HURT BUT NOT HELD BACK

HURT BUT NOT HELD BACK.

Hurt and pain. They are the unwelcome passengers on our road trip of life. After all, when you follow God, you are supposed to have life and life more abundant, right? So, what happens when you find yourself in the midst of a situation you didn’t create and can’t control? A situation that hurts you deeply?

You might be able to relate to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were happily going on about their lives serving God and landed smack dab in the middle of a fiery furnace as a result. Much to everyone’s surprise, they were not burned up by the flames. In fact, they walked out of the furnace without a hair on their heads singed and didn’t even smell like smoke. Unimaginable!

We may not have been thrown into an actual furnace, but we have certainly walked through the fire. Maybe people we thought were friends stabbed us in the back. Maybe our marriages have been in trouble. Maybe people we’ve trusted have talked about us badly. Maybe we’ve been disappointed when something didn’t go our way. Maybe we’ve been hurt by situations beyond our control. Maybe our lives are currently filled with pain.

I wish I could say I have not smelled like smoke after walking through the fire. Instead, I’ve probably been pretty stinky. I smelled of smoke because I allowed the stink of situations, betrayal, or other people’s bad decisions to cling to me. I’ve allowed fear to overwhelm me, bitterness to overtake me, and hurt to hold me back. How about you?

Imagine coming home to a house filled with smoke. How would you begin to remove the smell of smoke from your home? According to the fabulous world of Google, there are five simple steps to follow. Surprisingly, we can adopt these same five steps to remove the smell of smoke from our lives. Over the next few days, we will examine how each smoke-removing step can help transform our lives.

We may be hurt. But we don’t have to be held back.

                                                              

Step 1 - Use an odor eliminator. My sweet son decided to make microwave popcorn one day. Unfortunately, he blew past that very thin line between perfect popcorn and a burned mess. Not only was his snack ruined, but the whole house smelled horrible. He unsuccessfully tried to fix the stench by spraying air freshener. The house just smelled like flowery, burned popcorn. Yuck!

Instead of getting rid of a bad odor, air freshener simply tries to cover it up but often magnifies it. An odor eliminator is different; it doesn’t mask the smell or add to it. An odor eliminator completely absorbs the smell and removes it.

Many times, we may try to use an “air freshener” in our lives to mask the smell of smoke. We feel disappointment, hurt, fear, and anger. Instead of eliminating those negative emotions, we cover them up. We slap on a happy face, and we “fake it ‘til we make it.” We may look good on the outside, yet on the inside we are a mess. Yes, sometimes we need to walk by faith, not by sight, and move forward even when we don’t feel like it. We can’t keep that up for very long, though. Unless we let God work on our inside to get to the root of the issue, the smell of smoke will eventually overtake and consume us.

Thankfully, we have the ultimate odor eliminator readily available to us. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

In order to eliminate the smell of smoke from our lives, we have to allow God to absorb those things we worry or fret about - those feelings which are keeping us overwhelmed, hurt, or angry.

Giving our cares to God doesn’t mean we give them to Him then take them back at the first opportunity. We have to let go completely and trust them to our Heavenly Father. Philippians 4:6-7 shows us how:

1. Don’t worry about anything.

2. Pray about everything.

3. Tell God what you need.

4. Thank Him for all He has done.

When we follow those actions, the peace of God shows up. His peace takes up residence in our hearts and minds and eliminates even the most stubborn smell of smoke from our lives.



Step 2 - Install an air purifier. Air purifiers remove contaminants from the air. To purify means to free from undesirable elements. When we walk through the fires of life, it is vital to refuse to allow our circumstances to contaminate our minds. It can be tempting to dwell on the negative things that have happened to us, to wallow in our hurt and disappointment. If we are not going to be held back by the hurt, we have to purify our minds, thoughts, hearts, words, and actions. That’s easy to say, but how do we actually accomplish this?

First, we recognize we are not fighting a battle of flesh and blood. It is impossible to use natural weapons to fight spiritual things. We must use the tools found in the Word of God to defeat the enemy that comes against us.

