Communication

Day 10

We have been together 23 years.  We have learned the importance of communication.  However, there are still times we neglect each other.  We become victims of our close relationship.  Assumptions are made based on previous experiences and we are tempted to take shortcuts instead having a conversation.  Shortcuts lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, conflicts, and separation.  

We have found the best way to stay in sync with each other is by making a habit to communicate clearly.  Busy work schedules at home and work make this challenging, but the alternative is division.  Division gives room to outside distractions and bad decisions.  A habit of  poor communications is as easy, if not easier, to establish as a habit of good communication.

God desires a deep relationship with those he loves.  He sacrificed His son to make this relationship possible.  Communication, prayer, is as essential in our relationship with God as it is with each other.  Failure to pray leads to the same pitfalls of misunderstanding, hurt, conflict, and separation.  When we fall out of sync with God we are easily distracted and prone to making bad decisions.  

If communicating with each other is difficult, communicating with God is an even harder.  How do we communicate with someone we can not see?  God’s voice is more difficult to distinguish; how do we know He is answering?  These additional barriers can often keep us from ever establishing communication.

Jesus’ disciples sought answers to these same questions. Fortunately, Jesus provided a model for clear communication with our Father.  If we desire to hear and be heard we should follow these steps:  1. Our prayers should offer recognition God’s authority and majesty.  2. We should express our thankfulness for God’s blessings.  3. We should examine our own hearts and ask for forgiveness for our sins while offering forgiveness to others.  When we follow these steps the barriers which hamper our communication with God will fall.

Connections will encourage others to develop a deep prayer life with God.  We understand the barriers which stand before us are too great for us to move, but through prayer and petition and by His will, mountains will crumble.   Connections will not prosper unless we adopt the habit of prayer.  We can not fail if we seek God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

Read the following passage.  Do your prayers sound like a shopping list?  Do you pray with the expectation your prayer will be heard and answered?  If you are not hearing from God, explore the reasons for the communications failure, chances are it is on your end.  God desires to hear from you.

Matthew 6:9-13 (New Living Translation)
9 Pray like this:
  Our Father in heaven,
     may your name be kept holy.
  10 May your Kingdom come soon.
  May your will be done on earth,
     as it is in heaven.
  11 Give us today the food we need,
  12 and forgive us our sins,
     as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
  13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
     but rescue us from the evil one.

Sovereignty

Day 9

There are many questions we can not answer.  Why does tragedy and and heartache visit good families?  Why do the corrupt prosper, while the right-standing people struggle?  Why are there millions of starving children in the world?  Why are some prayers answered and while others seemingly go unheard?  What is God’s plan?  

God is sovereign.  It sounds kinda churchy.  What does it mean?  It means God is the absolute authority.  As creator of all things there is nothing He does not know.  Nothing catches God off guard.  The buck stops with God.  It is by His plan and His will, everything happens.  Satan did not steal authority from God, God allowed Satan to tempt his creation.

When your life is going well it is not difficult to praise God for his perfect plan for your life.  However, it is much more difficult to accept His plan when you are suffering.   How do we answer the homeless veteran, forced to sleep outside, when he asks, “What kind of God would allow those he loves to suffer?”

It is not always easy to see God’s plan at work in our lives, especially in difficult times.  However, the Bible provides a broader view of how God’s plan is fulfilled, even when factoring in choices by individuals and the adversary’s schemes.  God’s plan to restore our relationship with Him began the day the first sin was committed.  There was unimaginable damaged caused to the whole of creation.  Yet, in accordance to God’s plan restoration began immediately.

Connections does not desire to serve a God we can fit in a box.  We accept God’s sovereignty.  In doing so we understand there are answers we do not  possess and may not possess until we are face to face with God Himself.  We choose to live by faith and submit to God’s authority over our lives and circumstances.  We will seek an understanding of God, His plan, and our purpose through His word.  

Read Genesis 37, 39-46, you will find part of the God’s restoration plan through Joseph, Jacob’s son.  Joseph’s story helps illustrate God’s ability complete His plan.  We do not presume to know God’s complete plan, but seeing a portion of it accomplished against all odds, we are confident He will do the same for us.  Have you suffered adversity which caused you to question God’s plan, yet on the other-side realized it served a purpose?  Do you share your testimony with others?  Your testimony is a gift God has given you to share with others who may face similar challenges.  It is one of the greatest ways to bring people into relationship with God.



