2 Popular myths that appear as if they are from the Bible…

… BUT are not. 

1.  Myth:  “God helps those who help themselves.”

Truth: God helps those who are helpless.  Throughout the Bible, it is evident that God has a special heart for the helpless and the vulnerable such as the poor, the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, etc. In the Old Testament days, God gave specific instructions for the care of such people. See Scriptural examples of God’s zealousness for the care and protection of the poor, orphans, widows and the foreigner below. The first example has really strong words of warning from God to the advantaged group.

Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24 (NIV). 

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 14:28- 29 (NIV)

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.  Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. Deuteronomy 24:17-22 (NIV)

When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22 (NIV).

If Boaz and his farm servants had not practiced the command to leave some of the barley sheaves behind them, do you think Ruth would have gotten food for Naomi and herself? (Ruth 2:1-23).

Under the New Testament covenant, Christians are expected to continue to care for the needy. To share is one Bible quote which for me, sums up the subject: 

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV).

I believe this principle is different from fighting for or claiming what belongs to you as most people interpret the statement above. Even then, when one is at the receiving end of a twisted deal that goes against the person, God will come through for this person when he/she calls on Him. Read the example of the widow and her persistent petition to a godless judge, from Luke 18:1-8. 

2. Myth: “Money is the root of all evil”

Truth: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, (1 Timothy 6: 10: NIV). Some Bible versions say, “a root” while other say, “the root”. Discussions about money seem to be a thorny issue for most people. Is it because there is never enough? I don’t know. There are many pastors who would rather not talk about money or preach about money in their congregations; they often condemn their follow pastors who preach the “prosperity gospel”. The “prosperity gospel” pastors seem to excessively preach about money and wealth to the point of disregarding the message of first import: the salvation of lost souls. These are the two extremes. But whatever position one stands for or whether a person does not have any position at all, money is a necessity that one can’t live without. Just know this… it is the love (greediness) of money which is the problem, not the money itself.  

May the LORD bless as all as we confound myths with the truth of God’s Word. 

Blessings,
Lady Akofa.

Perspectives: New Eyes

I was driving down through a street that I normally use, but for some reason I looked at the street with different eyes. The lineup of mahogany trees on both sides of the road suddenly appeared beautiful to me and I thought, “This would make a beautiful landscape photo like the ones I see in calendars and on desktop screens.” The only thing that prevented me from attempting to capture what I saw was that I didn’t have my camera with me at that time. That’s what I call the “photographer’s eyes.”

I know an architect who says he watches movies with an eye to check out building designs that he can use in his work. And I’m sure an interior decorator will have a different perspective when watching the same movies as the architect.

I also remember seeing a rainbow a few years ago. Between my sister and I, we briefly took turns taking photos of the rainbow. While I focused on the rainbow itself (hey, you don’t get to see rainbows often, right?), my sister focused on the rainbow and the surroundings. Professional photographers call this “composition.” In the end, her pictures came out better than mine.

While perspectives are good, they can be limiting in the big scheme of things. We all have view points based on our backgrounds, experiences, professions, etc but that’s not all there is to life. There is the Big Picture that includes all generations and all people. Even historians sometimes get it wrong, either because of misinformation or because their experiences skew their perspectives. Only God, the Beginning and the End, the Eternal God, who is also the Creator and Designer, has the Big Picture.

My encouragement for you today is to ask God to gives you “new eyes” to see beauty in the mundane. Live with the expectation that God will show you new things, and He will.

With new eyes,
Lady Akofa.

Interesting reads Here and There

I don’t plan for this kind of post to be a series as some bloggers do. I just had to share!

Mouth Dropping Sculpture
I’m a bride of Christ and came across Bride of Christ ministries during an online search few years ago. David Magiera has released a mouth dropping sculpture. I keep thinking “wow,” every time I look intensely at the image. Go “wow” yourself too by clicking here, haha!

Impact Value of Jobs
I have a pastor friend who considers his calling/job as the most important of all jobs in the world. I've often felt slighted by his repeated assertion. I’d usually respond, “Well, I don’t aspire to be a pastor, I think it’s a tedious job. You always must be the beck and call of others and at odd times too.” At least, my pastor friend seems to enjoy his work and that’s a good thing. Well, a pastor is different from a psychologist, yet they deal with people. A cook and a seamstress met different needs. But are their impact value the same? Check this article out.

