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As a part of our getting-dressed routine, most people spend a bit of time in front of a mirror. Whether we are staying indoors all day or going out to face the world, we want to make sure we do the best with what we have been blessed with. The mirror allows us to see ourselves as we really are and gives us opportunities to “fix” some of what needs fixing. For some of us, the time spent in the mirror is determined by any number of factors, but as we are all conscious of what we look like and how others see us, we primp and preen for as long as it takes. Until we are satisfied that the “imperfections” have been taken care of.

As it is in the natural so it should be in the spiritual. Every believer who desires to grow in Christ and who desires to experience a deepening of his or her relationship with Him must constantly check themselves in the mirror of the Word. In James 1:22-25 we read, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (NKJV). The true test of how well we are doing in our walk with Christ is not based on what others say about us, but on what the Word reveals about who we are.

In his commentary on this portion of the text, Bible Scholar Matthew Henry writes: “As a looking-glass shows us the spots and defilements upon our faces, that they may be remedied and washed off, so the word of God shows us our sins, that we may repent of them and get them pardoned; it shows us what is amiss, that it may be amended. There are glasses that will flatter people; but that which is truly the word of God is no flattering glass. If you flatter yourselves, it is your own fault; the truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it will set before you the corruption of your nature, the disorders of your hearts and lives; it will tell you plainly what you are.”

English writer and religious thinker William Penn was right when he said, “To be like Christ is to be a Christian.” As we go about our day-to-day preparations, let us remember to spend some time before the looking glass of the Word. It will not flatter, “for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, KJV), but we can rest assured that if we look in it sincerely, what we see of ourselves – strengths and weaknesses – is exactly what is there. Only then can we ask for help and trust our Lord to help us in the areas that need “fixing”. When was the last time you tried it?

The post WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL – The Mirror of the Word appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

Billboard-topping Jamaican artist Gyptian took the stage by storm, captivating the crowd with an electrifying performance at the City of Miramar’s Ole Time Emancipendence Fair on 5 August 2023. The sensational event marked a significant occasion as it commemorated the 61st anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, drawing in attendees from all walks of life. Amidst a lineup of remarkable talents, Gyptian stood out as one of the headlining acts, bringing his signature style and chart-topping hits on stage.

Photo Highlights of City of Miramar’s Ole Time Emancipendence Fair

 

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Jamaicans in London joined together with pride to celebrate Jamaica’s 61st Independence Day on 6 August 2023. The city was transformed into a lively hub of festivities, marked by various events that showcased the richness of Jamaican culture. One of the highlights was the staging of the Jamaica Basic Schools Foundation UK’s Family Fun Day and Food Festival at Norbury Park, sponsored by Grace Foods UK and Victoria Mutual Group. Patrons enjoyed Jamaican food and had a great time with activities. Famous Jamaican artists like Agent Sasco and Richie Stephens performed and made the day even more exciting. Here are some photo highlights.

Photo – Nathaniel Peat

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It was a certainly a momentous and historic occasion in the City of Miramar last month courtesy of the City’s Vice Mayor, Alexandra P. Davis, who hosted a fun-filled weekend that featured Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s Iconic Sprinter and ‘Fastest Man Alive’ and his much-anticipated statue unveiling at Miramar’s Ansin Park Sports Complex.  The night before was a very special one in that there was the Usain Bolt Fundraising Banquet at the City’s Cultural Center that benefitted the Usain Bolt Foundation & Do The Right Thing of Miramar. There was quite a number of attendees on such a special night that included City officials from not only Miramar, but also Lauderhill, Tamarac and Broward County as well as Jamaican government officials: Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, CD, MP, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport and Oliver Mair, Jamaica Consul General to the Southern USA; Mayor Wayne Messam (Miramar); Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne (Miramar); Commissioner Winston F. Barnes (Miramar), Commissioner Maxwell B Chambers (Miramar);  Vice Mayor, Marlon Bolton (Tamarac); Commissioner Denise Grant (Lauderhill); Commissioner Hazelle Rogers (Broward County); former Global Diaspora Council Member Dr Allan Cunningham; and Eddy Edwards, CEO of Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, Inc.

