{"id":301932,"date":"2009-12-04T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2009-12-04T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost\/"},"modified":"2009-12-04T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2009-12-04T17:00:00","slug":"loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost\/","title":{"rendered":"Loving the Least, the Last, and the Lost"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The problem of homelessness is so large, it is tempting to just give up and ignore the whole matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":294104,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2009-12-04.mp3","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:","filesize":"11.2M","filesize_raw":"11747225","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[2821],"tags":[4476,4126],"podcast_series":[7693],"cwp_profile":[3373],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-301932","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reaching-out","tag-homeless","tag-ministry","podcast_series-no-room-at-the-inn","cwp_profile-michael-and-hayley-dimarco","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg?w=508","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/301932\/loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/301932\/loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"XT7a3DzWsn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost\/\">Loving the Least, the Last, and the Lost<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/loving-the-least-the-last-and-the-lost\/embed\/#?secret=XT7a3DzWsn\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Loving the Least, the Last, and the Lost&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"XT7a3DzWsn\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var 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matter.","meta_box":{"show_notes":"","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2009-12-04.pdf","transcript_content":"<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>One of the most unusual statements Jesus ever made about Himself was this, \u201cThe foxes have holes; the birds have nests; the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.\u201d\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>A lot of churches will send people on mission trips; they go to far-off\u00a0 lands to help people in need.\u00a0 I think we have a mission field right here.\u00a0 You have these people who find themselves in a terrible situation, who are suddenly tender to the message.\u00a0 They are more interested in the hand of God that can help them up.\u00a0 We have for churches and for individuals a tremendous opportunity to have a missionary outreach right here in our own country\u2014having a church that comes up with a way to help the homeless in their own community if there is not one already.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0This is <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> for Friday, December 4th.\u00a0 Our host is the President of FamilyLife, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine.\u00a0 Christmas is a season when we ought to have \u201cthe least of these\u201d in the forefront of our minds.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>, thanks for joining us.\u00a0\u00a0 You know, of the subject we are going to be talking about today, I have found, and I have talked to a lot of people who would agree, they are familiar with Matthew 25\u2014the parable that is found there of the sheep and the goats.\u00a0 Jesus is separating the sheep from the goats and saying to the sheep, \u201cWell done.\u00a0 When I was hungry, you fed me.\u00a0 When I was thirsty, you gave me drink.\u00a0 When I was naked, you clothed me.\u00a0 When I was in jail, you visited me.\u201d\u00a0 They say, \u201cWhen did we do this?\u201d\u00a0 And He says, \u201cWhen you did it to the least of these, you did it for me.\u201d\u00a0 Then He rebukes those on His left hand for not doing it. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI have found people read that passage and go, \u201cOkay.\u00a0 I understand the point, but I\u2019m not sure how to apply that day to day as a Christian.\u201d\u00a0 They have a desire but they are not sure how to put shoe leather to that passage.\u00a0 Do you know what I am talking about?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis<\/strong>:\u00a0 I do.\u00a0 We have someone who is going to help us nail down how you can be compassionate in a tangible way here at the Christmas season.\u00a0 Michael and Hayley DiMarco join us again on the broadcast.\u00a0 Hayley, Michael, welcome back.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael and Hayley:<\/strong>\u00a0 Thanks.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Michael and Hayley have written more than 30 books.\u00a0 A number of books would be of interest to our audience:\u00a0 <em>Dateable<\/em>, that\u2019s for single guys and girls?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Okay.\u00a0 <em>Mean Girls<\/em>.\u00a0 (laughter)\u00a0 Who is that for?\u00a0 (laughter)\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Yeah, you can see who that is for.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Let\u2019s not answer that.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Biting.\u00a0 (laughter)\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong><em>The Woman of Mystery<\/em>.\u00a0 That\u2019s for young ladies to become women who can\u2019t quite be figured out, to not answer all the questions.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Right and for us older women, as well.\u00a0 (laughter)\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0<strong>Michael:<\/strong>\u00a0 For the old ladies.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Anybody who has read your stuff knows that you guys are innovative, you are fresh, you are talking about meeting people\u2019s needs where they live every day.