Living Abundantly

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VOLUME 12 • No.3 • FALL 2011

Living Abundantly

A M I N I S T R Y P U B L I C AT I O N O F A B U N D A N T L I F E B I B L E C H U R C H , T H E B A H A M A S

In Every Issue Member in Focus Pg.16 Ministry Outlook Pg.24 Pastor’s InBOX Pg.26

Educating... God’s Way

E DIT OR’ S N OTE

FINDING GOD’S WILL TO LIVE PURPOSEFULLy Potent Lessons from the life of Moses, Mary and John evangelist indeed. If God had not intervened in his life, he would have wasted his talents and gifts as a shepherd working for a priest in Midien. He, however, bowed to the purpose God had for his life and all his leadership skills were poured into God’s grandiose program. He represents the type of evangelist who preaches the gospel of deliverance and brings about deliverance by the Blood of the Paschal Lamb, Christ.

Evangelism is one of the essential gifts of the Spirit of God. It is a tragedy that very little of it is done today. Very little gospel is preached today. We may have to contend with a Pharaoh, but in the end we shall be successful, because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.

by F. Edward Allen

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any of God’s people are ignorant of the benefits to be derived from a God-ordained life. The field of religion is replete with innumerable opportunities for the dedicated Christian. We need to know God’s will for us in order to live our lives with purpose. God did not put us here to waste away and miss the glorious opportunities that are so numerous in the Christian Life. If we are to experience God’s blessings and leading, we will have to turn away from that which means much to us and listen to what God has to say. Observe the occurrence of the word “turned” as mentioned in the Scriptures.

We will look at three useful beings and how the Holy Spirit led and enlightened them to reveal aspects of ministry that impacted their lives and the lives of many others around them. Moses found himself wandering in the wilderness of Midian, hired by a heathen priest despite his stellar Egyptian education.

In the course of his daily routine, he saw a bush burning and turned aside to investigate it. When he turned (Ex. 3:3, 4), he heard the voice of God and got his orders to emancipate His people from Egyptian slavery. Mary denied sleep and went to the sepulcher in search of Christ. When she heard the voice asking, “Why weepest thou?”, she turned and got a message to tell the disciples that Jesus was risen (John 20:14). John had a similar experience. When he heard the voice of Christ, he turned (Rev. 1:12). He got the revelation of God’s program for the church and the world. The conclusion is this, If we are to be used of God in any way, we will have to turn and occupy ourselves with Him. Moses—Emancipation—Evangelism Moses may well have given us the most tremendous lesson of evangelistic deliverance. He was an emancipator; a dedicated

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Mary Magdalene—Encouragement— Consolation Another person educated in the will of God for purposeful living is Mary Magdalene. Ever since her encounter with Jesus Christ and her forgiveness by Him, she has remained a faithful and dedicated follower whose commitment to love, help and console sets her apart in the register of believers as a woman of unique ability, sacrifice, discipline and determination.

It was not enough for her to glory in this unique acquaintance. Neither was it sufficient for her to remain at home, but she was driven out of sleep to visit the tomb in search of Christ while others satisfied themselves with the fact that Christ was missing and went home. She remained…determined that she would not retire until she received a positive word as to where her Lord was.

It was then that Christ approached her and alleviated her distraught mind, revealing to her that He was alive as He previously told His disciples. Because of her determination to seek Christ, she received the message of His resurrection and gained a recognition which has made her famous among the followers of the Lord wherever the gospel is preached. Jesus allayed her fears; He gave her His peace and a powerful, living message that He is alive, and that she must go and tell

His disciples that He is alive and would meet them in Galilee.

What a message! It was a message of encouragement for despairing believers. Through the ages that message is still preached and has brought comfort and consolation to the people of God. John, the Apostle—Enlightenment The emphasis here is to turn. God’s future plans for the world are revealed here, and John has a unique task to write it and inform the churches. Mary’s job was to encourage the despairing disciples with the good news that Christ is alive. Moses’ job was to deliver Israel by confronting Pharaoh.

Now John speaks to those who cannot go to deliver the tidings of the Lord’s resurrection.

So, what is John to do now that he has a superb revelation? He cannot go to church and preach to believers; he cannot comfort them with his presence and tell them that God has great plans for the future. He is alone and incarcerated on a lonely island as a prisoner for the sake of the gospel. What could he do? Will he ever be free to deliver this great mystery? No! All this was denied him by the Roman authorities, but he could write, and write he did! The revelation that he received from God is recorded in the last book of the Bible by the same name, Revelation.

Because of this, believers everywhere, have a glimpse of what is to come after this. God often reveals Himself to those considered by the world as limited and handicapped. They can be just as useful and fulfill God’s purpose for their life.

The only way for us to find God’s purpose for our lives is to allow Him to instruct us in His perfect will. It is then that we will be able to live purposely for Him.

Dr. F. Edward Allen Executive Producer Senior Pastor Emeritus

Living Abundantly

A M I N I S T R Y P U B L I C AT I O N O F A B U N D A N T L I F E B I B L E C H U R C H , T H E B A H A M A S

VOLUME 12 • No.3 • FALL 2011

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Departments Daily Bible Reading

Featured Articles

Executive Editor Ed Allen

Learning to wait on the Lord

Editor in Chief Cranston Knowles

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Associate Editors Meshelle Moss and J. Shannell Evans

Youth Speaks

Writer/Researcher Bernadette Bain

Member Focus

Literary Editor Prieta Burnside

Tenille Sands - Ryan

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Educating God’s Way

Cover Photo Stefan Thompson

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Health & Wellness

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Tips from the Doctor

Consultant to the Editor John Davis

Bahamian Recipes

Graphic Design – JB Graphic & Web Designs Tel: 12424732043

Ministry Outlook

Photography Ruthmae Lightbourne, Stefan Thompson Patrice Evans

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Pastors’ Inbox

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Business, Finance, Law

Photo Editor Patrice Evans

Back on Track

Sunday School Everybody ought to come!

Questions and Answers for Everyday living

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An Active Summer

Money Management

Office Staff Pastor Gil Maycock Pastor Cranston Knowles Pastor O’Neil Russell Ms. J. Shannell Evans (CFO) Mrs. Kimberley Minors (Office Manager) Mrs. Lisa Moss (Secretary) Ms. Joyce Maycock (Office Clerk)

Pastoral Board Cranston Knowles – Co Pastor Gil Maycock – Co Pastor Algernon Malcolm – Associate Pastor O’Neil Russell – Youth Pastor David Cartwright – Discipleship Pastor Anthony Rolle – Evangelism Pastor Freeman Seymour – Minister of Music Pastoral Consultants Dr. F. Edward Allen – Senior Pastor Emeritus James Knowles – Chairman of Finance Committee

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Making A Will

Deacons Anthony Stubbs – Chairman Gregory Bullard David Cartwright John Davis William Maycock Ronald Stubbs

ADVERTISE WITH US For details call 242-393-8134 or email: livingabundandly@albcm.org • © 2011 Abundant Life Bible Church, All rights reserved.

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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DAILY BIBLE READING

Learning to Wait on the Lord Psalm 27: 14; Psalm 40: 1-3; Isaiah 40: 31

by Alterene Newry help. Ultimately then, waiting upon

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or over 2,000 years, saints have been waiting for the Lord’s return. Waiting is a part of the divine design of things. Waiting is no accident; it is purposed. It is in times of waiting for God that many have failed in their faith and obedience. Waiting can be a form of adversity, a test of our faith and endurance.

Abraham and Sarah had to wait for a promised son, and they failed along the way because they lacked the patience to wait on God to fulfill His promise. In the human sphere, time had passed them by and Sarah who was, not able to see the promise still in the distance, advised Abraham to take the situation into his own hands. Sometimes when the wait is so long, God’s promise to us can get cloudy and we become confused or doubtful about what God really said.

Is not that why Abraham gave in to Sarah’s suggestion to have the promised seed come through Hagar her handmaid? (Gen: 16 1-2) The cloudiness however, is only on our part. God is never confused about what He has promised to do. Waiting on God is the special process through which the Lord causes our eyes to turn to Him for help in time of need. It is at this point our hearts become desperate, our faith is proved, and our hope is purified.

Admittedly, waiting is difficult. It can often make the heart weary and the spirit weak, and no one is exempt from it. There is, however, another promise in Scripture for us to hold onto as encouragement in our times of weakness.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” It tells us that waiting on God is not a waste of our time, but it has great rewards. Through the process, God brings us a step closer to Himself. It is a crucial step in which our dependence upon Him grows. Waiting upon the Lord for needed supplies is one common area in which He trains us.

We become needy and thus are forced to look to the Lord for

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God protects us, deepens our trust in Him, and forces us to seek His ways that brings Him the most glory.

The Lord intends to keep His people dependent upon Himself. It is not because He is a tyrannical ruler wanting to dominate the world as so many humans have tried to do, but it is because He has everything we can ever need. His intention is to supply all our needs, according to His riches in Glory. God will have us to wait on Him to purify our faith and to develop in us patience and perseverance, but He will never fail us, forsake us, or leave us destitute. We can confidently bring our petitions to Him, trust in Him, and wait on Him. He will do for us all that we need Him to according to His will. The Psalmist knew this and testified of it. He wrote, “My soul, wait only upon God, for my expectation is from him,” Psalm 62:5. “Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shall see it,” Psalm 37:34.

