Sunday, January 9, 2011
A Hurting World
To add onto what Kevin said in the previous blog, we were able to meet several people last Monday and hand out blankets. It was a cold night yet these individuals remained above ground and bravely faced the cold. It was a hubling experience to be among people who were so grateful to be given a blanket. How often am I thankful for the little things that come along in my life? Each of these people had their own unique story; some chose to share peices of their life story with us while others remained more closed and guarded. It was a blessing to be able to go out and spend time listening and ministering to each person we met that night.
Monday, January 3, 2011
in need of Christ
Hey guys,
Went out today w/ Rena and Samantha (grad student from Penn, first time going out) to pass out blankets to the people above ground.
Today, through the people we met, I saw some of the many ways we need God:
Creesha and L.: They were sitting on one of those giant checkers in the square w/ all the game pieces across from Love Park. They were two girls who were going out for five years. They recently became homeless for two days due to a bunch of circumstances. They both said they asked their families for help but did not receive any. They stayed at a shelter one night but the next they weren't allowed into another one since somebody claimed one girl got into a fight at that first one. They were covered in blankets and said they were outside since 5:30am. I can't imagine how they stayed outside in the cold for that long. Luckily, we were able to give them two Septa tokens to take a bus to a cafe. I saw in them a need for our loving Father who always takes us in. We prayed for them to trust in God and draw closer to Him as He provides for them physically and spiritually.
Norman: Norman was sitting on one of those big vents at Love Park. He said he didn't need a blanket. When asked how his Christmas was, he said he doesn't celebrate it b/c he is a Muslim, and he said he wasn't in a talking mood. I saw in him the need for the true gospel.
Andrew: We saw Andrew sitting by the sidewalk on a duffel bag. From his looks - he was young, well-kept, and had dress shoes on - he looked like he just recently got out on the streets, but he has been there for a year. After two years in prison, he has had a hard time finding a job and hasn't had progress b/c of the economy. He said he became a Muslim in prison mostly b/c of family reasons and b/c he talked about w/ his brother in prison. He said he didn't know the basics of Christianity. We were able to share the Four Spiritual Laws of him to tell him the Gospel. I felt some of God's compassion for him - God wants so much for Craig to come to true salvation and not take any false comfort in something other than Christ. To God, Andrew is a lost sheep in need of the true shepherd. Please pray for Andrew's, as well as Norman's, salvation.
Craig: Craig saw us as we were finishing up talking to Andrew and asked us for help. He just had a major fight w/ his girlfriend and was kicked out of his house w/o money or any credit cards. He needed help getting on the Regional Rail to Media to get to his mom's house. We helped him buy a ticket downstairs. On his way down, he talked about how he is so glad he is surrendered to God, to know God is in control. It was blessing hearing about how he was so happy when he committed his life to Christ at church when he was seventeen. Please pray for healing in Craig's relationship w/ his girlfriend and continued joy in Christ.
William: We ran into William at the very end. I saw God's joy in him as he kept wishing us happy holidays and encouraged us by saying how thankful he was. He said he is a Christian.
It was a big mix of different people in different situations, including ourselves, all in need of Christ. Thank God that He is big enough, powerful enough, and loving enough to see all our needs and meet them. I'm thankful for this reminder of how great our God is.
Matthew 12:21: "In his name the nations will put their hope."
[ a prophecy in Isaiah that Jesus fulfilled ]
Went out today w/ Rena and Samantha (grad student from Penn, first time going out) to pass out blankets to the people above ground.
Today, through the people we met, I saw some of the many ways we need God:
Creesha and L.: They were sitting on one of those giant checkers in the square w/ all the game pieces across from Love Park. They were two girls who were going out for five years. They recently became homeless for two days due to a bunch of circumstances. They both said they asked their families for help but did not receive any. They stayed at a shelter one night but the next they weren't allowed into another one since somebody claimed one girl got into a fight at that first one. They were covered in blankets and said they were outside since 5:30am. I can't imagine how they stayed outside in the cold for that long. Luckily, we were able to give them two Septa tokens to take a bus to a cafe. I saw in them a need for our loving Father who always takes us in. We prayed for them to trust in God and draw closer to Him as He provides for them physically and spiritually.
