Author: Parameciumcaudatum

WIDESPREAD IMMORALITY

If you want to know exactly what the future holds then all you have to do is study the past. Because history has an uncanny way of repeating itself. Let us examine what we know about the ancient Canaanites for example. If sacred history is to be believed then we are instructed that the Canaanites were morally corrupt. They were guilty of everything that the early Christian Church condemned. For example, they practiced idolatry, engaged in human sacrifices, frequently indulged in bestiality, and a host of other sexual perversions such as homosexuality, incest, and lesbianism. We already know that the predominant sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was sodomy. To what extent these other sins were present in those two doomed cities, we will forever be ignorant. But we do know that those two cities became the special objects of divine wrath and judgment. All of the above-mentioned practices are present on planet earth today.

THE WORSHIP OF SATAN

Another abomination practiced amongst the Canaanites was Satanism. Not only did they worship Lucifer but they practiced witchcraft and communicated frequently with demons. As we already know Lucifer’s most outstanding quality is the art of deception. Which he has been practicing since time immemorial. Accordingly, he never comes forward and announces to anyone that he is actually Satan, the enemy of God and man. Rather, he disguises himself and has used a multiplicity of names and identities since the dawn of human history. We already know that he appeared to Eve in the Garden of Eden as a beautiful serpent. She never suspected, not even for a moment, that she was actually conversing with The Prince of Darkness. Thus he seduced her into sin. He has used many aliases throughout history. In ancient Egypt, he was Atum, Horus, Seth, Isis, Anubis, Ra, Thoth, Sekhmet, Geb, Hathor, etc. (Names obtained from Egyptian Gods by Matt Clayton). Among the Canaanites, he was known as El, Baal, Asherah, Astarte, Molech, etc. (THE MET: Names obtained from The Gods and Goddesses of Canaan, by Ira Spa, April 2009)

These ancient practices are gradually re-emerging today. They aren’t being thrust upon Western society suddenly. But they are gradually being reintroduced and ultimately will probably take their same grotesque form of live human sacrifices. These kinds of sacrifices however are widespread in some African countries.

The first time Obed — the World Vision director spearheading efforts in Uganda to stop child sacrifice — saw a child sacrifice victim, he was teaching a World Vision child protection course to a country tribe. He heard some screams, ran to the location the screams were coming from, and found a mother hysterically yelling over the decapitated body of her 8-year-old son. The murder had happened only moments before she found him. Obed, in a frenzy, scooped up the body, jumped on a moped, and started driving to the nearest medical clinic, “because,” he told me, “the boy was still moving, and I thought I could save him. Of course, I was traumatized, and still am,” he confessed. Obed explained that Ugandans believe there’s witchcraft power in the shedding of blood. Usually, that blood is shed from animals sacrificed at local shrines. But as people have become more desperate to manipulate and appease the spirits, they’re now turning to the shedding of human blood and using human body parts. (WORLD VISION: Child Sacrifice In Uganda).

My belief is that this phenomenon is being secretly practiced in Europe and North America. But the activities of Western practitioners of child and human sacrifices to demons are sophisticated and clandestine.

An estimated 8 million children are reported missing each year around the world. Of that number, according to the latest U.S. Department of Justice research, an estimated 800,000 children will go missing in the United States. Earlier this month, Americans rejoiced in the recovery of long-term missing children Amanda Berry, Gina De Jesus and Michele Knight. In much of the world this dramatic story was viewed as a uniquely American phenomenon. But it is not. In Austria in 1998 10-year-old Natascha Kampusch was abducted and held by her abductor in a secret underground cellar for eight years before she escaped. In Belgium in 1996 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne was kidnapped by the infamous Marc Dutroux as she rode her bicycle to school. Sabine and 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez were held in Dutroux’s basement for three months before being rescued, though four other children were killed. In India in 2006 parents claimed that the disappearance of their children was being ignored by authorities. When community leaders found the decomposed remains of a child, police started digging and in 2007 found 15 – 17 skeletons of children. Ultimately, the police reported at least 31 child victims. There are many other examples. (International Center For Missing And Exploited Children)

UNIVERSAL CRIME AND VIOLENCE

One of the problems of the antediluvian world was universal crime and violence. No one was safe anywhere and we are gradually approaching such a state of affairs on planet earth in this 21st Century. This was one of the reasons that such severe divine judgment was visited upon that ancient civilization.

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Genesis 6: 5, 11 (NKJV).

Let’s take a look at the crime statistics in The United States of America for example.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics both report that violent crime increased in 2020. Indeed, if the FBI’s preliminary data for 2020 holds (the conclusive report will be issued in September), then the U.S. recorded more than 20,000 murders in 2020 (6.22 homicides per 100,000 people), the highest total since 1995 (8.22 homicides per 100,000 people). Alarmingly, this represents the largest yearly increase of homicides on record with estimates ranging from a 25 to 30 percent increase over 2019 levels. According to these data, aggravated assaults also increased by 10.5 percent. Meanwhile, with the exception of motor vehicle theft – which rose by 13 percent – non-violent crime fell significantly in 2020. Similarly, public mass shootings were effectively paused by the pandemic. This pause was broken in March 2021, as the country began loosening restrictions, with a mass shooting in Atlanta and continued through April with mass shootings in Boulder and Indianapolis.

These are facts that have been reported to the authorities. What about the hundreds of thousands or even millions of criminal acts perpetrated by loved ones and family members that go unreported each year? Furthermore, this is only one country. Crime is a worldwide activity. The U.S. population is only 350 million and growing. What about crime in China, India, and elsewhere.

The global market for criminal activities such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons smuggling among other activities, is staggering. The United Nations estimated the global drug trade at $321.6 billion in 2003 (Pollard 2005). Trade in human beings, whether for sexual exploitation or forced labor is estimated to be between $30 and $40 billion per year according to Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Rosenthal 2007). And over $1 trillion (733 billion Euros), is estimated to be laundered every year by drug dealers, arms traffickers, and other criminals (Croft 2007). (JSTOR: The Rise Of Trans-National Crime).

As The Lord Almighty, Himself asserted,

“Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled, lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you.” Leviticus 18:24-28

The logical outcome of Lucifer’s lies, unbridled ambition, and nefarious activities was open violence. He and his followers wanted to revolutionize Heaven’s divinely appointed order, and since they weren’t obtaining the cooperation they needed to effect the desired changes. They resorted to the use of force. How shortsighted and foolish of them all. The Trinity knew all about Lucifer’s secret ambition,

“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Highest.’” Isaiah 14:13-14 (NKJV).

Things however just didn’t work out the way that Lucifer planned them. He was about to receive a rude awakening. All that he enjoyed, his position, his talents, his beauty, and the society of Heaven, weren’t gifted to him by himself as he had surmised. All were gifts bestowed upon him by his Almighty Benefactor. He didn’t foresee it but his position was about to be drastically changed since he would receive a severe and humiliating demotion. All because of his ingratitude and grandiosity. As we read in scripture,

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought,  but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV).

