DISCIPLESHIP DIGEST FOR AUGUST, 2013 EDITION
We gladly welcome you to the month of August, 2013. “August” is a Latin word meaning: inspiring awe or reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur or majestic. August is the eight month of the year, having 31 days and the sixth month of the Roman calendar. The Romans called the month ‘Sextilis’ which is a Latin word meaning six. The name of the month was changed to August in 8 BC in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, when many of his significant accomplishments that saw him to power after the fall of Alexandria happened in the month of Sextilis.
In the month of August, birds begin planning to fly south in readiness for the winter and insects are noisier and numerous. August flower is the gladiolus or the poppy and the birthstone for the month is sardonyx and or the peridot. Many people take their vacations in the month of August making it the busiest month for business/tourism. The Anglo-Saxons called August Weod Monath which means Weed month in recognition that weed and other crops grew the fastest. In Britain, they celebrate thanksgiving on August 1st – Lammas Day because it is beginning of their harvest time. People go to Church and give thanks for the first harvest of corn to be cut. This celebration predates our Christian Harvest festival.
On Lammas Day, farmers made loaves of bread from the new wheat crop and gave them to their local Church used as Communion bread during special Mass Harvest service. Lammas Day could be remembered for foretelling marriages and trying out partners. During this fair (usually 11 days) two young people agreed to a “trail marriage” to see whether they were really suited for wedlock. At the end of the fair, if they didn’t get on, the couple could part.
Other highlights of events in August include: On August 1st in 1774 Joseph Priestly discovered Oxygen in the laboratory at Bowood House, Wiltshire, England. On the 12th, the Model T. Ford known as the Tin Lizzie and the first mass-produced car went on sale in 1908. On the 14th, WORLD WAR II ends in 1945. On the 15th, Corporal punishment in schools was officially banned in Britain except in Independent Schools in the Private sector (1987). On the 18th, NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE established in Britain (1941). On the 25th, Daily flights between London and Paris stating, the first International Air Service (1919) and Martin Luther King (1929-1968), American Civil right Campaigner, made his famous “I have a dream” speech in 1963. On the 31st Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in France in 1997.
Discipleship Digest congratulates those born in the month of August and those who married in August as they celebrate their anniversaries. The Digest reflects on the topic: “God can turn your desert into galaxy.” It urges Christians to desire their personal Burning Bush experience. It’s such captivating, undeniable and one singled event that will form the bases of your faith and belief and drives you to make exploit for God. Hopefully this edition will inspire you into believing in the God that can do all things. Just like the insects, be in readiness for great and awesome season and we shall make joyful, victory noise to God. We shall harvest fruitfulness in engagements, marriages and prosperity. Be ready to fall in love with Jesus, again and again. Enjoy this piece and pass it on. Thanks for your readership, partnership and supports. Once again, remember you are too blessed to be stressed.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya, Godswill
Director, Weefree Ministries