Is the Holy Spirit a person, just like God the Father and Jesus Christ, as the doctrine of Trinity teaches? Let's examine the plain, clear testimony of the Scripture to see what God's Holy Spirit is.
First, it is the power of God. "'Not by might nor by power [of humans], but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts" (Zachariah 4:6). "I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of justice and might," declared the prophet Micah (Micah 3:8).
Second, it is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding- the Spirit of counsel and might, of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)
Third, it is a gift of God. After baptism, you receive "the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). It is poured out. "It shall come to pass in the last days, says God that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh" (verse 17)
Fourth, to be effective, the Holy Spirit must be stirred up. "I remind you to stir up the gift of God," Paul told the young evangelist Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6)
Fifth, the Spirit of God can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Sixth, it is the begetting power of God (Matthew 1:18, Romans 8:9)
Seventh, it is God's guarantee to us that he will fulfil his promise to us (Ephesians 1:13-14
Eight, it sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5 Authorized Version).
Ninth, it must be renewed (2Corinthians 4:16)
Notice that in all these scriptures there is not one characteristic even implying the Holy Spirit is a person.
Does a person do any of these things? Is a person "poured", "quenched" or "renewed"?
Consider another important fact. If the Holy Spirit were a person, Jesus Christ prayed to the wrong individual. Throughout the four gospels, we found Christ speaking to God-not the Holy Spirit-as his Father.
Scripture explodes the Trinity error! If Scripture is our authority, we cannot accept the Trinity doctrine. What will you believe?
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Steps to perfect eyebrows
I noticed that many people don't know how to make their eyebrows attractive. some go a long way to shave it of and wear eye pencil marks.
Did you know that your eyebrows can add a new meaning and definition to your face? When your eyebrows are well groomed, they go a long way to enhancing your beauty.
In shaping your eyebrows, you need to use the right facial features which include a pair of slant tweezers which grips hairs easily, eyebrow pencil and brush. Here are some easy guidelines to follow
Brush brows upwards and carefully trim any excess hair above the top of you natural arch. But, you need to be carefull so that you donnot remove too much, if not, you would have a brow 'bald' spot.
Look closely at the shape. Your brow should begin at the tearduct, peak at the outer edge of the iris and end at the outer corner of your eye. Many women make the mistake of removing toomuch hair at the outer corners and this slant the brows upwards and make the woman look like shes angry when shes not.
It is time to prepair your skin. Soak cottonwool ball in an astringent and use it to wipe your brow area.
Then, hold an eye pencil in line with the outer side of your iris and note where the peak of your arch naturally starts. From the arch to the outer corner of the eye, your brow should fall in a staigt or slantly curved line, depending on the look you want to achieve.
Take the tweezers and hold at 45degree and pluck the stray hair below the browline. You should pull hair in the direction of the hair growth, if not, you may end up breaking the hair mid-shaft. Just follow your natural brow shape and not trend. Well, it is very difficult to grow back your brows into their natural shape after you have plucked them to death trying to achieve and create a particular trend look.
Fill in spartse brow areas with a freshly sharpend brow pencil. Use light, but quick strokes to draw in hair. Use brow powder to give thin brows an overall definition that is good for a more natural look. Then, using brow brush, sweep powder up and outwards over brows.
If you are a brow novice, simply use a tinted brow gel to keep your brow in place. Lightly use it to coat brows using upwards and outward strokes. Then, wipe off excess gell.
Friday, October 25, 2013
MANAGING DAILY PRESSURE
We will never be the person we can be if pressure, tension and discipline are taken out of our life
-John Mason
The anthropologist says that when the fundamental pattern of a society or individual is destroyed, the individual or society becomes disorganized.
This disorganization may be temporal or permanent depending on how the pressure is managed to bring joy and happiness for the fulfilment of purpose.
There are some facts of life that we cannot change but to try to survive it. Pressures are inevitable so the way they are managed determines the outcome of our life and relationship. Meeting and coping with pressures of life successfully will make us grow into full stature of a mature human being.
One thing about pressure is that most of them do not exist except in our imagination. When pressures mounts, lets relax, reorient ate ourselves and reorganize our plans so that we will be able to cope realistically and effectively. Path without obstacles leads nowhere.
If it seems you have come to the end of the rope, hang on and do not give up. Keep hanging on. Free your mind, and then get away from despair that creates unnecessary pressure.
We either rise up the ladder or remain at the bottom depending on how we control our daily pressures. Show me a man who has done something worthwhile and I will show you the man who has overcome many pressures and adversities
If we can avoid unholy trinity of disappointment, frustration and despair that comes from pressure, we are sure of lasting bliss and happiness.
