Christmas is around the corner. What?! I’m still eating leftover candy from Halloween. Someone please tell the Peppermint Bark it’s rude to show up before the snack size Krackels are gone.
Let’s be honest. This time of year is meant to be a blessing, but can also be a curse if we allow our focus to be on anything but Jesus. If we aren’t careful, instead of marveling at the miraculous birth of our Savior, we might spend countless hours at Northpark in search of the ‘perfect gift’ (this is purely hypothetical, of course). And instead of contemplating the magnificent event that took place in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, we might find ourselves searching Amazon for the latest Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots gear (why must they all like different teams?). Please don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with shopping or with buying a super cool Broncos charcoal performance t-shirt 2.0. (Or so I keep telling myself).
Thinking of others is a wonderful thing. But thinking of Jesus is even better. And getting others (i.e. our kids) to think of Jesus…that’s the stuff. After all, He IS the ‘perfect gift’.
To help stay focused this year, I challenged myself to come up with a list of meaningful gift ideas that might actually point my family to the very reason they are receiving them in the first place. After compiling it, I wondered if it might be helpful for those of you looking to do the same. Please feel free to use any of these for your own kids if you are on the hunt, or email us at info@armourupdallas.com with additional ideas you may have. Or you can simply delete this email if you have already completed your list. I will never know. ( And please don’t let me know because I’d be totally jealous if you are finished shopping).
AU’s Favorite Gifts for CHRISTmas 2014:
1) Rock & Worship Concert tickets- Dallas 2/18/15 (MercyMe, Crowder, Jamie Grace, etc.) (I don’t know about you, but when someone mentions the American Airlines center around our house it’s usually because the MAVS are playing. In this case, however, an incredible amalgamation of Christian Artists will be playing instead. Grab a few friends and give the ‘experience’ as a gift.)
2) Chris Tomlin Concert tickets – Dallas 4/24/15 (Chris Tomlin. His name sells itself.)
3) Sports Trivia Devotional by Dave Veerman & Dana Niesluchowski (We have tried every sports devotional under the sun and this one is a winner for kids who love facts. It reads more like National Geographic Kids Weird but True book. So far, we’ve not had to remind the kids to read this at night!).
4) God’s Not Dead movie (How is it that it took me so long to watch this movie?! I think I was under the impression it was a duck dynasty spin off, but alas it is not. This inspirational movie will have you and your children thinking about faith, God and all things religion. It is SO worth 2 hours of your time.)
5) Tim Hawkins DVD’s or Concert tickets – Frisco 3/1/15 (If you haven’t heard Tim Hawkins, we might have to slap you. Not really, but please go youtube him immediately. He will have you and your kids laughing out loud in a matter of 30 seconds flat. He is coming to Frisco in March and yours truly will be there with my crew. We’d love for you to join us!).
6) ARISE book by Clayton & Ellen Kershaw (I know we’ve mentioned this book one or twenty-five times, but it’s really THAT good. Especially for our boys. They will be able to relate to growing up in Dallas, playing sports in highland park, etc. Pick up a few extra for nephews, cousins, etc.)
7) Arise Africa Christmas Catalog – School shoes (If you haven’t picked up on the fact that I love all things Africa then you might be underneath a large rock. Arise Africa offers the best way for your child to connect to another by purchasing school shoes, sports equipment, hot meals, etc. Your child’s choice. This is the same school that received the generous donations of school supplies you purchased last summer. Please take advantage of teaching the joy of GIVING through this amazing organization.)
8) Jam Tour Concert Tickets – Ft. Worth, TX 3/08/15 (Jeremy Camp, For King & Country, Building 429, Newsong, etc.) (If you know anything about Christian contemporary music, this line up will have you chomping at the musical bit. Give the gift of music and true worship this year. You won’t regret it.)
9) OZONE Dodgeball Tournament tickets – 2/15/15 (I always love to give things at Christmas that I would probably give anyway during the year. It feeds my efficiency idol. Everyone wins here because you support an awesome ministry, the kids get to open another gift and you receive a sliver of gratitude. Maybe it’s time we start reminding our little angels that these fun opportunities they receive all year long ARE gifts and they are to be appreciated. (Or is it just mine that need reminding? 😉 Please mark your calendars and start building a team.
10) Klife Progressive Riot tickets – 2/27/15 (This is also an incredibly fun event put on by another great ministry, KLife. Recruit a friend or two to purchase tickets along with you and package this up for your son underneath the tree. They will THANK YOU come February!)
11) Clayton Kershaw MVP T-shirt (proceeds go to Kershaws Challenge). (Be your own most valuable player. Help support underprivileged kids in Africa and West Dallas by purchasing an MVP shirt celebrating Clayton’s successful season. We call this a WIN WIN.)
12) Summer Camp Gear – Camp Ozark, Kanukuk, Pine Cove, etc. (Help support your child’s summer camp by purchasing a sweatshirt or water bottle from their website. Then you can attach a gift certificate for a week/2 weeks/or a month at camp this summer. Again, another opportunity to throw in something that they might receive anyway, but it’s way more fun than underwear or socks.)
13) Favorite Verse as Art or Inspirational Art (This is something I created for our boys that hangs by our back door to remind us that our identity is in Christ and not in the things of this world. Taking your son’s favorite Bible verse and having it printed and framed for their room would be a great investment as well. Pun intended.)
14) D-Now Weekend at PCBC – January 16th-18th (This event is only for 7th-12th graders – boys & girls – but is a completely meaningful experience if you have kids this age. Pike Wisner & Chris Lovell will be speaking, which is reason enough to sign up your kids. You do not have to be a member of PCBC to attend and it’s a great way to spiritually fill up your kids as they take on their spring semester.)
15) A SIBLING – Arise Africa Sponsorship Program (I did, in fact, save the best for last. For a little over $400/year you can change the life of one precious life in Zambia through the sponsorship program of Arise Africa. That is LESS than most of us pay for a semester of select sports. If you want to make sure your money goes where they say it does, please read about our experience of meeting the child we sponsor (click here) through this program. Best give you will give AND receive this year.)
This list in not an exhaustive one by any means. And I’ll be the first to tell you my boys WILL TOTALLY be sporting new NFL gear come January. But hopefully it will encourage us all to add some truly meaningful gifts underneath the tree along with the latest electronic devices we’ve already purchased.
It is the biggest blessing of all to be connected through Armour Up to YOU, the families of these young men. Thank your for your continued support of our ministry. We look forward to bringing it BIG in 2015.
The Armour Up Team
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2