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TRANSFORMED HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine Seasons Edition 2011 Learning to Live Like Jesus Part 2 Maroons & Hagar Triumph Interviews with Deb Malcolm & Bernadette Black Seasons 2011

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August/September 2011 Transformed Magazine

TRANSCRIPT

TRANSFORMEDHumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine Seasons Edition 2011

Learning to Live Like Jesus Part 2

Maroons & Hagar Triumph

Interviews with Deb Malcolm & Bernadette Black

Seasons 2011

TRANSFORMEDHumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine

Billy Graham wrote “God is unchanging in His love. He loves you. He has a plan for your life… God is still sovereign; He’s still on the throne.”

I don’t know about you but these promises from God’s Word are encouraging and inspiring. When we are encouraged by God’s Word or

family and friends we have confidence we can continue in our journey through life through good times and bad. When we are inspired we begin to intentionally “do” that which is needed to change lives, be it ours or others. Another way we might say it is “Inspiration brings proactive change while Encouragement sustains.”

In this edition of TRANSFORMED I’m hoping that you will be both encouraged and inspired in your life’s journey. All of us are loved by God and He has a role for us to fulfil. Our roles are all individually designed to meet our needs, the needs of others and at the same time, if we surrender our will to God, He will transform us into Christlikeness. God might not call you overseas or to change careers. It is about being who you are, where God has called you to be.

As you read don’t be afraid to check in with God and ask what His plan is for you so you know if you are on the right road. My prayer is that we will all have the courage to make the changes we need to walk in total obedience with our God.

Enjoy!

Cheers - Natalie T.Natalie Tucker - [email protected]

cONTENTS Learning to Live Like Jesus 2

(Part II) Dale White

Maroons + Hagar Triumph 6

State of Origin Fundraiser

Sibanor Clinic 8

Robyn Pieper

August / September 10

Pull Out Calendar

Soap Studies 12

What’s On 13

on Sunday Mornings

Deb Malcolm 14

Seasons Interview

Bernadette Black 16

Seasons Interview

A Meal Worth Going Home For 18

Heather Fletcher

Notice board 20

FRIDAY 28TH & SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER

AT HUMERIDGE CHURCH OF CHRIST

HOST CHURCH SPECIAL $99 Students $79 REGISTER NOW

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I recently participated in a 3-day prayer summit with fifty pastors and leaders from many of Toowoomba’s Churches and ministries. During the times of worship, prayer, reflection and spirit-led ministry, we sought to listen to God. One of the clearer things we sensed the Lord saying to us was that we must ‘go deeper to go further’. It may not be rocket science but it was a clear directive, and one that has been backed up by many studies or consultations about the

state of Christianity today.

For example, a 1999 International Consultation at Eastbourne, England, published a resolution which stated: “We acknowledge that the state of the Church is marked by a paradox of growth without depth”. It noted that by and large Christians are not that different from the culture around them, and that many within the Church are not living lives of biblical purity, integrity and holiness.

DALE WHITE

Hearts

Go Deeper to go Further

Part II

TRANSFORMED SeaSonS edItIon 2011 I 3

As Richard Foster1 says, “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”

LEARNING TO LIVE LIKE JESUS

The reason we are currently engaged in a Church wide series, Learning to Live like Jesus, is because at HumeRidge Church of Christ we want to go deeper! To do this we realise that we must imitate the character, the lifestyle and the values of Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament. Our studies have been designed to help us become more inclusive, humble, obedient, compassionate, resilient and emotionally real – just like Jesus!

When we look at the Life of Jesus we also begin to see some of the practices that helped him live out these astounding character traits. We see that amidst his busy life of travelling, teaching and healing, he took time out to be alone with his Father, and to pray. In Luke 5:16 we read that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”. Sometimes it was “very early in the morning” (Mark 1:35) and at other times involved being amidst nature, in a wilderness or mountainside (Matthew 14:23). But he took time out!

