Volume 1 Beta: Freedom by SALTY Magazine

Freedom From Sin, But Free To Do What?

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About

SALTY Magazine is a seasonal print publication serving young adults, in hopes to raise up a bold generation of Christians who are unapologetic for their beliefs in such a time as this. In ancient times salt was an essential ingredient in mixtures for its purifying, cleansing, and preserving qualities. This resulted in those who live according to God’s word being called “the salt of the earth.” Therefore SALTY magazine is dedicated to displaying the invaluable purpose young Christians have in today’s society. We also explore, challenge and redefine what it means to be young and submitted to God’s will. The pages of the magazine are filled with thought-provoking articles, inspirational testimonies, and fresh features about issues that are corrupting our society today. Young Christians add an essential flavor to the world, and SALTY wants to remind this generation of its invaluable role of preserving purity and justice in today’s society. Savor It! www.saltymagazine.com

Contents www.saltymagazine.com

The Death In Debt

If Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Got Influence, Use It

Poem: Free From

Picking up The Pieces Sin Left Behind

Summer SALTY Picks

Faith Umoh

Jon Lash

Yanique Mitchell

Kecia Johnson

Suzanne Delica

Surviving The Shadow Of Death

SALTY Life Skills

Real Brothers

But You Will Receive Power

Poem: Free To

Who Do You Fight For?

The Hidden Truth Behind Your Chocolate

Keep It Salty

Nasim Kashani

Kecia Johnson

Guillermo Valle

Stephanie Fontin

Robyn-Ann Lawson

Richard Tovar

Faith Umoh

Leslie White

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Editor’s

For the past year I have silently observed all the upcoming Gator blogs, and my heart has been mournful. Almost all of these blogs have been devoted to nothing but social pollution and perversion. From advice on chasing paper, empty relationships, and suicidal fashion prices to vlogs spewing out prideful lyrics of sexual escapades and whoring conquests, these blogs have no intention of glorifying anything, BUT SIN - and yet disciples of Jesus flock behind them like bees to honey.

But even if we remove the “God factor” and my “Biblical bias” (pardon me if that’s not even possible) it is sad to see that a [blog] world left to itself will still choose perversion over purity -- even if both options are laid out before us on a plate (because they are). Despite everyone’s claim of wanting to “make the world a better place”, we will get up from pleading prayers of change to go feed and flirt with the very vices that will only grow to swallow our kids whole. Of course, this comes as no surprise. I was living the same duplicitous lifestyle before embracing Christ wholeheartedly. And even now, I must continue to search my heart for hypocrisies deeply rooted from years of believing I could simultaneously pursue God and my own glory. Every religion has made clear the “doomful” state of mankind, and its affinity for immorality. And every religion has offered their solution of enlightenment, and self-help “tips” on striving toward good. But only Jesus has testified that no matter how enlightened we become, or how hard we try, we will repeat the very actions that hurt us because we are wrapped up in the very flesh that pursues pleasure at our expense. But thankfully, Christ didn’t leave it there :-) Knowing our helpless state, he stepped on the scene Himself to destroy the works of the flesh and our bondage to a double-minded lifestyle. To those wanting Truth from the inside out, He says COME. You can take my Word, or the Bible’s Word for it.... OR, you can hear it from the millions in this generation that have been liberated -- and in their freedom have chosen to make themselves a slave to this Truth for the sake of saving even. one. more. Sin will always thrive in this broken world. Sex will always sell more than virtue. Sugar will always be celebrated more than salt. But God has set apart a remnant for Himself, to preserve and proclaim His Truth and Right-ness (aka righteousness). It is time for the redeemed of the Lord to SAY SO. And this is all this blog will be: One redeemed voice. One saved soul. One salt of the earth. For the few fish who prefer salt water, Let’s go! www.saltymagazine.com

Note

Credits/ Contributors EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ROBYN-ANN LAWSON COPY EDITOR/STAFF WRITER

This note was written a year ago when I was stirred to start blogging publicly on fresh and current topics to challenge my generation. The blog started off successful, but was very limited in reach and effect (online users only who were LOOKING for something positive to read)… usually, just disciples who were already being fed elsewhere. This discouraged me, because I was burdened to impact Christians and seekers who considered themselves “content” with spirituality, yet were still searching the world for the adventure their souls were so desperately made for. Our generation is bound and bored because we think God is something to believe in, instead of the Lover of our soul that purposely gives us our cravings.. JUST SO HE CAN SATISFY EVERY SINGLE DESIRE. It’s a crazy setup. It’s a Holy setup. Its true life in Jesus. With this magazine I have recruited more people to testify on this crazy love they have experienced that has freed them to live the adventure and flavor they once sought out in the world: the power of a salty life. Discover a life lived on purpose. This is the beta issue. Savor it!

