A tale of compassion and faith

February 21, 2025March 7, 2025Leave a comment

Penspeak Communities across Nigeria have recently taken up Freestyle Fridays hosted by The Godzniel. This is a collection of poems from Penspeak Community UNEC freestyles in January 2025.

From the watchtower, Iruoma cried out:

I am compassion, a gentle breeze
That calms a raging soul and quiets pain to freeze
I run in obscurity, yet understanding I seek
To heal a silent wound that mouth can’t utter

Like flower that blooms in desert oasis
So am I, a savour taste to the broken soul
I’m a badge of mercy, worn by one who’s torn
An irresistible gentle word, that calms a storm

I see beyond the fist, the anger and pain
And serve a feast of kindness, to wash the heart’s deep stain
I’m a dose of hope, that keeps each day aglow
A beacon of light, in the darkest place I go

I am compassion, I offer listening ears
Pay attention and owe no debt to negligence
I am the greatest gift to humanity
The loudest voice of love
I walk enduring miles
Leaving trails of smiles

Taking the wheel again, Iruoma launched:

With heart swift and low on paths unknown
I plead to listen to the quiet whisper, that binds me whole
With convictions strong on choices made

I plead to heed the persistent voice of truth
With barns so enriched, and yards full of glittering gold
I pray to harvest, with mind full of sight

To sift grain from chaff, and separate truth from false
And with each step to embark, a journey of uncertainty
I pledge to trust the gentle guide

For He’s the spirit of the divine, with mysteries to unveil
He grants a sense of immortality, in the stillness, a peaceful knowing of secrets untold.
And moments to disobey in doubt, are times to will in regret

Not wanting the momentum to die out, Neche Goodnews took the baton on the relay:

“Wish upon a shooting star and make your wish come true”
Senior said to me as we stared at the night sky
“So, make the wish”, he said to me as I was beholding the awe of the star littered sky
I close my eyes and make my wish and open my eyes into the present
A decade had gone by but I still reminisce the days gone by
I fasten up my tie while facing the mirror

What a decade it has been
Peril and strife fought their way into my world but I persevered
The psychological breaks and lapses chipped away at my very soul but I didn’t derange
As I go towards my bag, a thought enters my mind and a smile is found on my face
“Your wish is profound and pure, its impact, ground shaking, all I might not see it actualised but I can behold its potential”
Senior said to me, that was one of our last conversations
“It’s no time to slack, the world will soon be in awe”
I say as I take my bag and leave my place

People see the outcome of reality
I behold a future of possibilities
My wish would ensure that
Until then, I carry on

See you next month!

Authors:
Iruoma
Neche Goodnews

Agent

February 18, 2025February 16, 2025Leave a comment

A thousand above me, I’m Joe in a cell
The devil approached me I just wouldn’t sell
I pray that my ex meets Christ at a well
The mercy we sit in, the story we tell
Revival is fire, too holy to quell
I come in a name too holy to spell
They would have used it in movies
They would have finished the groupies
But he who Son frees is a John Wick
And the reason he’s lit is the Spirit,
not the flesh, no the flesh doesn’t profit
But the Spirit is drawing and gifting,
Pastors teachers evangelists prophets.
And the kings of the earth heat a furnace,
But ‘Emmanuel’ isn’t a guy-name
We look human but we’re not the same race
We are victors already in life’s game

Pardon me and all the MC energy
Souls I was sent to are God’s irreplaceably
Not by my specialty but he who lives in me
Everything’s judged by the use they’re bequeathing
I’m born of salvation, an agent of heaven
I doubly owe Jesus, he paid for my saving
I double on serving, I’m dodging the leaven
Our heritage has been edited,
My backup’s angelic, there’s God in my blood
I’m armed to the spirit, my drip is absurd,
Its more than expensive, it’s “Armour of God”

I know

On the surface, I coast like a dolphin
I’m feeling like Thorfinn
Battle scars strike a pose with my farmthings
But I’m focused on holy harvesting
What can be done to one who’s dead already?
Yeah I sit crowned but my head isn’t heavy
He Reigns

Once upon an oops, I was itching on the tripod
Dragon in His shell, wondering what he would hatch for
Many orbits later, I’m assured of what to light for
Life Force,
Everything for The Risen that I write for

Godzniel
(c) 2025

Communion

February 16, 2025February 14, 2025Leave a comment

When we seek Him…longing for him
As a man longs for his lost love…
Gazing at Him as a maid looks to her master…
Waiting on Him as
A waiter waits on a guest
We will find that
He has always be there
He has always been near
waiting…
For communion.