If we, therefore, become more like Jesus

Christ by “practicing the types of activities he himself practiced in order to remain constantly at home in the fellowship of his Father” 2, we need to imitate the way Jesus practiced spiritual disciplines. According to Willard, Jesus manifested the following traits and habits in His daily life: solitude, silence, prayer, simple and sacrificial living, intense study and meditation, and service to others.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

In February we welcomed former ACOM Principal Stephen Hinks for a week of teaching at HumeRidge3. Steve’s teaching focused on discipleship, and in particular, spiritual disciplines. He taught us that Spiritual disciplines are central to a plan that enables us to actually become like Christ, resist Satan and break the grip of pressures on our lives.

Jesus practised them, and we will ‘go deeper’ and ‘go further’ in our journey of faith if we do too. There are both disciplines of disengagement, and discipline or practices of engagement. We need to disengage from worldly influences and passions in order to fully engage with God and His mission. As Dr. Keith Farmer has said, “we need to stop well if we are to go well.” {Continued next page...}

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As I looked through these lists, it struck me that my experience of evangelical Christianity has always emphasised the practices of engagement over the disciplines of disengagement. Read the Bible more. Attend Church weekly. Join a small group. Go on a Mission trip. Serve in your local Church. These are all vital, but I am beginning to also appreciate the utter importance of the spiritual disciplines of disengagement, in order that I might go deeper, and therefore go further (or even to just keep going) in faith and ministry.

Of course the emphasis here is not to pile up these disciplines as some kind of proof of spirituality, or a checklist to maturity; rather to explore and experiment to see what works for you – like medicine, what do you need? What helps you become more Christ-like?

DISCIPLINES OF DISENGAGEMENT:

Solitude: escape busyness, alone with God

Silence: resist noise, listen for God

Sacrifice: going without what the world sees as necessary, controlling our feelings

Fasting:food is idolized in society

Simplicity: consumerism is a religion

Chastity: freed from sexual desire/lust

Secrecy: content without human approval

PRACTICES OF ENGAGEMENT

Prayer: communication, dialogue with God

Confession: to God & to others

Worship & celebration

Thanks & praise

Service

Fellowship

Study the word of God:imagination, study, reflection, meditation, memorizing

Please read carefully through these lists:

{Continued from previous page...}

TRANSFORMED I 5www.humeridgechurch.org I 5

1 Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Hodder & Stoughton, 1989.

2 Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Under-standing How God Changes Lives, Harper Collins, 1988.

3 Thanks to Stephen Hinks, former Principal of ACOM, Australian College of Ministries, for his teaching on this discipleship at HumeRidge Church of Christ, Feb 2011

4 Dallas Willard, Divine Conspiracy, Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God, Harper, 1998.

ELEPHANT IN THE CHURCH

In his book, The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard writes that “…non-discipleship is the elephant in the church even more than the many moral failures, financial abuses or amazing general similarity between Christians and non-Christians.” These, he states, are only the effects of the underlying problem. “It must be our conscious objective, consciously implemented, to bring others to the point where they are daily learning from Jesus how to live their actual lives as he would live them if he were they. That implemented intention would soon transform everything among professing Christians as we know them.” 4

Let’s keep learning to live like Jesus. “Imitate God in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ” (Ephesians 5:1-2a NLT).

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Wednesday Night the 6th of July will go down in the annals of State of Origin rugby league history. Why? The Maroons won their 6th Series in a Row [Pastors Dale & Tim are still recovering], Darren Lockyer captained QLD for the last time, and Jonathon Thurston became the only player to play all 18 games of the QLD blitz on NSW.

At HumeRidge greater history than this was written with the biggest crowd yet gathering to watch the State of Origin and as a result over $10,700 was raised for Hagar International. Why is this “greater history”? Because through this event lives will be transformed forever!

As you all should know by now Hagar is in the business of doing “whatever it takes for as long as it takes” to transform the lives of children and women affected by slavery

and sex trafficking. Here at HumeRidge we are delighted to partner with Hagar by providing much needed financial support to keep this essential ministry going. Hagar is an organisation on the ground caring round the clock for those in need and we are privileged to help their work, the work of the Lord, continue. In July the State of Origin was just one event held by the youth of HumeRidge and we congratulate them on their commitment and enthusiastic support of Hagar.

