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Paralympic Enlightenment

Mart De Haan Posted by Mart DeHaan
August 29th, 2012
152 Comments » 

2790 Oscar Pistorius

As the Paralympic Torch arrived in London, the Queen prepared to honor opening  ceremonies  that organizers are calling “Enlightenment, a celebration of the inspirational spirit of the Paralympic Games that challenge perceptions of human possibility”.

After already seeing Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius run in the recent London Games, and hearing the sports world weigh the question of whether this double-amputee should be regarded as “disabled or too-abled”, I’m not sure that I am spiritually, emotionally, or mentally ready to absorb what we will be seeing in the Paralympic Games that begin today.

I hope we can help one another think through the implications of watching those who run on their own track in a world that is already marked by a seemingly infinite number of personal challenges and inequalities.


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152 Responses to “Paralympic Enlightenment”

  1. SFDBWV says:
    August 29, 2012 at 5:33 am

    As I read Mart’s posting this morning I am taken to a few different thoughts; some good some not so good.

    I am reminded how nothing is all the world is equal or in a truly fair playing field. For many among us every day is a *paralympic* event.

    As for our own life example my son Matthew struggles everyday to accomplish the goal of doing what he sets out to do. It is never easy it is always a Herculean effort and is witnessed not by cheering crowds but only by us and our Lord.

    When my thoughts drift to such a personal level I am reminded that all over the world there are people who live with extreme difficulty and when I say extreme I mean just that.

    The Paralympics is an excellent opportunity for some of those among us who are less able than others to compete against each other for recognition as the best, but just like the Olympics all of the competitors there are already winners.

    Then my thoughts travel to those among us who are mentally handicapped as well as physically and I am taken deeper into a mood of sadness, as not all are able to compete with anyone as they already compete against a hostile world and their own personal circumstances.

    I will cheer for the competitors in the Paralympics, but all the while my heart will break for all in the world who face life with extreme physical and mental disabilities. Praying for that day when Christ returns and restores all things.

    Steve

  2. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 6:03 am

    We’ve had a debate about eugenics here in the last week, it seems it is the 100th anniversary this year of the famous conference held in London in which many of the worlds top scientist and politicians, including Winston Churchill, discussed the possibility of improving the Human condition and engineering the birth of genetically “correct” people.
    This debate was later foreshadowed and turned into a dark science by the rise of Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
    As Steve has said, and he has personal experience, it is a struggle for many many people across the world to just do the daily tasks in life.
    The mentally challenged are particularly hard hit when it comes to acceptance in society.
    Should we be looking to eliminate disability or is it God’s will?
    Medical science and doctors technically interfere with God’s will by prolonging life and fixing broken limbs.
    In the UK we have an Honours system, Peerages, Knights, Dames, MBE’s OBE’s etc. to celebrate human achievement and endeavour.
    We are also debating is it right to honour those who are just doing their job.
    eg. Civil/public employees, celebrities and the like or should we only honour those who volunteer or devote their lives to some great human need like Mother Teresa.
    We do not pay our gold medalists money like some countries, but many will be given knighthoods or another MBE type honour.
    I don’t want to high jack Marts topic here, but is taking part, in the Olympics, Paralympics or life itself honour enough.

    Just a couple of thoughts!

    Bob

    ps. While I agree with an Honours list Eugenics is a whole different issue.

  3. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 6:11 am

    Not having a physical disability myself, other than being short when I would like to be over 6ft tall, I find I am complacent when it comes to life.
    Would having a mental or physical challenge help me to rise above the daily struggle and achieve what many Para Olympians achieve.
    Is it life’s struggle itself that allows us to “Go for Gold” and attain the prize?
    Is that not a very good argument for not trying to correct genetic errors and physical disabilities.

  4. SFDBWV says:
    August 29, 2012 at 6:53 am

    I think your thoughts are right on Bob.

    I have a friend and neighbor whose sister became pregnant and never once went to the doctors until she gave birth. What was worse she continued to take birth control pills right up to the day she delivered her son.

    He was horribly deformed with only pads for hands and feet as well as multiple other internal and external abnormalities.

    Here at our local church the little fellow was loved and prayed for by the worshipers for all of his short 6 years of life.

    He learned to scoot never really crawl and endured multiple operations in an attempt to give him an opposing digit like a thumb. His hands resembled a mitten instead of a hand, as he had no fingers.

    The one remarkable aspect of his short agonizing life was that *he* always had a bright smile and his deformities never seemed to matter to him as he just did what he could as he could.

    As heart wrenching as it is, his short life brought smiles and warmth to all who knew him. Obviously he died of the complications of the circumstances of his condition.

    We do not live in a Spartan society, and so attempt to include all those of less ability into our world, but we have a long way to go if we truly want to make life easier for the handicapped and create a world where there is no one handicapped or living impaired.

    Jesus never turned anyone down who came to Him for healing, which confuses a lot of people today as why so many remain unhealed, is it for our spiritual growth that they physically suffer?

    Steve

  5. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 7:23 am

    Yes, I think the latter day outpouring of The Holy Spirit that is upon us will result in people who are lame and crippled once again receiving healing just as they did when Jesus was here.

    Jesus is Alive and well and lives on Earth physically through us and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
    When we start believing and acting as the sons of the Living God then greater things will be done than ever Jesus did because He has gone to be with The Father.
    We have a job to do until His physical return to Earth.

    Paul told us to discard any hindrance, even our clothes(the Greeks always ran naked), so that we can win the race,claim the prize, and receive our crown of Gold.
    I have no excuse!
    Do you?

  6. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 7:43 am

    I have no excuse!
    Do you?

    Is an open question and not directed at Steve.

    “You were running well, what hindered you” is a question we should all be asking, especially when we watch the Para Olympians run and swim etc. this weekend.
    God has given us the power to change the world through and because of Jesus and what He has done for us.
    Let’s Do it!!

  7. Bill says:
    August 29, 2012 at 8:12 am

    Steve and Bob,

    Your posts are touching me deeply this morning.

    The subject of eugenics (with its relative ideologies euthanasia, infanticide, and abortion) makes me extremely sad.

    I recently watched a clip from the Dr. Phil show in which his guest was a woman with two severely handicapped young adults (her offspring). She wanted to kill them, ostensibly, to put them out of their misery. But it was obvious she was the one miserable. She merely wanted justification for her actions — which the audience was more than willing to supply. (Google Dr. Phil MOTHER WANTS THE RIGHT TO EUTHANIZE ‘SEVERELY DISABLED’ CHILDREN to see the article — and the clip — on The Blaze web site.)

    What was most chilling was that Dr. Phil and a large majority of his audience that day, agreed with her.

    I literally almost burst into tears when I heard the audience clapping for a woman who wanted to kill her children. I thought, “What have we come to as a society?” I can’t get my head around the notion that we have sunk to the level of applauding such an idea.

    Steve’s anecdote about the deformed child who only lived to the age of six is what I always come back to when I think of people with handicaps. They seem happy. They’re not aware of their physical (or mental) situation.

    Look at Abigail and Brittany Hensel, the conjoined twins who are now in their early 20s, and world famous. They’re two different people, joined at the chest, who do their best to lead normal lives. Search YouTube for their video clips. They’re amazing.

    In a sense — and I don’t want anyone getting the wrong impression from what I’m about to write — severely handicapped humans almost become like four-legged family members, cats and dogs. They are happy to just “be.” Just be with us.

