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Friday, May 30, 2025

The Infilling With The Holy Spirit Compared To New Wine

Meaning of New Wine

In biblical times, new wine referred to freshly fermented wine that had not yet aged. The process of winemaking began with grape harvesting, which was a communal and celebratory event. Grapes were carefully cultivated and picked at peak ripeness to ensure the best quality for fermentation. 




Once harvested, the grapes were crushed and pressed often by foot, to extract the juice. This juice was then placed in clay jars or wineskins, where natural yeasts from the grape skins initiated fermentation. 


Unlike aged wine, new wine was young and potent, often still undergoing fermentation, making it more volatile and prone to expansion. This is why Jesus referenced the importance of using new wineskins for new wine—to prevent bursting due to fermentation gases.


New wine was symbolic in biblical texts, often representing renewal, abundance, and spiritual transformation. It was distinct from aged wine, which had mellowed over time and developed deeper flavors. 




The Infilling With The Holy Spirit Compared To New Wine | Audio





Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain


Alcohol affects the brain in various ways, impacting different regions responsible for cognition, coordination, and emotional regulation.  Just as new wine can affect specific brain regions, the infilling with the Holy Spirit literally changes functions.

Listen to the video to understand fully.

Here’s an overview of alcohol effects on the brain:


Effects of Alcohol on Specific Areas Of Brain 


1. **Frontal Lobe** – Responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and problem-solving. Alcohol can impair judgment, reduce inhibitions, and lead to poor decision-making.


2. **Limbic System** – Governs emotions and memory. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to emotional instability and memory loss.


3. **Cerebellum** – Controls balance and coordination. Alcohol disrupts motor functions, causing clumsiness and difficulty walking.


4. **Hippocampus** – Essential for memory formation. Heavy drinking can cause blackouts and long-term memory deficits.


5. **GABA System** – Alcohol acts as a GABA-A receptor agonist, relaxing the brain but also impairing cognitive function.


6. **Overall Brain Volume** – Chronic alcohol use can lead to brain shrinkage, affecting both gray and white matter.




The Infilling With The Holy Spirit Compared To New Wine - Acts 2: 1 - 12


And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.


And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.


And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.


And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.


And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.


Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.


And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?


And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?


Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,


10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,


11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.


12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?


13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.


14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:


15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.


16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;


17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:


18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:



Wednesday, May 28, 2025

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 1979 (Complete).

 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 1979 (Complete).


Go to this link









St. Vincent And The Grenadines Constitution 1979

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 1979 - Table of Contents

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Constitution 1979 - Table of Contents