ON THE NIGHT

One of the highlights of the night was the “guess the clouds” competition. Not only was there an origin ball and hat from the QLD and NSW teams up for grabs but Pastors Ross and Tim also had pride on the line. That’s right the Pastor with the lowest

Maroons + Hagar Triumph

the World

HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine I 7

funds raised had to wear an opposition jersey on Sunday. Despite the best efforts of both sides it was a draw! That’s right on Sunday both Ross and Tim were humbled as they donned each others colours. Perhaps if the NSW team followed Tim’s example they might actually win a game.

On a serious note there are many who contributed to making the night a success. An extra special thankyou goes to the beautiful Jenny Savill who quietly set about organising all the “footy food”, decorations, volunteers and so on, to make the night the huge success it was. Thank you Jen, and Ross!

So until next year “Go the Mighty Maroons!” and may God continue to bless the youth of HumeRidge as they support and bring blessing to the women and children of Hagar.

Congratulations

$10,700 raised for

Sincere thanks toDONORS

AIV – Clinton WilliamsBlack Canvas – Kristy FielderThe Cheesecake Shop – Bear & Kim JonesCranbrook PressDebs Bakery – Glenn StoddardJilly’s Café – Leonie Haycock

DISCOUNT PROVIDERS

The Party HutTwisted LoafPatten’s Meats

VOLUNTEERS

Owen MollenhauerSandra & Rodney Van Der KleyJeff & Nita LodderChristine ApseyD’Arne LedgerKatherine BizzellEmily BurtonKatrina ElbourneBrianna MaloneTom BizzellJake LodderJamie PatikuraJayden Salzke

And all those who jumped in and helped out on the night. Thanks to you all!

Pride on the line...

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From our comfortable homes in Australia it is hard for us to fathom the devastation of drought and the HIV/Aids Epidemic in Africa. And it is even harder to imagine how those living in these communities can have a heart full of gratitude to God. How can this be? Because the knowledge and love of God has settled deep in the soul and the experience of His provision and faithfulness provides testimony of His love.

In her recent newsletter Robyn was encouraged to share that currently the building project at the Sibanor Clinic has seen the completion of a new storeroom for provisions and foundations for the a new clinical block being laid. This will provide a much needed assessment and treatment room for the medical staff to care for their patients.

The greatest challenge being faced by the Sibanor Clinic is the shortage of nursing staff. This is a problem all over Gambia. Funding and Government accreditation is needed to help train more nurses and keep them at the Medical Centre long term.

There are three Australians currently exploring the opportunity to work with the team at Sibanor Clinic, with at least one considering long term mission. This is encouraging for Robyn and the team as they pray for more trained staff to join with them in caring for, and training, the people of Gambia.

While there are Clinic staff shortages, the HIV work continues to grow. There are over 600 people registered with 150 of those on Antiretrovirals. Your support and prayer for the team is greatly appreciated as the number of those affected by HIV/Aids increases.

the World

Sibanor Clinic Robyn Pieper

> Friday 16th September

> Commencing at 7pm

> PRICE $55 per person or

$400 for a table of 8 people

> DRESS Smart Casual

African Themed Dinner and Entertainment

All monies raised will go to build a medical centre to assist the work of Robyn Pieper in West Africa.

RSVP 9th September to Frances Holmes 46134000 or email [email protected]

www.humeridgechurch.org I 9

Gambia Medical Centre

Fund RaisingDinner

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His faithful love endures forever” Psalm 107:1

PLEASE PRAY:

• For the 3 people interested in coming to join us. That they will clearly know God’s direction, His provision and help for all the preparations involved.

• For provision of finances for our HIV clinic building complex.

• For the team to plan a strategy to cope with the staff shortage.

• For the Government to approve their nurse training course.

• For the change over in doctors and their language training.

• For more long term workers to join us.

• For our team to continue to make the most of every opportunity to share the Gospel.

