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Issue 3 2009
Sickle Cell Disease
The place of wisdom
in our covenant walk
“Ships Are Safe In The Harbour
But Ships Are Not Made For
The Harbour.The Purpose Of
Creation For Ships Is For
Sailing In The Deep Sea Not
Shallow Water.”
PASTOR KING
Senior Pastor Riverside
Community Church/ Dream
Centre Peoria USA
Little things
that makes a
Great Marriage
DIRECTOR GENERAL
DR S.O.MOHHAMMED
NIGERIA SPACE AGENCY
(NASRDA)
ON DECADE OF
HISTORICAL
ACCOMPLISHMENT
Wisdom Magazine ISSN 2040-1094
www.wisdommagazine.co.uk f.adesan@wisdommagazine.co.uk

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EDITORIAL
BOARD
Publisher/Editor-in-chief
Folayemi Adesan
Editor
Felix Ale
Columnists
Dr Toks Onabanjo
David Adeyemi
Peter Jordan
Photo Journalist
Folayemi Adesan
Marketing/Adverts/Business
Development unit
Adebayo Adesan UK
Dupe Onabanjo USA
Eng Toun Araba Nigeria
Tolu Akinwumi USA
Bola Akomolafe UK
Angelinah Akinwumi Nigeria
Accounting
Adejimi Adesan
Sylvester Akinwumi
Executive Director
Ambrose Adesan
(alias Bobby Akoji)
Correspondences: Contact us
United Kingdom
Folayemi Adesan 07904918343
f.adesan@hotmail.com
f.adesan@wisdommagazine.co.uk
United States of America
Dr Toks Onabanjo 404 2073981
tokunboonabanjo@yahoo.com
Tolu Akinwumi 240 3544088
tolu_2000au@yahoo.com
Nigeria
Abuja/Ondo
Felix Ale 08062584269
felixalle@yahoo.com
Lagos
Angelinah Akinwumi
08023069890
6
CONTENTS
21
16
33
4 FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
6 CHRISTOPHER OLUSOLA MUSA
50TH BIRTHDAY BASH
8 SICKLE CELL DISEASE
14 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
15 TESTIMONY TO THE GLORY OF GOD
16 NASRDA: A DECADE OF HISTORIAL SOJOURN
AND ACCOMPLISHMENT
20 PLAN OF SALVATION
21 SHIPS ARE SAFE IN THE HARBOUR
BUT SHIPS ARE NOT MADE FOR THE HARBOUR
22 THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR HANDS,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH IT?
24 LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKES A GREAT MARRIAGE
29 RECAPPING ON THE BOOK OF PHILLIPIANS
24
33 THE PLACE OF WISDOM IN OUR COVENANT WALK
8
38 REVIEWS AND COMMENTS
3

FROM THE DESK OF THE
EDITOR-IN-
V{|xy
Folayemi Adesan
Greetings to all in the Wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Welcome to our 3 rd issue of Wisdom Magazine.
Wisdom Magazine is a Ministry of the Word. It is a unique evangelist tool that will challenge, encourage and point people to
Jesus Christ after self examination. It is meant for enemies of God to repent and turn back to God as friends of God. Lukewarm
Christians will become hot for Christ. The place of obedience is always a place of blessing, joy, peace and righteousness in
the Holy Ghost. I am speaking prophetically with this Wordle (below) where Wisdom Magazine is heading. We are hoping to
be cutting edge, responsive, different, informative, and full of usable Wisdom. We are hoping to be a magazine of choice.
Recently l was on board a Belleview airline and l was caught by their appeal. It reads: “ Please spare a thought for the
unfortunate plight of more than a million children who are afflicted with sickle cell anaemia. This is the commonest hereditary
disease in sub-Saharan Africa and in the whole world. By virtue of its high population, Nigeria has the largest number of
sufferers in the world. Statistics show that one in every four Nigerian is a carrier of the sickle cell trait”.
The Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria is a
humanitarian organisation raising funds to build
and run a National Sickle Cell Centre to help save
the lives of these children. This will be done
through research, counselling and creating general
awareness on how to prevent and manage the condition.
Several things moved me deeply. As the statistic has
accurately said, I am a carrier- one of the one in four. I
migrated to the United Kingdom over twenty years ago. At
the leading of God I have recently registered a Charity
Wisdom Ministry and Family Centre in Nigeria. The plight
of the poor and suffering of the under privileged cuts me
in pieces as with a razor. I can cry a whole week for
injustice. I was crying once when l heard God clearly speak
to me to stop crying and get up and do something-no
matter how small. Do something that will make a
difference.
eyes to the untold suffering of God’s people. We cannot
say that we love in words and not in deeds. God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ
to redeem us from the consequences of our disobedience
and the curse of the law.
Shalom
Folayemi Adesan
For people who knows me well, l have always tried to
make a mark, touch people in some form or the other to
encourage and bring positive change to their lives. God
was however telling me to move to the next level. This is
the reason for these publications. God challenged me to
press forward in whatever l was doing on His behalf. Africa
/Nigeria has no National Health Service, it has no Welfare
State. 5% of Nigerians are extremely wealthy but a large
proportion of people are living below poverty line. If we
love the way God asks us to love, then we cannot close our
4

Congratulates
Magazine
The Ondo Kingdom Sons And Daughters
For The Ekimogun Day Celebration
Taking Place Here In London On The
10th Oct 2009
May We Continue To Reflect The Glory Of God Wherever We
Are On The Face Of The Planet In Jesus’ Mighty ame
Amen.
Launching Of
The Uk Charter Of
St Louis Secondary School Ondo Alumni
On The 11th Oct 2009
At 99a Manor Road Dagenham
Essex RM10 8BE
@ 4pm.
All Old Students Of St Louis Secondary Ondo Are Invited.
You Will ot Be Disappointed.
5

CHRISTOPHER
OLUSOLA MUSA
(ALIAS BASUTO)
Celebrates His 50th Birthday
In London With A Big Bash
Community Cohesion And
Love Amongst Ourselves Is
His Message
6

7

Sickle Cell
Disease
Recently l was on board a
Belleview airline and l was
caught by their appeal. It
reads thus; please spare a
thought for the
unfortunate plight of more
than a million children who
are afflicted with sickle cell
anaemia. This is the
commonest hereditary
disease in sub-Saharan
Africa and in the whole
world. By virtue of its high
population, Nigeria has the
largest number of sufferer
in the world. Statistics
show that one in every four
Nigerian is a carrier of the
sickle cell trait.
The Sickle Cell Foundation of
Nigeria is a humanitarian
organisation raising funds
through public spirited
individuals to build and run a National
Sickle Cell Centre to help save the lives
of these children. This will be done
through research, counselling and
creating general awareness on how to
prevent and manage the condition.
Several things made me deeply
moved. As the statistic has accurately
said, I am a carrier- one of the one in
four. I migrated to the United Kingdom
over twenty years ago. I have recently
registered a charity Wisdom Ministry
and Family Centre in Nigeria at the
leading of God. The plight of the poor
and suffering of the under privileged
cuts me in pieces like with a razor. I can
cry a whole week for injustice. I was
crying once when l heard God clearly
speak to me to stop crying and get up
and do something-no matter how
small. Do something that will make a
difference.
For people who knows me well, l have
always tried to make a mark, touch
people in some form or the other to
encourage and bring positive change
to their lives. God was however telling
me to move to the next level. This is
the reason for these publications. God
challenged me to press forward in
whatever l was doing on His behalf.
Africa /Nigeria has no National Health
Service, it has no Welfare State. 5% of
Nigerians are extremely wealth but a
large proportion of people are living
below poverty line. If we love the way
God ask us to love, then we cannot
close our eyes to the untold suffering
of God’s people. We cannot say that
we love in words and not in deeds.
God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to
redeem us from the consequences of
our disobedience and curse of the law.
Sickle cell prevalence can be reduced
by a simple blood test before our
young people commit themselves to
marriage and intimacy. I visited two
sites on the internet to bring a little
awareness to the topic of Sickle Cell.
The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle
Cell Centre at Grady Health System,
Atlanta GA
What is Sickle Cell
Disease ?
Sickle Cell disease is a group of
inherited red blood cell disorders. It is
the most common genetic disease in
the US. Over 70,000 Americans have
sickle cell disease.
Normal red blood cells are round like
doughnuts, and they move through
small blood tubes in the body to
deliver oxygen. Sickle red blood cells
become hard, sticky and shaped like
8

sickles used to cut wheat. When these hard
and pointed red cells go through the small
blood tube, they clog the flow and break
apart. This can cause pain, damage and a
low blood count, or anaemia.
What makes the red cell
sickle?
There is a substance in the red cell called
haemoglobin that carries oxygen inside the
cell. One little change in this substance
causes the haemoglobin to form long rods
in the red cell when it gives away oxygen.
These rigid rods change the red cell into a
sickle shape.
How do you get sickle
cell anemia?
You inherit the abnormal haemoglobin from
both parents who may be carriers with
sickle cell trait or parents with sickle cell
disease. You cannot catch it. You are born
with the sickle cell haemoglobin and it is
present for life.
Is Sickle Cell only in
African Americans?
Sickle cell is in many nationalities including
African Americans, Arabs, Greeks, Italians,
Latin Americans and people from India. All
races should be screened for this
haemoglobin at birth. In the US, 1 out of 10
African Americans have sickle cell trait and
1 out of 625 newborns have the disease.
How can I be tested?
A simple blood test called the haemoglobin
electrophoresis can be done by your doctor
or local sickle cell foundation. This test will
tell if you are a carrier of the sickle cell trait
or if you have the disease.
Newborn Screening
Most States now perform the sickle cell test
when babies are born. The simple blood
test will detect sickle cell disease or sickle
cell trait. Other types of traits that may be
discovered include: Haemoglobin C trait,
Haemoglobin E trait, Haemoglobin Bart’s -
which indicates an alpha thalassemia trait
What is sickle cell trait?
Sickle cell trait is a person who carries one
sickle haemoglobin producing gene
inherited from their parents and one
normal haemoglobin gene. Normal
haemoglobin is called type A. Sickle
haemoglobin called S. Sickle cell trait is the
presence of haemoglobin AS on the
haemoglobin electrophoresis. This will NOT
cause sickle cell disease. Other
haemoglobin traits common in the United
States are AC and AE traits.
Are there different types
of sickle cell disease?
There are three common types of sickle cell
disease in the United States.
Haemoglobin SS or sickle cell anaemia
Haemoglobin SC disease
Haemoglobin sickle beta-thalassemia
Each of these can cause sickle pain
episodes and complications, but some are
more common than others. All of these
may also have an increase in foetal
haemoglobin which can protect the red
cell from sickling and help prevent
complications. The medication
hydroxyurea also increases foetal
haemoglobin.
Where can I get more
information?
Visit the Sickle Cell Information Centre on
the internet at www.SCInfo.org or call the
following:
The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell
Centre at Grady Health System 404-
616-3572
The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia
Inc. 404-755-1641
Sickle Cell Disease Association of
America 1- 800-421-8453
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sickle-cell disease, or sickle-cell anaemia
(or drepanocytosis), is a life-long blood
disorder characterized by red blood cells
that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle
shape. Sickling decreases the cells’ flexibility
and results in a risk of various
complications. The sickling occurs because
of a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. Life
expectancy is shortened, with studies
reporting an average life expectancy of 42
and 48 years for males and females,
respectively.
Sickle-cell disease, usually presenting in
childhood, occurs more commonly in
people (or their descendants) from parts of
tropical and sub-tropical regions where
malaria is or was common. One-third of all
indigenous inhabitants of Sub-Saharan
Africa carry the gene, because in areas
where malaria is common, there is a
9

