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Have you ever had to wrestle with doubt? Times when you silently question the spiritual truths you believe? Times when you wonder if the Bible is true and God is loving, fair, and omnipotent, then why are things still so hard in your life and the lives of others around you? The questions linger, “Why am I still sick?” “Why am I still unemployed?” and on and on.

While most Christians would consider it blasphemous to voice these thoughts, the reality is that some people struggle with these and similar questions in the privacy of their minds. Some of these people are seated in the church pews every Sunday. In some ways, they are like the man who brought his son who had a “dumb spirit” whom Jesus’ disciples could not cast out, but when the father stood before Jesus he asked of Him, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us” (Mark 9:22b, KJV). The narrative continues, “Jesus said, ‘If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.’ No sooner were the words out of His mouth than the father cried, ‘Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!’” (vv. 23-24, The Message). In the presence of Jesus, he wrestled with doubt.

The fact that Jesus’ disciples had failed caused the father to question Jesus’ ability. However, Jesus turned the situation around by reminding the man that the issue was not His [God’s] ability, but rather the lack of faith on the part of the one asking. In other words, with God all things are possible but do we have the faith to believe that? It is important to understand that belief is not a matter of mental assent or agreement, but rather a conviction in one’s heart. Someone once said, “Until you believe the truth in your heart, all you have is information.” Yes, God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; nothing is impossible with Him, but is that truth in our heads or has it taken root in our hearts?

What we believe in our hearts will manifest itself in our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. The next time you find yourself doubting and worrying, ask yourself what it is that you truly believe. God is not intimidated by shaky faith and He can handle doubts, for He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). We want to believe, we say we believe, but doubt saps the life out of our faith. However, God’s abilities do not wane because we have trouble believing. He is who He says He is. Once we move that truth from our heads to our hearts, we have it on good authority that nothing in accordance with the will of God will be impossible to us (1 John 5:14-15). Still not sure? Just ask Jesus. You can trust whatever He tells you.

The post WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL – Wrestling With Doubt appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

Between 2005 and 2007, Jamaica spent more than Ja$3.0 billion to raise up the Trelawny facility and to rehabilitate Sabina Park in preparation for hosting matches for the then ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup. From my perspective, it was never a wise investment (business-wise) but the arguments presented at the time alluded to the importance of providing cricketing/sporting infrastructure to benefit the population as well as supporting the Regional institution that is West Indies Cricket.
In fairness to the authors of the decision at the time, Jamaica’s role in the development of the regional game has been seminal and worth preserving. After all, Jamaica gave the game, the likes of George Headley, Allan F. Rae, JK. Holt, Jackie Hendricks, Easton McMorris, Maurice Foster, Jeffrey Dujon, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, Jimmy Adams, Chris Gayle, among so many others too numerous to mention. Theirs has been an incredible legacy and for the generations yet unborn, this ought to not only be cherished and protected, but every opportunity used to promote the development of sport. Having said that, it begs the question of what price is too much to pay for our history?

Proposed Grassroots cricket-fix a political fantasy

Jamaica’s decision not to bid for participation as one of the host countries in next year’s 2024 World Cup immediately comes to mind. According to Sports Minister Babsy Grange, the decision stemmed from an apparent cost/benefit analysis that determined that Jamaica’s participation was infeasible. Grange said that after consulting the stakeholders, it was decided that the best course of action was for Jamaica to invest in cricket at the grass-roots level instead. To that end, she continued, the government plans on investing J$ 100 million in the development of youth cricket and cricket in schools over the next five years to “fix West Indies cricket.”
Really Minister Grange? To the unschooled, this may appear as perhaps, a nice-sounding idea, but promising to spend this paltry sum on development of the game at the grass roots level is nothing but a “crock-pot of crap.” The proposed budget translates to Ja$20 million per year across the island’s 4,400 square miles, or Ja$1.42 million per parish. Keep in mind that given the exchange rate of the Jamaican dollar the amount translates to a paltry US$9,200.00 per parish, a value that is certain to continue to depreciate over the proposed five years given our sliding exchange rate.

