*written on 14th November, 2012*

A week ago on this day, I woke up to 'good news' - that President Obama had been re-elected (I don't know too much about American politics but I just love the Obama family and their family stories)...

The morning progressed with joy but before noon, the day got labelled as 'Black Wednesday' in Ghana. In the past week, I have watched, listened to, and read many things with regards to the Melcom Achimota Disaster and 1 question keeps coming to me: HOW WELL DO I DO MY WORK?

If my work were critically looked at today, would I be found cutting corners, rounding off figures, skipping essential calculations, 'stealing' materials, etc? Are we good 'team players' like many of us have listed in our CVs, or are we overly concerned about who gets the credit at the end? - It's amazing how much we can get done if we don't care who gets the credit, but keep our gaze on the bigger picture.

Your work is important, no matter how 'small' your input to the end-product seems, and we need to do it all diligently. May the souls of the departed rest in peace; may the hurt families find comfort in God; may we brighten the corner where we are with hard work...knowing that the Lord is our Exceeding Great Reward.

 Happy 2nd Birthday NK! We love you!!!

***written about 9 years ago***

"This month of August, I celebrate 10 years since i was admitted as a 'fresher' at KNUST. I often look back at that particular phase of my life...lost in wonder, love and praise to God! The Potter of my life used people, events, and even the atmosphere to draw me closer to Himself and to shape my values and my views on life. On those grounds, God taught me that being a 'good Christian girl', raised up in a Christian home and active in Christian activities wasn't enough. Salvation is a relationship with Jesus Christ and not an object one possesses....Salvation is a relationship one maintains with God. Salvation is not obeying a set of laws...it's not a doctrine you believe but a Person you know...Salvation is not an action you perform; it's a fellowship you abide in!

Some KNUST-friends-turned-family :)

 Life is short. God is Sovereign and calls both the young and old to eternity. Writing tributes to family and friends when they are gone isn't fun. I resolve to hug harder...celebrate people more...let people know I love and appreciate them...give many more compliments (not 'flattery' though, 'cos the Bible is against that)...look out for the good in others more - because I
realize that no matter how 'bad' a person is, people (even 'enemies') find good things to say about them when they are gone. 

We all say we are so busy; too busy to visit...too busy to spend time together...too busy to even call - but amazingly, immediately a golden heart stops beating, we get lots of time to mourn; we suddenly call people we haven't spoken to in years...we suddenly want to know the home of that family member or friend we've never visited so that we can go there and share in the grief...we suddenly want to know the arrangements for the funeral so that we can go and 'pay our last respect'...and some of us can even take some days off work for the funeral...What if we make 'just a little more time' for one another while we have breath?

I want to have memories that would put a smile on my face, even through the tears that freely trickle down my cheeks when a loved one departs...I don't want my last moment-shared to be that of a fight that wasn't properly resolved, or an argument that left me bitter and unforgiving...I don't want to regret not sharing the message of the Gospel, or not rebuking in love, or not giving when i could have, or not being nice, or not correcting the wrongs, or not being a good friend/relative, etc. 

By all means, when people depart, there will be pain in our hearts...but let us plant seeds that would cause us to reap some joy even through the tough times. LET US CHERISH OUR RELATIONSHIPS BETTER, TREATING EACH DAY AS THOUGH IT WERE OUR LAST.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."- Psalm 90:12

#God, please help me especially in this regard, "so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Amen. 🙂

After walking together with 2003 year group of St. Rose's SHS, "Yellow Checks"

Shot from a book titled 'Chasing Vines' by Beth Moore. Background; Villa Awoyo, Sogakope, Ghana

May we live in such a way that we say and do "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - anything  that is excellent or praiseworthy". May the tears we shed when people pass on not pass for 'bitterest' because we failed to say or do something for or to them....So help us God! Amen.

Selah.

Posted on FB. 9th August 2012

Will having more money make us kinder? No...I don't think so. What I usually say about tithing for instance, is that, if it is difficult for me to give Ghs 20 as tithe out of a Ghs 200 salary, then I don't know how I'll manage to give Ghs 2000 when I start earning Ghs 20,000. I believe kindness stems out of a person's character and not necessarily one's resources. So no matter how small what we have may seem, let's be kind. 

