favour!

The November 2011 Edition of
LIVES
INSPIRED
FOR
EXCELLENCE
a publication of the house of praise.
a parish of the Redeemed Christian
lifeChurch of God
welcome to
your season of
uncommon favour!
Empowering you to achieve your dreams and fulfill your destiny

Career Corner
Own the Interview
10 Questions to Ask
Larry Buhl
Yahoo! HotJobs
http://career-advice.monster.ca
For many job seekers an interview can
seem too much like an inquisition. That’s
usually because they’re doing all the
answering and none of the asking.
“Somewhere in the interview you have
a chance to impress the employer on your
own terms and see if the job is a good fit for
you,” says Florida-based career coach and
executive recruiter Jonathan Milligan. “And
you absolutely should take this opportunity. By
asking the right questions you can determine
if the job is right for you and also show you’re
engaged and interested in the job.”
Employment experts identify five key
question areas where you can gain insight, put
yourself in a good light and take some control
in the interview.
Identify Their Pain
“What is one of the biggest problems the
company faces that someone with my
background could help alleviate?”
“If I started in this job tomorrow, what would
be my two most pressing priorities?”
“What are the long- and short-term goals of the
company/department/work group?”
Determine Whether You’d Fit In
“How would you describe your company’s
culture?
“What tangible and intangible qualities attracted
you to the organization?”
By requesting clarification or
examples, you show interviewers
you care and that you’re thinking
deeply about the issues they
brought up
Show You’re Really Interested
“What additional information can I provide
about my qualifications?”
“What are the next steps in the selection
process?”
Ask Follow-Ups
“Can you clarify what you said about...?”
“Can you give me some examples of...?”
up,” says learning and development consultant
Bill Denyer. He suggests taking notes in the
interview, using keywords to jog your memory
of what was discussed but not burying your head
in your notebook.
What you don’t want to ask are questions with
obvious answers, according to Susan RoAne,
author of Face to Face: How to Reclaim the
Personal Touch in a Digital World.
“You really need to do your homework,”
RoAne says. “Before the interview, go to the
company web site and use search engines to
get up to speed. In addition, browse social
networking sites to see who knows what about
the company.”
And never, never ask an interviewer, “How
long is the vacation?” or “What does your
company do?” RoAne added.
Some experts suggest waiting for the
inevitable “Do you have any questions for us?” at
the interview, while others recommend looking
for conversation openings to ask appropriate
questions.
“It depends on the situation,” Milligan says.
“If the interviewer seems to be reading from a
sheet of questions, don’t interrupt. If it’s a more
casual conversation, you may have chances to
turn the questions back on the interviewer.”
Find Out Where the Company Is Going
“Where do you see this department/company
in five years?”
By requesting clarification or examples, you
show interviewers you care and that you’re
thinking deeply about the issues they brought
2 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011

Pastor’s Column
houseofpraise.ca
Fellowship with
God
A Study of John 15:1-17
Pastor Wale Akinsiku
In this edition we will look at the foundation
and qualification of fellowshiping with
God. Throughout the next few editions
of LIFE we will continue to explore other
study topics such as the benefits and
hindrances of fellowship and how to make
your fellowship count, just to mention a
few.
Introduction
Fellowshipping is the art of relating with God,
sharing with Him, giving and receiving from
Him.
Fellowshipping is a two-way street. It is God’s
idea and man’s purpose and fulfillment in life
is totally dependent on it. Jesus came to create
a new and living way and make fellowship with
God possible again after the fall of man in the
garden of Eden.
The Foundation of Fellowship
Fellowship is very unique in the sense that it is
voluntary. Nobody can be forced into fellowship
– Revelation 3:20. The doors of friendship and
relationship need to be opened before fellowship
can occur. Notice that the door is not broken
down but voluntarily opened. Once an element
of force is applied to fellowship it becomes
slavery and leads to resentment.
The foundation of fellowship is LOVE.
and thereby he could not fellowship with God
as they were no longer of the same family. He
was chased out of God’s presence in the garden
– Genesis 3:23-24.
Man with his sin-nature cannot fellowship
with God who has a nature of righteousness.
That is why God warns us (believers) not to
be unequally yoked – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
“…what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness and what communion has light
with darkness…”.
Jesus came and through his death He has
made it possible once again to qualify for
fellowship with God. He has made us into New
Creations and we are now the Righteousness
of God in Christ, hence we can stand before
God now without any sense of guilt, shame or
inferiority complex because we have the life
of God and have the same righteousness –
Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
The way to fellowship has now been opened
Genuine fellowship can only take place between parties that are
similar. They must be of the same family in creation.
Fellowship occurs when two or more parties
voluntarily respond to each other in LOVE – 1
John 4:19; John 15:9-10, 12-13.
The Love of God for us is unconditional and
this is the foundation of our fellowship with
Him – Romans 5:8.
to us and we can come boldly to God and
fellowship with Him through the work of Christ
– Hebrews 10:19-25.
Once a person has repented of his/her sins
and accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, old
things are passed away and all things have
become new. The person becomes born-again.
They are now a member of God’s family and
can fellowship with God. In the process of
being born-again, the nature of sin is removed
and the person is now made to become the
righteousness of God in Christ. “…He made
Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him”
(2 Corinthians 5:21).
Now that we are born-again, we don’t just
have the righteousness of God, we have become
the righteousness of God. This means that
except the work of Christ on the cross can be
reversed, our new nature (the righteousness of
God) cannot be reversed.
We have been permanently qualified to
fellowship with God – Isaiah 14:27; 43:13;
Numbers 23:20; Colossians 1:12-13.
In the next edition of LIFE we will identify and
examine the process, degrees and benefits of
fellowshiping with God.
The Qualification of Fellowship
Genuine fellowship can only take place
between parties that are similar. They must
be of the same image and likeness. They must
be of the same family in creation. For example,
a dog cannot fellowship with a tree because
they are of different class and family.
By the same principle, God originally
created man in His image and likeness in order
to qualify him for fellowship – Genesis 1:26.
When man fell, he took on the nature of sin
November October 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 3

