Encouragement & Real Stories of Changed Lives

Trusting God All The Way to Africa

(Enroute to Nairobi from London – after being awakened at 2:30 a.m. with a distressing phone call from home.  I don’t think I slept, but continued to pray, praise and rest in Your presence.  I sit between my husband Mark and a woman eating a Hindi meal.  In the quietness of this plane, I surrender to You afresh and so desperately need to listen. I so desire to hear Your voice.  I wait.)

 

Song I’m hearing:  “It is well with my soul.” I say "YES" it is well with my soul...it's my heart that is filled with sadness and grief for the choices, lifestyle, etc. that have been chosen.  I’m thankful You are his Shepherd and I’m just the Momma sheep!

 

My sheep hear My voice and follow Me.  I know them intimately – that is true for you, true for your children.  Keep listening, keep praying, keep loving, keep forgiving, keep joyful, keep content, keep settled, and keep at peace.

 

I AM -  that’s enough for you, for this situation, for your time in Kenya, for the ministry I’ve prepared for you to walk in – you are:

 

My daughter

My mouthpiece

My channel

My water faucet

My cherished one

My love

My friend

 

I am your child’s:

 

Father

Friend

Deliverer

Rescuer

Counselor

Discipliner

Trainer

Mentor

Lover

Forgiver

Savior

 

I am all I am in My names.  I am to you and I am to him:

 

Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah Nissi

Jehovah Shumah

Jehovah Rophe

Jehovah Shalom

Jehovah Isidkeru

Jehovah Rohi

El Shaddiah

Almighty – Adonai

Elohim

Elroy

 

Rest – He is in My everlasting arms 

Rest – He is being broken, molded,  shaped

Rest – I am sovereign

Rest – I am aware and know all

Rest – Roll all your burdens into Me and leave them there

Rest – I am on the move

Rest – I am awakening his heart

Rest – My ways, you would never figure out

Rest – be still and know that I AM GOD

 

Wait on Me

Think on Me

Dwell in Me

Let My words dwell in you

 

It is well with your soul – because as you press in and lean into Me – you sense no panic, no fear, no calculating, no figuring or forecasting.  My heart is calm.  My way is not hidden to you My daughter.  You continue to run the race I’ll set before you.  Run with joy and endurance with your eyes focused on Me.  You need to trust Me to rescue him in My way and in My time.  I will.

 

Rest, wait, and trust

Don’t worry

Don’t be fearful

Don’t be discouraged

The BATTLE is not yours but Mine

STAND and see the salvation of the Lord!

Lift up your head...see My glory

Expect a miracle

Expect to see with your eyes of faith a vision of him as I see him.

(Listening prayer for me is simply being still in God’s presence, anticipating His voice, recording His words, impressions, or pictures, then responding in love, faith & obedience to what He whispers.  It’s absolutely amazing, I always receive exactly what my heart is longing for…. sweet companionship, fresh encouragement and specific guidance.)

 

Debbie McGoldrick is the founder of NBS2GO, blessed to be married to Mark, mother of 2 married children and Dee Dee to Maddox and Joshua!  Debbie is an avid collector of heart rocks and shells, a lover of color, and always looking for a reason to go to the beach.

 

 

Mothers need one another. I don’t know how else to say it. We need advice. We need “oh ya, I’ve been there too.” We need encouragement. We need affirmation. We need help, for pete’s sake.

 

Gathering mothers together is really fun. Throw out this question, “tell your worst/best parenting moment” and let the laughter, tears, and connecting begin.

 

How to host a neighborhood Mother’s Day Brunch

1. Choose a day, time and home to gather in.


2. Ask a good friend to share thoughts on Motherhood


3. Send simple invitations


4. Prepare for the details of the day (clean, cook, ask a few others to cook too, etc)


5. Welcome each guest and tell them you are glad they came


6. Facilitate a “getting to know you” time


7. Pray a blessing for the food and the ladies who came


8. Eat!


9. Listen to “speaker”


10. Clean up

 

So simple. So needed.

 

We all desire to build “community” right where we live. Gathering neighbors together is vital to this. Sharing life with one another communicates value, love and care. Hosting a Mother’s Day brunch is a wonderful way to have women in our homes to produce this community!

