I have fought with this blog for a while now, and I am finally going to give in and just throw it out there for you guys. It was roughly 3 weeks ago, maybe longer that I was attending a meeting for church and in the middle of it God threw this idea in my mind. I was so excited that I told the first person that I encountered which was Leanna in the Library. You can ask her about this statement and she will tell you that it has been a long time since I first talked about it. You may look at it and think, "wow... that's it?" Or you may read this and think, "wow, punch in the face".
I have thought of many different ways that I could possibly tie in a story to go along with this statement like a side dish. But this is the main course and I don't think there needs to be any stories on the side other than the statement.
While being amongst many people with different gifts in the meeting 3 weeks ago. I was thinking about the infinite amount of gifts that God gives us. While thinking about that, I was also thinking about 1 Corinthians 12. After reading that, it was confirmed that I needed to share this. So, here ya go:
"You know how people will say: 'I am trying to find where I belong in the body of Christ?' Well, I don't think its about them finding where they belong. Rather, accepting where Christ is using them."
We all have dreams and we all have aspirations. God knows that, don't for one second think that God doesn't. But what we need to realize is, God's plans for our lives sometimes doesn't equal our plans for our own lives. So many times I sit back and watch people get upset because they are not holding a position in the Church, at Work, or just in life as a whole. As I am asking myself this, let me ask you. Are you fighting where God wants to use you in the Body of Christ at the moment or are you going to let him shine through you no matter the circumstance?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaPMSUYQmo4
Much Love
-JDB
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Talking To The Big Man Upstairs ^
I think it is important for me to point this out before I write another blog. I don't have it all together and I never will. This shouldn't come as a shock to many of you. But, I know that there is a lot of people who read this blog across the States and in different countries around the world and have no idea who I am, just the fact that I am presenting "religious thoughts." I think one of the biggest misconceptions in today's world is the thought that religious leaders (ex: preachers, youth ministers, worship leaders and random Joe's who know the bible back and forth) have it all together and know everything. The reason why I point this out is because I don't want any of my words belong to me on this blog. God gets ALL the glory. Most of the blogs that I write come from experiences where God has shown something to me and the rest God has laid on my heart to share. I would love to talk to each and every person about my blog but I never want someone thinking that because I write this blog I think I am better than the rest because truth is, I screw up a lot and continue to. I am human and am learning through this blog also. You may know but I am now starting to get into the whole twitter ordeal, @jdb407 - follow me. But I seem to do more reading than I do tweeting. The other day I skimmed across a tweet from John Piper a preacher from Minneapolis, "No pastor lives up to what he preaches. If he does, he is preaching too low." That sums it up right there. Now on to the blog.
Lately I have found myself asking God for a lot of guidance. I don't think God has a problem with me asking for that but I began to think a little bit more about it and have come to conclusion that I am sounding very needy. Which made me think about real life. One of the things that really irritates me the most is when you only hear from specific people when they have problems. When things are going good for them they are like a ghost to you but when things are rough and on rocky edges they are by your side asking what they need to do. You can't help but to ask yourself what your role is in their life. Which then leads me to ask, whats the role that God has in our lives? Is he someone that we only talk to when we screw up, need help or a miracle to happen? Or, is he someone that we talk to as if we are in intimate relationship with him? Is God someone that we only talk to when things are bad or is God someone that we talk to through the good, the bad and all the time?
"Come near to God and He will come near to you" - James 4:8
You may argue that having a relationship with God is different than having a relationship with anyone else but I will beg to differ with that. Yes, God knows everything that is going on in our life and he knew it long before we were ever thought of but if he was a God who didn't care about us then he would have sent his son Jesus Christ to this world let him die for our sins and be done with it. Instead, He calls us his children:
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12
God wants to know every detail about our lives. From the smallest thing that made you happy today to the biggest concern that we may have. God is a Father that will never leave nor forsake us, he is the ultimate Father who shows compassionate love to everyone. God wants to be apart of every aspect in our life and just as important God wants to know all about it with our thoughts and feelings. A true Father wants to know everything that is going on in their child's life, they don't just want to know what they can do to help but to know about their day, how it went and what all they did. So, I challenge you as I challenge myself. Don't just run to God when you are in need or you messed up. But talk to God throughout the day about anything and everything, he really does care and he really does listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tj8N5Bj6DE
-Much Love, JDB
Lately I have found myself asking God for a lot of guidance. I don't think God has a problem with me asking for that but I began to think a little bit more about it and have come to conclusion that I am sounding very needy. Which made me think about real life. One of the things that really irritates me the most is when you only hear from specific people when they have problems. When things are going good for them they are like a ghost to you but when things are rough and on rocky edges they are by your side asking what they need to do. You can't help but to ask yourself what your role is in their life. Which then leads me to ask, whats the role that God has in our lives? Is he someone that we only talk to when we screw up, need help or a miracle to happen? Or, is he someone that we talk to as if we are in intimate relationship with him? Is God someone that we only talk to when things are bad or is God someone that we talk to through the good, the bad and all the time?
