ADVICE TO WOUNDED EAGLES 

“Think of me as a fellow-patient in the same hospital who, having been admitted a little earlier, could give some advice” (C.S. Lewis). In the steps of Lewis, I also could give some “advice” to wounded eagles—all who, in spite of their commitment to excellence, have fallen short of God’s ideals. Regrettably, eagles sometimes get wounded. Their wounds, often the result of tiredness, weakness, accidents, attacks from enemies and frenemies, and in some cases from their own self-inflicted wounds of foolish mistakes, selfishness and pride. Here’s my advice: A wounded cat is still a cat, not a rat. A wounded dog is still a dog, not a frog. Similarly, a wounded eagle is still an EAGLE, and not a chicken or a turkey! Through Christ’s enabling grace, wounded eagles can heal and soar again (cf. Isaiah 40:27-31; Psalm 103:1-5). Be not discouraged, wounded eagles. You’re still God’s Eagle!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

WHY? WHY ME? WHY NOW?

We become philosophers when sudden adversities strike. When our worlds fall apart without warning: fatal illness diagnosed, death strikes, loss or failure suffered, divorce, broken relationship or rejection experienced, or hurt by betrayal, slander, or hatred. It’s then we ask, “Why this? Why Me? Why Now?” But, “Why not? If not you, who would you suggest? And if not now, would you have preferred last week or tomorrow?” In the face of life-shattering experiences, it is sometimes helpful to recognize that there are things we can never fully understand in this side of the world. One day, however, God will make plain his purpose in allowing those things in our lives. Jesus told Peter: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this”  (John 13:7). Rather than frustrating ourselves with the “Why” questions, or complaining and arguing with God, we must simply defer our questions to a future time. More often than not, time gives a better...

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BE THE ONE

“If you think you're too small to make a difference, you haven't spent a night with a mosquito” (African Proverb).  Just because you’re the only one doesn’t mean your presence, voice, or efforts don’t count. An unknown author uses a typewriter’s missing key to illustrate the incredible power of one: “If you'rx having onx of thosx days whxn you think you just arxn't vxry important, and you'rx txmptxd to slack off, rxmxmbxr this old typxwritxr. You arx a kxy pxrson, and whxn you don't do your bxst, nothing xlsx around you works out thx way it is supposxd to.” One is not too small to not count. It is not too little to make a difference. And not too ordinary to have an impact. Therefore, don’t underestimate the power of one. God is looking for one person to make a difference. Be that one. (Ezekiel 22:30).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL

Have you been stung by failure? Are you hurting from the shame of your self-inflicted wounds? Have you lost hope, feeling that your relationship, health, studies, business, or profession is over? FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL! You can bounce back and thrive again—IF you respond in humility and repentance. After Nebuchadnezzar’s failure and humiliation, God’s grace reversed his misfortunes: “I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding RETURNED to me… My reason RETURNED to me, … my honor and splendor RETURNED to me. My counselors and nobles RESORTED to me, I was RESTORED to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was ADDED to me” (Daniel 4:34, 36). Don’t be discouraged by the pain, loss, shame, gossip, slander, gloating, and other malicious acts that attend failure. “Lift up your eyes to heaven” and bounce back. That’s restoration! Don't give up. IT'S NOT OVER! After failure empties your cup, God’s grace can fill it to its brim again! (Proverbs 24:16...

