God
Nigeria Owo church assault: Blood at the altar – BBC

Via Nduka Orjinmo
BBC Information, Abuja
Grace used to be being shared when the primary shot rang out. For dozens of worshippers on the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, south-western Nigeria, the Lord's prayer become a viaticum – the general prayer.
The armed males that burst in the course of the church doorways round 11:30 on Sunday prompt dynamite that had congregants scampering to flee the explosions.
As worshipers rushed for the opposite two exits within the chaos, they had been met by way of extra armed males, adopted by way of extra pictures and loud bangs.
On the finish, eyewitnesses say a minimum of 50 our bodies – a few of them youngsters – had been left strewn around the church flooring, whilst many extra had been injured.
There used to be blood at the altar, blood at the ground, our bodies at the pews.
It’s nonetheless now not transparent what number of people have died and or had been injured. However the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo says the church, which is without doubt one of the largest parishes in Ondo state, can cling as much as 1,200 folks. It used to be complete on the time of the assault.
This video can’t be performed
"They killed to their pride sooner than leaving," chorister John Nwovu advised the BBC.
He concealed within the vestry with others whilst the assault – which lasted for round half-hour – used to be happening and stated he used to be best stored by way of God's grace.
An explosion blew up the ceiling above him, burying him and several other others, he stated.
They bore the burden and ache in silence whilst the killers went about, choosing off worshippers hiding underneath the pews.
Mr Nwovu's brother, additionally a chorister, used to be shot within the leg and is recuperating in sanatorium.
"I don't suppose the surprise of what I noticed will depart me for the remainder of my existence," he stated.
Dynamite residue nonetheless litters the church, whilst the sacristy – the place many concealed – bears testimony to the chaos.
Sneakers, bible pages soaked in blood, handbags and different private assets are nonetheless scattered about.
For individuals of this quiet group in Ondo state, the church used to be greater than a spot of worship – it’s been part of their lives since start.
This used to be a marvel assault. Owo is fairly non violent and has been spared the wanton killings that appear to occur weekly throughout Nigeria.
Assaults on church buildings have came about sooner than – it used to be a tactic of Islamist militant workforce Boko Haram, however the gruesomeness of this assault has stunned many.
This used to be a congregation of the elderly and the very younger. Worshippers had became up of their Sunday perfect for the Pentecost carrier, which marks the start of the church and respectable finish of the Easter season.
"I noticed whole households being wiped away, buddies, family members, the ones I knew," stated Mr Nwovu.
For orthodox Nigerian Christians, first Sundays of the month also are important. They’re generally filled with vibrant thanksgivings led by way of households and parish teams and this may had been no other.
Folake Oni, 56, doesn't be mindful how she survived the assault. She best recollects exiting the church and being taken to sanatorium.
Her daughter Elizabeth Ademiluka advised the BBC that her mom used to be traumatized however bodily smartly.
On Monday, a sombre temper engulfed the city, with loads of nervous folks on the hospitals and dozens extra on the church.
Individuals are strolling about with a clean stare, questioning how their lives have modified eternally.
There’s nonetheless a crowd at two native hospitals the place volunteers rushed to donate blood after the assault.
However extra continues to be wanted, stated Nigeria's scientific affiliation, which has instructed folks to donate extra at native hospitals.
Everybody turns out to understand anyone within the sanatorium the place many are severely injured and a few are preventing for his or her lives.
Most of the survivors on the Federal Scientific Centre (FMC) in Owo had been shot in each legs, some may by no means stroll once more.
There’s a palpable outrage, a number of which has spilled onto social media, the place folks adopted the assault with surprise because it came about.
The photographs are too gory for lots of Nigerians, even the ones numbed by way of the a lot of deaths witnessed within the nation.
One of the most youngsters killed had been unrecognisable – the high-calibre bullets scattered flesh and bones, a scientific employee on the FMC advised the BBC.
"The audacity of Nigeria to take my folks from me. I will be able to all the time hate this nation!!!!! It's a promise!," stated one Twitter consumer.
The outrage over the killings has been additional exacerbated by way of photos of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and different individuals of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) consuming at a state dinner hosted by way of the president, hours after the assault.
In probably the most photos, the politicians wearing vibrant gowns are smiling. A tradition to elect the birthday party's presidential candidate for subsequent 12 months's common elections is underway in Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and different senior executive officers attended a birthday party on Sunday night time on the State Area.
Pool pictures: percent.twitter.com/brzgoCB7C1
Mr Buhari has launched a remark condemning the assault, an motion many Nigerians at the moment are used to, given the frequency of such killings.
"Handiest fiends from the nether area" can have executed this "dastardly act", the remark learn.
