SOULFOOD Issue 2 - Autumn 2009
The Road Map to Success ! Wole Akinwunmi
The Living Spring Centre Magazine
LAW GRADUATE TOPE KOTUN “Step into the real world”
“ You ain't got da Swagger”
The Journey into # 1 of the Chart ! Samuel Opeche “Power of Positive Attitude” Paul Soetan
Black History Month Celebration Remembering where we came from
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 1
Worship Times
Sunday Service:
House Fellowship : Mondays or Tuesdays (Contact for days and centres) Digging Deep : Thursdays - 7pm - 9pm Workers Meeting & Bible Study: Worship Service:
9am - 10am 10am - 12:30am
Contact Details 58 Lawrence Road,off West Green Road Seven Sisters, London, N15 07898694171, 07940044791,07916293134 Nearest Station : Seven Sister underground/National Rail info@livingspring.org.uk Website: www.rccglivingspring.org.uk THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD LIVING SPRING CENTRE - LONDON 2  SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
Raising Disciples - Doing Exploits
Table of Content
What’s inside SoulFood
05
Editorial
08-09
06
Current Issues
10 - 12
Ten Things
13
07
Cover Story Power of Positive Attitude
14
Advert 3
15 Becoming your own boss
Basket Mouth 16
Spirit Man
SOULFOOD For
17
18-19
T-Zone
22-23 Xmas Shopping
Brother Man
24
Back Cover
Issue 2 - Autumn 2009
The Road Map to Success ! Wole Akinwunmi
The Living Spring Centre Magazine
LAW GRADUATE TOPE KOTUN “Step into the real world”
“ You ain't got da Swagger”
20-21
Sister Woman
The Journey into # 1 of the Chart ! Samuel Opeche “Power of Positive Attitude” Paul Soetan
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION Remembering where we came from
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 1
For adverts contact Ola on 07898694171.
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 3
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October marked another year in the lives of blacks worldwide as we celebrate black history month, The Redeemed Christian Church of God - Living Spring Centre in Tottenham , London celebrates this historic month in a dynamic and exclusive special service. The service was packed with cultural acts covering all aspect of worshipping God in our cultures. he month of
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REIRTH
SOULFOOD
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Editor - in – Chief Pastor Olurotimi Raphael
Assistant Editors
Wole Akinwunmi, YeleOjo,
Editorial Consultants Wole Akinwunmi
Project Directors Yele Ojo, Wole Akinwunmi
Contributors Paul Soetan,Ola Iyiola,Tope Kotun, Stella Odeyemi,Wole Akinwunmi,Sam Opeche. Kike Adebiyi, Morinsola Duntoye,
Photography Yele Ojo
Art Director Ola Iyiola – Jacobs Desired Spectrum Media 00447898694171 www.desiredspectrum.co.uk
Printed By Mixam Printers info@mixam.co.uk For advert & correspondence Contact Us Wole 07961755403 Yele 07951822346 Ola 07898694171 SOULFOOD is a quartely magazine produced by RCCG - Living Spring Centre Tottenham - London All rights reserved !
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ello again, before I go any further I must apologise for the late delivery of this autumn edition of Soul Food. This is our fourth instalment of this magazine, this means we have come full circle completing publications for 2009, wow time does fly by very quickly. I sincerely hope the past issues have been very beneficial to you as an individual or a family. Quite a lot has happened since last July, one of the major stories that topped the headlines since then was the exposure of paedophile rings and syndicates amongst nursery workers. We shall be taking a look at that in the current issues page with advice for parents and carers of vulnerable children. With Christmas fast approaching there are tips on wise spending and saves in these economically low times. All these aspects will be covered in this issue so look out for those columns. Our Feature story with Tope Kotun reveals the mind of this determined young lady fresh from university and thrust into a world where
there is so much doom and gloom as unemployment figures are constantly on the rise since the credit crunch began. Soul Food on reaching full circle has undergone a makeover with new additions to our team of writers and editors. As always we are looking for more writers and contributors to this publication as well as sponsors and advert placements. Do kindly get in touch with the LSC publicity department if you would like to be part of the team or sow a seed in our vision. Without further ado, I like to invite you to relax and be inspired, informed, educated and entertained as you read this edition. And look out for the winter issue early Next year. Till then have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Wolé Akinwunmi Editor
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 5
Current Issues
How safe is your Child in that play group or nursery ?
