A CALL TO HOLINESS : KEEP YOURSELF PURE - PART I (for spinsters and bachelors)

In present times, it is sad to note that many of our youth no longer consider pre-marital sex as SIN. To some, it is a normal practice and to show that one is enjoying life. Unfortunately, that is deception from the pit of hell. Any youth that embraces an immoral lifestyle is destroying both his present and future life. Some years ago, a spinster asked me a question, “Antie, do you think a lady can get a man to marry without allowing him to have sex with her before marriage?” My simple reply was, “Yes.” But if he insists, then “Such a man is not your husband, if he is, he will wait until you both are wedded.” The word of God makes it clear that Fornication is a sin. “Now the body is not for fornication (sexual immorality) but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (I Cor. 6: 13b). These are the struggles the young ones are grappling with in our days. Has God changed His standard of holiness? Not at all! Youths are admonished to, “Flee fornication (sexual immorality). Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (I Cor. 6:18).

As part of the divine task given to Joyful Callers Counselling Ministry, we visit Secondary Schools to challenge students about their studies and we also give moral instruction. On an occasion I was warning the female students against unwanted pregnancies as a result of careless living, but to my surprise, the principal sought permission to share a story with us which shook me as a person. I learned that present-day girls who commit fornication are now smarter and they rarely get pregnant, but that they can never be successful in life however hard they try. This is because the boys that they had slept with had removed some vital things from them spiritually so as to enhance their own lives, but the girls had been completely destroyed without their knowledge. Another fellow shared with me that some girls get into some boys’ lives and their destinies get altered negatively while the girls make ‘gains.’ Which other warning are you waiting for?

 Ephesians 5: 3 states, “But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints...”). Read this scripture also and shudder, “...Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell...” (I Cor. 10:8)  

God demands holy living from all of us. In Hebrews 13:4, it is written, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Wait until the right time! I mean enjoy sex within Marriage! May we not be found wanting at His judgment Seat. AMEN.

For further enlightenment on this subject, please visit my blog on “Dangers of pre-marital sex” on Esy’s blogs reading4joy@blogspot.com

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL CHRISTIAN COUNSELLORS

The word of God says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall (perish): but “in the multitude of Counsellors, there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14 KJV).

Several years ago, I attended a wedding ceremony at a Church. The officiating clergy admonished the couple on what it takes to enjoy a Christian home, and in addition, he advised them that they should not encourage the third party in their marriage. He said further, “Don’t allow or encourage those people, the olofofo, (busybodies) called counsellors to interfere in your marriage. To an extent that was good pastoral advice, but personally, I felt very hurt as a practising Counsellor because I found it highly derogatory to have referred to counsellors as “busybodies.” In my mind, I said “Lord, this pastor is not helping this couple. As much as I do not support the idea of bringing in the third party into the marriage, the fact still remains that this newly wedded couple will need help along the way. This is a journey they have not passed through before, so if there is any need for them to seek help from a counsellor or anybody they feel led to talk to, I believe that they should be encouraged, and not discouraged.

It is unfortunate that some people have wrong notions about the counselling ministry. They think counsellors are busybodies, but as time goes by they will acknowledge the fact that counsellors are needed in our society. There are no specific books in Bookshops that teach couples how to relate with each other at each moment of life. For example, how to greet your spouse when you wake up, how to feed your partner, how to please your husband et cetera. Most of those things are culturally based, therefore, if the need arises to seek help from professionals, I believe they should be encouraged. These are end times, many homes are facing economic distress, emotional and even spiritual problems. Many homes are being destroyed by the powers of darkness, and Christian couples must be spiritually alert. I heard a true story of a pastor who told his wife on a particular day that, “I just feel like beating you, yet you did not offend me.” What interpretation will you provide for such? It is an aberration!

Where there are healthy families, there will be a healthy nation. Unfortunately, many homes are going through turbulent times. The statistics of couples filing for divorce in courts is skyrocketing, while others who want to be modest opt for separation. In the year 2020, it was reported that at a particular court in a city in Nigeria, there are about 4,000 divorce cases still pending. Isn’t that heartbreaking? That is just from one court. What is the statistics from other courts in the land? What do you think will happen to the future of the children who are from such homes? They will inevitably be affected adversely. Let’s ask the question, How many of such people had a heart-to-heart discussion with their spiritual leaders or professional counsellors before rushing to the court? Some of them might have been brain-washed that they should not get any third party involved, others might be reacting as a result of what their parents had suffered in their marriages, and the children are now telling themselves, “No, not again! My mother suffered domestic violence, I cannot stomach this non-sense! But they forget that God created us as individuals and we should be responsible for our lives. Domestic violence is on the increase! Men beating their wives and vice versa. This is evidence that society is truly decaying.

