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 Kris Swiatocho
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Justa Spoon Full of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down...
Kris Swiatocho @ Jan 5, 2009 07:33 PM
Tonight I was sitting at my desk at work catching up on a ton of stuff left from Christmas. I had been calling several of my singles who weren't in church in Sunday. Of course most people's reasons for missing church on Sunday had to do with trying to hang on to the last few days of vacation. I heard every excuse from eating too much, being too tired, traveling, caught a cold to well, just being a bum. Ha,
2008 is gone..where are we headed?
Kris Swiatocho @ Jan 2, 2009 05:26 PM
OK, so its gone..2008. What happened? It was just here and now its gone. The older I get the more quickly time seems to pass.When you are young you watch the clock and it seems to barely move. As you get older it seems you want to shoot the clock so it will stop. Ha! So what can I summarize for 2008. How has 2008 been in regards to single adult ministry? To being single? To being a Christian? This past year I have seen changes in ministry. With a slowing of our economy, gas prices that went through the roof, people fearful of losing their jobs, ministry has changed too. We are having to watch and thoroughly think through what we are doing in our ministries, personally and professionally. Do we need this event or that one? Do we need to spend this money, if so, how? Are we really doing things to grow the body? Are we teaching others so they will lead the next generation? What is ministry? What are we really doing? What do you want for 2009? I posed this question two nights ago at our big New Years singles party...Decade Deckout. I decided I wanted to pray in our new year vs. horns and noise makers. I sat everyone down (showed a slide show of the past year we have had in ministry...faces that have come and gone, events, prayer meetings, Sunday school, retreats), and ask the question..what do you want for 2009? I got varied answers from personal growth to growth in our church to our ministries...which of course was all great. 2009 will be a year we will all remember as I think we are going to have to make severe changes in how we spend our money and our time. Now don't get me wrong, I like to know a little about my future. I like to know I will have some kind of income/security. I like some things to stay the same. However, I also want to embrace the changes. 2009 will may make us think about what we are doing. It will make us spend more time with family, more time with friends. We will have to be more creative in our gifts to others. I believe it will draw us closer together as a body of Christ and a nation. Isn't that what God wants? If we are closer, we can help each other grow in Christ...lead others to Christ. So when you think about 2009 and may in fact worry or be concerned for ourselves, our families, our country, know that we are still in the palm of His hand. His purpose in our lives WILL be done. Everything works for His purpose and glory. Be faithful to be apart of it.
DEFEAT an HOPE...DO THEY GO TOGETHER?
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:51 PM
DEFEAT: HOPE: Now why did I ever worry...hahahahahha..cause I am human..a broken clay pot. Thank you Lord....thanks for reminding me you are never far, that you want to bless me, that you want to provide. Thank you Lord for loving me. I want His ways to be my way!
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:46 PM
As some of you know, I am on staff at a church in eastern, NC on top of directing The Singles Network ministries. This past Sunday I had the most incredible Sunday school class. As most of you know I am teaching Sunday school now as God has not brought us a teacher for the singles 25-35 year olds. In literally an instant he brought us a wonderful college/young adult teach, teachers for the 36-49 and new teachers for the 50 plus but for whatever reason, no one yet for the 25-35...so I realized that God wanted me to be the permanent teacher and when he wants that to change, he will change it. I will trust Him. Well ever since I told the class, our numbers have increased each week. The energy, enthusiasm, laughter, connecting, etc..has been amazing. I started with 7 people back in May from another class and this past Sunday we had 25. Wow, when God wants something to work, just step out of the way. Each one of my classes is doing more to take control leaving me to have to do less. These singles seem to need me and well, I need to be needed. It’s always wonderful to have affirmation that you are valued and needed..that you are making a difference in Christ. Understand, my value isn’t in them needing me but instead knowing that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. God has answered so many prayers. I am going to stay the course until God changes things. I earnestly seek His direction and not mine..His timing and not mine....His ways and not mine. Can you pass the salt?