When Lucifer and his coconspirators arrived on planet earth to which they had been suddenly and forcibly exiled. This world had not yet been improved by creative power as it would be at some point in the future, in anticipation of man’s arrival. The earth was at that time a dark and dreary world enveloped in water and universal darkness. Accordingly, Lucifer lamented his plight.

“Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the seat
That we must change for Heav’n, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since He
Who now is sovereign can dispose and bid
What shall be right: farthest from him is best
Whom reason hath equaled, force hath made supreme
Above his equals. Farewell happy Fields
Where Joy forever dwells: Hail horrors, hail
Infernal world, and thou profound Hell
Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
A mind not to be changed by Place or Time.
The mind is its own place and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.
What matter where, if I am still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than He
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.“

(Paradise Lost, Book 1, John Milton, 1608-1674)

Even after the world was supernaturally upgraded by divine power, during creation week, and made a beautiful home for man and a wide variety of creatures. The hatred of God by the great apostate, and his deep envy of the two human beings bearing God’s own image, and enjoying the divine approbation. Was so toxic. That Adam was warned by Christ Himself to beware of Lucifer, and Eve was counseled never to wander away from the side of her husband. The arch deceiver would not be permitted to follow them around with temptation. He would only have access to them beneath the branches of the forbidden tree. Accordingly, they were warned to stay away from it. How, however, is it possible that Lucifer was able to deceive so many? Not only Eve our first mother but also angels and thereafter the entire human race. Deception is not only subtle but also insidious in nature. In order to be deceived, one must first relinquish logic. One must also abandon rational thinking. Resorting instead to feelings and emotions. The angels that were thrown out of heaven loved Lucifer and consequently, they ignored the powerful evidence of their own senses. Choosing rather, to believe the lies of the handsome creature whom they loved. Instead of God’s word of truth. Their decision was catastrophic. Because not only did they lose Heaven they also lost eternal life.

We are warned in scripture against simplistic thinking,

The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps. Proverbs 14:15 (NKJV).

We are also warned in scripture to trust in God alone,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV).

That the Jews, the remnant of God’s chosen people, were seduced by the Devil into rejecting The Saviour of the world. Is one of history’s great mysteries. That the whole civilized world in Noah’s day was deceived into rejecting Noah’s message is a powerful testimony to Satan’s mesmerizing influence. It has all happened before and it will happen again. The Jews rejected God’s grace. In time to come, the whole wide world under satanic leadership will reject God’s sacred law. We are warned in Scripture,

 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NKJV).

By far the greatest conspiracy theory of the ages is the one that originated in Heaven the capital of the universe. Where Lucifer alleged that The Almighty Creator was selfish, despotic, tyrannical, and a control freak. He asserted that angels who were a superior order of beings had no need to be regulated or supervised by divine law. Not only was Lucifer the most beautiful angel, but he also had windpipes built into his chest. Whereby he was able to produce the most exquisite music and lead the angelic choir in songs of praise to The Lord Almighty. His influence was great and far-reaching. Consequently, he deceived and corrupted all the angels directly beneath his command and seduced them into rebelling against God. He made these outrageous charges not because he believed them to be true. But rather because he was jealous of God’s Son and he also wanted to be worshipped. The prophet Ezekiel gives us special insight into Lucifer’s career. (Paraphrased from Patriarchs and Prophets, Why Was Sin Permitted, by Ellen G.White).

“The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite, and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned.” Ezekiel 28:11-16

Although he was accorded a place of great honor in Heaven. Instead of being grateful for the privileges conferred upon him by The beneficent Lord of all Creation, this angelic prince became disgruntled and started to yearn for more. He wanted all the angels to make obeisance before him. He gradually became full of vanity and yearned to be worshipped. There was only one personage in Heaven whose authority and power, just like the Father’s, were unlimited. But even He, consistent with The divine plan submitted completely to The Father’s will. That Person was Christ. The great apostate longed to exercise power and authority that were the prerogatives of Christ alone. Lucifer withdrew from God’s immediate presence in the throne room and went around heaven continuing his work of misrepresentation and deception. Most of heaven’s angelic hosts rejected his spurious allegations. Those however who were closest to him were also sympathetic to him and they succumbed to his sophistries. (Paraphrased from Patriarchs and Prophets, Why Was Sin Permitted by Ellen G. White).

Consistent with their nature of love, mercy, and long-suffering, The Trinity bore long with Lucifer. Initially, when he started having misgivings and doubts regarding the divine government, Christ Himself, The Son of The Highest. Used methods that only the infinite mind could conceive and employ to demonstrate to Lucifer that his feelings were unjustified. This creature of God’s own hands was convinced beyond all doubt, that God was holy, just, and good. But because of pride, he decided not to yield the controversy. He and his sympathizers set about trying to make the changes that they desired in the divine government but they made no progress towards that objective. If Lucifer had openly acknowledged before all of Heaven that he had erred in judgment. Then he would have been willingly forgiven. But even after he was convinced that he was in the wrong, he persisted on his erroneous course, until it was impossible for him to retract, because he had gone too far. (Ibid.)

All of Lucifer’s efforts to undermine the divine government created so much disaffection in heaven that it ultimately led to an outbreak of violence. Since the arch deceiver wanted to pluck God from his throne and enthrone himself as the ruler of God’s vast universal empire. He was incapable of creating even one blade of grass. Yet he aspired to enjoy the same worship and adoration that belonged exclusively to the members of the Godhead. Such is the mystery of iniquity. The lowly creature presuming to exalt himself to be equal with God. What a contrast to the mystery of Godliness. In which the Mighty God condescends from His exalted station to become a creature, in order to accomplish the salvation of mankind. The very nature and existence of God are unfathomable mysteries. The great deceiver of men and angels saw an exalted being clothed in unapproachable light. Seated upon an awesome throne and he erroneously concluded, that what he saw defined The Almighty completely. How blind and how stupid he was to permit himself to be deceived by his own limited understanding. As we read in scripture,

“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than heaven—what can you do Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.” Job 11:7-9

(TO BE CONTINUED)

There have probably always been conspiracy theories in circulation. But while living in and attending college on The Island of Jamaica during the early ’70’s I was made acutely aware of them. Most theories were circulated by the political Right and they specifically stated that The Manley Regime was conspiring with Fidel Castro to import Communism into the land of the Blue Mountains, abundant streams, and Reggae music. Under normal circumstances, such rumors would be summarily dismissed. But since there were government ministers making frequent trips to Cuba and Mr. Manley himself was flying frequently to communist countries such as Vietnam, Mozambique, and Russia. The allegations were believed. Subsequently, many wealthy people who owned real estate in Jamaica sold such properties and left. Several sold their businesses at fire-sale prices and migrated to safer shores. Others withdrew all of their savings from the local banks and fled overseas.

