Tribute to my spiritual father in the faith

 His nickname for me was "Captain". He started calling me that when I would ask him to facilitate a session at any of the ministries that I was involved with, whether it was at an ISCF Camp workers training, or to bring the Word at a Thanksgiving service I was having for my birthday. He would jokingly say that he was just following my instructions, and no matter how many other obligations or responsibilities he had, he would always make himself available.

He was friends with my father before I started UWI, but our relationship began when I started attending St. Augustine Evangelical Bible Church as a 19 year old. He was one of the teachers of the Young Adults Sunday School class, and those classes were instrumental in building my Christian character at a very foundational stage in my development. 

There were no fancy gimmicks to keep our attention - just plain Bible Study - yet every Sunday the room was packed to capacity with young adults, eagerly soaking up the wisdom as he expounded the texts we were studying. Our deep discussions often lasted long after all the other Sunday School classes had finished, and many times they had to chase us out of the building because they wanted to lock it up and go home.

He was a spiritual father to so many - those who didn't have father figures in their lives, as well as those who had fathers who didn't quite reflect the same level of godly living that he did. He would always make the time to listen to us and give biblical counsel. He was also not afraid to rebuke when that was needed, and it would always be done in love.

He was a man of God who was deeply rooted in the Word of God. His Bible would constantly be open on his lap while he sat in church. His sermons were always firmly grounded in scripture, and our minds never ceased to be amazed at the spiritual insights he would expound from familiar passages we have read. He had a way of delivering the Word with the authority of one who knew what he was talking about, and he did, because he would spend hours pouring over the passages he was going to preach on.

He was also a man of prayer. He was dedicated to our church's prayer meetings, and never got tired of encouraging persons to be involved in corporate prayer. He would call it the "Engine Room" of the church, as he recognized that without prayer, we could not move forward.

He was a devoted husband to his wife Marcelle. He loved her loud and was her biggest supporter. He was a loving and caring father to his daughters Christal, Emerald and Jewelle; father-in-law to his sons-in-laws Keon and Sean and grandfather to his grandchildren Kaylon and Katelyn. 

I count it a privilege to have sat under his ministry for the past 26 years, and I am grateful for every word of counsel and encouragement he spoke over my life. Even though we will all miss him tremendously, the legacy of Pastor Kelvin S. Mapp will continue to live on in the lives of all of us who were impacted by him.

Acts 13:36

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep"

The VBS where the war for the teenaged boys was intense

Last week we held a Vacation Bible School for the children and teenagers in our community of Dow Village. Since we closed off Bible Club at the end of the school term, the children were asking when it would be starting back because home was 'boring'. For most of them, they looked forward to being able to come out and interact with the other children. However as the week progressed, we discovered that there were some who had ulterior agendas.

We had an average of 50 children in attendance

Mummy did all the preparations while I was at camp: renting the tent and chairs, organizing the banner and flyers, getting the materials for craft etc. Except for one day, she make refreshments for the children while catering for the teachers who came from the East and Central who were staying at our home. I thank God for giving her the health and strength to be able to do all of that, plus help with the transportation and distribution of refreshments daily.

My nephew was in training in the kitchen

We used the theme "Under construction" to teach the children that God is rebuilding us to be His image bearers on earth. They learnt that when sin came into the world God's perfect plan for humanity was shattered, but through Jesus' death and resurrection the way became possible for us to be restored into right relationship with Him. They were taught to follow God's blueprint, the Bible, for any situations they would face in life. Another lesson focused on teamwork, and the importance of encouraging and building each other up. They were also taught to beware of the enemy who would come to steal God's Word from their hearts before it got a chance to take root. Finally, they were encouraged to share their faith with others.

Each day the teachers put on a skit to introduce
the lesson for the day

On the second day of VBS while we were organizing transportation for the children to go home, a fight broke out among the teenage boys. This is the first time we have had so many of them in attendance: the 13+ class had an average attendance of 20 persons each day. They come mainly from two communities: Church Street and Aripero, and it seems like they came with the intention of provoking each other so that it would result in a physical fight. The timing of this fight seemed like a direct attack because the lesson for that day focused on using God's word to guide us in how we respond to situations we face, and fighting was one of them. The teacher also referenced 1 Corinthians 10:13 and encouraged them to take the way of escape that God provides when we are tempted, which they clearly did not. Thankfully the bruises were minor even though one of them fell into a drain.