  • Preamble
  • CHAPTER I: PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
    • Fundamental rights and freedoms
    • Protection of right to life
    • Protection of right to personal liberty
    • Protection from slavery and forced labour
    • Protection from inhuman treatment
    • Protection from deprivation of property
    • Protection from arbitrary search or entry
    • Provisions to secure protection of law
    • Protection of freedom of conscience
    • Protection of freedom of expression
    • Protection of freedom of assembly and association
    • Protection of freedom of movement
    • Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc
    • Derogations from s. 3 or s. 13 under emergency powers
    • Protection of persons detained under emergency laws
    • Enforcement of protective provisions
    • Declaration of emergency
    • Interpretation and savings
  • CHAPTER II: THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
    • Establishment of office
    • Acting Governor-General
    • Oaths to be taken by Governor-General
    • Deputy to Governor-General
  • CHAPTER III: PARLIAMENT
    • PART 1: Composition of Parliament
      • Establishment
      • Composition of House of Assembly
      • Qualifications for Representatives and Senators
      • Disqualifications for Representatives and Senators
      • Election of Representatives
      • Appointment of Senators
      • Tenure of office of Representatives and Senators
      • Speaker
      • Deputy Speaker
      • Constituency Boundaries Commission
      • Constituencies
      • Supervisor of Elections
      • Clerk of House and his staff
      • Determination of questions of membership
    • PART 2: Legislation and procedure of Parliament
      • Power to make laws
      • Alteration of Constitution and Supreme Court Order
      • Oath by members
      • Presiding
      • Voting
      • Penalty for sitting if unqualified
      • Mode of exercise of legislative power
      • Restrictions with regard to certain financial measures
      • Regulation of procedure in House
      • Freedom of speech
    • PART 3: Summoning, prorogation and dissolution
      • Sessions
      • Prorogation and dissolution
      • Elections to House of Assembly
  • CHAPTER IV: THE EXECUTIVE
    • Executive authority
    • Ministers of the Government
    • Cabinet of Ministers
    • Allocation of portfolios to Ministers
    • Performance of functions of Prime Minister during absence or illness
    • Exercise of Governor-General's functions
    • Governor-General to be informed concerning matters of government
    • Parliamentary Secretaries
    • Oaths to be taken by Ministers, etc
    • Leader of the Opposition
    • Permanent secretaries
    • Secretary to the Cabinet
    • Constitution of offices, etc
    • Attorney-General
    • Control of public prosecutions
    • Prerogative of mercy
    • Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy
    • Functions of Advisory Committee
  • CHAPTER V: FINANCE
    • Consolidated Fund
    • Withdrawals from Consolidated Fund or other public funds
    • Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Fund by appropriation law
    • Authorisation of expenditure in advance of appropriation
    • Contingencies Fund
    • Remuneration of certain officers
    • Public debt
    • Audit of public accounts, etc
    • Public Accounts Committee
  • CHAPTER VI: THE PUBLIC SERVICE
    • PART 1: The Public Service Commission
      • Public Service Commission
      • Appointment, etc., of public officers
    • PART 2: Appointments, etc., to particular offices
      • Appointment, etc., of permanent secretaries and certain other officers
      • Attorney-General when a public officer
      • Director of Public Prosecutions
      • Director of Audit
      • Appointment, etc., of magistrates, registrars and legal officers
    • PART 3: The Police
      • Police Service Commission
      • Police Force
    • PART 4: The Public Service Board of Appeal
      • Public Service Board of Appeal
    • PART 5: Pensions
      • Pensions laws and protection of pensions rights
      • Power to withhold pensions, etc
  • CHAPTER VII: CITIZENSHIP
    • Persons who become citizens on 27th October 1979
    • Persons born in Saint Vincent on or after 27th October 1979
    • Persons born outside Saint Vincent on or after 27th October 1979
    • Registration
    • Acquisition, deprivation and renunciation
    • Interpretation
  • CHAPTER VIII: JUDICIAL PROVISIONS
    • Original jurisdiction of High Court in constitutional questions
    • Reference of constitutional questions to High Court
    • Appeals to Court of Appeal
    • Appeals to Her Majesty in Council
    • Interpretation
  • CHAPTER IX: MISCELLANEOUS
    • Supreme law
    • Functions of Governor-General
    • Resignations
    • Re-appointment and concurrent appointments
    • Interpretation
  • THE SCHEDULE TO THE CONSTITUTION: ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION AND SUPREME COURT ORDER (Section 38)
    • PART 1: Provisions of Constitution referred to in section 38(3)
    • PART 2: Provisions of Supreme Court Order referred to in section 38(3)

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Homicide Rate Analysis: St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2019-2024)

Homicide Rate Analysis: St. Vincent and the Grenadines vs. Regional and Global Comparators (2019-2024)

This analysis provides a comparative overview of homicide numbers and rates per 100,000 population for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Mexico, and the USA over a six-year period from 2019 to 2024. Data for 2024 is still emerging for some countries, and in some cases, extrapolations or the latest available figures have been used.

From the Biblical context, God commanded, "thou shalt not kill." When a nation breaks the laws of God and kills, blood is shed and curses come. I hope that this article will wake up Vincentians to the enormity of what is really happening in our nation, and repent of our sins.





