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Even though the U.S. government knew that the homelessness crisis grew exponentially during the pandemic, it became difficult to accurately register the numbers of those without shelter until late last year.

After two years with limited data, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released its first comprehensive Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR).

According to its findings, 582,462 individuals were registered as experiencing homelessness in America in December 2022.

According to the latest Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) findings, 582,462 individuals were registered as experiencing homelessness in America in December 2022. @ajc #homelessness
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Even though the data reveals a slight increase from the 2020 census (by about 2,000 people), some demographics and data changed significantly.

For instance, 30% of the people without a home have experienced homelessness for more than 12 months, indicating “chronic patterns of homelessness.”In another finding, the report indicates that homelessness among women and children has increased by 5%. Likewise, the pandemic shifted the data concerning families, as a quarter of homeless individuals were families with children. Fortunately, the data also revealed that those in family groups had greater access to assistance. Nearly nine in 10 unhoused people with children found shelter, a one-third decrease since 2012.

God has put a burden in my heart for the homeless for several years, and our ministry had planned to start a women’s shelter program before the pandemic hit. Naturally, we had to postpone it, but we are now excited to have identified two facilities to partner with for what we have named the “Agape Shelter Program” starting this February.“

Agape” is one of several Greek words that translate as “love.”

The English language is very generic regarding the word. We use the same verb to denote our love for ice cream as we do for romantic or brotherly love, and therefore the depth of one “love” compared to another is naturally not carried out in the words we use to express it.

In contrast, the Greek language is very particular concerning words denoting feelings. Every time “Agape” appears in the original text of the New Testament, it refers to pure, selfless and sacrificial love that intentionally works toward another’s good.

Every time “Agape” appears in the original text of the New Testament, it refers to pure, selfless and sacrificial love that intentionally works toward another’s good.
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As the highest form of love, “agape” is given as a choice, not out of attraction or duty. This type of love is beautifully described in the well-known words found in the thirteenth chapter of the first letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church:

“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Agape Love and steadfast faith are the themes of a movie called “No Vacancy” released in May 2022 by Kingstone Studios and based on the true story of First Baptist Church Leesburg, in Florida. Led by senior pastor Cliff Lea, the church took extraordinary steps of faith during the 2008 recession to purchase a motel and turn it into a homeless shelter.

The recession had deeply impacted the church’s budget, creating a $200,000 deficit; therefore, the church committee suggested layoffs. Instead, the pastor believed God was calling them to spend close to a million dollars to buy and fix a broken-down motel to serve the community. The idea met significant opposition and challenges.

The Impact

Watching the movie and talking to the producer, Art Ayris, has challenged me deeply, deepening my desire to serve the homeless in our city. Ayris is also on staff as one of the pastors at the church, so the story is personal and close to his heart.

There is undoubtedly great significance in serving and giving to the poorest people in the world in developing countries. But our churches should be challenged by First Baptist Leesburg’s example of sacrificial love to our neighboring communities.

There is undoubtedly great significance in serving and giving to the poorest people in the world in developing countries. But our churches should be challenged by First Baptist Leesburg’s example of sacrificial love to our neighboring…
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The numbers do not lie. We do not have to fly overseas to extend God’s love to those who need it most. Showing this movie to your church may just be what propels its members to start a wave of Agape Love to sweep over your community.

Find out more at novacancymovie.com/. To get involved in the Agape Homeless Ministry of Soaring with Him Ministries in Atlanta, visit: soaringwithhim.com/agape/

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, February 25th, 2023. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website.

LINKUP PARTY opens on March 1 at 6 am!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

LINKUP is open! This week, I share about the homelessness crisis in America and how you can get involved. Share your blog!
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The post LINKUP! Offering Agape Love to the Homeless {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The brothers’ first documentary focuses on an issue that affects every human being: the importance of a father’s role and its impact on a person’s life. It features five true stories of people deeply impacted by their fathers’ absence or positive influence, including former NFL player Sherman Smith, best-selling author and pastor Dr. Tony Evans, former NFL player Deland McCullough, Focus on the Family President Jim Daly and former NFL player Eddie George.

The documentary is timely, as the absence of fathers dramatically impacts our society today. According to the U.S. 2020 Census data, 18.3 million children live without a father in America. During our interview, Stephen Kendrick related the eye-opening effects of the issue in our society: Being fatherless is the No. 1 common denominator among people in prison, drug addicts, teen pregnancies and even human trafficking victims.