(Yes, it’s long but worth reading.  Notice God devotes nine chapters telling us about Joseph and two to explain creation.  God may consider this story significant)

Vision

Day 6

We recently had an opportunity to share our vision for a homeless church in Tallahassee with Mario Solari, Director of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at FSU and Senior Pastor at Mosaic Church.  Mario’s question was simple, “what will your church look like?”

Well, we began rambling about the unmet needs in the homeless community, the need to provide support, our current efforts, similar ministries and the difference in our approach, the constraints of serving in a non-faith-based organization as a minister, the ministries we wanted to emulate, where we were looking for a building, blah, blah, blah.  Finally, after hours (ok, ten minutes), Mario offered this advice, “you need to develop a concise vision or your supporters will not understand the need.”

The needs of the homeless are great in Tallahassee.  We want to meet each and every one of them, but without a clear vision, we will never accomplish our goal.  We returned from Rescue Atlanta with a similar understanding.  In a city the size of Atlanta, where thousands are experiencing homelessness, it is impossible for one ministry to meet all the needs.  Pastor Mel Rolls chooses to clearly define the scope of his ministry.  The people he serves understand the services they will receive, the staff are not overwhelmed, and the ministry is confident and strong.   The benefit to strong proficient ministries is new services can be added without disrupting the firm foundation.

We help people experiencing homelessness transition back to stability.  Twenty times a day we offer counsel to those looking to overcome homelessness.  It often begins with the same questions.  “Where do you want to be in six months? What does stability look like to you?  What do you enjoy doing?  How do you get there?”

Ever catch yourself giving advice to others you should follow yourself?  Vision is important.  Without vision the days tend to all run together.  Without vision bad days turn into worse days and threaten to overcome us.  With a clear vision we can see past the troubles of the moment.  With a passionate vision we become overcomers.

Connections will develop a clear, passionate vision.  This blog is actually the tool we have chosen to help us through the process.  Jesus placed emphasis on vision and lack of vision.  Throughout His ministry Jesus restored physical sight and shared His vision with His followers.  He also expressed anger, sadness, and disappointment when he witnessed His disciples’ lack of vision or the spiritual blindness of God’s chosen.  If vision is important to Jesus, it should be important to us as well.

Read the following passage.  Saul (also called Paul), was spiritually blind and became physically blind when He encounter Jesus.  Not only was Saul’s physical sight restored but, through God’s grace and mercy, he was blessed with a great vision for his future ministry.  What is your vision?  Where would you like to be in six months?  What is your passion?  Without vision you are blind.

Acts 9:3-19 (New International Version)

3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
  "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
     "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Heritage

Day 5

Pastor Larry Perry once preached, “The past is important.  God wants us to learn from our past but it is important we do not set up camp there.”

As we began seeking our current and past connection points the idea of camping there became enticing.  It is amazing how stress free the distant past looks when compared to the present,  how rich the relationships were compared to our current relationships and how witty and good looking we were compared to now.  If only we could go back and make different decisions.  If only we could go back and say what we should have said.  If only knew then what we do now.

We recognize who we are now is a product of everything we have experienced, and all things considered we are right where we need to be.  However, imagine you are not in a good place and you recognize it too is a result of past experiences and choices.  Many people who are experiencing homelessness remain trapped in their past, unable to see a future.  Unfortunately, the struggles of the past are often brought forward into the present.  Reaching people whom dwell in the past is challenging.  Even the darkest times in their past may seem brighter to them than today.

Forgiveness is a powerful tool.  Forgiveness arrests the fall into the darkness of yesterday and allows us to live in the present.  Past mistakes and poor decisions detach themselves, giving us the ability to learn from them and apply the lesson to our present.  Forgiving ourselves and forgiving others is essential if we want to avoid becoming trapped in the past.

Fortunately, God has a short memory and is willing to forgive.  We all fall short, make wrong turns and get stuck, but God does not want us to live where we end up.  He stands ready to forgive and direct our steps back in the right direction.  No one is beyond his grace and mercy.  All who are willing to ask forgiveness will receive it.

Connections will share this message with all the people we serve.  We will encourage them to seek God’s forgiveness while forgiving themselves and others.  They will be freed from their past and empowered to live in the present.  

Read the following passage.  This is our favorite illustration of God’s desire to forgive and may hold special meaning for fellow prodigals.  Why is it so hard for people to forgive?  Is forgiveness something we offer for the one who committed the wrong?  After we have forgiven someone, does God expect us to trust them as well?

