"HOT MESS" Starting now homeless crackdown in Austin Texas

[Endeavourer]

Don't "feel" what the Bible says to do.

We , as Jesus Says , are to hear His Voice, and follow Him (obey Him).

What they did in ACTS is still truth. Not common, but then Jesus is not commonly accepted, is He ? !

How does Jesus Say it works out ? (This is frequently revealed in the NT)

Do you have an answer or not? Words, however nice, don't help the homeless. What have you found that works?

 

[dqhall]

Austin Braces As Texas Officials Plan Crackdown On Homeless Encampments - The Appeal

In recent months, large encampments underneath overpasses and outside the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, the city’s main downtown shelter, have become a flash point. Resident complaints and a from earlier this month—depicting a violent confrontation between a motorist and an allegedly aggressive panhandler—have sparked a backlash against the City Council’s decision to revise the ordinances. A newly formed PAC, Our Town Austin, has mentioned homelessness issues in its effort to recallthe mayor and some councilmembers. And Abbott has criticized the encampments as overcorrecting on homelessness at the expense of “public safety and common sense.”

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Seems like rather than worrying about all of the ones coming into the United States illegally we should start to take care of our own homeless population which has proven to be --
"one hot mess".

I've worked with the homeless for many years.
Taking on this issue is going to take a lot of resources.
M-Bob

Jesus told his audience about a Samaritan who was traveling on a mountain road between Jerusalem and Jericho. He saw a man who was down after being beaten and robbed. He put the man on his donkey and transported him to an inn. He gave the in keeper money for the wounded man's stay at the inn. Jesus said this was the man who fulfilled the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:25-37

I had been beaten and robbed with a damaged shoulder. I went to a homeless shelter. It was operated by 17 churches. One day an old man came in to preach to us before a meal. He said there were other people like you (homeless). They found Christ and now they have places in the community. Within a few weeks I had a job cooking fast food and rented a room in a rooming house. Eventually I bought a used motorcycle and went to a town where there were more jobs. I stayed in a Salvation Army a few days until I found a room to rent. I worked two jobs saving my money. Over a year later my parents bought a pickup truck for me after I got a job doing apartment maintenance. I went to a community college nights to learn HVAC repair. Later I went to school to study computer information systems.

Occasionally I turn aside from the road to help a homeless person or sent money to a homeless shelter as I believe they help people. I was able to tell a poor person that Christians had helped me when I was poor.

I let them camp in the palmetto thickets. The police evicted them. Keeping a homeless person in jail might cost $80,000 a year in some locations. Jesus said, "You will always have the poor among you."

 

[Endeavourer]

Jesus told his audience about a Samaritan who was traveling on a mountain road between Jerusalem and Jericho. He saw a man who was down after being beaten and robbed. He put the man on his donkey and transported him to an inn. He gave the in keeper money for the wounded man's stay at the inn. Jesus said this was the man who fulfilled the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:25-37

I had been beaten and robbed with a damaged shoulder. I went to a homeless shelter. It was operated by 17 churches. One day an old man came in to preach to us before a meal. He said there were other people like you (homeless). They found Christ and now they have places in the community. Within a few weeks I had a job cooking fast food and rented a room in a rooming house. Eventually I bought a used motorcycle and went to a town where there were more jobs. I stayed in a Salvation Army a few days until I found a room to rent. I worked two jobs saving my money. Over a year later my parents bought a pickup truck for me after I got a job doing apartment maintenance. I went to a community college nights to learn HVAC repair. Later I went to school to study computer information systems.

Occasionally I turn aside from the road to help a homeless person or sent money to a homeless shelter as I believe they help people. I was able to tell a poor person that Christians had helped me when I was poor.

I let them camp in the palmetto thickets. The police evicted them. Keeping a homeless person in jail might cost $80,000 a year in some locations. Jesus said, "You will always have the poor among you."

Great story!!! Thank you for sharing. It is such a blessing to hear about a successful journey.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Do you have an answer or not? Words, however nice, don't help the homeless. What have you found that works?

Let's go with the last first -

not that I agree with it, in fact it may be the beast system gaining control more and more daily,

but check out the ONE COUNTRY that solved the HOMELESS PROBLEM (they (supposedly) have NO MORE HOMELESS).

(hint: FINLAND)
======================================

BIBLICALLY, remember that Jesus Said "The son of man has no where to lay His head"... and likewise His Followers many times....

 

[Endeavourer]

Let's go with the last first -

not that I agree with it, in fact it may be the beast system gaining control more and more daily,

but check out the ONE COUNTRY that solved the HOMELESS PROBLEM (they (supposedly) have NO MORE HOMELESS).

