Fall Update

Hey Everybody,

I haven't been on this thing in so long and I thought I better put an update out about what is going on over here in the Northwest.

Where to start...

Well we are looking for another opportunity to serve in the ministry as God has moved us on from our current place of ministry at Riverside. It is a very long and drawn out story but the bottom line is God isn't finished with Michelle or I and we are excited for the new chapter that is being communicated to us as I type this.

We are also possibly moving from our current location down a block or two to a home in our neighborhood. Michelle seems to think its very "cute" and so you know its a done deal.

I am also seeking other employment and their are some significant developments there. I don't really want to talk about all of the opportunities yet because God is in control and he will open and shut doors as he pleases. The real reason for seeking other employment is because of the brutal travel schedule I am under right now. The expectation is 4 to 5 days on the road and I can't get those days and nights back from my family so it is time to look.

So I guess you could say we are in a state of transition right now just in time for the holidays so we appreciate any and all prayers given on our behalf.

Much Love,
Nate

God is in Control

Well we have returned safely from Kentucky and God clearly spoke to Michelle and I about returning to the ministry in a full time capacity!!!! We have no idea what that looks like as of right now but we are headed in that direction.

As we determined to do this in our hearts the enemy is already trying to discourage and defeat the God sized dreams we have been given. As we were in Kentucky and God was showering us with His blessings it became evident that the fruitfulness that God gives to a life can turn into what people charchterize as a heritage. Michelle and I were blown away by how God is truly moving through the church and He clarified to our hearts that we are meant to be a part of what He is doing in this nation.

I thank all of you in Kentucky for sharing your kind words with us and blessing us by bringing us out to the 10 Year Celebration of River of Life. Your faithfulness spoke to our hearts and your obedience continues to inspire us. Please pray for us as we continue to seek God's will for our lives in this coming season.

Thanks,
Nate

Good Morning!
God is moving and I'm excited about His plan for our lives. The countdown is on for Kentucky and every day my kids wake up excited about it.

My Boy is 7!

This past weekend we celebrated my son's seventh birthday. I can't believe he is that old already and it seems like each day is going by quicker and quicker. I know all of you reading this with older children are saying something like "just wait it get's faster and faster" but I can't help but want to freeze time and say let's stay right here for a little while longer.

I know life isn't that way but it wouldn't it be nice to have a pause button every once in a while?

Love You All,
Nate

What Summer Means to Me.

When I think of summer, the first thoughts that come to my mind when coming from the Pacific Northwest is, thank God it’s here! The typical weather report here in the Willamette Valley for about 9 months out of the year calls for rain showers almost daily, in fact, Oregonians have called it liquid sunshine for years and people even check to see if the webs in their toes are still developing. To see and feel the sunshine on your face as summer rolls in, is just fantastic, especially with the winter we had this year, with about a week worth of shoveling required around Christmas.
Summer is here, and when I think about what summer means to me personally, I can’t help but have a smile develop on my face. June is the month where my youngest was born. Her name is Alexis and she was born in 2004. She just celebrated her fifth birthday already, and she was born just before the weekend of Father’s Day that year. She and I have a special bond that I cherish as a Father.
July is one of my personal favorite months, as we celebrate the birth of our nation. What an awesome day to reflect on the sacrifice, and dedication of our forefathers, who founded this country on values squarely based on the Word of God. Blessed is the nation who calls on the Lord God. On another random note completely, I’ve always wanted to give a big hug to whoever came up with baby back ribs on the barby and strawberry shortcake.
August is a tremendous month for me personally. I married my wife on August, 23rd 1997 when I was the ripe old age of 19. Many came to me during my engagement that particular summer and couldn’t comprehend why I would be willing to risk my “childhood” to be married. Some would say to me “Nate, are you sure you want to do this now”? I’m so glad that I did because there is no doubt that was the best decision of my life! Also in August, my first child was born. It was on that first day of August that my wife woke up early, about six in the morning, to address our two Labrador puppies that were barking and waking up the neighborhood. She opened our window in our bedroom and went to exude her authority over the dogs when she said honey I just broke my water!!!
When I met my first born son, I never dreamed that I would have such an overwhelming sense of my Father’s love come over me. Elijah, as he was entering the world, had his eyes fixed on me, which just sent a wave of emotion over me. God allowed me to see, and sense, the love He had for me through the birth of my first and only son. I was so moved that I couldn’t even watch the Price is Right without tearing up for every contestant that was winning something!!! As I think and reflect about this season, I thank God that most of the best gifts that He has given to me, have come to me in this wonderful time of year called summer.

