What does it mean to help the poor?

This has been the question on my mind for a while now....

Tomorrow, my wife and I will share about poverty to teenagers at a school.  As I am preparing my slides, I re-read When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself.

The author used a classic illustration of how sometimes our good intentions might do more harm than help!


And now we have come to a very central point: one of the biggest problems in many poverty-alleviation efforts is that their design and implementation exacerbates the poverty of being of the economically rich—their god-complexes—and the poverty of being of the economically poor—their feelings of inferiority and shame.  The way that we act toward the economically poor often communicates—albeit unintentionally—that we are superior and they are inferior. In the process we hurt the poor and ourselves. And here is the clincher: this dynamic is likely to be particularly strong whenever middle-to-upper-class, North American Christians try to help the poor, given these Christians' tendency toward a Western, materialistic perspective of the nature of poverty.

This point can be illustrated with the story of Creekside Community Church, a predominantly Caucasian congregation made up of young urban professionals in the downtown area of an American city. Being in the Christmas spirit, Creekside Community Church decided to reach out to the African-American residents of a nearby housing project, which was characterized by high rates of unemployment, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and teenage pregnancy. A number of the members of Creekside expressed some disdain for the project residents, and all of the members were fearful of venturing inside. But Pastor Johnson insisted that Jesus cared for the residents of this housing project and that Christmas was the perfect time to show His compassion.

 But what could they do to help? Believing that poverty is primarily a lack of material resources—the last row in table 2.1—the members of Creekside Community Church decided to address this poverty by buying Christmas presents for the children in the housing project. Church members went door to door, singing Christmas carols and delivering wrapped toys to the children ineach apartment. Although it was awkward at first, the members of Creekside were moved by the big smiles on the children's faces and were encouraged by the warm reception of the mothers. In fact, the congregation felt so good about the joy they had brought that they decided to expand this ministry, delivering baskets of candy at Easter and turkeys at Thanksgiving. 

Unfortunately, after several years, Pastor Johnson noticed that he was struggling to find enough volunteers to deliver the gifts to the housing project. At the congregational meeting, he asked the members why their enthusiasm was waning, but it was difficult to get a clear answer. Finally, one member spoke up: "Pastor, we are tired of trying to help these people out. We have been bringing them things for several years now, but their situation never improves. They just sit there in the same situation year in and year out. Have you ever noticed that there are no men in the apartments when we deliver the toys? The residents are all unwed mothers who just keep having babies in order to collect bigger and bigger welfare checks. They don't deserve our help."

In reality, there was a different reason that there were few men in the apartments when the toys were delivered. Oftentimes, when the fathers of the children heard the Christmas carols outside their front doors and saw the presents for their kids through the peepholes, they were embarrassed and ran out the back doors of their apartments. For a host of reasons, low-income African-AmericanAfrican-American males sometimes struggle to find and keep jobs. This often contributes to a deep sense of shame and inadequacy, both of which make it even more difficult to apply for jobs. The last thing these fathers needed was a group of middle-to-upper-class Caucasians providing Christmas presents for their children, presents that they themselves could not afford to buy. In trying to alleviate material poverty through the giving of these presents, Creekside Community Church increased these fathers' poverty of being. Ironically, this likely made the fathers even less able to apply for a job, thereby exacerbating the very material poverty that Creekside was trying to solve!

Fikkert, Brian; Corbett, Steve (2009-06-24). When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself. Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

This is not a post to be cynical about every project we endeavour to stop poverty.  Rather, we need to be discerning and analytical whether what we are doing really does help to stop poverty.  The point of stopping poverty is to love our neighbours as ourselves.  This include the poor as well.

Beggar in Hong Kong

Wai Jia also posted the experience on her blog.  You can find it here.

Wai Jia and I spent the last few days before the end of 2012 visiting my relatives in Hong Kong.  Hong Kong was also a time of us to get away for a mini-vacation.

On the second day as we headed back to our hotel, we saw a beggar on the street.  He had one leg and lying on the ground faced down.  I passed some money to Wai Jia to give to the beggar.  As we stopped, stooped down and spoke with him, it became apparent that he wasn’t a local.

People from Hong Kong speaks Cantonese (a Chinese dialect) of which I am used to since I grew up there.  Wai Jia, on the other hand, spoke Mandarin, another Chinese dialect which majority of Chinese speak.

I am glad Wai Jia spoke a different dialect because she was about to communicate with this man.  Seeing him on the ground and in the chilly weather, I ordered a BBQ Pork and roasted duck rice for him.  In Toronto, I still remembered those times sharing a meal with the homeless.  To do the same in my home town, it felt surreal.

It was surprising to see people stopping on the street and staring at us.  They were far enough that they were not able to hear our conversation.  It was as if this was the first time they seen someone talking to a beggar.

In a quick conversation, Wai Jia asked the beggar his name, Zhe Bin.  We invited Zhe Bin for dinner tomorrow.   Just as we were leaving, a gentleman, who saw us speaking with the Zhe Bin, spoke to us in Cantonese.

“You are not local. Right?”

He explained to us that in Hong Kong, there are no beggars.  It is illegal to beg.  This gentleman is doing us a favour by informing us that this beggar is cheating us.   They come from Mainland China to make money.  It is illegal.

Wai Jia and I discussed about this.  A lot of thoughts pop up in my head.  What if this Zhe Bin is indeed cheating us?  What does it mean to have compassion and show grace?  Is it wrong to help someone who is out to cheat us of our money?

As my head wrestle with ethics, morals, fairness, compassion and mercy, this encounter revealed to me the discrimination in our society.  There’s always a rift between Hong Kong and China.  This article described an incident in the subway sparked off (or revealed) the dislike of one another.  Wai Jia and I witnessed this first hand.  Zhe Bin, from Mainland China, coming to Hong Kong, to beg for money is illegal.  He has no right to do this.

I was scared.  I wondered what if tomorrow when we take Zhe Bin for a meal, the same gentleman would stop us.  What if more people, those who walked by,  yell at us?  Or even physically attack us?

