INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY MAGAZINE
Produced in Jamaica
Vol. 1 - Seventh Issue $ 200 JMD
estimony $ 3.50 U.S. £ 2.50
They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony - Rev. 12:11
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Whistleblower’s wife Whistleblower’s wife && God defeats Army God defeats US US Army Sheri Schofield
Set Back for a come back by Dr. Nepaul
Way of the Master Robert Green Saving souls in Northern Ireland
Tim Schofield
Dr. Yves Bergenon Ph.D Thou shall not kill!!
What has made Bev so happy?
Biden&Barack
Contents
God & Love...10 This Girl’s Life
God at Work...6 Saving souls in Northern Ireland Robert Green’s story John Moxon part 3 Bible School –Less than 40%...9
Set Back for a come back Dr. Evan Nepaul...12
AnyChurch AnyWhere... 32
Cover story...14 Whistleblower’s wife & God defeats the US Army Sheri Schofield Freedom Salvation...17 Sinner’s Prayer..17
I have something to say Thou shall not kill...26 Is there a God? pt3...45
They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony - Rev. 12:11
Testimony Teens Kirk Cameron – Too smart to believe in fairy tales about God...28 The Way of the Master...29
Thank You Jesus What has made Bev so happy? ...20
estimony
God’s Glory Maverley Gospel Hall’s Jubilee Year...22
Wayne Weekes Woman beater, drug king to family man ...11
Legalism - A Religiously Transmitted Disease Greg Albrecht...13
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FAMILY MAGAZINE
Testimony Kids A little girl with a big message...40 Jamaican Critters...41
The Torch Blazers...30
God and Politics Zambia’s ‘born again’ President...33 Biden...38 Family Not a “Me first” Marriage...34 Life changing communication in marriage pt 2...35 God and the Golden years...35 God and Sports The Decisive Second Coming: Pele...37
Aeisha’s Journal...42 Let’s tell a story Samuel ...43 Bible search...40 Testimony Crossword...33 Study to show yourself aproved...46 Jamrock Chronicles...10
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Editorial PUBLISHER The Lion & the Lamb Publications Ltd EDITOR IN CHIEF The Lord Jesus Christ EDITOR Beverley Chambers SUB EDITOR Julia Tan CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Yves Bergenon Dr.Evan O. Nepaul Dr. Shannette Smith Rowe WRITERS Carlton Gordon Joan Wilson GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Brandon D. Gunning
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Welcome
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
n March 12, 2001 I was elated for after two years of unemployment I had started a new job at the SUNDAY HERALD newspaper as editor of the LOVE HERALD newspaper. On March 14, 2001 the rain came down and I stood underneath a tree at our offices at 86 Hagley Park Road waiting for a taxi. I thought God I really need a car. If I had one I would use it to do your work and nothing more. When I got home I got a phone call from a lady who had been like a mother to me telling me that she was sending up her car for me in the morning. I asked why and she said she did not need it anymore. At 8.00 the next day, her driver was outside my door with the car, fully insured and a full tank of gas. I said ‘Lord I thank you.’ Fast forward to July 28 2008; It is 6.30 in the morning and I am leaving to go to work. I am no longer at the SUNDAY HERALD; Instead I own this publication and in spite of all the odds Testimony magazine has been coming out and blessing people all over the world. The attacks from the enemy have been fierce as a result and I am feeling battered from every corner but I am determined to stand alone if needs be…with my keys in my hand I step through the door and note that the place where my car was is now empty and the gate in open. The car was parked under my bedroom window. How it was moved without me hearing it I can only surmise that God in His wisdom, to protect me, kept me asleep so that I did not disturb the thieves and cause them to move from the status of thieves to murderers. I called 119 and made the report. My neighbour took me to Duhaney Park Police Station to make a statement. The policewoman on duty took my name and the info about the car and then I went off to work. Besides, life must go on. Later in the day I went to ICWI to
report the theft. I was more than astonished that I only had Third Party and therefore I had nothing to get. While, I was used to, coming from the UK, having the minimum coverage of Third Party, Fire and Theft, I was informed that here a car as old as mine, a 1991 Toyota Corolla ( Kingfish) was only insured at Third Party. So for 6 years I had been paying to meet the legal requirements. Now in years gone by I would have cried and become distressed but not this time. On March 14, 2001 God heard my thoughts and provided for me. So He is more than aware that His car has been taken and He knows by whom. He has clearly decided that it was high time His daughter stopped driving this old car which had faithfully served not only LOVE HERALD and TESTIMONY but also supported the SUNDAY HERALD through my husband who had lost three vehicles during that time, through accident, theft or vehicle malfunction. The theft has not stopped me from doing God’s will. He has provided for me each day to get His work done. TESTIMONY and LOVE HERALD must continue. That you are reading this editorial is living proof that once again the devil has been defeated. And for the new car that the Lord will provide – Jesus I give you thanks. Blessed reading.
Beverley Chambers
God at Work
saving souls in Northern Ireland Robert Green’s testimony
et me answer a question. This element of who God is raptures my entire being. It is the one thing that amazes me more than any other attribute of God. Coupled with another gift that God gives it awes me. If my life was a canvas it would be stained with crimson. One of the awesome feature of this thing is that it colours God’s eyes red. Whenever I gaze into the face of God I am humbled by His red eyes. They are not reddened by fury, but the red tint that He sees me covered with is the definition of this element of His character. You might have tried to figure out what question I was just answering. The question is “What is Grace?” The reality is that I am raptured by the grace of God and coupled with mercy I am awed by both. The blood of Jesus Christ evokes grace in the heart of God. My life has been one of great promise, but it has also been one of great failure. The fact that a just God can be so merciful and so gracious is simply yet profoundly baffling. Let me take you back a decade and a half ago when most people would say that “I came to faith”. For me though it’s not that I came to faith, but rather that my journey to Faith started. It was July 28 1993 about 10:30, it was a Wednesday morning. The camp was getting ready to take a trek through the hills of Christiana for a day’s outing at a riverside. The
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Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
coordinators decided to pray before we started out that morning. Looking back that was definitely the most important prayer meeting in my life. While we were praying that morning I knew that the Holy Spirit Himself had tabernacled in our midst and made real the person of Yeshua to us. It was not just a feeling that I felt, but I was confronted with my life and the spiralling failures that had riddled my life at a young age. Let me take you further back before the 28th of July 1993. I grew up in an inner-city in Montego Bay called Glendevon. I had two older brothers Andrew and Fitzroy and a younger sister Melisia. My mother was basically the only parent I grew up with. My sister’s father was a compulsive gambler and was very abusive to my mother. My environment was surrounded with mostly fights, drugs, sex and poverty. I rarely used ganja, but I drank a lot and had gotten into relationships for all the wrong reasons. Although I was the first to gain entrance to a high school (Cornwall College) in my family I was squandering that opportunity. I had skipped about 2 terms of tenth grade leading up to the summer of 1993 and was going to be expelled and not allowed to sit my CXC’s. This is a hint of the pile of mess that I was facing as a 15 year-old lad. Hence the confrontation of my spiralling failure. When God confronted me and convicted me I immediately surrendered. No sermon was preached at the time, but I am sure that the seeds that had been planted over the years of going to Sunday School, Sunday Morning Services and Youth Services at Bethel Assembly had just burst into fruition. From then on I pointed my nose to the sky and with the help of the Holy Spirit I started to swim to the surface. The Sunday after I got saved God prophetically charted the course of my life for ministry through Dale McBean. Dale was one of the instrumental young men who God would use to shape my life. The Faith through the Journey I once kept a journal that was written in a bizarre way. Kind like how
I have written bits and pieces of this wee article. I think I started writing this journal about 2004, but it backtracked events to 2002. So let me start from 2002 and explain. My year really started in February 2002. I can remember nothing before about the second to last week of February. I received a phone call one Saturday morning while I was working at ACS in Montego Bay that really shattered my world and cracked my faith. Teddy Jones, who is now pastor of Shalom Missionary in Grant’s Pen, called me and asked if I was sitting down. Stop for a minute…let me tell you about Vince. Vince and I went to Cornwall College together, but I cannot remember ever exchanging any words with him while there. I went to seminary in 1996 and Vince came in 1997. He and I almost immediately built a sturdy relationship, akin to that of David and Jonathan. Teddy, Vince and I had thoughts of setting up a business in Kingston among many
other ideas that would ensure we remained a major part of each other’s future. Well that Saturday morning (I have never taken note of the exact date) Teddy called to tell me that Vince had died in a car accident. I was angry with God. For the first time in my life I became almost suicidal. I contemplated ending my own life…only that I was a coward. (lol) But it seriously affected me. That was the beginning of the year that I dubbed “The Year of The Beast” in my journal. cont’d on page 8
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
God at Work I lost many special people in 2002 Rawl A shopkeeper who was a very good friend and someone who I would talk to about his salvation a lot. It wasn’t a preachy friendship, but a real one. He was gunned down in a shop robbery less than 100 metres from my then residence. Tony My mother’s cousin who lived in the U.S. He died from a brain tumour. Anthony Fogarty One of Jamaica’s best footballers in his time, he won the Dacosta Cup with Ruseas High School twice. The last match I played with him in a community league he scored a double hat-trick. He died of unknown causes, hours after friends of mine went to share the gospel with him while he was in intensive care. Antoinette and my niece Antoinette was my sister-in-law. She died while delivering my niece at the Cornwall Regional Hospital along with my niece who was still-born. Fitzroy My brother, Antoinette’s husband. I was preaching in First Missionary Church Downtown Kingston on a Sunday morning in November and testifying about the persons who had died in my life and concluding that even though I don’t understand it…GOD IS GOOD. I went to my mentor’s house where I was staying only to see a lot of miscalls on my cellular phone. When I finally called my then girlfriend I was told that my brother was shot and murdered in Montego Bay just about the same time I was about God’s business and winning souls. I felt like God had done me a total injustice and I was crushed. But GOD…He gave me faith through the Year of the Beast. I came out of that year with a renewed fervour and trust in God. The eyes of my faith were totally gouged out. I recognized that I didn’t need to see the hands of God at work, I simply just needed to KNOW that they were working. This sounds really stupid to most people. Darwin lost faith because of his daughter who died. Somehow through the grace of God and my no desire of my own…God kept me and gave me faith through that journey.
The Journey of Faith 2004 started with everything as I knew it collapsing. I had proposed to my then girlfriend in 2003 and we were looking forward to getting married. But at the end of 2003 she broke up with me…(lol) I laughed because I am going to say no fault of mine, but I am sure you would expect me to say that, but it is true. In my journals that event catalysts what I called the Abyssical Odyssey. I felt alone and bewildered. Nothing made sense and everything just seemed to have caved in on me. The last couple of years just had not worked out as I would
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
have wanted them. In hindsight, which we know is 20-20 vision, I shout hallelujahs to Yahweh for everything I went through. They have shaped me and moulded me into who I am now. I am not where I want to be…but as Granny Zipporah would sey “at least mi nuh weh mi use to be”, not sure if she did, but it just sounds like something she would say and furthermore it’s true. Regardless of all that I have faced, one thing I have always overcome by the power and grace of God is the temptation to throw in the towel at the end of a round in this battle. I have never given up my birthright even when I haven’t been the model soldier. God has granted me the strength to just dig in and keep on fighting.
of God. My Journey to Faith is still on the way and I celebrate Jesus who is my Jubilee. Yeshua has given me Faith through the Journey and He has given me a wonderful Journey of faith so far. If I live for another ten years I have a feeling the world is going to know HIS name through me.
Other Jamaicans who have served in Northern Ireland:
Let us take a leap into the present and see what God has done by His grace. I wish I could say that everything I have been through eased me into total submission and victory after victory. Even now I am still living one step of grace and mercy at a time. I have failed God sexual as I have said on national television in Jamaica before. I have disobeyed God even when he plainly impresses His will on my spirit. Yet, amidst my great failures God has brought me through and to great triumphs.
Sherine Greene
God has taken me to three Caribbean islands to proclaim the truths of His Kingdom, I have gone to the U.S. and preached and I am currently serving in Northern Ireland with an organization called Murlough House (Project Evangelism). I have been coming to Northern Ireland every year since 2005 and each year it has been solely on the wings of God. Every impact I have made is as a result of the majestic Orchestrator and not through my feeble testimonies or gifting. God has touched thousands of lives through me in this country and I am baffled at every one.
Templa Campbell
A team of us did a week of outreach and school ministries in a town called Rathfriland and I spoke over 15 times in one week. I was the key speaker for the teens’ meetings in the nights and it was spellbinding to see God giving me the attention of at least 40 people every night just locking into every word from God’s lips through mine. I proclaim the name of Jesus in classrooms that it would not be permitted otherwise. I challenged Darwinism in a subtle way in a science lab that no doubt teaches evolution as the truth of the origin of man.
Deniece Wedderburn
Almost on a day-to-day basis I interact with youths who need to see Jesus lived out in flesh in me. This is not saying that I pretend to be the perfect Christian, but I allow these kids to see my failures and to see the shades of glory that God has painted on the canvas of my life. I have learned that the greatest testimony I can give God through me here is just to care for these kids like He would. It has it’s challenges…but I am learning. My journey to faith that began about 15 years ago has taken on a new shade in this foreign country and this is God’s testimony. How does a lad who dropped out of high school due to delinquency achieve anything noteworthy? By the grace and power
Courtney Richards
God at Work
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
John Moxon part 3 Bible School –Less than 40% arbara and I were married eighteen months; we has saved up our money for a down payment and had a desire to buy a home but also desperately wanted to go to Bible School. I had applied to five different Bible schools, but if we got into Bible school what were we going to use for money? We had applied for grants or education but we were refused. Remember this lady from an educational board that was interviewing us, asking us, “If you don’t get a grant, what will you do?” and I told her, “I would go anyway.” And so Barbara and I came to the hard decision that meant we would have to truly rely on the Lord, we took the money that we had saved, three thousand pounds and paid for our first year’s fees at Bible college. I would never forget standing at the desk and handing the cheque over to the principal and hearing Satan say to me, ‘Now you’ve blown it, now your deposit for your house is gone, you’ll never ever have a house, you’ll never ever have a home.” I will never forget standing at the desk and handing the cheque over to t he principal and hearing Satan say to me, ‘Now you’ve blown it, now your deposit for your house is gone, you’ll never ever have a house, you’ll never ever have a home.”
first year’s fees, but money enough to pay for our second year’s fees as well! I remember leaving Bible school with a beautiful new Mini. I was accepted in a Bible school because they were looking for a married couple to chaperone their new girl’s Bible school. Those were difficult days for me as I listened and tried my hardest to learn, writing down the notes, having to read the Bible and other books, being tested over what I had read. Remember having papers returned to me from the teachers with a score of less than 40% on them, and having to do them over and over again.
