Our ministry building is located off of a busy street one block away from the oldest and largest housing projects in our county, where there are 181 kids between kindergarten and fifth grade. We are flanked on the other side by an extended stay motel where 138 rooms are mostly reserved for folks who actually live there.
Homelessness is not a new phenomena to me. I was a homeless child.
But what has been new to me is where homeless people live.
When I moved to Atlanta I had no idea that people lived in extended stay motels. I had never driven on a dirt road to pick up kids for the corps in really sad trailer parks. Coming from the north where there is plenty of blight to go around, I was sheltered from some of this and these were new experiences.
Since then the LORD has birthed in me a passion for reaching out to people specifically in extended stay motels. They seem to be largely forgotten. People think of the "old drunks" under the bridges, or in the woods, or the "poor people" in the housing projects, but other faces of homelessness are largely forgotten--folks who couch surf and rotate around to family members with no permanency. People who are transient as they hop from one relationship to the next searching for a place of true belonging. We don't think of them because we choose not to see them.
A couple of weeks ago I was leaving our shelter during dinner time and as I turned out of the parking lot a young lady was singing as she was pushing a luggage cart from the extended stay across the road from us. It was loaded with the majority, if not all, of her belongings. With her (although not seen at first) was a little boy with magnificent bouncing curls about 18-24 months old helping his mama push that cart.
I was blessed in that moment. I'm sensing the money ran out to stay at the hotel across the road and they were coming to seek shelter at The Salvation Army, just a stones throw away. The "Center of Hope," a beacon for those who need it.
This morning as I left the gym I saw a school bus at a different extended stay on Church Street picking up kids to take them to school which I have seen countless times before at the hotel across the road from our offices.
I'm not sure if it is a cultural thing, or a humanity thing, but we don't want to "deal" with what we don't see. We have the luxury of not touching it or smelling it if we don't want to. Other people live--survive--in a state of chronic homelessness. It is all they know just as you may only know comfort and having a home. We have the comfort of our structured church committees with like-minded Christian friends only-- and benevolence funds-- while they have open air and true faith that God will provide.
Please open your eyes to what is around you. Let God use you.
"Let us become more aware of your presence..." as the Jesus Culture lyrics remind us and as scripture says in Titus 3:5, "He saved us, not because of righteous acts we had done, but because of his mercy..."
Friday, September 26, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
We caught the Rover
For the past several months Elijah has been asking to take a ride on the green Rover, our mass transit system here in Murfreesboro. There is a hub up the street from his school and the mornings he goes to school we always see a bus sitting there.
Today--finally--was the day to make that happen. After his nap we looked up the schedule and got Andy to drop us off at the bus stop.
What began as a joy ride for us left me in tears as I became overwhelmed with the fact that we are so abundantly blessed and in need of NOTHING.
The other passengers and driver were so super friendly but the struggles of life were real on their faces. One man told me how he was trying to get on disability, another lost their job because they had no transportation to the Nissan factory (Rover doesn't go outside of the city limits--most of the entry level jobs are in other cheaper parts of our county). We met a blind man and a cook from a hotel who was absolutely exhausted. These situations and stories aren't new to me--transportation is a HUGE struggle for the working poor in our area (the bus service stops at 6:00pm and only runs Monday-Friday within the city limits, etc) but sitting on that bus reminded me of my own childhood.
We waited for the bus with a single mom of three kids--ages 7,6 and 4--who works at the McDonald's across from the bus stop.
I don't like to speak often of my childhood as we had it pretty rough but that was my mom once upon a time. Single mom of three stair stepper kids catching the bus--everywhere. No money for a car. Shoot, half the time not enough money for the bus.
We would climb onto the bus with our grocery bags, double stroller, laundry, etc and the bus driver would usually have pity on us. If we were catching the subway we would have to climb under the turn style. Other passengers would either stare at us or turn their gaze from having to look at us. We were a mess in so many ways. When we didn't have money and the driver wouldn't take whatever my mom had we would all climb down off the bus angry and would wait for the next one. I used to think that life wasn't fair. It isn't.
I remember feeling embarrassed. I remember feeling shamed. I remember making sure my younger brother and sister were quiet, seated and that all of our gear was out of the way as my mom (always exhausted) collapsed into a seat. Oftentimes she would stand with some amount of gear so that we could sit. We would arrange things under our feet and on our laps and snuggle in to the hard, cold seats to get home.
Today riding the bus was a privilege. A joy ride for my two year old son. Something that he loved. He loved the ride, the people, and the awesome Rover coloring book he was given.
Things in life have changed and I am so extremely humbled and grateful, but also mindful of those who are where I was years ago. Tonight I think and pray for them that God would provide for their needs, that they will meet kind faces, and that they will feel true love that comes only from God.
Today--finally--was the day to make that happen. After his nap we looked up the schedule and got Andy to drop us off at the bus stop.
What began as a joy ride for us left me in tears as I became overwhelmed with the fact that we are so abundantly blessed and in need of NOTHING.
The other passengers and driver were so super friendly but the struggles of life were real on their faces. One man told me how he was trying to get on disability, another lost their job because they had no transportation to the Nissan factory (Rover doesn't go outside of the city limits--most of the entry level jobs are in other cheaper parts of our county). We met a blind man and a cook from a hotel who was absolutely exhausted. These situations and stories aren't new to me--transportation is a HUGE struggle for the working poor in our area (the bus service stops at 6:00pm and only runs Monday-Friday within the city limits, etc) but sitting on that bus reminded me of my own childhood.
We waited for the bus with a single mom of three kids--ages 7,6 and 4--who works at the McDonald's across from the bus stop.
I don't like to speak often of my childhood as we had it pretty rough but that was my mom once upon a time. Single mom of three stair stepper kids catching the bus--everywhere. No money for a car. Shoot, half the time not enough money for the bus.
We would climb onto the bus with our grocery bags, double stroller, laundry, etc and the bus driver would usually have pity on us. If we were catching the subway we would have to climb under the turn style. Other passengers would either stare at us or turn their gaze from having to look at us. We were a mess in so many ways. When we didn't have money and the driver wouldn't take whatever my mom had we would all climb down off the bus angry and would wait for the next one. I used to think that life wasn't fair. It isn't.
I remember feeling embarrassed. I remember feeling shamed. I remember making sure my younger brother and sister were quiet, seated and that all of our gear was out of the way as my mom (always exhausted) collapsed into a seat. Oftentimes she would stand with some amount of gear so that we could sit. We would arrange things under our feet and on our laps and snuggle in to the hard, cold seats to get home.
Today riding the bus was a privilege. A joy ride for my two year old son. Something that he loved. He loved the ride, the people, and the awesome Rover coloring book he was given.
Things in life have changed and I am so extremely humbled and grateful, but also mindful of those who are where I was years ago. Tonight I think and pray for them that God would provide for their needs, that they will meet kind faces, and that they will feel true love that comes only from God.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Seek
Lately I've been literally trying to live out the scripture verse that says:
"Seek the Kingdom of God, above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:33).
But what does that look like in 2014? What does that look like in my life?
I have spent time reflecting and considering this and the LORD has been revealing some fulfilling things for my heart and soul as a result.
You see, we've had an interesting few months dealing with a situation that we never thought we would have to deal with and it has hurt us. Rather than let it get to us, we are claiming the scripture verse above.
This has been a good lesson for us to focus on the main things... "keep the main thing, the main thing!"
So this verse has played itself out in my life as I intentionally invest in the relationships that matter most to me--with my LORD, Andy and Elijah, corps families, people we minister to (i.e. everyone we come into contact with!), and friends.
When we apply scripture to our lives it comes alive with power and it is beautiful. But how often do we hear the words, recite the words, or preach the words and not actually believe it to be true? Sure, we say we believe and we may think we believe it, but somehow we rob the power out of it.
Spirit-filled living is reading the word, applying it, and believing it to come true (united and believing prayer)--waiting in expectation for it to happen.
So how do you seek first the Kingdom of God in your life, and live righteously? Literally how do you do it? Not the appearance of it by vocation, but truly?
Do it and God's power will manifest through your life and into those around you.
Still seeking,
MO
"Seek the Kingdom of God, above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:33).
But what does that look like in 2014? What does that look like in my life?
I have spent time reflecting and considering this and the LORD has been revealing some fulfilling things for my heart and soul as a result.
You see, we've had an interesting few months dealing with a situation that we never thought we would have to deal with and it has hurt us. Rather than let it get to us, we are claiming the scripture verse above.
This has been a good lesson for us to focus on the main things... "keep the main thing, the main thing!"
So this verse has played itself out in my life as I intentionally invest in the relationships that matter most to me--with my LORD, Andy and Elijah, corps families, people we minister to (i.e. everyone we come into contact with!), and friends.
When we apply scripture to our lives it comes alive with power and it is beautiful. But how often do we hear the words, recite the words, or preach the words and not actually believe it to be true? Sure, we say we believe and we may think we believe it, but somehow we rob the power out of it.
Spirit-filled living is reading the word, applying it, and believing it to come true (united and believing prayer)--waiting in expectation for it to happen.
So how do you seek first the Kingdom of God in your life, and live righteously? Literally how do you do it? Not the appearance of it by vocation, but truly?
Do it and God's power will manifest through your life and into those around you.
Still seeking,
MO
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
To Understand
Eight times in Nehemiah chapter 8 the word "understood" is used.
Americans revere the Bible, but don't read it.
Christians read the Bible, but don't apply it well. As a gross generality there is no marked difference in the way a Christian lives their life than how a pre-Christian lives theirs.
Recently while attending a seminar at Gordon-Conwell seminary the topic of Biblical illiteracy was discussed and here the same topic is again in Nehemiah. Satan uses our distractions/laziness/busyness/whateverness to keep us Biblically illiterate--EVEN CHRISTIANS.
The word of God understood has the power to transform people for good. It must be read, studied, understood before its beautiful power can be unleashed in your (our) heart(s). I could stop here and preach an entire sermon....
I believe most of us are guilty when we program the time to study the Word of God out of our lives for other noble pursuits.
Our Teaching Director, Beckie, says that the natural reaction to reading the Word is guilt due to the holiness of God. Interesting to think about.
There is no replacement for studying the scriptures. Not even a well marketed, appealing looking devotional book that has sold and printed a gazillion copies at a major league Christian bookstore.
Nehemiah and Ezra organized an outdoor Bible conference and took the Word seriously. To them, it was a real treasure and they treated it as such.
They were intentional about making sure people heard and understood it.
Our language continues to change and translations and paraphrases of the Bible can become a distraction but the beautiful thing is that God's word stays the same. The message--truth--remains the same (2 Timothy 3:16)
Let us understand the power of God in our lives.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Americans revere the Bible, but don't read it.
Christians read the Bible, but don't apply it well. As a gross generality there is no marked difference in the way a Christian lives their life than how a pre-Christian lives theirs.
Recently while attending a seminar at Gordon-Conwell seminary the topic of Biblical illiteracy was discussed and here the same topic is again in Nehemiah. Satan uses our distractions/laziness/busyness/whateverness to keep us Biblically illiterate--EVEN CHRISTIANS.
The word of God understood has the power to transform people for good. It must be read, studied, understood before its beautiful power can be unleashed in your (our) heart(s). I could stop here and preach an entire sermon....
I believe most of us are guilty when we program the time to study the Word of God out of our lives for other noble pursuits.
Our Teaching Director, Beckie, says that the natural reaction to reading the Word is guilt due to the holiness of God. Interesting to think about.
There is no replacement for studying the scriptures. Not even a well marketed, appealing looking devotional book that has sold and printed a gazillion copies at a major league Christian bookstore.
Nehemiah and Ezra organized an outdoor Bible conference and took the Word seriously. To them, it was a real treasure and they treated it as such.
They were intentional about making sure people heard and understood it.
Our language continues to change and translations and paraphrases of the Bible can become a distraction but the beautiful thing is that God's word stays the same. The message--truth--remains the same (2 Timothy 3:16)
Let us understand the power of God in our lives.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Monday, March 24, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Third Conversion
Recently I read R. Scott Rodin's "The Third Conversion," a short little novelette about fund development.
Sounds interesting, I know.
The basis of the title comes from a Luther quote, "There are three conversions necessary to every man; the head, the heart, and the purse."
The book offers great insight and reminders of what true stewardship is and who it belongs to and were great reminders for me as we are going through the strategic planning process for our command.
What we have is not ours. It all belongs to God. The glory belongs to Him and Him alone.
We need to treat our relationships with this in mind.
The book offers a summary and it lists seven things to keep in mind that translate so practically well to corps officers:
1. Be spiritually prepared for the battle
2. Trust God to be the fundraiser
3. Don't make decisions without prayerful discernment
4. Be willing to invest time in building kingdom relationships
5. Always make the ministry more important than the money
6. Seek and value accountability
7. Be sure God gets the glory
Sounds interesting, I know.
The basis of the title comes from a Luther quote, "There are three conversions necessary to every man; the head, the heart, and the purse."
The book offers great insight and reminders of what true stewardship is and who it belongs to and were great reminders for me as we are going through the strategic planning process for our command.
What we have is not ours. It all belongs to God. The glory belongs to Him and Him alone.
We need to treat our relationships with this in mind.
The book offers a summary and it lists seven things to keep in mind that translate so practically well to corps officers:
1. Be spiritually prepared for the battle
2. Trust God to be the fundraiser
3. Don't make decisions without prayerful discernment
4. Be willing to invest time in building kingdom relationships
5. Always make the ministry more important than the money
6. Seek and value accountability
7. Be sure God gets the glory
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Nehemiah--leadership in the face of opposition
Elijah and I have attended a weekly Bible Study at a church here in Murfreesboro for the past year and a half.
A quote was shared in class that says, "circumstances don't make you. They define who you are."
We spent a good part of the winter studying Nehemiah and how real the scripture was to me during that time as we were going through difficult times in the corps and the steadfastness of Nehemiah and his clear leadership abilities--including having a plan in the face of opposition--were great gifts from the LORD for me to digest.
Although there were several forms of external opposition Nehemiah did not get discouraged. He was focused. Rather than listen to the nonsense that was coming at him from nearly all sides he decided to listen to God instead and intensified his prayer (selective listening skills). Even that had strategy. Through prayer is how he received strength and courage. The tactics against him were: ridicule, mockery, insults, slandering, conspiracy, and threats against him. The more the opposition= the more he (they) prayed.
God entrusted him with a tremendous work as a result. Satan pushes against us when God is blessing our efforts. We are to stay faithful and press on. The victory has already been won. Hallelujah!
Something that spoke out to me loudly about Nehemiah was even though he was personally attacked he did not let it get the best of him. Taking up personal offense dishonors God.
Nehemiah was a man of prayer, was obedient, was an encourager, a delegater, a good communicator, generally level headed, responsible, diligent, focused, passionate and thoughtful.
In other words, he was a true man of God.
A quote was shared in class that says, "circumstances don't make you. They define who you are."
We spent a good part of the winter studying Nehemiah and how real the scripture was to me during that time as we were going through difficult times in the corps and the steadfastness of Nehemiah and his clear leadership abilities--including having a plan in the face of opposition--were great gifts from the LORD for me to digest.
Although there were several forms of external opposition Nehemiah did not get discouraged. He was focused. Rather than listen to the nonsense that was coming at him from nearly all sides he decided to listen to God instead and intensified his prayer (selective listening skills). Even that had strategy. Through prayer is how he received strength and courage. The tactics against him were: ridicule, mockery, insults, slandering, conspiracy, and threats against him. The more the opposition= the more he (they) prayed.
God entrusted him with a tremendous work as a result. Satan pushes against us when God is blessing our efforts. We are to stay faithful and press on. The victory has already been won. Hallelujah!
Something that spoke out to me loudly about Nehemiah was even though he was personally attacked he did not let it get the best of him. Taking up personal offense dishonors God.
Nehemiah was a man of prayer, was obedient, was an encourager, a delegater, a good communicator, generally level headed, responsible, diligent, focused, passionate and thoughtful.
In other words, he was a true man of God.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Grandmom's passing
What was going to be a post about a great 80th surprise birthday party for my husband's dear grandmother and a family trip with Elijah's only cousin on the Seiler side has become much more.
My grandmother lost her battle to cancel while we were celebrating Andy's grandmother's 80th birthday. A bittersweet time.
I will miss my grandmother and the great times we had together. I remember vividly visiting my grandparents in the their condo in Florida during one Spring Break in college and I had a blast visiting with all of their retired friends (I am such a geek!) and really enjoyed seeing the social side of my grandparents. They are fun people!
I remember as a little girl staying at my grandmother's house and she would draw a bubble bath for me and the water was always way TOO hot, but the bubbles were so inviting that the heat always seemed to be a distant memory once I was all the way in the water.
I remember spending a week at the Jersey shore with my grandparents and Uncle Terry where I learned that my grandmom loved the beach but did not like the water. We went to the beach and she read and slept the whole time. I couldn't comprehend why she wasn't interested in the water. Now that I'm older, I understand. A nap on the beach or time with a good book listening to the water is pure medicine for the soul. If we were to do that now we would share James Patterson books--something she made me read!
I remember playing in her make-up drawer and with her jewelry and perfume. I believe my first perfume came from her--Avon's Candid--something that I would probably scream and run if you tried to spray that on me now. Haha.
I remember all of the Hanukkah's we celebrated where my grandmother would go absolutely nuts buying us so much stuff--expensive toys and nice clothes. One year she bought me these belly shirts because they were in style and someone said something about them and she said, "what's wrong? Haven't you ever seen a beautiful girl with style before?"
She was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. She could jump, scream and curse at the tv with the best of any male fans. Something deep inside of her came through when the Eagles needed a talking to on that old box tv. She would do it with her pretty painted nails and "frosted" blonde hair.
