Throughout the world, Christian and non-Christian, this day resonates and takes time to stop and recognise Jesus Christ. Who He is, or who He was. What He has done, or what He had done. Wherever you stand on this, there is an awe in Easter. There is this solemnity of Good Friday and the miracle of Resurrection Sunday. 

We come to remember not just what was done, but who did it. 

'He spoke into being the immeasurable universe, yet He notes the sparrow's fall, and hears the faintest cry. He made the galaxies, but He stooped to Bethlehem's manger. He dwells beyond the remotest galaxy, but He is no father from us than the reach of faith.'

This is God, this is Jesus. The Saviour, Redeemer, Comforter, Friend, Servant. He took down His crown, stood up from His throne in Heaven. Traded for a crown of thorns, and a rugged cross with His arms stretched out, body hung, hands and feet nailed- upon that hill at Calvary. The very place where Abraham was tested to sacrifice Isaac is the place he called 'The Lord will Provide.' This is the same place where the Father provided His Son as the sacrifice to pay for the cost of every sin, condemnation, transgression, hurt, pain, and sorrow. 

What love is this? What kind of love came down to rescue? What love reaches to those who have not yet loved back? What love? The Father's love, and more. 

Women of Purpose

There is something so empowering being surrounded by woman who are wiser and older than you. 

It has been too long that I have put in my heart into photography, something today just changed that and came with these photographs. Simply we had a pre-spring brunch with the Women of FCF also known as FCF Women of Purpose filled with so much laughter and joy, it's not question why I look up to them. It's a powerful declaration and one that must be said over and over, passed on to generation to generation: 

'I carry God's image, I carry His greatness, I carry His beauty..'

Welcome 2015!

It's already past half way through January and I have not posted yet. Honestly its a mix of busyness and laziness however better late than never right. Already a lot has happened and quite frankly .. I am terrified and excited to see how it'll all span out for the rest of this year. Second year of uni will be crazy(ier), actually taking a leadership role in youth, hoping to get my green Ps (and get better with parking). Seem small but it's been claimed over this year as a year of harvest. So best be getting to sowing for greater reaping!

Carols in the Carpark 2014

Lovely one, this goes out to you. We all strive to be the best that we can be, especially when it's all for the glory of God. We all strive to become that 'Proverbs 31 woman' in life, however did you know there you are more than just Proverbs 31. Yes, you are worth #FarAboveRubies (verse 10). Hardwork  and provision is more than just for yourself (verse 13-16). And fearing the Lord is much greater than external beauty (verse 30). But you are not limited to only pursue these traits to become a woman of God. There is more!  To say that there is more is not meaning to say that you have 'more' to do to become the woman of God you are potentially to be. It's saying that as a follower of Christ, specifically a lady, you're more than that. Here are some examples:

• You are an extension of Christ, clothed by the garments of salvation (Isaiah 61:10)
  Just as you can adorn yourself with strength and honour (verse 25),  as a follower of Christ you are clothed with salvation. And with such salvation, you carry the image of Christ as Christ is living in you. Share it to the world!
  
  
• You are an athlete, running the race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
  Proverbs 31 doesn't say much about you being athlete although it does say that the 'virtuous wife' clothes herself with strength, you are not only to be strong but you are to be perseverant. We are running without uncertainty, we are fighting with a purpose. It is not just to obtain an imperishable crown but it is to please an imperishable God.
  
  

• You are gifted for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)
  Now when it comes to scripture, do not limit yourself to sticking by Proverbs 31. There are women in the Bible who are amazing examples of what is means to be a woman of God, who are people that became all that God wanted them to be. Esther took the time to find her calling, so should you. Wherever you are you in life, you are called for such a time as this. It may be as simple as to love, to serve, to invest, to pray.
  
  

• You are a spiritual warrior (Ephesians 6:12)
  We all know it, we do not fight against flesh and blood. Do not cease to fight the good fight.
  

There are probably even more verses but hopefully you got my point. Strive to not only be a 'Proverbs 31' woman, strive to be more than that. Strive to be more Christ-like. To reassure again, in no way am I disregarding Proverbs 31. I am however reminding you, dear friend, that there is more than that because God definitely believes in you so much and I do too. I am on this journey to strive for more to give back- more for His kingdom's cause, join me? 

Night Noodle Markets

So far, most of my posts have been about food and that's because it's food. Food is great, food is fantastic and yet we can consume it til we knock ourselves out into a coma. Which is not necessarily the idea and purpose for food. That'll be saved for another post. Last night, a few friends and I went to the Sydney Night Noodle Market, pretty much promoting 'Good Food Month.' It's at Hyde Park from 5pm-10pm on Monday-Friday and 4pm-11pm on Saturday-Sunday. Better experience it cause it's only around til the 24th of October.

