_ This past December, I ventured out with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. A very special birthday. Why? Because my mom's birthday IS a week before Christmas, she has never really celebrated it. Sure, some of us kids send her gifts or cards and when my dad was alive he would take her out to dinner but not a real celebration. Every year my mom was up to her eyeballs with Christmas details. Between wrapping gifts, last minute decorations and the zillions of cookies she was making, her birthday was quickly swallowed up. But this year was different.

This year, we did not have a tree or decorate due to moving. As a result I knew she would have time to do something special. My mom had wanted to go to "Mike's Tree Farm" and ride the hayride and visit the gift shop (2 hours away) but I deterred her from going as a ploy to distract. What joy I had  to surprise her with my younger brother and family meeting us a restaurant 2 hours away, bringing gifts and a special cake created by my niece Keely. We then traveled another hour and went to Mike's Tree Farm where we waiting in line about 2 hours (in the freezing cold) to ride a 20 minute hayride. We all had a blast being with each other.

On the way home, I will never forget what my mom said, Flossie (my nick-name), this is the best birthday I have ever had. Wow, this was the best birthday? It was fun but seemed low-keyed as in comparison to what I like for my birthday's. Then it dawned on me. In comparison to no birthday celebrations or rushed ones, this one was fabulous for her.

This reminded me of the Lord as well. Born in a manger, simple, no big thrills, surrounded by the ones that were supposed to be there, surrounded by those that loved Him. Some of our Christmas celebrations have quickly turned into huge bashes with lots of lights, gifts, food and noise. But my mom's birthday reminded me that simple is sometimes better. Don't let the Christmas rush distract you from what really matters this year.

Merry Christmas to each of you. I am so thankful and blessed to have you on my prayer team. Kris
Luke 2: 13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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_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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X Factor 09/29/2011
 
Tonight I was watching the X Factor. I love to sing myself so its always enjoyable to see and hear others sing. Of course its also great to see and hear those who CAN'T see. Well this evening there was a singer named Andy. Simon Cowell, our favorite mean judge asked Andy who he was here with and he said his mom. He went on to ask him if he had always been single. And Andy said yes. Simon said, you have never had a girlfriend? And Andy said no...but that he was hoping if he went far in the competition he could get a girlfriend. The crowd just roared.

Please know Andy couldn't sing a lick but he had a huge heart. The judges said no but Simon said I think its going to be easier with the chicks now. The then put Paula and Andy together and they hugged. And as I watched, I started to cry. Cry because this guy named Andy represents so many other singles out there that feel alone and unloved. Singles that don't fit, aren't popular, don't wear the best clothes and social train-wrecks. But you know what, Andy is still loved by our Lord and Savior as much as anyone.  As a leader of singles, do I teach my singles to reach out to those that aren't popular, those that dress or talk funny, or just seem strange. Remember, Christ came for those who were not healthy. He came for those discouraged and broken. Those that didn't fit.

My question to you leaders is are you reaching them? Are you teaching how to reach them? Are you reaching your hand to shake their hand? Are you giving them a hug? Are you including them in your ministry?

Thank you Jesus that through a secular TV show you reminded me that my journey is to reach out to those you came to reach. Not who is popular or has a ton of money or says all the right things or is walking perfect with Christ. Thank you Lord that you gave me a heart of compassion to those no one else wants.

Matthew 9:12
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
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This past weekend I had the honor of teaching at Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, SC just outside of Charleston. Charleston as well as Summerville are deep in history going back over 300 years. I love all the palm trees and old homes.

The lesson this time was Jesus, Single Like Me: He was Grateful. As I started to prepare for the weekend, the pastor called me for some last details. He shared that my audience would be a bit older. I was OK with that and felt fine. So when I arrive, I was expecting singles in their 40 and 50's but as they started to enter the door I notice how many were in their 60 and 70's.  I began to question the message I had prepared. Perhaps it wasn't the right message. Perhaps I prepared it and not God. I mean, do folks over the age of 60 question why they are single like those 30's and 40's. Do folks with grey hair still shake their fist at God wondering why they are alone? Do folks with walkers, wheelchairs and wrinkles still hate having all the responsibility on them? Well, the answer to all of these questions was yes. I mean, sure, I had to tweak a few things as I spoke considering most of my audience wasn't waiting for the first spouse but maybe the second one. Or in some cases, mourning for the loss of their spouse. But overall, I was able to make some changes as I went along, as the Spirit led me.

Well, I finished my my message and waited to see if anyone would come up to speak to me. I mean, they seemed to be listening. They seemed to enjoy and affirm the message. But I needed to know for sure. I mean, why would God have me prepare a message for the wrong audience? Then, one by one they started to come up. A hug here, a kiss on the cheek there, following story after story. One lady said her husband had died and she missed him so much. That she hated being alone but thought of how she could be thankful knowing she could open up her home to a young person to stay. Another woman said she had never been married and was still mad at God but now realizes how wrong she had been. How she has wasted so much time being angry instead of living for the Lord. One man told me he was thankful as he is able to go where God wants him too. And yet another came up only to encourage me to keep doing the work of the Lord. She said she had never looked at her singleness as a blessing but now she had.

Wow, it really was God's message and not mine. Thank you Jesus for your words. For your perspective and for being thankful where you were until God moved you.

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

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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