Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
Thursday 31 December 2015
Wednesday 30 December 2015
A Dying Boy's Last Wish...
The Littlest Firefighter
The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that.
But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Bopsy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"
"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.
Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! "And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat -- not a toy one -- with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Bopsy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Bopsy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Bopsy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program.
Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Bopsy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Bopsy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Bopsy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?"
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital, extended its ladder up to Bopsy's third floor open window and five firefighters climbed up the ladder into Bopsy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Bopsy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Yes, Bopsy, you are a fireman now," the chief said. With those words, Bopsy smiled and closed his eyes one last time. He passed away later that evening.
Culled From Chicken Soup For The Soul.
The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that.
But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Bopsy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"
"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.
Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! "And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat -- not a toy one -- with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Bopsy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Bopsy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Bopsy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program.
Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Bopsy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Bopsy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Bopsy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?"
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital, extended its ladder up to Bopsy's third floor open window and five firefighters climbed up the ladder into Bopsy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Bopsy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Yes, Bopsy, you are a fireman now," the chief said. With those words, Bopsy smiled and closed his eyes one last time. He passed away later that evening.
Culled From Chicken Soup For The Soul.
I'm Sorry, I Love You, Thank You.
Two years ago, I heard about a therapist in Hawaii who cured a complete ward of criminally insane patients – without ever seeing any of them. The psychologist would study an inmate's chart and then look within himself to see how he created that person's illness. As he improved himself, the patient improved.
When I first heard this story, I thought it was an urban legend. How could anyone heal anyone else by healing himself? How could even the best self-improvement master cure the criminally insane?
It didn't make any sense. It wasn't logical, so I dismissed the story.
However, I heard it again a year later. I heard that the therapist had used a Hawaiian healing process called ho'oponopono. I had never heard of it, yet I couldn't let it leave my mind. If the story was at all true, I had to know more.
I had always understood "total responsibility" to mean that I am responsible for what I think and do. Beyond that, it's out of my hands. I think that most people think of total responsibility that way. We're responsible for what we do, not what anyone else does. The Hawaiian therapist who healed those mentally ill people would teach me an advanced new perspective about total responsibility.
His name is Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len. We probably spent an hour talking on our first phone call. I asked him to tell me the complete story of his work as a therapist. He explained that he worked at Hawaii State Hospital for four years. That ward where they kept the criminally insane was dangerous. Psychologists quit on a monthly basis. The staff called in sick a lot or simply quit. People would walk through that ward with their backs against the wall, afraid of being attacked by patients. It was not a pleasant place to live, work, or visit.
Dr. Len told me that he never saw patients. He agreed to have an office and to review their files. While he looked at those files, he would work on himself. As he worked on himself, patients began to heal.
"After a few months, patients that had to be shackled were being allowed to walk freely," he told me. "Others who had to be heavily medicated were getting off their medications. And those who had no chance of ever being released were being freed."
I was in awe.
"Not only that," he went on, "but the staff began to enjoy coming to work. Absenteeism and turnover disappeared. We ended up with more staff than we needed because patients were being released, and all the staff was showing up to work."
This is where I had to ask the million dollar question: "What were you doing within yourself that caused those people to change?"
"I was simply healing the part of me that created them," he said.
I didn't understand.
Dr. Len explained that total responsibility for your life means that everything in your life – simply because it is in your life – is your responsibility. In a literal sense the entire world is your creation.
Whew. This is tough to swallow. Being responsible for what I say or do is one thing. Being responsible for what everyone in my life says or does is quite another. Yet, the truth is this: if you take complete responsibility for your life, then everything you see, hear, taste, touch, or in any way experience is your responsibility because it is in your life.
This means that terrorist activity, the president, the economy – anything you experience and don't like – is up for you to heal. They don't exist, in a manner of speaking, except as projections from inside you. The problem isn't with them, it's with you, and to change them, you have to change you.
I know this is tough to grasp, let alone accept or actually live. Blame is far easier than total responsibility, but as I spoke with Dr. Len, I began to realize that healing for him and in ho'oponopono means loving yourself. If you want to improve your life, you have to heal your life. If you want to cure anyone – even a mentally ill criminal – you do it by healing you.
I asked Dr. Len how he went about healing himself. What was he doing,exactly, when he looked at those patients' files?
"I just kept saying, 'I'm sorry' and 'I love you' over and over again," he explained.
That's it?
That's it.
Turns out that loving yourself is the greatest way to improve yourself, and as you improve yourself, you improve your world. Let me give you a quick example of how this works: one day, someone sent me an email that upset me. In the past I would have handled it by working on my emotional hot buttons or by trying to reason with the person who sent the nasty message. This time, I decided to try Dr. Len's method. I kept silently saying, "I'm sorry" and "I love you." I didn't say it to anyone in particular. I was simply evoking the spirit of love to heal within me what was creating the outer circumstance.
Within an hour I got an e-mail from the same person. He apologized for his previous message. Keep in mind that I didn't take any outward action to get that apology. I didn't even write him back. Yet, by saying "I love you," I somehow healed within me what was creating him.
In short, Dr. Len says there is no out there. It would take a whole book to explain this advanced technique with the depth it deserves. Suffice it to say that whenever you want to improve anything in your life, there's only one place to look: inside you.
And when you look, do it with love.
Note: This article on ho'oponopono is edited from the book Zero Limits by Dr. Joe Vitale and Dr. Len. You can listen to Joe talk about his experience with Dr. Len and ho'oponopono along with his involvement with the inspiring movie, The Secret, on News for the Soul by clicking here. He starts talking about Dr. Len and ho'oponopono at minute 15 in this highly engaging one-hour interview.
Dr. Len's message may be quite hard to believe, yet it's amazingly simple. He states that we are all responsible for everything that we see in our world. By taking full personal responsibility and then healing the wounded places within ourselves, we can literally heal ourselves and our world. As related by Joe Vitale in the radio interview, Dr. Len suggests a four-stage process for this ho'oponopono work. Whenever a place for healing presents itself in your life, open to the place where the hurt resides within you. After identifying this place, with as much feeling as you can, say the below four statements:
I love you.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
By Dr. Joe Vitale.
When I first heard this story, I thought it was an urban legend. How could anyone heal anyone else by healing himself? How could even the best self-improvement master cure the criminally insane?
It didn't make any sense. It wasn't logical, so I dismissed the story.
However, I heard it again a year later. I heard that the therapist had used a Hawaiian healing process called ho'oponopono. I had never heard of it, yet I couldn't let it leave my mind. If the story was at all true, I had to know more.
I had always understood "total responsibility" to mean that I am responsible for what I think and do. Beyond that, it's out of my hands. I think that most people think of total responsibility that way. We're responsible for what we do, not what anyone else does. The Hawaiian therapist who healed those mentally ill people would teach me an advanced new perspective about total responsibility.