\u00a0 The subject that Bob talked about earlier is the subject of people who are down and out, destitute, poor.\u00a0 In this case, what you are addressing and a new project you have put together, you are addressing the needs of homeless people.\u00a0 Explain the Hungry Planet Bible Project to our listeners and where you are going in visiting homeless people all across the nation.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>All right.\u00a0 For the past six or seven years, whenever we have gone into our local bank and made deposits into our Hungry Planet business account, we always get looks of tellers, wanting to hand us bags of canned food, things like that.\u00a0 We say, \u201cNo, no, no.\u00a0 Hungry Planet is a publishing company.\u00a0 We are talking about feeding the worlds\u2019 appetite for truth.\u00a0 God has brought our company name full circle into this project where we actually are dealing with\u2026\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 They kind of shamed you into it.\u00a0 (laughter)\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong>\u00a0 Well, shamed or prepared, tilled the soil, is kind of a more subtle way.\u00a0 Yes. I can deal with shame.\u00a0 (laughter)\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 So as a result, you started on a 10,000-mile journey.\u00a0 Right now we have caught you at what mile?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong>\u00a0 Probably about 6,001.\u00a0 (laughter)\u00a0 We are right around 6,000 miles into the journey.\u00a0 Basically, we have this crazy idea of, \u201cWhat would it be like to have an audio Bible that was recorded, just using the voices and faces of the homeless\u2014of the least, the last, and the lost?\u201d\u00a0 In addition, to tell the stories of these people and how they came about homelessness and what helped them out of homelessness.\u00a0 In every one of these stories, it was through the hand of our Savior.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 What has been the biggest surprise for you as you have embarked on this project?\u00a0 Hayley, has it been the number of women and children who are homeless?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Yes.<strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>I think like most Americans, as we talked about doing this, I really thought it was going to be the guy I see on the street, the guy on the corner that looks like he hasn\u2019t had a shower in months and smells of alcohol; but as we went out, I saw that that is really the obnoxious minority.\u00a0 There is a silent majority.\u00a0 There is a group of people who are homeless that we don\u2019t really know about.\u00a0 They are not on the street begging.\u00a0 They might be in the grocery store with you and thinking, \u201cWhat can I buy for a dollar?\u201d\u00a0 Their kids are going to school with your kids.\u00a0 You don\u2019t know that they are living in their car at night.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Wait a second.\u00a0 How does that happen?\u00a0 I mean, I remember a number of years ago; and Bob, you will remember this too.\u00a0 As our listeners know, we are a listener-supported broadcast.\u00a0 One of the most humbling gifts we have received in the history of this ministry was $6.\u00a0 I believe it was in cash from a woman who identified herself as a homeless woman with a child in school who listened to our broadcast every day.\u00a0 She was finding hope through listening to our broadcast, and she wanted to participate in the finances of the ministry.\u00a0 I\u2019m going, \u201cWhere does she live?\u201d\u00a0 Where do you find them, Hayley?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>You find them everywhere.\u00a0 For us to actually come in contact with them, we are finding them through Christian organizations, and even through some state-run organizations, where these people have come for help.\u00a0 We are really talking about a majority of people who do not want to be on the street.\u00a0 They really do want help.\u00a0 These are the people who obviously that you can help.\u00a0 You can\u2019t help the guy who doesn\u2019t want any help.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Right.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>We are finding them in organizations that want to change their pattern of life and help them.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Shelters, rescue missions--is that what you are talking about?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Right.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Is it dormitory style of living that these folks are signed up for?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong>\u00a0 Well, the real model that is working is not the soup kitchen with the bed overnight and kick you out in the morning.\u00a0 Those serve a purpose, but really those are really kind of perpetuating\u2014it\u2019s a band aid.\u00a0 The programs that are really working are these residential programs where it is a large house.\u00a0 Some rescue missions now are not only running the warm bed and three square meals, but they are also running residential programs in large homes where they have like 30 residents.\u00a0 They have to commit to be drug-free, alcohol-free and be in the program for two years.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 You were telling me that some of these folks were running training centers around life skills, handling budgets, computer training, and that one of the big, \u201cAh-huhs,\u201d was not only who is the homeless person, but also who runs these shelters?\u00a0 They are not people who went to college in the area of social work.\u00a0 Who did you find them to be?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong>\u00a0 Generally, that is true.\u00a0 Some of the most inspiring stories we have come across and recorded for this DVD are men and women who have been successful in the business world, in local politics, that have found that what they were working for, even though they were believers, was in their words, \u201cGoing to burn,\u201d or in the Bible\u2019s words, \u201cGoing to burn.