The Nation Newspaper

Category: Family Matters

  • Are you financially faithful?(3)

    There are challenges to your financial progress in the home. That is why in today’s teaching, we shall examine via God’s Word, some of these challenges and how you can overcome them. God gives us knowledge to help fix potential areas of conflicts and to protect us from every difficult situation of life. When knowledge is rejected, crises become the order of the day in the family.

    One major challenge of your financial future is covetousness. COVETOUSNESS is simply the love for things. You are never satisfied with what you can afford. The Bible encourages: But godliness with contentment is great gain:… And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (1 Timothy 6:6,8). The cure for covetousness is contentment. Be satisfied with the step by step lifting of God in your life. Just as a child does not walk in a day when it is born, you shouldn’t expect to become a millionaire overnight. Covetousness is a challenge of your financial progress. So you need to walk in the wisdom of God to sustain your wealth. King Solomon received wisdom before his wealth increased, not the other way around (1 Kings 3:7-9)

    I recall a time we could not afford two meals a day. Then chicken was a luxury. We didn’t complain, we only gave thanks to God, trusting the Lord that such a condition wouldn’t be permanent, because we served Him and also complied with His instructions. Today, our lives have been multiplied. We thank Him for supernatural supplies on all sides. We can afford five meals a day now, if necessary. You, too, will excel financially, but like my husband says: “Life is in phases and men are in sizes.” Live your size, eat your size and wear your size per time. Running after clothes, possessions, money, cars etc, more than necessary at the expenses of your fellowship with God, your financial obligations to family members, and good accounting sense, will only end you in deep financial troubles.

    If you are a covetous wife or husband, stop troubling your spouse to buy you this or buy you that; when you know he or she does not have the money. It is wise to stick to your budget and plan for the month. “This is a need that must be met”, is not a true statement. There are things you are better off without. Contentment means to live according to your income. To steal, defraud or extort money has negative consequences, if not now, it could be in the future. It also means not getting upset because you don’t have what your neighbours have in their house. Always thank God for what you have (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

    There was a time in our home, when my husband asked me how much I spent to make breakfast (bread, egg and tea). Then I told him the cost, but he said, “No one eats egg anymore in this house; we can’t afford it for now.” We were taking pap (corn portage) instead. With all submission, I consented because I knew what he was earning then. Today, if we want to eat eggs everyday we can afford it now. We learnt in the early stages of our family life, to cut our coat according to our cloth and this has helped our financial situation to grow and blossom. Husband, let your wife know what you earn, so she won’t ask you for more than what you can afford. Wife, learn to be good home manager today, your tomorrow is bright; don’t kill it by being covetous.

    Another challenge of your financial future closely related to covetousness is IMPULSIVE BUYING: This is exceeding your budget, buying something because you have money in your pocket. Don’t just buy something because you have money; buy because it is necessary for your household. That’s why it is good to have a budget. My husband would say, “This is feeding money for the month; make sure it covers for the month.” With the wisdom of God, I would make sure I didn’t buy what I had not written on the list. If there was extra money, I would keep it for emergency, rather than just buy anything because I had some money left.

    Lack Of Accountability is another challenge of your financial future. The Word says: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much… (Luke 16:10). To be faithful with money does not happen all of a sudden. It happens by constant practice and discipline. If you can’t develop discipline, accountability, faithfulness, planning and budgeting skill now that you are earning N1000.00, God can’t be sure you will be able to do it, when you start earning N500,000.00 Many a time, God blesses those who keep effective accounts. God promotes the faithful. Luke 16:12 says: And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

    God, Himself keeps records (Revelation 20:12). So, as His child, why shouldn’t you follow the example He has set? A bedside, accountability build trust is a key ingredient in the success of your family life. Husband, do you trust your wife with money? Wife, do you trust your husband with money? Parents, do you trust your children with money? If not, be sincere about it and carefully, using God’s wisdom, discuss the benefits of good accountability with your family members. List out your income and expenditure, even if you can’t remember everything the first time you try, keep doing it, until it becomes a habit. Nobody was born with accounting skill; we all learnt what we know and what we do. You, too, can become accountable by practising to write your expenditure.

    Also, as children of God, the payment of TITHE is a must. What is tithe? It is 10% of your income, profit, or gifts received. According to God’s Word: all the tithe of the land whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s” it is holy unto the Lord (Leviticus 27:30). Don’t rob God in your attempt to save money or make up for some unforeseen expenses. Tithe is acknowledging and recognizing that all the money comes from God in the first place. To refuse to pay tithes (full tithes not 1% or 5%) opens you and your home to devourers. The Lord says, if you pay your tithes… I (the Lord) will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground…(Malachi 3:11) (Emphasis mine).

    Some homes are suffering from the destroyer and waster, because the family members refuse to pay tithes. Devourers like (sickness, accident, business failure, etc.) are all devices of Satan to rob you and your home of financial progress. Your tithe payment is an insurance against such. Your tithes are to be paid or handed over to the Lord in the church not to man, not to the poor or an organization. Tithes are for the Lord; He alone gives instructions on how they would be utilized.

