Getting Wrecked By The Homeless

God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.  

Psalm 68:6


"J" at the park. Alone in the corner crying.  She's a beautiful woman.  Another who didn't/couldn't come up at altar time.  Jesus saw her tears. She was/is trying to get home to Mississippi due to some financial problems. Her car was repossessed Friday- she's trying to get home and had a bus ticket to leave this morning and "just happened" to see us at the park.


You can tell she is trying to be strong.



"D" finally got his poem to me. It's about Jesus loving him, dying for him- he was searching for love and ran into Someone who was willing to die for him.  That is huge. In the suburbs, safe at home, can it be as fully understood as it can by someone who lives on the streets, or at least, not in conventional housing? Dying is a very real possibility.  We all will, but we all don't come face to face with it that often. Does "D"s understanding how much Jesus loves him mean he will completely change his life?

Historically, the answer is "no".

I believe all things are possible with God and that can change the man's destiny.  If the man allows it.  God is no respecter of persons, but He is a gentleman and He won't force the man to change.  I don't know if Sunday mornings at the park are the only times people show the man Jesus, but Jesus is talking to the man's heart.  We pray the man heeds the whisper that is calling his name and allows the Lord to have all the control of his life.

A few nights ago I saw one of our homeless men give his coat to another man who didn't have one.  It was an amazing sight, "That was awesome, " I tell him.  "Dude was cold. I can get another coat," he says.

A pre-warmed coat. THAT is Jesus-love.

It's also depending on his needs being met.  Who else would have given up their coat like that?

Another woman we serve brought us three coats she had acquired before service started.  She had gotten them for another lady who either didn't want them or didn't need them.  She wanted to give them to us to make sure they went to someone who needed them.  How cool is that?

Jesus says they know Him.  They don't need us always pounding Jesus at them. They know Jesus and they depend on Him. Some need a release from a rebellious spirit. They need someone to show them how to get out of where they are.  They need the will to change.  Then they need someone willing to teach them.

Who's willing?