ISSUE EIGHT
K AT I A A D A M S
R A E LY N N E B L A A K
ME2 MAGAZINE
THERENE NEL
ALISON DU TOIT
EDNA ELS
SHAUNA BLAAK
LAUREN BELL
#8 CONTENTS P O W E R N O T E 1
- Edna Els UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
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- Lauren Bell THE ROAD TO MY TRUE IDENTITY
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-Katia Adams S T I L L H E R E , S T I L L S TA N D I N G
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- Raelynne Blaak R E S T O R E D M I R A C L E 3 3
- Therene Nel I ’ M J U S T N O T R E A D Y
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- Shauna Blaak A P L A C E , A FA C E A N D A PA C E
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- Alison du Toit FA I T H | H O P E | F O R G I V E N E S S
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- Almari Muller W E A R & E AT
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© This publication is produced by Victory Media for me2 M e n t o r i n g J e ff re y s B a y. A l l a rt i c l e s a re w r i tt e n b y m e m b e r s o f Victory Church unless otherwise stated. This magazine is not f o r s a l e . Fo r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n o n a n y o f t h e a r t i c l e s , d o n o t hesitate to email us at me2@victorychurch.org.za I s s u e 8 - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 7 Cover photography: Katia Adams’ Collection w w w. m e 2 m e n t o r i n g . c o m / / w w w. v i c t o r y c h u rc h . o rg . z a
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>>POWERNOTE<<
“I can see clearly now
During my high school years, I got my first pair of
The rain is gone
contact lenses, an event that radically altered my
I can see all obstacles in my way...”
appearance and increased my ‘date-ability’ at
An old hit song that brings back memories
the same time. A sure win that widened my range
on a Monday morning!
of possible suitors and led to meeting ‘the one!’
“What do you see?”
Shortly after we got married, I decided to get
This is a question that has been resounding in my
a pair of ‘emergency’ specs, just in case I ever
heart for a very long time,whether it’s driving past
lost a contact lens. Well, that night, as we settled
the sleepy township on my way to work,or looking
down in bed, I remembered my new specs. So I
out of a high rise hotel room in London over a fog
excitedly got them out of my handbag, put them
filled city.
on, and expectantly turning to my husband, awaiting his comments.
Holy Spirit whispers, “Lift up your eyes and see...” He looked at me with an expression of utter Well, to be honest, the world according to Edna
amazement (horror?) and then burst out
Alice Els can become a bit blurred at times!
laughing… to which I burst out crying! Needless to say, that was the first and last time I ever wore
Allow me to give you a peek into my childhood:
those ‘coke-bottomed babies!’
As a child I had no idea that I was a ‘bit’ visually impaired, that is until after my first visit to the
Soon after, I went for an eye operation. What a
optometrist, that resulted in a very unflattering pair
miracle for me! It was the first time in my life that I
of ‘coke bottom’ glasses that bought my world
could see clearly without any aid!
into focus. You know, ever since I can remember I’ve been “Once I was (almost) Blind, but now I see!”
praying the prayer in Ephesians 1: 17-18
I can relate...
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...that He may grant me a spirit of wisdom and
Then CLARITY comes, His Presence washes over
revelation of INSIGHT into mysteries and secrets
me and cleans the windows of my soul.
in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him. By having the EYES of my heart flooded with light,
Polishes it up, so I can see clearly,
so that I can know and understand the hope to
No distortions, but clean PURE eyes,
which He has called me...
That can see accurately That can FOCUS
SEEING, FOCUS, and CLARITY became recurring
That can perceive!
themes that Holy Spirit started unfolding to me, and the still, small voice kept whispering,
The word CLARITY originates from the Middle
“Lift up your eyes and see... What do you see?”
English and means GLORY and SPLENDOR! That sounds like His kind of seeing, thinking and doing!!!
If people can’t SEE what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend
So my friend, what do you see?
to what he reveals, they are most blessed. [Proverbs 29:18 MSG]
Is your vision clear, or does it get clouded and blurred as the sandstorms of life rage about you?
I don’t know about you, but at times my vision becomes blurred, and I have to allow Him to wash
Let’s continue to keep our eyes fixed on Him so
away the dust, the grime, the weariness, and
we may we SEE what He SEES, so that we can
the tiredness that has invaded the cracks of my
THINK His thoughts and DO His Deeds!
soul⎯allowing His Love to wash over and seep into every dry and desperate place.
Much Love
Eds
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“Then CLARITY comes, His Presence washes over me and cleans the windows of my soul. Polishes it up, so I can see clearly, No distortions, but clean PURE eyes...”
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LAU REN bel l
WE ARE ALWAYS GROWING. Thank God that we
Right then and there, it felt like the carpet was
are always growing and that He never leaves us
pulled out from under me. I had been convinced
where we’re at.
that God was bringing me to Bethel for worship, but if I wasn’t growing my skill, then what on earth
My journey to Bethel was, and will always be, one
was I going for? Despite my disappointment and
of the defining moments of my life. Just the journey
confusion, I packed my bags and headed to
to get there, from the initial idea to finally stepping
Northern California.
off the plane, is a story I will remember for the rest of my life.
To be brutally honest, for the first month I had to force myself to look away from the stage because
My time at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry
jealousy and pride would rise in my heart. I had
was filled with wonder, laughter, tears, and
come face-to-face with myself. Who was I when I
revelation. I encountered God as I would never
wasn’t on stage? Who was I when I wasn’t leading
have imagined I could.
people? Who was I when I wasn’t in the spotlight?
My name is Lauren, and I have always been
I had no idea.
a singer. In fact, it was at Victory Church that I discovered the call on my life to be a worship
I was in an entirely new country, surrounded by
leader---and I worked hard at that. I spent countless
strangers, and I had no idea why I was there. Here is
hours on stage dealing with my fear, learning from
a journal entry from the first couple of days:
the best around me, and stretching my capacity.
“I want my independence back. This is not what
I was in my element. I felt like I had made it. This is
I imagined. I do not feel confident. I do not feel
what I was created for.
called. I have no idea what you’re doing God.” I laugh when I read that now because I didn’t
So when I knew that God was taking me to Bethel,
realise at the time that I was in the perfect place
one of the churches that I consider to produce
for God to move. I was 100% dependent upon
the rawest, most authentic and powerful worship
Him. I had no other point of reference---He was my
leaders, I knew exactly why God was taking me
only constant. I made the decision in my heart to
there… to grow in my worship leading.
