DANIEL SHOER ROTH | VIEW FROM EL NUEVO HERALD
Little miracles help homeless secure ID
By DANIEL SHOER ROTH
Most people have no problem proving they are who they say they are.
All it takes is a driver’s license or state ID card, passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, green card or any other government-issued identification. You might even use a letter from your employer or a utility bill displaying name and address.
So what happens if you don’t have any of these?
Inside a tiny office in South Beach, Ernie Earth searches for the answers to this riddle each time he tries to help a homeless person recover his or her identity. On paper, at least.
It is not easy. There are individuals who may not know how to spell their last name or can’t recall their mother’s maiden name. Many, like Adam Arce, are lost in a labyrinth.
”How am I supposed to show a valid photo ID to obtain a birth certificate, if I need a birth certificate to obtain the ID,” asked Arce, 25, who’s from New York and has been homeless off and on since 2003. He was wearing blue uniform trousers he said were given to him at the jail where he recently spent the night.
Like Arce, 2,207 homeless people — U.S-born or legal residents — have knocked on the doors of HOPE in Miami Beach during the past 11 months. Of these, 752 have obtained a Florida state ID, indispensable for obtaining a job or renting a room and, consequently, essential for anyone who wants to leave the street life behind.
HOPE should be a model for other organizations in South Florida seeking to improve living conditions for the homeless.
The Rev. Pedro Martínez, president of HOPE, frames the issue with the old saying: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat forever.”
The HOPE identifications program operates with a $50,000 grant from the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
This week, Earth tried to explain the process to several HOPE clients, drawing on a generous well of patience. Earth says he was homeless and addicted to drugs more than a decade ago. His current job, he underscores, is to help others “jump through hoops.”
Some of them lose their identifications because they are drunk or high, others because they are mentally ill. Yet many lose their identifications for lack of a safe place to leave their belongings.
Joshua Singhas needed his birth certificate from California. On a crumpled piece of paper he had spelled his mother’s maiden name. He had to call his grandmother to get it. He still needs a sworn statement — notarized — that he is who he is, but he doesn’t have an ID. One option is for two people with valid IDs who know him to swear that he is who he says he is. The only problem is that none of the people who know him has ID, either.
”The ID will help me get a job so I can go to school,” said the 26-year-old Singhas.
Singhas is luckier than some. He still has his Social Security card. Florida officials require two forms of official identification to issue an ID.
By contrast, Arce’s hands are tied. New York law requires a copy of a valid photo ID to obtain a birth certificate, or two documents, like a utility bill and a letter from a government agency. Arce has only a letter from the Social Security Administration.
The frustration was too much, and Arce got upset with Earth, railing as if it were his fault. Earth is used to it. ”I’m making Miami Beach a better place to live,” he said. “We do miracles here.”
Little Miracles on South Beach
January 11, 2016 – 2:10 pm
Sinner Saved By Grace!
May 19, 2010 – 12:00 am
Glory to GOD
I also write a daily question about GOD, and an answer which is supported by a Bible verse:
http://thewordisgod.wordpress.com/
I also write a weekly Newsletter, which I post on:
http://things2you.wordpress.com//
I also write a weekly Newsletter, which I post on:
http://mybloggerheaven.wordpress.com//
I write many of the “Events” and “Free Events” for the web site:
http://miamifunguide.com/
The following web site has an article about my day job.
http://hopeinmiamibeach.org/pages/news/article.asp?NewsID=47
I also write a weekly Newsletter, which I post on:
http://mybloggerheaven.wordpress.com//
The purpose of this web site is to lift up our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
That the lost may more easily find Him. And to equip fellow believers to lead others to Christ.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJV
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. NKJV
On July 4th 1997, I asked GOD, to help me get through the rest of that day with out drinking any alcohol. I told GOD I didn’t think I could be happy if I quite drinking, but that I would rather be sad the rest of my life than to face the consequences of my drinking. At the time I was homeless so I asked GOD for a job and other material things I wanted. In time as my life improved I began to thank GOD for His help. I also began to ask GOD if there was anything I could do for Him to say thank you for His help. One day the thought came to me that GOD wanted me to read the New Testament of the Bible.
I read the New Testament as though it were a novel, and when I finished I pointed out to GOD that I had read the New Testament but that it had no effect on me. Then the thought came, “Go back to Matthew 1:1”. I argued with GOD for a few hours, but I read the New Testament for the second time. When I finished I didn’t argue with GOD this time, hoping that He would not have me read it again. But it didn’t work. I knew He wanted me to read the New Testament again. I was still grateful enough for my sobriety that I read the New Testament for the third time.