Antonio teaching the lesson to the teens

On the following days, the instigator of the fight did not return, but the verbal heckling between the two groups of boys continued. On the last day he showed up, and it seemed like the boys were intent on finishing what they had started. Thanks to the vigilance of the teachers, two male teachers were in place where the fight was brewing and were able to quell it before it began. We know it is a spiritual battle for the lives of these teenaged boys: one of them had raised his hand to accept Christ; another one was able to recite all five memory verses at the end of the week. They all listened attentively while the lessons were being taught and could answer all the questions. The challenge came when it was time to put into practise what they had learnt.

Doing their item for the Closing Program

In spite of these challenges, we have much to give God thanks for. Neighbours from our community gave donations in cash or kind when they found out that we were having VBS. There were four teenagers who were a part of the teaching team and they did an excellent job communicating the biblical truths to their classes in an engaging way. On the second day there was a thunderstorm just before VBS was due to start and I was concerned about the attendance, but the children came through the rain and the storm did not last for very long. All the other days the weather was favourable when it was time for VBS. Throughout the week we had ten professions of faith, so we give God praise for that. For the Closing Program, we had a record number of parents who showed up and heard the gospel being clearly presented.

One of the teenagers using an object lesson with her class

One of the memory verses for this week was 1 Peter 5:8 and we continue to be alert because we recognize that the enemy is roaming around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Many of the teens who were involved in the fight come from fatherless homes and are searching for a sense of identity. Please pray for divine direction for us going forward; we don't want to stop them from coming to Bible Club because we believe in the power of the Word of God to transform lives but at the same time, they need to know that fighting at Bible Club is not acceptable. Pray that the seeds of God's Word which were sown this week would not be stolen by the enemy but would grow and produce much good fruit.

The next generation is looking and learning

 

The camp where we walked by faith

ISCF Camps 2024 was truly a testing of our faith. Up to two weeks before the start of camp, there were only had 29 campers registered for Primary/Junior and 39 registered for Senior camp. There are certain expenses that must be covered regardless of the number of persons on camp, so there was a concern about the low numbers. However within those two weeks, the numbers kept increasing and by the time Senior camp started, there were 65 campers present, and just over 60 for Primary/Junior!

Full house for Senior camp

The theme for camp this year was #nofilter, acknowledging the role of filters on social media to distort reality. During the chapel and devotions sessions, the campers were challenged to remove the filters they were hiding behind and to embrace the reality of who God made them to be; His image-bearers. They were also encouraged to put off the filter of worldly living and put on godly character so they could reflect Christ in all their daily lives.

Using an object lesson to illustrate the old man vs. the new man

The response to the chapel sessions were powerful. Many campers came up for prayer afterwards when the invitation went out for those who wanted to be assured of God's love for them despite the times when they messed up. In other sessions many responded when asked for those who wanted to surrender their lives to Jesus. Campers were prayed for after chapel, and then they met with their dorm counselors afterwards to further discuss how they would apply what they learnt at chapel to their lives.

Praying with campers after chapel

Apart from chapel and devotions, there were other sessions on camp with sought to reinforce the message of the theme #nofilter. One such session was entitled Social media vs. Reality, where the facilitators showed how much of life that is portrayed on social media is not an accurate indication of reality. They showed the negative psychological effects of social media and encouraged the campers to guard their heart. It was encouraging to hear the campers' views on this topic, as this made the session very engaging and relevant to the teenagers.

Campers sharing about the impact of social media on their generation

Another session that took place was called "The truth unfiltered". This took the format of a panel discussion on topics that are normally taboo in church settings, but is very much a part of the campers' lives. They were encouraged to write questions about homosexuality, masturbation and pornography and the panelists did an excellent job answering these questions using truths from the Bible. After the session, many campers stayed back to speak to the panelists one on one so it was clear that they were impacted by what was shared. For the younger ones, the speaker focused on the different types of abuses children experience, and what they should do if they or someone they know is suffering abuse.

