Speak your word of life that I may live again

5th Sunday of Lent; a meditation on John 11:1-45 and Ezekiel 37:12-14

Lord, I must confess that there are times when I feel deader than dead.

It feels almost like there is no hope of resurrection and like the dry bones you showed Ezekiel, there is no hope.

Like Lazarus, I feel almost as if you don't care because it's been four days since I died and there has been no word from you.

I am bound and shut in a tomb and there is no way out.

But even then I believe!

I believe your words to Martha that "Your brother will rise again!"

Even when it feels like the devil has won and there is no life left, I know that your spirit is at work and you are driving the darkness far away from me.

Speak your word of life so that I may rise again.

Like the butterfly who seems dead but struggles out of the cocoon to gain its wings for flight, I embrace every struggle that comes my way.

Speak your word of life so that like the dry bones, I may live again.

Like Lazarus, your word brings me to life and at your order, the cloths that bind me are taken of.

Speak your words of life that I may live again.

Angela Azumah Alu

22/03/26

Image from: https://walkingintheshadowlands.com/2018/12/19/when-love-refrains-what-else-the-story-of-lazarus-tells-us-about-god/

We arise in haste...Lisbon 2023

 We arise in haste in spite of everything...

It is not for nothing that we do so; for there is always much to do that if we counted the cost, we would never move.

We arise in haste to go and serve when have so much to do already.

We say yes, knowing it comes with more responsibility and sacrifices.

We arise in haste, because our very profession of faith demands it.

We leave everything to go off and serve no matter how brief or how long, because the love of God compels us to go on.

We arise in haste; there is a rush in the air.

We say yes to love; over and over again.

Angela Azumah Alu 

15/07/2023

Image from: https://vocationnetwork.org/en/articles/show/730-join-vision-in-lisbon-for-world-youth-day-2023

Timing

 Tis spring and the flamboyants are in bloom; or in Ghana where there is no spring, it's the season of the flamboyants. They light up the streets with their crimson blossoms creating such a kaleidoscope of colour that you wonder if it's the same plants that hitherto looked green and almost as if they could not bloom.

How like our lives this is! Reminding us that God makes all things beautiful in his own time.

When the time is right, I the LORD, will make it happen.

Angela Azumah Alu

Joseph shares his thoughts

You know child, my brothers still can’t believe all my dreams came true.

But they did….every single one.

And as I told them, it was all God’s doing.

Of course when it was happening it wasn’t funny at all.

I asked God many questions during my time in Potiphar’s house and in prison.

There were many times when I actually gave up but every time God would find a way to pick me up.

And honestly, the day I was called to Pharaoh’s palace and my life changed seemed like a dream.

It took the birth of Ephraim for me to realize it was reality.

And the day my brothers came to Egypt, I could not believe my eyes!

Inspite of everything, I had missed them badly.

Plus, looking back, I knew that I would not have been a good leader given my behaviour at home.

I was really quite a brat and very proud of my coat.

So I can imagine how second rate my brothers might have felt.

So little one, keep dreaming and keep trusting.

Remember that God fulfills every single one of His promises. I am living proof of that.

Joseph, Prime Minister of Egypt.

 Image from: https://www.timeout.com/news/andrew-lloyd-webbers-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-streams-for-free-again-this-weekend-070620

 

Angela Azumah Alu, Legon

 

 

 

 

Meditations on Elizabeth 1&2

 This is a two part meditation on the biblical character Elizabeth. Her story is found in Luke 1.

Elizabeth-1

When there's a question mark about my life because nothing seems to be working,

When all the marks of success seem to elude me and all I have are a long string of failures and question marks,

When I have prayed for so long that it seems better to stop praying because there has been no response,

When your faithfulness seems not to extend to the one thing I am trusting you for,

When your word clearly shows that this blessing should be mine but it seems to elude me,

When tears have been my food and there is nothing I can do about my "issue",

When my trust in you is unwavering yet I have no answers,

When it seems that I must have done something wrong,

When it seems that there are no answers,

When I have trusted you like the women of old yet have not received any answers,

Even then, my faith in you remains unwavering.

You are faithful who has promised and I believe I shall see your completion of it.

Increase my faith in you.

Help me to continue to believe.

Elizabeth-2

He has answered!

Yet in a way I did not expect.

He has taken away my disgrace and lifted me up.

My husband is temporarily mute but what a visitation!