One of my lecturers, H. L. Elison, during one of this lectures, as he spoke about some of the spelling in the papers that other students had written, said, “Even Moxen doesn’t spell like that!” This was a course for great shame to me when he said this, being so ashamed of my lack of education. He continues to complain to his wife Mary about this student Moxen who couldn’t
“But look at us NOW!!!” (John said laughing, shaking and rolling, his eyes widening with laughter!) I mean we have five or six homes that the ministry owns!! I will never forget how all the students would rush to the common room and look in the boxes, for letters to see whether any money had come in the post. Never forget the principal leaning over the banister shouting, “He’s the Lord of Host! Not the Lord of Post! You shouldn’t ‘t be looking every day, the Lord will provide our needs!” During our second year in Bible school, we got a letter from the Education Committee in Cheshire, which was the county that I lived in. The letter asked if I would come back for another interview. We returned back to Cheshire to meet with the committee and the very same lady who had asked before, “What would I do if I didn’t get the education grant?” she said to me, “So I see you went to Bible school anyway, what did you use for money?” I told her we had used the deposit that we had saved up for our home, finished the interview and left. Then out of the blue we received a cheque to not only pay for our
spell. She said “Look Harry, bring him to me, let me see if I can help him.” And so I went round to their house several afternoons and Mrs. Elison worked with me, trying to teach me to read better. One day Mary said to me, “ John, you are dyslexic. What you are going to have to do is to try and guess the words you read by the shape of the word. “ She seemed to truly understand my problem. She would say to me over and over, “Just try John, don’t be afraid to make a mistake!” She began working with me this way, she would write down words on cards and then she would throw them down in front of me and , Guess – Guess – Guess, Don’t think John, just look at the shape, don’t divide it up!” and that’s how I learned how to read as well as I do now, which honestly is not very well! I just could not seem to get more than 40%.
I took an exam and I was called into the principal’s office. I remember being told I had done eleven exams and after retaking them again and again I still had not passed any of them, none of them even had 40 per cent! He said, “You have two exams psychology and world religion, if you don’t get more that forty percent on these exams you will not get any qualifications from this college.” He then said” I don’t think you will ever be anything and I don’t think you’ll ever do anything!” Returning to my room, with those words still ringing in my heart, and the fact that I’d failed miserably in all eleven exams that I had taken, I went to my room, lay on my bed and through the ears of a young man of 27, I wept and turned over again and again the pages of these exams. So very hurt by those words, I cried to the Lord and turning in my Bible, as it opened, I read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 “ Not many wise, not many mighty, he’s called the small, the insignificant, the no-bodies, that God might get the glory.” I claimed verse 30. Suddenly I felt the presence of the Lord and I knew that He would be wisdom to help me as I studied and took these final exams. I was once again called to the principal’s office. The principal said to me, “Mr. Moxen, I’ve looked at your last two exams, I think that the lecturers have made a mistake in giving you too high marks so I marked them down to 62% and 68% instead of 82% and 86% but you have passed the exams and will receive accreditation from this Bible School. I didn’t care that the principal had marked them down because I knew, from that moment, that the Lord had helped me. Next stop: Project Evangelism and the toilets.
Shane Dennis
God & Love KING ORRETT BRUCE, TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION. AND THE NAME OF YAHWEH n those days, Principalities and Powers representing the Mystery of Iniquity in the land of Jamrock fought against the Mystery of Righteousness - as usual.
Law, the books of Moses? Yea, even in Exodus 3:14-15.
Murder and violence of every kind multiplied in the land, and the children of Jamrock recalled that Queen Portia, from the People’s National Province, had prophesied that there would be what she called “nightmarish times” ahead for King Orrett Bruce and the people of Jamrock.
And in those days, the Scribe recalled the parable of a young boy who learned that his parents had lied to him about Santa Claus, and for that reason decided “to investigate this ‘Jesus Christ business’ too.”
And a pall of spiritual darkness began to spread across the land, not unlike the plague of stygian darkness upon ancient Egypt before Pharoah set the children of Israel free. And even as the children of Israel complained and murmured against Moses, their leader, so did the children of Jamrock murmur and complain against their leader, King Orrett Bruce, from the Jamrock Labour Province . And there were those in Jamrock who believed that King Orrett, who called himself “Chief Servant”, was almost as meek as the man Moses, and, perhaps, just as powerful. According to the common people, King Orrett was “a Irie King”—“always cool, calm, and collected”, even on those occasions when he spoke in the language of the people, of “Bangarang”, “Brain-eating termites” among leaders of the People’s National Province, and the widespread practice of “extortion” in the land, even in some places of education. And it came to pass that King Orrett Bruce communed with the Creator of the Universe and owner of all souls, and of all the cattle on a thousand hills, and the hills. And the king called the Creator by His name, YAHWEH, because he became aware that the Creator’s name is neither “Jesus”, “Jesus Christ”, “Lord”, “God”, nor “Lord God”. Nor is it “Jah”, “Rastafari”, “Haile Selassie”, “Selassie-I”, or “Jehovah”. Is it not clearly written in the
(Compare original Hebrew with KJV and HNB translations.)
And many in the land of Jamrock were calling for “ a Truth and Reconciliation Commission”, in the hope that truthful confession and acknowledgement of sin, and forgiveness, would lead to less crime and more peace, love, and justice in the land. And YAHWEH spoke unto the Scribe, saying, “The time has come, AGAIN, to remind the people of Jamrock, and the world, that of a truth, it is ONLY Truth that can make them free, and that YAHSHUA is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. YAHSHUA is also the LIGHT of the world (John 9:5), and the only name given among men, whereby men may experience eternal Life, (Acts 4:10-12, 1 Timothy 2:5, Philippians 2:9-10) which is to KNOW Yahweh and his son, Yahshua, the Messiah (John 17:3).” The Scribe was greatly distressed. This because, although he hoped the children of Jamrock would repent, like the people of ancient Nineveh, in response to Jonah, he feared that, like the Scribes and Pharisees, many in the land, especially them that “call upon the name of Jesus”, might still reject YAHWEH ELOHIM YAHSHUA, by continuing to substitute the names and carnal ordinances of BAALIM for YAHWEH’S simple instructions to know and believe Him (John 3:16 and Isa 8:20), and to LOVE one another as He has loved us.(John 13: 34). Selah!! The views expressed on this page are not necessarily the views of the publisher
This Girl’s Life Part 6 By Joan Wilson
nspite of her self Sharon had to admit that she was curious, what in blazes was Ian coming to see her for. She could not think of a reason why he would even want to be within 10 feet of her. She sighed, the only way to find out was to answer his knock at the door and get it over with. Still she wished that Paul were around at least she would feel more secure. Ian looked beaten and tired. That was the first thought that flashed through her mind when she saw him walk through the door. “You don’t have to look so cautious, I come in peace,” Ian said. It irked him that she could look at him like that – as if any moment he was going to pounce. “I’m not afraid of you Ian… what exactly do you want… I didn’t think you would want to be around me ever,” Sharon told him, trying to keep the old bitterness from coming to the surface. The Lord had saved her from all the resentment and grudge she carried. Just because Ian popped up back into her life was no reason to revert to who he had saved her from. “That’s where you are wrong, very wrong,” Ian told her, then said, “you could offer me a seat you know.” “I didn’t think you would be staying that long,” Sharon fired. Then realizing how churlish she sounded, Sharon pointed at the settee and told him to sit. Instead of sitting beside him, she pulled up a chair and sat facing him. “Now what’s the real reason you are here Ian?’ Sharon finally asked. She was in no mood for his games. “I made a mistake… I want to repair my marriage,” Ian blurted out. Lord knows he hadn’t intended to blurt out the truth like that, but more and more he couldn’t bear the thought that he had allowed this woman to walk out of his life. He had been a first class bastard, no doubt about it. When he thought about the way he had treated her, he felt totally embarrassed. It hadn’t helped that he had gone to the doctor and gotten the truth.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
After the threat he had given Charmaine when he got back he noticed that she had taken his advice and left. He had to admit he felt more relieved than anything else. She had called him several times, wanting to know what the problem was, but he had just bluntly told her that he realized he had made the biggest mistake of his life in letting his wife go. She had hung up the phone on him then and hadn’t called back since. “Don’t you think there is something wrong with this picture,” Sharon reminded him, “I am no longer your wife, we got divorced,” she bluntly told him. If anyone had told her that Ian would come begging to renew their relationship she would never believe it in a million years. “Sharon, I was a fool. I should have been a better husband to you. I want to start again, please give me the chance, I will do whatever it takes to make it work,” Ian pleaded. Sharon got up out of the chair and walked away from him. She was in no mood to deal with this kind of pressure. “Ian, please, let’s not go back down memory lane. The damage has already been done. I don’t want to try again… just go,” she told him. “Sharon…” as she refused to look at him he commanded, “look at me… please!” Reluctantly Sharon turned her head and faced him. “You said your life has been changed by the Lord. If that’s the case why can’t you forgive me for being a total jackass and let us try again?” he asked in a soft voice. Suddenly Sharon was angry. He was playing mighty unfair, he, who never had anything to do with the Lord was now using God to win an argument. “How convenient, when you were cheating on me, treating me like a dog, it never entered your head that I was God’s creation and to be treated with some respect. Now you are bringing God into this because it suits you. Listen to me Ian, life doesn’t work like that!” she fired at him. Ian listened to her and he knew she was right, but something in him was pushing him to reclaim the life he had lost. He was a broken man and somehow he knew he was never going to be whole again until he got the pieces back together …and Sharon was a part of that mix. He would not give up… one way or the other he was going to win her back! Next issue: Will Sharon reconsider?
Last issue: Wayne Weekes from Barbados told how he had been hurt by Christians, especially his first real girlfriend and her family and how that had turned his heart away from God until Satan found him and set him up as a drug dealer.
y the time I was 25 I have hurt so many people and so many people had died. One of my girlfriends invited me to the beach. I didn’t like crowds so I didn’t go to beaches. However this particular day I agreed. I remember sitting down with my back to a tree and had my legs covered up. I had my feet covered from right up to my knees so no-one could see my toes when a gentleman walked up to me with two children. He appeared to be drunk, although I later realized he was sent by God. He spoke to me, addressing issues in my heart which he could not know. He asked me three times did I have any children. I told him no although that was a lie. I had one child but I had disowned her as she was born to a crack head. Then he asked me if I had athletes feet, I said ‘yes I do’. He said, ‘you need to buy some sweet oil and rub it on them, then they will heal.’ He then asked me if I had high blood pressure? I said, ‘Yes”. By this time I just felt he was making some good guesses. Nevertheless what really caught my attention was when he told me what was in my heart. What my desire was, the thing that I spoke to God about when I didn’t know I could speak to God. My desire was to help people. I wanted to build a bridge and close the gap between the very poor and the very rich. I wanted them to see and know that they need each other. I wanted to help the poverty stricken people I wanted to help women even though I hated them. There was a desire in me to help homeless people, to feed people and to clothe and shelter people and
protect them and to defend the defenseless. Those were the things that were in my heart that never went away but I never spoke to anyone about them. So how could he know? He told me that when I got home I should buy some olive oil and for two weeks I should wipe it on my face before I went to bed and say ‘Thank you Jesus’. I used to have dreams of demons attacking me. There was one dream that was a recurring dream that I had before my second daughter was born. I was in the living room on the floor and my girlfriend was laying on the couch. It was a two-part dream. On the left side of the dream there were men dressed in suits walking into this bright light and on the other side it was pitch dark and this face, looking like my girlfriend, came out of the dark but as she got nearer and nearer it changed to a wicked face. It seemed as if the long pretty hair came alive and wrapped around my throat and started to choke me to death. While this was happening I woke up out of the dream but I was still being choked by this hair. I tried to scream for her because she was sleeping and I couldn’t really get to scream out but I kept tossing and tossing and fighting and finally this thing let go. I jumped off the floor, yelled at my girlfriend and she got up. She was not aware that anything was happening. I immediately went and bought the olive oil but I did not wipe my face with it nor did I say ‘Thank you Jesus’. My disobedience was going to cost me. Next issue: My Voodoo years
God at Work ommand to bless. Blessings that cannot be reversed! I want to relate this moment in Israel’s history to our nations current situation. At this point Israel was told that there was no iniquity in Jacob. This implies a righteous and honorable heritage. There are things in our past that we need to cherish to our hearts. No perverseness implies a point in Israel of thriving for godliness. Our current situation must never omit God in the mix. Finally, the shout of a king among them indicated that there was unity in governance, and God fearing leadership. There is a tendency of late to separate the state from church. We could be considered to be among the most blessed of people; from our earliest of documented civilization when our country was considered to be ‘land of wood and water’. Wood implies abundance of natural resources. Water implies basics of life and cleanliness which the holy book says is next to godliness. Through the corridors of time the colors of our flag connotes our struggles and hardship, mixed with fertility and productivity all under the rays of sunshine and happiness. BREAKING NEW GROUNDS It’s no wonder we have excelled in culture and drama, Edna Manley, Miss Lou, Ranny Williams Leonie Forbes, Oliver Samuels, and our budding star from Westmoreland, Cammile Davis. In science and technology there is Dr.Lecky. Ask the researchers at the celebrated National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) at Karnal in the northern India state of Haryana what they know about Jamaica, and the name Dr T. P. Lecky rings out. Dr. Lecky’s work as an animal geneticist and his development of new breeds of dairy and ‘red pole’ beef cattle are well known there. Some of his published research papers are in the institute’s library. BEYOND OUR BORDERS Professor Manley West and Dr Lockart production of canasol and asmasol in 1983 after 10 years of hard work with extracted from our ganga plant, now helping many in the treatment of glaucoma and bronchial asthma. Probably the most popular of all is Bob Marley who through hard work and blessed with a gift extraordinary was able to go well beyond the borders of the Caribbean; his song ‘One Love’ becoming song of the century. It’s interesting to note that in some parts of Africa, Asia and Europe the reggae music was known before the country Jamaica. ONLY THE BEST After the legendary Herb McKenley, and the great Don Quarrie we thought it was all over, but our pride was enhanced by the likes of Merlene Ottey, Deon Hemmings, Aileen Bailey, Veronica Campbell, Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt. The first black to fly solo around the world had to be a Jamaican; and check his age! We were among the first to speak out boldly
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against apartheid. What about the five NCU students with the help of their tutor Mr. Hylton that shone so brightly in the Microsoft competition? ; competing with over 40,000 registrants. Judge Marlene Malahoo Forte who was selected as one of only 18 persons worldwide to participate in the Yale World Fellows Programme at Yale . MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD It’s ironic that such a blessed nation could have such a reputation. According to a joint UN-World Bank study last year, the Caribbean has a murder rate of 30 per 100,000, inhabitant. This is four times North America and 15 times West and Central Europe. According to the January 2008 edition of the authentic Economist journal, Jamaica is the most murderous country in the world followed by El Salvador, Guatemala and Venezuela. Our murder rate was 59 per 100,000 last year. BLESSED BUT YET CURSED Some may say the cause is poverty. Let me show you some facts. The prosperous Bahamas are far more dangerous than the impoverished Guyana. If you think unemployment is the reason. In Trinidad and Tobago the murder rate has quadrupled over the past decade, despite a fall in unemployment from 18% in 1994 to 5% in last year. I dare say to tip the balance from curse to blessing we must put God first. Godliness must be in our heritage, godliness must be current and our governance must be united and Godly focused. Consider the story of Joseph: He passed from comfortable living to rags then to riches. He went from the pit to the palace. While he was in his palace experience he was able remember his family and offer help in time of famine. SET
BACK FOR A COME BACK! The question is asked, what is the church doing? or what has the church to offer? Some may even go further and say all we do is pray. Well, yes we need to do more than pray, but it all starts with prayer. PORT ROYAL -
NO GOVERNENCE Currently, we have a serious problem with our coast line. We have to be joining hands with our neighboring Caribbean islands to choke the influence of drugs and guns. Could it be that it all started because there was ‘iniquity in our Jacob’? Could it be that we have inherited a curse? Our coast line was infiltrated with evil demonic influences during the seventeenth century. During the 17th century, the British actively encouraged and even paid buccaneers based at Port Royal to attack Spanish and French shipping. Port Royal was the centre of shipping in Jamaica. During this time it gained a reputation as both the ‘Richest and Wickedest’ city in the world. It was notorious for its gaudy display of wealth and loose morals and was a popular place for pirates and privateers to bring and spend their treasures. There was no Godly governance, so on June 7 1692; a massive earthquake largely destroyed Port Royal, causing two-thirds of the city to sink. Today it is covered by a minimum of 25 ft or 8m of water. Known to archeologist as the city that sank, it is considered the most important archeological site in the western hemisphere. If we omit God out of our affairs our blessings will sink, be buried and never be actualized. PROTECT OUR CULTURE I hereby make a humble request that all Jamaicans that believe that there is power in the name of Jesus form a coalition whether by a march or motorcade or some other means that maybe innovated, to extend along our coast line but predominantly from Port Royal to the troubled areas in Clarendon and plead the name of Jesus; ask for forgiveness and removal of a curse that could have precipitate centuries ago. And then while commissioner Lewin is having his ground attacked, God’s people could be proceeding with their air attacked. After all Satan is the prince of the power of the air, but we serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Let the devils with their demonic forces know assuredly that there is a People in this blessed country that know how to call upon the name of the Lord and knows that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities; against powers; against the rulers of darkness of this world; and against spiritual wickedness in high places. In the next issue: Dr Nepaul addresses abortion
God at Work
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Legalism Greg Albrecht’s Testimony
In our last issue Greg shared his walk with Jesus. Now in the final segment of Greg’s intriguing testimony he closes the door on his past and writes boldly about the future.
