Everyday answers

 What is Grace?

by Joyce Meyer 

 

. . . The [Holy] Spirit [Who imparts] grace (the unmerited favor and blessing of God).
—Hebrews 10:29

Grace is the power of the Holy Spirit available to you to do with ease what you cannot do by striving in your own strength. Grace is God’s power coming into our lives, freely enabling us to do whatever we need to do. God’s grace is always available, but we do need to receive it by faith and refuse to try to do things in our own strength without God.

The Holy Spirit ministers grace to us from God the Father. Grace is actually the Holy Spirit’s power flowing out from the throne of God toward people to save them and enable them to live holy lives and accomplish the will of God.

We can rejoice and be full of peace, joy, and contentment each day because of God’s grace in our lives. It is His grace that allows us to live in close fellowship with Him. With the grace of God, life can be enjoyed with an ease that produces rest and contentment.

We are saved by grace through faith, and we should learn to live the same way!

Nigerian students applaud Wisconsin University's contribution to education

The public relations officer of the university Victoria Chimbwanda told Pulse News, the award was a great honour and would propel them to do more for the Nigerian community.

Wisconsin International University College has received two awards from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for contributing to the advancement of Nigerian students in the country.
Situated in north Legon, the university has one of the most diverse campuses in the country attracting students from many countries in the sub region and beyond. At a colourful awards ceremony, the students praised the university for providing a conducive environment for Nigerian students to study, live and assimilate to a new society.
According to Ekanem Blessing; the senate president of NANS (Wisconsin chapter), the award was presented to the school because of “the immense support it gives to the association in terms of advice and also financially. They are the key school from, when they come on board, that have stood tall among others. And this award is an appreciation for the support we have been receiving from them over these years.”
Chief among the support the university gives to its international students is assistance with immigration and related procedures.
The public relations officer of the university Victoria Chimbwanda told Pulse News, the award was a great honour and would propel them to do more for the Nigerian community.
“The Nigerian community is very important to us. We have over 800 Nigerian students and they constitute the largest portion of our international students. They are also important to our livelihood as a private university.
Also, they play a significant part of our cultural makeup. Their presence adds to the value we put on culture and diversity; which we promote as an international university. Also, they possess talents, abilities and skills which are important to us and receiving this awards from them is very flattering and encourages us to work harder.”
An array of programmes are on offer at Wisconsin International University College including nursing, law, information technology, accounting with the latest addition being Communication Studies.

A parent's guide to helping the child

Bullying is everywhere in our society. From physical to cyber bullying, these tips on being bullied is a parent's guide to helping the child.

On Saturday my 7 year old cousin who is class 3 asked me for tips on being bullied.  One of the boys on his row in school has vowed not to come back to school. “Ian said he will run away anytime his dad dropped him at the school gate, he will wait for his father to leave then he will also go. He will return to the school gate when school was almost over and wait for his father”.
I later found out Ian was being bullied by some of his class mates and some seniors because he was chubby. His parents did not know, his teachers had not paid particular attention and his friends who cared could not help.
Types of bullying include physical bullying which involves hitting, shoving, pushing, tripping, and other kinds of force. Verbal bullying involves hurtful comments, name-calling, teasing, insulting and other abusive use of words. Social or relationship bullying include refusing to talk to someone, excluding someone from group activities and other activities that makes one feel inferior in a relationship. The final type is cyber bullying which involves the use of electronic communication to bully others.  
As a parent how will you know your child is being bullied? How do you deal with it and what can teachers and other stakeholders do to help? On the topic of tips of being bullies, here’s a guide to calm bullying in the society.

Know your child/student

Knowing your child will help you realise even the smallest change in your child’s emotions. You will know when the emotions, sleep pattern and other behaviours of the children change. You can’t know them if you don’t get involved in their activities. Chat with your children when they come back from school, from the playground and also to the teachers ask the children how their day went. Act immediately you notice any changes in the child’s response to conversation.

Talk to kids about bullying

Teachers and parents alike must educate children on the reasons why it is not right to bully and also how to prevent people from bullying them. If the children are not educated on such things issues they become vulnerable. Also remember bullied children also go ahead to bully others. It also takes a toll on the victim’s self-esteem. This means you will be curbing this menace if you speak about it with your children.

Teach your child how to respond to bullies

 
Bullies look for kids who can’t stand up for themselves; they pick on people who take things to heart. But they stop mistreating you when you don’t regard what they do or they realise you are becoming more assertive than before. It’s important to teach your child all these things about bullies and how to prevent people from bullying him.

