The Christian Lifestyle 4

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There is UNITY in DIVERSITY

| SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2018 | ISSUE 4 |

HOPE after ABUSE EDUCATION: How Young Brains Are Wired Jehovah’s Witness Turns to JESUS

RAVI ZACHARIAS THE GREAT APOLOGIST OF OUR TIME THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2018

ON THE COVER Ravi Zacharias is a renowned international author, speaker, evangelist and apologist with a global ministry that sees the message of Christ proclaimed around the world. Read about his life story and how RZIM South Africa has taken root in our nation. Pages 14 - 17.

REGULARS 5 Contributors 6 Publisher’s Note 8 Editor’s Note 10 Have Your Say 11 What’s Trending 12 Salvation 13 Food for Thought 18 Money Matters 20 Soul Food 22 Interior Décor 26 Pastoral Interview 28 Travel 38 Fashion 44 Parenting 46 Education 52 Creative Arts 62 Accommodation 68 Celebrating Singles 69 Health 70 Marriage 72 Youth Culture 74 Kids 76 Movies 78 Books 80 Local News 82 International News

COVER STORIES 14 Ravi Zacharias: The Great Apologist of our Time 24 Jehovah’s Witness Turns To Jesus 46 Education: How Young Brains Are Wired 56 There Is Unity In Diversity 58 Hope after Abuse SPECIAL FEATURES

22 Tips For A Blissful Bathroom 24 From Ex-Jehovah’s Witness to Finding Christ 26 To Know God More Intimately 28 Life On A Mission 33 Glory Active – It’s A Lifestyle 34 Queen Esther 40 The Right Daughter Speaks 42 Steps Ahead 52 Jewellery That Speaks 56 There is Unity In Diversity 58 You Are Not Damaged Goods 62 Top Tips For Planning A Spring Vacation 64 When Hope Was Born 66 A Guide To Designing A Loving Trust Plan 70 Just The Two Of Us

GROWTH 12 5 Simple Ways You Can Begin To Share Your Faith With Others 13 Attempt Great Things 18 What Does The Bible Say About Saving Money?

20 Getting Started As An Entrepreneur 44 How To Implement Family Devotions At Home 46 How Young Brains Work 68 When God Slows Down To The Pace Of Your Pain 84 Are You Building An Organisation That Honours God?

GIVEAWAYS 10

Winners and Competition Details 16 Jesus Among Secular Gods 41 The Right Daughter Speaks 44 Growing Together 76 Connect DVD

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CONTRIBUTORS

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

PUBLISHER WeServe Media (Pty) Ltd DIRECTOR AND SALES Juanita Fortuin MANAGING EDITOR Tamsyn Cornelius SALES EXECUTIVES Thirusha Abrahams, Leeroy Booysen SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Fiona Milligan CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Jennifer Emedi (Destined for Greatness), Brendan Schnetler (B3 Concept Design & Interiors) NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Anthea Jacobs PRODUCTION MANAGER Devon Alcock CONTACT DETAILS GENERAL: info@tclmag.org.za SUBSCRIBE: subscribe@tclmag.org.za SALES: juanita@tclmag.org.za TEL: 081 514 5992 WEBSITE: www.tclmag.org.za CONTRIBUTORS Angelique Du Toit, Angus Buchan, Angus Cornelius, Beulah Vermeulen, Brenda Burgess, Chris Russell, Claudene Sebolai, Darrel Jonathan, Denise Padayachee, Jennifer Saunders Emedi, Jenny Cupido, Josie Martin, Juanita Fortuin, Loren Lee Langenhoven, Nelani Van Zyl, Robyn Tichauer, Tamsyn Cornelius.

WRITE TO US The Christian Lifestyle Magazine welcomes manuscripts for articles, but only after the author has first consulted with the editor via email with a short description and article brief. We will contact you if we are interested in the article.

We Serve Media Group retains the right to publish articles as per our selection process.

Writer’s guidelines are available upon request.

The views expressed in articles and letters are the responsibility of the respective authors and not necessarily the views of We Serve Media and The Christian Lifestyle.

BRENDA BURGESS In 2005, after the family had moved back to Cape Town from England, Brenda discovered a love and talent for editing. In 2012 she co-wrote the memoir of a pharmacist; subsequently published by the Centre for the Book (CBF)—and for the past six years she’s been one of their freelance editors and reviewers.

Current projects include producing a family cookbook and, as each recipe requires a photograph, the myriad of mouth-watering dishes means that Brenda’s diet has been postponed until further notice!

With two grown kids, Brenda shares more about marriage and an empty nest on page 69.

CLAUDINE SEBOLAI Claudene grew up in Valhalla Park and currently resides in Kuilsriver. She is passionate about proclaiming the Gospel, so much so that she is presently completing her Master’s Degree in Theology at UWC. “I also coordinate a Theological Programme for ministers at the institution. I also preach – something I am passionate about.”

A self-proclaimed ‘modern day geek’, Claudene says that she always drives around with a boot full of books… “Not that I read them, I just love seeing them!” Read her full testimony on page 58.

JENNIFER SAUNDERS EMEDI Founder and CEO of Destined for Greatness Publications, Jennifer was raised on the Southern Coast of KZN. At age 18 she accepted the call of God into full-time ministry and graduated from Bible College after which she was ordained as a Minister of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in 2007.

She then moved to Cape Town to serve as a pastor for the next 20 years. Here she married Reverend Pablo George Emedi and together they have a beautiful seven-year-old daughter, Grace Tawana.

Jennifer recently stepped down as a church pastor to pursue her passions in writing, women’s empowerment, motivational speaking and life coaching.

DARREL JONATHAN Together with his wife Claudia and 19-year-old son Khaya, Darrel lives in Gauteng. He has been involved with youth ministry for more than half of his life and has volunteered and worked as a staff member for Scripture Union. Through this he quickly learned that ministering to young people is what God has called him to do.

Darrel blogs about his thoughts on youth ministry at darrelsomething. wixsite.com/youth-ministry. With a Bachelor’s Degree in theology from George Whitfield College, Darrel says his highest calling is “to love God in all I do, think and speak and to love everyone I encounter”.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

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Spring has certainly sprung for everyone! This Spring we celebrate the 4th edition of TCLMag. Happy memories made and many more happy ones to come!

We have also reached our 1st birthday mark on 28 July 2018 and we are looking forward to celebrating. That’s worth making my heart happy!

Happy means delighted, joyous, glad, content… these are just a few words to define it.

The Bible says, “How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!” (2 Chronicles 9:7).

Let us choose happiness over our daily struggles. We have the ability to switch our brain to joy mode. So, may the joy of the Lord be your strength.

With the Festive Season and Christmas approaching, allow TCLMag to be your daily drive.

With happiness from us to you.

God Bless xxx Juanita Fortuin, Founder

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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EDITOR’S NOTE

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed,” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

I was only 18 months old when I died on a hospital table. My tiny body succumbed to illness and it took an entire team of medical professionals to resuscitate me so that I could have another chance at life. I remember nothing, but I still bear the physical scars which have become a constant reminder of how the Lord saved me that day.

So, I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t possibly imagine doing this life without Him! Even in the darkest of valleys, I find rest in the fact that God is with me. I know that He saved me before and He will do it again. And I know that He can do the same for you!

PUSH ON! There are days when we face challenges and trials of many kinds.

We battle illness, emotional trauma, disappointments and so much more.

You see, even in these turbulent times, God is shaping us and developing our character into the men and women He is calling us to be.

In the heat of the battle, He helps us find the will to push on… to find endurance, patience, perseverance, and a deep reliance on God that we may not have experienced before.

So, when we are pressed, persecuted, perplexed, we can find Him knee deep in the battle with us, often lifting us up, cheering us on and adding to our stories of hope and redemption.

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In the storms of life, He calls us to step out on the water and to walk with Him.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Pressed… Beulah Vermeulen was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and although pressed on every side, the Lord redeemed her and placed a newfound purpose in her heart (Page 24).

Persecuted… Josie Martin had a tumultuous upbringing and yet she rose above her circumstances to give back to the community and fulfil a lifelong vision to travel and minister to children around the globe (Page 28).

Perplexed… It took Lynn Nel almost 50 years to write her story of freedom after abuse (Page 40). Only through Christ could she find the power to put pen to paper – to tell her story of forgiveness, peace and ultimate freedom in Jesus.

These are just a few of the real-life stories shared in this issue of TCL Magazine. Our hope is that it inspires your own walk with Jesus and that no matter where you are along life’s rocky path, that you will recognise that God has a plan for you.

He can and will use you if you make yourself available to Him. The question is… will you walk with Him? Tamsyn Cornelius Managing Editor and Owner at TC Editorial Services.

P.S Join me as I seek inspiration for daily living at www.tceditorialservices.co.za.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR IN PUBLICATION! FIND ALL OUR DIGITAL COPIES ONLINE AT WWW.TCLMAG.ORG.ZA.

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Thank you to our faithful advertisers featured throughout this magazine.

Here they are in alphabetical order.

• 3G Travel • Andre Kammies Business Solutions • B3Concept Interior & Design • Bermuch • Bible Institute of SA • Bluff Christian Academy • Bolton Footwear • Charles Winshaw International Investment Specialist • Creflo Dollar Ministries • Crest Trust Fudiciary Services • Cross Fire • Curate Design Studio • Custom Graphics • Destined by God • Destined for Greatness • Glenrock Camp • Goodland Camp • Houtekop - Firewood & Sales

• Harvester International Ministries • Helderberg College • HeronBridge Retreat • iVangeli • Johannesburg Bible College • John Wesley School Pinetown • Kareleine Tours • Kloofwaters Outdoor Centre • Lewende Woord Living Word Bible College • Living Products • Maranatha Camp & Conference Centre • Menorah Tours • Mervin Messias Trust Specialist • Natures Rest Holiday Resort • Pilgrimage Tours • Radio Pulpit • River Bible Institute

• SA Toy Trade • Scripture Union Stoneyridge Camp • Sediba Academy formerly known as Kuruman Christian Academy • Slender • Stargate International • Struik Christian Media • Sundown Manor Guesthouse • Sureswipe • TEE College • The Massage Truck • The Sugar Daddy • Trafalgar Tours • Tranquility Home • Turning Point Ministries • Vineyard Christian School • Warrior Woman • Zion Kindergarten

To advertise in an upcoming issue, contact Juanita Fortuin on 081 514 5992 or email juanita@tclmag.org.za Page 74, Bible Word Search Answer: FIRMAMENT

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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LETTERS

WIN!

We’ve lined up some great competitions just for you! To win one of the below prizes, simply send us an email with your full name, address and contact number. Remember to include the title of the prize in the subject line of your email. Emails can be sent to info@tclmag.org.za. Winners will be announced in the next issue!

COMPETITIONS: Ravi Zacharias Giveaway: Page 16: Jesus Among Secular Gods by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale – win one of three available copies of this influential book available locally through Struik Christian Media!

We’ve loved engaging with you through email and our social media platforms and we are thrilled to announce some of the latest winners and new competitions spread throughout this issue. Remember to write to us. Your letter could be published in the next issue!

The Right Daughter Speaks Giveaway: Page 41: Win a signed copy of Lynn Nel’s book, The Right Daughter Speaks!

Growing Together Giveaway: Page 44: Win a copy of Growing Together – 52 Family Devotions by Ewald van Rensburg, published by Struik Christian Media. We have 3 English & 3 Afrikaans copies available to win!

Kirk Cameron: Connect Giveaway: Page 76: A DVD giveaway: Kirk Cameron: Connect available from Christian Art Distributors.

GET CONNECTED...

Keep an eye on our social platforms for more great giveaways, news and updates!

Congratulations to the following winners: • •

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Nuschka Peters: LED Candles from Christian Art Distributors Angel Markus: What in the World Are You Waiting For by Angelique Du Toit.

@christianlifestylemagazine The Christian Lifestyle Magazine @tclifestylemag

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NOVEMBER

5TH NATIONAL MARRIAGE CONFERENCE: 30 NOVEMBER – 1 DECEMBER 2018, SUN CITY SUPERBOWL If ever there was a time to save marriages and families, it is now. Couples Foundation International presents the 5th National Marriage Conference – encouraging marriages and discouraging divorce. Cost: R500 per person.

FOUR12 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: 2 - 5 OCTOBER 2018, PAROW Four12 is a dynamic partnership of churches across the globe working together to Equip, Restore and Advance the church that Jesus Himself is building. Don’t miss this conference happening at The Lighthouse Christian Centre in Parow, Cape Town.

SISTERS OF AFRICA 2018: 11- 13 OCTOBER 2018, SANDTON Each year, women gather to receive relevant and practical ministry from God’s Word and internationally respected keynote speakers including Christine Caine, Mercy Lokulutu and Sheryl Brady.

THE JUSTICE CONFERENCE, 12 – 13 OCTOBER 2018, SPINE ROAD HIGH SCHOOL, MITCHELL’S PLAIN The vision of The Justice Conference South Africa is to see individuals and communities, compelled by a Kingdomvision based on robust theological frameworks and deep critical social consciousness, released to prophetic imagination and equipped for a lifelong commitment for living justice together.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: SHE READS TRUTH She Reads Truth started as a small group of strangers on the internet who wanted to be more intentional about reading God’s Word. What began as a casual conversation is now an entire community of women all over the world in pursuit of Jesus.

Inspired by the She Reads Truth mission of “Women in the Word of God every day,” the She Reads Truth Bible is also thoughtfully and artfully designed to highlight the beauty, goodness and Truth of Scripture.

If you’re looking for a network of women passionate about spending time in God’s Word, then you’ll find this to be the ideal space – online, connecting faith-filled believers on a daily basis.

For more visit www.shereadstruth.com.

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SALVATION

You’re faithfully serving Jesus and growing daily in your faith. Now what? Here we share a few ideas to help you share your newfound faith with others.

By Pastor Chris Russell

SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN BEGIN TO SHARE YOUR FAITH WITH OTHERS Jesus said in John 4:35, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

If you are a follower of Christ, I hope you realise how important it is for us to actively be a part of the harvest of souls in our generation.

It is absolutely essential that we put our finest efforts into rescuing lives from destruction.

But as I mention this subject, I realise many may begin to tremble with fear. We worry about rejection or not being able to give an answer for those tough questions. Some do not even know where to begin with this mission. Let me suggest five simple ways you can begin to share your faith today:

1. LIVE THE LIFESTYLE. Many people get tripped up in sharing their faith because they know their lifestyle is not what it needs to be. The solution to this is very simple: turn your entire life over to God completely. Do it now.

2. PUBLICLY IDENTIFY YOURSELF WITH CHRIST THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. Social media can provide a subtle 12

approach to sharing your faith.

Change your “religious views” on your profile to “Christian.” Once or twice a week consider posting a Bible verse. Link to your church’s website or to other Christian websites on your timeline. Let friends know you are praying for them when they express a need.

3. VOLUNTEER TO SERVE IN A MINISTRY. God’s strategic plan for evangelising this generation is through His Church. When you serve in any church ministries, you are becoming a part of the evangelistic machine that changes lives forever. By serving you are opening up opportunities for people to hear the Word and surrender to Christ. That is a big deal!

4. KEEP SOMETHING ON YOUR DESK THAT IDENTIFIES YOU AS A CHRISTIAN. I had a dear friend (who has now gone on to be with the Lord in Heaven) who kept his Bible on his desk even though he never read it during business hours. And he told me often of how that symbol brought many people to his office asking questions about his faith and asking for prayer.

I would suggest you do the same or similar… perhaps a mug with your church’s logo in some visible part of your office. Better yet, put candy in the mug for co-workers to swipe when they stop in to talk to you!

