"Watch and pray" is a phrase that encourages people to be alert and hopeful in challenging situations. It suggests that people should be aware of potential dangers while also maintaining faith and seeking guidance.
The phrase is used in the Bible in Matthew 26:41, where Jesus tells his disciples to "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation". Jesus also used the phrase earlier in his ministry when he prophesied about the end times.
Here are some interpretations of the phrase:
Be alert
The word "watch" means to be alert like a guard at night. Jesus warned that people are easily distracted by the physical and can be caught unaware if they don't discipline themselves.
Guard against Satan
The concept of watching is similar to a soldier guarding against an enemy attack. Satan's attacks are subtle and come in the form of ideas, impulses, and moods.
Be spiritually prepared
People need to be spiritually alert and prepared to avoid falling into temptation.
Pay attention to what hinders your walk with God
People should pay attention to anything that may hinder their walk with God, such as the flesh, natural conditions, and circumstances around them.

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. Remember that life is a journey, not a destination. And the truth is, it's often the smallest steps, the quietest moments, and the darkest nights that lead to the most profound breakthroughs. So, take a deep breath, be brave, and keep moving forward. For it's in the darkness that we discover our greatest strengths, and it's in the uncertainty that we find our most profound opportunities for growth."

I hope this quote inspires you to stay focused, motivated, and committed to your goals, even when faced with challenges and uncertainties.

final episode

"No One is Home":

Episode 10: The Echo Chamber

Ava and I stood before the entrance to the Echo Chamber, our hearts racing with anticipation and fear. Mae's words echoed in our minds: "The Shadow Weaver's minions guard the Chamber. You'll need all your wits and courage to succeed."

We exchanged a deep breath, and Ava pushed open the creaky door. A musty smell wafted out, and we stepped inside, our eyes adjusting to the dim light.

The Echo Chamber was a labyrinthine network of narrow corridors and cavernous rooms. We navigated the twisting passages, our footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls.

As we walked, the air grew thick with an eerie, pulsating energy. I could feel the Shadow Weaver's presence, its dark power seeping into my bones.

Suddenly, Ava grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with alarm. "Do you hear that?" she whispered.

I listened, and soon I picked up the sound of scuttling, scratching noises, growing louder by the second. The Shadow Weaver's minions were closing in.

We quickened our pace, our hearts pounding in unison. The corridors seemed to shift and twist around us, making it impossible to get our bearings.

Just when we thought all was lost, Ava spotted a glimmer of light ahead. "The Chamber!" she exclaimed, tugging me toward the radiance.

We burst into a vast, crystal-lined cavern, the Echo Chamber's heart. At the center of the room, a glowing crystal pulsed with an otherworldly energy.

Ava rushed toward the crystal, but I hesitated, sensing a trap. That's when I saw it: the Shadow Weaver, its dark form coalescing before us.

The Shadow Weaver spoke in a voice that was both ancient and evil. "You fools," it hissed. "You think you can defeat me? I have the power to weave reality itself!"

Ava stood tall, the crystal's energy coursing through her veins. "We'll never give up," she declared. "We'll shatter your hold on this town, no matter the cost!"

The Shadow Weaver sneered, but Ava's words seemed to unsettle it. For a moment, its dark form wavered.

That's when I remembered Mae's words: "The Shadow Weaver's power is weakened in the Echo Chamber." I realized that the crystal's energy was the key to defeating the Shadow Weaver.

With newfound determination, Ava reached out and touched the crystal. Its energy surged through her, and she began to glow with a soft, pulsing light.

The Shadow Weaver let out a deafening screech as Ava's light enveloped it. The dark form began to dissipate, its power unraveling like threads from a tapestry.

As the Shadow Weaver vanished, the Echo Chamber began to shake. The crystal's energy was fading, and the room started to collapse.

Ava grabbed my hand, and we sprinted toward the exit. We emerged from the Echo Chamber just as it imploded, sealing the Shadow Weaver's dark power within.

As we stumbled away from the wreckage, I turned to Ava. "We did it," I said, my voice shaking with exhaustion and relief.

Ava smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "We sure did."

Epilogue:

The town began to heal, its residents slowly awakening from the Shadow Weaver's spell. Emily, now free from the entity's control, reunited with her family.

Ava and I became local heroes, our names etched in the town's history. We remained close friends, our bond forged in the fires of our terrifying adventure.

As for Mae, she vanished into the night, leaving behind only a cryptic message: "The shadows will always be there, waiting. But with courage and friendship, even the darkest of evils can be vanquished."

And so, our story comes to an end. I hope you enjoyed the ride!

"No One is Home"

Episode 9: The Shadow Weaver's Secret

Ava's eyes scanned the pages of the ancient book, her brow furrowed in concentration. I watched as she devoured the knowledge within, her expression growing more determined by the minute.

Suddenly, she slammed the book shut, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "I know how to stop the Shadow Weaver," she declared.

I felt a surge of hope. "What is it?"

Ava's voice dropped to a whisper. "We need to find the Echo Chamber. It's a place where the Shadow Weaver's power is weakened. If we can reach it, we might be able to defeat the entity and shatter the Shadow Weaver's hold on the town."

