tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post111239635818054879..comments2024-01-06T07:53:11.832-08:00Comments on disabled Christianity: We must work the works: John 9:3-5Jeff McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1114178375494860702005-04-22T06:59:00.000-07:002005-04-22T06:59:00.000-07:00I think everyday we have opportunities to work the...I think everyday we have opportunities to work the works of God in all of our experiences with all people. As you say that people with disabilities provide this opportunity, I have to agree, and even if we don't have people with disability in our midst we should be mindful that what we do (our behavior, attitudes, perceptions, our Christian light) can influence the people we do interact with in a positive way. So the opportunity to serve others happens all the time-I believe that what we do may serve as a model for others. Maybe if the people we interact with (even if we don't know them well, or briefly meet) will take some of that light and share it with someone that they know with a disability.<BR/>Elizabeth RyanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1113445023925697272005-04-13T19:17:00.000-07:002005-04-13T19:17:00.000-07:00I enjoyed reading this entry. I also found it spir...I enjoyed reading this entry. I also found it spiritually challenging. I love that passage in scripture where the disciples show, yet again, that they misunderstand the nature of God, and Lord Jesus, yet again, works another miracle and leaves the perfect model of grace and mercy for us to follow. I am always blessed by that particular scripture because I think it has many layers of meaning, and yopu sighted a very interesting perspective. As follwers of Christ, we are called to emulate Him in the world, and we are to be His mercy and grace. I like the wasy you explored this important issue. Because we often put our focus on the miraculous healing that occurs from the encounters with Jesus, we are not looking closely enough at oursleves and how we are reflecting Him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1113370701371840372005-04-12T22:38:00.000-07:002005-04-12T22:38:00.000-07:00In response to this article I see the inference in...In response to this article I see the inference in both the NIV translation and the translation made by Tenney that God’s work is prepared before hand so that at the right moment He will use specific people to bring about His glory. In this specific case God planned before hand to give this person a disability in his life so that through Jesus’ healing of this man’s life and body, in a miraculous way, the Father brings credibility to the Son. In viewing this passage through this perspective of being “prepared beforehand,” we come to understand that people with disabilities always have purpose. It may not necessarily always be as noble as giving the Son of God an opportunity to build credibility in a miraculous way, but the purpose is real. We are to respect all of His creation in the light of being made out of God’s love and specifically as human beings being made in the image of God. God works in miraculous ways through people who have shortcomings (everyone does) and He continuously places things in our lives to remind us of Him, to bring glory to himself through our submission to His will. This article brings forth this understanding of a deeper purpose for each life and situation in it. We need to take advantage of the opportunities God gives us, since we are given a special opportunity to please the creator of the universe in doing the little things Jesus talks about when he states I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt 25:40).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1113071704228249452005-04-09T11:35:00.000-07:002005-04-09T11:35:00.000-07:00In response to this post, to me I feel that your u...In response to this post, to me I feel that your underlying message is do not miss the oppurtinities to do what God has called us to do. Before taking this class, I had honestly not thought much about issues concerning persons with disabilities. I feel that I always have had a heart for persons with disabilities, but I have never taken any steps to be involved in these peoples' lives. Through our discussions in class and the visitation of your friends I realized just how "normal" they are and alot of their needs are similar to ours. They need friends, they need someone to hang with and someone to talk to. They need love just as we do. I think maybe I viewed their needs to be so much more complicated. <BR/>Addressing the phrase, "so that God's works may be manifested." It is obvious that God is all knowing, and He has a purpose for everything. I think that true acts of service to our Lord are those that are most difficult for us. I can see that working with those who have disabilities may seem uncomfortable and maybe difficult to some. But I believe that this is how we show our love for God and desire to serve is that we put away all of our selfish desires and go to places that may not be in our comfort zone. On a personal note, I am graduating in a month, and I am really facing the facts- what are you going to do with your life. I feel like I have a choice, to live my life selfishly doing what I want, or stepping out, being uncomfortable and unsure, but knowing that I am letting God take full control. I do NOT want to live my life selfishly. I want to complete "the works of the one who sent me." I feel like I have gone from one subject to the next, but I agree that we should take the opportunities to do God's work that He has placed in front of us. We are not just called to dwell in our Christian bubble together. I think that many people have forgotten why we are here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1112507454798743022005-04-02T21:50:00.000-08:002005-04-02T21:50:00.000-08:00Hi, I am interested in knowing your opinion about ...Hi, <BR/>I am interested in knowing your opinion about the Terri Schiavo case and the passing of the pope with regards to the disabled community. I am the editor and founder of www.audacitymagazine.com and I would love to publish your thoughts on these two topics.<BR/>You can email me at nathasha@audacitymagazine.comaudaciousladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15499838752679784052noreply@blogger.com