‘ride the wave’ and let God do what He wants to do, despite what it may look like or how I feel
Or so I thought.
about it. I had nothing to lose. God was about to move powerfully in my life, and I was going to do
With my application, I also sent in an audition tape
everything in my power to get out of the way.
to be on the student worship team, fully confident that I would be accepted. But when the email
Every day, the student body came together in
came through with the list of the ‘chosen ones,’ I
worship, expectant for God to show up right
scrolled to find my name and eventually reached
there and then; and He always did. I have never
the end of the list. No Lauren. I had been denied.
experienced God like that in any other place to this
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day. That level of faith is contagious, and it costs you
doing a bad job of it, but because He wanted ALL
nothing but your dignity.
of my focus and ALL of my affection. He wanted to soften my heart and let a passion for Him be the
The more I surrendered to Him, and the more I kept
thing that drives me.
the ‘Yes’ in my heart towards Him, the deeper the encounters got. The more I experienced Him, the
This is why God brought me to Bethel: to meet
freer I felt, and the more ‘Me’ I felt. I came face-to-
Him and realise who I am to Him. All along, I had
face with His Presence, and all my doubt vanished.
made ‘worship leader’ my identity. I had become fixated on growing my gift, instead of growing my
Every day, God was drawing me closer and closer,
relationship. I was doing it the wrong way around!
and I couldn’t get enough. There were times when His Presence was so weighty, that it felt like my body
Everything flows out of relationship with God. We
was going to explode, that my skin was the only
hear that a lot, but it’s so true. When relationship
thing holding me together.
with God is your number one priority, you can’t help but love people, prophesy over them, lead them in
I learnt the importance of pressing in, of digging
worship, and tell them who their Father is because
your well with God. Everything that you need
you see them the way Father does, and His love for
spiritually, God has given you. But everything that
them overpowers you. It comes naturally!
you want spiritually, you have to dig for. There is always ‘more’ with God, and He wants us to find it.
I realised • That I am a daughter of God, the King of kings!
He constantly spoke Truth into my heart, about who
• That I have royal blood flowing through my veins,
I was, why I was there, and what my future looks like.
• That I carry an authority and power,
The love of God flooded me, and I couldn’t escape
• That I am deeply loved, and
it. My heart, mind, and dreams were all changed;
• That, at any moment, I can turn the affections of
all I wanted was more. My entire perception of
my heart to Jesus and have intimacy with Him.
Christianity was obliterated---I fell in love with Jesus. I found my true identity: I am a daughter before a I finally understood why I wasn’t on stage and in
servant, a worshipper before a worship leader.
the spotlight. Yes, you do feel God’s Presence on stage, and yes, it is exhilarating on stage. But there is
My journey at Bethel changed my life. Not because
something special about being unseen in a crowd,
of the curriculum or the church, but because when
and knowing that no one is depending on you. It
I chose to step back, become vulnerable with God,
gave me the permission I needed to let go and let
and let myself be messy in front of Him, He breathed
God deal with my heart.
His life into me.
I understood why God had taken me off stage; it
NOW I AM FOREVER CHANGED. n
wasn’t because I wasn’t called there, or that I was
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N O W YO U ’ V E G OT M Y F E E T O N T H E L I F E PAT H , A L L R A D I A N T F R O M T H E S H I N I N G O F YO U R FAC E . E V E R S I N C E YO U TO O K M Y H A N D , I ’ M O N T H E R I G H T WAY. - P S A L M 1 6 : 1 1 ( M S G )
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Photography: Aimee Thompson
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Katia Adams The road to my true identity
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“I FELT A REAL PRESSURE TO GET THINGS ‘RIGHT’ AND TO MAKE SURE THAT MY BEHAVIOUR FELL IN-LINE WITH WHAT I FELT WAS EXPECTED OF A GOOD CHRISTIAN GIRL.”
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I WAS RECENTLY ASKED TO PREACH AT A
teams. When we’re not traveling and ministering,
conference. As I was preparing for my sessions, I
we share full-time care of our boy which provides
felt God tell me NOT to write any new material but
a wonderful opportunity for us to remain firmly
rather to spend all my preparation time reading
grounded. (You can’t stay proud of a preach for
through my old journals. Not an easy thing for me to
too long when you’re elbow-deep in dirty nappies
do as I love to feel well-prepared and in-control of
within minutes after leaving a platform.)
my speaking material. But, once I figured that God must know what He’s doing, I decided to follow His
Our lives are a crazy, chaotic, wonderful mix of
promptings and start reading.
seeing the miraculous outbreak of God to crowds of hundreds and thousands, and then rolling-on-the-
WHAT A REVELATION!
floor playing stacking rings with a cheeky little boy. Both aspects are an incredible privilege.
As I read through well over a decade’s worth of journaling, some themes began to emerge. I
I was born in Iran to a Christian family of rich, revival
realised that, through the years of walking with God,
heritage. In all honesty, I’m not entirely sure when I
He had led me to some milestone revelations that
became a Christian. I have no recollection of ever
have revolutionised my walk with Him. I ended up
not believing in God; my earliest memories are of
sharing these revelations at the conference and
conversations about Jesus, and an assurance in me
would love to share some of them with you in this
that He loves me and I can trust Him with anything
article. I trust that what He’s taught me may ignite
and everything.
fresh faith and courage in your journey with Him. My family moved to the UK when I was five, and I But before I go any further, please allow me to set
grew up in a context of radical faith and love for
the scene…
Jesus. That was the culture of our home, and I’m so incredibly grateful to Jesus for it!
My name is Katia. I’m 33 years old, wife to the wonderful Julian, mama to the adventurous and
Despite such a rich start in God, however, I am now
intensely inquisitive Ezekiel (15 months) and to our
aware that there were some perceptions in me
active little girl who is still incubating inside me (due
about who God is and what He wants of me that
in two months).
fell so short of reality. Growing up, I fully believed in my head that God loves me unconditionally, but
I work full-time alongside Julian heading up our
I’m not so sure that that knowledge invaded my
ministry, Frequenstee Trust, which involves us
heart enough for me to feel totally at ease and at
traveling all over the world to preach and minister
peace. I grew up trying to please those around me
in different churches and conferences, as well
and, most of all, God. I felt a real pressure to get
as providing strategic input to church leadership
things ‘right’ and to make sure that my behaviour
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fell in-line with what I felt was expected of a good
During that conference, my head-knowledge of
Christian girl.
