Seriously, with all the greed associated with the modern celebration, I do not think I want anything this year. Every year I am asked (especially by the relative that draws my name) what I want. Every year I cannot think of anything. So I get some article of clothing or a CD I listen to three or four times. So this year, I am asking for donations to one of the ministries or charities listed below. So, if you are the relative who got my name this year, take your pick. Make it anonymous- you don't even have to give in my name.
Heart Cry Missionary Society. This organization finds native missionaries and supports them. From the website:
Our greatest concern is that His Name be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun (Malachi 1:11), and that the Lamb who was slain might receive the full reward for His sufferings (Revelation 7:9-10).
The Wounded Warrior Project, which desires “...to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally.” They provide things like counseling services for servicemen wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other things like backpacks with toiletries, etc, for their hospital stay.
The Salvation Army. I know it is more of a social than spiritual ministry in modern times, but this organizatoin does more to help the poor than anything Washington does.
Your local food bank. The economy has caused so many to loose their jobs that many former donors are current users.
There are several other worthy causes out there. This year, instead of piling up more useless stuff, why don't we all give to those more needy than we are?
1 comment:
Hi Peter,
I tried to comment before and somehow lost it, so I'll try again.
I liked your post, and it's a good idea. For the last couple of years I have been giving to St.Joseph's Lakota School in the name of my deceased son. And I also like Salvation Army.
If most of our shopping went toward giving, it would simplify the season and probably cut way down on the stress---and all the more so when you really just don't know if the other person needs anything. But, I confess that old habits die hard. I'm cutting down this year, but not out entirely. ;-)
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