Life Seeds International

Literally “AGE” is the passage of time dealing with the length of existence. The online resource,

Dictionary.com, define it as “…a period of human life measured by years from birth marked by

a degree of mental or physical development.” However in the context used here it sums up the

period spanning from birth to demise and lessons taught by the certainty of the latter.

 

Although it conveys a tangible value through the message it brings to bear, “AGE” is nonetheless

perceived by many as mere combination of numbers that add-up by the day. To this group little

or no weight is placed on the cessation of time as it relates to individual existence and construed

in this piece.

 

As a progression of time the trajectory of “AGE” can only be in a forward direction bereft of 

reversal or recline. Accordingly we progress in our chosen endeavour by exerting enormous

energy: mental, physical and spiritual to transpose from one point to another in the twisty

podium of life. In other words a great amount of attention is paid to activities directed at

driving dreams and bringing goals to fruition.

 

Let us spend some moment to reflect on the common voyage that “AGE” defines. A tour that begins

with a baby’s convulsive cry and the management of early days. The mobile observatory parents become

as they witness and support their baby crawl, see the first steps carried off the walker, scuffle through

the process of weaning and hear the initial sensible words emitting from a drooling mouth. 

 

Mention must be made of the dreadful worries visited on parents when kids are poorly. The

man-hours worked to ensure that the pangs of hunger are far from the dining room. The resources

guzzled by the process of learning commencing with mastering the alphabets and numerical figures.

The exuberance and vulnerability of teenage years and the migraine attacks endured by parents or

guardians  as they labour to instil moderation.  

 

Subsequently adult life enthrones a measure of independence as the child trudges away to start a fresh

circle. The cloak of singleness is shed as new branches sprout out in the family tree. Inexorably children

become adults even as their offspring live out the same circle. Together generations stride through time

as they cover their respective distances.  

 

In due seasons, gradually but surely we all become elderly as agility retires to the back stage. Degeneration

assume a place of prominence as everything drags at the speed of snail. The new outlook is a function of

time; the ever moving trend that carries to the end all that lie on its path. This is the mutual goodbye that all

mortal must bid the world; and anyone who otherwise has an “indefinite leave to remain” is at liberty to

contest this truth.

 

Regardless of differences that may exist, the relevance of earthly attainments should be measured

against the inevitability of a mortal end. Given attitudes as we know them, it is obvious that people

struggle to appreciate the message that “AGE” disseminates as if life is without end. This lifestyle

inform the chaotic entity the world has become and etches a question mark on the mental prominence

of the human specie.

 

In a bid to boost material and social status which by their nature add no value at the finish line, humans

commit to strife and bitter contest. Driven by discontentment, covetousness and inordinate quest for

power and dominance, the ability to decipher between right and wrong or necessity and vainness are lost

in the cloud. The heart of man has become so mean to the extent that no evil act is off the table. Conscience

and civility are now words that largely exist in the pages of a dictionary.

 

The world continues to witness the suffering of innocent people of all gender, age and persuasion who

are consumed in senseless violence orchestrated by bigots and despots. In certain regions of the world

lives are cut short in a fierce bid to control the market for illicit substances as though life itself depend

on them.

 

In a broad sense it is correct to say that the cohesive spirit of “family” has turbidly eroded.  Relatives 

pretentiously carry on as such; even those who claim some measure of righteousness (whether as leaders

or the led) in places of worship have remained at daggers drawn, sometimes in the inner recesses of their

hearts wishing the other never lived. Many who consider themselves friends and acquaintances have

perfidiously betrayed relationships, spitefully vented wickedness, tainted reputations and coveted what

rightly belong to their neighbour.

 

 A sizeable chunk of humanity has lost their moral compass and unashamedly clamour for indulgencies

that even lesser beings – animals and birds of the air would never be caught dead doing. In today’s world

varying dimensions of abnormalities and absurdities are glorified as acceptable standard of values in the

name of human rights and equality.

 

It is apt to ask where the world is headed? Although the message of “AGE” has increasingly lost its impartation

as humans become vainer, all of man must unavoidably live out its truth. At the finish line, “AGE” remain a

leveller and true equality is enthroned as all appear subject to the same Judge and on the same terms. At such

time, it ceases to matter who ate the main course or crumb on earth.

 

Embrace the silent message of AGE (All Going Empty) and live for the greater good of society. People are not

remembered for what they had, but for the good or bad they did. A good name earned from good deeds is

the tag that will outlive you as all else is ultimately counted trivial. “Everyone comes naked from their

mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can

carry in their hands” – Ecclesiastes 5:15.

 1Timothy 6:7 pointly sums up the message: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing

out of it.”  

