tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25372351483438499132024-03-05T07:35:46.457-08:00Natalie's VillaNatalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-87697617138277926902015-11-11T15:48:00.001-08:002015-11-11T15:48:57.799-08:00Celebrating Womanhood I am really excited to share this blog! I want to celebrate <b>WOMANHOOD</b>! This is a topic that has been stirring in my heart for months! It's obvious that there is a war on identity. Turn on the TV, radio, or look on Facebook and you will be inundated with this cultural war. Another reason why I wanted to share about this topic is because it seems like the only way to be a "woman" in our culture is to flaunt sexuality. I was watching an interview recently about a Disney starlet (who I LOVE by the way) about her new music she is releasing. She described it as "coming into her own sexuality as a woman" and I asked myself, "what does that have to do with her music?" After hearing this I started thinking about how I want my daughter to view being a woman and what I want to define her. We need to understand and celebrate who God created us to be physically, spiritually and mentally.<br />
<br />
So what does it<b> </b>look like to celebrate Womanhood? Here are just a
couple thoughts I have been meditating on the last couple of months on the ways I feel Godly Womanhood should be celebrated:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1) Womanhood celebrates the fear of the Lord.</b></span><br />
Psalms 139 tells us that we are "FEARfully and wonderfully made!" I love Proverbs 31:30, "Beauty is fleeting and charm is deceptive but a woman who FEARS the Lord is to be praised." That's crazy deep! The word "fear" in these scriptures means "to have a reverence, a
respect" for the Lord. You were created beautifully. God made you in awe and respect. When we let the Lord define our identity it brings forth a security in
the core of who we are. It allows us to freely be who God created us to
be. He wants us to celebrate the beauty that He has given us. So rock that cute outfit, and let the Lord shine through you!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) Womanhood celebrates being Timeless.</b></span><br />
You are a class act. A woman who loves the Lord never goes out of style. You have legacy. One great example of a timeless woman in the Bible is Mary. Through the last 2,000+ years her surrendered heart and life still inspires many. She was a daughter, a wife and a mother. Audrey Hepburn said,"The beauty of a woman is not in a facial
mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the
caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of
a woman grows with the passing years." You are timeless. <br />
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3) Womanhood celebrates being Fruitful. </b></span><br />
God created women to be fruitful- naturally and spiritually! Being fruitful at the core means duplication and multiplication. God
wants us to imitators of Him by allowing the fruit of the Holy Spirit to
manifest in our lives and gifts. In being spiritually fruitful it
impacts everyone around us: husbands, children, coworkers, friends, family members, etc. It also helps us reach our God given purpose. God wants us to be fruitful and multiply the talents He has given us, like the Parable in Matthew 25. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
gentleness, faithfulness and self control. Against such there is no
law." Let's celebrate being fruitful!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Woman, you are important. Woman, you are timeless. Woman, you are leaving a legacy. Woman, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Woman, are you needed and powerful. Woman, you are CELEBRATED!!! Xoxo</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS29yUKwxMyaTCu0hK2GyIUID1YuWS4mP-G4G0ClyrR_he1_vX289nPOSStHZN8iU_dBXEt49j9VFyaq8wp8pN6dxW_aVgG7yBN088B0b6-MgvUmZsU2XReh2CrbR5BEgikDsjAp4NX4/s1600/celebrating-womanhood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS29yUKwxMyaTCu0hK2GyIUID1YuWS4mP-G4G0ClyrR_he1_vX289nPOSStHZN8iU_dBXEt49j9VFyaq8wp8pN6dxW_aVgG7yBN088B0b6-MgvUmZsU2XReh2CrbR5BEgikDsjAp4NX4/s320/celebrating-womanhood1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What are your thoughts about being a Godly woman in today's society?</b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-34308515343433933322015-10-27T21:15:00.001-07:002015-10-27T21:19:03.130-07:00What Season are YOU in?<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexTYTV8hNP4T2GdYVnEZyz5W1tthT2LCnKOtg5uNK6Go87ulSpM5pXMrsulVvvLBMUWeYhQ5NOWqxJYC_UJePB7rGFobI_MyXzYewE4S0AbyimEYW2tQQKk9pGvXGf-k8PzHsE24lqow/s1600/falltrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexTYTV8hNP4T2GdYVnEZyz5W1tthT2LCnKOtg5uNK6Go87ulSpM5pXMrsulVvvLBMUWeYhQ5NOWqxJYC_UJePB7rGFobI_MyXzYewE4S0AbyimEYW2tQQKk9pGvXGf-k8PzHsE24lqow/s1600/falltrees.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ecclesates 3:1-8</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Eccl-3-1"><span class="chapternum"></span>For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:</span> </div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-2" id="en-ESV-17362">a time to be born, and a time to die;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-2">a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;</span><span class="text Eccl-3-3" id="en-ESV-17363"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-3" id="en-ESV-17363">a time to kill, and a time to heal;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-3">a time to break down, and a time to build up;</span><span class="text Eccl-3-4" id="en-ESV-17364"></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-4" id="en-ESV-17364">a time to weep, and a time to laugh;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-4">a time to mourn, and a time to dance;</span><span class="text Eccl-3-5" id="en-ESV-17365"></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-5" id="en-ESV-17365">a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-5">a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;</span><span class="text Eccl-3-6" id="en-ESV-17366"></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-6" id="en-ESV-17366">a time to seek, and a time to lose;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-6">a time to keep, and a time to cast away;</span><span class="text Eccl-3-7" id="en-ESV-17367"></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-7" id="en-ESV-17367">a time to tear, and a time to sew;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-7">a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;</span><span class="text Eccl-3-8" id="en-ESV-17368"></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text Eccl-3-8" id="en-ESV-17368">a time to love, and a time to hate;</span><br />
<span class="text Eccl-3-8">a time for war, and a time for peace.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
Lately I have been thinking about seasons. Obviously because it's fall and all the leaves here in Tennessee are turning beautiful colors and just having a baby, but I can hear the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit asking me, "Do you know what season are you in? Are you trusting ME in this season? Are you enjoying this season?" I think too often we take for granted or try to rush through the seasons of our lives to try to get to where we want to be when our purpose for the next season is tied to the current season we are living. Lisa Bevere says this about seasons, "Everything in life is seasonal. Purpose is tied to timing." I've had so many amazing changes this year- we've moved, had a another child, I am a stay at home mom currently and it's been incredible. It's a NEW type of season for me! It's had me asking the Lord for his heart for me and my family as I am navigating daily life. I don't want to miss the purpose of this season or the time I have. Each season of life is special. I am learning to cherish every moment, poopy diaper and late night!<br />
<br />
There are so many seasons in life. Here are a couple of examples, think about them: <br />
<div class="def-content">
<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"> 1. one</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">four</span> <span class="oneClick-link">periods</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">year</span> <span class="oneClick-link">(spring,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">summer,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">autumn,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">and</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">winter)</span><span class="oneClick-link"> which can represent growth, preparation, blooming, dormancy, etc.</span> </div>
<div class="def-set">
<span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">2. </span></span><span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">period</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">year</span> <span class="oneClick-link">characterized</span> <span class="oneClick-link">by</span> <span class="oneClick-link">particular</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">conditions</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">weather,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">temperature,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">etc.:</span> <span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link"></span></span><br />
<div class="def-content">
<br />
<div class="def-block def-inline-example">
<span class="dbox-example"><span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">rainy</span> <span class="oneClick-link">season.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="def-set">
