Five Books That Have Changed My Life

A friend of mine has asked me to share a list of five books that have changed my life. It was very difficult to only choose five, bit I am very happy with the selection.
Each one of the books below challenged me on some level. I believe the process of change only comes through challenge, that seems to be God's way.  In compiling the list I am now thinking of continuing on to complete a list of movies next.  Anyone want to join me?

The Bible by God
This book literally gave me the key to new life.  God can speak to anyone through the bible.  I was 16, and really messed up. I picked up the bible and decided I wanted to know who won in the end.  The first book I ever read in the bible was Revelation.  Yes Revelation, in the New King James Version, and I understood it.  It was clear to me what God was doing and saying and I accepted Jesus, there and then.  When I called out to him, I felt and saw the darkness leave my bedroom, and two weeks later I was healed of ongoing illness that had gripped me for two years.  This book is more than a book.  It is God's lifesaver, thrown out to whoever will hold on for the ride. 



Jesus Freaks by DC Talk

This book is like a modern Voice of the Martyrs.  It is filled with short accounts of people that have been tremendously persecuted for their faith and were strengthened and upheld by God to persevere.  When I read this book it opened my eyes to the suffering and persecution that goes on, worldwide for the sake of loving Jesus.  It spoke to my heart about being bold and courageous and fighting and standing for what you believe in, no matter the cost.

Like a Mighty Wind by Mel Tari
Like a Mighty Wind is written by an Indonesian man of a local church that was part of a mighty revival in their country.  This book taught me about transformation both personal change and impacting communities through obedience to God.  It taught me to listen to God and act to see the miraculous in my everyday life.

A Message From God by Retha McPherson

This book is about the true story of Retha and her son Aldo.  Aldo was seriously injured in a car accident and had a heavenly encounter with Jesus and with God.  This follows the the story of their life's transformation through hardship.  It inspired me to always trust in God's promises and believe no matter what you see.  Interestingly enough, God placed this book in my path about a year before my little Sam's diagnosis.  I still follow Retha's writing to this day and can't wait to read her other books.

Sam's Heart byNicole Watson
I guess this one is different from the others because it is the book I wrote, not one that I've read.  Our journey was life changing yes, but it is the process of writing that was a surprise to me.  God used this book to bring closure and assurance to my heart with every passage we wrote together.  It taught me to share all of the parts of my heart with others for the good of His Kingdom. As I wrote, it was as if the any residual feeling of the experience were taken from me, and although it is still a part of my life's journey, the soul wounds have been healed.  It changed my life, by ending one part of my life adventure and offering a new beginning.






Thanks to Jo @ Princess Warrior Lessons

Pruning Hurts

I haven't posted recently, because I haven't felt like I had anything inspiring to share.  Instead I will just share what is going on in our somewhat lively day to day adventures.
True to my usual form I have been trying to plan everything, make lists, and find a new home in a new state, all of which have fallen flat on their face.  At every turn God keeps reminding me that I have to let go, lay it all at his feet and wait.  I am not good at waiting.  I am trying to learn, but God knows I am slow to learn.  Trying to find a home interstate is almost impossible,as rental properties in Victoria need to be viewed before they can be rented.  So while I was desperately trying to find a way around that, God provided a few weeks on campus at the College at the student accommodation, that we will need to pay for, but it will provide opportunity for us to find a home.  One step at a time...you think I would know the rhythm of his pace by now, and still I try to run ahead and do it my own way.  I still have this inbuilt desire to provide stability and a smooth transition for my family which I have to continually relinquish to God.  It is not a simple and easy process but something that must be done many times a day.  There's a whole lot of repenting going on at the moment.  God is pruning away the dead wood, preparing for the new growth in the new season.
The next thing I do is try and plan costs for everything, and as I do I become increasingly frustrated because it doesn't balance out.  I try to see into the future and think about all of the costs and make sure we have enough to cover them.  We don't.  So then I have to give it all back to God and tell him I can't do it.  I need him to be our provision on this path he has us walking.  Empathise with me if you will.  There is at least one budgeter in every family, and God does want us to prepare somewhat, but He does not want us to say'

...“Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:13-14)

I cannot plan ahead for what I cannot see.  We will be in Melbourne 18 months or so, and then who knows where.  I can't plan for that, and God doesn't want me too.  Already he is reminding me that he is in control.  We didn't have enough money to complete the move to Melbourne, so God had someone remind me that we can stop the payments on our home, and use that mortgage money now, and we also got a bonus that we weren't expecting.  God is our provider.  This is what I struggle with at the moment.

God has reminded me that it is my job to be a good mummy on the ground now, not to worry about the future.  It is my job to make sure my little boys are OK with this move, that my husband feels supported and that the house is ready to go to it's new owners.

And so the scripture God gave me, his promise, keeps repeating in my head about every 10 minutes:


Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.(Matthew 6:33)

Pruning hurts but already I feel renewed and more prepared to face this new adventure.  I recognize the strong and firm hands of my God, as he gently but resolutely cuts away the dead wood.  It reminds me that he is changing me from day to day into the likeness of Jesus, so all is well with my soul.

If you would like to hear more about the calling that Don and I are embarking on read the post - The Calling

W.O.W. Wow

Yesterday was such a strange day.  In the morning we were disappointed to learn that the contract to sell our home had fallen through.  Don and I spent the morning searching God because he had told us both separately that this was the time.  We rallied our friends to pray.  Something just didn't feel right.  We did not have God's peace.  We praised God anyway in the midst of our uneasiness. 

