Hide and Seek

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Bag chasing, don’t keep a girl waiting
Using a Pop star to measure my self-rating
Hardly a chance passed without my drool booking
Open the door for her scowl and gascooking
Servant Maker, Lady of King’s Landing
Calling me Dragon, while dragging me from Eden
Yeahh
When I turned to the guys,
Dey go cover my eyes
Where majority blind
He who sees isn’t wise
Racking karma at night
I would dawn on the heights.
Why should I sacrifice
When it’s comfort I like?
Come Saturday Nights
Side hustle of Life
Didn’t matter the fight
If I’m winning delight
Sing songs of might
Who knows when I die
Gimme wings to fly
Only know when I try
Only smile when I buy
Does it matter why?
Instant Motivation, climbing up congratulations
Uniform of the patient, Moses on the wrong mountain

Like saying know the love of God that is beyond knowing
Like work out your salvation but it’s not about works
Like claiming something is deep without understanding it
Like knowing God keeps things secret but not willing to play hide and seek

not willing to play hide and seek
not willing to play hide and seek
not willing to play hide and seek
With God

Nun of the above
Still replaces love,
I became foolish
dodging what they want
Skipping last minute
Praying while I work
Till the cloud shifted
Made the view worth
My spirit stay lifted
God is my mounting
Teaching me to war
Redefining Work
Isaiah fifty five
New joy in my life

Like saying know the love of God that is beyond knowing
Like work out your salvation but it’s not about works
Like claiming something is deep without understanding it
Like knowing God keeps things secret but not willing to play hide and seek

not willing to play hide and seek
not willing to play hide and seek
not willing to play hide and seek
With God

Looking down now, I can see my own footsteps
Pieces of my heart, dinner dates with Miss Steps
Time is of the Lord,
God defines essence
Swallowing the Word
Na so I take get sense
Body count above
I pass over nonsense
Word-based love
I escape pretence
What is in the World?
Their stories don’t make sense.
Struggling to be
Only to regret
Saving up to live
Then spend it all on excess
Gun are the days
Of shooting up my exes
Father washed me clean
Gave me new habits

Like saying know the love of God that is beyond knowing
Like work out your salvation but it’s not about works
Like claiming something is deep without understanding it
Like knowing God keeps things secret but not willing to play hide and seek

not willing to play hide and seek
not willing to play hide and seek
not willing to play hide and seek
With God

Hannah DGinus
©2024

WEDDING WEEKEND 2 – A REVIEW

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PRODUCERS: Wole Adeyi & Mike Bamiloye
DIRECTORS: Damilola Mike-Bamiloye & Wole Adeyi
MAJOR CAST: Rosemary Adio, Imuetinyan Omere, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Tumise Falana

LOCATION: Texas, USA
YEAR: 2024

REVIEWER: IFIOKABASI OKOP

If you saw “Wedding Weekend” in 2023, a sequel was released on the 6th of October, 2023 on Damilola Mike-Bamiloye’s YouTube channel.

So, go and watch it.

Alright, let’s get this review started.

“Wedding Weekend 2” follows the redemption journey of Valerie who has a bad name, a bad reputation, and a terrible past. Edmond is the person God uses to change her life but will she let go of her past and accept God’s promises for her life? Would the people who know her past accept or reject her, even though God has shown her mercy?

It is a story of redemption, restoration, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

Let’s break it down.

THE PERFORMANCES

Rosemary Adio’s portrayal of Valerie is a standout in the film. She goes through many emotions, and she effortlessly takes me on those journeys with her. One particularly moving scene is when she cries and prays after her sister passes away—it is heart-wrenching because her acting makes me feel her grief.

Imuetinyan Omere plays Edmund, and I think he is a fine actor. He has a lot of heavy lifting in this film compared to the first one, and he gives a good, believable performance. He nails the comedic, dramatic, and romantic scenes well, and I look forward to seeing him portray other characters in future films. A standout for me is his bromance with his elder brother, Marvin.


Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, once again as Marvin is superb! DBaba delivers, forget it! Not only does he know how to write good scripts, but he also knows how to interpret them. He adds subtle acting choices that I noticed—in the scene where he hung up after Valerie prayed for him, I could see the confusion on his face as if he was hinting that he recognized the voice but just couldn’t place it.

Tumise Falana as Gabby has fewer scenes than her co-stars, but she does justice to her character. While I don’t like that she delivers her lines slowly, I appreciate that she shows a range of emotions in the film. Her best scene is the confrontation with Valerie when she shows up at their home—I love the switch in her character, and I was like, “Let’s go, sis, let her know what she did was absolutely wrong.“


Temitope Falana plays Emily, Marvin’s evil boss who wants to date Edmond by all means. She delivers her character with range and believability. Her transformation from a “nice” person to a villain takes a complete turn, and I was shocked by how unexpectedly her character becomes so evil and vengeful.

WHAT I LOVED

The story: This is a story that many Christians can relate to because God still works miracles in the most mysterious situations, and this film is a reminder to never to underestimate His omnipotence.

The music: I love Joshua Mike-Bamiloye’s music, and the soundtrack and songs in this film were just Chef’s Kiss. He also released a new song for this film titled, “Brand New Day”.


The location and set designs: I loved the houses used in this film. I wish I were as wealthy as the characters to own such large, beautiful homes. But maybe one day…

The ending. It made me cry. I didn’t expect it to, because it was spoiled in the comments section (I’d advise you not to read them until you finish the film) but I still cried. A combo of the acting and the soundtrack got me because nobody was cutting onions near me.

Comic Relief. Dami adds little pockets of humour throughout the film which I appreciate because they help ease the tension from the serious themes. My favourite comedic line – “I know Chatgpt helped you out with your proposal”.


WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE

1. Marvin’s appointment, coming a day after being fired by Emily, was too rushed in my opinion. If it had been discovered that she was involved in fraudulent activities, I would have preferred it to be shown, rather than told. I wanted Emily to be exposed for her wickedness and see the sorry look she’d have on her face especially after she had put the brothers through so much because of something so flimsy.

2. The forgiveness in the scene when Valerie is introduced to Gabby and Marvin feels too quick. Realistically, the couple would likely need time for prayers, self-reflection, or even a revelation before they could truly forgive Valerie and welcome her back into their lives, especially in such a close familial role.

3. Valerie moved on too quickly from her sister’s death. The film should have at least shown a burial scene where she could say a final goodbye to her sister and then move on.

“Wedding Weekend Part 2” made me laugh, cry, gasp, and hope for a happy ending for the characters and it didn’t disappoint. It is indeed a story of God’s mercy and how He can transform anyone regardless of their past.

What are you waiting for? Go watch it if you haven’t.

A list of Nigerian memories

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The stainless steel plate making clang when we tried steal a little protein
Akpi called it derearang when I take a step in what they bought me

Only pros score with Felele ball
Monkey post? Eat a Health Ball shot
Cyril Stober, news at 9 o’clock
NTA vs. Cartoon Network

African Independent Television
Wale Adenuga Production
Papa Ajasco and Company
Fuji House, even more funny
Super Story for the family
Toyin Tomato, King of Boys indeed

Diego Paloma is Cuando Seas Mia
And one Water cane touch your back with the fear
Clean the Lantern, put the candle on metal
Ugo C. Ugo, that’s one book that went viral

Add Quantitative Reasoning
Also add Verbal Reasoning
Don’t forget JAMB lesson
Sunday Rice and sleeping

Party Jollof, and sleeping in church
Sega and it’s Gun,
Nintendo 64
Police and Thief, or those rubber rings

Mama and Papa, that dangerous game
Except when it’s kids playing with sand or the rain
In my school, the driver was Father Christmas
Still lined up for some pictures
Western rubbish
Hold on lemme finish

Sandals or Curtina
Kito, and bags of leather
Oversize clothes, cause we got those
From OK or an elder

Five naira 20naira Biscuits
Tell the Aboki, I want stick sweet
We couldn’t finish Okpa 20 naira
35cl Fanta was 25 naira
And when they released 60cl
Fido had to fight with Mountain Dew

V-boots versus the great Peugeots
BMWs and Audi hums
Datsuns before the Volvo roars
Can you pronounce ‘Volkswagen’, boy?

