Do as the College Students Do

Note: Please read the previous blog (American Silos) before reading this one.

Ok, so last week I promised you some sort of explanation after revealing the problem of American self-sufficiency. I will try to do that in this post.

You know what college students are great at? Not just great, but world class. No, it's not downing energy drinks, no it's not becoming night owls, no it's not even anything to do with alcohol. I'm talking about leaning on one another.

Sometime, take a look through facebook posts set of college students. You will see people asking to borrow books, people asking if someone has notes from class, asking if a student has time for a study session. College students understand it! They lean on each other as a community. The students know what everyone else is going through and they LOVE to help out. They are some of the most selfless people I've met. As an example, I still give out biology exam notes (over 21 pages worth of terms) when people ask, and believe me, there are WAY more generous people than me out there.

So why do I bring this up? Why do we all of a sudden STOP living like this once we are older! Why, once we leave college, do we have to own everything! If I ever needed a movie to watch while at college, i'd borrow it from a friend. The same goes with books, movies, a place to crash for the night when the dorm... (clears throat) residence hall is closed, pretty much anything I needed. In college we completely took care of our own.

Why is it not like this for the Christian community? Why do we have to feel as though, in whatever whim overcomes us, we are able to have the necessary things at hand? This causes us to each live at a way more expensive level than necessary. Think about it, if we all shared, leaned, and helped out one another, we could live at the same standard of living as we do now (ok i'll take a point for SLIGHTLY lower as it will take some effort etc.) for WAY cheaper! You know what this money could be spent on (and remember, every dollar can do GREAT things)? If not please see my post called "How I Got to Be..."

I've been thinking about this for a while now. Please follow my logic with this.

We want to be able to help out more needy people with our incredible gifts as Americans

A) we only make so much money so we can't just up our income (though fundraisers are awesome and definitely should be done for raising funds for the needy)
             -thus, we only have a set amount of money to work with

B) we still need to pay the necessary money to live in America. I understand that you need a car to get to work, a roof over our heads, food to stay alive, and things like that nature
            -thus, we only have our discretionary (I know big word... look it up :P ) to do with as we choose
                            -side note, I think we as American Christians spend WAY too much on houses but that's another topic for another time

C) We still want to live at the same standard of living for the most part, I doubt I'm going to convince any of you to completely give up spending money on yourself, but if we could spread around the items, luxuries, etc that we would otherwise buy with our discretionary income (and not find other "needs" through window shopping), this would free up much of the only money we truly are able to give to the needy
            -thus if we want to help to the best of our abilities and yet still have a decent time in life (sports hobbies etc) we should spread out our discretionary income and lean on each other as Christians

Do you follow my reasoning? In Acts it talks about people SELLING THEIR PROPERTIES to help the poor. I wish we were this committed today, but I just don't believe I'm going to reach many with this philosophy.

So here is what I'm proposing. People who feel called to give. GIVE, trust God to provide good Christians in your life who are willing to allow you to lean on them. I do this all the time (and this is a shoutout to these people whom I love).

1. in jr high my Science teacher (and church friend) would take my siblings and I out on his boat for water skiing (skiis too long for my little body and it never quite worked lol) and tubing (which I dominated at he he he). It was some of the best moments in my life, provided by another Christian buying into true Christian community
2. I am going snowshoeing on the 4th (provided there's snow, it's been a weird winter in the Springs) and my great friends ela and josh trude are allowing me to use their snowshoes, saving me $15 in rental costs (which can now provide three families with food food for a month, see how this works?)
3. My friend Gary took me rock climbing yesterday and allowed me to use his gear. He this out of the goodness of his heart. (I also scratched that same friend's back by letting him use my PSP which I don't play at this point just fyi)
4. My friend Justin lent me his snowboard goggles so I did not have to buy any when I went the other week.

These are just four examples but you get the idea. Why does EVERY Christian in the area need their own rock climbing ropes, or snowboard (please feel free to borrow mine), or PS3 games, etc etc.

Now, this whole philosophy does hinge on whether or not people feel comfortable (a) allowing you to borrow their stuff (b) asking to borrow the stuff. I understand there is some stuff that one must own. I can't just lend out my laptop for a couple of days because there are many file's on here I need on a daily basis. However, for everything else, why should we hold out on a brother or sister in Christ, think of where the money is going. As for asking, if they truly care for you, and if there is no problem with lending you the stuff, why should you be hesitant to ask them out of love, not forcing or judging, but merely asking. Why should our stuff go unused or underused in our garages while our brothers and sisters in Christ go out and buy new ones?

