700 Golden Ideas For A Purposeful And Profitable Living
MY PHILOSOPHY
APOSTLE DR MICHAEL NTUMY
Copyright © 2012 by Apostle Dr Michael Ntumy The Church Of Pentecost, Germany All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievable system, or transmitted in any form or by any means --electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the express written consent of the Copyright owner.
Layout & Cover Design by Isaac Annor
TO
APOSTLE SAMUEL KOFI ANSONG
A Gallant Apostle of The Church of Pentecost My Mentor in Ministry An Unsung Philosopher
SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
“This book contains words of knowledge and wisdom that will help you crossover the challenges of life without stumbling. They are light that will shine your ways in times of darkness. They are experiences that you can acquire without having to go through much hassle. May you keep on reading the book until the principles are imprinted in your psyche”
Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah: Chairman, The Church of Pentecost, Worldwide
“This book is a precise and concise life instruction manual which provides moral and logical principles for everyday living. It is a practical document which proposes comprehensive and sound advice on life in general, laced with (a) tactful touch of wit. For me, this book contains simplified ways to live a morally enriching life by giving a good understanding of how to manage and uphold relationships with God Almighty. It is a must-read book.”
Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi: General Secretary, The Church of Pentecost
This treasure house of priceless gems, coming from one of God's most tried and proven servants, Apostle Dr Michael Kwabena Ntumy, inspired me so much that I came to one conclusion; that, in life, a setback can be a temporary drawback for a major come-back.
Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo: International Missions Director, The Church of Pentecost
Apostle Dr. M. K. Ntumy, is a gallant soldier of Christ and a true vessel through whom God's wisdom is being revealed unto mankind. This is a book which everyone should read to acquire God's wisdom.
Hon. Deaconess Gifty Eugenia Kusi, Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency, Ghana l District Women' Leader, COP, Amanfrom District, Achimota Area, Accra
“My friendship with Apostle Dr. Ntumy spans twenty eight years now. He is so rich in wisdom that hardly would anyone communicate with him without adding to his store of knowledge. Reading this book is an opportunity for you to drink from the well of his God-given wisdom.”
Apostle Anthony Ahalivor, COP Area Head, Madina
“Apostle Dr Ntumy has provided thoughts and principles that help to attain the purpose of the Book of Proverbs, "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--" (Proverbs 1:2-5 NIV). I strongly recommend it to all”
Apostle Sampson Ofori Yiadom, COP National Head, Germany
This is the fourth book I have written with only two fingers, having lost the functional use of one hand and both legs. I am very grateful to God for the grace of endurance and determination He continues to supply me every day.
I am thankful to my friend and ministry colleague, Prophet James Osei Amaniampong, an Executive Council Member of The Church of Pentecost, for accepting to write the Foreword to this book at a very busy time in the calendar of every Pastor. Besides he was the first to tell that I was a philosopher and anytime we conversed there was something special which came through. I also wish to thank Apostles Dr Opoku Onyinah, Alexander N. Y. Kumi-Larbi, Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo, Sampson Ofori Yiadom and Apostle Anthony Ahalivor, Chairman, General Secretary, International Missions Director, COP National Head of Germany, and COP Area Head of Madina, Accra, respectively for their recommendations.
Rev Isaac Annor, Publications Manager at COP Headquarters in Accra designed the cover and layout of the book. I am very grateful to him.
