Sunday, 7 December 2014
Your Mind; Your Gold Mine
He has made an impact on the sands of
time which cannot be erased in time or eternity who has inspired mankind
through purposeful living, positive attitudes making a contribution whenever,
wherever and to whoever destiny brings you in contact with by taking action no
matter how insignificant it may seem.
Thursday, 13 November 2014
A TRIBUTE TO DR. MYLES AND RUTH MUNROE AND ARMOUR BEARERS
A TRIBUTE TO DR. MYLES AND RUTH MUNROE AND ARMOUR BEARERS
Many are called, few are chosen
but Dr. Myles Munroe was a sent one who came from eternity into time on his way
to eternity. In time, he made indelible impressions on the sands of time that
cannot be erased in time or eternity.
For years I wondered why I was here on earth until I met him on the pages of his book; Myles Munroe in Pursuit of Purpose and sat under his teaching live in 2006. My life experienced a paradigm shift. His life brought clarity to God's call upon my life. For years I wondered why I could not get away from a call that had great circular impact and kingdom impact as I thought both could not go together. His life provided answers to questions unanswered in my heart and emboldened me to question some unwholesome practices in my generation. He had such a great impact on the kingdom and governments all over the world.
He was one of the few preachers who had an appeal that cut across all circles of human interaction. His ability to weave spiritual truths into governance, leadership, business and all lives pursuits was unparalleled. Corporate and Non Governmental Organizations, Academic and research institutes all surrendered their platforms to hear his words of wisdom. Muslim CEOs invited him to train and groom their employees. Heads of state and presidents all invited him to participate in National dialogue meetings.
For years I wondered why I was here on earth until I met him on the pages of his book; Myles Munroe in Pursuit of Purpose and sat under his teaching live in 2006. My life experienced a paradigm shift. His life brought clarity to God's call upon my life. For years I wondered why I could not get away from a call that had great circular impact and kingdom impact as I thought both could not go together. His life provided answers to questions unanswered in my heart and emboldened me to question some unwholesome practices in my generation. He had such a great impact on the kingdom and governments all over the world.
He was one of the few preachers who had an appeal that cut across all circles of human interaction. His ability to weave spiritual truths into governance, leadership, business and all lives pursuits was unparalleled. Corporate and Non Governmental Organizations, Academic and research institutes all surrendered their platforms to hear his words of wisdom. Muslim CEOs invited him to train and groom their employees. Heads of state and presidents all invited him to participate in National dialogue meetings.
When I got a call from a bossom
friend of his passing unto glory I was short of words. All I can say is; no one
is indispensable in the kingdom, but some are irreplaceable. Myles is one of
such.
Munroe's
death was especially upsetting in his native Bahamas, and Prime Minister Perry
G. Christie called the loss "utterly impossible to measure."
"He was indisputably one of the most globally recognizable
religious figures our nation has ever produced. His fame as an ambassador for
the Christian ministry preceded him wherever in the world he traveled, whether
in the Caribbean, North America, Asia, Europe or Africa. He was a towering
force who earned the respect and admiration not only of Christian adherents but
of secular leaders both here at home and around the world”.
I had barely settled
down in my office this morning when the news of Dr Myles Munroe's passing came
to me.I was heartbroken. I wept and wished it wasn't true, but it was. And as I
became quiet to listen to my heart, I heard the Spirit of God say "Myles
found purpose, emptied himself and left a mark on earth, what will you do with
your life? Folks the best way to mourn this Great General of God is to live and
practice all he taught us. Your resolve should be" I will find my purpose
and I will fulfill it. I am not going back full" – Rev. Franca Atokolo
His
Early life
Like
most of us seated here, he was born in 1954 April 20 in Nassau,
Bahamas. Munroe grew up poor in a family of eleven children. Raised in the
Nassau suburb of Bain Town, he was a life-long resident of the Commonwealth.
He was not born with a silver spoon, was not clothed in gold apparel but was
truly a man of gold and a man of God. He overcame unbelievable odds to emerge
as a global leader of leaders. Munroe became a Christian during his teenage
years.
Education
He
delayed different gratifications for his education. He attended Oral Roberts University (ORU) where he
received his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Education, and Theology in
1978 and a Master’s degree in administration from the University of Tulsa in 1980 before getting married.
Munroe was also the recipient of honorary doctoral degrees from various
schools of higher education and served as an adjunct professor of the Graduate
School of Theology at ORU.
His
Marriage and family life
He
preached and lived out his family values, as it was reflected in the
unprecedented adoration and admiration he had for his wife of over 34 years,
Ruth Munroe, who served as co-pastor with him at BFMI. Together, the couple had
two children, Myles, Jr. (known as Chairo), and a daughter, Charisa. I often
say is not what you leave for your children that is as important as what you
live in them. Like father like children, both Chairo and Charis are college
graduates and hold MBA and MBA, MSc respectively in the quest for
self-development.
His
Ministry
Following his
graduation from the University of Tulsa, Munroe founded Bahamas Faith Ministries
International in the early 1980s. His message was essentially about the Kingdom of God; a supernatural
government whose interest extends to cover both heaven and earth. The Kingdom
message is not about a religion. It is a political idea predicated on God's
original idea to put man in charge of everything he created. The original
agenda of God was that man would rule and reign as a representative. The Church
of God is not a religious organization he often said. Religion is man's futile
attempt to connect back to God. The pursuit of this ideal and the right
standing with the King of heaven and earth (God) was the message of Jesus
Christ. It was the heart beat of Dr. Myles Munroe. Many may have known Dr.
Myles as a leadership trainer, motivational speaker and much more but he was
for all practical purpose a witness to the divine mandate of Jehovah. He was
like every human being is expected to be, a Diplomat of God's
kingdom.
