Posts Tagged ‘patriotism’

17 Apr

Tribute To The Duke

Posted by AgapeFocus in Current Affairs, Tribute To The Duke. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

I remember in 1956 during the visit to Nigeria by Her Majesty The Queen. He was immaculately dressed and stood beside her as Consort. As a young boy in the Primary school, I watched with admiration from a distance at the Lafenwa Train Station in Abeokuta. There a Civic Reception was held for the august visitors. It was a brief stop over, enroute to Ibadan, the then capital city of Western Region.

From the memorable occasion at Abeokuta, a great interest was aroused in me. However, there came several other times of views from afar, brought nearer home by courtesy of the television services across the globe. There I could see a tall, handsome, well- dressed, stockily built and well-poised gentleman. His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

I could talk about several other occasions during which I watched the Duke. Talk of his graceful and confident walk, accompanying Her Majesty The Queen for the State Opening Ceremony of Parliament and the Speech from the Throne. Each annual event was indeed made unique and impeccably splendid by his visibly humble commitment and patriotism.

Scenes which I remember with admiration include the Flypast watched from the Balcony during the Annual Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen. He stood with the distinguished combined poise of the consort, father, grandfather and leader of the family.

Dear LORD, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12. As the Queen leads the Royal Family, at this period of mourning, we join in condolences and prayers for grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Adieu Your Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

29 Apr

UNITED KINGDOM STATUTE: HAS THERE BEEN ANY MAJOR SHIFT?

Posted by AgapeFocus in UNITED KINGDOM. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The United Kingdom is a Christian country. The nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which make up the United Kingdom are Christian and do have Christian traditions and foundations. The statute of each nation and that of the union are Christian. It would be nice to have any legal luminary come out to reject or annul this fact! The agitations for inclusion of Sharia law into the statute of the union or each nation is very ridiculous and absurd. All subtle moves to do this gradually must be stopped in their tracks. Who could ever try such moves in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan or any of the leading Islamic countries? Why then should such incursions be ever made in the United Kingdom? Watch out ; if an inch of ground is conceded, hectares shall be taken over and uttermost regrets would follow! The church should wake up from deep slumber to her binding responsibility to “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Mr David Cameron, the British Prime Minister was not merely politicking when he remarked that the United Kingdom is a Christian Union. He was being bold and honest. AgapeFocus is non-partisan. The accommodation of other religious beliefs and freedom of religious practices and association are hallmarks of  strength and not to be taken for a cheap ride or as a sign of weakness! The good, open-door policy of generous immigration should never be allowed to be abused by irresponsible immigrants who come in to perpetrate acts of ingratitude, rebellion and terrorism. It is the practice of the Christian principles that have held the United Kingdom together. Nobody should be allowed to mess up such good practices, nor derail the good ethics! Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

As the Union goes to the Polls on the 7th of May 2015, the manifestoes of the contesting parties and the candidates’ standing should be weighed and matched with both personal, community, and national needs primarily and international needs secondarily. Let all politicians stop boasting arrogantly and emptily! It is the ELECTORATE who decide the type of government to be formed next. It is the outcome of the elections which would dictate the nature of possible coalition! The people would speak out loudly and clearly soon. May God give the politicians the wisdom, patience and needed patriotism to make appropriate response. God bless the Queen and the United Kingdom. Amen.

2 Nov

REMEMBRANCE AND THANKSGIVING

Posted by AgapeFocus in REMEMBRANCE AND THANKSGIVING. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

At this time of the year , November precisely, we often remember and celebrate the lives and commitment or our beloved ones who gave their lives in order that we may have and enjoy relative peace. Our memories of them is a continuing source of encouragement and strength to our lives as individuals, as family members, as friends and as patriots. There have been moments of tears, deep sighs, thoughts, dreams and heartfelt expressions. Different emotions and sentiments are expressed, based on the depth of love or closeness with these dear, departed ones. Life is a mixture of sweet and bitter; pleasant and painful; joyful and sorrowful experiences. Some of these losses both recent and from distant past still feel fresh or are being continually refreshed.
In the midst of our pain, sorrow, loneliness, anxiety and grief, Jesus Christ offers us comfort, companionship, peace, hope and joy. Wars and hostilities, both internally and internationally have raged and are still raging. From the 1st and 2nd World Wars, to regional wars, civil wars and onslaughts of terrorist activities, human lives continue to be undervalued and wasted. Hostilities are still going on in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and Nigeria. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has not been easily resolved. Abuses of military and economic powers continue to promote and fuel acts of terrorism and vandalism across the globe.Some individuals and nations are guilty in this regard.That is why irresponsible and barbarous groups as IS and Boko Haram are still flexing their muscles. The International Community looks relatively helpless! BUT THE TIME FOR UNITED NEUTRALIZING ACTION IS NOW, BEING ALREADY OVERDUE!
Christopher Foster once said:

“The memories we cherish are enduring, the pains and sorrows we feel do not often pass quickly, and we are conscious of our lives continuing to be changed by the past and the present. Often we are sustained by the love and care of others who support us while, for many, faith nourishes us with the promise that eternal love binds us together in life and death.”