The next day I took a nap before dinner.  As I was sleeping, I dreamt about John 4.  In John 4, it was Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the well.  John started off the story explaining that the Jews and Samaritans did not get along (John 4:9).  Even the disciples, those who followed Jesus, asked Jesus what was he doing with that woman (John 4:27).  The Jews felt they were superior to the Samaritans because the Samaritans’ bloodlines were not pure descendants from Israelites.  A Jew would NEVER associate with a Samaritan.

Discrimination and racism is nothing new.  It was in Jesus times and it is here today.  Jesus, by speaking to the Samaritan woman, broke these transparent barbed fences in His society.  If I am to follow Jesus today, I have to do the same.

For me, this is hard.  This is hard because I worried what others will think of me.  I worried about what the gentleman, who I never see will look down on me.

“What, why are you hanging out with Mainland Chinese?  He doesn't deserve it.”   This is what he will say. I can already picture this in my head.

Here I am struggling between what as Jesus follower would do and society conformed me to do.  Just as I woke up, Wai Jia informed me the Holy Spirit was guiding her to the same passage as well.  Before we went to find the Zhe Bin for dinner, we prayed hard.  We prayed hard for the Holy Spirit to come upon us.  To guide us. To protect us.  More so, to speak to Zhe Bin.  That he will experience a divine love he never experienced before.

The dinner was divine.  Zhe Bin had a friend on wheel chair and he joined us as well.  We went to a restaurant where there was no one.  Wai Jia shared with them Christ and they both accepted Jesus by praying the sinners’ prayers.  Realizing that we will never see them again, we encouraged them to find a church in Hong Kong and to continue to seek them.

Did they really let Jesus in their hearts?  We can’t say.  Though Wai Jia and I suspected they do as they both realized that they sinned by breaking the law in Hong Kong by begging on the street.  Just as Stephen was taken away by the Holy Spirit after baptizing the Eunuch on the road, we never see them again.

We prayed.  In the restaurant, boy, did I pray hard.  Pray for the Lord to bless them with work so their dignity is restored.  Pray the Lord will bless them so they can support their family.  Pray for them to experience Jesus in a supernatural way and changed their heart.

The discrimination I experienced in Hong Kong is not uncommon.  If our hearts are willing, we can discrimination, injustice and unfairness in every society. In Canada.  In Singapore.  Anywhere.  As Jesus followers, we are to act like Jesus, to redeem society by acting in love, in grace and in truth.

Sometimes loving others is hard work. It is hard work because society goes against us.  Sometimes even followers of Jesus go against us (just as the disciples question Jesus).  When our heart is align with God’s heart.  When His Holy Spirit floods us with love and compassion, we must respond.  We must love as He loves.  This is the key to turning the world and seeking the Kingdom of God.   The dinner we had was not a fancy meal.  It was mere congee, rice with salted fish and a plate of veges.  But the reward was great.  Two souls were saved.  The Gospel was preached.  AMEN!!

PS – One of the conversations I had with Wai Jia is that we need to be on guard from those who cheat us.  But if we are TOO critical at everyone who asks us for help, I worried that I will no longer be compassionate.   It is better to be in the error of grace than in the error of judgement.

Is there poor people in Singapore?

Pho with D last Tuesday...

He asked me this question...

Is there poor people in Singapore?

To which I replied...

Our society always have the rich and the poor.  Unfortunately, there are poor all around the world.  

Remember the poor

For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.  James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.  All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Galatians 2:8-10

...

The passage is taken in Galatians when Paul is defending himself that he received Revelation from God, not from men.  He recalled how he was accepted by the disciples to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter was called to go to Jews.

Looking over the text, the poor is not consider as spiritually poor (like those who do not know Jesus).  I conclude that the poor is physically, socially and economically poor because if it is spiritually poor, Paul would have use the word Gentiles (who Gentiles at that time know Jesus? or not spiritually poor).  Anyways back to my post....

...

Remembering the poor.  

It was at Tim Horton waiting to get a coffee and a sandwich for R (R lives on the street on a wheel chair. I visited him on and off for over three years now), when I realize I forgot about the poor.

A man in shaggy clothing was stumbling in the store.  He wasn't very coordinated.  He stuck out an empty Tim Horton cup as if asking for change.  He was walking around the store.  People were sitting on the table and ignoring him.  In a brief second as he and I almost met, I looked away and turned around.  With my back toward him, it was a silent gesture that said...."I do not have change to give you.  Please go away."

It was such a natural reaction.  I didn't even thought about it.  But it dwell in me since then.

The man wasn't asking for change.  He went back to his table and his friends sat next to him. I picked up the coffee and the sandwich and walked out.

How ironic, I go out and shared a meal with R.  And here there's a person who just appear in need and I shrugged him off.

...

During the interview with OMF, they read that I have a heart for the poor.  They knew about R and I.  They knew about D and how I treated him pho in order to connect and shared Christ.  They asked me how do I do it?

I thought about it and said, it ain't easy.

Note: This ain't a self pity post where I beat myself up and feel the satisfaction of pity and self gloat.  This is a reflection on what it means to seek the Kingdom of God first and my natural tendencies to seek something else.

It ain't easy not because it is simple as just handing money.  It ain't easy not just because it is volunteering.  It ain't easy because it is so easy to forget about the poor.  So easy.

I have my life. I am going on missions. I have to raise funds. I have to pray. I have to connect to people. I have to sell everything I have. I have to make sure my finance, insurance, will is in order.  I have ministries I have to hand off.  I have friend's weddings to go to.  I have birthday parties.  Last meet up with friends.  Spend time with family.....

For the past few months, I can say, I don't have time. I don't have time. I don't have time.

In a way, I become self absorb.  What do I need.  What do I have to do for myself.  It's all about me (granted it is preparing for missions...it become inward focus).

And thus, remembering the poor flies out the door.  It is no longer important as I try to scrap and save every dollar I have to get myself over to Singapore.

All for the Kingdom right?  Mission must come first.  And part of the mission, to share the Good News, to bring joy and care to those who are lost, the gospel message that God is alive, God is coming and God is redeeming everything, also include spending time with R and D.

It was during the past few months, I noticed how I don't care as much about the poor anymore.  I was joking with D last month that to stop calling me and I would put him on my block list.  I was getting annoyed with his phone calls and emails and Facebook messages.  I am so busy right now and I have to deal with this...argh!

