My Brother's Keeper

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. It’s a distasteful topic that most of us would probably prefer to avoid. But it’s our silence on the subject that gives this problem it’s power.  The theme of today’s program is Human Trafficking, and here to help us explore this uncomfortable topic are three people who are having an impact on this issue in our community. The first is Mabel Elsom, Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator with Lutheran Community Services in Spokane, Mark Kadel, Director of World Relief Spokane, and Rich Schaus, Director of the Union Gospel Mission Women’s Crisis Shelter.  Additional Resources: The Long Night –  a feature film by Tim Matsui and MediaStorm, gives voice and meaning to the crisis of minors who are forced and coerced into the American sex trade. The film weaves together the stories of seven people whose lives have been forever changed by this issue. The Polaris Project The Coalition to Abolish Human Trafficking in the Inland Northwest 

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. How creative are you when it comes to reaching out beyond your own four walls and connecting with those in need in our community? The theme of today’s program is Creative Outreach, and here to help us think creatively are three creative people who are very active in outreach throughout our community. The first is Amanda Hepper, Director of Community Engagement at Life Center Foursquare Church on Government Way in Spokane. Next is Tiffany Riddle, Director of Vocational Advancement & Aftercare for Union Gospel Mission, and Rob Bryeson, Pastor at The Gathering House in the Garland District of Spokane. Aditional Creative Outreach Resource: The Spokane Homeless Coalition Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable is entitled Human Trafficking.  Join us then! 

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. In his book, “In The Day Of Thy Power,” Wallis declared, “If you would make the greatest success of your life, try to discover what God is doing in your time, and fling yourself into the accomplishment of His will and purpose.” Today’s Program is what it means to be a leader during times of transition and is entitled “15 Reasons To Do Good – Part 2.”  It’s based on Chapter 4 of Program host Maurice Smith’s book, “The Least of These.”  Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable is entitled Creative Outreach.  Join us then! 

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. In his book, “In The Day Of Thy Power,” Wallis declared, “If you would make the greatest success of your life, try to discover what God is doing in your time, and fling yourself into the accomplishment of His will and purpose.” Today’s Program is what it means to be a leader during times of transition and is entitled “15 Reasons To Do Good – Part 1.”  It’s based on Chapter 4 of Program host Maurice Smith’s book, “The Least of These.”  Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable is entitled “15 Reasons To Do Good – Part 2” and is Part 2 of a two-part series with program host, Maurice Smith, based on Chapter 4 of his book, “The Least Of These.” Plan to join us then! 

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. On February 9th, Spokane Mayor Condon announced a nine month initiative that is a part of the national Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. In light of this initiative, this week’s program is timely and is entitled “My War Never Ended.” The topic is Veteran Issues and features a Roundtable of four people actively engaged in working with our Vets. They include Mike Zorn, State Director for Pointman International Ministries, Tennille Lightfoot, Program Manager with Pioneer Human Services and Pioneer Victory House, Heather Alexander, Director of Marketng with Goodwill Industries, and Beth Kerr, Veterans Program Manager with Volunteers of America. Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable is entitled “Fifteen Reasons To Do Good” and is Part 1 of a two-part series with program host, Maurice Smith, based on Chapter 4 of his book, “The Least Of These.” Plan to join us then! 

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. This week’s Roundtable in on Teen Homelessness and features host Maurice Smith along with guests who are actively involved in working with Teens who are homeless. Maurice’s guests include Bridget Cannon Director of Youth Services with Volunteers of America, Leslie Camden Goold, McKinney-Vento homeless liason for the Central Valley School District (including their “HEART in Hand Fund” and their Food for Thought Program), and Ryan Brown, Youth Outreach Director for the Union Gospel Mission. On Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable is entitled “My War Never Ended” and will focus on Veteran’s issues. If you are or know a Veteran, tune in for practical help and great discussion.

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. This week’s Roundtable features host Maurice Smith and Rick Haffner, Pastor of Open Heart Chapel in Spokane. Together we discuss frequently offered reasons why Christians and Churches should limit their good deeds and service efforts to those within the Church. Maurice and Rick respond to real objections and then suggest that, unless the Church embraces its call to serve the greater community, the Church may find itself “left behind” by our Postmodern culture. Here’s a link to the NBC News Story on the “Hashtag Lunchbag” movement which Maurice mentioned on the program.  On Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s roundtable will focus on the issue of Teen Homelessness with a Roundtable of people actively working with homeless teens.