And what a dramatic way to announce the birth of our son, John!

Imagine my son being the fore runner of the Messiah!

And one of the few children whose birth was announced by an angel.

Imagine the announcement of my pregnancy being the sign that nothing is impossible with God!

I laughed as hard as Sarah must have laughed!

And when Mary came to visit, I was stunned!

I couldn't imagine how she knew...only for her to come with a tale stranger than fiction.

And John leapt in my womb at the presence of the Messiah!

I had no choice but to cry out words of blessing in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant.

My household has been blessed in these three months as the household of Obededom was when the Ark rested there.

For every tear, he has given joy and laughter!

And it's super exciting to have the privilege of raising a prophet.

I cannot wait to teach him all the prophecies and to prepare him for his work.

How glad I am to know the scriptures!

Waiting eagerly for you baby John...I wouldn't have had it any other way.

How else would all these strange things have happened.

In all things, I praise you LORD!

 Angela Azumah Alu, 14/12/2020

Image from: http://nataliesnapp.com/2011/12/07/friendship-the-elizabeth-and-mary-way/

Loving Shepherd: A meditation on Psalm 23

Loving shepherd,
I know that because you are my shepherd there is nothing I shall want.
Yet many times, I feel abandoned by you because I have so many unmet needs and wants.
Increase my faith in you and teach me to desire nothing as much as you yourself.

Loving shepherd,
You lead me in paths of righteousness for your names sake.
Teach me to be ever obedient to your word even when sin seems to overshadow your grace in my life.
You have clothed me with garments of righteousness. Help me stay clothed.

Loving shepherd,
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I know you are with me.
Even when life feels overwhelming and I am hemmed in on every side, I know you are with me.
Teach me to hear you as you guide me and to trust that you will see me through.

Loving shepherd,
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies!
Your radical ways are my delight!
You teach me to hand everything over to you because you are my recompense and my portion. You make the boundary lines fall for me in pleasant places and give me a goodly heritage.

Loving shepherd,
Dwelling in your house forever is my delight.
Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.
And I look forward to being with you forever in heaven.
My life with you on earth is only the beginning.

Thank you!

Angela Azumah Alu,  Good Shepherd Sunday
03/05/2020

Image from: https://www.catholicforlife.com/year-c-homily-reflection-for-the-good-shepherd-sunday-2/

David and Goliath

David and Goliath (1 Sam 17:32-33,37,40-51)

Dear Lord,

Sometimes when I think of my problems and challenges, I feel like David having to face Goliath.

And sometimes I try to face my issues on my own as David did when wearing Saul’s armour.

Increase my faith in you and help me to cry out as David did…."the battle is the Lord’s….”

Remind me of your faithfulness in times past as David remembered your deliverance from the bear and the lion.

Teach me to fight with what I have as David did with the stone and the sling, knowing that ultimately you are the one in charge.

And like David, let me use the enemy’s own sword to finish off the battle.

Increase my faith and trust in you for you are the God in whom I have placed my trust.

Amen.

Angela Azumah Alu

22/01/2020

Images from:
http://images.medicaldaily.com/sites/medicaldaily.com/files/2013/10/29/painting-david-and-goliath.jpg


http://en.protothema.gr/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/dag-800x418.jpg

I choose you LORD

I choose you LORD over myself.
I choose you over my dreams and desires.
I choose you over my flesh.
I choose you over my doubts and failures.
I choose you over my hopes and expectations.
I choose you LORD.

You chose me first.
You love me no matter what I do.
Your plans for me are good.
Your favour and grace rest upon me.
Your blessing maketh rich and you add no sorrow with it.
Your unconditional love are my joy and strength.

I pray for the grace to choose you as you have chosen me.
I ask you to help me abide in you.
I pray for the wisdom to bear the fruit you have called me to bear.
To love others as you have loved me.
To seek your kingdom above all else.
To trust for every need...great and small.
Amen

Angela Azumah Alu

Here I stand

Here I stand at the cusp of a new stage,

Full of endless possibilities,

Somewhat unsure of myself,

Doubting my own potential,

Afraid that I'll fail,

But aware that standing still is suicide.

I'm excited about the possibilities.

But I wonder which way to go.

I'm afraid of what may happen.

But I know it is required that I move. 

O God, you know me better than I know myself.

Please show me which way to go.

