Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Let’s come before the throne

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We collectively are living in difficult times. I’m sure every generation has said that. But it doesn’t make the harsh world in which we are living any less true. We’ve weathered COVID-19 and the many ripples in our daily living, healthcare system, political climate, and soaring gas and grocery prices. 

Plus as individuals, we are all facing our own trials. I think the assumption is nobody will understand our difficulties as wives, moms, friends, sisters, and aunts. But that’s not actually true. We have a God who understands and wants us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help at the time of our need” (Hebrews 4:16). 

At the time of our need. Not after we’ve figured it out. Not after the difficult season has passed. Not when we’ve sought the advice of our best friends. (I’m preaching to myself here!) 

I’ve been disappointed with people, but I’m not the first person to navigate difficult relationships. Just think about Moses. God called him to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and through the wilderness to the Promised Land. The people grumbled. Moses needed Aaron to speak for him. But God didn’t give up on Moses and Moses met with God regularly. Moses may have never gotten to see the Promised Land, but he had a faithful relationship with his God and his people. 

Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, but he prayed even after his disobedience. Plenty of times in my life I didn’t want to do what I knew was right. I’m thankful we can approach God despite whatever circumstances and choices are keeping us from obedience. 

Those are just two examples of people who prayed in difficult times. “Before the Throne: Finding Strength Through Prayer in Difficult Times” is an eight-week Bible study I’m looking forward to working through this summer. Lord knows I have my own difficult times, but I still want to deepen my relationship with God in ways that come about through prayer. 

About the book

God’s people know they can turn to Him when times get tough. Instead of trying to fix things on our own, we can enter God’s throne room in prayer. The access granted to us by Jesus our High Priest is our comfort when the world is turned upside down. In “Before the Throne,” Crickett offers eight prayer warriors from Scripture who turned to God when times became difficult. You’ll learn to pray with:

  • Moses in times of disappointment
  • The Psalmists in times of need
  • Hezekiah in times of battle
  • Habakkuk in times of questioning
  • Jesus in a time of intercession
  • Paul in times of hardship
  • Revelation saints in times of worship

As you study these prayers, you’ll be strengthened as you see how these godly Bible characters poured out their hearts to God and how He responded to them. You’ll learn how to pray with the same power when you feel weak, helpless, stressed, or afraid. As you turn your focus toward God’s character through prayer, He will supply the strength you need to face whatever is before you.

“Before the Throne” is a 256-page paperback Bible study published by Moody Publishers (March 1, 2022). 

About the author

Crickett Keeth is the women’s ministry director at First Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where she writes and teaches women’s Bible studies. She is the author of several published Bible studies, including “On Bended Knee,” “The Gift of Rest” and “Sumatra with the Seven Churches” (co-authored with Sandra Glahn). Crickett was on staff with Cru for ten years and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. In addition to teaching regularly at her own church, she also speaks at women’s conferences and retreats. She offers free resources for discipleship and encourages others in their own walk with God through her website at www.crickettkeeth.com. Her life purpose is to encourage others to passionately pursue Jesus Christ.

Giveaway

And I’ve got a copy to share with one of y’all! The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. A winner will be chosen randomly Monday, May 2. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win!

ENTER HERE! –> Before the Throne giveaway

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I received a free copy of this Bible study from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I only recommend books I believe are worth your time. 

The Wonder of Creation

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Our family has been busy, busier than I’d like, really, so I’ve been trying to make the most of our time together. That means sometimes we eat dinner at a fast food restaurant instead of our kitchen table or read a devotional on the way to school rather than sitting perfectly still first thing in the morning together. 

I’ve always found lessons in faith right in my everyday life and I want the same for my kids. We’ve been reading “Roar Like A Lion” by Levi Lusko on the way to school most mornings. When we are finished with that one, we’re moving on to “The Wonder of Creation” by Louie Giglio. My sixth-grader Ben and kindergartener Rachel will especially love all the facts and information about animals, planets, and the world around us, but I know my high school freshman Cate and I will benefit from hearing the truth too. 

I’m thankful for books like “The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God & Science” that have a solid scripture foundation, keep my kids’ interest, and prompt discussions about our actual lives. Louie Giglio does a good job creating a book that does that for us! 

About the book

In this captivating follow-up to the bestselling kids’ devotionals “Indescribable” and “How Great Is Our God,” discover more mind-blowing, faith-building scientific facts and biblical truths about the wonder of God’s creation from author, speaker, and founder of the Passion movement Louie Giglio. It’s fine if your family hasn’t read the other devotionals as this one stands on its own with 100 devotionals. 

Giglio wants kids to notice, enjoy, and marvel at God’s creation. In “The Wonder of Creation,” children will find new delight in God’s creativity with devotions that explore animals from honeyguide birds to flying snakes to white rhinos; space including black holes to volcanic moons to gamma-ray bursts; people from optical illusions to brain freezes to our immune systems; and Earth from rainbow rivers to blue lava to flowing glaciers                                                    

With engaging illustrations and striking photography, this fun and informative book is ideal for children ages 6 to 10. Each of the devotions features a scientific fact or an easy activity for exploring faith, a short Bible verse, and a closing prayer. This book is ideal for science-loving kids, Bible-loving kids, and any child ready to go deeper in faith; continues a well-loved devotional series that has impacted over a million children, parents, and teachers; includes informative content call-outs inviting kids to “Explore the Wonder”; and makes a great addition to a homeschool STEM curriculum or a bedtime reading routine.

This 208-page hardcover devotional is published by Thomas Nelson (Nov. 16, 2021).

