REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY (Wednesday, October 14th)!  This Friday night, October 16th we're headed to St. George Island for a one night retreat Well style. There's no FSU football this weekend, so there's no reason not to come!  Dinner, lodging, and an amazing night and morning of teaching and worship are all included for only $25. Space is limited, and you can register here.

LODGING:  We're sleeping four to a room, and if you've got special room requests to avoid the random shuffle, please email Matthew (matthew@thewelltallahassee.com) today so accomodations can be made.  And thanks for being drama free!

MORE INFO:  Dinner is at 7:00 p.m. followed by our evening service (check in at hotel before dinner).  If you're registered, you'll receive an email early Thursday morning with many more important details.

"My Good Fortune" by Meghan Hyatt


The fortune from a fortune cookie is taped to the mirror in my room. I look at it every morning. I'm not really sure how it got there. I know I stuck it up there with a green smiley face sticker, but I don't remember opening the fortune... I don't even like fortune cookies. However, I'm convinced that God speaks to me through that little white note every day.  It says "No need to worry! You will always have everything that you need."  As a follower of Christ, I don't often advise people to go seeking spiritual guidance in a Chinese take-out box, but who says the Lord of the universe can't work outside the box (or Bible)?

Now, I'm not a big worrier. I don't get stressed out over school very often, and I don't really let myself get frazzled thinking about the future. I am one of those people who can go with the flow, let things roll off my back and whip out Matthew 6:27 whenever my friends are worried about a guy or a test. However, in the past couple years I have watched the Lord use that fortune to teach me that worrying can be much deeper than exterior anxiety about the trivial things in life.

I have been truly blessed throughout my life and am so thankful for my family, friends and the wonderful childhood and adolescence I shared with them. In the past year or two though, life has thrown some curveballs my way and those experiences are teaching me even more about what I really "need."   Life isn't always cookie-cutter perfect. We lose people we love, our hearts get broken, bad things happen to good people and the ideal lives we always knew we would lead sometimes get turned upside down. It is when we feel like we just can't get out of bed, or don't want to, that we need to remember that Christ has already given us the only thing we really need.

Christ died to save me from my sin, to make me new and reconcile me to the One who created me. On the worst day of the week, when nothing seems to be going right, and I would rather crawl in a hole of self pity than look for a silver lining, I have salvation, grace, and a place in Heaven waiting for me. None of that can ever be taken away.

I know that life will always have its ups and downs. There will always be times when I feel sad, angry, lonely or hurt, as well as times of joy, excitement and delight. We are even warned in John 16:33 when Jesus says "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But fear not, for I have overcome the world. " Regardless of our circumstances here on earth, whether we are anxious about insignificant things, or mourning a tragic loss, Jesus is still everything we need. In Philippians Paul writes, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13). I pray that throughout my life I will learn to be completely satisfied in the salvation the Lord gives and know that I always have everything I need in Christ.  The fortune on my mirror isn't just a reminder not to sweat the small stuff, but to really hold fast to the most important thing in my life: my Savior.

The Well Classifieds can help you find a roommate give a dog away, find a prayer partner, etc. With circulation to over 500 people each week, who knows how you might connect!  To submit an ad contact Matthew Robinson at matthew@thewelltallahassee.com

HAITI NEEDS
This November, The Well's Prayer Team Coordinator, Caryn Shivar, is headed on a mission trip to Haiti. Her group is collecting vitamins, toiletry items (such as travel size shampoos, soap, lotion, etc), anti-acid aids and school materials (such as paper, pencils, sharpeners and erasers).  If you can donate, please drop off these items in the Portico this Sunday!

Chad Kittrell's house at 1010 Gardenia Drive in Midtown/Betton area is for sale!.  3/2, 2,157 square feet.  Asking price $225,000.  Contact Leah for more info (850.336.6128)

FURNITURE
3-piece bedroom furniture set in near mint condition.  All real wood, dark stain, semi-gloss finish, brass hardware.  1 twin bed, 1 nightstand, 1 dresser.  Bed comes with headboard, frame, box spring and nice mattress.  Great bedroom set for youth or for college student!  Will include very nice Croscill comforter, bed skirt and decorative pillows.  PRICE REDUCED TO ONLY $500.  Offers considered.