Tina Mba and Everyday People
Gimme Osuofia, Adieu Mr. Ibu
Stella Damasus and Regina Askia
Saint Obi must be proud of Odumodu

Watching Masquerade with my Goody Goody
Don’t get me started on anything Disney
Nowadays no local or agric
All the fowls simply taste expensive
Pussycat Pussycat, where are you going?

Small circle Small circle, Big Circle…
6×6, 6×6, 36
Which of you knows your Times Tables
Where you flogged on Assembly Ground

Nigeria is 64 now
The culture is G and purrr now
Arise oh Compatriots
Even that one is gone now

– Godzniel
(c) 2024

Ways of repentance

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Hello again and welcome to freestyle Friday recap 🥳. Hope you are doing great, glad to have you here. This is JahzRhythm and I am very excited to take you through this awesome time we had on Friday the 19th of July, 2024.

Our phenomenal host GodzNiel inspiringly presented the Topic for the day to us: Ways of Repentance.
The floor was opened by the captain Godswill Ezeonyeka with this powerful piece:

The worst expression of humanity is fit-framed into a four-letter homonym honed from our deep-seated need to be like our God.

M ade from dust, yet we make ourselves into fickle feeble fallacies of strength. Assuming our minds into mines that craft our perception into a reality that we did not make, we deceive ourselves.

I nsorburdinate we stand in our fallen fate. We grasp at the nothingness that tricked us into ourselves. Our insufficiency stares back at us, declaring that we never had anything to claim for “mine”

N ever has a man found fulfilment fiddling with feigned mastery of the mystery of existence. Salvation implies we need help, and therein comes the Lord saling on the streams of mercy.

E very good and perfect gift comes from God. The first time we tried to claim ownership to something outside of God, we lost everything. It is here that I repent. Nothing is mine. Everything is the Lord’s.

Take a deep breath.. yeah, take it all in. So awesome. Then at dusk, just after he was sure we were done savouring this, the amazing GodzNiel blessed us with this outstanding piece:

Haba

No no, me I no go gree
Wisdom is my cup of tea
No vex, Father told me since
Step One, get em saved indeed
Then it’s thick Obedi
Fast off enemies
Life wan taya me
From remembering
Remember me, Oh Oluwa mi
Ah, I handover my autonomy

Saved by Grace, not the one that has a surname
Sure odds, face what I’m saying to the one lame
Someone said I should counter with Mohammed
Dey your day, we go meet amidst the last day

Kolobi,
all the Spirit benefits
I’m a Sniper when I speak
Dem go doubt until e hit

Jalabi
Matthew seeks thirty-three
We’re permitting anything
But say Jesus and we leave
Doing shoprite with your sin
Have you tested, have you seen
Now I’m hunting on the fringe
Unbelievers only please

No no, me I no go gree
Wisdom is my cup of tea
No vex, Father told me since
Step One, get em saved indeed
Then it’s thick Obedi
Fast off enemies
Life wan taya me
From remembering
Remember me, Oh Oluwa mi
Ah, I handover my autonomy

Me wey bin dey cast pass Cyril Stober
So low behind no Charles Okocha
More wild thoughts than Miss Rihanna
But I’m preaching these days and I sprinkle anger

Father Father Biko teach me character
Now that I’m a soldier, it is Sir yes Sir
Make e no be say I still dey form Jonah
Make I no go slumber when I see Esther

No no, me I no go gree
Wisdom is my cup of tea
No vex, Father told me since
Step One, get em saved indeed
Then it’s thick Obedi
Fast off enemies
Life wan taya me
From remembering
Remember me, Oh Oluwa mi
Ah, I handover my “ought”
You know me

A significant day we had with these remarkable pieces. I hope you were blessed reading this, I believe God has spoken to you through this. Do have a good day ahead. Till next time, Adios.

