_My mom has been looking for quite some time for a new Church. She asked me a couple of weeks ago if I would help her by attending with her. I have not yet started my new church so I said, sure. Now my mom has a check list. It has to have a Baptist theological standing. A great, teaching the Bible preacher. An awesome, outgoing choir. Not too big of a Church but also not too small. It must have Sunday school, Sunday night and Wednesday night services. It must be active in missions and outreach. "OK, mom, I told her, I am not sure this Church exist. I think you are going to have to let some of this go." She responded back, "God will take me to the right one and I will know it."

So I have been thinking and pondering this notion of finding the perfect Church. Should we look for what we want or wait for God to show us what He wants. But if we know that a  particular Church has a boring preacher or fighting members or only meeting on Sunday mornings...would God want us to go? If He knows we would be bored, anxious or unhappy? Or is it that God will takes us where He wants and give us the peace in the things we may not like? Maybe these "things" are the things He wants us to help improve? To help pray for? To help encourage?

God has been calling me to a contemporary Church for the next stage of my life. Now I have been blessed in that I have been to many, many Churches and experienced every style and kind of preaching and service imaginable. So to me, where God wants me isn't that big of a deal. But even so, you know what you can handle and what you can't.

Lord, thank you for making us change. Thank you for opening our ears and  our minds and our hearts to YOUR will. Thanks for not allowing me to get stuck in what I want but move into what YOU want. Amen.

Romans 8:27
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

_ 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.”

_Last week I was watching the movie "Sabrina" from 1985 starring Harrison Ford. Yes, its a chick flick but with one big difference...I actually learned a life-lesson while watching it. It was a scene where Sabrina was talking to Linus (a workaholic) and said, "Linus, I know where you work but where do you live? " I thought to myself, OK Kris, where do you live? I mean, sure I do take time off to have dinner with friends and attend a concert and such but to be honest, I spend most of my time working. I am not unhappy or mad about it or even burned out as I love my work. I love ministry. However, I did begin to think, to ponder if I was really taking any time to "live". 

So this past Saturday I went to a Christmas party at my friend Jill's home. My friends Ralph, Gregory and Tangie were there as well as some other old friends (and new ones). I had a blast. We had swing dancing (and I learned some basic moves). We did the Santa game where I fought tooth and nail for a snowman cookie jar. We ate (we actually had more real food than desserts...a first for singles) and we sang. We also took a zillion picts. I really enjoyed myself and I "lived".

So are you living these days? Are you doing things that have no agenda or planning or are overly structured? I vote to start looking for ways to live more, to the fullest.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

_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

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.

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.

Almost two years ago my father passed away after living with Alzhiemers for 10 years. Henry was a wonderful father who taught me patience, love and responsibility...qualities I would need when leading singles. You see Henry was my step-dad. He married my mom at a time in my life when I was overly head-strong and confident. A time when I was broken. A time that I did not know the Lord. Henry, my dad somehow found a way to reach me. He peeled away the layers of my pain to reveal things in myself that I never knew were there. He would love me in a way my birth father never had. He would love my mother as I would learn of how Christ loved the church.

After my dad's death my mom started the very difficult process of packing up his things. I remember seeing her sitting on the side of the bed, looking off in the distance, trying to grasp the loss. How would she live without him. How would she go on. She knew he was now healed and with Jesus, but that comfort wasn't working. She wanted him back but of course, not in the state of pain he was in.

She went into the kitchen and got a small white trash bag and yelled to me to come and help. She went through his personal items, gathering them quickly to put in the bag as to avoid the pain. She put his Close-up toothpaste and toothbrush, his baby powder, his razor, his cologne (English Leather was all he ever wore) and finally his comb. I grabbed the comb from her hand and lifted it to my nose. "Hey mom, it smells like dad...here, smell." My mom took a whiff and smiled. As she finished putting all his toiletries and personal items in bags, she asked me to take them to my home and store for now. She knew no one would want them and she was not able to let them go just yet.

Upon taking them to my home one of the bags tore and out fell my dad's comb. I grabbed it and again took a whiff. A tear rolled down my face. It was like he was right here in my car. "Flossy (my nickname), how do you like this new car ya got here...I love it dad." "So what kind of mileage do you ya get?" "I don't really know dad." I decided not to put the comb in the bag but instead store it in my pen holder in my car. Ever so often I would grab it and take a whiff. I miss you dad. I miss you.