I started to question if I had heard God right, if he really wanted us to go to MAF at all.  I asked him to send a buyer for our home that day, and to not put me to shame when I had faith in His promises. I cried and asked his forgiveness for doubting him but I needed a to know that I wasn't crazy!

An hour before Don left to go to work, we received a phone call from the real estate with another offer from different buyers on our home.  We negotiated over last night and we agreed on a price today.  The contract will be signed over the next few days. WOW.

I really don't know what to say.  God saved me from shame, he was faithful to his promises as he always is.  Why don't I learn, after all we have been through with Him?  I feel just like Israel in the Old testament as they meandered from obedience to unfaithfulness.  I cried more then, and asked God's forgiveness for my human frailty, lack of wisom and lack of faith.  And as I told him how much I loved him he said 'Just as this promise has been fulfilled so will Sam's heart be whole.  So will he testify of my goodness to all men.  So will he be a display of my mercy and power upon the earth.  Just keep your eyes upon me and do not be anxious for anything'  Amen Lord, amen.

So what does this mean for us.  It means a great many things.  It means the time of rest here in Pittsworth is coming to close.  It means that the time of waiting is over and the time of preparation for missionary service has begun.  So now we prepare, pack and move to Melbourne, for Don to begin study.  I don't know what this will all look like yet, but it will likely happen over the next month.

I beg you for prayer. We have experienced fierce opposition in recent weeks from the enemy.  I would ask that you cover us with God's protection and the blood of Jesus.  I would ask that you pray for the  house contract to be finalised without any hitches and hiccups.  I would ask that you pray for peace of mind for us all as we navigate this new path, especially for the boys.  And finally I ask that you praise God with me for the mighty blessings he has bestowed upon us. 

Let the fun and games begin...

Worship While I Wait

YOU are holy no matter how I feel,

YOU are mighty no matter what I see,

YOU are righteous in the darkness,
You are blinding in splendour,

YOU consume and refine the whole of me,

I am undone...I am undone...

I am lost and found each moment seeking YOU,

Less of me each day and more of YOU,

Broken and reborn by YOUR love,

Until there is only YOU.

(Written by Nicole Watson)

Another time...

The pendulum ride is over.  Our home is not sold, so here we remain for the next ...

I would be lying if I said I was was not disappointed but I am happy to be wherever God wants until his time is right.

Thank you for your prayers.  They mean so much to me.

I Want To Call Her Stacey

At the conference over the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting the creator of this short animated film about a baby's life in the womb before abortion.  It is powerful, emotive and extremely beautiful.  Zac Bavas has with great care and thoughtfulness created a visual masterpiece that gives a very different view of pregnancy from the baby's perspective.  You get to see the baby grow and change.  You get to hear what the baby hears as she grows-the good and the bad.  And then you get to see the terrible truth of abortion- light entering the womb, a frightened baby, and then nothing.  Zach and the film team have woven this film together without being gory and unreal.  It is truthful and I can tell you, I cried uncontrollably.  I cried because this is the future that was offered to us for Sam and many other babies on a day to day basis.  Did you know that in Victoria it is legal to kill babies up until birth and if they survive the birth they can just be left to die?  That law was passed in October 2008, 10 days after Sam's birth. In the very state and city where he was given the chance to live.  And yet our government recently stopped the ban on all live cattle exports because of animal cruelty.  God help us.

I have included the link to where you can buy the movie for only $10.  It may not be something you will watch every day but I can guarantee it once you see it, you will never be the same again.  If you are interested in saving the lives of unborn babies and also supporting and loving their mums, I would encourage you to have a look.  Please pray for Australia's mothers and babies and also for our government.

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’(Matthew 25:45)

Pendulums Do Not Rock

I have never been fond of pendulums.  When I was young, there was a big ride at the fun park that was a giant ship on a pendulum, that swung high into the air backwards and forwards, backwards ad forwards, back and forw.., ba... and for....
I felt so sick when I got off of the ride, that I will never do it again.  Nor did I enjoy the swells out to sea while whale watching.  My inside don't cope well with the ebb and tide of the rocking. And so it is with the current pendulum I see to find myself riding.  It is always a thrill when you first begin the ride and then after a while it is just not funny anymore and you want to get off.  Did you hear me I want to get off!

Now before you think I've lost my mind and call mental health services, let me explain.  Since we have had our home for sale we have had 3 false alarms with buyers for our home.  Meaning that we prepare ourselves mentally for what may be a move and even begin to prepare physically, only to find that it all falls through.  It is wearing and I am over it.  Because we are moving interstate it is no small feat and if we get the green light then we need to act quickly.  Tomorrow is the cut off day for us.  If nothing comes of the contract by tomorrow we will be here another 6 months.  And oh how happy I will be to finally leap off the pendulum and rest my weary mind and spirit. 
We want to move on and do all God had prepared us to do but only once we are able to sell our home to finance it.  So I wonder if you can pray for us over the next few days.

For me to hold on bravely and with peace in my heart and head.  For me to be be a good wife and mum when my head is thinking about other things.  For God's will to be done with our home (we are facing tremendous resistance from the enemy), and for us to praise God though it all regardless of which way it turns out.  I am stumbling at the moment and just need your help. Thanks friends.