Interview with author, Kathy Howard

Kathy Howard is a Bible study author and speaker, has been teaching the Bible for over 20 years. She’s taught a wide range of topics to an even wider range of students – everything from basic Bible stories at a middle school to teacher training for church leaders. Kathy particularly enjoys speaking at women’s events and retreats to encourage them in their faith. She has a Masters in Christian Education from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and serves on a church staff in West Texas.

Kathy and her husband have three children and one son-in-law. When the family gets together there are also four dogs in the mix. Kathy writes to have something to do while drinking coffee. Find out about her Bible studies and speaking ministry and get discipleship tools and leader helps at her website: www.kathyhoward.org.

Kathy and I have known each other many years, both of us alumnus from the CSBS and fellow “Bunco” buddies!  I am honoured to be asked to be one of her “influencers” as she launches her new Bible study for women, “Unshakeable Faith”.

“Unshakeable Faith”, an 8-session Bible study for women, has just been released by New Hope Publishers. This study helps readers apply 8 key “faith traits” found in the life of Peter so they will be prepared to weather the harshest storms of life.

It is my pleasure to welcome Kathy Howard, to Journey Thoughts today! 

Kathy, what prompted you to write on this particular topic?

Over the last few years, many Christian women I love and admire have endured difficult circumstances such as life-threatening illness, divorce, death of a child, and financial hardship. The quality of their faith significantly affected how they endured these trials and how God worked in them for His glory. God strengthened and guided them through their close relationship with Jesus.

Their experiences made me wonder how I would do in the same circumstances. Like most women, I manage to juggle the everyday things of life – work, family, ministry, and home life – without too much difficulty. But sometimes, even in just a small crisis, my self-sufficiency is shaken. Would I stand firm in really hard times or would these trials knock me flat? I began to ask God to show me how my faith could be prepared.

So why Peter? Why is he a good example for us to study?

Peter was just an ordinary man, a fisherman. He worked hard. He had a family and friends. Peter was passionate and a natural leader, but he was also headstrong and impetuous. Peter had sworn to follow Jesus unconditionally, no matter the circumstances. Yet on the night Jesus was betrayed, his faith wavered and he denied His Lord. But then several decades later Peter willingly faced martyrdom rather than deny Him again. This study is about what made the difference in Peter’s faith. Unshakeable Faith looks closely at Peter’s life and teachings to discover some of the key characteristics God built into his faith that helped him stand firm in the face of death. That’s the kind of faith I want to have.

What’s unique about this study?

I love to study God’s Word. Learning about God, His ways, and what He desires for us is wonderful. But if we don’t apply what He teaches us, let it shape our lives, then we fall short of the full purpose of study. Unshakeable Faith not only leads readers into learning God’s Word, but it also purposefully helps readers apply it. In addition to each week’s application section, there is a “Faith Shaker” story that helps us see how that faith trait works in real life. These stories are about real women who have faced a life trial with which many readers will relate. Readers get to see how their faith keeps them standing firm. A strong faith in Jesus Christ does work in real life!

Has there been a time in your life where you had to show “Unshakeable Faith”?

One particular period stands out. Things had been going along well and I felt “blessed by God.” But then this family situation popped up and it really shook me. I cried out to God and asked Him why He allowed this thing to happen. That moment is one of the times in my life God has spoken to me most distinctly. My heart clearly heard, “I am the same God today that I was yesterday. Yesterday you rejoiced in My goodness and trusted in My care. So will you now?” I choose to trust in Him and lean on His faithfulness. The situation was not resolved overnight. In fact, in drug out over a long period of time, but God kept me going and brought me through it.

Do you have a “life verse” that you have claimed?  If so what is it and why is that verse so meaningful to you?

Galatians 2:20 resonates with me. It reflects what I want my life to be in order to glorify God.

Is there anything else that you would like your readers to know about you that would give us even more of a glimpse into your personality and passions?

I long to be a faithful disciple of Christ and I want to encourage others along that path as well in whatever way I can. My website is full of free discipleship tools and leader helps. I would love for your readers to visit and make use of all the resources there. I am also leading a Bible study through the book of Hebrews on my site right now. Even though we are a few weeks into it, the previous lessons are still available. Your readers are welcome to also make use of that.

Where can readers get a copy of Unshakeable Faith?

The study is available at most online bookstores and many Christian bookstores. If your local bookstore does not carry it more than likely they can order it for you. Here are a few links to online stores.

Amazon, New Hope/WMU Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors

(A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host.)

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