Control your thoughts, direct your emotion and you will attain your destiny. Finally, pressure divides love and adds friction with sickness and loneliness. Love erases pressure; it brings hope and helps the sense of reasoning.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
SOMETHING JESUS DIDN'T KNOW
The Preacher
Some assume that Jesus knew everything. After all, before he became flesh, he was the Word, who had been with God from the beginning (John 1:1-2, 14).
Jesus for example, knew he existed before Abraham (John 8:56-58). He knew he had seen Satan fall from heaven (Luke 10:18). He often knew precisely what people were thinking (Matthew 9:4, 12:25).
But we cannot assume he knew everything.
It seems unlikely that Jesus, as an infant, knew every fact and the words of every language. Jesus, as a credible example for us, grew in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18, Luke 2:52). Sometimes he seemed mildly surprised (Matthew 16:15-17, 8:10)
Jesus did not know when he would return (Matthew 24:36). He did not know the Father's will perfectly.
Shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed to escape the trial: "If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as You will" (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus knew the scriptures that predicted his crucifixion, yet he thought that an escape was worth asking for.
Jesus, because of the Holy Spirit that filled him, knew God's law and what kind of character to have. But he didn't know every detail of God's will for the future.
The Bible tells us how to live and what character to have. We know God's will in these, but we don't always know God's will in detail of our future.
We, like Jesus, don’t have to know everything. Sometimes we simply have to wait and see.
-Michael Morrison
Some assume that Jesus knew everything. After all, before he became flesh, he was the Word, who had been with God from the beginning (John 1:1-2, 14).
Jesus for example, knew he existed before Abraham (John 8:56-58). He knew he had seen Satan fall from heaven (Luke 10:18). He often knew precisely what people were thinking (Matthew 9:4, 12:25).
But we cannot assume he knew everything.
It seems unlikely that Jesus, as an infant, knew every fact and the words of every language. Jesus, as a credible example for us, grew in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18, Luke 2:52). Sometimes he seemed mildly surprised (Matthew 16:15-17, 8:10)
Jesus did not know when he would return (Matthew 24:36). He did not know the Father's will perfectly.
Shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed to escape the trial: "If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as You will" (Matthew 26:39, 42). Jesus knew the scriptures that predicted his crucifixion, yet he thought that an escape was worth asking for.
Jesus, because of the Holy Spirit that filled him, knew God's law and what kind of character to have. But he didn't know every detail of God's will for the future.
The Bible tells us how to live and what character to have. We know God's will in these, but we don't always know God's will in detail of our future.
We, like Jesus, don’t have to know everything. Sometimes we simply have to wait and see.
-Michael Morrison
Friday, October 18, 2013
Nigeria's unity threatened: Is Biafra ripe for self rule?
INTRODUCTION
If you have read Chinua Achebe's epic novel There Was A Country, then this article is just for you to take note of some facts therein- the Nigeria-Biafra relationship. if not, then get the baseline as we explore the novel together
Excerpt from the 2012 book "there was a country" by Chinua Achebe and the 1998 "the Kingfisher Children's Encyclopaedia". Analyzed and Compiled by Ogbonna Chidiebube Samuel.
NIGERIAN AND BIAFRA- AN OVERVIEW
Nigeria is a republic on the west African coast. it has greater population than any other African country with an area of 923768 sq. km. There are three main ethnic groups, the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Nigeria became independent from Britain in 1960, October 1.
Now we have seen what Nigeria is like, lets briefly see the Republic of Biafra. Biafra is a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of the citizens. The republic took its name from the bight of Biafra, the vast expanse of water covering the continental shelf in which Niger river empties before flowing into Gulf of Biafra. however, the body of water was renamed Gulf of Guinea. Biafra is home to a large number of ethnic group with Igbo making up about 65% of the population.
THE PROBLEM WITH NIGERIA
After the European left, and within 6 years of colonial manipulation of Nigeria's first election in favour of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria was a cesspool of misrule and corruption. Public servants helped themselves freely with public wealth. Elections blatantly rigged. Census was outrageously stage managed; judges and magistrates were manipulated. The social malaise in Nigerian society was political corruption. There was an inbuilt power struggle among the ethnic groups, those in power wanted to remain in power of course.
