Vow of Poverty.

When I hear or read the term "vow of poverty" I think of the different orders of monks who take such a vow, and then live in a monastic community.

For those of us who don't think we are called to monastic life, a different idea is needed than to share all things in common, including the building one lives in.

I think it more a matter of keeping an open heart and wallet, to help those in need that come your way. OR going out with your heart and wallet open to give to those in need.

As one brother has pointed out to me, the homeless need more than their shopping list filled, clothes, food, bathes, clothes washed, medical services and such. Don't get me wrong all of these are necessary. But if all we do is give the homeless things, how are we really helping them? In some way this will just enable some of them to stay on the streets and be comfortable. Again, I am not saying not to give material goods to the needy. I think it imperative that we do so. But we must realize that these are just temporary measures.

What a hungry man needs is fish to eat. We can give him a fish and feed him one time, or we can teach him to fish and he will eat for life. My thoughts recently have been what is teaching to fish to the homeless. What do the homeless need to get back into society?

I think the answer lies in community and here is where I get back to the vow of poverty idea I opened with. The Shakers had a philosophy, "To live simply that others might just live." They  chose to live in community and share all things in common and give away their excess to the needy. Too bad they also took a vow of chastity, even married couples, the last Shaker died out a few years ago.

We can only give out of a position of wealth. We can not give away what we do not have, at least not legally. We can not give away our neighbor's car to someone without a car, no matter how badly they need one. We could buy a car from our neighbor and give it to one in need. But to give it away with out buying it is theft.

I have seen the homeless give away items that were given to them, to someone else who could use it. They gave from the wealth, the extra that they had to one who needed it. Wealth is not about how much you have. It is about how much you have period. It is not about being a millionaire or billionaire. If you have a dollar in your pocket your wealth is $1.

An abundance is anything more than you need to live on. Here is where I see the crux of the matter. Too many in this country and others live above their means. Carry way too much debt, and by doing so are slaves for the banks and lending institutions, they work to pay off their credit card and other debts.

Many I have been around have prayed that the Lord would bless them with more wealth. One of the latest is to pray the prayer of Jabez;

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (NIV) (1Chron. 4:9,10 )

Or in other words, Lord make me more wealthy. Yet many of these are living in debt. If God did give them more they would just qualify for more debt. This type of praying is not the answer and only leads to more greed, IMHO.

The answer lies in first understanding that all the universe belongs to the creator, God. And every thing we hold, even our own self and life belongs to God. We are merely stewards of the material things we possess. When we are in right relationship with God and our King Jesus, we see that we hold his goods and must act in obedience to Him, that we might be pleasing in all of our ways to our Lord.

As stewards of God's material possessions, we must be willing to do with them as he directs. Jesus clearly taught to give to the poor.  "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (NIV) (Luke 6:30 ) I think this means that when that homeless person asks you for money you give it to them. I have had a number of people ask me for money. Most often they are asking for a dollar or two. Some of the guys work the bus stops asking for a dollar for bus fare.

Jesus said to give to everyone who asks you. Jesus did not say to judge whether or not they will misuse the money, did he? No, he said to give to EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU. As a steward of God's money, should we not do as He commanded us? Jim has questions about the trinity, but those of you who believe in the trinity teaching also hold that Jesus is God the Son. So where we have a clear command from Jesus it is a command from God. God says to use the money he has placed in your stewardship and give it to everyone who asks for it.

I can't think of a more clear command to give, to help the homeless when they ask you for money. If you think to offer a meal instead and they accept it, great. But don't disobey Jesus because you are judging the person asking you for a dollar or two.

I will continue to post more on this subject.

A brother challenged me to share what I think the Lord is leading me to or working in me from my homeless experience. I have alot I want to share about my present situation and why I am in it and in Austin. As much of our life stories are, mine is simple but complicated.  Is that an oxymoron? Ok let me say that my story is is a simply complicated story, or a complicated simple story, well anyways, I think it may be one that some might be able to relate to, so I will share it.

I will start with the last couple of years. I found myself isolated, spending time with my dog and online video games. I also spent time in forums with fellow believers, and playing GO online with people from around the world. I wanted to not be isolated, to not be lonely, to be involved with others. But where does one go to socialize when you are not a drunk, and so don't enjoy hanging out in bars and clubs. I don't really dance, I can and have when dating someone and we were somewhere to dance. I don't enjoy organized religion. I have a hard time sitting through "church services" waiting for them to be over so you can spend profitable time in fellowship with other believers.

Construction in SW FL has tanked. From over 80,000 construction workers in Lee County before the 2008 bust down to about 10,000 workers. Since the bust started I have had a hard time finding employment, taking up to 14 months to get a job. This last time being out of work and seeking a job, was very fruitless.

