THIRTY ONE: Issue 14

Dear Friend,

I’m writing this note on my flight back fromCape Town, where we’ve spent the weekendcelebrating a birthday!

Some of us love any excuse for a good party; others would rather let the day go by unnoticed! Whatever your preference may be, a CELEBRATION is the ACTION of MARKING one’s PLEASURE at an EVENT or PERSON!

God takes pleasure in you and in me! For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. Psalm 149:4 NASBS

At times we find this hard to believe, especially on those days that we feel like we’ve missed it ‘big time or most of the time...’

God LOVES you and CELEBRATES you.

He has marked you for His FAVOR and delights in you!

Celebrating people, not just on their birthday but whenever we become aware of the gift that that person has been to us, and the difference they’ve made in our lives, whether it’s small or enormous, creates a Kingdom Culture of placing value on what He values...people and relationships!

The gift of belonging, of making a difference, of living life beyond ourselves and our selfish agendas brings a sense of connection and

significance. It causes us to give and receive love and live a life that is worthwhile and significant.

“Life is about relationships; the rest is just details”...

When people become part of something bigger than themselves or when an individual becomes part of a family, and ultimately a community of people with a shared vision, goal, and lifestyle that inspires others with hope and courage for a better future outcome, celebrating others becomes an opportunity to honor and salute them, thereby showing gratitude and thanksgiving to God for giving us the gift of belonging and relationship.

Today we celebrate the women whose stories you are about to read. Women, just like you and me, who love God and walk out their lives in community with others, despite having obstacles to overcome, giants to slay, deadlines to meet and at times coming out on the other side a bit battered and bruised.

Yes, my friend, we’re created for His pleasure, not just for survival, but to thrive and live purposeful lives in the midst of our battles...

We cannot do this alone. We do not want to do this alone. We do not have to do this alone: Father gave us the gift of His Son and the indwelling Holy Spirit, as well as one another!

He invited us into the adventure of lifetransforming relationships.

Becoming BETTER TOGETHER!

Who are you connected to that you inspire by your Kingdom’s lifestyle?

Let’s CELEBRATE HIM and ONE ANOTHER!

With love Edna

Colossians 1:16-17 MSG For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels— everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASBS [9] Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. [10] For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. [11] Furthermore, if two lie down together, they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? [12] And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.