Is there a better time to buckle the belt of truth around your waist than when you’re in the midst of hurt? When in pain, it is helpful to take some time to sit down, examine scripture, journal what I know to be true about God, and contemplate what I know to be true about me. You might be surprised at the amount of clarity the Holy Spirit will give you when you’re searching God’s heart for that truth.

Second, we have to learn to take every thought captive and examine it to see whether it is from God or not. Paul encourages us to purify our minds by “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience

of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV). We have to ask ourselves: Is this a thought that lines up with God’s Word? Is this something I should allow myself to think? If I continue to think on this, will it have a positive or negative result?

Philippians 4:8 gives us the standard for the only thoughts we should allow in our minds by fixing our “thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Any thought that doesn’t meet this criteria has to be removed quickly and replaced with one that does.

The purification process takes effort; it involves discipline and dependence. A huge step in healing will involve the purification of our minds, thoughts, hearts, words, and actions. Purification continues to grow our confidence and provide us with peace.



Step 3 - Deep clean walls, windows, glass, and anything that may have absorbed the smell.

The enemy will always try to use people or situations in our lives to divert our attention. If we let it, the hurt we experience can take up residence in our hearts and minds, distracting us from fulfilling our God-given purpose.

In order to remove the smell of smoke from our lives, we may need more than an odor eliminator or air purifier. We may have to throw on some work gloves, pick up a scrub brush, and do some deep cleaning. 2 Corinthians 7:1 declares our need to cleanse ourselves and pursue holiness. The Message translation says, “Let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.”

It’s not a question of whether or not distractions will come. They will. When they do, we have to recognize them for what they are and choose not to let them knock us off course.

Last year, I walked through a particularly rough season. Truly, I was walking through the fire, and I was starting to reek like smoke. The final straw came when my car started acting funny, and I visited the mechanic to figure out what was wrong. Apparently, some type of creature chewed the top off my gas tank. When I called the claim into my insurance company, they told me they classified it as vandalism by woodland creature. Hilarious. At that moment, I realized the tactic of the enemy—to keep me focused on the wrong things. I could either take on the smell of more smoke and focus on the havoc from that woodland creature or I could turn away from what I was experiencing and refocus on Jesus.

I immediately took my eyes off what I was experiencing and put my eyes on Jesus. 1 John 1:9 KJV says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I repented for not trusting God in the midst of my circumstances, and He immediately cleansed my heart.

Is there an area in your life where you need to repent? If so, do it now. Let God’s forgiveness give your heart a deep clean.



Step 4 - Wash any fabric, walls, ceilings, or things that retain the smell of smoke.

I’m not sure how many of you have lived with boys, more specifically tween boys. If you haven’t, let me fill you in a bit. Tween boys are sweet, have funny little personalities, and are full of adventure. But somewhere along the way, they begin to stink. It’s shocking that they don’t realize they smell so bad. They have to be told to shower, to use deodorant, and to practice proper hygiene. It isn’t that they like to stink; they are just completely oblivious and need to be guided. Without guidance, they would shower once a week, never brush their teeth, and their foot odor would overtake any room they enter.

What would happen if we only showered once a week? We’d stink, right? The same is true for us spiritually.

Ephesians talks about how we can be washed and cleansed by God’s Word. By reading scripture often, we allow God’s words to penetrate our minds and permeate our hearts to keep us free from the smell of smoke.

The Word of God has a lot to say about the fiery furnaces we may walk through.

Overwhelmed by discouragement? “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

Overcome with sadness? “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

Feeling overwhelmed? “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Being attacked? “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14 (NLT)

There is a scripture for everything we face. One practical way to wash yourself with the Word regularly is to find a few scriptures about the peace, joy, comfort, or love you need and write them on index cards. Throughout the day, read the cards to remind yourself of God’s goodness.



Step 5 - Reupholster furniture.

This removes the smell of smoke immediately and permanently.

A few years ago, we redecorated my husband’s office. His couch was old and outdated, worn and ripped. So, we sent his couch to be reupholstered. Could a scrap of new fabric really revitalize that old sofa? When it came back, I was amazed at the transformation. It looked completely different, completely transformed. I couldn’t believe it was the same couch.