"Sunshine" getting the children pumped up before
presenting her session on child abuse

Talent night provides the perfect opportunity for the campers to demonstrate what they have learnt on camp. This year was no different; the songs that they wrote, the spoken word pieces that they gave, the dramas that they performed were wonderful applications of the messages they learnt throughout the week of camp. Here is an sample from one of the pieces:

I have been told I'm not pretty

Them boy them on camp does call me Big Nose Bobb inno

So I go on Tik Tok, Snapchat and Instagram

Download Photo editors

And hide my blemishes

I download Zesser Pro

And on Zesser Pro mi a de gyal them bubble gum

Have de gyal them running round

Zesser Pro does turn me into a real bad man

I post something on Instagram and get real likes

Even Rajah like my post

And now I start to ghost people

But I went a ISCF camp and they talk bout no filter

So I know I had to kill dat

Feeling doubt and pride

All de likes, filters and sweet boys 

Friends and comments wasn't the right choice

Boy is best now we take off de mask and roll with no filter

One of the skits during Talent Night

Another example was a skit in which a funeral was portrayed. When Natalia's friends got the news that she died they were in shock since she was so young. At the funeral there was much dramatic bawling as persons gave their tributes to their dead friend until suddenly, she appeared! After the initial shock wore off the question was asked, if Natalia was alive, who was in the coffin? When they opened the coffin they saw Natalia's sinful nature that she had put to death. I found that to be a profound way to illustrate one of the verses they learnt about putting to death the desires of the sinful nature.

Sports Day is another opportunity for campers to
illustrate what they learn from the sessions

We give all glory to God for a successful two weeks of ISCF camp. At one point when the number of counselors was low, there were doubts about if we would be able to have a camp this year at all. However we had a prayer core who prayed consistently every week in the lead up to camp and God heard their prayers and sent forth enough labourers into the vineyard so when the numbers increased, we had the capacity to serve them. In addition to this, we give God a high note of praise that all our expenses for camp for this year were covered! Only He could have done it. We also thank God for His protection over the past two weeks as there were no major incidents on camp.

Primary camp chapel with Cosy Bear is always a vibez!

Now that camp is over, we trust that the biblical truths that were instilled in the hearts and minds of these young ones would remain with them as they return to their home environments, and that they would share it with others as well.

Dramatic beginning but victorious ending

Last week we held Vacation Bible School at our church, St. Augustine Evangelical Bible church. In the weeks leading up to VBS class lessons were prepared, volunteers were sought, roles were assigned, craft materials were purchased and jerseys were printed. The Saturday before VBS we walked the streets surrounding the church, giving out flyers to families with children, and the Sunday before we hired a car to go around with a mike to invite the children to come out. 

The songs chosen for worship had
lyrics that reinforced the theme

We borrowed the theme "God's Family" from Ekklesia Word ministries camp which was done over the carnival weekend. With this theme we taught the children that God made them in His image unique and with a special purpose in mind. He placed them in families so they could have relationship with one another, but sin came into the world so God's plan for families were disrupted. However, Jesus came into the world in the form of man to rescue us from the death penalty of sin, and now we have an opportunity to live a life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Aunty Jacqui teaching the 10-12 year olds

On the first day of VBS we were ready. We arrived early to set up our classes and spend time in prayer before the children started arriving. However, ten minutes before the start, we heard a loud "POP!" and then we lost electricity. A teacher who was outside said there was a backhoe working on the street moving dirt, and most likely they were responsible for pulling down the lines. We made a phone call to T&TEC and they promised to send an emergency crew out, but we had no idea how long it would take for power to be restored. 

Paying close attention in Opening session

We were depending on electricity to run the multimedia to teach the children the songs; teachers needed internet to show some of their videos for their lessons; some of the teaching areas were dark, but the show needed to go on. We played some games with the children, taught them one simple song that still reflected the theme, then sent them to their classes. Miraculously, the A/C units continued to work so we were not uncomfortable. A six year old prayed to open VBS and in his prayer he asked that the power be restored soon. It was restored one hour later, so we thank God for answering the prayers of the little ones.

They thoroughly enjoyed their craft sessions

On the second day of VBS we arrived at the church to discover there had been a break-in. Thankfully the perpetrators were not able to get inside the building, but they somehow were able to maneuver a huge tool kit that had all the equipment we needed for our craft stations, and two fully stocked first aid kits, all three of which were donated by members of the church. We were shaken by this incident, but we refused to allow it to stop the work God was going to do at VBS that week. We got additional security for the duration of VBS and the men of the church came out to make sure we felt supported and safe. We knew that something great was going to happen because of the opposition, and it happened the very next day.

