Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

Three Word Wednesday :: And follow me

March 4, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

{Mark 8:34-36}

These verses came up in both church and small group on Sunday in separate lessons. They’re verses I’ve read before. But I’ve been thinking about them again the past few days.

Christians wear crosses around their necks. I’ve heard some say, “Well, that’s just my cross to bear.” But, really, as I’ve been thinking about how a cross symbolizes death.

Jesus wasn’t the only one who died on a brutal death hanging from a cross. But he was the only one who died that way, was buried, and then rose again.

Yes, a cross symbolizes death. But Jesus’ cross symbolizes life. {Tweet that.}

And that death and resurrection is something we can experience – at least figuratively – when we follow Jesus. That’s what he tells us to do after we take up our cross.

Follow me, the Savior of the world tells me.

Follow me, the only perfect being says to you.

Follow me, Jesus says it and means it.

Two words. But sometimes it’s hard to follow Jesus when our natural tendencies and society pull us in the opposite direction. Following Jesus is a decision we have to make over and over again, despite the chaos and destruction around us.

When Kevin Qualls spoke and taught Sunday at our church, he said following Jesus means modeling our lives after his example. {Tweet that.}

{Kevin is one of the members of the speaking team at our elder-led church. I alluded to a different speaker in another post recently.}

Following Jesus by modeling our lives after his makes sense to me, although I’ve never thought about it like that. Jesus lived and walked and breathed and endured temptation and died here on his earth. He had conversations and conflicts. And he left us with real-life examples. He endured much for us.

The fact Jesus tells us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses before he tells us to follow him guarantees that modeling our lives after his isn’t going to come easily. We have to make a decision to think beyond ourselves and whatever circumstances are filling our lives. We’re going to have hard days and struggles, but we can learn from them. We’re going to have to remember how to get to the point of following Jesus.

Have you ever walked through a struggle with someone you love? Think about when you did, their situation wasn’t very far from your thoughts. That’s what Jesus wants in our relationship with him. He endured so much and that – his ministry, his death, and his resurrection – shouldn’t be far from our thoughts. As we remember, we’ll more in step with his ways as we follow him. 

________________

152 Insights to My Soul

An InLinkz Link-up

And, hey, #ThreeWordWednesday friends, I have a fun giveaway happening on Facebook. Come join me there to enter to win an autographed copy of Holley Gerth’s new book, “You’re Loved No Matter What.” 

Want more insights? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: books, faith, life, quotes, Three Word Wednesday

Comments

  1. Katie Reid says

    March 4, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    I often run ahead of or lag behind His lead. Here's to faithful following by His grace.

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    So glad you could be encouraged, Jennifer! You definitely aren't alone carrying it – and I'm so thankful Jesus does come alongside us in every moment of our lives. I need to remember that myself. I love seeing you here, sweet friend.

    Reply
  3. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    Oh, yes, me too. So grateful for grace … and you being here!

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 4, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Thanks, Tiffany! I really love how when I go read all the posts linked up, God manages to weave a theme through them, even indirectly if not directly. The message for me today was about how God wants a relationship with us and that involves slowing down and being still so we can truly know him. Your post really spoke to me too. So glad you're here faithfully.

    Reply
  5. Being Woven says

    March 5, 2015 at 1:53 am

    The beauty of walking closely with the One Who called us and saved us is a privilege…one we should remember with each step we take…I should remember with each step I take!!!
    Thanks.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 5, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    Yes, indeed. Glad for your sweet encouragement, Linda!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Books of 2022 … so far
  • Helping adopted teens belong
  • Laundry talk
  • Brave Ben & his broken heel
  • Fifteen

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

We are having fun — and some forced sibling love We are having fun — and some forced sibling love — at @wildernessresort in Wisconsin Dells. We’ve played at four water parks here since we arrived yesterday afternoon. 💦

#WildernessWI #WeAreFamily #WildernessResort #roadtrip #88daysofsummer #TeamTaylor #reallife #wisconsin #wisconsindells
Nothing like starting a road trip by finishing an Nothing like starting a road trip by finishing an @elinhilderbrand book. I’d held off reading “Winter in Paradise” because the premise that a father’s death exposes his secret life hits way too close to home. But, really, fiction books can be therapeutic. 

I appreciated the raw emotions of a wife, two brothers, and others learning of tragedy and processing the ripples of that moment. Of course, who doesn’t love a story set in the U.S. Virgin Islands? AND it’s this the first in a three-book series, and I’ve got the next two ready to go on my Kindle. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #roadtrip
My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And ki My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And kids today don’t know how to sign yearbooks. Cate, my rising sophomore, says it’s because they have phones to take photos and text each other. She’s probably right. 