KECIA A. JOHNSON PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT

TAMIKA MASSALINE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

YANIQUE MITCHELL FAITH UMOH RICHARD TOVAR JON LASH STEPHANIE FONTIN LESLIE WHITE GUILLERMO VALLE ANDREW JOHNSON NASIM KASHANI SUZANNE DELICA PHOTOGRAPHER

CHRISTINE WANG GRAPHIC / DIGITAL ART

BRADLEY GREENE COVER MODELS

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Twitter.com/_SALTY

SUZANNE DELICA (FRONT) SHAWN BOWLUS WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

HTTP://R-ANN.COM www.saltymagazine.com

The

Death Debt

- Faith Umoh

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ost people hate wearing uniforms to school. However, I was one of the few who loved it because deep inside I knew my dad would not take me shopping. My Nigerian father literally pinched every penny he had because he supported me, my two sisters and my family in Nigeria. Thus, I did not grow up as your average American girl. My dad barely gave me money to go out with friends so I did the next best thing with my time - sports. I played three sports: volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Each of the sports kept me busy all year and during the weekends. Therefore, wearing a uniform did not completely bother me, because my life growing up was not about fashion. It was about getting shirts from tournaments to wear to practice and getting new uniforms every two-tothree years. So, by the time I graduated from high school, I was sad that I could not wear uniforms to college.At age 18, I literally had enough non-uniform clothes to fit into one dresser drawer. I honestly, had no clothes. Later that summer, I got a new job and started using that money to buy clothes. I kept telling myself, “I need to build my wardrobe, so it is okay if I spend money.” Also, I was coming to the University of Florida so I wanted to come in as this intelligent beautiful young lady who dressed classy. When I started school, I took out a loan to pay for the costs. I had about $1,000 leftover after all my school fees were paid and thought to myself, “I’m rich!” I started doing $100-shopping bouts at the mall just because I believed I needed to build my wardrobe for the winter, since I did not have winter apparel. Then, summer came and I needed to build my summer wardrobe. Additionally, I wanted to transform my whole www.saltymagazine.com

wardrobe into dresses. I justified all my shopping as a necessity, which led to my debit card being declined twice. I actually over drafted about four times at one point, and my card got declined again. I owed Wachovia hundreds of dollars. I over drafted again a couple of months later all because I hated looking at my bank account to check how much I had left. I had the false assumption that I could spend and just keep track of funds in my head. This was the same head that kept telling me I needed to buy more and more. Luckily, my cousin bailed me out of the first overdraft, and my mentor bailed me out of the second one, because my father would not help. After the second overdraft, I knew I had a problem and that I needed to slow down. I had so many clothes and shoes in my closet that even to this day, I still have not worn everything. I had to hit “debt bottom” before I could hear the Holy Spirit’s voice speak sense to me, and give me the fruit of self-control towards shopping. All of this happened in one year. Yet now, I can boast in the Holy Spirit and say that one year later I have been to the mall only two or three times. I went both times with a purpose. I got in and got out! “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -- 2 Peter 1:6-8

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” -- Galations 5:22-23 22 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” --1 John 2:15-17 www.saltymagazine.com

If Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

Got It, USE IT - by Jon Lash

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Influence. We’ve all felt it, and we all have it. It is a simple word that if harnessed properly, can change the course of one’s destiny. Influence is powerful and it is real. It is time for the followers of Jesus to rise up and use their influence for the sake of our King and His Kingdom. In April of this year, I was provided the incredible opportunity to visit the nation of India for six weeks. What I witnessed during my time there shocked, horrified, and propelled me into action. India is a land of dichotomies. I saw opulence that was unparalleled by anything my eyes had seen thus far, sandwiched right next to some of the most abject poverty imaginable. I was wooed by the hospitality and warmth of the Indian people, only to be appalled by newspaper articles telling of yet another person murdered simply because of their socioeconomic background. India is indeed an up-and-coming world power. This is not to be denied. With a booming economy and the world’s second largest population- some 1.2 billion strong and growing - India is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Traveling through Mumbai and Hyderabad, two of the prosperous, burgeoning cities of India, at first glance one might see a progressive, modern society. However, buried deeply below the surface of this “modern society,” ripe with technological innovations and state-of-the-art commercial facilities, lies a pervasive system of government-sanctioned oppression and discrimination that is so merciless, so thorough, and so “normal” – until it has almost become invisible. Underneath this unrelenting taskmaster, some 250 to as many as 900 million people, known as the Dalits, struggle to survive from day to day. Their lives are constantly being threatened by a governmental and social system that views them as less than animals. This is a modern-day tragedy. This is India’s hidden apartheid. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DALITS? Nothing? Before this trip, I didn’t either. And, after traveling around the nation gathering story after story of systematic religious and governmental oppression, I am firmly convinced that the Dalit situation in India is the human rights atrocity of our time. The only thing worse than the situation is the fact that the majority of North Americans are almost completely unaware of the issue! The Dalits are a group of at least 300 million people (depending on how you categorize the various Dalit groups) who have been and still are experiencing some of the most atrocious discrimination and subjugation in existence today. www.saltymagazine.com

If you want to talk about “modern slavery” and human trafficking – the Dalits could make up to 80 percent of these categories. They are the “untouchables.” However, Indian government officials would and do say, “the practice of ‘untouchability’ has been abolished in our constitution. It is now illegal, and no longer exists.” Oh, how I wish this was true! I could go on and on about the Dalit’s plight in Indiasharing with you story after story, photo after photo and interview after interview that would break your heart. And I will, because God has given me influence. WE ALL HAVE INFLUENCE. The question is never if you have influence, but rather, what will you do with the influence you have been given?

So that’s me. I’m just a normal guy trying to learn to follow a supernatural God who loves people. The issue or the cause that moves you to action may be different. How you respond will probably be different as well. Maybe you’ll influence a crowd. Maybe you’ll just start with one person. But however and for whomever you choose to advocate, my friend, I beseech you in the name of Jesus and on behalf of the oppressed: Don’t Waste Your Influence! Don’t pretend that you don’t posses it. Don’t shrink back in false humility. If God has given you influence, use it for His glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom. Passionately pursuing our Servant King, Jon Lash

After returning from India, Bible verses like Micah 6:8, where we are called to “do justly and love mercy,” rang out in my heart and mind. I knew that doing nothing about what I had seen in India was not an option for me. As a disciple of Jesus, I am called to follow Him, and He cared about the poor and the marginalized. Actually, in Luke 4, Jesus actually made the poor and oppressed, downtrodden and enslaved His mission. So I follow.

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www.JonLash.com

God has given me an area of influence with music, so I intend use that. I am in the process of re-vamping my band’s Web site to use it as a platform to raise awareness and bring a KINGDOM REVOLUTION to the Dalit people. I have partnered with an indigenous, social- justice activist group in India, which will help bring both spiritual as well as socio-economic liberty for the Dalit people. At my shows I have started selling bracelets that are made by women in India, who have been rescued from sex slavery and have formed a clothing company as a means of providing for their daily necessities. All proceeds will go right back to the women, enabling them to pay the school fees for their children. If Dalit children have the opportunity to attend English-medium schools, the cycle of poverty will eventually be broken.

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I am free f rom g ossip, I am sland f ree f er, an ro m t d gree he att d. succee itu de d. of co mpro m ising I am to free f air, rom i d olatry I am , filth free f y lang rom t uage, he rep and l ulsive ies. , pollu ted li nger o f prid I felt lost, alone, desperate, on the brink of despair. e. I was a slave to sin and I indulged in its delights,

For the pleasures of this world I had a big appetite.

A MAN by the name of Jesus reached down and picked me up,

HE brushed me off, dried my tears, he healed my wounds,

HE filled my cup.

This MAN he gave me hope, he gave me purpose,

he gave me passion,

This MAN I call Savior is God’s begotten Son.

He revealed the love of the Father to me,

I can truly say I was blind but now I see.

