Dog Poop in the Flower Bed

 

Recently I was on my walk when I noticed something which  made me shake my head in wonderment. Someone had taken the time to pick up their dog's poop into a bag, tie the bag shut, and then, they threw the bag into someone's flower bed. I guess at least they used the bag! The standard of dog poop etiquette is to carry the poop with you and properly dispose of it. This is a hot-button issue in many neighborhoods.

What does this have to do with this blog? Well, this is just a small demonstration of the fallen nature of man. It exhibits self-centeredness, laziness, and a disrespect for others and their property. 

We are told in 1 Peter 2:17 to "show proper respect to everyone..." Since we are all made in the image of God, to disrespect another person is to disrespect God. Abusing someone else's property is tantamount to stealing their ownership of that property. The owner has the right to say how their property is to be used.

Some Christians would say we should not own private property since Jesus said to sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. They may be misreading what he was saying. 

In Exodus 20:17, notice that the property belongs to the neighbor, not the community or the government. Nowhere does Jesus condemn ownership of private property. What he was saying on several occasions is "own your property, do not let your property own you." Use your property to help the homeless and the poor, to glorify the Lord, and to advance his kingdom.

Its Never Too Late

"I lived all my life not knowing God ... so at age 58, after losing my ability to work, my health, home, and all else, I didn't think God had much use for me ... until I met His Son through Brother Bryan Mission."

The statue above sits in Five Points South in Birmingham, Alabama in a mixed area of restaurants, nightclubs, music halls, tattoo parlors, synagogues, and churches.  The man commemorated by the statue is Rev. James Alexander Bryan (d. 1941).  Brother Bryan, as he was known, was an ordained minister who spent many years working among the poor and homeless of the Birmingham area.  He was known for giving away his coat and/or his shoes on even the coldest days.  Like his saviour, he "went around doing good." (Acts 10:38)  He often quoted Matthew 25:35-40.

As he lay dying, his one request was for the establishment of a place for homeless men.  The Brother Bryan Mission was the result.  Read more about Brother Bryan here .

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, their religious beliefs, or their actions. This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Nobis: (b. Wales - d. 873/874) Bishop of St> Davids in Dyffed, Walws. Relative of Asser, Bishop of Sherborne.

Wulsige: (fl. 892) Bishop of Sherborne.

Koyama Kosuke: (b. 1929, Japan – d. 2009) Theologian seminary professor, missionary in Thailand, He taught a form of Liberation Theology and sought a Christian-Buddhist dialogue. He thought that instead of being academic, theology should be accessible to peasants living in underdeveloped countries.

Jessie Hale Downs (b. 1917 – d. 2009) aka. “Mama Downs,” “Sister Jessie.” Co-founder with her husband, of the Jimmie Hale Mission in Birmingham, a mission to homeless men. Jessie’s Place for Women and Children is named for her.

Vincent Damon Furnier (b. 1948, Michigan) aka: Alice Cooper. Shock rocker, rock singer, songwriter, broadcaster, film actor, restaurantuer.