"Come near to God and He will come near to you" - James 4:8
You may argue that having a relationship with God is different than having a relationship with anyone else but I will beg to differ with that. Yes, God knows everything that is going on in our life and he knew it long before we were ever thought of but if he was a God who didn't care about us then he would have sent his son Jesus Christ to this world let him die for our sins and be done with it. Instead, He calls us his children:
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12
God wants to know every detail about our lives. From the smallest thing that made you happy today to the biggest concern that we may have. God is a Father that will never leave nor forsake us, he is the ultimate Father who shows compassionate love to everyone. God wants to be apart of every aspect in our life and just as important God wants to know all about it with our thoughts and feelings. A true Father wants to know everything that is going on in their child's life, they don't just want to know what they can do to help but to know about their day, how it went and what all they did. So, I challenge you as I challenge myself. Don't just run to God when you are in need or you messed up. But talk to God throughout the day about anything and everything, he really does care and he really does listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tj8N5Bj6DE
-Much Love, JDB
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Lockegee Thought
My xbox 360 has been diagnosed with the red ring of death for about 2 months now (for those who have no clue what I am talking about, it was broke and didn't work). All it has done is sit in my room and take up space until today when I finally had the urge to try and fix it myself. After watching Youtube videos I decided to try what is known as the towel method. Basically you take three towels and wrap up the console very tight. Turn it on and let it "bake" itself for about 25 minutes. After the 25 minutes is up you take off all the towels, turn the console off and let it cool off for 15 minutes. During that time my roommate Shaun was questioning the towel method, almost making fun of it. Not seeing how something like that could fix the problem that I had at hand. Like always, we decided to bet on whether or not we thought it would work. We are boys, and that is what boys do. If the 360 worked then he would have to stay up all night and head to class at 8 in the morning. Long story short, it turned on. Which meant video games at 2 in the morning. After playing a little we had the idea of heading to Lockegee. For those of you who are not from the Morehead area or just don't know what lockegee is, its a big rock that a lot of people go and take in the scenery in the middle of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
My favorite thing to do in Morehead is to go to lockegee. Not just going to lockegee in the middle of the day though. It has to be around 3 or 4 in the morning. The reason why I like it in the middle of the night is the presence of God. I love to sit on top of that big rock and feel that I can throw a rock that will land on the moon, watch shooting stars take off one after another, have weird encounters like little mice walking up to you or feeling the wind smack your face. To me, that is God saying I am BIG! The other reason that I love to visit lockegee when the moon is out is because it is calm. It gives me a chance to think about life and get away from the world. A lot of times I will take trips there just so I can think about something that happened that day or when my "cup" has ran over and I can not take it anymore and just need a time to get away from the world.
Tonight at lockegee, I brought a lot to the table. There has been a lot of stuff running through my mind in the past few weeks that I haven't been able to get out because of the business of life. 2 weeks ago I was in Danville alone, my whole family had gone on vacation to Florida and it was just me at the house. I had 4 days there alone of which I thought I was going to be able to clear my mind of the worldly distractions and think clearly about stuff. For instance, my truck was broken into the last weekend of spring break which was the April 2nd and I still cant find a way to forgive who ever it was who did that. That is something that normally I could forgive in about 2 days but three weeks later, really? Those 4 days turned into work after work after work not thinking after thinking after thinking, what I had intended for it to be. Tonight, I was knocked down to my knees and needed to get away to do some thinking. Lockegee worked out perfect as if God had it planned. As I am spilling everything out to God, I realized that I had forgotten that God has a plan for me. Do we really understand this?! God, the Heavenly father/Alpha and Omega/Everything has a plan for us. I know that God has called me to Youth Ministry but just because he has called me to one thing does not mean that is all of his plans for my life. Sometimes I feel we get to caught up in the worldly distractions like: "Am I making enough money? Am I able to support myself? Am I a stable human being? Am I making the right decisions in life?" To me that is all distractions, "worldly views" so to say. Distractions that take away from our faith. The one thing we should be living by (2 Corinthians 5:7). We need to stop trying to take matters in our own hands and ask a million questions, let God show us the path for our lives! Through the bad and the good, God only allows things to happen so it can give us hope and a future. He is the Author of Life! He is the Author of OUR Life! (Jeremiah 29:11). All God asks for us is our Faith, along with acting justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with him (Micah 6:8). There is no other compassionate love like our God can give us.
