tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29479417484377125142024-02-19T14:32:12.433-08:00Nat's NookNat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-47566872824012258372024-02-14T14:01:00.000-08:002024-02-14T14:01:24.341-08:00shame<p> Shame, even just writing the word is uncomfortable. Shame builds a prison around us. It tells us to hide and keep silent about what we are going through. Shame has its place and its use. It will cause us to change and turn from sin. But what if the shame is not related to sin? Rather if the shame is because we are believing a lie? What do we do with it then? How do we get out of the prison of shame? This past year I have been walking through a trial that I never expected. In this trial, I started to feel shame. Now this trial was not caused by actions of mine, in fact, I could not have prevented it from happening. So why was I experiencing shame? My shame told me to keep silent, to not let anyone know what had happened or how much I was struggling in the aftermath. The shame started with a lie that I believed about the relationship between faith and trials. Somehow the idea, that by having enough faith all my trials in life would be easy. I knew that faith did not mean trials would never happen but the idea that if my faith was strong the trials would not be so hard, had worked its way into my thinking. So when faced with this trail that shook my world and threw me into the ring of trauma the logical thought was my faith was not strong enough. I was questioning why this happened to me, where was God in all this, and why did I not have enough faith to not question God's plan or his goodness. It took me months to admit to myself and others that I was struggling with shame. It wasn't till I admitted it that I was able to start removing the gag shame had placed on me. I was only able to let go of the shame with God's help. God used a sermon on Joseph and a lesson on "Be still" to open my eyes to the truth and to start removing the gag and hold shame had on me. </p><p> Joseph did nothing to deserve the bad things that happened to him. It was all someone else's actions that landed him in jail. Even at the low points in Joseph's life, He never gave up on God. Joseph prospered in jail because he chose to be with God. Prospering doesn't mean trials will not come or they will be easy but rather comes from walking hand in hand with God in the trials. This thought was like a wrecking ball to the lie I was believing. With the foundation of the lie destroyed I was able to correct my thinking, but how did I let go of the shame that had become my consent accessory? That came from the lesson on "Be Still". The lesson was based on Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." The Hebrew word translated "be still" in that verse has the idea of "slacken". The illustration given was that of playing tug of war with Satan when we stop holding so tight to the rope and allow God to step in and fight on our behalf, that is to "be still". I do not have to fight satan when it comes to dealing with my shame, I have to slacken my hold and allow God to fight for me. Only then do I stand a chance of winning. Letting go takes faith, and it can be the smallest amount of faith but that is all God needs to do something amazing. That does not mean that the trial will be easy, in fact sometimes letting go is the hardest thing to do. It means that there is a person stronger than myself I can turn to in the hard trials of life. </p>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-7680336182816631362024-01-01T18:05:00.000-08:002024-01-01T18:05:27.809-08:00From Live to Joyful<p> Every year I pick a word for the year. 2022's word was Live. I picked that word because 2021 I worked a lot, I had to so I could pay the bills. I didn't want to miss out on life because of work. Well in, 2022 I ended up moving to Alabama. This allowed me to experience this I never thought I would get to do. I went on my first missions' trip to Honduras. I visited Florida, Tennessee and Kannas. I also bought a house! I can say 2022 was full of living. For 2023 I picked the word Thrive. For 2023 I wanted to do more than just live I wanted to Thrive. To me that meant growing closer to Christ and walking through the doors placed before me. It meant making choices that would lead to financial stability. I can't say 2023 went how I thought it would. It was full of highs and lows. I started teaching Sunday school at church. I started my cottage law bakery, got a promotion at work and made some great friends. Some of the lows where I had the most terrifying night of my life. And 4 days before 2023 came to a close I fell ice skating and sprained my wrist. (Decently sprained, at that even now I am typing one handed.) Through everything God stayed faithful to me so that I could thrive under His wings. In the past year I have learned a deeper trust in the one who writes my story. </p><p>The word I have picked for 2024 is Joyful. Merian Websters dictionary defines Joyful as experiencing, causing, or showing joy. Biblical joy is a choice. Joy is not based on what I experiencing or what trail I am going through. Being joyful is a choice I make despite my situation. It means I will praise in the storm. It means in the pain I chose to trust the Great Healer for healing. I have a feeling that 2024 will not go the way I think but I will Joyfully follow God wherever he leads me.</p>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-83496653090390996012023-12-08T15:11:00.000-08:002023-12-08T15:11:54.058-08:00Bells and cheers<p> For the past few months, I have struggled with trusting in God's goodness. I know He is good; I believe it with all my heart. God has proven time and again that He is good in my life. And yet in this trial I found myself asking "If God is good, why did this happen to me?" A question that I thought I would never struggle with. I have walked through losing family members in different ways and times, going away to college, moving cross country and not knowing what God is doing with my life. But through all that I never asked, "If God is good, why...?" It's not that God has changed because He is unchanging, this test is not something I have encountered before. In the struggle I know where to turn, I turn to God!! He is not afraid of my questions and doubt, in fact He welcomes them. When I run to the Father with my questions, He holds my heart and reminds me His character. This time was no different. One day when I was really struggling with trusting God's goodness, the song <i>I Heard the Bells on Christmas day</i> performed by Casting Crowns came up on my playlist. As the song played I thought back to last year when I saw the film about why Henry Longfellow wrote that song. I thought about how Longfellow lost his wife and was injured in a fire, how he almost lost his son during the civil war. A war Longfellow did not want his son to fight in. But even after all that Henry Longfellow wrote:</p><div class="verse " style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;"><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">And in despair I bowed my head:</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">"There is no peace on earth," I said,</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">"For hate is strong, and mocks the song</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">Of peace on earth, good will to men."