Usain Bolt Widely Considered Greatest World Track and Field Sprinter of All Time

Born August 21, 1986 in Sherwood Content, a small town in Trelawny, Jamaica, Usain St. Leo Bolt (who retired after the 2017 World Championships in London) is the world record holder in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 relay.  What’s more he is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist and an eleven-time world champion.   Aside from his amazing and legendary prowess as a track and field sprinter, Mr. Bolt gained worldwide fame for his signature ‘lightning bolt’ pose—which he almost always did after winning a race.

Red Carpet Entrance & Cocktail Hour The evening’s happenings got off to a fine start in the Miramar Cultural Center Botanical Gardens with a glamorous red-carpet entrance that snaked its way inside where a variety of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were being served while attendees mingled and chatted to the smooth sounds of the live saxophonist.

Usain Bolt Video Presentation Highlighting His Remarkable Accomplishments & Opening Remarks The cocktail hour was followed by video presentation and opening remarks given by Mr. Donovan Campbell—Sports Anchor for WSVN 7, which is a television station in Miami, Florida.  The video presentation was certainly a very inspiring one in that it chronicled the life and times of Usain Bolt on and off the track.

Greetings from Miramar, Lauderhill, and Jamaica City officials from Miramar, Lauderhill, and Jamaica took center stage give their welcoming remarks, greetings, and presentations to the packed Miramar Banquet Hall:  Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam and Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis, and Commissioners, Winston F. Barnes, Maxwell B. Chambers, and Yvette Colbourne.  In turn, Broward County Commissioner, Hazelle Rogers, and City of Lauderhill Commissioner, Denise Grant, delivered their messages and presentations.

Greetings from Jamaica were given by Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, CD, MP, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport who was accompanied on stage by Jamaica Consul General to the Southern USA—Oliver Mair.

Charity Spotlight and Conversation with ‘The Man Himself’—Usain Bolt Chief Delrish Moss, City of Miramar Police Chief (Do The Right Thing of Foundation of Miramar) and Mr. Nugent Walker (Usain Bolt Manager and Board Member of The Usain Bolt Foundation) gave impassioned presentations spotlighting the admirable missions and community-oriented achievements of these two great charity driven organizations.

It was then time for Usain Bolt and Sculptor, Basil Watson, who took to the stage to discuss the sprinter’s statue from start to finish.  Indeed, it was a very special moment when a miniature version of the statue was unveiled and Bolt took a gander.

Comedy, Live Performance from Nadine Sutherland, and Richie D Jugglin’ Capped Off a Spectacular Night Comedian Chris ‘Johnny’ Daley had everyone in stitches with his hilarious jokes and mannerisms.  Veteran Songstress, Nadine Sutherland, took everyone down memory lane with her classic hit tunes that included ‘Action’—which was a collaborative effort alongside dancehall deejay Terror Fabulous—as well as ‘Anything for You’.  As many may remember, ‘Anything for You’ underwent the iconic remix with Canadian rapper, Snow, that also featured the likes of Jamaican dancehall titans, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Terror Fabulous, Louie Culture, and Kulture Knox.

Fittingly, Usain Bolt’s banquet night concluded with him being awarded the Key to the City of Miramar followed by a photo op segment with the track star for VIP attendees.  It goes without saying that it was an epic night in Miramar on the eve of Usain Bolt’s statue unveiling.  The statue is the first such monument in America in honor of the iconic sprinter.  Nuff praises to Miramar Vice Mayor, Alexandra P. Davis, for hosting such a memorable event and kudos to all city officials, staff members, sponsors and all were involved to make the July 14, 2013 weekend’s events possible.

Photos by Nick Ford

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