Posts Tagged ‘12 Dollars of Christmas’

12 Dollars of Christmas: Love God Love People

December 26th, 2008

This post is part of the 12 Dollars of Christmas series I’m doing, sharing with you about different charities and people who are making a difference for God’s kingdom and asking you to join me in praying for them and in giving $1 dollar (or more) to each of them.

A few years ago some people I know started talking about starting a non-profit. I remember being impressed by their passion and vision, but honestly it seemed like a big undertaking and I wasn’t sure where it would go. Now that vision and passion has grown into something real and growing, a group of people who are really making a difference in the world around them, showing love in tangible ways and bringing the kingdom of God on earth. I feel proud to say that I know people involved in this movement and today I want to tell you about this group so that you can pray for them, support them financially or physically get involved yourself.

They are LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE (commonly referred to as LGLP) and that is exactly what they are doing. In the beginning of December they worked together with 3 other organizations to plan an outreach event in Mexico where they gave “over 1,500 people shoes, and 1,200 bags of food” as well as giving Christmas presents to over 2,000 children. But, this isn’t an organization that is just about the one time big events, they are about more than that, they are about long term commitments. Every month they take a group of people down to Mexico and consistently work with a number of different needs in the area. They also have begun working with Homeward Bound, “a transitional housing program for homeless and domestic violence families, located in Phoenix.”

I encourage you to check out their web site. Explore their About LGLP page, go to the prayer requests page and pray with them for the needs of those they work with, and if you are in the Phoenix area find out how you can get involved in their monthly trips.

As part of my $12 dollars of Christmas campaign I also encourage you to join me in praying for LGLP today and to join me in sending $1 (or more) to help support them and further the work God is doing through them. Right now LGLP is in the process of applying for their non-profit status so that contributions can be tax deductable; so, I will tell you up front that this one is not tax deductible yet. But, I believe strongly in the work they are doing and I believe that as people of God we are called to give generously whether or not we get a tax benefit from it. So, if you want to join me in contributing to this wonderful ministry you can do so by sending cash, or coins, spare change, or a check (made out to LGLP) to this address:

LGLP
6771 W. Miner Trail
Peoria, AZ 85383

Lord, I pray that you would continue to bless LGLP. Connect them with more and more people who desire to see your kingdom come in Mexico and in Arizona. Give them positive and helpful partnerships, give them the resources and support they need to further and expand the work they are doing on behalf of the poor and broken. And use them to show your deep love to people and through them call people to follow you in your way of love.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

Photograph by LGLP

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12 Dollars of Christmas: The Malouf Family

December 25th, 2008

This post is part of the 12 Dollars of Christmas series I’m doing, sharing with you about different charities and people who are making a difference for God’s kingdom and asking you to join me in praying for them and in giving $1 dollar (or more) to each of them.

I think I’ve known David and Tara Malouf for over 10 years now. There’s a lot I could say about David and Tara and their beautiful children, Mikaela and Luc. There is no other family (besides my own) that has had as much of an influence on me over the years as the Malouf’s – they even welcomed me into their home for a time when I was in college and allowed me to literally be a part of their family. If you’ll let me, I’d love to tell you a little bit about each of them and what God is doing in them and through them now:

David was my youth pastor when I was in High School, but even though I at first wrote him off as weird, goofy and a “typical youth pastor” I know now that David was never really a typical youth pastor (although he can be a bit “weird and goofy” at times, but I’ve grown to love that now) J David didn’t really fit the mold of what churches look for in a “pastor”, but I would argue that a pastor is EXACTLY was David is – he’s a pastor in the real, biblical sense of the word. David pastors people, he shepherds people, he comes along side people and mentors people. David has been a spiritual father to me and many others throughout the years and I know few people as wise and insightful as he is.

Where David has been a spiritual father to me and it has been his instruction, teaching, and guidance that I have sought when I want answers, Tara has been a spiritual mother to me and it has been her encouragement, strength and ability to speak truth into my life that I have sought out during every period of emotional turmoil over the past few years. Like David, Tara is also a born mentor and is gifted at coming along side of people and walking with them. Tara has a way of drawing people’s deep heart’s out into the open and giving healing space and love. She has a heart for people. Tara is also the first person who taught me by example what it looks like to really wrestle WITH God, not against him. She’s always been honest about her struggles and questions and it has drawn me and others around her to be honest with her as well. I love Tara and if there’s one person I would like to be more like, it’s her. If you want to know more about Tara, I wrote about her HERE a while back.

