Anointed for service

"See I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftmanship...."

Exodus 31: 2-5

I wrote a post on the anointing a few years ago and I defined the anointing as being 'empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out a certain task.' It is not for people to accord us with titles, it is not for notoriety or popularity, it is not to create a gap between the 'anointed' and those we feel are not, for we are all anointed just that we have been anointed to do different things. I think we church folk really need to learn this.

Moses was anointed to be a leader. God gave him clear, specific instructions regarding how the tabernacle should be built, I mean it doesn't get more specific than this and I thought I was a perfectionist...lol! However when it came to the actual work, God anointed and thus appointed someone else. I believe this is another example of godly leadership, freeing people to serve God with their God given ability and not trying to stifle their creativity.

The most important point for me to reflect on in this passage was the balance. God says I have filled this man with the Spirit of God but He didn't end there, He also gave him skill, ability and knowledge. Our anointing comes to ignite our natural skills, abilities and knowledge. Its isn't an either/or, either the Spirit or ability but a both/and both the Spirit and ability. The Spirit just makes our talents go into high definition! All these factors need to work together and I believe this is what makes believers relevant, especially in the times we live. We can speak in tongues and we can also make artistic designs, sing, teach, manage the church's accounts, clean, cook a meal, give elderly folks in church a ride to church. Outside the tabernacle we can also be relevant and show the world that our God is great by providing excellent customer service, meeting deadlines, getting work done, writing great reports etc.

I believe that just like Bezalel, God has chosen each and every one of us to do something. Something special, something unique. Whatever it is, it was given that we may bless others with it. And in blessing others, we ourselves will be blessed. Blessing others doesn't have to mean doing work for free but meeting needs in people lives, some needs which they will happily pay you top dollar for but that is another post.

I am filled with the Spirit of God and will bless the world with the skills, abilities and knowledge He has given me.

ZoeB

Lenten Reflections: More for me

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my Lord , what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:16-17

Today I prayed and asked God to open my eyes so that I can see. Just like Elisha's servant my vision is usually shortsighted. I can see the 'army' with 'horses' and 'chariots.' I don't see beyond them to see hills full of horses and chariots of fire. You can't compare chariots with chariots of fire and guess what, those chariots of fire are all on my side. They're all on the home team!

It is such a refreshing thought, 'if God be for me, who can be against me?' It is reassuring to know that when all hell is breaking loose in different areas in my life, there are more for me than against me. David understood this about God when he said 

"He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though MANY oppose me." 

Psalm 55:16

God is bigger than any situation I may face. God is on my side and no matter what comes against me, I am already in the majority. It doesn't matter how hard the storm rages, how hard the boat is rocking, what is of utmost importance is that Jesus, the One who stills all storms is here in this boat. 

Lord, open my eyes that I may see.

ZoeB

Lenten Reflections: What I'm building on

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the ROCK. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundations on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and do not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7: 24-27

This post is based on a sermon I heard in church a few weeks ago. God bless my pastor : ) Another very popular message. I've heard it in Sunday School and I've taught it in Sunday School too. What I found very interesting was that the only thing different in this story is the foundation the house was built on. Not the houses themselves and not the rain that came down, the streams that rose, the winds that blew and beat against the house. The only difference was the foundation the house was built on.

I have no building experience but most of us know that the foundation is not seen. You can spend a lot of money on the foundation and to others your site is just an empty plot of land. But how important the foundation is, even more important I daresay than how beautiful the structure of the house is or even the finishing. It might be a mansion but without a good foundation, it is a good for nothing mansion.

We will all face storms in life. Regardless of ethnicity, political affiliations and even religion. What guarantees our standing through the storm is enduring the necessary pain of building on the right foundation. Building our characters and not just our charisma. Building on sand is easy compared to building on a rock. Lashing out in anger at your child is easier than composing yourself and speaking a gentle word. Submitting a C grade assignment is easier than working on an A+ one. Saying yes to an extramarital affair is easier than working on your marriage, after all it is your spouse's fault for not giving you everything you need to be happy.

The easy route is not always the best. During Lent let us consider our ways and be wise.

I am building on the rock so I can stand through the storm.

ZoeB

Lenten reflections: Rocks as pillows

When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.....When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it."