<span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">3. </span></span><span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">period</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">year</span> <span class="oneClick-link">when</span> <span class="oneClick-link">something</span> <span class="oneClick-link">is</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">best</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link">available:</span> <span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link"></span></span><br />
<div class="def-content">
<br />
<div class="def-block def-inline-example">
<span class="dbox-example"><span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">oyster</span> <span class="oneClick-link">season.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="def-set">
<span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">4.</span></span><span class="oneClick-link"> a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">period</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">year</span> <span class="oneClick-link">marked</span> <span class="oneClick-link">by</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">certain</span> <span class="oneClick-link">conditions,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">activities,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">etc.:</span> <span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link"></span></span><br />
<div class="def-content">
<br />
<div class="def-block def-inline-example">
<span class="dbox-example"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">baseball</span> <span class="oneClick-link">season.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">5.</span> </span>
<span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link">period</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">year</span> <span class="oneClick-link">immediately</span> <span class="oneClick-link">before</span> <span class="oneClick-link">and</span> <span class="oneClick-link">after</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link">special</span> <span class="oneClick-link">holiday</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link">occasion: Christmas season.</span> <br />
<br />
So how do we know what season of life we are in and enjoy it? <br />
<br />
<b>1- We must understand and discern our current season. That will bring clarity to the role God currently has for you. </b>I was in the church a couple Sundays ago and the guest preacher asked the congregation a great question, "Have you ever wondered why God did not create man on the 1st day of creation but on the 6th day?" I had never thought about it before but his answer blew my mind! He went on to share how we serve a God of preparation. A God of perfection. The God of Set-ups. God was creating and setting up the perfect environment to bring man into. If man would have been created before the Earth it would have been premature. We must understand that God has us in the season we are currently in to enjoy it while He prepares us and our next adventure. <br />
<br />
<b>2- Get a heart check. </b>1 Samuel 15:22 says that, "Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." We gotta check our hearts! A stinky heart holds back good things and our complaining can hurt us. We must let the Lord check our motives and attitudes. Our attitude always determines our altitude. We need our hearts to be in line with the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /></span> <br />
<br />
<b>3- Be prepared to be content and also get out of your comfort zone. </b>Sometimes being content comes in all forms. We must be content with changing all those poopy diapers and also be content with the promotion the Lord brings our way. Before we can move onto a new season we must be ready to get out of our comfort zone. We can't move to new things if we refuse to be uncomfortable.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>4- Learn to trust the Lord in every season- good and bad. </b>When I was believing the Lord for a healing in my body this was hard for me. I had to come to the conclusion that God was good- no matter what and trust Him. When we can trust Him no matter the outcome or circumstance that's when we are covered by His grace and freedom reigns in our lives! <span class="text Prov-3-5" id="en-NIV-16461">"Trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> with all your heart </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Prov-3-5">and lean not on your own understand</span><span class="text Prov-3-5">ing </span></span><span class="text Prov-3-6" id="en-NIV-16462">in all your ways submit to him </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Prov-3-6">and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><br /></span></span>
<br />
Enjoy your season! Enjoy one another! Enjoy your life :)<br />
Xoxo, Natalie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-43158382124295280292015-02-12T20:23:00.002-08:002015-02-12T20:23:33.885-08:00Love Changes Everything Love changes everything. One decision by mankind, eating a piece of fruit, in a garden one day changed the destiny of the human race. We had life but chose death. One decision by a loving God changed our fate and gave us redemption in the name of love. Now we have the choice to chose life or death again. The most famous scripture of all time says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16 God's heart towards us is motivated by love. That's why He came to redeem and save us.<br />
<br />
Love changes everything. The most radical example of love changing everything in my life was definitely having a baby. People would tell me all the time that you will never understand that kind of love until you have your own child, and it's so true. I would do anything for my daughter and I always want the best for her. Even when I have to discipline her it's motivated out of love. She just learned how to climb up on the couch and thought it would be a great idea to to just walk off of it- Yikes! So I've been having to teach and discipline her to understand that she needs to sit on the couch and not stand... Why? Because I don't want her to fall off and hurt herself! When I look at my little girl and the love I have for her, it amazes me to think how much more God loves us! He literally loves us unconditionally and more than we can ever understand. The God of the universe loves us and the Earthly love we experience fails miserably compared to the love He wants to lavish on us all the time. When He disciplines us, HE loves us. When we're hurting or happy He loves us. When we're acting selfish or completely generous He loves us- no matter what. Our Heavenly Father is abounding of love, mercy and grace.<br />
<br />
This Valentine's Day I hope you know how deeply you are loved and treasured by our Heavenly Father. He wants you to know, feel, and get a hold of His love for you! His love changes everything.... And you'll never be the same. <br />
<br />
Xoxo, NatalieNatalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-19934501128510177662015-01-12T21:37:00.000-08:002015-01-12T21:37:24.959-08:00Good Bye Blurry Vision Focus. A central point. Attention. The clear and sharply defined condition of an image. To concentrate. Clear vision. There's a saying, "You become what you focus on." If that statement is true, what are you becoming and maybe an even better question is who are you becoming. Are you becoming like Jesus as you rest in His presence while trusting Him? Or are you becoming a worrier being consumed with problems? I know for me this season, the Lord is really challenging my focus, what is captivating my attention, and who I am becoming. I need His focus like never before.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl2lWHyF1z3yPFGEeLRjYe6alFUlpk2zVlwhPup6CKH9ykVuSFHn5tD_aNqSyKHVyEjY46C1rv-tyd2UGqwM_pD-OUWmOx-l5hoM9YSrx1cLHuXvkNQ4IlGIB0v3ATg0APwRqRd92IAo/s1600/blurred-vision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl2lWHyF1z3yPFGEeLRjYe6alFUlpk2zVlwhPup6CKH9ykVuSFHn5tD_aNqSyKHVyEjY46C1rv-tyd2UGqwM_pD-OUWmOx-l5hoM9YSrx1cLHuXvkNQ4IlGIB0v3ATg0APwRqRd92IAo/s1600/blurred-vision.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a> <br />
I wear glasses for reading, driving at night, working on a computer, for far away objects... ya know for some important necessitates in life! I do not have to wear them all the time but they help bring clarity so I can make out details of objects around me and be able to focus on things I could not see without them. I remember the first time I put my glasses on, it was like a whole new world. I was on the 4th floor of a very tall building. I remember looking a bunch of trees and being able to make out every detail of the leaves as they were blowing in the wind. Before glasses they were just lumps, nothing special, but when I put on my brand new glasses- Wow! It was like I was seeing trees for the first time in years. I could read signs far away that were blurry before and the worst part about it was until I put glasses on, I didn't know how blurry my vision was. I couldn't believe the details of regular life I was missing out on! My vision was blurred and my eyes physically could not focus.<br />
<br />