His name is Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len. We probably spent an hour talking on our first phone call. I asked him to tell me the complete story of his work as a therapist. He explained that he worked at Hawaii State Hospital for four years. That ward where they kept the criminally insane was dangerous. Psychologists quit on a monthly basis. The staff called in sick a lot or simply quit. People would walk through that ward with their backs against the wall, afraid of being attacked by patients. It was not a pleasant place to live, work, or visit.
Dr. Len told me that he never saw patients. He agreed to have an office and to review their files. While he looked at those files, he would work on himself. As he worked on himself, patients began to heal.
"After a few months, patients that had to be shackled were being allowed to walk freely," he told me. "Others who had to be heavily medicated were getting off their medications. And those who had no chance of ever being released were being freed."
I was in awe.
"Not only that," he went on, "but the staff began to enjoy coming to work. Absenteeism and turnover disappeared. We ended up with more staff than we needed because patients were being released, and all the staff was showing up to work."
This is where I had to ask the million dollar question: "What were you doing within yourself that caused those people to change?"
"I was simply healing the part of me that created them," he said.
I didn't understand.
Dr. Len explained that total responsibility for your life means that everything in your life – simply because it is in your life – is your responsibility. In a literal sense the entire world is your creation.
Whew. This is tough to swallow. Being responsible for what I say or do is one thing. Being responsible for what everyone in my life says or does is quite another. Yet, the truth is this: if you take complete responsibility for your life, then everything you see, hear, taste, touch, or in any way experience is your responsibility because it is in your life.
This means that terrorist activity, the president, the economy – anything you experience and don't like – is up for you to heal. They don't exist, in a manner of speaking, except as projections from inside you. The problem isn't with them, it's with you, and to change them, you have to change you.
I know this is tough to grasp, let alone accept or actually live. Blame is far easier than total responsibility, but as I spoke with Dr. Len, I began to realize that healing for him and in ho'oponopono means loving yourself. If you want to improve your life, you have to heal your life. If you want to cure anyone – even a mentally ill criminal – you do it by healing you.
I asked Dr. Len how he went about healing himself. What was he doing,exactly, when he looked at those patients' files?
"I just kept saying, 'I'm sorry' and 'I love you' over and over again," he explained.
That's it?
That's it.
Turns out that loving yourself is the greatest way to improve yourself, and as you improve yourself, you improve your world. Let me give you a quick example of how this works: one day, someone sent me an email that upset me. In the past I would have handled it by working on my emotional hot buttons or by trying to reason with the person who sent the nasty message. This time, I decided to try Dr. Len's method. I kept silently saying, "I'm sorry" and "I love you." I didn't say it to anyone in particular. I was simply evoking the spirit of love to heal within me what was creating the outer circumstance.
Within an hour I got an e-mail from the same person. He apologized for his previous message. Keep in mind that I didn't take any outward action to get that apology. I didn't even write him back. Yet, by saying "I love you," I somehow healed within me what was creating him.
In short, Dr. Len says there is no out there. It would take a whole book to explain this advanced technique with the depth it deserves. Suffice it to say that whenever you want to improve anything in your life, there's only one place to look: inside you.
And when you look, do it with love.
Note: This article on ho'oponopono is edited from the book Zero Limits by Dr. Joe Vitale and Dr. Len. You can listen to Joe talk about his experience with Dr. Len and ho'oponopono along with his involvement with the inspiring movie, The Secret, on News for the Soul by clicking here. He starts talking about Dr. Len and ho'oponopono at minute 15 in this highly engaging one-hour interview.
Dr. Len's message may be quite hard to believe, yet it's amazingly simple. He states that we are all responsible for everything that we see in our world. By taking full personal responsibility and then healing the wounded places within ourselves, we can literally heal ourselves and our world. As related by Joe Vitale in the radio interview, Dr. Len suggests a four-stage process for this ho'oponopono work. Whenever a place for healing presents itself in your life, open to the place where the hurt resides within you. After identifying this place, with as much feeling as you can, say the below four statements:
I love you.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
By Dr. Joe Vitale.
The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget...
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.
"Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice.
I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.
The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated."
"Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."
I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.
"Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers."
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware—beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
Priest Gets Suspended After Preaching Christmas Sermon On Hooverboard...
Hover-boards has become the new craze of the society, but this priest’s attempt to roll out the gadget in Church.
The funny footage of the holy roller zooming around during Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Biñan Parish in the Philippines has spread like wildfire on social media.
And while throngs of churchgoers appear delighted with the sermon, the unnamed priest caught the ire of his local Manila diocese, who suspended him over the incident.
In an online statement, the Diocese of San Pablo condemned the incident and said it was a violation of the ‘highest form of worship.’
The priest said that it was a wake up call for him; he acknowledged that his action was not right and promised that it will not happen again,’ the diocese said in a statement on its Facebook page.
He will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event. He would like to apologize for what happened
The video has clocked up 14 million views on the Flow Cartagena Facebook page and divided commenters over the suitability of the priest’s performance.
Hover-boards were one of the top Christmas presents this year despite a storm of controversy surrounding the risk of falling off the battery-powered scooters – not to mention their propensity to spontaneously combust.
The Philippines is considering banning the self-balancing devices over these escalating safety concerns.
The funny footage of the holy roller zooming around during Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Biñan Parish in the Philippines has spread like wildfire on social media.
And while throngs of churchgoers appear delighted with the sermon, the unnamed priest caught the ire of his local Manila diocese, who suspended him over the incident.
In an online statement, the Diocese of San Pablo condemned the incident and said it was a violation of the ‘highest form of worship.’
The priest said that it was a wake up call for him; he acknowledged that his action was not right and promised that it will not happen again,’ the diocese said in a statement on its Facebook page.
He will be out of the parish and will spend some time to reflect on this past event. He would like to apologize for what happened
The video has clocked up 14 million views on the Flow Cartagena Facebook page and divided commenters over the suitability of the priest’s performance.
Hover-boards were one of the top Christmas presents this year despite a storm of controversy surrounding the risk of falling off the battery-powered scooters – not to mention their propensity to spontaneously combust.
The Philippines is considering banning the self-balancing devices over these escalating safety concerns.
Tuesday 29 December 2015
My First Night As A Runs Girl...
If anyone had told me, Dora, five hours earlier that I would be dressed like a 'runs babe’, in a room with a fat old man; the owner of a gigantic protruding tommy, I would have argued to the moon and back.
It was as though Tessy knew I was officially the ‘most bored person’ on earth. That beautiful Friday, she called to say her school mother had invited her to Lagos Island for the birthday party of a rich man, scheduled for that night and she wanted me to come along. Tessy had a way of making me come alive. We had been friends from the very beginning and having lived with her all these years, I grew to crave and cherish her companionship. She was a free bird; obviously a party girl and the only thing that would make her not attend any party was school exams. Luckly, we had finished exams on Tuesday with few practicals left for the coming week.