How St. Vincent and the Grenadines Measures In Comparison To Five Other Countries


St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the smallest population in comparison to Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Mexico and the United States of America.  However, our homicide rates are alarming and cause for concern.  Here are the findings:

1. The 2019 homicide  rate was 18.1%, leading neighboring Barbados and Grenada which have slightly larger populations. 

2.  Homicide rate almost doubled in 2021 and 2021. We're still leading Grenada and Barbados, with both of these countries experiencing a reduction, notably Grenada.

3.  SVG homicide rates range from 49 to 53% between 2022  to 2024, making us equivalent with Jamaica, and a leader among the six  countries. 

4. Vincentians know offhand that the homicides were mainly due to gun violence. What measures are in place to deter the entry and use of guns in the country?


Table 1: SVG Homicides and Homicide Rates Per 100,000 population: 2019-2024


CountryPopulation (2024 est.)Homicides 2019Rate 2019Homicides 2020Rate 2020Homicides 2021Rate 2021
St. Vincent & the Grenadines100,6161918.883231.063130.14
Grenada117,2071512.931311.1754.28
Barbados282,4674917.494315.263211.37
Jamaica2,839,1751,34047.621,33347.261,47452.13
Mexico130,861,00734,67027.5734,51527.2233,35026.13
USA345,426,57116,4254.8621,5706.3622,9006.74

CountryHomicides 2022Rate 2022Homicides 2023Rate 2023Homicides 2024Rate 2024Average Rate (2019-2024)
St. Vincent & the Grenadines5250.965049.355453.6739.01
Grenada86.8465.13N/A*N/A*8.07
Barbados4315.23N/A*N/A*N/A*N/A*14.84
Jamaica1,50853.341,39349.3N/A*N/A*49.93
Mexico31,93624.8330,50023.5129,10022.2425.25
USA22,0006.4420,0005.8218,0005.215.91



See the full table 


Notes on the table

*N/A indicates specific homicide numbers or rates for the exact year were not readily available in the provided search results. Averages are based on available data.


**St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) 2024 homicide rate was directly sourced. Previous years' homicide numbers are inferred from reported rates and population estimates where exact numbers were not found.


***Mexico's 2024 homicide figure is an estimate based on reported decline trends.


****USA homicide numbers for 2023 and 2024 are estimates based on reported percentage changes.





How Homicide Rates are Calculated:


The homicide rate is calculated using the following formula:


Example Calculation for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2024):

  • Number of Homicides: 54
  • Estimated Population: 100,616

This standardization allows for a fair comparison between countries with very different population sizes. For example, a country with 100 homicides and a population of 10 million has a much lower rate (1 per 100,000) than a country with 100 homicides and a population of 100,000 (100 per 100,000).


Population Size in Relation to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Homicides:


St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a significantly smaller population (around 100,000) compared to the other countries in this analysis:

  • Grenada & Barbados: Roughly similar small island states, but still 17% and 180% larger, respectively.
  • Jamaica: Approximately 28 times larger.
  • Mexico: Over 1,300 times larger.
  • USA: Over 3,400 times larger.

This vast difference in population means that a relatively small number of homicides in SVG can result in a very high per capita rate, making the implications of each incident more pronounced. Conversely, even large numbers of homicides in populous countries like Mexico or the USA can yield lower per capita rates.


Explanation of Findings and Implications Of SVG Homicides:


The data highlights a concerning trend in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with its homicide rate showing a significant increase and remaining high, placing it among the more violent nations on a per capita basis in this comparison.


  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG): SVG exhibits a concerningly high and escalating homicide rate. The 2024 rate of 53.67 is particularly alarming for a small island developing state. With a small population,  each homicide has a disproportionately large impact on the per capita rate, contributing to a perception of widespread violence.

  • Regional Caribbean Context:

    • Jamaica continues to have one of the highest homicide rates globally, illustrating deeply entrenched challenges with violent crime, often linked to gangs, drugs, and illicit firearms.
    • Barbados and Grenada, while experiencing fluctuations, generally maintain lower homicide rates than SVG and Jamaica. Grenada, in particular, shows a relatively low average, suggesting a more stable security environment. The variations indicate that even within small island states, security outcomes can differ significantly.
  • Global Comparators:

    • Mexico consistently has a high number of homicides, leading to a high rate, largely due to organized crime, drug cartels, and corruption. The slight decline in recent years is positive but the overall challenge remains immense.
    • The USA, despite its large population and well-documented issues with gun violence, maintains a significantly lower national homicide rate than the Caribbean nations and Mexico on a per capita basis. This underscores the severity of the challenge faced by the smaller, more densely affected nations.




