There is an African proverb that says ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. As we remember mothers today for the hard work, diligence and dedication they show in raising their children and for the many hats they wear when running their households, let’s take a pause to remember those who have nurtured us in one way or the other. Those who give us encouragement when we need it the most. These people, you know, will always be there for you no matter what. To these villages we say thank you.

God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11) and accepts us as we are. So, he will welcome whatever praise we offer him as long as it comes from our hearts and we can praise him through any musical genre be it Rap, Rock, Jazz, Rythm & Blues, Opera music and so on, it really doesn't matter. What matters is giving him the best we've got, no matter how little or great it is. For this reason, I  will be posting music from various artists praising God from their humble hearts in the most touching way. From DMX, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Price, Michelle Williams to Whitney Houston just to name a few. Can't wait to share it with you. Hope this song, 'Halleluyah' from Burna Boy, helps you beat the Monday blues.

The mind is a powerful tool, it's a battlefield and how we think impacts our everyday life including the choices we make. This teaching by Dr Charles Stanley explains how to harness our thought process in a Godly way and improve our lives.

There are times we need someone to talk to, but look around and see no one. The funny thing is, we may even be surrounded by people, yet feel extremely alone. This is the time when we look around us and can't find anyone to share our heart's concerns. But you are not alone, because Jesus Christ experienced the same thing. That was why he said in John 16:32, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me." Since Jesus experienced loneliness, he knows how it feels and he will make sure you're not alone. That is why the bible says, in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” However, there is a condition you have to adhere to, for this to happen. The Bible says, for this to happen, you must, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." That is the only pre-requisite you need. So, remember to call on God when you feel alone and he will honour his word and be with you.

There are also somethings you can do to help you overcome loneliness such as:

• Finding Bible verses to motivate you and meditating on it.
• Excercising
• Learning something new, starting a hobby or doing something creative like pottery, painting, photography, making jewellery, etc.
• Meeting up with friends or family.
• Embracing the outdoors e.g going for walks or watching the sunrise.
• Listening to motivating Christian radio stations such as UCB (www.ucb.co.uk) or Premier radio (www.premier.org.uk)
• Contacting Christian prayer lines such as UCB Prayer line (www.ucb.co.uk/pray) or  Premier Life Line (www.premierlifeline.org.uk) where they can pray with you and encourage you through distressing times.
• Contacting Christian Charity Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org.uk) as they deal with issues of isolation and modern day slavery 
• Contacting the Samaritans (www.samaritans.org) who do a wonderful job of helping those in need.

Just remember, when you feel alone that Jesus is with you and you can also reachout to organisations that can help you. Why? Because God gave them the gift to know how to help you.

The song below, entitled 'Open my heart' by Yolanda Adam, is one that conveys those emotions we otherwise bottle up and turns it into a heart to heart message to God. Hope this song elevates you during lonely times and encourages you to be hopeful despite the difficult times. 

Whether we like it or not, trials and tribulations are a part of life. Knowing how to deal with them when they arise is crucial, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. This message by Pastor Alwyn Wall from Calvary Chapel Westminster London never gets old, as it teaches us how to face trials and tribulations by applying Bible based principles to enable us overcome them.

Sometimes having victory is about putting one step in front of the other and by the time you look back, you will be amazed by how far you've gone. This song by Trip Lee is a good reminder of that. Let's keep on keeping on and not give up, no matter how bad things look.

Sometimes it's difficult to find the right words to convey your emotions, that all you can do is cry and that's fine. Why? Because God will hear your heart's cry. The Bible says in Psalm 51 verse 7 that 'God will not despise a broken heart'. So don't be afraid to let God know how you feel, go ahead and cry out to him, he is listening.

Encouraging song from 'We Are Messengers'.  Hope this song encourages you to keep on going no matter what.

Fear is one of those things that can rub us of our joy. Though there are healthy fears that protects us from harm, likewise there are unhealthy fears that can be damaging to our wellbeing. The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10, 'Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ God doesn't want us to have unhealthy fears in life. Here's a video by Dr Charles Stanley from In Touch Ministries teaching us how to overcome our unhealthy fears and live a peaceful life.