Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A Word About Believing in the Power of God
David said to Saul, "Don't let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!"
But Saul replied, "You can't go fight this Philistine. You're just a youth, and he's been a warrior since he was young."
Then David said, "The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you."
"Come here," the Philistine called to David, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts!"
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel's armies— you have defied Him. Today, the LORD will hand you over to me. Today, I'll strike you down, cut your head off, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD's. He will hand you over to us."
When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung [it], and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. Even though David had no sword, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
1 Samuel 17
But Saul replied, "You can't go fight this Philistine. You're just a youth, and he's been a warrior since he was young."
Then David said, "The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you."
"Come here," the Philistine called to David, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts!"
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel's armies— you have defied Him. Today, the LORD will hand you over to me. Today, I'll strike you down, cut your head off, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD's. He will hand you over to us."
When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung [it], and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. Even though David had no sword, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
1 Samuel 17
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Ben
As I sat outside behind the table helping register campers for the week ahead, he came and joined the back of the line. Standing beside him was a beautiful woman, dressed nicely, hair pinned back, of all serious nature. This was his mother. It didn't take long before everyone knew Ben was here. Impatiently jumping to the front of the line, he begged to be checked in first. No, said Kristy. You have to wait just like everyone else. Aww....but come on, he said. You know I'm your favorite. Laughing, Kristy directed to him to the back of the line once more. Loudly he waited, making his presence very known. He was sooo excited to be at camp. He wanted to get started as soon as possible. Finally Ben got checked in and then proceeded to sit beside Kristy and me at the registration table. I'm going to help, he told us.
Ben is develop mentally disabled, just like every other camper at Inspiration Center last week. How does this affect him? Ben cannot talk. And he has limited use of his right hand.
Now wait a minute, you might be saying. You just told me that he said things to you, how could he not be able to talk? Well, its kind of crazy really. Although Ben's mouth is not capable of forming words, he is more than able to communicate just as well as you and me. Ben uses his arms and hands extravagantly. He is also amazing at communicating through facial expressions. On top of this, he is able to make the beginning sounds of some words if you just aren't getting it. It only took me about one day to figure out how Ben communicates. It's quite breathtaking, really.
Ben is 22 years old. He might seem "slow" or "handicapped." But those words do not define him. He is just a 22 year old guy, interested in the same things as you and me. He loves to give hugs, be the center of attention, and isn't afraid to speak up if he thinks something isn't right.
Ben sat at my table for the week, and we were really able to get to know each other. Can you get me a soda, he would as me by motioning as if he was drinking and making the 'd' noise, meaning "diet." No, Ben, I would say. You already had a soda today. Only one per day. He would then turn to me with the saddest eyes, put a pathetic frown on his face and fold his hands under his chin, as if he was begging. With all of that he spoke one word. "Please."
Ben is not "slow." I did not have to speak to him as if he was a child. I did not have talk slowly or repeat things over and over for him to get them. He is actually a very clever guy. He thought it was funny to call me crazy and a loser. You should be careful, Ben. I'm the one who gets you your drinks and cuts up your food. If you keep being mean to me you might not get to eat. Pondering this at the next meal, he asked the other counselor at our table to cut his food for him and get him his drink. Now I can still make fun of you, he jeered at me.
One afternoon while the campers were supposed to be resting in their rooms and I was doing dishes, Ben came up to me in his bathing suit, holding a towel. He was ready to swim. Ben! I said. You are supposed to be in your room resting. He told me he wasn't tired. So we hung out for a little while. He wandered around and messed with some of the other staff. And eventually, he got to swim. He's just a fun guy to be with.
I went into last week expecting to have a good time. I was excited for the opportunity to help people and serve God. In some ways, I was kind of expecting to be a babysitter, taking care of these adults who couldn't take care of themselves. God really revealed himself to me last week. Look at these people, he told me. You are not any better than them. I died for THEM too. Look at these beautiful humans. Look at the way I gave Laurel the gift of dancing. Look at Deb, how passionately she prays. Jenny sees only the good in people. She loves to compliment you and make you feel good about yourself. And look at Ben. This beautiful boy. This marvelous communicator. My creation.
Ben is develop mentally disabled, just like every other camper at Inspiration Center last week. How does this affect him? Ben cannot talk. And he has limited use of his right hand.
Now wait a minute, you might be saying. You just told me that he said things to you, how could he not be able to talk? Well, its kind of crazy really. Although Ben's mouth is not capable of forming words, he is more than able to communicate just as well as you and me. Ben uses his arms and hands extravagantly. He is also amazing at communicating through facial expressions. On top of this, he is able to make the beginning sounds of some words if you just aren't getting it. It only took me about one day to figure out how Ben communicates. It's quite breathtaking, really.
Ben is 22 years old. He might seem "slow" or "handicapped." But those words do not define him. He is just a 22 year old guy, interested in the same things as you and me. He loves to give hugs, be the center of attention, and isn't afraid to speak up if he thinks something isn't right.
Ben sat at my table for the week, and we were really able to get to know each other. Can you get me a soda, he would as me by motioning as if he was drinking and making the 'd' noise, meaning "diet." No, Ben, I would say. You already had a soda today. Only one per day. He would then turn to me with the saddest eyes, put a pathetic frown on his face and fold his hands under his chin, as if he was begging. With all of that he spoke one word. "Please."
Ben is not "slow." I did not have to speak to him as if he was a child. I did not have talk slowly or repeat things over and over for him to get them. He is actually a very clever guy. He thought it was funny to call me crazy and a loser. You should be careful, Ben. I'm the one who gets you your drinks and cuts up your food. If you keep being mean to me you might not get to eat. Pondering this at the next meal, he asked the other counselor at our table to cut his food for him and get him his drink. Now I can still make fun of you, he jeered at me.
One afternoon while the campers were supposed to be resting in their rooms and I was doing dishes, Ben came up to me in his bathing suit, holding a towel. He was ready to swim. Ben! I said. You are supposed to be in your room resting. He told me he wasn't tired. So we hung out for a little while. He wandered around and messed with some of the other staff. And eventually, he got to swim. He's just a fun guy to be with.
I went into last week expecting to have a good time. I was excited for the opportunity to help people and serve God. In some ways, I was kind of expecting to be a babysitter, taking care of these adults who couldn't take care of themselves. God really revealed himself to me last week. Look at these people, he told me. You are not any better than them. I died for THEM too. Look at these beautiful humans. Look at the way I gave Laurel the gift of dancing. Look at Deb, how passionately she prays. Jenny sees only the good in people. She loves to compliment you and make you feel good about yourself. And look at Ben. This beautiful boy. This marvelous communicator. My creation.
The last thing I expected to do last week was make friends.
God had different plans.
To those struggling in this world
Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.
Colossians 3:2
Colossians 3:2
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
inspiration center/place where God dwells
Oh, blog reader. I have so much to tell you. I've been on a missions trip this past week at a place called inspiration center in wisconsin. It is a camp for adults with physical/mental handicaps. And God MOVED. I can't tell you all right now. Just know that it was amazing. And there will be more to come. I love you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)