survival value in carrying only a single
sickle-cell gene (sickle cell trait). Those
with only one of the two alleles of the
sickle-cell disease are more resistant to
malaria, since the infestation of the
malaria plasmodium is halted by the
sickling of the cells which it infests.
The prevalence of the disease in the
United States is approximately 1 in 5,000,
mostly affecting African Americans,
according to the National Institutes of
Health
Signs and symptoms
Sickle-cell disease may lead to various
acute and chronic complications, several of
which are potentially lethal.
Vaso-occlusive crisis
The vaso-occlusive crisis is caused by
sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct
capillaries and restrict blood flow to an
organ, resulting in ischemia, pain, and
often organ damage. The frequency,
severity, and duration of these crises vary
considerably. Painful crises are treated
with hydration and analgesics; pain
management requires opioid
administration at regular intervals until the
crisis has settled. For milder crises, a
subgroup of patients manage on NSAIDs
(such as Diclofenac or Naproxen). For more
severe crises, most patients require
inpatient management for intravenous
opioids; patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
devices are commonly used in this setting.
Diphenhydramine is sometimes effective
for the itching associated with the opioid
use. Incentive spirometry, a technique to
encourage deep breathing to minimise the
development of atelectasis, is
recommended.
Because of its narrow vessels and function
in clearing defective red blood cells, the
spleen is frequently affected. It is usually
infarcted before the end of childhood in
individuals suffering from sickle-cell
anaemia. This autosplene-ctomy increases
the risk of infection from encapsulated
organisms, preventive antibiotics and
vaccinations are recommended for those
with such asplenia.
One of the earliest clinical mani-festations
is dactylitis, presenting as early as six
months of age, and may occur in children
with sickle trait. The crisis can last up to a
month. Another recognised type of sickle
crisis is the acute chest syndrome, a
condition characterised by fever, chest
pain, difficulty breathing, and pulmonary
infiltrate on a chest X-ray. Given that
pneumonia and sickling in the lung can
both produce these symptoms; the patient
is treated for both conditions. It can be
triggered by painful crisis, respiratory
infection, bone-marrow embolisation, or
possibly by atelectasis, opiate
administration, or surgery.
Most episodes of sickle cell crises last
between five and seven days.
Other sickle-cell crises
A plastic crisis are acute worsening of the
patient’s baseline anemia, producing
pallor, tachycardia, and fatigue. This crisis
is triggered by parvovirus B19, which
directly affects erythropoiesis (production
of red blood cells). Parvovirus infection
nearly completely prevents red blood cell
production for two to three days. In
normal individuals, this is of little
consequence, but the shortened red cell
life of sickle-cell patients results in an
abrupt, life-threatening situation.
Reticulocyte counts drop dramatically
during the disease, and the rapid turnover
of red cells leads to the drop in
hemoglobin. Most patients can be
managed supportively; some need blood
transfusion.
Splenic sequestration crises are acute,
painful enlargements of the spleen. The
abdomen becomes bloated and very hard.
Management is supportive, sometimes
with blood transfusion.
Hemolytic crises are acute accelerated
drops in hemoglobin level. The red blood
cells break down at a faster rate. This is
particularly common in patients with coexistent
G6PD deficiency. Management is
supportive, sometimes with blood
transfusions.
Complications
Sickle-cell anemia can lead to various
complications, including:
Overwhelming post-
(auto)splenectomy infection (OPSI),
which is due to functional asplenia,
caused by encapsulated organisms
such as Streptococcus pneumoniae
and Haemophilus influenzae. Daily
penicillin prophylaxis is the most
commonly used treatment during
childhood, with some haematologists
continuing treatment indefinitely.
Patients benefit today from routine
vaccination for H. influenzae, S.
pneumoniae, and Neisseria
meningitidis.
Stroke, which can result from a
progressive vascular narrowing of
blood vessels, preventing oxygen
from reaching the brain. Cerebral
infarction occurs in children, and
cerebral hemorrhage in adults.
Cholelithiasis (gallstones) and
cholecystitis, which may result from
excessive bilirubin production and
precipitation due to prolonged
haemolysis.
Jaundice, yellowing of the skin, may
occur due to the inability of the liver
to effectively remove bilirubin from
the filtering of damaged red blood
cells out of the blood supply as well
as blocks in the organ’s blood
supply. [11][12]
Avascular necrosis (aseptic bone
necrosis) of the hip and other major
joints, which may occur as a result of
ischemia.
Decreased immune reactions due to
hyposplenism (malfunctioning of the
spleen).
Priapism and infarction of the penis.
Osteomyelitis (bacterial bone
infection), which is most frequently
caused by Salmonella in individuals
with sickle-cell disease, whereas
Staphylococcus is the most common
causative organism in the general
population.
Opioid tolerance, which can occur as
a normal, physiologic response to the
therapeutic use of opiates. Addiction
to opiates occurs no more commonly
among individuals with sickle-cell
disease than among other individuals
treated with opiates for other
reasons.
Acute papillary necrosis in the
kidneys.
Leg ulcers.
In eyes, background retinopathy,
proliferative retinopathy, vitreous
haemorrhages and retinal
detachments, resulting in blindness.
Regular annual eye checks are
recommended.
During pregnancy, intrauterine
growth retardation, spontaneous
abortion, and pre-eclampsia.
Chronic pain: Even in the absence of
acute vaso-occlusive pain, many
patients have chronic pain that is not
10

eported.
Pulmonary hypertension (increased
pressure on the pulmonary artery),
leading to strain on the right ventricle
and a risk of heart failure; typical
symptoms are shortness of breath,
decreased exercise tolerance and
episodes of syncope.
Chronic renal failure—manifests itself
with hypertension (high blood
pressure), proteinuria (protein loss in
the urine), haematuria (loss of red
blood cells in urine) and worsened
anemia. If it progresses to end-stage
renal failure, it carries a poor
prognosis.
Heterozygotes
The heterozygous form (sickle cell trait) is
almost always asymptomatic, and the only
usual significant manifestation is the renal
concentrating defect presenting with
isosthenuria.
Diagnosis
In HbSS, the full blood count reveals
haemoglobin levels in the range of 6-8 g/dL
with a high reticulocyte count (as the bone
marrow compensates for the destruction of
sickle cells by producing more red blood
cells). In other forms of sickle-cell disease,
Hb levels tend to be higher. A blood film
may show features of hyposplenism (target
cells and Howell-Jolly bodies).
Sickling of the red blood cells, on a blood
film, can be induced by the addition of
sodium metabisulfite. The presence of
sickle haemoglobin can also be
demonstrated with the “sickle solubility
test”. A mixture of haemoglobin S (Hb S) in
a reducing solution (such as sodium
dithionite) gives a turbid appearance,
whereas normal Hb gives a clear solution.
Abnormal haemoglobin forms can be
detected on haemoglobin electrophoresis,
a form of gel electrophoresis on which the
various types of haemoglobin move at
varying speeds. Sickle-cell haemoglobin
(HgbS) and haemoglobin C with sickling
(HgbSC)—the two most common forms—
can be identified from there. The diagnosis
can be confirmed with high-performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC). Genetic
testing is rarely performed, as other
investigations are highly specific for HbS
and HbC.
An acute sickle-cell crisis is often
precipitated by infection. Therefore, a
urinalysis to detect an occult UTI and CXR
to look for occult pneumonia should be
routinely performed.
Pathophysiology
Sickle-cell anaemia is caused by a point
mutation in the β-globin chain of
haemoglobin, causing the amino acid
glutamic acid to be replaced with the
hydrophobic amino acid valine at the sixth
position. The β-globin gene is found on the
short arm of chromosome 11. The
association of two wild-type α-globin
subunits with two mutant β-globin subunits
forms haemoglobin S (HbS). Under lowoxygen
conditions (being at high altitude,
for example), the absence of a polar amino
acid at position six of the β-globin chain
promotes the non-covalent polymerisation
(aggregation) of haemoglobin, which
distorts red blood cells into a sickle shape
and decreases their elasticity.
The loss of red blood cell elasticity is central
to the pathophysiology of sickle-cell
disease. Normal red blood cells are quite
elastic, which allows the cells to deform to
pass through capillaries. In sickle-cell
disease, low-oxygen tension promotes red
blood cell sickling and repeated episodes of
sickling damage the cell membrane and
decrease the cell’s elasticity. These cells fail
to return to normal shape when normal
oxygen tension is restored. As a
consequence, these rigid blood cells are
unable to deform as they pass through
narrow capillaries, leading to vessel
occlusion and ischaemia.
The actual anemia of the illness is caused
by hemolysis, the destruction of the red
cells inside the spleen, because of their
misshape. Although the bone marrow
attempts to compensate by creating new
red cells, it does not match the rate of
destruction. Healthy red blood cells
typically live 90-120 days, but sickle cells
only survive 10–20 days.
Genetics
A single amino acid change causes
haemoglobin proteins to form fibers.
Sickle-cell gene mutation probably arose
spontaneously in different geographic
areas, as suggested by restriction
endonuclease analysis. These variants are
known as Cameroon, Senegal, Benin, Bantu
and Saudi-Asian. Their clinical importance
springs from the fact that some of them are
associated with higher HbF levels, e.g.,
Senegal and Saudi-Asian variants, and tend
to have milder disease.
In people heterozygous for HgbS (carriers of
sickling haemoglobin), the polymerisation
problems are minor, because the normal
allele is able to produce over 50% of the
haemoglobin. In people homozygous for
HgbS, the presence of long-chain polymers
of HbS distort the shape of the red blood
cell from a smooth donut-like shape to
ragged and full of spikes, making it fragile
and susceptible to breaking within
capillaries. Carriers have symptoms only if
they are deprived of oxygen (for example,
while climbing a mountain) or while
severely dehydrated. Under normal
circumstances, these painful crises occur
0.8 times per year per patient. The sicklecell
disease occurs when the seventh amino
acid (if we count the initial methionine),
glutamic acid, is replaced by valine to
change its structure and function.
The gene defect is a known mutation of a
single nucleotide (see single nucleotide
polymorphism - SNP) (A to T) of the β-
globin gene, which results in glutamate
being substituted by valine at position 6.
Haemoglobin S with this mutation are
referred to as HbS, as opposed to the
normal adult HbA. The genetic disorder is
due to the mutation of a single nucleotide,
from a GAG to GTG codon mutation. This is
normally a benign mutation, causing no
apparent effects on the secondary, tertiary,
or quaternary structure of haemoglobin.
What it does allow for, under conditions of
low oxygen concentration, is the
polymerization of the HbS itself. The deoxy
form of haemoglobin exposes a
hydrophobic patch on the protein between
the E and F helices. The hydrophobic
residues of the valine at position 6 of the
beta chain in haemoglobin are able to
associate with the hydrophobic patch,
causing haemoglobin S molecules to
aggregate and form fibrous precipitates.
The allele responsible for sickle-cell
anaemia is autosomal codominant and can
be found on the short arm of chromosome
11. A person that receives the defective
gene from both father and mother develops
the disease; a person that receives one
defective and one healthy allele remains
healthy, but can pass on the disease and is
known as a carrier. If two parents who are
carriers have a child, there is a 1-in-4 chance
of their child’s developing the disease and
11