5. INVITE SOMEONE TO CHURCH. Research indicates that the majority of unchurched people would attend a church if they were simply invited.

Don’t be bashful. Send a few text messages to friends right now to invite them to church! Then you can allow the entire church body to be a part of bringing them to Christ!

Make it more relational and invite them to lunch right afterward. This will give you a chance to see how they felt about the church service.

Some of Jesus’s last words are found in Matthew 28:19-20. In this passage we are commanded to go out and make disciples. So then, in the power of the Holy Spirit, let’s tell the world of the joy we have in knowing Christ!

About the author: Chris Russell has spent the past 25 years actively involved in ministry and currently pastors near Cincinnati, USA. Find more valuable tips at www.biblestudytools.com.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Dream big dreams and expect mighty things from God. By Angus Buchan Maybe you’re feeling despondent at the moment.

Your world may seem to be collapsing around you – economically, physically and even spiritually…

Well, remember what the great William Carrey said: “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.” William Carrey was a cobbler by trade and was called by God to preach the Gospel in India. Upon arriving in that country with his family, he didn’t know what to do next and everything began to fall apart.

His wife got sick and so did his children, who started to die one after the other. Carrey nursed his wife for 15 years before she also died, but he never once thought about going back to England, even though he hardly led a soul to Christ.

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRAJECTORY Then William Carrey discovered he had a gift for interpreting languages – and began to translate the Bible into Sanskrit, Hindustani and other eastern languages. He started a printing press and sent Scriptures all over Asia.

In fact, he became the chief interpreter for the British government in the High Court in Delhi.

What started off as a disaster ended up as a success story. We need to keep on keeping on, irrespective of what’s in front of us. We never need to be afraid to try a new venture, no matter what our neighbours’ opinions might be. I can assure you that when the crunch comes, the neighbours won’t be there, but the Lord will.

NO PAIN. NO GAIN Aristotle said, “We can’t learn without pain.” He was right.

We grow in stature not through prosperity and good times, but through suffering. Painful experiences will either make us better people or lesser people. Pain makes us more compassionate – we’re not so quick to be judgmental.

Although having a relationship with God is absolutely vital during times of pain and suffering, that’s also not the time to start finding out who God is. You need to know Him before then, if you’re going to conquer the mountains you encounter in your life.

As Philippians 4:13 says: “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”

We need to continue to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), and the Lord will do the rest.

INVEST IN YOUR DREAM In Bredasdorp many years ago, I met a family whose father told me a fascinating story. He said to me that he told his sons if they wanted to farm, it was dairy or beef, or crops. But they said “No” and added that they wanted to sell every plough on the farm. They wanted to let the farm go back to its original state and start farming wild flowers. Their father thought that they were mad. Today they have an international company, employing more people than any other farming enterprise in that district.

Remember, if you don’t have a dream it can’t come true.

Don’t let anyone clip your wings. Fly high and do it for the Glory of God, and He will do the rest. It’s far better to try and have failed than to not have tried at all.

If you go to any rugby match you will see about 50 000 fans telling 30 rugby players how to play the game. I’d rather be one of the players on the field, covered in blood, sweat and tears, than an ‘expert’ in the stands who has never kicked a rugby ball in their life.

Dream your dream and be prepared to make mistakes, but know that, if God is with you, there is no man that can stand against you.

God bless, Angus Buchan About the author: Angus Buchan is a dynamic local evangelist who heads up Shalom Ministries in South Africa.

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Broken, helpless and on a bed of suicide, God ministered to a young Ravi Zacharias and took him on a path that would see a ministry presence established all around the world.

Today Ravi is a renowned author, speaker, evangelist and apologist.

Compiled by Tamsyn Cornelius

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COVER STORY

THE RZIM TEAM

As a young Christian I eagerly recall tuning into my local Gospel radio station and being captivated by the compelling yet husky voice of a passionate preacher I came to know as Ravi Zacharias. The thing that stood out for me was this preacher’s confidence and the authority by which he proclaimed the Truth of the Gospel.

Today Ravi is known around the world as a dynamic Christian apologist and his ministry, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), has sixteen offices throughout the world including the USA, UK, Austria, Spain, Hong Kong, South Africa and more!

From humble beginnings in Chennai India and with no real prospects after school, the question remains, how did a young Indian boy become one of the world’s leading Christian apologists of our time? I guess the answer lies in how one responds to the call of God!

FROM THE START… As a young boy raised in India, Ravi describes his formative years growing up in a family of ‘nominal Christians’, although this didn’t really define his life. “Our parents never talked to us about the Gospel,” he explained during a Youth For Christ (YFC) interview. “We went to a High Anglican church. The only thing, I knew that I wasn’t Hindu or Muslim, but we were called Christians.”

Like many, Ravi and his family only

attended church on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter.

“I experienced loneliness and most of these feelings were self-inflicted,” he added. Without a real interest in academics, Ravi describes his life as one ‘punctured by failure’ and that he barely squeaked through school.

With a low self-esteem, Ravi also had to endure heartache as a result of his father’s uncontrollable temper. “He would beat me, my mother, and my four siblings,” he admitted.

“When I went to the university, my actions brought a lot of hostility from my father. He felt that I wasn’t going anywhere, and this would bring disgrace upon the family.

Dad had paid a lot of money for us to go to school and many times I wouldn’t even show up. I took a lot of thrashings.”

A SEED PLANTED Things took a turn when Ravi was invited to attend a local YFC rally.

As a self-proclaimed sceptic, he admitted that he only attended the event at the promise of being served refreshments. Little did he know that this one meeting would cause the trajectory of his life to change forever.

“At the main rally, my life changed when I heard Sam Wolgemuth speak.

He was the President of YFC, and he spoke on John 3:16 and gave an altar call. The soloist sang ‘There is a Balm in Gilead’. Sam’s message had such a settling effect on me as if I

had received a touch from God and reality.”

Out of the thousands of people packed into the auditorium, Ravi was the only one who walked forward for prayer that night. “The man that I talked with was Ben Wylie. He asked me, “Why are you here?” I said, “I want what that man has.” I chuckled and made fun of my decision. I just wanted to be cavalier about everything. However, I knew that something was spiritually happening.

I felt a strong presence of sin in my life.”

A WILL TO DIE At home, however, things didn’t change – in fact, life seemed to spiral out of control. A few months passed, and Ravi planned to take his own life.

“I went to the university lab and picked up some chemicals marked “Poison” and took it home. I didn’t know if I would go through with my suicide plan or not. I had no hope.

There was no tomorrow. The next day, everyone had left the house. The only one home was a servant, and he was down the hall from my bedroom.

Five of us kids lived in this little bedroom with an attached bathroom.

I shut the door and put all those little packages into a glass of water and when I stirred it with a teaspoon everything began to bubble and froth, and flow out of the glass. I gulped it down. It was such a salty concoction that my body couldn’t contain it. I began to throw up.

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Once the gag reflux took over, I couldn’t stop. I was holding on to the sink as my feet were collapsing under me. I had just enough presence to scream and our servant broke down the door to get me.”

When Ravi woke up, he was in hospital with needles sticking out all over his body. “My mother was standing there, and my father had just come through the door. I knew what he was thinking. I had brought disgrace upon the family, and I didn’t know how to live and I didn’t know how to die.”

Sadly, Ravi had done severe damage to his organs and doctors were unsure if he would pull through.

renowned global ministry. His aim remains clear - to present and defend the truth of Jesus Christ that others may find life in Him. At age 72, Ravi remains committed to this call and has presented the Gospel to millions in over 70 countries, including on the campuses of some of the world’s leading universities.

He has also authored and edited a number of books on theology, apologetics, comparative religion and philosophy. Ravi believes that the truth of Christ can endure the toughest critiques and philosophical attacks.

A PARADIGM SHIFT

In South Africa, RZIM is an active ministry, offering evangelism and training that continues to shape the culture of our nation. We hear from Mahlatse Winston Mashua, Director of RZIM Zacharias Trust in South Africa, about how this ministry is impacting the local community.

During this time, a Christian worker was heard singing in the hospital, ‘There is a Balm in Gilead.’ Startled, Ravi’s mom addressed the worker and found out that the man was a minister. He insisted that he give Ravi a Bible. He asked Ravi’s mother to open up the Scriptures and read from John 14.

“It was John 14:19 that touched me and meant to me as the defining paradigm: “Because I live, you also will live.” No one had to explain it to me. I had never owned or read the Bible. I thought, “This may be my only hope: A new way of living. Life as defined by the Author of Life.” I committed my life to Christ praying, “Jesus if You are the one who gives life as it is meant to be, I want it. Please get me out of this hospital bed, and I promise to leave no stone unturned in my pursuit of truth.” Five days later I walked out of the Wellington Hospital in Delhi, India, a totally different man.”

In a time of helplessness and unbelief—on a bed of suicide—the Truth of Scripture brought renewed hope to a vulnerable Ravi, and for once he found direction, committing his life to Christ.

A NEW MISSION “Even unto this day, I will take a taxi and park in front of the Wellington Hospital. This is where it all happened.

God had made a man to come and give me a Bible.

Something of an internal transaction took place. Had Sam Wolgemuth not spoke at the YFC rally, I would not have had a picture of where I was headed, or a road map to get to this place. I prayed the sinner’s prayer and my life changed forever.”

In 1966, Ravi emigrated with his brother to Canada, earning an undergraduate degree from the Ontario Bible College in 1972 (now Tyndale University College & Seminary) and a Master’s of Divinity from Trinity International University. In May 1972, he married Margaret and together they have three children: Sarah, Naomi, and Nathan.

A HIGHER CALLING In 1984 Ravi founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) which has steadily grown into a 16

RZIM TAKES ROOT IN SOUTH AFRICA

HOW DID RZIM COME ABOUT IN SOUTH AFRICA? “After completing my BSc in Biochemistry, I joined the fulltime pastoral staff of His People in Durban, where I worked as a Campus minister with my wife Lusanda. In 2012, we moved to Oxford for a year where I studied at the Oxford Centre for Apologetics which is our flagship training for RZIM. When my wife and I returned to SA in September 2013, we opened up the RZIM office. Five years later, and in addition to South Africa, we have speakers (full-time and part-time) in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda.

I’ve always believed that faith is “trusting in that which you have good reason to believe is true” (William Craig).

I have always had questions and therefore believed it was important to take people’s questions seriously. So, the vision is to reach cultural shapers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through establishing a stronghold for the Gospel in cultural centres (business, arts and media, politics and government, academia and the church) so that future generations will not find it too difficult to preach freely. As well as through reaching campuses in Africa. We hope to have a week-long university mission on the top 25 universities in Africa by 2025. At the same time, we want to grow our team and our partnership base so that we can continue to serve widely.”

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PERTINENT CULTURAL ISSUES YOU AIM TO ADDRESS LOCALLY? “A good apologetic for Christ will conclude with the statement that Jesus is the answer to our deepest challenges and our highest aspirations and longings. The reality is, however, that we often turn to other things (power, success, comfort, recognition, etc. and often other very good things - family, nation, freedom, moral goodness). The choices we make, as to these things on which we place the weight of our expectation, is often informed by the deep cultural narratives that pervade the society. Some cultures turn to family (Confucianism)

COVER STORY

“WHAT IS THE MOST PERVASIVE SOCIAL IMAGINARY IN SA? IDENTIFY IT, UNDERSTAND IT, AND SHAPE THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS TO IT.”

DIRECTOR OF RZIM SOUTH AFRICA, MAHLATSE WINSTON MASHUA.

while others may turn to individual freedom (modern USA, Europe) and in it and through it seek fulfilment.

The task of the evangelist is to indicate how the things we pursue are actually partial in its ability to grant a full life, but that in Christ we can have a full life. And, then almost as a bonus, it can be shown that these cultural goods, when placed in the correct relation to Christ, can still be deeply valuable and good.

This then leads to the question that needs to be addressed in South Africa before we can be effective in our evangelism, namely what are the deep base-line narratives (cultural aspirations) that we find in South Africa? These then need to be placed in correct relation to Christ. What is it that the average South African wants and then dreams of? This has to be the leverage point in to which we bring Christ. What is the most pervasive social imaginary in SA? Identify it, understand it, and shape the message of the Cross to it.

In the past few years, I have been speaking into issues of justice, race and suffering, transformation, decolonisation etc. I have been answering the question: “How do we move from a shared troubled past, to a shared hopeful future?” The aim has been to make a case for how Christ informs and completes our narratives.”

Find out more about at www.rzim.org.za.

WIN! We are giving away three copies of the book Jesus Among Secular Gods by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale, available locally through Struik Christian Media. To win a copy, turn to page 10 for details!

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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MONEY MATTERS

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT We may face seasons of plenty and seasons of drought. Are you ready for both?

By Angus Cornelius There is a question on the hearts of many Christians, “Is saving a biblical practice?”. I am reminded of the Scriptures as recorded in Genesis 41. In this story, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s two dreams which depict seven fat, healthy cows being devoured by seven scrawny, thin cows; and seven plump and beautiful heads of grain being swallowed up by seven shrivelled, withered heads of wheat.

The interpretation imparted by Joseph to Pharaoh was as follows: “The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt. But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land. This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased,” (Genesis 41: 29 – 31).

Joseph instructs Pharaoh to appoint supervisors over the land to collect crops during the prosperous years and to build storehouses that will last throughout the years of famine.

Scripture reveals a principle of saving that we can easily apply to our own lives. God is the source of all wisdom and just like He forewarns the nation of Egypt to put aside a portion of the harvest for provision in the barren years, we too can take head of this principle.

In my opinion, it is wise to develop a practice of setting aside funds to ensure that we are able to sustain ourselves and our families, through the “lean” periods in our lives. Some may argue that this is contrary to the concept of living by faith, but God has also called us to be wise and to be good stewards of the gifts (and finances) that He has blessed us with.

A TIME FOR EVERY SEASON

ARE YOU READY TO SOW?

Many of us may have experienced seasons in our lives when we feel comfortable financially, with more than enough of what we need.

Sadly, these seasons seldom last in perpetuity and there may be times in which we struggle financially.

In many ways, the above portion of 18

There may be times in which God is directing you to sow into a ministry or assist someone in need. If we do not have extra finances to do so, we may feel inadequate to help with our limited resources. But imagine we had the savings to tap into during those times when God prompts us to

be a blessing to others!

Saving can therefore empower us to sow more freely as God directs and act in accordance with Proverbs 3:27 which says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act”.

LEAVING A LEGACY Lastly, there is the possibility that we may save and never need to use these funds for survival in lean times or have the opportunity of blessing those in need. Even then, our savings are not wasted. This may enable us to leave an inheritance for our heirs (Proverbs 13:22), who in turn, may be able to live out our legacy of giving and sowing back into the Kingdom.

In such circumstances wise stewardship of God’s provision in our lives can transcend our lifetime into the next generation. Teach your children to save from a young age so that they too can reap the rewards of this basic principle.

WARRIOR WOMAN To transform and restore women, children, youth and young adults perceived to be useless, waste, outcasts and nonentities in the communities to be excellent nation builders, nation leaders and renowned business men and women that can be Moral and Unashamedly Ethical Citizens

CEO: Dr. Fay Nqoloba

CONTACT DETAILS

• To see people, the country, the continent and the world “Rise Shine and be Solutions" with the hope that empowered people will stop shifting the blame, stop dreaming and have visions instead • To transform all people, children, young people our future leaders and families by changing their mind sets through empowerment and developmental programs • To build a nation free of social ills through public speaking, facilitation, conducting seminars of different levels addressing different issues and different areas, outreach programs for any society organization sharing the vision.

• We believe everyone has a part to play through active involvement in the upliftment and empowerment process, that people should roll up their sleeves and work towards bringing about solutions to challenges facing people and nation.

