Church Inclusion

Check out the following link to a CNN report about a young man named Lucas and his involvement in a small Pentecostal African American Church in the Mississippi Delta. That story made it to CNN, with the link below. Well worth watching.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2011/07/19/natpkg.orig.god.listens.lucas.cnn?hpt=hp_abar

A Visit with Joni and Friends

Michael Alemu and I had the privilege of spending a few days with a very special ministry, Joni and Friends in Agoura Hill CA. Sadly, we were unable to actually meet with Joni, and she sent us her regrets. She had been looking forward to meeting Michael- although, she did ask me to be her facebook friend first! :)


In June, Joni discovered she had breast cancer and has been undergoing treatments. One of those treatments was the day before we arrived and she was having a particularly difficult day. She sent a special gift to Christian Horizons. It is a special scrap book edition recounting the beginnings of her journey and the ministry.

She gave Michael and I each a book that is not yet released. I read it on the plane home and have been deeply moved by it. The book is entitled “A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of suffering, pain, and God’s sovereignty”. If anyone has the right to weigh in on the questions of suffering, pain and sovereignty it is this amazing woman. I was doing some reading on another topic this weekend, and incidentally came across a comment by N.T. Wright that stated “Joni Eareckson Tada is an excellent practical theologian”.

The motivation for writing this book was not her continuing struggle of being a quadriplegic – after four decades, she had come to peace with what she believes was God’s will for her life. What raised the issue all over for her was the reality that for the past two years she has been living with unrelenting “grinding” pain. She recounts that this pain drove her back to those first days of despair and anguish. She began wrestling with old questions that she believed had been settled. She believes that God can heal – yet has not- completely paralyzed and totally dependent on others for almost every detail, she cries out to God for relief that does not come. This book is her attempt to answer those questions for herself and the reader.

She says at the conclusion of her book, that ironically as her pain finally seemly subsides, she is now faced with this new battle of cancer- which is she determined to fight. This has not shaken her belief in the Sovereignty of God and she completely trusts in Him for her future. Does this make it easy, or simple – certainly not.

She says she writes with a ‘great urgency, because her life is changing, and she wants to speak to those who are suffering in there life’. In a number of the conversations we had with her team, we heard the struggle, the awareness that things for Joni are indeed changing – that they have to and are preparing for a time when Joni is no longer with them.

The mission of Joni and friends is To communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring Churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities.

For the past couple of years we have been building a global partnership with this wonderful organization, and my task was to begin discussions on how we might partner here in Ontario and in Canada in our purpose common purpose. What we are most interested is the Joni and Friends Family Retreats (check out this link http://www.joniandfriends.org/family-retreats ). Michael’s purpose in meeting with them was to deepen and strategize an existing and exciting global partnership.

It was really cool entering the front doors of the Joni and Friends ministry. The centre of the building is a water feature. In the floor of the pool are these words

“Let Justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream” Amos 5:24

Joni says…there's a chapel right in the center of the lobby and a ramp going around the chapel all the way up to the second floor. When people walk into this center, we want them to be struck with the fact that Christ is our focus and that access to Him is also what we are all about.

That statement has again challenged me deeply about our own reason for existence as a ministry.  Why are we here? Why do we do we do what we do? What sets us a part? Is Jesus the answer to these questions? I pray so. It’s easy for us I think to lose sight of the why what and how in our work- but if we lose our heart we lose the most important part of who we are.

Inside the Chapel

Joni’s book has challenged me in perhaps an unexpected way – as she writes about her battle, and wrestles with the questions of healing, suffering and pain and the real battle that she faces to keep Christ in the centre – I have found myself reflecting on us as an organization- it is no less a battle, a wrestling a struggle to do the same. We have the same tendencies and temptations to let the daily struggles and wrestling – divert our attentions, not just individually, but as teams, departments, - as an organization.