Where myths are shattered: Ready or not
Should you have completed college/grad. school before you marry? Or must you be established in your career before you tie the knot? Isn't that what most of our parents, teachers and well meaning friends advise? This article does shatter some myths about a person’s readiness for marriage.

Fun Bible Infographic
Tim Challies has created this colourful infographic on the books of the Bible. Go grab it.

Pastor Comparison <> Encourage your own pastor
In Ghana, there are instances of “pastor comparison” and “church comparison” going on.
“My church is better than yours,’cos we have a 24 hour prayer team, 7 days a week.”
“My pastor operates in the prophetic so he must be more anointed than yours.”
Never heard John Piper preach but I’ve read some of his stuff (Books & Blog). I think he’s cool, whatever cool means to you, haha! Check this article out and appreciate your pastor just as he is!

Encouraging read for women
This article is for all women, whether married or unmarried, whether a stay-at-home mom or not, women do have some “home-cares.” It’s an encouraging read… guys, you may want to read too, so that you can encourage your wives, female relatives and friends.

I hope you found something useful here.

Happy Blog Hopping,
Lady Akofa.

"Auntie Akofa is here!"

“Auntie Akofa is here! Auntie Akofa is here!”

These days, that’s how I’m welcomed whenever I go to my friend’s E.’s place. The voices belong to her 3 ½ year old son and her 2 year old daughter, excitedly announcing the arrival of a familiar face; a family friend.

Sometimes, my arrival is too early in the morning, that is on bread collection days, and though the little ones are awake, it seems they would rather go back to bed and skip school. Or perhaps, I got there at hungry moments when they were patiently waiting for breakfast... so no happy welcome for “Auntie Akofa,” haha!

It’s a privilege and an honour that my friendship with E. has spilled over to her marriage and now, to her children. Almost every time I visit long enough to sit down for a chat, her son, Ad., eagerly searches my bag for my cell phone –not that it’s fancy, by the way- or for something equally ‘cool’ enough for him to play with. Ad. is usually delighted if he’s able to pour out all the contents of my bag if he manages to escape the watchful eyes of his mother and I, who are catching up on life’s happenings and God’s goodness on our lives.

It wasn’t until recently that her daughter, Ay. gave up her suspicions of me and embraced me with her shy smile and cautious handshake. Or should I say Ay. had been gingerly checking me out all throughout her 2 years of life? Now she delights in pointing out her big brother’s impish ways, “Auntie Akofa! Look at Ad.!” Or she would call out simply, “Auntie Akofa! Look at…!” I’d turn towards the direction of the little pointed finger and true to the report, Ad. is gleefully indulging in some mischief.

In early October, their little brother arrived and I had the privilege of keeping them with me over the weekend. It was challenging to keep them entertained and occupied, so that I could tackle some 'adult' task. For some reason they didn’t like the kid music video I had, neither did they seem to like one of my favourite cartoons, “The Lion King.”

However, whenever they were allowed to, they got busy on my mom’s exercise bicycle often fighting over who to ride it- a quarrel I refused to stop. I figured they would solve their toddler quarrels on their own by way of crying, lol!

Ad. and Ay. were pretty excited about being able to freely run around and play in front of our house. Lots of space to freely roam and get dirty too!

One night, we 3 all went for a walk and they told me stories most of which I didn’t really get but encouraged their storytelling nonetheless with my, “I see! Oooh! Hmmmm! Is that so?’ etc. While I’ve forgotten their stories, the memory of slowly walking and talking together is precious to me. I hope to do this with my children someday.

And there was one night, we shared a bedtime prayer. Although what Ad. said was mostly unintelligible, I know God heard his prayer. I was proud of him and more importantly of his mother’s effort in teaching and modeling prayer to her children.

I cannot wait to get to know their little brother as he grows up to be a sweet toddler, like Ad. and Ay are now.

Grateful for friendships,
Lady Akofa.

Who? Me? Yes, you!

Hi, Hi, Hi! I’m taking part in a BIG BLOG BASH... lol! And just as people introduce themselves to one another at parties, I’m introducing myself to party goers who hop over to say, “Hello!”

