Glimpses of Paradise

In a world plagued with all sorts of problems, worsened by the threat of global warming and robbed of peace, it is surprising to still see some wonderful natural beauty interspersed in various parts of the earth.

Ultimately, this reminds us of and attest to the authenticity of the only garden made by God - the garden of Eden. 

Though the garden disappeared many many years ago, and humans cannot imagine the beauty of a God-made garden, we are somehow fortunate to see glimpses of such a paradise in our everyday surroundings.(Romans 1:20)

 Sadly, mankind has lost paradise. And there is an innate yearning to gain it back. Interestingly, atheists,agnostics, unbelieving scientists and philosophers, world leaders and people in general have harbored a desire to see this world transformed into a "Better World" more like a paradise. Where did mankind get that yearning from?

Though with the best of intentions, leaders of the world and mankind in general have failed to make the world a better place.

This begs the question: "Can humans achieve a global paradise one day?" 

Of about six thousand years of human rule, it seems we can safely conclude that man cannot bring about a paradise earth.

Then who can? Obviously, the one who possess infinite super human powers and wisdom can. True, it is only God, the loving creator of the universe who can restore paradise once again to humble and obedient mankind.

But when?

 For the exact time and hour, no one knows. But fulfillment of Bible prophecies and world events show that it will not be long at all.

"For the creation was subjected to futility not by its own will but through him that subjected it, on the basis of hope, that the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God" Romans 8:20,21

 But first, human governments must go. Whether it is Democratic, Authoritarian, Monarchy, Dictatorship, Totalitarian, or otherwise, human governments have failed to solve man's problems.

It is time to try the only government that Jesus thought could better solve our problems - the Kingdom of God.

"And in the days of those kings ( including political leaders) the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin.

"And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people.

"It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite" Daniel 2:44

 "... The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever" Rev. 11:15

 "But the nations became wrathful, and your own (God's) wrath came, ... and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth" Rev. 11:18

 We do not have any shred of doubt that God's kingdom is the only government that can bring peace and better conditions on the earth.

Its king, Jesus Christ, demonstrated fully that he has the power, wisdom, and the love do so when he walked the death about 2000years ago to campaign for his father's kingdom.

 We yearn to see a bright and beautiful future in the near future under God's kingdom.

 We are happy that  God will never allow man to destroy the earth. Rather, He assures us that he will intervene to correct matters.

Many are the blessings that we expect to enjoy under God's kingdom.

We expect to see the end of wickedness, warfare, crime, and violence. (Psalm 37:10,11; Psalm 46:9; Psalm 72:7)

We look forward to residing in real security (Micah 4:4)

We will enjoy plenty and wide variety of food (Psalm 72:16)

There will be peace between humans and animals. (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25)

Indeed the whole earth will become a paradise where lovely new homes and gardens will occupy land previously ruined by sinful humans. (Isaiah 65: 21-24; Rev. 11:18)

Sickness will vanish. Because "no resident will say 'I am sick'" (Isaiah 33:24; 35:5,6)

What is more, dead loved ones will be restored to life with the prospect of never dying. (Acts 24:15; John 5:28,29)

Yes, humans can regain paradise that Adam and Eve lost, thanks to the love and mercies of Jehovah God and His son Jesus Christ. Their coming kingdom is the only solution to the world's problems. For years, faithful and obedient people have looked forward to the coming of this divinely established world government as taught by Jesus.
I particularly look forward to the fulfillment of the words of Jesus on the stake when he said "You will be with me in Paradise". See yourself there, and see me too.

African-Americans Owe Africans A Debt Of Gratitude.

Rev. Jesse Jackson with Nelson Mandela

"The twin diseases of selfishness and greed are as thick as the melanin in the Black man's skin"

What is really the nature of the relationship between African-Americans and Africans today? For a fact, African-Americans have a clear sense of belonging to Africa as a continent since that is where they can trace their roots to. Their ancestors who hailed from Africa were carted to the New World of the Americas by means of the slave trade.

However, when it comes to the relationship between Africans and African-Americans, one could detect a worrying atmosphere of alienation and subtle withdrawal by African-Americans from Africans. It seems they are just not comfortable with the funny accent and eerie cultural practices of their African brothers.

It is particularly soothing and heartwarming that African-Americans have surprisingly held no grudge against their African brothers for collaborating with the Whites in the slave trade. Even though some African-Americans still look down on Africans, most of them have wished and prayed for the progress and development of Africa, the land of their origin.