    A Vet once told me that a cat is one of the most durable, able-to-shake-off-pain animals on the planet. I had a Scottish Fold cat for 10 years. He was known around the world by sight because of my Facebook and MySpace posts. When he developed severe diseases and had to be put to sleep, we cried our eyes out for weeks. One of the last pictures I took of our “fuzzy little son” was of him resting his head on my foot. He loved me so much that, even in his pain, he had to be near me, to touch me. One day I was working at home, typing away, and I felt a little pressure on my foot. I looked down under the table and saw him sitting, leaning over, with his forehead gently resting on my foot.

    It made me cry. I took a picture and have since shared the photo with others, who see our little guy’s love. It’s truly a remarkable sight.

    My point is this: We go to great lengths to save our pets. In our case, my wife and I spent $1,500 to seek a diagnoses and cure before we were told it was hopeless. We only put our little guy down when we knew there was nothing more that could be done, when we knew he was unable to eat or drink (or even breathe) normally. (A tumor had restricted his esophagus and was pushing into his lung.) We knew he was in pain. But he didn’t visibly show it. We could have kept him around longer for our sakes. But we knew that was selfish. He was slowly starving to death and dehydrating (we had to inject him with saline under his skin once per day because he couldn’t drink water on his own).

    In spite of his situation, he still wanted to play, to show love, to be loved. He wanted to be with us.

    Many times, severely handicapped children and adults are oblivious to their limitations, just like our Scottish Fold. They just want to be loved, and to express love. We used to see a man and an old, old dog walking very slowly on the rail trail in our neighborhood. The dog was clearly arthritic. But she walked slowly beside her master, occasionally looking up to catch his eye. He’d reach down to pat her head. And so they’d move along, a faltering step at a time. The mutual love were inspiring to see.

    Those with severe handicaps are happy just being alive. It is we who project ourselves into their situations, and imagine how awful life would be if we were in their shoes.

    I don’t want to live in a society that treats people worse than it treats its pets. But that’s what we’ve become. I have many liberal, feminist friends who go to great lengths to rescue cats and to champion the cause of animal rights…while, at the same time, they’re adamant about abortion, protesting to make sure abortion rights are not infringed. That seems absolutely ludicrous to me. But there are millions of people like that out there.

    I think all living things should be treated with love and respect. But humans most of all. I think there’s much we can learn from people who soldier on, who flash a winning smile even when we couldn’t imagine being in their situation.

    I am thankful for the Paralympics. And I’m glad Mart posted this blog today. “Enlightenment,” indeed. I think we could take a lesson from Mother Theresa, who lived and worked among the lepers and the outcasts of society, loving them, praying for them, and taking care of them with such obvious compassion. As has been pointed out, we are all handicapped in some way. I’m still mad that I don’t look like Cary Grant. (I’d even settle for Errol Flynn. Or George Clooney.) I’m not tall and dark. Or the least bit suave.

    But I know Jesus accepts me, and won’t turn me away just because I don’t look like Cary Grant in a suit, or I can’t swing on a vine, land on a massive tree branch, and say, “Welcome to Sherwood!” with bravado and a devil-may-care flip of my hand.

    There’s a phrase that comes to mind: “Ars longa, vita brevis,” which is a translation of a Greek aphorism. It means something like “art is long, life is short.”

    Regardless of our own physical condition, or our mental capacities, we are all bound by time, with lives far shorter than we would like. I think if we kept that in mind, we would see our mutual humanity much more clearly…and disregard the physical or mental differences that could come between us.

    I’ve written too much. I apologize.

    Thank you for taking the time to read this.

    Bill

  8. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 8:48 am

    Hi Bill,

    I too have a cat that loves me, especially when she is hungry. lol

    You said:
    “The subject of eugenics (with its relative ideologies euthanasia, infanticide, and abortion) makes me extremely sad.”
    I agree with you about the relative ideologies, but eugenics main concern is about preventing the birth of severely handicapped people in the first place.
    All the others are about killing severely handicapped people.
    We will always have handicapped people as a result of injury and war but we have the technology to prevent the conception of many generic genetic traits that lead to severe disabilities, is it morally wrong to pursue that line of work?
    We have just had a court case where a man who was very active had a stroke causing him to suffer “locked in Syndrome”. He lost his court room battle for doctors to be able to legally kill him. All he could do was blink his eyes and talk via a computer, he wanted to die with dignity at home.
    When he heard the verdict he cried his eyes out.
    A week later he was dead. Legally all he was allowed to do was starve himself to death. He was so defeated by the verdict he stopped taking nourishment caught pneumonia and died. He gave up fighting!
    Almost as if God had mercy on his plight.
    There are clinics in Switzerland where people from the UK have to go if they want an assisted suicide.
    They can’t die at home!
    Now, like you I don’t agree with euthanasia, but do I have the right to keep these people in suffering because I think it is unethical?
    I feel we are deviating a bit from what is an amazing topic of the Paralympic games.

    Bob

  9. Mart De Haan says:
    August 29, 2012 at 8:57 am

    You’re not off topic, Bob. This is an extremely important conversation that can take us in several different directions.

  10. florida7sun says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:00 am

    The other day my wife and I had occasion to stop by and visit the Burt Reynolds’s Museum in Jupiter, Florida. As an actor, he appeared in over 120 motion pictures, several television programs and received celebratory acclamation for his accomplishments in the entertainment industry. Scores of magazine covers with his photo were framed and displayed, as were his many trophies and awards.

    We arrived at three o’clock in the afternoon. The greeter at the front desk commented that in one hour everything on display would be boxed and placed into storage. The building (which once housed a former bank) was being knocked down for a new condominium development.

    One section of the Museum displayed artifacts from the film Deliverance, which was released in 1972. Burt Reynolds’s jacket was on display; the canoe he used on the Cahulawassee River in the Georgia wilderness; and the bow and arrows he carried.

    All of it to be crated and put away for another day; possibly sold at auction to the highest bidder.

    I thought of our own accomplishments and struggles; and those of people we know and love. I thought of Ecclesiastes 12 and its truth: “Remember your Creator… ”.

    Everything in the Museum (as in our own lives was dated). Statuettes were tarnished and a few had flecks of metal missing. Celebrities pictured with Burt have aged or passed on. The ravages of time and life in the flesh have taken its toll in so many ways. Botox can hide wrinkles. Toupees can cover baldness. Dentures can replace missing teeth.

    The body is broken or breaks down. Winner of more Peoples’ Awards than any other celebrity, they needed to be regularly dusted.

    Ashes to ashes… boxed and stored away awaiting a new day of deliverance.

    How wonderful it is to know our Lord and Savior and have the privilege reading His Word. Only He can give a new heart, which He promises to all that seek understanding.

    John 3:16 is so very precious… as is all of Scripture.

    Yes, a glorious deliverance is coming.

    The heavens and all of creation declare it.

    Love to all, Ray

  11. cherielyn says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:11 am

    My 45 yr old, mentally handicapped son, Mike, was diagnosed as such when he was 19 months old. At the time, being a 20 yr old single mother, I was told that he should be institutionalized. There was no way I was going to take the doctor’s advice! He was my child and I was going to care for him to the best of my ability.

    I know, beyond a doubt, that if I had taken the doctor’s advice, he would have basically vegetated in the institution. Because I kept him with me, he ended up achieving things that I was told would never be possible. He is high functioning and even has his driver’s license. He passed the written test on his first attempt.

    Yes, he has his limitations in some areas. Until his dementia set in he could read at a 3rd-4th grade level & do simple math. He has lost some of those abilities, mainly in part to not using them enough. He still drives, but only for short distances now.

    Unfortunately for him, because he is high functioning, he IS aware of his deficiencies. He came to the realization when he was 14 and he was teased and bullied throughout his later school years. Even now, some supposedly mature adults shun him. He was forced to move from his last apartment a year ago because other tenants were uncomfortable with him being around. One of them even stated that he should be in an institution. There are so many unkind people in the world.