    Calamities And Emergencies are other challenges to financial progress. How do you overcome them? The Bible says all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His plan for their lives (Romans 8:28). Do you love God? Are you born-again? Have you embraced God’s plan for your life? If you have really done all these, then I can declare to you boldly that calamities or crisis can’t harm you, but are stepping-stones to a bright future. Calamities, to a born-again child of God, are stepping-stones to success. Why? You have “a sound mind,” a mind that is quick to think, quick to act, and quick to find solutions to problems. There is no problem without a solution (I Corinthians 10:13).

    Whatever the devil has programmed to rob you of financial blessings, as a child of God as you walk in obedience to the Lord, He (the Lord) will turn your situation around for good. The Bible says, concerning Job that the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). Your financial captivity will be turned in the precious name of Jesus; For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion (Ecclesiastes 9:4).

    Are you born again? If you are not, you don’t have the hope and genuine access to operate the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16). If you would want to, say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today, just as I am. I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and on the third day You rose again for my justification. Forgive me of my sins; cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You now as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Lord, for saving me. Now I know I am forgiven, I am justified, I am born again and I am a child of God!

    Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe that you will begin to experience the reality of the price that Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name!

    Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com. Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437; 07094254102

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Asthma

    Asthma is a disease condition in which the air passages in the lungs (called bronchioles) become sensitive to simulation by a variety of agents, leading to contraction of the muscular wall, with narrowing of the bone to a degree that seriously obstructs the entry and exit of air in the lungs.

    In an attack of asthma¸ the breathing becomes difficult, expiration often being more affected than inspiration. The patient is short of breath and breathing may become audibly “wheezy”, with coughing. The effort to draw breath increases, but despite this, the movement of the chest is diminished. The patient may become agitated or confused. He feels he is going to choke to death. It is a frightening condition.

    There are numerous causes of asthmatic attack. In some cases, a frank allergy exists to a particular material, grass and tree pollens, molds and fungi, animal hair and even some types of food may all provoke an asthmatic attack. In other cases, a physical or chemical irritant such as a smoky atmosphere, exhaust fumes or acid fumes may bring on an attack. Even, the inhalation of dust (particularly when sweeping an enclosure), of smoke, particularly from frying food or burning of dried or wet grass, and others can cause attack.

    Infections of the lungs, particularly those caused by viruses, may precipitate an attack in those who are susceptible. It has also been noted that asthmatic patients suffer more under cold conditions. It should be noted that just like in most cases of ill-health, the causes of asthma include much waste matter and mucus in the system.

    From all these explanations, it becomes clear that the signs that one can easily observe in an asthmatic patient are difficult breathing and wheezing. It is mainly in the night that severe attacks take place. The patient longs to be in a wide-open place with sufficient fresh air.

    Prevention

    Asthmatic attacks can be prevented if the causes are removed and the body’s resistance is built up. The first of such causes would be anything that is harmful to the lungs and bronchial tubes; such as smoking.

    Treatment and Control

    In Holistic Lifecare. It is strongly advocated that the best way to control asthmatic attack is by going back to NATURE. If the attack takes place after a meal, it is advisable to induce vomiting. It is good to give hot fomentations over the areas of the stomach, liver, lungs and spleen.

    On wet days, and at night, the patient should be kept very warm. The windows should be left open to allow in sufficient air. Fans and air-conditioners should not be used in the sleeping room. The Holistic natural remedy being suggested for asthma is a combination of natural extracts of Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Tetrapleura tetraptera and Zingiber officinale.

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

  • Are you financially faithful? (2)

    It is important to understand how to handle money in marriage, so as to avoid tension in your home. Handling finances is a very sensitive area for couples. It is, therefore, crucial to say a few things about how to properly handle your finances in today’s article, titled ‘Are you financially faithful?’. Financial faithfulness goes a long way in determining whether you have a great financial future or whether you suffer financial hardship.

    A few things noteworthy are:

    SHUN IDLENESS: Each member of the family ought to be gainfully employed. Idleness should be discouraged. The Bible is clear on this point: This we commanded you, that if any WOULD NOT, WORK, NEITHER SHOULD HE EAT (2 Thessalonians 3:10). There is dignity in labour as God’s Word says: He that gathereth BY LABOUR shall increase (Proverbs 13:11). So, put your hands to work. It is your responsibility to locate a productive and profitable job, not that of your uncles, aunty, parents etc.

    PRIORITY SPENDING: In spending money, DISCIPLINE is a major requirement. Engage in priority spending this means being able to ascertain the things needed and buying them first, before other items. Not all expenditure is right. If you’re indebted, understand that debt is not the will of God for you, whether you entered into it as a result of pressure from legitimate needs or lack of contentment with your present position or possession. Stay clear of indebtedness, for God hates it. the Bible says: Owe no man anything… (Romans 1:8). You can be free from debt. Mix prudence with contentment and enjoy great gain (I Timothy 6:6). Learn to order your priorities right. There are certain things you collect on credit that could wait till later. Please live your size per time. Cut off from friends who drive you to live above your means. Engage in buying things that are necessary and vital per time. God hates waste (John 6:12).