There is more to come on this later in the week. I have a lot to throw down, but since it is 5:30 in the morning and I can hear the birds chirping along with thunder rolling. I better go to bed. Thats a snap shot of whats to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhW-T4X-YEU
much love,
-JDB
My favorite thing to do in Morehead is to go to lockegee. Not just going to lockegee in the middle of the day though. It has to be around 3 or 4 in the morning. The reason why I like it in the middle of the night is the presence of God. I love to sit on top of that big rock and feel that I can throw a rock that will land on the moon, watch shooting stars take off one after another, have weird encounters like little mice walking up to you or feeling the wind smack your face. To me, that is God saying I am BIG! The other reason that I love to visit lockegee when the moon is out is because it is calm. It gives me a chance to think about life and get away from the world. A lot of times I will take trips there just so I can think about something that happened that day or when my "cup" has ran over and I can not take it anymore and just need a time to get away from the world.
Tonight at lockegee, I brought a lot to the table. There has been a lot of stuff running through my mind in the past few weeks that I haven't been able to get out because of the business of life. 2 weeks ago I was in Danville alone, my whole family had gone on vacation to Florida and it was just me at the house. I had 4 days there alone of which I thought I was going to be able to clear my mind of the worldly distractions and think clearly about stuff. For instance, my truck was broken into the last weekend of spring break which was the April 2nd and I still cant find a way to forgive who ever it was who did that. That is something that normally I could forgive in about 2 days but three weeks later, really? Those 4 days turned into work after work after work not thinking after thinking after thinking, what I had intended for it to be. Tonight, I was knocked down to my knees and needed to get away to do some thinking. Lockegee worked out perfect as if God had it planned. As I am spilling everything out to God, I realized that I had forgotten that God has a plan for me. Do we really understand this?! God, the Heavenly father/Alpha and Omega/Everything has a plan for us. I know that God has called me to Youth Ministry but just because he has called me to one thing does not mean that is all of his plans for my life. Sometimes I feel we get to caught up in the worldly distractions like: "Am I making enough money? Am I able to support myself? Am I a stable human being? Am I making the right decisions in life?" To me that is all distractions, "worldly views" so to say. Distractions that take away from our faith. The one thing we should be living by (2 Corinthians 5:7). We need to stop trying to take matters in our own hands and ask a million questions, let God show us the path for our lives! Through the bad and the good, God only allows things to happen so it can give us hope and a future. He is the Author of Life! He is the Author of OUR Life! (Jeremiah 29:11). All God asks for us is our Faith, along with acting justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with him (Micah 6:8). There is no other compassionate love like our God can give us.
There is more to come on this later in the week. I have a lot to throw down, but since it is 5:30 in the morning and I can hear the birds chirping along with thunder rolling. I better go to bed. Thats a snap shot of whats to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhW-T4X-YEU
much love,
-JDB
Friday, March 25, 2011
6 blogs. 6 nights. make-up for last night. March Madness.
I was watching the Duke, Arizona game with my good buddy Patrick Yankey last night. After the Dukies got beat, I was so happy/ecstatic/joyful/crazy that I tired myself out and couldn't keep my eyes open after the game. So that is why you got such a short blog and why I am going to make it up to you with a somewhat personal blog.
March Madness is one of my favorite times of the year because of college basketball going through the tournament and baseball season is starting to get in full swing. Even though I see the Christian Laettner shot about a thousand times and the Cats give me a heart attack during every game I still pull through and see March as one of the best. I think the word Madness really describes how March really is in the sports world. We see so many upsets during that month that all it brings is madness. History is made almost every day that a game is on. It is full with a bunch of heart breaks but on the other end it can be one of the most joyful times of the year. With March Madness literally going on in the sports world and serving this week at the homeless shelter my life has been somewhat of madness but also with another thing going on that I feel lead into sharing with you.
Have you been put into a situation that you have asked someone for trust? Not just a little trust, but with a whole lot of trust that you are not for sure they can give you? Here recently, I have found myself in that situation and at times I cry out to God asking "Why am I in this situation?" I don't know if you personally have been in the same situation that I am in. But I can almost promise that if you haven't, you have been in a very similar situation leading to the same prayer, "Why God?!" While looking up the definition of the word "trust" I see two definitions that I really like.
