Nigeria Beat Mali 3-2 In Senegal

The national Under-23 team has gotten their campaign at the under-23 African Cup if Nations in Senegal, on a solid note with a 3-2 win over the Junior Eagles of Mali in a five- goal thriller.

Tunisia-based junior Ajayi netted a brace, while Usman Mohammed was on target for dream team six in the first half.

The Malians dominated the second half firing two quick goals in ten minutes, but the Under-23 team held on to pick their first three points.

Nigeria leads the group B with three points while group opponents Egypt and Algeria have a point each.

The Dream Team VI will face Egypt in their next game on Wednesday.

Starting a Prison Ministry or correctional facility

Prisons are among the most fertile places for the uninitiated to grow into faith. That being said, prisoners often need to feel that whatever they are doing is of their own initiative, and they aren't being led, or forced. Therefore, carefully planting the seeds to grow a prison ministry can be most effective during the years you spend in penitentiaries.

Examine yourself. 
Planting seeds means many things. Perhaps the most important is within yourself. How do others perceive your actions? Do you portray the characteristics Jesus taught in the gospels? This can be a tricky order to fulfill indeed. Balancing things like love for all men, and the hospitality of the Good Samaritan in a place full of criminals needs careful consideration and thoughtful prayer each step of the way. If you have access to a prison chaplain or a Christian visiting or writing you for advice, all the better. Striking a balance between generosity and cautioning your actions to protect yourself from being taken advantage of is a fine line to walk, but again, fully possible. And you'll surely learn as you go.

Keep in mind that what you're doing is not to glorify you, or your abilities.
In humility, we express our gratitude for the opportunities we are given. We show our love for Jesus Christ in all our actions, from our good sportsmanship on the basketball court, to our choices in entertainment on the prison yard. You're always being watched!

Network With Local Authorities

Talking with former prisoners is also a great resource. Speak with the local sheriff to see if such a ministry is already in place. Make an appointment to meet them by phone. Use the same procedure with the city; speak to the local Chief of Police in person to see what steps are needed. A personal visit is always more successful than a phone call or a letter. You will find local and county officials more open to the idea if you have a plan in place, which will be discussed later.

Face to Face Meeting

You may not be able to schedule a face to face meeting. Sometimes county and city authorities like the Chief of Police (for cities) or Sheriff (for counties) are reluctant at first. State and Federal prison systems are more stringent. Sometime these facilities have prisoners that are quarantined and are only allowed visits by family and the visitation sometimes may only be possible behind a glass partition. And they may have limited visitation times as well. State and Federal systems are usually more often located at a greater distance and are less accessible than those of a city or county nature so gaining access to them is strategically more difficult.

Get a Clear Plan of What You Want to Do

Before you make contact with any authorities, have a specific plan in place. You want to make sure that you have the city and counties best interests at heart. Prisoners will often shy away from pure Bible teaching or preaching. They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Your first visits will always be a getting acquainted type of meeting. What are their interests? Do they plan on developing a trade or have an interest in a particular occupation if they are to be released? Even if you are unable to gain access to prisoners, you can at least minister to them through biblical literature, provide them with trade journals or magazines. Make sure you are clear with your intentions.

Consider Your Own Record

Some local and county jails may require a background check which includes a criminal background check. The two that I have been to do not require this. They do want to know about you. They might run a check on you to see if you have any outstanding bench warrants or unpaid fines or tickets.

By the way, some institutions do not have a regular Sunday service. Even fewer have a Wednesday night Bible Study. A Church service in the prisons or jails is run somewhat like any local church. However, check with the chaplain or religious activities coordinator (if there is one) before your first service to make sure that you understand the customs of the group. The members of the Christian community in most prisons get along with each other much better than those on the outside, and many consider the service to be “their” church. You are just a visiting preacher. If you can not be there Sunday mornings since you may be attending your own church, then perhaps you can offer them a Sunday evening service.

Keep it Non-Denominational

Because of the interdenominational nature of the group you will be dealing with, and the mixed group of preachers who conduct the services, it is important that you not go in emphasizing the doctrinal distinctives of your denomination. There is a wealth of material in the Bible that you can use without having to go into the small number of areas that we do not agree on. Keep in mind, most prisoners will be either babies in Christ, or they will be unsaved and so keep it simple. The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing; and that is Christ and Him crucified for them. You do not want to divide the inmates on doctrinal differences. It is best to go with the milk of the Word and stay away from the meatier things of the Bible. This is not seminary. No preaching, but just teaching. Let them have input. Don’t dominate or cut off other prisoners if they have something to offer.

Meet a counsellor

To start something as delicate as this,you need a counsellor to speak with you.someone who understands this field more than you.you need his experience.

Pray

This on its own is a ministry.Passion for souls is not enough.you need to seek the face of God to start this and you must not start alone without a definite instruction s from God regarding this.

Become a prison Chaplain today.

