Homeless Voice; Larger Than Life

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When Jim Batic came to the shelter, he knew he had a long way to go, that hasn’t slowed him down though...

Larger Than Life

The story of one man’s walk to health, and a bettter life...

Staff Writer This is a story about a gentleman who is larger than life. I use that terminology for the simple fact that he is but in two different ways. Jim Batic entered our facility at the weight of 460 pounds.

By societies standards he is considered a large man and would be ridiculed by many for his size, but what those people do not know about Jim is I would say of the 460 pounds, 300 pounds of it is his heart. This is a man who goes through each day offering his services in any way he can. Never complaining or feeling self pity about his size Jim simply smiles every minute of every day sitting in his specially built chair and bed asking over and over what he can do to contribute in the assisting of our clients.

His day is one of boredom as he enjoys sitting in the front lobby area reading books and watching the people as they come and go, and when asked by a staff member if there is anything he would like to do, he simply states “thank you but I’m fine, this is all very good for me.” 99% of the time we try to keep the clients out of the lobby as to not interrupt business as it gets pretty hectic at times but with Jim it is a pleasure to have him there. He has a wit and banter that makes him enjoyable to talk to not to mention he can be a pretty intimidating sight to those who come in to cause trouble. We do not ask anything of Jim, no money, no work, nothing; we just want him to be around because of who he is.

He has always had a propensity for helping people. Throughout his life anytime he saw someone in need he would go out of his way to assist them.

If they needed food Jim would feed them, if they needed a ride Jim would be their chauffeur, if they needed socks or shoes Jim would forget about what he needed and get them what they needed.

East New Mexico University is where he gained his education and knowledge in computers and put that to good use by becoming a computer pro-

grammer for Bartlett Bank. Before joining the work force Jim was with the Air Force and please refrain from all the jokes that may be entering your mind about that. He was an administrator and obviously the recruiters saw enough potential and future in him that he was accepted into arguably the hardest of the armed services to become a member of. Was he in Top Gun school? No, was he Ironman’s wing man?, No, although I do hear he sings a pretty mean version of “you lost that loving feeling.” However his work on his computer in retrospect was just as important since it was his computer skills that allowed planes to get off the ground safely and efficiently.

His story is probably one of the hardest I have ever had to write for the mere fact Jim is a very humble man, a down to earth man, a kind and generous man who prefers to keep his life simple and without accolades. While interviewing him trying to get copy points of exciting things that may have happened in his life there just wasn’t much to be told and if there was Jim certainly wasn’t going to let me in on it. Just like Jim this story is the prototypical ‘what you see, is what you get’ just as he is. There are no embellishments, no glorifying of his life, just the simple facts about a man who chooses to live his life as a person who only wants to do right by others without having people feel sorry for him.

When asked what his hobbies were or his greatest plea-

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“

If I run out of food and no one could take me to the store for a few days I would use that as a really bad and unhealthy diet

”

- Jim Batic

On our Way to the Holy Days Dennis Bratcher

As we approach the end of Lent and near Easter, some of you may be wondering where the time went. Lent should be a time of reflection, sacrifice and preparation for the coming of our Lord. If you haven’t stuck to what you gave up for Lent or maybe haven’t been as prayerful as you had wished, you can start now. One of the best things about our God is that He is a forgiving father. The following story is a breakdown of Holy Week, the most important time of our calendar year. I hope you all have a chance to enjoy Holy Week and have a

Happy Easter.

The Days of Holy Week Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter or Resurrection Sunday. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus through various observances and services of worship. While some church traditions focus specifically on the events of the last week of Jesus’ life, many of the liturgies symbolize

Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves

(Continued on pg 8)

The Homeless Voice April 2011

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Friends of the Homeless For just $15 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day 1st Continental Mortgage Adam Staler Addias Eugene Adriana Fernandez Adriana N. Quila† Adrienne and Mike Al & Barbara Liebmann Al and Annie Albert J. Hamilton Ph D Albert J. Taragowski Alfred C. Scuderi Jr. Alice Ford and Melvin MawHinney Allen Yancy Amanda Reynolds Amber Rowan American Express

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Frances Klein In Loving Memory of Isabel Grimany In Loving Memory of Jose A. Estruch, Jr. In Loving Memory of Kris Soltan In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of Martin E. Grey Rosa Esperanza Manrique In Loving Memory of My Daughter Melissa Pino Lurz

Mail check to: COSAC Foundation P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 Please include on memo what name should appear in paper.

In Memory of Mertedes De Pinto In Loving Memory of Peter Sullivan In Loving Memory of Rex Lichtenberger In Loving Memory of Thomas Gasbarro In Memory of Steven Maderman In Memory of Martha Hughes In Memory of Betancueto Family In Memory of Bill Sledge In Memory of Billy Corwin In Memory of Brian

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Samual Manery Samuel R Halpern PA Sandra K Stevens Sandra L. Wilhelm Sarah R Currin Sarah Toledo Savoia Sweig Scott Aguiar Sebastian Parks Sergio Cobo Sheila Holder Sheldon Jones Sherline Cyriaque Shirley Ullman Sophonie & Ketty Toussaint Southern Financial Title Services Inc. Steinhardt Family Steve Dillan Steve Goolsby Sue T & Robert K Mahood Sunbelt Medical Billings, INC. Surfiní Seniors Inc Susan Chisefsky Susan C Humeston Susan Pasqualino Susan P Brady Suzanne Matsurra Suzette M. Rodriguez Tailored Advertising, Inc Tamara Southard Tara Hunter Temple Aron Hakodesh Temple Beautiful Thank you so much Sean & Lois for all your help.

Thank You Winn Dixie Theresa Rothrock & David J Valeo The Baldwin Family The Baptista Family The Chilsons The Davis Family The Geise Family The Herrmann Family The Herrmann Family The Kunicki Family The Ladueís The Maione Family The Martinez Family The Matsuura Family The Monserrate Family† The Morabito Family The Nicaraguaís The Ramos Family The Rionís Family The Savir Family The Schneider Family The Strikowski family The Swartout’s†† The Verny & Stewart Families The Watsons Thomas A Kramer Thomas Rua Thye Rencurrellís Timothy and Barbara Wilson Timothy L. Whitelaw Timothy Lukehard Todd Palgon Tom Thumb Food Stores, Inc. Tressie W. Osborne Triana M. Resto & Frank Gomez Una Gota De Vida, Inc Uylna Quadrino Vance Gunn Victoria J. Arasim Virginia H. Bailey Wendy Bryan William & Silvia Hoblet Wynona A Thompson Yorick and Bonita † Yvonne Fischer Zlata and Alfredo Jr Salazar In Loving Memory of Angela J. Fante “Mimi” June 4, 1917 June 12, 2010

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Our Dedicated Readers,

Over the years I have written stories on just how much help we need. It is that time once again for me to ask each and every one of you to help us in several ways. Recently I have had so many personal issues involving my own health, the loss of my best friend Johnny, now my loving dad who has just been diagnosed with two forms of deadly cancer. Last month after being told over and over my dad was cancer free of the liver and pancreas we soon found out that the doctors made a mistake. Before I get any further I ask each and every one of you to pray for my dad that he receives a loving miracle. I will now say Amen to your prayers. Also please pray for Dennis James as well he is our client and friend he has lung cancer. Better yet why don’t we all just stop doing what we are doing and pray for a cure for all cancers? Cancer affects every one of us and it is about time there is a cure.

