He answered, "'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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" -Luke 10:27
I appreciate how Bob Goff, the author of Love Does, paraphrases this verse. He says, "Love God, Love People, and Do Stuff."
Jesus refers to this verse as the greatest commandment. In Luke 10, Jesus uses a parable to explain what it means to love our neighbor. I believe He didn't want to leave any room for excuses. He says, it was on a road where a man was beaten and robbed and as he lay on the ground, half-alive without his clothes and possessions, a priest and a holy man steered clear of him. The next person, a Samartin, saw the man and his heart went out to him. Jesus said he gave the injured man first aid, took him to an inn and made him comfortable. But wait, there is more, he paid for the man to recover at the inn. Jesus is clear, we aren't only to love God and love our neighbor, we are also supposed to do stuff.
I believe there are many similarities between that man left on the side road and the kids we are blessed to serve. Many are physically and mentally abused. Many are scarred. Many have no possessions to call their own. We are so grateful that you, and so many other wonderful people, hear their stories and your heart goes out to them. Then, like the Good Samaritan, you open your wallet and say, "Here, take what you need." In many cases, you not only give one time, but over and over again. You want the best for the kids we serve.
You may give monthly and/or annually. You may have a gift for the Ranch in your estate or have named the Ranch as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy. You may give to specific areas like horse therapy, education, or Spiritual Life; donate quilts, fund an endowment, or say, "We trust you. Use this money where you need it most." However you choose to give, you bless the precious children at the Ranch. You love your neighbor as yourself.
We are so thankful you don't pass by our kids. Like the Good Samaritan, you care for them through your support. Thank you, for "doing stuff."
Tim Unsinn
Development Officer, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
Learn more about Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch at DakotaRanch.org.
You can also follow the Ranch on Facebook.
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Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christian residential treatment and educational center for children and their families. We help the most troubled, complicated, and amazing kids by providing best-in-class psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care, where we look kids in the eye, walk with them, and help them become their best selves.