Implications for National Security, Tourism, and Other Areas of Economic Development:


1. National Security:

  • Internal Stability and Governance: For SVG, a persistently high homicide rate, particularly if tied to organized criminal elements, can erode public trust in governance and law enforcement. It indicates a challenge to the state's monopoly on legitimate force and its ability to maintain order. This can lead to a sense of insecurity among citizens and potentially encourage vigilantism or migration.
  • Drug and Arms Trafficking: The high rates in the Caribbean are often directly linked to international drug trafficking routes and the proliferation of illegal firearms. This makes border security a paramount national security concern for island nations like SVG, as they are vulnerable transit points. Failure to curb these flows fuels local violence.
  • Law Enforcement Capacity: The ability of police forces in small states to effectively investigate, apprehend, and prosecute offenders is crucial. Limited resources, training, and potential corruption can hinder efforts, creating a cycle of impunity that encourages further criminal activity.

2. Tourism:

  • Reputation and Perception: Tourism is highly sensitive to perceptions of safety. A high homicide rate, especially when highlighted in international news, can severely damage a country's image as a peaceful and desirable vacation destination. Even if violence doesn't directly target tourists, the general perception of instability can lead to travel advisories or a decline in bookings.
  • Economic Impact: A reduction in tourist arrivals directly impacts foreign exchange earnings, employment in the hospitality sector, and ancillary businesses (restaurants, transportation, local vendors). For economies heavily reliant on tourism, like many Caribbean islands, this can have cascading negative effects, leading to job losses and reduced government revenue.
  • Niche Tourism Vulnerability: While some tourists may remain unaffected (e.g., those staying in all-inclusive resorts), niche markets like yachting, eco-tourism, or cultural tourism, which involve more interaction with local communities, might be more sensitive to security concerns.
  • Insurance and Travel Costs: Higher crime rates can lead to increased travel insurance premiums for visitors and higher operational costs for tourism businesses due to enhanced security needs.

Figure 1: SVG Homicides 2019 - 2024

Click over the image for an enlarged view


3. Other Areas of Economic Development:

  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): High levels of violent crime create an unfavorable investment climate. Foreign investors seek stability, security, and predictability. Perceived insecurity can deter FDI, limit job creation, and restrict economic diversification beyond traditional sectors.
  • Local Business Environment: Domestic businesses also suffer from increased insecurity. Higher security costs, reduced consumer spending (due to fear), and the disruption of daily life can stifle entrepreneurship and growth.
  • Human Capital: A high crime rate can lead to "brain drain," as skilled professionals and young people seek safer environments and better opportunities abroad. This loss of human capital directly impacts a country's long-term development prospects, affecting sectors like healthcare, education, and innovation.
  • Social and Development Spending: Resources that could be allocated to education, health, infrastructure, or social programs may instead be diverted to security and correctional services, creating a vicious cycle where underdevelopment fuels crime, and crime drains development funds.
  • Rule of Law and Institutional Strength: The sustained challenge of high crime rates can weaken the rule of law, overburden judicial systems, and undermine public confidence in state institutions, which are fundamental for sustainable economic development.

In summary, for a small island nation like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, every homicide has a magnified impact on its per capita rate and national narrative. 

The current trends pose significant challenges to national security, threaten the vital tourism industry, and impede broader efforts towards economic development by creating an environment of instability and discouraging investment and human capital retention.

Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach involving strong law enforcement, community engagement, youth programs, and regional cooperation to combat transnational crime.


Reading


Organized Crime Index


Reported Crimes By Type For SVG


St. Vincent and the Grenadines Murder/Homicide Rate 1990-2025


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