</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;"><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">With peace on earth, good will to men."</div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">If after all the hard stuff Longfellow could say that God is not dead or sleeping. He could say that God is good. There is a crowd of witnesses in Heaven that have endured trials like mine or harder and have fought the good fight. They are cheering me on. That motivates me to hang on and continue to trust that God is in control. To trust that He is good, and His plan is good. I can hold on to the fact that God is not done working on me yet. </div><div class="verse " style="line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px;">Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" </div></div></div>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-54342575944298532512023-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:002023-08-27T18:39:10.889-07:00Storms<p>We all have storms in our lives. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and snow storms to name a few. We also go through figurative storms also known as tests or hardships. The last few months I have been in figurative storms, all crashing down at the same time. This morning driving to work I remembered two lines from different preachers. "God is God of the Storm." Dr. Steve Pettit and "God is God in the storm." Pastor Cary Schmidt (I am 95% sure I have that right.) After these thoughts crossed my mind the song <i>Praise You in The Storm </i>by Casting Crowns came on the radio. The course goes </p><p>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You never left my side</span></p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And though my heart is torn </span><div><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I</span><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> will praise You in this storm."</span><div><p>In the storms I am living through God is good!! He has led me this far. God, through the pastor at my AL church, provided a working dryer when mine stopped working. Not only did Pastor Brian get the dryer, he helped haul the old one out and the new one in. God surrounded me with godly friends who are okay with me texting them late at night when my emotions are all over the place. God gave me some amazing sisters that have been with me encouraging me with each twist and turn. God gave me parents that care for me. God gave my parents the knowledge and tools to help me in this. God holds me when a song makes me fall apart. God is still the voice of truth when the father of lies tries to get me to believe his lies. </p><p>I want to have the faith the disciples had when they woke Jesus when they were in the boat in the storm. Matthew 8:24-25 says " And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish." For Most of my life I have heard this passage preached as the disciples had no faith. But Jesus does not say they have no faith in verse 26, He says "...O, Ye of little faith?..." The disciples had enough faith to wake up Jesus. If they had no faith they would not have bothered to turn to Jesus. If they had no faith then they would not believe that Jesus could do anything to change their situation. They might not have known what Jesus would do but, they believed he could do something. How often do I not turn to God in my storms? How often do I let my fear overtake my faith? Because I believe God is the creator of the universe then when a storm blows into my life He should be the one I run to. </p><p>I may not know when the storm will end but I know who is LORD of the Storm! I can praise Him in the storm. I thank Him for the healing that has happened and will happen. I praise Him for the peace that will be restored. I praise God for the good that will come from this storm. </p></div></div>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-84516755753126821602023-07-08T19:35:00.000-07:002023-07-08T19:35:17.462-07:00Fear vs trauma <p> Growing up in a Christian home I heard all the verses about not fearing, I even memorized a few. Verses like "We are not given a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV. A few weeks ago I experienced something that left behind a lot of fear. I am talking about an event that rewrote how I viewed the world. After that event a friend quoted this verse to me. This person meant it to be encouraging and comforting. It provided a bit of comfort. But then, the Father of lies used this truth to sow seeds of doubt and anger. Doubt that I was being a good Christian in this trial cause I still felt the fear. Anger at myself that I was not recovering from the fear faster. Satan tried to convince me that because of the fear and panic I am still struggling with that God could not use me or make me whole again. Try as I might to shut down the lies and to not feel the fear, I could not in my own power. The more I tried the more the doubt grew. It was not till I studied the context of 2 Timothy 1:7 that the lies lost all their power.</p><p>Paul wrote that verse to Timothy, his son in the faith. This was the last letter Paul would write. When you put 2 Timothy 1:7 in the context with verses 8-9. It paints a very different picture. Paul is talking about the fear that stops us from sharing the gospel. In fact the Greek word Paul uses is deilia. This word has more of the meaning of timidity. Matthew used the same word in Matthew 8:26 " And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." The word translated "fearful" in this verse is the same Greek word Paul used in 2 Timothy. The word Paul used that we translate to "sound mind" is the Greek word for self- discipline. Paul is not giving a command to never fear but rather to not be controlled by fear. This similar to the exhortation to the Ephesians to allow the Holy Spirit to control them. God never expected us to not feel fear, but He expects us to turn to Him in our fear. In turning to Him we take control back from the hands of fear and place in the hands of our loving Lord. Sometimes fear comes from a place of uncertainty. This is the fear Paul is saying we are not to have, because of how big our God is. Other times fear comes from trauma. </p><p>The Greek word for trauma is translated as wounds. It is only used once in the Bible, it is found in Luke 10:34. When it talks about the good Samaritan cleaning the wounds of the Jewish man. No one ever tells the Jewish man to not feel his wounds , or to not be afraid to walk that stretch of road. I wonder what he felt the next time had to travel that way. Did he insist that someone go with him? Did he try and google a different way to go? Did he freeze when he got to that point in the road? What did his family think about the sift in his actions? Did people tell him not to fear? Maybe one day I will be able to ask Jesus these questions. I know that these details would not help the point Jesus was making with this parable but still I wonder. The fear that I feel is not from a place of doubt and lack of faith but from a place that is wounded. Though I bare no physical wounds from the event that has cause the trauma, I bear the mental and