Helloooooo! It's great to meet you! : -)


You asked: Who are you?
I’m Lady Akofa from and living in Ghana but haven’t necessarily exclusively lived all my life in Ghana. I’m a royal princess because I’m a daughter of my Papa God, the King of all Kings, in Christ Jesus. I’m one of 2 daughters and have worked in the communications industry for the last 5-6 years.

I’m so, soo crazy about mangoes and wish I could have them all year round. And I love almost anything with rich chocolate in it... ice cream, cake, muffins, all that stuff and... oreos. It doesn’t matter whether it’s dark, brown or white chocolate, I take delight in all of them! Besides food, I experiment with perfumes, so if you’re allergic to such fragrances be advised! You can read more about me here.

You asked: Why do you blog?
I write because love to write. I often share what God is teaching me in seasons of my life to encourage and inspire others, people just like me. Other times, you’ll find posts about random things and life in Ghana. While I’m camera shy, photography is a new hobby, so blogging it is.

Attempting the photo art and failing horribly... lol!

You might ask: By the way, where in the world is Ghana?
Check Google Maps and you’ll find it. And while you’re there, please note that Ghana and Guyana are miles apart. : -)

This was definitely a success and a hit!

You can join the blog bash by clicking the link below and it's free!

God bless ya,
Lady Akofa.

Heaven, Unlimted Space

"If we were to go to heaven with our possessions and things, our containers like in Tema Harbour, heaven would be congested before we get there."

~ Will not identify the person who said it.

So... the above statement was made at my Bible study group while we were discussing Matthew 19:16-30, in the context of priorities sometime last year. I was so ticked that I had to write it down at that time. I was reviewing this note book and I couldn't help but smile.



The truth? Heaven is Unlimited in Space. Even if God would allow us to get there with our perishable stuff, there would be enough room for all our stuff. Our perception of the Unlimited God is often limited by our own limited human wisdom and understanding (Pun intended). However, the point of the study discussion is that God wants us to be focused on Him, the Eternal God.

There is a song that a number of churches in Ghana sing that goes like this:

(You are) bigger than what people saaay -Call out
You are bigger than what people say -Chorus

You are good, You are kind,
You are bigger than what people say.

Amen,
Lady Akofa.

No title but deep stuff

Occasional loneliness is actually not such a bad thing if we know where and who to turn to when we find ourselves friendless and abandoned. Should we look into ourselves into depths that confound us, we lose sight of what’s true. But if loneliness drives us to seek the True God then that’s a good thing because we have found a Friend. And what blessedness it is to find Him! Or better still, when God powerfully and lovingly reveals Himself to us- YOU!

Oftentimes, we try all possible means to avoid being lonely but it is only at such times that you recognize your need for something more, for Someone Divine.

And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. - Hebrews 11:6

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes form the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

God bless ya,
Lady Akofa.

The Ultimate Woo-er

At a group bible study yesterday, I was reminded of God’s commitment to love us and humanity’s incapability to love the way He does. A lady was confounded by her own inability to love God with complete abundance and felt her love for God was inadequate. Her concern portrayed a desire to go deeper in her walk with the LORD.

♥♥♥

God reminded me of 1 John 4:10-11, which I shared with the lady. The gist is this: we are incapable of love because of sin in our hearts. God loved us first by extending His mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ. As we feed on the love He lavishes on us, we in turn love Him and this love overflows to others without inhibition.

♥♥♥

Yes, we love, but only as human beings do which basically is to love those who love us. However, the love of God extends even to our ‘enemies,’ and strangers and that’s only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.

♥♥♥

Another precious sister explained it further this way: God is the suitor just like any young man seeking to court a lady. Until a young man comes a lady’s way, the lady is not capable of loving him because she doesn’t know him. But as he pursues and the lady chooses to be receptive to the attention and the expressed desire, a love relationship begins and they get to know each other.

♥♥♥

Oftentimes, if all things goes well, there is a desire to commit for life in a marital agreement. In marriage, the journey of knowing each other and loving each other continues. I’ve heard older married couples say that they loved each other when they were young but now that they are old, they love each much more than they did in the past.

