It may mean going solo but then...

Others May, I Cannot

 

Others may do as they please, I must not do what my fallen nature suggests lest I be drowned - I must do as He pleases. Why should I call Him Lord, Lord and not do what He wants? Others may deceive to receive a blessing from man; my heart is fixed on receiving from God before whom all liars are cast away into eternal burning. Others may follow multitudes to do evil what is that to me? If I must go to heaven my company has to be few for few there be that find the way of life. Though it’s not always easy to be in the minority, the same God who helped Noah to stand told me “His grace is sufficient for me”. The temptations are there, to eat like others, dress like others, live like others but these others who have no cross to bear are not a pattern for me. We cannot keep the same pace – I have a goal, which they know nothing about.

Would you love this or would you prefer God to make it a little bit easier?

OTHERS MAY, YOU CANNOT

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
(Matthew 16:24-25)

If God has called you to be truly like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility. He will put on you such demands of obedience that you will not be allowed to follow other Christians. In many ways, He seems to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Australia's response to President Sirleaf's appeal

About ten days ago, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia made a passionate appeal for help to stem the on-going Ebola Virus Disease epidemic ravaging her country and other parts of West Africa, in her letter to the world.

 

Countries all over the world are apprehensive about the spread of the disease with many taking panic measures which amount to the isolation of the countries at the epicentre of the EVD outbreak in West Africa. Although many developed and developing nations have, and are still rendering help in terms of medical personnel, medical supplies and others, most nations are more concerned with safeguarding their own enclaves. Americans have almost crucified their national leadership because of its refusal of the wholesale ban of flights from the Ebola stricken regions being clamoured for. It is appalling to read a lot of uncharitable and selfish comments from Americans online. Read the previous piece on the Ebola debacle here.

America - a nation becoming afraid of its own shadow

Found this interesting piece online. It speaks about a nation fast losing its identity. Though written many years ago, I feel it is still highly relevant. This is America. Like it or leave it. If you don't like the way we do things here, you're free to leave any time. By Air Force veteran Barry Loudermilk At a high school in Oklahoma, school officials remove “God Bless America” signs from schools in fear that someone might be offended.   At a Long Island, New York television station, management orders flags removed from the newsroom, and red, white, and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters. Why? Management did not want to appear biased, and felt that our nation’s flag might give the appearance that “they lean one way or another.”

Nigerian army-Boko Haram ceasefire – reason for cheer or cause for alarm?

Lessons for the West

The press was awash with news of a purported ceasefire agreed between the Nigerian military and the terrorist group, Boko Haram about ten days ago. The agreement was reached in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi authorities making it clear that it did broker the meeting. I had contemplated posting this piece around that time but it was delayed.

Power Lines

Love begins when the needs of someone else become more important than your own - Lao Wei

It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God - Thomas Merton

The knowledge of Christ's love for us should cause us to love Him in such a way that it is demonstrated in our attitude, conduct and commitment to serve God. Spiritual maturity is marked by spiritual knowledge being put into action - Edward Bedore

The winds of God are always blowing but you must set the sails - Unknown

(Source: Quotemeal from Heartlight)

Holy rumble to tumble the troubler and thief

Attend Recovery 2014 - a spiritual-academic conflux for the intellectual community in South-West Nigeria

When intellectual power docks with spiritual fireworks there will be supernatural conflagration. Tertiary institutions are beehives of not only academic activities but also religious ones. Nigeria is a highly religious country. This has led to mockery from many people in the international community, especially the West. They muse: so religious, yet so corrupt and backward. Thousands of religious conventions and conferences go on in Nigerian tertiary institutions every year with many being mere jamborees.

There are always exceptions. Deeper Life Campus Fellowship (DLCF) congresses are in a class of their own. Evidences abound over the years of the unique experiences participants receive at these meetings. The conferences are breeding grounds for intellectuals making a positive difference in our institution of learning and nation in particular and the world at large to the glory of God. Here, it is not a case of organising programmes for the sake of it. DLCF congresses are packaged to deliver superior intellectual and spiritual benefits that catalyse participants to their God-ordained potentials.