Norman: Norman was sitting on one of those big vents at Love Park. He said he didn't need a blanket. When asked how his Christmas was, he said he doesn't celebrate it b/c he is a Muslim, and he said he wasn't in a talking mood. I saw in him the need for the true gospel.
Andrew: We saw Andrew sitting by the sidewalk on a duffel bag. From his looks - he was young, well-kept, and had dress shoes on - he looked like he just recently got out on the streets, but he has been there for a year. After two years in prison, he has had a hard time finding a job and hasn't had progress b/c of the economy. He said he became a Muslim in prison mostly b/c of family reasons and b/c he talked about w/ his brother in prison. He said he didn't know the basics of Christianity. We were able to share the Four Spiritual Laws of him to tell him the Gospel. I felt some of God's compassion for him - God wants so much for Craig to come to true salvation and not take any false comfort in something other than Christ. To God, Andrew is a lost sheep in need of the true shepherd. Please pray for Andrew's, as well as Norman's, salvation.
Craig: Craig saw us as we were finishing up talking to Andrew and asked us for help. He just had a major fight w/ his girlfriend and was kicked out of his house w/o money or any credit cards. He needed help getting on the Regional Rail to Media to get to his mom's house. We helped him buy a ticket downstairs. On his way down, he talked about how he is so glad he is surrendered to God, to know God is in control. It was blessing hearing about how he was so happy when he committed his life to Christ at church when he was seventeen. Please pray for healing in Craig's relationship w/ his girlfriend and continued joy in Christ.
William: We ran into William at the very end. I saw God's joy in him as he kept wishing us happy holidays and encouraged us by saying how thankful he was. He said he is a Christian.
It was a big mix of different people in different situations, including ourselves, all in need of Christ. Thank God that He is big enough, powerful enough, and loving enough to see all our needs and meet them. I'm thankful for this reminder of how great our God is.
Matthew 12:21: "In his name the nations will put their hope."
[ a prophecy in Isaiah that Jesus fulfilled ]
Monday, December 20, 2010
Baby, it's cold outside
I'm getting used to being disappointed. I know everyone's wrapping up their semesters; I know it's cold outside; but some blind glimmer of hope in me still thought people would come out to wander the streets of Center City.
Eh.
At least Rena and I had a good time.
We left Lakeside (my apartment) and went "where the Spirit led." Honestly, for the first few blocks, I just walked where there was a green light. I figured that the Spirit wouldn't want us to get run over by cars.
As we got to Spruce and, I think, 15th, I started feeling a weird nudge. So we made a turn onto 15th. After a couple blocks, we encountered a Dido Riviere (spelling?). He was wishing everyone who walked by, all suited and bundled up scurrying to their hotel-looking apartments, a happy holiday. We asked him if he wanted a blanket. "God is good!" he responded.
That was the only blanket we handed out.
We continued down 15th street. Another strange impulse caught me: the lighted trees in front of the Comcast building. "I want to walk through them," I said to Rena. So we turned down JFK. Lo and behold, Andre and Joe. We exchanged hugs, holiday greetings, and urgings to get somewhere warm. (It was cold!)
As we passed through the silver blue trees, we observed those inside the Comcast building. There was some ridiculous visual display (y'all who've been by there know what I mean). Everyone was just gawking. (I gawked a bit myself.)
Rena said to me later, "It bothers me... that they're also so consumed by money, basically, that they don't know what's going on behind them."
Behind them were Andre and Joe. And beneath them were our brothers, who don't have the privilege to ignore anything.
To close off, we walked to City Hall, where Penn's prayer for Philadelphia remains as forgotten as our friends:
Eh.
At least Rena and I had a good time.
We left Lakeside (my apartment) and went "where the Spirit led." Honestly, for the first few blocks, I just walked where there was a green light. I figured that the Spirit wouldn't want us to get run over by cars.
As we got to Spruce and, I think, 15th, I started feeling a weird nudge. So we made a turn onto 15th. After a couple blocks, we encountered a Dido Riviere (spelling?). He was wishing everyone who walked by, all suited and bundled up scurrying to their hotel-looking apartments, a happy holiday. We asked him if he wanted a blanket. "God is good!" he responded.
That was the only blanket we handed out.
