FORGIVENESS:THE STEP TO EMOTIONAL HEALING

Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.When you forgive someone, you make the choice to give up your desire for revenge  and feelings of resentment. You also stop judging the person who caused you the hurt.Instead of revenge, resentment, and judgment, you show compassion, and kindness.
 Unforgiveness is not like that.it is a spiritual cancer that spreads slowly until it incapacitate the spirit, soul and body and may lead to untimely death of d person.it is contagious.unforgiveness gradually leads to anger,hatred and bitterness,until d person becomes a witch or wizard.if u don't obey God's word concerning forgiving those that have hurt u,it is rebellion against God's word,and rebellion is as d sin of witchcraft,so u r a witch.forgive and move on,don't dwell in d hurt of the past because unforgivness is a spiritual killer disease.

STEPS TO EMOTIONAL HEALING
A wound is so painful that we develop a case of amnesia,that is why if anyone has offended you in the past,forgive and move on.
Before we begin, I want you to know that God desires to heal our wounds and take our pain and hurt from us. You know how you can love somebody so much, that you wish you could take their pain or suffering from them? That's how Jesus feels about us... He loves us so much that He paid the price for our emotional healing in the work on the cross!
first and moremost:
The first step is to ACKNOWLEDGE the need for healing. For us to receive the healing of emotional wounds, we must first acknowledge that we are hurting (Matthew 9:10-13, Revelation 3:17). Many of us have lied to ourselves as well as to others.
The second step is to LOCATE the cause of the pain. In the physical realm, we may have a pain in our legs, but the cause may be a pinched nerve in the spine. To operate on the legs would be the wrong procedure so locating the emotional wound is the next step.
The third step is to CLEANSE the wound.For cleansing to occur, (1) we must forgive those who have offended us, (2) ask God for to forgive and cleanse us (I John 1:9) for our unforgiveness, (3) yield that area unto the Lord, (4) request that God restore our soul (Psalm 23:3) in the area yielded to the enemy, and (5) use the name of Jesus to drive out the enemy.
The fourth step is to RECEIVE HEALING of the hurt. God gives us two distinct pictures of healing in Scripture.
After the physician cleanses the victim's wound, he sews it up so that it will not become contaminated again. Forgiveness opens the door to freedom, but forgiveness is not healing. Without our receiving healing, the wound again becomes contaminated. However, when God mends the wound, He also heals the wound.
We may receive healing by (1) understanding that Jesus suffered all kinds of emotional hurts (Isaiah 53:3) and that he became a hurt substitute (Isaiah 53:4) for us , and (2) believing that Jesus was sent to heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:18), and (3) asking in faith for that healing. When God heals the wound, we may recall the experience without being flooded by the pain.
The fifth step is to STRENGTHEN the weak area. Again, in the physical, the area around the wound may remain weak even after the healing occurs. This is also true of emotional wounds. The enemy will try to get us to focus our thoughts (II Corinthians 10:4-5) on the event that brought the hurt. If this occurs, we may mentally pick at the area until we have opened a new wound.
Therefore, it is critical that we strengthen that area by applying the Word of God. (1) We need to see that God had a purpose in allowing us to be wounded (Genesis. 50:20). (2) We need to see that God can work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). (3) We need to come to rejoice in the Lord over the experience (Philippians. 4:4). (4) We need to develop and share our testimony with others (Revelation 12:11).
I remain yours