As if all the above developments weren’t bad enough. Many professionals such as engineers, doctors, nurses, teachers, and ministers along with a host of other talented people. Took their skills and training with them, abroad to more inviting and safer political climes. Accompanying all of these epochal events was the ensuing political violence. Most of it was centered around certain sections of Western Kingston and this violence came to a head during the political campaign of 1980 when over 800 people were killed on the Island as a result of warring factions between the PNP and JLP. It was an economically challenging time for many families living in Jamaica. As the value of the Jamaican dollar plummeted and the cost of living rose.

The Jamaican political conflict is a long-standing feud between right-wing and left-wing elements in the country, often exploding into violence. The Jamaican Labour Party and the People’s National Party have fought for control of the island for years and the rivalry has encouraged urban warfare in Kingston. Each side believes the other to be controlled by foreign elements, the JLP is said to be backed by the American Central Intelligence Agency and the PNP is said to have been backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba. (WIKIPEDIA: Jamaican Political Conflict).

After the untimely and catastrophic death of Diana Princess of Wales. There were a plethora of conspiracy theories circulating regarding various people who were imagined to be responsible for her death. Her own brother directly accused the members of the Royal Family of killing her. Whether his allegation had any impact on his subsequent decision to migrate to Australia is unknown. The father of her companion, Dodi, Mr. Mohamed Al-Fayed also made similar charges. But none of those conspiracy theories was ever substantiated.

After 1998, it was theorized that there was an orchestrated criminal conspiracy surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Official investigations in both Britain and France found that Diana died in a manner consistent with media reports following the fatal car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. In 1999, a French investigation concluded that Diana died as the result of a crash. The French investigator, Judge Hervé Stephan, concluded that the paparazzi were some distance from the Mercedes S280 when it crashed and were not responsible. After hearing evidence at the British inquest, a jury in 2008 returned a verdict of “unlawful killing” by driver Henri Paul and the paparazzi pursuing the car. The jury’s verdict also stated: “In addition, the death of the deceased was caused or contributed to by the fact that the deceased were not wearing seat belts and by the fact that the Mercedes struck the pillar in the Alma Tunnel rather than colliding with something else”. (WIKIPEDIA: Conspiracy Theories Surrounding The Death Of Diana Princess of Wales).

Following the 2020 presidential General Elections in the United States. Because the defeated leader of The Republican Party, Mr. Donald Trump, refused to concede defeat. Alleging, without one shred of evidence that he was the victim of fraud and that the election had been stolen from him. There were a multiplicity of conspiracy theories rapidly circulating throughout the United States of America.

Joe Uscinski, an author and associate professor of political science at the University of Miami who studies conspiracy theories and the people who believe them, said that these kinds of claims are nothing new to him. “Conspiracy theories and accusations about various kinds of election fraud circle around every election. What we find is that going into any presidential election, there’s a big chunk of both sides who think that they’re going to be cheated,” Uscinski said. The popularity of a given conspiracy theory is dependent on who wins and loses. “No matter who wins, the other side is going to think that they were cheated. And that is very much a regularity in our politics. As power shifts back and forth, so do the people who think that they’ve been cheated,” Uscinski said. (Election 2022: Why Conspiracy Theories Run Rampant Around American Elections, ABC News 5).

The conspiracy theories following the 2020 election were not only unprecedented. They were being circulated by legal professionals who fought battles in court to have the results of the 2020 general election overturned. Their efforts were futile. The ensuing insurrection of January 6, 2021. Which was incited by the defeated president. Is testimony to the frustration and disappointment experienced not only by Trump himself but also by a significant number of his supporters. That year will go down in history not only because of the number of people prosecuted and imprisoned for their criminal acts outside, and within the seat of government. But because of the crisis of confidence within the political system that this country experienced. Nevertheless, we can all take comfort from the fact that these conspiracy theories had no basis in fact or reality. They were all based upon lies. Many people embraced them because the plain truth, of which they were fully aware, was unpalatable.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12 (NKJV). Therein lies the weakness of authoritarianism. The maximum leader doesn’t appreciate the honest opinions of others. Therefore, he surrounds himself with echo chambers. Who, tell him exactly what he wants to hear. The only problem with that approach to life is that we were not created with the ability to make wise decisions exclusive of the input of others. Simply because no one knows everything. As we read in scripture, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors, there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV). According to sacred history king David had an adviser in his court whose counsel was so excellent that as long as he lived his wisdom was unequaled.

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.” And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in, to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in, to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.” 2 Samuel 16:20-23 (NKJV).

Who exactly is advising Mr. Vladimir Putin? I’m sure he has a cabinet but since I have some knowledge of The history of the Russian Czars. It is quite possible that he listens to no one. Furthermore, if anyone dares to advise him emphatically then such an adviser is in danger of either being assassinated or poisoned.

Leading Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny says he believes President Vladimir Putin was responsible for his poisoning. “I assert that Putin is behind this act, I don’t see any other explanation,” he told German news magazine, Der Spiegel, in an interview. Germany, where Mr. Navalny is recovering, says he was poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent. Its findings were confirmed by labs in France and Sweden. The Kremlin denies any involvement. Responding to the interview on Thursday, Mr. Putin’s spokesman said there was no evidence that Mr. Navalny had been poisoned with a nerve agent, and said CIA agents were working with the opposition leader. (BBC NEWS: Alexy Navalny Blames Vladimir Putin For Poisoning Him, 1 October 2020).

“Tsar Nicholas II was unable to rule effectively. He made poor decisions that led to worsening relations with the government and increased hardship for civilians and soldiers alike. Nicholas refused to accept any reduction in the absolute power he held. He was detached from the plight of the Russian people and his policies also alienated ethnic minorities. When the Duma was recalled during World War 1, a group of Octoberists and Kadets established the Progressive Bloc. This group wanted to have more control over the war. In response, in 1915, Nicholas closed the Duma. This alienated many liberals.“ (Bitesize: Russian History, 1881-1921).

Unfortunately for the Russian populace, Mr. Putin’s style of governing is very similar to the manner in which his royal predecessors governed. It’s the same style used by Stalin, Kruschev, and Brezhnev. They all acted like absolute monarchs. At least Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylonia, another totalitarian despot, was counseled by the inspired Daniel. The Pharoah Rameses 11of Egypt was guided by Joseph who possessed the unique gift of deciphering the will of God. The present ruler of Russia seems to be merely stumbling from error to error and from calamity to calamity. As we read in scripture,

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 28:18 (NKJV)

Also,

“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)

In other words, anyone who tries to govern without reference to God’s inspired word is merely groping in darkness. Tragically that’s exactly where Mr. Putin finds himself today.

