Pre-Wedding Shots: The New Cool for Couples!

For years, pre-wedding shots have been viewed in different perspectives. Through generations, it has gained acceptance; thus giving it more shape, creativity and fun! While I have seen some royal pre-wedding shots and I must say despite the status of the people involved, the pictures lacked creativity. They were just too rigid and predictable.

However in recent times, a lot has changed. I can’t remember couples married 6-10 years ago going out of their way for pre-wedding shots. Even if it was done, it was done in a studio. Fast forward to 3 years back...couples have shown so much tenacity for the interesting set of shots. It’s amazing to see the creativity couples put into their pre-wedding shots. What I love more.....Colour, Set, Props and Excitement.

 

I’ve taken time to glean from Otunbade’s Photography and I’m sure you will enjoy the different shots I’ve selected. I believe the theme of each shot is a reflection of the couple. However, I must say I really can’t wait to see what creativity would filter into this industry in the years to come..

Straight Outta COZA Marriages

I’ve heard quite a number of couples talk about how their marriage counseling class was a monotonous and boring one. A lot of them have had to learn a number of things themselves which should be all encompassing in the marriage class. Now, I’m not ruling out the place of self-discovery and responsibility, especially where marriage is concerned, but in the age where most individuals see institutions as a place of authority, it is important for these institutions, especially religious, to be aware of the necessary topics to be discussed in a marriage counseling class for would be couples.

 

I am so happy a lot of churches have now fully aware of this necessity and have taken time out to beef up their classes to equip couples to face the 21^st century marital challenges. The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) is one of such and I’ll share some of the process flow I'm familiar with.

As a pre-requisite for getting married, the first step is you must register your engagement with the Personnel in charge of the marriage classes, who is also a married person. With this, you have indicated your readiness to be prepared for a lifetime journey.

Step Two: Your engagement must be known to everyone, especially the Senior Pastors, so that there is no case of mistaken identity...lolzzz. If you are a worker, your HOD must be VERY aware about your engagement. With this you are taught to be Accountable

Your Spouse IS your EVERYTHING....not your CHILDREN

Hmnnnn...this is truly deep! 

I am sure someone is like No Way! My children come first, before my spouse.

My spouse can cheat on me but my children will never

My spouse can leave me but my children will never

My spouse isn't so much of my blood as my children are.......the list goes on!

So what does the original manual says about this subject?  

Ephesians 5:22-33The Message (MSG)

^22-24 Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.
^25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.

Love is ALL that matters....It matters after all!

As I sat in the congregation listening with rapt attention to my mentor and MOG, Biodun Fatoyinbo at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) yesterday,talking about the reason for Easter and how that we can never truly love and accept the message of Christ if we do not accept his LOVE, I could hear the song "LOVE is all that matters" filter through the playlist in my heart. (Of course, I had to stop it there, so I don't get distracted from the message)


One point I got from the service bothers on the fact that as Christians, if we haven't first preached God's love, we can't go about threatened people about his judgement which makes them retreat further into their condemned state. Sadly, we still have a lot of unbelieving people in the world because they first heard the message of condemnation, rather than the message of God's love to us. If preaching condemnation first was the case, God wouldn't have sent his son to die for us. It is when we reject that love that condemnation comes, for I know that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Most times, our concentration during the Easter centers around the mystery of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Only a few people relate back to the reason for his coming in the first place. John 3:16 brings it home for us and makes us understand that the beginning of Christ's journey on earth was birth from LOVE! GOD being LOVE

It is a lie of the Devil that we are unworthy of God's love, regardless of what we are going through at the moment. I speak as God's mouthpiece, especially to those going through a dark phase of life at the moment ...Are you weary, tired, heartbroken, bruised, dejected, depressed, confused, maltreated, downcast, cheated, duped, relegated, suicidal...... It's time to stop hand yourself over to the one who can bring you back to sanity by a sniff of his love.

You will never know your full capability to love, until you accept love and who better to accept it from than the one who loved us first? Accepting his love, helps us love and forgive ourselves, our spouse, our children, our neighbors and even our enemies. I must confess though that this wouldn't be an easy process, because accepting his love means you have to let go of a WHOLE lot of things, but in the end we would realize that, LOVE is really all that matters! So....Position yourself to receive from HIM today!

Photo Credits: COZA Witty Invention

The Power of the Spoken Word

I got my daughter's result today and she had straight distinctions in all her subjects, which was an improvement from last term. Just as soon as I was happy, a though came to me and I started digressing. Could this result be this good because her teacher favoured her? Is she really that brighter than the other kids in the class? All these and more ran through my mind until I spoke with a bestie of mine.

From our conversation, I realised how ungrateful I am for having a brilliant daughter.
I realised how many mothers have killed their children's intelligence due to false humility... Now that's deep!

I realised whatever I taught her was minimal to what the Holy Spirit could have, afterall I confess that my children are taught ofthe Lord and great is their peace.

