Mt. 18:10 - 11 NIV
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
Jesus instructs us to not look down on the little ones. These little ones are the sheep we must watch over and let not one of them stay lost. In this context, there are many lost sheep living on the streets that make up the homeless population in America today. Many times, we move about our daily lives and we forget about the little lost ones.
Understand that these little ones have angels always positioned before God in heaven. You are the angel of a little one as an anointed man or woman of God, Believer, Christian. You have the ability to speak for a little one who cannot speak yet. When we look down on these little ones, we sin. In this context, looking down on a little one is not caring for their cause, not demonstrating love or charity, selfishness, judging, discriminating, etc. These sins keep the little ones lost. However, understand that because we are positioned before God, God sees what we do and do not do for the little ones. It is important to help a little one achieve self-sufficiency beginning with affordable housing, food, and healthcare. amen? Amen!
Understand that the face of God that angels see includes the blessings God has bestowed upon them. Look around you and discover the face of God in your home. Give Him praise (Halleluia)!
God is also a God of all decency and order and we must show ourselves approved even during political battles to accomplish the Great Commission.
Cross-Disability ~ Understand that we have arrived at a season of cross-disability. This means that all persons with a disability are united to bring down the barriers of homelessness and affordable housing. Mental Health Consumers need affordable housing equally as the blind or person with sugar diabetes.
Bridge-Subsidy Programs ~ Understand some states make this program available to eligible persons who are currently waiting for Section 8 Vouchers. This program is a "bridge" between homelessness and shelters to provide housing that is affordable in the meanwhile and is not a permanent resource housing program. There are strict guidelines varying by individual states, but the Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) or HUD is a place to start learning if your state offers a Bridge-Subsidy Program and how to apply for it. Remember, eligible applicants must already be waiting on the Section 8 Voucher Program wait list. Visit the National Center for Independent Living for more information and resources as well:
www.ncil.org. Self-Directed Care ~ Understand that all housing choices start with a self-directed care plan. This is the nation's acknowledgement that consumers do indeed have choices and should be able to choose where he or she wishes to live in any community. The housing choice should be based on the individual's needs and the individual makes the choices. A person with a disability has a choice of living in the community and may not choose to live in a nursing home, assisted living unit, group home, etc. just as a person with sugar diabetes can choose where he or she lives.
Understand that billions of federal dollars will be saved by allowing persons to live in the community with supports and services versus being forced to live in a mental institution or nursing home, etc.. Those saved dollars over time can be used to create self-directed housing opportunities. Those dollars over time can also significantly and powerfully reduce homelessness in the United States of America (US).
Understand that many persons in a mental institution today are there because of the lack of access to affordable housing and not because he or she cannot achieve recovery and self-sufficiency. This is a situation of imprisoning persons with disabilities needlessly.
President Obama has succesfully changed policy in a post-Bush era and in order to fully implement those policy changes so that we can see more and more of the effects of the Affordable Healthcare Act, Job Growth, Education, etc., we must have a Congress that will not chip away at President Obama's policies. We know that when both Congress and the President are on the same team, we see "Change." It was proven with the past election and with the landmark passing of healthcare reform. Vote to keep a democratic Congress!!!
Advocates beware of the tactics of the media to do everything it can to keep US from voting!!!!
Passing the peace,
Posted By: agnes levine
Saturday, October 30th 2010 at 8:21AM
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