PAJE Magazine - Volume 3, Issue 1 - Trevelle by PAJE Magazine

JANUARY 2022

TREVELLE Clarke-Whyne

"...there are too many who have committed themselves to this ministry and we cannot quit. The Gospel must be heard from our perspective."

SONE G gives us more insight Victor Brown releases HEARTWORK The Witty Traveler takes us to PERU! VOLUME 3 || ISSUE 1

FOR THIS ISSUE

SPECIAL THANKS SPECIAL FEATURES

Welcome To say this is a long time coming is an absolute understatement as PAJE Magazine was birthed initially in September 2011, and yet, here we are in 2022 doing the official relaunch of the publication, having launched our website and podcast in November 2021! That stated, you being here, in this moment, is monumental, and I thank you genuinely for sharing with me in this moment. My team and I have been working very hard to bring this publication to you, with a view to inspire and motivate you to live a balanced life in Christ, while being reminded of the power of sharing your story so that others may be healed through the word of our testimony. With that in mind, we pray that every page (PAJE) you turn, will contribute to your personal growth and transformation. Cheers to what's ahead! Enjoy PAJE!

Charmian-Marie Beedle (Founder, Designer & Editor-In-Chief)

Trevelle Clarke-Whyne Sone G Victor Brown David Sutton Elite Gospel Entertainment

CONTRIBUTORS CORE TEAM ATOM INC BRAND MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED STANDS AS THE PARENT COMPANY OF PAJE MAGAZINE.

Charmian-Marie Beedle, Founder, Designer & Editor-In-Chief, PAJE Founder & Managing Director, AIBM Krista Fuller, Media & Engagement Officer, AIBM Wendean James, Partnership & Marketing Officer, AIBM Khalia Smith, Admin + Content Officer, AIBM COLUMNISTS

Victor Brown Mischa Christie Crystal Daye Wendean James Okeyno Morgan Charlene Tilbanie WRITERS & EXTENDED CONTRIBUTORS

Akeel Henry Nardia Hibbert Toni-Ann Millen Christopher Sinclair McCalla Andre Whittaker

INSIDE PAJEMAGAZINE

TREVELLE

CLARKE-WHYNE

PRE-PAGES

A. WELCOME & SPECIAL THANKS B. CONTENTS PEOPLE

1 A ROYAL REALITY We hear the buzz words of 'Personal Development' and of course, we are reminded that it's important for growth, but what does God's way look like? Find out!

6 MY CHRISTIAN SISTERS Let's guess... you pray, pray and pray some more for the thing you desire most. However, are you truly prepared for what you pray for? Let's dive deeper.

23 HEART MATTERS It's important to remember that having feelings and emotions is a human thing, and it's important that we don't feel shame around that. It's also important, however, to work on nurturing your heart for 2022 and beyond. Let's talk

& MORE ADVENTURES

27 CHRIS' KITCHEN: BBQ CHICKEN WRAP Our resident Chef, Chris, hooked us up for the after-holiday simple eats! We're loving the look of the BBQ Chicken wrap for this exclusive recipe for the PAJE fam!

29 PAJE EXPLORER:

For this issue, we're exploring new music and new places!

PAJE SPOTLIGHTS

Wictor Brown released his debut EP entitled 'Heartwork' and sat down to talk to us about it, while David Sutton released his single 'Psalm 150' as a 'mood changer kinda song'

PRONE TO WANDERLUST

The Witty Traveler takes us to PERU!! Check out his personalized account of his journey there as a follow-up to the highlight article he released on our website!

CHRIS' KITCHEN: BBQ CHICKEN WRAP

VICTOR BROWN RELEASES 'HEARTWORK' EP

40 THE HEALTH CORNER

The most awaited event of the year for the runners. Find out the big challenge this time and you might just win a big prize.

PAJEMAGAZINE

INSIDE JOURNEYS

47 THE TRUTH DISTILLERY Flawed? Broken beyond repair? Lost without hope? We think not. Let's explore the embrace of our entire being with the understanding of God's heart for us.

THE WITTY TRAVELER TAKES US TO PERU

IDOL WORSHIP? BAALISM? IN JAMAICA?

53 THE FAITH JAR So, we know that idol worship was prominent in the Old Testament, but have we actually taken similar practices with us through time? Let's examine.

57 FEATURE: SONE G

We chatted with Sone G briefly in late 2021 which you can find on our website, but we had to find out MORE! Check out our extended feature of Sone!

60 MAIN FEATURE: TREVELLE CLARKE-WHYNE We've heard her voice, seen her ministry and felt her passion for people and God - and even if you haven't - let's get to know Trevelle Clarke-Whyne!

71 BEYOND THE MUSIC; GETTING TO KNOW SONE G

77 HIT YOUR 2022 FINANCIAL GOALS

SCRIBE PHOTOGRPAHY CREATIVE FEATURE

82 LET'S UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PURPOSE

ELEGANCE

71 CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: SCRIBE PHOTOGRAPHY We love showcasing the creativity of our Christian Creatives and Kingdom Business Owners! Check out some of his work.

77 THE SECRET TO WEALTH As Kingdom citizens, it is absolutely important to master personal finance management as we are stewarding God's money. Let's see how we can start 2022 on the right step!

82 PURPOSE CHASERS We always hear the word 'Purpose' and are inclined to use it as we let people know the type of path we are on, but do we truly have a firm grasp of purpose? Let's unpack.

CLOSING PAGES

VOLUME 3 || ISSUE 1

JANUARY 2022

PEOPLE

Real, practical advice, stories and encouragement for every day people

COLUMN

A ROYAL REALITY

1 My love for books led to a love for learning, which led to a mini obsession with personal growth. Many of us grew up in a culture that told us getting a degree would get us a good job that pays us well; we would be able to buy a house, a nice car, travel the

with Crystal Daye

world, marry the ‘right’ person and live happily ever

Personal Development God's Way!

this dream might actually be a fantasy, more than a

When I got accepted to be a columnist for the PAJE Magazine, I started praying about what I could really educate persons about. I wanted to write about topics I was passionate and knowledgeable about. After discussion with Founder Charmian Beedle, we both agreed that personal development was definitely a message I could confidently share on. In this article, I wanted to share my vision of what Personal Development God’s way look like and a few outcomes of what Living A Royal Reality would look like for you. I’ve always been an ambitious goal-getter. From a tender age, my father would stress the importance of getting a good education. I was expected to get good grades and excel academically. Unlike many young girls who spent time playing with dolls, combing hair etc., I was lost in books for most of my childhood days (to this day, I can’t ride a bicycle – don’t judge me).

after. Of course, as we get older, many of us realize reality. Truth be told, life doesn’t offer a perfect path (even when you feel you’ve done ALL the right things). From being involved in cheerleading, community youth clubs, playing football and entering many pageants, these activities keep me very busy as a teenager but also prepared me for leadership roles along with a drive to succeed all the time. Luckily (or intentionally), for me, I managed to excel in school, earned the degree, bought the house and car, even got engaged (no I’m still single… that’s another story) and was on the path to building a career in the public sector with hopes of venturing into politics eventually. I made my parents proud and my hard work was really paying off.

In my opinion, it seemed as if someone was too ambitious and had bigger dreams than just being a part of the choir or being a church ministry leader, then they were not quite saved or they were too carnal-minded. I use the operative word ‘seemed’ because it might not have been the truth for every church, but it just appeared that way in my eyes. Even though I had accomplished all that society told me was “success” and I was truly proud of my accomplishments, I felt a void. There had to be more to life than just living to achieve my dreams. Some days, I felt bad for desiring more (especially because I was unsure what the MORE looked like). Should I go after my doctorate? If I got married, would I feel more fulfilled? Do I need more money? These are a few of the questions that plagued me.

This led me to a pursuit of purpose. Purpose for me looked like knowing what contribution I was born to make to the world, tapping into my potential and finding true fulfillment. I then discovered true purpose was only found in pursuing a relationship with Christ. I did not grow up in church. I got saved for real at age 24 years old and that’s when I realized there were some taboo topics rarely mentioned in church. These include but are not limited to success, money, wealth, business and even personal development.

For a long time, I tried to focus on what was considered only ‘spiritual’ things and not ‘‘personal’ things. I wasn’t sure if God wanted me to talk about things like self-esteem, dreams, success, mindset etc. Those topics sounded too worldly to discuss around church folks. It got even worse when I launched out as a Christian Life Coach in 2016, I was attacked, mocked and judged that I was no longer a Christian and I was new aged. At that time, I wasn’t even sure what being “new-aged” meant; but I was accused of being that because I spoke about vision boards, self-love, motivational speaking and life coaching. I was considered “lukewarm” according to some church folks. It was a hard season but the more my relationship with God grew the more I realized that my passion for personal growth and seeing others experience wholistic development were placed by God. The less I focused on the opinions of men and kept my eyes focused on God, my purpose became clearer. I knew God placed me on this earth to help women of all ages to live wholesome godly lives.

3 Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

In my 1st book, Living A Royal Reality; Discovering Your Identity, Purpose And Worth In Christ, I shared my testimony of being in bondage in promiscuity and struggling with feelings of inadequacy to experiencing true freedom in Christ. It meant not pretending like life is perfect but learning to accept that life is filled with messes, hardships and failures. The truth is, we don’t have to be defined by these experiences. As believers, we are more than conquerors, overcomers and true victors over our realities. We can also learn to appreciate the great experiences and walk in the abundant blessings God has in store. That was where Personal Development God’s way became alive for me. It meant accepting that the Bible (Word of God) gives practical keys for every area of our lives.

So many persons use biblical principles in their books, speeches and training, but they don’t include God. God desires to see His children experience good success. I believe God is concerned about every area of our life – business, career, finances, health, relationships, education, vocation and even our dreams.

Joshua 1:8 - “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”

So, what is Personal Development? It is a lifetime assessment of your goals, values and ongoing desire to build your skills and qualities to reach your potential. That will contribute to your maturity, success and contentment. It is a motivation to keep improving yourself and accomplish your dreams and purpose. Personal development includes growing spiritually, stewarding your finances, advancing in your career or business, building strong interpersonal relationships with your family, taking care of your physical wellness and so on. Before I surrendered my life to the Lord, I would implement certain principles and habits that helped in propelling me personally and professionally. Then I got saved and as I mentioned, I wasn’t sure if these things were not “churchy” because it seems like we should separate our career from church, or personal development stuff are not very spiritual. As I grew in my relationship with God, I learnt to combine biblical principles and allow the Holy Spirit to empower me not just for “churchy” things like praying and fasting; but I truly included God in every area of my life.

Once I did this, my life and dreams accelerated far beyond I could imagine.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps - Proverbs 16:9

Yes, I had some accomplishments before Christ, but the peace, fulfillment and abundance I have experienced being led by God in every area of my life surpassed my greatest expectations. I moved from promiscuity to purpose, started using my mess as a message that impacts others, grew from writing secret entries in my diary to writing bestselling books, overcame the feeling like I had no talent to boldly using my gifts and released the title of just being a “Ghetto girl” to being a Jesus Girl. I was truly proud of the woman I was becoming.

2. Write down your dreams:- No matter how much you have achieved or even if you feel like you haven’t done much, the fact you are alive means God is not done with you yet. So, grab your pen and journal your dreams, goals, and aspirations. Even if you think it sounds crazy or even unrealistic, God specializes in the impossible. Many times, our desires and dreams are placed in our heart by God as an indication of His calling and purpose. Don’t underestimate these desires, write them down.

James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows I want to share with you five steps you can implement to start your personal development journey. These are practical things you can start doing to help you grow and glow!

1. Identify the areas you’ve been settling in: - We all have the potential, but we haven’t tapped into it. These can be untapped strength, unused successes, dormant gifts, or even unexposed abilities. Many of us settle because we are afraid of coming out of our comfort zone, or even the possibility of bigger scares us because everyone around us seems to be playing small. I want you to be honest with yourself and write down how you’ve been settling. The first key to growth is acceptance.

3. Expose yourself to new things:- The power of exposure is often unappreciated. What you know now is not all you need to know. When I thought about entrepreneurship, I felt I had to open a store or do a business that requires lots of capital. I got exposed to coaching, and I was now aware of a new industry to create a business aligned with my passion and purpose. Things like podcasting, blogging, online marketing, email marketing were not things I learned about in university or knew about in my corporate career. Through the internet, mentors and books, I was exposed to new things that I eventually pursued and now I’ve built a life around. Ask yourself how can you expose yourself to new things. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer - Matthew 21:22

4.Choose to walk by faith:- The personal development journey is not a sprint; it is a marathon. This simply means you won’t just arrive, and you have no reason to rush the process.

5 Walking by faith means being okay with not knowing exactly how things will turn out; but trusting that if you allow God to lead you then you’ll reach the perfect destination. Faith also means believing before seeing. You might not see the fulfillment of God’s promises as quickly as you desire it but keep believing it will come to pass in His perfect time. Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 5. Define success holistically:- When we think about success, we focus on tangible things such as a house, car, money, degree, promotion, etc. Wholistic success means looking at all the important areas of your life and knowing what you want those areas to look like. Wholistic success looks at your health, finances, family, spiritual life, dreams, recreation, selfcare, career, business, impact, etc.

