Issue 1: The Brain Issue

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input / output

the brain issue

EDITION 1June 2008

what’s inside?

renewing the mind

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9

hiqsvzOUDo not conform

yourselves to the

standards of this world, but let God

transform you inwardly by a com

plete

change of your mind. Then you will be able

to know the will of God - what is good and is

pleasing to him and is perfect.

9Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God

transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able

to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

Romans 12:12

Editors Message

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Dear reader

I am so excited to be writing the editorial for the first edition of Illumin8. From the first moment the idea was

suggested, I had absolute certainty that this concept was from God and it is a conviction that has been confirmed

numerous times. But before I get ahead of myself, let me explain what Illumin8 is!

Illumin8 is a mini-mag created with the aim of sharing the incredible stories of what God is doing in the lives of

young adults. It's about sharing testimonies and lessons learnt that are real, applicable and relative to twenty

somethings living in South Africa. It's about God calling people to use the gifts He has given them, and those

people responding to His urging. It's about giving the glory back to God. It's about hope, truth and light!

The idea was born during a Skype chat session that I was having with Leanne one day. It was just an ordinary day,

just an ordinary chat. We've both seen how much God has done in the small group of people we meet with weekly

in our home group. We decided that these miracles need to be shared and so Illumin8 came into being. Initially we

thought it was going to be a news letter for our cell group but then we thought – why restrict it? Why not share it with anyone we

know who might enjoy having a look at it (even if it's just for the kick ass layout and design)? God has taken a passing comment

and transformed it into what you are now reading as the first of what we hope will be a long chain of earth shattering,

awe-inspiring, peace inducing, love creating and joy spreading minimags! During our initial brainstorming session, we

settled on the name Illumin8 (with an 8!) and as youwill see many of the sections continue with this theme. Some research

by Katy revealed that biblically 8 is the number representing new beginnings! How appropriate as God has used Illumin8

to inject new life into our spiritual lives and fading friendships. We hope and pray that Illumin8 will bring a spark of life or

energy into the areas your life that need resuscitating the most.

So without further ado, allow me to introduce our staff:

There is me, Lucy, who is the editor in chief. There are Leanne and Katy who are the layout designers.

There is Hayley who is our foreign correspondent living in London. And that's about it at this stage….!

Because this is our first edition, each section is going to have a brief description on what you can expect to find.

For example – this is the editorial and you can expect to find my thoughts, whether you want them or not!

We know that God has great plans for this offering that we dedicate to Him. Please feel free to forward it to

whoever you want and look at the Communic8 section for details on how to join our mailing list.

Wishing you a June filled with God's love and richest blessings!

Lucy

It's about sharing

testimonies and

lessons learnt that are

real, applicable and

relative to twenty

somethings living in

South Africa. It's about

God calling people to use

the gifts He has given

them, and those people

responding to His urging.

It's about giving the glory

back to God. It's about

hope, truth and

light!

1

“He broke the power of death and

the way to life and immortality through the Good News” - 2 Timothy 1:10b

illuminated

mContents

1. Grey Matters- Lucy Goodwin

2. 8 Brainwashing Techniques- Katy Breytenbach

3. Testify - Lucy Goodwin

4. Hayley’s Comment - Hayley Brett

5. Double Take - Leanne Barnard

6. Elev8- Katy Breytenbach

7. Elev8 Prayer Calendar- Katy Breytenbach

8. In the Spotlight- Leanne Barnard

9. Fascin8- Leanne Barnard

10. Stimul8- Leanne Barnard & Lucy Goowin11. Cre8tive Corner- Cornelius Smit

Illumin8 - Edition 1 - June 2008

Communic8We want to hear from you!

2

r

s

Should you wish to communicate with us, please email us at

[email protected]. You can use this address to send us

feedback, to submit testimonies and to ask us to add you to our mailing

list.

