The Christian Lifestyle 12 by WeServe Media

E U S

| AUGUST - NOVEMBER 2022 | ISSUE 12 |

WOMEN

Playing a key role throughout history & essential to God's plan for salvation

TESTIMONY

Unshakable faith in the midst of a rapidly progressing cancer

FITNESS

Find your unique fit and smash your goals

MARRIAGE

For better and for worse: Faith that moves mountains

Y0UTH

Establishing your identity in Christ is essential to success in life

MEET MAGDA KLEYN:

"AS LONG AS THERE IS BREATH, THERE IS ALWAYS CAUSE FOR HOPE"

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

CONTENTS

AUGUST - NOVEMBER 2022

ON THE COVER

COVER STORIES 24 Be Intentional 10 C over Story: Transgressing Boundaries, Restoring Hope 18 W omen: The Importance of Women in Society 54 U nshakable faith in the midst of a rapidly progressing cancer 40 Establishing your identity in Christ is essential to success in life 60 C omparison is the thief of joy. Find your unique fit and smash your fitness goals.

REGULARS

4 6 5 7 8 9 30 48

Contributors Publisher’s Note Editor’s Note Have your say What’s Trending Prayer of Salvation Pastoral Interview Single, Celibate and Content! 34 Book: The Spiritual Battle for the Souls of Men 40 Youth: Establishing your identity in Christ is essential to success in life 59 Poetry 42 From Atheist to Apostle 50 Marriage: Faith that Moves Mountains 38 Love Liya Brand: Successful Entrepreneur at Age 10 52 Education 20 Caroline Jordaan: Spiritedly Artistic! 62 Recipe 65 Music 60 Fitness 66 Books 64 Movies 69 Local News 68 International News

GROWTH

Be Intentional

Prayer of Salvation

The Importance of women in society

Our childhood experiences vs those we establish for our children as parents

Comparison is the thief of joy. Find your unique fit and smash your fitness goals

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHER WeServe Media (Pty) Ltd DIRECTOR AND SALES Juanita Fortuin MANAGING EDITOR Claudene Sebolai MANAGING DESIGNER Fiona Milligan PRODUCTION MANAGER Devon Alcock CONTACT DETAILS GENERAL info@tclmag.org.za SUBSCRIBE subscribe@tclmag.org.za SALES sales@tclmag.org.za TEL: 081 514 5992 WEBSITE: www.tclmag.org.za WRITE TO US The Christian Lifestyle Magazine welcomes manuscripts for articles, but only after the author has first consulted with the editor via email with a short description and article brief. We will contact you if we are interested in the article. WeServe Media Group retains the right to publish articles as per our selection process. Writer’s guidelines are available upon request. The views expressed in articles and letters are the responsibility of the respective authors and not necessarily the views of WeServe Media and The Christian Lifestyle.

Meet some of our magazine’s amazing volunteer contributors! Want to write for us? Email info@tclmag.org.za and we will send you our writer’s guidelines.

Contributors: Juanita Zwavel, Claudene Sebolai, Tammy Lendore, Magda Kleyn, Dini Pascal Abanda, Charlene Ainsley, Traci Townsend, Love Liya Brand, Kyle Johnson, Jethro & Ornella Smith, Leeroy & Saadiqa Booysen, Jade & Ashwin Marcus, Dr Fay, Leon & Thea Clemons, Caroline Jordaan, Cynthia Booysen, Esme Adonis, Natashja Solomon, Derrick Grobbelaar, Dominique Adonis, Reinhardt Van Der Westhuizen, Coach Simon, Nadia Rinquest, Yolanda Petersen

CYNTHIA CECILE BOOYSEN

I’m Cynthia Cecile Booysen, a wife to Marius Booysen, married 12 years and mother of 3 beautiful children. I live in a beautiful Fisher community of Hawston in the Overstrand. I am a community development worker for Department of local Government for 16 years. I am also an entrepreneur and an ordained Pastor. I love working with people. My passion is to see people discover who they are in Christ; that gives me so much joy. My favourite Bible verse is Isaiah 43:1 “I have called you by your name, you are mine.” I am a very easy person to get along with, I enjoy good company, with people that invest in each other. There aren’t many things that bother me, but when you talk during movies, it does. I think it’s important to make the most of each day. Find your true self and aid others in doing the same!

NATASHJA SOLOMON

DERRICK GROBBELAAR (NAT DIPL. THEOLOGY, BCOM HONS)

I was born in Kroonstad in the Free State. My father was a farmer; therefore, I spent my first eleven years of life on a farm. My father is also a minister, and I am the fourth generation of pastors in my family. This despite the fact that I initially had no desire to become a pastor. I graduated high school in 1987 and attended BCom and Honors courses at North West University. I was working for eleven years prior to entering the ministry full time.

I am from the beautiful community of Bishop Lavis. My strength and passion lie in helping women and children on a grassroots level. I try to bring about a change in our communities as a whole through projects, workshops, and facilitating discussions about problems that women, children, and families face. My pet peeve is being asked to do something at the last minute, which I interpret as a sign of disrespect. I love bellylaughing. I usually appear serious, yet I love to laugh until I can’t anymore. I love dancing and singing in the car, something many people don’t know. Life gives us many reasons to give up, and many of us have, but the ultimate test is when we get back up and try again. Therefore, my favourite Bible scripture is Psalm 46:10, which reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.” To me, this verse signifies that in the stillness of our deepest being, God is always with us, regardless of the circumstances.

ESMARELDA ADONIS

I was born in the Northern Cape but raised in picturesque Hawston in the Western Cape. I have been a Christian for thirteen years and adore every moment of my walk with Christ. The sound of chewing or slurping is particularly annoying to me. I absolutely love Isaiah 43 and live by the quote that “only a fool argues with a fool.” I can’t tell jokes. I tried telling a joke once, but I laughed so hard that I never got to the funny part. For me, it’s not fair to place the responsibility for a terrible choice on one’s upbringing or other external factors once one has reached an age of discernment. Whatever the case may be, you must be willing to take responsibility for the results of your choices.

EDITOR’S NOTE

REMAIN PRAYERFUL While facing death, Jesus remained devoted to prayer (Matthew 27:46). According to the Bible, Jesus did not live in reaction to His circumstances and difficulties, but rather in response to the Father’s will. His devotion to prayer was unaffected by His many hardships. He prayed continuously. He prayed during the final hours of His life. On the cross, He offered prayer. His entire ministry was founded upon prayer. Jesus yearned for communion and fellowship with the Father; may we have the same desire. In Luke 18:1, Jesus shared a parable with his disciples that illustrated the importance of their maintaining a constant prayer life and never giving up on it. This wonderful mystery, that we are are in Christ and Christ is in us, was not only made known to Paul the Apostle, but it was also spoken of by the Lord Himself when He said, “Abide in me as I abide in you.” Our prayers, as The Christian Lifestyle Magazine family are always spilling over into thanksgiving for you. We are asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will so that you can acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We also pray that you will live well for Christ, making Him proud of you as you labour and do the work He has called and equipped you to do. As you learn more and more about how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you will have the strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy. We thank the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us. I pray that the words of each person who contributed to this issue bring you comfort and hope wherever it is lacking. Shalom!

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

TURNING

Turning 40 brings about a level of lifestyle changes that only the 40+'s will understand. Along with these lifestyle changes comes a huge joy of gratitude because one's life has been spared for 4 decades. I often find myself praying for longevity because I have more work to contribute towards building the Kingdom of God. But longevity comes with keeping God's commands in your heart according to Proverbs 3 vs 1 and 2, "My son (daughter), do not forget My law but let your heart keep My commands; For length of days and long life they will add to you." Today I am happy to proclaim that the long life is found in Christ. When we are Born Again we have a blessed assurance of Eternity. It is the Kingdom longevity that our sovereign Father graciously offer us. Friend, if you want to experience God's longevity page through our magazine to find the prayer of Salvation that will lead you to your new you. God bless Juanita Fortuin-Zwavel

We were featured in the 11th issue of The Christian Lifestyle Magazine. Thank you, Lord for this opportunity to share our story. Grab your coffee and enjoy a very good Christian Lifestyle Magazine. Ogo Favour IkechukwuEsiobu

May the Lord continue to uplift you! Sharleen Butau

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

CREFLO DOLLAR’S RECENT TEACHING ON TITHING HAS SPARKED CONTROVERSY. Dollar, a well-known televangelist and founder of the Christian World Changers Church based in College Park, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta have admitted that his past teaching on tithing was not correct in a sermon from 26 June 2022 titled, The Great Misunderstanding”. He however said,” I won’t apologize because if it wasn’t for me going down that route, I would’ve never ended up where I am right now. But I will say that I have no shame at all at saying to you, throw away every book, every tape, and every video I ever did on the subject of tithing unless it lines up with this.” However, many have taken to social media platforms to question the remorse of his admission. One such criticism is by David Croteau, Dean of Columbia Biblical Seminary, South Carolina,” What if Dollar had said ‘Get those books and tapes back to us, and we will refund you the money? Maybe that would have been so impressive if he could have done something like that.” Croteau used the example of Zacchaeus who restored fourfold to those whom he had over-taxed (Luke 19 verse 1-10). Zacchaeus restored to those from whom he had taken. Creflo Dollar had not done the same.

MORE COMMENTS FROM CRITICS AND FOLLOWERS: So while he was attacking the law all these years, he was actually practicing the law? However, many Christians justified the “tithe” by saying it was before the Law of Moses, however, so was the Sabbath. So please tell me again why they honor one and not the other? Gullible Christians will do anything to go against the laws of Yahuah! Facebook: DrKenneth Howard SO CREFLO DOLLAR FINALLY SAW THE LIGHT ,after HE BENEFITED FOR DECADES IN THE SAME WAY ALL HIS COLLEAGUES STILL BENEFITS,but GOD. Always been my stance on Tithing, however, I’ve never failed to give, as God purposed and still purposes in my heart to give. WEW Facebook: William Eugene Wildeman Thank you for embracing the truth. This is one of the right things you have done since the ministry began. Facebook: Zebedee Forcados

PRAYER OF SALVATION The prayer of salvation/ sinner’s prayer is not a magic formula. Its meaning is deeper than reciting mere words. The Bible teaches us in Rom 10:9-10 that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the death, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved”. In other words it is an open confession of our belief in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover this confession is the activity of the heart spilling over through the mouth. This is what the Apostle Paul means when he said “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” Romans 1:16. Jesus Himself says in Revelation 3:20 “Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” Maybe you are paging through this magazine because someone invited you to check it out or you just stumbled upon it as you surfed the internet. I do believe it is not a co-incidence. If something in this publication resonates with your spirit and inspires you do not hesitate to invite Jesus into your world as he knocks on the door of your heart. There is nothing more amazing than to fellowship with the King of kings. Below is an example of a prayer to except Jesus’ invitation to a relationship with God. You can also pray by yourself using your own words. There is no special formula as long as you pray from your heart.

Prayer: Dear Lord I believe that you died on the cross for me to save me. You did for me what I could not do for myself. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you. Thank you for not giving up on me when I gave up on myself. Thank you that You know the plans You have for me, to prosper me and not to harm me. Instruct me and teach me in the way that I should go. Counsel me and watch over me. In Jesus Name Amen

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

TRANSGRESSING

BOUNDARIES ,

Interviewed by: Claudene Sebolai

COVER STORY

Magda Kleyn, also known as Sister Kleyn, hails all the way from Petrusville, Northern Cape. She is the only sister out of twenty boys, so it’s no surprise that she’s been dubbed the ‘Iron Woman.’ Sister Kleyn always had a soft spot for helping others, even as a young girl; she dreamt of becoming a nurse. Nevertheless, she ended up doing much more than becoming the nurse she had always envisioned herself as. She takes an active role in society, and she pushes for social justice and development. Despite the fact that she grew up on the Cape Flats in a predominantly colored neighborhood, her cultural identity is a bit of a mix: “I was born to a Xhosa mother and a Sotho father but grew up on the Cape Flats. Therefore, it is very clear that God chose Sister Kleyn for a purpose that goes beyond the confines of culture, geography, society, and ethnicity. Despite the fact that she has a certificate for the 10th grade, Magda continued her study at a higher level. During this time, she also assisted her mother on occasion when she went out to earn a living by ironing for other people. The foundation for Magda’s strong work ethic and her thought leadership is the idea that students’ education should encourage them to combine theory and practice, which will allow them to make meaningful contributions to the world in which they live. Her six children are named Michelle, Victor, Henry, Brandon, and Calvin, and she has nine grandkids named Jude, Luke, Phoebe, Emily, Connor, Keturah, Harper, and

Chelsea-Grace. In addition to being a devoted supporter of the Stormers, she is passionate about a number of other topics, including community development, substance abuse, and domestic violence, and she enjoys interior design. It is a privilege to be able to get to know Sister Kleyn on a more personal level as she opens her heart to us and gives us a peek at the woman that so many people look up to and revere.

“AS LONG AS THERE IS BREATH, THERE IS ALWAYS CAUSE FOR HOPE”

PROFESSIONAL LIFE: FROM PASSION TO PROFESSION It makes no difference where you come from; what matters is that you have a vision for your life, that you tap into your God-given purpose, and that you maximize your potential. Magda Kleyn wears many hats and discusses her professional journey here. Hearing that Magda’s desire to become a nurse was not derailed by the fact that she only completed high school through the tenth grade is extremely motivating.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB TITLE? In addition to my role as Chief Executive Officer of Tehillah Community Collaborative, I am also an ordained Apostle, a qualified midwife, a registered marriage officer, and Chief Professional Nursing Sister.

WHAT OTHER JOB TITLES HAVE YOU HAD IN YOUR CAREER? My career in nursing lasted for a total of 47 years, during which time I rose through the ranks to become a Chief Professional Nurse.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THIS PARTICULAR FIELD?

