Anybody want to learn about the homeless?

[weariedsoul]

Works are all good things, forgiving, showing mercy, giving, helping. We sow spiritual things and reap spiritual things.

 

[razzelflabben]

Seems to me that way too many people get it all wrong, poverty/homelessness isn't the enemy, but rather an opportunity to grow in our Lord, both for the one giving aid to the poor, the one refusing aid to the poor and to the poor themselves. When we begin to look at our struggles/uncomfortable situations as opportunities rather than evils, we will be amazed at what God has hidden for us to uncover...for it is the glory of God to conceal a matter but the honor of kings to search it out (Prov. 25:2)

May you discover all that is concealed from your view, may you find Christ in your every struggle.

 

[weariedsoul]

Seems to me that way too many people get it all wrong, poverty/homelessness isn't the enemy, but rather an opportunity to grow in our Lord, both for the one giving aid to the poor, the one refusing aid to the poor and to the poor themselves. When we begin to look at our struggles/uncomfortable situations as opportunities rather than evils, we will be amazed at what God has hidden for us to uncover...for it is the glory of God to conceal a matter but the honor of kings to search it out (Prov. 25:2)

May you discover all that is concealed from your view, may you find Christ in your every struggle.

Amen sister. I love that scripture, edifying.

 

[Forge3]

Seems to me that way too many people get it all wrong, poverty/homelessness isn't the enemy, but rather an opportunity to grow in our Lord, both for the one giving aid to the poor, the one refusing aid to the poor and to the poor themselves. When we begin to look at our struggles/uncomfortable situations as opportunities rather than evils, we will be amazed at what God has hidden for us to uncover...for it is the glory of God to conceal a matter but the honor of kings to search it out (Prov. 25:2)

May you discover all that is concealed from your view, may you find Christ in your every struggle.

I do not see poverty as an enemy but it can be hardship. And yes hardship as well as easy times are both opportunities to find ourselves inthe Lord. The tendency, as I understand it, is that when we go through tough time we may reach out to the Lord more than in easy and comfortable times.

 

[trentlogain2]

i know a homeless man who he says God called him to that life. rare? probably yes.

i have little doubts however that this man, at the end of the day, will have more "God experiences" than most of us here.

 

[Forge3]

i know a homeless man who he says God called him to that life. rare? probably yes.

i have little doubts however that this man, at the end of the day, will have more "God experiences" than most of us here.

True. He does not have our luxuries and comforts so maybe he leans upon God more than we do with our 'distractions'. At the homeless shelter I serve one client got down on His hands and knees in the rain to testify His love for Christ. I need to learn from people like him. It is an old saying of mine. We can learn at times more from those we serve than our leaders.

Oh and welcome to this thread

 

[razzelflabben]

I do not see poverty as an enemy but it can be hardship. And yes hardship as well as easy times are both opportunities to find ourselves inthe Lord. The tendency, as I understand it, is that when we go through tough time we may reach out to the Lord more than in easy and comfortable times.

From my experience, hardship sometimes causes us to call out to God, but equally so, sometimes it causes us to be angry, bitter, and lash out or pull away from God, all depends. I think the real key is to learn that hardships/suffering, are part of our love and worship of God, what does scripture say...Phil. 3:10, we also see in James that we are to rejoice in our suffering...

I always wanted to do be able to do this, have this attitude, but time and time again, when the struggles of poverty, homelessness, etc. consumed us, when our kids were hungry and we didn't know how to feed them, the struggles and worries did anything but cause us to rejoice. In fact, we would fret, worry, struggle against it...mostly we went to God, but there found little or no comfort. Then, about 2 years ago, something so devastating came into our lives, that our entire world was turned inside out and upside down....we lost our son...I remember the day as if it were today, not even yesterday...I remember people gathering around and praying and stressing over our loss as well as their own...and I also remember, in the very earliest of days, telling our pastor that it was all going to be okay, that God had even this. In fact, the young woman whose house we were at when it happened was so distraught the following morning, and I remember, just letting her collapse in my arms, and reminding her that God is still God...point is, in that moment I understood that worshiping through suffering, praising through hunger, fellowshipping and sharing in His sufferings, isn't about having a smile on your face and a song on your lips, it's about Loving Him no matter, about encouraging others as well as yourself in the faith, it's about understanding that this thing, whatever it is, didn't come to destroy you, but to reveal to you something new, something amazing about our Lord and Savior and King. When we can understand that, there is nothing we cannot do, for we have learned the victory over suffering, the fellowship of sharing with Him even the cup of suffering.

