Death & Life | October 2015

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Lilies in the City - October 2015 - Issue 10

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lilies city tricked by treats Why would I let you fall?

Sleep THE

OF

DEATH

SURVIVING THE FALL FAIL-PROOF PARENTING 6 Ways to Look Fabulous

Life

DEATH &

Carob

Frappuccino

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16

8

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6

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lilies city Lily Eats Glowing Lily Social Lily Lily Lifestyle Practical Lily

6 Tricked by Treats 16 Carob Frappuccino 8 6 Ways To Look Fabulous

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Fail-Proof Parenting

12 Why Would I Let You Fall 18 The Sleep Of Death

14 Surviving The Fall

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible (The King James Version)

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Light

"P

lease leave the light on, I'm afraid of the dark!" Many children have a terrible fear of the dark - poorly lit corners, dark rooms and shadowed hallways all cause the sympathetic nervous system's flight or fight response to kick in. Furthermore, while the media has well painted darkness and evil as one and the same, we find that it is originally a Biblical thought.

God is light (1 Jn.1:5) and the Originator of all that is pure, lovely, peaceful and true. As the light of the world, Christ promises, "he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12). Christ in the life enlightens all the uncertainties of life.

It is difficult to see well in darkness and neither night lights nor flashlights illuminate well. While these latter help us dimly see shapes or outlines, there are still many shadows. Similarly, we can't substitute things or people that merely talk about God for His inspired writings - they will not be bright enough. For this reason, the Bible, God's word, is also compared to light (Ps 119:105): when the light is on, we can clearly discern what is really there.

We are in our second month of our "Back to.." series, and this month we are illuminating the darkness - we're going “Back to Eden.� This issue sheds light on death, life and the reason and spiritual lessons behind this transitional season of fall.

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness...

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." (1 Th. 5:4,5)

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Administrative STAFF Almarie Hill Almarie is the Editor-in-Chief at Lilies in the City (LIC). Of things seen on this earth, she loves only sweet potatoes and bananas more than words, writing and editing. Almarie lives for ministry and has a passion for Christ's wholistic method of healing - naturally. Wholly Whole is her personal ministry, reflecting her journey to completeness in Christ.

Akilah Ballard As the Financial Manager at LIC, the Lord has blessed Akilah with a knack for organization and attention to detail: two skills fundamental to finance and accounting. When not analyzing numbers, she loves to admire God through His created works: gardening has become one of her favorite interests.

She suspects that the same excitement she has watching seeds grow is the same that God has in watching His Word bear fruit in our hearts.

Sarah Victor Sarah is LIC’s Account Manager and she has made it her personal goal to make the service of God the most attractive thing in the world. Whether she is sharing tasty, healthful recipes, sharing object lessons while gardening, or while making her all natural hair and body butters for Jane's Butters, there is always one goal: to show that there is great peace, safety, and most of all joy in the service of our loving God!

Rochelle Mekowulu Rochelle, the Business Manager, provides strategic guidance to ministries in their marketing and development efforts. She has always had a passion for ministry and the furtherance of the gospel. When not working on various projects, she can be found in nature, doing a bible study or writing.

Jaleesa Almarales Jaleesa, the Marketing Manager, believes that Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching people. Therefore counseling and teaching combined with a few other talents are tools that God has given her to prepare people, especially an army of youth, to meet our God. In her spare time, she can be found working on a DIY project, painting or trying to learn to play the piano.

Photo Credits: Daniel Sanchez Have Any Questions For The Lilies Staff?

Contact us: admin@liliesinthecity.org

cover, pgs 2, 17,18 &19 Layout & Design: Abiola Osinjolu

Associate Editor: Delnita McDavid

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Tricked Treats

DIET AND SPIRITUALITY PART 1:

BY

– Harold Sykes

I

t is the month of October. By now we know for certain whether the resolutions made in January were truly a resolve, or sincerely good intentions to which we have not remained consistent. October ushers us into the final quarter of the year traditionally referred to as "the holiday season", in which each month closes with a celebration that tends to center around food and family.

The Christmas ham (or goose) of December, the Thanksgiving turkey of November, and the Halloween candy of October are anticipated by many with eager excitement. Though gathering with family is to be commended, I suspect it may be indulgence and sometimes excess that punctuates the end of every year and leads many of us to feel the need to make resolutions as the new year begins.