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

Spending time working with people is something that I find to be very rewarding.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SUCCESSES YOU’VE ATTAINED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER? •

• • • •

The Premier’s award for the Province of Western Cape Province: Adult Category Old Mutual Sowetan Women’s Award The Lions Club Woman of the Year Award Ward 26 Committee Award The Mayoral Community Award: Community Hero of the Year

WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB OR THE INDUSTRY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST, AND WHY? The ability to see the improvements that are made in the lives of the individuals I work with is by far the aspect of my profession that provides me with the greatest sense of fulfillment.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER? Through the years, I’ve gained the understanding that as long as there is breath, there is always cause for hope.

WHAT GUIDANCE WOULD YOU PROVIDE TO A YOUNGER INDIVIDUAL SEEKING TO ADVANCE IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELD? NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! In the words of Joanna Gaines “Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning—and he will be there until . . . The End.”

MINISTRY: “SHE IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH AND DIGNITY; SHE CAN LAUGH AT THE DAYS 12

TO COME.” ~ PROVERBS 31:25 Magda’s devotion to her ministry is commensurate with her dedication to her professional life. Evidently, she is not interested in the status quo, in settling for mediocre standards, outcomes, ideas, or vision, or in engaging in minor conflicts. She is a woman in ministry, and the service of God has been ingrained in her from the day she was born. Following is a quote from Priscilla Shirer that sums up Apostle Kleyn beautifully. “God’s plan for you is to move you into a position of impact by infusing you with truth and employing you in prayer. You don’t need to be a genius to do it. You don’t need to learn ten-dollar words and be able to spout them with theological ease. You just need to bring your honest, transparent, available—and, let’s just say it—your fed-up, over-it, steppedon-your-last-nerve self, and be ready to become fervently relentless. All in His name.” ― Priscilla Shirer

Magda with her grandchildren

WERE YOU BROUGHT UP IN THE MINISTRY? Yes, I did spend my childhood in a home where both of my parents worked in the ministry as they brought up my siblings and me.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CALL TO MINISTRY? God’s words to Jeremiah (1:5) are so true: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Before I was even aware of it, I had already started living out the responsibilities of my calling. I gave my life to Christ and was baptized at Princess Vlei in Cape Town when I was 12 years old. It was an incredible experience!

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES YOU TRY TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? I don’t adhere to a specific schedule, but I do have a continuous dialogue with God. I try to point others in the direction of Jesus

Magda receiving the Mayoral Community Award Christ. I am always making sure that others are aware that they should place their faith in God rather than in me. Tehillah is the name of my organization, and it literally translates to “Highest Praise to God.” I make it my mission to live up to the standards set by the name of my organization in everything that I undertake.

HOW DO YOU RESOLVE CONFLICTS WHEN THEY ARISE? I am renowned for being honest and straightforward, and I approach disagreement head-on because I believe that no matter how difficult the circumstance, there is always a way to find a resolution.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE

Left: Addressing school children and creating awareness on social ills; Right: Handing out school shoes to children.

THAT YOUR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH IS ALWAYS IN GOOD SHAPE?

HAD TO LEAD A GROUP OF PEOPLE THROUGH A DIFFICULT TRANSITION?

Through my relationship with Jesus Christ and the quality time I spend with my family. Spending time with one’s family can be beneficial in a number of ways, including the development of one’s self-confidence, the formation of a deeper emotional bond between members of the family, the enhancement of one’s communication skills, improved academic performance, and fewer behavioural problems, as well as the provision of an opportunity to form memories that are based on fun, laughter, and being with one another.

My work and ministry activities require me to lead individuals through times of escalating substance abuse and domestic violence on a daily basis. Not to mention the challenge of guiding individuals through the pandemic. My view is that there is a potential opportunity to be gained from each and every crisis and that both leaders and organizations are shaped by their experiences in times of hardship.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE MINISTRY EXPERIENCES?

My 26 years of experience have equipped me with the skills necessary to successfully balance my work responsibilities, my family obligations, and my other interests. I believe that when God continually reminds me of His calling on my life, it serves to both refresh and strengthen me.

My favorite experience is watching other individuals grow into their full potential as followers of Christ. It breaks my heart to see people get hurt in churches, and seeing people abandon the call that God has placed on their lives is my least favorite thing.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BIBLE PASSAGES? 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” God said it that settles it! In my opinion, people’s pasts are held against them in an unfair manner, and this is very common.

ACCORDING TO YOU, WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING THE CHURCH TODAY? Churches are unable to retain members and provide spiritual guidance to individuals. After conversion, there is not always a follow-up plan in place, and as a result, some people find themselves returning to their previous lifestyles.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU

PLEASE SHARE YOUR STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING AND AVOIDING BURNOUT.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE AS A WOMAN IN MINISTRY? It’s unfortunate that we still live in a day and age where the presence of women in ministry is still stigmatized and looked down upon. Throughout the years, there have been some modifications made to it, but it is still present. There is still the belief that women do not belong in ministry and that they should not be given the opportunity to speak up. It would appear that I am a threat to males in ministry, but the upside is that I am a mother at heart and soul, and this enables me to successfully fulfill all of my numerous tasks without giving any thought to people who don’t believe in me.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOMEN, SINCE IT IS WOMEN’S MONTH? When you finally come to terms with who you are and THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

whose you are, not only will the game itself change, but also your perspective on life in general will. The understanding of one’s identity is essential because, once obtained, it enables one to pursue one’s predetermined path with unstoppable fortitude and confidence.

to fruition, presents the most difficult obstacle. The state of one’s finances is another significant source of discomfort. Over the course of my life, I have gained the wisdom to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and development rather than as obstacles in and of themselves.

TEHILLAH COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE: FORGED THROUGH TOUGH TIMES NOT DEFINED BY IT! YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY AND WORKING HARD IN THE TRENCHES. HOW DID THE VISION FOR TEHILLAH COME ABOUT? (THIS INCLUDES THE CENTER AND THE CHURCH)

TELL US ABOUT THE WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.

In response to the suffering that I witnessed in the community in which I had spent my formative years, I established Tehillah in 1992. The dream first consisted only of a soup kitchen, but with God’s grace it grew to encompass more. Not only did I experience domestic violence as a child, but also later on in my marriage. My history reflects this. My upbringing took place in a neighborhood that is notorious for its high rate of gang activity and widespread poverty. Because of the stigma that is associated with those who are rejected not just by society in general but especially, tragically, by the church, I felt driven to establish a church of my own. Tehillah Ministries Extreme Oasis is the name of our church because we are an oasis that assists people who are going through extremely difficult situations. Today, Tehillah Community Collaborative is composed of the following four Clusters: Social Services Cluster, Health Cluster, Educational Cluster, and Arts and Culture /Youth Cluster. The motto of the organization is “embracing change,” and Tehillah Ministries is a place that welcomes everyone, where everybody is somebody.

THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF ANY VISION. WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT, WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE, AND WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE NOW? Both then and now, we are faced with a variety of challenges. However, the mentality of two groups of people, the naysayers and those who believe in the vision but don’t yet see it coming 14

We offer a 24-hour holistic communityorientated primary care service that entails: • a safe haven called House of Magda houses 140 people, currently homeless, rejected frail people who are too young for an old age home but too sick and frail to stay on the streets, • substance abuse center that can cater for 40 beds of which government funds only 9 beds a quarter but the rest is means test dependant or free as substance abuse is a major increasing concern, • 75 Homebase carers who do 6000 home visits a month, community care workers specifically work with HIV Aids and TB defaulters, • Counselling and social services, medimobile that delivers door-to-door prescribed medication, and currently they deliver 8000 – 9000 medication per month, and this is done by a team of 12 specialized people. • 4 community care workers who do wound care, • a church, • early childhood development which is specifically aimed at assisting the parents or guardians who are government child support grant recipients.

OUR PRESIDENT DESCRIBES GBV AS A SECOND PANDEMIC. EXPLAIN HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS SUBJECT AND WHY YOU ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE STRUGGLE TO END GBV. I am a survivor of gender-based violence, and at one point in my life, because of my severe depression, the doctors told me that I will never reach the age of 35 due to all of the trauma that I was enduring; however, by the grace of God, I am at the age of 65. Another person who has triumphed over severe instances of gender-based violence is my own mother. This

problem and this evil feel especially close to home to me because I am able to empathize with the people who have been victimized by it. The unfortunate truth is that children are almost always the ones who end up bearing the brunt of the consequences of whatever action or inaction was taken.

and many of them prefer to suffer in silence rather than draw attention to their situation.

will never go back anymore.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SUCH A WOMAN?

Tehillah Community Collaborative No.196, 16th Avenue, Leonsdale, Elsies River, Cape Town Mobile No: 072 302 9638 Landline: 021 933 0990

Break the silence and seek assistance, as it is possible for us to collaborate with both the perpetrator and the victim. If she does not

CONTACT DETAILS

Left: Feeding the community during Magda's 60th Birthday Celebrations; Right: Cake cutting with some clients at the Safe Haven

WHAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST HEART-BREAKING INCIDENTS YOU DEALT WITH IN THE COMMUNITY? It was the most heart-breaking experience to have to tell a mother that five of her daughters were HIV positive. Also, telling a mother that her daughter, who is 12 years old, was raped by a neighbour who is still living next door to them. Especially concerning is the common practice of family members deserting elderly or mentally ill members of their family at medical facilities.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS, IN YOUR OPINION, THAT WOMEN REMAIN IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS? In the majority of abusive relationships, the abuser is also the primary source of income. The victim of domestic violence is of the opinion that she will be unable to provide for her children if she takes legal action against her abuser because doing so will result in the loss of their household’s income. Unfortunately, abused women are also stigmatized,

seek aid or have an intervention conducted, the children will suffer, presuming there are children involved.

ARE VOLUNTEERS ACCEPTED AT TEHILLAH, AND IF SO, WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO BECOMING A VOLUNTEER? Volunteers are welcome to join us, but before they can do so, they will have to go through a screening process and follow the guidelines established by our organization.

HOW CAN INDIVIDUALS SUPPORT YOUR WORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY? By becoming an active stakeholder, bringing their expertise to the table, and providing support in the form of both financial and in-kind contributions. We have compiled a list of requirements that is accessible to anyone who makes a request for it.

I BELIEVE THAT WHEN GOD CONTINUALLY REMINDS ME OF HIS CALLING ON MY LIFE, IT SERVES TO BOTH REFRESH AND STRENGTHEN ME.

WHAT WORD OR SONG IS IN YOUR SPIRIT THIS SEASON? Echoing through my mind and heart in this season is the song: “When I remember what the Lord has done, I THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

FOCUS ON WOMEN

WITH CURLSNCOFFEE

TELL US A BIT ABOUT NADIA RINQUEST.

ANY HAIR ADVICE?

I am a wife to Reuben and mom to our energetic 4-yearold daughter Maeve! I became a Christian at the age of 16 and have been following Gods plan for my life ever since. I have an Honours degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Economics and Policy Analysis. I worked in full-time youth ministry for about 10 years and now I do my days work as an economist. I am an avid Formula 1 supporter (go Red Bull!), and love travelling. In my spare time I enjoy creative arts like painting, visual journalling and all things craft such as making clay earrings and crocheting! My other passion is playing bass guitar, mostly in a worship band, and growing my indoor jungle with more plants! My philosophy is to live life to the fullest and have fun doing so!

I always share three important tips for ‘curlfriends’ wanting to wear their hair naturally: Use good natural hair products free of sulphates and parabens. As curly hair is naturally drier, using products that contain sulphates and parabens, tend to dry your hair out further. You want to hydrate and add moisture, moisture, moisture! Deep condition with once a week. There are specific deep conditioners on the market, that are relatively inexpensive, apply it to your hair and leave on for 20 minutes at least. This will add protein to your hair and keep your moisturised. Apply your products in sections after you wash your hair. My curl routine involves applying a leave-in conditioner, curl cream, a little bit of gel for definition and once my hair is mostly dry, I seal the ends with an oil.

HOW DID CURLSNCOFFEE COME ABOUT? There is not a day in my life that goes by without my curls and coffee. I mostly drink my coffee black, but there are days that just call for a cappuccino! With that being said, my little space on the internet erupted both naturally and serendipitously. I never imagined that I would connect with so many people who love their coffee strong and their hair, natural. I created the brand on Instagram and Facebook to connect with other ‘naturalistas’ and share about my love and support for local businesses and local South African products.

HOW LONG HAS CURLSNCOFFEE BEEN AROUND? CurlsnCoffee has been around since 2017 as a lifestyle blog. Since then, the brand has evolved from a natural hair and coffee blog to a small creative and craft business. During lockdown, I started experimenting with many different crafts and teaching myself how to create new products. I love making and selling my clay earrings and crochet products online and I also host craft workshops once a month where I share my craft knowledge with other women to inspire and empower them to be more creative and potentially start their own small business. 16

WHAT’S YOUR INSPIRATION TO FEMALES? I hope that through the way I live my life, that I am able to inspire other women to live their authentic lives! Whether that means proudly wearing your natural hair, loving your body or following your dreams, live your life in a way that is a true reflection of who you are. And love yourself!