With all this happening it has caused a major strain on this shelter system. Many of you know that Johnny passed away a few months back but what many of you do not know is that I got hurt trying to get Johhny out of the building when we had one emergency caused by Florida Power and Light. Basically FPL caused an outage in the building and when we told them Johnny was on oxygen and we had a backup system running his oxygen and for them not to shut the remaining power off until they spoke to me, they shut it down and we had to hand carry Johnny out of the building. When this happened we had to carry him down three flights of stairs and I got pretty banged up.

Then about a week later we kept on telling FPL we had issues with our AC and other electrical items that they broke- a small fire/smoke incident took place and I had to carry Johnny out of the building again who would not leave because he wanted the .32 cents in his shoe he kept on dropping his shoe in the fire exit and was not allowing others to evacuate the building. I felt really bad after I screamed at him to let the shoe go so I could carry him out. Johnny had one leg missing and he did not have his prosthetics’ on so he was trying to walk down the stairs with just one leg. I kept on getting banged against the wall and missing steps and having short little falls that ripped some of my tendons in half. Smoke was coming in through the AC that was damaged by the first FPL incident and we did not know exactly what was on fire, but what we did know was that smoke is what causes most deaths in a fire so getting everyone out of the building was very important. From all of this I have to have six surgeries. My left foot, my left knee, my right knee, and both shoulders and a hernia surgery. I also reinjured my back and neck which was pretty good in the last seven years. Then I must have tore up my hips or my hips now hurt and burn so bad maybe because of the way I am limping from my other injuries. I have been in and out of a wheel chair for about the last six months and only doing my board responsibilities. The old Sean Cononie is not able to perform running the shelter like I use to. As soon as I lose some weight they are willing to do the surgeries to get me back to being somewhat normal , I hope. However, losing the weight has been hard so I am kind of in a standstill presently. The shelter has lost me from my every day work at the shelter. From this, we had to hire more people to fill in for me. Plus with me not doing my normal work trying to get funds in to the shelter system it has caused some setbacks.

For those of you that knew Johnny or knew of him you knew he gave me personal strength for this whole agency was started because of him. Anytime I wanted to quit because of the hours I put in and the personal stress I would run into Johnny who just being in his presence made this man know in his heart that I needed to be here helping people like him. There was something so beautiful about this homeless man who had a heart bigger than anyone I ever knew. His smiles, his comments and his warmth was what I needed. Losing Johnny was like losing a child of special needs. I really miss him and so do all the clients who live here. Johnny was the backbone of COSAC for he was the King of COSAC. His bed was outside my office door because he did not like to be closed up in a room. So as I made my way in and out of my office many times thought out the day Johnny and I had always time to talk. If John was eating something he was quick to offer it to me. Johnny had nothing but was always willing to share whatever he had in his hands. If he was holding something in his hands he always offered to share it with me or many others. Still to this day his bed is still there in the hallway saved for special people who will come to us in the future. I know he is smiling from heaven knowing that his little area he lived in * Mary Summers for so many years is now used for others who * Cassandra Wilson are special and need more assistance than other * Charlene Duarte clients. * Rusty Columbo My loving dad who still coached till the age of * Devon Bailey & Family 70 has been stricken with cancer. My poor mom * Maria Dragon who has been married for well over 50 years to * Vemonda Lane & Family him is sad but amazingly enough is holding on. * Charlie My mom was always a worry wart but God has * Mr. Mike given her so much strength so she can repeat* Tiffany edly say to my dad positive things and for him * Dvora not to worry about her. When my dad found out * Ed Giampietro he was terminal his first words out of his mouth * Kristan David Perez was who was going to take care of mom. I reas* Tommy & Joe sured him that we, his children who he raised * Geralyn * Little Ryan with the morals they both gave us meant that * Earnest Bowens & Family no way would mom be forgotten about and that * Ed & Ruth mom would have everything she needed, but my * Rudy dad meant more than ever who was going fill in * Lisa for him. My mom and dad were always together * John McLean and the best times they had were at the ball park * Darren watching the grandkids play ball. They would * Jan Cerrito go to at least five games a week and then would go to the school my sister was the athletic diCathy’s Prayer List rector of and go to all the games and watch the students play ball as well. Yes my dad played To add a name please professional baseball for the Washington Senacall 954-410-6275, no monetary dona- tors in the late 50’s and my mom also married tions needed the word sports.

Even though I love the shelter and I spend ev-

Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher Sean Cononie Editor in Chief Mark Targett Executive Editor Sara Targett Photos Lois Cross Christopher Bombery Contributing Editors Margo Poulson Jamie Kisner www.HomelessVoice.org/contact ery minute of my life there my dad and family will come first. I will be traveling back and forth to Jacksonville for now it is five days there and five days at the shelter. In my van sits six piles of past due paper work that has been due for moths. With me being in and out of the hospitals and working so many hours I am behind in everything. Mark has set up video conferencing for any emergencies and Lois and the gang is holding up the fort just like when I had bacterial meningitis and almost died about five years ago.

As most of you know we do not get any funding and we the homeless create every dollar that comes in to a shelter that serves the population that does not qualify for the main stream shelters. We take the ones that are severely mentally ill, chronic and severely disabled. At the main stream shelters they only get in if they can complete and graduate a program. This newspaper you are reading operates about 14 different agencies as well as getting one of the first jets in to Haiti with 70 doctors on board and thousands and thousands dollars worth of antibiotics needed from all the amputations taking place during the earthquake last year, (Podcast Episode #6 on HomelessVoice.org) The homeless themselves raised the funds, packed supplies into trucks and carried it from one truck to the next. It was a repeat of all the hurricanes our disaster agency responded to about five years ago when Florida was struck with one hurricane after another.

With all this happening to us and me, it has affected our funds and we need you now more than ever. We need to raise about $500,000 dollars and we need to do it fast. Remember those days about 10 years ago when we needed to raise a little over a million to buy the shelter. Well that happened and the shelter is paid in full. Not only the shelter but a few smaller shelters are now paid off. All because you the people buy our paper.

We need each of you to please buy a raffle ticket by following the directions on the back cover and then we also need each of you who buy our paper to send in a check for ten dollars. If each of you did this, this would put us through our crisis period allowing me to do what I need to do and allowing the shelter system and the 14 other smaller agencies to still run without interference. Agencies like our outreach agency who takes our make shift ambulance out on the streets with our nurses and doctors getting medical assistance to those who do not seek shelter. It is so important for this to be done. Please come by and see your shelter and our shelter, I say yours and ours because it is not the governments shelter it belongs to the people who made this happen.

The Homeless Voice April 2011

Our Homeless Voice readers:

“The Boy From Town”

4 The Homeless Voice April 2011

Alisha Marrero Since the moment these brown eyes lay on him, My huge heart completely filled up with joy.

