God, Do You Still Protect People Like Me?

October 16, 2018 by Kristi 6 Comments

God do you still protect people like me?

Have you ever wondered if God is still in the business of protecting people? Or, maybe He protects others but you hold a nagging suspicion that you’re the exception to the rule.

You and I might wonder the answer. But Psalm 34:20 assures us He protects His righteous ones–every single bone. Psalm 34:20 champions the truth–even when circumstances appear differently or emotions dictate otherwise. (Because aren’t those emotions like rabid animals at times?!)

Grab truth and hold on well, friend. His righteous, every bone, are protected. Heaven awaits!

#WORD18 Memory Verse Program

Psalm 34:20 is our #WORD18 memory verse, the last one for October. We’re nearly finished memorizing Psalm 34 in its entirety. Can you believe it? We have two more verses!

Are you interested in hiding God’s Word in your heart? Do you want ammunition to help fight life’s battles? Ready to pick up that sword God’s given?

It’s not too late to join us as we finish the year. Click here for more information on #WORD18. It’s our scripture memory program, and this year it’s centered on Psalm 34. Yep, an entire Psalm in a year. Rest assured, I’m still working on memorizing the verses, so you’re not alone if you decided to join now.

How to Hide God’s Word

Not sure HOW to hide God’s Word? I get asked that question often. Folks need help with ideas. Me too. Sometimes I simply need to dive in to find refreshment as well. In case you have similar needs or questions, check out this post for ideas. It’s full of 10 ways to help you hide God’s Word.

Does God Love Me? ~ A Reminder

Have you ever had a moment during your walk with Jesus–or maybe even before you became a believer–that you wondered if God loved you? Truth be told, most of us need the reminder at one point or another. I wrote a piece for iBelieve.com on this very topic. It’s called 10 Stories in the Bible to Help You Remember God Loves You.

Have you ever journeyed through the Bible and stumbled upon names of murderers or mean people? Maybe, if you’re like me, you encounter a little-known name and skip right past it. But what if these people offer us powerful lessons? This piece on Crosswalk.com helps us notice those Powerful Lessons from Unexpected Sources in the Bible.

Located In or Near the Tulsa Area?

Come join us for a gallery showing called Story Marks on October 19 in Collinsville, OK. The event showcases women and the story behind their tattoos. And goodness…the stories tug straight at the heart!

I had the privilege of editing each piece. Call ’em powerful–tales of pain, hope, championing, and memorializing. Gather a glimmer into the heart of the woman who wears each tattoo as you read the stories. This wonderful opportunity has potential to reach those timid about gracing church doors.

Nearby? Join us! Have a friend in the area? Share this event with them. It’s only $5–the cost of a coffee at one of the green coffee places we all recognize. 😉 Oh, and feel free… share on your social media, too!

To Open or Not Open the Door

October 9, 2018 by Kristi 10 Comments

To Open or Not Open the Door

Halloween is coming. Christian, what is your approach to the night? Do you open the door or not? When our kids were little, that question swirled. I knew I didn’t want to celebrate darkness, but “hiding” didn’t seem right, either–although we tried it a time or two! So what’s a parent to do?

Our friends at Living Our Priorities shared recently about their “Light party.” What a neat idea! After reading their description, I knew our family here at KristiWoods.net might find interest–so those Christian parents and friends wrestling with Halloween have an alternative solution. And gosh, these light parties make so.much.sense! So friends, please welcome guest blogger, Timberley from Living Our Priorities.

Be quiet, keep the lights out, and act like nobody is home. We don’t want anyone to think we’re at home.
That was our typical conversation every October 31! Does this sound familiar to anyone?

My Halloween Memories

I was raised in a loving Christian home. In fact, a bi-racial Christian home, which made attending school in those days, let’s just say…uncomfortable.

We were called Oreo cookies and found it difficult to make friends.

Not to mention, going to school the day after Halloween, was no walk in the park. The kids on the block would make fun of us for not opening the door.

However, my most embarrassing memory as a kid was the night my mom posted a note on the door that said…“No candy here. Jesus is your treat.”

Can we say total embarrassment for any kid going back to school the next day?

The funny thing is, I didn’t think much about it until I got older and had a family of my own. I did what most of us do, repeat what we did growing up.

Halloween with My Kids

Yes, that meant we didn’t celebrate Halloween either. We kept the lights off, told our kids to be quiet and acted like nobody was home.

Once in a while, we would attend a harvest festival at church, but we would leave the house early in order to limit the risk of someone knocking on our door.

That worked for a few years. Then our kids got older, and started to ask questions. They wanted to know why we didn’t open the door, and why we had to act like we weren’t home?

