Importance of family

Hey guys!
Today I want to harp on the importance of family! They the ones that know you the best, that get all your grief and up hill but they always willing to put up with it cause they love u.. Have you ever taken the time to think about who are the ones that are always there for you through thick and thin? Who tells you the truth, even when the truth is really hard to handle but they love you so much that they'll risk you being upset for a little while just because u need to hear what they have to say to you.. Guys, take time each day to spend time with your family and tell them how much you love them! God has blessed you with a unique one of a kind family, embrace it and appreciate them! They just on loan to you, so take advantage of every moment you have with them and never forget to take a few seconds out of your day just to say, "I LOVE YOU"..
Here's a picture of my incredible sister and myself when we were little!:-) She is 6 years older than me and has always been looking out for me since the day I was born.. I couldn't have asked for a better sister!:)
Have a blessed day iShiners!:-)
Much love,
Courtney.

Gossip, Modesty, Parents & Love

This has been an exciting month for iShine SA! We launched the show, rocked the stage & most importantly learnt about God's heart on a few topics, based on what the bible says of course! Each episode was based around different themes, and we asked our guest performers to share their views on it.

To recap…

Episode 1 = GOSSIP

Courtney Jonas interviewed co-presenter Connell Cruise about GOSSIP!

EPH 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only

what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it

may benefit those who listen."

Episode 2 = MODESTY

Connell Cruise interviewed his co-presenter Courtney Jonas to hear her take on Modesty

God commands Christian women to dress modestly, to dress like women in a feminine manner and to not dress as to cause our brother to stumble. We have also learned that Scripture is not up for individual interpretation. God´s Word is the final authority in all we believe, do and think. Don´t allow the world to set your standards of dress!

Episode 3 = PARENTS

Connell Cruise interviewed Shanna* about her relationship with her PARENTS

EPH 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Episode 4 = LOVE

Courtney Jonas interviewed the members of Destination, and heard their take on God's LOVE

God's love for you will never change, no matter what your past was like or your future. God loved you before he created the world, before you were born!

John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."

Courtney is crazy about Planetshakers & more...

We caught up with 'Worship Today Mag's', August Cover Girl, and OUR iShine SA presenter Courtney Jonas, to find out what music she is crazy about this month. Out of her fabulous and varied music taste, she had to narrow it down to 3...well kinda...

WOW! I'll have to start with my ultimate fave release being "Planetshakers-Nothing is Impossible" as I'm a Planetshaker now myself and Ive never been happier in a church/worship team before! Our statement is "the louder for God, the better! You cant contain praise, if you are happy and on fire for God. You wanna shout it from the rooftops" and that's what we at Planetshakers do! We make a lot of noise for God, because He deserves all the praise in the world!

I'm on such an awesome spiritual journey with God and Planetshakers is my new family, they are incredible people with hearts on fire for God. Our church in Cape Town is our first international plant. We have one in Melbourne and another in Geelong. We are all one big family, and not exasperated churches. We like to see it as us all coming together under one big tent, looking out for each other and spreading God's word across the world!

Another one I love, (well its actually 3 but they are all iShine so I can sneak them under 1 right? LOL!) It's the Rubyz new album as well as Mission Six and Jonnie and Brookie. They are young, passionate and keen to spread God's word to the youth of this world, who are the future and need to hear God's voice. I love their young, edgy sound! You cant help but wanna dance and move to their music, as well as feel spiritually moved by the message they bring across in their lyrics. I'm so happy and blessed to be part of the iShine family and part of the awesome plan God has for iShine world-wide! Cause its HUGE!

The 3rd one would definitely be "Proxy". I personally know a lot of the band members and WOW, what incredible people! Their hearts are in the right place and they always willing to put others ahead of themselves! They are an awesome partner church with us (Planetshakers) and they have been so selfless and kind to allow us to use their premises to rehears our worship team during the week until we have our own building and move out of the CTICC. That's just one example of how selfless, sharing and loving they've been. Their music is catchy as well as the worship songs being beautiful and anointed! This album is a MUST HAVE!

_________________

That's that for this month, we will catch up with more hot music must have from Courtney next month!Don't forget to buy this months Joy Magazine, and read more in the Worship Today section on Courtney & the iShine All Starz SA team, Connell Cruise & Shanna*

Connell Cruise lets us in on his fave new albums!

Our multi-talented 'iShine All Starz' presenter Connell Cruise shares with us what albums he is listening to at the moment, and why they are impacting him so much...



I just love the passion and the vision of Proxy. After chatting to Vuyo on iShine I was so impressed by the heart behind the album, and the heart in the artists. That they just want to sing/speak about Jesus Christ- who He is and what He's done- so that everyone listening to their songs will know Him- His nature and His greatness. I can't honestly think of a better 'mission' for music, it's what I want to do with mine as well. Love it.

The Journey. It's Stuart Townsend. I don't think I need to say any more right? ;) When he comes out with an album (and this is his 8th or something isn't it?) I have to listen. Sure, the genre might not be the most revolutionary in the world, but his musicianship and the message it carries, I love to see where he's going spiritually (and it's so clear through his songs) because he's one of those guys who ends up paving the way for new generations of believers and how we handle our place in this world as Children of God.

