Give hope

Remember how the Compassion Bloggers are attempting to raise $20,000 for children in poverty this Christmas?  Let me tell you simply that we have not raised that much yet.

However, I know that God can do great things.  I know He could raise even more than $20,000 in a much shorter amount of time than four days.  I pray that God lays it on many people's heart to donate to Compassion's Gift Catalog this week.

If each blog raises $100, we will meet our goal.  So I am asking you, will you please give hope this Christmas?  If eight people gave $12.50 each, it would make $100.  Please, click this link and give hope to a child this Christmas.  Your gift will change a child's life.  In turn, his/her family will be changed.  Then the whole community will be different just because of your small gift!



#ItsAboutGiving
Lizzie :)

Biblical Giving

Today, we are going to explore giving, specifically what the Bible says about it.  When I thought about Biblical giving, two verses came to mind-

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  -Acts 2:45 

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  -2 Corinthians 8:3

While there are other verses about giving, I am sure, these come to mind for me. Perhaps it is because I have been reading the New Testament lately or maybe I heard a sermon about them. However, I think that is not why. I think these verses stuck with me for one reason- they show true generosity.

No, I am not saying that we should go and sell all we have.  But as Matthew West says in his song "My Own Little World" (which I recommend you listen to), "I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts."  

I think we all have a tendency to keep a protective blanket on our money.  You know, give some, but keep some just in case we don't have enough.  When I read the verses above, it seems to me that the people were not doing that.  Not only were they giving some but all- their stuff too.  

During Christmastime, I think we should not focus on just giving gifts.  I believe we should give our time and talents too.  We have all been gifted uniquely.  

Perhaps you would like to help a family in poverty this Christmas.  By giving them some essentials, we could help them notice their gifts.  Maybe schoolroom would inspire a child to become a teacher or writer.

Help us raise $20,000 for children in poverty this Christmas.

#ItsAboutGiving

Lizzie :)

It could also feel like...

Giving feels like a soft chick (or a cow).

courtesy of Compassion

Provide livestock for a family in poverty.  Help us raise $20,000 for children in poverty.  Every penny counts!

#ItsAboutGiving
Lizzie :)

What does it look like?

Giving looks like a smile.

courtesy of Compassion

Water is essential for life.  Help a child like her have access to clean water or dental work.  Help us raise $20,000 for children in poverty.  Give a child a reason to smile.

What does giving look like to you?

#ItsAboutGiving
Lizzie :)

What does it feel like?

To me, giving feels like a heavy baby in my arms.

Courtesy of Compassion

That little girl is from a Child Survival Program.  You can help other little kids like her HERE.  Help us raise $20,000 for kids in poverty.  Every dollar counts.

What does giving feel like to you?

#ItsAboutGiving
Lizzie :)

What does it mean to me?

Giving.

This month Compassion bloggers are blogging about giving because, after all, it's all about giving.  Christmas is all about gifts.  Not only the gifts we exchange with our friends and family, but the Gift, our Savior.

To me, giving means living a life for God.  

God is love.  When I love someone, I want to do everything I can for them.  I will give of myself and my time for them.

James even tells us that perfect religion is giving-

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  -James 1:27

By giving time, money, energy, food, etc., we can look after others.  James specifically says to look after orphans and widows, basically those who do not have the means to look after themselves.

Jesus says that whatever we do for others, we do for Him-

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. -Matthew 25:40

Consequently, whatever we do not do for others, we don't do for Him-

Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. -Matthew 25:45

How can you help the "least of these?"

You can join me and many others in raising $20,000 for children in poverty!

You know how you feel when you give the gift that you know the receiver has been waiting for?  When you give that gift, it is worth every second you have spent working on it and thinking about it.  That is how you will feel when you give the gift of life to families in poverty.

To do that, go HERE.

Compassion's Christmas Gift catalog has many different gifts to help children and their families in poverty.  As I always say, every dollar counts!  No matter if it is one dollar or fifty, it can and will change a life!

#ItsAboutGiving
Lizzie :)

Enough

Hello!

I have been thinking lately (with the holidays coming up) about how blessed I am.  Ever since I got involved with Compassion, I have realized more how much I have.  Sure, I don't have a phone or iPod or lots of channels on TV or lots of spending money or the newest clothes.  But, I have books to read, clothes to wear, a house to live in, a camera, a laptop, Netflix, and so much more.

I have enough.

I have more than enough.

I have been blessed.  It is my turn to bless others.  So many people don't have enough, much less more than enough.  They don't have much at all.  For some families, one meal a day is all they get.  They may not even have a change of clothes or books.

When people ask me what I want, I have a hard time saying I want this or that.  Yeah, there are some books I would like to read.  But, I really don't want anything.  I surely don't need anything.  So if you have asked me what I want for Christmas, you probably did not get much of an answer.  I am sorry.  I know you are just trying to be nice.

So this holiday season, will you join me in giving?

Change a life!
Lizzie :)