Divine Inspirations
Favour for the Next
Level
Keys to receiving God’s favour
Deaconess Patience Olisemeka
who favour God’s cause are favoured by God
(Psalm 102:13-14). There’s a dimension of
favour you cannot access until you serve God.
High Praises: David was a man that knew
how to praise God and he enjoyed tremendous
favour from God. “Seven times a day do I praise
you because of your righteous judgement”
(Psalm 119:164). The favour of God found David
at the backside of the mountain and took him
to the palace.
Everyone goes through different levels and
each level changes the circumstances
within and around the individual.
Children dream of becoming grown-ups,
students can’t wait to become graduates and
singles are excited at the thought of marriage.
There are multiple areas where we can progress
to the next level. Every aspect of life has a
next level, so the next level can be defined as
progression from your current stage in life. God
wants it for us just as much as we want it for
ourselves.
The reality of life is that the next level is not
just a bed of roses. The benefits of each level
are closely guarded by the challenges and
obstacles one needs to overcome. A newly-wed
couple must learn to handle their differences
and a graduate must adapt to the unfamiliar
yet complex terrain of the work environment.
Sometimes, we are not adequately prepared
for all the complexities we will meet in the next
The benefits of each level are
closely guarded by the challenges
and obstacles one needs
to overcome.
level. Going into it without adequate support
can result in failure. How can we constantly
progress and make a success of every next level
of our life? We need God’s favour!
What is favour?
It is important to know that favour is not LUCK.
To be favoured means to be preferred and or
treated specially. It is to be supported, shown
kindness towards and given opportunities or
advantages in life.
In Genesis 37:5 God gave Joseph a dream of
his future but did not reveal the challenges and
obstacles he was going to face.
It was God’s Favour that prevented his
brothers from killing him. God’s Favour was
with him during slavery that he found favour in
the eyes of his master (Genesis 39:4). In prison,
God’s favour was with him and he took charge
of the prison. God’s favour took Joseph from
the prison to the palace.
Joseph was able to achieve his dreams, fulfill
his destiny and became a positive influence in
his society because of God’s favour upon his life.
Keys to Receiving God’s Favour
Kingdom Service: Serving in God’s kingdom
is one of the ways to receive God’s favour. Those
Sacrificial Giving: Sacrificial giving triggers
God’s favour. As King David said, “I will not
offer unto God sacrifice that costs me nothing”
(1 Chronicles 21:24). God responded by averting
the plague.
King Solomon offered a thousand burnt
offerings and God responded with favour
(1Kings 3:1-5). God responded to Noah’s
sacrifice by establishing the covenant of
seedtime and harvest (Genesis 8:21-22).
Effectual Fervent Prayer: You can turn
things around by effectual fervent prayer. Jabez
prayed and God answered with favour and his
misfortune ended.
Sowing Seeds of Favour: When you sow
seeds of favour you receive favour. “...whatever
good anyone does, he will receive the same from
the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:8).
.....whatsoever a man sows, that shall he is
also reap (Galatians 6:7).
Things don’t work for us in House of Praise
just because we are working hard. The progress
we experience is because God is at work in our
midst and that is FAVOUR! In this month of
divine favour, God is set to assist, support and
treat us differently as we start living life on the
next level.
4 Lives Inspired For Excellence October 2011

