Nothing to fear.

Did you hear the storm the other night? A loud crack of thunder woke me up at 5am and shocked me right out of my sleep. For a split second I didn't know where I was and what the sound was. Then just as I was going to bed last night I saw lightning and heard thunder cracking in the distance again. My little niece and her dog were having a sleepover and neither of them are terribly fond of storms. Anyway, as I was putting her to bed she was telling me over and over how she hates storms, to which I kept replying "there's nothing to be scared of, it's just storm, you're safe in here.." I guess sometimes when you're nine years old some things are easier said than believed. :)

The same goes with the storms in our lives. When we begin to see the lightning flash and hear the thunder crack, we start to freak out, imagining what is coming and how bad it's going to be. But isn't it wonderful that when the storm does set in, that we personally know the Master of the Storm? Standing with Him in the storm is the best place we can be. He holds us, carries us and encourages us. And before we know it, we realise He's brought us through it. :)

She is clothed with strength and dignity..
And she laughs without fear of the future.

 There is nothing to fear. 
He is the Master of the Storm, the calmer of fears, the wiper of tears, the friend in loneliness, the joy-bringer in sorrow... whatever you need He's already packaged it up and it's ready for you today.  

Happy Saturday and have a beautiful weekend. :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4.

Don't worry, He's faithful.

Isn't it crazy that even though we know God has come through for us a million times before, when something a little stressful or overwhelming comes up, we still freak out and worry! It's like, far out, when are we just gonna get this?!?!?! :):) Ok, so each year, we know Summer is coming. Right?

Each year, we know Christmas is coming (and that the fabulous Christmas tree will be standing in
Rockerfeller Plaza in New York City).

Each day, we know the sun is going to rise.

And each day, we know it's going to set.

We know the waves are going to keep rolling in. 

There will be no day when these waves stop and say to us, "Guys, sorry, I've had enough, so today I'm just going to have a break. Aaaaannnnnd stop." No! How crazy!

We know all these things are coming. We have no doubt and don't need to worry about them not coming. Just like our great God, they are all constant. So just like these things, let us apply that same faith to all the things we are believing for. Even though it feels like nothing is happening, it is working. So let us keep on knocking!

What are you waiting for? What are you needing help with? What are you finding overwhelming at the moment? What are you believing for again, even though you you've been waiting for a long time?

So don't worry. 

Whatever you need help with, whatever you need faith for.. 

He is faithful and He will do it.

Happy Wednesday friends :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 

Today is a freshie.

Yup! Today is bright, fresh, crisp and new! It's the start of a brand new week. The page is blank and the blackboard has been rubbed out. You are going to have a great week.

So, forget about yesterday...

Because guess what...?

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind 
and straining toward what is ahead,  
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which 
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Happy 'fresh start' Monday :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4

Today I am thankful for...

I actually wrote this blog at the beginning of the week, but I'm only just posting it now. And what a coincidence, it's Thanksgiving today! (In America..) Anyway... I'm reading a book at the moment that I have read before, but I felt to start reading it again. It's an incredible story of courage and boldness. It's called The Heavenly Man. It tells the remarkable tale of Brother Yun, a inspiring and beautiful man who endured the unthinkable - imprisoned and tortured for almost thirty years as he stood for his faith. Reading the story of this wonderful man has caused me, among other things, to look at my own life and recognise the many blessings I have right in front of me. The first being the incredible privilege I have to read the Word of God freely in this country, without persecution or danger.
I'm also thankful for sunshine. :) Aren't you soooo thankful you're free to walk outside and look at the sky whenever you want to? How incredible it is that we have the freedom to do this.

I'm thankful that where I live is safe.. and I am able to walk through the streets of my neighbourhood without fear. 

I'm thankful for grass! Now... this might sound like a silly thing to be thankful for, but if you have lived in Hong Kong like me, you will know that grass is a "highly sought after commodity"! So much so that the tiny, manicured patches of grass throughout the city are fenced off and guarded by secret service agents! (Well maybe not, but there are security guards protecting every piece of lawn and watching like hawks to see if anyone dares to walk on it!) Honestly, it's crazy! I was sitting at the top of IFC Mall, overlooking HK Harbour, and my feet were touching a tiny patch of grass..... within 30 seconds of me doing this I was approached by a security guard and asked to move off the grass!! Ha! So... now you can see why I am thankful for grass here in Australia.

I'm thankful that I live near the beach. It's just ten minutes from my house and I really love being able to jump in the car and be there so quickly. How good is a walk along the foreshore or to lay on a towel with a fabulous book?

So today, here is my challenge for us all...

So let me know what you see.. and what you are thankful for.

Happy Friday friends :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

It ain't over yet.

