This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior ...€¦ · Before I was born, my mama...
Transcript of This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior ...€¦ · Before I was born, my mama...
This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Focus on the Family invites you to Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus on earth. As Christians, we are called to help others and lead them into the light of Christ by being His shining example to those around us. This season of faith and giving, we are offering you this free resource kit to help you to Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus to those in your community— and around the world.
We’ve gathered the best resources to help you and your family live your faith this Christmas—uplifting letters, practical ideas for serving, thought-provoking books and magazines, information from our friends at Operation Christmas Child® and more.
So dig in and get inspired! You and your family may be the only Jesus that a person in need will ever meet.
SERVING AS A FAMILYMake Giving a Part of Everyday Living ................... 4
Ideas for Serving as a Family ................................ 5
Family Devotional ................................................. 5
Free Magazine Subscription .................................. 5
Advent Calendar .................................................. 6
SERVING AS A COUPLEIdeas for Serving as a Couple ............................... 8
Serving Together as a Couple ................................ 8
Making an Impact in Your World ............................ 8
SERVING FOR KIDSChildren’s Magazines ......................................... 10
Kids Like You ..................................................... 10
Build a Box ........................................................ 11
SERVING THROUGH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDFollow Your Box Around the World ....................... 13
Host a Packing Party .......................................... 14
CARING FOR ORPHANSDaily Prayer Calendar ......................................... 16
Be a Blessing ..................................................... 18
Creative Ideas .................................................... 18
Oliver Twist ........................................................ 19
Excerpt from ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart .................................... 20
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SERVING AS A FAMILY
Make Giving a Part of Everyday Living ............4
Ideas for Serving as a Family .........................5
Family Devotional ..........................................5
Advent Calendar ...........................................6
3
Make Giving a Part of Everyday Living
by Dean Ridings
As our four children were growing up, we sought to make giving a part of everyday living. In
the process, we’ve discovered time and again the truth of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give
than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
My wife, Kim, and I didn’t have to look far to find places to give. We started with our neighbors.
We would bake fresh goodies, pack them up and deliver them via red wagon to the families
on our street. Our kids were a bit confused at first as the cookies that they worked so hard to
prepare went into gift packages. But they learned to love the smiles on our neighbors’ faces
come delivery time.
We learned about an organization dedicated to sharing Christ’s love with international college
students by connecting them with “friendship partner” families for meals, events and the like.
Throughout the years, we have opened our home to students from many nations. Our family
especially enjoyed it when some of our new friends made us a special meal prepared in the
Japanese tradition.
We also discovered a host of opportunities through our local church. Our family donated
supplies for the church food pantry and always brought canned goods when the church took
up a special collection for local charities when their supplies ran low.
Finally, Christmas proved a natural time to give. Each year our kids would provide gifts to needy
children through Prison Fellowship’s Project Angel Tree® program or the Samaritan’s Purse
ministry, Operation Christmas Child®. These organizations helped us come together as a family
as we shopped, selected and wrapped gifts together. Our kids were particularly helpful when
it came to selecting gifts for children their own age. (They seemed to know exactly what they
would want.)
Our hearts were encouraged by the fact that the folks at Prison Fellowship and Operation
Christmas Child included a reflection of Christ’s love in the form of a comic book or pamphlet
with each gift to tell the young recipients about the greatest gift of all, God’s Son, Jesus.
In fact, when we hung our stockings on the fireplace mantle each year, our family included a
stocking for Jesus. In it we placed something to remember our gifts by—an angel, a brochure,
an advertisement. Because these gifts were His, we gave them to others in His name.
“All this helped us to understand the great needs there are nearby and around
the world,” says our daughter Becca, now a young adult. “It gave us the
opportunity to use what God had blessed us with to bless others. It’s part of
who we are and what we do today.”
Dean Ridings is on staff with Focus on the Family.
