"I hate Gandhi" and other potentially offending phrases.

Back in July, in response to feeling patronized, the Reverend Jessie Jackson threatened to "cut out" Barack Obama's fellas (family jewels, twig and berries, fishing tackle, etc)! I would say that's pretty offensive - at least if you are Barack or someone close to him. Apparently, "cut out" is much more demeaning of an action that "cut off." If you ask those that have had a staph infection in that area or the likes of John Wayne Bobbit, it probably boils down to "6 to one and half dozen to another."

What's my point? I often don't have one. Well ... got a few "comments" about previous posts' titles that appear to be offensive to a certain demographic. The note was anonymous spam but included the following titles:

• Castro Sails & Dissidents Thwarted
• Mini-Oprahs really do suck!
• Mansions In Africa Need Quality Hand Soap
• Warning ... you may be dumber after reading this.
• Jesus, could you get that for me?
• Amish Bling & The Art Of Bookmark Sharing
• Boys, Beer, Baby food, Bug spray, & Bananas
• Without Jesus we'd all be Ukranian.
• Whores, whores, whores.

No substantiation was given for the offensive nature nor was there any mention of the content of the posts (which in my biased opinion is the whole point of the post.)

So to all the Fidel apologists, Harpo fans, poor people in Africa, morons, bible bashers, Amish that have internet connections, Ukrainians, and working girls, I'd like to issue the following statement:

"For any harm or hurt that this hot mic conversation may have caused, I apologize ..."

Actually, I stole that from Jessie ... Jackson said he couldn't recall everything he'd said in the studio. Either way, those titles don't seem so bad when stacked up against publicly threatening to castrate a public figure. So I tried to think of another offensive title and "I hate Gandhi" seemed pretty disturbing.

Here's a picture that is more disturbing than offensive ...

... that's my good friend Kevin riding his daughter's bike - not one of Rockwall's mentally disturbed. Thanks for the fodder, Kev.

Speaking of Kev, a few of us rolled downtown this weekend to old Boxtown. Although unsure of how to measure success on the streets, the fact that 5 guys in 2 cars with 90 sandwiches, 50 biscuits, 15 cases of water, and Jesus leading the way through the dirt, made the trip worthwhile.

Despite walking in on a drug deal, witnessing the act of prostitution, and getting berated by a drunk, we managed to form a prayer circle, share the Word, and distribute a lot of H2O to the summer street and bridge "lifers". Getting a hug and a thank you from a fella named James validated the whole trek.

I took a few pictures with my phone (visit Graves ABF for more pics) - something I usually would not do out of respect for others homes. Most of the pics did not turn out well. But one tells the tale of 2 worlds, separated mostly by skin color and commercialism:


That's Mack. 3 years ago he would not speak to us. Last Christmas he told us why. We formed a friendship. Now the city has doubled up on the fencing so no one can get back to him and it's difficult for him to get out.

"Well, he chooses to live that life." I've been told that. But everyone who's ever said that to me has never seen his cracked, swollen, bleeding feet that make it impossible for him to walk more than 20 yards without having to rest.

Despite Mack's choices in life, I will keep going to see him and the others that shelters can not reach for these reasons:

• Everyone needs a good friend.
• Everyone deserves my Jesus.
• I have the means, knowledge and ability to share both.
  

But do I have the endurance? Time will tell. Colin, Kevin, John and Chris - my fellow brothers in Christ - sure did keep me motivated this weekend. Those 90 sandwiches didn't make themselves - thanks to the Self's for being so Self-less and providing us with food and ultimately the ability to give "service with a smile." I don't know who gave the $50 for biscuits, but thank you too! It's astonishing once one thinks about all the giving that occurred just for us to be able to go ... my favorite scripture when thinking of Boxtown:

Hebrews 13

1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

By the way ... the new shelter, The Bridge, is a fantastic facility serving hundreds a day and empowering people to change their lives. I should clarify though, that feeding everyone is not the focus of the Boxtown Mission. To find out more, contact me and plan a trip down with us. Don't forget Charles Reid's testimonial on a previous post - you know, the one that I offended Ukrainians ... click here if interested.

And to wrap up, here are 2 things that have nothing to do with hating Gandhi but may be offensive ...

Unrelated link to check out - http://www.breakfastwithfred.com/
Unrelated question to ponder - Why would someone name their child Macy Dickson?