    INVESTMENT & SAVINGS: Spending money foolishly is one major cause of borrowing and lack. To avoid such, occasional investments should be engaged in, setting aside some amount in case of need. The Lord Jesus Himself admonishes … Why didn’t you deposit the money in the bank so that I could at least get some interest on it? (Luke. 19:23 TLB). Why don’t you deposit small amounts today in the bank, in order not to engage in begging or borrowing tomorrow? Benjamin Franklin said, “… He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.” Don’t bring sorrow into your home by being a borrower.

    BE ACCOUNTABLE: The Lord believes in accountability and budgeting. How do I know? He stated so in His Word (the Bible). We need to count the cost (Luke 14:28) of our financial transactions. God Himself keeps records and accounts of things (Acts 10:4) and passed on this practice to men on earth (Esther 6:1). We shall be asked to give account of our works on earth (Romans 14:12). God’s Word says: Therefore is the Kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take account of his servants (Matthew 18:23).

    You need to be accountable, not just to yourself, but first to God, who is the Supplier of all your provisions and money and to your spouse, who is your partner in the home. It is necessary for the children and others in the home, to see your example of being accountable, so they can learn the art of accountability and prudent spending (wise financial transactions). To be in charge of much money, you need to be faithful in planning and spending the money you have at present and the proper use of money, requires proper planning. Just like you prepare for success in any area of life, if you want financial success, it must be prepared for.

    Concerning family finances, a key ingredient is TRUST. Husband, wife and even children must trust one another enough to put money together and be prudent in spending it. Accountability helps boost trust. Where no one wants to be accountable to the other, there will be no progress financially. Woman, prove yourself trustworthy to you husband and you will never need to nag him to give you money. Let the heart of your husband safely trust your financial judgment (Proverbs 31:11).

    List out your income, your expenditure and review them from time to time, to assess whether your financial transactions are prudent or whether you need to adjust your spending pattern, in order not to spend money foolishly. Make a budget monthly, weekly and daily, and record your spending. I have a little dairy I carry around with me and record any money spent. That way, at the end of the month, I can easily recollect all I spent money on during the month. Accountability pays off: the Lord says… thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things (Matthew 25:21). Being faithful financially qualifies you to receive more money from the Lord and from men, too. I always make sure I submit a breakdown of expenses to my husband, whether he asks for it or not.

    I remember one day, many years ago, my husband came to my office with a Cheque book and said, “I have watched you over the years; you have been so faithful financially. You are so different from many other women, so prudent in spending and not a waster. God wants to lift you. This is the Cheque book to our account, all the leaves have been signed, any time you want money, don’t ask, I trust you absolutely and the Spirit of God is inside of you.” Then he left. I said to myself; “God, this is an awesome responsibility” and the Lord said to me; “Because you have been faithful in little, you have been promoted. How faithful you are with this responsibility, will determine how great your promotion will be tomorrow.” Up till today, my dear husband does not ask me how I spend money, because he trusts me. He had watched me and found me faithful in time past. Because of his trust in me, I make sure that I don’t transact money in any area without his knowledge.

    Anything you can’t tell your spouse you want to buy or that you bought, needs to be examined. Anything you can’t boldly say you need because you are afraid the request will be turned down, needs reviewing. Anything you want to buy and you can’t really defend your reason for having it, needs to be thought over. One thing I learnt from my husband is proper documentation of financial transactions. All his personal and official spending are documented. This helps you to know exactly where your money is going, and if you need to change your spending pattern. Remember, many financial problems in the home may not necessarily require more prayer to God for money, but more WISDOM in handling money.

    As you follow the institutions of the Lord, your financial testimony in your home this year will surprise you. Your purse will continue to be full and your store will never be dry. From today, determine to be financially faithful.

    Financial faithfulness takes grace from God who the Bible refers to as: The faithful and true witness … (Revelation 3:14). But like every natural parent, his desires is first to meet the needs of His children. Jesus said in Mark 7:27: Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto dogs. You also can become a child of God today, receiving top priority by praying this simple prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today, just as I am. I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and on the third day You rose again for my justification. Forgive me of my sins; cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You now as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Lord, for saving me. Now I know I am forgiven, I am justified, I am born again and I am a child of God!

    Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe that you will begin to experience the reality of the price that Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name!

     

    Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com. Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437; 07094254102

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

     

  • A healthier lifestyle

    Make dietary changes slowly.

    If you try to change everything at once, you will have difficulty adjusting to the new lifestyle. When you eat new foods or in different proportions, it takes time for your digestive system to get used to it, so start it slowly.

    Drink a minimum of eight cups of water every day.

    Some people say you don’t need to drink this much to stay hydrated, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. You won’t get water poisoning unless you drink a lot of water in a short period of time. The Institute for Medicine recommends that men drink about 13 cups of fluids and women drink 9 cups of fluids per day.

    Stop drinking soda.

    Soda is one of the worst things you can put in your body. They contain lots of calories from high fructose corn syrup, which is killing you. And don’t drink diet soda either. The artificial sweeteners can be toxic, and they stimulate your appetite.

    Cooking and eating healthier meals

    The way you prepare your meals is obviously a huge determinant of your health. By following some of these simple guidelines, you can have much healthier but still delicious meals all the time.

    Eat at restaurants less frequently.