Incentives attached to being present at the party included meeting with influencers and top politicians of the country, lots of cash and many more. Enticing? yeah, but all I really wanted was fun in the company of friends. So, even as such outings aren't my thing , I agreed to join. At 10pm, a car was waiting to pick us. This was part of the arrangement for the gig; everyone is cared for from the very beginning. Gaily dressed in a sheer tube dress that barely covered my boobs, butt and other parts of my body, we joined the driver. We arrived at the venue a few minutes before 11pm. Upon seeing the dressings of other girls, I was glad I dressed the way I did even if my parents wouldnt recognise me
I noticed there was no man that could conveniently fall into the category of the word ‘young’. The space was filled with ‘big old men’ and many young girls, but still, I was not bothered. As we moved more into the night, Tessy drifted away from me to the company of two men and later, she was gone. I concluded she had gone to the other side of the space with her newly found friends. While I was doing my thing alone, my eyes got in contact with a pot-bellied man for the third time. I watched him move towards me. Since my dress barely covered my backside and my boobs, the man must have been drunk in imagination with the other parts of my body he couldnt see. We took a seat alone then he introduced himself as ‘Wonderman’ who later turned out to be funny and I thought he wouldn’t be a bad friend for the night.
After a while, we moved towards the rooms down the hall which was getting deserted with few people left in pairs. I tried Tessy's number but it was switched off so I decided to follow “Wonderman’ as he was my last resort. When we got in, he went straight to the bathroom and returned in his underwear. I had seen a few Nollywood movies with this kind of scene and it was almost like one was about to play out with me being the star actress. my heart started racing faster than necessary. His face had changed. He was no longer the person I had been with. The expression on his face and his body movements all suggested he wanted himself deep inside me. His hands made for my boobs and… I was freaking hot with that that I no longer was sure what exactly I wanted. I began enjoying the guilty but sweet feeling. Then in a click, my senses returned. I quickly picked my bag which I had dropped carelessly on the floor and rushed out of the room.
It was close to midnight, but I managed to get a taxi straight home. After taking my bath, I played the scenes all over again. I confessed to myself that I truly enjoyed the part where he fondled with my breast, then I told myself, “Dora! that’s exactly how prostitution starts". With that, I sneaked into my blanket and slept off the remaining part of the night in a wonderwoman style.
WHAT WERE YOU EXPECTING?
General Overseer Marries Corpse of a Member He Impregnated
A certain pastor and the General Overseer of an unidentified Pentecostal church in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has reportedly married the corpse of his church member impregnated and died while trying to have an abortion..
According to reports, the pastor identified as Augustine Mendie in the area is a ‘randy one who sleeps with many ladies in his church, both married and single till he got his fingers burnt.’
The unnamed lady, reports further claimed, was the praise and worship leader of the church but also the pastor’s secret lover. No one in the church knew what was going on between them until the lady took in and informed the pastor.
The pastor, who allegedly did not want to take responsibility, decided to procure an abortion for her. The lady who had earlier confided in her friend about the development lost her life in the process of the abortion.
As the story goes, trouble struck when the said friend reportedly told the family of the deceased that the pastor was responsible.
Reports further alleged that the pastor initially tried to deny responsibility but after he was threatened with the community’s deity, he agreed that he was actually the one responsible and as such, ready to appease the gods. He was allegedly made to marry the corpse of the woman as tradition demands.
Source: celebsnest
According to reports, the pastor identified as Augustine Mendie in the area is a ‘randy one who sleeps with many ladies in his church, both married and single till he got his fingers burnt.’
The unnamed lady, reports further claimed, was the praise and worship leader of the church but also the pastor’s secret lover. No one in the church knew what was going on between them until the lady took in and informed the pastor.
The pastor, who allegedly did not want to take responsibility, decided to procure an abortion for her. The lady who had earlier confided in her friend about the development lost her life in the process of the abortion.
As the story goes, trouble struck when the said friend reportedly told the family of the deceased that the pastor was responsible.
Reports further alleged that the pastor initially tried to deny responsibility but after he was threatened with the community’s deity, he agreed that he was actually the one responsible and as such, ready to appease the gods. He was allegedly made to marry the corpse of the woman as tradition demands.
Source: celebsnest
Saturday 26 December 2015
An Open Letter To PMB...
AN OPEN LETTER TO MR BUHARI.
On the state of the Nation and 10 things that
that will make you fall if you continue.
THE STATE OF THE NATION;NIGERIA.
My name is Nwudu Lugard Fredrick
1. Nigeria as a growing Nation must be
continuous in leadership and any government
that fails to do that, will not stand the test of
time. Mr Buhari you have bad mouthed the
state of the Nation in international
community.(a man who tells his friend how
bad his wife is on bed cannot teach her how
to). Therefore Buhari cannot solve the problem
of Nigeria. Reason being that the Americans
others u ask for help on corruption will no
longer benefit. So they will not help you.
2. A leader do not blame his predecessor for
his failure to tackle what he swore an oath to
fix. That makes you Mr president incapable of
leadership. Sir please learn to blame yourself
because the last admin never blamed his
predecessor even when the whole Nigeria knew
that administration failed in some aspect.
3. As a leader you must learn to obey
constituted authorities which you took an oath
to uphold. Mr president you cannot dis obey
court order 4times in less than six months of
leadership, and expect same judiciary to help
you convict the so-called corrupt people.
Stubborn people don't end well sir, just like
Fayose said u must refuse to show Nigerians
how ignorant you are to the rule of law which
you part of. Let mi remind you that sir that
disobedience is corruption.
#copied
4. I might not doubt your integrity and
seriousness in fighting corruption, but sir you
cannot pure a new wine into an old cup and
expect it to be sweet, of curse not. Most time
your end is determined by the beginning.
You've started wrongly n I wish you can be so
humble enough to retreat back some of your
decisions.
5. You told Nigerians about cost of
governance in Nigeria and promised to slash
it. Firstly, you appointed 36ministers as
against former president's 33. Secondly you
did not slash their pay but you told us that
ministers will be paid same amount as the law
prescribes. Sir if I may ask, who is fooling
who? Or where is the slash coming from?
6. In 181 days sir you visited 10 countries
with the tax payers sweats to complain to this
countries how corrupt your own country is.
That was a shame to mi as a Nigerian that
my president travelled to preach how broke n
wrecked Nigeria is. And sir on top of that you
told us that the country was broke. if I may
ask sir, can you boldly tell Nigerians how
much you spent in 181 days as President in
travelling around the world? That is not
managing economy. You should have done
that when you've repaired what you claimed
your predecessor spoilt at least to some
certain level before you embarked on all that
journey.
7. As the GCFR and you cannot call your
forces to order and allow them unleash terror
on innocent civilians and call it rules of
engagement. Sir you must tell yourself the
truth because only that will you succeed. As a
former head of state and general in the Army I
thought you should have a better measures
and charisma to talk to your Military in
handling civilians.