Ukraine’s stiff resistance to invasion and tough new sanctions mean military defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin — and don’t bode well for markets, according to a top Rabobank strategist. The ruble fell 30% to a record low against the dollar Monday, and global stocks tumbled, as traders assessed the impact of fresh measures imposed on Russia at the weekend. Meanwhile, futures on the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all lost more than 1%, while European stocks slid as well. In recent days, Russia’s military operation has suffered more setbacks than it anticipated from Ukraine’s resistance, while also struggling with problems getting supplies to troops, UK and US officials said. “Vladimir Putin has lost this war — and so have markets,” Rabobank global strategist Michael Every said in a note Monday. (Yahoo Business Insider: Vladimir Putin Has Lost This War by Hamza Fareed Malik, Monday, February 28, 2022).

History is replete with examples of rulers who failed to take the good counsel of others. One such famous exemplar from sacred history is Absalom, who rebelled against his own father king David. When Ahitophel saw that his good counsel was rejected by the royal court he quietly left, went home, and committed suicide. Because he foresaw the catastrophe that would result from the rejection of his good counsel. “Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order and hanged himself, and died, and he was buried in his father’s tomb.” 2 Samuel 17:23 (NKJV). King David’s tall, handsome, extremely ambitious, and grandiose son was not blessed with wisdom. In fact, he was a stupid fool. Because providence never distributes all of its essential gifts to any one person.

“Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on. Now a certain man saw it and told Joab, and said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in a terebinth tree!”Then Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” … And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. And ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom and struck and killed him.” 2 Samuel 18: 9, 14 (NKJV).

This Prince of Israel was planning great things for himself. He wanted to sit upon David’s throne and reign over the kingdom which his father would rule for forty years. But that was not God’s plan. Nor did he even bother to consult with The Lord Almighty while he mused upon his cherished ambitions. Instead of realizing the fulfillment of his dreams, he ended up at the bottom of a very deep pit.  “They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest, and piled up a large heap of rocks over him.” 2 Samuel 18:17. (NKJV). I have no idea which spirit was guiding prince Absolom. However, that spirit led him to a place in the forest where his long flowing hair would become entangled in the branches of a gigantic Oaken tree. His own mule abandoned him. Leaving him helplessly suspended in mid-air. A sitting duck for his most powerful enemy, the wicked, treacherous, merciless, and murderous general Joab. The commander of Israel’s army. Certain events are mathematically poetic. We reap what we sow. “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.” Isaiah 3:10-11 (NKJV).

The Russian president was counseled against his present course of action by prestigious, distinguished, and famous people. Namely the presidents of France, China, and the United States. The German Chancellor also gave him the same good advice. To desist from his present endeavors. Instead of listening to his friends he stiffened his neck and chose instead to be obstinate. I don’t claim to know the future but based upon the past events of history, calamity awaits Mr. Vladimir Putin. Not only is his cherished war already going contrary to plan. But one of his own compatriots, a Russian Oligarch has placed a bounty on his life.

A Russian entrepreneur has put a $1 million bounty on Vladimir Putin, following the Russian president’s decision to invade Ukraine last week In a LinkedIn post that has since been taken down, entrepreneur Alex Konanykhim posted a photo of Putin and the words “Wanted: Dead or alive. Vladimir Putin for mass murder,” according to The Jerusalem Post. “I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws,” wrote Konanykhin on LinkedIn, according to The Jerusalem Post. “Putin is not the Russian president, as he came to power as the result of a special operation of blowing up apartment buildings in Russia, then violated the [Russian] Constitution by eliminating free elections and murdering his opponents.” (FORTUNE: International-Ukraine Invasion, Russian Businessman Offers a $1 Million Bounty For Vladimir Putin’s Arrest by Amiah Taylor, March 4, 2022).

 

Mr. Sam, the landlord’s son, paid us a visit on Sunday, February 21st. I greeted him from my living room. He mounted the steps and after removing his sandals on the front verandah he proceeded to enter my apartment. I advised him that taking off his shoes wasn’t necessary, so he kept them on. We walked through the hall and dining room, exited the glass door separating the passageway from the back porch. Passed two large barrels of water that I kept filled for emergencies. Used the back porch as a viaduct and then went outside where the large hole at the base of my kitchen was located. His arrival at the property to survey the damage was approximately three weeks after its occurrence. He finally came not because he intended to do anything to ameliorate any undue hardship that any of the tenants was experiencing, because of the broken pipe. He came there to do everything he could to entrench his own authority and power. I advised him, “That under Ghana’s Law, I was not obligated to repair any part of his property at my own expense. Nor was I responsible for any of the water bills resulting from the spillage due to the broken pipe.”

His response was, “That since I was not a Ghanaian I knew nothing about Ghana’s rent laws and that if I did not comply with his demands then I could not continue to live on his property.” I thought about his ultimatum for two days. Then I contemplated the possibility of inviting him to put everything that he had stated in writing. So that I would have a clear understanding of the import of his words. For some understandable and rational reasons, all of my thoughts about that possibility have perished. I went for my usual six-mile walk on Monday evening February 22nd. Once I arrived at the predetermined signboard on the Berekum Sunyani Road, that passed through the forest. I turned around and began to retrace my steps on my journey back home. I heard peals of thunder rumbling threateningly in the distance and as I looked over to my right I saw flashes of lightning on the distant horizon. When I arrived at the lane that served as a hassle-free corridor. If any pedestrian wanted to avoid the heavy traffic on Berlin Road, a strong wind started to blow which soon whipped up a dust storm.

Luckily, I was wearing a COVID-19 related face mask. Which gave my nostrils adequate protection from the flying dust and sand. As per usual there were many children outside playing in the dark, and most of them were enjoying the illumination afforded them, by the light streaming from the roadside shops. By the time I arrived at the end of that corridor, the rain started to come down in drops and short drizzles. When I finally arrived at the corner of Berlin Road that would facilitate a turn onto Sofokyere Avenue, a heavy downpour of rain started. I quickly took shelter beneath a corner shed. But soon discovered that since the rain was blowing from an easterly direction I was being gradually soaked. I moved from there farther up Sofokyere Avenue to The Church of The Latter-Day Saints of Jesus Christ, but my problem persisted. Now I was soaking wet. Not only my shirt but also jeans and underwear. Therefore I quickly crossed the road and sheltered beneath another shed on the western side of that thoroughfare. The covering provided me was part of a new building that was under construction.

Therefore, I used my flashlight to search the ground for lizards, snakes, and scorpions. Since I wanted no unpleasant and fatal surprises under such circumstances. There were many power outages that night. They started while I was in the aforementioned corridor. Several times the power came and went. As I waited there, beneath the shelter, for approximately one hour the whole area was blanketed in darkness. Several three-wheeled taxis passed to and fro. Some of the passengers recognized me and waved to me. The rain showed no sign of abating. I stepped out from beneath the shelter and started to walk home in the inclement weather. I didn’t follow my usual route but turned off onto a side road that I knew would take me home more quickly. As I progressed along my homeward journey, I passed another landlord. Beating down his gate while frantically hoping that some family member inside, would hear him, then come to rescue him from the pelting rain. Such is life. Generally, Ghanaians build their houses like fortresses. With high fences, reinforced by razor-sharp security wire, and large impenetrable iron gates.