There is no situation that we can find ourselves in where the Lord is not able to help us. We must simply look to Him, and wait for Him. For every condition in which we may be placed, there is a promise. In that promise the Lord stands pledged to appear for us and to help us. He is ever ready to deliver us.

We can learn from the life of David the value that is derived from waiting on God. Deep and almost overwhelming were the trials, distress and soul troubles of David, but though his soul was cast down within him, he waited on the Lord, and he has recorded the result. “I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And he has put a new song in my mouth even praise unto our God-many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

The difficulties of life are often great, so that we do not know what to do or which way to turn, but God sees the end from the beginning. As Christians, we very often feel weakest when we have the heaviest burden to carry up what seems the most difficult hill. That is the time to wait on the Lord and to say with the Psalmist, “Truly my soul waits upon God, for my expectation is from him”. Deliverance is certain, for deliverance is promised. Jesus is the Great Deliverer, therefore doubt not. You may have to wait long or even sink low under your load. Do not forget David’s testimony “They looked unto him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

By Cranston Knowles

We Must Understand the Promise

Jesus tells His disciples in Luke 24:49 to wait in Jerusalem until they are “endued with power from on high”. Luke connects and continues the story in Acts (1:4-5) by saying that Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise. Jesus then stated, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 2:4 describes the same event that they were told to wait for in Jerusalem but uses a different term, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost….” If we thought this was just a promise to the Jews or the apostles, Acts 10 clears that up. God prepares Peter to go to Cornelius and the Gentiles upon who “also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 10:44-45). All of these terms speak of the same promise that was given to the disciples in the upper room.

It is important to note Peter’s statement in the sermon on the day of Pentecost when he told the hearers that they too can receive the Holy Spirit: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord God shall call” (Acts 2:39). That automatically takes that promise that was made only to the disciples and applies it to all believers at all points of Church history– those that trusted Christ that day or a hundred years later…those that were Jews or Gentiles. That is a powerful promise that we today can take a hold of, but one cannot apply the promise until he knows that there is a promise.

We Must Understand the Purpose

In order to understand the “baptism” of the Spirit, one must understand the purpose of the promise. The critical verse for that is one of my favorite verses in Scripture because they are the last words of Christ before He left us and I believe they are the most potent words He left for us today: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This “Holy Ghost come upon you” is part of the promise of Acts 1:5. In Acts 1:8, He gives us the purpose of the promise. Understanding the purpose is foundational to understanding the baptism of the spirit. Every one of the major proponents of the baptism of the Spirit over a hundred years ago were convinced of this one fact: the baptism was for service. It is all about being a witness. It is all about bringing people into the kingdom. It is all about operating fully in your spiritual giftedness which again has the main purpose of bringing people into the kingdom. I think we get confused when we look for the evidence in the wrong place. We look to speaking in tongues as an evidence of being baptized. The promise never implied that speaking in tongues was the proof of baptism. The only evidence given is that we would be empowered witnesses. So the proof apparently lies in the spiritual impact of one’s ministry.

We Must Understand the Process

How then must one be filled…or baptized… or endued… or (the term I prefer to use myself) anointed? Well, first of all remember that it is for service. The Bible does not give any specific process—“follow these 10 steps and ‘poof’ you are baptized”. I have compiled a general list from writers like D. L. Moody, R. A. Torrey, Andrew Murray, J. R. Rice and others—those who were not afraid to address the issue.

1. Are you willing? It is easy to respond “yes” to this question. Ask, though, if we are willing to pay the price that is needed.

If we look at the apostles and the price they paid, we would understand that it is not all fireworks. A high responsibility comes with this anointing. Many times this anointing will carry us down a path of pain because it follows the path of our Savior; denial of self and taking up of the cross. Our anointing is not for our advancement but for the advancement of the kingdom of God. You cannot put a price tag on it because it cannot be bought or sold, but understand it will cost dearly.

2. Are you thirsty? Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty…I will pour my spirit upon thy seed…” A key element in the enduing of power is desire. There must be a great hunger and thirst for it. There must be dissatisfaction with the status quo. There must be a passion to move beyond contentment and satisfaction. After Moody was told by some elderly ladies who sat right up front in his services that they were praying that he received the power of the Spirit, Moody stated that he had a growing hunger and thirst for spiritual power. He thought he had power. After all, he had the largest church in Chicago, many were being saved at the time under his ministry, and he had a sense of satisfaction, but he got to the point of desperation where he did not want to go on or even live if he did not have that power. How thirsty are we?

3. Are you obedient? This is basic but needs to be mentioned because we must understand that we must be right with God if we are to receive this anointing for service. We must deal with our sin. Our level of obedience to God must be total obedience… obedience unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:8). Obedience is the outward working of our faith. We can say all day with our lips that we trust God and live by faith, but if we are not willing to obey Him even when we cannot see or understand…then we do not trust. Faith is a significant aspect of being baptized or anointed for service, but since “faith” is not a concrete concept (how do we really know if we have faith?), obedience is the great indicator of faith.

4. Are you prevailing in prayer? Jesus makes a big deal about prayer and asking for the Holy Spirit in the Gospels. We can spend a long time on this subject, but it is sufficient to comment that prayer is an integral part of the process…prevailing prayer… specific prayer. D.L. Moody said to pray “that we may be anointed and qualified to do the work that God has for us to do.” We must be anointed before we attempt to do any work of God! 5. Wait. This may be the hardest part of the process. The disciples were asked to wait. It seems that waiting is also an important part of the process to the Lord. Biblical waiting includes remaining under the pressure and continuing while looking forward with anticipation and expectation. Our Christianity today has been affected by our instant, fast-paced society. “I want to be endued with power…but can you do it right away, Lord?...I am on a busy schedule.” Every masterful artist knows that the creating of a masterpiece takes time and is a labor of love.

Whatever name we call it, the Biblical fact is that we as Christians should live in the baptism...the anointing…the enduing of the Holy Spirit because it has been promised to us. When we do so, we will see the greatest revival of our time. www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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Educating

God’s Way

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s God anti-education? On the contrary, He is proeducation. He chose the vehicle of the written Word to communicate His eternal truths. Everything we need to know about life – how to raise children, how to respond to the worse of situations, how to become successful – are all written in the Bible. Everything we need to know about eternity – heaven, hell, and how to know where we will spend eternity – are all written in the Bible.

If the written Word has been God’s main means of communication, it would thus be reasonable to deduce that God is very interested in education. How can we learn about all that God has for us if we do not know how to read? How can we appreciate the wonders of the world God created for us without learning about science? How can we see His order in the universe without a study of math? Knowledge is a vital component for believers to understand and appreciate who God is.

Not only is education (learning) important to God, but the transfer of knowledge is also vital to Him. Jesus, in the time He spent on earth, could have been considered a teacher/educator. For three years, He invested His vast knowledge into the lives of the twelve men known as His disciples who accompanied Him in His earthly ministry. His purpose in teaching them was to prepare them for the time when He would no longer be with them, so that

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they could in turn teach others. His command to them just before He left this earth was, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you….Matthew 28:19-20 Paul too adopts this principle of teaching others so they can teach others. We observe this in his encouragement to young Timothy, his son in the faith. And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2 When education takes God out of the picture, problems arise. Is education the answer to the woes of society? No, God is the answer. Can education be a tool? Yes, when God is the center of the educational process, remembering the answer is not in the educational process but in God who holds the solution to all of society’s woes. Because of sin, man has become a god in his own eye, believing that he possesses all knowledge and therefore all power to determine his own destiny. In this light, the worldly secular view of education takes God out of the picture, not believing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and replaces Him with man. The god of this world, however, constantly seeks to alter God’s plan and to change or confuse man’s perception of everything that God has created or intends for the good of mankind. Education is no different.

According to Steve Denning, former Program Director, Knowledge Management at the World bank, in an internet article written in July 2011 said that, “Being educated includes a demonstrated ability to listen carefully, to think critically, to evaluate facts rigorously, to reason analytically, to imagine creatively, and to articulate interesting questions: to explore alternative viewpoints, to maintain intellectual curiosity and to speak and write persuasively.” Though this may be true, if a man possesses all of these abilities but does

not also have knowledge of God enough to recognize his need for salvation, then all of that wisdom is of no use to him. At the very least, God’s Word says if one does not believe in God, he is a fool. He may be knowledgeable, but is indeed without wisdom. On the other hand, if one knows God, he will then fear Him and the Bible says that fear is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

In The Bahamas, we generally have a high view of education. It is easy for our parents and even Christian schools to follow the secularist view of education by emphasizing the education without considering the foundation. Though God is not anti-education, education could be anti-God. A well meaning parent may be so driven to ensure that their children are educated according to the world, that they sacrifice ensuring that they are educated according to the Word. Have we lost sight of the fact that an education in the Word is foundational to everything else our children will ever hope to learn and achieve in the world? Anxious to give our children all possible ways to deal with the competitiveness that surrounds us all, we as parents search for everyone or anyone that can help our children become the best. Ultimately, we teach our children to compete. In order to achieve success, we do not minimize our efforts. We enroll them in courses, sports, private tutoring; we gather all the tools available for them to be competitive. Wise parents, however, also take that approach but not without also encouraging the enhancement of the spiritual for our children.

