Holiday Giving...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner...

And I am sure that everyone is making plans for their holiday family get-togethers.


Have you been blessed?

I surely hope so.


There are many families that will not be able to afford, or enjoy, the same comforts that you and I might.

Comforts that help make our holidays more cheerful.


Things like gas.

Gas that warms our homes and cooks our holiday meals and treats.


Things like electricity.

Electricity that brightens the Christmas tree with colorful and sparkling lights.


And things like water.

Water, the life giving, necessary element of our lives.


Several years ago I was driving down the road, and there was a man sitting in his driveway with a sign saying that he would work for food.

I didn't have a job to give the man...

But I was on my way to the grocery store.


On my way there, I decided that I would buy extra groceries for the man and give it to him and his family.

While I was shopping, the Lord told me that the family didn't have any electricity...

Which meant that they didn't have any way to keep any perishable items from spoiling.


So I bought groceries that were non-perishable and one meal's worth of perishable foods so that they could have something fresh to eat that day.


While I felt good about what I had done...

I hadn't really listened to what the Lord was telling me.


What I should have done...

Was pay their electric bill.


Lord forgive me.


I received a newsletter yesterday from Shepherds of Love Ministry.

They are asking people to do something different this Christmas...

Instead of buying gifts or food...

They're asking if you would adopt a family and pay for part, or all, of their utility bill.


While most of us can't bring a very large past due electric bill current...

We most certainly can pool our money together and accomplish that goal quite easily.


Shepherd's of Love does things like this throughout the entire year.

Not just during Thanksgiving and Christmas.


There are a lot of food and gift ministries during November and December that focus on those things that most of us think about...

But what good is a turkey if you can't cook it?

How much more fun would the gifts be if there was a lit Christmas tree for them to sit under?

And how much better will the entire family be if they are warm during these cold months?


If you would like to donate funds to a worthwhile cause...

Through a ministry that does what they say they will...

Then I ask you to consider Shepherd's of Love Ministry.

If you would like to adopt a family by helping to pay their utility bill:

*Call 405.348.5195 and Shepherds of Love will provide a needy family for you.

*You decide how much you want to pay for their utilities.

*Write your check to Shepherds of Love Ministries and mail by December 3rd to:

Shepherds of Love Ministries
P.O. box 5043
Edmond, OK 73083

*They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your gifts are tax-deductible. A receipt will be mailed back to you.

*A Christmas card will be sent to your "special family" informing them of the amount paid on their utilities. You will be an anonymous donor.

(I know that Shepherds of Love Ministry sends money for utility bills directly to the utility company.)



If you would like to donate money for a food gift card for Thanksgiving you can do that as well.

Shepherds of Love Ministry assists families with their utility bills, gasoline, medicine, food, personal hygiene products, taxi and bus fares, and school clothing for children.


later...