Can I be a stylish Christian? Ask Onika Octave

Written by Netisha Alie-Grant 

[Author of Inspirational Book: Walking a Two-way Street]

While some may argue that the way a woman adorns herself as a Christian could be in reference to Jezebel, I’ve noticed that different cultures dress differently but one thing remains; their hearts are focused on Jesus, which is what’s most important.                                   

I can never forget one very valuable lesson I learned from a priest one Sunday. I don’t even remember the title of his message nor the scripture but I do remember one thing he said. 

“Christians dress so fancy when they are going out but put on any ole thing to come to church.”

That struck a nerve because I was one of them. I was coming to church to be on a 'date' with The Lord and I didn’t put much thought into my attire. He didn’t get my very best. 

One may think that God doesn’t care about that, perhaps if it were all you had. But when you consciously dress your best to go anywhere else but church it speaks to how you view your time in the presence of the Lord. 

The apostles complained that Mary was wasting perfectly expensive oil to wash Jesus’ feet instead of using it for other things. [John 12: 3] So are they indicating that just regular soap and water would do for Jesus? 

One such young lady has demonstrated that while in the world she had to look great but now that she is on fire for Jesus she has to look her absolute BEST! 

Meet Onika Octave: 

Onika at COVER Fashion show {best dressed}

Questions: Were you always stylish? Who inspired you? How did it start?

To be honest I really never knew what I was good at until I got saved. Growing up people would ask me “what am I good at?” and I’d say; “dressing up and looking cute.”

As a little girl, all I wanted to do was dress up. I use to imagine styles and sketches of clothes in my head then ask my friends to draw for me because I could not draw. Then I would get my group of friends and we would do similar outfits with mixed colours. People would ask what is our group’s name, and we would say Wizzy Wow! I use to watch BET a lot because we loved the group Destiny’s Child. 

They use to dress very similarly for their award ceremonies and my friends and I would do the same for parties. It was so “serious” that I would get up at midnight just to try an outfit. 

My dad use to entertain and encourage me so he would give me the money to buy my fabric and would ask what’s my next outfit. I think I would put my all into it because I thought that’s all I was good at besides liking to sing. My siblings would laugh at me and say “You think you could sing…” So I would turn back to clothes and dressing up. It was my safe place. 

Onika is now a born-again believer and is on the worship team at her church. And not only is she continually growing as a worshipper but she is doing it in grand style too. She is now poised to be one of the top stylists in the world and is admired by many for her consistent sense of style! 

Our pastor always says “don’t despise small beginnings…” and so we hope her story can encourage you to stay true to yourself and your dreams even when others may laugh at you. Then submit your life to a full-time relationship with God and watch Him raise you up in your gifts. 

Shaloam! 

12-year-old boy gives his heart to God!

 Written by Netisha Alie-Grant 

(Author of Inspirational Book Walking a Two-Way Street) 

He asked the pastor to baptize him unknowingly to his mom…

12-year-old Rajon speaks with Pastor Grant about his decision to get baptized minutes before it occurs.

While many of us are still distracted by the media and negative news, God is still moving across the nations and touching lives. 

12-year-old Rajon appears to be the typical child in school. However many do not know that he has a calling on his life and God has already spoken the word over him. Rajon is a student at the Seventh Day Adventist School in Antigua and has always been a good student of the Bible. This is because he had a passion for God from a very young age; his mom Schandelle mentioned as she observes her son. 

Earlier in 2021, the school had a week of Prayer, and baptism was held. Rajon decided at that moment that he would get baptized but never got a chance to. The issue was then put on a halt until…

“One day I got home from work and he sat me down and asked me some very serious questions.” His mom explained. 

One such question he asked in a very pensive mood was: “Where would I go if God should come now?” 

He then gave a final comment to end the critical conversation with his mom: “Next chance I get I’m going to give my life to God!”

Months passed and there was no sign from Rajon about his decision. Until Sunday the 5th of September 2021 he indicated to his mom that he would like to see the pastor after church. 

“I had no clue what he wanted to tell the pastor until we got home.” His mom explained. 

Rajon informed her that he had told the pastor he had many opportunities to be baptized but didn’t so he is now ready to do it. 

His mom, being aware that he is young, was speechless and decided to check with him during the days leading up to his baptism date, in case he had any second thoughts but Rajon showed none. 

On Saturday the 11th of September 2021, Rajon took the bravest, most bold, and best step in His life. To be fully dedicated to God at the age of 12. 

-The age Jesus left his parents and stayed in the synagogue with the teachers, -the number of governmental authority! 

He even requested the song Something has to break by Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard 

Link: https://youtu.be/ZuZJUXmKBeM

Rajon has decided to put his complete trust in God and hopes to be an inspiration to other children like him. He is destined to do great things and now has the answer to his very pressing question: Where will I go if God comes now? Do you know? 