Father's Day

Had a wonderful day with my family today... We were in Roseburg, OR where my Uncle Tim is pastoring. His daughter Tiffany got married on Saturday and my children were in her wedding as was I doing a prayer of blessing and helping with communion. We had a wonderful weekend and my children gave me some incredible gifts for Fathers day.

Elijah made me a candy dish that he painted to the likeness of a watermellon. I was really impressed by his art capabilities. (That must be from Michelle) Alexis made me a picture frame with a picture of herself positioned just right in the frame. What can I say accept for I'm a blessed man to have healthy children and a wife who loves me.

To all of the Fathers I know personally... Take a second and reflect about how your children have been more of a blessing than a burden to care for. They are truly a gift from God and worth every moment of celebrating.

Take Care,
Nate

My Daughter's Big Announcement

Hey Everybody...

Lexi has a huge announcement to make...


SHE ACCEPTED JESUS INTO HER HEART!!!

She did this Tuesday night and asked for this to happen by herself. No prompting from parents just the Holy Spirit... We are thrilled and wanted the world to know that Alexis Powlison's name is recorded in heaven as a Believer of Jesus Christ!!! She already wants to be Baptized too!

Sweet Worship Tune

I love this new worship Tune. Say what they want the world will, but, We are FREE!!!

Where is all of this coming from?

To My Family and Friends,

Some of you might be pondering why all of this chaos is happening right now... Why is their a pandemic looming??? Why do we seem to keep having economic issues??? Why?

Well I know most seeker sensitive Pastors and Teachers would say something like this too shall pass and don't focus on the negative, or God isn't judging us or anything like that...

My opinion and Scriptural knowledge points me in a direction that says as American's we need to Repent... This has nothing to do with Patriotism or lack their of... It has to do with the fact that we are sinning as a Country when we borrow more than we can pay back, legalizing Gay Marriage, and giving the land away that was promised by God to the nation of Israel.

It's time for an awakening in America. Please Pray today and find the wisdom in what other prophets in America are urging. Prepare your household for calamity and make sure you have at least 4 weeks of food in the pantry. It's not about doomsday!!!! It's about ministering even in the darkest of days. Will we be found as the Light in the darkest of times.... Will we operate in Wisdom and not Fear... Will we be able to reach the world for Jesus when times are tough with a glass of water or a warm meal? What about laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover?

I know that the temptation as a Christian is to point the finger of blame to the unbeliever regarding why we are in this mess but I think if Heavenly Wisdom is in operation in our lives than we must take a look within first... Are we willing to Repent for our Nation? Are we willing to Cry out in the Night or are we worried about what the Pastor's wife was wearing on Sunday??? Are we too offended to hit our knees?

This is an exhortation for us to get right before God. These are the Day's of Elijah and we must give an ear to what the Spirit is Saying to the Church... Righteousness must become a priority for us as Believers. I thank God that His Mercy does triumph over Judgment but at the same time we must remember that sin is a stench in his Nostrils and that He is Just. Repent!

Much Love,
Nathan
PS.
This message is brought to you by Love.

Great Easter Song!!!

We sang this song in our church this last Easter Sunday. It was incredible and we saw 6 people come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ!!! Find a way to worship Him today for the Salvation He is bringing to the Earth. Remember to celebrate Easter every Sunday as it is written that He rose on the first day of the week! Every Sunday should be a time of celebration of what Jesus did through His death and Resurrection!

Cling to what is Good!!!

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to say Hi and encourage you this morning. God is in Control!! Many are sick around me but I know my God is Mighty to Save!

This is one of the best explanations of this common problem we share as human beings... Please watch this short video on the subject of worth.

Thanks,
Nate

This is soo out.....

Cultivating Relationships...

Hey Everybody,

It seems to me as though relationship is under attack. We have so many tools to stay connected yet we struggle at it. My concern is that all of this technology will make my children socially backwards... People skills are still a very valuable asset to the Kingdom of God and also the working world. The ability to connect is paramount in this time. Where ever you are today make a decision to connect with someone. Encourage them and let them know you are praying for them.