Register for chaplaincy at 

CHAPLAINS FELLOWSHIP OF NIGERIA

35/37 Oluwole Olaniyi Str,

Iyana Ipaja bustop,
Agege,
Lagos,Nigeria

Email: cfnijesus@yahoo.com

+2348023271588,+2348030652556

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BIAFRAN AGITATIONS(Part4)

   

Written by Rev Sunday Adelaja

 

THE HIGH PRICE OF INDEPENDENCE

Apart from these seven people groups that have been mentioned above, too many other people groups in their hundreds are struggling and clamoring on a daily basis for an independent nation even as we speak. If a detailed list were made, such people groups might run into a thousand. Can you imagine a thousand new countries emerging in our world today? It’s just not possible, they will not be recognized. It is going to create chaos and confusion.

Let’s have a quick look at some people groups that are agitating for their recognition or independence in our world today.

1. In Ukraine where I live, the eastern part of the country is agitating for independence with countless thousands of casualties already.

1. In Russia, the Chechen people, have been involved in two wars, yet they can’t get away.

2. In Afghanistan, the Taliban wants to build their own caliphate of Islamic state.

3. In Armenia, the Nagorno-karabakh people want their own recognition.

4. In Cameroon, the English speaking people have been struggling for years to have the same equal rights as the French speaking people. Some of them have been forced into exile, yet it has not been possible.

5. In Kenya, tribes have fought and spilled blood, yet no country has sided with any one of them to become independent.

6. In Great Britain, Northern Ireland has waged guerrilla war for years and still they could not get their full independence.

7. In Congo, part of the nation wanted to control their mineral resources, other foreign governments have only exploited them.

8. In Cyprus, the northern part of the country has been struggling for years, still they are not recognized as an independent nation.

9. In France, Guadeloupe and Basque have been fighting for years to be free and yet it is not easy to get their full independence.

10. In the Philippines, the Filipino guerillas have been living in the jungle for ages and they have not been able to build either their Marxist or Muslim nation.

11. In Sri Lanka, the Tamil Tigers have dreamt about independence but it has not been easy coming.

12. In Turkey, the Kurdish people have dreamt of building Kurdistan. They have fought for it, yet to no avail.

13. In Spain, the Basque nation has fought for their independence for years, still it is not coming.

14. In Mauritania, the minorities have been complaining of oppression, but no help and understanding has come from the bigger nations of the world.

What more can I say? A word is enough for the wise…

Pep Guardiola picks his next destination

Speculation over the former Barcelona man's future has been fierce in recent weeks, and Pep himself is apparently keen to try his hand at Old Trafford.
 Pep Guardiola has been linked with several major managerial jobs, but his first priority would be the Manchester United post, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Guardiola's contract at Bayern Munich expires at the end of the 2015-16 season and there is no indication yet that the Catalan coach is set to continue in the job.

Bayern are planning to sign a new contract with Pep over the winter break, but according to the Telegraph the club recognises that he would love the chance to manage at Old Trafford once Van Gaal leaves.

9 Things Every Father Should Teach His Son

Being a father means more than providing all of the physical needs in life, it also means having the responsibility to teach his son the most important lessons in life that will help him become a better man.
So, in order to prepare your son for manhood and give him the knowledge that will help him through many common situations in life, consider these top 10 things that every father should teach his son:


Self-discipline. Whether it is for education, work, or fitness discipline is one of the most important lessons to teach your son. Knowing how to work hard, motivate himself regardless of the situation and having the willpower to push through tough situations will greatly help him become strong.


Confidence. A solid handshake and confident personality is one of the very definitions of manhood. Having confidence is simply a way to show yourself and others that you are a strong and capable person who can handle most problem or task that may come your way.

Responsibility. One of the great lessons in manhood is taking responsibility for yourself and your actions. This will not only reinforce your self-respect but also gain respect from others. Being responsible for every choice and action builds character and builds an image of trustworthiness for others.

Independence. One of the markers for reaching manhood is being able to do things on your own. Teaching your son early what it is like to be independent will help him become a resourceful man. Learning through experience and trying things on his own will build his character. It will also provide him with real world knowledge that can help him in every avenue of life.

Humility. Just as confidence is important in manhood, so is humility. A good balance between the two creates a strong leader who can succeed in many ways in life. Confidence alone will not build good relationships with people but by combining humility, people will naturally gravitate to you.
 
Respect. Reaching manhood means earning respect from others for having the qualities that deserve it. Respect is honoring someone for the good qualities they have and showing them their importance in life. Teaching your son to respect others while also demanding respect from their actions and manly qualities is a way to help them grow up to be well-rounded individuals.

Sensitivity. Although some may think sensitivity is a weakness for men, it's a quality that every man should have. It is a way of showing compassion and taking a softer approach to situations that require it. It is a quality that all greatly loved leaders have, which is why so many respect and follow them.

Honesty. An honest person is one who is comfortable with themselves and has confidence in their actions. An honest man has an honorable manhood, which is something that every man should consider to succeed in life.

