Renewing the Earth
My first Christmas song upload. The Ministers is made up of my sister and I, and any singer who wishes to minister with us through music.
My sister – Rosemary – is not keen on appearing on camera, so she settles for just audio. I chose ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ as a debut Christmas song and music video, because I thought I could manage the production within a short while. And I did!
Hope you like it!
A short video for Good Times.
A few clips of the pilot back in 2013.
God gave us the ten commandments from which all other good laws of land and people emanated. They are simply summarized as loving God and neighbour as self. The key word is Love! No doubt our country’s policies are formulated by our leaders for their selfish gains and at the continuous expense of the people who continue to pay tax amid their poverty, so that the leaders would continue to take home incredulous allowances, cars, houses and life-term pensions for themselves.
They seize palliatives, jobs, and other stipends meant for the poor despite all they had already allocated to themselves. They usurp one another’s powers for their selfish means, hence, not reflecting true federalism or democracy.
There are so many inflictions upon our citizens, Lord, that many have given up on life, because our leaders do not love us; do not love country and people. Father, deliver us from the wicked, and give us leaders whose acts and policies will refresh and renew, and rain love and blessings upon us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Prayer, we speak or chat with our God. He likes the time we make to acknowledge that He lives, to come before His Presence to communicate with Him, and to recognize Him in true and holy worship. It doesn’t end with adoring You, Lord, it continues with how we treat one another, because Your commandments encompass Your intent for us – to love You and one another.
Help us, that as we worship You, You may fill us to extend Your love and life to one another in righteousness.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer is not just a human activity; it is the Lord’s activity in us through the Holy Spirit – Fr. Samuel Frederick.
Prayer is key in our lives, especially in this present time of upheaval. Not just in Nigeria, but also all over the world, with one issue or the other. I ask that you join me to commend the world to its Maker to reach out and purify and grant His peace. Through Christ. Amen.
Please like, leave a comment and share for more to join in this prayer. Thank you, and may God answer us as we come together to pray – with IfeanyiChukwu.
Friend in Jesus is written by Linda Ogbue and performed by The Ministers, formerly known as LinRose.
Linda Ogbue wrote the lyric, Friend in Jesus, before 10th of October 1994, as she remembered it. She released it at the same time as she did – Somebody Touched Me, in February .
The song shares the same story as Somebody Touched Me.
I’VE GOT A FRIEND IN JESUS
Chorus:
I’ve got a friend in Jesus
Someone I could, I could call onto
Yes He’s a friend, more than anyone else
He’s always, here and there and everywhere.
There was a man
Searching for a friend.
He looked all around
Went all about,
With open eyes.
Then I wondered
I wondered and I wondered
How could anyone feel so lonely?
When He said He is always
He’s always here and there and everywhere.
Walked up to him
And asked what it was.
He looked at me
Tears in his eyes
He held my hands and said
O my dear child
I searched and couldn’t find a friend.
All I’ve met had been so cold to me.
And he cried, so worried
So worried. Guess what l said to him!
Chorus.
He held on tighter
And wept his sorrows away.
Wept for joy
Threw his load away
And cried aloud
Oh what a waste of
What a waste of time and a waste of life!
What I’ve been searching for has been there
As He said He would always be.
He’ll be there, anytime I call on Him.
Chorus.
Bridge:
In the Bible – He’s there
In the Church – He’s there
In our homes and anywhere we are
He’s here and there and everywhere.
When in sickness – He’s there
Or in good health – He’s there
When in poverty or comfort
He is here and there and everywhere.
When in need – He’s there
Want of love – He’s there/
However you are feeling
He is here and there and everywhere.
Oh what a waste of
What a waste of time of and a waste of life!
What I’ve been searching for has been there
As He said He would always be.
He’ll be there, anytime I call on Him.
Chorus 1
Chorus 2
I’ve got a friend in Jesus – Christ is your friend
Someone I could, I could call onto – He’s always around you
Yes He’s a friend, more than anyone else – Oh Glory Alleluia –
He’s always, here and there and everywhere.
Chorus 3
Linda Ogbue wrote the lyrics of this song – Somebody Touch Me – on the 10th of March 1995. She said the idea to use the popular chorus with verses came to her before October 1994, but with prayers, she was able to come up with the lines of the verses in March 1995.