Olufunke Ajegbomogun
(c) 2025

Bread of Life

February 14, 2025Leave a comment

This weakness in my body
Emptiness of my soul
Weariness of my spirit
Vanishes when I feed on Him!
The Bread of life

Bread of life
Given for all
Take your place
Changing our ways
Fill our hearts
Till we want no more

Olufunke Ajegbomogun
(c) 2025

ROOTING DEEP

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025Leave a comment

There’s power in staying rooted,
In leaning into God’s word,
Where roots stretch deep in quiet places,
Unseen, but steady and sure.

The seed is planted in faith,
Watered with patience and trust,
No rush, no shortcuts—
Just the process of becoming.

It’s not flashy, not instant,
Not for those chasing quick results,
But for those willing to wait,
To trust, to grow, to endure.

Like the coconut tree that stands tall,
Bearing fruit all year long,
The waiting is hard, the work is slow,
But the harvest is always worth it.

IfiokAbasi Okop
(c) 2025

BUT GOD…

January 4, 2025January 2, 2025Leave a comment

Hey there! I hope your day has been nothing short of wonderful. It’s always a good day to go through these powerful pieces from Freestyle Friday with you.

TOPIC: BUT GOD…
DATE: 20TH DECEMBER, 2024
HOST: GODZNIEL

We were captivated by an amazing piece from the incomparable host himself GodzNiel:
Sure I would have cracked crooked lines in the past
Sure I would have bent or broke down fast
Sure the snide remarks would have marked me for gas
But God has god-handled all or most of that

Weave

Abase me the lowest,
I was born to serve like life is a game of lawn Tennis
I just fit the good turns in the others like it’s Holy Tetris
Call me blind to the sea of opportunities
That’s ok because over here we walk by faith and not by sight
God is enough prep time
He is both my power and my might

Weave – tap

No need to gaslight or lie, I forgive
All have sinned
No need to pretend you’re right, I just listen
Judges 3
All the mouth-watering born of past me has been dried up
by a mind renewed; Do you really mind if I don’t talk?
Sure I would been on the defense before But God…

Flicker

Water from the Brook and Angels sent me dinner
What am I to worry about when I have Yah forever?
What about this life is even worth my holy ginja
Twice you’ll find me beg, one is when I beg to differ

Then I beg your pardon

Duck

Can’t be petty from the wings of a eagle
Sorry
Can’t be lacking when the earth is the Lord’s
Boring
I am who God says I am, not a sum of money
Sure enough some miracles would be too pricey
But I’m feeling like Elisha with a Type-C

C for Christ
C for Courage
C for Charged
C for Calling
Closed my eyes, Spirit leading
Cornerstone, Rocked my building
C for chains, that he’s breaking
Cake and Wine, Caught my guy
Chased him way out to Aja
Choice of words, choice of life
Cleansed us clean and curbed our cries
Children come, climb aboard
Cross the sea of cretins cursed
C for Chosen, C for Changes
C for Crazy testimonies

C4
Tick tock
Tick talk
TikTok, then I blow my life away just living for this God talk
God talks, you can listen free if you don’t talk
Boom, yeah I said it
Silence is a sure ingredient
But I guess we need the music
We are Sauls in need of David

Weave

Lock the heart away from pleasure,
Seek the Lord like He is treasure
Don’t treat prayer like a leisure
Kind regards, me in the Mirror

Authors
GodzNiel

TEMPLE RUN

January 2, 2025January 2, 2025Leave a comment

This week’s Freestyle Friday carried its own divine flair. The host introduced four remarkable topics, and what followed was a beautiful journey of creativity. Let’s get started.

TOPICS:
1. SAFETY
2. BONDAGE
3. TEMPLE RUN
4. SPIRITUAL PARALLAX
DATE: 29TH NOVEMBER, 2024
HOST: GODZNIEL

Godswill Ezeonyeka set the tone perfectly with this thought provoking piece :
Are we safe when they are no more threats in the room?
Are we safe when our minds finally chooses silence?