Sometimes after we have experienced a difficult situation, we might look in the mirror and not recognize ourselves. We see hearts marked by pain, bitterness, grief, and hurt. That’s when we know it’s time for a little reupholstering. We can look to God to trade our stony hearts for hearts like His.

God is ready and willing to make a mind-blowing trade, to reupholster our broken hearts. He will remove our stony, stubborn hearts and replace them with tender, responsive hearts. Isn’t that amazing?

We might think we can’t forgive, move on, or find true peace and rest. In our own strength, we can’t do any of these things. But when we let God trade our hard hearts for tender, responsive hearts, restoration can occur in our lives.

We are made in His image and His likeness, and we have His example and strength to help us overcome any situation in our lives. In order for this to occur, we have to make the exchange. He can’t reupholster our hearts unless we are willing to let go of the old and embrace the newness He offers. We have to be willing to exchange the bitterness, unforgiveness, and hurt which tries to hold us back from forgiveness, restoration, and peace.

Will you make that exchange today? All it takes is saying, “Dear God, I know in my own strength, I can do nothing. So today, I ask You to take my hard heart and make it new. Make my heart tender and responsive to Your Word and Your leading.”

If we have allowed past hurts to permeate our lives and leave us smelling like smoke, we now have the necessary tools to no longer be held back by them. We can also be assured that we will never have to go through the fire alone.

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked through the fiery furnace, God didn’t just protect them; He got in that furnace with them and walked beside them every step of the way. The king was astonished there weren’t just three men in the fire, but he was amazed to see four men walking around unscathed. The fourth looked “like a god!” (Daniel 3:25)

When we walk through the fires of life, we can have confidence that no matter what we are experiencing, our God is walking right beside us, never leaving or forsaking us.

Fiery trials in life are inevitable. The Bible tells us to not be surprised when they come our way but, instead, rejoice when we experience them because those trials make us more like Jesus. He gives us the most perfect example to follow. With all He experienced, Jesus could have retained the smell of smoke He was rejected, betrayed, doubted, and abused, but the Word says that His life was a sweet-smelling aroma to God. The same can be true for us.

In order for restoration to truly occur in our hearts, souls, and lives, we have to take our eyes off the hurt and instead focus on the Healer. Jesus can heal the heart that people broke. He can exchange the pain for peace, hurt for healing, and rejection for redemption. There is no heart so broken that Jesus cannot fix it. There is no life so shattered that He cannot restore it. There is no pain too great that He cannot turn into joy.

You may have experienced great hurt, but from this moment forward don’t glorify the pain. Instead, magnify the Savior. Jesus gave His life to set us free from everything that could hold us back. We can walk confidently, knowing we can overcome any obstacle that heads our way.

Credit: Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson / Leading and Loving It

HOW OUR ENVIRONMENT DETERMINES OUR DREAMS.

Shalom!, 
     TODAY I want us to take a look at some of the determining factors that affect our dreams, these are by no means all there is. 

It is my prayers that after this episode we shall be energized and have that discernment to be able to choose the right environment and people in our life. 

1. The people around you: 
You are either standing on the shoulders of dwarfs or on the shoulders of giants. The shoulders you choose to stand on determines how far you see. When you walk with giants, you dream giant dreams and solve giant problems.

 2. The problems around you: 
Saul's soldiers in 1 Samuel 17 saw Goliath as a nine - foot giant who was unconquerable but David saw differently. 
He saw an uncircumcised philistine who was no better than the lions and bears he had conquered earlier. 
1 Samuel 17:26
The price tag on Goliath was a big dream for David and the young boy from the backside of the desert was only a Goliath away from becoming wealthy and the King's son-in-law. David saw his dream in the problem around him. 

3.The principles around you: 
Most countries have at least a military force, police force and border force while others may have more forces. 
The first you meet in every country are the border force officers. 
These officers are there to determine what and who can enter their country. The safety of every country depends on the work of these officers. 

Dreamers are their own border forces - they determine what and who can walk into their lives. Their principles are the moral values that determines what they watch, who they listen to, which books they read and who they emulate. These things affect their dreams. 