It was at Tim Horton my action reflected my heart.  Or my action reflected what I forgot.

Hanging out with R.  I don't know if I will see him again.  They are doing major construction at Nathan Philip Square.  Soon where R is staying will be fence off and he will have to find another place to live.  His wheelchair isn't working.  It is not picking up a charge. The wheel is getting loose.  There's not enough power to go up a small slope. R has problem finding a place to charge.  Winter is setting in. When I am gone, where will he go?  Where will he stay?  Will I see him again?

D is getting old.  He has a number of health issues.  Wear and tear breaks the body from being an athlete for 40+ years.  His bills are getting high.  His car needs to be fix and he has no money.  His daughter is ignoring him.  He has no one to hang out with.

Yes.  Time is short.  There ain't a lot of time left.  There ain't a lot of spending money left.  Going back to a crazy way, why not spend it with R and D.  Yes, I have emails I have to reply. I have things I need to follow up.

There are many life priorities which are important.  It's just that there are bigger priorities which I need to focus on first.  I have to go back to where God touched my heart.  Those of us who are in middle class society might pass them a sandwich when we want to volunteer and do some good works.  To seek the Kingdom and serve the lost is beyond just volunteerism.  Rarely will we sit down and befriend them.  Or know them and find out how they are doing.  And help them out by sacrificing things we like to do.

It's easy to do the volunteering bit.  Passing sandwiches to those who are hungry is important.  What worried me about myself is that I create a barrier where I can simply get myself back to my middle class life with my Internet, netbook, smart phones and Starcraft 2.  One of the aspects in the Kingdom is that the gospel breaks down all barriers.  Jesus comes and mess everything up.  He throw all the social expectations and norms out the window. Those who are marginalize are free to come at the feast next to the rich.  How do I live that out in my world?!?!?

And to me, this is the most costly matter in seeking the Kingdom. It ain't just reading some books, or reading the Bible or going to Sunday School or taking some seminary course and write a paper on some topic.  Granted these are good things (heck, I like to read, go to Sunday School, or take a seminary course).  But if following Christ is reduce to merely a knowledge gaining expedition or self indulge feel good experience every Sunday or fellowship, then I really do not know God.  

Yesterday during service, the worship team played this song for response.  Holding my hand high, I let the tear fall.  Not because it is good tunes or sentimental.  But rather, it is a reminder of who God is.  He seeks, not seeked, the lost.  He gathers, not gathered, them.  He is active. He is not passive.  He goes fourth.  He is a just God that defends the window and the orphan.  He doesn't step back and say to Himself, 'why do I have to steep so low to hang out with them'.    And for me, who say I follow Christ, I ought to do the same.

You have shown us

You have shown us, oh God, what is good
You have shown us, oh Lord, what You require
You have heard all our songs
How we long to worship You
Yeah, You've told us the offering You desire


To do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God
You said, to do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God


You have shown us the riches of Your love
And You have shown us Your heart for those in need
Lord, You're opening our ears to the cries of the poor
You have called us to be Your hand and feet
To do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God
You said, to do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God


To the oppressed and the broken
To the widow and the orphan
Let the river of Your justice flow through us
To the oppressed and the broken
To the widow and the orphan
Let the river of Your justice flow through us


Let Your river flow, let Your river flow
Let the river of Your justice flow through us, oh


To do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God
You said, to do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God


To do justice and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with You, God

...

With what shall I come before the LORD 

and bow down before the exalted God? 

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, 

with calves a year old? 

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, 

with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? 

Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, 

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:6-8

Fast Car

A while back, me and a friend was talking about another friend getting a fast car.  My friend made a comment...

You can't serve the poor driving a fast car.

While I was brushing my teeth, that comment and the thought of being missional popped into my head. Inevitably, someone might confused a church with an attractive model (draw people to the church with services and programs) equate to a missional church (for my definition, a missional church is one where the church and all its aspects: worship, fellowship, discipleship, are shaped with mission as the center).

So how would a missional church looks different?  Well, in regards of serving the poor, an attractive church model might provide services to the poor community. Sandwich run, soup kitchen, helping them with resume and finding a job.  It is serving focus and the association with those needy are within the program realm.

From a missional point of view, one would become the poor.  One's whole live will be immerse in the culture of the needy.  If the person had a fast car it is a no brainer that to associate with the poor, he will sell it.  When God's Mission takes precedent in one's life, anything (may literally) goes.

I still remembered what Jackie Pullinger shared in Chasing the Dragon.  She spent years in the poorest and broken area in Hong Kong, Kowloon Walled City.  She became one of them.  She didn't had fancy program or support.  No high tech or any resource focus.  She was accepted because she was part of them.  Through this, the locals accepted the message of the Gospel.

"Fine, " said Ah Ping to me savagely one day. "Fine for them, fine for us too, we wouldn't mind believing in Jesus too if we could get into a plane and fly away around the world like them. They can sing about love very nicely, but what do they know about us? They don't touch us - they know nothing."

An excerpt from Chasing the Dragon

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

...You can't serve the poor driving a fast car.

Oz

"What"

"Oz is dead"

"Who?"

"Oz.  He used to sleep over there. He's dead"

R pointed out the pillar next to his wheelchair.  R's friend, Oz, died a week ago.  

It was getting dark.  The lights in Nathan Phillip Square flickered on.  Like a light bulb that's going to burn out.  R took a puff from his cigarette.  

"Yeah, he died.  Just like that.  They came and took him away."

...

A few weeks ago at church, A came up to me:

"Hey Cliff, you know R?  I worried about him.  I went to Nuit Blanche and we were hanging around at Nathan Phillip Square.  The place was packed and was very loud. I didn't see R.  I hope he is ok. Let's go and see him."

[Nuit Blanche is an art event in downtown Toronto.  It is held at night and the streets are filled with different art performances.]

A is a good kid.  He is only in highschool and have such a heart for the poor.  Last year he heard that I was hanging out at downtown sharing meal with the homeless, he asked if he could join me.  So we went a few times.  I shared with him how God mold me through this process.  I introduced him to R.  This year, with what's happening at church, I didn't had a chance to go visit R.  I decided to serve in Mississauga more.

