My Christmas List That Money Can't Buy

1. World peace. This always seemed like a wasted wish to me or a simplistic Miss America answer. I know that true peace will not come until Jesus comes with His kingdom but this issue has been on my heart a lot lately. I am thankful for the soldiers that will not see home this Christmas.


2. End global warming or at least all the ridiculous talk about it, for and against. Although I believe that we cannot destroy this earth that is held together by the power of His Word, I have been challenged recently to care more about the environment. His first mandate was for us to care for the earth. It's amazing to me that the Church has labeled this a "liberal" stance instead of seeing a biblical mandate for it.


3. Clean water for everyone. It is possible to end this problem in our lifetime if we all did our part. People deserve a better chance at life. I stay close to this issue and informed about these efforts. Clean water often precedes Living Water. According to the World Water Council, 1.1 billion people live without clean drinking water; 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation; 1.8 million people die every year from treatable diarrheal diseases and 3,900 children die every day from water born diseases. In Dec. of 2006, we raised $3000 to drill a well in Rwanda and changed the lives of hundreds of people in the village of Bugesera. This year we would like to drill another well. Living Water International exists to demonstrate the love of God by providing desperately needed clean water and medical attention, along with the "living water" of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. We will be accepting donations all month for this worthy cause as well as a special offering being received at our Christmas service this Sunday. By the way, according to Matt. 25 it is the perfect gift for Jesus on His birthday.
   


4. A cure for cancer. Cancer and other heart-stopping news reminds us that life is a gift and that every day should be cherished. Pattie's brother, Ray, is dealing with this. I would give him long life and health if it were mine to give. There are other health issues in our extended family, especially on Pattie's side, that I wish could be eliminated and full health restored.

Of course there are more things that I could wish for that money can't buy. There are many things that we would love to receive as a gift but they would never fulfill because it is a shortcut and there is much to be said about the journey or much to be learned through the process. I'm thankful that God as our Father wisely ditributes all of His good and perfect gifts from above.