    This is easier if you cook meals in advance, and it will save you a lot of money. You have no idea what they are putting in your food. Because most restaurants want to make the most tasty dish for the lowest cost, you can bet that there are all sorts of unhealthy things in your meal including food additives, unhealthy cooking oils, and loads of extra salt. Plus your own kitchen is probably cleaner..

    Add a serving of vegetables to each meal.

    Veggies are your best friend. They tend to be among the most nutrient dense of foods, meaning they have the most nutrition value per calorie. They fill you up faster and supply your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. What more could you want? Try to get a variety of veggies in your diet, and make sure to include leafy greens like spinach as well as cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli.

    Eat more omega-3 fatty acids.

    This one is so important for both your health and your happiness. Some of the best sources include fatty fish such as salmon and sardines (wild caught, not farmed) as well as flax seeds and walnuts. Nosh on walnuts as a healthy snack and eat fatty fish at least twice per week.

    Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

    It only takes an extra two or three minutes at most, and sometimes is even faster. Climbing stairs is actually great exercise, and if you make a habit of it, you will be a far more conditioned person.

    Stop doing anything in your bed except for sleep and sex.

    This tip also relies on the power of conditioning. You want your body to know that when your head hits the pillow, it’s time to either nod off or get it on.

    Be sensible about your caffeine intake.

    Everyone responds to caffeine differently, but you should probably avoid consuming caffeine after dinner. You should also generally moderate your caffeine intake, because it can stay in your system and affect your sleep even if you don’t realize it.

    Take a break whenever you feel stressed.

    In those moments where it all just seems like too much, it’s best to step away for a moment. Do anything but whatever it was that was stressing you out until you feel a little bit better. The best thing to do is a simple breathing exercise. Close your eyes, try to relax, and take ten deep breaths. For each breath, count to four as you inhale, hold it for a four count, and exhale for another four. This works wonders almost immediately.

    Quit smoking.

    This is probably the most obvious item on this entire list, and it’s probably also the most challenging.

    Decrease exposure to toxic chemicals in your environment.

    There are all sorts of chemicals in the products that you use that can be harmful to your health. It would be impossible to completely eliminate exposure, but you do yourself a favor by reducing it. These chemicals come in all shapes and sizes and we don’t fully understand the effect they have on our health. There are entirely too many chemicals and unknowns for this section to be truly comprehensive.

    chemicals and unknowns for this section to be truly comprehensive.

    Exercise your mind.

    A balanced lifestyle requires an attitude of lifelong learning. The world changes rapidly, and you should constantly be learning new things to adapt. Plus, being more knowledgeable can make you a more interesting person and better conversationalist. Learning can expand your world by improving your skills and opening your mind to more than one side of an issue. Essentially, your brain creates new connections and becomes more efficient as you use it.

    Meditate for at least five minutes per day.

    You are more than welcome to go above and beyond five minutes, but this can sometimes be tough for beginners. There are many different kinds of meditation, but the general idea is to get your mind to focus on one thing and one thing only for a period of time. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your focus.

    Learn to forgive others and let go of grudges.

    One of the hardest things you can do is learn to forgive others who have wronged you in some way. Think for a moment about what unforgiveness actually is. The refusal to forgive someone else is a self-imposed stressor. By not forgiving someone, you are essentially punishing yourself for what the other person did to you! When put this way, doesn’t holding a grudge seem like a stupid idea?

     

  • Mermaid syndrome (sirenomelia): Prevention and early detection are the best options

    The affected children are never allowed to see the sun, and no one is ready to give relevant information to any reasonable extent .An attempt by this author to do a hospital based study on the prevalence of common atraumatic musculoskeletal disorders in a geopolitical part of the country is ongoing but has been faced with the challenge of recall bias and cooperation by community dwellers

    The level of health education is Nigeria remains low and this translates to unremarkable levels of health awareness .There is therefore the traditional tendency to ascribe anything unusual to the hand work of enemies operating directly or by remote control. Moreover ,either by destiny or evil design, the country now has two fairly defined social classes ;the very rich and the poor. The gulf between the two is astronomical and it is widening every day . So baby factories have emerged all over the place and because pregnancy in such situations is perceived as illegal, being organized purely for commercial purposes, all parties particularly the individuals biologically responsible for them have no other interest in it . How to conceal(hide )the pregnancy is the main challenge . This is the practice and it is the same for young women operating alone as individuals ,scattered all over the country and doing their trade secretly with only very few people knowing and those other organizations wanting to make it big overnight. When pregnancies are concealed, health centers are not likely to be accessed for antenatal care, there will also be malnutrition . concealed and unwanted pregnancies are very likely to be associated with malformations and birth defects which may declare themselves as intrauterine death, stillbirth, or birth defects . An affected child may also grow into adult hood with all sorts of problems

    On the other hand, some wealthy women when pregnant expose themselves to avoidable life styles that may predispose them to issues of birth defects . Ordinarily Doctors in Obstetrics and Gynecology units of Hospitals will not place pregnant women on mega supplements. Often they find themselves having to convince their clients to avoid indiscriminate use of highly advertised drugs so they can avoid unforeseen tragedies.

