COMPASSION

by Matilda Kafui Praise

One Saturday morning on my way to work, I decided to buy some waakye.  All l had on me that day was ¢10.00, l held it and a tissue l had in my hands so after buying the food and had to pay, I realized l had thrown the ¢10.00 away and held on to the tissue instead of it being the other way round. Honestly, l was so well dressed that day that, l wondered if the Waakye seller would believe me if l told her the money just got missing. I searched and searched all around yet to no avail, even  people around decided to help me search, still could not find the money, l stood there with my shades in my hands, still holding on to that tissue l mistook for my money as if it was going to turn into money, l could not bring myself to believe that l had in exchange threw away my money instead of the tissue.

As I stood there in a sad and confused state thinking of what to do, a young man offered to pay for my food, and he went on to ask me if l had enough on me for transport to go home, l was speechless and could hardly speak, with some difficulty l managed to say Thank you.

That a stranger would have compassion on me to help me at a time l needed it the most, left me in a state of shock. I was really touched.

The young man went on to say that the reason why he came to my aid was that he had also been in that situation before and someone had compassion on him and helped him out. I also learned from that experience to be there to help others as the Lord strengthens me.

Compassion is defined as the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others and helping them to come out from the suffering.

Compassion is what brings tears to my eyes anytime l watch helpless children on television in desperate need of help and love.

Compassion is what moves Dumega Courage Ahiati to embark on a social media campaign to collect 1000 books to set up a Library for the children of the King Jesus Charity Home in Kumasi.

Compassion is what makes Rita Pasini-Sanford to leave her country and move to other countries to meet the needs of homeless children and poor widows.

Compassion is what moved Jesus to heal the sick, raise dead and meet the needs of His followers.

You may not know the impact your compassion on others will have on others and their future generations.

Take these homeless children for instance, just the knowledge that someone out there cares and loves them, gives these children a sense of belonging and a feeling of love. 

Just imagine the joy and smile on their face anytime they see you walk into that children home to visit them and spend some time with them. How the children would run to meet you on the way with so much joy. 

This is what compassion made more effective with action can achieve. You can make a difference if only you would take the step to be a blessing to someone and to lend a helping hand to someone in desperate need of it.

BECAUSE YOU ARE AN ANSWER TO SOMEONE’S PRAYER. Don’t hinder it.  

LOST IDENTITY

by Asiwome Tei-Mati

 "...When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, 'Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.' Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, 'First sell me your birthright.' Esau said, 'Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?' And Jacob said, 'First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright." (Genesis 25:29-34).

The above is the story of Ghanaians when Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah admonished “…for our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent. “…the long battle is over and our beloved country Ghana is free forever"

Free Forever? I doubt! What is freedom if our individual identity is linked up to the total superiority of the white skin where used and torn broni panties are better than our own indigenous Ghanaian names? Many a Ghanaian over the years has deviated from their culture and has adopted foreign names which they don’t understand and could not pronounce correctly. Worse of all is when these indigenous Ghanaian names are being spelt English. The recent increase in the adoption of ‘twinglish’, ‘ewenglish’ (twi and ewe blend English names) etc is detrimental to the development of the Ghanaian culture and identity.

Oheneba Akua Manfo (formally Blakofe), shared a story of an encounter she had when traveling from London to Kent. She said “I feel it is important to use my Ghanaian name at all times. More so as the naming of a Ghanaian child is very key to our culture. As a Ghanaian, just by telling you my name, you automatically learn something about me (I bet many of you did not know my father is the Sanahene of Asamankese and hence the Oheneba)”.

Names such as Kwame Nkrumah, Yaa Asantewaa and Kofi Annan are names that are proudly indigenous-unadulterated! What we see today are Ghanaian names shamefully spelt. Kwame, now spelt Quarme, Kofi spelt Qouphi, Kwesi spelt Quacci or Cwesi. Frimpong spelt Frympong or Phrympong, Etornam now Er Thor Nahm

The implication is that we are gradually becoming a nation of low self-esteemed Ghanaians with feelings of worthlessness having a skewed mindset that a blend of English to our Ghanaian names will place value on our personality. I felt wonderful knowing my name is Asiwome (meaning, In God’s Hands) because this was the first information I had about who I was, the real me, and where I’m from.

