Loved having @LauraBCooksey on the road w/me today. Made the 7hr bus trip seem short. We talked the entire way & it's been delightful! :)
@nataliegrant

Your Stories

Hey friends,

i need your help with something. do you have a story of how one of my songs has changed your life? i will let you know soon what we will be using it for, but for now, i would love to know how one of my songs has impacted your life and helped to bring you through a desperate situation!
i look forward to reading every one….
much love!

Nat.

March 28, 2011  •  244 Comments  •  Posted in Blog
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  • Crsgthejordan

    I am 33 years old. I was sexually abused as a child by my father and verbally/emotionally abused by my husband for 10 years. I unfortunately experienced physical abuse the last 6 months that I was with my husband. I was able to leave with my daughter a month ago. We have a protective order in place that protects us legally… but the biggest challenge is picking up the pieces left behind. My daughter still isn’t talking about it. To become new – to become all that God intended us to be – that is the journey that we are on now. And that is what your music embodies. I have listened to your music since I first heard “Held” many years ago. This song meant even more to me after I miscarried last year. We prayed that God would give our heartbeat back. I now know why He did not. Through “Held”, God spoke to me in so many layers of my life: as a survivor of sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse and the loss of a child I do not yet know. As my daughter and I continue finding who we are in Christ – I know God will heal. God will lead and He will inspire us to His plan for us to minister to others as you have. Thank you for being so vulnerable. We love you for it – and we thank God for you.

  • Guest

    Hi Natalie,
    I just wanted you to know how much we have enjoyed your music especially “The Real Me”. We played it during a women’s retreat and it became our theme song and it ministered to so many ladies and was able to set them free from a number of different and difficult issues they were dealing with. This has helped them to see themselves in a better light and I want to thank you for allowing God to use you in such a beautiful way.

  • Beth Fitzgerald

    My cousin passed away at the age of 48. I put together a video tribute of pictures for facebook and youtube.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iyGL-seLNQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
    (In Memory of Jeanna Marie Burnside Shingleton)

    She had lost 2 toes to a foot infection and diabetes. She had been in and out of the hospital with other complications with her heart and fluid retention. While at the nursing home recouperating and receiving physical therapy to walk again, she went into cardiac arrest and they could not bring her back. She wanted to be able to walk again to be able to go camping again. I purchased this song from iTunes after I found it on a website for funeral music. I can’t tell you how much it speaks to all of us about Jeanna’s life. I also read part of the lyrics in my Eulogy.

    Thank you so much for this song.

  • Littletweety97

    Your song the real ne aha done a lot in my life. Everytime I lose myself and think I’m not beautiful in anyone’s eyes I put that song on and always realize Im beautiful in my GODS eyes. Or everytime I lose my self in a world thats based on beauty I just sing to myself and always remind myself of all the good things that GOD has planned for me and that true beauty comes from within. Your songs bring me closer and closer to GOD

  • moses

    my name is moses. when i first heard the song on the radio on the “sound of life,” your song inspired me to change and God used that song to speak to me and open my heart to Him. “your great name,” touched my heart forever

  • Breena Holt

    Natalie,
    I fell in love with the song “Your Great Name” like most everyone else ;) I’ve been in a time of healing from past hurts while I tried to sing without all the fears that always crept in. Singing to God has always made me feel closest to Him. The past couple of years, I have slowly felt God pushing me to “let it out’, if you will. I tried, but again, the fear just kept creeping in. When I heard this song, yet again, about 2 months ago, I knew this was a song God wanted me to sing and practice. So I did. As my husband and I, along with some wonderful friends of ours are planting a church in central Ohio, I felt it was time to get over some fears of singing. I went to a dear friend and told her I’d love her to coach me and she was all for it. Two weeks later, the CRAZIEST thing happened…I was shopping at Target, and a man fell to the ground shaking. God spoke to me to go and pray over him, and although I was fearful of so many things, I did. I obeyed, prayed for him and watched as God healed him RIGHT in front of my eyes. The name of Jesus has more power than I ever knew or believed!! That’s where this video, that we are playing this Sunday at our first Ember Church service (EmberChurch.org) came from. The video will tell you the rest…never did I ever think God could use someone like me, who loves Jesus, but didn’t really believe in miracles to be a tool in healing a man who was dieing. I am humbled every single time I think of it…please take a moment to watch this movie my husband, Andy Holt (http://thesometimespreacher.blogspot.com) created at http://www.vimeo.com/27606278. ‘Your Great Name’ instrumental track is the background music for the video and then, I’m going to go up and sing it as it has become apart of my healing, and the healing of a man in Target.

    Thank you for reading this! So glad a friend told me about you doing this! This has changed my life!!!

    Breena Holt

  • Rachel Hahn

    hey my name is rachel and i went to something and truthfully it was a while ago and cant remember what it was but i can only remember you and kj52 singing there and you sang the song held and i have loved the song since then and ive lost several people in my life and i forgot about this song until acouple days ago when we was talking about my friend who lost her baby and i remembered the story you told about this song sorry i know this isnt a life changing song and i dont have a long story about it but i love this song and if people just listen to the words maybe it could change lives… ok then

  • Dsstrj

    On January 30, 2008, my youngest child went home to Jesus. James was only 29 years old, and his death was so unexpected that I thought it would destroy me. I was dreading my first day back to the office after the funeral, so I was glad to have a Christian radio station for the 20-minute drive to work. In God’s perfect timing, your song “In Better Hands” started playing, and it seemed to be a special message to me, saying that my sweet James was in the loving arms of His Savior. With that comforting truth that James is in better Hands, I had the strength to make it through the most difficult time in my life. Thank you for faithfully proclaming the message of the hope we have in Jesus.

