the beast of a thought

crept through the loft

of my insomniac mind

it hunched near a wall

not all that tall

but thick with a vine of pride

and as i looked on

it skulked cross the lawn

then turned and scowled at the thing

and with one giant leap

that kept me from sleep

leveled the wall and moved on

crushed and belied

with eyes open wide

i sank to my knees in fear

i hid neath the awning

until the morning

when the first drop of dew fell

then fast and certain

the beast returned

checking its victim for signs

it stalked through my view

taking its cue

from the sing-song starving birds

in sheer disbelief

and need of relief

i retired into my room

remembering all

holding the wall

in fragile need of repair

so hammer in hand

sooner than planned

i walked out to where it lay

and finished the work

with grinning smirk

as the vine fell at my feet

every third Saturday me and a buncha other folks gather and cook and serve a meal to as many needy people in downtown Dallas as we are able. the group we work with is called Reconciliation Outreach Ministry and it is located off Peak and Bryan right near Baylor Medical Center. a typical Saturday has us meeting and driving down toegther. then as several take roles in the serving line and as waiters several others hit the streets to invite as many needy people as we can find back for the lunch.

i usually go with the latter group and hit several spots where we have found homeless or needy people before. we go out in groups of 2 or 3 and just greet and invite people for a free meal and some fellowship. its a good thing but is it enough? this is what ive been wondering lately. this past Saturday May 21st the numbers were way down. but there were several very moving moments. one was seeing and meeting Saul.

what does Sauls future hold? he lives in an area infested with crack-houses meth-labs and liquor stores. he will attend sub-par schools bc that area is unable to draw enough good teachers.  he will grow up in the shadow of many prominent downtown churches such as First Dallas and Cliff Temple yet he may never be introduced to Jesus Christ and he is just as likely to be killed by gunfire as he is to see his 18th birthday.

so i wonder - can we possibly be doing enough? i dont think thats even a realistic question. there are those who give their time and money to this singular project and for them i thank God and pray his blessings. One such couple - the couple who started and continue to spearhead this project are my friends David and Lori.

they have tirelessly and consistently made this a reality. and there are others who come and give of their time to befriend and reach out to those in need in the inner city.

im truly grateful but it seems we are missing a vital truth in all this. one Saturday a month may make a world of difference in the lives of spiritually needy and thats why we will continue to do it with conviction - but does one Saturday a month even begin to dent the problems of here and now?

call me a dreamer or a radical or a mental patient but i really do believe that people can get toegther and change things. i believe that if groups like the ROM received more assitance from the rest of us it would make a huge difference. this isnt a plea for money its a plea for life-involvement in reaching out to those Jesus wants to reach out to through us. time money talents service whatever - there are a hundred ways to help and just going to the website i linked and contacting them to see what you can do is a start. Raymundo, Juan (pequeño), Juan and Patricia have needs that you can help to meet. how can you help? get involved.

"I personally want to sit right inbetween Hitler and Satan in heaven and hear them praise God for all His goodness, mercy and kindness. Don't you?"

a man who claims to love and follow Christ made this statement. im wondering - is this the logical outcome of 'love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself' thinking?

The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe
 
 he is coming...