Devoted magazine#21 for web

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE – MindBodySpirit

Discover real life

Reverend Kenneth Meshoe an ethical leader

Think

before you ink

Changing lives

one smile at a time

Reaching

OUT

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Issue 21

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Ed’s Letter

Reach out and smile Celebrating

and the whole world will smile with you!

The power of prayer: Uniting in prayer, led by a righteous leader, asking God to save our beautiful country from more corruption and poor management practices.

We have reason to smile… this is the 21st issue of Devoted! What a wonderful blessing to be part of a magazine that has impacted so many lives. We have built strategic partnerships and we have, against all odds, created awareness for the magazine in our own country, but also abroad. And from now on, we will also distribute Devoted in our mother city, Cape Town, courtesy our new partners, Publishing World SA. Slowly, but surely, we are getting into people’s homes…

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t is no secret that God has prompted me to speak openly about the issues that hurt our beloved country – things such as corruption and unethical practices. This gave birth to The Conversation, a platform that we started with our strategic partner, Random Moments of Faith (RMOF). This platform is supported well and it seems that, in general, South Africans are concerned about the direction in which our country is headed. The current high levels of corruption and political unrest have added to the concerns.

But even in the most devastating situations, God’s children know there is always a cloud with a silver lining. We will do ourselves so much good if we notice and celebrate it. I started to do that instead of remaining in this habit of complaining about things I do not have any control over. But, at the same time, I have started to constructively converse about the issues and actively seek solutions, and I want to encourage you to also do that.

Over the last few months, I have made a point to reach out and talk to various leaders (most of them leaders in an influential position) - and not all of them convinced me that it is not about personal gain for them when it comes to their political careers. In my quest to convince

myself that South Africa has an ethical leader who can bring change to a country in need of good governance and ethical practices, God has put me in contact with Reverend Kenneth Meshoe. God gave this godly man the vision to unite His people, to bring them closer to Him, so that He can show the world His Glory through the positive changes He will bring about. I met this wonderful leader twice and he has reminded me that righteousness is what it is all about. Leaders and followers have to behave in a way that is morally good and praiseworthy! This leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is an ethical leader with high morals and values that bring hope for a better future!

It is time for South Africans to think before they ink, so to speak. When we go to the voting stations in August, we have to remind ourselves that we have the power to change things through our votes, instead of complaining about all the wrongs. We have to remind ourselves that “right is right and wrong is wrong”… There are NO grey areas. A swimming pool is just that… a swimming pool. It can never be a fire pool.

I am currently reading Your best destiny

by Wintley Phipps. He discusses the eight essential pillars of ethos: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient

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endurance or perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection and love. Once you understand and have mastered the basic principles on which these pillars are built, you have the building blocks to live a fulfilled life and to become the best version of yourself you were intended to become.

Jesus’ instruction to us was clear: Love your neighbour in the same way you love yourselves.

This issue is all about brotherly affection and love – about reaching out and being thankful for all we have. And when we are happy, we smile a lot. Nothing makes me happier than a smiling face, but it truly has become a rare sight!

Our Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital-toCapital event will surely put the smile back on your face and in your heart. Do not miss out on the opportunity to become part of this heart-warming event that is designed to help those who cannot do it themselves.

Alone we can make a difference, but together we can make an impact! Help us to help them.

We invite you to contribute to Devoted in any way you can. Let us know what your thoughts are and help us educate, inform and inspire others. If you feel that you have a talent to share, this platform is also open to you. Until next time…

Editor

From the desk of Angus Buchan

Reaching

Out

These days, there are more opportunities than ever for us to share our faith and to reach out to others by sharing the hope which we have in Christ Jesus.

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n Luke 11:37 (NKJV) we read that, “And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat.”

The Pharisee was amazed that Jesus would come into his home and eat with him. This is also the case today, where people in the church become offended, because believers associate with the world.

God told us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Yet when we do that, we are often criticised by the church. The same thing happened to Jesus. But He went wherever there was a need, saying “I came for the sick and not for those who are healthy.”

We must remember, however, that the Lord says we are in the world, but not of the world. We need to be careful that we don’t become part of the world in order to win somebody to Christ.

I used to get angry with so-called Christians who would act worse than unbelievers at social events and then, on Sunday, be in church and act holier than thou. This type of hypocrisy kept me out of the church for many years.

We need to go into areas where people don’t know Jesus, but we should not change our standards or our principles.

Peter Marshall tells how he was invited to speak at a champagne breakfast in Washington DC. His audience was made up of multimillionaires and he thought the only reason he had been invited was because they wanted him to say grace.

All the glasses were turned upwards and filled

with champagne, but he left his glass facing downwards. He told the waiter to please bring him fruit juice instead. The man sitting next to him said: “I see you’re not drinking this fine imported champagne.”

Marshall said, “No, I’m not.”

The man wanted to know why.

“Are you asking me because you’re trying to make conversation or because you really want to know?” asked Marshall.

The man said he really wanted to know.

“Well, sir,” said Marshall, “I’m the minister at that big church downtown, and during the week, big limousines come and wealthy ladies get out of them and come and seek my counsel. Nine times out of 10, the tragedies in their lives are underlined by alcohol abuse. How can I counsel them if I’m partaking myself?”

The rich man went to see Marshall a week later and committed his life to Christ.

It’s not always what we say that impresses the world, but how we act when we are reaching out to people.

Let us keep preaching the Gospel at all cost and sowing into our nation. Let’s make the difference and as St. Augustine says, only use words if we really need to.

Yours in Christ’s service Angus Buchan Shalom Ministries

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Sample Text

Helios Street Moreleta Park Wild Life Sanctuary

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28 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE – MindBodySpirit

Discover real life

Our Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital to Capital event will start on 2 November. This event is designed to bring smiles to the hearts and faces of people (pages 6 & 7).

I n t h i s i s s u e

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

(2 Corinthians 9:7)

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Reach out and smile

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FROM THE DESK OF ANGUS BUCHAN Reaching out

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COVER STORY Reaching out by changing lives, one smile at a time

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GETTING TO KNOW Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, an ethical leader

MANAGING EDITOR Gerda Potgieter • E-mail: editor@devotedmag.co.za

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ACTUAL The conversation on ethics and leadership Think before you ink A prophetic word for our nation Social media and your thoughts

10 16 18 36

CAPE TOWN OFFICE: Publishing World SA • Tel: 021 591 0309 E-mail: devoted@publishingworld.sa.com

INSPIRATION Put your trust in God, not in people What the mind believes, the body achieves

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THE CONVERSATION On ethics and integrity

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REACHING OUT No greater love

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INTERNATIONAL FLAIR Giving dignity back

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THEME The worthy cause of being you

PRINTERS Shereno Printers

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WELLNESS Boundaries, part 3

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SALES AND MARKETING Alicia Potgieter • Cell: 074 460 4123 E-mail: aliciajorge26@gmail.com sales@devotedmag.co.za

TEEN TALK Your choices and decisions

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REVIEWS The Greatest Century of Missions

WEBSITE DEVELOPER Tony Hendricks

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100 Minutes of Grace

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SOCIAL MEDIA just plain IT

TESTIMONY The fire on the inside

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BUSINESS My generational action plan

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FAIR FLAIR The fruit of the Spirit: All the “nesses”

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Credits

LANGUAGE EDITOR Mignionette Fair ASSISTANT EDITOR Jeannie Millington CREATIVE AND DESIGN TEAM Annerine Lubbe (Square d’zign studio) CONTRIBUTORS Angus Buchan • Brigette Marx • Dr Hanlie Meyer Dr Peter Hammond • Elizabeth Bekker • Janny-Djan Jasper Cloete • Jeannie Millington • Mignionette Fair Nozi Kubeka • Suzette van Huyssteen.

Contact Details Editor: Email: editor@devotedmag.co.za Sales - National:

Book your advertising space for the next issue, contact Alicia Email: aliciajorge26@gmail.com

Content disclaimer: Devoted is published by DeVine Publishers. All rights reserved. While every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of information, the managing editor, Devoted and the publisher cannot accept liability of whatever nature arising out or in connection with the contents of this magazine. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of any of the Devoted team and remains the sole responsibility of the writers.

074 460 4123

Plagiarism disclaimer: It was confirmed by our writers and contributors that no part of the written submissions has been copied from either a book or any other source, including the Internet, except where such sections are clearly shown as quotations and the sources have been correctly identified within the text or in the list of references.

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Reaching out by changing lives,

one smile at a time…

By Gerda Potgieter and Jeannie Millington

The Devoted team is pedalling for a purpose from Pretoria to Cape Town in November this year. Cycle Miles for Smiles will launch the Capitalto-Capital leg of the campaign to bring smiles to the hearts and faces of people. This event is designed to strategically align with likeminded people and organisations that would assist in creating awareness of poor communities that have no access to basic medical and surgical care. The heart-warming Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital to Capital event will launch a new link between the two historic cites while highlighting the plight of the poor

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evoted reached out to Doctor Tertius Venter, founder of Cycle Miles for Smiles, and became the strategic media partner of the Capital-to-Capital leg of the campaign. The team will cycle from the Wonderboom Airport – starting on 2 November 2016 and ending on 15 November, embarking on a journey to Cape Town International Airport.

This powerful connection between the two capital cities, made by Dr. Tertius’ bicycle, will send a strong message of hope. We wish to change their circumstances and make the world a better place for them… one smile at a time!