No one could have ever compared to him, Not even the world’s finest barbie toy.

His amazing smile has me stopping & staring, With those blue eyes, that were so securing.

With his massive heart, he’s very caring.

With that physique he was so alluring.

He has the magic to speak through his eyes, He’s so good it’s like McDonalds french Fries, Making me think there could be no other guy’s

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

Robert Frost

So perfect there’s no need to improvise.

But, I’m the happiest girl because I, Truly know I have the best boy in town.

Fading Out Paola Rivero Good-bye came in the form of eighth grades end Going to different schools divided us, The aid of phones made that problem suspend.

Alexander Vega Where has she gone, girl with the flower Midday, what would she do at this hour The one who learned never to cower People would see her and simply “wow” her The way she walks she is worth some gold I get jealous of her eyes so light How she listens to what she is told She might as well make a dark room bright Aren’t I lucky with this great girl She can take me across the whole world Wouldn’t trade her for even a pearl We’d stop so i can give her a twirl I’m told she’s the most beautiful girl I tell she’s the greatest in the world

Cosette Pulido I feel the sun shining through my window, I hear loud noises as I try to wake.

I try but I’m attached to my pillow, My minds racing, I’m getting a headache.

In the beginning there was not much fuss.

We said “keep in touch” and always meant to, Finding time to talk was becoming tight.

Well we did try but our plans went askew, We held to our friendship with extreme might.

I just can’t remember. What did I dream?

I won’t wake until I remember it.

I can feel it coming back like a beam, Than a face appears but I can’t see it, I don’t know why but he makes my heart race.

If I ever lost him my heart would break.

He’s like something that has fallen from grace.

Suddenly it all comes back and I wake.

I smile as I begin to sit and see, The man of my dreams was right next to me.

Those occasional talks were not enough.

Gabby and Helena, my two best friends, We are losing our friendship off the cuff.

We have definitely hit some odds and ends.

Although our separation only last half a year, I knew our friendship would never disappear.

It was dedicated to some friends i began to grow apart from when we decided to go to different high schools.

Kathryn Pena

Susana Martinez

Title: His Broken Pot

Friendship That’ll Last a Lifetime

Darling, do you know how much I love you?

She never fails me and is always there,

I will tell you a lot I do you see

Petal by petal the flowers life goes

She shows you her love through those big, brown eyes.

You don’t care, but I onl wish you knew

Tear by tear my life-long love tares away

That love so deep, for her I’ll always care,

How it feels to have you just ignore me

As one nears death, the other beauty shows

And a smile from me she can always rise.

Your scent is so intoxicating dear

It’s scarlet face shining in the suns ray I sat in my room, crying all alone.

It is a revolutionary war

Why my darling has shunned my affection

She walked right in and she comforted me.

There are problems, much, and there is this fear

Gradually worse as his sight grew dim

Trying as for my sadness to atone,

Conflict of emotions, my heart is sore

For I have been there through desperation

Love pierced my heart, as if stung by a bee.

I hate the way you are better than I

Nursing, healing, loving, watering him Has she ever never been at my side?

At something that you do, be it as it may

But there are still more years in these young bones

She licks my face, a reassuring hug.

I’m a fly in your spider web of lies

There is still moist soil in his broken pot

Through loss of family or a friend who lied,

Love is destructive, I should have a say

As the sun restores and he pays his loans

Upon my heart strings she will always tug.

Fear of rejection, love like a fable

He swore he would not leave me in this plot On my life, she’s forever left her print, I should have known he was meant to provide

Everything she’s done for me relevant.

He’s left a seedling by my side

Good at your music, hands on the table Rachel Gonzalez Tell me in your own words, and dont you lie.

Are you thinking about me this minute?

Speak your mind, like i do mines, dont be shy.

“We make out of the quarrel with others, rhetoric, but of the quarrel with ourselves, poetry.”

-William Butler Yeats

Please just say it, and please, really mean it.

I just cant get you out of my head, boo.

Ever wonder what im thinking about?

Because, all i can see and hear is you.

I’ve fallen head over heels, no doubt.

Jossie Perera

Tiffany Reyes

Friendship is like a flourishing flower

Missing you

They start as buds and grow, it is their task They soon start changing you, they have power Why is friendship so important you ask?

There is always someone to stand by you A second opinion you can trust

Christmas without you will not be the same.

Listen, love, i know it may sound sappy.

Just how I will manage remains unknown.

I need you to need me, make me happy.

I still remember how you called my name.

Zachary Swigert I miss who she was, but not who she is I watched as her halo faded away.

Cost like a chance and I knew I would miss All the words I had wanted to say.

Do I feel so alone without you near?

Will our flower grow tall or turn to dust?

I shall count the days until you are here.

I spend much time remembering your look.

If I lose you I would have no support

Or never speak to each other and die?

We will unite our bond, forget the past Fertilizing each other so we last

How do you do that? Kill me with a kiss.

Will I survive seven months on my own?

I miss our splendid talks and walks we took.

If we do unite will our time be short?

This thing we call love, i know it is real.

Im not confused, im sure of how i feel.

But when problems arise, what will we do?

Feel lonely as a speck in a clear sky

Here we go again, falling over this.

As time goes on, will I recall your face?

Your eyes so blue as the endless ocean.

Memories don’t vanish without your trace.

I’m under your spell like a love potion.

I’ll make it because I am very strong.

Those who doubt my success, I will prove wrong.

Her hair in the wind, her dress in the sun.

Memories haunt me and so do those days Her eyes filled with soul had left me with none.

Now I am slowly eroding away.

So should I proceed or stay all alone?

The thought has become just too much to bare.

Should I recede to the depths of my home?

The thought has become just too much to share.

My heart’s broken but not beyond repair Now I move from my feelings of despair.

5 The Homeless Voice April 2011

Jaslin Martin

The Homeless Voice April 2011

6

Can the cost of fuel make you homeless?

Gasoline prices, already too high for most people's liking a month ago, have continued to soar and seem to be closing in inexorably on their record high above $4 a gallon.

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In order for you to get electrical power to your house there has to be some kind of fuel used to generate electric Written by Sean A Cononie Not really but over time if you saved gas, this means you saved money and if you saved money and you took that savings and paid an extra house payment each year this means you cut many years of paying off your loan. So if your loan went down from 30 years to let’s say 20 years this means you have ten years with no house payment. Let’s say the economy got really bad in 22 years from the time you got your house and then you lost your job. One thing you will have is your house because you paid it off with all those extra payments you paid each year. So yes the true answer is, YES, there is a chance if you pay too much for gas it may make you homeless over the long run.

Fuel economy is on every RV owners mind as well as those who drive their car back and forth to work. This is especially true with gas prices on the rise and summer travels on the horizon. Every gallon and dollar counts, and that’s why it’s important to be informed about ways to get the most out of your money spent at the pump.

Many factors combine to produce the fuel consumption profile for a specific vehicle, including weight, aerodynamic drag, engine and chassis efficiency, and how the vehicle is driven.

