Day 25—Consider…Give!

Day 25—Consider,,,Give!

Today, consider a prayer of gratitude to Jesus, the One who gave His life for us!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Thank You for leaving the comfort, majesty and splendor of heaven to come to this earth.

Thank You for living a sinless, blameless life and enduring accusations and rejection for me.

Thank You for choosing to lay down Your life on the Cross and for becoming the sacrifice for my sin.

Thank You for defeating death that I might have life!

Thank You for beings faithful friend, my loving father and my constant companion!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I am nothing without You!

Day 24—Consider…Give!

Day 24—Consider…Give!

Today, consider giving the best of you to your family.

There are many dear people who are facing the first Christmas following the loss of a loved one.

They would do anything to have one more day, one more moment, one more laugh, one more memory with the one that has passed away.

Today is a gift and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Give your time, attention and energy to bless your family today.

As you hold them near, remember to pray for those who are walking the path of loss and grief.

Day 23—Consider…Give!

Day 23—Consider…Give!

Many individuals and businesses are looking for a worthy place to donate charitable funds before the close of the year.
I challenge you to pray and consider a ministry that is caring for the least of these.

Consider sponsoring a child through Project HOPEFUL Awassa, this ministry is run by a dear friend of mine and the is similar to Compassion or World Vision. Research the group you will give to before donating, make sure that your funds are going to bless the child you choose.

Consider supporting Harrisonburg Pregnancy Center, a local ministry which provides free and confidential services to women facing undesired pregnancies. We have grown in leaps and bounds in 2013, ministering to more women than ever before. Ask God how YOU can be a part of this life affirming ministry.

Consider giving to help a young person attend Renew Camp in June 2014. Our entire family is attending this summer and we generally pay for others to go with us. Your funds could help to make that possible! The youth come to serve and to grow in their walk with Christ, would you be a part of something BIG? Contact me if you wish to help our team this year.

Consider your own church or another ministry that tugs at your heart. Ask God how YOU can impact the world around you, open up your wallet and be obedient to what He is asking. Most of these are seeds of faith, you may not know on the earth who your gift blessed. But you can trust Him to take it and make something beautiful out of your sacrifice!

Day 22—Consider…Give!

Day 22--Consider...Give!

Today, consider giving your heart to Jesus.

Perhaps you have never taken this life changing step and invited Him to come into your life, to cleanse you of all sin and be your Savior, Lord and King.

Perhaps you have been a Christian most of your life but you have allowed life to pull you away from His heart and His best for you.

Or, maybe you love Him with all of your heart, but you are feeling discouraged and depressed, without hope.

Regardless of where you are, I invite you to pray Psalm 51:10-12 today and let Jesus heal your heart.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

He is Immanuel, God with us!

Day 21—Consider…Give!

Day 21--Consider...Give!

Today, consider giving yourself permission to breathe as you run errands, shop, drive across town, wrap gifts, etc.

Do not be in a hurry.

Take a deep breath, prioritize, choose one or two things that really do NOT need to be done today, breathe, give yourself extra time and ENJOY the moments.

Listen to those who speak to you, let someone pull out in front of you in a busy shopping center, let another customer go before you in a long line, use gift bags if you are too overwhelmed to wrap beautiful packages, make two kinds of cookies rather than five, play Christmas carols or movies while you wrap gifts, be in the now!

The hurried chaos that we have come to accept as "the holiday season" has NOTHING to do with the birth of our Savior and King.

He was born in a quiet stable, in lowly conditions.

His parents didn't partake in a 12 course meal and yet He came, nothing could stop that holy moment.

Breath, live, laugh, love and celebrate the simple, unhurried moments of Christmas today.

If ten dozen cookies do not get baked, if our gifts do not look like something from Pinterest, if we eat sandwiches rather than a meal that takes days to make, I assure you...life will go on and Jesus will still be King of Kings!

Day 20—Consider…Give!

Day 20--Consider...GIVE!

Today, consider a need in our community.

Please pray for another family who has been affected by a house fire.

If you have clothes to share, we are in need of girls size 7 and 12 and boys size 7 clothes.

If you can help, please message me and I will connect you with the person who is collecting items.

Day 19—Consider…Give!

Today, I challenge you to consider helping a family who is very near and dear to my heart.

Please take some time and read the summary of Renee Johnson's story, written by her husband, Ryan, link below.

Renee is precious to me and the past several years have presented her with challenges that are unfathomable to most

Yet, she continues on with a brave spirit and an upbeat outlook

Today, I ask you to PRAY for her complete healing.

I also ask you to GIVE, if you are able.

Also, please SHARE the story, you may not be able to give but you may have friends who can!

Every amount adds up and will help, so do not think your gift is too big to too small!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-heart-of-the-family?action_object_map=%7B%2210202796167295301%22%3A263403697148113%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%2210202796167295301%22%3A%225380884%22%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210202796167295301%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&fb_action_ids=10202796167295301&fb_action_types=og.likes

Day 18…Consider…Give!

Day 18--Consider...Give!

Today, consider helping out a single mom or dad.

For those who are raising children alone, working full time, barely seeing ends meet, the holidays can be extra stressful.

Consider offering to babysit, have them in for a meal and/or bless them with a gift card for groceries or gifts.

Day 17—Consider…Give!

Day 17--Consider...Give.

Today, consider giving up a long list of "to do's" and take time to BREATHE.

More and more people are getting off of Pinterest, choosing not to bake as much, buy as much or do as much.

In a season that quickly gets consumed by excess, remember to BREATHE

Life is not always pinnable, nor is it picture perfect.

Enjoy the moments, cherish the simple and surround yourself with those you love.

The rest is just "stuff!"

Day 16—Consider…Give!

Day 16--Consider...Give!

Today, consider helping someone who is sick.

Too often we say, "Let me know if you need anything."

How many of us would really call and ask someone to make us soup or drop off ginger ale, Saltines and Ibuprofen?

Instead, we can say, "I'll be dropping by with some soup today. Do you need me to pick up anything else while I'm out?"

In our self sufficient, "I don't want to be a bother to anyone" society, very few will ever ask for specific help.

Let's get serious about taking care of someone's basic needs today!

Day 15—Consider…Give!

Day 15—Consider….Give!

Today, consider asking your pastor if there is someone within your church who needs assistance during the Christmas season.

You may give anonymously through your pastor and simply say, "This is from someone who cares."

Look around you, and ask God who is in need of some extra love and generosity.

Don't forget to ask if others have a place to spend Christmas and if they are going to be alone, invite them into your home for a meal or some cocoa and cookies!

Day 14--Consider…Give!

Day 14--Consider...Give!

Today, consider giving a gift to bless Harrisonburg Pregnancy Center.

This amazing life affirming ministry blesses women in our community every week by providing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL services (pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, material services, a listening ear and more).

Perhaps you can give a financial contribution or donate one of the items on the Holiday wish list (gift cards for Staples or Costco, Forever stamps, laptop, iPad, nursing book, new vacuum cleaner, office desk chairs).

Or, consider giving the gift of your TIME to the center! We always need more nurses, client advocates and support.

If you have questions, please message me!

If you don't live locally, please consider supporting a pregnancy center near you!

Day 13—Consider…Give!

Day 13--Consider...Give!

Today, consider writing a note or letter of appreciation to someone you love.

Don't assume that your spouse, children, parents, siblings or others know how you feel about them.

Take time to write it out and give it to them so that they can keep your words forever.

In this digital age, don't forget the power of a hand-written, heartfelt note.

Day 12—Consider…Give!

Day 12--Consider...Give!

Today, considering giving a few quarters (or a whole role) to help with a local laundry ministry, "Loads of Love."

"Loads of Love" offers laundry services to homeless shelters.

Everyone deserves the dignity of wearing clean clothes.

If you would like more info, please contact me or message Amie York.

Day 11—Consider…Give!

Day 11--.Consider...Give

Today, consider giving a gift that keeps on giving.

Instead of buying someone who needs nothing another token gift, give a gift in their honor!

Many organizations have programs that allow you to purchase livestock for families in impoverished countries.

Buy a cow, goat, or chickens that will provide food and/or income for a family.

Contact Project HOPEFUL Awassa, Heifer International, Samaritan's Purse or other groups that offer this program.

Day 10—Consider…Give!

Day 10...Consider...GIVE!!

Today, consider sending a card to someone who is overlooked, shut in, lonely or sick.

For the price of a stamp, you can remind someone that they are not forgotten.

I have an individual in mind, so if you need a suggestion, message me!

Day 9—Consider…Give!

Day 9--Consider...GIVE!

Today, consider giving up a cup of Starbucks or lunch out.

Consider emptying a piggy bank or checking the couch cushions for spare change.

Do you have $5 to spare?

Look around you and find someone to bless!

If you would like to put your $5 toward a bigger gift, contact me!

I am working on several time sensitive collections for families in need.

If your basic needs are being met, you are BLESSED.

Look around for someone who needs food or heat today.

Let's make sure the people in our community are being cared for!

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

Day 8—Consider…Give!

Day 8...Consider...Give!

Today, consider a widow/widower that you know and choose to bless her/him this holiday season.

The holidays are especially lonely and painful for those who have said good bye to their spouses.

There are so many ways you can bless someone who is lonely!

*Call every week throughout to holiday season and let them know you are thinking of them.

*Invite them into your home for coffee or a meal.

*Check in to see if they need anything, be certain they have heat and that other bills are paid.

*Visit them and look through photo albums with them, ask lots of questions about their spouse and children.

*Gather friends to go sing carols, or take a guitar and sing worship songs or hymns together.

*Bake cookies together.

*Deliver a simple gift with a card

.*Ask God what He would have you do and then go do it!

"Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her." 1 Timothy 5:3 (NTL)

Day 7—Consider…Give!

Day 7--Consider...GIVE!

Today, consider giving yourself a BREAK!

Take time to rest, relax, watch a holiday movie, take a nap, spend time with your family and regroup!

This time of year can be so very chaotic, make sure you take time to REST!

Day 6—Consider…Give!

Day 6...Consider...GIVE.

Yesterday, we were challenged to learn more about human trafficking in our world.

Today, I ask you to consider doing something TANGIBLE to help survivors who have been rescued from human trafficking.

My friends at New Creation are holding a supply drive for two rescue homes.

Consider stopping by the Dollar Tree or Target (or your own shelves if you are a coupon-er who stocks good deals) and pick up shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, feminine supplies, journals, Bibles, devotionals, etc.

Spend $1 or $20, all of our combined efforts will bless the ladies.

If you have questions, message me!

Day 5—Consider…Give!

Day 5—Consider…Give!

Today, I challenge you to give a few minutes of your time to consider the reality of human trafficking in our community, our state, our nation and our world

.Don't know much about human trafficking?

Do you think this is something that only happens elsewhere?

"Like" groups on Facebook such as International Justice Mission, Richmond Justice Initiative, The A21 Campaign, and Exodus Cry to learn more.

On the local front, New Creation is doing so much to raise a voice and bring this to the attention of others.

Today, invest a few moments of your time to become informed about modern day slavery.

Tomorrow, I will give you a practical, tangible way to help!

Day 4—Consider…Give!

Day 4--Consider...GIVE.

Today, consider someone you know who will be alone for Christmas.

Invite them to your home for a meal, or for cookies and hot cocoa.

If you are able, give them a gift (big or small) to remind them that they are not forgotten.

Day 3—Consider…Give!

Day 3--Consider...Give!

Today, consider giving the gift of your time to someone.

Begin with your family, and branch out from there.

Snuggle with your child and look at photo albums together, watch a cheesy Christmas movie with your family or share an unhurried meal.

Consider a co-worker who needs a listening ear, a shut-in who feels forsaken or a neighbor who is lonely.

Day 2—Consider…Give!

Day 2--Consider...GIVE!

Today, consider giving $5 to help bring a sweet baby girl home to her forever family!

In just a few short weeks, thousands were raised to bless this next step of Adrian and Lauren Mills' adoption journey.

$360 is needed and I have a friend who will match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to $180!

If you are able to donate $5 (or more), simply use Jennifer Testa's Paypal account jennifertesta3@gmail.com.

Bypass Starbucks or lunch out today and do something ETERNAL for this family today!

**Note, this goal was met by the following week!

Day 1—Consider…Give!

Day 1--Consider...Give!

Today, consider giving something that COSTS NOTHING but MEANS SOMETHING to someone today.

**A smile**

**A hug**

**A kind word**

**Your time**

**A listening ear**

**A prayer**