Ragamuffin: poverty - part 5

There ain’t no church like that

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ony Campolo was flying to Hawaii to speak at a conference. He describes checking into his hotel and trying to get some sleep. Unfortunately his internal clock wakes him at 3:00 AM. The streets are silent, the world is asleep but Tony is wide awake and his stomach is growling.

So he gets up and walks the streets looking for a place to get something to eat. Everything is closed except for a grungy joint near an alley. He goes in and he sits down at the counter. The big guy behind the counter comes over and asks, “What d’ya want?”  Well, Tony is checking out some donuts under a plastic cover and he says, “I’ll have a donut and black coffee.”

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Ragamuffin: poverty - part 4

Each expression unique

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ne author states this truth, “The expression ‘the poor are always with us’ means that there will always be people who live in poverty and so need assistance from others  (Manser, M. H., Fleming, N. B., Hughes, K., & Bridges, R. F. (2000, c1999).

I never knew that was in the Bible!. Rev. ed. of: The Bible word book / Ronald Bridges. 1960. (electronic ed.) (339).

The truth is so evident that there will always be a need for social services from us to others in need.  We endeavor to reduce the crisis that we find in the families and individuals around us through our services and our ministry.

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Ragamuffin: poverty - part 3

Who is poor?

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n retired pastor Jack Hayford’s study of Proverbs he gives three views about poverty which help us to focus our plan in helping those in poverty.  “First, some people became poor by misfortune or disaster, which was beyond their control.  These people should be helped by those who have wealth. In fact, by giving to these poor, we give to God, and He will bless us (Prov. 19:17).

A second view in Proverbs is that a person is better poor than wicked and rich (Prov. 19:22). The unjust, deceitful gain of riches is a curse which results in bad things for such a foolish person (Prov. 20:17, 21, 23).  Finally, there is the person who is poor because of laziness and foolishness. He has all the potential and opportunity to do right and be successful, but he causes his own destruction by his folly. Such a person has few friends (Prov. 19:4); even his family has no use for him (Prov. 19:7) (Hayford, J. W., & Thorpe, R. S., 1997).

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Ragamuffin: poverty - part 2

Being holy, being human

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t our location we have the opportunity for computer training that provides instruction and experience in computer skills for the performance of job related tasks with training, education and the opportunity to take advantage of our new employment job placement program through our social services.

This is the improvement program plan we started June 2008. In the book, Being Holy, Being Human: Dealing with the Expectations of Ministry we read, “You look at the poverty and misery in your community, and you wonder if the work you do makes any difference. Why do wicked men prosper, and why are they allowed to take advantage of the weak and powerless? Isn’t God listening to our prayers? Will he never bless our efforts?” (Kesler, J. ,1988)

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Ragamuffin: poverty | part 1

Setting the stage

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ur corps ministers to the poor through social services and education, as well as spiritual ministries of the corps. Defining the poor can be difficult. The poor in our area includes immigrant populations and various racial groups.

Our primary poverty group is the Hispanic immigrant who comes to our corps for social services. Our social services include our food pantry, rental assistance, utility assistance, English Second Language (ESL) classes, GED classes and our employment program.

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Ragamuffin: Bestsellers

Bibles & books… oh my!

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very once in awhile I check on the CBA website for the current bestsellers. This is a Christian Booksellers Association site with information on the trends in Bible and book sales. Recently I read an interesting blog on the site with some interesting stuff on the convention and awards.

I must confess I like books, even more than reading material on my computer. Although I have an extensive library on my laptop if possible I prefer a written page. Maybe it is because of my age or my eyesight or my learning style. I like certain books – I can read a commentary and enjoy it. I have even read commentaries from cover to cover. I eat it up. I read several magazines as well but I do not digest it as well.

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Ragamuffin: untamed

To love what is untamed inside of us

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ot too long ago I watched the movie Flicka. The 2006 film is a sweet type of movie, one for all ages.

The story is about Katy. She is the only daughter of a rancher who hopes to take over the family ranch someday. Her father hopes that the older brother will take over the ranch. After failing to complete an essay for her school exam Katy returns home to face her father’s disapproval. Her love for a black Mustang filly starts her on a new adventure.

Katy’s father does not approve of her actions with Flicka and Katy disobeys him by training and riding the horse behind his back. Later Flicka is sold to the rodeo. Katy rescues her beloved horse with the assistance of her brother by posing as a man and entering the race. The film ends with Katy and Flicka riding together through the Wyoming mountains. It is a wonderful movie. But this quote hit me…

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Ragamuffin: Christ’s call for justice

Millennium Development Goals

God’s call to justice is for all Christ-followers. Bono is calling people worldwide to a deeper faith and engagement with God’s mission. You can hear it in Bono’s lyrics. Songs like I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Pride (In the Name of Love), One, Yahweh, When Love Comes to Town and Beautiful Day all speak of a better world if we do our part. In the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-40 we see Jesus’ thoughts on social justice and making a difference.

What we can do is important. It is more important than what we can’t do. In Sept. 2000 the United Nations pledged to accomplish eight goals to reduce suffering in our world by 2015. I think the church should be a big part in reducing human suffering. Here are some facts about human suffering from the year 2007:

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Ragamuffin: US politics

Racing to the finish line

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ell it will be the nominating conventions soon for our presidential candidates. I have mainly been a Republican and in recent years switched to being an independent. I lean right though.

Like most large countries we Americans come from a wide variety of races, ethnicities, economic, cultural and political backgrounds. It is great to live in Chicago metro area and see and hear the diversity every day. This also brings some conflict in views.

Sad to say, but true, that most of the time a low percentage of registered voters actually vote in the USA. In presidential elections like the one coming up in November it is higher than usual I suspect. Someone once wrote – “wonder if they held an election and no one voted?”

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Ragamuffin: loneliness

Why are we so alone?

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here is a new movie out called WALL-E. WALL-E is alone on earth. One day, Eve, a sleek robot, is sent to earth to find proof that life is once again sustainable. WALL-E falls in love with Eve. WALL-E rescues Eve from a dust storm and shows her a living plant he found amongst the rubble. True to his love, he protects her from wind, rain, and lightning. One day a massive ship comes to reclaim Eve, but WALL-E, out of love or loneliness (or both) hitches a ride on the outside of the ship to rescue Eve. The story tells us of  lonely robots and the need for love.

Some graffiti on a subway wall reads, “I like grils.” When someone corrects the misspelling by writing, “It’s ‘girls,’ stupid, not ‘grils,’” a third party writes, “But what about us grils?” – lonely grils? Loneliness is a sad reality in our world.

There is an old song by Three Dog Night that was a hit, it was called One Is the Loneliest Number.

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