Well, it's Monday morning. I'm not supposed to be in the office today until later, but I decided that with Charge Conference (our annual church-wide business meeting), the newsletter (it goes out this week), the beginning of our 2008 Gratitude Campaign (Called "Changing Lives for God") on Sunday and just a lot of family and other issues going on in our midst, I came in to have some quiet preparation time in the office. I want to spend part of that time thanking several people for yesterday's wonderful service which, I believe, achieved our purpose of doing all for the glory of God.

First, I appreciate our staff. Michelle did a great job with our music and adding Neysa Wilkins to the mix was quite a blessing. Dayna did a great job of our children's message on the heels of having hundreds of kids here on Saturday at the "Trunk of Treats" (if you missed this event YOU missed a treat). Brenda and the Beginnings Pre-School people were also at the Trunk of Treats raising funds for our Pre-School, but they were bright eyed and part of the action on Sunday morning. Josh was more "behind the scenes" but was active with our Youth, including Savannah's reading of _script_ure and the "take-down" of the food after the lunch on Sunday. And, of course, Bill Platt was very involved with the planning, setup and take- down of the event, along with Don Robinson and his capable staff.

Now for our laity. Thanks, Jerry and Betty North for making the connection for Millard Fuller to bless us with his testimony on Sunday. Thanks, choir and praise band for the great music and thanks Leah for helping accompany the music. Thanks to Kay for her wonderful work of getting the food and hospitality portion of the event ready to work seamlessly. Thanks to those who helped with set-up of the tables. And thanks to the committee members who planned this event and carried it out in a beautiful way.

Finally, I want to thank God for His inspiration of the sacrifices needed to make His name known and His work evident. Yesterday was accomplished by the work and sacrifice of many people. This was highlighted by Millard Fuller's testimony about how his work for Habitat for Humanity began when he gave it all away for a higher cause. Over the next three weeks Walt and Carolyn Barton will be sharing about this very subject. God's best work happens when His people begin to look differently at their time and their "stuff." When God becomes the owner and Lord of our time and our stuff God's work begins to happen and God's blessings unfold in a wonderful way. Millard Fuller learned that when he allowed God's blessings to fill his life as he gave his stuff up to God. His marriage and, I believe, his very life was saved by this choice he made to "decide to follow Jesus."

During the next three weeks you will be asked several questions. First, you will be asked "what if we all said yes to God?" If we did this our church would have power and influence beyond your wildest dreams, all for God's glory. You will be asked how you will give your time and stuff for God's work through Good News UMC. Remember that what you commit in time, talent and resources is for what God is doing through your church. And you will be asked to write your estimate of time and resources down so that our Finance Committee and our Discipleship Coordinator (Mikelyn Clausen) can give you the chance to live out your faith through the blessing of giving. Remember that this is not and vow but an estimate of what you best feel you can contribute. God's Word is clear that what He desires is our hearts devoted to Him. I will be claiming the promise from Micah 3 that says "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple (in our case this is your church) . If you do, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!" In the next few weeks we will be reminded that the concept here (giving the tithe to God) happened before the giving of the law, that this concept is how the church was designed to function, and how God has a way of blessing us beyond our wildest dreams if we do life His way.

I hope you'll be listening and I hope you'll be present to be part of what God is doing. I know God has planned great things for Good News. Remember that "He who began good things in you, will be faithful to complete it.!"

In Christ's Love, Randy