houseofpraise.ca
book club
Mountain Moving Faith
Kenneth E. Hagin
This book teaches believers seven fundamental facts of faith
that will enable them to change their circumstances and
move mountains out of their lives. In this book, Rev. Hagin
explains how faith grows and the difference between head
faith and heart faith. He also discusses the powerful role of
forgiveness in the faith life, how to release your faith, how
to use your faith to have your financial needs met and how
you can use your faith to help someone else.
Learn what God’s Word says about this all-important subject.
You can feed, exercise and develop your own faith and
enjoy an overcoming, mountain-moving faith life!
champions profile
Femi Toki
Gender: Male
Birth Date: November 17
Birth Place: Nigeria
Profession/Occupation: Business Intelligence Analyst
Hobbies/Extracurricular Activities: Dancing, social networking
and playing billiards
Years at House of Praise: Four
Department: Finance
How has House of Praise impacted your life? The practical
teachings of Pastor Wale and the leaders at House of Praise
have positively changed every aspect of my life. The emphasis
on self-development and personal spiritual growth has made
me believe that there is no height that is unattainable in life.
What makes you unique: My sense of humour
Favourite quote: “Whether you think you can or can’t, you
are right” – Henry Ford
October 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 5

Real Estate Today
Real Estate Investing
Guide Step #2
Mentors, Find One!
therealestaterenegades.com
The people around you are critical to your
success in anything, not just real estate
investing.
If you don’t have access to someone who
has done or is doing real estate investing start
looking now.
You will be infinitely better off by having
someone that you can bounce ideas off and
run your decisions by.
People take some real estate training and
then run into the real world without any more
guidance. Typically, these people will run into all
the regular roadblocks and won’t have anyone
to help navigate them.
A mentor can share stories with you, teach
you about structuring deals, teach you about
cash flow, steer you clear of mortgage financing
issues and save you from yourself.
If you don’t have a mentor and can’t find one
immediately you have a couple of options.
First, read, read, read. Read everything you
can about real estate investing. Learn from other
people. The authors of a good books can be your
“virtual” mentors.
Start Creating Your Power Team
Immediately
Second, start making relationships with a group
of people that together make up your team of
experts. Each person will have some knowledge
for you and together they can be a powerful
group.
For example, a good mortgage broker who
really understands investment mortgages can
be a savior.
A real estate lawyer who understands things
like detailed lease agreements may be worth
its weight in gold when you are structuring a
contract.
An accountant who can save you money and
protect your wealth is invaluable.
An advertising representative at the local
newspaper who can place your ads in the paper
quickly can be worth thousands.
An good insurance broker can save you
hundreds of dollars a year in premiums and
provide maximum liability protection at the
same time.
Together these people can become a very
save you money. It’s never too early or too late
to start building a team of good contacts.
Be careful not to burn these people as well.
It’s a small world and if you tell someone who
has the ability to help you that you are going to
do something...do it. Otherwise, you will quickly
fall out of favour with them.
If you are going to be taken seriously then
take yourself seriously. Your word should be
law. Don’t burn bridges.
When people begin to notice that you actually
do what you say you will do you are going to
stand apart from the crowd. People will be
drawn to you.
Let’s wrap up this section with a little tip.
Instead of taking years to create this powerful
team around you find someone that is an active
Start creating your power team immediately!
powerful point of leverage for you. They are
your POWER TEAM.
Never have one of any of them. Here’s
something that WILL occur. One day you will
be making an investment and you will hit some
sort of snag.
Maybe it’s the bank that doesn’t like the way
you structured the offer to purchase or maybe
the lawyer doesn’t think they can close a deal
for you fast enough.
When these things happen you need a second
choice. You need to be able to ring up someone
else really quick to verify that what you are
hearing is correct.
The Worst Number When Creating Your
Team is “One”
Never have one contact, never.
Too many people hear “no” from one source
and accept it as fact. That’s a sure way never to
get anything done.
A good mentor or a team of good professionals
will definitely save you time and most always
investor and ask them who they use. Likely,
they have spent a long time assembling people
they trust. So infiltrate their network if possible.
Don’t be overly aggressive, just ask permission
and then charge ahead.
Want to know the most important step of real
estate investing that is most often over looked?
Check out the next edition of LIFE Magazine.
6 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011

