I’ve seen a lot of things over my years in “Church.” I’ve heard outrageous things also. Teaching is run-a-muck. People will believe almost anything in some Churches and allow the most bizarre behaviors under the “Move of the Spirit.” People can buy the strangest things when their heart is open to the fantastic. It’s disgusting and there will be a payday.

Who do you see?

Although this is true. The worst is not the misleading that goes on in these sort of so called Churches or the half-gospel message of “Believe and be saved.” but what we do to ourselves.

Who needs a false prophet when the gospel and scriptures are so mishandled by each individual Bible reader. Remember the scripture Isa 53:6 “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Remember something about my righting. I’m writing not to the “Bad Christian.” I wouldn’t bother to right about them, it would be like beating a drunk bum. I’m talking about us, the ones who are the regulars: The “good” ones.
The scripture are used for convenience. It has been our upbringing in the Church. I could give many examples and I have many examples in my blogs.

Here a new one to illustrate my point. The other day I was speaking to a great Christian man, we will call him Ed. I think he is good in every way and a leader. I told him of a young man who has two kids and is now caring for two others not his own. He is poor but saw the need and jumped in.

My friend Ed said, “Wow, it is great he has a heart for those kids.” I retorted “What?” “Are you kidding!” “What Christian wouldn’t have a heart for them?” In amazement, with his eyes broad, I asked, “Does Jesus have a heart for them? Do you have the Spirit of Christ?”

You get the point. But would you send them to Child Protective Services? What excuse would you use? Would you confess, “I don’t have a heart for them?”

Where I live people know I will help. Whenever someone needs a place for a vagabond or even a Christian in need they call me. Why? Because I have a heart for them? “No!” No, I do not have a heart for them aside from Jesus. I want to reason “Why,” like everyone else, why I can’t or shouldn’t help. But Jesus has a heart for them. All the people he created He loves and is just dying for us to quit discriminating.

Self-bias is rampant and each says in honey coated Christian jargon why they can do nothing. I would say if you do not have a heart for any one person, you do not have the heart of Christ. Enough selfish prophesies!

Who needs I false prophet? Look in the mirror.

If the shoe fits wear it. If you think it doesn’t, be careful.

It is well know that paid professional counselors are trained but with a faulty starting point. They begin that man is inherently good and aren’t acting within the norms for a reason. If given everything properly they would be “normal.” Their explanation of the fact that people act in destructive ways is affected and controlled by environment, biology and responses to circumstances. They begin their tinkering here.

We begin with the principle that people are inherently self-interested. We recognize the aforementioned factors that affect how one behaves. But we have healing solutions.

The environment is formed by the culture, family, and trauma. The cultural construct covers from slavery to work. The culture defines right and wrong along with how things are done. Sometimes this is beneficial to the human experience and other times it isn’t. Within this is the family. Each one has its own set of peculiarities, values and malignancies.

Many have had trauma. Dramatic events judged by the receiver can reform ones reality. These events help form what we perceive as true. This is from rape to car wrecks. These shocks to reality have effects. Each person responds differently. Each one develops their own grid for safety and stability. For example after your house is broken into you buy a security system. And of course there are a myriad of experiences and responses; many more than there are people.

We know humans are the same and different in many ways. Physiologically we have the same DNA but there are variables. The psychology is affected by the organs and glands. Many of these differences are diagnosable I.e. measurable. These can affect behavior from depression to being happy.

Responses to life are variable and not always predictable. For example some people suffer under shame and others have developed the ability to compartmentalize. Many are ridden with unnatural fear or guilt. We all have propensities. These are all too complex to separate and isolate for scientific analysis.

All this being said through psychological/medical analysis the Professionals prescribe counseling and/or medication. This is done to the damaged person to re-create the Uberman. The imperfect person, not ideal, is given help to be brought to who some idealist believes they should be.

We bring healing, but we do it differently. We understand all these factors and differences in people as they do. We can’t change cultural and familial experiences. We are all given biological tendencies and are affected by our physiological chemistry. We cannot change these and we cannot undo the past.

Our solutions are more powerful, we don’t tinker. While a certain reality is formed outside of redemption another is reformed in redemption; a New Creation. What is this healing power? It isn’t the prayer of Salvation although for many it was a start.
It is this new Kingdom. This new reality is formed not ignoring the past our current reality. This Gopsel shows us how to live. It tells us of our Creator, the fallen world, heaven and Hell. It shows how to live in this fallen world under the King and His ways. He shows us the way to healing is His love, first to us and then through us. Our healing is found in bringing healing and help to others.

In the 12th step of the AA program, as their other principles, is taken from the Bible, “Step 12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of this course of action, we tried to carry this message to others, especially alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Isa 58:6-8 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. NIV

Healing in service! Why is this a strange concept? If the problem is essentially self-interest then the solution is obvious. Service heals.

Now the Gospel is the beginning and then the application of its principles: forgiveness, freedom from guilt and shame, not judging etc. which all can be summed up over “Love thy neighbor.”

Another gift for healing is the Body which includes community for care and correction. When we are in close proximity and with each other often, this can happen. A lot of destructive hang-ups are solved here in community. It is a big family with Kingdom norms that are lived out, exalted, and impressed.

Now back to pastors being qualified. I cannot think of anyone more qualified. This would include elders and mature Christians. They own the principles and practice them. Remember Paul asking the rhetorical question in 1 Cor 6:5 “I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?” The answer is “Yes” of course. We have the wisdom found in Jesus and His Word.

We have seen many healings by real everyday Christians. People have been healed from drugs, alcohol, mental illness, social anxiety, poor self-image, relational problems, anger, laziness, traumas, lying, perversity, behavioral problems, socio-cultural norm dysfunction etc.

Those who have not regained wholeness are those who have not grasped the principles in practice or do not care to engage in their healing. But guess what, the Institution doesn’t have success with these ones either.
Some might say I’m not qualified to write this, yet I believe we heal through His power, His principles, His community, and His people. I see it and so do you. People need God’s people not professionals. At best the Pro is with you an hour a week and doesn’t care if your healed. You are simply a paycheck. Harsh? Then here is a question: Would they invite their clients home, golfing or to a family event etc.? Heck, they won’t even give their home phone number or address.

In closing the admonishment of the writer mentioned at the start of this blog is wrong to say the Pastor is unqualified to right a book on Marriage and Sex. I personally want to hear it from him, guided by the Bible and his experience. But his counsel is only a small part of what we have been given in Christ.

We will not be moved by the god’s of this age.

I can’t sleep I don’t think pills will help. I read trying to grasp something but get sweet lullabies they merely turn me off.

Do they encourage me to burn, burn bright? Do they insight more than drool on my pillow?

Songs of fire like gasoline on a flame.

Don’t put me out. Jesus burnt, he burnt hot, white light. Songs to sooth, melodies to drown out the cries.

I want to hear them. They move me. I can’t be satiated, I won’t. They think I don’t understand; I know why.

Songs of useful idiots playing his game, it doesn’t work on me I saw their faces. Branded on my mind I see the coming demise.

I won’t grow dreary, no drugs needed. This crib can’t hold me I have a plan.

These serenades are blasphemous they are spit in His face. Burn, burn the cry, cry their song, storm their hill. We will not rest, we cannot.

Ditty me to death. Ditty me, while they hopelessly wait. Sing, amusement and repose, it ain’t going to happen.

Won’t turn to a conscience’s bend of chorus of can’t. Can’t: Won’t: resolve, denial, revulsion and a Peter’s promise. I won’t sleep I cannot rest.

Songs of warning an anchor saying you can’t work your way. I’m not worried about His grace it’s good as gold and sure as Fort Knox.

I won’t lose. You call this brash, I call It fire, I see Him there no chicfied man. Was it His works or love you Judge. I’ll burn you decide.

Lullaby, lullaby, lull to sleep, never mind, sorry to stir, go back to sleep little baby it won’t hurt. Rock me, rock me.

Many think we should tarry. We should bring about the reenactment of the Upper Room experience. We should wait for Tongues of Fire. This has been tried for generations with little or no result. Since we wait and wait in vain prayer we claim with confidence the Spirit isn’t ready to pour Himself out. So we wait a little longer.

How do you think He works? Does He always do it the same way? I remember being with a group who by “Faith” were doing the Jericho March in Olympia, Washington around the Capital Building. I was a new Christian and followed the directions of those leading. We were convinced for the cause of Abortion He would certainly act. The Capital building would collapse at the feet of His faithful on the seventh turn and the blow of the trumpet. You probably didn’t read about its collapse in the news.

The Holy Spirit directed each of these Biblical Historical events as the faithful obeyed. The Disciples went in obedience in the Upper Room and prayed and waited as commanded and they received the promise. Israel march around Jericho as ordered, blew the trumpets and the enemy was vanquished. We know each of these events were singular.
We do not conjure the Spirit into old schemes. He won’t be mocked. He leads by His command and acts as He creatively determines as we obey. He commands, we act, and He delivers. It is profane: Tempting God, quashing the Holy Spirit: Blaming Him for not caring: Waiting while the World’s populace perishes. Blasphemy!

Jesus is the Head, we are the Body, and He is the Spirit. Remove one component and you do not have a fully functioning God engine. Jesus is the Head, the Brian, the Spirit is Life and each are ready and available: unchangeable ready and powerful: They cannot be blamed. The Body is present but not active.

Then what is our problem? We are waiting for Him to do it for us. Like Israel dragging their feet to the Promised Land hoping the Spirit would smite their enemies without the Men battling. This is disgusting and abhorrent and I’m not wrong. He punished them for their disobedience. Will it be less severe for us who claim His presence and power: A form of Godliness but denying its power? The synonyms for the word Deny are: reject, negate, prevent, stand in the way, and disavow. We have the Bible and doctrines and even take His name. We accept the ritual but we stand in the way of the Power of the Spirit. Pray but do not tarry, He has already commanded.

We are to blame. Look no further. Whenever you say “No” you deny His power and block the way of deliverance to the souls that will perish. When faced with a need do I say “I would but,” or “No way I’m helping him because…”

Many times we’ll say the Spirit told me this-or-that. But really let’s be honest. It is a feeling not a voice, right? Be honest. We hide behind our sense of the Spirits leading. We actually think it God Glorifying to say “He didn’t call me to help with this-or-that.” Like, yeah “We wouldn’t want to get in trouble for doing too much.” What a joke. We desecrate Him when we have a clear command in the Word and do not do it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We must break ourselves of this sacrilege. Enough of this perverted understanding of the voice of the Spirit. Read it and obey His clear commands: God is Love. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Today I spoke with a Christian man who lovingly cares for his 95 years old mother. PTL! But if it were your mother, well she would be on her own. He doesn’t feel responsible to lift more than a worthless and compassionless prayer. He won’t lift a hand to help. He isn’t bad but just a normal “Christian.”

If you won’t care for them the Holy Spirit won’t do it for you. You do it and He helps. Remember He is our “Helper.” He is the power you are the instrument. In short let’s quit blaming the Spirit for our laziness and lack of love.

Some have preached it involves repentance. They are right. Unfortunately, many simply mean repent from not “believing” in Jesus to “believing” in Jesus: very shallow. This screws so many people up. So many tares have been created and people quitting church never entering the faith because now they “believe in Jesus and are saved.” Somebody is going to get their butt kicked for this one “Watch out Daddy’s home.”

Some are more profound and go as far as saying repent from doing bad; smoking, drinking, cussing, porno…and the such. That’s getting a lot closer. But much of the repenting is associated with “cultural” or “denominational” sins. Remember “You can’t dance, bro! It’s a sin.”