I believe the same is true with our walk with Christ- and believe me, I am preaching to myself! When we are not focused on the Lord, things become blurry. Life becomes out of focus. We can get confused about the simplest things. BUT when we begin to look at life through Christ's perspective, His eyes, His perfect 20/20 vision, all the sudden everything becomes crystal clear and in focus. Sometimes we do not even understand how blurry our sight is until we start looking with Christ's eyes, like me and my glasses. I didn't even realize what I was missing until the first time I put my glasses on and could actually see! When Christ becomes the center of our focus we begin to have peace with situations we might still not understand. It's easier to love those around us. We forgive quicker. Financial issues are not so scary. We have unspeakable joy. When we chose to focus on the Lord with our whole hearts, things of this world become dim and we can see with clear, heavenly vision and perspective. My prayer for you (and myself) this season and the beginning of 2015 is that as you focus on the Lord and rest in His presence you will begin to see things differently- you will be focused on the author and perfecter of your faith and that He will do just that- perfect everything that concerns you because HE loves YOU! <br />
Xoxo, Natalie<br />
<br />
<i>"Therefore having being surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us, FIXING OUR ATTENTION ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who in view of the joy set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding it's shame, and has set down at the right hand of God." Heb. 12:1-2</i><br />
<br />
<i>"SET (FOCUS) your minds on things above, not on things that are on Earth." Col 3:2</i><br />
<br />
<i>"You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains FOCUSED on you, because he remains in you.<span class="p">" Is. 26:3</span> </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-88254761442701615032014-10-21T22:35:00.001-07:002014-10-22T11:07:12.811-07:00Destiny's Story<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">Cambria</span>;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.2" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">panose</span>-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.3" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.4" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-font-<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.5" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">charset</span>:77;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.6" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-generic-font-family:roman;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.7" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-font-format:other;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.8" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-font-pitch:auto;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.9" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.10" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">MsoNormal</span>, <span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.11" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">li</span>.<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.12" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">MsoNormal</span>, div.<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.13" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">MsoNormal</span>
{<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.14" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.15" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.16" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.17" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">ascii</span>-font-family:<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.18" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">Cambria</span>;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.19" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.20" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">fareast</span>-font-family:<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.21" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">Cambria</span>;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.22" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.23" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">hansi</span>-font-family:<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.24" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">Cambria</span>;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.25" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.26" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">bidi</span>-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.27" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-header-margin:.5in;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.28" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-footer-margin:.5in;
<span aria-haspopup="true" role="menuitem" tabindex="-1" id=":z.29" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">mso</span>-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
--> </style><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Destiny, our daughter, is celebrating her 1st Birthday tomorrow! If you have met our precious baby girl, you know she is special. She is so sweet, kind, loving and beautiful. She is our daily reminder that we serve a miraculous God. Many of you may not know her story so in honor of her 1st Birthday tomorrow I wanted to share it with you all. I hope it touches some hearts and brings hope, healing and faith :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We had her name, Destiny, picked out
before Marco and I were married. That's how much we knew one day we'd have children. Two years after
being married in 2008 I was diagnosed
with PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome- which I still don't believe I have but
that's a different story.) My hormones were very imbalanced & my cycles
were very irregular. For many years
I thought something was wrong with me and wondered what had I done to not be able to
have children until one day I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, "I open and close wombs as I please. Was there something wrong with Sarah? Rachel? Hannah? Trust me, I am in control." That gave me so much peace. Over the next 5 years I had many trips to doctors
offices and many prayers were prayed for healing in my body. Numerous
doctors told me that it would be super hard, maybe even impossible to get
pregnant because of the PCOS and my imbalanced hormones but I didn’t even give that a second thought. I knew one day I would
have children when the Lord wanted me to. I started working with a natural
health doctor. She also diagnosed my thyroid problems and I became gluten free. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">While walking through this process, I started to write a lot of songs. Two in particular were
“LOL” and “Turn it Around.” These songs became anthems for me as I was
believing for healing. We even shot a music video showcasing health care issues
believing for a healing in “LOL.” Ask me for more info about that story later :) Anyways, these songs
really helped me live in faith while believing for a miracle. For years I was working with this doctor trying to get all my
hormones balanced so I would have regular cycles so one day I could have
babies. I had numerous testings done for years. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In early 2013, I had a doctors appointment to review some lab work because I had been feeling weird for a couple of weeks. I came in for my results on a Thursday. The doctor told
me that she did not know what was wrong with me and that my lab results had
gone crazy. She said she couldn’t help me anymore and that I needed to see a
specialist because from these lab results she didn’t think I would ever be able
to have children. BUT I knew something was different! Something was going on in
my body. So that Sunday I decided to buy a pregnancy test. I knew coming home
from the store that day I was pregnant. I did not care what the doctors said. I
did not care what my test results said. I knew that God had touched my body and
that He had healed me! My faith was not in doctors or what they said but in my
miraculous, healing Jesus! After 5 long years of praying and believing for God to supernaturally touch and heal my body, I took 2 pregnancy tests and they
were both instantly positive! It was after 8 years of marriage. I was in such shock that I needed to see the word “Pregnant” on
the test so I went and bought 2 more tests!!! And all 3 tests were positive! It
was crazy because we weren’t not trying to get pregnant. We were trusting that
in the right timing the Lord would give us children, and honey that surprise was
the right time! The first appointment I had at the doctor’s office they estimated
me being 8 weeks pregnant but when I followed up that next week with my OBGYN I
was 15 weeks pregnant!!!! God is so good! He gave us our little Destiny Renee that year October 22, 2013.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>A couple of other Testimonies:<br />
1) A couple of weeks before I had the baby, I was getting scared of labor and God
gave me a prophetic dream of Destiny- what she was going to look like, her smile, her sweet personality. I remember waking up from that dream so happy. She looked exactly like my dream.<br />
<br />
2) I was 4 months pregnant while recording the "LOL Remix" crying in the booth because of the faithfulness of God and coming full circle. I was recording a song that was a fulfillment of what I had wrote as a declaration of faith. God had totally remixed my life!<br />
<br />
3) One year to the day of recording "The Perfect Gift" on October 22, 2012 I had Destiny October 22, 2013. God truly gave me "The Perfect Gift."<br />
<br />
I want to encourage you. God knows your story. He knows what you're going through. He has a plan and He is good, faithful and trustworthy. What He did for me, He can do for you!<br />
Let me pray for you:<br />