Sometime between 2012 and 2013, she got a producer to do the song featuring her sister Rosemary and friends: Davies Christopher, Justin Dimaku and Jennifer Nwatu.
She released it with another – Friend in Jesus – on radio in February 2014 as by LinRose. She was not sure if all the radio stations she gave them to played them but was sure Rhythm 93.7fm did. The Gospel program presenter at the time – Arthur Ngube – assured her that his listeners gave it a good review, along with another song – Friend in Jesus.
Today, they are now referred to as The Ministers.
You can find the song on iTunes, Apple Music and other online platforms. It’s a beautiful folk gospel sung to relax and excite for your enjoyment.
Listen and tell us what you think.
SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME
Good morning – it’s a brand new beautiful day – uh uhuh u—-h
When the sunshine – pierces through my window its rays – uh uhuh u—-h
That it gives me – the feeling to kneel down and pray – uh uhuh u—-h
And thank Him – for another beautiful day.
What a feeling – to smile – into the beautiful day
It’s a feeling – you feel – when you hear His name.
Then He comes – see Him come
Into me – giving peace
Somebody touched me.
Chorus:
Somebody touched me (2ce)
Somebody touched my sou—l
When I was praying, praying to my Father
Somebody touched my soul.
While I close my eyes – I feel His presence inside (Trumpeting takes the tune of uh.)
And deep in my heart – I feel the ice in me melting
Then the tears flow – as I weep away my sorrows
Not to sin again – now that I have seen your face.
So a new heart – is building – up inside of me
To love – and to share – and to give those who are in need
He is here – see Him here
In my heart – in my life
Indeed, He touched me.
Chorus.
Bridge.
Sou——l!
Yes, He reached out
Deep into my heart
I felt His hand
Reaching out to me
Telling me words
Words that are sweeter than honey
He said – oh He said
Start a day with a prayer and a smile
Then reach out, and be good
And be your own brother’s keeper
And that really touched me.
Chorus:
Somebody touched me (2ce)
Somebody touched my sou—l
When I was praying, praying to my Father
Somebody touched my soul. – [It must be Jesus]
It must be Jesus – Eh! (2ce)
It must be Jesus oh—oh – [I know it is]
When I was praying, praying to my Fa-ther – [Somebody touched me]
Somebody touch my – soul. – [Somebody touched my soul]
Background repeats chorus tune while lead singer ad libs
Somebody touched me (2ce) – [Oh, he touched]
Somebody touched my sou—l – [As I pray]
When I was praying, praying to my Father – [Somebody touched]
Somebody touched my soul – [Down deep inside of me]
It must be Jesus – Eh! (2ce) – [E e eh]
It must be Jesus oh—oh – [I’m so sure]
When I was praying, praying to my Father
Somebody touch my soul.
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Once upon a February 17, 2015, I woke up very early and went for a jog with my Sony Camcorder and decided to take pictures on my way back home somewhere in Shomolu Bariga, Lagos. The road was in repair at the time.
I got on camera how the day broke with Lagosians waking up to their daily activity.
I began clicking the camera from 6:35am. But i had to filter these first set to see some of the details.
I caught the first set of people already bathed and set out for the day before sunrise, at 6:59am. This is how Lagos life is, a daily hustle and bustle. It’s no place for a lazy person.
Below, a lot of the people were good sports posing for the camera, some wanted to be caught in it, and one man washing meat for a buka [local restaurant] didn’t. See the story in the pictures.
Let me be a little kinder
close my eyes a little more
to the fault of those around me – by 3 friends to sad girl
Let me praise a little more [2ce]
Let me be, when I am weary
Less concerned about myself,
Let me serve a little better – by sad girl attending to the poor
All my brothers in the Lord.
Let me praise a little more
Let me be a little meeker
With all those who are weaker,
Let me think more of my neighbour – by the 4 as they attend to the poor. Boys sing
And a little less of me unison and girls sing descant
Let me praise a little more.
Orchestra interlude
Let me toil without complaining
Never close my eyes to needs,
Let me face the summons calmly, – classic rendering with repeat of verse 1
Let me praise a little more [2ce].
