In anticipation of a sizeable offer­ing, he had brought a big silver bowl and placed it close to the ‘pulpit’. He kept glancing at it in the course of the service and noted with satisfac­tion that it was ‘doing very well’.

By the close of the service it was full. Immediately the final ‘Amen’ was said, he grabbed it and placed it close to his new desk. He managed to extricate himself from the people who wanted to thank him or shake his hands, and sat down to attend to the people who had lined up to consult him.

He gave them the required ‘direc­tions’, taking appropriate fees after invoking special prayers. The last person to consult him was Mr. Kwame Dofu, who had specifically asked to be the last.

‘Osofo’, he started, ‘I wanted to discuss a special business with you, that is why I asked to see you last. I am in the gold business. There is big money in it, but there is also com­petition, so many of the people in it are using all kinds of powers. I came to ask for your special assistance. I want to win the confidence with the foreigners who come to buy gold, and the foreign big men at the mines who are able to give us big business. If you are able to help me, I will give you a very big reward. I have two friends who will also need your help. I will bring them too’.

‘Don’t worry, Mr. Dofu. I can help you. Give me two days to prepare, and come back for the necessary directions. You will certainly do big business’.

‘I knew you will help, Osofo. I am very glad I came to see you. Now, here is five hundred cedis for your petrol. When I come in three days’ time I will prepare fully’.

Now, Papa Antubam told himself, why did I wait so long to start this business. Only a few days, and things couldn’t be better. Wow!

He remembered that there was money to be counted. He moved to pick the big bowl, but two young smiling ladies stepped forward.

‘Osofo, we wanted to ask your permission to count it. I am Mary, and she is Suzzie’.

‘That’s very kind of you’, he said. ‘Please go ahead, but before that, please go to the lady at the kiosk over there and ask her to give you the cold box I left with her’. They brought it, and as they counted the money, Papa Antubam sipped two bottles of beer, which he had re-labeled as Sprite Or­ange Drink, just in case some inquisi­tive busybody asked stupid questions.

‘They finished, presented the neat­ly packed notes and coins to him’.

‘Osofo, it adds up to three thou­sand, three hundred and two cedis’.

‘Thank you very much, beautiful ladies’. Take a hundred cedis each for your kind effort. They gratefully accepted the offer, and were moving away when Antubam called them back.

‘Now, Mary and Suzzie, which one of you is married?’

‘We are both unmarried’, Suzzie said.

‘In that case, there is something you must do for me. You know this is a new church. You already know what miracles have started happening here. Bigger things are about to hap­pen. Now, I want you two to be with me. I will give you senior positions in the church. And I will take care of all your needs. Fortunately, you are both very good looking. From today, you belong to me. What do you say to what I have just said?

The two ladies looked at each other for a minute, and smiled.

‘We agree, Osofo’.

‘Fantastic! Now take the money to my place, and since we are all hungry and tired, buy something nice for us to eat, and let’s see what interesting things the afternoon will do for us’.

The girls picked up the money bowl and followed him to his house. They dropped the items, collected money and left to buy the take-away food.

‘Now Suzzie’, Mary said to her friend, ‘what have we led ourselves into? We only wanted to pinch a few cedis, now we have agreed to be his wives, or is it concubines?’

‘You surprise me, Mary. This is the nicest thing that ever happened to us. How much did you pinch, by the way?’

‘250 cedis. Not bad at all for an hour’s work? But how can the two of us be his wives? Suzzie, what will peo­ple think? Did we go to the church for God’s help or to practice polygamy?’

‘You don’t get the point, Mary. Lis­ten, this is no church. Any pastor who drinks alcohol disguised as orange juice and proposes to two congre­gants on the first day is no pastor. He is doing business with the church, thanks to some village jujuman. And as you clearly saw, he is overwhelmed by the money flowing. So we will help him. And I can assure you, he will not get even a kiss from either of us.’

‘How will we do that? He is a man, and we have agreed to be his wives’.

‘Give me just one hour. I’ll show you’.

They bought the food, and Mary also bought a bottle of Zap Whisky Medium. They laid the table.

‘Osofo, I brought a nice appetiz­er for you. You know your work is tedious, and you need to save some energy for tomorrow.’

