Why I'm not shopping on Black Friday

Don't get me wrong, I love bargains as much as the next guy, but sometimes I think Black Friday shows the blackness of our hearts.

People spend days thinking about and planning a day of feasting with their family and then the next thing you know it's 3 a.m. Friday and they're standing in a line outside (insert store name here) waiting to get that awesome deal on a 52" television or sleek computer or that one toy the child can't live without. 

Let's just get something straight: the child can live without it. Families can live without an enormous flat screen television. Teenagers can live without having the newest computer.

You know what people can't live without? Water. Food. Medicine. 

On Friday, as millions of Americans run into stores to do early Christmas shopping and collect as many sale items as their cars will allow them, many children and families across the world are wishing they had the one thing that would keep them alive: water. 

Did you know that last Christmas Americans spent $584 billion? Americans alone... which (obviously) doesn't count the rest of the world who celebrate with gifts. While only $20 billion a year would give the whole world clean water? The whole world.

Click here for facts about water.

So this year, instead of spending money amid the hustle and bustle of stores around town, I'm taking the money I would have spent on Black Friday and putting it toward clean water for the world. It might not be much and it won't change the reality of poverty, malnutrition or the devastating affects of life without clean water, but it will make a difference. 

Watch this short video and keep it in your heart all season (and year) long:

Alternatives for Black Friday:

The list is endless, but start by making memories with your family. They won't always be around, so cherish the time you have with them. Some of these ideas involve money (and giving it away) and some don't, but all involve making memories and redeeming the time we are given on this earth.

• Forgotten Christmas. A ministry of Gospel for Asia, you can purchase gifts (including Bibles, chickens, mosquito nets, water wells and purifiers and more) for people in Asia. Click here for more information and to give.

• Family movie day. Grab the popcorn, make hot chocolate and settle down for a long winter's nap (or just a day full of Christmas movies). 

• Family game day. See above. Only substitute movies for games. 

• Make Christmas gifts. Instead of pouring out your money, pour your heart into a handmade gift for friends and family. Pinterest has a plethora of ideas, or you could think of your own. Don't believe the lie that you can't do it or that whoever you're making it for won't like it - everyone appreciates thoughtful gifts, especially in this day and age of materialistic consumerism.

• Serve others. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter or check out this awesome list of RACK - Random Acts of Christmas Kindness, pick some and make it your goal to out-serve others. With a goal like that, who can lose?

• Pack a Shoebox. Operation Christmas Child boxes are an awesome way to remember the needs of others and do something about world poverty. Check out 101 ways to pack a shoebox here. 

• Buy to end poverty. There are many awesome ministries who have taught women (some of whom are widows) to make paper beads and necklaces, ornaments and more. Katie Davis taught women to make paper beads out of her Amazima ministry. Bead for Life has a great selection of necklaces, shea butters and lotions and an ornament, all providing great opportunities to check names off your Christmas list while helping the world.

• Read. If you need an idea for what to read check out the November/December issue of Real Truth Matters Magazine and be encouraged by reading stories of believers from around the world. 

Challenges for shoppers:

I'm not against shopping or deal-hunting (I can't tell you the last time I bought something that wasn't on sale), so if you find yourself shopping for bargains on Black Friday, here are a few challenges for you:

• Live the Gospel. Be sacrificial and aware of those around you, treating others better than they deserve, just as the Lord treats us.

• Don't complain. Set an example for those around you (especially if shopping with family) and stand out from among the crowd so easily beset with negativity.

• Smile. Never underestimate the power of a turned-up mouth. 

• Strike up a conversation. While waiting in line, reach out to a stranger and strike up a non-confrontational conversation. Topics could range from what they're shopping for (and for whom), their Christmas traditions, where they go to church or how you can pray for them. Always be ready to give an account of the Hope that lies within you. 

• Choose joy. If something happens that goes a little outside your plans, try to take it in stride and choose joy over anger, sadness or even frustration. 

• Spread Christmas cheer. Elf says the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, but I think spreading the joy of our Savior's birth also comes by doing what He said, which includes extending grace to others and offering Christ-honoring words of encouragement, love and respect to others.

• Remember who you represent. As believers we are ambassadors for Christ and aren't just representing ourselves or our families, but Jesus as we walk through our lives (which includes walking the aisles of the packed department stores). Arm yourself with patience and a loving attitude and seek to glorify God more than gain the best earthly bargain.

• If you really want to get radical... don't buy anything for yourself. When I was growing up, my mom wouldn't let me buy things for myself after November 1 because it was too close to Christmas. I still like to apply that simple rule - it keeps the focus on others, as it should be during this blessed time of year.

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

(1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 ESV)

 

Help Take the Gospel to the Nations

The following is from Real Truth Matter's website, updating you on the magazine (and all the countries it has been downloaded in!) and asking you to prayerfully consider making a $10/month recurring donation to help take the Gospel and proclaim the name of Jesus to more people in even more countries. Please read, be encouraged, and prayerfully give. 

Thank you for your prayers for the magazine- God is moving! I am so humbled and thankful to be a part of His redemptive work around the nations. God is so good! 

It is exciting to see what God's been doing with the new RTM Magazine. Thus far the iPad app has been downloaded in the U.S. and around the world in countries such as Sweden, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Canada, the Philippines, South Korea, the UK, Indonesia, and even the closed country of China. 

Even though we've invested a lot of work into the creation of the magazine, it doesn't feel like work. We are simply watching God bring to pass what He has called into being. 

We are moving forward with the second issue, and we want to make it available to as many people as possible. To do so, we'd like to lay out before you a vision on how that can be accomplished. 

As of right now, the app is only available for iPads; and even there it is limited. The magazine is not available in the Apple Newsstand, and the app has to be re-downloaded with every single issue as the current app will not automatically update. 

We can publish the magazine digitally where it will be available on all smart phones and tablets. It will not be limited to just the iPad. Additionally, it will be accessible through the Apple Newsstand where it can be viewed as digital magazines were intended to be seen. The cost to do this will be $500 a month, which includes all fees required for Adobe and Apple to be digital publishers. 

We believe this is how God is leading us in publishing the magazine. It is not a nicety but a way to get teaching, testimonies, and the Gospel in the hands of as many people as possible as easily as possible. 

In seeking God for His provision for the magazine, we sense His leading in asking others from the body to be a part of the magazine with us. If the Lord leads just 50 people to donate $10 a month toward the magazine, the need will be met by our Father through the body. We are asking that if the Lord so leads that you would set up a recurring donation of $10 a month in order to make this resource accessible to more people. 

We are all partners in the spreading of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, and this is one way in which you can see that partnership fulfilled. We do not make our specific needs known when it comes to our day to day operations, but it is often easier to get involved when you can see how your support is being used specifically. 

You can set up a recurring donation through our website, and together we can see God take something as simple as a digital magazine and spread the name of Jesus Christ around the world.