od’s grace helped me see that we humans are not capable of taking care of our own sins. We would rather not humble ourselves before God and admit that we are not capable of taking care of our own spiritual problems. But we all need help—no one is a spiritual superman or superwoman who can produce the righteousness God requires. Grace opened my eyes to see that performance is at the foundation of all legalism, even when Bad News Religion adorns itself with the name of Jesus Christ. When Jesus mercifully took me by the hand to show me the way out of the religious swamp of Armstrongism, at first I thought that my battles with legalism were in the past. I naïvely thought that Bad News Religion was
A Religiously Transmitted Disease
contained in the swamps. I soon discovered that while a lethal strain of the virus of legalism inhabits cultic swamps, legalism and Bad News Religion is everywhere! God’s grace directed me to the true body of Christ and to the historically and biblically accurate teachings and doctrines that identify authentic Christianity. At first I thought that people who attended churches where statements of faith assured alignment with the historic Christian faith would be free of the baggage and barnacles of churchianity and legalism. I found out that there are many detours that lead to the swamplands of religious legalism. Grace showed me that neither creeds, denominational dogma nor the appropriation of biblical terms and language ensure the teaching and practice of authentic, Christ-centered Christianity.
Some may conclude that I am a religious cynic. I am a religious cynic and critic, but I am a deeply devoted Christian. I know the deadly power of religious legalism, and I know that Christ set me free from its bondage. I know that I was blind but now I see (John 9:25). I must report what I see and Who healed and rescued me, whether modern religious Pharisees like it or not. Grace helped me see that calling oneself a Christian while insisting that the work of salvation is either primarily a human effort or a combination of what Jesus did plus what we accomplish on our own is a travesty and a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s grace denies all heretical ideas and philosophies that proclaim human effort to be necessary to gain God’s favor. cont’d on page 36
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Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
AWARD: Sheri Schofield at Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards ceremony – her book, RACE TO EAGLE MOUNTAIN, placed third internationally in young adult fiction. In this book, Tanner Jansen, whose parents are serving the US Military in Afghanistan, is sent to live with his grandmother in Montana. There he learns about dogsled racing, search and rescue, wild wolves, and more. He also learns to trust God for the safety of his parents. The plan of salvation is presented at the end of the book with follow-up instruction about how to live the Christian life.
WHISTLEBLOWER’S WIFE + GOD DEFEATS THE US ARMY y mother called me “Sunshine”. It is my nature to laugh. When times grow difficult, I often find ways to joke about the hardships. It helps me to endure. To me, it seems like a miracle that I can still laugh, after all the pain life has dished out. I praise God for keeping my spirit intact through the dark days.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
was born first in a family of four children. My dad was a flamboyant type, and my mom was quiet, calm and a studious, sincere woman who read a lot about child-rearing so she could make the right calls as a parent. She would share her insights with my dad, and he eagerly supported her. Mama was responsible for introducing me to Jesus, and I learned to love Him early. One summer afternoon, sitting all alone on a hillside surrounded by myrtle flowers, I sang a little song: “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” And Jesus came into my heart from that moment. I clearly remember a newborn desire to become a missionary and tell others about my Jesus. He placed that desire in my heart and it has never left me. Our family moved often and was dirt poor. Dad was always hopping from job to job because he found human relationships difficult. When I was five or six, we lived with my paternal grandmother and her husband for a time. The husband molested me. I told Dad. Rather than press charges, he moved us to another location. Time washed most of the memory away, and I would have completely forgotten it, but Dad would periodically bring it up and warn me against all men. I grew up afraid of men because of that. When I was eight, my mother, maternal grandfather, sister and baby brother were killed in a car accident. My grandmother died shortly thereafter. I and the brother closest to me in age were spared. I remember waking up in the hospital and asking for my mother. Mama didn’t come. I was in the hospital Mama worked in, which was just up the hill from our house. Later that week, I heard the church bells chime. They only chimed that time of day for funerals. I became frantic. “Nurse! Where is my Mama! I want my Mama!” I said. “Your mama can’t come to you right now, Sheri,” she said, her eyes filling with tears as she quickly left the room. The Lord sent an angel to me then. He was dressed in a long, white robe - no wings. He told me that Mama, my sister and baby brother were in heaven with Jesus, and I saw them walking across a beautiful
lawn together. The angel had a big, white Bible with gold letters in it. He showed me the verses in Revelation 21:2-4 - “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (NIV) The angel told me to look after my brother and that I would see Mama again someday. Then he just faded away. When my family came to tell me about the accident, I already knew. They were convinced a nurse had told me, and were angry. Nobody in the family believed I had seen an angel, so I didn’t say a n y thing more about it. But I knew in my heart what I had seen, and I knew that my mother was in heaven with Jesus. That experience was what kept me focused on Jesus in the difficult years to come. It told me that I was important to Jesus - that He loved me - and that He had a purpose for my life, for He spared it. In the years after I lost so many of my family, I lived in a home where my authority figures loved me and were sincere, but they did not have good parenting skills. The relationship grew
Cover Story more and more toxic, and none of us knew how to heal it. It came to a head the night of my eighth-grade graduation. I went to the prom and danced with a friend, against my guardians’ wishes. They had looked in to see what was going on, and the man saw me dancing. He escorted me out of the room in front of all my friends, took me home, and beat me with the buckle end of his belt. The bruises were so severe that I could not wear shorts or a swim suit that summer, for I was covered from the bottom of my shoulders to my ankles with deep, ugly bruises. That fall I was sent away to board with a pastor and his wife in Oregon. I was relieved. I attended a good high school, New Hope Christian School. Pastor Anderson and his wife, Kay, became true parents to me, and I called them Mom and Dad. They trained me in the things of God and encouraged me in my desire to become a missionary.
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Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
I graduated from high school in 1973, after cramming four years of studies into three.
I r e ceived Social Security income because of my mother’s death, and it would pay for my schooling until I was 21. I wanted to get as much schooling under my belt by then
as possible, because I didn’t have enough money for college, and those legally responsible for me had too high an income for me to receive any grants. After graduating, I attended two years at Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, where I studied theology and music in preparation for missions work. Again, I tried to cram as much into my two years there as possible, completing three years’ worth of studies in that time. The stress of those years o f studying so hard affected m y health negatively, and I developed anemia. I was often ill during my last semester at Prairie. I went back to my guardians’ home. They wanted me to study nursing, I guess because it was the tradition in our family, and my mother had been a nurse. It wasn’t what I wanted to do, and we talked about it a lot. The man of the house saw that I wanted to study children’s ministries, and he wavered often. One week he would say “okay”, the next, he would deny saying “okay” and order me to apply to nursing school. I was so frustrated! The woman of the house would tell me that he never changed his mind, that I was making it all up, and that I “dreamed” he agreed to my plans. Their mind games nearly drove me to a nervous
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breakdown. Finally, I secretly applied to Biola College’s Department of Christian Education and was accepted. When I told the man of the house, he was furious. He accused me of being rebellious and disrespectful. He shut me out of the house and told me he never wanted to see me again. The door was locked. It was night. The house was two miles out of town in a rattlesnake-infested region. It was very dark and I could barely make out the road. I walked into town, found a friend, and stayed there for a few days. Then my pastor took me over the mountains to Biola and helped me get settled. I found a live-in maid position that allowed me to take morning classes. I applied to get my Social Security
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Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Freedom
COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE…
I support you ...… no matter what! ‘Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.’ Proverbs 31 v 11
17
Cover Story
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
cont’d from page 16
I was upset that I had not been able to satisfy my authority figures, though I had tried my best. “Why, God? Why did this happen to me? I tried!” my heart cried out. I began searching through my beliefs, questioning everything, and eventually began to form my own beliefs, no longer parroting the beliefs of others. My health was still not good. I had to work to earn money for a semester, then study and work part-time. It was the only way I could afford college. But again, my health broke down. I finally gave up trying to earn my
degree, and went to work at Biola as a member of the maintenance office staff. The Lord was teaching me about Himself during those years, and I came to identify with the sufferings of Christ. I learned to lean on Him for strength. I didn’t fit socially with the city girls on campus. Most of them came from well-to-do families, and had grown up without the hardships I’d faced. They were stylish. I was not. They understood how society worked in the city. I was a country girl, studious and hardworking. But underneath, I was still “Sunshine”, and I wanted to laugh and enjoy life. In fact, the maintenance staff actually called me “Sunshine”. When I was 26, I met Tim Schofield. He was a lot like me - a quiet, hard-working bookworm who wanted to become a missionary doctor. We were married and spent the next several years pursuing Tim’s career. We were very happy. Tim received an Army scholarship through medical school. We
couldn’t have afforded it otherwise. He attended Oral Roberts University. We made some awesome friends there, and for the first time, I felt like part of a group. Yes, it was hard to have Tim studying all the time. But the other students’ wives all supported each other, and we did fine. By the time Tim graduated, we had two children: Andrew (Drew) and Christy. Tim studied radiology as a specialty at Madigan Army Medical Center in the state of Washington. When he finished, he accepted a post as Chief of Radiology at Gorgas Army Hos-
pital in Panama. We were both thrilled to be finally headed to a foreign country where we could serve God. For a year, we learned Spanish, learned the culture, talked to people about Jesus, went on missions trips, and thoroughly enjoyed Panama. Then Tim’s commander asked him to do some illegal things: alter time cards and accept nonapproved patients in his department. Tim said no. It was an illegal order, and if Tim were to obey it, he would be subject to court martial and prison. But the commander kept harassing Tim, trying to force him into obeying those illegal orders. Tim reported this to the Inspector General at the Pentagon. When the commander learned of it, he had Tim committed to a psychiatric ward in Georgia in order to discredit Tim’s testimony. I found a live-in maid position that allowed me to take morning classes. I applied to get my Social Security started again, and began working and studying.
Cover Story
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
I was frantic, still in Panama with the children. How was I supposed to do anything to help Tim? A Panamanian pastor came and counseled me. He reminded me that David, a shepherd boy, was able to defeat the giant Goliath, for God was on his side. With that encouragement, plus Tim’s parents’ support, I spent the next nine months fighting for Tim’s release. Finally, with the help of a reporter from Gannett News Services/USA Today, I was able to free him. By then, the Army psychiatrists had drugged Tim and put him through brainwashing, and he was permanently damaged. He could no longer practice medicine. Our dreams of serving God as missionaries were crushed, and so was my heart. Tim is now able to do paper work for Social Security, but that’s it. He is still brilliant, but he is limited. As a military physician, Tim contracted hepatitis C in the course of his work. Now, fourteen years later, he is starting to have some serious health problems, and I realize that soon I’ll have to start earning a significant amount of money in order to cover our financial needs. For that reason, I’ve been developing my writing and painting skills. I have published four books so far, and one has won third place in an international book competition. (RACE TO EAGLE MOUNTAIN is a Christian book designed to help children learn to trust God in difficult times.) I am also painting with oils, hoping to develop a business selling my art. Tim’s experience in the Army took us into the national headlines and the spotlight of ABC’s television show, 20/20, with Sam Donaldson. The Army, exposed by 20/20, was forced to re-write and enforce the Military Whistleblowers Protection Directive, which forbids retaliation and/or imprisonment in the psychiatric ward of people who report illegal activities. We were never compensated for what was done to Tim, but we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have helped others who wish to serve honorably in the military.
THIS WAS GOD’S PLAN FOR US. God’s will isn’t determined by what we feel we want, but by His own insight and goals. He saw that the US Army was hurting people Tim was just one of many - and God decided to put a stop to it. So he put Tim and me through this experience and, through us, he stopped the Army’s abominable practice. Through all this I’ve come to absolutely trust Jesus, and to know him in a way I’d never thought possible. In retrospect, I can see that the difficult family situation I faced after my mother’s death was what prepared me to be strong in facing the military’s Machiavellian maneuvers. Satan meant the family trauma for evil, but God used it for His glory. This is how I can affirm with certainty what Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, 37-39 - “And we KNOW that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.” It has been fourteen years since this difficult time began. Tim and I now live in Montana in a mountain house overlooking God’s beautiful creation. It is here that I paint and write for the Lord. Our son, Drew, graduated from Crown College with a degree in New Testament Studies, and has his degree as a registered nurse as well. He is married to a beautiful girl, Chelsea, a teacher. Together they have a little girl, Audrey. Drew also serves as the worship pastor at his church in the Denver area. Our daughter, Christy, graduated from Colorado Christian University with a degree in psychology. She hopes to earn a Master’s in education so she can teach mentally handicapped children
in the schools. I am content with how God has used my life. It has always been His to do with as He pleases. He doesn’t promise to protect us from physical harm. But He does promise that, as we serve Him faithfully, He will give us an eternity with Him in heaven, where we will never suffer again. It is more than enough! www.sherischofield.com __________________________________
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free..
