Navigating The Wilderness | Hearing God’s Voice in a Hard Season

The God Dare: Trusting God's Plan in Wilderness Seasons

In this episode of the 'Navigating the Wilderness' podcast, I’m joined by author and speaker Kate Battastelli. We discuss Kate's journey from Broadway actress to embracing God's call to a different life path, including struggles with infertility and discovering purpose beyond traditional societal roles. Kate shares how her book 'The God Dare' came to be and offers insights on trusting God's guidance even in silence and challenging seasons. I hope our conversation will encourage you to trust in God's timing and take your God Dare when it is revealed to you.

 

Instagram: @Navigating_the_Wilderness

Nicole's Instagram: @nicole.m.delaney

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563937066977

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleDelaney01

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/NicoleDelaney

 

Find Kate Batistelli: https://katebattistelli.com/

Kate's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/katebattistelli

Purchase The God Dare: https://a.co/d/8bF1Z1b

Purchase Growing Great Kids: https://a.co/d/4M5O8nX

 

 

00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction

00:32 A Life-Changing Encounter

01:09 Struggles and Encouragement

02:16 Finding Purpose Beyond Motherhood

02:47 Kate's Journey and God's Plan

03:10 Infertility and Trusting God's Timing

06:29 The Role of Suffering in Faith

09:29 Raising a Gifted Child

13:43 Broadway Dreams and Divine Redirection

18:37 A New Life and Spiritual Awakening

24:28 The Call to Write a Book

26:41 Overcoming the Overwhelm: Writing My First Book

27:35 The God Dare: From Blog Post to Book

28:07 Struggles and Triumphs: Battling Anxiety

30:00 Embracing the Call: Writing and Speaking

31:08 The Importance of Obedience: A Story of Reinhard Bonnke

33:06 Facing Fears: Starting a Podcast

37:10 Trusting God's Plan: Letting Go of Expectations

40:52 Guiding the Next Generation: Raising a Musician

42:57 Finding Purpose: Beyond Infertility

44:39 The Wilderness Season: Coping Strategies

48:17 Embracing Obscurity: God's Unique Callings

49:08 Final Thoughts and Prayers

From Math Teacher to Israeli University President: Oliver Hersey's Story

Navigating the Wilderness: An Interview with Dr. Oliver Hersey of Jerusalem University College

 

In this episode of the Navigating the Wilderness podcast, host Nicole Delaney interviews Dr. Oliver Hersey, President of Jerusalem University College on Mount Zion in Israel. Oliver shares his personal faith journey, detailing his career transition from a high school math teacher to a Bible educator, and eventually to his current role. He opens up about the challenges he faced, such as moving to Israel during the pandemic, and how he has seen God's hand guiding him through various wilderness experiences. Oliver also discusses the unique educational programs offered by the university, the current situation in Israel, and how the college is adapting amidst ongoing conflicts. The episode wraps up with advice on how listeners can support Jerusalem University College through prayer, engagement, and financial contributions.

 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:30 Nicole's Experience at Jerusalem University College

01:37 Challenges of Moving During the Pandemic

02:24 Faith and Resilience in Difficult Times

04:54 Oliver's Journey to Teaching the Bible

05:51 The Wilderness and God's Provision

07:37 From Math Teacher to Bible Teacher

09:01 Pursuing a Calling Despite Challenges

09:46 The Decision to Pursue a PhD

11:07 Providential Moments and Moving to Israel

20:49 Accepting the Role of President at JUC

28:39 Moses' Journey and Leadership Lessons

33:29 Discovering Your Calling

34:25 Embracing Discomfort for Growth

37:27 Navigating Cultural Differences

39:52 Life in Jerusalem

48:09 Educational Programs at JUC

59:31 Supporting JUC and Final Thoughts

 

Gratitude is a Weapon

This week I am speaking about gratitude and stewardship. The Wilderness is a place where we get what we need but not necessarily what we want. If we're not careful the temptation can become to focus on what looks like deficiency or lack and fail to recognize God's sufficiency in our life. Gratitude is a powerful weapon against discouragement when life becomes challenging. 

How do I hold onto the vision God has given me?

Thanks for joining me this week! When we are in a wilderness season it often feels like we are going in the opposite direction of where we think we should be going. God often gives us a glimpse of where He's taking us but when we experience testing and difficulty we can lose sight of what He has said. Today I'm talking about the importance of holding onto the vision He's given you and some practical ideas you can implement that will help you to remain resolute in moving in the direction the Lord has given you. 

If this is an encouragement to you I'd love it if you would share it with another that will be blessed by it. 

 

Having Peace in the Storm

In this episode, I share some things God has been speaking to me about over the last couple of weeks since I aired the last episode. I talk about the hurricane that made landfall in Florida, a major storm that hit my friend's life, and how we can best navigate the storms of life around us. Hold on to the Lord, my friends. Things may get a bit rocky but in Him, we are kept secure.

Spiritual Hunger and Thirst in the Wilderness

In this episode, I'm talking about how the Wilderness creates a spiritual hunger and thirst in us. It's easy to feel like giving up in the middle of the journey when things become hard. As I was filming this I was reminded of a time in my life when I was about to give up and God led me to make a change that ultimately transformed my perspective and brought a breakthrough. 

This episode was filmed on October 3rd, before I knew a hurricane was heading toward those of us living in Florida. As this episode releases I'm challenged to live out the words I'm sharing with all of you, to keep my eyes on Jesus and not on the storm. He will bring us through. 

My Journey Through the Wilderness

Navigating the Wilderness: Nicole Delaney's Journey

 

In this inaugural episode of 'Navigating the Wilderness,' host Nicole Delaney shares her personal journey of faith, struggle, and transformation. She reveals how a series of professional, personal, and spiritual challenges guided her to create this podcast. Nicole delves into pivotal moments, including the loss of her mentor, a dramatic career change, and her battle with infertility. Throughout these experiences, she discusses how she sought God's direction and eventually found her path. The episode sets the stage for future interviews with others who have navigated their wilderness seasons, offering hope and encouragement to listeners facing their own difficult journeys.

 

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:26 Nicole's Personal Wilderness Journey

01:11 The Call to Create the Podcast

01:58 Understanding the Wilderness Season

03:32 Professional Challenges and Personal Growth

07:28 A Turning Point: The Women's Retreat

22:05 The Struggle with Infertility

29:19 The Israel Trip and Its Impact

34:38 Launching the Podcast

38:50 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole.m.delaney/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563937066977

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nicoledelaney01?si=5A7RptJpmPvlhGkq

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