    In a pregnancy considered normal, one zygote develops into an embryo which after nine weeks develops into a fetus; the fetus after the 34th week is expected to lie inside the womb and no where else, with the head down and chin tucked under the chest , and with upper and lower limbs folded neatly across the chest and abdomen. From this comment, it becomes easy to understand why Doctors handle conditions of multiple pregnancy(pregnancy with more than one baby), breech presentation among many others with utmost concern and care. A woman receiving drug treatment for infertility following assisted reproductive techniques can achieve pregnancy with as many as ten babies in her womb in one pregnancy. The fact that in 90% of cases ,not a single one of them survives till the end of pregnancy or end of the first one year of life will answer the question as to whether or not twin pregnancy should be considered normal . As with Siamese(conjoined) twins, Mermaid syndrome is more likely to occur in twin pregnancies

    MERMAID SYNDROME(SIRENOMELIA)

    The word Syndrome defines a group of anomalies occurring together and which have a specific common cause

    In this PURELYMEDICAL CONDITION , the two lower limbs are fused together lengthwise from the waist down and then covered partially with skin tissue, the two feet are joined together with the heels in apposition and the toes spread out. The whole arrangement presents what really looks like the tail of a the mythical sea creature, Mermaid . The name derives from the physical appearance of the lower part of the body to the tail of mermaid

    Sirenomelia can occur anywhere in the world and not restricted to communities located near big rivers as many people claim, neither does it have anything to do with the mermaid spirit. In terms of prevalence it is rare birth defect occurring ,about 1 in 70,000-100,000 pregnancies, as rare as Siamese twins. Death usually occurs within a few hours of life. Some cases have survived ,walked and lived up to the age of ten, after undergoing over 40 surgical operations

    Sirenomelia is more likely to occur in un booked(unsupervised) or concealed pregnancy and in pregnancies monitored in prayer houses .When a baby with the description just given comes out with liquor(birth water) and covered with mucus and vernix , most parents conclude that a normal baby had been changed to a baby mermaid and it is not any easy task convincing them otherwise. The syndrome is an advanced form of conditions associated with limb hypoplasia. Other features commonly associated with it include, cleft lip, cleft palate, genital dysgenesis, ambiguous genitalia, renal agenesis(kidneys not formed) ,bladder may not be present, Some will have problems with the back bone (vertebral column anomalies)as stated in the picture.

  • Sex and health

    Over the years and up to recently, readers of this Family Health Column kept sending me questions about their sexual problems, many agonizing and wanting solutions. I realized that many problems are from lack of education, lack of information, and lack of training. Often people can make their own decisions and solve their own problems if they were better enlightened and better prepared. In the past few weeks we have therefore discussed aphrodisiacs. As we treat this topic, we should however remember that knowledge is always a two edged sword that can be used for good or evil.

    Sexual health is an important aspect of family health. Sex is important for bonding of spouses. In scriptural simplicity, Jesus masterfully refers to it as “the two become one flesh”. Various religions do not discount the importance of sex and traditionally, where celibacy was advocated, it was supported by monastic life for the minority that set themselves aside for such living in service of institutional religion, for the sake of religion or for the love of God and humanity.

    “The two become one flesh.” That degree of intimacy, unity, and oneness of a man and wife in sexual intercourse, I dare say, cannot be achieved through any other means. In the early years of marriage it can create a bond that lasts “till death do us part”. Young people therefore need proper sexual education for good and lasting marriages. If sexual experience is proper and good in early marriage, sexual activity may wane over the years while the bonding initiated waxes till death.

    As sex is generally an intimate matter, it is important that couples know how to solve their own problems as much as possible, look up information, choose useful supports carefully, and agree on what is satisfactory.

    Readers have sent many questions and we will discuss some of them for the general readership. Each reader with his or her own physical and spiritual maturity can thus work out what is best for his or her relationship. To help us, we here first summarize some of the benefits of good and proper sex and some of the harms of improper and excessive sex.

    Good and proper sex is guiltless and contributes to physical, mental, and spiritual health; it gives one a healthy psyche and sense of well-being, fulfillment, and happiness; the best of its fruits are progeny (children) which various religions portray as a source of happiness; and good children are generally the best work a couple leave behind when they die. A happy person is a building block of a happy world.

    Improper and excessive sex is a result of some problem. Medically, scientifically, religiously, and culturally, we recognize sexual deviations. Some deviations can be supported, some deviations can be treated, some deviations can be accepted with abandonment, and some deviations can be harmful to innocent human beings. In many cases, improper sex is not a lasting occurrence but is linked with adventure, risky behavior, drug use and abuse, environment, improper relationships, vice, opportunity, power, or peer pressure. It lacks the peace of guiltlessness. The harms produced by such improper sex are plethoric and could be physical, psychological, spiritual, or economic. In other cases, sex may be improper because the participants are physically deviant, mentally deviant, or spiritually deviant and the best they can have is improper sex. Such could be a lasting occurrence or could change for the better with physical, psychological or spiritual support, treatment, or counseling. Improper or deviant sex readily draws stigma from phobic persons; can predispose those who practice such to other people’s bias and prejudice; and can cause social displacement of deviant individuals who then colonize themselves amongst like-minded and similar persons further enhancing their deviant tendency.