In her words to me.... 'So why am I saying this, sometimes our kids are really geniuses, let's never try to downplay it in some false humility mode or because we don't want to appear proud or whatever....... be grateful and keep working at it. Be super grateful!'
And my response? Forgive me Lord for forgetting that I am only a caregiver to your daughter and that you are capable of making your children the best. 
I also remember I lead her in confessions to say "I am a Genius because I'm Jesus' baby"

What I learnt from this? God has said the best things concerning us as his children, those words have no potency until we BELIEVE and SAY them. Most times, we say and don't believe or we believe and we don't say. One can't work without the other, for with the heart man believes and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...  Couples, it's time to agree what you want your children to be, lay out a confession plan for them as they grow older and never doubt the results that comes with it. 

The question is, would you believe the results when they come? Better get ready to receive what you believe and say, just as I have received my daughter's result! Getting ready to give her some treat, just as I know God has some treats planned out for his children this season.

Happy Easter peeps!

Can anything good come out of ZION?

Well, forgive my little twist in subject, but I've often wondered when we women would realize our true worth and ACT like it.. It's no news that there are a lot of desperate single ladies around everywhere, but the question I keep asking anyone of them I am opportune to meet is...What are you doing while waiting? What value will your husband meet when he finally comes for you that will make him KNOW that you were worth the wait?

I had the privilege of peeping into Feeyi Okupe's notes on this matter and was I blown away? Yes, I still am. I am impressed we still have single ladies who know who they are and are ready to stand by what God says about them without fear! Only those who wait upon God in Zion can understand these things. Popularly known as Faye of Zion, a daughter in the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), a Lawyer and a blogger too http://the31degrees.blogspot.com/  
Have a peep into her WORD world....Who says nothing good can come out of Zion?????


Wives & Wives -in-Waiting (A Woman's Worth)
 

I recently watched a video on Instagram, of ladies advertising that they are "Single and they need a Man". I am sure a couple of people saw that video too but I would like to believe they were just joking. If they weren't then that's sad. It is sad because it shows what loneliness and lack of identity can do to a woman. If a woman knew what she was worth, she will not feel that a Man was the solution to her loneliness.

In the bible, a Woman was created for the Man because the Man was alone and not the other way round, (Genesis 2:18), therefore Women need to see themselves as an asset not a sorry case. The bible also says in Proverbs 18:22 that, "He that finds a wife, finds Favour from God" not "She that finds a Man..." This goes to show that women are highly esteemed jewels in the sight of God thus should not belittle themselves.

As a Wife-in-Waiting, when a man asks you out for courtship, the word Yes or No should not proceed out of your mouth 'as fast as the speed of lighting' because that only shows that you are desperate. Rather, you should ask him to give you some time to think/pray about it. Speak to your Pastor/Mentor or Parents about it before you enter into courtship and be sure that you are ready to go the long haul with the man. Get to know him, (the real him, not the "churchy him"), ask the Holy Spirit to guide you because Marriage is not a school you enroll and decide after a tough exam that you want to withdraw. In fact, in the "School of Marriage", you are given your certificate the day you enrol because you are not expected to graduate or withdraw from it. It is a School of Life and for Life.
 
Overall, every Woman should understand that GOD loves her so much and places high importance on her that He made her so complex and beautiful, formed her physical body with detail and finesse and it will be rather ungodly and ungrateful for her to disrespect herself by dressing indecently, talking indecently or acting desperate for a relationship or marriage because the most important relationship a woman should have is a relationship with GOD. 

Know your worth as a woman, carry yourself with dignity & poise and you will definitely attract the right man who knows your worth.
Have a blessed day Ladies, you are beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made

Women Talk: Smart women speak to the KING in their men

Dear Woman,

When was the last time you spoke kind words to your husband?
When was the last time you stroked his head in praise of him?
When was the last time you thanked him for being God-sent to you?

When was the last time you appreciated him for being there for you and the family?

When was the last time you blew his mind publicly and privately?

When was the last time you spoke to the KING in him?





Leticia Amy shares her moment of gratitude with us.....Mr. Charles, you are indeed one blessed man
 

You are the reason why I can't stop serving God. 
You are the proof of God's reward and faithfulness to me.
Your kind can only be found in Christ....not in the world.
If you happen to be the only reward I get from God for the remaining days of my life; I would say, He over paid me.

Thank you baby heart for loving me endlessly; you are my wealth.
‪#‎MyReward‬;‪#‎TheBestOfTheBestHusband‬;‪#‎FeelingSecured‬ ‪#‎FeelingGrateful‬;‪#‎ThankYouDeleCozaForAnsweringThisCall‬

Hmnnn...what more can I say? It pays to allow God direct you to the one after his heart, for only then can you truly be at peace, even when the storms surround you. 