Elected on guarantees to finish lack of confidence, Nigeria's safety demanding situations have worsened underneath Mr Buhari, who’s winding right down to his tenure's finish subsequent Might.
Armed gangs which perform around the nation are infrequently delivered to e-book and nobody has any hopes that the killers of Owo can pay for the atrocity.
All eyes at the moment are at the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who has vowed to seek down the killers.
This incident will really feel private for Mr Akeredolu, as he comes from Owo.
He is without doubt one of the southern governors who’ve been very vital of the actions of herdsmen, who normally come from the north, and open grazing in Nigeria. He led to an enormous furore final 12 months when he ordered them to go away the forests within the state, accusing them of criminal activity.
There’s not anything that hyperlinks herders to the church assault, who’re simply scapegoated for such killings. Then again, they have got been accused of an identical assaults previously, particularly in central Nigeria, the place the struggle between herders and farmers for land has been particularly fierce.
The killers wore khaki trousers utilized by lots of Nigeria's many paramilitary teams, stated Mr Nwovu, so they might had been somebody.
The assault comes precisely per week after the pinnacle of the Methodist Church in Nigeria used to be kidnapped, at the side of two different clerics within the south-east of the rustic, and freed after paying $240,000 (£190,000).
Additionally, two weeks in the past, two Catholic monks had been abducted in Katsina, President Buhari's house state within the north of the rustic. They have got now not been launched.
This may really feel like a brand new wave of assaults at the church, and worshippers like Mr Nwovu are shaken.
"I will be able to't return to church with what I noticed, for now," he stated.
"However I will be able to't forestall worshipping God," he added.
Further reporting by way of the BBC's Olumide Owaduge in Owo
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God
The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother

Embracing True Friendship: The Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother
Friendship is a valuable asset that enriches our lives by providing companionship, support, and a shoulder to cry on. But have you ever had a buddy who goes above and beyond—someone who remains closer than a brother? In a world where relationships can be fickle, a friend who sticks by us through thick and thin is a rare and priceless gift.
More Than Just Blood Ties
Consider the tie between siblings, which is based on blood and shared history. Consider a buddy who is more than just a family member. “One who has untrustworthy friends soon comes to ruin,” says Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse describes a friendship that goes beyond basic conditions. It’s a bond founded on trust, loyalty, and real concern for one another.
Continuous Support
Consider a buddy who is present not only during happy times but also during difficult times. This type of friend is unconcerned about changing circumstances or personal gain. They provide their presence, encouragement, and steadfast support.
Jesus expresses the core of such friendship in John 15:13 (NIV): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This selfless affection serves as the foundation for a lasting connection.
Journeys Together
Consider a friend you’ve shared many stages of life with—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This shared experience forges a link that extends beyond surface-level exchanges. The value of companionship is brilliantly captured in Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV): “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
A friend who sticks closer than a brother is someone who goes beside us through life’s ups and downs, lending a solid hand and an ear to listen.
A Mirror of God’s Love
As a symbol of God’s love for us, consider the buddy who sticks closer than a brother. God Himself offers an unbroken, unchanging, and everlasting companionship. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” says the Bible in Romans 8:38–39.
God’s love is the ultimate paradigm of true friendship—a love that is not conditional but remains faithful regardless of what happens.
Conclusion: Value true friendship.
A friend who sticks closer to you than a sibling is a treasure to be treasured. This type of friendship is founded on love, trust, and mutual care rather than convenience or shared interests. May we seek to be that sort of friend to others in our lives, just as God offers us His unfailing love.
In a world where relationships can be fleeting, let us create friendships that will endure. Let us be the sort of friends who are present in both joy and sadness, who offer unconditional support, and who mirror God’s unfailing love. We are reminded of the beauty of true friendship, which clings closer than a brother, as we welcome and cherish these unique and valuable ties.
God
The Just God

The Just God: The Divine Balance of Justice and Mercy
The concept of justice is intertwined with the fabric of human society. We seek justice, responsibility, and reparation for wrongs done. But have you ever pondered a God who is not only just but also perfectly just? The Just God is a lighthouse of truth and righteousness, providing a profound awareness of justice and kindness that transcends human comprehension.
Justice in Pursuit
Consider a world where wrongdoers go unpunished and the disadvantaged have no recourse. The pursuit of justice is a natural human goal that reflects a feeling of rightness and order. And if we as humans value justice, how much more should the Creator of the universe, who is completely just?
According to Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV), “He is the rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. He is a loyal God who does no wrong, who is straight and just. This verse reveals God’s character, which is characterized by unwavering justice.