  • Gina

    Natalie, Your song Make a Way, really touched my heart. I could picture that young girl through your music and lyrics. Sadly, I could picture that girl as me, the song sings of a girl taken advantage of and used, which I can relate to in some ways. Being molested as a young girl by a neighbor boy and then later in my life making some bad choices with my boyfriend and finding myself a Junior in College and pregnant. Knowing that I turned my back on the God I had loved and lived for my whole life, I knew He had a plan and He would make a way. I made the toughest decision I ever had to make in my life, I chose a plan to give my daughter a better life, I chose a family who I knew could give her more than I was able. I wanted her to have a daddy that didn’t drink and who would be faithful, I chose adoption for my daughter. God took this turn of events in my life to bring me back to Him, His plan, His way. I grew to love the adopted parents and they love me. My beautiful daughter is 20 years old, I have been blessed to see her over the years and have an amazing relationship with her and her family. Only a God who has a plan and can make a way could take something so hard and painful and turn it into an amazing blessing. She is an amazing young woman, who LOVES the LORD and serves Him faithfully every day. She has always known who I was over the years and her adoptive parents have always welcomed me and my family into their home. 20 years ago I never would have thought I would have the relationship with her that I do today, the pain, the tears and heartache God made bearable because He had a plan for that precious girls life. I have included my favorite yet most painful picture/memory of the day I handed my daughter over to her new mommy. Our God is huge and He is mighty and His plan will always far exceed ours, He even takes our mistakes and our rebellion and turns it into a blessing, even in the pain.
    I look forward to hearing you at the Women of Faith in Philadelphia in September. Thank you for sharing your gift of music with us.
    Gina

  • Maegen

    Natalie,
    You wrote a song awhile back called “The Real Me” that is exactly the cry of my heart and the story of my life. For several years (since high school and I’m 26 yrs. old now), I have tried so hard to be beautiful. I’ve changed my appearance, acted in a way that I thought would attract people towards me, and ultimately found myself literally starving for attention and love from others. What started out as a simple attempt to be noticed soon turned into an all-out battle with anorexia. Foolishly my heart was lead to believe the lie that I had to be thin in order to be beautiful and I felt the culture at large validated this notion at every point. I’ve found that sin is a slow fade and what might start out as manageable can quickly turn destructive and after two years of blissfully enjoying the rewards of my new “thin and attractive” self, eventually the tool I had used to elevate my confidence became the master. I’ve never been in a physical prison, yet I can assure you that I was a captive to this eating disorder. It controlled me and my life, leaving me unable to break free no matter how hard I tried (and I tried everything). I feel that one of the most devastating effects of an eating disorder is how deeply it isolates you from everything and everyone. I believed that I was all alone. I was hopeless of getting well, tired of fighting the extreme ups and downs of this disorder, and at the point where life seemed no longer worth living. But then I bought your newest CD “Awaken” just because I had heard the “Awaken” song on the radio and I liked it. Yet as I was listening to all the songs, going through to decide which ones I might like, “The Real Me” started playing and immediately I was captivated by the lyrics. I don’t know if I’ve ever listened to a song as intensely because it was as if you were putting into words (beautifully sung by the way) exactly what was on my heart. To hear that wonderful and beautiful is what God sees when He looks at me was like a breath of fresh air in the midst of my putrid surroundings. I have been on the somewhat bumpy road to recovery and although I am extremely well and healthy physically (expecting my first child by the way), there are days when the lie and shame of my past seems almost overwhelming. It is on days like these that I am grateful to be able to put on this song and have it wash over my brokenness with the truth of God’s love for me. I can’t thank you enough for helping to shatter that mirror of deception in my life. You are a beautiful woman of God!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tracey-Bowyer/590961758 Tracey Bowyer

    Hi Natalie
    I’ve been struggling with depression and feeling overwhelmed lately and I was looking for songs on Youtube that I could listen to during my low times that will encourage me and I heard “I will not be moved” and that song is perfect for me. It relates so well to how I feel when I’m depressed and feel overwhelmed but its a good reminder that God is my Rock and my solid foundation and no matter what I may go through I will always be standing on the Rock. Thank you for allowing God to use you to touch other people.

  • Bev Erdmann

    Women of Faith weekend in Indianapolis has been a family time for my sister, niece, daughter, and me for four years. A week ago we weren’t even sure we would be able to come because my mother’s health was failing and we thought we might need to be with her. I had been asking for prayers for strength and peace for our family in this situation. She improved enough that we were able to go and we were there this weekend . I couldn’t believe it when you started the acapella rendition of “It Is Well With My Soul.” At the first words, tears came to my eyes and my daughter grabbed my hand. It is my mother’s favorite hymn and I just couldn’t believe you were singing it right then and there. It is a hymn I love and I was afraid that it would bring me tears of sadness in the future because of the connection to Mom, but it won’t. It will forever take me back to Women of Faith and the powerful messages we heard there. We will be having that song at Mom’s services when God calls her home, but I will connect it to your beautiful singing that was like the voice of an angel and will forever connect you with that song. You sang from your heart and soul and it touched mine.
    I looked online for your recording of the song, but I never found it. I hope someday to have that.

  • Dawn

    Hi Natalie, I am a 41 year old mom of 2 and recently was blessed to go on a mission trip to India. Your song Held prepared me for my mission due to the main reason for the mission was the red light district. My friend and I were able to go in with a contact who over many years has gained the womans trust and through God’s help we were able to witness to the woman and children. We ended the mission in nepal were we found ourselves in a riot and all I new was to worship our Lord and give him praises during this riot. We had to walk through it about 4 miles to safety and God protected us all the way to the bridge. During this time God started putting words in my mouth and gave me a song. I am not a singer but I was praying one night and asked God what to do with these beautiful words he had given me and Held came to my mind then your voice. I would love to share my story with you. Love in Jesus
    Dawn

