David Webster, Author at 1Africa

If faith were a piano

David Webster

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November 30, 2016

I teach music to a wide range of individuals. One of my very young students decided to challenge me in class the other day. She played a note on the piano and loudly declared that it was a B. As much as I loved the confidence and passion with which she put her finger down – as much as I honestly cared about keeping her engaged and not disillusioned – the fact is she was simply wrong. She was playing an F.

When it comes to faith and religion, many people think that their confidence determines whether what they believe is right. If, for a moment, you saw yourself behind the ‘keyboard of faith’ and were asked what you believed, what would you choose to do?

I’ve had some students so afraid of being wrong that they would rather wait for me to show them. Others couldn’t care less about what they are playing and randomly play everything until they hit the right one.

But without the direction and encouragement of their teacher, it wouldn’t matter what approach they took.

There are some very valid arguments when it comes to the subject of God. ‘Is it fair that people could go to hell?’ ‘It’s extremely inconsiderate to say there is only one right way to believe…’ ‘If my intentions are good, then how could I be punished?’

Noise or music?

For me there are two stark elements that people miss when they ask these questions.

1. Our own ignorance
2. The true goal of faith

My students can sit behind the keyboard and play whatever note comes to mind. They can use their hands, their arms, the feet and even bang their head on it – convinced that they are making music. I’ve encountered some stubborn singers who have the same problem. But the truth is, it is only when they realize that what they are doing does not line up with the inspiration that made them want to start that they begin to look for guidance from someone who has experience.

There are many ways to ‘play the piano’, just as there are many ways to ‘be spiritual’. But not all of it lines up with the construct of our soul for the pleasure of others that may be witnesses to it.

If the goal of the student was to make sound from an instrument, then I would be out of a job in the first three seconds of every lesson. In the same way, if the true goal of faith was to believe in something, then it would be great! There are countless studies on how spirituality does enrich your life.

Just like hitting notes with force on a piano might be an emotional release to a certain degree, it is only in the disciplined actions under the guidance of a set structure that you can uniquely express from your soul.

In the same way, our faith needs discipline and it needs structure. Not so that we can be controlled, but so that we can truly express the unique intentions of our soul.

Sweet sounds

One of the main structures we have in music is the concept of Key – it is a formula of combinations of intervals that set a context that is pleasing to the ear. If you start on a random white note and play all the white notes thereafter, you have six possibilities of not playing a major scale. It only works when you start on the note of C.

In the same way, when Jesus claims that he is the only way to God and eternal life He is giving us the most satisfactory, effective place to start – from which every part of our faith can be placed into context and please not only ourselves, but those around us as well.

Christians aren’t perfect. And some have done terrible things in the name of God. But I pity them all the more, because the result of their lives has lost the context from which everything began – the person and sacrifice of Jesus.

If you are frustrated – tired of trying every option, disillusioned by your choices or the judgement of others – then can I encourage you to try starting over with the origin of everything – a relationship with Jesus Christ. What sets Christianity apart is the belief that Jesus is alive and relevant to you. If you choose to believe he is the way, you can truly judge whether life is satisfactory and beneficial not only to yourself, but those around you as well.

A moment of clarity – Selena Gomez

David Webster

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November 25, 2016

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The world of celebrity has reached crazy standards this last year. In an industry where people are seen as role models just due to the fact that they are famous, the cracks have already begun to show.

From the fallout people like Chris Brown and Rihanna to the celebrated honesty of Demi Lovato, the world of stardom has shown the ugly underbelly of idolizing people who are just as broken and desperate as ourselves. Fame has become a burden more than a blessing for many. Justin Bieber took a long time to navigate the realities he faced. Kanye’s recent breakdown and the cancellation of his tour is a fresh reminder of the pressure and fallibility of the human condition when – more than ever – the whole world is watching.