I see that this man named Jesus has set me free.

ere e we w becaus s g in h se t om the free fr e r a e W life. e, with His h a pric it d i w a t p h nd boug cross a deed. ore the b s u s free in e J e r d a r o e L w ree and et us f s n o S The

at haunt, E. my past th f I AM FRE o s re a nig htm t taunts. from the But freedom from the e fear tha th I am free d se things is a destina n a tion as well e anxiety , th se m bu o a fr d e n as e a a fr jou e g rne m a y, a g yo g u I see ba . l a n emotio d from the Temptations will come wrong an I am free and sometimes we mi g treated in be f o ght fall, in a p e th m o Bu fr t it e is e the fr po wer of God that will I keep us all. Put your trust in the lust, d misused. n a Lo rd e an c d li He won’t let you down, er, ma from ang my trust. In Him a friend, a hea ME I put I am free in ler , t a a red eem th er, and Savior I have idea from the found. d strife, n I am free a , sy u lo y, jea nig ht. from env Your chains are broke ig ht after n I am free ss e n; your bondage is no n n e more, e drunk th d n m a o , fr ty e ri e Th u ere fr p is im m a bri a , ght I ty lig li ht tha ra t o wa sn’t m there before. al im from sexu Your burden has lighte I am free ned, no longer are yo u in kes me captivity, n that ma o rage, ti bi m a selfish from my Your strongholds are ge. I am free gone, YOU HAVE BROK center sta EN FREE. ants take w d n a s d e e n y m think www.saltymagazine.com

Sin Left Behind A

by Kecia Johnson

testimony is about what a believer has experienced and the ways God has intervened in his or her life. The Bible frequently discusses the power of testimonies and urges believers to share with one another what God has done (1Chronicles 16: 8, Acts 4:33, Daniel 4:2, 2Timothy 1:8) as an encouragement to the body of Christ (Revelation 12:11).

Somewhere along the way my identity got tangled up in my sin. I desperately needed God to tell me something different about who I was because I was so disappointed in who I had become.

But testimonies of deliverance aren’t always easy to share.

So I gave God my heart. When I repented, sweet joy, forgiveness and love soothed the rough areas that had become painfully chapped and broken.

For years I was living a lukewarm life where I served God through my church, but continued to pursue and enjoy a very worldly lifestyle. My sin eventually shattered my heart and most of all, my MIND. Self-destructive thoughts hitched to my skirt following me everywhere I went during the day and interrupted my prayers and sleep at night. I’m so dumb for trusting him. I wonder what he thinks of me now. Did he ever really care about me? Will he call me again? I shouldn’t have wasted my time. And I knew she wasn’t a real friend. I should have been a better witness for Christ. They probably don’t respect me. I knew better all along.

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By the time I finally realized that my mind and heart were in pieces, the negative thoughts were so randomly scattered that I didn’t always know what was hurting me or what issue I needed to pray about.

Then I gave God my mind. Thoughts of his faithfulness and ideas about how I can serve him started filling the space where my regret, shame and guilt once resided. My mind has changed about the way I should live my life, and my life is moving in a different direction. Although I was excited, in the beginning I was very reluctant about sharing the ways that living for God was better than straddling the fence. This hesitance came because every now and then those thoughts and even feelings of heartache about past relationships would surface. I felt unworthy to testify and asked myself: “Do I have to completely conquer a struggle or a sin before testifying about what God had done so far?”

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In the Bible Paul pleaded with God to remove the thorn in his flesh. Although God could have removed the thorn, he responded “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” And Paul then said “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses…For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10).” My heavy and contrite heart just leads me to God’s strength, and it doesn’t mean that I’m not delivered. I considered heartaches, associated with the way I wasted my time sinning, a “thorn in my flesh” that I wanted God to remove. But in fact my heavy and contrite heart just leads me to seek God’s strength to resist sin. It is a constant reminder of my weakness and how much I need God’s presence in my life. I realized that questioning my readiness to testify came out of a fear that I wasn’t totally delivered or that I hadn’t grown enough to discuss my lukewarm lifestyle as a thing of the past. Now I know that testimonies have to be given in faith that God has delivered us and that he will complete the work he started in our lives. God has promised us that we can overcome sin. We have to believe him. I recently turned to God’s word to see what it says about giving testimonies. The Bible says in Psalm 107: 1-2 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say thisthose he redeemed from the hand of the foe” and in Romans 8: 1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” I began to realize that it’s a blessing and a great honor to be able to honestly testify that God has forgiven me and saved my life from sins that would have sent me to hell. It is also encouraging to know that I don’t have to rely on my own ability to give an effective testimony. Testimonies come from the heart and should be influenced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, Luke 21: 1415). In addition, God’s grace is upon those who give their personal testimonies. The Bible says in Acts 4:33 “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” He will give us grace to share very personal details of our past and walk in a www.saltymagazine.com