His unconditional love sank deep into my heart and became living revelation. It totally, irreversibly
Without realising it, a good measure of legalism
wrecked me and undid in a moment a lifetime’s
mixed into my Christianity---legalism towards myself
need to please those around me. The depth and
(putting a huge burden on me to perform to an
resilience of His love made it unnecessary for me
impossible standard), and legalism towards others
to achieve the impossible standard I felt people
(a self-righteousness I felt if I was ‘outperforming’
required of me.
someone else, accompanied by an intense disapproval of their shortcomings).
1 John 4 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” Well, encountering His love started to dislodge ‘fear of
This pattern was my reality throughout my teens. But
man’ and ‘fear of people’s perceptions of me’ from
in my twenties, something happened that set me on
my heart.
an altogether different course. I attended a weeklong ministry school led by Catch the Fire Ministries.
He loves me, He loves me, He loves me.
During that week, I listened to teaching that was not so much new in content but rather ignited my heart
It’s not a flimsy kind of love. Not an easily-dissuaded
in a way that had not happened before.
kind of love. It’s an all-consuming, self-sacrificing, fierce love that simply will not be put-off by me or
In that week, I encountered the heart of Papa
my weakness. It’s breathtaking! Even more than
God towards me in a way that I had never before
that, it’s powerful!
experienced. He unraveled me with His kindness and took my breath away with His willingness to
I’m so aware of our need to be thoroughly
walk with me in my weakness. I realised, for the first
convinced of His affection for us. The more struggles
time in my life, that
I’ve faced and disappointments I’ve walked through, the more it has been clear to me that the
REVELATION #1: THERE IS NOTHING I CAN EVER DO
enemy loves to bring into question whether God’s
THAT WILL DISAPPOINT GOD.
heart is really FOR us. Does God really care enough about me in my situation to do something about it?
Disappointment is based on someone or something falling short of expectations. But God has perfectly
I thank God that the revelation of His heart was
accurate expectations of me because He knows
drilled deep into me a few years before Julian
me better than I know myself. He’s never surprised
and I lost our first baby. While that storm raged all
or taken aback by my actions. He has known my
around us, while we were bitterly disappointed and
shortcomings all along, and He is my loving Papa
heartbroken, I’m so grateful that our anchor was
through it all.
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“IT’S NOT A FLIMSY KIND OF LOVE. NOT AN EASILY-DISSUADED KIND OF LOVE. IT’S AN ALL-CONSUMING, SELF-SACRIFICING, FIERCE LOVE THAT SIMPLY WILL NOT BE PUT-OFF BY ME OR MY WEAKNESS.”
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this stubborn refusal to believe anything other than
This milestone revelation of God’s heart for me was
Papa’s love for us and His commitment to us.
really the catalyst for those that followed. As I came into fresh understanding of who my Papa is and
It was during that dark season that I remember
how He loves me, I stumbled afresh into the beauty
reading the story of Jesus asleep in the boat, in the
of sonship.
midst of the storm, while his disciples were terrified that they would drown. Mark’s gospel tells us that
The gospel is not primarily about a Holy God
the disciples asked Jesus if He cared that they were
changing me from a bad person into a good
drowning. After stilling the storm, His response to
person, which is where we often stop short when we
them was, “Have you still no faith?”
only focus on the doctrine of justification. But rather, the cross and resurrection are about a Father God
I used to read Jesus’s question as asking the
making orphans into heirs; it’s an issue of sonship,
disciples “if they still had no faith that he could
not morality! He’s not interested in behaviour
calm the storm.” But while I was in my own storm,
modification; He’s interested in belonging. His
I realised the true nature of Jesus’s question---He
focus never has and never will be zoomed in on my
was addressing their previous question, “Do you not
actions, but rather His desire is for me to come into a
care?” It wasn’t a question of His ability or power,
realisation of my identity.
but a question of His heart. And as I faced my storm, I realised this is the question that in times of brokenness, we are all asking---not whether God has power, but whether God has heart. It’s in those times of horrible disappointments that Jesus wants to bring us a revelation of Papa’s heart. REVELATION #2: HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME,
Wrapped up in all of this, I came to a fresh love for Holy Spirit. Previously, I had thought that Holy Spirit was mainly interested in convicting me of my actions so that I would live appropriately as a Christian. (This came from my misreading of John 16). Once I discovered afresh the power of sonship and
HE LOVES ME
Holy Spirit’s role in speaking to me of who I now am
He certainly did that for me as I grappled with the
Holy Spirit in my mind. John 16 actually says that
big “why?” of my broken circumstances. Even in
Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever of sin. He’s not the
my sinking boat, as I tentatively held out to Him
‘control monitor’ of Heaven, running after Christians
my deeply wounded heart, He met with me and
to make us feel bad about our sins. No, He is the
whispered words of love and comfort to me all over
very Spirit of Sonship (see Galatians 4 & Romans 8).
in Christ, I realised that I had grossly misrepresented
again. He surrounded me so thoroughly that the words “He loves me, He loves me, He loves me”
Holy Spirit’s role toward the believer is to convince
became an unshakable reality once again.
us, convict us of our position as sons, and to help us
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HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE TOWARD THE BELIEVER IS TO CONVINCE US, CONVICT US OF OUR POSITION AS SONS, & TO HELP US SEE OUR PAPA INTIMATELY AS OUR ‘ABBA.’
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see our Papa intimately as our ‘Abba.’
Have you ever been around people who think that you are wonderful? People who compliment you
REVELATION #3: THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS
and seem to see talent and good in you that you’d
WHO WE ARE
not seen before? People like that make us stand taller and more confidently; they make us feel we are
The best way for Holy Spirit to lead us into freedom
somehow shining in a way that we weren’t before.
from sin is to lead us into the revelation of who we really are! Only when we understand who we really
Well, that’s what Holy Spirit does for us! He is
are will the desire to act as anything other than Sons
consistently speaking the best of us and putting His
of God lose its pull over us.
finger on the gold in us. He knows that if we hear Him, we will be empowered to live what He says.
That’s what happened for me. Before I truly
It’s pretty mind-blowing stuff! Suddenly friendship
understood Holy Spirit’s heart toward me, I battled
with Holy Spirit becomes a much more exciting and
with sins that seemed to have more control over
inviting reality!
me than I knew what to do with. I would meet with accountability partners, and we would pray through
And this revelation of my sonship and Holy Spirit’s
our struggles; we would entrust each other with
heart toward me led to another revelation---that
the responsibility to ask ‘how are things going’ with particular focus on our vulnerabilities.