Genesis 28:10, 16

There is a joke in my house that when I sleep deeply, I will sleep through the bed being stolen from under me...lol! However, I'm sure even I couldn't sleep with a rock for a pillow. Picture a weary Jacob, running from his brother's vengeance. He has done wrong, but so has Esau because he had given up his birthright! He is running from the familiar to the unfamiliar. From the comfort of his father's house to the hope of acceptance in his uncle's. Midway, he is tired, so tired that he can use a rock for a pillow and fall asleep.

Life can be hard. Disappointments abound. Rejection common. We run towards what we think is a solution and discover the cruel joke of a mirage. We use rocks for our pillows. As we take time to experience more of God during Lent, I want to encourage you as I am encouraging myself. That even when life is hard, God has not forgotten about us. With rocks as pillows, we can still dream dreams and see visions. We may be going to Laban's house with nothing and yet return back home with great wealth. Our present struggle isn't the end of our story. In the words of Chimamanda Adichie 'the danger of a single story isn't that it isn't true but that it is incomplete.' The Author and Finisher knows our stories. He is where we are, whether we are aware of it or not. Seasons do change and I trust and believe that a good change is around the corner for us.

I am learning to trust that just like Jacob, even though I am not in a place where I want to be at this present time, God will bring me back to Bethel with a testimony. 

Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil.

ZoeB

Lenten reflections: Fixated on the future

'Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: FORGETTING what is behind and STRAINING toward what is ahead.'

Philippians 3:13

I got a powerful 'Inspiration in your Inbox' recently that reminded me of the verse above. It reminded me how important sharing can be. We sometimes literally have the power to change someone's day. Share something beautiful today. 

Its a very popular verse. We all have it memorised, immortalised in our journals, on plaques, on Tshirts and mugs but how many of us are really doing this? I must raise my hand and admit my guilt. I so often find myself trapped in the past, unable to guard my heart with all diligence against the onslaught of past mistakes, past hurts and even past victories. Sometimes the good old days can be an obstacle to the great present days and awesome future days.

When I am down or when things are not working, I find myself drifting into the past. Thinking about who hurt me, how unfair X and Y were to me. Thinking about who I hurt, asking myself if God is punishing me for something I may have done. Even after asking forgiveness, my heart keeps asking God to forgive even things I don't know I have done..it sounds so silly writing it down now..lol!

I realised as I read that email that there were some things I just had to let go of and move on. I believe God spoke to my heart and told me that the way to let go of the past is to be fixated on the future. Seeing where you can be. The beauty the future holds and beginning to work towards it. Paul used the verb 'straining' towards what is ahead. Strain means pressure, when you strain, it is not something that comes to you naturally. 

Letting go and looking ahead is more than reciting the Bible verse. It takes work and yes I find myself slipping sometimes. But I have made a commitment to wipe the slate clean with some people and over some issues. I had some really nice tweets on this issue last week but it also included throwing some stuff out. What's the point of holding on to a picture, a card, a whatever it is that has the power to take you back 10 years, 3 years, 1 month and put you in a sad place. That belongs in the bin. Whatever it takes, let's get fixated on our future.

Letting it go and moving on

ZoeB

'Come, let us rebuild' Nehemiah's voice

"....The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and it gates have burned with fire" When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 

Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

Selected verses from Nehemiah 1 and 2

Beautiful Jerusalem, capital city of the Kingdom of Israel. At its highest point in Solomon's time it housed both the temple and the palace. Even the queen of Sheba was amazed when she saw the magnificence that was Jerusalem. But Jerusalem was eventually conquered, her sons and daughters taken into exile. Now, the people are 'free' but what they saw when they returned home made them weep.

It is one thing never to have experienced good times, one can adapt. The one who was born blind does not see black or darkness, he sees nothing. The one who was not born blind curses the blackness, the nothing. He remembers the brilliance of the rainbow, blue clouds, green grass,  the redness of the earth. So it was with Nehemiah when he heard news from Jerusalem. From magnificence and opulence to broken walls and burnt gates.

Some of us can relate to this situation. There was a time that just the mention of his name brought a smile to your face but now something has broken. The business you've worked so hard to build seems to be in ruins. Broken relationships, broken dreams, ashes of what once was. We sit and weep for we remember how things once were. The past is not always painful, sometimes its beauty makes the present struggles that much hard to endure.  Jerusalem was once a beautiful place to live, work and play. Nigeria too (hmm).  

