CHAP ONE
Lots of exciting releases!
CHAP TWO
Movementz in the Kingdom, for the Kingdom!
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THREE ain’t a crowd!
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Nathanael, Poetic Gospel, Lypher, Marz, Propaganda, Tedashii, Jai Kingston Thi’sl Anthony Evans, FLAME.
Also, Meet Tin I Cool!
Exile Music Group, The Streets Disciple, Live to Inspire, Linkup Satdayz
serve the God-head; three in one! CHAP We Get to know our loving God and understand through the blood of Jesus Christ you FOUR that are not condemned!
CHAP FIVE
We’re back in REHAB! How’s your vessel...is it HEALTHY?Feed your spirit with the Living Waters;
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CHAP THREE
JAI KINGSTON
6
chapter one:
His Beatz
s e l g n Si
Recent Releases
‘Barrabas’ Trinidad and Tobago Gospel recording artiste,
Nathanael, released this track along with an expressive, high quality video.
Spitting lyrics to a mellow beat with thought-provoking phrases, Nathanael manages to captivate listeners, causing them to truly reflect on their ways, and their attitude towards God.
‘Champion’ Gospel recording duo, Poetic Gospel (Bawn Agen and DMAC)out of the Exile Music Group, dropped this encouraging single recently. The track’s hook
“Don’t give up now...you’re a champion!”
lodges itself in listeners’ minds and hearts as the lyrics prod Christians to not give up on the journey they are currently on; inspiring us to walk in the victory we have received through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
‘Hallelujah’ From the first line of this track,
“All the glory belongs to You, O Lord...Hallelujah!”
listeners are plunged into a deep pool of worship unto
God! This track, voiced by Lypher and DMac of the Exile Music Group is yet another smooth, yet booming production of RB Records!
‘Crimson Cord’ This track is the title track from Propaganda’s latest album, Crimson Cord and boy does it cause us to dive in! The song, with PropaG’s signature style, takes listeners into a different realm, causing us to actually want to apply the Word to life! It causes us to truly reflect on and appreciate the significance of not only God but the deep connection we have with the Creator as His creation.
The catchy hook which mainly repeats the word ‘Hallelujah’ just causes listeners to reflect on the ultimate act of love carried out by Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection. In fact, the song was released to the public on Easter Sunday, therefore giving persons yet another powerful song to give thanks and glory to God for this immense sacrifice all for the sake of love; God’s love for us. [[Taken a look at John 3:16, lately? :) ]] Not only does this song cause us to reflect, it’s also a song of renewal and surrender, as Lypher also alludes to during his powerful delivery of lyrics on the beat. ‘Hallelujah’ reminds us, then, that we must decrease so that Gd may increase; “Jesus Christ empty me till nut’n lef...”denial of self must be at the foundation of a true Christian walk.
‘Incredible’ “You speak words of Truth as my heart melts in Your hands...” Marz Ferrer takes us into a seemingly different
dimension of worship with this song just praising God in all His omnipotence!
“Like diamonds on black cloth, you shine through and nothing else can compare...” This track definitely has nothing ‘cliche’ about it. It successfully alligns itself with being peculiar even as we are called to be a peculiar people. The mood created through the rythm and the powerful yet soft lyrics fascilitate true worshipers proclaiming God as the source of truth and utmost love in being the
‘Nothing I Can’t Do’ This track is off Tedashii’s upcoming album ‘Below Paradise’ and best believe it goes hard! Featuring Lecrae and Trip Lee, this is delivered in both the perspective of Christ being truly one in God and so being the all-powerful, giving us this same spirit of power through the victory we received through His death and resurrection. On the flipside, it is written showing that we are one in Him, and so, through the blood of Jesus, we too are empowered. This in-your-face beat is ridden with the hook,
“There ain’t nothin’ I can’t do,”
causing listeners to embrace their God-given authority, and also the mission handed to us to spread the Gospel of Christ.
‘Save Me’ First of all, let us say that we love the modern touch to the ‘old school church’ type of vibe that this song brings to the table!