The large number of schools in The Bahamas is a clear indication of the level of importance that is place on education in our nation. With a population that is rapidly swelling, there is an increasing need for adequate facilities to accommodate everyone. Also, as education is one of the basic rights of a child, it is the Government’s duty to make education available to every child. The

mission statement of the Department of Education in The Bahamas is, “To provide all persons in The Bahamas an opportunity to receive an education that will equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills, beliefs and attitudes required for work and life in a democratic, Christian society.” That is perhaps why in The Bahamas today there are approximately two hundred and six schools, including pre-schools. Out of that number, approximately one hundred and sixty-one are fully maintained by the Government and about forty-five are independent schools. Of the one hundred and sixty-one Government schools, about fifty are situated on New Providence and one hundred and eleven are in the family islands.

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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Here are some opportunities for advancement offered by the Government of The Bahamas through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture:

Cadet Programs

offered to high school students from grades 10 – 12 Nursing Cadets Police Cadets Defense Force Cadets Teaching Cadets Technical Cadets Bahamas Maritime Cadets Foreign Language Cadets Opportunities for advancement offered by the Government of The Bahamas through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture: Junior Achievement Bahamas offered to high school students from grades 10 -12 SelfStarters Programme a government funded, grant-based program to empower young Bahamian citizens 18-30 years old, seeking to establish or expand small businesses. It provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a valid small business idea, self-employed or unemployed, with funding from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 to acquire tools and supplies for their businesses.

Ministry of Education Scholarship

and Educational Loans Division

The Lillian G. Weir-Coakley Public Library, formerly the Southern Public Library, Baillou Hill Road

National Merit Scholarship – up to $25,000.00 per annum for up to four years, GPA 3.00 or above National Academic Scholarship – up to $10,000.00 per annum for up to four years, GPA 3.00 or above National Technical Scholarship – up to $10,000.00 per annum for up to two years, GPA 2.50 or above All Bahamas Merit Scholarship – up to $35,000.00 per annum for up to four years, GPA 3.25 or above National Grant (one-time grant) – up to $7,500.00 for one year only, GPA 2.50 for technical studies and GPA of 3.00 for academic and other studies.

Mother’s & Father’s Day Honourees

Mother’s Day Honourees 2011 - As instructed by Scripture the Women’s Ministry is committed to giving honour to persons worthy of such praise. Hence, on an annual basis the Executive Committee prayerfully considers women in our assembly who demonstrate an exemplary life as a godly wife and mother, and bear a good reputation. Accordingly, on May 8th - Doramae Cartwright, Grace Dean and Dellareese Edgecombe were honoured as outstanding Mothers of the Year for 2011. These mothers joined more than a decade of women at Abundant Life Bible Church who were recognized for their godly character in their home life, the community, and faithfulness in Christian service. We thank these mothers for being beacons of light in their homes, community and church. May the Lord continue to bless them and others as they persevere in their calling as mothers.

Father of the Year, 2011, Rovan Humes I (cover photo). His selection as Father of the Year was unanimous and well received by the Church as a whole. Brother Humes is married, the father of two and is very involved in the Church’s music Ministry.

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Living Abundantly Spring 2011

rangers

By Dwayne Rolle

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he call shouts out sharply at 0900 hrs, “All Rangers fall in”. Scrambling from their small gatherings, they rush to fall in…in formation, three deep stretching as far as they can go. Then the command is given, “Rangers Halt”. Snapping to attention, with heels together at the 45 degree, arms smartly pressed to their side and heads facing forward. Then the command, “Rangers pledge position, Rangers pledge begins.” With a loud voice they begin to recite the Rangers Pledge:

DISCIPLI

NE

Pledge: “I pledge to be responsible, reliable and trustworthy Rangers, I pledge to be diligent in my endeavors and outstanding in my behavior, I pledge to be disciplined and dedicated to the principle of the Rangers programs, I am determined to make a difference in my environment and in the lives of the people around me.

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TIO DEDICA

Motto: Discipline, Dedication, Determination.”

It’s an awesome responsibility to have the opportunity to direct the lives of so many young people. Through introducing a strong level of discipline in areas such as parade drill, exercise and basic manners towards others and self, we are able to change the way this group of young people look at others other than themselves. We teach them that discipline and respect start from within. Once realizing this, the rewards of receiving respect from anyone is possible. We remind them that first impression is what lasts in a person’s mind or to get respect you must first give it, and you can’t give what you don’t have.

The Rangers Program is designed to instill a positive attitude towards self, others, law and order, community and national development, which are the main goals. The program also provides the necessary ingredients for the development of students to become disciplined, well-rounded, responsible and committed citizens. It also provides a means by which participants become knowledgeable and appreciative of the importance of preserving the environment through conservation efforts. These objectives are met through interaction with other positive youth groups, organized competitions, socials, camping trips, games, workshops, conferences, seminars, community involvement, field trips and training (drills, First Aid). Because the program is of Military base, a physical is required and exercise is given to ensure that Rangers are fit to carry out various tasks and challenges, drills and hikes, and also to encourage a healthy lifestyle. The program is compared to that of the Military, therefore, discipline is held to the highest degree. All national symbols, song and pledge are required to be known along with the Rangers pledge and motto.

The purpose of the program is to inspire students to achieve success in life with a spirit of dedicated service to God, their home, school, community, country and to develop a sense of self worth through character building. The mission statement

DETERMIN

ATION

of the program is to maximize students’ potential by instilling in them a sense of discipline, commitment, responsibility and self worth.

To me, this is a really good program that works. As a young boy I was a part of the Boys’ Brigade, which helped prepare me for all that I am experiencing today, but joining the Royal Bahamas Defence Force really left the imprint of discipline and what it means in my life. I was able to harness all of this along with my parents’ and church instructions and redesign my focus towards the direction I wanted to go in life.

The Rangers program gave me the opportunity to give back to others what was given to me, therefore I would advise any young person to join an organization such as Rangers, Boys or Girls Brigade, especially a Church youth group or any organization that would help develop character and self worth, with guarantees of good life with long lasting positive results. www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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H T U O Y

S K A E SP

ONE LESSON AFTER HIGH SCHOOL I began my undergraduate studies at The College of The Bahamas, and transferred to St. John’s University in Minnesota in the winter of 2009. This past May, I graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in Psychology, and I am currently living in New York City. I moved to New York to pursue a volunteer opportunity that will provide me with valuable training and experience, which will help me to get a job and eventually enter Graduate school. I will be volunteering with a crisis prevention hotline and have been hired to work at an organization that helps people with developmental disabilities.

During my time at university I befriended Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists and the Spiritualists. In my meetings with them, I was questioned about my faith and had to respond to many attacks on the Gospel. These trials led to a deepening of my faith in Jesus Christ because I had to live in the Scriptures in order to stand for the Gospel. I also met professing Christians who had no Biblical worldview and thus were ready to compromise on key doctrines of the faith. I earnestly believe that Christians must be like the Bereans in Acts Chapter 17, and study the Scriptures daily. It is the only way we can learn to become more like Christ. At times in my college life, I fell short of that goal and even now I see that the closer I walk with Christ, the more I am sensitive to the sin in my life.

Additionally, I would like to share my recent focus of study. In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus talks about the fact that good trees bear good fruit and also that not everyone that professes Him as Lord is saved. The people on the Day of Judgment stood before Christ and exalted their works and claimed them as proof that they were in the faith. Our Lord, Jesus Christ then rebuked them as being men who practiced evil.

Isaiah Chapter 64 states that “all our righteous works are as filthy rags” in the eyes of God. Thus, the only way we can stand righteous before God is through putting our faith in the perfect completed work of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there are many who place their faith in the fact that they grew up

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Living Abundantly Fall 2011

in church or that they said a prayer one day, instead of placing their faith on the cross of Christ. Jesus focuses on the heart from which our actions stem and not on the actions themselves. Thus at the end of the day, religion—even if it is Christianity, cannot save you—only faith in Jesus Christ can.

To the young adults who are going to college, in college or working; the most important advice I could give is to study Scripture—especially the Gospel. Many young adults can lose sight of the Gospel by focusing on principles for living. We must focus on being more like Christ because in order to follow His law, we must know Him and understand that every action in our life should be an act of worship towards Him. This advice is profitable for all members of the body of Christ and at times, I had to be humbled in order to fully understand this.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” Galatians 6:18 Brent Crawley Firstly, I wish to thank God for His faithfulness and for His guidance and protection in Brent’s life, particularly during the years he has been away from home. My son is very even tempered and encourages me to trust God and remain calm.

He has challenged my faith and trust in God and inspires me daily to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

With a child in college and many miles away from home, prayer is essential.When I felt anxious, I prayed; when I called and did not reach him “soon enough”, I prayed; when I was concerned about who he was spending time with or communicating with, I prayed. During these times, prayer is the only thing that gives you a peace that passes all understanding.

Brent has also challenged me to pay close attention to the Word of God when it was being preached. He would always question me about the Scripture text that was used and what the speaker had said. This kept me on my toes.

To parents, who have children in college, particularly those away from home, never underestimate the power of prayer.

