Hi Everyone!

May this day bring God's blessings to you!

First, thanks to all of you who came to the Town Meeting everyday. I hope you were informed and invigorated about God's Work at Good News. While we look at the "numbers" regarding Good News, I hope we can have eyes that see God's hand in what is happening. Today's e-mail is an _expression_ of that vision as I see it. I hope your eyes are open and your heart is clear.

Proverbs 3:5 is a commentary and a warning to those that approach church and life believing only in what they "see." It reminds us, "Trust the Lord with all your heart and don't depend on your own understanding." This Proverb asks the rhetorical question, "Who are you gonna trust?" I am reminded of this passage by a personal account of setting my vision of God's provision too low. My hope for 2008 was that one Sunday we would exceed 400 in worship. My flawed vision had this happening in late fall or maybe around Christmas. "O ME of little faith!" Last Sunday we exceeded the 400 mark for the first time (non-Easter), even with many prominent and faithful members absent. WOW, God is always bigger than I think He is!

So, who you gonna trust? As I have walked with God through the study of the 23rd Psalm, I know what my answer is. For the worrier, God says, "you shall not want." For the tired God says, "I'll restore your soul." For the fearful God says, "I am with you." For the vulnerable God says, "my rod and staff are there for comfort." For the hungry God says, "I'll prepare a table for you." For those with enemies God says, "you will sit down to eat in the presence of your enemies." For the "uncalled" God says, "I'll anoint your head with oil. " For the downtrodden God says, "I'll give you goodness and mercy." For those facing death God says, "you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Some of you may be cynics. You might say, "Well that GOD has an answer for everything!" I would answer, "Yes!" God does have answers. It's why I am encouraging each of you to ignore (yes ignore) those speaking negative words in your ears. It's why I tell stories of faith and victory and truth on Sunday morning. It's why yesterday I told the Biblical story of the faithless people of Israel who endured 40 years of wandering because they sought the meat and security of their captivity in Egypt. I don't want to lose the blessing in front of us because we fail to "own" the fact that God is putting our black-and-white dreams into His living color.

The future of Good News is bright if we, as God's people, will choose God's provision and sight instead of our faithless fears. Open your eyes. Greet new people and welcome them with a smile. Treat new people, old friends and the church staff like they were your grandchildren. Because, I'll do anything in my power to see that my grandchildren succeed. I'll lay down my life for them and I'll encourage and protect them. I'll give to their cause because I own it. And I'll love them no matter what.

Hey, that sounds like God's love for us!

Go in God's love, grace and peace.

In Christ's Love, Randy