a 1-in-2 chance of their child’s being just a
carrier. Since the gene is incompletely
recessive, carriers can produce a few
sickled red blood cells, not enough to
cause symptoms, but enough to give
resistance to malaria. Because of this,
heterozygotes have a higher fitness than
either of the homozygotes. This is known
as heterozygote advantage.
Due to the adaptive advantage of the
heterozygote, the disease is still prevalent,
especially among people with recent
ancestry in malaria-stricken areas, such as
Africa, the Mediterranean, India and the
Middle East. Malaria was historically
endemic to southern Europe, but it was
declared eradicated in the mid-20th
century, with the exception of rare
sporadic cases.
The Price equation is a simplified
mathematical model of the genetic
evolution of sickle-cell anemia.
The malaria parasite has a complex life
cycle and spends part of it in red blood
cells. In a carrier, the presence of the
malaria parasite causes the red blood cells
with defective haemoglobin to rupture
prematurely, making the plasmodium
unable to reproduce. Further, the
polymerization of Hb affects the ability of
the parasite to digest Hb in the first place.
Therefore, in areas where malaria is a
problem, people’s chances of survival
actually increase if they carry sickle-cell
trait (selection for the heterozygote).
In the USA, where there is no endemic
malaria, the prevalence of sickle-cell
anemia among blacks is lower (about
0.25%) than in West Africa (about 4.0%)
and is falling. Without endemic malaria
from Africa, the condition is purely
disadvantageous and will tend to be bred
out of the affected population. Another
factor limiting the spread of sickle-cell
genes in North America is the absence of
cultural proclivities to polygamy.
Sickle-cell disease is inherited in the
autosomal recessive pattern.
Inheritance
Sickle-cell conditions are inherited from
parents in much the same way as blood
type, hair color and texture, eye color, and
other physical traits.
The types of haemoglobin a person makes
in the red blood cells depend upon what
haemoglobin genes are inherited from his
parents.
If one parent has sickle-cell anemia (SS)
and the other has sickle-cell trait (AS),
there is a 50% chance (or 1 out of 2) of a
child’s having sickle-cell disease (SS) and a
50% chance of a child’s having sickle-cell
trait (AS).
When both parents have sickle-cell trait
(AS), they have a 25% chance (1 of 4) of a
child’s having sickle-cell disease (SS), as
shown in the diagram.
Sickle-cell anemia appears to be caused by
a codominant allele. Two carrier parents
have a one in four chance of having a child
with the disease (homozygous) and a one
in two chance of having a child with an
intermediate phenotype (heterozygous).
TREATMENT
Cyanate
Dietary cyanate, from foods containing
cyanide derivatives, has been used as a
treatment for sickle- cell anemia. ] In the
laboratory, cyanate and thiocyanate
irreversibly inhibit sickling of red blood
cells drawn from sickle cell anemia
patients. However, the cyanate would have
to be administered to the patient for a
lifetime, as each new red blood cell
created must be prevented from sickling at
the time of creation. Cyanate also would
be expelled via the urea of a patient every
cycle of treatment.
Painful (vaso-occlusive)
crisis
Most people with sickle-cell disease have
intensely painful episodes called vasoocclusive
crises. The frequency, severity,
and duration of these crises, however, vary
tremendously. Painful crises are treated
symptomatically with analgesics; pain
management requires opioid
administration at regular intervals until the
crisis has settled. For milder crises, a
subgroup of patients manage on NSAIDs
(such as diclofenac or naproxen). For more
severe crises, most patients require
inpatient management for intravenous
opioids; patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
devices are commonly used in this setting.
Diphenhydramine is also an effective agent
that is frequently prescribed by doctors in
order to help control any itching
associated with the use of opioids.
Folic acid and penicillin
Children born with sickle-cell disease will
undergo close observation by the
pediatrician and will require management
by a hematologist to assure they remain
healthy. These patients will take a 1 mg
dose of folic acid daily for life. From birth
to five years of age, they will also have to
take penicillin daily due to the immature
immune system that makes them more
prone to early childhood illnesses.
Acute chest crisis
Management is similar to vaso-occlusive
crisis, with the addition of antibiotics
(usually a quinolone or macrolide, since
wall-deficient [“atypical”] bacteria are
thought to contribute to the syndrome), [28]
oxygen supplementation for hypoxia, and
close observation. Should the pulmonary
infiltrate worsen or the oxygen
requirements increase, simple blood
transfusion or exchange transfusion is
indicated. The latter involves the exchange
of a significant portion of the patients red
cell mass for normal red cells, which
decreases the percent of haemoglobin S in
the patient’s blood
Hydroxyurea
The first approved drug for the causative
treatment of sickle-cell anaemia,
hydroxyurea, was shown to decrease the
number and severity of attacks in a study
in 1995 (Charache et al.) and shown to
possibly increase survival time in a study
in 2003 (Steinberg et al.). This is achieved,
in part, by reactivating fetal haemoglobin
production in place of the haemoglobin S
that causes sickle-cell anaemia.
Hydroxyurea had previously been used as
a chemotherapy agent, and there is some
concern that long-term use may be
harmful, but this risk has been shown to
be either absent or very small and it is
likely that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Bone marrow
transplants
Bone marrow transplants have proven to
be effective in children. [32]
Future treatments
Various approaches are being sought for
12

preventing sickling episodes as well as for
the complications of sickle-cell disease.
Other ways to modify hemoglobin
switching are being investigated, including
the use of phytochemicals such as nicosan.
Gene therapy is under investigation.
Another treatment being investigated is
Senicapoc.
Situation of carriers
People who are known carriers of the
disease often undergo genetic counseling
before they have a child. A test to see if an
unborn child has the disease takes either a
blood sample from the fetus or a sample of
amniotic fluid. Since taking a blood sample
from a fetus has greater risks, the latter test
is usually used.
After the mutation responsible for this
disease was discovered in 1979, the U.S. Air
Force required black applicants to test for
the mutation. It dismissed 143 applicants
because they were carriers, even though
none of them had the condition. It
eventually withdrew the requirement, but
only after a trainee filed a lawsuit.
History
This collection of clinical findings was
unknown until the explanation of the sickle
cells in 1904 by the Chicago cardiologist and
professor of medicine James B. Herrick
(1861-1954), whose intern Ernest Edward
Irons (1877-1959) found “peculiar
elongated and sickle-shaped” cells in the
blood of Walter Clement Noel, a 20-yearold
first-year dental student from Grenada,
after Noel was admitted to the Chicago
Presbyterian Hospital in December 1904
suffering from anemia.
Noel was readmitted several times over the
next three years for “muscular rheumatism”
and “bilious attacks”. Noel completed his
studies and returned to the capital of
Grenada (St. George’s) to practice dentistry.
He died of pneumonia in 1916 and is buried
in the Catholic cemetery at Sauteurs in the
north of Grenada.
The disease was named “sickle-cell anemia“
by Vernon Mason in 1922. However, some
elements of the disease had been
recognized earlier: A paper in the Southern
Journal of Medical Pharmacology in 1846
described the absence of a spleen in the
autopsy of a runaway slave. The African
medical literature reported this condition in
the 1870s, when it was known locally as
ogbanjes (“children who come and go”)
because of the very high infant mortality
rate caused by this condition. A history of
the condition tracked reports back to 1670
in one Ghanaian family. Also, the practice
of using tar soap to cover blemishes caused
by sickle-cell sores was prevalent in the
black community.
Linus Pauling and colleagues were the first,
in 1949, to demonstrate that sickle-cell
disease occurs as a result of an abnormality
in the haemoglobin molecule. This was the
first time a genetic disease was linked to a
mutation of a specific protein, a milestone
in the history of molecular biology, and it
was published in their paper “Sickle Cell
Anemia, a Molecular Disease“.
The origin of the mutation that led to the
sickle-cell gene was initially thought to be
in the Arabian Peninsula, spreading to Asia
and Africa. It is now known, from evaluation
of chromosome structures, that there have
been at least four independent mutational
events, three in Africa and a fourth in either
Saudi Arabia or central India.
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13

Testimony
to the
Glory
of God
It’s Supernatural
God is truly the same yesterday, today and forever and
if we who belong to Him are really serious about our
walk with Him, He does show Himself strong in our
lives. This article is about a mind blowing healing
miracle that happened in Empower Community Life Group at
Bethel Church in London. How one of our sisters, Justina Attuah
who is a sickle cell sufferer has been miraculously touched by
God this year 2009.
For those of you who do not know what sickle cell disease is, it
is an inherited life-long blood disorder, characterised by
abnormal rigid and sickle shaped red blood cells. The sickling of
these abnormal blood cells are intensely painful when they
occur and are known as crisis. The disease is manifested from
about 6-9 months old and the frequency, severity and duration
of crisis vary in people with the diseases. Painful crisis require
very strong pain management. Sickle cell diseases may lead to
various acute and chronic complications which are potentially
fatal. Because there is no cure for the disease and the crisis are
very damaging to most of the organs in the sicklers’ bodies, they
are reported to live only to their forties.
With the medical lesson over, let’s continue with our sister’s
miraculous healing. Our sister and friend Justina has been going
through these crises from childhood, but for the past few years
the frequency of the crisis had increased, resulting to her being
in and out of hospital many times in a year. We took a stand in
the prayer group and declared that the hospital admissions
would cease as it is very destructive to her family any time she
is admitted. Do you know that the crisis warranting hospital
treatment and admission ceased for almost 2 years. God in a
very real way taught us the meaning of James 5 vs. 16: the
fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.
Soon after our sister’s testimony and thanks giving, she travel
and came back with a massive crisis that everybody thought
would take her out. The medics were preparing her family and
close friend for the worse. They said even if she recovered they
don’t know the extend of the damage the crisis would have
caused. They were particularly worried about some dark
patches in her brain, infarcts. I am sure you can all appreciate
the importance of our brain and the fact that any infarcts in it are
extremely worrying. Infarct, by the way, means the death of a
tissue caused by blockage of the tissue’s blood supply.
Empower ladies went to work as did the church; the group went
into earnest fasting and praying mood. Right at the beginning of
the fast God gave us a word in John 11 v 4 that this illness is not
unto death but for the glory of God ….. We stood on that word
and even when the doctor’s reports got very grime, we held on
to the word and believed God for a resurrection miracle.
Brothers and sister in the Lord, I say this to encourage you that
God did raise our sister up, we managed through our prayers to
snatch her from the corridors of death and to top it up, she went
for a check up last month only to be told that the infarcts in her
brain have cleared, disappeared. It can’t be explained medically
because once a tissue dies, that is the end. Justina’s infarcts
were resurrected by God and we are very thankful. I say to
anyone reading this testimony that where ever you are with the
Lord and in whatever situation, persevere. The result will soon
come and it’s always sweet. Praise the Lord He is our healer! Our
sister Justina is happily married with children. She celebrated
her 50 th birthday recently with a big bang. We want this article
to encourage and bless people with sickle cell disease. God
promised never to leave or forsake you. He is faithful to the core
with His Word. He exalts His Word above His name.
15

NASRDA
A Decade Of
Historical
Sojourn And
Accomplishment
By Felix Ale
Felix Ale is the Head, Media and
Corporate Affairs of NASRDA.
16