Let us continue to commit our children to the Lord.

Sis Althea (Brent’s Mom)

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother - Proverbs 1:8

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

The preceding verse describes the mission my parents undertook to guide their children along a path towards developing godly character. For this reason, character development was an important aspect of my upbringing.

They aimed to create an environment that fostered Christian principles and promoted the value of an education whether it was at home, church or school. A God-centered education was an integral part of my development. Now as an adult, I can testify that my parents as believers in Christ, sought to create an atmosphere where I felt safe, valued and ultimately came to know and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It was at school where I was sincerely led to accept Jesus as My Lord and personal Savior.

During the transition to higher education, I prayerfully considered my options and decided to attend The College of The Bahamas. I entered college with the mindset that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13), a certainty that would manifest later on at the completion of my studies. In preparation for college, I knew that challenges would arise which would test principles fundamental to my faith. Thus, I prepared a plan to nurture my faith through consistent personal bible study, prayer, attending church as often as possible and aligning myself with other students with a like-minded profession of faith. Although I had a plan, I allowed God to direct my steps because I knew that a man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

Furthermore, learning to think critically was also a strategic tool I used to survive college.As a college student I learned not to limit myself to the evidence provided by a lecturer, literary sources, or other resources offered by the school. I sought alternative resources and compared the sources to the truths of the Bible. There were several occasions where I had to defend my faith in a class for having a biblical worldview rather than a secular or humanistic one. “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 Moreover, I also had to maintain a balance between my studies and working on campus.The daily balancing act can at times become overwhelming, especially for those students who are involved in extra-curricular activities or those more mature students who have other commitments. For the prospective college student, one key to success in school is maintaining balance by avoiding procrastination and creating a schedule to plan ahead.

Ultimately, I completed an Associate of Arts Degree in History. Subsequently, I pursued and completed a Bachelor of Education Degree (Secondary Certification) in History and Geography in 2008, preparing for a career in education. Nevertheless, while prayerfully considering the career paths before me, I decided to pursue a career in Archival Administration.

Overall, my advice for young people today is to keep God at the center of your life and to remain focused and steadfast in your walk with Him. More importantly, always seek God’s guidance through prayer when making decisions. Proverbs 11:3 tells us that the integrity of the upright guides them. One verse of scripture that encourages me is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths”.

Leshelle Delaney

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works - Titus 2:7 Being a high school graduate is always an accomplishment felt by the graduate. I was no different. I believe that graduating high school triggers one of three thoughts in the mind of any graduate. You either feel like you have arrived and don’t need to do anything anymore, you feel like you’re ready for college and it’s time to further your education, or you just have no feeling at all. The Bible says in 2 Peter1:3, “According as His divine power, He has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue.”

In hindsight I can say that I was in the first category. I was able to achieve 2 scholarships to go to the College of The Bahamas, one for track and field and the other an academic scholarship.

When I finished school I forgot the principle of 2 Peter 1: 3 and believed that I had ‘arrived’ and that I was now, as my father always called me, ‘Mr. Cool’. As a result of that mindset, I did not complete assignments and I began ducking classes to hang out with friends who I met at the college. Basically, the only thing I was going to school for was the fact that I was on the track team and was expected to be one of the best sprinters in the school. I had a swollen head and huge case of pride, and God wasn’t pleased with that. At the end of my first term, because of my bad habits and low grades in school, I lost the academic scholarship and was put on probation for the track and field scholarship.

This devastated my family because now they had to pay for school with their own funds. In the second term of my freshman year at C.O.B., I got a job as a draftsman for a civil engineering firm. I improved on a few of my grades during that term, but it still wasn’t enough to keep my scholarship, and as a result I lost all my scholarships and later on eventually lost my job as well. God was really destroying that wall of pride in my life. I felt lost, confused, stupid and embarrassed. It felt like everyone I graduated with was moving forward so quickly and successfully. I started to become depressed. It was during this period that I strongly believed that God was putting me through a serious test of faith as well as cleansing me of the pride and over-confidence I had in my life. It took a year for me to fully grasp what the Lord was trying to do in my life and where He was trying to take me. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to then who are called according to his purpose.”

I now have a scholarship at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (B.T.V.I.), studying Information Technology Management and Security. I am also employed with a very successful tourism company where I am now situated at Prince George Dock. God is good! When I graduated from high school, I started to do everything myself, not focusing and praying to God for all of my needs.Through it all, I can say that God has truly been good to me as I continue to embark on my journey of life after high school.

Omar Moss

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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An Active

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ummer time at Abundant Life Bible Church is a slow period for ministries. Predominantly the ministries take a break from regular operations for those long, hot months. Contrary to this, however, is the fact that in spite of the closure of ministries, it is the busiest time for the young people.

‘Camp! Camp! Camp! Camp!’ At Abundant Life Bible Church, ‘camp’ was the buzz word. There were three camps: Music (strings) Camp, Camp Comelemafixya and the Bill Rice Ranch Camp, all originating from within Abundant Life. Some of our members also went, as they do each year, to be a part of Teen Scenes Camp, held in Bannerman Town, Eleuthera.

The first camp was the Music Camp. Here, kids from as young as four years old and as old as high school graduates were taught music and how to play stringed instruments, using the Jaffe String method and Essential Elements. The instruments learned during camp were the cello, viola, violin and double bass. There was also voice training, and as a special feature, they were able to learn some French as well. The concert at the close of the camp, however, was the climax. One of the goals of the camp was to develop a string ensemble as a starting point to developing an Abundant Life Bible Church Orchestra.

After just four short weeks of learning, 20 campers were able to sit before an audience and thrill them with their performance.

The highlight of the concert was a special featured piece played by the ‘fantastic four’—the four youngest campers: Micah Richardson (4), Aaleyah Evans (7), Tayla Butler (7) and Christopher Bain (7). They all learned at an amazing speed to the delight of their proud instructors, Mr. Freeman Seymour, Minister of Music here at Abundant Life Bible Church and Mr. Stefan Thompson, musician and music teacher. They were assisted by Keva Williams and Travis Edgecombe. The French lessons were taught by one of the senior students, Nicolette Turnquest. This group of budding young musicians have now embarked on an extended programme of instructions in stringed instruments. It will certainly be back next year, so plan now for your child or children to be a part.

With the music camp ending on a high note, two other camps began simultaneously in quick succession. Both Camp

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Living Abundantly Fall 2011

Comelemafixya and the Bill Rice Ranch Camp began the same weekend that the music camp ended. Camp Comelemafixya facilitated the teenagers and this year the Bill Rice Ranch camp catered to juniors (seven to twelve year olds). For Camp Comelemafixya campers, the week was filled with activities with each day’s events beginning at 7:00 a.m. Camp began on Sunday, July 17 and ran until Saturday, July 23, 2011. The campers all met at Abundant Life Bible Church’s multipurpose building for registration and were then transported down to the camp site. On the ground of the Bahamas Youth Camp, the teens were having a grand time. There were a variety of activities: scavenger hunt, obstacle course, laser tag, overnight hike, cooking lessons (pizza and dessert making), craft activities and other games. There were also, of course, daily devotions and a time for journaling and reflections. It was a full week indeed.

The Bill Rice Ranch Camp involved traveling to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A group of twelve: three counselors and nine juniors left for Tennessee on Sunday, July 17, 2011.

The first leg of the journey was a two-hour flight into Atlanta where the second leg began, which was a four-hour drive by bus into Tennessee. When the group arrived at the Ranch where the camp was held, the excitement over the week ahead was heavy in the air. It was a fun-filled, quick-paced week, saturated with the Word of God. In reflection, the campers enjoyed making new friends and all the outdoor activities, but the most favoured times for them were Basic Bible Training (BBT) and Cowboy Town. Additionally, they went horseback riding, enjoyed swimming, a wagon ride to a cowboy cookout and the rodeo where some of the campers and one counselor won first place blue ribbons. They also won ribbons in the field games and the boys’ and girls’ cabins all won Cabin Clean Up one of the days of the week, along with the entire group winning photo of the week. It was an exciting, life changing week. The week ended with a tour of the Tennessee Aquarium on the journey home as they again made the two-legged journey back to The Bahamas.

In addition to the camps, there were some other special events of the summer. There was the special Independence Service held on July 10, 2011. For the second year running, the Independence Poetry Competition was held as a part of

Summer

the celebrations at the church. Winning in the adult category for the second consecutive year was Sister Prieta Burnside.

Cleveland Rogers won in the junior category. Their winning entries were put to music and sung at the Independence service by the Celebration and Praise choirs. The new compositions will be added to the collection from last year and kept with the view to compile a song book of original independence compositions for the church, and the others published as an anthology. At this year’s service the entire congregation was dressed in the colours of the Bahamian flag: aqua marine, black and gold.

The sermon by Pastor Cranston Knowles highlighted the day, challenging hearers to be mindful of the example they are setting today for the next generation.

