The 155th Red Carpet Extravaganza

was a huge success in so many ways!  With cautious optimism we planned for 100.  And much to our delighted treat we had 126 guests!!  Amazing!  Everyone was so beautifully dressed.  Every time I looked around people were laughing and chatting and really enjoying themselves.  The Renaissance hosted us with amazing service and style.  It was just all so fabulous!

Looking back to February when the conversations first began there was interest, but no real excitement.  In March the interest grew but so did the hestitations.  While everyone agreed that the idea was good no one was certain that we would really pull it off.  With fingers, toes, and eyes crossed we proceeded. 

Greetings Friends! 

Many times we call on God for protection without realizing that we have power to affect our situations.  I believe that we are expected to do everything within our ability to do...afterall, it is God who grants us ability!!  Below is a reprint from a newsletter I receive.  I encourage you to sign up to receive the newsletter too!!

 

Following are tips from "Out of Harm's Way". For a full page description, please click on the link or copy this address into your web browser: http://www.NancyHightshoe.com/NancyHightshoeOutOfHarm'sWayDesc.pdf.
 

These personal safety programs are customized to each individual audience: businesses, associations, training, special events, etc. I offer specialized seminars that address the unique concerns of children from kindergarten age through college. Civic organizations and houses of worship have sponsored these safety presentations for their communities.
Consider including a safety seminar in your upcoming meetings or events. My programs are tailored to the unique issues your audience faces in their professional and personal lives and includes important information for those who travel.

In this issue of LifeSkills, I'm sharing fundamental rules and
some tips for Staying "Out of Harm's Way"
Please share LifeSkills with colleagues, family and friends who would benefit from the information. Thank you!  

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase, So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (vs 9-10)

Trust in the Lord with ALL Your Heart                                        

never rely on what you think you know. 
Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.                       
Proverbs 3:5-6 Good News translation.

Putting our best foot forward this year will require that we trust in God in new ways.  Trust is one of those spiritual concepts that can seem so foreign, complicated, and even impossible.  I hope to show you a new perspective on the concept of trust.

First, think of trust as something we do as opposed something we have--as a verb instead of a noun.  Trust grows, builds, strengthens, and matures when positively influenced.  When trust is negatively influenced it can wain, waver, diminish, and even die.

The dictionary defines trust as both a noun and a verb:
As a noun trust is a "firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness, or genuineness of someone or something"

As a verb trust is " to give a task, duty, or responsibility to;  to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another;  to regard as right or true"

Let's look at how this plays out in real life....

Dear Church Family,

I am sure that you are as stunned and saddened by the catastrophe in Haiti as I am.  My heart is so overwhelmed with emotion that even as I type this note I cannot hold back the tears. 

• First I want to address "where is God?" in catastrophe 
• Second I want to address the comments made by televangelist Pat Robertson on the 700 Club
• Third I will provide for you opportunities to respond.

Let Love and Faithfulness Never Leave You

It is interesting to me that Solomon coupled “love” with “faithfulness”.  Love and faithfulness are, in some aspects, two sides of the same coin.