Ashamed

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bikerchaz

Guest
#1


This is Joyce. I brought her breakfast and had coffee with her this morning. She was laying there covered in Ants crawling all over her. The smells over powering. In her 60's. She has no one , no hope. She got this way leaving a shack box and has travelled 100's of miles to return her mothers ashes to her home town then she wants to go join her mother. She says I was the 1st person to set down and speak with her in a month.. She says the church people go by her turning their heads . The little she gets from strangers are thrown at her from a safe distance or tossed from a car window. I am buying Joyce some cigarettes and having lunch with her in an hour.
Yes this is right here in America with a Corporate Church on every corner and a Jesus Salesman and Christian motivational Speaker on every BLOCK! (The poster of this is not me)

This was on my FB this morning. We should all be ashamed. We spend money on buildings and insurance in case anything goes wrong, we buy seats and fittings, speaker systems and video equipment.
I have a bum and the floor is getting further away because I am getting older, but I will sit on the floor because Jesus did, if I can't hear what's being said I will move closer, if it is raining then come and be Church at my house, God will provide some tea bags and coffee, milk and sugar.
WHAT SAY YOU!
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#2
Great post bikerchaz!

This is why we need to be preaching the gospel of the grace of Christ and defending it to the death if need be. How Jesus took all sin upon Himself and now people no matter what has happened in their past can walk free of being ashamed, full of condemnation and guilt. The religious world says the exact opposite of what Christ has done for us.

Thee gospel of Christ alone is what all people in the world need to hear...instead we are feeding them - stop sinning and be like me - that is not the gospel. The true gospel of the grace of Christ is the only thing that has the power for salvation.

Luke 4:18-19 (NASB)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
[SUP]19 [/SUP] TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
#3
Lunch and cig....no offer for her to come home with them, take a shower, wash her clothes, find a solution to her housing, pray with her, get her grief counseling?
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
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#4
the dens of thieves continue to prosper while the burdens of God's poor over-whelm them -

MATT.19:21.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

MARK 12:43.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you,
That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

LUKE 14:13.
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

11CO. 8:9.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich.

9:9.
(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

GAL.2:10.
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

JAMES 2:2-3.
For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also
a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place;
and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

JAMES 2:6.
But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

JER. 22:16.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know Me? saith The LORD.
 
C

coby2

Guest
#5


This is Joyce. I brought her breakfast and had coffee with her this morning. She was laying there covered in Ants crawling all over her. The smells over powering. In her 60's. She has no one , no hope. She got this way leaving a shack box and has travelled 100's of miles to return her mothers ashes to her home town then she wants to go join her mother. She says I was the 1st person to set down and speak with her in a month.. She says the church people go by her turning their heads . The little she gets from strangers are thrown at her from a safe distance or tossed from a car window. I am buying Joyce some cigarettes and having lunch with her in an hour.
Yes this is right here in America with a Corporate Church on every corner and a Jesus Salesman and Christian motivational Speaker on every BLOCK! (The poster of this is not me)

This was on my FB this morning. We should all be ashamed. We spend money on buildings and insurance in case anything goes wrong, we buy seats and fittings, speaker systems and video equipment.
I have a bum and the floor is getting further away because I am getting older, but I will sit on the floor because Jesus did, if I can't hear what's being said I will move closer, if it is raining then come and be Church at my house, God will provide some tea bags and coffee, milk and sugar.
WHAT SAY YOU!
What? I thought some third world country since I don't know which country your flag is from. And they dare say socialism is evil. That's why we have socialism. Let the churches give 1/3 of their income to the govt, at least they do take care of the poor.
 
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psychomom

Guest
#6
Lunch and cig....no offer for her to come home with them, take a shower, wash her clothes, find a solution to her housing, pray with her, get her grief counseling?
i've come across a Joyce or two, and have found there are somethings they'll allow you to do for them, and some they don't want. you have to respect their wishes, no matter how much you want it to be otherwise.
perhaps that's the case here?
 
