The Bridge Christmas Party

December 25, 2011 we met at the walking bridge.  They came from under the bridge, from an old, abandoned barn, the woods, one walked miles from who knows where and others came from out of nowhere; lonely people who came to be at a party given in their honor to celebrate the One we give glory and honor to.  My friends, family and strangers with big compassionate hearts who wanted to help became like little elves bringing in tables, food, hot cocoa, hot cider, and hot coffee to serve our cold guests.  We had a pianist and a violinst to serenade us with Christmas music. We even had a Christmas puppy out there to pet, cuddle and smile over. We all caroled together, even the homeless joining in with us, seeming to enjoy the company and the feeling of Christmas. . .the feeling of love, something they say they don't feel too much of.  One stood to the side for the longest time, checking us out, but slowly made his way over to us.  I caught him smiling, but not for the camera, as he talked with me and others, enjoying the hot drink.

My heart leaped with joy when several came up and said how wonderful it was to see people out there for them, that they would take the time and effort to throw a party for them, that they would spend some of their Christmas day for them.  They live in a part of the world where they only see selfishness, people who want to hurt them or shun them or steal from them.  I think it was a gift for them this day to be around a group of people that just wanted to welcome them, love on them, that they could relax and know they were not going to be hurt, that they could visit and join in the music and have a real Christmas Day filled with love and joy. As they walked away, they were given a big green tote bag filled to the brim with goodies.  They received gifts in many ways.  So did we.

May they take that feeling and keep it in their hearts and remember the words to the Christmas songs we sang about our Lord and Savior, and to remember that Christ in the heart is the greatest gift of all. 

 

 

 

 

 

~have to share this story~

When we were packing up these 40 goodie bags for the party a few days beforehand, we somehow came up short 8 beanie caps.  A couple of days later, a friend of mine from Texas mailed me a box, not knowing about this, just that we had a blanket ministry.  I opened it up and guess what I found???

Eight beanie caps!   Along with gloves and jackets.

Don't you just love how God does that, taking care of the details!?  :)

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Are You Ready?

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked in the last couple of weeks,  "Are you ready for Christmas?"   What they are asking is if I have all the presents bought, wrapped and under the tree, is all my grocery shopping and baking done.

But, when I close my eyes, I can hear my Lord's voice asking, "Are you ready?"  I don't believe He is wondering about wrapped gifts and food.  He wants to know, am I ready to celebrate His Son's birthday, no matter what.  Is my heart prepared?  Have I kept Him in my mind during the shopping trips, driving through traffic, going to shows?  If the yule log wasn't ready, or if I couldn't find that one particular gift, or if my loved one did not show up, would I still be ready?

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did You Know?"  I can just hear that unmistakable voice whispering to me,

 "Kris, do you know, that when you're in the traffic, I am with you too?

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris, do you know when people get impatient, I will give you grace to handle all situations?"

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris, do you know when you are missing loved ones, I am here to comfort you?"

Yes Lord, I know.

Kris, do you know when you are weary, I will sustain you?"

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris, do you know no matter how many sweets you eat, they can't fill you up like the sweet love I have for you?"

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris do you know that when the tree comes down and all the wrappings are thrown away, when those things rust and fall away, my gift to you will always be?"

Oh yes Lord, I know.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul.

"Kris, do you know. . .the babe in the manger grew up into a man, died and rose again and is here for all mankind?

My gift is for all but they have to be told, everyone...young and old.

The people need to feel my love

Please be my hands and feet and tell them it is from above.

Tell them I am here for them if they would but just look

Share my words with them, give them my Book.

Tell them the greatest gift is theirs, just believe

All they have to do. . .just repent and receive.

Kris, do you know?

Yes Lord, I know. . .I will.

O reader. . .do you know?  Are you ready?

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This is 90.7

This is for all you out there that hear God calling you to step out of your comfort zone but you are reluctant to do so. . .please listen.

I grew up painfully shy and quiet and I was never one to speak much.  I always wanted to be at the back, to blend into crowds.  And this was not a pleasant way to live.  So why do we do this?  For me, I believe I let the devil whisper those insecurities into me so much that I believed them more than I believed God's promises.  As I became an adult, let me say an older adult, I began to realize where those feelings were coming from and I began to stand up to the enemy, fighting him with the strenghth and power of the Almighty God.  I also realized that in those insecurities, I was thinking soley of myself and finally realized just how selfish that really was.