We live on a restless planet that is geographically too vast and diverse for
human understanding. Yet, our curiousity and interest to fully understand
the earth environment in which we live have continued to grow.
Through the ages of research, man has been able to unravel
the science of the Earth’s solid outer shell and liquid or mobile
inner core. The ever-changing interplay of the variety of
natural phenomena, ranging from landscape forms, scenery,
to catastrophes brought about by earthquakes , volcanic
eruptions, floods, and hurricanes, all of which are of daily
interest and concern to the world’s inhabitatants.
The dynamism and intricacies of the Earth have brought into
focus the submission of Socrates that “man must rise above
the Earth to the top of the atmosphere and beyond for only
then will he fully understand the world in which he lives.” To
Socrates, the Earth holds an enormous potential for human
survival and requires much more understanding, both in terms
of the development and management of its resources, and
monitoring and management of its environment. Socrates’s
dream or vision became a reality when the first satellite,
SPUTNIK-1, was launched into space by Soviet Union (USSR)
on 4th October, 1957.
Satellites are new eyes in space to see and understand the
world better. It helps to improve the air we breathe, the food
we eat, and the water we drink. It also helps to avert famine
and other natural disasters, and can be used to locate mineral
deposits in the soil and lost ancient cities.
Since the launch of SPUTNIK-1, the impact of Space
Technology on various aspects of human endeavour has been
growing within the last fifty years. Space exploration and
exploitation of space resources have become dominant factors
in warfare, communications, national security, natural
resources and environmental management, prediction and
management of natural disasters etc. In addition, countries
that have this technology are in the forefront of influencing
global issues. For example, China and India which hitherto
were considered as developing countries have achieved
enormous leverage through their Space technology
programmes to which they have committed huge resources.
Both countries are now being classified as emerging world
powers due to the enormous investments and achievements
in Space Science and Technology.
On 5th May, 1999, the Federal Government of Nigeria
established the National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) with a mandate to pursue the development
and application of Space Science and Technology for the socioeconomic
benefits of the nation. Consequently, the Federal
Government approved the National Space Policy and
Programmes in May 2001, thus creating an enabling
environment for the actualisation of the nation’s space
agenda.
Nigeria’s venture into space is not a mere adventure or
coincidence , but in pursuit of new strategies and solutions to
problems in order to enhance the quality of life of the common
man. Such ventures include: the way we manage our
resources and environment as well as our social lives. It was
indeed a deliberate effort at tackling the numerous socioeconomic
problems facing the nation using space science and
technology.
There is no gainsaying the fact that space exploration and
exploitation have become dominant factors and prerequisites
for meeting the challenges of sustainable development of any
nation. It is determined by the nation’s ability to manage its
resources and monitor the environmental status, and its
variations in the domain of both time and space. Hence, the
key objectives and focus of the national space policy and
programmes which are premised on the need to utilise space
research and development as activities , part of the overall
strategies for sustainable development.
In the framework of the implementation of the nation’s space
agenda, a multi-institutional approach was adopted and the
relevant institutional framework were put in place to dissipate
energy and fulfill Nigeria’s vision in the various capacities.
In all the operational centres of the National Space Research
and Development Agency, research and development
programmes provide unique opportunities for international
cooperation and partnership, particularly directed towards
finding effective solutions to local and national problems.
NASRDA’s operational centres include, Centre for Basic Space
Science, National Centre for Remote Sensing, Centre for
Satellite Technology Development, Centre for Space Transport
and Propulsion, Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics, and
African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology
Education.
“...Nigeria’s venture into space is not
a mere adventure or coincidence ,
but in pursuit of new strategies and
solutions to problems in order to
enhance the quality of life of the
common man...”
17

Like many societies of the world, Nigeria is embarking on
initiatives and development agenda that would address
problems of poverty, wealth creation, food security,
infrastructural development, sustainable energy, affordable
health and housing, protection from natural and man-induced
disasters. There is no gainsaying the fact that space technology
remains the key to the realisation of these objectives as it
guarantees the availability and speedy access to real time data
and geo-spatial information for planning and decision making.
It is in recognition of this that observers strongly believe that
various activities of NASRDA since inception have not only
justified the right and timely decision of government but its
commendable efforts and performance have also transformed
Nigeria into the position of key player in the global industry.
Following the successful launch of an Earth Observation
Satellite popularly known as NigeriaSat-1 in 2003, the
management of NASRDA assured Nigerians and indeed the
Federal Government that the best of the Agency was yet to be
seen.
The NigeriaSat-1 which has medium resolution of 32 meters has
been judiciously utilised in many application areas, providing
opportunity for myriad of data acquisition for resource
development and management. The satellite remains the first
African Earth Observation satellite and belongs to a consortium
of micro satellite known as disaster monitoring constellation.
With the successful launch and effective performance of
NigeriaSat-1 in the orbit, the National Space Research and
Development Agency has supported over 2000 applications for
research within and outside Nigeria.
The Agency has been involved in various application areas at
home to demonstrate the use and benefits of space science and
technology. Among these are, Agricultural Land Use and
Planning, desertification monitoring in the semi arid region of
the country, deforestation assessment, and ecosystem
management in Niger-Delta and South-West, as well as gully
erosion mapping in the South-East and environment impact
assessment of the Kainji Lake area
Others include, development of Fadama land information
management system, development of early warning systems
for food security in Nigeria, development of models for Cassava
yield prediction: An explorarory Remote Sensing option,
preparation of Abuja image map and mapping of settlements
and major roads in Nigeria.
And as a member of the global disaster monitoring
constellation, the National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA) has contributed ten percent to disaster
efforts globally. It is on record that the first satellite imagery of
Hurricane Katrina in the United States of America was provided
by NigeriaSat-1, while it also made available sufficient satellite
imageries during the Tsunamis in the South-East, and forest fire
in Australia, California and Algeria.
It has equally responded to floods in Argentina, North-Korea,
Pakistan, China, Vietnam, New York, and Uruguay.
Nigeria again made its mark through the provision of satellite
images by NigeriaSat-1 during volcano eruption in Nevedo-
Columbia, Yemen, Hurricane in Nicaragua and Mexico, as well
as ice jam in Canada and locust threat in Algeria and Syria.
Apart from these, the National Space Research and
Development Agency has also established some virile
commercial companies both public and private sector in the
field of communication, while an observation satellite company
to specialise in the area of land reforms, cadastral and urban
planning is already in place.
Through its enviable track records and achievements in the last
ten years, NASRDA has not only placed Nigeria on the global
space map, but it has demonstrated Nigeria’s ability as
foremost.
While efforts are being intensified by Nigeria communication
satellite limited to replace NIGCOMSAT-1, NASRDA is not
relenting in efforts in its determination to launch a higher
resolution satellite code named NigeriaSat-2 in the first quarter
of next year.
NigeriaSat-2 which will be launched alongside NigeriaSat-X, an
experimental satellite solely designed and built to flight
standard by Nigerian engineers is proposed to be one of the
18

DIRECTOR GENERAL DR S.O.MOHHAMMED
African Resource and Environmental Management
Constellation satellites by Nigeria.
In realising the need for human capital development, the space
agency in the last ten years has invested largely in the knowhow
technology transfer in the areas of satellite technology
development, telemedicine, Rocketry, Remote Sensing and
Geographic Information System. And to date, over 200 Nigerian
engineers and scientists have benefited from such training in
different parts of the world, while also having the opportunity
to post-graduate studies.
The Nigeria Space Agency which started out in a room
apartment as operational office ten years ago, now boasts of a
befitting space centre which has been described as a national
monument and first of its kind in Africa.
Meanwhile, observers are of the view that the achievements
recorded by NASRDA within its ten years of existence are not
only outstanding and impressive but are pointers to the
determined efforts of the agency to pioneer the course of
history in Africa in the field of space science and technology.
Director-General National Space Research and Development
Agency, Dr. Seidu Mohammed, while speaking at a recent
function in Abuja maintained that Nigeria’s venture into space
was not borne out of luxury, rather it was of necessity and the
need to do things differently.
According to him, it is a life saving venture for the good of the
people as well as the overall longterm strategy for sustainable
national development.
Dr. Mohammed emphasised that the Agency is irrevocably
committed to the actualisation of its noble goals and objectives,
which according to him, are crucial to the realisation of the
seven-point Agenda of the present administration and in tune
with the quest for overall national development.
It is pertinent to say, therefore, that after ten years of historical
sojourn, the National Space Research and Development Agency
is not only on course in the actualisation of Nigeria’s space
agenda but the Agency is leaving no stone unturned through
noble efforts commitment and appropraite strategies towards
making space science and technology much more responsive
to the yearnings and aspirations of the entire citizenry.
19

Plan Of Salvation
Explained To 7-11 Years Old In Bethel London’s Riverside Church
By Folayemi Adesan
GOD
FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT
(SPIRIT)-CAN NEVER DIE
CREATOR, RULER, FATHER, OWNER, KING, LORD, HOLY,
I AM, LOVE OF ALL PEOPLE AND THINGS
CREATED
GOOD ANGELS
(SPIRITS)
Head Angel Lucifer
became proud and
rebelled against God.
Became Satan/Devil with
1/3 of Angels. God
expelled them from
Heaven (His Presence)
GOD’S ENEMY
God created
Adam & Eve
(Spirit, Soul & Body)
Gen 1 v 26
Beautiful Plan
andPurpose
God gave them
laws to obey
Good Angels like
Michael, Gabriel,
and Raphael etc
remained in God’s
Presence Loving,
Serving and
Worshipping Him-
2/3 of all Angels
Man deceived by (bad angel)-now Satan, man became proud also
and disobeyed God. God withdrew His Presence. Man lost ALL
God’s beautiful Plan and Purpose for man. JESUS came to take our
punishment and restored us back to God. No human being could
DO IT ONLY JESUS was able to satisfy God and pay the price with
His blood without blemish/sin. Once and for all times shedding of a
Lamb’s blood. This is why we don’t offer any animal blood every
Sunday any more.
20

Ships Are Safe In
The Harbour
But Ships Are Not Made For
The Harbour. Purpose Of
Creation For Ships Is
For Sailing In The
Deep Sea Not
Shallow Water
Luke 5 v 4-13 Jesus said to Peter “Put out into deep
water and let down your nets for a catch”. There is
always danger associated with sailing in deep water
but that is where the fish are. Launching into the
deep gives Jesus the opportunity to perform miracles.
Ships are very safe in the harbour but ships are not made
for the harbour. Ships are made for sailing in the deep/sea
not staying in shallow water. A boat in the harbour rots. You
cannot tie a leader down. Open sea people cannot stay for
long in the harbour. They only come there to sharpen their
axe. Christians in the same vein are safe in the church
but we are not made for sitting in the church but to
go out into the world to proclaim the good news of
our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. He came to give
life and life in abundance to all human beings. Rom
10 v 13-15 “Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the
one they have not believed in? And how can they
believe in the one of whom they have not
heard? And how can they hear without
someone preaching to them? And how
can they preach unless they are sent? As
it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
good news!” Christians have been sent with Power from on
high to go into the whole world so Christians must quit sitting
in the harbour/church and launch out into the deep and walk
on water if we need to walk on water as Peter did. Jesus
Christ the Redeemer is the only hope of a dying world.
Christians cannot keep quiet, there is more joy in Heaven
over one sinner that repents from their sins and turns to God.
This is our primary objective-Salvation of souls from eternal
damnation. When people seek first the Kingdom of God, all
these things that the whole world is looking for will be added
unto us by God Himself. He has no shortage of
provisions. He has more than enough to daily load us
with benefits but first things first. When you seek
Him first, all these things follow. Our charity work
is secondary to and complimentary to the salvation
of souls which is first and foremost. Brothers and
sisters this is our priority. Praise God.
(Note taken by editor under the teaching
of Pastor King of Dream Centre
Peoria/Senior Pastor Riverside
Community Church Peoria USA)
21

THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR HAND,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH IT?
EVANGELISM VIA THE SUPER HIGH WAY
THE GREAT COMMISSION
IT DEPENDS ON
WHOSE HANDS IT’S IN
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Roger Clemens’ hands is worth $475 million.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands..
A tennis racket in Roger Fedral’s hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it’s in...
A slingshot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A slingshot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands
is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus’ hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will
Produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it’s in..
As you see now , it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,
your families and your relationships in God’s hands because...
It depends whose hands it’s in.
This message is now in YOUR hands.
What will YOU do with it?
It Depends on WHOSE Hands it’s in!
This was sent to me, but now it is in your HANDS
22