Warrior Woman of The Kingdom is a Mother Body of a very vibrant wing KINGDOM YOUNG WARRIORS who are shaking the walls and the ground of Cape Town

warriorwoman@fountainofhope.co.za

www.fountainofhope.co.za

dr_fay_nqoloba

Year End function where the influential partners of Cape Town meet in support of the vision, celebrating their successes whilst embracing the failures they have encountered and mapping the way forward Come witness the Young Warriors testifying of their engagement with this organization and achievements thereof.

For further detail go to: www.fountainofhope.co.za/events

@NqolobaDr

Rise Shine and Be a solution!!

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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SOUL FOOD

GETTING STARTED AS AN ENTREPRENEUR Angelique Du Toit, local author, speaker and Annique Brand Ambassador, shares some crucial advice to help you embrace the entrepreneur inside of you and grow a business you’ll be proud of!

Entrepreneurship involves starting personal and business capacity. and setting up a new business with all STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF the promises and risks that are part of Entrepreneurs have to find their grit, this process. One of the motivations that resilience that never quits. You necessary while considering your starthave to know what you would like up, is to find out the different needs to achieve and people have so stay true to your KNOW YOUR that your business values. Success can be part of the STRATEGY, YOUR must never be solution.

METHOD. KNOW at the cost of Bible teacher, anybody else. You YOUR BUSINESS. preacher and will pay a high respected author, price for achieving Dr Robert Schuller quotes, “Find the success unethically. Acknowledge and need and fill it and you will never be embrace the truth that change is an out of business.” everyday part of life; don’t waste your YOU HAVE TO START energy on resisting it. Change can be a Starting an enterprise could mean very powerful enabler if you recognise that you may have to close your ears that it is there for your good. to the naysayers and stay confidently Resilience offers a wonderful focused on your ‘why’; the reason reward for taking opportunities for wanting to invest time, money and making them work for you. You and effort in your business. Desire is usually only graduate to a higher a strong emotion and it is helpful to vantage point when you take the risk harness that strength and channel to get out of the rut that is probably your energies toward your focus. distorting your vision. I do believe we It is vital to remember that your new need thorns (the challenges) in our business is called a start-up, because nest to drive us onward and upward. herein lies the clue and constant A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE reminder, that firstly you have to Your new business venture must start. Most people stop at the start. If resonate with you. You must be able you get weary and give up, you block to relate to your product or service, yourself from exploring any other so your passion can be experienced opportunity and to further grow your 20

as authentic. Doing just any business in the hope of making a profit can work against you.

Customers have never been more informed than they are in this Digital Age. You need to appeal to their emotion with your passion and give them a meaningful experience. Keep in alignment with what you know you are gifted to do. Don’t doubt your own ability and capacity.

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Develop your people skills as this is a vital part of your communication and integration skill set. Don’t say yes to everything. Only to what is true for you. Don’t compare yourself with others; it is a pointless exercise.

Know your strategy, your method.

Know your business. If you can offer excellent and personalized client service, you are already ahead of the game. Use your abilities, skills, and experience to be extraordinary.

I am a proud Annique Health and Beauty Ambassador where I have watched people embrace the lifechanging opportunity that Annique offers. A consultant may start up a small home-based endeavour and yet go on to create a significant business with turnovers in excess of some SME’s. But they had to start. And so should you.

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INTERIOR DECOR

Create your own personal oasis with some of our favourite BRING products and the latest THE trends.

HEAT

Merge the gap between function and design with a Spartan Boxx wall-mounted heated towel rail from Jeeves.

KEEP IT NATURAL

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CURVE

Create depth with a curved sink from Duravit’s Luv series designed by Cecilie Manz.

Add glamour with the geometric details of the Sawyer 3-light Chandelier from Illumina.

Muted shades with beige, brown, gold and cream are on trend.

ALL IN THE DETAILS MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

Round mirrors ooze luxury. Make a statement with two mirrors above a double sink. Complete the look with these Talis Bathroom Mixers from Hansgrohe.

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We’re loving this modern soap dispenser from Duravit’s Karree Collection.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

23

My life had been clouded with tradition, religion and occultic practices before God rescued me. By Beulah Vermeulen

I grew up in Primrose, Germiston where religion was a very serious matter in our home. For as long as I can remember, my parents were Jehovah’s Witnesses.

We strictly attended religious meetings, but on the side, we were used to spiritualists and divinators popping in to do a ‘quick’ Tarot reading or some sort of Lapasuli stone fortune telling. These were normal occurrences and I became accustomed to this deluded world where our religion became a mix of the Jehovah’s Witness faith and a lineage of the occult.

WHAT AM I DOING HERE? One Sunday morning, while standing in a meeting in the Kingdom Hall, I remember singing from a hymn book and not being able to hear the actual song as it played over the PA system. At that moment I became very aware of my surroundings and thought to myself, ‘What am I doing here?’. I was confronted with so many questions and the feeling that I was wasting my life.

After the service, I bravely discussed my convictions with my mom and together we agreed that I would reconsider my religious beliefs. I wanted to decide for myself and from then on, I stopped attending any church or Bible study and went on with my life with no inclination toward any religion.

Soon enough I met a wonderful man and after five years of courtship we decided to marry. It was an exciting time and yet, the day before the wedding, all our hopes nearly came crashing to the ground.

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THE MIRACLE OF LIFE We were filled with much anticipation. In less than 24 hours we were to marry. As we were driving along in our family vehicle, a truck failed to stop at a yield sign and drove right over us. The front of our car was completely destroyed. Luckily, we walked away with only minor injuries and a few concussions.

Once the aftermath had settled, my cousin, Pastor Abie Heydenrich, came to show us the photographs of our vehicle. It was a miracle that we were alive. He explained that God had saved our lives and that we should at least thank Him. I made a promise to God that day to show my appreciation - by thanking Him every morning and evening and by reading one scripture every day. A seed was planted as I realised that God had given us a second chance.

AN AWAKENING Things were still not quite right within my spirit. About a month after the accident, I woke up on Good Friday morning and realised that my eyes were wet. I had been crying in my sleep and I couldn’t stop crying. I could hardly speak but I calmed down enough to tell my husband that we needed to go to my cousin, Pastor Abie, right at that moment.

I remember crying in the car as I looked out at the people on the streets and I told my husband – ‘They don’t know what Jesus did for them!’ By the time we arrived at my cousin’s home, I stormed inside, crying uncontrollably. His response was one of shock as he asked, ‘Who died?’

Still crying, I answered: “I did, I died! I’m dying!”

They had to calm me “TODAY I CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE down so that I could HOW GOD HAS CARRIED ME FROM explain what was going INFANCY INTO A LIFE OF EVANGELISM on.

AND THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.” I told him that I wasn’t sure what church services they were having that day, but all I knew is that I needed to be in his church… and you can certainly imagine his surprise! He explained that the morning service had already taken place but that there would be a youth service that evening. I agreed to go.

As the day progressed I was filled with doubt. The devil wanted no part of what was going on and I was suddenly confronted with my old religious self.

With much resistance I walked into church that night but when the pastor made an altar call to anyone who needed Jesus, I was the first person to step forward.

A LIFE OF FREEDOM They asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus Christ as my personal saviour and king, and I said yes! They ensured that I fully understood what I was doing and then they prayed with me. The moment we said amen, it was as if the Holy Spirit came upon me. I was thrown to the ground and broke out in tongues – it was a mighty encounter with a living God. This was just the beginning of an exciting journey and today I can look back and see how God has carried me from infancy into a life of evangelism and the work of the Holy Spirit. Under the leadership of El-Shammah Ministries, I became equipped as a woman on a mission.

After a powerful youth conference in KZN in 2017, Fire Revival Movement was born. I believe that God has called me to spread revival within South Africa and as a movement, we are expecting God’s supernatural power to hit SA like never before.

My life has been a testimony to the goodness of God. If He can do it for me, He can certainly do it for you. He loves you too much to leave you where you are.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect,” (Romans 12:2).

Find our more about the ministry and work that Beulah is involved in at www.firerevivalmovement.co.za.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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TO KNOW GOD MORE INTIMATELY

We chatted to Pastors Chris and Judy Smith from YADA Ministries in Gauteng about their call to serve and lead the local church. By Tamsyn Cornelius AS A PASTORAL COUPLE, YOU BOTH COME FROM VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS FAR FROM MINISTRY AND LIFE IN THE CHURCH. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAME TO FAITH IN CHRIST?

Chris: “I grew up in a broken “Christian” home. My mom had me out of wedlock and I grew up in my Gran’s home where no religion was really practiced.

At age 15, my mom had an encounter with Jesus in the kitchen of our home. At this point we had become Muslim as my mom had married into Islam when I was 9.

After her first visit to a church service, I saw a radiance on her face and a joy in her that I hadn’t seen before.

This was when I asked her to take me with her the next time she went.

I didn’t really understand much but during my first visit, when the pastor made the altar call, my heart started racing and tears came streaming down my face. I knew something in this church was more real than I had ever felt anywhere else. Raised with no religion and then as a Muslim child – this was real.

After I had that encounter I still lacked the boldness to share this with anyone. One Friday evening, all my Muslim friends decided to go to mosque. Even though I didn’t want to go, I never had the courage to say no. So I 26

went. That was the last time I bowed down in a mosque – and it was the first time I ever felt the conviction of the Spirit. That day I went home, and I was broken. I repented and made a full commitment to Jesus Christ.”

Judy: “I grew up in a Catholic home, raised by a single mother and an absent father. My childhood memories are unfortunately not one of daisies and chocolates. Instead, it was filled with feelings of deep rejection, abandonment and physical abuse. My teenage years were submerged in drugs, alcohol abuse, clubbing and immoral relationships.

After years of seeking true love and acceptance and at my lowest and most broken state, I found Jesus. It began with an invitation to attend a church service. One evening while high on drugs and drowned in alcohol – I was about to try out a new and stronger drug, when I heard a voice telling me to go to church the next day.

The next thing I remember was being in a taxi and going to church… that was my last encounter with the world. God saved me. I never craved a drug again after that. Never had to detox or go to rehab. It all ended in a moment and I have never looked back.”

FULLTIME MINISTRY IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. HOW AND WHY DID YOU START YADA MINISTRIES. “Both of us had an innate desire to serve and we were doing

PASTORAL INTERVIEW

this in our home church. When we felt the call from God to plant a church, we decided we were not going to make any rash decisions. So we prayed and took a family break to Durban to seek God and talk to a pastor friend. This was where God confirmed that this is what He called us to.

The answer to why we planted is twofold. Firstly, this is a calling from God we could not ignore. Secondly, we had moved cities and gone to visit quite a few churches in our neighbourhood. We got involved in the life of the church but deep down were never settled. The tug in our hearts got stronger and we knew it was inevitable.”

WHAT’S BEHIND THE NAME ‘YADA’?

“This name was birthed out of our family break in Durban. I started reading a book by Paul Manwaring and came across this Hebrew word “yada”. I always knew we were called to draw people into intimacy with God and this word that meant “to know or experience” seemed like a good match for what we were called to do.

In all honesty, it did take a while for us to get used to it as it didn’t feel like a ‘cool – modern – millennial’ name but in the end, we would

not have it any other way. So, Yada means ‘to know God by a personal and intimate experience’.”

YOU STARTED AS A HOME CHURCH. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE CHURCH TRANSFORM OVER THE YEARS? “Yes, we’re still a young church (On 5 September 2018 we celebrate our 3rd birthday) but we have tried to operate like a “supermarket and not a little corner shop”. What this means is – we are operating in such a way as to be prepared for increase. This has helped us prepare and experiment while we’re still small and with less pressure.

We are learning as we are growing.

Our desire was to build a church that was truly a family but with a missional focus. We want to take care of those God entrusts to us but also remain missional in our approach.”

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACE IN REACHING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY? “We planted in a suburb and found it difficult reaching out to homes as they were fenced in. It was really hard to engage our community.

We also had lots of student accommodation surrounding us.

But God has given us great strategy in how to engage in a relevant way.

One example: In Pretoria, the coffee culture is quite big. So, on Saturday mornings we hand out free cups of coffee to people coming to the shops. In this way we have meaningful conversations, pray with and invite people to church and encourage them in the Lord.”

WHAT SPECIAL MINISTRIES DO YOU HAVE TO GET PEOPLE INVOLVED IN CHURCH LIFE? “One of our most exciting ministries is our Outreach arm. Our heart as a church is not to do “hit and runs”.

This means we try not to “help” in a community and then disappear. We want to build sustainable ways to reach the same community and see them changed.

Our programme, “Feed our Neighbours”, happens once a month on a Friday in the Pretoria CBD and we are able to feed the homeless, encourage and connect with them.

We also have a group of blue collar workers that look for “piece jobs” and we feed them on a Saturday morning. We have seen some get jobs and become part of our family.

It is incredible when you see them grow from strength to strength.”

Visit www.yadaministries.co.za.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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TRAVEL

It may sound strange, but the rejection I experienced in my early childhood helped to shape me for the work I am passionate about.

As an unwanted child, my early years were not spent with my biological mother; and I never knew my father. I grew up with sexual, physical and emotional abuse from as young as the age of 6. Through the turmoil, I made the promise to myself that I wanted to live a life that ensured that no child would ever go through what I had. This led me on the path toward voluntary work with children at risk.

Josie Martin takes the message of Jesus into some of the world’s toughest communities, sharing the love of God from Heideveld to Brazil.

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COMPELLED BY LOVE I came to know the amazing love of God as an older teenager. The overwhelming love of God led me to get involved in children’s ministry in my local community of Heideveld, Cape Town, and I later joined my church’s ministry team which opened doors to various ministry opportunities.

My first experience with children at risk happened in my own neighbourhood of Heideveld. I began to recognise the pain I had experienced as a child in others.

Broken homes, alcoholism, children being abused in all forms… these issues compelled me to start an afternoon children’s group in Heideveld where I could create a safe space for kids to play games and do their homework. Once a month, through the help of the home groups in the area, we also provided a family with a care parcel.

I felt that I was providing kids with the safe place I needed as a child. I learned that you can love people into a place of healing.

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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TRAVEL I learned that every story matters; that there will never be a place we can fall far enough, deep enough, or dark enough that love cannot reach us!

A HEART FOR THE VULNERABLE Almost 20 years ago, I started my involvement with a ministry in Maanhaarrand, on the border of the North West province of South Africa at a rural farm school that served vulnerable children as part of Dayspring Children’s Village. This journey has led me to other ministries through parts of Africa and the world.

I always felt a tug on my heart to someday work with the street kids of Brazil. Many opportunities presented itself and I eagerly served in Mozambique, New Zealand, Samoa and Thailand while I waited for an open door to Brazil.

In 2012, the opportunity came to serve with a church in Goiânia, Brazil.

It was the open door I was looking for, and thus led to me serving in Brazil until the end of 2015.

SERVING IN YOUR AREA Everyone knows the saying that ‘the devil is in the detail’ but the original saying is actually ‘God is in the detail’.

I’ve discovered this on my journey… that God comes down to sit with us in our pain and finds the detail of our story as a treasure.

Many times, we think missions will require us giving something up, whether our homes, family, friends or finances.

However, when you find your place of influence to live out your gift for God

30

and His people, you find your real ministry and mission. Not all of us will pack up our homes in order to serve.

We can serve where we find our place of influence to bring healing, hope, love and much more.

A LASTING IMPACT A few years back I received a message from a young woman from Heideveld who had attended the children’s group I had started years back. She invited me to her wedding and the most beautiful thing was that she was marrying one of the boys from the same group who had been a bit of a rebel. He had since become a lawyer and had achieved so much, and they wanted me to be present as I had made a difference in their lives and they had found their path in God. You never know the impact of a kind word, an act of love or a listening ear to a child in need.