In Exodus 18:13-26, the man Jethro had to call Moses’ attention to the necessity of getting more hands to help him in handling the matters that the Israelites were bringing to him. In essence, there was a need for more counsellors if not, Moses would suffer burnout. In the same vein, we need more counsellors to move to the stage.

Nobody can counsel effectively without the help of “The Counsellor,” that is The Holy Spirit. We must learn to communicate with Him and seek His directions as we talk with people because He only can truly solve those problems. In the world, many people are aching and many are broken-hearted. One day, a lady called me on the telephone and we conversed for some time. Initially, I didn’t like the idea, and I encouraged her to come to the counselling office so that we could discuss extensively. On her part, she didn’t want face- to- face interaction, but after some telephone discussion, she agreed that she would come to the office. Unfortunately, she disregarded the two appointments that she booked. The Holy Spirit then helped me to realize that there was a need for a paradigm shift. All clients may not show up in the office, just take advantage as the case presents itself, so I followed her up with text messages, and sending relevant bible passages to help her.

As human beings we operate from different perspectives. When a man and his wife can no longer understand each other, they should seek the help of a professional counsellor, who by the help of the Holy Spirit can help them to see the matter from other perspectives. A friend shared a story with me that a newly married couple found themselves in a mess that could have cost them their new home, just a day after their wedding. After all the merriment at the wedding reception, they went to their new home rejoicing, but by the following day, there was a problem. The dustbin was filled with all kinds of stuff. The husband was expecting the wife to empty it, and the wife too was expecting the husband to empty it. So the man spoke up, but the wife refused and they began to shout at each other. Their pastor said he felt led by the Holy Spirit to go and visit them that morning, but he was hesitant. This couple just wedded yesterday, they should be enjoying their honeymoon, why should I disturb them? Well, he obeyed and went to the house.

As he approached the house he overheard the new couple shouting at each other, so he understood why the Lord sent him there. As he entered the house they greeted him, Ah, pastor, welcome sir. He then asked them what caused the quarrel between them and they explained. The wife told her pastor that in her family, it was their father that used to empty the dustbin so she grew up to believe that it is a man’s job, while the husband said it was his mother that empties trash at home. The pastor now counselled with them and made them see that both of them are right in their thinking, but that was their parents’ homes. Now they must decide how they want to run their own home, not necessarily following the old patterns. Thank God for that divine intervention, and peace was restored.

The Holy Spirit needs our hands, our feet, our mouths and all that He can use to reach out to people who are aching, and others who may just need little encouragement to push ahead with life in a world such as ours. The Bible is central to our counselling practice as Christian Counsellors, as the Holy Spirit grants us necessary illumination. No one has the wisdom to relate with people who are in pains and need succour, we need God’s wisdom, guidance and His words to pass across to people in this troubled society. Prayer component cannot be overemphasized. We must be very prayerful. Begin to pray for the client once he or she books an appointment, while the counselling session is ongoing, remain connected to the Holy Spirit, and as a follow-up strategy, keep praying that the Holy Spirit will help him or her to be victorious through the crisis.

God is building men and women who will surrender their will to Him to move to the nooks and crannies of this world so as to preserve the world for Him.  God is calling out to willing hearts to help in rebuilding lives.

Are you ready? May God find you faithful. Amen. 

N.B. Do you perceive the need for training? Join our online training at Institute of Christian Counselling and Mission Studies. Log on to www.iccmstudies.net for a rich experience in basic Christian Counselling. It is a flexible programme and it is cost-friendly.

WOMAN. STAY ON! YOU ARE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE!

A woman woke up one day with a heavy burden on her mind. I will like to call her Mrs. A. Troubled by the crises she was facing in her matrimony, Mrs. A. decided that the best way to get out of this marriage palaver is to pack her load and call it quits. She was ready to walk out of that marriage without informing her husband about her decision. Will he stop her from leaving, if informed? Maybe, maybe not, but Mrs. A was resolute.