According
to Oral Roberts President William M. Wilson statement following Munroe’s death
November 9; “His energy and enthusiasm for imparting Spirit Empowered
Christianity to new generations was contagious,” Wilson said in the statement.
“Whether in a leadership gathering with those in highest authority or in
Bahamas as a caring shepherd in a community of believers, Myles was always the
same -- upbeat, positive, loving, full of faith and searching for any way
possible to make Jesus known in our generation. His loss will be felt around
the world as well as in our hearts here at ORU.”
Awards
Among
other awards, in 1998 the Bahamian government presented Munroe with that
country's "Silver Jubilee Award" for his years of service to the
Bahamas in the area of "spiritual, civic, social and religious
development." The highest award bestowed by the Government of the Bahamas.
Oral Roberts University (ORU) named Munroe "Alumnus of the Year" in
2004.
Munroe was the
Bahamas youngest recipient of the Order of
the British Empire Award (OBE) which was
bestowed by the Queen of England, her
majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Dr. Munroe is also
the recipient of the Trumpet Awards
bestowed by the CNN Ted Turner sponsored
corporation, the Trumpet Awards Organization
for his contribution to global spiritual
development.
In his life time he also
received over 5 Honorary Doctoral Degrees from leading Universities in the
United States, Canada and Africa.
Controversy
Like
every other great man, he was criticized in so many ways like Jesus. In March
2014, Munroe was criticized publicly in a press statement by Bahamian Foreign
Minister Fred Mitchell for comments he had made
about the government's positions regarding the rights of gays, lesbians,
bisexuals, and transgendered individuals in the LGBT community in the
Bahamas. Munroe had stated that Mitchell's support of LGBT persons in the
Bahamas does not “represent the majority of the convictions of the Bahamian
people” Mitchell responded by claiming, "Once again Dr. Myles Munroe has
returned to a theme he does not understand and obviously which he has no
knowledge." Mitchell went on in the statement to reference what he regarded
as Munroe's "...absolute stupidity and willful deceit is parading around
in the pulpit disguised as theology." Mitchell's comments were in direct
response to Munroe's claim that Mitchell's support of LGBT persons in the
Bahamas does not “represent the majority of the convictions of the Bahamian
people”.[10]
In September 2014, Munroe again stirred controversy in the Bahamas
when he made comments in a statement titled "Homosexuality - Phobia or
Principle". In the statement, Munroe claimed people have
"hijacked" and "raped" the civil rights movement with
efforts to fight for the rights of those in the LGBT community. The statement
from Munroe was in response to a gay pride event that took place the last
weekend of August 2014. Local gay rights and civil rights spokespersons stated
they were shocked and alarmed by Munroe's statement. Joseph Gaskins, former
lecturer at the College of the Bahamas, called his position
on homosexuality and civil rights hypocritical in light of Munroe's then-recent
visit with polygamist South African President Jacob Zuma.
Dr. Myles Munroe is an epitome
of greatness and a life well lived. To many he was a Leader, Consultant,
Professional Coach, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Spiritual
Leader, Advisor, Educator, Bestselling Author, Father and Husband. No doubt,
the truth be said; the sum total, he was a man sent from God.
He is the founder and chairman
of International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA), a global network of
leaders in over 80 nations, International Leadership Training Institute (ILTI)
and Chairman of Diplomat Development and Investment Company (DDIC). He also
founded the Bahamas Faith Ministries and the Myles Munroe International,
platforms on which he impacted the world, visiting over 100 nations on 5
continents of the world. He also authored 55 books, 20 making it on the list of
Bestsellers.
He has shared
the platform with such distinguished
individuals as Presidents, Prime
Ministers, Monarchs,
Governors, Corporate Leaders, Religious Leaders,
Members of Congress, Senators, Law
Enforcements Agencies, Judicial Leaders,
Hollywood Stars and professional Athletes. He has
addressed live audiences from 30 to over
1.2 million and television audiences of over
1.4 billion.
Quotes by Dr. Myles Munroe…
The wealthiest spot on earth is
not the oil fields, the gold or diamonds mines...but the cemetery”
“The greatest tragedy of Life
is not death, but life without a purpose.”
“Where purpose is not known
abuse is inevitable.”
“Buried in the cemetery are
books that were never written, songs that were never sung, paintings that were
never painted, and poetry that was never read...”
“The goal of life for every
human being is to die empty...”
“Trapped in every follower is a
hidden leader”
“Leadership is the capacity to
influence others through inspiration generated by a passion motivated by a
vision produced by a vision ignited by a purpose”
“Great leaders never desire to
lead but to serve”
“True leaders never seek
followers, followers seek true leaders.”
“True leaders make themselves
increasingly unnecessary.”
“Marriage is like an omelet, it
is only as good as the eggs.”
“A successful marriage is the
product of two people being successfully single.”
“The greatest threat to
personal progress is your last success”
“The greatest threat to all you
can be is satisfaction with who you are.”
“Leave your success and go
create another. That’s the only way you will maximize your potential.”
“Life without purpose is time
without meaning.”
“Time is an interruption in
eternity and a measure of forever.”
“You cannot live beyond your
thoughts and convictions.”
“Leadership is becoming your
true self for the benefit of others.”
“The potential of a thing is
determined by the demands made on it by the one who made it.”
Dr. Myles Munroe; the Kingdom
preacher lived to his full potential. His legacy transcends the scores of books
he wrote, the millions of lives he touched and the very purpose he lived for. You
taught purpose, lived purpose, and died living purpose. Adieu Myles and Ruth
Munroe!
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