What really matters?

Well hello my friends! After a long break from blogging, I'm back with some words to say.
My quest to be extraordinary continues, (referring to the title Not The Same), so with a new year comes a new look, but the title still stands- I want to live a meaningful and victorious life in Jesus my LORD.

Although not so many victories on the weight loss front, I have grown so much in other areas of my life in the past year or so. God has brought me on such a journey of self-discovery in the almost three years since we came to Enjoy Church, and I'm so thankful to HIM for the work He's been doing in me. I turned 33 last week, and confess (not boast, because it's definitely God's amazing power at work), that in the past year I've become more confident, more able to minister to others, even more lovely than I ever thought I could be. But there's so much more than this to be had in God.

Today we farewelled our dear friend Rosa, who passed away last Wednesday -on my birthday- from breast cancer. She was 52 years old. Her funeral was full- our 800 seat church had hardly a seat left vacant. What a woman. She didn't have any great achievements listed against her name, had not started any business empires or benevolent charities. But 800 people turned out today because her short life had touched theirs.

I have known Rosa for only two years, but in that time she was a great blessing to my life. The words spoken today highlighted what was important to her - Loving God, and Loving Others, and have made me want to re-assess my work-life balance. What really matters in life? And how can I make space in my life to ensure I do those things well?

The past few weeks have been extremely busy. With several ministry roles on the go, as well as a full schedule at work, I've found myself with little time or energy to devote to my family. Lord, I know it's time to take stock of what's important in my life. Can it be that it's time to cull things again? I can't even think what I could cut out of my life, but I know somehow I want to make time to be more available- not just for people God sends to me (which I'm pretty good at!), but specifically for those He's already placed in my life. How long since I had a cup of tea with my own Mum? She lives only an hour away. And I want to sow love and real caring into my children. In a few short years they'll be women. Lord, help me to show them the way- what it really means to follow you and love others. Lead me in the way everlasting.

In Him,

Fantastic Weight Loss Site!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to jump in here and tell you all about a fantastic website I've just encountered: www.calorieking.com, or for us Aussies, www.calorieking.com.au! Not only do they have HEAPS of calorie values for foods we eat & buy every day, but they also have a recipe section with a clever twist- go to Recipes>> Advanced Search, you can specify the type of recipe you want including low fat, low sodium, and several more, as well as the type of meal or dish you are wanting to cook.
I wanted to bake something low in calories for Bible Study tomorrow night, I used this search, and came up with 10 recipes in the baking category which are under 100 calories per serve! And the US site has 20!! I thought that was great!!
So I think I'll be making the No-Fat Brownies tomorrow... I'll let you know how it goes! But if you've got some cooking to do, or even if you're planning to eat out soon, why not head over to the Calorie King site too, and see what you can find!!

Blessings,

The ultimate secret!

This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. - Mark 4:26-27

Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. - 2 John 1:8

This Monday, I went to the gym. That in itself is nothing truly exciting... I've been going an average of three times a week for several months now. But on this particular day, I began some new exercises which, throughout the days following, reminded me of the existence of some well insulated and long-forgotten muscles! Although the resulting twinges are unpleasant, they also produce a certain joy- reminding me that I do indeed have the necessary equipment I need to become lean and toned!

I've been thinking about the fact that beneath the unlikeable layers of- shall we say- adipose tissue, I have muscles which are secretly growing and becoming stronger and healthier! But as new fibres knit silently together in the unseen layers of my body, I must be careful that I do not counteract their progress by eating recklessly!

You see, there are two aspects to this 'secret' principle. The first is that when I exercise regularly, although I can't see it for some time, my muscles are growing, and my health is improving! But the second aspect, the flip side, is that all the secret snacks and indulgences I consume are undoing the good work I've achieved during my exercise time!

The first passage, Mark 4:26-27, mentions that man scatters his seed upon the ground, and then it inevitably grows a crop. What I want to know, and what I'm asking myself is... "What seed am I sowing?" If I sow chocolate bars, chips and double-sized meals, guess what I'll be reaping?- Double-sized me!!! But if I sow diligent exercise, with moderate food intake, I will reap the good health and pleasantly shaped body I desire to have!

But what about the predicament I'm in at the moment... I'm exercising virtuously, and my muscles are doing their secret growing thing. (good muscles!) But a war is being waged within me, as I continue to succumb to food temptation frequently; secretly undermining my own efforts! (Excuse me while I ramble off in a despondent Romans 7 tone... "Oh wretched man that I am; what I should do, I don't do; and what I don't wish to do, that I do...etc., etc.")

In Romans 7, Paul talks about the inward battle that he is experiencing as he tries to do what he know is right. Man, I know what he's on about!! But since he's been through the same struggle before me, and because the Bible is God's great instruction manual, I thought I'd go there to see what answers Paul found for his situation. Just after Paul's cries of despair, I found Romans 8:5-6:
'For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.'
Herein lies our ULTIMATE secret! I will continue to have these mental and emotional battles until the day I die, and NEVER see the good fruits of my hard work if I continue to listen to the mind of my flesh. This mind INSISTS and PERSISTS, saying "Go on, have one... you're not getting anywhere anyway... you won't succeed in reaching your weight loss goals!"
I have to choose to IGNORE that voice, that mind; and focus on the Spirit, God's gentle voice that whispers to me "Resist the temptation, Juliet... in due time you will reap a harvest if you don't give up!" Ladies, I know I'm not the only one out there who struggles with this issue! Let's press on together this week, listening to God's voice, and remind ourselves of the good results that are being produced secretly in our bodies as we continue to do what we know is right.

Blessings,

Blue skies and harlequin bugs...

Well folks, spring has come upon us down here in Melton, Australia, and boy, aren't we glad!
The sudden migration of creepy spiders and bugs indoors would be a source of great chagrin, but is tempered by our overwhelming relief at being able to shed a few layers, and sit at the computer without a blankie in the middle of the day!

The first few days of spring have brought with them some milder weather, some lovely blue skies, lots of greenery, and plenty of bugs. We've had three spiders in the past week. Two were dealt with by my awesome hubby before I had any knowledge of them, but one I had to squish with my own shoe... while I was wearing it!! I'm very brave.

Harlequin bugs, little skinny things, are enjoying finding a mate and 'hooking up' in strange places like shower cubicles or our bedroom cornices.
My husband and I joked that they were in the right place for it!! ;o)
However it's possible that, I, rather than spring, have stirred up the creatures. Last weekend I spent a vigorous 30 minutes pulling out rebel weeds near our bedroom french doors. I sweated and strained, and cleared a patch the size of two men's hankies. They were big weeds, people!

Still, I hold out hope. Despite lots of weightier priorities, I'm hoping that the whole family will chip in, and with lots of effort, we will resurrect our back yard. My lovely family-in-law are coming over for Boxing Day Dec 26th, and in true Aussie style, will want to hold their own cricket Test Match. The Boxing Day Test is a sporting institution here in Melbourne, and many a backyard cricket match is held on the same day! It's usually to compensate for all the turkey and Christmas pud that's been consumed.

Here are some BEFORE photos, so you can sympathise with me. Yes, we have a LONG way to go!

Wish me luck!

Blessings,