I just want to pause right here, recognizing that my night may not be over. See if you see the thread of God doing something.
#1. At community group we got really stirred talking about us, not our church, being a people of mercy and justice. (See 1 Samuel 2) One person from our group mentioned this video. You need to see it and decide if you can act on it.
I just learned this tonight, but San Diego is apparently the human trafficking capital of the United States.
#2. You need to listen to this week’s podcast from This American Life. It’s about going big. Instead of thinking of small changes in your community, reaching one or two people… you can do something massive! I mean, why not?
#3. Again at community group, we were talking about something that is truly shocking in church today. At every church I’ve ever worked at we turned away people looking for help. Think about it, the Holy Spirit prompts someone in need to seek assistance (money, food) from the Bride of Christ and we (I) turned that person away. No food, no shelter, nothing but a swift kick to the curb. Is there any doubt why God won’t bless a church like that? We decided we wanted to be a people who helped the hurting… no matter the cost. Go to a church? You need to find out if your church turns people away, and if they do… you need to tell that church leader to start being a pastor and serve the needs of the community. I truly am ashamed of myself.
#4 After community group we received a little surprise. There was a lost dog in my front yard. While that seems like an unrelated thing, I had to wonder… was God doing something? Here we just sat in my house thinking about doing BIG THINGS, and talking about the massive injustice in our own neighborhoods, and how the church systematically chooses to not love their neighbors… and a dog is on my front porch. What was I going to do about it? It was as if the Holy Spirit was asking me, “Adam, you want to change the world? You want to serve people? You want to see justice in your neighborhood? Let’s start with a dog.” So, for the last hour or so I’ve been waltzing this pouch around our neighborhood. I gave it some water and I knocked on some strangers doors. It’s a weird, yet interesting, way to meet neighbors.
Right now, my next door neighbors are walking the pup over to where they think she is from. So I am stuck with the question… “what are we going to do?”
Quick update: They brought her back. I guess I have to keep her overnight or call the pound.
10:55 PM Update: Some other neighbors helped me chase her into the backyard. Animal control doesn’t open until 9:30 AM. So she is going to spend the night in our yard. We’re hoping she is microchipped and we will figure out where she goes.
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