emotional wounds. </p><p>As I walk with God through the healing process I know He is in control and I will strive daily to allow Him to have total control. My prayer through all this is that God would show me Him self like He did with Job or to allow me to see some of the good that He is working because of this. </p>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-24492108619565881302023-06-18T17:14:00.000-07:002023-06-18T17:14:18.136-07:00Overwhelming fear, Bigger God<p> Have you ever been overwhelmed by fear? The type of fear that leaves you shaking like a leaf in a hurricane? The type of fear that takes a long time to fully get over? The type of fear that is also called trauma? I know I hadn't till it rang my doorbell. Maybe one day I will be able to tell you the whole story. I have started the road of healing. It is going to take sometime, But God is with me. </p><p>God was with me that morning protecting me. God was with me later when the panic came back. God knew I was going to need a week in a place I felt safe taking care of dogs and had that in place weeks before. A year ago God knew I was going to need a person that I trust to walk with me down this part of the road, so he lead me to start therapy. </p><p>Just like Job who never got the answer to his question "Why did this happen to me, God?" I may never know the reason. But God is the same God. He still names the stars and leads them in seasons." Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades? Can you loosen Orion’s belt? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth? " Job 38: 31-33. The same God that cares to knows the number of hairs on my head. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31. </p><p>I have wonderful people in my life that are supporting me and helping me through this. I have faith that God will carry me through this just like He has every other trial I have faced. Because my God is bigger than my fear!!</p>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-79522682092842690252020-05-25T04:33:00.002-07:002020-05-25T04:33:53.245-07:00Stand stillAll of us have a fight or flight reaction to the things that we are afraid of. I am afraid of the unknown and my reaction to it is flight. When faced with plans that get derailed my first thought it to run, and run far way. The past few days I have struggled with the desire to run. I am not talking like a jog around the block but uproot my life and move halfway across the country type of running. But I can't, God in his wisdom has locked every door I try to open. I have not been good at standing still, I don't like it. I would rather be doing something then being still. Yesterdays sermon was on enduring and being ready. Pastor Cary said that God has given us each a mission for this time in our lives, this time of pandemic. Mine is to stay put in CT. I am not good at staying put when I can not see the reason behind it. Many places in the bible we see "stand still". The Jews were told in Exodus to "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." (Exodus 14:13 kjv) Job was told to <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">Hearken unto this, O Job: </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">stand</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">still</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and consider the wondrous works of God." (Job 37:14 kjv) In theses examples they were able to stand because they </span>remembered<span style="font-family: inherit;"> who was telling them to stand still. Most of the time when someone I trust tells me to do something I do it. God has proven himself to me time and time again, I can trust him in this. I may not be able to see the </span>purpose<span style="font-family: inherit;"> in this but God never moves with out purpose. I don't have to be inactive when standing still, I am called to love those around me in the waiting. I am called to still serve God in the stillness. This standing still for me is telling my heart and mind to stop looking for ways to get away. To stop looking for the next thing, trying to </span>force<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it.</span></span>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-58192809579488433442020-03-16T14:59:00.002-07:002020-03-16T14:59:44.665-07:00Strength I have spent a lot of time in this blog devoted to fear and trust. How those themes have played out in my life and my faith. I think now more then ever the world needs to hear the voice that speaks truth and to find a love that cast out fear. We can be afraid for many different reasons in a time of crisis. Questions like "What will happen to the stock market?" "What will happen if I get sick?" "What if my loved one dies?" "How could a good God let this happen?" and "What will happen next?" All of these questions come from a place of doubt, from the place in our hearts that still listens to the father of lies. These questions can show us our weakness. When a young child feels scared or weak they run to mom and dad, they run to a place of safety. We need to do the same!! When fear and lies try to run us ragged we need to run to the Good Father. Having a safe place to rest does you no good if you do not go to it. God has not left us, He never can! God is not weakened by this His strength is perfect. In the last few weeks I have had trouble with my car. First the tire went then a few weeks later their was an issue with the power steering. Both times I ran to my parents and was able rest in their strength. I could have handled both issues on my own but in the moment as I was scared I would not think straight. Panic and fear over took me but as soon as heard my parents the fear went away and I could think again. Their clam strength comforted me and strengthened me. God does the same thing for us every day. His strengthening hand will sustain and protect us no matter what happens. God is with us in the storm. <br />
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Pastors sermon from this past Sunday was just what I need to hear. I had the main points running in my mind all day. If you get a minute you should give it a listen. <a href="https://ebcnewington.com/messages/fearless/?sapurl=Lyt4NHJzL2xiL21pLytuaHRxYm5jP2VtYmVkPXRydWU=">https://ebcnewington.com/messages/fearless/?sapurl=Lyt4NHJzL2xiL21pLytuaHRxYm5jP2VtYmVkPXRydWU=</a>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-65122757609324247172020-01-01T05:41:00.001-08:002020-01-01T05:41:47.946-08:00looking behind, looking forward 2019 is done!! 2020 is just beginning!! New year, new lessons, new mercies and memories yet to be made. <div>This is the time of year we pause and look back at what happened and make plans for what will happen. This is something that we need more of, more times to stop and remember Gods provision, leading and deliverance. The Jewish calendar is full of festivals and feasts that do this. Three separate times did the Jews go to Jerusalem to feast, celebrate and remember. </div><div>Today looking back on what God has done in my 2019, there was a lot of blessings and growing. 2019 brought family back together, added to the family. In 2019 I got back an uncle and his family, and a second cousin reconnected. My family grew by a brother in law, a niece and a foster brother. 