All past editions of Illumin8 (when we have more than one that is!) can be

viewed at [email protected]. However, you will need to

create an account before you can view these. We've created a file to walk

you through creating a Google Account, which we've attached to the

same email from which you received this edition of Illumin8.

We also have a Facebook group you can join if you want to communicate

with other readers or post comments. Look for illumin8!!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

EM

AIL

GO

OG

LE

G

RO

UP

SFA

CE

BO

OK

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr Seuss

* see our terms for submitting content (page15)

I read an article the other day about being a twenty

something and all the challenges it brings with it.

Having started my first job in February this year I

could relate to so much of it. The last two months

have been a roller coaster of ups and downs. I've

had days when I feel like I can conquer the world

followed by days when I'm not sure I'm capable of

making myself a decent cup of tea! The positive

affirmations and negative criticisms have been

battling it out for territory in my mind

and I have to confess that initially

the baddies had the upper hand! I

was really starting to lose hope and

the joy was seeping out of my spirit

when slowly the tide started to turn.

It all began with Romans 12:12:

“Do not conform yourselves to the

standards of this world, but let God

transform you inwardly by a complete change of

your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of

God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is

perfect”. (GNB)

I read that verse and I went forward on the lookout for

ways that God was changing me by altering my

mind.

The first time it happened I was training in a different

city and waking up at 5 am every morning to sit in

crawling traffic for two hours to get there. It was really

taking it out of me and I would get to work everyday

and rant and rave for at least 15 minutes about taxis

and bad drivers. I would then feel marginally better

for most of the morning, but by 2 pm I was starting to

This month's feature article explores the mind altering effect God can have on you if you give Him the opportunity. It's about the impact that the thoughts in that fascinating grey organ, otherwise known as the brain, can have and how God gives clarity to the confusing and troubling issues and areas of your life.

get annoyed again because I knew the reverse trip

was fast approaching. Then one day, God said to me,

“Don't complain. Be grateful.” My response? “Are you

mad? I'll try not to complain but I sure as hell won't be

grateful for the traffic.” And so I tried. I started a

campaign of not complaining but I didn't give thanks.

Occasionally it worked and I managed to maintain a

good mood throughout the day. But for the majority, I

was unsuccessful and I carried out the remainder of

my training with my daily rant as a major

feature.

The training ended and I started a new

project. I was now based in my

hometown and so traffic was a thing of

the past. And yet after a week I was

horribly depressed. I hated my job, I was

bored, I was lonely, absolutely nothing

positive seemed to be happening in my

life. And again God said, “Don't complain. Be

grateful.” It must be said that this time the message

was a lot firmer. The first time I got it was from a

passing comment, but this time it was a strong and

clear message from a friend which quite frankly was

hard to take! But I was desperate for something to

change.

The next morning I woke up and instead of sinking

into my usual black mood and having a good cry

before even getting out of bed I thanked God that I

had a job. On the way to work I thanked God that I

had a car and could still afford petrol, even with the

monthly price hikes. When I was bored at work I

prayed for people and read my Bible. I shifted my

I've had days when I

feel like I can conquer

the world followed by

days when I'm not

sure I'm capable of

making myself a

decent cup of tea!

by Lucy Goodwin

3

Grey Matters

lovedread

liesnegativity

jealousy

kindness

hope

pain

violence

focus and started looking at things differently. The

center of this change in perception was a change of

heart. Expressing my gratitude has become the first

thing I do when I'm having a bad hair day or life starts

to get me down!

This humble beginning has been reinforced by a

book I started reading called The Difference Maker

by John C. Maxwell. It’s about how your attitude

affects how you cope with situations. In it, he explains

how our emotions become our thoughts which in turn

become our actions which, when repeated often

enough become our attitudes which affects how we

see life's challenges and how we respond to them.

I realized that my attitude towards

everyday life is not great. One of

the ways this manifests itself is

through Sunday night blues. I

think I started suffering from them

when I was in boarding school.

