A few day's ago I was challenged as to the validity of a common statement, particularly within the Rescue Mission community, regarding the homeless and impoverished. The statement is; 'The Least, Last and Lost. It's a statement intended to bring attention to the often overlooked of our society. I've used the statement many times over the years during talks, in our newsletters and in various publications - including this blog.
Interestingly enough however, at the same time I've contended for some time now that you and I have to stop thinking about people as adjectives. People are nouns. All nouns have something in common - a capital letter. That capital letter connects us to the importance of the word. When a person is thought of and treated as an adjective, it's demoralizing. None of us want that for ourselves and not for anyone else. No matter how easy it is to slip and refer to someone in the description of their life; homeless, drunk, gay, addict or poor, we have to diligently guard against it.
Words like least, last and lost are actually more than adjectives in this case because they, when used to describe the homeless and poor, are assumptive and negative - as I'm being challenged.
And so, allow me to change my thinking. Instead of the negative assumption, how about a positive hope - The Most, The First and The Found. Isaiah 61 says it best; "And these shall be the rebuilders ..."
Dan
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
It's not complicated
.... It's just complex.
talking
walking
smiling
caring
sharing
giving
receiving
loving
challenging
listening
forgiving
being
Which one will you chose?
When you've chosen and when you're ready, please accept my invitation to have breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of our Food Service Centers with one or more of our guests - they'll be happy you did.
So will you.
See you soon,
Dan
talking
walking
smiling
caring
sharing
giving
receiving
loving
challenging
listening
forgiving
being
Which one will you chose?
When you've chosen and when you're ready, please accept my invitation to have breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of our Food Service Centers with one or more of our guests - they'll be happy you did.
So will you.
See you soon,
Dan
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Knowledge Age
It's been said we're no longer in the Industrial Age. The age many believe we're now in, is the Knowledge Age. In this age, it's knowledge that makes the difference. The knowledge you have and the knowledge you are proficient in, is the multiplier in today's market place.
Many have asked over the years; 'What causes homelessness?' The answer, like the question is complex but not complicated. In fact, there is really only one and actual cause of homelessness.
The lack of knowledge is the #1 cause of homelessness!
By the way, at the other end of the spectrum - knowledge is the #1 cause of success.
While there are several factors that 'assist' lack of knowledge, none of them actually cause homelessness - let's do a quick review of some of the predominant factors:
Alcoholism
Illegal or prescription drug use
Incarceration
Pornography
Gambling
Economics
Lack of affordable housing
Illiteracy
None of these predominant factors, actually cause homelessness.
The reason why the ministries of Cherry Street have been widely successful is because we know the obvious (the list above) is simply the product of something else.
You can prove this by thinking about all the times you've failed, or made a bad choice or decision. You can track the wrong done to the lack of knowledge; either you didn't know, or you did know and chose to ignore what you knew.
Either way, it was the lack of knowledge that brought about the negative outcome. Think for a moment on how you have corrected these decisions moving forward? Like me and others, you've increased your knowledge to ensure success, rather than failure.
When we introduce knowledge into the lives of the men and women we serve, their lives begin to change - from the inside out. Of course, the knowledge we unashamedly apply and that which is woven through the fabric of our recovery programs, education and training, is Biblically formed.
The knowledge men, women and families gain through services provided by Cherry Street Mission Ministries ensures a higher probability they will succeed in life after Cherry Street.
There's still room in this week's Rescue Intensive. Email Ashley at ahall@cherrystreetmission.org, or call 419-242-5141 for more information or to register.
Dan Rogers
Many have asked over the years; 'What causes homelessness?' The answer, like the question is complex but not complicated. In fact, there is really only one and actual cause of homelessness.
The lack of knowledge is the #1 cause of homelessness!
By the way, at the other end of the spectrum - knowledge is the #1 cause of success.
While there are several factors that 'assist' lack of knowledge, none of them actually cause homelessness - let's do a quick review of some of the predominant factors:
Alcoholism
Illegal or prescription drug use
Incarceration
Pornography
Gambling
Economics
Lack of affordable housing
Illiteracy
None of these predominant factors, actually cause homelessness.