4.The Prejudices around you: 
Your biases and the biases of your environment can negatively shape your thinking and affect your dreams.
 Question prejudgments and challenge preconceptions in your environment. Open your mind to new ideas and information. 

5.The Precedence around you: 
In every environment there are pace-setters, trail blazers and high performers. These achievers more or less determine the definition of success in the environment.
Dreamers, however define their own success and push the bar higher. 

6.The possibilities around you: 
Every environment presents you with both opportunities and threats. Most people are bullied by the threats but dreamers are bolstered by opportunities in the environment. 
Without neglecting the threats, the dreamer focuses on the opportunities in the environment and maximizes them for profits. 

7.The Pressures around you: 
Certain environments present socio-cultural and socio-political challenges and these challenges put a lot of pressure on dreamers. 
Dreamers are good at handling such pressures and turning them into pleasures.

Credit : Living your dream life by Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei. 
SmileCosItsWell.

STAGES OF OUR DREAMS

THE VARIOUS STAGES OUR DREAMS GOES THROUGH BEFORE BECOMING REALITY


      In pursuit of our Dream life, we must have a clear understanding of the times and seasons that await us.
In this episode, we will focus on the eleven(11) stages every dreamer goes through . It is based on the Story of Joseph, a young Hebrew dreamer, as recorded in the book of Genesis.
The key periods of his life show a blueprint of a Dreamer's journey to significance.
The success of every dreamer depends on how he or she manages these stages. My aim in this episode is to provide a survival toolkit for every dreamer.

 1.The Household stage:
The people you trust will be the first to throw trash at your dream. Families sometimes support but most times suppress the dreamer, so do not be surprised if the first reaction from family to your dream is negative. Your case as a dreamer is not different from the case of Joseph in the Bible, whose father rebuked him because he dared to dream and his brothers hated him because his dream was too big.
 Genesis 37:9-10.
The family hurdle is the most difficult to clear but it is even more difficult if you focus on them instead of on your dream. The best way to clear this hurdle is to believe in JESUS, believe in yourself and believe in your dream.

A belief in yourself is called CONFIDENCE. You need confidence to confront the household challenge. A belief in your dream is called CONVICTION. You need conviction to stay focused. A belief in Jesus is called CONVERSION. Your faith in Christ can move any mountain. The first person who tried to discourage David when he enquire about the possibility of fighting Goliath was his oldest brother Eliab.

1 Sam 17:28-29
Dreamers usually tread where others dread. Families in their desperate attempt to protect dreamers from danger put unnecessary impediments in their way.
i. Conviction: A dream you don't believe in cannot survive the smallest test. Conviction determines commitment and your commitment is key to persuading doubters.
ii. Convincing: There are people in your family who deserves further and better explanations. Be patient and show decorum whiles you try to convince them. Leaders know who they owe an explanation and do so expertly.
iii. Communication: The way you package and communicate a dream will determine how the hearers react to it. Choose who, when, how and where you communicate your dream. Leaders are brand masters - they persuade through the glamorization of their dream.
iv. Circumspection: Be careful who you trust with your dream. There are a lot of dream killers in our families. Leaders can sense dream assassins.
v. Combat: You must fight to keep your dream alive. Dreamers are fighters. They fight for their dreams and they conquer every foe to achieve their dreams.

 2.The Hatred Stage:
 Genesis 37:5(NIV) says:
Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.

Your dream will attract both haters and helpers but expect the haters to be more than the helpers. They will hate you for trying to be different from them, they will hate you because your dream is going to make you better than them.
Don't hate them back; just keep loving your dream and yourself because love is better than hate. The best way to deal with haters is to avoid them.


3.The Hostility Stage: 
Joseph's dream described his potential and his potential posed a threat to his brothers. The natural response to threats by many people is aggression.

Genesis 37:18-20,23-24(NIV) says:
[18] But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.
[19]"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other.
[20]"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cistern and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams.
[23] So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the ornate robe he was wearing.
[24] and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. Be ready for unexpected battles. Your dream will not only attract haters but also diabolical people who will not only hatch a plan to cause your downfall but also a plan to, if possible, terminate your your life. Circumspection is key at this stage. Leaders know their friends, know their enemies and
know where the battle lines are drawn and choose their battles carefully.


