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It is commonly attributed to English Philosopher Francis Bacon the phase: Knowledge is power. Putting in the context of his writings, some think that Bacon is referring to Proverbs 24:5 “The wise prevail through great power, and those whose who have knowledge muster their strength.” Meaning, one who has wisdom is powerful; the power of knowing and the power of working and acting. This phase infers that knowledge and education increases one’s potential or abilities in life. It is important to note that the book of Proverbs, known as the “Book of Wisdom”, primarily deal with the importance of wisdom and its application in one’s life. Wisdom therefore is the proper application of knowledge. So why is knowledge or education power? Education integrates knowledge, understanding and skills; thus promoting ideas, innovation and creativity; which in itself is a new way of seem the world around us. It opens the door for new opportunities and possibilities. Education does matter in today’...

Despite the push to redefine the concept of family (familia in Latin), there is something about the nuclear family, no matter the culture, that is fascinating. Family is the primary institution for socialization. It is through the family’s paradigm that one gain the first and most influential interpretation of the world, and those first impressions are hard to change. There is an expression in Portuguese that says “a primeira impreҁão e a que fica” the first impression is the one that stick. It is a tragedy the attack aimed to the family and the threats surrounding its core concepts. The main hostility to the family comes from an individualistic view of life; by its own definition family cannot be defined in an individualistic setting, because the concept of family is based on the unity of many individuals. Regardless the perils faced by the family we all need and cherish it. Family provides a bond of love and accountability. It is the place where feelings, aspirations and disap...

You can picture the scene: Students in fire gear waiting for the instructor’s directions to enter a fire box engulfed in theatrical smoke during the fire-fighting exercise. You can imagine them donning a life jacket and putting an immersion suit before entering the life raft during the pool exercise of the sea survival training. Last week 18 students attended this US Coast Guard approved Basic Safety training course before joining the crew of the Africa Mercy in Conakry, Guinea. They learned fire prevention and fire-fighting, CPR and First Aid, work safety and sea survival. When they arrive on board they will ready to step into action.

Last Sunday I was asked to pray over the offering in my church. My church custom is that if you have an offering to come forward and deposit it in a basket in the front of the sanctuary, but this is not what I want to talk about. My focus here is that the act of bringing our gifts and tithes is a mere mimicking of what God does to us. Giving is God’s nature. The Apostle John says that God so loved the world that He gave his son (John 3:16). One could dispute, and many do, that our gifts cannot compare to the gift of God? They are right it does not. Nevertheless, even though God does not need our gifts the Bible states that that “God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). People that give are happy people. I have a friend that told me that he had a dream that lots of money came out of his pockets as he gave it out. He is a generous giver. Generosity is a gift that needs to be pursued and practiced; it is unconditional and frees us from the love of things, may it be money or somethin...