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Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

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Have You Been Stirred?

March 31, 2015 by Kristi 35 Comments

Sunset with black lettering overtop

A stirring.

It’s happened to me. Has it to you?

I can only imagine the flutter within Jerusalem’s crowd as they were stirred by Jesus’ coming.

What’s all the commotion?
Quick! Come here. Come see!
Do you see him?
Who is that?
Pssst. Psssst. Pssssst.
It’s Jesus…

It was nearly twenty years ago. I knew something was missing from my own life. Putting my finger on it was a different story. I was a young twenty-something, head-first in my corporate career and in love with the man who eventually took my hand and placed a life-long promise on my finger.

But something was missing.

I passed it often, the little country church. It was a shy one, reserving its grand entrance and setting its bricks, instead, back a small jaunt from the busy highway. In its backyard ran a train track. I think I can count on one hand the number of times a train raced across its path. A familiar, well-groomed cemetery sat quietly to the side, much of it shaded by the large canopy of trees. Only the birds caused a commotion here, and that was infrequent as well. The place of worship was a southern gem, and something of that church created a stir within me.

It was Jesus. He created a stir in me at that church just as he created a stir all those years ago.

The donkey trudged along the path to Jerusalem generations ago, head bobbing up and down with each step. I can hear the slow motion of the clip and clop even now as the puffs of dust arose from the well-traveled land with the donkey’s each step. The shadow of many homes lined the streets. The crowd began to gather as they were stirred.

And that stirring?

It continues to happen today, just like it did with me in that little white church.

When Jesus enters the gates of our life, when he traverses the path into our heart, just as he did into Jerusalem, there’s a stirring.

Clip clop. Clip clop.

We know something is different. We see it in others. We want, we need, what they have.

I saw it in others at that little country church. It was Jesus. It was the King of the Jews. And that stirring caused me to come.

His stirring continues to cause people to come.

Even today.

So on this Holy Week, will you dare to be stirred? Or maybe be stirred once again? Will you come and see what all the commotion is about? It’s the King of the Jews.

Matt.21:9b in brown lettering on white background

Care to join us? We’d love to have you. Linking up with fellow Jesus lovers at these sites:
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Comments

  1. Debbie Prater says

    March 31, 2015 at 10:22 am

    I’m so thankful for His Spirit who woos us. It’s so important that we pray for those lost loved ones, that their hearts will be stirred. He draws us and convicts us.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 31, 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Amen Debbie! Amen.

      Reply
  2. Jamie Williams says

    March 31, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Beautiful kristi,
    I could’nt imagine ignoring that stir. My life would look different and I would be so lost. Awesome reminder

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 31, 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Me either, Jamie. He’s made all the difference in the world. Love you, girl.

      Reply
  3. Shentel Romias says

    March 31, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Amazing words Kristy Our message in church Sunday was so awesome it talked about how we are a link to people knowing and receiving Jesus. Our part is to pray. Mahalo nui for reminding me today I have made a choice in my life that has changed me forever, I AM A DAUGHTER OF THE KING JESUS.
    My love to u

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 31, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      Yes, yes, yes, Shentel. We are daughters of the King Jesus. King indeed. Keep pressing in, my sweet friend. Pray for those who are lost. It’s a wonderful week to bring them before the throne of God. Love you!

      Reply
  4. Crystal Storms says

    March 31, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    What beautifully strung words, my friend: “in love with the man who eventually took my hand and placed a life-long promise on my finger.” I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share that even as my heart was stirred with the reminder of the promise of His entering my life and His faithfulness since Jesus called me His own when I called Him my Lord.

    Thank you for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      March 31, 2015 at 1:30 pm

      🙂 You’re my marriage gal. Love it! And, yes, His faithfulness is something to behold. Happy Easter, a few days early, my sunshine connection.

      Reply
  5. ~ linda @ Being Woven says

    March 31, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    I am so grateful that He stirs our hearts and is there for us when we turn to Him. Oh, I recall the beautiful moments of being wooed into His arms almost 22 years ago. I am 67 now but am grateful that I followed His lead while I was on this earth and now have had 22 years of wanting to live under His wing.
    Praising God with you, ~ linda

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 1, 2015 at 11:03 am

      Beautiful, Linda. 22 years….love it! Praise God.

      Reply
  6. Laura Perkowski says

    March 31, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    I have been stirred…and I want to be stirred by Jesus again and again! He leaves me standing in awe every single day and I am so thankful! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 1, 2015 at 7:49 am

      All good news, Laura. All Good News. Happy Easter.