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fter this last month’s press on nursery paedophiles, are there any mothers, or indeed fathers, who are dreading sending their children to a nursery? My friend’s son is almost three and due to start nursery next year, but after those women sexually abusing children in their care and sharing those images with other paedophiles, she feels even worse about the prospect of sending him to a nursery. He has never been in a nursery before, and some people say she perhaps a bit over protective of her two sons, but with all the media about paedophiles not just this week, but in general, do any mothers out there feel both guilty that they’re over protective, but at the same time that they’re not protective enough? I know that we can’t wrap our children up in cotton wool and keep them same forever, but does the knowledge that these things happen every day hinders us as parents, or make us more aware and therefore our children safer? Expressing your concerns with other parents or find someone who trusts their care provider is usually a way to reassure oneself. You can interview them like you are interrogating them, they understand- they are being entrusted with the care of your child, something invaluable to you. It is very easy to get freaked out too, since in a society like ours quite a number of people who were abused as children, it gets almost to the point you don’t even want family around them without you- but you just have to be a very verbal person when interviewing and when discussing.
ly. To work in childcare for many is such a caring, passionate and enjoyable career for so many, and so it is horrific to find people who abuse and betray the trust bestowed on them still able to work. Let us hope that with this now in the open more stringent measures apart from CRB checks will be put in place which will make sure your child is in the best hands possible. Good luck! SOULFOOD
Tell potential nurseries your concerns; make sure they completely empathize with you. If they get defensive, that is a sign to be uncomfortable, they should understand your feelings. I would also offer some advice to you - ask if the nursery has an open door policy - you will be able to go in at any time and see what your child is up to, and also ask staff what they have enjoyed/how much they ate etc, if they don’t already tell you; and lastly if you EVER have any concerns i urge you to talk to whoever is in charge immediate-
Vanessa George sexually abused upto 30 children.
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Ten things you didn’t know !
Ten things you didn’t know about , WATER !
Roughly 70 percent of an adult’s body is made up of water. 2. At birth, water accounts for approximately 80 percent of an infant’s body weight. 3. A healthy person can drink about three gallons (48 cups) of water per day. 4. Drinking too much water too quickly can lead to water intoxication. Water intoxication occurs when water dilutes the sodium level in the bloodstream and causes an imbalance of water in the brain. 5. Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid. Wherever it travels, water carries chemicals, minerals, and nutrients with it. 6. Somewhere between 70 and 75 percent of the earth’s surface is covered with water. 7. Much more fresh water is stored under the ground in aquifers than on the earth’s surface. 8. The earth is a closed system, similar to a terrarium, meaning that it rarely loses or gains extra matter. The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today. 9. The total amount of water on the earth is about 326 million cubic miles of water. 10. By the time a person feels thirsty, his or her body has lost over 1 percent of its total water amount.
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Cover Story
INTERVIEW
TOPE KOTUN STEPPING OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD
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few months ago universities were ushering in freshmen into various disciplines. For them it was a whole new world which for many, are still trying to get used to. However for some other young men and women there is another whole new world in which they would be stepping into. These are those who have just recently graduated from graduate school. At such a time when unemployment figures are reaching breaking numbers what kind of world awaits these graduates many of which are already saddled with student loans. Tope Kotun gives us an insight into life pre and post, university as well as lessons learnt during her time in university Briefly tell the readers about yourself? I’m 22 yrs of age and have just finished university. I’m quite a bubbly, outgoing and friendly person, who loves to shop! lol You have just finished University can you tell us your experiences pre, during and post university generally. Before I went to university I had my own expectations of what it would be like but a lot of what I thought wasn’t the reality. University life especially when you decide to move away from home can be quite daunting, but I loved 8 SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
every minute of it. Although I wouldn’t do it again! I was able to meet a lot of people of all different ages and walks of life that I otherwise would never have met. University equipped me with the necessary skills to be able to live on my own successfully, I would defiantly recommend university to anyone at the very least just for the experience. What attracted you to study Law? I’ve always had a keen interest in the legal system, how it works ect so Law was the natural choice for me. What were the hardest things you had to deal with during university life and how did you cope with it? The hardest thing was coping with the loneliness. Despite meeting so many people sometimes being away from home can make you feel quite lonely especially when you get over the excitement. Like most young people living home for the first time you must have had a barrage of advice from everyone at homeand everywhere, which advice proved most useful for you at uni and even till this day?