 

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

 

As followers of Christ may we continually be known for caring for our neighbors, extending a helping hand, welcoming them in our homes and initiating relationships.

 

Do you have an idea for Mother’s Day?  Please share it with us.

The NBS2go Team

5 Ways to connect with your neighbors at Easter

 

A pastor was recently sharing that his family initiated with a neighbor who lived two doors down. They had the family over for Easter lunch.  As the conversation progressed he asked them what Easter meant to
them.  The wife responded, “what do you mean? It’s all about the Easter bunny and spring and such.  Does it mean something different to you?” He thought he would ask the question in a different way. “What significance does Easter have to you spiritually?” The wife responded again, “does Easter have anything to do with God?”



Does this story burden you like it does me?  The crux of the Christian faith hinges
on the reality of the resurrection. Our team put together a brief list of ideas to connect with our neighbors during the Easter season.

 

I AM – Listening Prayer

I surround you with My love

I hold you close to My heart

I am with you always and in every situation. I AM

 

I AM sovereign

I AM your peace

I AM your strength

I AM your counselor

I AM your wisdom

I AM your friend

I AM just

I AM jealous

I AM able

 

Hope only in Me, My Words, My ways,

Put your gaze on Me, My Word, My ways,

May thanksgiving and praise continue to flow from your heart for

who I am,

what I have done,
what I am doing and will do,

and for My Word.

 

Walk moment by moment experiencing and expressing

My joy

My peace

My love...let it

Overflow

Spill out

Bless your family, friends, and others.

 

Cast all your worries, cares, burdens, questions, decisions, uncertainties, loads, work, etc. on Me

– the great I AM because I care for YOU!

 

The more you know, understand, and trust My care for you – the more readily you will cast completely and continually everything upon me.  That is the only way My yoke is easy and My burden is light...because it’s My yoke, My burden, not yours.

 

Give thanks for all I have planned for you during this season -- don’t grow weary – sow broadly and knit the next row.

 

Watch, be in the grandstands – expect miracles, welcome miracles, be strong in your faith, walk through the doors I open for you, follow My lead by listening closely.

 

I love you my daughter. Rest and do not be afraid.

 

 

Founder of NBS2GO, blessed to be married to Mark and the adoptive mother of Melissa and Matt. Debbie is an avid collector of heart rocks and shells, a lover of color, and always looking for a reason to go to the beach.

Most prisoners in jail, regardless of the number of hours or years locked up, dream of the time they will be set free.  

Imagine an inmate sitting in a prison cell with his back facing the door.  A guard unexpectedly unlocks his door and informs the prisoner that he is free to leave. Yet he remains unmoved, staring intently at the walls around him.  How strange! Did he not hear or simply refuse to believe the guard’s word? Did he feel unworthy of such a gift? Was he fearful of what lay beyond the door that was standing wide open? Or does he actually like his prison?



In order for the inmate to experience freedom, he must believe the guard is speaking the truth, then stand up and walk out through the open door. 

It seems ridiculous doesn’t it? To be set free, yet to CHOOSE bondage!

Christ has offered us the gift of freedom, but so often we linger behind the bars that have been foraged by our past mistakes, or present worries, or possibly even our projected fears about the future. 

For past mistakes: God’s promise of forgiveness frees us from the penalty and power of sin’s enslavement.  “You have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do….but if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it, and its evil deeds, you will live free.” Romans 8:12-13 

For present worries: God’s promise of peace frees us from all worry. “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God your need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-6

For future fears: God’s promise of answered prayer frees us from all fear. “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy!” Psalm 34:4-5



Are you in jail? Linger no longer! A legitimate jailbreak is yours! Take God at His word and, empowered by faith, walk out of your unlocked cell block and enjoy past, present and future freedom by Christ, in Christ and through Christ, moment-by-moment.

It is time to walk free!

 

 

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Debbie McGoldrick is the founder of NBS2GO and blessed to be married to Mark and the adoptive mother of Melissa and Matt. Debbie is an avid collector of heart rocks and shells, a lover of color and always looking for a reason to go to the beach.