I just finished watching a documentary called Autism is a World. Everyone has times when they are unable to clearly communicate what they are thinking or feeling. Sometimes we may forget the correct word or our minds just go blank. For individuals with autism or other mental disabilities, however, that feeling may be a continual one. In Autism Is A World, Sue Rubin, a 26-year old autistic woman, showed how individuals with autism—and other mental disabilities—experience that inability to communicate every day.
The resulting frustration from lack of communication must be profound. But one thing is certain; no matter how severe the disability or even mental retardation may be, every individual thinks and feels and yes, even communicates. While an individual may be non-verbal or convey feelings in ways that may be unintelligible to an average person, communication still takes place. The difficulty comes in interpreting the thoughts and feelings when they are conveyed in a non-traditional way.
However, through technological and social advances, individuals in the United States are given the opportunity to be understood. There are still steps to be taken to ensure that these individuals can reach their fullest potential. But my mind is continually drawn towards those individuals living in third world or old Soviet Bloc countries. How many countless of them are just as capable as any one of us, but never given the resources to advance their minds and themselves? Or how many others, perhaps not as intellectually advanced, still long to convey some small part of what runs through their minds? These must also be given a chance, an same opportunity. Someone must go and serve... to unlock their minds and let them touch the world.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Then God Came
I was asked to write something for another blog... and it turned out being quite a revelation for me as well.
“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with Him. Then He said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” …And there He blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Peniel, limping because of his hip.” (Genesis 32:24-26, 29-31)
When you read this story, what comes to mind? Do you see it as just another Bible story? Perhaps you see it as strange, or even foolish. (After all, why would Jacob try to wrestle God—the man in this story)? Or maybe you’ve just never thought about it much. Well, I have probably thought one or more of those things at some point, but now this is actually one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I think if we could do what Jacob did, our lives would change. But before I get into that, a little history…
If you read the verses leading up to this section, you’ll find that Jacob was praying. Hard. He was getting ready to face his brother, who was bent on killing Jacob the last time they were together. Now that Jacob is returning with his entire family, he fully expects them all to be wiped out. Talk about problems! I’m sure you have all felt some of the pain Jacob did. You likely have not had the lives of your family threatened. But we all hurt. We all face life. And let’s admit it—life can be hard sometimes. In fact, life can be horrible. There are times when it’s hard to just keep moving and breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. But it is in those times that the miraculous happens.
God shows up.
It’s true. It may be hard to see, but He shows up in our lives today and He showed up in Jacob’s. But did you notice when He came?
“And Jacob was left alone.” It wasn’t when things were going great back at Laban’s house. It wasn’t when his mind was preoccupied with a journey. It wasn’t when he could push his problems to the back of his mind by playing with his kids or something. No. Jacob was at the end of his rope—and alone. There was no more hiding. No more pretending. No more ignoring the truth or hoping for another way out. He was alone, his brother was coming to kill him and his family, and God had been silent to his pleas.
Then God came. That is the beautiful part about God. When you reach the absolute lowest point you can go—God is there. When you can’t imagine another moment of pain or disappointment—God steps in. And when there are no other options available—God supplies your every need.
But there’s another part to this story. You’ll notice that things didn’t immediately turn around for Jacob once God got there. Instead, he spent the night wrestling with God. And this is the lesson that is so valuable. There are times when life becomes so draining or overwhelming that you need God to step in and do something BIG. And God wants more than anything else to do that for you… but He wants you to want it just as much.
And so we must wrestle. Desperately seek His will through His Word and the counsel of others. Beg for His strength and mercy. Live and breathe and eat and drink up Who He is. We must want God more than anything! We have to put our entire beings--everything that we are--into running hard after God. Because it is only when every ounce of our being is focused solely and whole-heartedly on Him that can we can be used the way He wants to use us. Only then can He accomplish His great and perfect will for our lives. Half-hearted prayers and weak desires are not enough. He must bring us to the place where we are desperate for everything He is.
