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It was the same yesterday when I posted about Childrens HopeChest and pointed ya to Nicole’s blog.

It’s come to the point where I will sit and wait for the message to come in…..and it came.  Not one….Not two…..Three of them.  2 of the 3 simply asking questions as they had never heard of this particular organization, but still sharing some skepticism they have with places that aren’t well known in their corner of the globe.  1 of the 3 had no desire to know about them, but just wanted to “let me know”, I guess, they weren’t giving because they “don’t trust those places.”

Let’s set aside, for just a second, this organization, or any other for that matter.  I just have a question…..Knowing the probability that those who sent the messages answering me is highly unlikely….cuz then, well, we’ll all know….right?  I’ll ask anyway…

What does being a skeptic get ya?  Where does all of this doubt come from?  Does the $$ you saved by being skeptical make ya rich?  I don’t get it.

Listen, I don’t give to every place that asks me to. Not because I doubt their validity, but I’m not a wealthy guy and I simply cannot.  But I just want to comfort you with something:

If it’s on this blog, it’s a worthy organization in my mind.  I’m not gonna send ya some place I don’t feel 100% comfortable with.  Compassion stands on its own.  People all over the blogesphere are meeting the kids they sponsor.  THEY’RE the real deal and there’s not doubt about it.  Childrens HopeChest is an organization I learned about 3-4 days ago.  I don’t know many specifics, but the gal I pointed ya to, Nicole, while I’ve never met her, I feel like I know her.  I’ve read her story, heard parts of it on the Caffeinated Faith podcast.  Knowing where she comes from and what she’s about gives me the comfort to know that if she asked me to give, I don’t ask questions, I just GIVE.

She wasn’t asking for million dollar donations.  Actually, she was asking for $5 per person.  There’s not a single one of ya reading this who can’t afford $5.  None of ya!

Again, I don’t get it and maybe I never will, but I have to wonder about that doubt…..about that skepticism.  Does it ring true in other aspects of your life?  You’re all Christians….How do you manage your faith with all of that doubt?  What does the Bible say about giving?  Don’t answer that last one….I’ll help ya …..

I could fill several posts with Bible verses on giving, but I’ll just give ya a few of my favorites:

Loveless giving is not Christian giving – I Cor. 13:3

Christian giving is God’s activity of grace – II Cor. 8:1

Christian giving is part of the will of God – II Cor. 8:5

Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 2 Cor. 8:11

I’m sure there are many places out there to get your money.  THIS isn’t one of em.  GIVE….cuz you’re commanded, not suggested.  GIVE…cuz you can.  GIVE…cuz someone needs it more than you…..JUST GIVE…..and let God worry about where it ends up.  If it ends up in some dirtbag’s pocket, so be it….we have to believe that is part of His plan as well.  But maybe…just maybe, you’re stopping the secret, feeding the hungry and/or giving hope to the hopeless.

Amen!

Joining in with a few bloggers where every Thursday one of us will highlight children from Compassion who have been waiting for 6 months or longer without a sponsor.

This week we’re going to get Valeria sponsored.

Meet Valeria:

Click to make her part of your family

Valeria is 4 years old and needs YOUR help!

In her home, Valeria helps by running errands and cleaning. She lives with her father and her mother. Her father is employed as a laborer and her mother maintains the home. There are 2 children in the family.

Valeria is not attending school because she is too young. Singing, playing with dolls and hide-and-seek are her favorite activities. She also attends Bible class regularly.

To give Valeria the help she needs and deserves, click her picture and welcome her to your family.  If you would like to browse other Compassion children, CLICK HERE.

After you sponsor Valeria, let me know in the comment section, the contact me page or shoot me an email.

Whatever you decide, pray for Valeria, will ya?  Pray for her, spread this message around on your social network sites, send it in an email, etc.  When sharing on Twitter, use the hashtag #CompassionThur.  Get involved and let us, together, improve the lives of deserving children…..One child at a time.

Don’t just send the money….send them your heart, so they know someone in the world cares.

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This and many more great videos, some serious, some not, at Caffeinated LIVE.

Got some money you THOUGHT was yours?

This is MAD Monday where I highlight an organization or a way for YOU to Make A Difference.

Today I would like to focus on Holiday Mail For Heroes. <Click that link to check it out.  Pretty simple, right?  This can be as simple as writing a letter, sending some pictures, or maybe a teddy bear.  You can click here for more ideas from squidoo.com.  The holiday mail site is sponsored by the American Red Cross and we know they do awesome things for our soldiers.

A few weeks back we got 2 big boxes in the mail from a friend of Ria’s family.  The boxes were full of STUFF….shampoo, soaps, towels, etc.  She sent them to us so Ria could give them to single soldiers at her clinic.  That was AWESOME!! They may not be in Iraq, but they are in a foreign country and will be away from everyone they love this holiday season.

Click the pic or any of the links above and take today to get MAD and Make A Differnce in the life of a soldier who makes a living making a difference in yours.

Just yesterday me and the kids had some fun on the slip n slide and managed to say goodbye to our dog Zeke at the same time.  It’s just been a good week.  For the first time in awhile, I feel like I have grown spiritually.  I feel better than I can ever remember feeling…still running every day and keeping up with the RagamuffinTop Challenge.  It’s been 5 weeks on this challenge for us, and I, again, thank all of you bloggers, friends and family for the support and motivation!

That’s the week at a glance, but I want to use today to reflect, not only on this past week, but on last Sunday specifically.  I want to say thank you.  I’m not going to mention you by name, but you know who you are.  Last Sunday you warmed my heart by getting involved.  Your actions will not only have a positive effect on kids, but have also strengthened my faith.  I have prayed and prayed for you to get involved and to “get on board”, so to speak, and last Sunday God answered my prayers.  I hope and pray it’s only the beginning of God’s work in you and I pray that if I haven’t communicated this effectively enough to you, that you realize just how much it means to me for us to be walking together with Christ.

Again, thank you and thank God for you!