Foodie PenPals Love

This month I participated in a great program called Foodie Penpal. Foodie Penpal was started by Lindsay with the blog site “The Lean Green Bean”. The program works like this:

-On the 5th of the month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you can choose to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.

This month my Foodie Penpal was Carmie with “The Single Nester” . I was so excited to receive my package from Carmie and I was excited about the treats that were accompanied by a sweet note and a recipe. Check out what I got below:

What I enjoy most about Foodie Penpal is the love that is exchanged amongst strangers. It’s so funny how even in imple things like Food Penpal, the love of God is demonstrated. Sharing your story and interest with others is essential to fulfillment. Food Penpal is 7 Degrees North. Thank you Lindsay for the opportunity to participate and thank you Carmie for my wonderful box of goodies!

With Love,

Kris

The Greatness in You!

You hear this all the time and as cliché as it might be….there is GREATNESS in each and every individual. The people who achieve it and those who don’t are only divided by one critical element and that is Faith. Yes, that’s right, faith! Let me tell you a quick story about Elephants in the Circus.

When elephants are being trained in the circus the trainer ties a chain to their ankle as a baby to keep them from getting away. The elephant struggles to get away over and over again and after a while, once they feel defeated, they stop attempting to escape.  At that point, the trainer has full control and could actually remove the chain without being concerned about the elephant trying to escape. When the elephant is an adult it could easily break away from the chain but because mentally it feels defeated, it doesn’t even attempt to escape.

This is exactly what has happened to many individuals. As a child we have dreams and ambitions. Take notice of the things that kids draw pictures of, things like families (love), hearts (love), the sun and trees(God),all things that are greater than them. Also, ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up and many of them will tell you 6 or 7 different things….then at some point the world blinds us and tells us that we cannot achieve those things. The world tells us that true love doesn’t exist, owning a business is not possible and living a life in submission to God is impossible. The world (Satan) tells us that God doesn’t care THAT much about us and the abundance that God speaks about in the bible is just a theory. These my friends are all tricks that the devil (he is quite clever) uses to keep us from accomplishing the things for which God created us to accomplish.  It is the exact same thing that happens to the elephants in training.

The key to having faith is to scope out who God says that you are and His promises to you and allow those things to take root in your heart. At that point God will start to build your confidence in Him for your life. Friends, God didn’t put you on this earth because he was bored. God put gifts inside of each of us for us to operate in on a high level to HIS glory. Imagine if we all tuned in to our purpose and chased after it. Just imagine how we could change the world.

Would you like to determine more about God’s promises and your purpose? Stay tuned. I’m praying for each of you. God has a plan…Trust and Believe!

With love,

Kris

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalms 139:16 (NLT)

Just Keep Straight!

Unfortunately, I have the tendency to be easily distracted! So I was driving home after work in a hurry so that I could make it to the gym for a class and as I was approaching the street where Target was (Target is one of my favorite stores and I can ALWAYS find something to buy there) and pulled over into the turning lane, it was almost automatic. After about 15 seconds of sitting in the turning lane with my left turning signal on I realized that I was NOT planning on going to Target and by doing so I would miss the class that I planned to attend.  So, I turned my right turning signal on to get back on the main street and to my dismay it was extremely heavy traffic and NO One would let me over. In my frustration God spoke to me with such clarity and this is what he said…

Kristin, you were on the right path and you got distracted. How often you have done this with me.  You let me in, I was giving you what you needed, and giving you the fullness of my love and grace and then you saw something shiny in the world and put distance between us. I have work for you to do, I have souls for you to win for my kingdom and when you get off track for even 15 seconds it causes you to miss an opportunity that I had for you.  You are special to me and I love you and it hurts me to see you live below the place that I have designed for you. You know I want to give you the desires of your heart, I want to give you more than anything that you can ever hope for or imagine.  I am still going to get you to your destination but as long as you continue to get distracted you will encounter stress and trials along the way. I will keep you in my permissive will because I know you need my grace but I want you in my perfect will. I love you! Next time keep straight!