When the sun rose on Jacob that morning, a new day had dawned. He named the place “Peniel,” meaning “face of God.” He had met God face to face, wrestled with Him in desperation and pain, and nothing was the same. He had a new name, a new limp, and a blessing from God. That is what will happen every time we wrestle with God. It will not be easy. It will change who we are. It may leave us scarred. But it will always bring God’s blessing, “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38) And we will never be the same.
“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with Him. Then He said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” …And there He blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Peniel, limping because of his hip.” (Genesis 32:24-26, 29-31)
When you read this story, what comes to mind? Do you see it as just another Bible story? Perhaps you see it as strange, or even foolish. (After all, why would Jacob try to wrestle God—the man in this story)? Or maybe you’ve just never thought about it much. Well, I have probably thought one or more of those things at some point, but now this is actually one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I think if we could do what Jacob did, our lives would change. But before I get into that, a little history…
If you read the verses leading up to this section, you’ll find that Jacob was praying. Hard. He was getting ready to face his brother, who was bent on killing Jacob the last time they were together. Now that Jacob is returning with his entire family, he fully expects them all to be wiped out. Talk about problems! I’m sure you have all felt some of the pain Jacob did. You likely have not had the lives of your family threatened. But we all hurt. We all face life. And let’s admit it—life can be hard sometimes. In fact, life can be horrible. There are times when it’s hard to just keep moving and breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. But it is in those times that the miraculous happens.
God shows up.
It’s true. It may be hard to see, but He shows up in our lives today and He showed up in Jacob’s. But did you notice when He came?
“And Jacob was left alone.” It wasn’t when things were going great back at Laban’s house. It wasn’t when his mind was preoccupied with a journey. It wasn’t when he could push his problems to the back of his mind by playing with his kids or something. No. Jacob was at the end of his rope—and alone. There was no more hiding. No more pretending. No more ignoring the truth or hoping for another way out. He was alone, his brother was coming to kill him and his family, and God had been silent to his pleas.
Then God came. That is the beautiful part about God. When you reach the absolute lowest point you can go—God is there. When you can’t imagine another moment of pain or disappointment—God steps in. And when there are no other options available—God supplies your every need.
But there’s another part to this story. You’ll notice that things didn’t immediately turn around for Jacob once God got there. Instead, he spent the night wrestling with God. And this is the lesson that is so valuable. There are times when life becomes so draining or overwhelming that you need God to step in and do something BIG. And God wants more than anything else to do that for you… but He wants you to want it just as much.
And so we must wrestle. Desperately seek His will through His Word and the counsel of others. Beg for His strength and mercy. Live and breathe and eat and drink up Who He is. We must want God more than anything! We have to put our entire beings--everything that we are--into running hard after God. Because it is only when every ounce of our being is focused solely and whole-heartedly on Him that can we can be used the way He wants to use us. Only then can He accomplish His great and perfect will for our lives. Half-hearted prayers and weak desires are not enough. He must bring us to the place where we are desperate for everything He is.
When the sun rose on Jacob that morning, a new day had dawned. He named the place “Peniel,” meaning “face of God.” He had met God face to face, wrestled with Him in desperation and pain, and nothing was the same. He had a new name, a new limp, and a blessing from God. That is what will happen every time we wrestle with God. It will not be easy. It will change who we are. It may leave us scarred. But it will always bring God’s blessing, “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38) And we will never be the same.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A Levite in the House
"Now a man named Micah... said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you... I have that silver with me; I took it."
When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol."
...and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into the image and the idol. And they were put in Micah's house.
Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest.
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit...
A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim.
Micah asked him, "Where are you from?"
"I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he said, "and I'm looking for a place to stay."
...then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. And Micah said, "Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest."