It means experiencing peace and contentment in all areas of your life. Also, what role does your faith plays in those areas? What is God saying to you about His definition of success for your life? What do you want those areas in your life to look like?

God is interested in every area of your life. When you choose to partner with God on your personal growth journey, you will: Experience a mind renewal Overcome past hurts and disappointments Discover your passions Develop healthy habits and positive thinking Grow in your relationship with God. Accomplish dreams that seemed impossible Tap into your God-given potential Start growing and glowing Learn to use your gifts to impact lives There’s really nothing more fulfilling than confidently walking in your God-given calling. There is so much passion, peace and purpose knowing your gift can impact others. Pursuing personal development God’s will is a key to truly accomplish good success. Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I pray you are as excited as I am about Living Your Royal Reality and knowing God has so much more in store for you, but He cannot release some of your blessings because you aren’t prepared yet. As you grow personally, you’ll walk more confidently in your God-given destiny.

This is the beginning. You might have already been on your personal development journey, but I want to challenge your minds to believe you have to compartmentalize your life.

Crystal Daye is an Author who primarily serves clients as a Book & Monetization Coach and is passionate about empowering others to walk in purpose

COLUMN

MY CHRISTIAN SISTERS with Wendean James

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR? Have you ever prayed to God about something for years and when He finally answers your prayers you still hold on to that past situation that you had been praying about? And not because of fear or uncertainty but simply because you were in that situation for so long and while you’re grateful to God for answering your prayers, because of familiarity and some aspects of comfortability you struggled with moving on from that situation or circumstance.

Recently this was my reality, I had been praying to God for years asking him to provide a way out of a particular situation that I had been extremely unhappy in and when my prayers were answered I was faced with so many mixed emotions. I couldn’t believe that I was experiencing that after years of continuous prayers and asking God to remove me from that situation. This brought me to the realization that when we pray about things we should also ask God to help us be prepared for what we are praying for. So that we don’t allow what He is moving us out from, to stop us from stepping into where He is taking us.

Sharing a quote that my high school track coach always said during our training sessions, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.” The truth of the matter is without preparation and wholehearted readiness to move forward. We can cause ourselves to step back into that very place which we asked God to take us out of. This brought me to one specific occurrence that took place in the Bible; The movement of God’s people out of Egypt. Specifically, after the Israelites prayed to God to remove them from slavery and the harsh treatments that they were receiving from the Egyptians they still turned around and wanted to be back in Egypt, they literally uttered the words, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!"

8 There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3, read here) As we Jamaican’s would say ‘the liberty”, can you imagine how God must have felt on hearing them complain and say this out loud after years of prayers to Him to free them from bondage? I can’t imagine he would have felt good. If you read the book of Exodus into Deuteronomy you will see how many other sinful acts and disbelief caused the Israelites to miss out on the blessings of God specifically the Promise Land. But I digress, I simply referenced this Bible occurrence to show you how not being prepared for what you have prayed for can cause you to miss the blessings and the plans that God has in store for you. There are also many other occurrences in the Bible that highlight how detrimental lack of preparation can be to us, such as The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32, read here) and The Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13, read here) you can reread both to refresh yourselves on what happened. One of the things we need to recognize is that God has the whole layout for our lives, so there is nothing that he doesn’t know. He knows the exact time that we will need something and the exact time to move us out of our situations even if it takes years (Jeremiah 29:11, read here; 2 Peter 3:8, read here)

And I do believe sometimes things in our life take years to bear fruit because we may literally not be where we need to be, spiritually, to receive it. While sometimes it may simply not be what God has planned for us. So even though I struggled initially as I didn’t ask God to prepare me for what I had been praying for, I started to pray and ask God to help me move forward with complete trust and readiness as I don’t want to miss out on what He has in store for me because of looking back on the past. If you are struggling with this or any other situation that may be similar, just simply ask God to help you to move forward in faith and into His promises. Don’t allow your thoughts to be bombarded by what used to be but instead think about what will be and the plans that God has for your future. As we don’t want to be or seem ungrateful like the Israelites or even be double-minded (James 1:8, read here ). The next thing to do outside of praying is to always ensure that you are in the word as the reality is when you are in the word you will always be prepared to counteract any double-mindedness, fear, doubts, or thoughts that are not according to the plans of God. Not being in the word literally opens up your mind to being attacked by the enemy.

I leave you with this blessing for 2022, “I pray that the year will bring you many blessings, peace, and prosperity. I pray that you will walk according to the purpose that you have been called. I pray that your family and friends will be blessed. I pray that you will experience good health even as your soul prospers. May the Lord bless and keep you and be with you wherever you may go and in whatever you may do.” So, I implore you to actually sit down and think about those prayers that you have been praying that haven’t been answered as yet, and truly introspect and ask yourself if you are prepared for what you have been praying for. If you aren’t prepared, start adding to those prayers, asking God to help you prepare yourself for those answered prayers. While if you are prepared for those prayers ask God for His patience and grace to get you through the tough days that may try to derail you from the plans He has in store for you and also from fully walking into the purpose He has called you to. Lastly, after you’ve prayed and those prayers have been answered, allow God to walk you through all aspects of the journey and not just some. And even if your prayers haven’t been answered in the way that you would have liked them to be answered just trust God and trust that whatever He is doing will work out for your good and according to His purpose.

Blessings, My Christian Sisters Wendean James is a Christian Creative as well as a Partnership and Marketing Officer and is truly passionate about uplifting and encouraging fellow Christian women.

3 STEPS TO HELP YOU TO WORK FROM HOME - WITH KIDS! It's no secret that working from home

Some

can be a challenge in terms of

themselves in a place where they

concentration and motivation. But,

lock away in another room or home

add kids to mix and we can safely

office to get things done, but then

say you're playing in the big leagues!

that robs the kids of time with their parents.

parents

the

have

CHATS

PARENT

flipside,

found

some

This pandemic has tremendously

parents get so caught up with trying

revolutionized the way we interact,

to spend time with their kids to keep

raise children, work, and more, and

them stable and mentally healthy

so learning how to maneuver as a

that work's deadlines get left behind.

parent poses its own challenges. However, we're seeing where some

While we know that situations vary,

parents are legitimately finding the

we're sure we can all agree that

balancing

these two extremes are honestly not

act

understandably.

quite

difficult,

sustainable.

Now, we all know that every child is different, as

With this step, you can tackle the priority items by

well as every parent, so of course, efforts that you

day or you can move through each of them at

make to balance things out may give varied

your own, purposeful pace and check them off

results, but of course, we can't just leave you

one-by-one.

hanging. Here are three tips you can do to strike a balance:

SET A TASK LIST

BE FLEXIBLE

Give yourself grace and remember that life happens, especially when you have kids. Some

As much as is possible, find a way to write down ALL the things you need to do within a given week (not day).

things are going to end up getting shifted to the

We say week because sometimes, setting daily to-do lists as parents causes us to put an extra amount of pressure on ourselves making disappointment and selfcondemnation more prevalent. You don't need that.

you anticipated or initially desired. Allow that

So, write down the things that you need to get done for the family, work AND you. Also, make sure that what you're writing down really DOES need to get done within that week, rather than you forcing things into that week.

terms of he access to resources and support as

It helps to see things on paper so that you can streamline things a bit better.

One of the best ways to do this is to play tag-team

following week. Somethings just will not get done. Some things won't get done in the way that reality to be okay.

BONUS TIP Now, we're quite aware that households differ in well as parent-figures. With that in mind, we want to encourage you to use available resources effectively, being mindful that everyone is currently trying to re-calibrate.

which, simply put, means that one person takes over in spending time with the kids while the other makes moves in getting other things done

PRIORITIZE DEADLINES

either around the house, for work, etc.

Once you've written down the things for the

This can be split up based on the day, or setting

week, it's time to put them in order of priority.

4-hour blocks or whichever parameters best suit

What are the things that are more urgent than

your specific situation.

others?

MARRIAGE

MOVES

3 Tips On Balancing Work with Married Life

Can we get real for a moment and recognize that if we're not careful, we'll neglect

our marriage based on being too career-focused? Nothing is wrong with ambition, but always remember that your marriage is your first ministry.

As we think about this topic, we do acknowledge that sometimes there will be

special projects or extra tasks that you'll be more focused on in a season and may require some extra hours.

However, if you are recognizing some consistency in the neglect of your marriage due to career pursuit, this one's for you! Here are some tips to help you to

effectively nurture your marriage while still allowing your creativity and ambition to have space to breathe!

1. Schedule Date Days/Nights The truth is, just like yourself, your spouse is evolving. Because of that, it's important to be deliberate about scheduling time outside of the house to spend together. Whether it's a date over dinner or driving through some mud in some ATVs, allow yourself and your spouse to bond in varied situations to nurture the relationship and allow for more self expression - as a unit.

2. Set Boundaries (Leaving work at work) We know, we know, you've got some deadlines (all the time) that need to be met, or there are some jobs or bosses out there that say "Your job is a 24/7 job so you need to always be on call." To that, we say that you need to remember what matters most - even in the midst of a high-paying salary. If you're earning all that money and have no time or space to enjoy your marriage based on the provisions - what's the point? Then, that ends up deepening when children are added to the mix. How about no.

3. Take time off for Special Days (Birthdays, Anniversary) When you're really busy, a balance is even more important because celebration becomes that more meaningful and important. So, you've already got the dates, sync your calendars and take vacations at the same time for anniversary or birthday celebrations - or just because you both feel like it. As a married couple, you don't need an excuse to take time off together. Simply be purposeful about what you're doing.

BONUS TIP: Be deliberate about being HOME with each other Now, this one is a tad different from the boundary-setting. Truth is, after coming home from work, even though the assignments, laptops, etc might be physically put away, mentally, some of us are still at work and so conversations at home and other actions end up being guided by the occurrences at work. Be more deliberate about disconnecting so that you two can spend genuine time together.

WHOSE WILL? by Toni-Ann Millen

FAITH JOURNEY

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 AMP The Holy Spirit took me on a trip down memory lane recently. He showed me all the times, as far back as age 10 where I professed things I would never do or achieve. I would never preach, run my own business, be a good teacher, be a good leader, dance with a professional company. The truth is I say never when I can’t see how I can make something happen for myself or I am very aware of my low skill level in an area. This is likely due to the ability I am working and not improving, the opportunity seeming way out of my reach or simple fear. I have done all the things listed above.

Now the real whopper that cracked me up was the flashback of me so confidently saying “God would never make me a stay-at-home mom, I just not that type of person”. I honestly feel I set myself up with that comment, I should have seen it coming. This is the thing, many people think that their idea of themselves is God’s idea and their plans and their will is His as well. God’s job is to simply make way for all they intend to do and give them favour to proceed unhindered. When God does not obey, they then begin to question His faithfulness. My newest favourite quote is from Elisabeth Elliot, “When the will of God crosses the will of man somebody has to die.” We often think that our gifts and talents are parameters in which God can work. So based on that which God has given me I now think anything outside of these strengths is not His will for me.

If that were the case then we are suggesting that God’s mighty work is dependent on our own capacity and strength, we can’t bear that responsibility. God’s glory is evident in our weakness. The places we easily submit and depend on Him, no hindrances of pride or vanity. We pray harder, we seek harder and we make ourselves so available due to the knowledge that we lack the ability to do the task. It really is a beautiful place...the place where we die to God’s will. I recognized much later in my Christian life that when I gave my heart to the Lord, it would be the first of many surrenders. Yes, I knew theoretically but practically it had not resonated. Despite seeing myself as a certain “type” of person I can’t hold on to it very tightly. God can make me aware that we are going in a completely different direction. With God, there is no “living my truth”, I am who He says I am because I am His workmanship. When God designed me, He did so with my purpose in mind. I was built for the work he prepared beforehand. So how can I then define who I am? How can I determine how I can be used by God and when? I am who He says I am. A few months ago I was blazing a trail in my profession. I had new goals to reach now and I was ready to get my toddler in daycare and get back to being me.

The me I had so carefully curated, The me people found reason to admire and applaud. I had given my baby more than enough of my life. I was giving myself a mental pep talk when I heard the Spirit of God so clearly interrupt my thoughts and say that I will never go back to that life, it is finished. He went on to show me how he had blocked my many efforts. I had spent days calling daycares and no one answered, I got so desperate I sent emails and messages on Instagram and nothing. I realized I could accept God’s will or I could consume the gospel of the world and make it happen for myself by fighting some more.

The best time to trust God is when He seems that He can’t be trusted, is it even trust otherwise? It is when the things that matter most are at stake and we give them over. It is when we make peace that God could take the things that matter most to us. I surrendered my desires, goals and will to the Lord, not with the expectation that He would reward me with some nice thing or turn around and give it back to me. I sought to ensure that God was enough for me. Many of us Christians have not realized how heavily influenced we are by the world and its views.