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:37 PM
This past week I had the privilege of hearing Dr. David Jeremiah from Turning Point Ministries out of CA. I went with some of my single adults leaders and friends. We had a great time. The music was wonderful. Dr. Jeremiah talked about us being the salt of the earth...a sermon I have heard a few times, however, as always I need reminding of who I am and who I need to be in Christ. So, just in case you are hearing this for the first time for the 100th...here is a reminder of some things... 1. Salt prevents decay...as we stay salty (in a relationship with Christ that is growing), we will not only NOT decaying ourselves and/or our ministry but also help others to not decay. 2. Salt promotes thirst. As we stay salty, there will always be a desire to want more of Christ in our lives. No matter where we are in life it will never be enough of God, enough of His direction, of His influence. 3. Salt permeates...it gets into things. As we stay salty, our ministry, our lives will get into others lives. SOOOOO stay salty...spend time in the word, listen to music that edifies your spirit towards Christ, be care what you are watching on TV or movies...pray, pray, pray...you will not only grow and be salty but it will pour out onto others... Final note from Dr. Jeremiah from St. Francis of Assisi....Do whatever it takes to share the gospel...and use words if you have to. Matthew 5:13-14 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Can someone help me with these holes?
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:33 PM
Sometimes in ministry, while we are pouring and pouring into everyone else, we can forget ourselves. I don't know about you but sometimes I feel like I am a bucket with a hole in the bottom. While I am trying to patch up the one hole, another gets made, then another. Argggg! Stop..Help!!! How can you stop the holes from forming? How can you eliminate any holes? They watch everything you do and say.
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:20 PM
This past week (and this week) I have been getting ready for my trip to TN and KY. I was able to see my younger brother’s daughters yesterday and spend some time with them. They are growing up so fast. I treasure each time I am with them. Keely is who almost 12 sounds like a young lady, looks at life with questions, hears everything you say that she wants to hear and has an opinion. Ha! I couldn’t stop looking at her, remember the day she was born. All the memories of birthday parties, ice capades, shopping at walmart, movies, feeding the seagulls not to mention waking up to find her upside down in the bed with her toes in my nose. I miss her being little. I miss her thinking I was the greatest thing in the world. Now I pray I get an email from her once in a while. That she stops watching TV long enough to answer my questions. That she still wants a hug. Yes, I know what is coming...boys, cars and jobs and yes, extra effort to see if she even knows who I am. Ha! But her parents have raised her right. She is polite, unspoiled, respectful and creative. We took a pair of jeans and made a purse the other night. A time I value with her. As an aunt, (or a parent/grandparent in your situations), we have a lot of opportunities to pour into these kids. But what is wonderful is not just what I can teach them but what they teach me. I asked Keely what she loved most about her father. She said that he treats her as she should treat others. Wow, I would have said, he tickles me or he gives me presents...So, if your kids or nieces/nephews were to say what they loved about you most, what would they say? What would your heavenly father say about you? It encouraged me to keep doing what I am doing. What God has called me to be. They do watch and listen even if you don’t think they do. As I mentioned, I am getting ready to go on a trip..woohoo! I have missed traveling so much. I know traveling all the time isn’t good but being able to do it here and there is wonderful. I am looking forward to being on the open road, especially being able to travel through the mountains of NC (my favorite). I get to see some old friends, meet some new ones, teach, train, and encourage those in singles ministry. I am blessed. Woman Overboard...
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:16 PM
Wow, do you ever get weighted down about things? Do you ever get so much on you that you are about to fall over, fall down or even sink? Is there some sin in your life that is the cause of this weight? Pride, rebellion? Not being able to say no? No boundaries? One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 12:1-3. I quote it often to others as I share my faith. Hebrews 12:1-3 Making Steps...God really does notice them.