My brother and I used to beg my

mom to take us back to school on

Monday morning even if it meant

getting up at 4am because having

to pack up and drive back to

school on a Sunday afternoon

was just too depressing! Those

days are past now, but still the Sunday night blues

remain and if anything they have gotten worse in the

last few years. I feel them hovering in the air from

about 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon and often by 6

PM I am in such a bad mood that it might as well be

Monday morning already. Of course Monday is never

as bad as I think it is going to be, but my mind has this

horrible habit of making something seem so bad that

it doesn't really matter how good the thing is; I've

already let it affect me. I think the worse part is that

when the bad mood has me in it grip, there is very

little that will shift it, a fact that my long suffering

mother will attest to!

But I can honestly say that that this has started to

change. My new attitude to life means that the

goodies are on the up and much of my mind is now

reclaimed territory! My flatmate no longer thinks

Shrek has moved in when she sees me on a Monday

morning. I no longer allow the thought that the

holiday will end to ruin the last three days of it. Work is

not a holiday devouring and soul destroying monster

anymore, but rather a new and exciting phase of my

life. I'm starting to realize that there may be

something in those quotes on the sugar

packets after all: happiness is indeed

the journey and not the destination!

The difference between this and every

other time in my past when I've

endeavored to become a better

person? This time it comes from God,

not the latest self help book or episode

of Oprah. And can I let you in on a little

secret? When I stopped resisting God's

ins t ruc t ions , when I s topped

complaining and I had a grateful heart,

the joy came easily! I don't have a daily

struggle to break my old habits. God did that for me.

I know there is a lot of work that needs to be done in

my mind and spirit before I reach the standards God

has created me for, but I know that God has started

transforming me and if I allow Him to, He will perfect

me in time. Every time I overcome a bad mood, or go

to bed on a Sunday night with a smile on my face I

know that a change has taken place within me. Too

often we think God only works in big ways and we

overlook the everyday miracles he's performing in

our hearts and minds.

Romans 12:12 has become the battle cry for the side

of me that refuses to be brought down by

circumstances and desires to be joyful in all things.

The baddies will never go away and while it is true

that they still win the occasional skirmish, I can

assure you that they will not win the war!

This time it comes from

God, not the latest self

help book or episode of

Oprah. And can I let you in

on a little secret? When I

stopped resisting God's

i n s t r u c t i o n s , w h e n I

stopped complaining and I

had a grateful heart, the

joy came easily!

4Illumin8 - Edition 1 - June 2008

No one would allow garbage at his table, but many allow it served into their minds. - Fulton John Sheen

1. Feed your brain

2. Brain-gym 101.

3. Cut out the noise

4. Speak the words.

(the Word).

Don't be afraid to

ask questions even if sometimes there is no

answer. It causes us to think and make

decisions about the things we believe in instead

of just letting life happen.

. Find a place

and time where you can meet with God

exclusively. For example in your room, at a

coffee shop, in your garden. Listen to Him and

let the Holy Spirit speak the truth into your heart.

Be honest with God too, He knows your heart

and your thoughts.

Choose your

attitude. Don't be embarrassed to speak to

yourself out loud either. If you find yourself

thinking "I'm ugly" or "I'm a failure" resist those

thoughts out loud.

8by Katy Breytenbach

brainwashing techniquesGet your mind squeaky clean step by step

5

things. While you're driving to work is a good time, waiting in

those endless queues at the bank etc. Challenge yourself with

the things you say and think about at these times.

- Find people who you can

be accountable to, who can challenge you in the things you

know are wrong. For example if you like to complain, don't

hang . Ask people

to "rebuke" you when you do something God is asking you to

change.

. Physically find a verse or a song

you can stick up somewhere (eg. on your television or computer

screen) or play every time you do something that would

threaten your relationship with God and the way you think. If

you are being tempted to think wrongly, go to the gym, phone

someone or go make yourself a cup of tea.

I'm a visual person so sometimes

writing my prayers and thoughts down helps. It also gives me a

good way of recording when God answers my prayers,

strengthens my faith and allows me to see things objectively.