I have to say .. I have incredible friends that I'm doing life with and it has only been two years since I've known these people. Sounds cliche but they are all answered prayers. I grew up in school never having one friend to stick by me in the long run. I went through the heartbreak of being ignored, replaced, rejected, forgotten, and taken advantaged of. That changed when the fire nation attacked ... That changed only two years ago starting senior high school. I met people who shared the same passion for Christ that I had and people who accepted me for who I am. And I can't be anymore thankful for people like them. They are the future leaders, world-changers, rule-breakers of the future and I get to do life with them. 

Even just the gathering together for food and good company, it makes you count your blessings, turn away from technology for a while and enjoy these moments because it's these very times that we need to cherish. So what's something that you feel incredibly thankful to have? 

THREE MONTHS LEFT

We're almost done with 2014! Only a countdown left of three months and I. AM. EXCITED.

Not because of the cliché, 'new year, new me' but because it means I'm getting closer to half way through my degree, I would've already done half of my first degree (early childhood) I'll be in YD Life (young adults ministry), my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary, I get can my green Ps, maybe by then I'll already have a part time job. So much to look forward to!

However, it is still 2014 so #yolo. Jokes. Gotta make the most of it these last three months. So I've set a few goals that I want/need to reach by the end of this year. Here are my main goals:

- Get more than one Distinction for my subjects

- Get through a blogilates ab workout without stopping

- Meet the parents of the children I'm working with at prac

- Finish reading the Hobbit and A Million Little Ways

- Finish reading David

- Clean out my closet

- Finish my journal

It's not the end of the year yet and it is also not too late to do something new. We have three months to make the most of what is left for this year! Trust me, so much can happen in a matter of months. Imagine looking back on this whole year. Crazy how time flies but, my friend, you just better get your cape on and keep up with it too. 

Totally copied Joshua Harris’ book title, ‘I kissed dating goodbye,’ for this post but made it so that it is relevant to what I am about to write. Let me expand upon what these ‘misconceptions and external voices’ are:

• Misconceptions of ‘the one:’ It’s so easy to fall into the worldly trap of the ideology of who ‘the one’ is for you. We are told that there is someone out there for you, a special someone we’d like to call it. All it is, is a matter of time and waiting and searching for them. They give you this idea that you’ll end up with your best friend that you’ve had for years upon years, you’ll end up meeting a stranger by ‘love at first sight.’

I’m kissing goodbye the misconceptions of ‘the one.’ 

I believe that ‘the one’ is not someone you have to go out and search for. It is not someone whom everyone says you’ll need to be with because you are compatible. It is not someone who will ‘complete’ you because the reality is, your future partner cannot fill what is meant to be filled by God. The one is someone you choose. It is in that choice that you need to have God’s spirit alive and active in you. That way, He’s guiding you to His choice. Remember, that not everyone needs to have ‘the one’ but only One (God). 

• External voices: These are the voices of those who ‘encourage’ or ‘ship’ you and another person. If you reciprocate some feeling towards the person you’re being ‘shipped’ with, you kind of like being teased. Don’t deny it, it’s a cute feeling. It’s these very voices you need to be aware of.

I’m kissing goodbye the external voices.

I no longer want to rely the growth of my feelings towards someone on the encouragement of others. Instead, I’d rather have my feelings grow because I am getting to know that person better and on a deeper level that I find attractive. Instead of listening to the voices that ‘encourage’ you to be with someone, listen to those who will keep you accountable, who will sharpen you and refine you to be all that you can be. More so, you should be sensitive to listen to the One voice who is much greater than all.

‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8 NIV). As I’m kissing goodbye these misconceptions and external voices, I’m inclined and more so willing to grasp God’s love and to hear His voice above all the noise. Because I have yet to become all that He plans for me to be and I’ve still got a long way to go! So friend, comrade, amigo,  hope you'll be encouraged, your growth as a person right now is far more important that your search for the right person. 

Most don't know but both my parents were at health risk, both having high blood pressure due to stress, lack of exercise and eating habits so to reduce this we as a family changed our lifestyle to become healthy. No one was left behind on this, we were all in together on a journey to enhance our bodies to function better and to fight off sickness/disease. Our meals consisted of more vegetables and carbs, our snacking was substituted from cookies to nuts and fruit, we also developed individual daily exercise routines. However this winter season came and we fell back, #sozzybodies. But now we're coming back! So here are my reasons of 'why I want abs:'

1. To develop my bodily function for a greater purpose:

As great it is to be able to run for a certain amount of kilometres, to endure through that last set of reps .. that is just temporal value to exercise and good eating. I want to be able to wake up each morning feeling both physically and spiritually able to conquer the day. If my body functions well, I am physically more able to serve God better. Gotta do it for that eternal value bruh.

2. To enhance my immune system:

It's common sense, eat well and exercise daily. This will help to fight off sickness and disease, increases the strength of your immune system and helps you feel stronger! 