It may sound corny, unless you read it the context. Every morning, as Joni prepares for her day of work she has had the practice of saying to her caregivers as they clean, dress and care for her – “We get to work for Jesus today”. She says, strangely, this has been the gift of her pain – it has reminded her of her total dependency on Christ to get her through. She chooses to sing a hymn as she enters the building – in spite of the fact that it now too painful for her to hold the paint brush between her teeth – in spite of the person agony of realizing that she is losing the ability to do one of few things that she was able to do – draw.

Some may look at this as a simplistic statement – childish, foolish or naïve. But, on a deeper reflection, this is a statement of sheer will, strength and determination. It is of a depth of faith and conviction few have ever reached. Who of us would trade places with her for even a moment if it possible?

Folks, we get to work for Jesus today – let that not be a naïve or simplistic statement for us- but one with depth, conviction and determination to make it a reality. Let’s not let what others believe about this statement hinder us for seeing and living in the privilege of working for Jesus.

...anyway I was just thinking

Neil

One cannot hear the voice of another, unless they first silence their own

I was thinking about this today.  If we are truly to 'hear' the voice of those whom we support, we must be willing to let our voice fall silent.  More, we must be willing to push our voice aside to make room for the voice of another. I think perhaps this is a much more difficult exercise than what we first might consider.  Our words come so fast, our assumptions at the speed of sound.   A colleague and I reflected for a few moments today on how easy it is us for us 'support' type people to brush past, ignore ....silence, the voices of those we support.  We both felt a sense of remorse that too often, we speak for, and don't listen with.  Often this is done not with malice or intent, but because of our own busyness, demands and the amount of voices coming at us - yet - we must find the resolve to push those things aside and give room and authenticity to the voices of those we support. It not that their voice is not valuable - the problem can be the value I attribute to that voice.  A significant part of our call is to lend our voice to their voice - to learn their communication to give shape to their sounds and gestures. To be silent and allow the voices of others to have room.


Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

What's in a Bill -- you might be surprised

Well, it seems that my last post has raised some questions regarding my stability. Let me set your mind at ease - that ceased to be a question a long time ago. You have no idea just how much energy it takes to for me to appear as the consummate lucid professional you see before you (why are you laughing?). “Lucid” - now that’s a funny word. Looks to me like it’s a wanna be word, that couldn’t convince other letters to join it to be a real looking word, so to spite everybody, it just set off on its own and then threatened and convinced all the other words that to be non lucid, is not a good thing. Which does in fact, amazingly enough, have a connection to some recent thoughts.

There was a recent private members bill put forward with a dubious future.  Because of the proroguing of goverment (speaking of strange words) it is unsure whether this Bill automatically dies in parliment, or is 'still alive'.  Even if it does die,  I’m afraid however, much like a bad horror movie, that just when you think the monster is dead it grabs your ankles. Be assured, it will not be the last we see of this Bill. The bill, C-384, largely unnoticed by the general public, was put forward by Francine Lalonde, the Bloc Québécois in May of 2009. However, if you Google it, a fair amount of material comes up – on both sides of the issue. This is not her first attempt at introducing such a bill. Her first two attempts that were introduced in June 2005 (Bill C-407) and June 2008 (Bill C-562), would have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. In essence the bill outlines the following: That they were not limited to the direct and intentional killing of terminally ill persons, but also people experiencing chronic physical and mental pain. The current bill also makes allowances for euthanasia for physical and mental pain, however, it presents an attempt to ‘safe guard’ to ensure that only people who really, really want to be killed (because of angst – see last blog), would be. And that safe guard would be the test of … you guessed it, lucidity. The person would have to give three different ‘lucid’ statements that this was truly their wish. Herein lies a number of Achilles heels: the definitions of “illness” or “terminal” or “lucid”. Who judges and defines lucid? How do we ensure that the vulnerable are not swayed by the opinions and decisions of others???? What if????…so many questions

The idea of “Compassionate death” is certainly not a new one – and is one that has gained ground in recent decades in Europe countries and is now crossing the pond. I have a book on my desk that helps parents come to grips with thoughts of ‘compassionate death’ when it is discovered that their unborn child possesses a disability. Now some may become offended that I’ve made such a link, however, read and research the writings of the following: Peter Singer, MaryAnn Warren, Michael Toole as they seek to redefine the meaning of personhood and their conversations regarding disability and the ‘quality of life’ debate. The step between abortion of the disabled and euthanizing the disabled is not as far a philosophical jump as you might imagine Their material is amply available on the internet. I would encourage you to research the issues for yourself.