houseofpraise.ca
Dr. Don
Campbell
Dr. Don Campbell, real estate educator,
researcher, investor and best-selling author
was the guest speaker at the Achieve event at
House of Praise on Friday October 28. L.I.F.E.
Magazine caught up with him to get to know
him better.
What was the motivation behind the inception of the Real Estate
Investment Network (REIN)?
To make a difference! I saw a lot of people getting taken advantage
of in the real estate market. They were not informed and therefore,
making bad decisions. I know that if you have a positive community
you take positive action, that is why REIN was developed – to be the
positive community that people can go to for their real estate needs.
How many members are a part of REIN?
Approaching three thousand and growing. We meet in Vancouver,
Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto once a month to share information
and enthusiasm. We put the fun in fun-damental because if it is boring
no one will do it but if it is exiting and there is a passion to it people
will take the necessary and correct actions.
What information can people get from REIN?
They can get information on economics, how to invest, how to be a
good landlord, how to get proper financing and so much more. We
bring in the experts to educate people and teach them how to make
smart real estate investing decisions. We provide all the things that
an investor needs; where to buy, how to buy, how to negotiate and
more. We are going into our 20 th year, therefore, we believe that we
know what people need and we love to provide it.
What two challenges did you face as a beginner in real estate investing?
The number one challenge was believing that I could do it. I had to
get out and take smart actions.
Secondly, understanding the fundamentals and knowing that it is
not difficult math. If you over analyze you get into ‘analysis paralysis’ and
don’t take any action. It is simple! I wish I learned earlier that it is not just
about the money but about making a difference (after this understanding
the world opened up).
You own over 100 properties, how do you keep track of everything?
Marry an accountant! (laughs). Stay organized, have good paper work (keep
it in the right spot every month), have a good team; accountant, property
manager (after three properties hire a property manager), great lawyer, etc.
What would be your advice for people who are hungry with the concept of
real estate and want to do things right?
Step back! Learn the process, what works, forget the ‘get rich quick way’- it
leads to problems. Learn to build long term single wealth and learn from
others. Find people who are going to hold a higher bar for you to jump
towards or jump over.
This being your first time at House of Praise, what was your impression of
the congregation?
Unbelievable! The level of positivity that I received from the congregation
was remarkable. Everyone that I meet had this twinkle in their eye like ‘I get
life and it is really exciting’. My manager of research said, “I love this place!”.
This is a good sign that the leadership of this church and the congregation
have bought into the idea that ‘we can make a difference, have fun doing
it, be enthusiastic about life, be positive and still win’. I want to know how
do I hang out with these people more often?!
November 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 7

Entrepreneural Intelligence
Home Business
Finding the right home business idea
mysmallbiz.com
Are you looking for work from home
business ideas to help you start a home
business of your own?
Maybe you’re tired of a long commute every
day and wish you could start a home business
and work at home. Or maybe you’re a stay at
home parent and would like to make money at
home but need a flexible schedule.
While there is a whole slew of information
on how to start your home business, the first
question to answer is what type of home
business will you start? Believe it or not,
answering this seemingly simple question will
likely be the hardest part of getting started in
your own home business.
While secondary to your home business
idea, you’ll also need to give some thought
about how to set up your home office. Most
home businesses are short on space yet long
on ambition so you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Here are some things to consider about a
home business.
What’s Your Personality
Do you like to be around lots of people or do
you prefer being by yourself?
When you work from home, it’s generally a
solitary endeavor, so if you’re the more social
type, you’ll need to find home business ideas
that allow you to frequently interact with
others. Wedding singers, party planners or
event organizers, as examples, have a high
degree of interaction with a variety of people
yet still can be viable work from a home business
perspective.
Writers, proofreaders, and researchers have
your business? You may have an accounting
background or are good at personal finance and
credit repair, or have a degree in English. Maybe
you wrote the family newsletter for the last
several years, or coordinated the neighborhood
yard sale. Perhaps you’ve taught your child to
read or been a teacher’s helper.
Figure out what skills you have that can
be transferred to your business. Think
fundamentals: writing, organizing, leading,
technical skills, creativity. What have you done
in the past that you really enjoyed? How can
you use that now to start a home business and
make money from home?
For example, are you the type of person
that loves to clean the house (yes, believe it or
not, some people do!)? If so, ideas like a blind
cleaning business may be perfect.
Flexibility
What time do you have to devote to this business?
Are you available only during business hours,
or weekends and evenings as well? Some jobs
have more flexibility than others. Tutors, for
Figure out what skills you have that can be transferred
to your business... What have you done in the past that
you have enjoyed?
a medium degree, while craft businesses may
be more solitary. Chances are you’ll be working
many hours on your business, so finding work
from home business ideas that are compatible
with your personality is important.
Are you organized? Highly motivated? Do
you love deadlines or hate them? All jobs will
have deadlines, of course, but some are drop
dead (such as a wedding planner making sure
the cake arrives in time for the reception) and
others are more flexible. If you’re more of a
Type B personality, your business (and your
clients) should match.
What skills do you have that you can use in
example, need to be available when students
are not in school, i.e. evenings, weekends and
holidays. Private investigators have flexibility
but can often work strange hours.
Medical billing professionals, however, need
to be available during weekdays so they can
reach insurance and doctors’ offices. How
does your flexibility match the needs of the
business?
Next month we will look at what you have to
invest into a home small business for it to be
successful and we will identify home business
ideas.
8 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011