Luke 15:17-24 (New International Version)

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
     "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

Leadership

Day 4


We were talking recently to a good friend of ours about the attributes of effective leaders; especially as it pertains to assisting those whom are experiencing homelessness. There are many different leadership styles ranging from very hands on to very hands off. Very hands on leaders tend to suffocate their staff and provide very little empowerment or encouragement. Very hands off leaders run the risk of being perceived as disconnected; detached from daily operations. Policies and procedures are delivered from on high. Reaction time is slowed due to poor interdepartmental communication.


Neither extreme is a great example of leadership. Both may achieve limited success but neither produce sustainable results. Connections needs a better model. Shortly after we began serving we were taught a better way called servant leadership. Servant leadership is based on the example set by Jesus. The Jews of Jesus’ day were expecting an earthly king to rival the Emperor of Rome; instead God sent his son as a servant. He walked among us as a homeless servant to the ones God loved. We can already hear your cynicism. “Sure Jesus can make Servant Leadership work, he’s God, this is the real world, the model does not stand a chance in today’s chaotic world.”


We held similar reservations but when you are entering a new place of ministry and recognize you have no discernible skills or experience, humility comes easily. We saw every person we came in contact with us as our teacher. Through those eyes we gained insight into how the world sees homelessness and how the homeless community sees the world. By God’s grace, as the years progressed, we found our servanthood had gained us respect by those we served and those who we served alongside. Jesus’ model was proven successful.


Success can be a blessing but it can also dangerous for a grassroots ministry. Today we are considered an authority on homelessness in Tallahassee. Suddenly, others want our opinion. Pridefulness stands near to ensnare us as a critical spirit of superiority lingers. When we knew nothing we formed relationships and connections; now there is an impulse to build a kingdom to rival the current system.


What if we just stay the course? What if we continue to see each person we come in contact with as our teacher? What if we modeled servanthood to our staff by serving them? What if the needs of other’s were placed before our own? Could an organization prosper by implementing these principals? Connections will adopt the servant leadership model, it is bible proven and ordained by God; it seems good to us and the Holy Spirit.


The following passage illustrates Jesus’ directions to his Apostles. After reading it, consider the differences between this model and the models we see employed in the world. Why did Jesus choose servant leadership instead of a more conventional leadership style?

John 13:2-17 (New Living Translation)
2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”
10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Fellowship

Day 3
We have been serving the homeless for the past six years but it wasn’t until recently our eyes were opened to a better way to impact lives. God is not found inside a building but within those who believe. However, there is a power like no other to be found in God’s presence when his children come together to worship.

Some church regulars may become desensitized to the miracle which takes place within their fellowships, but it has not been very long ago we received salvation. We still remember standing in the presence of God for the first time. It was humbling, scary, and exhilarating at the same time. It forever changed the course of our lives. It began in the fellowship of spirit filled believers. Do not discount the power present in your worship.

When we began considering building a homeless outreach we first looked to providing for the basic services which are either limited in Tallahassee or nonexistent. Providing similar services over the past years has enabled us to establish relationships and strong bonds in the homeless community. However, this model looked very similar to the traditional food pantry, clothing closet, or emergency shelter model. There is a better model.

In November 2009 we visited Rescue Atlanta. Rescue Atlanta provides for basic needs but their emphasis is on inviting all who will come, to experience God’s presence. The services held at Rescue Atlanta are very similar to the services held in other churches. The Holy Spirit was invited in through strong praise and worship then Pastor Mel Rolls spoke a message placed on his heart from God. The visitors to their fellowship are given the same opportunity we had when we stepped into our first spirit filled church; to confront their sinful ways, encounter God, and make a choice to follow.

We returned from Atlanta with a new vision. A marriage of our one-on-one relational ministry with the Rescue Atlanta Church experience. Creating strong relationships is important but nothing can match the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives.

Read the following passage. Consider your current fellowship. Have you become desensitized to the presence of the Holy Spirit? Your decision to worship and seek God’s presence or just going through the motions may be the difference between the man at the back of the room discovering God or walking away.

³ and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. ⁴ Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. (Revelation 2:3-5, New King James Version)

The Battle

Day 2
As part of our new revelation about the importance of relationships we began taking a deeper look at how rich long lasting friendships are formed.  These are the elements which solidify relationships: dependency for survival (shared goals and interest), an adversary, being the underdog (counted out before even taking the field), overcoming (completing a difficult task).  We visited a homeless camp yesterday and discovered each of these elements at work.  

