Archive for January, 2010

Death, Life, Jesus Following in Santa Barbara

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

I was leaving after sharing at a news conference on the recent deaths of friends on the streets, when I got a call from Carrie that Linda was at the Sarah House, and probably only had hours to live.  I was on Modoc road about to get on the freeway when I got the call, and right by the Sarah House.  I knew that God had ordained me to be in town for that moment, and that He was going to finish the day’s teaching on life and death.

When I arrived at the Sarah House, Linda’s room was filled with friends.  They were talking with her and singing, and sharing stories.  Probably 10 people filled that room as she passed away just a few hours later.  I invited Alexis to anoint her head with oil as we said goodbye.  She could not speak and her breathing was heavy, but we know she heard us.  Alexis texted me that right before she passed over, her eyes opened and she gave this world one last glimpse.  By the way, Alexis has taught me a great deal by her love for Linda throughout her days of illness!  There were many other friends from Westmont, The Village, Ocean Hills, The Sarah House gathered that day.

This is in stark contrast with how some of my friends on the streets this past weekend.  There is controversy around some of their deaths.  There is conflicted evidence and story.  The papers don’t seem to speak kindly of them, mentioning beer bottles around etc… And we don’t know if they died alone or with friends.

I should have known that someday I would find myself in the center of street ministry.  I have read dozens of books about Mother Teresa – and how she wanted everyone to die with dignity and not alone.  I get it now – I mean, I really really get it.  No one should die alone and have the final story about their lives be about beer bottles.  Dignity should be given.

New solutions are needed for old problems.  I am pondering that now.

The sting of death is removed by the reality of the resurrection, but Jesus calls us to be involved in saving lives.  Apathy is an enemy.

And as Mike Foley has shared over and over, yes there are shelters, but it is often tough for the mentally ill or the addicted to find their way in… what is needed is trust.  If a friend with a home has built that trust with someone on the streets, they may be able to lead them to the right place.  And, if we provide more funds for mental health workers to be on the streets at night, we may save lives.

Jesus people have to be as concerned about life now as life future.

At the press conference, I sat with four others at a table as reporter asked about the homeless.  I was honored to be with the four others, who have done and are doing fantastic work in the city.  I am just a practitioner, my expertise is just friendship building.  My take – if these people become our friends, we will want to find ways to help them and see that there are no more mysterious deaths on our streets.

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Free Love

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

I heard on the radio today that potentially 80% of Americans are on some kind of medication, and that 15% of the 80% are on meds related to depression.  Free love may be the answer…

I can remember during my junior year in high school I got kicked out of class (again)… I was not alone – two girls I recognized were on the other side of the bench.  I recognized them from a local coffee shop I used to hang out at – The Upstart Crow in San Jose.  They were outcasts – mods.  One of them came over to me and said, “You looked depressed.”  She kissed me on the cheek and they both walked on.  In a sense, this was a holy kiss from one outcast to another.

This did not help my GPA but it did help my depression.  Free love.

I just found out today that four friends have died on the streets in the past two weeks.  That is depressing.  We are still trying to figure out why and how some of them passed away.

I don’t know if they left this planet knowing that someone loved them.  If you are reading this, you probably have someone, at least one person who loves you.  If you do, I am encouraging you to be a part of someone else’s antidote to loneliness and depression.

Less people would need medication if there were more free love.  The wealthy who sit in depression may get well if they give it away, see time and riches bring equity.  A day at Pershing Park keeps the Doctor Away.  And those who have little and just may need a friend who brings hope, may find it in them.  But it all has to be free, no charge or expectations.  The 21st century pay it forward.

You fight consumerism with free love, and I am battling our number 1 illness.  I don’t think all the things we have are helping us feel better long term.  I do believe that Jesus following is good for our health.  And Jesus will ask us all to be involved with our friends who are in dire situations.  He will ask us all in some way to find Him in those less fortunate.

I may worship less now with singing, but I worship the Jesus I am meeting in friends on the streets.  I meet Him all the time in the poor, and He reorients my life.