Another encounter that changed my life took place during my time serving in Balama, North of Mozambique, with an organisation called Orphans Unlimited. Circumstances in this area were challenging and starvation was a reality in the local community.

One morning I heard a knock at our gate and opened up to a very skinny and tired looking mother with her baby. At first, I thought the child was about 8 or 9 months old, but she was in fact 2 years old and looked extremely dehydrated and sickly.

I couldn’t communicate in the local language of Mecua, but with some sign language, we discovered that

the baby had not eaten for a few days. We tried to put her on a drip to get fluids in her body, but sadly she passed away that afternoon. We were in shock for many days, as the stark reality of starvation in the village had taken this precious child’s life.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED It has certainly not been an easy road. In fact, one thing missionaries lack, is taking care of oneself. I contracted malaria three times during my time in Mozambique, which caused my immune system to be compromised. Since then, I’ve had kidney problems, been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and had a full abdominal hysterectomy which led to other serious health issues.

But through it all, I stayed on the mission field. With my health at a vulnerable stage, I returned to South Africa at the end of 2015, but my aim has not changed, and I continue to invest my time and resources into missions.

My encouragement to you is to get involved, go, explore new places and take the love of God to those who need it the most!

INTERESTED IN MISSIONS? Don’t wait. There is a great need and every helping hand can and will make a difference. Contact your local church and get involved.

If you cannot go, invest your time, money and resources. Pray daily for the many missionaries working around the globe.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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A SIMPLY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE Once a decade for locals, once a lifetime for travellers. From May to October 2020, witness the Passion Play and discover Bavaria

PERFORMING FOR 400 YEARS Devastated by the plague in 1633, the people of Oberammergau performed the first Passion Play in a profound expression of repentance, vowing that if they were spared, natives of the town would perform the play every ten years.

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the32 Oberammergau. For bookings made before 30 September 2019, a deposit of R3000.00 per person is due within 7 days of making the reservation. Fo full T&C’s, please visit trafalgar.com

Through heartbreak and sorrow, JoAnna Weaver reached out to God to fulfil a dream and launch an active lifestyle apparel business, inspiring women through faith-based activewear. By Tamsyn Cornelius We asked JoAnna to share her journey of entrepreneurship to encourage you to pursue the Godgiven dreams in your own heart.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START GLORY ACTIVE? Glory existed as a dream I’ve had for over a decade percolating in my head. As a competitive collegiate athlete and now a businesswoman, I always dreamed to work in a sports apparel company… where I could lead and build relationships with athletes and those leading active lifestyles through the apparel they wear to help them reach their dreams and possibly use that platform to share my faith. But I never knew how to explain what I wanted the job to be or what it would look like exactly.

That part of the dream was never clear until this year.

My dream of Glory Active becoming reality is one of fully trusting God to make beauty out of the ashes, because Glory Active was born out of a trying time with my faith in God and a shattering of a life I knew. You see, I’ve had a deeply painful year of my life, so many tears from terrible heartbreak, betrayal, deceit, and on top of that, I knew I would lose my job alongside it. In the midst of

loss, I opened myself up to wholly honour God. So out of a most tender broken heart and jobless situation, God began to answer my prayers.

God reminded me of my passions, so I wrote it down the next morning: “I am passionate about my Saviour Jesus Christ, athletes (and those driven to pursue active lifestyles) and sports apparel.

And that late Spring morning, all my passions came together with an idea. I felt God called me to start working on a business and ministry of Christian women’s activewear and athleisure with inspired messaging, designs or verses from the Bible artistically decorated on each item to glorify Him. And that’s when Glory Active was born.

It scared me to take the plunge, but here I am now, after launching Glory Active in November of last year, fully excited of what’s going to happen for His glory with Glory Active, amidst the risks and the statistics of starting a business in the retail apparel industry. Starting my own business is a risk, and takes me out of my comfort zone, but all I know is I just have to, in obedience to Him, try... especially when I feel God is calling me to do this now.

God is definitely stretching me, kinda like a good pair of leggings, ha! And as they say, nothing great has ever been accomplished without great risk.

WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR GLORY ACTIVE IN THE FUTURE? My hope is that Glory Active continues to grow and remind women (including myself) who are struggling with something, whether feeling like giving up, fearful, not good enough, or stuck on thinking they just can’t do it, that they can when God is with you, because all things are possible through Christ who gives us strength.

He makes no mistakes and He has a strength beyond all measure.

Shop Glory Active on www.gloryactive. com. They now ship internationally.

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A photoshoot inspired by a brave biblical queen. By Nelani van Zyl Suppliers: Dresses: Ilse Roux Bridal Hair and Make-up: Lauren Amy Jewellery and Hairpieces: Carlize B Venue: UCT Upper Campus Photographer: Nelani van Zyl

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AND IT WAS SO, WHEN THE KING SAW ESTHER THE QUEEN STANDING IN THE COURT, THAT SHE OBTAINED FAVOUR IN HIS SIGHT: AND THE KING HELD OUT TO ESTHER THE GOLDEN SCEPTRE THAT WAS IN HIS HAND. SO, ESTHER DREW NEAR, AND TOUCHED THE TOP OF THE SCEPTRE. (ESTHER 5:2).

With a strong conviction to bring Scripture to life, local photographer, Nelani van Zyl, set off to put together a styled photoshoot that would adequately capture the essence of God’s Word through modern-day interpretation.

“For a long time now, I wanted to do a styled shoot based on either a biblical character or Scripture. I believe that marriage is so sacred and holy, and I wanted to focus on the spiritual side of things rather than the trends or details that would distract from the Scriptures.”

THE LOCATION “I decided to go with Queen Esther as I loved the story behind it, and it inspires many,” explains Nelani. The venue needed to feel majestic to suit the theme – a place fit for a queen. As such, Nelani decided to shoot during autumn in Cape Town at The University of Cape Town’s upper campus. With autumn moss creeping up tall buildings, and with oversized windows and massive staircases, Nelani knew she had found the ideal venue to help translate the grandeur of Queen Esther. “The venue made us think of a castle and I imagined that Queen Esther would fit into that location beautifully.”

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IN THE KING’S COURTS Nelani’s vision was to create a feeling of being in the king’s inner court.

“I imagined Queen Esther, who after fasting and praying, may have gone through a fair amount of spiritual warfare.” The photoshoot aimed to capture the radiance and confidence that Queen Esther evokes in the Scriptures.

“She took a massive risk and a leap of faith which we can only do if we absolutely have the fullest confidence that God will come through for us in every situation and that we can rest in Him.”

A PROPHETIC DECLARATION In some of the shots, a shofar was used as this has biblical significance and was often blown as a call to revere the presence of God. “We used a shofar in the shoot as this is often connected to spiritual warfare in the Bible,” explains Nelani. “I thought it would be a nice addition visually, to make it not just look like an usual bridal shoot, but that our bride would look like a Hebraic woman in her wedding dress.”

THE VISION Bridal shoots are often intimate reflections of a couple and Nelani hopes that her styled shoots will further honour God and promote the biblical covenant of marriage.

“My heart is for couples to honour God more within the covenant of marriage, and that people would realise how important and symbolic this is to our walk with Christ as His Bride. The shoot was a prophetic action declaring that God is still King over weddings and covenants.”

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HISTORY OF TURNING POINT Turning Point Ministries came to existence in September 2016. Pastor David was woken up one early morning and was reminded of a vision that was given to him in 2012 about Turning Point Ministries. He went to visit a place on advice from his friend Steve, but the first place he visited, he felt it was not the right one, and he asked the owner if there was any other place available, and Ps David and Steve were taken to a very broken workshop where he felt that was the place that God wanted him to start Turning Point Ministries.

As Ps David was driving home, he was given the motto of the church which is “It all starts at the foot of the Cross” and the scripture that he received was John 14v6: “And Jesus answered, He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Two days later, Steve, Chantal, Jackie and David went to visit the place and there were some very sceptical comments but deep down in Ps David’s heart, he knew that this was the right place. The four of them stood and our Pastor prayed for God’s will to be done and it felt that after the prayer, life was breathed in this place and from then on, God brought the right people and the workshop was changed and transformed into a sanctuary for Jesus.

From a broken workshop to a workshop for Jesus!!!

We had our first prayer meeting on Sunday and there were 30 chairs and 29 attended, the one chair was for Jesus! And on Sunday the 25th of September 2016 we held our 1st full service and based on the attendance, we knew that Jesus had His hands in the start of Turning Point Ministries. Nearly 2 years later, we keep feeling the first love we have for Jesus and today we are very blessed to have an awesome congregation that keep growing into the Word of God. At TPM, we have an awesome group of leaders who are so dedicated and committed in following the Lord Jesus Christ and also been the hands and feet of Jesus.Today, we must say that without obedience, we wouldn’t have seen so many people been blessed. Although it was a tough road, but we keep forging ahead with Jesus as our leader, we are anchored in His will and His Word. As it all starts at the foot of the Cross, we know that the best in the Lord is yet to come…

OUR CONTACT DETAILS:

Turning Point Ministries, Springs. South Africa.

Facebook: Turning Point Ministries, Springs. South Africa.

Instagram: turningpointsprings Mobile: 071 446 2869 Phone: 065 808 7024 / 065 809 8004 Email: pastorturningpoint1@gmail.com

FASHION

Our resident stylist, Loren Lee Langenhoven, shares some top tips to help you look your best this wedding season.

FOR THE LADIES:

FOR THE GUYS:

• Bright and bold. Take advantage of the season and go for something bright, paired with a printed shoe.

• A wrap dress. This is a classic style that will be flattering for any body shape too.

• A pantsuit. Not one to conform? Then this is for you. Paired with a sexy stiletto and you are good to go.

• Light and slim. A slim fitted beige suit with a crisp white shirt is ideal for a spring/ summer wedding.

• Chilled but stylish. Not one for blazers? Swap it out for a waistcoat. You will still look appropriate for the occasion.

• Mix and match. Change things up with a mismatched blazer and pants.

Now that you have the clothing sorted, there are a few other things you need to take care of.

MAKEUP:

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• For weddings, less is more.

GENERAL GROOMING: GENERAL GROOMING: • Focus on the lips: A summery • Chipped nail polish: This is a pop of colour like coral, pink or “no-go”! Leave your nails clear or red would be great but because get a fresh paint done. it’s a long day, keep the colour • Greasy hair: This is for the ladies alive by applying a lip stain or lip and the gents. Wash your hair pencil underneath your lipstick. and style it in a way that best • Play up your eyes: With a suits your look for the day. smudgy look and warm colours • Untamed facial hair: Don’t be or opt for a classic wing eye. the one to spoil a good selfie.

• Keep it natural: Just a lick of So, tame any unruly facial hairs. mascara, some soft eye shadow and the barest hint of blush Founded by Loren Lee Langenhoven, and lip-gloss.

StyleByLoren aims to use the power of fashion to empower others!

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It took me almost 50 years to write my story of healing after abuse.

By Lynn Nel I’m a huge fan of Maya Angelou. One of her quotes has resonated very well with me. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story within you.” We all have a story within us. The truth of this quote is only fully understood once you have written it. We don’t realise that we walk around with valuable experiences. We really don’t know the power of sharing our stories.

TELL YOUR STORY I had been walking around with a story in my heart since forever. One day I simply decided to put pen to paper. I dropped my proverbial pen nine months later and it felt as if I just released a mountain off my back. If I knew what writing my story would do to me, I would have written it years ago. God’s timing is not our timing. His timing as always, is perfect. “There is a time for everything and a season for everything under the heavens,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

I completed ‘The Right Daughter Speaks – Healing After Abuse’ at the start of 2018 and decided to self-publish. Although the message 40

was meant to resonate with everybody who picked it up, I did not expect the change that this book held for me personally. In writing my story, I found healing and my faith has been elevated to a wonderful new level.

have realised that my worth comes from Christ and He has made me wonderfully and fearfully.

At the end of my book there is a letter where I encourage readers to not lose their voices through abuse. We are created in God’s own image.

He has a special plan for each of us. That is such a great honour! Don’t let yourself be robbed of the wonders that life offers.

The Bible says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s RISE ABOVE YOUR TRAUMA womb! Before you were born I set you apart,” (Jeremiah 1:5). Be When you go through something comfortable with who God created you to be and learn to love the way traumatic in your life, you will never He intended. forget, but in remembering, I realised Our loved ones deserve the kind of love that 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 just how blessed I am. I’m no longer talks about. Christ gave it to us and we ought to strive every day to be shackled by my past. I now know that like the Lord. “Love is patient, love is I have great power kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, “I NOW KNOW THAT I HAVE within me and that it is not proud. It does not dishonour the same Spirit of God GREAT POWER WITHIN ME AND others, it is not self-seeking, it is not who raised Jesus from THAT THE SAME SPIRIT OF GOD easily angered, it keeps no record of the dead, lives in me.

WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE wrongs. Love does not delight in evil I have had many DEAD, LIVES IN ME.” but rejoices with the truth. It always people stop to ask me protects, always trusts, always hopes, about the book’s title always perseveres. Love never fails.”

‘The Right Daughter Speaks’. Nobody My hope is that we learn to walk in this unconditional love; that we seems to want to talk about the find true freedom from our past hurts and learn to rely on God. There is subtitle, ‘Healing after abuse’. I find it no blueprint in being the perfect person. We are all a work in progress, odd. It’s real and it’s big. It’s out there but we can all choose to progress to be better than the day before. All and so ripe in our communities. it takes is one step at a time. You are never alone when you take those Abuse is a silent killer of self-love and steps. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew respect. Sadly, many children suffer at 28:20). Thus says the Lord your God and Comforter. the hands of abuse every day. Society seems to have accepted it as normal.

We don’t want to stir up trouble, so we choose to accept the pain and shame WIN! We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to of it all, for ourselves and our children. win a signed copy of Lynn’s book. For more details I wrote this book to share my personal turn to page 10! story of abuse and the healing that only God can provide.

I grew up in an abusive home environment and by the grace of God, the chains were broken. My hope is that my story will uplift and provide hope for others. I recently turned 50.

I am a single mother of a 20-year-old young man of whom I’m extremely proud. The role I embrace most in my life is that of a mom.

GOD’S PLAN IS HIGHER THAN OURS I needed to learn to fight for myself, fight for love and respect. Abuse so easily strips us of that self-love and respect. It makes you unsure of yourself and you begin to question whether you have a chance in this world. But through the years I

Anthea Jacobs is a passionate entrepreneur on a mission. We chatted to her about her latest initiative, STEPS, creating strategic partnerships in business.

By Tamsyn Cornelius

HOW AND WHY DID YOU START STEPS? “I’ve always been an entrepreneur passionate about business and people. Things changed drastically in my life in September 2016. I was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a huge abdominal cyst. Doctors discovered a large pulmonary embolism on my lung. My right lung started to fill with water. This was the start of my journey in hospital due to complications. It took eight months before doctors could successfully operate to remove a 7,2kg cyst.

Post operation, I started a slow healing process. My mobility and strength were limited but as I gained strength, I began to ask God for His plan for my life going forward.

I knew I wanted to do something. It was as if my faith and passion had a refuelling! At 4am one morning, I awoke and clearly saw a staircase and the word STEPS - Strategic Transformative Effective Partnership Solution.

This was to be the name of my organisation and the vision.”

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH STEPS? “Steps Enterprise Group (STEPS) was established to collaborate with SME’s, startup businesses, entrepreneurs, informal and established businesses, including non-profit organisations and entities in the music industry.

Through STEPS we would like to create strategic synergies that will enable businesses to trade and develop within the group. We want STEPS to be a trade hub where business deals are concluded and where resources and contacts are shared for enhancement.”