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Ideas for Serving as a FamilyOne of the best ways that we can model God’s love is through our good works for others. Think of ways that you can all work together as a family to serve the people of your community. Invite your children to offer their own ideas—you may be surprised at what they come up with. Here are some suggestions:
• Organize a canned food drive at your church. • Volunteer as a family at your local food bank.• Bring an elderly neighbor a gift box packed with treats.• Have older children volunteer to do yard work for elderly neighbors.• Invite a single soldier to a holiday dinner. • Volunteer to care for a soldier’s pet while they are deployed. • Make cards for military members overseas. • Sponsor an orphan overseas.• Create care packages for teens in local group homes. Include toiletries,
candy, MP3 gift cards (can be as little as $5), hats, gloves, etc.
Family Devotion: You Can Work as a Family to Serve Others
VIsit ThrivingFamily.com for great content like this short and practical devotional.Click here or scan the QR code to read the devotional.
Free Magazine Subscription!Thriving Family® magazine is your go-to resource for all things marriage and family. From helpful tips on strengthening your relationship to fun and simple craft projects for you and your kids, Thriving Family is a great way to make every day count. And the best part? It’s absolutely free! In every issue, you’ll get:
• age-specific parenting advice • faith-based family activities• marriage tips• book reviews• support for single parents and blended families • and much more!
Click here, scan the QR code or call 800-A-FAMILY to start your FREE subscription today!
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Knowing Him by Name
The Thriving Family 2012 Advent Activity Calendar
Since our sons, Trent and Troy, were little, we’ve gathered as a family for
a devotional time during the Christmas season. Some years, that’s been
daunting, but as the boys have grown older, it’s become easier for all of
us to keep focused. Then on Christmas morning, we rise with the sun,
open gifts and enjoy a breakfast feast of red and green pancakes. Traditions
are an integral part of our family, but we’re always eager to refresh our
perspective on Christmas.
Through all the ups and downs of this past year, I’m reminded of the true
reason behind the season—not the colorful presents and pancakes, but
the story of the newborn King. The birth of Jesus is the gift that gives
meaning to all gifts, and I want our boys to have a genuine understanding
of the mighty Savior who arrived as a baby and was laid in a manger.
I want them to truly know Jesus and His role in our lives.
As a father, I’m pleased to present The Thriving Family 2012 Advent
calendar, a practical, convenient way to journey through the season with
your children. This year’s theme teaches the names of Jesus, and we’ll
focus on how Scripture uses different names to describe the character and
role of the Savior. The pages of our calendar are filled with faith-based
activities that will help your children develop a deeper understanding of
the identity of Jesus. He is the Word, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the
Lamb of God!
As you and your children study the Scriptures and enjoy the activities,
I hope you will gain a new understanding of Jesus and of that silent night
in Bethlehem.
Jim Daly
Click Here or scan the QR code to download the Advent Calendar, which includes more service ideas for your family.
SERVING AS A COUPLE
Ideas for Serving as a Couple...........................8
Serving Together as a Couple .........................8
Making an Impact in Your World .....................8
7
Ideas for Serving as a Couple One of the best ways to make every day count with your spouse is the gift of time. And spending time together serving others can help you and your spouse grow closer than ever before—and it’s simpler than you might think.
• Work in a soup kitchen, food bank, rescue mission or homeless shelter. • Volunteer as Salvation Army bell ringers. It can take as little as an hour, but it
means a lot. • Adopt a military family, especially when a spouse is deployed. • Host a Christmas open house. A bag of pretzels, a can of peanuts, a plate of
cookies and something to drink are all you need. Caring enough to reach out to your neighbors is what really matters.
• As an extra way to touch the world during the holidays, participate in Operation Christmas Child.
• You can also buy a pig or goat for a needy family through SamaritansPurse.org.
Serving Together as a Couple In this insightful article series by Susan Mathis, co-author of Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage, you’ll find excellent tips and advice for building a stronger marriage through acts of service.
Click here or scan the QR code to read the article now.
Making an Impact in Your World In this broadcast, Jim Daly and John Fuller share inspiring examples of everyday people in everyday situations who, by simply living out their faith, are making a big impact on the world around them. Use these examples for inspiration to serve in your own communities this season.
Click here or scan the QR code to listen to the broadcast now.
Susan Mathis and her book Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage
Click here or scan the QR code to purchase this book.
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SERVING FOR KIDS
Children’s Magazines ..................................10
Kids Like You ..............................................10
Build a Box .................................................11
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kids like you
•
®
My name is Alina. Before I was
born, my mama started packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child with her mama (my grandma). The first time I helped pack a shoebox, I was just a toddler.
