You only live once

You only live once....how are you preparing for eternity?
You only live once.... why spend your time on what is not eternal?
You only live once ....choose to make every moment count....for Jesus.
You only live once.......surrender all to your creator

Money won't cut it.
School and academic laurels won't cut it.
Getting married and having kids won't cut it.
Becoming as famous as can be won't cut it.
None of that is worth anything without Christ.

In this day of media overload there's a lot of pressure to be and to do.
There's even a lot of the word that's preached that's not so true.
Same as has been happening for centuries unend.
But God's word remains true.

You only live once....it's not enough to go to church or to be active even, as hard and as important as that is.
It's not enough to preach the word or perform miracles if you can without knowing the giver of them
Question is: does God know you?
And if He's forgotten you or you have forgotten Him, are you ready to make up?

You only live once....pursue fruits of righteousness.
Dig deep into the word that you may be cleansed and be a true bride for Christ.
You only live once....work for that which is eternal
Whatever your state is in life.

God's word remains true; He does not change
Only those whose hearts have been changed and are obedient can see Him and be with him forever.
Heaven is a club with a password.
The time for mercy is now. Get your password before you become late.

You only live once.....righteousness is still the best garment you can wear.
It comes with the best of tags but it is freely given.
The saviour's agony paid for it.
Buy yours now....for free.

All you need to do is ask.....coz you only live once.
Ask Him if you've never asked before.
And if you have but like a child your garments are filthy,
Ask again for cleansing. He is ever faithful.

Obey! Trust! My brother, my sister!; there's no substitute.
Not giving, not preaching, not being a leader.
Nothing will suffice except your whole heart and self.
God really wants it all.....you only live once!

You only live once.....let nothing take you from your God.
Your heart is restless because it does not rest in Him.
Come to Jesus today....He is calling to you.
Come now..... because you only live once.

Angela Azumah Alu, Tema 
24/10/16

In memory of Emmanuel Quayson (Vybrant Faya).....may His soul rest in peace 

Tis Lent again

Tis another Lent Lord Jesus as you know,

With renewed focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

You know it goes; sometimes I do it all.

Other times I flit and afore I know it’s holy week already and I’m wondering the Lent went.

So Lord, this Lent I ask for your mercy.

Restore to me the joy of salvation and sustain within me a willing spirit.

Show me the treasures in your word in this season.

Give me a renewed love for you and for my neighbor.

Teach me to wait on you and to trust you whate’er my lot is.

May I glimpse your glory as ne’er before that my focus may be transformed.

And Lord, when Lent is over, keep me praying, fasting and giving alms with as much fervor.

Abi you know dada.

Love, Angela

Angela Azumah Alu, 10/02/16

P.S. Help me to go through it not as usual but with the awareness of the moment of grace. Show me how to war and battle my soul’s enemies.

Let your glory be seen; may they never ask, “Where is her God?”

Image courtesy of :http://helpwiththetoughquestions.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/lent-prayer-fasting-giving-works-of-love.jpg

HOPE

Hopelessness sears my heart 
Despair descends on me like a swarm of locust on a green field 
Eating away all that has grown over the year's
I stare in awe and cannot recognise myself
The enemy has seemingly gained territory
Talk of your efficacy at my rescue frightens me
I am but a broken reed eaten away by despair and hopelessness
Through out all the drama there's one thing I try to convince myself about-"a broken reed you will not reject. "
Esther Afoley Laryea, 5/12/15

Response
A bruised reed He will not break; He was bruised for our transgressions.
On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows.
He who knows the stars by name and has counted every hair on my head.
He invites me to cast all my cares upon Him and reminds me I am worth more than the ravens and so should never worry.
Even though He seemed to have cast me away, He promises joy in the morning, the oil of gladness for mourning, beauty for ashes and praise instead of despair.
Wonder of wonders, He delights in me and rejoices over me with singing.
Through my pain, He tells me He knows the way that I take and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold that has been refined.
Like Job, though He slay me, yet will I trust; for I know my redeemer lives and that at the last He will stand upon the earth.
So through my sorrow, pain and rejection, I will rejoice with all my being as daily He conforms me to His image.
I will be hopeful!
Angela Azumah Alu, 6/12/15

image from :catholicinasmalltown.wordpress.com

LORD I TRUST YOU

Sometimes I get weary and very sad,

And even quite depressed,

Of things past, things present and even worry about things to come.