Authors
Godswill Ezeonyeka
GodzNiel

Testimony of God’s Faithfulness.

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Hi there. Welcome to this recap of freestyle Friday🥳. I am JahzRhythm and I’m thrilled to take us on this journey through life giving words. Shall we?

Date: 12th of July, 2024
Topic: Testimony of God’s Faithfulness.

The flood gates of word goodness was opened by our host GodzNiel with this wonderful piece titled: Testimony of God’s Infinite Faithfulness

Five star Dragon,
God’s touch turned me a las born
Shake Shake Shake when I Praise God
Don’t you know he is awesome

Do you not know?

Eternal anchor
Waves stop where he has told to
Trust, Obey, Allez-oop through
Don’t you know he is faithful

Do you not know?

God is too faithful
We dey like zanku
Wasting our time on what strength can do
Can’t hold a candle,
To when God host you
Would you be patient, or be a patient

Riches in Christ
Reaches the sky
Water my eyes
Abba Most High
Human disobedience wasted my time
God’s results pay more than crime
And he said, “Rest!” Oh
Then he just blessed up
Embarrassed me with sugar and favor
Waiting on God is still the best option

God?
You wey dey see wen dun I cast
Still curve ball gimme true pass
Director and Commander
Shey na you gimme script las las
Say if I hearken, you go fit act
Say if I calm down, I go see acts
More Chapters to our Romance

Ru Man’s

Me I dun confam
Carry me go, I go pray and fast
Changed my name to ‘Yeshua’s hand’
Tell dem say I dun confam

God is too faithful
God is too faithful
God is too faithful
God is too faithful

God is too faithful
God is too faithful
God is too…

Oh my God

Whoosh! this is so inspiriting. We needed time to take all of this in. Then few hours later, Ini Brown sent in this wonderful testimony:

Let me testify
I would never have passed any of life’s tests if I
Had not God’s spirit that edifies
Seeing as I
Often get lost on paths I wasn’t meant to ply
It clear that I
Need to rely on Christ to rectify
False strong holds with truth, Lest I lie
Far from the realms of eagles wings where I’m meant to fly.

Let me testify
Christ said never again would I thirst if I
Take a sip of his living spring that now springs within when I
Speak tongues known to calm storms
If I
Consider bibles as selfies then my
Testimony is but a caption.
An attempt to, in a sentence, capture the glory of a thousand words.

But still I must testify
To say his communion doesn’t leave a nice taste, I lie
For I’ve, tasted the wine of the spirit and been drunk in its midst.
I’ve transcend trials and tribulation with seemingly trivial bible gist.
I seen peace in a hurricane and walked through walls
I have found a hand ready to lift me everytime I fall.
Let me testify, his love has left my head defied.
For how the lord whose name alone should be edified
Choose to call me “son”, let me testify.

Isn’t God wonderful! This beautiful piece got a lot of reactions and in no time, GodzNiel responded with this :

Ah ahn

Iz this not too much Bro

What happened?!

Consider Bibles as Selfies, then your testimony is a caption
That you used God’s Word to transcend Tribulation
That you like the taste of His communion

Who’s been slicing Onions?

Must be the Mothers of CAP
Cooking something wey go light up the dark
Let the testimonies heal up the crack
Lord Jesus did a Heart Attack

Brother, Testify
Tell the people what the Lord has done
Like a pistol, all my fears are gone
Power Banker, He recharged my soul
Sprinkled pepper on the cankerworm

Yeah Brother, Testify
Yahweh said he’d bless the spot if I
Stay Linked in to the Word
Friends and Fam told me I’d be bored
But God has taught me how to spot a fraud

Testify
Tell the barren woman that she don’t need a womb to have a Leah kinda life
Tell all the brothers running after bags,
God has prepared a Joseph in advance

Ini-Abasi edi etii
Demons set traps, God gives Testimonies
Ha gaasi na haancha bu ofu, asi
Afo udiong-óuké Ifiokabasi?

