THOUGHT NUGGET #42
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
ALL Means ALL
To the child of God, “all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28). That little word “ALL” captures the scope of God’s promise. ALL includes every conceivable disappointment, sorrow, illness, pain, poverty, hardship, hurt, hate, and any other awful things calculated to separate us from the love of God (see verses 35, 38, and 39). God can take even bad situations and make them for the eternal good of His children. He brings blessings from curses, patience from suffering, sympathy from pain, and humility from disappointment. Whenever in the valley of despair, remember that “all things” (not “some things” or even “most things,” but “ALL” things) “work together for good.” ALL means ALL.—SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #41
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
BEING STILL
There are increasingly fewer moments to just be quiet and reflect. Ambient noise has become part of our lives—noise from traffic, airplanes, radio, TV, friends, churches, phone rings, and even personal computers. But if we learn to block out the noises, we shall discover some majestic truths about our Creator and the universe. We’ll also discover some ugly truths about ourselves—our fears and unbeliefs, our self-importance and self-righteousness, our falsehoods and hypocrisy. The Bible bids us to “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It’s an invitation to quietly reflect and trustfully depend on God. Being still is often the moment God leads us to brokenness.—SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #40
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
AFRICA HAS TIME
The rest of the world has watches, but Africa has time. We’re never late to events; just not early enough (except for our babies who are born prematurely and senior citizens who die promptly in their 40s). We borrow generously from other’s scheduled appointments and spend hours to introduce speakers at functions. Output is based on activity not productivity, and work slated for completion forever ago are still undergoing construction. Our leaders are presidents for life, and funerals last for months. Time is not such a big deal, so we’re calm and laidback. The only pressure is the annoying crowing of the rooster, reminding us each morning that Africans don’t really have time.—SKP
[NOTE: The above nugget was excerpted from the full version below. Be blessed--and challenged.]
(The Full Version) AFRICA HAS TIME
The rest of the world has watches, but Africa has time. We’re never late to events; just not early enough (except...
THOUGHT NUGGET #39
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
THE TIME TO TRUST
It’s not when hope’s flag is high in the sky, but when many bow their heads and groan “Why?” The darkest hour is the time for unwavering trust. The apostle Paul trusted at such a time. In shipwreck he said, “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope for being saved” (Acts 27: 20), but then he went on to say, “Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God” (v. 25). The time to trust God is not when life is calm and sings its psalm; it’s when the storms rage and our song is but a lisping cry.—SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #38
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
THE TRIAL OF NON-SUCCESS
Non-success is the trial we face when disappointment crowns our efforts. It’s the pain we experience when our energy and time are not appreciated or rewarded. The prophet Isaiah captures the feeling of non-success when he lamented: "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing….” (Isaiah 49:4). But we mustn’t be discouraged when we see no hints of success. Let’s serve sacrificially, even if results are not always visible or recognized. History will render the verdict. And, as Isaiah himself added, “surely my just reward is with the Lord." We must be undaunted by the trial of non-success, for a diligent, selfless, and faithful effort is itself success.—SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #37
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
NEED PATIENCE?
Have you ever seriously prayed for patience? For most of us, even such petitions are impatient ultimatums! We’re frustrated with God’s “delay” in granting us overnight success, instant wealth, rapid improvement of health, on-the-spot caring relationships, and quick solutions to our problems. But we cannot command God—even “in Jesus name”—to give us instant patience. Why? Patience is developed in the furnace of trials and afflictions, when we willingly and totally surrender to God’s will (Romans 5:3, 4; James 1:2, 3; John 15:1, 2). Are you really honest about needing patience in your life? You might as well petition God for more agonizing trials or prolonged afflictions, then calmly wait and see what He’ll do!—SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #36
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
SETBACKS & HINDRANCES
God has a plan or purpose for your life. This plan is as sure and detailed as His plan of salvation. His plan for you knows neither delay nor accident. It leaves nothing to chance, hence nothing can really hurt you. Yes, your feelings can be hurt, you can be shocked by the hatred of others, and can even experience terrible grief and loss. But these things that occur in your life come through the hands of God and they’ll work together for your good. Believe and apply these facts to every circumstance of your life, surrender your plan to His plan, and you’ll develop an indomitable faith that can handle sudden setbacks and seemingly persistent hindrances. Psalm 62:8.--SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #35
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
THE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP
In the garden of friendship, our Eden can become a Gethsemane. Our trusted companions can fall asleep, leaving us alone to drink the bitter cup. And our friends of many years may wound us with their kisses of betrayal. Yes, we may often walk alone in the garden. But there is Another faithful and ever-present Friend. He is gracious and tender-hearted, sympathizing with all our trials, failures, and sorrows. He’s a consistent Friend—unchanging and unchangeable. No circumstance or distance can separate us from our Savior. No wonder the wisest man who ever lived refers to Him as: “The chiefest among ten thousand....This is my Beloved, THIS IS MY FRIEND” (Song of Songs 5:10, 16). He is enough for me—SKP
THOUGHT NUGGET #34
By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, PhD
HOPE
A life without hope is futile existence. When we think or feel that we have nothing to hope for (in our studies, relationships, finances, prospects, spirituality, and health), we inevitably grow depressed and desperate. The desperation and depression can result in bitterness, rage, hatred of life, and in some cases, can lead to suicide. This is why the word “HOPE-LESS” is written across the details of almost every suicide or murder-suicide. Hope is the lens through which we view the future. It is the eyes that enable us to see through the dark. God is our Hope. With him, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.--SKP
(Meditation on Romans 15:13; Joel 3: 16; Psalm 71:5).
Memorial Day is an American federal holiday observed annually on the last Monday of May. On this day, many people visit flag-decorated cemeteries and memorials, to honor those who have died in military service.
Today, Memorial Day has become an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visit the graves of their deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they had served in the military or not.
Memorial Day also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
I spent this year's Memorial Day (2012), completing a book manuscript titled “The Transformed Mind: Changing the World By Being Changed.” However, I took some time off to reflect on life—my life, in the context of God’s will. In the course of that reflection, the words of Dr. Bob Moorehead spoke anew to me.
Thus, in place of my weekly...