                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                             –   In His Grip,

                                                                                                                  Victor Sisan Awani

  

   Hope adorn the firmament

   Words extol its splendour

   All could see the glory

   As hearts leap in amazement

 

   The journey into eternity

   Sufficient for many lifetime

   Everything adding-up in shape

   Two dancing the songs of gratitude

   

   Fulfilment glow within sight

   Joy entrenched in bones

   Trudging ahead mouths agape

   And grapple how to carry the blessings

 

Enter the wind of rage

As ugly king of hell frowns

Venom of pain spills to annihilate

Dryness prevail as tears rain in the desert

 

Heaven rouses to shield the broken

Spikes of evil kaput beyond salvage

Pillar of despair drowned by favour

Assured victory certain to reign

One and five miles down the path

A tiny smile salutes mother earth

Howling a baggage of love and grace

The crown of God that fit

                                                         -  In His Grip

                                                            Jolomi Olayemi Awani

Giving shares a life 

Depriving self of the whole to keep a piece

Passing-on what the flesh yearn to retain

An act that subtract at dusk

A sacrifice rewarding at dawn

 

Giving spreads love

Dispersing boundless care for others

Generosity amidst personal craving

Blind to the failings of greed and egotism

Bridging boundaries of lack and plenty

 

Giving brings health to the body

Like a convivial alley of bliss

A soothing wind that caress the soul

Drawing strength from the lifted life of another

We power on bloated by the joy we extend

 

Giving is an exercise in goodness

A need creates the burden to share

Prompted by a facilitator on His throne

The giver touches a receiver

A glorious life we live when we give

                                             

                                                         -  In His grip,

                                                            Victor S. Awani

The commonality of existence was the basis of creation. The intention of God the forerunner of life is that all his creation

lives off one another. Nothing was made to subsist in seclusion. The seven days of creation reflect the endless mind of God.

The book of Genesis 1:1-28 presents the naked evidence of His plan. A timeless mind that lay bare in scriptures.

 

His concepts were paired and man was granted the heavenly grace to multiply. The creation of heaven and earth, day and

night, dry land and seas, man and woman…. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them…And God blessed them, and God said unto them be fruitful and multiply and replenish

the earth…”

 

If the heart of his maker is unlocked why then does man glory in self living within his own borders? Caged in the prison of

his mind he promotes selfishness as though his life depends on it. Withdrawn into a broken shell man trudges along

oblivious of how vulnerable he is without God’s wrap.

 

The needs of man are insatiable yet he strives with self and the world desperate to meet his vain desires. Miserable on

every side and mounting blocks of forlorn hope he waits endlessly for that day when his appetite will overflow

with satisfaction.

 

Squeezing water from stone man grapples with the effort to sojourn through life standing only on the land he owns. The

world to him is an island that should be traversed in isolation. He abhors walking the walk holding hands with others

intent on savouring the glory all by himself. Against the flow of our penny-pinching thoughts all lands are linked and

those possessed by others begin where our own ends. In life’s journey we unavoidably need ourselves; although

within lawful and moral limits.

 

God advances the spirit of coexistence and good neighbourliness. The Word of God in Mark 12:31 admonish us to love our

neighbour as ourselves. The concept of fairness and reciprocity as a principle of human cohesion is emphasised by Jesus

Christ in Luke 6:31 saying: “Do to others as you would have them do to you”. In Galatians 6:10 Apostle Paul wrote: “As

you therefore have opportunity let us do good to all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith”.

 

The all-knowing father and author of heaven and earth acknowledges our frailties and limitations as mortal beings.

It isn’t His intention that man should go the full hug alone. We weren’t created to do so and it is simply fruitless

and miserable trying to thread that path.

 

If self-sufficiency is measured by our earthly possession then King Solomon should have had nothing to do with his

unhappy ending. He kept a large retinue of servants – 1 Kings 11:13 also accounts that he had seven hundred wives and

three hundred concubines. Clearly he had so much going for him to last several lifetimes.

“And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen… And Solomon

reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt. ” I Kings 4:26 & 21

 

It is instructive that King Solomon in all his opulence and clout relied on servants to get by each day. Why would such a

high net-worth King need such “lowly” people? In Ecclesiastes 2:7-8 the king wrote: “I acquired male and female

servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in

Jerusalem before me.”

 

The Bible accounts in Mark 12:41-44 of the widow who gave so little and yet gave her all. It is pertinent to reflect and

draw a lesson from this.  What is the value of the widow’s mite compared to the usually celebrated display of the high

and wealthy? The Lord has taught us among other lessons that we all count in the sequence of life. Pointedly, ninety-nine

pence isn’t one pound until one penny is added.

 

Self is personal and pay allegiance to its own narrow ends; greedy and lonely it is a catalyst for misery. Ready to receive

yet afraid to share with others the self-seeking lives in perpetual thirst worrying that the Atlantic Ocean will run dry.