March Madness is one of my favorite times of the year because of college basketball going through the tournament and baseball season is starting to get in full swing. Even though I see the Christian Laettner shot about a thousand times and the Cats give me a heart attack during every game I still pull through and see March as one of the best. I think the word Madness really describes how March really is in the sports world. We see so many upsets during that month that all it brings is madness. History is made almost every day that a game is on. It is full with a bunch of heart breaks but on the other end it can be one of the most joyful times of the year. With March Madness literally going on in the sports world and serving this week at the homeless shelter my life has been somewhat of madness but also with another thing going on that I feel lead into sharing with you.
Have you been put into a situation that you have asked someone for trust? Not just a little trust, but with a whole lot of trust that you are not for sure they can give you? Here recently, I have found myself in that situation and at times I cry out to God asking "Why am I in this situation?" I don't know if you personally have been in the same situation that I am in. But I can almost promise that if you haven't, you have been in a very similar situation leading to the same prayer, "Why God?!" While looking up the definition of the word "trust" I see two definitions that I really like.
Trust:
-Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
-Confident expectation of something; hope.
Looking at those two definitions, I have hoped and prayed for the longest time that I was able to receive that during the time that I needed it the most. Whether or not I got it, I am not for sure but I have been able to link the word "trust" to another word that has brought me comfort through this madness. The word I am referring to is "faith".
Faith:
-confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
-belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
-strong or unshakeable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence.
-trust in God and in his actions and promises.
If you ask me about linking these two words, I would answer by saying that in order to have faith you must have trust and vice-versa. Looking at the Christian faith we see that it all relies on faith and trust. We trust that God is real, that Jesus came to this earth in human form and died on a cross for our sins so that we may live and have eternal life through the Holy Spirit. The big kicker about it all is that we can not physically see God with our own two eyes which brings in the word faith. Bringing it down to earth, I feel that in our relationships with others and especially those that have "til death do us part" defining them, Faith and Trust play the key role. I think what is beautiful in our world is when faith and trust come together in the most crucial times. What is ugly and I personally cant stand and hate, is when people take advantage of the trust and faith that you have in them and make bad decisions thinking they can keep it a secret. So, why must you go through situations where you put trust and faith in someone or something? Why would God put you in situations dealing with trust and faith when the world tells you not to trust but deep down inside you feel that you should? There can be a lot of doubt in this and a lot and I mean A LOT of stress and heart ache when having to put trust and faith into someone. You may be wondering how I am going to tie in finding comfort through those two words, well in James 1 verses 2-4 you find your answer:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4
Right off the bat I like how verse two starts out, "consider it pure joy" as if James when writing this knew that it is very hard at times to put trust and faith into someone or something to happen especially when you are not there to see it. His reasoning's of why to consider it joy is even better. Verse three, he mentions that the testing of faith produces perseverance. That when you go through "trials of many kinds" stick with it and keep your faith because it produces your perseverance which leads to your maturing and being complete. I know he is more than likely referring this with Godly things, but when he mentions trials of many kinds, I also put in the worldly things that you put your trust in. Yes, there are times that trust can be broken and tear someone apart but there are also times that trust and faith can strengthen relationships and make them complete and not lack anything. When it is all said and done, it can all lead to the third definition of faith, "strong or unshakeable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence." To receive that strong/unshakeable belief, we must go through times that call for the full trust and faith.
-JDB, Go Cats!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
6 blogs. 6 nights. night 5.
Tonight is the last night that will be spent in Louisville. Tomorrow comes and I will find myself traveling back to my home town of Danville. If anyone has tried to get a hold of me throughout this week and haven't been able to reach me, I want to apologize but not really apologize because I have intentionally turned my phone off for the majority of the trip. The reason for that was to take away many distractions that the world throws at me. I was solely committed to serving the homeless and thinking about it all the time while being down here. With that being said I take a lot away from this trip in Louisville serving the homeless.