Jesus, I thank you for all my brothers and sisters reading this. You know what they are going through. You know their situations and circumstances in every season of life and from every walk of life. I declare healing over their bodies for every disease no matter what it may be in the name of Jesus as the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy! I thank you that "He who promised is faithful" and you will complete EVERY promise you have made to your people NO MATTER the promise, NO MATTER how big or how small. By your stripes twe are healed and I thank you for touching them now. I also thank you for being our joy and strength. We declare your faithfulness over our lives. We love you Jesus and thank you for working in every life right now. In Jesus name, Amen.<br />
<br />
I love you all so much my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Xoxo, Natalie<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FwqYfzBKnHDXon8fojovoY9gKp6P-LxRUa2gm_0WRjaMlu88sXccuZC2AhlXMQZTdmJSak5UBWyne7lP2x5HC4vXtCoX4JenYHcyU1NRCJl4Rdv5BBmAmH0B2RvP5X02XVnML061q3I/s1600/2014-05-26+11.11.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FwqYfzBKnHDXon8fojovoY9gKp6P-LxRUa2gm_0WRjaMlu88sXccuZC2AhlXMQZTdmJSak5UBWyne7lP2x5HC4vXtCoX4JenYHcyU1NRCJl4Rdv5BBmAmH0B2RvP5X02XVnML061q3I/s1600/2014-05-26+11.11.02.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is the video for "LOL"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kbNGohk-zEo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_30048018"></span><span id="goog_30048019"></span><br />Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-33448848017913314512014-09-24T20:32:00.002-07:002014-09-24T20:32:31.939-07:007 Hebrew Words for Praise
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.text2sam-6-12-2sam-6-16
{mso-style-name:"text 2sam-6-12-2sam-6-16";}
span.small-caps
{mso-style-name:small-caps;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hey Villagers!</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I am </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">so excited to be sharing this blog with you all. It's really encouraged me studying the 7 Hebrew words for Praise so I wanted to share it with you! I truly believe Praise and Worship changes us because we are in His presence. In His presence there is fullness of joy, everything is at peace. The world is alright. We are in communion with the Lord who is our life source. Sometimes in different seasons we can we feel stuck. Maybe we need a breakthrough. Maybe we need encouragement. Maybe we need a healing or just a simple touch from our Daddy God. That can be simply found when we begin to praise and worship our Lord! You don't know how to praise Him? Check out these different meanings for Praise:</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1. <u>Halal</u></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hallelujah means “Praise ye
Jehovah”. Halal is a primary Hebrew root word for praise. Our word
"Hallelujah" comes from this base word. It means "to be clear,
to shine, to boast, show, to rave, celebrate, to be clamorously foolish.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">" To be crazily affectionate about Him with entire
being! A good example is how David danced before the Lord in 2 Samuel 6.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Praise (halal) ye the Lord, praise (halal) o ye servants of the Lord, praise
(halal) the name of the Lord. Ps. 113:1-3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Praise (halal) the Lord! Praise (halal) God in his sanctuary; Praise (halal)
him in his mighty expanse. Ps. 150:1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Let them praise (halal) his name in the dance: let them sing praises with the
timbrel and harp. Ps. 149:3 </span><b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2. <u>Yadah</u></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Yadah is a verb with a root
meaning, "the extended hand, to throw out the hand, therefore to worship
with extended hand." </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">This
kind of praise and affection wins battles, like Moses with Amalekites, Aaron
& Hur Ex. 17 or 2 Chron 20:19-21 Jehoshaphat was under attack and he let forth
lifting hands in expectation.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Give thanks (yadah) to the Lord, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. 2 Chr 20:21</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+63:1"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will (yadah) lift up my hands in thy
name. Ps. 63:1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+107:15"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
Oh that men would praise (yadah) the Lord for his goodness, and for his
wonderful works to the children of men. Ps. 107:15</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3. <u>Towdah</u></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Towdah comes from the same root
word as Yadah. Towdah literally means, "an extension of the hand in
adoration, or acceptance." It is used for thanking God for "things
not yet received" as well as things already at hand. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Like a little kid holding out hands to receive gift from
parents. I tell ya, when my baby girl holds out her arms to me in affection, there is nothing like that kind of love! It's thanking God before victory. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Offer unto God praise (towdah) and pay thy vows unto the Most High. Ps. 50:14</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+50:23"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Whoso offereth praise (towdah) glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his
conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Ps. 50:23</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4. <u>Shabach</u></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Shabach means, "to shout, to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph,
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">to connect, to exclaim." An example of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> high volume praise would be the battle of
Jericho... What does victory sound like to you?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+47:1"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
O clap your hands, all peoples; shout (shabach) to God with the voice of joy
(or triumph). Ps.47:1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+145:4"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
One generation shall praise (shabach) thy works to another and declare thy
mighty acts. Ps.145:4</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Isa+12:6"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Cry aloud and shout (shabach) for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your
midst is the Holy One of Israel. Is.12:6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">5. <u>Barak</u></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Barak means "to kneel
down, to bless God as an act of adoration." </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">When used in the scripture it means "expecting to receive a
blessing from God." There is something so
awe inspiring and humbling when we bow down to our Maker. It’s a beautiful
place of surrender and adoration, a place we hide ourselves in Him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+95:6"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
O come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel (barak) before the Lord our
maker. Ps.95:6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=1Chr+29:20"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Then David said to all the assembly, "Now bless (barak) the Lord your
God." And all the assembly blessed (barak) the Lord, the God of their
fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the Lord and to the king. 1 Chr 29:20</span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+34:1"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
I will bless (barak) the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in
my mouth. Ps.34:1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">6. <u>Tehillah</u></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tehillah is derived from
the word halal and means "the singing of halals, to sing; perceived to
involve music, especially singing; hymns of the Spirit. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">God is enthroned on the praises." This is
the kind of praise God dwells in! Isn't that freakn' exciting?!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+22:3"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Yet Thou art holy, O Thou who art enthroned upon the praises (tehillah) of
Israel. Ps.22:3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+33:1"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Rejoice in the Lord, o ye righteous, for praise (tehillah) is comely for the
upright. Ps.33:1</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Isa+61:3"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
To grant to those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise (tehillah)
instead of the spirit of fainting, So they shall be called oaks of
righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Is.61:3</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7. <u>Zamar</u></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zamar means "to pluck
the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is
largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments
harmoniously. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ps.57:8-9</span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+21:13"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Be exalted O Lord, in Thine own strength, so will we sing and praise (zamar)