• For the Sibanor church as they are involved in outreach to villages in the area.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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augustcalendar 2011

9.30am Playgroup 4pm Band Practice

12.45 KYB

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

4pm PrayerSunday@5

9.30am Playgroup7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11.00am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

6.30am Prayer9.30am Lifekeys

10am KYB1.30pm Hymn

Singing6.30pm Stumpy’s

9.30 Bookclub9.30am Playgroup

5pm Youth (Grades 7&8)

7pm Youth (Grades 9-12)

9.45am Golden eagles 50+12.45 KYB

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

Seasons Speaker - Bernadette Black

4pm PrayerSunday@5

9.30am Playgroup7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11.00am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

6.30am Prayer9.30am Lifekeys

10am KYB6.30pm Stumpy’s

9.30am Playgroup5pm Youth

(Grades 7&8)7pm Youth

(Grades 9-12)

12.45 KYB

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

4pm PrayerSunday@5

9.30am Playgroup7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

6.30am Prayer9.30am LifeKeys

10am KYB6.30pm Stumpy’s

6.30am Prayer9.30am LifeKeys

10am KYB6.30pm Stumpy’s

9.30am Playgroup5pm Youth

(Grades 7&8)7pm Youth

(Grades 9-12) 4pm Band Practice

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

4pm PrayerSunday@5

6.30am Prayer9.30am Lifekeys

10am KYB6.30pm Stumpy’s

4pm Band Practice

12.45 KYB

9.30am Playgroup7pm LifeKeys

6.30am Playgroup7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11.00am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11.00am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys Seasonswww.seasonsconference.com

The Road Back Saturday 13th August 2011

The Road Back Saturday 13th August 2011

Seasons

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HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine I 11

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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4pm Band Practice

12.45 KYB 9.30am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11.00am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

6.30am Prayer9.30am LifeKeys

10am KYB6.30pm Stumpy’s

9.45am Golden eagles 50+12.45 KYB

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

Guest Speaker - Keith Farmer

4pm PrayerSunday@5

9.30am Playgroup7pm LifeKeys

9.30am Playgroup11.00am Playgroup

7pm LifeKeys

6.30am Prayer9.30am Lifekeys

10am KYB1.30pm Hymn

Singing6.30pm Stumpy’s

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

Guest Speaker - Keith Farmer

4pm PrayerSunday@5

4pm Band Practice

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

4pm PrayerSunday@5

4pm Band Practice

4pm Band Practice

7pm LIFeKeYSGuest Speakers

allan & Helen Meyer

septembercalendar 2011

9.30am Playgroup12.45 KYB

8am Prayer9am Sunday Service

Guest Speaker - Keith Farmer

4pm PrayerSunday@5

9.30am Playgroup7pm World Changers Fund Raising dinner

4pm Band Practice

7pm LIFeKeYSGuest Speakers

allan & Helen Meyer

9.30 Bookclub9.30am Playgroup

5pm Youth (Grades 7&8)

7pm Youth (Grades 9-12)

Allan & Helen Meyer7pm September 28 & 29ALAN & HELEN MAYER

School Holidays

School Holidays

Gambia Medical

Centre

s.o.a.p. studiesScripture. Observation. Application. Prayer. S.O.A.P. studies are about developing a healthy habit of spending regular time with the Lord. If you commit to a reading and journaling on a daily basis, your life will be truly revolutionised.

August

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Judges 1

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Hebrews 7

Hebrews 8

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my

anxious thoughts; and see if there be any

hurtful way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24

“My goal is not to study the Bible for an hour each morning. Rather,

it is to let the Bible study me!”

Wayne Cordeiro

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Hearts

what’s on on Sunday mornings SERIES – 9aM

August

AUGUST 7

“Jesus was… Compassionate” - Tim Smith

AUGUST 14

Seasons Sunday Bernadette Black

AUGUST 21

“Jesus was… Resilient” – Ross Savill

AUGUST 28

“Jesus was… Emotionally Real” – Neale Proellocks

September

SEPTEMBER 4

The Fruit of a Spirit-filled Life - “Love”- Dr. Keith Farmer

SEPTEMBER 11

The Fruit of a Spirit-filled Life - “Joy”- Dr. Keith Farmer

SEPTEMBER 18

The Fruit of a Spirit-filled Life - “Peace”- Dr. Keith Farmer

SEPTEMBER 25

- Dale White

HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine I 13

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Deb, thanks for chatting with TRANSFORMED in the lead up to Seasons 2011. Firstly, would you share with us a little about yourself and your ministry passions...

