If God so permits.

But if it’s just a mere imagination
Let it be then.
Only God’s plan for me shall stand
Because at the end His ways are not my ways
Neither His thoughts my thoughts.

He has good thoughts for me and not of evil
And no matter how much I imagine and dream about them,
He is able to do exceedingly above all I can think or imagine in my wildest dreams.

Estée ✨

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Grateful Heart

theolivebranchadmin — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:56:50 +0000

Yeah, it’s been a while and I’m back with a spontaneous new post. A short one though , but over the past few days this has been on my mind.

Ever since I got to understand the real meaning of when people say ‘I thank God for the gift of salvation’ it has changed my perspective. I just thought when I preach to people , they should understand it somehow and decide to give their life to Christ at the end of the day. I did not understand that it’s not that easy and simple.

It bothered me so much that I would talk to someone about God and they wouldn’t change their lifestyle. But after this realization I saw it was better to pray that God reveal Himself to them and have a personal encounter with Him. Then I got less bothered.

I then understood where they are coming from . When they thank God for the gift of salvation. Truly its a gift that should be treasured.

Salvation is a gift that should be treasured.

Why?

First of all I think most times we get gift it’s because we deserve it, or we are celebrating something at that particular time, or sometimes we do not deserve it. And this one right here we did not deserve it.

The true realization

He chose us we didn’t chose Him

He had mercy on us

He decided to reveal Himself to us

That decision you made and you gave your life Christ wasn’t by you. You didn’t do it on your own. It was God’s mercy He chose you, He revealed Himself to you.

Gratitude

I’m grateful to God for His mercy and gift of salvation over my life because whenever I remember and ponder on His words in John 15:16 where God (He) chose me, I didn’t choose Him. Also Rom 9:16 that God’s mercy was the real thing that brought me here today, it’s not by my power or will or might.

I could not do it by my personal effort

I cannot search for Him through religion

“…… and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”Matthew 11:27b NLT

Only the people who will know about the father are those the Son chooses to tell.

John 6.44, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

Salvation is exclusive of God alone there’s no human effort involved in securing it.

It is a gift and should be treasured, even if you’ve despised it its not too late to right your wrong and come back to him.

It is an honor to serve Jesus.

Treasure it.

Estée ✨

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Before Esther married her King

theolivebranchadmin — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 23:46:42 +0000

BEFORE ESTHER MARRIED HER KING
It’s been a while, but I’m back and here is the post I had promised earlier here about a study of the book of Esther . I’ve read it a lot and each time I get something new. Esther is known to be favored by God and man, and asides that there are other lessons to learn from her. Right now I’m just going to share what I’ve learnt and made out of this wonderful story. I will be laying more emphasis on chapter 2.

KING XERXES
A wonderful man,best choice from God to you. Your king.

Vashti had been banished, Because she disobeyed her husband and embarrassed him in front of his officials. He sought advice from his counselors and that was the solution they gave him to serve as a lesson to other women in Persia. At a point the king was down , no wife , no queen and another counsellor advised him to get a new queen……..

A search was made for beautiful young virgins for the king.

Every man/guy is always on the lookout for a beautiful lady. Note this that there is always a search. And it reminds me of that part of the Bible that says he that findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtained favour from God. For you to find something, you would have searched and then proudly say, I searched and I found it, ‘there must be a search before a find’.
Also the word beautiful. To me I don’t think being beautiful is just about the physical look and all, being beautiful encompasses so many things.

What does beauty mean to you ?

Esther was taken and it was recorded that she was lovely in form and features. Good news version says a beautiful young woman who had a good figure. A bad or ugly dress sense can tone down a woman’s beauty. Make sure to dress well, modest in all ways. Just look good.😊😊
Every girl was kept in the care of Hegai; It sounds like a beauty contest right.