Singing the third stanza of one of my favourite hymns (Saviour, Thy dying love - MHB 579):

"Give me a faithful heart, likeness to Thee,

That each departing day henceforth may see...

Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done,

Some wanderer sought and won - 

Something for Thee. "

*Posted on FB - 8th August 2014

 "Courageous" - a movie I would like to recommend for every man - for the husbands and fathers; and for the men not yet married.

@Tenack Beach, Axim, Ghana

Here is a quote from this great movie....

"...I now believe that God desires for EVERY father to courageously step up and do whatever it takes to be involved in the lives of his children. But more than just being there providing for them, he is to walk with them through their young lives and be a visual representation of the character of God, their father in heaven.

A father should love his children, and seek to win their hearts. He should protect them, discipline them, and teach them about God. He should model how to walk with integrity and treat others with respect, and should call out his children to become responsible men and women, who live their lives for what matters in eternity. Some men will hear this, and mock it. Or ignore it. But I tell you that as a father, you are accountable to God for the position of influence he has given you." Beautiful... teary movie 🙂

3rd Feb. 2013. Selah.

I must have watched the movie again on 8th August 2023 :) I noted these quotes:

"You have a choice- are you going to be angry about the time you didn't have with her, or grateful for the time you did have with her?"

"When you clock out at work, go home and love your families."

"Going through grief is like having an amputation- you do heal over time, but you're never the same."

"God doesn't promise explanations- He however promises to be with us every step of the way"

...we need to be intentional. Sharing some questions we need to ask ourselves as parents and guardians - worth keeping and coming back to once in a while...

Photo taken @ e-Ananse library, AMA, Accra

Vacation period (summer in some countries) is a great time to teach them to invest their time in things like developing relationships, exploring their gifts and talents, being creative, learning about the world God’s made, and contributing to His world by making others’ lives better. Will your kids do all of those things each day? No. But you want to sprinkle those elements over several months.

First, you need to be intentional. Training never happens accidentally. Set aside some time to think carefully about what you want your child to value and the kinds of activities that will help them do so. Think about what it would mean for your child to continue developing spiritually, intellectually, physically, and artistically. What’s the next step for them in each of those areas? Are there things you’d like them to try? Are there deficiencies they need to address?

Second, who can help you think creatively about what your kids could do? Make a date to talk this through with your spouse. Grab a cup of coffee with a close friend to get their thoughts. Brainstorm ideas of what you might try with your kids with someone who knows them well. Look around church for parents whose kids seem to be growing into their own personalities and interests, then ask if they’d make time to share with you how they approach the summer.

Source:  https://www.crossway.org/articles/help-my-kids-are-bored-this-summer/?utm_source=Crossway+Marketing&utm_campaign=060ec9faf4-20190701+-+Parents+-+My+Kids+Are+Bored+This+Summer&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0275bcaa4b-060ec9faf4-289304617

Get Outside

Your preschooler needs fresh air as much as he needs sleep and good food. Unfortunately, modern life has moved largely indoors. That's why it's important to build time into every day for your child to be in your backyard, a park, or a playground. Encourage your child to use outside time to run around and work his muscles. Being outdoors also provides sensory stimulation (the sun, the birds, the dirt) that can't be replicated indoors. 

Source: https://www.babycenter.com/6_your-31-month-old-lets-get-physical_10329744.bc?responsys_count=0&scid=mbtw_preschooler_post31m_3w&pe=MlVEbTBQWXwyMDE5MDcyMg..&liveconnect=16319edbc3442b45579e0396984b3471

22/07/2019, Tema

 It was one of my big brother's line of Ghanaian T-shirts (Adinkra casuals) that had a caption - 'Accra by plan' - which has stayed with me since about 2009. Truly, living in Accra is 'by plan' :)....it is useful to have info on what is where and when.

Adinkra casual T-shirt by Korku Addo, 2009

This year, the June - September long vacation in Ghana is a bit varied for many schools. While some are currently home on vacation, other Primary/JHS pupils/students are in school. Whatever the form the season from now till September 2023 would take in the lives of the children in your life, I would like to share some info on some places, activities and useful contacts. 