♥♥♥

So when you’re stuck and unsatisfied with your ‘level’ of love for God don’t be alarmed. God is not seeking perfect love from you. He is aware that you’re not fully capable of that just yet but you’ll grow in love as you CHOOSE to spend time getting to know Him. All He asks for is your desire. Are you desirous for authenticity and depth? Can the desire translate into a daily choice of pursuit and receptiveness?

♥♥♥

God is in the business of wooing us into a deeper love relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus Christ is the Groom and You are His Bride. Allow Him to woo you. Allow Him to pour out precious jewels of love into your heart. Delight in His love like the beautiful, blushing bride you are! :-)

♥♥♥

Basking in His love,
Lady Akofa.

His Mercy

I've been thinking about God's mercy lately and how undeserving I am of His goodness. Yet He freely gives it... ABUNDANTLY.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ---Titus 3:4-7 (NIV)

Because of His Mercy I've received His free gift of salvation.

My so-called 'righteousness' couldn't have earned His mercy... in fact, I couldn't have done anything to merit it because I was just incapable of living to please Him. I'm grateful.

Mercy

In deep thoughts lately,
Lady Akofa.

To Blog or not to Blog?

Happy New Year!

I think I’m back to publicly sharing my thoughts and experiences on this blog… or maybe not. Wait and see whether I’m able to publish any substantial stuff within the next quarter then you can decide to completely abandon me, lol!

May 2010 be an AWSOME year for you.

God bless ya,
Lady Akofa.

Glad when they said...

Psalm 122
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

God bless ya!
Lady Akofa.

Hugs!

I’ve been thinking about hugs lately.

Last Sunday, I observed a bubbly, 5 or 6 year old girl bask in pleasure after one of her many aunts in Christ gave her a big, motherly hug while we exchanged greetings during church service. She shrieked and wiggled with glee. Amused, I walked up to her and asked her, “Would you like another one?” Of course she didn’t mind.

Then yesterday in church, one of my Sunday school kids walked up to me, “Auntie, Happy Valentine,” with a big, kiddie hug. The hug came at the time I was trying to get 20 plus kids to settle down so that we could start our lesson. Aaaaww! A heart melting hug from a sweet kid. Like the first lil’ girl, I’m still relishing in my Valentine hug. : )

Gary Chapman, talks about physical touch as one of the love languages in his seminal book, The Five Love languages. This book has been instrumental in helping me to understand that people express love in different ways. I love receiving and giving hugs but it’s neither my primary nor secondary love language. One of my close friend’s primary language is physical touch and whenever we meet, it’s all sisterly hugs and kisses. And I do these because of her.

I normally extend my hand when greeting people but I’m mostly ok with it if the other person prefers a hug. I often assume that physical touch is their love language. On my recent trip to Egypt, I found out that cheek kisses are normal greetings. When my sister and I discussed this with my parents, my dad also talked about another culture, I think New Zealand, where people look into each other’s faces and rub their noses as a sign of greeting. Hehehe! And now that’s interesting!

Hugs,
Akofa. : )

Edited to add: You can check out this blog too, although it's not directly maintained by Gary Chapman himself.




Getting Freaked out by God

I missed real Christian fellowship while I was in Egypt for a work-related trip for about 2 weeks. So I was pretty excited to be back home in Ghana and particularly in church last Sunday, 1st Feb. Somehow God decided to freak me out on my return! Alrigh-dee, not it a negative way but you read on and see why.

During the service, just at the beginning of worship fleeting, potentially distracting and depressing thoughts came to mind. They weren’t things I wanted to think about because I was all geared up for corporate worship after missing two services. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I redirected my thoughts as the congregation worshipped God. At the end of the worship session I watched the worship leader for a signal so the congregation would sit down but she was silent and stood still as if she was waiting for something to happen. I somehow knew a rhema word was coming.

Suddenly a woman at the back of the church started speaking and I strained my ears to hear, only to realize that she was speaking in tongues. Tada! “There had better be an interpretation, Papa God! Nobody understood that,” 1 Corinthians 14.

And our God good knows what he doing… He doesn’t need me, Akofa, the clay to tell Him, the potter, what to do. The worship leader who had earlier paused translated the strange language in English. Although I didn’t get the 1st few words, the part that I heard was enough for me,

“…I am the God of all flesh,
Is anything too hard for me?”