I’ve just picked up a new book entitled “The Future of the Disabled in Liberal Society: An Ethical Anaylsis” by Hans S. Reinders, a Professor of Ethics and Mental Disability at the Vrjie Universiteit in Amsterdam. I haven’t done a through reading yet, just lightly skimmed, but here is a comment regarding this work “By demonstrating the inherent paradoxes in liberal approaches to the disabled, [Reinders] effectively reveals the potential policy limitations that may threaten the social services available to the mentally disabled.” Alarmist? I pray so. However, I believe, we need to lift our heads above the clouds and sniff the wind so to speak. We (as followers of Christ), must carefully, thoughtfully, wisely, yet decisively speak, live and declare His Justice and His view of those the World labels ‘the least’.

Anyway, I was just thinking….

Neil

Yada, Yada, Yada

Recently, I had the sad privilege of delivering the message at funerals for individuals who had been supported by Christian Horizons for many years. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to know either of the individuals very well. I had met one briefly in his home and then I was able to spend a bit of time with him and the staff team supporting him at the hospital. The other, I did not get a chance to meet at all.

The amazing thing is after attending the services that celebrated these exceptional lives I feel like I do know them a bit. At each service the staff and friends of the deceased shared stories about them and remembered them in such an honouring way that I got a bit of a sense of who they had been.

We all know that knowing someone is very different from knowing about someone. I know what Harrison Ford looks like and I can tell you lots about his career but I don’t know him. Being able to describe a person, whether it is a physical description of them or a description of their actions does not mean you know them. I could read the binders at the programs that describe in great detail those who lived there but I still wouldn’t know them.

The Hebrew word for “know” is yada. (it is easy to remember yada, yada, yada! I know, I know, I know!) It can mean something as simple as to know/ understand, but it generally has a much deeper meaning. To know something or someone in the bible means to be changed or affected by it. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil they didn’t just learn what the difference between good and evil were, they experienced it and they were never the same. We understand that knowing about God is not what he wants but that we are to respond and be changed as a result. One of my theology professors (Dr. V. Shepherd at Tyndale Seminary) likes to say “if you know someone for 30 years but you are not changed you don’t really know them”.

We are meant to know God and know each other. As I listened to the staff talk about the individuals they had served, they shared favourite memories, things they had learned, and they laughed and cried. They knew those they served. It is such a privilege for us to be able to know the wonderful people we serve as well as to be known by them. In doing so we are able to know God more.

Mark Wallace

The calling of an armor bearer

1 Samuel 14:6-7
Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor. “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few.” And his armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart: turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire.”

If you are familiar with the story in Samuel, you’ll know that Israel is at war with the Philistines – again. A garrison of Philistines is encamped on the other side of the valley. Jonathan, Saul’s son, has snuck across the battlefield to the edge of the enemy’s camp. So, here’s Jonathan, looking down on the camp and he has a mind to attack it. At his side his ‘young’ armor bearer.

An armor bearer was an assistant to the mighty warrior. They would often be a young warrior in training. They would carry the shield and some of the extra weapons of the warrior, as well as their own weapon. They would need to keep pace with the warrior in the heat of battle watching and using the shield to protect the vulnerable side of the fighting warrior. They were a team and each needed to trust the actions, motives, intuition and instincts of the other. The armor bearer often had to respond to the quick command of the warrior without hesitation, because to question could mean death, for both. If the warrior fell, it was almost certain that the armor bearer would be dead as well. Additionally, there was not much pride in being the armor bearer of a fallen warrior – your career would be pretty much over for it tended to indicate perhaps you didn’t do your job. It was not the kind of job that ‘removal’ of your leader created advancement opportunities for you – your fates were linked in life and death.