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In the eyes of many, the month of October has great visual appeal in the colorful changes of the autumn leaves. Even more startling in this season known as "the fall", is the environmental decay which marks this time of year.

There is also a striking similarity between the October celebration of Halloween, its tradition of dark spirits and individuals hiding their identities behind masks while repeating the familiar phrase "trick or treat", with the "the Fall" of mankind recorded in Genesis 3.

In this chapter we read of a dark spirit who hid his identity behind the mask of a serpent and tricked our first parents with a treat from the forbidden tree.

Though many may discount these parallels as mere coincidence, experience has taught me that coincidence is rarely a random accident but most often an intelligent design. It stands to reason that if the same elements original-

ly seen in the first fall of mankind - spiritualism, costumes, sweets, and trickery - attend this fall celebration of Halloween, we are more than likely witnessing the work of the same deceptive spirit.

According to the Bible record, mankind's destiny and spirituality have always been directly linked with the choice of diet and appetite. The determining factor in that decision apparently hinges upon whether one believes and is obedient to the counsels which proceed from God, or if he instead gives heed to seducing spirits in clever disguises, believing that our diet has no bearing on our physical health or our spirituality.

The mind is the bridge between the physical and mental aspects of our being. It is the mind which processes the communications which come to us from the two opposing spiritual powers contending for influence over our thoughts and actions. Though the brain is

not the mind itself, the brain is the physical organ which houses the functions of the mind. As with all physical organs, the brain is built up and sustained by the food we place into our system. Depending upon what foods we choose, the operations of the brain will be weakened or strengthened and the ability of the mind to discern and distinguish spiritual communications will be either cloudy or clear.

Herein is the practical science which connects diet and spirituality: our everyday decisions in diet reveal our willingness or unwillingness to be led by the wisdom of God. The mind, strengthened by the right choices in diet, learns to appreciate the benefits of humbly submitting its will to the will of God, and develops a spirituality which reflects godliness. Whereas the mind weakened by the wrong choices in diet, increasingly grows to despise any attempt to hinder the carrying out of the self-

will and develops a spirituality which reflects the ungodliness of Satan's character.

The Bible reveals that Satan was on the scene from the very beginning to influence the human family. Although, to most people today the choice of what to eat or not seems insignificant, it was by this decision that he gained controlling influence over the human family. With this in mind we should be able to more clearly discern Satan at work among our families now, enticing us to intemperance, especially in "the Fall" season.

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hough our faithfulness to Christ should be a natural thing, It shouldn't wither in Winter, and bloom in the Spring.

When all the leaves fall and snow covers the scene, Our love should not change, it should remain, evergreen.�

As the changing climate every year reveals which trees are enduring and which are only seasonal, I am reminded of a poem I once wrote and shall adapt for this article:

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THE SILENT WITNESS

6 Ways to Look Fabulous – Sarah Jane Victor

Consider the Lilies 8

– Matthew 6:29

3. Donate/ Recycle/Sell

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n Matthew 6:29, Christ points to the beautiful lily in the field and says “Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” “Thus by the things of nature Christ illustrates the beauty that Heaven values, the modest grace, the simplicity, and the purity that would make our attire pleasing to Him.” In the sanctuary service, solemn and weighty in meaning (see Ex. 28 & 39), God gave specific details regarding the dress of all who entered into His service.

In the same way, as God’s servants in daily service, we are given specifications on how our dress is to represent Him.1 As we dive into the following tips, let us keep in mind that our number one motive should always be to draw others to Christ, even by our dress (See 1 Cor. 10:31). Whether you realize it or not, this silent witness speaks louder and more eloquently than any sermon preached from a pulpit.

1. Dress for health

Perfect health requires perfect circulation.

When our arms and legs are constantly bare while our torsos are covered, there is an uneven distribution of blood. “It is impossible to have health when the extremities are habitually cold; for if there is too little blood in them there will be too much in other portions of the body.”2 Studies find that prolonged exposure of the arms and the legs to the cold has adverse effects on major organs, blood clotting, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood cholesterol, vitamin c absorption, allergies, arthritis, and so much more!