Few say repent from and to. I don’t remember hearing turn from disobedience to obedience. Maybe some do? This faith in Jesus and His message translates us from self to service, from bad to good, from our way to His way and from sin to obedience. So the obvious question for those disaffected by the Gospel of Less convulse “No Body can be perfect!” Oops, pinched a nerve.

Obedience: It is left as an optional, extra command. Everyone becomes very careful about announcing almost afraid they will be labeled a heretic for getting people to depend on works. This is so strange. It am mystified and angered by this.

Through obedience there is fellowship, obedience brings revelation, obedience shows fruitful results, obedience shows we are His and proves we are saved. Without it there only remains life-affirmed blasphemy of the Spirit of God. God can’t be mocked.

Gal 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. NIV

1 John 3:7-10 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. NIV

It is reasonable to ask “What about the fact we are not perfect and occasionally sin?” There is a difference between determination and always getting it right. Here is an analogy a boy is told by his father to take out the garbage. He jumps up gets the bag and puts in on the can and puts the lid on, towering over the pile. Great he was obedient. But his father notices he put it on the top and the dogs will get it. He sends him back out to stomp it down and put the lid on tightly. Now the son is being perfected. He is learning the perfect will of the father.

I know we have deliberately disobeyed and that we need to repent of and ask forgiveness. This shows our diligence and determination to live a repentant lifestyle. We are being perfected. This isn’t license.

Another thing to note is we are learning the perfect will of God in how he does things and what He deems important. Sometimes we give when we should motivate a person, other times we rebuke when the individual needs encouragement, we are soft when we should be firm. Each situation He knows what He wants and how to best do it. Am I perfect? I’m growing to understand what and how. It is rare know that I find myself in abject rebellious sin. This is abhorrent, dangerous. Hell? I don’t know but certainly stupid.

Even as I blog I have a good general understanding of us the Church. I know we are not very close to abandoned love for those around us. I know we avoid sacrificial living. But I wouldn’t conclude the Church isn’t saved in general. However, as we discover the will of God and how He operates, what his determination is for those suffering but we continue to hide behind false theologies that support our comfort and peace, well that is another thing. This kind of blindness is self-induced. There will be no salvation. Faith demonstrates itself in obedient self-sacrificing love like Jesus on the cross. As He did so shall His.

Matt 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. NIV

This begs the question does our righteous surpass that of the Pharisees?

Luke 9:23-25 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? NIV

What does this look like? How can I tell if I am in self-denial, cross bearing, and following Him?

The first scripture is intertwined with the second. The general understanding of the first is that we are righteous, more righteous than the Pharisees because of Christ’s work on the cross. We are imputed righteous because of the faith in Jesus and the cleansing of the blood. Great! We could move on but. Shouldn’t we also exceed their practical, actualized righteousness?

The Pharisee did the religious part and were commended by Jesus: Yes commended: Tithing, praying, fasting and the like. But on the practical love of God, standing for justice, compassion, and mercy, they fell short. Ask yourself how are we different? Is there something we are doing distinctly different than them? If we know Him shouldn’t our goodness exceed theirs practically speaking? Obviously the answer is “yes”: We have the Holy Spirit, the unstoppable Spirit of Love. This is the enigma. Why isn’t their a difference? Hold this idea and let’s work into the next.

Deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Him! Our typical understanding of this is fair but incomplete. It usually goes this way “Hypothetically, if we were asked by Jesus to give up home, profession, car, cha-cha-cha, would we do it?” We say “Yes!” Relieved that He probably won’t, we feel we are done. Because we said “yes” we are justified and feel it is accomplished. “He knows our heart.” This reminds me of a movie I watched of boy that could become invisible if no one was looking. lol

Another understanding is to remove hindrances. Those things that would hinder righteousness should be removed to fulfill this command. We abandoned friends, family, and habits for Jesus. Anything that caused us to stumble in our pursuit is removed. Take note that this must be done as a result of faith, proving our faith for salvation. Both this and superseding the righteous of the Pharisee is what happens under the power of this faith. Both are required: this reveals the truth of our faith.