Are we safe when our sacrifices bear forth worthy fruit?
Are we safe when our lover loves our very essence?

Are we safe when we know every detail time is yet to produce?
Are we safe when we never forget any breathe we’ve spent?

And after that, the ever-graceful Hannah D’Ginus gave us this:
We say we are running the temple smoothly, but we are in prostitution
We claim to love the body, but we bow to other idols along with him
Salty-Fresh water
We claim we have heard of this
Selah

We say we are running this temple, but why does our shadow chase us?
If God is our Father, why do we behave like orphans?
Why can’t His reflection engulf us?

We claim we are always in zion, but why does our strength fail us?
Why do we insist on sewing fig leaves?
Why does fear haunt us?

We can not claim to run this temple when eyes don’t meet, hatred breeds, bitterness lingers while we smile with our open teeth,

The next time you claim you are part of this temple
Do a routine check if you are part of the assembly running it or if it’s just another temple run episode.
Selah

Godswill Ezeonyeka stepped in once more with this:
We can not claim to run this temple when eyes don’t meet, hatred breeds, bitterness lingers while we smile with our open teeth,

I want to hear this delivered like “boom boom boom” (if you know you know)

Then came this masterpiece by Damaris:
Chains have gotten fancy.
Fetters laced with gold
Handcuffs that bling

Chains have become a fashion statement
When we wear sin proudly on our necks
And bind them boldly over our hearts

Everyone is doing it
And so we kiss freedom goodbye
And exchange peace for pain
Addicted to our captor
Brainwashed to believe Stockholm syndrome is true love

But today our eyes are opened
Our chains are broken
Our freedom has truly begun and the bondage is over

GodzNiel stepped in with this gem:
Spiritual Parallax

I heard someone say, “Context is King.”
I raise you a jot of prophecy
Jesus rules all day and week
Strength to those who know they are weak
Fixed my eyes, didn’t need your Brille
I can’t fake how He keeps it real
Flesh of Christ overcame the Grill
I got the Christ-end of the deal

Yah

Mmmm – She said, you were never righteous
I said, Let The Lord touch us
Lose myself to what he taught us
Shadows never really light us – but Christ does
Its your choice – Best or worst
Can’t teach life to any dead ones
They keep saying we are brainwashed
Dodging anything that God loves
Finding newer ways to get lost
Prophets many, but he died once
Martyrs marketing without pause

And he said, I just don’t see it like that;
Science and Culture thrive on facts.
So I said, that’s spiritual parallax,
Trusting in things that changed in the past.
Row, Row, Row, roam the earth and its stats
You’ll see, the Word of God is still exact
So it’s either you live or leave like that
Is your story one of faith or fact?

With this divine words by GodzNiel, Freestyle Friday was concluded beautifully :
Temple Run

Temple, run
Run away to God’s hand
Build upon the Lord’s land
Yes his plan is more grand
He protects the unmanned
Block the bricks of sin’s clay
Win though windows sync lairs
Lairs of serpents, seen clear
God is how the scenes clear

Temple, run away from flooding your foundations
Except it’s with the Word – choose holy arbitration
Hearken – send the word across the sensations
Tell the heart to quarantine emotions
We only speak life, this is spirit medication
The boundaries join to spell dedication

Temple, run away from living off the flesh’ food
You might need to hear the Word of God just to do good
Keep a tight lip, don’t let trouble pair your Bluetooth
Good shoes – preach the Gospel in and out of issues

Temple
Run by the grace and mercy example
You won’t find Jacob with an angel but a limp will
Keep still
Chasing coin is never on a King’s will
Narrow is the way, be obedient and be nimble
Temple, sit and run in Christ or the people.

This has been an incredibly enriching experience. Thank you for always being a part of it. Till we meet again, stay blessed 🥂

Authors
Godswill Ezeonyeka
Hannah D’Ginus
Damaris
GodzNiel

LIVING FAITH

January 2, 2025January 2, 2025Leave a comment

In its unique divine fashion, Freestyle Friday unfolded beautifully. With guidance from the host, we delved into four amazing topics that inspired creativity. Let’s dive in.