Loving Is Giving. The Secret Of Abundance Is Reckless Abandoning
Of Oneself In Service Of Another. True Significance-That Is Joy,
Peace, Love, Rightousness And Riches With No Sorrow Comes When
You Put God First In All Things Others Next And Yourself Last.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one
day and said, “Lord, l would like to know what Heaven and
Hell are like.”
THE Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened first door and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which
smelled delicious and made the holy man’s mouth water.
The people sitting round the table were thin skinny and
sickly.
They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons
with very long handles that were strapped to their arms
and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and
take a spoonful but because the handle was longer than
their arms, they could not get the spoon back into their
mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and
suffering.
The Lord said, you have seen Hell on earth.
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was
exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew
which made the holy man’s mouth water too.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled
spoons, but here the people were well nourished and
plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said l don’t understand.
It is simple, said the Lord, it requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other.
That is Heaven on earth
The greedy think only of themselves.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was thinking of you
Adapted from emails received.
Prayer Of Repentance And
Accepting Jesus Christ As Lord And Saviour
Lord Jesus Christ,
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life
(please mean what you say from the bottom of your heart).
Please forgive me.
I now turn from everything which I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank you that you now offer me this gift of forgiveness and your Holy Spirit.
I now receive that gift.
Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Adapted from The Alpha Course manual
Folayemi Adesan
23

Little
things
that makes a
Great
Marr
“I’M THIRD” attitude
24

Dr Toks
Onabanjo
The theme “God First, Others
Second and I’m Third” have
helped many young men and
women by the actions of a
fighter pilot in Vietnam. As
stated in his eulogy. His plane
was spiraling down after being
shot; he fought hard so the craft
won’t plunge into a village
avoiding the death of many
villagers. He was successful, he
died alone. He got an award
from the US Air-force. They
found the “I’m third” creed
written in his pocket.
This creed of “I’m Third” was said by Christ in Matthew 20:
27, whoever wants to be the first must serve others. As
husbands and wives, a marriage would be a thing of joy, if we
imbibe this wonderful principle of “God first, my family
second and I’m third” philosophy in our decision making.
Meaning before we make any decision, we first seek if that
decision would honor God, then how that decision would
affect our husband or wife, the children and then ourselves.
iage
BE FRIENDS NOT ENEMIES
Conflicts in marriage are inevitable, in my opinion if dealt with
properly they help the marriage grow. Without good conflict
resolution policy to guide the home, it is very easy for couples
to see each others as enemies.
Knowing that conflicts and conflict resolution is part of life.
Couples should NEVER see their spouse as an enemy in a
battle, rather as a friend who is showing tough love or does
not know how to speak the truth in love. With different
personalities and diverse family of origin, we are bound to
look at life differently. Some women might be more
competitive than others, while some men might be more
dominating than necessary, that don’t mean they want to kill
their husband or wife.
25

The important thing with this principle is that, it has to be
imbibed from the beginning before things get out of hand.
For older marriages, it might take more work but you need to
start cultivating this attitude.
Good marriages don’t just happen
they are BUILT
I have since discovered that the marriage institution cannot
just run itself, it needs constant nurturing. Just like a good
church need a good leader to keep the focus, or an upright
leader in a good government to give direction to the people.
Commitment to build a good marriage is very essential. There
is one simple rule you must apply whenever you are
privileged to counsel with people, You must ask that divorce
be taken out of the options we are going to consider as we
seek a solution with the Help of the Holy Spirit, even if it
eventually came to that (usually out of selfishness either on
both side or from one of them). You can recommend and will
continue to recommend separation with a view to work (not
separation to seek a new boyfriend or girlfriend) on the
marriage in cases of physical abuse.
The foundation to build on is Christ, 1 Corinthians 3: 11 “For
no one can lay any foundation other than the one already
laid, which is Jesus Christ”. Apostle James in his letter to the
church made this statement “What causes fights and quarrels
among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle
within you”? The building of any marriage is based on the
“how”, the “efforts” and the “willingness” of a husband and
wife conforming each other’s desires to form a unified vision
this new unit. These desires originate from each person’s
family of origin and individual personalities. The materials
needed for building is what this whole series is about.
It has been said that there are three stages in a marriage. The
Romantic love stage – usually the stage before conflicts starts,
the Negotiation stage – the issues are confronted and dealt
with, and the Commitment stage – when you are no longer a
threat to each other and a lasting commitment bond is
formed. How long you stay in the first two stages depends on
your commitment to building a strong marriage.
Establish TRUST
Trust is the bond that binds people or a set of people
together. Trust is built and earned over time and it cannot be
enforced. When trust is broken, it usually would take some
time for it to be built up again. When broken, it becomes a,
you give and I take situation. Without one person willing to
give and another willing to take, it would not work. There are
practical things that can be put into place to establish trust.
To establish trust, you need to
Have NO SECRETS (nothing hidden from your
spouse)
Share everything with her/him.
Limit what you share with people. When trying
to impress people, many husband/wife say
unpleasant things about their spouse, in that
person’s absence.
Be best friends.
Make conscious efforts to be together.
Have Joint Account (It would help enforce
trust).
When you start to keep secrets, it means you are doing things
you should not be doing. Let your spouse know everything
that is going on in your life, which is how to be one. A
practical way of doing this is by having a daily time of about
30minute – One hour together and a weekly date of at least
three hours. This enable you have emotional connection.
When you share your problems with people (especially those
that can’t help), you are doing a lot of harm to yourself and
your spouse. You might have said bad things about your
spouse to so many people and then things starts to get better,
then it becomes a shame for you to get back because you
have said all this bad things about him/her.
The obstacles to trust in any relationship
include
Lying
Being ambiguous (don’t say I’m going out, say
exactly where you are going)
Taking each other for granted
Keeping secrets
Adultery
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When trust is broken through adultery, persistent lying, or
other means. It can always be re-established but it would
take time. First, we have to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness,
secondly, the person who broke the trust must be contrite
(repentance – I’m sorry, forgive me and I won’t do it again),
then set practical goals, like you have to call me four times a
day, you must be back home right after work, you cannot
have contact with someone of the opposite sex that I don’t
know and many more practical stuff.
If you are dealing with a persistent trust breaker, please seek
professional help either spiritual or emotional.
LOVE and RESPECT
Anyone who has done marital counseling either as a
professional or a lay person would attest to the fact that the
bottom line of any marriage problem (though shaded in many
forms) is lack of love being shown to the wife and lack of
respect being shown to the man.
If you want a great marriage and you are a woman start
learning how to respect your husband and if you are a man
learn to love your wife. Respect and love come in different
forms.
Women need to understand that wanting respect is a thing
that God wired into a man’s DNA (not scientifically proven).
Men don’t want you challenging their opinion; all you need
do is share your own opinion. When sharing what you think,
avoid doing it forcefully. Don’t tell him what to do, men hate
that. Suggest! Suggest! Suggest! And pray that he makes the
right choice. If you make more money, don’t remind him of
that constantly and thread gently with him (he is already
emotionally battered by that). There are ways you can make
him do what you want, instead of forcing your way through
(read 1 Peter 3: 1-6 on how to do that).
Affirming your wife is one way of loving her, giving her a good
massage or just holding her without asking for sex is another
thing women love. Most women I know want their spouse to
show the love and affection to them in public or in the
presence of other people, not just in the confine of the
bedroom.
Note of caution on love and respect. While a wife cannot
“nag” love out of a man, the man cannot “beat” respect out
of the woman.
FORGIVE each other
The issue with marriage is not if we are going to have
problem but when we have problem. Everybody in marriage
is dealing with one problem or another, it could be a wife who
doesn’t know how to talk to the husband or cook, or it could
be a husband who lies as a way of life.
Jesus repeatedly said we should forgive, he even said our
father in heaven would not receive our offering if we don’t
forgive. Jesus told the parable of a king who forgave one of
his subjects of $1 million; while this same subject had
another person thrown in jail for $100 (money conversion is
mine). When the king heard that this guy threw someone
else in jail for such a miniscule amount, he was mad and had
the guy himself thrown in jail. The lesson here is that, we
have been forgiven much and we should forgive much as
well.
Jesus knew that as husband and wife, we will get on each
other’s nerve that is why he said forgive 70 x 7 times.
Forgiveness is not for the person that offends you; it is for
you not to carry unnecessary burden on yourself that could
lead to depression, emotional burden or physical harm.
LISTEN more than you talk
Someone once said God gave us two ears and one mouth, so
we can listen more than we talk. This is so true if we want to
have a good marriage.
John is a Vietnam vet, macho guy that wants to do for
everybody. He also loves his wife dearly and wants to do for
her as well. There is however one problem. He is solving the
problem that his wife Mary has not asked him to solve. As
men, with our analytical mind, we are wired to solve
problems (sometimes we look for problems).
Wanting to solve our spouses problem(s) is not a sin, in-fact
the support is needed in a relationship, but when we talk
Note of caution on love and
respect. While a wife cannot
“nag” love out of a man, the
man cannot “beat” respect
out of the woman.
27

more than we hear or more than the person giving us the
information, then there is bound to be miss-information.
So my dear friends, learn to listen to the person talking, and
only reply if an opinion is needed from you. If you are itching
to give your advice, you can ask your spouse if it’s okay to
share how you feel but don’t expect it to be what he/she
does, remember it’s an advice.
SPIRITUAL INTIMACY
A lot of things are done in the spirit realm before the physical
manifestation. In Daniel 10, we read about how God
answered Daniels prayer but the answer was hindered by the
“prince of Persia” a demonic spirit in the heavenly realm and
how, angel Michael had to come and release the angel taking
the message across to Daniel.
The importance of prayer is also been tested scientifically.
The fact that patients with strong faith heal faster than
patients without.
Having shared the importance of prayer in other areas of life,
we know that it is also extremely important in a complex
relationship like marriage. Remember the old saying “the
family that prays together stays together”, it is true. Make the
time to pray together everyday, even if it is on your bed
before you get up. Share some scriptures together.
Let me say that as men, the leadership of the home spiritually
fall squarely on our shoulders, and we can’t give the excuse
that she won’t pray with me, you start and see if she would
say, Amen. I also know that having iniquity or unforgiveness
in your heart to your wife (Malachi 2: 13-15, 1 Peter 3: 7) will
hinder your prayer.
Appreciation
As humans we all want to be appreciated and no one wants
to be reminded of the bad things they’ve done. One of the
toughest thing to do as human being is to accept correction.
Humanly speaking, We all prefer the appreciations.
Appreciation rather than constant condemnation makes the
other person want to do more. When speaking, I often get
carried away when people respond positively to what I’m
saying and often affect the time I have to share all I want to
say.
Make a habit of telling your husband/wife something you
appreciate about them daily, and learn to share the hard
truth about them in love.
Supporting each other
There are some time when the man seems to be at crossroads
and needs the wife’s emotional support and
encouragement, or when the wife is at cross-roads as well
and needs the husband’s support.
It is very important that the husband and wife are not in
depression together or else that house would go down fast.
The economy in America had been in the doldrums in the
past couple of years and many men (of all races) that got
affected especially those who retrained in the IT industry and
had to be laid off for many years. Those who survived and
how they survived depends on the support of their partner.
We need each other, especially when nobody else believes
in us. Never undermine your wife in public; no matter how
much you disagree with what she is saying (you will always
discuss the issue when you are both alone). When you desrespect
each other in public, you are given other people the
permission to do the same to your spouse. It is okay to
disagree with your spouse, but do it in the privacy of your car
or your room.
More than anyone else, the support given by one’s spouse is
very essential.
I hope each one of us can put the above principles into
practice in our home. Remember Prophet Samuel’s word to
King Saul “Obedience is better than sacrifice”.
“...God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we can listen more than
we talk. This is so true if we want to have a good marriage..”
28