I work as a Child Advocate, campaigner and speaker but it’s more than a job to me. I am passionate about issues affecting women and children, and through my personal story I hope to inspire women to be courageous, resilient and to speak out about things that are unjust. My advocacy for children addresses poverty and injustice, mainly confronting indifference and lack of knowledge surrounding poverty and child advocacy issues.

I am also one of the founders of grassroots campaigning movement called Collective Shout. We launched in 2010 and the aim is to name and shame corporations, advertisers and marketers, who objectify women and sexualise girls to sell products and services.

As I speak with people with great conviction, who pursue the things they are most

passionate about, they often have personal life experiences that have influenced them. Was this the case for you? And would you share with us your journey of commitment to advocacy?

My life as an advocate really began through the advocacy of another – my school teacher Miss English. She modelled compassion, generosity and love for others through everything she did, and in particular she was an advocate for my life. She was bold in her beliefs and I learnt to speak up for others via what she modelled through her life. There was hidden trauma in my childhood, which she recognised and responded to, and this was the early beginnings and establishment of my beliefs, faith and advocacy. If I ever wrote a book, I would attribute it to her.

The theme for Seasons 2011 is “The Road Back”. We recognise this can mean making a complete U Turn or coming back from a side track we’ve taken. Can you share with us some of the significant moments in your life that have brought you back to “God’s Road”?

Seasons 2011

Deb is a Women’s Engagement Specialist, Child Advocate, Campaigner and speaker working with Compassion. Deb is passionate about issues affecting women and through her personal story seeks to inspire women to be courageous and resilient, every woman needs to know the extravagant grace of God. Deb’s advocacy for children has included involvement in projects and events to address poverty and injustice, confronting indifference and lack of knowledge surrounding poverty and child advocacy work.

Interview with

Deb Malcolm

Hope

The most significant U-Turn in my life was coming to faith. I was living a party girl life, quite selfish, and oblivious to the needs of others in many regards. Coming to faith changed everything about my life, influenced my thoughts and I gained courage to push on personally and encourage others to do so too.

Finally, if there is one “take home” you’d like people to remember, what would that be?

If I could leave a ‘take home ‘ I would ask a question of people, and it would be ‘What about the others?’ By this I mean what about the children, or those who aren’t in programs, or are not known, or are voiceless. Who is speaking out for them? The ones without a face but who need us to speak so that culture and society in general would be secure and protected. We need to be brave and get over self in order to help others.

Thanks Deb. We look forward to hearing more about your life and journey with God at Seasons 2011.

Seasons 2011

DEB MALCOLM

www.humeridgechurch.org I 15

Taken a wrong turn? Driving too fast? Lost in a fog of confusion?

Running on empty?No sense of direction? Broken Down?

Be encouraged to embrace God’s grace.

The only way forward is the road back - to Him.

Speakers

Deb Malcolm, Bernadette Black$60 Full Registration $55 Concession

For more information contact Seasons on

[email protected] or by Phone on 4635 3551

The Road Back Saturday 13th August 2011

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Bernadette, welcome to TRANSFORMED.

Being named Mother of the Year in 2009 must have been an amazing experience. What are some of the special memories you have regarding the experience?

I can remember being blown away at each level, firstly when I knew Damien had nominated me, secondly when I won MOTY for Tasmania and thirdly, winning the MOTY title for our nation. It was just beautiful, every step, although as I said from the stage when I accepted my award and title, the greatest part of this whole journey was having a 16yo (at the time) son who thought to nominate his mum. Really - no prize, accolade or title could be more precious than that! Also the background story to all of the media interviews was pretty funny with little kids, I’ll share that at the Conference!

Knowing your son, indeed your whole family,

are great supporters of your work, how has that motivated your commitment to the Brave Foundation?

When I wrote my book ‘Brave Little Bear: The inspirational story of a teenage mother’ in 2006 which was re-released last year, I would get emails from all over Australia, actually the world, about women in their own situations of unplanned and teenage pregnancy. It was then that I knew the book was not going to be enough. I guess as a family, we have pioneered Brave Foundation and it’s like a 4th baby in a way, one that will always be intrinsically linked to me (and my family) but one that ultimately will have its own life.