2019 brought growth in my job by way of two position changes. I grew in my education by completing one year in my bachelor's degree and managed to make the Dean's list this past year. Each change brought challenges and blessings. I learned that God values me more then I ever do. He allowed me to visit friends and grow closer to others. He helped me to see that I have to be more intentional about my relationships with him, my family and friends. </div><div>I know that in 2020 God will continue to guide my steps, if I allow him to. I will trust that he is building my life the way he has planned. I am excited about what God is doing in my heart, mind and life. </div><div>Each year I choose a word for that year to focus on 2019's word was peace. By focusing on peace I saw it in ways I never had. Not only does God give me peace when I should be anxious but he can use me to bring peace in to the lives of those I interact with. For 2020 I have chosen the word Build. Merriam Webster dictionary .com defines build <strong class="mw_t_bc"> "</strong>to develop according to a systematic plan, by a definite process, or on a particular base"( 3rd entry) In 2020 I look forward to seeing how God will build my life according to his systematic plan. </div>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-43199742230262783042019-11-03T14:16:00.001-08:002019-11-03T14:16:43.360-08:00Seasons In New England we have the joy of experiencing four major seasons in the year Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. If you ask anyone "What is your favorite season?" You will get a million different answers and reasons. If you were to ask me that question I would answer all of them! Each season has something good and a different beauty. The beauty we see in spring is the beauty of the new growth. Everything is green and new. Yes there is mud and rain but, that just makes the green standout that much more. Bird song fills the air in the spring, animals everywhere are giving birth and hatching. Summers beauty is that of all the flowers that bloom in the summer. Summer is filled with friends, family and food. The sunsets in the summer are breath taking and the nights star filled. The beauty of fall is found in the changing of the leaves. From green to red, yellow, and orange the tree line becomes a blaze of color. Apples, pumpkins and corn mazes fill the time and thoughts of all. I have found that the more gray the day the more the colors of the trees pop. Winter, the season everyone picks on, has a beauty that can be found in the fresh coat of snow. Winters beauty is also seen in the icicles that hang off of trees and power lines.<br />
Often life is said to come in seasons, seasons of singleness, married, loss, and happiness to name a few. Just like the seasons of the year we tend to value one season of life more then the others. In most churches I have been in being single is looked down upon for a young woman of my age. Much like winter is often disliked by those who live in colder climates. Over the last few weeks the Sunday school group I am in at church has been studying the about dating and the process that leads to marriage. For the first time in my life I am not ashamed of being single. I can now see that God has a plan and purpose for this season in my life just like the seasons in the weather. Without springs rains we can not have a bountiful harvest in the summer and fall. Without the cold winter months the ground and plants do not have a time to rest. Without the leaves falling of the trees the winter snow would be to heavy for the limbs of the trees. Without summers heat the crops would not ripen, and we would not enjoy the cool fall weather as much. God has a plan in every season, and a purpose for every season. The times that are hard or difficult help strengthen us for the next challenge. The times of loss help us to cherish the time we have and those around us. Being single is a time where I can help in a way someone who is married or has kids never can. Being single means that I can be there to help my sister with her kids, or my mom with a project. It means I can drive to Maryland for my best friends wedding with little difficultly. Being single does not mean I am less than, there is no one who is less than in God's kingdom. Being married does not mean you do not have the less freedom then a single person, it just means your priories and worries are different. If I were to spend all my time wishing for a different season I would miss the beauty and the lessons of the season I am in. Those who spend all winter wishing for spring or summer miss the beauty of the snow. This also leads them to spend the season miserable. If I spend the season of singleness in my life wishing I am married and put all my happiness in the idea of being married then I will not be happy when that happens to me and I would have missed out on all the opportunities that are before me because I am not married. The bible is full of verses about being content and the effects of discontentment on the body. One that stands out to me is "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones" Proverbs 14:30 (KJV). When all I can focus on is what others have that I don't it is not good for my </span>spiritual<span style="font-family: inherit;"> or physical health. I have to walk that path that God has set before me and not the path He has planed for anyone else. </span></span>Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-5698041125945996962019-05-16T08:03:00.002-07:002019-05-16T08:03:45.017-07:00stress, worry and failureOne of the things I fear most in life is failure. In my mind I know that everyone makes mistakes and that everyone fails, but I have a hard time getting my heart to accepted it. To the point that I stress and worry about it A LOT! The last 2 weeks this fear has raised its ugly head once again. I got a promotion at work, now this is something that I have worked hard and prayed for. In my head I know that I am ready for this and I want it, but something in me is afraid that I will make a mistake and fall flat on my face. Even after my bosses reassured me that they were only a text or a call away and that they had faith in me, the father of lies still whispered in my ear that I was not good enough and that I would mess everything up. I listened to them, not only that I believed them. I forgot to listen to the voice of Truth, the one who knows me best and has a plan for me. Instead I listened and gave into fear. All that stress, worry and fear did was make it so I did not sleep well and caused me to fight a battle that left me emotionally tired and drained. <br />
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But God, in his goodness know what need to happen to get my attention. On the way home from church last night I had deiced that I would hold on for 1 full month, 4 weeks, in this new position and if by that time I was still feeling the same way I would make a change. Did you catch that? <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I had... </u> not God, in fact He did not even enter the picture. How foolish am I? But God is still good to the foolish and the weak. The rest of the drive home song after song on the radio was about God and his plan, goodness, faithfulness and love. Songs that reminded me where my strength come from and that God is not done with me. Songs like Francesca Battiselli's Giants Fall, Unspokens' Good Fight and Laura Storys' Look Up Child. <br />
