When we are waiting for something impactful to happen it usually seems a long time. However, when we are enjoying the ride it seems a very short time. 2012 was an exceptional time for me.

The dawn of 2012 heralded new plans ( my plans) for me and especially for ChristianBlessings. However, as I was physically laid low by the recurrence over several months in early 2012,  of lupus (LSE after a long  40 + years in remission,)  startling me and my doctors as well,   those plans were put on hold till I was on the mend by God’s grace. It seemed that I was in the wilderness of steroids and  hyper sun-sensitivity which is very  difficult  for one living at the Equator. I  had to slow down just to follow rather than take the lead whilst  affirming my  faith and standing on His Word for healing. Praise the Lord I was well enough to enjoy the very arduous trip to Israel which my recuperating  body found to be quite a stretch. That stretch made me understand my physical limits and the truism of “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”. The healing work of the Lord continues. Thank God.

Praise the Lord for the surprise opportunity of travelling to Israel in the company of fellow believers who refreshed in me how pleasant it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity. December 1-16 2012 was for me  a 40+ year dream come true;    a  trip to Israel which should have taken place during the 6 day war in 1967  was deferred till the time appointed. Sixteen days was a flash in time with much overload on very interesting facts of history, archaelogy, customs and practices, the laws during Bible times and many kingdoms, and gave me an insight I never could have withount visiting the places where Jesus’ ministry took place.

While the first half of the year was a stretch, hallelujah, the rest of the year passed swiftly  as if a catchup was needed  at that point with breathless speed,  to make up for lost time and the anticipation of what God can do with willing vessels. We thank God for the new contributors to ChristianBlessings in Ula, Lyn, Amanda, Ben and Kurt in the second half of 2012, as they added new spice with their Contributions. We expanded ChristianBlessings’  Categories in Bible Lands with Dr Wayne Stiles and Bible Verse Scriptures in Pictures with Darrell Creswell, which  attracted much viewer attention.  It was the Lord’s timing as several of our existing Contributors were then  facing their own faith battles and took respite. We pray The Lord’s strength and peace will remain with them. as He is their Jehovah Jireh.  I thank God for every faithful Contributor who has been through thick and thin with me in prayer support, contributing blogs and been encourager in their own God appointed and anointed ways.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

In retrospect, the Lord has led us in His special way to higher ground in 2012. He never left us and is with us,  to walk with us  and is in  control of our unknown 2013 with all glory to Him.

With experience of His faithfulness in 2012, I want to be led to higher ground in 2013. Yes, I am  ready to take on the challenges of 2013 – by His grace united, we will.

Here is my favorite hymn from age of 12 years

I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Chorus:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s table land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho’ some may dwell where these
abound
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

by Johnson Oatman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2emsPPCH4c

Will you join me as we scale higher heights in The Lord  this year?