I nodded, determination coursing through my veins. "Let's do it."

As we prepared to leave, Mae's voice stopped us. "Wait, children. You're not ready. The Echo Chamber is guarded by the Shadow Weaver's minions. You'll need to be clever and resourceful if you hope to succeed."

Ava's eyes locked onto mine. "We'll do it. We have to."

Arsenal's defender Gabriel scores against Sporting Lisbon and does the Gyökeres celebration on Gyökeres head top in his hood

We don't see this often

Alia Welcomes Shettima and Other Dignitaries to Benue State
Hosts Valedictory Session in Honor of Late Paul Unongo
By Isaac Uzaan

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, warmly welcomed Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, to Benue State.

The Vice President visited the state to attend an Executive Valedictory Session held in honor of the late Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo. The event took place at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, and was graced by several prominent figures, including the Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Leader of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi; and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, among other top federal and state officials.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian government, Senator Shettima expressed heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Benue State on the loss of Wantaregh Paul Unongo. He described the late elder statesman as a symbol of unity, humility, and love. Shettima praised Unongo’s life as a testament to resilience and his unwavering belief in Nigeria's potential, noting that his legacy would serve as a guiding light for future generations.

Prof. Ango Abdullahi, representing the Northern Elders Forum, highlighted Unongo’s exemplary virtues of love and humility. He acknowledged his pivotal role in strengthening and advancing the Northern Elders Forum.

In their remarks, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Minister Audu Ogbeh also paid glowing tributes to the late Unongo, emphasizing his outstanding qualities. They extended their deepest condolences to his family and the people of Benue State.

Be silent - when it is time to listen.

Don’t be happy.I don’t Really forgive people,I just pretend like it’s ok and wait for my turn to destroy them.

Here are a few interesting stories, each with a valuable lesson:

1. The Farmer and the Horses

A farmer had a horse that ran away. His neighbors came to sympathize with him, saying, "What bad luck!" The farmer replied, "Maybe so, maybe not. We'll see." A few days later, the horse returned, bringing with it three wild horses. The neighbors congratulated the farmer, saying, "What good luck!" The farmer replied, "Maybe so, maybe not. We'll see." Later, the farmer's son tried to ride one of the wild horses, fell off, and broke his leg. The neighbors again expressed sympathy, but the farmer said, "Maybe so, maybe not. We'll see." A few weeks later, the king's army came to recruit young men for war, but because the farmer's son had a broken leg, he was spared. The neighbors said, "What good luck!" The farmer, as always, responded, "Maybe so, maybe not. We'll see."

Lesson: Life’s events are unpredictable, and what may seem good or bad at first often turns out differently over time. Sometimes, it’s important to stay patient and see how things unfold.

2. The Cracked Pot

A water bearer had two pots. One was perfect, and the other had a crack in it. Every day, he would carry two pots of water from the stream to his house. The perfect pot delivered a full portion, but the cracked pot only delivered half of its load. For two years, this went on, and the cracked pot felt ashamed of its imperfection. Finally, it spoke to the water bearer and said, "I am ashamed of myself because I can only deliver half of my load." The water bearer smiled and replied, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other side? I have always known about your flaw, and I planted seeds on your side of the path. Every day, you water them, and they bloom beautifully. If you were not the way you are, these flowers would not exist."

Lesson: Embrace your imperfections; they may serve a greater purpose that you might not immediately see.

3. The Bamboo and the Oak Tree

A storm came, and a mighty oak tree stood firm, its roots deep and strong. Beside it, a bamboo swayed in the wind, its stalks bending without breaking. The oak tree mocked the bamboo, saying, "Why don’t you stand like me and be strong?" The bamboo replied, "I bend with the wind to survive." The storm grew more powerful, and eventually, the oak tree was uprooted and torn apart. The bamboo, however, bent with the wind and survived the storm.

Lesson: Flexibility is often more valuable than rigidity. Adapting to change helps us endure difficult times.

4. The Two Wolves

An old Cherokee storyteller told his grandson: "Inside me, there are two wolves. One is evil—he is anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, and compassion." The grandson thought for a moment and asked, "Which wolf wins?" The old man replied, "The one you feed."

Lesson: Our thoughts shape our reality. The emotions and actions we nurture will determine the kind of life we lead.

5. The Starfish Story

A man was walking along a beach covered with starfish that had been washed ashore. He noticed a young boy picking up the starfish and throwing them back into the sea. The man approached him and asked, "Why are you throwing these starfish back? There are so many. You can’t possibly make a difference." The boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the sea. He looked at the man and said, "It made a difference to that one."

Lesson: Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life. Never underestimate the impact of your actions.


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Each of these stories offers insights into the nature of life, helping us understand the importance of patience, flexibility, acceptance of our flaws, the power of our choices, and the significance of small acts of kindness.

The influence of emotional contagion:

Humans have a tendency to “catch” emotions from others through a process called emotional contagion.

When we interact with someone experiencing strong emotions, we may unconsciously mirror those emotions ourselves.

Being aware of this phenomenon can help us navigate social situations and manage our own emotional well-being.