THOUGHT NUGGET #62

By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

STAY WITH THE BALL

There’s a saying in Ghanaian football: “The one with the ball is the one that’s attacked.” If you’re productively engaged in a worthy cause, prepare to be opposed and tripped. Adversaries will criticize, vilify, and try to pull down. But be undeterred. Even if you fumble, and are jeered and taunted, get up and keep moving! Remain focused on THE GOAL. Through our trials, struggles, and failures, Satan seeks our downfall and ruin. But through Christ, God always strengthens and renews. “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9). Attacked? Stay with the ball and you’ll triumph!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

THOUGHT NUGGETS #61

By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

HASTY JUDGMENTS

It was a costly mistake: The trusting parents went for a brief walk, leaving their new baby in the care of their watchful pet dog. They returned to find the baby’s crib upside-down and empty, its blanket in scattered bloody shreds. The family's pet—a previously tame and loyal pit-bull—innocently wagged its tail in welcome, unaware of the bloody evidence on its mouth and paws. Betrayed and outraged, the husband shot the dog dead. Soon after, in one dark corner of the room, he found their baby—alive, well, and without a scratch! And in another corner lay a dead wolf, its face pointing to the shattered glass window. CAUTION: Never rush to judgment! “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

THOUGHT NUGGET #60

By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

BE THE BEE

The Bird asked the Honeybee: “You work so hard to make honey and humans just take it away. Doesn't it bother you?" The Bee replied: “No, not at all! They take my honey, but can’t take away my art of making it.” Do you get discouraged or lose motivation when your efforts are not recognized, rewarded, or others take credit for your work? As long as you’re alive, your honey jar can always be filled.  For no one can take away our ability to produce, and God will ensure that our jars never run dry. Don't cease from diligent and sacrificial labor: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23, 24). Cheer up! Be the Bee!— SKP 

THOUGHT NUGGET #59

By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

LEMON JUICE OR LEMONADE?

Life can at times be very hard, full of pain, unfairness, and hurt. But of what use are folks who relax in pools of self-pity, who’re adorned in robes of long faces, and who dance to the rhythms of criticisms, complaints, and blame? Or Christians who seem to be baptized in lemon juice, equating gloominess with spirituality, gossip with gospel, and hyper-neurotic anxiety with sensitivity? And what good are those who take themselves too seriously, have no sense of humor, and cannot laugh at the funny side of life—including even life’s tragedies?  Here’s some lemonade to a sickening, bone-dry existence: “A merry heart does good, like medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22; cf. 15:13).—SKP

YOUR COUNSELOR

Uncertainties and tragedies often summon us to seek someone to talk to. But, alas, many stray into wrong places for counseling. Amidst the confusing claims of professional and “Christian” counselors, one Counselor is worth listening to. One who truly knows and cares about our struggles: “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given….His name will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR” (Isaiah 9:6). There’s no limit to Christ’s knowledge and understanding. His counsel is always right. He’ll never lose His professional license. He’s competent, ethical, and altruistic. He ever lives, so He’ll always be there for us. Why wander in the fog of dubious counselors when we have such a Wonderful Counselor?—SKP

THOUGHT NUGGET #57

By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

TEARS AT CHRISTMAS

The Christmas story is not a sanitized account of life. It’s not some sentimental jollity of jingle bells, Xmas plays, and Santa Claus gifts, supposedly to remember Christ’s birth. Besides “peace on earth and goodwill towards men” (Luke 2), there’s also “lamentation, weeping, and great mourning” because of envy, secret plotting, and massacre of the innocent to advance personal and political ambition (Matthew 2:1-18). As at that first Advent, our world today is also full of tears at Christmas time. These tears can’t be wiped away by simply going for shopping, dining, or watching sentimental Xmas movies.  Those for whom “Merry Xmas” has become “Teary Xmas” shouldn’t despair. For, He whose Childhood and life were marked by many tears identifies with all our sorrows and griefs. He’ll come again to end all tears.—SKP  

TEMPLE OF JUSTICE

Deep within the human heart is a yearning to worship at the temple of justice. It’s a longing for the day when truth will at last triumph, when unresolved mysteries will be finally solved, and when all wrongs will be fully made right. Carved in time, the temple of justice is when “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12) for every selfish act we’ve done, every wrong word we’ve spoken or written, every hasty judgment we’ve made, and every evil thought and motives we’ve cherished. Also, for every unfulfilled duty, neglected warnings, unimproved opportunities, and misused talent, funds, time, and influence. We who sigh because of injustice must seek refuge in God’s temple of justice, for none shall escape the irrevocable verdict of the Ultimate Judge. —SKP

THOUGHT NUGGET #55

By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD

LET GO!

Those who cherish the spirit of settling scores are devious and dangerous. Their vengeful spirit is cloaked in robes of justice and their treasured bitterness explodes to harm others. The retaliation they seek arises, not necessarily from hurt they’ve experienced but rather, from their wounded pride and selfishness which find satisfaction in inflicting pain on anyone—real or imaginary—who’s hurt them.  “Love keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians13:5; NIV); it trusts God with the ledger of wrongs. A tit-for-tat spirit evidences that we haven’t truly experienced God's healing, forgiveness, and love. For, hurt people hurt people, forgiven people forgive people, and loved people love people. Let go and let God!—SKP 

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 it 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.—SKP 

THANKSGIVING: THANKS for GIVING

On the eve of “Thanksgiving,” may I take this opportunity to say to all, “Thanks for giving….(Fill in the blanks).” To all those who reached out to me and my family during our difficult time, we offer our sincere and deep appreciation. Some were kind, others were cruel. But the Lord found fit use for all forms of response to teach us valuable lessons from everyone who felt the need to connect with us, so none need feel bad. Soon, it will be evident that the Lord employed the words and gestures from friends, foes, and frenemies to transform our lives, and to steer us in the direction of His will and plan. This is why I say to all on this “Thanksgiving” day, “THANKS for GIVING…”—SKP