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WHAT DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES ARE FOR START-UPS? “I would say a lack of proper guidance, finances and mentorship.

A small business is often started by someone wanting to capitalize on a passion or skill and sadly, sometimes a proper business plan is not in place. They struggle to achieve valuable growth because they’ve not factored in important things like admin and marketing which are necessary but are costly to put in place.”

YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL HISTORY IN BUSINESS, HAVING WORKED YOUR WAY UP FROM RECEPTIONIST TO MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A LOCAL FIRM, AS WELL AS WINNING THE ABSA/WECBOF BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR TITLE FOR 2009. WHAT DO YOU THINK CONTRIBUTES TO ONE’S BUSINESS SUCCESS? “I have a deep passion and compassion to see people living better lives… To help be a solution to the scourge of poverty and all that comes with it. I want to make a difference God’s way as custodian of the vulnerable and ambassador of humanity. That’s a lesson taught to me growing up... “let your quest in life be to be a decent human being first”.

No one ever arrives being successful. The real question is: ‘What is success?’ My view comes from a range of influences in my life.

I was taught that success in life is many things. I often viewed success as financial only, but it can’t be that only. It requires a successful foundation in the quest to be a decent human being and working hard.

I would attend free meetings and workshops held at our church, as well as many networking events, gaining exposure from these business influences. I realised that truly successful people want to see others succeed. I went on to win the WECBOF Business Woman of the Year Award in 2009 and was also a finalist in The National TWIB - Technology for Women in Business Award.”

Need business help? STEPS will soon be embarking on business network offerings. Connect with Anthea via email: anthea.c.jacobs@gmail.com.

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BLUFF CHRISTIAN ACADEMY with a learner population of just over 250 from grades R to 12, 19 committed educators and three devoted admin staff, Bluff Christian Academy (BCA) has grown from strength to strength whilst focusing on its Christian ethos as depicted in its logo “Educating for Eternity”.

There have been changes along the way, such as the shift from the ACE curriculum to the Department of Education CAPS- based curriculum in 2011.

However, the school still operates as a non-profit, public benefit organisation and is registered with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

In addition, BCA is registered with Umalusi and is a registered matric examination centre with the Department of Education.

The school principal (Mrs Ross) says BCA is blessed with an excellent matric pass rate; an accolade the school is rightly proud of. This has been recognised by the eThekwini Mayor as well as the Department of Education District Awards of excellence. Mrs Ross accredits this to God’s grace, the teacher’s dedication and the learners’ commitment to their studies.

BCA operates an after-care facility and offers several extra classes as well as a full range of extra-mural sporting and cultural activities that are focused on providing a holistic education for your child.

Admissions for 2019 are open, however space is limited at Bluff Christian Academy and parents who are keen to enrol their children at Bluff Christian Academy are urged to do so as soon as possible.

TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT PROVERBS 22:6

Phone: 031 467-8901 or 031 467-2640 | Email: info@bluffchristianacademy.org.za Follow Bluff Christian Academy on Facebook or visit www.bluffchristianacademy.org.za THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE 43

IMPLEMENT FAMILY DEVOTIONS AT HOME A family who prays together, stays together. By Tamsyn Cornelius When it comes to your precious family, there are many benefits to sharing in a family devotional. We chatted with local pastor and children’s book author, Ewald van Rensburg, about the significance of doing regular family devotions and his new book called Growing Together – 52 Family Devotions.

PRACTICE YOUR FAITH DAILY By engaging your kids in a family devotional time, you are reinforcing the importance of spending quality time with Jesus and with one another. Ewald explains: “Children need to learn from an early age about the presence of Jesus and that His presence is as real as anything they encounter. Within a family, children come to realise that faith is as essential as breathing.”

We cannot expect our kids to learn all they need to know about God on a Sunday morning. When we actively live out our beliefs at home, we encourage our children to come into an authentic relationship with Christ. We model what faith really looks like – through the ups and downs of life at home. We lead by example and encourage growth together as a family.

KEEP IT SIMPLE In the bustle of modern life, it’s easy to procrastinate family devotions at the thought of preparing a deep theological teaching and spending hours together in prayer. On the contrary, plan your devotionals aimed at your child’s level. Keep it short and sweet. Ewald advises: “Just do it! Start with short bite size moments. Our book Growing Together is a tool to empower families in giving significant baby steps to make family devotional time a regular practice.”

LISTEN AND TRULY ENGAGE YOUR KIDS Your children are unique – created as individuals by God. Take the time to listen to your child and engage with them on their level. Family devotions are great to spur conversations about everyday life and the real struggles, joys and encounters your children are facing in the world. They may surprise you as they learn to bring these issues before God and the family.

Ewald explains that the process is about growing together both horizontally and vertically – close to God, close to each other, and vice versa. He says, “The benefits are thus many – while focusing on God (Father, 44

“WITHIN A FAMILY, CHILDREN COME TO REALISE THAT FAITH IS AS ESSENTIAL AS BREATHING.”

Son and Spirit), we learn to appreciate people in and outside our family, to love them unconditionally, as well as experiencing all aspects of life in the abundance that Jesus promised His followers.”

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: Growing Together is a weekly devotional written by Ewald and Beatrix van Rensburg with enough content to keep the family focused on being Jesus-followers in the practice of everyday life. It is an interactive family devotional book that gathers families around the table in His Presence, then tries to activate them to actively and practically walk their Jesus-talk.

GIVEAWAY:

We are giving six lucky readers the chance to win a copy of Ewald’s book either in English or Afrikaans, published by Struik Christian Media. To enter, turn to page 10 for competition details!

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EDUCATION

HOW YOUNG BRAINS WORK

Parents and educators often struggle to understand how adolescents come to the decisions that they do. Their behaviour often seems reckless and not well thought out. Yet, we are equally impressed that these same young people seem to be more advanced than we were at their age.

Boys, in particular, seem to easily challenge the values that their parents have set and start participating in risky behaviour such as drinking alcohol, smoking, having sex, etc. Understanding just what is going on in their heads will help us to help them become better adults.

BRAIN CHANGES As adults we assume that young people do not do very much thinking or that their brains must not be working at all, but using MRI scans, scientists have discovered that the adolescent brain is actually more active than adult brains.

Young brains are so busy making new connections, it’s as if they are completely rewriting their “code”.

At the age of 16, half the synapses in the brain simply collapses. A 46

synapse is like the postal service that delivers messages. Synapses deliver electrical or chemical messages to cells in the body and these help us think.

Young brains are continually making new connections. While some mental paths are being discarded from lack of use, other more repeated thoughts solidify and are becoming mental highways.

FROM CONCRETE TO ABSTRACT Before they become teens, children tend to think in very concrete terms. To understand addition, for example, teachers have to use objects to help children see how it works. (One apple plus another apple, etc.)

When they reach their teen years they are now more attune to using their minds to process information.

They can mentally “jump” to conclusions. This process is also known as abstract thinking.

Because teenagers are much more capable of abstract thinking than younger children, they can do a lot more thought processing and comparisons in their heads. For

We need to take a vested interest in our young people and understand how they are wired in order to shape them into functional, faith-filled adults.

By Darrel Jonathan these reasons teenagers become better problem-solvers, figuring out difficult maths problems, analysing short stories, or predicting the results of a science project.

LOGICAL THINKING As hard as it is for adults to believe, young people are becoming skilled in the use of logic and cause-and-effect.

Many parents suddenly have to deal with young people who no longer blindly follow or listen to family rules. Adolescents seem to question everything – some more vocally than others – and tend to rebel or get frustrated when parents cannot explain why they need to follow the family rules. They also gain increasing self-knowledge and a personal philosophy begins to emerge.

These young people start developing a community consciousness and a concern for the wellbeing of others. Just as they question the morals and values of their family, so they are beginning to see that they are not the only people in the world and sometimes briefly, we see that

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EDUCATION they are aware of others. During adolescence they begin to empathize more with others and consider how their actions will affect not just themselves, but people around them.

DECISION MAKING Teenagers may be great planners who can understand things logically but they are not always great decision makers. They tend to make decision from the amygdala – situated near the middle of the brain – relying on gut reactions, their emotions and instinct, whereas adults use the prefrontal cortex, (which is responsible for analysis, decision making, judgement and planning) to make decisions. This is because the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until the early to mid-twenties.

HOW DO WE HELP? Our brains are basically computers that store memory and information.

The teenage brain is like a new computer that is daily being flooded with new software. The brain needs time to practice the use of all this new software and more than anything else it needs rest to process all this information.

Just as computers in the early 90’s needed to be defragmented regularly, so the brain needs time to place the information in the right order and in the right place. Sleep is the “defragmenting” time of the brain. We need to encourage young people to get those eight hours of sleep to help their brains process all the new information.

THE FUTURE This “second phase” of the brain’s development (with the time before their teen years being the first) is crucial to the way that our young people will think in the future. We need to take every opportunity to help them set themselves up to be the best possible version of themselves in the future.

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

BRAIN FORMING Another principle is that when connections “fire together they wire together”, so this is a vital time to develop good habits around activities like thinking in a positive way, eating and exercise as that wires together for adulthood. Being aware that those mental pathways which are not used will be lost, we should encourage the thinking and behaviours that we want our young people to have later in life.

As this is a time when adolescents are making important life decisions such as what they believe in and what their morals and values will be, it is an important time to re-emphasize the values that would be most critical in their adult years.

We know that the brain can change throughout life, but it is much easier to get the ‘wiring right at the start, in teenage times’. It takes a lot of hard work to rewire as adults.

DECISION MAKING PRACTICE Teens are still developing; especially judgement and analytical thinking.

They are not ‘miniature adults’ and therefore cannot be expected to make adult decisions. They need life planning guidance as they begin to think about leaving home for university, getting a job, etc.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR TEEN THRIVE:

• • • • • • •

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Talk through decisions step by step with your adolescents.

Ask about possible courses of action your child might choose and talk through potential consequences.

Encourage your child to weigh up positive consequences or rewards against negative ones.

Provide boundaries and opportunities for negotiating those boundaries.

Young people need guidance and limit-setting from their parents and other adults.

Offer frequent praise and positive rewards for desired behaviour. This reinforces pathways in a young person’s brain.

Talk with them about their developing brain. Understanding this important period of growth might help teenagers process their feelings. It might also make taking care of their brain more interesting.

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- Biblically Sound Curriculum for Preschool to Teens - Training Workshops for Sunday Teachers Available

011 450 0307 | www.ivangeli.org | admin@ivangeli.org 4 De Wet Street, Bedfordview

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A PRAYER FOR FAMILY Heavenly Father, Please shine your light upon my family.

Give us strength to overcome all of the difficulties that we are dealing with now and protect us against any and all problems we may encounter in the future.

O Lord, please bring us together as we are meant to be. May the love that binds us only grow stronger as we fulfill the destiny you have laid out for us.

Grant my family forgiveness for any sins we have committed. May we also forgive one another Lord, as it is sometimes difficult to do.

Bless us Lord, In your name I pray, Amen Source: www.praywithme.com

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We spoke to Charles Winshaw, authorised financial services provider, about his personal family heritage and the importance of making wiser financial decisions for future generations.

The Winshaw legacy is preserved in the men who bear its name, a name synonymous with integrity and family values.

Charles was named after his great-grandfather, William (Bill) Charles Winshaw, an American physician responsible for the creation of Stellenbosch Farmers Winery in South Africa. Bill subsequently created a vast fortune and judiciously provided for the heritage of his family.

Charles’ maternal grandfather, Professor Marius Barnard, was a pioneer in the field of healthcare; in his capacity as a surgeon on the world’s first heart transplant, and his achievements as the creator of Critical Illness Insurance.

A LASTING HERITAGE The influence of these remarkable men forged the foundation of Charles Winshaw’s professional endeavours. In him, they have instilled a remarkable work ethic, orientated towards providing a lasting financial legacy for his family. Today, he strives to help others do the same.

Charles explains: “As you can tell from my introduction, my grandparents had a substantial influence on my life and the choices that I have made.

My Winshaw grandfather always used to say, ‘People with tax problems always complain the loudest, but in reality, when you have a tax problem, you actually don’t really have a problem, it is actually when you don’t have to pay tax that you have a serious problem.’”

Today Charles boasts extensive professional experience in wealth management and international investments. He has recruited his own team of professionals, and together they are committed to 50

crafting an investment strategy designed to protect families and safeguard the legacies we leave behind.

“If I analyse exactly what I do, it is to help mitigate paying all forms of tax, being Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax (CTG) and Estate Duty, so that you are able to leave behind a financial legacy for your children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.”

CARE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS Life expectancy trends have changed dramatically over the decades. One look at these trends and you will understand why there is such a vast need for sound financial planning for the future. Charles shares: “My Barnard Oupa used to give a famous Critical Illness Speech. He would explain that life expectancy for a European man in 1900 was 47. In 1980 it was at the age of 71. The interesting fact was that the average age for contracting a dreaded disease was 46!

Basically, it is modern medicine and advanced drugs that continue to increase our life expectancy.”

Charles believes that with life expectancy going up for the wealthy, it becomes even more crucial to start including great-grandchildren into our future planning.

ADVERTORIAL

“There is a new advertisement on television that states that the first person who will live to be over 200 has already been born. As the saying goes, old age is not for the faint hearted and I don’t wish to make it to ‘Old Bones’ unless I can afford the finer things in life which is what I for wish for my clients as well.”

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THINKING BEYOND YOUR LIMITATIONS As an authorised financial services provider, the team at Charles Winshaw crafts financial solutions that reflect the unique requirements of their clients and families. They specialise in introducing Southern African residents and expatriates from various nations to the benefits of implementing an investment strategy in tax-efficient jurisdictions.

On a personal level, Charles knows first-hand about the trauma and reality of losing valuable assets that were once meant for future generations. He tells of a time that his grandfather moved countries and had to leave everything behind. “After graduating, my grandfather moved my family to Rhodesia and when he left Zimbabwe, exchange controls effectively forced him to leave all his assets behind and start over! He was always petrified that the same thing would happen in South Africa. Unfortunately, in South Africa, due to our history and Apartheid, huge exchange control restrictions have resulted in the vast majority of us only owning South African investments.”

He believes this to be problematic as the world’s wealth can often be found in other stronger currencies. “I like to educate people that true wealth is measured in Dollars/Pounds/Euros and having all your eggs in one basket could pose a tremendous problem for your legacy. Imagine I told you to sell all your properties, businesses and investments and let me invest everything into Brazil! Most people would be horrified as Brazil is just an emerging market but so is South Africa and we are nowhere close to being in the top ten economies in the world.”

Charles Winshaw is all about establishing lasting relationships with clients by providing astute international investment services, while forging trusting relationships with the nominated beneficiaries. “We endeavour to protect not only your financial future, but that of your loved ones for generations to come.”

Charles concludes, “I don’t believe that enough people have diversified offshore so I would say that the second thing I do is help people invest in a strong currency offshore. Now I suppose the Million Dollar question is, how do I save tax and help people invest offshore? Well, you will have to let me take you out for a coffee to find out”.

For more information contact Charles Winshaw on Tel: 021 200 5899 or visit www.charleswinshaw.com.

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CREATIVE ARTS

This is the story of Kim Atkins, a woman who followed God’s voice in the creation of jewellery to encourage women and empower a community.

By Tamsyn Cornelius Kim Atkins has always been a creative enthusiast, but it wasn’t until a visit with a friend almost a decade ago, that her focus quickly shifted into creating jewellery.

“I had been struggling with God over my unwillingness to put down my work as a ceramic restorer,” explains Kim. “I had always had an affinity to creative design but had never really ventured into it until one day I felt God saying that I would miss what He had for me if I did not explore this option. The next day I received a call from a friend saying that she felt that I needed to start beading. That afternoon I was handed a cheque to start. Now God certainly had my attention.”

