There's something about the water that allows me to box up all my cares and give them to God. When life gets heavy and I need to let go, I go to the water. Salt water or fresh water, it really doesn't matter. But looking out over the water brings peace to my soul.
Kayaking has been a special pastime for me for a few years now. However, because of a frozen shoulder, I wasn't able to paddle for the past couple years. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend some time at the lake kayaking and it felt good. Getting out on the water, feeling the breeze in my face and the hot sun beating down was restorative.
As I paddled away from the shore, my heart turned to the Lord in prayer for many cares and pains that were on my heart. It felt like freedom to pass those things to Him. We had such a sweet time of fellowship!
Sometimes, life just sucks. There are so many negative things. There are unfathomable hurts and pains that seem to crush us beneath their heavy load. I was talking to the Lord about them, when He gracefully interrupted me and asked me to be still.
I surrendered to His call and allowed His beauty and peace to soak in my soul. I paddled up the lake and it was smooth and I seemed to speed right along. After a short time, I stopped and just soaked it in. I relaxed my paddle and listened to the water lapping on the kayak. The birds chirping on the shore. The noises of people in their yards at the lake. The wind blowing through the trees.
All this helped me focus on the God of the universe who created all of it. Who knows all that is going on in our world, and all that is going on in mine. The thing that continues to amaze me is that He cares about all of it. I simply rested in His goodness and mercy. After some time of rest, I began to paddle back.
I was in a place in the lake where you have to work hard to get moving. The wind was blowing against me and the current in the lake was pushing against me. In that moment the Lord nudged my soul. "When you are in sync with Me, listening to Me and following My way, willing to surrender everything to me - you will cruise along. But when you forget Me or ignore me and try to do it all alone, You will struggle and fight."
"Be still and know that I am God," Psalm 46:10 continues to roll through my mind and soul. Do you have a place where God speaks to your heart? Are you tuned in to God when the world around you is crazy and everything seems to be falling apart? Are you willing to surrender everything and follow Him?
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Ordination Memories
Time sure slips by. This is my 100th blog post! Now that would be something if they hadn't been spread out over such a number of years...but hey. Life happens.
"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Never did I ever imagine that God would call me to ordained ministry and that I would accomplish that goal, but last year, on July 12 I did!
I was one who was late coming to faith. I was thirty-two and a stay-at-home homeschooling mom of three girls when Jesus reached way down and plucked me out of the muck and mire and welcomed me to His family, forgiving me and restoring me to wholeness.
As I grew in my faith, I devoured the Bible and many Christian books to learn and grow in my faith. I had a lot of ground to cover. Time was flying by and I was already behind.
As I grew in my faith I began teaching, leading worship and Bible studies. As I did, I was growing and passionate about Jesus and He called me to write what would become my first published work to help people grow in their faith.
As time went on, I continued writing, then He called me into ministry. This call took some time to process and accept. Long story short, I finally surrendered to His call in January 2012. With encouragement, I decided that whatever it would take, I would follow the call.
The road has been rough, with many pitfalls, setbacks, and discouragements. Yet, there were people along the way who encouraged me and prayed me through. July 12, 2019 will be an Ebenezer Stone in my life and ministry. Without the Lord, I certainly wouldn't be here.
I look forward to sharing the love of Jesus each and every day to whomever I can. May the Holy Spirit direct me and give me strength to follow His call as I praise God and live in the fullness He provides daily.
Following are some pics from Ordination Day.
During the one-on-one words from our DS Rev. Peter Moore to each ordinand, he used the word persevere to describe my journey. What a timely and perfect word I will treasure as I reflect and remember!!
"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Never did I ever imagine that God would call me to ordained ministry and that I would accomplish that goal, but last year, on July 12 I did!
I was one who was late coming to faith. I was thirty-two and a stay-at-home homeschooling mom of three girls when Jesus reached way down and plucked me out of the muck and mire and welcomed me to His family, forgiving me and restoring me to wholeness.
As I grew in my faith, I devoured the Bible and many Christian books to learn and grow in my faith. I had a lot of ground to cover. Time was flying by and I was already behind.