Never thinking it would seem, that at some point in time, a family member would possibly be outside, helplessly exposed to the merciless elements. Under normal circumstances, this lane was littered with manholes. Now all of them were water-filled puddles. Even though I was carrying a powerful flashlight, it was impossible for me to accurately gauge their depth. Accordingly after walking through the flowing streams into which the main road had been transformed. I was now inadvertently stepping into ankle-deep water and getting my feet soaking wet, although I was wearing leather boots. The narrow path leading directly to my house had now become a lake of muddy water. In order to avoid it, I had no choice but to brave a walk through the bush. Eventually, I reached home. As I ascended the steps in the gross darkness I noticed that there was debris from the roof, scattered all over my porch. Some of the ladies who lived on my left were venturing out to guide their visitors home. Since the heavy rain had now stopped. The very fact that the thunderous downpour halted as soon as I reached indoors, struck me. Was this some strange coincidence or was it merely the outworking of God’s inexplicable providence.

I mentioned my landlord’s demeanor and ultimatum to a few of my friends. They agreed with me that his demands were illegal. But added, “That I wouldn’t find any landlord anywhere in Ghana that behaved differently.” My landlord’s assertions were illegal. But his attitude enshrined Ghana’s traditions and customs. Everything that he stated was actually Ghana’s uncodified and unwritten law. What he was demanding of me was actually widely practiced throughout the country. Furthermore, opposing him would be futile. I soon discovered after calling around that other apartments were available for rent. But none of them was as comfortable and spacious as the one in which I lived. Furthermore, since there was a creeping devaluation of the Ghanaian Cedi which was now approximately US$1.00 = 7.00 GHS. There was an inflationary spiral within the country. Predictably rents were rising rapidly. I simply decided to count my blessings and stay put. As The Master Himself asserted,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV).

The Landlord for the property where I presently reside lives in England. Her son, Sam, acts as her representative. He collects the rent and makes all decisions pertaining to the piece of real estate in Sofokyere. He doesn’t even show up on time to collect the rent annually. Furthermore, if there is an emergency requiring his immediate attention. Then don’t hold your breath while waiting for his arrival. I asked one of my friends to make arrangements with a mason to come and survey the damage. To the foundation of my kitchen consequent upon the plumber digging into that area to locate and repair the broken pipe. The mason came, gave me an estimate and I assured him that I would get back to him as soon as I was ready. About two weeks passed and while coming out of my bedroom for my midnight devotion one Tuesday, I saw a mouse racing towards me to get back into the pantry. The small room beside my spacious kitchen, in which he had recently taken up residence. I did everything I could to retard his progress toward that goal. But my brambled broom was located at a spot where I could not recall. Accordingly, he temporarily escaped the destruction that I intended to wreak upon him.

The following day the caretaker’s wife, who speaks very little English. Showed me a water bill and wanted to know how much I intended to contribute towards its final settlement. I looked at the bill very carefully and as I did so it dawned upon me that this was the very same bill. That the caretaker, the tenant on my left, and myself had visited the water commission in Berekum, about in January. I, therefore, turned to her and said, “nothing.” I continued, “This amount is not our responsibility. Neither myself nor any other tenant here used any of this water that ran out of the broken pipe into the ground. Not only the cost of all the repairs but the excess amount in the water bill is the responsibility of the landlord.” She looked at me in surprise and thanked me. The following day the caretaker himself asked me when I intended to effect the repairs to the foundation. My answer was “Never.” “This is not my house,” I continued. “Moreover, from the very beginning, I invited Mr. Sammy to come here and survey the damage, and although he promised to put in his appearance. Up to this blessed day, we haven’t seen him,” I concluded.

As the saying goes in Jamaica, “A ghost knows exactly who to fool.” Apparently, Mr. Sammy was privately pressuring the caretaker who is also one of his relatives to nudge me to complete the repairs on the foundation of my kitchen at my own expense. But since I was well acquainted with the con artistry of Ghanaians in general I simply stated, “Everything that I’ve asserted is rooted and grounded in Ghanaian Law. I’m even willing to go down to the Berekum Courthouse and get one of the lawyers there to write a letter testifying to the truthfulness and authoritativeness of all that I have claimed. So that you can read it for yourself and also give a copy to Mr. Sammy.” The caretaker simply said, “O.K.”

The Rent Control Department is to begin writing Tenancy Agreements for Landlords and Tenants in the coming months. That’s according to Chief Rent Officer Twumasi Ampofo. The move is to reduce tensions between Landlords and Tenants that have existed over the years. It comes after a tenant was shot dead by a landlord at Ofankor in Accra on Sunday. The Landlord who had gone to the house with a gun to forcibly eject the tenant claims he shot him in self-defense. The Police are investigating the incident with the Landlord in custody. Speaking to Francis Abban on The Morning Star Tuesday, The Chief Rent Officer said reports of abuse of tenants by Landlords over the years have inspired the upcoming legislation. (GHANA WEB: Rent Control to write tenancy agreements between landlords and tenants. Tuesday 26 May 2020.)

The fact that vermin was now living in my apartment was a source of great concern to me. The frequency with which lizards crawled through the cracks in the windows to enter my sanctum sanctorum was bad enough. I certainly wasn’t going to tolerate a mouse. I went down to The Berekum Market and purchased a mechanical mousetrap and also a glue trap which was designed to arrest the mouse once he walked on it. I placed some bread on both of them. The small intruder ate all the bread off of the mechanical trap which did not even fly. He walked on the glue trap and ate some of the bread and then walked off. “Was this mouse outsmarting me,” I asked myself? I resolved to do something more drastic. I returned to the market and purchased some good old rat poison. I placed a generous amount on the mechanical trap. Hoping that this time the trap would fly and catch him. I retired to bed at the usual time around 9:00 P.M. While lying there I heard some unusual sounds. But I didn’t bother to get up and check because not only was I exhausted; I also wasn’t sure exactly where the sounds were coming from.

On Thursday Mr. Isaac, one of the members of The Kato S.D.A. Church. A congregation that I frequently visited. Came to my apartment to do some painting in the blue bedroom. There was a crack in the corner of the ceiling over my bedhead and I needed him to fill that area with some putty and then paint it. It didn’t take him long to effect those repairs. All I needed to do, was to help him move the cumbersome bed, which has eight legs and is very common in Ghana. He spent the whole day working here and even cleaned and de-cobwebbed the entire apartment. While he was working in the pink bedroom he summoned me. “I need to show you something, Mr. James.” By the time I got there, he was in the bathroom adjoining the pink bedroom and standing over the toilet bowl. I feverishly walked over to where he was positioned and looked into the bowl.