Cover Story Know what you believe in and why. That helped me a lot because as a young person your taught to believe in so many different things, but rarely do we actually know why we believe in it. You are British born of African decent, have you experienced life or visited any African university, if so how does it compare to universities here in the UK? On one of my visits to Nigeria I visited the University of Lagos and Lagos State University. It was interesting to see university life in another country, I found it to be quite different in terms of the exterior, how it looked etc. student accommodation was nothing compared to the facilities we have here. However, despite that the atmosphere was more or less the same in terms of student life, learning, meeting new people etc In your own words how do you think the current generation
getting easier. Rather what is happening is kids are getting smarter each year, I think its sad that some educational bodies or parents of black ethnic minority decent are not delighted that kids are doing better at exams year after year. You also have had leadership roles in your local church and probably in uni can you tell us about some of the projects you’ve done and currently involved in? While I was at uni I was the president of the ACS which is the African Caribbean Society. It’s a society which you can find in virtually every university up and down the country, my society was the 2nd largest society in my university and the society which generated the most money. I did it for a whole year and thoroughly enjoyed it as I was exposed to a whole new world of and I had the opportunity to meet and work with so many people. At present I am involved in a couple projects but I’ll leave the details for another issue lol
“ I strongly believe that the community or the church should be able to play a role in the lives of young people or encourage them to be the best they can be” of teenagers/young people can be developed, empowered and encouraged to actively participate in everyday developmental processes and opportunities for themselves and wherever they find themselves e.g. school, home, work, church and even the larger community. Wow ! that’s a difficult question. I think what young people are missing these days is an understanding ear, someone they feel that they can talk to and trust. These days when you look around it’s quite difficult to see individuals to look up to. What young people need is a strong relationship with their parents or carers. They need to be made to feel comfortable with trying and learning news things and not be afraid to make mistakes. Although the reality is that not all young people can be close with their parents which is why I strongly believe that the community or the church should be able to play a role in the lives of young people to encourage and empower them to be the best they can be. A Level and GCSE results were released recently with a continued record number of passes. Some educational bodies and parents especially of black and ethnic minority decent would readily admit that the examinations are being made simpler when compared to the same exams taken over a decade ago in the UK or with the same exams in the other countries of BME origin, leading to large number of university drop outs. Do you think the comparisons are fair and valid? When I did my GCSE and A-Levels the educational bodies were saying exactly the same thing and that was about five years ago. I personally don’t believe that the exams are getting easier, I feel that the government are becoming overwhelmed with the amount of students that deicide to apply for university year after year so are blaming it on exams
Let’s explore your other interests, what or who are your major influences? I have a very keen interest in music, I was part of the London youth gospel choir as well as NXGN (the youth choir at festival of life). I love reading about world affairs and anything to do with the legal system. Even though I studied law I’m not always serious I do have an infectious sense of humour. What is your typical day like now you’re finished at uni? A typical day for me is running errands and planning how I’m going to take over the world….so watch this space! Which book/movie/play did you see last, was it worth it? If so what made it worth while? The last movie I watched was The Hangover, it was my choice as I went with a bunch of people but it was defiantly worth it in the end, very funny film. Tell us about your biggest achievement till date apart from your education? Apart from my education it would probably be getting my driving license. If you were the next Oprah or Obama what would be the first thing you would do? End the Iraq war Any last words for the readers ! Know what you believe in and why… By Oluwole Akinwunmi
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 9
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Photo by: istockphoto
The Power of Positive Attitude By Paul Soetan
The Power of Positive attitude
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I delve into the reason behind this subject today, I want to give a background analysis into why it is crucially essential to have a positive and engaged thought process. efore
I have been to many countries around the world and I have met many people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. I have yet to meet anyone who complains about their country more than the average Nigerian. I’m using the term average specifically because, as a Nigerian myself, I do not share the popular view. I am a minority amongst the major players. There are people from countries with a GDP less than $200 US dollars and people from these countries are some of the poorest in the world, but they still do not ask the Almighty to fix their country for them as the average Nigerian does. If asked, the average Nigerian’s daily prayer is for God to intervene and fix the nation. My question is – what do we want God to fix? He has given us all the natural and mineral resources, coupled with a large population. The reason we had Trans-Atlantic slavery in the first place was because the average Caucasian was not resilient enough when it came to hands on hard work. Naturally, most Africans are endowed with enormous physical and mental strength. This is just a taster to what I am about to deal with here. I just want you to think about the following. If you gave your child the very best a parent could offer a child, but your child still complained about something he/she hasn’t got from you, what would you do? Our country is viewed as the modern day Israel, a country flowing with milk and honey, but as the Israelites complained in those days, so does the average Nigerian today and for almost 40 years, we have been complaining. This leads to my next two questions – How old is the nation Nigeria today? And, how many years did the Israelites spend in the wilderness? I am sure conspiracy theorists will put one and one together and maybe, just maybe, we’ll begin to understand why it is important to always have a positive attitude in everything we do. Positive psychology studies indicate a positive attitude, along with an optimistic outlook and positive thinking, can bring better health and greater happiness. Positive attitude, positive thinking, and optimism are now known to be a root cause of many positive life benefits— the good life and well being. You’ll live longer and be healthier and happier with a positive attitude toward life. In addition, you’re more likely to be successful. Learn to use the power of thinking positive, adopting positive attitudes, and affirmations to gain important life benefits. What is Attitude? Attitude is a mental position relative to a way of thinking or being; a leaning toward that which you believe. A positive attitude is, therefore, the inclination to generally be in an optimistic, hopeful state of mind. The Power of Positive Thinking A positive attitude and optimistic thinking early in life predict health and well being in later years. Analysis of 99 Harvard graduates found a strong cor relation between their optimistic thinking as college students and good health at age 40 and above.