Hearing his enthusiasm, I saw a chance to share a ministry together.  Sure why not.   Though my schedule is busy, I need to focus on things that matter most.  That is the Great Commission.  Besides, what I am busy, in most case, ain't that important anyways.

...

R mumbled.  I leaned closer.  The smell of cigarette filled my nose.

Oz was R's friend.  They had been living at Nathan Phillip Square for a few years now.  R really enjoyed Oz's accompany.  Though they both live on the street, they respected each other.

"Oz was great.  He always make a light out of everything.  You know our situation.  You don't want someone who is always down and negative.  We use to talk about Blue Jays and he always rave about the New York Yankees."

R missed Oz a lot.  

One of the nights last week, Oz was puking at night.  R thought Oz ate something wrong.  Later the night, Oz was slouch on the ground.  R thought he passed out so he just let him be.  Later the night, R went to touch him and try to get him up. Oz was  stiff as a board.

R took out a piece of scrap paper.  R is a poet.  He wrote a poet dedicated to Oz.   He recited. Me and A listened.  

It was nice seeing R again.  I am glad A asked me to go.  Or else I would be too busy to go. 

Before we headed out, I asked R if there's anything he need.  He needed a new leather jacket.

...

Tonight I had the opportunity to share my testimony with at a youth fellowship.  I talked about R and Oz.  I talked about the rich and the poor.  And how the poor were often neglected in our society.  Sadly, Oz was an example of that.  In one of the richest place in Toronto, we had a man dying out in the street. Though the world might not know or care about Oz, R does. I am sure our heavenly Father cared as well.

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Matthew 25:34-36

St Jamestown Statistics Reflection - more than just numbers

It's late and I had been reading over St Jamestown.  There are so many facts and statistics about this little pocket of community.

Most of them I got from MoveIn.to (a movement to encourage young Christians to move and live in poorer neighborhoods to bring Jesus to the community).

• 64% of residents are immigrants − 74% arrived in Canada between 1991 and 2006

My family came to Canada in 1988.   When I look that most arrive between 1991 to 2006, most of the people there are quite new immigrants.  When a family first come to Canada from foriegn country, they will settle down temporarily, get a job, get income, then move on to a permanent (probably better) home.  When we see that 74% moved in and stayed in St Jamestown, we see that most are probably too poor to move out and struggling to make a living.

• 55% of residents over age 15 have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree − 59% received their degree outside Canada

Coming from Mississauga, a suburb, I can say all of my friends have post-secondary certificate. My social circle and myself is that I am quite well off.  When we see 55% of those over 15 lack a post secondary education, basically most just had a highschool education.  This hampers any job with a decent income especially in today when everyone has a secondary degree (question..if 55% do not have post secondary, is it my stereotype to assume everyone?!?).  Most will work for low income and labor-intensive jobs.  This is hard on the family from health wise (less money to spend on grocery to get healthy food) to their future (secondary education is not cheap, retirement is slim when living paycheck to paycheck).

• In 2006, 51% of residents were considered to have low, before-tax incomes as compared with 18% in the rest of Toronto, making this a high-poverty neighbourhood

This is perhaps the saddest statistics.  St Jamestown is not only poorer. It is poorer of the poor.  A comparison of 18% to 51% is huge.  It is a strong contrast.  It is not just 1 out of 5 families are poor but 1 out of 2 families are struggling to provide adequate necessities.  This is bad in many manners. First, no one wants to live in a poor neighborhood.  Those who can make it out will leave once they have more money.  Second, local economic drainage, low income areas = less money to spend in local business.  Those who own the little shops, like the convenience store or the supermarket or the hair dresser or the clothing store probably live in the same neighborhood as well.  So when no one spends, they suffer as well.   This is one of the reason why the poorer gets poorer.  Third, I think it is harder...by nature for people to spend money in a poorer neighborhood.  Take my own experience, when I go to Toronto, I don't go to the poorer neighborhoods.  I go to the place to shop, to have fun etc.  I stayed away from the poorer neighborhoods because there is nothing to do there.  This further makes it harder for the poor to make a living.

...better head to bed..but lots of prayer tonight.....

Used

I sat there with a cup of coffee in my hand.  The coffee wasn't the greatest.  There wasn't any sugar available.  It was bitter and it was stale. There were many sweets and cakes.  I wasn't too hungry.  Nor do I want too much sugar going in my system.

I sat at the corner watching.  For once a week, I go to a food bank and to drop off grocery. It was my friend's initiative.   We wanted to do a grocery run.  To get to know those in Mississauga in need and also to share the gospel and pray for them.  My friend was on call and couldn't make it.  So I went by myself.

Monday night is usually quiet.

Volunteers were sitting around.  Chatting away. They know me as the driver.  I kept to myself.  Over a cup of stale coffee.

I thought about the lists of things I have to do.  Need to set up a schedule for ushering, plan a mission trip, book a hotel when I go to Boston, clean up my room, what I need to read...need to pray....on and on.

For a brief moment, I thought why I am here.  I am here all by myself.  I have far more things I need to do.

I stopped.

=====

Cliff, you asked for this last year.  You asked God to use you.  Your wish was to go out everyday and go after the lost of the lost in Mississauga.  This is why you are here.  This is why you are tired and you still come out.  Yes, you have many things to do.  This is what you asked for.  And God answered you.  Do you remember?

=====

As I looked at the few that dropped by to pick up food.  An elderly Asian couple.  Holding plastic bags and carrying a little luggage to carry as much food as they can.  A mother with a twelve year old and holding a baby in her hands. They were picking a box of cereal.  A volunteer asking a gentleman that he could only pick five cans of soup and asked him what flavours he want.  I realized there isn't anywhere else I should be.  Despite my so busy to do list.  Life with all its priorities.  That can wait.


In the book, Good News about Injustice by Gary Haugen, he started off with living in North America where it is safe and free, we tend forget that the rest of the world lies in injustice.  Our home becomes our little lot of green garden. Sure we stress over work and life, we rarely worry about the injustice that occur outside of our plot.

I stared at the rows of canned goods, the food on the table, and the people who needed them. I thought about the little green plot that I live on.  If Jesus is in Mississauga, He would never sit comfortably at His home and read the Bible.  He will be going out after the broken and the needy.  He said it...