MY FAVOURITE VERSE John 10:10 – ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (NIV)

MY DETAILS: YOU CAN FIND ME ON: INSTAGRAM - @ CURLSNCOFFEEZA FACEBOOK – CURLSNCOFFEE

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

FOCUS ON WOMEN

IMPORTANCE OF by Derrick Grobbelaar

IN SOCIETY

As South Africans, we celebrate women’s month during August, with 9 August being Women’s day. These celebrations may vary. To some, it is just another public holiday, meaning we can do what we feel like doing when we feel like doing it. To others, it is a day to attend some political or other meetings where speeches are made about women, their rights, challenges, achievements, and the abuse of women that is so evident in our country. Yet to others, it is a day filled with all the responsibilities of any other day. Throughout history, women have played a vital role in society. Since the earliest days, we read how God has used women in various ways. Some of the roles they played could be described as not generally associated with women. Some would describe it as roles more suitable for men. One such old testament example we find in Judges 4 Deborah’s story. She was both a prophetess and was judging Israel at the time. Not one of these roles was usually associated with women at the time. Israel was suffering at the hands of the Canaanites due to their disobedience. When they called on the Lord, He used Deborah. What Deborah did, was very uncommon for women to do at the time. This lady summoned Barak, one of the military leaders, to go and attack the Canaanites. He was unwilling to go without Deborah going with him. She agreed. Can you imagine an army warrior hesitant to go to war without women accompanying him? Barak’s weakness of faith caused another woman to step on the scene. She is a lot less famous than Deborah. In fact, besides her name appearing in four verses of Judges 4 and two more times in Judges 6, we see nothing else of this woman called Jael. While Barak was pursuing the Canaanite army, Sisera, the commanding officer of the Canaanite army, was fleeing by

foot. On his way, Jael, what we would call an ordinary woman, called him to her tent. While he was sleeping, Jael killed this suppressor of Israel by driving a peg into his skull. The result of this heroic act being Israel delivered form Canaanite oppression. In the New Testament, we read about various women such as Dorcas and others, whose names were not even mentioned, who played vital roles in their communities. We also read that women supported Jesus’s ministry in various ways. The presence and influence of women are pretty evident throughout our communities. Today it is nothing different. God is still using women in various roles in society. These roles include prominent roles in politics, science, engineering, and business, to name but a few. These women I would call the Deborahs of the Old testament. Those who are known, recognized, and celebrated. We thank God for every one of them. Our communities are, however, filled with Jael’s. These are the infamous women silently going about their business every day. These are the women you will not read about in the newspaper. You will not see them on television. They may not even have a personal blog, but they are making a massive difference in the lives of millions daily. They are encouraging, healing, supporting, learning, and comforting as only women can.

These are the unsung heroes of the day. You will find them not only in various roles in our communities, serving our communities. You will find them caring for the sick and needy with their own resources. You will also find a few at home taking care of their own, and sometimes even other children. These women are the anchor and most significant supporters and inspiration of some of the world’s most powerful and influential men. You will rarely read about them. You rarely hear anybody singing their praise, but these women keep households, communities, and countries going. Many men struggle to acknowledge the fact that we need women. We need them in many ways. Let us all recognize their immeasurable value to this world. May all woman realize their worth and contribution to our world. Whether you are the Deborah or the Jael, God values you highly, so He paid for you with His blood.

THESE ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE DAY. YOU WILL FIND THEM NOT ONLY IN VARIOUS ROLES IN OUR COMMUNITIES, SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES. YOU WILL FIND THEM CARING FOR THE SICK AND NEEDY WITH THEIR OWN RESOURCES.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

CAROLINE JORDAAN:

FOCUS ON WOMEN

Since she was a child, Caroline has pursued her passion as an artist. With a paintbrush in her hand, she painted the walls, her legs, and her sister as she grew up because she was raised by an artist mother who always had art supplies close at hand. Her artistic talent was discovered at a young age. She recognizes that it is a gift from God and that 20

it is to be used to glorify Him. Her prayer is that God will use her art to help people encounter Him and be ministered to by Him. Art is powerful and it speaks in ways that cross boundaries where words and language fall short. Caroline is awestruck by the magnificence of God’s creation in nature. He is the ultimate Artist

and has no rival. His magnificent canvases span the heavens, displaying brilliant colour and beauty that no one can match. The same hands created the tiniest little flowers and creatures with the most intricate detail—so small that we easily overlook them. Her inspiration comes when she sees the way sunlight illuminates leaves...or fields

WOMEN IN ART of wildflowers dance in the wind. In these moments, time seems to stand still. She savours the moment and then communicates it via her art as a form of worship.

Her primary focus is portraiture and landscape, although she also paints a wide variety of other topics in realistic oil paint. She relishes the task of upholding the high bar set by realism. As a professional artist, she accepts commissions and ships worldwide. Caroline got the idea for Curious Creations after what she saw during her morning walks around Cape Town during the 2020 pandemic, and after reading a book about the industrious Proverbs 31 woman who “does something with what is in your hands right now.” The collection now includes approximately 100 hand-illustrated designs that are unique, fun, and quirky. There is something for every heart and occasion, from pastel-toned proteas to skateboarding bulldogs and giraffes with scarves! Birthdays and life should be celebrated and cherished. It’s the aim of each card to bring a spark of joy into someone’s life. For more information visit www.carolineart.co.za

ART IS POWERFUL AND IT SPEAKS IN WAYS THAT CROSS BOUNDARIES WHERE WORDS AND LANGUAGE FALL SHORT.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

FOCUS ON WOMEN

CHRISTIAN WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, SOUTH AFRICA & BEYOND Exodus 23:20 – “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and bring you to the place I have prepared for you.” WHAT A PROMISE FROM OUR GOD OF GLORY! As a business woman, a mother, sister, daughter and friend in an ever changing global climate, may that be socially, economically or simply general life – we all have that one scripture verse that we cling to. We embrace our preferred verse with all our might in times of joy and trouble and of course every moment in between. I have the privilege of serving on a few international boards – some in a global advisory capacity and others as an active director. I have also had the immense honour of speaking on platforms across the globe on a multitude of weighty (but very relevant) topics. At times, I am invited as a panelist/ speaker, a plethora of times, praise God, as the Chief Guest Speaker representing our home country, South Africa, tackling issues such as the United Nations Policy Implementation Challenges and Opportunities;

World Researchers Summit 2022, International Women’s Day, United Nations: Women, Gender and Development as it relates to the UN SDG 5, Women in Mining -SA, Businessuite Women on Twitter Spaces to name but a few. The talks continue this month of July 2022, again I am blessed to represent South Africa as the Chief speaker on two pertinent topics. As grand as all of this may sound – the question I always ask myself is: “How do I action effectively and efficiently, simultaneously acknowledging that in ALL things the glory belongs to GOD - Alone! How do we go up against a secular world, especially in business and not lose our way? How do we hold fast to our Christian beliefs and operate from a space of sound biblical truth and sound theology? Yes - these questions beg an answer! In my opinion it is becoming

increasingly more difficult. Fact! As Paul Washer so aptly states: “The lost world is not so much gospel hardened as it is gospel ignorant because many of those who proclaim the gospel are also ignorant of its most basic truths”. Should the current way of the world surprise us as Christian Men and Women in business? – Absolutely NOT! We are assured in Matthew 24:13 – “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” We are certainly living in an era unparalleled, where adversity is rife, human apathy is at its highest. The diversion from living a righteous, holy and pure life is fading against the backdrop of an exploitative world view garnished through social media, main stream music (we could confidently add current-day main stream Christian music), literature, education, economy, modern family structure, gender mis-

WOMEN IN BUSINESS identity and the likes. I am under no disillusion that I have the solutions to any of the above – I might have a few recommendations but that is a far stretch from an actual solution that serves our people – God’s people. My conscience is stirred as I ponder these thoughts deeply. Often finding myself thinking of ways to implement Kingdom Principles in my everyday walk and in business. I have been graciously granted platforms to influence people around the world in very many countries through my words and speech.

LET THE REMNANT RISE UP! May we effect change for generations to come. May we walk in the path of truth – standing steadfast in the surety of my favorite bible verse: “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and bring you to the place I have prepared for you.” Indeed, we are pre-destined to a place and space already prepared for each one of us. What a PROMISE from our GOD of Glory! Article written by: Dr (hc) Yolanda Petersen

AM I SERVING GOD AS I SHOULD? Are all of us serving God as we should? I am then reminded of the sobering piece of scripture – Matthew 25:29 “For to everyone who has more will be given, and he will have in abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away”. I always ensure that I end my talks, coaching sessions, counselling sessions and business meetings on a positive note. This is intentional and deliberate!

THERE IS HOPE AND TOGETHER WE CAN! My hope is that we use our God-given talents, skills and abilities and prove to be faithful in what has been allotted to us. May the grace bestowed and entrusted upon each one of us increase and multiply to the advancement of the Gods Kingdom. May we be cognisant of the SEASON GOD has us in! May we trust that God can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever envisage. Understanding that there are covenantal terms attached to God’s blessing. Blessings HE so lavishly longs to bestow on those who love HIM and follow His commands. As Christian Women in Business, in life and in motherhood requires nonconformity. Going against the grain of the patterns of this world is our saving grace. Growing daily in Christian value and virtue is key. Acute awareness of our constant need for transformation and the renewal of our minds, grants us the peace the world so desperately seeks. I am too of the opinion that sound discipleship in the modern day church is needed.

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ENCOURAGEMENT

intentional

By: Dominique Adonis

“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into His abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfil and wants me to discover. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however, I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory prize through the anointing of Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14, The Passion Translation It has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And while I can appreciate this quote and the motivation behind it, I feel the need to clarify that the matter of heaven and hell is not determined by intentions but by faith (Eph. 2:8-9), so there’s that! And that being intentional is more than just the wishy-washy desire to do or see something come to fruition. Being intentional speaks of taking deliberate action towards a desired end or goal. We all crave significance, we want our lives to matter and that’s because God created us on purpose, for a purpose. You can say that God

was intentional when He knit you together in your mother’s womb. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13 NIV Your eye color, hair texture all the way to your ethnicity, and gender were carefully planned. There are no mistakes with God. To your parents, you might have been a mistake, but you were in the mind of God long before He created you. “Before I shaped you in the womb I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that’s what I had in mind for you.” – Jeremiah 1:5 The Message God works all things, including your life, according to His purpose and purpose is a powerful thing. Dr. Myles Munroe said, “where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable.” Allow me to add.. “where purpose is unknown or ignored, abuse is inevitable.” Purpose determines the function of a thing. A crystal vase cannot be used as a cricket

bat, it will break because it was not created for that purpose. And so we sit with broken, hearts, minds, and lives because we or someone else operated outside of purpose. The awareness and revelation of purpose will cause us to be intentional, about time, relationships, resources, and opportunities. An unintentional life accepts everything and does nothing. An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance.” – John C. Maxwell. A passionate prayer life doesn’t just happen, healthy habits can’t fall from the sky. A successful career and credibility will not happen overnight and marriage is hard work. All of life’s most important aspects demand intentionality. God has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us, however, we must be intentional about doing our part.

KEYS TO BEING INTENTIONAL ASK GOD TO HELP YOU SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

DAILY SCRIPTURES FOR INTENTIONALITY

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” – Eph. 1:18-19 Seeing the bigger picture helps makes sense of the pixel that is your life. When we can see and understand it, the distortion of frustration and discouragement gets moved from mountain status to challenges that can be faced and overcome. Ask God to help you see the bigger picture as revealed in God’s word and watch God put your life into perspective. Nothing like proper perspective to catapult you from where you are to where God calls you to.

Philippians 3:12-14 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Psalm 141:3 Proverbs 21:5 Galatians 5:16 Romans 12:2 1 Timothy 4:8

UNDERSTAND YOUR PURPOSE

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Rom. 8:28 Not knowing your purpose is not detrimental. Unfortunately, it trips us up every time. We literally get paralyzed thinking about how we don’t know our purpose. The truth is… understanding God’s purpose is our handle on understanding and accepting ours. Because when we know and understand the purposes of God we can trust His ways and His heart. Walk in God’s purposes and watch Him entrust Him with the details of your specific purpose.

BE STRATEGIC IN YOUR LANE

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” – Prov. 4:26 It’s a mess out here as we compare the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of our own lives with the picture-perfect lives others are posting on their social media platforms. Don’t get it twisted we cannot compare apples to grapes. The truth of the matter is that comparison is the thief of joy. Who has God called YOU to be? What has God blessed YOU with? What is God calling YOU to do? Therein lies your superpower. Once you’ve mapped out YOU.. you can be strategic in your lane.

FULLY REPLY ON THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” – Rom. 8:11

QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER RELECTION •

•

Which key areas in your life require you to be more intentional? What small changes you can make to ensure that you’re more intentional and consistent in doing so?

Nothing defeats the purpose of the life God has called us to like self-effort and its cousin, self-reliance. Do not make the mistakes I’ve made in this area, it is time-consuming, heartbreaking and an expensive lesson to learn, literally. Please learn from my mistake and take the steps needed to fully rely on the power made available to you through surrendering your life to God’s Holy Spirit. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

"MY CHILD CAN’T PLAY SPORT"

Over the years, if there is a phrase that we have heard over and over again it’s “my child can’t play sport”. When asking parents why they think this is the case, it normally comes down to one of two options. Either the parent does not consider themselves sporty and therefore classifies their child in the same boat or they say something like “my child just doesn’t like sport”.

SO WHY AREN’T MORE KIDS PLAYING SPORT? During our first few years on the planet, all our learning starts through movement. Young kids love to go outside and play, so why are so many children giving up playing sport at a young age? Our suggestion is because they are not introduced to sport/play in the appropriate way for their physical development and for them to grow a love for sport and play. Without this love for sport/play, it becomes something they have to do and not something they want to do.

SO WHAT’S THE BEST APPROACH TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS WANT TO PLAY? When I was growing up, I wanted to be a famous cricket player. I was told by everyone around me that the sooner I can do my 10 000 hours, the better. The “10 000 hour rule” suggests that in order to become 26

good at a single sport, you needed to practice at least 10 000 hours to become professional. But that was 20 years ago… Since then, science has come a long way. Although it seems quite obvious that if you want to get better at something you need to practice, it’s not about how much you practice but more about the quality of that practice. Kids who pick a single sport from a young age often get burnout of the sport and give it up after a few years (as they have lost their joy to play the sport). Evidence suggests that there is little proof that specializing in a single sport early on in life will give you any more chance of becoming the best in the world. Sampling a variety of sports and growing as an athlete is the way to go, if we want more kids playing sport for longer.