The reason why the ministries of Cherry Street have been widely successful is because we know the obvious (the list above) is simply the product of something else.
You can prove this by thinking about all the times you've failed, or made a bad choice or decision. You can track the wrong done to the lack of knowledge; either you didn't know, or you did know and chose to ignore what you knew.
Either way, it was the lack of knowledge that brought about the negative outcome. Think for a moment on how you have corrected these decisions moving forward? Like me and others, you've increased your knowledge to ensure success, rather than failure.
When we introduce knowledge into the lives of the men and women we serve, their lives begin to change - from the inside out. Of course, the knowledge we unashamedly apply and that which is woven through the fabric of our recovery programs, education and training, is Biblically formed.
The knowledge men, women and families gain through services provided by Cherry Street Mission Ministries ensures a higher probability they will succeed in life after Cherry Street.
There's still room in this week's Rescue Intensive. Email Ashley at ahall@cherrystreetmission.org, or call 419-242-5141 for more information or to register.
Dan Rogers
Sunday, June 29, 2008
July Rescue
Our next Biblical Rescue Intensive is July 17-19th. The Intensive on Thursday and Friday is from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturday 8-4. The July Intensive will once again be held at the New Life Church of God in Christ's Education Center at 1215 Oakwood, near the corner of Detroit and Oakwood.
If you have taken the Intensive and desire to move into the Internship Program, you'll want to take the Intensive again before entering as an Intern. For those of you who have heard about the Intensive and are attending for the first time, here is a partial list of components covered:
If you have taken the Intensive and desire to move into the Internship Program, you'll want to take the Intensive again before entering as an Intern. For those of you who have heard about the Intensive and are attending for the first time, here is a partial list of components covered:
The Upstream / Downstream Model of Think
The critical difference between 'compassion' as is being defined today, and Biblical Rescue
The difference between the truth and the fact of people
How to get off and stay off, 'The Cycle of Failure' when working with and serving others
The difference between Adulthood and Autonomy
The Inertia and Momentum of cataclysmic moments
To register for the Biblical Rescue Intensive, contact Ashley Hall at 419-242-5141 or email Ashely at ahall@cherrystreetmission.org. If you have any questions concerning the Intensive you may email me at danrogers@cherrystreetmission.org or contact my assistant Liz Simon at lsimon@cherrystreetmission.org.
Hope to see you in July.
Dan
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
New Life
I know you'll join me in welcoming our newest Grandson into the world. Born yesterday afternoon at 6 lbs 8 ounces and 20.5 inches long - Noah William.
Here he is less than an hour old and peeking out from behind the covers. Mom, Dad and sister are all doing well.
New Life, New Birth.
What a wonderful example of His infinite promise, God unfolds right before our eyes each time a baby is born.
Have a great day - I will.
Dan
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Voice of Rescue
As you can see, we're now on the air at WPOS radio. I invite you to click the link and listen in on some of the topics we're talking about. The Voice of Rescue can be heard each Sunday at 5:00 p.m. As always I'm interested in your opinions and ideas about either the blog or the radio show in terms of content.
Biblical Rescue Intensive.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week (15-17) we'll once again be conducting a three day Rescue Intensive. These intensives are designed to equip you in your efforts to help others - and succeed in the process. This week's Intensive will be held in Oregon at New Harvest Church near the corner of Coy and Seamon Roads, 6-9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 8-4 on Saturday.
To register for the class and to receive additional information contact Ashley Hall at 419-242-5141 or ahall@cherrystreetmission.org.
The next scheduled Rescue Intensive will be at New Life Church of God in Christ in Toledo on Oakwood June 12-14. Again, contact Ashley for all the details and information.
Dan
Biblical Rescue Intensive.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week (15-17) we'll once again be conducting a three day Rescue Intensive. These intensives are designed to equip you in your efforts to help others - and succeed in the process. This week's Intensive will be held in Oregon at New Harvest Church near the corner of Coy and Seamon Roads, 6-9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 8-4 on Saturday.
To register for the class and to receive additional information contact Ashley Hall at 419-242-5141 or ahall@cherrystreetmission.org.