  • Donna Cleveland

    Not only has your song “SAFE” touched my life, but it has now touched 189 women who are incacerated at the San Diego County Jail. I opened a pilot project by God’s design, without any funding…God not has used the donations of curriculum, but a secluded housing unit for the ladies to live together (unheard of in county jail), but he gave us your song “SAFE” as our song for the ladies. They sing it everyday at 12:00pm in a “gathering”. They break down in ters knowing that they are now safe, in a place where not only are they able to remove the masks they have been wearing, but they can rid themselves of the pain they have been through. I am a formerly incacerated woman, who, by the grace of God, have been transformed and bring a message of hope to the ladies in their dark world. I do this as a passion and your song has stuck with them, even when they release. Many have bought the cd, however with no funding and only umemployment I am unable to provide each lady with a cd. So it has not only been an inspirational song for me, but for the ladies I serve. We, the FAiR (Future Achievers in Reentry) thank you sooooo much for inspiring those who have nothing left but to seek his greatness. I would love for you to join us to see the miracles happening in the jail the next time you are in San Diego…what an honor it would be to have you sing it for them…oh how God has used your gift to be a gift to these lost women…thank you…May God Bless you and your family abundantly….Donna

  • Denisee

    Today, I just read that Krissy Nordoff wrote the song “Your Great Name” out of the fact that she had been battling Lyme Disease! I am sitting here in absolute SHOCK and I am crying!!! I can’t believe the amazing POWER and GRACE that God has for our lives!
    This is my story! My husband and I have Lyme disease! We have been so sick for 4 years. I cry and scream everyday from the horrific pain that the disease causes all over my body! I have horrible nerve pain, and it feels like a million people are cutting my skin with huge butcher knives! I feel like I am being chopped down right through muscle and bone!! My husband cries and cries when he sees me sufferring. My family cries too! My husband and I spend hours and hours begging God for mercy! One day, my husband came home from work! He was a mess! He had been crying all the way home from work!!! He said, “Denise, You just have to listen to this song! It made me cry for hours and hours!!!” my husband doesn’t cry like that and doesn’t cry easily!!! He put on the song “Your Great Name”

    We both looked at eachother, and God just made a mess of us! We started to just bawl and wail!!! We could feel the powerful presence of God! My husband doesn’t usually feel the Holy Spirit and he doesn’t easily get emotional! We were just sobbing together, and it felt as if God was touching our bodies and starting to heal it. It inspired us to pray even harder and keep fighting for it. We drove a few weeks later, 20 hours straight, to get prayer at a church that sees healing! We didn’t get healed there, but we sure feel God’s presence in our lives.

    I have been feeling something new, and this is a miracle! I feel this heat, a gentle heat that warms my body, as if it were going into a warm bath. It has taken the pain away for a while, when it has been at its worse! We knew it was God’s Holy Spirit having compassion on us, and it feels like a warm gentle, fire of God, type of thing.

    We have never experienced anything like this before. I have the song on repeat in my cd player. I play it 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. And as long as I am playing it, I can feel the peace of God in our house, and the fire of God will come on my body. One night, it came so strong that I said ” Oh, Lord, it is too strong, I can’t handle it!” The sad thing is that it left! I didn’t want God to leave, and I have begged him to come back. I am scared that I missed my opportunity to have an instant healing, but I am begging God to come back anyways! He is merciful. Last night , the heat, as we call it around here, has come back. It was so wonderful. It arrives when my husband and I pray together, during the times when I am crying and writhing in pain.

    I feel full of joy and peace. God has given me that.

    I know my healing is coming.

    I got really sick last week and went to the ER twice. The pain was so bad, and now my pancreas is not doing well, from all the meds that I take. My Lyme specialist wants me to go on I.V. treatment. I would have to travel, and I would have to try to raise money to go. This is what we are praying for now as a family. I have needed I.V. for the last 2 years but never had money. We are broke, and have huge medical debts. It is scary.

    When I saw on youtube this morning that this song was written because Krissy had had Lyme disease, I was struck by how God orchestrates our lives. I felt something really touch me when I listened to that song, and me and my husband have Lyme disease too. My husband cries because he thinks that he might come home one night and find me dead from the disease. That is how sick I am.

    This song is like a battle song. When you sing the high notes, it breaks something, and it does so much to us here, I can not even describe it! Thank you all for your faithfulness. Thank you for letting God use you all as an instrument to minister to us. I was even still playing the song this morning when I heard the story on youtube. It plays non-stop in our house.

  • Kelley

    Natalie,

    The first time I saw you was at Woman of Faith and Revolve Tour. I have gotten together groups of girls to go to Revolve. I could not do that this past year because my life became a mess. The first time you touched my life was the year I brought my niece to Revolve. I remember you telling your story and hearing my niece behind me crying as she was bolemic as well. I know that trip had an impact on her.

    The biggest impact you have made on me and one of my daughters was your song “better hands now”
    My daughter who is now 18 picked that song for her senior dance and with everything she has been through I cried so hard! I can’t really say on line what has gone on and what we are going through now but just know that you have a huge impact on our lives. We are going through more than we can handle right now because of what my husband did to her and is now putting me through but just know that we are in better hands now and trying to get stronger every day and staying close to God. Thanks for being such an inspiration.

  • Sandy

    Natalie, thank you for your ministry! Even walking down the street this morning listening to “Dessert Song” was like a balm to my spirit. My name is Sandy and I wanted to tell you my story. A few years ago, when you were pregnant with your twins, my BFFs took me to your concert at the Nokia Center. I had lost my son, Matthew, in the 18th week of my pregnancy. Words cannot begin to explain my pain and loss. You sang Held and told the story of your friends losing a child to SIDS and I just lost it. My friends put their arms around me and just let me cry – right there in the middle of your concert. Its been 4 1/2 years since my baby boy went back to the arms of our Father. Every single time I feel that pain creeping in I put on Held, listen to your beautiful vocals, the powerful lyrics and the common bond that I share with your friends. Thank you. May God continue to keep you and bless you.

  • Cari Jo

    I cannot do just one song as well two of them fit so perfectly. I just had a miscarriage here and when I got the news from the doctor I sat in my car and cried, I turned on the radio and your song Held just started to play. I lost my baby at 2 months old inside of me and it really touched me. I hardly was able to drive home. That’s the only song I remember and I remember just talking to God saying please hold my baby and please hold me! I also am blessed and reassured through your other song In better hands! I do know my baby is in better hands and so am I! Jesus is my rock and my salvation and now added to the list the best babysitter I could ever want for my baby! I just want to thank you as your songs are an inspiring and healing to trust in Jesus to heal me and to hold me and that my baby is in better hands now! I have a long ways to go for healing but your music has helped lead me to the cross!

