Helping out the homeless
Ever since COVID-19 protocols were put in place, the nation has been experiencing an unprecedented homeless crisis. Murphy has not faced the same kinds of problems as major urban regions, or even the severity that has struck places like Andrews, Blue Ridge, Ga., Blairsville, Ga., and Hayesville, each of whom has contacted us in the hope of improving the situation in their respective towns.
Yet, that does not mean Murphy has not felt the pressure of increased homelessness because we certainly have. Bad-mouthing the homeless and those who try to help them, pointing fingers of blame and allowing hate to fester are all natural responses to a crisis of this sort. But in the end, they are as unsatisfactory as they are ineffective.
So, what is a caring, devout, intelligent person to do in such circumstances? The Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House homeless shelter is taking a three-fold approach toward making a difference.
First, we meet basic needs, such as food and clothing, so the dozens of mostly local homeless people who do not qualify for residence at the shelter have less incentive to steal and cause chaos.
Second, we look for places that have better resources to meet specific needs, including mental health facilities, programs for substance abuse, job programs or other possible alternatives. We have helped dozens of people – possibly hundreds – to not just move out of the county, but to go with a significant likelihood of a better life.
Third, we are reaching out to people who are struggling and barely holding on to the homes they have. Our hope is to give them enough help so that they don’t add to Murphy’s homeless population, and we have seen some positive results in this new aspect of our program.
If there are better things we could be doing, and you have an idea you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear it. If you’d like to volunteer at or donate to the shelter, please let us know. God bless you.
Pastor Tim Huff, Murphy
The writer is president of the local homeless shelter’s board of directors. He can be reached at 828-226-8790.
Religious freedom?
In the beginning, the church and state turned their back on God, and the Lord said, I will destroy whom I have created from the face of the earth; for it repenteth me that I have made them (Genesis 6:17, King James Version).
After the flood, eight people remained alive.
Christ on the law: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill (the word of God)” – Matthew 5:17.
Peter understood, as we should, that the last days has already begun. While God permits man and women to perish in their unbelief, to fail to speak up, everyone will pay the eternal price of having chosen Satan and evil over Jesus and righteousness. Please read Matthew 18:14-17.
Jesus design to bring them to repentance, but they turned away their ears from the truth and crucified Him. For this,
He rose the third day; and no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven (John 3:13).
In Jesus’ second coming, many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2).
For Jesus shall descent from heaven and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
“Play actor,” why go to church went you voted for this sickness? Man and women think Jesus a fool, but there will be no room in Satan’s empire for religious freedom.
Cotton Allen, Brasstown
Cartoon is an award-winner
Maybe CNI could front the $75 to the Pulitzer Prize committee for Joe Heller’s poignant epitaph/cartoon (of the late Jimmy Buffet on page 4A in the Sept. 6 edition of the Cherokee Scout).
J.B. Robert, Hothouse
Health-care bribes hurt
The good news is President Joe Biden has authorized Medicare to negotiate the price on 10 major drugs. Just like lowering the price of insulin, this will take time.
Last year alone, Medicare paid $50 billion for these 10 prescriptions. The congressional bill to do this was passed a year ago. Not one Republican member voted for this measure.
They claim that they want to slow federal spending, yet they vote in favor of the pharmaceutical companies.
The only conclusion I can draw is that they are putting on a charade.
They support high drug prices because these greedy companies give them big campaign donations. Republicans are basically bribed to hurt people.
Jack Montgomery, Ogreeta
Walk a mile in their shoes
Many of those who struggle with addiction, find it even more difficult as their families find it hard to forgive them. The best way to comprehend an addict’s experience is to try to put yourself in their position.
If you have never used a day in your life, this may be difficult to do. It can be like trying to move around while wearing cement blocks on your feet, all while there is a constant voice in your head telling you to do something as you fight to resist. Once it has a hold on someone, addiction becomes a vicious cycle that does not let go.
There are times when a person’s destructive behaviors are so numerous it is difficult to confront everything they have done. They can reach a point where they are unable to recognize who they are. In order to avoid being the monster they consider they have become, they will continue to use drugs or alcohol.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, reach out for help before it’s too late. We help people all over the United States to find treatment and end the web that traps someone in addiction.
To read more on the subject, visit narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/forgiveness-and-understanding.html.
Matthew Goodson, Denham Springs, La.
The writer is with Narconon NewLife Retreat Drug Education & Rehabilitation Center.