Jai Kingston brings a joyful and passionate feel to the beat, influencing listeners to also be grateful for the fact that we were saved by the blood of Jesus. So the song also helps with personalizing our gratitude. as the hook bounces on our hearts saying
“The one in the middle - Jesus in the middle saved me”
‘Take My Life’
You see this track right here? Now this is what you call hardcore; giving us an idea of what it is to go full hundred for the King! This is one of the tracks from
Thi’sl’s
recently released album, ‘Fallen King’. And while the whole album reminds us to evaluate our walk with God, this track particularly challenges us to walk in boldness and be unashamed of the Gospel, even as we acknowledge and surrender to the all-powerful God. “I wanna die with faith, knowing that I’m
about to see His face.”
Title: Fallen King Artiste: Thi’sl
RECENT ALBUM RELEASES
Description:
Keeping in line with His out-of-the-box, hard-hitting lyrics, Thi’sl held nothing back in this collection. All the songs included in the album truly provoke thought and challenge the way Christians live in the modern world. The songs also remind us of our place in the Kingdom; our identity in Christ and based on the already established lyrical prowess of Thi’sl and all associated with this album, we’d definitely say the message was successfully transmitted.
Title: Real Life/Real Worship Artiste: Anthony Evans Description:
In keeping in accordance with true Anthony Evans style, this album certainly is a great one to add to your worship music collection. Bringing forth a compilation of upbeat songs, alongside mellow and reflective tracks and even some that could be deemed as borderline hardcore, we can say this one revels mostly in reflection and truly sticks to its title; promoting the fact that our lifes should be as worship unto God, letting all things be towards the glory of God.
Title: Crimson Cord Artiste: Propaganda Description
DEPTH. Yes. Can we just leave the description right there? Nope. Because this collection wakes up our minds and our hearts in fine Propaganda style! Each song leaves you sitting there saying: “What?” not only because they confront the ways of the world as well as a lot of the other comfort zones that we tend to fall into as Christians... but also because each song has so many messages. So.. the title is fitting; all of this..in our daily walks, we need to understand who we are in Him and walk humbly in that with gratitude and wisdom only found in His Truth; THE truth which sets us free.
Title: Jesus or Nothing Artiste: FLAME Description:
So, we anticipated this album particularly because the title of the album. And based on that, it felt as though it was moving in accordance with the movement of the times currently; an army rising up and walking in boldness, proclaiming the Gospel. When it dropped, we weren’t only pleased that we were right...but we were also thoroughly impressed with the mix with hardcore rap and some great vocals for the hooks of most if not all of the songs. So it offers a great variety for persons who appreciate hardcore rap as well as songs that are predominantly embelished with vocals. Decent album.
MAY 13, 2014! Have you marked it on your calendar just yet? Let’s give you a moment then. Why? Well...Michael W. Smith has created lots of the songs we sing in worship today. You have songs like More Love, More power, Let it Rain, Heart of Worship and so many others that manage to bless our hearts during our times of singing praises unto God. We’re excited for the album, expecting to expand our collection of worship songs to offer unto the Most High.
MAY 27, 2014! Based on the tracks which have already been released from this album, PAJE is truly expecting some great material. But hey, take a listen for yourselves to about three of the ones we have listed below and you see if you wanna check it out! Judge Me [[
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Dark Days, Darker Nights [[ Complicated [[
]] ]]
SO! PAJE got a chance to catch up with this down-to-earth artiste: Tin I Cool and we wanted you to meet him too!
Hey Tin I! Thanks for chilling with us today. So let’s get right into it: We’ve been curious...what is the meaning behind 'Tin I Cool’? Tini Cool comes from the name Martin Isaacs, Tin I (Martin) and I (Isaacs). it was from High School days when I used to play Cricket. ‘Cool’ comes from the fact that i think i am a cool person.
Okay, cool. So, how long have you been a Gospel Minister? From 2003.
Nice. So, describe the Martin Isaacs behind the music. I am a quiet, self motivated person. I always try to be understanding and loving, as well as a team player. I am really a Christian man trying his best to live for God. He has also blessed me with a beautiful wife, Gloria Ade-Gold-Isaacs and we spend a lot of time together, whether in studio, at shows, or the like.
Great. Using two words, how would you describe your sound? Authentic and Unique.
As a Minister of the Gospel, then...what would you say is your personal mission? To seek and win souls for the Kingdom of God. To Edify, Encourage, Motivate.
We realize that you’re doing a bit of things behind the scenes. But of course we know forward movements are always in store. True. Right now I’m focusing a lot of my time on music production. So as it relates to looking ahead, I am also looking forward to working with other producers.