Recapping on the
book of Phillipians-
Whatever!
Introduction
Over the last few weeks we have
been looking at the Book of
Philippians.
Let’s recap:-
The book was written by the Apostle
Paul in AD 61. The book was written to
a Church in Philippi that Paul had
planted. It was the first Church Plant
in Europe and it started when Lydia
who worked in the area of Purple Dye
got converted together with her
family. After that a jailer got
converted together with his family
when Paul and Silas had an
opportunity to escape imprisonment
after an earthquake. It could be that
Luke (The only Gentile Christian author
in the Bible) the author of the Gospel
of Luke and the Book of Acts also lived
in Philippi as this is the point when he
joins Paul and Silas in their travels.
(Acts 16 v 12).
Epaphroditus is given the task of taking this
letter from a house in Rome where Paul is kept
prisoner to the Philippians Church. It may well be
that as the church was gathered he was the
reader. Paul was writing to the church because
he had received a gift from the church via
Epaphroditus.
I wonder what it was like to live in Philippi at this time.
The city was founded on Gold Mines. It was bustling with commerce
and trade. Many VIP and wealthy people would visit.
It was also a strategic garrison on the Aegean Sea and an important
Port
It was on a royal route that crossed Macedonia from East to West –
hence the importance of Lydia’s trade to people passing through.
It held a well known Greek Theatre and shrines dedicated to dead
military heroes. There were many temples to the gods.
It was known as “miniature Rome” led by two Military Officers
appointed from Rome. Ties with Rome were very strong.
It was famous for a battle between Marc Anthony and the killers of
Julius Caesar that lead to the Roman Empire going from Republic to
Dictatorship.
It was a wealthy city that had a privileged position due to its mines
and victory in battles – this meant there were four privileges for
citizens – protection from Rome, free trade with Rome, voting rights
and retired military staff.
It was a centre for Roman Games
The church was still going in AD140 and was written to by a Christian
Leader called “Polycarp”. His writings continue along the lines of Paul.
It was possibly the home town of “Luke” who wrote the book of Acts
as the transcript moves from “they” to “we” as he records the Gospel
coming to Philippi (Acts 16 v 12)
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What would have been some of the stresses and strains on the
people of that day:-
Balancing life between family, church and business
Expectations from the people and society around you
Unstable government, finance and future
Persecution
Health and disease
Dealing with the past
Uncertain about the future
Very similar stresses to what we face in the modern day
Imagine being part of the church as this letter from the Apostle Paul is
read to you. You are a new Christian who lives a hectic life with many
stresses and strains.
STRESS is the number one killer in today’s society!
In 2007/08 an estimated 442,000 individuals in Britain, who
worked in the last year, believed they were experiencing workrelated
stress at a level that was making them ill
A further 27,000 people who worked in the last 12 months
reported suffering from a work-related heart disease in 2007/08
13.6% of all working individuals thought their job was very or
extremely stressful
Self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted
for an estimated 13.5 million lost days in Britain in 2007/08
Occupational groups containing teachers, nurses, and housing and
welfare officers, along with certain professional and managerial
groups have high prevalence rates of self-reported work-related
stress.
There are very high incident rates reported of work-related mental
illness for occupational groups that involved Medical Practitioners,
Police Officers, Prison Officers and UK Armed Forces Personnel
The main age groups for work related stress is 35 to 54 years and
more male cases were reported than female
What is stress?
“Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or
other types of demands placed on them. There is a clear distinction
between pressure, which can create a “buzz” and be a motivating factor,
and stress, which can occur when this pressure becomes excessive”
The amazing thing is that the Bible written 2,000 years ago speaks into
our modern day hectic lives. One of the main passages that deal with
this is Philippians Chapter Four.
As I read the Book of Philippians in the context of the people of Philippi
it is as if Paul is trying to burst into their busy lives saying you need to
be full of joy and purpose. It is as if he is saying “go about God’s
business and everything else that you require will follow”. He clearly
says to them that their purpose should be to win their city to God by
the way that they live their lives.
Then in this last Chapter he gives them keys to achieving their purposes
keeping their joy and dealing with the stress that life brings.
Talk about my first preach in the church when I was 14 years of age. I
preached on “How hard it is to be a Christian”. I really pushed it and at
the end Pastor J came up to me and said “My yoke is easy and my burden
is light”. He was right; when we live the Christian life right it is easy.
You will never completely eradicate stress. In fact a certain amount of
stress is good because it can motivate us.
If you can grasp some of the teaching in this Chapter it will radicalize
your Christian Experience. Paul outlines Five Stress Busters
STRESS BUSTERS
The Release of Rejoicing
Power of Prayer
The Routine of Right Thinking
Pursuit of Putting into Practice
The Condition of Contentment
Five Keys to winning the battle over stress.
THE RELEASE OF REJOICING
Paul says to his readers “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice!” (v 4)
He is trying to get his message across – there is a release in rejoicing.
Talk about the Watoto Children’s Choir – how do those children who
come from lives of such pain smile in the way that they do. There is
release in rejoicing!
Talk about the man at Youth Camps who would break down in tears
when he was worshipping – people avoided him until they realised the
background from which he had came – abandoned as a child; God is
now his Father.
When Paul talked about battling anxiety he highlighted one of the
weapons against this as the attitude of thanksgiving.
Charles Swindoll tells of a missionary he visited overseas who was a
man working under great stress and pressure. He was a maverick sort
of missionary. He did not fit the pattern or the mould of what you think
as a missionary. His mission was to soldiers in a remote part of the
world. Charles says he went to his home one evening to encourage
him but his wife who was concerned said he was not there but still
down the office. The wife told Charles of his stress and pressure so he
expected to find him folded up in despondency, discouragement and
depression and just ready to finish it off. When he reached him in a
remote part of the town he could here songs coming from a little hut
with a tatami mat inside. “Come, Thou font of every blessing, Tune my
heart to sing thy grace”. Charles stood and watched from a distance
with the rain pouring down as the missionary continued his private
praise service. The man was on his knees with his hands toward
heaven giving God praise, with his Bible on one side and a Hymn Book
on the other. He had a spiral notebook that was well worn and he was
reading things that he was thanking God for and then he would sing
another hymn. Charles finishes this illustration with this:-
“And the remarkable thing is that the pressure that he was under did
not leave for perhaps another two weeks, it seems. But that praise
service alone before God absolutely revolutionized his life”
Do you have an attitude of rejoicing that will combat the stress in your
life?
Do you know what comes out of a rejoicing heart – gentleness! It
follows “let your gentleness be evident to all” as Paul assumes that as
we rejoice gentleness results.
Rejoicing keeps your heart soft and in surrender to Him. As we travel
through life with its disappointments and heartache so out heart can
30

harden. There is nothing worse than a hard heart; rejoicing softens
the arteries.
THE POWER OF PRAYER
Paul says to his readers “Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God” (v 6)
He then goes on to say there is a promise that follows this:-
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v 7)
In other words prayer guards your mind from anxiety.
Talk about serving on the DPG guarding Mrs T. Talk about
when she was on holiday and the officer relaxing on the Mr T’s
chair. Mr T found him and he found himself directing traffic as
he lost his privileged post . Talk about how they went about
their lives knowing that the responsibility of security was not
on their shoulders but the team of Police Officers around them.
That is guarding – allowing us to live our lives not worrying
because the peace of God is guarding us 24/7. There is so
much going on in the heavenlies that we do not know about
making our way straight. When we pray there is an offloading
of the burden. If we do not pray that burden just gets heavier
and heavier.
THE ROUTINE OF RIGHT THINKING
Is there a way in which we can protect ourselves from stress and panic
attacks? What do you do when you feel it all coming on top?
Paul says “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (v 8)
This I believe is your protection plan
Before we become Christians our minds are full of rubbish and we give
little thought to what is on our minds. We are full of fear, guilt and
regret that weigh us down and affect our health.
Paul in the book of Romans tells us to renew our minds he says “Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”
We need to train our minds to think in a Christ like way!
Casey Treat in his book called “Renewing the mind” says this:-
“The mind is an amazing and powerful creation of God. No animal has
a mind like ours, no machine or computer can match its abilities and
no human has tapped its full potential. It is the control centre of our
lives. It stores all the experiences and learned material. It reasons and
creates information; it chooses from a myriad of options every day. It
plans and sees into the future with an imagination that is unlimited. It
has been said that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and yet we waste
our minds daily. Even in the Christian world, we let our minds wander
and lead us into mediocrity and negativity”
The bottom line is that where you set your mind will control where
you go in life – Paul says very clearly where we need to set our minds
if we are going to succeed.
How do I control my mind – this is a process that needs to go on daily
and it starts with feeding the mind. The Word of God will renew your
mind:-
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or
stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight
is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. He
is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers”
Psalm 1 v 1 – 3
THE PURSUIT OF PUTTING INTO PRACTICE
Paul says “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,
or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you”
We need to be people that listen to, watch and read the right things,
and be people that put things into practice.
If you are like me you probably have listened to many sermons or read
many books where God has spoken to you and you have said when I
get home or when I get up tomorrow that is one of the first things I am
going to do. Then when the time comes you forget and put it on the
back burner.
In order to combat stress we have to plan of action and move things
around in our lives to make a difference. It brings us back to the
question “What is your purpose?” We do not lack purpose but often
our priorities are wrong.
Paul also introduces another concept into this Stress Buster of the
“Pursuit of Putting into Practice” and it is the idea of having good role
models.
WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? WHO DO YOU COPY?
Have you ever been with people of a different nationality for so long
that you begin to copy their accent? Theresa does this after just a few
minutes. We are always copying others even when we do not realise
it.
If you surround yourself with positive people who you enjoy being
with it will do your stress levels a world of good.
THE CONDITION OF CONTENTMENT
A Quaker offered property to anyone who considered himself
contented. When a man came to claim the lot, he was asked, “If you’re
contented, why do you want my lot?”
Often we say we are contented but inside and our lives show that this
far from the truth.
The last Stress Buster that Paul gives us here is to live in that place of
contentment:-
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“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can
do everything through him who gives me strength” (v 12 – 13)
As you look back over your life and think about the different
situations you have been in let me ask you this question – “How
have you made it through?” I dare say you like Paul can say I have
known what it is to have plenty and to have little. In your life it is
Jesus who has brought you to this point. You can trust him.
When we look to the future we have to take confidence from the
past.
The King of the Universe lives in me and will see me through.
Charles Swindoll says:-
“We’ll miss contentment if keeping rather than releasing becomes
our objective. We too often love things and use people, when we
should be using things and loving people. We are most content when
we’re grateful for what we own, satisfied with what we make and
generous to those in need”
CONCLUSION
I love the Word of God because it really works. These five Stress
Busters will change your life. They will not eradicate stress but they
will enable you to cope and come through.
I can speak from personal experience on this issue.
One afternoon I had just come back from holiday in Turkey and I felt a
pain in the back of my head. I worried about it and it started a panic
attack. This whole thing took hold over me for months and started to
affect my relationships and my work. Eventually I went sick from work
and spent evening after evening in casualty. I was 28 years of age and
my mum had to sit by my bed side to see me through the night.
to God. This was great but I was still suffering these panic attacks. I
had to deal with the stress in my life and it was going to be a long
process.
I started spending quality time with God in praise and worship.
Enjoying God’s creation.
I started addressing some of the problems in prayer and started
a journal
I started training my mind to think positively – talk about the
episode outside the Turkish Embassy.
I started to put the Word of God into practice and had positive
role models
I learned to be content with what I had and make the most of it.
I have named this message “Whatever” because it is the most used
word in the Chapter. That is the attitude I adopted towards stress!
Whatever!
I soon realised that once the panic attack had finished God was still
there for me and life went on.
I was in a day of prayer once coming through the panic attacks and
Pastor J said he felt he had a scripture for someone in the meeting and
he read Philippians 4 v 4 – 9
I knew God had spoken – I knew it was for me
I kept asking myself why?
Was it the way I was living my life, was it some of the stuff I had been
involved with as a Police Officer or was it because I was away from
God. To this day I do not know but I know it was the catalyst that
brought me back to God.
Talk about flagging down a bus on Christmas Eve.
I moved out of my house and started living at Mum and Dad’s. One
day my dad said to me “Peter, what you need is the peace of God” That
is all he said but I knew he was right.
I drifted back into the church and in a prayer meeting gave my life back
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him
who gives me strength” (v 12 – 13)
32