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psychomom

Guest
#7
Great post bikerchaz!

This is why we need to be preaching the gospel of the grace of Christ and defending it to the death if need be. How Jesus took all sin upon Himself and now people no matter what has happened in their past can walk free of being ashamed, full of condemnation and guilt. The religious world says the exact opposite of what Christ has done for us.

Thee gospel of Christ alone is what all people in the world need to hear...instead we are feeding them - stop sinning and be like me - that is not the gospel. The true gospel of the grace of Christ is the only thing that has the power for salvation.

Luke 4:18-19 (NASB)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
[SUP]19 [/SUP] TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."

yes. :)

but with the homeless, as with all people, first we have to give them a reason to believe we care.
 

Utah

Banned
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
251
0
#8
Lunch and cig....no offer for her to come home with them, take a shower, wash her clothes, find a solution to her housing, pray with her, get her grief counseling?
Very powerful post and great insight.
 
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ladylynn

Guest
#9
i've come across a Joyce or two, and have found there are somethings they'll allow you to do for them, and some they don't want. you have to respect their wishes, no matter how much you want it to be otherwise.
perhaps that's the case here?


Yes, perhaps psychomom, I've met people like Joyce too but not lately. I've noticed we humans have a way of adapting to some very terrible situations. For some, to be at the mercy of other people is far more terrifying than being homeless and on the streets. At least we each have learned in time how to survive emotionally (or so we think) It's all about surviving. About a stable mind and what it takes to get there. Trusting anyone but self is a looonnnng lost art.

Only Jesus and the gospel He brought of grace and truth can save a person like Joyce. Even rich people are addicted to drugs and even they will sell their souls for the next fix. Money is not always the answer. In many ways, we are all like Joyce or have been at one time or another. Trying to self survive and failing miserably.

I'm again reminded that we are the church and called to minister to the poor and needy to feed their outside and then to feed their souls with the good news of Jesus. In as much as we have done it unto the least of these, we have done it unto Him. It sure is a stark reminder seeing a picture of Joyce here on CC and discussing it together.
 
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PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
12,821
8,596
113
#10
I pray with all my heart the Lord will watch over this woman, and all like her. I can remember years ago seeing people like her and thinking, "another one strung out on drugs". And then just go by, as if that would be a valid reason to do NOTHING.

Dear heavenly Father, send Your Angels to minister to these needy and broken people, also to US as we just as needy and broken, just in a different way. In Jesus name I pray.
 
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bikerchaz

Guest
#11
Lunch and cig....no offer for her to come home with them, take a shower, wash her clothes, find a solution to her housing, pray with her, get her grief counseling?
Are you offering? Do you see people like this? will you ask the next one home, wash their cloths or provide new home and feed them?
You could turn this back on me and ask the same thing, my answer; "I will do what I can with what I have" as the poster on FB did.
 
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bikerchaz

Guest
#12
What? I thought some third world country since I don't know which country your flag is from. And they dare say socialism is evil. That's why we have socialism. Let the churches give 1/3 of their income to the govt, at least they do take care of the poor.
There are some governments that are socially minded and have a safety net for the poor, I am glad yours does. The British Gov are busy dismantling our welfare state to be more like the US, everything to pay for and the poor and disabled deserve what they get, nothing.
 
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ladylynn

Guest
#13
Bikerchaz., This is a very good thread because it causes issues to be brought out into the open. I am again reminded of the need for the church (and me to be part of a church body) to be used to be part of the answer. To be doing a job here on earth. I dare say I'm not the only one who has made a survival nest here on earth. I know how the world is not a safe place and we all need a safe place.

I see a deep desire to want to be in a church that uses it's gifts Believers to use time,money., resources. I have resources to share but because I'm without a church, I'm busy surviving to meet those needs that the church is meant to meet.. for myself., I don't have my gifts organized to be able to go and help. I have some rooms with lots of things I don't use or need. Because of my own issues I'm an island. Something we are not supposed to be.