In his ground-breaking book, A Primer in Positive Psychology, Christopher Petersen, PhD, says, “...optimism has demonstrable benefits, and pessimism has drawbacks.” He goes on to say, “...optimism...has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to perseverance and effective problem solving; to academic, athletic, military, occupational, and political success; to popularity; to good health; and even to long life and freedom from trauma.” Even if you have been a pessimistic, negative thinker for many years, it’s not too late to change your way of thinking and reap the benefits of a positive attitude. Grab the reins of your life! Find out what the benefits of positive thinking can do for you How many moments of frustration do you live daily? How frequently do you experience anger, sadness, fear and apathy? How about the feeling of being a victim? I used to experience all those feelings very intensively and too frequently for my liking. Other people seemed to be doing so much better than me at almost everything and I had to figure out why. That’s how my quest for a positive way of life started! I read up on various subjects and discovered that what you think influences the way you feel which in turn influences how you deal with situations in your life. Benefits of Positive Thinking, Positive Mental Attitude, & Optimism. When you feel good, you do good! We will start to experience the benefits of positive thinking when we became more aware of our thoughts and our feelings. And mind you, we are in control of all of these things. Don’t ever underestimate the power in positive thinking. There are many claims about positive thinking. People who search the term on the Internet will find numerous books, articles, and sites devoted to the subject. Advantages of positive thinking sometimes appear overwrought and the claims about it may seem too good to be true. Sometimes Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 11
“It attempts to keep us from going negative and using negative
self-talking by changing the way we perceive a situation, and by evaluating the different motivations that can drive other people.” they are, especially when people ignore negatives in their life to the point where they don’t deal with real problems that require their attention. On the other hand, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that thinking positively may be beneficial in many respects. There are studies that suggest that positive thinking can help in the treatment of and recovery from illnesses. However, it isn’t a magic bullet. Thinking positive thoughts doesn’t cure everyone of HIV or make every recovery perfect. However it can elevate mood and reduce upsurges in hormones and other chemicals produced in large volumes when people are stressed. The main thing seems to be that positive thinking has an advantage over negative thinking, because there are definitely causal links between negative thinking and production of stress hormones that make people feel worse. There are a number of ways in which positive thoughts are introduced in therapy. Two key therapy concepts that use thinking as a means of recovery from mental illness are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In particular, ACT can focus in part on how to interpret events in their best light, instead of interpreting them as a personal affront. It attempts to keep us from going negative and using negative self-talking by changing the way we perceive a situation, and by evaluating the different motivations that can drive other people. CBT can evaluate how people get into destructive thinking patterns based on core beliefs that are really not true. People can move from these old destructive beliefs into ones that are more modulated and realistic. Both ACT and CBT are considered legitimate means to help in the treatment of mental illnesses and they have been shown to improve outcome, even when used with severe conditions. Positive thinking isn’t just for those suffering from mental illness. There are many methods that employ such
12 SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
thoughts in every day life. Athletes can use positive visualizations in order to “see” achieving a goal or executing a perfect move. Take for example the world and Olympic 100 metres record holder Ussain Bolt, the guy ran 100 metres in 9.58 that is faster than it took me to type this sentence. I know I type slowly and I can improve on my typing skills. Students may visualize great test scores and then achieve them by reducing test anxiety and by studying. I was telling my children the other day that whenever I wrote an exam paper, I was always smiling, it wasn’t because the paper was funny, it was simply because the questions I expected came out and my answers to them flowed like a running river. Many people adopt optimism as a life strategy. Even in bad times, they try to find the silver lining or use tough times to commit to helping others. There can be some disadvantages to positive thinking too. People can become overly optimistic, a condition called optimism bias. They believe that they are immune to bad times or they simply believe that likelihood of good things occurring is greater than the likelihood of bad things occurring. This might lead to a smoker believing he or she won’t get lung cancer, for instance. Optimism needs to be tempered with realism, which isn’t the same as being negative. A favorite quote among many Christians is “act as if everything depends upon you; pray as if everything depends upon God.” In other words people shouldn’t use faith in the divine or optimism to substitute for living in positive ways that will likely improve their chances of having positive outcomes. Finally, positive thinking does yield immense benefits. It appears to potentially influence people physically and mentally. It isn’t a cure-all, but it clearly is of little harm, especially when paired with positive action. It doesn’t have to be unrealistic at all, but it looks for the good in any situation or anticipates that the good will come. Thanks and have a positive life change from now on.