As I turned left into the target parking lot only to turn around to get back on the main street I sat humbled by what God has taught me in that moment. How often do we start off with good intentions and get distracted? Maybe you got sucked into the world’s system of fun and entertainment (gossip, drugs, alcohol, sex (outside of marriage), music that professes things opposite of what God says, etc.), maybe a trial or situation completely threw you off track in your walk with God, maybe you entertained a relationship that was not right for you, etc.  Whatever “it” is that distracted you from the path that God had for you, God is speaking the same words to you today. “You were on the right path and you got distracted. I have work for you to do. I love you!”   I know we like to blame many situations on the devil and I do agree that the devil is busy…as he is the one that presents us with the “shiny” things in life that lead to our destruction or lack of productivity.  HOWEVER, the thing that makes humans so beautiful is free will. Free will is one of the most critical aspects that put us in the image of God. That said, when WE make decisions to yield to the temptations of the world, we then ultimately we say to God “I don’t want to be in your perfect will”. And while God’s love for us is unchanging…we have to deal with the consequences of our actions. Just as I was late to my gym class because I got distracted and had to do damage control is the same way  while we are distracted with trying to repair our lives from the problems that were created by us we are missing the things that God has in store for us.

I encourage you to keep your eyes on the prize. God promised that if we seek first his kingdom and its righteousness ALL other things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33).  God is PERFECT! Don’t believe this in theory but believe this with your whole heart. Meditate on it. Ask God to strengthen your faith in him and I promise he will. I encourage you all (myself included) to keep straight! God has something great in store for you!

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” Ephesians 3:20  Imagine that! Trust God and see what happens!

With Love,

Kris

Culmination of Grace: 5K Run

On Saturday morning I ran a (my first) 5k in support of Orphans in Kenya through an organization called Invest (www.choosetoinvest.org). Invest is a global discipleship organization aimed at spreading the knowledge of the Power of Jesus Christ and empower people around the world to know who they are in Christ. They do a great deal of their work at Orphanages in Kenya and the funds used from the race will support that mission.  The experience was great for all of the obvious reasons (great cause, health, excitement, cheering, etc.) but it was extremely significant to me because it was a testament to God’s grace over my life and the Culmination of that Grace specifically over my health.

You know my story…I was very sick as a child, the doctors said that I would not live and sent me on a trip that grants one final wish to terminally ill kids. After I lived they said that I would never be able to walk, when I walked they said that I would never run, when I ran they said that I would need to have treatment for the rest of my life. But God…!!

With that in my mind, back to my initial statement….I RAN a 5k! As I crossed the finish line I saw people cheering and the only thing on my mind was “Thank You Lord”. I wanted to take all of those claps and cheers that were for me and reflect them to God because if it had not been for GRACE, I would have never ran this race, and furthermore, I would have been 6 feet under. This race was the culmination of the provision that God has made for me. As I drove home I was in tears in awe of God. Many people were told that they would not live and they did not live. Many people were told that they wouldn’t walk and they didn’t walk. Many people were told that they would be restricted to medical treatment for their lives and they were restricted. Yet God saw fit to allow me to overcome all barriers.

I truly am an overcomer in Christ. I truly do boast in my confidence in Christ. Excuse me if sometimes I seem “too passionate” or “take this Christian thing too seriously” but please know that I do not apologize, God has been beyond good to me and my whole goal in life is to share the goodness of God with others. I want others to be empowered to experience the love of Christ. Sometimes circumstances prevent us from seeing it but it’s definitely there. Jesus loves you more than you know. I am resilient in Christ….and so are you!

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

With Love,

Kris

If I could Start a Movement...

As I reflect on the many trends that have been initiated on social media over the last few years I am confronted with the harsh reality that Americans are generally more concerned with mindless entertainment than effecting any real change. It's much more desired to take part in "the questions game", "post a planking picture","post a picture in a hoodie and skittles", than it is to sign a petition, mentor some youth, demonstrate love to someone in need, etc.

The world that we live in is in need of LOVE. That may sound like a surface statement but if love for God, Others and Self is not a part of the reality of a man- hopelessness is the direct result. Once one loses hope everything else of value falls. Self Love and Hope is what allows a young lady to value her appearance by not dressing like a hooker in order to get attention from a man. This same Hope and Love allows a young man to realize that sagging is living below the standard of why he was created. This very Hope and Love demands that you step up to parent the kids that YOU created, not just financially but physically and emotionally. Hope and Love allows one to be confident and have self-esteem.

