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FIRST WORD note from yin
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story is told of a woman going on a road trip with her children,who fell asleep at the wheel of her vehicle at a traffic light. Concerned neighbours living around the traffic light called the police station to inform them that a strange car had been at the traffic light for hours. The police man approached this vehicle and tapped on the window of the vehicle. The woman arose from her slumber only to see a police man peering into her face. He asked her how long she had been there. She had no idea as she was too tired
and hadn’t realised how long it had been. Seeing her children in her car, “Well,” he said to her, “I need you to wake up because you are carrying precious cargo”. Some of us today are like this woman asleep at the wheel of our lives, unaware of the precious cargo - the treasure God has gracefully placed in us. We forget that this very same Creator saw us at the beginning of time and said we were “very good”. Because of fear or sin, we see ourselves as inadequate and limited by our seemingly earthen vessels. But just like antique china, it is this broken
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and marred vessel of clay, that God has placed something so precious that the world needs to see, and that is pertinent to the times. Over these past few months, we have been on a journey of Relevance, exploring our place as salt and light of the earth. In our first issue, we took a look at how Boldness plays a role in our call to relevance. In our last issue, leverage, we looked at how we can use who we are, what we have and have experienced, all to the service of God. As we near the end of the year, we explore another dimension to relevance, the precious cargo inside all of us, that which has been marred by our view of ourselves, by sin or by fear. In the next few pages, we explore how we can be the antidote
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GNOMIC MAGAZINE A CHRISTIAN YOUTH MAGAZINE
Elixir
ISSUE 15
to the world’s needs through our God-given treasures. The next pages would explore two words, our capabilities and capacities. Take this journey with us. You carry precious cargo inside you, do not just fall asleep at the wheel of your life. Infact, scoot over to the passenger seat and hand over the wheel to Jesus as he steers your life with this treasure to a trusted destination.
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GNOMIC ACCRA Editor-In-Chief | EMMANUELLA AGYEMAN Content Head | SYLVIA ASARE-DANSO Publicity Head | REUBEN ODAI LARYEA Finance & Marketing Head | CHERYL LAMPTEY Creative Head | FRANK AYUGANE Faith Correspondent | DERRICK NYARKO AMOAKO Special Board Member | NANA KWAME BROWN
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GNOMIC CAPE-COAST Editor-In-Chief | YINLOGRE ATONGO Content Head | AMA ASARE BOATENG Publicity Head | ERNEST AMOAH Creative Head | KWAKU BOAKYE GYAMFI Special Board Menber | SHOLA MAKINDE Publisher | JOHN A. TURKSON PORTIA N. Y. SINTIM KWASI KYEI-OFFEI PRISCILLA KYEIBAFFOUR UFUOMA MAMOH KOBINA ESSILFIE-QUAYE MAAME ADWOA OWUSU-KONADU ALBERT IDLAFF OFORI
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YinAtongo Yinlogre Atongo EIC, CAPE-COAST
Gnomic Magazine Accra, Ghana NOV 2020
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CURRENT THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND CULTURE
#ENDSARS
End SARS is a decentralised social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria. The slogan calls for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuses. The protests takes its name from the slogan started in 2017 as a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #ENDSARS to demand the disbanding of the unit by the Nigerian government. After experiencing a revitalisation in October 2020 following more revelations of the abuses of the unit, mass demonstrations have occurred throughout the major cities of Nigeria, accompanied by vociferous outrage on social media platforms. About 28 million tweets bearing the NOV 2020
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and video evidence of how officers of SARS engaged in kidnapping, murder, theft, rape, torture, unlawful arrests, humiliation, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings and extortion of Nigerian citizens. A 2016 report by Amnesty International, indicted SARS maintaining that the squad was responsible for human rights abuses, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture. Some of the human rights abuses by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock executions and threats of execution, hanging and physical assault. A 2020 publication by the organisation documented 82 cases of abuses and extra judicial killings by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.
hashtag have been accumulated on Twitter alone. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was a branch of the Nigeria Police Force under the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID). It was founded in late 1992 as one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, which was established to detain, investigate, and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. The squad was created as a maskwearing police unit that performs undercover operations against violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and the bearing and use of illegal firearms. SARS officers have been alleged to profile young Nigerians, mostly males, based on fashion choices, tattoos and hairstyles. They are also known to mount illegal road blocks, conduct unwarranted checks and searches, arrest and detain without warrant or trial, rape women, and extort young male Nigerians for driving exotic vehicles and using laptops and iPhones. Nigerians have shared various stories
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Within a few days of the renewed protests, on 11 October 2020, the Nigerian Police Force announced that it was dissolving the unit with immediate effect. The move was widely received as a triumph of the demonstrations. However, it was noted in many quarters that similar announcements had been made in recent years to pacify the public without the unit actually being disbanded, and that the government had merely planned to reassign and review SARS officers to medical centres rather than disband the unit entirely. Protests have continued accordingly, and the Nigerian government has maintained a pattern of violent repression including the killing of demonstrators. There have been international demonstrations in solidarity with those happening in the country, and the movement has also grown increasingly critical of Muhammadu Buhari’s government response to the protests.
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AND BIDEN WINS IT! Joe Biden has won the race to become the next president of the United States of America, defeating Donald Trump following a cliff-hanger vote count after Tuesday’s election. Mr Biden has won the key battleground of Pennsylvania, propelling him over the 270 electoral college vote threshold required to clinch the White House. The result makes Mr Trump the first one-term president since the 1990s. The election has seen the highest turnout since 1900. Mr Biden has won more than 73 million votes so far, the most ever for a US presidential candidate. Mr Trump has drawn almost 70 million, the second-highest tally in history. President Trump had falsely declared himself the winner of the election when vote counting was unfinished. He has since alleged irregularities in counting, but has not presented any evidence of election fraud. His campaign has filed a barrage of lawsuits in various states and earlier on Friday, as Mr Biden appeared on the cusp of victory, said: “This election is not over.”
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Joe Biden is now set to return to the White House, where he served for eight years as President Barack Obama’s deputy. At the age of 78, he will be the oldest president in American history, a record previously held by the man he has now defeated, Donald Trump, who is 74.
HOW DOES THE ELECTION WORK? The winner of the election is determined through a system called the electoral college. Each of the 50 states, plus Washington DC, is given a number of electoral college votes, adding up to a total of 538 votes. More populous states get more electoral college votes than smaller ones. A candidate needs to win 270 electoral college votes (50% plus one) to win the election. In every state except two – Maine and Nebraska – the candidate that gets the most votes wins all of the state’s electoral college votes.
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GHANA GETS READY TO VOTE Ghana is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2020.
delayed due to COVID-19, NPP held its primaries on June 20, 2020 to select parliamentary candidates.
Ghana is often cited as a success story for democratic transition. In that vein, the two main political parties, the center-right New Patriotic Party (NPP) and center-left National Democratic Congress (NDC), have alternated stints in power since Ghana began holding multiparty elections. Moreover, although each party has bases of support in certain regions or ethnic groups, the parties define themselves by ideology and campaign on issues. In the 2016 presidential polls, NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo defeated incumbent John Mahama from the NDC following a contentious campaign. Eleven parties competed in the parliamentary elections, but only the NPP and the NDC won seats, with the NPP winning a majority. The 2020 presidential election will be a rematch as the NPP has nominated Akufo-Addo for reelection and NDC has nominated Mahama. In fact, this will be their third consecutive matchup. Although party primaries were slightly NOV 2020
CARL LENTZ FIRED FOR ‘MORAL FAILURES’.
Hillsong NYC pastor, Carl Lentz has been fired from his church. “Today, Hillsong church East Coast adviced our congregation that we have terminated the employment of Pastor Carl Lentz,” Hillsong Founder Brian Houston said in his statement. In the statement, Houston said the move came after “ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures” on Lentz’s part. Lentz has since admitted to cheating on wife and fellow pastor, Laura.
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an act of deliberately provoking others on social media by using offensive words. Though it makes most of its victims very upset and disturbed, trolling is a major source of boredom relief for a large number of people.