Praying for you,
Nate

Family Update

Hey Everybody,

Thanks again for wanting to know more about us as a family. We recently have been battling sickness and finally feel like we are getting over it. Michelle has especially been hit hard with it this year. By the way if a Doctor ever asks you if you would like to receive a flu test, say no way jose and look for the nearest exit. It is a ginormous q-tip looking thing that they jam up your nose until they hit gray matter. Anyway they ended up confirming that she had Influenza version B. She ended up taking the medication called Tamiflu which ended up making her vomit and subsequently got her dehydrated. So an ER visit later we had a liter of fluid back in her and she was feeling better. Did I mention this was all going down while we were visiting Kentucky for my sisters wedding??? So as we touched down in Portland my son Elijah was waking up from a nap to tell me his stomach hurt and while we were exiting down the aisle of the plane he began to blow chunks.... Alexis my daughter ended up coming down with it that evening. Well God sparred me through all of this and I ended up just getting a cough.

I share this with you not because we are saying woe is me.... but because Jesus is still in charge regardless of the pain that the enemy tries to throw at you. We are encouraged as Easter nears because Jesus defeated sickness and death and we are rejoicing as our health returns.

We love you,
Nate, Shell and Kids.

Lexi's Shout Out to Family in Kentucky...

Lexi wanted to give a big shout out to her family in Kentucky...

Where do we find refreshment?

Encouraging words on Ministry/Missions

The following is what I received this morning from Foursquare...

Good morning!

“Return home, and care for your grandkids,” were the words Foursquare missionaries Glen and Rosemary Mickel began hearing from the Lord in late 2007 after serving in the heart of Southern Africa for the last 8 years. It did not make sense at the time, and there were many reasons to discount or disregard this word of the Lord. They were seeing doors of fruitfulness open wide as a healthy Regional Council and many dear relationships all seemed to indicate they should remain in their present assignment. Yet Glen and Rosemary listened, and obeyed.

Less than a week after arriving back in the United States in early December 2008, the call came: “Jeremy, your youngest son, has just passed away at age 34.” After some physical challenges, Jeremy went home to be with the Lord, leaving three precious young grandkids, Jacob, Jonathan and Josiah. The Lord knew that these three young boys would be in great need of the comfort of their grandparents, and what awesome grandparents they are!

My friendship with the Mickels and some of their great children, Steve & Suzanne, goes back a few years, but not as far as I would like. In these last few weeks (as has always been the case), I have been touched and enriched again by the Spirit through them. Having just moved back to the USA from a wonderful assignment in Brazil ourselves, we’ve been strengthened by their courage and reminded that…

- Effectiveness is spelled “O-B-E-Y” in the real (His) economy. Thankfully Glen and Rosemary were not persuaded by ministerial pressures and result orientation, but prioritized the apparent ministerial ‘inefficiency’ of returning to family.
- Their grandkids are an important part of the harvest to Jesus! The discipleship that can happen through me in my family is my first calling.
- In the jungles of Africa or in the cities of the USA, hearing His prophetic voice continues to be key. May my heart always be listening to His love and guidance…even when not making sense in my limited perspective.

After breakfast with the Mickels several days ago, I was praying that I might have the same obedience, sensitivity and priorities. Glen of course thanked me for breakfast, and I thanked the Lord for the privilege of serving Him with them. Today (and frequently) I’m strengthened by the health of so many of our Foursquare leaders, and the faith of our awesome missionaries. May you and I pray this week, “Jesus, may I be more like You as I consider the outcome of the Mickel’s way of life and imitate their faith. (Heb. 13:7 NIV)

Be Blessed,

Nate

Keep on Keeping On...

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to quickly say hello and ask for Prayer this month. My schedule has become so filled that it seems I can't keep up with everything including this blog. I'm going to do my best and continue to electronically encourage.

God is doing some great things in His people and it seems to me that the challenge is how to push forward when the world is telling you to stop pushing. Moses had a very unique challenge in convincing Pharaoh to let the people of God go. He kept pushing Pharaoh and telling him that things in his life and the people he was leading were not going to turn out well as long as he kept the Hebrews hostage. Pharaoh's heart each time would harden to the word of the Lord. I never want to find myself in that place that my heart is so hardened that sin and disobedience don't affect me anymore.

So pray with me that our hearts would remain soft and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and that our personal walks with God would be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the slightest of nudges gets us to pay attention. I love all of you very much and pray for you often.

Many Blessings,
Nate

Psalm 71:18

Hey Everybody,
Nothing is more clear to us than the call to preach the Good News. Please take a moment and write down who needs Jesus in your life and pray for their Salvation in 2009.

Thanks,
Nate

2009 A Year to Preserve and Protect our Faith

Hey Everybody,
I wanted to start a video blog for each day of the week. They will be short thoughts that I feel God impressing upon my heart. We do wish you a Happy New Year and believe God for big things this year. Please be praying for Israel right now as they are in a conflict that requires our Christian attention.

Much Love,
Nate and Shell