In starting up a Neighborhood Transformation program it is necessary to change your mindset of how you think you know what is best for the neighborhood. You are an outsider and have no idea on what it may be like to live there let alone the struggles that families may have. Many of us come from and live in a middle class area and have been blessed beyond measure. When going into an area that is not similar to our own we cannot expect the people there to conform to what we think and believe. We have to accept them where they are. Many are very smart and talented just as you or I may be. Some questions we ask are:
Why do they choose to live in a bad area? Why don’t they get a better job? Why don’t they take care of their kids the way we do? Why don’t they go to the church for help? Why don’t they just get away from the drugs and alcohol? Why don’t they clean up their neighborhood? If they hate being poor why don't they do something about it?
The questions they ask are? Why are they so snobby? Why do they look down on us? Why won’t they shake my hand? Why do they think they are better than us? If they are Christians why don’t they act like it? Why wont they walk in my neighborhood? Why do they judge me without knowing me? Why do they come here looking for drugs? If they are so smart why are they in so much debt?
These are just a sample of some of the questions I personally have been asked over the past few months. It breaks my heart because I used to be the one in the first set of questions. Now I could care less because I do my best at looking at everyone as someone who is made in the image of God. When you look at people that way it changes how you think. You stop judging and start loving.
I am feeling led to really open up and share my views on various topics because I know that many are probably to afraid of what may happen to them if they share a viewpoint that may be contradictory to those they may socialize with. It is alright if people do not agree with me and I strive to do something that most will not are cannot do and that is to actually do something.
So if you want to be changed and be Ruined for the Ordinary I ask that you follow this blog at www.gelston.blogspot.com and sign up to get this via email. Your comments are fully welcomed so if you get the blog email and want me to post your comment met me know and I will. Or you can go to the above link and comment directly on the post.
The next blog will be on why I don’t need to have a Sunday Worship Service! Catchy Title?
1 comments:
I am going to share some experiences I have had.
When I was living in Northern California, the Eurica (sp ?) area, I was preaching in a small church on Sunday evening. I was in the middle of my sermon when a middle aged man walked in the door, dirty and ragged, and stood there looking around. There was an elderly lady sitting in the back and invited him to sit, and he did. I watched while I preached. After the service was over I hurried to the back before the man could leave. I began talking to him and he said the reason he came was because he and his wife were sitting at home watching TV as they did every Sunday night. But something kept telling him to go to church. Finally he told his wife, "We have to go to chuch." She finally agreed and they left, without cleaning up at all. They lived in Eurica, drove out of town, not knowing where they were going, passed through Bayside, through Arcata, and on up to McKinleyville, where they turned on a street he felt he was supposed to turn on. It was the street our church was on, but there were many churches on that one street, not far from each other. He said when he got to our church, as he passed he felt he was supposed to stop there, turned around, parked and came in. I asked if his wife was in the car, and he said she was. I told him to get her and bring her in. He did, and we went into the pastor's office. I lead them through the Gospel in the scriptures, and they both gave their lives to Jesus. I have ever thanked God for having that little old lady in the back of the church, for had she not been there, the man may well have left before I could talk with him.
What really set me back was what happened the next morning. I had a job as a carpenter, and my boss, who attended the same church, walked up to me and said, "How could you do that?" I asked what he meant. He said I walked up to that dirty ol' man and put my arm around him. "How could you do that?" he repeated. First of all, I didn't remember doing that. But when I discussed it with him, I made it clear that Jesus would have done that; He touched the lepers. We talked a while, and he never fully understood. I appreciate what you are doing with your lives. You understand. God bless.
The Lord bless you,
Dave Jackson
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