NSMQ TROLLS “Blueeeeeeeee” “Six is here” “#Let’sCelebrateSix” “Gakpetorrrr” “Afuaaaaaa”. “Mbeboooo” Over the past week, these names have been on the lips of many Ghanaians, especially among the younger generation. You might have heard these chants or their like recently and wondered what all the fuss was about. Well, if you were living under a rock, It was all about the National Science and Maths Quiz 2020; popularly called NSMQ or “Brilla” The National Science and Maths Quiz is an annual science and mathematics contentbased national level quiz competition for senior high schools in Ghana. It has been produced by Primetime Ghana Limited since its inception in 1993. The quiz is currently hosted by Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, a Senior Lecturer and founding Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana. A major feature that made this contest gain this much popularity is the trolling of schools that fail to perform as expected. Throughout the one-month period of this year’s NSMQ, the program kept trending on Twitter due to the numerous trolling tweets of people. Trolling is
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Even though every school had some extent of trolling, some schools were trolled so much that it left you wondering what the school ever did to most people. Mfantsipim School (Botwe) was one of those unfortunate schools. They had a very humiliating defeat of 53-35 when they contested Kumasi Academy in the One-eighth Stage of competition. Most troll accounts kept comparing them to girls’ schools and the trolls were fueled when a contestant spelt the name of the school wrongly. It seemed the Botwe boys were not bothered at all as they were spotted treating themselves to a delicious-looking plate of banku and tilapia, right after their embarrassing defeat. A true definition of “I can’t coman kill myself” One cannot talk of NSMQ Trolls without mentioning the esteemed Wesley Girls’ High School. It was pretty obvious the whole country had Gey Hey’s neck on 2nd October when they lost to Opoku Ware School and Holy Child School in their Quarter-final contest. The girls had gone for a photoshoot and every Gey Hey girl religiously posted their flier with the inscription “Countdown to the finals” as well as a video showing the contestants promising to bring home the trophy. On their sad loss, the girls were at the tail of many jokes as people posted these with a sneer. The resultant trolls were nothing short of expected. A tweet however paid them due compliment for living up to their motto – follow the king. Silently pointing Mfantsipim as the King and following in their course of losing. Even the dashing, intelligent and revered Dr. Kaufmann wasn’t spared in the frenzy. Once when she was reading out a question, she mistakenly said five point ‘zelo’, instead of zero and Ghana went haywire almost instantly. People added very nice beats to that line and it was rather amusing watching on. gnomicmagazine.com
I believe that NSMQ trolls are not altogether bad; they add fun to the Greek sounding quiz. However, moderation and attention should be given to the mental health of the quiz contestants otherwise they would be bruised indefinitely. It is not at all worthwhile slaying their esteem and mental wellbeing on the altar of our pleasure.
Then there were those cases when it could not be anything else but breast cancer, with skin involvement and ulceration of the breast, and involvement of the lymph nodes in the armpit. Those sessions were exquisitely painful to sit through, for even our inexperienced eyes could tell it would most likely not end well. Simply heartbreaking!
CHRISTABEL APPIAH-DANSO
Breast cancer is no respecter of persons. Young, old, rich, poor, doctor, student… we are all at risk. Please get your breasts examined by a professional occasionally, and then a mammogram if you are over 40 and an ultrasound scan if you are under 40. It’s especially important if you are over 40 and; -you have a close relative (mother, sister or daughter) who has had breast cancer -if you have not had a child or you had a child after age 35 -if you did not breastfeed your children. Of course, a monthly self-breast exam after the period is like the eight glasses of water we must drink every day: crucial! If you’re reading this, please get your breasts screened.
PINKTOBER
And yes, I know we have faith in God, and cancer cannot be your portion, but please still check. I mean, you don’t leave your front door ajar at night even though you know that God has built a hedge of protection around you. In the final, final analysis, please, my beautiful mothers, aunties and sisters seeing this, prevention is better than cure.
The month of October is now widely touted as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and last month saw a wide range of activities organized to that effect. When I was in my fourth year of medical school, I had the privilege of being on the “breast floor” for four weeks. This meant I got to see a lot of breast cases. Wednesdays at OPD, we would examine a number of patients and I would get so sad. The hope in the eyes of patients – so thick, so palpable – when we, mere junior clerks, would examine their breasts for lumps and they would ask, “Doctor, please is it cancer?” and the relief when we would tell them that it is not likely to be was so overwhelming.
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FEATURED
Elixir .
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ommon in Ghanaian public transport are drug peddlers boarding vehicles to market their medicines. These are mostly herbal medicines, but that is not where the fascination lies. More often than not, you find the vendors mention in the marketing of their drugs that they can cure a myriad of diseases – from dermatological to surgical conditions. I think they are cunning because they really do not talk about the diseases they claim to cure. Instead they talk about different symptoms, some of which are not necessarily pointers to pathologies. However, the wide range of symptoms they enumerate ensures that no matter who you are in the vehicle, there would be at least one thing you have experienced before at one time or the other.
never forget. One of such memories for me is from a short video I watched from a Whatsapp group. A couple, probably in their 60s were on their way to a place that one cannot tell from the video but the man was stuck under a boulder. The video starts with this couple crying and praying for help and to their astonishment help comes. A figure meant to be God appears in the sky and asks them what they want Him to do. A single answer comes to mind when you are watching the video. There was only one thing that they had been praying and shedding tears about – that the man(husband) is taken away from under the boulder.
An important consideration is the reason for buying different medication for the different ailments you have when there is one drug that can solve all the problems? Depending on one’s orientation, one could be drawn to it as a good bargain or be outrightly skeptical at the claimhow can one drug cure all ailments?
“I want the skin of a 16-year-old.” That was the response of the wife of the old man who was under the rock. The shock and surprise at that statement in the video opened my eyes to something about human beings and our yearnings. The woman was not stupid, she only demonstrated something any of us could have done in her shoes and I will prove that to you.
There are things we all have seen that we can
Let’s twist the scenario slightly and
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edit the profile to put you in there. This time it is just you with no boulders, but there is God appearing and asking for what you want Him to do for you. Just imagine it. I have done this several times and I am convinced that most of the answers that come to mind are stupid. However, stretching the narrative a little further to the basis of your demands and requests point to something extremely significant. You will find that the answer to the fundamental demands and longings of our hearts is one – Jesus. Pardon my reductionist tendencies here but the reason your prayer is to pass an impending exam really is not to pass the exam for passing sake. You are in for that satisfaction that comes with passing an exam, or to escape the fear of failing one. What you are looking for here is peace but that is not what you prayed for.
. . . the answer to the fundamental demands and longings of our hearts is one – Jesus.
You know you need to make that big decision and you have been praying for a sign every time you go on your knees. Sometimes you have a preference, sometimes you are dead confused and overwhelmed. What you really need is not just a sign for an answer but guidance every step of your way. Take the couple who are without a child. Their cry and want for a child instinctively will be to show off their children just like their colleagues and Hannah demonstrated that pretty well. She later understood that the child she asks for is to the glory of God. Her finding of the real reason led to her bearing the man
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of whom it is written that no word of his mouth fell to the ground. It was a hot afternoon at the well, and Jesus was alone. Then in walks the woman whose heart had one longing, a LORD of her life. She needed something to fill up her life for she had a space that five men could not fill. Her encounter with Jesus began with her desiring to receive water which would satisfy her thirst forever – fulfillment.
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At the time Jesus opens her eyes to her real wants she gets the revelation that it really isn’t water she needs. She might want her pots filled but she needs her soul filled the more. She needed a saviour. Isn’t this allegory demonstrated in many places by Jesus to us?
We would love to see the innovation that will make us eat once and not be hungry again. We will want to hear of the technology that makes people immortal now. We constantly want the companionship of people around us. We want them to show us love. We want peace and joy in our lives and not just happiness. We want love and companionship. We want safety and protection. These are man’s deepest longings and do reflect in the actions, desires and demands of the human race all over the world and across generations. Now listen to Jesus’ manifesto to your heart concerning what you really need:
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I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. [ John 6:35]
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I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. [ John 8:12]
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I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [ John 10:9]
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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. [ John 10:11]
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I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. [ John 11:25]
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I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. [ John 14:6]
but not exactly as them,- will be the joy, peace, satisfaction, fulfillment, etc that one needs. We hold this truth to be selfevident that Jesus Christ is the answer to the world. He is not only the solution to the longings of our hearts but He also holds the answers to the questions of our hearts. All you need to do is to let Him in.