Airlink is a benevolent partner of the Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital to Capital event. In August 2015, a partnership was also forged between the capital cities of Pretoria and Cape Town with the launching of Airlink’s inaugural flight between the two cities. The implementation of the scheduled flights between the two historic cities marks another milestone for Wonderboom Airport that celebrates its 80th year in existence this year.

Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital to Capital provides a platform where

people and organisations can network and interact with one another. The participants will spread the message by using symbols of smiling faces and hearts so that others who wish to make a difference, can also impact the lives of the poor and marginalised by getting involved. In addition, the event provides businesses with the opportunity to build brand awareness and to show support in changing the world for the better.

THE ORIGIN OF CYCLE MILES FOR SMILES

Doctor Tertius Venter is a South African plastic and reconstructive surgeon who actively follows his calling and is a volunteer on the Africa Mercy ship. Over the years he has cycled thousands of kilometres - covering the landscapes of many different countries.

These Cycle Miles for Smiles tours provide the opportunity to raise funds so that he and others can continue with their work to help the poorest of the poor by giving them their dignity back through life-changing surgeries.

It all began in 2000 when Doctor Venter and a friend volunteered their

Cover Story services to Mercy Ships (the MV Anastasis) - a floating state-of-the-art hospital that provides services to underprivileged countries and communities.

It was during this period, when Dr. Tertius volunteered his time to Mercy Ships, that his life was deeply affected by the needs of the poorest of the poor.

This prompted him to give up his private practice, as well as sacrificing time spent with his family, so that he could make a difference in people’s lives. With his expertise, he has performed numerous operations and assisted in improving the lives of many impoverished people by removing tumours, repairing cleft palates and performing reconstructive surgeries so they can experience a better quality of life. Through his dedication and work, he has literally put the smiles back on hundreds of people’s faces, and plans to do more!

The Africa Mercy depends entirely on volunteers who have chosen to lay down their lives to help the less fortunate. These volunteers are responsible for paying their own costs when they offer their skills and expertise to work on board ship. This gave birth to the Cycle Miles for Smiles campaign which was primarily implemented to help the poor and marginalised.

Cycle Miles for Smiles has been operational for a few years, creating awareness and helping disadvantaged and poor communities. Through lifechanging reconstructive surgeries; and by transforming and enhancing the quality

of life of those who are born into poverty, the campaign aims to put smiles back on the faces of those who need medical and surgical care but are unable to access and afford it. These rural communities are offered a lifeline and given hope where there seems to be none.

By speaking to people during his cycle tours, Dr. Tertius raises awareness for the plight of the poor. He also helps to raise funds so he and other volunteers are able to continue their work amongst the poorest of the poor on the Africa Mercy.

Devoted invites you to come on board this amazing event and help us changing lives, one smile at a time! Volunteers are needed in each city/town to help with the organisation and logistics. The route includes: Pretoria - Johannesburg - Potchefstroom - Reitz - Ficksburg – Wepener - Burgersdorp – Middleburg – Graaff Reinet – Willowmore – Oudtshoorn – Ladysmith – Swellendam – Stanford – Cape Town.

“I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honourable, and to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.”

Leo C. Rosten

Follow us on the Devotedmag Facebook Page to see how you can get involved or contact us: Gerda – Cell: 082 8960955/Jeannie – Cell: 072 213 2455; or email us: editor@devotedmag.co.za

Karin Murray (Airlink) and Doctor Tertius Venter (Cycle Miles for Smiles). Airlink is a benevolent partner of the Capital to Capital event. In August 2015, a partnership was also forged between the capital cities of Pretoria and Cape Town with the launching of Airlink’s inaugural flight between the two cities. Check out their special rates on www.flyairlink.com.

Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is the ideal patron for the Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital to Capital event.

Leading his church and political organisation based on Biblical principles, he is one of the best examples of a leader who serves His people the way Jesus did, with the deepest love for God’s precious people, the poorest of the poor.

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Reverend Kenneth Meshoe and his lovely wife Lydia, the force behind The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) as well as Hope of Glory Tabernacle church. The ACDP stands for biblical and family values, principles which the lovely couple not only preach, but also live. “Ethical leadership is not just about talking the talk,” Reverend Meshoe says, “it is also about walking the walk.”

Reverend Kenneth Meshoe

an ethical leader It is a breath of fresh air to come across a man who does not just give lip-service when it comes to leadership, but who is a leader who really leads by example.

Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is a devoted Christian, a political leader and a public speaker who is often invited to speak at conferences both nationally and internationally. He particularly focuses on how to use prayer to bring about positive change in communities 8

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everend Meshoe definitely has his ducks in a row. His eyes are fixed on the word of God and he is a firm believer in the power of prayer. He brings hope to South Africans who have had enough of unethical leadership behaviour and practices. He is a leader who serves – something South Africa is desperately in need of.

God comes first in Reverend Meshoe’s life and Biblical principles form the moral compass that guides his life. He has been married to his wife for almost 40 years and the happy couple have two daughters and a son, Olga, Esther and Joshua.

He started out as a teacher and later became a successful pastor. He was even awarded an honorary doctorate

by Bethel Christian College of Riverside, California, USA in 1994, and was appointed to serve as an associate member on the board of Regents of Bethel College. In 2007, he was awarded a second honorary doctorate

by Logos Graduate School, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Reverend Meshoe started his ministry as an evangelist with Christ For All Nations (CFAN), an evangelical ministry under the leadership of evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. He started Hope of Glory Tabernacle church in 1988 in Vosloorus. Its primary mandate is to pray for the nation. This humble, but effective ministry started with about eight people, but has quickly grown into the impactful ministry it is today – but not without its fair share of challenges.

Reverend Meshoe felt God’s call to be a light in government and to display godly, ethical and servant hood leadership in South Africa. And so, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) was founded in December 1993. The ACDP, which currently has three seats in the South African parliament, is based on biblical values of reconciliation, justice, compassion, tolerance, peace and the sanctity of life,

Getting to Know the individual, the family and community.

Under the leadership of Reverend Meshoe, the ideology of the ACDP includes Christian democracy and social conservatism. The ACDP stands for biblical and family values, and they address social ills and challenges such as poor education, unemployment, poverty, poor health care and poor security. As the president of the ACDP, Reverend Meshoe says his party is focused on giving South Africans a hope for a great future.

South Africans are desperately in need of ethical leadership – leadership that is directed by respect for ethical beliefs and values. “Ethical leadership is not just about talking the talk,” he says, “it is also about walking the walk.”

An ethical leader has high expectations of his followers, but it applies to them on an individual level. Leaders can expect others to do the right thing when they lead by example. It is all about putting your money where your mouth is, so to say.

One example of when Reverend Meshoe lead by example is when he deemed it necessary to resign from parliament in 2014, because he felt it would be wrong for him to receive a salary when he would not be able to be actively involved in parliamentary duties because of his speaking tour of the US and Canada and other international engagements.

So, what makes this godly man tick? We investigated:

Q: It is no secret that the collapse of family life is the direct cause of moral decay in societies. How can we deal with these challenges that break down the family structures in our society?

A: I believe we should teach our communities the importance of a family consisting of a father, mother and children which is the most important building block in stable societies. We should also teach them about the importance of respect for God, self, and other people.

Q: Secular ideology is so pervasive in the political environment that we often have a difficult time fitting into the culture of defending the absolute truth of Christianity and the moral conviction of the Christian vision. How do you marry your Christian beliefs with

political realities?

A: God’s grace enables us to succeed whenever there is determination to honour Him above everything else.

Biblical truth can be applied successfully in every area of life if we don’t compromise on truth and principles.

My goal in life is to please my heavenly Father at all times and to choose to be biblically correct, rather than politically correct.

Q: As far as I know, the ACDP is the only Bible-based political party in the country. How important is the Bible and prayer in your personal life?

A: I spend time in prayer for strength and wisdom every morning, and also read the Bible daily. I fast and pray regularly for wisdom and for a spirit of discernment.

We need to remember that the local elections on 3 August will provide voters another opportunity to express their views and to hold those they vote for accountable. We all have the responsibility to vote with our eyes directed to a better future and a better life for us all.

The last few years, South Africa has been plagued with corruption, misappropriation of funds and taxpayer’s money, lack of services in some cases and no services at all in most cases. Political instability and lack of integrity among leaders have become the norm and have put us on a road of devastation. It is the time to get to know those we are going to vote for.

CONTACTS: TEL: 011 869 3941 WEBSITE: www.acdp.org.ca

Q: What can you tell our readers about yourself that people might not know?

A: I am a family man who is serious about his walk with God, and who serves the Lord with his family. I enjoy laughter, clean jokes and healthy food.

Q: Lately we have seen widespread incidents of racism on the social media platforms that seem to be the work of individuals fuelling the issue with personal remarks. It seems that most of these incidents are directly linked to politicians using the racism card for their own personal agendas. South Africans seem to be more tolerant, wanting to live in peace among all races and cultures, but those remarks spark the racism issues. What is your opinion on the matter?

A: It is true that too many politicians use the race card to shift blame and to stoke trouble and unnecessary confrontations.

We should commit ourselves to peace, reconciliation and nation-building for the sake of our children regardless of what the wicked and the ungodly are doing.

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Actual

The conversation on

ethics and leadership

Devoted attended The Conversation event where Reverend Kenneth Meshoe took the lead and stole the hearts of his audience! We share some special moments with you, our loyal readers.