In the recent MTV Video Music Awards, however, there was a moment of clarity that is rare in today’s media. In 2014, Selena Gomez revealed that she had been diagnosed with lupus – which incorporates many diseases to do with the inflammation of skin. Side effects, however, are depression and anxiety. In August, Selena cancelled her world tour to tackle the emotional side of her diagnosis. And in her acceptance speech for Best Female Pop/Rock Artist, she opens up about her struggle.

Honesty trumps image every time – even on a stage where everyone is fighting to be memorable. Selena’s sincere moment was a complete ‘blindside’ amongst all the crazy and sordid moments that preceded and followed. She even alluded to the fact that she doesn’t mind if people don’t believe her.

As one of the most successful female stars in the industry, it must have taken a large amount of bravery for Selena to stop and address her own demons. The world today is obsessed with what we do – rather than who we are. The fact is, what the world sees is only sustainable longterm if the source is looked after.

How is your soul? Are you feeling the weight of keeping everything together while struggling internally? The burden will just get heavier. As Selena Gomez says, “You don’t have to stay broken.” There is a God who shoulders our burdens and cares about who you are before anything you do. If you are looking for a way out – for support that will enable you to find strength – click on the link below.

Endurance training

David Webster

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November 23, 2016

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It’s the beginning of the end… Not the end of civilization (as many are saying with regards to the Trump administration) – just the end of 2016, which will probably go down in history as one of the strangest in modern times. From the American election to Brexit, the Local election transition of power and widespread student unrest – it’s been a year where things have not seemed to ever settle into a consistent pace.

I’m not going to lie. Personally the last year has been one of the hardest I’ve ever endured. At the same time it is one of the most purposeful. Looking back at it, I have come to realize that it’s probably the only way life truly works: the harder the fight, the sweeter the victory. The more important the outcome is, the deeper you will have to dig. The more ground you take, the more resistance you will face.

I know for a fact that I was made for progress. I believe you were made to change the world as well. But doing something new – being who you are truly made to be – requires discomfort and endurance. Working with young adults, many try to fight the tough reality of life; but the truth is, responsibility, pressure and purpose are only going to grow exponentially in the years to come. So we all might as well buckle down and set the right precedents in our lives.

This is how I have got through this year. I hope it helps you as well:

Set non-negotiable

This year is a perfect example of what life can throw at you. You never know what tomorrow holds. Something really good or something really terrible could happen, but if we anchor ourselves to key non-negotiables then – no matter what – you will continue to grow. These non-negotiables need to be things that hold to a bigger picture than your current situation. This is so that they can constantly remind you that after facing the challenges you might think are overwhelming, you will be okay.

My non-negotiables: time with God every day, serve at church every Sunday (I did miss one this year because I was sick), connect with people who are important to me once a week and encourage at least two people every week.

All of these things have held me steady in the winds of job insecurity, sickness, financial frustration and family struggles. As well as the challenges of leading in a new capacity, carrying a business in transition and hustling in studios past midnight every week.

You need people. Chase down meaningful relationships

No matter how much you try to control your own life, it is impossible without the support of others. Pride can very easily parade itself as independence or fear in your life. I know that the times where I very nearly did give up this year were in moments when I did not include other people into the ‘conversation’ of my thought life and emotional challenges.

This is by no means easy. In fact, the times when I don’t want to engage with people are the times where I have to discipline myself to ask for help. In the past I have not allowed myself to value what God has given me, but that is as much pride as someone who tries to claim it as their own doing. The more I have learnt to value what God has given me to steward in life, the more unapologetic and urgent I have become in asking for support. What God has called me for is more important than any awkwardness or sense of shame that I might have to push past to engage with people.

People I want on the journey with me: people who have lived longer than me, who I admire, who I honor and respect. People who will speak honestly and address issues in my life.

Sometimes I have sat around waiting for someone to notice me. But life is too short. It’s always in our court. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the guys I have submitted my life to.