    Thankfully there are some nice, caring people to help balance out the cruelty. Still, he agonizes about his situation on a pretty daily basis. I wish, for his sake, that he could be involved in something like the Paralympics where he could feel a sense of accomplishment to help him see himself in a more positive light.

  12. Bill says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:18 am

    Hi Bob,

    You wrote, “I agree with you about the relative ideologies, but eugenics main concern is about preventing the birth of severely handicapped people in the first place.
    All the others are about killing severely handicapped people.”

    I know what eugenics is all about. I believe Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was all about eugenics. She may have even been a racist who wanted to weed out the black folks, along with other “defects” in humanity.

    My point was the devaluing of life, be it before birth or after, is essentially the same thing. It would be trite to call it humans playing God. But that’s kind of what it is.

    At one point in our history, these handicapped Olympian athletes would have been considered subhuman, less than ideal, and possibly even candidates for eugenics, abortion, or infanticide. Yet, here they are showing the world that the human spirit soars above physical limitations.

    I am humbled by the Paralympics athletes, in the same way I’m humbled by the conjoined twins, Abi and Brittany. Rather than see any of them as being less than me, I am grateful they’re in the world to show me what’s possible.

  13. Bill says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:27 am

    cherielyn, thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry that Mike was treated badly and is aware of his limitations. I am sorry that he encountered unkind people who made him feel limited and unwelcome.

    Sometimes people who have never been touched by a situation like yours (raising a mentally handicapped son) never develop the sensitivity, compassion, and love necessary to be more skillful around people like Mike. That’s often the way of it. People who haven’t walked a mile in someone else’s shoes lack empathy.

    Is there anything we can do to help Mike?

  14. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Mart, you said:
    “I’m not sure that I am spiritually, emotionally, or mentally ready to absorb what we will be seeing in the Paralympic Games that begin today.”

    Well, I am not to sure I am ready either to understand or comprehend what may or may not be said on this blog today!

    cherielyn, your post above speaks of great love and the dedication of a parent.
    Steve, I know you have given your all to Matt these past 11 years or so.
    Deb, I know you still struggle with your own disabilities and shortcomings.

    Who am I to enter into such a debate.
    We often accuse our governments of “not being in touch with the people”.
    They, like us here today, debate these great issues that effect us all with cold and callus indifference.
    Maybe that is the sign of intelligent thinking.
    God forbid that I should regard human life of any kind or form with such a lack of compassion as to not to care.
    Let us get to a point where the sick are healed when our shadow passes over them, like Peter’s.
    Let us get to the point where our only waking thought is for the rights of others and not for the right of self.

    Bob

  15. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Bill,

    Our thoughts crossed in the electronic air.
    I think we sing from the same book.

    I am just trying to stimulate debate but have nothing to “argue” about on this subject.
    It is too vast for little old me.
    Jesus come soon!

    Bob

  16. poohpity says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:49 am

    God doesn’t make any junk!! God uses those who we in our pride call weak. (1 Cor 1:26,27,28,29,30,31; 2 Cor 12:10) The one’s who need our pity are those who find pride in their strength and abilities. The one’s who dash all over trying to control everything because they trust in themselves and find it hard as the rich do to trust in the Lord. (Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25) How many are there who really understand how weak they are before a Mighty God when they do not have to depend on Him for anything.

    Those with special abilities normally are so filled with love and a simplicity of life. They are teased and tormented in school by those who are ignorant and feel powerful yet are so pitiful.

    The paralympics are folks that have not let their so called weaknesses deter them from trying to achieve no matter what calamity has struck them in life whether by accident or by birth. They have gone above the pity of their loved one’s, which can cause more crippling, to achieve something that takes hard work and dedication.

    The same with the Special Olympics some will stop to help others to cross the finish line so that they all do it together. Enlightenment, yes!

    I have struggled with that euthanasia thing because I have watched people with ALS suffer and want to be put out of their misery yet I have seen people live with it and not give up while being productive or useful in just one person’s life until their final resting place is found. We put animals down so they do not suffer. Those are questions I have asked God about and the answer I got was. “I determine a person’s life and his days” and God can and will use anybody.

  17. poohpity says:
    August 29, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Bob, my biggest disability is when I feel sorry for myself and try and do more than I physically can because I think I have to earn God’s love when I now that is not true.

  18. poohpity says:
    August 29, 2012 at 10:00 am

    “know” not “now”, lol. The best fun is laughing at ourselves because we all have disabilities of one kind or another.

  19. poohpity says:
    August 29, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Hey anybody are they even going to be televised in here the USA and if so what channel? Or are we going again to be bombarded with the RNC? OK Bob, I will have to fly over there and watch with you if my wings are working right. ;-)

  20. SFDBWV says:
    August 29, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Bob the recent court case you mention made the news here in the USA as well, the pictures of the man before and after and his plea to be released from his nightmare all seen on our news services.

    No one understands this better than Cherielyn, I and others here, what it is like for us to watch people we love suffer.

    I saw a story on “Discovery Channel” many years ago about brain injured people and those who love them. It was a very uncomfortable program to watch because clinically these are victims without hope according to the medical world.

    Death if you will without dying.

    The people who are left to raise or live with such victims never able to go through a grieving process as one does with death, but rather grieves every day with out end.

    One of the stories showcased remains with me vividly; the mother of a young man who had overdosed on drugs and was in a coma cared for him there in her little NY City apartment. She became good and refilling his feeding tube and cleaning up after him as he lay motionless eyes closed unable to respond or look at his mother at all.

    She remained adamant that God would not leave them in this situation and vowed to care for her son there as long as she could.

    My own situation is much better, Matt and I are able to do a great many things together and *enjoy* what of life we can, but at a very high price.

    Like Cherielyn’s son, Matthew also knows his limitations and longs for a life without them. Matt asks me for death many dozens of times a day, even accusing me of not loving him because I won’t either kill him or give him a gun and let him do it himself. Even though I know he would not.

    Matt challenges me all day to give him a reason for his continuing to live and my answer is always the same; it is for love that he lives and nothing less.

    For I have learned that it is easy to die, but much harder to live, for we live not for ourselves but for the benefit of others.

    So life goes on and as we strain to see God in all of the suffering that goes on around us, my hope remains that God is in control and trust Him no matter what happens unto the end.

    Matt’s laughter, his touch and presence in my life is answered prayer, the struggles and bad day’s never outweigh the good day’s and the shared love we give and feel.

    In God I trust.

    Steve

  21. poohpity says:
    August 29, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Steve has Matt lost any more weight? Tell him I am praying for him to continue in his success.

  22. SFDBWV says:
    August 29, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    yes another 8.6 pounds at August’s weigh in. Thank you for asking Pooh.

  23. kingdomkid7 says:
    August 29, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    Cherielyn, your story of your son is so victorious, as is Steve’s story of his son Matt. I understand those stories well, because I was graced by God to share in the life of my niece Neena, who was born multiply handicapped and was expected to die soon afterwards. Instead, she lived for close to fifteen years and defied doctors’ and everyone’s expectations again and again. Told that she would not be able to think well, Neena became a whiz at computer games. She went to school on a school bus. My daughter and I moved in with my sister and her husband to help out — so our lives were intertwined for Neena’s last 5 years. In the end it was a pneumonia that took her – – not the “handicaps” she was born with. Words can’t express the love God shows through such special children, special people. I struggle in my own body because of the after-effects of a near-fatal car accident. But I know that He gives grace, and even “more grace.” And I know i cannot make it without Him. Neena helped me to really see that as she bore up with deafness, breathing problems, multiple brain surgeries, and a gait that was never quite “normal.”. It makes me laugh sometimes, because now I walk a little bit like her. One more thing: Neena did attend Special Olympics at her school. What a triumph!