Unknown to Mrs. A, a neighbor has been watching her in the neighborhood, and wished she could be like this mama, who unknown to her was about running away from her matrimonial home. One day, this other lady that I will like to address as Mrs. B walked to Mrs. A and narrated to her how unhappy she has been in her marriage and the fact that she was planning to leave her husband. On second thought she told herself, ‘let me see this other woman who appears to be enjoying her own married life. May be she can help me out of this crisis.’ So she approached Mrs. A.

On getting to the house of Mrs. A, she greeted her and pleaded with her to grant her some time because she had something to share with her. Out of courtesy, Mrs. A asked Mrs. B to sit down. The latter began to share her tales of woes. As Mrs. A was listening to the stories of her neighbor, she was convicted by the Holy Spirit about her decision to quit her marriage. She listened attentively to Mrs. B and she began to counsel her. To the glory of God, she was able to help Mrs. B to see a better perspective on her marriage, and she went back home rejoicing. She decided not to quit her marriage as she previously planned. After Mrs. B left the house, our dear madam went on her knees and asked God for forgiveness. She did not realize that somebody in the neighborhood has been watching and admiring her and her husband as a happy couple. Your guess is as good as mine. Mrs. A stayed on. That’s the power of stickability!

If fifty married women are brought together in a group, I guess about seventy-five (75%) of them, if not higher than that, are silently wishing that they could quit their marriages. Why? There are many unanswered questions in their minds! I leave you to fill up the gaps.

Beloved, stay on! Remember, the word of God states that, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. “(Ephesians 6: 12-13). The first marriage in the Garden of Eden suffered a great blow but for God’s divine intervention (Genesis 3). The adversary, Satan, is not happy to see a united home that is built on Jesus Christ, our solid Rock. He constantly fights against marriage institution. Let us be spiritually alert, and do not give Satan a foothold. But you may want to ask the question, “What if the man is battering the wife? There are different ways of handling such. I am not suggesting that you stay and lose your life, but be wise! Your husband is not a devil after all. Pray for each other.

Stay on beloved! Somebody somewhere is being encouraged, though unknown to you. May God grant you and your husband the grace to honor God in your marriage.  

“BABY MAMA!” WHAT ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE?”

Let me share a true story with you about a woman who was legally married to her husband, but one day she called her daughter and gave her this advice, “I don’t want you to bother about marriage. Just get a handsome young man and have a child by him. Once you have got a child, that’s ok. Do not marry him. Develop your career and continue your life as a career woman.” 

AH! What an ungodly advice to a precious life that is committed into your hands by God? Many questions ran through my mind at such a story:

i.                    What happened to that woman’s marriage that made her so disillusioned about married life?

ii.                  Was she still living with the father of her child as at the time she was advising this little girl, who was a student at that time?

iii.                Did this woman realize that she was outrightly encouraging her daughter to go and commit fornication, which is a sin before God? “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” (1 Cor.6:18)

When mothers are wary of their marital problems and they think that the best thing to do

is to “shield” their daughters from such future crises by advising them to become ‘single

mothers’ (without husbands), what sort of society are we creating for ourselves?

Unfortunately, this is a very selfish idea. We always think about our own pleasures,

things that will favor us. A lady wants to enjoy motherhood but she wants to run away

from the responsibilities of building a healthy home by settling down in marriage with the

father of the child. Can we for once think about “the Child”? His or Her future? No father

figure to grow up with? When he or she begins to go to school, other children will be

sharing stories about what their daddies are doing – how daddy sometimes is helping out

with the schoolwork; how he is assisting mummy at home; how they went out to events

with daddy and mummy, visiting Amazement parks, Zoological garden, and Shopping

malls to buy some ‘goodies.’ Have you thought of what effects that could have on your

child, my dear so-called ‘Single mother? What is the pride in being addressed as “Baby

Mama?”

One day, you will be faced with tough questions. Your child will come home and ask you, “Mummy, where is my daddy? Why is he not living with us in this house?” How do you intend to respond? What lies are you planning to tell that precious gift of God?

Let us imagine what future lies ahead of such a child. He or she will get to know the truth one day and will become bitter. The child may become rebellious and may hate you for life. The ‘father’ you denied him/her of having would have gone ahead with his own life by marrying another woman, who may never agree that your own child should be accepted into their home.

