Homelessness

While in Iraq, I had read a few books that convicted me about Christian living - more on the side of "what was I doing for my fellow man" than on the moral and self-improvment side. I read Blue Like Jazz by Donal Miller and then right when I got back I read Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. Both of these books have really changed my heart about poverty and homelessness in America. Blue Like Jazz really just melted my heart over what real Christian sincerity is in my everyday life. Under the Overpass opened my eyes up to some of the big problems homeless men and women face everyday - the book is about 2 young Christian men that enter homelessness to experience it first hand.

Right before Christmas, the Lord called me to start a new small group at my church. Our first meeting was in the middle of January and it's been quite an experience so far. We haven't had our first encounter as a group with the homeless yet (prayer request: we are still praying and searching for a ministry or shelter to return our calls and express interest!), but we've been learning a lot through a video-study from Compassion International about poverty and how God views it. We're then going to move onto a really interesting book called How To Increase Homelessness by John Joel Roberts, the head of PATH (People Assisting The Homeless). I know the title sounds absurd; the book is about the absurdity of homelessness in America. This will definitely spark conversation within our group because of all the different backgrounds we come from and, interestingly enough, differing political views. My goal for our group in reading this book is to educate us on the problem and to compel us to be better advocates for the homeless (by offering our serices and to maybe even use our voice in the local government to help improve services for the homeless).

Tonight in our study, I was so convicted by Deuterony 15:11, " 7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." I have been focused maybe more on the part that says "the Lord will bless you" in a sense -- not that I didn't think helping those in need is a bad thing, but that I just wasn't seeing the value that even the poor have (I was and probably am not seeing them as God does). Our Father commands us to be kind-hearted and generous, especially to those that don't have as much material things. If we have clothes, clothe them; if we have food, feed the hungry; if we have shelter, bring the unsheltered under our roof.

I'm excited about our group, even though we are still small. We have 5 dedicated folks right now and are chomping at the bit for an opportunity to serve. Our goal is to do a study on a weekly basis and to serve the community once a month. When we become established in that, my goal, Lord willing, is to have a quarterly service event for Cornerstone that is open to our whole Church community.

Well - I think that's a good summary of what's been on my mind the last two days. I've been sick and didn't go to work today, but my stomach is feeling better and I'll be at work bright and early in the morning.

Until next time, God bless!