True Story Of Nigeria’s Most Notorious,Lawrence Anini

Nigeria has recorded two types of armed robbers: Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini and others. No armed robber has ever held the entire country on ransom as Anini. In fact, his reign was so bloody that he was even discussed at the State Security Council meeting. He held the old Bendel State captive in the 1980s. Bendel is now known as Edo and Delta State. His main area of operation was Benin City to be precise. His early life Anini was born in a village about 20 miles from Benin City in present-day Edo State.He was dreadfully called ‘
The Law’ or ‘Ovbigbo’. An only son of his Evbueisi-born mother, he had two sisters. His father died when he was still a young boy. Anini was brought to Benin where he was admitted at the Oza Primary School but from a young age, he started manifesting the signs of truancy. He struggled to finish his primary school then entered the Igiedumu Secondary School. He did not spend more than three years when he dropped out of school, preferring to be an apprentice at a local mechanic workshop.
That was around 1976. He started work as a lorry driver (some say taxi driver) after his master fired him and slowly transformed into a leader of the local motor parks, controlling and commanding touts. Following the sudden overthrow of the politicians in the early 1980s and banning of politics in 1984 by the Buhari regime the highly-skilled driver (now of of criminal gangs and godfathers) discovered that armed robbery was far more lucrative and decided to form his own deadly gang which included, Monday Osunbor, Friday Ofege, Henry Ekponwan, Eweka and Alhaji zed zed or Zegezege who was never captured.They started out as car hijackers, bus robbers and bank thieves. He sealed a pact with corrupt police officers and ruled with reckless abandon. The complicity of the police is believed to have triggered Anini’s reign of terror in 1986.Highway robberies, car j******s, bank raids, Anini was a specialist in all aspects of pilfering with the gun. Gradually, he extended his criminal acts to other towns and cities far north and east of Benin. In early 1986, two members of his gang were tried and prosecuted against an earlier under-the-table ‘agreement’ with the police to destroy evidence against the gang members.
The incident, and Anini’s view of police betrayal, is believed to have spurred retaliatory actions by Anini. In August, 1986, a fatal bank robbery linked to Anini was reported in which a police officer and others were killed. That same month, two officers on duty were shot at a barricade while trying to stop Anini’s car. During a span of three months, he was known to have killed nine police officers. In an operation in August of 1986, the Anini team struck at First Bank, Sabongida-Ora, where they carted away N2, 000. But although the amount stolen was seen as chicken feed, they left the scene with a trail of blood. Many persons were killed. On September 6, same year, the Anini gang snatched a Peugeot 504 car from Albert Otoe, the driver of an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Christopher Omeben. In snatching the car, they killed the driver and went to hide his corpse somewhere. Three months later, the skeleton of the driver was spotted 16 kilometers away from Benin, along the Benin-Agbor highway. A day after this attack, Anini, operating in a Passat car believed to have been stolen, also effected the snatching of another Peugeot 504 car near the former FEDECO office, in Benin.
Two days after, the Anini men killed two policemen in Orhiowon Local Government Area of the state. Still in that month, three different robbery attacks, all pointing to Anini’s involvement, took place. A day after the operation, Anini, visited a village near Benin and threw wads of naira notes on the ground for free pick by market men and women. Between August and December 1986, he led a four-month reign of terror. He also reportedly wrote numerous letters to media houses using political tones of Robin Hood-like words, to describe his criminal acts. The search for Anini.
The then military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, saw the nation’s fear for the daredevil and ordered a massive manhunt for the kingpin and his fellow robbers. The police thus went after them, combing every part of Bendel State where they were reportedly operating and living However, the more they were hunted, the more intensified their activities became. Some of the locals in the area even began to tell stories of their invincibility and for a while, it felt like they were never going to be caught. At the conclusion of a meeting of the Armed Forces Ruling Council in October 1986, General Babangida turned to the Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang, and asked, ‘My friend, where is Anini?’
At about this time, Nigerian newspapers and journals were also publishing various reports and editorials on the ‘Anini Challenge’, the ‘Anini Saga’, the ‘Anini Factor’, ‘Lawrence Anini – the Man, the Myth’, ‘Anini, Jack the Ripper’, and ‘Lawrence Anini: A Robin Hood in Bendel’. The Guardian asked, emphatically, in one of its reports: ‘Will they ever find Anini, “The Law”?’ His arrest
The Anini terrror finally came to an end thanks to the courage of Superintendent of Police, Kayode Uanreroro. On December 3, 1986, Uanreroro caught Anini at No 26, Oyemwosa Street, opposite Iguodala Primary School, Benin City, in company with six women. Acting on a tip-off from the locals, the policeman went straight to the house where Anini was hiding and apprehended him with very little resistance. Uanreroro led a crack 10-man team to the house, knocked on the door of the room, and Anini himself, clad in underpants, opened the door.
“Where is Anini?”, the police officer quickly enquired. Dazed as he was caught off guard and having no escape route, Anini all the same tried to be smart. “Oh, Anini is under the bed in the inner room”. As he said it, he made some moves to walk past Uanreroro and his team. In the process, he shoved and head-butted the police officer but it was an exercise in futility. Uanreroro promptly reached for his gun, stepped hard on Anini’s right toes and shot at his left ankle. Anini surged forward but the policemen took hold of him and put him in a sitting position. They then pumped more bullets into his shot leg and almost severed the ankle from his entire leg. Already, anguished by the excruciating pains, the policemen asked him, “Are you Anini?” And he replied, “My brother, I won’t deceive you; I won’t tell you lie, I’m Anini.” While in the police net, Anini who had poor command of English and could only communicate in pidgin, made a wh*** lot of revelations. He disclosed, for instance that Osunbor, who had been arrested earlier, was his deputy, saying that Osunbor actually shot and wounded the former police boss of the state, Akagbosu.
The daredevil robbers also revealed that some policemen assisted them in the criminal operations in Bendel State and the entire country. Anini particularly revealed that George Iyamu, who was the most senior police officer shielding the robbers, would reveal police secrets to them and then, give them logistic supports such as arms, to carry out robbery operations. Because of the numerous gunshots, Anini had one of his legs amputated in a military hospital. When his hideout was searched, police recovered assorted charms, including the one he usually wore around his waist during “operations”. All charms were disposed after his arrest.
His execution Due to amputation of his leg, Anini was confined to a wheelchair throughout his trial. He was sentenced to death by Justice James Omo-Agege and executed on March 29, 1987.