Write down all your negative thoughts, attitudes and worry and

then rewrite them with resolutions from the promises of God.

For example "I will make a concerted effort to expect the best

from people this week and love them" because the Bible says

"Love your neighbour as you love yourself.

5. Make it work.

6. Don't play copy cat

7. Do something

8. Start a journal.

Practice His presence in everyday

around people who love to complain


This section is known as 8 and will be different each month. It could be 8 ways to… or 8 reasons why… or as is this month's topic, 8 Brainwashing Techniques. The aim with 8 is to give you some practical advice on how to apply principles

relevant to the month's issue, or how to deal with some of the challenges facing twenty somethings today. Hopefully it will spark some inspiration to go and create a new beginning!

?

“Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to

explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness

and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15b-16a

“Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in

his heart.” 1 John 5:10a

We sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that testimonies have

to be dramatic to be effective. In the

sensational times in which live, the

testimonies of ordinary people often

don't get told. This is a huge loss,

both to you, the person who isn't

telling their story and to others who

might benefit from hearing it.

Generation X (those of us in our 20's

and 30's now) is characterized firstly

by our sense of individuality and secondly, by the strong

friendships we create and cultivate. We are people who don't

want prepackaged, mass produced messages but rather relate

to personal experiences. We cannot underestimate the positive

impact our stories will have on others. Sharing our lessons and

struggles with friends and family strengthens us as Christians

and is a much more effective means of witnessing to people who

aren't Christians than any theological debate! A testimony

shows that Christianity has a place in this day and age. It shows

the awesome power of God working in the lives of ordinary

people like you and me.

Testimonies make Christianity relevant. They make Jesus

personal.

TestifyGod has given you a story which

He wants you to share. It doesn't

necessarily have to be the story of

how you came to Christ. It can be

about a lesson God has taught

you, or a tough time God pulled

you through. If it has helped you

grow spiritually He wants you to

tell others about it. So if you

feel that you are in a bit of

slump in your spiritual life,

or if you have gone through

a time of trial lately, make

some time and sit down to

write your testimony. And if

you already have one, then

spend some time rereading

and updating it.

Each month we will feature

someone's testimony in this

section. So please, write yours,

send it to us at

and watch this space!

[email protected]

Sharing our lessons and

struggles with friends and

family strengthens us as

Christians and is a much

more effective means of

witnessing to people who

aren't Christians than any

theological debate!

God has given you a story

which He wants you to share.

!

Send us yours!!

by Lucy Goodwin


* See terms & conditions

mailto:(([email protected])

C

CWow, how exciting being part of something like this!

Living overseas, I meet so many new people every day and I'm used to the who,

where, why and what questions so allow me to introduce myself quickly… My

name is Hayley and I have been living in London for just over a year to get some

work experience and do some travelling. I work in publishing and am studying

teaching part-time. Happy one day, confused the next, sometimes homesick,

more

often excited…I'm pretty much your average twenty

something!

As those of you who know me (and those who will get to

know me!) know, I always express myself better by writing

rather than speaking. And when it comes to writing, there's

nothing I enjoy more than a good old letter! Whether I'm

happy, sad, angry, frustrated, excited or confused… I write

letters! Living in London at the moment, letters have

carried me through some of the most exciting, challenging,

interesting, exhilarating and just plain homesick moments

(thanks mom!)

While I'm not shy in a lot of situations, I have to admit that I've always been shy

about giving my testimony to people; strangers and friends alike. Ok, maybe

more stubborn than shy! And so, because our God works around our issues, He

worked around my stubbornness and put my good friend Lucy in my path with

the idea of Illumin8. Here was God (through Luce) saying to me: 'Ok, you like

writing letters so write a letter!' He couldn't have picked a better person than

Lucy to get me on board… her enthusiasm and passion was contagious. So here

I am, writing to you, from the muddy island of Britain. Talk about God

transforming me by renewing my mind!