Each day I go do my job and come home and take care of life around me. Doing what I can do on my own. But with a church body., I would not have to meet those needs myself. No wonder God said we should be together. We can have the very thing someone needs but we are hold up with many gifts not being shared because we don't know how to do it.

The church is needed today and it is a powerful thing just like Jesus said. But many of us are scattered and not powerful because we are not together.
 

Utah

Banned
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
251
0
#14
Are you offering? Do you see people like this? will you ask the next one home, wash their cloths or provide new home and feed them?
You could turn this back on me and ask the same thing, my answer; "I will do what I can with what I have" as the poster on FB did.
Everyone appreciates what you've shared and I love your passion. Ariel upped the anti, that's all.
 
G

Gr8grace

Guest
#15


This is Joyce. I brought her breakfast and had coffee with her this morning. She was laying there covered in Ants crawling all over her. The smells over powering. In her 60's. She has no one , no hope. She got this way leaving a shack box and has travelled 100's of miles to return her mothers ashes to her home town then she wants to go join her mother. She says I was the 1st person to set down and speak with her in a month.. She says the church people go by her turning their heads . The little she gets from strangers are thrown at her from a safe distance or tossed from a car window. I am buying Joyce some cigarettes and having lunch with her in an hour.
Yes this is right here in America with a Corporate Church on every corner and a Jesus Salesman and Christian motivational Speaker on every BLOCK! (The poster of this is not me)

This was on my FB this morning. We should all be ashamed. We spend money on buildings and insurance in case anything goes wrong, we buy seats and fittings, speaker systems and video equipment.
I have a bum and the floor is getting further away because I am getting older, but I will sit on the floor because Jesus did, if I can't hear what's being said I will move closer, if it is raining then come and be Church at my house, God will provide some tea bags and coffee, milk and sugar.
WHAT SAY YOU!
If there is a need and we are called to fulfill that need we should.

But the Lord Jesus Christ is talking about the poor in Spirit. Those who lack the REAL food and drink........Spiritual food and drink.
This young ladies soul may look like Joyces physical appearance.
 
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Depleted

Guest
#16
What? I thought some third world country since I don't know which country your flag is from. And they dare say socialism is evil. That's why we have socialism. Let the churches give 1/3 of their income to the govt, at least they do take care of the poor.
Chaz is from England. (You can peek on his page and find out. And, yea, I still don't know what flag that is -- maybe "St. George's" flag, just guessing -- but at least I know Chaz is from England now. lol)

As far as I know, there are no "First World Nations" that aren't socialists. None. (Not even the US.) And, yes, governments help the poor in as little ways as possible. I'm sure Joyce is a good example. The government could have transported Joyce to where she wants to take her mom's ashes, but taxpayers would have been too upset about that "wasteful spending." If Joyce is mentally disabled, the government can give her a place to eat and sleep, unless she doesn't want to be because the taxpayers call that "warehousing" and everyone has rights. And if she did get a place to live? That's all it would be -- a place to live. No family. No friends. No money for a hobby. Barely enough money to eat, because the taxpayers don't want government to waste money. (Want to know where the money is wasted? Check where the government does warehouse people, see how they use electricity and spend three days fixing one hole in the lawn. Three guys watch one guy shovel. lol)

So now you want the church to pay the government even more money to do the bare minimum? Thank God the government does anything at all, because the Church has forgotten what WE'RE supposed to be doing!

And that's what socialism has given us -- the ideology that government is supposed to take care of everyone... particularly me.

I'm faced with how the government takes care of people every day now. Been like that for a long time, because the Church no longer thinks it's their problem. Scary part. Because of the rules and regulations the government set up so they don't waste money? Lots more money is wasted, lots less is getting done, and yet we can no longer afford to help people like Joyce. It really would cost too much money for most of us to bring her home.
 
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wwjd_kilden

Guest
#17
It's difficult to know though. I can't invite beggars home, being a single girl.