3. To inspire others with eternal motives rather than earthly:

If there's one way I'd like to inspire others besides my blog and ministry, it's through the way I look after myself. Although I'm focusing more on the physical aspect right now, I desire to be a living example of being healthy for eternal motives. To show that being healthy mustn't be initiated because of what the world finds appealing. Being healthy should be done as a means of allowing your body to function to its greatest potential (this one is similar to the first reason).

These are more of 'why I want to be healthy' reasons rather than 'why I want abs.' This redirection is an example of my motives. Your motives have an incredible impact on what you do and why you do it. You can workout and eat clean as best you can but if you do it for the reasons of #summerbody #ootd or whatever, you won't be truly satisfied. Look at it, people don't loose weight to look good, they loose weight to function better. When you shift your focus of 'being healthy' for the purpose of functioning better, you'll see that you won't be so caught up on how you look. Looking good is just a bonus, being able to physically serve to your full potential ..well that's even better! Let this sink in, 'why do you want abs?' Let's give true meaning to #HealthIsWealth

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We need prayer warriors

(*this post is more directed to those who attend FCF however may still be applicable to you if you attend a church that holds prayer meetings. this is also a short rant. thank you*)

Tonight we had 10 people (out of a supposed 200+ attendees) at prayer meeting. No matter how big or small the number of people, prayer is still powerful which stands as true. However, I couldn't help but feel my heart sink as I walked into church seeing such a small amount of people there to pray. 

It is understandable that possibly tonight, the 'regular' attendees all had schedules or something else on that meant for them to not be able to make it. Regardless of that, where are the prayer warriors? As a church, we are expanding in many areas of ministry however we are decreasing in the amount of prayer warriors that are needed. This is heart wrenching, for me at least. Especially the fact that there are so many prayer points, there's an urgency for spiritual warfare, for God's children to take up their swords and put on their armour. As much as we can rest in God, we are called for battle as well.

Most people don't know but the prayer points for healing is two pages long (A5 size). TWO pages. The amount of people in our church community that are diagnosed with cancer is crazy. The sudden loss of family members, the rising concern of young people in our church suffering from depression. Again, there is an urgency to intercede for those who are in the valley, for those who are in the fire, in the storm. We are more than capable to pray for our own needs and desires, we are the body of Christ. It's time we started to look after each other and lift each other up through prayer.

To go to prayer meeting you are sacrificing an hour, an hour and a half, out of the 24 hours of your day to pray and intercede beyond yourself. Even attending at least once a month, twice a month. We need prayer warriors. I'm not saying that you gotta go to prayer meeting to be able to pray for others, no no. You can do that anytime! It is by attending prayer meeting that you are physically gathering with other people to pray together and prayer in a group is even more powerful. You don't need to have the best words nor be the best at structuring a prayer. A prayer is a prayer, God will/does listen. 

Trust me, it's worth praying for more than just yourself. You're never wasting time when it comes to interceding for others. 

Not many people know of the 'king's cupbearer,' Nehemiah. See, Nehemiah was a man who's fear of God was much greater than the fear of his enemies. He was a man who mourned for his people's suffering and took action to rebuild them as city. Such profound character is revealed in how he took initiative and took position to lead his people to hope, faith and belief in God again. 

In Nehemiah chapter four, we find here that the Jews are gaining oppressors as word of their rebuilding of the walls was spreading. Nations and tribes were against them- Sanballat, Tobiah, the Ammonites, the Arabs and the Ashodites. These weren't 'small' groups of people by the way. They were nations and large tribes. Realising that an attack was plotted against the Jews, Nehemiah knew that an attack such as this was to intentionally cease their work, their progress. He then told the builders, to defend while they build.

14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, the great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses. (Nehemiah 4:17)

Here it's reiterated that this defence is not in vain, it is not for their name nor is it for just themselves to be alive that day. This defence was to defend the future of their work. To protect the good work that had begun. The word 'fight' is repeated several times to ensure that these builders know what they are fighting for and who they are protecting. 

17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other hold a weapon. 18 Every builder had his sword girded at his side as he built.

The builders each had a weapon to use when being attacked while they continued to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. You would picture them having one hand with a hammer and another with a sword. So how does this relate to us today?

We've been give two things: gifts/abilities and a weapon.

Just as the builders had the ability to build, they also had a weapon to defend what they were building. For us, we may be given the ability to speak well, to work and invest in lives. We may be given gifts of music, drawing and what not. How we use these abilities/giftings contribute to what we are building- ministry, relationships, fellowship.

We are also given a weapon- the Word of God- to defend these. For we are not just defending but we are also fighting for it. We are fighting for the future expansion of His kingdom, we are fighting for this and the future generation. Don't forget that when something is being built for God there is certainty of an attack/oppressor that will intentionally want your work to cease. Because when that work ceases, it will become stationary. It doesn't not progress due to fighting off an attack.
Be believing and living out the Word you are using that weapon to its fullest.

You will know that what you're building for is worth it when you get an attack and you end up fighting for it. So remember, that whatever you are building, do not let your guard down. You have been equipped with gift/abilities and a weapon, use them.