    Uninformed, improper, and deviant sex within or aside of marriage can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, sex-linked manias, spiritual numbness, and social disorders.

    There are many products in the market to help people with sexual disability and sexual dysfunction that are treatable. Sexual lack and sexual starvation are also deviant life conditions that many tend to overlook but have consequences. Often deprivation is just next door to depravity.

     

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910 or 08160944635

  • Are you financially faithful?

    Dear Reader, It is a clearly established fact in God’s Word, that His will for your family is financial prosperity. The Word of God says: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2-3). God’s will is clear, but it leaves you with responsibilities which you must fulfill, in order to enjoy the benefits thereof. These articles, therefore, are an exploration of what God has provided and what you must do to take hold and benefit from it. Christianity without proof is futility. Your family can experience a financial breakthrough, if you imbibe and follow God’s instructions, especially in this year of Exceeding Grace.

    God has covenanted and He is committed to your financial prosperity this year, but, do you have a financial plan for the year? A family that desires to prosper financially, should have a laid down rule for spending and earning money. Many families do not see the need for a budget. If you take time to undertake a survey, you will discover that only two, out of every 10 families, have financial budgets for their families. It is a fact that those who fail in life failed because they failed to plan. A man of wisdom said, failing to plan is planning to fail! Planning is a vital requirement, if you desire a financial miracle.

    Therefore, it is important to plan your family’s weekly and monthly expenditures. The Word of God says: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:28-31). ‘Sitteth down first’ means to map out a plan. Plan your expenditure pattern. If you don’t, impulsive spending can rob you of a bright financial future. One man of God said, “Any army general that wants to go to war, must win the battle on paper first, before he takes his men to the battlefield or else they will be slaughtered”. He must first sit down and draw a strategy of attack on paper. He should also have alternatives, in case of a surprise attack. The same thing applies, if your desire to have a financial future. You need to plan how you are going to spend your money on paper first.

    What is planning? Someone said, “Planning is thinking plus writing”. Think about the things you need to spend money on during the week, for the month; list them out and calculate, so when the money comes, you know where to put it. This also involves projecting into the future, because as you think, “What do I need money for this month?”, you are thinking ahead. For the believer in Christ Jesus, this is the essence of “the gift of a sound mind.” God promised all His children in Christ Jesus the gift of mental prowess (2 Timothy 1:7).

    The Bible says: we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16). Thus, as a Christian, you no longer have a dull mind. The gift of a sound mind is given you, so you can have a sense of direction (wisdom). It offers wisdom (Proverbs 8:12) so that you know what to do with what you have. If you think well, what you have is enough. It is good to have a sound financial plan for your family, so that you can live happily within your income. I see a financial revolution taking place in your family, in the precious name of Jesus Christ!

    I want you to know that labour minus wisdom (sound mind, planning) is frustration, weariness and poverty. The Word of God says: The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city (Ecclesiastes 10:15). As long as you don’t plan ahead, you will weary your family members by begging for money, before the month ends. You will not be a liability to your family in Jesus’ name. The wisdom you are receiving today, will set you free from financial misfortune in Jesus’ name

    Planning and budgeting are necessary for proper financial management. How will you know how much you need per month, if you have not sat down to write out what your expenditures for the month are? You need to budget for domestic needs and essential commodities. Also, if you find out that what you earn is not enough, sitting down to plan will help you tailor your expenditure. As a child of God, you ought to cut your coat according to your cloth and not size.

    To waste what you have, is an offence to the Lord. The Lord Jesus gave this example when He said in John 6:12: Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. In Isaiah 54:16 He said: I created the waster to destroy. This means a waster is also a destroyer. He destroys good things without knowing.

    If you lack the wisdom required to plan and budget, why not hand over your life to Christ Jesus first, to help you. Except a man be born again he cannot see… (John 3:3). You need to be born again first, to be able to see the way of escape God has provided for you. In case you are already born again, know that wisdom is yours by covenant. Next, you need to ask your heavenly Father for wisdom. God’s Word says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).

    Lastly, stir up your mind and be imparted with grace. You stir up your mind, by sitting down to think: “What do I need?,” writing down your needs and calculating the cost. Also, by reading God’s Word, you will gain easy access to the wisdom you need to plan efficiently.

    You need His grace to plan and budget appropriately, so ask for His grace now. You have a bright financial future. Do not be a prodigal son, plan wisely today.

    Are you born again? If you are not, you don’t have genuine access to operate the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) If you are set for it, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your blood. Deliver me form sin and Satan to serve the living God. I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your kingdom.Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe that you will begin to experience the reality of the price that Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name!
    Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com.  Tel.  No: 08141320204; 07026385437; 07094254102
    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

  • Aphrodisiac Neutraceuticals

    Here we will mention a few of these neutraceuticals that have been best sellers and have netted in multimillion and even billion dollar profits for their manufacturers. Of course a lot of propaganda and psychic capture is involved. On the other hand, real sexual issues are addressed. For example, some recent studies show that 63% of men suffer from “small penis syndrome.” Products that are claimed to enlarge the penis are obvious best sellers. There are ample claims of increased penis size, better erections, better orgasm, etc. Do not rush to get them. Consult your doctor to see if your health condition is compatible with any product you wish to use to improve your sex life.

