30 Random facts about...

This was sparked by a conversation I once had with a close big sister of mine about the conceptions and misconceptions folks often have about  other individuals, (especially "preachers, teachers, prominent men etc") usually because they fail to see the human in them. 
This is a list of random, hopefully not generic, facts about myself that most people may not know. I'd encourage others to do the same. By no order of importance: 

1. Morning is my favourite part of the day.

2. I have an unusually good long term memory (eg. I remember what someone was wearing when I first met them years ago), but not so good short term memory.

3. I enjoy checking things off my “to do” list (when I've actually done them).

4. For a year of my life I did stand-up comedy (Even went to SA’s got talent and got past the first round, I just didn’t go back)

5. Favourite fruit: Mango

6. I enjoy making people laugh, although it does take quite a while for me to be comfortable enough around someone before I try to do that.

7. I’m secretly talkative, but few know this (due to the last clause of #6.)

8. I really dislike cold weather. 

9. I am trend-averse… I find myself losing interest in things when they become “trendy.“

10. Humour and silence is how I deal with overwhelming and sometimes painful circumstances 

11. I've lived alone in a single flat for the past 4 years due to studies.

12. Used to be a major hip-hop head, circa 2003-2010

13. I am not a fan of savoury breakfasts. 

14. I’ve graduated 3 times…soon to be 4. (It would be nice to make it 5 before I reach 30.)

15. I only learnt how to run properly when I was 16. I really enjoy running now; looking forward to a time when I will be able to run without getting tired. 

16.  When I was in primary school, because I was a year younger than all my class-mates, I would always feel pressured to catch up to them. For this reason, almost once every week I found myself reading the dictionary to try and learn better english so that I could "be smarter."

17. Character traits I appreciate in people: genuineness, humility, excellence of spirit and wit.

18. One thing I really dislike: being searched (ie. By security guards and stuff)

19. Two things I’m really interested in: Systematology (related to various theories, but particularly in business and urbanism) and Apologetics. 

20. My backpack and my glasses are a part of my everyday outfit. I feel naked without them and I feel like I have superpowers with them on.

21. Top 5 life changing books: 1. Steps to Christ (Ellen White), 2. How to Be a Victorious Christian (Thomas Davis), 3. The Coming of the Comforter (Leroy Froom), 4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Especially habit no.5)-(Stephen Covey), 5. How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie), 

22. I’m more nervous at approaching/talking to individual strangers than speaking to a crowd. 

23. I secretly have ambitions which I do not share until they are close to being fulfilled

24. I love traveling, especially other African countries. I hope to visit at least one other African country a year, and at least one overseas country a year .

25. My morning ritual often includes a round of singing and dancing (especially between breakfast, showering & exercise), hence #1 

26. I sing a lot when I work (I like acapella music and depending on my mood I sing different parts: Favourites are alto, baritone and bass.)

27. I have 4 names

28. I’m relatively good at getting things done. Though I do sometimes wish I was as socially inclined as much as I am task driven.

29. I have a dislike for the labels "liberal" and "conservative." I have been called both, and haven't really appreciated it.

30. My 3 Biggest role models (apart from Jesus): My Father and Mother;  that’s about it. 

There's obviously much more about a person than 30 random fact, but

:)

Oh Nicodemus [Poem]

A poem written while considering the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, narrated in the 3rd Chapter of the gospel of John

Oh Nicodemus, the mystery of he
Who knowing all the letters, could not, the kingdom, see
While seeking for the Rabbi, in secrecy he came
And though he sought for dialogue, heard truth to him made plain

Oh Nicodemus, thou ruler of the Jews
Often in the pulpit, and seldom in the pews
Though you seek discussion, the Lord does not refrain
To bid you not to marvel, you must be born again

Coming to the Saviour, the hour now struck late
Hungry not for fellowship, but rather for debate
In kind reply to taunting words, He gives the verity
“Unless a man be born again, he cannot heaven see”

That which is born of flesh, can only its kind produce
Thus all your Jewish rituals cannot bear righteous fruit
Your greatest need: a change of heart, for there the problem lies
This the reason for failure, in all your many tries

“The Saviour’s words have struck, but can it truly be
Of all the sinners in Zion, the one most lost is me?
With all of my achievements and all that I have done”,
“Marvel not,” the rabbi says, “know you are the one.”

Oh Nicodemus, if only you would know
That before all your titles, the Saviours love was so
All that is your honour, could not His love increase  
Nor grant you any liberty, nor give you lasting peace

The wind blows where it wishes, of that you hear the sound
Yet neither do you question, nor count that too profound
So also this the case, with all born anew
The Spirit has a work to do and that must be in you.

What you need is not theory, nor vict’ry in debate
For you and the publican must enter a common gate
Not all that you can amass will a worthy tribute give
Your only way of entry is to look, oh look and live

Oh Nicodemus, do you still not understand?
How is it that you, being a great, religious man,
A teacher of the scriptures, to whom the rites are known
Have not come to learn to make the change of heart your own?

See uplifted on the pole, the Son of man, Divine
Hangs to bear the punishment, for folly which was thine
And so that you not perish, you may and must believe
That the Son of God uplifted, was lifted up for thee

You know where you are in bondage, be it appetite or pride
But Jesus offers liberty, to the prison cell inside
You must, for life, accept... His remedy and way
Behold the Lamb of God, thus your sins will He take away

Oh Nicodemus, you know how Moses did
Who, when he lifted the serpent, those who beheld did live
He is made sin, the Son of God on the pole
This the only remedy made for the freedom of your soul

The invitation of the Father, is that you might still live
For God has so adored you, that He His Son did give
His Spirit still calls out to you, that you may find relief
He stretches out His hand to you… behold and believe

Oh Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews
Always in the pulpit, and seldom in the pews,
You shall not be condemned, if you take My words as true
That the one to whom these words are spoken, is none other than you

The man Nicodemus, who later would become
A willing servant of the Rabbi, when His work was done
“You must be born again,” the Saviours word was seed
The fruit was a harvest of joy, when Nicodemus believed.