Saturday, April 19, 2014

Blood Bath

I experienced one of the biggest test/trial in my life a few years ago.  I can testify that God may not save you from being thrown in the fire like the three Hebrew boys, but one thing is SURE; He WILL be in the fire with you. When the fire is blazing and unimaginably hot, people will look on and wonder why you are not consumed. They will wonder why you look so peaceful.  The world will be amazed that when you exit the fire you will not even look like you were in an inferno and your testimony will compel others to proclaim you serve a Mighty God.

In the midst of this trial, I began having some intermittent physical symptoms (looking back I may have been experiencing symptoms of anxiety; I don't know).  Every now and then at night, there would be a pulsating in my abdomen where I could see a section of my abdomen pulsating and moving up/down involuntary.  It was scary! and would even wake me up from sleep!  At other times, I would have difficulty breathing like my breath was leaving me and I felt like I would die at any moment in addition to a rapid erratic pulsating from my heart. 

I went to the doctor first about the abdomen thing, I felt embarrassed and weird explaining what was happening to me.  They did several tests and said they could not find anything wrong. 

On another occasion, I went for the difficulty breathing and erratic pulsating I would feel from my heart. They did EKG, blood test other things and found nothing wrong (at this point I said they probably think this lady is a mad/crazy person).  I was disappointed as I left the facility knowing what I was feeling and there was no help or explanation.

As I drove away my breath still feeling like it was leaving and my heart still beating fast and what felt like out of sink I realized that this attack was from a realm that needed some spiritual intervention.  At that point I started crying out to God in my mind but then the spirit moved me to open up my mouth and say it aloud (I was in the car) .......In the Name of JESUS, In the Mighty Name of JESUS..........Cover me with your blood......Blood of Jesus cover me....... JESUS cover me with your blood.

Would you know that calm swept over me and just like that I was feeling restored and normal and well. All the symptoms that was overtaking me just left and NEVER returned.

I thank God today that there is power in the Name of Jesus....I lift my hands in total praise to God.

I realized that day that I needed to access the power from the blood that Jesus shed for me.

Today I'm singing a medley of songs all mixed up together.......

There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb,
There is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

There is power in the Name of Jesus, there is power in the name of Jesus
Break every chain, break every chain break every chain.

I wanna be washed in the blood of the Lamb,
I need a cleansing from the fountain, my soul is thirsty,
My soul is thirsty got this acing within, I wanna be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

The blood that Jesus shed for me, way back on Calvary,
The blood that gives me strength from day to day,
It will never, never, never loose it's power.
For it reaches to the highest mountain and it flows to the lowest valley
The blood that gives me strength form day to day
It will ne eeee ver loose it's pow'r.

My Prayer:
Thank you God for your wonder working power.  Thank you for not coming down from the cross to save yourself. Thank you for your sacrifice so that I can have access to you at all times, and that at the mention of your name powers of darkness must come loose and flee.  Thank you for the precious gift of salvation.  I love you Jesus, I worship and adore you, just want to tell you that I love you more than anything. .

Friday, April 11, 2014

Gospel Music J'Can Style

This one is basically just a listening experience.....  There are a lot of Jamaican gospel artist with lots of song selections, this is just a small sampling

Hope you enjoy the various styles of Jamaican Gospel music below.
I would love to hear which song/artist you enjoyed the most.

*Some of the videos below are music videos others are just the music with various pictures.


Majesty------Grace Thrillers
Grace Thrillers is one of Jamaica's favorite gospel groups
 

How Great is Our God-----Sherwin Gardner


Hear My Cry Oh Lord------Marvia Providence
Praise and Worship style gospel singer
 
 
Mi Bless-------Jabez
(song starts at 0:19 filmed in US and Jamaica)
 
 
 
Mi Daddy Oh------Judith Gyle


 
Stand by Me----Purity Gospel Singers
 
 
King David------Kukudoo

I'd love to hear your thoughts on which song/artist you enjoyed the most? You can check them out on the internet for additional songs from these gospel singers and more.

P.S I posted a Jamaican gospel video in this Post  :-)

As always, thanks for reading and watching.

~Highly Favored.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

'Favored' Cultural Expressions...............Jamaican Accent and Patois

Greetings! did you enjoy the last feature?  Today, I'm going to talk about the accent and dialect of Jamaica.

The Jamaican accent is what you hear when a Jamaican speaks (English or Patois).

English is the official language of Jamaica; It is taught in schools and everyone speaks English. Some individuals however may have a better command of English than others for various reasons such as education, socio-economic status, socialization etc. 

There is however a dialect that we speak that is called Patois (pronounced: Pat- Wah).  Patwah shares some similarities to West African Pidgin.