Yourself and the rest of the world will attest to the fact that the toils of this life are such that we will have food on our plates and drinks in our glasses, be enlightened and at peace with your maker if you believe in yourself and the people around you, be loved and cherished, and have divine guidance if you believe in one. The list could continue but you know what your heartfelt desires are. God’s way of answering all these for mankind was to put every solution in one man, so that He - like the Ghanaian herbal medicine peddler
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KEN APRAKU
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he Sun is one of countless stars. In comparison to other stars, there may be nothing outstanding about it except for the fact that it’s the closest to Earth. It’s the only star in our solar system, yet it comprises over 99% of the mass within the system. Nothing is more important to us on Earth than the Sun. Without the Sun’s heat and light, the Earth would be a lifeless ball of ice-coated rock. The Sun warms our seas, stirs our atmosphere, generates our weather patterns, and gives energy to the growing green plants that provide the food and oxygen for life on Earth. (Chipman E. G.) Without the Sun, our Earth has no hope, no future and no life. Our Sun lacks consciousness and has no sense of value or worth; absolutely oblivious of how precious and priceless its existence is to our Earth. She’s the Sun but she doesn’t even know it. However, if the Sun could be conscious for 24 hours, she would envy the stars. She would watch the earth rotate along its axis and see billions of its inhabitants go through their day without acknowledging her presence or even spending a moment to admire the brightness of her glory. She would see many humans who have been named after stars but none after her. She would see us bring out our telescopes to view the stars as the sight of her slowly passed away. She’s the Sun but she envies the stars. Kate is in love with Harold. She spends long hours thinking about him. She daydreams about a day when they are married. But Kate barely knows Harold; the extent of their relationship is the occasional “Hi” she says from time to time. She envies yet imitates all his female friends to catch his attention. She looks at herself in the mirror and asks why he can’t find her attractive. But here’s what Kate doesn’t know: Harold is her secret admirer. Harold is fascinated by Kate’s
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existence and deems himself unworthy of her attention. He has many friends but it feels like something is still missing. Harold is convinced that Kate knows something that will change his life but doesn’t know how to approach her. If only Kate knew what she meant to Harold. She’s his Sun but she doesn’t even know it. She’s his Sun, but she envies the stars. The Church is surrounded by a world of people who give their attention to everything but the church. Why is the world interested in everything but church? Why does the church imitate worldliness and its associates for the attention of the world? If only the church knew that without her presence, our world has no hope, no future and no life. Our world is shrouded in darkness and death but life, light and hope is in the work and person of Jesus Christ. His strategy for transforming our world is in His body, the church. We are the reconcilers. We are the elixir. We are the Sun but we don’t even know it. We are the Sun but we envy the stars. WORKS CITED Chipman, E. G. (n.d.). THE SUN AND EARTH IN SPACE; The Sun and Us. (NASA, Producer, & NASA) Retrieved October 17, 2020, from A Meeting With The Universe : https:// history.nasa.gov/EP-177/ch3-1.html
NANA KWAME DOMME BROWN
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“Is anyone a doctor?”. There was a young man frantically seizing several hundred feet high up in the sky. He was flying in the company of his parents and two uncles. He had left to use the washroom and then the unfortunate happened. Fortunately, a stranger chanced on him in his quagmire and the call for help began. One person yells for help from another and the other from the next, only to be met with more desperation. The parents are eventually reached but the chaos adds to the turbulence mid-air. Mother is tightly hugging her boy, someone else is pouring water on him, another is trying to take off his shirt – it seems so much is being done yet nothing is being done to salvage the situation. Nigeria is going through worse of a chaos than I try to paint. It’s worse because it borders on injustice against humans and the footages are gut-wrenching Amnesty International records that 82 cases of injustice have been filed against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad from 2017 to 2020. The numbers we all know are way more than reported. In recent days the cases are exponential and bluntly inhumane. The plot twist to this whole saga is the fact that SARS
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x was actually set up to fight violence, robbery and kidnapping in Nigeria. And it is quite an open secret how miserably they have failed in doing their bidding. About every household in Nigeria has a story to tell about how the unit brutalized them first hand or someone close to them. The police unit has embittered indigenes on account of torture, extortion, battery and even shootings which have resulted in the demise and maiming of citizens in the country. In seeking redress, the youth of Nigeria took to the streets to make their voices heard. Many known faces across the globe have added their voices in the war against a wrecked institution and bad governance. That seemed to have worked because the Inspector General of Police dissolved SARS and launched another unit, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). The unit was immediately boycotted by ongoing protesters with cries for institutional reforms and better governance. Like the hullabaloo mid-air, pointing out that there is a problem with governance and the police as an institution, is a part of the solution but that alone does not suffice. There has been the ‘5for5’ which the informal leaders of the movement have proposed but that also I find not addressing the matter at its core. At the heart of this systemic decadence is the lostness of the human heart – not of a lack of ethos or the colour of our skin or the plume of our minds but the lostness of our heart. It is the reason we see brutish treatment of fellow humans across continents, languages and generations. The activism is necessary but that does not change the heart: hence my cry, “Where is the church?”
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WE NEED JESUS! OUR WORLD NEEDS JESUS!
I ask of the church’s whereabouts because I cannot see her in the cry for justice. Matters like social justice, education and industry are not at the core of the gospel but the gospel is not devoid of them. Jesus Christ cared about all suffering and injustice. The church as such should care about all suffering and injustice. We are supposed to be compassionate like our Lord (Matthew 9:36) and not stand aloof. We are to mirror the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) by going the extra mile for all the wounded and brutalized men and women. We are to be overwhelmingly loving neighbours by caring for the destitute, hungry and imprisoned. By caring for them, our Lord says we are doing the gesture for Him ultimately: so, why the loud silence of the church in the wake of this brutality.
of a world of perfect justice, in palpable harmony and bursting at its seams with love. A world where there is complete respect for one another and understanding reigns through and through. Now open your eyes. Do you see that happening in our world? It is a utopia, right? The church however is ushering in an eternal kingdom in which perfect justice is its hallmark. There, there shall be no pain or sorrow or crying (Revelation 21:4). All our hurts and anxieties are dealt with in that coming kingdom. I definitely cannot wait, so…Where is the church?
The real reason I ask of the church’s whereabout is because it is only the church that can touch the crux of the matter – the human heart. The heart of the fallen man is the receptacle for all kinds of ill intent far reaching than we can pen down. The church carries the solution to our ailing world in the person of JESUS. Jesus transforms the heart and recreates men and women. Jesus should be preached vociferously and introduced to all in society for society to have another and a better look. No amount of workshop or therapy can do what Jesus does with the human condition. He takes from us our heart of stone (brutal, wicked, desperate, selfish, greedy and insatiable) and gives us a wholly new heart of flesh – loving, considerate, caring, joyous and content. (Eze 36:26; Jer 31:33) We need Jesus! Our world needs Jesus! Close your eyes and think, for a moment,
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DERRICK AMOAKO
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It’s unsurprising I get judged by what I am on the outside Because though I’m a heavenly being I am housed in this earthen vessel A vessel marred by sin and clad with scars Yet full of life and power within Regardless of how the world sees me The truth remains unchanged A treasure lies on my inside The elixir of life That ancient treasure sought by the mystics And though I be tried by fire And my outer man wastes away I choose to set my gaze on that glory within As men grope in the dark Lost in their own selfish desires and lusts Springs of living water well up within Longing to be let loose To a dry and thirsty world This life flowing in and out of me I will never shut out Because though I may be broken Yet broken crayons still colour
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MANUELA C. KANDEM
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INTERVIEW
DR YAW PERBI
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It takes deeply transformed people to bring about deep transformations.
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JAMES
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TIME WITH
EBO-WHYTE
Uncle Ebo, how would you describe yourself ?
makes his life about God, the same God that empowers him and anoints him to serve his purposes. And that has been my life. I’ve walked with God for more than 50 years- I turned 66 this year, and I was 15 years old when i became a Christian, and it’s always been about Him and trying to discern what his will is for me at any point in time. Whether it is popular or not, whether it makes sense to the next person or not, I’ve always sought to just do that which pleases him.
I’m a man, I have two legs, two hands, one head...is that enough? [laughs] Um, I like to describe myself as a storyteller. That’s the only title I want to wear now, that I tell stories for a living. But I have a background in statistics at the University, I taught myself marketing and accounting but I’m currently using all these disciplines in the work I do as a storyteller and the CEO of Roverman productions.