future without sin. I’m reminded of when Isaiah had a life-changing vision of the Lord seated on the throne of the temple (Isaiah 6:1- 12). Before the holy God, Isaiah, “a man of unclean lips,” was immediately convicted because he was a sinful man unworthy of being in God’s presence. But one of the seraphs took a live coal from the altar and touched it to Isaiah’s lips taking away his guilt and sin. Immediately the Lord asked “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” I am so encouraged by Isaiah’s response. He didn’t question whether or not God had cleansed him of his sins or whether or not he was totally delivered. Instead he responded in zealous faith “Send me!” and God sent him to testify to others so that they would be healed. When God’s presence exposes our sin and he cleans us up, we should be totally willing to live for him by passionately serving his kingdom and sharing with others what he has done for us. Therefore, walk with him daily with your heart yearning “Send me!” We are either moving toward Jesus or away from him. If you have repented and are moving toward Jesus, then it is the perfect time to tell others what he has done for you.

WHY

Smallgroups by Andrew Johnson

was a complete wreck. I believed that because of my sinful nature and no signs of changing, Jesus was completely fed up and had no room for me in the kingdom of heaven. Then I decided to dig into the Word, and I found out that God loves me. The reality is all of humanity has sinned and will be judged. The incredible news is that Jesus Christ has paid my penalty of death. I came to trust in the Lord after watching him answer all of my prayers time and time again. He has blazed me to a high I have yet to come down from, because he is just that perfect. Jesus has set me free (John 8:36). God has also blessed me with a great group of brothers who have mad love for me. They have been instrumental in my growth by keeping me accountable and challenging me with the Word in small groups. Since being 100% for Christ I have had more joy in six months than I have had in my whole life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He has filled me with His Holy Spirit and given my life a real purpose. I know who I am. I am Andrew â&#x20AC;&#x153;AJâ&#x20AC;? Johnson, and Jesus is my Father, my Lord, and my personal Savior. www.saltymagazine.com

SALTY

Summer

PICKS

By Suzanne Delica

Ar Martha Munizzi “Change The World”

D C / t tis

Book Captivating John and Stasi Eldredge

A woman’s heart should be SO hidden in God that a man should have to seek Him first to find her..

Quote

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Verse |

Jeremiah 17:7-8 www.saltymagazine.com

Surviving Surviving Surviving

The The The Shadow Shadow Shadow OfOfOf Death Death Death by Nasim Kashani

was on a path that was leading to death. I used to struggle with anxiety attacks, depression, and suicidal thoughts after my ex-boyfriend cheated on me and left me for another girl. One night I was searching for emotional healing through painkillers because I was so heartbroken. I swallowed about 20 pills, but because of the grace of God, I didn’t die. The Lord saw my suffering and wanted to deliver me. He wanted to heal me emotionally and stop me from cutting my body. One day, I was going to hang myself at my old high

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school, but the Spirit of the Lord came and told me “Nasim, don’t do this. You are going to hurt so many people that love you.” I went to the altar of my church on a Sunday and asked Jesus for His help because I knew I couldn’t quit everything I was doing on my own strength. Jesus really changed my life. I am not the same person I was two years ago. I am God’s child. People are always commenting about the joy and peace I have now, and I get it all from my Father in heaven. All the glory goes to Him.

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SA LTY LIFE SKILLS How to break free from sins/bad habits

by Kecia Johnson

PRAYER: GET ON YOUR KNEES

ACCOUNTABILITY: GET SOME SUPPORT

What the Bible says: James (5:13) gets right to the point by writing, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.” Luke (22:40) also encouraged believers to “Pray that you will not fall.” So in order to break a cycle of sin or a negative behavior, talk to God. Unlike our friends and family, God will not get tired of hearing about our troubles. He wants to help us. In Luke (18: 1-8) Jesus even encouraged His disciples to “always pray and not give up” so they would be like the widow who received what she needed because of her persistent petitions.

What the Bible says: Paul encourages believers who are strong to be patient with the shortcomings of the weak so that we can help build one another up (Romans: 15:1-2). So tell someone about your sin or bad habit, but not just anyone. Confide in someone who will pray for you and hold you accountable for your actions. Sometimes our friends just tell us what we want to hear. If you want to change your behavior, becoming complacent is not an option. A true accountability partner will not condemn you, but they should be honest and encouraging. Finally, we should be surrounding ourselves with friends who will help us seek God just like the ones who helped the paralyzed man reach Jesus so that he could be healed (Mark: 2: 3-12).