The next scheduled Rescue Intensive will be at New Life Church of God in Christ in Toledo on Oakwood June 12-14. Again, contact Ashley for all the details and information.
Dan
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
What's in an 'adjective'?
I'm in Cleveland this morning.
My 72 year old dad is undergoing a five hour surgery today to remove part of his liver where a cancer growth was recently detected. My dad is an amazing fellow. A retired truck driver he and my mom own a family restaurant in Lorain called Rosie's. Through the grace, mercy and healing power of God, he is a cancer survivor twice before in just the last three years. My amazement of him comes from his complete patient and peaceful attitude.
I know many of you who read this will take a quick moment and pray for his continued health - I appreciate that, thank you.
Having arrived at the hospital at around 5:30 this morning, I took the opportunity to read up on the local news in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. On the front page of the Metro section is this headline; "Ohio in top 5 for homeless attacks". It caught my attention as you can well imagine. The article has a sizable picture of Eugene Clemons in a hospital bed with his legs bandaged. Eugene is a homeless veteran who was recently attacked in an alley by unknown assailants who robbed him of his $10.00 and beat him with a board that had nails in it.
The article cites a report titled, "Hate, violence and death on Main Street USA 2007," by the National Coalition for the Homeless, ranks Ohio fourth among 26 states who report such information.
Interestingly enough there was another article on the next page of the Metro section entitled, "A dog doesn't die in that manner." It chronicles the death of Charles Gooden Jr., who was beaten, urinated on and stuffed in a trash can on 117th street by 15 youth sometime early Sunday morning.
Mr. Gooden wasn't homeless. He was however, a convicted felon on drug charges and spent at least six of the last several years in either state or federal prison. He was just released in July 2007.
While I'm grateful that more attention is being paid to crimes against the homeless population, it seems segments of our communities find crimes against some people are more sensational than crimes against others. In this case, homeless vs. addict.
Today, I'm wondering if we could just find that crimes against anyone is senseless. I'm not sure why we need an adjective like 'homeless' to get our attention - but we do. Perhaps one day we'll cease to define what we've become, and have allowed ourselves to become, as a community and focus on who we are.
What do you think?
Dan Rogers
My 72 year old dad is undergoing a five hour surgery today to remove part of his liver where a cancer growth was recently detected. My dad is an amazing fellow. A retired truck driver he and my mom own a family restaurant in Lorain called Rosie's. Through the grace, mercy and healing power of God, he is a cancer survivor twice before in just the last three years. My amazement of him comes from his complete patient and peaceful attitude.
I know many of you who read this will take a quick moment and pray for his continued health - I appreciate that, thank you.
Having arrived at the hospital at around 5:30 this morning, I took the opportunity to read up on the local news in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. On the front page of the Metro section is this headline; "Ohio in top 5 for homeless attacks". It caught my attention as you can well imagine. The article has a sizable picture of Eugene Clemons in a hospital bed with his legs bandaged. Eugene is a homeless veteran who was recently attacked in an alley by unknown assailants who robbed him of his $10.00 and beat him with a board that had nails in it.
The article cites a report titled, "Hate, violence and death on Main Street USA 2007," by the National Coalition for the Homeless, ranks Ohio fourth among 26 states who report such information.
Interestingly enough there was another article on the next page of the Metro section entitled, "A dog doesn't die in that manner." It chronicles the death of Charles Gooden Jr., who was beaten, urinated on and stuffed in a trash can on 117th street by 15 youth sometime early Sunday morning.
Mr. Gooden wasn't homeless. He was however, a convicted felon on drug charges and spent at least six of the last several years in either state or federal prison. He was just released in July 2007.
While I'm grateful that more attention is being paid to crimes against the homeless population, it seems segments of our communities find crimes against some people are more sensational than crimes against others. In this case, homeless vs. addict.
Today, I'm wondering if we could just find that crimes against anyone is senseless. I'm not sure why we need an adjective like 'homeless' to get our attention - but we do. Perhaps one day we'll cease to define what we've become, and have allowed ourselves to become, as a community and focus on who we are.
What do you think?
Dan Rogers
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