"But now I am found..."

By Jade Brolly

Praying it is an encouragement to anyone who has that person in their life who seems so far from God, disinterested or even hostile at the mention of Jesus...I wanted to share the story of how I encountered Jesus.  

I grew up in Australia, and was raised in a Christian home with two siblings. I was always taken to church and remember loving Jesus from a young age.  I knew He was my friend, He loved me and it was joy to sing to Him and sing about Him. But by the time I was 10 or 11, I didn't know that anymore. 

A series of painful things at home and sudden changes, one being my parents divorce, left me in a place where I didn't know God was near anymore. I believed He existed but I didn't believe in His love. That pain, anger, disappointment, and fear created in me a real resistance to God over the years and Christians especially. 

I was definitely a moody opinionated teenager and when asked I often said I was an atheist. It felt easier and safer to rely on myself than turn to a God I didn't know anymore and was sure wouldn't want me. At 14, we moved to Northern Ireland as my mum recovered from cancer. She was recovering but needed the extra family support here. From that point our dad cared for and raised us. It was safe, stable and for the first time there was no expectation for me to have a faith or attend church. I embraced that freedom and didn't give it much thought again until university.

I would say that my world was really small because I was at the centre of it. I relied on and trusted myself above anything else. Then I got sick, didn't get onto the course I had my heart set on, and was struggling with a relationship that wasn't healthy or positive at all. I started another course and kept up my public persona of someone who has it together, is always smiling and partied a lot. But there were more than cracks in it, the things I propped myself up on were crumbling and I wasn't coping. I tried 'fixing' things about myself on the outside, hoping things would get better but nothing worked and I read so much self help stuff!!

Spiritually I was very open and didn't have any problem believing in the supernatural so I began searching for answers in that, but had already ruled out Christianity. I studied the New Age and Buddhism personally and for university. In a way, it suited my default of self-sufficiency because those practices are about achieving enlightenment through self-perfection, or actualisation or whatever jargon. During this time I kept encountering Christians. On my first day of university, people were handing out Gideon bibles. I kept it even though I wanted nothing to do with all that. On nights out I remember leaving the club and people were handing out sweets to us at 2am. I knew they were Christians and seeing that unsettled me so much, in a good way, that I had to go and ask them why they were here. The answer I got was something like, 'we want people to know we care'. Then in the New Age teachings, Jesus was mentioned over and over, albeit as being a good spiritual teacher not as God. 

Finally, I felt compelled to look up the scriptures being quoted and had that Gideon Bible. The Holy Spirit changed my life as I started reading those.  He came and made it alive, and real and recognisable to me as a living supernatural Word about a living supernatural God who speaks and moves today for everyone. For me. And that He is near and involved in our lives, not doling out orders from heaven, keeping himself apart from us. 

I had met a woman, Judy, on the same course. At first I didn't know she was a Christian. I just knew something was different about her and it drew people. And I just wanted to be around her. And as I began exploring scripture and talking about it she encouraged me so much. For the first time, through her, I was seeing what a life of faith and risk looked like up close. For me, it confirmed that what is in scripture is for now. Then, before even giving my life to God, He began giving me dreams that I knew were from Him. 

I spent about 6 months journeying this, attending church with another friend, looking for God to speak and it got to the point I knew I had to give my life, speak it out loud and declare I am his. I didn't know how to do that but that Gideon Bible came in handy again because the prayer was in the back of the book. And that was another start. It is amazing to me because God knew how to speak to me, how to get around my defences but oh so gently do that. The Christians I met along the way couldn't know how their actions were used to stir me and Judy couldn't have known we would meet or the impact that would have on my life. But God did.  He is so faithful, so concerned about the details of our lives and the depths of our hearts.

I'd like to leave you with one of the earliest dreams I felt was from God for me. I didn't know it was a reflection of a scripture until I had shared it with Judy and she pointed me to 1Peter 2:5.  I was looking at a building, like a smaller scale pyramid.  But I could see each individual stone. They were translucent, each differently coloured and shimmering with life. But each stone had a crack in it. I knew each had this, a fatal flaw that made it unsuitable to build with conventional logic. Yet each WAS used, was so so beautiful and the structure was holding. It was unified and just fit perfectly, majestically. And as I looked I realised that the stones were people, living breathing, uniquely individual people. Being built into something amazing and made more than able by God.

"you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ."