Testify jorrr

Yes You, Testify Jorr! Imani Nnaemeka M couldn’t hold back, she then graced us with these wonderful words:

I rise up fresh with the new day’s light
Scenes of mercy engulf my sight
A soul stirred up high as a kite
A good matter my heart indites.

Once once… I thought what one’s lot truly was
Spurred by a barrage of unrelenting words
E no easy ehh… My sister e no easy ooo
This road wey be say na heaven we dey go
But wouldn’t you suffer here and still be on the way
Rather than to reach the other side and be a castaway
So they said and so I tried yet farther I seemed to stray
Unbeknownst to me, a sacrifice on lay away.

The thing I had to do, already done
The mile I had to go, already gone
The burden I had to bear, already borne
His love speaking louder than sin’s loudest horn
Asking nothing but the courage to believe
His assurance to you, that He’ll never leave
A guiding light piercing through the deepest dark
An endless provision supplying for every lack.

So I stand to testify, a witness on the stand
A simple complexity I hope you understand
Not a mere act, these walls that I dare to leap
My standing in Him is not mine to keep
I’ve learned to rest, to trust, to surrender
All to the One of whom wrong memories are yonder.

Past, present, future my sins are forgiven
I walk in the liberty that he has freely given
To this end I rejoice!
Glory glory Hallelujah!
My testimony thus:
A stitch in time
Saved forever.

Such soul-stirring words… and then, it rained testimonies. From Pearly Thoughts we had this awesome piece:

“It is Finished.”

The God of abundance
Declared this statute of limitation
Against sin’s desiring eyes
Against death’s longing hands
After He drank from the cup of judgment
To its last drop

‘It is finished’ He said
The chastisement of our peace he meant.

I am a witness of his Testimony

Then captain Godswill Ezeonyeka gave us more to praise God for with this:

The lions I had to deal with
Had more than dinner on their minds
The plotters who plotted against me
Had more than gossip in their arsenal
But the God who fights for me
Had more than an emergency rescue plan

See what the Lord has done.

With my bowed knees
God has made a mockery of Legion
With my silent supplication
God has disgraced Leviathan
With my heartfelt praise
God has declared His name, The LORD

Nahh, you cant say you are not so blessed already! The session ended with this beautiful piece from JahzRhythm just before the day ended:

Blessed be the One who sits upon the throne
Blessed be He from the depths of my soul
All that I am gives full recognition to the one who reigns forever and ever!

His word is the path I follow,
His testimony, the song I sing.
His name is my Shield forever,
I rejoice earnestly in every word He says.

Come, see my dancing shoes,
My lover keeps playing the tunes,
My feet keep moving to the rhythm of His heart,
My life is part of His orchestra.

His word is a lamp to my feet
Blessed be the One whose Spirit is my strength.
I trust in His unfailing love forever. and ever.

Taste and see that the Lord is good – Always. Thank you for joining me on this ride, I believe these have stirred your heart even more. I look forward to doing this with you again. Till next time, Chao.

Authors
GodzNiel
Ini Brown
Imani Nnaemeka M
Pearly Thoughts
Godswill Ezeonyeka
JahzRhythm

The Master’s Plan

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I chose this place
Did I?
I have walked through paths that seemed right just like babies love to touch fire because it is bright
I have eaten seeds to be sown and formed walls in places deemed for bridges

I made mistakes too numerous to count with my eyes open
So, why the applause now my eyes are closed?
Now that I stretch my hands and I am led without objections
Now that I only do what I have been told
Now that my feelings die daily
Now that I am only pliable to Another’s choice

Why the applause for the place kept for me?
For the destination I did not pick?
For the tracks made ahead for me?

Why the applause for entering a door to external bliss?
A place of pure beauty, led by the hand of my Master?

Why the applause for a choice I couldn’t afford ?
For a place beyond my budget
For a place above my life’s grade
Tell me it is a surprise
Not that I chose this place.

Hannah DGinus
©2024

As bold as a lion

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Me: But we’re meant to be sheep, meek, lowly, tamed, unconfrontational, peace-loving – quiet. How do you juxtapose that with “as bold as a lion”?

Him: I am The Lion and the Lamb

Me: Lord, that’s you, I could never be you.