It is going to be a change, but God is writing the story and not me. I need to remind myself that the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTnREEtuNk" target="_blank">Fear is a liar</a> and that I can fight fear when I stand on the promises of God. My only failure was to forget that God is good, a lesson I am slow to learn. <br />
<br />Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-44752494696906747162019-03-03T11:02:00.003-08:002019-03-03T11:02:51.387-08:00trials, tragedies and reasonsWe all go through trials and tragedies. In those moments we look for the reasons as to why. I have been told that there are three reasons why we go through trials. The first is correction, one example of this is in the life of David. When he sinned with Bathsheba the tragedy that came from that was the death of their son. Next is protective, the trial stops us from making the wrong move. An example of this is the thorn of the flesh that Paul had, it kept him humble so that he did not fall into the sin of pride. The third reason that is given is to teach, for this example we turn to Job. God allowed the trails in Jobs life to teach Job more about God. So what do you do if your trial does not fit any of those categories? This happened to my mom the last few years. In the last few years my family has walked through many different trials. After hearing a sermon on trails a few weeks ago she started to wrestle with God for an reason why. None of the stuff she has been through fit into the categories that were given in the sermon she heard. God gave her an answer in the most unexpected way. God directed my moms thoughts to how Bathsheba and Job's wife must have felt walking through the tragedies they faced. The situations they when through where not of their making, so it was not corrective. We do not see any sin that were stopped by these situations, so not protective. The bible does not tell us what these woman learned about God through these tragedies, that eliminates teaching trails. Why did these women have to deal with the trail? The answer my mom got makes a lot of sense. There is a fourth reason for trails! My mom put it this way "The trials were not purposeful but they were not purposeless either. God did not plan them for me, but he still used them in my life." (Amy Smith) She explained it as if what she was dealing with was collateral damage. That there was a trail in someone else life that was affecting her as well. Much like Bathsheba and Job's wife did not ask for the things they dealt with but because of the choices of others they had to walk though it. This does not make it any easier to walk through the trail. It gives new meaning to the verse "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 KJV).</span> We will not always know the reason for the tragedies that happen in this life till we get to heaven. There is peace in knowing that even when nothing make sense that God is still in control! My mom did not know how much I need to hear this truth that God had shown her. A few weeks ago we learned that my Pepe has cancer. For the last few weeks I have been at a lost as how to accept that my family will have to walk this path yet again. It will be hard, but God has plan. I am not called to understand every detail of His plan, I am called to trust and obey. Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-73369082753467962402019-02-08T18:57:00.001-08:002019-02-08T18:57:41.031-08:00Bigger plans "We are not giving you the promotion but I have bigger plans for you." That was the way the conversation started with my boss this afternoon. This is the second time I have tried for this and not made the mark. I am glad for the guy who got the position but at the same time I am have to figure out how to take it. <div>
This not the first time in the last few weeks were the idea of someone having bigger plans for me has crossed my mind. In church for the last few weeks pastor has been talking about trusting Gods plans and not ours. We all come to a point in our lives where we must choose between our will and Gods perfect plan. Some of the time God tells us " I am not giving you this thing you want that is a good thing. But I have something better planed for you, you just have to wait." How hard is the waiting!! Abraham was told this many times and sometimes he waited and other times he did not. The bible is full of stories where men and women of faith were forced to make the same choices. </div>
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There is a song by Casting Crowns that has been on my mind since that conversation earlier today and that is Dream for You. Here is part of it. </div>
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"So come on, let Me dream, let Me dream for you</div>
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I am strong when you're weak and I'll carry you</div>
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So let go of your plan, be caught by My hand</div>
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I'll show you what I can do</div>
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When I dream for you</div>
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When I dream for you."</div>
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When we allow God, the dream giver, to dream for us the dreams we get are so beyond what we could ever think or dare to ask. So take the disappointments of this life and give them to the plan maker for He is not done yet. </div>
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Here is link to a new song I heard the other day that also has been playing in the back of my mind <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1eMZiOJ0a0" target="_blank">Danny Gokey -Haven't seen it Yet</a>. This song is making its way to the top spot on my list. </div>
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Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-41528592233786684792018-12-17T12:08:00.001-08:002018-12-17T12:08:24.181-08:00Life RubricFor those who don`t know I recently started pursuing a Bachelors in Business Administration through Grand Canyon University online program. Today in "class" the instructor asked us what was our Life Rubric. That is to say what are the forces that drive our decision making and how do we know we are doing thing properly? I only intended to write a short answer to the question but 500 words later I was done. I hope you enjoy my long answer to a simple question.<br />
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What are the "life" rubrics I use? Each thing on
the rubric ties to a person in my life. I want to be dedicated like my
Grandpepe, He stayed married to the same woman for over 70 years. 40 years into
his marriage, when he retired, he learned that the wife he thought he knew was
a stranger to him. At some point in the first 40 years of marriage my Grandmeme
started to drink a lot, she still does, but because my Grandpepe was never home
during the day to see it he had no idea it was so bad. At one point my Grandpepe
told my Meme (grandmother) that he was thinking about divorcing my Grandmeme.