We have like the world, buried our identity in career, wealth, influence and self-sufficiency. We feel worthless to be saved without these things happening in our lives. I watch parents raise children with the idol of education as a means to a good future with no discernment that their children are not saved but have good church attendance.

Their content slowly dulls our convictions and discernment. We spend 20-30 mins in devotion or prayer and 3-4 hours consuming what the world prepares for us in a single sitting.

We need to step back and ask ourselves, is God enough even if I get none of the things on my vision board?

Ephesians 2:10 also points out that this is how I live the good life when I walk in the way set before me by God. We have bought the world’s lies of how one achieves the ‘good life’ and it comes with perpetual failure because it is a moving target always needing us to do more. Like every machine, optimum performance comes with proper usage. Submit your will to God, if you really want to make the most of your life relinquish your power to the Designer and find your joy and peace.

God planned my life before I was even born. He created the works for me to do beforehand, and for this reason, I have no need to search for my purpose. It was never lost. So many of us are searching for our purpose, what we are really seeking is something that makes us feel good about ourselves. When you need direction seek God, shut out the noise, and get away so you can hear. Jesus would physically remove himself from whatever was his norm of operation (walking with and teaching his disciples). So we too need to step away and seek God, away from Instagram, Netflix, podcasts, books, tv shows or YouTube. None of these things are wrong in themselves but they have become to our generation an unceasing source of distraction.

Maturity in Christ teaches that for some things it is not about what is wrong or right, it is about what is God’s will for me.

Satan makes God’s way look like it will be a lifetime of being sad as you give up all you want for all you don’t want. It is a big lie. You will experience joy and peace beyond description. You will find that you will begin to desire that which God desires. You will find true contentment and your purpose in accepting the will of God. Toni-Ann Millen is a Christian Creative and Special Education Consultant who is passionate about serving and teaching so that others may be empowered.

FAITH JOURNEY

LIVING 'N' TELLING:

THE STORY OF KIMBERLY GARTH by Akeel Henry

In Philippians chapter 1 verse 14, Paul shared how his imprisonment provided confidence to many brothers of the faith and even encouraged them to be bold in speaking the gospel message. Paul’s faithfulness to the gospel message inspired many to do the same. His story transcended towns, provinces, countries, continents and even generations, as many of us today continue to be inspired by his story. However, amidst the complex, sacrificial and supernatural nature of Paul’s life, he simply believed, obeyed, lived and told. Living N Telling is a mini series that seeks to share the lives of believers who have placed their hope in the one who loves them the most. Individuals, who remain steadfast in colabouring with God in establishing his kingdom here on earth.

As children of God, we come from different spheres of life, but we all share one vision and hope and serve an amazing God. Our lives may not be as grandeur as Paul’s; but, it’s just as necessary in encouraging current and future generations everywhere to walk with Christ and abide in him until he returns.

In this edition of Living N Telling, I share with you the story of a missionary, entrepreneur and women’s life coach, Mrs Kimberly Garth. Kimberly’s life speaks to the simplicity of the gospel message and how critical discipleship is to the growth and sustenance of one’s faith journey. I found her story to be truly refreshing and I hope you do too. Kimberly Garth, formerly Perrotte, is from the twinisland Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Her early years consisted of many playful times with other members of her neighbourhood as she reminisced on what she believed was a really good childhood.

So, why Christ? Kimberly, like many individuals in the Caribbean, attended church with her grandmother in her early years. However, her grandmother passed away when she was nine (9) and this prompted her to switch churches. Her mother sent her and her brother to a Christian Brethren church where she repeatedly heard clear presentations of the gospel message. She got saved at eleven (11) years old. Kimberly shared that she was inconsistent in her faith, especially throughout her teen years. She confessed to not being faithful in being a doer of the Word; but, this changed at the start of her university tenure. She sighted two reasons for this change; her interactions with Cru-Trinidad and Tobago and her mother’s cousin who was a pastor. Kimberly’s involvement with Cru-Trinidad and Tobago arose out of the guilt of needing to be a part of a Christian movement to fulfil her duty as a professed believer. Furthermore, her grandfather, who had returned from living in Canada, got saved and was zealous for the salvation of his family members. This resulted in the salvation of her mother and the water baptism of Kimberly, who was reluctant to do so in the earlier stages of her faith journey. As stated earlier, Kimberly was very inconsistent in living out her faith in her earlier years. Though she was saved at a young age, she believed that being a Christian was pretty boring.

She expressed that through her involvement with Cru she began to truly understand what it meant to be a follower of Christ. As a freshman, she was committed to going to only Bible studies and she was very hesitant to attend weekly meetings at first. She even confessed to being relieved at times when her discipler wasn’t able to show up. However, her investment in Cru grew exponentially when she attended a hike with their members. They exceeded her expectations as her preconceived notion of all Christians being boring and super spiritual proved untrue. After this hike, she became greatly involved with Cru to the point where she was asked in her sophomore year by the campus director to consider becoming a missionary with Cru. The woman who delayed her full commitment to Christ on the premise that serious commitment was reserved for older Christians, was now giving the best of her youthfulness in service to God and had great joy while doing it. She accepted the offer to join the Cru staff, thinking she would only do so for two years but two years became two decades as she is still an active member of the Cru-Trinidad and Tobago community. However, It was a difficult decision at first.

19 From a very young age, she was successful with entrepreneurship. As a holder of a B.Sc degree in Computer Science from the University of the West Indies, Kimberly sacrificed the opportunity to go corporate and earn decent salaries in order to commit to a life where she had to challenge persons to invest financially in her ministry with Cru. This is very difficult in the Caribbean and oftentimes met with opposition even from some members of the church community. However, what she gained was invaluable. As a Cru missionary, She was a part of a system of discipleship where she learned and later imparted lessons about purity, relationships money and other facets of life. She spoke to how this system enabled her to form relationships where the impact of one person wasn’t limited to just Bible studies but infiltrated every facet of one's life. The lessons she learned while serving as a Cru missionary inspired her to start her own business, Petals Bloom Media, which seeks to help women navigate various situations in their personal life and journeys with Christ. Kimberly yearns for believers to understand the importance of discipleship and tap into the riches of it. She believes that too many Christians are living out their faith in their own strength.

She believes that this contributes to many having challenges in their faith. Christianity should affect all areas of our lives but many struggles to accept this. However, having someone who is showing and teaching us how to walk faithfully will help us with challenges in our walk. Kimberly desires for Christians to help each other in this way. I agree with Kimberly as there are many ways we need to become mature as believers. Self-denial is essential to the growth of ones faith but its hard. Having another believer investing their time, talents and treasures in an effort to propel another to maturity makes the Christian journey so much easier. In fact, we fulfill our mandates as co-labourers with Christ when we do this for each other. Kimberly has greatly benefited from discipleship, but she admits that there are many more who needs discipleship. Bearing this in mind, she remains steadfast in the discipleship of many women around the world through Petals Bloom Media. Like a great fruit tree, Kimberly’s life will continue to nurture the lives of many.

Like an alluring petal, her life’s work will continue to bloom for the glory of God. Akeel Henry is a passionate Christian Creative who is on a mission to spread the Good News and educate others about Christ.

IT'S BROKEN! by Nardia Hibbert

The difference between the glass and I was; I recall what happened, I knew what led to my brokenness – SIN! For a while, I had chosen to remain in that place of brokenness with a mindset of “I might as well sin”. Hope was nowhere in sight, and neither was the desire to be whole. Desires, hope, ambitions; all expectations I had for me were soon crushed because failure was the only thing in my vision.

A glass fell out of my hand and broke; I still can’t recall how it happened. Before cleaning it up, I stared at the scattered pieces. Looking beyond the broken glass, in the scattered pieces on the counter, I saw me. That glass was me... Broken!! In the scattered pieces, I saw pain, hurt, betrayal, loneliness, suffering, self-pity, deception, loss, anger, misunderstanding, disloyalty, cheating, guilt, shame - you name it. So many wrongs done to me, many I have done to others, and even to God.

FAITH JOURNEY

TRIED, FAILED, TRIED, FAILED WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY – WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME? Tried, failed, tried, failed was the order of the day – why is this happening to me? Not realizing my deeds were backed by pride, coupled with Satan’s lies. "You don’t deserve better", the father of lies once told me. "If you try, you will fail so why bother…" “Ha-ha, stop fooling yourself, you will never be better…”

He is just like a mosquito in my ear, especially late at night when the busyness of the day is done (he strives to get us alone). You think he gives you a break, but he is back with his loud, annoying, whining sound when you least expect it. Its presence even causes you to inflict hurt on yourself in an attempt to get rid of it. By this time, he had taken any little resolve I had left. I surrendered to the serpent as Eve did – “you win, I give up, I won’t fight anymore, whatever you say”. Apparently, that wasn’t enough. With his rapacious mentality, he was still coming after me. Clearly, he wanted me out. A little crack is all he needs to get in. His self-invitation is all it takes. Later, you find him promoting himself from a visitor to a roommate and getting all his friends over. What did I expect when I let go of my grip on God’s hand and walked away from His presence? I failed to let God hold me, knowing well if He holds me I’m perfectly held by His strong and powerful champion hands.

Today I can rejoice in the fact, God is not like man. When something is broken, very few people would keep it around, but not so with my God. He did not move on and forgot about me; He refused to let me remain broken. God desired to make me whole again. God used my brokenness for His purpose. After being full with everything that dishonored Him, it was good for me to be broken so I could be emptied. As He picked up the pieces, he washed them clean, in preparation for something greater. What is His plan, I am yet to ascertain but I will wait. What I do know, is that it is perfect and for my good. Today I choose to believe He has wonderful blessings in store for me because He loves me that much. How amazing it is, to be loved by God unconditionally. One songwriter penned it so accurately - “Oh, the overwhelming, neverending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, you give yourself away.” That is a fact! Are you one who had messed up too?

22 We won’t all share the testimony of Joseph who 18 ran leaving his cloak behind in the hands of Potiphar’s wife; perhaps the prodigal son who came to his senses and cried out - I will go to my Father? We don’t have to worry about being disowned by God, He won’t! Your father's arms are open wide; He wants to receive you unto Himself, He is ready and waiting to throw you a big party, put on His righteous robe on you, kill the fatted calf and celebrate just for you. God is not holding our wrongs against us, on the contrary, he just wants you to come home and abide with Him… If you desire to be whole! “Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:2-6)

Wherever you are, whatever your situation, however long you have been there… Jesus desires you to be whole.

“Wilt thou be made whole?” In His soft, sweet voice I heard Him whisper. My heart danced, images of wholeness flooded my mind. Is this really happening –but I thought…. Surely if I tried in my strength, I would only end up broken again.

I would not have gotten to where the Lord destined for me to be. If I had tried in my strength, the hurt and pain would have remained. Today I can declare and shout it loud with my chest - God is good! He is bigger than our situation and nothing is hard for Him. He can mend brokenness and when He does, He beautifies you in a way that will amaze you. He will take the pieces and give you His peace. “And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” (Phil 4:7 AMP)

My lips echoed on behalf of my heart. Lord, Yes! I want to be perfectly whole. “My daughter, My Son, your faith have made you well” God loves us deeply and equally; He doesn’t stop at the good He has done for me. If He did it for me, He can and will do it for you. He has already done enough and is willing to do more if we let Him. Do you want to be made whole or remain broken? What do you choose?

Nardia Hibbert a Christian Creative who is particularly moved to encourage others through the Word and the sharing of testimonies.

COLUM

HEART MATTERS with Candicia Ashman

5 TRUTHS ABOUT HEALING

We live in a time when everyone seems to be more in tune with themselves. We have selfhelp seminars, Ted-Talks, coaches, and forums now more than ever that deal with mental health and over all wellbeing.

One of these topics is how to truly deal with hurt and the brutal honesty about the healing process. We hear the sermons preached on forgiveness and what is required of us as believers but seldom how we are to get to this junction. People have been figuring it out as they go along, or they turn to programs and avenues provided outside the church. Let’s talk a little about the healing journey and some ugly truths we may need to face to truly get to that place.

While this generation is to be commended for their self-awareness, Christendom sometimes misses the mark on these uncomfortable conversations. We still have institutions that avoid topics such as abuse, sex, temptations, and other topics that go against the grain of what the church should be focused on. While spirituality is very important in the lives of believers, we sometimes forget the human side and the human struggles that many face, even in the church. There are many who silently suffer because they believe what they want clarity on is either demonic or worldly. And some who go astray because the world seems more open and willing to give information on these things than the church does.

Healing is an UGLY process: Listen; if anyone says otherwise, they are lying. Healing is a process that takes you through the dirt, mud, and muck before you can see clear waters and blue skies. It’s ugly crying at 3:00Am for no reason; digging into a carton of ice-cream with a shovel and feeling all the feels at the worst possible times.

It’s a messy journey but once you are committed 18 to the process, when you come out the clear, you see how important it was to go through it.