  24. narrowpathseeker says:
    August 29, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Bob, AMEN to your message, “Let us get to a point where the sick are healed when our shadow passes over them, like Peter’s. Let us get to the point where our only waking thought is for the rights of others and not for the right of self.” Bob, I can’t help but think that if the latter becomes reality, that the former will follow. Oh to rise above mySELF without filling my SELF back up again!

    Steve and Cherielyn, my heart aches for the emotional pain you must endure daily. My profoundly (mentally and physically) disabled son died young. I pray for both of you and your sons. If only I could get to the point that Bob mentioned above, I would get on a plane and visit both of your sons.

  25. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    “As the Paralympic Torch arrived in London, the Queen prepared to honor opening ceremonies that organizers are calling “Enlightenment, a celebration of the inspirational spirit of the Paralympic Games that challenge perceptions of human possibility”.

    I have just googled the word Enlightenment and am surprised at how big a word it is and the power and weight it carries.
    From a religious idea of reincarnation in one religion, to the ultimate state of being in another.
    A social/political movement in 17th century Europe and a way of inclusive thinking that should change the world.

    Surely if any peoples are enlightened it should be us.
    But often we come across as bigoted, arrogant and right of Genghis Khan in our attitude to others and their “different” approach to life.
    We are now the Pharisees of our day, trying to force others to think and act like us.
    It’s time to Chill and allow Enlightenment to sway our thinking and get back to the root of our faith in Jesus.

    Bob

  26. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I have been watching the build up to the games on TV here and looking at web feeds.
    Hold on to your hats for a great opening ceremony in 80 minutes time.
    It will Enlighten you and blow(the cobwebs out of)your mind!

  27. davids says:
    August 29, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    It is so good to see this blog returned to a considered, thoughtful exchange of viewpoints. I didn’t stop reading – I just stopped posting for a while to keep from adding a comment that might encourage the situation.

    But I never stopped praying for all of you. I hope that we will still remember those that have not commented recently: Rocky, Annalies, Gary. And for those more recent, like Confeticat.

    Bob, it is so nice to have your energetic and thoughtful participation.

  28. davids says:
    August 29, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    As usual, I remain optimistic. Thanks be to God, history demonstrates that He has turned our preconceptions about limitations on thier heads.

    Women, thought to be inferior, have turned out to be leaders of companies and nations. People from races, classes, and cultures regarded as inferior have been leaders in many areas.

    Who would have thought that a double-ampute would run in the Olympics, or that a man paralyzed even to speech would be one of the greatest physicists of our time?

    There was an article today about how a brainwave-controlled exoskeleton can allow stroke victims to move their limbs. It seems like science-fiction, but a hundred years ago the prevention of polio seemed distant.

    I know that this is little comfort to those that deal with severe mental, physical, and emotional handicaps. We lost a daughter born with trisomy (Downs Syndrome).

    But I pray and believe that God will continue to do great things!

  29. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 29, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    Well after midnight here.
    To see a man with no legs fly into the stadium from over 300ft up carrying the Paralympic torch and then to be seen as if to hover 2ft off the ground was an enlightening experience that just breaks all the conventions of what we expect to see.
    Then for the cauldron to be lit by a lady who won a gold medal in 1960 in Rome after being treated by Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the inspiration for the movement, after a car accident in 1958 was amazing!
    Time to take a long hard look at how I see others and what they can achieve.
    It is time to change, both self and the world.
    But like narrow said Change the self first, it is the only thing we have any control over.

    Bob

  30. Loomis says:
    August 29, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    As a kid I lettered in three sports, football, wrestling, track. I wasn’t the big player, but I did play and start in these competitions. In college I made the team in tennis at two different schools. I played in the summer with kids on the team in HS but did not compete in HS. Not bad for a kid with Cerebral Palsy. This was back in the 1960’s and 70’s.
    I coached tennis for 10 years.
    Because of the fall and sin I think it is great that our work and effort can hold back the effects of sin and the fall. If we can relieve suffering and pain from illnesses and disease for oursevles and others isn’t that part of showing God’s love.
    In real competition these young men and women are showing many how to cope with loss of limb or use of the body. They along with those who are creating the techknowlogy for their effort will help many have better quality of life. Think of how these with disabilities will play a greater role in the lives of others. Their need of knowing the Savior may still be in front of us, but their enabling to move and live we can praise the Lord.

  31. saled says:
    August 29, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    I recently attended a workshop presented by a nationally known speaker on poverty. She grew up in poverty believing that there was something fundamentally wrong with her and her family because everyone knows that we all start the same in life. Therefore, she reasoned, if you live in poverty it must mean that either you are not smart enough or don’t try hard enough. Her eyes were opened when she realized that no, we don’t all start out the same. Some are blessed with nice homes to grow up in; some know the terror of repeated eviction. Some of us are blessed with intelligent, caring parents; some without such support. Some of us start out with sound bodies; some without. Some of us start out with sound minds; some without. Yes, I think Mart is right when he mentions the infinite number of challenges and inequalities in our world.

  32. SFDBWV says:
    August 30, 2012 at 5:27 am

    Looked several times yesterday to see if any of my TV channels were covering the Paralympics, with no success. Looked on a BBC web site to get some pictures of the opening ceremonies this morning. So it looks like I will miss out on the event except for Bob’s coverage.

    Davids mentioned the advancement in the world of medical miracles that seem always to loom on the horizon. I can concur as I have read about many marvelous possibilities also, that for many unbeknownst reasons never come to fruition.

    All too often good ideas and the money to develop them never get together. As a matter of real sadness it always comes down to money.

    Just another sad commentary on how we can spend so much public money developing weapons but not on the care for the disabled, weak, sick or elderly among us.

    And so as a society we talk about killing off those among us who are the most vulnerable; horrible as it sounds that kind of thinking is only a few steps away from killing off all who are different from the ideal concept of what we want people to look like, think like and behave like.

    Loomis, thank you for your story, I think the truly disabled among us is those who see only the disability in another human being and not the possibilities.

    Steve

  33. foreverblessed says:
    August 30, 2012 at 6:45 am

    That is so true Steve, we have to learn to look with spiritual eyes.
    Paul stated somewhere: at the outside we decay little by, little but in the inside we are renewed day by day.
    Do we built a spiritual house with God’s help, daily? That it is growing bigger and bigger, stone by stone.

  34. SFDBWV says:
    August 30, 2012 at 8:17 am

    Once again my attention this morning was drawn to two particular plants in my back yard. One I have already discussed the volunteer mustard seed plant, the other a late volunteer sunflower that grew out of an old copper washtub Glenna has planted flowers in.

    Both though have something in common other than being a surprise and unexpected presence in our life.

    The mustard seed plant was beaten down from the heavy rain and wind from a thunderstorm and had to be *propped * up in order to help it survive the remainder of the summer. Giving life to other creatures even in it’s death.

    The little sunflower, once it had developed a head on it’s top did not have the root system or stem to support itself and so needed propped up as well for the same results, giving of itself for the life of others.

    Both are supported by wooden stakes I provided and placed beside them tying them to the stakes with a loose fitting strap.

    All of this reminds me both of the topic of the handicapped among us and of the point that we being spiritually handicapped are supported also by the results of our Great heavenly Father supporting us by a wooden cross that was erected to also save us from a spiritual death.

    Maybe a stretch, but then I tend to see God everywhere I turn.

    45 degrees this morning, I miss hearing from Della.

    Steve

  35. dja says:
    August 30, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Good Morning All,

    I have been so blessed by all of you with your comments on “Paralympic Enlightenment”. I, like Davids, “I just stopped posting for a while to keep from adding a comment that might encourage the situation.” I don’t do well with arguments and debates, especially about God’s Word, so I read and often times had to skip over parts to not be frustrated.

