Need a last minute gift idea?

Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Here we are only two days away from the biggest gift giving day of the year. Perhaps you, like many I know, have no idea what to get for someone. May I make a few suggestions?

1. Give a gift that will change a life forever.

A couple of weeks ago we had our annual staff, board, and spouses Christmas meal. It was a great evening with great food, great people, and we celebrated the great God we serve. Every year I try to get a gift for those in attendance. Last year I gave them all a handmade Christmas ornament (made by the wonderfully talented Judy Collins). This year as I was thinking about what to get them I realized that most everyone in attendance are very blessed. There is little that any of them need, or at least that I could provide for them personally. Thus I went a different route, perhaps you can do the same.

Instead of buying each a gift, I told them this year they are going to provide a young child with a fresh start by offering them a lip/ palate surgery. One of the missions we support is the International Disaster Emergency Services. To learn more about who they are and what they do go to: http://www.ides.org.  I explained that for many children born in some foreign countries with a physical deformity like a cleft pallet life can be very hard. In some places in the world they believe that such birth defects are given because of a curse or a sin. By providing for the surgery not only does it help this child in an amazing way, but it also opens doors of opportunity for the Gospel. Consider going to https://www.ides.org/giftcatalog/ and looking at the gift catalog. Perhaps instead of giving someone a gift they may not need or want you can give them the gift of helping someone in an amazing way. The gifts range from giving a chicken to building a well, just take a look please. 

Look at these before and after picture: 

I believe this gift was very well received by my board and staff members, perhaps it would be greatly appreciated by someone you want to buy for as well. 

2. Give the gift of support to a ministry in need.

Last year a wonderful Christian woman in our congregation (Shirley Hasty) made a donation to Cincinnati Christian University (where I had the privilege of going to seminary) in my honor. To learn more about this great school go to: http://ccuniversity.edu/. This year she made a donation to Mid Atlantic Christian University (where I have the privilege of teaching as an adjunct) in my honor. To learn more about this great school go to: http://www.macuniversity.edu/.  When I received notification of this gift I was both honored and humbled. Perhaps you can give to a school, para church organization, another non profit worthy of support, or your local congregation in honor of someone you love. This is a gift that can make a real difference. 

So do you need a last minute gift idea? How about giving to one of these great organizations or to one that you know and love.