To my great surprise, there was the wicked mouse. His carcass stretched out full length as he floated on his back. So this was the reason for all the inexplicable rumblings that I had heard the night before. This mouse had escaped the traps. But he couldn’t escape the poison after consuming it. Overwhelmed with an inordinate and unquenchable thirst. He quickly made his way to the bathroom and jumped into the toilet bowl. But while there he succumbed to the poison and drowned. The previous week I noticed a small hole in the wall. Immediately above the hole in the foundation of my kitchen. Which had been dug by the plumber. I found a small rectangular stone, which I used to block that hole. Not realizing at the time, that thereby I was preventing the mouse from escaping from my pantry. It was abundantly clear to me now that making those concrete repairs was mandatory for my own peace of mind and safety. Life is full of contradictions. It was the landlord’s responsibility to make the necessary repairs. But if I didn’t take care of them promptly then my pantry would soon be filled with lizards, snakes, and vermin.

This is a sinful world, filled with injustices, inequities, and apparent disadvantages. But these are the same setbacks used by providence to facilitate the development of characters that will fit us for heaven. As The Master Himself asserted,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:38 (NKJV).

Mayor Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, born May 28 1944 was once a respectable member of American society. After successfully fighting mafia bosses in The City of New York, he was elected as mayor of New York City in 1993 and reelected in 1997. Following his generally efficient response, while he was mayor, to the catastrophic emergency of September 11, 2001. Not only did he receive an honorary knighthood from The Queen of England. He also gained a place of honor among America’s pantheon of heroes and even became affectionately known as America’s Mayor. For a brief period of time during 2017 at the height of the Mueller Investigation. He gained special notoriety for his efforts to defend and provide a legal hedge around then sitting president Donald J. Trump.

Mayor Juliani is the grandson of Italian immigrants and was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to Harold and Helen Giuliani. In 1951 his family moved to Garden City, Long Island where he attended a local parochial school. Although he ran for president in 2008. He dropped out after disappointing showings in the first few primaries. He married twice. His first marriage to Regina Peruggi was annulled in 1982 after he learned they were second cousins. He married Donna Hanover in 1984. Although criminal activity was decreasing during the second half of Mayor Dinkins’s tenure. That downward trend gathered momentum under Giuliani. Under his leadership, violent crime in the New York Metropolis was halved and murders decreased by an impressive 67 percent. (Paraphrased from History.com)

A believer in the so-called “broken windows” theory, which holds that minor signs of disorder can lead to an increase in serious infractions, Giuliani also cracked down on graffiti, public urination, X-rated theaters, sidewalk vending, subway turnstile jumping and even jaywalking. Moreover, he implemented a computer-based crime measurement system called CompStat that was later replicated by police departments nationwide. (History.com: Rudy Giuliani November 26, 2019).

Giuliani was educated at Manhattan College (A.B., 1965) and New York University (J.D., 1968). Beginning in 1970, he worked for the U.S. government, holding positions in the office of the U.S. attorney and in the Department of Justice. From 1977 to 1981 he practiced law privately, but in 1981 he returned to the Justice Department as associate attorney general. In 1983 he was appointed U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Early in his political career, Giuliani became affiliated with the Republican Party. After being narrowly defeated in 1989, he won election as mayor in 1993, the first Republican to hold the position in two decades. He promised to reform the city’s finances and to crack down on crime, and he was credited with success in both areas. (BRITANNICA: Rudy Giuliani).

With such an excellent academic profile. With an impressive list of professional achievements along with accompanying fame and notoriety. It’s difficult to fathom how New York’s former illustrious Mayor could have participated in actions that were not only crazy and shady in many instances. But in several others were most likely criminal.

The hair coloring melting down the sides of his face while he declared long-dead Venezuelan caudillo Hugo Chavez caused President Donald Trump’s election defeat made one thing clear — Rudy Giuliani is no longer “America’s Mayor.” The accolade Giuliani earned for his calm fortitude in leading New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks has dissolved in a series of increasingly bizarre claims that Democrats, the media, and yes, the late Venezuelan dictator, had robbed Trump of reelection. (FRANCE 24: Rudy Giuliani, From America’s Mayor To Trump’s Conspiracy Monger, November 21, 2020).

The former president had no solid empirical reason to believe that he was actually defrauded of victory. In the 2020 presidential general election. However, he trumpeted those lies far and wide and prominent, educated, successful people such as Mayor Giuliani embraced them and did all they could to propagate them. Despite the fact that appropriately qualified and experienced individuals such as Mr. Cristopher Krebs warned: “That the 2020 Election was the safest in U.S. history.” Furthermore, the sitting Attorney General, Mr. William Barr advised the country, “That there was no fraud that could have affected the outcome of the 2020 election.”

But this was not the only piece of malfeasance in which Mr. Guiliani was involved. There are now important legal questions and even a full-scale criminal investigation by The Department of Justice. Regarding all of his activities in Ukraine.

Federal investigators on Wednesday seized cellphones and computers from Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City who became President Donald J. Trump’s personal lawyer, stepping up a criminal investigation into Mr. Giuliani’s dealings in Ukraine, three people with knowledge of the investigation said. F.B.I. agents executed search warrants around 6 a.m. at Mr. Giuliani’s apartment on Madison Avenue and his Park Avenue office in Manhattan, carting away the electronic devices, Mr. Giuliani confirmed in a statement. The execution of search warrants is an extraordinary action for prosecutors to take against a lawyer, let alone a lawyer for a former president. The move marked a major development in the long-running investigation into Mr. Giuliani, which examines some of the same people and conduct that were at the center of Mr. Trump’s first impeachment trial. (The New York Times, Updated May 4, 2021).

As if all of the above issues did not constitute a full plate of problems for ‘America’s Mayor.’ It is presently being alleged that Mayor Giuliani is the author of the plot to use fake electors to subvert the duly certified electors appointed by each state and sent to Congress.

Trump campaign officials, led by Rudy Giuliani, oversaw efforts in December 2020 to put forward illegitimate electors from seven states that Trump lost, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the scheme. The sources said members of former President Donald Trump’s campaign team were far more involved than previously known in the plan, a core tenet of the broader plot to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory when Congress counted the electoral votes on January 6. Giuliani and his allies coordinated the nuts-and-bolts of the process on a state-by-state level, the sources told CNN. One source said there were multiple planning calls between Trump campaign officials and GOP state operatives, and that Giuliani participated in at least one call. The source also said the Trump campaign lined up supporters to fill elector slots, secured meeting rooms in statehouses for the fake electors to meet on December 14, 2020, and circulated drafts of fake certificates that were ultimately sent to the National Archives. (CNN Politics: Trump Campaign Officials Led By Giuliani Oversaw Fake Electors Plot In Seven States, By Marshall Cohen, Zachary Cohen and Dan Merica, January 21, 2022). 

As fallible human beings, we are well aware of the fact that people will screw up and make mistakes from time to time. But how is it even possible that someone with Mayor Giuliani’s education, judgment, and experience would repeatedly, like a recurring decimal, fall prey to so many egregious and criminal blunders? Even a high school student would have enough common sense to stay far from the gaping chasms that ensnared Rudolph William Louis Giuliani. Is it any surprise therefore that we are repeatedly warned in scripture to, “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life…” (Deuteronomy 4:9 NKJV).

