I Vegan Eating Healthy

in Thoughts  by Shane 0 comments

I began to learn about NEWSTART since I was much younger. NEWSTART is an acronym well recognised in the Adventist circle. Each letter represents the basics to obtaining or maintaining a wholesome lifestyle and good health.

In this post, I’ll just be talking about the first letter, N, which stands for Nutrition. We are admonished in 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I’m not going to lie; for the majority of my life I was eating for myself and what I felt like eating. Even this current vegan stint that I am on had selfish motives as well. But I would like to share the journey so far.

My workmate, James, joined my gym about a year ago after he consistently walked with me on my lunch time strolls. He mentioned during one of our workouts that we should go vegan for three months. I was very surprised that this came from an Islander who is a big fan of chicken, goat curry and eggs! I was also humbled; the plant-based diet should be what I consume on a regular basis considering all the health benefits, sustainability and the health principles that I already know as an Adventist. It wasn’t a hard decision; I agreed to give it a go.

This is my 8th week on this diet and these are some things I have noticed:  I haven’t lost any strength at the gym. In fact, James and I have hit quite a few personal bests during this diet. We have both lost body fat while maintaining muscle mass. Mentally, I have experienced clarity of thought and calmness in my daily interactions.

So overall, it has been a very positive two months. Being in harmony with God’s health principles has been a real blessing, similar to the experience Daniel and co had in Babylon. Both James and I plan to continue the plant-based diet after these three months are over (travels and festive seasons will be the most challenging but that’s another struggle for another time).

I hope you can also take advantage of the benefits of a plant-based diet. This experience is much more enjoyable because we did some prior research on having a variety of delicious dishes and getting all the necessary nutrients. Meal preparation is crucial to succeed here and having an accountable friend/group really helps. Let me know if you’re keen to give it a go, I will be happy to share any knowledge I may have or direct you to a good source.

Under His Wings

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

This past weekend we went to Philip Island for our church camp.  Saturday afternoon we strolled along the Nobbies boardwalks and saw spectacular views of the coast.  We also saw several fairy penguins in their little burrows as well as under the boardwalk.

These little penguins are not only adorable, but they’re unique.  This particular specie of penguins is not only the smallest, but also the only penguin with blue and white feathers.  They can spend over 4 weeks out at sea fishing for anchovies, squid, and even sea jellies.  Once they’ve found enough food, they wait in groups for dusk, when they can hide from predators, and then they waddle across the shore to find their way home.

Using unique calls, the parents call for their chicks, who cheep back until they are reunited.  The parent then regurgitates the food and feeds the hungry baby who has been patiently waiting all day (or several days) for a feed.  Then they nest together in their burrows for a rest.

Through nature we can see the devotion of parents towards their young and the total dependence of the young in their parents.  It is a lovely picture of the kind of love and trust that can develop between God and His people.

Psalm 36:5-9

Your love is faithful, Lord,

and even the clouds in the sky

can depend on you.

Your decisions are always fair.

They are firm like mountains,

deep like the sea,

and all people and animals

are under your care.

Your love is a treasure,

and everyone finds shelter

in the shadow of your wings.

You give your guests a feast

in your house,

and you serve a tasty drink

that flows like a river.

The life-giving fountain

belongs to you,

and your light gives light

to each of us.

Psalm 63:7,8

You have helped me,

and I sing happy songs

in the shadow of your wings.

I stay close to you,

and your powerful arm

supports me.

Waiting can be hard.  While we wait for our needs and desires to be met, it can be lonely in our burrow.  But God is not inactive nor ignorant.  He is working hard to give us the desires of our hearts – and He will come to us in the dusk, calling for us to answer His voice and rest in the shadow of His wing.

Festival

in Thoughts  by Ben 0 comments

As the Lunar New Year festivities draw to a close my mind is led back to the book of John, which I mentioned some time ago on this very blog.

I still cannot claim to fully understand the Jewish lunisolar calendar with its shorter lunar year, compensatory 19 year Metonic cycle and extra month thrown in every two or three years. But I do know that John referenced many festivals in his gospel.

One mentioned is the ‘Feast of Tabernacles’. And, as John so often does, there is a direct parallel drawn between this feast and the words in John 1:14(a) which are “And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us”. This festival originated in Moses’ time and was commanded by God as a commemoration of liberation from Egypt (Leviticus 23:40-43). So it is fitting that John would introduce us to Jesus as he comes to dwell among us.

Another festival highlighted in the Book of John is that of Passover. This commemoration too originates in Moses’ time. This festival reminds the Israelites of the tenth, and worst, plague of Egypt in which all of the first born died unless a sacrificial lamb had been slaughtered and its blood put upon the doorpost to ensure God’s protection.

It becomes clear through reading John that Jesus himself becomes the sacrificial lamb to save us from death.

Again you can read into this so deeply and draw parallels between the bread associated with the passover and Jesus being the bread from heaven.

Nowadays we don’t always follow these old festivals but as Easter draws near (if you don’t believe me just check out the seasonal section of the supermarket!) it is a good to remember the real significance of festivals that roll around year on year.

“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (1 Cor 5:7 NKJV)

The Greatest Lover

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

“There is nothing more healing to the sinful heart than to be fully known and yet fully loved” (Ty Gibson).

Who knows you best?  Your mum?  Your best friend?  Your partner?

We cherish those who know us intimately and yet love us, warts and all.  We don’t have to contrive small talk or put on masks – we can just be ourselves.

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Taking the Plunge

in Thoughts  by Shane 0 comments

I recently spent about a week in the South Island of New Zealand. The epic display of natural beauty left me breathless throughout our roadtrip from Nelson to Queenstown then back to Nelson. I remember seeing Lake Pukaki for the first time and it was so unreal! It literally looked like someone had Photoshopped and enhanced the place.

There were many other “wow moments” throughout the trip but one stood out for me: the bridge jump at the Blue Pools. I had packed some swimwear for that day just in case I felt like swimming but jumping off the bridge was definitely not on the agenda. The sun was not out so it was on the chillier side of the scale. Due to these lighting conditions the “Blue Pools” appeared greenish – still super gorgeous. I had a quick feel of the water with my feet and it was freezing cold so, in my mind, swimming was highly unlikely. My good friend went ahead and jumped without much drama. Then I saw some kids jumping as well. It looked so fun and the thought that I might not be back at this beautiful place for a while helped me make the decision to give it a go.

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