2. Evaluate the clothes in your closet

A popular question is “How on earth do I stay cool in the summertime with my arms and legs covered?” The answer is simple: be mindful of the materials that you are wearing. When shopping, make sure to pick out breathable materials (like linen and cotton). You’ll find that covering up whatever parts of your body are exposed to the sun will actually serve to cool you down and protect you from the harsh heat waves.

You can have a clothing-swap with friends! Take the money from the sale of old clothes to buy new clothes; that way, you are not spending unnecessarily. In every aspect of our lives we must always try to be good stewards.

“Money is a trust from God…In the hands of God’s children it is food for the hungry and clothing for the naked. It is a defense to the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, or preaching the gospel to the poor. You could bring happiness to many hearts by using wisely the money that is now spent for show.

Consider the life of Christ. Study His character, and be partakers with Him in His self-denial.”3

4. Learn simple sewing techniques

Although you will find some really cute clothing, some of them might be too big or too long, the neckline might be too deep, or there might be a slit in it that is too high etc.. No idea where to start with learning some basic sewing techniques? Ask your mother or your grandmother, enroll in a sewing class, watch YouTube videos on sewing for beginners, and lastly just do it! Experience is the greatest teacher. Put forth the determination, and the Lord will bless your efforts.

5. Be patient

“Where do I find modest clothing?” Everywhere! You just have to look. Thrift stores are a good place to start (you just have to have a good eye)! Also, you can easily find a nice outfit from a department store that has potential to become modest with a few adjustments.

6. Be confident!

It’s not always about what you are wearing, but how you wear it. You should never, EVER feel as though you have to dress a certain way to get anyone’s attention. Forget what the magazines say, forget what your friends say, and yes, forget what your grandma says! The

right man, the one that God had in mind for you before either of you were even born, will be solely attracted to you because of your meek, Christ-like Spirit.

So pick that head up, stand up straight and walk with confidence.

Remember who you are, but most importantly, remember Whose you are!

You are a daughter of the Most High, you have the most powerful Father in the entire universe at your beckoning call, always remember this. While we should always be mindful to present ourselves in a nice, and presentable way, the best things you can wear are absolutely free, but in God’s eyes the most precious.

Ultimately, Christ wants us to be covered in His robes of righteousness. So, when you wake up in the morning ask the Lord to grant you strength to meet the trials of the day, courage to boldly stand firm for Him in all that you do, kindness to draw all those you meet closer to Him, humbleness to know when you just don’t know, and faith enough to believe that He will grant you all of these things. And girl…don’t you leave home without that smile! :) (See 1 Tim. 2:9) Do not let your adorning be external— the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. (1 Pet. 3:3-4, ESV) 1. Ellen G White. Messages to Young People. (Nashville: Southern Publishing Assn. 1930). p. 352 2. Ellen G White. Ministry of Healing. (Mountain view, California: Pacific Press Publishing Assn. 1905). p. 293 3. Ibid., p. 287

Looking for more?

“On Youtube, check out Hem of His Garment Ministries for more practical ideas and look-books. See also Royal Garment for some great tutorials, including a $10 DIY wedding skirt (crazy, right!?!) and a DIY maxi skirt made from curtains!”

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FAIL-PROOF PARENTING PART 1 – Queenette Jenkinson

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he Creator gave children to parents and in so doing, established the direction of the life-enhancing flow of information. Information starts with the Creator who is the source of all virtue and wisdom; He then makes all knowledge available to each of us through His Holy Word and the living example of Jesus.

Parents are to pass on the virtues of Christ; they are to teach obedience to the commands of God to the children in their care and preparation for life on this earth and the life to come.

The area of discipline is one that parents and children battle with. The temptation to rebel and thereby sin is common to all of us, including children. The only difference being, children do not even know the difference between sin and being good until they are taught. All during instruction, they will be tempted to resist, ignore or follow their own inclinations. As Paul explains in Romans 7:15, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (ESV).

Consistency is the "make or break" of parenting.

Entire generations tend to behave in similar ways and hold similar values because they have been bombarded with overt or even subliminal messages ev-

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ery day throughout their lives.

Their preferences, attitudes and behaviours are influenced and shaped as a result of this constant repetition and not necessarily by conscious choice. For this reason, the Creator tasked parents to instill His principles and values into their children's minds.

