There's something wrong in America when...

[Zebra1552]

Okay, so I spend a good chunk of my time investing in the lives of kids. It's what I'm good at, by the grace of God, and it's what I do. So last night, after work, I went and hung out with a kid I know because I hadn't seen him all week, and we ended up hanging with his friend who was visiting from Michigan.

Well, that friend and my friend got into a little dispute (they're both 10, so typical 'I don't want him to play with me right now I want to be alone' type stuff), and the dispute for the visiting friend turned into much more than just 'he hurt my feelings'. It turns out this kid has no mother in the picture. He's being raised by his father. He initially told me that he hated his life and wanted to kill himself. This is coming from a 10 year old, mind you. So, we got to talking and I cheered him up (we actually spent about an hour and a half talking) to the point where he wanted to live out the rest of his life and such. I've dealt with kids for long enough to know what to do, and with the Holy Spirit it was a no brainer. I figured out it was a cry for help, and that cry, I made quite sure, was answered. I even took his picture so I could remember to pray for him, as I do with all those I care about but don't see on a regular basis.

That's not the problem. The problem is the statement he made to me this morning, after I had bought him a pair of roller blades (1$ at the Salvation Army store, what a bargain!). He said, "You're the nicest guy I've ever met." I asked him why that was, and he said, "Because none of the other adults care about me like you have." Mind you, all I did was talk with the kid about his problems and spend pocket change on him.

The problem is this:
Where are the Christians? Surely he's met a few in his life, he told me about going to church and a Bible camp. So why am I the first, in 10 years of his life, to show that I care, even though I just met him? Where is the body? Where is the love? Why has the church done nothing for this boy and others like him? Are we not to show lovingkindness to everyone? Are we not to build others up? Why do I feel like I'm the only one doing anything that matters? Why do people who go to church and say they are Christians not do a blasted thing to help those in need?

And before you think about trying to tell me that he's a kid and was probably exaggerating, let me tell you something. I've worked with kids for long enough to know when they're telling the truth, stretching the truth, lying, and being dead serious. This kid was dead serious. The look on his face, the tone of his voice, the longingness to have more people who care... I probably changed his life by what I did, and I'm not bragging about it because I would then be bragging about the failure of Christians to be... Christians. And that is not something you will ever catch me bragging about.

So, there's the problem. What's the ethical way to go about finding a solution to this problem?

 

[2 King]

I think you'd get a better response if you moved it to the: Christian Advice subsection

Just a thought

 

[Zebra1552]

I'm not looking for advice; why would I move it there? This is an ethical issue involving the Christian church. It belongs in CP&E. If people don't want to face the issue, then there's a bigger issue than just that listed in the thread.

 

[PT Calvinist]

Edite

 

[Zebra1552]

looks like someone asking for advice to me. Regardless.

Pray for him.
Pray to God what to do.

Sitting and praying does nothing to show love to others and is thusly not a solution that is logical or ethical. Next suggestion?

 

[Justaman0000]

i suggest that you understand,(and you may already, maybe its just that you want to hear it) that many people that go to assemble with the church, and many people that claim to be christians, aren't. May God bless you for your reaching hands of love.

 

[Zebra1552]

i suggest that you understand,(and you may already, maybe its just that you want to hear it) that many people that go to assemble with the church, and many people that claim to be christians, aren't. May God bless you for your reaching hands of love.

Then why aren't the real Christians calling them on it and rebuking them for it? Paul had strong words for fakes- to not even eat with such people. Are we going to ignore that?

 

[Justaman0000]

some don't, some do rebuke. but others aren't even there to see those others who close their eyes to the poor, or the crippled, or hungry. Don't think that your alone in this because those filled with the spirit will rebuke, we don't have a choice to because the spirit urges us so greatly that it is like a flame burning inside us until we do what is righteous.

 

[kton16]

Amazing story! But I think "some" Christians lack the love and caring. They tend to let their struggles get the best of them causing a bitter attitude with communicating with other people. We have to bring up the cross daily, we are called to do something but if we fail, then not only are we losing relationship with God but people in need that need serious help. The problem is that "some" of us aren't bringing up the cross daily like we are suppose to.

 

[wayseer]

Okay, so I spend a good chunk of my time investing in the lives of kids. It's what I'm good at, by the grace of God, and it's what I do. So last night, after work, I went and hung out with a kid I know because I hadn't seen him all week, and we ended up hanging with his friend who was visiting from Michigan.

Well, that friend and my friend got into a little dispute (they're both 10, so typical 'I don't want him to play with me right now I want to be alone' type stuff), and the dispute for the visiting friend turned into much more than just 'he hurt my feelings'. It turns out this kid has no mother in the picture. He's being raised by his father. He initially told me that he hated his life and wanted to kill himself. This is coming from a 10 year old, mind you. So, we got to talking and I cheered him up (we actually spent about an hour and a half talking) to the point where he wanted to live out the rest of his life and such. I've dealt with kids for long enough to know what to do, and with the Holy Spirit it was a no brainer. I figured out it was a cry for help, and that cry, I made quite sure, was answered. I even took his picture so I could remember to pray for him, as I do with all those I care about but don't see on a regular basis.

