Recovering the Church as the Heart of Community Life
When the church stood at the center of community life, it shaped more than worship; it formed habits of neighborly care, local service, and shared responsibility that held families and communities together.
The Porch Light Left Burning
Somewhere along the way, the porch slipped quietly from the face of the American home, taking with it something tender and familiar. It was never simply a roofed threshold or a place to shake rain from one’s shoes. It was where evenings slowed, where screen doors sighed shut behind children, where grandparents rocked in the shade, and where neighbors called from the sidewalk as though every passing hour belonged to everyone…
Three Stories Become One Calling
Looking back, I don't think God gave me several unrelated experiences. I believe He was preparing me for one calling. After more than two decades serving Ukraine through over 50 mission trips, God is bringing together my personal experience with disability, my love for architecture, and my work in luxury residential construction through SEED into a vision to help Ukraine build homes that restore dignity and create lasting hope.
Long Day’s Journey into Night.
I know this update has been a long time coming, and I’m grateful for your patience.
This past year has been a hard one for me, especially with my health and finances. Even in the middle of those challenges, God was so kind to provide a new opportunity for me to return to work with Timofey. I truly love working with him, and I’m deeply grateful for the work I get to do. In late summer 2025…
Day of an Aspie
earfully, I share beyond the veneer, beyond the surface, beyond my skin, into my inner most thoughts as an Aspie. Aspie is a club that is invitation only, exclusive but not elite. We tend to meet those on the bottom of the social pecking order. Parents think we try not to fit in, but we can’t fit in.
Ghost Among Us…
Generally, people think of disabilities as being characterized by physical attributes, like someone in a wheelchair or with Downs. However, there are many that live with invisible disabilities, ghosts among the fully-abled. One in five have mental illness, few diagnosed and many undiagnosed – suffering in silence, not understanding the war within their minds. Autistic suffer much the same, ghosts walking within society sharing spaces with the unwilling compromise of the neurotypical.
The Decay of the Luxury of Boredom
We have lost the luxury of boredom, and with it, the indulgence of daydreaming. Daydreaming is essential to creativity, solving problems, and the spark of imagination, but instead, we scroll, scroll, scroll. The device kills boredom, and, in turn, kills creativity - your imagination. Boredom spurs creativity. The end of boredom has introduced a movement towards intellectual laziness, instead of celebrating the brilliance of genius in adroitness. The societal mundane are awarded in all avenues of community, and the magic device aids their advancement.
80 Summers
Eighty seems like a small number compared to the almost thirty thousand days He may grant us. Only eighty summers to gather with family and friends. Only eighty summers to complain about the humidity and heat…
Celebrating Fathers of Children who are Wonderfully Made Different, But No Less.
Fathers of children with disabilities often face unique challenges and responsibilities. The church must play a significant role in offering engagement, encouragement, and practical assistance.
Why do We Need Another Awareness Month - Mental Health Awareness?
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Awareness involves recognizing the importance of mental health, understanding mental illnesses, and promoting the well-being of individuals and communities. It aims to educate the public, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek help when needed.
Celebrating Mothers of Children who are Wonderfully Made Different, But No Less.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let's take time to recognize mothers of disabled children. They continually face unique challenges and triumphs that are both demanding and rewarding. These mothers display incredible strength, resilience, and love as they navigate the complexities of raising their children.
How to serve and serve along the underserved populations in the disability community within your church or ministry?
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Paul illustrates the dynamics of the Christian church. He uses the human body as a metaphor for the structure of the community. The passages underscore the significance of unity within our differences, however, with the necessity of acknowledging the worth and merit of each member in the body.
Rethinking Awareness Days: From Awareness to Belonging
I hate Autism Awareness Day. I don’t want to celebrate Autism Awareness or any other awareness day. In recent years, awareness days, weeks, and months have multiplied, each dedicated to a different cause, condition, or group. While the intention behind these observances is noble, aiming to educate and raise understanding, there is a growing sentiment that mere awareness is not enough.
Trouble and my Little Brother
I grew up a lot with my brother. We were only a year apart in school due to the fact that I was held back twice. We used to play Legos together. We would ride bikes in the neighborhood, building ramps. But I also got in a lot of trouble with him. And a lot of trouble because of him. Well that’s at least how I see it.
Trouble and my Big Sister
I didn’t get in trouble much at school, which is very surprising since I got picked on a lot, but I never took revenge. I had few friends. I think I was kind of in my own little world. My sister was older. When I came home from the hospital, I wasn’t the normal baby. I screamed a lot. I slept two hours every twelve hours. My sister wanted my mom to return me for a better baby.
The Corner
I was no stranger to childhood punishment. Trouble seemed to follow me everywhere I went. I thought my punishment was the cruelest, most inhumane and unjust punishment that any child could have. No child was punished the way I was, or at least that’s how I saw it. I was always getting in trouble with the police by my own doing, which I really thought happened because of other people, especially my brother.