Explaining this to our son was easy, he simply said…o.k. Then he told us all he wanted was the candy anyway. Gotta love his honesty!

Our daughter on the other, she wasn’t so simple. She needed to know the details as to why Christians didn’t participate on Halloween.

One afternoon I sat her down at the computer to look up the history of Halloween. I remember sitting next to her and tears rolling down her face as she said, “Mommy, I didn’t know.”

I told her there was no need to be upset. Understanding why we don’t do something gives us better clarity to know how we should do something.

My Halloween Conviction

And it was that conversation that convicted me to my core.

At that moment I knew that hiding out was not what we should be doing. Let me clarify, hiding out was something I knew MY FAMILY should NOT be doing!

I know this is a controversial subject. And I’m not going to debate who is right or wrong on how one chooses to honor God on Halloween.

I simply want to share the internal struggle I had. Just in case there’s someone else like me, who feels a nudging in their spirit to respond differently on Halloween.

What Is God Asking Of Me On Halloween?

That conversation with my daughter caused me to seek God as to how our family should respond to Halloween.

Hiding for some reason, just didn’t resonate with my spirit. As I grew in my PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, the more I felt convicted that hiding did not reflect His love.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16 (NLT)

Since I didn’t know exactly what to do, I allowed that conviction to lead me to dig a little deeper. I began to study the History of Halloween, and turn to God’s Word to see what He says.

Needless to say, God placed it on our heart’s very clearly, that we are to be the LIGHT. And I realized our light only shines in the dark.

Therefore, we cannot shine God’s light to the world, if we hide in the dark.

...we cannot shine God’s light to the world, if we hide in the dark. - Timberley of @livepriorities Click To Tweet

Light Party

It was that revelation that was the catalyst to hosting an annual Light Party!

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” ~ Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

For the last 6 years, we have hosted a Light Party on Halloween; intentionally shining God’s light on the darkest night of the year.

I have to admit, we kind of kept it to ourselves the first couple years.

That’s because the one thing I’ve noticed is how unloving Christians can be on Halloween. Condemning one another for how they feel God has led them.

However, over the years, as more friends and family found out what we were doing, it opened the door for us to share what we studied and what God showed us through His word.

To our surprise, instead of condemning us, people began to share their conviction to come out of the dark from hiding and be the light in their neighborhoods.

Ending With Love

Friends, no matter where God has led you on Halloween, let’s do our best to not condemn one another, based on our own personal convictions.

Romans chapter 14 tells us that it’s a sin when we do anything that is the opposite of our own personal conviction. So if it is your conviction to stay home, to pray and not answer the door, praise God, you should do that.

If you’re convicted to let God’s light shine among the people, do that.

However God directs each of us to respond on Halloween, we should do just that. When we walk in His will for our lives, we will ultimately lead others to Him.

So, should you open the door on Halloween? My answer to you would be; what is God telling you to do?

PS…If you’re struggling with whether or not to open your door on Halloween, or how to respond to Halloween as a Christian, then I invite you to join me over at Living Our Priorities to read: Why We Host A Light Party And How You Can Too! You will be able to read the details of my study and how we host a light party.

Giveaway Update ~

We have a winner of last week’s book giveaway. Marissa K., congratulations! You’re the winner. Check your inbox, Marissa, for further instructions. 😉

About ~

Timberley and her husband, André, do life together as a husband and wife team who raise a family, serve as bi-vocational pastors, and help others find the balance in life through their blog Living Our Priorities.
Like many people, they found themselves frustrated trying to find balance with their faith, family, and work. That’s when they discovered the priorities of God. Once they purposed to live by them, it not only changed their marriage, it changed their life! Now they find great joy inspiring others to live within the priorities of God.

Linking up with other Jesus writers and lovers here: #heartencouragementThursday& #faithonfire.

God, Can You Help Me? + Book Reviews & a Giveaway

October 2, 2018 by Kristi 7 Comments

God, can you help me? The words swirl in our thoughts when we find ourselves in a quandary, at times when the battle grows strong.

We grow weary.

Fighting one.more.day feels defeating.

Silence emanates from God’s side.

The situation appears impossible.

And then the thought slips into our brain.

God, can you help me?

But God…

Thank the Lord that we serve Him, a God who continues to deliver His people even today, a love-filled Father who helps His righteous amid their afflictions.

Psalm 34:18 casts the picture clear.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous.

BUT…

Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

Our God delivers.

Still.

Looking to build your faith muscles? After reading today’s post and jumping into this month’s memory verse, check out this TRUST-related nugget.