About the authors

Louie Giglio is pastor of Passion City Church and original visionary of the Passion movement, which exists to call a generation to leverage their lives for the fame of Jesus. Since 1997, Passion Conferences has gathered collegiate-aged young people in events across the US and around the world. Most recently, Passion hosted more than 700,000 people from more than 150 countries online at Passion 2021.

Louie is the national-bestselling author of more than a dozen books. An Atlanta native and graduate of Georgia State University, Louie has done post-graduate work at Baylor University and holds a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Louie and his wife Shelley make their home in Atlanta.  

Co-author Tama Fortner is an ECPA award-winning and bestselling writer with more than forty titles to her credit. She has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for both children and teens, as well as adults, including the wildly successful Indescribable Kids series and Jesus Calling for Kids series. But her greatest accomplishments happen in a happy little home on the outskirts of Nashville, where she lives with her family and an incredibly lazy dog, who doubles as a footwarmer.

About the illustrator

Nicola Anderson has been an illustrator and graphic designer since she could hold a crayon in her hand but has been working professionally since 2001. After many years working in the design industry, she now crafts imaginary worlds from her home studio, AndoTwin Studio, in Manchester, UK. During this time, she has worked with an eclectic range of clients and has loved every minute!

Rachel really wanted a picture of the book with the cats – more evidence of God’s creation!

Giveaway 

And I’m able to share it with one you! Who wants a hardcopy of this book for the kids in your life? Tell me what in creation encourages your faith in God. Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post or the posts about it on Facebook and Instagram and you’re entered to win. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents and a winner will be randomly chosen on Nov. 29, 2021. 

*****

Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing this devotion in exchange for review. Opinions are 100 percent my own and I only recommend products I would use with my own family. I add this book to my list of family devotionals on Amazon, if you’re looking for other suggestions. 

Roar Like A Lion

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I decided if we’re going to have a 20-minute drive to school each morning, I might as well use that time for good. “Roar Like A Lion” is a new devotional for kids that’s been perfect for our morning commute. 

“Roar Like A Lion: 90 Devotions to a Courageous Faith” by Levi Lusko appeals the most to my sixth-grade son who recently accepted Christ and was baptized, but my kindergarten girl also loves the bold, beautiful pictures. He’s been the one to read it aloud to us. My 14-year-old daughter thinks the devotional is for younger kids, but she gets involved in our discussions. (And I will probably make her read aloud one of the days soon!) 

My son Ben especially loves the facts of lions. It’s been good to talk about why this animal is a symbol of courageous faith on the way to school because the school’s mascot is Lions. In a fun detail of God’s timing, Ben also was assigned lions as a topic for a science research project. He’s taking some facts right from this devotional!

More importantly, I pray for kids are encouraged to stand up for Christ among their friends. There are hard feelings and social situations to navigate, especially for my two oldest in middle and high school, even at our small, Christian school. Their homeroom teachers have been talking to them about being leaders among their peers, so this devotional is timely in our lives. 

In the wild, lions roar for three reasons: to let others know where they are, to show how powerful they are, and to scare off the enemy. Your life should roar for the same reasons: to let other believers know where you are and that they aren’t alone, to show how powerful God is, and to scare off your enemy.

We spent some time this week talking about what “roaring” like this looks like in our everyday lives. I really like thinking about how believers are in this life together and should be able to find each other easily, despite everything else going on in this world. I’m thankful Cate and Ben, even as young Christ-followers, also have this kind of community in their lives. Rachel likes to talk about how she loves God too. 

I like driving my kids to and from school because some days that’s when they really talk to me and each other. So it’s good to have some thought-provoking information, prayers, and questions for my kids. Honestly, it’s a good way for me to start my day too. 

About the book

With eye-catching art, fascinating stories and facts, Bible verses and prayers, and simple action steps, this 90-day devotional will help your kids approach both fun moments and tough times with their hearts set on God’s faithfulness.

Relevant topics include:

  • Facing fears about school and friendships
  • Dealing with peer pressure and bullying
  • Handling new challenges, disappointments, and grief
  • Having the courage to try something new
  • Understanding how we each fit into God’s great story

This 192-page hardcover book is aimed at readers 6 to 10 years old, but, as I said, my sixth-grade son really likes it. It’s published by Thomas Nelson (Sept. 14, 2021). Learn more at the book’s website or Amazon. There’s also free resources available: Parents Discussion Guide and Four Rhythms to Setting the Pace of Your Home.

About the author

Levi Lusko is the founder and lead pastor of Fresh Life Church. He is the bestselling author of adult non-fiction books “Through the Eyes of a Lion,” “Swipe Right,” and “I Declare War.” Levi also travels the world speaking about Jesus. He and his wife, Jennie, have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven. 

About the illustrator

Catherine Pearson is a Swiss illustrator based in the hills of Lausanne, Switzerland. With a European Bachelor in illustration, Catherine through her career and experiences has refined a unique and playful illustration style. She is passionate about bringing clients’ ideas to life and believes illustration can speak to you where words cannot.

Giveaway

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Enter before Sept. 28, when I randomly choose a winner. Just comment on the blog, Facebook, or Instagram posts about this book as a chance to enter to win. Extra entries are public shares of my posts about this book on any social media channel. 

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Find other family devotionals we’ve enjoyed through the years at my idea list on Amazon. 

I received a hardback copy of “Roar Like A Lion” in exchange for a review from the publisher as part of my participation in the Momentum Influencer Network. They are also providing the book to the winner of my giveaway. Much thanks! The opinions here are my own.