109 is too many

By Justin LaRosa | January 26, 2024

TOO MANY: Every January, The Portico staff reflects on the number from the previous year and laments… “How many this year?” In 2022, the number was 101. In 2021, 94.…

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Reminders

By Justin LaRosa | November 17, 2023

REMINDERS: If you’ve been near me for any length of time, you know that my mind moves at 1000 miles a minute. Because of that truth, I make lists, I…

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Troy’s story

By Justin LaRosa | October 20, 2023

TROY’S STORY – The man I have become (shared with permission) Troy came to Portico Housing Solutions (PHS) after being released from prison. At 19, he was convicted of 1st…

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Kicked in the Teeth

By Justin LaRosa | September 28, 2023

Last Thursday night, the community got kicked in the teeth. And a few teeth, in the form of 8 million bucks, were knocked out. Read The Tampa Times article: Hillsborough…

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Ripe or Rotten?

By Justin LaRosa | July 14, 2023

FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: Ripe, Rotten, or Pruned? I have been called both ripe and rotten, and have been pruned many times. This Sunday at 1001 Gathering we explore another Jesus “I am”…

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Gabby Love = no sleep

By Justin LaRosa | May 19, 2023

FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: Sleep deprived Meet our sweet Gabby, our new baby shepherd mix. I have night duty, which means that I have had little sleep since last Saturday. When I am…

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Do you want to be made well?

By Justin LaRosa | May 4, 2023

FRIDAY CONTEMPLATION: What’s your answer? The last few weeks I have been watching The Chosen series on Prime Video. It’s about the life of Jesus. I highly recommend it. One episode…

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Love Like Karl

By Justin LaRosa | April 21, 2023

Many of you know and love Karl. He was a regular presence online during the pandemic when we practiced centering prayer/meditation daily for 20 minutes. He exuded a calm and…

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