Consulting Par Excellence

Our Daily Walk

Shining Lights

That ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life. - Phil 2:15-16

The spirit of man, says the wise man, is the candle of the Lord (Pro 20:27). By nature we are like so many unlit lamps and candles. As the wick is adapted for the flame, but stands dark and cold until it is ignited, so we are unable to shed forth any light until our nature is kindled from the Eternal Nature of Him who “is Light, and in whom is no darkness at all.” Has the candle of your life been lit by contact with Christ, the Sun of Righteousness?

Our Lord says: “Let your light shine before men.” He shows how absurd it is to light a lamp, and then obscure its rays by placing it under a bushel. The purpose of ignition is frustrated if the light is covered. Ah! how many of us place bushels on the light of our testimony for God—the bushel of uncharitable speech! Of ill-temper! Of a discontented and querulous spirit! These as well as more conspicuous failings will prevent us from shining forth as light in a dark world. It is not for us to ignite the flame or supply the oil. All we have to do is to keep our lamps clean and bright, to guard against anything that may obstruct the out-shining of the Love and Life of God through the soul. If we are careful to see that anything which might hinder the effect of our testimony and mar our influence is put away, Christ will see to it that our light shall effect the full measure of His purpose.

In contrast to the bushel is the stand or candlestick. The Master of the House may place you in a very small dark corner, and on a very humble stand, but some day, as He passes by, you shall light His footsteps as He goes forth to seek and save that which is lost. What is your stand?-your place in society, your position in the home, your situation in some business house, factory, or school-wherever it be, it doesn’t matter, so long as your light is shining forth, steady and clear, warning and directing men and women in the path of life.

Prayer

O Christ, may the fire of Thy Divine Love burn up our bushels; help us to shine forth as lights in this dark world. Amen.

Today’s Management Tip

*Succeed as an Interim Manager*

Being an "interim" or "acting" manager is often the fast track to getting the full-time job.
To maximize your chances of being named the permanent replacement, you need to formulate a plan.
Take some time to think about your vision and strategy.
Then, decide where you want to concentrate your attention and energy. Are there operational issues that need tending to?
Are there problems you can solve? Your goal is to demonstrate competence by achieving some classic early wins. Another way to distinguish yourself is by successfully managing key relationships.
The way you interact with your employees — your former peers — is on display.
Be open and transparent. Communicate regularly. Be collaborative, rather than directive.
Don't get drawn into any workplace drama or office politics; stay as neutral as possible.
And whatever you do, don’t overplay your authority.

*This tip is adapted from “How to Step In as an Interim Manager,” by Rebecca Knightg*

Today’s Manaagement Tip

*How to Succeed When Your Predecessor Was a Star*

Starting any job, whether it’s an internal promotion or at a new organization, can feel a bit nerve-wracking.

It’s that much more daunting if you know that you’re taking over for someone who was highly respected and successful.

But don’t try to take on your predecessor’s personality or leadership style.

Being unapologetically yourself will earn respect and help preempt any comparisons.

Also, understand and manage important relationships.

This requires knowing not only who people are (and not just the ones with the senior titles) but also what they care most about, what they each expect from you, and what concerns they might have.

And seek feedback. Ask a few trusted colleagues to share early and often what’s going well and what’s going less well so you can make real-time adjustments, as needed.

And, of course, go in with the right attitude.

Filling big shoes may make you question your own capabilities and whether you have what it takes to meet the standard set by your predecessor.

Focus on your strengths and what you know you bring to the role.

*This tip is adapted from “How to Succeed When You Have Big Shoes to Fill,” by Rebecca Zucker*

Our Father in Heaven, we, Your earthly children, worship You. We thank You for Your word, which we can read at the opening of the day, taking it for a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. May it be to us indeed a light this day, shining for us and showing us the way of holiness. We always need a divine lamp, for earth is dark. Sin has made it perilous to travel on these treacherous ways without a lamp. No human friend can guide us infallibly. We cannot guide ourselves. We would never find the way home, were it not for the light of truth which You have given, which makes every smallest part of the path through this world clear and plain if we will walk in the light.

Let us not try to walk in the light of our own understanding, and stumble and fall. We put our hands in Yours this morning, and we would be led by You all the day. We do not know where our paths will take us. It may be that darkness lies before us — or hard and rough ways, that we must enter some Gethsemane. Lead us, O Jesus, where You will — and give us grace to follow submissively.

We seek Your blessing upon all the work of this day. Show us what You will have us to do. May we find the tasks You have in Your plan and purpose for us, and then do them faithfully. Let us never resist Your gracious leading. Enable us always to do Your will, as it is done in Heaven. Bless us . . .
in our home life,
in our friendships,
in our social life,
in our play and our work,
in our praying and our serving,
in our toil and our struggle,
in our joy and in our sorrow.

We ask all in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, 09/03/2021

Punch
Vaccine distribution begins, Lagos, others wait, SGF, others take jabs

Ogun, Katsina, Anambra, seven govs stick to illegal LG caretaker panels

States, others not funding 3.5 million workers’ pension – PenCom

Bill recommends imprisonment for discrimination against old people

Dollar video: Ganduje seeks amendment of claims, witnesses

Emefiele meets Senate today on alleged missing $9.5m PPT fund

EFCC arrests siblings, 35 others for Internet fraud in Ekiti

NDLEA arrests notorious trafficker, stops US, China, UAE-bound parcels

Twitter CEO’s first tweet draws $2.5m bid at auction

Oil falls after hitting $70, OPEC+ output plunges

Nigeria recorded N7.37tn foreign trade deficit in 2020 – NBS

Resident doctors threaten strike over salary delay, others

CAF cancels U-17 tournament

It’s a shame constructing 200km-road for 15 years – CAN President

Aisha Buhari breaks silence, laments incessant abduction of women

Farmers killing: Secure Ekiti forest, Fayemi orders police, Amotekun

Niger plans to arm vigilantes against bandits

Alleged fraud: Speaker not invited by EFCC, says Ondo Assembly

Abducted police intelligence officer rescued in Edo

Controversy as police recover lovers’ corpses from Lagos hotel

Kwara extends closure of mission schools over hijab crisis

Ojukwu varsity begins programme in native medicine

The Nation
Law allows me to remain IG till 2024, Adamu tells court

Govt/Labour power panel okays subsidy removal Dec.

