January 2012
Another Great Story…
Robert and his wife, Stacy, were extremely concerned about their daughter, Amanda. Her anxious behavior and temper-driven outbursts were having an effect on their family life. She had reached the point where she no longer cared about the consequences of her actions. When they would try to discuss things with her or discipline her, she would just shut down emotionally or explode with rage. There was no in-between for her. What scared them the most about their daughter was that she was only 8 years old. What would the future hold for her or for the family when she hits her teens? (more…)
Where Are They Now?
It was 1988 when Jason and Amy found themselves in a dilemma. Jason had just graduated from high school and Amy was excited to begin her senior year. They were young and in love when they discovered Amy was expecting.
“Since we were both raised in solid Christian homes, it threw our parents for a loop. Honestly, it threw us for a loop too.” Amy remembered. “I couldn’t believe that this was happening to us. Jason offered to marry me, but I didn’t want to get married just because I was pregnant. I didn’t know what to do, but I believed that I wasn’t ready to have a baby.” (more…)
Family Values 5K – Stepping Out for Children & Families
On Saturday, February 6, 2010, 230 Family Values supporters took their marks on the Sheridan House Family Ministries campus for the 2nd Annual Family Values 5K. Excited by the challenge to “Step Out For Children & Families,” each participant gladly took on the role of a Family Values fundraiser. With support from sponsoring community churches, businesses, families, and individuals, the Family Values 5K surpassed the original goal of $80,000 and has raised a total of $105,000 and counting.
The Family Values 5K proved that there is no better time to reach out, help out, and step out to make an eternal difference today! Not only did the participants make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve daily, but they also made a difference to the victims of the Haiti tragedy. Through our partnership with 4Kids of South Florida, the event participants, donors, and volunteers rallied together to supply much needed clothing for the Haitian orphans who will be arriving in South Florida for temporary placement.
Theda Okona, a Family Values 5K supporter stated, “My family absolutely loved being a part of the Family Values 5K. This was our first Sheridan House event. We enjoyed seeing your campus and learned so much on the tour of the residential home. We are definitely looking forward to next year!”
Top Fundraising Champion, Daniel Whiteman, added, “Over the years, I have been a supporter of Sheridan House both on the board and during the construction of the new campus. However, I have always been on the sideline when it came to fundraising. This year, Diana and Debra challenged me to get involved in the 5K event. At first I was reluctant, but then decided – Why Not? So, I signed up, sent out an email to a couple of hundred friends on my email list and was shocked at how they responded. Next year, I am going to encourage every supporter I know of Sheridan House to do the same, the results this year were incredibly amazing. Praise the Lord!”
Sheridan House Family Ministries would like to thank everyone who partnered with us in “Stepping Out For Children & Families.” The blessings derived from this event were endless. We are truly grateful for your support and involvement.
Upside Down Christmas – Is Giving Better Than Receiving?
“It is more blessed to give rather than receive?” You’ve got to be kidding! What kind of a statement is that? That’s ridiculous! Of course, it’s more awesome to receive than it is to give – that’s what we’ve been taught all our lives. That’s what makes us feel good isn’t it; getting more things?
Many often wonder how giving could be better than receiving; but just because they don’t understand it doesn’t mean that it isn’t true. As crazy as it may sound to some, that statement is true. We must acknowledge it to be true because it comes from Truth. Acts 20:35 states, “…You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (NLT)
Giving is kind of like eating vegetables. At first, I didn’t want them. Once I was taught to eat them, I eventually grew to like them. Then, I discovered that I actually really liked them. I realized that eating them made me feel better. I know that I am healthier now because of them – unlike my previous diet of burgers only.
You see, when I spend my life getting, I never seem able to satisfy that hunger. No matter how much I get, I want more and more… the bigger the better. My appetite becomes insatiable! The problem is the more things I have – the more I need to worry about things getting lost, stolen or broken and I end up spending much of my time trying to protect my acquisitions.
On the other hand, when I risk learning the art of giving, I end up doing something that can’t be taken away from me. Sharing with others is free of baggage, warrantees, and contracts.
Giving to others is really an opportunity to do something for Jesus. He even said when we do things for people in need (He called them the “least of these” in Matthew 25:40) we are really doing it for Him. This kind of giving should excite us because we have the opportunity to help someone in Jesus’ name and for His glory alone. When I give like that, no one can take the blessing away. Whether the recipients express appreciation for my gifts or not is irrelevant, if I’m doing it for the right reasons.
This is a difficult lesson to learn because our culture doesn’t teach it. That is why it is so important for parents to instill this principle in the lives of their children. Children that are taught give to others as an act of worship to Christ receive a great gift for life. As they grow up, they will not be victimized by marketers and advertisers; since they have been taught the great life lesson of learning to be content with what they have been given (Philippians 4:11).
Imagine what Christmas would be like this year if our children were more excited about giving rather than getting. As you and your family focus on Christ’s birthday celebration, you have the opportunity to turn Christmas upside down. Start by scheduling a family meeting early in December. As a family, select the target for your giving. It could be a widow in your church, a single parent family in your neighborhood, or a charity of your choice (see below for a suggested list.) Then, get excited about giving to Jesus through your chosen target this Christmas.
If you’ve spent a lifetime believing that it is better to get gifts rather than give gifts, this Christmas season is a great time to take this faith step. Remember the vegetables? If you haven’t eaten them in a long time, asparagus will take some getting used to; but once you experience the health benefits, you see the value they have in enriching your life.
When it comes to this year’s Christmas, it’s time to teach our children the joy of another kind of healthy consumption – the joy of giving. It is a blessing that no one can take away, but it is a hunger and thirst that must be taught.
