A couple of days ago our friends Shay and Shane ,who are project5050, got there truck broken into and were robbed of the few belongings they do possess. The irony of it all is that these 2 people choose to live in their truck and travel to 50 states to give away everything they have to those who are in need. So whoever took their belongings, had they simply asked them for it ,they probably would have just given it to them.
They would NEVER toot their own horn so without their permission I will commence to tooting.
Not only do they give away absolutely everything they also have befriended, cared for, and loved some of the most precious people. The unwanted,the afflicted, the addicted,the lonely and the lost. They have made friends everywhere they've gone and have an unbelievable amount of supporters.
The comments and questions I have heard most frequently are "I can't believe that happened to you ! " and "How could someone do that to you? " My friends you are asking the wrong question. What you should be asking is "Why not ? " Now before anyone tries to get on my soap box you'll have to get your own blog with your own box.
I mean really ,this isn't the first time the enemy has accused the righteous. Remember Job? Now imagine the enemy going before God and saying "Yeah they may love and serve you now and love your poor but take away the only earthly possessions they have and see what happens." Well there was his mistake because instead of cursing God they acted on His behalf.
Were they hurt and upset? Of coarse they're human but there flesh did not prevail. They chose to forgive and act in love by calling the one who stole their phone and asking them if there was anything else they needed. If ever there was a time to accurately answer that infamous question WWJD ? that message was the appropriate answer.
THAT is why it happened to them because not only did God know what was going to happen but He knew how they would RESPOND to what would happen. Like Job ,God will take care of Shay and Shane they will get back more than they had or know what to do with.They are strong, you don't live their life and do what they do without having the God given strength to do it.
If Christians didn't go through trials and tribulations I would think something amiss because it is a sure sign that you are on the right path.
Having your stuff stolen is painful , inconvenient and hard and I am not down playing the hardship that goes with that but at the end of the day you are not your stuff and loosing it is an opportunity to see God show off. When the enemy kicks you down you GETUP and when God comes to your rescue you BOW DOWN!
What the enemy can't steal is your joy and what brings more joy than the joy of giving. So to my friends Shay and Shane I say again pick yourself up dust yourself off and get out there and GIVE YOUR ASS OFF!!
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2Corinthians 4:8-9
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Hub Experiance
Wednesday I went to Shreveport ,La. to visit a non-profit group called The Hub.
How was my trip ? Tiring very very tiring.
These people work! I got there at 8:00 am and my day didn't end until 9:00 pm.
Physically , they do a lot so without getting into long details here is a summary.
They do something everyday of the week accept Sundays but they do bring people to church if they want to go. They have a day center open 3 days a week where anyone can take a shower, do their laundry, have lunch , just hang out , watch some T.V. and just rest.
They also have events once a week at the park for low income families where they just talk to people and play with the kids. They have a dinner that a local church participates in and they hand out clothes and hygiene products.
One of my favorite things was lunch in The Asian Garden downtown where volunteers come on there lunch hour and bring an extra lunch to share with someone . Those are just a few events they have but they do so much more. For more information check out their site www.thehubministry.com
But what they really do is LOVE people. Everything they do is based on faith and there love for the people they serve and they genuinely LOVE them.
Cassie has 5 full time staff members and they ALL share her heart .
They see past the way someone might look like ,smell like , or act like ,where they come from or where their going and they see their humanity. They love them right where they are.
The Hub is more than a building or a basement , its Jesus. Everyone who is helped by The Hub are not "clients" or numbers their family.
The homeless ,the needy , the poor ,the troubled, the hurting, they are not tolerated but embraced. Their entire ministry is based on relationships. These are their friends.
Four of their friends got housing recently and that doesn't happen overnight. Its a process that takes time and is an investment in their relationship. The Hub is in it for the long run . No quick fixes . Also listening to Cassie I can see they have tremendous favor with God and I love that they are totally Spirit lead and not government funded but God funded.
My Hub experience changed me. It gave me the confidence and faith to say to Lafayette , Louisiana" We can do better, we MUST do better."
I am thankful to Cassie and her staff Tina ,John, Taylor, and Caleb for their hospitality and for sharing their heart with me. The young definitely have something to teach the old.
If I could just scratch the surface of what The Hub is doing, here in Lafayette , I know it would be 100% better than it is now. But knowing me I could probably never settle for a scratched surface.
BTW This morning before I went to sort clothes at their clothes closet my phone beeped in with my daily bible verse.
