BBC

DANA-MARIE DICK
(Youth Inspiration)

BOULEVARD BAPTIST CHURCH

M A G A Z I N E JANUARY 2013 EDITION

Mission Statement: To develop our spiritual lives, evangelize the wider community and influence the world through Christ by organized preaching, public and private worship, Christian education and fellowship, while co-operating with other Christian bodies.

Simplicity, Decency, Elegance

Church Apparel
(The Bibles Perspective)

BILLS and Our Lifestyle

(Financial Education)

Journey of Success The Gospel of Peace Avoiding Sexual Temptations

(Sex and The Bible)

Raising a Standard of Holiness

Continued Testimony of Bro. Washbert McKnight After that major accident...

How do we give thanks to God in difficult times?

(Dear Preacher)

The Green House Effect and Climate Change

Believers Month - Theme:

G O T E L L

The Mans Contribution... Whats Her Role?

(Your Counsellor)

Issue No. 3

 The only source of knowledge is experience.

Albert Einstein

W E A LT H
www.weareproven.com
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Dana-Marie Dick
If you should ask a group of young people about their career choices, the most likely responses would be to become a medical doctor, a lawyer , an accountant, or an engineer. We do not often find anyone choosing a career in actuarial science, and one may wonder what this profession is all about. We interviewed a charming and bold individual, Dana-Marie Dick, to get details on this career path and what led her into this unusual field. Dana is gifted in Mathematics, a subject area that is challenging for many and has been very topical in recent times. This talent, and support from her mother, Sis. Mary Dick, motivated her to pursue this career. She noted that being able to do Math well is a prerequisite to becoming an actuary. At Sagicor Life, Danas job is to ensure that the company has adequate funds to pay out in life insurance claims and at the same time is able to take care of other financial obligations. Ultimately, her goal is to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA). Dana admits that this profession offers a generous remuneration. At Boulevard Baptist, Dana is one of the coordinators of the Brownie Pack, which she finds to be the most fulfilling part of Church ministry for her. BBC E-magazine explored her achievements as well as family and recorded the following:
BBC E-Mag.: What do you like best about your father (Rev. Devon Dick), Mother, Deon and Duvaughn? Dana: My father is very fun-loving; we play sports together and do fun

Youth Inspiration

activities. My mother is a good listener and gives good advice. Deon is excited over our achievements and lauds our successes, and Duvaughn is very ambitious and has great thoughts and ideas.

BBC E-Mag.: What have been your best moments together?

Dana: Family vacations have been the best. Whether overseas or local, spending quality family time having fun together have been the most memorable moments.

BBC E-Mag.: What would you emulate from your parents?

Dana: They are married for 27 years and are so much in love stealing kisses and still dating each other.

BBC E-Mag.: What are your future plans for marriage and family?

Dana: I hope to be married in a few years, maybe three years, and have two to four children.

BBC E-Mag.: What have been your major achievements?

Dana: Being awarded the UWI Open Scholarship, nominee for the Prime Ministers Youth Award and graduating from UWI with a BSc. in Actuarial Science.

BBC E-Mag.: What is the ultimate thing you ever yearned for?

Dana: To fulfill my purpose in all aspects of my life.

The Journey of Success

By: Sophia Williams
During an interview on the programme On Stage which was aired on CVM Television, Dance Hall artiste Shabba Ranks described a scenario where a group of fifty persons, including him, went on a journey that he alone had the map. No one else in the group knew the route or where the journey would take them. He said that while on the journey, he stopped to answer natures call. The members of the group did not wait for him at that point. Instead they left him in pursuance of the journey although they did not know their destination. However, soon they had to stop and wait for him. This scenario presented by Shabba Ranks speaks much of our future and our approach to getting there. We are often told that no one knows what the future holds, but still we make our plans of what we hope to achieve for the years to come. Nevertheless, while It is always fine for us to make plans, no matter how much we may chart a journey for success, in some cases it is all in futility. Our future is in Gods hands and He alone knows the journey. As with the Shabba Ranks scenario, Shabba alone knew where they were going. Persistently we try to move ahead of Gods plan for us and we become impatient. The least challenge we encounter on the way, we search for other options to achieve what we want quickly. Its only after we meet upon a stone wall that we have to turn back to God for him to guide us to that right path to our destination. When lifes journey seems unsure, senseless and even frustrating, trust God! He tells us that his plan for us is to prosper Jeremiah 29:11. Remember that serving God and obtaining success in whatever we set out to do will never be easy. It will take faith in God who will give us perseverance, strength and endurance.