Legal Corner
houseofpraise.ca
Ontario Personal injury
claims
Frequently Asked Questions
Bode Odetoyinbo
Can I make a claim for personal injury
compensation?
Yes, provided your injury was caused or
contributed to by someone else’s negligence.
The other person may be responsible for your
injury either because they did something or
failed to do something which resulted in your
injury.
Compensation is not limited to automobile
accidents. You can receive compensation
even if you are injured in any of the following
circumstances: A slip and fall accident, an injury
resulting from an unsafe product, medical
negligence, an assault, an animal attack, etc.
Where the injury took place at your place
of work, special rules apply. Your claim may
lie with the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board (WSIB).
How much is my claim worth?
In Canada damage awards for personal injuries
are based on the principle of loss. The bigger
the magnitude of your loss the more damages
you are entitled to recover. Courts apportion
fault between you and the other persons where
applicable. In the case of a motor vehicle
accident, in addition to your claim for personal
injury compensation, you can also recover
benefits from your own insurance company.
You are entitled to these benefits regardless
of whether you or someone else caused the
collision. These benefits are often called no-fault
or accident benefits.
What damage awards can I recover?
An injured person is entitled to recover damages
for their injuries and losses.
These losses fall into one of three categories of
“damages”. The courts will award damages for:
(a) loss of enjoyment of life (pain and suffering),
(b) loss of earning capacity and
(c) future care costs.
Can I still recover compensation if I am
partly responsible for my injury in a motor
vehicle accident?
Yes. Your losses will be evaluated and your
responsibility for your injury, typically expressed
as a percentage of the whole, will be deducted.
For example, if you suffered injuries in a car
crash and you and another driver were equally
at fault your damages would be reduced by 50%.
Your right to accident benefits would not be
affected.
How long will it take to resolve my claim?
The average time is from one to three years
depending on the complexity of issues involved
and the nature of injuries.
What do I need to do to protect my rights?
Consult with a personal injury lawyer who can
help explain and protect your rights as soon as
possible after your injury.
Are there time limits that apply to my claim?
Yes. There are time limits which will restrict
your right to claim compensation against the
person who caused your injury. These time
limits govern when and how you give the person
notice that you intend to bring a claim and they
govern when you need to actually file your claim
with the courts.
The time limits which apply to your case will
depend on when and how you suffered your
injury. Your personal injury lawyer will be able
to advise you immediately on the appropriate
time limits applicable to your case.
I was involved in an automobile accident
and my insurance company adjuster wants
to speak with me. What should i do?
You are obliged to notify your insurer that you
have been involved in a collision and that you
suffered an injury. Your insurance company
may send an insurance adjuster to meet with
you and talk about the collision and your
injuries. The adjuster will record everything
you say and the insurance company may rely on
your statement to deny or reduce your claims.
It is always advisable to meet with a personal
injury lawyer BEFORE you give a statement
to the adjuster.
What if I was driving my car without car
insurance and was involved in an accident?
You cannot pursue a claim against any at-fault
driver if you were knowingly driving your car
without car insurance. However, you remain
entitled to claim medical, rehabilitation and
attendant care benefit.
What if the person who caused the car
crash has no insurance?
In Ontario, people hurt by uninsured motorists
can look to their own insurance company to
pay their compensation. If you do not have
insurance, then the Ontario government will
pay your accident benefits and your personal
injury compensation.
How will the accident affect my insurance
rates?
If the accident is your fault, your car insurance
rates may increase. If the accident is not your
fault, your car insurance rates should not
increase – even if you make a claim for benefits.
I cannot afford a Lawyer how can I sue the
at fault party?
Most personal injury lawyers operate on what
is called a contingency fee basis. What this
means is that you do not pay for legal fees
unless the lawyer is successful in getting you
compensation. The lawyers fees are a percentage
of your settlement.
November 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 9