With such embittered species scattered all over our land, we don’t need a prophet to tell us that our society is sitting on a keg of gun powder. It is just a matter of time, the resultant effect will be cataclysmic! What an explosion! We have enough crises in the world, can you please spare us some sorrows by not bringing to birth such children that will turn against you and the society in the future? We are tired of the countless number of dysfunctional families that are all over the place, please help us build healthy homes so that we can enjoy a healthy Nation. Marry legally according to the plan of God who instituted marriage. He says in Genesis 2:18  22, 24, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him... Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam...This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife (woman), and the two are united into one.”

Refuse to be lured into “Baby Mama” club. It is an insult to your womanhood! When you feel the need for a man-figure in your life, what will you do? Do you want to be sleeping around with all kinds of men? What an insult to your creator? The child that you have denied the joy of complete parenthood, what will she or he become in the future? Just like you? Frustrated and embittered? Jesus came to give us life, and life in abundance. (Jn. 10:10) Give Him a chance in your life. Confess your sins and ask Him for forgiveness, then turn away from your wicked ways and accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold! All things become new.”

THE "WRIGGLE": :Window to your Freedom (PART 2)

The Biblical basis

In Proverbs chapter sixteen verse seven, the word of the Lord states, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.” (Amplified Bible). Conversely, if a man’s way does not please the Lord, I dare to say that what will happen to him will be the opposite, that is to say, his enemies will not be at peace with him. I think this could be the reason behind curses and the battle in a Christian’s life most of the times, though not always. Sometimes Satan fights the Christian for no just cause just as it is in Job’s case. Read Job 2: 1-8.

In all honesty how many Christians are living sinless lives? How many are blameless, and how many are holy? The bible says, “Without holiness, no man can see the Lord.” Sometimes one may even be ignorant of the fact that he or she has sinned. He that does not offend in words the bible describes him as a perfect man. (James 3:2). But the Holy Spirit whispers into our hearts saying my son, or my daughter, do you know that you have just missed the mark? Some people gave that a coinage and described it as “the sins of the saints!” As Christians many of us know that there are some sins that are obvious such as are mentioned in the Bible. For example, the book of Revelations chapter one, verse eight reads:

But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed) – [all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death. (Amplified Bible).

But what will one say about a Christian who is being ruled by anger almost all the time? Even though he or she may not blow up the top of the lid but in that quietness, gently boiling with anger, sin is already recorded against such a fellow except he or she repents and asks God for forgiveness. This brings to my mind the case of a Christian sister who was bitter but she did not know until one remarkable day. She attended a Sunday service at a church and having been convicted by the Spirit of the Lord to amend her ways, she responded to an altar call for re-dedication of her life to Jesus Christ. As she was sitting down in the waiting room expecting to meet with one of the church counsellors, the Holy Spirit confronted her with this reality. It was as if someone spoke to her inwardly, “You are bitter against God.” The sister could not believe what she heard. She was so disturbed and after meditating on that sentence for a while she accepted that it was true and she broke down weeping. One of the counsellors on standby saw her sobbing but he did not interrupt her. That was a good quality of a counsellor. He allowed the sister to settle her case with her creator unhindered. The lady in question quietly confessed her sin of bitterness against God and asked God to forgive her.

Beloved, I was that lady! I brightened up after the prayer and I beckoned to the counsellor who had actually been watching the ‘drama,’ and I said to him, “Sir, I am alright. I want to go home.” The counsellor asked, “Are you sure you are o.k. or will you like to still meet with a counsellor? I put up a beautiful smile and assured him that “all is well.” The counsellor prayed with me and I left the Counselling hall liberated from the spirit of bitterness and I went home rejoicing. Reading through this story, many questions may likely be racing through the mind of the reader. How can someone be bitter against God? Is that really possible? I understand your confusion. I was also taken by surprise. How can I be bitter against my creator? But remember that the Holy Spirit searches through the heart of man and He sees what is there even when it is latent, I mean when it appears nothing is at stake.

Considering our story let us imagine if Satan had struck the sister with infirmity, chains of calamities et cetera, many would have judged wrongly.  Some people who knew her closely might even vouch for her that the sister is living right with God, how could such a thing happen to her? But the truth was that she was actually ‘swimming’ in an ocean of bitterness for years against her creator due to the challenges of life she was confronted with. The accuser, Satan, actually had a foothold to hold on to, confidently reporting to God saying something like this, “Have you seen your so-called daughter living in the sin of bitterness? I have every right to attack her. What do you have to say, Master?” This is just my imagination! Thank God for the blood, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some people may not be that fortunate to escape being struck by the devil even though they are born-again Christians. Deep-seated issues must be cleared with God’s mercy in order to scale through the accusation of the adversary.