Thy power. Ps. 21:13</span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=1Chr+16:9"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
Sing to Him, sing praises (zamar) to Him; speak of all His wonders. 1 Chr 16:9</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://goon.stg.brown.edu/cgi-bin/pbcgi?mode=paragraph&sourceform=pbeasy.shtml&maxhits=25&searchtype=fetch&version=rsv&searchstring=Pss+57:8-9"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Awake my glory; awake harp and lyre, I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks
to Thee, O Lord among the peoples; I will sing praises (zamar) to Thee among
the nations. Ps. 57:8-9</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ok guys! Well there you go! I hope this blessed you and that you get your Zamar and Yadah on today!!!! Xoxo </span></b></div>
Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-12851830991609919782014-07-27T21:14:00.002-07:002014-07-27T21:14:59.915-07:00Comparison- The Thief of Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ76N7q3d_U4otaht_MhAS4qGySLuInDEIJQ1tERtW8Vo5BXkI6uWH7KUWIXLuEfs4pjHBIPmH7dXUwBQhLWlOj1AwvjAWX0N420etK3nlm344N2qVxSwAbyehRdXTJeMzU6eevQXWSg/s1600/comparison-thief-joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ76N7q3d_U4otaht_MhAS4qGySLuInDEIJQ1tERtW8Vo5BXkI6uWH7KUWIXLuEfs4pjHBIPmH7dXUwBQhLWlOj1AwvjAWX0N420etK3nlm344N2qVxSwAbyehRdXTJeMzU6eevQXWSg/s1600/comparison-thief-joy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><br />
Hi Villagers!!!!!! How are you all??? So I have a question for you today... Have you ever compared yourself to someone? As a creative person, I would be lying if I said I never
compared myself to others. I heard someone say the other day “Comparison will
make you discontent and insecure because 1) you are not where others are or 2) make
you prideful because you see where your at and others are not.” This hit me so
hard! Right between my comparing eyes! What a false sense of identity! True
security and identity comes when you have absolutely NOTHING to prove and you
content with the fact that you are a child of God, nothing more and nothing
less. Psalms 139 talks about how we are fearfully and wonderfully made in our
mother’s womb. Never does it say that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by
what others think about us or because we have arrived in the world’s eyes. The
success of heaven is completely different than the world we live in. It’s time
that we become secure in who we are in the Lord and make room for others. I
believe there is a time coming where generations will be more concerned about
letting others shine than ourselves. There is room for everyone. Think how
differently this world and our culture would be if we were so secure in our own
identities and callings and made room for everyone’s gifts to be seen. Our
churches would be different. Our music would be different. Our friendships and
families would be different. Our movies would be different. Our whole culture
would be different. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else and take a good
look in the mirror. God made you just the way you are! You are
beautiful, you are talented, you are intelligent, loved and best of all you are one of kind. Now shine bright :)<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Matt-7-12"><span class="woj">"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt. 7:12</span></span> (The Golden Rule)</i><br />
<br />
<br />Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-37815338451465102872014-07-21T01:10:00.000-07:002014-07-21T01:13:13.488-07:00Alaskan Adventure Over the last couple of years, Marco and I have ministered to many native tribes & reservations. Two weeks agoI had the honor to travel with my whole family to the most Northern city in the North American- Barrow, Alaska. We got to be apart of an amazing camp for teenagers of the Northern Slope, Impact Camp. We had so much fun!!!! Even Destiny had a blast :) Marco taught a hip hop class. These kids are so major talented! They wrote a song, recorded it, shot a music video & performed it.... All in 4 days!!!!!!!! We will be posting the video so you can all watch it. For now, check out some of video updates here: w<a href="http://ww.youtube.com/themarcolobos">ww.youtube.com/themarcolobos</a>. XoxoNatalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-54040216096660200302014-06-29T21:09:00.001-07:002014-06-29T21:09:21.529-07:00Contentment<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Phil-4-11" id="en-NIV-29454"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-NIV-29455"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:11-13</span></i></div>
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456"><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456">God wants us to enjoy every season of our lives. I believe learning to live in contentment helps us truly enjoy our lives to the fullest. </span>Living in contentment Natalie Villa paraphrased means to be at peace during every life circumstance. Contentment is described as a state of satisfaction and also peaceful happiness. The Bible describes being content as "satisfied to the point of being undisturbed." I don't know about you but sometimes I struggle with this! Being content does not mean that we do not want things in our lives to change but it means we are satisfied in the Lord until change comes. We often think that the grass is greener on the other side, but let's be honest- the grass is green wherever you water it! Paul describes contentment best in Phil. 4:11-13 when he says, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.... I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." </span><br />
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456">Sometimes I find myself having a hard time being content but there are some simple truths that I have found proven and true to help me stay content:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456">1- A grateful and thankful heart- when we are thankful for every blessing it shifts our focus. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456">2- Stop comparing yourself to others- when we stop comparing we can be thankful for where we are and what we do have instead of what we don't. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456">3- Trust God to meet EVERY need- God will meet all our needs as we trust in Him :) </span><br />
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NIV-29456">4- Finding strength in Christ- we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength!</span>Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-26980788817103120502014-06-23T07:22:00.000-07:002014-06-23T07:22:03.797-07:00Ask of MeGood morning beautiful Villagers!! There are quite a few times God tells us to <strong>"Ask"</strong> for things. This morning I am reminded to 2 of them:<br />
<br />
1- "<strong>ASK </strong>and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you!" Matt 7:7<br />
<br />
2- "<strong>ASK</strong> me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the Earth your possession." <br />
Ps. 2:8<br />
<br />
What are you <strong>asking</strong> the Lord for today Villagers? Maybe you've been looking for some answers to tough questions, maybe you feel like you've been knocking on some closed doors forever! Well do not give up! <strong>ASK</strong> the Lord :) He is a good Father who loves to give good gifts to His children. I am praying for you all today. And I encourage you to ask the Lord for one more important thing today... His HEART. His heart and desires for you life, the ones around you and the nations. You have a very significant role on this planet. A God given mission. <strong>ASK</strong> today :)Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-19284120026076890862014-06-15T20:54:00.002-07:002014-06-15T20:54:40.993-07:00Best of MeI hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day! I wanna take a minute to truly honor all the Fathers out there. And first of all I just wanna say.... I love my dad, Ken McNinch! You are the best dad!! Thank you for always loving and believing in me. You are the kindest man with the biggest heart. You have always put your family before yourself, and for taking care of us I truly honor and cherish you. <br />
<br />
Fatherhood is so important and we need our dads! The Bible refers to the word "father" over 1,100 times. The role of a father is not a light duty, they are the main influence on a child's moral and spiritual development. Most of the time, the way we view our Earthly father is the way we view our Heavenly father. They are the ones that love us unconditionally, pick us up when we fall, give us courage to try again, train us, coach us, teach us, provide for us, defend us, inspire us, discipline us, impart wisdom and morals, plus so much more. When a father believes in their child, the sky is the limit for that child! Father's you are so needed and valued. We truly love you.<br />
<br />
I was so excited to celebrate my amazing husband, Marco Lobos (fka Oracle) this weekend. This was his first Father's Day! To honor our daughter, Destiny, and fatherhood he released a music video yesterday on Father's Day. You are in for a special treat! Here is his video, I hope you enjoy it. I love you Marco! Thank you for being a wonderful daddy and husband :) Xoxo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HkV3yTW6XY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;"> Marco Lobos <i>"Best of Me"</i></span></b></div>
<br />
<b>Psalms 127:3-5 - </b><i>"Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are
children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full
of them.
