WORSHIP . . . NOT JUST . . .

My pastor is doing a sermon series on "WORSHIP", what a hot topic in the Christian church. Different churches through the years have deemed different forms of "worship" as acceptable at different times in history. It makes you wonder who is the individual or group influencing this?

In some churches an emotional show of worship is looked down upon and then in other churches it seems to be the primary focus of worship. The real deal about worship is Romans 12: 1-2 which states, "Therefore I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Worship is all about living a life of surrender to Christ, not just singing on Sunday morning (although I really like that part!).

How does this concept relate to an event? Well, as Christians, we are to strive to worship God with our lives and that means surrender to His will even as it relates to planning a wedding or organizing a fundraiser or whatever it may be. Praying diligently that God be evident in everything. Colossians 3:23 says to do "everything as unto the Lord, not as unto men." Even in the mundane we should strive to do our best, because we work for God. Even in so-called "secular" events we should strive to please God with our actions. We show others Christ through the way we conduct ourselves and how we work. God is pleased when we work well, live honestly, strive for integrity and just live by His Word.

"WORSHIP" Such a powerful concept. What are you worshiping?

Mission Market

I know it's been a little while since I have had the time to write anything, but that's just the life of a planner. I'm busy year round with different events.

I want to share with the community about an event happening at my church on October 10th. It's call the Mission Market. The purpose is to raise money to fund a project through the International Mission Board. We will help to send missionaries to villages to teach women how to sew and market their products so these women can help provide for their families.

What will be happening that day to raise money, you may ask? Well, admission is $5 per person and you can stroll through the Market and purchase items from various vendors, buy baked goodies at the Bake Shop, check out the Kids Consignment Corner, participate in workshops, have family photos taken and enjoy lunch ($5 per plate).

As time gets closer I will post a detailed listing of Vendors. I hope you will make plans to attend.

Mission Market
at Broadmoor Baptist Church
1531 Highland Colony Pwky
Madison, MS 39110

October 10, 2009
9am-3pm

July 11th

It's been awhile since I have had time to write anything. It feels good to be back. I just want to tell you about some of the events that have been going on lately.

I just love weddings and I loved July 11th and all those involved. The wedding took place at Broadmoor Baptist Church at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The bride chose for her wedding day colors fuschia, black and white. The bridesmaids were gorgeous in their fuschia dresses and the men so handsome in their tuxes. The bride carried a beautiful bouquet of red roses, with the bridesmaids carrying bouquets of white. Another idea that I want to share about the wedding. Both the bride and groom have no living grandparents; the couple decided to have a place on the program for "Seating of the Siblings." It was a special way to honor their only siblings. One other unique item to their ceremony was a prayer for each other and to each other.

The reception was no less than a good time. Everything done in black, white and a "pop" of fuschia. I loved the way the florist (Connie Joyner, Marshall's Florist, out of Meridian) used different vases with flowers on each guest table. It added a unique touch. Another great touch to this reception was a "kids table." Yes, I've seen them done before, but this one stood out to me. The family took sand buckets and laid them on their side on a round table, each bucket had a shovel and was filled with goodies for the kids to come by and scoop onto their plates. In the center was a three tiered cupcake cake for them to enjoy. The kids and the adults seemed to love it.

Overall it was a great day!
Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Stephanie's Wedding

Have you ever tried to plan a big event...like your own wedding...when your parents live in another city? Well, it can be a challenge. Like most girls I had been dreaming of my wedding since I was a child. I wanted the big puffy dress, a big wedding reception, lots of dancing, the perfect photographer to capture every moment, the whole nine yards. Then reality set in; we had a budget!

Since all of my family would be coming to Jackson from out of town, we knew we needed a great place for them to stay and lots of room for the rehearsal dinner. Only God could have provided the perfect wedding coordinator at First Baptist Church where we were getting married to help me with all of these requests. Not only did she have lots of references and invaluable resources....her daughter worked for my mom in Birmingham.

My family is spread out across the country, so we wanted to be sure we had as much time as possible to visit....so we invited them all to our rehearsal dinner. My mom came to town one weekend and we had three very intensive wedding planning days. We visited many different photographers, caterers, florists, etc. Choosing these vendors was like visiting a college campus...you could tell quickly if the fit was right. We went to all kinds of restaurants...all too small or too expensive. Finally, we decided on a beautiful place on the Reservoir that could accommodate everyone in our family for the rehearsal dinner. Though my wedding wasn't just how I had envisioned it when I was ten years old, it was far better than I could have ever imagined.

I managed to escape the whole wedding experience with no major catastrophes, only a few minor glitches here and there.

The one thing I will always remember is something my wedding coordinator frequently reminded me of... it didn't matter that things didn't go exactly as planned because at the end of the day we were going to be married and that is all that really counts!