Grace is a necessity

God gives us grace for the journey. He is never going to give us something that we cannot handle. If you truly believe that, then it takes away a big portion of the issues you face. In fact, it all comes down to trusting God consistently. No matter how stressful we allow the issues to be, we will live through it. But I have learnt that I determine how much the external influences of my life affect my soul. The quicker you turn to God in the face of struggle, the easier it is to have grace that enables you to walk through it.

I am finishing this year stronger, more passionate about life and definitely confident that I did all I could to steward what I have been given. But without God, I can guarantee that life would be a very different experience for me. The non-negotiable of spending time with God every day – meditating on his word and praying – has at times been the only thing that has kept me going. If you want to know what a relationship with God could do for your life, click on the link below.

New Music: John Mark McMillan

David Webster

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November 18, 2016

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From the heart-rending anthem ‘How He Loves’ that took the world by storm, through to the simple atmospheric expressionism of ‘Future/Past’, John Mark McMillan has been a unique figure in the music industry. As an artist that has refused to be categorized – despite his deep Christian conviction and impact – his craft has allowed him to be transcendent.

His new album – Mercury & Lightning – will be dropping in early 2017, but his first two singles have already been released and lean in a very interesting direction. What I have grown to appreciate about McMillan is his ability to use biblical content that highlights our humanity in a truly expressive way – not confining it to the ‘traditional’ context of praise and worship. If worship is a lifestyle, his music could be the soundtrack.

Unlike modern-day worship that focusses on the corporate and is interested in theological establishment, McMillan writes like the original Psalms – exploring the tensions of humanity within the context of a worldview that embraces God. It connects on a human level emotionally with anyone that might come across his music. It is as if the purpose is to empathise rather than inspire. Collaborations with worship artists, such as Kim Walker Smith, still place him within the Christian context, but don’t limit his craft, as it has some others in the industry.

Stylistically, listening to John Mark McMillan also defies direct categorization. There is a definite folk, borderline country feel to some of his earlier tracks, while the experimentation on his Borderland album takes a more atmospheric turn. Judging on the releases of ‘No Country’ and ‘Wilderlove’, there seems to be a progression into the Americana, soft rock style while still holding down a folk-like vocal and lyric approach. Check out ‘Wilderlove’ below.

The only thing he gave the director Jared Hogan is the word ‘conflict’. And within the somewhat disjointed and random montage of the video, I think this brief is achieved – whether it be the dancing shirtless old guy or the dog on a light-up dance floor.

When asked about the reference for the song, McMillan spoke about the tension and conflict we encounter as human beings. Some have speculated that the term ‘wilderlove’ (not a real word in the dictionary) refers to the wilderness carnal love can draw us into – speculating it could be our tendency to get lost in the wastelands of our own desires. Whether that is the true intention will never be truly clear. Judging by McMillan’s conversations it is clear that the music, as art, needs to speak for itself; there is no wrong interpretation, as long as people can identify with it.

Taking a look at his second single – released five days ago – there could be a question about commentary on the American election. But at the same time it could be a reference to the indifference of society to the struggles of fellow ‘citizens’.

When it comes to knowing Jesus, it is not a logical decision. The concept of having a relationship with a God that is beyond the borders of all we know, yet present in every element of life can be troublesome for many cannot explain. But I know that Jesus cares deeply for us. He brings with him a worldview that needs to be deeply personal before it can be externally expressed. This is where I can appreciate John Mark McMillan’s music. It embraces a simple truth that is universal: Life is messy. And God wants to get his hands dirty to help you through it. If you want to know more about him, click on the link below.

If social media were real life…

David Webster

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November 16, 2016

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In the light of recent events and discussions read on social media, I started to think about what it must look like from someone who had never experienced it before.

Jon was a quiet soul. He didn’t have many friends – mainly because he did not have a cellphone. Living out on the edge of a high mountain, he never felt the urge to look at small things. The people he met, the changing landscape of the land below and the high sky above him held enough detail for him to stay interested for a lifetime.