Raising a Standard of

HOLINESS
Challenge: To live a life separated from the World.
Being Gods people in Gods world, raising up a standard of Holiness in a non-standard world. (Presenter: Sis. Lassom McDermott - Bible Study texts: Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Peter 1:13-16, James 1:2) In a riveting and soul-searching Bible Study presentation on Thursday, July 10, 2012 during Youth week, Sis. Lassom McDermott gave firm reminders of living a life according to Gods standards. She challenged us to live a life separated from the world, and our standards must be according to Gods commandments. The Bible is Gods word to help us make the right decisions. She posited that there are so many standards in the world today and many think it is okay to go with the flow, such as the standard of popular opinion, or once it feels right its okay. Sis. Lassom affirmed that the believers standard is one of holiness, freedom from sin, sanctity, apartness, sacredness, to hallow and to dedicate. The crown of holiness is eternal life. She indicated that proper conduct can be tested by one question Is it holy? We were instructed to do what is right before God and leave the consequences to him. When we go into the world our fragrance must affect the environment as we are called to mirror Jesus Christ.

Sex & The Bible

Youth Week Panel discussion: Avoiding Sexual Temptation Panelists Sister Ruth Downie and Deacon Rohan Phillips

In declaring that she has a special calling to contribute to the development of our youth, Sis. Ruth highlights the Youth Fellowship as an avenue for doing this. She stated that older adults live a life of pretence while behaving as though we have not had the same experiences that the younger people are having now. She asked, What is Gods standard for sexual immorality? God has provided all the tools to achieve and maintain all his standards. Genesis 8: 21 states Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. This scripture, along with others, highlights the consequences for our disobedience. Despite this, she says that there is forgiveness. Deacon Rohan cautioned young people to know their weaknesses and avoid certain places. He encouraged them to avoid these temptations; urging them to have a friend they can call. Additionally, he reminded them that there is always an alternative for any situation they might find themselves in. Asking the question, How do we control our thoughts?Deacon Rohan stressed the point that the first time is viewed as an accident but the second time is based on choice. Giving examples of tempting and appealing situations which could potentially control our minds, Deacon Rohan warned that we should never look a second time. He advised that we should guard against idleness which causes trouble so we should keep busy. He emphasized his arguments by referring to the following scripture text: Romans 7 v 21: So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

Dear Preacher,

How can I give thanks to God in difficult times?

We give thanks in everything because something is still left that we can give thanks for. We might be knocked down with problems but not knocked out we are not dead. Where there is life there is hope. Nine things are going wrong but there is one that is going well, therefore give thanks for that one. We do not give thanks for being robbed or raped but we give thanks for being alive. Put it positively, count your blessings one by one and give thanks - for redemption, grace, mercy, pardon, justification and hope of heaven in Jesus Christ. The most important things in life are free and we can give thanks for that. God has been faithful to us during our difficulties. We give thanks in everything because there is a door of opportunity in every situation. God does not waste any crisis. And we should not either. People tend to be averse to crisis perceiving it as an unstable condition, as in political, social, or economic affairs, involving an impending disaster. However, perhaps we should understand a crisis the way the Greeks understood it as a critical moment - a time to make a judgment call; it must be resolved. A crisis is a decisive point or situation; a turning point. Life consists of trials, self-inflicted, or inflicted by others, allowed by God to test our mettle and strength. Every crisis is an opportunity for God to display his power. God will reveal his presence and power in our hour of crisis. A crisis exposes us to suffering that tests our faith and proves the graces, values, attitudes and competences of people. Remember God knows best and understands best. God not only knows best but does best.

