God has blessed us in so many ways! We often focus on all of our material blessings, which for some of us, is a very long list indeed! The reality is we have received a gift that tops all of our material blessings. This past month, we have been focusing on the God’s most precious gift that come at a monumental price, the price of His Son, Jesus Christ dying on the cross. That price, Christ’s death, bought something priceless for each of us–Forgiveness! Without forgiveness all of our “stuff” would just be “stuff”. Since we are His forgiven chosen people, our “blessings” are gifts from Him that we are expected to share with others, because we have received the best gift of all, Jesus, which we are to share as well.
 
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17 (NIV)
 
St. John’s students and their families share “blessings” each week through Chapel offerings. The generosity shown is His light shining through us…and it was shining bright through the month of September. The goal to raise $300 for Families Moving Forward was substantially surpassed (over $400). Along with our financial gift to provide for material needs these families have, it also allows an opportunity for Christ’s love to be shared and showered upon them…what a blessing to be a blessing!
 

We have begun collection for Bountiful Basket during the month of October. This Food Shelf is a way we can provide for others, as the Bible tell us in John 3:11, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Items to be donated include: Cereal, Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste, Jelly, Pasta Sauce, and Pasta (please stay away from glass bottles). Seeing the blessings God has given to us, shared with others, is a great opportunity to be His hands and feet.
 
Generous Giving Take Home Idea: Give your child $20 and let them spend it on groceries to donate. The act of picking and choosing the items allows them to be invested in the act of giving, or if older students have allowance or money they make, have them pray about using some of that to give back. Our God is an amazing God and He can’t be outgiven!