“You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring’” – Acts 17:20, 28 The signal of climate change and the resulting deleterious impact of …
“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.” – Genesis 26: 12-13 Last week on Wednesday and Friday respectively, I made presentations to audiences at the Rotary Club of Barbados …
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” – Psalm 23: 4 In parallel with the heightened concerns of the current food and energy crisis, which may not yet have reached its zenith, …
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” – Psalm 23: 4 The price increase crisis with which we are faced in Barbados, other emerging nations and indeed more pervasively throughout the world …
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?” …
“I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all” – Ecclesiastes 9:11 The space available in last week’s …
“I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all” – Ecclesiastes 9:11 The CEO of the Barbados Investment …
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31 In 1977, I made what some thought was the brave step of abandoning the security of University tenure, as a Biometrician, and establishing a business on my own. For me it was what I wanted to do next and I prepared myself …
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, …
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” – Proverbs 29:18 No matter whether a country is small or large, whether it is developed or emerging, whether it is resource rich or resource poor, there will always be a challenge to determine the best policy for …
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” – Psalm 23:4 The Caribbean Community consists of an archipelago of islands and a couple of mainland territories all of which share a British Colonial …
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” – John 15:7 Last week I was on the 10th floor of the Central Bank of Barbados looking down on the roof tops of Bridgetown. I was awaiting the start of …
“Then God said – Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds – and it was so” – Genesis 1:11 Last week we witnessed the official opening of the 2008-2013 parliament which lived up to expectations with its display …
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” – Hebrews 13:17 We have been reflecting on the value of the social …
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” – Hebrews 13:17 Last week we focused on the new political dispensation in …
“But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength burst across the island and blew us out to sea. The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale” – Acts 27:14 -15. This year’s theme in the 2008 calendar of CLICO International …
“You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them” – Genesis 6:21 The inspiration for this column came primarily from a comment on the FAO-Carib-Agri list serve as follows: “Rising food prices in the region have caused a number of …
“When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man’s labour on earth – his eyes not seeing sleep day or night – then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its …
“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. When he said this, he called out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear” – Luke 8:8 The Christmas season has peaked and, after we herald the advent of a New Year, …
“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall.” – 2 Peter 1:10. Barbados is now in election mode. The election will take place on January 15, 2008 and as usual both parties are confident of winning in the …
“If you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be” – Job 8:6,7. The CMEx team, led by Bevan Springer and efficiently supported by Simone Christian in St. Lucia, secured sponsorship primarily …
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” – Genesis 12:2 In last week’s column I reflected on the Prime Minister’s Independence Message on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of Barbados’ Independence. He exhorted his fellow country …
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. ..We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth” – 3 John 1:5,8 Fifteen years ago I began to focus in my writings on an alternative …
“You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you” – Deuteronomy 15:3 Last week, I promised “More anon about how carbon trading is done and how developing countries may benefit”. Well, I was very encouraged by the responses which I received: “Very interesting article. An important topic …
“Then God said: I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food” – Genesis 1:29. There are so many issues of concern in our daily lives, so many decisions to be made but I postulate …
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you…We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth” – 3 John 1: 5, 8. In my last column on Planning and Performance, I extolled the virtues …
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” – Proverbs 21:5 As we discussed in a recent column, the management of small economies in the Caribbean poses a significant challenge especially when the pride of sovereignty militates against the consideration of proposals based on economies of scale. If …
“They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed…and so profane My holy name” – Amos 2:7 One of the gratifying features of writing a weekly column is the diversity of oral and written responses that it elicits from a wide spectrum of …
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” – Proverbs 21:5 The management of small economies in the Caribbean poses a significant challenge especially when the pride of sovereignty militates against the proposals based on economies of scale. If there were one sovereign CARICOM nation, we could experience …
“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today” – Deuteronomy 8:18 There was much interesting global feedback to last week’s column “Education and Poverty”. These comments reflected on “the full …
“Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor” – Proverbs 10: 14-15. If I propose that there is a high negative correlation between education and poverty, I would certainly expect to get general …
“He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord …
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” – John 5:24 I was once asked: “how do I decide on the topic for my weekly column?” Which comes first – the title, …
“Many curry favor with a ruler; and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.” – Proverbs 19:6 It is a common experience how people tend to flock around a generous person. Certainly everyone is a friend to the philanthropist. Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, time, or effort to support …
“Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it” – Deuteronomy 1:17 If one researches business policy as espoused by many governments, in large or small countries, …
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 Faith is the strong belief in God, the controller of human destiny; Hope is a wish with expectation of fulfillment; and Charity is the theological virtue of love directed first toward God but also toward oneself …
“Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!” – 1 Samuel 25:6 Mens sana in corpore sano is a famous Latin quotation, literally translated as “A healthy mind in a healthy body” but often interpreted as “A sound mind in a …
“Aram did business with you because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple fabric, embroidered work, fine linen, coral and rubies for your merchandise” – Ezekiel 27:16 At present, there is a large economic divide between Barbados and First World countries, but this gap can be effectively reduced if we diligently pursue successful business …
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made” – 1 Corinthians 16:2 The savings principle in the above text has far reaching benefits in accumulating …
“Then the LORD said: I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you” – Exodus 34:10. Last week Chairman …
“Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge” – Proverbs 23:12: Brian Lara has now retired and as I have said repeatedly this now provides an opportunity for the West Indies team to begin the reconstruction process. It has nothing to do with Brian Lara’s record and entertainment value as one …
“Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge” – Proverbs 23:12: Whether it is service through a life of public speaking or the regional air carrier LIAT, the key to success is discipline. A well disciplined individual exemplifies the best in character, pattern of behaviour, spiritual strength, moral development and mental …
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not …
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” – 2 Chronicles 1:10 Two weeks ago I was invited to attend a two day regional forum on reinventing Government in the Caribbean mounted by the United Nations Development Programme, the Caribbean Centre …
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” – Galatians 6:9 Last week, I addressed the question “Can the West Indies cricket team management motivate each player to achieve a batting average during the UK tour which is 10%, …
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” – Galatians 6:9 Two weeks ago, I advised that, in the context of a WI cricket captain, the inner or personal qualities of an individual that constitute effective leadership include humility, …
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” – Colossians 4:5-6. Last week, I had a meeting with a UN consultant from Mauritius who is new to the …
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you… Romans 12: 3. Leadership is a key resource which must be effectively utilized …
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” – 2 Corinthians 9:12 Well the Barbados leg of CWC 2007 has arrived. Everybody has come to the party. We must express thanks to God. Ten days ago the Central …
“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you” Job 22:21 Last week I promised to continue the focus on Barbados by looking at a comparison between Barbados and Singapore and to propose some ways in which opportunities and synergies could accrue, learning from the Singapore experience. …
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good and his mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” – Psalm 100: 4-5. In last week’s column, I proposed the challenge “How can we strive for global …
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good and his mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” – Psalm 100: 4-5. We hear tell that Barbados is aspiring to be a first world Nation. How …