There is nothing wrong with crying but our response must never end there. Nehemiah mourned, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven and then he took action. Nehemiah is a 'type' for a godly leader. Not someone who professes to be a good leader, for a good leader does not need to say he is one. His works and posterity judge him for good or evil. Nehemiah's 'voice' was to rebuild the wall of Jeremiah. Walls are very important, even more so in Bible times. Walls speak of security and protection. To keep out what needs to stay out. 

It takes courage to rebuild anything. Sometimes its just easier to start from scratch.  But sometimes we don't have that option. To re-build means doing something again, there was a building, there was a business, there was a career, there was a marriage, there are children, but we need to re-build again. Go with God, find your voice. We will rebuild our lives, we will rebuild our nation. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in record time because the people came together. Read the story a bit further, there was opposition at every turn (Sanballat and Tobiah) so there will be obstacles but we must develop a tenacity to rebuild our lives, against all odds.

Finding my voice, using it.

ZoeB

"If I perish, I perish"; Esther's voice

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:15-16

When I read the Bible, I sometimes wonder about the person behind the words. I wonder if Esther ever felt scared when she proclaimed those words. Did she speak with 100% confidence or did she just say them to pacify her adopted father. The words sound so sure and so confident and yet I still wonder.

There was the law of the land, you do not go to the king without a summons. To do so was punishable by death except he stretched out his scepter to you. He hadn't sent for her in a month...he obviously must have been quite pre-occupied...hmm! Her first response to Mordecai was the law of the land, the facts of the case. Mordecai reminded her that she had a voice. That phrase 'for such a time as this' keeps reverberating in my head these days. What is it that God has assigned me to do 'for such a time as this.'

Esther didn't scream, she didn't shout but she did practice civil disobedience in stepping up to her husband the way she did. I believe in prayer and fasting, now more than ever. However, we can't end there. I believe that the beautiful master plan that played out in the last chapters of Esther was delivered to her as she was praying. It was divinely inspired. I believe that in prayer she found her voice, found the strength to what she had to do. Today we celebrate her but I want to go beyond that to emulate her.

I found it incredibly fascinating that although Esther was the main character, the words she actually spoke were few. It's not in how much you say but what you actually say. Not so much in how much we do but what we actually do. Her voice was to save her people, my voice may be to save my family, my church, my community, my nation. The most important thing is for me to find my voice and use it.

What about you?

Remain blessed.

ZoeB

Finding our voice..

I am not what you would call a bold person, not really what you would call a courageous person. However, I am beginning to realise how important it is for one to find their voice. There is a difference between voice and sound. A voice can express itself in a whisper or a scream. I wouldn't whisper if I realised my best friend was crossing the road without looking and a lorry was about to hit them. I wouldn't scream while having a conversation with her about some personal choices she had made.

We all have a voice, some people are more vocal than others. Some voices are oral, some are written. A voice that stands out to me is the hazy image I have of an Indian man in a white robe who felt it was right for his people to be independent of British rule. We all have a voice. God gave it to us. Our voice is our purpose, what we are here for. Whatever it is, find your voice and use it.


God bless.

ZoeB

OccupyNigeria: Worth thinking about

Some videos that really got me thinking..

iMeditate: Godly Leadership

Selected verses from Nehemiah 5....  


Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews.  Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.” Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”


When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.  So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest!  Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”   “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.  But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land. Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

 Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

Why I am Occupying..

What I am about to share has been on my heart for a few days now and while it is a deviation from what I would normally write, I am learning how important it is to have a holistic view of life. As much as we yearn for eternity, right at this moment we live in this world. Jesus said 'We are in the world but not of the world' and sometimes I have this tendency to compartmentalise life into Christian and secular boxes when in reality it is really one life lived with Christ at the centre.

Since the announcement of the removal of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, I will be lying if I said I have not been angry. In short, angrier than I had ever been before about things occurring in my nation. I saw prices of goods and services rising. I saw some people on minimum wage of N18,000, £72, $120 a month  having the major part of their salaries obliterated by the sure increase in transportation costs. I saw an insensitive Government yet laying another burden on the people. A Government that asked people to sacrifice and tighten their belts and didn't show any good faith in tightening their own belts. A Government that calls basic amenities like healthcare, education, good roads, drinkable water palliatives. There is the economics of the subsidy, why its removal is good for the nation. There is the propaganda, how the fuel subsidy only helped the rich and not the poor. I shake my head and pray that I am wrong in thinking as a nation we have trod this path so many times. That this present administration lacks sincerity and compassion. That while we think we live in a democracy because we have elected leaders, the lack of freedom of the press and judiciary makes it seem we are not.