  • http://www.facebook.com/jamrateam Jenn Fortune Shirley

    You never know when a song of yours will change lives. If you have time to read this, I pray it blesses your heart.
    http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&note_id=10150244815474843

  • Morgan Saulsberry

    Hi My name is Morgan,
    This summer I traveled to Berlin and Poland with my church to dance and evangelize on the streets. One of the songs we danced to was your song Your Great Name. This song played a great part in our trip.
    One of the stories:
    http://tothestreetsofberlin.blogspot.com/2011/09/enemy-has-to-leave.html

    I have to say the enemy does NOT like this song. every time we would get ready to dance it something would go wrong. (our speaker system would die, a dancer got injured, the song just wouldn’t play, interruptions, etc.) this was the only song that had that problem.

    Well We did have many other opportunity to finally dance the song. And whenever we danced it the most amazing things would happen. Aside from the post above, A woman who had been living with demons in here for years was set free. During the process we would sing and dance to this song declaring all the authority to Him alone.

    This song truly is a battle song, and in the end the battle was won.

    A woman was set free, and each of our lives were greatly impacted.
    http://tothestreetsofberlin.blogspot.com/ for the full story :)

    Thank you Natalie for a great song! God used it!

  • Meredith

    Natalie, like most of these people you have also impacted my life. My 7th grade year I was cutting and struggling with both anorexia and bulimia. I continued these habits through my freshman year in high school. And my freshman year I also had a close friend die in a car accident and I was also raped. I will never forget the first time I ever listened to you. I attended a Revolve Tour in Fort Wayne, IN. I was not only saved through you music but also through your book. It’s through your words that gave hope and comfort. I have listened to every song you’ve ever written and each one I can relate to somehow. You have given me the inspiration to carry on in life and share my story with others in hopes of saving someones life, just like you saved mine.

  • sarahjasnen

    I am Sarah. I am desperate to get into a Christian inpatient Eating Disorder program. My insurance denied me twice, saying treatment doesnt have to be Christian, but the secular is sooo hard on me. I need a miracle, Natalie. They want me in residential treatment Stat and I need a miracle to go to Selah in Indiana. Your song ‘Held” is running through my mind 24/7 lately, because I know I am only getting thru each hour, physiclaly and mentally in tact becasue I am being Held by Abba God. Thank You for prayers and your songs.

  • Youngpauline

    Dear Mrs. Grant,
    Thank you for this time to allow us to express our apprication for God ,you and your music. In April 2010 at the age of 30 I lost my husband to cancer, we have a 6yr old son. I remembered a friend had introducted me to your music and the song she played was Better Hands Now. Hearing the words i cryed and still to this day, I realized how good is the God we serve and that I am and He is in better hands now. We might not understand why God does what he does but the bible say His ways are above our ways, His thoughts above our thoughts. Every word in this song was prefect in everyway. how the world seem silent but i know it not true, it’s like the breathe of Jesus is right here in this room. wow i couldn have said it any better. Thank you for being senstive to God and his will in your life. It is now over and 1yr and a half and God has givin us so much comfort and strength. Isaiah 54:4-17 helps me through each day knowing the promises of his bride knowing that we are His and He is mine. Thank you again for all you do.

  • Mandy Chadwick

    Hi Natalie,

    Do you remember Millie your little fan at ALC Bradford. I sang The Real Me with you.

    When i was a baby my daddy left us and i never see him. My mum always played your songs in the car and i always sing The real me.

    I am now 7 years old and just got a part with Opera North as Madame Butterflys child. I have been training hard and i am going on a 6 moth tour with them. They noticed i can sing and are now giving me sining training with Opera North Childrens chourus.

    It is difficult not knowing my Daddy but your music about real me made me always want to sing and now this has given me such an opportunity in my life with the opera and my voice training.

    Love and God Bless…Millie from Abundant Life Church

  • SusanPRwrite

    Hi Natalie -

    Your music has impacted my life and I wanted to ask for your permission to include a few lines from your song Perfect People, in a book I am writing. It is a story of our family’s hopeful journey during this down economy. Your music is very uplifting. Thank you.

  • Thdenotter

    I was abused by family members as a kid. By 12th grade I was an alcoholic. I was mad at God . In college I was raped by a boyfriend. I tried to kill myself. I was raised in church and saved at 12. I ran away from God. I was hanging with drug dealers. I was scared and living in motels. I hit bottom at age 24. Your song real me helped me see I could be who God created me to be. I now am part of the prison ministery at my church at age 46. I dance to that song now and minister to ladies. Life is great. Thanks for all you do. Theresa

  • Nancy Zirbas

    Are you kidding me!!! Has your music changed my life? Girl, it’s better than therapy! I got the privilege to meeting you briefly at a MOPS convention and could barely get the words out of my mouth to thank you for your lyrics. Your music has been my life story. It’s like you have written them for me in a way that I could never write myself. Today is October 17, 2001 and this past saturday one of the sweet young women I have discipled for three years pass away suddenly in her sleep. She was finally living her life for the Lord and making really good choices. She had gotten bold in her walk. She was 14. Her name is Rachel Marie Braddy. We are from Fort Worth Texas. She was this beautiful blonde with the biggest blue eyes you could imagine. My heart has ached to a level that I didn’t know existed. YOUR music has begun to heal my broken heart this morning. I have listened to so many of your songs on youtube and posted them on my Facebook page. My all time favorite line (which there are many), is this: “but I have laid it down in my Father’s hands where the weight of suffering is carried by the arms of a cross, healing my loss.” I clung to my steering wheel in my driveway last night and just wept until I have nothing left. You are easily the one artist out there that I can not WAIT to talk with in heaven when we meet there. I will most likely never meet you again here on earth. I thank God for His gift to me (your voice). Your songs truly have healed my deepest hurts and wounds. I have no idea why, but they have. Please don’t ever stop writing and singing. Your sis in Christ, Nancy Zirbas