Hayley’s

Comment

A

our overseas correspondent


When something is God's will or plan and He wants someone to do

(or write) something, believe me, He makes the signs very visible,

the path very clear and the transformation process so complete

that next thing you know you're having editorial brainstorming

sessions in cyber space and writing to people about random things

that you hope will make someone, somewhere nod in agreement!

In my monthly comment I'll be sharing my thoughts

and experiences about living abroad (something so relevant to our

generation) and life in general. I hope that you will be able to

translate them to something relevant to you once in a while! And

don't worry guys, this isn't a travel blog, but I will be writing from

some pretty cool places on God's awesome Earth!

I have no doubt that Illumin8 is God's will and has His blessing or

that those reading (and writing!) will be blessed, transformed and

renewed too! What more could you want!?

Take care and nice meeting you all ;-)

Hayls

- Hayley Brett

Happy one day,

confused the

next, sometimes

homesick, more

often excited…I'm

pretty much your

average twenty

something!

7

The Meaning…There is no greater gift than the peace that God offers. The Bible calls it “A peace that

surpasses understanding”. In the mad rush of our lives this type of peace definitely eludes us

as does our understanding of the concept. It's something far deeper than just relaxation.

Why the term peppermint peace? See for yourself! Find a really strong peppermint and put it in

your mouth. Feel that burning in your throat as you breathe in and out? It's as though there is

no room in your mouth for anything but that freshness! It eclipses everything else and makes

every breath feel like your first.

This is what God's peace does for us: fear is gone and anxiety is a distant memory! There is

only clear, fresh, life-giving air entering and restoring your soul. It's the result of living in God's

spirit. This is how we could feel all the time! It's the knowledge that your steps are in line with

God’s and that he is smiling on you independent of external circumstances. Ask Him for this

peace and to teach you how to live in it continuously.

Take 1

Take 2

Double Take

The feeling of

fresh, life-giving

air entering and

restoring your

soul as you walk

in line with

God's will.

“

“

by Leanne Barnard Pepper-mint

Peace


Double take is all about mixing it up, thinking outside of the

box and throwing the old cliques out the window! Each

month the eye opening expression will be summarized in a

bookmark, which you can cut out and keep if you decide to

print Illumin8.?

Eye-opening expressions to give you a new perspective

#

#

8

Elev8by Katy Breytenbach

I have been discovering recent ly what

RELATIONSHIP really means. Not just any

relationship, but the one that should take priority

over every other one in my life (and too often does

not).

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Be joyful always;

pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for

this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV)

Pray continually? Practically

speaking how am I supposed to do

that and why? Am I supposed

become a social recluse, shut out

the world and pray? How do I pray

all the time in my working, weekend,

everyday life?

It's not that hard if you think of it in

terms of a relationship. Think of your

best friend or someone you spend a

lot of t ime with. It involves a two-way

communication. You enjoy each other, listen to each

other, have fun together and sometimes just being

around each other is enough. In the same way to

pray is to have two-way communication and

interaction with Our Maker made possible through

the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

Growing up, whether I knew it or not I had

a deeply ingrained idea of what it meant to

pray. Brushing my teeth seemed delightful in

comparison! I never knew that it was giving

me a chance to "hang out" with a friend, a

Father and a comforter. Praying continually

maybe isn't such a "tiring" thing then if what it

really means is having a relationship with

Someone who wants to speak exciting truths into your life,

who wants to see you live out your dreams and who will also

support and help you every step of the way. It's exciting, it's

sometimes deep, it's sometimes shallow, it's honest, and it's

real. Find yourself the nearest Bible and check out the

Psalms if you doubt it. That's being real and that's what it

really means to be praying continually, to be in a relationship

with the Saviour, to know what it is like to be in His presence.

