On my way to Damascus

Acts 9:1-20
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.
And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani’as. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Anani’as.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Anani’as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
But Anani’as answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
So Anani’as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Homily:

On my way to Damascus

A leader as a fan

She cheers you on when you prosper and scolds you when you whimper.

She’s got your back no matter the challenge. Chronically optimistic.

She’s there for every game and never misses a play.

She gets to know you beyond work and cares about your total being.

She is proud of you and always creates time for you.

Everyone that has met her has met you, for you’re the hero in her stories.

She seems to add no value until she’s no longer there. Then you will see that the reason you gave your all, was because she first gave you all.

Be a fan of your people.

– Osasu Oviawe

Communion

John 6:48-50
I am the bread of life.
Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.

Homily:

Are you in communion with Him?
When last did you receive him?
When last did he receive you?
Do you remember what communion feels like?
Do you you know what communion feels like?

For those that die (those not in communion), time is against them, thus they make short term decisions.
For those that will not die (those in communion), time is on their side, thus they make long term decisions.

In communion, lies eternity.

Salary earners and Business owners

A fundamental difference between a salary earner and a business owner is the guarantee on wage.

  • Salary earner: Characterised by a minimum wage set by Government and maximum wage set by Employer.
  • Business owner: No minimum wage, No maximum wage. Sometimes, No wage.
  • Salary earner: Wage is unidirectional – upwards.
  • Business owner: Wage is multidirectional – it depends.
  • Salary earner: Wage payment is protected by law.
  • Business owner: No protection.
  • Salary earner: Entitled.
  • Business owner: Grateful.

One of the difficulties in migrating from being a salary earner to being a business owner is loss aversion.

  • Salary earners will rather gain, than not lose. They hedge their bets on possibilities.
  • Business owners will rather not lose, than gain. They hedge their bets on probabilities.

This is because the salary earner has known more peaks than valleys, but the business owner has known more valleys than peaks.

The best examples on why high risk does not equal high reward, are found when a salary earner starts a business.

If you are a salary earner wanting to own a business, try starting with the stock market. It is a great school on risk, probabilities, reward and uncertainty. Buy into a business and study it like an owner. It helps. It will build your temperament and understanding on what you can control (risk) and what you cannot control (return).

– Osasu Oviawe