They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in
court."</i>Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-29210317974316280952014-06-08T21:28:00.000-07:002014-06-08T21:32:35.468-07:00Imperfect EdgesI am not perfect. Sometimes I fall. Sometimes I feel rejected and offended. Most days I have to chose faith over fear. Villagers, do you ever feel that way?<br />
<br />
Recently, I had a terrible day. Ever have days where NOTHING goes right? That was the day I had. It was rough! I sat down at my kitchen table, started praying, and decided to do a little painting at the end of my horrible day. Sometimes I like to do little arts and crafts, it's fun and I can just relax. So I started to paint this little frame. Within minutes of starting my project, I was agonizing over how I was going to paint every little edge perfectly. The perfectionist in me started to get overwhelmed. It was going to take forever and could be impossible to get it perfect. In that moment I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart, "I love you Natalie, even with all of your imperfect edges." It was just what I needed to hear after my rough day.<br />
<br />
Sometimes in life we face rejection and it can be painful- from family, friends, coworkers, anyone. I know it can be scary to let our "imperfect edges" show. God wants us to forgive those who hurt us. Villagers, I have good news for you.... God will never reject you, leave you, and He is more than enough for our hearts! We can always count on Him. The God who made the heavens and Earth, galaxies and other planets is passionately in love with you. Think about it, God loves us so much that He sent His own son to redeem us- that's how much He loves & accepts us. The Bible says we are co-heirs with Christ. We are adopted into the family & we have a wonderful daddy God who we get to call, Abba. He loves everything about you and even though people may not accept you, God will never leave you or reject you. His love is truly unconditional and has no limits. He is not surprised or scared by our flaws and loves us with imperfect edges and all! Villagers, I love you all so much and want you to know you are always wanted and accepted!! Xoxo, Natalie<br />
<br />
<span class="text Isa-41-9" id="en-NIV-18461">I took you from the ends of the earth,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-41-9">from its farthest corners I called you.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-41-9">I said, ‘You are my servant’;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-41-9">I have chosen you and have not rejected you.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-41-10" id="en-NIV-18462"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>So do not fear, for I am with you;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-41-10">do not be dismayed, for I am your God.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Isa-41-10">I will strengthen you and help you;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-41-10">I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is.41:9-10</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-41-10"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC1MKpDsJsoY-a3XZ3QIP9xKWBvZWosxbqbK-86TsDlNT2B2mgCpkT3zhQNxOP-Ik6u7QFMzjblQ6fKP1HVxpKYtmQXzzN9aqoWaAarVJ-THe7goQUK_0gWmXeD3CsDHtCz01SdBCoUM/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC1MKpDsJsoY-a3XZ3QIP9xKWBvZWosxbqbK-86TsDlNT2B2mgCpkT3zhQNxOP-Ik6u7QFMzjblQ6fKP1HVxpKYtmQXzzN9aqoWaAarVJ-THe7goQUK_0gWmXeD3CsDHtCz01SdBCoUM/s1600/photo(2).JPG" /></a></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-41-10">P.s. Here is my little frame :) Imperfect edges and still beautiful- just like you and me!!</span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-41-10"> </span></span>Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-89158630924252083012014-06-01T22:40:00.000-07:002014-06-01T22:42:02.445-07:00Behind the Song - "Turn it Around"<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Happy Monday Villagers!!!!!!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hope you had a great weekend. Wooooo! I am a little tired, we had a busy weekend! Marco and I had the privilege of attending the K-Love Fan Awards last night at the Grand Ole Opry. It was so fun! I love any excuse to get all dressed up :) It was awesome seeing so many amazing Christian artists and to celebrate what God is not only doing in Christian music but in our culture with movies, sports, and music. Matthew West & Candice Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner from Full House) hosted the evening and they were so funny! Good times for sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eBdFHikzONbJx_p7f16ioiyGrwqT8wzdzjRyKT219GOhcYvDZ97nRwjezM9r0emyHnfpUTq6Dh5le7yJys1nbSS91vU4FMmCik2B_-mVU1RhGrpZ05zHsaCWx8dagrScvCMk_jYGPQU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eBdFHikzONbJx_p7f16ioiyGrwqT8wzdzjRyKT219GOhcYvDZ97nRwjezM9r0emyHnfpUTq6Dh5le7yJys1nbSS91vU4FMmCik2B_-mVU1RhGrpZ05zHsaCWx8dagrScvCMk_jYGPQU/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Marco and I in front of the Grand Ole Opry and inside the K-Love Fan Awards.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Behind the Song - "Turn it Around" </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well Villagers, I hope you guys are enjoying my first Blog Series, Behind the Song. We are almost done. This week I am sharing about my song, "Turn it Around." This is such
a fun song! I really loved writing it and I love singing it. I wrote this song and "LOL" around the same time. I was in a pretty hard season but I started writing this song as a
prayer and declaration that God was going to use every trial of mine for His glory! Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) states that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat it's fruit." Our words have power! Sometimes we have to call things into existence the things that do not exist (Rom. 4:17) and we do that by faith. This song is a prophetic declaration in faith that God will turn things around- finances, relationships, health, everything that we need! Even know every time I sing it, I believe that it creates faith in people to believe God will turn things around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While writing this song, I was in a place with my walk with the Lord where I was choosing to believe His
goodness instead of present sicknesses, circumstances, and fears. Sometimes we
feel like we are blindly choosing to believe God is good and faithful, but I
promise that He is! It’s His nature. The Bible is filled over and over with examples of His
goodness & faithfulness. I had never questioned the goodness of God before this time in my life. What I learned was that even in my trials God was still good, even if nothing ever changed and I was stuck in my troubles He would STILL be good because He is God. Even in the chaos God is still good because it's who He is. If you can get a hold of this concept, it will change your life. I know it changed mine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Scriptures
used to write it:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gen. 50:20,
Ecc. 3:1-14, Rom 8:28</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Purpose of
Song:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope
people sing and declare this song as a prayer that God will turn everything
around in their lives for His glory! I hope it encourages and strengthens
hearts that God makes everything new and beautiful in His perfect timing. Sing this song in faith and watch God moves those mountains!!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Xoxo, Natalie</div>
Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-57750127976504245022014-05-26T08:37:00.003-07:002014-05-26T08:38:17.678-07:00Happy Memorial Day!!!I hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating our Veterans, Military and the freedom we have in our wonderful country. We celebrated by taking Destiny on her first boat ride- life jacket and all! lol she loved it! I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has served and fought for our freedom. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. We honor you today! We are SO blessed to live in the United States. It is also a great day to thank God and continue to pray for our country.<br />
<br />
A little history about Memorial Day- The holiday was originally created to honor Union soldiers who had fallen in the Civil War. After World War 1, it expanded to honor all those in the military who have bravely served our country. In the 1800's it was called "Decoration Day" as loved ones would go decorate the tombs of fallen soldiers. On a day like this, I cannot help but thank the Lord for the freedoms that we have in this country. So many people have greatly sacrificed so we can be free. Let us never take it for granted. Ultimately, there is one who gave the biggest sacrifice in the history of mankind, Jesus! And He is worthy to be celebrated everyday!<br />
<br />
So enjoy your cookouts, pools, lake days, loved ones and friends! Have fun eating your hot dogs & hamburgers! This is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice & celebrate! Thank you Jesus for freedom and those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Happy Memorial Day!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdCHVJwRBZtLqPUVNeq1DXIDt97HQy3H_P8F6VAu52mfeC8zvPJs_aTWHqlLj2AFwoCgxRw_J1dhOuGWfpUFL95SY8y3RJdGWmJA1cI2osAVOTRvpq6zKZwsl9UyDb4yfGHEE1xOKwnw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdCHVJwRBZtLqPUVNeq1DXIDt97HQy3H_P8F6VAu52mfeC8zvPJs_aTWHqlLj2AFwoCgxRw_J1dhOuGWfpUFL95SY8y3RJdGWmJA1cI2osAVOTRvpq6zKZwsl9UyDb4yfGHEE1xOKwnw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeDoehcIG4Slzjy5crNQTYtzMSdZzaVhJOlCXhw_eohz7E9sJT53f7GlGLZIRFq0qSX-L61dFaVd6v82dQam9S_QtsGxXB0JESdJObErtyM6MPvtK2Cl3hArZxJThpd5xYuDv_hLnAHg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeDoehcIG4Slzjy5crNQTYtzMSdZzaVhJOlCXhw_eohz7E9sJT53f7GlGLZIRFq0qSX-L61dFaVd6v82dQam9S_QtsGxXB0JESdJObErtyM6MPvtK2Cl3hArZxJThpd5xYuDv_hLnAHg/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Xoxo, Natalie </div>
<br />Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-35167605075862624362014-05-19T06:00:00.000-07:002014-05-19T10:12:25.779-07:00Behind the Song Series - "Center of it All"<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good morning <b>Villagers</b>! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! One of my dear friends got hitched yesterday and I had the honor of being in her wedding. She was the most beautiful bride and you could feel the love all day long from the ceremony to the reception. Marriage is so beautiful and it's truly amazing how God puts people together. <i>True love is always worth the wait <b>Villagers</b></i>! One day your Prince or Princess will come :) Congratulations Jordan and Sarah Fremgen!!!! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you enjoyed last week's Blog about "Fast Lane" <b>Villagers</b> :) Today I am sharing about my song, "Center of it All." Xoxo </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Behind the Song - "Center of it All"</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In 2008, Marco (my husband) and I moved from Las Vegas to the inner city of Nashville to be missionaries. We
left everything. We left all our friends, family, our house, cars, our dog, our music label (Blood Bought Entertainment) to follow God's calling. It was a life changing and an experience I will never forget or
trade. I truly felt like a disciple leaving everything to follow Jesus. Over those 3 years as missionaries, God really worked on my heart and stripped a lot of materialism from my
life. I never realized how much of my identity was placed in clothing,
cars, money and what I owned until the Lord had me lay it down. During that time, I started to write a worship song called, "Center of it All." My favorite
line of the song is, “I would gladly give everything I have away for the chance
to know you more.” This is truly part of my testimony. My heart is to follow
the Lord and wherever He leads. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mark 10:17-27 really ministered to me while being a missionary. It is the story of the Rich Young Ruler. When you read that story, the Rich Young Ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. In return, Jesus tells the Rich Young Ruler to sell everything and also gives him the chance of a lifetime- to come follow Him! What an opportunity! Sadly, the Rich Young Ruler would not do what Jesus told him. I can't help but wonder what would have happened to the Rich Young Ruler if would have sold everything he owned and followed Jesus that day. Would he had been the 13th disciple? Would we be reading stories in the Bible about God using him for miracles? Would he have written a book of the Bible?? Unfortunately, we will never know. I never want material possessions or the condition of my heart to hinder my chance to know Jesus more and tell others
about His incredible love. This has become the prayer of my heart and this story still convicts me often. While recording this song, I had a lot of
fun working with the multi-talented, Victor Oquendo. He helped
arrange and produced the song. He has a beautiful heart for the Lord, is a musical genius and a wonderful
friend.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scriptures
used to write it:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mark
10:17-27</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purpose of
Song:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Center of it All” is a worship song. I really hope people
feel the love and presence of the Lord as they listen to it and a desire to know God more intimately. My prayer is that it changes perspectives as people
worship along realizing what truly is important. I hope people get called into
ministry, there is restoration to marriages and families, and people get God-given
dreams as they listen to this song. I also pray that people will hear the call of the Holy Spirit, like the Rich Young Ruler, to follow Him :) Believe me <b>Villagers</b>, there is nothing more incredible in this whole world than following Jesus. Answer His call and you will never be disappointed :)</span></div>
Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-30052173187113295372014-05-11T21:28:00.000-07:002014-05-11T21:33:27.151-07:00Behind the Song Series - "Fast Lane"<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hello <b>Villa</b>gers!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! Yesterday was my first Mother's Day. Marco and Destiny made sure it was very special- flowers, cards, balloons, a gift certificate for a massage, lunch! I am a lucky girl and could get used to this kind of treatment! I hope all you Mothers felt as special as you are. You are treasures from heaven. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Well my dear <b>Villa</b>gers, over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing a series of blog posts about the songs off of my EP, "Fast Lane," titled, "Behind the Song." Every song I write has a story. I am so excited to share the stories and the Bible verses that I used for each song with you. I hope when you hear the stories behind my songs it will bring encouragement to you and revelation from the Holy Spirit as you listen to my songs :) So... here we go!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Behind the Song - "Fast Lane"</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
story behind the song “Fast Lane” is the issue of insecurity. I would be lying if I said I never felt insecure. I believe that is something that everyone struggles with now and then, if not often, and I am guilty too.