Missing the bigger picture

Jamaicans, I believe, ought to look at this announcement against the background of the granting of more than Ja $1 billion per annum in pay increases to the gaggle of politicians who for the most part could barely justify the pay and other emollients they had been receiving prior. According to the Minister, the projected Ja$450 million to host matches in Jamaica has been deemed excessive. It would be well worth knowing that this claim of excessiveness is in relation to what? The current administration has a history of finding money to do whatever it deems important. The salary payment issue immediately comes to mind. When converted to US currency, this amount is less than US$3 million. That the government is claiming a need to have a positive return on investment runs contrary to policy formulation and implementation. Their job, one would believe, ought to have been to create the environment within which international sporting events of this nature will find Jamaica as a favorable location. Given the island’s Tourism record, this event is a magnet for cricket-loving tourists coming in from India and North America. Further, in an Era of internet technology, the transmission of games from Sabina Park would spread images of the island across multiple tourist destinations around the globe. In addition, the invisible Tourism advertising benefits to the island from televising the games, the opportunities for hotels, air-b-and-b, restaurants, and just simple itinerant vending opportunities for the informal traders over the period, tells me that this is another decision made by people who are out of touch with Jamaica’s realities.

Babsy Grange’s unrealistic conflation

It is beyond dispute that the current state of West Indies Cricket may not in itself provide much encouragement for any serious capital investment.  I get it, but the game, its history, and its value in shaping Caribbean society is incalculable. Babsy Grange’s proposed US$9,200.00 expenditure is the price-tag that Jamaica’s Ministry of Sports has placed on the value of the only sport in the Caribbean archipelago that has helped Caribbean unity for more than 100 years. More so, this sport, despite the regional team’s faltering, still provides an incubator for dozens of Jamaican cricketers who ply their skills in various formats of the game played in venues around the world. Essentially, this is the Jamaican government thumbing its nose at regional unity while extricating itself from any participatory role in the regional game.

Earlier in this piece, I named several Jamaican personalities who not only shaped Jamaica’s but also West Indies Cricket legacy. As a Nation, our political leaders have a responsibility to its people to defend the legacy of its heroes. We depend on their wisdom and foresight to be able to not only see the biggest picture but also to articulate it. Surely, such a picture is incomplete when the understanding of the value of cricket to the ethos of being Jamaican and West Indian, is lost on the island’s political leadership.
It was the great Trinidad writer CLR James who once said, “What do they know about Cricket that Cricket only knows….” He and his contemporaries must now be turning in their graves.

About the Author

Richard Hugh Blackford is the host of a 2-hour music-driven internet show Sunday Scoops on yaawdmedia.com each Sunday from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The show focuses on Foundation Jamaican Music and takes its audience on a nostalgic but historical musical journey, peeling back the years of Jamaican musical development as the hosts explore the careers of Jamaican artistes. Sunday Scoops provides interviews with personalities, and discussions on Jamaican music and other topical issues.  The show is co-hosted by noted DJ Garth Hendricks.

Photo – Nick Ford

The post Did the Jamaican Government Diss West Indies Cricket? appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

The Center for the Arts in Coral Springs, Florida was definitely the place to be for a hilarious and fun-filled evening all courtesy of Jamaican Comedian, Dale Elliott Jr., whose 2023 ‘Problem Child-Bad Pickney’ tour stop brought out the masses from far and wide in South Florida.  Upcoming stops on his 2023 stand-up comedy tour are slated to include:  Hartfort, Connecticut; Atlanta, Georgia; Poughkeepsie, New York; Cartaret, New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; and Tampa and Orlando, Florida.

Dale Elliott Jr.’s performance in Coral Springs on September 16, certainly delivered a memorable night of laughter for all those who attended, and without a doubt illustrated Dale’s unique and special talents to make people laugh.  What’s more, much of his stand up comedy content highlights his experiences and humurous recollections while being raised in his native Jamaica.

The evening got underway in earnest with some nice tune jugglin’ by DJ Nicco, which was followed by MC Julie Mango gracing the stage to give her opening remarks complemented by her laugh-provoking jokes and mannerisms.  Comedian, Hennessy Williams, then got the crowd going with some really funny jokes and skits.  Comedian, Nick Souffrant followed with a great round of hilarity that had the jam-packed theater rolling.

After a 20 minute intermisson, Chino and Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, sons of the iconic reggae artist, Freddie McGregor, gave a surprise on-stage performance and showcased their talents and new music to the audience’s delight.  Following an introduction video, the man himself, Dale Elliott Jr., surely gave the large crowd of patrons what they were yearning for and then some.  That is, his uncanny and natural ability to make people fall out of their chairs with his witty jokes, sarcasm, and story telling.

The evening concluded with a Dale Elliott Jr. meet and greet along with photo opps for his clamoring fans.  There were also several notables in the building, including dancehall artist and Homestead (Spanish Town) native, Govana, who had the smash hit–‘Champ’; David Muir (Street & Lifestyle Photographer – ‘Pieces of Jamaica’); and Nicky Gelin aka ‘Nicky G’, ‘Nicky Says Yolo’ (Editor-At-Large of M.I.A. Magazine)

MC Julie Mango

The Man Himself, Dale Elliott Jr.