(hint: FINLAND)
======================================

BIBLICALLY, remember that Jesus Said "The son of man has no where to lay His head"... and likewise His Followers many times....

I still don't understand what methods you are advocating. We can certainly acknowledge the problem and desire to do something about it, but **what actions** have you found to be beneficial to helping the homeless? How do you effectively enact your convictions?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I still don't understand what methods you are advocating. We can certainly acknowledge the problem and desire to do something about it, but **what actions** have you found to be beneficial to helping the homeless? How do you effectively enact your convictions?

More simple....
like this example a few posts back >>

Occasionally I turn aside from the road to help a homeless person or sent money to a homeless shelter as I believe they help people. I was able to tell a poor person that Christians had helped me when I was poor.

I let them camp in the palmetto thickets.

What does God's Word say to do for someone else in need ? THAT is what I do. Isn't that what we are supposed to do - follow Jesus, DO as the Father says ?

Oh, there is A LOT to learn, that is not taught to most people (including me growing up),
but
Jesus says "I know you don't know how to live" (to His disciples/ the apostles) ...
so He Says "COME TO ME, and I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO LIVE (what to do) " ...

This is good.

 

[Endeavourer]

More simple....
like this example a few posts back >>



What does God's Word say to do for someone else in need ? THAT is what I do. Isn't that what we are supposed to do - follow Jesus, DO as the Father says ?

Oh, there is A LOT to learn, that is not taught to most people (including me growing up),
but
Jesus says "I know you don't know how to live" (to His disciples/ the apostles) ...
so He Says "COME TO ME, and I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO LIVE (what to do) " ...

This is good.

So you tell them about Christ, but what do you actually DO to help them out of their homelessness?

Or are you just saying you tell them about Christ and that's all there is to be done?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

So you tell them about Christ, but what do you actually DO to help them out of their homelessness?

Or are you just saying you tell them about Christ and that's all there is to be done?

When someone in need , especially brethren, asks you for something that is a need, what do you do ?

 

[Endeavourer]

When someone in need , especially brethren, asks you for something that is a need, what do you do ?

That’s what I’ve been asking you these many times. What actions have you taken that you found to be effective at helping people out of their homelessness?

 

[Mountainmanbob]

When someone in need , especially brethren, asks you for something that is a need, what do you do ?

A simple answer.
We usually help them out
but,
some of the laziest of the homeless work these lines over and over again day after day.

There are a few in Santee that have certain parking lots they bum monies at. Using the same story day in and day out. One hit me twice with the same story within a week. Hey -- put that much energy into getting a job.

Why they say, I can make 50 to 100 dollars a day doing this. This money along with my 300 the State gives me buys a lot of booze and drugs. I already know where to go for the free food and clothing.

This is not found in all cases but, one does not have to look far.

M-Bob

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

That’s what I’ve been asking you these many times. What actions have you taken that you found to be effective at helping people out of their homelessness?

Again, simple. If any man has two shirts, and sees someone who needs a shirt, give him one.
If any man is thirsty, and you have water, give him a glass of water IN MY NAME. WHOEVER gives a glass of water IN MY NAME, or receives it, will not lose his reward.

The directions in Scripture are SIMPLE. Only a few follow Jesus DOING what the Father Says to DO.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

A simple answer.
We usually help them out
but,
some of the laziest of the homeless work these lines over and over again day after day.

There are a few in Santee that have certain parking lots they bum monies at. Using the same story day in and day out. One hit me twice with the same story within a week. Hey -- put that much energy into getting a job.

Why they say, I can make 50 to 100 dollars a day doing this. This money along with my 300 the State gives me buys a lot of booze and drugs. I already know where to go for the free food and clothing.

This is not found in all cases but, one does not have to look far.

M-Bob

The assembly of Ekklesia in the NT also obeyed the RULE: IF A MAN WILL NOT WORK, neither should he eat. Properly administered / carried out/ with mercy and justice in truth, the man who will not work learns what work to do , EVEN IF IT IS NOT A PAYING JOB - but say volunteer/ 'free' service/ for the assembly, ALL WORKING TOGETHER IN JESUS !

i.e. a cardboard sign on the side of the road asking for money is NOT someone in need, especially IF THEY MAKE MORE THAN I DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mountainmanbob]

The directions in Scripture are SIMPLE. Only a few follow Jesus DOING what the Father Says to DO.

Actually no one even comes close to doing that on a regular basis. Might get a slight taste every once in a while?

Not one is good.

M-Bob

 

[Endeavourer]

Again, simple. If any man has two shirts, and sees someone who needs a shirt, give him one.
If any man is thirsty, and you have water, give him a glass of water IN MY NAME. WHOEVER gives a glass of water IN MY NAME, or receives it, will not lose his reward.