#copied
8. Telling Nigeria that we are broke was the
highest point of lie and disrespect you gave
us. While you took almost all the APC
governors n chieftains just to say thank you to
Nation you owe no allegiance to. Mr you really
have insulted this Nation. 2014 Nigeria was
name the highest growing economy in Africa
and third in Africa. In less than 7months of
assuming office you mismanaged the funds
and place the blames on past admin. Too bad
for you sir
9.8months in office and you've not place
measures or even signs to fulfil your campaign
promises when you have less than 4years
remaining in office. But rather you've told us
through your ministers to expect the worst.
And the same old cargo(Tinubu) who said
subsidy was a scam now says you "MUST
remove SUBSIDY" like he owns Nigeria. This
shows that your party was not really informed
when your predecessor did it. And also shows
that you don't even have another measures in
tackling that problem other than the fuel
subsidy. Sir when you criticise others you
must bring other plans and not using same
old plan.
#copied
10. Finally, Sunday 20th dec. 9 people died
from boko Haram attack and you came on
Wednesday 23rd dec. to tell Nigerians that
you've crushed out the same terrorist you've
not find their hideout. How does that fall into
place sir.
This shows that you're really mocking
Nigerians that we lack logic and mental
calculations. I must tell you that your problem
is just EGO and until you accept that you must
stand up to tell us you've failed and we will
give you another chance to try and crush
them. Because telling us you've crush them
will make them want to show you its lie and
that they cannot be.
No insult Mr President just moving the people
forward and you too. If you continue like this
you might not stay as the president of Nigeria
come 2019. It's simple Logic. If P>Q, n Q>R,.
•. P>R.
On the state of the Nation and 10 things that
that will make you fall if you continue.
THE STATE OF THE NATION;NIGERIA.
My name is Nwudu Lugard Fredrick
1. Nigeria as a growing Nation must be
continuous in leadership and any government
that fails to do that, will not stand the test of
time. Mr Buhari you have bad mouthed the
state of the Nation in international
community.(a man who tells his friend how
bad his wife is on bed cannot teach her how
to). Therefore Buhari cannot solve the problem
of Nigeria. Reason being that the Americans
others u ask for help on corruption will no
longer benefit. So they will not help you.
2. A leader do not blame his predecessor for
his failure to tackle what he swore an oath to
fix. That makes you Mr president incapable of
leadership. Sir please learn to blame yourself
because the last admin never blamed his
predecessor even when the whole Nigeria knew
that administration failed in some aspect.
3. As a leader you must learn to obey
constituted authorities which you took an oath
to uphold. Mr president you cannot dis obey
court order 4times in less than six months of
leadership, and expect same judiciary to help
you convict the so-called corrupt people.
Stubborn people don't end well sir, just like
Fayose said u must refuse to show Nigerians
how ignorant you are to the rule of law which
you part of. Let mi remind you that sir that
disobedience is corruption.
#copied
4. I might not doubt your integrity and
seriousness in fighting corruption, but sir you
cannot pure a new wine into an old cup and
expect it to be sweet, of curse not. Most time
your end is determined by the beginning.
You've started wrongly n I wish you can be so
humble enough to retreat back some of your
decisions.
5. You told Nigerians about cost of
governance in Nigeria and promised to slash
it. Firstly, you appointed 36ministers as
against former president's 33. Secondly you
did not slash their pay but you told us that
ministers will be paid same amount as the law
prescribes. Sir if I may ask, who is fooling
who? Or where is the slash coming from?
6. In 181 days sir you visited 10 countries
with the tax payers sweats to complain to this
countries how corrupt your own country is.
That was a shame to mi as a Nigerian that
my president travelled to preach how broke n
wrecked Nigeria is. And sir on top of that you
told us that the country was broke. if I may
ask sir, can you boldly tell Nigerians how
much you spent in 181 days as President in
travelling around the world? That is not
managing economy. You should have done
that when you've repaired what you claimed
your predecessor spoilt at least to some
certain level before you embarked on all that
journey.
7. As the GCFR and you cannot call your
forces to order and allow them unleash terror
on innocent civilians and call it rules of
engagement. Sir you must tell yourself the
truth because only that will you succeed. As a
former head of state and general in the Army I
thought you should have a better measures
and charisma to talk to your Military in
handling civilians.
#copied
8. Telling Nigeria that we are broke was the
highest point of lie and disrespect you gave
us. While you took almost all the APC
governors n chieftains just to say thank you to
Nation you owe no allegiance to. Mr you really
have insulted this Nation. 2014 Nigeria was
name the highest growing economy in Africa
and third in Africa. In less than 7months of
assuming office you mismanaged the funds
and place the blames on past admin. Too bad
for you sir
9.8months in office and you've not place
measures or even signs to fulfil your campaign
promises when you have less than 4years
remaining in office. But rather you've told us
through your ministers to expect the worst.
And the same old cargo(Tinubu) who said
subsidy was a scam now says you "MUST
remove SUBSIDY" like he owns Nigeria. This
shows that your party was not really informed
when your predecessor did it. And also shows
that you don't even have another measures in
tackling that problem other than the fuel
subsidy. Sir when you criticise others you
must bring other plans and not using same
old plan.
#copied
10. Finally, Sunday 20th dec. 9 people died
from boko Haram attack and you came on
Wednesday 23rd dec. to tell Nigerians that
you've crushed out the same terrorist you've
not find their hideout. How does that fall into
place sir.
This shows that you're really mocking
Nigerians that we lack logic and mental
calculations. I must tell you that your problem
is just EGO and until you accept that you must
stand up to tell us you've failed and we will
give you another chance to try and crush
them. Because telling us you've crush them
will make them want to show you its lie and
that they cannot be.
No insult Mr President just moving the people
forward and you too. If you continue like this
you might not stay as the president of Nigeria
come 2019. It's simple Logic. If P>Q, n Q>R,.
•. P>R.
Wednesday 23 December 2015
Police admits Killing Uniport Student...
The Rivers State Police Command has admitted to killing a final year student of the University of Port Harcourt, Oghenekevwe Edah.
It was learnt that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), A.A. Muhammed, who delivered a condolence message to the deceased’s family on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, promised that justice would be done in the matter.
This is just as the UNIPORT Student Union Government threatened to protest against the police over the recurring killing of students on the highway.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Tuesday that Oghenekevwe was returning from a church on Sunday and was standing at the Assemblies of God Church Junction, in the Alakahia area of Port Harcourt, when a police van driving against traffic hit him.
The police were said to have attempted escaping from the scene, but were held by passersby who compelled them to take the victim to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he died.
The police were said to have denied killing the victim, saying they only picked him from the road after he was knocked down by a vehicle.
However,it was learnt on Tuesday that the police had admitted to killing the student.
His younger brother, Emmanuel Edah, said Oghenekevwe’s death was painful to the family because he was their breadwinner.
He said, “I was in Delta State when one of his roommates called me and said he had been knocked down by a police van. I was told that he was coming from the church when the van hit him and the police wanted to reverse their vehicle to make it look as if they were on the right path, but people held them down and forced them to take him to the hospital.