In Deuteronomy 6:7 the Lord exhorts parents saying,"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Notice the word “diligently” in the text is synonymous with “intentionally” and “consistently with dedicated effort”. So then, a weekly church worship service is inadequate to ingrain virtues into a child's life. Even daily devotions together, although a step above, are insufficient.

One must do as Christ did: bring up an object lesson.

Parents have the privilege of highlighting God’s principles in their children’s daily activities, connecting these principles to regular events. Use everyday experiences, objects, and interactions to teach about God. Teach about the love of God for humans by talking about the majestic trees, the joyful flowers or the cheery birds in your yard.

Point to God's faithful provision as you spend money at the grocery store, withdraw money from the ATM or witness a busy squirrel running with cheeks exploding with nuts. Sing praise songs throughout each day or better yet, dedicate a specific song to different times of the day.

Notice, secular based teachings have a song for everything— Roses, wheels on school buses, stars at night and even the rain.

"He's got the little bitty baby, in His hands...." can be sung at the sight of a baby sleeping peacefully in a moving stroller. You can even add your own words such as: moon and stars; sun and clouds; trees and flowers or all the animals. All of these are under God’s watchful care and held in check by the laws of nature which He maintains. Let's make valuable connections for our child to draw from the mundane things of life and not take chances against protecting them from societies overt or subliminal unchristlike messages.

Especially seize opportunities to draw lessons from the unpleasant parts of life.

1. Seek Him each morning and throughout the day, asking Him to make obvious to you the "teachable moments" for your child and to give you the wisdom to capitalize on them.

2. Cover your child's thoughts, words, and actions in prayer.

3. Ask for strength for your child to resist temptation and to have courage to do what is right.

4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to minister to your child as they sleep and to uproot all rebellion that manifested or is taking root from the previous day.

"make valuable connections for our child to draw from the mundane things of life."

When you witness another sad or misbehaving child or see a car accident, injured stranger or even spoiled or decayed fruit. All of these point to the reality of our sinful world and direct us to the promise of heaven where they will no longer exist.

Whimsical cartoons with bright flashing lights and strange unrealistic characters and hypnotizing songs do little to build or bring up your child in the way of the Lord.

The books and cartoons that throw in an educational "pretext" are even more dangerous because, although seeming to teach needful life skills, they are also turning the child's mind away from the fear of the Lord, who is the source of understanding and wisdom. The Lord holds you responsible for the children He’s given you but He is also your help so:

5. Claim promises of protection to safeguard your child from evil and corrupting influences, situations and people (known and unknown) and for your child to be repulsed by tempting situations.

6. Offer your child back to the Lord so that the Lord can create an attraction in your child towards godliness and purity, and can establish your child's eternal future.

For Further Reading: Ellen G White. Child Guidance (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1954) Kay Kuzma. (2006). The first seven years.

Three Angels Broadcasting Network; USA 11 11

W

hy would I let you fall?

– Jaleesa Almarales

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o, it happened. I came to a realization of a work that our Father had called me to do and I started the task with apprehension. I was quick to see my “new found” inadequacies and even verged upon making excuses just as Moses did when he was called

by God to lead the children of Israel out of captivity.

Personally, the largest test for me to overcome was the thought of failure; failure that paralyzed me from venturing upon a new task or crippled me from taking risks.

Growing up, failure was uncommon to me; the very thought that I could make a mistake or fail at any given task was daunting.

Recently I have discovered, through many tests and trials, that despite those apprehensions and feelings of inadequacies, if we yield our will and de-

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sires to God, we will enter upon any daunting task knowing that “all His biddings are enablings.”1 The imagery comes to my mind of a little girl learning how to ride a bike. Picture her excitement as she listens intently to her father’s instructions. Nervousness and enthusiasm mingles within her as she’s instructed to put on her protective gear; nervous for fear of falling yet enthused to take on a new task. She now thinks she’s ready.

As she mounts the bike, her father holds the handlebar with one hand and the back of the seat with the other to hold her steady until she is able to keep her balance. For a while they ride together. They ride slowly at first and then they begin to alternate speed. She grips her Father’s hand when she thinks she’s about to fall.

“Don’t worry; do you trust me, why would I let you fall?” her father asks.