Last month while traveling to my younger brother's Steve's home, I took my niece and nephew to Chuck E. Cheese. I shared with them about the comb. They both wanted to smell it and said, wow, that smells like Boppa. They missed him too.

Thank you Lord for the little things in life that hold no worldly value but instead hold an eternal value. Thanks for my dad's comb, his memory and what he taught me. To love you, to allow you to love me and to share my life with others. Whether you are in singles ministry or any other kind, it all starts with His love and what His love did on the cross for you and me.

Thanks Abba and dad.

This week God has been overly speaking to me about prayer. Prayer as with most Christians is a constant battle. From how much time you spend with God to the quality of that time. From structure to whatever, from listening to music to not talking at all, etc. I have to admit I do get caught up in legalize sometimes. I allow the enemy and sometimes believers make me feel that prayer life has to be a certain formula. Now don't get me wrong, you can get too free and not pray at all. But what I am saying is I am learning to not be as hard on myself when I miss it. When my prayer times aren't as rich as I like it. I know this is my journey and I AM closer than ever because I AM spending more time than ever.

I guess the real issue is I want more of Him. More direction, more peace, more focus, more love, more help, more, more, more. I hate being out of His will. I hate looking at my life and not seeing God in all of it. I want every decision, every thought, every spoken word, every action to led by Him and about Him. I don't want there to be any of me anymore..just ALL of Him.

I know I can't be ALL of Him without spending time with Him. You know how sometimes married couples begin to look like each other over the years. That's because they spend so much time together, everything about themselves is the same. Well, my prayer is that I spend so much time with God that I begin to look like Him.

What about you?
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

This week God has been in my face about more time praying. Prayer is something I struggle with...not so much praying or speaking to God but with not allowing everything in the world to distract me. As a singles leader, trainer, director, and all the other things I do, I know how critical it is to have a consistent prayer life. I know the enemy doesn't want me to succeed. He will through so many of his darts at me. He will whisper lies. He will thwart my efforts.

But my victory and my strength is IN the prayer life we are all called too. So if today the enemy managed to distract you. If your morning quiet time became your time in the car driving. If your time allowing God to speak to you competed with your boss telling you what to do, then stop now, go to the bathroom, sit in your car, turn off the phone and talk to God.

It's never too late for prayer. But don't forget to listen.
Exodus 9:29
Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

So I like being comfortable. What is so wrong with that? I love being comfortable in my big squishy chair. It fits my body perfect. My laptop sits securely to my left, while my right leg fits nicely bent in the chair. Grab a nice hot coffee and I'm set. Oh I also love my bed (which my mattress was newly donated to me). Getting all snuggly under my warm, overly soft blanket. Of course, all the while making sure the air is set at 70 degrees and a fan is running. Hmm, how about comfort in food. I love a fully satisfying steak cooked medium on a flame broiled grill. Dont' forget the bake potato and corn on the cob smothered in butter and salt. But what I really love is when everything in my singles ministry is perfect. When everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing and doing it. When everyone shows up to help. When every event runs smoothly.

STOP! When has this happened? Well, if you are like most singles ministries, there is no such thing as being comfortable. Now maybe some of us personally get too comfortable, even apathetic due to stress and frustration but not with actual singles ministry.

Singles ministry is a constantly changing vessel. As soon as one fire is put out another starts. As soon as you train and build one leader, they marry another leader and leave your ministry.

So my question is...Is our goal to get our ministries to a place of comfort? Comfort for the singles and comfort for you, their leader or pastor? While it is nice to build things to a point to where they are running more smoothly, getting too comfortable can be a false sense of security that the enemy puts in place. God has never called us to a place of comfort. He has called us to a place of ministry, reaching the lost, and growing the saved. With this is a place of a lot of discomfort.

However, with the Lord Jesus as our model, our example and our hope..all things will work out through Him. He is my ultimate and permanent comfort. The comfort of knowing who my Savior is and where I am going when I die. The comfort of knowing I am doing the work He has given me to do. The comfort of knowing He is with me while I do it.

So are you comfortable today?

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Thank you my wonderful prayer team for your consistent prayers.