So how does "praying continually"

(having a relationship with the King!) fit in

with this month's issue? When we spend

a lot of time with people, whether we

realise it or not, we start to speak, think

and act like them. It transforms us either

in a good or a bad way. When I was

studying and had to do my internship, I

was around people in a high pressured

environment who always used to swear

and curse. Automatically I started to

swear at little things even though I am not

a person who usually swears. It took hard work on my part to

stand against that.

Likewise when we spend time with, chat to and listen to God

(pray) making Him a part of our everyday life (continually), we

start to speak, think and act like Him. And that's a good

thing! I can't think of anything more perfect than becoming

more and more like the One who is perfect and knows me

inside out. He wants me to be transformed because He

knows my deepest desires and He knows what things can

harm me in my thinking and He knows the things that will

make me come alive so that I can shine for Him.

I have a friend who for years thought that she was less than

clever. Teachers at school used to tell her that (maybe you

Growing up, whether I

knew it or not I had a

deep ingrained idea of

what it meant to pray,

brushing my teeth

seemed delightful in

comparison.


Elev8 is a section dedicated to prayer. The idea is firstly, to elevate your focus off yourself and onto some of the bigger

issues around us. Secondly, prayer is about elevating your requests to God and relying on Him to resolution the things you worry about and need assistance with. This month, Katy gives her insights into prayer and some practical ways to strengthen your prayer life.

?

10

have experienced something like this in your life?). She really

believed it for the longest time, so much so that it affected what

she decided to study after leaving school even though it would not

have been her first choice. Until years later she started meeting

with the Truth. God started revealing to her what He thought of her

in their conversations with each other. With the support of her

family and friends she went on to study something that she had

always wanted to do and passed with flying colours. Her life had

been transformed by the renewing of her mind through the help

and power of the Holy Spirit; her relationship with Him and her

decision to change the way she thought about herself with the

help of others.

Being aware of God's presence all the time (in a state of constant

interaction and prayer) changes us. Being in the presence of

Love, Goodness, Justice, Mercy, Grace, Faithfulness, Royalty,

Compassion, Magnificence, Uncompromising Holiness (the list is

endless) will change us. When we meet with Truth, it's impossible

to stay the same.

So I dare you to let Jesus be a part of your everyday life as you

would a closest friend. He's always around anyway! Join me on

this discovery and let the Father show you His transforming power

through the exhilarating adventure of having a real relationship

with Him!


Elev8 calendarWant some ideas on how to pray or what

to pray for?Check this out (and please

share with us what works for you).

Sunday Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday FridaySaturday

Thank Him! FamilyFind a place where you can sit in nature. Find things to thank Him for in your life and the lives of others. Also take a time out, whatever you are comfortable with, and listen to what He has to say to you.

Pray for your fami ly members or issues in your family; perhaps have a photo album or page with pictures of your family members and write down things for each of them as you pray and listen to what God has to say.

The Nations Looking outward

Listen to the news on your local radio station or TV. Alternatively go to or and find something or someone to pray for. Hot topics to pray for will be included each month but there is so much out there, that these are by no means comprehensive.

www.News24.comhttp://www.prayerit.com

ReflectLooking inward

Have a look at your own life and perhaps things or sin you are struggling with. Give it to God and ask Him to help you change. Symbolically wash your hands or while showering give these things to Him.

A friendSMS a friend and ask them what they need prayer for and make an effort to hold them up to God throughout the day;

Local is Lekker!Pray for your local church or community

1 Timothy 2:3-4Pray for the people you want to get to know Christ. You can just mention their names to Him while you are shopping or doing your housework

JUNE ‘08

“When we meet with Truth,

it's impossible to stay the

same. “

Zimbabwe (Both the political and

humanitarian issues)

Earth quake victims in China

Cyclone victims in Myanmar

Global Aids pandemic

The nations – hot topicsXenophobia

Economy - God provides as all

prices rise

Crime

Prostitution

Our nation – hot topics

http://www.News24.com

Anyone who stops l e a r n i n g i s o l d , whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.

- Henry Ford

Th ink ing i s t he hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.

- Henry Ford

If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right. - Henry Ford

Don't find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain.