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said " It is more blessed to give than to receive. - Acts 20:35
This is Robert. I met him at lunch this afternoon.
He is from a small country town , has a brother and sister and works with labor ready. He has never been to New Orleans but says he is definitely a Saints fan. WHODAT!!!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Random Thoughts 2
Lately I have been having these random thoughts and don't quite know what to do with them or how to cleverly fit them into a post .
So I decided ,while once again indulging in my unhealthy ritual of late night cereal consumption, that I should just write them all down and you take what you need and leave the rest for someone else.
Thought #1
Volunteers and people who run diners , shelters, etc.. for the residentially challenged:
The service I find in some places suck because slop should never be on the menu.
Also its not just the service but the attitude in which the service is rendered that I take issue with.
People in charge of these establishments should implement accountability for their volunteers as to how the people they are there to SERVE are treated. Sort of like an 'Internal Affairs" for volunteers and those over them.
I've seen big and small do it all and frankly I think I can do better bc if I do it Gods way, which is in love, than it is more efficient and effective and produces real change, HEART change.
Thought #2
When God calls you don't say "Not now God its not a good time".
True chasers of the cross say 'YES LORD YES ,WHEN CAN I START?"
When you accept that your call in life is ministry your life is no longer your own because it never was. Remind yourself daily that your ministry is not yours its His . It will never be about you it will always be about Him to bring glory and Honor to His name. It does matter what people think .You are a walking , talking, advertisement for Jesus. People should know you are a believer without ever having to open your mouth.
Thought #3
When it comes to finances, no matter how much you try to talk yourself into believing the notion that "I earned it" or "I worked for it" as an excuse to think that life is about how much "stuff" you can buy before you die,trust me you are deceived.
Show me biblically where it makes more sense or is more important than helping your fellow man!If I'm wrong please tell me.
Am I missing something? Am I reading the bible incorrectly? Do I need to learn Greek and ask God for more clarity and wisdom to interpret what Isaiah 58 really means? I can't wrap my head around "stuff " .
People with money always want to give me advice and tell me they have money because everything is for sale for the right price. There is no money to be made in the giving away buisness. Do you really believe that Gods purpose in ALLOWING people to acquire wealth was so they could hoard it and buy more stuff? Rich people how many cars and toys does one need? I 'm not against making money. By all means make your paper boo boo but damn put it in perspective.
Thought #4
In a world that is hungry and starving for hope, have we become so apathetic and complacent that our ambitions have been reduced down to seeing who can reach the first million followers on twitter? Humanity, I beg you please, AIM HIGHER,much much higher!
Thought #5
Last but not least "The meaning of life"...
Jesus is life therefore it means EVERYTHING!!!
So I decided ,while once again indulging in my unhealthy ritual of late night cereal consumption, that I should just write them all down and you take what you need and leave the rest for someone else.
Thought #1
Volunteers and people who run diners , shelters, etc.. for the residentially challenged:
The service I find in some places suck because slop should never be on the menu.
Also its not just the service but the attitude in which the service is rendered that I take issue with.
People in charge of these establishments should implement accountability for their volunteers as to how the people they are there to SERVE are treated. Sort of like an 'Internal Affairs" for volunteers and those over them.
I've seen big and small do it all and frankly I think I can do better bc if I do it Gods way, which is in love, than it is more efficient and effective and produces real change, HEART change.
Thought #2
When God calls you don't say "Not now God its not a good time".
True chasers of the cross say 'YES LORD YES ,WHEN CAN I START?"
When you accept that your call in life is ministry your life is no longer your own because it never was. Remind yourself daily that your ministry is not yours its His . It will never be about you it will always be about Him to bring glory and Honor to His name. It does matter what people think .You are a walking , talking, advertisement for Jesus. People should know you are a believer without ever having to open your mouth.
Thought #3
When it comes to finances, no matter how much you try to talk yourself into believing the notion that "I earned it" or "I worked for it" as an excuse to think that life is about how much "stuff" you can buy before you die,trust me you are deceived.
Show me biblically where it makes more sense or is more important than helping your fellow man!If I'm wrong please tell me.
Am I missing something? Am I reading the bible incorrectly? Do I need to learn Greek and ask God for more clarity and wisdom to interpret what Isaiah 58 really means? I can't wrap my head around "stuff " .
People with money always want to give me advice and tell me they have money because everything is for sale for the right price. There is no money to be made in the giving away buisness. Do you really believe that Gods purpose in ALLOWING people to acquire wealth was so they could hoard it and buy more stuff? Rich people how many cars and toys does one need? I 'm not against making money. By all means make your paper boo boo but damn put it in perspective.
