Rising from The Valley of The Shadow of Death

Ancient of Days, You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

You were there when the world began, and You will be there at the end.

Right from the start, You have presided over all that takes place in our world, in our lives.

When I found myself in the valley of the shadow of death, and my heart trembling, I realised that You are with me.

I didn't know where to look, what to do and who to speak to as deadenness increased.

That's when

You met me in the depth of my sorrow, breathed life into a deadened spirit looking for rest.

And You said, "I will sustain you. I will get you out of bed - out of your listlessness and exhaustion, and out of your condition of being half dead while you are still alive.

I will penetrate you with the spirit of life." "Come to me......and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NLT.

GOD grabbed me. GOD's Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them - a lot of bones!

There were bones all over the plain - dry bones, bleached by the sun. He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "Master GOD, only you know that."

He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones: 'Dry bones, listen to the Message of GOD!" GOD, the Master, told the dry bones, "Watch this: I'm bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life.

I'll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You'll come alive and you'll realise that I am GOD!" Ezekiel 37:1-6 The Message.

If there is anyone who can resurrect the dead, it would be GOD. Only the Author of Life can restore life to dry bones, bring hope to a situation of utter despair.

Some of us linger a little too long in the shadow of our past, only to miss living in the present. Some of us try to live in the present carrying the baggage from our past.

It takes time to heal and step out of the shadow of our past and begin walking in the light of life again. While we are on the road, it's best to carry only what we need and leave old baggage behind.

And sometimes God places people in our lives that play a part in the process of helping us grow.

For the past two years, I have had the God-given opportunity to share my life with someone who did just that.

The authenticity and forthrightness of her character drew me out of my shell. She showed me strength, tenacity and generosity in living.

We fought, laughed and cried. Through the years, I have found a mentor, a senior, a friend, a confidante and a support in you.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17 NKJV. You have sharpened me, Da Guo.

And I like to share this with you.

Come, my friends,

'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

Push off, and sitting well in order smite

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die.

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Though much is taken, much abides;

and though we are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

ULYSSES - Alfred Lord Tennyson

Xiao Guo ",+