    PHGH™ is a neutraceutical that contains arginine. Amongst the proposed effects of arginine are reduction in vaginal dryness and stimulation of orgasm in females. Arginine taken with other supplements helps to increase clitoral sensation.

    ExtenZe™ is a herbal nutritional supplement that is claimed to promote temporary enlargement of the penis (a “chubby one”) and to “enhance sexual desire, pleasure and performance.” ExtenZe was one of the most marketed and most sold male enhancement supplements to date but other products have taken over the market. Its key ingredient is yohimbe bark extract, a powerful vasodilator which can cause severe side effects for many users. Side effects of ExtenZe may include heart palpitations, migraines, dizzy spells, insomnia, anxiety and mood swings. ExtenZe contains a steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) that is banned in athletic competition. ExtenZe also contains L-arginine, horny goat weed, Tribulusterrestris, damiana, Muirapuama, cnidium, velvet deer antler, Korean ginseng, and zinc.

    Passion Rx™ is an enhancer for both men and women. From the distributors: “This natural formula enhances sexual stamina, pleasure, and libido. It helps with erectile function and blood flow. Many users notice improved and more enjoyable orgasms and climaxes along with improved skin sensation.” It is made up of a combination of herbs from the Amazon, India, China, Malaysia, and Africa. These include: acetylcarnitine, ashwagandha, catuaba, cnidium, horny goat weed, maca, Mucunapruriens, Muirapuama, passion flower, tribulus herb, tongkatali and yohimbe.

    Erectzan™: “users …. noted better control over ejaculation, increased sex drive and notable increase in the length and girth of their penises over and beyond their usual size.”

    Vydox™: “the world’s #1 male enhancement solution, is formulated with clinically proven, L-Arginine, which has proven to provide better quality erections and sexual enhancement. The ingredients in Vydox™ have been used for years as a safe and natural method for increasing penis size, erection quality and stamina. With its’ proprietary formula of the most potent ingredients, Vydox™ can provide the following benefits: firmer, harder and longer erections, substantial increase in stamina, intense orgasms, no more pre-mature ejaculation”

    Longinexx™“contains low enough concentrations of ingredients to keep side-effects to a minimum. However, it also contains Yohimbe which can have adverse side effects on blood pressure and heart health, increasing your risk for heart attack and stroke. Amongst its constituents are L-arginine and Buteasuperba, Tribulusterrestris (Bulgarian variety), Cnidiummonnieri, Eurycomalongifolia (or Tongkat Ali), and Piper longum.

    Other products are: Hardazan Plus, Maxis 10, Zenerx, Zyrexinand Natural Huge.

    Triactol™

    Many women are preoccupied by their looks and sex appeal. Lack of self -confidence can be a sexual impediment. Some breast enhancement products are made to help women who have bigger and firmer breast. Triactol bust serum containsmirofirm and helps the body to increase estrogen levels. Triactol bust serum is applied to the breasts after shower/bath when the skin pores are open and the serum can be absorbed faster. Massaging of the breasts increases the absorption. It is claimed that: “More than 94% of the women who participated in the clinical studies have experienced incredible results. To make things better, the serum doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, parabens or preservatives. Thus, you can be sure that the ingredients are natural. Not only that, but this also proves why the Triactol bust serum has no side effects.” “According to a Triactol results chart, after 42 days of using the serum you may feel an increase of 81% in enlargement, 88% in lifting and 94% in firming. These are the results that women experienced during the Triactol clinical studies. Thus, you can easily notice that in only 42 days you can experience a breast enlargement of a cup or even more.”

    Brestrogen™ is a similar product.

    Puerariamirifica cream and puerariamirifica powder are sold as breast enhancers. It contains phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). One product, Purafem™ is claimed to make the breasts firm and to increase the bust size by 2 cups within 30-60 days and can be used after menopause. Both women with small breasts and women with sagging breasts are supposed to benefit. It can also enhance breast formation in men.

    Dr. ‘Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910 or 08160944635

     

  • Mermaid syndrome (sirenomelia): Prevention and early detection are the best options

    Mermaid syndrome (sirenomelia): Prevention and early detection are the best options

    Cleft lip, Cleft palate, hydrocephalus (abnormally large head in an infant), Down syndrome( most patients intellectually disabled / imbecile) , polydactyl (having more than the normal number of fingers and toes) are some of the cases of birth defects that can be seen and are familiar to people all over the world . There are many other birth defects that are not visible on the outside but which nevertheless are capable of causing death at birth or continuous existence in the patient as timed bombs. Conditions like Wolf Parkinson white syndrome, septal defects of the heart, ectopia vesica(bladder and urinary passage tube protruding in the pelvic region with no covering of abdominal wall) anencephaly (only eyes on a collapsed skull, no brain tissue) and sirenomelia are not very common but do occur sporadically, not as results of manipulations of enemies( real and imagined) but truly from the consequences of genetic and environmental factors, acting independently or in concert. Once out of the womb and alive you have no right under the law of the land to do anything that will further harm an affected child. To the families currently battling with children and young adults born with malformations, many questions continue to beg for answers in their minds; why me? Where did this come from? Where can we find solution and at what cost? The ideation that God should just take away the child so you can begin afresh is always unavoidable . In fact families have split under the emotional trauma of making several trips to hospitals with their affected children and having no success to show . Many find themselves blaming partner, family members and even God, especially when years of perseverance rooted in vernicular faith fail to provide solution.