Culled from Vangard online

The forgotten Himba Tribe of Namibia

Visiting the Himba was one of the highlights of our travels, probably as was everyone's who have had a chance to visit them. They are well known for their friendliness, but also the reluctance to get modernised.

The Himba is the famous tribe of ’red people’ in northern Namibia. Women paint themselves twice a day with red clay mixed with butter. They wear short skirts made of goat skins and long red clay covered plaits of hair ending with tassells.

At first it can seem that there are only women in the Himba tribe. Almost all of them are traditionally dressed, proud and beautiful. In contrast, the men usually have adopted western clothes and you don't get to see them much in the villages anyway, because they are often far away with their herds, or (unfortunately) in the pub. They are getting fond of alcohol (just as, for example, the Surma in the Omo Valley) which is now getting in by the newly repaired road. The Himba women are not very happy about such a ’progress’ ...
The villages close to the road from Opuvo to the Epupa Falls receive tourists quite often. But we walked far off the main road to find out what are the Himba really like. We found an excellent guide, a young Himba, who had been sent to school, where he also learned English. He suggested us that it's better to bring some food as a gift when visiting the village rather than giving the Himba money (which the men would drink up anyway).

We walked to the village about 10 km away. The people there were really surprised but very pleased when we arrived. When we asked for a permission to spend a night they were completely amazed that Europeans want to stay with them and they immediately began to look for the best possible place for out tent.
Then we sat down with a group of women resting in the afternoon heat. The chief's wife easily included us into their chat (of course, with the help of our interpreter) which eventually developed into one of the most interesting conversations with indigenous people we have ever experienced.

The conversation went something like this:

  she: ”We are very happy that you came to visit us.”
   we: ”So are we. Have you ever had any tourists here?”
  she: ”Never, you are the first. They only go where they can get by car. 
           And to get here it's about 10 kilometres on foot, so they never come.”      
   we: ”And would you like, if more tourists came?”
  she: ”Of course, we are also curious about them. But on the other hand
           we also like our peace.”

  A moment of silence ...

  she: ”Do you also have cows and goats where you come from?”
   we: ”Yes, We do.”
  she: ”And could I be there dressed like this?”

   we: (a moment of hard thinking, what to say .....) 
         ”No, you probably couldn't, it's too cold there.”

  she: ”Hmm, it's a pity. So I won't go there. 
          But do you think that it's a good idea to send our kids to school, 
          so when the drought comes and food is scarce they could support us? 
          You know, have a job like your guide here ...”
   we:  (We are not sure it's a good idea, but that's not important. Her thinking 
          is correct and makes a perfect sense. But how should we answer that?) 
         ”It's an interesting idea, these days it might be the best and only way. 
          But your culture is also very important ...”
  she: ”I know, that's not what I meant, we don't want to change and we won't. 
          What I meant was only one child from a village.”
   we:  (Now she got me, I am almost speechless): ”Most definitely, because than 
          you would be better prepared when the inevitable changes come .....”

   we: ”How do you perceive the changes that are already happening, 
          such as a new road, tourists and the campsites for them, new pubs 
          and your men in them, drinking .....?”
  she: ”We don't like that at all, it's a big problem. 
          But what can we do? We'll deal with it.”

This was followed with a moments of silence, we all had something to think about. Then she apologised that she had to tend the cows and that it's the time to start getting ready for the night. After dinner the young girls offered to dance for us. It was very beautiful.
For the whole time spent with the Himba, nobody asked us to pay anything, not even for photographing them. They were all really pleased that we came to see them and that we were genuinely interested in them. But we've brought them about 15kg of food, as our guide suggested. This surprised them, they didn't expect anything from us; but they couldn't ask us to carry it those 10 kilometres back ...!