4.The Hopping Stage:
Genesis 37 : 28 (NIV) Says ,
[28] So When the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelite's who took him to Egypt.

Genesis 37 : 36 (NIV) says:
[36] Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.

Your dream is like a seed. It needs fertile grounds to grow. It will keep looking until it finds the most appropriate environment in which to grow. First, Joseph was bought by the Ishmaelites who also sold him to Potiphar who put him in Prison. Whiles going through these stages of his dream, Joseph was not despaired. Finally, he found the right soil to plant his seed(dream) in the palace. Leaders know that a dream is like a product - it will pass through a number of processes, most of them quite painful, but if you can be patient in your pain and go through the process, your dream will come through triumphantly.

 5.The Holiness Stage:
Genesis 39:6-8 NIV Says:
[6] So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
[7] and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!".
[8] But he refused. " With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.

While pursuing your dreams, your values will be dared. Easier alternatives at the expense of your values will be presented to you, especially when the journey looks longer than you anticipated and the road more rugged than you imagined. Leaders don't lower their values, especially their biblical values, because they know that Jesus is the sure way to their dreams.

 6.The Hustling Stage: 
Genesis 39:20 NIV Says.
[20] Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined...

Every dreamer pays a meager price for a mega prize. When you focus on the price without seeing the prize, you can easily be discouraged. Joseph had to go to prison and this was the price he paid for not compromising on his values for the sake of his dreams. But the prison was a pathway to the palace. The palace became the prize for the price he paid. For leaders, price is meager, prize is mega. Your dreams may take you on unfamiliar and uncharted paths, but I encourage you to stay steady in the wilderness and keep moving because the highway is just ahead.

 7.The Helping Stage: 
Genesis 40:12-15(NIV) says
[12] "This is what it means", Joseph said to him. "The three branches are three days.
[13] Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cup bearer.
[14] But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.
[15] I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.

" Imagine how discouraging it will be when you help people to realize their dreams and yet your dream looks shattered. Joseph was in prison for what he did not do and instead of getting bitter, he rather helped to better the lives of people by assisting them to make their dreams a reality.
It takes leadership to help others realize their dreams ahead of yours. If you can't celebrate and contribute to the success of other dreamers, your dream will remain a mirage. If you help people whilst in prison, then God can trust you with a palace.

 8.The Helper Stage: 
Genesis 41 : 9 - 14 NIV Says,
9: Then the Chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying, "I remember my faults this day".
10: When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the Chief baker,
11: We each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.
12: Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream.
13: And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him."
14: Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.

Everybody needs somebody to make his/her dream a reality. You cannot predict where you will meet that person. Joseph met the person who would recommend him to Pharaoh for his dream to come through in prison. Who would have thought that a fellow prisoner Joseph helped would become his helper?
 TRUE LEADERS NEVER DESPISE THE PEOPLE THEY MEET WHILE PURSUING THEIR DREAMS.

 9.The Happening Stage: 
Genesis 41:14 NIV says
[14] So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

At this stage, the sun is rising and the dawn is fading away. You are seeing better and hearing good news. You are beginning to meet your Pharaoh and taking steps in the corridors of power and influence.
Your dream is becoming a reality because God is connecting you to the right people and taking you to the right place.
Joseph had his beard shaved and his clothes changed before going to Pharaoh because for leaders, preparation must always precede opportunity.
The Happening stage is where God opens door of opportunities and cuts off the threats to your dream. Walk through these doors prepared and equipped. Leaders prepare ahead for anticipated opportunities.

Proverbs 3:8(NIV) says: ....
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut....


 10.The Hurray Stage: 
 Genesis 41:41-44(NIV) Says;
[41] So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."
[42] Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
[43] He had him ride in a Chariot as his second in command, and people shouted before him, "Make ways!" Thus, he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
[44] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt."