THE TRUTH
Mike Huckabee speaking at the Republican convention September 3, 2008
grew up at a time and in a place where the civil rights movement was fought. And I witnessed firsthand the shameful evil of racism. I saw how ignorance and prejudice caused people to do the unthinkable to people of color, and it wasn’t so many years ago. I want to say with the utmost of sincerity, not as a Republican, but as an American, that I have great respect for Senator Obama’s historic achievement to become his party’s nominee, not because of his color, but with indifference to it. Party or politics aside, as Americans, we celebrate this milestone because it elevates our country.’
God at Work
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
was approaching yet another my life were slipping away. I repeated, birthday and concluded that it the Word of God, ‘the joy of the Lord was just another day. My 50th is my strength’. birthday had come and gone and the challenges were get- The phone rang. It was my girlfriend ting harder. Elaine. She had been My young- ‘I will say to the north, Give treated to a holiday in est son Jonoi had up; and to the south, Keep the USA and would taken me out for dinbe leaving tomorrow. ner. I sat on the edge not back: bring my sons As she would be away of my bed at the end from far, and my for my birthday on the of the day and gave daughters from the ends 19th we had gone out thanks that I still had to lunch on the Friday one child with me. of the earth;’ Isaiah 43 v6 before. I listened as I missed my other she explained that she children. Tasina, my daughter had gone had something for me and I should get back to England to study and was well dressed, look smart and wait for her to settled there now. My son Shem, had come at 3.p.m. returned to England from Japan where he had taught English and married a As she did not have a car I wondered young lady from South Africa. My rela- how she was going to come but I questionship with him had been restricted to tioned her about what she had… She occasional telephone conversations of was evasive. Both of us come from small talk England so 3 since my o clock is 3 o divorce clock but today f r o m I waited…she his dad. called again at W h e n 3.30 to say she I went was running back to late but she was England coming, again in 2003 at 4, 4.30 and en route 5.00p.m, By to Rusnow the misersia I met able mood of Benjamin the house had my secrubbed off on ond son, me and I was who was about to blow. still anThe cable had gry with been installed me for but the exciteleaving him and his brother, and after ment I should have felt was not there. our initial contact decided he did not want to see me again. I was heartbroThe phone ran again, I grabbed it up ken. How had I failed so miserably as and snarled ‘Hello’. This time it was my a mother when all I wanted to do was sister in law inviting me to my father’s love them? birthday dinner. I thought this strange because Daddy’s birthday was NovemHowever, I knew better than to have ber 1st and he had been away in Cana pity party; I trusted God too much ada. Secondly, I had been persona no for that. They were alive and well. He gratis in the family since the first ediknows best even when it hurts. I had tion of Testimony had been published decided to treat myself to cable so on which carried my testimony. Nobody, November 13, I took time off to wait except my daughter had expressed their for the technicians. When they finally disapproval but the silence had loomed came so did the rain and my husband heavy. So I was surprised that I had came home with a miserable mood been invited to this family gathering. matching the weather. Once again I Now they wanted me to drive out to thought my plans to bring some joy into Morgan’s Harbour in Port Royal for
this dinner at 9 p.m. in the rain. I was not amused. By 7 p.m. I still had not met with Elaine and I left home and went to my aunt’s house to cool out. I just felt as if something was about to explode. She calmly listened to me vent and handle the numerous calls from my sister in law and brother wanting to know where I was and how soon I would arrive. What was their problem? At minutes to 9 I drove into the car park at Morgan’s Harbour and parked the car next to my father’s SUV and walked down the pathway towards the bar. The ambience there calmed my spirit. I love hotels in general and my countenance changed. I saw Daddy sitting at a table near to the bar and approached him with the usual hug and kiss. I wished him Happy Birthday and he retorted ‘You’re late, I am hungry’. With that he got up and beckoned for me to follow him. Needless to say my Scorpion temper was about to kick in, so I dutifully followed behind him around the corner. I would not spoil his evening. I noticed the place was not very busy except a white couple sitting at a table close to the waterfront and a group of people towards the end of the room. The only thing that struck me about that group was that one lady had a bald head. I did not see where my father turned but I held my head straight trying to see someone I recognized. I generally dislike walking into a crowd so I zoomed in on a familiar face. I saw my nephew, Jean Luc and smiling approached him. Something brushed against my shoulder causing me to look to my left at the table with the bald headed lady. I saw Tasina, my daughter and continued to walk ahead. then I stopped.. I looked again ‘Tasina’ I said ‘ is that you’.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
She was, I thought, supposed to be in England getting ready for her wedding on January 1. When it finally hit me that it was my baby, all 29 years of her, I ran and hugged her and showered her with kisses, ‘ She smiled, while trying to catch her breath and said ‘Look Mum’ and pointed to her left. I looked up and let out a gasp. My mouth fell open and for a moment I was breathless, speechless and dumbfounded. There standing before me, all 6 ft plus of him, was Shem, my firstborn son, who I had not seen for 11 years and who I did not know I would ever see again. ‘Hello Mum’ were the sweetest words I could have heard. His hug totally embraced me and I struggled to speak… Shem continued ‘and this my wife, Tina’ and I smiled a huge smile as I looked at this stunning woman with a beautifully shaped bald head who hugged me and said in a flawless South African accent ‘hello’. I was overwhelmed but then I turned to Tasina who pointed to her right. There I saw a man who was seated with his head bowed but his eyes looking straight at me…I said to Tasina ‘Oh Carlson,’ her fiancé is’ with you?’, She did not answer. I continued to look at these eyes that were piercing my heart and let out yet another gasp even bigger than the last one, ‘Oh my God Benjamin my little baby,’ He stood and towered over me and hugged me tight ‘Hello Mum’…this was too much, just too much but there was more. From out of the crowd of my family members who had suddenly appeared from nowhere, came Jonoi my little baby of 18 with his video camera. “ So you knew about this I said and he smiled and hugged me up ‘ Sure did.’ I heard a voice behind me say ‘ So you are alright now’ and I looked to see Elaine beaming from end to end…’You too!’ I exclaimed realizing now that a major conspiracy had been taking place. It was then I threw my head up into the air and shouted ‘Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, God you are good, Thank you Jesus’ and for what seemed like forever I just gave thanks. Known for my tears everybody expect-
ed me to cry but there were no tears. Just a humble feeling of thanks that my prayers of twenty years had been answered in a way that I could never have imagined. For the first time in my life I had all of my children together with me in the same place. It was more than I could ever ask for it was perfect. When I composed myself and I sat down to eat I looked around the table. I saw my dad who led the ta-
ing the transportation and accommodation for the children. I was too full of joy to eat as I watched every one tuck into their meal. I remembered the scriptures from early in the day ‘The joy of the Lord is my strength” I turned to Sharon and said if nothing else good happens to me in my life I am satisfied. God has blessed me. This is such a reward for the years of trouble and turmoil, the years of waiting and trusting. The years of being rejected now I was included. It felt good. It was a miracle.
ble in prayer, with my friend Elaine and her friend Donovan. My brother Raymond and his wife Cecile who had been the key mover and shaker in this exercise, my brother Duncan and his wife Sharon who were co conspirators organiz-
God at Work The lessons learnt here are to stand on the Word. God’s promises are true. I had for y e a r s read this scripture ‘I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: b r i n g my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;’ Isaiah 43 v 6. My children stayed for 3 weeks, wonderful weeks. We laughed and we cried together but we made up for the years that had been stolen from us. And when God blesses He is generous with His blessings because on Christmas Day I was sitting around the table with my children in England getting ready to attend my daughter’s wedding. Who could it be but the Lord Jesus Christ getting totally involved in His daughter’s business. Thank you Jesus! TM
God’s Glory
Maverley Gospel Hall Jubilee Year ou can find Maverley Gospel Hall, a Christian Brethren assembly, just beyond the crossroads at Molynes Road and Washington Boulevard. What used to be a quaint single storey chapel is now a towering two- storey building surrounded by Gordon’s Memorial Preparatory School, an Administrative block and a playing field. Few people there can remember the large guinep tree that provided the shade for the early Sunday school classes led by Laura Thompson, a missionary from England.
It is hard to imagine that the heavily populated area was once one large property on both sides of Lyndale Road owned by Mr. Daniel Riley. Mr. Riley was in fellowship at Olivet Assembly and he launched into a project to subdivide his property. In 1950 Mr. Riley saw the need to establish a meeting place in what was becoming a thriving community. He shared his thoughts with the Elders at Olivet and donated a lot of land for the erection of a Gospel Hall. With the help of Olivet and Bethany Hall funds were secured for the building. In
1958, contractor and builder Allie Gordon erected Maverley Gospel Hall. It is worthy of note that before the hall was built Mr. Riley was instrumental in the conversion of Mr. Gordon who was worshipping at Olivet.
God loves our seniors
ut speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; T h a t t h e y
may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God b e not blas-
phemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2
First row: l-r Clarence White, Eulis Pryce, Cordel Anderson, Avis Whitter, Carol Richards, Elkanah Richards, Robert Fletcher. Second row: l-r Rachel Lee, Norma Powell-Mighty,Roslind Williams, Joyce Gouldbourne, Lucille Gordon, Linette Williams, Gem Simpson, Myrtle Mitchell. Back row: l-r Vera Robinson, Enid Robinson, Cynthia Green, Alfred McDonald Snr, Hermine Farquharson, Ethlyn Ross, Ambrozine Anderson, Trevor Gordon, Agatha Francis, Hermance Gordon, Hyacinth Sadler, Vera Coates.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Since then the assembly has seen many elders come and go and the membership has grown. Mr. Gordon also built the school that is named after him. His wife Lucille is still in attendance and his son Bishop John Gordon, now based in Florida was the guest speaker at the 50th Anniversary banquet.
Over the years the church has grown with over 30 active ministries. Some of the most vibrant ministries are the choirs, the care groups, camp, marriage ministry, singles ministry (S.A.L.I) and the sports ministries. In recent years the church has established a professional counseling department and counseling is offered free of cost. The church a group of
is run by elders
most of whom have grown up at Maverley. The day-to-day management of the church is handled through Pastor Napoleon Black, a full time pastor assisted by a team of deacons and deaconess who are responsible for the development of the various ministries and all of the activities.
God’s Glory
They report to the congregation at the annual business meetings.
In 2008, the 21st century the young people of Maverley are outspoken and require more activities to keep them in fellowship. To this end the church has been extremely successful. The outreach into the surrounding communities has borne much fruit and can be attributed to the youthfulness of the elder body and the open door approach of the pastor. Both those from the old school and those in membership now agree that through constant dialogue, listening and teamwork the fellowship will develop into a body of believers that continues to be responsive to the needs of each other and the wider community. TM
come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2 KJV
The choir members are as follows in front: l-r Keneshia Flemmings, Wendy McKenzie, Trudi-Ann Brown, Shereen Gunter, Marva Samuels. Middle row: l-r Benita Morrison, Barbara Miichell, Karen Warren, Thalia DaCosta, Kareen McDonald, Pauline Simpson, Amy Bryce, Thelma Dennis, Suzette Edwards. Back Row: l-r Alfred McDonald, Clarence White, Norville Hylton.
God’s Glory
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Prayer Works Mi Friend
Kevin Bailey
Many saints have gone to be with the Lord but the assembly at Maverley Gospel Hall was shocked when, in the middle of their 50th anniversary celebrations, they heard that Horace Hamilton, a jovial and active member had succumbed to an terminal illness. Horace gave his life to the Lord over 20 years ago and was a vibrant member of the assembly until he migrated. A lover of Dub poetry he left his mark with poems such as ‘Prayer Works Mi Friend’ and ‘The Youths for Christ”. His wife Charmaine said that “He loved to pray and found solutions through prayer. His other love was sports and teaching”. Nadine Tyrell
Keith Scott
Muriel Bailey
Aseneth Scott
Samuel Bailey Mr & Mrs Pryce
Thelma Dennis
Bernice & friend
Bishop John Gordon
Nadine Lawrence
Knoxley Samms
Thatia Dacosta
Hyacinth Dunbar
The Gordon Family Elizabeth Rhule
Melesia Gregory Turner
Eda Allen
If you would like to find out more about Maverley Gospel Hall Call the office: (876) 925 4561 or visit a welcome awaits you
Maverley Gospel Hall - SERVICES
Keneshia Hemmings
Breaking of Bread
Sunday
9.a.m
Christian Education & Sunday School
Sunday
10.15
Family Bible Hour
Sunday
11.30
Prayer Meeting
Monday
7.30
Whole Life Ministry
Wednesday
7.30
Games
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7.30
Youth Fellowship
Friday
7.30
Practice & Games
Saturday
All Day
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Gem Simpson
Woman, God’s creation original by Barbara Mitchell
Woman, woo-man The virtuous one, woman, God’s creation Woman, fulfilling God’s plan Rise up! An tek a stan Woman, yuh strong Woman, yuh part of God’s plan To build up the nation To stir others into action Yuh have nurse, doctor, police and chief Head cook, teacher and even relief Woman in all sphere of life To help to mash dung de strife
Mr & Mrs Campbell Mr & Mrs McFarlane
Woman of praise, celebrate Clap, stomp and exercise faith Lift up de Lord, sing His song No matter what, yuh haffe give thanks Woman of honor Holiness must be your banner Lift up a standard, step pon de devil Kick him outta yuh yard
Mr & Mrs Hylton
So praise wid all yuh might In season, outta season, even outta sight Lift up your voice, shout out Christ Mek psalms 150 yuh choice Let everything that hath breath Praise de Lord No, let every woman that hath breath praise de Lord So women of honor, women of praise, Get your praise on, all day long Tan strong, work fi God, An be in one accord
Kenarthur Jr.,Verginia, Kenarthur Mitchell
Encourage the men Teach de children The leaders you must support Don’t take dem to court
absent Kerry Ann
Hermance Gordon & daughter
Woman pray, pray fi yuh nation Woman pray fi yuh husband/man Pray that they be example pon de lan Pray that they know the heart of God’s plan Jason Vassell
Christopher Fullwood
Mario & Shameeka Gillings
Woman me sey fi pray Prayer move God’s han, prayer save papa san Woman see healing, deliverance, victory over sin When pon we knee we tan lan Praying woman, praying man God is please, our violence will cease Pray mi sey pray Cause righteousness exalt a nation
Mr & Mrs Simpson
Woman God’s creation Woman stalwart pon de lan Woman tan up man, git up man Yuh nuh weak yuh strong, yuh nuh worthless, you’re God’s expression
Anniversary magazine On sale at Church
Woman fearless through de Spirit Power from God we inherit Woman you’re highly favoured Don’t mek de devil tell yuh “yuh labeled” Women of God rise up in prayer Mek we spread de Holy Ghost fire Burn out every doubt and fear Show de world Jesus care After all woman, yuh is God’s creation The Morrison and Joan Hollingsworth -Briggs absent Kerry Ann James
So come forth woman, prayer move God’s han Ah ya yaaaaaah
Merrick & Terry-Ann Cousley
havesomething some to say I Ihave
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
methingthing to to saysay
Week 1
Week 2
Thou shall not kill o me abortion is a death sentence to an unborn child. The fetus has the right to live and develop as a member of the human family. So the termination of that life by the act of man is a great mortal sin. God said ‘Thou shall not kill’. Human life biologically begins at the moment of conception when the woman’s egg is fertilized by a male sperm. At that moment of conception a new human is created in his or her complete form, independent of the life of the mother or the father.
