The Amazing Race
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This journey that we call “life” is a race. What kind of race? That’s up to you! It can be an adventure! Filled with new challenges and great victories. Or it can be what has been referred to as a “rat race” where everyone, even the winner is still a rat!
Hebrews 12:1 says this about the race….We’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running-and never quit! Keep your eyes on Jesus who began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed. (The Message translation)
For the next several weeks, we will be talking about this race. As is the case in any race, we should be running to win. That may mean something different for each of us. However, the common finish for all is to become more like Christ. To become who He has called us to be. And to do what He has called us to do on a daily basis. Are you ready to run? Will you run to win? Please stay the course with us. Here’s what we will discuss.
ON YOUR MARK……………………..2. GET SET…………………3. GO!
Until next week,
Grace for the Race!
Cruise Recap
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The 3rd annual Katinas & Friends Cruise is officially in the books! Over 200 Kuzins joined us for 5 days aboard the luxurious Carnival Elation as we set sail from San Diego and traveled to Ensenada & Cabo San Lucas. As beautiful as those cities were I think everyone would agree that the highlights from the trip took place onboard the ship.
The morning devotions & worship were the perfect way to start the day. Joe Katina set the tone for the whole cruise at the first devotion as he preached his message “On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!” which related his experience of training for a marathon to our walk with God. For the rest of the week he handed the baton off to Pastors David and Debbie Katina as they did an incredible job of both inspiring and encouraging the cruise congregation through God’s Word. During the day you would see members of our group lounging around the pool, hitting the gym, or even enjoying some “friendly” competition on the basketball and volleyball courts. Our evening sessions were an infusion of music (with special guests The Godkins, Kim Bolton & Quimi), Word, and a few other surprises including a marriage proposal during Katina-oke.
This cruise truly had something to offer everyone, most importantly it gave everyone spiritual momentum as we head into 2009. The last night of the cruise was bittersweet, as no one wanted the experience to end but the official announcement of next year’s cruise gave us all something to look forward to in 2010. Our mantra is to make each cruise bigger and better than the previous one, this will hold true in 2010 as it will be a 7 day cruise aboard the brand new Carnival Splendor and will visit the exotic ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan.
Save the dates of January 17th thru the 24th and stay tuned for more details!
“Praying For You”
30 CommentsAn unplugged video of The Katinas new single, “Praying For You” (from the “STILL” CD)
A “Little” Inspiration
14 CommentsThis is Jesse’s 2 year old daughter. She already has plans to replace her Daddy.
New Year, Old Worries
2 Comments“10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1…Happy New Year!” It is a tradition that is shared by peoples and nations all around the world, regardless of ethnicity or religion. However as we turn the last page and close the book on 2008 not everyone shares the same feelings.
For some it is a time of celebration and they welcome the New Year with open arms. To them it will be a year in which births, graduations, marriages, and many of life’s other joyous milestones occur. Looking forward to such events these people eagerly step into 2009 with an attitude of expectancy and hope.
Others are not in the same position. Some leave 2008 feeling used and abused. For them 2008 represents the year they got divorced, buried a loved one, or some other memory they would rather forget. Many of you have been a victim of the economy and have lost your jobs or are currently watching as your 401K and retirement accounts shrink at an alarming pace. For those who find themselves in this position they dread the arrival of another year expecting that it will only bring more stress, anxiety, and fear.
Regardless of how 2008 treated you we want you to stop right now and take a moment of silence, for 2008 has passed away and is officially history. It is a new year and 2009 is a book that has yet to be written. Empty pages represent a new start, a future with endless possibilities and new levels of potential that you have yet to reach.
Psalm 65:11 proclaims “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”
Declare now that 2009 will be a year of goodness and abundance! We are members of God’s Kingdom, that means we are a part of God’s economy. Knowing this we are not to allow the current headlines to dictate our steps or tell us how to conform our lives. The world’s paths are wrought with drought and recession. The Bible tells us that God’s paths “drip with abundance”. Which path do you want to follow?
Our passion and determination have never been greater. In fact we have raised the bar and intend to take all areas of our lives, ministry, and music to a new level this year. We will not be fearful, anxious, or hold anything back because of what is going on around us. We have full confidence that God is going to see us through any storms that may lie on the horizon of 2009. Our prayer is that you will accept this invitation and join us as we begin this journey into 2009. Please share with us scriptures that are of encouragement to you in these areas. Let us know about what challenges you are facing so we can bind together in prayer, together we can make it and achieve the victory!
Katinas and Friends Cruise!
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Let the countdown officially begin! We are less than a week away from setting sail on the 3rd annual Katinas & Friends Cruise. When we first came up with the idea of hosting our own cruise we weren’t quite sure what we were getting into. Although we have been and continue to be involved with some of the larger Christian music cruises it is a whole new ballgame when you are the one solely responsible for the planning, promoting, and production. Our initial goals were to make the cruise family friendly, affordable, and intimate. It was also extremely important for us to provide the right balance of spiritually edifying activities and also give everyone the opportunity to just let go and have fun, this is a vacation after all! It has been a learning experience for us but according to the feedback we have received from the first two cruises we succeeded in providing a memorable experience and everyone has said it was a good investment of their time and money.
Perhaps the one description that comes up the most from previous cruisers is “intimate”. Through the course of the cruise our group partakes in morning devotions, daily activities, meals, and evening celebrations that consist of music, games, and fellowship. When we embark on the cruise we arrive as a diverse group of strangers, however by the time the cruise is over there truly is a unique bond shared by all and we are truly a family. We are reminded of this bond whenever we run into one of our past cruisers when we are on tour at a church service or concert, it is like seeing an old friend or family member.
While we are well aware of the times and economic stressed you are under, we want to encourage you to pray about participating in our 4th annual Katinas & Friends Cruise in 2010. Being a whole year away there is plenty of time to start budgeting right now to make it happen. Several of the families on the cruises have told us they plan on scaling down their Christmas festivities and apply that money towards making the cruise an annual family tradition. Their reasoning is that the experience and memories from the cruise will last longer than any clothes, toys, etc. that they would be spending money on at Christmas. Regardless of your financial strategy, we promise that the sacrifices you make to be a part of this memorable event will be worth it!
Brainstorming
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After enjoying the last two weeks at home as we celebrated the Holidays, it was time to get back to work. Today we had our first management meeting of 2009 and here’s a snapshot of what was on the agenda.
1. Opened with Prayer/Devotion (the only way to start)
2. Discussed our “Missions” work (click onto “Missions”)
3. “The Katinas and Friends Cruise 09″ ( going to be a lot of fun, still have room for you, click on cruise banner)
4. Upcoming Live DVD/CD (putting the finishing touches on the project, figuring out release date and other details. Stay tuned!)
5. Movie Soundtrack for a motion picture coming Easter of 09′ ( details to come soon)
6. Next single from the “STILL” CD (“Praying for You” will go for adds in February, please help us to get the word out by calling your local radio station)
7. Booking/Tour Calendar (would love to come to a city near you. If you’re interested, go to “Contacts”)
8. Talked about how we can be the Dads and Husbands that God has called us to be. (a never ending project, 24/7)
At the end of the day, our desire is to fulfill Gods calling on our lives and to be good stewards of what He’s given us. We would love to hear from you. If you have any thoughts or suggestions for The Katinas, please let us know. Blessings