      Reply
  7. Christine Duncan says

    March 31, 2015 at 10:14 pm

    He still causes a stir… in hearts, and in the world… I pray we never lose our awe of Him, that even while He is our friend, and our brother, He is also our King! Beautiful words, as always, Kristi, I feel rested every time I visit. As my pastor loves to say, “May the God of all majesty bless you bigger than big today!!!” Hugs!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 1, 2015 at 7:50 am

      My prayer too, Christine…that we never lose our awe. Straight to the heart, my friend. Hugs!

      Reply
  8. Betsy Cruz says

    April 1, 2015 at 2:34 am

    I’m so glad He stirred you up, Kristi, and that you heeded that stiring. Let’s focus on our King this week! Thanks for sharing part of your story here.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 1, 2015 at 7:52 am

      Me too, Betsy! Eyes on the King. Eyes on the King. Happy Easter!

      Reply
  9. Candace Creates says

    April 1, 2015 at 9:22 am

    I only started listening to that stirring a few short years ago. How beautiful you paid attention so many years ago and continue to today. Beautiful message and reminder here :)!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 1, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Candace, I’m so glad you did. You’re forever changed by Jesus. Beautiful.

      Reply
  10. Kim says

    April 1, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Kristi, “dare to be stirred” – how inspirational for this beautiful week to #livefree – thanks so much for sharing on #raralinkup. Happy Easter! Kim Stewart
    http://www.kimstewartinspired.com

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:32 am

      You’re welcome. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Kim, and happy Easter to you, too!

      Reply
  11. Celi says

    April 1, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    That stirring is a wonderful feeling that I can’t compare to any other. When I drive alone and play some particular worship songs I feel stirred and find myself stretching my arm out in praise. It’s a feeling of greatness, too much to fit inside my heart so I need to stretch out. That might sound crazy but truly it’s hard to describe but if I had to choose a word it would be as you say “a stirring”. This post was great. So glad for the blessing. ♥

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:34 am

      Ahhhh….worship songs. They can draw me to a deep place. Love your “stretching out.”

      Reply
  12. Kristine Brown MTY says

    April 2, 2015 at 6:29 am

    Oh, I remember the day well! I was in my early twenties, as well, and thought I had it ALL figured out. But, there was still something BIG missing. I hope I can always live ‘stirred’ like that day! Thanks, Kristi:)

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:35 am

      ALL figured out…don’t we all? Thank heavens for Jesus.

      Reply
  13. Jenni DeWitt says

    April 2, 2015 at 10:28 am

    Jesus stirs quiet and peaceful, yet so strong. I love how He can do that!. Grateful for this post and the way you helped open the ears of my heart to Jesus stirrings in this loud world. Once again, blessed by your words!
    Jenni

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:35 am

      Thanks for stopping by, Jenni. Oh, that quiet, peaceful, strong stirring….

      Reply
  14. Abby McDonald says

    April 2, 2015 at 10:55 am

    Beautiful, Kristi! And oh yes, I have experienced that stir. For a while I fought it but then I couldn’t ignore it any more. I’m so thankful God never stops pursuing us and bring in new ways to stir us with his love. Blessed by you this morning, friend.

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:37 am

      I’m thankful God never stops, too, Abby. So thankful. Thanks for dropping in for a bit. Happy Easter.

      Reply
  15. Ellen Chauvin says

    April 2, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    I can just picture that little church! Love those subtle stirrings from Him! Thank you Kristi!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:37 am

      Me too, Ellen. Love those stirrings. 🙂 Love having you visit.

      Reply
  16. Angela Parlin says

    April 2, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    What a great question…will you dare to be stirred this Holy Week? Thank you for asking! And yes! 🙂 Great encouragement for #RaRaLinkup this week!

    Reply
    • Kristi Woods says

      April 3, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Love those yes answers. Thanks for visiting, Angela.

      Reply
  17. Angela says

    April 3, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Hi Kristi! Your writing is beautiful. You paint the picture for us and I can see it in my mind as I read. Yes, the stirring is wonderful. I’m ready. #intentionaltuesday

    Reply
  18. Carmen Horne says

    April 4, 2015 at 10:23 am

    You write beautifully friend. I just love this…”When Jesus enters the gates of our life, when he traverses the path into our heart, just as he did into Jerusalem, there’s a stirring.” Yes! I have felt it and I sure want to keep feeling it. Love your heart friend xxoo

    Reply
  19. Susan B. Mead says

    April 4, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    When Jesus enters the gates of our life, when he traverses the path into our heart, just as he did into Jerusalem, there’s a stirring.

    Yes ma’am! He stirs indeed…and we get to choose to act on the stirring He is doing in our lives…or not. I choose to act. And I thank you for showing me that so eloquently, Kristi.

    Reply

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