Friday, October 31, 2008

How do we treat people with disabilities?




Within the past few years, my kids were both diagnosed with Autism- specifically, a cognitive learning delay, speech and language delay. Over the past 5 years I have watched my son Aidan struggle to communicate and understand, but he is learning more, slowly but surely, making progress, praise God! Ethan, my youngest (3 yrs old) still isn't speaking in words, but doesn't seem to realize that he is different from other kids yet. Aidan knows he is different. Sometimes adults who don't realize his situation come up and ask him his name or a question he can not answer... he used to start slapping himself when he would get frustrated that he could not give an answer, now he looks away or just puts his head down if he can not answer the question. BUT, there are more and more words he can say, so I try to ask him often certain questions I know that he will be able to answer. I see the joy come on his face. I've learned to compensate for the hard questions. For instance, I want him to try to use new words, so I might ask him to say something he can already say, then ask him something new, then ask him something he can already say again. (the sandwich method) I do this for his self-esteem and I'm seeing progress. He is starting to believe in himself more and it's a joy to hear him try to repeat new things- knowing that even if he doesn't say it right this time, there is another question coming. I want to share a story with you that broke my heart this morning. A young teenage boy with special needs went up to the counter at McDonald's to order his food and he was having a hard time getting the words out. You could tell he knew what he wanted to say but it was taking some time to say it. The lady at the counter became very uncomfortable and then, not knowing how to handle the boy, walked away. Someone else came to the counter and took the next person's order, asking the boy to step aside till he figured out what he wanted. The thing is, HE KNEW WHAT HE WANTED, and was saying it as the girl walked away... but that wasn't fast enough for her. She felt uncomfortable and didn't know how to help him (this is understandable) but the boy's face when she walked away was so sad! Can you imagine how you would feel if someone did that to you every day. Even if your IQ is low- you know when you're being loved or hated. You know when people are happy you're here or simply wish you weren't. People with disabilities are all around us in our society- we need to think ahead, plan ahead on how we are going to treat them... because chances are, you may feel uncomfortable and as a result, make a poor decision at their expense. I have been blessed with two kids with disabilities, and I have, on more than one occasion been uncomfortable in public, but that diminishes over time- pretty quickly actually. Eventually you realize what is most important and you see beyond the delay- you see the person you love. Any person is worth loving and showing love, no matter how severe their issues. My kids are full of personality, and spirit, and even words to say... they just haven't been spoken yet... but I will stand here patiently and wait with a smile and kind eyes that say "I love you and I'm so glad you're here!"




Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Our Freedom

Well, the time is drawing closer and closer to election day... which is a big deal to many Americans and many are consumed with the news and details following this election. But I am not worried about the election. These, among other, worldly distractions continually bombard us, and as Christians we should recognise them as such and put them aside as we are told in scripture. My prayer is that we remember what should be central to our hearts, ears, and mouths, as well as remember what is truly central to our freedom, testifies of our freedom and is continually making us free- the true reality... JESUS! Any and every time the disciples or other followers tried to influence Jesus towards building an earthly kingdom, or endorsing or overturning the current one (the Roman Empire... I think) Jesus shut it down, made no room for it to grow. Instead, He came to proclaim that HE was the way, His Kingdom would reign- but not on our terms, not on our timing, nor would it accomplish our goals, but the Father's. May I just encourage you by saying that I am praying my own heart stays surrendered to God and that I abide in and learn more of His ways, as I pray for all of you (yeah- everybody) that we turn our eyes upon Jesus... not assuming we have the slightest clue as to what He may be up to- because let's be honest- we don't! And praise God for that! Everyone craves freedom, craves our own way, but we quickly realize that freedom has its price. In a human society (selfish society), chaos results if we consider just our own interests. Laws are necessary to guarantee freedom. This is also true with the laws of God. In Psalms it says, "So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts." And James calls God's law a "law of liberty," or freedom, when he says that "he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25). He says this in the next chapter: "So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty" (vs. 12). Jesus is our perfect example of freedom! He kept God's commands. True freedom cannot come apart from obeying God's commandments. Loving obedience to God's law is not salvation by works, but a sincere, heartfelt response to want to love, serve, and please (praise) the Lord. It's not a matter of what's convenient for you or what suits your interests, but of what pleases God! By the way... it is an irony that, as we gain freedom through Christ, we become His slaves... yep! 1 Corinthians 7:22: "For he(she) who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave." I don't know about you, but I would rather be a slave to Christ than to the rulers of this world, because there is no ruler who can bring true salvation- not a single man on earth that can bring true HOPE to Americans or any other nation for that matter. That man came, that man died, that man rose again...and THAT man - JESUS has my attention. Does He have yours?

Monday, October 27, 2008

An Album...