Here’s Jonathan, the warrior, looking down on this encampment of at least 20 men. He turns to his young armor bearer and says, “we can take them.” It is the individual response of both these men that I find so remarkable. On one hand Jonathan’s faith in God, “He is not restrained by many or few”. I’m not sure that would have be my response in this situation. I’m not great in math, actually, I’m pretty bad – but I know that the 2 is significantly less than 20 or more. Yet Jonathan does not see the issue with the natural mathematical eye. He counts like this. “God on my side, that makes 2 plus the LORD of Hosts, they got, um, let see, only about 20 or so, they’re toast”. Remarkably, the young armor bearer is not looking at the situation, but focused entirely on Jonathan and states, “Whatever you do, I’m completely with you, and I totally trust your assessment of the situation”. Here’s the thing, Armor bearers were not stupid or foolish people, in fact the contrary was true. Warriors would only pick the best and the brightest as their shield bearers, because they were fully aware that they were placing their lives in the hands of this person. The trust, faith and commitment of a warrior to his armor bearer was critical to survival and the desired victory.
Even when Jonathan presented what seemed to be a hair brained idea, the armor bearer was right with him. I mean, consider this as a plan of attack. Rather than sneaking up on them in the night and quietly dispatching the sleeping enemy, Jonathan proposes “lets walk right up to them and wave saying ‘look! Here we are.’” Here’s the kicker, it was only if the enemy said “Come over here we got something to show ya” that they’d know that the LORD has given them into their hands. Now there’s a great plan if I ever heard one. Man, if I was that Armor bearer, at this point I’d be saying, “buddy, I’m behind you, way, way behind you”

They both hit the road, shouting, ‘youuuu hooo’. Before you know it, they’re in the battle, and the armor bearer is right behind Jonathan putting ‘some to death after him.’ Sounds like the team of Batman and Robin, Jonathan whacks and wounds them, and as they fall, the armor bearer finishes the job.
Anyway, what’s the point you may be asking. Good question, at the moment I’m reflecting on how is it that I fill both roles and when. There are times when I need to be the warrior. I see the battle, I know what needs to be done, and need armor bearer to come along side and trust me. Other times, most frequently, I am the armor bearer for a warrior. As an armor bearer I don’t often have the perspective or insight. It may even seem like a fool’s game. It reminds me that if we are going to gain the victory in the situation that trust, faith and commitment must be part of our relationships. We must know when it is our time and role to lead, and when it is to follow and take up a function of defense against spears and arrow. I’m not talking about blind mindless adherence. I’m suggesting that we must be conducting ourselves with each other, whatever our function, in a way that builds trust, faith and commitment. An armor bearer was not likely to sign himself up with a foolish warrior. Communication is vital between these two roles. It is where trust and faith is built. As always, there’s a challenge. The other vital element here is me. We cannot just expect the other person(s) to earn our faith, trust and commitment, but that it also my function to give it, as a gift. Perhaps this sounds simplistic or idealistic. In fact my concern is not so much who the warrior is, but who I am as an armor bearer. I am an armor bearer, for many that I come into contact with. Maybe it is the person with a disability that is the warrior, fighting the battles of prejudice, isolation, and barriers. I am called to carrying the shield for them as they fight the battle. I need to constantly look around me and consider how I can be your armor bearer.

Anyway I was just thinking.
Neil

Agitated, disturbed and discontent. The heart of God?

For the past three Monday mornings we've watched a documentary entitled "Bulgaria's Abandoned Children" during our corporate devotions time. The description of the documentary is:

"A disturbing portrait of life in a Bulgarian Children's Institute exposed by Kate Blewett. Bulgaria has more institutionalized mentally and physically disabled children than anywhere in Europe"

It's been a difficult documentary to watch, particularly on a Monday morning as we are starting our work week and looking for a 'get me pumped up for the week' message. But the thought came to me, if it is difficult for me to watch for a half hour on a Monday morning, how intensely more difficult must it be to live as one of these children in it. The verse from Proverbs 31:8-9 keeps echoing through my head

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.

Honestly, many times I'm not sure what to do or how to respond. It seems so – overwhelming. I have grown up in a time and society where comfort and ease have almost become considered inalienable rights. We don't like things that disturb us or cause us discomfort. We distance ourselves; we focus on the positives and tend to avoid depressing news and topics that 'bring us down'. But here's the thing, God has not called us to lives of comfort, ease and complacency. The more we learn of God's heart, His justice, His call to His people - the more agitated, discontent and disturbed we will become. I think perhaps it is why we tend to keep God at bay in our lives. We want the benefits of God – His forgiveness, His blessings, His acceptance, His hearing and answering my prayers, but I'm not sure we equally desire the implications of His Call, His radical ideas of justice and His expectations of us to seek out and find those who are broken, oppressed and forgotten.

We have bought into the party line that salvation is free and therefore there is no expectation or obligation. While it is true that we cannot earn our salvation, and that it is given to us a gift – that gift still require a payment – It's just that we don't pay for it – Christ did. Additionally it is true that God does not desire for us to live under the compulsion of working for our salvation (so that no man can boast), however, our salvation needs to be worked and lived out. Salvation is the most costly 'free' gift in the Universe – the death of Christ. We are also saved 'unto and into' something – the Kingdom of God. A huge part of the 'salvation' package is that God's sacred heart is embedded in us. Here's where the potential problem occurs for us, God's heart is agitated, disturbed and discontent. It will be until 'he leads justice to victory and in His name the gentiles have hope' (Matt 12:20 -21). As His people, we are called to lives of Holy discontent. It does not mean that we will not experience joy, pleasure and goodness, but it does mean that we find our source of these in our participation with God in the living out of Proverbs 31:8-9. What greater activity can there be than to be a part of bringing justice to victory with Him? This is not just a future hope, but a present reality that those like the children featured in this documentary (and others around the world) can experience when His people live out a salvation that works – because of that free gift. We are part of a ministry, Christian Horizons, that can is reaching out and making a different here at home and around the world. As we give to Him our time, our hands, our minds and our hearts He will continue to lead us forward as long as there are those that have exceptional needs.

Gal 6:9 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

For us a big part of the reaping of that blessing is not what WE benefit, but what those in need receive.

Anyway I was just thinking.

Neil

How's that for effective?