“I got to the emergency ward of the hospital and I was told that he was dead.”
He said the victim’s roommate reported the matter at a police station and he later went to make an entry as well.
He said the police contacted them on Monday and the ACP promised to get justice for the victim.
He said investigation revealed that his brother was killed by a highway patrol vehicle.
Lamenting the death, Emmanuel said, “We are seven in my family and two of us are the only boys. For the past 15 years, he had been doing professional photography and event coverage. He took care of us with the money and use the rest for his education. We want justice and nothing less. We have decided to follow the case legally and not take laws into our own hands.”
The SUG President of UNIPORT, David Bariereka, said the students would stage a protest in the school.
He said, “We are not going to take it lightly with the police because we have discovered that he was killed by a highway patrol van and we have been able to trace the vehicle.
“We have asked our lawyer to take the matter up and soon, we will be having a protest to show that we will no longer condone this kind of thing. On January 1st, we also lost a student on that road. We are going to use this to remind the authorities that human life is very precious and we can no longer be killed like fowls.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, declined further comment on the case, saying the police wanted to conclude investigations.
“We want to conclude our investigations, so for now, we will not say anything again on the matter,” he said.
Monday 21 December 2015
Uniport 400lvl Student Knocked Down Dead By Police Van
STOP KILLING US AND START PROTECTING US
Reports reaching our desk right now is that a police van knocked down and dropped dead a mechanical engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt. The police van is said to have taken one-way against traffic rules.
This young man is Edah Oghenekevwe Richard.
The Nigeria Police will not escape this very one. Perpetrators of this act must be brought to book.
Questions we need answers from the Nigeria Police.
1) Should the Nigeria Police violates traffic rules that it should patronize one way driving?
2)Should the Nigeria Police who is to protect law abiding citizens resolve in Killing a student?
3)If Nigeria Police men are careless, how then can the arms they carry be justified relative to the lives of innocent Nigerians?
What we are urgently asking for are the names of the police men in the van, particularly the driver whom I perceived was drunk.
Stop killing our students and start protecting them.
#JusticeforRichard
The Use Of Ladder By Aero Contractors Airline Being Investigated By Federal Govt.
The Federal Government through its Ministry of State for Aviation has probed the use of ladder by Aero Contractors Airline in Bauchi.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, yesterday, Sunday gave an order that an investigation into the use of ladder by Aero.
“Several reports received by the Minister have indicated the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015.
“The act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, NCAR and International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPS.
“The investigation will determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that will prevent a re-occurrence of the unsafe and unacceptable procedure that exposed passengers to high risk of serious injury,” he said.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, yesterday, Sunday gave an order that an investigation into the use of ladder by Aero.
“Several reports received by the Minister have indicated the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the Bauchi airport on Saturday December 19th 2015.
“The act is inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, NCAR and International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, Standards and Recommended Practices, SARPS.
“The investigation will determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that will prevent a re-occurrence of the unsafe and unacceptable procedure that exposed passengers to high risk of serious injury,” he said.
Sunday 20 December 2015
See what Nigeria Airports have been Reduced to...
This is what Nigeria Airports have been reduced to, it got me wondering if there could be a positive change, because we have been experiencing "CHANGE" for a while now.
Thursday 17 December 2015
Wednesday 16 December 2015
How to have great sex when you're not in the mood...
One question that I’m asked more than any other is “How do I increase my sex drive when it’s just not there?”
First let’s ask, Why should we even care about having sex when we’re NOT in the mood. Shouldn’t we just be able to roll with our mood?
Well, yes and no. Here’s why.
Because how you “do sex” is how you do anything.
It’s how you live your life. It’s how you serve others. It’s how you respect yourself. It’s how you are either ruled by your emotions, or you triumph over them.
Who you practice being in your most intimate life is a huge factor in how you truly see yourself.
Plus, if you are married, your body does not strictly belong to you. It belongs to you and your mate. If you live a life based on your own mood than you are not living in the joyful awareness of the power of giving your most intimate self. You miss out on the ecstasy of the deepest giving and receiving.
So why bother if you don’t want to? Because living according to our own lowest level of energy is contagious. When we fail to master our sex life, it is difficult to live in true victory in the more outward arenas of career and family.
Keep in mind, I’m not JUST talking about stirring up desire that isn’t there, I’m talking about focusing a sex drive that may be all over the place.
The point is to revive the passion in your own marriage.
So how?
1. Realize that a sexually energized state is your healthy normal state.
Have you ever seen an athlete performing flawlessly – making extremely difficult sports look easy? We often say they do that because they are “in the zone.” But in reality – “the zone” is simply the place of your full potential, minus all the interferences that try to throw off your game. It’s an addicting state -here you are at once completely present, relaxed and energized and loving what you do.
Feeling sexually alive, responsive and connected is “the zone” for a passionate spouse. Just as powerful athletes rise to their self-image, so do powerful lovers.
So Key #1 is to see your self as sexually confident and responsive.
2. Recognize the Interferences – and your power to master them
We often think that our spouse is the reason that we have lost our sex drive. After all, who can be aroused by a mate who sulks or nags or looks a certain way, right? Or perhaps we figure low libido is just a mysterious problem we have – and our hormones are off. But in reality, our hormones are very much affected by our mindset.
Interference to a loving libido is really the negative energy that is created by our thoughts, beliefs and emotions. We can learn to master that energy – even when these feelings are more conditioned responses than intellectual decisions.
3. Master your energy about sex itself.
Sometimes just the thought of having sex is exhausting to us. It seems like work instead of pleasure, or it seems dirty or boring. We have experiences that play into our story about sex. Again, it’s probably more unconscious than anything, but by tuning in to what you’re really feeling, you can recognize your emotions and change your state.
4. Master your energy about your own self-image
We live in a crazy world that bombards us with messages of what is sexy, what is beautiful, what makes us worthy and why we are or are not “good enough” to deserve love and pleasure. It is impossible to consistently act in a way that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself, so it may be time to change your story about your own sexiness. You can offer self- love and acceptance right now, and enjoy all the sexy rewards of such grace.
5. Master your energy about your mate.
Obviously if just looking at your mate turns your stomach but you know that you want an intimate connection, then you have conflict. The fact is, it’s easier to change your sexual response than to change your mate! When you acknowledge your feelings and accept yourself in spite of them, you can move closer to forgiveness, and a whole new way of seeing your mate. This is arousing.
So those are 5 Keys to taking charge of your sex drive and feeling great on demand. YOU deserve to have really great sex. You deserve to bond with your mate like never before. You deserve to celebrate a love life that is sizzling, sexy and sacred.
DSS Drops Charges Against Pro-Biafra Agitation Leader...
The Charges filed by the Department of State Security against the director of the Indigenous People of Biafra and owner of Biafra Radio, Nnamdi Kanu at the Chief Magistrate Court Abuja has been dropped. Shuaibu Usman, the magistrate of the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, this morning discharged Kanu and struck out the case filed against him after the Federal government through its agent, the Department of State Services (DSS), approached the court to withdraw the case so that a higher court, which has jurisdiction to entertain charges bordering on terrorism, can take over.
