Thanksgiving

There is a moment in almost every Thanksgiving gathering where a sense of the goodness of God is felt.

For some it is the pies just coming out of the over.  For others it may be a home with family gathering. For us in Project Lost Sheep, we gather to remember that years ago God helped us to become a non-profit.  There were 4 of us plus our advisor who helped us get non profit status in the room.  We met in the library of the First Baptist Church in Menlo Park to sign the papers.  Up to the last moment I didn't know I would be "elected" president.  It was the only job unclaimed and we had to put someone down.

I would like to say we all felt thankful we had just enough people to start but I really think we were all a bit nervous about the the step of becoming official.

We didn't know that we would have a few years of lean times trying to figure out what we were supposed to be doing but we continued together and started to do small steps of ministry. For those of you in other cities who are wanting to do something I would say: Don't wait until you have enough people or don't wait until you have enough funds.  If God is in your midst you will have what you need when you need it, especially if you reach out to the disadvantaged.

We have had some fat years in America but for the last five or so years we have been in a lean position.  Some of us have lost homes. Some have seen our businesses decline. We are learning to pray for each other as well as reach out to our community.  We are learning to be THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

This is only possible with God's help.  In our own flesh we are very weak and doubtful. This summer we faced a real crisis before camp. We didn't have enough funds to open the camp but we went ahead by faith.  Yes, God came through in surprising ways.  We are thankful that He has not let us down in our personal lives and He has not let us down in our Project Lost Sheep community.

What has happened could not have been done by one of us.  But the few of us God has graciously grown a bit in love and thankfulness. I am thankful to all my Project Lost Sheep friends: you are like family gathering around the table. We will again celebrate thanksgiving together and find more ways to grow in our journeys of faith.

A Walk In A Large Park

It is great to get out and really be above the valley and away. Walking 45 minutes up a long trail over looking Silicon Valley all we could see were the hills, very dry hills, trees, other trails, and other hikers.

This was the way it used to be. Someone with forsight here in the valley in the 70's bought up the land that used to be used for mining and set it aside for a park. This foresight is now a blessing to hundreds who enjoy this large 4000 acre natural park.

Leaders need to see ahead and to plan ahead. Those who are looking at where we are now need to think what we would like to see left and there for our children's children. That is foresight.

I am very happy about the trend of the mega rich to give much of that back into the community. There are truly many places where business forsight can make a difference now and even more in the future.

Let us not just look at our little feet on the path going along in life. Let's lift up our eyes to the hills. Let's preserve some of God's beauty we see around us. Let's realize that life isn't a walk in the park but it sure helps our perspective to get out there in the hills and see how very little everything else is down below.

Thank God for people who planned ahead so we can enjoy this today. Get behind something bigger than your agenda and your little life!

FInding The Right Gift God's Way

The right gift to a person is a real joy.  The present we give can be inspired. It is really fun to know that God can help us in the little things of life like picking out a specific gift for someone. I don't think God wants us to have a grumpy face when we go shop.  "God loves a cheerful giver whose heart is in his giving."

Steps to finding the right present.
Step (1) - easy to forget but important.
PRAY FOR INSPIRATION.
I do believe that God can inspire us.  Be specific: Suggested prayer. "Dear God, please help me find just the right present for x"

Step (2)
WAIT.

Step (3)
GO SHOPPING WITH AN ATTITUDE OF EXPECTANCY.

There will be a AH HA moment when you find the right gift.  The gift will fit the person. The gift will make you smile because you will know it is right before you give it.

Remember, God is the ultimate giver who has given us all things for us to enjoy. Don't you think He would like to be part of the party?

God Works In Mysterious Ways

As you know I have been promoting the giving of cars to Project Lost Sheep via Cars 4 Causes.

I have mentioned this need to people and more importantly have prayed and asked others to pray. God does work in mysterious ways. 

 This week I got a flat tire and took it to my normal station to get it fixed. "Should take about an hour the mechanic said."
"Fine," I said and went off to have a Mexican lunch and do a little window shopping.
When I got back there was my tire on the ground. The tire was covered in white foam.

"Four mechanics have looked at your tire and not been able to find a leek". The mechanic said.

It was recommended that I get a new tire and since this is an honest station that I had work done before on my very old car, I got a ride home and waited.