Here are a few on-the-road rules for best fuel economy to keep in mind while traveling: Maintain the minimum cruising speed that you find tolerable, creating minimum wind drag.

Operate in higher gears when possible; avoid downshifting until you’re using heavy throttle and cannot maintain your desired minimum speed.

Accelerate gradually, with minimum pressure on the pedal Maintain constant cruising speeds; varying speeds wastes fuel and remem-

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ber, every 10 mph faster reduces fuel economy by about 4 mpg Keep tires at the proper inflation. This means is your tire pressure correct?

Drive more gently, don’t carry extra stuff in your trunk and only put the kid’s sports equipment in your trunk on the day of practice or game day.

Combine your shopping trips.

Car pool when you can.

Remove bicycle or ski racks in between trips.

Don’t fly flags on your car.

Do not fill your tank up completely, do half tank, this means less weight Fill your tank at the coolest time of day.

Plan your route to avoid traffic jams Do you need to quit using A/C? Not really. If you drive at highway speeds with your windows open, aerodynamic drag will consume more gas than A/C. At lower speeds you may want to open your windows and turn the compressor off, at higher speeds, use the A/C. It’s time to close the windows at 50-55 mph for most cars.

Here is something you may not know. In order for you to get electrical power to your house there has to be some kind of fuel used to generate electric.

What, you do not believe me? Just open up your FPL bill and look at fuel cost. You guessed it, when the price of gas goes way up so does the fuel cost on your FPL bill. In fact, saving energy at your home will keep your electric bill down. This is why it is also important to find other energy sources like wind and solar farms where it is less costly in the long run to create electric.

So this week plan on saving fuel not only in our car but in your home. To save money at your home, look online using these key words: Save money on your electric bill, go green at home.

For more tips visit HelpingPeopleInAmerica.org

2011 Grand Raffle

COSAC HOMELESS ASSISTANCE CENTER INC. Don’t miss your chance to win $2,500!!!

$15/Per Chance

Drawing will be held 8-1-11 Winner need not be present

To purchase your chance to win send check to: The Cosac Homeless Assistance Center P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 #954-924-3571

Winner must claim prize within 30 days

What can be done to stop this crisis?

Sean Cononie

We hear all the time that the Federal Medicare program will run out of funds. We also here that Medicare has been cutting programs for the seniors and those who are disabled. Benefits that are well needed, benefits such as limiting the amount of Physical Therapy a person can have per year to the number of times a home health care nurse can come and monitor and treat a diabetic patient. Some experts believe that the more the federal government cuts these benefits and programs the health of the disabled or senior will decline therefore making their life much worse and when their health gets worse healthcare costs go way up.

Now if a person is disabled you would just think that there may be a reason why they need physical therapy or what about the senior whose bones and muscles are so torn up that they are in need of intense therapy. The idea of physical therapy is to get the person back to normal as much as they can therefore making their life better and preventing more injuries, and requiring them to have less surgery. When their health is better and they have less surgery it helps to decrease the cost of future medical care. However when they do not get the therapy they need, they fall breaking more bones and the need for hip and other major ortho replacements increases.

We as poverty providers have seen these benefits dwindle away. Another benefit is home health care for diabetic patients. In the past a nurse would be able to come to a senior’s home and take their sugar reading and give a shot of insulin based on their findings of their blood test. This is complex for regular people let along seniors who may be confused or who have bad eye sight and need to measure the insulin correctly. When a person keeps their sugar in correct limits the need for hospitalization decreases and not only less medical cost but the overall their body is having less damage over time.

Having sugar out of control means the body is being damaged more and more. Now the nurses can only come to the person’s home only a few times a week.

These two examples are just a few of what Uncle Sam has down to a population that needs these types of services. Just like most of our policy makers, they only seem to care about the outcome while in the office and forget about what will happen in the future. This same thinking is why our Federal Medicare Program has to readjust now and the readjustments are only hurting the future of the current patients and the ones who will need these benefits in the future. Will Medicare be in place in the next 30 years, many experts believe it will only cover catostrophic medical conditions. Again most of these catostrophic conditions will be caused by not having normal checkups and preventing the bad effects of medical issues that are not handled because there is no coverage for preventing them in the first place.

Instead of cutting benefits the experts that run the free world need to reach out to everyday people and ask us for ways to save Medicare. They just don’t seem to understand the reasons that cause Medicare to be so cost full is by their own design. Fraud and miscellaneous charges make Medicare so inefficient. Fraud cost so much money that if we just cut 20 percent off the table it would help Medicare tremendously. Then there is the good old durable medical equipment that is over charged either by fraud or by the Medicare Program itself allowing excessive rental charges when the items could have been paid for in just a few months.

There are many providers that commit fraud as a matter of business. Treating the patient only becomes a customer’s service feature of the office visit. The doctor treats the patient in a spirit of making them feel so good to be a patient of the doctor that the doctor can charge just about anything they want and the patient never questions the bills of the provider. Although a nice feature when a doctor does not make the patient responsible for the 20 percent of the unpaid bill, this is just another way of the patient not caring about what the doctor charges. The doctor will over-charge the patient, charge for services not rendered, and charge for office visits that did not exist, and continue to do this over and over. Sometimes the elderly are so confused that they do not even understand the bill or they do not even look at the bill because they know they do not have to pay the 20 percent or they know that their supplement will pay the bill. How do we fix the fraud? First we must educate the patient to always examine their bill and tell them it is their social responsibility to make sure charges are real. Explain to them that if they do not Medicare may not be around for their own loved ones in the future. The government must also go in to doctors offices and be the actual patient by sending in an uncover patient to see the provider and then to examine the charges. They do, do this but only when they see the same codes over and over where it is possible fraud is being done. They do not do enough spot checks. The sad part about this type of fraud is that most of the time it is committed by foreign business, people who come to America and set up clinics and overbill and cheat the American People.

The next reason why Medicare is out of control is by their own policy on the rental fees of durable medical equipment such as wheel chairs. I must tell you it is sickening to see what is being done and how the government is allowing this to happen. I had the chance to look at a bill on a Medicare patient on the use of a wheel chair. The wheel chair was being rented by Medicare for a period of over three years at fees like $297 per month.

Let’s just do some simple math for a second. Let’s take the $297 a month and make it a fee of $300 for the simple math and times it by 40 months, that works out to be a fee of $12,000 for one wheel chair which is about $11,000 more than what it would cost to buy it for the patient. I called and asked why, Medicare explained that if they did not

That works out to be a fee of $12,000 for one wheel chair which is about $11,000 more than what it would cost to buy it for the patient. rent it then they would be giving wheel chairs to patients that only needed them for a month or two and then the patient would have a free wheel chair and Medicare would lose all that money. Ok, I see their point but why not come up with a plan like if you rent it for so many months then it becomes the patients and the billing stops. Why not offer a reward if the patient gives the wheel chair back to Medicare. Guess who gets to keep the wheel chair after the patient does not need it any longer? The durable medical equipment rental company so they once again can re-rent the chair to the next person.

