Resolutions

You know how a lot of people make New Year resolutions? Well, my resolutions tend to happen during the start of the fiscal/tax year rather than 1st January. I know, I'm such a rebel. It's either that or I'm just a little bit slow...

So here we are, my very practical new year resolutions.

1. Read God's word every day. At the moment I miss some days out then read loads on other days. I really want to grow in Him and one of the best, most practical yet powerful ways is just to read God's truth in my life.

2. Do pilates training every morning except when I'm running.

3. Run twice a week - Wednesday and Saturday

4. Lose 7 kg by 30 June 2010, and a further 6kg by Christmas 2010. I'll be keeping tabs on that on the sidebar -->

5. Keep up to date with commercial awareness.

And that's about it folks!

Little blessings

The following things make me smile.

1. Surprise flowers from D - delivered to my doorstep when I least expect it. He earns brownie points to last him a whole week. At least. I'm just kidding, he doesn't need brownie points.


2. When my flatmate decides to bake cupcakes (a very rare occurence). She's got the best cupcake recipe in town. Sans frosting as we don't like frosting - too sweet! This, ladies and gents, is a tray of freshly baked Awesome.


3. Drinks with fresh strawberries in them. I don't like strawberry flavoured things but I do love fresh strawberries in a cocktail or smoothie.


What are your favourite things?

New look blog

Yay or nay? It's definitely a far cry from my simple white background (which I still love!). Just thought I'd mix it up a little.

Template adapted from, and courtesy of Simply Fabulous.

Meet Tan Hong Ming

Jewels

There is a well known verse in the Bible, the book of Matthew that says: 'Where your treasure is, there your heart is also'. Yesterday, we were encouraged to worship God with our hearts, not just with lip-service.



But did you know where God's heart and treasure is?

In Isaiah 62:3 it says

'You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God'

We are treasures in God's eyes. What an amazing thought! If you are a Christian, that is, if you believe that Jesus died for your sins, and you've chosen to give your life to Jesus, you are no longer just you. You are elevated, treasured by God and no one can rob you of that.

We were restored to worship God with our hearts now and forevermore. Praise God, my soul, all that's within me blesses His name.

Thanks to Natalia for sending me such an incredible verse!

Constant vigilance - and a confession

Today an old struggle dropped back to haunt me. I let my guard down, having had lots of revision to do and very little rest, I neglected my usual time with God. Even the very important prophet Daniel, a learned man with a full schedule set apart time with God, each and every day. King David, a busy ruler, set aside time each morning to just dwell in God's presence.

When I was a teenager, I lived in an elite girls' boarding school. It was very much a sorority environment - we looked out for each other and I loved every minute of the sorority life. However, I was obsessed with being perfect. There was always something to strive towards, and someone to model myself after - the prettier girl, the smarter girl, the more athletic girl, the dancer, the singer, the pianist, the cheerleader, the netballer, the hot one, the cool one... the list goes on. Being on scholarship, I wasn't well off like my paying friends were, but I fitted in well. I loved my time there but I was swept along the rat race. We enjoyed being 'admired' by the younger girls (it's complicated!) who gave us gifts on Valentine's day, and who would look up to us whilst we took them under our wing.

I wanted to make sure I would always be looked up to. As a child, I was always teased for being chubby but at the end of the day, I would come back home and the pressure is lifted. Then boarding school happened. All of a sudden there were 200 other girls in my age range. They were beautiful, rich, glossy, talented and clever. I started to eat very little and did a lot of exercise. I was up at 6.30 and running on the track, had P.E during school, played some basketball after school and swam before dinner. Some days I could get by with just a tiny cup of carrot sticks or nothing at all.

I was obsessed with being thin

I let my weight define my self-worth. I filled my mind with rubbish.

Then God found me. He defined me: a child of the King of Kings, saved, loved, highly favoured, a citizen of His kingdom.

I failed to fill my mind with the things of God this week. My workload got the better of me and the old habit of wanting to gain control crept back, stealthily, sneakily, cunningly. I was looking through some old photos of me back in boarding school - dance photos, choir photos, photos of us chilling in our dorms. Before I knew it, I was filled with horror at how fat I've become. How I've let myself go. How I'm not going to marry the "right" sort (rich, good looking, elite-society). How I've neglected my piano playing. How I haven't played netball in awhile and I bet I'm really sloppy with my footwork now.

I told myself I was ugly and fat.

WHAT RRRUBBISH!! (Dave Emmett style)

Well the enemy is a liar.

Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

I need to be vigilant in my relationship with God. It is after all the most important thing I will ever invest in.

Alive! Easter concert by King's Church Manchester