Merry Christmas!

He gave me love at Christmas!
Pure undeserved love:
God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten son; to save a sinful world.
Love is the reason for Christmas.
He gave me love at Christmas!


He gave me joy at Christmas!
The joy that comes from surrendering to Him;
from laying everything at His feet and saying:
Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Like Mary did.
He gave me joy at Christmas!


He gave me peace at Christmas!
The peace that surpasses all understanding.
Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth
And goodwill to all men.
The message to the shepherds.
He gave me peace at Christmas!


He gave me hope at Christmas!
Hope  that leads you on a journey
Even though you may not know the end.
They presented their gifts to Him.
The magi who travelled.
He gave me hope at Christmas!


He sent angels at Christmas!
Angels in dreams and visions.
Angels singing and praising God.
Angels protecting the Christ Child.
Because His promise is sure,
He sent angels at Christmas!


He gave me himself at Christmas!
And that was the best gift of all.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us
To make us right with God.
And He still does so in his word and as
bread and wine.
He gave me Himself at Christmas!


I give myself at Christmas.
I give my fiat; I say yes to Jesus.
My dreams and hopes; joys and sorrows
My plans and wishes; I give them all.
My family and friends; all my loved ones I give.
I give myself at Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Angela Azumah Alu

Christmas message

He is the restorer.
He gives beauty for ashes;gladness for mourning.
He clothes us in garments of salvation and gives us a robe of righteousness.
He gives us joy unspeakable!
He renews and revives us!
He is the Lord incarnate; Emmanuel-God with us.
He is redeemer, saviour friend.
He rolls away the reproach and makes all things new.
He fills our life with good things and renews our strength.
God has come to dwell among us.
To restore us to friendship with Him and with others.
Bringing peace on earth and good will to all men.
Tis the season, now and always...to restore sight to the blind, heal the broken hearted and free the captives.
Tis the season now and always to proclaim good news to the poor and afflicted.
Christ is with us;let us rejoice and be glad!
Merry Christmas!

Image from:http://hiltonchurch.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Emmanuel.jpg

A cry for mercy

A meditation on Luke 7:11-17 (story of the widow of Nain)

Oh Jesus, you heard the silent cry of the widow of Nain as she went off to bury her only son.
Hear my cry as I turn once more to you with my dead hopes, dreams, plans and desires.
Hear my cry as I run to the shadow of your throne.
Hear my plaintive cries for I am weak and have suffered long.
Turn to me and have mercy.
Bring back to life my dead dreams and hopes.
Revive my weak spirit and show me mercy.
There are so many times when I wonder if I am under punishment from you.
I cry to you all day long yet you seem not to hear.
And now all my hopes are dead.
Oh Jesus, have mercy on me.
I have been in this pit for too long.
Have mercy and turn to me.
Show your power. Bring me back to life.

Angela Azumah Alu, 19/09/17

Image from: http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20Six/target36.html

Happy birthday Esther!

 So this is an excited me writing this!!!!!!!!

Well, since it’s a special celebration going on for a year….it’s not belated.

Happy birthday again and again!!!!

There’s so much to say that I wonder where to even start.

I celebrate the awesome woman you were, are and will be.

I rejoice at the lady who has been through so much and yet always comes out standing tall…like a cat you always land on your feet.

Maybe our worries might seem like “21^st century troubles” but they’re real all the same and I always admire the way you handle what life throws at you.

For me, you’ve been there…….as a study partner, a voice of reason, a sounding board, a ready ear and many other things too numerous to count and I celebrate you. Thank you. We pray for many more years of love, laughter and joy to come.

And I see you do so well with others as well…..as Esther you are very loyal, generous and the practical friend who is always handy to have around because she always knows what to do.

I pray that you continue to grow into the woman our Creator made you to be and that He keeps taking you from height to height.

May He wipe every tear and fill you with joy unspeakable every day of your life.

May your times of sorrow only serve as a means to emphasize your times of joy and laughter.

May you fulfil every word He has spoken about you and may you continue to be a blessing!

Cheers! The best is yet to be!

Angela Azumah Alu, Legon

Happy fathers' Day!

Happy fathers’ day!

We’ve had our ups and downs but you’re the best father a girl could ask for.

Your dedication to work is legendary and I remember all the open days you didn’t come for…lol.

Yet I also remember that painful and lengthy trek to Akwatia every term for visiting day.

You have always challenged me to be all I can be, to be a well rounded woman and to be a good big sister.

Thank you…for every sacrifice you have made and continue to make just so we can achieve our dreams and live that comfortable life you didn’t have as a child.

Thank you for all of that.

Your way has always been to do your best with what you are given…and you have lived that out everyday. 

Your faith shines out in all you do.

