As a faith based ministry we are motivated by the love of God but many times in society we find ourselves seeking "justice." A recent message from my friend Jerry Stratton provides a some insight into how we define justice and more importantly how God calls us to implement justice. I invite you to take a moment and consider "God's Justice".
"But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things" (Luke 11:42 NLT).
When you hear the term, "justice," what image crosses your mind? If you are like many of us, you may think of justice as someone getting what he/she has coming. When we talk about bringing someone to justice, we often mean that if someone is guilty, justice is giving the so-and-so the maximum punishment that is deserved. But justice also means treating people fairly and giving them unbiased consideration and kindness. Justice with love and kindness is the picture of God's justice as he deals with us. The problem Jesus found with the Pharisees was that they were focusing on the outward appearances of being religious but ignoring the inner condition of their hearts which governed their treatment of people. Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.
If God treated us with justice only, he would be justified in punishing us forever because of our sins and rebellion against him. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 3:23; 6:23 NIV). God's view of justice is different from ours. His is always tempered with love, compassion, mercy, and grace. Instead of dispensing justice based on our sins, and fairly giving us what we deserve, he has provided a way for us to receive the blessed benefits of his mercy and grace. The most obvious demonstration of God's view of justice is the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins and to make us beneficiaries of his love and forgiveness. "God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV).
The story has been told of a man who was caught and taken to court because he had stolen a loaf of bread. When the judge investigated, he found out that the man had no job, and his family was hungry. He had tried unsuccessfully to get work and finally, to feed his family, he had stolen a loaf of bread. Although recognizing the extenuating circumstances, the judge said, "I'm sorry, but the law can make no exceptions. You stole, and therefore I have to punish you. I order you to pay a fine of ten dollars." He then continued, "But I want to pay the fine myself." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ten-dollar bill, and handed it to the man.
As soon as the man took the money, the judge said, "Now I also want to remit the fine." That is, the man could keep the money. "Furthermore, I am going to instruct the bailiff to pass a hat to everyone in this courtroom, and I am fining everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a city where a man has to steal in order to have bread to eat." The money was collected and given to the defendant.
This is an excellent example of justice being meted out in full and paid in full -- while mercy and grace were also enacted in full measure.
So the question now is what has each of us done recently to reflect God's justice. The challenges of working men who are homeless are complex, there is no easy answer that will work for everyone. Each man is an individual deserving God's love and in many ways seeking justice. We invite you to join with us and others working to share God's love and empower men to overcome homelessness.
Clifton Sanctuary Ministries
Sharing the love of God we are a sanctuary to men seeking to overcome homelessness.
Sharing the love of God, we are a Sanctuary to men seeking to overcome homelessness. For more than 25 years the doors of Clifton Sanctuary have offered a place of physical and spiritual rest, shelter, healing and support to men who are homeless in Atlanta. Open 365 days a year, Night Hospitality is the oldest shelter in Atlanta operating in a house of worship.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Thinking like Jesus
Let me start by giving credit for what follows to Jerry Stratton, a retired minister who publishes a daily message. Perhaps some day he will post these himself but until then he has graciously given permission to post his messages on our blog when they seem appropriate. I found this message meaningful and I hope you all do also.
THINKING LIKE JESUS
"Let this mind (attitude ) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5 KJV)
If we could only learn to think like Jesus and have the same attitude as Jesus, all our problems in living like Jesus would be solved. However, before we can begin to think like Jesus, we must have the desire to do so. Before the "how to" must come the "want to." How is your "want to" coming along this Morning?
Prior to Jesus leaving this earth and ascending back into heaven, he made some fantastic promises. Among them was the promise that he would always be with us in the form of his Holy Spirit. It is this indwelling Spirit that gives us the ability to think like Christ by helping us to understand the mind of Christ as revealed in God's Word -- to understand how Jesus thought and acted.
Having said this, what was the mind of Christ really like while he was here on earth? Well, he humbled himself and was willing to give up all his own rights as God by coming to earth to save people from their sins as the Father had planned. He accepted the role of, and had the heart of, a servant. He made himself nothing so that he could be everything to you and me. He is the supreme example of humility. Likewise, we should be humble servants living our lives for the good of others.
If we allow it, the Spirit of God will give us the mind of Christ. He will teach us to get outside our selfishness and into lives of others. One of God's primary purposes for the church is to build bridges of love to the people who need Christ. In John 20:21, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, so I'm sending you." We must give up the idea that the church is some sort of fortress to protect us from the world and to make us comfortable and cozy with friends who look like us, think like us, talk like us, act like us, and maybe even smell like us. It's true that the church can be a place of comfort and security, but Jesus commissioned the church (Christians) to go where it is uncomfortable -- our there where the people are -- where the action is.
When we begin to think like Jesus, we will have a love like his for hurting people, regardless of ethnic, economic, or social status. Jesus loved and touched people where they were. "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 NIV). Jesus was referring to the sick, hungry, and naked -- those with desperate physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Finally, when we begin to think like Jesus, we will adopt his methods in dealing with people. In Luke 6:36, Jesus tells us to "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." When we think like Jesus, we will not say, "come to our church," but rather, "we're coming to you." Rodney Stark was puzzled about how the early Christians, a group of marginalized and persecuted people, were able to touch so many. In his study he concluded: "Their sacrifices released an explosion of light the world had never known."