That's not the problem. The problem is the statement he made to me this morning, after I had bought him a pair of roller blades (1$ at the Salvation Army store, what a bargain!). He said, "You're the nicest guy I've ever met." I asked him why that was, and he said, "Because none of the other adults care about me like you have." Mind you, all I did was talk with the kid about his problems and spend pocket change on him.

The problem is this:
Where are the Christians? Surely he's met a few in his life, he told me about going to church and a Bible camp. So why am I the first, in 10 years of his life, to show that I care, even though I just met him? Where is the body? Where is the love? Why has the church done nothing for this boy and others like him? Are we not to show lovingkindness to everyone? Are we not to build others up? Why do I feel like I'm the only one doing anything that matters? Why do people who go to church and say they are Christians not do a blasted thing to help those in need?

And before you think about trying to tell me that he's a kid and was probably exaggerating, let me tell you something. I've worked with kids for long enough to know when they're telling the truth, stretching the truth, lying, and being dead serious. This kid was dead serious. The look on his face, the tone of his voice, the longingness to have more people who care... I probably changed his life by what I did, and I'm not bragging about it because I would then be bragging about the failure of Christians to be... Christians. And that is not something you will ever catch me bragging about.

So, there's the problem. What's the ethical way to go about finding a solution to this problem?

Great post GC. I think you have hit the nail on the head with your observations. And you challenge is also timely for me.

First - what did you do? You listened. You spent time and effort in listening without judging nor condemning. Then you demonstrated that you had listen by doing something rather meaningful - you bought a pair of roller blades for the kid.

We - all of us - are increasing experiencing a severing of connection across the generations and across social status boundaries. You just crunched those boundaries. BUt crushing boundaries takes some courage and time.

Jesus came to settle the uncomfortable and to unsettle the comfortable. Westerners have become anesthetized by their accumulation of wealth that they have become too interested in either protecting it or gaining yet more wealth. The parable of the talent comes to mind here.

Second - the gap between the generations is more like a chasm for many - it's just too wide to cross. I suspect many do not have the courage to attempt that crossing.

The unfortunate aspect is that the Church does not encourage us to cross that gap. We have been taught to look elsewhere - India, China. And giving money is safe - we don't have to go there.

Third - you are right of course. What are we doing by going to church? I asked that question on another thread. The replies are what I expected - all to do with maintaining the status quo. No one has said that perhaps a reason for going to church is that one might be challenged into doing something beyond one's comfort zone. It appears that going to church is equated with feeling safe and secure. Well, Jesus said, 'Let the dead bury the dead'.

Fourth - My I commend your action. You have illustrated what it means to be a Christian. I am in the process of preparing a report for my Parish Council on this very matter. As Christians we have become navel gazers. We are more concerned with how 'we' feel - not in listened to the cries of those who live and work right outside the church's doors. We have no vision - and without a vision the people perish.

How to go about correcting this state of affairs. I don't know just yet. But I do know that God will not allow the present state of things to continue for much longer. God will move even if we, as Christians, refuse.

Thank you for your post. You have highlighted where that vision should focus.

 

[Nadiine]

My input is that there are SO MANY in our day and age that
are ravaged by the "little sins" that many today don't even
consider "SIN", that there aren't enough Christians to even
help all these people.

We don't have the $$ or resources to fix the country or the
world around us.

Sin is the answer and reason for what you see, not the lack
of Christians doing their part. They do ALOT and help alot,
but they cannot do it all and reach every child, every
single mom, every father, every single person out there.

Another reason is becuz many times we just don't even KNOW
about them or their situation to help. How can help that boy
from where I live? Unless God gives me Telepathy to know
him and his situation, there's little I'd know to do.

Pray that God bring that boy someone close in his life.

We're in a world that has shunned God's teachings to embrace
their pet sins and hold apathy towards sin - YOU'RE SEEING
THE RESULT of what they claim "doesn't harm anyone".
So what if they: _____________________ (list minor little sin)
who are you to judge? etc.

This is the consequence of even 'the little sins' - every single
one does damage to the fabric of society; one sin at a time -
big or small.

Read prophecy - it's all there "the love of many will grow cold".
Read the results of sin in 1 Timothy; people become self absorbed
and apathatic and unloving...
We cannot stop the floodgates of evil, we can only plug up
some holes when God brings us along to find a hole.

Pray that God leads us to find these holes!!!

 

[praisejahupeople]

Sitting and praying does nothing to show love to others

I believe prayer works,dont rely on your own understanding.God wants you to talk to him.Its a rather great example of love to ask for the best direction possible.

 

[wlajoie74]

Then why aren't the real Christians calling them on it and rebuking them for it? Paul had strong words for fakes- to not even eat with such people. Are we going to ignore that?