Can we create this kind of culture among American Christians? Can we create a true culture of co-dependency? What if, instead of it being a occasional occurrence, it became the norm to lean on each other so we could better help the world?

There are many other layers you could add to this, such as Compassion International's classified ads where you can buy things from fellow Christians at a reduced price etc. You could even go as far as having community housing for Christians going through hard times, or just moving into the area. But this is still the body of believers LEANING on one another. Let us not be silos. Let us not constantly have to stand on our own two feet. Otherwise, my guess is most if not all of our available/discretionary income will only be spent on self.

Let us stand as one, our possessions (and even talents) free for others to use. Please think about this and pray about this.

I will take the first step. The following is a list of things ANY Christian can use within the Colorado Springs area:

snowboard, bindings, size 12 boots

snowboard helmet

ski gloves

snow pants (the big bib kind)

warm jacket

snow hat

portable grill

PS3 controller, games, or even system for a week or so

books (a lot of marketing books, jerry bridges books, and philip yancey books)

acoustic guitar

PSP and games (once my other friend is done)

XBOX 360 controllers (I even have a harddrive if you want to have it for free)

3 person tent

tools (hammer, pry bar, etc)

tennis racket (wilson walmart brand)

NEXT brand mountain bike (once I get it out here)

football

soccer ball

fan

digital recorder

webcam

... I think that's pretty much all I have that someone would want to borrow lol

I can also use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop with decent ability so if you need help, let me know.

Please think this concept over, and if the Lord leads you, list things you'd be willing to lend (as well as your location) so that people would be free'd up to give more to the poor.

Thanks for reading

-Just Some Thoughts

American Silos

Do you know what a silo is? My parents are from Iowa, and many of my friends are in the Midwest so I KNOW they know what a silo is. But just in case some of you have never seen a silo, I will explain. A silo is a tall cylinder where corn and other agricultural products are stored. 

Why do I bring this up? Because silos are tall structures... standing all by themselves... and doesn't this describe Americans (and even American Christians)?

Self Sufficiency: Dictionary.com defines it as 

adjective

1.

able to supply one's own or its own needs without externalassistance: The nation grows enough grain to be self-sufficient.

2.

having extreme confidence in one's own resources, powers,etc.: He was self-sufficient, and always reminded you of it.

Isn't it what every american strives for? We don't want to rely on anyone. We want to be able to stand on our own. We don't want to take "nothing from no one." We make sure we have all our own gear for the sports we like. We "need" to have our own dvd collection, our own book collection, our own video game collection.

I understand this drive. I like having my own stuff. I enjoy the feeling of self-sufficiency. To stand on your two feet is inherently American. Believe it or not, this is not true of all other cultures. There are many cultures that put more emphasis on the group than the individual, sharing, caring, promoting, uplifting the group or family over any certain member.

Since I haven't been putting much Scripture to back my writings, let's ask a question: is this sort of self-sufficiency Biblical? In one sense yes. I do not want people pointing to this blog and saying, "See mom! He says I can stay with you guys till I am 35!" That is not what I am saying at all. We all need to have our own lives and not just live off of others like a virus.

So what am I saying? I am saying we try to take everything into our OWN hands. We want to rely on NO ONE but ourselves. We want to be able to say, "Don't worry, I've got everything under control."

This is not Biblical. In 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles God punishes David for taking a census:

"And SATAN stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." (1Chronicles 21:1, KJV, emphasis throughout)

But wait, why is taking a census wrong? As my Bible teacher would say, "think context!" In those days God literally fought the battles for Israel. He would even send an angel to wipe out the enemies of Israel on occasion. 

So think through this. David counted Israel's fighting men because he wanted SELF SUFFICIENCY. He didn't want to have to trust God, he wanted to trust his own fighting force, his strength as king instead of on the all powerful God of his fathers.

Now let's look at the second passage:

Acts 2:44-47 ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It continues to say that people would even sell their houses and properties in order to help the poor. These Christians lived in true Christian community "to give to anyone who had need." They did not live in self-sufficiency, they stood as a group not a silo.