Too many times we do not recycle this type of medical equipment. Would it be more profitable for them to set up not for profits to open up these rental locations where they can recycle this type of equipment? We know that government is very expensive when it runs programs; would it be more efficient for the government to do this type of business then let the private sector suck up the funds? Would it be better for the government to regulate these rentals better then what they do now?

It gets worse, there are so many of these rentals that go for months to years like breathing machines for people who need to do breathing treatments. They are rented each month for fees like $15 per month when they are only about $40 in the first place.

The sad part of this is that when we do not run Medicare efficient we take from the good providers who got in the business to help people. Sometimes the fees the doctors and home health care people make are so small it becomes a loss for the provider and the provider tries to make it up by spending less time with the patient as a matter of necessity just to keep their doors open. If you look at what a doctor is paid on Medicaid you often wonder why they would see the patient. Usually these patients are much more complex than those who have our own private insurance. When you have a complex patient the doctor has to spend time with the patient. Over the years we have taken control over our client’s health care and the providers almost hate us at times because we want results and we want what is best for our client. That means we call and want to speak to the outside doctor’s we want to see blood work and results of test they did. We call ER’s and ask why certain test were not done and when we do this the provider takes it out on the patients and argues with us. It gets so bad that many of the doctors or nurses hang up on us when we try to secure this info. I questioned why would an emergency room doctor not do an important test. But then after looking at Explanation of Benefits EOBs, and I see what the hospitals charge Medicare and then I see what they get paid I now see why so many tests are not done while the patient is inpatient. I do give the hospitals credit even the ones that are profitable corporations because in a lot of cases they still do these test that they know they won’t get paid for but they still do them. My problem is that any and every test should be done to insure the best possible outcome there is for the patient.

We can’t blame the providers, the patient, or the system but what we can blame is that there is no common sense to a system that needs to be in place for all. Some of us say that the goverment should not be in the healthcare industry, yes maybe they should not be. But maybe they need to be involved in certain instances where it can become efficient for them to operate better and cost efficient. There is no real answer; there is no real way to fix the system unless we all become acceptable in our hearts as patients, as providers and as policy makers. I do not have all the answers, but there does have to be a system in place to help those who can’t afford health care and there has to be a system in place to help stop fraud on these clinics that pull in an additional 25 million a year in fake charges.

The Homeless Voice April 2011

Medicare Running Out of Money

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On our Way to the Holy Days

The Homeless Voice April 2011

The Homeless Voice April 2011

8

As Easter approaches, we remember what it’s really all about A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another

(Continued from pg 1)

larger themes that marked Jesus’ entire ministry. Observances during this week range from daily liturgical services in churches to informal meetings in homes to participate in a Christian version of the Passover Seder.

In Catholic tradition, the conclusion to the week is called the Easter Triduum (a triduum is a space of three days usually accompanying a church festival or holy days that are devoted to special prayer and observance). Some liturgical traditions, such as Lutherans, simply refer to “The Three Days.” The Easter Triduum begins Thursday evening of Holy Week with Eucharist and concludes with evening prayers Easter Sunday.

Holy Week observances, call us to move behind the joyful celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter, and focus on the suffering, humiliation, and death that is part of Holy Week. It is important to place the hope of the Resurrection, the promise of newness and life, against the background of death and endings. It is only in walking through the shadows and darkness of Holy Week and Good Friday, only in realizing the horror and magnitude of sin and its consequences in the world incarnated in the dying Jesus on the cross, only in contemplating the ending and despair that the disciples felt on Holy Saturday, that we can truly understand the light and hope of Sunday morning!

In observing this truth, that new beginnings come from endings, many people are able to draw a parable of their own lives and faith journey from the observances of Holy Week. In providing people with the opportunity to experience this truth in liturgy and symbol, the services become a powerful proclamation of the transformative power of the Gospel, and God at work in the lives of people.

The entire week between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday is included in Holy Week, and some church traditions have daily services during the week. However, usually only Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday are times of special observance in most churches.

Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday) Holy Week begins with the sixth Sunday in Lent. This Sunday observes the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem that was marked by the crowds who were in Jerusalem for Passover waving palm branches and proclaiming him as the messianic king. The Gospels tell us that Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, enacting the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, and in so doing emphasized the humility that was to characterize the Kingdom he proclaimed. The irony of his acceptance as the new Davidic King (Mark 11:10) by the crowds who would only five days later cry for his execution should be a sobering reminder of the human tendency to want God on our own terms.

Traditionally, worshippers enact the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem by the waving of palm branches and singing songs of celebration.

Sometimes this is accompanied by a processional into the church. In many churches, chil-

dren are an integral part of this service since they enjoy processions and activity as a part of worship. This provides a good opportunity to involve them in the worship life of the community of Faith. In many more liturgical churches, children are encouraged to craft palm leaves that were used for the Sunday processional into crosses to help make the connection between the celebration of Palm Sunday and the impending events of Holy Week.

This Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday to commemorate the beginning of Holy Week and Jesus’ final agonizing journey to the cross. The English word passion comes from a Latin word that means “to suffer,” the same word from which we derive the English word patient.

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday There are a variety of events that are clustered on this last day before Jesus was arrested that are commemorated in various ways in services of worship. These include the last meal together, which was probably a Passover meal, the institution of Eucharist or Communion, the betrayal by Judas (because of the exchange with Jesus at the meal), and Jesus praying in Gethsemane while the disciples fell asleep. Most liturgies, however, focus on the meal and communion as a way to commemorate this day.

During the last few days, Jesus and His disciples had steadily journeyed from Galilee toward Jerusalem. On the sunlight hillsides of Galilee, Jesus was popular, the crowds were friendly and the future was bright. Even his entry into Jerusalem had been marked by a joyous welcome. But in Jerusalem there was a growing darkness as the crowds began to draw back from the man who spoke of commitment and servanthood. There was an ominous tone in the murmuring of the Sadducees and Pharisees who were threatened by the new future Jesus proclaimed.

Even as Jesus and his disciples came together to share this meal, they already stood in the shadow of the cross.

It was later that night, after the meal, as Jesus and His disciples were praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Caiaphas the High Priest. On Friday He would die.

Thursday of Holy Week is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with the men who had followed him for so long. We do not have to solve these historical questions to remember and celebrate in worship what Jesus did and taught and modeled for us here, what God was doing in Jesus the Christ. And the questions should not shift our attention from the real focus of the story: the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Traditionally in the Christian Church, this day is known as Maundy Thursday. The term Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), from a verb that means “to give,” “to entrust,” or “to order.” The term is usually translated “commandment,” from John’s account of this Thursday night. According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus and the Disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciples’ feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servanthood.

After they had finished the meal, as they walked into the night toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught his disciples a “new” commandment that was not really new (John 13:34-35): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The colors for Maundy Thursday are usually the colors of Lent, royal purple or red violet. Some traditions, however, use red for Maundy Thursday, the color of the church, in order to identify with the community of disciples that followed Jesus. Along the same line, some use this day to honor the apostles who were commis-

(Continued on pg 10)

Larger Than Life Jim Baltic has been exercising and eating a more balanced diet since coming to The Cosac Homeless Shelter. Already he has lost 150 lbs.- well on his way to getting fit.