A PROPHETIC ART Initially, jewellery making became a part-time activity, but soon enough Kim realised the impact of creating pieces that were prophetic and explicitly spoke of the beauty and dignity of women.

“I felt God leading me to take a physical thing – something tangible – and make a prophetic declaration like Noah’s rainbow… and so began the journey of making a coloured necklace representative of Noah’s covenant rainbow as described in Genesis 9:16.”

Inspired by biblical pictures and imagery, Kim went on to create her first collection entitled ‘Jewellery That Speaks’ with a range of pieces that continues to form the centrepiece of her current work. She also began to explore working in sterling silver. Each item is based on Scripture as Kim seeks to capture visually the messages of hope contained in the Bible.

“I learned many things about the meaning of Scriptural colours and numbers and incorporated these into my designs.

I would see pictures, and interpret these into jewellery, to encourage the wearer to draw closer to the Father.”

Over time, a more complete vision for her work grew, and Kim felt called to work for the restoration of dignity 52

JEWELLERY

THAT SPEAKS

and hope for women in all circumstances, and particularly those that have become victims of abuse or human trafficking.

ADDING VALUE “One day I felt God asking me: ‘What is the currency of slavery?’’ The answer was beads. The currency of the African slave trade was largely beads;

with some of those beads still being available today, euphemistically called ‘trade beads’. I wasn’t sure how to link this idea to my work, but I knew that I needed to ‘add value’.”

Kim started to work with students and young jewellers, giving them real-world experience to earn some income.

Kim feels strongly that she can give them dignity by paying fair wages, while helping them to produce quality work.

Kim’s experience with these young jewellers, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, has led to the formation of the fledgling Legacy Jewellery Project. Although still in the formative stages, the aim is to build a communal work space for actual bench jewellers in the community. It is to become a studio and an incubator to facilitate jewellers and allow access into the mainstream market.

“Even though a person may be skilled, if they are not working, they still battle poverty. This is when I felt God talking to me about helping the jewellers into the city gates and that He would redeem the women in the city.”

Kim continues to ‘add value’ and in her own business, she introduces new ranges to creatively express ideas of beauty and wholeness that underpins all her work.

For more visit www.kimatkins.co.za.

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Celebrating our differences as a rainbow nation.

By Claudene Sebolai

Heritage Day celebrated on 24 September is an important public holiday for all South Africans.

At the heart of this day is the concept of unity.

The late Mr Mandela, in one of his Heritage Day speeches, once mentioned that as a country, our national identity was one of unity within diversity. We are a multicultural, multilingual country; hence being called the rainbow nation.

This is the day where South Africans get to celebrate the richness of our culture and the diversity of our beliefs and traditions. We dress up in our traditional attire as a way to promote our African identity. It is indeed a beautiful sight as social media platforms are flooded with celebrations everywhere.

Braai4Heritage is another great initiative which calls all South Africans to actively celebrate their common heritage by braaing on Heritage Day, also dubbed National Braai Day. Braaing is a deep-rooted tradition in South Africa that cuts across all demographic groups.

We more easily connect with our neighbours and those of different cultures over a meal. A braai is the perfect opportunity to reach out and embrace those in our communities.

So, while we are celebrating our heritage and enjoying our braai, let us not forget; where there is unity God commands a blessing.

The body of Christ is also diverse, a many membered body. Let us therefore, celebrate our Christian heritage and always promote unity in diversity.

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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YOU ARE NOT DAMAGED GOODS

When I thought my life was worthless, the Lord met with me in my pain. He reshaped me from a place of feeling like ‘damaged goods’ into ‘restored goods’. By Claudene Sebolai

I grew up in Valhalla Park where my childhood was filled with trauma. At the age of six, I was sexually abused.

This took place in the context of added physical, emotional and verbal abuse. The perpetrator, who rented a room in our house, capitalised on my fear of punishment as a way to silence me. This continued throughout my primary school years.

I suffered sexual abuse at the hands of family friends and had no one to talk to about it because I felt ashamed. The violation shattered me. It strangled the life out of me, so much so, that I believed that I was ‘damaged goods’, worthless and useless. I carried deep wounds without the liberty to express my grievances.

DELIVER US In my matric year I ended up with one of Cape Town’s most notorious gang leaders, Ernie Lapepa, and here I experienced a different dimension of hell. I lived in a house with five other girls and we were all severely and gruesomely punished if we did anything of which he did not approve.

I remember crying out to the Lord.

After six months, the Lord miraculously delivered us to our family homes.

Instead of freedom, my life spiralled out of control. I was accused of murder in my home town and fled for my life. I ended up on the streets and attempted to commit suicide. When that failed I found solace in drugs and alcohol and was addicted to both before the age of 21.

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MEETING JESUS On one Saturday evening in 2000, I decided to attend a crusade that was held on a soccer field. The power of God was so heavy there that I decided to remain outside in the dark.

I felt a strong pull into the presence of God, so much so that I decided to return the next day. I will never forget the title of the sermon: “God’s biggest sacrifice”. That day I encountered the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The question that rang through my spirit was: “What do I have to offer?”

I was only ‘damaged goods’. I walked home and prayed in my heart that I would not die without meeting the Jesus that the minister presented.

I got home, and it was like an unseen hand was leading me straight into the bathroom. This is the same space where I was continuously molested; where I would sit for hours

crying out of shame, brokenness and abandonment. It was at this very place of horror that the Lord chose to prepare a table for me. It was here that I encountered what love was really like.

As I entered the bathroom, the same overwhelming presence that was at the crusade, welcomed me in.

I fell on my face before the Lord and wept bitterly. Right there the Lord began to deliver me. He removed all negative labels and took my bitterness and brokenness. He delivered me immediately from my drug and alcohol addiction. Right there, a miracle was birthed into what seemed like a messy situation. He gave me beauty for ashes. He restored my soul.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” (Psalm34:18).

A LIFE RESTORED It has been 18 years since the Lord met with me that day. Today I am a post-graduate student and have been the top of my class from my first year of studies and also graduated Cum Laude with my Honours degree. I am about to submit my Master’s Thesis and I continue to lecture part time at the University of The Western Cape.

What the enemy means for harm, God can turn around for your good!

You may feel damaged by this world; but in Him you can be made whole. I have seen the hand of the Lord move me from ‘damaged’ to ‘restored’ goods. He can do the same for you!

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Applications open for 2019 Soweto Campus

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To advertise in an upcoming issue, contact Juanita Fortuin on 081 514 5992 or email juanita@tclmag.org.za

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ANNUAL GUIDE Kareleine Tours - 85mm x 58mm Revision 01.pdf 1 28/08/2018 20:02:02

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LEADING YOUNG PEOPLE TO KNOW AND WALK WITH GOD!

Kadesh Barnea Campsite

Location: Skeerpoort

Tel: 012-207-1424 kadesh@su.org.za www.kadeshbarnea.co.za

4 SCRIPTURES TO INSPIRE HOPE When you’re feeling low, turn to the Word of God for renewed hope and strength. Here are a few key Scriptures to encourage you in your daily walk.

Psalm 119:114: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”

Jeremiah 17:7: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:24: “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’” Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

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ACCOMMODATION

Flowers are in bloom and Spring is most certainly in the air. There is no better time to plan a special Spring getaway with your loved ones and here we share some key factors to consider when planning a muchSundown Manor - 85mm x 58mm Revision 0.pdf 1 22/08/2018 11:52:56 needed holiday this season.

Contact

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creating a home away from home experience

BOOK EARLY Places are usually booked up in advance for the summer holidays so don’t leave your holiday planning to the last minute! It’s the start of the season, so be sure to book your holiday accommodation early so that you won’t be disappointed during the peak holiday season when everyone will be looking for the perfect vacation spot.

Do the research, plan your dates and book that getaway now!

GET OUTDOORS In South Africa we are certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful scenery and a moderate temperature to fully enjoy the Spring months outdoors.

Leave the city and plan a family or church camp outdoors to explore the many splendid campsites and accommodation on offer in the heart of nature. Set up camp along one of SA’s pristine coastlines, in the countryside. or near a dam or mountain peak for the ultimate outdoor adventure.

MAKE A CHECKLIST If you’re planning a holiday or camp this Spring, be sure to keep a list of essentials you’ll need for a successful trip. Find out what your accommodation offers and ensure that you plan accordingly. Will you need a tent, bedding, towels and more? A checklist will help to ensure that you don’t forget anything and that you’ll have a more pleasurable stay.

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In the heart of Nature... * Pool table/Table tennis * Conference Hall * Pedal Boats / canoes * Camp sites Self-catering units * Swimming Pool * 62

* Scullery * Abluuon * Security

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Reflections on Christmas. By Claudene Sebolai Ho Ho Ho! This is what we know to be Santa’s famous greeting. However – hope, hope, hope is what Christmas is all about. The day when the angel appeared to Mary and said: “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you,” (Luke 1:28)…

This was the day that Heaven announced to earth that hope had arrived. As the Lord was with Mary, so also the Lord is with His beloved creation.

There are many debates around celebrating Christmas – should we, or shouldn’t we? Why not?

We are not really celebrating a birthday but rather, we are commemorating an event that changed the course of history and ensured humanity a much better destiny. Christmas is a wonderful reminder of God’s unfailing and unconditional love for the human race. It is a time that we call to remembrance the heart of God that was packaged in human form and who dwelt amongst us. This reminder should therefore compel us to do likewise; to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Christmas should not be about reckless spending or unscrupulous behaviour. It is a wonderful time to show love, not only by word but by our actions. So while we wrap and un-wrap gifts, let us remember God’s gift to us wrapped in flesh and blood. And while we are still walking the earth as God’s gifts wrapped in flesh and blood, let us spread the love and hope of this season.

As 1 John 3:16-18 states: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and deeds”. Feliz Navidad!

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ADVERTORIAL

TO DESIGNING The smart alternative to wills and estates. By Trust Specialist Mervin Messias.

Mother Teresa said, “What counts is not how much you give, but how much love you put in the giving”.

Love not only prompts us to be generous in what we give but also to be responsible in why and how we give. The Scripture gives clear and specific instructions about our responsibilities in the matter of loving and giving.

Saint Paul told his protégé, Timothy, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever,’’ (1 Timothy 5:8).

Many will read this and walk away with the feeling that they should accomplish some estate planning and have every intention of doing so at a convenient time in the future. To them we would say, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour,” (Mathew 25:13).

Living Trust Planning is superior to Wills and Estate winding procedures.

YOU NEED A LOVING TRUST PLAN. THESE ARE THE REASONS WHY: • Fully funded Living Trusts can cost significantly less than Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures.

• Living Trust-centered estate plans are far more effective for disability planning than Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures, which rely on curator proceedings.

• Living Trust-centered planning substantially reduces or avoids the short- and long-term delays that are implicit in Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures.

• Living Trust-centered estate plans can provide superior asset protection than Will-planning/Estate winding up procedures.

• Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures are a public proceeding that often discloses personal and financial affairs to the public. Living Trust-centered planning is far more successful in keeping sensitive financial and personal information confidential.

• Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures encourage litigation. Living Trust-centred planning gives more assurance that planning efforts will be free of litigation.

• Living Trust-centered estate planning is more effective for after-death creditor planning than Will / Estate winding up planning procedures.

• Fewer conflicts of law are associated with Living Trusts because the rules for determining their validity, interpretation, and construction are more liberal than those for wills.

• Funding a Living Trust is the essence of proper planning. It produces far better planning results than does Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures.

• Living Trust centered planning is superior to Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures for purposes of Estate tax planning.

• A fully funded Living Trust is superior to Will-planning / Estate winding up procedures because it enables business to proceed in the usual manner.

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THE TRUTH BEHIND THE WINDING UP OF AN ESTATE PROCESS: This is about money – your money. Will planning is expensive; advertisements for legal services contain the price of a simple will. Low fees are usually called “loss-leaders”. The theory is that, by preparing a will for a low fee, substantial fees are generated for winding up the estate. A will often means that eventually, when the person dies, there will be an estate winding up process. That’s when the drafters of cheap wills reap the rewards.

Living Trust-centred planning is far superior to will / estate planning. A properly completed Living Trust written by a competent trust specialist working in conjunction with other professional advisors is by far the most effective estate planning technique in virtually every estate planning situation.

Today, a better informed public expects to avoid the expense and delay of the winding up of an estate process. There has also been a growing recognition by many sensitive and informed trust specialists that the living trust does indeed have many advantages over will / estate winding up and other planning methods.

Living Trust documents continue to be misunderstood by many people because of tremendous amounts of misinformation being naively disseminated by the media. People can put emotion and care into their estate plans through the proper use of Living Trust-centred planning.

Many people try to accomplish estate planning without knowing what it is. It is important to define what estate planning is. Perhaps the greatest myth about estate planning is the perception that estate planning is confined to ‘death planning’.

Traditionally, people viewed wills and winding up estates as the only acceptable technique for estate planning. Since wills take their lives from the deaths of their makers – the only time that wills can work on behalf of their makers is when their makers die – estate planning has been identified as death planning; no more, no less.

Done the right way, estate planning is not death planning. In reality, estate planning is an act of love, not an act of death. People who care about themselves and others are far more likely to want to create a plan that preserves their assets and shares them with others in a kind

and conscientious manner. The definition of estate planning should be: “I want to protect and care for myself and my family while I am alive, and to leave what I have- and what is needed- to whom I want, the way I want, and, in addition, if I can, save legal fees, administrative and court costs, and taxes to the maximum extent legally possible.’

Living Trust-centred planning is the term used to describe an estate plan in which a Living Trust is used as the foundation. A total estate plan requires additional documentation to make it effective for meeting the definition of estate planning.

Trust planning is for almost everyone, rich or not.

About the Author: Mervin Messias is a Trust Specialist - JD (Juris Doctor)/BA, LLB (Wits)/ TEP (Trust & Estate Practitioner)/ MTP (Master Tax Practitioner – S.A).

T: +27 (0)11 783 0108 F: +27 (0)11 783 0264 M: +27 (0) 82 881 0765

Mervin Messias TRUST SPECIALIST

E: messias.marvinm@gmail.com A: 104 11th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, 2196, South Africa

JD (Juris Doctor) / BA, LLB (Wits) / TEP (Trust & Estate Practioner) / MTP (Master Tax Practitioner - S.A)

Including: Wills Estate Planning Tax

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CELEBRATING SINGLES

WHEN GOD SLOWS DOWN TO THE PACE OF YOUR PAIN Where is The Lord when we’re facing our present reality alone as a single believer?

By Denise Padayachee

Most days I am too busy to notice I’m single, and I sail through weeks on end loving life and feeling like I’m making a difference. At these times, I’m just content to crawl into my bed at the end of a long day with the electric blanket on and a happy heart. Alas it is not always so; there are days, busy or not, purposeful or not, when being single is just painful to navigate and you wonder how this could be God’s will at all and if perhaps He might have forgotten this ‘small’ detail.

Unwelcome emotion triggered by ordinary things – a Facebook post celebrating a 27th wedding anniversary, a random advert in a magazine for Mother’s Day, a line in a song. Unbidden, unwelcome and rather inconvenient.

IN THE DIFFICULT TIMES So, I want to write this for those of you who find this season of singleness particularly difficult. I understand that for some people this kind of ‘pain’ is the norm and it feels like a cross you bear or attacks the core of your identity. I firmly believe that your Papa God loves you so much that His desire is not for you to live in constant pain and that He is able to help you resolve the confusion, fears, lies and desperation you feel.

When people deal with pain of any kind, there is One who longs most to walk with us in that season, and it is God.