I congratulate you Leticia and Charles, for allowing God perfect that which he started with you..
May his face continually shine on your marriage
May you both continually have peace
May your days be sweeter together, merrier and brighter
I celebrate you both and we are waiting to see your manifestation. Amen!

Photo Credit: Otunbade Photography

Celebrating Married Couples in the House of COZA

Making reference to an earlier post where I mentioned how grateful I am to be planted in the house of COZA (Commonwealth of Zion Assembly), day by day as I see godly marriages being built, I give God praise that my eyes beholds these wonders of HIS. Even though I was married before joining, I have never felt out of place for once. As a lover for godly marriage, I’ve been opportune to bless one or two people with my ministry and I’ve seen them blossom. In COZA, I’ve seen God bless ladies who love and serve him with the choicest of men and vice versa.

Indeed only God can do the things I see in marriages in COZA. Mind you, I’m yet to see a couple that haven’t got their own set of challenges, but we’ve been properly taught that God is the center of our homes and HE alone can resolve our issues. God has also blessed us with Pastors after his heart, whom are practical and down to earth enough to share their own challenges with us and how they were able to resolve each as they come.

Pastor Biodun and Pastor Modele Fatoyinbo are one couple who believe and teach Excellence in its entirety and that Marriage should not be an exception. They have also practically taught us the power of couples coming together to synergise in prayer, especially through the ‘Touch and Agree’ couples session that takes place every 3^rd Monday morning between 6am-7am at the Guzape Auditorium in Abuja, as well as in our Lagos and Ilorin branch.

Every 3^rd Sunday of each month, I’ve seen couples come out to dedicate their marriages to God, after concluding their wedding ceremonies. This we do because we have an understanding that whatever we give God thanks for does not diminish.

Right down in history, on the 20^th of March 2016, we had 3 marriage dedication and we give all the Glory back to God, and honour our Senior Pastors for teaching us well.

WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO???

''Always Know WHO you are talking to'' - Dr. Mike Murdock
That statement seems very simple, yet it is so pregnant with definition, especially in marriage. Some people have lost their jobs and joy because of this. Some marriages have broken up today because a partner didn't understand ''who'' they were talking to.

We must understand as couples that WORDS are powerful, they are spirit and they don't die, which is why there are words some people have said to us in a long while that we can never forget, they are alive in us each day and only a spirit-filled object can be alive.

Back to marriage, a lot of men have turned drunks and embraced some vices today because their wives had said things to bruise their egos and didn't realise words are powerful, especially to the king of our home. Most women speak so shabbily to their husbands and don't honor them, even in the midst of their friends.

You should come to where I'm located to see what I'm talking about. An incident happened some day; I was in the office when I heard some noise downstairs. Trying to find out what was happening to warrant such disturbance, I saw a lady and a guy inside a car, the lady was letting all hell lose on

BE HAPPY IN LOVE....

Was in a gathering one day when this young man walked up to this other young lady, wrapped his arms round her and gave her a sweet peck on the forehead. The young lady returned this romantic gesture with a scathing look, I watched with interest how the guy was able to get her to smile back after about 10mins. It didn't take long for me to notice their solemnization rings, thus confirming their married status. I was really happy for them considering the fact that I just had a show down with my spouse too at that time. I wished my Dipo too would come and get me out of the mood he left me (or that we left each other...lolzz), and just as I was tantalizing on how I would do my own shakara, I heard this very loud hiss behind me. I turned back to see a young lady, twisting her mouth and face in what obviously seem like contempt. Then she blurted out the next sentence which captures the entirety of my message... 'That's how all these couple will be deceiving us as if all is well with them, if we check how they behave at home now, it may be totally different from what they are showing us here o, dem dey here dey form Romeo and Juliet'.

Wow! what an interesting line of thought, little did she know that she launched my line of thoughts into another direction. First, I knew she obviously didn't watch the couple's drama from the beginning, maybe she met it after the reconciliation but then another question that comes up is that, do couples

Drive Gently!

It's been a loooooooong while I wrote on my marriage blog, but I got inspired to start off again, especially since my spiritual father declared that this month of August is a month that spouses are better together.

This month, I will be talking on how related Marriage and Driving are, putting spotlight on different aspects of driving. The most essential part of driving is the Driver! The mood of a driver determines the outcome of his driving. Have you ever encountered fury drivers? Most times, the outcome is from the fact that they couldn’t get a control on their emotions. As a driver, it is important to know that a good mood and positive perception, sets the tone for your journey.

As a driver, you can’t afford mood swings while driving; this can be very disastrous to the safety of other passengers in the vehicle. Many people have entered into relationships and marriages with a wrong perception and this leads to an undesired end – Divorce, Separation. I remember several times I’ve had to caution my spouse’s driving whenever he is angry. He drives like someone going on a revenge mission...lolzzz! I sometimes shudder to wonder what could someday happen, if I am not there by his side to caution him (although, it’s always dicey when I’m the cause of the anger), which leads me to the next point.