When you Truly have Hope and Love some things are not allowed in your life:
1. Living life on the surface
2. Hating other people (which is directly linked to hating self)
3. Sitting back and watching hurting people and not feeling a moral obligation to plant a seed.

If I could start a movement it would be "Spread Love". Not the Americanized, failed version of Love but the type of Love that is Life Changing. The type of Love that is for the best interested of the individual. Love that is sacrificial, Love that has integrity, Love that is Not Emotional but Driven by the Love of God. One thing is for sure, God is the professor of Love and loving self and people is simply not possible without God. How can you learn what you have not seen? The Love that is waiting for you is abundant and supercedes anything ever experienced.

I strive to do this in my personal life and interactions and I am thankful for the fruit (productivity) that has been yielded from that (Glory to God!) but WHEN I get a bigger platform, the movement that I will push is that of Hope and Love both of which comes through God. It's time for us to stop living life on the surface friends. People are dying...what are you doing?

Thank You Lord for taking My sins to The Cross, Thank You that I have Hope in You. Thank You for creating a New Heart within Me. You truly do Make all Things New. I am forever thankful for John 3:16. I hope my obedience to You reveals my heart of gratitude. Amen.

With Love,

Kris

New Position: Tactical Unit

We all have our opinions about who we are but in terms of fulfilling our God given purpose, the only opinion that matters is the one of The Creator. Aside from The Word  there is only one way to gain deeper insight into what God thinks about you and that is to simply ask him; hence the reason for this article.

Let me preface this by saying that God speaks so clearly when we seek him with sincere motives. Sometimes the answers are surprising and other times exactly what you expected. I am continually seeking God to deposit the characteristics that should be while deleting the ones that do not represent the woman that God has purposed me to become. After all, obedience is better than sacrifice.

Last week while driving with no music I heard a still voice say “tactical unit” (of course I ignored the first time). Later during the week I mentioned to some friends that I felt like I was a one woman tactical unit but I couldn’t quite explain why I felt that way. I later mentioned it to another friend with a bit more clarity. From that conversation God clarified and confirmed what He was saying to me and about me.

First let’s evaluate the role of a tactical team: An organization of troops, aircraft, and ships that are intended to serve as a single unit in combat (fighting between armed forces). It may include service units required for its direct support.

The scripture that God gave me to clarify what he was speaking was Ephesians 6:10-20 (bible readers this is the passage about putting on the whole armor of God). I wasn’t initially able to connect that scripture with God telling me that I was a tactical unit but after I made the connection (with the help of my sister- thanks Tam!) I realized what a powerful word God had provided!

Eph 6:10-12

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, and against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

As Christians who are saved and freed from the bondage of sin and eternal death by the blood of Jesus Christ we are commissioned to help free other people. Right? Right! Join me in a visual…

I am in a tactical unit helicopter looking atop a house. In the house, there is a family (a mother, father and two teenage kids). Also in the house are enemies, the problem is…the family doesn’t yet realize that they are enemies. As far as the family is concerned, the enemies in their home are friends. They hang out together, they break bread together, they work together, they go to school together, they have some of the same friends, etc. These “frienamies” (enemies in the form of friends) also have weapons and unbeknown to the family, their sole purpose is to deceive the members of this household and ultimately kill them. As I look over the top of the home I am clear about my purpose. I am dressed in my combat suit (boots, bulletproof vest, helmet, machine gun, etc.) and my task is simply to help this family to see the danger and get them safely outside of the house where their combat suit and weapons are waiting so that they can defend themselves. Do you see where I’m going with this? Keep reading.

This is the exact visual that God gave me and after intertwining it with Ephesians 6:10-20, it was crystal clear what God was saying. As Christians we are constantly walking amongst people who are in serious danger, however, the danger is not physical (although sometimes having physical manifestations) but rather spiritual. We are constantly in spiritual warfare and the enemy’s job is to deceive, steal, kill and destroy. Unfortunately we often get distracted because rather than viewing life with our spiritual eyes, it is soooo easy to view life through our natural eyes. We even make friends with the Satan. Perhaps we think that maybe…just MAYBE…that he is NOT trying to kill us.