A Lost identity also denies us the privilege of cultural affiliation. That also denies us traditional knowledge. An Anlo bred Ghanaian who has never stepped foot at KIA speaks and you wonder if the White House is his/her home. It’s called LAFA (Locally Acquired Foreign Accent) – fashionable huh?! You are lost!

Many of us eventually lost our language and names making it almost impossible to bridge the language and culture gap


From Twinglish, Ewenglish etc to second-hand plates, dresses, panties and bras, what else is left as our birthright, culture and identity? We forget that one without a name is one without an identity and one without an identity is a lost individual.

" Many of us eventually lost our language and names making it almost impossible to bridge the language and culture gap"

We have sold our identity for a pot of fashion and a loaf of westernization.

Enyolynn, Koffy, Kel (Kekeli), Ephua, Efya, where are you all from? Leo Caxton (born Ibrahim Idris), where are you from? Where are you from Se L Orm?

Proudly Ghanaian at least by name. What a about you?

Signed:

First Name: Asiwome (unadulterated ewe name)

Last Name: Tei-Mati (Traditional Ga Adangbe name)

Who will you believe?

If the Pharisee were given the chance to pick disciples for Jesus, imagine what would have happened.

Temple of Jerusalem
Council or Pharisees and Sadducees
Jerusalem
Jesus Christ
c/o Anywhere
Judea,
Dear Sir,

PROPOSAL OF ADVICE
It is in your own interest that we write you this letter. We have conducted a detailed human resource analysis of your choice of disciples and want to duly advice you. Upon research and interview we believe Simon Peter, John and James Zebedee, Mathew, Thomas and most of the rest of your choice are not fit to be disciples. Simon Peter has no formal education of any kind. He is too uncouth and has a terrible temper. Mathew is a dishonest tax collector and unsuitable for missionary work. The least said about Thomas the better. He is too argumentative and challenges authority. The rest have no social standing and most of them have no property of any value. They do not know the law of Moses, neither do they practice our holy religious methods.

Judas Iscariot on the other and is a very fine gentleman. He is knowledgeable in mathematics and finances; he has excellent communication skills and a fine business mind. We highly recommend him for discipleship. Hoping you will take our advice to heart.
PS. You could also benefit from a scripture refresher course.

Yours
Pharisee Trantos


God looks directly in our hearts and not at our appearance or pretenses. When He sent Samuel to Jesse’s house, this is what He said concerning his children,
(1Sa 16:7 CEV) But the LORD told him, "Samuel, don't think Eliab is the one just because he's tall and handsome. He isn't the one I've chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts."

The world has consistently albeit erroneously placed its emphasis on what is external. Hollywood has led the campaign of physical appearance as a standard for life and the rest of the world has bought this hook, line and sinker. The result of such abysmal standards is evident in the deteriorating moral standards and the sheer number of divorces and personal crisis amongst its believers. However the one whose opinion matters has assured us that he looks for what is inside.

"   Hollywood has led the campaign of physical appearance as a standard for life and the rest of the world has bought this hook, line and sinker."

He looks at our hearts, after all it is the seat of all action. The emotion is the foundation of physical action. It is the true source of the external appearance. It is like the hidden part of the iceberg. What is the use of beauty outside when there is filth inside? A lot of people are like whitewashed graves; beautiful, clean and spotless outside, but terrible inside. The Bible says that a bitter source cannot produce sweet springs neither can a rotten root produce healthy fruits. What is inside will eventually show on the outside.
Do not judge people on only what you see. God does not. He looks at the heart and the soul.
So whose report will you believe about yourself?