After just one week to breathe between all the camps, it was time for this year’s Home Missions project at the All Saints Camp off Carmichael Road. On August 1st, a group of approximately 20 members of Abundant Life Bible Church, led by Pastor O’Neil Russell and consisting of both teenagers and adults, traveled to the All Saints Camp to offer assistance to its residents. They teamed up with members of the Next Step Ministry (a missions team comprising of college students working at the camp for the summer) out of the U.S.A. The larger portion of the group worked hard mixing cement in order to pour a solid cement floor for a cabana that had already been erected at the camp site. Other members of the team worked at a cottage where painting and dry wall work was being done. Overall, the

day was a rewarding one for the team members as they enjoyed the opportunity they had to minister to the residents of the Camp and ultimately serve their God in home missions.

The final event of the summer was the short-term missions’ trip to the Dominican Republic. The team consisting of twenty-nine members of Abundant Life Bible Church left Nassau on August 9, 2011, to travel to the Dominican Republic. The organizer of the trip and leader of the team was Pastor Anthony Rolle. It was not the first trip to the area by the team, while it was the first for some of its members. For several weeks prior to leaving, team members received training in preparation for their mission. On the ground in the Dominican Republic, the mission team conducted evangelistic events each night and held Vacation Bible School each day. They also assisted with the construction of a mission hospital and six latrines in worker village. In addition, the team helped out in remote medical clinic. Also, thanks to the generosity of the saints here in Nassau and at Abundant Life Bible Church, the team was able to take with them, children’s clothes, shoes and medicine for distribution to the people of the Dominican Republic who were in need. The team also distributed 1,500 Spanish and Creole tracts and led Sunday morning worship service. Overall, God used this team to teach and equip the local churches, edify other missionaries and impact the lives of hundreds of the people of the Dominican Republic.

And that is how the summer ended. We give God all the praise and glory for any and everything that was accomplished this year.

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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T

Making a Will

he concept of a Will concerns the transfer of one’s property on death by disposition. A Will is a written declaration whereby a person making it provides for the distribution or administration of his property after he dies.

It is effective on death and is therefore revocable, i.e. capable of being cancelled by him before he dies. The historical significance of Wills is not an entirely new concept. Did you know that this principle originated from Biblical patriarchs such as Isaac (Gen. 27) and Jacob (Gen. 49) who are notable for giving to each of their sons’ various “tangible and intangible” blessings? This has since progressed in our modern society and has become an important tool in succession planning for families and businesses. Succession planning simply involves planning ahead to leave a gift of property to the next generation.

In The Bahamas, there is a perception that Wills are merely for an elite class of persons. An argument offered in support of this claim is that such persons typically possess substantial assets which the average middle class Bahamian family comparatively does not possess. It must be stated emphatically that this is a fallacy. According to sections 3 and 4 of the Wills Act, a person may create a will if he owns property (e.g. furniture, books, jewellery, real estate) at the time of death, is 18 years or older and is of sound mind. To possess a sound mind simply means that the person creating the Will must know and approve of the contents of the

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Living Abundantly Spring 2011

by Kim Evans

Will, and have an intention to create the will. This person is called the testator because he is the person making the Will. If you fulfil these requirements, you are capable of creating a Will. The Wills Act does provide however that to be valid, the Will must be in writing, and signed to the end by the testator or some other person in his presence and by his direction. Moreover, the signature of the testator must be made or acknowledged by him in the presence of two or more witnesses. These witnesses must be present at the same time (section 5).

Further, neither witness can be the spouse of a beneficiary of the Will.

There are several benefits to making a Will. The most obvious is that it gives the testator control over the manner in which he disposes of his property after his death. Also, it is a simple and effective means of providing security, assurance and protection for the testator’s family or business after he is gone. For example, suppose you possess a special collection of books, your deceased grandmother’s Bible and a bank account of $10,000. In creating your will, you can expressly state what items you wish certain persons to receive on your death and the proportion. Another benefit is that it acts as a safety net in instances where a testator dies leaving minor or disabled children or parents. This is generally remedied by appointing an executor to manage the affairs of the estate, and in the case of minors, guardians to look after their welfare. Lastly, a Will safeguards the estate against contentious family feuds which com-

monly arise after a person dies.

You may be wondering how you can get started with creating a Will. The wonderful thing about Wills is that they are generally inexpensive, confidential, simple to create and capable of being changed at any time during the testator’s lifetime. There is no legal requirement that a valid Will must be drafted by an attorney-at-law.

An obvious reason for this is that an attorney may not be accessible to the person at the time. Many persons have created “home-made” Wills which the courts have held to be valid because the basic requirements were satisfied. These requirements were stated in the previous paragraph. Notwithstanding, if you are uncertain about how to proceed or if you possess substantial and complex assets, it is strongly recommended that legal professional advice be obtained from a competent attorney. An improperly drafted Will can result in the failure of a gift or worst yet, the Will being deemed invalid. As a consequence, the persons whom you intended to benefit may not receive their due entitlement as you desired.

Contact a competent legal professional for advice and assistance in drafting your Will (recommended).

Planning for the future is essential for our lives. While we remain alive on this earth, God expects us to exercise wisdom and care in the way we provide for our families.

What steps have you taken to ensure that your family is protected after you die?

Here are a few tips for you to consider as you prepare to create your will:

1. Make a list or inventory with all of the property you own (real estate and personal property) 2. Write the names of persons whom you wish to include/exclude as beneficiaries of your estate. State clearly whether any of the beneficiaries are minors or disabled persons who are depending on you for support.

3. Secure an original certified copy of your birth certificate and passport and that of your beneficiaries, and your marriage certificate, deeds for real property, loan agreements and insurance policy (if applicable).

4. Do you have any existing Wills or Codicils? If so, you will be required to produce the original(s).

5. Who would you like to appoint as an executor(rix) and/or guardians (if applicable)?

This should be a person in whom you place utmost trust and confidence.

6. Do you have any outstanding debts which could impact your family’s livelihood?

If so, provide the details of your debtor.

7. What special funeral arrangements do you wish for your family to consider after you die?

Congratulations

Kimberley Evans

For completing legal studies and is now a member of The Bahamas Bar

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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M EM BER IN FO CU S

Tennille Sands - Ryan 16

Living Abundantly Spring 2011

MEMBER IN FOCUS

Meet

Tennille Aiesha Sands-Ryan AWANA Commander Abundant Life Bible Church

I

magine hearing these cries and more every day while looking into little, innocent faces looking to you for help, solace and protection. “I’m not feeling well.” “My mom and dad were fighting last night.” “Someone is bullying me.” Our Member in Focus does not have to imagine what that is like because it is real to her. Each day she happily goes to work and embraces the opportunity to give herself in service to the little lives that come to her for help. Join us as we embark upon a journey through the life of Tennille Aiesha Sands-Ryan.

Tennille has been at Abundant Life Bible Church her entire life. She was born on February 3rd, 1977 to Kenneth and Geraldine Sands, who have been members of the church since its inception. These proud parents wanting to give her a head start on life began her education early. She attended Jack and Jill Pre-school, after which she entered the doors of Kingsway Academy where she spent the rest of her primary and secondary education.

After completing high school, Tennille continued to climb the educational ladder up to tertiary level at The College of The Bahamas, where she studied and obtained an Associate’s degree in Psychology. This however was not enough. She soon spread her wings to another institution, Florida International University where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. At present, she is pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling at the College of The Bahamas, in conjunction with Kent State University with plans for completion in December 2011.

Education, of course, is not Tennille’s only love. She is also a dedicated wife and mother. On May 5, 2001, Tennille was joined in holy matrimony to Mr. Kwesi Ryan and they have one beautiful daughter, Kamille Orian Ryan. Family life is of chief concern to Tennille and she seeks to ensure that she does her very best to be a good wife and mother. Her relationship with her parents and siblings is no different. Her love for them and their love for her are evident every time you see them. She has an older sister, Germaine Butler and a younger brother, Kenneth Sands II.

She carries the same joy, love and commitment into every area of her life: her family, her church and her work. www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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M EM BER IN FO CU S

We acknowledge that there are some people who seem to have a split, and in some cases, multi-personality complex. Tennille is certainly not one of them.

She carries the same joy, love and commitment into every area of her life; her family, her church and her work. Upon graduation from university, she began her career as a Guidance Counselor working for the Ministry of Education at E. P. Roberts Primary School on Balfour Avenue, where she is presently stationed.

At school, Tennille is a bundle of energy as she must keep up with the hundreds of students with whom she interacts on a daily basis. Along with her duties as a guidance counselor, she is also the choir director and coordinator of the Girls’ Club. She unselfishly works along with the music teacher to compose lyrics as well as choreography for their renowned school choir, which has performed for the opening of the Paul Farqhuarson Police Conference Center and has also performed at the American Embassy. Tennille saw the need to encourage and motivate girls with low self-esteem and started a Girls’ Club, which focuses on leadership skills and building character. Under her mentorship, the girls have been able to build their self-esteem as well as improve in their school work.

On a typical work day, Tennille acts as school nurse, secretary, role model, mentor, disciplinarian and, of course, counselor. She deals with situations ranging from behavioral problems to abuse. Despite the challenges she faces, she completes each task with a smile knowing that she is helping to improve the 18

Living Abundantly Fall 2011

lives of her students. Her colleagues think highly of her and enjoy her funloving attitude. She goes above and beyond the call of duty to assist wherever she can.

As was said, Tennille has the same joy, love and commitment for her church.

