world vision gift catalog

If you haven’t seen this already then this is something you definitely need to check out. It is the World Vision Gift Catalog. It is a giving service through World Vision that allows you to give gifts that will supply the basic needs of a family. From one year of education ($32) to my personal favorite… the goat ($75). Here is what World Vision says about the gift of a goat…

Goats nourish hungry children and families with healthy milk, cheese, and yogurt. Goats also give a much-needed income boost by providing offspring and extra dairy products for sale at the market. A healthy dairy goat can give up to 16 cups of milk a day. Goat milk is easier to digest than cow’s milk and is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients that growing children need. Goats are practical animals — flourishing in harsh climates while producing valuable manure to fertilize crops and vegetable gardens.

You can also attach the gift to a friend who would receive a really nice card. The card describes the gift and it’s benefit for the family receiving the gift. This is a great gift for your children or for the person who “already has everything”. Check it out!

World Vision Gift Catalog

oh holy night

This song was written by an abolitionist. It was once banned from ever being sung in church, and yet became the first song ever heard on the radio. Read the amazing story behind this song. The Story of Oh Holy Night.

the beauty of christmas

It’s the old songs that remind us of the beauty of Christmas. The music of Christmas beginnings… the music of a savior coming to rescue the world. One of these songs, Oh Holy Night, has captivated me from the first time I heard it with it’s beautifully piercing cry to “fall on your knees! oh hear the angels voices“. It’s the beauty of words reminding us of the power of heaven breaking into our world on that not so silent night. Up until this past week I had never heard (paid attention?) to the 3rd verse of this song. Take a few minutes and read these lyrics from the Christmas carol… hymn? worship song? All I can say is… wow.

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Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra!

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and leave a favorite quote from the great theologian Dr. Seuss. So enjoy Christmas with your families and know that I am eagerly looking forward to being with you all in January.

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more” - Dr. Seuss

The Best Gift of the Year

>>>>The World Vision Gift Catalog

The Gathering

I cannot tell you how much I looked fwd: to and enjoyed this past Saturday night. Meeting with everyone and talking about what it means for all of us to join together in bringing the Kingdom of Heaven here to earth was so… satisfying. Beginning this journey with all of you as we move into the Advent Season was the greatest Christmas gift I have ever had. Honestly. I cannot wait until we meet again.

One of my favorite parts of the evening was when Sam Jones told us guys what he was doing with his Christmas. How many teenagers do you know who tell their mom and dad to skip their gifts and give a family in Africa a goat and two chickens? Sam, you are truly living and displaying the Kingdom of God as you give yourself away to give to those in need. I am so proud of you and the man you are becoming.

So what were some of your favorite moments from the evening? What hit you? What made you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Grace to you. Joshua