Young & Christian would like to congratulate Rajon for making the best decision of his life and pray that God will set him on the Narrow path of no return in Jesus' name! 

Sometimes the Puddle along your way is your ticket to your destination!

 Written by Netisha Alie-Grant

True story:

Life, despite of its many challenges and disappointments, is filled with moments of inspiration and  blessings. We simply have to be opened to seeing them. 

There is a scripture that says "all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose"- Romans 8:28  I have many reasons to believe this and I was reminded again this morning as I took my daughter for her morning stroll. 

As I paced my driveway, with the intension to woo her to sleep, I witnessed a truly inspiring moment. 

My drive way intesects with a main road so I get to see passerbys and traffic effortlessly. I even  saw a mongoose and a rat having it out once and shared it with a random driver who also stopped to watched. 

"Can you believe this?" he asked me. "This is very interesting..." he continued as we both shared a laugh in amusement and he continued on his journey. 

However today was the real cinderella story. A lady, dressed neatly holding a handbag and headphones, perhaps plugged to her phone, walked carefully on the main road  as she tried to avoid a puddle of water that had been caused by heavy rain the day before. 

As she successfully navigated the puddle a pick up truck drove into it, absent mindedly maybe, and splashed water unto the woman. She shouted with loud cry of anguish. 

The driver stopped a few yards ahead, realising what he had done, asks her if she had her mask and where was her destination. Turns out he too was heading in the same direction. 

It was the perfect opportunity to redeem himself and the lift she needed to get to her location. 

What made this even more amazing is that a few minutes later it began to rain. 

Let us embrace the difficult moments in life because they can open doors that will take us places. Like the scripture said ALL things (pleasant or unpleasant) are working for our good. Be Encouraged!

Travis Greene actually puts it nicely in his song INTENTIONAL

have a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH3f0ellNv8 

You Can Quote Me On That... Life Lessons by Young & Christian

 Written by Netisha Alie-Grant 

As one who is usually looking for a deeper meaning to life, I often gain quite a bit of insight through this quality. 

Some of it comes while I am having a conversation with others or while I am assessing my very own thought processes. Whichever way it happens I believe that I gain divine insight because of my relationship with God. 

For that, I am truly grateful and humble! 

Here are a few of the ones I have recorded, others have gone into the wind because I didn’t write them down. However, I have been getting the push to publish them so PLEASE revisit this article as I will be continually updating it as these life lessons come to me. 

Thoughts of a humble young woman: Austin Texas 2010

LIFE LESSONS: 

1. "The best way to measure one’s character is through time; no human can breathe underwater naturally." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

2."You always have the option of working through your offenses instead of ignorantly separating yourself from the offender & becoming bitter." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

3. "Make the time every day to laugh so hard that you lose your cuteness for a minute; your sanity depends on it." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

4. "You are NOT defined by the evaluation of others." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

5. "If you based your relationship with God on the blessings He can give you, you will never be faithful to Him." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

6. "When you learn that life WILL have difficulties, they will no longer affect your mood or decision." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

7. "We often make the mistake in believing that God's goodness towards us is painless." -Netisha Alie-Grant 

8. "Despite the many challenges and detours we may experience along the way, the goals remain the same; overcome & keep going till they are achieved." -Netisha Alie-Grant

9. "How can you expect to lead and set trends if you are not willing to embrace being copied or followed?"- Netisha Alie-Grant 

10. "Sometimes we learn the greatest lessons from the simplest explanations or examples." By Netisha Alie-Grant 

To be continued...

How to maintain peace when everything around you is falling apart!

John 14: 27 “PEACE I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

What is PEACE? “Freedom from disturbance; Tranquility” (Oxford Languages) 

Jesus made such a powerful statement on this “Freedom from disturbance...” and we quote it so many times today but have we truly experienced the divine insight of this text?

Peace in Trinidad (Photo by Netisha A)

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Jesus (the only perfect human to walk the face of the earth) is telling us that He is giving us HIS peace in place of what the world gives. There are two critical points to note here:

1. Jesus is giving us His peace.  

2. The peace that world gives us is obviously no match for HIS peace, which means the world's version peace can most likely be seasonal and deteriorate over time. 

Let’s look at these two points a bit further. Jesus walked the face of the earth and was faced with many adversaries, trials, unpleasant and pleasant circumstances, betrayal and deception. Yet He was able to fulfill His divine purpose in the earth and managed to remain sinless and so focused that He never took a detour. Metaphorically, Jesus’ peace can be explained as HIM sleeping soundly in a ship filled with panicking men about to get wrecked in a storm. -Unnatural! (See Matthew 8:24-25)

That is the type of peace He’s left us with. The type where you can face your storm and say to it; “I see you but if God allows you to approach me it is because He has a plan for my life so you could either ‘be still’ or do your thing, I remain unbothered! 