Over the last 12-15 years, God has been empowering me little by little, pulling me out of comfort zones of one kind or another.  And with each one I stepped out of, blessings abound and I became a little bit stronger.

Never in a million years did I ever think I would go onto the radio waves for ALL to hear.  But I had a passion that God layed on my heart for a group of people and those people became more important than myself.  God has been taking blinders off my eyes for quite awhile now and it is so liberating to see, feel, and share with the love of Christ.  As I grow, He is giving me more and more opportunities to do just what I never wanted to do. . .be out there in the public's eye.  But now instead of feeling the old insecurities, I stand strong on the promises of God.

December 15, 2011. . .I stood on those promises once again and found myself about to enter this place. . .

I walked through the doors and saw this. . .

I thought I better go to the little girl's room and have a quiet time.  I went in, shut the bathroom door, and this is what I saw taped to the back of it. . .

Ok. . .I am ready to step out of the box and into the radio booth.

This is 90.7 Christian Family Radio and in 3-2-1

WARNING!  My Oklahoma drawl and the Kentucky southern influence may have blended just a tad bit .

I'll Be Home For Chrismas

I was born, raised and married in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  So even after moving to Arkansas and later to Kentucky, I would always refer to home as back in Oklahoma.  After all, that is where I grew up and all my family and my husband's family still live there.

But as I was re-reading the book of Ruth, I ran across something I had underlined 30 years ago.

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried."  Ruth 1:16-17

These words were a part of our wedding vows.  I was reminded that wherever my husband was, that was my home.  He and I became one all those years ago and as fond as I am of Oklahoma, my home is wherever he is.

When my husband Keith asked me almost 8 years ago how I felt about moving to Kentucky, I cried.  After living in Arkansas 4 1/2 years , we moved back to Oklahoma in a town just an hour down the road from Tulsa.  For 13 years, it was easy to make week-end trips there and the family up the road to see us.  When I learned there would be over 700 miles between me and the rest of the family, I thought it might as well be at the other end of the world.  No more week-end trips.  More like one week out of the year!  But there's that leaving and cleaving thing, and I took it seriously when I made those vows.  While still upset about moving, I went to my BIble and read the Ruth verse again.  I took a deep breath and said,

"Ok Lord, I'm ready to go."

Home is right beside my husband, wherever that is.  So yes, I'll be home for Christmas. . .right beside my sweetie.



O Christmas Tree

Surely the Lord is in this place.  No, I'm not talking about a beautifully decorated church building right now.  Right now I am talking about a cold, windy place by a bridge where the homeless reside. 

Because love came down from Heaven to a manger, because that love was invited into hearts, love on this day walks down a grassy path to a bridge. . .to lonely people who are cold.  Love came in to warm just a little with hugs and tinsel, Christmas balls and bells.

You may think we were the givers of gifts.  In a way we were, but in the giving, we received a gift that no bow can be put on.  The gift of a smile, that appreciation, the gift of sharing the greatest love of all, the gift that came to all of us on another night long, long ago. Oh, no amount of presents with bows can match the gift we received this day.  We heard from one of the lonely ones. . ."This is the most beautiful tree I've ever seen! "

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!          

Thou tree most fair and lovely!
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
The sight of thee at Christmastide
Spreads hope and gladness far and wide
Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:
Thou dost proclaim the Saviour's birth
Good will to men and peace on earth
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!

You stand in verdant beauty
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty
Your boughs are green in summer's glow
And do not fade in winter's snow
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
You stand in verdant beauty

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety
On Christmas Day you stand so tall
Affording joy to one and all
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You fill all hearts with gaiety

He was happy and loved the tree. . . 

by the world's standards not so beautiful a tree, but to us it was!

His birthday is tomorrow and he is coming to church with us.  No better present than that!  Except for the babe in the manger.  This man said he invited Jesus into his heart when he was a little boy, 9-10.  He grimaced as he told me he needs to get Jesus back in there.  I think he knows Jesus doesn't leave us once we've asked him in.  It's us who leave Him.  Tomorrow he might just be taking the first steps back as he walks into church with us.  Please pray for him, his name is Chris.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, the site of thee at Christmastide

spreads hope and gladness far and wide. . .


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