 Now you are happy and proud of your achievements and you know that God has not forsaken you. That business is now a reality, that Job is now yours.
 Now your dream is no longer an imagination, it is an invention. You can now feel it, you can touch it and you can see it.
Those who despised you are now celebrating you and those who said it was impossible are now regretting Leaders are achievers, they work hard to realize their dreams. You cannot be a leader without a trophy.

11.The Healing Stage:
11. Genesis 50:15-21
[15] When Joseph's brother saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him."
[16] So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died, he commanded, saying, [17] Thus you shall say to Joseph: " I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servant of God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him
[18] Then his brother also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Below, we are your servant."
[19] Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
[20] But as for you, you meant it evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
[21] Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Joseph survived all the stages of his dream because he had a spiritual understanding of the difficult situations he was confronted with.

At every point he knew that the wicked intentions of men were God's own way of ordering his steps into the realization of his dreams.
Your capacity to discern the hand of God in the stages of your dream will determine how successful your dream becomes. He didn't take offense personal because he knew God used those who hurt him to push him to God's plan. Leaders don't hurt, they heal. The parable of the Good Samaritan comes to mind.

 Luke 10:30, 33-34(NIV) says:
[30] In reply Jesus said: " A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead...
[33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
[34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine A lot of people have been battered and wounded in the Journey of life and it is the responsibility of leaders to bring healing to such people.

They carry healing words to a hurting world.

A: Africa
N: Needs
Y: You

 Credit: Living you dream life by Bishop Titi-Ofei

God Bless You
SmileCosItsWell.

WHAT ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY STUDENT SHOULD KNOW

WHAT ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY STUDENT SHOULD KNOW

          From the dawn of history, the development of technical knowledge has been accompanied, and to a large extent made possible, by a corresponding graphic language. Today the intimate connection between engineering and science and the universal graphic language is more vital than ever before, and engineers, scientists, and technicians ignorant of or deficient in their field’s principal mode of expression in technical field are professionally illiterates. Thus, training in the application of technical drawing is required in virtually every engineering school in the world.

          The old days of fine-line drawings and of shading and “washes” are gone forever, artistic talent is no longer prerequisite to learning the fundamentals of the graphic language. Instead, today’s graphics student needs the same aptitudes, abilities, and computer skills that are needed in science and engineering courses.

          The well-trained engineering, scientist, or technician must be able to make and correct graphical representations of engineering structures, designs, and data relationships. This means that individuals must understand the fundamental principles, or the grammar, of the language and be able to execute the work with reasonable skill (which is penmanship).

          Graphics students often try to excuse themselves for inferior results (usually caused by lack of application) by arguing that after graduation they do not expect to do any drafting at all. Such students presumptuously expect, immediately after graduation, to be accomplished engineers concerned with bigger things. They forget that first assignment may involve working with drawings and possibly revising drawings, either on a board or on a computer, under the direction of an experienced engineer. Entering the engineering profession via graphics provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the product, the company operations, and the supervision of others.

          Even a young engineer who has not been successful in developing a skillful penmanship in the graphic language will have use for its grammar, since the ability to read a drawing will be of utmost importance. Furthermore, the engineering student is apt to overlook that, in practically all the subsequent courses taken in college, technical drawing will be encountered in most textbooks. The student is often called on by instructors to supplement calculations with mechanical drawings or sketches. Thus, a mastery  of a course in technical drawing utilizing both traditional methods and computer systems(CAD) will aid materially, not only in professional practice after graduation but more immediately in other technical courses.

          Beside the direct advantages of a serious study of the graphic language, many students learn the meaning of neatness, speed, and accuracy for the first time in a drawing course. These are basic and necessary habits for every successful engineer, scientist and technician.

          The ability to think in three dimensions is one of the most important requisites of successful scientists, designers, and engineers. Learning to visualize objects in space, to use the constructive imagination, is one of the principal values to be obtained from a study of the graphic language. Person of extra-ordinary creative ability possess the ability to visualize to an outstanding degree. It is difficult to think of Edison, De forest, or Einstein as being deficient in constructive imagination.

                                                                                                                             Source: Engineering Graphics by Giesecke and co.

Written by Ampeh Justice

Jxticea@gmail.com.

GTUC, Tesano.