THE SPORTS HUB PROGRAM Using the Long Term Player Development model found in the South African Sports for life plan first released by SASCOC in 2012, the Sports Hub program was designed by its founder Henk Oosthuizen. The

program uses the sport sampling approach (also known as multi-sport approach) to make sure that every child can play sport. By making sure that a child achieves their age and stage specific physical development goals, the program helps children stay active for life. This happens whether the child wants to pursue sporting excellence, or simply wants to play sport to remain active and live a healthy lifestyle. The program takes children from Play ready (focusing on the fundamental movement skills) to Sports and then Match Ready (equipping kids to learn sport skills and play the matches of the sports that are popular in South Africa).

EVERY CHILD IS IMPORTANT We realise that each child is different that if we want more kids to continue playing sport for the rest of their lives, we need to make sure that each child gets individualised attention. That’s why the Sports Hub program promises parents that their children will be in a group of no bigger than 10 kids (to one coach). Sports Hub coaches coach sport

SPORT specific skills which is important but learning attributes like winning and losing are also a priority of the program. Sports Hub coaches are qualified/trained and are a massive part of why the program has been such a success. These coaches love kids and get the best out of our program by making it the highlight of the kids week.

HOW DID WE GET HERE? In June 2014, Sports Hub started at a small school in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. The goal was to become the best foundation phase sports program in the world, that young girls and boys would love. Since then, the program has spread like wildfire, with more than 70 schools, 2000 kids and 14 franchises around the country all choosing Sports Hub to help unlock the sporting potential of the kids at their school. The team of Franchise Owners and Coaches are out in the sun doing what they love every day, as the program reaches more and more children every day.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS Let’s get more kids playing and loving sport again! Putting pressure on your young kids to win when they are young and not allowing them to find their own joy in sport isn’t helping. Encourage them to try as much as possible and find out for themselves which sport they enjoy (which won’t necessarily be the one you enjoyed!) Do your research on the activity which you are signing them up for, making sure that it is in the best interests of their physical development and that it’s something which will help them grow a lifelong love for sport and play.

BUY A FRANCHISE

Sports Hub has Franchises for sale all around South Africa! To join the fastest growing Foundation Phase Sports Program in SA, please make contact with us! SIMON HOBBS SPORTS HUB CO-OWNER THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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PASTORAL INTERVIEW

WHERE YOU CANNOT SEE!

Interviewed by: Claudene Sebolai PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, WERE YOU BROUGHT UP IN MINISTRY? Ok, we are Jade and Ashwin Marcus. Two God-loving people with bubbly personalities. One a bit more bubbly than the other, we will not mention names. Yes, we were both brought up in ministry however, I (Jade) have a bit of both worlds.My parents were both estate agents whilst being leaders in the Lord’s church. Ashwin’s parents had been full-time for the last forty years after his dad had decided to leave his job as an almost train driver to follow the call of God upon his life. So yeah, we were both brought up in ministry. 30

How long are you married, do you have children and what are their names and ages? We will be married for forteen years, this year on December 27th. Blessed with two beautiful girls Mphumelele aged ten and Siphokazi aged seven.

HOW DID YOU MEET? We both grew up in Pentecostal circles, so I knew of Ashwin. I knew about his dad’s church and attended church conferences where I saw him. He may not have seen me (chuckling). As a young girl, I attended conferences called “Saamtrek” and saw a young kid (Ashwin) preaching. I remember wondering, “What type of youngster wants to be like the “groot

pastoor”?” Later, when we met, we were instantly attracted to each other. From day one, I knew he was dedicated to God and His people. I knew if I married him, I’d have to do the same. At the time of our marriage, I was a student of arts and drama, while Ashwin worked in marketing and construction. After we were married, we moved to Saldanha Bay, where we were assistant pastors and started a church. We juggled the call to ministry as we navigated, feeling we could do both as we listened to God and did our own thing because we were young and had no intention of being in full-time ministry. But we couldn’t do both. We lost our home,

two cars, and employment in my field closed. We understood we were going against God’s will. God was telling us we weren’t listening to Him. God wanted us because we weren’t sold out. His instructions were to serve the people. So, after losing the house, cars, suffering a miscarriage, and being newlywed, we accepted the

call to Saldanha Bay. While there, Ashwin was still in construction and continuing his own business activities, and God wasn’t happy since He called us for Him, His purposes, and His plan. A prophet and friend told me she dreamed of Ashwin preaching in a dry, strange region as the people approached closer. Before the dream ended, she saw Ashwin preaching to masses. On January 25, 2012, while I was seven months pregnant with our first child, we attended a conference in Cape Town. The preacher summoned us from the back. He predicted something will happen in a few days, which worried me as a 7-monthpregnant woman. He stated it will transform our life. Knees were weak. On the 27th, two days later we were on a flight to Transkei. Accepting the call was easy but frightening. Ten years later we can confidently say that God was in it. Today we still happily doing ministry in Transkei. By God’s grace, help and sustenance!

WHAT SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

DO YOU ENGAGE IN ON A DAILY BASIS? Due to the small size of the Dutywa community, the church is active in many, if not all, activities. We provide spiritual care to the nearby schools and the local prison. Our church offers small groups for counselling purposes, midweek services and we do feeding schemes. By the grace of

God, our church is prepared to assist those affected by natural disasters in our town, whether it be clothing or food. God has enabled us. Our church is making inroads in the town of Dutywa.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH CONFLICT?

died and resurrected for the church. It is His duty; we are only stewards of the Lord’s church. We spend time alone as individuals as well. I (Jade) spend time alone with my thoughts and the Bible in prayer. My husband also does this. As a pair, we share time together. We communicate in order to gain each other’s input and ideas. Occasionally, we also spend

time away with our children to recharge. We sometimes rejuvenate with our kids. Working with different personalities will induce fatigue.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE AND LEAST FAVOURITE EXPERIENCES IN MINISTRY?

We maintain our neutrality. We try to bring all sides together to understand their perspectives. We know this is God’s church and must be open to new experiences to win people. By God’s grace, we’ve handled a lot of conflict in the last decade and won people over. That, I believe, is God’s heart in the midst of conflict. I live by the principle that we must love both God and people. They complement each other. Prayer and God’s Word help us resolve conflict.

We love watching God transform the lives of those who were once hopeless and irreparable. We have witnessed Him improve the lives of others. This is extremely gratifying and invaluable to us as ministers. Losing individuals along the path of leadership is our least favourite experience. Even if you desire to retain them with all of your heart, strength, and power. We are aware that seasons change and that individuals move on to new pastures.

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN YOUR EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING?

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE BIBLE PASSAGES?

The first step is to acknowledge that God’s church is not ours, so that there are no sleepless nights. He has

Ashwin’s is 1 Corinthians 15 v 58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Jade’s is 2 Chronicles 20 v 20: And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING THE CHURCH TODAY? We believe that the role and relevance of the church are being minimized. Covid has led individuals to assume that they do not need the church or a pastor, while Hebrews 10:25 states that we must not overlook the meeting of the saints. Possibly, you can survive without the church, but it is highly doubtful because man cannot exist alone on an island. We require one another for survival. The church is the only institution that can provide us with hope for the future, today.

YOU ARE PASTORING A HEALTHY AND VIBRANT CHURCH IN THE EASTERN CAPE . WHAT DIFFICULTIES DID LANGUAGE AND CULTURE POSE TO YOUR WORK AND HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE THESE CHALLENGES? A challenge. Early ministry was difficult. But we’ve let the people teach us and vice versa. Today, interpreters make talking, preaching, and witnessing easier. It was difficult with the interpreter at first since we weren’t sure whether they were delivering the message as we said it, but we’ve learned to trust them. The children are fluent in isiXhosa and have been teaching us. My 1-year5-month-old started combining isiXhosa and English. I’d pray to the Lord to help me comprehend what she wanted. The culture differs. People are still entrenched in their ways and customs, but by God’s help we’ve learned how to instil Jesus’ culture.

FROM WHERE YOU STARTED TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW, HOW HAS THE CHURCH CHANGED? The church has grown. We’re a multiracial church, so everyone can feel its beauty. Collectively, not alone, we succeed. Worship services are multilingual. We sing in Xhosa, Afrikaans, and English. We allow the 32

freedom of the spirit and welcome all nations. We serve Ghanaians, Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Congolese, Ugandans, etc. They feel free at our church. You can express yourself in your own language. God allowed us to do it and worked through us.

WHAT WERE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE CHURCH AND HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THE DIFFICULTIES THAT COVID-19 MAY HAVE CAUSED? We’ve buried several members since the pandemic began. We had to be hands-on when individuals were afraid to open their doors. My spouse buried nonchurch members occasionally. He helped families when no one else would and made Jesus renowned during the pandemic. God’s grace saved us. We keep the vision alive despite difficulties. Our church and community have been supportive.

HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE MINISTERS THAT ARE EXHAUSTED AND FEEL LIKE THROWING IN THE TOWEL? ESPECIALLY IN THE POST COVID 19 CONTEXT It is not easy, but we may say to our friends and colleagues in the many offices, titles, and churches: remember the journey. Always in my thoughts is the song, “When I remember what the Lord has done, I will never go back.” This nourishes us and keeps us going because the path ahead is shorter than the one, we’ve already travelled; maintain the promise. If God has stated it, it will be done. God’s calling is irrevocable. He has placed a calling on our lives as ministers, pastors, and church leaders. This cannot be consumed on the worst or the best of days. It endures forever. Seek out sound advice and positive counsel. You can succeed if you surround yourself with people who will inspire you to persist. Keep covered. Sit at the feet of wisdom and understanding and remain faithful to the call. It is something that God has imposed on us. He who called us is trustworthy. I usually recommend pausing but not stopping. It is acceptable to take a break for a breath of fresh air, but whatever you do, do not delay. Don’t stop!

Volume 1 DINI PASCAL ABANDA

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The violent battle for the Prayer Warriors

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Br. Dini Pascal Abanda

ABOUT THE BOOK The book you are about to read is the most complete work to date on spiritual warfare and the kingdom of Satan. It is detailed and factual, not theory. For the first time or maybe your second time, you will learn the truth about the Dark Kingdom: its organization, methods of operation and power. It is my sincere hope that this truth will make you free and enable you to effectively engage the Dark Kingdom in spiritual combat. For too long the Church has been told by her ministers that the devil does not have any power. But then we feel the harsh wipe of reality when a child is taken from us through death or a husband leaves for another woman. We try to be spiritual giants, but the lyrics and warning song from the world drops an unforgettable melody into our minds and spirits. The devil has great power in these days in which we live. We have opened the door to him in our Churches and he has come in to sit by the cozy fire. The devil is highly organized and he has enormous plans of heartbreak and death for you and your family if you don’t know how to stop him. In this book you will learn how to stop them through spiritual warfare.

Brother DINI PASCAL ABANDA We live in a day of exciting growth, when churches are experiencing a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and new believers are being gathered in. The challenge is clear. Christians need to be firmly grounded in the truths of scripture, so that they are equipped to give teaching and pastoral help to new believer. Perhaps the most significant words in the Bible are these by our Lord: “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 Bro Dini Pascal is a Cameroonian and a commission member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Buea Diocese of Cameroon. He has been in the renewal since 2009. He was elected the Catholic Charismatic Diocesan secretary since 2015. He has his calling in the deliverance and evangelical ministry and has been traveling nationally and internationally with the Divine message of the Kingdom. He had a degree in Biblical studies at St Augustine College Johannesburg South Africa.

Call/WhatsApp:0838941986 Email: dinipascal10@gmail.com

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

Volume 1 DINI PASCAL ABANDA

he most complete nd the kingdom of ot theory. For the me, you will learn m: its organization, s my sincere hope and enable you to gdom in spiritual s been told by her ve any power. But ity when a child is husband leaves for ual giants, but the e world drops an ds and spirits. The s in which we live. our Churches and y fire. The devil is ormous plans of your family if you book you will learn warfare.

The violent battle for the Prayer Warriors

Br. Dini Pascal Abanda

As one studies physical warfare, it is obvious that one of the most important ingredients of victory in battle is the ability to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your enemy. Although not always possessing superior forces or armament, the winning army in a battle engagement usually possesses superior skills in the exploration of enemy forces. This includes: strengths, weaknesses, type of armament, possible strategies in warfare, etc. Is not the same true for spiritual warfare. Should we not know what are the strategies, power, types of organization of forces and other vital information about the army that our sworn enemy the devil commands? These are vital truths which the Church needs to understand if we are to wage the “good fight of faith.” The religious clichés – “Don’t worry about the devil, he doesn’t have any power; greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world; the devil doesn’t have any power unless God gives it to him” – are not sufficient for victory in these times of extreme warfare in which we live. The spiritual warfare in our day is intense – a battle against God and His representatives on the earth today, the Church. Of course, we must not forget that power, like most other things is relative. Compared to God, the devil and his kingdom do not possess great power. However, compared to mankind in the flesh, the devil is very powerful indeed. Without the presence of the sweet Holy Spirit in our lives, we would be like a finely dressed soldier without any weapons against the attack of the members of the Dark Kingdom. But thank God for the Holy Spirit! Thank God for the Lord Jesus our intercessor who is seated at the right hand of the Father and “whoever lives to make intercession” for us in the Kingdom of God. Thank God for our spiritual weapons! Thank God for the precious gifts of the Holy Spirit and prayer. The Lord has so graciously given these to us. But none of these weapons will do us any good if we are not able to recognize the schemes and attacks of the devil. What good would it do you to know what to do if you cannot recognize an attack of the devil? If you are in the ministry, you will recognize the work of the enemy not only in your own church or ministry, but also among your fellow ministers. Ministers are very distrustful of one another, jealous, and quick to find fault with what a fellow pastor (Priest) or other minister is doing instead of rejoicing that something is being done for God.