So our talk with Tin I was brief, BUT, he wanted to leave a message with us all based on what has been on his heart. Firstly: Unite! Stop fighting each other. Just love one another. The denomination aspect of things seems to be setting persons apart from each other. It needs to stop.
Secondly: Truly seek God and give your life to Him. He is coming.
Lastly: Do not give up. Put your trust in God. He should be first, then all things will be added unto you.
20 CHAPTER TWO:
MOVEMENTZ
RB Records and Exile Music Group Looking back
Sending out signature beats that cannot be placed in one category is exactly what talented, Christian producer Rolando Blake does. Born on October 4, 1989, Blake has had an interesting musical journey. After completing his tenure at Calabar High in Kingston, Jamaica, Rolando recalls listening to a lot more music than usual. This led him to write songs and record himself on his computer at home. At the time, these songs were secular as he was influenced by popular artistes Aidonia, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel. His lyrical prowess became well-known and gained him the name ‘Senile’. Lining up with his growth in music, a popular producer took keen interest in Blake in 2008, stating that he wanted the young talent to voice on some of his beats. He subsequently handed some of them over to him with this intent in mind. Thinking about that interesting opportunity, Rolando states that, “God had other plans. The weekend before I was to go and record the songs, I got saved.” After he got saved, he continued to do secular music amid his church attendance, but knew that he would soon have to choose between church and music. When decision-time came, he chose church. However, the undeniable connection to music could not be broken, as he found it difficult to give it up completely. So, he took a different spin on things; choosing to only create beats.
ROLANDO BLAKE
He made these beats for various studios in his Waterhouse community until he consciously decided that he wanted to do this for his own label. But a conviction was still there; he knew he could not voice secular artistes under his new direction in Christ.
As such he started contacting Gospel artistes. After many successful negotiations, he has worked with a bevy of talented Gospel artistes including Lypher, Ryan Mark, Ordinary, St. Matthew and others. Continuing to devote his talent to God in excellence, Blake was recently nominated as ‘Gospel Producer of the Year’ in both the Mega Jamz and Love Gospel International awarding bodies. Many of his productions have also been placed at number one on both local and international charts; one of his most popular productions being Lypher’s track – ‘Make One’. Rolando is inspired by local producers Stephen Mcgregor, Don Corleonie, Jordan McClure of Chimney Records as well as international producers Timbaland, Scott Storch, Lex Luger and many more. He combines this inspiration with the inspiration he receives from God for the creation of each beat; tending to fuse the feel of many genres of music. “Every day as I go, I strongly believe that God has given me these talents to glorify His name, and though I have not been trained formally, He continues to empower me and build my skillset through the Holy Spirit’s abilities.”
The make-up and Formation of E.M.G. Having worked with a wide array of artistes, Blake has gained a lot of useful experience. In this experience, he then decided that he wanted to to take things to another level; not only with quality beats, but to form a group though which the profound and powerful message of the Gospel would be sent out especially through the magnetism that exists when the Spirit leads. And based on the Spirit’s leading, the Exile Music Group was formed, consisting of hard-hitting, versatile artistes:
Bawn Agen, DMac, Lypher and Ordinary.
MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE
BAWN AGEN
DMAC
It was not till 2008 that Bawn Agen began taking a serious interest in music. Having migrated in his younger years to New York, he developed a love for rap music.
Having found the Lord through testing and trying the Word and coming to believe in God’s truth, Dwight Mckie, has devoted his talent to God for the past nine years, wanting to touch people by singing and being used by God to change lives.
This love drove him to become an artiste, and though he did secular music during his earlier times in the industry Bawn Again found new direction in Christ having gone through many life-changing experiences which he attributes to the plans that the Lord had for His life. He got baptized in 2011, then becoming ‘Bawn Agen’. Taking on the will of God on his life, he recieved the Holy Spirit and was then empowerd to do ministry. After embracing this new life, Bawn Again became exposed to various artistes like Mali Music, Lecrae, and more - causing him to realize that there was indeed a place in the Kingdom for the type of music that flowed through him. He leads his ministry on 1 Peter 4:11: If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
He has always been encouraged to do music based on the natural talent that he has been blessed with. “I love you God, I do,” says the young singer, who admits that he has certainly been through many trying times but He continues to serve God, knowing that it is by God’s grace that he was able to weather any of the storms he has been through. His personal mission is to reach the down-trodden indivduals; persons who have been victims of rejection and have been bullied, and to show them that God heals and God loves us all, and we are indeed champions by His grace. He also wants to let people know that anything is possible with God, and no matter how hard life gets, don’t allow yourself to sink, but swim!
