life

Deconstructing Faith

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment

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Faith is a topic of interest for myself and many others. I was interested in bringing people from different cultural and religious backgrounds to discuss this. Represented in this discussion are Irish, Greek, British, Indonesian and Nigerian nationalities. And Christian, Muslim, Atheist and Agnostic beliefs.

This discussion features perspectives from David Adeola, Dionysios Deligiannis, Mabel Alkali, Farhana Lunat, Anna Hetherington, Andi Rusyaidi, Lanaire Aderemi and Emmanuel Johnson.

Please see links below to stream our download or audio discussion.

 

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The ‘what if’ factor

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
Powerful moment in history, is now. 
The 'what if' factor is the lifesaver
I wish to write on,
in a humble attempt to express
its power and influence 
in everyday affairs.

Powerful moment in history, is now,
as I step out to interact with those
I attempt to avoid but cannot do without.
What if, I was wrong to avoid them in the first place? 
I now contemplate as I am shown
something too magnificent to express in words,
by those I attempted to avoid.

By Emmanuel Johnson

The nature of days

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
These days,
I see things take a turn here
and another there.
The straight path which once was 
creates ever-forming interlinks
I now try to make sense of.
I am conflicted.
My observation of its nature keeps me 
perplexed, as I see same and others 
hide beneath the same mask.
In the final analysis,
I realise a dedication
to get to the root of this,
and prevailing situations,
which obstruct my search,
as I continually seek meaning.

By Emmanuel Johnson

The path of the just

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
Faithful and trustworthy saying, 
resounded in me,
speeding past the tunnels of time 
to find me right where I am. 
Faithful and trustworthy saying, 
ingrained in me,
with all majestic hope and expectation 
from the ones who love me dearly, 
with all their heart and might,
that one day, maybe
just maybe,
it shall turn out
to be my saving grace.
How faithful,
how trustworthy,
is the path of the shining light, 
ever true,
that shines brighter and brighter, 
unto the perfect day.
Abide by it, my child.

By Emmanuel Johnson

Colours

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
The blend is right,
caught midway through emotions. 
Lay hold of the flash
in all its beauty and radiance.
Its textures so soothing,
feeling so warming.
A beauty to behold,
a comforter in despair.
And now, the rhythm is right,
the passage is clear.
All of God's children shall
vibe in harmony.

By Emmanuel Johnson

Letter to I Am

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
Father of the heavenly lights,
I begin sincerely on a note of piety;
expressing my gratitude for these
situations and beings I find myself
surrounded by everyday.
I realise the soothing embrace of your grace upon my face 
everyday, and as I let your light soak in me, I acknowledge your 
tender loving-kindness on the inside and out.
Purify my heart as I yonder on, these uncertain days, upholding 
the very hope you have planted in my soul.
I ask that you abide with me, and grant me
the grace to live as you have instructed.
So help me, giver of all things good.
Amen.

By Emmanuel Johnson

States of isolation

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
Acquainted with you again;
truly, you are no new companion
because I have shared moments of reason, laughter and sadness 
with you for many, many years.
But now, called into question by this new state,
I ask myself more truthfully:
can I recognise you any longer?
You seem very different this time around.
The state I find myself misleads;
I work reasonably to find a way around it.
But as I get to witness more states around,
I realise ever-static banalities
which shaped past encounters and meanings.
Now I find that very interesting.

By Emmanuel Johnson

States of fantasy

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
The surreal state;
an alternate rendition of how things could be right now. 
Some I see, vastly different,
others, fairly similar to
the current state.
Oh the day shall come when I shall
grab that piece to behold,
for every time I have sat to conceive of utopia.
The new state
I contemplate,
amidst its grandeur,
frightens me, as I attempt to bring it to being.
Living my fair share of states humbly,
brings to mind, continuously, that,
despite my fear, this and this surely
is what I genuinely desire.

By Emmanuel Johnson

Finding joy

/ Emmanuel Johnson / Leave a comment 
Inflicted with deep restlessness; 
I realise a desire for something 
eternal in being;
to put in plain words.
Words simply cannot: 
they fail to express.
I try my very best, 
but I am unable to:
I fail to communicate.
But I know a knowing;
very true and trustworthy;
which never fails;
who always whispers:
there is that cosmic unity between us, 
which nothing,
no one,
can take away.
No one can,
for I have beheld true joy.
I have beheld true joy.

By Emmanuel Johnson