_This past week I was in Shreveport, LA speaking at the FirstFridayLive.com singles event. Our special guest were the Shreveport Rescue Men's choir. They not only sang but shared some of their testimonies. There was one fella in particular that really captured my heart. His name was Kevin. Kevin shared how a lady who he did not know gave him a tract (a small brochure with the steps of salvation in it). He said she then disappeared. Kevin proceeded to read it and as a result, accepted Christ. From that point his life changed. He found out about the mission and its program for men. He applied, got accepted and is now doing amazing. He said, all because some lady he didn't know took the time to give him a piece of paper that shared God's message of grace, love and forgiveness. She didn't say a word, share her testimony or stayed to see what he would do with it. She simply trusted God.

Kevin's story reminded me about my mom, another lady who gives tracts out to strangers. My mom prefers to be able to witness verbally but sometimes all she can do is leave the tract with the person. This story not only convinced me that some people are reading the tracts but some are getting saved.

So the message today...share the gospel and if you have too used words. Buy some tracts and start leaving them in restaurants, bathrooms, doctors offices, mechanic, schools...etc. Put your contact or church info on the back. It might seem old-fashioned but Christ is not. His message is not. His death on the cross is not. Your obedience will literally save someone's life.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
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No Bugs, No Mice 11/29/2011
 
Well, I made it through my family vacation. It was amazing, no big fights, no one got their feelings hurt, everyone seemed to enjoy the time together...a miracle. But with that, my mom and I decided to not do it again. The house we rented was literally on top of a mountain...very dangerous to drive up and down. The yard was on a cliff. The house was way too small and horribly laid out. We realized that in order to get a large enough home, it would cost way more than our budget. So with that, we chalked it up to a once in a lifetime experience.

You know God has been teaching me about once in a life-time experiences. Every time I go out to eat something is always wrong with my food. Nothing major such as a bug or mouse in my food. More along the lines of they forgot something or they under cooked my steak. But no matter, each experience is unique as it gives me an opportunity to start a conversation that can lead to sharing my faith. Each conversation is a once In a lifetime experience between me and that particular server in that particular city.

So next time you are out to eat and your order isn't quite what it should be, pray and ask God for the courage to start a conversation that can lead to you sharing your faith and you never know, it could be THEIR once in a lifetime experience.

2 Corinthians 9:13
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
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Last week, I went horse back riding with my good friend Ann-Marie. We were in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. The leaves were bursting in color, while the temperature was a perfect 70 degrees. I was so excited to go as I love to horseback ride. I love the power of the horse, the beautiful mountain views and making new friends. This ride started out like all the rest climbing up the mountain. Rosy was the name of my horse. She seemed to like me right away. She was easy to ride and took direction. Occasionally she would get behind and I would give her a swift kick, making her trot a bit. I love to trot.

We had been riding about 45 minutes when it was time to come down the mountain. Off in the distance we could see cows, sheep and goats eating on the hills. Our fierce leader, Norman would share story after story of others who had ridden. Of his own child hood and his love of horses. It was then, as we were coming down that Rosy lost her footing. She stumbled on some rocks and leaned down to readjust to stand back up. Between the angle of the mountain, the angle of her head and the speed at which this all happened, I fell off of Rosy. I was told that I rolled over top of her head and bounced on the grown over to my front. All I remember is pain and lots of it. 

Norman would call for help. They would bring a type of golf cart made for mountains to bring me down. I wasn't able to walk or stand or sit on my own. I spent several hours in the ER getting x-rays and Cat scans. I just knew I had broken something or pierced my kidney. The pain was the worse I had every felt before. To my surprised and thankfulness, nothing was broken or an organ damaged. The doctor told me I would sore for a while and it does appear I have some nerve damage (seeing a doctor on Thursday). I know it could have been so much worse. I am so thankful to all of you who prayed for me.

As I was laying in the hospital bed, Ann-Marie's pastor and wife came to visit and prayed with me. I am so thankful that no matter where I am and no matter what happens to me God provides what I need. I would stay with Ann-Marie a couple more days till I attempted to drive home to NC.

What is the lesson in this event? I am just thankful that in all bad situations, God can use for His glory. This past weekend I traveled to MO to teach. I couldn't walk long distances so I had extra help with wheelchairs at the airports. I was able to share my story and my faith with each of my drivers not to mention those sitting next to me on the planes. Thank you Lord that in all situations, your glory is revealed.

Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Kris Swiatocho, Director
TheSinglesNetwork.org Ministries
YesMarketingandDesign.com
NavigateConference.com
FromHisHands.com
919.434.3611
2664 Timber Drive, Suite 307, Garner, NC 27529
The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but I have come to give life to its fullest. John 10:10
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