I repeatedly told GOD I would do anything He asked of me, but I also asked Him not to ask me to become a Christian. I told GOD that I did not want any middle man between Him and me. I told Him I wanted a relationship like Abraham and Moses had. I did not want to become a hateful angry Christian.
This time the Bible became a different book to me. It seemed that in each chapter, one verse would say something like, “if you do not tie your shoe strings you will step on them and fall on your face”. It seemed that at lease one verse in each chapter testified about the experiences of my own life.
Things I knew to be true from my own life experience. During my third reading I found my self watching the, “Trinity Broadcasting Network”, Christian T.V. At the end of the program I knew that I was a sinner, that I had broken GOD’s laws and that I deserved to die and be separated from GOD forever. I bowed my head and admitted to GOD that I was a sinner, and I told Him that I was sorry for what I had done wrong. Then I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life and change me. I asked Jesus to become the Lord of my life. I asked Jesus to show me how to live a life that GOD would be happy with.
Now I found I had become a Christian, though I had apposed the idea for a long time. I asked GOD if I had to be an angry Christian. I felt like GOD laughed in my ear and spoke to my heart ‘:No” GOD spoke to my heart and said I could be a kind and loving Christian. I was so happy that I responded ‘really.’ I had to go to the library to find a dictionary to look up ‘kind’ and ‘loving’.
It has been 13 years since I prayed that simple prayer. I now thank GOD for loving and guiding me the first thing upon awakening each morning. Then I thank GOD for my salvation and other gifts He has given me since I accepted Jesus Christ, as my Lord and Savior. After 15 or 20 minutes of thanking GOD I began to feel His presence filling me and surrounding me. Then I know I have His attention. Then I lift to Him any cares I have for myself or for others for whom I pray.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The rest of this page has web sites that I visit to learn what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of GOD.
If you are wondering where I can be found at 9:30 A.M. on any Sunday Morning or at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday night, I am always at:
Calvary Chapel
Miami Beach
7141 Indian Creek
Miami Beach, FL 33139
For further information check out: www.calvarymiamibeach.org/
The founder of the Calvary Chapel movement is Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel churches homepage can be found at:
http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com/
The following thirteen books may be read online or downloaded to your hard drive for your later reading pleasure.
To read these books you must have “Adobe Reader” which can be downloaded for free from: www.adobe.com/ The fourteen free books are:
“Answers For Today” by Chuck Smith
This is a compilation of the popular Answer Pamphlet series. It includes “It’s Time for the Sunrise,” “Questions & Answers,” “Unto Us a Son Is Given,” “A More Sure Word,” “The Rapture” and many others.
“Calvary Chapel Distinctives ” by Chuck Smith
What is it that makes Calvary Chapel different from other Bible-believing, evangelical churches? It’s always good to have a grasp of the distinctive work that God has done in our fellowship. If Calvary chapel is exactly like the church across the street it would be better to simply merge the two. But, if there are qualities that make us different, then we have a unique and special place in the plan of God. Certainly there are churches that share many of our beliefs and practices. But God has done a wonderful work of balance in the Calvary Chapel movement that does make us different.
“Calvinism, Arminianism & The Word of God ” by Chuck Smith
This pamphlet discusses the facts upon which these doctrinal stands are based, and compares them to the facts of the Word of God.
“Charisma vs Charismania” by Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith looks at a theological controversy that has existed for years and explores the ‘Charismatic experience’ as it relates to today’s Christian.
“Comfort For Those Who Mourn” by Chuck Smith
In this pamphlet, Pastor Chuck shares the glorious hope that we have in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how we can find comport through Him during a time of loss. He also looks at the life of David, and the touching account of his response to the loss of Saul and his beloved friend, Jonathan.
“Effective Prayer Life” by Chuck Smith
“In print world-wide for nearly 20 years, this classic book on prayer has proven the truth that prayer changes things. Countless lives have been changed and prayer lives revitalized through Pastor Chuck’s simplistic style and practical approach to this essential subject. In this book, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the principles of prayer, the keys to having a dynamic prayer life, and the victorious results of such a life. The heart of every reader will be stirred with a desire to “pray without ceasing” the most important act the Christian can engage in.