Some people have allowed the opinion of others to put them down and discourage them. They have believed the report of others instead of God’s report. Remember, God looks in the inside, but man looks at the outside. So whose report will you believe?
Get up, shake the worries off and get to work. The one whose opinion matters has a good report of you. Don’t look back, never despair, for He who has started a good thing in you, is able to complete it.
God bless you.

LOVE: endocrine protein, reversible catalytic reaction or truth part 2

by Anthony Afum Awuah

The bible then clearly at this point shows us the way forward. Jesus points to the fact that an intention alone is not enough. The fact that a person intends to be there for you and love you is not enough. Once Paul said that which I will I am unable to do but that which I eschew I find myself doing them. God acknowledging that man needs a standard made it very clear in His word what qualifies to be love in His standard.

God after he created Adam said it was not good for man to be alone. He didn’t create Eve before concluding it was not good for man to be alone. You have to create yourself before you give in to the need to accommodate another person in your life as a man. Love is responsibility and all that drama that comes with it is just a benefit. Educate yourself, find something meaningful to do and earn a livelihood. Build yourself in the Lord and make time to commit fully to the work of God before you introduce the concept of a better half in your life. I am sure God’s opinion is clear on that. It just doesn’t happen with time so don’t use years as a yardstick or a cut-off point to decide when you are ready. Like love, ageing is just a biological process and doesn’t reflect on good character or judgement as afore mentioned in the earlier article. An emotionally matured person who has built good practices and healthy habits can handle another person even with their flaws.

Whereas our emotions dictates to us to find the perfect person that will make us feel on top of the world and priceless, the word of God is clear that relationships like marriage though beneficial in the area of warmth and companionship has an original intention. This is to extend the love of God to another in God’s will. Getting the support that you need in life for your vision and a man or woman who will be there for you all the time is just a benefit that can induce a biological reaction that makes one happy should the other party play their role meticulously well. But the original intention of God especially for marriage goes beyond that. He knows very well that it can make or unmake you so He has made very strict provisions in His word for your own good.

Does it mean they are lying if they tell us they love us?

No it doesn’t mean the man or woman is lying. In fact they may be willing to do all they can to make us happy. This doesn’t mean that they will be willing to do all they can to fulfill the God given mandate for their position. He intends to be there for you but can he stand when the going gets tough. Moments of inspiration and truth in intentions are important but what will make a man or woman stay by his partner for better or worst is character but not romance or love like we know it.

Can they abuse or cheat and still love us?

Well I am going to stick my neck out and say for a fact that, it is absolutely possible for your spouse to beat you, humiliate or embarrass you and still love you. Kofi has never cheated on his wife. He has a vivid imagination of what his family should be like and his role in it. He has zero tolerance for any form of non-compliance or disrespect. When Ama, his troublesome wife offends him, his temper flares and he teaches her a lesson. By the time he is done, Ama needs stiches. He feels sorry and pampers Ama. He has issues but he loves his wife and family. Ama loves her husband Kofi very much. When she is angry she throws tantrums regardless of where they are and insults the man publicly. She sometimes hoots at him in public and humiliates him. Yet it is on record without a shadow of doubt that she loves him dearly.

Cheating is marked by lack of self control and a willingness to indulge in games but not necessarily lack of love. Most men who cheat just want to have fun but do not do so because they don’t love their good wives. This doesn’t hold for all men though.

Love is not what prevents people from doing the worst to you. It is character and the fear of the Lord that will prevent people from doing the worst that comes into their mind. I believe that the woman in the house should always respect her man but submission should be earned by the man through sacrifice. When as a man you don’t work hard to provide for your family, you lose your place as the head of the home.

How come love doesn’t even count when it comes to choosing a life partner?

When a man of character finds a “wife” loving her is the easiest thing to do. When a woman of character finds a “man” after God’s own heart, loving him is the easiest thing to do. I know by now I am sounding controversial. If we can manipulate most of our biological reactions in our body then attraction and intimacy can be manipulated to suit our needs. Why do you think that even married men can be seduced? We will be attracted to more than one person in life and when you are a man well you are looking at hundreds and thousands based on your preference but you will chose only one to have a life with. Chemistry as we call it; attraction and intimacy is good but that is not enough.  We may not be in control of who we are attracted to, but we have to choose who to spend our lives with not on love as we know it.