This is what the Bible says about leadership: “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above approach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers…”

(Titus 1:7-14)

Married to the same woman for more than 40 years - Reverend Kenneth and Mrs. Lydia Meshoe! It was clear that the president of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) walks the talk and talks the walk. As a couple, they have a vision for a strong, healthy and prosperous nation. The change they want to see in the country is one that is modelled on valuebased norms such as integrity, justice, honesty and respect. The respect they have for each other is clearly visible.

There is a time for silence and there is a time to speak. Reverend Meshoe stands for integrity, honesty, accountability and transparent governance. He is of the opinion that a spirit of true reconciliation and inclusivity is the cornerstone of a successful and peaceful South Africa. But it is up to Christians to decide when they want to do something about the lack of ethics in our leadership and who they choose as leader. It is up to citizens to make the right choices.

It takes special people to change a country for the better. Exodus 18:21 clearly states: “Select capable men (and women) from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain.” At the launch of the first The Conversation gathering, consisting of a carefully selected group of people who want to make a difference in the country, it was the general agreement that regular discussions should take place to come up with solutions for the immoral leadership and unethical practices that take place in South Africa.

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Together we can make a difference. Many South Africans are concerned about the lack of ethical leadership in the country and the devastating effect it has on the country and its people. Most of the attendees were in agreement that the way of addressing the concern is to start a conversation about the things that matter and to look for solutions to the many challenges we are faced with. Sharing views and doing something positive to address the issues, seems like the way to go.

Following The Conversation on ethical leadership, Pastor Jimmy Wright took the lead in proposing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Kingdom Vision Network Ministry International as platform for participating Christian institutions and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) on 28 June.

The basis of this MOU is that the body of Christ should take kingdom authority over nations, governmental institutions and cities! The mandate for the MOU is clothed in intercessory prayer, prophetic proclamations, and apostolic foundations by creating City Apostolic Movements!

These movements will activate community transformation programmes by means of a Servanthood Profile and Coordinate Community Forums whereby a Second Economy will arise to fund kingdom programmes, projects and communities.

The Kingdom Vision Network partner with the ACDP in engaging a roll-out strategy on the ACDP South African community footprint!

For more information, follow us on Devotedmag Facebook as well as on the Facebook page: “CROSSing”

The Conversation

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Inspiration

Put your

trust in God not in people

by Suzette van Huyssteen

“Do not take anything for granted, but rather be thankful for everything, even the little things in life we often overlook, like breathing. I have learned to put all of my trust in God instead of people and their opinions”

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T

hese are the words of matric student, Izelle van Zyl, who was diagnosed with Guillian-Barré syndrome at the age of 17.

Guillian-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. “This syndrome attacks the nerves in your body and leaves you paralysed. I was paralysed from the neck down and admitted to ICU (intensive care unit) for seven weeks. I could not breathe.”

Despite what doctors and people said, she decided to put all of her faith in God and with courage, she fought this syndrome with all she had. She was moved to a rehabilitation centre for four weeks. “With my faith and courage, I went a lot further than anyone expected as my progress started showing.

“Through everything I have been through, I have realised that God is always in control, we just have to hand our lives and the battles we fight over to Him and trust Him completely.”

For Izelle, it is all about how you look at life. “You have to stay positive and believe that God only wants the best for you and has a hopeful future for you in mind, as He promised in Jeremiah 29:11.”

She experienced the love of God throughout this journey. “I definitely experienced God in a supernatural way. Every time I was in a critical condition and people prayed for me, I could honestly feel the love of God surrounding me and His tremendous peace that just came over me. It felt that

everything happened exactly as it was supposed to be.”

She recovered extremely well, and she is grateful to be able to walk again, although she is still in the process of recovering fully.

“What looks impossible to people is possible for God. Doctors said that my case was a miracle and that they have never seen such a speedy recovery from this syndrome.

According to them, some people never recover. I know for a fact that it is just God who made this recovery possible in my life.”

She plans to study Criminal Law next year at the University of Pretoria, but also aims to do motivational talks to encourage others and show them that anything is possible if you just believe.

To show her gratitude towards SPAR and their tremendous support, she will compete in the SPAR Women’s Race. “I am so grateful towards SPAR for their moral support and pampering throughout my battle. I am definitely going to take part in the race this year, although I will probably be walking at the back, but am doing it!

“I am so grateful for my faith, because that is what gives me strength to face each day.”

Please visit Devoted’s Facebook page to see a short video of Izelle sharing her experience.

Se e m co pe ti t n io de ta ils

PRETORIA

on en tr y rm fo

Race begins and ends at

SUPERSPORT

PARK

Cnr South & West Streets Centurion GPS co-ordinates: S25 51’29.2” E28 11’44.2”

SATURDAY

3 Sept 2016 START TIME:

Entry Forms available at selected

SUPERSPAR, SPAR & KWIKSPAR stores, Enter online at:

www.sparladiespta.co.za Enquiry line: 011 203 5300

14H00 www.devotedmag.co.za

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The Conversation

On ethics and integrity…

The reaction from readers on the previous topics of corruption and unethical leadership was overwhelming. With the municipal elections around the corner it seems appropriated to continue with the conversation on these topics as they represent burning issues in current South Africa. We believe that we should not be quite about the things that matter and the political instability in the country is a matter for concern.

Pastor Olusegun Olanipekun from the Institute for Christian Leadership Development writes on this important topic

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ccording to the Webster Dictionary, the word ethical is an adjective involving the question of right and wrong behaviour. Synonyms include: decent, good, honest, honourable, just, moral, right, righteous, true, upright and virtuous. The word ethics itself as a noun deals with rules of behaviour based on ideas about what is morally good or bad. Ethical leadership therefore may be described as leadership with a functional moral compass. A leadership that is certain about what is right and what is wrong. This means that for an ethical leader, the famous Machiavellian dictum of “the end justifies the means” does not apply. It means that right and wrong are not relative and the line between evil and good is not grey, it is clearly demarcated. Ethics is about the kinds of values and morals an individual or a society finds desirable or appropriate. Ethics is concerned with the virtuousness of individuals and their motives.

Leaders Mirror Societal Values

There is a popular saying that each time you point a finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you. It means whenever you accuse someone of doing wrong, you need to be very careful that you are not guilty of the same.

Leaders are like a mirror in the face of society.

Most of the time, leaders are aggregates of values.

Every leader is placed in front of the people as a fruit of their choices. It is not possible to have a group of teetotalers led by an alcoholic neither is it possible for a group of honest people to be led by liars.

When societies choose their moral paradigm, it reflects also in their choice of leaders.

However, most people do not appreciate the negative moral traits that they find in themselves, and are also very quick to condemn the same when it manifests in others particularly in a leader.

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The bible describes the sons of Eli as corrupt.

The corruption manifests in many ways; promiscuous lifestyle, unbridled greed and violence . The evil, immoral and unethical leadership of Hophni and Phinehas led to weakness of the nation of Israel during their time of leadership. The root of all the manifestation of corruption however lies in the fact that they did not know the Lord. They did not retain the knowledge and the fear of God in their thoughts and actions. Their immoral choices did not just affect their personal life; it impacted negatively on society and the weakening of the economy of Israel in their days. Unfortunately, when these national leaders of Israel were punished by God, the entire nation of Israel was also punished.

Consequences of Unethical Leadership

It appears many times in the bible that the sins of leaders are classified as sins of the nation. It is not just the leaders who are punished but the entire nation suffers for the sins committed by their leaders. When David sinned in the presumptuous census conducted on Israel , all the punishment options were not just against David, they affected the nation of Israel under his leadership . When Abimelech, the king of Gerar sinned by taking the wife of Abraham, all of his territory; the people as well as the animals suffered for it . When the leaders of Israel rejected the Lord Jesus Christ, their house namely Israel was left desolate. It is a problematic and challenging thought that the sin of a leader actually does impact everyone and everything over which the leader exercises leadership. It means that God holds the people of a nation responsible for the kind of people that they allow into leadership. It also reflects the idea that a leader is an aggregate of prevailing values in society.

Sincerity of Intent

Ethical leadership demands that a leader is truthful at all times. The notion that politicians

The Conversation are liars is very rife in modern times. It seems like falsehood and dishonesty have become a tool of trade in politics. This ought not to be so. It is possible for leaders to learn that doublespeak is not smartness. There is a yearning for leaders who mean what they say and say only what they mean - as the bible says that we must mean what we say and say only what we mean.

Morality Murdered

Morality has been murdered in South Africa. When the legal system separated between legality and morality, we decapitated morality. When the current political leadership removed the Holy Spirit from the lyrics of the national anthem, we excluded the only person who could hold society accountable to a high moral standard, we murdered morality. When the legal fraternity posits that morality may not be legislated yet immorality is being legislated, we downgraded our ethics and morality. The fruit of all these is seen in the leadership of society today. Moral relativism posits that rights and wrong cannot be absolute; that truth is relative depending on circumstances, culture, upbringing, preferences et al. Nothing could be further from the truth. Truth is not relative. Whatever is true is true. A generation where morality is perceived as relative cannot cultivate ethical leadership because right and wrong will then depend on the preferences of individuals. We cannot call evil good and good evil It is also not possible for us to hold our leaders accountable to one standard and hold ourselves accountable to a different or lesser standard. If we expect our leaders not to lie, we should also be truthful. If we expect leaders not to be promiscuous, we should live by the same standard. After all, leaders are cultivated in every home and every office. What we sow today is what we reap tomorrow.

Public officers like Thuli Madonsela and the Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng have exhibited a high standard of ethical leadership that is above political manipulation, a morality that is not for sale, an exemplary leadership. There are many more like these two in different sectors of society and we need to find, support and encourage them.