Let’s look at the primary components: the denial, the cross, the following of Jesus. Put more concretely: Put away the bucket-list, expend your life-force on others like Jesus. We are no longer like cultural Christians or the good people of our community. Our life is filled with the trouble of others; our money and time are depleted. We hunt for trouble, didn’t Jesus. It isn’t enough to wait for the hungry to beg bread or homeless to knock on our door. We are no longer satisfied with endless, motionless Biblical studies. Church service wouldn’t be complete without drawing a beggar to the bread line.

This cross is the place of sacrifice. He did and so do we. We are CHRISTIANS so now we sacrifice ourselves. We can’t take away the sins of the world but our sacrificial life helps them come to know Him. It isn’t hypothetical, faith can’t help itself. It doesn’t wait for a special invitation because it is a command. And the faithful are eager to fulfill it.

Those of faith are distinguished by this righteousness. This is the crucified life of self-denial; we walk as Jesus did: Daily sacrifice for the world.

So go to the jail, the homeless center, the food bank, and the mental health facility. Grab up the problems of those you find and help them along. Along the way, it easy to draw them to Jesus. Maybe 1 in 10 will come to Christ but still another nine will be helped. We win either way. Live outside the Conundrum; The Cross, this sacrificial life of love!

This would be so cool.

not powerfully impacting the world around us because of this natural perspective. I believe this may account for some of the deficit of repentance to obedience and our subsequent lack of fruit.

This is an especially strange point of view. Against nature they pose a model of the so called natural. Did you ever make dinner without purpose or go to work on accident? Did anyone ever get in shape by thinking about it or by simply reading an Arnold Schwarzenegger book? They think a person makes a profession and then progressively and selectively does the will of God, almost oblivious to what they are doing; by an enchantment. These actions would be as if God were running us on a remote control until we became fully obedient, of course if that were true wouldn’t you consider Him doing a better job; forgive my digression. It is a mess of confusion for some in the Church on this issue. But it is so simple.

Obedience is grabbing the call of God and performing it. Perfection follows through a developing understanding of the perfect will of God and the practice there of, under the pressure of difficulty. A simple example is a new baseball player compliant to the coach and rules but not very good; Yet!

I was reading a favorite Christian theologian trying to get support for this blog. I now call him the Zen Master of Christian Theology. Sometimes a contradiction from one respected will be seen as profound however it is simply ambiguous non-sense. In a movie the Mystery Men a character led the team of superheroes through a string of formulaic platitudes meant to inspire. But to those not under his spell, that of his charismatic persona, he appeared as he truly was; witless. You know “Master your pride or your pride will master you.” kind of thing. Or on the level of “One hand clapping” defying the borders of definition. People are reading these guys and after their pontification are more confused.

Simply put: A natural desire drives me to self-pleasure and protection. This can manifest is in gross and destructive ways or build computer chips. This natural can materialize as a middle class man, middle class family, a mid-sized car and a happy Labrador, 401K and summer vacations at the lake or Moa Tse Tung.

It is unnatural to be selfless; not easy. We feel pain, yes even us sanctified, justified and indwelt Christians. In pain we are tempted. We want peace and repose; very natural. But it is supernatural to overcome and continue. This supernatural impetus is trusting Jesus to reward us, to console us, help us, and love us through it all. We trust Him and are thus empowered by this knowledge of who Jesus is and what He wants and what He’ll do.

My favorite martyr, Richard Wurmbrand, suffered horribly. He never claimed some magical power to overcome other than the power of trusting in the knowledge of Jesus. He sweat, he cried, he bled! Richard persevered, obeyed and he did this because he knew Jesus. He trusted Jesus for eternal life. This is the power that is possessed in the Gospel.