Now let’s be real, we are not always dressed in combat gear for one reason or another. Some days we just aren’t feeling it and other days we think we don’t need it and can do it on our own, and sometimes as crazy as it sounds, we make underhanded deals with the enemy. The problem is, each time we are not completely suited up, is an opportunity that we gave to Satan to kill and destroy his target. We are on the tactical unit and the unit is headed by Christ. Our combat should consist of Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, The Holy Spirit, and Love. Our weapon is more powerful than physical weapons; our weapon is The World of God! One thing is for sure, God is NOT asking us to do this out of our own strength, He would rather we not! God wants us to COMPLETELY rely on Him to prepare us for battle and to see us through to victory. Honestly, the victory is already won; we just have to be obedient!

Let’s get in position, fully dressed, and ready for war; knowing that the battle is not ours, but it belongs to the Lord! Be encouraged and Be in Position!

With Love,

Kris

If You Don't Know Who You Are, The World Will Tell You: Identity

If you know me personally you know that I am a thinker and I analyze everything....often to the extreme. Many of my friends make the "here she goes again" face when I casually bring up a random conversation but hopefully you'll hear me out?

 Identity is defined as the aggregate of characteristics by which an individual is recognized by himself and others. Everyone has one but few are intentional about what their identity is or what it represents. While this may not seem to be a big deal in our modern society, identity plays an integral role in determining the productivity of one’s life. Biblically speaking, a name represented character (or identity). When God called individuals out of darkness into relationship with him the first thing he did was a name (identity) change. Before Paul was Paul, a sold out follower and proclaimer of Jesus Christ, he was Saul, a murderer and persecutor of Christians. Once he saw the truth and committed his life to Christ, he was immediately given a new identity. Imagine if Paul had not had an identity change…would he have been as successful in his ministry? If he lived life dwelling on former things or guilt of his life before Christ or without a firm foundation from which to root his ministry I highly doubt that he would have been as successful at carrying out the purpose for which he was created.

 Let’s translate this into 2012. Before we were created God had a purpose for our lives. He knew the story that we needed to live out that purpose. He knew the parents that we needed, the people we needed to encounter, the pain we needed to feel, the personality that we needed to have, the joy we needed to feel, the traumatic experience we needed to have, etc. God planned out (in advance) every aspect of our lives all of a specific purpose. The problem is that because we have free will (Thank God for it! ) we are given a choice and unfortunately we don’t always make the correct choice in time. Many of us choose to use all that God gave us to give pleasure to our fleshly desires rather than for establishing our identity in God and allowing him to grow us in faith.

 I am a lover of wisdom and as a result I have a special love for elderly people because they possess so much knowledge. In talking to an elderly friend of mine she told me “If you don’t know you are, the devil will tell you”. That comment resonated with me because of the truth in it. If we don’t have an established identity the WORLD will tell us who we are! I’m African American and I live in a culture that often says that African American women are not smart, aimless, promiscuous, angry, bitter, etc. Thank God that his graces allows me to know that that is not the case but as I stated, that is strictly by the grace of the God that I don’t have to succumb to that train of thought.   

 The way that I identify myself is as follows:

1.      I am a Christian (follower of Jesus Christ). This will always be where my identity is primarily rooted.

2.      I am a Major. I remember as a child being chastised about something that I had done wrong by my dad. He would say “You are a Major. Major’s don’t do that”. Although I didn’t always understand then, now I understand that that was my parent’s way of instilling identity in me and establishing expectation for my life.

3.      I am an African American.

4.      I am a Woman.

5.      I am an advocate for health, justice and equality.

6.      Everything else falls thereafter.

 This is the identity that I have taken on. I want to challenge you to intentionally think about how you identify yourself. My prayer for you is that your identity be built on a solid foundation so that you will yield the highest level of productivity out of your life. Our life here on earth is but a vapor, let’s do something with it!

 I would love to hear your thoughts!

 With Love,

 Kris