She nods her head yes and keeps her eyes ahead.

“Daddy, I can do it! I can do it by myself; you don’t need you to hold me anymore!” she exclaimed. It was day three of her learning to ride. She was determined that this would be the day that she can ride on her own, and that she did.

Many of us have walked in the same shoes as that little girl, and I would love to end by saying she never fell off her bike. However some, like me, may remember the first time you lost balance and fell. The pain of a knee scratched and bruised. The embarrassment as you walked your bike back home, too afraid to get back on because you might fall again.

I would like to remind you, fellow Christian, in this walk with Christ, we will never be too old or too experienced that we are able to say to our

Heavenly Father,, “Daddy let go, I can do it!”

In my experience, we sometimes fall because we ask Him to let us go. There is the sweet promise in verse 24 of Jude that tells us that Jesus is able to keep us from falling. Moreover, God has promised in His Word that He “will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).

So what does asking God to let go look like? For different people it may manifest itself in different forms. It may typically - to name a few - involve a lack of bible study, decrease in prayer life, and/or an absence of the fruit of the spirit.

I remember when I fell because I let go of His hand; I stumbled, and then I fell. I fell into distrusting God’s guidance and became quite careworn as a result. No longer learning daily from the great Teacher, I ceased praying for my students before I walked into my classroom, and waited until the last minute to prepare my lessons. My actions were merely a way to ask God to “let go because I could do it on my own”.

In the beginning it was different.

I often studied Christ’s method and was so inundated with the thought of teaching children about God that I pleaded for them every morning. However, as time went on my actions changed and I slowly lost my grip on God. Yes, it is true that Jesus will keep us from falling; He tells us in Job, “Thy words have upholden him that was falling” (Job 4:4). On the other hand, when we put down “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17) we become prey to temptation, stumbling and eventually falling.

strength; we need our Father and His Word to keep from falling.

Therefore, every morning before you tackle any task, I encourage you to put on your protective gear as outlined in Ephesians 6:1417: The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes fit with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND” (Eph. 6:13).

Then ask yourself “do you trust Him; why would He let you fall?”

“If we yield our will and desires to God, we will enter upon any daunting task knowing that “all His biddings are enablings”

1. Ellen G White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900) p 332.

The bottom line is this--we cannot stand on our own, by our own 13

SURVIVING THE

Fall

– Elvir Rousseau

– Delnita McDavid

“A

s they witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply than men now mourn over their dead. The death of the frail, delicate flowers was indeed a cause of sorrow; but when the goodly trees cast off their leaves, the scene brought vividly to mind the stern fact that death is the portion of every living thing." 1 Summer can often be short to the point of non-existence. Perhaps, if you live in an uncommonly hot region, the fall is looked upon with eagerness and relief; a season when coolness strikes the skin as the faint smell of burning wood weaves its way through the air and the leaves, a mélange of reds, oranges, browns, and yellows, fall steadily to the ground.

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The shorter daylight hours, a lack of greenery, and dropping temperatures, although ushered in with the beauty of the fall, is often a reminder of the harsh weather soon to follow and a melancholic adieu to the spring and summer season.

When God created the earth, He declared it and all things within to be good (see Genesis 1-2).

Adam and Eve, unfamiliar with the harshness of sin and death, were free to enjoy life in its beauteous simplicity. Eden was a place where life could simply exist; nothing struggled, nothing suffered, and nothing died. The beauty of God’s creation stood in its fullness. At least until the Fall occurred and changed everything. The Fall ushered in not only a change in the environment but the character of humanity

"He gives moment-bymoment victory over sinful habits, words and thoughts."

and their relationship with and connection to their Creator.

Instead of peace and joy there was trial and sorrow; instead of an eternal summer characterized by the perfect climate, there was fall and winter; and instead of constancy of life, there was the finality of death.

The ease of life with which Adam and Eve were endowed by their connection to God faded, and living (for the sake of living) gave way to a fight to live. How can one survive the Fall? Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Believe God “Eve really believed the words of Satan, but her belief did not save her from the penalty of sin. She disbelieved the words of God, and this was what led to her fall. In the judgment

men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth.” 2 If perfect beings lost sight of God, how much more are we in danger of doing the same? In our sinful state it is not always easy to believe or trust God when one sees so many negative events taking place. Therefore, it is important to get to know Him every day. Research and call to remembrance His promises, His great acts, His constancy (see Malachi 3:6). Remember, God does not lie. He will accomplish what He says (Num. 23:19; Is. 55:11) and He will come through for you.