Now I am 7, and I still like to pack shoeboxes. In June, I had a lemonade stand so I could earn my own money for the Operation Christmas Child project. In four
hours, I made $42! We went to the dollar store, and I found all kinds of small gifts.
In the girl’s shoebox, I put bracelets and necklaces, barrettes, headbands, soft socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, teddy bear, ball, candy, pencil, kaleidoscope,
markers and pink boots!I filled four shoeboxes
for boys because Grandma said not as many people pack boy boxes. The boys got things like a small football, flashlight, stuffed dog, toothbrush, toothpaste, mini Frisbee, Play-Doh, a poncho and a coloring book!
I taped a letter and a picture of my family under each lid, and we prayed for the kids who would get our boxes.
I like doing Operation Christmas Child because we’re helping kids know about God’s love. It’s important for them to learn about God so they can go to heaven.
name: Alina G.
age: 7
home: Colorado
hobbies: coloring and
painting
Children’s Magazines Focus on the Family Clubhouse® and Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr.® magazinesKids can serve others, too. On this page and the next you’ll find sample content from Focus on the Family’s great children’s magazines. And now you can get a special deal on a one-year subscription to Clubhouse or Clubhouse Jr. for just $10—nearly 50% off the regular rate!
Click here, scan the QR code, or call 800-A-FAMILY to learn more now.
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Did you know . . .• Since it began, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 100 million shoe-box gifts to hurting kids around the world.
• If one year’s shoe-box gifts were stacked on top of each other, they would stand 146 times taller than Mount Everest! (Mount Everest is the world’s tallest mountain at 29,035 feet.)
• Shoe-box gifts travel by truck, boat, plane, bicycle, helicopter, donkey, dogsled, elephant and even oxen!Search down, across and diagonally to find gifts
you can pack in an Operation Christmas Child shoe box:
Build a Box
PaPerPencilsPhotosoaPsocKstoothBrushtoothPaste
BallcoMBcrayonsdollGuMKaZoonote
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SERVING THROUGH OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD®
Follow Your Box Around the World ����������������13
Host a Packing Party �����������������������������������14
12
12
PACK
AND
PRA
YFi
ll a
shoe
bo
x w
ith
toys
, sch
ool
supp
lies
and
hygi
ene
item
s. P
ray
for t
he c
hild
w
ho w
ill
rece
ive
yo
ur b
ox.
GIVE
ON
LINE
Go
to
sam
arita
nspu
rse.
org/
occ
and
fill o
ut th
e Fo
llow
You
r Box
form
. P
rint o
ut th
e
cust
om g
irl/b
oy la
bel
we
emai
l to
you
and
affix
it to
the
top
of
your
box
.
GET
STAR
TED!
Sca
n th
e Q
R c
ode
with
yo
ur m
obile
dev
ice
to d
onat
e on
line.
Yo
u w
ill re
ceiv
e an
em
ail w
ith y
our
cust
om p
rinta
ble
Follo
w Y
our B
ox la
bel.
34
DROP
OFF
YOU
R BO
XB
ring
your
fille
d bo
x to
on
e of
mor
e th
an 3
,200
dr
op-o
ff lo
catio
ns
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nwid
e. F
rom
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the
boxe
s ar
e tra
nspo
rted
to re
gion
al p
roce
ssin
g ce
nter
s an
d pr
epar
ed
by v
olun
teer
s fo
r sh
ipm
ent o
vers
eas.
FOLL
OW Y
OUR
BOX
Onc
e yo
ur
shoe
box
gift
ha
s be
en
ship
ped,
you
w
ill re
ceiv
e an
em
ail
notif
ying
you
of
the
coun
try
dest
inat
ion
of
your
box
.
to g
et m
e ar
ou
nd
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orl
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nly
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es$
7
FOLL
OW Y
OU
R BO
X Giv
e Onli
ne to
aroun
d the
wor
ld
13
Build a Box Online Bless a needy child by giving a shoe box gift online. You will select your age and gender, then choose from a selection of toys, hygiene items and school supplies to go in your box. You can even write a letter and upload a photo. Then, your box will be on its way to a child in need! You can also gift the Build A Box fun to friends and family!
Click here or scan the QR code to learn more now.
How to Pack a BoxWe have all the tips and tricks you need to give your Christmas Child an amazing box filled with gifts and inspiration.
Click here or scan the QR code to read the article now.
Shoe Box Scripture TreasureGive a child in need the best gift of all—the knowledge of God’s everlasting love— through a handmade Scripture keepsake that you and your kids can make together.
Click here or scan the QR code to learn more now.
Stationery KitYou can become a pen pal to your Christmas Child! Learn what it’s like to live in their country and tell them about life where you live. You can make it easy for your sponsored child to write back to you by creating a stationery kit to put in their box.
Supplies:• Paper • Pens and pencils• Self-addressed, stamped envelopes (and a few blank ones)
Be sure to send your child a letter with their package so that they know you want to be pen pals. Tell them about your family, friends and things you like to do in your spare time. And be sure to ask lots of questions about them!
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CARING FOR ORPHANS
Daily Prayer Calendar ����������������������������������16
Be a Blessing ����������������������������������������������18
Creative Ideas ���������������������������������������������18
Oliver Twist �������������������������������������������������19
Excerpt from ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart �����������������������������20
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DAILY PRAYER CALENDAR | GET INVOLVED | 16
Daily Prayer CalendarChildren come into the United States foster care system for various reasons, including neglect, abuse, abandonment and substance abuse by their primary caretakers. Historically, the church has cared for children such as these out of obedience to God’s repeated mandate to care for the marginalized. However, many Christians today are simply unsure of what they can do to make a difference.
The National Foster Care Prayer Vigil was created to call followers of Christ wherever they are to ask the God of the Universe to do great and mighty things on their behalf. He hears our prayers, and we know He will answer our plea for these precious children and for the people who love and care for them.
Perhaps the best place to start is on our knees, crying out to a Holy God on behalf of these children, their birth families, their foster families and their social workers.
The easy-to-use prayer calendar on the next page will help you and your family remember to pray for kids in need of forever families—as well as the churches, agencies and partners involved in the process.
Prayers within the calendar are from the “Foster Care Prayer Guide” by the Cry of the Orphan™ collaborative campaign.
Supplies:• Two hands for prayer• Caring heart for orphans• A place to hang the calendar
Instructions:Print one calendar per month (you can find the calendar on the next page), then fill in the month and days in the blank spaces provided. Hang the calendar on your refrigerator or mirror to remind you and your family to say a special prayer each day.
“Learn to do rig
ht! Seek justice,
encourage the
oppressed. Defen
d the cause of t
he fatherless;
plead the case o
f the widow.” Isa
iah 1:17 (NIV)
Mod
el u
sed
for i
llust
rativ
e pu
rpos
e on
ly.
16
:
DAILY PRAYER CALENDAR | GET INVOLVED | 17
Seek
the
LORD
and
His
st
reng
th; S
eek
His
face
co
ntin
ually
. Rem
embe
r Hi
s w
onde
rs w
hich
He
has
done
, His
mar
vels
and
the
judg
men
ts u
ttere
d by
His
m
outh
[...]
Ps
alm
105
:4-5
NAS
B
Pray
that
the
child
ren
in th
e fo
ster
car
e sy
stem
wou
ld
com
e to
kno
w J
esus
as
thei
r Lo
rd a
nd S
avio
r.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld
tran
sfor
m th
ese
child
ren’
s liv
es a
nd h
eart
s an
d th
at th
ey
wou
ld b
e ab
le to
forg
ive
thos
e w
ho h
ave
wro
nged
them
.
Pray
for t
he th
ousa
nds
of
youn
g ad
ults
who
hav
e “a
ged
out”
of t
he c
hild
wel
fare
sy
stem
, tha
t the
y m
ight
stil
l fin
d a
Chris
tian
fore
ver f
amily
, th
at th
ey m
ight
find
men
tors
, an
d th
at th
ey w
ould
com
e to
kn
ow J
esus
.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld
enco
urag
e ou
r sta
te’s
soc
ial
wor
kers
, tha
t the
y w
ould
ex
perie
nce
grea
t joy
in th
eir
wor
k an
d th
at th
ey w
ould
not
gr
ow w
eary
in d
oing
goo
d.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld p
rovi
de
wha
t is
nece
ssar
y fo
r our
st
ate’
s so
cial
wor
kers
to
do th
eir j
obs
wel
l, an
d th
at
law
mak
ers
wou
ld c
ontin
ue to
pr
ovid
e fu
nds
for t
he s
yste
m
to o
pera
te e
ffect
ivel
y an
d in
a
way
that
is b
est f
or th
e ch
ildre
n.
My
soul
, wai
ts in
sile
nce
for
God
only
, for
my
hope
is fr
om
Him
. He
only
is m
y ro
ck a
nd
my
salv
atio
n, m
y st
rong
hold
; I s
hall
not b
e sh
aken
. On
God
my
salv
atio
n an
d m
y gl
ory
rest
; the
rock
of m
y st
reng
th,
my
refu
ge is
in G
od [.
..]
[...]
Trus
t in
Him
at a
ll tim
es,
O pe
ople
; pou
r out
you
r hea
rt
befo
re H
im; G
od is
a re
fuge
fo
r us.
Ps
alm
62:
5-8
NAS
B
Pray
that
God
wou
ld d
raw
th
ese
child
ren’
s bi
olog
ical
fa
mili
es to
Him
self
and
that
th
ey w
ould
exp
erie
nce
the
lif
e tr
ansf
orm
atio
n th
at w
ill
allo
w th
em to
par
ent t
heir
child
ren
wel
l.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld in
terv
ene
in th
e liv
es o
f oth
er a
t-ris
k fa
mili
es, a
nd p
rovi
de th
em
with
men
tors
who
can
hel
p pr
even
t the
rem
oval
of t
heir
child
ren
in th
e fir
st p
lace
.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld ra
ise
up a
n ar
my
of g
odly
fost
er
pare
nts
who
are
equ
ally
co
mm
itted
to re
unifi
catio
n an
d ad
optio
n w
hen
nece
ssar
y, tr
ustin
g Go
d al
one
for t
he o
utco
me
He d
esire
s.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld ra
ise
up
peop
le in
man
y ch
urch
es to
la
unch
min
istr
ies
for o
rpha
ns
and
wai
ting
child
ren,
and
th
at m
any
of th
ese
min
istr
ies
wou
ld b
ecom
e en
gage
d w
ith
the
child
wel
fare
sys
tem
.
Pray
that
mor
e an
d m
ore
chur
ch le
ader
s w
ould
resp
ond
to th
e ne
eds
in fo
ster
car
e an
d w
ould
act
ivel
y en
gage
in
the
child
wel
fare
sys
tem
.
Pray
that
bel
ieve
rs a
ll ov
er
the
stat
e w
ould
be
cons
umed
w
ith c
ompa
ssio
n fo
r the
ch
ildre
n in
fost
er c
are,
and
w
ould
mak
e th
emse
lves
av
aila
ble
for h
ow G
od w
ants
to
use
them
.
Pray
that
bel
ieve
rs in
our
st
ate
wou
ld b
e un
ified
in
Chris
t and
that
our
uni
ty
arou
nd th
is is
sue
wou
ld d
raw
ot
hers
to H
im.
Ask
God
wha
t He
wou
ld h
ave
us d
o in
the
futu
re in
rela
tion
to th
e fo
ster
car
e sy
stem
and
th
e ch
ildre
n an
d fa
mili
es it
se
rves
.
Ask,
and
it w
ill b
e gi
ven
to
you;
see
k, a
nd y
ou w
ill fi
nd;
knoc
k, a
nd it
will
be
open
ed
to y
ou. F
or e
very
one
who
as
ks re
ceiv
es, a
nd h
e w
ho
seek
s fin
ds, a
nd to
him
who
kn
ocks
it w
ill b
e op
ened
. M
atth
ew 7
:7-8
NAS
B
Pray
for c
urre
nt fo
ster
pa
rent
s, th
at th
ey w
ould
no
t los
e he
art a
nd th
at th
ey
wou
ld b
e di
ligen
t in
seek
ing
just
ice
for t
he c
hild
ren
in th
eir
care
.
