The True CHRISTmas Gift to all!!

This book is so changing my life “Limitless Life” by Dewey L. Gray! As I have been reading this book, some things come to mind that I want to share. Obviously, this is not coupon related so please feel free to move on if you are not interested:)

I believe with ALL my heart God gives to us so we can be generous to others. . Matthew 25:40, BUT so many lose sight of that. So many say, “Well when I get X, Y, and Z, then I will give.” When I have money, then I will give”. BUT the truth of the matter is to be generous costs us nothing, because EVERYTHING we have belongs to God. I think about how complicated life is now, how busy everyone is now. . . BUT why were we given life? To be Christ’s disciples, to share his message with as many as we could. I look around and watch as people are struggling and think, so many look and say “Wow that is terrible, I hope someone helps”. I believe when we have a prompting that we see something that is terrible or we see someone in need, that is our opportunity to step up and allow God to use us, to bring Glory to God. Can you imagine if everyone joined together when there was a tragedy what a better place this would be. We go to the Amish several times a year and have heard stories of how barns have burned down and within a matter of a few days, 100s of them come together, the women cook and the men rebuild. . . they care about each other and help each other and when we work TOGETHER (with God in the Center) great things happen. Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas are two of the most generous times of the year, but you know what? Homelessness and hunger know no season. . we are to give 365 Days of the year . . not just those 30 days between the two holidays. So many of us want a better world, a better place to live, but it can start with us. No we cannot change it alone, but we can start the positive effect. We can be the change. Jamie and I start our day in prayer, we ALWAYS ask God to put hurting people in our paths and for HIM to show us how to bless them for HIS GLORY, not for OUR GLORY!! What can we do to help the hurting? What can we say? Sometimes it is as simple as smiling or just having human contact with them through a hug or just a touch on the shoulder. So many people are hurting. So many have never been shown love before and that is why they are angry, BUT it is not up to us to judge them, but it is up to us to LOVE THEM!! We can all join together and make this world a better place. With CHRISTmas right around the corner so many are hurting because they cannot get their children gifts or family member gifts. That makes me sad, because when we put the focus on that, we are truly losing the focus of what CHRISTmas is about. Just being together should be enough. When we, as Christians, step back and take the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTmas back, maybe then the commercialism will lighten up or at least WE will not get wrapped up in it. So many go into debt trying to get the biggest and best gifts for a matter of minutes of joy when their kids open their presents, but then the reality sets in for the days and months after CHRISTmas when they are trying to pay that bill. Was it worth it? Is that what CHRISTmas is about? No CHRISTmas is about the birth of our Lord and Savior. Jesus is the gift that we can give to our loved ones and that gift is through love, fellowship, hope, and joy!! Start your own traditions that cost minimal money. This year we will be driving around CHRISTmas Eve and handing out blankets, hot cocoa, and cookies to the homeless. CHRISTmas Day we will be going to an assisted-living facility and delivering cookies and single flowers (roses, etc) for the residents that don’t have family and the kids have made up homemade CHRISTmas cards for them. We will be having fellowship with as many as we can. We will be sharing the gift of CHRISTmas . . we will be sharing Jesus’ love to as many as we can. That will be more of an impact than going into debt for a brief moment and taking months to pay that debt off. We can best display HIS glory by being generous to others in need or alone and this year I challenge all of you to start a new tradition with your family, one that has eternal value, not monetary value and see what happens. I know many of you are stressed about CHRISTmas and believe me I am praying for all of you!! I am praying many lives are changed this CHRISTmas!! Thanks for letting me share my heart!! I love you guys!