So that bible passage you quote, I like the context of it - the context is that we hold this power in earthen vessels, in other words, God is at work in us but he hasn’t made us superhuman. We still remain human beings, fallible, as weak as the next person and yet God wants it that way, so that one can account for what He enables us to do in only one way- that it’s God working through that person. Not because of intelligence, discipline, focus- no. The people God uses, they cannot take credit for anything for themselves apart from ascribing all to the power of God, the mercy of God, to the grace of God that works in them and that’s why that passage is one of my favorite passages in scripture.
Our theme this edition is Elixir, a reminder to Christians of the excellency of the power that lives in us, and that the gospel we preach is a solution to the world’s problems. How do you relate to this? In my daily work, I have only one focus, one objective. To honour God in what I do, in what I wear, in what I eat, in what I say, even in where I go and who I associate with. It’s all about Him. And I know that to the extent that one
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The people God uses, they cannot take credit for anything for themselves apart from ascribing all to the power of God If purpose was to be judged by observable impact, many would say that by your success, you have achieved or are achieving your purpose. Would you agree? And what were the factors that aided in your arrival at the path to your purpose?
unless you know his mind, and that means getting into scripture completely to know how he has dealt with other people and with certain situations. The second thing I have found that has worked for me is maintaining a very close private relationship with God. And I emphasize on private, because too many people are Christians outside. Everyone can testify that you are a very active member in the fellowship. But in private when nobody is watching you what kind of person are you? Do you live with the consciousness that God is with me?
People watching me can say whatever they want to say, I know what God put on my heart and I know the direction He’s indicated that He’s leading me. In that respect I know that I haven’t begun yet, because there are some visions he gave me that we are still working towards, for instance owning our own theatre where we can do our own productions. We haven’t achieved that yet. Moving from doing 8 shows a quarter, to 8 shows a week--that hasn’t happened yet. So if you see the gap between where we are and where the spirit of God has indicated that he wants to take us, that is a huge gap. I don’t have the luxury of looking at us and saying ‘we’ve done a lot, we are very successful.’ I take it one day at a time.
And I take that from the example of Joseph when Mrs. Potiphar tried to seduce him and he said I can’t do this against God. Joseph knew it was about him and the God who rescued him when his brothers sold him and gave him favor with Captain Potiphar. God hadn’t stopped walking with Joseph and so he couldn’t work against Him. Number 3 is making sure you have a testimony with everyone around you. And that I can tell you is not an easy thing. And you know, the world doesn’t mind what you claim but they will always watch to see if you live up to what you say you represent. And because you know people are watching you, you know you dare not do certain things, because they will refer you. So those things have helped me
If you look at the servants of God, you will not always see success the way we regard it, because this is not what God sent us to do. Even Jesus Christ was not a ‘success’, because His enemies got their way. John the Baptist was captured, killed, his head cut off and offered to a small girl. God sent us not to be successful, but to be faithful, to represent him, to do that which honours him. That’s what I labor at everyday.
And then the final one, surround yourself with godly people. I do not reject anybody, but you will not get too close to me if you are not God fearing. You must be God
When it comes to factors that helped, I would say the word of God first and foremost. You can’t remain faithful to God
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fearing, even to the point where you can hold me accountable, and your life can inspire me just as my life inspires you. So those are the things that have helped me in my walk with God, in my testimony and in my steps.
As a christian with such a large platform both on and off the stage, what are your guiding principles for life? Pursue excellence. Pursue excellence, because excellence is it’s own reward. You know, we serve a God who says that for a burnt offering, - we are burning that whole animal to ashes, it’s not as if someone is going to eat anything- this God says that for a burnt offering, don’t bring me an animal with any defects. That tells you that you can’t be His servant and not pursue excellence. Unfortunately I see too much mediocrity in Christian Arts because we won’t put in the hard work. We think that when we pray, everything will be fine. I have another statement that helps me and everyone on my staff knows it. You see, pray as if everything depends on the prayer, and work as if everything depends on work. So hold the two together. You shouldn’t say, ‘I don’t believe in prayer, but I believe in work.’ For the Christian, you pray as if everything depends on prayer but don’t end there. Work as if everything depends on work. And when you bring the two together mediocrity cannot be a part of you. You’ll always be raising the bar, you’ll always be looking for ways of honouring God and raising the bar. So those things have served me.
For about 20 years your voice has been a defining one across our cultural landscape- from Food for Thought to the Rover Report to Roverman’s quarterly plays. What is the secret to remaining consistently relevant across changing seasons, especially as a christian in an increasingly secular world? Well, there is a statement that I picked from youth for Christ, their motto says, Anchored to the Rock, but Geared to the Times. And that has been my philosophy. There’s a consistency in my faith in God, in my commitment to honor Him, in my stewardship to God. That is set in rock. It’s anchored, there is no compromise in that. But the means by which I work is geared to the times. For instance, we are having this interview through this medium- that is geared to the times. Only about two years ago we wouldn’t have done this. We would have done it in another way. So in the bigger context of continuing to honor God we ask -what are the things that God has provided today that we can use and take advantage of to serve His purposes and to sell the kingdom?
There’s one other thing- I don’t want to stand before God, and he asked me, ‘What did you do with the thing I gave you?’ and I can’t answer. Any time I see some of these apps like the one we are using, I realize that this is something somebody put together, somebody with that brain
So if you ask how come I have stayed that consistent and that relevant. It is that motto- anchored to the Rock, geared to the Times.
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just like ours. We are just consuming it. When I stand before God, He will come to this one and say, ‘Somebody used his brain to do this. You, too, what did you use your brain for?’ And that thing keeps me awake
and keeps me striving so that when it is my time to leave this world, I pray I will not leave with anything. I will go empty, because I have left it all here.I want to be able to stand before God and when he asks, what did you use your brain for, I want to be able to point to certain things- that, that, that were some of the things I used my brains for.
You studied statistics for your first degree, a field seemingly far removed from what you do.now. In this season of your life, did you ever feel derailed (from purpose)? What would you say to Christians who may feel like their current circumstance is worlds away from what they think they should be doing? Well, they may be right in feeling dissatisfied where they are. But t h e
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point is, they should be committed to doing their best in that situation. because it is only when you are faithful in everything you do that God, open that door for what he has in mind for you. So you can’t be a lousy teacher or a lousy driver and lousy shop attendant or a lousy doctor or a lousy whatever and still say that as for me, I know God has called me to something else and I’m waiting to be able to do that. When you do that, you’ve just disqualified yourself. So until he opens the door for you to move into your calling, excel wherever you are, because the principle scripture gives us is that whatever it is we are doing, we are doing unto God. If Christians can understand that, it can change our attitude and maybe shorten the period when we have to wait. God will wait for you till you’re ready- and remember He has all eternity. If you’re not ready, He’s not going to hasten the process. He’s going to wait. And if your time comes for you to leave and you haven’t done it, he’ll look for somebody else and give the same mission to him. Because- the vision that is given to you, if you don’t fulfill it, God will use somebody else to do it. It is why God will reject King Saul and go for David when He anointed Saul as King. It was when Saul failed then he said I can’t go further with you. Then He looked for David and honoured Him. If you don’t honour God in the things He’s called you to do, He’ll look for somebody else. And the Spirit of God will always move on.
fifteen plays, but it was part-time. I was doing all the other things, and I didn’t move into that immediately -because I didn’t want it and I couldn’t see the way forward. Instead I taught that principle to everyone I knew [laughs]. Finally in 2000, the Spirit of God told me that it was time. But between 2000 and 2008 I made about three attempts to get this thing going and they all failed.Each failure devastated me but I couldn’t give up because I knew that God had called me to this. You go away from each failure feeling depressed and devastated. You cry in the room- you hide from everybody and when they catch you crying you deny it. And you pick yourself up again and try again. It doesn’t work again. and you take yourself through the same process of grieving the loss of a vision, a dream. And you pick yourself up again and try again. And it took up to 2008 when God’s own time was up, that for the first time that National Theatre was filled to the brim with a play. It never happened before. All three levels of national theater filled twice because we did two shows on that day.