The edema in his legs has decreased dramatically since arriving here.

(Continued from pg 1)

sures two things came to mind. He loves reading and cooking. he did actually brag that he makes the best Macaroni and Cheese and Broccoli and Carrots, a far cry from those of us who brag about our sports careers and cars we drive. I did have to scold Jim a bit though because he wouldn’t give me the recipe for either, how selfish can you be, ha ha. he even joked about having his own product line such as “Newman’s Own”.

Every day the director and CEO of the foundation Sean gets with Jim and does some various aerobics. It is such a joy to watch them both dance in place, swing their hips and arms to the Black Eyed peas song “I’ve Got a Feeling.” Sean had told Jim that, he needed it as much as Jim did trying to get his body back in line after he got hurt in a fire at the shelter. Sean has to also lose about 75 lbs so he can have the well needed surgeries from the fire. They take a few laps around the building each morning and make sure they get their daily dose of cardiac exercises. Sean then has to rest in his wheel chair after a few minutes but they do try their best. They check their blood pressure each day just to ensure themselves that they aren’t over doing it.

You would expect Jim to gorge himself with junk food and snacks all day and you would be so wrong in assuming that. He enjoys the three meals a day as do the other residents and never wants or asks for anything other than that. His efforts are to lose his weight and get to a smaller size so he may go back and continue a normal

life of helping others he runs into each day which he can’t do now since he is restricted by his health. Obviously Jim cannot contribute to our program as a vendor and bring in the necessary funds we need to survive but the bottom line is none of us here would trade this 460 pound man for three 150 pound men who could bring in solid money every day by selling their papers. No one can replace such a man with the heart, personality and love this “gentle -man” brings to us.

As staff our goal is to keep this man alive so we may all enjoy him for a very long time. We are all better people since he has graced our facility with his presence as we have all learned a lesson about how petty we behave about our problems and realize life is what you choose to make of it.

Plan for Jim- As you can see by the before and after pictures our first goal as well as Jim’s goal was to get the water out of his legs. You see Jim became homeless when he could no longer pay his rent, and there was a time when he was even heavier when he lived on his own. (His neighbor saw Jim walking down the street and then sit down and stayed in the same position outside for many hours.) The nice person found out he was homeless and had no place to go so the neighbor took him here to the Homeless Voice Shelter.

Before he had gotten here there was a time he lost about 150 lbs because he could not always get up to eat and all he could do was lay in his bed. Then he thought

to himself that “I will use this as an advantage and if I run out of food and no one could take me to the store for a few days I would use that as a really bad and unhealthy diet” but in the long run it did pay off and he managed to lose about 150 lbs when he was at a weight of 610.

His brother had made him a reinforced bed and now that bed is at the shelter. Jim has his own special area where he sleeps and moves around slowly so he does not fall and get hurt. Once the bed got here Jim laid in it for a few days and most of the swelling is gone. If you look at the pictures one would imagine that he lost about 40 lbs in water weight.

When that happens Jim was able to be very active in trying to exercise and has even managed to get his 150 foot walk to now over 1800 feet in just about a week’s time. (When he first came in he was very short of breathe and if he got up after sitting down he was well winded and at one time we even had to call EMS for his lips turning blue from lack of oxygen and very high blood pressure.)

Jim will continue to exercise and diet and the more weight he loses he will become more active and when his walk is stable and blood pressure normal we will move him to one of our houses where he can get out of the rat race at the shelter. That is, if he wants to. Rumor has it, he likes to see all the excitement here especially hearing all the stories of how people ended up at a homeless shelter. Sean has told Jim that, Jim has inspired Sean to work out more and try to lose weight faster so he can have the surgeries faster. Soon Sean and Jim will be able to walk a mile and

just then we should be able to get a doctor to do Sean’s surgeries, all five to six of them. Sean is so impressed with Jim’s attitude and spirits that Sean felt that Jim should be on one of these weight lost TV shows and currently there is a team of big guys at the shelter including Sean who has sent in their pictures to see if they can lose weight.

In the mean time, Gail from the Shelters disabilities office will file for Social Security Disability for Jim based on all of his health concerns. After the local hospital saw the water in his legs and his high blood pressure the ER did nothing for him as far as meds were concerned so the shelters medical team will handle all his needs very soon. When Sean spoke to Jim about disability, Jim said he wanted to work. Sean then told Jim that he could still work and get paid and still get benefits and when his income got to be a normal living wage he could go off of disability. It kind of shows you that Jim expects to take care of Jim and does not want anything for free. This Jim for sure breaks the stereo type of what a lot of people think about the homeless.

To see Jim on his first day of getting up and start to exercise with Sean as his coach ( Voice Only ) in the background go to our website at: http://homelessvoice.org/video/larger-life

The Homeless Voice April 2011

10

On our Way to the Holy Days (Continued from pg 8)

sioned by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.

The sharing of the Eucharist, or sacrament of thanksgiving, on Maundy Thursday is the means by which most Christians observe this day. There is a great variety in exactly how the service is conducted, however. In some churches, it is traditional for the pastor or priest to wash the feet of members of the congregation as part of the service (John 13:3-15). Increasingly, churches are observing some form of the Passover Seder as a setting for the Eucharist of Maundy Thursday (see Introduction to a Christian Seder and Haggadah for a Christian Seder). Some churches simply have a “pot-luck” dinner together concluded with a short time of singing and communion.

In some church traditions all of the altar coverings and decorations are removed after the Eucharist is served on Maundy Thursday. Psalm 22 is sometimes either read or sung while the altar paraments are being removed. Since the altar in these traditions symbolize the Christ, the “stripping of the altar” symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers prior to his crucifixion. This, like the darkness often incorporated into a Good Friday service, represents the humiliation of Jesus and the consequences of sin as a preparation for the celebration of new life and hope that is to come on Resurrection Day. Some churches only leave the altar bare until the Good Friday Service, when the normal coverings are replaced with black.

Good Friday, or Holy Friday Friday of Holy Week has been traditionally been called Good Friday or Holy Friday. On this day, the church commemorates Jesus’ arrest (since by Jewish customs of counting days from sundown to sundown it was already Friday), his trial, crucifixion and suffering, death, and burial. Since services on this day are to observe Jesus’ death, and since Eucharist is a celebration, there is traditionally no Communion observed on Good Friday. Also, depending on how the services are conducted on this day, all pictures, statutes, and the cross are covered in mourning black, the chancel and altar coverings are replaced with black, and altar candles are extinguished. They are left this way through Saturday, but are always replaced with white before sunrise on Sunday.

There are a variety of services of worship for Good Friday, all aimed at allowing worshippers to experience some sense of the pain, humiliation, and ending in the journey to the cross. The traditional Catholic service for Good Friday was held in mid-afternoon to correspond to the final words of Jesus from the cross (around 3 PM, Matt 27:46-50). However, modern schedules have led many churches to move the service to the evening to allow more people to participate. Usually, a Good Friday service is a series of Scripture readings, a short homily, and a time of meditation and prayer. One traditional use of Scripture is to base the homily or devotional on the Seven Last Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel traditions. Father, forgive them . . . (Luke 23:34), This day you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43), Woman, behold your son . . . (John 19:26-27), My God, my God . . . (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), I thirst. (John 19:28), It is finished! (John 19:30), Father into your hands . . . (Luke 23:46) Some churches use the Stations of the Cross as part of the Good Friday Ser-

Easter morn with lilies fair Fills the church with perfumes rare, As their clouds of incense rise, Sweetest offerings to the skies.

