Month: July 2016

I’m prepping for our next Ladies Night event at church and the topic of the evening is DECISION MAKING. So, this subject has pressing on me lately and I have really started to take every decision I make more seriously. Take some time and just think about how many decisions you have to make in one day! From the very moment we wake up we are faced with decisions that have to be made. Of course, some decisions are small and mean more than what outfit you wear or what you are going to eat for lunch…because the more significant decisions usually have an effect on other people in our lives. This is why it is so important to make wise decisions and really weigh the outcome before we decide on something.

Taking the time to consider the possibilities, potential consequences, and past experiences when making a decision sets you up to make a good one. As a young teenager I can remember my youth minister telling me that so many outcomes in my life would depend on the decisions I made. I could decide who to be friends with, to study or not, to put God first in my life…I was the one who had to make the decision. He was right – it’s all about choices and making the right decisions.

Being a leader means making tough decisions from time to time too. And I know that if I let my decision making be molded by what is popular or by the current cultural values and not by what I know to be true, I set myself up for failure. God’s Word is my guide and final authority. I lean on Him when I am unsure or need help making sense of a situation. There is no decision too hard for Him. Keeping this in mind – I mess up less and less.

I want to encourage you today that if you’re up to the plate and you see a big decision coming your way- don’t back down and avoid it. Take responsibility of the moment, weigh your options, consideration everyone that will be effected, and be confident, and seek wisdom God!

Wishing you all the best in your decision making! K

I love it when people ask me what I do for a living because it gives me a perfect opportunity to tell them about my church and that I have my dream job (I’m the Operations Director at Revive Church). And almost instantly after I tell them what I do, their reaction is usually something like…”so, do you guys basically sit around and hang out all day?” Or “You have it easy – working in ministry can’t be that much to deal with…” then I laugh a little bit and explain that working at a church, being in the people business, and running a ministry is so much more than “sitting around and hanging out all day.”

This particular week at our church we have a BIG event at the end of the week. We are expecting the most people we ever have before and in prepping for the event, I can feel the stress levels start to rise on the inside. Bigger projects mean more decisions to be made, getting more people involved, more money spent, more time given, less sleep, etc…so yes, stress can start to build up – if I let it.

Somethings I have learned over the years working with people and big ministry projects is that I can’t let stress dictate my attitude or the outcome of the project. Being under pressure doesn’t mean I have to crumble! Here are some things I keep in mind when stressful situations arise:

• Keep my focus on positive things. I take the word “can’t” out of my thinking, talk, and actions –  and I remember what I can do.
• Address problems as they come in order of priority. When there is an issue, I choose to look at it as a “challenge” instead of something that seems hopeless. I work through the challenge with the resources I have and if things don’t work out the way I planned, I adapt.
• Take care of myself. I haven’t always done this…and I can definitely tell a difference when I don’t. Regular exercise and eating healthy foods make me feel better in every area and I am more equipped to deal with stressful situations. Find an outlet to let that stress go!
• Remember challenging situations that have turned out successful in my past and repeat steps as needed. This is a big one for me. If something has worked in the past, I try to keep it up and make small changes here and there.
• Ask for help… Eeek! Yes, shout out to all the control freaks out there! Delegate and ask for help! It’s not easy sometimes but it can save you time and energy.

There is no doubt about it, we will all have stressful times in life. And just because stressful situations smack us in the face does not mean we have to let it get the best of us. Realize that you are human and mistakes happen. When things aren’t going the way you want them to, readjust and change what you can. And lastly, understand that you cannot control other people.

Don’t stress y’all!

All the best…K

I heard a radio interview a few days ago with legendary drummer Carl Palmer. I listed to him candidly talk about all the different shows he’s played and how he got started playing and it was really entertaining. One of the things that really caught my attention is that he said that even at the age 66 almost 67 – HE STILL MAKES TIME TO PRACTICE! He’s been playing drums since he was 10 years old and yet he still makes it a point to practice this awesome skill.

My brothers are both incredible musicians and I have learned by watching them that no matter what stage or skill level they have, they still make practice a priority. It’s an absolute must. So, why would they do that? Because they are determined to be better in their skill.

This mindset has been on my heart more and more, especially as I get older. I’ve made a decision and I am determined to get better in several areas of my life. Whether it’s better at a specific skill or better in my leadership roles or a better sister, daughter, aunt, niece, and friend. And I know that is going to take PRACTICE on my part! And I think that can look differently at each stage. It may be that I pray for for family more than I have before. It may mean that immerse myself with leadership podcasts and materials that I can apply to my job – but no matter what – my mindset is that I will make it a point to practice at being better in every area that I can. Yes, it takes work on my part and it may not be the most convenient thing to do but I know it’s something that I want so I will make it a priority.

I just want to encourage any readers that you do not have to be satisfied with the way things are if you’re unhappy. I’ve wasted too much time being stagnant for sure. You can get that job, you can get that promotion, you can pull ahead, you can perfect your skill, you can be the very best that you can be in every area of your life!

All the best…K.

This past week has been one for the history books for sure. 2 young men were killed by police officers in different cities which sparked protests (peaceful and not) all over the United States. It hit close to home because the peaceful protest in Dallas, TX – minutes away from my city – will never be forgotten. Sniper targeted uniformed police officers killing 5 and wounding many others. There is still so much unrest.

What I am most encouraged about is the love and support for each other I have seen across communities. I watched a prayer gathering on my cellphone the day after the sniper attack as leaders from all different backgrounds, colors, and religions came together to pray. The prayer gathering was packed with people from all over the Dallas area praying too. I couldn’t be at every church today, although I wish I was able to – but at my church, we could feel the love. We were able to come together as a diverse group of people with one goal in mind, loving others. I was encouraged as we prayed for injustices in this country all over. I was encouraged as we prayed for our cities and their leaders. I was encouraged when we took a moment to remember the victims of all these tragedies and lifted up their families in prayer.

So, what a week for sure. But I am encouraged and I hope to give you a little bit of encouragement too. Yes, there is unrest still. And there may be for some time to come, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. I see people changing the way they think, act, and respond to each other and show love and kindness to those around them. And it starts with each individual person.

Share some love today. Step out of your comfortable comfort zone and make a connection with someone you never would. Make a difference in the life of someone who could really use a break. Because if you don’t do it, who will?

All the best…K

I hate racism. The very thought of it makes my skin crawl. I grew up in a wonderful home where I had parents that taught me that no matter what someone looked like or where they came from, I was to love them and treat them the way I wanted to be treated. I paid no attention to someone who had money or someone who didn’t quite have as much. I paid no attention to someone who was “different” than me. Everyone was welcome to come over to my house, everyone was invited to my birthday parties; it didn’t matter. Please, please, please don’t tell me racism is dead and that it’s something that this generation doesn’t deal with – that’s simply false. With recent stories in the news about the shootings by cops who we once thought were out there to protect us on my mind I realize, I will never be able to understand what it is like to be an African-American…but I can stake a stand for what is right. I may never feel the heavy weight of racism against me, but I can take a stand for justice and the human race. I am first and foremost a Christian. One cannot honestly call themselves or claim to be a Christian and still have racism in their heart. If you have an issue with people of a certain race and think they should be treated one way or the other… please take a moment and understand that you have racism rooted in your heart. There is Hope… so I pray for my friends and loved ones that are of a different race than me. I pray that the heartbroken will be healed during this turbulent time. I pray that people may find peace and unity with each other quickly. And lastly, I pray that the church will respond with love and open arms to people who need it most.

Praying for peace and guidance:: K.