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor,
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.

(Luke 4:18-19)

I am reminded why I was there.

It was at this time a volunteer struck a conversation with the elderly Asian couple.  He asked them if they needed a drop off with the grocery.

I instantly leaped off my feet and with enthusiasm I said, "Yes, use me. Use my gas.  This is why I am here."

English was not their first language.  Through a heavy accent and a few broken words, we made out where they live. As we went upstairs and put the grocery in my car, I told them that normally I wasn't suppose to drive them.  Because of liability issues, we were only to drop off the grocery.  They would have to walk home.

I looked at them. They were very excited to see my family car and kept cheering it was nice.

I ignored the rules and told them to hop in.

As I drop them at their home, they thanked me for being so kind to them.

I went back to the food bank and thank the volunteer for taking the initiative. It is good to be use sometimes.

I didn't think I was kind.  I simply response to a promise Jesus fulfilled when He came on earth.  He is kind.  For even someone as broken and dirty as myself, I can still be used for His Glory.

Then I said, 
"Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."


....


Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"
Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"  

(Isaiah 6:6,8)

Afterward, I had over to Open Door to see if they needed help.  Tomorrow they were giving away clothes.  They spent the night moving clothes from the storage to the store.  As I came in, they just finish.  We joked how great my timing was :D.  Hahaha.

.

..

...

It's good to be used sometimes.
Especially by the Holy One.

Looking back

Today, during a breakfast meeting, one of the senior management made a statement that we ought to look back every once in a while and see where we came from.

I was looking up on a quote about Matthew 25 earlier today.  I couldn't find it on Google and I did a search on my own blog.  I found the quote and it brought me to this post....this post was made in March 6, 2009.  Almost a year ago.

The post was about helping the poor, helping D and my own struggles.

This post is a gem.  I enjoy blogging because I get to go back, see my thoughts and see where God is at work (and see those bad grammars ;PP).

In this post, I see and am confirmed that God planted the idea to help the poor. And I always wonder if I can go back and see myself a year or two ago, what advise would I give considering what I gone through.

As I was driving D dropping him back to his place tonight, I can't help but to think, is this what it means to be a Christian? Is it what it means to take care of the sick and the needy? 

And I must admit, there is a lot I do not know. Against this monstrous problem of poverty, how does one take up the will and the cause? There are many debates and praying as to what's the best way and what not. In most of my experience, it usually ends with a lot of discussion and little action.

You keep doing what you are doing Cliff.  This is God's fight and as such, He will provide. You stay and be obedient to Him!

...

I do not understand it. I am pretty sure if I have to dig, I can go into the Bible and bring scripture after scripture to validate my point. But in the end, it doesn't matter. This ain't an intellectual debate. I do not think anyone going to say one shouldn't help or give to the poor. It is sad if one has to argue and convince another Christian they should help the poor.

...a while back, a Christian friend ask me how can I justify helping the poor is more glorifying than being in the church, say helping the children ministry. In return I told him, in my own Christian walk, I spend one day of the year help the poor, then I go off in my Christian circle thinking I am living in Kingdom of God. I am saddened after reflecting on that.

There is no need to dig.  Isaiah 1:17.  Micah 6:8. Luke 16 (parable of the rich man and Lazarus), Matthew 25 (separating the goat and the sheep).

...

Again these are good questions. I just don't want to ask. I am tired of asking. I think sometimes God speak very clear in the Bible. Give to the sick. Help the poor. Not when we have plenty. Just give.

Is that even plausible in today's society?

Keep giving.  Give it all.  Everything you have God provides anyways.  Go reckless in your giving.  Don't worry what others will think.  You seek the audience of One.

...

And I look at my own heart. I too, don't like the idea of getting cheated and taken advantage of. But I hate the idea of thinking I am 'spiritual' up in an Ivy tower with all my knowledge and intellectual talk and debate when I have the faintest idea of what it means to follow Christ.

That's right!!

Thanks Cliff for your encouragement.  Keep running hard for Christ.  He has called you and will work through you for His Glory.  Preserve like you do in triathlon.  Fight the Good Fight.  Don't give up.  Serve your Master proudly and with joy...

This was the quote I was looking for....

An interpretation of Matthew 25 by a homeless women (John Stott) :
I was hungry and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your church and prayed for my release.
I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so holy, so close to God,
but I am still very hungry - and lonely - and cold.


AMEN!!

Exam for Christian Leadership Course (MS 1B03)

The course I was taking this term was Christian Leadership in the 21st Century (MS 1B03).

My exam was an open book. It was cool to have the teacher prayed for us before we started. I opened my mind and let it all flow. I was surprise at how organize my thoughts were. I even break down the plan into phases. Perhaps this is a calling and a sign from above??

I feel like I am in phase 1 right now. I 'like' to learn more and understand more. Though, it is hard to see and witness these hideous crimes and oppression. Yet, this is where I need to be....to seek God among all of this..and seek where He is walking and where He is calling me.

Below is my response....

===

For the exam, I will be selecting Scenario 2. I will write a four year strategic plan to present to future backers to hinder trafficking of children into Canada. I decide that this will be a new parachurch organization. The rationale is that this is a national focus and will be out of the boundary of a local church or denomination. This will also be a huge undertaking as it is a national problem and the solution requires a combination of local and foreign involvement, working with various non profit organizations (Christian and non-Christian based), and with the government and the police.

Objective: To prevent traffickers from smuggling children into Canada for sex trade or carry drug.

Vision: To bring fourth God's Kingdom onto the world by defending the children against sex traffickers

Given the four year timetable, I will break the plan into the follow phases. The brackets are the timeline.

Phase 1 - Understand the situation (first three months)

Phase 2 - Gather team members and partners (after Phase 1. Core team members in 6 months.)

Phase 3 - Promote awareness (on going)

Phase 4 - Develop a solution (After phase 2 gathering the core members. It will take 6 months)

Phase 5 - Take action (after phase 4 to ongoing)

I will spend the first three months in phase 1 and assess the situation. I will then build a team, find partners and alliances in Phase 2. Phase 2 will be an on going process since we will always look for volunteer and others who are interested on joining with us. The key in achieving the objective is to bring an awareness to Canadians (Christians and non-Christians) in Phase 3. As Phase 3 is rolling, we will devleop a solution with the team I build in Phase 2. Once the solution is develop, we will implement it in Phase 5.