You see, those earlier thoughts questioned God’s ability and revealed my fickle trust in Him, “Ooooh, God if only You’d do such and such. It seems Big and Impossible to me now, but if only You’d intervene.”

So a new day comes and it’s Monday 2nd February. I got to work and while checking my e-mails, I saw a familiar weekly newsletter from Life Coach, Valorie Burton, with the title, "It's not too hard!" Curious, I opened it. In this edition, she talked about her own experience of asking God for humanly impossible but divinely possible things and encouraged her readers to step out of their comfort zones and believe God for such. I read on and she had quoted the very Word that we received in church the previous day citing the Scripture reference as well- Jeremiah 32:26-27.

I almost freaked out! I had been frantically looking for the Scripture reference Sunday night to no avail. Although I was close, I just couldn’t find it. So here is Valorie’s newsletter with what I need. God must be up to something, I said to myself.

Then late Monday afternoon, I’m reading a lady’s God-glorifying testimony on the internet and one of God’s words to her during a trying, baffling period in her life was , guess... you already know it- Jer. 32: 26-27!

And this time, I freaked out! Yes but in a comforting way. God is really up to something and I’ve got to pay attention! Three times within 2 days? On top of it, God and I have a thing about the number 3. My birth date is a third and was born on the 3rd day of the week, if Sunday is considered the 1st. God has also done some cute, interesting things using the number 3 in my life. And by the way, He is 3 in One, right?

Okay-dokey, enough about me. Do you have a far-fetched dream that seem an impossible reality? Are you willing to stretch your faith and bank your hope on God, His Word and Power to do it? Take those baby steps now in honest prayer about your fears, inadequacies (He’s gonna do it not you!) and all. You might want to read the entire Jeremiah 32 to understand the contextual basis for which God made that statement. God is much Bigger than we have made Him out to be.


Don’t get freaked out like I was! :)
God bless ya!
Lady Akofa.




90 days - The Priests' work is bloooooody!

This is an old note, scribbled several weeks ago while reading Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

The work of the priest, Levites is tedious and excuse me to say, blooooody. Suffice it to say, priestly duties aren't for the fainthearted. I can't imagine having to see blood and flesh every single day, the smoke, fire and make extra sacrifices on ceremonial days but that is the job of the priest of old. Yet, it was God who chose Aaron and his sons and the descedants of Levi to carry out priestly duties. They were the only ones who could perform certain duties and touch certain ministerial articles.

In our day, Jesus Christ has graciously done this bloody work for us... me, once and for all in 2 ways:

One: He is the High Priest. Not just that, but the High Priest for all time. This is the covenant that will never change, Hebrews 7:11-24.

Two: He Himself is the sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the whole world, Hebrews 9:11-22.

Wondering what it would be like to be a priest in Moses' day, yet grateful to be under the awesome New Covenant.

Blogging from Cape Town
& grateful that the sun is out!
Lady Akofa.

Teach me to pray

I am sure the disciples had been praying all their life before they had met Jesus Christ and before they had began to follow Him. Also the disciples were Jews. For which Jew didn’t know the act of prayer or at least know about prayer? And I’m quite sure they had been praying with Jesus before that blessed day according to Luke 11. They had come to Jesus after one of his solitary prayer sessions and one of the disciples asked Him to teach them the discipline of prayer. And He taught what is famously called, The Lord’s Prayer.

I’ve prayed The Lord’s Prayer a countless times, most of them in my primary school days at morning assembly time. I have prayed as a kid, in groups and on my own. I also remember a few prayer times with my best friend in my teen years. Even before I came to Christ, I knew what prayer was about and knew that God existed. I just didn’t know about the relationship aspect of God in Christ; that He wanted me to come to Him as his daughter and servant and in return, that He will be my Father and God.

Like the disciples, I find myself sincerely asking God to teach me how to pray in the past 2 months or so. For the more I reach for a manifestation of who He is, the more I realize the need for depth, clarity in my utterances. I may have thought I knew how to pray but in fact, I didn’t. It’s no wonder the writer of Romans says in chapter 8:26-27 that the Spirit helps us to pray to point that He even makes intercession for us, for we don’t know what we ought to pray for.