The last couple of weeks in Florida I felt like I was trapped. Kind of like I was underwater and that there just was nothing for me in the Ft. Myers area anymore. I had been planning on moving for a couple of years and had settled on Austin, TX about a year ago. My plan was to buy a $3000 truck or van, load up my tools and necessary items, sell off and give away the rest of my stuff, pack up my dog and head for Austin. I even had two different rooms lined up in dog friendly homes, for Harley the wonder dog.

There I was checking ads everyday, finding nothing available, knowing that for every menial job offered there would be hundreds of applicants. I have no problem working a menial job, I can wash dishes with the best of them. So I sat there and thought about what I was going to do. Finally the last Saturday I was home I decided I had just enough money for bus fare to Austin and I was going. It took me till Thursday to get going. Wednesday I had jury duty and thought I should do that, keep a misdemeanor off of my record for not showing up. The hardest part was leaving Harley. I thought about placing an ad in Craig's List and trying to find him a good home before I left. But I was not sure I would up and leave, and if I didn't leave, I didn't want to be without my pal.

That Wednesday night after jury duty I stopped vacillating and decided that I was really going to do this. I packed one bag with a few clothes, my backpack with my computer, note pad and a few things, some apples to eat on the way. The next afternoon I put Harley in the back yard with the screen door open, and walked down to the bus transfer station, to ride to the Greyhound station downtown. Even while riding the city bus I kept asking myself, "are you really going to do this?" I was leaving everything behind. All my cooking and kitchen stuff. All my books, the rest of my clothes and all of the kinds of stuff that one collects over thirty some years living in one area.

Finally I was on the Greyhound bus heading out of Ft. Myers. I kept thinking, I can always turn around from the next station and go home. Finally I got too far from home to be able to pay the bus fare back. I texted my landlord, Wendy and told her what I was doing, apologizing for just up and leaving like I did. She said she understood and wished me luck. Later she texted me concerned about my state of being. I tried to convince her that I was ok, not suicidal and was on the bus heading to Austin.

While on the bus I used my laptop and the bus WiFi to tell everyone that I was heading to Austin. I contact the one friend I had in Austin and asked if they knew of someone who could give me a couch to sleep on while I got into some place in the city.

So to wrap up my story, I am now in Austin. I am technically homeless. I have been fellowshipping with the homeless downtown, where so many of the services for them are located. There are many thoughts going through my brain the last couple of weeks. One is that the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus is falling way short of serving those in need in their communities. Too many walk past the homeless and take a disdainful attitude of them and of all those who are poor.

Many of these men and women have been cast  off from society. Some have sought solace in different substances that numb the mind for a time. Others are just numb from having all the props knocked out from under them by the economic depression we are presently in. They lost homes, jobs and families and are lost on the streets  trying to find their way back up.

Being one of the homeless, I am finding a desire to reach out to other homeless and try to serve them. I will admit that I have the same hesitant feelings that most others do. I've never been this low in society before. I find I am being challenged to associate with those of lowly position, and not turn away from them. I have been noticing that many of the homeless walk about with eyes downcast. Afraid of seeing the rejection in other's eyes. I have been trying to look them in their eyes and say hello to every one.

I will write more later....

The Alien in the Land

At present I am one of the homeless. Yes, I am one of "those" people that walk the streets all day, sleep in doorways, in alleys, and on the sidewalks. I stink and need a shower, I have dirty clothes, hair and nails. I stand on street corners and shout out scriptures at people, walk around town talking to people that are not there. I ask everyone for money, and refuse a hot meal, I need my next fix, not food. Do any of you love me less now? That is a real loaded statement and at this time not completely the truth about me, but I wanted to paint for you the normal picture of the homeless that we think about, I know I did.

I am homeless. I left my home in Ft. Myers, FL depressed about my whole life situation, feeling at the root level of me that I had to make a drastic change. I had been planning on moving to Austin, TX, for many reasons, but had wanted to move with a decent truck or van,  my tools and much of my stuff, plus my little buddy, Harley (Australian Shepherd and frisbee hound). But life's situation and my state of mind and heart caused me to jump. Part of the reason I left was that I was again looking for work and finding nothing. Already a week in Austin and I am working. It is a temporary job, but working all the same. I was to the point of being homeless in Florida, before I left. My story is not all that different from many other of the homeless. Many are here in Austin seeking a chance to get back up on their feet and off the streets.

I am homeless now. Some dear friends allowed me to crash their place for a few days. A week ago they and their family paid for me to stay two weeks in the Youth Hostel here in Austin. As of Dec. 1 I will not have this lodging. Hostel rules only allow someone to stay a maximum of two weeks, they don't want their places to become permanent living. And I have no money to stay elsewhere. So I am presently homeless.

Now comes to the heart of my article. What do you do about the homeless? Do you do anything? Do you greet the homeless on the street with a warm smile and hello? If they ask for cash do you think two or three times then give them a quarter?

Do you know that there are three areas of charity, or loving good works that God commanded Israel to do? It was to show charity to three different groups of people, widows, orphans and the alien in the land. Today we would call the alien in the land, the homeless. Most of us have no problem with helping widows and orphans, after all even the Christian writer James says that is part of pure religion. But helping the homeless? Please, they just take, and take and take.Did not Jesus say to give to all who ask of you, give and do not hold back? This is true Christian charity at work, giving to the needy.

Let me address some of the needs of the homeless. I would appreciate all who read this considering what I list and giving me good suggestions to add to it.

Homeless Needs

1. Shelter: those who are homeless need shelter. Group shelters by the government or churches are mearly a stop gap measure. Normally to help keep the homeless from sleeping on the city streets, or get in from extreme cold weather.

I am finding many who are economic homeless, that need transitional housing while they find permanent employment and are able to save up enough to get into their own homes. I'm thinking cheap rooms based on a sliding scale, or free in loving family homes. Buying or building houses for transitional housing, and allowing the homeless to use them free even....all depends on how the Lord has blessed you and what you are able to do. I know one brother here in Austin that is building a house for homeless women as there are little shelter room for women here. 

2. Food. Good nutritious food, not left over almost moldy stuff. My suggestion is to get to know some of the homeless or poor in your area, find out what they like to eat and when you shop for yourself and family, buy some of that to give to the needy. 

Buy a couple of shopping bags for the soup kitchen, I would suggest taking to them to find out what they really need. No sense buying fresh food they can't use.

Buy some can food, fresh fruit, vegetables, and give them to the homeless. Cans should be the newer easy open pop tops, not every one carries a can opener, or you can also offer them a can opener with those cans without pop tops. Beans are a good nutritious food that can be eaten cold or hot, veges, soups (non-condensed).

3. Clothes. Good and clean clothes. A person can not walk into an interview with clothes that are stained and falling apart. Once you get to know one of the homeless, you might find they could be best served with a new or like new suit or dress to be able to walk into an interview for a job that would require business wear that they are well qualified for. Yes some of the homeless today were in the middle class, and at one time had good jobs and homes. Then the big bust of 2008 came in like a flood and washed it all away.

4. Friendship. I'm going to stop here for now, but there is a lot more to be listed. This I think is number one, but I wanted to end my article with it, because the last things we read tend to stick with us longest. The homeless need friends, real friends who will sit and listen to them. Trust me, if you will not get down on their level, sit on the ground or steps right next to them, look them in the eye, shake their hand, touch their shoulder, just like you do to all of your other friends, they will recognize that you just do not accept them. 

The homeless are so used to be rejected and looked down on that they know in a second whether or not you are a true friend or not. And they want, at their root heart level to have friends. I have watched how the homeless treat each other, for the most part they find a deep friendship with each other, and little friendship outside their circle of the homeless. 

It takes friends to love and understand, to care enough to reach out and offer a hand up to the down and out. To listen to the homeless, to help them find the way through the maze of services offered to help those in need, and at times cutting through the red tape that bogs down those trying to offer those same services. 

Of all things I encourage you to be a friend to the homeless, share a smile and warm hello, those cost you nothing. Be ready to sacrifice some of your time and resources to your new friends who are of lowing position right now. Show hospitality to those in need and you just might find you have given aid to an angel unaware. 

Associate with the humble and lowly.

One of my criticisms of the modern church is the over emphasis of participating in church functions and programs. I see this as taking up much of the free time that believers could otherwise being spending in doing good works. Those good works that are so clearly taught in the NT.

I find myself now one of the least of these, brethren of Christ Jesus, one of the humble and lowly in circumstance. Today while visiting the Church under the Bridge in downtown Austin, I was talking with a couple of sisters and made mention of the verse regarding associating with the lowly. Rom 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

One of the sisters I was talking to, whom I know from a yahoo group I'm in, made mention how too many of the people who come downtown to minister to the homeless do so from a superior attitude, and often will not touch one of the homeless people. When Paul penned these words, the church was made up of mostly the lowly or those in a humble state, the poor and slaves. Those who were wealthy, and rich were encouraged to not be separate, as the heathen are, but to associate with those of low position or the poor and slaves.