Credits: LIB.
Credits: LIB.
Sunday 13 December 2015
The Face Of Jesus...
From the first time Christian children settle into Sunday school classrooms, an image of Jesus Christ is etched into their minds. In North America he is most often depicted as being taller than his disciples, lean, with long, flowing, light brown hair, fair skin and light-colored eyes. Familiar though this image may be, it is inherently flawed. A person with these features and physical bearing would have looked very different from everyone else in the region where Jesus lived and ministered. Surely the authors of the Bible would have mentioned so stark a contrast. On the contrary, according to the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion, Judas Iscariot had to indicate to the soldiers whom Jesus was because they could not tell him apart from his disciples. Further clouding the question of what Jesus looked like is the simple fact that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus described, nor have any drawings of him ever been uncovered. There is the additional problem of having neither a skeleton nor other bodily remains to probe for DNA. In the absence of evidence, our images of Jesus have been left to the imagination of artists. The influences of the artists' cultures and traditions can be profound, observes Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi, associate professor of world Christianity at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. "While Western imagery is dominant, in other parts of the world he is often shown as black, Arab or Hispanic." And so the fundamental question remains: What did Jesus look like?
An answer has emerged from an exciting new field of science: forensic anthropology. Using methods similar to those police have developed to solve crimes, British scientists, assisted by Israeli archeologists, have re-created what they believe is the most accurate image of the most famous face in human history.
The Body As Evidence
An outgrowth of physical anthropology, forensic anthropology uses cultural and archeological data as well as the physical and biological sciences to study different groups of people, explains A. Midori Albert, a professor who teaches forensic anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Experts in this highly specialized field require a working knowledge of genetics, and human growth and development. In their research they also draw from the fields of primatology, paleoanthropology (the study of primate and human evolution) and human osteology (the study of the skeleton). Even seemingly distant fields like nutrition, dentistry and climate adaptation play a role in this type of investigation.
While forensic anthropology is usually used to solve crimes, Richard Neave, a medical artist retired from The University of Manchester in England, realized it also could shed light on the appearance of Jesus. The co-author of Making Faces: Using Forensic And Archaeological Evidence, Neave had ventured in controversial areas before. Over the past two decades, he had reconstructed dozens of famous faces, including Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, and King Midas of Phrygia. If anyone could create an accurate portrait of Jesus, it would be Neave.
Matthew's description of the events in Gethsemane offers an obvious clue to the face of Jesus. It is clear that his features were typical of Galilean Semites of his era. And so the first step for Neave and his research team was to acquire skulls from near Jerusalem, the region where Jesus lived and preached. Semite skulls of this type had previously been found by Israeli archeology experts, who shared them with Neave.
With three well-preserved specimens from the time of Jesus in hand, Neave used computerized tomography to create X-ray "slices" of the skulls, thus revealing minute details about each one's structure. Special computer programs then evaluated reams of information about known measurements of the thickness of soft tissue at key areas on human faces. This made it possible to re-create the muscles and skin overlying a representative Semite skull.
A Matter Of Style
Two key factors could not be determined from the skull—Jesus's hair and coloration. To fill in these parts of the picture, Neave's team turned to drawings found at various archeological sites, dated to the first century. Drawn before the Bible was compiled, they held crucial clues that enabled the researchers to determine that Jesus had dark rather than light-colored eyes. They also pointed out that in keeping with Jewish tradition, he was bearded as well.
The entire process was accomplished using software that verified the results with anthropological data. From this data, the researchers built a digital 3D reconstruction of the face. Next, they created a cast of the skull. Layers of clay matching the thickness of facial tissues specified by the computer program were then applied, along with simulated skin. The nose, lips and eyelids were then modeled to follow the shape determined by the underlying muscles.
Computer models (left) and modeling clay enable Neave (right) to create a forensically acceptable facial reconstruction. (Photographs by Keith Kasnot/National Geographic Image Collection [left] and The Unit of Art in Medicine/The University of Manchester, UK [right])
An Accurate Portrait
For those accustomed to traditional Sunday school portraits of Jesus, the sculpture of the dark and swarthy Middle Eastern man that emerges from Neave's laboratory is a reminder of the roots of their faith. "The fact that he probably looked a great deal more like a darker-skinned Semite than westerners are used to seeing him pictured is a reminder of his universality," says Charles D. Hackett, director of Episcopal studies at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. "And [it is] a reminder of our tendency to sinfully appropriate him in the service of our cultural values."
Neave emphasizes that his re-creation is simply that of an adult man who lived in the same place and at the same time as Jesus. As might well be expected, not everyone agrees.
Forensic depictions are not an exact science, cautions Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology at the University of California in Santa Cruz. The details in a face follow the soft tissue above the muscle, and it is here where forensic artists differ widely in technique. Galloway points out that some artists pay more attention to the subtle differences in such details as the distance between the bottom of the nose and the mouth. And the most recognizable features of the face—the folds of the eyes, structure of the nose and shape of the mouth—are left to the artist. "In some cases the resemblance between the reconstruction and the actual individual can be uncanny," says Galloway. "But in others there may be more resemblance with the other work of the same artist." Despite this reservation, she reaches one conclusion that is inescapable to almost everyone who has ever seen Neave's Jesus. "This is probably a lot closer to the truth than the work of many great masters."
An answer has emerged from an exciting new field of science: forensic anthropology. Using methods similar to those police have developed to solve crimes, British scientists, assisted by Israeli archeologists, have re-created what they believe is the most accurate image of the most famous face in human history.
The Body As Evidence
An outgrowth of physical anthropology, forensic anthropology uses cultural and archeological data as well as the physical and biological sciences to study different groups of people, explains A. Midori Albert, a professor who teaches forensic anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Experts in this highly specialized field require a working knowledge of genetics, and human growth and development. In their research they also draw from the fields of primatology, paleoanthropology (the study of primate and human evolution) and human osteology (the study of the skeleton). Even seemingly distant fields like nutrition, dentistry and climate adaptation play a role in this type of investigation.
While forensic anthropology is usually used to solve crimes, Richard Neave, a medical artist retired from The University of Manchester in England, realized it also could shed light on the appearance of Jesus. The co-author of Making Faces: Using Forensic And Archaeological Evidence, Neave had ventured in controversial areas before. Over the past two decades, he had reconstructed dozens of famous faces, including Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, and King Midas of Phrygia. If anyone could create an accurate portrait of Jesus, it would be Neave.
Matthew's description of the events in Gethsemane offers an obvious clue to the face of Jesus. It is clear that his features were typical of Galilean Semites of his era. And so the first step for Neave and his research team was to acquire skulls from near Jerusalem, the region where Jesus lived and preached. Semite skulls of this type had previously been found by Israeli archeology experts, who shared them with Neave.