It is in the light of the above that you are specially invited to the 2014 DLCF Zonal Congress for institutions of higher learning in South-West Nigeria, if you are a member of the campus communities in this area.

This year’s edition is captioned “Recovery 2014” with the theme “Divinely empowered to reclaim every lost ground”. The troubler and thief is well known and his activities are not hidden. Enslavement to sin and sinful habits, serial moral failures, sicknesses, inferior academic performance, sorrowful home environment, financial strangulation and snatching away success, life’s goodies and God's blessings.

Is this the end of radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

According to a BBC report, scientists from Harvard Medical School have discovered a way of turning stem cells into killing machines to fight cancer. What is more cheering is that there was a targeted destruction of only cancer cells while normal cells were unaffected. But, there is still a long way to go.

Which Faith?

Among the cacophonies of religions in the world, which Faith is the genuine one?

 

I don't know the number of Faiths. I know they are many, all of them laying claim to be the authentic one. There are people who don't believe in any Faith or religion. They feel that religion is for the weak and deceived. Some say they are atheists. Yet others argue that all religions are equally good.

 

I believe that there is only one true Faith. I also believe that ones choice of Faith is important as a person cannot take a wrong path and arrive at the desirable destination. There are sincere seekers who know this but are confused with the cacophony of religions and are asking, which Faith?

 

The booklet, 10 Reasons to believe in the Christian Faith, lucidly and persuasively presents a case for the Christian Faith. I recommend it to all who sincerely desire to be enlightened about the truth. According to this booklet, the compelling reasons for the Christ-centred Faith include: the credibility of its Founder, the reliability of its Book and its explanation for life. Read the whole booklet here. You will be done in less than 20 minutes. 

 

Power Lines - The Bandit of Laziness

“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”

"There are many people who are ineffective and unfruitful, not because they are not anointed, gifted, or equipped but simply because they are lazy."

"Laziness is a bandit that robs us of our potential, and it is an enemy of God’s best for our lives."

"A person can be very busy and still be lazy if he is avoiding some critical action that needs to be taken."

There is a difference  between "effective action and mere busyness". "Critical action is the kind of activity that produces real results, cuts through all the fluff, and gets right down to what is vital."

Laziness is "choosing to evade or compromise critical action."

 

The snippets above are from a Bible Study, Five Enemies of God's Will, by Daniel Kolenda. Read the complete piece after the cut. It's very insightful.

More nature images from Brazil

The language of nature is universal and unmistakeable. Nature testifies to a Great Creator with a unique and superior aesthetic sense. And, pictures don't lie (I mean those that are not photoshoped). These shots were taken by adventurous youths on Ilha Grande (the Big Island) in Rio de Janeiro State. Very beautiful images. There are more after the cut.

(Power Lines/Gilberto A. T. D. de Lima - Shots from Ilha Grande).

(Power Lines/Gilberto A. T. D. de Lima - Shots from Ilha Grande).

(Power Lines/Gilberto A. T. D. de Lima - Shots from Ilha Grande).

Power Lines - Liberating truths from the Truth personified

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
                                                                - Jesus Christ (John 14.6, 8.36; Matthew 28.18, 11.28 KJV)

(Power Lines/Gilberto A. T. D. de Lima - Shots from Ilha Grande)

The Lesser Known Story about Alfred Nobel

The average educated fellow probably knows about the Nobel prizes. Some people additionally know that it was instituted in line with the will of a Swede many years ago. Alfred Nobel signed his third and last will on November 27, 1895. When it was opened, it showed that he had left much of his wealth for the establishment of a prize. Because of opposition by his family and other factors, it took another five years before the first Nobel Prize could be awarded in 1901. The Nobel prizes are given in about six categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

This piece was not intended as a comprehensive treatise on Alfred Nobel or the Nobel Prize as that would be a herculean task. However, I will give. A little background information to guide us to the main point of this article.

Finally, WHO Declares Nigeria Ebola Free

The WHO has finally declared Nigeria Ebola free. I hope the cynics will now give us some breathing space. This should not lead to letting down our guard but rather, it should serve a an impetus to deploy all necessary structures to remain free. Congratulations Nigeria.

