The Least of These...

Yesterday, I took about 20 young adults to a park in Detroit.  It's called the Homeless BBQ and I try to do it once a month on a Saturday afternoon.  We bring a grill and a crapload of food to feed the many homeless and struggling people in the area of 2nd and Seldon downtown.  The thing is, we don't go there just to feed them, which is important, but we go there to spend time with them, to hear their stories, and to do what little we can that may offer them hope.  There are so many beautiful people that we have the opportunity to serve.  They have amazing stories about where they've been and why they are there.  There are alot of cool things that happen when we go to the D to serve but something happened yesterday that needs to be shared.  Brad and Alex (two college guys in our group) went over and started talking to a guy named James.  James has spent the last 15 years in prison and was released about a month ago.  About 2 weeks ago, James met Jesus and has since committed his life to following Jesus.  Brad and Alex sat down and listened to James.  As James was talking to them, Keith walked up and sat down.  None of these guys actually knew each other, Brad and Alex just met in my car as we drove down.  James and Keith didn't know each other either.  As they sat, Keith shared with the other three that he came to that park on that day to end his life.  There's a gazebo in the middle of the park that he was going to tie a rope to and hang himself.  Keith didn't know that there was going to be a bunch of suburban Christians from various churches feeding people and having a party.  Keith was at rock bottom.  He was just released about two weeks ago from serving a 25 year prison term.  He has no hope of a job... actually, he has no hope at all.  In fact, Keith went to his daughter's house on Friday to say good bye.  He didn't want any food because dead men don't eat.  Brad, Alex, and James spent the better part of the afternoon talking to Keith.  I saw them talking and it looked like they were into something - little did I know that they were actually trying to save Keith's life.  James kept saying to Keith that he was exactly at that same place two weeks ago but he met a guy who told him about Jesus.  Keith said that he has hope and that God doesn't want anyone to end their own life.  Brad and Alex listened and offered hope and encouragement.  So, what happened?  Keith ate lunch with Brad, Alex, and James.  He also decided that he wouldn't end his life, at least for now.  In fact, he was going to walk to his daughters house and let her know that he is alright.  James is going to reconnect with Keith later in the week.  

Here's the thing, Brad and Alex went to the BBQ expecting to hang out and maybe serve some food to people who are not like them.  What actually happened is that they met one man who they had everything in common with and another man who they needed to provide hope for.  Of all the parks in the city of Detroit, Keith came to our park.  Brad, Alex, and James were used by God to save one man's life... literally.  If you've ever wondered if you should go somewhere or talk to somebody, I would suggest that you do it.  I think the foundational difference between people God uses and people God doesn't, is that the people God uses simply show up.  That's what Brad and Alex did - they showed up.  I often wonder it what I do and what I plan for people to be involved in makes any real difference.  Yesterday, it did.

Voices in my head... oh wait, his head

Today, Sherri was in the car with Josh and Josh was asking her about Halloween.  This might be because when Josh and I were out the other day, we walked through the Halloween USA store.  Anyway, here's how the conversation went...

"Mommy, is Halloween almost here?"

"Yes."

"Thank you Mommy!"

"Well, you don't have to thank me because I didn't really do anything, it is just that time of year."

"Oh... thank you Jesus!  I should thank Jesus right now.  Dear Jesus, thank you that it's almost Halloween."

"Mommy, sometimes when I'm not saying anything, I hear someone talking in my head."

"Is that just you thinking?"

"No... I think it's Jesus talking to me."  

"Do you think so?"

"Yes, because I just heard him say, 'Yes Josh, it is.'"

I'm pretty sure that my son is a) a prophet, b) inhabited by something strange, or c) inherited the Whiteford crazy gene.  There might be other options, but that's all I've got right now.

WWID?

We received the following e-mail from a gentleman in our hood on Thursday.  Here it is...

 

Cedarspring Estates Homeowner, The following information was provided by Jon Dean. A robbery took place today around noon. Jon Dean came home to find an unfamiliar car in his driveway. He parked behind the car and went in the front door. A male was behind the door. The male took a swing at Jon. Jon avoided being hit. The male told Jon to move Jon's car so the male could get out of the driveway. He threatened to harm Jon if he did not move the car. Jon moved the car. The male fled. Jon chased the robber. He could not get a license plate number. The guy got away. Jon filed a police report. Several valuables were stolen. Jon said that his neighbor's house had also been robbed. Please share this information with your neighbors.

 

Alright, I don't actually know who Jon is, I don't know if he is young or old, has a family or not and I'm not judging him, however, I feel that there were some impressive moves and some miss-steps throughout this situation.  1) Excellent move in parking behind the perp (the robber will henceforth be referred to as the "perp" not to be confused with the "perv" although he may be that as well).  2) Excellent and impressive move in dodging the initial attack (and a question for the perp, "How the frick do you miss punching a guy who doesn't know you are there?"  Idiot).  3) We are now at the point that Jon has to make a choice because the perp has kindly asked him to move his car.  Remember, the perp is not exactly "accurate" with his fists.  I can imagine the request, "Hey buddy, you better move you #@%& car or I will punch in your general direction a second time and this time you'll know I'm coming."  I like Jon's chances at this point but Jon responds by moving his car.  Now, to defend Jon, he may have spent all his energy dodging the initial punch so he is either a man who knows his limits or he is not a man at all.  I will give him the benefit of the doubt because I do not know him and at this point, he may have a plan.  4) Now Jon is in his car, and the perp pulls out of Jon's driveway and takes off.  Jon chases him.  Somehow, the perp loses Jon and Jon doesn't even get a license plate number even though he was parked right behind him!  Again, it is possible that Jon did not anticipate that the perp would not go the speed limit and his plans were foiled.

 

Here's the thing, this scenario is my #1 and #2 fantasy.  First, I would love to walk into my home and justly beat the crap and then some out of a perp.  Had the perp entered my home, one of us would not have walked out of said home on his own power.  I like my chances here because I have done tae-bo with Billy Blanks in the past and on the video, he says that I can do anything I put my mind to with hard work.  I also have alot of pent up rage.  Secondly, if for some mind-blowing reason, I move my car for him, there is no way that he is gonna get away without a high-speed chase.  If, in fact, I believe he is going to escape, I will, without hesitation ram his car.  Of course, this is what I would do in the heroic movie theater called my mind.  It's not exactly turning the other cheek, but hey, I don't wear the bracelet either.  Sherri says that she would have liked to see the happen as well because 1) she is tired of hearing me talk about it and 2) she thinks I'm all talk.  All I know is that my "threat level" has been on "red" all week and I am ready for the perp to strike again.