Our special thanks go to Pastor P. G Andoh, Nana Kwaku Gyebi (Elder Dr Samuel Amo Tobbin), Deaconess Dorcas Nti all of Dr Wyatt Assembly in Accra, Elder Nana Kwadwo Gyasi, Elder Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Rev Kofi Agbo (KPOGAS), Elder Dr John Oduro Boateng, Dr Mrs Juliana Azumah and Pastors Mensah Boamah and Ben Mensah, both of Hamburg Our sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and members of our household became the first beneficiaries of the precious gems contained in this book and have distinguished themselves very well. To Rev and Mrs Esther Ntumy Kessie, Elder Randy and Mrs Suzzie Abossey, Peggy Ama Nyira Donkor, Mr and Mrs Ruth Ntumy Fletcher, Alfred Ntumy and wife Charity, Henry Ntumy Danso and wife Esther, Dn. Amponsah and wife Cecilia, Dr and Dr Mrs Koizan, Dr and Dr Mrs Ntumy-Mensah, Elder Ntumy Adofo, Dr Emmanuel and Dr Mrs Lydia Ntumy, Doris, Grace, Dina, Dn. Samuel Ntumy and wife Selina, Mr Ben Amoah and wife Stella, Elder Jonathan and Mrs Esther Kusi, Elder Joseph Ntumy, Dn. Ebenezer Ntumy, Theophilus, Simon, Agyemang, Kofi J. J, Jonathan, Eben Dofuor, Mike Ntumy, Emmanuel Boateng, Joanna Ntumy and Abigail Boateng … I express my appreciation. Their individual and collective achievements have given credence that by the grace of God, the truths shared in this book positively impact those who are instructed thereby.
To Martha my dear wife, I express my utmost gratitude for her continuous love and support.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
I am one of those really privileged by God in life:
l Survived the woes of abject family poverty in childhood
lStarted student-leadership from age 14
l Graduated from college before my 19 birthday
l Entered church lay leadership at age 22; pastoral leadership at 25; missionary service at 30; apostolic/national leadership at 33; international presidency (Chairman) of a huge church, The Church of Pentecost then operating in 71 nations, at age 40 with coterminous national presidency of many church and para-church organizations in Ghana
l Survived many accidents and near-accident situations on roads and rivers
l Lived through four wars, the most terrible being the Liberia civil war
l Survived over 22 weeks of hostage-taking in the dense Nimba forest of north-eastern Liberia
l Survived what many think was an assassination attempt against me
l Confined to an electric wheelchair for over five years now following a delicate surgery on my cervical spine, resulting in the functional loss of my feet and one hand
l In Kingdom Business, with my books reaching where my legs could not carry m
l Through it all, kept by the power of God Each of these situations and circumstances came along with their dangers, challenges, opportunities and uncertainties. The times of rejoicing or celebration were few. Often, they called for fasting, prayers, tears, strategizing and detailed planning. Sometimes we came to our wits end, despaired of life, filled with fear and trepidation. Other times, the only thing to do was to sit down and do nothing In the process, I saw life and its key issues differently from how others did; I approached things from different perspectives and learnt lots of lessons which perhaps a centenarian may not be privileged to know.
As the saying goes, “What doesn't break you will make you” these lessons, insights and wisdom became part and parcel of me, providing a solid spiritual, moral, ethical, social, administrative and philosophical foundation for me.
Very often people ask me, “Apostle Ntumy, what is your secret; what are the things by which God has brought you this far? Your leadership has been very impacting and your achievements amazing. Despite your high-profile leadership, you have a pleasant personality, balancing excellence with humility. What pieces of advice, counselling or tips can you offer us?” To such—young people, students, ministry colleagues, business executives, professionals—I share with them these experiences.
Recently it dawned on me to write down as many of ideas and thoughts as I could remember and let them reach where my legs cannot take me. The result is this book you hold in your hand.
Therefore the ideas shared in this book were not copied or even paraphrased from the internet, neither are they popular proverbs or wise sayings from different cultures. Most of them were uttered without forethought during my conversations, counselling, preaching sessions or simply dawned on me during my personal times of meditation. I have not tried to put them “nicely” to rhyme or match; rather, my emphasis is on the teaching or message itself.
However, because all truth is parallel, you may find some of the ideas in this book having been expressed in similar or different forms elsewhere. This is to be expected because I am, surely, not the first person to be speaking about all the topics here.
If a young person is directed to the right path; if the distressed receives inner strength to carry on in life; if relationships are healed; if some understand the purpose of life and are motivated to accomplish their assignments in life, if someone becomes conscious of the Hereafter and so live in the light of eternity, my objective in writing this book would have been achieved.