Healing is a PROCESS: We hear it all the time but what does it really mean though? Healing is a process means that healing cannot be rushed, it’s something that you have to GO THROUGH-all the stages, the aches, the pain etc. It isn’t something you force, but like water, you allow it to be and flow with it. There are people who go through things and think they have gotten over it and ten years down the line, something triggers them and they become broken again. It’s like being on a program for the rest of your life. Even after you have healed you have to unlearn old habits and reactions, substitute certain reactions and change your lifestyle to truly be better. It is continuous and continually being intentional about everything you do so you maintain that posture of ‘healed.’ It doesn’t happen overnight.

Healing is for YOU: While it is great to ‘heal for someone else’, if your intention is not to do it for you, you may not sustain it. Healing is for you primarily. Though many benefit from you being better, your process should not depend on anyone else. You have to become better for yourself.

“And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” (Phil 4:7 AMP)

25 18 We won’t all share the testimony of Joseph who ran leaving his cloak behind in the hands of Potiphar’s wife; perhaps the prodigal son who came to his senses and cried out - I will go to my Father? We don’t have to worry about being disowned by God, He won’t! Your father's arms are open wide; He wants to receive you unto Himself, He is ready and waiting to throw you a big party, put on His righteous robe on you, kill the fatted calf and celebrate just for you.

God is not holding our wrongs against us, on the contrary, he just wants you to come home and abide with Him… If you desire to be whole!

“Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:2-6)

Wherever you are, whatever your situation, however long you have been there… Jesus desires you to be whole.

Candicia Ashman is an Author, Speaker and Christian Creative who is eager to make waves in the Kingdom through real conversations and encouraging healing through Jesus Christ.

ADVENTURES

It's time to bask in the life-giving discovery & embrace of self, God, the Arts and Nature

So, we know the holidays just passed and so you're possibly trying to take a step back from some of the heavy meals with lengthy preparations times. We get it and we got you! Our resident Chef, Christ Sinclair McCalla came up with an exclusive recipe for you to try at home and enjoy!

BBQ CHICKEN WRAP

CHRIS' KITCHEN: BBQ CHICKEN WRAP BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Wrap Ingredients

3 cups ketchup 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp Salt 2 tbsp hot sauce

2 cups Chicken ( Roasted/Grilled) Lettuce, shredded Plummy Tomatoes, skin removed and cut into strips Cucumber, cut into strips/julienned

BBQ Sauce steps 1) Whisk together all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow to come to a bubble and then reduce the heat to low. Allow to simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. 2) Serve immediately or allow to cool slightly and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Wrap Steps 1) In a bowl, combine the chicken, some bbq sauce and stir to coat the chicken. 2) Lay out the tortillas. Place some of the lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber down the center of the tortilla. Top each with 3/4 cup of the chicken mixture. Fold in the ends, then roll into a wrap. 3) Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. (Best served within a few hours.)

VICTOR BROWN HEARTWORK EP Join us for a quick chat! RELEASES SOULFUL RHYTHMS & LYRICS ON DEBUT

PAJE Spotlight Can we just start this off by saying we are absolute FANS of Victor Brown's musical abilities and spiritual soundness? With that in mind, his debut EP - Heartwork, drips with true finesse, soul, lyricism, realness and excellence. So, we had to catch up with him to have a lil chat. Let's jump in! PAJE: What has the journey been like for you as a creative with a distinct musical style?

VICTOR: Well it's been a roller-coaster of a journey because mixed with the thrill of discovering my own sound, which is a whole adventure; comes mixed feelings regarding the unpredictable nature of varying audience's responses to my eclectic sound. Mostly it's been fun though, experimenting with different sounds and rhythmic patterns, trying different beats, writing different types of lyrics for different songs, exploring a variety of genres and working with some incredible creatives. PAJE: What's the message behind the name 'Heartwork'?

VICTOR: "Heartwork" is a play on word to combine "He" (God) and "Artwork". The title of my debut EP addresses 3 things, 1. I am and we are HIS, fully belonging to him (Col. 1:16), all of us with our varying personalities and sounds, appearances and perspectives; belong entirely to God. 2. We are not only HIS (belonging to Him), but we are also His artwork. Ephesians 2:10 describes us as "His handiwork" and that is an incredible discovery that once held firmly in view, it reshapes the way you think of yourself and the way you see the world. 3. The journey of shifting from being "Me" to being "His" is one of heartwork. God is continually working on all our hearts and that's the summary of every track on the project.

32 PAJE: What do you hope that listeners receive now that Heartwork has been released?

PAJE: Do you have anything you want to say to encourage our readers for the year ahead?

VICTOR: I hope that every listener will meet Jesus in a new and different way and that revelation of Christ will spark a revival within them to see and know truth and live in that. I want listeners to feel the hope of Christ flowing through their ear canals and mostly I want them to feel loved by the Father.

VICTOR: Stay focused on Christ on the mountain and in the valley. Love for eternity, not for earth. Be aware that we are alive in a prophetic season where deception is rampant in the earth, learn to seek Jesus and cultivate a true relationship with Him FOR YOURSELF. Learn to study scripture and gain revelation from the Holy Spirit. Do not allow any night season of your life to terminate your purpose and force you into a dark cave where you can't live the way God designed you to. Apply the lessons from 2021 to this year.

PAJE: Will you be going on tour soon, or anything of the sort; where will readers be able to see you ministering in the next 2-3 months?

VICTOR: I'd encourage readers to follow my Instagram page @iamvictor.brown for any updates re my movements and any ministry I do in this season ahead. PAJE: We're now in 2022, what are you looking forward to most?

VICTOR: I am mostly looking forward to watching God restore His people, revive His church and being a part of the journey of Him doing both; along with (hopefully) some incredible music perhaps. PAJE: What would you say are the top three lessons you learned in 2021?

VICTOR: I. Love Jesus deeply and be deliberate about seeking Him and living in and with His presence. ii. Loving people is hard. lol. For me at least, so It takes the Holy Spirit to make it truly possible to love folks the way God requires and not the way the world defines "love". iii. God has plans for us all and NOTHING is wasted. He is a powerful redeemer and He's able to restore every broken piece of pottery and use it for His glory.

Thanks, Victor, for taking the time to chill with us and update our readers about Heartwork and more! Wishing you all the best for 2022 and beyond!

PAJE Spotlight DAVID SUTTON RELEASES

Psalm150 d-changer kinda song! ...a moo

PAJE has come across the talent of David Sutton in the past year, and best believe, we knew there was something significant about him. His humility and love for the Lord are evident as he pours out his talents for Kingdom advancement! With that in mind, we were excited to learn that he was releasing a single after his many live performances and in the midst of providing so much support for other movements, and we can definitely say that we love it! He describes the track as "a mood-changer kinda song" and that's an accurate description! The musicality and international feel gives it an elevated feel. "It’s a high energy anthem that wastes no time in letting all listeners know where/WHO to send the praise and how worthy God truly is of all honor lifted to Him."

We can definitely hear a variety of influences enveloped in the song, however, you can definitely hear his own style and personality naturally flow which causes an instant uplifting of the spirit! This song is his first release since being a finalist in the 2020 JCDC Gospel song competition here in Jamaica, and it lays the platform for even better things to come from this young minister. This track acts as a beautiful reminder that God is worthy in ALL seasons, and we're excited to hear more from David moving forward!

Photo contributed by Andre Whittaker

PRONE to Wanderlust

with Andre Whittaker

Journey with The Witty Traveler to One of the Seven Wonders of the World:

36 No vocabulary is vast enough to articulate my experiences in Peru, but at the very least, I hope to paint a picture so intriguing that it will inspire you to take your own trip and make lasting memories of your own. This spontaneous solo trip to Peru has me awestruck and in love. Peru is blessed with incredible diversity and has sites and attractions that can appeal to a wide range of travelers. A ten-day trip isn’t nearly enough time to explore the endless otherworldly sites of Peru, but I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to taste of its beauty. Among the wonders of Peru is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Journey with me as we make our way to Machu Picchu.

Peru Here I Come!! The time is four-thirty in the afternoon, I’m at the Miami International Airport and walking briskly towards gate D1, my gateway to the South American Country of PERU. Upon arriving, I look up at the digital screen to confirm I was in the right location and there it was, destination, Lima, Peru. I was flushed with instant joy, probably that of a first-time traveler even though I’ve been traveling for the past three decades. But this time was different. My first time to South America, my first time flying across the equator, my first time to a Spanish speaking country where I have absolutely no connections to anyone on the ground, and my first time flying as a solo traveler where the purpose of the trip was simply, a response to WANDERLUST. Looking around I was probably the only black person at the gate, but there I was, obsessed, observing the mannerisms and nuances of the people, with whom ill make my home for the next ten (10) days. Peru, here I come!!!

Pictured: Andre Whittaker sitting on Incan Steps

Prone to Wanderlust First Stop, Cusco I arrived in Lima, the countries capital at about 11:40 pm, exhausted from a long day of traveling, and made my way through immigration without any trouble. Soon after, I was in an Uber on my way to my AirBnB where I would rest for the night so I can finally get this adventure started. Cusco is the destination of choice for most foreign travelers to Peru, as it is from Cusco that you visit the infamous Lost City of the Incas. “Machu Picchu” as well as other sites like Laguna Humantay and Rainbow Mountain. I took a twenty-three (23) hour overnight bus ride from Lima with Cusco with Ultursa, one of the local bus companies. The seats were comfortable with a significant recline and footrest and my particular bus wasn’t very full so there was a lot of space to spread out. After what felt like a neverending bus ride I finally made it to Cusco, more specifically to the city center at the Plaza De Armas.

There I was, wide-eyed and stunned, feeling like I had been teleported in time. Plaza De Armaz has a sweet charm with its colonial architecture buildings, and the rich energy of the people, visitors, and locals alike that filled its streets . On this particular evening, there was a large band playing traditional music as people danced along in jubilee. The energy was ecstatic and contagious. There were dozens of restaurants, and shops that lines the four sides of this city center, and the park in the midst of the excitement was buzzing with people enjoying the sights and all that this charming town had to offer.

There were tourists taking pictures and making an evening purchase, locals enjoying a drink in one of the many bars, the laughter and joy of children playing, young love in a world of their own with the perfect backdrop of the city, and artisans sharing their intricate paintings with anyone who would give them a moment. Wow! So much was going on it was a lot to take in and digest, but one thing for sure is I was enjoying every moment of it. The question of the hour was what shall I have for dinner with there being so many options to choose from. Fushion Andina Restaurante was the final selection. It had the perfect view of the city center and city lights that covered the distant hills, a wide selection of menu items, and live traditional Peruvian music. It definitely felt like a luxury dining experience at budget prices.

Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu It's 4 am and I am beaming with excitement, today is the day I’ll experience my first of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. The pictures I've seen stain my memory and all I can think is that pictures never compare to the real thing. What will today’s beauty be like? I opted against an organized tour to save some funds for my Machu Picchu adventure.

Pictured: Andre Whittaker sitting on the steps of Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin

I rush to get organized and ready as it was a ten (10) minutes walk from my accommodations into the town to catch the bus to the train station. Thermals, lined the inside of my clothing and the outfit was finished with an alpaca hat, socks and gloves purchased the evening before. It is supposed to be a cold morning and I'm prepared.

The bus ride is about two (2) hours long from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, where I took the Inca Rail to Aguas Caliente for another hour and a half.

The cobblestone-lined streets, the warm glow of the city lights, and the fresh morning dew provided the perfect setting as I made my trek to the bus station.

The train ride was lovely, with comfortable seating, and stunning views through large windows on both sides of the train and in the ceiling. Scenic mountain ranges, meandering rivers, and local farmlands are among the ever-changing views to be enjoyed on the smooth service provided by Inca Rail.

I arrived just in time, presented my passport and online bus ticket confirmation, and waited to board the bus.

Once in Aguas Caliente, it’s just another thirty-five minutes bus ride before finally arriving at Machu Picchu!

39 If ever in need of a break from the exquisite view, meeting travelers from around the world and sharing the stories of each other's preferred destinations and expeditions is the next best entertainment of choice aboard the train. Being from Jamaica is always met with much delight, as Jamaica is either a bucket list destination for many or an island often traversed by travelers arriving by cruise ship or by plane to enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer. Three and a half hours of traveling quickly passed and before you know it I was at the infamous Machu Picchu! Sitting hidden and undisturbed, high in the Andes for three hundred (300) years until discovered in 1911. Machu Picchu, "Old Mountain", in the local Quechua language is one of the Seven (7) Wonders of the World, and with good reason. The excavation of the lost city revealed about 200 buildings and 700 terraces. Buildings included houses, baths, temples, sanctuaries, areas for storage, and others dedicated to learning!

Experiencing the ruins of an Incan Citadel was truly inspiring. Seeing firsthand what the Incas accomplished in the estimated 1400's, what is considered a civil engineering marvel, provided a snippet of what we've been able to accomplish as the human race over the years. It is truly something to be celebrated and builds excitement and intrigue for what lies ahead as we continue to advance in technology and creativity.

