Merry Christmas to all my readers out there!

Tis the season for giving.

Some may find it a little tight to give because of all the hurricanes that happened just a few months ago.  I mean, there were more hurricanes than normal in one year.  There was around 5 altogether; but 3 major one that affected the United States.  I can’t remember all the names for them, but you will get the message.

The first hurricane hit Houston, Texas.  (Houston we have a problem.)  That hurricane really took a lot of fundraiser to help with the victims.  Everyone around the country band together to raise support for the victims in Houston.

Then when the second hurricane hit somewhere in Florida, I think the people thought, “here we go again.”

But then when the third hurricane hit Putirico (pardon my spelling), they seems to got lost in the shuffle.  There was war with words with Pres. Trump.  They are still struggling to recover.  Some may compare that hurricane disaster to Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans.  It seems that since it is/was a poor country, it doesn’t matter.  Lives matter: even if you are rich or poor.

The Red Cross had gotten a bad rap because of the hurricane that hit Houston.  I don’t know the whole story, so I won’t go into it.

If you ask me though, I wouldn’t trust FEMA.  FEMA did a lousy job in helping in New Orleans after Katrina.  No thanks to Pres. George W. Bush.  FEMA is a government organization we can do without.

Enough on that, let us get to the mail point of this blog.

This is time of year for giving.  When you give, give from the heart.  Remember, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave us His one and only son.”

Because of that sacrifice, shouldn’t we do the same in our giving?

As Billy Ray Cyrus sang, “Some gave all.”  I’m not just talking about Jesus.  I’m also talking about our veterans.  Many had lost their lives in wars throughout history.

When you give do not let your right hand knows what your left hand is doing according to the Bible.  You must give from the heart.

Yet there are people who would give this time of year; just so they can write it off in their taxes and then brag about it by saying, “See I give to those in needs.”

Do you know what the Lord will say to that?  I know you not.  You had your rewards.

Those who gives without expecting anything in return, the Lord will surely bless them.  Their rewards will be in heaven as well as on earth.  Think about the rich man and the poor man in the Gospel.  The rich only gave a small percentage; but whereas the poor man, gave what he had.  Or how about the poor widow, who only had enough to feed her and her son?  When Elijah came, he blessed them and they had more than enough.  Who do you think received the most blessings?

This is the time of year that the Salvation Army is out with their red bucket ringing the bell.  As you know, Target doesn’t allow Salvation Army to ring the bell in front of the store.  Are they Scrooge or what?

Then what about Wal-Mart, those who ring the bell there have to stand outside in the cold.  They have the space to let them be inside.  They just don’t have the heart of compassion.

There are stores, such as Kmart, that allows Salvation Army to be inside the front entrance to ring the bell.  May the Lord bless them!

This year giving to Salvation Army bell ringers were down a little.  Part of it was because people tap out financially.  I think the real reasons are:  People ordering on-line for one.  Also people doesn’t carry cash as much as they used to.  Everybody is using the credit or debit card.  It’s quick and easy.  I think it’s one of the reason for the debt this country has.

I won’t go too far into this because that is whole different blog.

Whenever I hear Secret Santa story, it melts my heart.  It’s good to see people giving to those in needs and not expecting anything in return.  That is what Jesus expects from us too.  He expects us to give from the heart.  He expect us to give without expecting anything in return.

Remember, Jesus gave His all so that we can have eternal life with Him.  He didn’t much care for the religious leaders of His days.  He called them hypocrite.  He said that it was the Samaritan who reach out to help the victim of the assault in the Good Samaritan story.

Don’t just give this time of year, give all year long.  You will be bless.  When you give, don’t expect anything in return either.  Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing either.  Give from the heart!

Also when you give to certain organization, make sure that you do your research first.  You want to make sure what give gets to where it is needed.

When I give, I usually give through my church, or Salvation Army or even Dakota Boys Ranch, because I can trust that it will goes to where it’s suppose to go to.  It’s also causes I believe in.

I’m not saying this to be bragging.

Once again Merry Christmas to you all!!  Remember, give from the heart without expecting anything in return.