A COMPELLING WHY

“I was worth about over a million dollars when I was 23; over ten million dollars when I was 24; over a hundred million dollars when I was 25 and it wasn't that important because I never did it for the money” (Steve Jobs). Never for money? Why then did the late CEO of the Apple company build his business? Do YOU have a compelling WHY for what you do? Even more, for WHY you were born? Thank you all for your birthday wishes (sent on my facebook wall & into my inbox, via emails, letters, & phone calls). I spent much of my birthday in prayerful reflection & in completing two-and-half book manuscripts (stay tuned for the release announcement). The WHY we were born is more important than the when. Discover your compelling why—your purpose (Jeremiah 1:4-8).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

ARE YOU BITTER?

Bitterness results from what others did to us, said about us, or took from us (be it real or imaginary). Though we blame them for these ills, often we’re the voluntary victims of our own unforgiveness. Those filled with bitterness are dysfunctional and dangerous. They’re obsessed with those they passionately hate or despise, and constantly prowl around for an opportunity to hurt, humiliate, or slander them. The ROOT cause of bitterness is a lack of grace in a person’s life. To be bitter is to be unforgiving, miserable, and a willing slave of those who have hurt us. Stop drinking the toxin of bitterness. For Christ’s sake, forgive! (Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31, 32; Matthew 18:21-35; Colossians 3:12, 13).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

CHICKEN LEADERSHIP

Alas, today we’ve allowed the chickens to lead the eagles! We know this when consciences don't catch fire for noble and just causes. When competence is determined by age, degrees, pedigree, and blind agreement. When activity counts, and not productivity. When self-interest and greed reign supreme. We know chickens are in charge when emotions trump common sense, fears melt courage, and the clamor of ignorant, dysfunctional, and self-seeking vigilantes usurp principled decisions. Tragically, in much of society and church, our deluded chickens convince themselves they’re actually eagles, and parade their clueless, spineless, & erratic leadership as administrative savvy. The audacity of chicken leadership! Where are the eagles? (Jeremiah 5:1; Ezekiel 22:30)—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

From METAL Chains to MENTAL Chains

It's the root cause for the crisis of leadership in Africa, our culture of dependency, and our beggar mentality. It's the reason we willingly allow others to exploit us to advance their personal, political, ideological, theological, economic and racial agendas; it’s we who allow them to chew our food for us and spit it into our mouths to swallow. Our mental chains are the reason we shamefully sell our own selves, our people, and our nations for the truthful lies, vain flatteries, and cheap bribes of opportunists and adversaries who pretend to seek our interest; and why we then stupidly & hypocritically claim we’re victims! Our mental chains are the reason for the new slavery, colonization, and scramble for Africa. It's the reason we vilify our true heroes when they are alive, and then build monuments for them with the very stones we use to stone them to death! We’re our own problem. Let’s stop the denials, excuses, and blame game. Let’s quit the...

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UNCHAIN THE ELEPHANT

Ever wondered why a big, powerful elephant in the zoo doesn’t break down the fence and go free? From infancy, its trainer uses progressively smaller metal chains around its neck or legs to condition it to be helpless. Long after these are removed, the elephant still believes it is chained. Its METAL chains are now replaced by its MENTAL chains. How often we act like the elephant in the zoo! We easily give up trying. Past failures & present inadequacies convince us we’re incapable. We doubt our God-given potential, waste opportunities, and fail to see setbacks as stepping-stones. Our mental chains need to be broken. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Are you paralyzed by your mindset? Unchain the elephant. You!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

BURIED TREASURES

Cemeteries or graveyards hide many buried treasures. Dr. Myles Munroe (1954–2014) aptly explains: “Buried beneath … those sacred grounds are dreams that never came to pass, songs that were never sung, books that were never written, paintings that never filled a canvas, ideas that were never shared, visions that never became reality, inventions that were never designed, plans that never went beyond the drawing board of the mind, and purposes that were never fulfilled. Our graveyards are filled with potential that remained potential. What a tragedy!” Buried dreams are buried treasures. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) dares us: “If there is anything you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” I won’t bury my treasure. What about you? (Matthew 25:14-30).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

THROUGH THE VALLEY

Of the many valleys in life, death is the deepest and most dreadful. One out of every one person will walk through this lonesome valley. David confirms and offers hope: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NASB). Death is an “even though” reality, not an “if or maybe” event. Green pastures DO turn into gray deserted valleys. But the God who is with us in our valleys of death will also be with us during our other tragedies of life. In the lion’s den, we’ll be safe. In the fiery furnace, we won’t be burned. In the deep waters, we shall not drown. And in life’s journey, we shall walk THROUGH the valley. Emmanuel!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

SHATTERED DREAMS

Life is full of shattered dreams. Unannounced, circumstances can circumvent our dreams, disappointments crown our optimism, and the cold remains of broken promises chill the sunniest disposition. But however painful, shattered dreams have the power to change our lives—for good. How? Accept its reality. Believe that God can restore beauty from the broken pieces. Cling to His precious promises (Romans 8:28, 35-39; Job 23:10). We should not despair when our sweetest dreams morph into the worst nightmares. Regardless of how things appear to us, our shattered dreams give opportunity for God to fulfill His own dreams for our lives. Trust Him! Shattered dreams do not signal the end of life.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

PEACE OR PIECES?

“You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it into peace” (Michael Franti & Spearhead). Anger and violence seldom solve problems. So, don’t let bitterness and rage steal your sweetness and gentleness. Commit with Max Lucado: “I choose gentleness… Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”  Are you sorely provoked or hurt? “Let your gentleness be known to all men” (Philippians 4:5; cf. Romans 12:18). To right wrongs, write injuries in sand, and for each grievance, engrave gentleness in granite. The conquests of gentleness outlast the victories of violence.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

GO FAR

Life is not a "go alone" journey. An African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together." Honey bees teach us collaboration. On warm days, about half the bees in a hive stay inside beating their wings—to make the inside temperature some 10 degrees cooler than outside. The other half go out to gather pollen and nectar. The bees rotate duties, so the bees that cool the hive one day gather honey the next. That’s excellence through synergy. For success, align with those who share your vision and ideals. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10). To go far, go together. Teamwork!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim