Ranting about Pan Handlers

My rant for the day:

Okay don't take what I am about to say wrong as I know many will, but read through what I have to say first.

First, anyone doubting or not knowing of my love, passion, desire to help the down and out, the homeless, abused, hurting of this world, obviously knows nothing about me, or my past.

Yesterday I saw a post from a friend talking about giving a pan-handler money. Don't get me wrong, I have given to them as well in the past, but very seldom and to this day, very seldom do because I know, more times than not that money goes to support an alcohol and or drug habit, even if buying food, it allows them to use other monies to support habits. I seriously question the actions of some that allow one to continue in their addictions. I also know how much money pan-handlers can make, far more than I and or other working people. I also know, that in many cases, it is a scam and frankly, also in most communities, illegal.

Again, don't get me wrong I have given but I have to feel very strongly in my gut (for the non Christian reading) and strongly in my Spirit, (for other reading who are followers of Jesus.) 

Here is my concern, when we give in ways we don't know of how the gift will benefit the person, there is a high risk that we are doing two things, one is helping the addiction which keeps the person in need, and the other is taking away possible funding for agencies and people who are there to help people and frankly, need the finances.I challenge, if giving, find an agency making a difference and give to them so they can help in the best ways possible, but even here, check the agency out. I can name two specific agencies in my town who are themselves not using the money for the purposes they state and have areas of concern that would have me not ever giving to them. I also know of individuals, both Christian and not, doing a great job who could use the money, I would recommend to even give money to those individuals and private groups if having issues with larger agencies. Just remember, there are smaller agencies, like The Virtual Pew and Mosaic, along with many churches and others who are doing great jobs.

This hit home hard recently because the organizations I run, The Virtual Pew and Mosaic helps house individuals in need of housing, either the abused, the hurting, the homeless, or those seeking to come together to help grow spiritually with a focus, on helping with the above mentioned areas. This week I had applications for 3 persons to come into our program, one of them a couple who happens to be homeless.  Yet, we had to go on line again, to ask for money. We get very little from the church organizations, or Christians, or for that matter, even many of the providers who see benefit in a number of things, as opposed to actually helping some, obtain housing.  My wife and I have literally emptied our retirement and savings accounts to keep this program going, don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about that, but wonder, have we as a society gotten to the place that we see more value in helping people stay homeless as opposed to helping them get back on their feet and accomplish their hopes and dreams.

Matthew 25: 1 - 42 is a great chapter of scripture. Many who want to help others choose to identify with this passage, especially the 31 - 42 part, unfortunately we seem to all but ignore the 1 - 30 part.  The part which speaks about the responsibility of the giver and receiver.  I challenge folks to read that, with the understanding that 1 - 30 speaks specifically about the one receiving the gift, and 31 - 42 about the responsibility of the one giving th  Read it, again, think about it, and then, think about how you can best use your gift to help others who really need it, and will do with it what God would expect for them to do with it.

Matthew 25
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

1 The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night when ten girls took their oil lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom. 2 Five of the girls were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil. 4 The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps.

5 The groom was late arriving, and the girls became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 Then in the middle of the night someone shouted, “Here’s the groom! Come to meet him!”

7 When the girls got up and started getting their lamps ready, 8 the foolish ones said to the others, “Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out.”

9 The girls who were wise answered, “There’s not enough oil for all of us! Go and buy some for yourselves.”

10 While the foolish girls were on their way to get some oil, the groom arrived. The girls who were ready went into the wedding, and the doors were closed. 11 Later the other girls returned and shouted, “Sir, sir! Open the door for us!”

12 But the groom replied, “I don’t even know you!”

13 So, my disciples, always be ready! You don’t know the day or the time when all this will happen.

14 The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned. 15 The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed five thousand coins to the first servant, two thousand to the second, and one thousand to the third. Then he left the country.

16 As soon as the man had gone, the servant with the five thousand coins used them to earn five thousand more. 17 The servant who had two thousand coins did the same with his money and earned two thousand more. 18 But the servant with one thousand coins dug a hole and hid his master’s money in the ground.

19 Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money. 20 The servant who had been given five thousand coins brought them in with the five thousand that he had earned. He said, “Sir, you gave me five thousand coins, and I have earned five thousand more.”

21 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

22 Next, the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, “Sir, you gave me two thousand coins, and I have earned two thousand more.”

23 “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

24 The servant who had been given one thousand coins then came in and said, “Sir, I know that you are hard to get along with. You harvest what you don’t plant and gather crops where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 I was frightened and went out and hid your money in the ground. Here is every single coin!”