See the WHO statement below.

WHO declares end of Ebola outbreak in Nigeria

Statement
20 October 2014

The Ebola virus was introduced into Nigeria on 20 July when an infected Liberian man arrived by aeroplane into Lagos, Africa's most populous city. The man, who died in hospital 5 days later, set off a chain of transmission that infected a total of 19 people, of whom 7 died.

  

Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Head. Photo credit: The Washington Post.

According to WHO recommendations, the end of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in a country can be declared once 42 days have passed and no new cases have been detected. The 42 days represents twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola (21 days). This 42-day period starts from the last day that any person in the country had contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola case.

Today, 20 October, Nigeria reached that 42-day mark and is now considered free of Ebola transmission.

Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Letter to the World

I feel President Sirleaf's letter demands the widest publicity possible. Find it below. Of course, you should know the subject of the letter.

 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia

Dear World

In just over six months, Ebola has managed to bring my country to a standstill. We have lost over 2,000 Liberians. Some are children struck down in the prime of their youth. Some were fathers, mothers, brothers or best friends. Many were brave health workers that risked their lives to save others, or simply offer victims comfort in their final moments…

 

Frequently asked questions on Ebola virus

As Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has continued to cause hysteria and panic in contries around the world, especially the mighty US, there is need to continue to remind people about what is know of the etiologic agent of the disease, the Ebola virus. This piece is from the website of the Nigerian government, one of two nations that fought off the disease from their soils.

Frequently asked questions on Ebola virus

  

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria

 1.    What is Ebola Virus Disease?
Ebola Virus Disease is a highly infectious and deadly disease affecting humans and animals such as monkeys, gorillas, Chimpanzees, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods. The disease is caused by Ebola virus and it occurs in sporadic outbreak.

2.    Where is Ebola Virus Disease found?
Though the natural habitat of the Ebola virus is unknown, Ebola virus is normally found in an animal host that is native to the African continent.

Power Lines

"Keep one thing in view forever - the truth; and if you do this, though it seem to lead you away from the opinion of men, it will assuredly conduct you to the throne of God" - Horace Mann

"There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. he did it at the cross. He is doing it today." - Handley C. G. Moule

The Ebola Debacle

The first officially recognized outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) was in Yambuku and surrounding area in Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1976. There were 280 cases with 88% fatality. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (USA), there have been more than ten other serious outbreaks of EVD after that initial case with the ongoing outbreak across multiple countries in West Africa being the worst. Figures from the CDC showed that the first EVD outbreak recorded both the highest number of cases and fatality, that is, until the ongoing 2014 outbreak which has recorded 8400 cases (4656 laboratory-confirmed cases) with 4033 deaths as at the time of writing this piece. The figures are likely to have increased at this time.





Ebola virus. Photo credit: Channels TV

EVD has been transported to Europe and the US with citizens in these and other areas, especially the US, getting paranoid. As a fallout of the outbreak, people with symptoms resembling the disease have thrown many countries into the panic mode. Many of these people were often later found to be without the disease. The other day my lab mate in here came in very worried and disturbed and asking why, why, why? She asked why someone with EVD should come to Brazil to expose the nation to the risk. The man was later found to be without the disease. Many countries, including those with the big brother profile have had to turn away people coming from West Africa and deny them participation in sport, academic and other programmes even where there are evidences that they are EVD free. Recently a school in US refused admission to a Nigerian who had been previously granted one on the basis of Ebola despite the fact that the county is now free and the US is the one now having cases of Ebola.

Why I'd Still Believe In God Even if the Bible was a Fairytale

By Mick Mooney

Author of AN OUTSIDER'S GUIDE TO THE GOSPEL    

                                                  

I've watched a lot of well known atheist on YouTube. To be honest, they have some really interesting―and truthful―things to say. The main objection I find with their perspective is not their critique on religion, which I find mostly quite accurate, but rather it is how they mix God with religion. They look at the irrationality of religion, and therefore claim that belief in God is irrational.

I thought about this point quite a lot, and pondered if they were right. Is it irrational to believe in God?