When we think like Jesus, we will not hate our enemies, but love them. We will not explode in anger at those who are evil, but reach out in love to touch them. Jesus taught the early Christians to love and give more than they would ever receive in return. They refused to hide in safety. Their radical love was followed by selfless good deeds. Any act of kindness, no matter how large or small, says there's a God who loves you -- and I love you too.
THINKING LIKE JESUS
"Let this mind (attitude ) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5 KJV)
If we could only learn to think like Jesus and have the same attitude as Jesus, all our problems in living like Jesus would be solved. However, before we can begin to think like Jesus, we must have the desire to do so. Before the "how to" must come the "want to." How is your "want to" coming along this Morning?
Prior to Jesus leaving this earth and ascending back into heaven, he made some fantastic promises. Among them was the promise that he would always be with us in the form of his Holy Spirit. It is this indwelling Spirit that gives us the ability to think like Christ by helping us to understand the mind of Christ as revealed in God's Word -- to understand how Jesus thought and acted.
Having said this, what was the mind of Christ really like while he was here on earth? Well, he humbled himself and was willing to give up all his own rights as God by coming to earth to save people from their sins as the Father had planned. He accepted the role of, and had the heart of, a servant. He made himself nothing so that he could be everything to you and me. He is the supreme example of humility. Likewise, we should be humble servants living our lives for the good of others.
If we allow it, the Spirit of God will give us the mind of Christ. He will teach us to get outside our selfishness and into lives of others. One of God's primary purposes for the church is to build bridges of love to the people who need Christ. In John 20:21, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, so I'm sending you." We must give up the idea that the church is some sort of fortress to protect us from the world and to make us comfortable and cozy with friends who look like us, think like us, talk like us, act like us, and maybe even smell like us. It's true that the church can be a place of comfort and security, but Jesus commissioned the church (Christians) to go where it is uncomfortable -- our there where the people are -- where the action is.
When we begin to think like Jesus, we will have a love like his for hurting people, regardless of ethnic, economic, or social status. Jesus loved and touched people where they were. "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 NIV). Jesus was referring to the sick, hungry, and naked -- those with desperate physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Finally, when we begin to think like Jesus, we will adopt his methods in dealing with people. In Luke 6:36, Jesus tells us to "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." When we think like Jesus, we will not say, "come to our church," but rather, "we're coming to you." Rodney Stark was puzzled about how the early Christians, a group of marginalized and persecuted people, were able to touch so many. In his study he concluded: "Their sacrifices released an explosion of light the world had never known."
When we think like Jesus, we will not hate our enemies, but love them. We will not explode in anger at those who are evil, but reach out in love to touch them. Jesus taught the early Christians to love and give more than they would ever receive in return. They refused to hide in safety. Their radical love was followed by selfless good deeds. Any act of kindness, no matter how large or small, says there's a God who loves you -- and I love you too.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Earth Day in Lake Claire
One of the many blessings we have at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries is the neighborhood we are surrounded by. More specifically the many neighbors that have embraced and supported this ministry from it's beginning. This Earth Day, April 22nd, held special significance to our neighborhood and we were blessed to be a part of the celebration.
After a year and a half a true labor of love was dedicated this past Sunday. A 5,000 square foot mural along one block of DeKalb Avenue was dedicated. The Watershed Mural depicts the watersheds that flow from the “Eastern Subcontinental Divide.” This ridgeline begins east of Atlanta and extends easterly along what is now DeKalb Avenue. This dividing line separates water that ultimately flows to the Atlantic Ocean from water that flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
The mural reminds us of these wonderful realities. It illustrates waterways and the flora and fauna they support as the water meanders across Georgia to the Gulf and Atlantic. This mural also speaks to the heart of a community that cares in some many ways for our environment and the people that live in it.
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon a community that worked together on this impressive projected joined together to celebrate the completion of the mural and their concern for the environment that inspired it. On this special day DeKalb Avenue was closed, if only for a few hours, to allow everyone to see the entire mural. We at Clifton join with our neighbors on this joyous occasion and congratulate all those who contributed their time energy and money to the project.
To learn more about this amazing project please visit the web site of the Lake Claire Neighbors (http://www.lakeclaire.org/) and the Watershed Mural itself.
After a year and a half a true labor of love was dedicated this past Sunday. A 5,000 square foot mural along one block of DeKalb Avenue was dedicated. The Watershed Mural depicts the watersheds that flow from the “Eastern Subcontinental Divide.” This ridgeline begins east of Atlanta and extends easterly along what is now DeKalb Avenue. This dividing line separates water that ultimately flows to the Atlantic Ocean from water that flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
The mural reminds us of these wonderful realities. It illustrates waterways and the flora and fauna they support as the water meanders across Georgia to the Gulf and Atlantic. This mural also speaks to the heart of a community that cares in some many ways for our environment and the people that live in it.On a beautiful Sunday afternoon a community that worked together on this impressive projected joined together to celebrate the completion of the mural and their concern for the environment that inspired it. On this special day DeKalb Avenue was closed, if only for a few hours, to allow everyone to see the entire mural. We at Clifton join with our neighbors on this joyous occasion and congratulate all those who contributed their time energy and money to the project.
