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.
Thankfulness When It Seems God is Silent
We pray and pray, but God seems silent. His quietness is deafening while we strive, struggle, suffer. We cry out to Him; however, He is silent. We wonder why He is silent.
Prayer
Prayer has been a weakness for me. My thoughts are always racing, my body is constantly moving. Quietness, like sleep, is a foreign concept to me. During prayer meetings I struggle to stay connected to the group. My hearing loss has added to this problem, because I can't hear the person praying next to me.
Suffering and Bitterness
Jesus said whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24-26) Although we will never suffer the way Jesus suffered for us, suffering is hard. Succumbing to bitterness during suffering is difficult to avoid. Suffering is isolating, we feel disconnected to our Lord and Savior, our family and friends, and our church community. Why God? Why?
The Vital Role of Church Community as Part of a Mental Health Support Team
The church community is essential in the recovery and stability of the Christian afflicted with mental illness. God designed His Church to include the weak and strong in one body for His will. Paul illustrates this in Romans 14 with three points.
1: It honors God (Romans 14:6);
2: Christians are to bear each other’s burdens like Christ did (Romans 14:8-9);
3: God is judging us and one judge is enough. (Matthew 7:1).
The Great Commission
As Christians, we must not only share the Gospel and the unique testimony written for each of us by Our Father, but we must also make disciples. Jesus didn’t qualify who should participate in the Great Commission. He didn’t qualify who the Great Commission is for. All Christians are to be obedient to the call of the Great Commission.
Summer Break
Summer break was always a welcoming relief from the dreadfulness of school. As much as I hated change, I hated school more. School days were an endless maze of bullying on every social hierarchy.
New Journey
There has been a lot going on at Abnormal Missionary! SALT and Abnormal Missionary (AM) mutually agreed that AM should be a stand alone ministry. AM will still partner with SALT in the future. Praise God…
Rescue, Redemption and Restoration in Christ
Easter fulfills God’s promise to rescue, redeem and restore His people through Christ, His beloved son. Jesus dwells among us, fully God and fully man.