So Much More To See After recovering from Pachu Picchu, each subsequent day was filled overwhelming encounters. It felt like stimulation overload without adequate time to really process all that was being experienced. I am grateful to Peru for igniting my heart with your passion and for a week filled with endless beauty! With so much still to discover, I'm sure I’ll be back, next time with a three month itinerary to truly enjoy it all at a more relaxed pace. Who’s coming with me?

Inca architecture is nothing short of spectacular with large granite rocks being shaped with intricacy and precision so that each rock seamlessly interlocks with the next to create a wall. The terraces provide agricultural areas, but are also fundamental to Machu Picchu’s longevity, being the primary means for soil stabilization and support of buildings. Of greatest impact has been the beaming faces of the Peruvian tour guides, as they share the history and stories with great pride and joy. Each one seemed not to be carrying out a job function but more seemed honored and delighted to share with a new friend something dear and close to their hearts.

Andre Whittaker is a Christian Creative and Entrepreneur who is passionate about serving God and His people, and sharing God's truth through the Arts & Nature

THE HEALTH CORNER with Mischa Christie

IS STRESS ABOUT TO RUIN YOUR LIFE? It’s that time of the year, the most wonderful time! Mariah Carey Season. But did you know that the most wonderful time of the year can be the most stressful? With having to buy gifts for friends or family, bills, food purchases! Not to mention actually eating these fatty, salty, sweet foods. The amount of stress in this season can ruin your life. How can stress ruin your life though? Nowadays stress is common in people of all age groups. According to a study, 33% of people have chronic stress. Usually, people don't take it seriously. They think everything will be fine with time. But that's not true. Severe stress can ruin your life because stress affects your physical and mental health. In addition, it affects your personal and social life! There could be different factors that cause stress such as Environmental, social, economic, medical, and personal. It is a fact Stress is heavily linked to severe illness and According to researchers, Stress can be one of the causes of 75-90 percent of human diseases. Additionally, experts state, Stress is good in flight or fight conditions. It enables the body to release neurotransmitters, neurochemicals, and hormonal changes by activating the sympathetic nervous system.

These systems help our body to respond. For example, in this condition, catecholamine's level increases, and it cranks up the heart rate and blood pressure. Thus, it either helps you fight against the condition or run away (flight) from it. But if this stress persists for a long time, then good stress goes away, and bad stress comes in. According to a survey, stress can even worsen pre-existing diseases like heart diseases, diabetes, depression, and more.

Health & Fitness What is stress?

Stress linked diseases

Body's response to anything that needs attention or action. This can be the result of life's demands, either pleasant or unpleasant, and your insufficient resources to meet them. In stress conditions, your body requires an extra amount of energy for the protection of itself. If this extra energy is not used, it can imbalance your system.

A study by Ohio state university results showed that long-term stress is the reason for multiple health diseases such as

As we know, stress is a part of life. If we eliminate the stress from our lives, we will lose the energy for living. But too much stress is toxic for the body.

Cardiovascular Disease The long term stress has been associated with heart attack, atherosclerotic and cardiovascular mortality. Chronic stress exerts a force on the sympathetic nervous system

to work overtime. It adds more catecholamines into the system and results in increased heart rate and blood pressure. Stress also causes the release of triglycerides and cholesterol into the blood. Chronic stress also mediates the release of inflammatory substances that induce active inflammation. Thus chronic stress leads to cardiovascular diseases. Depression Stressful life events like the death of family members, joblessness, or chronic illness lead to depression or major depressive disorders. 20-25% of people who experience stressful events develop depression at later stages of their life.

This depression may come with remissions and relapses. Stress promotes depression through promoting illness. It leads to morbidities like Heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and others. These conditions further increase the risk of depression.

42 Diabetes Chronic stress also has a significant impact on the severity of Diabetes Mellitus. Due to stress, we indulge in eating more junk food.

According to Researchers, stress eating leads to poor glycemic control. Other researchers proved that chronic psychological stress leads to the high prevalence of undetected type 2 Diabetes because periods of stress lead to increased insulin resistance. Alzheimer's disease Stress also promotes the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. For example, stress stimulates amyloid-beta production and hastens the accumulation of amyloid plaques, the main hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, chronic stress puts the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis into overdrive. All of this causes an increased release of cortisol. High cortisol promotes rapid neurodegeneration. According to the centers for disease control and prevention report, about 5.3 million people in America suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, they stated that the number of cases would increase in the next few years. Another study by Dr. Irina Skylar Scott proved that people with high levels of stress could not deal with the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease compared to people who haven't a high level of stress. So medical experts believe that stress has a major role in Alzheimer's disease.

Obesity Weight gain is everyone's problem, but it is more common in those people who are stressed, yes. We have been hearing for a long time that stress causes weight gain.

The latest studies proved that stress is one of the major causes of weight gain even if you are eating healthy. Various studies have stated that people who are suffering from Stress burn fewer calories as compared to those who have no stress in life. Furthermore, stress increases the craving for fast and sugary food items, which causes obesity - and it is also caused by fat accumulation in the belly area.

Health & Fitness Cancer Stress also acts as a contributing factor in cancer progression. It leads to the formation, growth, and metastasis of brain tumors to various parts of the body. Stress mainly hastens the progression of cancer rather than its initiation. It plays a major role in hepatocarcinoma, cervical cancer, and HIV-related tumors.

In addition, researchers did research on 2000 working men, and results showed that work stress is the cause of prostate cancer in men. Another study was performed on cancer mice, and they found that chronic stress in mice increased the size of the tumor and decreased his survival rate. Hypertension Hypertension is a common illness, about 972 million people have high blood pressure. And researchers proved that stress is linked with high blood pressure. During stress, the human body releases hormones, and these hormones block the vessels or make it narrow. So blood can't flow smoothly through these vessels, and blood strikes the wall of vessels with great pressure. High blood pressure is a chronic illness that promotes other health issues such as heart attack, brain hemorrhage, stroke, etc. Headache Headache is a painful condition, and stress is a common cause of severe headaches and migraine. According to a study, during stress the body releases specific hormones which expand the vessel and cause pain.

Additionally, stress increases the muscle tension in the neck and shoulder, which makes the headache worse.

Irritable bowel syndrome Ibs is a chronic disease that is caused by different factors, and stress is a major cause of it.

Moreover, Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine and causes other health issues such as constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, etc. according to one study, 60% people with irritable bowel syndrome experience severe depression and anxiety.in addition, they also experience mood swings Disturbed sleeping pattern Stress has harmful effects on sleep. Most people are affected by this problem.

The condition of stress becomes worse if you already have some sleep-related issues. For example, stress aggravates insomnia, so it becomes difficult to sleep again if you wake up during the night. In stress conditions, a high level of cortisol is released, so it disturbs the sleep pattern. As we know, sleeplessness can impair memory and emotional control. Cold and infection People who are suffering from stress are more vulnerable to infections. This is because psychological stress impairs the immune response's defense like innate immunity-cell responses and antibody production.

According to a survey, the adults who were already depressed and stressed got sick.

44 Digestive problem Due to the problems in the digestion process, some symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation occur. Stress can trigger GIT issues and vice versa.

Some nerves in the brain are also in line with GIT. They produce serotonin and keep you calm, and aid indigestion. In stressed conditions, these cells become inactive and can stop the digestion process. Inflammation Inflammation has a role in many chronic problems like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. During stress, a cascade of hormones is released, e.g., cortisol. A high level of cortisol can aggravate inflammation and also weaken the immune system. In addition, inflammation has a role in diseases related to aging.

So, can you manage stress? As you know, the number of stress cases is increasing day by day because everyone is dealing with different things like study, job, home responsibility, etc. due to the burden of responsibility and tension, people experience severe stress, and prolonged stress could be dangerous.

That's why it is important to cope with chronic stress. However, there are different ways to cope with stress.

Here are a few tips listed below that are helpful to deal with stress: Listen to music Relaxing music has a positive effect on the mind. The peaceful music lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, and balances the hormones which trigger stress.

That's why psychologists suggest listening to classical and nature-related music while going through stress and depression. Talk to loved ones A good company can make your life easier or happier. That's why when you feel stressed, talk to your friends about happy and memorable moments.

Talk about your problems, your goal, etc. this technique is helpful to cope with stress because it prevents your mind from thinking about suicidal thoughts. It keeps your mind away from suicidal thoughts.

During stress, people show different types of behavior like anger, mood swings, emotions, and something they become violent. According to psychologists, in these situations, people think about suicide.

Healthy diet A healthy diet is the key to a healthy life. Food has a deep connection with stress. According to various reports, food with a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids helps to lower the stress level.

A survey showed that about 700k people commit suicide due to stress. So it is compulsory to do treatment for stress because stress can damage your happy life.

That's why try to add omega-3 rich food into your diet. Moreover, avoid sugary food and fatty food because these things can trigger your stress level.

Health & Fitness Exercise Exercise doesn't always mean vigorous exercises. Instead, you can have a short walk around the office or your home, which induces immediate relief in your life.

Getting your blood moving causes increased release of endorphins that boosts up your mood immediately, Take enough sleep It is a fact during stress, and people can't sleep. And lack of sleep is the cause of stress. This vicious cycle affects the brain badly.

So if you want to get rid of stress permanently, then get a 6 to 8 hours sleep minimum. Laugh it off Laughter causes an increased release of endorphins that elevates our mood and decreases the release of stressinducing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. So laughing tricks your nervous system and makes you happy. So we suggest you to watch some classic Monty Python skits like "The Ministry of Silly walks." These can make you happiest quickly. Drink Tea Caffeine causes increased blood pressure. This is because it causes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to go into overdrive. So you should try green tea instead of coffee. It contains less caffeine, more healthy antioxidants, and theanine, which has a soothing effect on our nervous system. Be mindful You need to make some changes in your lifestyle to live a healthy life. Include meditative Exercises in your daily life

Conclusion No doubt all of us experience stress in different stages of life. The reason could be different for having stress. The short term Stress is not harmful because it vanishes after some time. But persistent stress has a negative impact on mental and physical life. It promotes depression, anxiety. Additionally, stress causes other physical health issues like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, insomnia, high cholesterol, obesity, etc., so if you are experiencing stress, consult your doctor for medication. In addition, you should adopt some healthy habits to lower your stress like doing exercises, eating healthy food, listening to music, being social, and spending your day in healthy activities. Have a great year! Mischa Christie is a registered Pharmacist as a well as a Health Coach, and is passionate about helping persons to effectively avoid and manage lifestyle diseases.

JOURNEYS Highlighting the journey of a specific individual (main feature) and learning more about God through Biblical pursuits

COLUMN

THE TRUTH DISTILLERY

W IT H V I C T O R B RO W N

KINTSUGI

“I think art reflects life. We all get hammered and

I'm sure you can appreciate why that phrase

we all have to sit with our pieces and find a way to

impressed me but I’ll go ahead and share a little

redefine what wholeness looks like and make

more at peril of restating the obvious. As a young

something beautiful out of the life that we have.”

man, having been through a number of traumatic

Dr. Alexa Altman, Phd.

situations and very dark seasons, I had to find a number of anchors to steady the storm-struck ship

If you’re reading this you’re human. If you’re human,

that was my life.

you know what it feels like to be broken, hammered, fall, break, feel shattered dreams and scattered fragments of your life get lost irretrievably; and in that case I’m grateful that we can relate. Ever so often I am introduced to a word that represents a concept that I fall in love with. As an adolescent it was the French adage “c’est la vie”, which means “such is life”, or “that’s the way life is”. happen and you can and should move on as that’s “the way life is”. It’s reminiscent of Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun. In both good and bad times, one can find the impetus to regain momentum and keep going when reminded that “that’s how life is”. As a young adult, I was particularly impressed with the concept of “sisu”, a Finnish word that means a number of things in English but most importantly “the resilience to overcome great adversity”.

DEEP DIVE

The saying was useful as a reminder that things

God’s word is powerful, and it was definitely my mainstay because it contains the promises of God and absolute truth that helped me to find the lighthouse of hope on the most dark, stormy nights of the soul. However, additional to God’s word were these words that were a product of human ingenuity or linguistic creativity. Earlier this year, I discovered a new word that quickly became very important to me. This word is “Kintsugi”. The word Kintsugi (pronounced ‘Kintsoo-gee’) is an ancient practice that finds it roots steeped in Japanese tradition. It describes a process whereby Japanese artisans repaired broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Another way to do this is by using a powerful adhesive to rejoin the shards and broken pieces of a container/pot or household article together. Kintsugi is said to have originated in the 15th century when a Japanese military dictator broke a favorite tea bowl and sent it to China to be fixed. Legend has it that the shogun was disappointed with the result and subsequently enlisted the services of Japanese craftsmen to come up with a more aesthetically pleasing solution, thus kintsugi was born.