This is a problem that is recognized. We realize it is wrong and that the Lord wants unity in the Body. What is the problem? Is it jealousy? Pride? Selfish ambition? Yes, but we must realize that these are only the symptoms of the real problem. The actual problem is our failure to both see and counteract the spiritual work of the devil, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and wicked spirits in the heavenliest.

THE SPIRIT WORLD DOMINATES THE PHYSICAL It is well known among nonChristians, that everything in the spirit realm takes precedence over the physical realm. The members of the Dark Kingdom know that everything is first birthed in the spirit world. This is because spiritual things are of a higher order than are physical things. The spirit world dominates the physical world. This is one reason the Word of God encourages us to develop ourselves spiritually and to set our mind on things above in the realm of the spirit. Whenever God calls a man or woman to a specific task or ministry, He births the ministry spiritually first. They may not even be aware in their physical body that this “birthing” has occurred, but it has already happened in the spirit world. Consequently the devil, being a spirit being, is alerted to this spiritual birth. He goes about immediately to destroy what God has established in order to make the ministry given to that person

be stillborn. This principle is also reflected in Herod’s attempt to destroy the Lord Jesus at birth. Reflect on the parable our Lord told of the Sower and you will also see this truth. Our inability to understand spiritual matters and spiritual things has hindered our whole understanding of the Bible, especially the New Testament and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit now during the Church age? How many things can you list right now that are His ministry? If you don’t know, how can He be your Helper? This great truth is borne out by many scriptures. Perhaps the best one for us to consider is found in Acts. “And it came to pass, that, while Apollo’s was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain Disciples, He said unto them, ‘Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?’ And they said unto him, ‘We have not so much as Heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.’ And he said unto them, ‘Unto what then were ye baptized?’ And they said, ‘Unto John’s Baptism.’ Then said Paul, ‘John verily baptized with the baptism of Repentance, Saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And When Paul had laid His hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues,

and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.” Acts 19:1-7 Paul does not find fault with the baptism of John because it was from Heaven. He says it was a baptism of repentance and in the faith of the coming Messiah. He goes on to speak of the faith of those who heard John as evidenced by their being baptized into the name of Him who would come after John, i.e., Jesus the Messiah. But Paul is not contrasting the baptism of John with that of Jesus as many have supposed. He is contrasting the baptism of repentance in water with the baptism of the Spirit or the baptism of (into) spiritual gifts. The Greek text, pneuma hagion, is nearly always translated as Holy Spirit, but it does not always refer to the Holy Spirit as we shall see later. It can also mean spiritual gifts and often does. It is evident that Paul believed in the doctrine of laying on of hands. This was considered an elementary doctrine of the early Church as evidenced in Hebrews 6:1-4. The early Church knew about and practiced the laying on of hands and Paul does so here in Acts by laying hands on these twelve men. “And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” These were the spiritual gifts they received when Paul laid his hands upon them. These gifts came from the Holy Spirit.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book you are about to read is the most complete work to date on spiritual warfare and the kingdom of Satan. It is detailed and factual, not theory. For the first time or maybe your second time, you will learn the truth about the Dark Kingdom: its organization, methods of operation and power. It is my sincere hope that this truth will make you free and enable you to effectively engage the Dark Kingdom in spiritual combat. For too long the Church has been told by her ministers that the devil does not have any power. But then we feel the harsh wipe of reality when a child is taken from us through death or a husband leaves for another woman. We try to be spiritual giants, but the lyrics and warning song from the world drops an unforgettable melody into our minds and spirits. The devil has great power in these days in which we live. We have opened the door to him in our Churches and he has come in to sit by the cozy fire. The devil is highly organized and he has enormous plans of heartbreak and death for you and your family if you don’t know how to stop him. In this book you will learn how to stop them through spiritual warfare.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR BROTHER DINI PASCAL ABANDA We live in a day of exciting growth, when churches are experiencing a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and new believers are being gathered in. The challenge is clear. Christians need to be firmly grounded in the truths of scripture, so that they are equipped to give teaching and pastoral help to new believer. Perhaps the most significant words in the Bible are these by our Lord: “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 Evangelist Dini Pascal is a Cameroonian and a commission member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Buea Diocese of Cameroon. He has been in the renewal since 2009. He was elected the Catholic Charismatic Diocesan secretary since 2015. He has his calling in the deliverance and evangelical ministry and has been traveling nationally and internationally with the Divine message of the Kingdom. He had a degree in Biblical studies at St Augustine College Johannesburg South Africa and He is the leader of Catholic Charismatic Renewal at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Brits under the Arch dioceses of Pretoria.

THE SPIRIT WORLD DOMINATES THE PHYSICAL WORLD. THIS IS ONE REASON THE WORD OF GOD ENCOURAGES US TO DEVELOP OUR- SELVES SPIRITUALLY AND TO SET OUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE IN THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT.

By: Natasja Solomon I’m sure you’ll agree that we all want to be the best parents we can be. We all believe we have a lot of parenting ideas. As parents, we have our own hopes and dreams for our children. But then life happens, and things spiral out of control, forcing us to be the parent we don’t want to be. We can become stuck in patterns of responding to our children that we don’t like, many of which we are familiar with, without understanding why. Our life experiences, like those of our children, shape who we are. Because parenting is so challenging, we get our information about children and parenting from a variety of sources, including our own parents, family, friends, child care, schools, professionals, and the media. As parents, we sometimes ONLY repeat what we know. Most of what we know comes from our own experiences, specifically how our parents raised us. Many of these experiences, as painful as they are, may have a long-term impact on us. The attitudes and perspectives we have about children, parenting, and families are significantly shaped by our early development in our biological families. Knowing our roles as parents and the impact we have on our children’s future helps us succeed. As parents, we may lose ourselves from time to time due to triggers caused by unresolved issues. Such occurrences can lead to situations that are harmful to both the child and the parent. As parents, it is critical that we do not allow our emotions,

particularly negative and toxic ones, to steer us. We don’t want to instill fear in our children and allow them to create their own little monsters. We need to watch our own behavior and even our tone of voice as parents because we are being watched by small little eyes all the time. I’d like to use this opportunity to encourage parents to seek forgiveness for their own childhood traumas and to listen to their inner child, who must first be healed. We are able to be a more present parent to our children as a result of taking the time to work on ourselves first. In today’s fast-paced world, we all know that family life has become complex and difficult to maintain; however, there is always hope, and we must keep it alive no matter what. In my work as a parenting life coach, I have met many parents who are overwhelmed with the task of parenting and who are susceptible to the influence of others (I do not see anything wrong in seeking advice but some voices cause more harm than

good). As parents, I believe we have the ability to influence and change our children to become the best versions of themselves. We can do this by influencing them through our words and actions to become responsible adults. So, as parents, we are the most important people in the lives of all children, not just our own. Our task is enormous as we shape the next generation with clear instruction from the word of God as stated in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS.

• Listening to your children while maintaining eye contact • Do not be distracted when talking to your child • Have fun by allowing them to lead the play • Mirror and reinforce good behavior at all times • Introduce new experiences THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Love Liya: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT THE TENDER AGE OF TEN!

“Believe in Yourself, Know Yourself and Use Your talent to Uplift Yourself”

Liya enjoyed playing with soft clay when she was five years old. She began by sculpting dogs, miniature food, ballerinas, and princesses, but her favorite sculpture was a small chi wow. She had plenty of time to practice during lockdown because her mother was on maternity leave, and we spent a lot of time together. Her mother recognized her talent and decided to purchase polymer clay. She watched numerous YouTube videos of American polymer clay artists. Creative Rachel inspired her. Rachel is a talented sculptor who creates cut miniature foods, and a few resin charms. They too purchased polymer clay, cutters, and other tools. Liya began by mixing her own colors with chalk pastels, adding her own designs to what she had learned to make it her own. Then we decided to make it into jewelry. We started an Instagram page to see how people reacted, and I received positive feedback. She was shy at first and didn’t believe in herself. Her confidence grew as she worked on improving her skills. My advice to young people her age is to believe in themselves, get to know themselves and use their talents to better themselves. We as a family assisted her in preparing for her first market in January of this year. She has already attended six markets this year. When she went to the markets, she received a lot of positive feedback, and she wants to pass that on to other kids her age. Living in South Africa is difficult, but by pooling our resources, we can build a stronger nation. Children, as they say, are our future. We are South Africa’s future, and we have the ability to effect change. Assume that each of us starts a business that will create jobs in our community. We can not only provide a job but also encourage those who work for us to be 38

the best they can be. I know it’s not easy because we don’t all have the same support system or resources, but I also know that when you spread positivity, people will be drawn to it and will help you in any way they can. We’ve had family, friends, and strangers join us and offer her assistance and support in a variety of ways. People are eager to assist when they see potential in the next generation. Liya is ten, and her generation is known as the Alpha Generation. They have a huge responsibility to help heal our country. Growing up on the Cape Flats, I witnessed many people struggle. When we see children begging at traffic lights, it breaks our hearts. This was not intended by God for our lives. When I see people struggling, it breaks my heart because I know that God has called each of us to a specific purpose. God has called us for such a time as this. We have been chosen by God to make a difference in our communities. All we need to do is pray and ask for His assistance. An ear to hear him, eyes

to seek Him, and a heart to inquire of Him as to why we were born. We must be God’s light and salt. Complaining about crime and poverty won’t help. We must win souls and create jobs. We must empower others. When we tap into God’s purpose, plan, vision, and mission for our life, we will experience transformation in ourselves and others. Daily prayer is vital. He will guide us. God arranged opportunities before we were born. Our names are in the book of life. It’s best to obey God’s voice and word, not your heart. As a parent, I hope and pray that we can support and encourage the next generation to be the best they can be. To those small souls who are called to be entrepreneurs; to be Kingdom builders. To develop their vision and mission. By doing so, we will make the world a better place.

Living in South Africa is difficult, but by pooling our resources, we can build a stronger nation. Children, as they say, are our future. We are South Africa’s future, and we have the ability to effect change. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

By: Cynthia Booysen

“DO NOT CONFORM ANY LONGER TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF THE MIND.” (ROMANS 12:2)

We are living in an era when identity is a hot topic of discussion. How we identify refers to not only how we define ourselves, but also how we want the rest of the world to recognize us. As young people in today’s culture, we are bombarded with images of what our identity should look like. Our identity as Christians is first and foremost in Christ Jesus, but how can we live that identity out? It all begins with our daily pursuit of Christ. Conform your mind to Christ, and learn and believe what God says about you. As the saying goes, “What you believe, is what you become” “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2) Young people frequently allow their experiences, mistakes, hangups, and struggles to define them. Their vulnerabilities define their identity. I recall a time when I was a young girl and struggled with low self-esteem, an inferiority complex, and rejection. Growing up, people told me I wasn’t good enough; they made fun of my dark skin, saying I’d never amount to anything because of how I looked. My identity and behavioral problems as a young girl were greatly influenced by the labels I was subjected to when I was growing up. My flaws and what other people had to say about me began to define who I was. When I first received salvation, I struggled to believe what the Bible said about me. I struggled for a long time to reconcile myself to God’s word and how He sees me. Beginning in 2017, I enrolled in a series of teachings titled “Renewal of the Mind,” and the Lord began to work in my heart about renewing the way I think during that series. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind.” (Romans 12:2)

TEENS Identity has a direct impact on our values and self-worth. We evaluate ourselves based on how well we perform when our identity is in our success. Being a preacher, singer, artist, or dancer are examples of performance-based identities. We assess ourselves based on our abilities. I used to work very hard in ministry and serve like nobody’s business. I later realized that I valued myself based on the applause I got from people, and when I didn’t get a thank you or praise from people, I based my value and identity on that failure. When a person’s identity is not rooted in Christ, they become like leaves on a tree that blows in whatever direction the wind takes them. We must teach our children the significance of locating their identity in the only one who never changes, God! This is something I’ve learned as I’ve walked in my transformed identity, and I believe it will help you as well. God created us on Purpose in His image – Young people must understand that their mistakes and hang-ups have no bearing on their creation in the image of God. God’s love does not fail, nor does it change towards us- Psalm 136 :1 “Declares that the Lord is good, and His Love never fails. God genuinely cares about the details of our lives- Young people need to be reminded of Luke 12:7...to know that God is concerned about even the smallest details in their lives. They must understand that He loves them so much that His concern extends beyond their ability to care for themselves. In Christ, our identity is solely based on Him and His Love. Our identity determines the type of person we will be and how we will treat others, so it is critical for a young person to work on identity issues as early as possible in life. The world says, “Find out who you are,” but God says, “Discover who I created you to be in Christ Jesus.”

