Before the holidays, I sold a few sets of books that were collecting dust in my library and ordered a stack of new ones from Amazon, including Divine Nobodies: Shedding Religion to Find God (and the unlikely people who help you)
It would be alright with me if I never again heard the worn-out phrase, "Happy New Year!" What does that mean? I'm sick of happy. It's boring. And I'm not sure it's what God has in mind for those who are willing to be salt and light in their communities. So instead, I'm wishing a "Dangerous New Year!" to all my friends who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.
May God stretch our faith in 2008 beyond our wildest imagination! That's a dangerous prayer, but we're living by faith not by sight. Jesus has invited us to take up our cross daily and follow Him, not settle down for a nice comfortable lifestyle in the suburbs within our homogeneous socioeconomic grouping. Been there, done that! Boring! Continue reading
Many of my regular readers will be surprised and delighted to know that not all things are as gloomy as I sometimes portray them. I’m one of those “glass is half empty” types, but it’s amazing how God brings certain people into my life—to speak a word of wisdom or direction or encouragement—just when I need it most. Funny thing is, a lot of this comes from fellow Christians who live on the other side of the planet through this strange phenomenon we have come to know as “blogging.”
One of my new friends contacted me a couple of days ago via email in response to the news I shared about my recent diagnosis of a heart condition. Next thing you know, my phone’s ringing on Friday night from a brother I’ve never met who lives in another country, just because he wanted to be a tangible expression of the love of Christ in the midst of my weakness and discouragement. Thanks, friend! I know you’ll be reading this and I wanted to say how much I appreciate hearing your voice and getting to know you by phone. Love that accent, too! Several other friends left various comments assuring me of their commitment to pray and directing my attention to Father’s promises. Continue reading
A couple of weeks ago I posted a query, "What do you think of Brian McLaren?" and the resulting interaction in my comments section was quite animated and, in a couple of instances, indicative of the polarized opinions toward this controversial author. I'm just an obscure American missionary with a very small readership, but I sincerely asked the question because I had never read any of McLaren's writings. I wanted input because it was my intention to read McLaren for myself and draw my own conclusions; so, a couple of days ago I ordered three books, (1) A Generous Orthodoxy
Over the weekend, I decided to begin reading the second and third books simultaneously, reserving A Generous Orthodoxy
It seems that a lot of marginalized people have intersected our lives since we moved to Wales, and in almost every case it’s been a good experience for everyone involved. We met Steve, a 32-year-old heroin addict a couple of years ago who had become a Christian but just couldn’t shake the habit. He lived with us for awhile and we helped him find a residential rehab program in Birmingham, England, with Betel of Britain. Two years later, he’s now on staff and recently relocated to open up a new Betel ministry in Sydney, Australia. These two pictures illustrate the difference love, compassion, and investing time in one young man’s life can make: the image on the left just before Steve entered rehab and the one below taken one year later.
I hope to interview a new friend of mine named Ben sometime next week: we might even do a podcast together and let him share his story of homelessness as a 21-year-old young man estranged from his family in England. I’ll keep you posted on that development, but he told me today that he would be willing to do it.
Until then, I have been doing some internet research and found a couple of homeless bloggers. I spent a couple of hours this evening reading The Homeless Guy blog and I highly recommend it to you. Here’s a brief introduction by the author in his own Continue reading
I came here because my house burned down last night.
We lost everything. We had no where else to go.
I am so scared and don't know where to go from here.
Would you reach out to me?
I am homeless.
I am here because my boyfriend beat me so bad.
I was afraid for my life and for my children.
If you could see my battered body and broken spirit,
Would you reach out to me?
I am homeless.
I am here because my husband passed away,
and I could no longer pay all the bills.
I tried so hard, and could not do it alone.
I have five children with me. We are scared.
Would you reach out to me?
I am homeless.
I am here because I lost everything in a divorce.
My wife, my kids, my home.
I was broken financially trying to fight to keep them.
I am trying to put my life back together and I am scared and alone.
Would you reach out to me?
I am homeless.
I am here because I ran away from home.
I couldn't take my father's abuse anymore.
I have no hope left. I am scared.
Would you reach out to me?
I am homeless.
I need to see God's love right now.
I feel so alone and scared.
Would you please pray for me.
I am homeless.
© Jamey Mills Wysocki