So let’s talk about general principles in how you deal with failure. The first thing to note is that if you fail, don’t take it personally. Don’t move from ‘Oh, I failed to make the cut at medical school’ to ‘therefore I am no good’. You are not a failure. It doesn’t necessarily also mean that you will not succeed in any other thing. I know there are people who say that medical school or death. That’s a false impression of focus. In life, there’s so much else you can do. In fact, I’m sure you know some of your seniors who have qualified as doctors but don’t work as doctors. They’ve found something
How do you deal with burnout and failure? Somewhere in 1990, the Spirit of God threw a challenge at me: ‘Operate in the area of your gifting, not in the area of your training and certificate.’ My gift was great stories. At that time I had written and directed about
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else to do and they are very excited with it. If a person like that had not gone to medical school, he may still have felt that his life was not worth anything. And yet here he is.
together I think it will help you well to endure and survive every disappointment.
Uncle Ebo, you have been an inspiration for the lives of many. Who are some of the people that inspire your own life?
So the first thing is not to personalize failure.
I did not take my inspiration from living human beings because of the environment in which I was raised in Kumasi. Even as a boy, I did not take my role models from the people in the environment. I pick my role models from the Bible. So I picked Joseph, Daniel and David as my role models. And in a lot of the situations that I faced, I would always ask myself, how would they act in a situation such as this?
And the next thing, make sure that your purpose in life is intact. If you fail at one thing, what does that tell you about your purpose? Do you have to try again? I had to try again because I remembered the vision God gave me in 1990 that I should work in the area of my gifting. And so I knew I had to mourn the failure and move on.
And because of this, I think I was spared a lot of the corruption in the environment in which I grew up. I grew up in an environment that was very corrupt, you know, the kind of environment where you were not regarded as a boy if you’re not chasing all the girls around. The whole community looks down on you.
And that’s the next thing-learn the lesson in every failure- we learn more from failure than from success. And that’s why there is no successful person who doesn’t have failure in his past and whose path to success was not defined by the failure he suffered. Once you remember that and accept it as part of life, then you know that you know this too shall pass. And then remember that God has wonderful ways we cannot imagine.
There were few people that I looked up to as my heroes and not as my role models . And at 66 I’ve had the joy- and I use that word purposefully- of seeing all my heroes die. Not physical death.
When you fail, I would want you to adopt the stance of Moses. Moses was called by God to go and tell Pharaoh let my people go. He goes to Pharaoh, and if Pharaoh was a Ghanaian he would have said “Go way you, Who are you?”That is failure. And yet the example Moses shows us is he walks out of each of these disappointments and failures and goes back to God . You know, he didn’t hide in his room and mope around. That is what I think I have learned from that- When the failure comes, go back to the God who you say sent you. And tell him Lord, I tried it. It didn’t work. What else do you have for me? And he would guide you. So if you get those principles
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I’m sure growing up there were people you respected so much and now circumstances have brought you and those people together and you’re so much closer to them. Suddenly you can see the quality of their lives much more and now you are disappointed. And sometimes
At 66 I’ve had the joy of seeing all my heroes die.
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you think, “Is this the same person that I had so much regard for? What happened to this person?”
And so from Joseph, I learned to deliver to the highest level and always exceed expectations. So those are the three role models that I have had. Along the way I’ve had minor role models that I have picked along the way because of individual situations. For instance, the fact that Joseph, Mary’s husband, did not throw her out when he discovered she was pregnant, but was rather looking for a way of saving her face tells me a lot because this was before the angel spoke to him. Now, can you imagine a modern boy dealing with this situation? He would take to social media and destroy her reputation completely. Joseph will spend a sleepless night asking himself, so how can I end this marriage without raising too many questions? How can I end this marriage without disgracing Mary? Can you imagine? This is a girl who has “cheated on you” and you are worried about not disgracing her. So things like this inspire me. Boaz, for example,is a very interesting man. He refused to take advantage of a vulnerable girl and decided to do what is proper and what needs to be done in the
That’s what I mean by your hero just diedsomebody you had put on a pedestal and you realize that he’s not what I thought he was. And I have had every one of the heroes I have had die in that way. You come to realize- hey, these are just human beings, they are no better than the next person. But when I look into scripture, Daniel teaches me about public service, about how to function as a Christian in the public space. David teaches me first about creativity, but beyond that I learn a lot about leadership. Faithful, honest, committed, leadership. Joseph teaches me about excellence. If you read his life, you realise that whatever Captain Potiphar put in the hands of Joseph, he didn’t have to worry about it again because he knew he could consider it done.
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What one question do you wish you were asked more often?
proper way. So those are where my role models come from.
One defining characteristic of Roverman productions is excellence in time management, and in the technical aspect of productions. We at Gnomic also believe in excellence for God’s glory- as youth, in every area of our lives. What do you think the missing ingredient is for the youth to achieve this excellence?
[laughs] no question. I wish people only wave at me and go their way and leave me alone
Final Words? But I would like the youth to know that I believe very much in the youth. I believe and I want the youth to believe in their own future. If you listen to the news and what people say, it will look as if the young people of today have gone to the dogs. There’s no truth in that. I am 66 years old and I can tell you that the young people today are far better and much more fantastic than I and my peers were at their age.
First, don’t settle for less. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Then remember that whatever you’re doing, it is for the honour and the glory of God. And this God deserves the best from us. And therefore, kill yourself to give the kind of quality that will be worthy of him. And love what you do. If you love what you do it’s easy to give the best out of it. You may not always get to do what you want to do, but whatever you are doing, make sure you do it as if this is what I always wanted to do. Then the doors will be open to you so you can do what you’ve always wanted.
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Your generation knows what they want. Your generation has had to raise yourselves almost by yourselves because the traditional parental controls have not been that strong for many of our young people today yet somehow we still have young people making it to medical school and going on to do big things. I believe in the youth. And I want the youth to believe in their future. their future is bright and I want them to realize it.
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Most of us would agree that the COVID pandemic has afforded us an opportunity for serious retrospection and introspection. It has made us review our lives, and to some extent, question our principles and beliefs. I have been through this rough journey myself, and no matter how despairing, I know now that it was worth every minute of my time. The firm foundation I have built in these past few months, the answers I have found to some of the profound questions of origin, meaning, morality and destiny have been what I would call my elixir. Let us travel a few millennia back to the formation of the world, shall we? Did you know that the precision needed for the formation of a completely viable biological cell is so close to the number zero that to write this number you would need more NOV 2020
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zeros than we can fathom? That is, even if all the matter in the galaxy was turned into paper we still will not be able to write down all of it. It is a bit like your odds of hitting a bullseye the size of a onepesewa coin thousands of light years away with an arrow from Earth. This just goes to show the miraculous nature of the apparently simple creation story we have heard so much about. Another astonishing fact you need to know is the fact that we are not at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. We are however at a location where we can see the entire galaxy, away from the milk bands of the Milky Way, which are to our galaxy like mountains to a pebble, within which all we would see is white, and would not be able to interact as we do. These facts clearly point out that the beginnings of our universe cannot be due to chance. The worldview of naturalism or atheism where there is no transcendent power, postulates that time plus chance plus matter is what brought about this world. This is synonymous to a tornado blowing through a junkyard and leaving in its wake a fully functional Boeing 747 aircraft. Absurd, right? Christians believe in intelligent design, and the facts from science agree. Christ and Christendom is not opposed to science as most may assume. This is well debated by Francis Collins and John Lennox among others, and is very well the only way you can accurately explain the origin of humanity without too many grey areas.