Our
culture tells us how to dress, what car to drive, what type of music to
listen to, and what material things we have to own to be accepted and even loved BUT the
kingdom of God purely bases our acceptance in Christ alone. That is true
freedom and some really good news <b>Villa</b>gers! Being someone who struggled a lot with fear and insecurity, I
understand the battle of wanting to fit in and having to own things to make you
feel
worthy of love and acceptance. While writing this song, I kept thinking about how much God loves us. He loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us and redeem us. And even a step further, God has "adopted" us into His family making us "heirs"! That is true love and acceptance <b>Villa</b>gers. A fun fact about the song,
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Fast Lane,”
is that it was the only song on my EP that was co-written. I wrote the song with my amazing husband, Marco Lobos, and Pastor, Scott MacLeod. It was so fun writing with these two, and especially my Pastor! He is a lyrical mastermind. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Scriptures
used to write it:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mark
8:34-38, Eph. 1:6, Ps. 139</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Purpose of
the Song:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I hope this
song brings freedom from insecurity and the revelation that the love of Jesus Christ is the
only acceptance we ever need. I pray that girls listen to this song realizing they are beautiful, how loved they are by their heavenly Father, and how God perfectly designed them the way they are. I pray that guys listen to this
song and realize they don’t need money, fame or power to be accepted but they find true identity in God
alone. <b>Villa</b>gers, be free to be you! You are so amazingly loved, talented, unique and ridiculously incredible!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Xoxo, Natalie Villa</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rS9W3WHP828?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>**You can buy "Fast Lane" on iTunes or Amazon.**</i></span> </div>
Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537235148343849913.post-58398313531791169472014-05-01T10:51:00.000-07:002014-05-07T10:41:10.154-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Welcome to <span style="color: #741b47;">Natalie's Villa</span>!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWGj-6XLXkqXF99xjmMGiccQiPnAlk5AkBHj5kLTb3AWQ2a4y2yuIXmFV4yFcHfySDQWPirTFHtN2gOOFi5I6yTPqxVeq6PzTB8Ds3Ucx0Yk3GQqv0mvL4rBKoNIEwxeQcqoEJnYnPH8/s1600/Italian-village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWGj-6XLXkqXF99xjmMGiccQiPnAlk5AkBHj5kLTb3AWQ2a4y2yuIXmFV4yFcHfySDQWPirTFHtN2gOOFi5I6yTPqxVeq6PzTB8Ds3Ucx0Yk3GQqv0mvL4rBKoNIEwxeQcqoEJnYnPH8/s1600/Italian-village.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by to check out my blog! You are probably wondering what this "Natalie's Villa" business is all about. I am a Pop Worship Artist and my heart is to disciple generations. There is a saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." Well I have been asking myself a question lately, if it takes a "village to raise a child," what is it going to take to raise a generation? I am talking about raising up a generation that knows God intimately, has moral standards, lives life abundantly and changes our culture. I think the beginning of that answer starts with community.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATBlrpsDh2sbY17te9iZt-1LJINmRoNWW5Fr2iMHzM-ax2suP3PNrB6zMkO-kztXZ6t4kcBanC5jhBf33NTM5n112XyUShFV7X-GD-vYMJHhXGjlpDGC87TvgwhKmY9oZMKaPRtwPvZQ/s1600/brazilvill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATBlrpsDh2sbY17te9iZt-1LJINmRoNWW5Fr2iMHzM-ax2suP3PNrB6zMkO-kztXZ6t4kcBanC5jhBf33NTM5n112XyUShFV7X-GD-vYMJHhXGjlpDGC87TvgwhKmY9oZMKaPRtwPvZQ/s1600/brazilvill.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <b>Villa</b> is defined as: a small community; a </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">social</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">group</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">any</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">size</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">whose</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">members</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">reside</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">specific</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">locality,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">share</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">government,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">often</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">have</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">common</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">cultural</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">historical</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">heritage.</span></span> </span></span>My hope is that this blog becomes a place where people gather to form a <b>village</b>- a community of friendship, a place of discipleship and
mentoring from topics ranging from God, Music, Cultural Issues, Marriage
& family, to maybe even food! </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNTzgnqEYeTrOeZydTJNYNezR0esfiFZsZprMAlxnCgJodNTgEOcMMxAU3MxzgZFfd8kEZ7zlOglgI-Tdn_bmTCrKtmqgv5jQebDR55M4g1MbzeDXLjGuBmByYsqk7KcqG8DxiFKpWGQ/s1600/vegasvill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNTzgnqEYeTrOeZydTJNYNezR0esfiFZsZprMAlxnCgJodNTgEOcMMxAU3MxzgZFfd8kEZ7zlOglgI-Tdn_bmTCrKtmqgv5jQebDR55M4g1MbzeDXLjGuBmByYsqk7KcqG8DxiFKpWGQ/s1600/vegasvill.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to my Villa. It's a place you are always wanted and accepted. I am so happy to have you be apart of my family and village. I LOVE YOU VILLAGERS! Xoxo</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Natalie's Villahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046428424984690056noreply@blogger.com0