Teens class practising their item for Closing Ceremony

At the end of the third day of VBS, the teacher for the Teens class reported that two of the young ladies from his class decided to surrender control of their lives to Jesus Christ! I was especially grateful because, for one of them, it was her last day of VBS for that week, so it was wonderful that she made that decision on that day. On the last day of VBS, two more teenagers surrendered their lives to Christ. This is what makes all the work that goes into planning and executing a VBS worth it all - seeing the fruit of the Word being borne in the lives of the young people.

We use the craft to draw them in, and we use the Word to keep them

One unique feature of VBS at St. Augustine Evangelical Bible Church is our missionary corner, where we tell the children stories of how missionaries are working in different parts of the world to tell people about Jesus. Each day we 'visited' a different country to hear these missionary stories and by the fourth day, four children raised their hands when asked who wanted to become a missionary. As a church that is heavily focused on missions, we are trusting that God will raise up the next generation of missionaries from this generation.

A missionary from CRU sharing her experiences

At our Closing Ceremony, it was wonderful to see parents from outside of our church family in attendance. A very clear presentation of the gospel message was shared, and the parents were challenged to be an example to their children by accepting Christ for themselves, and then teaching them the Word of God. It is our prayer that every seed of God's Word that was planted in hearts of the children who attended VBS last week would grow and produce good fruit that will last from eternity.

Praising God for progress

In September 2023, for the first time in the 18 year history of Bible Club, we were presented with a scenario which we had never experienced before. It was clear to us that our young boys were being influenced by the gang culture that is so prevalent in society, and existed right in our community as well. We knew that if we didn't take action soon, Bible Club would no longer be a safe space for children in the community to come to learn about developing a relationship with God through the principles we teach from the Bible.

Praying with the children at the end of Bible Club

I had no expertise in this area, so I called in someone who did. Cassio Anthony, also known as Gen-Ex, has a powerful testimony of how God delivered him from a life of drugs and gangs, and he now has a ministry called Gospel on d' Go where he goes into communities and shares his story along with the gospel, and many lives have been turned around through it. He came and shared his story with the older children, warning them about the consequences of following the gangster life.

He had their full attention

A couple weeks later, the children attended another session that he facilitated in a nearby church, where he shared about anger management strategies that included practical tips they could use to diffuse potentially volatile situations. That week at the end of Bible Club while awaiting transport to go home, a massive fight broke out amongst four of the boys, and the two teachers who were present struggled to get the children under control. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. Gen-Ex was called in again to speak to the perpetrators and reinforce the message of not choosing violence. He offered to do a Life Skills program with the older ones, which was conducted between January to March 2024.

The turnout to these sessions were the biggest ever

Using a variety of teaching techniques, he taught through various modules such as embracing self-talk, anger managership, citizenship and volunteerism in an effort to ensure that a solid foundation of positive values were laid. Their Bible Club teachers continued along those lines last term, challenging them to not allow others to define them but for their identity to be found in Christ. I am grateful to God for the improvements that have been seen in the children's attitudes over the past two terms. Those who were quick to lash out when provoked are exhibiting more self control. It is easier to get the children to settle down and listen when instructions are being given. They still have a long way to go, but we recognize the positive progress that has been seen, and we look to God to faithfully complete the good work He has started.

Receiving his certificate at the end of the Life Skills program

We also give glory to God for the progress seen with the children who have been coming to Homework Club. One of them really struggled with his school work during the pandemic and was kept back a standard because of his decline. His mother asked us to speak to him so we encouraged and prayed with him and continued to do work with him twice a week. We were elated to find out that he passed for one of his schools of choice last week Friday! There are two other children who have been coming consistently that have improved their performance compared to when they started coming, so we thank God for that.

Focused on their school work

Please continue to pray for our children. There are so many negative influences in their immediate environments that are competing for their attention. Pray that they would choose wisdom and make good choices instead of following bad company. Pray that they would stand for what is right rather than giving in to what is wrong. Pray that they would choose to please God instead of giving in to temptation to sin. Pray that the seeds of God's Word which are planted would produce much good fruit that would remain.

Working with the youngest ones

45 Experiences over 45 years

This year for my 45th birthday I decided to share 45 experiences I have had over the past 45 years of my life, and the lessons I have learnt from them. It is my prayer that you would be encouraged by what I share, and that you will not make the same mistakes I did.