But one day, Jon heard a strange kind of noise coming from the town. It was like a muted roar of the river – but much more irregular and diverse in pitch and tone. As he ventured towards the town, he saw two of his friends fighting. One of them – Don – was from a different land, while the other – Lu – was a daughter of the mayor. As he got closer, Jon was disgusted by what they were shouting at each other. He could not understand how they could be so heartless. As Don consistently attacked Lu for not knowing what was beyond her town, many others who had come from afar laughed in agreement as she reeled with astonishment and indignation. But then she would fight back, threatening Don’s safety and warning him about her connection to her father. Lacing her words with many sayings of the disapproving elders of the town, she became uglier and meaner than Jon had ever known.

The sound had grown considerably as he entered the town. Refusing to linger long enough to be expected to take sides, he moved towards the local store only to be met by a whole lot of people running amok in the street. Fights had broken out in many of the buildings lining the street – people were viciously beating each other up, while others were standing on balconies shouting at those below. It didn’t take long to realize that those below were listening to those shouting at them. One lady’s blood-curdling voice seemed to dominate and sent chills down Jon’s spine. But he watched as two boys pulled her down and gagged her, so that their father’s booming voice could take command.

Jon desperately wanted to stop everything just for a moment, so that they would realize how terrible things had become. He wondered how all of this could have started. These were neighbors and family friends. Yes, there had always been disagreements, but that made the town a community that was unique and accepting to outsiders – like Don. It never led to this kind of one-tracked dogged violence.

Jon was particularly surprised and upset when he saw friends who were truly gentle souls mercilessly hitting, scratching, kicking and shoving under the threats and goading of their family. As a man fell under the force of one of Jon’s classmates wielding a bat, her family cheered – unable to see the tears in her eyes as she hit him again and again and again. Her name was Jes. Jon had remembered liking her for over a year. Once the man had stopped moving, he caught her gaze. She recognized him and seemed to snap out of it. He could see her confusion and anger. But the terror of what she was doing wilted when she saw a woman hold a gun towards her father’s head. She started shouting new orders and Jes was lost to the fracas once again – frantically obeying for the sake of her father.

He turned around in disappointment and made his way back home. He wanted to help those who were bleeding, but they were too busy fighting whoever seemed to come towards them. He no longer knew the faces he had grown up with. Leaving the town, he knew that life would never be the same.

The world seems to have decided it has permission to lose the plot these days. People who are used to getting their way have had a reckoning. The assumption of ‘moral high-ground’ has become more relative than ever. The balance of policy and personality has completely toppled in the mind of a population used to receiving their opinions from the loudest voice. Instead of the issue of justice becoming a uniting goal, it has become a gauntlet arena – where supporters can determine the fate of peoples’ lives from the comfort of their ‘moral high ground’.

The truth is, the only person who has a perspective that is accurate and not manipulated on any issue is God. He knows the history, circumstance and makeup of each individual involved in the most complex situations. I wonder what the world would be like if instead of fixating on the problems, we looked to God first. If you want to know what his heart is for you and for this world, click on the link below.

Alicia Keys: HERE

David Webster

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November 11, 2016

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Alicia Keys has always had an appeal to wide audiences. With a soulful expression and honed skill, she has become to this generation, what Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell did in their heyday. Music has become an arsenal for her to promote conscious engagement with the issues of society. This is more apparent than ever in her new album – HERE, which dropped last week.

This awesome catalogue has been masterfully shaped into a journey of experience. As someone who celebrates unique expression that communicates specific truth, she has definitely reminded that somewhat fickle ‘pop’ genre what music can actually do for people.

In between the ‘hero songs’ lie five interlude tracks that frame the following set of songs. Whether it be setting the scene for ‘The Gospel’ – a personal representation of where Keys came from – or highlighting racial injustice that transitions into an empowering plaudits of conscious engagement, these tracks are instrumental in directing the listener towards her closing argument. This comes in the form of ‘Hallelujah’ – which has a poignant practicality that pulls the listener into a present ‘perspective’.