The President of Tanzania, Mr. John Magufuli recently cancelled lavish Independence Day celebrations to free up funds to fight cholera outbreak; slashed the budget for a state dinner to celebrate opening of parliament, using the money to buy hospital beds. This is the path that all public officers on the continent should pursue. A path of austere and frugal lifestyle that is sensitive to the poor, the needy, the homeless and the underprivileged. Only ethical leadership can take the continent of Africa into the Promised Land.

Note: The Conversation, initiated by Random Moments of Faith, is a collaboration between this faith-based website and Devoted that aims to inspire people to express their views on things that matter.

We print the views from our readers, because we want to allow them to share their views on matters and issues that affect us all. Please note that all views published here are of the writers themselves and are not necessary the same as any of the parties involved. If you have a view on racism, our next topic, please write us an e-mail to: editor@devotedmag.co.za

The conversation Collaboration between Random Moments of Faith and Devoted

There is a time for silence, and there is a time to speak or act. Now is the time to speak out and act - or as you would say in isiXhosa: “Sekunjalo”!

We can no longer turn a blind eye to the social ills that have impacted so negatively on our country and its people. We invite you to join the conversation LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE – MindBodySpirit

Discover real life

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

- Martin Luther King Jr. -

Website: www.rmof.org.za Facebook: RANDOM MOMENTS OF FAITH Email: Jacques@rmof.org.za Website: www.devotedmag.co.za Facebook: Devotedmag Email: editor@devotedmag.co.za Follow The Conversation on the website: http://rmof.org.za Learn more about Devoted on: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCD0qUCw9M

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Actual

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“Select capable men from all the people - men who fear God; trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain - and appoint them as officials...”

- Exodus 18:21

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his year, South Africans who have registered to vote will have the responsibility of electing a candidate to represent their interests in their municipality. How you exercise this right and responsibility of voting will have far reaching consequences for almost every area of our lives.

Christians have a biblical duty to vote.

As responsible citizens we must strive to honour God in all areas of life (Matthew 5:14-20). We are to oppose evil (Isaiah 59) and work for righteousness.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” - Proverbs 14:34 Amidst all the electioneering, unrealistic promises, media performances, slogan shouting and empty rhetoric, it is very difficult to maintain an objective perspective on reality. Many even find it difficult to discern between what is right and wrong during election campaigns.

“See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” - Colossians 2:8 Be careful to not merely listen to what is said, but to observe what is done. Cut through the vast volume of verbiage and evaluate each party and candidate in your area simply on the crucial biblical issues: 1. Does the candidate and their party acknowledge the authority of Almighty God? (Exodus 20:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 127:1; Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 33:22; Matthew 28:18) 2. Is the candidate a moral, trustworthy person of integrity? (Proverbs 16:32; 1 Timothy 3:4-5) 3. Does the party permit a free and open market economy, based on private ownership and individual enterprise, or does it hold to the discredited socialist strategies of state interference, central control and nationalisation (theft)? (Exodus 20:15-

17, Leviticus19:15, Proverbs 10:2-4, Matt. 25:14-27, 2 Thess. 3:10) 4. Does the party uphold the right to life of pre-born babies? (Proverbs 6:16-17 & 24.11, 31:8, Matt. 18:10-14) 5. Does the party uphold the sanctity of human life by punishing all murderers with the biblical sentence of capital punishment? (Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12-16, Leviticus 24:17-22, Num. 35: Romans 13:4) 6. Does the party uphold the principle that education - including teachers and textbooks - must be controlled by parents? (Deuteronomy 6:2-9, Psalm 78:4-7 & 111:10, Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4) 7. Does the party oppose the granting of special privileges to perverts (otherwise known as “homosexual rights”)? (Genesis 19, Numbers 15:15, Romans 1:24-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8) 8. Does the party uphold biblical publications control to protect society from the exploitative pornography industry? (Psalm 101:3, Proverbs 14:34, Luke 17:1-2, Mark 12:31, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 3:5-8, 1 Peter 2:16) For further information obtain: Biblical Principles for Africa, Make a Difference – a Christian Action Handbook for Southern Africa, or South Africa for Christ MP3 Set. You can also download these PowerPoints on Slideshare: Biblical Principles for the Elections Biblical Principles Which God Would Bless In Any Country Listen to the Biblical Principles for the Elections presentation by Dr. Peter Hammond on sermonaudio.com here.

See also: God and Government articles God, Government and the Ten Commandments Biblical Principles for Using Your Vote

Sample Text

Every Last Saturday of the month We have nightmarket

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Actual

A prophetic word for our nation

By Brigette Marx

What is God’s perspective on our government?

Is there a solution?

Does South Africa have any hope? What is God saying to us?

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saiah 9:6-7 says “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (KJV) Governments affect every human activity in many important ways.

Parliament passes laws which affect the whole country in all areas of influence.

The enemy is definitely using this to his advantage and to advance his agenda. Our government is inundated with corruption, wickedness and laws which contradict the word of God. Ancestral worship and witchcraft also run rampant and all these practices are an abomination to God. God’s intention for governments is to be of service to its nation and to be a reflection of God’s kingdom. Governments’ aim must be to have godly principles, to have the fear of the Lord and to be a blessing to its people.

God is calling His people to occupy the government and all spheres of influence.

With the fall of Adam and Eve in the

Garden of Eden, Adam lost dominion over the earth to Satan. Jesus, however, has given us the authority back through His blood. But for us to overpower Satan’s kingdom and his rule over the governments and all spheres of influence, we as children of the light, will have to know who we are in Christ Jesus. We have to take up our seats with Christ Jesus and prepare ourselves to fight these battles from the heavenly realm and the spiritual dimension.

Ephesians 2:6 says “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (KJV) God has already placed many people within the government who have gone through a time of preparation inspired by the Holy Spirit. Those who have an apostolic calling will have great influence within governments and they will be used by the Lord to deliver great statutes to transform governments and to establish God’s kingdom and His government on earth. They will understand righteous politics and will be the ambassadors of heaven on earth. God has appointed a multitude of angels and, more specifically,

Actual and for knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Let’s rejoice before our God with songs of praises and thanksgiving, for behold, God is doing a new thing.

Such a thing, the earth has never seen before! Take up your heavenly positions with Christ Jesus and be of good courage. God is in control and help is on the way.

We will not retreat because this country belongs to Jesus Christ. Fear not, child of God. Not for your future, nor for the future of your children. God has placed you here for a time such as this.

May the body of Christ stand unified, in uncompromised truth, in righteousness and faithfulness. We shall stand victorious in His name,

by His power and for His glory.

Isaiah 11:2-5 says “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (KJV)

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territorial angels working together with the apostles to achieve what God has called them for.

It will be the true prophets of the Lord who will identify and call out those who stand in the apostolic anointing and who will identify those who are destined to influence and change nations.

However, God is warning His children occupying the governmental arena to stay humble. The enemy will come against God’s chosen ones in this specific area of influence should they lust after pride.

Humility will be their greatest weapon and method of advancement for God’s people to unlock and release grace from God to advance to the top tiers of government. In James 4:6 we read “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (KJV) Children of God, listen to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying! Look up to your Saviour who has already overcame the world. Why are you looking to what people and the media are proclaiming?

We know the Word is the only truth and the Word is Jesus Christ who became flesh. God wants us to take territory, build cities, change nations and rule countries - all in preparation for the second coming and ultimate rule of the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

Proclaim God’s will and His word over our government. Pray for those who are called to occupy this sphere. Pray for their protection; for wisdom and understanding; for counsel and might;

COUNSELLING

Cost: R300(Donation)

Haima Christou Ministries is an apostolic-prophetic ministry, specialising in prophetic counselling and training and equipping the body of Christ. Aiming to purify and sanctify the Bride, thus preparing the earth for the rulership of Jesus Christ.

COURSES & SEMINARS

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We present the following seminars, courses and workshops:

1

(Know and understand your calling, authority and anointing, mantle and garment.)

Introduction to Spiritual Counselling

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(Strategic prayer, defending and strengthening a church, ministry or country.)

7 Mountains

(Governance, Economic, Family, Ministry [The Mountain of the Lord’s House], Arts & Entertainment, Media, Education.)

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Heavenly Courts

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Kings and Prophets

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Book of Revelation

We specialise in Prophetic Counselling - contact our office to book a session

@R150

(excluding postage costs)

Extending the stakes of the Kingdom of God through effective leadership in Youth Ministry

(The aim of this seminar is to equip, train and fortify the sons and daughters of God who have a calling and a passion to minister to children and teenagers.)

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Youth Counselling Seminar

(During this seminar we will explore the Lord's heart when it comes to His Word, His bride, false teachings, fiery arrows, the occult, music, the Kundalini and on how to take a stand in your educational environment.)

Youth Action Clinic

(This is an evangelical programme for schools and churches.)

God’s perspective on business etthics in the market place

Address: Rooibos Street 67 Montana Pretoria

Ro’eh Prophetic Course

(Prophetic ministry using pictures and colours.)

For more information on our seminars, courses and workshops or for us to present a course at your ministry or church please visit our website at: www.haimachristou.co.za or contact us on: 060 000 2774 / 081 488 7900 or e-mail us: admin@haimachristou.co.za

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International Guarding Project

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(Addressing Root problems: Fear, Rejection, Pride, Bitterness, Depression/Rebellion, the occult.

As well as: bloodlines; Freemasonry; the force of Jezebel; the flood of unrighteousness through Belial and the Kundalini.)