Being fatherless is the No. 1 common denominator among people in prison, drug addicts, teen pregnancies and even human trafficking victims. #ShowmetheFather #fatherlessinAmerica @AJC
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The movie’s primary goal is to offer hope to those negatively impacted by a harsh father or by the absence of one. Among the featured interviews, the producers share their own father’s story – a man scarred by an alcoholic dad but who overcame his upbringing by leaning and learning from God’s character as a father in Scriptures, thus forever impacting his relationship with his sons. Likewise, the movie shares the heartwarming story of Stephen and Jill Kendrick’s adoption process and how it opened their hearts to understand God’s love for all his children.

The 14th chapter of the Gospel of John features Jesus’ last conversation with his disciples before His betrayal and crucifixion. In the text, Jesus provides not only insight into His impending absence but also much-needed comfort and guidance for His followers after His departure.

Distraught by the idea of losing their beloved leader, one of the disciples said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus’ answer permeates every story featured in the documentary: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” His answer opens our eyes to understand that God left a blueprint in His Word for any father who does not know how to redeem a strained relationship with his children and for every person who grew up without a positive father figure.

God left a blueprint in His Word for any father who does not know how to redeem a strained relationship with his children and for every person who grew up without a positive father figure. @AJC #Showmethefather #FatherlessnessinAmerica
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The stories featured in the documentary are varied but point to the same conclusion: Through a relationship with their heavenly Father, dads can find the key to changing the narrative in their relationship with their children. Likewise, for those who did not have a good dad (or whose hearts are scared by a ruthless one), Scriptures remind us that even though we may not have a loving earthly father, God showed His unfathomable love and grace through Jesus’ life and sacrifice. Indeed, as we read through the Gospels, we see in Jesus’ words and behavior the perfect reflection of our heavenly Father.

For those who did not have a good dad (or whose hearts are scared by a ruthless one), Scriptures remind us that even though we may not have a loving earthly father, God showed His unfathomable love and grace through Jesus’ life and…
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At a time when so many children need guidance and healing, and numerous fathers feel lost on how to relate to their children, “Show Me the Father” stands as a light in the darkness. Kudos to the Kendricks Brothers for another refreshing, prime production. This work of art will certainly bring hope and help to fathers who wish to leave an eternal legacy and children who need to know there is indeed a father in heaven who loves them deeply, even if their earthly fathers fell short.

Find out more about where to watch and other resources at www.showmethefathermovie.com. You can also watch the interview on Patricia’s YouTube channel.

#ShowmetheFather Documentary brings hope and help to fathers who wish to leave an eternal legacy and children who need to know there is indeed a father in heaven who loves them deeply, even if their earthly fathers fell short.
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This article was originally published in Patricia Holbrook’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, January 15th, 2021. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website. Watch her interview with Alex and Stephen Kendrick below on Patricia’s YouTube Channel.

The post Kendrick Brothers First Documentary Offers Insights on Fatherhood {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Video Interview} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

John Quincy Adams is perhaps one of America’s most impressive leaders. No elected official held more prominent offices than Adams in U.S. history. He lived in constant pursuit of excellence, serving with distinction as the country’s president, senator, congressman, and minister to major European powers. He also served in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and his name was tied to important events leading to the Civil War.

Despite all his outstanding accomplishments, we find a quote by the former president that translates the void he felt and insecurities tied to his struggle with perfectionism. At 70 years old, with a lifetime of successes behind him, he wrote, “My whole life has been a succession of disappointments. I can scarcely recollect a single instance of success in anything that I ever undertook.”

Indeed, anyone who struggles with perfectionism can attest to it: Perfectionism is a monster disguised in pretty clothes. Its victims usually look always put together. Their homes are often spotless. Their grades and careers, commendable.

Perfectionism is a monster disguised in pretty clothes. @AJC #Perfectionism #MondayMotivation #MondayThoughts
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If you are a woman, I guarantee you’ve been jealous of a perfectionist before.

But as is often the case, when it comes to the Joneses, there is much more than meets the eye. It is not uncommon to find deep insecurities hiding behind many perfectionists’ beautiful front and successful endeavors.