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

P O STL

EIS H T

“LEADERSHIP IS SERVANTHOOD” By: Charlene Ainslie

My testimony is a colorful one, to say the least. After years of being a party girl and an atheist, the Lord gently led me to him in 2015, and on 7 June I fully surrendered my life to Jesus. People often tell me, “Charlene, if you got saved, there must be a God.” I went from being a menace to becoming a minister and an atheist to becoming an apostle serving my King and liberating the captives from everything I had been chained for. From 2015 – 2019 I immersed myself in the Word, worship team, and life group leader. I studied through SATS and then the Lord guided me to CSSM (Cape Supernatural School of Ministry) which is the South African counterpart of Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry and I completed 2 years there under the leadership of Prophet Sally Goodwin and the team. By the grace of God, I was ordained in 2019 via Kingdom Ministries International, a ministry established by the late and legendary Apostle Alfie Fabe, who was known for his inspirational preaching, visionary leadership, and global ministry establishment. Apostle Llewellyn Williams and the Fabe family continue to direct this magnificent covering that I am currently still under. In October 2019, the Lord gave me my first assignment: to put together a crusade on the football field in my hometown of Table View. Everything about that crusade was God-led, and six of the 52 churches in the community partnered with me to change lives and get the “church” out of the building. That day, we witnessed many miracles and many connections where fellowship, revival, and networking were essential. During this time, I also began holding Friday night meetings called “Upperroom Nights,” where we began to witness an increasing number of miracles, signs, and wonders. People were coming from

all over Cape Town to be immersed in the Lord’s presence and set free in deliverance. “Then Covid Happened,” those famous words that we will all remember for a long time. I went to Hermanus for a while to regroup and hear what the Lord was saying during those difficult times. We learned how to connect outside of the church building by using online services and getting creative with our connection and intimacy. It compelled people to not only praise the Lord in the building, but also to BE the church outside the walls, seeking his presence in the stillness of our own spaces. After I returned to Cape Town from Hermanus for a brief respite, the Lord said, “It is time,” and I resumed hosting the Upperroom Nights. This time, I was primarily focused on deliverance as my ministry, and I was really coming up against strongholds, powers, and principalities that had oppressed not only individuals but entire communities. God never fails to deliver, and many people were saved, healed, and delivered during this time. As most seasons change and evolve, so do I, and during this time, the Lord revealed to me that He was calling me to move into the office of Apostle and continue working with leaders in the community and surrounding cities, as well as connecting internationally with leaders from countries such as the Philippines, Uganda, Pakistan, and the United States. We continue to host online prayer, intercession, and deliverance meetings to encourage these five-fold ministers to walk worthy of their callings, serving Christ, and releasing captives. Marketing and design have always been a passion and skill of mine, allowing me to collaborate with various ministries and leaders to edify the body and glorify God. Our ministry extends beyond what we do behind the pulpit and into THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

everything we do. “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him,” says Colossians 3:17. So collaborating on a marketing, design, and social media platform is also part of my ministry. Here, I collaborate with other Christian businesswomen and have launched a project called Kingdom Connectors - Rise of the Ruth Anointing. This focuses on networking, partnering, and encouraging women in business, and how, just as Ruth learned from the other women in the wheat field, we can work, grow, and inspire together. If you want to join this group of women who support women in loyalty and love, find us on Facebook at @kingdomconnectors. In the account of feeding the 5000, Jesus said to his disciples, “You feed them” - he was speaking spiritually and naturally because the crowds were hungry. We need to feed our community with bread as well as meet their daily needs, so we have an initiative called Buckets 4 Africa in which we partner with local organizations that feed the communities. We provide buckets of dry food and milk blend to various NPOs and NGOs. There are numerous ways to collaborate with this initiative, so please contact us if you would like to learn more about it and how you or your ministry can help those in need. @buckets4africa I look forward to working with all ministers, leaders, and organizations who believe their congregations or teams would benefit from group deliverance. As Jesus preached, healed, and ministered in public, he also cast out demons, and we know He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), so this is desperately needed in the body of Christ today. Fear, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other issues are on God’s mind. Let us be revival rather than waiting for it. Please contact me for any upcoming meetings, events, or gatherings where my team and I can be a blessing to those whom the Father desires to heal. Let us wash each other’s feet because leadership is servanthood. Kingdom blessings

WWW.KINGDOMGROUNDMINISTRIES.COM KINGDOMGROUNDMINISTRIES@GMAIL.COM +27 71 628 2509 44

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

Meet Lisa Craye, Executive Director of Hands With Words, a Non-Profit Company, established to love, serve and uplift the Deaf into being a part of God’s Kingdom on earth!

Did you know that there are at least 600 000 Deaf in South Africa whose first language is South African Sign Language?

Hands With Words is spearheading the South African Sign Language (SASL) Bible Translation Project, having released the first set of SASL Bible passages in 2019 and preparing to release the second set of Bible passages in 2023?

Stay tuned for the next edition of CLM, where Lisa will help us understand more about the Deaf, The SASL Bible Translation Project and also of how God is fulfilling not only the mission but also the vision of Hands With Words!

CELEBRATING SINGLENESS

SINGLE, CELIBATE & CONTENT! By: Esmé Adonis Thirteen years ago, I made a decision that would forever define my season of singleness. Even though I didn’t know how much of an impact this decision would have on my life, I felt it was the right one to make at the moment. We tend to believe that sex establishes relationships; however, I grew tired of the lying, cheating, and feelings of being used. Why are we not being educated on the dangers of sleeping around? Because of unplanned pregnancies, our young girls have to leave school, our young men (the few who are responsible) have to leave school and find work, and our parents have to take care of our children. This generation is being forced to grow up, and the responsibilities leave no room for children to be children. The devil is a whole big liar! Children must be established in their Godgiven identities, and Godly principles must serve as their foundation; however, we have left it to the worldly system to tell them who they are and teach them about sex. Juanita Bynum says “we are not married because we are not single”, meaning that we first need to be delivered from the soul ties of all our previous partners. When we have sex with someone, 2 people/ souls/spirits become one, but becoming one was only ever meant for the marriage covenant. I started dating someone, liked him, and shared things with him. We started hugging and kissing, which led to him touching me in an inappropriate way (which to this day still angers me). I ended it because he wanted to sleep with me and I didn’t want to break my promise to God. Although I was lonely at times and craved companionship, my relationship with God was never jeopardized by it. I choose JESUS over any man, any day!

Three days of intense lust ensued (as we later discovered he had a spirit of lust on him which then also attached to me). God alone fought that battle for me. I cried and begged God to take it away. Lust subsided but lingered! Then one day, while randomly chatting with my mentor, she suggested I watch NO MORE SHEETS by Juanita Bynum. At one point, in the video, Juanita says to the audience to find a tissue and start wiping themselves down while declaring NO MORE (mention the person’s name here). I decided to do the same as I felt led by Holy Spirit. I started wiping myself down and declared NO MORE, NO MORE, NO MORE. I cried out to God to cleanse me and purify me and He did exactly that! Then Holy Spirit said to me, HER TESTIMONY WAS NOW MY DELIVERY. I pray my testimony will be someone’s deliverance in Jesus’ Name! A certain scripture has been in my life since the beginning of my journey, and I never understood why Father kept bringing me back to it. Isaiah 54:5 Your maker is your husband. I finally had my revelation in December 2021. Father told me: HE is to remain, my HUSBAND, as I am in covenant with HIM, as I still await my husband here on earth. Meaning, that if I were to engage in sexual activity, I would be betraying God, and I don’t want to do that! Being celibate isn’t a simple path. You need to be grounded and committed. It takes faith, courage, selfcontrol, and commitment. Loving God is what makes the WAIT worth it. I’m sure that God honors and respects our COVENANT just as much as I do. So, until I meet my husband here on this earth, I will forever wear my FATHER’S ring as a sign of our commitment and COVENANT! I LOVE HIM.

LOVING GOD IS WHAT MAKES THE WAIT WORTH IT.

A Year to grow in your relationship with God and find your calling/purpose. Situated in the Heart of Magoebaskloof Mountains – Limpopo Province, S.A

The Monthly cost for the Mission Year is R8600.00 per student, which includes all aspects of the G.A.P Year Biblical Study program, Adventure sports (some optional), Transport, Three meals a day, Accommodation & Amenities, out reaches, 1st year Bible School, Training in Evangelism, Haggai, foundations for Farming & so much more… THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

MARRIAGE

FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE By: Leeroy Booysen & Jethro Smith “Our faith should be in the One we’re praying to, not in the thing we’re praying for or in the prayer itself!” At around 6 a.m., eleven months into our marriage, I’m holding my pregnant wife in my arms as she drifts in and out of consciousness. Every few minutes, I can feel her body go limp between gut-wrenching cries of agony. I’m praying nonstop, trying not to think about the possibility that she’ll cross over to the other side and leave me sitting on the bedroom floor, holding her limp body. After a few days in the hospital, she returned with a flat stomach and a deep, silent sadness that I couldn’t solve or cure. Her joy seemed to die that day, along with our unborn child. She didn’t get out of bed for a few days after that. Days when she was 50

engulfed by darkness. She’d wake up in tears and stay that way until sunset. “God, why did this happen?” “Will we ever be able to have children?” “We are terrified! We don’t want to go through that trauma again!” These kinds of thoughts served as a soundtrack for this season. Days turned into weeks, then months, and I wondered when this period of deep mourning would end! Will it ever end? My wife was now dealing with nagging questions that couldn’t be neatly answered. “Am I sterile?” “Will I ever be able to have children?” If this season wasn’t difficult enough, a couple we really love in the Lord went through something similar and gave birth to a stillborn (we found out we were pregnant within weeks of each other and our kids were going to grow up together). “But why, Lord? We prayed! We intervened!” “Why, Lord? Will it ever end?” Have you

ever wondered if God didn’t answer your prayers because your faith wasn’t strong enough? Or how about another believer implying, “If only you had more faith, if only you prayed more!” Our own opinions and understanding can be so dangerous that they can shape and change our attitude toward circumstances, people, and God for better or for worse! How many times have we attempted to fit this complicated, wonderful life into a cute little package that we can manage, understand, and control? Can you recall the last time you heard untrue gossip about someone? Saying things that sound good and spiritual but end up betraying God’s image and heart. This is exactly what Christians do unknowingly when we begin to form our own opinions that contradict what the Bible teaches.

In a time when our lives felt completely out of control, with the enemy relentlessly attempting to shape our thinking, I was reminded of a Proverbs verse that I treasure. A friend gave me a coffee cup with it beautifully printed across the front! What a good way to start the day! Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Trust Him! My wife ran towards God rather than away from Him as she wrestled with Him to see things from His perspective. She found peace and breakthrough while reading the book of Samuel and the account of Hannah, who couldn’t have a child. 1 Samuel 1:6 says the Lord closed Hannah’s womb, but she prayed and cried out to Him, and He answered her prayer. She gave birth to his plan and glory. Samuel. A great prophet embraced God. God knows best; trust Him. God had opened my wife’s eyes to our situation. We don’t use his methods. He wants us to believe Him even when we don’t understand. Because Hannah believed in Him, God reopened Hannah’s womb. Too often, we blame our lack of faith for God’s unanswered prayers. We can deeply and unknowingly hurt others in an instant simply by implying, “God didn’t answer your prayers because you lacked faith or didn’t pray enough!” Could it be that God’s will, plan, and purpose are different from what I’m praying for? To comprehend God’s ways, read scripture. Jesus told His disciples to pray for the Father’s will in Matt 6:9-13. John teaches that if we pray according to God’s will, it will be done. Moses, a man of faith, begs the Lord to enter the promised land in Deuteronomy 3:23-27. LORD says, “Enough” “Don’t talk to Me about this!” 2 Sam 12: King David begs God to spare the child born of his sin with Bathsheba. He fasts and cries. Later, David wished to build a temple for the Lord, but God refused. His son builds the temple. David was denied

by God? The giant slayer wasn’t a man serve your gods or worship the gold of weak faith since he followed God’s item you’ve set up, oh king. Love it! heart. Our God can save us, but even if not. You may suppose these Old We won’t bow My God can answer Testament examples were hampered my petition, but I’ll still trust Him if He by sin. I did. So, let’s browse the New doesn’t. Testament, shall we? Paul, who wrote Prayer is a very powerful tool, and most of the New Testament, prays 3 the Bible teaches that it is impossible times for God to remove a “thorn in to please God without faith! That his flesh,” but God answers no and His being said, our faith should be in grace will carry him through (2 the One we’re praying to, not in the Corinthians thing we’re praying for or “OUR FAITH 12:7-10). In in the prayer itself! We Gethsemane, can trust Him even if He SHOULD BE Jesus prays. says no. Living faith is one IN THE ONE Jesus, facing that is rooted in the Living WE’RE PRAYING God. I’d like to encourage the agony of TO, NOT IN the cross and you. Don’t rely on your dying for the own understanding! Don’t THE THING sins of the let misunderstandings and WE’RE PRAYING disappointments influence world, prayed FOR OR IN Matthew your thinking. The amazing 26:29. “Father, thing is that we can trust THE PRAYER if it’s possible, Him even when the ITSELF!” let this cup outcome does not match pass from Me; our prayers. I recall the however, Your will be done!” Who night after our friend’s baby girl died. could accuse Paul or Jesus of lacking We stayed up all night praying and faith? But God ignored their requests. worshiping the Lord. We were hurt Let that sink in. Father’s plan, will, and weak as a result of our ordeals, and purpose was different than their but we were able to trust Him, and so own. In Daniel 3:17-18, Shadrach, can you! Meshach, and Abednego declare their It’s a decision you can make right confidence. If tossed into the flames, now that you’ll never regret! Trust our God can save us. And He’ll save Him with all your heart. us, oh king. If He doesn’t, we won’t

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION

DO YOU HAVE A DESIRE TO OBEY GOD, TO STUDY, AND INSPIRE HEARTS AND MINDS WITH OUR HISTORY During the early 1900’s in South Africa, there were no Bible Colleges in the country and theological education was only available through the public universities. A handful of ministers in Cape Town were concerned about this and set about addressing the need for independent theological education. They were determined to establish a college where the doctrines of the Bible would be taught. In 1923, they founded the Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA). The campus was initially situated in Mowbray, Cape Town and just before World War II the Institute moved to its present day home in Kalk Bay, Cape Town, where the campus buildings still bear the names of our great patrons: Marsh, Douglas, Daintree and Kingon. In April 2023 the Bible Institute of South Africa will celebrate its centenary – quite a milestone for any institution and one for which we give God all honour and praise! BISA’s aim then, was the same as today; to equip men and women for work in missions, ministry and the market place. Students come to us to learn ‘To Know Christ and to Make Him Known’. Using the Bible as their handbook, students from many nations have 52

been prepared in the Word and in practice for effective witness to people with differing worldviews in every walk of life. BISA is interdenominational (as in not linked to any church denomination) with students admitted from churches around the world. It is common to have up to a dozen nations and languages represented on campus.