Wide Open Spaces

 By Danielle McElhinney

I have written for the Real Women Blog before. I can’t believe that was almost 2 years ago! You can find it on 2^nd March 2014  with the title: “Living in a Box.”

In the last blog I described my experience of lacking confidence and feeling small and boxed in. I had allowed disappointment and insecurity to build walls around me, hemming me in.

I remember at the time of the last blog that I felt I was on the precipice of something new. God was reviving old dreams and was speaking fresh hope into me. Although my life looked the same on the outside, I knew that something was awakening inside me; I could sense a new wind blowing. I shared the following scripture

Isaiah 54:2-3 NIV“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left...”

And I gave the warning call “Girls, watch out because I’m stretching out!”

This blog is a catch up on what has happened since then and where I stand today.

In March 2014 I was a stay at home mum. I had had a few part time, temporary or casual jobs but really hadn’t been back in the workplace for 9 years. Well, 2014 was the year to change that. I had been volunteering with Melanie Gibson at the Foodbank for about a year, when a part time finance job was advertised in the church office at CCV. Melanie (my cheerleader) convinced me that I should apply for the job. I was terrified! As I left the interview I was convinced I had just made a fool of myself and that I could never show my face again. However, to my amazement I got the job! Miraculously, Donna Finney, my boss, saw potential in me and gave me an opportunity that I am still so thankful for. My job has been one of the catalysts for the most wonderful changes in my life.

Practically, being back at work has given me a structure and purpose that I was lacking and really needed. Truthfully, I think I had been a stay at home mum for too long and it had made me bored and lethargic. Mentally, work has stretched me till my head hurts. Nevertheless, I have loved learning new things and have been pleased with myself to set and achieve new goals. Whoever says working for a church is an easy ride needs to spend a day at CCV office, we work hard!

In all of this I have grown in confidence. I think I am becoming more and more “the Danielle” I was created to be. Just the other day, one of my colleagues gave me the greatest compliment by saying that I was doing a good job and that they could see so much growth in me. This confirmed so much of what I was sensing in my spirit but wondered was I imagining it.

Probably the biggest influence for change in my last year has been having the opportunity to join the Encounter School of Mission. We are a group of students who are hungry to learn more about God and to see more of His power in action through us. My faith life has been rocked at the core by this experience. I have received teaching which has radically changed how I see myself. There is no more room for self-doubt and insecurity. I am completely convinced that I am loved by God, that He is pleased with me and that the dreams in the depths of my heart over the last 20 years are from Him and are going to come to pass.

This fundamental identity shift has given me the confidence to lay down my fear of what others think of me so that I can step out in risk. I have talked to people about Jesus in Coleraine town; I have prayed for friends and family who are sick or worried; I have even had the privilege of leading others to a personal relationship with Jesus. None of this would have even been on my radar a few years ago!

So when I consider Isaiah 54, which speaks of “enlarging… stretching… and spreading out to the right and to the left” I can’t help but smile. Even if no one else sees it, I know that that’s exactly what has been happening in me over the last 2 years.

 

The thing about stretching is that it isn’t always comfortable. I haven’t always enjoyed the enlarging process. There have been moments when I have felt that I can’t stretch any more. Yet, somehow, God in His generosity has always given me more capacity and continues to do so.

Let me remind you of another scripture that I shared in my first blog.

Romans 5:1-2 (The Message)“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

When I wrote my first blog I was in the first flush of freedom. I had grasped a hold of a hope that freedom could be mine, that God was opening a door to me and that I could stand in a wide open space. Now I am a testimony that the invitation to freedom is not just a possibility but a reality. I may not have fulfilled all my dreams or become all that I hope to be but I am on my way. I find myself standing in a place that feels spacious with room to spread out into.

I now find that I have a voice and I know that I actually have something of worth to give to this world.

And it’s all thanks to God.

I may, at times, have thought that I was making the effort, or that I was opening doors, but the truth is, that it was and is all His grace. He has been so good to me, so kind to me, so patient with me and I am forever thankful.

I am also full of hope for more. I can confidently say that 2016 is going to be a wonderful year! I am sure that God has more uncomfortable stretching in store for me but also some more wide open spaces for me to explore.

My prayer for every person reading this is that they would throw open the doors of their hearts and lives to God so that He may throw open His door to you and that you may experience the freedom and fullness that comes from standing out in the wide open spaces that He has prepared for you.