lypher
ordinary
He’s engaging, edifying and real – Three words that define the International Gospel Reggae/Dancehall Artiste, Sean Lypher. As 1/3 of the ground-breaking Jamaican hip-hop gospel group,
Having a name like Ordinary creates a paradox in the minds of all who will ever raise a hand or bump a head to the music coming from the speakers; of the implicit words and dynamic sounds of D’arthana Burrell aka Ordinary A.k.A Mr. Amen. He is an artist beyond his time and genre. His passion for music and ministry is felt with every lyric.
The Sons of the Prophet, (S.O.P), Lypher went solo in fall of 2010 and continues to captivate audiences with his comedic style, his boyish smile and his genuine heart for ministry – all packaged in his 6’ 6 frame. Portmore City born and raised, he developed an appreciation for music of all genres at an early age. Evidence of this is proven in his masterful handling of the variety he employs – a fusion of dancehall, reggae, hip hop, R&B and alternative – which only gives a taste of what the “God Only” minister has to offer. Founder of 3E Ministries, which aims to encourage, empower and edify the youth through Christ, Lypher and partner Christopher “Cjam” James have devoted their talent to provide a righteous alternative in Jamaican music and media. Keep up with the young minister as he continues to make Christ known using his gifts in wholesome entertainment to Encourage, Edify & Empower – all to the glory of God.
The potent delivery of thought provoking lyrics are matched by the presence of the infallible word of God, making him one of the most distinguished, undiscovered talents in the business, a definite threat to Satan’s kingdom and a force to reckon with. Mr.Amen has shared stages with Papa San, Dj Nicholas, Monty G, Carlene Davis, Koen Duncan, Dunamis, Nehilet Blackman, Isaac Blackman, Kristine Alicia, Wingy Danejah, Stitchie, St Matthew, Wayne Stoddart, Debbi Verbz, Ryan Mark, Chevelle Franklin, Sherwin Gardner, Prodigal Son to name a few. Ordinary is also the recipient of MegaJam’s Best Gospel Artist Residing Overseas Award for 2007 as well as a 2010 nominee for contemporary male performance at the Marlin Awards. Having dropped albums: Ordinary Servant Vol. 1 & 2, The Verbal Journal, My Year, O.P.P. mixtape 1 & 2, Used mixtape Vol. 1. With another album in the pipelines, Ordinary has taken the vibe of reggae and the alluring flow of rap & R&B to produce an album that will shatter barriers & promote reggae Gospel music in the mainstream music industry.
ST. MATTHEW The Streets Disciple Matthew Golding has certainly had an interesting journey in his life thus far, but he is able to testify that in Christ he has found eternal joy.
“I was a player.....but in living that life, I realized I was empty. I was just into topping up. I didn’t have that eternal joy.” Known, too, as a very conscious artiste, his lyrical prowess he attributes to God. He is determined to spread the Gospel in ways that defy the odds and completely uproot tradition and worldly ways. He’s found that in finding his eternal joy in Christ he must tell others about this Gospel and walk in faith and boldness in appreciating his roots. He firmly embraces his identity both in the Kingdom and also the fact that he, like us all, has been made in God’s image and likeness, with no need for alterations.
But after meeting God,
“Now, I’ve gotten filled up!”
He has since been on a mission to actively be an instrument used to win souls for the Kingdom. He does this not only through powerful music he has released through fourteen albums, but he also sends out various videos as well as thought-provoking posts via Facebook, in addition to ministry in whichever territory he has been called to visit.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.�
1 Samuel 16:7
#RE
K C A B Y D A
“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.�
1 Timothy 4:12
So, how did this movement start? One day in the dining hall, Curtis and Jordan were talking about making individual testimonial videos of their life at such a prominent university. Stacey Reeder, Associate Director of International Admissions, had asked Curtis to do follow-up video to the one he did as a freshman with the Aviation Club Jamaica.
Meet the Founders Curtis Marsh is a 20 year old student at Florida Institute of Technology studying Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. He is a junior year student who is doing extremely well in the community.