These phases might overlap with each other. While I am in phase 1, I will be looking for those who have the same calling and are interested on being part of the team (phase 2). We need to speak about the issue so Canadians will be aware of it and what's being done. Some phases might go hand in hand. For example, we can address to Canadians what the problem is (Phase 3) and then offer three easy steps for them to be part of the solution (Phase 5).

Phase 1 - Understand the situation

The first step is to understand the extent of the problem. I need to educate myself first. These will be the questions I will be asking:

- how many children are trafficking to Canada annually?

Traffic Source

- where are the children coming from? (Region and ethnicity)

- why are they being trafficked? (bought, volunteered, kidnap etc.)

Traffic Destination

- where are the children smuggled to? (City, Province etc.)

- what's the purpose of them being smuggle? (sex, drug, slavery etc.)

- who are smuggling them? How are they being smuggle? (ship, plane etc.)

Justice System

- what is the justice system like to stop children trafficking?

- how's Canada justice system and what are the laws to stop children trafficking? How and who are enforcing these?

- are there international laws stopping children from being trafficked? How and who are enforcing these?

Partners

- Is there Christian organization/local church/other parachurch organization in Canada that is already combating these? If so, can we partner up with them.

- What about non profit organization (non-Christian) in Canada aware of these situation? If so, can we partner up with them.

- Is there Christian organization/church or NPO in the source of the traffic that is combating these situation? Can we gather more info

Other

- how are other countries combating these?

- what have other people do, locally or nationally, to prevent human traffic?

- has there been success stories of a nation preventing the smuggling of children? What was the process?

Source

Here are the sources I will use to become an expert in this subject and aware of the reality at hand:

- speak to the Canada Customs Officer to ask what he/she knows

- Internet

- Non Profit Organization (NPO) research and related studies

- United Nations, they should have a department that study human trafficking

- Canada legal system and police system for records on children traffic related materials

- attend human rights meeting

It is crucial to address these questions. The better I understand the problem, the more probable we can find a solution. Of course, the solution will dependent on the type of scenario. For example, if by studying we see that majority of the children are coming from Cambodia and the Canadian government has good tides with Cambodian government, one solution is to petition Canada government to ask Cambodian government to increase their pressure on child smuggling on their end. Granted, this task requires lobbying with the MP and address an issue to the federal government (not an easy task), it is to show how the solution will dependent on the situation at hand.

Through understanding the situation, I will be connecting with others in Canada who have the same mind and focus. There are a number of Christian organizations in Canada (and around that world) that combats child trafficking. One of these organizations is call Ratanuk. They worked along side with International Justice Missions to stop children traffick in Cambodia and other Asia specific countries. The research will help me build networks and form partnerships to help promote the situation and devise a solution (Phase 2,3, and 4).

As a Christian, I need to have a Biblical understand of justice. For my own spiritual growth and re-nourish my soul, I will be studying the Word and see the just characteristics of our God. Verses from Isaiah 1:17 and Micah 6:8 will be crucial in understanding who God is and what is justice in His eyes. The more I learn about who God is and the more I seek to be in His likeness, the better I will be as a servant of God to do His Will in combating this clause. These study, meditation and reflection will be useful to encourage me as I will face numerous trials, pressure and struggles.

Phase 2 - Gather Team members/ partners

To prevent child trafficking is a big task. I cannot do it on my own. I will need to gather a team and work with others. I will share my concern and desire first within my circle of influence. Support from friends and family is crucial. They can be my voice to promote to others. Hopefully there will be one or two friends that will join me on this journey. I will join other organizations that battle against human trafficking. As there are a number of these organizations, I will discern which one I can work closely with and we have a similar vision. These organizations and partners are important as they will be a source of information and we can also work with each other to promote the issue at hand. Ratanuk and International Justice Missions are great choice as they are already combating children trafficking.

The team will also be comprises of a mix of skills and talents. My ideal team will consists of:

- a lawyer that has experience with human rights, international law and justice system

- a police officer dealt with RCMP

- a PR person who has a passion for child trafficking issue

What's crucial for each team member is that they believe in the vision and objective of this team.

Phase 3 - Promote Awareness

One of the most important part is to share to others and to tell Canadians what is going on. The Canadian society, if well inform, will oppose to children smuggling. The problem is that most people are not aware of the situation. The solution lies in promoting to the public so they are aware. The key is to show the people that child smuggling is very close to home and not only happen in far away places like Asia or Africa. If we can change this perception and Canadians realize their country is involve and is part of the problem in child smuggling, they will have a higher urgency to act. The PR person will be very beneficial in this case, working with local and national media channels (TV, radio etc).

At the same time, we will promote via online. With my experience in Internet marketing, we will promote through the following:

- social media sites such as Facebook to gather members

- use message system such as twitter for updates

- blog, an online diary, so visitors can see our updates and made aware of the situation

- email newsletter, ask people to sign up and receive a monthly or quarterly update

The strength in using Internet marketing is its low cost (relatively free) and its ability to promote to others in real time and mass communication. In the 2010 Winter, a friend promoted the increase in child trafficking to Vancouver during the Olympics. She sent it through Facebook. Because of her post, I was aware of the situation and I post it on my profile so others will see it. Internet Marketing have the ability to spread a message very quickly with little or no cost.

There is also another type of awareness that I will be implementing. This will be communicate within the Christian community in Canada. As God is a Justice God who defend the oppress, we, as Christians, should do the same. We will promote in Christian events such as Missionfest or other local church mission events. The more we speak to brothers and sisters in Christ about this, we can ask them to pray for us and also partner up with us. The goal is to have a number of churches joining us through via promotion or being pro-active in combating child trafficking. One possibility is working with the Compassion department in Christian and Missionary Alliance of Canada. By working with other major denominations on a national scale, we can promote the awareness faster and in a national scale. We will also need prayer, financial and resource support as well.