FASTING: GET AWAY FROM THE TABLE What the Bible says: Fasting is giving up or turning away from things we do daily in order to give God all of our attention. Many of the things given up in a fast are things that come really natural to us like eating meals, but always look for new ways to keep it fresh. For example, try to increase your fast by an hour, find a theme for each fast, or look up new Bible verses to meditate on during the fast. Fasting is a way to make ourselves available and humble before God. This is the humility 2 Chronicles 7:14 declares can allow God to forgive sins and to heal. Through fasting we become more vulnerable and sensitive enough to hear from God because we deny our human nature and totally depend on Him

STRATEGIZE: GET A PLAN What the Bible says: Don’t go into battle without a strategy for winning. Overcoming sin and bad habit is just that; a battle. Several verses in the Bible warn Christians to put on God’s armor (Ephesians 6: 11-13), which can protect us and bring light to our struggle with sin (Romans 13: 12-13). The Bible also describes our walk with God as a race for which we should prepare daily. One way to prepare is to avoid situations or other things that will cause us to stumble. www.saltymagazine.com

Real Brothers by Guillermo Valle

I was born and raised in Honduras. My father moved my mother, my two sisters, and myself to Gainesville, Florida on two separate occasions during the 1990s in order to conduct research and pursue his Ph.D. at the University of Florida. Finally we all arrived in 1996 when I was 11 years old. I was always a great student and a pretty

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good kid, however; moving to the United States was a culture shock that rocked my world. I noticed how all the “cool” kids spoke, dressed, and behaved. I longed for the same attention and popularity, and I quickly became one of them. By eighth grade, I was smoking marijuana and cigarettes, drinking beer and liquor, and having sex. I discovered the pleasure of sin and wanted more. Between the partying, the drinking, the women, the drugs, and the love of money, my high school and early college days were mostly a blur. My love for money was so intense that I stopped at nothing to acquire it. I sold marijuana and pills, and I even began to steal. This dangerous lifestyle carried on for years until I turned 21 and ended up in jail for over one month. I hit rock bottom and had no true friends to count on. I decided to turn to God. He picked me up when I was down, and He completely turned my life around. Only two friends out of countless that claimed to have my back and love me came to visit me in jail. I hung out with them after my release, and I went with them to First Assembly of God, which was the church where I was “originally saved” when I was six years old. George Dumaine, the college pastor, relentlessly made an effort to plug me into one of the small groups, which are intimate Bible studies in the church. I finally decided to attend. From there, Jesus discipled me and sent me a group of brothers that I could count on. They have had a huge impact in my life. If it weren’t for these young men, I would have reverted back to my old self. I can’t thank them enough for loving me to the point where they were willing to drive me around town when my license was suspended, pray for me when I was struggling, call me and make me feel welcomed when I was alone, and to force me to crash at their place on Saturday nights in order to wake up for church Sunday mornings. The sayings, “tell me who you’re with and I’ll tell you who you are” and ”bad company corrupts good character” are worth remembering. Choose your friends wisely. I thank God for the community He has surrounded me with. I couldn’t ask for better friends. Ask Him and he’ll hook you up too!

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od never sends us to the battlefield empty handed. He equips us by tackling those growing issues of our heart, and then He sends us out to testify about it. For me, He broke my fear of receiving love from others. I had many people around me who I knew loved me, but I never let them get deep into my life. The fear of transparency, shame and, getting hurt stopped me from doing so. It wasn’t until I heard the truth in 2 Timothy 1:7 that I realized that fear was not from God, but the very love I had been rejecting was His through people. I have never felt more freedom to pursue God’s love and to love on others. Then I thought, “How many others are bound in fear and need His truth?”

Trust comes from being in the center of God’s will by seeking justice, encouraging the oppressed, and defending the cause of the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17). It’s as if He began preparing me months before I left for Africa, so that I can know the hearts of His children when they feel like they can’t receive His love. When I get caught up in the “me factor,” not thinking I’m equipped for the trip or wanting to know every detail, it’s easy for me to forget the mission. Much like the apostles in Acts 1 as they were questioning Jesus about when all the things He promised would come to pass. He answered telling them that details don’t matter and pointed out, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...” Receive power for God. Don’t use your own strength. His same Spirit that frees us from strong holds is the same spirit that empowers us to go out and shake the world for His kingdom.