Our unique genetic code
There has never been a human with the same genetic code and there will never again be a human with the same genetic code. The feature that distinguishes us from our parents, like the color of our eyes and the shape of our face are all laid down in the genetic code that come into existence then. Each new life that begins at this point is not a potential human being but a human being with a potential. So if this baby is left, under normal conditions, it will grow into a human as individual as any one alive today. This baby is already its own person, sentencing it to death by having an abortion leads to automatic excommunication.
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The Early Days
After the first day, biological development into human form progresses rather rapidly. By two weeks, the fetus has a developing brain and a rudimentary heart and by three weeks the heart is working and the lungs develop, so also the ears and the eyes. By the twenty-fifth day the lungs are fully developed and the heart begins to beat.
Coming together
Five weeks after conception the embryo has developed bony jaws, and by six weeks a vertebral column, ribs, four chambered heart, fingers and nostrils are fully developed, and by forty days the nervous system too is developing, even some brain waves have been recorded at this time.
All the key parts
Come seven weeks the baby has developed a pancreas, a bladder, kidneys, a tongue, larynx and muscles begin to appear. Eight weeks the baby has ears fingers and toes and all key body parts are developed.
Ouch!
Nine weeks into the pregnancy the baby can feel pain, by ten weeks the baby begins to move by itself and by the eleventh weeks the baby has its own identity, its fingerprints that will identify it for the rest of
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Week 25
Week 9
its life.
Boy or Girl?
By twelve weeks you can easily know if it is a boy or a girl and by the fourteenth week the baby has fully developed legs and can sleep, kick, move its head.
Dreams
At twenty weeks, baby begins to respond to small stimulations, and the baby is able to think, dream and is capable of learning and responding to sounds by twenty- three weeks. The baby can breath air, open its eyes and each has the sentient thoughts that make us human by twenty-eight weeks.
Murder
Each can feel pain if it is killed. Killing a baby on the first day of conception or at any latter stage into the pregnancy, is just like killing a thirty year old man. When you have an abortion you commit murder, you go against the commandment of God.
Unnatural Exit
Abortion is the process in which the developing child is removed from a mother’s womb. It is an act of violence against the unborn child as well as the woman about to have the child. It is a moral crime in itself. What right does a human have to curtail the life of something that Providence has created? Children are gifts from God. Before we were made God knew us. He fearfully and wonderfully knitted us in our mother’s womb and filled us with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will never fill anything but a human. He created our inmost being.
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Week 28
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Week 10
Week 12
Week 11
Before God gives you a child He has already made plans for that baby, so that baby should be given a full chance to live a life. If Providence has given, He shall arrange for it too. God opens and closes the womb and He is Sovereign over conception.
God and the fetus
When a child is just forming as a fetus, God’s care and compassion is already extended. Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Bearing the image of God is the essence of humanness and though God’s image in man was marred at the Fall it was not erased. So the unborn baby is the image in the image of God and therefore fully human in the sight of God.
The Legal Code
In the Old Testament, Exodus 21:22-25,if men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows but if there is a serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth hand for hand, foot for foot burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. That is God’s legal code in the Old Testament.
Law of retaliation
The verses teach that if a woman gives birth prematurely, but the baby is not injured then only a fine is appropriate. How ever, if the child dies then the law of retaliation should be applied. In other words killing an unborn baby will carry the same
Week 14
penalty as killing a born child. A baby inside the womb has the same legal status as a baby outside the womb, they both have the right to live.
Don’t have sex
Why kill a child by abortion, why sentence an innocent baby to a painful death by Abortion? There should be no reason for an abortion. There is nothing like an unwanted pregnancy. If you do not want food you do not eat, and if you do not want to drink you do not look for water, so if you do not want pregnancy do not have sex and if you do have sex take precautions against pregnancy.
Don’t kill a hero
The baby you are killing or about to kill may be somebody great later in life. If your parents had snuffed your own life out would you have the wonderful opportunity you are having now to experience the happiness of life? Would you have been able to even have sex?
Wrong, wrong, wrong
Abortion is morally, scientifically, emotionally and legally wrong. Life is very serious and should be protected. Fetus gain human life at conception, on day one, the fetus is only half its mother and entirely itself. Many believe that women can have abortion and that is the end of it all, that it will no longer affect anyone after
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Week 21
the termination of the pregnancy. This is untrue. The person that abortion affects the most is the fetus itself. The fetus life is terminated, often times painfully and it will never have the opportunity to experience the happiness of life, but the effect does not stop at just the fetus, the mother too is affected and members of the family and the society in general.
Danger!
Abortion is actually a dangerous procedure. There is high negative physical side effects and almost certain negative psychological side effects. Abortion is an unnatural process that interrupts one of the primary functions of the human body. A woman’s body naturally resists the abortion causing physical and emotional problems. Abortion kills the life of the baby after it has been begun. It is dangerous to a woman’s life, a woman can die after an abortion through excess bleeding. Abortion also emanates into various medical complications in the woman, like bucked fallopian tubes, weakened cervix, which can cause miscarriages in future, uterine scaring, damage to the woman’ reproductive organs, system which may make her unable to conceive in the future. The woman may also face the increase in the probability of an increase in tube babies, hysterectomies, miscarriages, stillbirths and premature births. Abortion is also related to the increases in chances of breast cancer, uterine and cervical cancer. Abortion is a moral sin.
Abortion Coming next issue
Week 29
Week 31
Week 35
Images from Paternity Angel www.paternityangel.com
Testimony Teens
that.
was not always a good little Christian guy in fact I was a staunch atheist. I grew up in a house where we did not go to church. I did not believe in God I was too smart to believe in a fairy tales like
When I was about 14 years old I had been working in Hollywood for a few years and I got the part as Mike Casear on ‘Growing Pains’. Within a few years it was a hit show. I had every thing I wanted - money, traveling the world meeting famous people. I was a famous person. I had everything I wanted. I met a guy who was the father of a girl I liked and he said ‘There is still something
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Kirk Cameron – Too smart to believe in fairy tales about God ‘Now the biggest celebrity in my life is Jesus Christ’. dusty old book of rules designed to suck the fun out of life. I realized that it wasn’t; it was the word of God. He explained that there was a God.
I learnt that there was a God who made me and you and every one on this planet and everything on this universe. He sustains our life moment by moment. He is a holy God, He is a pure God, a good, amazing, wonderful God and he went on to explain that we were designed by God to know him, and love Him and obey Him with all of our hearts, to be in a right relationship with Him but that does not exist today because of something that separates us from God and that something he called sin. I didn’t understand what sin was. He explained it simply. Sin is that stubborn, selfish streak that runs deep through the heart of every person. It shows up in many different ways in your life. It shows up when you lie, when you steal, when you dishonour your mother and father and when you think you are better than other people. One of the clearest ways it shows up is when you put other things in your life in a more important position than God who gave you those things. And as I was listening to him I was feeling really guilty because if that was true then I was in deep trouble. I was guilty of all those things. My dirty socks were more important than God because in my mind God did not even exist. He said that ‘God hates sin because God is holy and pure. Not only because it separates us from him but because it is wrong. G o d will puni s h sin
you don’t have Kirk, you have a lot but you don’t have the Lord Jesus’. I am thinking to myself, ‘What’s your point? I don’t believe in God, it is not something I am interested in’. I thought I had better not turn down his invitation to go to church; after all this was father of the girl I liked. So I went to church with them. I listened and I heard the gospel for the very first time and it wasn’t what I thought it would be. He stood up there and opened the Bible, which I thought was a big
and those that commit sin in a place called hell’. I thought gosh that is really harsh. He went on to explain the character of God as being, loving, compassionate and merciful and that He has provided a way for each and every person who has sinned against God to be forgiven. He has done that by sending His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross. Then if we will humble ourselves before God repent of our sins, trust in Jesus Christ who died to pay the price for our sins that God
would grant us everlasting life. And He did that because of his great love for us. And I am sitting at the back of this church feeling two things, very guilty because I knew that I had sinned if anyone had ever sinned against God and two I felt this incredible sense of hope; my heart was swelling with hope that this story of an amazing God would feel compassionate enough to actually take my punishment for me and forgive and welcome me back into a right relationship with Him. So I went home not knowing what to say to my friend’s father but I sure had a lot of questions. I asked him about evolution, I asked him about all sorts of religion. I asked him about the Bible. I asked him for answers. He gave me lots of intelligent answers. But he said Kirk there is one question you have to ask God yourself, I can’t answer it for you. Whether or not he is real. I thought how am suppose to do that. Well about a month later, I was sitting in a car all by myself at the side of the road and the thought came to me Kirk if you get in a car accident and die today will you be going to heaven? And I knew the answer was no. I knew that I ignored God my whole life put everything in a more position than Him. Even though I knew the things I was doing was wrong. I did them anyway I could get away with it. But God saw all of that. And I knew that there was no reason why He should let me into heaven. Especially in light of what he had done sending his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for me. I knew it was time for me to do something about that. I decided I would pray. I did not know how to do it I had never done it before. But I closed my eyes and I prayed the clumsiest prayer in the history of prayer praying. I just said God if you are there I need to know. I said God if you are real would you please show and would you please forgive and would you please change me into the person that you want me to be and I opened my eyes and it was not like a gust of wind blew through my window or I saw visions of Jesus on my windshield. But I had a very real sense that God heard me I felt He was listening to me that He was real just like I sense that you are reading this now. It was that real to me. And it felt so good. I went back home and told a friend who was a Christian. He gave me a Bible and I started reading my Bible and learning about this amazing God who is not this big bad cop in the sky just waiting to punish people who gets his kicks by doing that. He is a Holy just righteous, amazing God who desires for us to turn from our sins so that we can be forgiven. And it’s an amazing story of love that’s spelled out in the Bible. And that’s the God that I have fallen in love with and that I live for and I can honestly tell you with all the places I have ever been, all the people I have ever met, of all the fun and exciting things I have ever done absolutely nothing can compare with the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and knowing that I am in a right relationship with God.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Testimony Teens
Way of the Master
Award-winning TV Program to Help Ministries Spiritually and Financially
ue to current economic conditions, many Christian ministries are hurting financially, that’s why the producers of an awarding-winning TV program are packaging their third season in a way to help ministries generate funds. Actor, Kirk Cameron and best-selling author Ray Comfort, who co-host “The Way of the Master,” believe that the first thing the Church must do is rediscover the reason for its existence--to reach the lost with the good news of the gospel. According to the late Bill Bright, “a bare 2 percent regularly share their faith in Christ.” Comfort and Cameron have produced the third season of their television program because they want to change that statistic. They believe that every Christian should be horrified at the thought of friends and loved ones going to Hell, that they should want to reach them, and they want to assist them to do that. The season was filmed in high definition, was two years in the making and incorporates special effects and sequences
that range from sky-diving to bank robbery to jumping from a crashing plane. The hosts are blown up, have a dramatic shootout, are chased by police, and, among other things, report from a war zone. It is nothing like your average Christian television. Cameron, who stars in the soon-tobe released movie Fireproof said, “All this makes for captivating television, and although it’s certainly eye-catching and entertaining, its main purpose is to educate and equip. Our goal is to teach the Body of Christ around the world how to reach the lost biblically--the way Jesus did.” Season three is being made available to churches and is ideal for any congreg a t i o n , youth group, or home study group, because it also enables them to learn how to reach those who are Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, understand why Christianity is unique, know God’s will for their life, and to rediscover a passion for the lost. It includes many insightful interviews with experts such as the late Dr. D. James Kennedy, R. C. Sproul, Joni Eareckson Tada, Ravi Zacharias, and James White. It also looks closely at Hollywood and its powerful influence on the world, and why America is losing God’s blessings. The first goal is the help churches and ministries spiritually, and the second is to help them
financially. Ministries will be able to sell the series before they purchase it, a very low price, with no shipping costs. This means that they can scoop a large profit with no initial financial outlay. Comfort says, “It’s a win-win situation, in that it will help ministries generate much needed funds, and it will also help us to equip Christians we normally couldn’t reach. If they are a ministry with a website, they qualify for the special low price.” The DVD series will be nearly twice the length of television episodes and will include out-takes and bloopers. The Way of the Master has won seven awards, is now on 31 networks, and is in 70 countries. It will debut on TBN on September 15th . Details of how to get the series for your church or youth group (or ministry) can be found at www.livingwaters. com. Contact: Trish Ramos: tramos@livingwaters.com
Testimony Teens He was a Christian, and had heard the stories about his proThere was a professor of phi- fessor. losophy who was a deeply comHe was required to take the mitted atheist. class for his major, and he was His primary goal for one re- afraid. But for three months quired class was to spend the that semester, he prayed every entire semester to prove that morning that he would have the courage to stand up no matGod couldn’t exist. ter what the professor said, or His students were always afraid what the class thought. to argue with him because of his Nothing they said could ever impeccable logic. shatter his faith...he hoped. Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever Finally, the day came. ! The proreally gone against him because fessor said, ‘If there is anyone here who still believes in God, of his reputation. stand up!’ The professor and the At the end of every semester class of 300 people looked at on the last day, he would say to him, shocked, as he stood up at his class of 300 students, ‘If the back of the classroom. there is anyone here who still The professor shouted, ‘You believes in Jesus, stand up!’ FOOL!!! In twenty years, no one had ever stood up. They knew what If God existed, he would keep he was going to do next. He this piece of chalk from breakwould say, ‘Because anyone who ing when it hit the ground!’ believes in God is a fool’. He proceeded to drop the chalk, If God existed, he could stop but as he did, it slipped out of this piece of chalk from hitting his fingers, off his shirt cuff, the ground and breaking Such onto the pleat of his pants, down a simple task to prove that He is his leg, and off his shoe. As it hit the ground, it simply rolled God, and yet He can’t do it.’ away unbroken. The professor’s And every year, he would drop jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk onto the tile floor the chalk. He looked up at the of the classroom and it would young man, and then ran out of the lecture hall. shatter into a hundred pieces.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Chalk breaking Courage
All of the students would do The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front nothing but stop and stare. of the room and shared his faith Most of the students thought in Jesus for the next half hour. that God couldn’t exist. Cer- 300 students stayed and listened tainly, a number of Christians as he told of God’s love for them had slipped through, but for 20 and of His power through years, they had been too afraid Jesus. to stand up. Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to enroll. 30
ndeed God is great and greatly to be praised. It has not been an easy task yet we have managed to keep the fire ablaze. The Torchblazers ministry currently has three members. Mark Johnson, Stanesha Brown-Johnson and Jasneth Bailey. Stanesha and Jasneth, are sisters, and Mark had their own ministries, singing solos sharing the stage with various gospel ministers. The sisters attend the Foursquare Gospel Church and sang on the choir and praise and worship team. All have appeared at national level, however they decided to minister together knowing that two shall put ten thousand to flight. Jasneth grew up in St. Mary in the district of Greenwood then later moved to Jacks River and is now residing in Boscobel Heights. She is the third sibling for the Bailey’s family. Her eldest brother Clifton Bailey, known as “Capleton” always encourages her to do her best in singing. Stanesha who is Jasneth and Clifton’s God-sister grew up in Kingston and then later moved on to Point Hill where she met Mark Johnson in 2001 and got married. She also grew with the Bailey’s as her second family. Mark joined the sisters then, and there the fireball began. Mark Johnson, who is from Point Hill, St. Catherine, became a part of the family. He is a member and also the head musician at the Church of God of Prophecy in Point Hill but works with his wife in the foursquare family. He is indeed the backbone of this ministry. Sometimes when the members feel like giving up he is there to push them. He never gives up without a fight;
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
He pushed and pushed until they have accomplished five singles that are now on the market. Isn’t God wonderful? Along they way Joel Anderson came who is the fiancé of Jasneth (engaged to be married soon). He is one of the greatest musicians someone could ever ask for. He played an integral role in the Torchblazers Ministry. He is the master rhythm composer for most of the songs. He is also the main keyboard player for the group. With commitment, dedication and proper guidance from God, their family and friends they have indeed master quite a few goals. Many obstacles were in the way; many members left, one died and sometimes their faces were to the ground, but they came out as pure gold. The group officially started in the year 1998 with five members. They however had several names, but with withdrawals of members and many downfalls, God raised them up with a vision. The name Torchblazers came in 2001. Now, the Torchblazers are soaring to new heights;
with Christ in the vessel they can smile at any storm. Their motto will always be: “Too blessed to be stressed; too anointed to be disappointed; too restricted to be rejected.