She accepted Christ as her Savior at a very early age and values her walk with God highly. Here at Abundant Life Bible Church, she is actively involved also in ministering to children and young people. From childhood, she has been involved in numerous ministries including Sunday School, Social Committee, Children’s Church, Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Teen Club, Youth Quest, AWANA, and 24/7 (formerly Teen Summit).

A trademark of Tennille’s as well is that whatever she is involved in, it is not simply to participate, but make a contribution. She has played a pivotal role in the AWANA program, having been involved since its inception in 1988. She has completed all of the books in each club. As a result, she received the Citation Award (the highest award in AWANA), an accomplishment no other clubber has achieved to date. She has also served as the Director for the Girls Club for over five (5) years. This past summer, she accepted the baton of leadership of AWANA and in September 2011, she assumed her new role as Commander.

Journey 24/7 is a ministry that also certainly appreciates the hard work Tennille has tirelessly given since 2006. As one of the ministry’s top level leaders, Tennille has been deeply involved in its administration and operation. She is very thorough in ensuring that activities are planned and carried out accordingly. Many of the teenagers respect and look up to

ME MB E R IN F OC U S her and even confide in her with their personal issues.

She endeavors her utmost to instill proper Christian values in the lives of our young people and be a role model.

While growing up, Tennille never expected to be where she is today. She actually thought she would have been sitting in an office working as a secretary.

However, her love, desire, concern and care for children and teens became more persistent and stronger as the years went by. She has tried other professions but working with children is truly rewarding and it keeps her young. You don’t realize when you have touched a child’s life until they return to you and tell you, even if it is many years later. Many times the job of social work is thankless, demanding and disheartening, but Tennille, however, realizes that she still has to do it because she has been blessed and she enjoys being a blessing to others. Many of the young girls at her school and at Abundant Life Bible Church call her their mother, aunt, and best friend. She is always willing to assist and give Godly advice to help them through their challenges. She loves what she does and loves where she is.

Abundant Life Bible Church is proud of Tennille and her accomplishments, but most of all, we are proud of the contribution she is making to society in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May God’s hand of blessing continually be upon her and all of her endeavours.

Whatever she is involved in, it is not simply to participate, but make a contribution.

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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by Elkin Jones

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Living Abundantly Spring 2011

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Getting Dr.Back on Track Christie Prosper

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any parents cringe when they see their children lugging a weighty backpack filled with 3-inch-thick textbooks. They worry that carrying these heavy bags can cause problems later in life. It’s a valid concern. The Academy of Pediatrics warns that overloaded or ill-fitting backpacks can cause severe back, neck and shoulder pain, postural problems, and damage to muscles and joints. A child who’s experiencing chronic neck and back pain is at an increased risk of that continuing into adulthood. When worn properly, a backpack is still the most efficient way to carry a heavy load. A backpack distributes the weight evenly, and allows the core—your strongest muscles—to carry the load.

Here are some guidelines: Travel light: A loaded backpack should weigh no more than 15%-20% of a child’s body weight. That’s 20 pounds for a 100-pound student.

Load it right: Always place heavy items closest to the child’s back. Don’t overstuff, either. Don’t sling it over your shoulder. Students should always wear both shoulder straps—preferably adjustable, well-padded ones. Better yet, fasten the backpack’s waist belt.

A good fit is key: Straps should be snug, but not too tight, around the armpits. You should be able to slide your hand in between the backpack and the back. The bag’s bottom should rest in the curve of the lower back, never hanging more than 4 inches below the waistline.

Think outside the pack: If a school allows it, try a bag on wheels. Kids should make frequent stops at lockers (if applicable) to replace books. Ask teachers about posting homework materials online. Buying an extra set of books for home is another option, and some publishers post textbook chapters online.

Stay Strong: Learn back strengthening exercises. Injury prevention is the key! Be careful when picking up the bag, too. Bend at the knees, not the waist, and lift with the legs. Parents, pay attention and see a doctor of chiropractic if your child complains of back, shoulder or neck pain.

Kids respond very well to chiropractic care, and when problems are addressed early on, they don’t grow up having the same complaints most adults have. Some

of the conditions that respond to chiropractic care are: Neck and back pain, sinus problems, asthma, headaches, ear infections, athletic injuries, ADHD, bedwetting, and carpal tunnel.

It’s Not The Stress - It’s Your Reaction To It That Matters!

Stress is part of everyday living. In fact, a stress-free life would be boring! Life is enjoyable when we have ample resources to overcome the stresses we face. Everyday we experience physical, emotional and chemical stressors. In order for our bodies to properly deal with these stresses, we need a healthy nervous system.

Every single cell of our body is controlled, maintained and regulated by the nervous system. You need a properly functioning nervous system to maintain health.

Chiropractic care ensures that your body functions at its maximum potential. When you lose your ability to adapt to stress in a healthy way, stress takes its toll and symptoms appear.

What is a symptom? A symptom is a sign or warning signal that your body is sending you telling you that something is not right. If your car’s check engine light comes on, do you ignore it, wait for your car to break down, or do you take it to a mechanic to have it checked out? A symptom is your body’s way of warning you that you’re heading towards a break down. Don’t wait until you can no longer turn your head, bend to pick up your child, or make it through a full day of work without pain. Get your chiropractic check-up today. Chiropractic care can’t eliminate stress, but it can help your capacity to accommodate it. Your health is your most valuable possession. Let us help you be the loving parent, the responsive spouse or the dependable employee. It’s time to invest in yourself with chiropractic care - you’re worth it!

Dr. Christie Prosper presented this topic at one of the Wednesday’s Social Awareness lectures this summer, reminding us that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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HEALT H & WELLNESS

Tips from your doctor s c i s a B k c a Backp How to Carry the Weight and Avoid Injury Many students carry their backpacks the wrong way: slung over one shoulder, overstuffed, and with straps that are far too loose.

Chiropractor, Dr. Christie Prosper, demonstrates with Mica Evans, 13, the correct way to carry a backpack and the steps every parent can take to ensure their child’s backpack strap fits properly.

1. Place the straps over both shoulders.

Tug on the front to ensure straps are snug but not too tight.

2. Make sure there is room to slide your arm between the backpack and back.

3. Ensure that everything is in place, with both straps snug, the bottom of the bag resting in the curve of the lower back, and the load lessened enough for the bag to zip.

By Dr. Christie Prosper Prosper Family Chiropractic Center #9 Colebrook Lane

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Living Abundantly Spring 2011

HE A LT H & WE L L NES S

BahamianRecipes

History of the Breadfruit - The breadfruit plant was brought to the Caribbean in the late 18th Century as a new and plentiful source of food for slaves who were working on the plantations. To date in the Bahamas the breadfruit is still used as a side dish. The fruit is used as a vegetable when mature but not ripe. It is said to be rich in starch and also contains some sugar.

The breadfruit is used in the Bahamas as a starch and it can be baked, boiled , fried or roasted.

Bahamians also rely on the leaves from the breadfruit plant as a medicine to reduce high blood pressure, diabetes, bladder problems and asthma .The leaves are also crushed and tied around the forehead to relieve headaches.

Baked Breadfruit

Breadfruit leaf tea

1-2 mature but not soft breadfruits washed Cut fruit in half and remove core and stem Season lightly with sea salt, (pepper and butter if desired) Bake in covered glass dish @ 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes Set aside to cool for 15 minutes Slice into wedges and serve as a side dish

Pick and wash 4(four) yellowing breadfruit leaves Boil 4-6 cups of water and add leaves Boil covered for a further 10 minutes Sweeten with honey and serve hot or as a cold beverage

MASHED BREADFRUIT Bahamian Style 1 medium sized breadfruit, peeled, cored and sliced into cubes 1 medium sized onion sliced pinch of sea salt 1 1/2 tbsp. butter cup milk (optional) 2 cups boiling water Add breadfruit, onions and salt to boiling water Boil at medium heat for 10 mins.

Drain breadfruit and onions and add butter and milk while hot Mash with a potato masher Garnish with Italian seasoning if desired Yields 6 to 8 servings

Do you have a famous, homemade recipe you’d like to share with us? If so email us at living.abundantly@albcm.org and submit your receipe along with a photo!

Happy Cooking.................. www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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M INIST RY O UTLO OK

Sunday School Everybody Ought to come.........

“Everybody ought to go to Sunday school, Sunday school, Sunday school.

The mothers and the fathers, and the boys and the girls, everybody ought to go to Sunday school.”

T

his little tune echoes back to our childhood.

Yet, in spite of how old it is, the words are still true today. We do not sing it as we used to but maybe we should, to remind us that everybody ought to go – but we should change that to say, ‘ought to come to Sunday School’.

Sunday school has been a major part of the ministry of Abundant Life Bible Church since the church began in 1979. It is the oldest ministry in operation and its superintendant, Kenneth Sands, is the longest serving worker at Abundant Life Bible Church, having served in that capacity since the beginning. Sunday School seeks to cultivate godly principles in the hearts and minds of those who attend through sound Christian teaching based on 24

Living Abundantly Fall 2011

the Word of God. Each week dedicated workers faithfully ensure that the gospel of Christ is being portrayed.

This vibrant ministry caters to a wide range of ages, from young children beginning at the age of three up to adulthood.