Stay Focused
Nifemi Jegede
Pa
int
by
mi
Th
The world mourns the loss of Steve Jobs. He was the
co-founder of the world renowned Apple Company and also
NeXT and Pixar. He started the Apple Company at the age
of 20 in his parent’s garage with his then friend, Woz. Apple bought
NeXT and the Pixar Studios created the world’s first computer
animated feature film, Toy Story. Some would say that Steve Jobs is
a genius but did you know that he had set backs? Same goes for Bill
Gates. He created the computer application that the whole world
now depends on, Microsoft but he also faced challenges. What is the
trend in these two stories? The ladder to success is not always easy;
the road to success may have some curves and bumps. These men
rose up to make a difference in the world despite having to overcome
obstacles. They had challenges with their education, health concerns
and a list of other dilemma but still persevered to make it in life. How
did they persevere? They did so through dedication and commitment.
They remained focused on their future, set goals and did what they
had to do to meet them.
Do you look at yourself and think “I am not capable of possessing
the land” or “I’m too young to do anything remarkable”. That is the
devil speaking. As young people, we should have the mindset of
achieving great success
As young people, we should
have the mindset of achieving
great success in whatever we
set our mind to do
in whatever we set our
minds to do. Talking
down on yourself will
not do you any good.
Find what you love,
build on it, apply physical and spiritual principles and watch as you
easily, by God’s grace, possess the land.
I was prompted to write this after I read a speech written by Steve
Jobs at a college graduation recently. He told the story of his life and
how he moved from grass to grace. What I noticed was that even
though he had setbacks, he made an effort to gain the required skills
to help him achieve his desire, even if it meant going back to school at
an older age. The Macintosh products have the world’s first beautiful
typography, multiple typefaces and proportionally spaced fonts. They
were able to add this application because Jobs took a calligraphy class
for continued education.
Always remember that you are God’s child and through His might
you can be whatever you want to be in life so never give up. Change
your mindset, stay determined and set goals for yourself that will
make you a better person. Be committed to being a positive influence
in your society and watch what God will do through your life.
In the words of Stewart Brand, the owner of “The Whole Earth
Catalogue” which was Google in paperback, published in mid 1970s:
“Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish”. In other words, don’t be easily satisfied
or grow too comfortable (be creative) and always be willing to learn.
Never be the smartest in the room, you should always have people
around you that can challenge you and encourage you to do more and
be better.
May the grass be green under your feet!
U
10 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011

Artist Spotlight
me that indicated that God’s hand was on my life.
houseofpraise.ca
How long have you been recording music and performing?
Professionally, since the late ‘90’s.
What is your view on mentorship?
I think that it is difficult these days to find a mentor because we live in a
fast pace world but I believe that mentorship is very important. A mentor
is like a father, a guide, someone who speaks into your life and helps you
move to the next level. I have been mentored, directly and indirectly. My
local pastors and my natural father are my direct mentors.
How do you prepare for your ministrations?
You have to be prepared for the ministration. It has to be your lifestyle.
You have to be aware that you are a minister. I prepare in the natural
(get music set, get rest, song list etc.) but I rely solely on the grace of
God. In addition to preparing in the natural, I prepare spiritually, keep
quiet and listen to God for direction.
Pastor Uche Agu, renowned gospel minister and
international recording artist was interviewed
by L.I.F.E. Magazine during his visit to Canada to
minister at the annual Dancing Your Way to the
Throne event.
PASTOR
UCHE A G U
What is your background in music?
I was born into a Christian home and both my parents have been pastors
for over 35 years. My mom used to have a music group that I enjoyed
listening to; I would sit in on their rehearsals and learn the songs.
My parents had a girl who passed away before I was born and my
mom promised God that if He gave her a son, he would serve Him
and here I am.
I went to a seminary (secondary) school and I was baptized in water. I
formed a group called Kingdom Kids that travelled throughout eastern
Nigeria ministering. I would attend crusades with my dad and lead
worship every chance I got.
When did you realize that being a gospel music minister and a recording
artist was your calling?
To be honest, I never wanted to be a music minister. I wanted to be a
lawyer but my parents had an agreement with God (which I was unaware
of). I tried all I could to be a lawyer but my dad kept asking me if that
was what I really wanted to do-then they told me of the agreement with
God (my testimony).
When I began to minister, I started seeing the hand of God move in
the lives of the people I was ministering to, this was an eye opener for
When you knew that you had a calling on your life, was there a time that
you ever doubted or questioned what you heard?
Yes, during times of disappointment. When people look down on you or
you don’t get an opportunity that you know would really be your chance
to make it big. In all this, I held onto the promises of God.
What would you say are the top three challenges that you face as a
successful musician? How do you deal with them?
i. Pride; be humble - know that you cannot do it on your own but put
everything in God’s hands. Don’t be arrogant, be polite
ii. Money; DON’T PUT IT FIRST! Put the ministry and your passion
first - if you have been invited to sing in a church service, let them bless
you from their heart; if you are being promoted you can ask the promoter
for money but don’t put money first
iii. The opposite sex; be friendly with everyone but draw a line that
cannot be crossed
What advice would you give to beginners trying to make it in the music
industry?
Be involved in a local church, minister there (paid or unpaid), get a
spiritual cover! Be consistent. Don’t wait for record companies to sign
you (record your album, get out there, keep writing, sing at parties,
weddings, sing for free- get noticed!)
How would you describe your experience at Dancing Your Way to the
Throne?
Dancing Your Way To The Throne is definitely on my ‘A-list’ ministrations
for 2011. The presence of God was there and the people were willing. It
was an amazing service! I am sure lives were changed. You can never
praise and miss, that is a fact (God inhabits in the praises of His people).
What is your overall impression of House of Praise?
House of Praise is a house of excellence! It is orderly, organized and a
great model of how church should be done.
November 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 11