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Biblical Torches Revived

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Operating in the Courts of Heaven

Sample Text Reaching Out

Love

No greater It was a chilly April evening, a Sunday like any other - or so I thought. Until the soft– spoken, maxilla-facial surgeon stood up to speak. “The blind see, the lame walk, the mute speak”, he said “These are daily occurrences on Mercy Ships.” God’s love displayed through compassion and kindness in a myriad of ways.

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couldn’t believe my ears …A floating hospital! Four hundred people from 45 nations with one purpose: To make the love of God manifest and to bring hope and healing to the world’s poorest people.

His voice, like his manner, was calm, gentle; but the words he spoke that day fell like hammers in my heart. They pounded out a challenge, a dare. They awakened a longing in me I never realised I had - to mark my world for good… To have my life count and matter… To be a part of something significant. I had no idea that day, almost 20 years ago, would catapult me into an adventure light years beyond my wildest imaginations. I had no awareness of the transformation of life and spirit that ensues when one dares to be brave.

I was an ordinary girl with no medical background. I’d barely finished high school and had no degrees or formal training.

I longed to be a part of what Dr. Parker spoke of, but what on earth could an unremarkable Zimbabwean girl do? And how would I afford to do it?

To offset expenses for the charitable work, Dr. Parker said the crew of Mercy Ships serve at their own expense. They’re all volunteers. They received no salary.

Instead, they raise their own financial support and even contribute towards their room and board. What a shock that was!

By Brenda van Straten

I could not shake the impact of Dr. Parker’s message. A part of me kept posing questions while the other part replayed his words - the staggering, immense need of Africa; the scarcity of healthcare for most people; the fact that too many die from entirely preventable diseases.

I quickly realised that an amazing opportunity was upon me. I hoisted my courage up from my boots, commanded my timid self to dive into the unknown and reach for a destiny in God. I wanted to be kind to the needy. I wanted to honour God. (Proverbs 14:31) I decided that it was time to give my faith legs - and so, a short two months after hearing Dr. Parker speak, I found myself hauling my suitcase up the steep gangway of the ship, which was in Madagascar at the time, to chase God and my destiny.

Once on board, I came to understand that it took more than medical personnel to run the nine storey floating hospital.

There were engineers, accountants, cooks, IT specialists, housekeepers, photographers and even school teachers (for the 50 children of crew members). So many languages, cultures, experiences, viewpoints; I found I loved all these differing perspectives - they challenged me to change and grow.

I initially worked with young adults in a discipleship training programme. I worked on the Advance teams – logistical

Reaching Out preparation for the ship’s arrival, then as a Protocol and Liaison Officer, interacting with senior government officials, diplomats etc.

Those early years helped me discover aptitudes and capabilities I did not know I possessed - administrative, teaching and leadership skills and abilities. Varying roles in varying seasons - all the time learning, growing, serving and changing.

With my step into the unknown with God I came to know Him to a degree I never dreamed possible. I’ve been able to serve Jesus in more than 12 nations - many of them so poor that the average person earns no more than $1 per day. It’s still staggering to me - a day’s wage that is less than what the average cup of coffee costs.

God has used the lives of the poor to teach me so many things.

I have learned to love more deeply; to extend forgiveness time and time again; to feel pain and as a result, a deeper level of compassion. I’ve learned to feel and express anger at inexplicable injustices and to experience His peace and joy that is beyond explanation.

Through Mercy Ships, I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most resilient and beautiful people in the world. So many times I’ve looked into the faces of men and women with massive tumours growing from their faces and necks, hoping they will see in my eyes how dearly they are loved by God. I’ve held too many dying babies, whilst seeking to comfort their mothers and feeling completely out of my depth. I’ve smiled at those who have been blind for decades because of cataracts, knowing that in 24 hours they will be able to see my smile.

Oh, the joy of running down the hospital hallway after little children who have had their deformed legs straightened or club feet repaired. I remember the little girl who was so terribly burnt after boiling liquid almost took her life. I held her hand, all the time telling her how beautiful she was.

I have sat in worship services with tears streaming down my face as I have watched grown men lift their amputated stumps into the air praising God - men who had their arms amputated by drugcrazed rebel soldiers in Sierra Leone or Liberia. I can’t count the number of hours I’ve spent listening to the horror stories of these precious war survivors, or sat on mud floors, holding and playing with war orphans.

By allowing the pain and suffering of others to enter my own life, God has given me an opportunity to develop and grow my character. These challenges have strengthened me. The emotions are hard to describe at times, but I don’t run from poverty anymore. I look at how I can relieve it, even if just a little.

I approach the poor with compassion, not being afraid to look them in the eye and offer even a simple smile. By God’s grace I’ve

learned how to bring hope and words of comfort to the brokenhearted.

Serving with an organisation, committed to alleviating suffering for the poorest of the poor, is a huge privilege. God, in His goodness, plucked me from a life of self-focus and comfort and placed me in the midst of the pain and hardships of others. In that place, I found a deeper connection with Him, and a measure of fullness I never believed possible.

The call to serve the poor continues, it is on-going. Mercy Ships is making the world a better place by providing free lifesaving and life-changing surgeries. Face and neck tumours are being removed. Cleft lips and palates are being repaired. Burn contractures are being released. Those blinded by cataracts are seeing again. Deformed limbs are being straightened. Women are getting their dignity back thanks to specialised obstetric surgery.

Somehow I became a part of this astonishing movement of grace and compassion. I have served in a transformative venture, a cycle of generosity and giving from all over the world. Serving others ennobles our lives; fortifies and tenderises our hearts.

In my new role as director of Mercy Ships South Africa, I want to help others discover this extraordinary world of faith and service. I want to point them to this deep well of joy that comes from giving of ourselves, from laying down our life for the sake of others.

Jesus said there is no greater love. Doctor Parker said there is no greater challenge. I agree with Jesus when He said there is no greater love than to lay down our lives for others. And there is no greater way to live life.

Note from the editor: Brenda van Straten is the National Director of Mercy Ships Southern Africa. If you want to be part of this amazing programme, or you would like to donate or sponsor a surgeon or volunteer, please contact her:

Tel: +27-21-715-4944 • Fax: +27-21-715-4945 Cell: +27-(0)78-839-9985 E-mail: info.zaf@mercyships.org E-mail: brenda.vanstraten@mercyships.org

Introducing a new culture of The Cycle Miles for Smiles campaign was designed as an outreach initiative, but we are taking this brilliant idea a step further. We believe that smiles are contagious and we want to emphasise the message of compassion by helping people to smile again. To remind us all about the words of Mother Teresa: “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing”

Cycle Miles for Smiles Capital to Capital

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n a unique awareness campaign linking Pretoria to Cape Town, Cycle Miles for Smiles will associate with a number of strategic partners to bring communities the Capital-to-Capital leg of the campaign.

This event is sure to bring smiles to the hearts and faces of people all the way on route between the two historic capital cities, while creating awareness of the plight of the poor who desperately need medical care, but do not have access to it.

By speaking to people during his cycle tours, Dr. Tertius Venter raises awareness of organisations such as Mercy Ships, PAACS (Pan Africa Academy for Christian Surgeons) and Operation Smile. He also helps to raise funds for these organisations so they are able to continue their work amongst the poorest of the poor. The launch of the first Capital-toCapital link between the capital cities through a unique cycle tour create a fun platform for people who cares about others to join us in placing smiles on the faces and in the hearts of people.

We invite corporates and like-minded people to join the Cycle Miles for Smiles, Capital to Capital event to make a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor: • We need social awareness before, during and after the tour to tell the stories – follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; • Volunteers are needed in each city/town to help with the organisation and logistics: Pretoria - Johannesburg - Potchefstroom Reitz - Ficksburg – Wepener - Burgersdorp – Middleburg – Graaff Reinet – Willowmore – Oudtshoorn – Ladysmith – Swellendam – Stanford – Cape Town: • Provide Dr. Tertius with speaking opportunities at your school, church and business; • Opportunities are needed to promote fundraising at interested venues or organisations such as churches, medical fraternities, schools, Christian-based organisations and business networks; • Fellow cyclists are needed to join Dr. Tertius for one hour, one day or for the entire duration of the tour (at their own cost); • Follow this link: https:// mercyships.box.com/s/

Smiles

beabchqqldrks3o5xz7vlv91z8kpbhu7 • Follow us on Devotedmag Facebook page

YOUR SCHOOL OR CHURCH CAN • Sponsor R10 per kilometre from Pretoria to Cape Town – the sponsor can sponsor from 1 – 1 999 kilometres; • Take part or sponsor a spinner at a Cycle-athon events; • Challenge other schools, churches and corporates to raise funds; • Donate a toy and bring a smile to the faces of burn victims and children born with deformities.

THIS IS WHAT YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT WILL DO • Make people aware of the work that Dr. Tertius and other volunteers are doing for the poor on the Africa Mercy ship; • Establish the Capital-to-Capital link between the two historic capitals and take part in it; • The media and PR team will be able to create maximum awareness and help spread the message; • Provide the opportunity for people to meet an awesome South African who has dedicated his entire life to what God has called him to do – to help the poorest of the poor to get their dignity back and to smile again; and you can utilise his skills as a wellknown inspiring speaker at your school, organisation, church or event; • Doctor Tertius and other volunteers will be able to continue their work on the Africa Mercy ship, doing what they do best – putting smiles back on the faces of people who have no hope of any medical care.