The original idea of one Nigeria was pressed by the leaders and intellectuals from the Eastern Region. With all this idea to build the country as one. The first to object were the Northerners, led by the Awolowo clique that had created the Action group. The Northern People's Congress of the Sadaunians was supposed to be a national party, yet it refused to change its name from Northern to Nigerian People's Congress. Power, according to the British construct went to the conservative element(Northerners) who played no active role in the struggle for independence. Nigeria was given her independence "on a platter of gold". We should have known that freedom should be won, not given on a plate. Like the head of John the Baptist, this gift to Nigeria proved most unlucky. By 1965, the problems of the nation was long overdue. The January 15, 1966 coup changed Nigeria forever.
THE COUP
The 1966 coup was initially received with jubilation, not too long afterwards, it was tagged 'Igbo coup', a means of Igbos of the East to seize control of Nigeria. Part of the way to respond to confusion in Nigeria was to blame those of other ethnic group. Easterners were afterwards attacked, lust for revenge engulfed Nigerians who consequently took out Igbos who led the nation in virtually every sector. This same group, the Igbo, that gave the British so many headaches and literally drove them out of Nigeria is now an open target.
Soldiers were being used to commit a number of crimes against Igbos, their fellow Nigerian citizens. Military officers rounded people up and summarily executing them, this caused the Igbos in the north flee the pogrom. The most disheartening thing was that the federal government sat by and let all these happen.
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF NIGERIA AND BIAFRA
The origin of the national resentment of the Igbo is as old as Nigeria and quite as complicated ( I use Igbo here to represent Biafra) The Igbo culture, being receptive to change, individualistic, and highly competitive, gave the Igbo man an unquestioned advantage over his compatriots in securing credentials for advancement in Nigerian colonial society. Unlike the Hausa/Fulani he was unhindered by a wary religion and unlike the Yoruba he was unhampered by tradition hierarchies. This kind of creature, fearing no god or man, was custom-made to grasp the opportunities such as they were, of the white man's dispensations. And the Igbo did so with both hands.
According to Paul Anber, with unparalleled rapidity, the Igbos advanced fastest in the shortest period of time of all Nigeria's ethnic groups like the Jews... the population density in Igbo land created a "land hunger"... a factor that led to migration to other parts of the nation.
The Igbos has the highest literacy rate among the whole ethnic groups. Igbos absorbed education as readily as they responded to urbanization. Instead of the nation to harness the adventurous spirit of the Igbo and celebrate them, they attempt to crush these people and their potentials; this is a reason for the current developmental challenges in Nigeria today.
The Nigerian history has been riddled by coups, countercoups and assassinations. After the 1966 coup, the northerners killed top Igbo government officials, they did nt stop there, they slaughtered, maimed and wounded the Igbo civilians in the north too. Peace talks were held in Aburi and agreements reached. The failure of the Nigerian head of state, Gowon, to implement the Aburi agreement led to a strong sense of apprehension by the Igbos. Afterwards this led to the secession of the Easterners from Nigeria. However, this was the decision of the entire Igbo people and not from Ojukwu (the Biafran head of state) alone.
THE WAR
After the coup, and the flight of the Igbos from the various parts of Nigeria down to the east, their home, Ojukwu declared the independence of Biafra. War ensued few months later. The Nigerian troops fiercely attacked Biafra in the war, which broke out in 1967 and lasted for 30 months. Biafrans though lacking sufficient weapon unlike the Nigerians, the held out for so long by devising several means of survival till they surrendered. After the war, things were never the same again. The northerners alongside the westerners occupied top government positions thereby tossing igbos to the background at least until recently.
WHAT NEXT?
Confederating Nigeria was among the Aburi accord, which the then Nigerian head of state and his office paid little attention to. The recent problems in Nigeria stems from ethnic differences, which has defied all possible solutions. Boko Haram has threatened the unity and security of the nation. The ruling party, PDP, has broken into two-sub party because of zoning issue, and ethnic difference. A northern politician once said in October 2013 that the north could survive without oil, the capital product of the south-east. So, the big question is, do you think there is a possible solution to these problems? Do you think the solution is the secession of Biafra from Nigeria? Or do you think that the Igbos are not ripe for self rule and thereby should stay put in Nigeria? Your opinion can help shape the future of this 53 year old Giant of Africa!!
If you have read Chinua Achebe's epic novel There Was A Country, then this article is just for you to take note of some facts therein- the Nigeria-Biafra relationship. if not, then get the baseline as we explore the novel together
Excerpt from the 2012 book "there was a country" by Chinua Achebe and the 1998 "the Kingfisher Children's Encyclopaedia". Analyzed and Compiled by Ogbonna Chidiebube Samuel.