26 The master of the servant told him, “You are lazy and good-for-nothing! You know that I harvest what I don’t plant and gather crops where I haven’t scattered seed. 27 You could have at least put my money in the bank, so that I could have earned interest on it.”

28 Then the master said, “Now your money will be taken away and given to the servant with ten thousand coins! 29 Everyone who has something will be given more, and they will have more than enough. But everything will be taken from those who don’t have anything. 30 You are a worthless servant, and you will be thrown out into the dark where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”

31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. 32 The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.

33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. 35 When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink? 38 When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear 39 or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”

40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”

41 Then the king will say to those on his left, “Get away from me! You are under God’s curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me.”

44 Then the people will ask, “Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?”

45 The king will say to them, “Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me.”

46 Then Jesus said, “Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life.”

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me, there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.

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Real Help for The Homeless and our Call To Real Help

I have worked with helping others find solutions to their needs for over 40 years now, starting as a young man, I worked with my uncle who was severely injured while in the Army. As a result of my uncle's injury, (BTW I lived most of the time with my grandparents who cared for him) which consisted of blindness, traumatic brain injury and later on the development of schizo-affective disorder, I was able to work with him to  learn simple basic things which made it easier on others and him that few at the time thought possible. I also worked professionally with the homeless, including those with mental illness in areas of rehabilitation as an Executive Director and Consultant for over 15 years and a total now of over 30 years in all capacities. It is a subject I know something about. The bottom line, I want to communicate to you that in my experiences, I have not just worked with the homeless but especially the homeless many think there is little hope for. I think there is hope, a solution to the issue of homelessness and poverty in America and ultimately around the world but I can only speak of my experiences and observations in America which include all sectors of America, from the South to the North East, the Southwest to the Plains and from the West Coast to the Northwest. I believe the universal solution to help all  people is the same. What I am going to say will shock some, make some angry and maybe, just maybe open the eyes of others.

Here is an unfortunate truth, dollars upon dollars have been thrown at the issue of homelessness. This

has not resolved the problem. Unfortunately, more private and public dollars than ever are being thrown at the issue of poverty and homelessness and little if anything is improving to in my opinion justify the cost. There has to be a better answer. I unfortunately not only speak from a professional perspective, I am also speaking from a position of experience. I was for over 2 years, by the definition of homelessness, homeless. I lived in a YMCA transient shelter when I married my wife and completed High School while living there prior to that. I write about these experiences in my book The Keystone Kid and those experiences are not exaggerated, they are as real and accurate as I can possibly record. While the book deals with various issues I dealt with, the answer to the problem is the same for all situations I had to endure in my own life. I believe now, as I have believed for some time, the answer is the same for most on the streets. I know because where I have seen real change come about over the many years of my work is the same in the overwhelming majority of people.

Are you ready for the number one way that we as a society, caregivers, and helpers in particular can make a change? Here you go, to know (for to know gives the ability to show change and model what needs to be changed best) and follow, (in all ways,) the person of Jesus, and then from that point, introduce Jesus to those we work with.

The Bible is very clear on this subject, and I have seen it from experience to be true in life. "What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul?" Things are not the solution to helping someone want to change. There is a spiritual component within each of us, that unless filled with the Spirit of God will not have an understanding or desire to change or find a place of peace within ones own spiritual needs.  I am honored and pleased to say, it is one of the things that makes the ministry I do and the work Mosaic is involved in different than many others. I am thankful that I am aware of other ministries doing the same thing and they have been things that have helped direct me in the work I believe is the work of God. This has been the thing I have seen be the most effective in bringing about change to the poor and the homelessness issues in American.

One of the things I have seen and believe to be the number one problem amongst the homeless is the lack of hope. Many don't believe things can and will get better. Providers believe they know what is best and at best offer solutions that are temporary and do not last. It is so bad in some circles that some call themselves ministry and either the Jesus that is introduced is diluted at best and in many instances are 'Ministries' that never introduces people to Jesus. I see this done by some who are flat out lying and deceive. They say and do things that are clearly not true, while promoting themselves. They supposedly place hundreds of homeless people in housing when I doubt they could show 5 actual people where they have done so and it has lasted. Or supposedly feeding tens of thousands of the homeless when there are less than 2,000 homeless people in their community. Of course with groups like this, it is easy to get a large numbers of people to support you but that support is based off of lies. It is imperative that one does the research to verify the facts. When it is done one can clearly see indiscretions in things like finance and more with numerous businesses in the community but it is sometimes so much easier to believe the lies. Then there are so called ministries that have personal indiscretions ranging from marital infidelity, leadership issues, untrue accusations and much more. I agree it is imperative to get the log out of ones own eye before worrying about the speck in another's, but I am not speaking about specs here, I am speaking about logs and making sure that those who say they do ministry follow the Biblical expectations of what the Bible calls ministry, otherwise it is not ministry it is a facade masquerading as ministry. There are clearly higher expectations for Biblical leadership and it is imperative that we follow that leadership and direction. If doing that, it becomes clear, it is about Jesus.

What is it Jesus does that some never take into consideration? It is quite simple, the very nature of God we see from the Old Testament through the New Testament is the concept of hope that comes from knowing and being in relationship with God, that only comes through Jesus. The Bible speaks hundreds of times on this subject. There are verses like the following:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. - 1 Peter 3:15

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. - Romans 15:4

I could go on and on, like I said, there are literally hundreds of verses that deal with the subject of hope. I beg the question: how is hope instilled amongst the poor, the homeless or anyone when the need for Jesus is left out of the solution all together? The answer is simple, the evidence shows, it isn't. This is one of the primary reasons we see the homeless saying things like, "I have no desire to get off the streets, people are giving me everything I need," or, "I don't want help, I have no obligations or responsibilities on the street," to most recently, "Everything I need is given to me, I prefer to use my money for my drugs and whores." I beg another question, is it possible, that in the do-gooders intent that we have failed doing good and arrived at the place were we enable people more than help them? This is both a spiritual and a political problem, spiritual because Jesus and God has a purpose for each of us beyond just surviving and a political agenda that seems to be pressed at times that sees it as the governments responsibility to take care of those who are incapable of taking care of themselves. This is a Communist or Socialist perspective. The danger here is that while it is true there will be a segment of society who will always need help, it is clear to me from my observations and experiences, that we are leading others into that place that are capable to find that hope but have either given up on life by surrendering to alcohol and drugs, (of which many of the things that are given are sold to buy more drugs and alcohol.) or are some really incapable of helping themselves, at which point some others have less resources being provided to help those such as those with severe mental illnesses. The bottom line is this is quite possible and I believe likely. Many of the providers or those seeking to do good may be doing more harm than good because they leave out the one instrument of change that I know gives hope, God.

Understand, I am not trying to make  blanket generalizations.  There are always  exceptions but they are exceptions, not solutions. In this whole dilemma, not only should the mistakes of what I call the do gooders be addressed but the failure of the Church in large, and Christian community must also be addressed. Many churches have gotten caught up in political dogmas to the point that they have forgotten about the missional expectations of Jesus. Many do good once a year, say at Christmas, but what do we do all of the year to carry out this mission? I am asking the church to consider something, something I would love to do and be a part of but there are people in your communities who could do this as well. Look at ways you can serve the homeless and the poor, while at the same time, having crusades (not revivals but crusades where the Gospel of Jesus is clearly preached) to this population. Then take on the responsibility of the Church to those who have converted. Take them under our wings, disciple them and implement the whole of the following passages of scripture:

 Acts 2: 42-47: (42) They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.

(43) Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. (44) All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. (45) They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. (46) Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, (47) while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved

And,

Acts 4: 32- 37: (32) The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. (33) In a powerful way the apostles told everyone that the Lord Jesus was now alive. God greatly blessed his followers, (34) and no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money (35) to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it.

(36-37) Joseph was one of the followers who had sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas, which means “one who encourages others.”

Here is the reality as I see it, until the do gooders start introducing Jesus with integrity or are at the least working with those who are faithful to this need and the Church and Christians do their part, then as much as I hate to say it, while some good may be done, in the overall scheme of things, we are may be wasting our time. It is my desire that we do what we should be doing. Some say the Bible addresses over 2,000 times the needs of the poor and needy, the orphan and the widow. While I am not sure if it is that many times, it is clear it is an awful lot and the Church needs to be doing the work God. It has always dumbfounded me, the church spends so much time on subjects like abortion, which should be addressed but seems to ignore the expectations of caring for the poor and needy which are so strongly emphasized in scripture. The bottom line for many problems including both of these, the answer is Jesus but how can people hear if the followers of Christ don't take Biblical teachings seriously and recognize that Jesus is exactly who he said he was, (...no one goes to the Father in Heaven except through me.) and emphasizes those points and takes and illustrates that message of hope to them?

Today I implore three groups: 1) There are those who deceive, they are in my view, evil and God will judge them harshly for their actions. I believe they should be exposed for their deceit. 2) There are others who just don't know. They have taken seriously their work but never seriously taken the message of hope that comes through Christ seriously. They wonder why they see little or no results, stay discouraged or know in their hearts they want so much more for those they legitimately love and care for. To those individuals, surrender to Jesus, I would love to be one of those who introduces you to him, simply contact me at mike@furches.org or Facebook or other forms and I will gladly walk you through the process. 3) There is another challenge, and challenge to Christians and The Church who are not doing their part. I so realize many are doing their part. There are great churches doing great work, seeing wonderful results and many Christians individually doing their part, but, for churches and Christians who aren't, get busy. Ask for forgiveness and do your part in reaching one of the great mission fields on the earth. Don't just stop at a conversion, we are not called from a Biblical perspective to just make converts, we are called to make disciples. Don't settle for anything else. We are to be a part of the process where people are sold out Jesus Freaks and fully life long persons committed to Jesus, even until the point of death. We are called to do the work of Jesus on this earth, including an area strongly emphasized in scripture, serving, reaching and seeing the salvation of the poor and needy, orphan, widow, tax collector, whosoever. Anything less is not what God has called us to do.

Addendum added 7/20/2021

It is so easy in today's world to give quickly and truthfully, without thought. I find issue with this as one who is involved in ministry for over 40 years now, who also has such a hard and difficult time surviving, yet, still finding ways to try and help. Even last night, giving counsel on things like suicide emergency assistance to looking at solutions to homelessness. The big ministries who sometimes do very little have great ad campaigns to keep the cash flowing. 

As a recent example, and this one will be controversial,  there seems to be quick solutions for homeless issues that really do not seriously take into consideration the long term needs of the homeless, which by the way encompasses, folks who have lost jobs, have serious substance abuse problems or mental illnesses with various disorders that impact people in different ways. There seems to be this idea that we can just convert shopping centers, buy homes and other things that solves the homeless problems, it is in a way, a societal answer that people often make who are unwilling or unknowing of the ultimate needs of the individuals. The sad truth is, these solutions in the long run, do a great job at keeping the homeless homeless and dependent on society. The life changing concepts are critical to bring about if we genuinely want to see lives changed. While the Bible clearly states, we will always have the poor among us, we are also obligated to do more than just offer lip service. I am reminded of the passage of scripture that clearly says, if we see someone in need, and have the  means to help them and don't we can't say we have the love of God within us, we don't.  Of course we think that money is always the answer to issues, and that is a part of it, but often times the means of helping someone in need requires more than just money. 

As an example to the above, my nephew in Pensacola Florida has started a ministry where he gets old beat up bicycles, fixes them up and has a process to help the homeless with a form of transportation by having a bicycle. A great ministry that is addressing a specific need. There are questions though in the total scheme of things that should be understood where others in the church could come in and help. What for example if someone has a job? A bicycle could be of a great help, but, they don't know how to ride a bicycle?  Sometimes the solution is a great solution but someone may need help in order to obtain that solution. My nephew has done a great job at doing what he does, and then working with others to provide other helps as they can.

When I was running Mosaic as a downtown ministry we were the largest daily provider of services to the homeless in Wichita. We didn't charge or bill for those services so money was an issue. I refused a salary so we could do that ministry. We did something unique though, we didn't just serve coffee, we served the best coffee, we didn't just serve food, we cooked and served the best food. We didn't just give clothes, we gave the best clothes.  You see it is so easy to give dented cans, cheap hand me downs and more, heck, we even had someone once donate clothes that had been soiled by cats, like this was a gift out of love.  Why give second best when we are called to follow Christ who gave His best and His all?

The above, with lack of training, living skills education and long term help is one of the issues I have with the tiny homes approach many are following for the homeless. We have to make sure appropriate training that incarnates people back into society, that enables the best possible chance of success are the models we follow. Creating villages for the homeless people with tiny houses is segregation and I believe provides the dented cans approach to and for the homeless and makes it easy to throw money away in a quick way that in reality, has little positive benefit other than getting people, temporarily off the streets. It is certain, without the proper instruction, training and assistance, that I believe ultimately should include Christ, the solution is in fact, temporary as the person will certainly end back on the streets without that hand up, not a hand out, and walking alongside of and with, as opposed to sending someplace to put out of mind and out of site. In many ways, this is no different than the position some municipalities have taken by doing things like buying bus tickets for the homeless to send them to another city. 

