Homelessness

I have been doing some reading around young people and homelessness. it is apparent that as young people transition from state care (CYFS Care), to adult hood, this is a very vunrable time. For those already vunrable, at the age of 17, and often ill prepared, young people must begin to build their lives- a home, friend/support networks, job/training, manage money etc. This is a a huge call for someone of this age, and who has not had the support, stability and security of family home. So often this is where young people end up struggling and one of the possiblitites is homelessness.

Many researchers emphasise the need for support and a longer transitional period for young people from care into independant living. A question then goes off in my heart. Where is the communtiy to support these young people, where is the place of grace, love and support. Perhaps isntead of isolation and an individualistic appraoch, the church needs to embrace partnerships in its approach to the community, and provide quality support where the needs are. ANother thought is that there is a nother level of personal response from us. If this is an issue in our communities, lets be moved individually be moved to care and support those who need it, sacraficing time, perhaps opening our homes, mentoring someone, even just befriending!

in such a complex big issue, there are complex responses also... but maybe there are also simple ones...?

Driving Cont.

Well today i did the car pool... Its the begining of a beautiful friendship between myself and my work mate. What a small world, we live down the road from each other! So naturally it made sense.

The down side? ITs only one day... mondays... car pooling mondays.. ahs a ring to it dont you think?

However overall its a small move to save taking one more car on the road.

Thanks to all those who had bright ideas about my carbon emissions!

Righteousness

I have this week been out at the bible college in west Auckland doing a block course titled 'transformational development' among many highlights, and pondering moments, one has stuck with me a bit....

Righteousness

What is the corelation of righteousness to justice? Are they two very seperate things?

It was suggested that righteousness is a inward personal 'rightness' with God while justice is very outward focussed.

Two very distinct elements.

At this point we was informed that the greek word for righteousness was 'diakosume' which is actually bettered translated as righteousness and justice. Which i found really quite interesting.

So I went to my bible to say how this changed a few of the more well known versus that included the word righteousness. If we look through this lense.... then this leads to a foundational shift.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (and justice)

Ephesians 6:14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness (and justice) in place,

italics added

Righteousness does not alone come from being made right with God, it has to also include justice, acting justly, seeing justice done in our world. Matthew 6:33 says to seek His kingdom, His righteouness and His justice. In terms of spiritual warfare, justice now becomes an integral part of our armour. If justice was done in our world, how much would the principles and powers suffer, how much power would satan lose if in all we did, we acted justly.

Righteousness or being right with God should not or can not be distinct from justice. the two are inexplicably linked. Righeousness can not be an inward focus alone, it must look outwards too.

These among others are the thoughts i have been having.....I apologize if this is all old news... or if it does not make any sense. Any thoughts?