So why don't we do something like this as Christians today? When do we see ourselves willing to lean on someone else or allow someone to lean on us? How long has it been since you've seen someone actually sell something to they can help someone in a rough spot. 

Now, to be honest, I hate when people point out a problem and then don't offer an explanation or solution. I promise to come back to you next post to continue this thought process. However, I want you to think through these ideas. Read the Bible passages and the verses around them looking for what God's heart for His community truly is. Read through the beginning of Acts and look at all the examples of the early church which was truly on FIRE for God and the poor. Then, I want you to think through your own position. Are you trying to make yourself self-sufficient? Are you willing to have to stand with (not on but with) other Christians. Are you willing to take a stand against self-sufficiency and allow God to support you? Please just meditate on this (and also maybe comment ya know, since I haven't had one yet :P ) and pray about it and see what the Lord says to you.

Thanks for reading,

-JustSomeThoughts


PS. Sorry about the random grey highlighter effect behind the font, something got messed up and I can't figure out how to fix it lol.

Many thanks to Alistair Williamson for the photo

Challenge Accepted?

I want to clarify something from my last post. I understand that living in America costs money, a lot of it. Believe me I understand that. Some guys from church and I are trying to rent a place in Colorado Springs, I know what rent is. I know that food prices keep creeping upwards and that insurance premiums are always present. I understand this. What I am talking about, however, is what we do with our money AFTER the cost of living. Do we really need 4,000 square foot homes? Do we really need a new car when used ones can be found anywhere (my friend just got a running subaru for $1,000. How many video games, new clothes, Ipods, Ipads, and Iphones do we really need? Is the 35 dollar a month media charge on your cell phone worth it when all is said and done?

Ok, now that that message is out of the way I want to give you a challenge, and I will partake of it right along with you:

First, some back-story.

I believe that one of the instigators to our insatiable need to buy is that buying itself is a semi-professional sport, taught when we are young. There is a reason kids are known for hanging out in malls. Somehow, marketers have convinced us that shopping as a form of entertainment is totally acceptable and highly desirable. We learn from an early age that anything we want, we can probably get somehow, whether it be asking parents for money, or just buying it ourselves. But we learn to look for things to buy just to buy them!

I'm not going to lie, I do it too! I'm a spend thrift so my shopping extravaganzas happen in two places, Craigslist and Ebay. However, I catch myself looking at things like video games even when I don't have the time to play them, or when I haven't even touched a new one I already have (yes I do own video games, don't judge. My brothers and I keep in touch over Playstation Network as none of us are big phone talkers :)

But seriously why do we do this? We have an inbred urge to buy things.

I read a book once that talked about how every time we buy something our brain gets a shot of dopamine (chemical agent which gives us a pleasurable sensation). Seriously, its an addiction to getting that dopamine high! We have to control this urge!

Now I understand that none of you are probably as bad as the girl on Confessions of a Shopaholic (I have a sister, again don't judge), but I think we all find ourselves wandering through stores (virtual or not) "just looking". However, this just looking is easily turned into an obsession of "man I NEED that". On craigslist one time, all of a sudden I really NEEDED a DSLR camera. Why? I have NO idea! I haven't taken a picture in over 4 years probably (if facebook didn't exist there would be no proof I ever went to college).

But because it was there, and it was essentially "cheap" (in the $400 range instead of $700-$1000) I had to have it. I didn't thank goodness, but looking back its SCARY how easily this happens.

I want to give us all a challenge today. Let us all, for one month, not try to window shop, to ebay surf, to look on craigslist. Let us flee from the dopamine high for one month. This means no extra items in the walmart kart, no excess walking through the mall, none of it.

Yes you can buy deodorant (PLEASE do). Yes, I will still look for houses to rent. Yes you can buy things that you need, which are preconceived and the reason you go to the store. However, for one whole month let's stay away from the temptation to suddenly inherit a NEED we didn't know we had. Let us do a cleansing from the shopaholic nature of our country. If you are willing to take this challenge with me please leave a comment below and let me know how your month goes. I will try to do the same.

Thank you all for reading
-Just Some Thoughts

How I got to be...

Well, I knew this blog post would come sometime. Sigh

Ok, so here's the story of how I got my views on money etc. Growing up I was very close friends with a girl who was abused physically and sexually by a father figure. I will not go into the details of this but I could see how torn up inside she was. I tried to comfort her as much as anyone can in that situation, but I had to sit helplessly as she didn't want it brought to teachers, or police, or anybody.

After at least a year of knowing this girl we were asked by our Bible teacher to present a topic of how we as Christians could help change the world for the better. This girl stood in front of class and talked about how for a measly $40, you could buy a girl out of sexual slavery (I think she got the fact from IJM but I have never been able to find it, though I should probably look a bit harder). For just that small amount of money, you could actually buy her back from her captors.

I remember riding home on the bus that day. My mind was a blur, thinking of all the things I had. How many $40's had I spent on my video games, on my toys, on all my crap! I didn't know what to do. How could I ever spend money again knowing I could save girls from the pain and agony that I had seen day after day in my friend. And those girls went through that every day to an even more horrible level!

As I went on through the years I began picking up more facts and figures of what money can do.
$1 can provide a year's worth of fresh water for a person in africa -blood water mission.
$5 can provide a month's worth of food to a family in haiti (before the hurricane)
$2000 can drill a new well in Africa through the OPC denomination.
$7-$10 can provide a mosquito net to prevent malaria, the number one killer of humans ever

Maybe it's because I was young and these ideas had time to fester. Maybe it was because my mind was so gripped by the $40 story. Maybe God is just merciful in allowing these ideas to grow. Whatever the case, my life was changed.

I began doing fundraisers including a city wide garage sale with items donated by local churches (which God allowed to raise over $1400). In college we did a Pancake breakfast fundraiser which provided $500 to help those in Haiti. I even got as far as reaching an original Redbox founder about possibly allowing people to donate one extra dollar when renting a movie (which was eventually shot down but thanks to all those who sent emails). In addition, I haven't gotten Christmas present the past 4 years of my life choosing instead to ask for money and donate it to charities (this year is IJM).

Now, I am truly not trying to say this to puff myself up. The Bible speaks very forcefully about not letting one hand know when the other is giving. However, I write this to show you what ANYONE can do! I am not any more special than you.

I write this today because these days we don't really have role models which we can look to for issues like this. We have Mother Teresa, some missionaries, and then a few people here and there standing for what they believe. How are we supposed to teach our children about giving when they see us taking huge vacations, buying speed boats, and then tithing the minimal amount and never more. What are our brothers and sisters supposed to think when the most passionate thing we engage in is video games, spending both our time, energy, and money on them alone. Can we all look past the green of our front yard for one second to see that there is real hurt in this world which WE CAN HELP FIX! I am not just talking about the physical needs either. Blood Water Mission, Compassion International, IJM. These are all Christian charities that provide (without causing dependency) for both the physical and the spiritual needs. They have great programs set up. Do you know what they need to do more? They need more support from us suburbia dwellers.

Now, I don't want to be that role model. I really don't. Having people look at me, knowing i've written this. I'm practically calling myself out (Jamison, you now understand why I barely ever bowl, go to movies, or ever eat out). But someone needs to be called out. Someone needs to put a cattle prod to the rear end of those stuck pursuing the american dream. I once heard about a Christian music artist (can't remember who) who sold their house for a smaller house. And then did it AGAIN a year or two later. What if all Christians thought like this.What if we started a movement to, with greater abandon, help those in poverty through the name of Jesus, filling both their physical and their spiritual needs.

If you take anything away from this post, let it be: What If I...

The First Meal

“What am I doing here? You don’t belong here!” The pessimistic side of my brain was begging for me to go home and forget this whole thing. “Just remember, the first time is always the hardest” whispers the other, more optimistic side of my brain. I continue walking through the park looking both left and right. There were groups of people I could only assume were homeless. But they were together, I was looking for someone alone.

                My uncomfortableness meter was shooting through the roof. I reach the other side of the park and pretend to read a sign. I could always just go back home. It was not like I was fully committed to doing this. I inwardly battle for a moment, sure people were wondering what the redheaded fool was doing with 2 Subways sandwich bags staring at a sign.

                With a sudden push of will I turn away from the sign. There! Sitting alone was a Hispanic looking man with a large coat and tough work boots. I walk over and sit down on the opposite side of the bench. “Hey” I say. “Hello” he responds.

                So, how am I supposed to do this? Am I just supposed to ask if he is homeless? Is that too blunt? Is that a suicidal question from a political correctness standpoint?

                “Wanna sandwich?” I ask, holding out one of the bags.