We had a competition at my home corps (church) growing up where the Pioneer music school was going to award a prize (dinner with the Burgmayer's!) to the kid(s) who brought the most guests. I asked my Jewish grandmother if she would attend this Christian music concert and she did and had the entire family come with her. There they were--my entire Jewish family taking up a pew in the old Pioneer corps chapel--my grandmother singing, clapping, and praying with the best of them.
I love her. She was a rare gem. I want to emulate her love of life and people. And maybe share her love of Matlock and Law & Order.
Thank you, Ilene Hurwitz Cohen, for the heritage you have shared with me.
2014 is for family.
My grandmother lost her battle to cancel while we were celebrating Andy's grandmother's 80th birthday. A bittersweet time.
I will miss my grandmother and the great times we had together. I remember vividly visiting my grandparents in the their condo in Florida during one Spring Break in college and I had a blast visiting with all of their retired friends (I am such a geek!) and really enjoyed seeing the social side of my grandparents. They are fun people!
I remember as a little girl staying at my grandmother's house and she would draw a bubble bath for me and the water was always way TOO hot, but the bubbles were so inviting that the heat always seemed to be a distant memory once I was all the way in the water.
I remember spending a week at the Jersey shore with my grandparents and Uncle Terry where I learned that my grandmom loved the beach but did not like the water. We went to the beach and she read and slept the whole time. I couldn't comprehend why she wasn't interested in the water. Now that I'm older, I understand. A nap on the beach or time with a good book listening to the water is pure medicine for the soul. If we were to do that now we would share James Patterson books--something she made me read!
I remember playing in her make-up drawer and with her jewelry and perfume. I believe my first perfume came from her--Avon's Candid--something that I would probably scream and run if you tried to spray that on me now. Haha.
I remember all of the Hanukkah's we celebrated where my grandmother would go absolutely nuts buying us so much stuff--expensive toys and nice clothes. One year she bought me these belly shirts because they were in style and someone said something about them and she said, "what's wrong? Haven't you ever seen a beautiful girl with style before?"
She was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. She could jump, scream and curse at the tv with the best of any male fans. Something deep inside of her came through when the Eagles needed a talking to on that old box tv. She would do it with her pretty painted nails and "frosted" blonde hair.
We had a competition at my home corps (church) growing up where the Pioneer music school was going to award a prize (dinner with the Burgmayer's!) to the kid(s) who brought the most guests. I asked my Jewish grandmother if she would attend this Christian music concert and she did and had the entire family come with her. There they were--my entire Jewish family taking up a pew in the old Pioneer corps chapel--my grandmother singing, clapping, and praying with the best of them.
I love her. She was a rare gem. I want to emulate her love of life and people. And maybe share her love of Matlock and Law & Order.
Thank you, Ilene Hurwitz Cohen, for the heritage you have shared with me.
2014 is for family.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
2014 is for Family
"A man ought to live so that everyone knows he is a Christian...and, most of all, his family ought to know" -D.L.Moody
Family is the basic unit of society, at least that's what I remember being taught when I was younger.
My definition of family is different than perhaps the definition that others have for family. I try to sincerely love those who around me no matter where I am at the time. This has, at times, led to disappointment when those around me fail, back slide, or don't love me back. Yet I love anyway. Those who are around me I make my family. I get hurt when those who are around me move away and the closeness we once had is gone, but I give love nonetheless.
I'm trying to focus more on people around me than on myself.
More time with my family (household) is necessary for my survival. Time well spent with our leadership team at the corps (soldiers and employees) is needed. Time with my biological family is important.
My mother has had an extremely rough few months and is living in a personal care home permanently. While the situation is not the best, I do believe it is the right decision for her at this time. Often I wonder if my siblings and I are doing the right thing. Many would think that we should take on the responsibility of her care, but we cannot provide what she needs even though we are "family." I am trying to love and respect her not just because she is family, but because she really needs someone to love and respect her.
It has been in difficult times like this when I am forced to re-define what "family" is as those who are the most supportive, encouraging, and helpful overall are not necessarily those who I share biological kinship.
Family is important. I love my family.
I was blessed this year to bring in the New Year with my brother Luke and his precious family after spending time with my sister Kate and her family. Add to that Zihir was with Luke and I and the girls and I realized quickly how over abundantly blessed I am for the richness of family.
I am thankful for them and for the close knit family of God I live life with in Murfreesboro.
2014 is for family. Looking forward to time spent with family this year.
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