February 2013 Family Advocate

A publication of Sheridan House Family Ministries

1700 South Flamingo Road • Davie, FL 33325 • (954) 583-1552 • www.SheridanHouse.org

February 2013

Sharing the Love!

Isabella’s parents are doing a great job of teaching her about giving.

She walks the family donation in the front door of Sheridan House each month.

Honoring Christ by serving the needs of children and families

A Note From Bob A Great Use of Valentine’s Day Is Valentine’s Day just a day for giving and receiving cards, candy and flowers? Being “The Love Month,” February gives us an opportunity to take a closer look at Valentine’s Day. When our Lord was asked about the most important thing we need to do, He said “to love.” Christ said we are to love God with all our being and express that love for Him by loving our neighbors.

Our neighbors are the people whose needs God puts in our path.

To demonstrate love, Jesus told a story about the man beaten up and left on the side of the road. The man had significant needs and yet many walked by. But, a Samaritan came by, stopped and met his needs. It’s important to note that the Samaritan didn’t know the man, nor did he have anything in common with him.

This was just a man that God had put in his path so he shared what he had.

On the cover of this issue of the Family Advocate is a picture of a little girl whose family gives a gift to Sheridan House monthly.

To teach their little girl about giving, her mom pulls up in front of our offices and her daughter walks the envelope in with their monthly gift and personally hands it to us. These parents are teaching their child about love … giving to help meet the needs of others who are hurting and on the “side of the road of life.”

Sheridan House is a ministry where almost every family can get answers and everyone’s family can help.

And help is needed!

This month we are asking each of our readers to consider doing the same. Not necessarily dropping off your monthly gift, but giving to Sheridan House to help us meet the needs of children and families.

We have never before seen this many families needing assistance with their children or their marriages.

Each month we are working with more families than ever in our forty-five years. For this reason we are asking everyone who receives this Family Advocate to consider helping us on a monthly basis.

Together, if we each give a little, we can help more children and families in need while pointing them to God to meet their most significant need.

Serving Him,

P.S. Yes, for those of you who might wonder, along with my monthly gift to Sheridan House, I am giving Rosemary a card and flowers!

We’re not asking you to commit a specific amount on a monthly basis but to consider giving each month when you receive this publication.

There are two ways to give. One is to use this envelope to send your gift. The easiest way is to go on line and set up a secure one-time donation or recurring donation at:

www.SheridanHouse.org/give (Continued)

When a government agency gives to help an individual or family, it’s a handout.

When Sheridan House helps a family it’s a hand-up. We are helping people make permanent life changes and we need you to lend a hand. No gift is too small.

If everyone receiving this Family Advocate gave something this month literally thousands of lives would be touched in the name of Christ.

Together we can make a difference. Together we can change this culture. By each of us giving a little each month, we can make a huge difference in the lives of literally thousands of families… by working together.

An Opportunity With Your Child For Valentine’s Day

By Dr. Bob Barnes February, being the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day, is a great time to teach our children about the word, “Love.” Unfortunately, the word “Love” has been debauched by things our children see in the media.

Love is one of the most powerful, overriding themes of the Bible. God loved the world… What does that mean? Begin by asking your child, “What do you think love is?” and “Where should you go for the answer to what love is?” If God is love, we should go to Him for the best definition.

God tells us He first loved us before we loved Him. Then He tells us that we are to love Him so much that we choose to love the people He places around us.

Luke 10:28- And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” -ESV First, I am to love God and then show that I love Him by loving everyone … everyone He places around me. Love is not a feeling; but something you do! That is why we give to others in need.

Ask your kids if they can think of anyone that the family could do something for to show that they love God. The best part about helping other people, because we love God, is that we don’t need to hear that person say “thank you.”

We are choosing to express our love for God. Then ask the kids what is one thing each of them can do for another person as a Valentine’s gift to God. Remember, love is not what you feel. Love is what you do.

SheridanHouse

1700 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33325 (954) 583-1552 • sheridanhouse.org

YOUR PICTURE HERE L to R: Charlie and Susie Aleshire and Hector Anduiza

Get Tagged!

Tag your company fleet

Send us a picture with your Family Values License Tag and we’ll highlight you too. Be creative.

Have fun. Spread the word!

Send your picture to: info@sheridanhouse.org

Friday, March 1, 2013

Quail Creek Plantation • Okeechobee, FL Schedule of Events: Registration and Practice Shoot: 9am Shotgun Start: 10am Lunch and Awards to follow

Visit: SheridanHouse.org/sportingclay

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Your contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (1-800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Sheridan House Family Ministries registration number is CH24786.

The $25 specialty plate is tax-deductible and directly helps the children and families served daily by Sheridan House Family Ministries.

R iding to R estore a L ife

Saturday, March 23, 2013 Event Check-In at Sheridan House: 7:00am Kickstands Up from Sheridan House: 7:45am Light Breakfast at Clewiston Inn: 9:00am Kickstands Up from Clewiston Inn: 9:45am Lunch to follow at in Weston: 11:00am Up to the minute details (and pictures) at:

www.SheridanHouse.org/ride