Our lives are one beautiful tapestry, and when we accept Jesus we accept HIS promise to take our one, unique and glorious thread and, at the moment of salvation, HE will weave it into that beautiful tapestry created by HIS father. But is that enough? None of us are qualified to answer that question definitively.... so, we'll have to ask the Master Weaver at salvation. But in James 2 we have a strong challenge that suggests that faith alone is not what our Christ asks of us. Daily I try (and WAY too often fail) to ask myself WWJD in this situation. Yesterday I failed in a way I am agonizing over today.
Since retirement, I have devoted my efforts to helping with our homeless neighbors, providing whatever comfort I can, accepting them on their terms, praying with them and always FOR them, and seeking Jesus in the light of their eyes.
Yesterday, in my early morning rounds looking for neighbors in need of assistance, I unexpectedly came across a large group (10-12?) of children, the oldest maybe 14 and the youngest I could see maybe 5 or 6. Many of the neighbors know but these kids were new. Their 'encampment' was in a very secluded spot among some large wooden spools where they had burrowed in. When I approached the group the oldest came running at me with a baseball bat and told me to leave.... using the verbiage an angry, defensive street kid would use. I tried to introduce myself and asked if they needed anything.... tarps, food, bottled water (I routinely carry those in my car). His answer never wavered, and his aggression was increasing, so I unloaded a box of food very quickly and left. As I drove away I agonized as to what to do. If I called CPS they would come with a police officer and while they might get a couple of the kids the rest would scatter... and without the relative safety of the larger group become easy targets. I called the local Family Shelter and was told to call back Monday. I called the largest church in our area looking for a youth Pastor working in street ministry, and was told there was nothing like that there. I'll be honest, I was in tears because I knew something HAD to be done. I remember what it was like growing up homeless, hungry and helpless, thrown away and invisible. I remember thinking that we were less than garbage, because even garbage had a place to be..... and the plight of these kids was ripping me apart. I went home and got my wife, thinking that if a woman was with me they might respond better than simply being approached by some old guy. Sadly, when we got back to their encampment they were gone, their stuff all gone, and the box with the food was, thankfully, empty.
In my head I knew I should have reported them as soon as I saw them, because they are not safe no matter how feral they older boys had become to protect the group. Yet in my heart I remembered what it was like to be terrified of the police and social services, and that clouded my judgement and I failed these kids. So I ask you to pray for them and their safety as I'm doing the same and praying for forgiveness as well.
I remember years ago, as a young soon-to-be parent, attending a service and being asked "If YOU were on trial for being a Christian, would you be convicted?" I read James 2:14 over and over many times since then, because I want to live a life that makes Jesus smile, not weep.
TODAY is Sunday, July 26. Many of us will attend services and worship our saving Lord, keeping holy the sabbath as we are commanded and doing so with great joy and gratitude. But what will we DO afterwords to LIVE our faith? Are we faithful enough to commit an act of Christian kindness? PLEASE, I'm NOT talking about donating money, either directly or indirectly. I'm talking about buying a hungry neighbor something at the drive through, and telling them that Jesus saw them and using your heart asked you to bring them a meal. I'm talking about handing a neighbor a bottle of water, a cup of coffee, a can of soda, and reminding them that Jesus loves them. I'm talking about giving a real life Christian testimony through action, and then praying to tell our Lord THANK YOU for allowing you to open your heart.
Can you do it? WILL you do it? Will you stand for Christ and be convicted?
Since retirement, I have devoted my efforts to helping with our homeless neighbors, providing whatever comfort I can, accepting them on their terms, praying with them and always FOR them, and seeking Jesus in the light of their eyes.
Yesterday, in my early morning rounds looking for neighbors in need of assistance, I unexpectedly came across a large group (10-12?) of children, the oldest maybe 14 and the youngest I could see maybe 5 or 6. Many of the neighbors know but these kids were new. Their 'encampment' was in a very secluded spot among some large wooden spools where they had burrowed in. When I approached the group the oldest came running at me with a baseball bat and told me to leave.... using the verbiage an angry, defensive street kid would use. I tried to introduce myself and asked if they needed anything.... tarps, food, bottled water (I routinely carry those in my car). His answer never wavered, and his aggression was increasing, so I unloaded a box of food very quickly and left. As I drove away I agonized as to what to do. If I called CPS they would come with a police officer and while they might get a couple of the kids the rest would scatter... and without the relative safety of the larger group become easy targets. I called the local Family Shelter and was told to call back Monday. I called the largest church in our area looking for a youth Pastor working in street ministry, and was told there was nothing like that there. I'll be honest, I was in tears because I knew something HAD to be done. I remember what it was like growing up homeless, hungry and helpless, thrown away and invisible. I remember thinking that we were less than garbage, because even garbage had a place to be..... and the plight of these kids was ripping me apart. I went home and got my wife, thinking that if a woman was with me they might respond better than simply being approached by some old guy. Sadly, when we got back to their encampment they were gone, their stuff all gone, and the box with the food was, thankfully, empty.
In my head I knew I should have reported them as soon as I saw them, because they are not safe no matter how feral they older boys had become to protect the group. Yet in my heart I remembered what it was like to be terrified of the police and social services, and that clouded my judgement and I failed these kids. So I ask you to pray for them and their safety as I'm doing the same and praying for forgiveness as well.
I remember years ago, as a young soon-to-be parent, attending a service and being asked "If YOU were on trial for being a Christian, would you be convicted?" I read James 2:14 over and over many times since then, because I want to live a life that makes Jesus smile, not weep.
TODAY is Sunday, July 26. Many of us will attend services and worship our saving Lord, keeping holy the sabbath as we are commanded and doing so with great joy and gratitude. But what will we DO afterwords to LIVE our faith? Are we faithful enough to commit an act of Christian kindness? PLEASE, I'm NOT talking about donating money, either directly or indirectly. I'm talking about buying a hungry neighbor something at the drive through, and telling them that Jesus saw them and using your heart asked you to bring them a meal. I'm talking about handing a neighbor a bottle of water, a cup of coffee, a can of soda, and reminding them that Jesus loves them. I'm talking about giving a real life Christian testimony through action, and then praying to tell our Lord THANK YOU for allowing you to open your heart.
Can you do it? WILL you do it? Will you stand for Christ and be convicted?