Stately lilies pure and white Flooding darkness with their light, Bloom and sorrow drifts away, On this holy hallow’d day.

Easter Lilies bending low in the golden afterglow, Bear a message from the sod To the heavenly towers of God. -Louise Lewin Matthews

vice. This service uses paintings or banners to represent various scenes from Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, and death, and the worshippers move to the various stations to sing hymns or pray as the story is told. There is a great variety in how this service is conducted, and various traditions use different numbers of stations to tell the story (see The Fourteen Stations of the Cross).

Holy Saturday This is the seventh day of the week, the day Jesus rested in the tomb. In the first three Gospel accounts this was the Jewish Sabbath, which provided appropriate symbolism of the seventh day rest. While some church traditions continue daily services on Saturday, there is no communion served on this day.

Some traditions suspend services and Scripture readings during the day on Saturday, to be resumed at the Easter Vigil after sundown Saturday. It is traditionally a day of quiet meditation as Christians contemplate the darkness of a world without a future and without hope apart from God and his grace.

It is also a time to remember family and the faithful who have died as we await the resurrection, or to honor the martyrs who have given their lives for the cause of Christ in the world. While Good Friday is a traditional day of fasting, some also fast on Saturday as the climax of the season of Lent. An ancient tradition dating to the first centuries of the church calls for no food of any kind to be eaten on Holy Saturday, or for 40 hours before sunrise on Sunday. However it is observed, Holy Saturday has traditionally been a time of reflection and waiting, the time of weeping that lasts for the night while awaiting the joy that comes in the morning (Psa 30:5).

2011 Grand Raffle

COSAC HOMELESS ASSISTANCE CENTER INC. Don’t miss your chance to win $2,500!!!

$15/Per Chance

Drawing will be held 8-1-11 Winner need not be present

To purchase your chance to win send check to: The Cosac Homeless Assistance Center P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 #954-924-3571

Winner must claim prize within 30 days

-Pope John Paul II

Taking the Gospel Too Seriously All too often the emphasis is on what we’ve done as the cause for Jesus’ death on the Cross.

Daniel Medina, D.Min. Pastor New Antioch Church of the Brethren This phrase is taken from an essay written as part of an obituary for a radical Anglican priest of the 20th century. The Rev Alan Ecclestone was described as, “. . . possessed of a brilliant mind and endowed with outstanding pastoral gifts. But he took the teaching of Christ too seriously – some would say too naively – to be preferred for high office in the Church.”

Ironic isn’t?

And yet . . . these are two distinct characteristics that every committed Christian must embody, endure and excel to be in constant possession of. Why? Because these are the very same character traits demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ during His entire earthly, itinerant ministry. He was deemed to be radical; embodying the teachings of the Law of Moses before the people while simultaneously exhibiting all manner of blasphemy toward the very things the Law sought to safeguard against or so it seemed to the religious authorities those that determined, or rather judged, that Jesus was, in fact, a naïve, blaspheming Nazarene whose death would ultimately save an entire nation.

And so it is with us – as we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ – or at least I hope it is with us. Today is a celebration leading to a greater awareness of how we have fallen short of living our lives in a full, unapologetic commitment to emulating our Lord and Savior.

In 1 Peter 2:24, the disciple wrote, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

It is by the sacrifice on the Cross that we are redeemed, healed and made right before God the Father. The end of the whole cosmic affair of the Cross and Resurrection was to make humanity right before God. The freedom from the curse of sin corrupting every human life, every intention & purpose under Heaven was, and continues to be made available through Jesus Christ alone.

This is the inevitable consequence of Jesus’ death on the cross. It is singular and it is unique. Nothing compares to Him and to His ultimate sacrifice. It is exclusive, unpopular and not moved by, influence or compelled by polls or pundits.

Now comes the part that makes us cringe . . .

1 Peter 2:21 – “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.”

How dare God expect or even tacitly suggest that we “owe” Him something for what has always been taught (and expected as entitlement) as a “free” gift from God. Why should I somehow feel “guilty” or “committed” in having to choose to suffer and to live a life that is equated with sacrifice and with constant association to this man of sorrows; well acquainted with grief?

This leads us to the ultimate question of love. For love is the underlying message and purpose of all this. In our day and age where love is most often equated to sex and to instantaneous gratification, it almost seems absurd, if not altogether outrageous, that an individual could possible view love as (1) a choice (2) a life of sacrifice, in pursuit of healing and embodying forgiveness (3) an expression rooted in God and perfectly expressed in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Nothing that we do for someone we love – if we genuinely love them; that is to say – in freedom and in truth – is ever viewed as a necessity. It is viewed and experienced as a desire to make the other happy, comfortable, remain confident in our love for them and to enjoy their pleasure as if it was our very own. This is the love God has for us and it the love He desires for us to have toward Him. As it was freely given, it is desired to be freely received in Spirit and in Truth.

How? Through our devotion, through our sorrow, through our brokenness, through our holding on for dear life, through our giving over to Him all of our control and through the ultimate expression of selflessness – giving Him the coveted first priority over everything else that we worship over God – our family, our lives, our comforts, our pursuit for money, status, appearances & pride – just to name a few idols . . .

What I have found is that this isn’t sufficient for many. The sense of repulsion and indignation people feel at the thought that somehow they are responsible for the death of the Son of God, who taught great things 2000 years ago, is inconceivable and in the face of a postmodern, scientific worldview – totally unacceptable. There is no way to rage against this position for it is born out of the resistance and rebellion all human beings face when confronted with the reality of the human condition.

And so, this is where the parable of the Prodigal Son performs the miracle it has been doing for the last 2000 years.

You see, my friends, coming to Jesus on this day isn’t about the guilt of having somehow contributed to killing Jesus, but it is about coming to terms with the reasons for why we are not able to free ourselves from the spiritual quicksand our ancestors threw us into eons ago. In this case, we’re guilty by nature of our humanity and by the consequences of our being human.

So, yes, Christ did, indeed, die for you. That is a non-negotiable of cosmic proportion.

He died for me, and for every single person on the face of this planet – past, present and future. He took upon Himself the sins of the entire world – past, present and future.

Christ died so that you could be free from the slavery to sin – from being estranged from God in the here-and-now and of having to meet the inevitable consequences of sin – death. In more theological terms - estrangement from God in the afterlife. You see, to follow Jesus means that we follow Him forever. It means that the spiritual dimensions of our humanity become the centerpiece of our purpose on this planet – every single thing we say, do and think of is inextricably rooted in the nature of our spirit. This is why it is an inaccurate & malnourished understanding of Christianity to be so preoccupied with death and with the end of all things, for our eternity is secured in Christ and our attention should therefore be on the things of this world that need to be transformed by the Gospel.