But You Will

This freedom to love poured into my heart and brought out the love for children that I’ve always had. God placed a mission on my heart, to love on orphans. Not to simply sympathize with them or send them resources. They need love; Christ’s love. He opened doors for me and a group of 11 other people to spend two weeks at an orphanage in Tanzania, Africa this summer. These children live in homes and in a country where simple things such as growing up and getting an education require immense hope. I’m sure their hearts question love and create barriers for others to love them even more than mine did. Sometimes I cry out to God wondering if He hears my cries for these kids. I wonder if my prayer for them penetrates His ears. But that’s when I get affirmation. Of course, because He hears their cries as well. God is only beginning to reveal His heart to me on this issue.

STATISTICS

Receive Power..

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• Eighty-eight percent of the population lives on less than $1.25 per day, which is the international poverty line. • There are 2.6 million orphans in Tanzania • Only 13 percent of the children there aged 1417 are in secondary school. • To fight the cause, a local Tanzanian, Hezekia Mwalugaja, started the Hananasif Orphanage in 2002.

• The orphanage is dedicated to meet the desperate needs of orphaned and vulnerable children in the area.

• The orphanage is empowering children and giving them hope. For more information, visit: http://hananasif.org/ www.kujali.org

. . . o t e e Fr me death!” “Give me liberty, or give nry 20 0 years ag o. The wo rds of Patrick He rough death, But liberty only com es th 20 00 years ag o. As displaye d on a cro ss fro m the gr ips of hell, A death that tore mankind into abun dant life live d But then catapulted them well. is only maintain ed For freedom fro m death om to live unchain ed. By maxim izing the freed (Ro mans 8:10)

free to live. Free fro m death, but no w left un invest igated Yet the latter is usually ...So let’s explo re it… Free to give lavishly, my ow n. For these items are not Free to live fearle ssly, ho me. (Hebrews 11:13) For th is wo rld is not my Holy, Free to be holy, as He is the Kin g’s noble use. Refin ed an d set apart for price an d treasu red, Been bo ug ht with a hig h l expe rim entat ion an d Not throw n out for trivia misuse. (Levit icu s 10:10) Free to live out pu rity, ways. An d flee fro m se ductive s the whole bread, For a hint of leaven leaven th to the grave. An d car ve s a slippe ry pa (Prove rb s 5:5) Free to forgive quickly, . Ju st as Christ forgave me

n Lawson

by Robyn-An

, greatly hu mbled Fo r I have been lt ie s. h of my ow n frai pt de e th n ow sh An d (1Timothy 1:15) be subm issive, Free to subm it or , free from all m en Fo r though I am se rvant to all, I make myself a ans r Him. (1Co rinthi fo e or m e th in w That I can 9:19)

s righteou sn ess, Free to pu rsue Hi the Law. n w hich is from Not having my ow Christ, thro ug h faith in is ch hi w at th t Bu Go d. thro ug h faith in Prepared fo r m e, (Philippians 3:9)

le ssly, Free to lo ve re ck e Law. Fo r lo ve fu lfills th abuse, d kindne ss I can Lo ng-suffe ring an (Galat ians there is no Law. Fo r against such 5:22)

BERT Y AND GIVE ME LI GIVE ME DEATH in ed, an d no w lives ifi uc cr as w or vi Fo r my Sa glor y. to dance, Free to ru n... free ee to kn eel, Free to leap... fr free to heal, Free to preach… FREE! ws... FREE TO BE ne od go e th e Free to liv (Galat ians 5:1) deed. free.... is free in ts se n So e th Fo r w ho (John 8:36)

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The

truth Hiddenabout your

Chocolate by Faith Umoh

The Ivory Coast is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest producer of cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate. Most people are unaware of what it takes to bring them that chocolate bar that melts their taste buds. Boys as young as nine years old are sold or captured as slaves from their families in countries near the Ivory Coast. These young men toil from dawn to dusk hoisting and maneuvering heavy tools, such as machetes. If they do not obey they are whipped into compliance. Sadly,