One short example:
  •  Pidgin: una 
  •  Patwa: unu (you plural;  you all)
    • Unu wait fi mi (everybody or you all wait for me).
Patwa also has a funny/humorous connotation, it's not uncommon to see or hear people talk patwa and laugh while talking or the other party laugh while listening. It's not that the subject is funny per se, but how the person speaks and enunciates certain terms/words or the expressions used while speaking patwa that often makes it funny. 

Accent and Patwa Clarifications:

The Jamaican accent and Patwa varies from region to region in Jamaica.

In America for example, a New York accent sounds different from a Texas accent while both speaking English in the united States.  Would you agree with me?  It's just the same with the Jamaican accent and Patwa. Someone from one region in Jamaica lets say Country (rural, sub-rural, rural-rural) area will sound differently from someone from Town (urban, sub-urban) areas.  Someone educated through higher levels in the Country will sound different from someone not highly educated in the Country and the same with town educated and town limited education.  You follow?

Also, in addition to education,  family background, socio-economics also adds a variation to your 'sound'/accent and the variation of patwa that you speak.  All in all though a Jamaican can always identify another Jamaican through speech regardless.

I have included two links; Feel free to check out the link to a 'YouTuber' that explains and demonstrates the nuances of the Jamaican 'Talk' Jamaican Sinting; Also these twin Jamaicans See2twintoo who talk about their everyday life etc;They have an 'uptown' Jamaican accent.

It's a beautiful accent as I have been told. I still have it and the patwa down good good (It is a part of the fabric of what makes me ME).

The viedo below  is a morning program 'Smile Jamaica' on Jamaican TV.   You can hear a variation of the Jamaican accent as the male host interjects Patwa while speaking, the female host and the interviewee sound a little differently.


 
 
The video below is a segment from the Jamaican TV youth program called 'Talk Up Yout' where they travel to schools throughout the island and discuss various issues affecting the youth....You'll hear a cross section of the Jamaican accent here as well.



Stay tuned for more topics in future editions.  Thanks for reading and watching.

Monday, April 7, 2014

'Favored' Cultural Expressions.......Roots Reggae

Every now and then I will share something from my culture with you through 'Favored' Cultural Expressions. It may be a song, information or a discussion topic on something do to with Jamaican life, culture, food, music, language or addressing any generalizations or misconceptions one may have about Jamaica, Jamaicans etc.

Today, I want to present to you Roots Reggae. 

Reggae has different genres (did you know that?) check out this Link  for a description of the differences.  The songs I'm introducing would be classified as Roots Reggae because it has a distinct message along with the style in which the song is sung. Mostly roots reggae is sung by Rastafarians and has some message that may include situations or circumstances people face due to politics, love, family life, or be based on some reference to Africa, peace, "Babylon", things like that.

I've posted two Roots Reggae songs below

The first is Untold Stories, its about life and the economy and It's effects on people.  My favorite part is " When mama spend her last and send you go class...... never you ever play"

Untold Stories by Buju Banton
 



This second one is titled Daddy. It's message is about abuse. Queen Ifrica addressed the issue of sexual abuse in this song.

 
Daddy by Queen Ifrica




Did you enjoy this feature? Look out for various topics in future editions of 'Favored' Cultural Expressions. :-)
.


Friday, April 4, 2014

That Time Again

On Sunday, I will be celebrating my Birth Anniversary.  I can't wait until then, I just want to start my praise party now.

What an honor and privilege to acknowledge another year of life. I can't thank you enough Lord for being so faithful to me;Looking back, your love and mercy I see.  Looking forward you are still faithful, wonderful, miraculous.

Lord, I thank you, I appreciate you, I acknowledge you for taking such good care of me. Helping me to survive to celebrate another year of life. I continue to ask you to mold me, I continue to stand in need of your grace and your guidance. Anoint me Lord with the fragrance of your spirit with notes of patience, kindness, long suffering and all the fruits of your Spirit. Take me higher in the dimensions of your Spirit in Jesus Name I pray Amen.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Nationality Revealed

Check out the videos below for the Answer......




Are you surprised?  I felt the need to share this part of myself with you. The beauty is that regardless of our origins we are still brothers and sisters in Love (Christ).



Are you disapointed that I'm not Nigerian?
  •  My closest friends in recent years are Nigerian and Ghanaian. 
  •  Baby Benjamin's parents are Nigerian, well respected in their "community"/associations, that tells you how close we are to the point were I'll be the God mother to their child. They are my brother and sister. It's not unusual for us to end a conversation with "love you".  Truly "Philadelphia" defines our friendship which was orchastrated by God himself.
  •  I was a member of the African Students Association in Undergrad....I assisted my African friends with starting the organization.  We had lots of fun....great memories and this is where my introduction to "Nigeria" began.  Fun times......    
"One Love...One Heart.....Let's get together and feel alright" Bob Marley

Highly Favored~