The start of something big...

Well last week the big announcement was made at Connect Group. For anyone who spent 2 seconds thinking about it would have known that it was of course that we were multiplying. We have been meeting as a group of approximately 30 people for a few months now and it was becoming an increasingly pressing issue that we needed to multiply. In the state we were in, it just wasnt feasible to provide the necessary support to the entire group, people were not confident sharing and it was increasingly turning into a weekly social gathering, rather than the opportunity to come together as a small group and feed on the word of God, encouraging each other as we do it.

Of course with the multiplication of a group, a new leader was required. I am excited to say that I have been given the amazing responsibility of leading the new connect group. Truly I am excited about what God has in store for us and it is my prayer that God will use me as his vessel to bring about awesome things for the group and most of all the kingdom of God.

When I really think about it...I never saw myself as a Connect Group leader. I was always content attending, being involved in the discussion, sometimes leading the word...but for the most part just being part of the group. To be honest...I am not the most confident of public speakers...but this is an area I really feel that God is working on developing within me.

I fully appreciate that this commitment is no small task. It will require me to be much more diligent with my time, my priorities need to be kept in order...but most of all I must continually check my heart...in order to ensure that throughout this journey my intentions are all for God, that I never forget that I cannot do this by my own strength alone and that what I am working towards is for Gods glory and not my own.

I felt this was highlighted while I was reading 1 Samuel recently. Here we see Saul given the position of ruler of Israel, but he does not follow Gods calling, he does not work for Gods glory, but instead he seeks his own glory and follows his own way. Ultimately the blessings of God are taken from him, for he was disobedient and selfish in his desires. He did not seek God first, he did not follow the callings God had placed on him and most of all God was not the center of his heart! This is not the path I want to fall down...for in all things I do, I want to seek the glory of God and celebrate what we have the opportunity to do.

So as I take on this opportunity, I ask that you pray for me, that I would be a wise leader and sensitive to the needs of the group. I feel very grateful that I have been asked to lead the new group and I do not take this responsibility lightly. But I know its going to be great!!

How far back can you go?

Some people have amazing memories, they can remember the most tiny detail about an event which happened many many years ago. On the other hand, there are those kind of people who wouldnt remember your name unless you have known them for a few years. I guess I would be more inclined to place myself in first category, although there are times where I slide close to the second category as well.

I always like to reminisce about my earliest memory - it was the day my sister was born. That makes me two years old (and 8 months). I was staying at my grandparents house, we were up early as was there way. It was a bright morning, I remember sitting in the kitchen and the sun was shining onto the dinner table. As I sat there, the phone rang and I distinctly remember looking up at the clock on the wall.

But more generally speaking...I guess we only really remember those things that are important to us. I mean how many people who you are not overly fond of, would you remember their Birthdays? Or how much information do you remember from those long and boring classes on History from High School?

So I guess when someone does remember you, something about you, something that is important to you...it really highlights the fact that you most mean something to them. Unfortunately remembering someones Birthday isnt so significant anymore...with things like Facebook giving us endless reminders of whose Birthday it is today. But there are things that we do which really highlight who is and isnt important to us....and one of the biggest things we can do is prayer. To remember someone in prayer, to ask God to help someone in their time of need is one of most powerful, actually it is the most powerful thing you can do for someone else. Just look at the letters written by Paul in the New Testament, how many times does he ask the churches to keep him in their prayers!

So I guess my point at the end of all this is to never forget how significant the power of prayer is, in particular when you are asking God to take care of someone who is important to you.

Someone who made a difference

 Dear XXXXXXX


Im not sure if you even read my blog, but I just wanted to say to you...thank you for making a difference in my life. You shared many ups and many downs, but throughout them all you were always by my side...supporting me...assisting me. I could always count on you, no matter what I faced.

You taught me so much. When I reflect back, on how I was before you and how I was after you, I realised how much I grew during the time we spent together. You taught me so much, despite you limited experiences. You are much wiser than your years, you are more intelligent that people give you credit for.

I wish there was someway that I could fully express how grateful I am for what you did for me, the time you spent with me, the times you came to my rescue...but I know that there is no way I could express how much I honestly appreciate you.