Health Corner
Dietary Fibre
Food sources of fibre include whole wheat, bran, fresh or
dry fruit and vegetables
www.therealestaterenegades.com
What is Fibre?
Fibre or “roughage” is essentially a carbohydrate
that is found solely in plants. It is found in the
walls of the plant’s cells and is the only part of
the plant that cannot be digested by the human
body. It passes undigested from mouth to anus
and is expelled in the stool. Fibre is important
because it has an influence on the digestion process
from start to finish. There are two types of
fibre, insoluble and soluble fibre.
Benefits of Fibre
Insoluble fibre helps to promote regularity and
a healthy digestive system; examples are wheat
bran, whole grains and some vegetables. Soluble
fibre helps lower blood cholesterol levels and
controls blood glucose (sugar) levels, examples
are oats, barley, psyllium, oranges, dried beans,
and lentils. A high fibre diet may also help prevent
colon cancer. Eating high fibre foods will
help you feel full for a longer period of time,
and this helps with appetite and weight control.
Insoluble fibre makes stools heavier and speeds
their passage through the gut. Like a sponge, it
absorbs many times its weight in water, swelling
up and helping to eliminate faeces and relieve
constipation. Wheat bran and whole grains, as
well as the skins of many fruits and vegetables,
and seeds, are rich sources of insoluble fibre.
How much Fibre is good for me?
• A lot of Canadians only consume half the
amount of fibre they need daily.
• Increase your fibre intake slowly and make
sure you drink lots of fluids as well, this will
help the fibre work better by preventing gas,
bloating and diarrhea.
• There is no upper limits for fibre, therefore,
a high intake of fibre from food should not
be a problem for healthy people.
Ways to increase Fibre in Your Diet
Avoid processed foods
Instead of eating processed white bread, white
pasta or white rice, opt for whole-wheat or
whole-grain bread, whole-wheat pasta, and
brown rice, as “whole” products are high in fibre.
Eat the skin of fruits and vegetables
The skin of fruits and vegetables contains extra
fibre, so do not cut it off, leave it on and eat it up
to gain the most nutritional benefit. To get more
nutrients from your favourite fruits and veggies,
eat them raw. Cooking fruits and vegetables sacrifices
some of their fibre and nutrient content,
savour them in their crunchy natural form. On
the other hand, if you like to cook your fruits
and veggies, do not overcook them.
Add colour to your meal
Make sure that your family is getting a full range
of nutrients in their daily diet by including a
variety of colours in each meal. Adding colourful
fruits and vegetables to your meals means
you’re also increasing your intake of powerful,
disease-fighting antioxidants.
Eat healthy snacks
Keep high-fibre, nutritious snacks handy at all
times. Choose whole-grain, low-fat snacks. Keep
washed pieces of fruit handy each day so they
will be easy to grab when you need to snack. For
Note: Only plants produce fibre. No matter how chewy or
“tough” animal products may be, they do not contain fibre - not
even bones or eggshells.
Add fibre to your breakfast
Let your breakfast be a healthy serving of fibre
to fill you up and energize you for the day, such
as bran cereal and steel-cut oatmeal. Add even
more fibre to these healthy diet choices by topping
them with fibre-rich fruit. Add fresh blueberries,
raspberries or sliced bananas to your
cold cereal. When you don’t have fresh fruit on
hand, don’t panic—you can add frozen fruit to
oatmeal just before cooking it.
Eat beans and pulses
Dry beans and lentils are excellent sources
of soluble fibre to add to your diet. They are
packed with protein, very delicious and they
can be selected as a meat replacement.
high-fibre snack, make a customized fibre-filled
trail mix using raw nuts, seeds, dried fruit and
a few extra ingredients of your own.
Request a healthy option when you eat/
dine out
When you eat out, ask if you can substitute
vegetables or fruit for the fries or chips that
normally accompany your meal. At some restaurants,
you can even ask to replace the croutons
on your salad with high-fibre raw nuts or
dried fruit. Don’t be afraid to ask for a healthy
option—after all, customers are always right!
Increase your water intake
Drink eight to ten glasses of water daily. Like
fibre, water is an important regulator of the
digestive system.
Age in Years Recommended Intake (g/day) Stay Below
Men (19-50) 38
Men 51+ 30
There is no
Women (19-50) 25
upper limit
Women 51+ 21
for fibre.
Pregnant Women 19+ 28
Brestfeeding women 19+ 29
12 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011