Nature images from Brazil

All work and no play can make neurons misbehave. Nature offers many avenues for relaxation so that there could be renewal and revitalization. It seems Brazil is especially blessed with a lot of marvellous sites which attract lots of tourists. Rio de Janeiro is called the Marvellous City. Here, find some images from Copacabana, Ipanema and surrounding axis. Sorry captions have not been provided for the pictures. Maybe later.

(Power Lines/Copacabana-Ipanema axis tour)

(Power Lines/Copacabana-Ipanema axis tour)

(Power Lines/Copacabana-Ipanema axis tour)

Something beyond science and logic

There is something beyond science and logic. I believe in the supernatural. Read the article below

God Can Heal You

TEXT: LUKE 13:11-22

Key verse: “And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:12,13). 

Dr. Will Mayo, one of the founders of Mayo Clinic Minnesota, United States of America told a story of some patients who were miraculously healed. He said: “We knew they could not live. But I have seen a minister come to the bedside and do something for them that I could not do, although I had done everything in my professional power, but something touched some immortal spark in them and in defiance of medical knowledge and materialistic common sense, that patient lived.” 

Power Lines

"Life offers many choices. Eternity offers only two."
— unknown

Power Lines

"Stay strong! Your test will become your test-imony, your mess will become your mess-age"
- Faith reel

Power Lines

Freedom, stretched too far becomes bondage. True liberty is remaining within the circle of divinely imposed limitations.

The illogic of same-sex unions

Arguments have been advanced by individuals, interest groups, leaders and governments for the recognition of homosexual unions and according such unions and the warped individuals involved all rights and privileges that heterosexual union and couples enjoy. There are the gay right movements campaigning for and defending the rights of homosexuals. A lot of people vent tirades against and blacklist people who voice out opposition to homosexuality and businesses have been forced to close in countries like the US because owners said service to homosexuals in certain contexts violated their religious convictions.

Power Lines

God has both mercy drops and showers of blessings. You won't fare badly with either but the choice is yours.

Power Lines

"The reason some people get mad at you for speaking the truth is because they are living a lie". Truth is indestructible.

Is the world doomed to live with terrorism?

Is a world free from terrorism a mirage? Previously, terrorist organizations were diverse. Some were religious in outlook, others were freedom fighters or rebel groups. Today however on the global platform, terrorism is almost exclusively associated with radical brands of Islam where the organizations aim to establish Islamic nations governed by the principles of Sharia.

 

Power Lines - On the matter of creation

It requires more faith to believe that there is no God and that the world was created by nothing and for nothing than to believe in an uncreated Creator who created the world for His pleasure. Eliminating God from the story of the creation of the world will leave an equation that can never be balanced.

Power Lines - On the need for understanding and thoughtfulness

It takes understanding to be outstanding and being thoughtful to be tough. A foundational assignment on the road to success is understanding who you are and thinking through on issues of your life. Know yourself, your limitations and potentials Work towards minimizing or zeroing your limitations and maximizing your potentials. Think. Think through and understand. A lazy thinker will be a lousy performer.

Power Lines - On the need for circumspection

Dead men neither drive, earn degrees nor make a living. A living dog is better than a dead lion. Be thankful for the gift of life, do not abuse it. Go for goals but also take it easy and live with the end in focus. Once you are alive, you can arrive but once you are gone, then you are gone!

Power Lines - Getting a clear vision for a successful future

Living without a vision is like working without a purpose. You cannot confidently face the future until you are prepared to confront your past and deal with it. Haunting shadows of the past, will cause a distorted picture of the present and will not make for a clear vision of the future.

Welcome!

There is no denying the power of information and the pen. Words and writings could make or mar, enrich or impoverish, strengthen or weaken and build or demolish. Healthy words and discourses inspire, empower, clarify, foster understanding and help to position people to reach their potentials.

This blog sets out to be a platform for the presentation of dynamic and positively-impacting lines, commentaries and essays as well as serve as a forum for discourses on life in general in relation to contemporary issues.
 

All are welcome on board. Moderation will be based on Christian principles.

God bless you.