SCRIP-BITS

Matthew 28:18     And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
 
Ah Friends, another icon of West Indian entertainment has sadly departed this life. Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell MBE (Nov. 1954 – Sept. 1010) went to join the Saints in God’s country yesterday at the young age of 55. We all knew him as Arrow, the always joyful and jubilant performer, and will forever remember him every time we sing or party to his biggest hit; ‘Hot, Hot, Hot.’ Yes Friends, unfortunately Arrow died of that dreaded current scourge, cancer, in his native Montserrat surrounded by friends and family. He was undoubtedly one of the influential and creative entertainers that put Soca on the world stage, adding a different vibe to it by including other Caribbean genres and a North American sound that made it more appealing to many listeners, but also created many dissenters. But like him or not, you can’t deny that he played a very prominent part in making West Indian music internationally acclaimed. And though he had a vast catalogue of material, his legacy will forever be associated with ‘Hot, Hot, Hot.’ My favourite memory of that song is one night, way back when, at a concert in Shaw Park in Tobago, when the Baker Bros. Disco started jamming it, a group of us in the stands began beating our bottles and spoons and chanting; ‘Hot, Hot, Hot,’ while a cool breeze from the nearby ocean washed over us, reducing the heat. Oh the irony of it all! Anyway Arrow, mih son, we’ll certainly miss your vibrant, scintillating music and your pleasant smile, but we’ll never forget you. And I’m sure you’ll soon be musically engaged with the other musicians in that great orchestra in the sky. And having said goodbye to Arrow, we’ll share some words of another once powerful human being; Winston Churchill, who reputedly said: ‘A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.’ Now my brethren, that’s gospel, but it’s also one of the serious problems that’s afflicting our world today. They’re simply too many fanatics, spreading too much fanaticism! Everybody has some cause they’re willing to talk, fight or even die for. And sadly, we all want to hang on to these dreams, ideas or beliefs too strenuously although we know that they’re unworkable, unfair and even foolish. But we simply believe what we believe and convince ourselves that nobody, or nothing’s going to change our mind. Ah mih people, that’s one of the things causing so much strife and confusion in our already disaster filled world. And unless we do something about it soon, the whole pot, no it’s too big to be just a pot, the whole cauldron is liable to bubble up and boil over into a vast conflagration. However, no one wants to give up their cherished cause or belief, figuring that it’s the right one. But Friends, nothing will change if nobody wants to change their mindset or relax their hold on whatever is causing the division. The divide will only widen, causing the strife and confrontation to get worse. Let’s take a quick overview of what’s currently happening: There are several religions in the world, each with different sects or groups that don’t see eye to eye, so they’re in dissension. In politics, it’s all about personal and party power, while the good of the country and its people are banished to the sidelines. The world leaders can’t agree on much of anything though they hold annual summits. They only come up with minor agreements that are mostly never implemented. And the little that get’s done, makes little difference. Then we have the social set up of the societies, with each leader touting their personal favourite. So we have supposed democracy, socialism, communism, dictatorships and various combinations of the above, but within each aspect, there are various positions along the continuum, held by various people, so the high degree of strife and dissension we’re now seeing is unavoidable. Oh Friends, the only answer to this divisive society is for us, the six billion souls on the planet to truly and sincerely worship and serve the ONE TRUE GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the Creator, Ruler, Provider and Safe Keeper of our universe. Anything else is totally worthless. That’s because His rule is the ONLY ONE that preaches PEACE and LOVE as the basic tenets, and they are the essential elements needed to end any form of strife and dissension. Why do you think Jesus’ last directions and instructions to His disciples were: ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’  (Mat.28:18-20) Yes my people, that’s our direction, our orders, our bounden duty; to spread the Word all over the world, so that God’s children will be unified and live in peace and harmony. Oh yes, it’s definitely a tall order, but remember we’re not alone, God is always with us, in the form of His Holy Spirit, and ANYTHING is possible in this world if the Lord God Jehovah is involved. So let’s boost our faith, stand strong and steadfast and see what we can do about the volatile situation in our world nuh. If each of us did a little more in our own little corner, then the sum of it all would indeed be overwhelming. So may we all get a renewed interest, a renewed vision of Christ in our souls and go out and make it happen! Jesus is depending on us. Till we meet again my people, God willing, walk safely with the Lord. Much LOVE!…the only truly unifying force in the universe…JESUS…!