REVELATION #4 – GOD IS ATTRACTED TO MY FAITH, NOT MY PERFORMANCE
Sadly, even when we were most ‘successful,’ all we seemed to achieve was stopping our actions,
The more I see myself as a child in the Kingdom, the
rather than seeing our hearts transformed. We
more I realise that God loves watching me. He gets
never seemed to uproot the desire for sin; we only
so much joy from the process of my growth, not just
modified the outworking of it.
the result.
But, miraculously and amazingly, once I realised
This truth has especially solidified in my heart over
Holy Spirit’s focus in my life---convincing me of my
the last 15 months as I’ve watched my own son
new identity of being Papa’s daughter---I decided
Ezekiel grow. No healthy parent gets frustrated with
I would put my focus there too. As I did that, the
their child as they learn to crawl or walk or talk, all
power of sin cycles that had previously held me
the while faltering and stumbling. When a child
simply ceased to be. Once I began to hear the
learns to walk, no one with any sense assumes that
incredible good that Holy Spirit was saying about
they’ll be successful in their first attempt… or the
me, I found myself empowered with the ability to
hundredth attempt either! It takes countless tries
live in the light of that.
for a child to step out until eventually their stumbles
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look more like walking rather than falling, and their
God is not worried or disappointed by the length of
words become intelligible instead of baby babble.
the process, neither is He simply looking for me to perform correctly. But rather, as Hebrews 11 tells me,
But if you look at their parents during this process,
He is pleased by my faith. God is attracted to those
they never once punish the child for falling instead
who take the step, regardless of the quality of the
of taking a successful step. Nor do they scold for
execution!
mispronouncing a word, despite daddy’s great pains to sound the word out correctly. We see
I cannot tell you how much freedom this and the
stumbles and hear nonsensical sounds, but we don’t
previous revelations have brought into my life. I am
think for a moment that the child wasn’t created
suddenly free to press into adventure with Jesus---
to walk or talk, or that walking and talking are gifts
never afraid of the consequences if I fail. I know that
reserved for ‘special’ or ‘super’ children. No.
my Papa in heaven is cheering me on, loving my courage to take a risk and see what happens.
In the natural, we understand the beauty and nature of ‘process.’ Why, then, do we not apply this
I love how Papa delights to lead us into greater
same principle to our attempts at stepping out in
understanding of Him and His heart. And as He does
supernatural life? Why do we set up such impossibly
that, we get to walk into greater depths of freedom
high standards for ourselves, as if our Heavenly
and fullness of life. He really is in the business of
Papa is growing impatient with us as He watches us
moving us from glory to glory. He’s started me on a
stumble, wondering if we’ll ever get it right?
journey that is unpredictable and messy, and slightly crazy at times (!), and yet is so full and so rich… and
He has grace for the process, and so must we.
it’s just the beginning.
Every time we fall instead of walk, our Heavenly
Let me encourage you wherever you are in your
Papa is there to pick us up, dust us off and say,
journey with the Father… His intention is to lead
“That’s ok; we’ll try again tomorrow. You’ll get it
you into even more revelation of His heart so that
eventually---I made you to do this!”
you are further empowered to press on into the incredible destiny He has designed for you. His
No amount of stumbling and failure is proof that we
thoughts toward us are always breathtakingly kind
weren’t made for the miraculous, nor that signs and
and impossibly patient. He isn’t afraid to love us
wonders are reserved for someone other than us.
‘over the top’ and is on a mission to bring us to a full
Each and every one of us carries DNA ablaze with
understanding of His love.
supernatural life, which means we were created with the miraculous in mind.
What an incredible adventure we get to live in! n www.frequentsee.org katiaadams.me
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"I AM SUDDENLY FREE TO PRESS INTO ADVENTURE WITH JESUS-NEVER AFRAID OF THE CONSEQUENCES IF I FAIL. I KNOW THAT MY PAPA IN HEAVEN IS CHEERING ME ON, LOVING MY COURAGE TO TAKE A RISK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS."
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R E LY I N G O N G O D H A AGA I N E V E RY DAY A S BEEN DONE.
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S TO B E G I N A L L OV E R I F N OT H I N G H A S Y E T - C.S. LEWIS
Photography: Hudson Reed
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RAELYNNE BLAAK STILL HERE STILL STANDING
Photography: Hudson Reed
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DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU’VE HIT A BRICK wall? You’ve finally made some progress, things
has added so much LIFE and JOY. • I also happen to live in one of the most
are looking up… and then you’re back where
gorgeous cities on the planet; Sydney, Australia.
you were before---gutted and flat on your face?
The beaches, the city streets, the arts and culture---I feel at home.
This past year has been an interesting collision of brick walls and miraculous grace, of bone-dry
Lows…
hard work and undeserved favour. And I’m about
I arrived in the country with no bank account,
to do it all over again because I’m starting my
no savings, and nothing to my name. I worked
second year at Hillsong International Leadership
the worst job of my life with manipulative and
College.
harassing managers, an abusive, harsh work environment, and I often went weeks without pay.
For those who don’t know me, my name is
Just to make ends meet, I even worked 2-3 other
Raelynne Blaak, and I recently completed my first
jobs on the side.
year as a TV & Media student at HILC, and it was the most challenging year of my life. You know
I can clearly remember having only $1.00 in my
that brick wall I was talking about? Yeah. I can
student account for a very long time. I’m not
best describe this past year as a rollercoaster of
alone in these struggles - many of you have
wrenching lows and breakthroughs highs.
gone through similar or worse life circumstances, especially as students.
Highs… • The support, prayers, and encouragement
It’s been full-speed-ahead for over a year now,
that I received from family, friends, anonymous
filled with tough decisions and much sacrifice.
sponsors, and strangers.
If you would’ve told me a year ago that I’d be
• There were moments of supernatural provision and favour that I have never experienced
staying for a second year, I would’ve laughed at you. Like, cry-laughed at you.
before… and it always reminded me of how faithful and grace-filled God is.
And yet, I’m still here. Still standing.
• The roommate, the housemate, and the neighbour---Sydney Bishop, Ellie Sawka, and
So what changed? I did. Put very simply, I am
Faith Briones. These three girls have been part of
not the same person I was when I first arrived in
my journey here from the beginning, and each
Sydney. Despite the challenges, I got the feeling
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Photography: Daniel Badake
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that I wasn’t finished here yet; there was more to
And this struck a chord in me---I am the one. I am
be had.
the one to step-in and step-up, fearless. No longer that depressed, anxious, and insecure young girl
That deep knowing that God has more for me led
who used to hide. I am the one.
me to transition from the TV & Media stream into the Pastoral stream, from my comfort zone to a
Coupled with Hillsong College’s theme for this
new space which challenges perceptions of my
semester, A NEW ERA, I am encouraged that
leadership and myself… this is my year.
this is indeed a new season and journey of becoming Rae.