Once I offered coffee and the person cursed at me and told me to go away
Another time I also offered coffee and the person thanked me about a hundred times
Once I offered an orange and the person smiled and wished me a happy weekend
Yet another time a girl asked for money "for the bus", I offered to buy her the ticket, but she refused, she only wanted the money

so... not all of them want help....
but yes, we should do more to help those who do want it
 

Utah

Banned
Dec 1, 2014
9,701
251
0
#18
It's difficult to know though. I can't invite beggars home, being a single girl.

Once I offered coffee and the person cursed at me and told me to go away
Another time I also offered coffee and the person thanked me about a hundred times
Once I offered an orange and the person smiled and wished me a happy weekend
Yet another time a girl asked for money "for the bus", I offered to buy her the ticket, but she refused, she only wanted the money

so... not all of them want help....
but yes, we should do more to help those who do want it
One time a homeless guy asked me for money. I reached in to my pocket and gave him the three dollars that I had. He started yelling at me and called me a rectal orifice demanding 10's and 20's. LOL.
 

Born_Again

Senior Member
Nov 15, 2014
1,581
127
63
#19
One time a homeless guy asked me for money. I reached in to my pocket and gave him the three dollars that I had. He started yelling at me and called me a rectal orifice demanding 10's and 20's. LOL.
I had a guy ask me at a gas station for money to get gas.... I had 5 dollars in my pocket (i don't usually carry cash) and gave it to him. Of course, he didn't get gas... I followed him straight to the bar. lol
 
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Depleted

Guest
#20
I pray with all my heart the Lord will watch over this woman, and all like her. I can remember years ago seeing people like her and thinking, "another one strung out on drugs". And then just go by, as if that would be a valid reason to do NOTHING.

Dear heavenly Father, send Your Angels to minister to these needy and broken people, also to US as we just as needy and broken, just in a different way. In Jesus name I pray.
We're officially broke enough to qualify for help from the VA. Hubby is in one of two nursing homes in the city of Philadelphia where old vets go... mostly to die. Hubby got a spot in the only wing for short-term care, but as a(n) (ex)smoker, when visiting him, I'd pop out to the only spot where the smokers go. I've met men like Smitty and Bill, and the only woman in the nursing home (that I've seen anyway) Portia.

Portia is going home. Smitty and Bill will stay there until they die and they know that can be any time -- today, tomorrow, or ten years from now. Smitty is about 4 feet tall, give or take half a foot. He used to be 6'5" and was great at basketball. (Some white guys don't have to jump. They're already close to the brim. lol) But diabetes is taking him part by part. And someone else's kidney is keeping him alive. He's in a wheelchair. So is Bill. Neither has legs. Most people there don't have one or two legs, and if they do have legs they're so swollen they're useless. They also don't have family. Or, they used to have family, but they're "useless" now so not worth sticking around.

And these are the lucky ones. They are the tip of the iceberg, because there are only but so many beds, so the rest of the iceberg drowns in homelessness. (Met a man headed that way the second to the last time John was in the hospital overnight.) Smitty will admit it. He didn't live a good life. (Then again could that have been from the PTSD of being a helicopter pilot in Nam? Who know?)

But these are the guys willing to sacrifice themselves for our country. And they're still doing it in ways I'm afraid to talk about in case the VA finds out and takes it out on them all over again.

They're not all drug addicts. And, even if they are, does that mean they deserve homelessness?

There's a tsunami of hurt going on around us that, sometimes, it's just easier not to see. It's overwhelming. I don't blame people for not looking, but can't help but think our job is to do more than look. It's the what that frustrates me.

I told the story of what that particular VA nursing home needed on FB and got one of my cousins responding with "I'll pray." I was writing it in hopes people would consider it's one of many VA nursing homes in the country.

Ack! Sorry. Just got another VA bureaucrat calling me, and I'm really stuck thinking HE is the problem right now.