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 24, 2008 12:01 PM
What I love about ministry is all the steps you need to make to have progress. Steps personally and steps professionally. Steps that really show you who you are in Christ and how Christ is working within you. I strive to continue to improve not only my own personal walk, but The Singles Nework Ministries, the website plus the work at my church at the singles director. One thing that I have learned after doing singles ministry for this long is the need to make steps. You can not grow if you don't. Even if some of those steps are backwards as you access your situation. Bottom line is singles ministry is the hardest ministry out there but can also be the most rewarding. Sometimes our steps seem invisible. Sometimes we think our steps don't matter. Just today I stopped by my church to write this blog and found a note from my senior pastor encouraging me. He told me that even though sometimes you think your work as the singles director goes unnoticed, it doesn't. It is making a difference in the lives of so many. Keep up the good work. So making steps...God really does notice them. Steps....hmmmm, its hard sometimes to step out unto the unknown. What if I fail? What if it doesn’t work? What if I have to start over? What if I make a mistake? What if I get hurt? What if? What if? Well, you will never get anywhere if you don’t make a step. Years ago speaker/author Joyce Meyer’s taught me the importance of making a step. She talked about one time at night she woke up to needing to use the restroom and she accidently stubbed her toe. She yelled out and grabbed her foot, sitting back on her bed. She rubbed her toe and continue to yell out in pain. But then she also realized she had to use the restroom and NOW. But???? If she started to walk she might hit her toe again and the pain would be too much. Hmmm, maybe she could hold her foot..no...she would fall. Hmmm, maybe she could crawl? Yea, I don't think that would work. Aweeeee, she was too afraid. What if? What if? She realized the only way to get to the restroom was to put her foot down and walk. She would have to take the risk of stubbing her toe again if she wanted to make any progress of getting to the restroom. Then God spoke to her and said. Joyce, perhaps I could help in this journey so that you don’t hurt yourself again. He said, maybe you could turn the light on this time or wear your slippers or move the table that you stubbed your toe on or better yet, don’t drink so much tea before bed. Ahah! I get it she said. And well, she made it to the restroom without anymore injury. The lesson in all this?....Taking a step might cause hurt, fear, pain, failure, etc...but you won’t be able to get anywhere if you don’t make a step and remember, the Lord shows us the way, provides for us and even helps us get there. And what is also pretty cool...He gets to celebrate with you when you do make a step. Is there a step you need to make today?
I want the Next Level...Don't You
Kris Swiatocho @ Dec 19, 2008 01:05 PM
God is so good to me and I don't deserve anything. Today I felt the presence of the Lord, His Spirit like never before. I have been wanting for so long to go to the next level in my walk with the Lord. I have been at a plateau for while. Singles ministry can easily wear you down, take most of your time and energy leaving you to pick up crumbs of nourishment. You have to be really careful that with your hard work of trying to grow your singles, you don't grow. Now some of my lack of growth is about me, my sin, my lack of trusting the Lord. God can't and won't bless sin. God will not allow His servants to stay where they are either. He convicts us so that we should grow but the question is do we want to? Isn't easier to just stay where we are and be comfortable..shoot, most of America call themselves Christians but you would never know it by their attitude, their tempers, the ways they spend their money, their lack of studying and reading the Bible, their prayer life, how they are raising their kids, how they accept correction, etc...you see a world that is comfortable..but I ask the question are they really comfortable? Don't you want to know that you know that you know? Why wouldn't 'any of us want to be in the presence of the Lord and experience is divine Holiness, His divine direction, His divine Holy Spirit. Why wouldn't any of us want to be doing what HE wants? Maybe its because we simply love our sin and prefer it over Him. I know I have but what I give up each time I choose everything else but Him is too costly. This Christmas season, this New Years...make a new goal to choose Christ in all things. From the food you eat and why, to how you spend your money, to what you say to others to your attitude...stop before you do anything and ask, how is this pleasing my Lord, how is it edifying others, how is it growing me...I want to go to the next level and when someone ask are you a Christian, they will know it by how I live my life. Deuteronomy 4:29
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