I love how Jeremiah 32:19 reads in the Message Bible. “…determined in purpose and relentless in
But here’s the catch:
following through.”
This isn’t just about me (shocker). It’s actually never been about me. I’m here in Sydney,
How incredible that our Heavenly Father
Australia, chasing after God and all He is, and I’m
relentlessly fulfills His promises and purposes. This
quaking in my boots looking at this next year and
Scripture has so framed this new season in my life:
wondering how my introvert self is going to survive
to go forward relentlessly and not hide my face,
in a thriving, extrovert, pastoral environment.
to no longer shy away from the ‘me’ that God is drawing out.
But it’s not about me, is it? It’s about Jesus.
Looking forward to 2017:
I would’ve quit, packed my bags, and flown
Yes, I’m still working those same incredibly difficult
home a long time ago if it wasn’t about Him.
jobs. I’m still serving, and I’m often still struggling,
Every part of me wanted to be done---I wanted to
but I’m still here.
stop working so hard for what seemed so little. I wanted for there to be some way, ANY other way,
The vision for Hillsong Church in 2017 is: I AM THE
for life to be easier.
ONE. What does that mean? It means that WE can be the ones who make a big difference in
In those moments, Hebrews 10:39 (ESV) has held
the world around us. It comes back to what we
my head and heart high.
do every day in our lives, commitments, and our
“But we are not of those who shrink back and are
determination to be a part of the answer.
destroyed, but those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
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No, He never said it would be easy. He never said
He is so overwhelmingly good.
it wouldn’t cost you. In fact,
He is real when my knees touch the ground in
Luke 9:23 (ESV) states,
my two feet.
the low places, and real when I’m standing on “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross
A few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit wrecked me
daily and follow me.”
with these simple verses.
We are all called upon to ‘count the cost’ which
You can have it all, Lord
sounds *fantastic-ly spiritual* and exciting until it
Every part of my world
actually happens:
Take this life and breathe on
• when you’re called out of your comfort zone,
This heart that is now Yours
• when you have bills piling up, • when you’re out of food with no grocery money,
Oh the joy I’ve found
• when you have to work multiple jobs to
Surrendering my crowns
stay afloat, • when you have to end that relationship or friendship, or
At the feet of the King .Who surrendered everything (Have it All, Bethel Worship)
• when it seems you can’t possibly go any farther. I am the one. You are the one. Called to I’m not going to lie. Life can suck. But I KNOW
step-up and step-out, determined in purpose
that I know that God is good! And although life is
and relentless in following through. Called out
choppy, unpredictable, and filled with some gut-
of our comfort zones, to lay down our lives, our
punching brick wall surprises, He never changes.
crowns, and our fears… to count the cost.
He is faithful.
He will empower you to say,
He is kind.
I’m still here. Still standing n
He is grace, and mercy, and love.
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I am the one. You are the one. Called to step-up and step-out
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1 CORINTHIANS 12:25-26
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The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, the parts we see and the parts we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.
Photography: Unsplash
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R E S T O R E D M I R AC L E THERENE NEL
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MY NAME IS THERENE NEL, AND I AM A RESTORED
daughters. Soon after, I gave birth to two more girls.
miracle. I can say this with certainty because I know that, without God in my life, I would’ve been
The next decade saw me serving the Lord, part of
an absolute mess.
a wonderful church family, and also participating in Me2 Mentoring. I had great friends and a
To give a brief overview of my background:
wonderful life. We were one big, happy family…
• I grew up in an average-income home with
or so I thought. Three months after our 10th
parents who often spoke of divorce. • My dad mostly chose alcohol over his family,
anniversary, my husband told me that ‘he doesn’t love me and he wants a divorce.’
and he moved out more than once. (I don’t say these things to dishonor them. Thankfully, God
I was broken. Shattered.
restored both my dad and our family, and we had an amazing relationship right up until he
It was a long road to healing, but I can honestly
went to Jesus two years ago.)
say that God can take broken glass and make
• During my primary school years, I was sexually molested. Like many young victims, I blocked it
a beautiful mosaic masterpiece. He’s into full restoration!
out and was only able to remember it again in High School. • Somewhere through all of this, I got the idea
Had it not been for my church family, mentoring, and accountability during this difficult time, my
that if I were good and did everything right, I
story would have been entirely different. So
would be loved. I never really felt good enough,
often, people go through trials and allow that to
so inevitably, I fell into the trap of religion and
become their new norm; but you are NOT your
performance to find acceptance.
circumstances.
• In grade nine, one of my school friends committed suicide. Surprisingly, this tragic event
I could’ve decided to stay the poor girl who grew
brought about a revival in our school during
up in an unhappy home, or the poor girl who
which I gave my life to the Lord.
was molested, or the poor girl who didn’t reach her potential, or the poor woman who had two
After high school, I studied and then started
miscarriages, or the poor woman whose husband
working. At the age of twenty-six, I fell in love and
left her. But I refused.
got married to a divorced man who had two
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I chose rather to believe God’s Word, stand on
And then in 2011, I met the most amazing man.
His promises, and get over myself. I chose to trust
Blinded to his dashing good looks and amazing
in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my
personality, I decided that I didn’t like him…
own understanding. I chose to acknowledge Him
but I met his eldest daughter and LOVED her
in all my ways so that He could direct my path.
immediately (you need to remember that). His
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
wife had passed away from cancer, and he was raising two girls on his own.
And then I decided to fight. I meditated on Romans 5 for months.
Well, despite my initial reservations, he managed
“And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult
to marry me within seven months! But the
in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships,
most amazing thing is that both of us are STILL
knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble)
discovering God’s hand in our story! Here are
produces patient endurance; and endurance,
some examples:
proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of
• While I was still going through my divorce, I went
eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises]
to a mentoring meeting where one of the ladies
never disappoints us, because God’s love has
in our group (a physiotherapist) desperately
been abundantly poured out within our hearts
asked for prayer for one of her clients whose
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”
wife had cancer and it was not going well. It
(Romans 5:3-5 AMP).
turned out to be this same man. YES, I prayed for my husband during the time his wife was passing
During the time my divorce was being finalized,
away! How amazing is our God!
I went to Zambia with our church, and God overwhelmed me. He showered me with His love
• Remember the Scripture about the locusts? On
and gave me even more promises:
our wedding day, my mind was swirling with
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
negative thoughts like, “What are you doing?
Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it?