• Trainee surgeons will be able to learn from the expertise of seasoned surgeons such as Dr. Tertius; • You have the opportunity to partner with other organisations in support of this worthy cause, and to crate brand awareness.

Cycle Miles for Smiles…

From Pretoria to Cape Town 2 – 15 November 2016

Dr. Tertius Venter, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, will cycle from the Wonderboom Airport to Cape Town International Airport in November this year. The Cycle Miles for Smiles event, linking the two capitals symbolically, will mark the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Wonderboom Airport.

Doctor Venter regularly cycles between cities to create awareness for the plight of the poor and to raise funds for the Africa Mercy Ship, the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship that offers free health care to those who cannot afford it. Doctor Venter is a volunteer on the Africa Mercy Ship.

“A call to compassionate action in a hurting world bringing hope and healing, restoring dignity and self-worth.”

(Mercy Ships’ Mission)

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE – MindBodySpirit

Discover real life

Giving

dignity back

“Think about what you will tell people if you can’t even give them hope.” This was one of the strangest statements I had ever been confronted with, because hope is normally the least you can give someone

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ational Flai

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fter a bumpy ride, I was standing in the Bulengo displacement camp in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo with the field agent of the International Rescue Committee.

When he briefed me and emphasised that I couldn’t make any promises to the displaced people I was about to meet, the full impact of those words hit me. I experienced first-hand that you can’t even give people hope sometimes.

For a moment, I felt that God had left that place and for the first time in my life I had no clue what to do. But thank God for God in my life. I asked Him, silently and a little hysterically, what I was supposed to do and why I was there in the first place.

The words of Mother Teresa came into my mind: “There is no bigger poverty than the lack of love and attention”. And I knew all I had to do was to give these forgotten, dirty and desperate people my undivided attention, love and as many hugs as I could manage. I learnt that to give someone their dignity back is the biggest gift in the worst circumstances. It is a gift that crosses every language or cultural barrier and is God’s way of sending rays of sunshine into a seemingly endless storm.

I met seven extraordinary women that day in August 2014, whom I later learned had lost all of their own enterprises and loving families in unthinkable ways during the conflict in Eastern DRC. When I asked them what they needed most, they said,

without hesitation, panties. The day before my period started unexpectedly, I was stranded in war-ridden Goma with three tampons. I realised I was in trouble and started searching for sanitary wear. When I eventually found it in the city of 1.5 million people, I had to pay $9.50 for 24 tampons, in a country where a family doesn’t have $2 to send their children to school!

I knew this had happened to me for a reason and that it was the beginning of a search to give women their dignity back in poverty and war-stricken areas and I was amazed to find the solution in my home country, South Africa.

Dignity Dreams is a South African registered NGO that manufactures and distributes washable sanitary wear.

They also address the stigmas around menstruation and host talks on menstrual health around the country. They believe that the transition to womanhood should be a time of celebration – not a terrifying and painful experience.

The only thing I did promise the women in the Bulengo displacement camp that day was that I would never forget them and when I went back in January 2015, it was a great joy for me to hand them each their own Dignity Dreams pack.

The Dignity Dreams team attended the Women Deliver Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in May 2016. They

International Flair learnt that 100 of the 196 countries in the world don’t record the births of girls and the deaths of females in our modern society today. There is still huge gender inequality in the world and there are massive challenges to address all the wrongs.

But we share the Mrs. Africa Foundation’s viewpoint: “Mrs. Africa knows that she cannot change the world, but realises that if you do small things every day, you can achieve big things together. She has seen that some situations are hopeless, but is committed to give someone at least their dignity back, in any way possible.”

The Mrs. Africa Foundation is the official charity organisation of the Mrs. Africa pageant and has collaborated with Dignity Dreams to give dignity back to our beautiful African continent. There are 10 countries involved this year and the Mrs. Africa Foundation is committed to distribute the beautiful, feminine and reusable Dignity Dreams packs to school girls and underprivileged women in all participating Mrs. Africa countries.

Every time you donate to Dignity Dreams, you are helping them to achieve three goals: •

•

•

Empowering school girls and women: Can you imagine having your period without any sanitary wear? Our school girls deserve to enter womanhood with confidence and knowledge. They deserve to attend school throughout the month and our women in underprivileged and war-ridden areas deserve to have their dignity.

Enabling small businesses: There are currently 19 previously disadvantaged and unemployed women who sow Dignity Dreams pads and bags in South Africa and who own the businesses. The dream is to establish this system all over Africa, as all mainstream sanitary wear in Africa is imported.

Caring for the environment: Traditional sanitary towels and tampons are clogging up our landfills and polluting our environment. A cycle normally lasts for five days and most girls and women use five sanitary towels per day equalling 25 sanitary towels per month. Over a fiveyear period, 1 500 soiled towels will end up in landfills. Dignity Dreams packs will last up to five years.

Dignity Dreams can also issue an Article 18A tax certificate to all registered companies in South Africa. We would like to invite the corporate sector to invest your CSI funding in this worthy cause and help us to achieve our motto of Keeping Girls in School. Period.

To put it in perspective: With R150, you can change one girl/woman’s life once a month for up to five years; you can support micro-businesses; and you can care for the environment. No other gift can do that!

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Janet Potgieter at janet@dignitydreams.com /+27 83 270 4701

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Theme

The worthy cause of being you

By Elizabeth Becker

There’s a moment in your life, when you either want to climb in your car and drive until the road ends or when you feel like you’re standing in the middle of a stadium with the microphone in your hands, and you’re screaming at the top of your lungs and nobody hears you. Then there are also moments where you barely whisper and someone is already next to you.

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really think that today we are so concerned about making a difference in the world that we forget a major cause that is staring us in the face.

Actually, in the mirror! It’s you!

And I don’t mean the vain side, the Photoshop side, or the side we present to the world… I mean the real side. The side you hide away from the world, the one you feel is necessary to hide, because you might just not be accepted for who you are.

The world tells us, in cursive writing, beautiful nature pictures and quotes, that you should be who you are. Be unique, be different. However, the problem is when you do that, the world can be a cruel and wicked judge and can belittle you for not conforming to society and the latest trends.

We have become accustomed to a world where we spent a fortune on beauty products and make-up on the latest anti-aging trends. But, how much time do we spend accepting ourselves? Don’t get me wrong, to be presentable and neat, well-dressed and proud of the way you look is a good thing, but it can become an obsession.

Just remember, a nice lipstick can only go so far. You can’t talk yourself into accepting yourself with the latest shimmer eye shadow. You will require a little more help than that.

For me, 2016 has been a challenging year, filled with ups and downs, more downs than ups, but still enough to know I will overcome and be stronger.

In this year’s adventures, I’ve come to the realisation that I need to be more accepting of myself. Not just as a woman, or Christian, or friend… but as me.

I spent more time with myself than with other people.

You matter as a person.

You count, whether you think so or not.

As a little exercise, put your hand against a mirror and look at your fingerprint. In the entire history there has never been, nor will there ever be again, a fingerprint like that one. Currently there are more than 6 billion people in the world and you’re the only you. It’s quite literally like a star in the sky. Unique… beautiful… and bright.

So the real question is or should be: shouldn’t your happiness and joy be a worthy cause?

After all, an empty vase cannot feed flowers.

Wellness

BOUNDARIES Part 3 W

By Dr. Hanlie Meyer

In the previous article, I compared boundaries to a double-sided coin.

When we say yes to one thing, we say no to the opposite by default.

Using this concept makes it easier for us to count the cost of our decisions.

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e started exploring the covenant boundaries God set forth in Exodus 20 and established that these were not prerequisites to enter into a relationship with God, but the implications for a life lived in a love relationship with God. When God restored the dignity of His people, He started teaching them how to be human and not slaves and the commandments were the guidelines for what it means to live a life that replicates God’s identity. These guidelines/boundaries were thus intended as a guide for us as to how we should identify ourselves and should not be used as a weapon to scare us out of hell and into heaven. Hell or heaven was not part of this discussion between God and His people. Replicating God’s identity as a result of and in the most wonderful love relationship imaginable was on the table. What His people would miss if they did not choose to live like this is the flip-side of the coin. Love, admiration, gratitude and worship should be the motivation – not a fear of going to hell or an effort to become perfect.

Let us take a closer look at each of these God-given boundaries intended to set us free from our personal Egypt – our personal slavedrivers.

The overarching principle is God’s desire to restore His people to the glory He intended for them. Following from this, we need to create a culture where people respect God’s image

in one another in the same way He does. Not by evaluating how good we are, but WHO we represent: the only living God – our Protector and Provider. What would the world look like if we lived like this?

• Firstly, in this new way of life – with this new God-given culture – it is important to remember that there is only one true God – I AM. The One who sets us free by the crucifixion of Jesus. When we do what He desires, that is to set our minds and keep them set on the things that are above – in other words God – and follow Christ’s example of a life that pleases God, our spiritual authority will increase. This is God’s first boundary. Does this sound limiting? On the contrary, it is liberating.

Think how much less intimidating other people will become if you live under God’s authority and how much less complex decision-making will become. Why? Because with God there are no politically correct answers – there is no one else to please. Living the Christ-life strips us of pretences and frees us of the necessity to always try and gauge or pre-empt other peoples’ responses. No more gods to serve, no more tip-toeing around people.

Freedom to live and speak the truth in love.

• Yet this is also a boundary: as long as this life is lived in the footsteps of Jesus – living and speaking the truth in love, accepting

the ultimate authority of I AM - inner peace is guaranteed, but not necessarily peace in the broken world we live in. When we adhere to God’s conditions, we will be able to overcome whatever this broken world can throw at us.