What I found interesting was the initial silence from believers. I sometimes think we confuse Paul's admonition for us to respect authority with keeping quiet in the face of evil. For to keep quiet when evil reigns is to condone it.  A lot of people felt that our Christian leaders should have been more vocal with regard to the issues. While I am among that group, I respect people's right to do what they feel is right. The most important thing for me is doing what God wants us to do and not what is popular opinion. My grievance was and in some ways still is that a lot of these leaders publicly endorsed a particular candidate and used their influence amongst their congregation so now is not the time to claim separation between church and state.

It was encouraging to see some ministers finally speak up as a response to some criticism for the silence. For too long, the church has hidden behind 'Let us pray' and forgotten that prayer while being the MOST IMPORTANT FIRST step in transformation, it is not the only step. Jesus prayed in Gethsamane, his prayer so intense it was almost like drops of blood fell from his brow, this was his preparation for Golgotha. Esther prayed and fasted for her people, after which she went to face the king with the injustice about to be unleashed to the people even at risk to her life.

Other blogs have the facts and figures. The 2012 budget, the KPMG audit on NNPC, the SURE document etc. I am occupying because I feel in 2012, enough was finally enough. Occupying isn't personal, political, ethnic, religious. It is about Nigeria. It is about saying No to a system where corruption thrives and righteousness doesn't. A system where believers find it difficult to say No to compromise so they can earn a buck. Occupying isn't about insulting anyone but standing for truth. People are free to agree or disagree. For the first time in a long time, the people are united in their stand. I believe in a democratic society, people have a right to say NO in a peaceful manner. I am still praying for Nigeria and I hope we are all praying too because there must be a change. Things can no longer go on as they are.

He said 'Occupy till I come' which wasn't in reference to protesting but us taking our rightful place. Most importantly I must allow Him to Occupy me.

Remain blessed.

ZoeB

Detox

Daddy

I woke up this morning singing 'I have seen the Lord's goodness, His mercy and compassion. I have seen the Lord's goodness, hallelujah, praise the Lord!'

I claim the words of this song to be my reality in Jesus name. Indeed You have been good to me and my family in the past. I know You will continue to do the same in my future. Dear God, I thought what I needed was a job, fit into that dress, and all the x things on my imaginary 'I will be happy when this happens' list and yet what this week has taught me is that when you choose to 'detox' be warned because all sorts of stuff is just going to start coming out of you....literally! The sugar shaking, the crankiness, the headaches on the physical side and now on the emotional end I am just realising how much resentment has been in my heart towards a, b and c.

Yesterday, I allowed a seed of mistrust lie in my heart and I know its because of the things I have refused to deal with from the past. Daddy, help me not to allow that seed germinate. Great thing about this process is not just the giving up of things you don't want in your system but taking in things that you do want. The fruit of the Spirit is love and Your word says we should love one another, deeply and sincerely to fulfil the call of Christ on our lives. Dear God, please be my guide and shield. This heart was not created to hold on to resentment and anger but to give love. My life was created to be a reflection of You. Help me Daddy to always say what needs to be said but to speak all truth in love.

Help me weed out bitterness and envy from my life. Tired of my 'woe is me' song lately. Please help me. My heart cries out to You. I believe in the transforming power of your love. You took Simon the flake and make him Peter the rock. At the cross we can drop our sin clad lives and receive righteousness, peace and joy. I want my life to be a true reflection of You. Lord it isn't about accumulating silver and gold but living and fulfilling purpose.

God thank You for being 'honesty' in our relationship. For showing me things about myself that You do not like. Not to condemn me but that I might be saved. Thank you for this season in my life, for the grace for this season. Thank You for strength in this season, thank you for joy in this season. Do what You alone can and may your awesome name always be glorified. May I always find rest in You. Now and always.

In Jesus name. So be it.

Much love

ZoeB

Open and Honest

Dear Lord thank You. I'm so glad and blessed that I was in church yesterday. Pastor's message really spoke to my heart. Lately, it seems that all I can see around me is disorder, just as it was in creation. I call to mind the walls of Judah that had been destroyed and the sinking feeling Nehemiah must have had as he purveyed the walls. But You are not intimidated by the size of the problems and challenges I face. You did not stagger at the chaos present in the Beginning and I know You are definitely not overwhelmed now.