Basket Mouth
LATEST JIST - EVENTS - MOVIES - MUSIC
COMEDY- BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
Heartbeat Entertainment the producers of the sell out shows The Kings & Queens of Comedy and The Best of The Best Comedy Xplosion proudly present The Real McCoy Comedy Xplosion!! Starring Felix Dexter, Leo Muhammad, Robbie Gee, Eddie Nestor and Judith Jacob. Also appearing are special guests Mr Cee and Slim. The stars of the very popular ground breaing TV series return for 1 night only! This night of top quality comedy mayhem is not to be missed!! Date: 29 January 2010 - Time : 8:00 PM Venue: Hackney Empire- Main House
MOVIE- Precious:
Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is a 2009 American drama film, adapted from the 1996 Sapphire novel Push. The film won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress Monique. Obese, illiterate teenager Clareece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) lives in Harlem with her dysfunctional family; she has been impregnated twice by her father and is in a destructive relationship with her mother (Monique). Precious is invited to an alternative school where she hopes that her life can change direction. The film also stars Mariah Carey as the social worker, Mrs. Weiss; Paula Patton as Precious’s teacher, Ms. Rain; and Lenny Kravitz as John, a nurse. 3
MOVIE - NOT EASILY BROKEN (2009)
After years of disagreeing on what true happiness, success, and love really are, dave and clarice johnson have finally reached a breaking point in their marriage. when Clarice (Taraji P. Henson) is hurt in a car accident, the obvious truth that more than just her injuries need immediate attention is exposed. their odds of making it worsen as Clarice begins to see a physical therapist, and Dave (Morris Chesnut) develops a friendship with julie and her teenage son Bryson. the acceptance and comfort he finds in them stirs his longing for a family and a passionate partner. as temptation tugs at Dave and Clarice pulls farther away, they must confront
are not easily broken. Produced Chesnut and Bill Duke.
are or by Bishop T.D. Jake, Morris whether their vows
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This is THE JOURNEY the NCM UK number 1 Album and DVD Video by Sam Opeche. If you have not obtained your copy of this amazing piece of musical artistry, please do so today. For more information on sales and distribution please be sure to call 07916283134 you can order your copy today at a discounted price. Stay on track, maintain focus - happy days are coming - the sun will shine again. Visit the online store at
www.samopeche.com
PURPOSEFUL LIFE
Purpose it’s why you exist www.purposefullife.wordpress.com Are you looking for someone who is able to deliver inspirational and interactive sessions around purposeful living and working? I can help you design and deliver interactive workshops or seminars on topics. These can be designed to suit specific demographics in your congregation i.e. Women, Young People, Professionals or Business People Recognizing your God-given vision - Translating passions into purpose - Discovering and using your spiritual gifts -Your role in the Body of Christ (Ministry) - Your role in the world (Mission) FOR MORE DETAILS AND BOOKINGS PLEASES CONTACT Tayo Richards, Ministry Specialist 07949236797, tayo@purposedivine.com
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Becoming your own Boss
Becoming your own Boss with your Passion Catering & Culninary Management By Stella Odeyemi
C
ATERERS play an important role in observing some of the most important occasions in people’s lives. Working closely with event planners and private customers, caterers design the perfect menus for a variety of functions. Preparing great food and helping people mark the defining moments of their lives can make a catering job both rewarding and fulfilling Good food is the glue that holds a successful event together. Whether it’s a company party, a wedding or an intimate dinner with friends, people tend to socialize around food. There’s something about sharing a meal that brings people closer. It can add to the feeling of friendship, create a mood of celebration or smooth over a socially awkward situation
cially if you run your own catering business. You’ll need to be able to work with your customers to plan menus that fit their budget. You’ll also need to be able to figure out your own budgets and pricing. Is a Catering Job for You? If you’re looking for a job that will allow you to be your own boss, cook great food and work closely with people, a catering job may be a perfect fit for you. Your entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food will help you succeed in the catering business.
A catering job can take many different forms. Some caterers may specialize in a certain kind of cuisine or in a certain kind of event. Others may like working with a range of foods in a wide array of circumstances. Some caterers work in a oneperson operation while others work for large catering companies. The duties you’ll be responsible for will depend on your work environment. Although the distribution of work will vary depending on your company, a successful catering business requires the following kinds of tasks:
Food preparation Food service Cleanup Sales and marketing Culinary Ability and Creativity Predictably, caterers need to be good cooks. They also need to be able to produce large quantities of good food. More than that, however, good caterers need to be able to think creatively about menus and collaborate with customers to put together the right set of food for the right event.
Social Skills Customer service plays a big part in any catering business. You’ll need to be able to attract customers and sell your product. You’ll also need to listen to what customers need and deliver both the food and the service they want.