The word holds a powerful meaning too as “Kin” means ‘golden’ and “Tsugi” means ‘rejoining’ (golden rejoining). Today, Kintsugi can take varying lengths of time depending on the skill of the artist and the severity of the damage to the item. A conservative estimate places it at anywhere from 28-35 days of a multi-faceted, multi-layered process but of course, there can be similar repairs done more quickly. I recall watching Dr. Altman’s video on YouTube in which she carried out her own form of Kintsugi and I was impressed with the points she made as she worked. This Psychologist sounded like she was preaching as she made mention of a number of key observations during the process. She made the following comparisons:

The bowl or article can be used to represent you

It’s usually unexpected and sudden, so sudden in

or an aspect of your life. The cloth symbolises

fact that we oftentimes aren’t even sure how or

something that covers you or holds you together,

why it happened and before we have time to react

for instance a mother’s love, faith, family, or

we may have people looking on us, shaking their

community. The hammer is an agent of change

heads and looking through the cracks in their

that can be used to destroy or build. Glue is

lives with eyes of self-righteous judgment,

something that helps to reconnect parts of you for

muttering woeful words of wisdom “look at

instance forgiveness or conversation, reflection,

him/her”. “How could he/she do this?” A question

prayer or therapy.

many a parent and grandparent has asked a child or youngster when they have broken something,

The good doctor advised her viewers to sit with

almost as if the kid intended to make a mess.

their pieces and embrace their brokenness, resisting the very human urge to ‘fix it’ as soon as

Now mark you, there are instances where that is

possible; before anyone sees your mess. Don’t be

the case, but in my experience, that’s not usually

hasty to fix it without being mindful of the

so. Children often break things around the house

condition you’re in advised the doc.

due to their inexperience and lack of exercise of caution or wisdom just like adults break their lives.

She concluded with filing to smooth over the excess (glue) that you don’t need anymore then

When we have fallen or found ourselves

applying the gold as the celebration of wholeness;

broken by life, people or circumstances

which she describes as a map of the story of what

hammering us, we often times lose hope.

you’ve been through. I can’t speak for you dear reader but I know that I found so many nuggets of truth in her

usually when I drop a glass and see it shattered

demonstration of the process. Hers wasn’t the first

on the ground my first impulse is to groan a

I had seen and I undoubtedly found loads of

miserable,

wisdom in my initial introduction to the concept,

(Honestly? Occasionally hissing my teeth to

but here are a few thoughts that stayed with me.

provide the accompaniment to that).

frustrated

expression

“why?!”

Just like that bowl, we fall. Just like a piece of pottery or a vase of an important ceramic family

After this, I head straightway for a dust bin and a

heirloom, we can find our lives in pieces in an

broom because I have neither the time nor the

instant.

patience to fix that glass, after all why would I?

I have a busy life and important things to do. But

He then masterfully paints over our cracks with

what if there was someone so skilled in repairing

His love, not to hide them as if we’re perfect, but

broken vessels that no shattered glass intimidated

to cover our imperfections with His perfection and

him? What if this person wasn’t bound by time and

show that His grace is greater than our

had nothing but time to fix broken things?

brokenness.

What if this artist was so experienced in restoring

Embrace your cracks my friends.

broken things that he knew exactly what each job required before the item ever hit the ground? The good news is, there is such a person. His name Is Jesus and we don’t have to worry about him having a backlog of jobs to fix like our tailors or mechanics here on earth. We need not grow anxious while he takes His time to fix us as He promises that we are never forgotten and he has no 9-5 or side hustle to hastily get to. We can find comfort in His track record, knowing that every pot that stays still long enough for Him to complete His work on it has been fixed well. I see such a vast difference between myself and the master Kintsugi artist called Christ… He is so patient. First taking time to pick up every shard of our broken lives. Then sitting and carefully reassembling us piece by scattered piece. Painstakingly applying the glue of his truth to hold us together and holding us while we ‘dry’ and the tape of hope wraps us to keep us steady while his love ‘sets’.

In the words of Dr. Altman, “Healing happens in connection, not perfection”. Connection with God is where healing begins so if you’re broken and don’t know where or how to begin getting fixed, allow me to caution you firstly that you cannot fix yourself. Secondly, I’ll encourage you to visit God. Yes, visit God because although He is omniscient and omnipresent, sometimes when we mess up, fail, fall or go through breaking or hammering situations we hide pieces of ourselves under the bed, chest of drawers or wardrobe. We tuck secrets

under

cupboards,

closets

and

countertops. We evade light and gather dust in our intimate mental places and sequester our most vulnerable wounds and conceal our emotional spaces. Something that I’ve always wondered is why anyone would try to fix a broken bowl when it can usually be replaced fairly easily, I found my answer as I researched the art of Kintsugi. First off, in Japanese culture, there is the practice of repairing

valuable

items

priceless or irreplaceable.

that

are

deemed

Those two words describe you. The father created

Saul, a murderous Jew, so devout in his pharisaic

you, and by that mere fact alone, you are

duties that he was willing to extinguish the lives of all

exceptionally well-made and such unique being

who appeared to present any opposition. When one

that you are irreplaceable and priceless. The devil

takes a look at the life of Saul (Paul before…you know…

lies loudly to convince us otherwise. He says

his donkey incident) he doesn’t sound like a man who

things like “you were molested so you are

is well at all.

worthless”. “You made horrible, selfish decisions, you’re a failure”. “You are so invisible and

You tell me, you are sooo devoted to “god” that you

unnoticed, you’re not anyone of worth and you

will live your life to harass, persecute and torment

have nothing to contribute to this world”.

women and men from all walks of life in different regions? Does that sound like someone who is …

ALL LIES. Regardless of what you’ve done or

mentally and emotionally and spiritually …healthy? It

failed to do, the simple fact that GOD made you, in

definitely does NOT to me.

HIS image means you hold an indelible inherent value. Nothing you do can change that. The devil

So here’s my thing, God could encounter Saul and

says you’ve failed so much that no-one can fix you,

begin a process of redemption and restoration of his

God says “the lie detector test determined THAT

fragmented image of God, healing his mind and

was a lie”. The devil says you are beyond reach

emotions so much so that they could come into

and God says “ I don’t remember hiring a PR agent

alignment with God’s plan for his life. Maybe you’ve

from the father of lies marketing agency (-_-).

been as bad as Saul was before he became Paul, or maybe not. Maybe you’ve been “worse”. God doesn’t

Listen, In Isaiah 59:1 the Lord declares that surely

care. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15-16

the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ears dull to hear. He hears even the cries of

“…This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full

anguish you never uttered as you lay broken, he

acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to

hears the breaking of your heart as emotional

save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But for that

trauma rocks your soul. He is willing and able to

very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst

reach and gather all your pieces and put you back

of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense

together again. Isn’t it beautiful that God is willing

patience as an example for those who would believe in

to take your entire lifetime to make you whole?

him and receive eternal life…”

God is committed to the journey of making you whole regardless of how much [time] it takes.

Christ wants to use you as a demonstration. He’s

If you’re reading this you’re human. If you’re human,

hosting auditions for the “worst sinner” role in his

you know what it feels like to be broken.

grand play and he needs you to cast either for the

If you’re broken, the master Kintsugi artist wants to

main role or as a supporting cast member. I assure

make you whole again.

you that his reasons for calling you to do this are not the same as the world. Your friends, family, coworkers, or just people in general may label you for the purpose of shaming you and to use you as a n object of scorn and ridicule. People tend to enjoy disgracing others as it draws the attention of others away from their own deficiencies and them showcasing/highlighting your cracks averts the eyes of nosy onlookers away from their brokenness. Jesus wants you for his play so He can demonstrate for the world the immensely powerful redeeming power He possesses.

He needs to show you and others that there is not even one shard or fragment of your soul that he cannot find, redeem and restore. There is so much truth about the human

Prayer Dear Lord, I’ve read about Kintsugi and the beautiful art of restoring broken vessels. I admit that I am broken. I don’t have it all together even though I would like to. I am unable to fix myself. I am cracked and I have fractured others too Lord and I repent for breaking others by my words and actions. I also repent for my prideful, self-reliant mindset that prevents me from seeing my need for healing and my desperate need for you to make me whole. I invite you in to heal me and restore my life to what you want me to look like. Amen

experience and of the beautiful nature and character of God revealed in this earthly art form, I am grateful to have shared some of my thoughts concerning this with you and my prayer is that you too will be impacted powerfully to see Christ the redeemer and restorer of all broken things.

Victor Brown is a Christian Creative who is passionate about educating others about God through sound teachings nested in Biblical Truth.

COLUMN

THE FAITH JAR

A CLOSER LOOK AT IDOL WORSHIP IN THE OLD TESTAMENT If asked who Baal is, the average Christian or Bible student would respond that he is one of the Old

DEEP DIVE

pagan

Scholars have however come a very long way since then in their understanding of Baal worship and the pantheon of gods that existed during the times of the Old Testament. The development in this area of research is primarily due in parts to the discovery of the Ugarstic tablets. These two tablets provide “greater insight into the religion of the Canaanites and its relationship to the Jewish religion. Come with me as I revisit Baalism while shedding some light on who the goddess Asthoreth was. Journey with me as we see how a greater understanding of the ancient pagan religion can give us insights into understanding our society

Introduction

Testament

WITH OKEYNO MORGAN

gods

that

the

Israelites

worshiped in place of YHWH or the god King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel built a temple for (1 Kings 16: 30-33) and had the prophets of YHWH killed for (1 Kings 18: 4-19)! This limited response is because before the early twentieth century, the main lens through which the god Baal is understood is through that of the Hebrew Bible and according to Irwin (1999) through “scattered references in inscriptions and classical Greek literature”.

while giving us nuggets for practical Christian living .

Baal and Athirat

Another very interesting thing to note about Baal

Before we look at Baalism, we must first

is that he was represented by a bull calf from a

understand that unlike the religion of the Jewish people it is one that is polytheistic by its very nature. Because of this the word Baal as used in the scripture is used as a title and is mainly used to reference

collective

gods

which

the

Canaanites/Phoenician worshiped. The Children of Israel were warned against practising or engaging in such forms of worship by YHWH in

heifer and had a consort- sthoreth/Athirat/Asherah who happened to be his sister. She was the most prominent goddess in the pantheon of gods among the Canaanites though many scholars believe that she “existed’ before the Ugarit (1200-1400BCE) to the times of Ebla tablets (Herrick, 2004). Asthoreth is believed to

Exodus 20:3 and Leviticus 19:4.

share is the creative work of El and the goddess of

Baal was one of the principal deities of the

gain her the title “The Mother of Gods”.

Canaanite pantheon and was seen primarily as the god of fertility and of the storm. Throughout many Middle Eastern communities, he was ascribed many other titles such as “the Lord of Rain and Dew”, “The Lord of the Heavens” and “Prince”. All these titles were ascribed to him as he was seen as being critical to the prosperity of the agricultural

sex of fertility. It was these two characteristics that

Baalism was one of the most detestable of pagan worship in the eyes of YHWH as it not only took away his glory but also saw men offering animal sacrifices which were reserved for atonement, offering fragrant meal sacrifices, participating in forbidden sexual practices and in some cases

sector in their society.

offering their children in the fire (Irwin, 1999).

Baalism as practised by the Canaanites saw

In commenting on Baal worship, Halley writes,

fertility in terms of seven years cycles. They see Baal- the god of life and fertility in constant battle with his brother Mot- the god of death and sterility. For then the triumph of Baal over Mot would result is seven years of fertility and abundance of agricultural produce. His defeat however would mean that the land would experience drought and famine for a seven-year period until El (the father of Baal and Mot) raised Baal again.

“numerous fertility figurines have been found in archaeological excavation in Israel. We know that Canaanite worship could include ritual dancing and the cutting and slashing of one’s body- which is exactly what the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah did on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:25-29).”

Baalism and the Israelites In commenting on the relationship of the Israelites relationship with Baalism Halley (2000), noted that “Jeroboam, the founder of the Northern Kingdom, in order to keep the kingdoms, separate, adopted calf worship as a state religion.” The calf which was the physical representation of Baal stood as a symbol of the kingdom that stood until the kingdom was led into exile at the reign of King Hoshea. Bethel and Dan were established as the two centres of Baal worship in the Northern Kingdom. The worship of Baal climaxed under the reign of Ahab (875-854) as his wife Jezebel who actively promoted the religion and opposed the prophets of YHWH namely Elijah and Elisha. Though the worship of YHWH was associated with the Southern Kingdom, they too walked after their forefathers and indulged in Baal and other paganistic practices which eventually resulted in what is known today as the Babylonian exile and the end of the monarchy in Israel.