I know at times...a lot of times...I took you for granted...and for that Im sorry. But now I realise how much you taught me and how much you made me smile. Small things to you...they are all significant things to me.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and change some...if not all....the things I did wrong. But that time is past. All I can do now is pray that you are happy...and you will be happy in the future.

You are an inspirational person. You are compassionate and caring. You are amazing.

Thank you.

Just like living in paradise

When someone mentions paradise, I guess most people would imagine long sandy beaches, beautiful sunshine, lazing around and spending time with someone. But for someone like me who is burnt by the sun when its raining, the idea of sunshine and beaches is not ideal.

But what exactly do I picture paradise to be like?


I guess the first answer would be to say...Heaven! But since we cannot even begin to explain how amazing heaven must be...then I will have to go back to my perfect place.

I would have to say paradise is a place where the following things are in place:

• No need to work - nothing would beat just lazing around, hanging out with friends and hitting the gym as much as I like
• Weather would be a standard 20-25 degrees each day - this is my ideal temperature, not too hot and not too cold...just right
• All my friends and family are in the same place - I have too many friends overseas...and in my paradise they are all living here with me =)
• Footy is on everyday of the week - doesnt have to be Carlton, just has to be footy...the greatest game in the world!

To be honest though...its hard to truly sum up paradise for me. There are so many places I have been that are beautiful and amazing. But the one thing that always makes every place even more wonderful is the people I am there with. So I guess that means paradise for me is a place where my friends and family are close to me.

Tracks to keep me going

I love music and I almost always have my headphones in listening to tracks, whether it be on my iPod, iPhone, Mac or pumping from the stereo in the car! So what then would be the five songs I would have with me on a desert island and why?

My first reaction to this question was...the answer would change as time goes by. So my answer is based on my current situation. But how to pick those songs out? Well my first idea was to check out what are the top 5 tracks played on itunes currently...and they are the following:

1. Dead End Friends - Them Crooked Vultures
2. Showbiz - Muse
3. In Your World - Muse
4. Mind Eraser, No Chaser - Them Crooked Vultures
5. This Is Our God - Hillsong

Interesting actually...although this is more a result of me just turning on itunes when im at work and letting the tracks play.

So back to the list...well here we go in no particular order:

Hosanna - Hillsong United
This is a beautiful song...yeah I know...not what you expect from me with my first selection. But its truly wonderful. With such powerful lyrics such as "Show me how to love like you have loved me...Break my heart from what breaks yours" its one song I really enjoy worshiping God to and thats something I definitely need.

Misfit Love - Queens of the Stone Age
Since my recent love for QOTSA started, this is one song that has stood out and I particularly enjoy listening to it while at the gym due to the fast beat. Also the way the song mixes it up towards the end is a delight to listen to!

New Born - Muse
Muse have so man awesome songs to pick from...but this is just one that I cant go past. From the slow build up in the start with the piano hammering away to the pace of the chorus...this song has seen me through countless workouts and is one I just do not tire of!

Gave Up - Nine Inch Nails
This was a tossup between "Gave Up" and "Wish", but since this song is longer...I have opted for this since I need as much music as possible! The quick drum loop that the song starts with is a good build up to the chorus where it is guitar centric with high pitched vocals! This is the song I usually use to get myself over the line after a big session or a massive run!


The Stand - Hillsong United
If stranded, I would definitely need two worship songs and this is another beautiful song to praise the Lord to. It starts slowly with soft vocals and builds up strongly to the chorus. The chorus is wonderful, as it proclaims "So I'll stand...With arms high and heart abandoned...In awe of the One who gave it all".

So there you have it, the five songs I would take if I was on a desert island...a mix of worship song with fast paced rock!

Something that inspires you

There are times where people will remark that Im quite self-motivated, quite structured in the way I lead my life...which is quite evident by the fact that my routine today is almost identical to what it was 12 months ago and 12 months before that...in that it consists of Work, Church, Gym and Football!

But behind that motivation, what is it that inspires me to do what I do? What gives me that feeling to push further, beyond the boundaries that I feel are currently in place around my life?

Is it watching TBird run around the park in the Carlton guernsey (no not the Bullants one), taking big grabs and then slamming home a nice goal...nah not really.