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On the issue of morality, human are constantly seeking to find a way to define our actions as being good or bad. Even when someone says they do not care for such definitions as good or bad, you often find them later on complaining about some unfair treatment by someone else, which causes you to wonder what this person’s definitions of good and bad are. In absolute terms, you cannot have a moral law without a moral law giver or a moral framework. In the Judeo-Christian worldview, God has put His law in our hearts which explains why we feel we ought to do something when we haven’t done it. It is unlike any of the other laws governing phenomena around us, and is unique to us in that we ought to do it but do not. It is universal and present in every culture albeit in different ways. It is a law above and beyond any of our instincts and hence dictates which of our instincts to obey, just like the parchment dictates the chords to play for a tune. It is beyond a social construct. If not, it would not be possible to judge one concept of morality better than another and hence, the morality of the Nazis should not be any worse than that of the Americans. This natural law is spread abroad in the hearts of all men but we find that most of us do not conform to it, which is the issue at hand. On the issue of meaning, we find ourselves asking the profound questions of purpose, justice, love, charity and suffering. These all exist within a moral framework. Any challenge outside of a moral framework should not stand against any of these because in a moral framework, there is the
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assumption of inherent worth attributed to every single individual. That is why there can be the question of “Why did my grandmother die when she was a good person?” Outside of all those who know and are affected by the life of this person, in a non-verbal framework, the death of this person after all these associated individuals are dead would be nothing of any importance because a person’s worth is determined by society. In the JudeoChristian worldview, we find that God comes down in the lowly form of one of us. The Creator became a fellow creature, the painter became a streak of vinyl paint on the canvas, in order to die for the redemption of every one of us. This is the extent of his love for us and his assertion of our value. We have value and have been created to live in fellowship with him, enjoying Him and in the overflow of this relationship, love our neighbours as ourselves. Finally in the question of destiny, we ask ourselves is there Hell or Heaven after death? Or is this world all there is to our existence? But in this, the question of justice looms over us: So what happens to that murderer who never got caught by the law? Does he get to go free? In a pure materialist or naturalist framework, that would be the case, but we have eternity to spend with our Maker after this life is done and those who have accepted his invitation to be with him would be with him. The converse s also true. In most religious frameworks, your good deeds have to outweigh your bad deeds to have
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a shot at a better next life, be it paradise or nirvana, but it is only in the Judeo-Christian worldview that justice is worked through mercy and not in spite of it. This is the true gospel of our existence and the next chapter of our existence.
EVEN THOUGH WE ARE BROKEN IN SO MANY WAYS, BROKEN CRAYONS STILL COLOUR.
Slippery ice, very thin Pretty girl, tumbles in Saw a boy, on the bank Gave a shriek then she sank Boy on hand heard her shout Jumped right in, pulled her out Now she’s his, very nice But she had to break the ice
Jesus is the answer and as he rightly said, “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6). We are encouraged to be bold about our faith in Him, to leverage whatever gifts or talents he has given us and to present to this dying world this elixir of life which is the person of Jesus Christ. Even though we are broken in so many ways, broken crayons still colour. And just like the old Chinese art of pottery repair that makes the imperfections stand out in gold, we too should be willing to stand out boldly to show the world that which holds our life together in all our imperfections – the way, the truth and the life. The ELIXIR.
This poem tells the cliché love story of being saved from your own troubles, but for most of us we believe that God created this troubled world in which we live in and hence do not need saving by Him, but rather from Him. Or even worse, that we are in a very good state and do not need any saving. It is really hard to tell someone they need a Saviour when they don’t think they need saving. Our story with God is a love story between a creator and his creations. Like for a BMW, every issue the car has would be best fixed by the manufacturers, or by following the instructions of the manufacturer. When one is about to give birth, you start thinking of how you might be bringing your child into a cruel world filled with evil and how you can protect the child from this. But most of us forget that the evil is not only in the world but in our hearts. We try our best to get rid of it, but it has this overbearing power over us which makes us do what we do not intend to do, sometimes making us feel so helpless to the point of needing saving or if I may suggest, need a Saviour.
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You may already know the story of Ogidi - the biblical story of Gideon (Judges 6 - 8)- the story of one who was transformed from the timid man that he was, his own self and ability, to a great warrior who would later on deliver the nation of Israel from the hands of the Midianites. He took a step of faith and trusted in God’s Word.
The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’ Judges 6:16 NIV
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nder the oak tree in a town named Ophrah, an angel watching on. He had found a young man going about his daily business. Ogidi was threshing wheat, not on a threshing floor but in a winepress. Strange, right? The heavenly figure approaches Ogidi and greets him, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior’. Astonished by the words of the greeting, Ogidi enquires about why he still lived in fear of an enemy attack if the Lord was truly with him. Questions upon questions races through his mind. Ogidi begins to seek some answers from the divine messenger and a wonderful conversation ensued.
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Like Gideon, the Master has chosen us to carry out an important assignment for Him. He is counting on you to utilize the graces He has given us to accomplish that which pleases Him and be victorious in all that He has entrusted in our care. Everyone on earth has been given a specific task to perform, a distinct purpose to achieve. Just like the parable of the talents, God has given each of us gifts according to our abilities. Scripture posits;
“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey” Matthew 25:15, NKJV
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People’s views of us and and what they consequently say about us may also serve as obstacles. Subtle as they may seem, they tend to discourage us from time to time. Make it a point to pay no heed to the naysayers, and their unhealthy criticisms.
God knows our capabilities and strengths. We are indeed made of more than we can think of. That is why we consistently need to remind ourselves of the power God, in all His might, has deposited in us. We always need to encourage ourselves and others that we have God’s power deeply embedded in us. Obstacles may come our way but victory is always assured if we stay true to the Master’s path. As I stated in BOLD, I will say it again boldly with emphasis, ‘There are many people waiting for you to act and your inability to do so may lead to dire consequences in their lives’.
We are the light and salt of this world. We are indeed born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. People are looking at us, counting on us, and following every step we take. Just like an open book, we are the only ‘Bibles’ people may get to read.
‘ You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’.
No medicine is said to be potent if it continues to stay in its container. It needs to be administered in order to work in the body of the one who takes it. So are we! Our Godgiven elixir can never be experienced firsthand if we do not act. God has created you to be the antidote to the world’s ailment. Are you ready to take this up? In fact, we have no option. Hit the ground running. A rolling stone gathers no moss!
Matthew 5:14-16
Go forth and shine your light ever so brightly that all people may see the Elixir of God in you. Let’s do this for the glory of the one true God. Yes, we should!
We should allow our light to shine for people to see the glory of God in us. The three hundred men who accompanied Gideon to fight against the Midianites blew their trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands to allow the torches underneath the jars to shine forth in full radiance. What are the obstacles preventing you from giving your best to the Lord? I encourage you to take them to the Lord in prayer. If it is a sin, confess it to God in prayer and make a conscious effort to desist from it. Sin hampers our relationship with God.
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t’s an intriguing thought that God should choose vessels of clay to project His coming Kingdom. The enemy has tried his best to defame us as Christians, using our unwary moments. He chances on our shortfalls and projects them to the world to make our claims of a changed life invalid. But wait, both he and the entire community of the unsaved do not know the real mystery that powers a changed life. The heart of a Christian is one that has been touched by God himself. God foreknew him, called him, and justified him. He then gradually works on him to conform him to the image of His Son Jesus. The Christian is a work in progress - God is gradually moulding him to become like Christ. It may not be evident outrightly; but with each temptation, trial and test, God is grooming him to become like Jesus. He prunes the Christian by the abiding presence of his Holy Spirit, who works within him and makes him do the extraordinary. To love as Christ loved, to forgive as he did, to live a pure and holy life with all meekness,
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kindness and generosity to all, just like Christ did. The vessels of clay in the hands of the Potter (God) are genuinely born-again Christians. The genuinely born again Christian is one who has been to Calvary, and has gazed upon that scene of suffering, realizing it was for him Jesus died. He makes a conscious renouncement of sin, as he kneels there in deep contrition, and pours before the throne the burden of his unrighteous deeds. There the mighty works of God’s grace begins in his heart, and he leaves Calvary, knowing that something happened to him, something indescribable! But what, he cannot tell exactly. He realizes that now he feels a love and compassion towards all God’s creation that wasn’t there before. The old life and things that used to appeal, appeal no more; they no longer satisfy and he has gnomicmagazine.com
indescribable peace. Now, this new vessel, this jar of clay, is what God empowers and uses to manifest his love to a dying world. It is a true statement that our world systems have collapsed, moral decadence is on the upsurge and there is no order or restraint to evil and pollution among the youth. Yet in the midst of all the pollution, God has chosen for Himself a peculiar people – people that love both God and man, and are still standing for the truth. They are a chosen generation that have simply refused to join the crowd in rebellion against a holy God and his holy statutes.
unrighteousness is sin. It also tells us that God will always judge sin wherever, and in whomever he finds it. And the Judgement for sin is a horrible one.
…and whosoever was not found written in the lamb’s book of life was cast into the lake of fire, this is the second death (Rev 20:15) Again, the Bible confirms that God is angry with the wicked every day. It therefore becomes our clearcut mandate as yielded vessels to proclaim the gospel, by being shining examples, and convincing men to escape the coming Judgement at all cost.