Thought #4
In a world that is hungry and starving for hope, have we become so apathetic and complacent that our ambitions have been reduced down to seeing who can reach the first million followers on twitter? Humanity, I beg you please, AIM HIGHER,much much higher!
Thought #5
Last but not least "The meaning of life"...
Jesus is life therefore it means EVERYTHING!!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Random Thoughts
I know it's been awhile since I have posted but alot has been going on.
The cloud is moving and that means new direction .When the cloud starts to move I feel mixed emotions but mostly I feel excitement because I know something new and exciting is coming.
One of the best things ,other than the obvious,about being a spirit filled believer is being spirit lead.
I used to be a person that desperately needed to be in control and at times I still struggle with it .But you cannot be in control and also be spirit lead.Spirit lead means the Holy Spirit is in control and at this point in my life I would love nothing more than to put my life in His hands and say " Lead the way".
Some would say easier said than done but honestly once you know the truth and you know God I can't think of anything easier.
Honestly , I think people put to much emphasis on theology and over think everything.
I don't believe that God is that complicated.Wether he tells us to start a non profit or travel the country and live in a truck what's the worst that could happen?If God tells you do something than just do it,if something gets broken along the way He will fix it He never starts something and doesn't finish it nor does He not provide the means in which to carry out His will. I like the idea of not knowing what I am going to do tomorrow and I am ok with not planning out every aspect of my life.I understand the need to be prepared but I am more willing to let the Holy Spirit change my agenda whenever He sees fit.
The breakfast may have come to a standstill but my passion for the community as well as other communities dealing with the same challenges have only increased.
I desire to educate myself and learn from people successfully and fruitfully doing the work.
With everything going on in our world today I have never seen a more desperate time or more urgent need than right now for people to SEE the love of Jesus.
It is very easy to love the people you love and for some it may be easier to love strangers.
I challenge you to walk out the opposite.Those who are more difficult for you to love ,make the attempt. A kind word,a generous act goes further than you think.
God has shown me on many occasions that doing what is convenient for me,not wanting to go out of my way or go the extra mile ,DOES NOT glorify Him!
The Beatles sang "All You Need is Love" and though some may disagree it's the power behind what Love DOES that's important.
It heals, it fixes what is broken, it cuts through the red tape, it makes us who we were intended to be,it makes us see things through His eyes.
It is easy to love when you understand not only what it is , but WHO it is.
The cloud is moving and that means new direction .When the cloud starts to move I feel mixed emotions but mostly I feel excitement because I know something new and exciting is coming.
One of the best things ,other than the obvious,about being a spirit filled believer is being spirit lead.
I used to be a person that desperately needed to be in control and at times I still struggle with it .But you cannot be in control and also be spirit lead.Spirit lead means the Holy Spirit is in control and at this point in my life I would love nothing more than to put my life in His hands and say " Lead the way".
Some would say easier said than done but honestly once you know the truth and you know God I can't think of anything easier.
Honestly , I think people put to much emphasis on theology and over think everything.
I don't believe that God is that complicated.Wether he tells us to start a non profit or travel the country and live in a truck what's the worst that could happen?If God tells you do something than just do it,if something gets broken along the way He will fix it He never starts something and doesn't finish it nor does He not provide the means in which to carry out His will. I like the idea of not knowing what I am going to do tomorrow and I am ok with not planning out every aspect of my life.I understand the need to be prepared but I am more willing to let the Holy Spirit change my agenda whenever He sees fit.
The breakfast may have come to a standstill but my passion for the community as well as other communities dealing with the same challenges have only increased.
I desire to educate myself and learn from people successfully and fruitfully doing the work.
With everything going on in our world today I have never seen a more desperate time or more urgent need than right now for people to SEE the love of Jesus.
It is very easy to love the people you love and for some it may be easier to love strangers.
I challenge you to walk out the opposite.Those who are more difficult for you to love ,make the attempt. A kind word,a generous act goes further than you think.
God has shown me on many occasions that doing what is convenient for me,not wanting to go out of my way or go the extra mile ,DOES NOT glorify Him!
The Beatles sang "All You Need is Love" and though some may disagree it's the power behind what Love DOES that's important.
It heals, it fixes what is broken, it cuts through the red tape, it makes us who we were intended to be,it makes us see things through His eyes.
It is easy to love when you understand not only what it is , but WHO it is.
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