  • Crrevis1990

    I recently stumbled upon your song “The Real Me” when I was listening to your music on Youtube to get ready for your concert at WOF 2011 in Tampa, Fl. As soon as this song started playing I started noticing the words and I was like, “this is how I feel”. I have been struggling with bulimarexia for 8 years now. It all started when I was 13 and had to move from Texas after my 8th grade year. I have moved all over the US because of my fathers job and its not that easy for me to make new friends because of my disability, which is Spina Bifida. There is a lot of stuff going on in my life that I struggle with daily that no one knows about including self image issues because of me having to walk on crutches from my disability I have. I began cutting myself with the words that I am called or that are in my head because it feels “good”. Throughout my whole life I have had to deal with the teasing, name calling, and staring. I have never been hospitalized for this because I have kept it a secret for so many years but im starting to feel myself losing control which is something I have never had before. When you were speaking at WOF 2011 in Tampa the other day, I felt like I understood exactly what you were talking about because I felt/feel that is me. I still struggle throughout my days because of the stuff that is said to me but I am trying because you inspired me those 2 nights in Tampa. It was an honor meeting you and getting my pic taken with you after the conference was over and im so thankful that I was not sent away, that you took your time to talk with me for a few minutes since I missed your signing that morning. You are such a Beautiful, Amazing, woman of God, and im glad I have you as my role model to look up to and say, “if she can do it and be healed of this awful disease, then I can too.” Im no longer afraid of trying to find the “real” me because of not wanting to lose “control” and “myself” in this disease. So from the bottom of my heart, Thank you so much!!

  • Michael the Archangel

    Natalie,

    Thank you for writing such a beautiful song “Alive” from the perspective of my Spiritual Mother. No one else in heaven, on earth can thank you enough for such a delicate and powerful message from wife to Her Heavenly King. I am not sure there are many women during these times that have the courage to stand up and say what is right, just and loving to their Heavenly husbands as much as you have from Her perspective.
    With lyrics like “What kind of King, would chose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars, To win my heart.”, “What Kind of Love tells Me I’m the reason He can’t stay inside the grave.”
    Very captivating and leaves the listener wanting more. Poetic and musically it resolves divine. Thank you for your kind words and gifted voice for the one who loved Him the most.
    Thank you for all that you have done for her. A+

    Blessings,

    Michael the Archangel

  • Anonymous

    Natalie,

    Thank you for writing such a beautiful song “Alive” from the perspective of my Spiritual Mother. No one else in heaven, on earth can thank you enough for such a delicate and powerful message from wife to Her Heavenly King. I am not sure there are many women during these times that have the courage to stand up and say what is right, just and loving to their Heavenly husbands as much as you have from Her perspective.
    With lyrics like “What kind of King, would chose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars, To win my heart.”, “What Kind of Love tells Me I’m the reason He can’t stay inside the grave.”
    Very captivating and leaves the listener wanting more. Poetic and musically it resolves divine. Thank you for your kind words and gifted voice for the one who loved Him the most.
    Thank you for all that you have done for her. A+

    Blessings,

    Michael the Archangel

  • Dawn

    Natalie, I wanted to let you know I saw you in Hartford today. I have been listening to your songs for years and when I had my twins, walking around the neighborhood listening to you let me know I was going to be ok. I am going to think about a particular song and come back on but I wanted to tell you that when you sang It is Well last night I could feel the spirit moving. God has blessed you with an amazing talent!! Thank you.
    Dawn

  • Liz Gregg

    I don’t know if it is too late to contribute but here goes. My name is Liz and I am 35 years old. 5 years ago I was driving in my car and your song “Held” came on. I listened to it and was instantly drawn to it. The lyrics “To think that Providence would take a child from his mother while she prays is apalling” really struck me. Gut wrenching authenticity. But in all honesty I thought “I don’t want to ever have to feel that pain.” Literally 2 months later I suffered a miscarriage. I needed to have a medical procedure as a result and as I was coming out of the anesthesia, this song was running through my head. It was as though God gave me those lyrics as I was about to face the reality of my situation. After that – I have shared this song with whomever will listen. I sang it at church on a week we were learning about despair. I shared the lyrics as a part of my testimony at MOPS. I have been able to share your youtube link with friends who have had stillbirths, miscarriages, children in jail, houses burned down to the ground in a fire, divorces and those suffering from depression. This is a song that gives me goosebumps EVERY time I hear it. It is a song that is a part of my story. It is a part of who I am. Thank you for sharing such a poignant, real and hopeful song.

  • Julie

    A few years ago – a personal tragedy happened in my life and I thought I would fall apart and never be the same. I saw a music video for your song “Within Me ” and this song became my rock and strength to get through several months of the most trying time of my life!!! my dad picked up your CD for me and I played it all the time and still do – you gave me hope and courage in a time of darkness and I am a much stronger person for it !!! They say that something good comes out of something bad happening – three years ago i started writing poetry it was my therapy and just self-published my first book last year in August , your song “Within Me ” gave me such courage to pull myself out of the darkness and give all burdens over to God along with prayer and support from friends !!! Since then I have written over four hundred poems , thank you for your music and inspiration !!! i have included one of my poems for you to read –

    Full Of Mercy And Grace

    pain in a empty shell of myself
    that eats away all the layers
    without it I would be numb

    decisions made that may be irrational
    having the faith to trust in God
    that choices made are the right ones

    days full of despair
    lead to days full of hope
    just saying some prayers and asking for mercy

    try to stay positive
    say some words of grace
    in times of darkness

    be grateful for the good that comes my way
    even in the worst of circumstances
    there are glimmers of light there

    inspiration comes from others
    to inspire and pay it forward
    reaching out with no hesitation

