Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

God is faithfully for us

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When I was 16 years old, I had lots of questions for God. The answers were a process, but he used words and people to draw me to him. The first truth I really grasped onto was Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Two decades later, I still hold tightly to that promise. I know God so much better now, thanks to words and people and experiences. But there’s still so much I can learn.

I’m slowly working through “If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation” by Trilla Newbell. It’s a six-week study of Romans 8.

I keep underlining Trillia Newbell’s words that point me to truths about God’s faithfulness and the freedom he gives. She writes with encouragement and confidence, knowing God truly is for us. I really like the mixture of questions – some focus on studying God’s word and some are personal reflections – and I’m gaining so much context for that promise God showed me when I was a teenager. The margins are jotted with my thoughts as I work through this book and reflect on these past twenty-three years of following God and my recent focus on living faithfully.

About the book

This fresh and inviting approach to Romans 8 with its attractive layout is divided into six weeks of five days each. Every week begins with an overview of what’s ahead and includes prompts to get the reader engaged with the Word. “Respond” questions are for digging into the text and understanding it better. Each day the “Explore” devotions help apply the text to life, and the daily “Reflect” questions guide the reader into prayer and reflection.

The format “If God Is For Us” works well whether done individually or with a group. Newbell shows readers how to find and use various resources to enrich their study: cross-references within the Bible itself, websites, video, and others.

The first week is an overview of the first seven chapters of Romans. Newbell leads up to Romans 8 by examining some great themes of the faith: the fallen human condition and need for salvation; the doctrine of adoption; the struggle with the old nature; peace with God through Christ, and more.

Weeks two through six focus intently on Romans 8. As Newbell goes through the rich teachings of this chapter, the reader not only will become more comfortable with its theology but will appreciate its application to daily life. The keywords called, predestined, conformed, sanctified, justified, glorified are covered, as are major scriptural truths such as the Spirit’s intercession in prayer; our present sufferings compared with future glory; believers being conformed to the image of God’s Son; the promise that God is working all things together for His purposes, which are good. In the final week, five rhetorical questions Paul asks are answered.

  • Week 1: No Greater Message: an overview of Romans 1–7
  • Week 2: Life in the Spirit: Romans 8:1-11
  • Week 3: Heirs with Christ—God’s Children: Romans 8:12-17
  • Week 4: Future Glory: Romans 8:18-27
  • Week 5: Our Assurance: Romans 8:28-30
  • Week 6: Everlasting Love: Romans 8:31-39

When this workable and in-depth study is completed, the reader will better know God, His Son, and the timeless, ringing truths of His Word as declared throughout Romans 8: that God indeed is for us and that absolutely nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

About the author

Trillia Newbell is the author of “Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God’s Good Gifts,” “Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves,” and “United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity,” as well as the kids’ book “God’s Very Good Idea.” (Learn more about Newbell and her books here.) A writer and speaker, she also is currently the director of community outreach for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. She and her husband Thern reside with their two children near Nashville, Tennessee.

Giveaway

One of you gets a copy! Whoo-hoo! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win between now and Friday, March 29. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I received a free copy of this study and the giveaway opportunity from Side Door Communications in exchange for a review.

Saying yes to March Madness

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Hello, March Madness!

In the winter, we plan our social life around the Murray State basketball schedule. We meet friends for dinner before the games. We have friends who travel with us to a few away games – sometimes in a 14-passenger van we borrow and now my eight-seater Pacifica is an option with another family that most often joins us.

I know sports aren’t everyone’s form of entertainment, but Greg and I both would choose a college basketball game over an art museum, a college football game before a musical at the theater, and a Major League Baseball game instead of any sort of dance recital. We both grew up watching sports, so it naturally became something we did together.

We have season tickets to Murray State basketball and football games. We try to go to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball most seasons. We also like University of Kentucky football and basketball, and occasionally make our way to Lexington for a game.

Then we had kids – and we kept doing it.

But the Racers are our favorites.

I have pictures of Cate and Ben sleeping at MSU basketball games. Rachel doesn’t fall asleep like they did because she doesn’t want to miss anything, but like her siblings, she is learning to spell R-A-C-E-R-S! She recognizes both the mascot and the logo around town. Cate is old enough to have memories of players she’s loved watching and each season becomes more invested and interested. Ben asks more questions about the rules and strategies and loves playing sports. He filled out his first March Madness bracket this week.

With sports come stories of perseverance, achievement, and sometimes loss. In a culture where everyone thinks they deserve a participation trophy, it’s good for the kids to see the world keeps turning after your team loses. And, of course, it’s fun to celebrate with teams we’ve come to know from our seats.

It’s been an exciting season for Racer fans.

Murray State only lost four games in the regular season – two by very few points to Alabama and Auburn, both bigger programs in the Southeastern Conference, and then two to conference foes when our best player was nursing an ankle injury.

Speaking of the best player, point guard Ja Morant has gotten much national attention this year. He’s dunked over people and landed himself and the rest of the Racers on SportsCenter more than once. He’s expected to be among the first few picks in the NBA Draft. He’s been a joy to watch because he truly looks like he’s having the most fun. He celebrates his teammates and this town.

The Racers shared the regular-season championship with Belmont and then went on to beat the Bruins in the conference tournament. With the tournament trophy in hand, the Racers also clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They play Marquette today, and we’re hoping this isn’t the last game for this team that’s been so fun to watch. We wish we were in Hartford, Connecticut to watch, but we’ll be watching from our living room with friends.