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THINK FOR YOURSELF

It’s easier to feel than to think. And many who think they’re thinking are either parroting the thoughts of others or merely re-arranging their prejudices. Thinking is hard, for it forces us to analyze facts before we finalize acts. And, conclusions based on thinking are not always pleasant. But we must think! Whenever we abdicate our ability to think, or replace it with some superficial, emotional experience, we are in danger of being deceived, deluded, or unwittingly inflicting harm on others. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”  Think for yourself! If you don’t think for yourself, someone will do the thinking for you. Which is why Jesus repeatedly asked, “What do you think?” (cf. Matthew 17:25; 18:12; 21:28; 22:17, 42.)—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

GIVERS & TAKERS

“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave” (Calvin Coolidge). We say “we’re blessed” when we receive something. But, Jesus said, we’re “MORE blessed” when we give than when we receive" (Acts 20:35). This principle holds for individuals, organizations, businesses, and nations. To constantly receive and not give is to be selfish and impoverished. It’s why the Dead Sea is dead while the Sea of Galilee is alive. “True generosity doesn’t start when you have some thing to give, but rather when there’s nothing in you that’s trying to take” (Nipun Mehta). You want to be blessed? Give SACRIFICIALLY and GENEROUSLY—of your time, money, knowledge, sympathy, friendship, kindness, forgiveness, etc. (Proverbs 11: 24-26; Psalm 41:1-3; Luke 6:38). Be a giver, not a taker!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

OUR CREED OF GREED

Why are people so corrupt? It’s because they’re just like us! By default, corruption is our religion, and greed is our creed. We are the canonized saints in this religion, whether we go to church on Saturdays or Sundays, to the mosque on Fridays, or to some other shrines on Somedays and Nonedays: “Every human being is intrinsically selfish and will act to the dictates of this selfishness unless there's a system that threatens to hurt his/her ego beyond the value of the selfish interest” (Justice N. Bawole). Threats and punishments from human systems can mitigate corruption, but to win the fight against corruption our selfish hearts must be totally transformed (Isaiah 1:4-6; 18; Mark 7:21, 22; Romans 12:2).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

QUIT SELF-PITY

One doesn't have to be good-looking, talented, intelligent, powerful, or rich to be proud. Pride also infects some of the ugliest, seemingly ungifted, ignorant, oppressed, and poorest people. SELF-PITY is the pride of the weak and suffering. It’s the most subtle form of pride because, while pretending to be very needy, it is actually unrenewed self clamoring for attention. Priding itself in its deprived status, self-pity often masquerades as “humility.” It’s delusional, seeing itself as “a victim”—whether of circumstances or of self-inflicted choices and actions Self-pity is all about being indulgently selfish—and perfectly miserable. As branded-pride for the disadvantaged, it begins innocently as “Why Me,” but quickly grows to dethrone God and enthrone SELF.  When self-pity refuses to acknowledge its loathsome condition, it is incurable and deadly. Quit it! (Proverbs 29:23; James 4:6).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

DON’T HYPE THE NEW YEAR

“Happy New Year” is an overrated phrase, if not, sometimes, a meaningless wish. 1) How can we wish it to anyone when HAPPINESS means different things to different people? 2) What is really NEW about the year? Chances are we’re going to live and do the same old things. Forget the hype, inflated expectations, and one-day wonder resolutions! The new YEAR is only new when there’s a new PERSON—one with a new spirit and a new set of values. “Happy New Year” should not be a wish; it must be a will. Not a change on a calendar date, but a change from within. Not a new year, but a new YOU! “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 5:1-10). Is it "Happy New Year!" yet for you? It starts with being a better version of yourself.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

THE GIFT OF SANKOFA

The gift of Sankofa challenges the oft-given advice, “Never look back”—at least, the “never” part. “Sankofa,” a Twi word from Ghana literally means “go back and get it.” It is used in proverbs and symbols (e.g., the symbolic Sankofa bird, with its head turned backwards carrying an egg in its mouth) to mean, “go back to the past and bring forward that which is useful.” The Bible doesn’t begin with the birth of Jesus Christ, but with the book of Genesis (or origins, beginnings, or birth of everything)—thus, inviting us to look back. As you wrap up plans and gifts for Christmas, New Year, and other special occasions, be sure to offer yourself a Sankofa gift. Take a long, hard look at your personal, professional, and spiritual life. You can’t live in the past, but you can learn from the it (cf. Haggai 1:5, 7).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim