How many of you have adjusted your food intake in the last 5 years? How many of you have chosen to make healthy choices in your daily consumption? Many of us have chosen to eat less salt to lower blood pressure; many have chosen to reduce the amount of red meat and other foods high in fat. Many have chosen to add exercise to our daily routine. Why do we do such things? We care about our bodies. We want them to work well and for a long period of time. We want to do all we can avoid those major diseases or at least have a fighting chance to conquer those diseases when they strike.

Our soul too needs a certain amount of care. Matthew 16 says what does it profit a human being if they gain the whole world, yet lose their own soul. There is a great need to care for our souls.

Most understand that what we read and what we watch on television have a great effect on our souls. So reading the Bible and other literature is great for your soul. But in the way that God made souls, they need a certain amount of input and output to be healthy.

One of those opportunities is giving of your time, talent, and resources. God made the soul to give. Think about it. Genesis says that God made man in His own image. It does not mean that we have a facial or body features of God, but we were given a soul with characteristics which are like God. One of those characteristics it to create, and the other, is to give it away. God created the universe and all that dwells therein. He gave human beings dominion over the earth and established a relationship. God gave and continues to give. He designed us to create and to give, for the soul to be healthy it needs to create and to give.

October 28 is an opportunity to designate what you want to give for the next year. Many of you I know are into giving in so many ways. I celebrate that! I do realize for some that this day you may think you want to miss. You may feel guilty about what you can't give, so best to avoid the situation all together. Yet, this Sunday is for everyone. It is my prayer as you and the Lord talk together about your soul and what would be good for your soul, you would ask the Lord what He wants you to give. If it is 50 cents a month or $5000 a month (or somewhere in between) it is okay. It is never about what your neighbor is going to give,it is about what the Lord would call you to give.

Reverend David Edwards, senior pastor of St John's UMC in Albuquerque, will be our morning speaker. You won't want to miss John. We will have a combined service at 9:30 that Sunday followed by a lunch. At that lunch we will have Church Conference to elect our new officers for 2008, as well as, a few other necessary items. Put this date in your prayers and on your calendar!

Grace and Peace!

Layloni L. Drake, Pastor