Basketball games give me a chance to say yes, introduce my kids to other towns, and let go of our bedtime routine. Naturally, I’m a rule follower who wants everyone to follow my rules, but I’ve had opportunities to give the kids treats and grace. Those things don’t come naturally to me, so being a sports fan has helped me keep perspective on life.

Being a sports fan has helped me be a yes mom
and provided a backdrop for making memories.

{Tweet that.}

March Madness is the best in our sports-loving world. And now we get to root for our favorite team to be the Cinderella of The Big Dance. Pass the popcorn.

 

Unpacking the value of family

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People often tell me how much my kids look like me and I never know how to respond. I want to tell them every detail of how God built our family through three separate adoption processes. I want to tell them about my kids’ birth moms and all the things I hope they got from them. I want to tell them how adoption changed my life far beyond making me a mom.

But, usually, I smile and say, “Thank you.”

God made us a family through adoption and taught me how we become like those with whom we share our space and our hearts. That’s family, and I’m thankful for all the ripple effects of adoption.

One those was our trip to Washington, D.C., in September. We made new friends there. You’ve met Michaela Stanton, who has shared here about her family. We also got to know folks from Jockey Being Family, which is the underwear company’s foundation that provides support to adoptive families.

Jockey values us and so many other families who were created in unique ways.

We’ve remained in contact with Will, Stefanie, and Sammie from Jockey Being Family since D.C., and have even gotten to share a meal around a table. During that time they told us more about their upcoming annual gala, during which we’re going to be one of five families honored. Another family is our new friends the Stantons. Isn’t God good to give us these sweet surprises and friendships?

I’ve loved learning more about how Jockey Being Family supports adoptive families. One of those ways is through the backpacks they send kids who have been adopted.

My kids had the best time unpacking their personalized backpacks this week. They each included three books, a notebook, headphones, toothbrush and toothpaste, a Jockey stuffed animal bear, an ice pack, a blanket, and markers (or crayons, as in the case of my youngest). Us parents also got a tote with additional resources to use as we continue talking to our kids about adoption, a blanket, and pens.

Here are some of the specific resources included in the backpacks my kids (who are 11, 9, and 3) received:

  • “All About Marvelous Me! A Draw and Write Journal” by Becky J. Radtke – Kids can have fun reflecting on their past, present, and future! Loaded with fun things to do, such as fill-in-the-blanks, checklists, drawing, and journaling, this 64-page book will inspire children to write and illustrate details of their daily lives and inner thoughts. Activities include taking personality quizzes, designing the ultimate hangout, imagining the perfect job, and many other interesting personal challenges.
  • “All About Me: A Keepsake Journal for Kids” by Linda Kranz – This book offers “thought starters” to get kids’ creativity flowing to document life through writings and drawings.
  • “Angel and Her Wonderful Wheels” by Leanne Lauricella – Discover the story of Angel, a baby goat who is different from the others. Angel, who can’t walk like other goats, is rescued by Leanne Lauricella, founder of the Goats of Anarchy animal sanctuary. With Leanne’s help, Angel gets a new set of wheels—a pink cart that helps her learn to walk, run, and play. Children and adults will love this endearing story about overcoming adversity that reminds us that we are all uniquely beautiful, including what makes us different from others. Follow along with Angel as she makes new friends on the farm and finds a loving family to be her forever home.
  • “The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving” by Ellen Sabin – This is an activity book, a journal, and a keepsake that inspires and records a child’s journey into a lifelong tradition of giving and charity.
  • “My Book About Me” by Dr. Seuss and Roy McKie – So, fun fact, I filled out this same book when I was a kid and I still have it! This classic hardcover activity book written by Dr. Seuss and illustrated by Roy McKie encourages children to write and draw their own biographies. It’s a mix of serious (and seriously silly!) “Yes” and “No” questions; fill-in-the-blanks; images to complete, and simple writing activities.
  • “Reagandoodle & Little Buddy” by Sandi Swiridoff with Wendy Dunham – Told with warmth and a touch of humor by Reagan himself, readers will hear the true story of how one adopted dog and an 11-month-old foster child develop an unforgettable friendship. This is an uplifting tale of friendship, foster care, adoption, and hope.
  • “Riley the Brave” by Jessica Sinarski – This is a children’s story of a little bear with big feelings. You and your children can join this super-cool cape wearing cub as he embarks on a journey to face his fears and is joined by all of his animal friends who care for him. Throughout Riley’s adventures in this educational book, parents and children can learn how to understand and overcome feelings such as shame, fear, and sadness.

Here are some of the parent resources we received:

  • “Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens” by Debbie Riley with John Meeks – This book from The Center for Adoption Support & Education helps parent discover the six most common adoption stuck-spots, the complexities of adoption, the adopted teen’s quest for identity, and how therapy may help the adoptive families learn and grow together. Therapists and clinicians will discover a broad knowledge base on adoption, a step-by-step assessment process, clinical intervention strategies, a wealth of case histories, treatment resources and therapy tools, and writing and art therapy samples.
  • “52 Ways to Talk About Adoption” from The Center for Adoption Support & Education – This card game encourages family discussions about adoption.
  • “W.I.S.E. Up Powerbook” – Empower your child with the resource. Praised by parents around the world, this simple, effective book helps adopted children learn that their story is unique, personal and theirs to share (or not). The W.I.S.E. Up! Owl delivers easy-to-follow choices to help adopted children decide when and how to share information and respond to others’ questions/comments. This is also from The Center for Adoption Support &  Education.

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Learn more about Jockey Being Family, including its backpack program, at its website. You can also follow its inspiring stories on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And stay tuned here because I will have more to share after we road trip to be with our Jockey Being Family friends at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in May.