We continued down 15th street. Another strange impulse caught me: the lighted trees in front of the Comcast building. "I want to walk through them," I said to Rena. So we turned down JFK. Lo and behold, Andre and Joe. We exchanged hugs, holiday greetings, and urgings to get somewhere warm. (It was cold!)
As we passed through the silver blue trees, we observed those inside the Comcast building. There was some ridiculous visual display (y'all who've been by there know what I mean). Everyone was just gawking. (I gawked a bit myself.)
Rena said to me later, "It bothers me... that they're also so consumed by money, basically, that they don't know what's going on behind them."
Behind them were Andre and Joe. And beneath them were our brothers, who don't have the privilege to ignore anything.
To close off, we walked to City Hall, where Penn's prayer for Philadelphia remains as forgotten as our friends:
William Penn's Prayer for Philadelphia, 1684
"And Thou Philadelphia the virgin settlement of this province named before thou wert born, what care, what service, what travail have there been to bring thee forth and preserve thee from such as would abuse and defile thee. O that thou mayest be kept from the evil that would overwhelm thee, that faithful to the God of thy mercies in the life of righteousness, thou mayest be preserved to the end. My soul prays to God for thee that thou mayest stand in the day of trial, that thye children may be blest of the Lord and thy people saved by His power."
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The nature of receiving through giving
Just to add on to what Elliott said, I was very encouraged to see a larger turnout of college folks and young adults than expected on Saturday, Dec. 11. At first, it was a bit awkward because there were too many people to help with handing out food and utensils and for about 5 min, they were idling. But then they started to move into the crowd and strike up conversations with the people who had received their food. I think there is great potential for God to bless these individuals if we continually give our time. As Elliott said, it really is God who is in control. I hope more GCC people continue to come out to experience God in action. I don't want to say we were there to help, because it feeds into my ego that I am performing a function whether it is handing out napkins or talking to the people from a higher platform. God doesn't need our increased participation to bless the homeless, and in the past 2 weeks that I've been coming out with Diakonos, it's the homeless who've been blessing me more than vice versa. That's actually quite liberating. Anyways, thanks for the inspiring reflection.
In Him,
Mike
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
A Letter to Diakonos about God's Provision
Hey all,
I just wanted to share how God provided today. I knew the original crew from the other church would be down 5 men. So you can imagine I was kind of let down and sad that no one showed up at 9:40a as scheduled for Sat morning's ministry. But God provided. A few guys walking back from Overflow ran into me and I asked them to join. Two of the three accepted my invitation. Afterward, two of the usual members joined. Although they came a little later, I was glad they came. Also, when I got there, I saw a few young adults that I would have never expected to show up. I realized then and there that when we seek to follow God's will, He provides.
Love,
Elliot
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Hey Diakonos,
Wanted to share some ways I have been blessed and have experienced more of God recently through Diakonos and family group:
Wanted to share some ways I have been blessed and have experienced more of God recently through Diakonos and family group:
- Alvin: Alvin is the "picture guy" who has taken pictures for many couples / families / everybody in front of the Love sign. Recently, he's gotten into trucking school and is almost licensed to drive a truck for work. God has seen him and taken care of him through many trying times. I see God's constant strength and joy in Alvin.
- Ed: Ed is a mural painter. He's been in Philly for four months after being in DC for a while. God has gifted him w/ an ability to paint, which is his way of spreading the Gospel; his murals have images of Jesus, images of the cross, and themes like encouragement and hope. Part of him wants to just leave to another place when things get tough, but he wants to be faithful here. Please pray for him that he remains faithful and opportunities open up for him to paint. It's encouraging for me to keep going on what we know about God, expecting to see more clearly what He has for us. I see faith in Ed's life.
- Jimmy: This past Monday, Jimmy was sitting upstairs by the escalator. He said he was an Army Ranger once. He said he believes in God and was raised going to church but he isn't sure about Jesus now. I'm praying for him to come to the truth and live in the truth now. God loves him so much and will accept him back if only he lets God in. I see God's grace in Jimmy's situation, that God loves him so much.
- Family group: Yesterday, my family group read the passage of the circumstances of Jesus' birth. It really struck me how crazy that just as intentional as all parts of Jesus' life on earth where He fulfilled all the prophecies, God's will was for Jesus to be born to an ordinary person in Mary and to be placed in a manger. God chose that to show Jesus came to serve in humility. He's all our hope =)
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