Yes, just like most things in our society today, churches are built with money. Its not very good PR to start telling patrons that they aren't really Christians if they don't strive to live as Jesus lived. Christianity has become a big business and runs itself likewise. Its all about how many people you can get in those seats to put money in the basket. I'm not saying this is all churches just a very large number of them.

 

[Nadiine]

Yes, just like most things in our society today, churches are built with money. Its not very good PR to start telling patrons that they aren't really Christians if they don't strive to live as Jesus lived. Christianity has become a big business and runs itself likewise. Its all about how many people you can get in those seats to put money in the basket. I'm not saying this is all churches just a very large number of them.

I'm not so sure I agree with this -
We have to be very careful about defining God's true church which
is alive, vibrant, obedient and standing firm in the faith and their
service, and the false churches.

I doubt its a very large number tho. What I find more prevalent
is compromise to the world than greed; altho both probly go
hand in hand.

I think we HAVE to be careful who we're attacking and tossing
into large groups to criticize.

When we know that a great apostacy happens before Christ's
coming, I think we should make a distinction as to a true church
and the false churches now infiltrating -
wheat and tares.

 

[liars_paradox]

Sitting and praying does nothing to show love to others and is thusly not a solution that is logical or ethical. Next suggestion?

I agree. Although, prayer is important it seems like it can be used as just a great way to say I care about someone and feel good about myself without having to get my hands dirty.

 

[Stinker]

I think it is rare to see any Christian getting personally involved in any non-Christian's life. Be him/her a young person or not. It may even be rare to see it occur in any congregation when it involves 2 Christians. Maybe it is because we Christians have been lulled to sleep with subtle teaching that says we can practice Christianity in the abstract. That we can practice it by proxy. We have giant Christian institutions performing the daily deeds that used to have to be done by individual Christians. Like in the OP, sadly a lot of Christians today might make a call to the closest Childrens Home to see what the personnel could do for the kid, rather than get personally involved in that kid's life. This attitude may reveal that this Christian may not have been born-again by the Holy Spirit, or, if he/she has been, that they have been braianwashed by false teaching. I do not see Jesus giving us the freedom to hand personal responsibility to church institutions. If a Christian is not ready to become personally involved in other's lives, they are not ready to be Christians.

 

[Zebra1552]

I believe prayer works,dont rely on your own understanding.God wants you to talk to him.Its a rather great example of love to ask for the best direction possible.

I don't need to pray to God to get the 'best direction possible', He gave it to us 2000 years ago and it hasn't changed much since. God's given me all the direction I need, all I need to do is follow it.

 

[Zebra1552]

Yes, just like most things in our society today, churches are built with money. Its not very good PR to start telling patrons that they aren't really Christians if they don't strive to live as Jesus lived. Christianity has become a big business and runs itself likewise. Its all about how many people you can get in those seats to put money in the basket. I'm not saying this is all churches just a very large number of them.

Christianity is in the business of changing lives, not account numbers. In order to invest in changing lives, an investment needs to be made.

 

[Zebra1552]

My input is that there are SO MANY in our day and age that
are ravaged by the "little sins" that many today don't even
consider "SIN", that there aren't enough Christians to even
help all these people.

We don't have the $$ or resources to fix the country or the
world around us.

Sin is the answer and reason for what you see, not the lack
of Christians doing their part. They do ALOT and help alot,
but they cannot do it all and reach every child, every
single mom, every father, every single person out there.

Another reason is becuz many times we just don't even KNOW
about them or their situation to help. How can help that boy
from where I live? Unless God gives me Telepathy to know
him and his situation, there's little I'd know to do.

Pray that God bring that boy someone close in his life.

We're in a world that has shunned God's teachings to embrace
their pet sins and hold apathy towards sin - YOU'RE SEEING
THE RESULT of what they claim "doesn't harm anyone".
So what if they: _____________________ (list minor little sin)
who are you to judge? etc.

This is the consequence of even 'the little sins' - every single
one does damage to the fabric of society; one sin at a time -
big or small.

Read prophecy - it's all there "the love of many will grow cold".
Read the results of sin in 1 Timothy; people become self absorbed
and apathatic and unloving...
We cannot stop the floodgates of evil, we can only plug up
some holes when God brings us along to find a hole.

Pray that God leads us to find these holes!!!

God calls us to love others. If Christians are so involved, why do we see Christians legislating or attempting to legislate other people's lives? If they are so in tune to what is going on, then why is nothing being done? Ever seen Star Wars? Episode 3 is fast approaching. What will you do to delay its coming?

 

[wayseer]

If Christians are so involved, why do we see Christians legislating or attempting to legislate other people's lives? If they are so in tune to what is going on, then why is nothing being done?

I'm not sure what you mean when you ask about 'legislating' the lives of others. There is always more that needs to be done but I think you see the glass half empty. There is much being done and has been done. You and I may have disagreements on the effectiveness of these decisions but the world is a whole lot better than is was in 1950s. The political climate in the West is such that one no longer argues for health services to be inclusive, that education needs to be universal, that discrimination is an anathema, that democracy is better than totalitarian rule. These are taken for granted - a result of Christian theology.