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!   All of our programs are also available as a FREE podcast subscription through  iTunes. This week’s Roundtable is the first of several planned Roundtables on Women’s Issues. We are entitling this series, “Women In Crisis.” Today’s program is Part 1 of that series. Today’s Roundtable features my interveiw with four individuals who are actively involved in serving Women in crisis in the Spokane area. Rich Schaus is Director of the Union Gospel Mission’s Women’s Crisis Shelter; Jan Bowes Martinez is the Founder of Christ Kitchen; Stephy Nobles-Beans is the Founder and Director of Fields of Diamonds House of Blessings, and Ginger Johnson is Associate Director of Abuse Recovery Ministry & Services (A.R.M.S.).   On Next  Week’s Roundtable Join us then!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!  This week’s Roundtable is our Pastor’s Roundtable and is entitled “Equipping To Serve.” It features an interveiw with three local Spokane area pastors who lead by example when it comes to both equipping and serving.  Bill Dropko, Pastor of Greenacres Christian Fellowship on Barker Road, Jack Wood Pastor of Northwest Bible Church of Mead, and Ian Robertson, Former Pastor of Valley Church of the Nazarene and currently with the Christian Service Teams and the Inland Northwest Fuller Center For Housing.     On Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable will be a “Women’s Roundtable” featuring people working with women emerging from poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and human trafficking in our community. They’ll be joining me at the table for a wide-ranging discussion concerning the importance of serving “the least of these” throughout our community. Join us then!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to another weekly “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!  This week’s Roundtable is entitled “Give Me Shelter” and features an interveiw with Directors of local area homeless shelters including Rusty Barnett from VOA-Hope House (women), John Robertson from VOA-Crosswalk (teens) and Rich Schaus from UGM Women’s Crisis Shelter.  .              On Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable will be a “Pastor’s Roundtable” featuring local area pastors who are involved in serving those in need throughout our community. They’ll be joining me at the table for a wide-ranging discussion concerning the importance of serving “the least of these” throughout our community. Join us then!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast of our weekly radio program is your opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes Welcome to our first “Radio Roundtable.” Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!  This week’s Roundtable is on the issue of “Food Security.” With me at the table are representatives of local areal food banks, meal sites and food providers who work to secure food and to feed those in need throughout our community. They are: Paige Collins of Northwest Harvest (here are their web and Facebook links); Steven Brashears of Feed Spokane (here are their web and Facebook links); Ken Briggs of Spokane Valley Partners (here are their web and Facebook links); Linda Westhaver of Women And Children’s Free Restaurant and Community Kitchen (here are their web and Facebook links); and Tamara Olson formerly of House of Charity (here are their web and Facebook links) .  Right to left: Maurice Smith, Tamara Olson, Linda Westhaver Left to Right: Paige Collins, Steven Brashears, Ken Briggs, Linda Westhaver             On Next  Week’s Roundtable Next week’s Roundtable will focus on homelessness with Directors of local area homeless shelters joining me at the table for a wide-ranging discussion. Join us then!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes This week’s program reflects three significant changes: A New Day, A New Time and A New 1-Hour Format! We are now on at 10:00AM on Saturdays!  In addition, we will soon begin a new format that I am calling “Radio Roundtables.” The purpose of these Radio Roundtables is to bring together community leaders, ministry leaders, pastors, business owners, and individuals just like YOU to discuss how we can work together to serve those in need throughout our community. “My Brother’s Keeper” is all about “Inciting A Conspiracy Of Kindness And Good Deeds.” We believe: That it’s time to change the tone of our conversation in our churches and communities by serving others. That it’s time to demonstrate the best of who we are and what we believe. That it’s time to challenge, encourage and empower people to do the right thing through acts of kindness, compassion and practical good deeds. That it’s time to creatively solve problems and offer hope to those in need throughout our communities. Some of the Roundtables we are planning include:Employment Roundtable –  to discuss and find creative ways to employ the “unemployable.”Veteran’s Roundtable – to explore creative ways to meet the needs of veterans who have “fallen through the cracks.” Food Security Roundtable – to discover creative solutions to the on-going challenge of feeding those in need. Homelessness Roundtable – to confront the many facets of homelessness (men, women, teens, families, veterans) and to work on create solutions. Community Leaders’ Roundtable – to bring political and business leaders together to explore how we as a community can work together to remove barriers to serving those in need. Pastors’ Roundtable – to explore how churches in our community can be salt and light, and do more to encourage both church and individual involvement in addressing community problems. Women’s Issues Roundtable – to explore issues ranging from homelessness to domestic violence which impact the most vulnerable women in our community.Senior Issues – to discuss how to meet the hidden needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens – our seniors.  Our Roundtables air on Saturday mornings at 10:00AM on the 5 stations of the American Christian Network.  Find our full program schedule here!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes For “Serving Families In Crisis” On this week’s program I Interview Steve Allen, Executive Director of Family Promise of Spokane, working with homeless families in the Spokane area. Program Opening:  “How many families do you think are homeless on any given night in America? The number might surprise you. And some of them are right here in Spokane. According to the 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on one night in January of 2013, something known as the “One Day Count,” there were roughly 71,000 homeless families in America representing 222,000 individuals. In other words, on that one night, people in homeless families represented one-out-of-three of all homeless people in America. And 2-out-of-three of the people in those homeless families were under the age of 25. According to the study, there were 7,143 homeless families in the state of Washington on that particular evening of 2013. But those are just numbers. So, let’s personalize this. Roughly 14 years ago our family experienced a financial upheaval which left us effectively homeless.” Steve Allen, Executive Director Family Promise of Spokane   Family Promise of Spokane Website. Family Promise of Spokane Facebook.       New Day, New Time and New 1-Hour Format Next Week! “My Brother’s Keeper” is moving. Starting January 3rd we are moving to our new day and time:  10:00AM on Saturdays! I hope you will join us and learn about our new “Radio Roundtable” format!  So, join me Saturday, January 3rd at 10:00AM. Find our full program schedule here!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes For “Christmas Reflections On Changing Paradigms And The Journey Of The Magi” Program Opening:  “Do  you know what God is doing in your day? Of the six groups of people featured in the biblical Nativity story, three of them understood what God was doing, and three didn’t.  Which group are you in?  I’m Maurice Smith and I want to spend some time reflecting on Christmas, changing paradigms and the journey of the Magi on this week’s edition of “My Brother’s Keeper.”  Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be interviewing Steve Allen, Executive Director of “Family Promise Of Spokane,”  and our topic will be “Families In Crisis.”  I hope you’ll join me.

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “My Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes For “Healing For Body And Soul” On this week’s program I Interview Kristine Ruggles, Executive Director of Christ Clinic and Christ Kitchen, a medical and outreach ministry  to low income individuals and families, and women emerging from poverty. Program Opening: You and I live in and are part of a society which turns a blind eye toward a problem once the news media announces a new government program to “meet the need” or to “solve the problem.” Government has acted. The problem has been solved. We can all go home now to our meetings and our bible studies. Nothing to see here. The personal Judgment Day described in Matthew 25 has been avoided, if not cancelled outright, courtesy of your politician.  Everything is OK. Or is it? What about those pesky commands of Jesus to serve “the Least of These.” I believe those commands serve a two-fold purpose. First, I believe that  our obedience to those commands represents an opportunity to be salt and light as we demonstrate the genuine love and compassion of God toward those in need. But secondly, I believe that such opportunities to serve also lay the ground work for building long-lasting relationships which can lead to making disciples of the Kingdom. To allow others to co-opt and deny us those opportunities to serve is to ALSO allow them to co-opt and deny us those relationships and the opportunity to make disciples of the Kingdom.  Christ Clinic Website Christ Kitchen Website Facebook Page     Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be sharing my reflections on Christmas in a program entitled “Christmas Reflection On Christmas, Changing Paradigms and The Journey of The Magi.” I hope you’ll join me.

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “MY Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes For “Thursday’s Child” On this week’s program I Interview Mark Terrell, Director of Cup of Cool Water, an outreach ministry which focuses on homeless tees on the streets of Spokane. Program Opening: “According to the 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report To Congress (known as the AHAR Report), on a single night in January of 2013 there were roughly 200,000 homeless children and youth in America. That’s kids age 24 and under, or roughly one-third of all homeless people on that night in America. Roughly 47,000 of those were classified as “unaccompanied” by an adult or being part of a homeless family, and half of those (or some 23,000) were classified as “unsheltered” – not living in an identifiable home or homeless shelter. According to the AHAR Report  there were 1,167 unaccompanied homeless youth in the State of Washington on this one night in January of 2013 when this study was done. And yet, as you will hear on the upcoming interview, my guest and I believe there may be as many as 3,000 unaccompanied homeless Youth in Spokane County, suggesting that official surveys continue to undercount and ultimately  underestimate the problem.”   Cup of Cool Water Website Cup of Cool Water Facebook Page  Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be interviewing Kristine Ruggles, Executive Director of Christ Clinic and Christ Kitchen, two outreaches to the working poor and women emerging from poverty in Spokane. Be sure to join us!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “MY Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes For “Who Am I?” On this week’s program I Interview Michael Dippy, Executive Director of IDignity, based in Orlando, Florida, “Restoring Dignity and Hope By Providing Identification.” Program Opening: “Let me ask you a question. Do you know who you are? And can you prove it?  For thousands of homeless people all across our country, and right here in Spokane, proving who they are is nearly impossible. My guess would be that most of us have never had a problem proving who we are. In fact, you and I probably have multiple forms of legal identification: a certified copy of your birth certificate; a Social Security Card; a State Driver’s License; even a U.S. Passport. I’ve got all four of those and many of you do, too. We can easily prove to anyone who needs to know exactly who we are: Banks and financial institutions, schools, employers, government agencies. But for just a moment imagine trying to do normal everyday things without any ID.” Michael Dippy, Executive Director IDignity   IDignity Website IDignity Facebook Page          Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be interviewing Mark Terrell, Director of Cup of Cool Water as we discuss the status of homeless teens on the streets of Spokane. Be sure to join us!