Pray
that
pot
entia
l ado
ptiv
e fa
mili
es w
ill s
tep
forw
ard
and
not g
row
dis
cour
aged
whi
le
wai
ting
to b
ecom
e qu
alifi
ed to
ad
opt c
hild
ren
in o
ur s
tate
.
[...]
they
hel
p ea
ch
othe
r and
say
to th
eir
com
pani
ons,
“Be
str
ong!
” Is
aiah
41:
6 N
IV
Pray
that
fam
ilies
who
hav
e al
read
y ad
opte
d ch
ildre
n fr
om fo
ster
car
e w
ould
hav
e w
isdo
m a
nd w
ould
exp
erie
nce
God’
s gr
ace
as th
ey p
aren
t th
eir c
hild
ren.
Pray
that
fost
er fa
mili
es
wou
ld h
ave
the
abili
ty to
see
th
ese
child
ren
as th
ey s
ee
thei
r bio
logi
cal c
hild
ren—
as
gifts
from
God
that
des
erve
to
be
care
d fo
r in
the
best
w
ay p
ossi
ble.
Spea
k up
for t
hose
who
ca
nnot
spe
ak fo
r the
mse
lves
[..
.]
Prov
erbs
31:
8a N
IV
Ask
God
to s
how
you
way
s yo
u ca
n sp
eak
up fo
r oth
ers
in
this
nex
t wee
k.
Pray
for t
he fa
mili
es o
f the
w
orke
rs, t
hat t
he o
verw
helm
ing
real
ities
they
exp
erie
nce
each
da
y w
ill n
ot p
reve
nt th
em fr
om
givi
ng 1
00 p
erce
nt a
t hom
e.
Pray
that
the
wor
kers
will
see
k ju
stic
e fo
r eve
ryon
e in
volv
ed.
Whe
n th
ey h
ad e
nter
ed th
e ci
ty, t
hey
wen
t up
to th
e up
per r
oom
whe
re th
ey w
ere
stay
ing;
[...]
The
se a
ll w
ith o
ne
min
d w
ere
cont
inua
lly
devo
ting
them
selv
es to
pra
yer
[...]
Acts
1:1
3-14
NAS
B
Pray
that
God
wou
ld ra
ise
up la
bore
rs to
fill
ever
y vo
id:
judg
es, a
ttorn
eys,
gua
rdia
ns
ad li
tem
, soc
ial w
orke
rs,
cour
t app
oint
ed s
peci
al
advo
cate
s (C
ASA)
, sup
port
st
aff,
ther
apis
ts a
nd o
ther
s.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld d
raw
th
ese
wor
kers
to H
imse
lf,
that
thei
r mot
ivat
ion
mig
ht b
e ro
oted
in th
e Go
spel
and
its
abili
ty to
do
the
impo
ssib
le
and
tran
sfor
m li
ves.
Relig
ion
that
God
our
Fa
ther
acc
epts
as
pure
and
fa
ultle
ss is
this
: to
look
afte
r or
phan
s an
d w
idow
s in
thei
r di
stre
ss [.
..]
Jam
es 1
:27
NIV
Pray
that
God
wou
ld m
ove
mor
e Ch
ristia
ns to
laun
ch
care
ers
in th
e ch
ild w
elfa
re
syst
em.
Pray
that
thes
e ch
ildre
n w
ould
ex
perie
nce
God’
s lo
ve th
roug
h th
e lo
ve a
nd c
are
give
n to
th
em b
y al
l inv
olve
d in
the
child
wel
fare
sys
tem
.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld o
pen
door
s to
kee
p si
blin
g gr
oups
in
tact
or i
n co
ntac
t with
one
an
othe
r as
they
gro
w u
p.
I am
the
Lord
, the
God
of a
ll m
anki
nd. I
s an
ythi
ng to
o ha
rd
for m
e?
Jere
mia
h 32
:27
NIV
Pray
that
God
wou
ld p
rovi
de
each
of t
hese
chi
ldre
n w
ith
a “f
orev
er fa
mily
,” a
nd th
at
God
wou
ld p
repa
re th
e
hear
ts o
f the
se c
hild
ren
to
be re
ady
for t
he fa
mili
es H
e w
ill
prov
ide
them
.