Whatever you need today, He is your strength.
And whatever you are facing that looks impossible, remember... it ain't over yet. :)

I'm praying for you today. :)

nat x

Image - 1, 2.

Joy in the waiting.

Do you like waiting? Maybe it depends on what and how long you have been waiting for? Are there times when you don't mind waiting? I think the part of waiting that can be hard is when we don't know how long we will actually be waiting for! As adults, when we're waiting for Christmas, we know how far away it is, (5 weeks and counting by the way hooray!) However, when kids ask us "when's Santa coming?!" we tell them how many days, and it really doesn't mean anything to them, as they don't understand the concept of time properly yet. And so they wait. And the Christmas tree is their reminder that what they are waiting for IS coming.

And then..... fiiiiiinally the day always arrives. It's Christmas Eve. All of a sudden they forget all the days and weeks of asking "when's it going to be time?" and all they know in that moment is the JOY of their dream coming true.

What are you waiting for? Whatever you are believing for, whether it's finances, family restoration, relationships, healing.. it IS coming. But in the meantime, you don't have to carry the burden of "the wait" yourself. There's someone else who wants to take that load for you. And then He'll give you joy in the waiting. :)

"He will keep you strong to the end... God will do this! For he is faithful to do what he says!" 
So until then look up.. and take the joy you need!

Be blessed in whatever you are doing today. :)

nat x

Images - 2, 3, 4, 

White as snow.

Have you ever been to the snow? In Australia it generally only snows in the mountains (although, in Melbourne you just never know.) Snow is fun. Snow is exciting. For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, snow is something different from the everyday. Unlike many other parts of the world, where snow boots and snow ploughs are essentials for every family, we're not used to living with snow every single day. Which is why snow is such a magical wonderland for many Australians. 

As kids, snow generates all sort of joyous emotions. 

Even falling over creates such overwhelming joy!

I remember when I was little, driving up the mountain to go skiing. Surrounding us was lush, green forest, and then all of a sudden one of us would begin to spot little, tiny patches of white on the side of the road. As we drove, the white patches got bigger and bigger, and the more excited we became. Within moments all we could see was a sea of magnificent white....

Snow is beautiful. It's pristine. It's clean. It's pure. And it covers up mess. 

Whatever was on the ground before a fresh fall of snow is completely hidden. 
Washed away.

I love the analogy of our sins becoming white as snow. All the yuk, all the hurt, all the pain, all the sadness, all the disappointment, all the things we've done wrong, is all over-ridden and forgiven!

Yes and how true this is. Our past is gone and our new, redeemed life is here!
Look at this little guy below, bright red tummy and surrounded by the prettiest branches I've ever seen.

So I pray you have a wonderful day today, knowing you are free 

and released to be all you have been called to be. 

Happy Thursday guys :) 

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

Hi friends :) I just wanted to share some Christmassy pics today. How I lovvvvveee is this image above!! Ah, the European Christmas. One day. :)

Isn't this table setting just divine. 

Crisp white, and candlelight against the green of a tree is just stunning.

Oooooh.. and look at this tree. This is so inspiring. I have put my tree up, which I am very excited about mind you.. (photos to come soon.) I know it's early, but hey, we only have Christmas once a year, so I figure, we might as well celebrate it for two months!

Excuse me. Dream Christmas house.

Perfect.

Clever decorating idea. And soooo easy.

Well we have 6 weeks to go until Christmas. Tell me, have you put up your tree yet? Or do you have any decorations around your home? If not yet, are you planning to decorate soon? 

Have a great day!

nat x

Image - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 

New mercies for you today.

How was your day yesterday? Was it a great one? Or maybe it was one you would rather forget. :-/ Anyway, regardless of how your day was yesterday, it's gone now and TODAY is HERE!

So what are you declaring today? What are you speaking over your life today? 
Your words are powerful. They stir faith and create space for the impossible to become possible.

Today is going to be an amazing day for you!

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4. 

Limitless and extravagant.

Is this too much?

What about this?

Or this?

Or how about this?

How much is too much? Some might say the things above are too extravagant.. unnecessary even. But if we are asking the Creator of the Universe, the One who breathed the stars into existence and filled the oceans with water, I think He might have a different perspective. :) I think we mayyyy need to shift our thinking a little, don't you think? When it comes to our God.. He is always over the top.

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at 

work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, 

far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond 

our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].

God's not limited. He knows the desires inside your heart right now, and it's HIS desire to see you blessed beyond measure. His timing is perfect, and as we trust Him with the deepest treasures of hearts, we will find that His plan is actually SO much more extravagant than anything we could have planned for ourselves. :) My church, Planetshakers, has just released a brand new music clip, called Limitless. It's incredible and will really inspire you so CLICK HERE  and check it out.

I pray it blesses you and stirs you to believe God for the impossible! 

Enjoy and happy weekend. :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.