with Lynn Vincent
God gives each person on this earth a set of keys, keys to live this life down here on earth. Now in this set, there is one key you can use to unlock prison doors and set captives free" as said by Denver Moore in the book 'same kind of different as me.What can I say about this book that would do it justice? It challenges you to take a new perspective. Look at the lowly and destitute around you and what do you see? Are you afraid when you see a homeless person or even someone who is down and out on their luck? What is our responsibility as those who have been blessed with so much? These are questions you will ask yourself after you read this book.
It is a true story of a couple working on saving their marriage after infidelity. A wife who extended a level of grace that most of us cringe at, however she went beyond the limits of forgiveness that one would think possible. By the grace of God, Debbie extended the highest level of forgiveness to her husband Ron a wealthy art dealer. To restore their marriage they looked to help others outside themselves which lead them to the Fort Worth Union Gospel Mission in Dallas, Tx.
This led them on an adventure that only Debbie had the vision of what could happen in the beginning. Ron went along with the idea of helping out in the mission for the sole purpose of saving his marriage. Then Denver shows up, a black cotton picker from Louisiana, who was never educated, never received a paycheck for his work, no electricity or running water and lived in a shack. One day he decided to look for better circumstances so he jumped a train and ended up in Fort Worth, TX. He was living on the streets homeless but thought this was a step up. Debbie challenges Ron to befriend Denver, two men as differant as can be.
A story of the tenacity of a woman who believed in God and that love conquers all. A tragic story of a woman caught in the web of cancer and how it eventually took her life. Denver wisdon: when something ends in our sight, it begins somewhere else where we can't hear it or feel it. As a resultof her life and death, the bountiful harvest of compassion that others exhibit continues to this day because of her grace and love toward those less fortunate and her belief in Denver. He learned to live on the streets by becoming fierce, however there was a heart that was looking for unconditional love and friendship, when he found it he began to blossom! This story teaches us that there is hidden beauty in everyone, if only we could see them as God sees them.
The story continues today, Denver and Ron have forged a beautiful friendship as they share their story. They have written a sequel to the book: What difference do it make? This book tells about how the story has inspired others to do more and seek out the needy in new and different ways.
What can each of us do to help the underprivileged surrounding us? Do we continue to pretend they are not there or do we takes steps to make a difference.We should not look to the government to step in to take care of only the physical needs, and ignore the spiritual needs that are so vital to a new beginning. I challenge all that read this to step out of their comfort zone and look to help someone in need, it doesn't have to be a homeless person, there are so many around us that need a helping hand or just love. Jesus said when you help the least of these you have done it unto me. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something 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 to visit me.
Denver- "I found out everyone's different-the same kind of different as me. We're all just regular folks walkin down the road God done set in front of us."
Join me in looking for those opportunities that come our way
and May God expand your territory,
Barbara