As I grew in my faith I began teaching, leading worship and Bible studies. As I did, I was growing and passionate about Jesus and He called me to write what would become my first published work to help people grow in their faith.
As time went on, I continued writing, then He called me into ministry. This call took some time to process and accept. Long story short, I finally surrendered to His call in January 2012. With encouragement, I decided that whatever it would take, I would follow the call.
The road has been rough, with many pitfalls, setbacks, and discouragements. Yet, there were people along the way who encouraged me and prayed me through. July 12, 2019 will be an Ebenezer Stone in my life and ministry. Without the Lord, I certainly wouldn't be here.
I look forward to sharing the love of Jesus each and every day to whomever I can. May the Holy Spirit direct me and give me strength to follow His call as I praise God and live in the fullness He provides daily.
Following are some pics from Ordination Day.
Rollie and I before the Ordination Service. I was ordained with 7 others that day!
Ordination Service was surreal. Something I wasn't convinced would ever happen.
During the one-on-one words from our DS Rev. Peter Moore to each ordinand, he used the word persevere to describe my journey. What a timely and perfect word I will treasure as I reflect and remember!!
Photo from the receiving line after Ordination.
Honoured to be Ordained in the year Rev. Arnold Stairs was recognized for 70 years of Ordained ministry in The Wesleyan Church. What a joy to hear all about his ministry and witness his humility and heart for people. Being 47 when I was ordained means I won't likely see 70 years of service!!!
Thursday, June 4, 2020
What's New?
Wow! It has been a very long time since I've been blogging. So much has happened and I've been extremely busy, but I've decided to return to share some things with you. Some things I've learned, some things I've experienced, some wonderful things God is doing in my life. But, luckily for you, I will not share them all at once. 😊
One blessing that has stayed with me is the power of God and His transforming power in my life.
Since I last wrote, our middle and youngest daughter have graduated homeschool high school and our oldest graduated University. All three of our girls are now women. During that time, I completed my studies, my internship, two years of ministry training, and ordination happened! How did we get here? I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the last years without His peace and presence.
I've ventured out of my comfort zone on many occasions and have embraced the call God has placed on my heart: prayerfully I will tell you, sometimes kicking and screaming a bit (total transparency). No matter what has happened nor the hurdles I've faced, I have never been alone. Through it all there has been One who stays so near. The presence and power of Jesus has been with me all the way.
Have I always felt His presence? No. But even in those quiet and seemingly dark times, there has always been a sliver of light. Yet, I have only found it when I have intentionally looked up.
There were days I didn't think I could look up, yet His words that I have hidden in my heart (Psalm 119:11) remind me that He is near. His promises to me, keep my heart focused on Him even when everything seems too difficult because He promises never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
How are you doing? Are you questioning Him in a dark and lonely space? Are you soaring on the heights because of all the blessings He is pouring out? Wherever you are, whatever state you find yourself in right now - praise the Lord.
"Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus," (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT).
Be blessed, Natalie
One blessing that has stayed with me is the power of God and His transforming power in my life.
Since I last wrote, our middle and youngest daughter have graduated homeschool high school and our oldest graduated University. All three of our girls are now women. During that time, I completed my studies, my internship, two years of ministry training, and ordination happened! How did we get here? I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the last years without His peace and presence.
I've ventured out of my comfort zone on many occasions and have embraced the call God has placed on my heart: prayerfully I will tell you, sometimes kicking and screaming a bit (total transparency). No matter what has happened nor the hurdles I've faced, I have never been alone. Through it all there has been One who stays so near. The presence and power of Jesus has been with me all the way.
Have I always felt His presence? No. But even in those quiet and seemingly dark times, there has always been a sliver of light. Yet, I have only found it when I have intentionally looked up.
There were days I didn't think I could look up, yet His words that I have hidden in my heart (Psalm 119:11) remind me that He is near. His promises to me, keep my heart focused on Him even when everything seems too difficult because He promises never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
How are you doing? Are you questioning Him in a dark and lonely space? Are you soaring on the heights because of all the blessings He is pouring out? Wherever you are, whatever state you find yourself in right now - praise the Lord.
"Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus," (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT).
Be blessed, Natalie
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