Culled from http://vanishingworldphotography.com

5 Best Places to Visit in Poland

Life has not been easy for Poland, an eastern European country that has been invaded and destroyed many times over the centuries. The country suffered mightily in World War II when many of its citizens, including its large Jewish population, were hustled off to Nazi concentration camps BUT The Polish spirit, however, refused to die and today the country combines medieval architecture with lively cultural activities to meet the needs of modern tourists.
If you must coime to poland,here are the beautiful places you must visit

1.Malbork 

The medieval town of Malbork, perhaps better known by the German name of Marienburg, is most well-known for its castle, which was ordered built in the 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order as their headquarters, Europe’s largest Gothic fortress is named after the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the city and castle. The castle is actually three castles, making it the world’s largest brick castle. It took 230 years to build the castle, a majority of which was destroyed during World War II. Much of the castle has been restored since then.

2.Lublin

This place is located east of the Vistula, is another ancient city with a market place that may have dated back to the sixth century. Because it is located on Poland’s eastern border, it became, early on, a line of defense against various invaders that destroyed the city over the centuries. It also was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Poland.

3.Torun.

It is located on the Vistula River, is best known, perhaps, as the birthplace of Copernicus, but it’s just as well known for its old market place and Gothic town hall that the National Geographic Polska put on its list of the 30 most beautiful places in the world. As Torun escaped bombing during World War II, the city still boasts numerous buildings that date back to the Middle Ages.

4. Tatra National Park 

 Travelers who crave scenic beauty will find it in Tatra National Park, located in southcentral Poland. Established in 1954, the park is mainly forests, meadows and numerous rock formations covering the Tatra Mountains. Spelunkers may enjoy touring six of the park’s 650 caves that are open to the public. The park also offers more than 30 alpine lakes as well as the Wielka Siklawa waterfall that is 70 meters (230 feet) high. Tatra, the most visited national park in Poland, will delight hikers with its 270 km (170 miles) of trails.

5.Warsaw

The capital of Poland might aptly be compared to a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Founded around the 12th century,Warsaw was pretty much destroyed during World War II, but has rebuilt itself into a thriving historical and cultural center, complete with a restored Old Town. Once known as the “Paris of the North,” it also is famous as the home of classical composer Fryderyk Chopin. Another famous citizen was Renaissance astronomer Copernicus, who was born in Poland. Travelers of all ages will enjoy a visit to the Copernicus Science Center where hands-on activities abound.

Lionel Messi wins 2015 Ballon d'Or

 

Lionel Messihas won the 2015 Fifa Ballon d'Or ahead of Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mate Neymar, claiming the prestigious award at Monday's ceremony in Zurich.

Messi received 41.33 per cent of the votes, with Ronaldo (27.76%) in second place and Neymar (7.86%) third.

It is the Argentina international's fifth World Player of the Year title - more than any other player in history - and thwarts Ronaldo's quest to tie his haul of gongs, with the Madrid star having picked up the award in each of the last two seasons.
"It's a very special moment for me, to be back here on this stage winning another Ballon d'Or after being in the audience watching Cristiano win for two years," Messi said upon receiving his award.

UAE anti-terror centre launches campaign

A joint anti-terror initiative by the UAE and the United States is using a hashtag as another weapon in its online fight against extremism.
The Sawab Centre launched the #DeludedFollowers Campaign on its Twitter and Instagram accounts with the aim of shedding light on ISIL’s recruiting methods.
The campaign hopes to expose ISIL enlisting tactics such as portraying the Iraqi and Syrian conflicts as a war of civilisations between Islam and the West, alleging the mistreatment of Muslims around the world, distorting Islamic terminology and spreading disunity among people and their leaders.
Through these methods, the centre said, ISIL targets those who feel desperate, are on the margins of society, and impacted by chaotic and unpredictable social and economic conditions.
New recruits are exploited and mistreated by the organisation and often put on the front lines of the conflict, according to numerous official reports.

Liberian Businessman Announces Launch of 'Air Monrovia'

A prominent Liberian businessman, Attorney George B. Kailondo, has announced to the public that very soon Liberia will boast of its own airline, called "Air Monrovia".

Mr. Kailondo, who spoke in an interview, said his plan to invest in a commercial airline is intended to put Liberia on the map of economic improvement in the sub-region and to further advance his businesses as well as buttress the government's development agenda.