Wakili returns to police custody after leaving hospital

States roll out COVID-19 vaccination for Nigerians

Banditry: Army cautions Gumi against inciting comments

Suspected drug baron arraigned ten years after arrest

How jailed prophet helped 82 inmates regain freedom

Banks lose N5bn to fraudsters in nine months – NDIC

UBA posts N132b full year profit

Enterprise Life Assurance promises new deal for Nigerians

Rewane: Nigeria needs domestic, international capital to attain $1.5t GDP by 2030

Nigeria more divided under APC – Lamido

RRS operatives arrest notorious armed gang in Abia

About-to-wed ladies among 19 abducted in Niger

Police arrest 113 clubbers in Lagos

Communities to IE: disconnect our electricity

Lions club donates equipment to LUTH, school

Four killed in renewed Ibarapa violence

Vanguard
We’re glad elections went well in Republic of Niger – Buhari

Women’s Day: Reps to amend UBE Act for girl-child free education

El-Zakzaky’s ‘secret trial’ adjourned to March 31

NDLEA recovers co***ne, he**in from Anambra monarch’s palace

Don’t drag our image to disrepute, Nigerian Army warns Sheik Gumi

5,000 Nigerian refugees repatriated from Cameroon

FG to increase agric extension workforce to 75,000

Sweden jails IS mother for jeopardising son’s life

Fully-vaccinated people can gather without masks ― US CDC

Number plates: Motorists decry cumbersome issuance procedures, urge authorities to ease bottlenecks

Dangote cement emerges best performing firm in Africa

Toll from military camp blasts in Equatorial Guinea rises to 30 ― State TV

OYO: Makinde calls for calm over security tension in Kajola

Bonny Deep Seaport: FG not sincere on project’s delivery — Wike

Abuja to host WATRA 2021 AGM on Tuesday

School feeding injects N450m monthly into Abia economy ― Govt source

NPFL: Rivers Utd maintain perfect home record with 2-0 win over Jigawa GS

Hijab controversy: Kwara rescinds decision to reopen 10 schools as Church seeks God’s intervention

Zamfara Govt rescues ten kidnap victims

Bandits storm Kainji National Park, kill one staff, injure four others

Talking about our problems is our greatest additction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys. - Rita Schiano

Today’s Management Tip

You Don’t Need to Unplug to Recharge

We all need to take breaks to recharge. And while it’s good to take screen-free respites, such as going for a walk or exercising, sometimes you just can’t step away from your device (or you just don’t want to).

The good news is that tech-based breaks can give you some of the same benefits as the offscreen variety, especially if you’re able to include some combination of physical movement, social interaction, and brain stimulation. Here are some suggestions for ways to take a break without unplugging:

Try an on-screen workout class.
Listen to an audiobook or podcast while finishing a chore, or read an article or book on your phone.

Call or FaceTime a friend, or even spend some time texting someone you haven’t chatted with in a while.

Play a game. Research suggests that casual video gaming during a work break can reduce perceptions of stress. So yes, you can refresh and sharpen your brain with a little midday Words with Friends.

This tip is adapted from “Taking a Break Doesn’t Always Mean Unplugging,” by Alexandra Samuel

PARENTING: DON'T TRY TO HAVE A PERFECT CHILD!

All children who have had the biggest and warmest personalities, have been wonderfully flawed!

Every child who was impaccably behaved and never purchased a foot wrong are most times the most boring characters imaginable.

Children are not suppose to be mini grown-ups.

They are meant to still carry all those imperfections that growing up is intended to eradicate.

O Lord, open our lips — and our mouth shall show forth Your praise. We praise You for all You are in Yourself — the glory of Your being, the excellency of Your power and goodness, Your faithfulness and loving kindness. We praise You, that all You are and have is ours, that You are our own God, that we can say, "The Lord is my Shepherd," "God is our refuge and strength." You have given Yourself to us. You are our Father — and we are Your children. All the blessings our Father's house are ours.

Graciously pardon all our iniquities, and help us to make sincere confession, assured that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us. Save us, O God, from trying to hide or cover our sins from You, and help us to confess them.

Let a blessing rest upon us today in all the affairs of our life. Give us this day our daily bread. We ask not for luxuries, lest we forget our dependence upon You. Preserve us from poverty and want — lest we be tempted to sin. Give us only our daily bread, and give us contentment therewith. Let us not murmur nor complain. Give us trust and peace.

We beseech You to use us in whatever ways we can best serve You. We consecrate our lives to You. Let us not live for ourselves — but may we so employ all our talents and possessions that our lives shall be blessings to others.

Deal gently, Lord, with the sick and the dying. Show Your favor to the needy and the outcast. Be the friend of the friendless. Guide the young, and lead all men to trust in You. Cover us now with the shadow of Your wings. We ask in Jesus' precious name. Amen.