With three well-preserved specimens from the time of Jesus in hand, Neave used computerized tomography to create X-ray "slices" of the skulls, thus revealing minute details about each one's structure. Special computer programs then evaluated reams of information about known measurements of the thickness of soft tissue at key areas on human faces. This made it possible to re-create the muscles and skin overlying a representative Semite skull.
A Matter Of Style
Two key factors could not be determined from the skull—Jesus's hair and coloration. To fill in these parts of the picture, Neave's team turned to drawings found at various archeological sites, dated to the first century. Drawn before the Bible was compiled, they held crucial clues that enabled the researchers to determine that Jesus had dark rather than light-colored eyes. They also pointed out that in keeping with Jewish tradition, he was bearded as well.
The entire process was accomplished using software that verified the results with anthropological data. From this data, the researchers built a digital 3D reconstruction of the face. Next, they created a cast of the skull. Layers of clay matching the thickness of facial tissues specified by the computer program were then applied, along with simulated skin. The nose, lips and eyelids were then modeled to follow the shape determined by the underlying muscles.
Computer models (left) and modeling clay enable Neave (right) to create a forensically acceptable facial reconstruction. (Photographs by Keith Kasnot/National Geographic Image Collection [left] and The Unit of Art in Medicine/The University of Manchester, UK [right])
An Accurate Portrait
For those accustomed to traditional Sunday school portraits of Jesus, the sculpture of the dark and swarthy Middle Eastern man that emerges from Neave's laboratory is a reminder of the roots of their faith. "The fact that he probably looked a great deal more like a darker-skinned Semite than westerners are used to seeing him pictured is a reminder of his universality," says Charles D. Hackett, director of Episcopal studies at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. "And [it is] a reminder of our tendency to sinfully appropriate him in the service of our cultural values."
Neave emphasizes that his re-creation is simply that of an adult man who lived in the same place and at the same time as Jesus. As might well be expected, not everyone agrees.
Forensic depictions are not an exact science, cautions Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology at the University of California in Santa Cruz. The details in a face follow the soft tissue above the muscle, and it is here where forensic artists differ widely in technique. Galloway points out that some artists pay more attention to the subtle differences in such details as the distance between the bottom of the nose and the mouth. And the most recognizable features of the face—the folds of the eyes, structure of the nose and shape of the mouth—are left to the artist. "In some cases the resemblance between the reconstruction and the actual individual can be uncanny," says Galloway. "But in others there may be more resemblance with the other work of the same artist." Despite this reservation, she reaches one conclusion that is inescapable to almost everyone who has ever seen Neave's Jesus. "This is probably a lot closer to the truth than the work of many great masters."
The "Real" Face of Jesus Discovered...
Ever wondered what Jesus really looked like? An answer may have emerged on popularmechanics.com from an exciting new field of science “forensic anthropology”.
This follows a discovery from British scientists, assisted by Israeli archeologists, of what they believe is the most accurate image of the most famous face in human history.
While this field of science, “forensic anthropology” is usually used to solve crimes, Richard Neave, a medical artist retired from the University of Manchester in England, realized it also could shed light on the appearance of Jesus.
British scientists discovered the “real” face of Jesus
This is not Neave’s first discovery as he has ventured into controversial areas before. Over the past two decades, he had reconstructed dozens of famous faces, including Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, and King Midas of Phrygia.
In order to create an accurate portrait of Jesus, Neave and his research team’s first step was to acquire skulls from near Jerusalem, the region where Jesus lived and preached.
With three well-preserved specimens from the time of Jesus in hand, Neave used computerized tomography to create X-ray “slices” of the skulls, thus revealing minute details about each one’s structure.
Special computer programmes then evaluated reams of information about known measurements of the thickness of soft tissue at key areas on human faces. This made it possible to re-create the muscles and skin overlying a representative Semite skull. Click here to know how The face was discoverd The Face Of Jesus... http://eljoons.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-face-of-jesus.html
This follows a discovery from British scientists, assisted by Israeli archeologists, of what they believe is the most accurate image of the most famous face in human history.
While this field of science, “forensic anthropology” is usually used to solve crimes, Richard Neave, a medical artist retired from the University of Manchester in England, realized it also could shed light on the appearance of Jesus.
This is not Neave’s first discovery as he has ventured into controversial areas before. Over the past two decades, he had reconstructed dozens of famous faces, including Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, and King Midas of Phrygia.
In order to create an accurate portrait of Jesus, Neave and his research team’s first step was to acquire skulls from near Jerusalem, the region where Jesus lived and preached.
With three well-preserved specimens from the time of Jesus in hand, Neave used computerized tomography to create X-ray “slices” of the skulls, thus revealing minute details about each one’s structure.
Special computer programmes then evaluated reams of information about known measurements of the thickness of soft tissue at key areas on human faces. This made it possible to re-create the muscles and skin overlying a representative Semite skull. Click here to know how The face was discoverd The Face Of Jesus... http://eljoons.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-face-of-jesus.html
"EFCC’s ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ME AND THEIR RESORT TO SELF HELP"...Tompolo Replies..
A former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has reacted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s plan to declare him wanted in connection with an alleged fraudulent multi-billion naira contract. Tompolo says the commission is only trying to avoid the law and playing ‘pranks’ by saying they will declare him wanted if he does not honour their last invitation. According to the former Niger Delta militant leader, they are already in court and Tompolo wants it trashed right there. Read his FULL STATEMENT below…
EFCC’s ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ME AND THEIR RESORT TO SELF HELP
I, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo wish to state that my attention has been drawn to a news story on Channels Television of 10th December 2015. The impression being conveyed is that I was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and I failed to honour the invitation or even respond by letter to the invitation.
On the contrary, nothing could be further from the truth. On the 24th of November 2015, I was informed at about 4pm that a letter of invitation had been dropped at my home in Warri, inviting me to EFCC’s office in Lagos by 10am on the 25th of November 2015. Continue….
I responded by a letter from my Solicitors, Messrs Jakpa, Edoge & Co. The letter dated 25th of November 2015 was received by one Uduak Ouot, a staff of EFCC on the 3rd of December 2015, after several attempts to deliver. I have proof of delivery from the courier company.
I was therefore not a little surprised that the EFCC – an otherwise reputable institution – would stoop so low as to lie to Nigerians.
As my Solicitor’s letter indicated I am already in court with the EFCC in Suit No: FHC/W/CS/152/2015. EFCC had been served with the court processes since 20th of October 2015 but they refused to attend court on several occasions, or to file any court papers, only to appear for the first time on 30th November 2015 without filing any court papers. They even asked for the matter to be adjourned to 17th December 2015, the date they are now inviting me to appear before them.
In fact, EFCC only invited me two months AFTER I sued them. In my Solicitor’s letter I informed them that as soon as the court decides one way or another, I would honour their invitation.