The theme of Seasons 2011 is “The Road Back” and for you an unplanned teen pregnancy has had a major impact on your life. Can you share some of your journey with God and how He called you back to His path?

Bernadette Black2009 australian Mother of the Year

Interview with

Hope

TRANSFORMED SeaSonS edItIon 2011 I 17

I remembered being 16 and sitting in mum and dad’s bathroom with my positive pregnancy test. I knew I had exhausted my level of hope and I screamed a prayer out to God at that moment. My first prayer was, ‘Jesus, Jesus can I just take back that moment??’ The answer to that became evident as my pregnancy continued, I was going to have to continue my journey as a pregnant teen.

Mum had always taught me this prayer growing up in our Catholic home, it was ‘Jesus Mary and Joseph help me’, I think I said this little prayer most days of my pregnancy. It was also at this time that I received some very important and supportive words from my Year 10 year level co-ordinator. This reaffirmed in me that I was being looked after by God, and He was creating a best plan for me out of my situation.

After praying half way through my pregnancy I felt called to write myself three promises:

1. To be a good mum, 2. To finish my education and 3. To write a book to help others. This would be the beginning of my ‘road back’ in this situation.

In taking a moment to think through your life, is there anything you’d like to share that’s been left unsaid?

In my year 10’s Co-ordinators office, as a very scared and embarrassed teenager I told him I was 8 weeks pregnant, his response: ‘Bernadette Kennedy, the journey will be different but the destination can stay the same’. I have found because of this wisdom, support and encouragement, that not only did I meet the destination I was hoping to, but that has been superseded. Those words with faith behind it were ground breaking for me, and have shaped the woman you will meet shortly!

Thank you for taking the time to share with us. We are excited to be able to hear more about your faith and life journey at Seasons.

Seasons 2011

Bernadette is no stranger to adversity. From the death of her father at a young age, to the potentially life-altering effects of a teenage pregnancy, she has never lost hope or direction for a great tomorrow. In consistency with Bernadette’s life story of transitioning from one circumstance to another, comes her message of equipping others with the realisation that nothing is impossible, regardless of the size of the opposing giant!

Left: Receiving the 2009 Australian Mother of the Year Award Above: Bernadette is author of published book “Brave Little Bear”

Suburban Sydney was a tough place to raise a family in the 1980s. Interest rates were a whopping 19% and my crazy parents were trying to put three ungrateful kids through private school on one teacher’s wage. Something had to give – groceries. My mum

became adept at domestic economising. As a result, my childhood memory bank has tucked an assortment of budget meals under its belt, including homemade pizza made with two ingredients or less, choko-on-a stick which was light on the choko

18 I

HEATHER FLETCHER

A Meal Worth Going Home For

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and heavy on the stick, and rabbit carcase broth. This she tried to pass off as beef, but she’s a fine Christian and a lousy liar, and its little ears stuck up out of the bin, so it only served to trigger an irksome series of waiter-there’s-a-hare-in-my-soup jokes from the family. But Mum’s most memorable dish was her chilli chicken ice cream. One night, my mother was breastfeeding my youngest brother while stopping my other brother from eating soldering acid (probably to cleanse his palate from the choko), untangling my sister’s hair from a cheap curling wand that wouldn’t let go, pouring calamine lotion on my chicken pox, and marking Dad’s school papers for him, while she cooked dinner. She reached for the paprika to flavour the chicken – or were they magpie? – drumsticks. As paprika was the closest thing to a vegetable on the menu that night, Mum decided to cut loose and be generous with it. The pungent, orange, mushroom-shaped cloud that arose from the chicken and obscured Mum should have served as a warning.

Dad sat down at the table and took the first mouthful. It didn’t go down smoothly. After we doused him, and he had been rebuked for his thankless attitude, my mother realised her mistake. She had of course, confused the paprika for chilli powder. There was no way on God’s green earth we were going to waste those precious chicken, or possibly galah, drumsticks, but how could we choke it down without a digestive Hiroshima? We all know that milk soothes the capsaicin in chilli, but milk in those days was a precious commodity delivered to the doorstep in 600ml glass bottles with foil tops to allow the magpies to hack in and steal the cream off the top. No Frills brand ice cream, on the other hand, being made largely from the sweat of Japanese seaweed

farmers, was affordable. So out came the ice cream and in went the drumsticks which doubled as spoons. My Mum’s a good sport and soon we were snorting with laughter as we ploughed on, trying to placate our palates. It was awesome.