“Imma just sleep through this one like Jesus...”

Another example is just how well Jesus kept His composure when the soldiers came to arrest Him in the garden. Again the Apostles were moved with emotions but Jesus remained steadfast even when He knew the painful fate that was approaching. (See John 18:1-11)

Question: So if Jesus has given you His peace how will you respond the next time you are faced with anything that is designed to take it away?

2. Why would Jesus say “I do not give you as the world gives... let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid?” 

How many times do you hear of people taking drugs for peace of mind, going on a trip for peace of mind, listening to music or a motivational speeches for the purpose of attaining peace? Like the world, all of these are temporary that’s why one keeps returning to these worldly sources for peace. This is also why some people become addicted because they simply aren't satisfied nor have they received true peace. 

So the next time you desire inner peace perhaps you can reflect on this one scripture and the examples Jesus taught in representation of it and then seek the peace that the world cannot give. Shalom! 

Why Pregnancy is for Him & Her –Married couples.

Baby Triumph's Parents

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After God created man He did two things: 1.Give man a helpmate and 2. Instructed them to “be fruitful & multiply” (Genesis 1:28)God saw that the work He had laid out for man would be achieved through a team effort. 

Though women are usually more opened to talk about their experiences in life, the man’s side of the story is just as important. Thus here’s “our” story about the journey that brought our blessing from heaven to us in the form of our amazing daughter. 

Her story: 

Truth: I was always afraid of being pregnant. The thought of wanting it to happen at the “right time”, the many ways it’d probably not be good for my figure (being a model & former beauty queen), and just how painful it looked to see other women’s stretched abdomens and swollen feet simply made it appear: PAINFUL! 

Nevertheless I always wanted the product of pregnancy, I simply wasn’t too keen on enduring almost a year of possible uncontrollable changes to my mind, body and spirit, because it takes every part of you. 

Though all women go through this life changing experience in different ways, mine convinced me that God had a purpose for it. Many saw me smiling and pretty much doing all my usual tasks but behind closed doors reality hit. 

Firstly the battle of morning sickness was terrible until one morning while I endured an episode the words “hold your head up, things are gonna get better” rang through my soul. From that day, almost 4 months in, things did get better. 

I couldn’t drink water without puking so of course I got dehydrated which led to me experiencing IV fluid in my body for the first time. 

I said “eww” to foods people tried cooking for me and hated the scents of many things. 

With every abdominal pain, toothache, headache, depression (yes I encountered that too) and never knowing what I wanted to eat, I began learning tolerance and trust in God. 

All the amazing women around me, from family to doctors didn’t prepare me for this. So here’s a list I’ve decided to share on what you may or may not experience during pregnancy based on my journey & some of the research I constantly had to do. Hopefully it helps you especially if you’re a first time mom. 

List: 

Take your prenatal, drink water to avoid dehydration and look out for gestational diabetes, which you can also develop. That sugar test isn’t pleasant. Take some Tums at nights to keep all that acidic juices at bay. 

Weight gain: Your eyes may deceive you into thinking your clothes still fit till you try them on. Be ready for that reality check! Also your hair may or may not grow and skin discoloration may occur in some areas. 

Urinary tract infections, dribbling especially at nights, tightness of abdominals and shortness of breath, dizzy / fainting spells. 

Panic while “googling” your symptoms, worrying about your baby being ok. Avoid being too empathetic or listening to the horror stories of other moms including these; they do not have to be part of your story. 

Pelvic stretches, round ligaments pains, coupled with kicks in your vagina from the inside from your growing “footballer?”

Heat episodes, decrease in your bowel functions, which can cause difficulty in passing gas, which leads to more pain. 

All in all do not be too quick to panic or worry about what you experience just research or ask your doctor. You’ll be surprised to discover it is actually a symptom and could be normal! 

Don’t worry there are some benefits to being pregnant: 

Benefits: you’ll skip the long lines and get many favors, people will give up their seat for you, offer to help you most of the time. Look forward to and appreciate it all! 

His story:

Guys you have to be her best friend, “midwife”, and husband. You have to deal with the mood swings and rejection of your best cooking. Take up the cleaning when she is too weak to get it done. 

Get peed on during the intense vomiting since you’ll need to hold her up sometimes while she vomits. 

It can be a very lonely walk for a woman to endure hence you need to be there for spiritual and emotional support. 

Take time out to go to the doctor’s appointments and bring her lunch and snacks. Offer massages while being flexible with the sex, which should be very often especially closer to the due date. However be patient and understanding if she’s not in the mood. 