Romans chapter 12 starts a change in Paul's letter to the Romans. The first 11 chapters are all about salvation in Christ Jesus. That it is all his work in us, his called out ones, his people. That all men are called to salvation, Jew, Gentile, slave, free, men and women all alike. With this chapter Paul now starts teaching about how to live in Christ. He starts with "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom 12:1 )

As ones called out of the dark kingdom of sin and translated into the kingdom of Christ Jesus, (Col. 3:1 ) we are to live lives of a living sacrifice. Giving up our rights in many, many ways. One such right has to do with not taking pride in our station in life or our accomplishments, and refusing to associate with those who are of a lower station in life. The rich are to be friends with the poor and, yes, the homeless just as they are with their country club friends. Nothing wrong with being proud of your honest efforts in life. True humility is to take proper pride in your work so as to perform the best you can, and not thinking higher of yourself than you really are. False pride causes us to not associate with anyone who is not of our class or station. In Christ there is no class, no Jew, no Gentile, no slave, no freedmen, no men, no women. In our salvation we all come on the same basis, and are on the same footing, Christ and Christ alone. In our lives together we are to strive to associate with all who claim the name of Christ, and not refuse to associate with those "we think" are beneath us. For all are the brethren of Christ, we all are brothers and sisters in the family of God in Christ Jesus.

Christ gave us the parable of the shepherd dividing the faithful sheep from the unfaithful goats in associated with the judgment of God upon Israel. In 63-70 AD that judgment separation took place. The sheep were separated out and sent into Jordan and other areas for safety. The goats faced the weeping and gnashing of teeth from the judgment of God upon them through the anti-Christ armies of Rome. I can see where Christ still judges those in the kingdom of God the same way. If He does not judge the church for how we treat the least of his brethren, then he will have to apologize to first century Israel.

Giving food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, care for those who are sick and infirm or disabled, those of the faith in jail is still Christ's call to us who strive to be faithful followers of Him.

Through out the Old Testament God calls Israel to show loving good works to three groups of people, widows, orphans and the homeless alien in the land. James mentions that the taking care of widows and orphans are part of pure religion. Religion is made up of those things we do specifically because of our faith in God. Because we are saved in Christ Jesus, we do good works, works that were prepared for us to do from the founding of the world (Eph. 2:10 ). We are not saved just to get into heaven, salvation is not fire insurance. We are saved to serve the Lord in simple obedience to his commands. He commands us to love one another as he loved the disciples. Paul here says that one way we live that out is to associate with those in lowly position.

My encouragement to all who read this is to get out of your comfort zone. Be the feet of Christ and go out to the hedges and byways, the alleys (in the day time only), the shop doorways and sidewalks. Get to know some of the homeless. Be friends with them, you might find one or two that will surprise you in a good way. Try to identify what they really need,might be a hot meal, might be a hot shower and change of clothes, maybe a chance to watch their clothes. Maybe a trip to the clinic or dentist. Be real, seek out real needs. Setting up a stereo and preaching at them, is not the best, IMHO. Giving them a chance to talk and a showing them a willing ear to listen can go a long way.

Be the hands of Jesus, and reach out to sooth and heal. Show real care and concern, not just a few dollars or change in the hand. You might even chance to show hospitality in your own home to one of these least of Christ's brethren. And you might find out you have taken in one of Christ's angels unawares.

May the lord grant you the grace to be faithful in showing real and a pure love to those who are the least of his brethren.

On the Streets of Austin

Last Thursday, November 10, 2011 I boarded a bus, leaving Ft. Myers, FL, heading to Austin, TX. After about 37 hours on the bus I arrived on a chilly Saturday morning. When I left I left everything, including a very dear pet dog, Harley. I carried one bag with some clothes and my backpack with my laptop, a portfolio pad holder, my identification papers, and a little money.

I had no idea what the situation would be when I got here, but planned on living on the streets and sleeping in shelters till I could get settled in. On the Greyhound buses I was able to connect to the internet, most of them had working WiFi and 110v power outlets. I made contact with a young couple I knew in Austin, and in response they offered to pick me up and let me stay with them for a few days.

On that chilly Saturday morning, I met Matt M. for the first time. I recognized him from Grace's facebook profile pictures. It has been a great pleasure to get to know Matt over the last few days.

The weekend was resting from the bus trip, talking with Matt and making some kind of plans as to what to do and where to go on Monday.

At 6:30 AM Monday morning Matt dropped me off at ARCH/Front Steps in downtown Austin. ARCH is the government operated homeless shelter. I figured that I might need the shelter for a time and that they would have connections to all the other services available to assist the homeless and transients who need to get settled in.

I had to wait for other things to get going for those already in the system before they would have time to talk to me and start my induction into the homeless system. When my turn came, I and a counselor went to an office room and he started filling in my information. At one point in the interview we started to talk about employment and I mentioned that they had a ad in Craig's List for a Maintenance Tech that I thought I would be well suited to fill. At that point he collected up all of the paperwork and said to me that then we needed to do things differently. The rule is that if you are in the homeless system you must wait 6 months before you can apply for a job with them. He recommended that I make my application that day, and if I am not hired to then come back and get signed into the system to get some assistance.

So I emailed my resume to the manager and HR rep for ARCH. This kind of put a stop in all the other plans I had for that day as most of the rest of the services are all tied together to prevent abuses of the system.

more later....