I know it too well. A recovering perfectionist, I struggled with thoughts of inadequacy and failure for many years. I strived for straight As and dreamed of straight hair. Indeed, in a perfectionist’s economy, “good” is never good enough.

When it comes to the Joneses, there is much more than meets the eye. It is not uncommon to find deep insecurities hiding behind many perfectionists’ beautiful front and successful endeavors. @AJC #Perfectionism #MondayMotivation…
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When it comes to physical appearance, the issue is broad. We live at the age of airbrushed, anorexic beauty. My anti-age cream ad campaign portrays a gorgeous 20-year-old model who won’t see a wrinkle on her face for another, well, 20 years. Millionaire actresses in their 50s or older sell us the lie that we can fight the losing battle of sagging, wrinkling and hormonal changes with the latest fad supplement or diet.

Without a doubt, physical perfectionism plagues our society, infiltrating our families and distracting even many of our beautiful young girls, who are hiding in the restrooms, drowning in the hopelessness of anorexia and bulimia.

But then there’s performance perfectionism. Like President Adams, many of us believe that we must be perfect in all we do. Our homes must be immaculate. We must strive to climb the corporate ladder, no matter the cost.

The need for perfection invariably leads to unhealthy comparisons. We may find ourselves comparing our marriage to our friend’s, whose husband appears to be more romantic than ours. Before we know it, we are nagging John to death, trying to change the man we fell in love with into someone he’ll never be.

And let’s not forget our children’s school performance and sports galore! The pressure to be on accelerated programs and honor rolls steal many children’s hide-and-seek moments today. Our baseball, softball and football fields overflow with young boys and girls missing their summers for another championship. Or missing church for another trophy. We push them. They push themselves. And everyone misses the mark.

We strive to perfect ourselves, our children, our spouses, our homes. Inevitably, we become miserable, tired, and broken… together.

It’s not easy to escape from the trap. But if we want to have an abundant life, we must try!

We can start by reminding ourselves of this truth: God is not impressed by our looks or performance. He wants our hearts. Hearts that understand that our perfection is only found in him.

God is not impressed by our looks or performance. He wants our hearts. Hearts that understand that our perfection is only found in him. @AJC #Perfectionism #MondayMotivation #MondayThoughts
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He is looking for people who make his priority list theirs, and whose hearts are set less in seeking perfection and more in perfecting their love and devotion for him.

Indeed, today I realize that perfectionism’s most significant issue is that it pushes me to rely less and less on God and more and more on fallible, inadequate me. It borders idolatry, really.

Instead of attaining perfection, the result will always fall short of our target: We become stressed out, needy of approval, self-indulgent, impatient. Simply hard to deal with.

As we strive to escape the perfectionism trap, we should start by viewing ourselves and our performance through the grid of God’s grace. By grace, we are lavished each day with opportunities, gifts and talents which allow us to do our best and be our best.

As Dallas Willard said, “Grace is God acting in our lives to do what we cannot do on our own.”

Indeed, God never designed us to accomplish perfection without him. The point of the gospel is that we are unable to be perfect. We all fall short; we all “miss the mark.” Sinners need a Savior, and as believers, we understand that is the reason Jesus came.

God never designed us to accomplish perfection without him. The point of the gospel is that we are unable to be perfect. We all fall short; we all 'miss the mark.' Sinners need a Savior, and as believers, we understand that is the…
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When we trust in him, he forgives our shortcomings, and we can stop striving for unreasonable, unattainable worldly “perfection” and rest in the Perfect One.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Click Here to find it on the AJC’s website. 

The post Perfectionism Leads to Frustration and Stress {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Alan Redpath was a well-known 20th Century British evangelist, preacher, and author. He led a church in Richmond, London until 1953, when he moved to the United States and became the pastor of the historic Moody Memorial Church in Chicago for nine years. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1962, where he continued his ministry until his death in 1984.

I came across a story told by Redpath in the book “A Passion for Preaching,” which offered what I believe to be a practical test against gossip. According to Redpath, one of the congregations he pastored was going through a time of stress, intensified by an insidious surge of gossip among its members. While confronting the group about the environment created by this trend, Redpath encouraged his pastorates to apply a simple formula before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial. The method used the acronym T.H.I.N.K.:

T – Is it True?