2. Submit to God “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

The free will God has given to all mankind grants you a choice: the choice to submit to Him or to your own desires, as Adam and Eve did that fateful day in the garden. Of course, to humble oneself in obedience does not always come easy, but take it one moment and prayer at a time. Without submission, Satan’s grip on your life will only tighten. God’s promises and blessings cannot fully take hold in the life of an individual who continues to walk in disobedience (see the Biblical books of history such as First and Second Chronicles).

3. Trust God “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5, 6).

Trust, submission, and belief go hand in hand. If you trust a person, you are more likely to submit to them. If you submit, chances are you believe the word of that individual as well.

If, early on in life, you have been continually let down and hurt by those close to you, do not expect you to suddenly begin to trust easily. Take baby steps.

God understands. Now, give Him an open-hearted opportunity to prove (note Malachi 3:10) that His word is true and that, if you allow Him to direct, He will never fail you.

4. Make lemonade.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil.

4:11-13).

A man who was imprisoned, beaten quite often, and even shipwrecked while a prisoner wrote these verses. Every unjust and painful experience, Paul used as an opportunity to draw closer to and rely upon God; to be a victor rather than a victim.

What the devil meant for evil, God will turn around for your good (see Genesis 50:20).

Lemon trees may be the only plant present in your garden, but this doesn’t mean God has left you without the gift of making lemonade.

The fall season is a reminder that we, as a leaf from its branch, cannot exist apart from God (see Acts 17:28). It is only by turning away from our own inclinations and turning completely to God that we will overcome our sinful nature. Although this season’s colourful leaves cascading to the ground are a perpetual reminder of the curse of sin - death- the beauty of the season is also a reminder of His infinite grace. His grace, which brings salvation and teaches us to deny all worldly desires and how to live righteously (Tit. 2:11, 12), is how we survive the "Fall".

1. Ellen G White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1890) p. 62.

2. Ibid., p.55.

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C arob F

rappuccino – Elvir Rousseau

H

ere’s something sweet but healthy and warm for those cooler fall evenings. This is a great recipe as a light evening meal: it’s quick to make and isn’t heavy on your digestion. I pray this quick and easy recipe is one your friends, and family will enjoy!

1 cup almond milk 1 cup ice 2 TB coconut sugar ½ tsp vanilla 1 tsp sesame oil 1 TB of carob Place all ingredients in blender.

Blend on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

This can be served with a coconut whipped topping or aquafaba.1 This recipe makes 1 serving and is best if drunk immediately.

A little about the goodness of carob..

Carob is a versatile plant that can serve as a substitute for chocolate. It is lower in fat and calories than chocolate, making it a beneficial substitute for weight loss.2 Eating foods with carob fiber may help lower your cholesterol.3 Carob naturally contains polyphe-

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nols, which help with blood cholesterol levels in a way similar to dietary fiber.4

production of DNA, and defending your body from infection and oxidative harm.

Carob may help prevent some types of cancer, according to German researchers who published a study in the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" in 2003. After examining carob fiber, they found 24 polyphenol compounds, 26 percent of which were flavonoids, plant-based compounds with powerful antioxidant properties. It also contained a significant amount of the antioxidant compounds myricetin and quercetin.5

Carob does not contain caffeine or theobromine, which is found in chocolate or cocoa.

Chocolate and cocoa are especially should be avoided by those that are pregnant or has a heart condition.

1. Aquafaba ("water-bean") is topping made from the whipped liquid of a can of chickpeas. It often used as an egg-white replacer and is most common in plant-based baking or used as an meringue. Aquafaba is fast growing popularity. Check out a Youtube video for the simple technique you can do right at home!

2. Applyby, Maia. The Many Healthy Benefits of Carbo to the

Carob is naturally high in calcium, an essential mineral. It provides between 30 and 36 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium. In addition to keeping your bones healthy and strong, calcium is essential to blood clotting, transmitting information along your nerves and maintaining a regular heartbeat.

