Category - Blog

1 It’s Time For A Different Kind of Celebration! December is the season of celebration for people from many faiths and walks of life. While your thoughts might have immediately jumped to Christmas, there are a lot of people in the King’s Ransom family that celebrate Chanukah. And frankly, if you’re a believer in Yeshua (Jesus’ …

1 You’ve heard of Thanksgiving. You’ve heard of “Black Friday.” You may have even heard of “Cyber Monday.” But now there’s this thing called “#GivingTuesday.” Over the last several years, people have started to realize that spending money they don’t have to buy gifts for people who really don’t need anything isn’t as fulfilling as …

Let me start with a simple question today: HOW do you pray? Are you a down-on-your-knees person…or a vocal, hands-outstretched-to-Heaven supplicant… or, possibly, someone who’s a “desperate-in-the-moment” pleading beggar? And, more importantly, does it even make a difference? Now, this is just my opinion, but I firmly believe there is NO “wrong” way to pray! And, …

1 Think back to your school days. When you were growing up, did you have a favorite teacher — one you looked forward to seeing every day? When I was in fifth grade, Mrs. Fowler made me feel like I could do anything and become anyone I wanted to be. Coming off my parents’ divorce, …

1 Do you remember that first moment you decided to dedicate part of your income to help the poor? Maybe you heard about Audelis, a single mom living in a garbage dump in Nicaragua, who could only provide for her children by picking through the garbage for edible food or items she could clean-up and …

The world is filled with beautiful people… successful businesspeople… people who can inspire and motivate others… people who care for the poor… people who just want to make a meaningful difference in the world. However, you don’t often find someone who embodies ALL of these traits. That’s why King’s Ransom Foundation is so honored to …

It’s been in the news for weeks. You’ve seen it. Once AGAIN, Israel and the Gaza Strip are under attack from their neighbors… just as they have been since the days of Abraham. It’s the same fight – with the same unrelenting enemy – just “modernized” with a NEW weapon: the kite bomb! I’m mentioning …

Have you ever noticed, King’s Ransom Foundation doesn’t flood your mailbox, month-after-month, with glossy, full-color mailers pleading for your donations? Wonder why? Those mailers are expensive! And, honestly, we would MUCH rather use your donations to actually DO the work we say we do – feeding the orphaned and the widowed around the world, building homes for …

Hundreds Of Boys Rise From Poverty In India…To Hope 1 Take a moment and think back to your childhood. Everything in the big world outside of your little circle seemed large and unfamiliar. But as long as you were home, with your parents, you felt SAFE. Innocence Destroyed Now, imagine one dark night as you and …

If you’ve been in a church at least ONCE in your life, you’ve probably heard someone talk about tithing – the principle behind giving one-tenth of your income to the local church. And while some churches have moved away from the word “tithe” and just call it “giving,” the principle remains the same. It’s how …

WHEREVER you have deep, pervasive poverty – on the level we see daily in Nicaragua – you can be sure malnutrition also figures into the equation. Honestly, using a bland, technical word like “malnutrition” somehow removes the raw, human, factor from its harsh reality. See, unless you have actually experienced it in your OWN body, …

Everyday, children around the world are being abused, abandoned, and trafficked. At King’s Ransom Foundation, caring for children is one of our highest priorities. That’s why we were so delighted to learn about a very special home in Israel that provides unique care for some very vulnerable young women. We recently received a letter from the home manager …

Okay… let’s get REAL! Although we do genuinely love our family and friends, the holidays can bring out both the best – and often, THE WORST – in everyone. So, it’s not uncommon to associate a bit of “fighting” with these holiday gatherings. However, we’re not putting on the gloves to go a few rounds with guests …

Have you ever noticed, seasons – not unlike people – seem to project certain emotions? For instance, Summer could be easily seen as “carefree,” while many feel Spring embodies “hopefulness.” However, if you had to pick just one “emotion” which dominates THIS particular time of year, without a doubt, it would be ANTICIPATION! Consider everything going on …

Remember either telling a story or listening to someone recount their experience… and finally, it all ends with “Well, you just had to BE there!“? We can all IMAGINE something, but to genuinely “feel” what someone may be experiencing, is a horse of a COMPLETELY different color! See, true empathy can be a tricky thing. …