Interestingly, most African-Americans prefer to direct their full rage at the whites for obviously the harsh and inhumane treated they meted out to their ancestors. But who is to blame, the Africans who sold them or the Whites who bought them? One would not be far from right to admit that both races deserve to be equally lambasted in no uncertain terms.

For momentary pleasure and temporary enjoyment, Africans did the unthinkable. They sold fellow Africans for nothing but worthless things.

Understandably, the slave trade might have appeared sensible and economical to the warring tribes of Africa. Instead of killing warring tribal enemies the Africans capture in internal wars, it made sense to them to trade those (captured tribal enemies) for food and goods from the Whites.

Whatever the case may be, their actions seem unpardonable. As smart as the whites were then, they knew the value of labor to their emerging economy and they couldn’t afford to miss such a big opportunity for cheap labor.

The slave trade is past and gone. Africans, especially, should not only learn about the history of the most reprehensible and repulsive trading of human beings by fellow humans. They should rather learn vital lessons from it and eschew selfishness now. For selfish motives, Africans lost valuable manpower to the White man who utilized them judiciously in their big plantations to achieve phenomenal growth and productivity.

Ironically, poor modern Africans are still committing the same mistakes their ancestors made centuries ago either deliberately or stupidly. The disease of selfishness is indeed as thick as the melanin in the Black man's skin.

Reverend Jesse Jackson

At the glorious sight of the White man, even today the Black man albeit educated and intelligent would be willing to stoop so low to the point of betraying his fellow African brothers to the White man for “silly” favors much worthless than the mirrors and liquors his ancestors shamefully received from the infamous slave trade? Today, many African politicians and leaders are guilty of this sin.

With such a sickening mentality and blood-guilt apparently incurred by Africans through their selfish leaders over the years, it does not come as a surprise at all that the African cannot be lifted out of the abyss of economic and political woes, and deep dungeon of barbarism, backwardness, and primitiveness.

Africans can never progress with this mentality. Needless to say, most Africans are aware of this fact as illustrated by their own invented mantra “Black man, black sense” which clearly carries a negative connotation. The common African constantly bemoans and laments over the intractable plights of the Blackman - greed and selfishness – which, like a curse, they can woefully do nothing about.

It makes universal sense therefore that many an African-American express inner joy and concealed contentment that via the struggles of their ancestors occasioned by the slave trade, they are now proud residents of the wealthiest and the most powerful nation in the world; a nation which their ancestors helped to build.

When African-Americans watch news of extreme poverty in Africa, famine, civil wars, inhumane and primitive cultural practices, they no doubt “praise God” for escaping all these “curses”, thanks to the slave trade. Like Biblical Joseph, they, especially the current generation of African-Americans, see the slave trade as a blessing in disguise. And here is where I think they owe the Africans a debt of gratitude for unwittingly sending them away to a better place.

Roughly four centuries after the slave trade, there is now a complete reversal of conditions. Presently, African-Americans understandably hesitate to set foot in Africa whilst Africans are eagerly and constantly knocking at the doors of America. What a world!

New York City

The Joys of Childhood, The Sorrows of Adulthood (III)

  ...messy, violent and horrible place fraught with untold economic hardships, severe hunger, wicked and devilish crimes, frequent incomprehensible and bizarre death cases, unnecessary civil and international wars, and to crown it all, uncontrollable natural disasters that affect thousands and thousands every year.

Life becomes troubling and unsettling to sentient beings especially the adult. Man cannot escape these troubles for he faces them in every corner of the global village. They are poured on him. He is greeted with news of nauseating murder or other horrible crimes when he switches on the television or radio early in the morning. When he buys a newspaper, his eyes cannot miss the incessant reports of terrifying armed robbery, unnecessary kidnappings, shameful rape, gruesome murder, shocking fraud, and institutional corruption.

Can the adult really have rest? Those who have the wherewithal to even take a vacation become restless and bored after few days session of fun and pleasure. The sorrows of the adult are indeed many. Here, they begin to realize the truthfulness of the words of Job when he said “Man, born of woman, is short-lived and glutted with agitation” (Job 14:1).

But the problem of the adult is never the problem of the child. Indeed, the child is insulated from grief resulting from global problems that constantly afflict the adult. When there are wars and deaths, the child eats serenely. When there are reports of murder, rape, and armed robbery, the child plays peacefully. When unfavorable economic conditions forces parents out of work, the child eats and plays with no angst.