Answers to Issue 6 Puzzle
ACROSS
DOWN
1 He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the ____ (1 Sam 17:51) 6 His eyes are on the ways of men; he ___ their every step (Job 34:21) 8 he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s ___ (Matt 9:9) 10 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you ___ ; sing (Ps 32:11) 12 he will crush your head, and you will strike his ___ (Gen 3:15) 13 Like a lion I will devour them; a wild animal will ___ them (Hos 13:8) 14 I also want women to ___ modestly, with decency (1 Tim 2:9) 17 At midday you will ___ about like a blind man in the dark (Deut 28:29) 18 Therefore now ___ your ways and your doings (Jer 26:13) KJV 20 Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for ___ years (Acts 9:33) 21 her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she ___ (Ezek 23:9) KJV 22 Desire (Gen 43:30) KJV 23 Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to ___ his sheep (Gen 38:13) 26 He rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and ___ in place (Neh 3:14) 28 Cain, who was of that wicked one, and ___ his brother (1 John 3:12) KJV 30 Sing unto him a new song; play ___ with a loud noise (Ps 33:3) KJV 33 the ___ shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish (Isa 60:9) KJV 34 Evening, morning and ___ I cry out in distress (Ps 55:17) 35 Like whirlwinds ___ through the southland (Isa 21:1)
1 He looked up to heaven and with a deep ___ said to him, “Ephphatha!” (Mark 7:34) 2 Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the ___ , and he will recover (Isa 38:21) 3 I ___ the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked (Ps 26:5) 4 the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will ___ (Prov 10:7) 5 But be ye ___ of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22) KJV 6 My God sent his angel, and he ___ the mouths of the lions (Dan 6:22) 7 “I am the ___ ,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me (1 Sam 9:19) 9 when you give ___ the needy, do not announce it with trumpets (Matt 6:2) 10 will love them no more: all their princes are ___ (Hos 9:15) KJV 11 the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man ___ as he will (1 Cor 12:11) KJV 14 I will repay them according to their ___ and the work (Jer 25:14) 15 The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an ___ (Dan 7:4) 16 the wild beasts of the island, and the ___ shall cry to his fellow (Isa 34:14) KJV 17 Worship the Lord your ___ , and serve him only (Matt 4:10) 19 one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Ex 1:3-4) 24 wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the ___ (Amos 9:13) 25 whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs ___ (Prov 9:7) 26 gathering his wheat into the ___ and burning up the chaff (Matt 3:12) 27 Esau is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth ___ (Gen 27:11) 28 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not ___ (Ps 37:31) 29 a part of 15 down (Isa 10:14) 31 It ___ written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone (Matt 4:4) 32 You have been faithful with a ___ things; I will put you in charge of (Matt 25:21)
Testimony Teens
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
God & Politics
ASSIST Ministries he Zambian president, Levy Mwanawasa, a committed Christian died in France on Monday, August 19, nearly two months after suffering a stroke during an African Union conference. He was 59. The President’s baptism
The baptism of President Levy Mwanawasa, caused a sensation back in 2005 when he gave his life to Christ and, as President of Zambia, was baptized at local Baptist church in Lusaka, the country’s capital city.
he could join the church. Church members answered his questions and ministered to him during difficult times. After Mwanawasa began attending the church, his mother died from injuries caused by a fire. He also lost his two brothers. One died unexpectedly of illness; the other was murdered, said Hendricks. Mwanawasa soon shared how Christ had moved in his life-and that he wanted to be
This was revealed in a story from Michael Ireland in ANS who wrote, “A crowd clapped and cheered as President Levy Mwanawasa rose from the water in an outdoor baptistery behind a Baptist seminary chapel building in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital.” The event drew hundreds of people, including public officials, leaders and pastors from the area and neighboring countries, wrote Shawn Hendricks of the Southern Baptist Church International Mission Board.
He reported that Mwanawasa remembers attending a Baptist school as a boy, but his relationship with Christ began to transform when he started attending Twin Palm Baptist Church in Lusaka in 2003. The small church meets at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Zambia in Lusaka. As he came week after week with his “entourage,” the church tried to maintain business as usual-but it wasn’t easy, Hendricks writes.
“All of us here were immensely excited about this,” Lewis told him. “Our excitement and prayers increased when he returned to church again and kept coming whenever he was in the country.” Hendricks said the president began asking questions about the Christian faith and how
At last November’s 3rd Annual Global Summit on AIDS and the Church held at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, hosted by Pastor Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, I asked the first lady, a Christian, like her husband, President Levy Mwanawasa, what role the church in Zambia was playing in the battle against HIV and AIDS.
She replied, “The church is one of the biggest helpers of government in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We have the churches association of Zambia which is looking after the interests of the church as far as AIDS is concerned. It gets support from government. The church’s organization has its own health centers which they run. So the Christian faith in the country is very strong. “Actually our country was declared a Christian nation, so you can see how spiritual everyone is and how dependent we are on God for an answer to the challenge.”
According to media reports, doctors at the Percy military hospital near Paris had performed emergency surgery on Mwanawasa Sunday following a sharp deterioration in his condition. Though the operation was initially described as successful, Zambian state television broke the news of the death this morning.
“This baptism was an incredible occasion for the Baptist witness to many people who we have not had in church before,” said Troy Lewis, a Southern Baptist missionary in the southern African nation of more than 10 million people. “They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Hendricks says on the day of his baptism, Mwanawasa shared his spiritual journey before a packed chapel service. He told listeners he had been “struck” by Jesus-similar to the Apostle Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. Mwanawasa, a successful lawyer and former vice president, took office in 2002. Respected for his reputation for honesty, he was known as “Mr. Integrity” even by his political opponents before his election. Now in his mid-50s, he survived a near-fatal car accident in 1992 but insists he is in excellent health, Hendricks writes.
view Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa, the First Lady of Zambia who stated that her country has become a “Christian nation.”
baptized. Franklin Kilpatrick, missionary in Zambia for 35 years, helped disciple Mwanawasa during this process. Kilpatrick and his wife, Paula, are members of Twin Palm Baptist Church.
“The impact is not just in Zambia; this could have an impact on an international level,” said Kilpatrick, who is temporarily on U.S. assignment. “He could impact a lot of leaders. He is in a position of influence, and people need encouragement.” The Kilpatricks were originally concerned about drawing too much attention to the event. Local missionaries tried to remain low-key about Mwanawasa’s decision, Hendricks reported.
But the news quickly spread all over Zambia-and to other parts of the world. Others have commented on how the president’s life has changed. He already has invited friends and leaders from around the world to attend church with him. Paula Kilpatrick is excited about what God has planned for the future. “We feel like the story is not over,” she said. A few months back, I was about to inter-
“Fellow countrymen, with deep sorrow and grief, I would like to inform the people of Zambia that our president Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa died this morning at 1030 hours,” said the vice-president, Rupiah Banda. “I also wish to inform the nation that national mourning starts today and will be for seven days.” Banda will take over as acting president until elections, expected to be held within 90 days.
“A former lawyer, Mwanawasa was regarded as one of the Africa’s most progressive leaders,” said the Guardian newspaper in the UK. “His efforts to tackle corruption helped win Zambia widespread debt relief. Under his leadership, Zambia’s economy grew at 5%, helped by the buoyant copper price, while inflation dropped to the lowest level in three decades. Mwanawasa freely admitted, however, that the benefits had not trickled down sufficiently to the poor. “Beyond Zambia, he became best known as a vocal - and rare - African critic of the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, leading to strained relations between the southern African neighbors.” Leading the tributes, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, described Mwanawasa’s death as “a great loss for the African continent.”
Family
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
God will use our marriage y husband and I thought marriage would be simple and easy for us because we were both committed Christians on our wedding day. We wrongly assumed that since we both loved the Lord, marriage would be a cinch. People told us things like, “Just seek the Lord together and everything will work out.” Although it is true that a strong relationship with God is step number one to a happy marriage, we quickly learned that He had a lot to teach us.
It’s not about me
Growing up, I must admit, that I had two of the best parents in the world. They were loving, encouraging and always supportive. They sat in the stands and cheered for me when I played basketball. Dad helped me with my Math homework; Mom checked my papers for errors. Our family was always a happy place, as long as I got my way.
When Clay and I got married, I assumed our family would be the same way. I still believed that the world revolved around me, so when Clay did not fall in line with my demands, I was furious. Our disagreements during the first few years of marriage were based on one unmet expectation. I wanted Clay to be just like my parents, and give me everything I wanted. Therefore, we fought for control of the television. We struggled with our finances because I wanted what was best for me and he wanted what was best for him. We were like children on the playground, arguing over toys or silly games. It took years for us to learn the meaning of Philippians 2:3.
Once we started to grasp the meaning of humility in marriage, everything became more peaceful, but God had so much more to reveal. One day, Clay and I were having a discussion about household chores. I was frustrated that he did not help with duties like washing dishes and cleaning the bathrooms. We thought about making a list of every chore in the house and assigning it to Clay or me. As the discussion progressed, I suddenly realized something. The answer to our problem would not be found in a
Not a “me first” Marriage spreadsheet outlining our responsibilities. It would not even be solved by better communication between Clay and me.
The problem was in our hearts, and this was an opportunity for God to mold us. We decided to stop making the list and start praying. We prayed for God to make us more like His Son, more selfless and more compassionate. Clay and I started to see that our marriage was a place for God to change us into the image of His Son. If we are willing to give our little problems to God, He can use them to make us the person He desires. I had always known that I could bring my big problems to the Lord. Whenever someone is sick or they lose their job, it is obviously time to start praying. If we were making big decisions about our family, jobs or money, we immediately
prayed, but often we did not bother God with the little issues,like household chores. Clay and I have learned that these issues can be important to bring before God because He can use them to form our character, to develop patience, perseverance, selfdiscipline and honesty. God can use the little things to draw us together as man and wife, as we seek Him first on a daily basis.
Clay and I have now been married for eight years and God has shown us the true meaning of Genesis 2:24. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.’ In fact, we will spend our entire lives ‘becoming one’. God will use this precious union to mold our character, draw us closer to Himself, and bring glory to His Name. Ironically, this type of marriage brings more fulfillment than the “Me First” Marriage. It is part of God’s wonderful design that when we let go of our selfish desires, He gives us more than we could have ever wished for. www.emilyosburne.com
Family
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
he first step to controlling your anger, rather than having your anger control you, is to recognize your resentments and express them before they reach a toxic level. When you give yourself per-mission to let go of these obstacles to good communication, you will have made a giant leap toward creating a loving marriage. Here are some other tips for achieving victory over anger: - Face anger as that which leads to sin (see Eph. 4: 30-32). There are over 25 verses in the Bible that denounce anger. Further we have many examples from Cain to Moses to Peter that illustrate how anger can disrupt your spiritual life. Do not justify or excuse your anger. Such action is selfdestructive, for it nullifies the possibility of cure. - Ask for forgiveness when you get angry with another per-son. Many people quote Ephesians 4:26-27, which actually refers to righteous indignation and is not a recommendation to get angry. Usually we experience selfish, pride-filled anger when someone rejects, insults, or irritates us. Not only should we plead for forgiveness for our anger, but we also need to verbalize the fact that it is wrong and we wish to get rid of it. “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11 NIV). - Ask God to take away this habit. Believers in Christ may be victims of this terrible habit, but they do not need to be a slave to it. Habits are neither built in a day nor do they disappear overnight. Husbands, wives, and children should take temper seriously, pray for each other, and find ways to get rid of it. - When we become angry we should not act immediately. We must delay acting and in the mean time pray and ask the Lord to help us cool down. We must not explode or use harsh words. That is why even in disciplining children the Bible advises us to go to the tree outside and break a twig (stick) and then beat the child. By the time we
get the stick, our anger has cooled down, and we beat the child to correct and not out of anger. Hence the best remedy for anger is delay.
Tears
After explosion (and often as a result of it), tears are the most com-mon psychological weapon used for defense especially by women. Once the dam breaks, conversation comes to a grinding halt. Then sometimes a husband becomes so insensitive that he ruthlessly lashes out at her in spite of her tears.