Mikaela and Luc are two of my favorite kids in the world. Mikaela and Luc are each so different and so unique, but they each love Jesus so much. And they “get Him” and what he calls them to be and do. There have even been more than a few times when one of them has said something that convicted me by their own eager wiliness to follow God and do what He wants. They may be young, but I have already seen God working in them and through them in such honest and true ways. I look forward to seeing where God takes them in the future.

There really is so much more that I could say about the Malouf family, but I’ll stop here to tell you a little bit about the work that God has called them to right now.

For the past few years the Malouf Family have been missionaries with OC International. “OC International is an agency that is dedicated to helping local churches and local Christians grow so that they in turn become those who are reaching others.” David and Tara are part of OC International’s team in the United States. I remember being so excited when I heard about what they are doing, because for as long as I have known David and Tara they have had a heart for the body of Christ in America and a desire for US churches to become healthy. David and Tara now get to be “able to challenge, coach and dream with churches about being healthy both now and in the future.” This is an incredible calling and it fits so perfectly with the unique gifts and passions that God has given this beautiful family.

I encourage you to check out their web site, HERE, and learn more about what God is doing through them and the rest of the OC International US team.for directions. All contributions are tax deductible.

And as part of my $12 dollars of Christmas series I encourage you to join me in praying for the Malouf’s over the Christmas season and I also encourage you to join me in sending $1 (or more) to the Malouf’s this Christmas to help support them and further the work God is doing through them. You can do this by credit card, automatic transfer, or by sending a check, cash or spare change. Just go to OC Internationals on-line giving page

Lord, thank you for the Malouf’s and for the ways that they have brought me to you and turned me towards you. Thank you for their honesty and how authentically they live life before you and others. I pray, Lord, for the work that you have called them to – I ask that you would bless it and them through it. I pray that you would continue to draw people to you through David and Tara. Use their passion and unique gifts to further your kingdom and bring your love and justice to those who are hurting and hurtful. Use them also to bring healing, love and peace to the body of Christ in America. In Jesus name. Amen.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

Photograph by Crissy Malouf

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12 Days of 12 Dollars of Christmas

December 24th, 2008

This year I wanted to celebrate and remember Christ’s incarnation for more than just one day on the 25th of December. I wanted a way to participate in and enter into Christmas for all 12 days of the Christmas season (December 25th until Epiphany on January 6th). So, I’ve been thinking about different things Bryan and I could do for the 12 days of Christmas, I had a lot of ideas that went through my head, but here are the things we stuck with:

-          We are going to read the Christmas story each of the twelve days of Christmas.

-          We are going to together read the book “The Story of the Other Wise Man” by Henry Van Dyke over the Christmas season. We’ll read seven pages a day to finish it in exactly 12 days. I’m really looking forward to this – I’ve read this book before and really liked it and I’m excited to share it with Bryan.

There’s one more thing we decide to do, but it takes a bit more explanation and it involves YOU and this blog.

-          Each of the twelve days of Christmas I will write about a different charity, non-profit, or missionary family here on the blog. Most of them will be organizations and people who Bryan and I have some kind of relational connection with. This will be a way for you all to find out about some great organizations and people and a way for me to advocate on behalf of others about the wonderful work that God is doing around the world. But, there’s more… Bryan and I will also be giving at least $1 dollar to each of these charities/people. I know $1 dollar isn’t much, just $12 dollars for the whole Christmas season. But, here’s where YOU come in. Each day as I talk about these people and companies I’m going to ask YOU (my readers) to also give just $1 dollar (or more if you’re able). I figure $1 dollar isn’t much for any one person to give, but if we each give $1 then it could definitely add up. So, I look forward to telling you all about some great organizations and people over the next few days and I hope you will join me in supporting the work God is doing through them and praying for each of them over the Christmas season.

So, what are you doing over the 12 days of Christmas? I’d love to hear your ideas for this special holiday season and how you are remembering the incarnation of God and stepping into incarnational living yourself.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

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