THE PLACE OF
WISDOM
IN OUR
COVENANT
WALK:
Direction
– The Architect Of Unending Success. Pt3
“Now I began a study of the comparative virtues of
wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the
same conclusion as I did that wisdom is of more value
than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness, for
the wise man sees, while the fool is blind.”
Eccl. 11 v 2-14 LB .
“A wise man’s heart directs him towards the right, but a
foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left- even
when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking
and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.”
Eccl.10 v 2-3 NASB .
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Beloved,
We continue with our study today on wisdom. Remember we
came to one inevitable and powerful conclusion- that wisdom
will make your life count. You will agree with the Scripture that
‘wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.’ Now let us break
this down to our everyday language. New Jerusalem Bible puts
the Scripture in our main text this way, “More is to be gained
from wisdom than from folly, just as one gains more from light
than from darkness; this of course, I see: the wise have their
eyes open; the fools walk on in the dark. No doubt! But I know
too that one fate awaits them both.” Eccl.2 v 13-14 . Please
consider carefully with me the analogy the Holy Spirit used
here. Consider diligently the advantage of light over darkness
and the one who closes his eyes over the one who opens his
eyes. How much can you do in the dark or when you close your
eyes? Or ‘How much progress can you make when you are
working in the dark or when you close your eyes?’ Then transfer
this same illustration to wisdom and foolishness. Look
thoroughly into this, consider it carefully and receive instruction;
“that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” In other
words you gain more from wisdom than from foolishness.
Consequently if wisdom is of more value than foolishness then
wisdom will add more value to your life, make your life count
and make your effort worthwhile. Put another way you will
gain more from wisdom than foolishness just as one gains more
from light than darkness. If your quest in life is to make your life
count and indispensable, if it is to realise your potential and to
find satisfaction and happiness in your achievement, if it is to
make your hours and days more rewarding, more fruitful, and
more resourceful; if your desire in life is to become more and
more (a process and not an attainment) result oriented; that is,
to acquire the skill to make decision on the basis of pleasing
results and not just pleasing activities; then I show you a more
excellent way, the way of wisdom.
Notice this also that there is an element of future and
planning involved in wisdom, for ‘the wise man sees but the
fool is blind.’ The Scripture says; “The wisdom of the man of
insight is in his anticipating his way, but the folly of fools is
deceiving.” Pro.14 v 8 RBV . Or as another version puts it, “Why
is a clever person wise? Because he knows what to do. Why is
a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows.”
GNB . The wise man anticipates his way and knows what to do!
Beloved, this is a true saying and is worthy of all acceptance
that the distinctive value of wisdom lies in the fruit of wisdom
– the result you obtain from wisdom. We interpret your action,
whether in wisdom or in foolishness; by the result you obtain.
In other words the result you obtain is a direct consequence of
your action and it is also the justifier, the yardstick and the only
proof that shows whether your action is in wisdom or in
foolishness. For the Scripture says, “If for want of sharpening
the blade is blunt you have to work twice as hard; but it is the
outcome that makes wisdom rewarding” Eccl.10 v 10 NJB . And
Jesus said in Mat.11 v 19 ; “The Son of Man has come, He eats
and drinks, and people say, “look at the glutton and drunkard,
the friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ And yet what a wise
person does proves he’s right.” BECK . I will know whether you
are acting in folly or in wisdom, whether you are right or wrong
when I see the way you do it or the result you obtain.
Now our actions are portrayed in two ways, either in
wisdom or in foolishness. These are the two major ways our
actions can be judged. In Eccl.10 v 2-3 , the King James Version
puts it this way; “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a
fool’s heart is at his left. Even when a fool walks along the way,
he lacks wisdom and he shows everyone that he is a fool.” The
action of a fool betrays who he really is. Our actions are
discernible; and they show who we really are. There is a way a
fool does his things. The fool operates in a way that his so called
‘wisdom’ fails him and leaves him in a lurch and makes him an
open ridicule of all. Whereas the way the wise man operates
demonstrates to all that he is a wise man because his action
results in a harvest of great reward which others see and marvel
at. Again and again, his action leads him/her to intercept
blessings and get him into things and wonderful opportunities
that others merely dream about.
Friend the purpose of our study is not to dazzle and
bamboozle us with unfamiliar and highfaluting terminologies
but rather to show us that this is the way we ought to live and
how we can get in on it. This is the good and the exciting news;
the wise man was not born that way, he acquires the skill of
doing things the right way through training! Moreover every
one of us is trainable! Therefore if we must acquire the skill of
walking in wisdom; I point the way forward, we must embrace
training as a lifestyle. Training is indispensable to a lifestyle that
is dyed and steeped in God’s wisdom. Let us look again at the
above quoted Scripture from another version of the Bible. “The
hearts of the wise lead them to do right, and the hearts of the
foolish lead them to do evil; you can identify fools just by the
way they walk down the street!” Eccl.10 v 2-3 NLT . That is to
say, the hearts of the wise incline them to do the right. How?
Friend, this is because both foolishness and wisdom are
children of habit, we learn them through constant practice.
You can become skilful at doing anything if you do it repeatedly
over a period of time. We soon acquire the knack of it and do it
effortlessly without even thinking about it! This is why we need
training, and at the heart of training lays constant practice and
exercise. This is why we must embrace training in wisdom with
all our heart.
Now we must understand that the distinctive feature of
training from all other types of learning is practice – that is,
exercise. Vine Expository Dictionary says the word ‘train’ means
to exercise, to train the body or mind, 1Tim.4 v 7 . The noun
form of the word primarily denotes ‘gymnastic exercise’,
1Tim.4 v 8 , where the immediate reference is probably not to
mere physical training for games but to discipline of the body
such as that which the Apostle refers in 1Cor.9 v 27 . Oxford
reference English Dictionary defines the same word ‘train’ as
follows:
“Why is a clever person wise?
Because he knows what to do.
Why is a stupid person
foolish? Because he only
thinks he knows.”
34

Train: v & n; teach (a person, animal, oneself, etc) a specified
skill especially by practice; bring or come into a state of physical
efficiency by exercise, diet, etc; undergo physical exercise
especially for a specific purpose. Trained – adj.; make (the mind,
eye, etc) sharp or discerning as a result instruction, practice etc.
Training; n; the act or process of teaching a skill, discipline etc.
Friend, training is vital and indispensable to godliness.
Godliness without training is a sham. It is not by accident that
the Spirit of God continually through the Apostles compared
godliness to a race (1Cor.9 v 24 ,), an athlete (1Cor.9 v 25 ), to a
boxer (1Cor.9 v 27 ) and to competitive games (2Tim.2 v 5 ). There
is no point in comparing two things if they are unrelated. The
reason for comparing godliness or true spirituality of any sort to
a race or any competitive game at all is because of the training
or the constant exercise that is involved.
Think about an Olympic medallist
contender; say for instance a sprinter, or a
marathon runner, or a boxer: imagine the
number of hours that he/she will invest in
training, or practice, sharpening and
perfecting his/her skill. He/She will also
practice frugality in all things; in what
he/she eats or drinks or even for how long
he/she sleeps! The reason for the training
is to acquire proficiency or efficiency
through exercise, diet etc. This is what the
Scripture says in Heb.5 v 13-14 when it
says; “For everyone who partakes of milk
is unskilled in the Word of righteousness,
for he is a babe. But solid food belongs
to those who are of full age (mature),
that is, those who by reason of use
(practice or of a habit) have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Through training their senses (sight,
hearing, smell, taste, and feeling) have
been made sharp or discerning as a result
of instruction, correction, reproof and
rebuke. I give it to you in another
translation. Hear this; “For everyone who
uses milk alone is inexperienced in the
message of right-doing; he is only an
infant. But solid food belongs to fullgrown
men who on account of constant
use have their faculties trained to distinguish good and evil.”
WILLIAMS . Friend, as a boxer or weight lifter or wrestler can
train their biceps and muscles to lift incredible weights even so
can a Child of God train his faculties to discern both good and
evil. This is the point that the Scripture expresses with great
perspicuity (clarity) in 1Tim.4 v 7-8 when it says “Have nothing
to do with those godless myths, fit only for old women. Keep
yourself in training for the practice of religion. The training of
the body does bring limited benefit, but the benefits of
religion are without limit, since it holds promise not only for
this life but for the life to come.” NEB . Training for godliness is
important. Just imagine the fame, the honour and the rewards
that attend to an accomplished athlete or an Olympic medallist,
and the Bible refers to that as limited benefit, but the benefits
of religion are without limit. Friend, what an encouragement
this should be for us never to be weary of putting ourselves in
training for godliness – especially as we refer in particular to
“...Remember from
what sort of people
your knowledge has
come, and how
from early
childhood your
mind has been
familiar with the
holy Scriptures,
which can open the
mind to the
salvation which
comes through
believing in Christ
Jesus...”
the wisdom of God. God is training us to reign in life, and this
is His process of training His Children.
Beloved, the difference between your yesterday and today
is information. In other words, information is power,
information means progress. But it is not the accumulation of
facts that we are after; because you can be as full of
information as the computer and yet be a failure in life. But
what we are after is the ability to walk in wisdom; ability to
skilfully use knowledge and understanding and to make them
worthwhile. That is wisdom!
Now let us bring it home – the popular saying; ‘practice
makes perfect’, is particularly more apt where wisdom is
concerned. As the Olympic medallist must exercise constantly
to gain the skill and attain the proficiency he/she requires even
so a Child of God must constantly train
himself/herself to walk in wisdom. Do
you not know, Child of God, that when
you got born again you were enrolled in
the Holy Spirit training school? You must
constantly be in training. There is no day
you should be out of training. To be out
of training will render you spiritually
unfit, so you must constantly train in
order to keep your spiritual fitness. So the
divine injunction comes strongly and
forcefully again. “But as for you,
continue to hold to the things that you
have learned and of which you are
convinced, knowing from whom you
have learned (them). And how from
your childhood you have heard
knowledge of and been acquainted with
the sacred Writings, which are able to
instruct you and give you the
understanding for salvation which
comes through faith in Christ Jesus.
[Through the leaning of the entire
human personality on God in Christ
Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in
His power, wisdom and goodness]. Every
Scripture is God breathed, (given by His
inspiration) and profitable for
instruction, for reproof, and conviction
of sin, for correction of error and
discipline in obedience, (and) for training in righteousness (in
holy living in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose and
action), so that the man of God may be complete and
proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good
work.” 2Tim.3 v 14-17 AMPL . The bulk of our training is through
His Word – His Word is His comprehensive equipment by which
He trains His champions. Listen to this same Scripture from J.B.
Philips; “Remember from what sort of people your knowledge
has come, and how from early childhood your mind has been
familiar with the holy Scriptures, which can open the mind to
the salvation which comes through believing in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the
faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a
man’s life and training him in good living. The Scriptures are
the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him
fully for all branches of his work.” Beloved, we must henceforth
learn to cherish our correction, love instruction, embrace rebuke
35

