God Our Father

When you just think you can't take one more step on your own strength and you feel so weak and vulnerable, the grace of God comes to strengthen you. I have long learned we are not without help or guidance. All we need is to call upon the Lord. He is truly a prayer away.

I am amazed at how God works in our life. When you just think you can't make it or it is too hard, there comes his grace to carry you through your hard times. He provides EVERYTHING WE NEED according to his riches. He wakes us up every morning and appropriates sufficient grace for the new day so we can face whatever the day may bring. One comforting thought for me is knowing that God has seen all my unseen tomorrows and there is nothing that he does not know. So when the future looks uncertain, I am certain in the knowledge that my father holds all my tomorrows and he is on my side.

In these uncertain times that we live in where there is rumors of unprecedented natural disasters and economic instability, it is a comforting thought to know that God's mercy and grace is new every morning and that his constant love will never leave us or forsake us. It is also comforting to know that God is in control and is all powerful when we feel that life is out of control. He will sustain us and he will provide for us. Jesus said if he provides for the birds and dresses the lilies of the field so magnificently how much more will he provide for us.

Today I encourage you to stop worrying about the unknown tomorrows or your finances or your challenges in life and bring it all to God in prayer knowing that the most powerful being is your father. God as our father is the source of all life. He gives us life and sustains our life. He provides everything that we need for life. Life by the way was not our invention but his creation and he sustains it well. All we have to do is just trust in our father and know that he watches over us.

So go forth in confidence in knowing that you will never lack anything because God is your provider! Go forth with joy and peace in your heart for you are loved and will never be forsaken!

Got Another Award.......Stylish? Hmmm

Few weeks ago I received 'Stylish Blogger Award'......imagine that! Ofcourse, I am touched and flattered. The person who awarded me is a fellow blogger, Amie, at http://ameaningofoptimist.blogspot.com/. Thank you Amie for being so generous with your support. By the way if you haven't already please check her blog....very insightful and fun.

What to do once you have been given this award:

•  Thank and link back to the person that awarded this to you
•  Share 7 things about yourself
•  Award 15 recently discovered bloggers
• Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

 The Seven Things About Me:(rarely do I cook the same dish twice)

• I love to cook.
• I grew up in Africa.
• I have lived in three continents of the world for atleast seven years.
• I can't imagine life without my savior and lord, Jesus.
• I too detail oriented and a perfectionist to a fault.
• I love writing poems.
• I love British movies such as Emmy and Pride & Prejudice. 

Keep on blogging, keep on sharing! let's all grow together.

I don't have 15 bloggers to pass this award so for now here are the Bloggers I would like to award this to, for their blog being so stylish!

1. Faith: Great Adventures of a faithful Girl at Cuz You Gotta Have Faith; Simply beautiful!
2. LaKenya: Blessed Assurance; real life experiences with a spiritual depth.
3. Marie from Dublin: The Color of Our Skin; all I'm gonna say is please check her out!
4. Pamela: The Spiritual Soaking; an excellent read for the spiritually hungry.

Remembering.........Reminiscing!

We are always on the go, bombarded by the immediate needs of our daily life that we do not take the time to sit still and look back at our life. When I look back at my life, I see so many instances of God’s goodness and faithfulness. When I stop long enough to remember what God has brought me through, the difficulties I have overcome, it was not because I was strong but because of his grace and faithfulness. I see that throughout my days God has been by my side always strengthening me, always providing for my needs, always comforting me and always leading me. The mistakes that I have made in life were never because of a lack of God’s leading in my life but rather it was because of leaning on my own understanding and not heeding his word or the nudge in my heart telling me to take the higher road.

I have been doing a lot of looking back and reminiscing about my past victories and even failures. How God has never let me down. How God has always been so near, just a prayer away! How God carried me through my storm. How he held my hand and kept me strong. How he comforted me through my heartbreaks. What an awesome God he is, what a wonderful God we truly serve. God is a loving father to his children. As a loving father, he provides, loves, comforts, leads, teaches and disciples his children. I have experienced all these – his loving, comforting, leading, teaching and also disciplining. No one likes to be admonished or disciplined but it is a part of being a child. A father disciplines his children out of love.

God’s disciplining is like pruning. As a farmer prunes a fruit bearing tree to bear even more fruit, in like manner God disciplines us so we could bear more fruit in our life. He disciplines us so we could grow into our full potential of who he created us to be. It is an integral part of his love for us for he wants nothing short of the best for his children. And the best for each one of us is to grow into the person God created us to be and to realize our purpose in life. I testify to God’s goodness even through his disciplining for it has allowed me to grow into maturity. I know I have a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do so I do anticipate some more disciplining along the way.