    staying strong
    a survivor
    keeping faith intact

    -Julie Moffitt 7/19/11

  • L.J. Anderson

    Healing Testimony regarding one of my daughters-
    Last night around 2 am Sage stumbled into our room nearly unable to remain standing because she was shaking so violently. She was obviously in the midst of sickness that was causing shivers so I put her under the covers between Carli and I as I whispered prayers over her. Within a few minutes her body reached an abnormally high temperature that continued to rise. Her breathing stayed erratic and quick as she failed to stabilize a normal pattern that would reflect calmness. About the time I was concluding that her condition was aggressively approaching something more severe is about the time she began speaking complete nonsense and losing the ability to hear us followed by her body wrenching and falling backwards in a seizure like motion.
    Fear entered the room at that moment though not a word had been spoken. A few minutes earlier, before the circumstances had become so precarious, the Spirit had put the name of a song on my heart (Your Great Name, by Natalee Grant) to play while we were praying over her in bed. I had searched for it on my phone at that very moment, but not finding it, had resumed my prayers just the same. Now, presented with conditions beyond my level of “healing experience” with the Lord, I had a choice to make. To the Hospital? Or to the Throne room? Seconds past in the quietness as Fear and Faith were colliding somewhere on the Audubon between my head and heart. The Hospital: a very real place with real people and real medicine that would likely accomplish the need of the moment. The Throne room: The Throne room?……. Yes, the Throne room. By now I was nearly as hot as my little girl and knowing she would be in my arms I removed as many clothes as possible and walked through the chilly house to stand under the fan in our living room. I found the song I was hunting for earlier and with thankfulness pushed play. As I stood there under the fan feeling hypothermic while my daughter remained tense and unresponsive I felt the presence of the Lord in the room. Yes, once again Jesus had brought the Throne room down to His child. As I worshipped I began to feel her temperature dropping. It seemed to plummet as fast as it had climbed. Carli walked into the room and I could tell that she knew healing was occurring even before she reached my side. I would find out later that the Lord had just told her “do not be afraid”. She too sensed His presence in our living room as she ran her hand over Sage’s body and felt for herself the healing that was being manifest. While Carli returned to bed I hit replay on the song because Sage’s breathing had not yet come to a peaceful rhythm. With the temperature dropping she became coherent again and I felt the Lord leading me to lead Sage in a simple prayer knowing that she would repeat whatever I gave her to say. I decided that 97 degrees sounded like a better temperature than 98.6 so I instructed her: “Sage honey,” “whaaaat?” “Say, body, be 97 degrees”. She repeated my words and her temp continued to close in on what I am convinced was that target. I then encouraged her to say, “body, be normal”. Within seconds of her declaring this prayer I literally felt every tense and stiff particle in her body shoot straight to her abdomen. She hiccupped, and then, a flood of the previous hour’s entrees came vigorously back into the kitchen from which they were prepared. As I stood there amidst smelly splatter strewn along my chest, running down my arms, and puddling at my feet I gave thanks for the now calm breathing little girl whose head was resting sweetly on my shoulder. I considered all Jesus might have said or done that was not recorded in The Book and the distinct impression formed in my mind that He was surely involved in ministering to children in the midst of their “throw up”. As a father of five, I have hardly ever managed to change a dirty diaper without dry-heaving let alone endure becoming the actual Christmas tree adorned with chunky ornaments. I came to the realization in that moment that I had received heaven’s special “upchuck” grace for the effecting of His Kingdom coming on earth as it is in Heaven. I knew Christ had walked here before and being fully competent as The Intercessor was freely giving His grace to one who was walking the same trail.
    Praised and God and thank you Natalie for being faithful in your ministry and releasing the song Your Great Name for others to experience.

  • Susan Hamilton

    I recently was saved from a life not worth living where I was so lost and so broken. I woke up one night in 2010 and realized I wasn’t in love anymore with my husband of 14 years and just felt like I had lost everything I was and had changed everything for this man. I pleaded for a divorce after going through marriage counseling where it only got worse and finally he agreed in 2010. But then I felt so lost and alone only having my 9 year old son half of the time. I fell into pretty bad times emotionally and was desparate for some type of internal peace and about that time I found my old Bible I received when I was confirmed that was quite dusty since I had not regularly gone to church (or read my Bible) since I was about 14. I opened it up to a random page and the first line I read was Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” That night I started praying again every night and that Sunday after reading the Scripture I went to Church for the first time in a very long time and the service was Baptism Renewal. I was bawling like a child as that is exactly what I needed to know that I had found a way out of my misery and I had gone back to my maiden name and I felt like God was truly pleased with the path I was taking. I joined that Church and the Praise Choir and this Christmas Eve I sang in the Christmas Eve Service. What a difference one year can make in a person’s life! So to make a long story short I love your song “Alive”. The lyrics are so haunting and hopeful all at the same time, a phenomenal song both lyrically and also vocally incredible, it always gives me goose bumps every time I hear it! My two favorite areas lyrically are “every part of my heart cries” and then “what other heart would let itself be broken every time until he healed mine. You, only you, could turn my darkness into dawn”. I am so Thankful I personally cried out and asked to be saved, last year was full of turmoil but the only thing that got me through it was knowing I was finally living the life that I was meant to live putting my Faith First and I finally have internal peace. When you sing “Alive” it reminds me of how I was saved and how so many others can cry out and be saved also. Thank you so much for such a glorious tribute to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Resurrection reminding us all of his undying love for us! I had forgotten God for such a long time but I realize now he had never forgotten me :)

  • Sue Hamilton

    I recently was saved from a life not worth living where I was so lost and so broken. I woke up one night in 2010 and realized I wasn’t in love anymore with my husband of 14 years and just felt like I had lost everything I was and had changed everything for this man. I pleaded for a divorce after going through marriage counseling where it only got worse and finally he agreed in 2010. But then I felt so lost and alone only having my 9 year old son half of the time. I fell into pretty bad times emotionally and was desparate for some type of internal peace and about that time I found my old Bible I received when I was confirmed that was quite dusty since I had not regularly gone to church (or read my Bible) since I was about 14. I opened it up to a random page and the first line I read was Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” That night I started praying again every night and that Sunday after reading the Scripture I went to Church for the first time in a very long time and the service was Baptism Renewal. I was bawling like a child as that is exactly what I needed to know that I had found a way out of my misery and I had gone back to my maiden name and I felt like God was truly pleased with the path I was taking. I joined that Church and the Praise Choir and this Christmas Eve I sang in the Christmas Eve Service. What a difference one year can make in a person’s life! So to make a long story short I love your song “Alive”. The lyrics are so haunting and hopeful all at the same time, a phenomenal song both lyrically and also vocally incredible, it always gives me goose bumps every time I hear it! My two favorite areas lyrically are “every part of my heart cries” and then “what other heart would let itself be broken every time until he healed mine. You, only you, could turn my darkness into dawn”. I am so Thankful I personally cried out and asked to be saved, last year was full of turmoil but the only thing that got me through it was knowing I was finally living the life that I was meant to live putting my Faith First and I finally have internal peace. When you sing “Alive” it reminds me of how I was saved and how so many others can cry out and be saved also. Thank you so much for such a glorious tribute to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Resurrection reminding us all of his undying love for us! I had forgotten God for such a long time but I realize now he had never forgotten me :)

