Google “Bible verses about the poor” or “Bible verses about helping the homeless“.  Oh my!

There were 66 verses listed concerning the poor, and 22 verses about helping the homeless (I feel certain there are more, but there were enough listed on the OpenBible.info website to get my attention).

Consider:

1 John 3: 17-18

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

When I read John’s words, and he refers to us as “little children” it always melts my heart.  “Love in deed and in truth.”  I take this to mean that not only are we to help the poor and homeless with their physical needs, we also need to tend to their spiritual needs as well.

In this day and age, are we really expected to take in the homeless?  I do not know..  But I do know that there is a place in Dallas, Texas that is equipped to help the homeless with their physical as well as their spiritual needs, and we can help them do that.

Dallas LIFE does this for hundreds of homeless men, women, and families every day of the year.  Their 100,000 square foot facility is capable of housing 700 men, women, and children per day.  Amazing!

There was a reception at the Dallas Country Club (Be still my heart!  It is beyond beautiful.) to let those in a position to significantly help Dallas LIFE know of the needs and the future plans for Dallas LIFE.  Bottom line –  They shared the blessings and challenges that Dallas LIFE has in fulfilling its mission to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to the homeless people in our community.

I was invited because they appreciate the blogs I have written about Dallas LIFE in the past.  (How cool is that?  I was astonished.  Glad I took Trusty Camera.)

Did you know?  There are 1.7 million homeless people in the U.S.  (Why have I never noticed that U.S. is “us”?  There has to be a message in that.)

The stories of the people who come to Dallas LIFE and choose to enter and graduate from the 10 month New LIFE program speak volumes.

Judy is a 65 year young senior citizen.  She had always taken care of herself, but two years ago she hit rock bottom.  She was homeless.  Family took her in for a while, but she wanted to be on her own.  She did her research, and decided Dallas LIFE provided her the best opportunity for a New LIFE – Not a hand out but a “hand up”.

Dallas LIFE has the only long-term program developed especially for seniors in the Dallas area.  Judy worked with Mary Ann Sweeney, Senior coordinator at Dallas LIFE, and now she works for Dallas LIFE and will soon have her own housing.  She is so thankful for her New LIFE and especially her renewed LIFE with the Lord.

Bob Sweeney, Executive Director of Dallas LIFE, affirmed that people who give of their time and money to a charitable cause want the programs they support to be successful.  Judy is just one example of many successes that result from the Dallas LIFE programs.  Bob was so proud of Judy because of her success at Dallas LIFE, and also how effectively she spoke to all of us.

Omar also shared his successful experience with Dallas LIFE.  He certainly is not what one would think of when stereotyping the homeless.  He was funny and so articulate about the “hand up” he has been given from Dallas LIFE.

While I talked with him, he mentioned the fact that Dallas LIFE offered him a plan – The 10 month New LIFE program – to end his homeless situation.  In the past 10 years, 2,500 people have gone through the New LIFE program.  Dallas LIFE works.  Graduates are trained and prepared for their New LIFE.  After completing the 10 month program, they will have employment and shelter.

It was an amazing evening.  People who have supported Dallas LIFE for decades were there.

Friends from First Baptist Church Richardson were there.  The Mrs. was with her son Michael who is presently Chairman of the Board for Dallas LIFE.

Ever-Lovin’, Loree Beth, and Charlotte were enjoying themselves.  (Jeff was somewhere.)

Hearing Bob speak is always inspiring.  He told of Pizza Hut who has given 200 pizzas a week to Dallas LIFE for the past 10 years.  They have supplied 416,000 meals (valued at $811,200) and they have sent more employee volunteers than any other company.  Pizza Hut will be honored at the LEGENDS OF SERVICE awards luncheon in May of this year.  If you are interested in attending this event and learning more about Dallas LIFE, visit their website HERE.  On this site, you can also learn of volunteer opportunities.

It was a wonderful evening, and many people worked hard to let us know about what is happening at Dallas LIFE.

Blessings to you and yours,

More blessings to share.  Dallas LIFE was awarded a $400,000 grant to create a state of the art kitchen.  This spring the new on-site medical facility will be completed (Pictures of it look amazing.) Plus there was so much more.  But the bottom line is that it takes over $6,000 to provide the 10 month New LIFE program for each resident.  A small price to pay for a New LIFE.