She intended to use the video as a means of inspiring more students in Jamaica and other countries to come to Florida Tech. Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre had asked Jordan to do a video so that the church can use it to inspire the young people in the congregation and the Jamaican diaspora at large.
He thanks his mother, Monica Brown, for being his motivation because of the values the she instilled in him from a tender age.
Both young men were inspired to merge these videos into one main inspirational video. The inspiration did not end there, they decided make this effort a continuous one and it matured into them establishing a group called “Live To Inspire.’’ The organization was established on September
9, 2013.
Curtis Marsh
Tell us LTI’s vision
Curtis loves the Word of God and wants to use it to inspire others to be bold in Christ and to use his life as a glorify God and inspire others.
Jordan Samuels is a 19 year old student that attends the Florida Institute of Technology, his major is Aeronautical Science with Flight.
‘Live To Inspire’ hopes to start a surge of God-driven inspiration on the Florida Tech campus and on an international scale, motivating them to do well while maintaining a relationship with God. They intend to focus and situate within universities because students are normally engrossed in their everyday studies.
His mother, Denise WalcottSamuels lives in Kingston, Jamaica and she is a minister at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre.
Where ministry is concerned, what is the group involved in, really? Open to areas of ministry such as music, outreach, media and living and personal testimonials to young people and also hosting concerts. So far we have taken advantage of clothing, media and testimonial ministries.
He has a passion to see people on fire for God which sparked his urge to start Live to Inspire alongside Curtis.
Jordan Samuels
Live To Inspire currently has 36 members on record helping to share God’s gospel and is based in Melbourne, Florida in the United States of America. They are currently on the Florida Institute of Technology campus and have plans to expand on other university campuses around the world.
How can I become a member? Persons can become a part of this movement by contacting them at livetoinspire900@gmail.com for membership forms or on Facebook at facebook.com/LiveToInspire900. Online membership will be available soon after website construction.
So far, LTI has: - Published official inspirational videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUALNrsVPWNkswA-6E80ug?feature=watch - Given testimonials at Church of Our Savior Church in Palm Bay, Florida.
Upcoming Events/Projects The organization is planning to host a gospel concert on the Florida Tech campus and to visit a local shelter to extend some Godly inspiration. People can advertise and market Live To Inspire by using the hash tag #LiveToInspire on the social networks, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter etc. Persons will also soon be able to support us via our official website which will soon be live.
Live To Inspire to YOU!
One of the most integral parts of being an effective Christian and to inspire people around the world is having that militant zeal for Christ. Many persons who don’t believe in Christ hold on what they have with such conviction and we have seen that Christians have not been exercising this. We urge everyone that is in Christ to maintain their fire and zeal for God and maintain that militancy in their daily life to inspire the people around them. We are promoting that people should not be ashamed of the gospel and this Christian life is best and most fulfilling life that God has granted us.
Our desire for GOD’s people:
L I V E We want people to acknowledge and recognize daily that all good things come from God and the very success that they achieve in anything is just a reflection of God’s goodness in their life.
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:16
T O I N S P I R E
Gospel Linkup’s
Linkup Satdayz: A SUCCESS! The four Saturdays in April came alive, we tell you! Under the careful planning and promotion of the Gospel Linkup team, the four-night celebration of life in Jesus Christ was that was called ‘Linkup Satdayz’ was indeed a success! The coasy Cafe Bamboo location witnessed many patrons who found ‘their thing’ for a couple hours (6pm til 1am) in the chill yet generally high-energy space. Whether you were playing dominoes, eating some of the great food provided, chatting with friends, playing pool, networking, dancing, or simply observing the proceedings, you were bound to feel like you were a part of something revolutionary. But it didn’t stop there! Much attribution and commendation should be given to the DJs Sticko, Powa, Supa and Marlon Young who just took mixing to a different level. And yet, it still doesn’t end there! Each night saw the ministry from various artistes, or persons who are really about that ministry life. So we’re talking about dancers and poets, as well as many well-loved Gospel artistes. Which, we must mention, were so much and so powerful in each of their ministry items that we just want to say that we were blessed by their renditions. To the Gospel Linkup team, blessings! But above all else, we give thanks to God for opening doors for this idea to come alive in such a memorable fashion. So much more to say but pictures are said to speak a thousand words. Take a look!
