Reflecting on 2016

Looking back at 2016, I can confidently say that there is so much to be thankful for….and like the song says, count your blessings name them one by one, I reflect on some of the blessings of 2016.....

The love of the Father
Health
Preservation
Peace
Accommodation
An amazing Job
Sorted out Visa
The constant flow of God’s word
Courage
Favour and grace
Good relationships
The blessings of family and friends
Ideas (including ‘Inconversation’….coming soon) and divine direction
Answered prayers

I thank God for seemingly setbacks and delays that were actually opportunities to manifest himself as God who answers prayers, the God of all flesh and the one who is in charge…..

2016 was amazing and I have GOD to thank for that……

2017 can only be better because our pathways in life only gets better and better and better   - The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day (Proverbs 4:18)

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

So it’s less than 24 hours to Christmas day (its Christmas Eve)

Lots of shopping already done, some more to go…..

The Holiday feel, whether it’s a day or two or more, is in the air

The gifts already wrapped and ready to be opened

The food menus all ticked and the cooking process in motion

Christmas this year is on a Sunday so that includes a Christmas service for some

In all of these amazing events,

It’s important to remember, the one we celebrate: the one whose birthday it is on Christmas day

Keep sharing the smiles, the messages, the songs and most of all the LOVE

That’s really what it’s all about

Do have a Merry Christmas 💗💗💗

Thanksgiving Sunday

On this Thanksgiving Sunday, I reflect on the year 2016 thus far and events that have taken place from the first to this last month in the year, as a result, my heart through my hands, express these words about a ‘Faithful God’  

 January – The Merciful One

February – The Source of Love

March – The Preserver

April – The One who Orchestrates Breakthroughs

May -  The One who gives Grace

June – The One who goes before us

July – The Orchestrator of 'One Voice'

August – The One who Favours 

September – The One who adds years to life

October – The One who makes Fruitful

November – The Giver of Continuous Favour

December – The Settler

Learning and Growing

As a child, it did seem like you never really had to worry about anything as someone else did the worrying while you enjoyed the spoils or the rewards. This was my reality, at least not until I began to move up classes at school and the plays, naps and creativity seemed to be taken over by timed activities, bells, and assignments not to mention punishments for being late or doing something wrong. 

This became my reality, school brought out the consciousness of the inevitable life process ‘growth’, which in the words of Benjamin Franklin - ‘Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning’. And as Paul rightly said ‘When I was a child, I spoke, thought, and reasoned in childlike ways as we all do. But when I became a man, I left my childish ways behind’.

Never stop learning, growing up is part of life, however make sure life’s lessons mould you in the right direction. 

Prepared Meal!

I got home after a really busy day yesterday and wasn’t sure if I could get myself to make something to eat. My flatmate was busy cooking something in the kitchen and offered me this pleasantly looking meal. I couldn’t be more grateful.

As I reflect on the things I sometimes don’t necessarily open my mouth to pray about but are sorted, I am reminded of the word - God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask or think……..Those prayers we make in thoughts also count. 

Today, I am thankful to God who answers prayers and meets our needs beyond our words (what we ask in words) but also our prayers made in thoughts.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

 Reference: Ephesians 3:20

Choices!

We don't have to have it all figured out yet, 

It doesn't have to be perfect yet.

We may not have it all yet 

We may not be at the finish line yet

At the moment of having it as a thought, 

going through the process, 

when it seems blur and impossible, 

when it seems hopeful but still a long way to go, 

when you feel tired but closer than when you first started, 

when you are not where you ought to be, but definitely not where you used to be, 

remain thankful for a thankful heart keeps the dream alive and receives grace to accomplish....

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 5:20

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

Influences!

I met a lady (Jose) from Manchester today. I would describe her as exciting and engaging. She came in briefly to do some cleaning nevertheless, got everyone’s attention as she spoke about her three sons and how they have turned out to be great kids. Two are currently studying at the university (Manchester and Australia) and the first son works with a multinational abroad (Netherland). You could literally see her eyes light up as she showed us pictures of the boys and how well they are doing.…..She finally said to us (the listeners) ‘it wasn’t easy raising them boys within the community I live but I am a Christian and I brought them up in the ways of a Christian guided by the bible and that has kept them grounded’. That to me was a profound statement and it brought to mind the reality of how necessary it is to sow the right seeds in the formative years of an individual and never stop sowing because we never really stop developing, learning.

Still on this thought (influences), any wonder how kids tend to pick up stuff (I refer to words, gestures, and the likes). I recently spoke with my sister-in-law who narrated stories to me about stuff her 3 year old son (Tammy) picked up 'I know that one time because I always ended my calls with take care, God bless, he would say it when he is role playing with his toys. Also, we say the grace after prayers at home, he insists on saying the grace after every prayer no matter how short....Similarly, another nephew of mine, Joshua who is 6 years old, when he was much younger (about 3 years old) and asked ‘how you are?’ his response was always ‘I am blessed’. He picked this response from his mum who always responds in this manner. Consequently, it is helpful to say that we should never stop sowing the right seeds because it pays and at the same time, to the best of one’s ability, expose yourself to whatever has the capacity to positively channel you, people around you in the right direction.

‘Point your kids in the right direction, when they’re old they won’t be lost’. MSG

‘Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it’. NLT

Reference:

Proverbs 22:6