Who’s Hegai?
There is always a Hegai around the man God has destined for you. (Your King)
Who I see Hegai as?
A good friend, pastor, a helper from God, Linker, Family

Vs9. Esther pleased him and won his favour
I kept wondering and I asked myself, how did she win his favour?

Firstly
God had ordained it to be so. Secondly, I also thought that since we were not told the time interval between when she got to the harem and when Hegai saw her and when she found favour in his sight. it could be that Esther had a kind behaviour, good character, charming smile, good charisma, it could also be the way she talked (it drips of sweet honey, full of grace and seasoned with salt (Col 4:6). Also her dress sense, she could have acknowledged Hegai whom many ladies might have ignored (eunuchs don’t look appealing) and maybe she gave him the respect he deserved. She was also wise as she had learnt from what Vashti did and what she got as her punishment. Don’t forget she was prayerful (she fasted for 3 days and nights later on in the story). She would have been praying way before that who knows and I see prayers as seeds sown for an immediate and a future harvest.

A year of Purification (The waiting season)
What it meant then.
Every girl in the harem had to go through this. A complete 12 months of beauty treatment. Six months of oil and myrrh. Six months with perfume and cosmetics.
Myrrh
It was used in the olden days for:-
Oral hygiene care to prevent tooth decay.
Drawing out skin impurities
Colds and indigestion
Asthma
Sore throat
Gonorrhea etc.
Also, too much myrrh can cause extreme diarrhea which would help in cleansing the stomach.

Perfume and cosmetics
This was just to make their skin soft as silk and saturated with the smell of pure sweet oils…. you’ve got to smell nice (lol).
Also, leprosy, tuberculosis and sexual diseases were common and it usually meant death in the early stage. Many diseases were not evident in those days unlike now when we have vaccines and we’ve been immunized.
A year is enough for those diseases to show. A year is enough for bad, attitudes, selfishness, uncontrollable temper, emotional problems, physical problem, and mental problems. Bad behaviours generally are not befitting for a potential queen. Headaches or chronic weakness could cancel out a potential queen.

The new queen had to be prefect.
Hmmm, what are you thinking about right now and what is God telling you here? How can you relate this year of purification that I’ve tagged the waiting season to your life?

For me,
I knew here that in my waiting season, I have to get processed, getting worked on day by day to be a wonderful product befitting for a king. Allowing God to work in me, teach me and discipline me. It’s time to develop myself in all areas, spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, character wise, career wise, skillfulness, bad behaviors have to go and many other aspects of my life have to develop to be that woman God wants me to be. I love Proverbs 31 a lot ( there will be a post on that soon) and I tell myself and my friends that I’m not even half of what’s written down there but I will get there through God’s help. I want to be a gift, wonderfully wrapped with lots of wonderful goodies in it.

Vs 14
Here every girl would go in the evening and return in the morning to the care of Shaashgaz the kings eunuch in charge of his concubines. She won’t return to the king unless he was pleased with her ( that’s if he remembers her name enough to spend another night with her) They become exes

Who is Shaashgaz?
A friend of the king but this time a different one
I see him as a bad one. He’s the custodian of the kings exes(Concubines)

Vs 15
Esther’s turn came and she asked for nothing other than what Hegai( the good friend of the king) asked her to take.
See, she was very wise. She knew Hegai knew the king so well, come on he’s in charge of ladies for the king he knows his taste and all. He picked up what he knew the king would like so. Much as he knew what his heart desires, Esther sought for good counsel and advice and she followed it.
Vs 15b-17. No wonder when people saw her she won their favour and the king’s favour instantly in the 10th month (Tenth) of his 7th year reign 7 (perfection) he was attracted to her more than any other woman (Love) and she won his favour and approval more than any other virgin (remember that they were all virgins in the harem). When you see/meet ‘the one ‘ you will know, nothing else counts.