Three to five years old – Teacher: sister Shirlean Wallace; Six to eight years old – Teachers: Sisters Merlene Taylor & Patrice Evans; Nine to eleven years old - Teachers: Sisters Wendy Delaney & Vanessa Turnquest; Twelve to fourteen years old - Teachers: Brother Jevonne Ferguson & Sister Eva Culmer; Fifteen to seventeen years old – Teachers: Brother Ken Bain & Sister Udean Sattum; Eighteen to twenty years old – Teachers: Sister Julie Dean & Brother Renaldo Butler; Twenty-six to thirty-five years old – Teacher: Pastor David Cartwright; Thirty-six to forty-five years old and older – Teacher: Brother Milton Evans; and the Matured Adult class – Teachers: Pastor James Knowles, Pastor Algernon Malcolm, Deacon William Maycock.

MINIS T RY OUT L O O K

Each Sunday morning, classes begin at 9:45 a.m. One of the most thrilling features is the Sunday school breakfast which commences/starts at 9:15 a.m. Persons like Mizpah Cartwright and Ada Smith, arrive very early in the morning to assist with cooking the breakfast alongside the Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Kenneth Sands and Elsworth Moss respectively. Once completed, the helpful hands of many of the teenage girls are willing and readily available to assist with serving the members. This component was established in 2004. There are nine classes in total and seventeen well-versed teachers are in place to ensure that stories from the Holy Bible are disseminated in a truthful manner.

Promotion Sunday occurs when individuals, who have reached a particular age, are moved up to the next class level, much like being in a regular school. For instance, if you are in the class designated for 9 to 11 year olds and thus turn 12 by the month of July, you are then advanced to the class that accommodates students 12 to 14 years old. This special Sunday takes place in September. This allows persons to gain the knowledge suited for their age bracket which would aid them in applying Christian values to their daily lives.

One might ask, “Where is this ministry headed?� The superintendant has such a passion and zeal for this min-

istry that answering such a question is very easy. Sunday School implores the young and matured members alike, to come out and participate in what is being offered. It seeks to unite the church family to help to encourage the installation of Christian values in the home as well as in the church. With God’s guidance, the ministry seeks to work alongside members of the church, from the very young to the more mature/older individuals.

A major initiative that the Sunday School wishes to establish is that of a homework centre inclusive of a library, reading room and computer room to assist at risk youth and those in our church and community that may struggle in the area of academics. We have an awesome opportunity to impact the lives of so many for their social improvement as well as their spiritual well being, while helping to reduce the amount of potential criminal offenders and individuals that will eventually become a burden on society. This centre, will not only give young people an opportunity to do their homework and learn computer skills, but it will also enable others a chance to be taught how to read. The center is scheduled to open in January, 2012.

The Sunday School Department is surely on the move to help our saints grow spiritually day by day and lead lives that are pleasing to God.

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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The Pastors’ InBOX

Questions & Answers for everyday living....

Pastor O’Neil: Why are the lost books of the bible not part of the current bible, e.g. The King James Version?

The “lost books” are not a part of our Bible because they do not pass the tests of canonicity. Canonicity comes from the concept of the canon of Scripture. The term canon means ‘a ruler or rod’. It is a reference to a way of measuring something. When speaking of the canon of Scripture, one is referring to deciding which books will be included in the Bible.

Not all books should be considered Scripture. For example, I can write out a sermon in manuscript form. That sermon may contain great advice, wisdom, and information on how to live but that does not mean that the sermon I wrote should be a part of the Bible or be placed on a level equal to the books of the Bible. The key questions then are who decided which books should be placed in the Bible and how did they decide on the identity of those books.

Although no one man or group of men sat down and decided what books should be in the Bible, the early church and its leaders were instrumental in discerning which books were “from God” and which books were uninspired writings. Ultimately, however, it was God through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who decided which books should be included in the Bible (2 Peter 1:21). After all, the Holy Spirit moved men to write certain books and God used the same Holy Spirit to help early church leaders to recognize His inspired Word. There were several criteria used by early church leaders to discern which books were “inspired” or “Godbreathed”. One criterion was that it should speak for God. If a book did not claim to speak for God then more than likely it was not inspired. Books that had the purpose of simply giving information were not included in the canon because there was a certain “God-element” missing. Another test

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for the canon was that the books should have the ability to transform lives. The book of Hebrews states that the Word of God is “quick and powerful” (Heb 4:12).

The word “quick” means that it is alive and active. Therefore, it must have the ability to transform the lives of those reading it. If it lacked that transformational power, then more than likely it would not have been included in the completed Bible. Thirdly, theological coherency was used to decide upon books to be included in the canon.

The books of the Bible should have no clear contradictions in them. Books that proved to be contradictory could not be accepted into the canon because the Bible is God’s Word and God’s Word cannot contradict itself. Finally, in the case of the New Testament, the books of the canon must have an apostolic element. In other words, these books must have a connection to an apostle. Although the book may not have been written by one of the original twelve disciples, it should have come from the apostolic age and could be closely associated with those who were considered apostles or closely associated with Jesus. Thus, the “lost books” are not included in our English Bible because they did not pass the criteria for canonicity.

Pastor Allen: Why is church membership important?

It is a pity that one has to impress upon believers in Christ the importance of becoming a member of the Church.

The Church was purchased by Christ. It was bought by the

PA S T OR ’ S INB O X committed to worshiping and making Christ known.

• It is a witness. It has a program to evangelize and proclaim the gospel of the grace of God. • It is a light set upon a hill that cannot be hid or abolished.

• It is a body of strength, numbers and protection.

• Finally, you should become a member because the Bible demands the attendance and commitment of Christians to membership and corporate participation in the Church’s ministries (Acts 9:18-20; Heb. 10:25).

These are only a few reasons why an individual should not neglect being a member of the local Church fellowship.

Pastor Anthony: Has the lax attitude of the church body in recent years had a significant effect on the downward spiral of the social fabric of society?

work of the Holy Spirit. And while many individuals testified of personal salvation in Christ, nevertheless, the Scriptures speak only of the corporate body and its place in the program of God. It is vital and most important that all born again believers in Christ should be members of a local church fellowship. The Church is the only organ that God is working through to fulfill His plans for man and the future of the world. Hence, these reasons relative to church membership and attendance should be considered by those who think that membership in a local church is not significant or important: Membership provides a spiritual haven for the believer in Christ.

This is a mean, difficult and Christ-less world for a single Christian to be living in. When a believer comes to the doors of the local church for membership, he is indicating that He has found a variety of reasons and points why he should join its fellowship. In the book of Acts new believers joined the fellowship of saints and took a stand for Christ. (Acts 2:41-47).

• Membership enables the believer to join hands with others in joyful fellowship. After all, washed believers should realize one common bond. And fellowship relationship is very important.

• United praise and worship are important aspects of our historic faith. Throughout the years of Christianity, the church has exercised strength and unity in its ministry for Christ to the world.

• True discipleship is related to submission and obedience in following the Lord’s injunction to follow Him wholeheartedly.

• In the Bible, it is recorded that God deals with the world through the Church. All of the letters written to the church speak of the corporate fellowship…not aloneness.

• By joining the membership of a local church, you are setting an example for a new believer in Christ to follow you in serving the Lord unitedly.

• Jesus committed Himself to attendance at the synagogue.

We are told that it was His custom to attend services on the Sabbath day.

• We should have Church membership for a variety of reasons: The church is a family. Jesus refers to it as a fold (John 10:16).

• It is a vibrant and caring fellowship.

• It is a fraternity of redeemed individuals who are unitedly

Our society is in a serious state of degradation. Our moral values have eroded to the point where individuals will commit murder indiscriminately; even pregnant women are potential targets. Is the breakdown a symptom of the last days, the effect of the Global Village, or can it be contributed to the spiritual state of the church.

First let’s ask the question; “Is the church expected to have an influence on society?” Jesus makes a powerful declaration in Matt. 16:18 “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This verse is frequently misinterpreted in two major points. Firstly, the church is not built on Peter.

The church is built on the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the living God (verse 17). This is confirmed by the church being built on the rock (Petra – feminine form of the Greek word for rock not the masculine form used to refer to Peter). The church is a unique organization created by Jesus Christ for several purposes, namely fellowship, worship, discipleship, etc. One important function is evident in the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel: Be a witness or light of the salvation available through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

To accomplish this directive from the Lord, the church is expected to go into society (where lost individuals reside) with the message of the Gospel.

Secondly, most persons interpret the verse to read that hell is attempting to invade the gates of the church. This is incorrect. The correct interpretation is the church, with the message of the Gospel, is actually invading the gates of hell to enter in and deliver its captives. If this is true and it is, the church is equipped and empowered to invade those deviant areas of our community and directly deliver those under the influence of wicked and immoral vices. The church should be invading the “base houses”, the “strip joints”, the bar rooms, etc. I have personally witnessed the power of the Gospel in this capacity. A few young persons and I actually went into a bar room (Long Island) to share the Gospel on a Saturday night. When we went in and began to speak, the owner of the bar room turned the music off, and the patrons stopped drinking and listened to the message. Several persons accepted the Lord as their Savior inside that bar.

Since the church has lost her voice and suffers from reduced relevancy in the community, the restraining force against evil has diminished. What is the result? Evil will thrive.