Why do we do what we do? Why have you and I ‘chosen’ to serve persons with exceptional needs as a ministry career? Maybe we’re a little like Henri Nouwen, a renowned theologian who ‘found’ himself through unexpected turns of events serving at a L’Arche community in Toronto in the late 70’s. Completely unprepared for what ‘serving those with exceptional needs’ really meant he entered into a soul searching journey that changed his life – and his theology. This question of “why am I here” is one that we must occasionally reflect on. The answer to that question critically forms the ‘how’ we do what we do. I recently read Nouwen’s book, “Adam, God’s beloved”. In that book Henri reflects, “I must confess that there were moments when I was impatient and preoccupied by what I was going to do when I had finished Adam’s “routine”. Then without being conscious of his person, I started to rush him. Consciously, but mostly unconsciously, I hurriedly pushed his arms through his sleeves or his legs through his trousers. I wanted to be sure I was finished by 9:00 A.M. so I could go and do my other work. Right there I learned that Adam could communicate! He let me know that I wasn’t being really present to him and was more concerned about my schedule than his. A few times when I was so pushy he responded by having a grand mal seizure, and I realized it was his way of saying, “slow down, Henri! Slow down.” (Henri J.M. Nouwen, Adam: God’s Beloved, Orbis Books 1977 p 47).
Sadly, I see moments in my own ‘ministry career’ that sound similar to Henri’s experience . It is so easy to lose our core focus of what we do. We need to continually be challenging ourselves, allow ourselves to being challenged by others, and mostly by those whom we serve. That challenge? NOT to forsake the reason of our calling – to serve, too be present in the lives of people. Can we take this too far? I don’t know, but, I do know we’re along long way from finding out ‘how far is too far’. We must be about being “present” with people (each word purposely emphasized). It is so easy for us to get distracted by our schedules, our agendas, our ideas of efficiencies – that we can be endanger of losing our effectiveness. What does it mean for us to be effective? I think we need to constantly re-evaluate and wrestle out the whole struggle of efficient vs effective. It may not be efficient to take the extra time required to wait for someone to do something at their own pace, it may not be efficient to have someone who ‘moves slower’ do a task that we can complete quicker, or may get the order mixed up, or causes momentary distractions because of an ‘episode’ or because they may require extra support to complete the task, or it causes other ‘inconveniences’ – We can be far more efficient, but we lose our effectiveness. What is our goal, what does it mean for us to be effective? Do we want to be efficient with people, or effective? To be efficient means the other person must change and be able to accommodate us, reach our expectations, and satisfy our demands. To be effective, means we must be willing to change, be able to accommodate, adjust to reachable expectations and create demands that meet the dignity, value and inclusion of who we say our vision is about. We must be willing to be disrupted, disturbed and distracted if it means that we become effective. Here’s the rub, most of the things that disrupt my world, disturb my sensibilities, and distract my attention are MY PROBLEM and need to be confronted. I go back to my opening question, ‘Why do we do we do what we do’? If we’re not willing to be confronted and uncomfortable and change how we ‘do’ with that question of why, Lord help us.
When I look at the approach of Jesus in the Gospels, he wasn’t very efficient. He let people slow Him down, distract Him with their problems and needs, ask seemly foolish questions – change and disrupt His schedule – and He let them do it over and over. However we certainly would not question His effectiveness, because he was clear about His purpose to let people see the Father
Philip said, ‘Jesus, show us the Father’, I have been with you so long as you don’t know me yet’ Jesus replied Jn 14:9
May all we do, all we are about, be about whom we have been called to serve. May we continually challenge each other with love, respect and dignity to go further, risk more, walk slower, give more room, create more opportunities, grant more power to those we have been called to serve. I wonder if our greatest effectiveness will be reached when the lines between those who are supported and those who support are kinda blurry.

Anyway, I was just thinking,

Neil

Participation in Life - The Disabled God

"Today most denominations and many local congregations realize that church facilities should be constructed or altered to encourage the presence of persons with disabilities. Yet little effort has been made to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in the life of the church" Eiesland p. 20

In our Personal Centred Support course, the discussion of 'with' and not 'for' takes place. The hope is that as we seek to serve, we are not simply providing services for, but that we are coming along side and doing 'with' the person. This ties into our stated approach of servant leadership. All this is relatively easy to say - and sounds wonderful, but it is much more difficult to actually 'do'. We must realize that it isn’t a place to which we arrive, but a destination that we must constantly strive for and push through to. As with the church, the easy part is the altering of the physical facilities, while the much more difficult part is the attitudinal and practical 'person centred' changes that must be made. I mentioned before, that Eiesland laments that so often the disabled are observers of the good work that is being done on their behalf - but unfortunately, far too often they are not a part of that self-determination and 'including', inner circle. As long as those with disabilities remain on the outside of the circle, they are objectified no matter how well intending or meaning our efforts. The real challenge of our ministry is in the diligent and constant effort required to make sure that we are holding open the doors to that inner circle and making level the rough paths that prevent entrance to the inner sanctum of self-determination and true inclusion. I wonder sometimes if we, as the support staff, are the ones who need the 'programs' and 'behaviour plans' to adjust and modify us?

