love – Rev. Kris Mares

Love and Braids and Hot Tea

Cymbals in a drumline are great, but a bunch of clanging cymbals in my home and heart are annoying and just too much.

This year, I’m using the Present Over Perfect Guided Journal. I read Shauna Neiquist’s Present Over Perfect book when it came out a few years ago and so much of it just connected with me. When I saw she had created a journal, I knew it was right for this season of my life. The journal has smallContinue reading “Loving Myself”

Gifts of Love

And I trust that through this all, God’s story is still being written. Still being written in us and through us. Still being written in the hearts of those who hear about what all has happened. Still being written in the hearts of those who have offered gifts of love.

Marriage Monday: 36 Questions

I have a confession. I listen to Ted Talk podcasts. There are fascinating stories, interesting tidbits of information and for a preacher, interesting thoughts about public speaking. A couple of months ago, I listed to a Tedx Talk by Mandy Len Catron. She explained how she used 36 questions to fall in love. Sounds odd doesn’t it?

I Have a Friend Who…

How many times have you heard someone start a story and you think “yeah, right.” Well in this case it’s true. This is not my story. The story you are about to read is from a dear friend of mine. She tells it (and has given me permission to share it) so that God’s loveContinue reading “I Have a Friend Who…”

It’s been 6 years…

Just a few days ago, Racer and celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. Not long in the grande scheme of life, love and marriage, but each year is a bigger deal for me. Why? Well, because in my first marriage, I didn’t even make it to five. So each year Racer and I celebrate, I reflectContinue reading “It’s been 6 years…”

Budding

Last June as I left a job I loved, I was given a hydrangea bush as a gift. I cried and cried when I got it. I love hydrangeas. Because I knew our family would be moving, I did not plant the hydrangea. Instead, I left it in the pot, waiting in transition between when it wasContinue reading “Budding”

The Old Married Couple

Over the seasons, I’ve watched The Bachelor and The Bachelorette on and off. It’s fun to dream about going on the fantasy dates, try to guess which person will get chosen and my favorite, go to the gossip sites to get the scoop and hear the “behind the scenes” stories. I have no illusions thatContinue reading “The Old Married Couple”

How does your Valentine “hear” love?

It’s Valentine’s Day and everyone (well, most everyone) is celebrating love. For those of us with spouses, significant others or children, learning how to love the “right” way can be hard. Racer and I love very differently. We “speak” and “hear” love in very different ways. The idea of Love Languages by Gary Chapman helpedContinue reading “How does your Valentine “hear” love?”

50 Things I Love About Racer

Back in college, I was a part of a sorority. If you actually know me, I don’t seem the sorority type. I’m not really connected to it now at all. I don’t even know if I’m officially an alumna because I don’t think I’ve fulfilled the requirements to become one. But, I digress… The reasonContinue reading “50 Things I Love About Racer”