When we spend all our time and energy trying to avoid the discomforts of this life, we end up missing the God who is Lord of all. From experience, I will testify to you, that the God of all is not something you want to miss, and is worthy of all the suffering this life can bring on. May you know the richness of rejoicing in our suffering, the joy of the comforts He grants, and the treasure that is found in Him alone.

 

[drjean]

Bless you.

The vast majority of homeless in South Florida are families. Many live in their cars, drop the children off at school and go on to work and reverse it in the evening and then go live in the car in the woods or a hidden spot where they might have a small fire. In the winter here (yes it does get cold when you are out in the woods) you can find them by the smoke of the fires. I used to carry extra blankets in my car for just such occasions. We aren't legally allowed to hand out food (sandwiches) unless they're stored packaged (ugh) but I keep coupons that I get for "surveys" with the fast food places, and for other volunteer work as rewards and give them to those who don't have jobs and beg on the street corners.

There but for the grace of God, go I.

 

[Forge3]

From my experience, hardship sometimes causes us to call out to God, but equally so, sometimes it causes us to be angry, bitter, and lash out or pull away from God, all depends. I think the real key is to learn that hardships/suffering, are part of our love and worship of God, what does scripture say...Phil. 3:10, we also see in James that we are to rejoice in our suffering...

I always wanted to do be able to do this, have this attitude, but time and time again, when the struggles of poverty, homelessness, etc. consumed us, when our kids were hungry and we didn't know how to feed them, the struggles and worries did anything but cause us to rejoice. In fact, we would fret, worry, struggle against it...mostly we went to God, but there found little or no comfort. Then, about 2 years ago, something so devastating came into our lives, that our entire world was turned inside out and upside down....we lost our son...I remember the day as if it were today, not even yesterday...I remember people gathering around and praying and stressing over our loss as well as their own...and I also remember, in the very earliest of days, telling our pastor that it was all going to be okay, that God had even this. In fact, the young woman whose house we were at when it happened was so distraught the following morning, and I remember, just letting her collapse in my arms, and reminding her that God is still God...point is, in that moment I understood that worshiping through suffering, praising through hunger, fellowshipping and sharing in His sufferings, isn't about having a smile on your face and a song on your lips, it's about Loving Him no matter, about encouraging others as well as yourself in the faith, it's about understanding that this thing, whatever it is, didn't come to destroy you, but to reveal to you something new, something amazing about our Lord and Savior and King. When we can understand that, there is nothing we cannot do, for we have learned the victory over suffering, the fellowship of sharing with Him even the cup of suffering.

When we spend all our time and energy trying to avoid the discomforts of this life, we end up missing the God who is Lord of all. From experience, I will testify to you, that the God of all is not something you want to miss, and is worthy of all the suffering this life can bring on. May you know the richness of rejoicing in our suffering, the joy of the comforts He grants, and the treasure that is found in Him alone.

First of all your post edifies and inspires me. As a Franciscan I like how brother Bernard was converted just because He saw St. Francis pray with passion all night long simply saying:

"My God and my all"


I really like sunflowers. They always turn their face to the sun even when it is overcast. That is called trusting of light in darkness. Embracing hope in otherwise hopeless times. In mystical theology it is known as "cleaving to God as the one who simply wanted to touch the hem upon His robe". We are as moths to God. But the difference is that moths end up getting burned by their attraction to the light. We get transformed.

 

[stormdancer0]

i know a homeless man who he says God called him to that life. rare? probably yes.

i have little doubts however that this man, at the end of the day, will have more "God experiences" than most of us here.

There was a man, named Phil. He lived in a cave for many years. It was near a 24 hr. Wal-Mart/McDonalds, and he went there to get warm. He never seemed to go hungry, and was always fairly well groomed. He came to our house for Thanksgiving several times, and was always at McDonalds when I came with my kids.

He constantly had his Bible with him, and was always studying. That man knew more scripture than any pastor I ever met. Not just the surface meaning, but deep, theological stuff. He was never ashamed of showing people who asked exactly why he was so happy, despite having nothing.

Six weeks ago, he was riding his bike and had a stroke. He fell off his bike, broke his neck, and died a few days later. I can't wait to tour his mansion in heaven. I can't think of anyone who deserves one more.

Homeless does not always equal helpless, or hopeless. I would love to have another "Phil" in my life.

We must be sure not to "feel sorry" for someone just because they are homeless. We can help, and offer comfort if needed, but don't make assumptions.

 

[Forge3]

Here is the irony that few say. The riches of the Church is in the poor.