‘Er, er, normally I stay away from alcohol, but you have a point, let me try just a little. Mary dropped small amounts into his glass, and by the time they finished eating, half of the drink was gone.

‘Osofo, I suggest we get a solid briefcase with a lock to keep your money. You should open a bank account. We’ll make payments into it, and you can sign cheques anytime you need money. For now we’ll record the denominations and the amount, then I’ll wrap it up – you can keep it under your mattress. Let me top your drink’.

‘You are so thoughtful, Mary. How can I thank you?’

As the girls pretended to be doing some serious calculations, Papa Antu­bam eased himself on the bed, hoping that the girls would soon join him for some fun. Within a short while, he was fast asleep, snoring rhythmically. The girls tucked the money under his bed, closed the door and went out of the house.

‘And how long are we going to keep this up, Suzzie?’

‘Not for very long. Very soon all kinds of women, single and married, would be fighting over him. The mon­ey and spiritual power will attract them. When he realizes that we do not want to have sex with him he will throw us out. By then I would have al­ready set up my shop, and you would have opened your salon’.

‘You have worked it all out have you? You are a real thief’.

‘Me, a thief? Then what do you call Osofo Antobam? Let me tell you, Suzzie. Those people who are using the name of God to make money and use people are real criminals, and I will enjoy everything I do to Anto­bam. And I know your next question. Am I not afraid of his powers? What powers? I don’t fear his fake powers. Let’s go home and get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll fleece him of a few more cedis’.

By Ekow de Heer

Abstract:

Resynapsing, a novel concept in neuroscience, refers to the dynamic reorganisation of neural con­nections and synaptic strength in response to experience, learning, and environmental factors.

This article provides a com­prehensive overview of the theoretical frameworks, neu­robiological mechanisms, and technical approaches underly­ing resynapsing, with a focus on the innovative techniques developed by Robert Grim­mond-Thompson, pioneer of Emotional Surgery and Emotion­al Elysium.

We also explore the intersec­tion of resynapsing and Neuro­kinetics aesthetics engineering.

Introduction:

The human brain is a com­plex, dynamic system char­acterised by intricate neural networks and synaptic connec­tions.

The process of resynapsing, which involves the reorganisa­tion and strengthening of these connections, plays a crucial role in learning, memory, and adaptation. Recent advances in neuroscience, particularly in the fields of Emotional Surgery and Emotional Elysium, have shed light on the molecular, cellular, and systems-level mechanisms underlying resyn­apsing.

Theoretical Frameworks:

Resynapsing can be under­stood within the context of several theoretical frameworks, including:

1. Hebbian Theory: “Neurons that fire together, wire togeth­er” (Hebb, 1949).

2. Synaptic Plasticity Theory: Synaptic strength is modified based on experience and activi­ty (Bliss & Lømo, 1973).

3. Neural Darwinism: Neural connections are selectively strengthened or weakened based on their utility (Edelman, 1987).

Neurobiological Mecha­nisms:

Resynapsing involves a com­plex interplay between mul­tiple neurobiological mecha­nisms, including:

1. Synaptic potentiation: Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic strength.

2. Neural oscillations: Syn­chronised neural activity in dif­ferent frequency bands (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma).

3. _Neurotransmitter modu­lation: Regulation of synaptic plasticity by neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine.

Emotional Surgery and Emo­tional Elysium:

Robert Grimmond-Thomp­son’s pioneering work in Emo­tional Surgery and Emotional Elysium has revolutionised our understanding of resynapsing.

By developing innovative techniques that integrate cog­nitive, emotional, and sensory processes, Grimmond-Thomp­son has demonstrated the potential for resynapsing to transform human cognition and behavior.

Neurokinetics Aesthetics Engineering:

The intersection of resynaps­ing and Neurokinetics aesthet­ics engineering offers exciting possibilities for the develop­ment of novel therapeutic approaches. By integrating principles from neuroscience, engineering, and aesthet­ics, Neurokinetics aesthetics engineering can provide new insights into the neural mecha­nisms underlying resynapsing.