No wonder the adult begins to envy the child. They begin to wish if they could go back into childhood to escape the numerous problems presented by adulthood. But, it is just not possible. Probably, it sounds like one of the impossibilities that man’s advancement in knowledge and technology cannot overcome.

Next time you meet a child, kindly contribute to his/her happiness for it won’t last. It won’t take long for him to grow into adulthood to grapple and struggle with many woes. Give him food if he is hungry. Take him to hospital if he is sick. Play with him if he is sad. Next time you meet a child whisper into his ears “Enjoy your Paradise. Enjoy it to the full for it won’t last”

Yes, childhood is indeed a paradise, relatively. Adulthood is hell, certainly. 

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The Joys of Childhood, The Sorrows of Adulthood (II)

...children are sometimes inclined to place undue emphasis on the independence and authority exercised by parents on themselves (the parents) and their offspring. Children begin to feel at some point in time that they would be happier if they were as independent as their parents.

Thus, yearning for independence begins to take root in their heart. Children who fail to address this unhealthy crave for independence end up becoming rebellious. Their end becomes lesser than their beginning. They encounter one problem after the other and sadly lack the experience to solve the mess they have created.

Yes, that is what happens when children fail to take the whole picture of life into consideration. By focusing on only the seemingly freedom that comes with independence that our parents enjoy, the child’s vision becomes unfortunately blurred to see the enormous responsibilities that come with independence from authority. Before one can think of exercising authority over his or her own self, then he or she should bear in mind the responsibilities of providing for one’s own self, making very weighty decisions that can even affect one’s unborn children, capable of accessing and ensuring good healthcare, just to mention a few.

As an adult, one fully becomes independent and exercises justifiable authority over the self. Rights come with responsibilities. The right to live independently implies that you have come of age and can now face your responsibilities squarely. As I gradually mature into adulthood, I have realized the implicit shame of still depending on parents for survival. Gone really are the days when you can boldly hightail/dash to your parents and demand your money for the day. As a grown up, you can only do that with lowered shoulders and a bowed head.

The need to work to meet responsibilities cannot be any greater as we grow older. Consciously or unconsciously, you feel it is what is expected of you as you come of age. This realization marks the beginning of the sorrows of adulthood.

 For the sorrows of the adult, the burning and instinctive desire to fend for oneself pales into utter insignificance compared with dealing with the troubles of the world. After childhood where the world appears to be a one big vacation venue, the exciting world quickly disappears into a mysteriously chaotic,...

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The Joys of Childhood, The Sorrows of Adulthood (I)

  "Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways".
        Nicholas Boileau-Despreaux

Childhood is the time when almost everyday is a holiday. The worries of life are never the concerns of the child. What concerns him or her is eating and playing. The child looks forward to receiving proper food, clothing and shelter from the parents without taking just a second to think of where the father or mother gets the money from. In fact, it is not the child’s business. Childhood is always filled with joy no matter what. There is nothing like problems in the mind of the child unless he is hungry.

To be fair though, childhood has its challenges. The main one and probably the well-known is the apparent lack of independence. Children depend on their parents for the basic necessities of life namely food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Hence, the child’s happiness depends on the parents to a far extent. It appears there is a positive correlation between the joy of the child and the ability of the parent to meet his/her demands. When parents easily provide their children’s needs and wants, they are no doubt happy. Mum or Dad may not be happy with Life. However, children may be too young to understand life and the woes of their parents, be it financial, health, or marital.

I remember the joys of my own childhood. School was always fun. After school, all I could think of and do was play, play and play. My books could wait till a week to exams. Nevertheless, I always performed excellently in school to the satisfaction of my parents. My stomach was almost always filled. I might have experienced occasional hunger. But that is normal even with children of affluent backgrounds.

 My Mother, a shop-keeper and Father who was a teacher, enthusiastically cooperated to provide my daily needs. At that time, we didn’t understand the troubles parents go through to put food on the table. When mother makes an attempt to lecture us on the economic problems and how hard it is to make ends meet in the prevailing Ghanaian economic conditions at the time, we get lost and confused like reading the Book of Revelation – not any better than understanding Rocket Science. 

The love, support and constant material provision and care of good parents interestingly place children under the illusion that adulthood is the best. With clouded vision,....

                                      

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