"I Have A Dream... "

By Jenny Harte

You will recognise the above title from Martin Luther King’s incredible speech, but for me it’s a new, constant recurring revelation that goes something like this...

I have a dream.

I have a dream.

I actually have a dream!

It might be odd that this is such a big deal to me, but since I was a teenager I grew up listening to the stories of ordinary, everyday followers of Jesus doing extraordinary, brave, inspiring things: creating movements, reaching out and loving the broken, feeding the poor, fathering the orphans, tackling great injustices, and seeing the sick healed.

All of these stories were birthed out of dreams.

These stories drew out a hunger in me - I wanted a dream. I wanted to do it all! I wanted to change and save the world. (Still do.)

One of my favourite verses at this time in my life was Jeremiah 29:11, it gave me much hope and got me so excited that God has a plan for my life, too - I wanted it then and there:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

But then for years I was frustrated that I still hadn't woken up with a special God dream in the middle of the night, with Him speaking an entire plan of what He wanted to do with and through me. 

Even last year I was going through everyday life learning at university, serving at church and still trying to work out what I wanted to do with my life.

What I didn’t realise was that to do these things - to have a real ‘God dream’ - you had to grow deep roots in relationship with Him. And out of that you learn to not just know, but to own your identity in Him. Before you can do the work He has for you - you first have to let Him work within you. 

It took me until I turned 21 to let Him in to work through the areas that needed a little fixing with me, things that would have held me back from chasing the dream I now have in my heart. It just wouldn't have happened.

Only a year ago I was too timid to ask people if they would like to grab a coffee with me, because I'd like to be friends... Now I think they'd pay you to get me to stop talking every once in a while! Once you let Him in, things change for the best.

It also took me until now to realise that the boring, everyday life stuff (university, serving and just staying the course with Him no matter what) were all necessary to grow me, my heart and my dream, realising I can worship and serve him even in what felt like the most boring, insignificant of gestures, too.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3

My dream grew out of my heart for the hurting, my hate for injustice, my education that's fuelling my passion for design and creativity, and my newly found voice to speak up for those who can't. Over time, it revealed itself out of a combination of my everyday life and the things that set my soul on fire. The small choices, the subtle moments that slip by without a second thought, but step by step aligning my world with Kingdom reality. The progress is found in the process.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Get close to the Father and He will give you dreams, knowing Him is the most exciting and fulfilling adventure you will ever go on.

December Thankfulness

By Emily Lynas

I love December.  It’s a month full of excitement and anticipation. It reminds me of the precious things in my life and the faithfulness of Gods word.

A few days ago on an ordinary December evening I was doing laundry. There were three baskets sitting in front of me, and I was feeling a bit tired and fed up from a day of seemingly domestic duties! One basket was full to the brim with dirty tea towels and cloths from our cafe, one with myself and Dave’s clothes and one with the sweetest baby boy’s vests and baby-grows covered in sick and poo (excuse the vulgarity!) I stood looking at them tired and slightly fed up of feeling like I spent most of my time doing laundry these days...

Then He spoke.

...with abundant love and gentle rebuke.

The three baskets represented three beautiful dreams in my life.

The basket full of dirty tea towels and cloths were from a dream realized nearly two years ago now but one that had been stored up as a treasure in our hearts for years and years. Running your own business is hard work and incredibly fulfilling and I quickly saw that the drudgery of washing tea towels every week as an absolute pleasure and honor.

Thank you Lord.

The second basket was a mix of our clothes. It represented my marriage of 11 years! Marriage is an incredible adventure but also difficult at times. I am thankful for the hard times, moments in your marriage when you see what you are both made of, how strong and resilient you are. Anything that’s worth much in this life can be tough. The reward of the mountaintop after a long hike, the respect and love of your children after careful and challenging parenting. I prayed for a husband who would love me and especially make me laugh. We have weathered many a storm with God at the centre of it and come through them to sail beautiful calm seas. God reminded me simply to be thankful that I had Dave’s laundry to do!

Thank you Lord.

The third basket was full of Finn’s clothes, our new baby boy born to us nearly 51/2 months ago. Our little long awaited miracle who has been prayed for and wept over for many years.

Motherhood, some days it doesn’t seem real.

Motherhood, some days it feels tiring and mundane.

Motherhood, most days it feels mystical, joyous and calm.

I love the verse in Luke 2:19 where it talks about Mary’s quiet “treasuring”- her storing-up of moments of love mystery, wonder and tenderness.