Justice and Mercy in Balance
Consider yourself in front of a judge who holds you accountable for every action and decision you make. Imagine that same judge showing mercy and giving you a second opportunity despite the evidence against you. The just God is kind as well as just.
This delicate balance is captured in Psalm 103:10–11 (NIV): “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor does He repay us according to our iniquities. For his love for people who fear him is as high as the skies are above the earth. God’s justice is balanced by his unending love and kindness.
The Redemption of Justice
Consider a debt that you will never be able to repay—a debt of mistakes and wrongs that weigh heavy on your soul. In His perfect justice, the just God provides a solution. God provides a mechanism for justice to be served and redemption to be offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” says Romans 3:23–24 (NIV), “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. This is an example of justice being met via the redemptive act of Christ’s sacrifice.
A Call to Justice
Consider a society in which justice is not simply a notion but a way of life. In our interactions with others, the just God calls us to exemplify justice. Micah 6:8 (NIV) states unequivocally, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord expect of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Living justly entails treating people with fairness, compassion, and respect, as the character of the just God requires.
Finishing: Adoring the Just God
The Just God asks us to comprehend the breadth of His justice—a justice that supports truth, requires accountability, and strikes a balance between mercy and justice. God’s justice and mercy merge in the person of Jesus Christ, offering us redemption and restoration.
May we turn to the just God as our ultimate standard as we traverse a world that frequently grapples with issues of fairness. May we seek His wisdom and counsel in order to live justly and treat others with love and justice. We find not only a paradigm of perfect justice but also an invitation to experience the transformative power of His kindness when we embrace the Just God.
God
The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Pathway to Achievement

The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Highway to Contentment
Have you ever ever felt the nice and cozy glow that effects from lending a serving to hand to a stranger, the enjoyment that lasts for days after the act of kindness? That emotion offers a way of the pride of serving to others. The straightforward act of serving to can give us a sense of function and pleasure in contrast to the rest in a society that incessantly pushes us to place our consideration on ourselves.
The Want to Serve
Believe a society the place everybody labored to fortify the lives of people of their instant neighborhood. The need to lend a serving to hand, proportion a load, and supply comfort is on the core of carrier. The instance used to be established through Jesus Himself when he stated, “For even the Son of Guy didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his lifestyles as a ransom for plenty of.” (NIV, Mark 10:45)
Serving others is extra than just a nice deed; it is a way to emulate the compassion and love that Christ proven for us.
Discovering Pleasure in Selfless Giving
Believe spending time with the aged or going to a neighborhood refuge to hear their stories and cause them to really feel essential. Those tiny acts of kindness won’t appear to be a lot, however they be capable to make any person’s day higher, create relationships, and toughen a sense of group.
A better feeling of pleasure emerges after we set aside our personal issues and be aware of the wishes of others. The Bible admonishes us, “Every of you can use no matter present you’ve gotten won to serve others, as trustworthy stewards of God’s grace in its more than a few paperwork.” (NIV) 1 Peter 4:10 We specific the particular talents God has given us through serving others, and it’s in those deeds of carrier that we discover authentic pleasure.
Have an effect on Unmeasurable
Take into consideration the impact if all of us realized to experience serving to others. If we take a bit spoil from our tense schedules to lend a hand a neighbor, supply a sympathetic ear, or donate cash to a reason we reinforce. Small acts of kindness have the facility to unfold, sparking a sequence response of generosity and optimistic exchange.
In step with the NIV translation of Matthew 25:40, Jesus stated, “Actually I inform you, no matter you probably did for this sort of least of those brothers and sisters of mine, you probably did for me.” No longer simplest can we fortify the lives of other folks we serve, however we additionally perform Jesus’ command to like and deal with the ones round us.
Development Relationships and Connections
Believe the sensation of camaraderie that comes from cooperating with others to reach a shared purpose. Folks come in combination via carrier, growing ties and friendships that differently won’t have took place. It serves as a reminder that we’re all part of a broader group, and that group would possibly take pleasure in the acts we do.
Serving others permits us to peer the arena from many angles and to realize the demanding situations and victories of other folks round us. Our lives are enriched and {our relationships} are deepened through this sensitivity.
Conclusion: Discovering Contentment Via Carrier
Every people has a skill that is able to be opened: the pleasure of serving to others. It serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be about extra than just our personal pursuits; they’re an opportunity to fortify the lives of others.
Let’s thus embody the pride of serving to others, if it is by means of deeds of kindness, volunteering, or simply being conscious about their wishes. The easy act of serving would possibly supply mild and hope in a global that every so often turns out overwhelming. As we emulate Christ and prolong ourselves in love, we no longer simplest exchange the lives of others but additionally revel in a deep feeling of success and enjoyment that overflows into our personal hearts.
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