... Did anybody else besides me grow up with the old vinyl record albums? Wow, I'm only 27, but I looked it up online and discovered that those big black vinyl albums are now considered "collectible items!" This is sure to happen to CD's next... or has it already?? So anyway, there is a story here. Once upon a time, when I was growing up in the woods- yes, thick woods actually- my Mom would put on these old worship records and sit on the floor with me and we would listen and sing old hymns and songs together. I was about 5 or 6, and much of what I knew about God at that time was in picture form. I knew that God created Adam and Eve ....and they were naked!- Quite the shock to the young mind ...but somehow Eve's long hair covered all the right spots and there was always that plant in front of Adam... ;-) Then there was Noah and the Arc with two of every animal- and the animals were smiling, and there was Joshua at the wall of Jericho, and the Christmas Story- fully displayed with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, sheep, shepherds, wise men and stars- Oh, and the one BIG star that they followed to get to Jesus! All of these stories were fascinating to me and I found great enjoyment coloring the pictures... but then there were these old songs on old records, and somewhere in between the words and melody I experienced the presence of God. I'll never forget those moments. I didn't know why it felt so good to sing and could not explain the reason for her tears or mine- but it was a holy time. Looking back in my life I see so many ways that God has revealed Himself to me, many which were quite unexpected and creative, but there are certain moments that stand out- kind of like the star the wise men followed- and these moments ring true to my heart. My spirit acknowledged something my head could not. The presence and glory of God was so rich in that living room. Since then I have been fortunate to taste more of God's glory, but I like to go back to that memory to encourage my faith, because at that time of my life I was just a child. I had no agenda in coming to the Lord, I had no "baggage" to speak of, or reasons to think He would not want to hear me sing. I had no worries about friends or family or others at church in what they would think if I raised my hands or danced. There was just an inner knowing that God was here and this was a really good thing! I am so thankful I grew up in a home with parents who love God! I am fortunate to have this memory and I treasure it deeply... a star among stars, a grateful "collectible" for my soul.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Sharing some Chili with friends


Today was beautiful outside and the young adults group at Living Hope met up at the park to share some Chili and desserts. I really enjoy times like these when we all get together. There is something really wonderful about spending time together eating, playing games, and talking. I may be old fashioned, but that is what I call "A good time!" I love the people at Living Hope and I love that this church doesn't just say that "life should be done together", but that's what we're actually doing, and I am thankful for this community. When you're out in the world all week long, what you hear can be so negative, and even if you're doing your best to pull the attitude of others upward, it's really nice to have some time with those who share the hope and love of Christ. I learn so much about the character of God through my friends. I now know why so many new testiment books start out with long greetings and words like, "I thank God for you..." When you experience God's grace and goodness through the church body, all you can say is, Wow God! Thank you so much!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I Chose you!



"The rabbi thinks we can be like Him."

-R.B. "Velvet Elvis"
















"If you are a disciple, you have committed your entire life to being like your rabbi. If you see your rabbi walk on water, what do you immediately want to do? Walk on water. So this disciple gets out on the water and he starts to sink, so he yells, "Jesus save me!" And Jesus says, "You of little faith, why do you doubt?" Who does Peter lose faith in? Not Jesus, He's doing fine. Peter loses faith in himself. Peter loses faith that he can do what the rabbi is doing. But if the rabbi calls you to be his disciple, then He believes you can actually be like Him... He even says to them at one point, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you." - Rob Bell, from his book, "Velvet Elvis"

This passage really spoke to my heart about the way I view myself in Christ. Sometimes the hardest part of identifying one's self with Christ is believing it is possible to be like Him - to know that beyond a doubt we are capable of anything through Christ. Rob goes on to say about the disciples, "It isn't their failure that's the problem; it's their greatness. They don't realize what they are capable of." ...Wow! To think that the more of our lives we submit to Christ the more trust we build, not only in Christ, but in ourselves because of Christ! Maybe you're like me, and you get caught up in staring at the waves of failures in your life. You believe in Christ, you've seen His power in your life, you know what He is capable of- you know His goodness you know His grace, you just sometimes forget what you're capable of as His chosen disciple! I don't ever want to forget that I am capable of catastrophe, but may I never lose sight of the One who died to claim me as an overcomer!

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith." (1 john 5:3&4) ... I added the emphasis.

The Bridge Master

Speaking of loving... this video shares the meaning of John 3:16 in film form. God really loves us beyond an imaginable degree.



http://www.maximumreferrals.com/bridge

"Prayer of the Gathering"



My long time friend Bobby Schuller (who is also my son's Uncle Bobby) is a great guy with a growing ministry with young adults. Their meetings are called "the gathering." I met Bobby when he lived in Tulsa, but he hails from California and you can spot him in the Crystal Cathedral on Sundays. That is one big, beautiful, room btw! My first and only trip to CA , I had the honor of singing a song in it for his wedding. But I know him, not from a hike to the pulpit, but a hike to a little tribe in the mountains of Panama... this guy lives what he says. Though he and his wife Hannah live in Cali now, I love them and like to check up on them time to time and I am always blessed to see him thriving where they were planted...

Here is the "Prayer of the Gathering":


"God our Father, we pray, in the name of Christ Jesus our Savior, that our community would be built on lifelong friendships, as we journey toward you. Jesus is the vine, God is the vinedresser, the Holy Spirit is the sap, and we are the branches. Help us to abide in you, bearing in immeasurable harvest the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We pray that Your kingdom would come to our world, that you would remove the curse of evil, and that we could be a part of your rescue mission to a lost and dying world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

My first blog!




Hello! Let's live life loving! For starters, here are two little guys I'm loving...
My oldest son is Aidan and my youngest is Ethan. These two bring so much love and joy to my life and I'm so thankful to God for letting me see some of His glory through their eyes. My hope for this blog is to simply share some Jesus, share some love (same thing), and share some observations about life- all the while hoping you'll share back. We all have something to bring to the table of life... something brings us all together, and in my opinion that something is LOVE.