I work at a homeless shelter.

Matt 25:31-46

I work at the People's City Mission in Lincoln Nebraska.

I am no Saint. I am not very special. I don't want to be exalted or raised up because I am such a killer Christian. I am just a guy.

I also don't work in a Mission because I just read a Brian McLaren book. I am soaked up in middle/upper class christian guilt. I don't believe that the gospel should be expressed socially. I believe that it should be expressed with fullness (context), and as succinctly as possible. No post-modern rabbit trails down social justice.

I promise that I won/don't write stories from the mission to brag or to look cool. Because its not that cool. I just do my best to make it cool, and to see God's hand at work.

I believe that I am uniquely positioned in the mission to gain a more full perspective on humanity. Including sin and its affects on a human soul. And of course Grace and how it invokes a response from those who receive it (sheep vs. goats).

I also like people. I like making friends. I also find a deep satisfaction in practicing empathy. But only for the purpose of life transformation.

I like liking my job.


Ben

Old Friends

I am going to be relying on the help of friends and family for the next while.

Id rather help people than be helped. I think its ok to ask and receive help. Its humbling.

I wish more people would ask for help. Even if its something small. But also especially if its something big. I am willing to help.

home is where the heart is

I now work at a homeless shelter. It is great fun.

The first night I expected that I would get beat up and abused. I expected to be verbally harassed.

Instead, by the 2nd or 3rd night, I found the homeless to be quite friendly and warm. Very grateful for the opportunity to get back on their feet.

Don't be mislead, these people are expected to take personal responsibility.

One thing that I was shocked at was the diversity in who they voted for on Nov. 4th. I expected all of these people to be fans of Obama. But it was probably about 40-60, with a majority for Obama.

I think I will appreciate the work here. After working for the past 3 months in a non-church. Its weird to be back working in a Christian environment. WHats my role? Umm everything, I am caregiver, chaplain, social worker, homeless guy waker upper (alarm clock), caseworker, spiritual guide etc. My official title is "Men Shelter supervisor/Advocate" Its great fun.


Ben

rain drops keep falling on my head

Rain drops keep falling on my head.

Luckily they dry. I would have to say that even when the rain drops were the biggest, or extremely frequent. That they dry.

I would even go as far as to say that even though some rain drops contain some sort of weird chemical goo, and will never dry and always stick on your head, you begin to appreciate its presence.

There are always weird chemical goo's around. I don't think we should be surprised by their presence. Even though we are annoyed by them, we show grow from their existence. Don't mistake my meaning, I don't believe that we should accomodate weird chemical goo. I do however feel that weird chemical goo shouldn't dictate our existence.

We should accept the presence of weird chemical goo. We should move beyond acceptance and grow from its existence. Our lives should attain a higher ideal, not because of the weird chemical goo, but we should attain because that is what we ought do.

(Sometimes I like how my blog posts start from nothing, and then become something. They often remind me of a Calvin & Hobbes strip)


Ben