My memory of this meal sweetens when I think of my Mum’s friend Lucy. Lucy has a severe medical condition that means she can’t eat with her mouth. For over a decade, she has kept herself alive by PEG feeding. At meal times, she absents herself from the table to a quiet corner where she pumps nutrients directly into her stomach through a tube. As a devotee of food, family and friends, I find this achingly sad. We all know about the top end of the digestive tract. Here’s where I have thousands of pushy tastebuds to whom I happily pander. But less famous, on the other end of the tract, there is another sensor, put there by God so we can all enjoy a good poo. Lucy has one of these, though it’s doubtful that any amount of contented pooing compensates for an oral bypass.

But I know what theologians would say about this. They would say that the pleasure we derive from food is a whisper of another world. They would say that pleasure is not an end in itself, but a pointer to a divine gastronomist who is preparing a feast for us. When God protects us, He does such a good job, Psalm 23 says, He sits us down in the middle of our enemies to feast. When the prodigal son finally returns, he is welcomed by his father with a feast. And when we finally reach our heavenly home, we are greeted with divine aromas from the ultimate chow-down - the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. I bet Lucy will get the biggest serve. And the poo afterwards will be out of this world!

TRANSFORMED I 19

20 I

CAP Money is a revolutionary money management course that teaches people budgeting skills and a simple, cash-based system that really works. This course will help anyone to get more in control of their finances, so they can save, give and prevent debt. CAP Money is a course devised by the award winning debt counselling charity, Christians Against Poverty.

C.A.P. MONEY Launch 9am Sunday, October 2nd Special Guest ROSS BUTTENSHAW

with international guest speakers

Mike Pillivachi (Soul Survivor, UK) and Ash Barker (U.N.O.H. Thailand)

9am + 5pm Services Sunday 9 October

Sunday 23 October

ASH BARKER

MIKE PILLIVACHI

Super Sunday

PHONE 07 4635 0350 FAX 07 4635 4674 EMAIL [email protected] WEBSITE www.humeridgechurch.org ADDRESS 461 - 469 Hume Street Toowoomba Q 4350PO Box 7564 Toowoomba South Q 4350OFFIcE HOURS 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday

Editorial by Natalie TuckerGraphic Design by Kristy Fielder { www.blackcanvas.com.au }

Senior Pastor Dale White 0419 756 469

Pastor – Evangelism Neale Proellocks 0419 737 950

Pastor – Congregational Care Tim Smith 0438 350 376

Student Minister/Ministry SupportNatalie Tucker 0409 393 439

Careforce Lifekeys & Pathways Jack Kamst 0434 729 115

Pastor – Youth Ross Savill 0411 201 227

Youth Worker Elicia Wuersching 0402 158 700

Children’s Ministry Chris England 0413 580 012 Zara England 0401 948 860

Music Ministry Brendon Walmsley 0419 654 548

Minister Emeritus Bruce Armstrong 4635 9885

Youth Turn (House 469) 4636 2981 Graham Storey 0431 268 065

Transformed Magazine submissions and enquiries EMAIL [email protected]

TRANSFORMING LIVES to Christ by experiencing and reflecting God ’s love together

TRANSFORMING LIVESto Christ by experiencing and re�ecting God’s love together

Hearts Hope Families World

28TH & 29TH OcTObER 2011

Each year a great team of volunteers gather to help create a wonderful environment for the

many Pastors and Community Leaders who come to GLS ready to be encouraged and inspired by top class International Speakers. We invite you to join us for what promises to be two days of

fun and fellowship as we serve together.

Please contact Natalie Tucker at [email protected]

if you would like to know more.

VOlUNTEERS NEEDED!

LifeKeys Guest Speakers Allan & Helen Meyer

7pm September 28 & 29

HumeRidge Church of Christ

ALAN & HELEN MAYER