    Our church building is not handicap accessible. It is an old building, and you must go up a number of stairs to the sanctuary and then down stairs to the restrooms and fellowship hall. My dear sister and brother, an elderly couple, are both using walkers and can not climb stairs. They have to sit downstairs in the fellowship hall and listen from a speaker on the wall. Many Sunday mornings, I sit down there with them because they need to feel like they are with the body. We are looking for another building because there is no way to make this building accessible to all-the cost would be more than a newer building. So we are praying and waiting, knowing that the Lord will provide in His perfect way and timing. Unlike my friends, I can run upstairs if I want-well, at 66, I don’t run, but I have the freedom to physically (at least right now I do)do what I want to do. My friends are just thankful that they are able to be there, and I am so thankful that they can be with us, even if we are separated by a floor at times.

    I am sorry to be going on, but as I think about this subject, I am thinking about all those students (especially with school now starting) who have what many call learning disabilities. I struggle with that wording because, in many cases, it is just a learning difference. We all learn differently, and some children don’t always “get it” when everyone else “gets it”. Many times those children are labled when a year or 2 down the road they “get it”. As a former teacher, I worked with children who had been labled “slow” when actually they just had different thinking processes. The challenge was then to find out how to help them learn what they needed to learn and use the way they processed things to get there. That’s what teaching should be-not writing a report with negative comments that follow a student throughout their school years and disable them emotionally for life.
    As Pooh said, “God doesn’t make any junk!! God uses those who we in our pride call weak. (1 Cor 1:26,27,28,29,30,31; 2 Cor 12:10) The one’s who need our pity are those who find pride in their strength and abilities.”
    I think Psalm 139:13-14 says it all “For You created my inmost being;You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

    It’s a beautiful day in NEPA. Fall is coming-48 degrees this morning. Praying for my brothers and sisters on this blog. May the Lord bless you all!

    ~Della

  36. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Strange!

    Yesterday my mind was buzzing with stuff and I could see for eternity, but today my mind is blank.
    One day The Holy Spirit is a friend who keeps you inspired and “enlightened”, the next day He doesn’t even pick up the phone.
    Someday’s I don’t answer the phone, even if the “caller display” says it is Him.
    I am wittering, but I am content and happy with who I am.
    That is really the basis of what was said last night at the Para opening ceremony.
    Be who you are and don’t let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your goal.

  37. poohpity says:
    August 30, 2012 at 10:37 am

    I am reading a book by Philip Yancy called “Where Is God When It hurts?”. He eluded to that we think that pain and suffering are bad when in reality they have much good in them. Also that we try and prevent pain and suffering so much that we do not embrace them as means of growth. He talked about in our society today we coddle our children so much they do not grow. Like those plants that are in the fertile soil in Steve’s yard they grow to fast without the proper strength to hold them up. Dr Brand a pain researcher said that rather than putting our babies in all kinds of soft materiel that to stimulate all their senses it would be better to lay then in coconut hairs to stimulate their nerves.

    I wonder if those who enter into those paralympics had parents who stood behind them through the pain and suffering to stimulate growth even when others said they could not do certain things.

    Bob, the Holy Spirit is still there even though you may not sense His presence with your emotions it is the KNOWING that He never leaves you.

  38. poohpity says:
    August 30, 2012 at 11:16 am

    There are some Olympiads from the regular games that come home and then turn those gold metals into pawn shops because they have spend the majority of their lives only focused on those metals. When real life comes they crumble. The paralympiads already have overcome a tough life and have won the Gold before they have ever reached the games. So their successes have already stood the test of the fire and they have come out the other side as winners.

  39. SFDBWV says:
    August 30, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    I did finally find some information about NBC coverage of the Paralympic games. The article actually is a scathing pan of NBC planning to show only 5 and ½ hours of the event and a week after the event is closed, a 90 minute showing of the highlights.

    The 4- 60 minute showings to be aired only on NBC Sports Network, a cable channel.

    Sadly this is just an example of how people ignore the handicapped and will do their best to avoid making eye contact with anyone in a wheel chair.

    There are good people out there but far and above more who want to not be reminded of those in need or suffering around them.

    Steve

  40. poohpity says:
    August 30, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    They are available to watch daily as they happen from usparalympics dot org.

  41. poohpity says:
    August 30, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    I agree it is really sad that we do not have full coverage here in the US. Really, really sad and says a lot about our media doesn’t it.

  42. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    We are so lucky. The BBC did us proud with pool/track side interviews with all the big names from every country as soon as they finished their events in the Olympics.
    One of our commercial channels is covering the Para’s from 7am ’till close everyday, sponsored by all our big names, also giving “on the spot” interviews.
    The speech given by Lord Sebastian Coe, who organised the whole event from the original bid to the very last light to be turned off, was given lots of support by the crowd and it was so obvious how proud he and everyone is that this Paralympics movement was coming home to Britain where it was formed and nurtured 60 years ago.
    Now the second biggest multi sport event in the world, with 80,000 people watching in the main stadium alone every day.
    We are so proud of our Paralypians and give them as high, if not higher status, than the “real” Olypians.
    In our minds there is no distinction.
    This has not always been the case, but an enlightenment has taken place in our society over the last 20 years or so that has made this possible.
    Jesus said the weak will be made strong, the low will be made high and the meek will inherit the earth.
    If we are meant to be the “salt of the earth” then these Paralypians are the spice that gives it va va voom!
    (that’s french for va va voom!)

    Bob

  43. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Going back to my original post.
    Do I think eugenics would be good for humanity?

    NO! NO! NO!

    To know & love those who are special people would be a blessing I would not miss for the world!

  44. Bill says:
    August 30, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I agree, Bob. The answer is “NO! NO! NO!”

    Are there any groups, or any individuals, these days promoting or advocating eugenics? Or is it such a taboo subject today that it’s an underground discussion, if it happens at all?

    You post of August 29, 2012 at 8:48 am is at the heart of a lot of discussions and court battles in the States. We had our “Dr. Death” for a while, along with his attorney friend Geoffrey Fieger.

    Although I can certainly understand the desire to ease someone’s pain and suffering (which was the basis for the court case you wrote about), what gives me pause is that those who most loudly advocate it are political liberals, usually those who don’t take into account Christian principles and the sanctity of life. That doesn’t make them wrong. But it makes me wonder if they understand all the ramifications and prohibitions against “mercy killings.”

    Once we allow killing for whatever reason, where do we draw the line? Are Muslim “honor killings” okay? If not, why not? Is infanticide okay? Euthanasia?

    I worry a great deal about a contemporary court defining what’s okay and what isn’t when it comes to such things. Two hundred years ago, people were well steeped in Christian ethics and morals, even those who were not personally Christian. Today, that’s not the case…and many who hold positions of authority (Congress, courts, lawyers, doctors, etc.) no longer have a respect for human life, it seems.

    So I’m reluctant to allow my mind to wander down those paths, to consider What Ifs?, to grant approval to make life or death decisions in that regard.

    Therefore, I feel safer adhering to the proven, biblical “hard-line” approach to the matter: No! No! No!

    But, I’ll admit, there are times when I wonder if my desire to defend the sanctity of life is causing undue suffering in others who want to, as the guy did in your post, give up.

    For me, this is a tough issue with no easy answers.

    Bill

  45. Bill says:
    August 30, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Incidentally, I don’t think there’s ever a time when eugenics are okay for a society. That’s not just a slippery slope; that’s a full-blown 90-degree decline on a snow-covered hill with skis strapped to our feet. It can only lead one direction — down.