Those in and around Lakeside Estate, Accra - contact Kinder Square for some holiday fun! 

In conclusion: 

I usually prefer activities that are out of the environs of the schools children attend, just so they get to learn, play and interact with different/new teachers, adults and other children. NB - that is not to say that the vacation activities put together by various schools are not great. There are lots of awesome ones you could subscribe to. I'm just mentioning options for a little bit of variety :)

If you have family and friends out of Accra whom you can visit for a change of environment, I encourage that too :) Visits, far and near, are great. Older children could be considered for some sports too, plus the acquisition of a skill or two ('home-econs-like' :) ironing, sewing, cooking, etc)

REST too!

If you haven't yet subscribed to Devotion Time with Ms T, today is a good day to do so :) Awesome Bible Stories - https://youtu.be/muN7mcWfEd0

 Mmofra Park, Legon Botanical Gardens, e-Ananse library (e-Ananse Library), excursions, road-trips, a train ride, etc. I could go on and on....contact me on akuaasabeagh@gmail.com if there's something you think I could assist with. Kindly share any more 'Accra by plan' info with me too. Sharing is caring :) 

God bless and keep us all! 

Love,

Akua Asabea.

 One highlight of yesterday...still making me smile this morning...Uncle Ebo Whyte's play 'Forbidden'. Super cast! Great story, plus the spectacle of human furniture and props - furniture that don't just fill space but entertain as well... 🙂 Lessons from this fantastic play, written out of meditations on Judges 14:14 - "Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet": 1. Hope can be found in the darkest places 2. Never judge a person by their looks 3. Believe in your prayers - don't pray one thing and profess another. 4. Don't write anyone off; redemption is possible for all Have a blessed week, family and friends. Live, laugh, worship the King! Value relationships, work smart, smile...Love God. Love people. Cheers. 8th June 2015. Facebook post. Selah.

"I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money's sake."

- John D. Rockefeller

 ' “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13

The world views money as an object to obtain...the world sees money as a means to store up possessions....But God says, 'What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?' Mark 8:36 '

  - Rev. Richard C. Whitcomb...Sermon - "The Value of Money"

*Facebook post - May 20th, 2014*

Today, I choose to celebrate the women who have never had a biological child of their own (yet), but have poured their hearts and lives out in being a blessing to their siblings’ children and other children. These women have been more-than-aunty figures in the lives of many of the ‘children’ they have nursed (& keep nursing & nurturing) and cared for, because they gave & keep giving out their all, as though they were their own. Some of their nieces and nephews call them ‘mummy’ because the bonds of love and friendship go beyond ‘aunty’. These women have been liberated from bitterness; instead of spending their whole lives lamenting over why God didn’t give (or hasn't yet given) them children of their own, they spend their lives and resources blessing others and being there in many ways for others. I salute all such women in a special way on this Mothers’ Day. “Verily I say unto you, since you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me.” Matt. 25:40

Happy Mothers' Day to all women! :)

Selah.

May 12, 2013

So I'm posting this on Friday May 12th 2023 (wow - just realizing that this 'post' is a whole decade old!) and I think Asenath Obiokor Commey (Asenath's stories) passes for one of the 'more-than-aunty' figures I was referring to. Tributes from her nieces, nephews, family friends, neighbours, etc before, during and after her funeral confirm the lives she overwhelmingly touched. More-than-aunty; Obiokor 

Aunty Ofeibea! More-than-aunty to our children :)

 "None of us can say that we have no regrets. Often we are led down paths of bad choices - some paths longer than others - which can have a lingering effect on the mind, body, and soul. God never gives up on us! Even if we've made poor choices in the past that have left us with regret, we can choose how we will live now. We can choose to continue destructive living, simply wallow in regret, or we can run to Christ believing that He has ways to "restore...the years that the swarming locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25). When we repentantly seek His healing and freeing power, He is merciful. While some consequences from the past may remain, we can be confident that God has a good and glorious future for those who trust Him!" - Joe Stowell, ODB

**posted on FB, May 7th 2015. Source: Our Daily Bread

Four memorable pictures! 