By now, your Thanksgiving preparations are probably well underway… turkey thawing, pies baking, EVERY square inch of your pantry, refrigerator and counters filled to overflowing with feast fixin’s! Surveying the bounty definitely makes it easier to be thankful as we approach the “big day” this Thursday. We plan, we prep, we gorge, we collapse – sound …

I’ll be the first to admit, I absolutely LOVE autumn… the cool snap in the air, nature’s endless spectrum of colors, a cozy fire, snuggly sweaters – what’s NOT to love?!? But, it also signals the beginning of BIG holiday spending. No matter how much we may fight it, once Labor Day rolls around, so does …

Recently, while a friend and I chatted, our conversation veered WAAAAAY off-course… and ended up on the subject of compassion. Along the way, we reminisced about our respective childhoods and upbringings, specifically noting the culture of those times. We discussed those nostalgic and “throw-back” social media memories – whether saddle shoes and sock hops, flower power …

DOOM & GLOOM… DISASTER… TRAGEDY… it makes you want to simply say, “ENOUGH!” With everything going on in the world around us, sometimes we might just be tempted to find a hole and hide! Honestly, how are we supposed to live in such a culture of fear? But fear is nothing new, as President Franklin …

Have you noticed, some perfectly normal words have gotten a “bad” reputation? Words like “comfortable” – honestly, what’s WRONG with being comfortable?! Most of us LIVE to be “comfortable!” And, how about “fine”?! Put it together with almost anything, and it becomes elevated: fine wine, fine features, fine fabrics. But all ALONE, it’s a terse …

No matter where we turn, these days we can easily feel overwhelmed with news of one disaster after another… hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes. The images of total devastation, despair and dejection, might leave us feeling depressed and hopeless – wondering what we can do, amid all the darkness. One suggestion? Shine a light! At first, this might …

We throw around a lot of cliché phrases: “YOLO”… “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again”… “Man cannot live by bread alone”… and, an old favorite… “grace under fire.” First, don’t EVEN get me started on the whole idea of “clichés”; they’ve withstood the test of time and trials – that’s WHY they’ve …

This past weekend, we celebrated Grandparents Day… admittedly, one of the “newer” holidays, only recognized since the late 1970s. However, it DID make me think about the whole idea of the legacy my grandparents left me! My Mama, Nana and Granny made SURE we learned good manners, proper respect and how to represent our family …

Just last week, we talked about exactly how far WE – or OTHERS – would willing go to aid someone in need. And, just as we pondered this question, Mother Nature raised her voice… in a BIG way, with Hurricane Harvey! In the past few days, not only have we seen countless photos, videos and …

While I prefer to keep the focus on the vital work we do at King’s Ransom Foundation – and God – this week let me take a brief detour to highlight something we may not consider, when discussing humanitarian efforts. You see, this past week reminded me of a time, when just doing my job, ALSO involved …

When we last visited, you had a chance to gain a little more insight into WHO the Apostles actually were – as people. And, we left you with a little “teaser” about how their individual characteristics may actually relate to YOU! So, let me ask you… are you a “Matthew,” “Mark,” “Luke” or “John”? Believe …

As we continue to catalog the abundance of blessings, flowing through Nicaragua last week – all evidence of His power working through thousands like you – let’s continue our discussion about “perspective.” And, add another “p” word into the mix… PROVISION! Remember that elephant and those “big picture” perspective thoughts? Just as this parable began thousands of …

At some point, most children hear the ancient parable of blind men describing an elephant. But, in case you’ve either forgotten this little tale – or never heard it – let’s briefly recap: “A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to their town, but none of them were …

We all have different ways of “unwinding”… for some, a leisurely walk fills the bill or an endorphin-pumping workout at the gym; for others, it may be getting lost in a novel or finding an outlet in cooking. I even have friends who clean like mad fiends! But, for me, it’s escaping into a great …

Coded into our very DNA, we have certain instincts… survival, shelter, food, safety. And for parents, these kick into overdrive, when our children are involved. That said, most parents want MORE than these “bare minimums” for our kids – to provide a better existence, an better lifestyle. And, my parents were no exception. However, they …

Last week, we began a rather “big picture” discussion about the power of unity – specifically, what a united couple can accomplish through their marriage. And while we tend to think more “globally” at King’s Ransom, we actually SEE the daily miracles performed by just two people… fused by a common vision or goal! Just successfully …