  46. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Hi Bill,

    Our society here is extremely liberal, but the court in the case I mentioned had the sense to say that this issue is too big to be decided by a judge(common law) and should be given proper debate in Parliament. Thank God that “common law” has some “common sense”.
    I am naturally liberal in my politics and stand up for issues that affect me like gay rights etc. And I understand the need for people to be able to determine their own destiny.
    The Para opening ceremony ended with the song “I am who I am!” which, although appropriate for the issues of special needs people, is also a gay iconic song, that made me smile!
    But I have found, as my grounding in Christ & His Word has become more embedded, I now stand up for what God says is right and true and not always my point of view.
    I am sure God doesn’t mind us having political views as long as they are inclusive of all as He is inclusive of all and do not alienate whole sections of society.
    The Paralympic flame started part of it’s journey in a Hindu Temple in London yesterday. Was a beautiful site and it could have been on the banks of the Ganges in India itself.
    Better to include that to exclude both in society and in Christ. (Confeticat that applies to you as well)

    Bob

  47. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    Better to include *than* to exclude both in society and in Christ. (Confeticat that applies to you as well)

    minor typo

  48. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    Watching Wheelchair Basket Ball at the moment.
    Amazing!
    GB vs Germany ended full time at 66-66, now gone to overtime.
    Germany always seems to be our nemesis!
    Did you know the basket is the same height as in a normal game, must make it hard work with no feet or legs to spring off of and being sat in a wheelchair.
    Germany won 77 to 72, luckily only the first round.

  49. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    Little aside!

    We have acquired 2 gold medals today.
    Every Gold Medalist in the Olympic and also now in the Para’s gets a stamp issued the next day with their picture on showing the Medal. The stamp then goes into circulation for general us.
    The next day a post box in their home town gets repainted from red to gold.
    Just a little tribute from the Royal Mail to congratulate the athletes.
    what a nice thing to do!

  50. davids says:
    August 30, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Steve, I loved the parable of the two plants. In the current lingo, it’s a nice riff on the parable of the sower.

    Della, your words touched me. Our youngest son barely spoke at four years of age. We put him in a special school for those with learning difficulties. Maybe that did some good, but in the end we moved him back to the local school, where the everyone was supportive.

    Now he won’t be quiet, in English and the local language of my wife. Praise be to God. You never know.

    About your church building, I already told in another post how we had to leave our previous church building and used a temporary place that could only seat one hundred. We worked and prayed, and now are sharing a building with a Catholic congregation, which can easily seat 400. Already in the summer, when attendance is usually low, we are already exceeding 100.

    God is doing great things here and we pray that he will help us to fill this place with the faithful and the searching.

  51. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    What’s has happened to you all in the USA, has the cat got your tongue?
    There is a world out here that likes and needs you!
    I think?

  52. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 30, 2012 at 6:32 pm

    My house and the clock tower in front of it has just appeared on the UK national news as we have had the wettest summer for over 100 years.
    Times they are a changing!

  53. SFDBWV says:
    August 31, 2012 at 5:31 am

    Still dark and only 48 degrees this morning as Matt and I rise to face today’s challenges. Last night at bed time the moon was nearly full and had that yellow cast that the last weeks of summer bring as it rose in the evening sky.

    The morning star that has welcomed me all summer is there, a silent witness to my prayers.

    As far off in the eastern sky are the first hints of sunrise.

    I love the mornings.

    Everything is fresh and the events of the day still an unknown possibility of it being a blessed day.

    Yes Hope rises with the morning sun.

    And each and every morning I think of the Bible quote; “: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30: 5)

    Good morning BTA friends.

    Steve

  54. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 31, 2012 at 5:45 am

    Good Morning Steve,

    I saw the same moon at midnight and went out on the cliff edge to see it playing with the waves on the shoreline.
    Amazing to see the Atlantic rollers with their white frothy tops in the light of a full moon.
    About to have lunch.
    Have a good day everyone!

    Bob

  55. Bill says:
    August 31, 2012 at 5:46 am

    ‘Morning, Steve and BTA Friends!

    It’s 70 degrees already this morning here in Grand Rapids. And dark. Time is 6:41am.

    Fall is coming. Stays darker longer each morning. Gets darker sooner at night.

    Have a great day, everyone!

    Bill

  56. SFDBWV says:
    August 31, 2012 at 6:35 am

    I have a full array of birds that come to feed here at my feeding places. However this summer has definitely been the summer of the Humming bird.

    Normally I put out two Humming Bird feeders along with the seed feeders, but this year it was three bright red feeders for the little “Cherub’s” as we had at best count 10 or more feeding at the same times.

    At the highlight of their visiting I was refilling two feeders every day, it has slowed considerably.

    Once again listening to that little urging in my spirit, this summer I allowed for the “touch me nots” to grow unencumbered.

    “Touch me nots” are a wild plant that can get 4 or 5 feet in height that has tiny little orange bell shaped flowers on it all summer. The seed looks like a tiny cucumber but when you touch it, it *pops* open and sometimes with such force it will startle you.

    Every kid and even the kid in most any adult will stop and enjoy popping the seed pods anytime they come into contact with the plant.

    What I have noticed this summer is that the little orange flower on the touch me nots seem to be a favorite of the tiny little humming bird, and even though they have plenty of sugar water in my feeders, still they work those plants like busy little bees.

    Everything in its place and a place for everything.

    It is sad that here in the USA the Paralympics are kept a secret by our media. I would have had no knowledge of them had Mart not brought the subject to the table.

    Something’s come to us naturally, others have to knock on the door and still other things need to be forced upon us before we will pay any attention at all.

    I guess also sometimes things are always there; we just don’t open our eyes and look.

    Thankfully God is patient and gives us all, that time we need to develop eyes that see and ears that hear even if we have none.

    Steve

  57. cherielyn says:
    August 31, 2012 at 6:51 am

    Nothing to do with the topic, but needed to share with the rest of the BTA family.

    A murder took place at a convenience store/gas station this past Sunday, in a small town 15 miles from where I live. The small town happens to be where my mentally handicapped son lives & the murder took place 3 blocks from his apartment.

    Our church is also located in that town and the murder took place about two-thirds of a mile from our church at approximately 2:45 p.m.

    That seemed to be way too close to home for my comfort. Still closer to home is the fact that the murderer, who had then tried, unsuccessfully, to commit suicide, lives only two miles away from our home and we knew him casually. It has been quite a shock!

    The victim’s name is Ann. Please pray for her family in this difficult time.

  58. cherielyn says:
    August 31, 2012 at 7:15 am

    Obviously the murderer needs prayer as well. What kind of state of mind would cause a person to take the life of another? His initials are R.H.

  59. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 31, 2012 at 7:22 am

    The first time I was in the USA I was astonished by Humming birds, we don’t have them here and I could not take my eyes off them.
    I wish we could exchange our Seagulls for your Humming birds, but then people come from all over just to see the Gulls. Each of us live in a unique place with different things around us.
    I remember once, while in the USA, someone saying “is it true it is green all year round in England?” Our reply was “It rains all year round!”.
    Without rain the plants won’t grow, as many in the southern USA know too well.
    Like our life, either in Christ, or as a Paralypean or as an able bodied athlete, it is the bad weather and the rain that helps us become who we are.
    Water, like The Holy Spirit, is what “creates” life.
    Paul said “I sow, someone else waters, but God gives the increase”.

    Looking at the one o’clock news…. Parts of southern Spain are being evacuated because of their ongoing wild fires. They are having severe drought while we are having severe rain storms.
    None of us get exactly what we want in life.

    Bob

  60. SFDBWV says:
    August 31, 2012 at 8:06 am

    Cherielyn, murder is always ugly and senseless. I am certain you are shaken by the experience of knowing the participants as well as it being in your area.

    I think of the inner cities and how murder is a way of life in many neighborhoods and my heart breaks for the children who grow up thinking this is a way of *life*.

    It seems when we live is a society that brags about the murder of even Osama Ben Laden as a matter of recourse, but murder is murder and always ugly.

    I very much enjoyed Clint Eastwood’s “The Unforgiven” because it showed murder as just what it is.

    Certainly I will pray for your peace today and for all involved.

    Steve

  61. poohpity says:
    August 31, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Once in a Blue Moon will happen today and not again until 2015.

    I think that the reason some have looked down on those with disabilities was rather than looking for the fulfillment of Jesus the OT laws regarding those who serve in the temple must not have any physical deformities or they could not serve. It would seem that the hopes were for their children to be able bodied so they could serve the Lord and with many other things I believe it may have been taken to extremes in that people turned their backs on them.

    I really think that most people who do not understand things would rather look away rather than saying hello and extending a hand to those who are a little different. Now a days if people knew that those who have special abilities do not have anything that is contagious would love a hello or a hand shake rather than ignoring them.

    In my last church that I attended for 22 years I worked in the Friendship class and during the service when everyone stands to shake hands it would blow your mind how many people did not extend a hand or say hello. Made me sick but that is nothing new I probably should have known and I have the hope that it is just because of ignorance.

    So when you see anybody that is different extend your hand to say hello and a soft touch will bring so much joy to a life and to the life of the caregiver as well.

  62. confeticat says:
    August 31, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Enlightenment all right! i would still keep the Paralympics a secret – who needs to hear you all drooling over it? Anyone in it would gladly trade any award to be whole.

    Jesus wouldn’t watch a celebration of overcoming disabilities. He would heal all the contestants and end the sick display.

  63. remarutho says:
    August 31, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Good Morning Mart & Friends —

    Hello Loomis! You wrote:

    “In real competition these young men and women are showing many how to cope with loss of limb or use of the body. They along with those who are creating the techknowlogy for their effort will help many have better quality of life. Think of how these with disabilities will play a greater role in the lives of others. Their need of knowing the Savior may still be in front of us, but their enabling to move and live we can praise the Lord.”

    Thanks for your testimony. Though I have not taken time to sit down and watch the Paralympics, I have heard some interviews with the althletes on the radio as I have been going from place to place the past days.

    I agree with you, Loomis! What an inspiration these men and women are. And thanks be to God that the tech is developing so that they can be among others — not apart and alone, prevented from contributing in society.

    There is, it seems to me, a healing that is working in these Paralympians that is salt and light to the rest of society. Consider how their rehabilitation and excellence is a “saving” grace among us. They have been (often unjustly) thwarted and damaged. They do not focus on the unfairness of life, but take what has been given and multiply their talents. How many will turn and understand that it is God’s grace at work? I hope many. It is a direct effect, if we only realize it.

    Blessings,
    Maru

  64. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 31, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Just watched an American, ,Joseph Berenyi win Gold in a cycle pursuit in the Velodrome.
    He lost his arm in and accident in the 1990’s also crushed his legs.
    He is 44 years old from Oswego, IL.
    What an amazing achievement!

  65. poohpity says:
    August 31, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Well confeticat, Jesus loves you just like you are and yet in His wisdom has chosen not to heal your disabilities and has offered His grace as your sufficiency. Just as He healed only one at the pool of Bethesda when there were multitudes John 5:1-15. We do not understand why God allows things to be as they are He only asks for our trust and to praise Him in all things.

  66. confeticat says:
    August 31, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    That’s just what the Lord told me when I had a thorn in my hoof.

  67. poohpity says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    It is very evident you still do.;-) Many share that in common with Paul. So why hasn’t Jesus healed you?

  68. confeticat says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

  69. SFDBWV says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Matthew 10: 28

    Steve

  70. poohpity says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Do you try and keep your disability a secret? I believe that Jesus would be so proud in seeing people overcome because His living in us and He has overcame the world. So through Him we have also become over-comers as we embrace our weaknesses and relying on Him for strength, grace and mercy to see us through until we receive our new resurrected bodies.

  71. SFDBWV says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    John 8: 32 John 8: 36

    Steve

  72. confeticat says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Amen, Steve.

  73. Bill says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Gee whiz. I didn’t think even confeticat could find fault with Paralympic athletes (or those of us who respect them). I was wrong.

    Let’s not turn this thread into another confeticat-fest. Let’s try to keep focused on the topic and praise the indomitable human spirit, and our God-given ability to rise above our circumstances.

    And, no, confeticat, I’m not talking about humanism or anything anti God or anti Jesus or anti Bible. Even non Christians can muster the talent and the joy and the strength to rise above.

  74. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Proverbs 26:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

  75. confeticat says:
    August 31, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    1. Our sense of significance and self-worth must come from knowing Jesus. Only he can give a life true value. (Luke 18:27)

    2. We must make a choice whether we will serve the temporary or the everlasting. You are making an eternal investment – one which will transform you, help you when troubles arise, and bear fruit in eternity. (Luke 19:23)

    3. You have a reason to persevere when everything seems to go wrong because we know that a great harvest is coming.(Acts 2:21)

  76. poohpity says:
    August 31, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    People who have experienced schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder tend to suffer in silence. Even though their problem is not very evident it does cause them to live in hiding. Just as with visible problems many people live with invisible problems but everything can be overcome with help from those who really care and understand. No need to feel shame about any struggle we go through.

  77. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 6:05 am

    I know I get up early and I know several of you do too; this is one of those awkward mornings for me when I don’t know whether to post a comment or wait for a new subject.

    New and continued subjects for our discussion being the onus of Mart. I am sure many days he feels pressured to *invent* something for us to *kick* around.

    Too often we end up kicking more than the subject around.

    I too am just as guilty as anyone else of getting frustrated and disgusted with others here from time to time, just as I sometimes do in the normal course of my life.

    It is a human condition and though we have picked up the *title* Christian we also are still human and so are subject to behaving like one.

    Jesus taught that the *Christian* thing to do when someone insults you is to turn the other cheek. I am talking about being insulted not physically attacked.

    I know how hard it is to *ignore* some things, but I have also learned that it works best sometimes in this format where conversation is difficult at best to attain.

    I know also how easy it is to get drawn into an argument, but once again I also know it sometimes is a better action to take a higher moral ground and say nothing at all thus allowing for a potential argument to starve to death from lack of participation.

    There is a Trace Atkins song out there in the country music world that states (I am toning it down a little) “sometimes you just have to kick some #%&”, so I also know that sometimes it is necessary to take action. The matter being having the wisdom to know when and how.

    Overcast, 66 degree and misty this morning in the mountains; I pray things have settled down for you after the murder in your area Cherielyn.

    Steve

  78. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 6:46 am

    When I was a child going to church with my mother there was a wonderful lady in our church that sang in the choir. She was mildly retarded and suffered from epilepsy. Her name was Mary.

    In those days there was little or no medications for her condition and when the seizures would come upon her, often right there in church and more likely while setting in the choir, they would pull the curtain around the choir area try and hold her down as someone would place something in her mouth so she would not swallow her tongue. That was all anyone knew what to do.

    Once she was back to normal church went on again as if nothing had occurred at all. She was part of the lives of everyone and so aside from the few minutes of tending to her, there was never a disruption or was she ever made to feel that there was. She died many years ago.

    Then there is Charlie, when he was about 3 years old his mother let him suck on a piece of macaroni, he breathed it into his airway and suffered oxygen deprivation to his brain leaving him limited in his abilities for the remainder of his life.

    He grew up into a big man here in our little town and every one knew him.