THE "WRIGGLE" - Window to your Freedom (PART 1)

I have a message to put across. A message that may likely generate some questions, arguments, and counter-arguments among genuine Christians especially my friends in the theological field.

When I felt that the Spirit of the Lord was leading me to write on this “sensitive” topic in the year, 2012, I must confess that I trembled. The reason is simple. I am aware that many Christians still argue about a number of issues that are being exposed here, and I do not want to lead any child of God astray consciously or unconsciously. I dare say I am treading this terrain softly because many Christians have their biases about this discussion. Whatever I have written down are things that I believe God has given me the grace to share with the followers of Jesus Christ, globally.

 One day I was meditating on the word of God, and suddenly I found myself meditating on the word, “Warfare.” I began to ask myself the question, What is warfare? In my reflections, I see warfare as a war to be fought. That means there is a battle going on somewhere. With whom am I to fight this war? The powers of darkness! What does war connote? Violence of course! So since war has to do with violence that means it is not a matter of joke! Not at all! The meditation grew deeper. Can one fight any war silently?  I doubt it. There would always be noise I concluded. Now the next issue is since war calls for violence, can anyone pray spiritual warfare prayer as ‘silent prayer’? Is that how to fight a war?

            I do not know what others think, but the reflection jolted me to reality, and made the fact crystal clear to me that it is needful that one puts in all of one’s energy, by the power of the Holy Spirit to fight this type of war that has attracted the principalities and powers of hell to ‘crush’ someone spiritually, and physically if they can have their ways. Many supposed glorious destinies had been frustrated, ‘caged’ or completely ruined. Others started their journey in life with lofty promises of greatness in sight! Some mind-blowing prophecies had been declared on the lives of some others, but then no results at sight. Then the question pops up in one’s mind, “Where is the outcome of those promises and the fulfilment of those wonderful prophecies? Hun-uh, confusion sets in. Who is to blame? Satan, the individual, the society, the government of the land or who is responsible for this kind of supposed unfulfilled glorious future?

 At a period in my life, I began to ruminate over the unfulfilled promises and prophecies in my own life. As a regenerated soul, already washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and walking in His ways, I was deeply disturbed and worried about my state. Spiritually, I was struggling to enjoy sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit, as a result of loads of burdens, and doubts on my mind which I was not bold enough to share with close associates, how much more my spiritual overseers. What would they think about me? I will be presenting myself to them as a backsliding Christian if they get to know about my pains. But I was ‘dying.’ Stagnancy at all fronts! No progress at the place of work! By the time it appears as if progress was being made in the area of Christian Ministry, the devil would put up a wall again, and all hope would be lost.

I know that some of us Christians see “Dreams” as a lesser form of revelation. I was in your shoes before the Lord helped me to understand better by studying the scriptures. This write up is not about dreams, so I do not intend to teach on that, but suffice it to say that the dream that I had about a spiritual attack launched at my studies compelled me to begin some spiritual exercise such as fasting and praying. At the tail end of my studies, I almost experienced a set-back but the Lord intervened, then I appreciated God for the victory Jesus had won for me on the cross of Calvary.

 A Christian sister at my place of work gave me a copy of their church magazine, and after reading through some articles and testimonies that were printed there, I prayed and I saw the need to attend some of the prayer and deliverance programmes of the church. After some months, the Holy Spirit began to unfold some deep secrets to me about my life and the ministry that God has committed into my hands. On one occasion I received a message by the Spirit of the Lord, saying to me, “You will write a book for me,” and the title that was given to me that day is The "Wriggle."