    Many cases of severe structural malformations are not compatible with life What happens to those who survive the first one week ,month or year depends on many conditions, and circumstances .The very severe cases are given names of animals or monsters, doing so either out of ignorance or deliberately in order to provide moral and legal context for getting rid of them .Some are killed and buried secretly .Many of them are simply locked up in specially designed rooms and starved to death. Others are abandoned in Hospitals

    We do have an obligation to demystify some birth defects in particular those ones not seen very often in our environment either because they are underreported and no one is interested in research or because they are erroneously considered non existent. It took a white woman to convince some communities in this country that twins are not monsters and should not be killed; quite unfortunately the practice has not stopped. If healthy well formed twins can be killed by communities who consider them monsters, what fate do we expect conjoint or Siamese twins to suffer. All these should stimulate interest into this rare syndrome, which comes with absence of or malformations of other hollow organs such as the intestines, stomach, bladder. It also supports the level of emphasis on family planning and making sure that every pregnant woman has access to and receives antenatal care.

    While it is simple to characterize some birth defects ,there are others about which it is difficult to be precise with regards to their frequency of occurrence or prevalence. One such birth defect described below is sirenomelia also called mermaid syndrome , also referred to as Marmadism, caudal regression syndrome, caudal dysgenesis et

    Prevalence of birth defects in the Nigerianenvironment World wide, major structural anomalies such as anencephaly(absence of a brain, part of the brain with similar involvement of the bony skull ) Marmaid syndrome and ectopia vesica occur in approximately 2%-3% of infants born alive .About 3% to 7% of cases are discovered in under5 clinics. Birth defects are responsible for about 21% of death occurring in infants. Environmental and genetic factors account for 10% and 15% respectively for birth defects but in more than 40% of cases, the cause is unknown . These estimates may be low in countries where central authorities are not serious about what happens to the health of citizens in small towns and villages and many cases of birth defects are thrown into the forest or buried at sea. It is difficult to be precise on the matter of prevalence when it comes to orthopedic and surgical problems of children. The reasons are not too far and can be fetched; Many cases of birth defects fall in the provinces of surgery and orthopedics and parents prefer the lower treatment charges obtainable in the healing homes run by traditional bone healers. Once taken away, they remain hidden from the public, including Medical Doctors, neighbors and even close family members and parents resist attempts to investigate the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and birth.

  • Home: Sweet home (3)

    Dear Reader, I welcome you specially to this glorious week. MERRY CHRISTMAS! I will be sharing with you this week, being the week to Christmas, Christ, is the reason for the season. It is very important that I ask you these very vital questions: Do you really know why you celebrate Christmas? Where do you stand with Jesus Christ today, as you celebrate His Birth day? It is an important issue to ponder about. May your reason of celebration be Jesus Christ, the reason for the season!

    It is possible for one to be busy and doing everything to make the season glorious, but never know the reason for the celebration. It is also possible to be celebrating, without knowing the One that we are celebrating.

    So many people get together and have fun, but they don’t know the meaning of their celebration. Some people think Christmas is a time to decorate the house, give out beautiful gifts, fill the home with a lot of good things, but in actual fact, they don’t know Who they are celebrating. Year after year, a lot of people celebrate Christmas, eat and drink; so many people don’t remember Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.

    Christmas Means Christ

    Christmas literally means the celebration of Christ. “Christ” is a Greek word and title, which means the “anointed “Messiah.” Based on the words of ancient prophets, the first century Jewish people expected the arrival of the Messiah promised by God, as a great Deliverer of the people.

    Christmas, therefore, is a Christian holiday on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus. Ancient Romans also commemorated Jesus’ birth by marking a division of the calendar still in use today. The years before Jesus’ birth are marked as B.C. (Before Christ), and the years after Jesus’ birth are marked A.D. (Anno Domini, which means, in the year of our Lord).

    Jesus’ biography as recorded by Luke shows how Mary and her husband Joseph left their home in Nazareth and travelled to Bethlehem, to enroll in the census ordered by the Roman emperor, Augustus. Finding no room in inns in the town, they lodged in a manger, where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the home of the house of King David from which Joseph was descended, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. This is confirmed to Mary by a visit from angels and shepherds. Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem, was unique in all of history. He was not created by a human father and mother. He had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). He is God, the SonCreator of the universe (Philippians 2:5-11

    Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

    This is an individual thing — a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is alive, and wants to know and be known by you. No “religion” can save you, nor can any denomination or church or organization. Where do you stand with Him today, as you celebrate His Birth day? It is time for you to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, if you don’t have a personal relationship with Him.

    This entails confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today, I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins, cleanse me with Your blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God. I believe You died for me and on the third day, You rose that I might be justified. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into your kingdom.

     

    Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe that you will begin to experience the reality of the price that Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name!

     

    Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com, faithdavid2013@gmail.com Tel. No: 08141320204; 07026385437; 07094254102

    For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).