How many people does it take to transform a NATION? How many people does it take to turn around a CITY? How many people does it take to revitalize a NEIGHBORHOOD? Honestly, here at King’s Ransom Foundation, we actually DO think about these questions… and how we can shine God’s light more brightly in EVERY …

When you set a big goal, it brings BIG challenges… stretching you to reach further than ever have before. When you set a HUGE goal, it forces you to seek outside help and support. But when you set an OUTRAGEOUS, LIFE-CHANGING goal… well, NOW you have to build a team of people, who share a …

I’ve been thinking about mothers lately. Not just because Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend (and let me just say, without a good calendar and a better wife, I’d be in real trouble), but because I see so many moms in crisis every day. I see mothers doing the best they can to raise …

When most people talk about “getting a vision” for their lives, it usually comes in terms of something they can do to make their OWN lives more comfortable or fulfilling. And, honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. But this past weekend in Los Angeles, a group of professionals got a taste of something BIGGER, RICHER. …

Every day, I talk with people who say they want to make a real difference in the world, but their current financial situation has limited how much they can give. I think – on some level – everyone wants to have a bigger impact on the world…especially those who love to give. And the King’s …

There are few things in life more satisfying than setting a big goal… then ACHIEVING it. If you’ve ever done it, you know the thrill of charging across the finish line. And, thanks to you, our King’s Ransom family is about to experience that thrill! When we started our 1,000 Homes campaign in January 2015, …

We are constantly bombarded with information – a thundering cascade of data washing over us every second of our lives. Some of it is useless, some misleading and some is outright confusing. But then, raindrops of wisdom alight on our consciousness so gently, so simply, that it’s easy to dismiss them. Those “raindrops” can include …

I have four kids, and I am so blessed because of the generous tax deductions they provide me. You DO know I’m just kidding… right?! My kids are the love of my life and I cannot imagine life without them. I love watching who they will grow up to be and enjoy spending time with them now. Naturally, …

As a father, I want my kids to see the goodness and kindness of God represented in my life. I think most Christian parents feel that way. At the same time, I want to cultivate the integrity of God in my kids… and in myself, including traits like justice, purity, excellence, and compassion. If you’re …

I don’t know if this happens where you live, but some places I’ve lived my utility bills were never the same two months in a row. One month, my electric bill was $115, the next almost $200 and the month after? $140… honestly, how do you build a budget around THAT? Over time, my wife …

International missions represent a big part of what we do here, at King’s Ransom Foundation. While our goal is to impact the lives of the poorest of the world’s poor, we’ve found this work has an equally powerful impact on the people who support it. In January, a team of King’s Ransom donors went down …

When I first talk to a donor, one of the questions I like to ask is, “How did you hear about King’s Ransom?” Until recently, their responses were pretty consistent. Most of our donors heard about us from Dani Johnson, an AMAZING spokesperson for our organization (you may remember the exclusive free webinar she hosted …

We have such an amazing donor family, here at King’s Ransom Foundation – remarkable, generous people who love the poor. Many of them found us, after hearing about one (or more) of our projects and then give to it tenaciously… as if the people they serve were a part of their own family. We also …

Did you know, you are a shepherd? Most shepherds don’t even recognize it! They look to their local clergy as their shepherd (“pastor” is the Latin word for shepherd) and their role is the dutiful sheep. WRONG! We might not have a title or degrees behind our names, but we stand in a position of leadership – …

If you’ve ever had to move across the country, you understand. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of filling up a moving truck and running out of room – before you run out of boxes. It’s one thing if you’re just moving across town and can make multiple trips back and forth, but if you’re …

Why do you go to work? If you own a business, why did you start your business? For most people, the answer is obvious: to earn money, so they can pay for their needs in life. Nothing wrong with that. But what happens, when you go beyond funding the needs of your daily operations? The …

Recently, I was enjoying lunch with a friend, when he began to share some things in his home life he found frustrating. They weren’t major problems – just the kind of things most families deal with from time-to-time – but they irritated him to a point where he was seeing his life, filtered through anger. …

Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Why do you go to work? Why do you earn money? Where do you find fulfillment?   Don’t worry… this is not an interrogation or pop quiz! There are no wrong answers. This is not an assessment of your character, but a mirror of your …

I hope you had a refreshing and reinvigorating holiday season. There’s much to do this year, and we don’t even know everything God has planned for us, yet. So, let’s get into it. When you think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, what comes to mind? The manger scene, riding into Bethlehem on a donkey, …