Kidd Kraddick

Praying for the family and everyone hurting from this. Sometimes things happen that we don't understand but we must hold tight to the good times, recognize the blessing he was in so many lives, and let his legacy - how he brought inspiration & laughter - live on. May this remind us how precious life is and that it is meant to be lived with no regrets and with purpose. Here's to Kidd!

"Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets

I like to begin my day with praise music. Today, the song "Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets came on the radio. I've heard this song many times but this time, it spoke to me. I listened to the words and their meaning and was utterly inspired. This is what I want my life and my decisions to reflect. I hope the words inspire you as they have me.

Click here to check out the music video. It is powerful!!

K-LOVE. “K-LOVE - Sidewalk Prophets ‘Live Like That’ LIVE.” Youtube. 26 March 2012. Web. 27 July 2013.

"Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets:

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of us
Was my worship more than just a song

Chorus
I wanna live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything You say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I wanna live like that

Am I proof
That You are who You say you are
That grace can really change your heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don’t know my name
Is there evidence that I’ve been changed
When they me do they see You

I wanna show the world the love He gave for me
I’m longing for the world to know
The glory of the King

Sidewalk Prophets. "Live Like That." Sidewalkprophets.com. 2012. Web. 27 July 2013.

We Must Strive Harder to Be and Live as Great Examples

I was reminded yesterday that there is always someone watching and observing the people we are and the lives we lead and that is why it is so important to lead an exemplary life - one you are proud of and one that encourages and inspires greatness. Our behaviors, attitudes, words, and interests reveal who we are - our strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, goals, and priorities in life.

The people who are in our lives are in our lives for a reason. We have been purposely placed at the locations we live, work, and frequent for a reason and these reasons are much greater than ourselves. May we recognize this fact and live as so. These people and places are our spheres of influence and you hold the power of the way they are influenced.

A friend once told me that there are three things we can do for a person - make them feel the same, worse, or better. The fantastic thing about this is, in most cases, we already know the potential consequences (good and bad) that a spoken word, behavior, or reaction can bring and make someone feel. That is the hard part and it is already done! We have been given the ability to recognize good and evil and right and wrong. May we take control of this ability and utilize it!

One of my speaking points is we only have one life, one body, and one chance to make the best decision in every situation. There is no going back. We cannot undo what we say, a decision we have made, or an impression we have given and we live in a society that is unforgiving and remembers every time you fall; every time you fail to meet perfection.

Your children, spouse, parents, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and community are your sphere of influence. It is time for us to stand up, rid ourselves of the things that hinder and corrupt us, and strive without ceasing to be and live as great examples and as the men and women God has created us to be because there are too many who are lost, who do not know God's love, and who are looking for "something" to fill and satisfy their void. These people in your sphere of influence - their lives, future, and very being - desperately depend on you and need to see God in you. So show them greatness. Show them love. Show how God has changed you. 

What is the point in all of this?

- Live a life that inspires.

- Live a life that encourages.

- Live a life that brings out the best in others.

- Live a life where God's love, fruit, and Spirit shines bright, radiates, and completely captivates others.

- Be an example.

As you do this, watch how you are strengthened and changed. This reward is as sweet as honey.

Take Care of Our Wildland Firefighting Heroes!

Wildland firefighters are some of the most skilled and dedicated firefighters around. They're tasked with battling intense wildfires that are spread over miles worth of terrain. They often put in a full year's work from just May to October — the prime time window in which wildfires are most common.


The work isn't easy. These firefighters, also known as hotshot teams, are exposed to extremely dangerous chemicals during a fire, including smoke and dust. They're often working in inhospitable environments where they are at risk of falling objects or contracting poison oak.

But hotshot firefighters don't have a health insurance option because they're considered temporary workers by the US government. These men and women are on the front lines battling dangerous wildfires, and in return, they have the right to comprehensive health coverage.

Ask President Obama to mandate health care for all of our nation's wildland firefighters.

Click here to sign this petition!

"Take Care of Our Wildland Firefighting Heroes!" The Hunger Site. Web. 17 July 2013.

Pastor Natalie Choate

What an awesome and uplifting memorial service for Pastor Natalie Choate last night! As we all stood and sang praises to God, I gazed across the sanctuary and saw the most beautiful sight - the congregation with hands raised and voices united worshiping God. What a victory your life has brought God and us!! Pastor Natalie, I did not have the pleasure of knowing you while you were here on earth but I feel that I know you now. As Pastor Kevin mentioned, your name means "a gift from God." I have been praying for about 2 months for everyone I know & everyone they know to be motivated in life and faith. Through your life and legacy, we have been inspired and motivated to fight the good fight, to not give up, and to fully lead the lives God has for us. God has answered my prayer through YOU! Just as Pastor Kevin said, I thought I was strong in my faith and I thought I trusted God fully but through you Pastor Natalie, God has opened my eyes to what that means and how much more trust and faith I must and can have. Through you, God has strengthened me, reminded me of my purpose, and given me a deeper courage to be the woman He has called me to be no matter the depths, pains, struggles, or outcomes I will face and have - to keep pressing on and knowing that God has my best interest at heart and He sees the big picture always. You have inspired me and blessed me Pastors Natalie & Kevin Choate! Love you both! We stand with you arm and arm, heart and heart! — Covenant Church

Obituary: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Natalie-Choate&lc=4270&pid=165802289&mid=5599271 

July Speeches

July 10, 2012 - MADD's Plano Teen VIP located at 900 E. 15th Street, Plano, Texas 75074 at 6:20 pm

July 16, 2012 - Speaking to Farmersville Rotary Club for MADD located at Carlisle Civic Center (201 Orange, Farmersville, Texas 75442) at 12:00 pm

Happy Independence Day!

In honor of Independence Day, I wanted to thank all of our military men and women who have fought and are still fighting for our country and for freedom. May God bless you!

The Hunger Site is a great website that is full of opportunities to stand up for your beliefs and for what is right regarding many economic, social, physical, and personal issues. The website has an area of prepared petitions and all that is needed is your signature.

A petition that caught my attention is titled "Tell the Pentagon It's No Crime to Share Your Faith" and it states:

Several recent events have caused a great deal of alarm among those who are concerned with religious liberty. The heart of this issue is one of conscience and freedom of religion: soldiers who "proselytize" their faith face reprimand or court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

In a statement, the Pentagon tried to assure the faithful that military personnel would not be court-martialed if they "evangelized." Unfortunately, "proselytizing" and "evangelizing" are virtually synonymous terms, leaving service members vulnerable to a subjective interpretation of the Uniform Code.

This is truly a First Amendment crisis. The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…". No matter what God one worships, as Americans we all have the sacred right to share our faiths.

Join us in asking Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to remove any prohibitions against proselytizing from the Uniform Code of Military Justice and respect the First Amendment rights of service men and women.

Click here to view and sign this petition!   "Tell the Pentagon It's No Crime to Share Your Faith." The Veterans Site. Web. 4 July 2013.