- Henry Ford

SPOTLIGHT

11

“In the spotlight” is a monthly feature which shares the wise words of a famous person and provides a short history on their contributions to society. This month, we feature Henry Ford, as his history and thoughts relate well to the importance of developing and renewing minds.

Most people seem to credit the invention of the car to him. In actual fact, he wasn't the inventor. Even though he held many patents on mechanisms designed for vehicles he is best remembered for creating the factory assembly approach and through this, completely revolutionising the car industry. 1

According to Lee Lacocca, writer of an article in the Time magazine on Henry Ford 2,”The boss was a genius. He was an eccentric. He was no prince in his social attitudes and his politics. But Henry Ford's mark in history is almost unbelievable. In 1905, when there were 50 start-up companies a year trying to get into the auto business, his backers at the new Ford Motor Co. were insisting that the best way to maximize profits was to build a car for the rich. But Ford was from modest, agrarian Michigan roots. And he thought that the guys who made the cars ought to be able to afford one themselves so that they too could go for a spin on a Sunday afternoon. In typical fashion, instead of listening to his backers, Ford eventually bought them out. “

The black Model T was launched in 1908 and was hailed “America's Everyone car” 2. In order for it to be successful however it needed further thinking. Henry therefore, worked on making a sufficient infrastructure for the vehicles. His logic was: “Just like horses, cars had to be fed”2. Ford pushed for gas stations everywhere and campaigned for better roads - which eventually led to an interstate-highway system.

He also had a completely unique approach to wages. Critics scorned at his “ludicrous” scheme of raising wages to $5-a-day minimum-wage where the average wage in the auto industry then was $2.34 for a 9-hr shift. According to Lacocca 2, “The critics were too stupid to comprehend that because Ford had lowered his costs per car, the higher wages didn't matter — except for making it feasible for more people to buy cars.”Henry Ford made his mark on history by not only creating an affordable car but in completely rethinking his approach to production, human resources, marketing and business.

References:1.Fascinating facts about Henry Ford [O]. Available: http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/ford.htm Accessed: 24 May 20082.Iacocca, L. Time. 1998. Time - Big Wheels Turning [O] Available:http://www.time.com/time/time100/builder/profile/ford.html Accessed: 24 May 2008

iN THE

?

by Leanne Barnard

Your brain uses 20% of your body's energy, but it makes up

only 2% of your body's weight.1

Your brain may be full of nerve cells, but it has no pain

receptors so doctors can operate on your brain while you're

awake and you won't feel any pain at all. 2

Be careful what you eat as studies have shown that it can

affect your IQ. An analysis of 1 million students in a New York

school district showed that school cafeteria food affected IQ

scores to an astonishing degree. When preservatives,

coloring, dyes and artificial flavors were removed from the

cafeteria menu researchers found that 70,000 students

performed two or more IQ grade levels higher than

before.2

There are about 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain.

If they were stretched out they would circle the earth more

than four times. 3

Recent research proves that your brain continues to produce

new neurons throughout your life. It also proves that it does

so in response to stimulation (do those brainpower

exercises).3

Fascin8

1.Mamma's Health [O] Available: http://www.mammashealth.com Accessed: 1 May 20082.Productivity Booster Info Centre [O] Available: http://www.productivitybooster.com/brain_facts.htm Accessed: 1 May 20083.Gillman Steve: Ten amazing brain facts [O] Available: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Ten-Amazing-Brain-Facts/117926 Accessed: 1 May 2008

12

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Fascin8 is a section that may be relevant or completely

arbitrary, but fascinate you, it will! Here are some

interesting facts about the wonderful inner workings of

our brains.

Your brain generates 25 watts of power while

you're awake. This is enough to illuminate a

lightbulb, so calling someone a “bright

spark” is no coincidence it seems .1

References

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2 Stimul8

13

Since the topic of this month's edition is the transforming of the mind, we recommend you give those little grey cells some exercise. We've included a few riddles for you to have a stab at solving. The answers can be found at the bottom of

the page.

