DDDela`s Musings

  As the calendar turns to 2026, the energy of a fresh start is undeniable. A truly great year isn’t built on luck; it’s the result of deliberate choices and strategic habits. Instead of vague resolutions, focus on mastering key behaviors that lay the foundation for sustainable success, deeper relationships, and profound personal growth. Here are 12 essential things you must do to ensure 2026 is your most impactful year yet:   1. Define Your North Star (The “Why”) Before setting goals, establish the core values and vision that will guide all your choices. Ask yourself: “What does a successful life look like to me, personally?” Your North Star provides clarity, helping you say “no” to distractions and focus on activities that truly move you toward your highest aspirations.   2. Prioritize Energy Over Time We often focus on time management, but energy management is the real key to productivity. Identify the activities, people, and environments that drain you...

  Christmas is more than just carols, lights, and presents. For John and Charles Wesley ; the dynamic duo behind the Methodist movement ; it was a powerful, practical, and deeply spiritual call to action. They didn't just celebrate a birthday; they embraced an entire spiritual revolution rooted in humility, compassion, and community.   Their approach to Christmas combined deep theological insight with a commitment to living out Christ’s love in the real world. Think of them as the original advocates for “keeping Christ in Christmas,” but with a focus on service above all else.   The Heart of the Matter: Why Jesus' Birth Was Everything For John Wesley , the founder of Methodism , Christmas was the lynchpin of the Christian story. He saw the Incarnation; God becoming human in Jesus Christ; as the ultimate act of love and humility.   John Wesley’s Insight: Christmas wasn’t just about a baby in a manger; it was God saying, “I want to be close to you.” It’s...

  When you think of a traditional Christmas , you probably picture twinkling lights, festive carols, and community warmth. But for John Calvin , the great Reformation thinker, Christmas was a far more serious, profound, and beautifully sober affair.   Calvin, known for his relentless focus on the Sovereignty of God and commitment to biblical purity ; didn’t throw out the Christmas story . Instead, he stripped away all the non-biblical customs and demanded a deep, intellectual, and worshipful engagement with the ultimate mystery: God becoming human .   The Theological Anchor: God is in Charge At the heart of Calvin’s theology is the idea that God governs absolutely everything . For him, the Incarnation ; the birth of Jesus ; was not a sentimental surprise, but the climax of God's sovereign plan for redemption. He considered Christmas as the ultimate proof that salvation is completely God’s initiative. It wasn't about a sweet moment in Bethlehem ; it was the di...

  Christmas, for the 16th-century reformer Martin Luther , transcended mere festivity; it was a profound theological and personal event; the ultimate demonstration of divine humility and unmerited grace. Luther’s perspective and practice of Christmas, deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasized simplicity, joy, and an unwavering focus on the Incarnation as the central act of salvation history . His approach provided a stark contrast to the extravagance of his time, laying a foundational legacy for how many Christians today understand and observe the holiday.   Theological Foundation: Grace and Humility Luther viewed the Incarnation ; God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ; as the pinnacle of God’s love. The fact that the omnipotent God chose to enter the world as a vulnerable, helpless baby, born not in a palace but in a humble manger, captivated Luther. This reality served as the bedrock of his Christmas theology.   He emphasized that Christ’s birth...

"It’s not how life goes that matters most; it’s how you respond that makes all the difference." — Joni Eareckson Tada Joni Eareckson Tada’s life is a powerful testament to resilience , faith, and hope in the face of unimaginable adversity. Born in 1949, Joni was a lively, bright young girl with a passion for swimming, painting, and dreaming of a future filled with possibilities. She was active and full of life, but everything changed in an instant when she was 17 years old. One summer day, while diving into a lake, Joni misjudged the depth and hit her head, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down. Suddenly, her world was turned upside down. The girl who once loved swimming and painting could no longer use her hands or walk. The pain, frustration, and grief were overwhelming at first, and she questioned her purpose and faith. Yet, amid her despair, Joni made a pivotal decision to trust in God’s plan for her life. She refused to b...

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt In many parts of Africa, including Ghana , a disturbing reality persists: a considerable number of physically challenged individuals find themselves resigned to a life of begging on the streets. Often overlooked or ignored by society, these individuals face daily struggles that many of us can scarcely imagine. Occasionally, compassionate passers-by may extend a helping hand, offering a bit of kindness amid their hardships. Yet, despite these acts of charity, a vast majority of persons with disabilities remain trapped within a cycle of limitation and despair, with few daring to challenge the societal barriers that confine them.   However, amidst this bleak landscape, there are exceptional stories across the globe of resilience, courage, and triumph that serve as beacons of hope and inspiration. Among such stories is that of Nick Vujicic ( Nicholas James Vujicic), an Australian-Ame...

I had no clue you had taken ill on August 28, which coincidentally was my 4 th wedding anniversary. Somehow, I had missed a call from home, hence my not being in the known about your worsening ill-health. While at my study, in the early hours of the following day (around 2am – 29 th August), my phone rung. Reaching for my phone, I noticed it was yet another call from home. I suddenly felt uneasy, sensing that something unpleasant may have happened. The call brought the unfortunate news of your sudden passing in a health facility a couple of minutes earlier. I was lost for words, and for a while, I could not hold back my tears. In spite of multiple premonitions earlier this year of your imminent departure, and despite your advanced age, I had prayed and hoped God would grant you a few more years, especially so since I had some unrealized plans up my sleeves, with you and mum in mind. But a las, your sojourn on earth had ended. I am saddened but also grateful to God for blessing yo...

  The late Mr. Prosper K. Dunoo was born on November 10, 1932, to Mr. P. K. Dunoo of Atiavi and Madam Victoria Dornor of Ada Foah (both deceased). He was named after his father, inheriting the "K" in his official name. After initially herding his father's cattle at Wute, Volta Region, Mr. Prosper K. Dunoo’s educational journey began in 1948 at Wute Evangelical Presbyterian Primary School. Due to his late start, he initially trailed his younger sibling, Mr. Moses Dunoo, but was promoted to join him in class three. As a devout Christian, Mr. Prosper K. Dunoo was baptized in 1945, at Wute, and later confirmed at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church at Atiavi in 1954 by the late Rev. A. K. Abutiate. To access better educational opportunities, Mr. Prosper K. Dunoo and his sibling relocated to Atiavi, continuing their education at Atiavi L/A Middle School from 1953 to 1956, obtaining Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC). He furthered his education at the Normal Techn...