Angela Azumah Alu, 10/06/2019

Image from: https://adage.com/article/att-adworks/stepping-future-key-trends/310570

Christmas!

23 December 2018
05:32

Christmas is about unexpected gifts that always don't seem like it,
A turning upside down of your world that you don't quite understand,
Sometimes a taking away of shame, sometimes the possibility of ridicule and rejection from those who do not understand God's actions,
Sometimes you become mute, sometimes you burst into praise,
Babies in the womb leap for joy at encountering the messiah...even when he's less than a month old incarnate!
Christmas is about dreams with seemingly strange instructions that demand obedience,
Christmas is about how even world events work together to fulfil to the letter God's promises about the birth of the messiah,
Christmas is about faith and about believing that what God said will come to pass because He said so!
Christmas is about riff raff like shepherds encountering the baby Jesus because of an angelic visitation.
Christmas is about angels leaving heaven to come and proclaim the birth of the Messiah.
Christmas is about Wise men leaving everything to encounter the new born king.
Christmas is about enemies trying to kill the new born king but finding themselves fulfilling scripture.
Christmas is about the scribes and Pharisees who knew all the scriptures but failed to recognise the visitation of God.
Christmas is about you and I embracing all that Christ brings and living life joyfully because we know God is with us (Emmanuel!)
Will you be a Mary this Christmas and believe God's word?
Will you be a Joseph this Christmas and obey God's instructions?
Will you be the shepherds and visit the baby Jesus?
Will you be the wise men and leave everything to encounter the new born king?
Will you, unlike the Pharisees and scribes, see the Messiah in the scriptures you are so familiar with?
Will you, like the angels, sing a song of joy at the incarnation?
Will you have faith that all of God's promises to you will be fulfilled?
Will you trust?
Will you have a Mary Christmas...regardless of whatever may be happening around?

Cheers!
Angela Azumah Alu
23/12/18

Image from: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Christmas-Nativity-Scene-Jesus-Birthday-Edible-Cake-Topper-1-4-FROSTING-sheet-/252371282086

Reflections on the readings (17th Sunday in ordinary time Year B)

2 Kgs 4:42-44; Ps 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Eph 4:1-6; Jn 6:1-15

Sometimes Lord it feels like who I am and what I have to offer are too small for your work.
I wonder how the little I have to give can serve your people.
And I'm almost tempted not to give at all because it feels too small.
But your word reminds me that you take the little I offer and make it enough.
Whether it's to feed a hundred or 5000+
And it's not even just enough, there's a surplus after it all.
So here I am, reaffirming my faith in you and offering all I have and am.
Take me and use me as you will...just as you did with Paul and the other apostles.

Angela Azumah Alu (29/07/18)

I loved a boy

I loved a boy; a boy who seemed to represent all I thought I wanted

He was handsome, bearded and nerdy.

He played the guitar; he was a church mouse.

To top it all off, we came from the same region; that was good news.

I loved a boy; we chatted on facebook, on skype and whatsapp.

Those were his preferred mediums; nerdy as he was.

I tried to get him to call or even meet face to face.

Those are my preferred mediums.

I loved a boy; I told my mum about him.

We discussed why he didn’t ask me out.

I told her I thought there was something wrong.

She thought I only liked talking on the phone and should cut him some slack.

I loved a boy; he didn’t agree with my faith.

He was all for Luther’s “solas”

And thought I was in error.

He didn’t want to find out about my faith.

I loved a boy; I was in a faith crisis.

And well, at the time didn’t have many answers.

It seemed my God had forsaken me.

I wondered where this love would go.

I loved a boy; after a year of talking and chatting,

Just when I was rejoicing that he was calling,

He asked me what I thought of us dating.

I was so excited I asked what took him so long.

I loved a boy; he broke my heart when he said he could see no future.

I watched my dreams go down the drain.

My dad said not to worry; God would make a way.

He reminded me of my new job.

I loved a boy; even about three years later, the pain still seemed new.

And I just didn’t seem to have closure.

But now, I knew my God hadn’t forsaken me.

He had been with me through it all.

I loved a boy; he seemed to represent all I thought I wanted.

I may never know what may have happened, but I gave it my all.

Too bad he didn’t see it or didn’t feel the same.

I thank my God whose love never fails; I wait for him to bring me a man who’ll love as He does.

Angela Azumah Alu, 01/07/2018

Image from: http://www.radiantchurchcharlotte.org/gods-love-never-fails/