If you have already given your life to Christ, then big congratulations to you! The next step is becoming a yielded vessel, fit for the master’s use. Our biggest mandate as his vessels is living to convince the world about the existence, goodness and greatness of our God, and to let others know about the coming Judgement for sin. The bible says that all NOV 2020
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TECHNOW
One reason why people may actually purchase these new devices may not be the 5G status but the new MagSafe feature
On 13th October, #apple event trended on twitter and other social media accounts as the world prepared to witness the virtual event for the release of Apple’s latest devices. Prior to the event, speculations had been that there would be four devices released weeks later than the usual mid-September launch. This was further confirmed when Apple sent out invites stating 13th October as the launch date. Other top rumours were that the devices would have 5G status and have four different release dates. Also, tech experts were expecting that the devices may have no EarPods or a power adapter. Well fast forward to the set date,Apple did indeed release four new devices all with 5G status as rumour had it. The 5G status promises faster speeds for downloading and gaming on mobile devices. It is also expected to prevent internet slowdowns in high use areas. The devices; iPhone 12, iPhone 12 pro, iPhone 12 mini and HomePod mini,all have a magnetic charging system known as MagSafe and a new durable ceramic display. iPhone 12 and 12 mini are the most affordable of the quartet while the other two being the priciest cost above 1000 USD. One reason why people may actually purchase these new devices may not be the 5G status but the new MagSafe feature, a charging
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and mounting system. The MagSafe feature is Apple’s solution to the wireless charging of iPhone 12. In January 2006, the first version of this was released together with MacBook Pro. Though popular, it was later traded for USB-C from between 2016 to 2019. Previously, the device relied on magnetic pins to connect the charging cable with the device. Now, the device relies on a wound magnetic wire coil which delivers up to 15W of power to the device. Pre-orders for iPhone 12 and 12 Pro would begin on October 16 in the United States, Britain, China and some other countries. The iPhone mini and pro max would be available for pre-order on November 6th and will arrive in stores November 13. These iPhones have changed the face for Apple introducing a whole new range of fast devices. According to Tim Cook,chief executive officer for Apple, these devices mark the start of a new era for iPhone.
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FOOD
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SPORTS
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OVID-19 put the world and everything to a halt,at least for a while. Various activities have evolved and some still are. The robust ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE has indeed come far in thwarting the pandemic’s threat of stymieing its continuation. The league saw games without fans, special social protocols, improved health concerns and so on, when it resumed in early June. The issue of pay-cut for players and staff of most teams was obviously a necessary evil yet not enough cushion as some workers of some teams still had to be laid off. The absence of fans surely punched holes into the league’s vaults. Amidst all these, the league thrived and fans from all corners enjoyed the return with great support.
to keep his high reputation by keeping his side fortified with Thiago, a UCL finalist. Talks keep rolling over Lampard’s massive signings and whether he can make the best of them while Old Trafford would not be left out as there’s an agenda to patch its midfield and full back positions. Every team has made some improvement either by introducing a few new players or building on from old mistakes. The newbies in the championship, Leeds United and Fulham, are proving resilient and hoping not to fall again. With a modification of tactics and the signing of Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal also hopes to get back to the days of glory. The events in this EPL go on and on.
How exciting it was, to see teams up their games with so much competitiveness. The battle for the top 4 was remarkable: The “Red Devils” of Manchester United had a great aura of confidence as they steadily crept up the table ahead of “The Blues” of Chelsea FC with very close points leaving the men from King Power Stadium behind. Liverpool FC, the most formidable at the time, with a comfortable lead, still had challenges keeping balls away from their net. The Reds(Liverpool FC) were eventually crowned CHAMPIONS with a socially distant score point away from the second placed team. The Champions cannot be made mention of without acknowledging the adorable tactical cleverness of their manager, Klopp and the discipline of their captain, Henderson. Lifting their trophy after decades of drought in the absence of their fans was not something they expected but it is what it is.
Now there’s a new development of allowing a certain percentage of stadium capacity to be filled with fans observing the necessary health protocols. Players are missing matches because they tested positive for the virus and this is affecting the plans of many coaches. The truth of the matter is that the 2020/21 season has a lot to offer EPL fans; shocks, excitements, anxiety, thrills and greatness with massive support and high expectations. The pandemic has had its way to some extent because of the restrictions, but the love of the game always lives on.
The start of a new season with an opened door for transfer has come with copious rumours and promising signings. Gareth Bale’s move from Real Madrid to Spurs makes Mourinho’s team a side to watch. Ancelloti’s big project with Everton, has become a threat with the boost of James Rodriguez. Klopp is looking NOV 2020
HENRY ANNORH AFFUL 57
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MR. BLUE, MR. GREEN, MASSA RED, DEAR MUSIC FAN, AND LOVER - THIS IS CYAN MUSIC; TAKE A SEAT AND BREATHE. . .
G
reetings earthlings! Cyan Music here, coming at you with another review! This time we are reviewing something outside what we usually do- we’re looking at Lecrae’s Restoration album that dropped in August. Now, as you know, we stick to Ghanaian music primarily but, this was something Gnomic allowed us to do, and we are grateful for that.
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Lecrae Devaughn Moore, affectionately known to the world as Lecrae, graced this ever shocking year with his record dubbed Restoration. The background of this album, in retrospect, takes into account the struggles of the American rapper who came under critical fire from Christian circles and American evangelicals who disagreed with his choices- career wise and personal. It was around that time that his trauma surfaced, with clinical depression also rearing its head. A trip to Israel with other Christian Hip-Hop artists saw Lecrae baptized in the River of Jordan, and that was the beginning of his journey of restoration that eventually birthed this album.
TRACKLIST
The album which was released in August 2020, featured singers and songwriters John Legend, Marc E. Bassy, Jozzy, BJ the Chicago Kid amongst others. Noteworthily, this project featured none of his label mates at Reach records as Lecrae treated it as a personal body of work with features coming from external sources instead. The singles Set Me Free, Deep End, Zombie & Drown, which featured John Legend teased the album. It is 14 tracks long with a run time of around 40 minutes. Let’s jump in!
Personal sentiments, Content and Lyricism, Vocals and Production in no Particular order. . . As avid Lecrae fans who have listened to him since his Real Talk & Rebel days, this album was interesting, but in some ways, recognizable as the major theme running through the entire record has been experienced in small doses on previous projects. It reminds us of songs like Lucky Ones, Can’t Stop Me Now & Cry For You to name a few, that encapsulate the emotion on this record. The perspective for this album works best when you consider the struggles of the artist in recent years before the release of the album. If not, listening to the album in a vacuum might give off a different feel. It isn’t just another Lecrae album, it’s a diary where Lecrae details the struggles he’s faced, thoughts, and how he’s found hope and restoration. Hence the opener, albeit sharp
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off the bat, is decent with Lecrae rapping at his pace, and touching on the things he’s experienced so far and how he’s felt about it all. After he finishes his part, the instrumental switches up with vocals offering it a dramatic sense. The next song, Set Me Free, which was the first single, samples Shackles (Praise You) from Mary Mary and carries interpolations from Same Old Story by TQ Dat Mayne with a feature from BB King. We are now
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in a predominant time where artists are becoming bolder in using gospel tunes as samples and breathing hip hop elements into them to create amazing work on its own. Unfortunately, this record fails to deliver that prospect, as YK’s vocals just don’t cut it. The album slips into an upbeat groove with Wheels Up coming throughMarc E. Bassy’s vocals on this record are pure gold. Lecrae didn’t fail to deliver in his verses either, and the track is one that you’ll have on repeat for days. Over the top brought to mind a Megan Thee Stallion record that featured Da Baby in 2019 specifically regarding the structure of the song, the trap elements, and the way Lecrae approached the hook. And though the song had a lot of things to say, the resemblance to the aforementioned reference made it a weird listen. Deep End is when we get into the meat of the album, and Lecrae poured his heart out in this one. It samples “Deep End” performed by John Simmit and interweaves interpolations from “Deep End Freestyle”. But Lecrae made the best of the samples, delivering a hook that is subtle yet emotive. Deep End acts as the intro to a 4 part track as it is followed by Drown, a record on which John Legend’s vocal performance was phenomenal. Lecrae might as well not have rapped because John went in with the lyrics and the emotional delivery. A beautiful record by all standards. This is followed by Saturday Night, which features Jozzy, who delivers yet another breathtaking vocal performance. Again, just pointing out why it may have been a 4 track passage- this record feels like the moment one is underwater and the stillness sets in, the moment right before the dawn breaks and hope comes through. And that hope is Sunday Morning. The audio aesthetic changes with the record taking a more happy emotion. The spoken word performance by Kirk Franklin helped
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spice up the sound, ending it on a pensive note. Zombies carries on the happy emotion at play here and takes it away decently. Still is a song dedicated to his wife and lover, as it takes on a more appreciative approach of the relationship and love he shares with his wife. The entry of such songs has been dominant on most of Lecrae’s albums as he takes time off to talk about his wife, and how much she means to him. Only Human brings quite a delicious instrumental onboard with BJ the Chicago Kid, bringing quite an amazing vocal performance for the hook. Lecrae’s flows on this track were diverse, which spiced up the record. The closer on the album was a celebratory anthem, beginning with a bit of a negro spiritual approach. The vocals on this record also matched the complexion and tone perfectly. Lecrae’s verses were profound, signing off intelligently with his metaphors and bars. He wrapped up this record on a very positive note.
