Yet another murder of a teenager. Our hearts break as we receive the report. A life cut short in a community where violence has become all too common. I often wonder how we are to combat an epidemic of violence.

The police are doing a great job. Yet, it is really our job to lead this battle to stop this. Why, because at the very core of all this… is hopelessness. If one has no hope, then risk does not matter. If I choose to live a high risk lifestyle, what matters? So we must be about the battle, instilling hope in each and everyone we touch. Yet, way too often, systematic injustices continue to rob our neighbors of their hope.

So part of the battle is to fight the injustices of poverty. We must wage this battle at a time when we are seeing an increase in need by almost 40%. Yet, not near enough resources to meet the need. What can we do? Well, we can’t allow the growing need to rob us of our Hope. We must continue to be faithful.

Will you join with us? Run to the battle… we need your help.

jay

Another fire Monday night in our neighborhood. I received a call early in the morning, someone smelling smoke at Shepherd around 4am. I only live a few minutes away, and sped here to smell the same, and I could see the smoke. I noticed just a block away flashing lights and found a working house fire.

Ever wonder why we have so many house fires? Folks lose their utilities and try to find creative ways to heat their homes. Tragically, they generally are very unsafe. I grow weary of deaths in our neighborhood each winter. Unsafe extension cords, using the oven, maybe a fire in a can, etc. Is this negligence? Or yet another symptom of poverty? The reality is that the battle to stay warm creates casualties…poverty stinks.

What symptoms do you see?

jay