Am I saying things like Tiny Homes or other assistance of this nature is all bad?  NO! I am saying that there has to be far more and in all things, my self esteem and self worth while homeless would have been built far better and quicker by a chance to be reintroduced into the hope that comes from Christ, of the possibility of someday having my own real apartment and or house. The dreams and asperations of others are often times built by the belief others have in them. If a person thinks others think they are only deserving of a tiny home, they will have tiny dreams and asperations. Dream big, for we serve a big God. If used, emphasized and shown that it is only a stepping stone done the right way, well then, do it the right way and let the person know it is a process to their larger dreams. That isn't how it's being done though that I have seen. It is more of a out of mind, out of site, and I don't have to do as much that way approach. Thankfully, God believes in his children more than that and has chosen to use us to accomplish His purpose. 

I know this will strike many the wrong way, others will hate it, some agree with a point or two and some will know I am sharing truth. A truth that may not be easy to hear but none the less, truth. I challenge everyone to do more than just give money but if giving money, give to those that are doing good, that is the good that helps the whole person, including the spiritual component of people, not just the physical. Remember that the Gospel and message of Jesus is also called Good News! In closing  I close with the following verses.

What does it profit anyone to gain the whole world and lose their soul? - Matthew 16:26

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

You can experience the plan of salvation and the eternal hope that comes with Jesus. Watch the following video for more information, just click on it, if the video doesn't appear, click on the following link. I also encourage you, if rededicating your life to Jesus or making a commitment to follow Christ, let me know, I will do all I can to help you in the situation you are in.

The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.

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When I Was Homeless

I recently saw a post by a pastor friend in Portland Oregon, Steve Kimes asking a general question of his friends about what it was like being homeless and the lessons learned, good and bad memories and so forth. Many may or may not know but there were times from about the age of 15 on to about 20 that I was either on the streets or couch hopped from friends and family, to friends and family. I write about the causes of it in my book The Keystone Kid, but Steve's question got me to think. From his question I present the following.

While on my own I couch hopped and at times stayed wherever I could stay including some nights on the streets. I stayed in a mission once and swore I would never stay in another. I never felt good about having to hear the preaching in order to get the food. Neither did I feel safe in a mission as a young man at the time. The streets and being on your own gave a form of independence, staying in a mission to me was a way to take that independence from me. It wasn't that I couldn't take care of myself at the mission, I had had to do that for most of my life but there is something about strangers at night and their advances that never set well with me. There were just too many red flags from personal experiences to subject myself to.

It is ironic as I was given an option to stay in a mission last summer when speaking in California. I had my wife with me, and still couldn't bring myself to stay there, it may have been a great mission but it brought back too many personal memories. There was something about those feelings even some 35+ years later that remained with me. It is one of the reasons I have enjoyed giving counsel to some missions and homeless programs in recent years. I am grateful that some things are changing but there is still a lot of work to be done.  

In my later teen years, mostly during my Junior and Senior years of High School and a year of college I was blessed to stay off and on at a YMCA Transient Shelter in Erwin Tennessee. I had a room, a hot plate (which I wasn't supposed to have,) a bed, dresser and closet. I didn't like the community shower due to memories of the abuse I had gone through in the years prior. Staying at the YMCA though, and those community showers got me used to getting up early as I would get up to shower before anyone else. I write some about this in my book which is available at Amazon from anywhere from 99 cents to $30 or more depending on if one gets the kindle, paper back or hard back. One can get the audio book for free from Soundcloud.com. It is professionally done and I am very pleased with it. The name of the book is The Keystone Kid. 

Now after that shameless promotion. I don't mind talking about being homeless for a couple of reasons. I have had the honor of telling my story to as few as a few, or one to one in casual conversation up to thousands at a time. I don't mind because, 1) there is a sense of credibility I gain among the abused and homeless of which God has blessed me to be in ministry with. They hear my story and know of its truths. In this process I have seen God use my story to help others. While I am far from totally delivered emotionally from my past and memories, I have new memories and a promising future. There is also the reminder of how good God is and what he brought me through. I know this may sound crazy, but years ago I had a conversation with my friend Glen Kaiser from Jesus People USA and Resurrection Band. I was having trouble in feeling loved by God and he reminded me of the passage of scripture that says those who have sinned more has been forgiven more and therefore loves God more. I don't like the pretentiousness that can come about from thinking like this, but I will admit, I love God with all of my heart. I know from where I came, where I am and the promises God has for me. While His people, His church, our society often fails, God never has and I don't expect ever will. I know my story and my past and I know God knows me better than I know myself.

