Making Peace

     Okay - so alot of people have been getting on me to write something on my blog.  I have things I could 'blog' about, but I also want to be as careful as I can about my thoughts and wranglings in my mind cause as you know - once they out here they are here for good.  So... that being said... I have so much on my mind and I'm running in so many directions that it's difficult to gather my thoughts and form a logical word on paper, or cyberspace as it were.

     I am on my lunch break right now, and in the background a lady I work with is listening to the news.  I hear about tax rates, the rich, the poor, the republicans, and the democrates.  I hear about the politics and the arguments about how to run the country and our involvment on foreign nations.  I am so tired of the rat race in Washington DC and the news even at the local level.  The polarization of this nation is exhausting for anyone who believes that Jesus meant what He said, "Peacemakers shall be called the sons of God."  This is no easy task.  I have great discussions with my co-workers about everything from abortion to taxes, from the homosexual agendas to the pay for school teachers.  We have agreed to dis-agree on some issues. Because of the civil conversations we have we both have learned a great deal about the other side.  She is a self proclaimed atheist yet we have great talks because we listen to each other and because we have gotten to a place where even though we disagree on many things, we still respect each other enough not to resort to name calling and the typical bashing of eachother that goes around the internet.

     I guess my blogging ramble concludes with this: If you want to live in a civil nation where there is less hatred and disrespect - start with your own circle of influence.  Have a PEACEFUL day.  :)

Tension VS. Problems

     This spring I had the opportunity to visit a particular pastor that I really enjoy listening to.  His church was holding seminars and I attended one where the speaker taught us the difference between tensions and problems.
     A tension in our lives, or ministries in this case, is a good thing.  He reminded us that tension is what keeps us safe while we are rock climbing.  Tension is what make a guitar or violin sound beautiful when the tension is managed just right. Tension can make us better when we are questioned about what we're doing and why we're doing it.  Tension helps us grow, helps us mature and gives us a clearer picture on what we need to 'tighten' up on and loosen up on. (think of the guitar)
     Then we discussed problems.  A problem is something that needs to be solved.  Not ignored, not fought, just solved.  Sometimes it's difficult and doesn't make us happy but we need to get on top of it right away so that things don't get further out of control.

     As the summer roles on and I continue to work my full time job as well as try to launch a new church in Sioux Falls I find myself looking at my obstacles and weighing them to see if they're problems or tensions.  It helps to know that some things are always just going to be there and can not be fixed - they just need to be managed.  One of the best ways of managing tensions is to bring them before the Lord daily and seek His guidance so that we don't turn them into problems.

A Special Church

I came across this article this morning and thought enough of it that I want to share it with everyone I can so I am putting it up on my blog.


A Special Church for Special Needs
Kym Wright
 
As the mother of a special needs son, I appreciate help from whatever source it comes. Eespecially when it brings positive situations or input into my special son's life. And it is phenomenal if it gives me some relief, too. Raising special treasures is hard. It's do-able. It's rewarding. It's a privilege. But, it's very hard. And the level of disability (or "other ability") often determine how difficult it is.
So, when we can find situations to help, we are grateful. And that's where churches come in. At our church there is a ministry to special people -- young and old. And I'd like to share some about it, perhaps giving ideas on the background details which need to be thought through, and the blessing it is to so many.
The most important, foundational infrastructure is to have support for this ministry from the top down. For a disability ministry to thrive, the support must come from the pulpit to the pews. From accommodations to funding to volunteers -- the church must encompass the importance of this ministry, grasp the concept of the vital ministry and outreach that it is, and fully support the vision of the leaders. 
To set up a ministry, you need people who can be flexible and adaptable. That's the one concept that's a constant with disabled people -- there usually is no consistency in life. What worked yesterday, might not work today. What they understood before, they might not remember now. What appealed to them last week might bore them this week. So, having workers who are flexible and adaptable is of utmost importance.
Furthermore, the spiritual needs of the individuals will vary from person to person. Each situation is different. Each background unique. And the levels of understanding won't be duplicated in all of the attendees. So, the ministry can't be rigid in its approach like other ministries in the church might need to be.
Each individual who comes into the ministry brings their own personality, unique abilities, and possible challenges to the group and ministry. It is imperative that the leaders be adjustable in their approach to the individuals while being steadfast to the spiritual needs of that person -- and to the group, as a whole.
Greg McDougall, the one at our church who conceived the vision for a ministry for special needs, has a divine burden for each individual to know Jesus. To be introduced to Him in a way they can understand and accept. So he trains the leaders and helpers to watch the class members for signs of spiritual readiness or awakening and be ready to lead them to Christ or to the next level of understanding. Greg's passion is contagious; his love, evident.
One housekeeping thought might be "How many helpers are needed?" The number of teachers in the class depends on the makeup of the group. In our church, we have many volunteers who help with various levels of commitment. Some people drive to a home to pick students up for church. Others are their "buddy," helping them from the car, to the building, and sticking with them the entire time they are at church. Still other volunteers help for the Sunday class hour. Whatever the commitment level, the help is always greatly appreciated.
Family members can be involved if they want to. But, sometimes the ministry to the disabled allows other ministry to take place: it gives the caregivers time to be refreshed. To attend church and hear God's word preached. To go to classes and fellowship with others their own age. And to have some much-needed time off -- a break from the constancy of care disabled people sometimes require.
One elderly couple, who brings their grandson to class each week, began involvement in this ministry with trepidation. The grandfather sat with his grandson throughout the entire first Sunday. Playing. Talking him through everything that was taking place. The young one grew more comfortable, but the older was concerned. The grandfather was still protective.
The next week began the same. Grandson and grandfather appeared. The boy was acclimated and happy to be there. Granddad was still in custodial mode: sheltering, shielding, helping. Greg almost had to beg the grandfather to allow the boy to stay by himself. The gentleman conceded and left, attending the service with his wife. Upon returning, he was so grateful, sharing, "This is only the second time in five years that my wife and I have worshiped together." They have been coming to our church for over a year now. And the church has had the privilege of blessing them with time to sit in God's house together, knowing everything for their special one is well and cared for.
Many churches now provide classes, activities, outings and other adventures for special people. If you can't find this in your area, perhaps you could join with others and start one.

How He Loves - by David Crowder Band

"He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions

eclipsed by glory, And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…"

One of my favorite songs.  I love the way it makes me

feel like His love is something that I am unable to

resist! How could I resist someone so wonderful,

so powerful, and yet so tender.

When I think about the way He loves me, I begin

to pray that I can love my son, Micah, that way

too.

Thank you Jesus for everything you do for me

every single day!!!