Take her for walks in the afternoons or mornings and laugh at the people who may be driving by and looking at you strangely. Most of all, be there for your wife and child the best you can because it really takes two to have a child. 

Note: The above may not be your experiences but if they are at least you’ll know that they are part of the journey and you won’t freak out like I did. 

Be sure to have your doctor, mother, big sisters or anyone you trust who knows about the journey on speed dial to get advice and to keep your anxiety at bay. 

Get a pregnancy pillow, schedule those pedicure sessions, keep your camera close to record baby’s peep shows, if you’re like me you’ll want those. Have fun with it, read, sing, talk to your baby. Pray for and with your baby, schedule a unique photo shoot, go for a swim in the pool or sea. Laugh at the embarrassing moments. Moisturize you skin from the day you know that you’re pregnant. Style your hair and take care of yourself because you don’t just want to be pregnant you want to look good doing it too! 

Psalms 127:3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,

    offspring a reward (F) from him.

  

Tummy painting Done By Selena Luwaisa

Photography By Z W Creative Media

Outfit Design Netisha Alie-Grant

Outfit sewn by Kams Fashion 
Hair By De-trendz Beauty Salon
Make up Instructed by DecAyer Beauty 

Special Thanks to my sis Jackie for being at the shoot! 

Death, Do you fear it or look forward to it?

Written by Netisha Alie-Grant 

(Author of Inspirational Book Walking a Two-Way Street) 

We tend to live fearlessly until every once in a while death comes around to remind us that we are not immortal and unless Jesus comes back now, death will come.

Listen to Podcast Here! 

A day or two ago I sat and looked at a cemetery  across the road and thought, "hey maybe living next to a cemetery isn’t such a bad thing." It gave me a fresh perspective of the idea. Seeing a cemetery while you go on living is a good reminder, like the many bodies there, of the possible fate you’ll eventually have. Maybe in doing so, one won’t forget to live like they cannot die and be a bit more humble. Perhaps they’ll live a little less selfishly and above others considering that the ground is reserved for no specific status.

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Death, how can one find comfort in such a ‘dreadful’ experience for humans? Some are living and praying to die, believing it will be the ending to their hurt or suffering. Others fear the very idea of it and some, shrug at it as just something that happens just like growing up. -Naturally! Yet when this occurs, especially to someone you love, it plays strongly on the strings of your emotions, as if the world  stops turning and finding the hope to even keep on living can be a luxury. Where can those who are left behind to continue the race of life begin again after a fellow ‘runner’ has fallen? 

Jesus the greatest man who ever lived, came into this world to die. In His death came a new beginning where His spirit was released from His flesh and reconciled with the Father. In John 12:20 - 35 Jesus predicts His death to His disciples and says to them in verse 24. "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces MANY seeds." NIV What was Jesus saying about death using this very apparent example that we all experience? He knew that as long as He was still in human form he could only be with some of His brothers and sisters at a time but in dying, He would be opening the doorway to give every human a chance to experience Him no matter where we are, all at once. He confirms that in verse 32. saying "when I be lifted up from this earth I will draw ALL men onto me..."

Looking at death from Jesus' experience is a way to find comfort in the whole thing.Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 says to rejoice in death and cry at birth. 2. that ...'death is the destiny of everyone." NIV Revelation 21:1 - 8 describes a New Heaven and a New Earth. The author gives a vivid description of what it will be like. Verse 2 "...I saw a Holy City, ...prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband," and God will be with His chosen people. -verse 4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the OLD order of things has passed away."  Isn't that amazing news? 

This death is our doorway to the beautiful after life, we can enjoy life on earth as Jesus came so we can have it in abundance, but because of sin, death roams this earth and it will pass away. Yet hope remains for those in Christ Jesus. This is a Hope that many of us can hold on to today when we lose a love in Christ Jesus, for those who die in Christ are considered asleep and so we, knowing that Jesus died and rose again,..."even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Such a great victory over the grave! 

I recently had a friend who lost his mom to dreadful cancer, and his comment expressed 'even though we fasted and prayed, God give and he takes... and we truly find comfort in knowing you are in a better place...' Death is obviously difficult for us. Losing someone you love isn't easy, but if you knew, like my friend did, that they died in Christ then you need not 'grieve as the rest with no hope..." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

The question I leave us all with is this: Some will taste death while some will not before Christ's return, either way, are we preparing to transition in Christ? How we die, In Christ or in sin will make the difference. 

John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her; "I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me, shall never die. Do you believe this?" 

May the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace! 

Comforting Verses about death: 1 corinthians 15:51:57, Romans 8:38-39 and John 11:25-26