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WE ARE YOUR ONE-STOP EDITORS/PROOFREADERS You can count on our expertise to help you edit: ·      Manuscripts/Articles/Reports ·      Theses/Dissertations ·      Documents/Et cetera OUR CHARGES ARE CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY

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PROFILE OF THE CHIEF EDITOR MRS. JOYCE ADEOLA OLUFEMI (B.A. Linguistics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; M.Ed. Curriculum Planning and Development, Sterling University, Scotland, U.K; M.A. Linguistics, University of Ibadan; P.G.D.E. University of Ibadan, Nigeria. ·         Mrs. Joyce Adeola Olufemi is a seasoned teacher. ·         A godly and reputable Principal under Oyo state Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM), Oyo State branch before her retirement. ·         She served as an editorial assistant/assistant information officer with a government publishing outfit in Enugu state during her Youth service. ·         She is a product of the Premier University, the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where she studied Linguistics for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. ·         She also obtained another Master’s degree in Curriculum planning and Development from Sterling University, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. ·         She has a post-graduate diploma in Education with an emphasis on the teaching of English as a second language. ·         She has helped in proof-reading and editing many literary works. ·         She is also a translator of no mean repute to the glory of God. ·         She taught English Language and English Literature for many years as a Secondary school teacher as well as a School principal. ·         She is presently working on a life-changing manuscript on Secondary School administration with the ultimate goal of providing valuable resource material for School Administrators. AREAS OF COMPETENCE Proofreading Editing Translation                  PROFILE OF THE COORDINATING EDITOR                  DR. (MRS.) ESTHER ADENIKE LUOGON (N.C.E.(English/Yoruba), Federal College of Education, Abeokuta; B.Ed. Education/Guidance & Counselling with English Language as a teaching subject -University of Ibadan, Nigeria; M.A. Missions, Africa Int’l Univ. Nairobi-Kenya; Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership for the Global City @ Bakke Graduate University, Seattle, U.S.A.; Certified Professional Counselor with The Canadian Institute of Christian Counselors, (Nig. Study centre) and Advanced Leadership Cert from the International Leadership Institute, Singapore. She is the President of Joyful Callers Counselling Ministry, a Christian, not for profit organization, geared towards meeting the spiritual, educational and psychological needs of humans. Her training as an English Language teacher helped her in proofreading and editing the students’ theses/dissertations and papers as a Lecturer at West Africa Theological Seminary, Lagos; Grace Springs Bible College, Lagos; visiting lecturer at Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Nigeria and also as an adjunct Lecturer at former AEA School of Missions Eastern Region (SOMER), Nairobi-Kenya, East-Africa before her retirement. She was also a former College Guidance Counsellor at Messiah College, Plateau state-Nigeria; and presently she serves as a Volunteer Counsellor to Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions. AREAS OF COMPETENCE Proofreading Editing Educational Counselling PUBLISHED BOOKS             ·         Poems for Lovers of God © 2004 ·         Loneliness: a virtue © 2005 ·         Bridges to Relationships: facts or assumptions © 2008 ·         Tips on Academic Excellence: Study Habits & Hints on ‘stress-free’ Examinations ©2013        E-BOOKS ·         Training by the Heart: Cross-Cultural Missions Training in focus, The Nigerian perspective © 2017 ·         Determination: Key to Greatness © 2017 ·         Insights Beyond the Poems (formerly titled “Poems for Lovers of God” 2nd ed. expanded) © 2017 ·         Loneliness: a Virtue (2nd ed.) © 2017 ·         Bridges to Relationships: Facts or Assumptions. (vol.2) © 2017 ·         Secrets to a Happy Family © 2017 ·         Tips on Academic Excellence: Study Habits & Hints on ‘stress-free’ Examinations  © 2017                                                                                               (Available @ www.amazon.com/Esther-Adenike-Luogon/e/B01HK0KMVY. https://okadabooks.com/book/about/tips_for_academic_excellence/14753             https://okadabooks.com/book/about/determination_key_to_greatness/14754 PUBLISHED ARTICLES/PAPERS ·         Articles on http://www.joyfulcallers.org and Esy’s Blogs at reading4joy.blogspot.com. ·         “Welcome to the circle of Mission Senders” in Church & Mission magazine, 2010. ·         “Rebranding your ministry: Beware of Burn-Out Syndrome” in Church & Mission magazine, 2010 ·         “Homosexuality in the light of the Bible” (Online publication) ·         “Mission Training Structures (MTS): Seminary Model” (Consultation on indigenous Missions in Africa (Nigeria Finish the task Network). Ibadan, 24th -29th March 2003.  CONTACT US: Telephone: +234 (813-814-3021) EMAIL: nikeluogon@gmail.com BLOG SITE:  Esy’s blogs [reading4joy.blogspot.com] Signed Joy-Est Editors  & Proofreaders