  • Sue Hamilton

    I recently was saved from a life not worth living where I was so lost and so broken. I woke up one night in 2010 and realized I wasn’t in love anymore with my husband of 14 years and just felt like I had lost everything I was and had changed everything for this man. I pleaded for a divorce after going through marriage counseling where it only got worse and finally he agreed in 2010. But then I felt so lost and alone only having my 9 year old son half of the time. I fell into pretty bad times emotionally and was desparate for some type of internal peace and about that time I found my old Bible I received when I was confirmed that was quite dusty since I had not regularly gone to church (or read my Bible) since I was about 14. I opened it up to a random page and the first line I read was Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” That night I started praying again every night and that Sunday after reading the Scripture I went to Church for the first time in a very long time and the service was Baptism Renewal. I was bawling like a child as that is exactly what I needed to know that I had found a way out of my misery and I had gone back to my maiden name and I felt like God was truly pleased with the path I was taking. I joined that Church and the Praise Choir and this Christmas Eve I sang in the Christmas Eve Service. What a difference one year can make in a person’s life! So to make a long story short I love your song “Alive”. The lyrics are so haunting and hopeful all at the same time, a phenomenal song both lyrically and also vocally incredible, it always gives me goose bumps every time I hear it! My two favorite areas lyrically are “every part of my heart cries” and then “what other heart would let itself be broken every time until he healed mine. You, only you, could turn my darkness into dawn”. I am so Thankful I personally cried out and asked to be saved, last year was full of turmoil but the only thing that got me through it was knowing I was finally living the life that I was meant to live putting my Faith First and I finally have internal peace. When you sing “Alive” it reminds me of how I was saved and how so many others can cry out and be saved also. Thank you so much for such a glorious tribute to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Resurrection reminding us all of his undying love for us! I had forgotten God for such a long time but I realize now he had never forgotten me :)

  • Sue Hamilton

    I recently was saved from a life not worth living where I was so lost and so broken. I woke up one night in 2010 and realized I wasn’t in love anymore with my husband of 14 years and just felt like I had lost everything I was and had changed everything for this man. I pleaded for a divorce after going through marriage counseling where it only got worse and finally he agreed in 2010. But then I felt so lost and alone only having my 9 year old son half of the time. I fell into pretty bad times emotionally and was desparate for some type of internal peace and about that time I found my old Bible I received when I was confirmed that was quite dusty since I had not regularly gone to church (or read my Bible) since I was about 14. I opened it up to a random page and the first line I read was Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” That night I started praying again every night and that Sunday after reading the Scripture I went to Church for the first time in a very long time and the service was Baptism Renewal. I was bawling like a child as that is exactly what I needed to know that I had found a way out of my misery and I had gone back to my maiden name and I felt like God was truly pleased with the path I was taking. I joined that Church and the Praise Choir and this Christmas Eve I sang in the Christmas Eve Service. What a difference one year can make in a person’s life! So to make a long story short I love your song “Alive”. The lyrics are so haunting and hopeful all at the same time, a phenomenal song both lyrically and also vocally incredible, it always gives me goose bumps every time I hear it! My two favorite areas lyrically are “every part of my heart cries” and then “what other heart would let itself be broken every time until he healed mine. You, only you, could turn my darkness into dawn”. I am so Thankful I personally cried out and asked to be saved, last year was full of turmoil but the only thing that got me through it was knowing I was finally living the life that I was meant to live putting my Faith First and I finally have internal peace. When you sing “Alive” it reminds me of how I was saved and how so many others can cry out and be saved also. Thank you so much for your glorious tribute to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Resurrection reminding us all of his undying love for us! I had forgotten God for such a long time but I realize now he had never forgotten me :)

  • Sue Hamilton

    I recently was saved from a life not worth living where I was so lost and so broken. I woke up one night in 2010 and realized I wasn’t in love anymore with my husband of 14 years and just felt like I had lost everything I was and had changed everything for this man. I pleaded for a divorce after going through marriage counseling where it only got worse and finally he agreed in 2010. But then I felt so lost and alone only having my 9 year old son half of the time. I fell into pretty bad times emotionally and was desparate for some type of internal peace and about that time I found my old Bible I received when I was confirmed that was quite dusty since I had not regularly gone to church (or read my Bible) since I was about 14. I opened it up to a random page and the first line I read was Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” That night I started praying again every night and that Sunday after reading the Scripture I went to Church for the first time in a very long time and the service was Baptism Renewal. I was bawling like a child as that is exactly what I needed to know that I had found a way out of my misery and I had gone back to my maiden name and I felt like God was truly pleased with the path I was taking. I joined that Church and the Praise Choir and this Christmas Eve I sang in the Christmas Eve Service. What a difference one year can make in a person’s life! So to make a long story short I love your song “Alive”. The lyrics are so haunting and hopeful all at the same time, a phenomenal song both lyrically and also vocally incredible, it always gives me goose bumps every time I hear it! My two favorite areas lyrically are “every part of my heart cries” and then “what other heart would let itself be broken every time until he healed mine. You, only you, could turn my darkness into dawn”. I am so Thankful I personally cried out and asked to be saved, last year was full of turmoil but the only thing that got me through it was knowing I was finally living the life that I was meant to live putting my Faith First and I finally have internal peace. When you sing “Alive” it reminds me of how I was saved and how so many others can cry out and be saved also. Thank you so much for your glorious tribute to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Resurrection reminding us all of his undying love for us! I had forgotten God for such a long time but I realize now he had never forgotten me :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1291024900 Angela Harry