            ‘But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart’

Becoming a mother has taught me so much about myself, my capacity to love, my surprising selfishness at times and my utter delight in the smallest parts of my day, a smile, a giggle or a cuddle on the sofa on a stormy afternoon.

Or... doing laundry for my son.

Thank you Lord.

Life is full of ordinary everyday tasks, but always know that your Father will reveal the wonder of His faithfulness through them.

This Tuesday the 22nd of December I get to celebrate my birthday as a mum for the very first time. I imagined this moment many times over the years. I will have a seemingly ordinary tea party in a rather hip cafe, with friends and a wonderful husband and dad to Finn by my side.

Thank you Lord.

No Need To Fear

By Sylvia Burnside

No need to fear, when times of trouble come.  Oppression's storm beats at your door - No need to fear.    No need to fear though evil seems so strong, their pride and their power is not for long.  

Graham Kendrick

Looking and seeing the almost continuous chain of sad news which fills our headlines, you could indeed be forgiven, for fearing the days ahead and sensing the heaviness of humanity.  So many of us can further identify with personal set backs, work related upheavals, family difficulties and health uncertainty that brings our lives to a stand still; a curious and often times mysterious place where the prevailing thought becomes..."where can I place my confidence?"

I so desire to have confidence -  It's that unspoken hope that rises up like a little fountain in your belly and a warmth that lingers like a hot water bottle placed over your heart ...AND I chase it with passion.   

From the day and hour I was born, I sought this warmth; a comfort, a refuge and that all encompassing confident feeling that all is safe and well.   As a child I accepted this assurance initially from my mother, then my father and as I grew I learned to accept assurances from wider family circles, then friends and then society.   

As a Christian, I was taught from the earliest age, that confidence is found in Christ and in all honesty, I accepted (in my child like manner) that this 'important' point was completely true - I just didn't quite understand it.

Be still my soul and trust in God and place your life into His hands, for He will never fail you and in the morning you'll see His face.    Graham Kendrick

Looking back at those early days and through the window of a loving family, I can just about recall sensing the gaps in society's confidence.   These gaps were not just confined to school and friends, but existed within our church community too.    I'd see people falling over themselves in genuine (and less genuine) attempts to 'climb' an unseen ladder of success that inevitably put them under pressure.   I'd see struggles, joys, fears, surprises and conflicts and hear many noises from bliss to agitation; all of which, for a child, was quite ....well interesting.  

Today as I write, I giggle while remembering the thought - I never could quite see 'the ladder', or particularly understand the confusion, but I knew it existed because adults talked about these things regularly.  

Jump 30 (or more) years ahead to another age and season when I'm..a good bit older (goodness) and we in our family believed that we just might lose everything.   Stability toppled and with no rhyme or reason we watched like spectators as whole shelves of our lives seem to dismantle and crash into a confusing scene.  Suddenly old memories make sense...suddenly struggle comes into perspective...yes, suddenly and without warning.

In our uncertain lives, there cooks a crock pot of stewed life experiences, vivid creative ideas with daft notions, blessed surprises with unfulfilled hopes, mysteries with discoveries, night with day, all seasoned with theological salt and social pepper and served with a large slice of crusty, well baked mindfulness.

I ask myself the question - How can I feel anything but fear!? Where is my childlike confidence that I used to have? 

No need to fear the envy and the scorn of those who boast in what they own.  For what remains, when life's brief day is done, their glories are a setting sun. Graham Kendrick

Jesus says...

"come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11.28-29 NLT

The Message translation would put it this way...

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Presently, I sit and wonder about the striving within my own heart amidst the many external life experiences.   I look, not so much with sorrow, but more, with a sense of 'lack' that I know is not a feeling my 'abundant' Father has designed for me.   

Let me explain... My life isn't all bad, nor has it been unfulfilling. There have been difficult trials for sure, but there have also been many incredible times of blessing and celebration. Life's experiences are everywhere and I'm learning that they, on their own, can't bring confidence, that they, on their own, can't bring inner rest and perhaps more fascinating...they on their own don't endure. It is instead WHO is with us as we journey through life's experiences that creates in us what IS lasting, what IS eternal and what DOES endure. 

But as for me, of this I'm sure, God will redeem my soul from death. Graham Kendrick

Right in the middle of all life experiences, right at the point when you'd think "is this it?" ...is a wonderful realisation...more than that....a life giving friend...

