Monday, November 18, 2013

Christmas Ideas

Christmas Ideas
"Buy a locker.  Decorate a locker."



We have witnessed God do exceedingly and abundantly above anything we have asked for or even thought of.  Through God’s Word, we have learned what true religion is and what He requires of us.  If you have followed our journey to India and have been moved with compassion for the children at the Truth Children’s Home Orphanage, then I hope you are as excited as I am to see their needs being met. 

The Zurishaddai Church now has a concrete roof!  The church members can now meet and the children can now sleep protected from the weather.  The pillars to the upper floor are set and the children’s rooms are now being built.  I stand amazed!  His grace is abundant and He gives us such marvelous gifts.

With my last blog in mind (Jesus as our focus and our greatest gift), I would like to present you with some practical things to consider.  Most of us have so many things, we don’t know even know what to do with them all.  What if, this year, we considered giving more than receiving?

Here are a few Christmas/Keeping-Jesus-as-our-focus ideas:  

  • 13 of the 32 children have been sponsored.  Praise God!  There are still 8 girls and 11 boys that could benefit greatly from your sponsorship.  Could you commit to $25/month?  This would provide for a child’s food, clothing, shelter, and education.
  • Funds are being raised to provide bunk beds for the children.  They are still approximately $1,500 short.  Would you be interested in giving toward this need?
  • Each child needs a space to put their belongings.  A metal locker can be made for $20 each.  They would each have a space of their own to keep their clothing, school books, etc.  Would you be willing to purchase one or more of these lockers?   How much fun would it be to send letters, drawings, and decorations for them to display on their own lockers??
  • Perhaps you, your family, or your church would be interested in sending a Christmas box to the children.  Like the Operation Christmas Child program, you could pack a shoebox and send it with some necessities, a Bible Story, and even a toy or two to the children.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either myself or Pastor Wilson Babu.  If you haven’t already noticed, this is something I love to talk about. J 

May God make us worthy of His calling.


The lockers.

Children praying before bed. 


Children singing before bed.

Church after construction.

Pastor P.Wilson Babu and Sister Jemimah with their three daughters.

Friday, November 15, 2013

My Christmas Wish List



My Christmas Wish List
Christmas, 2013




Jingle Bells is playing at the mall and Santa’s chair is ready.  Soon the lights will line the streets and Amazon will send out thousands of boxes with a smile.  We ask all our loved ones for their Christmas Wish List.  The children, full of hope, write them down one by one.  Most of our favorite stores would go out of business if it wasn’t for that black day.

I know I should be thinking this is the most wonderful time of the year, but all I can feel is the dread of credit card bills.

What have we done?

This day to remember our King come in the flesh.  It has been degraded to serve our own flesh.  This day the angels sang, Gloria, is now a day to review what needs to be returned for something more fitting.

Before you label me as a “Bah Humbug”, let me tell you that deep down inside, I love this day!  I want to create traditions and wonderful memories with my children.  My cart is full of the things on everyone’s list!  I want to see the pleasing smiles and be given that thankful hug.  I want to see them happy and I want to feel appreciated.  I just wonder how something about God and His gift to us has become all about what I want.

Sin.  That dreadful word.  That subject that is rarely taught about anymore.  It has to be the reason.

We are sinners from birth.  Our nature is self-centered and rejects God.  We always crave more, but more of what?  We actually believe these “things” will fill the void!  Yet, all the while, serving our self is the very thing that brings death.

Jesus.  Oh, how I need Him!  He is the only one that can forgive my sins and fill this void. 

Through his birth, death, and resurrection, we can trade that selfish heart of stone with a heart of flesh.  His love for us is greater than anything we can create or buy or put on our wish list.  It is given freely to all who will believe.  Now that’s what we should be celebrating! 

Who really remembers the gifts they received in years past anyway?  Did it bring the joy you had hoped for?  None of the presents under your tree will fill the void in your heart, but the gift that Jesus gave you, will.

As we head into this Christmas season, I hope we will remember these truths and place our focus on the ONE true gift that we all desperately need. JESUS. 


He is all I need.  He is all I want.  In case you were planning to ask, there is nothing more on my wish list.