Having successfully prosecuted many notorious felons and sent them to prison. Our Mayor should have learned firsthand over a period of many years that as The Master Himself asserted,

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14. (NKJV).

These are eternal principles. They are not subject to change, or alteration, and they stand as immovable as the Rock of Gibraltar with the passage of time. However, this is not all that The immortal Son of the infinite God contended. He also claimed,

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35. (NKJV).

Accordingly, all that he stated should be studied, contemplated on a daily basis, treasured, and implemented in our daily lives. Because like the constellations of the heavens they endure from age to age and from generation to generation. The All-Mighty Son of The eternal God also underlined His teachings with a solemn promise,

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV).

You attended Church school, Mayor Giuliani. I’m absolutely certain that you were taught these sacred principles of TRUTH. What happened to you, sir, did you forget them? Because all of your actions during the course of the last five years are typical of a man who is the victim of stupid, reckless, delusional folly.

There is a massive water pipe rupture beneath my kitchen floor. We knew something was wrong when the water bill arrived. It was 1200.00 GHS higher than the regular monthly bill. My neighbor’s eldest daughter guided the caretaker’s wife and me. To the back of the building and showed us a crack in the wall. Near the foundation of my kitchen. From which water was seeping. The following day I went with the caretaker and a relative of the tenants on my left. Down to the water commission’s office in Berekum. To determine what financial arrangements, if any, could be made. For the gradual, but full payment of that bloated bill. We were informed that although the bill had to be paid in full. The amount paid each month depended on us. We were grateful for that information.

One of their plumbers came to the property the same day that we visited the office. To make an assessment of the amount of work needed. To locate the ruptured pipe and affect the repairs. His estimate of the total cost was 250.00 GHS. I called the landlord and invited him to come to the property promptly. Since he needed to witness for himself the calamity that had occurred. He assured me that he would be on-site as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he also happens to be an Alcoholic and a Diabetic. Accordingly, I knew from previous experience with him. That a lot of water would pass under the bridge before he would finally put in his appearance. It also occurred to me that the longer the leak persisted, the larger the volume of water that would be wasted, and consequently the higher the next monthly bill would be.

I summoned my own plumber. He brought an assistant with him the following day. They dug through the wall from which the water was leaking. Located the broken pipe and made the repairs. His charge was 200.00 GHS. I paid him in full, had him execute a receipt, and thanked him. I am still waiting for the landlord’s arrival. Because as a rule I only see him once each year. When the time comes for him to collect my rent. After the plumber left I sent the landlord a text, “Mr. Sam, the cost of the wasted water is approximately 1200.00 GHS, (because no one used that water. It just ran into the ground after the pipe ruptured). The plumbing repair expense is 200.00 GHS. Furthermore, I will now have to find a mason to repair the concrete, since the plumber had to dig into the area. Where the ruptured pipe is located. How do you plan to deal with these expenses? 1. The water bill. 2. The plumbing repairs. 3. The concrete repairs. Please let me know sir? Because by taking charge and acting promptly I have saved you a substantial amount of money. Accordingly, I sincerely hope that you are grateful.

Mr. Sam’s reply was as follows:

“Good morning Mr. James, I hope you are doing good. Thanks for your message. I want you to know that I am only the caretaker of the house. But the landlord is overseas. Please, next time you need to inform me of any situation if only the problem is big, so I let the landlord knows of it. Thank you.”

I replied to my reluctant and cringing Landlord’s agent as follows:

Sir, I informed you from the very beginning. Inviting you to come and verify the information that I provided you, for yourself. Although you promised to come as soon as possible, you never turned up. Are you suggesting that I should have waited and done nothing? Thereby, permitting the water to continue to leak. Thus increasing the damages to the owner and also her financial liability? I don’t think that would have been a responsible or sensible course to pursue. The bill for the water that ran out into the ground after the pipe ruptured is still there. You can make arrangements with the owner to pay that amount as soon as possible. Because under Ghana’s Law the proprietor is responsible for such unforeseen eventualities. Moreover, I have copies of the water bills here. Both before and after the spillage, consequent upon the rupture of the water pipe. Please come and examine them and also obtain copies for your own records.

Mr. Sam continued,

“Sir, I’m a busy person. You called for me to come and I was not around. Do you want to blame me for the cause of the situation?“

My response was,

“Sir, how would it help me to blame you? All I’m saying is that the water commission wants their money, and the cost of the repairs must be paid. The proprietor is responsible for these expenses. That is Ghana’s Law. I’m absolutely certain that you already know this. What occurred did not result from the carelessness or malicious action of any tenant here. It resulted from the fact that this is an old building and as such is subject to wear and tear and depreciation.”

The agent’s futile attempts to minimize, obfuscate and avoid any responsibility in connection with the ruptured pipe and the resulting repairs were simply stupid. Common sense alone would have advised him of his culpability and liability. However, I’m willing to concede that his compromised health and his alcoholism may have clouded his judgment. Only emotionally retarded or developmentally disabled individuals would escape any responsibility for the events described above. But for some inexplicable reason, he seemed to be inviting me to categorize him as such. As we read in scripture,

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV).  In other words, the concept of individual responsibility as the circumstances dictate is clearly taught in scripture. Furthermore, we are not even permitted to claim ignorance as a mitigating factor when it has been clearly established that some moral infraction has occurred. As we are counseled in God’s inspired word,

“If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him. It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against the Lord.” (Leviticus 5:17-19 NKJV).

 “A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case, he is justly accountable to them for the injury.”

― John Stuart Mill, ‘On Liberty’, 1859.

“The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn’t the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.”

― John Lennon.

“Men who reject the responsibility of thought and reason can only exist as parasites on the thinking of others.”

― Ayn Rand, ‘The Virtue Of Selfishness: A New Concept Of Egoism’, 1964.

The Master attempted to teach His followers the importance of acting responsibly, even when doing so might appear to compromise their own security. The story of the good Samaritan is a classical example. On his way to Jericho, a certain traveler fell among thieves. They accosted him, robbed him, and beat him to within a few inches of his life. Then they abandoned him. Not caring whether he lived or died. Two purported servants of God. A Levite and a Priest. Both were members of the tribe of Levi. A tribe that had been selected by divine decree not only to be servants of God but also special custodians of His TRUTH. Those two men saw the victim from afar. They both recognized that he desperately needed help. But instead of coming to his assistance, they crossed over onto the other side of the road. Both the Levite and the priest were on their way to the temple to officiate in their various roles as ministers of God. However, instead of acting responsibly, they manufactured mental rationalizations to absolve themselves of their responsibility to help a fellow human being.