But he did not because he made a promise to her to stick with her till death do
them part. This is only one of the characteristics that made Grandpepe so special.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next item on my
rubric for life is I want to be generous like my Uncle John. Uncle John died
six years ago this past June. The thing about Uncle John was he would give you
the shirt off his back if you need it. When I was about six or seven years old
my mom decided to take me and my four sisters on a trip to visit her sister in
Kansas and my dad was not able to come. This trip happened only about a year
after 9/11, my youngest sister was only about one year old. Uncle John dropped
everything and took the trip with us. He helped my Mom get all of us to and
from the planes in the airport, at one point we got on the wrong plane. If not
for my Uncle the trip would have been a complete disaster. Everyone who knew
him said the same thing, He would go out of his way to help others. That is want
people to say of me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third item on the
rubric is I want to be loving like my Meme. Meme after having six kids decided
that she wanted to adopt. My Meme and Pepe (grandfather) adopted a total of six
kids. They took kids at no one else wanted, kids labeled special needs. Some
had previous adoptions be disrupted for some reason or another. Some of the
kid’s birth parents were in jail for drugs and stealing. One of my Uncles was
in 22 foster homes before he was seven years old. Meme loved them all, she
still does. She gave them childhoods that they never would have had elsewhere. Meme
would tell you that she is too loving, too trusting. But I think she has so
much love in her from her father, Grandpepe, that it can not but help to spill
over all over the place. I love you, Meme! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forth, I want to be
a woman of faith like Mom. My mom has had some tough hand dealt her. But she
never gave up on God or her family. When I feel discouraged, frustrated or
upset Mom is the person I turn to. I have watched her as she has dealt with
lack of finical resources so that she could stay home with us five. I have
watched her as she dealt with the loss of her brother, Uncle John, and her
grandfather, Grandpepe. I watched her support my father as he went through the
loss of his mother, father and brother Uncle Doug. Through it all she just grew
closer to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could go on and
on but I have already taken to much of your time. Sorry for being so long
winded and Thank you.<o:p></o:p></div>
Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-32640202730133102952018-11-21T16:10:00.001-08:002018-11-21T17:22:11.247-08:00Thanksgiving<p dir="ltr">     Thanksgiving the time of year were we stop and think about what we are thankful for. Family, friends, and food are usually at the top of the list. But have you ever been thankful for the testings? Have you ever truly thanked God for the trials in your life? <br>
     James 1:2-3 says "My brethren, count it all Joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience."  What does this look like? I mean in the middle off the trials I have read this verse and thought "How is this going to work patience?"  And "This! This is supposed to be for my good?"  <br>
    Recently I heard a new song by We Are Messengers called Maybe It's Okay.  The chorus goes       <br>
" Maybe it's ok if I'm not ok<br>
'Cause the One who holds the world is holding onto me<br>
Maybe it's all right if I'm not all right<br>
'Cause the One who holds the stars is holding my whole life"<br>
In a world today we are told "don't let anyone so you not at your best." "Fake it till you make it." But God tell us "Trust me." "Lean on me." " Let me carry you through." When we understand that God uses things we don't understand to grow us we can thank him for the trials. Most often we thank him for the blessings that follow the trial, but not during the trial. (Guilty as charged) <br>
This year at Thanksgiving I am thankful for<br>
1. The hard things I have gone through trying to find my way in the "real" world. It lead me to being able to help my sister.<br>
2. My car having to go to the shop. It means I get to spend time with Abby and Ava!<br>
3. Long, hard days at <u>work</u>. I have money in my pocket, well money to help spend on those I love. <br>
</p>
Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-87541477835886216482018-09-28T07:13:00.001-07:002018-09-28T07:13:50.940-07:00Identity<p dir="ltr">Identity, we all have one. Who we are and how we portray our selves. Upon first meeting me you see a young adult, early 20s, short and slightly round in figure. You see my dark hair and blue eyes and depending on the day a put together outfit. As you talk to me you learn things like my name, work place, college I graduated from, where I grew up and how big my family is.  The more we talk the more you learn about me. Maybe you learn that I love to bake, my favorite color is blue, that I love dogs more then cats, or any number of thing that make me who I am. One thing I hope it does not take you long to learn about me and my identity is that I am a Christian and that is where my identity starts and is rooted.<br>
     In church since the beginning of the year the sermons have more or less focused on identity and what a gospel centered identity looks and acts like. Through these messages I have begun to see how God is using events in my life to fill out details about me. Each change, for good or not, has been a chance to learn and be molded into the image of his son.  Each lesson has allowed me the opportunity to grow closer to God, the source of my identity. With each step closer I find a greater sense of peace in trials and a great sense of confidence in every day life. <br>
   Don't get me wrong there are mistakes that I wish I never made, things I wished happened differently, but I have found God faithful through it all. I can now look back on some of the hardest times in the last 22 (ish ) years and see that everything had a bit of good in it. <u>Romans</u> 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to <i>his</i> purpose." This verse is hard to swallow in the middle of the trial, but the promise is still there. Once we get far enough away that we can turn and look back and see God's hand, that is when we see the fulfillment of this promise. </p>
Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-69665712160840350452018-08-18T17:30:00.001-07:002018-08-18T17:30:36.866-07:00RipplesLast Sunday's theme in church was ripples. In Sunday school we talked about sin makes ripples but so does grace. When you sin, lie lie or lose your temper, it makes ripples and has effects you could never see. I forget who frist said this but hurt people hurt people. But just as sin and hurt ripple through us grace and love cause ripples in our lives. To see this we only have to look at the pay it coward movement. We all have moments that shape us, those ripples from others. Some we can trace others we can't.<br />