But the whole conversation and experience took me down memory lane. So much so, I got these yearbooks from my high school days off my bookshelf and read notes. Admittedly, I can’t remember a few people who proclaimed what a great friend I was and I never called some people who wanted to KIT — that’s Keep In Touch, kids — and left their phone numbers (and pager number in one instance!)! 🤣 

I also proceeded to text the three friends (well, really, five, because two girls married two guy friends of mine) with whom I do actually KIT. I have their numbers saved in my iPhone, thankfully. We have made grown-up memories together. We message and try to see each other. My husband knows their maiden names. 

Truly, how has it been 25 years since I graduated from Oldham County High School? I’m sitting on the porch now, rememebering how faithful God has been and thinking about how high school seems like a lifetime ago but also like yesterday. 💙

HAGS, everybody! 

#memorylane #highschool #livingfaithfully #yearbooks #choosingJOY #reallife
Cat nap! 💕 #catsofinstagram #thirdchild #napt Cat nap! 💕 

#catsofinstagram #thirdchild #naptimeshenanigans #PorchStories #reallife #88daysofsummer #summerisbest
A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domesti A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domestic thriller. I’ve always seen @diane.chamberlain.author’s books, but this was the first one I read. I’ve already downloaded others to my Kindle. 

Living with a secret is all Eve Elliot knows. Her life unravels when she confesses to what she knows and there are ripple effects for her husband and two daughters. I thought I had it all figured out and then there was another surprise right at the end! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #booklover #weekending
Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️ Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️

#poolpeople #thirdchild #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY #PorchStories #weekending #momlife
Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honest Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honestly, it’s hard to believe two-plus years later, and COVID is still interrupting all kinds of things. I know it’s a privilege to travel, but there’s still disappointment. Regardless, we can’t board a cruise ship in Canada on Monday to go to Alaska when my boy tested positive for COVID last night. (Yes, twice. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

But the real point of this post: we are regrouping and going to Wisconsin Dells next week. I’m excited to see somewhere new, even if it’s not what I’d been planning. Let’s be honest, the logistics to get to the cruise were already a lot, so maybe this closer-to-home trip is meant to be right now. 

Anyway, who has been to Wisconsin Dells area? We found a condo and have a list of things going, but I’m accepting all entertainment and restaurant recommendations.

#wisconsindells #reallife #covid_19 #covid #momlife #88daysofsummer #summervacation
I don’t really want to get into an abortion deba I don’t really want to get into an abortion debate here, but I will always champion the unborn, advocate for life, and support mothers and families. When I say “choose life,” I mean in and out of the womb. Choosing life begins with not having an abortion, but it continues to advocating for adoption, foster care, support for moms in lots of different situations. 

Western Kentucky is blessed with resources that do this, including @lifehousemurray in Murray and @_hopecenter in Mayfield. Those are great places to send your money and diapers, recommend to moms expecting or raising little ones, and keep in your prayers. 

If you know someone fostering, we have Partners In Care Foster Closet that offers clothes and supplies to western Kentucky foster families. No strings attached. 

I will forever be an open book about adoption, so I’ll be happy to talk about that with anyone who desires to know more. I even wrote a book about our adoption stories: bit.ly/PeaceInTheProcess #linkinbio 

My three kids have life because three women chose it for them. Those decisions changed my life for the better, and that’s only one piece of a much bigger story. 

#prolife #chooselife #adoptionislove #momlife #authorlife #livingfaithfully #PeaceInTheProcess #reallife #unplannedpregnancy #adoption #family #sisters #siblinglove #currentevents #roevwade #lifematters
Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I've read 40 books. That pace is well beyond my usual number for the year. Last year I read 62 total. I don't join challenges, plan what I'm going to read next, or even have a goal. But I still love keeping track. 

Some things to know about my reading habits: I like actual books, but I've been reading often on my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I introduced audiobooks into my life this year and especially enjoyed some memoirs while I was driving around while the kids were in school. I will quit books if I can't get into them, and I've done that a few times this year. I almost always have a book (or books, hello, Kindle) with me, you know, just in case I happen upon some time to read. Here are some other tips for making time for books and reading more.

Today #ontheblog I'm sharing the list of the 40 books I've read so far this year. #linkinbio What else do I need to read this year?

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #librarybooks #bloggerlife #amreading #favoritethings #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM