Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Dwelling with God

January 23, 2018 by Kristin 2 Comments

I decided to follow Jesus twenty-two years ago. I was at a weekend called Chrysalis in January 1996 with no one I knew. I had been asking God a lot of questions in the months leading up to that weekend, but it was there in a room of strangers I wrote on a piece of paper with what was hindering me from choosing God and then nailed that paper to a cross. The worship team was playing Rich Mullins’ “Growing Young,” and I was choosing to let God made me new.

God saved me that one day, but
He’s been rescuing me ever since.

{Tweet that.}

Throughout the years, I’ve learned so much about walking this faith journey. Circumstances have changed. How I spend time with God looks different from one season to the next. But I’ve learned dwelling with the One whose spirit dwells within me is life-changing.

When Becky Hastings asked if I wanted to preview her email series called DWELL, I was in. DWELL is a five-day email course that helps women connect with God in their everyday lives. It includes scriptures, devotional messages, encouragement for next steps, and resources.

I enjoyed DWELL because it was packed with refreshing truth. I loved having that show up in my inbox like a friend spurring me one toward the One who makes us new. And it’s presented in a way that just requires a few minutes but leaves you wanting to dwell with God even longer.

DWELL is now available for free to anyone interested. You can sign up here to receive the series.

*****

I also want to share a Q & A with DWELL creator Becky Hastings so you could hear more about how this resource came to be:

Kristin Hill Taylor: What does the word DWELL mean to you?

Becky Hastings: DWELL makes me think of an internal pause. We all have all of these busy life things spinning around us all the time. DWELL is choosing to pause my spirit to be with God, even as all those other things keep spinning. We know the kids and work and laundry never stop, but we can take moments in our head to be with the Father. He doesn’t need us to do things for Him as much as He longs for us to be with Him.

KHT: What prompted you to put together DWELL for other women?

BH: Honestly, I was getting sucked into the New Year, New You mentality. I was thinking that when January 1 hit I was going to be a different person. I would magically read my whole Bible in a day – well, maybe not a day, but certainly in a year. I would wake early and spend time and the kids would never interrupt and life would never get in the way. I was being drawn to the idea that turning that calendar page was going to make me into a better Christian, a better child of God.

But then I realized two things:

1. That was never really going to happen. Let’s be real.

2. It was never what God asked of me. I could never be a better child of God. He loves me just as I am. He sees the dishes piling up and the baby that won’t sleep. He sees the endless mom taxi service and the meals that need to be made. He doesn’t love me in spite of those things. He loves me in those things. In the mess. In the middle of life.

God doesn’t call us to live our Christian life and our “real” life. It’s all one.

I figured if I needed help learning how to be okay with that, maybe other women did too.

KHT: I know some people (including me!) got to preview this series. What was the initial response and how did that encourage you in your own relationship with God?

BH: It was a big step of faith to reach out and ask women (most of whom I barely know outside the internet) to preview DWELL. I wasn’t sure anyone would say yes. But God provided the perfect group of women to be part of this. They are women who understood the desire to spend time with God in the middle of their very real, and very busy, lives. That was a huge encouragement, to know I wasn’t alone.

And the response has been great! I think DWELL has provided a grace-filled framework for women longing for more of God in their lives. I’m so blessed by each person who has taken time to participate and let me know what they think. And I hope that doesn’t end! I love hearing from readers! We’re all in this together.

KHT: What do you want women to get out of their time DWELLing with God?

BH: Freedom and grace. It really is that simple for me. I hope women see that their time with God doesn’t need to be perfect or fit a formula. It can be simple and honest and short and He still shows up. And it’s those little, simple pauses in our day that add up to a cumulative DWELLing in our spirit.

Our time with God becomes part of who
we are instead of something we have to do.

{Tweet that.}

KHT: Once women finish the DWELL series, what next steps can they take if they’re new to spending time with God?

BH: This is one of my favorite parts about DWELL. It’s not five days you check off and you’re left hanging. It really is a framework you can use over and over. When you complete the course I provide a curated list of my favorite resources to keep going, using the same framework. And you may even get the occasional email from me when I find a new resource I think you’ll love!

*****

Rebecca Hastings believes in embracing grace in real life. At My Ink Dance, she captures hard, uncomfortable, often unspoken feelings and brings light, honesty and God’s truth to them in a relatable way. She is also the author of “Worthy: Believe Who God Says You Are,” a 20-day devotional inviting women to live life confident of their worth. Rebecca is a wife and mother of three in Connecticut writing imperfect and finding faith along the way.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this 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: faith Tagged With: guest post, resources

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    January 24, 2018 at 6:24 am

    I always enjoy reading Becky’s posts and am sure this is a resource which will bless many!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 24, 2018 at 7:29 am

      I think so too! Thanks for being here, Joanne!