• The challenge for you is to identify the other gods you fear and to whom you are enslaved.

Whether that is a boss, an abusive husband or wife, an abusive pastor or church structure that keeps you captive through burdening sermons on obedience to the leader, abusive parents who manipulate you and abusive children who steal and lie to maintain their lifestyles.

• There are also the slave-drivers from your hurtful past – memories springing up from the implicit memory centre in the limbic system (as explained in a previous article) which causes you to fear new situations as if you were in the original situation again. Or what about your desire to please everybody and hurt nobody – it seems such a noble motivation – yet it becomes a cruel slave-driver. Or ambition to be the best.

• All of these are only examples of possible gods that could enslave you.

Book Dr. Hanlie for your women’s conference or camps as guest speaker.

Order the full boundaries CD series now for only R350

There is an open invitation from the One Who freed Israel from their slave-drivers. Look out for the next article where we will take a closer look at more boundaries set by God.

See more details at Bernina@Atterbury 012 753 0082/ 083 964 4335

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Inspiration

What the mind believes,

the body achieves

by Suzette van Huyssteen

We should always be ready for the next miracle in our lives.

This is the attitude of 18-year-old JG Oosthuizen, who was paralysed after a freak accident shortly before his matric year. He was on a family vacation and went for a last swim before returning home. “I did back flips as I always do, but this time I lost my balance in the air and came straight down on my neck, on a sand bay. All of a sudden I could not move”

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e shattered the fifth cervical vertebra in his neck and was paralysed from his shoulders down.

“There is always hope and I do not consider my accident to be the end of my life story. For me, it is the start of a new story which I am living every day. I received physiotherapy and occupational therapy and have slowly been regaining movement in some places where I never thought possible.”

According to JG, we complain far too easily while we have so much to be grateful for.

“We seldom notice miracles that happen daily in our lives.”

He is grateful towards God as he sometimes cannot comprehend how he is able to stay positive and have joy in his heart, despite the challenges he faced since January 2016.

“This inner strength must come from a bigger power within my soul. God carried me through these difficult months and therefore I know that He will carry me through whatever my future holds. This gives me inner peace.”

JG said he experiences God through the people around him. “God’s hand definitely played a role in the neurosurgeon that did a wonderful and very sensitive procedure on my neck without any complications and everybody who worked with me with compassion and sometimes humour. I experience God’s love through the people He sent to me and who became part of my story.”

Time is currently the most valuable thing for JG, as he realises the value of spending

time with loved ones. He also appreciates every single muscle function that he is regaining. “I appreciate my body and working senses like seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching that I can still feel on some parts of my body. I am grateful for the fact that my brain is fully functional and technology which enables me to communicate and gives me a form of my independence back.”

One message JG really wanted to share with our readers is to never give up. “Never give up, appreciate each new day and keep on working and practicing, but most importantly, be ready for when the next miracle happens in your life.”

He plans to study after his matric year, but is also interested in becoming a motivational speaker and even perhaps a sport commentator.

JG will be competing in the Spar Women’s Race this year as he is deeply grateful towards SPAR for all their support. “I definitely want to compete in the race and my brother will probably push me in my wheelchair again. I enjoy partaking in such events. I also value the support of Retha Ingenbleek from SPAR, for her loving interest in me. She opened many doors for me and gave me the opportunity to motivate other people. SPAR also helped a lot with financial support which makes my situation and daily life much easier.

I am so thankful.”

At such a young age, he is an inspiration to many and his motto in life is what the mind believes, the body achieves! We look forward to seeing what this amazing young man is going to achieve in the future.

ENTRIES !

N E P O W NO

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CENTURIO

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ER 2016 SEPTEMB

This year, as always, there is a special and important message behind the race. We are encouraging all of our participants to count their blessings and to recognise how much we all have to be grateful for. Taking stock of everything you have to be grateful for can be very liberating and empowering – which is exactly what the SPAR Women’s Challenge is all about!

Let us know what you are grateful for on our social media pages. #SPARLadiesPTA #IamGrateful

www.sparladiespta.co.za Enquiry line: 011 203 5300

14H00

Teen Talk

Your

choices and decisions

As a teenager, you are at a time in your life when you are no longer a little child. But you are not an adult either. You are experiencing a lot of physical, psychological and social changes. I have no doubt that sometimes you may feel overwhelmed, but you can be excited, because this is also an exciting time of your life

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From the book, Teenager, be Wise By Nozi Kubeka

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here is a lot to learn about yourself, your body and your life in general.

You are beginning to have your own identity and that is important.

This is where WISDOM (especially godly wisdom) becomes so necessary for you.

Make a decision to be wise and that you will enjoy this time of your life. It will be a positive experience, a time that you will look back on when you are older and you will smile. Teenager, do you realise that life is a series of decisions? Every second, every minute, every hour, every day of your life, you are busy making decisions and choices.

You need to be wise.

So what exactly is this wisdom and what does it mean to be a wise young person?

Wisdom can be defined as “the correct use or application of knowledge”. It is also the quality of showing good discernment or good judgement – what you know contributes to how wise you are and how wisely you act.

Knowledge will empower you, so increase your knowledge by reading, listening attentively to good mentors and role models. Also be observant. Look and learn from others who are successful and are great leaders. Let their journey to success attract and encourage you as you are only at the beginning of your journey.

Look and learn what has led others to destruction and avoid it. Being observant

is a very important skill for a young person like you.

There is so much knowledge found in books. Readers are leaders and if you are not reading, you have to depend on those who do to tell you what you could have found out for yourself. Develop and nurture that culture of reading and carry it with you throughout your life.

As a teenager, your reading should mainly be your schoolwork and widely reading information that adds value and enriches your school subjects. This will give you high quality, top of the range answers for your tests, essays, debates and conversations.

Your increased knowledge will make you stand out and give you self-confidence.

Choose wisely what you read.

At this stage of your life, wisdom will protect you from a lot of undesirable situations that you may face. It will also help you to avoid any undesirable situations in the first place. You will be a prudent young person who weighs things carefully before making a wise, informed decision. Wow! That sounds like a young person we would all like to hang out with!

One book that I highly recommend as a source of great wisdom is the Bible. It is a book that has been around for thousands of years and yet it is still one of the bestselling books of all time. That should tell you something about it.

Teen Talk It contains wisdom that does not age with time. It is as relevant to your life today as it was to the life of teenagers thousands of years ago.

I recommend that you ask your parents to buy you your own personal Bible.

It is very eye-opening, because God, your Creator, Who created us, talks to you about how to be wise in your daily life. God created you to succeed, not to fail.

Therefore, do not ignore Him. You did not create yourself and you do not have to face life without the help of your Creator. So pay attention to godly instruction, guidance and counsel in everything you do, and your success will be great for your entire life.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 God says: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

How about making a decision right now that you choose to be a wise teenager, only making decisions and choices that will enrich and change your life for the better, regardless of what your friends are doing? If they choose curses, a path to destruction (by doing things that will destroy them), it certainly does not mean that you must follow that route too.

You are the only one who is responsible for your life, not your friends or anyone else who wants to mislead you. No one can mislead you without your cooperation. And no one else can make wise choices on your behalf. Make a decision that you will choose wisdom, you will choose LIFE, the life that your Creator wants for you.

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Book Reviews

The Greatest Century of Missions Reviewed by Gerda Potgieter

The introduction of The Greatest Century of Missions was written

by Dr. George Grant, and he said this book “…. is a treasure trove of incredible adventures, inspiring exploits and unbelievable achievements of some of the most extraordinary people in the most momentous era of Christian advance.”

This remark is spot-on and I could not have put it better myself!

In this easy-reading book, Dr. Peter Hammond tells us about the lives, passions and hardships of missionaries who were called in the 19th century. Against all odds and amidst countless hardships they obediently followed their calling to spread the Word and win souls for His kingdom. They used different platforms, but because they were passionate about what they were doing, they succeeded, despite the challenges… or perhaps because of the challenges?

The true stories in this book inspired me to stay devoted to my personal calling and to use my talent as a writer to “Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among people.” (Psalm 96:3).

When I founded Devoted a few years back, I have learnt that the moment you start doing God’s work, the challenges will come. But, I have also learnt that God will never give you a task that you are not capable of handling.

I got two confirmations from the stories in this inspiring book: There are no promises that it will be plain sailing when you are obedient to God’s calling; but if you are obedient, the blessings will be great.

On the back page it says: “This book will be a valuable resource for pastors and missionaries and a textbook for senior home schoolers, Christian schools and Bible colleges.” I don’t fall into any of those categories, as I am only a passionate writer called because of my love for the Lord, to use my talents to glorify God through this magazine, founded for His glory. However, the book inspired me to keep on keeping on despite challenges. Secondly, it also confirmed my belief that people from all walks of life can be inspired by the book and I have been inspired to start a regular series in Devoted about the missionaries and how they succeeded in advancing the kingdom, against all odds.

The Greatest Century of Missionaries is a must-read if you are passionate about Jesus. It reminds us how the Lord uses ordinary people like you and I to do extraordinary things. It is available for only R98 (plus postage) and I would recommend that churches, schools and Christian-based organisations order as many copies as soon as they have read this review. The contact details are: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za or you can visit the website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za

100 Minutes of Grace – Discover healing after tragedy

By Mignionette Fair “To lose a child is to lose a piece of yourself” – Dr. Burton Grebin Karen Coomber went through hell and back when she lost her daughter in a motorbike accident in 2011. 100 Minutes of Grace is her story of how she endured this horrible tragedy and came out on the other side with God’s help.