Storms are such an integral part of life just as they are of the weather system. As I’ve heard one preacher say one time, you are either coming out of a storm or going through a storm or will go through one somewhere down your path for storms are a part of life. It is absolutely true! Well, it is in the stormy times of my life that I have grown the most and have gotten closer to my maker. I have witnessed God’s absolute faithfulness going through my storms for I was never forsaken or alone. I felt God’s presence calming my heart as I went through the most trying times of my life. My God is my rock. He is a sure foundation that I stand on regardless of what I am going through.

So today, I offer up to him my gratitude for all the times he has rescued me, for all the times he has comforted me; for all the times he has loved me through my pain and for all the times he had carried me on his back. My Lord, my God, my savior, he is dearer than life itself to me. He is the air I breathe. He is truly my source of life. He is my strength and hope. And I know that the God who has been there through all my ups and downs in the past will not leave me nor forsake me so when I look out to my future, my confidence is not in the economy or my abilities or what is happening around me but my confidence rests in him alone. He has seen all my tomorrows and I know can trust him for he has proven himself to be trustworthy.

I encourage you to take some time today to do a little remembering, a little reminiscing. Remember God’s goodness, his faithfulness and enduring love. Let your heart sing a song of thanksgiving. I submit to you that regardless of where you are on your path today, if you look back at all your answered prayers, you will be encouraged and lifted up. Your joy will be overflowing and your hope will be alive for you know that God has not left your side. If you are in need, just call upon him……he is just a prayer away. You are never without help and you are never alone. You are loved and cared for by your creator. God is your, mine, our present help.

Let’s remember today!

Power of Prayer

One of the most powerful things in my life is the power of prayer. To me, prayer is not a mindless repetition of words to get God's attention but an earnest conversation with God. The God who gave us the ability to hear has the same ability too, only his hearing is infinitely better in every possible way. So I discovered early in life that God is not only this powerful being who created man (& woman), animals, earth and brought the entire universe into existence but he is also an intimate personal God who cares about each one of us. I went to an Orthodox Christian School in my early life which encouraged me to read the bible for myself. And that is how I discovered that I can have a personal relationship with my creator through his son Jesus. I want to emphasize that I was not taught this in the school, church or family I grew up in. To me, it was not about religion but rather about the truth. Here is the passage that transformed my life, John 1: 1-12:

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.
 ⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
 ⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

My own conversations with God began at the ripe age of 12 (couple of months shy from 13) after I accepted his son Jesus. I began to have spiritually significant dreams and these are dreams I remember vividly to this day. So my path has begun not as a religious but purely spiritual experience. I remember feeling uncomfortable doing some of the things I used to love to do and I did not know why I would feel that way. So I strarted to ask God if these feelings came from him and I pleaded if they were indeed from him to please give me the strength to change and he did. And as a result, those very things I cherished before had no hold on me. This started a revolution of sorts in my life. Because now I knew that God truly hears and answers prayers. And I prayed about things that were pretty serious and things that were not that significant. But time and again, I saw how God heard my cry for help. It was just mind blowing. I can say that at that point I discovered the key to life which was coming to God with everything including all my heartbreaks and problems.

In the most desperate times of my life, when I needed the presence of God to comfort me and calm my internal storm that is fueled by the fear of the unknown, I have cried out to God and he has in fact answered my prayers. I have also learned to be patient for God does not always answer our prayers on our time which is immediately or in the fashion we would like him to which is to always say YES to our requests because he is a loving father. That might sound strange to some people but let me explain. Loving parents would have to say later or simply no to some of the requests their children make. They do that not because they do not love their children but because they do. They only say yes to their children's request when they are in their children's best interest. In the same way, God says later or simply no to some of our requests because of his infinite love for us. I have asked God for some things in my life so desperately but his answer was no but in hindsight it was the best answer. I am so thankful for a lot of God's no's or even his silences because now I can see for myself that he had something better in mind. But I will be lying if I said to you that I feel this way one hundred percent of the time because I don't. That's when I need to lean on my faith and trust God, even when I don't I understand why God will allow some things in my life, I know that he loves me and he has my best interest at heart.