When compared to other cities in Florida like Miami, Tampa, or Jacksonville, Tallahassee seems very small.  However, it has the distinction of being Florida’s Capital, the home of FSU and FAMU, and the largest city in North Florida and South Georgia within a 120 mile radius.  Because of these attributes, Tallahassee provides a greater number of homeless services than most  cities and a greater percentage of the total population is homeless.  

Tallahassee is surrounded by the Apalachicola National Forest.  Many people choose to fend for themselves outside the shelter system by camping in the wooded areas within the city limits or in the outlying forest.  The relationships found within these camps are often richer than the relationships found at the emergency shelter or in our community at large.

We are not suggesting you adopt this lifestyle.  However, if we are open to learning, there are many things the group we visited yesterday can teach us.  Life in camp is difficult.  Spring in Tallahassee is short.  Yesterday’s temperature was in the 90s.  It is humid and the gulf breezes which are found in other parts of Florida never quite make it this far.  The forest, ponds, and spring fed rivers provide fresh air and clean water but also harbor mosquitoes, chiggers, biting flies, and ticks.  Camps are often raided by thieves and law enforcement.  Many in Tallahassee show greater concern for a lost puppy than a homeless veteran.  Still considering the homeless life?

As the foundation of Connections is laid we will implement the lessons we learn from the homeless camps to grow a strong fellowship.  The elements needed promote deep relationships are all present.  We are in a battle for survival.  We have an adversary.  We feel outnumbered.  We must overcome.  The victory is ours.   

The Bible is rife with examples of deep meaningful relationships.  God desires for us to have a rich friendship with him and those around us.  The battles we face together will strengthen our bond.  Read the following passage and then consider how your relationships were formed.  Do you have strong relationships today?  Perhaps you need to gather a band of brothers and sisters and find adventure.

¹⁴ Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. ¹⁵ And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
¹⁶ So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ¹⁸ So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:14-18, New King James Version)

In the Beginning

Day 1

We should probably start this blog with some history of how we arrived at this point but we are going to skip to the most recent events surrounding the creation of this blog and the naming of our future church.

We serve the homeless.  Ministers and social workers agree the leading cause of homelessness in America is the erosion of support, suddenly or over time.  The erosion is aided by a multitude of variables or combinations of variables including: the loss of a loved one, unemployment, family or friend conflicts, mental health issues, substance abuse and aging out of foster-care.  It is has been our mission for the past several years to help those we serve reestablish support systems.

Sounds simple right?  It is so much more complicated than it appears.  Take a moment to imagine your life without the people who have defined you.  Every relationship you have ever had is a connecting point which informs you about you.  Erase them and your place in time and space begins to blur.  

Have you ever attempted to connect with a friend from your past and received a shock when the person you remember so vividly barely remembers you?  Jeff had that experience recently.  He contacted a friend from his high school pack.  The friend responded, "yes, I vaguely remember you, sorry, to be honest I have tried to forget my high school years, they were not my best years."

Are Jeff's memories flawed?  Did Jeff really live in Arlington Heights, Illinois in the 1980's?  If he did he must have been an idiot to not notice his friend in distress (we'll have to explore that later).  Fortunately, Jeff has other connections which help him define that time in his life, but not as many as he thought.

Relationships are important.  Without bonds of friendship, shared experiences, and common memories we are adrift without the anchors we need.   Mental health issues often manifest themselves in isolation. We have become too self sufficient.  We take less and less time seeking authentic relationships and encouraging each other.  Homelessness is a byproduct of our cultures inwardness.  

God offers the solution.  He has given us the blueprint to how to establish meaningful relationships with Him and those around us.  He loves each of us and has given us gifts and talents which work best in concert.  By God’s design the church is where those pieces come together.  What if the church seems dysfunctional because the necessary parts are missing?  What if the missing parts are the disconnected people we see on the street each day?  

We have been blessed with family and friends our entire lives.  However, Jeff woke a few nights ago feeling adrift.  He counted the number of deep relationships he has formed and he was amazed at how few there were.  He said to himself, "erase those relationships and who am I?"

Through Jeff's experience we were given a deeper understanding of the despair which plagues those who are experiencing homelessness.  Repairing old connections and creating new ones is difficult.  It will take an abundance of love, patience, and sacrifice. Fortunately, God embodies those attributes.  

Take a few minutes today and thank God for your relationships.  Then, offer words of encouragement to as many as you can.  Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, never failed to offer a word of encouragement even when speaking correction.  We are too selfish, we expect others to encourage us but too often fail to offer a kind word of our own.  Help stem the tide of self absorbtion by reclaiming your relationships.