Criticism
Unless you are an extremely patient and mature person, it is very difficult to accept criticism or opposition or agree to disagree without being defensive. Some react to criticism by countering with their own criticism in order to keep the other partner silent. This affects proper communication. Criticism should be circumspect and take into account the fact that no human being is perfect. Cer-tain less important matters should be graciously ignored. Faultfinding is an ineffective method for changing the behavior of others and leads to destructive consequences. It may seem to produce immediate results, but in the long run it will lead to the other person ignoring what you are saying. Your words will no longer mean any-thing to the person who is being criticized. Often we blame others for our failures and the blunders we have committed. Blaming is a way of avoiding responsibility. We have an impulse to blame because it promises an escape. Even if someone else is at fault, it is our Christian duty to kindly and lovingly exhort that person, showing much concern for him, his background, and life situation. Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see. We must learn to forgive and forget the wrong done by others. King Henry VI of England said of Cranmer: “He never forgets anything but injuries; if you want to get a favor from him, do him a wrong.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said of Abraham Lincoln: “His heart was as great as the
One afternoon we walked a few blocks to the supermarket to do some marketing for the Christmas season. dusk when we emerged from the building, and I love New York City! It is crowded, bustling, noisy, Itmywas daughter suggested a ride home in a taxi-cab. At my confusing, overwhelmed with concrete and with hordes suggestion we walked instead, and of people rushing about, and is glorioff we went down the tree-lined ously alive! street. It was very mild weather for the season, and it seemed as if evAfter having lived there for twenty eryone was out. Cars streaked by, years, I returned to the slower pace of people rushed to and fro (people in Jamaica. Occasionally, over the years, New York move almost at a trot). I wondered why I left the concerts, It was enjoyable at first, and then I plays, ballet performances, art musefound myself gradually becoming ums, lectures and other activities that distracted with the constant hubI enjoyed so much. However, I was bub – the cars, the people, and the comfortable and content, happily enpanic that grew until I grabbed and joying the love of family and friends held on firmly to a tree. Within, I and the great culture of my island. said, “this will hold me firm”, as I felt I was falling apart. After seven years, I visited my daughter, instead of her yearly visit to me; said “I’ll hold your hand and carry the shopping cart it was exhilarating to be in New York again. For the first Bev. the other, as we just have two more blocks to go”. three days I relaxed and enjoyed the park built around in “Get a taxi, I am not going one inch farther”, and I hung the building. on to the tree for dear life.
MY NEW YORK CITY by Myrtle H. Gregory
world, but there was no room in it for the mem-ory of wrong.” Charles H. Spurgeon gives this advice: “Cultivate forbearance till your heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray for a short memory as to unkindness.” The bitterest feelings can be sweetened by praying for them.
Forgiveness can be compared to the odor flowers release when they are trampled upon. As William A. Ward said, “Friendship flourishes at the fountain of forgiveness.” In Eskimo language the word forgiveness is issumagijoujungnainermik, which is translated as “not being able to think about it anymore.”
Silence
Some people have found silence to be a great tool for avoiding the unpleasant. For example, some husbands quietly hide behind their newspaper, some wives pretend to be engrossed in stitching, and some children silently slip into the bathroom. In reality, silence is an irritating weapon against those whom it is used. Some use silence to retreat into a selfprotective shell, trying to cut off as much communication as possible. Some who use silence out of resentment are really angry people. It is very dangerous to suppress our anger silently without letting it out gently. Researchers indicate that women develop rheumatoid arthritis through resentment and depression, and men develop peptic ulcers through unmet needs for emotional support. Silence is a deadly weapon. It is far better for a couple to engage in a non-violent, verbal fight where at least they can express what is bothering them than to resort to an icy silence where all they can do is imagine negative thoughts about the other person. Silence is a form of emotional banishment. We punish our partners by cutting them off and refusing to acknowledge their existence. It is a power-ful form of control and manipulation and creates an unpleasant situation in a marriage relationship.
Fear
Fear often blocks real communication. In most cases the wife does not communicate everything that is supposed to be shared with the husband due to fear. The Bible says a wife should respect her husband but not fear him (see Col. 3:18). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18).
Prof. Dr. Chandrakumar Manickam has written in Dr. Billy Graham’s “Decision magazine,” in “Interlit” and in other well known international publications.
God & the golden years
While Bev. was taxi hunting, two ladies who sensed I was in trouble, stopped to help. After explaining my position as coherently as I could, they each offered to hold my hands and take me to the corner where my daughter was waiting to beckon a taxi. I thanked them but refused their kind offer and literally hugged the tree instead. They bade me goodnight with comforting words and pats on the shoulders. As they walked away, one said to the other, “Not even the Jaws of Life could wrench that tree away from her”. Even in the throes of panic – I had to smile. Finally Bev. came, with a slightly grumpy looking driver. Five times the fare smoothed the wrinkles from his face and all was well. I stopped trembling when a cup of tea and thirty minutes of quiet in an armchair had passed. I did not wonder why I left the city of excitement. Now, I knew!!.
God at Work To be cont’d from 13
Legalism – A Religiously Transmitted Disease
My journey out of religious legalism helped me to see that there are religious refuges everywhere. God has graciously allowed me to found an online church without walls, Christianity Without the Religion (CWR). We invited you to worship with us at CWR www.ptm. org) anytime that’s convenient for you – our doors are open 24/7. As I minister to those who are burned out with religion I find that the virus of religious legalism exists within virtually every church, attacking and destroying from within. It’s an insidious virus because we do not expect churches, pastors and ministry leaders that seem to say and believe the right things to be in the grip of legalistic bondage. But religion and churches at large actually serve as breeding grounds, incubators for legalism. I had several experiences as I left the religious swamps with people I thought were Christian. They turned out to be just as enslaved to religion as I had been—just as self-righteous, judgmental and unforgiving. Bad News Religion is spiritual terrorism that relentlessly attacks authentic Christianity, because legalism knows
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
that grace is the mortal enemy of human attempts to win divine favor by merit. That’s why there is so much resistance to grace. God’s grace threatens the status quo of the world we think we have under control. If you—or someone you love—are enslaved by any kind of movement, group, church or denomination that incessantly drives you to do more and more stuff and thereby impress God with your goodness and deeds—I have good news for you! If you are exhausted by futile attempts to measure up, and frustrated by endless harangues that tell you that you just need to try harder—you need to look more closely at the gospel of Jesus Christ. • If you feel like a hamster endlessly running around a wheel inside a cage in a vain attempt to conquer all of your problems so that God will love you… • If you think that real Christianity seems to be an irrational, pathetic dogand-pony show, much like what you have seen on television… • If you believe that God clinically judges and records your daily performance and that your salvation is always
hanging in the balance… • If you believe that God has a giant Dow-Jones ticker-tape-like spiritual scoreboard in heaven, with angels constantly recording and updating your spiritual performance… • If you have been convinced that God is mad at you and takes some kind of perverse pleasure in dangling your feet over the hot coals of hell… • If you have allowed some authoritarian, charismatic pastor or leader to have influence and power over you because he or she has a “special anointing”… • If you are burned out because of unreasonable legalistic demands… The incredibly good news is that Jesus Christ can and will make you free. God’s grace is the unbelievable, amazing, beyond belief, almost too good to be true good news that nothing you can do will make God love you more than he already does. And, conversely, there is nothing you can do that will make God love you less. God’s grace does sound too good to be true—but it is the plain truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Adapted from Bad News Religion, published by World Publishing, 2004, © Greg Albrecht
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
The Decisive Second Coming: Pele t is a curios fact that one of the names of Christ is ‘Pele’. It is translated in Isaiah 9: 6 as ‘Wonderful’. It can also be rendered ‘miraculous.’ It is the conviction of many, including Simoes and Coach Brown, that it is this ‘Pele’ more than anyone else that took the Jamaica national football team to France in ’98, and it is he who will do it again, DV. The Technical Director of Christian Ambassadors Footballers United (CAFU), F. D. Hemmings, sent me the following resumé of this Pele par excellence:
ments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www. the BIBLE. You don’t need an Internet connection or computer to access my website. REFERENCES
· Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance IN SUMMATION
QUALIFICATIONS · I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19) · I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7) · I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7) · I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13) · The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14) · I’ve only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49). · I’ve never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful. · My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17) SKILLS/WORK EXPERIENCES
· I am a Wonderful Counsellor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
· Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:79) EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
· I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6). · In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3). · My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105). · I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21). MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
· I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26). · I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15). · I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15). · I’ve miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! · There are many more major accomplish-
Each believer is required to live in the light of Second Advent, which definitely includes judgement. The fact that all believers will be raptured and every Christian “shall have praise of God” (I Cor. 4:5) underscores once again the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. C. The Rejoicing (Rev. 19:1-8) Where will this event take place? They are those who posit a wedding “ceremony” in heaven (Rev. 19:7-8) and a “reception” on earth (Rev. 19:9); but one cannot be sure of this. D. The Retribution (Matt 24:8-22; Rev. 3:10, 6:15-17, 7:14, 9:20-21, 16:9, 11; Dan. 9:27; Jer. 30:7.) The period of the “Tribulation” is not precisely 7 years but half that time. In fact the first three and one half years of “Daniel’s 70th Week” (Dan. 9: 27) will be a time of unprecedented peace (cf. Rev. 6: 1-4), after a covenant is made with God’s people and then broken in short order. The number of people that will be saved during the Great Tribulation will itself be great (Rev. 6: 911; 7: 9-10). E. The Reign (Rev. 20:3, 4, 9, 10; Is. 7:7, 65:20; Matt 25:34, 19:28; Luke 19:17; Rom. 8:17; Rev. 5:10; 2 Tim. 2:12; Matt 25:23)
OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND
· some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the broken-hearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
God at Work
Now that you’ve read my resume, I’m confident that I’m the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15). His Second Coming Agenda looks somewhat like the following: A. The Rapture (John 14: 1-6) The term ‘Rapture’, though not found in the Bible, reflects the teaching of I Thess. 4:13-17 and I Cor. 15:51-56 and masks the controversy of the timing of this event. The passage in I Cor. 15 really emphasises the marvellous transformation that the Lord will bring about in the believer’s body (I John 3:2-3). The debate about the rapture centres on its relation to the Great Tribulation. Will it occur before the seven-year period spoken of by Daniel (pre-tribulation view)? Will rapture take place in the midst of this period (mid-tribulation view), or after (post-tribulation view)? The language of imminence found in I Thess. 4 appears to support the first position. B. The Review (2 Cor. 5:10; I Cor. 3: 1315, 4:5; Rom. 14:10)
The ‘Reign’ is another controversial area of Eschatology (the doctrine of last things). Debate centres on the use of the numerical adjective, “thousand”, which appears in Revelation 20: 3-7. Should the term be understood literally (Pre-millenialists) or otherwise (Post-millenialists, A-millenialists)? Those who interpret the term metaphorically rightly point out that numbers in the book of Revelation are to be understood symbolically. But this is not the only way numbers are employed in the book. For example, the first occurrence of the number, 7, in 1:4 is both literal and symbolic. Conclusion According to the Apostle Paul, the anointed Pele came in the fullness of time to effect liberation (Galatians 4: 4-7) at his first Advent. Already his people are free--but not yet. At his Second Coming they will experience the fullness of their Salvation. Right now they are genuinely free, but not totally. We are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is. And everyone who has this hope focused on him purifies himself, just as [Pele] is pure (1 John 3: 2-3 NET).
God God &&Politics Politics
ou can know a man by the company that he keeps and that could apply to one’s choice of running mate in a presidential election. Last issue we looked at Senator Barack Obama’s testimony and how God has chosen to use a man whose credentials are not those of man but instead are firmly rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ. After winning the primary elections and being nominated as the first African American man to lead the Democratic Party he had the daunting task of selecting a running mate for Vice president. To his credit he has held his head up high and has not been drawn into the ‘cass cass’, as we call it in Jamaica. He has done his research and chosen Senator Joe Biden who himself has a testimony. Together they presented themselves and their families to the world at a spectacular convention in Denver, Colorado with millions of people watching from every corner of the globe.
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
Even though there are 18 years between Barack and Joe God knew that he was preparing both of them for a time such as this.
February 3, 1969
Birth of Joe and Neilia’s first child, Joseph R. “Beau” Biden, III.
So who is Joe Biden?
November 20, 1942 Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first of Joe and Jean Biden’s four children. 1950 Joe Biden at 10
Joe Biden
S ep t em b er 1957 June 1965
Summer 1953 Biden family moves from Scranton to Brookview neighborhood in Claymont, Delaware. Joe enrolls at Archmere Academy.
Joe graduates from the University of Delaware with a double major in History and Political Science and enrolls in Syracuse University Law School.
Joe Biden’s 30th Birthday
August 27, 1966
November, 1970
Elected to New Castle County Council.
June 1968
November 8, 1971
Joe marries the former Neilia Hunter. After graduating from law school, Joe begins work as a trial attorney at a law firm in Wilmington, Delaware and serves as a public defender.
February 4, 1970
Birth of Joe and Neilia’s second child, Hunter.
Birth of third child, Naomi Christina.
God & Politics
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
November, 1972
Joe elected as Delaware’s U.S. Senator, beating an incumbent Republican. At age 29, Joe was the 5thyoungest U.S. Senator ever.
November, 1978
Wins reelection to U.S. Senate.
November, 1990
Wins re-election to U.S. Senate.
Joe Biden with his three grown children.
September, 1991
Joe begins teaching constitutional law as an adjunct professor at Widener University Law School.
December 18, 1972
November, 1996 Re-elected to U.S. Senate.
Biden on Senate Birth of Joe and Jill’s daughter, Ashley. Joe Biden with Ashley
June 8, 1981
Floor May 11, 1999 Joe’s wife and three children are in an automobile accident while Christmas shopping. Neilia and Naomi suffer fatal injuries, while Beau and Hunter are critically injured but make full recoveries.
June 17, 1977
Joe, Beau, Hunter and Jill
Joe casts 10,000th vote on the Senate floor.
November, 2002
Wins reelection to U.S. Senate.
November, 1984
Re-elected to U.S. Senate.
June 9, 1987
Announces candidacy for the 1988 Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.
Biden for President 08
January 31, 2007 Joe announces his bid for the 2008 Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.
August 1, 2007 Joe releases his memoir, “Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics.”
Jill Biden Source http://biden.senate.gov/ Dear Lord I invite Your Holy Spirit into the USA Presidential race – cause truth, honesty, integrity and boldness to speak the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that comes directly from Your heart. In the name of Jesus Amen
Joe marries Jill Tracy Jacobs, a school teacher.
January, 1977
Joe becomes a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which he later chairs from 1987 to 1994.
February 11, 1988
Two aneurysms are diagnosed in Joe’s brain and he undergoes successful emergency surgery.
Testimony Magazine Sixth Issue 2008 Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
A LITTLE GIRL WITH A BIG MESSAGE I
was in New Zealand for a conference with a couple of thousand leaders as I walked into the conference hall, as very young girl around five years of age came up to me and said in a sweet childlike voice “I can preach!” Trying to humor her I knelt down and patted her on the head and said “oh sweetie that is wonderful that you can preach”, almost in a joking tone. However I was stunned because she said back to me in a very firm and confident tone. “No! I can preach”! She said it with such boldness that I was almost knocked down. So I said to her. “Ok then what is your message?” She looked me straight in the eye and said my message is- “Pray!” - Listen!”- “Obey!”