\u201d\u00a0 They really wanted to make a difference.\u00a0 What they have done, they have used the talents and the gifts and the experiences that God has given them through the business world and said, \u201cHow can we attack this problem of homelessness in our communities?\u00a0 Strategically, how do we do it in the business world?\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tGiving them a warm bed and a meal, that\u2019s not going to do anything\u2014it\u2019s just a band aid, as I said before.\u00a0 What they are doing is they are creating networks of homes where they go through a two-year residential program.\u00a0 They move to an apartment complex that is unsupervised living, but they still have Bible studies and group therapy for those who are overcoming addiction.\u00a0 Their success rate is through the roof.\u00a0 It is happening all over, especially in this tough economic time, organizations that are really reaching out to help the homeless, the hungry, widows, orphans, James 1:27.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 Right.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>You know a lot of churches will send people on mission trips; they go to far-off\u00a0 lands to help people in need.\u00a0 I think we have a mission field right here.\u00a0 You have these people who find themselves in a terrible situation, who are suddenly more tender to the message.\u00a0 They are more interested in the hand of God that can help them up.\u00a0 We have for churches and for individuals a tremendous opportunity to have a missionary outreach right here in our own country by helping these organizations or, maybe, creating your own.\u00a0 You know, having a church that comes up with a way to help the homeless in their own community if there is not one already.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Hayley, drug and alcohol, a big issue?\u00a0 I mean we keep hearing about treatment, residential, and you have to commit to being drug- and alcohol-free.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Certainly.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Are a lot of these folks homeless because they have made the choice to be drug and alcohol abusers?\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Yes.\u00a0 I think that there are a lot of young women who get into trouble as far as being involved with drugs and they get pregnant, so they are at a point\u2026you know once we have kids, our ideas change about God and the world; and we start to think, \u201cOh yeah, I need to make some changes.\u201d\u00a0 There are these women who are not going to stay in that pattern any longer but they just need help.\u00a0 There are definitely a lot of people, both men and women, who end up on the street because of that.\u00a0 It is not exclusively that.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 The issue of domestic violence is big too.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>That\u2019s a big one.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Talk about that.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>They tend to go hand-in-hand, especially when we are visiting these women\u2019s shelters.\u00a0 There usually is a history of some sort of alcohol or drug abuse, not always, but there usually is some sort of history with that.\u00a0 As Hayley said, once a child is introduced to the situation, I think the mothering instinct takes over and that is when they see an opportunity for a clean break, but almost every staff worker at these shelters that help women, either exclusively or in concert with men, they almost to a man or woman say verbatim, \u201cMost of these women, beyond alcohol and drugs, most of these women are addicted to men.\u00a0 They feel helpless; they have a victim mentality, they invite abuse or they look for men to solve all their problems.\u00a0 They will be with a bad man if he will provide for their child.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo there is a huge opportunity for spiritual growth and for weaning these women who have come out of bad family situations or who have just been rebellious\u2014they have been rebellious teens and have gone down a road, almost like the prodigal son.\u00a0 The prodigal daughter, \u201cI just can\u2019t call Dad.\u00a0 I can\u2019t call Daddy.\u00a0 I can\u2019t tell him what I have done.\u00a0 I can\u2019t tell him what I have been through.\u201d\u00a0 They just keep digging the hole, and they won\u2019t drop the shovel.\u00a0 That is what these ministries are for.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 You know, as you guys have talked about this, I can\u2019t help but think of a family today, listening to the broadcast and thinking, \u201cYeah, I really ought to take our children near; we need to go near; we need to be jarred out of our materialistic culture that we live in and be brought near to people who don\u2019t have much.\u201d\u00a0 There really are some benefits to our young people that we don\u2019t talk about here.\u00a0 Hayley, you are a mom of a daughter.\u00a0 Your daughter is going with you.\u00a0 It is safe to go do this, right?\u00a0 I mean it is safe to go near?\u00a0 I think that some people erroneously think it is extremely dangerous and it is life-threatening to go into these places.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>Sure.\u00a0 When I told some of my friends what I was doing, they said, \u201cDo you think that is safe?\u201d\u00a0 All of them were questioning, \u201cYou are going to take Addie with you?\u201d\u00a0 I think that is our natural instinct as mothers, \u201cThat would be very dangerous.\u201d\u00a0 No, we are not talking about going down under the bridge and asking people in their cardboard huts if we can give them food or money.\u00a0 We are talking about organizations that are well-run and that have a place for people like us to plug-in.