and reproof, learn to draw counsel from God and His Word, and
make it our habit to seek Him in every matter however small.
Thus fulfilling His Word, “This is the generation of them that
seek Him, that seek Your face, O God of Jacob.” Ps 24 v 6 .
Before now I have not had the release to get this out but
now I feel we are ready for it. You will understand that it is
vitally important how and when we get it out. Let us now
attempt a definition of ‘direction’ as we put our subject in the
proper perspective. Oxford Reference English Dictionary defines
‘direction’ as a course or a line along which a person or thing
moves or looks; course taken by a moving object, bearing, line,
path, track, route, and way. It also means guidance, leadership,
instruction, command, and bidding (for instance, instruction
manual containing the information for the operation of a piece
of equipment). When it is used as plural,
that it ‘directions’, it means briefing,
guidance, guide, guidelines, indications,
map, plan or recommendations. This is
quite enlightening. In summary we can
say that direction means a course taken
by a moving object to reach a specified
destination. This might take the form of
a map, plan, guidelines, bearing or
instruction manual. It boils down to ‘the
how to’; that is, knowing what to do or
what we ought to do and how we ought
to do it; or knowing the next step to take.
It involves that element of the future and
planning. “The wisdom of the man of
insight is in his anticipating his way but
the folly of fools is deceiving.” Pro.14 v 8
RBV . Or as another version puts it, “Why
is a clever person wise? Because he
knows what to do. Why is a stupid
person foolish? Because he only thinks
he knows.” GNB . By implications,
direction means you are heading towards
a predetermined goal or destination,
which goes to underscore the fact that
you are a Child of destiny and hence you
cannot afford the luxury of living without
direction. Direction gives your life
purpose, worth, accuracy,
attractiveness, impact, fulfilment and
above all success. Direction is important to you Child of God!
Your sense of direction, Child of God, gives you confidence and
assurance that you know where you are going.
The reason why we are emphatic and insistent on training in
wisdom is because once you are fully trained, it will help you
steer a right course in life. By this I mean ability to consistently
choose the right course of action in life. It means in a sense
doing the right thing at the right time, being at the right place
at the right time. In effect it means investing in the right
business, selling at the right time, buying at the right time. It
means getting into things others dream about. You get into
wonderful opportunities again and again and intercept the
blessings and the opportunities God sends your way again and
again. The opposite of it is also true; you miss accidents and
misfortunes that are sent your way again and again! Think
about this friend, for this is how you are meant to live. You
become a guided missile hitting your target again and again.
“...It means in a sense
doing the right thing at
the right time, being at
the right place at the
right time. In effect it
means investing in the
right business, selling
at the right time,
buying at the right
time. It means getting
into things others
dream about. You get
into wonderful
opportunities again
and again and intercept
the blessings and the
opportunities God
sends your way again
and again. ...”
Moreover you become a true success. This is the true definition
of success in life; ‘a continuous accomplishment of planned
objectives which are worthwhile to you as an individual.’
The nuts and bolts of what we are saying is this; in
everything you do in life, be it in your business, in your family,
or career or ministry or whatever you do, seek Him for
direction. Get His mind on it. Direction therefore shows you
what course to steer, what next step to take, what you ought to
do, and how you ought to do it. This is why the Scripture says
that wisdom culminates in ‘wise counsel’. Read with me in
Pro.1 v 5 , “A wise man will hear and increase learning and a
man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” The word
‘wise counsel’ literally translated means, ‘steering’ or ‘to
acquire steersman’. The idea is this, as a steersman guides a
vehicle or a vessel by a wheel or rudder
even so wisdom will guide a man in a
specified direction in life. By this we mean
the ability to consistently choose the
right course of action in life. Direction
will not only help you to identify what
you need in life but will also help you to
concentrate your effort and resources on
what really matters. Remember we have
said direction implies goal. Direction will
safeguard you against drifting along in
life and from being sidetracked. It will
help you to define what you really need
and to channel your resources and energy
appropriately. As a professional knows
what he wants, getting direction from
God will make you a real professional in
life. It will help you to discipline yourself
to make choices and sacrifices if need be
to accomplish your goal.
Understand child of God that everyday
we are faced with multitude of decisions.
Decision implies choice. Decision and
choice are two sides of the same coin. A
choice results in decision. Moreover right
choice implies right decision. Wrong
choice implies wrong decision. But
direction makes your action strategic so
that every action contributes effectively
to the overall goal. Direction gives you
that inner scale whereby you are able to weigh every action.
The right action to accomplish the right result – that is being
strategic. Direction helps you major on the single most
important thing you ought to be doing now looking at the big
picture, weighing alternatives in the light of eternity. That is,
what matters in life and eternity. It will help you to make
decision on the basis of pleasing result and not on pleasing
activities. Friend this is the way we ought to live as we do we will
become real professionals in life. This will help us and save us
from waste of time, money and resources. Direction will make
your life and time count! Can you see this Child of God?
Beloved the great point we are making here is that God has
a predetermined goal or destiny for each and every one of us
His Children. Moreover, that destiny/goal is unique or tailormade
for the individual. This destiny is unknown to any one else
except God and God alone. It is in seeking Him and following
His plan that we work out His destiny for our lives. It is my
36

prayer that the Holy Spirit will engrave this on your heart with
a diamond pen. For this is what the Scripture says, “For I know
the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts
of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end or to give
you an end and expectation (or to give you a future full of
hope – GNB ) Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to
Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me,
when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by
you, says the Lord and I will bring you back from your
captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all
the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will
bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried
away captive.” Jer.29 v 11-14 . No Child of God has a right to an
independent lifestyle; you lost that right when you got born
again! God has a great and glorious
destiny for all His Children. You are by
birth a Child of destiny! It is a glorious
future, a future full of hope. And it is only
in getting direction from Him that you get
to know it. That end or future must be
revealed to you by Him, and He must
guide you every step into it! Now Eph.2
v 10 is even clearer and stronger on this
point. Hear this, “For we are God’s (own)
handiwork (His workmanship), recreated
in Christ Jesus, (born anew) that we may
do those good works which God
predestined (planned beforehand) for us
[taking paths which He prepared ahead
of time], that we should walk in them
[living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for
us to live]. AMPL. Notice that the good works has already been
pre-planned before hand and the paths we need to take already
lay ahead of us. But in order to get to this destiny we need
direction from Him. The exciting news is that God is not a task
master, whatever He commands to be done; He also gives the
grace to do it. God in His infinite mercy has undertaken to lead
us every step into our destiny! See Ps 32 v 8 , 48 v 14 , 73 v 24 , &
Isa.58v 11 . Let us see Ps 32 v 8 in particular; “I will instruct you
and train you in the way you shall go; I will counsel you with
My eye on you.” RBV . Therefore, rouse yourself, Child of God,
get mentally ready for action; to seek Him (betimes) in good
time, to seek Him often and always, to ask Him to help you and
teach you how to draw out counsel from Him. Our gracious God
is willing and ready to instruct, to guide and to lead us into all
that He has prepared for us. Therefore I put you in
remembrance of that which is written concerning you;
“Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed (my
suggestions), so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you
would show] in my presence but much more because I am
absent, work out (cultivate, carry out) your own salvation with
reverence and awe and trembling (self – distrust, with serious
caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against
temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend
God and discredit the name of Christ), [Not in your own
strength] for it is God who is all the while effectual at work in
you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire]
both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction
and delight.” Phil.2 v 12-13 AMPL . God will give the desire, the
power and implant the will to do His will in you.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of
“... “It is the glory
of God to conceal
a matter, but the
glory of kings is
to search out a
matter...”
kings is to search out a matter.” Pro.25 v 2 . It is our great
honour to search out our destiny! God has not concealed it
from us, Oh no, but He is kept it for us! The heart of our
Heavenly Father yearns for us still to be gracious to us. “Thus
says the Lord, Your Redeemer, the Holy one of Israel: I am the
Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by
the way you should go. Oh that you had heeded My
commandments! Then your peace would have been like a
river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. And
they did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He
caused the waters to flow from the rock, and the waters
gushed out.” Isa.48 v 17-18, 21 . God’s leading and His guidance
will always end up in profit for us because His leading will
always be in the way ‘we should go’. As long as we follow His
guidance, the supernatural will be the
order of the day. If we follow His way, His
plan for our lives, the God who brought
water out of the rock, and rained manna
out of heaven to meet the need of His
people in the desert will meet our need at
every turn. He will not just give us the
bare necessities of life, O h no, He will
teach us to profit! He will feed us with the
finest of wheat and satisfy us with honey
from the rock! “Oh that my people
would listen to me, that Israel would
walk in my ways! I would soon subdue
their enemies, and turn My hand against
their adversaries. The haters of the Lord
would pretend submission to Him, but
their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also
with the finest of wheat; and with honey from the rock I
would have satisfied you.” Ps81v 13-16 . Remember this; it is
not that your enemies are too strong; it is your disobedience
that is standing in God’s way from dealing with your enemies.
How true the Scripture then; “being ready to punish all
disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2Cor.10 v 6 .
Bless you! To be continued.
Yours in His service
Pastor D Adeyemi
Ps.
Venue: ST AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH.
[HALL ATTACHED TO CHURCH BUILDING].
ROCK AVENUE.
GILLINGHAM.
ME7 5PW.
The mercy of God delivered us from what we deserve;
the grace of God gave to us what we did not deserve. Now is
the time ‘to obtain mercy and find grace for help’ as we press
into the next level of God’s plan for us. We shall be having
both anointing and communion service together in our
meeting. So meditate on: Ps106 4-5 , Isa.54 6-12 , Mat.11 12 ,
Mk14 13-26 , Lk1 28,30 , Jhn13 27 , Rom.4 16 ,5 2,17 & Eph.1 6, &
2 4,7 ; and come prayed up and expectant!
37

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38

YORUBA/ENGLISH POEM
Isé l’òògùn ìsé: Work is the antidote for poverty*
Isé ni òògùn ìsé........work is the antidote for poverty
Múra sí isé re òréè mi....Work hard, my friend
Isé ni a fi í di eni giga.....work is used to elevate one in respect and importance (Aspiring to higher
heights is fully dependent on hard work)
Bí a kò bá réni fèyìn tì, Bí òle là á rí;....if we do not have anyone to lean on, we appear indolent
Bí a ko réni gbékèlé,....if we do not have anyone to trust
À tera mó isé eni.....we simply work harder
Ìyá re lè lówó lówó.....your mother may be wealthy
Bàbá sì lè lésin léèkàn.....your father may have a ranch full of horses
Bí o bá gbójú lé won,........ if you depend on their riches alone
O té tán ni mo so fún o,......you may end up in disgrace, I tell you
Ohun tí a kò ba jìyà fún,......whatever gain one does not work hard to earn.
Kì í lè tójó......usually does not last
Ohun tí a bá fara sisé fún,....whatever gain one works hard to earn
Ní í pé lówó eni.....is the one that lasts in one’s hands.
Apá lará, ìgùnpá nìyekan...... the arm is a relative, the elbow is a sibling
Bí ayé n fé o lónìí,....you may be loved by all today
Bí o bá lówó lówó,......it is when you have money
Ni won á máa fé o lóla......that they will love you even more instead of tomorrow
Tàbí tí o bá wà ní ipò àtàtà,.....or when you are in a high position
Ayé á yé o sí tèrín-tèrín,.... .all will honour you with cheers and smiles
Jé kí o di eni n ráágó,....wait till you become poor or are struggling to get by
Kí o rí báyé ti í símú sí o......and you will see how all grimace at you as they pass you by
Èkó sì tún n soni í dògá,.....education also elevates one in position
Múra kí o kó o dáradára.....work hard to acquire good education
Bí o sì rí òpò ènìyàn,.....and if you see a lot of people
Tí wón n fi èkó se èrín rín,....making education a laughing stock
Dákun má se fara wé won.....please do not emulate them or keep their company
Ìyà n bò fómo tí kò gbón,.....suffering is lying in wait for an idle child instead of unserious kid
Ekún n be fómo tó n sá kiri.......sorrow is in the reserve for a truant
Má fòwúrò seré, òréè mi,.....do not play with your early years, my friend
Múra sísé, ojó n lo.....work harder, time and tide wait for no one.
Chief J. F. Odunjo, . Translated to English by Prof. Quansy Salako.
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I would like to personally invite you plus your
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look no further, this church is a church of total restoration.
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