Last week, the editor printed a column I submitted in the opinion section entitled "Could Homelessness Happen To You?" in which I covered some reasons that have led to homelessness for some of our past guests at the C.R.O.S.S. Shelter.

There was an opinion column on the same page about the USDA. It just so happens that I have a bachelors degree in nutrition and dietetics and a master's degree in sports nutrition from Georgia State University. I certainly agree with what was written in that article. The composition of carbohydrates, protein, and fats of the food pyramid is similar to swine feed designed to make hogs fat! I was so disappointed when I would attend American Dietetics Association conferences listening to them tell us that we are the nutrition experts when in reality, we (dietitians) are mere parrots repeating what the USDA, and others like the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society tell us what is healthy to eat. However, even while I was attending college, the Holy Spirit convicted my heart that what I was learning was not truth.

You may be surprised to learn that the results of overeating is having is more than just physical or medical. This unhealthy eating has resulted in spiritual problems within the Church. Satisfying the lusts of the flesh can make one's spiritual senses dull. There are many Scriptural references to back this statement, but 1 Peter 2:11 and Proverbs 30:8-9 are just a couple references.

Let's just consider the parable that Jesus taught in Luke 16:19 -- 31 about the rich man and the beggar. Jesus taught that this rich man fared sumptuously every day while the beggar Lazarus longed for the crumbs from his table. The result of the rich man satisfying the lusts of his flesh made him spiritually hard hearted toward his neighbor in need. We aren't told about how Lazarus became a beggar. Maybe he had an illness which resulted in his sores and perhaps his homelessness. Could he have been suffering from years of drug abuse? The truth is that Jesus did not address the issues of the poor beggar, but the spiritual condition of the rich man, who did not help give this poor man food or help him get medical attention for his sores. Perhaps he even got angry with those who laid Lazarus at his gate. We may not always understand why certain people are poor and needy, but the Lord Jesus expects His followers to be tender hearted and giving as the Good Samaritan (Luke 14:15).

I want to share an incident that recently happened to prove my point. A woman who became homeless due to divorce after 30 years was a guest at our facility. She also had some mental illness that was not being treated at the time. As the managing director, I must enforce the house rules designed to keep all the guests safe and the shelter clean. Sometimes as the manager I have to revoke guest privileges of a guest being rebellious to the requirements or being disrespectful to the volunteers. However, Brenda the Christian still wants to continue to help them in some way. When this woman could no longer stay at our facility, she called me to help her with some transportation. When my son and I went to get her, she found out she could not get the help for which we were trying to transport her.

I asked her if she had eaten anything. I knew there was a church having a meeting that night which included a meal. My thought was I needed to keep directing her to the Church so that she could still receive the love of Christ. Hopefully she would be fed, and have someone pray for her. If the Lord laid on their hearts to help her further, that is their business, for the Lord taught not to let your left hand know what the right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). Unfortunately, this church got angry with me for taking her to their church. When someone called me to ask why I dropped her off there, I explained she needed something to eat and she certainly could use someone to pray with her. After I got off the phone, I thought everything was okay, but I was mistaken. Two church members brought her back to the shelter angrily telling me to help her. So where does this hardness of heart come from? This should give us all something to "chew on" this holiday season.

Thankfully, to the Lord's glory, there are still some churches in Shelbyville working with us and in there own ministries to help the poor and needy. However, it is my opinion that we could do more if we hungered and thirsted for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). The Lord Jesus directed me to lay down my career as a dietitian, but as given me wisdom concerning fasting by faith. I would like to encourage everyone to seek knowledge and understanding on this basic doctrine of the Christian faith. Lastly, remember to not grow weary in doing what is good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9).