~Judges 17
Our pastor preached on this passage this Sunday. Micah, the main character, is just one example of what happened when 'everyone did as he saw fit.' He stole a large sum of money from his mother and when he returned it, she "thanked" the Lord by creating an idol! Micah set up a shrine for the idol along with all the other gods he worshipped and then installed his son as a priest. When a Levite came along, he decided to appoint the Levite as his priest instead.
Then notice the last phrase... "I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest."
Theft.
Greed.
Idol worship.
Utter disregard for the Word of the Lord.
And yet, because Micah has a Levite, he thinks God will bless him.
How foolish. How ridiculous!
But how often do I do the same thing?
My life is also full of sin. Full of false gods.
Security becomes more important than trust. Computer takes the place of spending time with God. "Having fun" overshadows stewardship of what God has given me. Pride interferes with a right relationship with Him.
And yet I think that because I read my Bible or go to church or donate money, God will bless me? How foolish. How ridiculous!
The blessing of God does not come because I have "a Levite in the house." His blessing is not given for the asking. It is not based on outward signs of obedience that serve only to disguise a prideful heart.
But "blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods." ~Psalm 40:4
Only when I humble myself and seek His face... Only when I completely forsake the false gods in my life--my pride, my security, my faith in myself... Only when I stop trusting the Levites in my house to bring blessing and turn wholly and completely to the God of the universe...
Only then will I find His blessing.
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory; that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" ~1 Chronicles 4:10
When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, "I solemnly consecrate my silver to the LORD for my son to make a carved image and a cast idol."
...and she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who made them into the image and the idol. And they were put in Micah's house.
Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some idols and installed one of his sons as his priest.
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit...
A young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, who had been living within the clan of Judah, left that town in search of some other place to stay. On his way he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim.
Micah asked him, "Where are you from?"
"I'm a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah," he said, "and I'm looking for a place to stay."
...then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house. And Micah said, "Now I know that the LORD will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest."
~Judges 17
Our pastor preached on this passage this Sunday. Micah, the main character, is just one example of what happened when 'everyone did as he saw fit.' He stole a large sum of money from his mother and when he returned it, she "thanked" the Lord by creating an idol! Micah set up a shrine for the idol along with all the other gods he worshipped and then installed his son as a priest. When a Levite came along, he decided to appoint the Levite as his priest instead.
Then notice the last phrase... "I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest."
Theft.
Greed.
Idol worship.
Utter disregard for the Word of the Lord.
And yet, because Micah has a Levite, he thinks God will bless him.
How foolish. How ridiculous!
But how often do I do the same thing?
My life is also full of sin. Full of false gods.
Security becomes more important than trust. Computer takes the place of spending time with God. "Having fun" overshadows stewardship of what God has given me. Pride interferes with a right relationship with Him.
And yet I think that because I read my Bible or go to church or donate money, God will bless me? How foolish. How ridiculous!
The blessing of God does not come because I have "a Levite in the house." His blessing is not given for the asking. It is not based on outward signs of obedience that serve only to disguise a prideful heart.
But "blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods." ~Psalm 40:4
Only when I humble myself and seek His face... Only when I completely forsake the false gods in my life--my pride, my security, my faith in myself... Only when I stop trusting the Levites in my house to bring blessing and turn wholly and completely to the God of the universe...
Only then will I find His blessing.
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory; that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" ~1 Chronicles 4:10
Monday, March 8, 2010
Every day is a journal page. Every man holds a quill and ink.
And there's plenty of room for writing in. All we do is believe and think.
So will you compose a curse or will today bring the blessing?
Fill the page with rhyming verse or some random sketching?
Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.
Lead us in better ways that somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much... Life means so much... Life means so much.
Every day is a bank account and time is our currency.
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor; we get 24 hours each.
So how are you gonna spend? Will you invest or squander?
Try to get ahead or help someone who's under?
Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.
Lead us in better ways that somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much... Life means so much... Life means so much.
Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life?
And don't you think giving is all that proves the worth of yours and mine.
Life means so much...
Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.
Lead us in better ways that somehow our souls forgot.
Life means so much...