We read in Hebrews 12:13"Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed". How do we become participants with God in making level paths for all those about us -- particularly those with whom we have been called to serve? Can we do more, go deeper, push or 'level out' obstacles that prevent people with disabilities from entering the inner circle? How do we increasingly stand beside and do the 'with' - and honestly confront the constant pull to do the 'for'? What adjustments and changes do we have to make to that inner circle that will allow those with disabilities to come through the door, stand in that inner space and be welcomed and valued as an integral member?Anyway, what you think?

Some thoughts on Inclusion

As a ministry that focuses its primary attention on persons that are developmentally disabled, we are probably more aware than most of the necessity and challenges of inclusion. Often, the people we seek to support because of their developmental, physical, communication, disabilities find themselves marginalized in society, but sadly also in the larger Christian community.

There are some remarkable stories of persons breaking through barriers and finding meaningful ways to participate in the community, but too often, they move in and out of our worshipping communities with little notice.

A big part of our role is coming along side people with disabilities to help break through these barriers and find meaningful ways to be part of a worshipping community. But, it is not easy job. We can sometimes get ‘special’ classes', however what happens is they come in to our churches - are seen, but often not really included. Gladly, there are more and more churches that are seeking to bring change. What people often need is not more 'special class', but opportunities to experience and participate in the Body that 'include'.

All people want and need to be included. All want and need to experience the wonder and healing experience of being an included member in the body of Christ

I think we need to start with a reminder of who we are.

We have such a tendency to separate ourselves as “able” and see such a wide divide between those of us who can keep pace with the rapid movements of the world, and those that require assistance for daily life. In order to be valued in our world you need to have something that you can contribute in a meaningful way – something that can be gained for the expense of time and energy we put into the relationship.

We don’t mean to be separating, or marginalizing, but the experience of the people with a disability is so much like the parable of the Samaritan. They find themselves as the man by the side of the road. They find themselves continually passed by people who should know better.

You know the parable- Luke 10:30– passed by, by people that should have know better, but where too into themselves to slow down – the “world” responded better than the “God-followers”.

So often we pass by because

Our lives and ministries are so busy and important, that we need to work with those that can make the most difference

Our hearts are move briefly but we have no idea what and “how” to do.

3. We agree something needs to be done but is not our particular gift

We need those who are willing to stop, bend down, and lift up the man by the road, those that are going to be an “expense” with no expectation of pay back.

We need to consider how disabled we really are. When we stand before God we far more in common with each other then an infinite, Holy, creator God.

We are all broken and wounded and severely disable – and God has gone to infinite lengths to include us in His community. We do not need to look to deep within ourselves to recognize our disabilities – our brokenness and wounds because of either the actions of other on us, or us toward them, the inability to keep our thoughts pure and holy, the weakness of our hands and feet when it comes to delivering and touching others with grace and mercy, the poor communication of the holiness and righteousness of God lived out in our lives before a watching world

I love and am continually amazed at the verse: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died…” In our broken, helpless, useless stage – lying at the side of the road discarded, God moved toward us, extended his pure holy hands, wrapped them around us and lifted us and included us through the power of forgiveness, cleansing and healing of his Son.

What does God get out of it? What benefit from priceless cost in order to redeem us? The gain is all ours – and we can confidently declare that we are sons and daughters of the Father – boldly we can enter his throne room – because He has included us, and has called us to meaningfully participate in the worshipping community.

Our call is to do likewise for those around us. We need to find those, who are part of the family of God, but still find themselves isolated. We need to understand the importance of all having the opportunity to participate and experience the benefits of worshipping community.

We are surrounded by living stones that because of no fault of their own, find they cannot lift themselves up and find their place at the temple wall. It is our call to come along such ones, and not help them build their own little building that they can be apart of, but draw them in and help them find that place of inclusion – for when one part of the body is excluded, we cannot be whole