Christian Events versus Worldly Events: A review of Jesus Party 2018

By Netisha Alie

The entertainment industry is a very lucrative one and once you are able to appease the majority of the population you cater for, you are sure to ‘make it big!’ What’s the purpose of entertainment? People want to be Happy- they love pleasure and to “feel good,” especially after a week of hard work or stress. In fact any balanced lifestyle must have pleasure/recreation as one of its facets. It is what I call “necessary for your sanity.” In light of this, as a new believer in Christ who has always believed the stereotype for this life as ‘boring,’ the clear separation between Godly entertainment and worldly entertainment and how the masses respond to is indeed worth highlighting. 

Photo Credits Kingdom Soundz Ministries 

First of all let me make it clear that God is a god of pleasure. His gifts comprise of; Joy and Peace.-Two gifts quite a lot of people wish they had. He wants us to be happy, to have fun, to fellowship with each other and live this life abundantly. This is clearly stated in John 10: 9-12 where Jesus speaks that through Him; we are saved and go out to pasture.-Comparing Himself to the thief (devil) who comes to “kill, steal and destroy” While He came that we “might have life and have it to the full.” NIV. Believers have fun and non-believers do too, BUT how each of these have fun is where a distinction is made.

Earlier this month, Kingdom Sounds Ministries presented the people of Antigua with an event  dubbed ANTIGUA TRINITY FEST where they had three nights of jazz, poetry, worship, and great gospel music presented by a variety of artists from the USA and throughout the Caribbean, each highlighting a different genre of music from rap to reggae. In my opinion this is a very BALANCED presentation of entertainment and to add a cherry on top the price per event did not exceed $60 EC dollars or US $22.-Quite reasonable!  Before that, the same promotion company featured Travis Greene within the same price range. In the middle The SJPC House of Restoration presented a concert to which Gospel singer Jakalyn Carr along with other regional gospel artists were featured for $50 ec. The prices seems quite fair and I must add that each of these were quite entertaining and inspirational! 

Netisha & Friend Sam at Jakalyn Karr Concert 

Attendees went home refreshed, motivated and recharged-money well spent! The atmosphere at all these events were appealing to those present in terms of big screens, smooth sound systems, attire clean and classy... Rhythm sweet while everyone lift their hands and moved to the attractive beats. Every artist delivered uplifting music that had patrons moving to the irresistible pulsations. Hands were raised and shouts of joy and satisfaction were uttered as the artists relayed their testimonies that people could relate to. Knowing you have an issue is one thing, but knowing that there are others who share in that experience is simply AMAZING! 

Everyone has a choice in life what they choose to do with their time and money, however it is also good to make an informed choice. With that, I'd like to let it be known that in the midst of all other forms of entertainment that take place in Antigua, there is truly uplifting entertainment available and one is sure to get their money's worth. These events target personal development in an atmosphere that is sure to leave you in awe. The presence of God and the positive energy that is exerted is far more greater than therapy. So look out for the next big Christian event, because we (believers in Christ) are anything but 'boring' and you will not leave these events the same, because they are life transforming in every great way you can imagine! And that, that is what true entertainment should does! 

Check out Kingdom Sounds Ministries page for more great events here: https://web.facebook.com/KingdomSoundzMinistries/

I traded my bikini for a muslim swimsuit!

As a little girl I didn't want to remove all my clothes to take a shower in a bathroom. When we went to the river, I kept my top on when everyone else laughed at me to say I didn't "bathe clean." Surely I wanted to cover myself, despite how opened I was expected to be. You may ask then, how did I end up modeling for bikini stores, and taking part in 4 pageants, all with swimwear segments. Good question, I'm not sure where I got the confidence either! Perhaps my youthfulness and 'proudness' of my body!

Netisha In Burkini

BUT GOD; had a plan all along. I needed to 'go through it' so people would see I understand what it takes. About three years ago, at least a year before I surrendered my heart to God, I began to feel different about all my exposing pictures that had flooded the Internet. I began to wish I could take them all down and hide them. Was I growing up? Did my little girl perceptions start to kick in again? So I decided I'd take down all such pictures off my Facebook page and just come to terms with the fact that there were many more out there that I had no control over.

We are living in a society that promotes the Sexy, half naked Woman.  Most of the outfits are missing fabric these days and costing more. Even the celebrities are flashing less and less cloth and more skin. If I didn't know better, I'd say we're going back to the days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Why is it important for a woman to cover her body? What do the Muslims and Nuns know that we don't? What do first ladies, The Queen, all the royal subjects... know that we don't? Think about it for a second or two. What would the world say if they saw these well respected women dressed half naked at a function? Imagine the uproar!

Example, take a look at trump's wife versus Michelle Obama. People make jokes and talk about all the nude pictures she once had and glorify Mrs. Obama for all the fabulous regal outfits she wore. Men will throw comments at you calling you sexy instead of beautiful when you 'flaunt it' and treat you as a piece of meat. Then when they are ready to get married they find a well respected lady to give the ring. How many times have we heard this before? People actually treat you by the way you carry yourself. It is sad but really true.

We were created by a KING! And as much as we want to call it embracing our sexuality and appreciating the skin we are in, wearing little clothing or lack thereof really has no merit in accomplishing any of the above. If God is a King and created you, then that makes you Royalty, "Well respected" and regal. We are then right there with the Queen, Presidents' wives, Nuns... Should we look at ourselves in this manner then we'd know why we as women should cover our body.

Thus ladies, if you truly understand that you were created by a king and that makes you a princess, royalty, then you'd own up to it. Covering your body doesn't mean you aren't appealing to the right guy, it simply means you take pride in who you are and that you recognize that as ROYALTY, you ought to set that standard!

While it is not my intention to dictate what women should or shouldn't wear, I believe that by shedding light on this topic and sharing my story that it will inspire a gal to cover up! After all, our bodies are sacred, temples of the Lord and keeping it classy is far more rewarding! Also remember, the little girls are watching!