In my purse I had a flyer about Cars 4 Causes with our non-profit card. When I went back to get my car with new tire I thought. Why not here?

I got out my flyer and gave it to the manager and he smiled. "I get requests to get rid of cars all the time." "Right now I have 3 cars."

I left with a very light heart. God certainly is going to get some cars to us. "By the way what was wrong with my tire," I asked.

A frown crossed his face. "I took your tire apart. It was shredded rubber inside."

I have never in all my years of driving heard of such a thing. Apparently, it was one in a million or was it God? Time will tell.

Sick Little Richie RIch

People who are wealthy can be strong in their affluence or they can be sick.

Sick rich people have the attitude. It's mine: I earned it and will do everything I can to pile up more for my company and self.

The rich in our society can learn to be rich in good deeds. Some venture capitalists here in Silicon Valley have learn the joy of giving back to non-profits and needy. It is a great feeling.

It is my firm conviction that is good and "more blessed for the rich to give than to receive".

What does rich in good deeds mean? The companies and individuals that "have it all" in California and elsewhere need to form foundations of charitable benefit. They need to make informed choices and they need to encourage an attitude of "giving back" to their top partners and workers.

A company CEO that sees the needs of the community around him or her is a company that is truly connected to the compassion of God.

As a non-profit founder I can say to those who are sick with "too much" sickness. There is a cure: Give lots of it away and put smiles on the faces of the children, the disadvantaged, the elderly. Follow your heart but get out there and look around. There are very hungry people in America. There are plenty of opportunities to get well for you. All you have to do is invest yourself and your company in some good works.
 
{You will find joy and satisfaction as you see purpose beyond the corporate walls.}

Camp

Anticipation is a wonderful thing. We may look forward to a lunch with a friend or a big vacation.
We look forward towards Friday.

Right now those of us are anticipating the largest camp ever in Redwood City with visitors from other cities to see how it is done.

I like that tingly feeling that something good is just around the corner. I can see the children and hear the laughter and smiles once they adjust to camp. They will be happy with the food and well fed. They will learn and be cared for by so many adults and teen helpers.

For those children who have been to camp in the past they will be asking. When is camp?

Children anticipate almost everything. They live in an attitude of expectation. Small things can please them very much. A wiggly caterpillar, a new pet, a set of crayons.

Let's become more like children in anticipating all the good things God has in store for us this summer. What pleases God is when we adults wash off the same old same old attitude.

Come to camp. Renew your anticipation!

Giving From The Heart

We know when we have given that right gift to someone because the gift fits the person. But, we receive a gift of feeling good about the time and energy spent on getting the gift, wrapping it and sending it.

It is a sad thing when giving to charity turns into a one time "something you have to do" to reduce taxes. That is not the heart of giving. The heart is giving a heart felt gift. It may be something that helps you as well but that is not the center of the gift.

Recently Project Lost Sheep received a gift in check from a car given to us via Cars for Causes (800-766-2273).

Yes the person who gave the car really wanted to help us. I can only say that that gift will move us along to feed more kids at camp than ever before. The person got a tax deduction from Cars for Causes, also a non-profit.

The purposes of Cars 4 Causes is "a non-profit organization desgined to simplify the process of fundraising for charities and organziations through contributions, and sale of automobiles, boats, trucks, RV's etc." Do you havve a car you are no longer using? Do you have a neighbor that might want to give to help more children get to camp?

The perfect gift may be to be used to encourage someone to action in clearing their property of that vehicle. It is really, "more blesssed to give than to receive."

Let's use what we aren't using to help children get what they need. We are in the blessing business with you.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

On a warm spring afternoon in Atherton, we gathered together to get a preview of the eight Touchdown Camp.

Patty Cardona, president of Project Lost Sheep, brought children who had attended camp last year. Each child reported on a different aspect of camp. One little girl performed a dance.

Darlene Stethem, Bible teacher, gave a preview of the lessons and music for this camp. Dates: July 16-20 at Verbo Church in Redwood City.



Catherine Parlanti, treasurer, asked that we be alert to getting community support from local businesses.

We appreciate your interest and support to make a real difference in the lives of these children. Enjoy a camper who danced for us. Enjoy the picture-movie from the tea party recently held as a benefit for our eight Touchdown Camp coming this summer. (July 16-20)