                “Sure” he replies taking the sandwich.

                “What’s your name?” I ask.

                “Jose” he replies, and I shake his hand. “Are you with the church?” he asks. That question catches me off guard. Was I with the church? I certainly go to church. This draws me back to my motivations for coming. I am tired of sitting on my butt. I’m tired of reading books about people who do real things, who seek out those to help. I’m tired of waiting and ready for doing.

                “I go to church but I’m not with any particular church.” I reply. “I’m trying to learn how to help people, how to love them better.” He seems to take that as completely normal.

                Well that wasn’t so bad. I look down as I unwrap the 6 inch meatball marinera. I had just come from a meeting with a potential developer for my business. I hadn’t eaten anything but an apple and two Ruby Tuesday biscuits.

                “Spare a sandwich?” I hear from my left in recognizable but slow english.

                I turn to see another man sitting on a park bench looking over at my meal.

                “Sure” I reply standing. Jose stands up next to me and motions for me to sit down as he will give up his sandwich. I refuse and make sure he knows I am fine giving up mine. We both move toward the 2^nd man but I move faster handing him my sandwich. Jose offers his to a third man, sitting on the same bench who takes it hesitantly. Jose returns to his original seat.

                “Thanks for the sandwich.” The man says. His voice is slurred, but I am not sure if it is due to the cold, some recent alcohol consumption, or merely his old age.

                “No problem, God bless.” I say and return to my original seat next to Jose.

                He smiles at me as I sit down. I feel like that is an opening so I ask him some questions. I ask him what he thinks causes homelessness. He responds talking about lack of jobs, which is understandable considering the economy. He also says that alcohol and drugs have a huge effect on it as well. I ask him what his story is, and he proceeds to tell me how he used to have two dishwashing jobs and was able to pay for everything he needed. Now he only has one job and sleeps in a little studio apartment, saying it is super small but still allows for taking a shower. He says he still goes to the catholic mission to get free meals sometimes though.

                I don’t know if it is because of lack of funds or just because the food is free that he sits in the park and goes to the mission, but I will decide to give him the benefit of the doubt. We talk a bit longer. He seems very aware, somehow more present in the moment than most of the other people I see around.

                Halfway through our conversation the recipient of my sandwich turns and says slightly too loudly, “God loves us.” Surprised I turn and he repeats himself 2 more times.

I smile and nod, and say, “Yes, yes He does.”

“God loves us.” The man repeats yet again. “If He was to take me right now, to be with Him, I am ready. I ain’t afraid.” He makes a motion towards the sky and folds his hands as though in prayer. His words come out as though they take too long to formulate in his brain.

“That’s good.” I say again smiling as warmly as I can, trying to convey my empathy with him.

“Yeah, I wish He would take me up there, away from this…” He trails off but I see his mouth register the word “hell”. As he turns away to talk to his neighbor.

Jose and I talk for a bit longer but I then excuse myself to go talk to the other man. As I walk over he looks up and thanks me again for the sandwich. He then continues to tell me that God loves us all. I decide to sit on the ground in front of them. I feel like a pupil trying to learn from a wise master, yet somehow I doubt it looks like that to outsiders. I am well kempt, not clean shaven (as it is Saturday after all) but my jeans are hole free and I wear only one coat, instead of the stereotypical 3 or 4 worn by the homeless.

As I sit there I ask him if he reads the Bible to learn more about God. He says he has read most of it, saying he has read all of the truth. I am not sure if he means it is all truth or whether he means he has read all the parts he considers truth. As it is our first meeting I decide not to press the issue. His name is Richard. He is wearing 2 pairs of pants, one with a gigantic hole in the knee. I cannot help but notice his hat which is a stretched out snow hat completely enveloping his baseball cap, giving it an odd shape. His friend, who got Jose’s sandwich, is named Vince.

Vince walks away shortly, probably to go and get a burrito. The local church is handing them out at the edge of the park. Another homeless man named Rick walks up with three burritos in hand. The scene then plays out like a tv sitcom with Richard asking Rick for a burrito and Rick refusing. Halfhearted insults were then hurled including “I hope you choke on it.” The men don’t seem particularly angry, with their insults and comebacks coming through only halfheartedly. I wonder if it is lack of energy or something else which keeps the temper levels so low. As this argument is ending another man walks up with a burrito for Richard.