Photos courtesy of Gospel Linkup
Photos courtesy of Gospel Linkup
We’re looking forward to
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CHAPTER THREE:
What’s Your Story? Blessed is the man that walketh not in the councel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1
JAI
Kingston
How he met the Lord
“If I wasnt captured or raptured at that time I would probably be a statistic by now.”
Wayne Nesta Buchanan, popularly known as
Jai Kingston was led to the Christendom at the youthful age of 12.
“I was passing an open air meeting when I heard an Evangelist preaching. And a voice told me to go and check it out.The title of the message was
“Is either you turn or you burn.” I felt a heavy sense of conviction. Is like I had to give my life to the Lord.
So I just started walking to the altar. I was prophesied over right then and there and the rest is history.
HIS PASSION FOR MUSIC From I was 8 years (as far as I can remember), I used to watch a programme called Video Saturdays religiously. I also used to sing in the bathroom and sound out.
People used to encourage me but I didnt know I really had the talent.
Moving forward he was affectionally called ‘Dinx’ and also became associated with a sound system called ‘Triple Star’. He also began doing various dub plates in addition to sing overs including popular love song ‘Oh Donna’.
his transition into singing gospel When I was getting ready for baptism, I asked my minister then, Reverend Ezekiel Curtis, if I could sing prior to the emersion instead of just giving the testimony. He approved and I sang ‘Cant Even Walk’ by Grace Thrillers. Then it was like a different service started. The Holy Spirit really moved. After that my church began sending me out to represent them at various rallies and other events.
I remember one event in particular I went up and I just couldnt stop singing. The church filled up quickly and it was no longer singing; people were worshipping. People were crying.
After his official transition, he joined various groups, including an all-male group called ‘Righteousness’ and another group called ‘Total Praise’ which was famed for doing extremely well during festival time, singing popular songs by Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and others. But then...
“I started to desire more than singing other people’s songs. I started wanting to tell my testimony , which is what song-writing is to me. The first song I wrote was ‘Open Your Eyes’,
Spiritually... He became ordained as a minister of music in his local church (Emmanuel Gospel Hall)in 2011. His ministry has grown as he as grown in his walk with the Lord.
“I am a warrior psalmist - one that wars like Judah to set captives free.” Kingston is currently working on his second album entitled ‘His Voice’ which is slated to be released later in 2014. Apart from that he has been doing a bevy of things behind the scenes, each to be released as the months progress.
A message for you... Take up the cross and follow Christ.
By this time he was a member of the Katalys Crew. He continued to do a lot of song-writing, most of which the group sang; particularly After some time, the group separated but Jai was still determined to move forward in the music ministry. His 13-year musical journey has taken him to regional and international stages and seen him work with a wide variety of artistes, including Ryan Mark, DJ Nicholas, and more.
Prayer, praise and worship are the most important things in this walk. How you get denial of self is through developing the discipline of prayer, praise and worship. Praise takes you to another level, and worship take you to where God is. When you develop that appetite, there is no longer self. It begins to flow; you don’t have to think about it - you just are carrying the corss.
50
THREE AINT A CROWD
God loves you! In Christ, you are not condemned.
God
LOVES YOU! - StephAnn Feroza You’re in love. Or rather, you’ve been in love. You’ve found that guy or gal that sweeps you off your feet and grounds you at the same time, who challenges you and makes you want to be your best self, who makes you happy and comfortable just sitting with them, no words needed. You feel that feeling that no one else has made you feel, and you’re convinced that no one else can ever make you feel this way. You thank God for this person. You might have even prayed for this person—for their health, for their family situation or perhaps prayers of discernment about the future of the relationship. Simply put, you’re emotionally invested. They’ve become a fixture in your world that you can’t imagine being without. But what happens when it falls apart? Where does that leave you spiritually and how do you carry on? My dear reader, my sibling in Christ, I write this primarily because I myself need to hear these words and I feel like there are others that could hear this too. Because I have loved and lost, and I’ve been in relationships where we weren’t really together but there was a strong emotional investment. You know, the kinda-sorta-together-but-notreally type relationship. Currently, I’m trying to get over someone that I’m in love with, with whom I have no bad feelings towards because our breakup was circumstantial, not emotional.
So yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m in love with this guy, this dude that I’ve known since high school. We’re pretty much the age-old story of best friends who realized their feelings too late. We never got a chance to actually be a couple because of life circumstances and I was unwilling to do long-distance. Nevertheless, there was still a kind of relationship. We’d talk into the late night about our lives, whispering how much we missed each other and I’d fantasize about what life would be like once we were “finally together”. We’d even meet up for short periods of time each year where we’d “have our chance”. For that short time, we’d be to each other what we couldn’t be when we were apart living our own lives. But that couldn’t go on forever. This relationship that was not a relationship took its toll. When it came down to it, we wanted different things in life and we had dreams that would continue to take us to opposite ends of the globe. People can make arguments for fighting for love if it’s worth it and whatnot, but as much as I love him, I’ve realized that it’s necessary for me to let him go in my heart. As long as I hold on to him, staring at the closed door, I’m blind to other doors that are open or have the potential to be opened. Further, my identity is not in my relationship or lack of relationship, nor is it in a false hope for the future. Despite understanding this in my head, my heart clings to what it knows best. I want him. I miss him. There’s no one else that untangles my crazy personality the way he does. The safety I feel in his arms can’t be replicated. But I must move on. I must move forward.
But I’m left with a bunch of questions:
Am I Enough?
This, I think, makes it harder to move on. Because it’s not that he treated me badly or that either of us cheated or that our feelings disappeared. Rather, the separate worlds we live in are infinitely different and showed no signs of ever converging.
As a daughter of Christ, that’s not asking for too much. I know what I want, and I know God holds promises for me [John 14: 1-4]]. Jesus saves. He DOES. The thing is, disappointments in a relationship tend to open up hurt and disappointment from every other relationship you’ve been in. For me, even after giving my life to Christ, I deal with the damage of sexual sin every day. I cling to the story of the adulterous woman in John 8 with desperation, chanting to myself that I am not condemned, because honestly, deep, deep, down, I feel broken and dirty from all the people I’ve been with. On the spectrum, I’m closer to Mary Magdalene than I am to Mary the Mother of God. This insecurity just gets bigger as I contemplate the end of this past relationship. Who am I talk to a nice guy or even pursue an authentic relationship when I’ve been so tainted? I carry the hurt and disappointment of past relationships like a shield to hide behind in fear, leaving me feeling unworthy of pursuing a healthier relationship. The lies consume me: that I’m not good enough, not clean enough, not pretty enough, not honest enough, not pure enough, not spiritual enough, and certainly not whole enough. I think, generally, women have to deal with feeling like they’re “enough”.
We feel the need to see returns when we put our all into something, to juggle the world while looking fabulous, walking without missing a beat and face the world with grace, beauty and poise even when the world is falling apart. But we are not called to be “enough”.
We’re called to be children of God.
My kind of love is not perfect. I fear vulnerability, I’m possessive and I have serious abandonment issues. I love deeply and I fear it. I take relationships seriously because, let’s be real, I’m looking to be married. I don’t want a passing floosy but rather, a life partner to take on the world with and build a life together, whatever that looks like.
Children. That means being completely and utterly dependent and trusting of our Daddy in Heaven. It means that we’re not called to have everything figured out nor should we worry about it [Matt 6: 25-30; 34]. It means that we’re furnished with all that we need [John 14: 12-14]. And I believe that this applies to relationships. We ARE enough. And where we are not, Jesus strengthens us [Isaiah 41:10]. The same hand that made every particle of creation holds us, and the owner of that hand declares me worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. My love isn’t perfect but the love of the Father Almighty IS perfect.
Therefore, yes, through Him
I AM enough Am I coping with this loss in a way that’s healthy? In the past, my first instinct after a breakup was to crawl under a rock, cry and beat something up. The next instinct would be to throw myself into the arms of someone else. The third would be, after feeling intense guilt for sliding into some else’s bed, to declare that all men are worthless and that love is dead. None of these inclinations are satisfying: the first, because crying makes me feel angry and weak; and the second, because it’s just plain unhealthy; and the third, because it’s just not true. As a follower Christ, the first step is to own up to the emotions—ALL of them. That includes the hurt, anger, disappointment and, inevitably, all the love for that person that you hold inside, because, hey, that love doesn’t just go away in an instant.