I find myself having to borrow and buy books on prayer, asking God to lead me to pray specifically for change not only in my life but in the life of others. It’s somewhat an unlearning and relearning process, fraught with new insights. Most of all, I love what God is teaching me about Himself!

Praise Sunday

Still on gratitude... yep.

My church had her Praise Service, on 6th July, 2008. Strictly no preaching!

The presence of God was so rich and palpable.

I didn't bring my camera to church for the purpose of taking photos of the Praise and Worship team, but rather for a scheduled interview after church. I'm not the kind to observe people during worship or praise, but other people were taking pictures and I had my camera handy! So, I joined the paparazzi... :) It was a bit distracting because I really wanted to worship God and dance not take photos!

And the after church, just before I was interview a member for our church magazine, BINGO- the praise team was doing a photo shoot! And I invited myself for a few shots!

I don't know what they were looking at but certainly not me!

Say "Cheese!"

So this post is dedicated to the Praise Team at my church. And they are so dedicated to God, individually and as a team.

Praiz God!

Keep Praying

Keep Praying

Luke 11:5-13

We prayed. Quietly sometimes. Aloud other times. For more than 17 years we prayed. We prayed for our daughter Melissa’s health and direction, for her salvation, and often for her protection. Just as we prayed for our other children, we asked God to have His hand of care on her.

As Melissa rolled into her teenage years, we prayed even more that He would keep her from harm-that He would keep His eyes on her as she and her friends began to drive. We prayed, “God, please protect Melissa.”

So what happened? Didn’t God understand how much it would hurt so many people to loose such a beautiful woman with so much potential for service to Him and others. Didn’t God see the other car coming on that warm spring night?

We prayed. But Melissa was killed.

Now what? Do we stop praying? Do we give up on God? Do we try to make it alone?

Absolutely not! Prayer is even more vital to us now. God-our inexplicable sovereign Lord is still in control. His commands to pray still stand. His desire to hear from us is still alive. Faith is not demanding what we want; it is trusting God’s goodness in spite of life tragedies.

We grieve. We pray. We keep on praying.

Dave Branon.

February 27^th, 2008

Our Daily Bread, 2008-Annual Gift Edition

The Gift of Family Within the Body of Christ

The Gift of Family Within the Body of Christ

Just as it is uncharacteristic for God to lie, I'm a die-hard when it comes to using black ink to write. The few times I use blue ink, it’s so because I can't find my black pen to write with. This has been so since my secondary school days. My dad also has this trait. I wonder why this is so and how it came about???

However, I have this blue pen, which is so dear to me. It is a gift from one of my moms in Christ. It is multi-purpose- a fancy duck stamp, with bubble liquid inside to blow out bubbles. Just blowing the bubbles makes me feel like a kid! And I smile fondly, whenever I think of this godly mom, who gave me this pen along with a cute, red notepad, which has heart shapes on it. I’m so grateful for the gift. And more importantly, I am grateful for the relationship I have with this mom, Auntie Margaret and her husband, Uncle Simone.

I’m not sure how I got to know this couple but I first knew their daughter, Elsie and her, then fiancé, Kofi, who were in my bible study group as far back as 1997/8. As time went on the group grew bigger and we split several times. Interestingly, though I was no longer in the same bible study group with Elsie and Kofi, when Auntie Maggie and Uncle Simone decided to fellowship with my church, they joined my bible study group.

I can clearly say that, I’ve been blessed by fellowshipping with them over the years. I’m always awed by their wisdom and love when they share their experiences in bible study discussions. I remember when we paired up within the group to form prayer partnerships. My first partner was Uncle Simon. Initially, I didn’t even know how to relate to him, especially with his eye challenges and all. I can’t say that I was faithful in this partnership of praying for Uncle Simone, but I do know that several relationships blossomed in Christ’s love. I really do miss this godly, old couple when they are not able to make it for bible study. I remember penning my appreciation in a Christmas card last year (I had even wanted to do this much earlier!) and giving it to them. According to Auntie Maggie, they were touched by this gesture.

Well, I just got touched recently, when Auntie Maggie returned from visiting family abroad with the bubble pen and hearty notepad for me. How sweet! :) The beauty of relationships within the body of Christ, Hebrews 10:24-25. Let us consider how we can spur one another unto love and good works. How true, is His Word!

September 28, 2007