Affirm your child’s strength (be on his side)

  
Bullies look for kids who can’t stand up for themselves; they pick on people who take things to heart. But they stop mistreating you when you don’t regard what they do or they realise you are becoming more assertive than before. It’s important to teach your child all these things about bullies and how to prevent people from bullying him.

Affirm your child’s strength (be on his side)

 Immediately your child is able to tell you about his/her challenges speak to the supervisor in charge at wherever the bullying occurs. Explain your challenges in a friendly manner to the supervisor. You can request that the supervisor keeps an eye on your child and also ask for their recommendation on what to do. Also find a teacher or supervisor who can help the child develop his self-esteem in your absence.

Talk to the parents of the perpetrators

 If possible talk to the parents of the children bullying yours. They may not know what their children do when they are away. They may also help educate their own children against such acts. If they are concerned parents they will also find out the rationale behind their children’s action. This may also help the perpetrator of the act.  

Find out from your child if the bullying still continues

After putting in all the efforts, talk to your child to find out if the bullying still continues. You should encourage your child to tell you what the reactions of the teachers were after you reported the act. What actions have been taken to prevent him/her from being bullied again?

Enrol your child to participate in an extra curriculum activity

Enlisting your child in an extra curriculum activity will help boost his self-esteem. It will also help him make new friends who will encourage him/her to be a better person. This will also encourage your child to learn a new skill that will go a long way to develop him/her and be an all-rounder.

In the end remember you are responsible for your child’s development, and you must help them grow to be the best they can be in the friendliest environment you can afford for your child.

Author: Jeffrey R. Holland

"I suppose there may be a branch president or a high councilor or an elders quorum president or a visiting teacher in the room who wants to know what it is we are to accomplish as Church members when we get together, even if it's only in a home evening group or an opportunity to pray together. Well, this passage indicates that it may have something to do with remembering each other. We all count. Everyone matters. We have a name and it's recorded and we need to remember that here. No one must get lost. "And their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God. . . to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ . . . to fast and to speak with one another concerning the welfare of their souls . . . to observe that there should be no iniquity among them"--what a great thought about meetings and what they are supposed to do, what a Sunday School class can be, what a scriptural discussion in an apartment can be."

Mrs. Angela Acquah daughter graduation day

Mrs. Angela Acquah daughter graduation with Diploma from KG. God, I am indeed grateful.

Elections 2016: There is no victor in chaos – EC boss warns

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana Mrs. Charlotte Osei has admonished political parties to see to it that their members adhere to every rule of the game of elections to ensure Ghana comes out of the 2016 elections with a good image.
Speaking at the National Peace Summit organized by the Rotary Club in partnership with the EIB Election Hub, Mrs. Osei said “flawed elections can “create tensions, and trigger unrest and violence” hence every hand must be on deck for a peaceful election.
“We owe our nation Ghana, and the children of Ghana the duty to jointly ensure peace and stability in Ghana,” the EC boss said in a statement read on her behalf at the Summit held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Saturday.
She added: “There are no victors in chaos, only victims. The outcome of a peaceful election process ensures that we all, along with our nation, emerge together as victors.”
Mrs. Osei pledged the Electoral Management Body’s commitment to “ensuring an electoral process that guarantees people the right to cast their ballots without intimidation or violence; a process that ensures that every vote counts equally; an inclusive and transparent collation and declaration process; in accordance with the principles of electoral justice and the laws of Ghana.”
According to her, state institutions and political actors must make it a point to respect the rule of law before, during and after the elections because that is a “critical aspect of ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.”
“The right to vote is a sacred right in our Constitution that must not be violated in yielding to the loudest voices or at will. We owe a duty to each other to insist that state institutions and political parties involved in the electoral process respect the law, respect the processes enshrined in the law and respect the rights of others, particularly the vulnerable in our society whose voices are not always heard,” Mrs. Osei opined.
“The Commission is resolute in its conviction to do its part. It is now the duty of every Ghanaian to demonstrate his or her commitment to ensuring a peaceful electoral outcome,” Mrs. Osei remarked.

Praiz, Tiwa Savage, Others Show Support As DJ Obi Attempts To Break World DJ Record

Syndik8 group Deejay, DJ Obi is currently attempting to break the Guinness World Record for Longest DJ Set and many of his industry friends have turned up to show him love and support.

Speaking on how the public is reacting to his decision to beat the current record, Dj Obi says;

“The reception has been really great, some people think I’m crazy, others have said ‘there’s no backing down now’ and they’re right, they believe in me and I believe in myself. We are in this to win it”.

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