The People Nobody Believed In(After Jail, Then What?)

In Skowhegan, Maine, there is a "church with people living in it." When empty Sunday school rooms and constant recidivism at the county jail struck a nerve with Pastors Berry and Weeks, a program was started That has aided and changed the lives of many men and women. What will evolve is a vision-a separate facility for 25 men, that not only shelters them, but shows them the love of Jesus at the same time. The hole in the ground is ready, He will build it in His time.

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[TrinityEFree]

Now Megan, may I call you Megan? Thanks. If over 500 men have been accommodated at the shelter in the last 3 years, it is not hard to suppose that much of what you say has occurred. That is life in this lane, is it not? Pastor Berry has never turned a qualified wanderer away nor has he kicked anyone out unless it was for a reason agreed to by the resident when they sign the contract for a bed. Some people have issues that are beyond our ken(ability).

[wpgsa]

Jesus said :The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because He did anoint me; To proclaim good news to the poor, Sent me to heal the broken of heart, To proclaim to captives deliverance, And to blind receiving of sight, To send away the bruised with deliverance,Luke 4:18

Thank you for being  the hands of Jesus to these men!

[TrinityEFree]

@wpgsa.We are all aiming for that Spiritual Sabbath which is His rest! This morning at breakfast Pastor Berry noted that many of our residents now are really hurting. We just had our staff super leave to minister to his sister and now Pastor is the go-to guy, which I think is good for now. Homelessness has many faces today, illness of mind and spirit is a common thread. We were hoping for a CO this week, but I think the men will still be living in the church building for a spell.

[KatheMolloy]

I just love practical Christianity! Way to go!

[TrinityEFree]

@KatheMolloy Another great morning to you! Our new web address is shelterbyjesusDOTorg, forward that to as many as possible. Men and women are being sheltered by Jesus in podunk, USA. The breech is wide, His people need to stand in(Is58:12), Jesus Himself was homeless 3 years(Mt 8:20, and be doers and not hearers only(James1:22). These pastors took a leap of faith and lives are being transformed, mine especially. Keep in touch Kathe, salvation is the goal. Norton

[canaanav]

Teaching a criminal to repent is temporary. I can appreciate the idea of helping people in need, but the motive is off base. Historically and sociologically the physical prison of the jail and the mental prison of the church are a wash.

It is a totalitarian practice to teach anyone the 12 steps, let alone what you are doing here.

[TrinityEFree]

canaanav, Paraphrasing from "The Chain" by Wellman, conscience is the admonitory/judicial guide given to humans by God which tells us what is right or wrong. One can have a criminal mind or thought, but not act on it. Is a criminal only someone who has been in jail? Ethics is dry and philosophical where instinctive conscience uses human feelings and is not just a list to be carried around. The list gives no contrition to God and we feel the fool when caught, with no remorse, all self.

[meganmadnessxo]

bullshit, i live in maine, and personally know someone who was kicked out of this shelter for no reason. its shit, brainwashing. people sell drugs to each other, and they dont do shit. people drink there, yeah. and the sober people get in trouble for it so they look like they're only helping people that are fucked in the head and using to get money, so selfish.

[canaanav]

Well put. I would contend that morality was debated long before the god of the old testament. Jesus brought the idea of hell to the table and changed the game forever. One must not love and fear a god like the present day North Koreans love and fear Kim Jung Il. This is a perversion of the golden rule.

Friendship is the best therapy for people who are on the fringes of moral behavior. Integration skills are best. People should be in charge of their own minds, not at the mercy of it.