Today I will walk down State Street with a friend and give free love by visiting our friends on the streets.  Perhaps the mods passed something on to me that day that I did not realize – just that I was seen.  I was not invisible.

I missed the 60’s just barely – this is my shot at revolution.  I ask you to give free love.

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Reputation

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

I am finding out that I have a reputation.  And for many that reputation is not good, and for some it is good.  I confess to my friends that you may be talking to one Jeff and the next day another one may appear… because I have been unchurched, churched, and unchurched again… while seeking to remain faithful to Jesus.  I liked Jesus even when I was unchurched.

I started coaching a basketball team this year.  I love the kids but we lost the first game 35-13.  Maybe the parents are wondering if there is another coach out there available? :)  I consider my reputation…

My reputation is dirtied and soiled and imperfect.  To some maybe a hero and to others someone who is no longer completely true to the calling.

I think maybe you know that your reputation has a similar story – most of the time based on very little true information.

I have given up control on what is thought of me, yet that battle can come every day as I may disappoint someone for some reason or another.  I believe giving up control may be our real issue.

In the past 5 years of my street experience, I have learned not to jump to conclusions with people.  Reputations reported by one about another are seldom accurate.

I just watched something on youtube from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  He read from the Bible and represented God better about his heart for Haiti than certain people who have huge audiences.  I was thinking to myself, now that is weird and strange, but couldn’t help but see the Jesus message right there on a show where you may not expect it.  These are the times we live in.

I can climb the heights of the applause of people and then feel the hard rock of the stones – that is humanity.  What keeps me going in spite of the obstacles really I think is two things – the distinct call from Jesus to learn to live the incarnation and invite others in, and that Jesus was friends with people of low reputation in certain circles, like me, or maybe you.

It is not cheesy to say that Jesus may be the only one who stands beside us in the end, that He understands have a tarnished reputation and there will be a long long table we will all be sitting around at the end, sharing a big friendship meal under the big smile of the one who accepts us.

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Resolutions

Monday, January 4th, 2010

I think we should still have new year’s resolutions.  In fact, I think we should be open to have new “resolve” all the time.  We should always be open to conversion.  Too many of us have this idea of a one time conversion.  My experience now says that I must be changed all the time – or at least open to it.

The fact is that humanity must be open to changing for the better constantly.  What are the other choices – getting worse or staying the same?  We all know that if you try to stay the same you end up going backwards.

Christ is a pretty consistent game changer, flexing the rules with grace and new opportunities.  We can count on Him being the same yesterday, today, and forever but that does not mean that we get to stay the same.

I think about Jesus when it says that He “turned His face toward Jerusalem.”  This was the time that He had to resolve to go forward with the plan of the cross.

Where have you turned your face, vowing to see it through to the end though others may turn to the left or the right?

In this age of the incarnation, I have two resolutions.  As a minute and small man, I will stay with my friends on the streets and on the West Side.  I may not have all that is needed; I may fall short when it comes to abilities – but I will turn my face in that direction every week and go into it.  I am also now entering a new phase of returning to State Street and the night life there.

I have also resolved to be open to what Christ may be doing, because to be honest, I don’t fully get it.  At Pershing Park now, there are as many people coming from other faiths as my own.  It seems to me what God is trying to do there, is create a feast at the temple, where all people are invited.  It seems to be a great experience of peace making and bring many tribes to one place.  It started with around 10 of us housed and not housed, and not it is a huge party with wonderful home cooked meals every week from those who care for friends on the streets.  It has taken on a life of its own and I have to be open to what it is… whatever it is?  I remember Jesus wanting so much the Temple to be a place where all nations could come for interaction with God.  Have we stumbled upon something here – I love it but I sense it may make others uncomfortable.

This is the age of the Incarnation – where we have no choice but to make resolutions, those resolutions being to go with Christ into the center of humanity and love with the same love that we have received.  The call is the same as it was 2,000+ years ago – “Come Follow Me.”

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