He is to me, a quiet peaceful and calm gentleman and I'm indebted to Him for His love, His warmth, His compassion, His ever strong reassuring arms.   When life has hurled surprises, His Spirit has held me tightly.  When the days seemed confusing and mixed up, He has assured me with companions and a confident peace.  When I am happy, He and His company have laughed with me.   When I do well, He smiles broadly.   When I don't do so well, He sympathises, reassures and helps me stand up and try again.   He is JESUS, He is SPECIAL and He has said that I am SPECIAL, ACCEPTED, FORGIVEN, LOVED, TREASURED ABOVE ALL, PLANNED, ADORED, ADOPTED, ASSURED and ETERNALLY DESTINED FOR MORE. 

And do you know what else - He has FRIENDS!  My husband, my family, my friends and the many others who reach out with His grace, His love, His warmth and His compassion so that whatever life throws, I will never need journey alone or without community.   

HE is CREATOR, He is PROVIDER and He is WONDERFUL and HE is my CONFIDENCE!

And He will never forsake you and in the morning You'll see His face. No need to fear - Don't fear!  Graham Kendrick

May Jesus BLESS and enrich your days.  

Ps..No Need To Fear by Graham Kendrick; my most requested song in 20 years of singing http://youtu.be/Zes1rpuCvxA

'Stuck in a Moment'

  by Karise Hutchinson

Transition.  A word cited often, but vague in interpretation.  For the scholars among you, I know it is not the Oxford Dictionary definition, but it has been my experience when listening to others.  It wasn’t until I journeyed a profound stage of transition that I encountered the reality of this mystery.   So, I write this still stuck in the moment (…. and I can’t get out of it as Bono from U2 sings), 12 months on between point A and point B in my story.  It is a prolonged moment (please note present tense!) where I have been stuck at the very edge of my comfort zone ready to move on to point B even though the exact coordinates and timing remains unclear.  Here is my unfinished story of the space in between, discomfort in the process, and the joy found in rediscovering my inheritance. 

I tell my students “you cannot be learning if you are feeling comfortable”.  Well, eating my own words, I can tell you two things I am learning in my discomfort …..

First, transition is marked by vulnerability.  The real beauty of vulnerability in this moment is not found in clarity (btw did you know God is not in the business of clarity?)  But, realizing that God knows and that is enough.  His plan is always only to reveal it as we become ready to embrace it. 

Second, the time is undefined.  When I talk to others who have walked through a time of transition there is no pattern. For some it may last only a few days, but for others a few years.  We never know how long we will be stuck, but the time is less important.  What we choose to do and believe in this moment is more significant.

In undertaking this new learning, I have discovered it is not a time to waste in waiting.  But rather it is a lifetime opportunity to rediscover joy in the moment.  Here is what I found works best:

 1.     Remind yourself how God has taken care of you this far in your journey.  If you keep a journal (and if you don’t, I would encourage you to start), take time to read and remember.

2.     Make a list of God’s promises and keep them close and visible. God’s promises are like a thread, holding us and keeping us from fraying at the edge.

3.    Forge a deep reliance on your Heavenly Father with daily check in and check out.  This in turn will strengthen your relationship with God and ensure you develop an innate resilience for the next chapter in the story.

4.     Remain authentic to what God has uniquely created you to do and be.  It can be confusing, as many will tell you to do this and that, but I urge you to stay true to God’s course for your life.
 

So transition doesn’t have to feel like being stuck in the moment. It is a time to reposition with deeper engagement and stronger faith.

My final thought is this; anxiety is imagining a future without God.  Trust the author of your story; He knows the beginning from the end.  God will weave the narrative of your story in such a way that allows the challenge of waiting to deepen the meaning of your purpose.  My story may be unfinished for now, as may yours, but the promise of inheritance when we become unstuck is this: “instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, 
and instead of disgrace, you will rejoice in your inheritance.  You will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours” (Isaiah 61:7).

My being “Brave”

The stories keep coming in...

Here is another story from our Illuminate Women's Conference 2014: 

Be Brave which has become a fitting and inspiring addition to our Real Women Blog. 