Born in Jamaica’s capital city of Kingston, Dale Elliott Jr. is a much-accomplished actor and comedian.  Perhaps best known for his lead role in the movie, Sprinter, he currently lives in California.  Apart from his stand-up comedy, Dale has ventured into other areas such as podcast production and film making.  He also has a large presence and following on Instagram where he posts a lot of short skits, often spotlighting the fun and humorous aspects of Jamaican culture, patois and daily living.  According to Dale as per his website:  “Making people laugh is something that I’ve always been able to do” he said.  More than that, with a decade of experience and counting this self-proclaimed ‘Problem Child’ Dale to surmount barriers while becoming one of the most sought after Jamaican actor-comedians around the globe.

Comedian Hennessy Williams

Surprise Live Performance Segment Featured Stephen ‘Di Genius’ and Chino McGregor

Dale Elliott Jr. Photo Opp and Meet & Greet Segment

Photos by Nick Ford

The post Jamaican Comedy Sensation Dale Elliott Jr. Leaves Coral Springs, Florida in Stitches with ‘Bad Pickney’ Tour appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

Get ready to embark on a vibrant journey to Jamaica without leaving the borough of Brooklyn! Taste Bits of Jamaica, the beloved cultural showcase of Jamaican flavors and traditions, is back for its 8th year on Saturday, September 30, 2023, 3:00-10:00 pm. Hosted at the picturesque Rooftop of Brooklyn Commons, 495 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, this event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Jamaican culture.

Celebrating Vibrant Flavors of Jamaican Food

For the past seven years Taste Bits of Jamaica has delighted attendees with its unique, exquisite, intimately curated experience. This year we invite you once again to savor the indelible flavors of the island that so many know and love. From the world-famous jerk chicken to the scintillating and hypnotic rum punch, Taste Bits of Jamaica promises to tantalize your taste buds. Jamaica’s unique, vibrant flavors will be showcased in its foods, fruits, herbs, and spices, reminding everyone why Jamaicans are considered “vibrant and spicy!” Under the theme “Pineapple Notes with hints of Lime and Ginger,” this year’s event promises an array of new features and surprises.

“Whether you’re a long-time fan or experiencing our culture for the first time, Taste Bits of Jamaica aims to rejuvenate and inspire from a place of nostalgia,” said Kim Morrison, owner of Unique Weddings and Tours, and the brainchild behind the event. “For newcomers, it’s a gentle nudge to consider Jamaica as your next travel destination—the full island experience awaits!” she continues.

Cultural Extravangza in New York

New York City, melting pot of cultures and people, offers the perfect backdrop for this cultural extravaganza. The borough of Brooklyn, known for its accessibility and diversity, is an ideal setting for celebrating Jamaican heritage and flavors. Much like Unique’s customer base, attendees of Taste Bits of Jamaica have a passion for travel, a curiosity for cultures, and a deep appreciation for the warmth that comes from embracing diversity.

Music will also take center stage at the event, paying homage to Jamaica’s rich musical heritage;  Mento, Ska, Reggae, and Dancehall have long captured the hearts of people worldwide. Jamaica’s culture is steeped in its African ancestry and the experiences of its forefathers. The rich storytelling through folk songs and memorable ‘sayings’ reflects a language that has been preserved through generations, and this legacy will be celebrated through the musical selections, the food and the mini-museum.

Wrapping it all up, Andrea Daley, publicist for the event, added, “Taste Bits of Jamaica is a one-of-a-kind event, and we can’t wait to share the magic of Jamaica with you. Let’s celebrate the vibrancy of Jamaican culture together!”

Sponsors are Grace Foods USA; Club Kingston and Club Mobay; CMM Inc.; LC Promotions; Jamaica Tourist Board; Brooklyn Commons; Jammins Entertainment; Bullzii Marketing; Braata Productions; American Foundation for The University of the West Indies; TK’s Kake Kingdom; and Caribbean Times.

Tickets for this cultural extravaganza are available at a cost of $70, offering tremendous value for an evening filled with authentic Jamaican experiences, food, flavors, and music and may be purchased at Eventbrite.

So, mark your calendars and head to Brooklyn on Saturday September 30th from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Rooftop of Brooklyn Commons, 495 Flatbush Avenue.

Photo – Shaun Walsh

The post Taste Bits of Jamaica Returns for Its 8th Year in Brooklyn New York appeared first on Jamaicans.com.