Edmund Burke, an Irish political philosopher stated, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good man do nothing”. In my humble opinion, the church has been lulled to www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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PASTOR ’S INBOX Obey means to hear under, or get under the authority of, so children are to get under the authority of their parents and listen. Someone has said, in examining the Ten Commandments, we find they are divided into two parts: the first four commandments deal with man’s relationship to God, and the last six deal with man’s relationship to man. In the commands regarding human relationships, verse 12 says, “Honor thy father and mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”. Notice that this is the only statement in the Ten Commandments on the way the family is to function. Why? Because it is sufficient to produce right relationships within the home and society; in fact, it is key to all human relationships, because a person who grows up with a sense of obedience, discipline, reverence, awe and respect for parents will be someone who can make any other type of human relationship work” this will definitely have repercussions not only for the family but society as well.

sleep and is doing very little. In recent years, the focus of the church has been to build large, palacious and comfortable edifices and stockpile large bank accounts. Very little attention and support is allocated to proclaiming the Gospel and influencing our community. Christians have resorted to hiding in their “fortified” buildings, praying to God to change the community outside. This is a sad and pathetic state. We have lost the burden for our lost brothers and sisters and the boldness to witness in the community.

What does God think about such a church? Rev 2:1-5 records Jesus’ assessment of the church in Ephesus. The passage explains why the current church is in a lax state. The Ephesus church had “lost its first love”. Love is a vital ingredient in the life of the believer and the church. This love is multi-directional, first directed to God then to each other.

Today, the church is a cold organization filled with hostility, inequalities and strife. Many visitors usually leave after experiencing our “love” preferring to return to the world (the revolving door syndrome). What is Jesus’ judgment on this loveless church? He will remove the lamp stand (v. 5). Pastor David, a few months ago, shared a powerful message describing what happens when the lamp stand is removed. The church is powerless and ineffective despite all of its efforts for greater influence in our community. Jesus’ admonition is simple…REPENT…GET BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE (God, then each other). The lax church is in sin and our only recourse is genuine repentance before it is too late.

Pastor David: What is the significance of “children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right” and the repercussions of not doing so in this day and time?

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise). That it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth”.

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Exodus 21:15, 17 “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death… and he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”

Does this sound serious? Some would never hit his father or mother, but would think evil thoughts about them or curse them. Even though secular television considers these things funny, God doesn’t. God wants order and respect in the family, and He considers those who show disrespect and disobedience worthy of death.

Proverbs 30:11-17 “There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. …The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. “ God calls all children to be obedient and respectful. Obedience is the act; honor is the attitude. It is easy to obey with actions but not with the attitude. God puts a high value on obedience and added the promise of quality of life “that it may be well with you” and quantity of life “that you may live long on the earth” to obedient children. But before we can

PA S T OR ’ S INB O X have our children obey and honor us as parents we need to train them. The Bible says that if you don’t teach your children to obey and honor you, they will break your hearts.

Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death”.

If you don’t discipline your children, you actually desire their death. Why? Because when children are left alone to their own devices anything could happen because they are sinners in need of guidance and the parents ought to teach them to obey. If not, then one day it would be too late and they will bring grief to the hearts of parents.

The flip side of this is if you discipline your children, and teach them to obey, they will bring joy and delight to your soul as parents.

Proverbs 29:17 “Correct your son and he will give you comfort; he will also delight your soul”.

Even God the Father disciplines His children for His glory and their benefit— Proverbs 3:11-12 says “My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights”.

Ms.Bee what u put in dem bread? I like da sweet n’ salty blend!

Boy I get dat from da Word of God. “By da sweat of ya brow ye shall eat bread.” Gen. 3:19

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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F INANCE • BUSINESS • LAW

MONEY MANAGEMENT

A Life Changing Experience

L

ife is a challenge. As the saying goes, “just when you’re about to make ends meet, someone moves the ends”. While it can be a struggle to pay bills, make mortgage or rent payments, provide food, clothing and other necessities for ourselves and our families with good money management, our struggles can be minimized. If we manage our monies properly it can result in a life changing experience that is positive.

Ultimately, the life we want: a better home, sufficient money to pay our bills and fewer concerns about finances are possible if we keep focused on our goals and manage our money effectively.

A master traveling to a far country delivered his goods to his servants (Mathew 25). To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, to each according to his ability. The servants who received five and two talents invested their master’s property and gained a return of one hundred (100%) percent. The other servant buried the talent and gained no profit. The master, on his return, greatly rewarded the servants with five and two talents and cast out the servant with one talent. This Biblical illustration depicts the positive benefits of good money management.

Living Within Your Means

Managing your money properly is the first step to “living within your means”.

To put it simply, if you’re living within your means, you

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can pay for the things you need without getting trapped in more debt than you can handle.

Many of us believe that the only way to have the finer things in life is to incur debt to get them. While that may be true for some large purchases such as a house or car, it doesn’t have to apply to the other things we want.

For example, when you buy a house, you take out a mortgage, and you may be in debt for as long as 30 years. That’s a long time, but this type of debt comes with benefits. The equity or money you have in the house may be used for future loans. Making regular mortgage payments also helps you build a strong credit rating.

However, making other purchases such as, food, clothes, toys, furniture etc., on credit is different. By doing this, you may be incurring debt to buy non-essential items as these purchases incur interest and cost. By the time you’ve paid for the item, the cost is much higher than the original price.

F INA NCE • B US INE S S • L AW Simply put, you’re robbing yourself and your future. Instead of funding your dreams and the life you deserve to live, your hard-earned money fills the lender’s pockets. Wouldn’t it be better if the money you pay in interest could go into a savings account to help you reach your goals? Paying for everyday items by going into debt limits your choices because you’re constantly caught paying for yesterday instead of moving toward tomorrow. Internationally acclaimed finance expert Suze Orman states, “live below your means but within your needs”.

How Can I Do It?

Living within your means is definitely possible; it’s simply a matter of making different choices: Food • Avoid or limit the amount of times you eat out. You pay three to seven times more for a meal than you would if you cooked at home.

• Buy store or local brands. They are usually less expensive and the quality is often just as good.

• Make a shopping list—and stick to it. Avoid buying food on an impulse and don’t shop on an empty stomach or you may come home with more than you planned to buy.

• Compare the unit price of products. Buy whichever product is less expensive per ounce, per pound, per pint, and so on.

Clothing • Don’t get stuck on brand names.

• Re-use school uniforms instead of buying each year.

What about “hand-me-downs?”

Transportation • Car pool with a neighbor to share rides to work and school.

• If you live close to school or work, try walking.

• Perform regular maintenance on your car—e.g. oil and coolant change. Keep tires properly inflated; your car will run more efficiently and you’ll save money every month.

• Use the church bus for weekly services.

• Fill up your tank weekly at gas stations that have the lowest price on gasoline.

Is It a Need or a Want?

In Paul’s testimony to the Philippian Christians and his exhortation on needs, we are reminded (Philippians 4: 19) …

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to his richest in glory by Christ Jesus”.

Many of us have never learned to distinguish our wants from our needs, therefore we spend a lot of money on “wants”—things that we don’t really need. Here’s a quick way to determine whether something is a want or a need: • It’s probably a want if it’s possible to delay the purchase, substitute a less-expensive item, or use something you already have or own.

• It’s likely a need if you’re purchasing something required for your survival.

Knowing the difference between wants and needs helps you:

• Set spending priorities

• Make wise choices about spending

• Save for vacation instead of borrowing

• Be a thoughtful consumer

Steps for Getting Out of Debt

Once you have mastered the difference between needs and wants, you are well on your way to controlling your spending habits and debt level. Here are some helpful tips in helping you get out of debt: Step One Determine your debt status. Do you owe many businesses or just one or two? Look closely at your credit card invoices and loan agreements. Are you being penalized for not paying the total amount? Find out the penalty for late payment. If you’re not sure, call your lender and ask.

Step Two If you are in debt that is difficult to manage, contact the business that you owe and try to negotiate smaller payments, or if need be, arrange to consolidate your debt. Make this call to avoid the embarrassing demand letter for payment from creditors.

Step Three Take a hard look at your spending plan and come up with new ways to cut expenses. Can you use the bus instead of driving?

Can you take lunch to work or school?

Step Four Look for ways to increase your income. Maybe another family member can contribute financially, or you can work extra hours at your job. Have you considered a second, part-time job?

Step Five Even in difficult times, as present, don’t ignore bills and past due notices. A poor credit record follows you for years. It can make it hard for you to buy a house, get a loan, and maybe find employment.

Getting into debt is easy. Pulling yourself out can be harder; it takes time and commitment. Taking steps to get out of debt is far less stressful than watching your debts grow. In time, you’ll find that by having low debt, you’ll have greater choices.

You will have more money to put into savings for the things that are really important: a fine home or a high-quality education.

Attorney Walton Bain - Partner Bernadette L. Bain & Co. Bay Street & Victoria Avenue (Former Bank Manager)

www.albcm.org Living Abundantly

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2011/2012 UPCOMING EVENTS November 27 - 30

Selah Conference on Revival

December 25

December 31

January 1, 2012

January 15 - 22

Christmas Sunday 11:00am Worship Service No Evening Service Watch Night Service New Year’s Sunday 11:00am Worship Service No Evening Service Opening Revival with Evangelist Dave Young

Come Worship with us...