Business Savvy Whether you’re handling everyday administrative tasks or making decisions about how to market your business, you’ll benefit from some basic business skills and training—espe Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 15
Spirit Man
Spirit Man
Claiming your total deliverance By Seth Aiyeola
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important things that our Lord Jesus Christ came to accomplish for depraved humanity is total deliverance. Apart from the eternal fact that He also came to reconcile us back to the Father, our entire emancipation from every satanic incursion into our lives is a pivotal matter resonating in the ever loving heart of our heavenly Father , God, towards His hapless and helpless lost children. Is it any wonder then that the Bible says in Luke 1:74-75 “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” Beloved brethren I discovered two cardinal reasons, of course out of many in the Bible why Jesus came to give us this release which we would refer to as total deliverance. The first is recorded in the book of prophet Obadiah verse 17, the Bible says there that “But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance.” In that passage of scripture, you will see that deliverance comes before holiness and God’s people possessing their possessions. ne of the major and extremely
Now the question that races to mind is why that is so. It is because in the ageless wisdom of the eternal God, He knows that without this deliverance holiness becomes a drudgery and burdensome. Without deliverance to possess your possessions is a mirage, an up hill task. The second reason is cited in Luke 1 74-75, there the Word of God says “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” The eternal recommendation of heaven for us is to serve Him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives, is that we need to be delivered out of the hand of our enemies. It is pertinent to bring to your awareness, that there are many instruments which can be used in the ministry of deliverance in the Body of Christ. For the sake of brevity I will again succinctly talk about just two viz: • The Word of God because of the enormity of the power it possesses and it’s precision in action. Ref Hebrew 4:12 and Psalms 107:20 • The blood of Jesus, because there is something in that blood that made it eternally acceptable to God for the eternal remission of our sins and total deliverance. Additionally that same blood according to the scriptures also speaketh better things than that of Abel. Ref Hebrew 12:24 However because the devil will not let goof his merciless grip over our lives, we therefore need a Spiritual Baptism of violence for our eternal liberty, Ref Matthew 11:12, Luke 16:16. May this total deliverance, continually be our experience in Jesus name. 16 SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
T-zone
T-Zone
You ain’t got the Swagger What exactly is swag? I was speaking to a couple of teenagers and they said as I quote “Uncle you ain’t got the Swagger” and as funny as it sound, I try to make them understand my point of view on fashion and style. These youngsters put me in my place and gave me grand style tips on fashion combination. Swag simply means dressing to the style of this generation and or having the correct dress sense and style. As a Church, we need to come up with a series of activities to make sure we are updated not outdated. We are rebranding ourselves to be compliant to this generation, so that we can reach out and extend our love rather than force our religion on this creative generation. The bible says in the book of Matthew 9 verses “{16 And no one puts a piece of cloth that has not been shrunk on an old garment, for such a patch tears away from the garment and a worse rent (tear) is made. 17 Neither is new wine put in old wineskins; for if it is, the skins burst and are torn in pieces, and the wine is spilled and the skins are ruined. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved}” What we are saying in essence is that our teenagers, youths and adults are leaving the Church because as a service provider we are not providing the necessary services in this competitive world and you guess what? No amount of prayer can stop this except we change our ways and make amends to the way we do things. Let’s put heads together to reason on how we can provide the best possible services to our Church, the community around us and the world at large. These youngsters have in turn looked to the outside world to provide them the satisfaction that they require and also entered into some things that have either tarnished their image or for some even get killed in the process.
The future of these youngsters are in our hands and unless we help them to attain the level of gratification they need we might not find them around for a long time. Thank you and God bless.
Ola Iyiola -Jacobs
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Photo by : Istock photo
I
ROAD MAP TO GOOD SUCCESS
SAT down on the train the other day after the usual long day at work. It was another one of those days where I was just glad I was on my way back home after long boring meetings that didn’t seem to make any head middle or tail to me. Luckily I was able to get a comfortable sit next to one of the functioning heaters this cold day during winter, which was rarely possible during the rush hour on an already full train from Liverpool Street. Just as I was getting comfortable in my seat on came two young school boys, laughing and chatting irritably. Just my luck I thought, they kept on till the next few stops before they alighted. Along the way one of them went on to tell a joke about two bulls grazing in the fields, they spot some cows in a field nearby and the younger of the bulls says “Let’s run over there jump
18 SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
Brother Man
over the fence and make out with one of the cows!” The older looks up and says “No lets stroll through the gates and make out with all of them instead.” As they left I thought ah peace and quite at last and definitely more leg room for me, but I found myself telling the same joke to colleagues at work the following days to come. The more I said it the more I realised that there was a lesson behind it. One which could be applied positively, to our lives as brothers, fathers, sons and leaders. Ask yourself are you a young, ambitious and ever active bull or an older more calculated and patient bull? On a reality bite check looking around us today there seems to be a greater percentage of young bulls around. Young men and indeed some of our older folk live just
for the moment at whatever cost. It is definitely in and currently in vogue to achieve the latest electronics, cars, biggest properties and all within the shortest possible time. It suits our male egocentric nature no mater where we come from race or upbringing. No doubt it is good to be ambitious, but how we get there should also be part of the process. Today to impress and feel as part of the crowd imprudent actions are often taken to reach our goals and targets. Preparation sacrifice and long suffering seems to have gone out the window. No pain no gain is quite obsolete these days. Unfortunately these brothers soon discover that if they jump over that fence like our young bull the cows are scared away and no making out is done at all. The road to good suc-
cess is not an easy crash programme that is achieved in a few days weeks or years. Good success requires work and hard dedicated work at that as well. The road to good success is not loud and flamboyant as some of us might think. It may mean lying low for a while working on the blue print, laying the ground work plans and working one thing at a time. Doing things one by one may mean regrouping priorities, reflecting on the past and maybe retooling ourselves for development. Take for instance starting a business or loosing wait wouldn’t come easy. There will be lots of step by step processes to accomplish and continuously maintain. It is not something you would be load about till you achieve your goal and keeping hold to it. So also we need to approach the same attitude in whatever we look to achieve before we spoil it along the way bad mouthing others or spreading ourselves around. If brothers stopped this and running about town like we
“No doubt it is good to be
that objectives that were once hard to accomplish will be at easy reach. Brother men let us not rush straight out into the greener pastures unprepared. Its time to set a plan choose a destination on this road to good success and choose our own destination. Develop your plan and strategies methodically like that old bull, and when you get to the gate all the cows will be there just for you to appreciate and celebrate with you.