So the attempt to harass me by their reminder of 9th December 2015, which was leaked to the media on the 10th of December 2015 , the same day as it was delivered to my house in Warri is an unnecessary and face saving effort at brinksmanship.
As a full blooded Ijaw man and citizen of Nigeria, I have done everything in my power to follow the laws of Nigeria. Since the amnesty declared in 2009 by late President Yar’ Adua I have strained myself to ensure that we all live in peace in this country. Those who think they can push us to war must rethink the necessity of such a war.
How can a law-abiding Government declare a man wanted who is in the law courts with them?
They froze our business accounts since August 4th 2015, but we have not quarrelled with anybody. We sued them to court, they refused to come to court. Now they are threatening to declare me wanted.
I know why they are after me. It is not the alleged multi-billion naira property transaction. Afterall, it went through due process and was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). And as such if there are any questions to answer, it is the people at the FEC, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Federal Ministry of Lands and Survey, Federal Ministry of Transport, NIMASA, etc who approved the transaction that should be answering such questions.
The real reason this All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Government is after me is that I bluntly refused to join APC and to support their Governorship candidate in Bayelsa State. We cannot all be in APC. Our people have always believed in the Nigerian project and had always hoped to join hands with this administration to move this project forward, but the conditions being attached are not acceptable. I insist on believing in the Nigerian project unconditionally!
We will continue to pursue our court case. The threat to declare me wanted is an unnecessary attempt to heat up the polity. I will go about my daily business, usual.
Finally, let me say this: if people can come from Sokoto, Katsina or Lagos to campaign in Bayelsa, why can’t I, a full blooded Ijaw man, go to my Bayelsa to campaign?
I will only add this: let the will of the people of Bayelsa prevail. Nobody should attempt to force the outcome of the election. We have kept faith with our promise to Nigeria, we expect no less from this country. So if anyone tells you that Tompolo is on the run, tell him Tompolo is not going anywhere.
Thank you!
Signed
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.
Saturday 12 December 2015
Facebook Users Recommend A LASTMA officer for Promotion... See Why..
So I came across this post on Facebook and I was forced to share it, if the everyday Nigerians can see a Hardworking Govt. Worker and comment I wonder if the people at the top take note of this Humanitarian workers???!!!
"Are you a resident of lagos?
Do you ply Mile 2 - badagry - Festac road regularly?
Do you know Alakija bus - stop?
Their is a U-turn before Alakija if you are coming from mile-2 end or After Alakija if you are coming from Badagry end.
This LASTMA official controls this U-turn spot since inception of LASTMA.
His Exceptional qualities
He is always early to duty.
He is always at his post even when this scorching sun is hitting him like bomb.
He stay till closing hour.
He is not aggressive.
He is polite.
My worries.
Is he not promote-able?
Must he die under the sun?
Can't he be rewarded?
My Appeal!
Let's unite and clamour for his "reward" and promotion.
He deserves it.
He merits it.
I don't know his name but many might do.
I don't know his tribe nor religion.
I met him on that spot when I was undergraduate.
It is amazing to me that he is still on the same spot after many years of my absence.
Promote this message until this man is promoted! Yours is coming soon."
And Facebook users responded.
"Are you a resident of lagos?
Do you ply Mile 2 - badagry - Festac road regularly?
Do you know Alakija bus - stop?
Their is a U-turn before Alakija if you are coming from mile-2 end or After Alakija if you are coming from Badagry end.
This LASTMA official controls this U-turn spot since inception of LASTMA.
His Exceptional qualities
He is always early to duty.
He is always at his post even when this scorching sun is hitting him like bomb.
He stay till closing hour.
He is not aggressive.
He is polite.
My worries.
Is he not promote-able?
Must he die under the sun?
Can't he be rewarded?
My Appeal!
Let's unite and clamour for his "reward" and promotion.
He deserves it.
He merits it.
I don't know his name but many might do.
I don't know his tribe nor religion.
I met him on that spot when I was undergraduate.
It is amazing to me that he is still on the same spot after many years of my absence.
Promote this message until this man is promoted! Yours is coming soon."
And Facebook users responded.
Tompolo Gets IV From EFCC Over Land Fraud...
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has summoned a former militant leader in the Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, over an allegation of fraud relating to the land acquired for the establishment of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko of Delta State.
EFCC’s letter of invitation asked Ekpemupolo to appear at the Lagos office of the anti-graft agency on December 17.
The letter dated December 9, 2015 was signed by Head of Operations of the Lagos office of the commission, Mr. Iliyasu Kwarbai.
The letter with reference number, CR:3000/EFCC/lS/CTGI/TF/STF/VOl.8/174 was titled, ‘Investigation Activities: Letter of Invitation.’
It read in part, “We refer to our letter no.CR:3000/EFCC/CTGI/TF/STF/VOL./472 dated 18th November, 2015 which was acknowledged in your house, but you did not report.
“In view of the above, you are reminded to kindly report for the interview as rescheduled below:
“Venue: EFCC Training Room,No.15A,Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“Date: 17th December, 2015. Time: 1000hrs.
“Your cooperation in this regard is solicited, please.”
Sources said Ekpemupolo is being investigated over the payment of about N13bn purportedly paid to him by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for the land acquired for the Maritime University.
Culled from Punch.
EFCC’s letter of invitation asked Ekpemupolo to appear at the Lagos office of the anti-graft agency on December 17.
The letter dated December 9, 2015 was signed by Head of Operations of the Lagos office of the commission, Mr. Iliyasu Kwarbai.
The letter with reference number, CR:3000/EFCC/lS/CTGI/TF/STF/VOl.8/174 was titled, ‘Investigation Activities: Letter of Invitation.’
It read in part, “We refer to our letter no.CR:3000/EFCC/CTGI/TF/STF/VOL./472 dated 18th November, 2015 which was acknowledged in your house, but you did not report.
“In view of the above, you are reminded to kindly report for the interview as rescheduled below:
“Venue: EFCC Training Room,No.15A,Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“Date: 17th December, 2015. Time: 1000hrs.
“Your cooperation in this regard is solicited, please.”
Sources said Ekpemupolo is being investigated over the payment of about N13bn purportedly paid to him by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for the land acquired for the Maritime University.
Culled from Punch.
Friday 11 December 2015
Stephen Keshi Losts Wife...
Keshi and wife
The Big Boss, as Keshi is fondly referred to, revealed that his wife had been sick for a while but he never expect that the sickness will lead to her death.
“She (Keshi’s wife) has been ill for a while now but the death is coming as a big shock to us,” a close friend of the former Togo and Mali coach told newsmen
“Keshi is very downcast at the moment because we know how dearly he loves his wife,” the source added.
A report on completesportsnigeria.com quoted Keshi as saying that the burial rites for the late wife would soon be made public.
The ‘Big Boss,’ who captained Nigeria for over 10 years, in the process winning the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze, coached the squad to a third African title in South Africa early 2013.
He was in charge of the Super Eagles between November 2011 and June 2015, during which he also led the team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace!!!
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