      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

  • Fifteen
  • Help kids have healthy eating habits
  • How to organize your home
  • Let’s come before the throne
  • 3 Ways to Enhance Kids’ Cognitive Skills

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Old friends and live music are two of my favorite Old friends and live music are two of my favorite things, so having them together is the best. My friend Aaron and I went to multiple Dave Matthews Band shows together during our college years, so now two decades later it’s fun to do it again as grown ups with our spouses for a band that speaks truth into our lives. 

@needtobreathe put on the loudest acoustic tour I’ve ever seen, but it sure was good! And its encore of completely unplugged songs was especially sweet. 

#NTBlive #needtobreathe #bettertogether #choosingJOY #favoritethings #livingfaithfully #weekending
Happiness is … … a slow morning that gave me Happiness is …

… a slow morning that gave me a chance to finish reading a good book right after I fixed my favorite cinnamon toast. 

… some shade to invite me to pick some more weeds around the house. But why doesn’t my Apple Watch count this as exercise? It felt like exercise to me! 

… an appointment with my oldest girl for us both to get our nails done this morning. 

… my youngest girl’s last soccer game of the season, even though the heat made her a little grumpy. 

… pool time, another good book to read, my mom visiting for the second weekend in a row, a little more weeding, and a night at home with no specific plans. 

Happiness is everyday, normal life with my people, especially when it comes with a slower pace after a hectic week. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #soccermom #KHTreads #momlife #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #poolpeople #PorchStories
I regretted having to go to sleep last night befor I regretted having to go to sleep last night before I finished this book, so I picked it up at breakfast and didn’t do anything else until I finished it. 

I loved the Alaskan cruise setting, the quick love and understanding between Greta and Ben, and the realistic ways grief changes people. Well done, @jenniferesmith! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #booklover #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #weekending #recommendedreads #poolpeople #amreading
Happy Friday! 🎉 We’ve got four more days of s Happy Friday! 🎉 We’ve got four more days of school next week and then it’s #88daysofsummer! Obviously, we’re ready. ☀️ 

Here’s to a refreshing weekend with much anticipation of what’s to come! #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #thirdchild #momlife #summerisbest #poolpeople #PorchStories #maydays
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve already bou ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve already bought three copies of “Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences” by @walkerhayes and @craigallencooper to gift to specific friends. I’ve referenced this story in conversations this week and will likely recommended it for years to come. 

This story is about two seemingly different guys befriending each other because their kids were on the same baseball team and their wives became friends. They kept showing for each other, encouraged each other, and changed each other for the better. In fact, their friendship was the catalyst for Walker deciding to follow Christ. 

Give me Applebee’s on a date night, a real-life story of how we are eternally better together, and an audiobook that makes me want to drive and I’m a happy girl. I’m fancy like that. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #hospitalitymatters #audiobooks #booklover #favoritethings
I’m majorly behind on laundry, dishes, emails, a I’m majorly behind on laundry, dishes, emails, and to-do lists. Birthdays, a field trip, end-of-school things, squeezing in some friend dates, and just general life with three kids have occupied much of my time. But my friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon did tend to their shaggy hairs. So check! 

#momlife #reallife #girlmom #boymom #maydays #siblinglove #livingfaithfully
What I’m wearing … I don’t wear in jewelry, What I’m wearing …

I don’t wear in jewelry, but I love having bracelets that mean things to me. 

Today my friend Monica and I talked to our oldest daughters’ high school health class about adoption. My other friend @megandelaneythomas invited us because she recently taught about the reproductive system and wanted the class to hear about adoption as an option. We talked about adoption as a process, redemption to broken circumstances, and picture of God grafting us into his family. We shared resources and advice on counseling for abortion, befriending people who have made different relationships choices, and parenting regardless of how God builds a family. 

I left that high school health class thankful for @ncca.lions and the opportunities my kids have had to learn about real things in the context of the gospel. I’m also grateful for this adoption bond Monica and I share with our kids who are the same ages. I’ve always said, adoption is relational to its core, far beyond just bringing a baby home. That circle widened a little today, and I’m glad to welcome others into pieces of our story. 

Also, how fun are these bracelets @katie_cunningham85 gave me last week for my birthday? Today seemed like the perfect time to wear them along with my Romans 8:28 reminder — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Things working together for the good in Christ doesn’t mean easy or convenient. But it does mean all the details and relationships matter. I’m forever grateful for how God built my faith and my family through adoption. Wearing these sweet reminders is good for my soul. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #adoptionislove #adoption #PeaceInTheProcess #authorlife #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #firstborn #girlmom #boymom #reallife @scott_monica_bidwell
Another new book from a popular author that was ex Another new book from a popular author that was excellent! @harlancoben is a great suspense writer, and this is among his best in my opinion. It picked up with an old character and references another character from another book. But this story is well done even without those details. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite
I’ve read many @lisascottoline books, and this o I’ve read many @lisascottoline books, and this one is definitely at the top of my list. I didn’t know much about it going in, but I especially loved the WITSEC portion of the storyline and the suspense that unfolded about what happened to the Bennetts. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlepaperwhite #booklover
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

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

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.