Launched with a short film with the same title as the second song – ‘The Gospel’ – Keys has produced a worldview that cannot be ignored. You get to see inside her experiences and opinions and grow your own worldview in the process.

One song that can truly sum up the album and embodies the genius of both accessible, inventive music and focussed lyric is ‘Holy War’. Check the Lyric Video out below.

In an age of The Chainsmokers, the ever more sordid DNCE and ‘pop princesses’ that seem to have lost their perspective, this album is a relic to the soul – and an engagement that will leave you richer, if not challenged to improve personally. This is art at its highest form – filled to the brim with meaning that is as accessible as it is weighty. It has been a very long time since I have encountered something so well-crafted and artfully presented. In my opinion, well crafted music is the perfect package for the most tentative of issues – and can bring about a consciousness that has the potential to redirect your whole world from within.

Having faith and believing in a cause is central to Alicia Keys’ perspective. I personally want to invite you to find that relationship that sets you up to engage with the world in a meaningful, impactful way. I believe Jesus’ love is an instrumental part of transformation – both personally and in society. Click on the link below to find out more.

Jesus needs to be a firsthand experience

David Webster

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November 9, 2016

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Jesus needs to be a firsthand experience

Have you ever recounted something hilarious that you experienced and no one was able to share it? No matter how much you try ‘set the scene’, your audience will never fully be able to appreciate your experience. I have encountered a similar frustration when going to different countries. No matter how much you try to show pictures or expound on details of your trip, people only leave appreciating how much it impacted you. The truth is, firsthand experience will always be the most ideal and most effective way to live.

This is true when it comes to God as well.

Firsthand experience is unforgettable

Do you remember the first time you told someone you liked them? Your first live concert? Your first cell phone? That first time you watched Mufasa die?

The truth is, your experience is connected to you in a bond that is not easily broken. When you experience something for yourself, it is immediately personal. It immediately evokes emotion and heightens your senses that will define your life (to varying degrees) thereafter. I remember jumping out of a swing when I was a three year old and landing face-first on the freshly-cut lawn a few meters away. To this day I feel nauseous when I smell grass. Experience empowers memory more than anything else could.

Firsthand experience is irrefutable

One of the biggest problems with a world accustomed to living online is that there is a whole lot of opinion and information. Yes, it is all coming from individual experiences, but it can very easily be misinterpreted. And in many cases people will project their own experience onto whatever they are reading. I can read about the new introduction of Dunkin Donuts in South Africa. I can look at pictures of their menu and specials. I can speak to people who have been. I can watch videos of people being served in the store. But all of it is still a fictitious construct of my imagination until I actually show up and smell the baking dough, taste the fresh donut and engage with the person at the till face to face. Up until that point, I have no authority in promoting or having an opinion about Dunkin Donuts South Africa.

That is why it has really upset me when people have taken to social media to create -and then express – their worldview. If you haven’t had firsthand experience, you have no true foundation for belief. On the other hand, if you have had a personal experience – no one can tell you that you did not have it. It is irrefutable.

Firsthand experience requires sober perspective

In my second month of having my drivers license, a car almost drove into me. The guy was driving over 160km and I turned in front of him, not able to judge the speed at which he was approaching. He stopped dead in front of me, jumped out and began to yell some pretty antagonistic words at me. Some of the passengers in the car were responding in anger as well, but they couldn’t see that he was actually crying. In that moment I just kept a straight face and watched the man climb into his car, speed around the corner and turn into the hospital. There is no doubt that he was extremely emotional and in a hurry to get to a loved one.

My firsthand experience may have been abuse – grossly unfair and inflammatory at that – but my perspective helped me interpret what was really going on. All of us are human. Bad things happen. We all make wrong decisions. We are all oblivious to certain situations. There is nothing more dangerous than building your life on firsthand experience that you choose to internalize before you analyze it. You can see it in almost every Marvel villain – their downfall comes out of a terrifying firsthand experience as a child.

Jesus needs to be a firsthand experience for you

You can listen to hundreds of sermons, read all the right books, do all the right things, sing all the right songs and pray all the right prayers. But I can tell you from my own experience, that these things will leave you feeling hollow and frustrated – questioning Christianity and God.

You could have been abused or disgusted by people who call themselves Christians. You might have looked at a person who claims to know God and not want any part of their lifestyle. Firstly, I can tell you that the label on the front does not always mean the contents is the same. I have met – and have been – an empty vessel with the label ‘Christian’ on my life.

Jesus is still available for you to experience him for yourself – not through the words, lifestyles and opinions of others. I have a relationship with Jesus that is personal and deeply real. It has nothing to do with anyone around me. It is a private, extremely deep connection that has defined my whole existence. It may seem impossible, but if you are up for it, try Jesus for yourself. Click on the link below to find out more.

When life pushes the ‘reset button’

David Webster

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November 4, 2016

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Two days ago my good old faithful laptop decided permanently retire. I stood in the Mac Repair store where the post-mortem confirmed that it would not be pulling a ‘Lazarus’ and coming back to life. To be honest, it has been a very interesting experience. As a writer, composer and teacher, my laptop played an integral part of my life – not to forget all the Netflix and YouTube that would provide me with downtime entertainment. One of the biggest issues is that I have lost a considerable amount of original music projects and a few chapters of a book I was writing. But that considered there has been a weird ‘peace’ about life.

Feeling lost

In the last two days, the world has seemed a whole lot more colourful. Time feels more laboured and slower than before. Yes, there have also been moments of frustration and desperation (I’m currently writing this on a friend’s laptop), but I have found that I was way more dependent on my computer than I really needed to be. Without a doubt it feels like I have lost a limb. It’s fair to say that there are ‘phantom itches’ where I am slowly realising what is not possible to do anymore. A personal computer is an item of convenience, not a basic need.

New beginnings

In many ways, it feels like life has just pushed a giant ‘reset’ button on my existence. And with that comes a whole host of new possibilities. There’s nothing more exciting than a clean slate. You can agonise without end about what you may have lost. You can wrestle with regret or frustration, but there is a better way to focus your energy: look at what is possible. Use the change of scenery to change your perspective on what you are doing. Questions like ‘what could life look like’ can take on a whole new level of significance now that you are no longer stuck in your normal.

Stepping up or stepping off?

It has been a sobering and refreshing experience to see how objects have defined my life. Now that things have changed, there is no use fighting it. My laptop was a gift that has blessed me for the last two years. I am grateful for that. But at the same time, I am also more determined than ever to work myself into a place where I can afford a new one. My choice is simply: do I become desperate or determined? Watch this space.

If you feel like you need a fresh start – if life is feeling stale and limiting, can I encourage you to look to something bigger than yourself? God is the master of ‘resetting’ our lives. He made you with intention and knows exactly how to lead you into a life that is as exciting as it is meaningful. You may also be overwhelmed by the situations life has cornered you into. In that case, God is the only way you can progress. The only reason I have peace is because I know God has got me – he knows what I need and will provide when it is the right time. Click on the link below if you want to know God personally.

Jesus had no time for religion

David Webster

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November 2, 2016

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“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world…” John 17:15

Growing up, I came to realise there was a certain wariness Christians had towards the world. In the late 80’s and early 90’s there was a conservative section of the church that emphasised abstinence from all things ‘secular’ to a fault. If you want an interesting look into that world you can check out Katy Perry’s movie – in many ways it pushed her to pursue pop and abandon her parent’s convictions.