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these boys have become modern day slaves who have never tasted one morsel of chocolate. They work so hard not fully understanding the world-wide demand for cocoa beans. In a documentary on rescued chocolate slaves, one boy was asked, “If you could tell the world something, what would you say?” And he replied, “They enjoy something I suffer to make. I work hard for them, but saw no results. They are eating my flesh.” TAKE ACTION! What are some of the companies that are producing chocolates from slave labor? Hershey’s, Mars, Nestle, and World’s Finest Chocolate are involved in buying their cocoa from farms that have slave labor. WHAT CAN I DO? 1. As a consumer you have the power to stop buying chocolate from companies that participate in buying their cocoa from farms that use chocolate slaves. You can identify companies that don’t support slave labor by looking for labels that read “slave-free chocolate.” Here is Web site with a list of brands you can patronize: http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/ main.html 2. You can send letters or e-mails to companies and tell them that you care about how your chocolate is made. Also ask them to make slave-free chocolate. Here is a Web site with a sample letter: http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/cocoa campaign/resources/10787 3. Finally, you can use your voice to raise awareness about what is going on in the Ivory Coast. So please tell your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to spread the word. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, VISIT:

http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/ cocoa-campaign http://getinvolved.transfairusa.org/ site/PageServer?pagename=Organize_ landing&cvridirect=true http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gktid0YO9s

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KEEP IT

by Leslie White

SALTY T

his whole salty movement has piqued my interest.

Of course I know the scriptural reference Matthew 5:13. Familiar scripture, right? We are the salt of the earth. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m drawn to this phrase, but why? Before I completely embrace something I like to have a full understanding of it. I have come to find that the Word of God always has a meaning that is more than what meets the eye. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look at the natural. What is salt? What are the beneficial uses? What detriment can salt cause? Follow me on this salty trail...we are going somewhere! Salt is an essential mineral. So without it we will die. Interesting! Next we find salt has a basic taste and is a powerful preservative. It is an important regulator of fluid balance in cells and over consumption of salt can cause high blood pressure. So lets bring this back to the spiritual so we can apply it to our lives, shall we? As Christians we should automatically be the salt Jesus was speaking about. So a Christian should display these five characteristics aforementioned. What does the word say?

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LET’S START WITH ESSENTIAL To be essential is to be something that is needed. Without the essentials, there is no life. So are Christians essential? The book of Revelation tells us that the Earth would be harmed if it was not for the servants of God. Chapter 7:1-3 reads, “After this I saw four angels stationed at the four corners of the earth, firmly holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind should blow on the earth or sea or upon any tree. Then I saw a second angel coming up from the east (the rising of the sun) and carrying the seal of the living God. And with a loud voice he called out to the four angels who had been given authority and power to injure earth and sea saying, ‘Harm neither the earth nor the sea nor the trees, until we have sealed the bond servants of our God upon their foreheads.’” The Word says it’s the servants of God who will be sealed. Not just those who proclaim, but servants, those who labor in this gospel. This is not just preachers. We all have ministries we can use to reconcile this world back to God. Are you working? NEXT, SALT IS BASIC Something that is basic is foundational, fundamental, at the base. Hhhmmm. Usually foundations are pretty strong, and they last through any storm. Is this true for the believer? According to Proverbs 10: 24-25, “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.” SALT IS A PRESERVATIVE Refer back to Revelation chapter 7. We are the reason the earth hasn’t been destroyed! Sounds like a preservative to me SALT IS ALSO A REGULATOR OF FLUID I like this one because in my current field I’ve learned a lot about this aspect of salt. Let me explain. In the cell, water always (unless hindered) follows salt out or into a cell to keep the cellular environment from being disturbed. If this didn’t happen, some cells would shrink and others would burst. How in the world does this apply to Christians?

When water is discussed in the Bible it usually has something to do with new life, baptism, floods, rain, etc... Well as believers, new life follows us everywhere we go. We carry the gospel, which is the truth and the key to everlasting life. “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21) And “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). We have the answer to new life (Matt 28:16-20), and those who follow after us will find it and have new life as well. FINALLY, EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION CAUSES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. Too much of most things usually turn out to be to our detriment. How can our saltiness be a bad thing? We all know high blood pressure can kill you. The Bible tells us to be wise with this gospel. When we “over spiritualize” and get “spooky” by putting pressuring people to conform, it drives them away from us! God is the perfect gentlemen. He will never force us to accept Him, and we should never force anyone to accept Him either. Salt is good, “but if the salt has lost its saltiness, wherewith will ye season it?” (Luke 14:34) Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Finally Colossians 4:6 reads “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with (not drowned in...) salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Leslie White has a drive to teach all that holiness is HOT and not an impossible dream but a lifestyle that is truly attainable with spirit of faith! A teacher of science by day and a teacher of the gospel 24-7 , she is indeed a lover of all things SALTY!

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July 2010

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Purity Issue : : Coming Soon