There is now magic. You are sanctified by continuing in the faith under duress. This continuing through disappointment and suffering proves your salvation and justification, are from trusting Jesus; otherwise you would quit. Continuing or quitting defines us and the truthfulness of our profession.

When this magical, mystical transformation is believed some may eventually conclude we are really not a Christian. If you believe it as something he does by the waving of His powerful hand and find yourself struggling against sin you can quit thinking, “Maybe I am not chosen after all.” “You see,” you deduce “it isn’t happening naturally so either Jesus isn’t true because it isn’t happening as they said or your destined for damnation because you believe them as they explained, that it comes naturally.”

I’ve found it not natural. I’ve found the struggle with sin is real and formidable. We have all discovered ambiguities in our life after Christ. We have to know this all required us to “cut off our hands, love our enemies, and forgive.” We know we must. None feels justified by these, we just tap-out realizing that it is now who we are and the way of the Kingdom. Knowing more and more; through all of these trials, we acquiesce “By the Grace of God we enter in.”

It is a destructive and misleading idea of it being natural. Natural implies it all happens without effort, contemplation, or without putting aside the natural. The supernatural is the putting off of the natural to operate in an unnatural way, a Kingdom way.

Without this faith, without Him in this way, without complete confidence, we cannot and will not continue. We at best will walk like the world avoiding the cross. By the way this “take up your cross and follow me.” is one of the biggest conundrums for our modern American faith. We may claim “I’m the expressed will of God, good or bad.” like a Muslim under the law of fatalism “It is the will of Allah. Concluding that if God wanted me to do such-in-such I would have done it but since I didn’t He must not have wanted me to. With this fatalism I operate knowing, “If I didn’t feel it in my bosom then it wasn’t the will of Allah.” If I’m walking in a particular sin I’ll conclude “He isn’t ready to set me free yet.” Blasphemy! It is simple, not easy, but simple to do what Jesus says and prove you really trust Him. Anything else is blasphemy: Religious, natural, self-preserving mysticism.

It is all Him but not how the magicians of the faith would try to mystify the subject to our corporate destruction.

“There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.” Martin Luther

The Holy Spirit is Love

Envision yourself alone. Sitting in saggy filthed cloths slightly damp, you wonder at your past. Your family is estranged; your children have lost their care and respect for you. You have a roommate at the shelter that is angry and vile. All you can think of is getting out of the cold; a beer to ease the pain. You do not dream anymore.

Passersby are like logs in a stream; coming from somewhere moving into the distance. You wonder “How long this will go on?” “It’s warmer in Jail.” You brood. But you won’t do it, it’s hard to find the energy for crime when you’re so depressed.

In his shoes, what would you want? Sure; food, clothing, a roof are amongst the needs. But what would really help?

Now let us place ourselves in the position of those flowing by. We have the necessities met, we struggle with life like everyone else. The spouse and the kids all pose challenges. Nose to the ground you think “My boss is a jerk, I do not know if I’ll get the promotion.” You see red on the sidewalk “Oh, homeless.” You step acting as if you didn’t notice. “Bums! Why don’t they just get a job?” swiftly drifting by.

“I should have given him some money.” passes your mind. “Whatever! I gotta get home, dinners almost ready and there is a shelter anyway.” you cool your conscience. You flow one step to the next, distancing yourself from the brief obstruction “Man my boss is an idiot!”

In these scenes there are two players. What do you want if you’re in the hopeless despair? What should you do when you see a need? We know the answers don’t we? If quizzed we would get an “A.”

“Love your neighbor as yourselves” is a perfect statement. We can’t miss its meaning. It is complete. But when we mix our bias’, desire, and comfort, the water muddies; not so clear anymore, huh? Our vision is obscured; grey water.

Let’s go back to the lab. Let’s look at this technically, scientifically, objectively without obscuration. That man on the street needs food, a home, clothes, hope, vision and mostly a true loving friend. Right? But!

