The Big Picture

Have you ever felt that your life is a puzzle; like you are unsure exactly what is going on, how the pieces fit together,what comes next and even what really just went on yesterday, or for the last week, month, year??? It does sound confusing just thinking about it, doesn't it? I am certain everyone has felt puzzled at some time in their life. But if you are one of those rare individuals who can honestly say you haven't then you are truly in the very small, maybe privileged minority. And I say privileged only in so far as you may consider it to be so.

The fact is though, I do not envy you that position. I have found that being in uncertain territory can broaden the horizons and stretch my faith to a point never reached before. In other words, this can be a growing place; when I can no longer walk, think, speak, live by sight, my own volition, my very limited understanding. It then becomes the place and the time for me to look to a Greater than me, than spouse, family, friend, pastor or philosopher. These are the times when the Great I Am is the only Source of clarity, direction, illumination, certainty. Faith like that of Father Abraham becomes essential, a must have on this journey to eternity. And let's face it, "without faith it is impossible to please God". So when things seem like a puzzle and I cannot figure any of it out or only bits come together, I just leave it all in the Hand of the One Who sees the Big Picture!

Now on the other hand,just in the last day or two, I find myself standing in a different puzzle box to the confusing one I just talked about and I am truthfully more familiar with. But I am not at all confused even though it is a puzzling situation! Instead I am so EXCITED!! Why, what's different you may ask. Well, I get this overwhelmingly strong impression of being in the centre of all these different pieces of this puzzle which is my life at the moment. And all the pieces are being divinely moved into position to complete the piture that my Lord is just about to reveal to me.

The place I am standing in is one of great anticipation, of thanksgiving, and praise, of wonder and awe, of favour and love, of blessings, and grace, of abundance and of overflow, all from the heart and hands of my Lord and Father!! This is the kind of puzzle where being in the centre is almost mind-blowingly, deliriously, joyously unspeakable and full of glory. It is to be in the Will of God, in the center of His plans, His thoughts, His outpouring love!! I can just see stuff falling into place; like a whole bunch of miracles unfolding almost all at once it seems...A magnificent, cosmic rose bud unfolding its glorious petals at the breath, the touch of the Creator of all.

For SUDDENLY, prayers are being answered and desires and hopes are maturing in ways beyond my comprehension. He has opened up the windows of heaven and He is working it ALL out for me. Hallelujah, "all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28. The pieces of my life puzzle are being directed perfectly into their perfect place in the perfect plan of our Perfect Sovereign Lord.

Believe me when I tell you, if He can do this for me; He does, can, and will do the same for every one of us that place our hope, our faith, and our WAIT in Him! Don't run ahead of God. "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart, WAIT I say, on the Lord". Only God, I tell you my beloved ones, ONLY the Lord our GOD is so able!!

Love, Blessings and Divine Puzzles. LadyZaidie

Dearest Abba

Dearest Abba,My Father,

You are always on my mind. Whatever and wherever I am, You are always there at the forefront of my thoughts. And I would not have it any other way Father. I am always mindful of how much love You shower on me each day and how You cradle me in the comfort of Your protection and peace every night. I just so love You, dearest Abba! But even more than this, I am so glad that You first loved me; that You planned for my deliverance from slavery, from unhappiness, mortality, from pain and suffering, from deceit, dishonesty and disappointment. I am so glad that You have enticed me back to You with your deep, incomprehensible, infinite agape love which surpasses all human comprehension.

Did ever a daughter have so loving a Father as I have in You?! Human parents fall short; they mess up but You Oh my Lord, has never failed me yet! When I need You,day or night,You are always there for me. I can depend on You. I can ask You to take care of something and I do not have to think about it, or wonder if and when. I know with profound certainty that You will take care of it; I know that You will do so in a comprehensive way that looks at every possible angle, and then decide that which is best for me,and for all who may be impacted by the outcome.

I just love to be in Your Presence all day long; talking with You, thinking, meditating on Your Words as I pursue my daily tasks. I whisper to You, question You for divine direction, for answers, for strategies, for advice. I love to take special time out to commune with You, to hear from You, to sit with , cry with, laugh with, dance with You, be embraced in Your unfailing love. Oh how I love and adore You my Father!! How I love to spend my time enjoying Your grace, Your favor, Your many gifts to me. I even love the lessons You teach me, even when some are painful to go through. But You are always with me, seeing me through, giving me Your strength, Your wisdom, Your Holy Spirit to get me through .. through to my blessings, my next level, my inheritance in Christ Jesus my Saviour, my Brother,My Kinsman Redeemer.