As we go about memorizing Psalm 34:18 this week, yet another stellar verse in our #Word18 Memory Verse Program, let’s set our trust in Him. (If you’re new to #WORD18, welcome! Simply click the previous link to gather more information.)

But There’s More…

Crystal Storms published a piece of mine last week called 5 Powerful Action Steps When You Ask, “God, Where Are You?” That piece is a perfect match for our memory verse this week. Don’t miss it.

Also, Crystal blessed us with a guest post here last Tuesday. Her piece, When God Doesn’t Answer Your Prayers in the Way You Hoped was powerful. Make certain you don’t miss it. And it’s A-OK to spread its encouraging message by sharing on social media or in an email.

Subscribers

Look for my “3” Newsletter this Friday. Watch for your helpful ministry freebie inside. <3

Not a subscriber?

No problem. Simply sign up here to receive access to the subscriber-only library which houses all our free scripture, prayer, and ministry downloads, faith-building lists, and more. You’ll also receive regular, courage-building email updates and monthly newsletters for “family connection.”

And More…Book Reviews & Giveaway

Two new books from Revell Publishing hit bookstore shelves recently. Both grabbed my attention. Take a look…

Silencing Insecurity: Believing God’s Truth About You

by Donna Gibbs

In this day and age, words, actions, and ideals splatter all over us from a wide range of sources, all attempting to paint our identity.

Magazine covers.

Television.

Social Media and more.

But what about the Bible? What about God and His truth?

Silencing Insecurity pulls from God’s Word and plain ‘ol wisdom to encourage readers in their search or reassurance of identity.

This book resembles a breath of fresh air, the aroma of Christ spoken from a friendly source. I don’t know Donna personally, but I feel as though we’re friends–in a Christian, professional way–after reading this book. She doesn’t wag a finger or stand on a podium. Her writing comes alongside as a friend and counselor, offering solid, strong suggestions and encouragement from the Bible.

The author identifies thieves many of us face in our search for “who we are.” She helps throw off their cover, exposing them in the light of God’s Truth. I nodded my head during several of the chapters.

Donna dives into various problems we may face such as mental, emotional, or relational issues. She brings real life to the pages and helps readers understand what they are facing and why.

Then comes the most important part. Donna leads us toward conversation surrounding transformation and freedom with our Father. Her words leads us to the throne of the Almighty and His truth.

Is it a book I’d pull out the highlight for? Indeed.

Is this a book I’d buy for a friend? Absolutely!

Consider grabbing a copy of Silencing Insecurity if the tumultous world of identity is rocking your boat, if you love refreshers every now and then of God’s truth, or if you simply enjoy new reads.

Second-Chance DOGS

Edited by Callie Smith Grant

Pure sweetness, a swelling of the happy kind–that’s what this read offers. Although it’s a-typical for the type of books we read and review here at KristiWoods.net, this one deserved a chance, just like its subject-matter.

I’m on the dog bandwagon right now. I love rescues and their heart-warming stories. After all, my family and I just adopted (at our best guess) a collie/terrier mix. A few days after Ellie joined our family, another rescue sprinted into the picture–a Belgium Malinois named Kasey.

Considering our house full of rescues, this book is appropriate.

If you’re looking for stories that warm the heart, bring out one’s inner cheerleader, create a smile, even cause a tear, then grab a copy of this Revell publication. It’s appropriate for you, too. I fell in love with dog after dog, story after story. You might find yourself doing the same.

Second-Chance DOGS is an easy read. Each story covers a handful of pages, give or take. Beautiful bedtime reading. A few of the contributor names rang familiar, like Lauraine Snelling and Cyle Young from the Christian arena. (I cried at Cyle’s story, but you’ll have to read it for yourself to see what impact his words make on your heart.)

This book would make a great Christmas gift for a friend or work acquaintance. Consider it also for your own nightstand table.

The publisher supplied a free copy of Second-Chance DOGS and Silencing Insecurity in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway

I’m excited to give away 1 copy of Second-Chance DOGS. (US addresses, please, and you must be 18 years or older to enter.)

To enter:

Comment below for 1 entry.
Gather 2 entries by subscribing to KristiWoods.net and letting me know in the comments below that you’ve done so.
Share this post on social media (and let me know in the comments below) for 2 entries as well.Make certain to leave your email address (confidential) in the appropriate space when leaving a comment. Otherwise, I won’t be able to contact you. ;-)Giveaway ends at 10pm, central on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Winner will be announced in the Tuesday, Oct. 9th blog post, and I will email the recipient–after I’ve asked one of my kids to pull a number out of the hat. 🙂

Have a beautiful week!

Kristi Woods