You don’t know him well enough. You look
I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the
like an idiot.” Suddenly, my dad exclaimed,
desert” (Isaiah 43:19 AMP).
“Oh my goodness!” and we discovered seven locusts between the layers of my dress! I instantly
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“I will restore to you the years that the swarming
remembered Joel 2 and realized that God was
locust hath eaten” (Joel 2:25 KJV)
busy restoring what the locust had stolen.
“I chose rather to believe God’s Word, stand on His promises, and get over myself.”
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;My husband and I often just smile about all the things God has restored, and is still actively restoring. We discover His hand in everything.â&#x20AC;?
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• Remember the miscarriages? God gave me
Isaiah 58:8-12 (AMP) “Then your light will break out
two more children on earth to raise and love
like the dawn, and your healing (restoration, new
because they are now my daughters.
life) will quickly spring forth; Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and
My husband and I often just smile about all
prosperity], The glory of the LORD will be your
the things God has restored, and is still actively
rear guard. “Then you will call, and the LORD will
restoring. We discover His hand in everything.
answer; You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ … “And the LORD will continually guide
• We were reminded that in her last days, his
you, And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry
wife kept on saying to him that “your wife is
places, And give strength to your bones; And you
a teacher.” They thought the morphine was
will be like a watered garden, And like a spring
confusing her, so they kept on telling her that
of water whose waters do not fail. “… You will be
she was NOT a teacher. She wasn’t---but I am. I
called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets
believe that God was showing her things about
with Dwellings.” n
me; I cannot wait to meet her in heaven! • Last year, one of the elderly ladies from the church prayer group, came up to him. She was ecstatic and told him how delighted she is to hear that he is happily married and that his wife loves his children like her own. Then she said that, as a prayer group, they had prayed that “his new wife would love his children even before she loves him!” It happened just like that. I stand in awe of God’s grace and goodness. I am hideously, happily married to a God-fearing man who loves and adores me. We are raising four beautiful girls together, and loving two more because they decided not to leave me just because their father did. We are a family.
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J E S U S S A I D , “T H E F O O D T H AT K E E P S M E G O I N G I S T H AT I D O THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO SENT ME, FINISHING THE WORK HE S TA R T E D . A S YO U LO O K A R O U N D R I G H T N O W, W O U L D N ’ T YO U S AY T H AT I N A B O U T F O U R M O N T H S I T W I L L B E T I M E TO H A R V E S T ? W E L L , I ’ M T E L L I N G YO U TO O P E N YO U R E Y E S A N D TA K E A G O O D LO O K AT W H AT ’ S R I G H T I N F R O N T O F YO U . T H E S E S A M A R I TA N F I E L D S A R E R I P E . IT’S HARVEST TIME! - JOHN 4:35-36
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Photography: Aimee Thompson
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Photography: Sherah Krause
I’M JUST NOT READY (WHEN LEADERS FEEL INADEQUATE) BY SHAUNA BL AAK
HER SMS ARRIVED AT THE WORST POSSIBLE
came from one of the leaders I had been walking
moment. All of my ‘balls’ were in the air, and I was
with for many years. She had been doing so well
teetering on the brink of a multi-tasking implosion.
up until now—steady, mature, and reliable. Her
You know, that moment when multi-tasking
words stunned me.
becomes physically painful because your brain simply can’t handle ONE… MORE… THING.
“Sorry to dump this on you now… bad shape in the heart department… hypocrite… letting you
Let me set the stage: Our first mentoring meeting
know where I’m at… I don’t have my ‘poop’
was set for that evening and, for once, I had all
together… concerned about leading…”
my ducks in a row. In fact, I was feeling pretty proud of myself. My group was in order, the venue
I started hyperventilating. Was this seriously
was ready, the food was ready, the resources
happening today? Six hours before the first
were ready. It was perfect.
meeting of the year? Oh my gosh!
Without warning, my schedule filled with
I quickly called her to see what was going on, and
last-minute applications, new placements,
soon discovered the problem.
new groups, new leaders, and a whole lot of
• Was she living in sin? No.
coordination.
• Had she committed major crimes? No. • Was she addicted to drugs, alcohol, or porn? No.
New people? That’s awesome! Oh no, where are we going to put them all?
Her biggest crime was simply neglecting her spirit.
Before two hours passed, all my ‘ducks’ were
She was ‘empty’ in both spirit and soul, and
decidedly messed up. Don’t get me wrong.
she’d been listening to the lies of the enemy that
Growth is an excellent thing, but it often messes
said, “How can you lead those women? You
with our finely-laid plans, doesn’t it?
don’t know what you’re talking about. See, you had a fight with that person last night. You’re a
I was in the middle of wrapping my head around
hypocrite. You can’t do this. You have nothing to
my new responsibilities when the SMS arrived. It
offer. You should quit now.”
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What a rotten enemy! He always attacks us when
My friends, growing in maturity is a SLOW process.
we’re most vulnerable.
It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and pressure to be transformed into the image of His Son.
Why do people believe the lie that they can ONLY lead when they are perfect? My friends, that will
Success doesn’t mean perfection. No! But IF YOU
never happen. If you are waiting to be perfect
LOOK AND SMELL MORE LIKE JESUS AT THE END OF
before obeying God and serving people, you will
THIS YEAR, THEN YOU’LL HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL!
NEVER be ready. God doesn’t call the qualified; he qualifies We lead because God is perfect and He enables
the called!
us, despite our imperfections. A holy anger rose up in me, and I lovingly but In fact, you don’t even have to ‘sin’ to feel
firmly gave my friend a ‘kick in the butt.’ I charged
disqualified. You don’t have to be an addict, a
her to take her negative thoughts captive and
thief, or a whore. All you have to be is… EMPTY…
spend some time in God’s presence.
in your emotions (your soul) and empty in your spirit (the part of you that connects with God).
“My friend, you don’t have time to argue with the enemy about whether or not you are qualified.
If you are feeling empty today…
Get with Jesus NOW, and let Him fill up the empty spaces. You CAN do this!”
you desperately need to hear the Words of Life that God is speaking over you. HE LOVES YOU, HE
She listened to me and did just that. And the next
LOVES YOU, HE LOVES YOU. And when you truly
morning, I got a different kind of SMS:
hear the wonderful things He’s saying about you,
“Just some feedback. Thanks for the butt kicking
it’ll become easy to live up to that potential.
earlier and pointing me to Jesus… Jesus came to
Isaiah 43:1 says,
the rescue, and our first meeting together went
“But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O
well. It’s going to be a good year!”
Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you
Thank You, Father! n
by name; you are Mine!’” This post first appeared on Shauna’s Blog,
And 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT says, “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
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blaaklistwriters.com.
We lead because God is perfect and He enables us, despite our imperfections.
Photography: Unsplash
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alison du toit
[ a p l a c e, a f a c e a n d a p a c e ]
You are an outgoing introvert.
YOU; the beautiful, full and original version of you.
This is the place where I can peel back the masks
Are you sure?
and the layers that you have taken on in life. This
Yes.
Is that even a thing?
Absolutely.
is the place to unwrap and unravel. Father, You obviously know that this could, and probably will, get ugly? Do You really
So, I’m not crazy or freaky abnormal?
Not even close.
think anyone will be able to deal with the ‘just got out of bed,’ zero-makeup,
How would you describe me, then?
You are a paradox, and I love that about you. It’s
that way in My kingdom too, you know. You have
I love that face. It’ll be fine.
to die to live, be last to come first, sow to reap,
Will they understand that, while I love them
pre-coffee face?
and give to receive.
and enjoy their company and am totally
I know all that, but we’re talking about
committed to them, I love being alone more?
me, a personality, with character traits and
And that I am a sensitive over-thinker who
emotions. I feel conflicted, and I’m supposed
loves things to be orderly and systematic,
to have found my place and purpose in the
but at the same time can be completely spontaneous?
world. Sometimes, I feel socially awkward like I don’t fit in, or I’m not sure what to say.
They’ll love you anyway. I have made you to
I wonder if ‘who I am’ makes people feel
observe things that others don’t notice and see
uncomfortable, or maybe it’s just me that
beyond the surface. Please don’t fit in. The Holy
feels that way. The pressure to be profound,
Spirit inside of you is going to provoke people to
holy, or prophetic weighs down on my soul.
think outside the box! Just be yourself.
Alison, I called you to a place of belonging,
not to fit in.
Show your real face, and in the end, you will
Yes, Lord, but I love people, and I love to
see that it’s not really that special. I mean… it’s
How do I do all that?
please people, but I can’t meet all of their
unique; I made sure of that! But who you really
expectations. I hate the pressure to be
are is exactly how I planned for it to be⎯not as the
something or someone that I’m not.
world expects or culture demands or even what
This is where I have chosen to place you, and
your friends and family need. Find and reveal
every situation where you are lacking gives me an
your real face, and then find your pace.
opportunity to be there for you. I want you to be
46
MY NAME IS ALISON. What you’ve just read
I had lost my bearings, and l was spinning with the
was an excerpt of the ‘talking to’ I received
busyness of life. They were all good things, but not
from Father God.
all ‘God things.’ And soon, my body broke down, and my soul followed suit. I had lost connection
I got saved nine years ago at the age of 38.
with Him.
From that moment on, I have passionately and whole-heartedly followed hard after God. I have
Then I heard Him say, “I have a better way.”
experienced growth and radical change that I wouldn’t have believed possible had I not seen
I scoured the Word for Scriptures on ‘finding
it for myself. I pursued Jesus with a determination
balance’ in life, but I drew a blank. Searching for
that I didn’t know I had. I would not give up;
answers, I came to a grinding halt at Matthew
doing more, being more, learning more.
11:28-30 (The Message Bible). “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on
At one point, someone said ‘there should be
religion? Come to me. Get away with me,
balance,’ and I was horrified! Balance? “That’s
and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you
crazy – surely, you’re all IN for the Kingdom, or
how to take a real rest. Walk with me and
you’re out. And, man, I AM all in for God.”
work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay
I’m a high-capacity super-woman, wife, mother
anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep
to three kids and two Great Danes. Combine all
company with me, and you’ll learn to live
of that with church and other interests, and you
freely and lightly.”
get a picture of my life. I mean, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ right?
And there, He spoke into my heart. “Stop looking for balance when I can give you unforced
So why wasn’t my body cooperating? How had I
rhythms of grace.”
gotten to 2016 only to find myself washed out and
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burned out? How had my soul become depleted,
Consider the picture of a see-saw with a perfectly
and why on earth was I exhausted?
balanced load on either side. What happens
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when something is added or taken away? An
Self-care is not a swear word. Be faithful to Jesus.
unexpected event like a sick child, or flat tyre
He sees. He knows. He cares.
on my car, could cause me to lose my carefully constructed balance. It would take all of my
There is more in you than you realise, and you
efforts, every day, to sustain that kind of balance.
CAN find your place, your face, and your pace! n
So, instead, Father God showed me a Kingdom
____
life of Seasons and Rhythms that flowed between Times of plenty, and times of little.
Alison du Toit, Paarl Family Church
Times of busyness, followed by times of rest
Lives in Paarl.
and quiet. Times of sowing and giving, and times to bring in the harvest.
Head cheerleader to Dennis, mountain-biker, and health nut.
Times of gaining and receiving, and times of loss and letting go.
Mother to Aimee 19, Joshua 15, and James 11. Part-time loner. Dog lover. Camper. Writer.
And these rhythms came with more than enough
Multi-tasker extraordinaire. Coffee snob and
grace to sustain them. He showed me that it’s
sweet tooth.
possible to learn this grace so I can live freely and lightly!
Determined to keep taking risks so the next generation will believe it’s normal to laugh in the
Now, who wouldn’t want that?
face of impossibilities and live a bold, faith-filled life. Fully believing there is no shame in a child-like
I have found a kind, gentle, and patient God
dependence on God!
who is graciously leading me on this journey. He navigates me through the busy times and has taught me to rest. I have found the courage to celebrate my strengths and acknowledge my weaknesses.
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J E S U S S A I D TO T H E M , “ C O M E W I T H ME. I’LL MAKE A NEW KIND OF F I S H E R M A N O U T O F YO U . I ’ L L S H O W YO U H O W TO C ATC H M E N A N D WOMEN INSTEAD OF PERCH AND B A S S .” - M AT T H E W 4 : 1 9 - 2 0 ( M S G )
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Photography: Aimee Thompson
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ALMARI MULLER FORGIVENESS | HOPE | FAITH
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I’VE BEEN A ‘PEOPLE PLEASER’ MY ENTIRE LIFE, and
having a panic attack.
for the most part, I thought it was a good thing. Through this incredibly painful time, I had a I accepted Jesus as my Saviour in 2006, and at the
wonderful community that loved and supported
time, I assumed I would stop sinning immediately
my daughter and me. I would never have wished
and be perfect from that point on. I assumed that
this ordeal on my worst enemy. But then the
life would be perfect.
impossible happened… I did the same thing to my best friend.