Promotion is important. There might be others who are interested and passionate in this issue. Others will be willing to give their time and effort. Others might want to pray for us. And some might want to support us financially. More importantly, the more people are aware of child trafficking, the easier for us to move on to the next phase, which is develop a solution and acting on it.

Phase 4 - Develop a solution

With the right team and understanding the situation, we can develop a solution. Can we done this by ourselves? How do we address this to our government? Can we work with the Federal government?

There are many actions that we can take. We can start off small by individually write a letter to the MP. We can work with the RCMP and see how our team can help address this situation. Is there church or Christian organizations that is helping children from being smuggle? We can help them (mission trip or donations). In Phase 2, I lay out the personnel for my ideal team. The lawyer and a police officer will be helpful in this phase. Their knowledge, experience and background will be crucial in developing a solution. I am not experience in this matter and my team will be able to provide the direction and guidance on this area.

When we promote to Canadians, we will include little steps that they can do to prevent child trafficking. We can prepare a sample letter that they can use to send to their MP. Or we can collect their signatures.

International Justice Mission is an international Christian organization. They worked closely with Cambodian police force to train them and conduct raids to stop child trafficking. A possible solution is to work overseas in the origins of the child traffickers.

Phase 5 - Take Action

This will be the last step. The implementation will most likely have to do with rectifying the legal system in Canada. This will require huge financial cost (hiring a lawyer) and resource requirement. As we promote awareness, we will ask others for sponsor and donations. This phase we might partner with other organization, like International Justice Missions, to leverage their expertise and their resources. Partner and finding alliance in phase 2 will be crucial for this phase. If a number of non profit organizations, Christian organizations and churches .can come together, it will help greatly in maintain the momentum in taking action and stopping the process of trafficking of children in Canada.

The Great Divide: Living Between Two Worlds

I live in two different worlds.

Between the rich and the poor.

Between those who have and those who don't.

This summer, my church is sending six highschoolers to Peru as a Mission Trip. It is in combination with other Alliance Churches. Yesterday, they had a training and I asked if I could join them. Most of them are between 15-17 and it is a great opportunity to infuse the idea of mission...(or missional lifestyle) in them. I also wanted to pray with them.

As I hang out with the 'poor', I was asked to share how do I deal with stepping out of my comfort zone.

I shared the fact that when half of the world make less than 2 dollars a day. When I make 20 times more than they do, there is clear distinction that I am in the rich side of town.

I shared my story of spending 6 dollars for hot dog with a homeless person as 'good'. Then go shop for a 200 dollars jacket when the Holy Spirit prompted me that the person who I just shared a hot dog with probably need a jacket more than me.

I wrapped it up by focusing on Jesus. He gave me everything. He forgave me. Shared His Glory with me. How can I do anything less than to share with those who are in need.

...

Between these two worlds, it is often how those who have don't see what they have and don't see those who do not have. I struggle with this.

I don't get it when we can have potluck night with all type of food. Yet we never follow the need to go serve those who struggle in getting food for their kids.

Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Luke 14:12-14

I don't understand when we are wrap up with our own world that we do not see our neighbors cannot even get another pair of shoes.

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores."

Luke 16:19-21

I don't get it when we will spend hundred of dollars for someone's b-day. Yet when it comes to buying food for the needy, we nickel and dime by getting discounted or no name foods.

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:1-4

I use to be very upset over this. And every now and then, I get upset too. Mostly because I don't understand. I realize that God is showing me this as a great reminder and convicts me ever more to follow Him. And if I am the only one that He calls... I follow.

And the choices between these two worlds are great. Great because the two worlds will always come together.

Tonight, I had pho with R. Since he turned 70, he injured his ankle and couldn't row anymore. Because he is unemployed, it is hard for him to pay bills. As we sit down with a bowl of Vietnamese delicacy, he shared his struggles.

His car needed a set of summer tires. It just so happened I have a set available. I told him I would check the tire dimensions and if it fit his car, I would give them to him.

He also shared his stress with paying bills, his income tax person ripping him off and getting unhealthy food from the food banks.

When the two worlds don't resonate

Last week, I had a conversation with a friend studying to become a dentist. He mentioned that there is an epidemic in Canada. A lot of kids under 5 are getting cavities.

"I don't get how come parents let kids eat so much sweet. If I was a parent, I would never allow that to happen."

I replied and explained to him that in the lower income family, junk food is often the best alternative because it is cheap (compared to vegetables). He couldn't perceive such notion.

Tonight, R mentioned that all he get from the food banks are unhealthy food. High fat, lots of salt, and lots of sweets. They give out a lot of cakes, donuts and cookies.

R said, "I can't help it. It is there and that's all they have. I have to take it."

...

This year, there is a number of Wedding invitations which I only going for the ceremony and not the reception. For a reception, I would pay an average of 100 dollars.

Is it justifiable to instead spend 100 dollars on celebrating two friends on their joyous day....when I have friends who have to make a decision between putting gas in their car or having food on the table?? (Some don't even have the privilege to make such a decision b/c they neither have a car nor a table)...

Perhaps this is a pride issue where I don't want to be seen as someone who pay less than most people and perceive as cheap. I justify it by just going to the ceremony.

Of course, this ain't an easy matter...I mean, what about my other expenditure and my entertainment. What about those?

So I slip in and out between these two worlds.

I ebb and slip through them.

Flow in and out of them.

I have two lives.

A life where I grow up.

A life which I was called and invited to join.

And the Sovereign Father works lavishly between these two worlds.

As a friend said...

There are two worlds.

There is one dimension.

God's dimension.

Fall Short

This morning before heading to church for Easter Sunday Service, I had a memory relapsed.

It was back in Winter '06 and Spring '07 when I was leading the young career fellowship.

There was a gentleman name Andrew. He was a bit off. Didn't get along with anyone.

There was one night where he made a comment to all the females in the fellowship that was way off. We knew he had a mental problem. But not exactly sure.

I didn't know his background. He lives with his parents and from what I gathered, they were wealthy. He lived in a penthouse. Never worry about work.

One day Andrew gave me a call. He was at the laundry mat with all his stuff. His parents kicked him out.

I didn't know what to believe. He had mental problems.

Is he really saying the truth? Is he lying?

This was taken place during winter. It was cold. He was in a desperate situation. Without thinking much, I drove over.