Let me give you an example. My salvation story starts before I was born. My salvation ripples from my moms salvation. My moms salvation ripples out from the influence of a person she met on her high school bus. A lady I may never met, but she influenced my life. This just goes to show how your actions can change the life of someone you may never met, for good or bad.Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-84148272220778970562018-02-15T18:30:00.000-08:002018-02-15T18:30:47.179-08:00Fear and Love Fear and love, Those ideas have been in the front of my mind the last few days. The more I thought about it the more I saw how they are connected. When we love there is no room for fear. 1 John 4:18 " There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." When we love someone we trust them, leaving no room for fear, but fear destroys trust and smothers love. In the movie Star Wars episode 1: The Phantom Menace Yoda says to young Anakin Skywalker, in the evaluation if he should train as a Jedi, “Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering.” This is a fact that we see every day. We fear those that are different, so we get angry. Then that anger grows and becomes hate. That hate festers and boils till it bubbles out of us and we hurt those we fear and sometimes those who are totally innocent. Which just breeds more fear, the the cycle counties. To stop the cycle we need love, perfect love. So what is "perfect love"? Perfect Love is everything 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says " Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." Perfect love is a sacrificial love, John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." From these two passages we see what perfect love is, I could go on all night, so I will close this post with this thought. The perfect example of this kind of love is found in Jesus Christ. He loved us so much at the cross, that 2000 years later fear still can't survive at the foot of the cross. Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-78425456121472108062018-02-02T06:37:00.000-08:002018-02-02T06:37:52.571-08:00brokenness Broken, defective, out of date and just plain wrong. Those are just a few of the reasons we give for not liking, returning and trowing out the material things in our lives. The sad thing is these are also the reasons we give for not loving, caring, and doing away with the people that come in to our lives. What a sad picture! This world is full of people hating others for being different, full of abortion of kids that might have a "defect", and full of humans being thrown to the side because we have deemed them to far broken.<br />
What if we could take the picture and flip it? Just like we can take the material things that get broken and fix them, might I say restore them. What if we had a place where the heart of the issues in this world could get fixed, restored? You laugh and say "There is no place that all of the things we call defects and brokenness in a person could be fixed." I tell you there is. Now it might not be a place one can physically see, but a place of the soul. That place is at the feet of Jesus. We are told that one day God will make a new heaven and a new earth with no suffering, no tears, and no pain. So we need to sit and wait for this future day when God make all things new? NO! We don't. We cannot change the everything right now, but what if we changed the way we look at life? What if we look at others as God looks at us? What would happen if instead of broken we saw the healing God could do? Instead of defective we saw God's strength? How this world would change! The bible tells many many stores of how God took the weak and even the broken to accomplish great things. So I pose rather then looking at the world like men that we should look at men with Gods eyes. Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-9347419304787016592018-01-07T12:05:00.001-08:002018-01-07T12:05:40.328-08:002018 looking forward It is that time of year every makes new years resolutions. For me, I never remember them past March. So this year I am going to use songs that I hear on the radio to help me remember my 2018 goals. Here we go!<br />
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1. I desire to become a better prayer warrior. </div>
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"You'll never stop me I'm a warrior</div>
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When I fall down I get stronger</div>
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Faith is my shield His love is the armor"</div>
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~Warrior by Hannah Kerr</div>
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2. Be true to who I am in Christ -no matter what. </div>
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"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down</div>
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I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out</div>
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I am brave, I am bruised</div>
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I am who I'm meant to be, this is me</div>
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Look out 'cause here I come</div>
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And I'm marching on to the beat I drum</div>
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I'm not scared to be seen</div>
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I make no apologies, this is me" </div>
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~ This is Me from The Greatest Showman</div>
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3. To praise God no matter what happens.</div>
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"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,</div>
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When sorrows like sea billows roll</div>
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Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say</div>
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It is well, it is well, with my soul"</div>
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~It is Well With My Soul by Horatio G. Spafford, </div>
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Above all everything make awesome memories with my family. That is probably the most important one of all! My prayer for you all (and myself) is that we would be sensitive to God`s will and leading in our lives. </div>
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Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-9019151852587745912017-12-20T08:19:00.001-08:002017-12-20T08:19:40.021-08:00Dear Uncle John<p dir="ltr">Dear Uncle John, <br>
It has been 5 years. I can say the pain of losing you ever really goes away, but there good time a bad. Lately there have been more of the good times, like this year when your great neice and my niece Ava was born. Man, would you love her! But sometimes the pain of losing you comes, washing over me like a huge wave. Yesterday was a mixed day. Yesterday I went to New York to meet up with a friend. From the time I was in the tunnels pulling into Grand Central station you were on my mind. It started with thinking about what you said about the size of rats in NYC!! As I walked around New York with my friend I remembered the time you took Abby and me to the city with Uncle Tom and Aunt Lisa. We had such a great time that day! You would be proud of me, I think, we only got lost once. But with my friend's and my track record with getting on the wrong bus it was bound to happen. When it came time to pick a place to find dinner, I wanted so to call you and ask you for help, Where to go and where not to go kind of stuff, but I couldn't. The other time I really wanted you there was after I left my friend, her bus stop was no where near Grand Central station, and walked back to the train station. I want you to make me feel safe, oh felt a level of safety but nothing like where you were with me. As I drove home from the train station in New Haven that night I decided when Ava gets a bit older (and any neices or nephews that come a long ) I am going to take them to New York like you did with me. My desire is to be an aunt like you were a n uncle. <br>
Merry Christmas,<br>
Nathalie</p>
Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-58478020365914923322017-10-22T18:17:00.000-07:002017-10-22T18:17:33.586-07:00worth Over the last two days I have struggled with self worth and my value as a person. I though I need to take care of some one or something to give me worth. I thought after an argument with someone I care about and struggling with when my scene of worth would come from I considered getting a pet bird, yup a cockatiel to be exact. But today in church we covered the story of Zaccheus. Now this man was hated by everyone around him. His own people saw him as a turn coat, he was a tax collector. In New Testament times Tax collectors lined their pockets by lieing about the taxes owed. To add insult to injury Zaccheus was short in stancher. We are told in Luke 19 that Zaccheus was the chief tax collector, in modern vernacular the worst of the worst. But Jesus Christ still went to Zaccheus` house to share a meal and grant salvation to the man in the eyes of all those around was worthless. When we live for money, fame or anything we turn to those things for our worth and fulfillment we never find it. But if we live for God, we turn to Him for our worth and fulfillment we find it. How can you not find worth in living for a man who died for you? If you are worth enough to die for how can you not value yourself? In this day and age the world tells us that we are to find worth in our job, wealth, family or a relationship. Those things are fleeting, temporary but if we find our worth in God and his sacrifice on the cross it last. Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-87827965343096691052017-07-24T14:14:00.001-07:002017-07-24T14:14:14.011-07:00Leah, from Jacob look to I will praise the Lord Today in church I heard a sermon on Leah, Jacob and their kids. Did you know that names are important? Especially in bible times. Think about it, God changed Abram to Abraham, from Father to Father of Many. Isaac means "he laughs" , Jacob means trickster and Esau means Hairy. When it came to naming of Leah's and Jacob's kids, Leah picked names the expressed her hearts desire. When she had her first boy she named him Ruben which means Look. In using that name Leah is saying Jacob, husband, look at the son I have given you! Talk about bad names. Leah named her second son Simeon which means Heard. Leah with this name she is saying The LORD heard me and now Jacob will love me. Leah named her third son Levi which means attached. Leah was saying "I have given Jacob three sons now he will be attached to me." But when we come to Leah's fourth son she named Judah meaning "I will praise the LORD". Leah went from focusing on Jacob to fill the need of love she had to finding it in the LORD. Leah is oft overlooked when the story of Jacob, no fault of hers. She was not considered beautiful in her culture; in fact her name means cow or weary. Leah lived her entire life in the shadow of her beautiful sister, Rachel, only to be forced into a marriage with a man that love Rachel! God did not compare Leah to Rachel, insted He compared Leah to His son and loved her! When Leah compared herself to her sister she was disappointed, but when she stopped fighting for Jacobs attention she found peace. How often do I do that? To this day I am constantly comparing myself to those around me, especially my sisters. I let myself be distracted and disappointed with how I am not like my sisters that I lose sight of what makes me special. The devil tries to convince me that I will never be as pretty as Hannah, happy as Abby, confident as Samantha and as determined as Rachel. These thought try to shove out the facts and truths God tells me. God tells me He loves me as I am, how He MADE me, that He has a plan for me and that He sees me in light of His son. So stop trying to be someone your not, remember who you are in Christ and that nothing can make Him stop loving you.Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-75535530396118504602017-07-07T18:22:00.001-07:002017-07-07T18:22:27.676-07:00Slow LearnerEver feel like you are a slow learner? I do. why must I be so slow to learn the lessons God has for me? Every time I feel like I have a grasp on trusting God with everything I get blindsided and slat I fail again. But God is always faithful and never leaves me flat on my face. He always picks me up again. He is so good. Today I had to get a credit card so that I can pay for my dog Pip to get a surgery done in a few weeks. As I dove away from the vets office this overwhelming fear of "what in the world am I going to do" brought me to the point of tears. As I drove back to my moms to drop off Pippy and apply for the plastic card of doom, the song Bulletproof by Citizen-way came on over my radio. Right at a point I was feeling less then "bulletproof". The chorus goes :<br />
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"I got my armor now</div>
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No fear no doubt gonna shoot me down</div>
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Now I’m bulletproof because of you You </div>
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Because of You</div>
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And now I’m bulletproof because of you You </div>
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Because of You</div>
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You conquered the grave</div>
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Your love Love made a way</div>
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Now I’m not afraid"</div>
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God used those words to lift me out of the valley of fear and sorrow. Then a bit later He was so good to use another song to help me understand the power of waiting. That song was Hard Love by Needtobreathe. </div>
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"You know the situation can't be right</div>
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And all you ever do is fight</div>
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But there's a reason that the road is long</div>
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It take some time to make your courage strong</div>
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Hold on tight a little longer</div>
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What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger</div>
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Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love</div>
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You can't change without a fallout</div>
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It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down</div>
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Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love "</div>
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When you get blindsided with fear, doubt and life in general remember that God is still in control, and that He still has a plan. (still working on that!) </div>
Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2947941748437712514.post-21904243454444102342017-05-31T07:40:00.001-07:002017-05-31T07:40:27.372-07:00Twists and turns<p dir="ltr">Moving... Again. For the 5th time since graduation two years ago my entire life is packed into boxes, bags and cars. I have moved west then back east. The a bit west now a bit more west, New Britain CT. With each new twist and turn my life has taken me God and my family have been there for me. And not just my biological family, but my faith family​ as well. From praying for me to being there to listen to my fears to being kind enough to drive and help with the heavy lifting.  Thank you. <br>
As I sat reading for the last time in the old apartment I watched the fog slowly disappear from the landscape before me. As it did I could see farther and farther into the distance. The thought came to mind that that is how God works sometimes. Slowly showing us just bits and pieces of His plan for our lives. But throughout all the twists and turns of life He is right there guiding us. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 121:3-4 "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Interesting fact about this passage, it is from the Songs of Ascents or Psalms of Degrees. That is to say that this is one of the Psalms that the Jewish people would sing as they went up to Jerusalem for the feasts and festivals. The road was hard and long for some. Jerusalem was set on a hill so the travellers had to climb up to the city. History lesson​ finished, back on track. Not to open the can of worms that is free will verseus predestination. I believe that God has a path for each one of us and went we truly search our the will of God he shows us that path. Now I do not always get it right, but went I do mess up God is kind and shows me where I went wrong and how to fix it. There have even been times in my life (one fairly recent) where I have seen Him keep me and not allowed my foot to be moved. And it is hard at the moment but looking back I am glad for it. <br>
So my prayer for you (and myself) is that we would be so close to God at we can easily follow where he leads us. <br>
Jeremiah 29:11-13</p>
Nat S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01398929225353590995noreply@blogger.com0