    Hi Natalie. My name is Angela and I have a story that I need to get to you. I have been trying to contact you to make sure it is okay that I put your song on my personal blog, which I purchased and downloaded first. My friend’s child is missing (for 5 weeks now) and we have no idea where she is. I decided to launch a facebook page first to generate more buzz about her so people would see her face and then decided to also do a website. I’ve never done one before, and I don’t honestly know the rules about it but if you look at my website I would appreciate it. I want to do everything legally that I’m supposed to. YOUR song “Our Hope Endures” plays in our home dozens of times a day. It is THE MOST appropriate song for what is happening to Ayla’s family and your song, combined with the photo slideshow, has been inspiring to Ayla’s family and others that are desperate for answers. Please feel free to view it and message me about anything I need to do to keep your song on my page. Thank you in advance. [www]ThisLittleLightOFmaine[com]

  • soniabailey82

    Where do I begin?
    You have made such an impact in my life!
    I only own two of your albums – Relentless and Love Revolution, but WOW!
    In just the past 5 years of my life, I have had to deal with adultery, prostitution, medical negligence almost killing my son and I during childbirth, losing my home, my job, immediate family members passing away, marriage breakdown, and now as I sit at the computer wasting time and drinking wine, I find myself hearing “Drowning the tears won’t make it go away. It’s robbing my soul so I’m taking this mask off my face” and I wonder how I got here?
    So many times in my life I’ve asked myself How did I get here? So many bad things happen because other people choose to do what they know is wrong, hurtful & vicious. Why do bad things happen to good people? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that becoming a Christian means your life will be perfect – in fact is says “In this world, you WILL have trouble” (John 16:33) but it also says “In me, you will find peace.”
    Through you’re music I am reminded that God has a purpose and a plan – He WILL make a way where we see no way. He is RELENTLESS in His pursuit of us, just as we should be in our pursuit of Him. But we aren’t. Yet your music reminds me that THAT is exactly was grace is all about!
    Your songs “Our Hope Endures” and “Make a Way” have impacted me in such a way that I cannot put it into words! I have listened to these albums HUNDREDS of times and yet when I hear “And so she bowed her head to pray, And she cried, Jesus, please make a way
    And she heard Him say… I’ll make a way, I’ll do WHATEVER IT TAKES, even though it won’t be easy. I have a plan and though you may not understand, today, I’ll make a way.”
    I’m am sobbing right now . . . because I have been through so much and had a very hard life for being just 29 years old!
    The most recent thing that I have had to deal with is my husbands friend (who is married) has not only been pursuing me (for the past 18 months) but recently sent me some explicit images of himself in the hope of attracting my attention. But I am reminded of the lines from In Christ Alone, “No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand, Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”
    Your music reminds me that there is a hope to be found in Christ, if only we can be gracious as he is gracious.
    I often pray that He breaks my heart for what breaks His, that He shows me things as He sees them, and I often tell Him that there is still hope when my faith runs out! I am a singer and songwriter, but when I try to choose a song of yours to share with others, I can’t narrow it down to one or two (or five!). And I think that that’s because I need you; other people who need me don’t need me to feed them you. (I hope that makes sense!) Hope is believing God can; Faith is knowing He will!
    All I can do some days is hope!
    If you get nothing more from this, then at least know that following God’s call for your life has kept me under His wing when I never thought I possibly could be there.
    God bless you for all that you do!

  • Kathy

    I had the best experience this past weekend where you were doing the Superbowl Gospel Sing. My husband and I had volunteered to help for Superbowl Host Committee and one of our assignments was to work the Gospel Sing during the day in helping out in getting setup. My husband wasn’t excited about the assignment but went along with it cause that is what we were asked to do. I daily listen to KLOVE and other Christian music so I was all too familiar with how beautiful your voice is. My husband goes to church with us but I think more because we go and he wants to show the family unity so we go with our two boys. So to make the long story short. We were able to sit and listen to you warm up on Friday and my husband was in amazed. He didn’t say it but I could see it in how intent he was inlistening to you. I thought no more about it until last night. During the Superbowl he went upstairs and was downloading songs from iTunes and low and behold I heard him listening to your songs. I didn’t think I would ever see the day that my husband would enjoy Christian music but it so warmed my heart knowing he was touched by your voice and words. I know God is working through you to touch so many people. God’s Blessings to you!

  • Kelly Cook

    My name Kelly and I am the mother of two teenage daughters. We were going through a very traumatic time in our lives and every time I would hear your song “Held” all I could do was cry. I knew that Jesus was holding us, He had to be or we would not have survived. My husband of 20 years had suffered from a nervous breakdown and our whole world fell apart. We were given tickets to the Joyce Meyer conference and were excited because we heard you were going to be there. We did not know that Joyce Meyer’s daughter Sandra knew about our situation and unknown to us had arranged for us to have seats right down on the front row! We about fell over when you came in with your family and sat down right beside us. Little did we know that you would only be singing one song that night. However, Jesus showed us that night how much He was holding us when the song you did was “Held”! I know without a doubt that God did that just for us. I could barely breathe. I could barely hold myself together as you were singing. It was such an amazing experience! Now it has been almost two years since that happened and to God be the Glory our family is all back together again which is a total miracle. “Held is still my song, but now every time I hear it I just smile and shake my head in amazement of God’s love and what He did to orchestrate that night for us. I knew from that night on that we were somehow going to make it through and we did by the grace of God! Thank You so much for letting God use you! You are truly an inspiration and such an awesome example to me and my girls.

    We Love You!

    Kelly Cook

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=631655692 Shannon Watson

    I hope this isn’t too late to post this; I came to your site hoping to find a place to tell you what two of your songs have meant to me, and this seems to be as good a place as any. :)

    We recently brought home our son

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