?

Brain Gym 101The Traveling ManA man was traveling to Kasoa. At the bus stop, he met a man with 7 wives. Each wife has

12 sons and 12 daughters. Each daughter of the man's wife's had 4 sons and 7 daughters.

Each son of the man's wife's had 7 sons and 4 daughters. Each grand daughter had 4

friends. How many people got to Kasoa?

Albert Einsteins RiddleThere are no tricks, just pure logic, so good luck and don't give up.

1. In a street there are five houses, painted five different colours.

2. In each house lives a person of different nationality

3. These five homeowners each drink a different kind of beverage, smoke different brand

of cigar and keep a different pet.

Who owns the fish?

HINTS

1. The Brit lives in a red house. 2. The Swede keeps dogs as pets. 3. The Dane drinks tea. 4. The Green

house is next to, and on the left of the White house. 5. The owner of the Green house drinks coffee.

6. The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.7. The owner of the Yellow house smokes Dunhill.

8. The man living in the centre house drinks milk. 9. The Norwegian lives in the first house. 10. The

man who smokes Blends lives next to the one who keeps cats. 11. The man who keeps horses lives

next to the man who smokes Dunhill. 12. The man who smokes Blue Master drinks beer. 13. The

German smokes Prince. 14. The Norwegian lives next to the blue house. 15. The man who smokes

Blends has a neighbour who drinks water.

Fun Online:If you've got the riddle bug now then take a look at these two sites. They both offer online

tests/exercises that not only build your mental stamina for sustained concentration

(sounds like an energy drink ad) but also utilise your math, verbal, spatial, logic, etc. in an

entertaining format. According to Brainwaves “the experience you gain in how to

organize data so you can locate a solution — will build links among your brain cells that,

later, can help you learn new data and spot the most effective pattern to cope with it.” So

tackle the challenge and give your brain the workout it needs:

Queendom – mind stretcheshttp://queendom.com/tests/testscontrol.htm?t=3

Brainwaves:http://www.brainwaves.com/puzzle-home.html Answers:

that he was a the bus stop.Einstein’s Riddle: The German owns the fish

Travelling man: Only 1. It doesn't say the man with 7 wives was going to Kasoa, only


Cre8tive corner! Send us yours!!

14

The Creative Corner is a showcase for all the

amazing talent that we know you guys are

harboring! It will feature your poems,

paintings, drawings, artistic photographs or

whatever else you chose to send us that you

created in a moment of inspiration. If words

aren't your strong point – this is the section

you can use to broadcast your testimony, in

what ever style suits you!

?

By Cornelius Smit

[email protected]

Jesus eyes

My life's longing,

My hearts throbbing

Is to see all people

Through Jesus' eyes.

The eyes that see good

In all women, all men.

To show love that confidence do brood

And does not condemn.

To see the prostitute

As a victim of hate

Not an object of pleasure

But as God's stolen treasure.

To see the drug addict

Caught in life's snare

Locked in a cage

Of loneliness…despair.

To see the street vendor

A once happy guy

Now a street wise pretender

Battling with an internal cry.

Take control of my life

Guide your disciples' feet,

Help me show love

To everyone I meet.

A city fairytale

Between the broken glass

Lies my childhood dreams

Once so real…

Now, so lost it seems.

I was going to marry,

Be a movie star,

But now my load I carry

On a road of dirt, not tar.

Madam says I'm so lucky

and so famous,

Cause men come from all over,

For their one hour bliss.

I look out my window

To the world down below.

How did my once okay life

Turn into sorrow and strife.

The men I see outside

Have all had a piece of me.

Those men I see

Tonight… In me they'll confide.

How did I get to this place?

I guess t'was my dad,

Mom left with no trace…

He was always so mad.

If there is a God

Does He really love me?

Because right now, right here.

Him I do not see.


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Issue 1: The Brain Issue

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