I know Your Word tells me to be anxious for nothing but prayerful about everything and that those who know their God are strong and do exploits. But I am weak, I feel like I have been buffeted by trials and tribulations on every side. It seems the battles just line up back to back. I have been weary because I have not waited on You. I haven't hidden in You as my refuge, haven't kept You as my refuge and shield. I did faint in the day of adversity, indicative that my strength was small.

All, including myself have sinned and fallen short of your glory. Your glory is how You intended for us to live. I know I have Lord but again I ask for your mercy. I want to be intimate with you again. Fall in love with you again, walk the line with You again. Today I just want to be honest about where I am and what I feel. You know and see all things anyway. I'm hurt, I'm tired and I'm angry. I'm hurt about the things that have happened* . Daddy I know that I shouldn't keep all this hurt and pain inside of me, its toxic and affecting me in so many ways yet I don't know what to do. A voice says 'Talk to me about it, tell me where it hurts.' It hurts deep inside, so deep that I don't know if I really want to reach inside and get to it because I don't know what else I'm going to find in there. Daddy, I believe that You have the power to transform lives, to turn things around and bring about a good change.

I commit them into Your hands, they need You more than ever. They need You to be their strength, shield and exceedingly great reward. They need You to show them the way back home. I just realised my truth. That even if it was proved without reasonable doubt that You didn't exist, I would still believe in You (what sort of scientist am I then...lol!) Lord this is a right hot mess that only You can fix. Please help us and please help me. I know weeping endures for the night but Lord please let the morning not tarry for it comes with my joy.

Thank you for always listening.

*I want to be as open in my prayers as I can but some issues involve other people and so I will not always give details. The point of this is not so much about the actions but the feelings. I hope you understand. Also the prayers in this series do not reflect where I am right now, by His grace I am in a very different place : )

Much love

ZoeB

Thanksgiving..

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord

Psalm 150:6

Dear Lord thank You for allowing me see this day. For Your goodness and faithfulness, for keeping me alive. There is so much on the inside that I would really love to let go of but dear Lord as always I ask for your grace to stay on this journey to the end. It is a new day, I can hear the birds singing and I know I should be thankful.

Your Word says 'let everything that has breath praise the Lord.' Truth is at this moment, I don't feel like I have anything praiseworthy about but that is not actually truth, because despite everything, I know I can still say 'Thank you I am alive.' The Word doesn't say 'Let everything that has breath and FEELS LIKE, praise the Lord.' So I will praise You with every fibre of my being. I will praise You and give You thanks. For all you do and all you will continue to do.

Lord please keep me in this attitude today. One of thanksgiving, one that doesn't dwell on what has gone wrong or what is going wrong but one that dwells on your truth. I am comforted by Your word. In the beginning, the earth was without form and void, darkness on the face of the deep and yet despite the chaos you  said 'Let there be light' and there was light. I'm grateful that You have the power and can shine light in the darkest of circumstances.

Pray I hold on to this word through my day.

Remain blessed

ZoeB

Prayers in the Valley...

Wow! How much I have missed blogging. How has everyone been? This post is dedicated to my baby sister @doshix for your constant support, encouragement and kicks (in a good way) to return. And return I have.

It always surprises me when people ask me why I like to pray. Truth is its that its more that I just have to pray not that I like to...lol! Truth is that there have been periods when I have found it difficult to pray, when I haven't felt like and when I haven't wanted to either. Truth is prayer is a lot more than what we think it is and sometimes a lot less too.

I write most of my prayers. If you've followed this blog for any period of time I'm sure you'll know that already.  Prayers in the Valley are prayers I have written over a period of time. They aren't polished, they don't reveal deep truths, the only thing I can say about them is that they are sincere. Prayer is talking to God, nothing more and nothing less and I am on a journey towards a place I call 'Authentic Christianity.' Christianity doesn't say this is the end to all your problems or that there always be laughter, what Christianity says is that 'no matter what happens, you don't have to face it alone.' Its easier to offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the goodness of God in our lives but a balanced Christianity knows that the Cross and grave precede the resurrection.

My prayer is that they bless each and everyone reading this, encourage them that no matter how personal the struggle, you are not alone. I have really missed being here, not just writing and reading comments but being part of my blog family.

I am looking forward to 2012. Everything it has to offer, mountains and valleys, sunshine and rain.

Happy New Year.

Remain blessed and highly favoured

ZoeB