Karen kept a diary for five years after the tragedy and God gave her many revelations, but most of all, He healed her heart. She went from the valley to the mountaintop with her Saviour.

We don’t want to give away more than that, but we will encourage anyone who has lost a loved one to read this book. It is a deeply moving book, written beautifully by a mom who knows what the valley of death looks like, because she has walked through it. But she shows us that even though weeping may endure for a night, joy can come again in the morning.

Karen shows us all the truth of Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

We give it: 5 out of 5 The book is available for purchase from CRC church bookshops, from Porcupine Press Website, Bargain Books and Exclusive Books.

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Testimony

The

fire inside

on the

By Mignionette Fair

My husband and I recently went through a tough time.

I’m writing this to, hopefully, encourage someone else and to testify of our God’s goodness and faithfulness. We own a little flat that we have been renting out since 2015. In December 2015, the tenants stopped paying us

A

t first it was fine, but then things started getting a bit tight financially.

To make it worse, the tenants were spinning all sorts of stories of why they weren’t able to pay. Lie after lie. Our hearts started to harden towards them. They were taking advantage of my husband’s good nature… On the other hand, I was ready to visit them with a baseball bat! Thank God for amazing, loving, good-natured spouses!

January, February, March, April came and went with the tenants still owing us a lot of money and refusing to move out. Around March the questions started coming: “Why us God? We are faithful? We serve in your church? We give? I don’t understand…” No answer. What do you do when heaven is quiet?

Honestly, I did the opposite of what you are supposed to do. I retreated. I hid behind my religiousness. A smiling mask to hide the pain, the anger. I stopped reading my Bible. I stopped praying. I stopped proclaiming the word of God over our situation. It didn’t help up to that point, so why bother? What a dangerous situation I placed myself in. The Bible is so right when it says “Guard your heart above all else, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Hard heart = no springs of life.

I felt so much shame. I was supposed to be this strong, Christian woman and leader, but at the first hint of opposition, I falter. And such minor

opposition, I mean, it’s not like it was a death, sickness or something like that! But, God… I attended the #SHE conference at CRC Pretoria in May. My God was not just going to let me stay in that place of despair… Oh no! “But you, o Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3) The first night, Ps. Pushie Watson brought a word from God into to my, seemingly, hopeless situation: Let the fire on the inside of you burn brighter than the fire on the outside. Let it burn!

Session after session, God drew me close to Him. Calling me back to a fire-filled life with Him. So, here I am, writing this article – refreshed, fired up and oh, so grateful. Grateful for my God, the Lover of my soul; for my church, my hubby, family and friends, who I know, carried us (especially me). The tenants moved out and we have found great new tenants. We have decided to declare them forgiven and the debt settled.

God will bring healing and restoration. I know it.

I would like to encourage you… don’t make my mistake and retreat into religion. God is not too far to reach you… to wrap His arms of love around you. Always remember that it is not God who brings destruction, that’s the devil’s job description (steal, kill & destroy). And maybe, the fire you go through can help someone else through theirs or show someone else the faithfulness of Jehovah Jireh.

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Actual

Social media and

your thoughts

By Elizabeth Bekker

When you take a moment to sit down and consider all the platforms out there specifically made to connect with people, you will be amazed. The sad thing is that the more connection platforms there are, the less we actually connect.

This means actually taking the time to get to know someone

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ore than half of our communication platforms do not require your identity. You can say whatever you want and it will not be traced back to you. This can be positive or negative, depending on your view on anonymity. The problem is that everything we do has a consequence and it’s our responsibility to respect that.

But we don’t.

We have become accustomed to the idea of freedom of speech and the freedom to say whatever we want, whenever we want, especially on social media and websites that doesn’t require your real name and identity.

We don’t take the time to think how it will influence the people who read it. Are you building people up or breaking them down?

Would you really say whatever you want if you knew that your real name would be reflected?

I hardly ever go on Facebook these days because to me it has become a way to feed one’s ego, instead of communicating.

This is heart-breaking really, because we

can use it for so much more. We have one of the greatest gifts and means to communicate.

Instead of just posting the negative side of what is out there, what if we take a moment and use it to do good?

For some reason I keep thinking about what Uncle Ben said in Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility”. Posting positive things on social media may not be fighting crime or swinging between buildings, but isn’t it a more distinguished responsibility?

If we knew the power of a post, the depth of emotion a tweet can have, wouldn’t we be more responsible with it? After all, if more than 50% of our communication can reach the entire world, and it’s mostly negative, is it any wonder that the world is being thrown into more chaos than normal?

Let’s be the change we would like to see in the world. Don’t allow social media to control you or your thoughts. Choose to take control of the things you view and post and watch what a difference it will make.

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Business

My Generational

Action Plan (GAP)

By Jasper Cloete

How different would your life be today if you had a grandfather who started a Generational Family Fund, designed so that every member of your family would be ensured of the following:

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•

The opportunity to attend any school and university and receive a family grant for it.

• To have access to a panel of specialists in any field and present your business ideas to them and if it is approved, to have access to an interest free loan from the family fund on terms that will ensure your business’ success.

• To receive the keys to your own house (fully paid) when you turn 21 with the only provision that you will continue to save the rental that you would have paid into a trust fund that you will start for your own family.

• You no longer have to pay for short term or medical needs out of your own pocket. The money that you would have paid goes into a family fund that looks after the needs of the family and any profits that are accumulated, either reduces your monthly payment or is shared as dividends annually.

• As you get older, you are not concerned about who would take care of you since the family fund will provide for the members in terms of frail care until they pass on.

Unfortunately, this is but a pipe dream for 99% of the population. They only read about the lifestyles of generational families like the Ruperts and Oppenheimers in the newspapers.

They have accepted that their lot in life is to live an existence lifestyle and at best provide for themselves until their dying age and to ensure their children at least

have a good education. In essence, they have accepted a life of quiet desperation.

But, what if there was a way that they too could become a generational family and in time, receive the same respect as what other generational families do? The truth is that each of those generational families were started by a founding parent that had to overcome generations of wrong thinking and lack of material resources in order to lay the foundation for what is a successful generational family corporation today!

What if there was a systematic approach that could be followed by any person serious about becoming the founding parent of a family fund?

The good news is that such a process and resources now exist through the Generational Inheritance Group (GIG) movement. GIG was formed in March 2008 and has since developed training programmes on the generational process through their GIG Institute (www. giginstitute.org) and started a community bank called GIG Cooperative Financial Institution (CFI) www.gig.coop. Since 2011, they have offered their members interest free loans and have a proven process to take them from tenant to landlord in seven years.

For more information, visit the website, register as a free member or write to info@gigtrust.co.za.

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Devoted adds value to your products and promotes your brand to our loyal readers Devoted provides a sense of community that people want to be part of (credibility) Devoted is a vital source of information and is closely associated with trust Devoted helps to strengthen your relationship with existing markets Devoted goes into people’s homes, reaching a loyal and relevant reader market Devoted has more than 100,000 loyal readers … and it is still growing!

We distribute through selected bookshops and strategic points such as: hair and beauty salons, coffee shops, consulting rooms, business network opportunities, special events.

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We offer an effective advertising option; and a greater range of responses We provide you with printed and online advertising opportunities With us you reach a focused target audience cost effectively We distribute amongst the 5-8 and 8-10 target groups, and we provide you with a geographical footprint that will give you return on your investments • Devoted has a long shelf life

Visit our website at www.devotedmag.co.za CALL US NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPACE Alicia – 074 460 4123 • Suzette – 082 735 8045 • Octavia – 073 778 7025 EMAIL US: Aliciajorge26@gmail.com • suzprinsloo@yahoo.com • octavia@octaviae.com Alternative email: sales@devotedmag.co.za Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/devotedmagazine

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We distribute in hard copy and Devoted is also available online (digital on the website). It has an estimated more than 100,000 readers per issue – and it is still growing.

If you believe – like us – that life ends the day that we stop talking about the things that REALLY matter, you are invited to join us.

Alone we can make a difference … together we can make an impact.

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Fair Flair

The Fruit of the Spirit:

All the “nesses” A

In this issue we will be looking at all the “nesses” of the fruits of the Spirit: Kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness.

I believe that, in some way, all of these “nesses” are linked together and cannot be separated from one another

l Capone said: “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me.”

Although I am in no way condoning Al Capone’s way of doing things, he’s got a point. Christians tend to think that gentleness and kindness means we have to be weak. But how can we be weak when we serve the Lion of the tribe of Judah! He is not weak! Meek, yes… but definitely not weak.

Matthew 5:5 says: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.

Meekness can be defined as “strength under control”. In other words, to be gentle and kind means you are able do something, but you choose not to. You can curse someone, but you choose to bless them. You can gossip about someone, but you choose to build them up instead. You can be violent and promote hatred, but you choose to promote love instead.

You can be strong and kind/gentle, just like God is strong and kind/gentle. “Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before

the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12) I believe we have been called to reflect God’s strength, but also His still small voice.

We should be ruthless when it comes to the devil and his schemes, and we should be gentle as lambs when it comes to the hurting, broken and defeated in our world.

By reflecting God’s kind of strong love, the fruits of kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness will come so much easier.

Let’s be a generation who will tell the devil: “When you attack me; my family; my church; the hurt; the broken; the desperate – weakness is not what you will remember about me!” May you carry the “nesses” fruits of the Spirit in your life like never before! For the sake of the world…

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