WHY STUDY THEOLOGY? Have you ever listened to a Church Sermon or a Christian speaker on the web and wondered to yourself ‘Is this what the Bible really teaches?’ Theology is an important topic to tackle because we need the ability to identify authentic voices in an age where so many teachers claim to have authority on what is right or wrong. At the Bible Institute we teach the Bible as God’s trustworthy and authoritative Word; it is always at the centre of our curriculum and training. Our method of study and teaching employs a historic, protestant and reformational interpretation of scripture. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word revealed to men. We therefore accept the trustworthiness of its historical record, the authority of its teachings, and the truth of all Christ’s utterances it contains.

WHY CHOOSE US? The Bible Institute has a rich history of training men and women for the ministry, both in theory and in practice. Over the years, many students have been equipped for ministry in pastoral ministry and church planting, in missions, as child and youth workers, as women’s workers, as counsellors, as educators and in the general market place. Using the Bible as their handbook, students from many nations have been prepared in practical theology for effective witness to people with differing worldviews, in every walk of life.

WHAT’S OUR GOAL FOR YOU? Our concern is more than just to impart knowledge; we want to take that knowledge and use it in the development of the skills and character that students will need to be effective in their lives and ministries. Our goal is to help each student develop a Christian world-and-life view. We want each student to think creatively and critically about the issues they face in life and work. We don’t talk down from an ivory tower of high ideals; rather our training helps the student face gospel issues head-on when confronted by views that are not Biblical.

YOU WANT PRACTICAL TRAINING? Some seminaries focus exclusively on the academic side of theological education but at BISA we believe the pleasant fruit of theological studies is to be seen in the spiritual life of God’s people and in their service to others. Consequently, BISA faculty and students gather weekly in fellowship groups to pray together and have upbuilding interaction. Every semester also has a full “Quiet Day,” when the normally busy class schedule is dedicated to devotional meditation on Scripture and prayer. Throughout their studies all students are required to be involved in a ministry in a local church which is evaluated as part of their course. Every year each fellowship group goes on a ministry outreach with one of the lecturers to put into practice what they have been learning. Spiritual growth is encouraged in each student not only through ministry activities but also by encouraging students to stop and seek the presence of the Lord.

STAFF BISA employs full time, part time and adjunct lecturers, all of whom focus on academic and practical application in their teaching. In our Winter School courses, held in July, we host visiting lecturers who are experts in their field. The BISA faculty is supported by a team of dedicated support staff, many of whom are former students.

African governing authorities. Not every student can afford to spend three years on campus, or just want some foundational knowledge so we offer a year-long Gap Year programme (nonaccredited) looking at Christian foundations and applying them practically. For mature students in full time employment we offer a part-time Christian Leadership Programme (CLP), taught at several venues across Cape Town during evening sessions; the CLP runs over three years and is non-accredited. The BISA Winter School offers two weeks of intersemester tuition held annually in July. Winter School is open to church leaders and workers, offering subjects taught by international academics and researchers in their specific fields.

ACCREDITATION The Bible Institute of South Africa NPC is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training until 31 December 2022 as a private higher education institution under the Act. Registration certificate No. 2018/HE08/002.

IN CONCLUSION We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired, infallible and inerrant Word of God. It is complete in its revelation, final in its content and absolute in its authority. Students will study and practically engage with the Word of God and learn to handle and communicate it competently.

CHOOSING YOUR BEST COURSE The college has several hundred students involved in a selection of courses. Our flagship course is the Bachelor of Theology which is taught both on campus in contact mode as well as by distance learning/online mode. Both these B.Th. degrees are fully accredited with the South

If you have a desire to obey God, to study and to inspire hearts and minds with His Truth please give us a call on 021 788 4116 or visit our website at https://bisa.org.za/.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

By: Dr. Fay The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23v1-4). These are the words of King David and these are the words that became so true for me as I walked in the valley of the shadow of death…cancer. It crept up on me like a thief in the night that I never saw coming. This is a victory story of the Goodness of God in my life, how I have come to know the Lord as Jehovah Rafa - My healer. I, being an elderly mother of ten children turned 71 this last April, diabetic and asthmatic found myself confronted face to face with an uncircumcised Phillistine and right at Jobs situation of being diagnosed Stage 4, Higher grade Cancer classified as VERY AGGRESSIVE TYPE in November last 2021, after being aggressively attacked and dragged closer to the grave by Covid 19 for a month in July. The prognosis was not good and the doctors were certain that I only had two possible outcomes, death or permanently bed ridden but God had another outcome…Cancer free. 54

After the deadly Monster corona virus still on my recovery stages, September I started struggling with excruciating and unbearable pain on my back that crept fiery down my right leg. The Dr diagnosed this as a pinched nerve and referred me to undergo physiotherapy to help with the situation and the physiotherapist immediately put me on a cruch. The pain was so severe that it rendered me unable to drive, unable to get out of bed and since I was living alone at the time, this meant I wasn’t able to do anything for myself. One of my daughters that is based here in Cape Town contacted her baby sister that lives in George and told her to come down to Cape Town because my situation was not good. My son in law came to drop my daughter and two grandsons on my doorstep and she immediately contacted her siblings to report that my situation was not good. She took over the running of the house, driving me to physio and and from that point took over as my PA and Carer and a family PR at the same time, getting involved in all consultations ensuring that she spoke to the Doctors to understand what was going on. Within a week my kids had decided the time for me to live on my own was over and they took a decision that I move to a retirement village

TESTIMONY where I can get the best services and Lord the only provider who has our life plans at the palm of His hand, presented them with a wonderful Zonnezicht Lifestyle Living Durbanville where there was good services needed at the time like Health Services on site, food management team and incredible benefits that mean I am never alone. In a month, my kids and grandsons packed up my house, put things in storage and moved me into my new sanctuary. In the meantime, my daughter was dissatisfied with the diagnosis of a pinched nerve even though I was going to physio every week, the pain was not getting better, and she was uneasy about the degeneration of my mobility. She spoke to my physiotherapist who had already expressed her dissatisfaction and requested xrays to see what is going on with my spine. The x-rays showed that L1, L3,L5 vertebrae had become osteoporatic and brittle and a specialist intervention was required urgently. The medical aid plan I am on, does not pay for specialists relating to anything to do with the back. My kids rallied together and decided they would pay for the costs. On 15 November, one of my daughters took me to the emergency room as the pain had become unbearable and I was admitted by a Neurosurgeon. For the first time in over two months, I was pain free. My pain was managed so well that I was able to sleep through the night. I was informed that I might need surgery based on the x-rays and a reference letter from the orthopaedic surgeon, but the neurosurgeon needed to run other tests like MRI and the results were a blow more especially to the Surgeon and something funny was my calmness and peace I had inside and at that time I told myself that My Jesus will never fail me, He is the only Healer I know, I said very encouraging words to the Doctor that let us fight together, right there in disbelief he

booked me for CT Scan for following my Dr continued to manage my pain day, then Mamo, then Biopsy, then very well. I underwent 6 rounds of brain can and the settlement was the chemo in 4 months. Praise the Lord, engagement of the Oncologist and the cancer is not detected in any even then God showed up big time. of the tests. I can walk, I am driving My PA, PR daughter kept wonderful myself around, I cook my own meals, communication between siblings, my taking all precautions about my bones friends, doctors and Mom My world whilst doing exercises as well we are stood still and the spiritual battle for still jourbying with my Doctor with the my life began in earnest and by this bones. He is so determined to take me time my daughter was concerned with back to the tennis courtmy favorite my mental faculties and sport, and I have been felt that Meds were given new life. BY MY “SURELY impacting me negatively GOODNESS AND GOD. I'M FIRING WITH and that made her to ALL MY PLUGS IN THE MERCY SHALL drive all the way from FIELD OF MY FATHER FOLLOW ME ALL WITH THE MINISTRY George again to hold conversations with the THE DAYS OF MY HE CALLED ME FOR. Doctors face to face. When the diagnosis LIFE AND I WILL Within 2 days of her became apparent, DWELL IN THE arrival, she managed to the shofar blew, and I have me transferred to HOUSE OF THE requested prayer from another hospital that LORD FOREVER.” intercessors in my works with my medical wide network of prayer (PSALM 23V6) aid and was also able warriors around the to engage with my new world and they did what oncologist regarding my meds. After they like best, PRAYER. My spiritual having lost my mind for 2 weeks, I parents, Papa Walter and Mama started to feel like myself once more. Coleen Snyman were by my side every Dr Loots (my oncologist) and his team single step of the way and visited have been incredible and been so often in hospital and home after intentional about walking this journey discharge and spoke with me daily with us. My daughter was by my side via WhatsApp and phone calls all the in the hospital from 7 in the morning time. My Church praying feverently until 7 at night. After being bed as well I cried out to the Lord and ridden in hospital for a month, I was prayed without ceasing. I started discharged and this was the beginning taking up holy communion every of the fight for my life. I couldn’t walk. evening at 18:00. This was my time to couldn’t sit or turn on my own on the take of His body that was broken for bed, couldn’t get off the bed, was just me and drink of His blood that was a log, black as a three legged pot thin spilled for me so I can be made whole as a straight pin I had to use a bedpan both spiritually and physically. I felt and wear a diaper. The cancer had prompted to host a Prayer Connect ( a attacked my spine severely. All I could program that I was doing before taken do was ly in bed and commune with down by the thief) to give thanks for my Father in heaven EVERY SECOND. all He has done in March and to start Palliative chemo was the only option raising awareness on cancer, doing It available to me and this was intended was a huge success. Then I was again to attack the cancer aggressively and prompted by the Lord in my spirit to at the same time, the work began to host an online Talkshow and call it “BY strengthen my bones that had become THE WELL WITH DR FAY”, I did not very fragile. I did not struggle with have the energy or the resources, but any side effects from the chemo and the Lord made it happen. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.” Heb 13:3

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

TESTIMONY

Testimony by Leon and Thea Clemons For some time, Thea and I prayed for an economical car. We were trying to sell two of our classic Mercedes cars to enable us to buy an economic car for more than three years without success. All my life I have been a Mercedes enthusiast and collector. Tuesday 7 June 2021 a voice told me to look at the advertisements for the 3 series BMW in Auto Trader. I looked and saw the advertisement for a 2001 BMW 330i. Then I found a Car test for the BMW 330i in the December 2000 issue of Car and was highly impressed. Wednesday morning, I phoned the dealership and spoke to the owner personally. I went with my 1982 Mercedes 380 SE. The whole deal went as I prayed for and to make a long story short: The dealership bought both my 1982 Mercedes 380 SE and my 1976 Mercedes 350 SE (which I failed to sell for three years). At lunchtime on Wednesday 8th June, I went home in our 2001 BMW 330i fully paid, plus R30 000.00 cash in the bank. The 330i is now our dream supercar: 0-100 km per hour in 6,7 seconds, top speed 250 kilos per hour, and fuel consumption: average of 11 kilos per liter. (9,1 liter per 100 km.) I praised God all the way home and I still praise God every time I drive or see our BMW 330i. 58

POETRY

THROUGH EYES I once saw the world through common eyes, As if the beauty was in disguise. With fun and games at the top of my gaze No thought nor process about the deeper beauty For me it was just unruly. Seeing life for what it was Just chasing the next buzz Then one day, as the flash of a powerful lighting bolt, the Lord Jesus came, took control and brought me to a halt. The veil was lifted My heart was pitted Then for the first time, I could see. Many a thing, once believed to be meaningless, became the exact opposite, now meaningful. This eye saw birds in the sky This ear heard words that rhyme This nose smelled afresh the fragrance of old This mouth tasted and saw the goodness of God! Life had new meaning Meaning, creation had new meaning. Colors were brighter My body felt lighter

All this in a progression of time. The earth smelled sweet That led me to plant something to eat, what a treat it was that again proclaimed the glory and goodness of God.

I want to take some time

To add to this rhyme my thankfulness to God Thank you YAHWEH for making me Your son For breathing life into these lungs For blessing me, for keeping me For not deserting me. Thank You that I can write this poem To add my bit to make You known. Let this bring You Glory And be the beginning of my story.

BY: REINHARDT VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

HEALTH

By Traci Townsend

Here’s what I need you to know. You do not have to be perfect to be fit. You do not have to be a certain size to be fit. You do not have to have a restrictive or limited diet to be fit. In fact, I believe, there is a unique fit for each person, but what tends to happen is we compare ourselves to others. We compare our looks to others and we compare our habits to others. And I think we compare ourselves to others so much that we begin to lose ourselves and undervalue who we uniquely are. I am also working on not comparing my fitness to that of others. It’s hard, but I’m working on it and you can, too. As I’ve grown in my fitness journey, fitness has become about understanding how movement and nutrition affect my body and the best way that I can incorporate them into my lifestyle. And I think that’s what everyone should try to do - determine how to incorporate movement and nutrition into their lives and recognize that it might look 60

different from someone else, and that’s okay. There was a podcast that I recently listened to that focused on weight loss and the messages that society sends about larger body sizes. In this podcast, Dr. John Berardi and guests discuss the biases held against people of larger body sizes. This podcast offers a variety of perspectives on the topic and several things resonated with me, especially this statement, “...it means that people make their own choices about how best to meet their own health and fitness goals and that when they are doing so they don’t have to stigmatize other people on their weight or their appearance.” A coach can provide detailed information about health and fitness and support you along your fitness journey. However, you are the expert of yourself and, as a team, you and your coach can determine your own, unique fitness goals. You know yourself better than anyone else.