Do You know Father that Jesus is the very best gift of all, the very best favor, the greatest blessing, the most precious thought that You have for me, the biggest most awesome inheritance from a dad to a kid? Yes Father, Jesus is my portion. In Him "I live and move and have my being". Without Him I would be lost to You and You to me. So I really want to keep on thanking You for Jesus,for all eternity. And what is more, I thank You for my abundant life through Him, and I thank You that Your Words can never fail to bring a harvest of life, health, wealth, peace, prosperity and eternal rewards.

I love You my Heavenly Father and Your praise shall continually be in my mouth!!!

With all my Heart, Mind, Body and Soul. Divinely, Your Daughter, LadyZaidie

For Starters, Praise God For Empty!!

In My Office At Work - Picture Taken To Publish In The Company's October Newsletter!

I just have not had a chance to catch my breath! It's been all go since the 7th of September to now. The Lord is Blessing me BIG TIME!! It's like being caught up in a whirlwind except being securely stashed in the centre of it. So all is peace and calm where you are but all around, everything is just being turned every which way!! I am dizzyingly happy, enjoying every blessed moment,praising all the way. God is just so AWESOME! I Love Him. He is my Abba,I am His daughter!!

What am I going on about this time? Well,you all remember my last but one blog when I said I was empty but excited about what the Lord was gonna do in my life next?! Just read it again if you have forgotten! Well this is IT! NEXT!

I had been applying for jobs for over 3 years consistently, sent out over 800 applications! No one wanted me. I was persona non gratia,it seemed and felt. Also, for various reasons which kept changing,I wanted to return to London. I just could not make it happen either. I was in a rut. STUCK!! I tried everything I knew how. I wriggled and squirmed,I prayed and cried,I ignored and berated my circumstances,I was determined to change stuff. Nothing changed. I was still stuck where I was standing.

Since I was standing I decided to "Stand Still, having done all, to just stand". Sound advice from the Psalmist ... he ought to know, being a man after God's own heart and all! Then I decided I might as well just sit while I was standing around anyway. And while I was sitting I started to think. I thought until I was all thought out. I was empty. This I told you guys about.

At first I hated being empty but there was nothing for it,I was completely EMPTY!!

Then, I KNEW something. You know when you know that you know something?! The Holy Spirit told me SOMETHING. This is the SOMETHING that He told me - "Being Empty is Good. Excellent in fact! Being empty was the time to get ready...Get ready to be filled up by the Lord". I shared this good news with you all. So I started praying, and praying. Then my praying turned to praising.

So I started praising. Like Jehoshaphat, the "Battle was not mine, but the Lord's". So I kept praising. It's amazing how much there is to praise God for when you get praising through the Holy Spirit. I was praising the Lord for the past,the present and in advance,for the future. I have been praising God for being God,for my Redeemer,for Salvation,for Mercy and Grace,for Life,for my Children,Family,Friends, for Prosperity,Love,Peace,for Blue Skies and the Rain,the Sunlight and Chocolate!! You name it,I praise God for it. Most of all, I praised Him for 'Filling Me up to Overflowing'.

Within a period of one week beginning the 7th September,I got a job offer,tickets to London and I was off. I arrived on Monday 13th September,PM. I started work on Tuesday, 14th September,AM and I have not had a minute since then. The education authorities said Zac would be out of school for around 4 weeks. Zac is in school after being out for 2 weeks!! I have secured accommodation suitable for us. I got paid my first pay check; a half a month's salary. I have been in London for 3 weeks now. How about that for the WHIRLWIND!

Sometimes HE IS NOT IN THE WHIRLWIND,RIGHT ELIJAH,BUT SOMETIMES ... HALLELUJAH, SOMETIMES HE IS!!

What am I saying then? Praise God for "Empty", Praise God for the Whirlwind, Just Praise Him and see what He can do! I will keep you all posted. GOT TO GO Praise Him In ADVANCE FOR THE FILLING THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. BELIEVE!!

LOVE, BLESSINGS AND OVERFLOW!! LadyZaidie

True Identity

My son celebrating H.S Graduation - The Right Hand of the Lord God upheld him all through High School. Gratitude, Love and Adoration to God forevermore. We can do ALL things through Christ Jesus. Is there anything too hard for God?!!