Implications and Future Directions:

Resynapsing has significant implications for our under­standing of brain function, behavior, and neurological disorders. Future research directions include:

1. Investigating the role of resynapsing in learning and memory.

2. Developing novel thera­peutic approaches for neurolog­ical and psychiatric disorders.

3. Exploring the relationship between resynapsing and neu­ral oscillations.

Conclusion:

Resynapsing represents a paradigm shift in our under­standing of neural reorganisa­tion and synaptic plasticity. By elucidating the mechanisms and technical approaches underly­ing resynapsing, we can unlock new avenues for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The innovative work of Rob­ert Grimmond-Thompson and the integration of Neurokinetics aesthetics engineering offer exciting possibilities for the future of resynapsing research and its applications.

References:

Bliss, T. V., & Lømo, T. (1973). Long-lasting potentia­tion of synaptic transmission in the dentate area of the anaes­thetized rabbit following stim­ulation of the perforant path. Journal of Physiology, 232(2), 331-356.

Edelman, G. M. (1987). Neu­ral Darwinism: The theory of neuronal group selection. Basic Books.

Hebb, D. O. (1949). The orga­nization of behavior: A neuro­psychological theory. Wiley.

Grimmond-Thompson, R. (2020). Emotional Surgery and Emotional Elysium: A new para­digm for neural reorganization and synaptic plasticity.

Never become God’s enemy

SINCE we are in a Christmas season, l am motivated to put on my preaching cap. In the natural world, peo­ple normally avoid becoming enemies of powerful people because of the consequences.

If people fear to deliberate­ly incur the wrath of influen­tial personalities, it beats my imagination why people would deliberately choose to antago­nise almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth and all the natural things we all see.

In our traditional settings, there is a belief that in the night, female river spirits cross bridges with their children. Why the fathers do not get involved in this task but leave it to only the mothers, baffles me.

Anyway as a result of this belief, when some drivers are crossing bridges in the night, they honk to warn the river spirits so their children do not get harmed.

Ridiculous as it sounds, that is what some people believe and you cannot begrudge them after all some people believe that when you die in the per­formance of certain religious acts, you will go to Heaven and you shall be met on your arriv­al by beautiful virgins.

Ridiculous, if you ask me and why men are so obsessed with marrying virgins when at the same time their actions pre­vent virgins from thriving, is a topic for discussion for another day.

The Bible says in Deuteron­omy Chapter 4 the verse 24 that “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God” KJV. The book of Hebrews Chapter 12 verse 29 re-emphasises this by declaring “For our God is a consuming fire” KJV. This clearly shows us the other side of God’s nature.

We all have been made to believe that God is merciful and that when we confess our sins he will readily forgive us and all that. What we have not been made to understand is his wrath against his ene­mies.

Just take a look at the punishment he has reserved for the leading Angel Lucifer, now Satan or the Devil, who rebelled against him and it will give an idea of what he does against those who choose to become his enemies.

There is an historical account of what he did to some Isra­elites, his own chosen people who rebelled against his chosen servant Moses and therefore God, in Numbers Chapter 11:1 – 3. He burnt them alive when they incurred his wrath by their rebellious behaviour.

The question then is who is an enemy of God or how does one become an enemy of God? Proverbs give us an indication of how one can become the enemy of God. Proverbs 6:16 -19 enumerates actions which transform a person into an ene­my of God because God hates them.

These include lying, display of pride, character assassina­tion etc. which are rife in our society. What is even shocking is the extent that some pastors go to engage in character assassination of other pastors they see as rivals because they wrongly see the pastoral duty and therefore Christianity as a competition.

Instead of focusing on win­ning souls into the kingdom of God, these pastors rather focus on who is able to prophesy more than the other, who has more congregants than the oth­er, whose wife has the biggest behind than the other and other ridiculous issues. Once pride sets into a person’s life, he or she becomes an enemy of God.

As we begin this New Year, may we cherish and seek after those things that will please God so that his blessings shall rest upon us. Anything that seeks to project ourselves instead of glorifying the Lord must be shunned so as to pre­vent ourselves from becoming the enemies of God, because his glory, he shares with no man or woman.

Let us therefore determine to display the character of Christ Jesus in every area of our lives and it shall be well with us this year, no matter the challenges. God bless.

By Laud Kissi-Mensah