Baalism and Contemporary Jamaica Looking at our contemporary society, it would not be far-fetched to believe that the spirit of Baalism is still influencing the practices of many men and women today. The influence of Baalism is seen in what sociologist practices”.

and

anthropologist

term

“syncretic

Syncretic practices are those religions or belief systems that mix the customs of pagan religions in the case of Jamaica, those derived from Africa and in recent years many new age teachings- and the true worship of YHWH. In Jamaica, syncretism

It is for this reason why we must be careful to guard our hearts and be mindful that we don’t subconsciously fall into paganism. The spirit of the idolatry and cult worship is one that is very deceptive and is often dressed in “light”.

exists mainly in the form of Revivalism and Rastafarianism. In these religions we see where members esteem the name of gods above that of YHWH which is how many Canaanites viewed Baal in relation to YHWH. We also see where groups such as the Revivalist continue to offer animal and fragrant meal offerings to ancestral spirits usually for some form of favour. This is a practise that is identical to that of Baalism and one that is strictly forbidden by YHWH. Baalism and more specifically the spirit of Asherah is demonstrated in our current society through the pluralistic sexual agenda that is being propagated by many human rights activists. This has resulted in what is dubbed the “sexual revolution”. There are growing numbers of individuals abandoning traditional family values for indulgence in the homosexual lifestyle. Many are also participating in orgies, prostitution, exotic dancing and even abortion on demand. Application

Think about it, how many times have you heard about the healing properties of yoga and changing your mindset to attract what you desire? On the surface these seem very innocent but are deeply rooted into new-age religion and the occult. They dishonour the true God and make us targets for demonic oppression. Here's what I want you to do, take some time in quiet meditation with God. As you meditate ask Him to reveal to you instances where you may have exposed yourself to the occult. As he reveals these instances, renounce them. Here’s a simple prayer that you can pray: Heavenly Father, I thank you for your consistently love and grace towards me. I repent right now of ________. I renounce every spirit that has been attached to me because of my participation in the occult. I take control over my mind now, In Jesus name! Amen. Sources: Halley, H. (2000). Halley's Bible Handbook . Michigan : Zondervan Academics. Herrick, G. (2004, July 24th ). Bible.org. Retrieved from Baalism in Canaanite Religion and it Relation to Selected Old Testament Texts: https://bible.org/article/baalism-canaanite-religionand-its-relation-selected-old-testament-texts Irwin, B. (1999). Baal and YHWH in the Old Testament: A Fresh Examination of the Biblical and Extra-biblical Data. Toronto: University of St. Michael's College.

The spirit of Baalism is still alive and thriving in our society today though camouflage under more eloquent labels and the truth is Christians aren’t exempted from its influence and its effects!

Okeyno Morgan is Lecturer and Speaker, eager to uplift others through the Word of God and play his part in advancing the Kingdom.

EXTENDED FEATURE

BEYOND THE MUSIC; GETTING TO KNOW

SONE G

In November, we had a quick chat with Sone G, and asked him some questions that would allow us to get to know the person behind the music (available on our website), now, as our readers, you're receiving this exclusive extended feature about SONE G! PAJE: What's your Story? What truly got Sone G to the place where he is ministering through music and on this powerful purposeful journey? Sone G: At my core I was always a music lover. I grew up surrounded

by sound systems one being owned by my family. I was one of the boys who would make music on the desks in class at school, always having a positive vibes. I got saved at the age of 12 just before entering my second year at Clarendon College High School where I played football and further my love for both music and the sport. Growing up in my home church (Rocky Point Church of God of Prophecy) was the best experience a young man could have had growing up in church. A lot of young people and a vibrant youth ministry. So I was formed by the influence of all these factors but I loved being a minister and I loved singing over songs from the Gospel Reggae artiste that were just coming on the scene like Progidal and Dj Nicholas to name a few. One of my greatest musical influence though is a fellow artiste, Jason Royalte. He was just excellent at writing and the crafting of words to make rhymes. I was a very intentional youth and I was fixed on being a Christ re-presenter through ministry whether speaking or though music.

ALONG THE WAY... When you take note of Sone G's musical style, you are definitely able to acknowledge his core influences, yet somehow, he has managed to skillfully carve his own musical style and sound! His songs are hard-hitting yet filled with true positive vibes as he seeks to uplift all those he listens to. This Pastor and talented Gospel minister definitely has a solid future ahead of him, especially thanks to the evidence of his hard work and dedication, as well as a committed team. Let's jump back in shall we? PAJE: How would you describe your musical style?

SONE G: It's a blend of old school dance-hall and a hint of the modern day style. initially I went a little far with the modern style then I realized that the hardcore nature of our music still has a place so I successfully fused eras I would say. A little Shabba Ranks, a bit of Assassin and a hint of Alkaline sound.

PAJE: What do you believe Christians really NEED to know or hold on to for 2022?

SONE G: We can’t go wrong with holding on to Faith. Faith that in-spite of anything you are currently seeing in front of you is not going to work against you or take you out but that you will triumph. FAITH! PAJE: Bexx And Buss, Overcome, Spirit A Move & Purpose, we're loving these! What would you say are the core messages that you want your listeners to receive from your overall vibe as well as the songs you release?

SONE G: The truth in all of this is that we are more than conquerors, you know we are people who are protected constantly by the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore no weapon formed against us will ever prosper because we belong to a King and his Word remains true. It was definitely a pleasure meeting Sone G, and we hope you enjoyed getting to know him through part 1 on our website as well as this part 2 as he shared his heart with us all. Be sure to support his music!

"...there are too many who have committed themselves to this ministry and we cannot quit. The gospel must be heard from our perspective." - Trevelle Clarke-Whyne

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CLARKE-WHYNE PAJE Magazine had the unique privilege of being able to catch up with Trevelle Clarke-Whyne and really allow for a deeper outpouring of who she is so that you, our readers, could get to know the individual behind this powerful voice and ministry! We've taken note of Trevelle for some time now and we're sure you'll agree that there is so much more that's in store for this wife, mother, teacher, etc. So, let's not wait any longer!

62 18

PAJE: You sing with such a refreshing passion. What does ministering to people mean to you?

TREVELLE: Wow. “Refreshing Passion” Haha. That’s beautiful. I am extremely passionate about who Jesus is to me and having the ability to share that with those gathered in a worship event or concert ignites a passion within me. Ministering to people means I am doing what God has commissioned me to do – Go ye into all the world.

PAJE: How did you know that this [ministry] was the path that you wanted to take in your life and what has the journey been like?

TREVELLE: I do not know if originally I thought this would be the path I would be on maybe 4-5 years ago. As a matter of fact, upon graduating from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (School of Music), I thought I would have been a jazz singer. The Bible tells us 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.” I believe because my parents planted the seed of loving God and being faithful to ministry from a young age, that my musical talent steered me on this path.

The journey has been a fulfilling one thus far. I have an amazing team that keeps growing along the way and they keep me grounded. I am equally grateful for a supportive husband who continues to encourage me when I consider just not going along this path. With that being said, I must admit that I battle from time to time with my mind and what God wants. However, it all comes full circle when I have those second-guessing moments, that there are too many who have committed themselves to this ministry and we cannot quit. The gospel must be heard from our perspective.

PAJE: We noticed that you're an educator, married and recently had a child, how has it felt balancing being a wife, mother and educator while pursuing this path?

TREVELLE: God has been very faithful I must say. As I mentioned before my husband, Adrian Whyne has been very supportive. There are days I do not feel I am balancing this at all. However, once I have a rehearsal I am going to push through and do what I must. I believe God watches how we function in our various capacities and as a wife, I have to make a concerted effort to be the kind of wife the bible speaks of; and that goes for all my other functions too – educator, mother, friend, etc. I do cry every now and again when I think I am failing at balancing these roles, but God’s presence somehow always comes and comforts me reminding me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

64 PAJE: Who, would you say, are the persons that

PAJE: What would you say makes you different or

you hope to reach most with your music?

a bit more unique as an artiste?

I believe I want my music to reach those who have

TREVELLE: Wow. What makes me more unique? I

not yet given their lives to God, those who feel as if

believe that persons have shared with me that my

they are lacking confidence in who they are, those

tone – the timbre of my voice – and my jazzy

who are struggling with their walk in Christ and that

approach to singing could possibly be the answer to

might mean everyone. We struggle daily to stay

this question.

pure and holy and it really is my intention to encourage others as I encourage myself in the Lord,

The truth is there are many persons with unique

to know that God is with us even when we do not

tones in gospel, so I don’t even know if mine makes

think He is. I just want everyone who has chosen

me any different really from anyone else.

this path of salvation to know that “we can mek it” and those who have not yet surrendered, to know

PAJE: How have you felt in learning to reach your

that there are others of us willing to help them along

audience in new or more creative ways due

this journey.

to the pandemic?

TREVELLE:

This

pandemic

has

opened

connections between quite a number of people and myself. Social Media has been the “go to” in this season since actual events have not been able to be held. The outpouring of support on videos placed on my YouTube channel has been amazing. Doing an IG Live and just getting live feedback is really pretty awesome. PAJE: What message of encouragement would you want to give other artistes who are frustrated about the pandemic and its effects on their ministry?

TREVELLE: I would encourage other artistes to find committed people.

I have such a great team of people working with. Dexter Johnson Jr my manager (from Elite Gospel Entertainment), the New Whyne Band, Pioneer Music – Jay-Vis McIntosh helps to keep me going. God has a way of setting you up if you avail yourself to him. Pray and just do the work. God will send the necessary help.

PAJE: Similarly, what message would you want to share with members of the Kingdom who are struggling to hold on to God especially based on the effects of the pandemic?

FIGHT! When I say fight I mean fight. Jesus told Peter that the enemy desired to sift him as wheat and I believe the enemy is working even more so now that people are not able to fully assemble together corporately. Fight can mean seeking out your strong Christian friends to pray with you and establish prayer and devotion times. Fight can mean turning off the wifi or data on your phone to commit to reading your bible and praying. The bible tells us that the spirit and the flesh is always at war and I really believe that with help we can win this war against our flesh. I have found strength in fighting my feelings to join church on zoom or choosing my friend who will nag me to pray via the phone.

66 PAJE: We love what we're hearing thus far! Stick a pin

PAJE: What would you say your unique purpose is?

and tell us 5 things about yourself that people wouldn't readily know:

TREVELLE: I would want to think that my unique purpose is to live for God and represent His kingdom

TREVELLE:

in everything that I do.

1. I love to cook and I love when people compliment the food I cooked (haha)

I am big on kingdom citizenship and so I believe how I dress, how I act, how I speak, what I post, must be a

2. I love watching HGTV, DIY Network and Food

representation to others that I am a child of God.

Network.

Living this way aids me in my purpose of physical demonstration of the spiritual kingdom of God to

3. I love online shopping

which I belong.

4. I am extremely emotional. (I will cry over movies too)

We live in a society where it has become even harder for persons to decipher those who are Christians from

5. I love a well cooked stew peas or oxtail...especially my

those who aren’t. My life’s purpose is to live without

mother’s own. (Big up yourself Hyacinth Gordon-Clarke)

protruding any grey areas as much as it be possible.

PAJE: Which parish are you originally from?

TREVELLE: I am from the beautiful, cool, garden parish of St. Ann. Specifically from the busy little town Brown’s Town – a community called “Egypt”. PAJE: What are 3 things that you know about the Gospel music industry now that you wish you knew maybe 3 years ago?

TREVELLE: Three things I know now that I wish I knew then. 1. This (music ministry) really takes money to stay afloat. Band rehearsals, photo shoots, studio time...it requires money. I also know now too that God will send the right people your way – I call them destiny helpers – to guide you as you embark on the journey He has called you to. 2. I wish I knew three years ago how important marketing one’s music is. Much like secular music and regular day to day businesses, gospel music requires promotion. I call my WhatsApp broadcast list when sending out music or notification of events or interviews my “marketing team”. I cannot take it for granted who will or will not support my music. I also have come to realize that support is earned, and people will support you based on the amount of work you put in. That support might even be external than it is internal, i.e., people you do not know might be drawn to your music more than those who you know. 3. What I also know now that I wish knew then, is that if you choose this pathway, you will not always feel like continuing. Truth is, that is fine, it is in those moments that you really have to trust the call of God on your life.

68 I started to reflect on God’s presence in that moment

and how it made me feel and I put pen to paper. I wrote the song, sent it to Jay-Vis McIntosh (my producer) who created the melody and arrangement of the song. Aldane Walker made some adjustments to the lyrics also. I really just want people to know that staying at the feet of Jesus definitely keeps us grounded. In Everything Give Thanks – This song is like my sweet little baby girl. It was birthed out of having a miscarriage

2020.

really

speaks

understanding that for everything that happens to us, it builds our testimonies. If I never lost that baby, I possibly wouldn’t have been inspired by God to write this song. PAJE: Do you have any projects that we can look out for in the next 3 months (January –March)?

In our losses, our chaos, our downfalls, there is the flip side of peace to chaos, joy to being

TREVELLE: Ahhh, I should. I am currently working on an EP, but these things sometimes take time. Maybe I might do another worship live event on my YouTube Channel. Anything can happen in this pandemic. You can create your own events without being booked for any. Haha. PAJE: Give us your own, synopsis or message behind “Your Presence” and “In Everything Give Thanks”

TREVELLE" Your Presence – This is a song that really came to me while listening to Kari Jobe (Gospel Recording Artiste) one evening around 2018. I do not remember exactly which song it was but I could feel the presence of God.

downhearted, healing to sickness. It is with this understanding, like Paul, that we learn to give thanks to Jesus in these circumstances as it is when we are weak we recognize that it is in Christ that our strength lies.