It is only good and worthwhile to look after the families and dependants of the departed fallen heroes and heroines!It shows more how truly appreciative we are. On the same not ex-service men and women should be properly looked after, including those who have become disabled!
Thomas Attig said:

“As we cherish memories we return to freshen and deepen our understanding of those who have died, attend to them again, bring them closer, embrace them in their absence, reconnect with some of the best in life, feel grateful, feel the warmth of our love for them, sense that they are grateful for our remembering and feel the warmth of their love for us.”

Human beings throughout history look confused and helpless in the face of death. Death strikes when he is ready. Death is the common enemy of mankind! We are limited and powerless, but God Almighty knows it all. God has power over life and death! Jesus Christ has defeated death!
Jesus said: “I am the living one! I was dead, but I have authority over death and the world of the dead. ” (Revelations 1:18).
Death came because of sin. Mankind was designed by God to live forever! The corruption and wickedness in the world is the fruit of sin and death is the due reward. At the right time in history, God took the initiative to rescue mankind from sin and death. He did so through Jesus Christ. God then made it possible for us to receive his nature and thus become free from the power of sin and its consequences, which are spiritual and physical deaths. These bring in sicknesses, diseases and all kinds of woes! Jesus Christ delivered us from all of theses woes which come from disobeying God. Jesus set us free.
The Bible states: Being now made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord(Romans 6:22-23).
Jesus Christ died for our sins to pay the wages for us. He arose from the dead to make us assured of pardon and give new life from God[the God-Kind-of Life] to us.
The Bible states: If you shall confess with your mouth, Jesus as Lord and shall believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart a person believes and is made righteous and with the mouth he confesses and is saved. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10, 13.

Jesus is alive. Death is vanquished! Because Jesus lives, all those who believe in him shall live also. For the believer in Christ, death is not final. At resurrection God gives those who believe new bodies; bodies which never die. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26a).
Overwhelmed by the problems of life, Jeremiah encouraged himself in the prevailing power of God Almighty: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. A time is coming soon when there shall no longer be wars. When Jesus comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then people of every nation shall not learn about wars. Swords shall be converted into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. (Isaiah 2:2-4)
Life is full of choices. We make choices daily. The choices we make affect our lives presently and for the future. Each person needs to examine his life and make a U-turn back to God. A good gift offered needs to be received in order to be owned. God offers us his peace. Peace in the heart and mind; peace at home; peace in our communities; peace in our nations and peace in our world.
Prayer: O LORD of peace; Thank You for the offer of your peace. Help us to accept the peace you have given through your Son Jesus Christ, who has made peace between us and You. Forgive us of our failures and trespasses. Help each one of us to repent and be converted to You. At this time of remembrance, we thank you for the lives of millions of our people across nations of the world who fought and served in various wars, so that we may have relative peace. Help each one of us still alive, to humbly examine himself, call upon Jesus and receive your pardon and inward peace. We ask through the same Jesus Christ, who is the coming Prince of Peace; King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen.

6 Dec

NELSON MANDELA DEPARTS : TRIBUTE TO A GREAT GLOBAL ICON OF PEACE

Posted by AgapeFocus in Condolence, Current Affairs, Forgiveness. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

President Nelson Mandela, the indefatigable, resilient, freedom and human rights champion has departed the world stage at the age of 95 years. He passed away 8.50 p.m. on Thursday, 5th December 2013, after a long battle with lung infection. Current President, Jacob Zuma made the passionate announcement to the world. We salute his courage, boldness,vision, forgiveness, patriotism and humanity. A great global icon of peace has departed. In his humility and politics, neither was he selfish nor power-drunk. May the Almighty God comfort his family, the Republic of South Africa and lovers of peace, freedom, democracy and justice all over the world. South Africa, Africa and the World has become impoverished by his departure. For all eulogies to be meaningful, his legacies must be upheld and practically passed on to succeeding generations across the world, especially in South Africa. Death is inevitable. Let each person, whether in public office or not; in close relationship with Madiba or not; bear it in mind: that the bell of summons would ring for each one of us sooner or later. In the words of the Psalmist; may God teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom(Psalms 90:12). In the Letter of James in the Bible, it is written: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins.James 4:13-17. And so Nelson Mandela departs.