Prayer is simply a conversation with God. A conversation is not a monologue but rather a dialogue so you have to take time to listen to what God has to say. God speaks through his word and he speaks to our hearts. Sometime he speaks to us through our dreams and sometimes he speaks to us through other people. God speaks all the time if we will only open our ears and hearts to hear him. And prayer is also the greatest form of fellowship because that is a time we open our hearts and pour it all out to God and take time to hear to what he has to say to us.

Whatever your life circumstance is and wherever you are on your path, I encourage you to make time to pray. Prayer holds the key to a triumphant life. If you are tired of being tired, struggling with life's many challenges, I encourage you to come to God with all your struggles. Just open your mouth and tell him what has been bothering you. Just pour your heart to him in simple words. God is not interested in rigid religious practices as much as he is interested in having a relationship with his creation. So talk to God and open your ears and heart so you could hear what he is saying to you. God is always speaking but we tune him out so we are the ones who should learn to get in tune with God so we could hear him speak. I guarantee you that life will be so much better and fuller when you start to converse with God. You will understand that you are not alone on this journey we call life. You have someone who brought you here and he has a purpose for your life. Your conversations with God will lead you to discover your purpose in life and give meaning even to the most painful experiences of your life.

Prayer first changes us. It calms the storm within. It channels joy and peace into our troubled hearts. We feel relieved from all the burdens that are pressing on us. It energizes us. It allows us to appropriate the grace of God. Prayer changes us first before it changes our situations. It moves our hearts before it moves our mountains. I testify to the awesome power of prayer in my own life. When I am weak and feel like I can't take one more day of whatever situation I am in, as soon as I come to God in prayer, it all changes. My situation could be the same but I have the strength and the will to continue on the path God has put me on, not just surviving but thriving through him.

Start praying today and discover the amazing power of prayer!

Unprecedented Natural Disasters....Are We Living in the Last Days?

When we hear about natural disasters around the world, mostly we feel for the people going through it and some of us may even feel compelled to reach out to the hurting in their time of great need. I am ashamed to say that I have not really done anything substantial in the past as a result of learning about a natural disaster that has happened in another part of the world. In recent memory, from the earthquake and tsunami that hit South East Asia in 2004 to  the earthquakes that devastated Haiti and China to the enormous earthquake and tsunami that just hit Japan ....unprecedented disaster all around the world that is ever increasing at an alarming rate. And yet, those of us who live in the part of the world that is unaffected carry on our every day life with uncanny calmness as if what has happened there won't happen here.

The earthquake and devastating tsunami along with the nuclear crisis in Japan is at the center stage of our global media. I am not a news junky, but lately I have found myself glued to the TV watching CNN and other news channels to stay updated on what's going on across the Pacific. For a brief moment, I thought about what it must have been like for those who went through this heartbreaking natural disaster. I thought about those who did not make it......what it must have been like in their last moments. I can't really say I know what it must have felt like because I have never been through what they went through and are still going through but it causes me to pause my routine day to day existence long enough to think of my fellow humans on the other side of the globe.

We are experiencing natural disasters at an alarming frequency and with much greater intensity. It is happening so fast that if you try to take it all in, it will literally blow your mind.......not in a good way! It's overwhelming to witness what is happening all over the world. The days that we are living in have been foretold in the Judaic Christian Bible. Not just what is happening in the world in terms of unprecedented catastrophes but also our social and cultural environments have also been prophecied thousands of years ago. Last week, I  heard a news anchor reassure his audience that 'IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!!' I was amazed by how self assured this man was as he confidently claimed to know that IT IS NOT the end of the world. Well, I beg to differ. I would say we are in the last days of human existence on earth as we know it. The birth pains have began.........it would be wise to at least keep an open mind about it rather than dismissing it without much thought. What if you're wrong and it is truly the end of the world; what then?

Here is what our Lord Jesus said about the last days according to the gospel of Mark: 'When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.  You must be on your guard. ....Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ¹³ Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved..... those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.' Mark 13:7-9, 12-13 & 19-20 

Do you think Jesus is talking about what we are facing today? The answer to that in my estimation is a resounding 'YES!!!' What we are witnessing all over the world is 'the beginning of birth pains'! And Jesus cautioned us to 'be on our guard'. So today, that is my message -  These are the beginning of birth pains.  You must be on your guard.

Not Bad Hmmm......Got An Award!

My dear friend Chere gave me 'The Versatile Blogger Award' exactly over a week ago! I know I am uncermoniously late expressing my gratitude but really thank you so much. Thank you for your support and for being the first follower of my blog.

I felt so flattered and honored to receive this award as a fairly new blogger who is navigating my way. Thank you Chere!!!