Excerpts (Assembly 2012 - Sermon by Glendon Brown)

The transformative Power of the Gospel of Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God. - Matthew 5:9
PEACE IS ALWAYS UNDER THREAT. The picture of the lion, leopard, goat, sheep, children, poisonous snakes in harmonious relationship would seem to be a dream that everyone would want to share. Who really wants to live in a community of discord, of quarrels and fightings, of victims and predators? Our New Testament lesson from Romans 12 cautions If it is possible, as far as depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Let us be reminded that peace has economic and other social implications. Take for example Isaiahs farm.
The need for fencing no longer exists. The need for ropes to constrain disappears. The requirement for special facilities to segregate animals vanishes. Somebody is going to sell less wire, somebody is going to make less board, and somebody is going to sell less rope. Cessation of war is bad news for weapons manufacturers. Harmony in communities threatens the viability of security firms. Peacemakers in the church obstruct the hand of the powerful, ignore the roar of the dominant and protect the bleat of the weak. It means that peacemaking must naturally face and confront opposition. Perhaps that is why they are BLESSED. They are blessed because they stand between chaos and tranquility. They are blessed because they demonstrate the difference between what is and what ought to be. Class, race, social status, educational competence and adherence to statements of belief have become tools for segregation and divisiveness among peoples. The Gospel of peace transforms but there are those who are determined to resist out of fear, greed or blatant self-centeredness. Peacemaking is not a call to life of ease but a struggle against evil.

The Bibles Perspective On Topical Issues: By: Sophia Williams

Church Apparel.
In continuing the Bible Study presentation on the topic: Does It matter what you wear to Church?, Rev. Dick made reference to 1 Tim. 2:9, explaining that we should appear in apparel suitable to the place and the occasion. He posited that the world, as God has made it, is full of beauty, and he has shown in each flower that he is not opposed to true ornament. The word modest properly relates to ornament, or decoration, and means that which is wellordered, decorous, becoming and well put together. It signifies that which is clean, neat, and decent, yea, beautiful and ornamental; [See Ps. 45: 9] It does not, properly, mean modest in the sense of being opposed to that which is immodest, or which tends to excite improper passions and desires, but

Simplicity, Decency and Elegance

that which is becoming or appropriate. He argued that it is not a call to inattention to personal appearance, looking like heng pan nail or as if we went through World War II. It is about excess and going overboard or doing it to impress people we do not like by buying things we cannot afford. In emphasizing this point, Rev. Dick stated that the true line is passed when more is thought of this external adorning than of the ornament of the heart. Costly array is what we can ill afford; unnecessary expense or expenditure is such that it prevents the carrying out of duties to children who lack food and educational opportunities. He said outward appearance should be marked by simplicity, decency and elegance.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION MINISTRY

Brother Hugh Reid Chairman, Financial Education Ministry and President of Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance

Bills and Our Lifestyle

Do you agree that biblical stewardship needs effective goal setting under Gods guidance? If you do not know where you are going, any road will get you there, is a popular saying at which we chuckle. It is true. Daily, folks spend recklessly, have children carelessly, incur debt needlessly and then complain that their bills are drowning them. They travel without a map, goal, plan or budget and they get lost. People say being unable to pay bills is the main issue facing Jamaicans today. The prevailing sentiment is that we need more income. Really? What are bills? Bills result from lifestyle decisions, smart or dumb, good or bad, prayerful or impulsive. Mull over Luke 14:28. Speaking about discipleship, this Bible verse tells us to count the cost before building a tower. Surely, we should sit down, reflect and budget available resources under Jesus guidance. How else will we be able to know his allocation of his resources of time, talents and money that he presents to us? Finally Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can trust him to do what he says. We can rely on him to provide for us when we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). When he shows us his goal, we can believe him. However, we must understand that we do not see life as he sees it. Therefore, our experiences might differ from our expectations. Will you trust Jesus to supply your needs?

Believers Month GO TELL!

Telling and meditative could best describe the presentations delivered by Rev. Stephen Smith during Believers month, October, as he expounded on the theme Go tell, with the selected text for the month, relating to the Great Commission, Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.. Matthew 28: 16-20 . Rev. Smith ensured that everyone received and fully understood the commands to GO , to MAKE and to BAPTIZE with live demonstrations.