But let’s go back to this issue of sin – past, present and future . . .

All too often the emphasis is on what we’ve done as the cause for Jesus’ death on the Cross. However, there are some of you who will receive these words, or listen to them and as you consume these paragraphs; you will struggle with the consequences of the sins that were transgressed against you.

Yes, we’re all sinners, but there are those out there who are victims of rape, sexual abuse, drunk driving, domestic violence, war and of crimes and injustices that boggle the mind of every conceivable stripe. What about the victims then? The death of Christ on the Cross heals those brutal and inconceivable transgressions. The sins waged against you are not forgotten in the divine economy of God’s mercy, purpose and grace. All the contrary… the blood and wounds of Christ are available to heal the indescribable pain victims struggle with in silence and often without any measure of advocacy or solace available to them.

The death of Christ was to redeem us from being lost. It occurred so that we, like the prodigal son, could come home to God the Father and be reintegrated into the Kingdom of God. It happened so that we could be forgiven and healed. It took place

On Spirituality

Those of us fortunate enough to live near the ocean know the ever changing beauty of a sunrise. In the summer they are misty from the warm air and cold water, in the winter they are crystal clear and brilliant in hue. On the worst of days they are something to behold, because the darkness is being driven away by the light.

Darkness comes in many forms in our world and in our lives. For those who are homeless it represents the scariest of times on the outside and the deepest remorse on the inside. Soon though, we celebrate the great feast of Easter.

The rising of the Son who dispels all darkness of every kind.

The Son who rose from the dead that all might know eternal life, that we finally understand what true love means. To give our lives

for another. To love another more than we love ourselves. May the risen Christ bring peace and joy into your heart this Easter season weather you live in a mansion or a cardboard box. His love is the same for all. DEACON BOB

The Homeless Voice April 2011

Do not abandon yourselves to despair.

We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.

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The Homeless Voice April 2011

12

Taking the Gospel Too Seriously All too often the emphasis is on what we’ve done as the cause for Jesus’ death on the Cross. so that we could be transformed from transgressors to healers and from victims to more than conquerors.

This is why the offense we feel at the scandal of the crucifixion becomes the celebration of the sacrifice of the King of Glory - and of Life - itself on Resurrection Sunday. Truly, He makes all things new and doesn’t leave any stone unturned.

And what about the stone of the tomb? What does that invite us to pray, reflect and/or consider?

For me, the most engrossing part is found starting at verse 11 to verse 15. More specifically, “… Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were sleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

This day will end and we will return to the regular course of the days, weeks and months to come. I am reminded of how the disciples that were with Jesus on the day of the transfiguration wanted to build booths and remain before the majesty and wonder of the clouds, beholding Jesus, Moses and Elijah. As soon as the desire to remain in the moment of glory, avoiding the necessary travails of the Passion, became the desire of the disciples, the cloud dissipated and the opening to Heaven was – for the time being – no longer within their ability to see.

This is the problem with days like today. Within the 24 hours, many experience momentary glimpses of glory. It’s as if they were watching Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and walked out of the cinema humbled, quiet and “not-the-same”; remember? Did it happen to you? Remember after 911, the churches were filled with “the faithful” - what happened after approximately 6 months? The numbers returned to as they were prior to the attacks.

We must be weary of those that will slander the Cross and seek to undermine the Truth. It is going to be attempted often in sophisticated and elegant ways.

Reasons and explanations will be offered in order to destroy the joy you may feel at this moment. The fire you may feel at this time, others will seek to overtake with water and sand.

Do not be afraid . . .

Trouble will come your way and circumstances in your future may be referred to as a Calvary of sorts.

Too often, Christianity comes across as triumphant and the notion of “favor” sets many on the course to emotional and spiritual suicide.

Do not be afraid . . .

11 disciples went up a mountain with the Risen Lord and worshipped Him. 11 disciples and others, I’m certain, who would be on the front lines of this revolution stood on top of a mountain and were witnesses of the authority, glory & reality of God. The Jesus I write about on this occasion is the very same that Scripture speaks of and testifies to. For 2000 years, every imaginable war has been waged against Christ and His Gospel and yet – here we are today – rejoicing in the absolute, unquestionable Truth – Christ has risen, He has risen indeed.

“

We must be weary of those that will slander the Cross and seek to undermine the Truth. It is going to be attempted often in sophisticated and elegant ways.

”

When you about to throw this newspaper away, close your computer or leave a place of worship, you will be challenged. Days of famine will come when you will feel weak and distracted. You will feel deflated at times and confused. You may think I am referring to non-believers. Sadly, I speak of all of us. Here is where the message of the Resurrection transcends the possible superficiality of the day. The Resurrection is my proclamation and in the truth of the event, I live. It transforms my entire life . . . in the midst of the death of my sense of purpose, God resurrects me. When I feel weak, He strengthens me and gives me rest. When I feel dead in spirit, He resurrects me, inspires me and sets me ablaze with His Spirit. I am never alone. He is with me and He will always be with you. No trial or tribulation will ever be in vain again. For His wounds have healed you and in your suffering you will be used to heal others – for His glory!

If you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today – you will never be alone and you will see His presence, glory and grace embrace you – now and forevermore. All authority was given to Him and He has given that to you – if you receive Him into your life today. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ breaks the bonds of death and releases you to savor and experience true life . . .

Receive Him – today. Amen.

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Cheyenne - God answers our prayers in His time... not ours...

13 The Homeless Voice April 2011

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Story by Catherine Moore “Watch out! You nearly broadsided that car!” My father yelled at me. “Can’t you do anything right?”

Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn’t prepared for another battle.

“I saw the car, Dad. Please don’t yell at me when I’m driving.”

My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.

Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts.... dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn’t lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn’t do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing.

At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor’s orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.

Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue.

Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad’s troubled mind.

But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered in vain.

Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, “I just read something that

might help you! Let me go get the article...”

I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels.

The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Longhaired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me.

I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons: too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world’s aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed.

Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray.

His hip bones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. “Can you tell me about him?” The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. “He’s a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate.

We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we’ve heard nothing.

His time is up tomorrow.” He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. “You mean you’re going to kill him?”

“Ma’am,” he said gently, “that’s our policy. We don’t have room for every unclaimed dog.”

I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. “I’ll take him,” I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. “Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!” I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. “If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don’t want it” Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. “You’d better get used to him, Dad. He’s staying!”

Dad ignored me. “Did you hear me, Dad?” I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw...

Dad’s lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw.

Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne

“Ma’am,” he said gently, “that’s our policy. We don’t have room for every unclaimed dog.” lying quietly at his feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad’s bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne’s cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father’s room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad’s bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on.

As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad’s peace of mind.

The morning of Dad’s funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life.

And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

“I’ve often thanked God for sending that angel,” he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article... Cheyenne’s unexpected appearance at the animal shelter... his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father... and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

Life is too short for drama or petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live while you are alive. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.

God answers our prayers in His time... not ours...

The Homeless Voice April 2011

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The Homeless Voice April 2011

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