A Request and a Suggestion

As you peruse these writings, my request is that rather than examining my life and thought from a standpoint within your normative worldview and culture, you would seek to stifle ethnocentristic tendencies, rather viewing matters in light of Scripture. If these writings are viewed through a perspective of cultural conformity, without a conscious effort to view culturally irregular content through a purposefully less subjective lens than usual, there may be little reason to read. It is also important to note that while our culture has a tendency towards thinking that individuals operate primarily upon reason, biases such as status quo bias are denied most often as they occur.

In the fashion of Acts 17:11, I urge you to view these stories and the story of your own life through the lens of Scripture. In the event that you find no Scriptural precedent for an action or a thought, please feel free to leave comments asking for biblical backing. Many are unfamiliar with biblical calls to leave home, bag, extra clothes, wallet, etc. to minister. Parallel examples are found in all synoptic gospels of exactly that in Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8,9, and Luke 9:3, 10:4. These were specific calls to specific people at a specific time, so of course there is not prescriptive application of such calls to all, yet precedent was set forth for one means by which God equips and uses some of those that serve Him.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Pictures from Homelessness


He has a name. He has a face. He has a soul. I am blessed to know James.
I've very rarely been hungry while homeless. The Lord's provision with my food has been abundant. As an example, in the past meal (upon me receiving a comment on Facebook about suffering for the Lord after seeing this picture), dinner, I had the option of at least 4 different all you can eat dinners. I got salad from one, ate a decent amount with another, and ate too much with the 3rd. The thing to pray for in regards to food is simply that I'd not be too gluttonous at the abundantly nutritious and good tasting provision of the Lord! This particular meal was a blessing, even if I didn't like it (I can be funny with fish sometimes), as it was a chance to fellowship with a Burundi family who can be lonely after leaving their communal culture.
The only night I've slept on a bed in a home while homeless in Chicagoland - in the apartment of a woman involved in prostitution. I went to Chicagoland under a number of intentional conditions, including not allowing myself to stay at anyone's home who knew me, or was in any way connected with me, nor anyone that knew that I went to Wheaton and knew about Wheaton. Under these conditions, this lady was the only one willing to open her home for a night. She knew a fellow homeless man who was a friend of mine, and she welcomed us both in at his request. From her reported lack of sleep throughout the night, I believe that she was suffering from crack addiction, probably the biggest factor keeping her in bondage to prostitution. To turn the light on, you screwed in the bulb. Please pray for her healing; she asked me specifically for prayer. Please also pray for my friend, who had a job, but knew that he could live for more. Before my friend and I parted ways the next morning he asked me, “Do you think I can change?” “I know it,” I replied.
I'm afraid that my shoes took quite a toll during my time of homelessness. This was particularly bothersome when it rained.
While I made rules to not stay with any folks I knew, I still interacted at times with those I knew or had connections with. In this example, I went to worship at the Chicago beach with a group of Wheaton students as the sun rose.
It was such a joy to help Donna move into her new home!
A portrait that a homeless friend of mine asked to draw of me one night in a shelter. He lost his driver's license, and was not able to provide for his family as well without one. Soon after, he became homeless.
I often traveled on the IL prairie path during my stent in Chicagoland.
I loved the extra time I was able to spend thinking, writing, reading, and praying during homelessness, especially when basking in the beauty of creation.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)