NIGERIAN AND BIAFRA- AN OVERVIEW
Nigeria is a republic on the west African coast. it has greater population than any other African country with an area of 923768 sq. km. There are three main ethnic groups, the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Nigeria became independent from Britain in 1960, October 1.
Now we have seen what Nigeria is like, lets briefly see the Republic of Biafra. Biafra is a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of the citizens. The republic took its name from the bight of Biafra, the vast expanse of water covering the continental shelf in which Niger river empties before flowing into Gulf of Biafra. however, the body of water was renamed Gulf of Guinea. Biafra is home to a large number of ethnic group with Igbo making up about 65% of the population.
THE PROBLEM WITH NIGERIA
After the European left, and within 6 years of colonial manipulation of Nigeria's first election in favour of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria was a cesspool of misrule and corruption. Public servants helped themselves freely with public wealth. Elections blatantly rigged. Census was outrageously stage managed; judges and magistrates were manipulated. The social malaise in Nigerian society was political corruption. There was an inbuilt power struggle among the ethnic groups, those in power wanted to remain in power of course.
The original idea of one Nigeria was pressed by the leaders and intellectuals from the Eastern Region. With all this idea to build the country as one. The first to object were the Northerners, led by the Awolowo clique that had created the Action group. The Northern People's Congress of the Sadaunians was supposed to be a national party, yet it refused to change its name from Northern to Nigerian People's Congress. Power, according to the British construct went to the conservative element(Northerners) who played no active role in the struggle for independence. Nigeria was given her independence "on a platter of gold". We should have known that freedom should be won, not given on a plate. Like the head of John the Baptist, this gift to Nigeria proved most unlucky. By 1965, the problems of the nation was long overdue. The January 15, 1966 coup changed Nigeria forever.
THE COUP
The 1966 coup was initially received with jubilation, not too long afterwards, it was tagged 'Igbo coup', a means of Igbos of the East to seize control of Nigeria. Part of the way to respond to confusion in Nigeria was to blame those of other ethnic group. Easterners were afterwards attacked, lust for revenge engulfed Nigerians who consequently took out Igbos who led the nation in virtually every sector. This same group, the Igbo, that gave the British so many headaches and literally drove them out of Nigeria is now an open target.
Soldiers were being used to commit a number of crimes against Igbos, their fellow Nigerian citizens. Military officers rounded people up and summarily executing them, this caused the Igbos in the north flee the pogrom. The most disheartening thing was that the federal government sat by and let all these happen.
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF NIGERIA AND BIAFRA
The origin of the national resentment of the Igbo is as old as Nigeria and quite as complicated ( I use Igbo here to represent Biafra) The Igbo culture, being receptive to change, individualistic, and highly competitive, gave the Igbo man an unquestioned advantage over his compatriots in securing credentials for advancement in Nigerian colonial society. Unlike the Hausa/Fulani he was unhindered by a wary religion and unlike the Yoruba he was unhampered by tradition hierarchies. This kind of creature, fearing no god or man, was custom-made to grasp the opportunities such as they were, of the white man's dispensations. And the Igbo did so with both hands.
According to Paul Anber, with unparalleled rapidity, the Igbos advanced fastest in the shortest period of time of all Nigeria's ethnic groups like the Jews... the population density in Igbo land created a "land hunger"... a factor that led to migration to other parts of the nation.
The Igbos has the highest literacy rate among the whole ethnic groups. Igbos absorbed education as readily as they responded to urbanization. Instead of the nation to harness the adventurous spirit of the Igbo and celebrate them, they attempt to crush these people and their potentials; this is a reason for the current developmental challenges in Nigeria today.
The Nigerian history has been riddled by coups, countercoups and assassinations. After the 1966 coup, the northerners killed top Igbo government officials, they did nt stop there, they slaughtered, maimed and wounded the Igbo civilians in the north too. Peace talks were held in Aburi and agreements reached. The failure of the Nigerian head of state, Gowon, to implement the Aburi agreement led to a strong sense of apprehension by the Igbos. Afterwards this led to the secession of the Easterners from Nigeria. However, this was the decision of the entire Igbo people and not from Ojukwu (the Biafran head of state) alone.
THE WAR
After the coup, and the flight of the Igbos from the various parts of Nigeria down to the east, their home, Ojukwu declared the independence of Biafra. War ensued few months later. The Nigerian troops fiercely attacked Biafra in the war, which broke out in 1967 and lasted for 30 months. Biafrans though lacking sufficient weapon unlike the Nigerians, the held out for so long by devising several means of survival till they surrendered. After the war, things were never the same again. The northerners alongside the westerners occupied top government positions thereby tossing igbos to the background at least until recently.