Relationships with people are wonderful, but they are never perfect. There are times you will be hurt and disappointed. There are times when your expectations will not be met. But this will never happen with Jesus. With Jesus, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Every. Single. Time.

This is the principle that got me through my entire academic career. Every time I had to choose between serving God or my studies, I would choose God and I graduated from secondary school with 5 A’s at GCE, attained a national scholarship, was the valedictorian at my Faculty, and graduated from university with First Class Honors. When you put God first, He take care of everything else. 

As a follower of Jesus living in a fallen world, we still struggle with the power of sin over our lives even though we have been forgiven from the penalty of sin. One of the keys in my victories over sin were the times when I desired to please God more than pleasing myself. Once I understood how much my sin hurt Him, and my love for Him grew, I chose to say no to sin, not because it was no longer pleasing to me, but because I saw how much it hurt Him.

One way to avoid conflict in relationships is learning to put aside your interests, your desires and your plans in favour of the other persons’. The more you support them in what they want to do, the more likely they will be to return the favour once their goals are accomplished. This requires great sacrifice, but it is one that you will not regret.

When I had just started working, my father saw a property on sale in a location close to UWI and encouraged me and my siblings to put up to buy it. Two of them were abroad, and the two of us who were here were not interested in owning property at that time. It is a decision that I regret to this day, because property is one of the few assets that appreciate in value over time. The principle Daddy was trying to teach was the importance of planning for the future, not just living for today. We got it eventually, but missed out on a great opportunity because we weren’t willing to take his advice at the time.

While I am not married, I have many close friends who are, and I have seen how much hard work it takes for a marriage to be successful. If both parties are not willing to put in the work that is needed to make it wonderful, it can be a very lonely and painful road indeed. For some, unfortunately, it has led to separation or divorce. Don't get married because you are lonely, and choose your spouse wisely. It is better to remain single and be satisfied than to get married and be miserable. Find your fulfillment first in your relationship with God, instead of looking to your spouse to meet those needs that only God can meet.

Everybody you meet doesn’t have to be your close friend, so don’t get discouraged by rejection. Don’t waste your time and energy trying to get the approval of everybody, or trying to get into everyone’s circles. God will connect you to the people you need to be in your life at each stage, at the right time when you need them to be.

Enjoy the season you are in fully instead of longing for the one that lies ahead; you never know when the current season will end. The changing of seasons is what allows growth to take place. Don't try holding on to seasons which have ended, because your unrealistic expectations will only lead to disappointment.

There are times when we are guilty of being like Martha, so busy working for God that we fail to show that we love Him with all our heart, soul and mind by setting aside that time like Mary did to sit at His feet and commune with Him (You can read the full account in Luke 10:38-42). Your ministry for God should never take precedence over your time with God. He is also concerned about how you treat those who you serve alongside, because you can’t say that you truly love God if you don’t have a good relationship with your brothers and sisters. 

Some single people are wishing they were married. Some married people are wishing they were single again. Some couples are wishing they had children. Other couples can’t wait for the time when their children get old enough to live independently of them. Be grateful for the life that God has given you and don't compare yourself with others.

There are times when you may be tempted to wait until God does something for you before you acknowledge or celebrate that aspect of His character e.g. Healer, Deliverer, Provider. But the truth is that God’s character is not dependent on His actions. He is who He says He is, even when you have yet to experience it.

You do not have control over what is said to you; all you can control is how you respond to it. You also do not have to validate every statement by giving it the dignity of a response. Some things are best left ignored, because they are said with the intention of provoking a response, and are not based on truth. When you respond with kindness instead of fury, it confuses them.

I was a very shy child when I was younger and did not make friends easily. Even as a teenager the only friends I had were the ones in the groups I was a part of, who reached out to me first. When I had to venture out of the country on my own for a semester abroad, that was the first time I was challenged to be intentional about reaching out to others because I was only there for 4 months and I’m so glad I did. I would have missed out on many rich relationships and experiences if I had just stayed in my dorm room and felt sorry for myself.

If you give in to peer pressure instead of doing what you know to be the right thing, you will live to regret it. Most time the peers are pressuring you into doing something that you should not be doing. The one time I gave into peer pressure instead of standing my ground, I ended up with a broken toe in the middle of the interior of Guyana and had to walk on it for a week until I got back to Trinidad and did surgery to fix it #trueStory

If you remain where you when God has called you to move, you will not accomplish His purposes for your life. In 2005 God challenged me to do more for Him than I was currently doing. I was serving Him in my local church and through camping ministry, but nothing outside of Trinidad and Tobago. Taking the leap of faith and being obedient to His call, opened up opportunities to minister from Haiti to Kenya and even Jordan, that I would not have gotten if I had refused to move. 