houseofpraise.ca
Subscriptions
Do you know someone whose life can be
inspired for excellence? You can sign them up
to receive a free copy of L.I.F.E. magazine if
they are non-members of House of Praise or
live outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
All you need to do is send an email to life@
houseofpraise.ca with the person’s full name,
email and physical mailing address.
Are You
a Gifted
Writer?
Send original articles, essays,
short stories, poems, cartoons,
jokes, etc. to
life@houseofpraise.ca
November 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 13

Prophetic Declarations For
2011
1. Your shame is converted to glory
2. Begin to experience unique and undeniable proofs
3. Your dryness is converted to greatness
4. You will go ahead and go very far
5. Promotion is coming
6. Welcome to the realm of pleasant surprises
Pastor Wale Akinsiku
Events Announcements
Worker’s Meeting
Monday, November 7 @ 7pm
Seven Prophetic Nights of Destiny
Every Friday starting November 18 @ 7pm
Open Heavens
Saturday, December 31 @ 8pm
CELEBRATIONS
“Rejoice with those who rejoice“ (Romans 12:15)
Birth Announcements
Parent’s Name Sex Date of Birth
Mr & Mrs Gavin Igiebor Boy October 20th
Mr & Mrs Macus Oseh-
Ekpeny
Boy
October 29th
I.O.
Testimonies
I am not sure where I would be in my destiny if
not for the anointing on this house, The House
of Praise and on the life of Pastor Wale.
I had been without a job for over nine months and despite all my
efforts, nothing seemed to be working out. Even in the midst of
the difficulties, God still showed Himself faithful by providing
a supplement income for me while awaiting this breakthrough.
On October 9th, Pastor Wale made a call for those that were
looking for work and he declared over us. To the glory of God
and God alone, I am glad to say I am no longer among the ranks
of the unemployed.
I didn’t have any interviews lined up before that Sunday but that
week alone I had two calls to interview for jobs I didn’t apply for.
I had the first (phone) interview on Thursday October 13th. I felt
the interview went well. During the interview I gave an answer
that I questioned its relevance but when the interviewer asked
me to clarify I felt I had made a very important comment that
was the key to the interview based on the requirements of the
job. Only God’s favour could have led me to give such an answer.
On Friday October 14, I got another call at 7pm to set up an
interview for Tuesday October 18. The agency was so confident
that I was going to get this position that the agent drafted up
a contract and was to meet me at the location so that we can
sign afterwards.
On Tuesday morning while sitting in the lobby of the second
interview, I received a call from the first agency informing
me that I was offered the job, without going for a face-to-face
interview. I had to cancel my current interview on the spot.
One of the pronouncements that Pastor Wale made was that
it would be easier than I expected. God was faithful to uphold
His Word. I thank God for being a faithful Father- He answered
just at the point where I was about to settle for something less.
I also thank God for putting me under such great leadership.
The past 5 years since I joined the House of Praise has definitely
been the best and most fulfilling of my life.
Share your God-given
testimony by sending an email
to goodnews@houseofpraise.ca
14 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011

houseofpraise.ca
Entertainment
sudoku
Under 10 Minutes Are You Kidding Me?
10-15 Tell Your Friends
15-20 Leader board in Sight
21-25 Making Progress
8
1
7 9
5
5 4
6
2
8
6
2
7
1
6
9 7 6 5
7
1
4 1 5
3
4
5
3 9
6
8
3
2
1
3
7
5
6
1
2
9
7
4
8
9 5
5
4
1
9
7
OBJECT OF SUDOKU
No math or calculating is required to play. Using the digits 1 through 9
fill every space on the board with missing numbers. Every row, column,
and 3 by 3 box must contain all of the digits 1 through 9. There is only
one correct solution for each puzzle so every space has only one answer.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot
keep, to gain what he cannot lose.
- Jim Elliot
November 2011 Lives Inspired For Excellence 15

16 Lives Inspired For Excellence November 2011