Him: I have called you to be like me. You are part of me.

Me: But I can’t Lord, I can’t be bold, I am frail and weak, I show no strength. I’m easily tossed about. I’m constantly seeking the peace and the quiet but everything’s loud, sl loud.

Him: In this world, you will have trouble but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Me: The world you sent me to is sucking the life out of me.

Him: I am the Way, truth and life

Me: It is flooding my heart and my mind with irrepressible thoughts of inadequateness, incompleteness, emptiness, and frailty.

Him: I am your joy and your strength.

Me: Then why can’t I fight back? Why do I always have to suppress those thoughts, hoping they can go away, but you know they never do? Why do I just cry and cry and hope no one sees me crying and then I cry some more? Why does it feel like I’m failing you? You’ve put so many things in my hands, and I can’t juggle them to perfection, and it crushes me to think that I’m a failure in your sight. I want to run away from everything, I don’t want any of it anymore.

Him: Be still and know that I am God. I’ve been through everything you’ve been through and more, and that’s how I know you can be as bold as a lion.

Me: How?

Him: Because I haven’t given you a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.

Me: I don’t feel like that.

Him: Walk by faith, not by sight.

Me: But I’m failing you!

Him: Did you ever hear me say that?

Me: Nope.

Him: So why do you think that?

Me: Because I haven’t met my goals for the year.

Him: Who set those goals?

Me: I did. I needed to. Otherwise, I’d be lazy and complacent.

Him: Then you should have asked me for strength and grace when you needed it. You should have committed your ways to me, and I would have ordered your steps. You shouldn’t have looked away from me and focused on yourself. You are frail, but I am your strength. You can’t accomplish anything outside of me, and guess what? I never leave you. I’m right here. Always here.

Me: Lord…

Him: When I say that you are as bold as a lion, I mean that because I am with you, you are as bold as a lion. I am the lion and the lamb, I strengthen you and keep you humble. You just have to trust me.

Me: 😭😭😭😭 I still have those thoughts, I can’t seem to stop them.

Him: Sing a new song to me. Take a walk through my words. Talk with my Spirit. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. My yoke is not heavy. It’s light. So, don’t take on what I didn’t give to you. Bask in my presence, take in deep breaths, and take a slice of heaven wherever you go. Only when you do this will boldness, joy, and strength always be with you.

 IfiokAbasi Okop
©2024

Yahweh my Confidence

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I can’t see the future on purpose. I can speculate, calculate and expect. But to know what is coming and harmlessly coordinate it…is beyond magic.

And magic is beyond mathematics.

And correct mathematics is beyond experience.

God, as a person, has his own plans. A lot of times, when I talk to him, I forget all he has to plan for. This happens because his presence is so powerful. It comforts you and you forget some far away realities.

But Yahweh is capable. He is supreme. The way people underestimate him, it is scary. He keeps up with all this…and his will is done.

People find their own pockets of reality to suffer in.

Little God-action-figures acting out their own script, till it is read before the Lord of the Angel Armies.

They can’t see the future either. Their confidence is on their “chariots”. Their lot is none of my concern, for history tells enough stories for my education.

As for me…

Sacred cows wanna call me MooMoo
God at work, he’s at work in You too
Some of his servants no dey gree pass am
But I no para, only one Master

I’m aiming for excellence
He gave that Spirit sense
The proud are very dense
But trust him, he talks to them
I’m hanging on what he says
Yahweh my confidence

Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence
Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence
Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence
Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence

Finally carnally kicking the buck
Learning these languages, growing my talk
Growing like mango, yeah man go adapt
Orange or range is the size of attack
Pear but my peers all got married or snatched
Yah was my plan, backup folder was cached

I’m listening more
and I get it now
There are a few screens
and a war about
Discipline fighting saves you from the double life
Fight as you want, divides divide and such is life
Some know only greener pasts just hunting greener pastures
Yahweh’s my confidence, tell me about yours

Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence
Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence
Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence
Ou Ou, Ou Ou
Yahweh my confidence

Godzniel
©2024