ambitious, but how we get there should also be part of the process. Today to impress and feel as part of the crowd imprudent actions are often taken to reach our goals and targets. Preparation sacrifice and long suffering seems to have gone out the window. Oluwole Akinwunmi No pain no gain is quite obsolete these days” are all that but start to think things through more and how to get through it, our life’s journey would be better appreciated by ourselves and most definitely others. We will then find
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 19
Sister Woman
Don’t be a Cancer victim or survivor be an Overcomer !
J
ANUARY 13, 1997 was one of the happiest days of my life. My first granddaughter was born. We were all so happy that Stephanie came in without any problems and she was definitely the centre of our attention. Five days later my husband and I decided to go shopping for a crib for our home for when little Stephie came to visit. While in the shower I felt something odd in my right breast. It felt like a lump, but I didn’t think it was possible as three months earlier I had had a mammogram and the radiologist did not see anything out of the usual. I dismissed the thought of the lump while shopping that day with my husband; but that night when I went to bed I again felt it. I had my husband check it out it to see what he thought. We decided I would call our family doctor in the morning. The next morning I called the doctor’s office and they were able to fit me in that afternoon. My physician could also feel the lump and scheduled another mammogram and ultrasound for the next day, as well as an appointment with a surgeon. By this point I was getting a little more frightened as my mother had died of colon cancer. My radiologist was very reassuring. It didn’t appear to be a tumour, but a cyst. I was so excited I called my doctor to see if he thought I still needed to see the surgeon. He felt I should as the surgeon 20 SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
would try to drain the cyst. The next day I saw the surgeon and he tried to drain the cyst but was unable to do so. He didn’t want to go any further as he didn’t want to puncture my lung. He decided we should just wait and come back in three months. I remember asking him “What if it is a tumour.” He said not to worry that three months wouldn’t make any difference. These were the words I wanted to hear - but deep down I was still and not totally reassured. But then he was a doctor and I was a legal assistant - he knew better than me. WRONG! February came and went - the lump did not shrink - I could feel it every night when I would lay on my stomach. By mid March my co-workers and relatives convinced me to get a second opinion. I made an appointment for the last Tuesday in March. My new surgeon was able to feel the tumour. She also tried to drain it - no luck. She recommended a biopsy. I totally agreed as I wanted this foreign object removed. I asked her to schedule it as soon as possible, and she had an opening for that Friday (which just happened to be Good Friday). It didn’t turn out to be a very good Friday for me. After she removed the lump, Dr. Parsons asked that pathology call her immediately. Fear began to set it in. The words I feared she spoke - it was a tumour, 2.4 centimetres in size. I was in a state of shock! But
the other surgeon had reassured me it was just a cyst! I was in tears. That weekend I had the worst headache of my life. I was supposed to be joyous. I had a new granddaughter; it was Easter. How could this be happening? Monday morning I met with Dr. Parsons to discuss my options. I opted to have the mastectomy. She scheduled appointments for me with a radiotherapist and plastic surgeon. I met with both of them and by Friday I had my right breast removed and a temporary implant inserted. When Dr. Parsons came to my room the next morning with the lab results I had good and bad news. She had removed over 20 lymph nodes, but only 1 was bad. Visually she thought I was a goner! (I will always wonder if I had the second opinion sooner, maybe it would not have been in the lymph nodes - I’ll never know!) A week later I met with the oncologist. He recommended six rounds of chemotherapy - three weeks apart. My tumour was estrogen receptive positive so that would also require my taking tamoxifin for five years. I became very sick after the first round of chemotherapy but the other five went well. (The day after my second treatment I went to an 80th birthday party and after my third treatment (on my birthday) I went out to a program at our recreation centre! I was surprised that during this period I was able to go camping and even take a small trip to San Francisco! My office was very understanding and I brought a computer home and worked part-time at work and part-time at home - coming and going as I pleased. April 4, 2002 will mark five years since my surgery. I know I am one of the lucky ones as in the last year I have lost four friends - one to leukemia, one to eye cancer and two to breast cancer. But I continue to go to support group - to help others recently diagnosed. And I continue to participate in Relay for Life and the Race for the Cure. I also make it a point of reminding women (and men) that self breast examination is extremely important as well as second opinions. Without both of these I might not be here today writing this story. - Michelle Colorado October 30th celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Autumn 2009 SOULFOOD 21
How to save money this Christmas
Tips for spending less this holiday season The holiday season puts a strain on finances even when the economy is booming talk less of in these crunchy credit times. Between gifts to buy, meals to prepare and events to attend, it is hard not to go overboard. To keep spending on track, start with a plan of action. Then, get creative with gift giving and other seasonal responsibilities.