He underscored the fact that based on instructions in the Great Commission in Matthew 28, if we are not doing accordingly, we are acting in disobedience. He stated that it is the duty of every believer, no matter his/her status in the church, to go and tell the unsaved about Christ. He explained that in witnessing and making disciples for Christ, our lives as seen by others should be a true example of Him. Rev. Smith spoke of the compulsion to baptize. He asserted that we are compelled to baptize those who profess the faith. We are compelled as it is God at work, never man at work, in the act of baptism. No one should decide on behalf of others who must be baptized John 3:22-23. He emphasized the points that baptism is a command by the savior, Jesus the Christ; baptism is a sign of salvation; baptism is a sacred solemn moment. It is identifying with Christ as a child of God and, of great importance, it is the work of the Holy Spirit.

THE TESTIMONY CONTINUES FOR

Brother Washbert McKnight

After that major accident
(the vision from his grandfather) After that, he told me to read Proverbs 8 and to draw closer to God. I started to read from Proverbs 1-31 and developed more wisdom and love for God. However, despite all of that teaching, I did not give my life to God. I knew God was great and true as I have proved him over and over again. Nevertheless, I sometimes forgot some of his goodness to me. On November 22, 2009 at approximately 11:30 am, I was on my way to Westmoreland from work when the rear left tyre of my car blew out along a section of the Clarendon leg of Highway 2000. I lost control of the vehicle which overturned in a ditch. I was not wearing my seat belt so I was thrown out of the car and it fell on top of me. My pelvic bones were broken, leaving my lower body dead. I felt like I was crippled and the tears flowed. I had to undergo major surgery at the St. Josephs Hospital for six hours. The surgeon used pins to fix my pelvic bones, and I was told that I would not be able to walk properly again. It took me a year to recover until I could walk properly and was able to go back to work. To God be the glory! It was after that major accident that I really proved Gods undying love for me and I gave Him full control of my life to demonstrate how much I love Him. In closing, no matter what you are going through, God will never fail you. Just give Him a chance in your life -- that is all He asks.

GREEN ATTITUDES
What is the greenhouse effect? The greenhouse effect is an increase in temperature from the heat and light of the sun which is trapped in the atmosphere of the earth, similarly to heat trapped in a car. The heat from the sun gets into the car through the windows, and cannot escape from the inside the car. This kind of scenario explains what the greenhouse effect does to the earth. The temperature of the earth rises when the heat and light from the sun penetrate the atmosphere and is unable to get out. The evidence based on scientific data has shown that for thousands of years, increases in temperature have closely been tracked with atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This CO2 is largely responsible for recent warming trends. The

The Greenhouse Effect And Climate Change

By: Sophia Williams Industrial Revolution has accounted for about 500 billion tons of carbon dioxide, and approximately half of it remains in the atmosphere. This is as a result of the burning of natural gas, coal and oil. Climate change refers to seasonal changes over a long period of time ranging from decades to thousands of years. This is as a result of warmer global temperatures in the atmosphere and oceans. Climate change affects droughts, rainfall patterns, humidity, storms, growing seasons and sea level. Climate change takes place at the local, regional and continental levels, while global warming is planet-wide. Given the fact that the warming trend is global, the impact it has on different areas around the world varies with their local plants, animals and people.

Your Counsellor

The Mans contribution What is her role?

(Part 2) By: Sophia Williams Let us now look at the role of the woman and her obligations in marriage. The woman has a duty to take care of her husband. In our Jamaican culture, it is the role of the woman to manage the home. She ensures that there is adequate food, the house is organized and the needs of her man are met, among other things. Sex forms a very integral part of the marriage for the man. Men are usually referred to as sex maniacs, and this is something that a woman entering into a marital relationship must condition herself for, and be excited about. Withdrawing can create serious problems for the marriage. She must always be prepared both physically and mentally for any eventuality as it relates to sex. Men like spontaneity, so it is important that the woman responds positively, as the man is almost always in the mood for sex, whether it is morning, noon and/or night. As the Bible instructs, the woman must submit herself to her husband . so whenever the man is ready the woman, most times, must be ready, barring certain realities. Additionally, it is important that the woman appears neat and clean in the home. She must be creative when it comes to the bedroom. Men can get bored too, and may look for something different and creative outside the marriage. Unfortunately, the man may not communicate this to the woman. Finally, acknowledge God in all your sexual activities knowing that it is the most beautiful and wonderful act He created for this holy institution.

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