Every day is a gift you've been given. Make the most of the time, every minute you're living.
And there's plenty of room for writing in. All we do is believe and think.
So will you compose a curse or will today bring the blessing?
Fill the page with rhyming verse or some random sketching?
Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.
Lead us in better ways that somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much... Life means so much... Life means so much.
Every day is a bank account and time is our currency.
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor; we get 24 hours each.
So how are you gonna spend? Will you invest or squander?
Try to get ahead or help someone who's under?
Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.
Lead us in better ways that somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much... Life means so much... Life means so much.
Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life?
And don't you think giving is all that proves the worth of yours and mine.
Life means so much...Teach us to count the days, teach us to make the days count.
Lead us in better ways that somehow our souls forgot.
Life means so much...
Every day is a gift you've been given. Make the most of the time, every minute you're living.
Friday, March 5, 2010
You're not alone...
"You're not alone for I am here/Let me wipe away your every fear/My love, I've never left your side/I have seen you through the darkest night/and I'm the one who's loved you all your life." ~Meredith Andrews.
Will you please be there for a little one who is all alone? Please, demonstrate God's love to them, especially little Andrey this month. ReecesRainbow.com
Will you please be there for a little one who is all alone? Please, demonstrate God's love to them, especially little Andrey this month. ReecesRainbow.com
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Be a Warrior
Dear friends,
I just learned that March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. In preparation for that day, I am joining with many others to become a "warrior" for a precious little one with Down's Syndrome. I would like to invite you to join me.
Here is how it works.
First, please visit Reece's Rainbow's At Risk Page and look for Andrey, the child I have chosen to be a warrior for this month.
(Isn't he adorable??? Yet he is at high risk for being institutionalized in Eastern Europe. Once that happens, the chances of him being adopted are extremely small. For the sake of his future... will you please do something?)
Once you find him, please donate $21 (for the date of World Down Syndrome Day OR any amount that is possible for you) to go towards his adoption.
I know for some of us, $21 is quite a bit of money. But I am reminded of something I heard Ryan Dobson say recently; how much money is a life worth? How can you put a price tag on this little one's life? With that in mind, please give as generously as you can.
Now it's YOUR turn to be a warrior. Look through these pictures of precious children and choose one that you will fight for this month! Spread the word anyway you can and ask others to give $21 to bringing your child home. It's amazing... just by spending the last 20 or so minutes spreading the word about Andrey, I feel so connected to him; like I really am his voice to the world and his warrior. You can do the same for a little one.
Just so you know... Reece's Rainbow is a ministry that advocates for orphans with Down Syndrome. They collect grant money for specific children as well, in hopes of making the adoption expenses less of a burden on adopting their family. I have been aware of their ministry for some time and know they are worth supporting.
God bless you as you serve Him!
Love in Christ,
Brittany
P.S. Andrey currently has $240 towards his adoption. I am excited to see that amount grow!
I just learned that March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. In preparation for that day, I am joining with many others to become a "warrior" for a precious little one with Down's Syndrome. I would like to invite you to join me.
Here is how it works.
First, please visit Reece's Rainbow's At Risk Page and look for Andrey, the child I have chosen to be a warrior for this month.
(Isn't he adorable??? Yet he is at high risk for being institutionalized in Eastern Europe. Once that happens, the chances of him being adopted are extremely small. For the sake of his future... will you please do something?)
Once you find him, please donate $21 (for the date of World Down Syndrome Day OR any amount that is possible for you) to go towards his adoption.
I know for some of us, $21 is quite a bit of money. But I am reminded of something I heard Ryan Dobson say recently; how much money is a life worth? How can you put a price tag on this little one's life? With that in mind, please give as generously as you can.
Now it's YOUR turn to be a warrior. Look through these pictures of precious children and choose one that you will fight for this month! Spread the word anyway you can and ask others to give $21 to bringing your child home. It's amazing... just by spending the last 20 or so minutes spreading the word about Andrey, I feel so connected to him; like I really am his voice to the world and his warrior. You can do the same for a little one.