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong, when I am on Your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be."
Lyrics of the Gospel Song "You Raise Me Up".

Romans 8:14 - "For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God".
Romans 8:11 "But if the Spirit of Him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall
also quicken your mortal bodies by His
Spirit that dwells in you".

The Eternal One created me.
Sin separated me from Him.
My Brother and my Lord purchased me with
His shed blood on Calvary's cross.
Recreated me in the image and likeness
of my Divine lineage. Now I am one with
My Father and my Brother, again.

Redemption, reconciliation, restoration.
God's sovereign strategy for my life rocks.
I know whose I am, therefore I know who I am;
Heir of Jehovah God my Father, joint heir with
Jesus my Redeemer, my Lord and my big brother.

My inheritance is to be like Jesus in every way.
His Victory is mine. His heart of love and compassion
is mine. His suffering is mine. His death, mine.
His resurrection is also mine.

I am life and truth even as He is. I am clothed with the
righteousness of the Messiah. I walk in dominion
and authority on the earth,conquering every adversity,
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To God be all the glory and honor forevermore.

Do you know who you are?
Are you aware of your lineage?
Have you read the details of your legacy?
Are you reborn, recreated as a son/daughter of the Living God
through Jesus the Christ?

Unless you know who you are
You cannot know why you are

Blessings. LadyZaidie

Invitation To His Banqueting Table

It has been a while since I last wrote anything on my blog, not because I had nothing to write - I can always find something to say! It was simply that I did not feel compelled to share anything. I have been doing some editing for an autobiography and I have been transcribing some notes for my current manuscript - yes, I am in the process of writing another book - so perhaps I am in "over-write"! Not all dried out or burnt out but all 'written out',kinda. Yet. Here I am still attempting to share something even if it is to say what I am not able to share ... Confused?! Funny that,I am perfectly clear about what I am saying!! Believe that and you are all just as cerebral as I am. Welcome to my world!!

OK, Come back to earth,Lady! Well, the thing about emptying out a vessel is that one creates space for a refill and right now,having drained the very dregs of my creative mind, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am in a great position for new impartations. By this I mean that I am excited at being so totally empty, chumping at the bits to receive new insights/revelations from the Lord. And I know just which table I need to go sit at. Best of all,I have a standing invitation. I can hardly keep still knowing that I have made ready my heart, mind and spirit for a feast: "He invites me to His Banqueting Table" and I have gotten here on empty, ready for a refill at the Table of my Lord and my God.

Have you ever been invited out for a meal and prepared yourself for it? You have an invitation to an event, maybe to meet friends or family at your special restaurant. You eat very little during the day because you know that you want to have room in your tummy to appreciate and fill up on your favorite dishes. Maybe that's just me. Anyway, I have even gone so far as to wear my most comfortable,loose fitting dress so that I can really indulge - remembering, when I do remember, that gluttony is a sin! Of course when it comes to something I really like, it takes a long time for me to get full up, so gluttony is a long way coming into the equation.

Anyway, as I was saying, right now I am ready to receive abundantly at the hands of the Lord. And you know what, I do not have to be concerned about over-indulgence, hallelujah! Conversely, although I have not been able to write for my blog lately,all my spare time has been occupied with my Bible study. I have been able to spend a lot more time than usual each day, just reading and studying and immersing myself in the Word. I find that the more I study, the more I want to study. That is not me, that is the Spirit of the Lord for sure.

The desire for Truth and understanding, for revelation and Manna from above can take on a momentum of its own. The Word of our God and Lord is "more-ish". You cannot be so filled that you walk away without wanting any more. Not possible. There are deeper depths in the Lord and in seeking, we assuredly will find Him. And once we find our place in Him we just want to set up house; He becomes our "dwelling place", our secret hideaway even. What a place to be!

That's why, right now,I am thrilled that I am all 'writ-out' because I know that He is ever ready to "Fill my cup,fill it up and make me whole". So, Sorry that I don't have much to say at this moment, but just you wait and see; the banquet is just getting underway. You are invited too,no joke. Come away my Beloved. Happy Feasting. Love & Blessings. LadyZaidie.

Let Truth Conquer The Spirit of Compromise

How much does it matter to you, how other people see you;how and what they think of you? Or does it only matter to you what your family, friends and loved ones think? Do they know the real you? When you meet someone for the very first time, do you deliberately try to make a good impression? Are you comfortable and content to be yourself or do you try to say the right things, portray the right attitude, behave according to expectations, be who you are expected to be in that place, at that time? Think about this for a moment. Are you always truthful in your interactions with everyone, careful not to mislead or misrepresent who you are; your personality, your character, your principles, morals and convictions?