I will admit, when homeless and on my own, I enjoyed the ease of life and not having to be accountable to anyone. I had no responsibilities and a number of Christians were there to help me. I hated not being understood, of course looking back on it, I wonder how much more I could have done to let people know about my situation so they could better understand me? I think a lot of it was the times I was in the situations I was. It was an ongoing issue. I think though that those on the streets or experiencing the tough times think they are responsible for communicating their feelings and experiences when in reality, they don't always understand them themselves and how they came about.

I was homeless and stayed with others the later part of my high school years and then some before, a little after those years. There was one instance while in high school where I was sick and literally had to serve a month or more of detention because I didn't have a parental excuse for the school. One day while in the guidance counselors office during detention they, (a married couple, Doc and Gail Clark) asked me why I was there every day. I didn't seem like a bad kid? I went ballistic saying all they, (the schools administrators) had to do was call the YMCA and they would verify I was homeless and lived at the Y. The Clarks made a phone call and easily verified that what I said was true. They got me on the free lunch program which was a big deal for a kid used to eating meals made either on a hot plate or bummed from someone whose home I just happened to show up at during meal time. The YMCA which was funded by private donations and The United Way was a huge help. Neither can I ignore though some of the Christians and others in the church I was attending that helped. This is how, where and when I met my wife.

There is a lot of things I can reflect on. I would say to those on the streets;  as hard as it is, don't give up. Faith and my relationship with Christ was also critical for me although in those early years I wasn't very good at living it out, mostly because I didn't understand it. It was a learning process but one I  took seriously despite my own ignorance in the area. I wanted to learn and was blessed to be smart enough to seek out those who lived their faith for advice and teaching. I figured if they didn't live it, they weren't worth learning from. I will also say, I was the one that had to take on the responsibility of finishing school. I look back and consider that a miracle. My education was an important part of my getting to where I am. While many may not think the place I am in now is a good place, compared to where I was, on the streets living a life most can't imagine, to where I am now, this place is a tremendous place that has involved a tremendous and exciting journey.

In closing, in looking back, the things people did for me are greatly appreciated but they were not as important as the understanding that I knew someone cared for me. In this, remember that sometimes the things one does gives another the understanding that they are loved. Doing for others helps one earn the right to reach in and touch another persons life. I am not disputing the importance of the things but I'm saying the things in and of themselves are not the end all to what one should be doing. The need to feel loved and in fact, be loved and accepted has far more value than the things people do. Everyone needs to remember that. I get hugs, voluntarily without asking for them from people I am blessed to do ministry with because I think folks who know me, see me and know I care for them whether they are on the streets or not. I know I can always do and be more but nothing replaces someone knowing your name and telling you they care for you and then you, because of their actions, know they in return, care for you.

For me and my house know, we have gone the extra mile for those we are called to love.  We don't just do the things we do for some people where they are, we engage them in our lives and for some, we live with them, literally. We have given our lives, our home, and made tremendous sacrifices to show love and be Christ as best as possible to those we are called to love. I am bold about the services, agencies and churches I like, and those I don't like and think may be doing more harm than good. Why?  It is simple, the people I am blessed to serve and speak out for aren't projects, they are family. I have learned from my experiences, not my experiments, I am blessed and see God in the individuals I am honored to live and be with, I literally see them as brothers and sisters, not projects that make me look good.

Some don't get it, I suspect, never will, but it all started for me with a simple concept, the love of Jesus who was willing to sacrifice all of himself for me and his command and call for me to love my neighbor, especially my poor neighbors in the same way he loved me. I have realized, many can talk about it, but God calls us to do it. I am glad I have listened and realize, there is much more to do and much more to learn, after all, I'm not in Heaven yet. I want to bring along as many as I can, for I realize, and want the world around me that I am called to love that God so loved this world that he sent his one and only son so that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but they will gain eternal life. I have come to realize this and more that; God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good.


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The following is the award winning short film, The Long Walk, based in part on my life. The complete DVD is available with over 2 hours of special features by contacting me through the contact information listed.  To watch the film, just click on the video, if there are problems with the video click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10JWEVO1JYk&list=UU7Bks_yQBtQdVl7am_2o7vw



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