Just so you know... Reece's Rainbow is a ministry that advocates for orphans with Down Syndrome. They collect grant money for specific children as well, in hopes of making the adoption expenses less of a burden on adopting their family. I have been aware of their ministry for some time and know they are worth supporting.
God bless you as you serve Him!
Love in Christ,
Brittany
P.S. Andrey currently has $240 towards his adoption. I am excited to see that amount grow!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Anguish
"I will walk humbly all my years
because of this anguish of my soul.
Lord, by such things men live;
and my spirit finds life in them too."
~Isaiah 38:15b-16a
Anguish. It is not a pleasant thing to experience. In fact, that is quite the understatement. Anguish is painful. Horrible. Completely and utterly heartbreaking.
But I want more of it.
Something inside of me longs to truly understand the truth of our world. My heart wants to ache with God's heart at evil. Hurt when I see injustice. Break at the pain. Feel anger at sin.
Because when I experience anguish, I am forced to "walk humbly," knowing that God is in control and that I am completely incapable of accomplishing anything. I hurt and mourn and ache... but in the end, I must give it to God or else I couldn't survive the pain. In anguish, there is surrender.
When I experience anguish, I know things that are worth knowing. My mind isn't focused on clothes or money or friends or my selfish needs and wishes. It can't be. I know hard truths that move me from complacency to action; from fear to courage; from doubt to faith. I cannot stay where I am. In anguish, there is change.
When I experience anguish, I have purpose. Faced with hard truth, my focus moves from within to without. There is nothing so strong as a deep desire to change; change myself and change my world. "Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too." In anguish, there is life!
It is not easy. It is not fun. Sometimes, it hurts so bad I can barely breathe, much less act. But I would rather live in anguish than complacency. I would rather ache than feel nothing. I would rather follow God with all the ups and downs and twists and turns of life, knowing He is there, than face the world alone.
Anguish.
What brings you anguish? Here are just some of the things that cause anguish for me.
147 Million orphans living alone.
A young woman giving up her life to change lives.
An unthinkable evil that still exists today.
Precious children who live on "borrowed time."
47 million babies... dead.
What is God calling YOU to feel anguish for?
because of this anguish of my soul.
Lord, by such things men live;
and my spirit finds life in them too."
~Isaiah 38:15b-16a
Anguish. It is not a pleasant thing to experience. In fact, that is quite the understatement. Anguish is painful. Horrible. Completely and utterly heartbreaking.
But I want more of it.
Something inside of me longs to truly understand the truth of our world. My heart wants to ache with God's heart at evil. Hurt when I see injustice. Break at the pain. Feel anger at sin.
Because when I experience anguish, I am forced to "walk humbly," knowing that God is in control and that I am completely incapable of accomplishing anything. I hurt and mourn and ache... but in the end, I must give it to God or else I couldn't survive the pain. In anguish, there is surrender.
When I experience anguish, I know things that are worth knowing. My mind isn't focused on clothes or money or friends or my selfish needs and wishes. It can't be. I know hard truths that move me from complacency to action; from fear to courage; from doubt to faith. I cannot stay where I am. In anguish, there is change.
When I experience anguish, I have purpose. Faced with hard truth, my focus moves from within to without. There is nothing so strong as a deep desire to change; change myself and change my world. "Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too." In anguish, there is life!
It is not easy. It is not fun. Sometimes, it hurts so bad I can barely breathe, much less act. But I would rather live in anguish than complacency. I would rather ache than feel nothing. I would rather follow God with all the ups and downs and twists and turns of life, knowing He is there, than face the world alone.
Anguish.
What brings you anguish? Here are just some of the things that cause anguish for me.
147 Million orphans living alone.
A young woman giving up her life to change lives.
An unthinkable evil that still exists today.
Precious children who live on "borrowed time."
47 million babies... dead.
What is God calling YOU to feel anguish for?
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