Annissia Gillings from Maverley Gospel Hall
I said to her you are preaching tonight. That night the place was packed with church leaders from around the nation. I had been speaking for about fifteen minutes when I looked out in the crowd of people and saw the little girl sitting with her folks. I stopped speaking and said to her “Honey do you still want to preach she said “yes!” Coming forward I picked her up and holding her in my arms high on the platform so that all in the conference hall could see her I placed the mike before her lips and she said in a strong voice. My message is “Pray! Listen! Obey! When she said this hundred of people were knocked out of their seats on the floor weeping and seeking the Lord. This is the message that God is saying to the Church today. Truly a child shall lead us. Demonstration Of God’s Power Ministry with Bobby Conner Box 1028 Moravian Falls, NC. 28654 www.bobbyconner.org
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
Q:
The guys are in a bigger mess than before...Will God provide a way out ?
A: The Bible says “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or re ap or store away in barns, and ye t your he avenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?� Mat thew 6:26 (New International Version)
‘God setteth the solitary in families,’ Ps. 68:6.
F
Debby Cantlon, who plans to release Finnegan, the young squirrel, back into the wild, bottle-fed the infant squirrel after it was brought to her house.
Finnegan rides a puppy mosh pit of sorts, burrowing in for warmth after feeding, eventually working his way beneath his new litter mates.
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Testimony Magazine Sixth Issue 2008
When Cantlon took in the tiny creature and began caring for him, she found herself with an unlikely nurse’s aide: her pregnant Papillion, Mademoiselle Giselle.
Finnegan was resting in a nest in a cage just days before Giselle was due to deliver her puppies.
Cantlon was concerned, yet ultimately decided to allow the squirrel out and the inter-species bonding began
Cantlon and her husband watched as the dog dragged the squirrel’s cage twice to her own bedside before she gave birth
Now, Finnegan mostly uses a bottle, but still snuggles with his ‘siblings’ in a mosh pit of puppies, rolling atop their bodies, and sinking in deeply for a nap.
Finnegan and his new litter mates, five Papillion puppies, get along together as if they were meant to.
AEISHA’S JOURNAL a little child shall lead them Don’t look so surprised I’ve grown
I said Mum I need to wear all my new clothes quickly
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Two days after giving birth, mama dog Giselle allowed Finnegan to nurse;
Finnegan naps after feeding
Taa Daa - This walking thing is good fun….next issue there will be no one holding my hand.
You notice who I hang with when I just want to chill My Daddy’s the man!
LET’S TELL A STORY SAMUEL
It was the custom for all the Israelites to go up to the temple once every year to give thanks to God for all His goodness. This was somewhat like our Thanksgiving festival when we five thanks for so many good things. Now Elkanah and his wife Hannah went with all their people to the city where the temple was for this thanksgiving festival. Everyone went “ fathers, mother, and children.
not, lie down again.” So Samuel lay down to sleep, and again he awake, thinking he heard someone call. He ran to Eli again and said, “Here am I,” and Eli said, “I called you not, go and lie down.” And again he heard the call “Samuel,” and ran again to Eli saying, “Here I am, thou surely didst call me.” Then Eli knew it must be the voice of the Lord calling to Samuel in his heart, and he said, “Go, lie down, and if He calls again thou shalt say, ‘Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.’ “ And a fourth time Samuel heard the voice, and he answered as Eli had said. Then God came very near to Samuel, even into his heart, and told him many things which would happen to the Israelites in the days to come.
And Hannah when she saw all the happy little children playing together felt very sorry that she had no little one to bring with her. And she prayed to God for a little child, which was the one gift she wished for more than any other. And God heard Hannah’s prayer and sent her a son, and she called his name Samuel, which means “Asked of God,” because she had asked God for him.
God made Samuel understand that he should always do whatever He should ask of him. Samuel grew to be great and good, the people loved him, and he judged Israel all the days of his life. MEMORY VERSE
Hannah was so thankful that she said, “As long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.”
“Speak; for Thy servant heareth.”
As soon as he was old enough to leave his mother, Hannah, although she loved him very dearly, took him to the temple where Eli was high priest and gave him to Eli to help him take care of the temple.
The voice of God most high,
Now Samuel was only a little boy three or four years old, and he was very lonely after his mother left him, for there were no little children to play with here and the temple was very large, not at all like his home in Ramah.
QUESTIONS
Bur Eli was kind to him and taught him how to do many little things which were helpful, just as your mother teaches you how to help her. Hannah loved her little son and thought of him all through the year when she was far away. Each year when she came to the temple to worship, she brought him a little coat which she had made with her own hands, and she told him many things about his home, his father, and his little brothers and sisters, and Samuel loved his people. It made Hanna happy to know that he was growing into a kind and helpful boy, and she went home glad in her heart. Eli and Samuel always slept in the temple that they might tend the lamp which was in the innermost part, and which was never allowed to go out, but was kept burning brightly by day and night. Eli was growing very feeble, for he was an old man when Samuel went to stay with him, and now he was glad to have so willing a helper, -someone who would come gladly whenever he was called. One night Samuel awake suddenly, thinking he heard someone call him. He ran to Eli and said, “Here am I.” And Eli said, “I called
There is a still small holy voice, That whispers always in our heart, And says that He is by. Why did the Israelites go to the temple every year? For what gift did Hannah pray? To whom did she give Samuel when he was old enough to take care of himself? Did Hannah forget her boy after she left him in the temple? Did Eli love Samuel? Why? What did the Lord tell Samuel to do for Him? Why was Samuel chosen to be the judge of the people? By Minot J. Savage.
Did you miss a Testimony? Call 922- 8639 or Send order to: Back issues Testimony Magazine 44 Duke Street Kingston CSO Cost $300 incl. post & packing
Testimony Magazine Seventh Issue 2008
THE GC RE ‘AUTHORITY’OF SENDER _____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ _______
with Billy Hall 20. IDENTIFY IN THE GC ‘DISTINCTIVE ROLES’ OF THE TRINITY GODHEAD a) GOD THE FATHER _____________________________________ ____________________________________ b) GOD THE SON _____________________________________ ____________________________________ c) GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT _____________________________________ ____________________________________ 21. CHARACTERIZE IN ONE WORD IMPLICATIONS OF THE COMMISSION RE LOCATION a)IF THE GC HAD BEEN ISSUED FROM THE ROMAN SENATE? _____________ _______________________________ b) IF THE GC HAD BEEN ISSUED FROM THE JEWISH TEMPLE?___________ _______ 22. COMMENT ON IMPLICATIONS OF THE COMMISSION RE THE IMPLEMENTORS a)WHAT IF THE GC WAS GIVEN TO JEWS ONLY? __________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ __________________ b) WHAT IF THE GC WAS GIVEN TO GETILES ONLY? _____ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ 23. COMMENT ON IMPLICATIONS OF
24. COMMENT ON IMPLICATIONS OF THE GC RE ‘POWER’ FOR IMPLEMENTING? ____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ ________________________________ 25. WHEN DID THE GREAT COMMISSION BEGIN? a) _____ When Adam was promised Redemption through the ‘seed of the woman b) _____ When Abraham was promised that through his seed would be worldwide nations c) _____ When Jesus breathed on His Apostles that they might receive the Holy Spirit d) _____ When the Holy Spirit came to form the Church on the day of Pentecost 26. WHEN WILLTHE GREAT COMMISSION END? a) _____ After the world experiences onethousand years of peace b) _____ After the Gospel has been preached to every nation c) _____ After the Temple in Jerusalem has been restored d) _____ At any time without reference to any pre-condition Answers 16. IDENTIFY EACHOF THESE ‘GREAT’ EVENTS BY SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE a) GREAT Conversation (Garden of Eden) Scripture Genesis 3 b) GREAT Commandment (Love) Scripture Mark 12: 30 c) GREAT Communion (Lord’s Supper) Scripture Luke 22: 14-20 d) GREAT Commendation (Well done) Scripture Matthew 25:21
17. COMMENT BRIEFLY ON EACH OF THESE ‘GREAT’ EVENTS a) GREAT Conversation (What makes it ‘Great’?) The four who conversed will never again meet with the same status or under the same conditions: God, Adam, Eve, and the Devil. The Conversation forever changed realities eternally. b) GREAT Commandment (What makes it ‘Great’?) The highest virtue is divinely revealed/declared. This analysis paved the way for Paul to arrive at the same conclusion and to extend commentary on this fact with a memorable song (1Corinthians 13). c) GREAT Communion (What makes it ‘Great’) The greatness of this ritual act of divine fellowship between the human and the Divine is to be discerned in the Passion of the Christ and the intimacy and profundity of the momentous event of the Cross. The love of Christ for the Church is symbolized and sealed in this Feast, which He has instituted with anticipated fulfillment in the Kingdom of God (Luke 22: 16). d) GREAT Commendation (What makes it ‘Great’?) The power of the principle of faithfulness rewarded. God has great things in store for the faithful to Him (I Corinthians 2: 9) 18. COMMENT ON THESE ASPECTS OF FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION a) Making disciples This is the core of the GC. Men and women must be converted to Christ. Wider applications are there but none greater than this aspect, particularly in regard to that first, decisive step to become a disciple. Of course, a process follows but without this beginning all else fails or falls short. . b) Maturing disciples The process of maturing disciples is integral to the making of disciples. Maturing disciples is about guiding, steering, nurturing, mentoring, instructing, motivating, inspiring, encouraging, enabling, empowering, and thereby maturing disciples. The attainment of maturity will be seen in the ability to lead others to Christ and in stability of testimony as a Christian. c) Mentoring disciples Mentoring disciples is part of the follow-up and follow-through process after initial inclination is shown or initial decision made to be a disciple. Mentoring modeling what it means to be a Christian as well as challenging and encouraging interactively and intimately someone to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus and in evangelistic ministry d) Motivating disciples Motivating disciples is integral to the ‘mentoring’ and ‘maturing’ process. Many words may be used to identify or describe this process for the aspects are manifold. What is clear is the complexity of the task. It is a life-time undertaking with eternal rewards. Every true disciple ought to be not merely a ‘soul-winner’ but a disciple maker with responsibility for the care and development of other disciples, encouraging and motivating them for successful Christian living. INDEX
MATTHEW
MARK
LUKE
JOHN
ACTS
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
Apostles
Apostles
Disciples
Apostles
In His name
Father
(a) SPEAKER
Jesus
(b) HEARERS
Apostles
(b) AUTHORITY
Al
(c ) SENDING
While going
Go
(d) ACTION
Make disciples
Preach
(e) MESSAGE
Teaching
Good News
Repentance
Me (Jesus)
(f) SCOPE
All the nations
All creation
All nations
Uttermost
(g) POWER
Presence
(h) TIME
End of the Age
Am sending Witness
Shall receive
19. RESPOND TO EACH QUESTION RE THE SPREADSHEET a) Which account has the most ‘elements’? Matthew’s b) Which account has the least ‘elements’? John’s c) Which account most emphasizes the sending? John, for the sending is linked plainly d) Which account most tells what to do? Matthew’s e) Which account most emphasizes the scope? Acts f) Which account was not written by an Apostle? Luke and Acts
havesomething some toto sasayy IIIhave have something
I have somethingthing to to saysay
Is There a God? Part 3
n Latin America, there are many ancient gods. According to the website http://ancienthistory. about.com/ ancient gods for the Aztecs included Quetzalcoatl and Camaxtli are two of several creator gods, and Xochiquetzal is a god of erotic love, maize, vegetation, artistry, and prostitutes, who was taken by the god of the underworld by Xolotl and who ate forbidden fruit. The gods of the Maya are interesting too, according the website http:// www.crystalinks.com/mayangods. html. In the Maya culture, there were many gods. Mayan leaders were believed to be descendants of gods. Human sacrifice and the spilling of blood from Mayan leaders or captives of royal blood were seen as sacred. At death, the underworld place, Xibalba, was where the dead would be tricked and tested by other gods. The Maya believe that the first “humans” were created by gods from outer space but were later destroyed by those same gods because they were a threat to their creators. The current “Maya race” was humans recreated in a lower form, so that they will be less threatening to the gods. The outer space gods visit from time to time and will return one day. Another website http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com lists several ancient gods of the Inca, including Pacha Kamaq the creator god, Inti/Punchau the sun god and Supay- god of death. In Europe, ancient gods were also many (http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/). Such gods included Eostre, goddess of spring, from which we get the name for the season “Easter”. Other gods of the Western World include Greek and Roman gods. Greek gods are, for example: Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty, Athena the goddess of wisdom, Eros the god of love, Hera the Queen of the Gods and Heaven and the goddess of marriage, Thanatos the god of death and Zeus - King of the Gods.
The Roman gods included (http:// encyclopedia.thefreedictionary. com/): Apollo the god of the sun, Bacchus the god of wine and sensual pleasures, Cupid the god of love and son of gods Mars and Venus, Hercules the god of strength, Juno – the Queen of the Gods and goddess of matrimony, Jupiter the King of the Gods, Pluto the god King of the Dead, and Poena the goddess of punishment. In the United States, in the 1840s, person began believing in Spiritualism, that is encounters and communications with the dead (http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism). Ghosts are believed to be a form of a dead person or demons and evils spirits. Some persons fear ghosts and try to please them to protect themselves. Others worship such spirits for favours such as immortality, power or revenge. Among the Native Americans of the United States (http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/), you have gods like Azeban the trickster , Gluskab – the protector of humanity, Malsumis the evil god, and Tabaldak the creator god. Some persons take on religions that transfer divine qualities to themselves, like, for example, Scientology (http://www.scientology. org/http://www.scientology.org/), which teaches that individuals are immortal and spiritual beings, and must only believe and follow what they want. Despite all these religions, many modern people no longer base their on any concept of God. Either they do not know or do not care, or they decide in their minds that there is, and cannot be any god. Some feel that if there was a god, he is either all-good, all-evil or stupid and powerless. Some believe “God” is a concept invented by either ignorant or manipulative people. They believe the world will be better off without religion. To be con’td in the next issue
COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE…
I support you ...… no matter what! ‘Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.’ Proverbs 31 v 11
The Perfect Fight Emily Osburne
James Irwin : Apollo 15
Dr. Yves Bergeron The French Haitian Connection
Billy Hall Passing the baton Pastor Violet Brown Not a doubting Thomas Homeward Pilgrims All 4 one, one 4 all Abortion
God’s Man in the House of Lords Lord John Taylor of Warwick
Rev. Seong-in Chin South Korea comes to Meadowbrook
For more info Tel: (876) 922 -8639, Email: testimonymagazinejamaica@yahoo.com,www.ourtestimonyonline.com