A person’s character determines to a larger extent his actions and the actions of your partner will determine to a larger extent whether you will feel loved or not. So for a woman you are looking for a hard working humble and protective man who can multitask as a father and a husband that cheers you up whenever. For a man you are looking for a woman with a lot of emotional control and maturity. Who places priority on respecting you the way you understand in accordance with the word of God. Solomon knew them and mentioned one day that it is better to live on a roof top than to live with a broiling wife. She may love you the most but you can’t live with her. Peter after everything he said to Jesus denied him publicly with oaths and swearing. Sister, you don’t need a man like that. You need one who does exactly as he says. This is based on character and not love as we know it.

How do I make the choice?

Making a life choice that will affect the outcome of an entire generation of a family and beyond requires you to go by the books (word of God). If you are a woman that have more than one man in mind to choose from? It can be very tricky. You don’t choose the one that loves you the most out of the lot; you choose the one with the best character in accordance with the word of God. Good character is built on fear of the Lord and not level of spiritual astuteness.

Likewise if you are a man who wants to choose a wife, you are not looking at which of the candidates you are interested in, loves you the most but rather which of them have the best character. Once you have the most beautiful woman, she ceases to be beautiful once you have her. She is no longer prettier than the woman passing by because you already have her. But once you have the most substantive woman who qualifies to be the biblical wife. You will always see the beauty in her that no one sees.

Life is too precious to leave your testosterone, oxytocin, beta endorphins and other hormones to make the most important decisions for you. A good man has a Life; He sustains himself and is hard working. He respects authority and is very humble. He has a good sense of humor and respects you. He tolerates your weaknesses but never condones your immaturity and selfishness. He puts you in your place when you are wrong yet holds you in his arms with such love. He makes the best of you and builds you. Every time spent with him makes you a better person and not just a problem solver. He makes you feel involved and in charge. He makes you a priority among women. Such qualities will make a woman feel loved all the days of her life, the funny thing is that his 6 packs, charms, and depth of love as we know it today had nothing to do with it.

A good woman is very respectful and humble. She is very hard working and good at chores. She understands your emotional needs. She doesn’t allow her emotions to cloud her judgment. She is able to multitask as a mother and a wife. She knows her place in the home and fulfills her responsibility. She is hardworking and ambitious. She creates a haven out of the home given to her to take charge off. She is a confidant and cheerful. A trust worthy person who has control over her tongue.

These are qualities that are built on character, good judgement and fear of the Lord and not built on how much the person loves you. Love as we know it today may intend the action but delivery is in the character. Either it is there, they can and will build it or it’s not there.

In conclusion hope is not lost. Just a strict reminder that love as we have always known it regardless of the benefits is wrong and simply a reduced biological process that can be manipulated at any point in time.

Love is not the feeling that has been aforementioned to be determined by cascade of catalytic reversible molecular reactions induced by a cocktail of hormones devoid of character, good sense of judgment and the fear of the Lord.

Love is doing what you have been told to do per God’s word regardless of external influences and indices. Paul was very clear when he wrote is infamous letter on it.

1Co 13:4 ¶ Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; (BBE)

1Co 13:5 Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; (BBE)

1Co 13:6 It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true; (BBE)

1Co 13:7 Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things. (BBE)

1Co 13:8 ¶ Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end. (BBE)

We can see from the above passage that there is no mention of dates, romance, chemistry, fondness, and speeches. Just a list of dos from God. God knowing very well what the end time shall be reduced to superficialism made it very clear in what he has mentioned in his word.

Now you know the truth, Love as we knew it had its place but the word of God says when that which is perfect is come that which is imperfect even though good will be done away with. Embrace the love of God. I rest my case. On a very good day.