H – Is it helpful?

I – Is it inspiring?

N – Is it necessary?

K – Is it kind?

“If what I am about to say does not pass those tests,” said Redpath, “I will keep my mouth shut.”

The Book of Proverbs is one of the best pieces of literature brimming with insights and wisdom on the impact of our words. From beautiful, encouraging verses concerning the power of a word spoken at the right time, to straight-forward, harsh admonishments on the importance of self-control when it comes to one’s speech, I often turn to Solomon’s wisdom to keep my own heart in check when it comes to how I communicate with others.

There is a good reason for that. As a true sanguine, I used to have a natural inclination to speak my mind when I was younger – a harmful tendency which created much heartache and loss.

Several years ago, during one of my pastor’s sermons, while talking about the importance of our words, he shared about how one can quickly determine the depth and authenticity of a person’s faith walk. The lesson within the sermon stuck with me through the years. He said: “If you were to be honest with yourself, would you say your conversations with friends revolve around other people, facts, or concepts?”

Think about it. We will naturally have superficial conversations. We enter an elevator, for example, greet a stranger, and often talk about the weather, compliment their dress or the beautiful baby in their arms. We will not engage in a meaningful conversation during our two-minute ride to the 20th floor.

But when it comes to our more intimate relationships with our friends, what conversations hold our hearts together? Is it meaningful talks about life, or do we tend to park our discussions on what others are or are not doing, judging their decisions and choices?

In other words, do I tend to gravitate to talking about other people in a negative light, or do I prefer to discuss ideas and beliefs? The answer should determine our priorities and the depth of our character.

Do I tend to gravitate to talking about other people in a negative light, or do I prefer to discuss ideas and beliefs? The answer should determine our priorities and the depth of our character.
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Indeed, I believe that it does not matter how many times we grace the doors of our places of worship. It does not matter if we can quote Scriptures or if we serve in any capacity at our local church or synagogue. If we do not T.H.I.N.K. before we speak or spread gossip instead of stopping them, our religion becomes worthless.

King Solomon delivers a stern warning against gossip: “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

King Solomon delivers a stern warning against gossip: A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28
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We all know that Alan Redpath’s church is not the first or last congregation nearly destroyed by gossip and slander. Many are the temples which have dwindled, divided or closed down entirely because of lack of wisdom and harsh judgment against other people’s lives.

May we strive to seek purity of heart when we deal with each other, extending grace to those who make choices we do not approve, lest our religion becomes nothing but a social activity, and our place of worship nothing but another membership club.

May we strive to seek purity of heart when we deal with others, lest our religion becomes nothing but a social activity, and our place of worship nothing but another membership club.
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This article was originally published on Patricia’s Column for The Atlanta Journal-Consitution on Saturday – July 20, 2019.

The post Deliver us from Gossiping! {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

One of his most acclaimed essays is titled “Acres of Diamonds.” It was written before Conwell became a pastor, and published in book form in 1890 by the John Y. Huber Company of Philadelphia. He delivered this message over 5,000 times around the world starting in 1900 and until his death in 1925. According to Conwell, the inspiration for the famous essay occurred in 1869, when he was traveling in the Middle East. It was told by an Arab guide hired by his expedition in Baghdad.

The story is about an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who owned a large farm, where he had orchards, grain fields and many gardens. He was wealthy and content. One day, however, he visited a wise man from the East, who told him all about diamonds and how wealthy Hafed would be if he owned a diamond mine. That night, “Ali Hafed went to bed a poor man,” writes Conwell. He became discontent with his possessions, and started craving for a mine of diamonds. It wasn’t long until Hafed sold his farm, left his family in charge of a neighbor, and started searching for the precious stones.

Hafed traveled around the world, squandering his wealth in his quest for more. Finally, broken and despaired, Ali Hafed committed suicide, never finding the mine that he so longed for.

One day, the man who purchased Ali Hafed’s farm led his camel to drink water from a brook. As the camel lowered its head to drink, the farmer saw a light flashing from the sand beneath. He reached down, pulling out a stone. Holding it in his hands, the stone started reflecting all the hues of the rainbow. The farmer had accidently discovered the mine of Golcanda, the most affluent diamond mine in history.

Ali Hafed died in a strange land, poor and desperate, while the wealth that he searched for was right under his nose, so to speak.

