Should older children earn their pocket money?

A friend told me of her friend who finished school, got a job and left home to stay on her own. Stacy was suddenly under pressure because she could not understand money especially the spending and saving part of it.

Stacy exclaimed, Toilet tissue is expensive!'

If Stacy had earned pocket money while in school, she would not be surprised at the cost of toilet tissue. Her bewilderment implied that her parents must have catered for all her needs without exposing her to money and how to manage it. Consequently, she finds that she runs out of money before the next pay check. She was not prepared to face life on her own... [Read more]

Would you sacrifice family for career?

I am sure we may have heard such comments like:

"He has done well for himself. He is now the managing director of the company but one of his sons is a drug addict while the other is presently in jail for murder."

"She is a renowned human right activist but
her home is in chaos"

Career is like a rubber plate when dropped from a height is not affected by the impact of the fall. It is recovered still as a plate and can still be used. However, family is like a clay plate that falls from the same height but shatters to pieces. It can no longer be utilized as a plate unless the pieces are crushed and re-moulded. Re-moulding will certainly result in something different from the one that broke and there is the possibility of not being impressed with the outcome. So why would you choose to drop the clay plate instead of the rubber plate? A well moulded beautifully designed clay plate would usually be more attractive than the rubber plate anytime any day! [More..]

Were Ananias and Sapphira struck down by God?

Ananias and Sapphira were indeed struck down by God. In a community with total openness and transparency, they dared to introduce deceit.

It is written that the community of believers then were of one heart and one mind (Acts 4:32-33, The Message). They shared everything as none of them claimed ownership of their possessions. None of them lacked because those who owned lands and houses sold them and brought the cost of sale to the apostles as offerings. Each time such money is brought, it is distributed according to everyone's need. An example was given of Joseph also called Barnabas who sold his field and brought the money. [More..]

Can medicines treat Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Although the cause of PD is not known, genetic and environmental factors are strongly considered to be the main determinants and also family history is a risk factor. Studies strongly suggest that exposure to pesticides, well water consumption, rural living, anonnacin (a sour-sop component) and other chemicals such as a synthetic opiate, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetr ahydropyridine (MPTP) are some of the predisposing environmental factors leading to Parkinson's disease. These factors trigger a complex of pathogenic events which lead to death of neurons called the dopaminergic nigral neurons in the brain. [More...]