As far as the Bible goes, however, Jesus never wanted people to be separated from the world. In fact, he says later on in the passage above “I have sent them into the world”.

There should not be any kind of divide between Christianity and humanity. Making a decision to know Jesus is one of the most human things you can do. Relationship with God was the original design for our beings.

Divided by differences

But unfortunately religion has sought to highlight the differences in people rather than be more intentional in connecting with them. The result is a fractured society – with one side ‘playing church’ and trying to live up to the standards religion has assigned to the label ‘Christian’, while the other side is desperately looking for love while being rejected by the very people that are meant to give it.

This struggle has frustrated me for over a decade. Being in a Christian school that was a ministry of the church my parents were part of, I was constantly in a ‘Christian’ environment, but saw no relevance in what we did. The fear of certain people in authority of things that seemed ‘worldly’ also made us as children extremely fearful of those who did not share our beliefs – or completely rebellious in many cases.

What would Jesus do?

Jesus was intentional about hanging with people that weren’t religious. He ate with tax collectors (corrupt Jewish leaders that cheated their own people in the name of Rome), prostitutes, beggars and thieves. This upset the religious people of the day because Jesus cared more about those who needed help than those who were doing ‘all the right things’. The problem lay in their focus:

Jesus focussed on others
They focussed on themselves

Knowing Jesus means loving people despite of their beliefs, actions, status or difference to you. I have met many people who simply want nothing to do with God because of how they have been treated by ‘Christians’ who have the wrong focus. The goal is not to quarantine yourself until Jesus comes so you can go to heaven. That is a pretty sorry way to live. The goal is to love and express God’s heart for EVERYONE while you still have the opportunity.

If Christianity has left a bad taste in your mouth. If you have been offended or alienated by people claiming to know Jesus, I want to apologise. No matter how much they may try to deceive themselves, no one is perfect except Jesus himself. I hope people’s human fault won’t be the barrier that keeps you from knowing the most relevant force of love you will ever encounter. Jesus cares about you and wants you to know it. If you want to know what true Christianity is truly about, click on the link to find out more.

Monocle: How to make a nation

David Webster

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October 28, 2016

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Monocle is one of the top companies when it comes to positive literature in the world today. Whether you subscribe to their monthly magazines or follow them online (check them out by clicking here), they always produce current, relevant content that expands your worldview while appealing to the fundamental desire for a world that actually works.

One of their more recent offerings, however, has taken it to a whole new level. As a Christian in Africa, I believe that it is my mandate – and the mandate for a whole lot of other people – to build our respective nations. Monocle has released a comprehensive and extremely broad-covering coffee table book in which they tackle this very topic in How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide.

What I love is the celebration of diversity that is represented in the pages. There are multiple articles focussing on what DOES work instead of what doesn’t. Check the promo out below:

Not just pretty pictures

You cannot help growing your perspective when you take time to read through this publication. Not only do you find yourself accepting the differences of others, but also seeing where you, and your nation, sits within the patchwork group of continents we call earth.

In a time when national and societal problems can overwhelm us, it is refreshing to read something so innovative and intentionally constructive. I wish I could buy every single person a copy. It would be worth the cost just for hope it could instill.

If you are looking for hope. If you need a break from the bad. If you need to see the relevance of your daily struggle, it is scientifically proven that focussing your thoughts on God can change your stress levels. If we need healthy nations, we needs healthy souls – leading others to healing. Jesus is an essential part of that journey. Click on the link below if you want to find out how He changes not only your perspective, but the world you live in.

David Webster

Noise or music?

Sweet sounds

Set non-negotiable

You need people. Chase down meaningful relationships

Grace is a necessity

Firsthand experience is unforgettable

Firsthand experience is irrefutable

Firsthand experience requires sober perspective

Jesus needs to be a firsthand experience for you

Feeling lost

New beginnings

Stepping up or stepping off?

Divided by differences

What would Jesus do?

Not just pretty pictures

Connect with us