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “MY Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s Program Notes For “Serving Seniors” On this week’s program I Interview Mollie Dalpae, Executive Director of Mid-City Concerns and Meals On Wheels Of Spokane concerning issues facing our senior citizens. Program Opening: Let’s quit pretending and be honest for just a moment, shall we? You and I live in a society which prefers to mask its problems with slick magazines and expertly produced videos designed to convince us that everything is OK. In the words of philosopher and Apologist Ravi Zacharias, we live in a generation which listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings.  And our view of our senior citizens probably more defined by AARP than by the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 25. I’ve often said to friends and family that aging is not nearly as glamorous as AARP makes it out to be. But as a dues-paying, card-carrying member of AARP, I often wonder who and where their constituency is, or whether they have a clue that all is not well among a wide swath of our Senior population, whose pictures and stories never make it onto the cover of their magazine.  Meals On Wheels Website Meals On Wheels Facebook Page        Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be interviewing Michael Dippy, Executive Director of IDignity about the amazing impact they are having in the Orlando, Florida area helping the homeless (and others) restore lost identity.

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “MY Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s “Program Notes” Program Opening:  “According to Jesus in the gospel of Matthew, our good deeds matter . . . .  On today’s program I want to share some personal thoughts and reflections on Matthew Chapter 25 and verses 31 through 46. And much of what I’ll share today you will find in Chapter 5 of my book, The Least of These: The Role of Good Deeds In A Jesus Shaped Spirituality, available by clicking on the book image in the right-hand page menu. Today, I want to share a personal ‘Ah ha’ moment I experienced involving my understanding of the last half of Matthew Chapter 25.”   Welcome to my extended treatment of a Bible passage that many people, especially many professing Christians CLAIM to be familiar with. My goal in this program is to offer some fresh perspective and to challenge us to think differently about “the least of these” and our calling to serve them.  Join me on Facebook Find me on Twitter Connect with me on LinkedIN  Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be talking with Mollie Dalpae of Mid-City Concerns and Spokane Meals On Wheels about her work with seniors and the issues facing our senior citizens today. 

Welcome to the weekly podcast of “MY Brother’s Keeper,” inciting a conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. This podcast is your weekly opportunity to get informed and to join the conspiracy. We try to make certain that each podcast features information, lessons, insights and interviews concerning such issues as homelessness, hunger, and people in crisis. Our goal goes beyond talking about issues.  We want to combine practical solutions with personal encouragement and offer a challenge to our listeners to get personally involved. While our perspective is that of historic Evangelical Christian faith, and while much of our audience is Christian, the issues we discuss and the solutions we offer go far beyond the walls of any Church or religious organization. We hope you will listen, become part of the conversation, and join our growing conspiracy of kindness and good deeds. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”  – John Wesley This Week’s “Program Notes” Program Opening: The last time you went out to eat, who did you see: A waiter, a waitress, a hostess, a cook, a cashier. Or did you see a person in need of comfort, encouragement, kindness and a good deed. I’m Maurice Smith and I want to talk to you today about serving those who serve, on this week’s edition of “My Brother’s Keeper.”  Welcome to my extended interview with Kevin Finch (Founder and Executive Director) and Jill Lemon (Director of Operations) of “Big Table.” I have to confess that this was an eye-opening interview concerning their work with people involved in the restaurant and hotel (“hospitality”) industry in Spokane. After this interview, I don’t think you’ll be able to eat out without seeing the people around you differently.  Big Table Website Big Table Facebook Page Kevin Finch, Executive Director Director Operations               Next Week’s Program On next week’s program/podcast I will be talking about fresh perspectives concerning serving the marginalized based on Chapter 5 of my book, The Least of These.