 Facebook post  - 26th March 2014

...Our culture makes the water very muddy, and preaches the doctrine that dirty water is good to drink...

Parrots (Bonnie & Clyde) @Blue Diamond Beach, Ghana

"Do you hide what you are doing? Hiding what you are doing and the time you spend doing it is another clear tip-off. Wrong doesn’t love the light (unless it’s become shameless and brazen). We hide when we know something is wrong. When you create a secret garden of any sort in your life, mutant things inevitably grow. So we hide from the eyes of others, from the eyes of our own conscience, from God’s eyes."

Read more:

https://www.crossway.org/articles/an-open-letter-to-those-nonchalant-about-their-sexual-sin/

Genesis 3:9b-11

But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

 No sin in beyond you.

Don't be overconfident...thinking it's not that easy for you to go astray

There's a very thin line between purity and promiscuity 

...a thin line between faithfulness and flirting

He who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall...

Your being a "prayer mama" or " prayer papa" doesn't guarantee that issues of lust and greed will pass you by.

Be on your guard...have accountability partners....put practical measures in place...flee if need be!

We all know the people we are easily drawn to. Some of us may still reminisce about old relationships even after 20 years of being married to another person. We need to draw thick lines when dealing with matters of the opposite sex especially when we're married. Your wearing a ring doesn't offer any protection, actually...I have heard some men say when it comes to having 'side-chics', that they even like married or pregnant women better than the singles. Also, some women are of the notion that going after married men is more exciting because married men are sometimes viewed as 'more responsible'.

No matter your age or status as a woman (or man), there would always be someone who is attracted to you. We need to be well aware of this and remain cautious on all occasions.

Lust. Desires. Weaknesses. Corruption. Adultery. They are real. 

'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. ' Matthew 26:41

Truly, 'without Jesus, we fall apart....we have no strength in ourselves to keep pure...but through Him, with Him and in Him, nothing is impossible. 

A hymnist writes - "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it...Prone to leave the God I love...Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it...Seal it for Thy courts above." 

Whenever we stray in our thoughts, especially concerning matters of purity and faithfulness, let us perceive that as a reminder of how frail we are in our own efforts, and as a call to run more and more into God's open and loving arms. "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust." - Psalm 103:13&14

Lord, we need You every hour. You're the One Who guards our hearts. Our Righteousness. Oh Lord, how we need You.

Selah.

15th February 2022

Me at Tema :) Ship- Logos Hope

The Costa Concordia disaster was the partial sinking of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia with the loss of 32 lives. The ship, with 4,252 people from all over the world on board, was on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea. Captain Francesco Schettino had deviated from the ship's computer-programmed route, claiming that he was familiar with the local seabed. The captain, having lost control of the ship, did nothing to contact the nearby harbour for help but tried to resume the original course. In the end he had to order evacuation when the ship grounded after an hour of listing and partly drifting. 

Francesco - "I have to take responsibility for the fact that I made a judgment error." May the families and friends that were affected by this disaster find comfort in God. Amen. 

Logos Hope Ship, Tema, 3rd Feb. 2022

As I think of the actions & or in-actions of Captain Francesco Schettino, I find rest and comfort in knowing that the Captain of my life never deviates, is truly familiar with all the 'seabeds' on my journey, never loses control of the ship of my life, and never makes judgment errors...Blessed assurance - Jesus is mine....Halleluyah! What a Savior!....Captain of Israel's Host and Guide of all who seek the land above...🙂

Have a great week lovely people! Choose the Best Captain! He'll never leave you nor forsake you 🙂

13th January 2012

 Selah.

Hymn by Charles Wesley:

1.Captain of Israel's host, and Guide

Of all who seek the land above,

Beneath Thy shadow we abide,

The cloud of Thy protecting love;

Our strength, Thy grace, our rule, Thy Word;

Our end, the glory of the Lord.

2.By Thine unerring Spirit led,

We shall not in the desert stray

We shall not full direction need

Nor miss our providential way;

As far from danger as from fear,

While Love, almighty Love, is near.