And become quite unforgiving of the self which is me, your daughter,

Father, here I am, once more surrendering to you, all my thoughts, fears, worries, doubts and fears

All my disappointments, the jealousy, the feeling inferior and an underachiever

I give them all up to you,

I know tis the old enemy who knows how down I get and wants to make me disobey by worrying instead of praying and hearing your voice,

So Lord, here I am, once more trusting you because you make all things beautiful in your time and your timing is perfect; you are never late,

I am a child of the great king, clothed in righteousness, won by the blood of a lamb without blemish; a lamb who is also my high priest.

I wear a helmet of salvation; a belt of truth; shoes of the good news of peace which I proclaim readily, I carry a sword of the word and faith is my shield.

The whole of Christendom awaits my manifestation; a glorious one

O my Jesus, teach me in thee to abide day by day never fearing what the next second will bring because you know it all and it is beautiful.

I trust you; I praise; I rejoice; I am amazed as always by your love

I love you Lord!

I thank you for all the learning experiences; for the many wishes and desires and know that you are in control.

And I tell the old enemy that I don’t mind waiting because it will bring my father glory.

Open my eyes to see as you do Father, my ears to hear you more; my heart to love you more and my whole being to know and live daily for you.

Indeed you are a faithful and true God and all my hope is in you!

Angela Azumah Alu, 24/05/2014

Goodbye to Eni Ghana procurement

I will miss you greatly!
I learnt about procurement; the ins and outs of bids and tenders.
I learnt about working in a multi cultural environment.
I worked with sweet D, diplomatic Mubarak, elegant Eva, bubbly and frank Esther, "ke parler" Lucia, suave Kwabena, hardworking Adam and chief Saviz.
Thank you Esther for the lifts to and from home.
Thank you Eva for being my to go to person for most things.
Thank you Kwabena for the lifts to "spanner junction" and all the interesting perspectives
Thank you Adam, my fast eating fufu mate. Goat teeth can't kill our love for fufu.
Thank you Mubarak for the lifts to spanner junction and for the clarifications provided when needed.
Thank you Mama D for being the best co-ordinator a girl could have, for all the reminders to happy yourself.

Thank you Lucia for a tiny bite of Italy.
Thank you Saviz for everything.

Thank you Projects....Giuseppe, John,  my Cape 3 mate, Cosmos and Pepsi.

Thank you Vendor Management...Emmanuella, Frieda, Ndachie and Kumi.

Thank you Nana for being a friend.

Thank you Anthonio for the opportunity.

Thank you ENI Ghana.

I hope meet again someday!

Angela Azumah Alu

14/08/15, Airport

I find my worth in you O God

There are times dear Lord when i try to find my worth in what I do and in what I have and end up feeling like crap and like the scum of the earth because I do not have as much as others do or because I have not achieved as much.

Teach me Lord daily to find my worth in you alone; in who I am, your beloved child whom you died on the cross for.

Teach me not to compare, lest I become bitter or vain; but always look to you.

Teach me to run everyday to you, who art my strength and shield, my glory and the lifter up of my head.

To rest in you, who alone art my sufficiency.

So that whether I am a PhD twice over or struggle to write my name, my worth is found in you.

So that whether I have built mansions or struggle to pay my rent each month, my worth is found in you.

So that whether I have been happily married and even have grandchildren or I struggle with one divorce after another, my worth is found in you.

So that whether I have had a successful career or I am struggling to find a job, my worth is found in you.

So that whatever my lot in life, I will say it is well with my soul because my worth is found in you.

Teach me to love you above all else and to live each day as a sojourner on earth, eagerly anticipating my heavenly home. 
Holding on to nothing but my faith.

Jesus, I trust in You!

Angela Azumah Alu, 03/08/15, Airport

New life and direction

When He lifted me out of the mud and the quagmire, He gave me a new song and gladdened my heart.
He turned my aching sorrow into gladness and set me on a firm place.
He gave me fullness of joy in His presence and at His right hand pleasures for evermore.
He set His seal upon me and named me; forever.
He took all my pieces and made a masterpiece, master that He is.
He gave me new meaning and direction.
Then He gave me a new task and asked me to be an instrument; to pull His people out of mud and bring them to Him.

Angela Azumah Alu, 30th July 2015