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think for us it has been a really great opportunity for Addie to see that not everyone has everything together, and that is okay.\u00a0 We can help those people instead of judging them or walking away from them.\u00a0 It has been an opportunity for her to give things.\u00a0 We have her, if she wants, give up her stuffed animals to the kids.\u00a0 That has really been an interesting journey for her because she is only four.\u00a0 It is quite hard to give away the things you love, but she has been learning that.\u00a0 So I think all of us can teach our kids some valuable spiritual lessons if we are willing to risk going someplace that is a little messy. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>I am going to make another confession; I have already made one confession this week, but I might as well just come clean with all of this.\u00a0 There are times when I have interacted with folks who are in need, who are homeless or who are looking for money, and we\u2019ll get into a spiritual conversation.\u00a0 Almost always these folks identify themselves as Christians.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe confession is: I feel like I am being played.\u00a0 I\u2019 m just being honest; I feel like this person knows that, \u201cIf I\u2019ll say, \u2018Jesus\u2019 to this guy who has just identified himself, he\u2019ll open up his wallet a little bigger.\u00a0 He will feel like he has to have even more compassion because now I\u2019m one of him.\u201d\u00a0 So what do I do with that?\u00a0 How would you guys coach me on this sense that someone is talking Jesus-talk to me just to get some more money out of me?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>That sounds really similar to experiences that I have had on the sidewalk.\u00a0 You know, we all have developed our radar.\u00a0 That is why there is so much benefit to taking the good motivations we have in those moments and funneling them into local organizations, or even national organizations that you have educated yourself about, and plugging in your time and your efforts and your money into them.\u00a0 You know that people are there, they have made a commitment and there is a good strategy for getting these people out of their cycle of homelessness.\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong><strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>At that point, I\u2019ll confess my cynicism about some of\u00a0 these homeless shelters that I\u2019ve run into over the years where you hear the stories about how the money is being cyphened off and it never ends up going to feeding or clothing or helping the people that it was intended for.\u00a0 I think there is a good practical way for you to check on that.\u00a0 This doesn\u2019t guarantee you that the organization will be one hundred percent pure in its motive but if the logo for ECFA\u2014the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability\u2014is on their letterhead or on their door or on their website it lets you know that their board of directors and governance is not loaded with relatives.\u00a0 It\u2019s a good mix of people from different disciplines and that they are audited.\u00a0 They are accountable to an outside organization for spending their money the way they said they would spend it.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t just apply to rescue missions or homeless organizations.\u00a0 That applies to all ministries and in fact I\u2019ve always encouraged folks that when you are looking to give whether it\u2019s to any ministry whether it\u2019s a broadcast ministry or a homeless shelter look and see if they are members of ECFA.\u00a0 If they are not you need to ask the question, \u201cwhy?\u201d\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019d never give to them but it means you ought to know why they aren\u2019t members before you make that decision.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis:<\/strong>\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you mentioned that Bob because I know some very fine organizations that give money to the poor and feed the hungry who are not members of ECFA and I know about them because I was a board member for ECFA for a number of years and I\u2019ve actually encouraged those organizations to join because by being outside of that accountability I think they raise questions about their own organization.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRegardless about all that here\u2019s the challenge for the single person who is listening or the single mom or married couple or even some grandparents who are listening in I think what Michael and Hayley are challenging us with today is one worthy of really praying and asking God is there something You would like me to go and do in the name of Christ in our community?\u00a0 To get engaged and involved and perhaps help financially this Christmas season these folks who feed, clothe, and train folks who have been impacted by this economic climate.\u00a0 I would go so far to say just as FamilyLife evaluated its own purpose a number of years ago and really determined that we needed to be involved in a compassion outreach.\u00a0 We started a ministry called Hope for Orphans which put us near the foster care system here in America but it also exposed us to needs worldwide for orphans and addressing the subject of adoption.\u00a0 That\u2019s been good for our organization.\u00a0 I think what you are talking about Michael and Hayley will be good for individuals, for married couples, and for families here at this Christmas season.\u00a0 I want to thank you for enduring 6,001 miles and I pray you have no more flat tires.\u00a0 In fact, have you had any flat tires in 6,000 miles?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Hayley:<\/strong>\u00a0 We\u2019ve had other things.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Michael:<\/strong>\u00a0 We did have one flat tire but it wasn\u2019t while we were driving.