HE JOINS US ON THE JOURNEY On the road to Emmaus, two disciples had an encounter, recorded forever perhaps to help us see just where God is when we are in pain and a way to work through it. For these disciples, their closest friend had just been killed in one of the most gruesome ways right in front of their eyes. Not only that, but this friend was also their teacher and the one in whom they had

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hoped to be saved from their oppression. They thought He was the one long-prophesied about – the Messiah.

But now, traumatised, afraid, mourning and hearing some rather bewildering rumours, they walk this road.

Jesus, the great and glorious King who had just risen from the dead, sees fit to meet them on that very road! He slows down to the pace of their pain and talks with them.

Ah I love this! What hope lives in this story. He is not too busy to care for their pain or confusion. What they think matters to Him. How they navigate this pain matters to Him; and that they know the Truth matters to Him. He takes His time to talk to them, it’s not a quick visit but a walk. He hears them out and carefully explains the Truth.

They say to one another when their eyes open: “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

LET HOPE ARISE God walks your road of pain with you! He is not too busy to care. May your eyes open today to the reality that you are not alone. He does not want you to stay in pain, but He also does not leave you there alone.

He invites you into a conversation in which you can be authentic with Him and freely share your thoughts and feelings, as raw and real as they are, knowing He hears you out. And He will begin to speak to your heart, ministering to your sadness and leading you in Truth.

As you then surrender to what He shares, hope will begin to arise because He longs to cause your heart to burn within you with purpose and life.

So when the wobbly day hits, or even if that has been our constant, we can walk it differently now and come out passionately aware of His nearness and the glory that is being revealed in our present season.

HEALTH

Healthcare enthusiast and skincare entrepreneur, Jennifer Cupido, shares some simple ways you can introduce superfoods to your diet!

It’s hard to believe that even food is now “trendy” and that every year there are new buzzwords to make your everyday grocery items five times more expensive. But I’m not talking about finding out if the eggs you are buying come from an owner who personally named each hen and sang to them as they lay. I’m talking about Superfoods.

Superfoods are not just ancient grown foods suddenly rediscovered and given a fancy label. Many of them are already in your kitchen. But with an open market there are so many superfoods to discover that come from near and far that we can all benefit from.

The benefits of consuming superfoods are ample, and you can expect a high dose and variety of nutrients with fewer ingredients. A few simple swaps in your daily ingredients can give you a lot more bang for your buck in terms of vitamin and nutrient intake.

SWAP YOUR STAPLES:

SUPER GREEN SMOOTHIE:

Ingredients: ½ Avocado 1 cup Spinach/Kale 1 cup frozen mango 1 whole lemon squeezed 1 whole cucumber 1 Tbsp Moringa Powder

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Add all the ingredients to a blender and enjoy as a refreshing, nutrient-rich smoothie packed with flavour!

TURBO CHARGE WITH MORINGA POWDER The superfood that will be making waves this year is Moringa powder. You may know moringa for its skin loving oil, but the tree also produces a powder that is very nutritious with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, packed with antioxidants and all nine amino acids, not to mention very high levels of iron, calcium, protein and vitamin C. This is the superfood you’ll want to add to your morning smoothie or porridge for a turbo charged boost of vitamins for the day.

You can make everyday food swaps right now to increase your daily vitamin and nutrient intake.

Choose quinoa. Swap your rice for quinoa to increase your calcium by up to 400%. Quinoa also contains all nine amino acids making it abundant in protein as well.

Select healthier fats. Swap your vegetable oil for Avocado oil to improve your heart and skin health and neutralise free radicals. Avocado is a healthy fat with a high burn point that stops destroying nutrients whilst you cook.

The power of garlic. Garlic is another superfood that you’ll find in almost every kitchen. But this high antioxidant spice helps reduce blood pressure and can be used in any savoury meal to gain manganese, selenium, flavonoids and calcium.

MARRIAGE

Empty nest? It’s time to re-discover why you said, “I do”! By Brenda Burgess Last year, when our adult children announced that they would be moving overseas within two months of each other, our initial feelings of sadness dissolved into relief as we realised that at last we’d have the house to ourselves. We could play the music we liked and come and go as we pleased without consulting anyone else. But I didn’t anticipate the huge sense of loss I’d feel when we waved goodbye to them at the airport. Our life was suddenly empty.

For a while we grieved and then our pastor gave us some sound advice: “When your children were born, they became the centre of your world. Now that they have moved away, you and your husband are the centre of your world. Your children have their own lives and they’re now on outer edge of your world.” This different but positive perspective helped us adjust from being a full house to just the two of us. I know now that we can make it if we try.

How do we recapture the excitement of being a couple? The answer lies in resting in our Father so that we spontaneously produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 70

faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.

LOVE When we say, “I do”, we say yes to life as a couple. We build castles in the sky and hike the Otter Trail and get up early on winter mornings to watch our spouse catch a freezing wave. There is no need for anyone else, because being together is all we want. Then the kids are born and being a family is wonderful. And then they leave, and being a couple is the new normal: It’s just the two of us. Because this adjustment is so challenging, we should deliberately look for ways to build the marriage.

Take small steps: in the evening, sit down with a cup of tea or a glass of wine to chat about the day. Look for practical ways to encourage and bless your spouse.

JOY Good music fills me with joy so, when I hear Just the two of us, and my husband is nearby, we dance. I admit it—I’m a romantic! And now that we’re alone together, there’s lots of time for romance. But joy disappears when we begin to worry.

Lines appear on our foreheads and

our health suffers. Jesus told us not to worry because He knows what we need. He really does! As part of the process of letting my adult children go, I’ve seen that worry is a waste of time, and I’m making a conscious effort to lighten up. The Bible encourages us: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,” (Proverbs 17:21).

PEACE I remember what people told us before our first child was born: “Your lives will never be the same! No more lazy Saturday mornings in bed, because baby will wake at dawn.” Our nest was busy, noisy and crowded.

Gradually of course, babies grew and woke later, until eventually the day arrived when our teenagers got out of bed in time for lunch. And then, all too soon, they left home, got married, or moved overseas – or all three. This nest may be empty now, but it’s a lot more peaceful. There are many positives to having an empty nest, and I’m going to keep looking for them. For instance: we can enjoy lazy Saturdays in bed and stay out late!

PATIENCE No one is perfect but while it’s easy to say we’ll be patient with our spouse,

it’s a lot harder when dirty socks litter the floor, or the toilet seat is up (again).

Resentment simmers and words are spoken that can’t be taken back. But there’s more than one viewpoint for every situation.

Our first home was in a small block of flats in Rondebosch, and I introduced myself to one of our neighbours. She was a Second World War widow and as soon as she realised that we were newlyweds, she said: “My dear—be patient with him. I would give anything to pick up my husband’s socks.” From then on, I looked at those smelly socks in a different light altogether.

KINDNESS Be kind, not only to your husband but to yourself. Do something you both love. My husband’s photographic bucket list included the breath-taking Arniston coastline and this included getting up before dawn. We parked in a deserted carpark and took a tenminute walk to the viewpoint, where for an hour, we watched the sea change from grey to pink to blue, then made our way back over the dunes.

As I looked towards the distant carpark, I struggled to make out our blue car. As we got closer, I still couldn’t see it. Someone had stolen our car! My husband’s hand reached for mine as we digested this: we’d have a long walk back to the flat and we still had to get back to Cape Town. We prayed for a miracle and were thankful that we were safe. And then we turned the corner and there was our car! We’d been staring at the wrong carpark. It’s rather like jumping to conclusions in our relationships; we should check whether we have the right perspective!

GOODNESS When children leave home, it’s easy to feel redundant, but there are many opportunities to be a good role model to fatherless children. My neighbour’s young son walked to school and one rainy morning we offered him a lift.

After a while we were giving him a lift every day.

We met his mom, a divorcee who often got home from work after 7pm.

It bothered me that this young boy was watching countless hours of TV and eating bread and jam for supper, so we began to invite him round to eat with us. He hardly spoke at first but eventually we learned that he hadn’t seen his father for three years. Each evening before we ate we’d play a board game or practise reading aloud and then he’d help with the dishes.

He is now 14 and still coming to us for supper a few nights a week; we thought we were doing a good deed, but really, we are the ones being blessed!

FAITHFULNESS That’s until death do us part. As we get older our bodies begin to fail, and life is less certain. Several years ago, my husband developed septicaemia.

He was very close to death and since then, I’ve appreciated him so much more. I approach each day as if it were the last one together because no one can guarantee that they’ll be around until a ripe old age. How can we apply this to marriage?

We tell our spouse we love them; listen attentively when they describe their day or tell us about their interests. I don’t always get what my husband is saying, but I do try.

When he suggests getting up at 5am to photograph the sunrise, I say YES.

These little things add up.

GENTLENESS A soft answer turns away wrath. But if my husband shouts angrily at me, I feel like shouting back. It’s better, I realised, to stop and consider what sort of day he had at work or if the traffic was terrible; his bad mood probably had nothing to do with me. Our natural response is to get angry, but if we know where the anger is coming from we can answer calmly and break the pattern right away. Our angry words may be forgiven but they cannot be erased; it’s much better to prevent unnecessary hurt and bitterness by answering with gentleness.

SELF-CONTROL Being just the two of us has great financial advantages because we’re buying less food and spending less on medical aid. For once, there’s money left over at the end of the month and this can be put away for retirement. We are adding to our savings by renting out our spare room and developing a small business from home. Retirement can be a huge worry so ensure that you invest in your future and consult an independent financial advisor.

THE FUTURE God will be with us as we release our children and embrace life as a couple once more. We can move forward with confidence because we know that when we rest in Him we produce the fruit we so desperately need for a healthy relationship.

What’s more, when we view our lives from His perspective, we see the marvellous adventures He has planned and, suddenly, the future is full of hope.

JUST THE TWO OF US WE CAN MAKE IT IF WE TRY JUST THE TWO OF US YOU AND I...

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YOUTH

COFFEE FOR CHRIST What happens when you combine a passion for coffee with a love for the Gospel?

Robyn Tichauer finds out by taking a closer look at Cape Town’s bustling coffee culture and chatting to the owners of a local coffee shop built on godly principles.

There seems to be a growing coffee culture in South Africa with many hidden gems and wonderful coffee spots popping up all around the country. Cape Town boasts the largest number of independent roasters in South Africa and is quickly being acknowledged as the coffee capital of Africa.

But coffee is so much more than just the silky-smooth taste of a good brew or the alluring aroma of a quality roast. Coffee brings with it something magical – an experience you can encounter firsthand in one of the many coffee bars, bistros and roasteries in South Africa where people gather to share the great taste of coffee.

All it takes is one Google search and you are spoilt for choice. Each roastery and coffee bar has something great to offer – whether it be the origin of the coffee beans, the sustainability codes or the amazing atmosphere.

The owners of these local roasteries and coffee shops often share a passion for coffee and thrive in the ability to share their love of the brew with as many people as they can. They’ve created a community, maybe even a movement of sorts.

COFFEE FOR A CAUSE Now imagine our delight upon learning about a coffee shop created with the core purpose of loving God’s people. There is something enticing about bringing people together over coffee, so we had to find out more.

We chatted to Grant Porthen, the man behind The Burrow, a coffee shop in Salt River created for so much more than just the experience of coffee.

You see, The Burrow is not just a coffee shop, it is an idea with the belief that the dignity inherent in all human beings should be acknowledged, nurtured and restored.

“The Burrow is more than just a coffee shop. It is 72

a place that has a love for God and people at the heart of it,” explains Grant. “We aim to holistically disciple the ones that are on the fringes of our community, believing that God is able to transform and use the least, the lost and last.”

The Burrow is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind the modern interior and friendly faces is an organisation with a heart for Jesus and the Salt River community. All profit from sales goes towards funding The Mustard Seed – a safe home that is being purchased for women from the Salt River area, and Beth Uriel – an established men’s home that allows men the opportunity to get an education, sort out their lives and immerse themselves as valuable contributors to the economy.

They’ve even started buying their beans from a source that uses the profits of the bean sales to provide an education to the disadvantaged children on the farm. How great is that!

As a business built around the experience of sharing coffee, The Burrow allows for job creation and is also a platform to really love on people. Each barista that walks through the doors has undergone high level barista training and has a testimony that will absolutely blow you away. Their warm smiles are as a result of the love God has lavished upon them and the favour that is evident in their lives.

If you’re in need of some great coffee and some inspiration – go chat to one of these guys while they make your coffee. You will not be disappointed. And you can rest assured that your money will be well spent as you continue to sow into the very communities that need it the most.

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KIDS

The words listed below are all hidden in the puzzle.

Find and circle the answers - left, right, up, down or diagonally. All the leftover letters will spell out a mystery answer if placed in the correct order. Find the answer on page 9.

Search for the following words: Adam, Afraid, Animals, Beginning, Birds, Cherubim, Create, Creation, Dark, Disobeyed, Driven, Earth, Enmity, Evil, Fig, Fish, Flaming sword, Food, Fruit, Garden, Genesis, Good, Heaven, Helper, Image, Knowledge, Leaves, Light, Moon, Old Testament, Plants, Rested, Seas, Seed, Serpent, Seventh, Sun, Tempted, Thistles, Thorns, Tree, Voice, Water, Wise, Woman. http://www.christianbiblereference.org/ws_InTheBeginning2_0.htm

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Old bottle caps • Printed pictures, photographs or wrapping paper • Glue • Small magnet • Colourful markers, glitter and sequins for decorating 74

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

• •

• • •

Cut a coloured sheet of paper into a circle to fit inside the jar lid and glue down.

Cut your family photo, a favourite picture or a colourful wrapping paper slightly smaller to fit on the top and glue down.

Decorate with pens, glitter and sequins.

Stick a magnet on the back of the lid.

Let it dry and use as a fun bottle cap magnet on your fridge.

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kevin@customgraphics.co.za customgraphics@mweb.co.za www.customgraphics.co.za THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

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MOVIES

FAITH-BASED FILMS TO INSPIRE

Here are a few Christian movies to keep a look out for this season.

Don’t miss out on these challenging tales to encourage your faith.

KIRK CAMERON: CONNECT (DVD)

When conflict, rebellion and resentment overwhelm their family, Charlie and Alice are forced to change their parenting strategy. In the process, they realize how critical intentionality and focus are when shaping young lives. FamilyLife’s first feature film explores the challenges and joys that come with raising children. Through a journey that unfolds over 50 years, Charlie and Alice discover the unmistakable power of family. Together, they learn that knowing and living by God’s Word is what brings transformation and hope to any family.

LIKE ARROWS

In a social media-centred world, the smart phone has become a cultural rite of passage for kids. Cameron: Connect pulls back the curtain to the benefits, dangers and boundaries that every parent, teacher, pastor or youth leader should consider while monitoring and utilising technology in our children’s lives. As Cameron reminds parents, “The heart of the battle is really the battle of the heart.” A great resource to strengthen the family – now available from Christian Art Media & Provident Films. Turn to page 10 to win a copy!

Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling book, Unbroken: Path to Redemption begins where the hit movie Unbroken concludes, sharing the next amazing chapter of the unbelievable true story of Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini.

Haunted by nightmares of his torment, Louie sees himself as anything but a hero. Then, he meets Cynthia, a young woman who captures his eye—and his heart. It is a tale of redemption, forgiveness and amazing grace.

THE PASTOR

Not to be confused with a 2016 movie of the same name, The Pastor will star Christian movie icon Kevin Sorbo in yet another film about faith under fire. Set in a forgotten neighbourhood overrun by gang violence, a community will struggle to hold fast to their beliefs as teens are targeted for gang recruitment. With the arrival of a certain pastor however, everything is about to change. While further details on the movie are scarce, this is still one to keep an eye on.

UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION

INDIVISABLE Chaplain Darren Turner is deployed to Iraq, leaving behind his wife and young family to help serve the other families of soldiers deployed to war.

The harsh realities of war are evident in every area of their lives and yet, with deeply etched battle scars, the soldiers’ long-awaited homecoming is much different than any of their families anticipated. The Turners must thus decide if they’re willing to face one more battle: the fight to save their marriage.

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Christian Support for Communities

»

Relationship Courses

FOCUS

»

Marriage Preparation

»

Parenting Courses

»

Leadership Development

DEVELOP

»

Temperament Profiling

»

Life Coaching

EMBRACE

CHANGE

Contact: Manie Groenewald | Cell: 082 770 7465 | Email: manie@crossfire.org.za | www.crossfire.org.za

“Spiritual growth happens in the context of healthy relationships in smaller circles of faith-community.”

Manie Groenewald serves as the National coordinator of the Small Group Network in South Africa. These groups are for Christians to lead and worship together with emphasis on providing Christian motivation, strategy, structure and training.

Contact Manie to become part of a Small Group Network in your area or for personal assistance and training around the Small Group Ministry in your local church.

Contact: Manie Groenewald | Email: manie@smallgroupnetwork.com

ISRAEL & CAIRO BIBLICAL TOUR Join us for an unforgettable tour through Israel and Cairo

We will be visiting: Eilat, Masada, Dead See, Qumran, Jericho, Beit Shean, Tiberias, Galilea, Nazareth, Karmel, Caesarea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem

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BOOK REVIEWS EVERY DAY WITH JESUS

By Charles F. Stanley, Tommy Nelson Teaching your kids to spend time in the Word of God just became a little easier with the help of Dr. Charles Stanley’s first ever devotional for the little ones.

With 365 devotions, the book ties into the content presented in his bestselling devotional ‘Every Day in His Presence’. This way adults and children alike can share the same topics, read the same Scriptures and grow together through practical discussions.

The result is a beautiful hardcover devotional with a daily Scripture reading, a simple prayer and a practical goal for each day, as well as space to journal with your little one. A great family resource to encourage your kids to spend time with God every day.

LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE

By Joyce Meyer, Faith Words Instead of embracing the beauty of life each day, we can easily become overwhelmed by our everyday struggles and routines. Bestselling author and speaker, Joyce Meyer, aims to shift our perspective to help us find true freedom in living a life we genuinely love.

Joyce encourages readers to step out and embrace the adventure of being led by the Holy Spirit. Her newest book is filled with little nuggets of wisdom to help you push beyond your struggles into the realm of wonder at what God can do every day.

She bravely tackles the topics of fear, the poison of the past, and living in grace, in order to change our attitudes towards living a life established in the love of God.

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EVERYBODY ALWAYS

By Bob Goff, Thomas Nelson As a self-professed ‘recovering lawyer’, a Honory Consul to Uganda, and the founder of the Love Does non-profit that continues to pursue justice for women and children in some of the world’s most dangerous communities, Bob Goff is a man on a mission.

His new book takes the reader on a journey that shows us God’s love in action – reaching even the most difficult of people without distinction and without limits.

Bob’s real-life anecdotes will inspire and call to action, keeping the reader gripped from the beginning in this entertaining and inspirational book that so beautifully captures his heart for people. He challenges us to stop worrying about the difficult people but instead, to love everybody always.

OUR BEST LIFE TOGETHER

By Joel and Victoria Osteen, Faith Words Whether you have been married for a few months or a few decades, couples need regular quiet moments together to renew their love and commitment to each other and to God. Together with his wife, Joel Osteen presents this innovative daily devotional for couples to challenge you in the Word and help cement your marriage. Inviting God into your home, and into your marriage, will aid you in the right direction to bring unity, faith and positivity into your family.

With a Scripture reading and daily prayer, this devotional will allow you to study the Word together as a couple and help you grow in your daily walk with one another, and with Christ.

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TCLM CELEBRATES ONE YEAR On 28 July 2018, The Christian Lifestyle Magazine celebrated its first milestone birthday. As a tri-annual publication produced by WeServe Media, the magazine continues to grow from infancy and hopes to develop into a much-loved South African Christian brand in years to come.

Over the past 12 months we have seen many impacted by the message of hope shared within the pages of this magazine. We thank all our faithful advertisers and readers for your encouragement and ongoing support.

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RSA ORGANISATION WINS GLOBAL EDUCATION AWARD Partners for Possibility, the flagship programme of Symphonia for South Africa, was one of six winners in the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) awards, which recognises and promotes innovative projects across the world that aim to address challenges in education.

The programme, founded

by Dr Louise van Rhyn, aims to improve the quality of education by capacitating principals at under-resourced schools and building their leadership skills by partnering them with business leaders.

Van Rhyn said to date, her initiative has benefited 1 630 principals and 80

business leaders, while 625 000 pupils have benefited.

“To be recognised as the winner of the 2018 WISE Awards is a very special achievement,” Van Rhyn said. “It means that

the Partners for Possibility programme meets the criteria of being a creative solution to a pressing educational challenge, that is, reducing the inequalities in the South African education system,” she said.

MISS PRE-TEEN SOUTH AFRICA GIVES BACK Keegan-Lee “Apple” Croy from Hanover Park was recently crowned Miss Pre-Teen South Africa 2018 and will now go on to represent the country on the international pageant stage.

The Grade 6 learner from Raphael’s Catholic Primary School already boasts an array of titles but continues to sow back into the community through her own initiative called Apple Socks where she hands out socks to the kids at Sarah Fox Children’s Home and Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

She is also an ambassador for various initiatives including Soul Buddies at her school, a project that assists the less fortunate, as well as Orange Friday, in the fight against drugs and alcohol abuse.

Keegan-Lee previously won the Miss Pre-Teen SA and Miss Universe SA competitions. Other competitions include: Miss Petite SA (2016), at which she won second princess, Miss Pageant SA Western Cape (2016), Miss Queen of the Cape, Miss Western Cape Modelling Champion (2017) and Miss Cape Flats last year.

SA CELEBRATES MEERKAT LAUNCH South Africa has officially unveiled its 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope and it has produced the clearest image yet of the super massive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.

This is a demonstration of the capability of the instrument that will eventually form part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) which will consist of about 3 000 linked radio telescopes.

While the MeerKAT is a local project, it forms part of a larger vision to grow radio astronomy on the continent of Africa.

HILLSONG SOUTH AFRICA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Hillsong Church South Africa recently celebrated the magnificent milestone of 10 years of building church in South Africa. Along with the celebration that saw the gathering of over 25 000 people to celebrate this milestone, Hillsong’s very first album in South African languages was also launched – with Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.

Hillsong South Africa first opened its doors in 2008 and

currently has nine locations across South Africa.

“None of what has happened over the past decade would have been possible without the grace of God and the faithful volunteers who sacrifice their Sundays, their time and their resources, in order to build a church that we believe will build this nation”, says Pastor Phil Dooley, lead pastor of Hillsong Church South Africa.

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RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS TIGHTEN IN CHINA Pastor Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid, said the number of Christians arrested for practising their faith “has reached the highest level since the end of the Cultural Revolution.”

Pastor Fu also reported that thousands of churches had been banned since new regulations were enacted earlier this year.

The religious regulations require places of worship to be registered and receive authorization by the government as well as the authorization of staff members and religious leaders. This is showing the power the Chinese government holds in the religious field as well as the importance they put on nationalism. Continue to pray for the Church in China.

350 000 DISPLACED BY EARTHQUAKES IN INDONESIA The Indonesian island of Lombok has been hit with three powerful earthquakes since 29 July.

The first earthquake registered at a 6.4 magnitude. This triggered more than 500 aftershocks, the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on 5 August, and the 5.9 magnitude earthquake on August 9.

These are some of the worst earthquakes in death toll and impact in the last ten years in Indonesia.

Now, over 400 people have been reported dead because of the collapsing of buildings and around 350,000 people have been displaced.

As a result of extreme infrastructure damage, hundreds of thousands of people are living in open fields in makeshift shelters because their homes have been destroyed or it’s unsafe for them to return.

Continue to pray for the people of Indonesia and for the safety of all who call this nation home.

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CHRIS PRATT SHARES A FAITHFILLED MESSAGE American actor Chris Pratt recently took to the stage to express his Christianity, urging the public to believe in God during his acceptance of a Generation Award at The MTV Movie and TV Awards.

Known for his leading roles in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Jurassic World’, Chris Pratt has become an influential public figure who has not shied away from expressing his beliefs in God. He took the opportunity to share nine life lessons with the audience – four of which explicitly referenced his faith.

“God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that -- I do,” he said to applause. He also referred to Christ’s atonement, saying that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood. “Do not forget it.

Don’t take it for granted”.

FUKUSHIMA RADIATION PROBLEMS CONTINUE IN JAPAN Radiation remains a challenge even seven years after Japan’s nuclear meltdown outside Fukushima.

The “triple disaster” of March 11, 2011 (“3/11”) is engrained in Japanese memory. A massive 9.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami with 45-foot waves.

The combined impact of these events caused a meltdown at the nuclear facility in Fukushima.

Over 20,000 lives were lost in total, and hundreds of thousands of citizens were displaced. Furthermore, the disaster significantly damaged Japan’s economy and due to radiation, as many as 16 000 people can still not return to their homes.

Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access saw the effects of radiation first-hand during a recent trip. Donning protective gear, he visited a parsonage close to the nuclear plant. “Everything was exactly left [as it was] seven-and-a-half years ago. Their dishes [were] at the kitchen,” Takazawa describes.

Out of fear of radiation, people are unable to return to their homes. UN experts have called on Japan to help the clean-up staff who may not have received proper training on radiation exposure.

Continue to pray for the citizens of Japan – for peace and direction in creating a stable environment for all.

CHRISTIANS PROVIDE TRAUMA RELIEF IN CAMEROON Cameroon is embroiled in what could be the precursor to a civil war. The nation is currently divided into two basic populations: the French-speaking majority and the English-speaking minority to the southwest who want to break off as their own nation — Ambazonia.

As English-speakers in southwest Cameroon clamor for autonomy, the Frenchspeaking state military is clamping down. There are over 30,000 refugees who have fled into Nigeria and over 200,000 people have been displaced. Many of

these people are hiding in the bushes.

Wycliffe Associates Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy is responding to the fighting by providing a trauma healing workshop for leaders.

“We train people who can reach out to those who are suffering from the trauma.

So, we have launched out this workshop to train pastors and other leaders, so they can help all these people scattered in the bushes to heal from this trauma of the war and the killing going on.”

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ARE YOU BUILDING AN ORGANISATION THAT HONOURS GOD? Founder and CEO of Destined for Greatnesss Publications, Jennifer Saunders Emedi, shares what she has learned about honouring God through business.

I started my business at the The above passage totally beginning of this year and I can summed up the question of tell you that it’s daunting enough honouring God in my business. to start a business from nothing As a Christian entrepreneur, I but running a business God’s way believe that faith in God’s wisdom is a whole is a key ingredient “I REALISE MORE AND other world. in small business MORE EACH DAY THAT success.

WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS?

IF GOD CALLS YOU TO RUN A BUSINESS, IT’S BECAUSE HE WANTS TO RUN THE BUSINESS THROUGH YOU.”

My very first challenge was deciding whether my focus would be my mandate or the market. My choice would determine whether or not my business would honour God first. Proverbs 3:5-6 set me on the right path. The writer says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”.

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BUILDING GOD’S KINGDOM

In our current economy, it is important to remember that if you honour God through your business, He will direct your path because it’s not just about money, it’s also about His Kingdom. As Matthew so aptly puts it, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” (Matthew 6:33).

Of course, you need money to

keep your doors open, but what do you think would happen if you viewed everyone who entered your premises as fertile ground for ministry? This is one sure way of honouring God. Add integrity to this mindset and you’re good to go. In all your dealings, whether it be customer service, taxes or staff relations, your business should reflect unquestionable godliness in all things.

I realise more and more each day that if God calls you to run a business, it’s because He wants to run the business through you.

Are you building an organisation that honours God and is positioned to spread the truth and hope of His word to others?

If not, then my challenge to you is to seek God and reprioritise why and how you have been called into business in the first place.

DESTINED FOR GREATNESS PUBLICATIONS Hello! I'm Jennifer Emedi.

As a dynamic facilitator of change, the vision is to excavate the greatness that God placed inside of you.

Destined for Greatness was born from a desire to help people reach their highest potential and live God's dream for their lives. What is your dream? You can make the ordinary, extraordinary.

My dream is to make your dream come true!

Coaching Do you need a personal coach? Would you like your church leadership team to be motivated?

Have a seminar or workshop coming up?

As a greatness and purpose coach, my focus is on helping you realize your highest potential in life. I want you to feel every morning that you are a possibility waiting to happen and that you are aligned with your purpose and that you are serving from your highest skills.

In short, LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE. I believe that you can structure your life to pursue your dreams. My focus is Women, Church groups and Corporate teams.

info@destinedforgreatness.co.za

Consulting Do you have a dream but don't know where to start? Does your business need a good marketing strategy? Looking for help with your writing project? Need help with bringing it all together? You don't have to figure it out alone.

I've learned some pretty big lessons about all these areas over the years, I'd love to share my insights with you. My consultation style is easy, relaxed and relatively inexpensive. It's like having a cup of coffee with someone you trust a friend and ally with whom you talk openly about your dreams and visions.

Call now for your first appointment.

082 074 7988 - 073 289 2688

YOUR BOOK IS OUR BUSINESS www.destinedforgreatness.co.za

Publishing ALWAYS DREAMED OF SEEING YOURSELF IN PRINT? There are so many people who would like to see what they have written in book form. Many have written memoirs, poems, teachings or stories. The sad reality is that for many, this may remain as only a dream as it can be very difficult to find an established publishing house to publish what they have written.

The good news is that you do not have to go to the grave with your dream. The easiest, quickest solution is to Self Publish.

The good news about Self Publishing is you get to do everything yourself. This could either be very funny or very overwhelming. This is one of the main reasons Destined for Greatness Publications was born. To help beginners face this enormous task of getting their book out there. We could be of great assistance in helping make your dream come true. So if you are trying to publish your book, been turned down by an established publishing house or had a few disappointments on your journey, LOOK NO FURTHER than Destined for Greatness Publications.

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Equipping you for ministry Are you looking for a practical and easily-paced way to grow in theological knowledge, skills, and values for ministry and mission? TEE College qualifications will enrich your faith and equip you for ministry in local congregations. You will explore the scriptures, the Church’s teaching, history, liturgy, spirituality, and practices.

THEOLOGY PROGRAMMES

B.Th

Dip.Th

HC.Th

An undergraduate degree equipping you for effective ministry (NQF 7).

Equipping people to fulfil their vocation to serve in God’s kingdom (NQF 6).

Engage across a range of introductory biblical and theological courses. (NQF 5).

CHRISTIAN MINISTRY PROGRAMMES TEE College offers four accredited Higher Certificates to equip Christians in these ministries: Christian Proclamation

Enhance your skills in preaching, teaching the faith & making the Gospel known in different contexts

Christian Worship

Grow in planning and leading worship in various contexts

Christian Leadership & Management

Learn about leading and managing a local church or community-based organisation

Pastoral Care

Learn basic skills in care and counselling in contexts such as the family, HIV/AIDS, life changes, and human suffering

Theological Education by Extension College Website: www.tee.co.za E-mail: admin@tee.co.za Tel: (011) 683 3284 Information brochures available from the College website and on request

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Registration for 2019 opens 1 November 2018.

The Theological Education by Extension College is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a Private Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 (Registration Certificate No. 2008/HE08/002). Non-Profit Company Registration No: 2007/030481/08.