dinner. Instead, choose one that fits in at every event and save money on buying bulk ingredients.
Plan Ahead to Save Money for the Holidays
•Inexpensive Christmas Decorating Reuse and Reinvent The best way to save money on decorations is to use last year’s supply. Just get creative with them. Hang wreaths in a different spot and pile ornaments in bowls to get more mileage out of them.
The best way to save money at Christmas is to plan in advance what to spend. This means starting several weeks before the big day and before the holiday rush begins. Sit down with other members of your family and talk about how much to spend on gifts and what experiences are most important. Then, make a list and assign an expense limit to everything. •Start with a total amount of money to spend the entire season. This might come from savings throughout the year or from taking out a percentage from income leading up to Christmas. •Divide the budget according to activities: gifts, decorations, food, events, etc. •Spend only cash.
Ideas for Inexpensive Christmas Gifts •Make Something - The internet is full of how-to’s and tutorials for making everything from kids’ toys to men’s slippers. Search magazine websites and craft blogs for ideas to please everyone on your list. •Draw Names - Buying a present for every cousin, niece and nephew gets very expensive. For people with large families, consider drawing names. Everyone will get one nice gift instead of lots of little things. •Buy Group Gifts - Shorten a lengthy gift list by combining names. Group families and co-workers together, and then buy a single present they can enjoy together. For example, make a game night basket for your sister’s family or take a selection of healthy snacks to work everyone gets to choose from. Ways to Save on Party Food •Buy in Bulk - Don’t take a separate dish to every party or 22 SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
•Go Potluck For Christmas dinner at home, consider a potluck. Have other family members bring sides, desserts and drinks while the host provides the main dish.
Make Your Own - Make new decorations instead of buying them. Many craft stores have special Christmas sections with supplies for everything from wreaths to cards. With these tips saving money around the holidays, Christmas will still be merry and you won’t miss the money you save. 5 Tips for Sensible Holiday Shoppers 1. Use Cash Whenever Possible - Carrying cash allows you to track exactly how much money you have, and how much you’ve spent. Using cash also serves as a precautionary measure for potential overspending, since you can’t spend more than you have in your purse or wallet. While using credit can be useful, and is necessary in certain situations, the less you use it the better chance you have for staying out of debt. 2. Ask Questions – Companies are all trying to win your business and will run a wide variety of advertising campaigns and promotions to try and grab your attention. If you are uncertain as to the price of an item or a sale item in a flyer, be sure to ask a store employee. Before you pay a service fee for your gift card or disregard that mail-in rebate, find out all the facts about the cost of your purchase. 3. Build a Holiday Budget - Household budgets help us organize our financial lives on a weekly basis, and the same process can help guide us through holiday spending just as easily. Visit www.consumercredit.com to download a free Holiday Budget Worksheet, and plan out exactly what you can afford to spend on gifts, decorations and holiday parties. 4. Read the Newspaper and Circulars - Many popular gifts go on sale to during the holiday season. If you are on a holiday budget, it’s a good idea to look through the
newspaper each week to begin comparison-shopping. Although the item you want may be on sale at one store, its competitor might just be charging $5 dollars less and that is $5 you can use to buy Christmas cards instead. 5. Utilize Free Services - The holiday season is intended to be a time for giving, and many stores and shopping malls will offer you free gifts and services in exchange for your patronage. From free gift wrapping to $10 gift cards, these store perks can save you money in the long run, so take advantage as often as you can. SOULFOOD
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swagger
the official student fashion sense magazine
SwagFreak sisi eko
the official student fashion sense magazine
24  SOULFOOD Autumn 2009
Fashion Retailer