Human Body. Retrieved from http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/ many-health-benefits-carob-human-body-4712.html 3. ibid.

4. Hendricks, Jessica. (2015). What are the benefits of Carob?

Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/250365-whatare-the-benefits-of-carob/#page=1 5. Applyby, Maia. The Many Healthy Benefits of Carob to the Human Body.

6. Hendricks, Jessica. (2015). What are the benefits of Carob?

7. ibid.

8. Lalevich, Steven. (2014). Nutrition in Carob vs Chocolate.

It is a good source of selenium, which is important for your overall health. With important benefits for healthy thyroid function, the

Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/296593-nutrition-in-carob-vs-chocolate/

Sleep THE

OF

DEATH

– Rochelle Mekowulu

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"Two things are required for life; if either is missing then death results." monly believed. There is no denying that this is a very sensitive subject.

Who has not experienced the pain of laying a loved one in the grave? In those moments of anguish we want to hold on to something that will help to lessen the pain. And there is admittedly great comfort in the thought that our deceased loved ones are now in a better place. However, I have found that comfort, if it is to have any lasting effect, must be anchored in the truth. So let’s dig in.

L

ife comes with very few certainties. There’s an old saying that the only thing we can be sure of in life is death and taxes. In reality, that is only partially true. There are many who escape paying taxes, but no one is safe from the terrible grasp of death. It is a great equalizing force: afflicting the rich and the poor, the old and the young. Yet, this thing called death is often shrouded in mystery. The unanswered question

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on many hearts is what happens when we die. There are many schools of thoughts but, if you are like me, only what the Bible says really holds any weight. It is the settler of all questions, and so it is to this that we will turn to find answers.

For some reading this article, some of these views might come as a shock. To a large degree, what the Bible teaches about death differs from what is com-

Death can simply be defined as the absence of life. In order to understand the state of man in death, it’s important to first understand what constitutes life. In Genesis 2:7 we read, “…God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Remember the formulas you had to learn in algebra? This scripture tell us the formula for life: dust of the ground + breath of life = a living soul or being. Two things are required for life; if either is missing then death results.

Genesis 2:7 also tells us that man is a soul, rather than man has a soul.

This is very important to understand. The soul is not something that exists outside of a person.

But what happens when we die?

Well the reversal of the text in Genesis occurs. Ecclesiastes 12:7 makes it very plain: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” So at death, the dust returns to the earth and the spirit goes back to God. Now, what is that “spirit” that returns to God? We find the answer in Job 27:3, which tells us, “all the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils.” In this text we see that the term spirit is used interchangeably with breath. So, it’s the breath that returns to God at death. We see the same thing in Psalms 104:29, “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.”

The Bible teaches that there is no consciousness in death and thus no possibility of the deceased maintaining contact with the living and vice versa. The wise man Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, said, “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing…Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”

He continues in verse 10 telling us, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” There

are also numerous other texts concerning the state of the dead such as Job 14:10, 21, Psalms 115:17 and Isaiah 38:18.

The way the Bible describes death is very interesting. It refers to it as a “sleep”. The story of Lazarus in John 11:11-14 is a great example.

Speaking of Lazarus, who was dead, Jesus said that he was sleeping. You will also find this thought echoed in Job 14:12. Moreover the righteous do not ascend to heaven upon death. David was a man after God’s own heart according to Acts 13:22. If ever there were a righteous individual that should be taken to heaven at his death, it would be David. However, the Bible tells us in Acts 2:29,34 that David is dead and buried and his grave remains to this day.

glorious day when Christ returns. Revelation 21:4 promises a time when there will be no more death. I don’t know about you but I am eagerly waiting for that day.

The Bible likens death to a sleep that man does not wake from until the heavens are no more. In other words, those who are dead, sleep in their graves until Christ returns (see also John 5:28,29; 1 Thess.

4:13-16). They neither go to heaven or hell.

The devil has sought to confuse the minds of people on this topic.

Through the media and the wide acceptance of Halloween, people have become conditioned to believe that the “spirits” of the dead are floating around, and that it’s possible to communicate with the dead. While it is impossible to exhaust this subject in this short article, we can see from the Biblical evidence that there is no consciousness in death. The dead simply rest in their graves until that

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