You have indeed set the bar high and we pray we are able to live up and even exceed your laurels.

There’s so much I want to say…but thank you and thank you again!

Happy fathers’ day to the one and only Uncle P!

Angela Azumah Alu, 17/06/17, Accra

I will forget

The memories may seem never ending

The pain may seem unbearable

The questions may be too many

But one day I will forget.

One day, I will forget the pain you caused,

The memories will blur

My soul will be at peace

And one day I will forget.

One day, I will laugh out loud when I have to tell this story.

I will laugh at myself

And wonder why it was such a big deal.

One day I will forget.

One day, you and I will sit together and reminisce

About those days when we were young.

And about the feelings that grew and had to die.

One day I will forget.

Even if we never do,

And I never get an explanation for why you ghosted me,

And it stays awkward forever,

The memories will fade and I will forget.

One day soon, I will thank God for what has happened now.

And praise Him as I am already doing

Because every plan of His is perfect.

One day I will rejoice because I have forgotten.

Angela Azumah Alu

13:04, Legon

11/6/17

image from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrLj1g1zvoI

Easter

40 days seems like a long time, 

Yet Lent is over soon.

And at Easter there is joy again.

How like life that seems. 

Deep sorrow and pain we encounter at various times

Which precede the times of great joy in our life

Reminding us that weeping may endure for a night but His joy comes with the morning. 

Yes Indeed! 

Keep hope alive and keep pressing. 

God is with you!

Happy Easter!

 

Angela Azumah Alu

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!-A meditation on Luke 9:14-29

When I feel like I’ve prayed and yet you have not heard,

When in spite of all your promises, it seems like you take better care of the sparrows,

When my heart is broken and my spirit is crushed and you seem not to care.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

When I have wrestled with the same challenges for only you know how long,

And almost seem to be wondering around in the wilderness,

And wonder if I will ever reach the promised land.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

When your prophets and messengers seem unable to help me,

And it almost feels there must be something wrong,

And you seem very very far away.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

You say nothing is impossible for the one who believes.

Stretch forth you hand in power.

Only you can do this. Have mercy Lord, and help me.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

Angela Azumah Alu, 22/2/17

image courtesy of: http://www.flyinginthespirit.cuttys.net/2016/07/10/help-my-unbelief/

Reflection on the Presentation of the Lord

Reflections on Malachi 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18: Luke 2:22-40

 (2nd February 2014; Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

Background:

The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on the 2nd of February every year. This year, it fell on a Sunday. The Presentation celebrates baby Jesus being presented by his parents in the temple. This was in obedience to an ancient regulation where God asked all Israelite parents to 'redeem' their first born sons from Him. It was in remembrance of God saving the first born sons of the Israelites during the passover in Egypt.

The first reading is from Malachi and speaks of the Lord suddenly appearing in the temple and purifying His people so they make offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

The second reading, from Hebrews, speaks of Christ the High priest who became like us in every way to save us and thus is able to help us when we are tempted.

The Gospel presents the Presentation narrative.

Honestly, it was the first time I'd ever really thought of the Presentation. And it occurred to me that although God required a physical circumcision and purification in the past, He requires spiritual circumcision and purification of us. And He is the one to do it. That's where the prayer/poem came from. I pray it's a blessing. 

Purify me LORD!

Circumcise me,

through and through,

Cleanse me wholly,

that I may be yours 

and yours alone.

That, as your temple, 

I may offer

pleasing and acceptable sacrifices

to you.

Circumcise me, high priest,

Purify me; circumcise me

that I may be clean and reflect you only.

Angela Azumah Alu (February, 2014)

Image courtesy of: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=19086

Casting it all to Jesus-no expectations

It’s been a long time coming

I’ve wept many tears;

Cried over things I couldn’t control

Been frustrated at what seemed to be your neglect.

Failed to smile or count my blessings because everything seemed so wrong

Felt my expectations were not met and really felt like a failure

And my heart was just so broken about everything.

But here I am today

Reaffirming my love and trust in you.

Saying that no matter what the enemy, the world or my flesh bring my way, it’s you and you alone I trust.

Praying for grace to be faithful and saying that yes, I do know that all things work together for my good because I love you.

I’m trusting you to bring all my pieces together. You are faithful.

My expectations have been high and they have oft left me disappointed and sad.

I have expected things to fall in place for me and that has not happened.

I have expected life to be easy and that has just not happened.

But all that I have needed, not expected, your hands have provided.

So great is your faithfulness, I say.

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

Great is your faithfulness, my father.

I cast all my expectations unto you.

May I have no expectations of anyone but only trust in you.

Angela Azumah Alu, UG Doctoral Academy 24/1/17

image courtesy of: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/94716398392961323/