Amidst the ceaseless flow of the river, water is despised for spittle.

 

In the order of Cain the selfish is canal and covetous. Deceptive, misguided and deluded he pretends to be clothed yet

naked under the glare of daylight. Foolhardiness robust and flaunted the vision of self is stunted and does not transcend

the nostrils. The length of its time is dwarfed by time itself.

 

The urge to satisfy a need at the expense of anything is as lethal as wickedness driven by self and greed. Ultimately

weighed down by the cry of Abel (Genesis 4:10) self is ingloriously consigned to the bottom of the Esau ladder

(Genesis 25:29-34).

 

Get over and live beyond yourself. To go the distance assuredly you need those who look up to you as much as those you

look up to. Man was not made for himself but that through him others will find a reason to cling on. This is the

opportunity, now is the moment; at the cessation of breath both chance and time are lost forever.

                                                                     In His grip,                        

                                                                     Victor & Jolomi Awani (22-03-2012)

Where is a friend among mortals?

The six letter word;

elusive yet fondly used.

I have searched through the ages;

like a shadow with human flesh,

I find not.

Iniquity adorned with a grin;

Lonely and treacherous,

I fathom this abode.

Someone to rely on;

like a river in the desert,

I find not.

 

A roar echo as laughter;

king of the jungle a sheep present.

Venom disguised as milk,

a graceful hand to hold;

like oxygen in Mars,

I find not.

 

Spear served as turkey drumstick

Strife resident in the heart’s bunker;

mischief on auction sale.

A life bereft of pretence;

like summer in the arctic,

I find not.

 

Truth scarce to behold

self as billboard display.

The keeper of a brother;

like love in hell,

I find not.

 

Serenity resides with a friend,

integrity a way of life,

gentility like sunray beam,

kindness his trademark,

truthfulness the meal he serves.

Love is his name.

A true and trusted friend;

Like bliss in heaven,

I find in Jesus.

 

                                              In His grip,

                                             Victor & Jolomi Awani (13-12-2011)

Christmas! A fresh beginning for mankind

The precious breath to start anew

An excursion to redeem

To find and liberate the mislaid.

 

A reversal of time

Age and status jettisoned

The time to be like a child

Thinking, talking and loving as a toddler.

 

 The joy a manger kid brings

Godliness and innocence personified

The smile that disarms evil

A hug that is pure and true.

 

Sacrifice immeasurable

The gift to a depraved world

Benevolence undeserved

The love that ushered eternity.

 

Friendship unblemished

Taking nothing; giving everything

Sharing without strings

From a kind to a grateful heart.

 

Christmas is forgiveness exemplified  

A commitment to compassion

Serene presence of a soothing heart

The gift that gives ALWAYS.

                                                     In His grip,

                                                    Victor & Jolomi Awani (13-12-2011)

All of life is a grotesque race to the end

The unsavoury mix of sin, righteousness, hate and love

A journey through basic instructions

Parameters from Him, who made yesterday, hold today and discern tomorrow

The architect of time, destination and the route through and to it

 A sojourn through time flagged off with divine bellow

Directives unblemished, clear and definite

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the

garden thou mayest freely eat” (Genesis 2:16)

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat

of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17)

The primary hint on disobedience, sin and effect

A consequence as bright as sunlight

 Heavenly guide jettisoned by man

Wobbling down the wide and beautiful terrain

The road of destructive bliss

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof

are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12)

Lamentation, pain and death unleash ferocious claws of grief

Cotton of privilege and liberty lost in the wind.

Enter the bitter chase for survival

Avoidable toil, groan and tears

Reprimands setup with a hammer

“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy

conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children…” (Genesis3:16)

“And unto Adam he said… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow

shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. In the sweat of thy face shalt

thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Genesis 3:17-19)

The end was within sight; everything became vanity.

Where is man headed?

What is known of his duration?

The journey devoid of time frame

A return trip to the dust

“For out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt

thou return” (Gen. 3:19b)

Immaterial if the mat, cloth, or casket is crafted in gold

 A walk-through with no rational definition

 Be mindful of its inevitable outcome

Guided by a quest for eternity

Thinking, living and relating right with the patentee

Knowing that the stopover is brief and transient

Focusing rightly on heaven; the ultimate and perfect abode

 With a terminal end, God asserts authority

The wheel of justice revolve around His command

 Time, a colossal waste without heaven

The race, zilch without Jesus

All mortal attainment and possession, irrelevant in the grave

“God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required

of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20-21)

At the finish line, knowledge is lost of the starting block

Oblivious the race to the end is over.