Is it observing some of the more solid fellas in the gym, pressing 100kg+, curling a bar which is fully loaded and strutting around the gym like they are God's gift to the world....probably not either

Or is it tuning in to a great speaker belt out a spectacular speech, listening to the words the use to get the crowd passionate about a specific cause...I would have to say no to this one too.

I think one thing that really inspires me is...watching normal people achieve spectacular outcomes. I love to hear my friends share stories with me where they have been successful despite difficult circumstances, where they have come through with the goods despite all the signs saying that they would fail.

It might seem simple...but I feel a sense of joy hearing their story. I enjoy being around people who are passionate about a cause or situation and will put all their efforts and energies into that to achieve a desired outcome. And a lot of the time, their passion, their dedication, their desire to succeed no matter what...these expressions are infectious and will have me pushing the boundaries in no time!

But of course if all else fails to inspire...looking at TBird's smiling face on the badge pinned to my scarf can also do that job =P

Guilty Pleasures

I think we all have some form of guilty pleasures that we indulge in at various times, whether it be a big block of chocolate when we are down or snuggling up to watch a romantic comedy on a cold winters night. Recently I was thinking what would I say my guilty pleasure is...and I guess it comes back to food!

There is one cafe down in North Melbourne which isnt much to look at from the outside...but they sure can put together some amazing food!! In particular Im quite partial to the pancakes and the french toast.

Usually when I'm feeling like I want to indulge a little and I want a bit of quiet time alone, sometimes after a particularly tough gym session, I will head down there and order myself a strong latte and the pancakes, grab the paper or a book and just allow the afternoon to drift by!

Now you may be thinking to yourself "where is this awesome place in North Melbourne?" Well as much as I would love to tell you...if I did it would be even busier there than it currently is...so that part Im going to be keeping a secret...unless of course you are nice to me and I might allow you to accompany me down there one weekend =)

What do you see?

Ill address the fact that I have been MIA some other time. I just wanted to share something that was on my heart tonight as I was driving home. Actually its something that I have been dealing with quite a lot in recent times.

On Monday night I was at the football to see Carlton take on the Saints. At the game, the excitement was amazing...the intensity was extreme...especially in the dying minutes where the Saints fought back to take the lead, before Andrew Walker marked and goaled to win the game for the Blues by 3 points! I was literally shaking as Walkers goal slice through...and when the final siren went 90 seconds later...I was on my feet cheering like you wouldnt believe. By the time I left the stadium, my voice was gone...but I was on a huge high! Carlton had won against a team who has played in the last 2 grand finals, they are one loss after seven rounds and have a solid position in the top four.

But as I drove home from the game, listening to talk back radio discuss the game, I was surprised to hear how many Carlton supporters were ringing up to complain about the performance of the Carlton players during the game. Now im not saying there isnt room for improvement, there were a huge number of skill errors throughout the game...but the fact is in the end Carlton won despite being totally out on their feet! There I was...super excited and thrilled with the win...and there other fans were...not happy about the game because we should have won by more. Two groups, one situation, two different views.

Last month I completed the Run for the Kids. Around the 6km mark, a woman darted in front of me, slowed down, causing me to jump out of the way and subsequently I rolled my ankle. Now the run was about 14km...I was barely halfway and I was really concerned I would have to pull out there and then. But I just pushed on, hoping the pain would go away. It luckily did and I was able to finish the run, although once I stopped at the end and headed home, the pain in my ankle was extreme! Now at the end of the run, I could have just focused on my injury and the woman that was the cause. Or I could celebrate the fact I was able to finish the run sucessfully. 

The point im trying to make is, no matter what your situation is, there is always two ways you can look at it...and the way you see the situation will ultimately dictate how you carry yourself going forward. We must never neglect the awesome things that God has done and is doing in our lives. If we are only focused on what we dont have and what we feel hasnt gone right, we are missing out on so much more, so many great things that God is doing!

Just because something doesnt arrive today, doesnt mean that it wont arrive tomorrow. Just because God doesnt answer your prayer today, doesnt mean he isnt listening and working in your life! God hears every word we speak, every word we pray. So in all things we should rejoice in knowing that God continues to work for those who love Him.

So I just pray that you will be encouraged to take this line next time you feel yourself beginning to focus on the negatives of your situation. When things begin to take the tougher road, just give thanks to God knowing He is by your side and will ultimately lead you to bigger and better things if you continue to follow Him!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)