I have learned the hard way that we compromise in so many different areas of our lives. Often, we do not realise until the damage is done. I have been turning the Light of Truth into the far recesses of my mind. As a result,I have found that the cause of much of the heartache and pain I have suffered over the years has a lot to do with allowing the spirit of compromise,to set up a stronghold in my mind and heart.

It is so easy to tailor our persona to suit the situation, the company we are in or the expectations of others. And often, these others are strangers or mere acquaintances; people whose path we may never cross again. Most often we 'tone down' or 'tune up' our presentation of our self and in so doing we compromise. Yes, We Compromise!

Of course at first glance, compromise is such a 'now' word. There has to be compromises in just about every single relationship these days, apparently, or people would not be able to get on; marriages would not work - not that we are doing so great on that front anyway given the current statistics,Companies would fail to function efficiently, business would grind to a halt all over the globe, communities would be chaotic and countries would constantly have clashes and numerous outbreaks of war.

Well,there are lots of compromises going on everywhere,everyday yet all of the above scenarios are widespread! I humbly suggest then, that compromises are not working either. So why don't we just go for truth,honesty and integrity in all our dealings with each other. Let truth reign in our hearts, our homes, our communities and our countries. I know that this world would be a better place. It would be because Jesus is Truth and if Truth is in charge, righteousness is in control!! Compromise is not a part of the Lord's nature and should not be a part of ours either!

Compromise is really a lie dressed up in human logic to appear honest, essential and beneficial. In the end however,it is just another method used by the enemy of mankind to ensnare and destroy us. He even tried this approach with Jesus during His temptation in the Wilderness. "I will give you all the kingdoms of the earth now. No need to suffer, no need to minister to captive, suffering, lost mankind". Following God's agenda, he implied, was unnecessary. "If you just do one thing,worship me this once, you can forgo crucifixion on Calvary,dying,the grave,and you become ruler right now", Satan pressed!

But Jesus saw through Satan's plot. He refused to compromise and act to please anyone else but God. Jesus the Christ KNEW that at the time decreed by God, "the kingdoms of earth will become the Kingdom of our Lord!!" Satan was presenting a package that, although it would achieve the same outcome planned by God,the method and timing was contrary to that established by the Father in His divine wisdom. Compromise is disobedience to the commands of God to live in truth. In fact, I would go so far as to say, that I have learned that in many instances, compromise is a manipulation of truth; as first practiced by the enemy, that old serpent, in the Garden of Eden. It lead to the Fall of the Human family from God's grace!

So please my beloved ones, learn to recognise when you are about to compromise. You can compromise your thoughts, your principles, your beliefs, your salvation. You can compromise your dreams and hopes, your ambitions and choices and in so doing you can compromise your divine destiny! Be on your guard! Compromise brings negative consequences to bear in your life. You or your loved ones, your community, your country will suffer the cost. Logic is not the right lens through which to view life. Jesus is the Way to salvation, He is the Truth concerning all things and Jesus Christ is Life, life everlasting in God's Presence. So, don't compromise in any way that diminishes truth, honesty, integrity and righteousness!

Truth, Love & Blessings. The LadyZaidie.

A Recipe For Survival

I decided last night to re-read Maya Angelou's book, "A Song Flung Up To Heaven" again. I came across it and it drew me. I finished it and enjoyed every page again. I really admire her body of work; her love affair with life and with words. After my last post, I just wanted to share this. Actually it's a quote from James Baldwin that Maya quotes ... Be Blessed. Here it is - speaking of Black People on the day Martin Luther King Jnr. was killed;

" We survived slavery: Think about that. Not because we were strong. The American Indians were strong, and they were on their own land. But they have not survived genocide. You know how we survived?"

"We put surviving into our poems and into our songs. We put it into our folk tales. We danced surviving in Congo Square in New Orleans and put it into our pots when we cooked pinto beans. We wore surviving on our backs when we clothed ourselves in the colors of the rainbow. We were pulled down so low we could hardly lift our eyes, so we knew, if we wanted to survive, we had better lift our own spirits. So we laughed whenever we got the chance."

This is beautiful and this is truth ... and what is more my friends, I know that God laughs with us too!