Finesse. One of the top qualities that all men should have is finesse. It involves having the proper skills to handle difficult situations in a careful and calculated way. A successful man will always have some level of finesse to help him through the times in life that may seem difficult.
While not all of these skills are easily taught, the best way is to teach by example and reinforce actions with important lessons. With these ten important lessons, your sons will be prepared for manhood and the experiences that come along with it.

  Written by Jason Bettinger

7 lies you must stop telling yourself

1. My past defines me.

The past only has the power to dictate the future if we let it. Just because you were in an unloving marriage doesn’t mean you aren’t worthy of being loved. Just because you got a fancy engineering degree from M.I.T. doesn’t mean you have to be an engineer, despite the fact you hate engineering.

2. Work is supposed to suck, that’s why it’s called work.

I have no issue with hard work and in fact, I advocate it. But working for the sake of working doesn’t make sense. Sure you have to pay your bills, but so do all the small business owners, online entrepreneurs, and people who are happily pursuing their dreams.

 3. I don’t deserve to be happy.

Unfortunately this is a deeply ingrained lie that can cause you to spend your life living just above average. From early childhood, you are led to believe certain things about yourself and many times, it’s negative.

Many of you falsely believe you are not good enough to be/do/have what you want in this life. And I’ll tell you with absolute certainty–it’s complete bullshit.

4. I can’t change.

Of course you can. It’s very challenging to change, especially permanently, but it needs to happen if you are going to improve your life. Doing the same things and making the same decisions every day and thinking something new will happen is madness.

Being unhappy can caused by a number of things, but chances are, it’s your negative, self-defeating habits that are the culprit.

5. This is just how life is.

This is ridiculous. Life is exactly how you make it and is a direct result of all the decisions you’ve made up until this moment. Life doesn’t just happen, you create it. Do not accept your fate and believe that life can’t or won’t get any better. Believe me, it can!

6. Things will get better.

Again, wrong. They won’t get better until YOU get better. The world doesn’t owe you anything nor will it just hand things to you. You have to work hard to get what you want. Hell, you’re already working hard now, you just may be directing your energy in the wrong places.

Start by taking small steps towards your goals. And if you have no goals, set some. Don’t try to go from miserable cubicle worker to lifestyle design magnate overnight, that will never work and will only serve to demotivate you. Instead, take it slowly and be realistic about what you can accomplish each day.

7. I have responsibilities.

And while this may be true (I don’t know any adults who don’t have them), they shouldn’t be limiting your happiness.

People tend to let their boring jobs not only define them, but dictate how they live their lives. I’ve heard it a million times, “I can’t quit, I have responsibilities.” They believe they can’t quit because that would be selfish, lazy, and irresponsible.

Written by Steve Roy

5 Things You Must Tell Your Parents Before They Die

  We all had a very different childhood experience.  For some it was incredible. Their parents were consistent, loving, and honest. For others, it was the opposite, they were absent, abusive, and broken. Wherever your story lands, we cannot deny that our parents, are still our parents. Our Mothers birthed us. Our Fathers (in most cases) supported us. They changed our diapers, listened to us cry, fed us, worried about us, and ultimately raised us.If you’re reading this post, there is a chance your parents are still alive. Now, I’m not sure if this list should be shared together, individually, or over some period of time. But as a man who studies the relationships between people, there is not a closer bond than the child parent relationship. It calls for a level of respect and honor that others don’t.

1. The Truth:  Let your parents know how you really feel. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Tell them where they succeeded, where they failed, what you loved about them and even what you didn’t. It’s a tough conversation. But we only have so much time… and in my experience, people regret it if they don’t.
2. That You Understand: Let them know you recognize their humanness. Take the opportunity to step back, look at each other eye to eye, adult to adult, human to human, and say, “I understand”. We all go through struggles. Divorce, abuse, failure, and pain. Your parents, just like us, were not immune to this. They too had broken parents, a rough past and likely a cause for the things they brought into your life. Let them know you “get it”. You may not approve of it. But you understand.
3. That You Appreciate Them: Let your parents know you’re thankful. At the bare minimum, we must admit that without them, you would not be here. Thank them for keeping you alive. There are many countries with many parents who cannot even provide life to their children. Tell them you’re grateful for the good memories and their ability to continue to love you even when you weren’t very lovable.
4. That You’re Sorry: We tend to view apologies as a sign of weak character. But in fact, they require great strength. We’ve all been harsh. We’ve all been mean. At the end of the day, let your parents know you’re sorry. A genuine apology offered and accepted is one of the most profound interactions of civilized people. This will be hard, but you will not regret it.
5. That You Forgive Them: One of my favorite quotes of all time is, “Forgive them even if they’re not sorry.” We must remember they, like us, were doing the best they could at the time. Holding on to pain does nothing on your journey to creating a purposeful and happy life. To clarify, the act of forgiveness is by no means giving them permission to hurt you again. It’s quite the contrary. It’s giving you permission to let go and release both the pain and the anger – and hopefully, restore a relationship in the process.

Add something to the list? What would you want to share with your parents before they die?

Written By Dale Partridge