Moody Update

Hey!

Hello! Wow, life is has been some adventure already here @ Moody Bible in Chicago! I have been continually blown away by God's workings, and the life that I am in here. I love being challenged in so many areas, it is NOT always easy, but I'm continually being reminded to TRUST FULLY in my Savior!

When I think about how I've wanted to attend MBI since I was 11 and be involved in the inner city, specifically at Sunshine Gospel Ministries & study Bible and Urban Ministries -- and NOW at 20, I AM HERE -- IT AMAZES me! I am falling more in love with God, in ways that I never expected.

Academically, it's crazy! I've never had to do so much reading, and reading that is for a "grade" but it challenges the SOUL. (That is the HUGE part!) I am so thankful for the Professors/Dr.s and leaders here. I'm so thankful for the girls on my floor and everyone whom I've encountered. I have been blown away time and time again, with the life paths that people have traveled in getting to Moody as well. Our God is truly an amazing Father! Through thick and thin, He brings good out of everything for His children who seek and love Him.

So there is a little update, I know it's not really super specific on areas, but that's okay! :) I'm so blessed and thankful to be here. God has def. shown His blessing through true sacrifice and surrendering.

Delighting in the Lord,

Nat :)

Do not worry....but we still are, right?

1. vision w/o optimism
2. fear seems reasonable to us, even when irrational.
3. Fear is about:
-not getting what we want
-getting what we want and losing it
-getting what we don't want.
4. Fear reveals our values, loves, priorities, and longings.
5. Fear increases with more freedom
6. Fear turns into false prophets
7. Fear is not always sinful, but is always an opportunity. (either run to or away from God..that is OUR choice)


Hey Everyone! So, I was looking at sermon clips from Mark Driscoll, a couple seconds ago. I ran across "7 Truths about Fear". I thought of how appropriate this was, b/c I'm getting fears creeping up, as I leave tomorrow for Moody. (#5 was obvious and almost made me chuckle)

Fear and worrying is sin, essessively dealing w/ this is a pain. I step back and yell at myself almost, "GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT! HE KNOWS ALL, WHY THE HECK DO I WORRY AND FEAR THINGS?" Answer: I'm a sinner SAVED by grace, but still a sinner who struggles in life. Those words screaming in my heart and head bring comfort, yes, but it also reminds me of what the father in the Bible said (Mark 9:34) Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" And how I need to be in the Word...bathing in the Word consistanly, b/c God KNOWS and has HIS divine reasoning for His divine plan. IT IS NOT MY PLAN OR MY WILL, BUT HIS ALONE. THAT..is AWESOME!

After looking over this list of 7 fears, the words of my high school youth pastor came to mind. He has taught me/us oodles :) of lessons, but one that has stuck and God has really ingrained this in my heart, has been "PREACH TO YOURSELF" Preaching the TRUTH to myself, when I fall into these moments of wondering, questioning, worrying, and fearing. (All those negative "ing" things..)

Isaiah 55:8-9:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.


Joshua 1:9:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 119:105:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

So, I just thought I'd share these morning thoughts w/ you all today!

New Year 2011. Growth. Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

...HE who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I'm excited that 2011 is here, to be really honest. God has taught me a lot and I mean A LOT of lessons this past year, which I am grateful for. But, I'm ready for this new chapter in life. I leave for CHICAGO on Jan. 6th, and I'm ready, excited and nervous. I'm ready to see what comes my way, and what God does in this time of GROWTH. I have a feeling :) that the "word" that God will be really testing me in, more than ever before, will be GROWTH. Growth covers almost every area in my opinion. We'll never stop growing, a friend and I kinda discussed that some tonight. We will never stop growing and learning. THAT fact, is an amazing and exciting one for me. I like being pushed, even when it's hard, in as much as possible. It's hard much of the time, but, it's amazing the outcome! :)

Keep looking up, friends! God bless!

Love in Christ,

Natalie JOY <3

Christmas season is here

So, Friends-the CHRISTmas season is officially here. I think b/c I'm so focused on being prepared as well as I can for Moody, I'm still not in the "mood". haha...last night Lauren, myself and some girls from Calvary went to see AVALON. I loved that--deff. God focused and Christmas-y! haha!

I hope that your Christmas holiday is full of love, laughter, and the realization of how blessed we you are!

Merry Christmas!

Natalie Joy

*Snow and change*

Woah! It's been awhile since I've blogged! Wow.

Well, the snow is here! It makes me smile and frown at the same time..haha. But, it's here! As much as I feel "in" the holiday swing, I'm "out" of it too, in some sense. haha!

I am trying to remind myself the REASON why I love Christmas so much, and the reason why it's so important.

Along with Christmas, many decisions are here for me to make -- regarding the future. I'm very excited to be going to Moody Bible in Chicago! God has been doing a lot in my heart -- I will admit it hasn't been the most fruitful time for me with God...it's been so for a long time. I honestly feel like that man in the Bible who had to have his friends hold up his arms in battle, b/c he was so weary. But, through everything, GOD has proven Himself to be ever so faithful, and I am amazed every time He shows me this reality.

In regards to moving to Moody, I am reminded of so many people in the Bible and through out history who strived for God's Hand and His calling-God told them to "go"-and they went. They went even though there were many question marks and concerns, they left everything and went with nothing except their belief in God and the knowing HE will be faithful and lead.

I feel like that is where I am at. I listened to the calling and obeyed God in applying to Moody and doing something I didn't the last time I applied, and God blessed that by allowing me to be accepted. Now, I am going, with literally nothing after I pay what I have for school, going jobless down there, and relying on GOD fully to lead me through every detail. Yes, this is growing up, but it will be interesting. No parents, siblings, friends, or boy-friend going, just me holding onto God's hand and trusting He will show me what HE wants.

This reality has come to me in the past couple days. God is faithful, in our high & lows, pure & sinful times, laughter and sorrow--GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT!

What an amazing Creator I belong to!

God bless you all as you go through out your CHRISTmas season!

~Natalie Joy~

THE DAY I've been waiting for!!!!

I GOT ACCEPTED TO MOODY BIBLE! THE COLLEGE I'VE WANTED TO ATTEND SINCE I WAS 11 YEARS OLD! PRAISE THE LORD! :)

Monday::

So, latley God has really brought myelf and a few others through a LONG almost year dark "tunnel" if you will; and is now showing the LIGHT at the end! I'm really seeing the power of prayer, possibly the for first time in my personal prayer life! Committing to prayer and believing in the power of it-- is amazing and worth it.

Prayer is active and moving. I'm so guilty in the notion that it's just "there". Almost like a "have to" aspect of Christianity today. Think about it. HOW many people do you know, believers, who really demonstrate and show the exciting joy of prayer? Honestly, it's spoken of some, but I really know few people who really embody a vibrant prayer life. It's an interesting thought, and I hope that more and more believers will REALLY come to a dark tunnel or two, to see and be "slapped" in the spiritual face, with the REALITY of prayer!

Random:: but I was thinking this:: What would the world be like if everyone were true belivers? Yes sinners, but if ALL were Christ followers. Or to narrow it a tad, if everyone in America were a follower of Christ, what would the world and our nation look like?

Humm...!

Well, here is Monday.