Thought Nuggets

Thought Nuggets

ENVY STINKS!

Envy reveals itself in hate, lies, hypocrisy, and slander. To cherish envy is insanity. To nurture it is suicidal. The ancient Greek storyteller Aesop (620–564 BC) tells about two eagles, one envious of the other who could soar higher and more elegantly than him. Trying to wound and kill this other, the envious eagle kept plucking the strongest feathers from his own body and shooting them as arrows. That became his downfall. He couldn’t hit the higher-flying eagle, and was soon grounded by the loss of his feathers.  Envy is self-destructive!  “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.…A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (1 Peter 2:1; Proverbs 14:30; NIV). Envy stinks and kills!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

MONKEY SOLUTIONS

Beware of well-intentioned but misguided solutions to problems. Retired Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong of Kumasi, Ghana, tells the story of how a group of monkeys sought to help some fishes they saw struggling in a raging flood. Quickly jumping down from their trees, and with much effort, they caught the fishes one by one and placed them on dry land. Soon, motionless fishes piled on the shore. Turning to each other, the monkeys said: “See, the tired fishes are sleeping and resting. But for us, they’d all have drowned! When they wake up, they’d be very grateful that we’ve given them salvation.” Zeal without knowledge is risky and destructive (Proverbs 19:2). In the face of danger, ignorance in action is as dangerous as stupidity or inaction.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

THE HIGH ROAD

Never stoop to the level of nasty people: “Their biggest motivation is that they actually feel inferior to you, so they'll slash you down to their level" (psychologist Jay Carter). Always take the high road. Be gracious and compassionate to difficult and mean people, for often they’ve been hurt, are unloved, or haven’t experienced God’s forgiveness. A dear old lady was asked what she used to look so beautiful and attractive.  She answered: “I use for my lips, truth; for my voice, kindness; for my eyes, compassion; for my hands, charity; for my figure, uprightness; for my heart, love; for any who do not like me, prayer. Try this make-up and see what it’ll do for you.” That’s taking the high road! (Colossians 3:12-17; Matthew 5).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

BE THE PEN

No one has yet succeeded in silencing the voice of the pen. To ignore it is to be influenced by it, and to attack it is to promote it. Over the years the powerful have tried to banish, tarnish, and even vanish the pen. They vilified, conspired, unjustly tried, and imprisoned it. Then they executed it, consigned its burial to infamy, and made sure there was no tombstone for it. But somehow the ordinary pen outlives the sword of the mighty. Its spilled blood infuses life into the veins of new generations. Be “the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1). Dare to speak. Refuse to be silenced. For the pen of truth is the most effective weapon against the arrogance and tyranny of power. Be the pen!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

UNCOMFORTABLE GRACE

You never ask for it—but it’s a much-needed gift! Paul David Tripp calls it "uncomfortable grace"—and explains: “There are moments in our lives when we are crying out for grace, not recognizing that we are getting it. We are not getting the grace of relief or the grace of release, because that is not the grace that we really need. No, what we are getting is something we desperately need, the uncomfortable grace of personal growth and change.” Uncomfortable grace takes us through places we never intended, so we’ll arrive where we’re destined to be. It’s a “thorn-in-the-flesh” grace that develops and refines character (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Romans 5:1-5). Let’s glory in God’s uncomfortable grace. It’s equally amazing and marvelous! Hallelujah!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

JUNGLE JUSTICE

It’s any ideology that inspires beheadings, terrorism, targeted killings, lynching, and all forms of extra-judicial killings. It’s the logic that justifies violence in the name of God (John 16:2)—or security, or freedom, or democracy. But jungle justice reaches beyond religion and politics. It also includes OUR own thirst for revenge. Our vigilante spirit to persecute without prosecution. Our tendency to judge hastily without full facts. Our assassinations by false accusations, slander, and gossip. Our labeling of people as criminals, sinners, enemies, or unwanted so as to destroy them. True justice protects the “innocent until proven guilty,” accords with God’s Law, and trusts God for vengeance (Romans 12:17-19). Jungle justice is injustice and is as deadly as witchcraft!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

WHERE’S YOUR HOME?

Home is much more than where you were born, where you grew up, or where you currently live. Home is where you belong—where you locate your real roots and feel totally connected. It’s where you find your purpose and develop your true potential. Home is the place where it’s safe to be yourself—without needing a mask or makeup. It’s where you’re at peace, even in the midst of storms. Ultimately, home is not a place, but a person—that special Person who accepts you as you are, transforms you into a star, to be admired from afar. God is our home. Wherever and everywhere we experience His holy presence is where we’re at home. He’s the resting place for our restless souls. Let's abide in Him (John 15:4-8).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

THE EXTRA MILE

Jesus said, “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:41; NIV). The “Extra Mile” mindset doesn’t just do the minimum required, but graciously exceeds all expectations. It’s the attitude which asks: “How can I help you?” and, having cheerfully served, ALSO asks: “Is there anything else I can do for you?” It’s a principle of integrity that seeks to do not just what is legally allowable, but also what is ethically right. It’s a disposition which not only patiently bears ill-treatment, but is kind and respectful to those who have ill-treated you. Go the extra mile today. It will take you farther along in life’s journey—be it personal, professional or spiritual.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

LILY WHITE LIES

White lies are neither pretty nor harmless. They are as deadly as slander, libel, or perjury. Any word or action intended to deceive constitutes a lie. White lies include the evasion of truth, deceptive compliments, flatteries, exaggerations, subtle misrepresentations, and stating facts in ways that convey falsehood. We also lie by our silence, glance of the eye, motion of the hand, and even our countenance. All lies—regardless of their color or shade—are harmful, for they erode trust, violate God’s Law, and have their source in Satan, the father of lies. (Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 6:12-14; Matthew 5:37; John 8:44). Let truth be your partner, for the ugly truth is more adorable than lily white lies.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

EXCELLENCE vs. MEDIOCRITY

Excellence is GOLD; mediocrity is polished brass.
Excellence is REAL; mediocrity is fake.
Excellence is being an EAGLE; mediocrity is being a chicken. 
Excellence is a PERSON; mediocrity is a shadow. 
Excellence is COMMITTED; mediocrity is involved. 
Excellence is a JOURNEY; mediocrity is a bus station. 
Excellence is being NICE; mediocrity is crude.
Excellence SURRENDERS its right; mediocrity insists on its own. 
Excellence OVERCOMES failure; mediocrity is stalled by obstacles. 
Excellence offers NO EXCUSES; mediocrity casts blame. 
Excellence goes HIGHER; mediocrity aims high.
Excellence is DISTINCTION; mediocrity is extinction. 
To be DISTINCT, and not extinct, choose the way of Excellence, not the path of mediocrity (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Thought Nuggets

THORNS OF ROSES

We are charmed by the grace of roses, but detest the thorns. Yet there’s never a rose without thorns. The thorns defend the rose from intruders, and their pricks inoculate the flower from infections attracted by its beauty and fragrance. Paul writes: “A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. … I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ … Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Be thankful for your thorns of roses.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

  1. Senseless Violence
  2. Grow In the Storm
  3. Stay With the Ball
  4. The Spirit of Courtesy

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