Monday, June 17, 2013

"Violence is an Easy Option When the Future is Hard to Believe In"

"Violence is an easy option when the future is hard to believe in" 
 
What do you think of this statement from a spiritual standpoint?


Read the beginning of a series the Montgomery Advertiser is starting and see how you can pray through this article for our city!
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20130616/NEWS01/306160001/Montgomery-awash-bullets

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Childhood Poverty in Montgomery, AL

Wondering what you think and how we can help children in poverty right here in AL. 
http://www.wsfa.com/story/15292365/editorial-child-poverty
Would you pray this week for Montgomery churches and organizations to help children be able to eat this week. What is your part in the solution? 
Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,you were doing it to me!’

Monday, June 3, 2013

Poverty

In Montgomery alone, 17-19% of our population lives under the poverty level guidelines for the United States. That is about 43,000 people in Montgomery who make below $23,550 per year for a family of 4. A lot of people can't read well enough to fill out an application or read a textbook for further training. 14% of Montgomery ADULTS can't read well enough to maintain a job. (that was a 2003 stat by the way, it has probably increased) (Ref: Alabama Literacy Council and US Govt Stats on Poverty Rate
If you think that this is ALL caused by bad money management or laziness, I would challenge you to get to know a family or two in poverty...really get to know them. One of the things you will find out is this: MOST people in poverty don't have the education needed to qualify for a job that will pay enough to take care of their family.People become hopeless when they have to wade through the mountains of red tape they have to deal with every day to get assistance or a job.

Why don't they have the education?...There are many factors including learning disabilities and/or were passed through grades getting farther and farther behind. There are numerous reasons but we have a solution, don't we?

How can we as Christians help?

1. Pray. Pray for those in poverty to be connected to others who could help them.Pray that they are willing to learn some new skills and be encouraged by those who help them!
2. Ask the Lord if you or your church should get trained in ADULT LITERACY as well as CHILDREN'S TUTORING and begin to help those in need.
3. Join up with a church, ministry or organization who tutors kids so that their futures can be different.
JESUS was a practical guy who met practical needs as he ministered along the way. Then shouldn't we do the same if we are "followers" of Jesus?
Need some help with idea? Contact Lisa Rose at Montgomery Baptist Association for resources and trainings. 334-271-6794.