“Harvest” by Chuck Smith
This is the story of the growth of Calvary Chapel ministries featuring the life and testimonies of Chuck Smith, and nine other Calvary Chapel pastors. These men share how God broke through such barriers as evil, pride, complacency and anger to carry out His plan for this vital ministry. God called these leaders, just as He has called you. It is a story of evangelism, discipleship, and taking God at His Word.
“Living Water” by Chuck Smith
God has the power to change lives through His Holy Spirit. This book captures that message and is written to give people a true understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Learn how God, through His Holy Spirit, enables the yielded heart to know and personally experience His grace, His love, His power and His gifts.
“The Claims of Christ” by Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith gives a straightforward presentation of the claims of Jesus Christ, along with proof of their validity. Readers are challenged to accept or reject Christ,
based upon these claims.
“The Gospel According To Grace” by Chuck Smith
A clear and enlightening commentary on the book of Romans, Pastor Chuck reviews Paul’s Epistle, one of the most important books in the Bible, on a verse-by-verse basic, looking deeper into God’s grace and love for mankind. Romans was a foundational book used by God in the burgeoning of the Calvary Chapel movement.
“The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel” by Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith identifies the fact that the church that will be successful in this day and age, is the church who is founded in the work of God and Jesus Christ.
“What the World is Coming To” by Chuck Smith
A verse by verse, in-depth commentary on the book of Revelation detailing the
scenario for the last days. The glorious coming kingdom and the momentous events surrounding its establishment are described to us in the prophetic book of Revelation.
“Why Grace Changes Everything” by Chuck Smith
Through remarkable insight gleaned form his own life, Pastor Chuck unfolds the mystery of grace and reveals the surprising truth:
We can never grow in grace by our own efforts. True grace flows form the heart of the Father through the love of Christ. To know that God is for you, and that He loves you, is the greatest source of security you will ever know. That is grace and that if what makes life worth living.
“The Final Curtain” by Chuck Smith
God wants and expects us to be thoroughly aware of the times in which we live. To this end, he gave us many signs to help us recognize the time of His promised return.
“Christian Family Relationships” by Chuck Smith
Christian Family Relationships reveals God’s basic principles designed to keep your family’s love alive. By knowing and applying God’s principles to your family life, you can have real peace, happiness, and joy.
“WHAT CALVARY CHAPEL TEACHES” by Larry Taylor
A Brief Explanation of the Doctrine of the
Calvary Chapel Movement by
Larry Taylor
“The Philosophy of Ministry of Calvary Chapel” by Larry Taylor
Biblical Principles of Ministry as Taught by Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
“Revolution in World Missions”Dr. K.P. Yohannan
Step into the story of missionary statesman Dr. K.P. Yohannan and experience the world through his eyes—from the villages of India to the shores of Europe and North America. Watch out: His passion is contagious!
With fascinating true stories and eye-opening statistics, you’ll be challenged to examine and change your lifestyle in view of millions who have never heard the Gospel.
You can listen to Pastor Chuck’s messages “Through The Bible” http://twft.com/?page=C2000
Hungry for the word of GOD? Seven FREE songs, music written and sung by a brother in Christ and my pastor, can be found at:
www.ricktuttlemusic.com
I also like to watch Christian TV on the “Trinity Broadcasting Network”, called TBN for short. Put the pointer over the words “Watch Us”, a drop down menu will appear and then you click on “Watch online”. There homepage is: www.tbn.org/
Like movies? Put pointer over the words “Watch Us” on the TBM homepage. Then click on “Video Gallery”. You can watch online or download to your hard drive for later or repeat viewing the following movies.
“Megiddo – The Omega Code 2 (106 minutes)
“The Omega Code” (100 minutes)
“The Revolutionary” (51 minutes)
“The Revolutionary II (52 minutes)
“Carman – The Champion” (90 minutes)
“Carman – Mission 3:16 (120 minutes)
“Carman – Hymns” (59 minutes)
“The Emissary” (57 minutes)
“More Than a Carpenter (57 minutes)
“Too Young to Die” (58 minutes)
“Angles – Miraculous Messengers (118 minutes)
“To Hell and Back” (88 minutes)
“The China Cry” (137 minutes)
and other video’s
All the above movies may be found by clicking the following link: www.tbn.org/index.php/8/1.html
One of my favorite TV programs is called “The Way of the Master” with Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort.