I am not sure what I expected at my first woman’s conference – would it be too academic or theological for my understanding or enjoyment? Would it be just another “church service?” Going by myself did not help with the anxiety levels either but I need not have worried as the warmth of the welcome , passion for Christ and ‘womanly’ heartfelt joy of the room as I entered the building was overwhelming. I came, I worshipped, prayed, listened, acknowledged and processed the teaching and ministry much more than I anticipated and was prepared for and this refuelled my desire to seek and serve the Lord. Coming away from the conference I downloaded the theme song -“ You make me brave..” wanting to keep a lasting memory of those words and inspiration the words offered me un be known to me how often I would use the heavenly words in the month’ s to come.

My story isn’t as exciting perhaps as some. I am a wife, mum to four children – three 10yr olds and a 7 yr old (yes it is triplets – that is a completely different story!) I worked part time as a nurse in a handy wee nice number according me my family – things were routine and stable and then I visited Vineyard last summer!!!

Our first visit Tre Sheppard spoke about depression and I was moved to tears, physically streaming down my face overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and the Lords message in that first visit. Over the following weeks Alan preached on using talents /skills to heal our communities and I felt the Lord speak to me, that he had a job for me, he was calling me out of my little comfort zone that I had so readily built for myself – I felt totally unprepared ! Family and children are my passion, have been my word and so inspired and full of God’s love I applied to train as a health visitor. I was shocked when I got an interview, even more blown away when they offered me a place – was this really happening? I was a wife, a mother, I had a nice wee job was I crazy, could I really do this? I would be making such a change to my life, my children’s life, my husband’s life – was it worth pursuing. Some of my extended family frowned had I really thought this through! I talked to a close Christian friend and asked her to pray with me for clarification on God’s calling and despite government funding problems for the course, and an uncertain time of whether it would go ahead at all the Lords plans for me where beginning to prosper and I commenced my full time training at University of Ulster in Jordanstown mid-September.

By the time the “Brave” conference started in November I had experienced tears, snotters, anxious deliberation as to what had I done, what was I thinking and was I utterly crazy for believing not only that I could do this at my age but the guilt at leaving my children daily to study and the added pressure of family life where all too familiar! God wouldn’t want me to struggle – why was I pursuing this! At the conference thee words from the song “you make me brave where like a light bulb – why was I making this so difficult for myself, God was challenging me to step out of my comfort zone but he was also there to share in my struggle I needed to be more faithful in His love for me, trust him more and believe better that he wanted me to do this and would be there every step of the way! That night when the preacher asked for those to stand for prayer to help women step out of the shadows, for courage to face the unknown I found myself standing to my feet filled with a new sense of trust, passion and a promise that God not only had a plan for me but he would walk with me on this journey.

So over the weeks and months I have been challenged beyond all expectation. I am thankful for my friend who has sent me words of scripture to bring me hope, encouragement and have found particular inspiration from 

Romans 8 v 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.

And

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

In times of balancing kids,work, home and assignments or exams I listened to the words over and over again – “You make me Brave” and prayed for additional help, the words uplifting my spirit and passion in the Lords desire for me to succeed.

Well, I am now 4 weeks from graduating as a Health Visitor – I cannot believe the year and its training is almost complete. I have had many wonderful and not so wonderful experiences and challenges but this year has truly challenged my heart and soul, my faith and my trust in the Lord. I have had to be brave – step out of my comfort zone and called to ride the waves and storm of life that He has called me to. The Lord has a role for me to go out into our broken community and bring hope and love to women and their children and I pray that with the Holy Spirit encompassing me that those families that I will serve will know the love of the Lord and feel hope and compassion. I have not secured a job yet but I trust that the Lord will put me to use of his purposes and look forward with excitement to the next adventure He will call me to.

Thank you for your part – for refuelling my passion in the Lord and challenging me to become brave! To my friend who has been my listening ear, my praying back bone and the transcript reader of all my assignments, the Lord blessed me to have a friend like her to support me through this course! To my husband and children who have been supportive beyond measure and been brave in their own way to allow me the freedom to answer the Lords call and complete my training programme, but most of all I give my thanks to the Lord for giving me the opportunity, for giving me the strength, for giving me the promise of his unchanging love ….

I have heard You call my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So, I will let You draw me beyond the shore
Into Your grace, Your grace. 

As Your love
In wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You've made a wayFor all to enter in

You make me brave
You make me brave
You called me beyond the shore
Into the waves

You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder nowThe love that made a way

Regards,

Jennifer

Our next Illuminate Women's Conference is November 20-21st 2015   INHERITANCE

What will your story be?

http://www.causewaycoastvineyard.com/illuminate