family and friends who love me and tell me so;
you reading this post;
that the new town reservoir is full so we'll have water through the drought;
that I have exciting creative projects to work on, and more than one outfit in my closet!
Most of all, I'm thankful that someone introduced me to the Good Person Test, and I learned the truth about myself and what to do about it.
It's expensive to buy gift wrap of a quality sturdy enough to calmly endure the delivery route of an Operation Christmas Child shoebox from giver to needy child in a distant country such as Fiji or Vietnam.
However, Samaritan's Purse report that the children especially love the colourful gift wrap, so while I find the red and green "flying shoebox" pre-printed boxes cheery and convenient, this year I haunted the local shoe shop until I found enough stout boxes of the right size (no larger than A4 sheet of paper). It didn't cost me a cent. And, to my delight, neither did the gift wrap part.
Here's how.
I didn't even have to use my own calendars. An 80-year-old friend, shedding her house and most of her worldly goods in order to move in with her daughter's family, offered me several years' worth of New Zealand flora in glossy photographs. At the time, I thought, "Very pretty, but what'll I do with them?" Now I know.
I'm going to ask all my neighbours to save their old calendars. I bet the local Girls' Brigade, who do shoeboxes every year, could use those pretty pictures!
Maybe you hate what Halloween has done to October 31st and you don’t
know how to handle it. My reaction until a few years ago was to hide in a
dark corner, or keep my nose in a book and let my excited, big, black
dog on my side of the door repel the weird, hideous, cute knockers on
the other side of the door.
Whose reflection do you see?
This is an example of when the world forces
itself upon me and my environment. I needed to find a way to obey the
Great Commission within a circumstance I couldn't change. In this post I’ll share the solution I found which not only makes October 31st a worthwhile day but even has me anticipating and planning for it.
MY EQUIPMENT
One shiny black shoebox with fittingly spidery writing on the lid
Wrapped lollies/sweets/candy
Fun, interesting, quality gospel tracts
Plastic zip-lock bags (big enough to fit my selected bootie – if the contents can be easily folded, I use smaller bags than shown here)
Prayer
A loving, cheerful attitude
Black boxful of goodie bags ready to go
I've chosen to include a simple brochure that explains Halloween. In this case, it's the hellish-looking ‘what is Halloween’ history sheets which my father sourced from www.2besaved.com some time ago [at time of posting not available]. However, I view the gospel tracts as the important content of the gift. The rest is gift wrap.
The skeleton Million $ Note came in a mixed sample pack from
www.rayoflightwitness.com (maybe the fellas at Ray of Light Witness can
work on a ‘what is Halloween’ sheet for next year?), but you can choose from many image styles of the famous Million $ Note. You don't have to go the Gothic route if you don't want to.
Clockwise from top left: Halloween: a Celebration of Evil; The World's Best Optical Illusions; Are You a Good Person comic; The World's Ten Most Popular Things scratch card; NZ million $ note (skeleton version); I.Q. Test card.
I ordered the other gospel tracts from www.livingwaters.com for use by our Bible study group. The ladies are delighted and relieved now that they’re prepared for visitors. Instead of feeling unhappy and helpless, we’re doing something about a situation we don’t like.
I realize this post may be too late for you to get organized in time for this year, but I hope you’ll be inspired to make up your own Halloween Gift Bundles for next year.
When beggars approach, don’t let yourself be angered by any aspect of demand or greed they may demonstrate. They have come to you hoping for sweetness. Use this opportunity to share with them true love and kindness, and pray that through the Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ they will receive more sweetness than they ever dreamed possible.
POSTSCRIPT
When they first encountered American Halloween, Kiwi evangelist Ray Comfort and his family used to react the same way I did! In the following episode of "On the Box", he explains what they do now instead of hiding from Halloweeners. He mentions it twice during the half hour program.
So long we’ve measured pace. I wonder, does he know Of sin and death and grace, And dying, where he’ll go? Today my chance is here – Tomorrow’s path unclear. If I don’t speak I fear That he may never know.
I always thought evangelism was complicated. Until I encountered "The Way of the Master", an 8-week evangelism training course by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. I can't say enough about this exciting, stimulating, encouraging DVD series and TV program. It will revolutionize your spiritual walk.
If you don't want to be revolutionized, you should hear the story of the firefighter who sat in the fire truck testing a wonderful new stereo he'd bought as a gift for his fire chief, whilst a family of 4 burned to death in a 4th-storey apartment within sight of the fireman.
You can view this story on the first episode of the course and access loads of other training tools and evangelism aids at www.livingwaters.com
Today your chance is here, tomorrow's path unclear. Please don't sit in your truck! Do something.
Narelle
TOOLS TO HELP YOU DO. It seems no matter how many times I explore www.livingwaters.com, I always find something new to view or listen to or download.
Some Way of the Master materials can be sourced in New Zealand from www.rayoflightwitness.com. Ray of Light Witness have a range of original, classy tracts with stunning artwork, including the collectable Million $ Note style and All Black gospel tracts, such as these samples below.
If you're filling a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child and you live in the Tararua, here's what you need to know.
Download an instruction pamphlet from this website or grab one from one of the distribution points listed below.
Follow the instructions for filling and decorating your shoebox, not forgetting the NZ$9 donation to ship your box to a child in need.
Drop off your shoebox to one of the following collection points. The deadline is October 25. If you miss that, your box will be included with next year's distribution.
Dannevirke
The Hub (Dannevirke Christian
Fellowship)
23 Gordon
St
06 374
6209
Pahiatua
Tararua
Television
7 Regent
Street
06 376 6605
Where ever you are in the world, you can fill a shoebox and be a part of Operation Christmas Child. To find your regional headquarters, Google "Operation Christmas Child" followed by your country.
For more information, subscribe to OCC on Facebook, or explore the website for free resources and terrific videos and news stories of children whose lives have been transformed by the simple power of a gift.
Announcing a new award-winning film in which eight people who are adamantly pro-abortion change their minds and become pro-life in a matter of seconds...because they were asked one question.
What was the question? Find out now. Watch the 33 minute documentary online for free!
Welcome! Luminel’s online resources have been created with your needs in mind. ~
BOUTIQUE NARELLE
Do you need fashion solutions, closet ideas, or feminine encouragement? How about a Modesty Mall to simplify your shopping? BN is an online resource providing you with the HOW TO of living modestly, loving femininity, & leading your heart toward true beauty. ~
SCRIPT HAVEN
Do you need platform coaching or inspiration? Script Haven is your stagehand. The Scripts and Tips Library for in-training speakers, actors, & musicians is being rebuilt. The free resources are still available for your use, but at present the shop is closed.
www.scripthaven.blogspot.com ~
SONGUINE
Are you longing for sweet music that touches your soul? Perhaps you need encouragement to make your own music? Here Narelle shares her musical journey, & every story is told with you in mind. www.songuine.blogspot.com