“The Way of the Master” television program is 30 minutes of Ray and Kirk teaching Christians how to share their faith effectively and inoffensively. I took the study course in Evangelism. I found it online at:
www.thewayofthemaster.com/
“Harvest” with Greg Laurie is a youth program that targets ages 30 and under young people with a combination of preaching and personal evangelism. Greg Laurie’s homepage can be found at: www.harvest.org/
I also watch Dr. Charles Stanley on his program “In Touch Ministries”. His homepage is: http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2264355/k.BE55/Home.htm
I get my Christian news form, Christian World News, they are located at: www.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/
From “Insight For Leaders” I receive a “Daily Devotionals by A. W. Tozer”: http://litmin.org/tozer.php
59 FREE Bibles, 15 FREE Commentaries, 13 Dictionaries, PLUS,
“Absolute Surrender” by Andrew Murray
“All of Grace” by Charles H. Spurgeon
“Antiquities of the Jews” by Flavius Josephus
“Concerning Christian Liberty” by Martin Luther
“Fox’s Book of Martyrs” by John Fox
“In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon
“Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin
“Systematic Theology” by Charles G. Finney
“The Complete Writings of E. M. Bounds on Prayer”
“The Deeper Christian Life” by Andrew Murray
“The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas E. Kepmis
“The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence
“The Pursuit of God” by A. W. Tozer
“The Training of the Twelve” by A. B. Bruce
“Wars of the Jews” by Flavius Josephus
and many more. All this and much more can be found at: www.e-sword.net/index.html
Another online Bible site is: www.blueletterbible.org/
click on “BLB INSTITUTE” for sic free bible studies. Click on “OTHER LINKS” for 26 links to Christian sites. Click on “AUDIO/VIDEO” form commentaries from 19 Christians, including over 300 audio commentaries by Chuck Smith.
Click on “COMMENTARIES” for sermons by Charles Spurgeon and 33 Study Guides by Chuck Smith.
Not enough books to keep you busy until Jesus returns? Or maybe your eyes are just tired form all that reading. How about some audio books you can set back and just listen to? Click here for your Christian listen at the “Christian Classics Ethereal Library: www.ccel.org/
Scroll down to “Browse Library” and click on “By Format”. On this page click on “MP3 Audio Files” and you can rest your eyes and listen to 38 books being read to you. Among my favorite books are:
“Power Through Prayer” by Edward
M. Bounds (1835-1913)
“Holy War” and “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan (1628-1688)
“Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life” by Brother
Lawrence (1605-1691)
“With Christ in the School of Prayer” by Andrew Murry (1928-1917)
“George Mueller of Bristol And His Witness to a Prayer-Hearing God” by Arthur Tappan Pierson (1837-1911)
“In His Steps” by Charles Monroe Sheldon (1857-1946)
“Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471)
Not a Christian? Keep reading to learn how to receive this FREE gift from GOD today.
How to become a Christian?
1. God’s Love Is Revealed
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” NKJV
2. Man Is Sinful
John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV
19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” NKJV
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NKJV
3. Sin Has a Penalty
John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” NKJV
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV
4. Christ Paid the Penalty
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! NKJV
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NKJV
John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV
5. Salvation Is a Free Gift
John 6:28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” NKJV
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJV
6. Christ Is Our Salvation
John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” NKJV
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” NKJV
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” NKJV
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” NKJV
7. You Must Receive Him
John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” NKJV
John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” NKJV
1 John 5:12 “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” NKJV
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” NKJV
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” NKJV
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” NJKV
8. You Have Everlasting Life
John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” NKJV
1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. NKJV
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” NKJV
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” NKJV
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” NKJV
Now that you have become a Christian, how do you go about, “Living a Christian Life”?
1. Pray Daily
John 14:13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” NKJV
Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” NKJV
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJV
John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. NKJV
2. Learn to Depend on the Holy Spirit
John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”NKJV
Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” NKJV
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJV
John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” NKJV
3. Attend Church Regularly
John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” NKJV
4. Be of Service to Others
John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
15 “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” NKJV
John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” NKJV
5. Learn to Conquer Your Doubts
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” NKJV
6. Learn to Have Peace of Mind
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ NKJV
7. Learn the Blessing of Suffering
John 16:22 “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” NKJV
8. Learn How to Meet Temptation
John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” NKJV
Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” NKJV
9. Be a Witnessing Christian
John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
36 “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” NKJV
May GOD love you and keep you until He returns. Come Lord Jesus. Come soon my Lord.
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Glory To GOD! 