To learn more about this amazing project please visit the web site of the Lake Claire Neighbors (http://www.lakeclaire.org/) and the Watershed Mural itself.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Reviewing 2006
As we at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries close out 2006, we step back to take in our journey and our accomplishments along the way. When we do this we are filled with gratitude for our loving God and the multitude of individuals, places of worship, private institutions, and government agencies that have seen us worthy of their support. Our ministry to men who are seeking to overcome homeless has never been so blessed.
The highlight of 2006 has to be the completion of construction at 369 Connecticut Avenue. Almost 18 months after fire forced us to find temporary space for our staff and the men we serve we were able to return to our home of 26 years. Insurance funds and the generous support of our many friends has resulted in restored home for our ministry. Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Christ at Epworth United Methodist Church who shared their home with us during this time. There are still kinks to be resolved but there is no place like home.
In the midst of all this CSM continued to provide emergency housing, meals, hot showers and toilet facilities, clothing, counseling, and health care referrals. In fact, 2006 saw an increase in the total number of men served from 288 in 2005 to 359 or an 25% increase. Of those, we housed 32 who were homeless and over 70 years of age for a 60% increase over 2005. Many of our guests have multiple diagnoses of additive disorders, mental illness, and/or HIV/AIDS. In 2006 CSM served 241men with one, two or all three of these illnesses. That represented a 162% increase over 2005. Of these 100 were military veterans with additive disorders and/or mental illness. CSM has also assisted many disabled men to get VA or SSI benefits they didn’t know they had due them. CSM served 100 military veterans in 2006.
Less obvious is the accomplishments of our grant writing team. Their hard work and research has resulted in three foundation grants during the 2006 calendar year. Other applications prepared during the year are still pending and we are cautiously optimistic about their potential. This much needed funding allowed us to expand our services during the last half of the year. Our overnight hosting team is now anchored by two part-time staff members funded by this money. In addition we are now in the process of hiring a Food Coordinator to oversee the planning and preparation of meals for our guests. This is an important step in returning to our pre-fire procedures.
While foundation funding is a welcome addition to our funding pie, it is one that requires ongoing attention. Some foundations will only provide one time funding for a project or a specific need. All require new applications when additional funding is desired. Our success has bolstered our enthusiasm and raised our sights for future and we are optimistic that new and renewable resources can be identified.
As we look forward from an uncertain past, bolstered by the unprecedented accomplishments of this past year we can only look forward to the upcoming year with faith in the loving God that was with us throughout our past, is with us now and will be with us in the up coming future, if we possess the courage to believe unconditionally.
The highlight of 2006 has to be the completion of construction at 369 Connecticut Avenue. Almost 18 months after fire forced us to find temporary space for our staff and the men we serve we were able to return to our home of 26 years. Insurance funds and the generous support of our many friends has resulted in restored home for our ministry. Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Christ at Epworth United Methodist Church who shared their home with us during this time. There are still kinks to be resolved but there is no place like home.
In the midst of all this CSM continued to provide emergency housing, meals, hot showers and toilet facilities, clothing, counseling, and health care referrals. In fact, 2006 saw an increase in the total number of men served from 288 in 2005 to 359 or an 25% increase. Of those, we housed 32 who were homeless and over 70 years of age for a 60% increase over 2005. Many of our guests have multiple diagnoses of additive disorders, mental illness, and/or HIV/AIDS. In 2006 CSM served 241men with one, two or all three of these illnesses. That represented a 162% increase over 2005. Of these 100 were military veterans with additive disorders and/or mental illness. CSM has also assisted many disabled men to get VA or SSI benefits they didn’t know they had due them. CSM served 100 military veterans in 2006.
Less obvious is the accomplishments of our grant writing team. Their hard work and research has resulted in three foundation grants during the 2006 calendar year. Other applications prepared during the year are still pending and we are cautiously optimistic about their potential. This much needed funding allowed us to expand our services during the last half of the year. Our overnight hosting team is now anchored by two part-time staff members funded by this money. In addition we are now in the process of hiring a Food Coordinator to oversee the planning and preparation of meals for our guests. This is an important step in returning to our pre-fire procedures.
While foundation funding is a welcome addition to our funding pie, it is one that requires ongoing attention. Some foundations will only provide one time funding for a project or a specific need. All require new applications when additional funding is desired. Our success has bolstered our enthusiasm and raised our sights for future and we are optimistic that new and renewable resources can be identified.
As we look forward from an uncertain past, bolstered by the unprecedented accomplishments of this past year we can only look forward to the upcoming year with faith in the loving God that was with us throughout our past, is with us now and will be with us in the up coming future, if we possess the courage to believe unconditionally.
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