WHAT NEXT?
Confederating Nigeria was among the Aburi accord, which the then Nigerian head of state and his office paid little attention to. The recent problems in Nigeria stems from ethnic differences, which has defied all possible solutions. Boko Haram has threatened the unity and security of the nation. The ruling party, PDP, has broken into two-sub party because of zoning issue, and ethnic difference. A northern politician once said in October 2013 that the north could survive without oil, the capital product of the south-east. So, the big question is, do you think there is a possible solution to these problems? Do you think the solution is the secession of Biafra from Nigeria? Or do you think that the Igbos are not ripe for self rule and thereby should stay put in Nigeria? Your opinion can help shape the future of this 53 year old Giant of Africa!!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Life in Federal Government College Enugu
Teenagers from all nooks and crannies of the country gather to be admitted into the prestigious FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE ENUGU. With close observation,one would notice differences in their character and so on,bt all the same,they arrive with one motive,and that is to read and pass through the school in flying colours. But could these people maintain this motive and leave without regrets? To the students of today,its at most a mirage.
One tries to adapt in the school and notice a difference in the ways of her people. They try to look 'cool and feel cool' and also behave cool and everyone answers guy or babe,or even niggers. You get fascinated by all these and try to belong in the new trend to avoid being called an 'unblé'. You try to be sophisticated,and learn all the techniques of guys. Then of thanks to yourself. "Wait a sec,im different! I aint be 'solo'",before you know it,you are immersed in the big guys' way and try to 'blend' with your fellow niggers.
Down into your senior class,you wil realise the need for show. "Chicks wil notice me if i behave like this". Well those are the same girls u knew in Juniour Class, girls u chatted freely with then. The only difference now is increase in age and maturity,but according to Boyle's law both your ratio are still in equillibrum. You become shy when talking to them,you try to 'gather liver' before confronting them,but with ur treble voice and treble voice,u walk with pride feeling their eyes on you. You forget the lessons thought in class which u put as teacher 'pouring dust',and u spend ur time with other truants also called 'stabbers' staring at girls and gisting about them. You listen carefully when they talk of their nightly exploits and 'fun' with girls and their experiences in different nite parties and clubbing, all these make u want to belong.
Ok,this is just the begining.
Being a boarder u hv paid the normal fees of N6,650,therefore should be rendered good services worth the amount. But, no! You cant eat the school food,why? "Girls are in ref". You must not reach the refectory to avoid the impression that u are hungry, and when u even try to come,just having a hunch that a babe is watching wil make your food fall frm ur fork. Well,if u r in ur final year u send someone to smuggle food out of the ref for u,when he fails,u lash out stars from his eyes! U bear the hunger nd hope he wuldnt fuck up nxt tym. If u r nt yet a finalist,u walk back to the dorm,ur stomach threatens u and u hide in the box room to drink a 3hr old emergency bowl of 'soaks' or garri. All these cos there are sowe idle boys who tell girls about other boys in dorm!
Meanwhile this soaks that is drank at home on a steady basis at least once a day. But displayed in your locker are empty packets of chocolate and milk and rusty old quaker oat cans,hmm everything 'na wash' or camouflage.
Feeling proud of yourself,u think of ur achivements and realise dat u havnt achieved the main thing which is to 'rap a chick'. You make a list of girls and start eliminating them one by one then at last you mark one who would make you a 'don' if seen moving with her.You pick a dictionary and make supliments of vocabulary. If you arent haffled up u end up borrowing cash and kind. Plans are made and you wait for the appointed day. You are with the babe at the canteen known as the students' 'center' during break where the whole 'federal' can see you. Then u buy the whole center and munch your brains out. Alas comes the moment when you have to pour the lyrics. After being bored by your shakespearean vibes,she looks at u straight in the eyes and asks,''is that all?'' Next thing you see is her back view as she leaves the building. You want to shed tears but as a 'big boy' u 'maintained' so that you wont 'fall hands'. Noticing that your pocket is empty,you think of your life as if scales have fallen off your eyes. Apart from being feather weight,you now have nothing to boast of in school. You dont even have plans of returning the things u borrowed. Exams are around the corner,u havent opened a book since,apart from love stories. Why cant i just be a 'carton man'? I could have cut my hair once a term instead of weekly,why didnt anyone warn me? If you were warned,would u have listened?
These are the risks students have to face in Federal;the things you have to overcome-when you want to be hot!!