\u00a0 Going on a round the globe road trip like this has really upped my handy man skills.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t(laughter)\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019ve got more receipts from Home Depot and Camping World.\u00a0 It is my hope that families and churches and organizations will watch this DVD and the other resources together and get inspired to do exactly what you are saying.\u00a0 Get plugged in locally or even on a national level to help those in need.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob:<\/strong>\u00a0 And I think anybody who watches what you have put together and who meets via video the people you have been meeting in person\u2026its compelling.\u00a0 It shows you a different face to this issue than what we normally think of.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping that families or small groups or churches will be a part of the Hungry Planet Bible Project and get the \u201cNo Room at the Inn\u201d Advent devotional experience.\u00a0 This is a DVD ROM that features a mini documentary and some of the footage that you\u2019ve shot as you\u2019ve gone from shelter to shelter around the country.\u00a0 It features the Christmas story read by homeless and hungry people which is a different way to even think about the Christmas story.\u00a0 It\u2019s got a discussion guide that families can use and creative ideas on things we can do to make like more comfortable for those in need.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou can find out more about this resource by going to our website FamilyLifeToday.com.\u00a0 You can order from us online if you\u2019d like.\u00a0 While you are on the web let me also draw your attention to the book that Barbara Rainey has written called <em>When Christmas Came<\/em>.\u00a0 It takes one of the most familiar verses in the Bible John 3:16 that talks about God as a giving God and puts it in the context of the Christmas season.\u00a0 It includes some original watercolor work that Barbara has done.\u00a0 It\u2019s a beautiful book and you can see a copy of it on our website as well.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou can also request these resources from us by phone.\u00a0 Our number is 1-800-FL-TODAY.\u00a0 That\u2019s 1-800-358-6329.\u00a0 That's 1-800-F-as-in-family, L-as-in-life, and then the word TODAY.\u00a0 When you get in touch with us we can pass along to you how you can have these resources sent to you.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOne of the things that is humbling for us here at <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is to stop and consider the number of folks who not only listen to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> but those of you who have gotten in touch with us throughout the year and helped to support this program by making donations for the ministry of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>.\u00a0 It is humbling to think that you would send in a $25 or $50 or $100 donation and some of you more than that.\u00a0 We appreciate your financial partnership with us.\u00a0 We are listener supported so all of the costs associated with producing and syndicating this daily radio program those costs are funded by your generous support.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBetween now and the end of the year we have a special opportunity that has been made available to us.\u00a0 Some friends of the ministry have stepped forward to say we want to encourage <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> listeners to make a year-end contribution in support of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They are encouraging you to do that by agreeing to match every donation that we receive between now and the end of December on a dollar for dollar basis up to a total of $1,250,000. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is the largest single matching gift that we have ever received as a ministry and that\u2019s very exciting news for us but what it means for us is that we need as many listeners as possible to go online at FamilyLife Today.com or to call 1-800-FL-TODAY and be as generous as you can in making a year-end contribution.\u00a0 If you make a $50 donation they will pitch in another $50 so you\u2019re donation is doubled this month.\u00a0 We do hope to hear from you.\u00a0 Again thanks for your support.\u00a0 We look forward to hearing from you.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe hope you have a great weekend.\u00a0 We hope you can worship together.\u00a0 And we hope you can join us back on Monday Greg and Martha Singleton are going to be here and we are going to talk about some creative ways that families can turn their home into a place of worship.\u00a0 I hope you can be with us for that.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, and our entire broadcast production team.\u00a0 On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine.\u00a0 We'll see you back next time for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas.\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHelp for today.\u00a0 Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>","theme_header_position":"","post_header_is_sticky":"","is_header_overlay":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast\/301932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/podcast"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=301932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/294104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=301932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=301932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=301932"},{"taxonomy":"podcast_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast_series?post=301932"},{"taxonomy":"cwp_profile","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cwp_profile?post=301932"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=301932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}