Eventually, a member of another race, a despised Samaritan. Came along on the same thoroughfare. He saw the victim, recognized his need, and had compassion for him. He dressed the stranger’s wounds, placed him on his donkey, and shepherded them to an inn. Not only did the Samaritan pay for the stranger’s immediate expenses but offered to pay even more when he came again if necessary. Here are portrayed two groups of people. The servants of God who behaved as if they were mentally ill because they were emotionally apathetic. Then there is the good Samaritan who acted responsibly. He was Christlike because he was humane and compassionate.

Apparently, I caught a cold in my right arm. Because not only do four of the fingers on my right hand become numb after I lay down in my bed at night. That problem is exacerbated in the early mornings. When the temperature falls. At which time there is also pain in my forearm which makes it difficult for me to fall asleep. I got up early on Monday morning January 3, 2022. Showered, shaved, dressed, and caught a three-wheeled taxi (The Okada). Along with two of my female neighbors, and a child, down to the Town of Berekum. Since I’m perceived as being prosperous, I paid their fare at the same time that I paid my own. Immediately thereafter, I crossed the main road and entered the Hospital. There were only a few people waiting in the registration line since I was early. After about 15 minutes another patient touched me and motioned me to the empty chair at the registrar’s desk.

I promptly went over there and sat down. I handed him my Ghana Identification Card, paid him 47.00 GHS at his request, and waited for my own new Medical Card. After obtaining it, he instructed me to proceed to the second room where I sat down and waited. Immediately in front of me was an old lady who seemed to be very fragile. I inquired about her age from a relative of hers, who was not only assisting her. He was also sitting beside me. I was shocked when he advised me that she was 105. When my turn came I went over to the desk of the beautiful young nurse, dressed in a white uniform, to have my vitals taken. She instructed me to stand on the scale and after weighing me, she took my temperature and blood pressure. Subsequently, I went and sat beside five other patients who were all waiting in line to see the doctor seated in the small office.

After about 30 minutes it was my turn. I entered his office and said, “Good morning, doctor,” and I handed him my brand new Medical Card. He quickly entered the details thereon into his computer and then asked, “How can I help you, sir?” I explained to him that I had caught a cold in my right arm. That consequently four of the fingers on my right hand were becoming numb during the early hours of the morning. With accompanying pain in my right forearm. I was surprised that he asked, “If I had any history of Hypertension?” I answered in the negative. Then he asked, “If I had any issues with frequent urination?” My response was, “At my age, 71, anything is possible. I had some problems with that about 4 months ago. However, a Herbalist suggested that I drink Prickly Nettle Weed Tea, 3 times daily to address that issue. I followed his good counsel and consequently, I don’t have that problem anymore.” He looked at me carefully and declared, “You are well made by God! I am 66 and you can easily pass for a man that is half my age!” Again he affirmed, “You are well made by God.”

I informed my new physician, “That not only did I walk 6 miles daily; my diet was completely kosher. That is, I don’t eat pork, duck, shrimp, lobster, crab, shellfish, catfish, or any other creature. Forbidden by divine decree, for human consumption, in Leviticus Chapter 11, of the Bible. Therefore, I give God thanks and praise,” I concluded.

The Kosher diet is followed by Orthodox Jews who adhere to certain dietary laws, but this diet has spread globally and has become increasingly popular during recent years. Kosher is not a type or style of food, rather it refers to the ingredients, preparation process, and inspection of the foods. This can lead to an increasingly healthy lifestyle. How healthy is the kosher diet and what are the benefits? Only 8% of kosher consumers are religious Jews. Most kosher consumers choose kosher for reasons, which relate to health, food safety, taste, and vegetarianism. Kosher food and drink have increased in popularity since the 1990s, with the enjoyment of the food going beyond the enjoyment of the traditional Jewish staples. This increased popularity of purchasing kosher is driven by the perception that the food is healthier, safer, and produced without certain ingredients. (World Wide Kosher Certification: Health Benefits of A Kosher Diet, 13 September 2017).

Such health benefits were promised to the ancient Israelites by Jehovah Himself. Consequently, all those who follow this divinely proscribed diet are blessed with the resulting benefits.

“Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:23-26).

The doctor entered my prescription on his computer, returned my Medical Card, and advised me to go over to the window dispensary to wait for my medication. Then he said, “I sincerely hope that this won’t be the last time I’m seeing you. Although I anticipate a successful outcome to this medication regimen on which I’m placing you. Please return and advise me of your progress.” I concurred. I went over to the window, paid 100.00 GHS, and picked up my medication. I started using the medicines immediately. Which consisted of two sets of pills taken orally and also an ointment to be applied topically as needed. I retired to bed at my regular time, around 9:00 P.M., and awoke at midnight.

I had just been warned in a dream that I was being deceived. For the first time not only was my right hand swollen and hurting. I was also experiencing severe pain in my right arm. I got out of bed, applied the ointment to my hand, over the entirety of the affected arm, and thought about my dream. “What exactly did it mean?” I wondered. Just to be absolutely certain about my premonition I continued to use the medication for another two days, without experiencing any improvement in my medical condition. On Thursday morning January 6, 2022. I went down to the Pharmacy in Berekum that I visit most frequently. After entering, I said to the owner, “Sir, I have a very serious problem, I caught a cold in my right arm. Consequently, I’m having some severe pain in that area. I went to the hospital and the doctor there prescribed some medication. which I have been taking since Monday night January 3, but it’s not helping me.”

I handed him the two miniature boxes. He took them, looked at them, and asserted, “Of course, they are not helping you and they are not going to help you either. However, don’t worry. I have something that will knock that pain right out of your arm efficiently and permanently.” His son brought me a small box of the needed medication and I paid him 80.00 GHS pursuant to his request. I started taking those pills immediately and the change was noticeable, gradual, and became more pronounced as time progressed. Finally, the pain went away over a period of 5 days. Only a slight discomfort lingered in my hand. I went and got another box since he advised me to continue the treatment for 10 days. The meaning of my dream was crystal clear to me now. I was the victim of a medical quack. Unfortunately, they are alive and well. I give The Lord Almighty thanks and praise that He has gifted me with a measure of His Spirit. From whom I receive warnings and guidance from time to time as needed. This gift is also a fulfillment of prophecy,

“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28 NKJV).

Not exactly every human is a recipient of this gift. But every son or daughter of Adam who fulfills the conditions outlined in scripture becomes a beneficiary of this promise. During my teenage years, I was accustomed to hearing horror stories of doctors who prescribed useless medication to patients who came to see them on a regular basis. However, whenever the same patients visited another physician. The new clinician would take the medication from the victim and exclaim, “What, in the name of sanity is this? I can tell you confidently that it’s rubbish.” Immediately after making that proclamation, he would throw that bottle into the garbage. As Solomon stated, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV).

The woman who was sick for twelve years before encountering Jesus had a similar story. “Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48 NKJV).

The same Spirit that instructed me to be on guard against deception. Was the same Spirit that led this woman to The Divine Physician, and He failed her not. She was healed as soon as she made contact with The Master because He felt when the virtue went out of Him.