Concluding . . . This is quite a decent album from Lecrae, and for those who weren’t aware of what he’s been through in recent years, it is a way to acquaint yourself with his restoration journey. There’s also a message of hope through brokenness that will speak to everyone who’s ever been through struggles. Lecrae invites us on his journey of restoration- and what a hopeful one it is.
The Signature Sign Off . . . Big thanks to Mr. Blue and Massa Red for their input and insight and much appreciation to you, our reader. What do you think of the album? What do you think of this review? Let’s get interactive- let us know your thoughts, Cyan Music, Music Review corner.
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TENET A secret agent embarks on a dangerous, time-bending mission to prevent the start of World War III.
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MULAN
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Contrary to the norm of young Chinese maidens not being heard and learning quietly at home, Hua Mulan, full of energy and unparalleled bravery, under the guise of being male, enlists in the army to fight for her country on her father’s behalf. After she is spotted by the enemy as invincible, and her cover gets blown, Mulan must save China or honourably perish.
ENOLA HOLMES While searching for er missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway Lord.
THE INVISIBLE MAN
In a blend of horror, thrill, suspense, mystery and science fiction, this Australian-American film tells the story of Cecilia, who lives in constant terror by her invisible, abusive boyfriend stalking her all the time. Her boyfriend apparently staged his own suicide, and to the world, he is no more. No one can see him and no one believes Cecilia. After a series of coincidental events that make matters worse and lethal, Cecilia has to prove that she is being haunted by someone only she can see.
OVER THE MOON
An adventurous girl builds a rocket ship to the moon to meet a mythical creature.
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RESTORATION Restoration isn’t just the name of the album, but a major theme of the album. Lecrae details what he’s gone through in his personal life the past few years. Restoration is a big album, with a lot to dissect that I just can’t do here. It’s also an important album - for Lecrae, of course, but also for the Church body members that are struggling with their faith, and for a world that’s drowning in sin and needs a Savior. Lecrae’s journey through hell and back is inspirational and relatable, and the music it’s paired with is some of his best work in years.
LISTEN
HIS GLORY ALONE His Glory Alone is KB’s fourth studio album, following his 2017 effort Today We Rebel. It is also his first album since leaving his longtime label Reach Records and signing with Essential Sound and Provident Label Group on April 13, 2020.
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MOOD//DOOM contains songs from their two EP’s MOOD and DOOM released in 2019. The album gives an exclusive look at constantly pursuing a relationship with God and His power to heal. 64
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READY FOR THE RIDE? There’s a album on the horizon and we just can’t wait to take a listen!
Keteke” when released will be KODA’s sixth album and the immediate follow-up to the well-received “Hossana” live album of 2018. ‘Hossana Live” album contains the highly acclaimed hit single ‘Hossana’, a song that has put KODA on the international map having got several local and international nominations and awards for the gospel singer. “Keteke” means train in the Akan dialect.
KOFI OWUSU DUA ANTO (KODA)
MARVERICK CITY MUSIC With all the worship music out there, it can be tempting to lump it all into the same box. But Maverick City Music easily resists any such labels, bursting through expectations and convention with propulsive, dynamic creativity that seems to fuse both the music and the lyrics with a spark that really makes you sit up and take notice. The group’s most recent release, Maverick City, Vol. 3, Pt 1, is a testament to just how enriching and gripping worship can be when songwriters are given a space to thrive and explore their gifts. Seriously, we hear a lot of great worship music at GNOMIC — but this album still stuck out. NOV 2020
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LAST WORD note from the publisher
POTS AND POWERS
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but not just anything. We were made to hold a treasure. It is no accident then that we describe lives without Jesus Christ as empty lives, because that is exactly what they are. It is no accident that the world today is suffering from what Dr. Carl Jung calls “a neurosis of emptiness.” He says, “When goal goes, meaning goes; when meaning goes, purpose goes; when purpose goes, life goes dead on our hands.” This is what is happening in many hearts and lives today, both young and old alike – a great wave of emptiness, of despair. The result is hollow men and women, who have a facade of interest, attention and activity, but within whom there is nothing but emptiness. That emptiness is what is creating the restlessness which is so characteristic of our age and which is breaking out on every side in rebellion and reaction. See how accurately the Scriptures indicate the significant element about humanity: We are made to be vessels, made to hold something, and if we do not have that something in there, our lives are inevitably empty and meaningless.
n the wake of a global pandemic that has swept many lives into oblivion, racial injustices of various forms against blacks all across Europe and America, widespread police brutalities right next door in Nigeria, and the daily hustle and bustle of simply being alive in this day and age, the question still holds: How does the Christian matter in all of it? How does the Christian fit into the ever-changing scenes of the culture that surrounds him? What meaning is there for him? This issue has been the third in a series that has sought to answer this begging question— the question of Christian relevance—with a simple message: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power will be of God and not of us.
“Earthen vessels . . .” Earthen. Made out of dirt, from clay, from very common material, which has nothing in itself of any value— nothing pretentious— God created us to hold something. That is what vessels are made for right? To hold something. Here in lies its relevance. Human beings were intended to contain something;
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“But we have this treasure . . . that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us”
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Treasure. Power. It is a treasure because it is a power, an excellent power— a transcendent power— “[Power] beyond the ordinary, [power] above ourselves, [power] wholly other, different, unusual.” It is not like the ordinary kind of power, which tears things apart, destroys, blasts, or breaks. This is a strange kind, a kind that unites, which harmonizes, gathers, breaks down barriers and middle walls of partition. In other words, here is the power to change a life or a society from within, not from without. It does not make superficial, external adjustments, changing the outward face of things, but a genuine transformation, which arises from within, which completely and permanently, changes an individual. As individuals become changed, the society of which they are a part likewise becomes changed. This is what we have, and what the world needs to heal its wounds. The treasure, the power, it is the gospel!
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation . . . You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill that cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, the put it on a lamp stand . . . This treasure, this power, this light must not stay hidden. We must shine! We must let it out! When Gideon and his band of three hundred men gathered around the camp of the Midianites, remember that they had torches
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hidden in earthen vessels, earthen jars, which obscured the light? They circled the camp of the Midians and, at a given signal, broke the vessels, and the light flared forth (see Judges 7:20-22). There was a great victory over the Midianites who saw, as it were, an army surrounding and threatening them. We are the called army, and our undeniable path to victory is letting our touches out. The signs are visibly clear. It is time! The Christian, and for that matter the church, is a compendium of lifechanging solutions. As the world goes about looking for water that does not a satisfy, to quench its thirst, welled in us are rivers of living water—water that does not run dry. But much like a potion sitting in its vessel, its activity is not apparent until it is administered to the ailing. Our ailing world needs us— but not us. That the power may be of God and not of us. Our ailing world needs us— needs Jesus. Our ailing world needs us – to shine!
The most important part of a pot is its empty space, not the clay. The clay holds little value. It is the space walled by the clay that positions it for relevance. If you feel empty, I have great news! You are ready. Jesus longs to fill your heart. He longs to quench your thirst. He yearns to rise over your dark nights. He is all you’ve been missing—the key to your lock. The Truth. The Elixir. Let him in.
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JOHN A. TURKSON Publisher gnomicmagazine.com
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