It’s time to be your own, unique self! And if you are ready to start your fat loss journey, but you don’t know where to start or you want some accountability and guidance to reach your goals, I’m here for you. Check out my website https:// www.fitnesswithtraci.com/ for information about my online fitness and nutrition services. That’s all for now. Stay focused and fierce friends!

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE FIT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE TO BE FIT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A RESTRICTIVE OR LIMITED DIET TO BE FIT.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS: Salt Ground Black Pepper Granulated Garlic Baby Bella Mushrooms 2 Tbsp Butter Red Onion , diced Garlic , minced 1/2 cup Beef Stock 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 1 Medium Baby Marrow 6 Portions of Ravioli

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1

STEP 6

About an hour before you plan to pangrill the Rib Eye Steak, take them out of the refrigerator. Each steak gets seasoned on all sides with Salt (to taste) , Ground Black Pepper (to taste) and Granulated Garlic (to taste) .

Fry ravioli on a low temp pan. Add it to the mushrooms

STEP 2

If you like your steak more done leave it on the grill pan for additional time. 2min additional minutes for medium and 4 for medium well.

Let the steaks rest turning about every 15 minutes. This gives the seasoning time to pull a little moisture out of the steak allowing flavor to penetrate the meat. It also helps the steaks brown during cooking.

STEP 7 Remove the steaks from the grill pan and allow them to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.

STEP 8

STEP 9 Serve these ribeyes with the Mushrooms and Ravioli over the top. Garnish with the Baby Marrow Ribbon and you good to go.

STEP 3 While the ribeyes are resting make the Mushroom. Melt Butter (1 Tbsp) in a sauté pan. Add Red Onion (1/2) and cook for 2 minutes until onion starts to soften. Add the Garlic (3 cloves) and Baby Bella Mushrooms (1 lb) and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Season with a pinch of Salt (to taste) , Black Pepper ( to taste) and Granulated Garlic (to taste) and reduce for 1 minute.

STEP 4 Pour in the Balsamic Vinegar (1 Tbsp) and reduce for 3 minutes. Add the Worcestershire Sauce (1 Tbsp) and Beef Broth (1/2 cup) and reduce by ½ about 4-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the remaining Butter (1 Tbsp) smooth out the sauce and keep it warm for serving.

STEP 5 About 30 minutes before grilling set pan on high heat. After 20 minutes the pan should be really hot. Place the steak gently. Pan fry for 5 min either side.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

MOVIES

FAITH-BASED FILMS TO INSPIRE It should not come as a surprise that Netflix has quickly become the trend of the day. There is no longer a requirement to wait in line at the cinema in order to watch the latest release. Streaming services allow users to watch their preferred television shows and movies from the convenience of their own homes with just the push of a button. The following is a list of Christian movies that you can watch on Netflix while you relax.

COME SUNDAY

A crisis of faith is never an easy thing to show onscreen; what could be more internal than the struggle to understand one’s relationship with God? Come Sunday is based on the true story of Carlton Pearson, a beloved Oklahoma bishop — and favored protégé of evangelist kingmaker Oral Roberts — whose cleaving from the Pentecostal gospel caused a deep schism not only inside his own soul but in his marriage and large Tulsa congregation as well.

HOLY EXPECTATIONS A touching story about a young woman who discovers she is pregnant with her late husband’s child. She turns to her faith for guidance as she tries to navigate this difficult situation. The movie reminds us that God always has a plan for us, even when we can’t see it. Some consider this film one of the best Christian movies on Netflix.

SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME International art dealer Ron Hall and his wife, Deborah, seem to have it all. But their world is turned upside down when they take in a homeless man named Denver. Despite their differences, the Halls and Denver develop a deep bond that changes all of their lives forever. 64

FAITH AND HOPE Faith and Hope is a heartwarming story about two best friends who turn to each other for strength during tough times. Faith’s father is diagnosed with cancer, and she turns to Hope for support. The girls lean on each other as they navigate through this challenging time in their lives. The movie reminds us that Hope is always present, even in the darkest of times.

MUSIC

BY: ELEVATION WORSHIP & MAVERICK CITY MUSIC [Verse 1] Will You be my light, when I cannot see? When I can’t take another step, Lord, would You carry me? When I’ve lost my fight, will You be my strength? Will You set me a table in the presence of my enemies? [Chorus] I shall not want, I shall not want Oh my soul’s got a shepherd in the valley and I shall not want I shall not want, I shall not want ‘Cause my cup’s running over, running over and I shall not want [Verse 2] I will lift my eyes to where my help comes from And I won’t be afraid of the shadow ‘cause I’ve seen the sun No, I will not stop, when the way gets hard ‘Causе the green only grows in the valley and that’s whеre You are [Chorus] [Refrain] Oh yeah I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy Y’all say that I got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy Say [Bridge] And I got goodness and I got mercy Hallelu, glory hallelujah I got goodness (Somebody say) and I got mercy (Hallelu) Hallelu, (Glory) glory hallelujah (Say it again, I got goodness) I got goodness (And I got mercy) and I

got mercy (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah (The Good Shepherd) The Good Shepherd (Leads me to the waters) Leads me to the waters Hallelu (Halle, halle), glory hallelujah And He anoints me (Hallelujah), anoints me with His oil (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah (Now my cup is) Now my cup is (Cup is running over) My cup is running over (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah I won’t fear, no, (Fear no) fear no evil (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah (I will dwell) I will dwell in His house forever (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah (Hallelujah) Hallelujah (Can we all say?) Hallelujah (Hallelu) Hallelu, (Oh yeah, oh yeah) glory hallelujah (I got a new song to sing, say) Hallelujah (I got a new song to sing) Hallelujah (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah [Verse 3] And when this life is over, I’m gonna live again Gonna trade this cross for a crown, no, this is not the end And when You call my name, I will take my rest There’s a mansion in glory and You’re gonna meet me there [Chorus] I’ll be home in His presence forever, I shall not want For the Lord is my shepherd, in the valley For the Lord is my shepherd, when I’m lacking

For the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want [Refrain] I’ve got everything that I need, Your goodness and Your mercy Is following me Got everything that I (Hey, hey hey hey) need, Your goodness and Your mercy Is following me Got everything that I need (Yeah, yeah), Your goodness and Your mercy Is following me Got everything (Hey) that I need (Your goodness and Your mercy) Your goodness and Your mercy (Your mercy) Is following me Got everything that I need (Your goodness and Your mercy) Your goodness and Your mercy Is following me Got everything that I need [Outro] I got goodness and I got mercy (Say y’all) Hallelu, glory hallelujah (If you don’t have anything else, you got Your goodness) (I got good-) I got goodness (Oh, no no no) and I got mercy (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah (I thought I lost everything, I thought I lost everything) But I got goodness, and, and I got mercy (Hallelu) Hallelu (I thought I lost it all, I thought I lost it all) Glory hallelujah (But I still got something that matters) (I got) I got goodness (Yeah) and I got mercy (Hallelu) Hallelu, glory hallelujah

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

BOOKS

BOOK REVIEWS BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED: RECOGNIZING YOUR WORTH IN THE SPLENDOR OF YOUR FLAWS By: Liezel Snyman The story captured within these pages will leave you gasping, inspired, and hopefully changed! Liezel’s caring heart and positive attitude are evident to anyone around her. She truly uses her platform to make a difference in the lives of women in need of grace, compassion, forgiveness, and new beginnings. She is vulnerable enough to use her own past pain to prevent the future pain of others. Her journey is undeniably an inspiring story that teaches us our painful and dark pasts can open doors to a hopeful future. Liezel Snyman, is a loving mother, devoted wife, entrepreneur, life coach, and author and with a bright smile, she invites you to explore with her, the struggles of life, dealing with teenage pregnancy, loss, secrets, adultery, effects of divorce, illness, confusion as well as her journey into deliverance, autonomy, grace, freedom and ultimately forgiveness. She believes wholeheartedly, that the way to build deeper, authentic relationships is to allow ourselves to be authentic. We need to see ourselves, the way God sees us. He loves us with our flaws and all… Together we can inspire, spread hope, and make a difference.

UNSHAKABLE FAITH: OVERCOMING HINDRANCES By: Christopher Roberts I have written this book to help people exercise God’s unshakable faith in their day-to-day living. Basically, I have used some of my own experiences to help people recognise the hindrances that can come into their lives; hindrances that set themselves up against God’s will and purpose for their futures. Some of these hindrances relate to specific troubles that can come against you; religious observation, financial difficulties, poor choice of friendships, and fear and confusion; to name a few. I have therefore considered some of the attacks against my own faith, throughout my Christian journey, and included them in this book to help those who have faced trials of a similar magnitude. It is my prayer that you will discover what stands against your faith, ‘What hinders you’, so that so that you might learn to overcome in all things in the precious name of Jesus, so that you can exercise unshakable faith.

MORE OF GOD: A DISTRACTED WOMAN’S GUIDE TO MORE MEANINGFUL QUIET TIMES By: Betsy de Cruz This book will help you take small steps toward God and experience more of His power and presence. Many of us long to experience more of God in our daily lives, yet we’re too distracted by a busy schedule, our own anxious thoughts, and even social media to hear His voice. We can’t slow down long enough to receive what God wants to give us. Betsy de Cruz has learned that opening small windows to invite God in can make a big difference in our day. In More of God, Betsy invites us to a fresh sense of God’s presence as we rediscover: •How spending 20 minutes with God leads to more peace and joy all-day •Ways to conquer distraction and grow our prayer lives •Simple solutions to help us hear God’s voice as we read Scripture •Creative ideas for making quiet time a delight instead of a duty •Hope and help when life gets too hard to have a quiet time

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

TANZANIAN MYSTERY DISEASE

SRI LANKA IN CRISIS President Rajapaksa has fled to the Maldives. Protestors have stormed the presidential residence after months of economic crisis. Citizens had demanded the President resign as the country is running out of food, fuel and medicine after corruption crippled the finances of the country which was further exacerbated the economic shut down of the Covid 19 pandemic. With rampant inflation, long queues of people awaiting fuel, tensions reached boiling point leading to the mass street protests which ultimately led to the ousting of a sitting President. The country is currently looking to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for economic assistance as citizens await solutions to the staggering problems and shortages with which they are faced.

ROE V WADE

The American Supreme Court has overturned Roe v Wade 1973 on 24 June 2022. The case established the constitutional right to an abortion. “The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely – the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,” “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” Justice Alito wrote. Justice Alito was joined by by four other conservatives. The three liberal justices opposed the decision. President Biden labelled the ruling as taking an “extreme and dangerous path.” “It’s a sad day for the court and for the country,” “The Court has done what it has never done before: expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans.” 68

The mystery disease has infected over a dozen people, three of which have succumbed to the disease. Patients have presented with symptoms similar to Ebola or Marburg virus diseases namely, fever, headache, fatigue and bleeding, especially from the nose, according to Tanzania’s chief medical officer, Dr. Aifelo Sichalwe. Preliminary tests have excluded Ebola and Marburg viruses and have also tested negative for Covid 19. The WHO has warned that Africa is facing a growing risk of outbreaks caused by zoonotic pathogens that have non-human origins and switch species and infect humans.

TEENS DIE AT TAVERN

#JusticeForJesse Women’s month, August of 2019, was no reason to celebrate for the women of South Africa, as it was rocked by some of the most horrendous, brutal and tragic murders in South African history. The spate of killings birthed a new movement known as Am I next? Her death left a community reeling with shock and anger, a university in mourning and a family broken and distraught. Now nearly three years later to the month the Cape Town High Court pronounced itself in the sentencing of the convicted murderer of Jesse Hess and her grandfather, Chris Lategan. David van Boven, her cousin, was given

two life terms for murder, forty years for robbery, eight years for sexual assault and three years for fraud. The accomplice, Tasliem Ambrose was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for two counts of robbery. Outside the Cape High Court, Lance Hess, the father of Jesse Hess said,”… our healing process will start now.” He further expressed his relief that the proceedings were over and the hope that the convicted will not get parole.

CO-FOUNDER OF SOUTH AFRICAN SATANIST CHURCH HAS SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST Co- founder of the Satanic Church in South Africa, Riaan Swiegelaar, has told of his personal encounter with Jesus Christ on a Facebook Video posted on 4 July 2022. He describes the encounter as having his heart overwhelmed with the love of Jesus. He has subsequently resigned his position and membership within the organization. “I got involved with Satanism because at the time it resonated with me, being very broken and sad without realizing it. I think the reason a lot of people resonate with Satanism is they come from a very broken

place. I have met thousands of Satanists over the last three years and I’m not saying the intentions are bad, they are extremely broken and extremely hurt… that’s the one thing we all have in common,” he said. “I did this ritual and I opened myself up and Jesus appeared and I was extremely cocky and I said, ‘if you are Jesus, you need to prove it.’ And he flooded me with the most beautiful love and energy and I recognized it immediately because that woman at the radio station showed it to me. That’s how I recognized the love of Christ.”

On Sunday 26 June 2022, Twenty two teenagers celebrating the end of exams died in an incident at a the Enyobeni Tavern in East London, in the Eastern Cape. The owner together with two employees have subsequently been arrested and charged with selling alcohol to minors. “We still don’t know what killed our children,” President Ramaphosa said.”Families need answers, they want to know what happened to their children,” Many of the teens ranged between the ages of thirteen and seventeen. Community members say there is a well-known problem of underage drinking. President Ramaphosa addressed mourners at the funeral service of the departed as he continues to face several challenges including South Africa’s load shedding crisis, corruption and questions about large amounts of money reportedly found hidden in furniture in his own game farm.

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The Christian Lifestyle 12

Articles inside

Be Intentional

The Importance of women in society

Comparison is the thief of joy Find your unique fit and smash your fitness goals

Prayer of Salvation