Pray
that
God
wou
ld h
eal t
he
deep
hur
ts th
ese
child
ren
have
exp
erie
nced
and
pro
tect
th
em fr
om fu
ture
har
m.
17
BE A BLESSING | GET INVOLVED | 18
Be a BlessingJust because you can’t bring a child in foster care into your home doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference in their lives! There are countless ways to be a blessing to kids in foster care. Volunteering, donating and encouraging others are only the beginning of your journey to bringing smiles to the faces of waiting kids in your community. Working with your local human services division or other licensed child placing agency is the best way to get connected. For more information on agencies and ministries in the your area, click here.
Creative ideas and activities for the whole family to get involved!
• Pray regularly for the kids in foster care, the social workers in your city and the judges and caseworkers that are making decisions on behalf of children and youth.
• Volunteer at your county’s child welfare office.
• Clean up the playground at the county child welfare office.
• Surprise county child welfare staff with baked goods or lunch once a month.
• Create and donate “care” bags with items such as toothbrushes, soaps, shampoo and something comforting—a hand-knitted blanket or small stuffed animal.
• Donate items such as cosmetics, hygiene products, pre-paid cards for music downloads, or new or gently used books to local group homes.
• Host a “drive” for in-need kids items like backpacks, books, toys, games or art supplies. (Ask your local contacts what they need!)
• Encourage teens to get certified to provide babysitting or respite care to kids in foster care. Work with your local child welfare office or licensed agency to do this. (This is easy for adults too, not just teens!)
• Volunteer to be a mentor to a child in foster care.
• Offer to take a group of kids to a local matinee. Ask about discounts and specials for non-profits/community members in need.
For more information, visit iCareAboutOrphans.org
“The Spirit you received brought about your
adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba,
Father.’” Rom. 8:15
Mod
el u
sed
for i
llust
rativ
e pu
rpos
e on
ly.
18
OLIVER TWIST | LISTEN | 19
Oliver TwistFocus on the Family Radio Theatre® presents the inspirational tale Oliver Twist. Escape to another place and time with this full-cast audio dramatization of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Oliver—a young orphan battling the streets of 19th-century London. This powerful story will draw you into a timeless adventure of danger, compassion and redemption as a single child changes the lives of everyone around him. Featuring cinema-quality sound, award-winning writers, an original music score and a stellar cast of England’s most renowned actors.
Click on the links below to watch the Oliver Twist promo and a preview for a documentary detailing the reality of modern-day orphans.
Scan the QR code or Click here to listen to a sample of Oliver Twist
Bonus DVD includes a compelling documentary featurette with “behind the scenes” footage, expert interviews and emotive stories of real, modern-day “Olivers.”
Watch the behind the scenes promo. Watch a preview for the documentary.
19
Excerpt from ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s HeartBy Jim Daly
“… I’m simply drawing us back to the basic tenet of orthopraxy: following God and living by faith takes practice. Loving God and obeying His Word is nothing if not practical. The Bible clearly emphasizes how God cares about the details of daily life for His children—in fact, for all of His creation, including the sparrows of the air and the lilies of the field.
So we shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus focused His ministry in practical, physical ways. He turned water into wine at a wedding celebration in Cana. He blessed a couple of fish and a handful of bread and turned it into a buffet for five thousand people. He healed lepers with His touch. He spit in the mud and made a healing paste for the blind. He washed the feet of His disciples. He made them breakfast on the beach. He established a ritual of remembrance and celebration through the bread and wine of the Last Supper.
In example after example, we see that God is a God of incarnation, of Word made flesh. The fact that He would send His one and only Son to be born into our world as a baby—a human baby who cried, nursed, napped and soiled His diapers—is the greatest living proof we could desire. No wonder, then, that Jesus repeatedly urged His followers to put their faith into practice by serving both the physical and the spiritual needs of others.”
From pages 160-161
Click here or scan the QR code to listen to a broadcast featuring Jim Daly talking about ReFocus
Click here or scan the QR code to order ReFocus by Jim Daly
20