I’m a new creation? I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t understand that salvation is an
Very dear friends of mine took me under their wing,
event and a process, that He saved me instantly
and I started to know God better by seeing Him in
but that I needed to become more like Him each
their lives daily. We made some beautiful memories
day. I dragged many old struggles with me into this
together: working together, braaing together,
new life, including a religious mindset.
worshiping together, and seeing each other every day. She and I had even been pregnant together.
I studied, fell pregnant, quit my studies, and got
They were an amazing couple, and I was growing.
married (in that order). I tried my best to look like a Christian, to be a Christian. Thankfully, God loved
However, the enemy is so deceptive, isn’t he? The
me through it all.
one moment my life was wonderful, and I was “in Christ” pursuing godliness, and the next I was
One day, while I was at home alone worshipping,
in complete denial that I was having an impure
I honestly committed myself to Jesus. I went down
relationship with my best friend’s husband. The
on my knees and said to God that, whatever it
fact that I was a yes-woman made the situation
takes, I need to know Him better. Not long after
even worse.
that, my now x-husband was exposed for having an affair with a coworker, and he chose to leave us
Pleasing people is not self-less; it’s actually
to support her in her pregnancy.
SELFISH. It’s because we are so desperate to be wanted and accepted that we try to control
My worst fear had become a reality. I had no
our situation to make that acceptance happen.
mercy, no grace for him. I had given up my studies
Instead of turning to God with my broken heart
and had broken relationships with my family just to
and desperate need for love, I looked for it in a
be with him. I had even placed him before God, at
coworker and friend.
times. And this is how he repays me? INTIMACY IS ONLY REAL WHEN WE CAN HONESTLY Bitterness and hurt swallowed me whole. When
BE OURSELVES.
friends tried to tell me that “it could happen to anyone,” I would become furious and shut them
Of course, it blew up in my face. More pain, more
out. It was a long and painful process, and it took
embarrassment, more heartache. What I didn’t
a long while before I could think about it without
anticipate was how it would affect the whole
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community. I waited too long to bring it fully into
forgiveness, hope, and the faith I needed to
the light; I wanted him to speak to his wife first and
get back to the purposes of God in my life.
mend things, but even in that choice, I wasn’t putting God first. My mind was so skew. I thought
HE IS FAITHFUL, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE AREN’T.
that I loved them, but my actions spoke of hatred. I looked at myself and saw… ugliness.
Everyone needs the grace of God… especially ‘ugly’ people. Realising this truth was a huge
Worthlessness, self-hatred, and loneliness became
breakthrough for me. Was grace birthed for
my new best friends. I had lost my church, my
someone who is perfect? No. Grace is for the
friends, and everything else except my family. I
murderer, the thief, the rapist. Grace is for me,
battled depression.
the adulteress woman. I can expect grace.
The only person rooting for me was Jesus, and
We cannot proclaim that Jesus took the
His faithfulness to me was surprising. I didn’t trust
punishment for ALL of our sins, and then make
anyone, and I felt dead inside, but I knew that God
exceptions by punishing people for certain sins.
was my only hope.
God doesn’t do that, so neither should we. You must know this:
In December 2012, I started attending Victory Church. On Vision Sunday, Pastor Louis spoke
YOU CAN BOLDLY COME TO HIS THRONE OF
about “The Waymaker God,” and I was so surprised
GRACE --- IT’S WHAT HE DIED TO GIVE YOU!
that God still wanted me. It was the first glimmer of
COME AND BE HONEST WITH GOD!
hope, and I knew I was where was supposed to be. It has been a long journey of healing for me; a For the next few years, I went to church and to
journey which I am still on. The process of laying
work, but pretty much kept to myself. The journey
down the sins of the past and looking more like
was lonely, full of ups and downs and plagued
Jesus is something that happens over time. It’s not
with the same old struggles.
a once-off event.
So, you can imagine what a surprise it was when,
I’m eternally thankful for the Victory community,
in early 2015, the woman I’d betrayed asked me to
more specifically Me2 Mentoring, Lifegroup, and
have coffee with her. Even more unexpectedly, she
of course the Worship Team. Getting involved
asked for MY forgiveness. I was shocked! She told
changed my life, and accountable relationships
me that she forgave me and that “we’re closing
with those God has placed around me has kept
the book on the past.”
me here. There is too much to live for to quit now ---He has a hope and a future for me.
This moment was a massive turning point in my
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life. In that simple conversation, she had given
Most of all, I am so thankful to my faithful Father!
me a gift no one else could have given me…
I’M SO GRATEFUL HE DOESN’T GIVE UP ON US! n
Photography: Impact Photography & Catherine Swayde
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Photography: Unsplash
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WEAR
BY TA RY N J OY N E R WO O D
SLEEVELESS VEST It’s getting to that awkward time of year where the seasons are changing and it’s hard to dress to suit the weather. To long sleeve, or not to long sleeve? That is my question as I stare into my cupboard trying to pick an outfit for work. It’s chilly now, but by lunchtime I’ll be considering the consequences of semi-nudity in the workplace – only considering it. Enter, the sleeveless vest jacket. Quite perfect for throwing over most outfits, and if you take it off you’re not in danger of any workplace violations. It’s cooler and lighter than a sweater, and great for layering. No matter if you’re going into summer or coming out of it, this will be a great wardrobe addition for this spring or autumn season. Photography: Pinterest
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EAT
Photography: Pinterest
R OA S T C H I C K E N IN WHITE WINE, H E R B S & GA R L I C
BY ANNE HUANG
This is a well tested pinterest recipe, easy to make in large quantities and always a crowd pleaser. I’ve made it many times when we have guests over and someone inevitably lickes the pan. Serve it wtih fluffy jasmin rice or cous cous and steamed vegetables. INGREDIENTS: (FEEDS 4 PEOPLE) •
½ cup finely chopped herbs
•
1 large chicken cut into 8 pieces
•
500gm potatoes, cleaned cut in half
•
3/4 cup dry white wine
•
3T olive oil
•
½ cup chicken stock
•
salt and freshly ground black pepper
•
1Tbsp mustard
•
sliced lemon
•
4 cloves garlic, crushed
(rosemary, parsley, thyme and sage)
Preheat the oven to 200°C and place the chicken pieces , potatoes and lemons in a large deep sided roasting pan. Mix the wine or verjuice, stock, mustard, garlic and herbs and pour over the chicken. Drizzle over the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast uncovered for an hour, or until cooked through. 59
Photography: Unsplash Photography: unsplash.com
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