Every birthday is a gift that deserves to be celebrated. Don’t take it for granted that you will be around for the next one, because no one knows the number of their days. Use the opportunity to celebrate those around you and give them their ‘flowers’ while they are alive to hear the impact they made on your life, because when they die, they will not be around to hear it. 

Don't be in such a hurry to get things done that you miss the opportunities to engage with people along the way. Don't be so busy working that you neglect to invest in relationships. The things will always be there to be done; the people won't, and the relationships with them are the ones that will matter long after the things are over. Make sure you are investing in things that will last for eternity and not just this present world.

One thing I have learnt as my close friends and siblings started having children is that they had no problems sharing them with me LOL. Taking care of children is a full-time responsibility, and when you consider having to make time for a spouse for those who are married, or taking that responsibility on your own for those who are single, in addition to running a household and having a full-time job, it is a lot. I love all my nieces and nephews as though they are my own, and although I may not be able to spend as much time with each one as I would like to, whenever we do get that time together it is full of joy and happy memories.

There was a time when I had the opportunity to visit an exotic destination in country on the other side of the world and I didn’t take it because I felt it cost too much money. I had travelled for ministry and this would have been pleasure, and I felt that after persons had contributed to my ministry expenses, I should not have added a vacation on to the trip. I don’t know if my travels would every take me to that destination again, but I regretted it after. The next time I had an opportunity to do something similar in a remote country I did, and it was amazing!

Most times it is the older ones who teach the younger ones, but I have come to realize that there is a lot you can learn from those who are younger, even young children. God has equipped the youths for what they need to be relevant in the times in which they live, and you can benefit from taking the time to listen to them, because they know what the needs of their current generation are.

Many times adults get upset when children do not listen when they are giving instructions. After close to 30 years of children’s ministry, I have learnt that children are more likely to respond if they get an opportunity to try out what you are telling then to do, rather than just listening to you explaining how to do it. You can save yourself a lot of frustration if you allow them to practise the principle you are trying to teach them, rather than expecting them to learn by listening.

In this fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up with going from one project to the next without taking the opportunity to rest in between. When your body is run down, it is more prone to viruses and bacteria, which can lead to illness. You have a responsibility to take care of your body, which is the temple of the Lord.

When I was growing up there was a sign off time for television. There were times for children to be ‘bored’ and find ways to entertain themselves. In this digital age where everyone has a personal electronic device, it is easy to be constantly listening to what other people are saying, but it is so crucial for you to take time to turn off the noise so you can hear what God is saying to you. He speaks through His Word and by His Spirit if you would only take the time to be still before Him.

He just uses different means at different times to help you. Sometimes you can take your problems to the Lord in prayer and get all the help you need. Sometimes you can confide in a trusted friend and find the help you need. Other times, you need to go to a professional counselor, or take medication. Regardless of the medium He uses, your help comes from Him.

When you limit your expectations of what God can do, you deprive yourself of the bountiful blessings He has in store for those who trust in Him. When you remove the limits off of what you are believing God to do, He has the space to prove Himself to be more than able to do what you are trusting Him to do.

Take time to think about whether you really want to go, or if you are just agreeing to please the person you invited. If you are not sure, you can say, "I'll think about it and get back to you". If it’s an invitation to do ministry, make sure it is God’s will, because not every good thing is a God thing for you.

In God’s Word you will find everything that you need for the challenges you will face. It is amazing how accurate and relevant it can be, even though it was written hundreds of years ago. I use a daily devotional, and there are times when I may skip the readings for a few days, but when I do start back reading, a couple days later I read exactly what I need to hear for that particular day. It amazes me every single time. 

You will treasure the pictures you have when your loved ones pass. Looking at the pictures would help to keep the memories alive as you reminisce on the experiences you shared. 

Your natural inclination when someone says something about you that is not true, or that is derogatory, is to defend yourself or to convince them that what they are saying about you is false. Save your energy and mental health for what really matters. At the end of the day, God knows the truth, you know the truth, and those who know your character know the truth, and that is all that really matters.