                                                             Victor and Jolomi Awani (07-09-2011)

 

 

When pain waits in silence

When hunger is patient

When tears wallow in drought

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

When life is drained but alive

When frailty blossom in gloom

When hope is scarce and faith as fig tree stands

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

When persecution is a friend

When turbulence the relative we know

When solitude our world embrace

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

When neglect is hosted with a cheerful grin

When wickedness visit but love the story we share

When care is caged and careless yet carers we translate

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

When mischief shrinks like wildfire under control

When the lip hot with malice is bridled

When plain glass stay unbroken by a brick of hate

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

When the fangs of betrayal touch a flesh of steel

When laughter echos from the depth of grief

When gratitude flourish in the drought of Somaliland

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

When calm is the sea of trouble

When plenty reign amidst the whirlwind of lack

When the journey’s end is gain to the righteous

When the sea of the soul is still

Serenity finds expression in God.

 

-          Victor & Jolomi Awani (28/08/2011)

God at work, man a replicate He made

Condition of rest an inglorious exit took

Life as taser gun sending waves of shock to crush

Tranquillity gone, neither crafter nor crafted know

Peace corrupted by sin; the absence of rest we contend.

 

Lost it has many, the balance unable to keep

Subdued and worn-out everywhere is found

Failure of love, disappointment of hope; betrayal of trust

Economy in anguish; a pile and litter of bills

Final notice through the letter hole threaten

The emissary of death; redundancy plays host.

 

Painfully from life they stride off

Wearied and tired, from earth they clock out

Yanked away; hope spiral into oblivion

In the rail track or cliff the grief trails

A dream shredded, resident below ground forever

Greater grief when hell’s gate beckons a welcome.

 

Cast not thyself down

Though the devil calls, the deceitful lip shun

The entreaty pleasant may seem, destruction lurks

Claws hidden hanker for blood innocently shed

Resist and flee but your ground hold

Get thee behind me; with faith command.

 

Wait, wait, wait, and cling on

Strength renewed the dawn bring

A new day from night depart

With grace joy like sun rise

Prowling the evil master wander

A leap from the pinnacle on sale; suicide embellished

Like Jesus; refuse, reject, rebuke

Cast not thyself down.

                                              Victor & Jolomi Awani (27/02/2011)

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The World English Dictionary defines faith as a strong or unshakeable belief in something,

especially without proof or evidence. Aptly, the Bible in Hebrews 11:1 define faith as

“…being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Verse 3 of the same

chapter goes further to elucidate or shed more light by relating faith to our believe that the

universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was

visible.

 

To believe is an exercise in faith. It entails taking a position of certainty regarding an

outcome, although no clear or verifiable evidence exist. From the biblical perspective, people

who believe are certain of the truth or existence of God; and that he rewards those who

earnestly seek him. They believe in Jesus Christ and the gospel; and that through him

everyone who believes is justified. Believing means that doubt should not only be put in

abeyance, but discountenanced or discarded completely. A believer is certain about an

‘approval’ by God (blessing/promise) not visible to the physical eye; and proceeds to receive

 it, all by faith.

 

What you receive is directly related to what is believed. Receiving from God requires that you

embrace and acknowledge Him, accept and collect what He has made available to you.

Believing in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, confessing and acknowledging His forgiveness,

knowing that your prayer is answered, and receiving the reward often unseen in the instant,

completes the circle of faith. A provision that already exist in the spirit realm is then made

manifest in the physical.

 

Receiving, therefore, is a function of asking and believing. However, do not ask without

end or believe only by reason of your senses; for to do any of these is in itself an expression of

doubt. Persist and persevere not in asking, but in waiting for manifestation believing that

what was promised has been given. In Romans 4:18, the Bible accounts that “against all

hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been

said to him.” Also in healing two blind men, Jesus had asked them “do you believe that I am

able to do this,” and the restoration of their sights followed their response in the affirmative.

Jesus touched their eyes and said “according to your faith will it be done to you” – Matthew

9:29.

 

God is eternally active in the business of ‘approval’; saying yes to demands placed on Him by

his people. Appending his stamp to douse your fears and tears, taking out infirmities, pulling

down burdens, flattening mountains, standing for you, with you and by you; translating needs

into deeds of glory. The word of God tells us in Psalm 145:13b that “the Lord is faithful to all His

promises…” Therefore, entertain no question on the trustworthiness of the Almighty to keep

His word. His faithfulness to His promises is absolute.

 

In Matthew 17:17 Jesus exclaimed: “O unbelieving and perverse generation” – five words

that sum up our scepticism. As a consequence of non-belief, the disciples of Jesus could not

heal a demon possessed boy because they couldn’t muster enough faith to chase the demon

out. In verse 21, taking them to task and affirming the truth, Jesus said …”if you have faith as

small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will

move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Elect today to start receiving, taking in your grip

and operating in the promises already made manifest. The onus is on you to receive.

                                                                                                

                                                                                              Victor & Jolomi Awani (15-01-2011)

  Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Victor Awani