TOPICS:
1. SPIRITUAL
2. 21ST CENTURY IDOLATRY
3. SYMPTOMS OF PRIDE
4. LIVING FAITH
DATE: 22ND NOVEMBER, 2024
HOST: GODZNIEL

Our first highlight was this remarkable piece shared by GodzNiel:
Slippery sips of satanic symphonies, soaked in separation from the source of my soul and peace
Sole my feet, Lord, with your sanity
Save me from my senses sensing flesh and seeing it as serendipity

Sour sower
Wincing is for seconds till the salve does it’s thing
2nd Samuel chapters seven and seventeen
Until it’s time for battle, the Lesson sits as unsavory
Sons are Temples and sacrileges will meet severity
Souls are sacred and blood-shedding isn’t inconsequential
Sin, please excuse me, but I’m acting right like Kate Henshaw
Nuttall

Not all who cry, “Lord, Lord…” really mean it
Surnames surely speak but I’m sure to name God every minute
God in how I speak life, and God in how I live it
How I give it
I don’t just die, I exit

GodzNiel continued:
Spirit of Peace
Soaked me since I fight the fight of faith
What is a jinx? Christ is my cleanse
My bed’s already made
Yes I’m ready-made
Fit to do the works from what He said
Yah
That’s my answer and that’s how I’m paid

God is my reward and my ransom
Devil thought he had one, should’ve noticed I’m handsome
Hands lifted high, worshipping with reckless abandon
Oh yes I believe that nothing happening is random

So catch me kabashing in the evening on a Sunday
I dodge any flirting, no I don’t play
Balling when I’m preaching ’bout the Lord’s Day
When every knee shall bend from Antarctica to Bombay

But if you try to cause a penalty,
Just know The Lord is my Keeper
Angels no dey finish, no dey try Ebenezer
The name of the Lord is a Tower and Defender
Omega
Beware of Hail, Lightning and Fire.

He wasn’t ready to stop there
GodzNiel continued:
Twenty first Idolatry
Pop stars singing about demonology
Kid play dates could be an orgy
And I can’t speak truth when I’m in public
But the icons want their all white party
Follow me off to the secret places
Where the bros drop God before they sow seeds
And they tell God, “Chill, it’s just a movie.”
Then they switch to, “Sha, I love the music.”
Can’t say No? Then it’s Yes to Sin scenes?
Then we argue about Book we didn’t read since
Did the Lord not notice all my thinkings
And I guess God now permits debauchery
Take a puff, G, Nature gave us Mary

Twenty First Century Idolatry
I am a man. Can’t disappoint my family
For the bag, and the shame of my enemies
Don’t talk if you’re not talking currency
Curently
Do you know what this job means to me?
I got Bills, what will you do for me?
In the end, I dey pay tithes and offerings
Suffering
For the Gospel?
Cannot be me
Only time I dey suffer na when Sapa hol’ me

Twenty first Century Idolatry
Still searching for someone to take care of me
Most of these men can’t afford me
If I wasn’t well-trained, Omo na Harlotry
But I’mma get married and glow
Different
Next up, born Manasseh and Ephraim
If I don’t get boo’d, what’s the essence
Of being this fine? Naa, e no go make sense
I’mma tell my Boo He’s my everything
And I can’t live without him
Even though he’s the Eighteenth
Me I can’t breath without him
And I can’t live without that skincare
Don’t you know that I’m a soft girl

Twenty first century idolatry
The bible isnt written to a time such as this
No way that God could have foreseen all this
And who needs faith when you have surgery?
Just chill, death will soon be made obsolete
While you were praying, I was switching ballot boxes
Who dyu have in Senate? I already have the most seats
Vox populi Vox Dei? Not in these circumstances
I am here for the politics,
You can focus on visiting Paul in ink

Twenty first century Idolatry
Anything but seeking God first indeed

The final highlight of Freestyle Friday came from Olufunke with this one :
Rid me of I
And I will be rid of pride
Rid me of self
And I will be rid of flesh

All my days
May I always be looking up
Unto the hills
And never at that Oga at the top

May my faith stay poised on thee
Thou lamb of calvary
When my throat is parched
In a thirsty land

And when my days are done
And my years are gone
And I hear that trumpet call
May you still by then
remain my all in all.

It’s been such a rewarding time here. I’m grateful we could do this together. Until next time, keep in the consciousness that You are Gods beloved🥂

Authors
GodzNiel
Olufunke