John 3:30 hit me hard this week. "He must become greater. I must become less." Looking at those 8 words has really transformed me this week. God is our ROCK and our FORTRESS. It is not us living in the world but rather Christ living through us. I asked God to break my heart this week and he came through. Speaking with the homeless last night on the street was amazing but today in the homeless shelter was even better. I worked the storage closet today for 4 and half hours where I would check in and out bags that the homeless would bring in. That developed many conversations. One sticks out above the rest. Talking to the last person of the day to check a bag in. He was an older gentlemen from Tennessee and was a Veteran that served for the later part of the seventies into the early eighties. I am not really for sure why he sticks out above the rest, but he mentioned that as long as his heart is beating than he is not giving up on his life. I suddenly started feeling for the gentlemen. After lunch was over, everyone that I was with decided to take a nap. Only problem was, I couldn't sleep. I was having a "backpack" kind of day (A backpack day is a day that I just have the urge to grab my backpack and start walking. Where I go is not a question. I just start walking). As I walked downtown Louisville alone, it gave me the time to take in everything from this week. I realized that the my problems don't come near to ANY of the things that the homeless encounter on a daily basis. You may argue saying that they throw this on themselves and being homeless is what they deserve. To some extent that could be a true statement. But do you truthfully mean that? Seriously?! It is very sad when I hear that come out of someones mouth. I see that as just an excuse not to help someone in need. Either way you want to look at it, you need to realize that they are God's creation just as much as you are! God molded you the same way that he molded everyone else in the world. Just because you have money and feel in control about everything in the world doesn't make you more important than the 7 month pregnant women living on the street walking from shelter to shelter or the homeless Vietnam veteran who couldn't get back on solid ground because he was suffering from PTSD and can't find any help. I am sure that you have heard it before but, these are people too! Whether you see a homeless person on a daily basis or only see them when you go to big towns, you should keep them in your prayers. They need it! All they can get. They are clay formed from our Gods hands also.
I loved every second here serving the Lord in Louisville. As I go on, I am excited to see what God does with my life next and where I will be. It is exciting! Question is, are you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IduHRMRcy9A&feature=related
-JDB
John 3:30 hit me hard this week. "He must become greater. I must become less." Looking at those 8 words has really transformed me this week. God is our ROCK and our FORTRESS. It is not us living in the world but rather Christ living through us. I asked God to break my heart this week and he came through. Speaking with the homeless last night on the street was amazing but today in the homeless shelter was even better. I worked the storage closet today for 4 and half hours where I would check in and out bags that the homeless would bring in. That developed many conversations. One sticks out above the rest. Talking to the last person of the day to check a bag in. He was an older gentlemen from Tennessee and was a Veteran that served for the later part of the seventies into the early eighties. I am not really for sure why he sticks out above the rest, but he mentioned that as long as his heart is beating than he is not giving up on his life. I suddenly started feeling for the gentlemen. After lunch was over, everyone that I was with decided to take a nap. Only problem was, I couldn't sleep. I was having a "backpack" kind of day (A backpack day is a day that I just have the urge to grab my backpack and start walking. Where I go is not a question. I just start walking). As I walked downtown Louisville alone, it gave me the time to take in everything from this week. I realized that the my problems don't come near to ANY of the things that the homeless encounter on a daily basis. You may argue saying that they throw this on themselves and being homeless is what they deserve. To some extent that could be a true statement. But do you truthfully mean that? Seriously?! It is very sad when I hear that come out of someones mouth. I see that as just an excuse not to help someone in need. Either way you want to look at it, you need to realize that they are God's creation just as much as you are! God molded you the same way that he molded everyone else in the world. Just because you have money and feel in control about everything in the world doesn't make you more important than the 7 month pregnant women living on the street walking from shelter to shelter or the homeless Vietnam veteran who couldn't get back on solid ground because he was suffering from PTSD and can't find any help. I am sure that you have heard it before but, these are people too! Whether you see a homeless person on a daily basis or only see them when you go to big towns, you should keep them in your prayers. They need it! All they can get. They are clay formed from our Gods hands also.
I loved every second here serving the Lord in Louisville. As I go on, I am excited to see what God does with my life next and where I will be. It is exciting! Question is, are you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IduHRMRcy9A&feature=related
-JDB
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
6 blogs. 6 nights. night 4.
What is it about the homeless that breaks my heart? While we all were walking downtown tonight after dinner I decided to hang out in the back by myself and throw the head phones in my ear to think just about that. To my surprise, I couldn't come up with an answer...