It eventually morphs into something else but, until then, it sticks around like a thorn or a weight on your heart. And the real question becomes,
“What do I do with all the emotions?” My answer is simple: Pray it out. Bring it to the feet of the Lord every hour of every day if you have to. Our Daddy in Heaven concerns Himself with all the troubles of His children. Journal it out, too. Write everything down, and if you don’t trust the people around you, burn the pages if you must. The point is to be real with God in any way that comforts you best. For me, that’s jamming on my guitar for hours, singing my heart out. Sometimes, it’s going for a long run or doing an intense workout. Other times, it’s just sitting at the feet of the Lord, journaling and crying for as long as I can. The hardest thing to remember and the hardest thing to believe in the moment of heartbreak over a lost relationship of any kind is that Jesus loves you and that THAT love is what matters and what redeems [1 John 4:10]. It’s hard to cling to that truth when your heart is breaking and when the person you desire most walks away from you (or when you have to walk away). It feels impossible to even consider that there may be someone else out there more suited for you, and that with time, you’ll heal and be whole again. King David does tell us, however, that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [Psalm 147: 3] though that doesn’t mean that moving forward doesn’t come easy. It takes hard work and being intentional. Sometimes it’s a long process of forgiveness—forgiving yourself, or the other, or a bit of both. It’s a process, oftentimes a non-linear path. It includes steps forward and steps back. And it’s okay to slip up. We’re human. The point is to keep trudging forward, clinging to Christ who makes ALL things new.
What does Jesus have to say about this situation? He LOVES you, y’know. Like, crazy! As a result, no matter how you deal with this brokenhearted situation, He does NOT condemn you for all you’ve done, are doing and are going to do. Any condemnation that you would’ve gotten, He decided to take that on Himself by dying on the cross for you. That being said, find a healthy way to deal with the pain. Different methods work for different people, but the most important is to allow the Father to hold your heart. His gentle touch, with time, WILL heal [Matt 11: 29]. I want to move on with my life. I don’t want to be trapped in a fantasy of what could have and might have been, because if I do I’ll miss out on other things that Jesus is pointing out to me. Wallowing over wounds is senseless when there is a Healer and Comforter waiting for you to turn to Him. It takes time. It hurts. But I promise it’s worth it. - StephAnn Feroza
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives
life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so
Romans 8:1-17
he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live
in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh
please God.
cannot
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even
your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised
though
Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because ofhis Spirit who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Anthony Evans ‘No Condemnation’ Click the link!
For those
who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of
God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in
fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we
are
heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his
sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
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REHAB
RESTORATION AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH HIS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
Jesus: the bread of life!
A Healthy Vessel John 6:25-40
25. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28. Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” 30. So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’
JESUS is the bread of life! 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
What does that mean? Going back to verse 27, Christ instructs us to not work for food that spoils but for food that endures to eternal life! Wouldn’t that mean, then, that we must seek after Him who is one with God and we will find, in Him, eternal life? You see, John 3:16 is an extremely deep scripture, actually. So many messages in that one statement, which is truth. And in reading more of John, you’ll find where Christ also says that “no one cometh to the Father but through me.” So...in being true disciples; true followers of Christ, we seek the Lord in spirit and in truth. In doing so, we will have killed the flesh, therefore surrendering ourselves as living sacrifices unto God; we will have been walking in the spirit. In plunging into God’s presence in being a follower of Christ, we feed the spirit by diving into the Word. Let’s link that:
Christ is the LIVING WORD >> Through Christ there is eternal Life -- Christ (the living Word) is the bread of Life << Believe unto Him and you will find food that endures unto eternity. Feed your spirit! Cleanse your vessel and walk in spiritual health through Him who is the bread of life; the Giver of eternal life.
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A lot of messages surfaced in this issue, but it is hoped that you complete it feeling empowered; knowing that in being chosen, you have been called to walk in boldness in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be an easy road, but as was repeated many times, do not give up. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a Champion, as Bawn Again and DMac remind us. Cling to the Bread of Life in this walk. And in doing so, ask the Lord to continually search your heart so that you may truly become Christlike in your ways. Blessings.
- Charmian-Marie Jack
Gratitude and Blessings Jai Kingston Tin I Cool Gloria Ade-Gold Isaacs Exile Music Group Rolando Blake St. Matthew Gospel Linkup Live to Inspire Chadwick Nelson StephAnn Feroza
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May 2014