Katie M. Reid's Blog, page 39

When Love Cuts Though the Chill

This season can be packed to the brim, with celebrations and obligations. To-do lists fill and the weather chills, and we sometimes lose our footing on slippery ground.

The soul longs for quiet by a warm fire, to see twinkling lights overhead—in sky and tree.

We sip the simple and remember to breathe, to fill the lungs that God has laced together. We look into cupped glass and see a glimpse of artistry—woven together in secret place.

We are tempted to see only lack and frailty, yet as we lea...

Hope on the Horizon

Tangled in roots, I tromp through field with limping gait. It’s as if I am walking through inky molasses—held back by worry that chokes oxygen from limbs and lungs.

I long to spin freely on a carpet of wild flower, but briars adhere to the hem of my garment. The mud coats my feet as I struggle forward, breathing shallow.

Weeds of disappointment leave blisters as glorious freedom taunts on the horizon—just out of reach.

As the shadows close in, it becomes difficult to keep eyes fixed on hope....

Listen Close, Listen Well: Your Womb Belongs to Whom? (Tyra Lane-Kingsland)

It’s hard to believe that this is the last guest post of the Listen Close, Listen Well series. I’ll be back next week to conclude the series. I hope that you’ve been encouraged as we’ve focused on listening to God (you can access the full series at the end of this post).

Today’s guest and I birthed babies around the same time, this year. It’s my honor to introduce you to the lovely Tyra as she vulnerably shares her heart and exhorts us with this good word today.

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Dear Tightly Wound Woman: The Easy A

First of all, congrats to Rhonda M., winner of the Krafty Kash necklace!

Now, it’s time for some mail. Grab a cozy blanket and enjoy the warmth of His love as you unravel grace.

Dear Tightly Wound Woman*:

I see you there, love…my try-hard girl, my striving for the “A” daughter, the Type A woman—the Martha type who handles it all.

You are My creation—painted with the brushstrokes of grace upon breathtaking landscape.

I know how hard you work…rising early, staying up late, constantly stirring...

Listen Close, Listen Well: Lamenting Praise (Guest: Judy Dunagan)

Welcome to this installment of the Listen Close, Listen Well Series.

It is an honor to introduce you to Judy Dunagan. I met Judy a few years ago at Carol Kent’s Speak Up Conference. Judy is also an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishing. Judy has a heart to encourage women. Being around her is always a gift as she uplifts others and lovingly points them to Christ.

Lamenting Praise

By: Judy Dungan

I watched as hundreds of birds flew from behind a sun-tipped cloud. It was as though they had...

Interview with Cindy Bultema (Author of Live Full, Walk Free)

Welcome back to the Interview Series!

Just in time for your holiday shopping, I’m delighted to tell you about an exciting new Bible Study via Thomas Nelson called, Live Full, Walk Free: Set Apart in a Sin-Soaked World by Cindy Bultema. Cindy is a dynamic Bible teacher and dear friend and I know this study will be such a life-giving tool for you.

Let’s give Cindy a warm welcome as she tells us more about it!

Interview with Cindy Bultema

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your new study an...

Thanksgiving: Are you a Giver or a Taker? (Giveaway)

*DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links in this post, see bottom of post for more details.

Are You a Giver or a Taker?

We used to live and work at a Bible Camp. The camp director often challenged the campers to move from being takers to being givers. He explained that it was a sign of maturity to focus on giving instead of getting.

“…It is more blessed to give than receive.” -Acts 20:35b

Times are tough right now.

People are hurting, grieving, accusing, and fighting. People are taking jabs at one anoth...

Interview with Kris Camealy (Author of Come, Lord Jesus)

Many of my writing friends are coming out with books! It’s a joy to introduce them to you and as we celebrate through the Interview Series. Let’s give a warm welcome to the lovely Kris Camealy as she talks about her advent book, Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight of Waiting.

Interview with Kris Camealy

Tell us a little bit about why you decided to write “Come, Lord Jesus”:

The idea for Come, Lord Jesus was actually planted in my heart about 2 years ago. Through a series of events, I began working...

Excavating Hope in the Midst of Sinking Sand

Where do you turn in times of trouble? How do you excavate hope in the midst of sinking sand? When the earth seems to give way to fear, how do you find the strength to stand?

Beside eating copious amounts of ice cream, or hiding under layers of covers, or putting our heads in the sand—how do we uncover the light to pierce the darkness?

How do we adopt hope in uncertain times, when the world seems to be spinning out of control?

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteous...

Listen Close, Listen Well: Serving A Stranger (Lisa Appelo)

We’re back with the Listen Close, Listen Well Series. We took a break last month because of the Grounded Series, but now we’re back with a powerful story about listening from the lovely, Lisa Appelo.

Serving a Stranger

By: Lisa Appelo

My eyes fluttered open at the sound of my cell phone ringing. Reaching for it on the bedside table, I saw it was my oldest daughter.

Having launched several children from home, I’ve learned to take their calls when they call – whether I’m in the grocery line or...