An institutional mindset would have the man go to a homeless facility. This mindset feels justified by simply knowing there is a place to go.

Remember the research done on babies? In Psychology 101 they showed us the data that babies in orphanages were more likely to die than others for lack of touch. People need people; food and shelter are not enough. Where did this mentality come from then? How could we hold on to these ideas with so much love in our hearts? I argue that it is the institution. When we start institutions we obliterate personal care. We feel comfortable opting out.

When we pay taxes and tithes we feel we have done our part in helping the poor. We can comfort ourselves with “My church helps the poor.” We feel justified “Look at all the programs the government has instituted.” So now we can walk by the with impunity. “They are there because of their sin, and there are lots of programs for them.” From this mindset comes a series of unquestioned ideas. They affect how we see the real needs of real people:

1) Not my ministry
2) That’s why I tithe
3) That’s why I pay taxes
4) They can go to the shelter
5) They can eat at the feeding prgm
6) They can go to the clinic
7) They can go to the old-folks home
8) They can go to foster care
9) They have a prgm for that at Social Services
10) He can go to a mental health facility
11) They can go to AA/NA
12) They can get on food stamps
13) They can get counseling
14) not my gift

The implications are obvious. When “We gave at the office.” we need not act in love. When we showed our care with a check, if that, we can walk by the needs with personal, public and Christian approval. We bought our pass! No one scrutinizes our behavior “Everyone does it.” But this God sees. And the world will know us by: no interest, no responsibility, no action, no guilt and no love.

Action is all that counts. The Holy Spirit never quit calling us to mercy. He is always calling. He is love.

Today my friend was at what is called “The Peer Connection” this is a drop-in-center for the homeless and the mentally-ill. He goes there periodically. He met Richard again, Cody has visited with him before. This time Richard was ready. He eyed Cody “I’m callin you out!” He and Cody walked out of the facility. All eyes joyously pealed, wondering why they were going to fight. But, no fight today. Richard was just messing around. The staff and clients wouldn’t have been surprised. The facility gets to see a lot of activity. He asked Cody “Are you for real?” “Are really going to take me home?”

They arrived at my house an hour later; me the big blogger, pastor, farmer and radio guy setting in a cold attic with a mic and a lap top. I went down stairs and got them coffee and a little chewing tobacco. Richard liked it because he couldn’t smoke inside. We talked about his life, leaving home at fourteen after much abuse. He lost in marriage and fate had taken his only son of 14 years. The great Skagit River had buried him in its torrents, in Mount Vernon, Washington. He showed us the lost child of hope; his face on a crinkled photo protected by his wallet.

We told him of the contract; what he must due to earn his help. There is always a catch; nothing is for free. “We’ll keep our end if you keep yours.” I said. “If you take your next steps, moving your life forward, we will let you live with us as family. But you quit and the contract is broken, you’ll need to leave.” “If you win we win, that’s what is in it for us.”

He wants to take his GED test. We told him a hopeful story of jobs coming available in the trades. We shared how a man we had helped for 4 years had just graduated. He is now a welder and just got a job locally for $16/hr. We don’t help the later anymore; he is now one of us. A good man, a visionary partner in Christ for life; No one works harder.

“We are going to help you, so you just take your next step.” I chattered. He couldn’t believe it. He was so happily surprised at the reception.

But we’ll see. He is going to have about three days of Hell, coming down from the alcohol. It won’t be easy. I once had a guy go into convulsions. The first time, I found him humped over a bale of hay twitching. We had just harvested, pretty crazy stuff! He left and came back multiple times breaking the contract and then re-uping. I hear he is doing well now and following Christ somewhere in the county.

Back to Richard, he now has hope, help and a family. He may not make it, that is true. Tomorrow morning he may sit back down on the walk again, wondering if jail might be better. But we’ll still be here. We are the hand of Christ offering hope. We are Him to the world; little Christs: Christians.