Today was an early morning. Waking up at 6 in the morning was a big change than what I am use to. It was much harder because it seems that I can never get to bed at a decent hour knowing that I have to be up early in the morning. Jeff Street was very busy today. It seemed that homeless men and women were walking in and out one after another. To my surprise, we got a little time off and Wyatt and I decided to walk around the neighborhood that is right across the street from the shelter. While we were walking, it came as a surprise to myself on how well the homeless men and women can fit in with the rest of society. These people are hurting deep down inside, they have no where to call home and all they have is what they can carry. But yet, we still couldn't tell who was who. It wasn't until tonight that we got to talk to some of the homeless. If there is anything that gets out of this blog tonight, I would like for you to throw up prayer for all the homeless men and women but two especially:
1-Josh. Walking up 4th street we ran into a guy who couldn't have been much older than myself. He had a long sleeve shirt over his head and was looking for a light. We got to spend some time with him and talk about his life. He has been in Kentucky now for 5 months after coming up from Georgia. His girlfriend kicked him out of her house in Georgia and he had no where to go. He didn't mention how he got to Louisville but Wyatt and I did get to talk to him and help him out a little. While talking to him, he said he hadn't ate all day and had no money in his pocket to get food. Mentioning he would rather have a bag of chips than a light.
2-Paul. This fella was an interesting character. He had just been released from Jail. He had served 8 years in the pen. He talked a lot about his earlier years. How he played basketball in high school and was an McDonalds All-American (I'm not going to lie, the dude looked like he could play). He was 50 years old and all he could talk about was about Christ and becoming a new Christian. Whether he was throwing us for a loop or not is not for I to judge but God above, but the guy knew his scripture. He would refer to Paul in the bible a lot.
There is a lot of hurt in these peoples hearts. Just seeing how these people live their lives does it for me. Prayer is really the best thing for them. Giving them money is just a temporary fix to their problems that they already have. Not saying giving them money is bad, if you feel lead to give someone homeless money than I say do it. But what I have learned over the years with homeless people is getting them the needs is better than a dollar bill. The need that they need above all else is Christ. This goes for everyone. If a billionaire in the USA living in a mansion with every make of car and a different pair of shoes for each day of the year is with out Christ, then him too is homeless. Our home is not here on earth but rather in Heaven!
Tomorrow is the last day that we have at Jeff Street, Pray for the Homeless and the two gentleman but also pray that God breaks us down as a group to where we have to lean on him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au3EGgISYMc
-JDB
Today was an early morning. Waking up at 6 in the morning was a big change than what I am use to. It was much harder because it seems that I can never get to bed at a decent hour knowing that I have to be up early in the morning. Jeff Street was very busy today. It seemed that homeless men and women were walking in and out one after another. To my surprise, we got a little time off and Wyatt and I decided to walk around the neighborhood that is right across the street from the shelter. While we were walking, it came as a surprise to myself on how well the homeless men and women can fit in with the rest of society. These people are hurting deep down inside, they have no where to call home and all they have is what they can carry. But yet, we still couldn't tell who was who. It wasn't until tonight that we got to talk to some of the homeless. If there is anything that gets out of this blog tonight, I would like for you to throw up prayer for all the homeless men and women but two especially:
1-Josh. Walking up 4th street we ran into a guy who couldn't have been much older than myself. He had a long sleeve shirt over his head and was looking for a light. We got to spend some time with him and talk about his life. He has been in Kentucky now for 5 months after coming up from Georgia. His girlfriend kicked him out of her house in Georgia and he had no where to go. He didn't mention how he got to Louisville but Wyatt and I did get to talk to him and help him out a little. While talking to him, he said he hadn't ate all day and had no money in his pocket to get food. Mentioning he would rather have a bag of chips than a light.
2-Paul. This fella was an interesting character. He had just been released from Jail. He had served 8 years in the pen. He talked a lot about his earlier years. How he played basketball in high school and was an McDonalds All-American (I'm not going to lie, the dude looked like he could play). He was 50 years old and all he could talk about was about Christ and becoming a new Christian. Whether he was throwing us for a loop or not is not for I to judge but God above, but the guy knew his scripture. He would refer to Paul in the bible a lot.
There is a lot of hurt in these peoples hearts. Just seeing how these people live their lives does it for me. Prayer is really the best thing for them. Giving them money is just a temporary fix to their problems that they already have. Not saying giving them money is bad, if you feel lead to give someone homeless money than I say do it. But what I have learned over the years with homeless people is getting them the needs is better than a dollar bill. The need that they need above all else is Christ. This goes for everyone. If a billionaire in the USA living in a mansion with every make of car and a different pair of shoes for each day of the year is with out Christ, then him too is homeless. Our home is not here on earth but rather in Heaven!
Tomorrow is the last day that we have at Jeff Street, Pray for the Homeless and the two gentleman but also pray that God breaks us down as a group to where we have to lean on him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au3EGgISYMc
-JDB
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