May 13, 1987

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.                                                                                         Psalm 34:18



Twenty-six years ago today my brother died.  There are times it seems a lifetime ago.  There are other times that is seems like it just happened.


You know, you never "get over it".



"There is a sacredness in tears.  They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.  They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.  They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and unspeakable love."
Washington Irving

I pray peace to each of you who grieves the loss of a loved one.  May God wrap you in His arms and you feel His overwhelming love and amazing grace.


My brother, you are much loved and very missed.

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?

It Does Matter What I Think

Leadership.

"Leader."

Many of us spend a great deal of time learning as much as we can so we can be good leaders.  How many leadership books do you have on your shelf?  How many blogs, audiobooks, and podcasts can you cram into a day? Been to any good seminars lately?

Jesus was a great leader. He, however, is perfect, so I suppose that is to be expected.

What does being a "leader" mean?  This is an interactive post today, so I really want to know what you think.

For me, a leader is someone I respect and trust, a wiser-than-I-am person who will impart knowledge and encourage me to be the best that I can be.  Now, this is Yvonne speaking to you, so you know the qualification list in actuality is much longer.

How do we build trust?  Relationship.  How do relationships work? Back and forth communication.  Learning the other person.  Hearing what they have to say.

Did you hear...or read (since this is a blog)...that?

You need to hear what the other person has to say.

What do you have to do to hear?  You have to listen.  Listening means paying attention to the words being spoken without trying to plan your next sentence.  Ask questions.  "What do you mean when you say ____?" "I'm trying to make sure I understood what you said.  I think I heard you say ______, is that right?"

What happens when you don't listen?  You will not connect, you will not grow, the other person will not grow, and there will be no relationship.  In the work place, if you won't listen, please don't dare ask why your employees are not engaged. It goes together.

Today's blog is being brought to you by an interaction I heard earlier today. A leader brought a coworker a specific set of instructions.  They were terribly wrong, mind you, and had those instructions been carried out....well, I don't even want to think about the nightmare that would follow!  Coworker tried to point out the problems.

Leader says,  "It doesn't matter what you think."

Did you read that?

Actually it does matter.  It always matters what someone thinks.  And we need to listen. The thoughts may accurate or they may not be accurate due to a lack of facts or discernment. Active listening by a leader and discussion will clear that up right away.

Was the issue resolved?  Yes.  By way a of a leader who listens.

My question to you, Reader/Leader is: how many people do you think will willingly follow that first "leader"? Would you want to? What do you think the employees think about that leader and his/her abilities to lead them to professional success?