The directions in Scripture are SIMPLE. Only a few follow Jesus DOING what the Father Says to DO.

So in other words you have no earthly idea of what to do.

Perhaps a glass of water or a shirt, and you tell them about Christ but then that’s it.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Actually no one even comes close to doing that on a regular basis. Might get a slight taste every once in a while?

Not one is good.

M-Bob

Keep looking/ seeking. Never stop. Don't give up so easily. "They" are here/ there/ unexpected, yes. And out of every nation/ every people/
Ekklesia God Has Chosen for Himself, for His Own Testimony.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Perhaps a glass of water or a shirt, and you tell them about Christ but then that’s it.

Curious -- what do you do?
M-Bob

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

So in other words you have no earthly idea of what to do.

Perhaps a glass of water or a shirt, and you tell them about Christ but then that’s it.

Good way to put that ! "no earthly idea"..... haha.....

When people have a need, if you have the means provided by God (and everything we have is provided by God - or every good gift is from Him) , meet the need. This is standard practice among Ekklesia in some assemblies/ in some countries or every country. It is just a few though, out of many multitudes of people ("many on the wide path to destruction") as Jesus Says Plainly.

 

[miamited]

Hopefully, that is actually, Scripture shows a total difference between the results of those who do what is right, living righteously, vs those who do wickedness, unrighteously...
So there is a gigantic difference between "We" (who are they), with nounderstanding, etc, vs the righteous we, who are ekklesia, born again ones, by the Father in heaven, set apart by Himself to Himself for His Own Purpose, righteously as He Says.

Hi YSJ,

While I understand and agree that the outcome for those without God is different from those who are children of God, I don't find that the Scriptures say that we are to 'care for' either group any differently. Jesus said that we were to treat 'others' as we would want to be treated. He didn't qualify those 'others' as believers or non-believers.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

 

[Endeavourer]

Enabling is not understanding, love, mercy or fidelity either.

Many of the "socialist" policies proposed provide money that is simply consumed without incentivizing changes; it's important to require some progression on a solution to their problem as part of the funding.

It has been my experience with helping the homeless that people who get to that situation are short on long term thinking/planning skills or are mentally ill. The cases where someone ends up homeless due to factors entirely outside of their control are the small minority of the cases.

When I became involved in a ministry that has contact with the homeless, I used to give funds to those who appeared to be victims of circumstances until I realized that they were simply consuming my funds while continuing to make very poor short term decisions that were keeping them in their same situation. Now my investments include personal intervention in helping them change. If they do not want my help with the intervention, then I save my monetary assistance for someone who does. Otherwise my funds have been used up with enabling rather than helping.

There are some really fabulous Christian shelters that provide an array of services to help the homeless climb out of their situation. I've learned that it's better to give to the shelters and let the professionals put the homeless on a path towards functionality than for me to fund their housing. Otherwise all I did was buy them a few months of housing but at the end they were no better off.

In my city it can take up to a week to get into a shelter. If a person leaves any of the several Christian shelters I'm familiar with for the streets again after getting in, then it's likely that her exit was a result of poor behaviors or poor decisions rather then there not being any help there for her.

Curious -- what do you do?
M-Bob

For those that have terrible decision skills but do not have a debilitating mental illness:
We get them to a shelter, but subsidize a stay at a hotel or somewhere if they can’t get in right away. We also take care of their grocery and personal needs until then.

We help them get a job, drive them around for interviews and provide free daycare until the daycare subsidies can start (or give them money to pay for it). They usually need one or two weeks paychecks before they can qualify. We buy their bus fare or give them rides to work. The Christian shelter we use has great programs and expertise to get a person on their feet again. Once they are in the shelter system, we provide emotional and spiritual support, run them on their errands, let them do their laundry in our homes and love on them. We pick them up for church on Sundays, make sure they have diapers, soppy cups for the kids and little stuff like that. They get our phone numbers so they can reach us during the week. We help them get a bank account set up, etc.

It takes a few months of walking behind someone to get them heading on their way.

We no longer try to help them with housing long term on our own because the shelter has the expertise and training programs to get them on their feet. After some stumbles we realized that not getting them to that training and those resources was just enabling the same rather than giving them a hand. Our experience is that our help was consumed without progress to show for it.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Hi YSJ,

While I understand and agree that the outcome for those without God is different from those who are children of God, I don't find that the Scriptures say that we are to 'care for' either group any differently. Jesus said that we were to treat 'others' as we would want to be treated. He didn't qualify those 'others' as believers or non-believers.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

True because, we don't know who might be called tomorrow.

Plus, we are told to love everyone
even our enemies.

Now who can really say that they do that
100% of the time.

Guess we have some work to do?

M-Bob