What made Esther different?
Vs 7 she was beautiful and fair
Vs 10 very discreet in what she said or did not say. Very wise
Vs 11 she was in control of her mind and emotion to be able to do difficult task
Vs 15 she was not greedy or selfish, poised and confident.
Vs 15b had dignity and honor.
Vs 20 totally obedient and trusted Mordecai (Her only family, she honored him Eph. 5)

I believe Esther determined in her heart to be the king’s wife. She can’t just be captured for no reason the second time (the Jews were scattered all over) in her life and ending up in Shaashgaz and become a concubine not to be reckoned with. She loved God and God loved her too .She was also a virgin and she wanted to settle for the best in her life. That was her goal and she had that mindset. SHE PLACED A VALUE ON HERSELF. YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT MINDSET TOO.

Every lady makes her husband her King, Proverbs 12:4.
A lady is a crown to her husband’s head. You’re a QUEEN

Finally
He proclaimed a holiday; she was too important and wonderful, that she deserved a nationwide holiday in the whole of Persia. It’s such a great honour and treasure she was.

MARRIAGE 💃💃💃

Esther married her King .

Estée ✨

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I Have A Dream

theolivebranchadmin — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 09:22:59 +0000

Photo credit :Google
Written by Ayokunle Adedipe

Don’t be good Brooklyn, Be great!

– Jay Z- Live in Brooklyn(Young Forever)

This was written on a random day, when boredom set in. i began to think of my life and actually examine it in every aspect. there are sometimes when we don’t feel we are meant to be where we are. there are times when we question the norms of this world and just want to stand out. i wrote this to just let anyone who is feeling that way or who is in my shoes to know they are not alone. so enjoy and please drop your comments below.

Uniqueness is what makes us human. Our different personalities make us who we are. Growing up to see and experience life has been tough. We have made mistakes and regretted some actions; we have wanted to take back our decisions and have decided to move on from people in our lives.

I always wished I was not African. I wished I was from a different country so I wouldn’t have to live my life so stereotype: the same triangle every single day. It’s not like I’m not proud of being black or being African but to be truthful, the thought lingers in my head sometimes and I’m not the only one. I always wanted to travel the world with people I love: I want to go to Paris and see the Eiffel tower. I want to go to Italy and Venice and Florence and see the beauty of art. I want to go to Australia and see experience a new lifestyle. I want to go sky diving and water skiing and scream like the whole world can hear me. I want a whole new life of adventure and just forgetting your worries. No worries about exams or mid semester tests, no worries about the crush you like that doesn’t like you back, no worries about your girlfriends gossiping about you or anyone backstabbing you.

All people care about now is what others think of them; they give up on themselves and forget who they really are. They put on a false appearance of confidence and keep leading themselves to deceit. Why can’t be ourselves and just put what others think behind us. We cover our uniqueness with being stereotype {doing what everyone else is doing}. I want to stand out, I want to be different, and I want to be great. In spite of where I come from, I want to be known like every other successful person on this planet. I don’t want to just die and not live anything behind. It is called legacy: I don’t just want to come and pass through this world like every other person. I believe I am different, deep down inside me, I know I have the capability to do so many great things. I believe in myself even if others don’t believe in me.

People just read my poems and just think I am dreaming some just look at it and think for a while then keep doing what they do. My stories and poems are the only way I can communicate with people. And only a few can understand. Some don’t even see why a medical student should be writing, some believe I should just read and get a degree and then find someone to marry and get a good job then have kids. That’s part of the myopia of where I live in, the shortsightedness people have: Why people can’t see the bigger picture. Why people don’t believe in change. Why people eventually end up being feminists.

I am not going to just marry, get a job in a hospital and have kids then grow old and die. I am going to be more than that. I know it will happen one day even if I have to wait till I’m done with school. I am going to be forever young with my soul evergreen and longing for success and knowledge and wisdom. I won’t be 50 and brain dead. I will be 50 and more alive than ever. I know people will antagonize me, I know I will lose friends; I know it’s going to be tough. Nothing good comes easy. I have faith and like Martin Luther king jr said: I have a dream……

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