The Christmas season is upon us, sending most of us into a frenzy of activities and shopping. I read numerous blogs every Christmas season, written by frazzled moms, filled with good advice and designed to legitimately attempt to help us stress less and truly enjoy the “most wonderful time of the year.” For Christians, it’s a time to celebrate God’s love to mankind through Messiah’s birth, and our love for each other.

This year, however, as I read Ali Hafed’s story, I could not help but think about how the holiday season has changed since my childhood, when life was simpler, and people were content with less.

Even though my father was an attorney, our Christmas list was comprised of one or two items. We counted the days to open the gifts we longed for all year, and cherished them for months or years to come. A doll. A bicycle. A remote-control car. Simple gifts that were like diamonds to us.

Today, Christmas calls us to exchange perfectly good cars for the latest models, smart phones that are still working for newer ones. Our children feel entitled to the latest video games, and we rush to oblige.

In the meantime, family get togethers are often filled with tension, because relationships are neglected all year. Bigger homes are jam-packed with trinkets, and yet, discontentment reigns. Many of us have more than ever before, and yet, we go to bed poor.

In an attempt to find that diamond mine, we forget that the lush land that God has already given us has everything we need. We just need to stop looking elsewhere, believing we can find happiness in bigger, newer or better things.

I am not rich, by any stretch of imagination. Not as the world sees it.

Oh, but I am! So, this holiday season, I am determined to cultivate the land God has given me, and find contentment, right where I am. For just as in Hafed’s story, the greatest gifts I’ll ever need are already right under my nose: my Savior’s love, my precious family, and faithful friends.

This article was published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) on Saturday – December 9, 2017.

Could it be that the best gifts you could ever ask for this Christmas are already right under your nose? Read Patricia's column for the @AJC - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
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The post Cultivating Contentment This Christmas {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

While I watch the videos, pictures of children around the world parade across the screen: an orphanage filled with children in tattered winter clothes. A village somewhere in Africa where boys and girls flash beautiful, broad smiles at the camera. A church floor somewhere in Latin America where a little girl with sad eyes holds her box as her most prized possession.

No – certainly not all orphans on the screen have Elena, Irinia and Ted’s happy ending. Yes – most children in the African village go back to a life of poverty. But as they hold the toy-filled shoe boxes, their sorrow pauses, if only for a moment, as their hearts grasp this message, loud and clear: “Somewhere, out there, someone cares about me.”

I’ve been writing columns about Operation Christmas Child for the past five years right before collection week. As an ambassador for this organization, I have had the privilege to hear countless stories, as well as meet adults who were once recipients of one of the boxes delivered across the globe. Each story shares a common thread: A simple shoe box brought new hope to a child’s heart.

This is the season when our children fill their Christmas list with toys and gadgets, which often end up at the bottom of a closet within a month or two. It’s the season for companies to spend millions of dollars in advertisements, designed to entice our cravings for more and better. Indeed, consumerism can easily turn our hearts from the true meaning of the season.

Several years ago, however, my husband and I made the decision to use the holiday season as an opportunity to teach our children about the joy of giving. We receive the Samaritan’s Purse catalog, which contains the wonderful projects sponsored by this organization across the globe. From purchasing a chick to help feed a family, to raising funds to build wells in places where drinkable water is a rare commodity, the catalog offers various opportunities to help people in need.

On an account in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had left the temple in Jerusalem with his disciples, when he started teaching through parables, as he often did. In one of them, he talked about separating the sheep from the goats, in a reference to differentiate those who are truly his followers. He then used words that puzzled his disciples: “I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came visit me.”

The disciples were confused, for they did not remember helping the master in any such instance. Jesus then explained: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

What a challenge to those of us who boldly claim to love God! His words remind me that self-gratifying religion is no religion at all. At this age of entitlement, when children complain when they don’t have the latest smart phone, or throw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want when they want it, caring and giving to those in need can become the perfect antidote to a self-centered society.

May we heed Jesus’ words as we draw near the time to celebrate his birth, for giving to the “least of these” is giving him the perfect birthday gift.

You can find out more about Operation Christmas Child and other projects at www.samaritanspurse.org. Shoe box collection week starts this Monday, Nov. 13.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – November 11, 2017.

Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you do for Me.
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