When things don't work out in the way you think they should, believe that God's plan is much better. He has the bigger picture in mind, and knows what is best for you. When you take matters into your own hands rather than trusting God and His timing you will be disappointed every single time. Have you ever thought that the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, who knows all and sees all, just might possibly know better than you? 

No one likes to think about death, but it will come sooner or later whether you think about it or not. At some stage, you need to accept this reality and start putting things in place for the fact that your parents are aging. Are all their documents in order? Do they have a will? What will happen to them if they get ill and are no longer able to care for themselves?

You don’t have to drop what you are doing everytime you get a phone calls, text message or social media notification. It disturbs, interrupts and distracts from your purpose, can lead to anxiety. Take control of how your time is spent and don’t allow others to disrupt the flow of your day.

There are some sins that you struggle to overcome on your own, no matter how much you try. There are some bad habits you may be trying to break but you keep slipping back into them. Having someone who you can confide in, and who would check in with you to ensure that you are not falling back into sin is very helpful. You would think twice the next time you are tempted if you know you would have to be honest the next time the person checks in with you.  

When a loved one dies, it is okay to grieve their loss, even if you know that you will see them again. It does not mean that you do not have faith that you will be reunited in heaven. Grief and faith are not mutually exclusive. All grief does is acknowledge the fact that your loved one will no longer be a part of your earthly life, and that you will miss them. Jesus wept when He saw Lazarus’ tomb even though He was going to raise him from the dead.

We live in a broken world because of sin. Being a child of God does not make you exempt from the evil that exists, and there may be times when you are touched by the wickedness of sin or the heartbreak of sickness. The good news is that God is with you. You do not have to endure your trials alone, and your trouble will not last forever.

Many persons use social media to vent their frustrations. For the follower of Jesus, your actions must be motivated by love, not feelings. If your post can cause hurt or discouragement, consider changing it. A wise person taught that truth, if not packaged in an envelope of love, will not be well received. Seek other ways to release your emotions that do not involve inflicting pain on others.

It's not their fault that elderly persons are getting older and parts of their body are shutting down; aging is a part of life. Slow your pace to match theirs. Listen to the same story over and over again. They did the same for you when you were a child; now it's your turn to return the favour.

When dealing with people, especially youths, it is tempting to focus on negative behaviour that you can see, without recognizing that there are issues which are contributing to that behaviour that you cannot see. Take time to find the root cause of the issue behind the behaviour rather than just focusing on the behaviour, because if the root is not dealt with, the negative behaviour can reoccur.

Your days are full of multiple things that have the potential of being annoying. Before responding in an impatient way or getting upset, ask yourself these questions. Is this worth getting upset over? Is your response going to improve the situation or make it worse? Are you reflecting the character of God in the way you are responding?

When you do everything yourself, you run the risk of getting burnt out. You also run the risk of those around you becoming lazy because they assume that you do not need their help, so they never offer it. Learn to delegate responsibilities; how else will others learn? When Jethro saw what his son-in-law Moses was doing, he told him it was too heavy for him to bear on his own because it would wear him out, and Jethro encouraged Moses to train others to help him to execute his responsibilities.

There is a non-biblical teaching that you can get anything you want by simply asking God for it. Doing this is just setting yourself up to be disappointed. God is not a genie that is just waiting to give you whatever you want. He grants your requests that are in agreement with His plan and purposes for your life.

You can cause conflict in relationships unintentionally by how you speak to people. You may not be saying anything wrong but the tone of voice you use to say it may not be right. Listen to yourself and ask yourself, if someone was talking to me like this, how would I feel?

Do not jeopardize your spiritual, physical or emotional health by pushing yourself beyond a reasonable limit at work or in ministry. If you end up leaving, someone will be found to replace you. Set healthy boundaries for your work/ministry/life balance so that you are not just living to work. God’s work can go on without you.

When you are tempted to fight in your own strength, learn to wait on God to fight for you. There are times when you may feel that God is taking too long to intervene, but when you allow God to fight on your behalf, the victories are so much sweeter than if you fight them yourself. It is also a reminder that ultimately, He is in charge.

It takes a willingness to be open and honest about your past to share your story. Even if one person is encouraged by it, and is able to avoid making the same mistake you did, it is worth your vulnerability. It also is an opportunity for God to bring something beautiful out of a dark time in your life.