I love the fact that the album is drawn from his life experiences, I think our life's testimony and the saving power of Jesus Christ as we know it from His Word are the most powerful and effective means we have to overcome oppression and evil (Rev 12:11). On top of that I can't get over the incredible people Aaron's got co-writing on his album!

Friendships..

Hi everyone! I hope that this weeks iShine series meant something to you all and I'm sure it did! Stay tuned to iShine All Starz every Saturday morning 08:00-09:00 on channel 331!

Sometimes in life there are things that all teenagers struggle with.. one of the hardest things I think we take for granted are friendships. This week school was quite tough for me.. not only did it feel as if nobody understood me, it even felt as if God had just disappeared! We intend to think that relationships with other people are just things that happen naturally. Unfortunately, it's not allways like that. Everything has a purpose and no one can ever be to rich or to important to ignore a friend! Never. Sure, sometimes we get upset about something and don't really want to talk about it, but just remember that the true friends are those who help you through your struggles! Don't forget that!
This week I had a stuggle with one of my closest friends and we didn't talk to eatchother for 2 days.. but you know what? God says in His word that when you forgive, you are a whole new person inside and the yoke gets lifted off your shoulders.. what a promise! Me and my friend sorted things out and I can honestly say, it feels SO much better!
So just remember this:
Friendships are a special and unique love. A love that isn't selfish, nor jealous.
It is something that God wants us to experience!
Matthew 5:9- "God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the Children of God."
Lots of love and blessings
Shanna*

iShine - Episode 1 in Pictures (Theme: Gossip)

Hi iShiners,

Its been a crazy and wonderful few weeks leading up to the premier of iShine All Starz SA!

Dont forget to tune into One Gospel (Channell 331 on the remote) EVERY Saturday morning from 8am to 9am for a full dose of music, interviews, advice and most of all FUN. We want to hear from you!

Find us on Facebook & Twitter too, and connect. Send us questions & comments!

This one hour show, 'iShine All Starz SA' is divided into two segments:

1. iShine Knect 8AM - 8:30AM
Our friends from iShine Knect in the USA, connect with the tweens in SA, as we share our views on each weeks theme.

2. iShine Southern Starz 08:30AM - 9AM

SA presenters Connell Cruise & Courtney Jonas introduce us to local talented teens as they chat about what each weeks theme means to them.These talented artists will perform on the super funky and high tech 'iShineAll Starz SA' stage.

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If you did not catch last weeks episode, then this is what you missed out on:

1. OUR AMAZING PRESENTERS.... CONNELL CRUISE & COURTNEY JONAS:

Get to know more about them & their talents by clicking on their pages on the tabs above.

Connell Cruise - iShine All Starz SA Presenter

   





Courtney Jonas - iShine All Starz SA Presenter



2. Connell & Courtney made their way to the VERY beautiful & funky Rivers Church in Morningside Sandton, where they chatted to some of their youth group members in the 'Kids Zone' about GOSSIP!!

First some make-up, (it's not like they need it)...

Yes, Guys wear make-up...for TV that is.



Courtney Jonas getting some make-up on that already pretty face!



Rivers Church in Morningside, Sandton.

 3. In the meantime, Jasmine (from the USA) chatted about her life & singing career, as well as her take on Gossip...



4. Back home in SA, Courtney Jonas asked Connell Cruise what Gossip means to him, then decided it would be a good idea for South Africa to get to know her talented co-presenter better, and to see for herself just what he can do with his incredible passion for singing and piano.



Courtney interviews Connell



Smile for the camera!

Connell Cruise confidently jumped on the 'iShine All Starz SA' stage at Urban Brew Studios in Randburg, to perform a track titled 'So Small', a song that HE wrote about God's incredible power and might in his life.

Soon, this song will be found on Connell's debut album that he is currently in the process of recording! 

Connell Cruise prepping for his performance



Lights, Camera & Action!



The feedback that we got from viewers is that they had 'goosebumps' from watching him sing his heart out to God. This is what the experienced music journalist, Kerry-Anne Faller, had to say about it: Review of 'So Small'

NOW... hear it for yourself, click on the video below:

That was just a glimpse of what you can expect in a power packed hour when you tune in to 'iShine All Starz SA'.

THIS SATURDAY WE TACKLE THE SUBJECT OF MODESTY... AND OUR VERY OWN PRESENTER COURTNEY JONAS MAKES HER WAY ONTO THE iSHINE STAGE... YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS :) !

'Til then, keep shining!!

The Ishine All Starz SA Team

Courtney on SABC 3's breakfast show EXPRESSO

Hey friends!
I had such an awesome experience being the main sit-down featured guest on SABC 3's breakfast show "EXPRESSO". Not only was it so much fun with an awesome team of people but God was there! You could feel Him moving in ways words cant describe and you could feel His presence! He anointed this song and I really wanted to share it with you! It will be my debut song/single for iShine so its in actual fact a sneak-peak of what you'll hear on the iShine compilation album coming to your stores soon!! So take a look and give me your comments and feedback!:-)
Lots of love.. Courtney.