“See,” Richard says, “I have friends.” He nods to the man who gave him the burrito. “But I also have enemies” he says and looks at Rick. I am not sure what to say in all of this. I am mostly quiet taking everything in. Lord, what do You want from me? How am I supposed to show Your love to these men? I am not even sure how mentally capable they are. Both Rick and Richard speak as though they have had too much to drink, though it is 2:00 in the afternoon. Maybe it is a side effect of their years of drinking.

During their squabble Rick had complained that he was always the one sharing the alcohol and that neither Richard nor anyone else ever offers him any. I proceed to ask Richard how often he drinks.

“I’m fifty-five years old.” Richard says, and then repeats it 2 or 3 more time as though thinking back. “I have been drinking for at least 35 of those years.”

I nod, then repeat the question. “Yes, but how often, daily? Weekly?”

He nods, “Yes.” Then a long pause. “Whenever I have a dollar.”

I think about this. This is why I never give people asking for money real money. I usually give them a gift card to subway or wendy’s. Whatever I have in my wallet (as my mom likes to give them to me when I have a long car ride ahead of me). How can we help these people?

I ask Richard how he get’s dollars, asking if he has a job. He says he does not have a job and upon further prompting explains that there used to be jobs, but not anymore. Upon my asking he says that he hasn’t searched out a job in a long time, saying it is pointless.

This reminds me of my readings on poverty (one of my passions). Poverty is defined by many experts as breaking down of many constructs. Many think of poverty (and in this case homelessness) as a lack of something material such as food, water, or shelter. However it is more than that. As Richard shows it is also a lack of hope. A lack of self worth.

I decide to brave the question and ask Richard where he sleeps. He answers my question and I can see the chewed up burrito in his mouth.

“I sleep in the freezing cold, wherever the cops chase me to.” (It was December 10^th, 2011)

How do I feel about THAT?! Should the police chase away homeless? And if so where to? I can hardly imagine having to do something like that. Where are they to go? Jose had told me that there were shelters people could go to occasionally, but apparently there were still plenty of people who lived in the streets.

As we are talking there is a commotion further along in the park. A lot of guys who look like they could be gangsters, drug dealers (my host mom had said that a lot of drug dealing goes on in this park), bored high school students, or more homeless people were all eating burritos and trying to shoot the aluminum into the garbage can from about 30 feet away.

Richard mumbles something about trash and I remember that the homeless fellows had been very careful to throw away the subway bags and wrappers when they had finished them. Is it weird that the homeless care more about the environment of their park than most of us that use it as it was originally intended?

As I sit there I see regular people. Middle income couples, college students, single joggers all going by. For a second I well up with pride, look at me, trying to make a difference. I wish I could say it lasted more than a second, but as I sit here in the warmth of a house, rewriting all that has happened this first day, I come to realize that I have held onto that pride for the last 4 hours.

Lord, let me write this not to boost my pride and ego, but rather to show others that there are real people who need help. Let me learn how to best reach these people, both in a physical way, but also in a spiritual way, showing them Your love and sharing Your grace to them.

After a little more talking I tell everyone I have to go. Richard thanks me for the burrito and Jose laughs from his bench, knowing full well that I gave a sandwich, not the burrito he finished a matter of minutes ago. I introduce myself to Rick, sitting next to Jose before leaving. I also tell Jose I should be back and he tells me that he spends a lot of time here so I should see him again.

I walk away thinking everything over, wishing I had my digital voice recorder so I could note everything while it is still fresh in my mind. I think about how the homeless would all share with each other, better than almost any regular middle-class person I knew. Why do we try to be so self-sufficient? Isn’t that part of the reason the church exists? So that we will not have to be silo’s all alone and self-sufficient?

I think about the police chasing away the homeless. I think about how Richard spends every dollar on more alcohol. It is a vicious cycle, his habit feeding my lack of money which feeds his hopeless, homeless state.

Lord God show me how to help.

End of the first meal: December 10, 2011

Intro to the blog

It is interesting looking at things from a business administration major / entrepreneurial point of view. I sometimes have interesting takes on things. Sometimes I look and find things that other people don't. These things are what I'm hoping to share in this blog. I want to share my passion for helping those in poverty and my disdain at self-centered living and the American way. I try not to be too radical, but sometimes the circumstances call for it. Will I reach anyone with these thoughts? I hope so, but we shall see.

-JustSomeThoughts