The rules for after you have been given this particular award:

- Thank the person who gave you the award :)

- Share 7 things about yourself

- Pass the award to up to 10 other versatile bloggers

- Let those other bloggers know you gave them the award

Seven Things About Me

1. I am a believer in the saving grace of God.

2. I enjoy a personal relationship with my Savior and Lord, Jesus!

3. I am married.

4. I am blessed to have a wonderful family.

5. I am a peoples person.

6. I have friends I have known almost all my life - literally - and some that I have met fairly recently but they are all such a blessing!

7. I enjoy watching a good movie with a great story line.

And I'm passing this award to the following bloggers:

1. Chere, A single Christian Mom's Advice (http://asinglechristianmomsadvice.blogspot.com/) 

2. Le' Optimist, A Meaning of Optimist (http://ameaningofoptimist.blogspot.com/)

3. Kidist, Kidistg (http://kidistg.wordpress.com/) - New Blogger like me

4. Aimee, Aimee - Girl Talk (http://aimee-girltalk.blogspot.com/)

I know my list is short but I'm sort of new to the blogging world................

What About Peace?

Peace is not having your life in perfect harmony or even having a blissful life. Peace does not come with the accumulation of wealth, though money can certainly buy things that facilitate a comfortable or even a luxurious life. Peace does not come with power, though power can give us status in society. Peace does not come with the achievement of our wildest dreams, though the realization of our dreams will certainly bring its own benefits and add to our happiness. So how can we have peace or experience undisturbed peace in our lives?

I have found that peace comes from the realization that life is not ours to control and accept our misfortunes along with our many blessings. As we embrace our life without a need for explanation, then a sense of peace starts to come over us. But the most complete peace that I have experienced came from trusting in someone. As I chose to trust in the person of Jesus, in his power to save and accepted his lordship over my life and surrendered, peace like a river washed over my soul and took residence there within since that moment of time. Jesus promised in the gospel of John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” I testify to the validity and truthfulness of Jesus' promise as I have experienced this Peace in my own life. 

My life has not been easy or trouble free but in the ups and downs of life I have a distinct sense of being grounded in spite of the curve balls life continues to throw my way.  I sense the feeling of anxiousness start to take hold as I try to control my life, but peace is waiting in a garb of trust, acceptance and surrender. Surrender is not a word that is frequently used or even appreciated as it is met with a foreboding that it implicates one has given up the fight of life or lacks zeal of life. Though it may seem that way, in the most trying times of my life, I have learned that peace doesn’t come in fighting harder or smarter but in surrendering to the will of the Lord. I will be lying to you if I tell you that my life is one picture of surrender and acceptance but quite to the contrary it is marred by struggle to accept with an ongoing fight between my ego (my flesh) and my spirit. But nevertheless, I have enjoyed peace that passes human understanding, peace promised by our dear Lord to the extent of my willingness to surrender and simply trust that everything will eventually work out for my good. And this trust and belief comes from the knowledge that our savior lives and he is faithful to the end of time.

To some readers this may sound a very narrow minded view of the world and life in general. Certainly, such outrageous claims cannot be true, right? Well, it is definitely a narrow path but one that completely transforms a person’s life. A surrendered heart is a heart filled with undisturbed peace in times of great success as well as great loss. Peace is not a commodity that can be purchased but peace is a gift from our creator when we open our hearts to completely trust him. So if you are a believer who has already made the decision to surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but still struggle with lack of peace in your life, one of the following could apply to you:

·         Unable to fully surrender your life

·         Trying to control the outcomes to your life’s circumstances

·         Unable to fully trust God with everything

·         Questioning ‘why’ as you go through hardship or unexpected loss

·         Trying to make sense of everything, current reality or past experience

All the above will lead to more anxiety and lack of peace. Today, I encourage you to completely let go of all your inhibitions and fears especially fear of loss of control over your life as you open your heart to simply trust in God. If you have not made that decision, I would certainly invite you to give it a serious consideration.........this is not an invitation to change your religion or place of worship but rather an invitation to a change of heart which will ultimately result in change of life. I promise you, if nothing else in this life, you will experience the peace that comes from trusting and surrendering your life to God.

As for me and my household, I have chosen to trust and surrender - one day at a time. It's a daily journey but of faith. I share this with you today because I have sought many avenues in the past to find peace but none or no one has been able to give me peace except God.

Peace - Shalom in Hebrew and Selam in Amharic (my mother toung) and in Arabic!