There he was. With a backpack and a bag with all his clothes. That night, my fellowship was gathering at a Chinese restaurant and I brought Andrew along. We pretended nothing happen.

I did my best to tell a brother and a sister in my fellowship about the situation. They didn't know what to do. I pulled them aside and told them, "let the Holy Spirit lead and if you want to give a few bucks to help him out, do it."

Since he didn't had a place to stay, I drove down to the nearest hotel and drop him off. I didn't had time to find a cheap motel or cheap rates. The matter was urgent and Andrew needed a place to stay.

I put down my credit card and told Andrew that he can pay me back later.

I still remember how I felt.

I am going to drop one hundred and something bucks for this guy. What about me, Lord? You see how tight my money situation is. I am already barely enough to have my teeth fix and pay bill (and train!).

I didn't give much thought to it. I told him stay here for two nights (up to Saturday).

Andrew was very thankful. He kept saying, "don't worry, Cliff. I will pay you back. I have a lot of money in the bank. I own you one."

I picked him up on Saturday. I suggested Andrew to stay one more night then head to church on Sunday. He didn't what that and didn't know what to do. I dropped him back to the laundry mat.

....

On Sunday, he gave me a call. He was on the street. He needed a ride and I picked him off a major intersection. It was snowing and he had a little suitcase with him. I remembered picking up that suitcase and in haste dumped it in the back seat. Because of the snow from the roller on the suitcase, I thought it ruined my car seat. I cursed.

Andrew heard it and apologize. By then I was ticked off.

I asked him where did he want to go.

I am tired of being his chauffeur. If he had the money, why didn't he use it?

At that moment, he gave me cash for the hotel. I dropped him off at the subway.

....

A few weeks gone by. Andrew called me. He told me he was in a shelter somewhere in Scarborough, a 40 min drive from my city. I asked him if he could speak to his parents and reconcile. He didn't want to.....

That was the last time I heard from Andrew....

I didn't know why I thought about him today. Of all the things that happened, I know I fall short.

I was so blinded by my own needs I couldn't see the dire situation Andrew was in. I could have go and talk to his parents (I never met them before but I could have try). Who gives a rip about a car seat when there is a brother that is living on the street?....

I fall short.

Since the last time I heard from Andrew, I learnt about Acts 2 church and sharing with brothers and sisters in Christ (Acts 2:45), the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31)...all will go to waste if I just know it in my head but not in my heart.

It is sad and painful when looking back and realize I should have done more. I just pray to the Lord that these painful memories is etch forever in my heart. So that my faith and my action works together (James 2:14-26).

Lord, may I do what Your Words say and not just listen to them.

May I not just grow in knowledge and become self righteous and live in an ivory tower.

I thank you for when I fall short, You are still the Sovereign Lord who is merciful and loving kindness to defend those who are weak.

Mold my heart so that I will become a man that stares his face in the mirror and walk away remembering how he looks like.

A man that only seeks Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness.

A man who looks intently at the perfect law.

The perfect law that gives freedom and life!

Ala James 1:19-25

I called Andrew a few years ago. His number had been disconnected.....

I still pray for Andrew from time to time....

Man enough

One of the most popular post in this blog is the Adrian Plass' poem. I was re-reading it today.

For the past few weeks...since November, my emotion had been up and down. I really wanted to follow Christ. Yet the passion is not there. What seemed to be easy task like sending out an email and administrative duties, now seemed to be huge and overbearing.

My last post was asking for God to change my heart. To rediscover the joy of following Him and forego all cost.

I am going to be heading up the Mercy Ministry in the English Congregation of my church. My pastor asked me to get two books and read them in order to prepare for this role. I wish I can say I am hungering to read them. I am not. I want to crave for it. But I am not.

One of the books is Ministries of Mercy The call of the Jericho Road. Tim Keller is revisiting the parable of the Good Samaritan. I reflected this parable before (here and here).

When I read the poem on Adrian Plass again...there are few verses that capture my attention:

Are you man enough to see the need, and man enough to go,
Man enough to care for those whom no one wants to know,
Man enough to say the thing that people hate to hear,
To battle through Gethsemane in loneliness and fear.
And listen! Are you man enough to stand it at the end,
The moment of betrayal by the kisses of a friend,
Are you man enough to hold your tongue, and man enough to cry?
When nails break your body-are you man enough to die?
Man enough to take the pain, and wear it like a crown,
Man enough to love the world and turn it upside down,
Are you man enough to follow me, I ask you once again?
I said, Oh Lord, I’m frightened, but I also said Amen.

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen; Amen, Amen, Amen,
I said, Oh Lord, I’m frightened, but I also said, Amen.

So I am back there. Am I man enough to go? And care for those where no one wants to. And man enough to handle the pain?

On the road of Jericho. The lonely road of Jericho. All I see are men lying around beaten and barely breathing. I see families lost and struggle with poverty without hope. I see many of my brothers and sisters seem to impervious of the problem. It is as if no one understands. And all I see are my own hands full of complacency, a heart of a pharisee and not moving an inch to help.

So I will go..I am frightened and I feel lost. And I will go. There is no need to ask why. Because when the shepherd..the GOOD Shepherd calls...His sheep follow.

Blessed are the Poor

http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/blessed-are-poor

One of the clearest commands Jesus gives us in the Gospels is to give to the poor. Jesus became poor for us, and we must also love the poor with radical generosity.

AMEN!

Poor Rich People

Taken from Crazy Love (pg 89-90) by Francis Chan :

...

Because we don't usually have to depend on God for food, money to buy our next meal, or shelter, we don't feel needy. In fact, we generally think of ourselves as fair independent and capable. Even if we aren't rich, we are "doing just fine."

...

What is more messed up - that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don't think we're rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves "broke" or "poor"? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne was on a Scottish pastor who died at the age of twenty-nine. Although he lives in the early part of the nineteenth century, his words are astoundingly appropriate for today:

I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day... I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.⁷

The reality is that, whether we acknowledge our wealth or not, being rich is a serious disadvantage spiritually. As William Wilberforce once said, "Prosperity hardens the heart."

7. Robert Murray M'Cheyne, as quoted in John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003), 105.