PAJE: Do you have anything else that you’d like to share with our readers? TREVELLE: I would simply love to encourage everyone to stay focused on the goal – the goal is to reach heaven. It takes a lot of focus and determination because we have many reasons to quit as sin, the world, is very tantalizing and doesn’t take much effort to do. This walk, if we remain

faithful,

will

give

crown

righteousness that Jesus the righteous judge will hand to us if walk circumspectly. It will be worth it after all. We are truly grateful for the time that Trevelle took to answer our questions and we pray that you, our readers, are blessed by what she has shared! Trevelle, continue to shine, love Jesus and to uplift those around you. Blessings on your 2022 and beyond! - PAJE

ELEGANCE

The pursuit of excellence according to Godly standards in respective industries and lifestyle

ENGAGEMENT SHOOT by Scribe Photography Instagram: @scribephotographyja

PORTRAITS by Scribe Photography Instagram: @scribephotographyja

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Scribe Photography Instagram: @scribephotographyja

COLUMN The Secret to Achieving with Charlene Tilbanie January 1st. That magical date that everyone loves. Why does this date get so much attention? Research has shown that it is simply due to human behavior. The appeal of starting over gets us every time. The appeal of a fresh start is the reason we buy a new journal even though we have lots of unfinished ones on our desks.

Your Financial Goals in 2022

It’s also the reason we buy another pair of shoes even though there are several in our closet that we have not worn for ages. It is also the reason we set the same goals every year, even though we know deep down that we have been setting the same goals for the past three to five years.

78 Though we fall victim to this temptation every year, why do we continually repeat the cycle? Studies have shown that approximately 80% of New Year’s Resolutions never come to fruition and most persons quit their resolve to do better by the second week of February. Why do the financial goals of saving more money, starting a new business or getting out of debt fall by the wayside so quickly? Stick with me and I will show you ten secrets to achieving your financial goals in 2022 and how to sidestep the 80% statistic.

Secret Number 1: Pray About Your Goals As believers, it is critical that we involve God every step of the way in our lives. Limiting God to just a Sunday morning experience robs us of the full experience we can have of involving Him in every area of our lives. Many persons rush into setting goals, especially at the start of the new year, without taking the time to hear God’s will for their lives. In fact, our goals and plans should align with God’s will for us and not the other way around. Additionally our goals and plans should not contradict His Word nor His character. When we involve God in our goal setting, He can give us the master blueprint with all the steps and the processes needed to accomplish our goals. Proverbs 16 v 3 endorses this fact – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans”.

Secret Number 2 – Make Your Goals Specific Many goals fail because they are not specific. Vague goals such as “Pay off debt” or “manage money better” typically do not work. At the outset, they do not stir up the emotions, the motivation or the drive to take action. As such, by setting these vague goals, you will automatically set yourself up to be counted within the 80% of persons who do not achieve their goals. What should you do instead? Make your goals specific. Determine exactly WHAT you want to achieve. Is it that you want to save $1,000? Is that you want to pay off your credit card debt? Is it a goal of having a fully funded emergency fund? Whatever the financial goal is, make it SPECIFIC and move away from setting vague, ambiguous goals.

Secret Number 3 – Determine Your Why The third reason many goals fail is due to there being no “why” behind them. Have you ever sat down to determine why you are working on any goal you have set? Many of us set our goals when we are motivated and feel an emotional high. However, this euphoric feeling does not last very long After it wanes, the goals we set no longer look attractive. For this reason, I highly recommend that for every goal that is set, a strong “why” should be attached to it. Knowing exactly why you are setting your goals will keep you in the fight when the emotional high has long left the building. Your why keeps you going when everyone around you has given up and when no one is cheering for you. Your why keeps you pressing along through the tough and difficult moments that come along the journey of life. Let’s use a simple example to demonstrate this. You may be overwhelmed with credit card debt and have a goal of paying it off. Your ‘why’ could be that you would like to have disposable income to invest. In turn you would use these invested funds to send your children to college. An alternative ‘why’ could be you would like to have available funds to go on a vacation with your family without feeling guilty.

Secret Number 4 - Determine How the Results will be Measured “What gets measured, gets done”. Though a popular cliché, this is a tried-and-true principle that can help you to accomplish your financial goals. In line with Secret # 1 about making the goals specific, in order to actually make progress on your financial goals you will need to determine how the results will be measured. For financial goals, this is actually pretty simple. Your goals can be measured in absolute numerical terms, or in percentage terms. For example, for a goal of saving a three-month emergency fund, the results could be measured in terms of the actual amounts saved. Alternatively, it could be measured in terms of the percentage of the emergency fund that has been saved.

Secret Number 5 – Make the Goals Realistic Setting unrealistic goals is a set up for failure. In a world that pushes us to dream big and to go after our grandiose visions, it is important to take the time to set actionable steps towards these dreams.

80 Additionally, it is critical to identify whether you have the available resources to achieve these goals. Taking the time to assess this will help you to make realistic goals. For example, instead of setting a goal to buy a fivebedroom house within a year, you could set the goal to buy a 2-bedroom home as this is realistically what you could afford to buy within 12 months.

Secret Number 6 – Set a Time Frame Without an actual timeframe, goals will perpetually be carried forward from year to year. Secret number six to making your financial goals stick is to set a time boundary within which you want to accomplish your goals. For example, instead of setting a goal to save more money, you could set a goal to save $10,000 by June 2022. This goal is now specific, measurable and time bound.

Secret Number 7 - Break the Goals into Bite-sized Pieces Question - “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer – “One bite at a time” Many persons set themselves up for failure by setting daunting goals which from a cursory glance seems to be impossible.

The key to getting around this is to break the goals down into small, bite-sized and manageable chunks. The human brain is powerful and we can “trick” it into spurring us to take action on almost anything.

The “trick” is to make tasks appear manageable. Continuing from our earlier example of saving $10,000 by June 2022, this goal could be broken down into a bite size piece of saving $1,666 each month from January – June. Alternatively, it could be broken down to ‘save $5000 by March 2022 and $5,000 by June 2022’

Secret Number 8 - Review the Goals Often This is probably the biggest reason 80% of persons fail at sticking to their New Year’s goals. After the buzz and the motivation has worn off, many persons neglect to look back at the planner, note pad or vision board on which the goals are written. They are quickly forgotten in the hum drum of life, only to resurface when December 31 rolls around. The key to getting ahead of this trap is to keep your goals front and center where you can see them. For you it may mean writing them down on a wide piece of construction or cartridge paper and pinning it to your wall where you can see it. For others, a sticky note placed on the bathroom mirror may work as by placing it there, it would be seen at least once per day. Digital vision boards are also popular and I have known persons to screenshot their vision board and save it as a wallpaper or screen saver on their phone.

Whichever method you choose, you want to ensure that your goals are seen and reviewed often. By doing this, you can make adjustments where necessary and measure the progress being made on the goals.

Secret Number 9 – Outline How You Are Going To Achieve These Goals

Secret Number 10 – Do the Work! Without this critical step, the goals will definitely not be accomplished. Without getting up and putting one foot in front of the other, the goals will remain on your whiteboard, vision board or paper planner as just that – goals.

What’s the game plan that you are going to use to achieve your goals? Without an action plan, your financial goals will simply be dreams and wishes on a piece of paper or on a digital device.

In order to move your goals from dreams to reality, action has to be taken. Though it may feel uncomfortable at times, by taking action on your goals, you will create momentum which will then generate more motivation to continue the pursuit of the goals.

Included in your action plan should be a list of resources that you will need to accomplish your goals. These may include a budgeting app, an Excel spreadsheet or simply a notebook which you will use to keep track of your progress.

It is possible to accomplish your financial goals in 2022. In fact, you owe it to yourself to let 2022 be the year when your vision becomes a reality.

Once you have outlined what you will need, then take the time to map out the plan. For example, for the goal of saving $10,000 by June 2022, you may realize that you may need to set up an automatic savings plan or a standing order deduction with your bank. This would inevitably force you to save and as long as the funds are not withdrawn from the account, you would be on track to hit your savings goal. If your plan is to pay off your credit card debt, your action plan may include hiding the credit card and desisting from using it until the bill is fully paid. It may also include keeping track of your spending to ensure that you are spending within your means.

Think positively about your goals, have faith that they will happen and trust God to help you execute the plan. As Proverbs 3 v 5-6 says” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path”. As you plan for the new year, allow God to download His blueprint and strategy for the goals. His pathway is always best and He will give you the strength, discipline and determination to accomplish your goals.

Charlene Tilbanie is a Money & Finance Coach who is passionate about helping others to manage their finances and escape debt-riddled lifestyles.

COLUMN

PURPOSE CHASERS with Charmian-Marie Beedle

82 For this kick-off article, let's do a breakdown of purpose so that we have a better grasp of what it is and its importance.

What is Purpose? Throughout the Bible we can acknowledge many mentions of 'purpose' and from those mentions, we can say that our purpose can be defined as a specific mission or mandate that is predestined according to God's divine will.

Do We Really Understand the Importance of the Oxford Dictionary defines purpose Walking In Purpose? Furthermore, as "the intention, aim, or function of something; the It's no secret that the journey through life's hills and valleys can be equally beautiful and treacherous with the shifting seasons that come our way. Just like an intense Squid Game round where the odds can shift in and out of your favour in moments. Then, in those dark moments, we question things. What's the point of actually pursuing purpose when things are so difficult in my life? We hear the word being thrown around and we use it often, but does that mean we have a fundamental understanding of its importance? Welcome to the first official article for Purpose Chasers! I'm Charmian-Marie and throughout our time together, we'll be exploring these two in detail, and working on uncovering the ways that Passion & Purpose can and will coexist in your life so that you can stop having that internal tug-o-war.

thing that something is supposed to achieve." So, with both a Biblical summary and that dictionary definition, we can agree that purpose includes a subject, a mission and a goal that is to be achieved.

Does everyone have a purpose? With this in mind, we must recognize that everyone on this earth, as an individual has a purpose. We were all brought into the world with purpose overall. But, of course, we've found that varying persons have established their purpose in their own spaces, varying faiths, family, careers, etc. With that, persons have found their own type of fulfillment and are pursuing their own path based on their own beliefs... and it's absolutely important to acknowledge that from a Christian perspective.

The Importance of Christians Walking In Purpose As Christians, we first need to recognize The Great Commission as our unifying purpose, and then our specific, God-breathed purpose as the secondary one that acts as our contribution to The Great Commission. For reference, Matthew 28: 16-20 houses this and it reads: 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, as Christians, we have been commissioned to go into the world to share the Gospel with others so that others may know Christ, because, of course, God knows that not everyone will grow up believing in Him. Furthermore, accepting the truth about Salvation through Jesus Christ, and would therefore seek to walk their own paths outside of God. The Great Commission is further supported by another word, and PAJE's guiding scripture, that encourages us to share the words of our testimony as we go and share about God as we interact with persons within and outside the faith who thrive on relationship and relatability. This helps others to become receptive and open to the existence of God and the understanding of Salvation. (Mark 5:19: 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”) It is through these same words that others will be able to be led to healing through God and to eventually accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. So, when we acknowledge that everyone was born with a purpose, we should also take note of the fact that we have a unifying purpose, as Christians, to make the good news known to man.

we therefore now have a responsibility to avail ourselves in order to help others to discover their purpose in Christ, which flows from their understanding and acceptance of: Who God is (The one, true, Triune God) Salvation (The full understanding that Christ's death and resurrection made salvation accessible to those who believe, and also gave each of us the opportunity to have a personal relationship with God). Their identity in Christ (how God sees us; as His beloved, not 'earning' grace and mercy, but rather receiving it through God's unconditional love, and then who we are established in the earth to be; salt of the earth, a royal Priesthood, set apart, light in the world) Christian principles (as shared through God's Word and the guidance of Holy Spirit) Their specific giftings (the special abilities that have been bestowed upon us as individuals)

As Kingdom people we have a powerful purpose that we are privileged to carry, and as individuals, it is a beautiful thing learning that your contribution through the use of your gifts helps to further the Kingdom in a big way.

Now, with that, we find that we sometimes get sidetracked or pulled from this understanding because we find ourselves entangled with other things that allow us to nurture our gifts and talents, and other environments and associations that are not 'overtly Christian'. These things cause us to feel fulfilled and make us feel encouraged to pursue them with true intention. These can be deemed as our passion and/or at least passionate pursuits. Right off the surface you can see where the beginning of the conflict is, where we sometimes replace our conscious purpose pursuit with our desire to embrace our passions... and that, my friends, is a whole other discussion that you'll have to stay tuned for. In the next article, I'll be breaking down our passion, its importance and the correlation to purpose. Until next time, keep pushing, Purpose Chasers! - Cee

Charmian-Marie Beedle is a Creative Entrepreneur who is passionate about helping Creatives and Business Owners to thrive with her support and guidance.

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VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 || JANUARY 2022