MID-SOUTH DISTRICT SINGLES NEWSLETTER - 3rd QUARTER, 2009

 18 singles gathered at The Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean April 17-19 for a wonderful weekend of Bible Study, fellowship, renewing old friendships and making new friends.  We welcomed 5 first-timers!!  Rev. Rollie Schutz led us through scripture showing how God gave us His grace and how we receive it daily.  Even though it rained some on Saturday, it stopped so we could have a bonfire that night and roast marshmallows.  Everyone had a great time and we all left refueled and spiritually refreshed!!   The 2010 Fellowship Retreat will be April 30-May 2 at the Group Lodge at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park near Camden, TN.  Mark your calendars and plan to attend!!    

 COMING EVENTS

The Mid-South District Singles One-Day Rally is Saturday, Oct. 3 in Memphis.  Registration form is enclosed with all the information.  There is no cost to attend, but you must RSVP by Sept. 27.  Activities will include lunch, dinner, Bible Study and time for games and fellowship.

We hope to see you there!!

 TEN GUILDELINES 'FROM GOD'

 With today's uncertainties, these guidelines seem timely.  God is always here for us!!

Quit Worrying:

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do it sit and worry.  Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you?  Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way? 

Put it on the list:

Something needs to be done or taken care of.  Put it on the list.  No, not YOUR list.  Put it on MY to-do-list.  Let ME be the one to take care of the problem.  I can't help you until you turn it over to Me.  And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all...God.  I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

 Trust Me:

Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back.  Trust in Me.  Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials.  Problems with the kids?  Put them on My list.  Problem with finances?  Put it on My list.  Problems with your emotional roller coaster?  For My sake, put it on My list.  I want to help you.  All you have to do is ask.

Leave it alone:

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here."  Why do you think you are feeling stronger now?  It's simple.  You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them.  I also renew your strength and cover you in My peace.  Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started?  Leave them with Me and forget about them.  Just let Me do my job.

Talk to Me:

I want you to forget a lot of things.  Forget what was making you crazy.  Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control.  But there's one thing I pray you never forget.  Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN!  I love YOU!  I want to hear your voice, I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life.  I want to hear you talk about your friends and family.  Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me.  I want to be your dearest friend.

 Have faith:

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are.  Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing.  Trust Me and the view from my eyes.  I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs.  You only have to trust Me.  Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part.  How hard can trust be?

Share:

You were taught to share when you were only two years old.  When did you forget?  That rule still applies.  Share with those who are less fortunate than you.  Share your joy with those who need encouragement.  Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time.  Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry.  Share your faith with those who have none.

Be patient:

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences.  You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much.  How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list?  Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect.  Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

Be kind:

Be kind to others for I love them just as much as I love you.  They may not dress like you or talk like you or live the same way you do, but I still love you all.  Please try to get along for My sake.  I created each of you different in some way.  It would be too boring if you were all identical.  Please know I love each of your differences.

Love yourself:

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself?  You were created by me for one reason only - to be loved and to love in return.  I AM A GOD OF LOVE. LOVE ME.  Love your neighbors, but also love yourself.  It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. 

You are very precious to me .. don't ever forget!!                                                From the internet

JUST BELIEVE

God cares for you each moment, each minute and each hour, Through days of laughter in the sun, Through dark days filled with showers.

He listens to each prayer that's prayed and answers with what's best, Not always what we ask for, but far better are we blessed.

His love knows no known measure, no bounds nor depths too deep, It knows not of conditions - A promise our God keeps.

How very blessed we are indeed for One as such as He that gives so much and in return Just asks us to believe.

                                                                                                                                Gina Mazzullo Laurin

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 SINGLES MINISTRY WEBSITE

Have you checked out the singles website?  The newsletter and retreat registration forms are posted and can be downloaded from the website.

 www.ourchurch.com/member/m/midsouthsingles

 If you would like to submit a prayer request or promote or tell about an activity your singles group is doing, click on "Email Us" and we'll post it on the website.  

 WANTED & NEEDED

NOTE:  If you have any articles, events, or happenings that you think would be of interest to your fellow Lutheran Singles or any Prayer concerns you would like to pass on, please mail them to Diane Reimold, 4314 Park Forest Dr., Memphis, TN  38141, or fax to 901-754-9464, ATTN: Diane Reimold or email dianereimold@hotmail.com.  The deadline for the next newsletter is March 15, 2010.  We want your input!!

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

The following people are the District Singles contacts for the circuit groups of our District.  Feel free to contact them if you need additional information regarding anything in this Newsletter.  They are the liaisons from the District to these geographical areas:

Memphis, Jonesboro, Stuttgart Circuits - Diane Reimold, 4314 Park Forest Dr., Memphis, TN  38141,

800-388-0847 (weekdays)

Little Rock, Fayetteville, Ft. Smith Circuits - Karl Wickboldt, 810 K. St., Barling, AR  72923

479-285-2138

Nashville, Paducah Circuits - Jackie Thorn, 2773 Fleet Dr., Hermitage, TN 37076

615-872-8172    

Do you show appreciation to the people that come into your life and make a difference?  Do you tell your friends how much they mean to you?  Don't wait until it's too late!!

People

There's a magic found in people; When you need them, they are there.  It could be they are angels, An answer to a prayer.

A person needs another, You'll find in life today.  You'll be a lonesome soul If you keep them all away.

I have met complete strangers who took my blues for theirs; They said the things I needed to hear, An answer to my prayers.

God uses prayers in different ways; He will always be around.  I have found much love in people - That's where God is found.

                                                                                                    James Joseph Huesgen