adjective

1: lacking something needed or desirable <a lake destitute of fish>

2: lacking possessions and resources; especially : suffering extreme poverty <a destitute old man>

Synonyms: beggar, broke, poor, down-and-out, famished, hard up, impoverished, indigent, needy, penniless, poverty stricken.

Her name (fictitious) is Karen …she’s 35 years old…she has 2 children…she’s stricken with guilt and shame…she can’t provide…she’s hungry…her family never met her needs growing up…she’s been beaten by every man in her life…she “uses” to burn the pain away…she sells herself to anyone who will pay (to support her habit and put food on the table)…yet, she’s worthy!

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  Proverbs 31: 8

Perspective

Judgmental eyes follow my every action.

I’m filled with loneliness, yet,

surrounded by many stares.

I can  not reach other’s satisfaction;

There are few filled with compassion.

Wishing for a pillow other than the broken road,

I dream people would see me as one other than a poor Pariah.

I live in a world set on an unknown mode.

Children’s pointing fingers ask,

“Why is that man shoeless and dirty?”

I push away the unwanted judgement,

For they do not have the right to judge my life.

I seek for a splinter of hope,

as I look up to see the eyes of God shine through a young child say,

“I Care!”

Being an avid Mac user, it came as a shock to me (as many other millions) when I heard about the death of Steve Jobs.  He has certainly been an icon of American technology in my lifetime.  But then I saw this ad and wondered, have we missed something?  Have our hearts broken for the wrong things in life?  Or worse yet, have they not been broken for anything…or anyone?  How is it possible when I have so much, others have so little…yet I complain about not having enough?  Perhaps we’ve become so brain washed by society that we’re living “upside down.”  Maybe it’s time we all took a close look at how we view life…and maybe it’s time you and I both used our time/energy/money to make a difference in the lives of others, instead of always pursuing what pleases us?

Psalm 107:14 says, “He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” As I look at this picture, I’m reminded how many “things” are chained up in the city where I live. Gates, blockades, abandoned schools, old hospitals, businesses, and the list goes on and on. An illustration can easily be made to our lives. Decisions we’ve made, places we’ve been, people we’ve been close to, places we’ve worked, and even sometimes our homes….could all be places where we feel “chained.” The scripture writer in Psalms gives us great hope and he says, “He brought them out of (utter) darkness…” and their chains were broken! What “chains” you today? I know what it is for me that could so easily “chain” me. What is it for you? Are you willing and ready to have your chains of utter darkness broken? There is hope…when you’re ready!

Old GM Factory

2nd Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”

I see this picture of an old GM plant and I think of this scripture….old things will pass away, and (in Christ) all things will be new.  Part of the difficult part of seeing things (buildings, houses, businesses, etc.) deteriorate, is that many times there’s no hope for a “resurrection.”  What has been, will never again be!  But as we live in Christ, we are new creatures.  Made new by and through His loving sacrifice for us.  As we look at our lives and see areas of “deterioration,” we need to remember to allow Christ to “make them new again.”  His work in us is enough…we no longer need to be satisfied with our old selves…we can be new in Him!  It’s a matter of choice…which decision will you make?

Dan will be in concert at the Flint Central Church of the Nazarene (Chenoweth Center) on January 29th at 6:00 PM. A time of fellowship (and desserts) will immediately follow the concert. Come hear an awesome vocal talent from a great man!