    People here would treat him just like they would any other *child* as he seemed to be somewhat locked into being about 6 or 8 years old.

    I gave him the job of keeping the sidewalks swept off the bridge, and it may have taken him all day, but he kept the sidewalk cleaned and so was able to make a little of his own money. He was very proud of that and his mother was very grateful.

    She died of cancer and in the course of life Charlie’s widowed sister in law took him to live with her in a community away from here.

    People like they made my life better and I will always be grateful for having known them. There are others and more stories, but I just wanted to share these two a little bit with you all this morning.

    Steve

  79. Bill says:
    September 1, 2012 at 7:17 am

    Thank you for sharing, Steve.

    I know someone that I’ll call Dan. I went to school with him, although I don’t know how he got as far as he did. I think I remember him slowly walking the halls in Fifth or Sixth grade, trailing his hand along the wall as he sort of drifted along, reciting dialogue from cartoons and laughing to himself.

    Today, he has a job, lives on his own, and is a whiz at mastering public transportation.

    He calls from time to time, mostly to talk to my mother. (He doesn’t have my current phone number. He only remembers the number I had when I lived at home with my parents and my brothers. So that’s the one he dials when he wants to talk to someone.) He invariably asks, “So, does Bill remember being in Cub Scouts?” or he’ll make a statement out of it: “I became a Boy Scout. But Bill didn’t get past the Cub Scouts.”

    For Dan, life seemed to have stopped (in his mind) around 1970 or ’72. He can tell you exactly what happened, word for word, from certain years. His mind is razor sharp in some areas, way off in others. He used to be much more prone to laughing back then. Today, he is extremely serious, never laughs, and seems to scowl a lot. Perhaps it’s whatever medication he’s on. Or maybe it’s the result of years of therapy/counseling.

    I have no way of knowing if Dan is aware of his condition or not. He probably is. But I’m not going to ask him for fear of triggering something unpleasant.

    All I can say is, “There, but for the grace of God…”

    Which is all I can say about a lot of people, or situations. I am who I am, what I am, and where I am not by any choice of mine. But by the grace of God. For that reason, I cannot lord over anyone anything I have, or anything I am.

    So, I fully understand and agree with Steve’s comments. People like Dan make my life better. I am grateful to know him. He is my friend.

  80. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 7:49 am

    Good morning Bill and thanks for sharing Dan with us. I forgot to add that Mary was the loudest voice in the choir and always out of tune, but no one cared at all and sometimes when it was really noticeable, only smile and carry on.

    My goodness times and sadly people have changed .

    Steve

  81. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 8:31 am

    No, not “there but for the grace of God go I.” The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

  82. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Not sure how this will come out with all the tabs and stuff.(IT Pepes please delete it if it does not work)

    MEDAL TABLE PARALYMPICS TOP TEN (SO FAR)

    RANK COUNTRY GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL
    1 CHINA 15 11 12 38
    2 GB 7 11 9 27
    3 UKRAINE 7 5 5 17
    4 AUSTRALIA 7 4 9 20
    5 RUSSIA 5 4 3 12
    6 USA 4 2 6 12
    7 GERMANY 3 5 6 14
    8 NIGERIA 3 2 0 5
    9 CANADA 2 3 1 6
    10 BRA 2 2 2 6

    Not that is matters much, but lot’s of world records have been broken and most amazing games by the most amazing people!

  83. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 9:47 am

    HALF OFF SALE – When ‘grace’ is singled out as the benefactor, favor is shown to some but not to others.

    When it is not ‘grace’ but Jesus, all can come to him just as they are and no one is excluded.

  84. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Every human being is amazing especially when they do not think more highly of themselves than they ought. Some abilities are more evident than others but God has given all special gifts. I would rather be around someone who thinks simplistic and gentle than someone filled with pride and is arrogant. 1 Cor 12:22,23,24,25 and then the icing on the cake is 1 Cor 12:26

  85. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:06 am

    We would not even understand grace without Jesus and you are right confeticat, no one is excluded from Him.

  86. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:10 am

    So it is not “HALF OFF SALE” it is “FREE”.

  87. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Romans 15:7

  88. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Steve, in three years that is the first you have shared about your mom. Thank you so much for sharing her story you have much to be proud of in her. ;-)

  89. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Salvation is free, but having Jesus will cost you everything.

    “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

    “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36).

  90. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:44 am

    No confeticat, it cost Him everything we respond to that love my giving Him our all. We do not do it as a cost but as a thank offering.

  91. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:47 am

    We are “Free” to love, live, give, and care not bound to the consequences of sin any longer. That is the meaning of those verses to me.

  92. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:52 am

    You have to lose your life in order to gain it.
    Salvation is free. But Life and Life more abundant demands our life, our soul, our all!

    Jesus said “Know the Truth and the Truth shall set you Free”, emphases on Know.
    Then He said. “I AM the WAY the TRUTH & the LIFE”.
    So to know the Truth is to know Him.
    The Way is salvation through Him.
    Life is what we get when we submit to Him and deny self.

    just a few thoughts.

    Bob

  93. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:54 am

    You are both saying the same thing only in different words.
    Misunderstanding is a trick of the devil.
    Excepting one another in love is a gift of God!

  94. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I am a little confused pooh, the Mary I spoke of was not my mother, but I have often said that my mother took me to church, in fact after I grew up it was I that drove her to church, sorry if I confused you, but thank you for your pleasent comments anyway.

    Perhaps you forgot my talikng about her struggles as a young girl having to live for a shot time in a tent when the coal compny had all the striking miners families evicted from their company houses back during the miner’s strikes of the late 20’s

    Steve

  95. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:02 am

    HALF OFF.

    Thank offering? Heb.10:5,6

    Cost? Luke 14:26,27

  96. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:03 am

    Please forgive me for the confusion. No I do not remember but that seems to be how my mind is working these days.:-(

  97. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:15 am

    God has only wanted first place in our lives. That is not a cost but a desire of our heart then the good stuff follows.

  98. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:15 am

    Bob, Pooh and I are not saying the same thing. THAT is the trick of the devil. She is saying salvation and heaven are free, Jesus paid it all, and Jesus will accept whatever she can muster up to give him in return. Nothing if she chooses.

    I am saying that you must become intimate with Jesus to enter the Kingdom of God.

  99. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:16 am

    Salvation is free to all but to be a disciple requires something from us…..

    Discipline!
    Denial! (not the river in Egypt)
    Dedication!
    Death on our Cross Daily!

  100. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:19 am

    A disciple also follows Him!

  101. Bill says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Here we go again…

  102. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 11:24 am

    And what becomes of those who are “saved” but are not disciples?

  103. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    I don’t really know.
    The parable of the workers in the field springs to mind.
    All get the same agreed wages even though some toil all day and others just start as the whistle blows.
    Then you have the parable of the talents, when we are to use what God has given us and not hide it away.
    Seems we are expected to do something but our rights as heirs with Jesus and sons of God are guaranteed because of the once for all sacrifice of Jesus.
    This topic is about enlightenment, maybe we will know the answer one day soon.

  104. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    (New Covenant): I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;
    I permitted myself to be found by those who did not seek Me.
    I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ to a nation which did not call on My name.
    I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
    Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts,
    A people who continually provoke Me to My face,
    Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks;
    Who sit among graves and spend the night in secret places;
    Who eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of unclean meant is in their pots.
    Who say, Keep to yourself, do not come near me. For I am holier than you!
    These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.
    “Behold, it is written before Me, I will not keep silent, but I will repay;
    I will even repay into their bosom,
    Both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says the Lord.
    Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.

    Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster,
    And one says, Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’
    So I will act on behalf of my servants (disciples) in order not to destroy all of them.
    I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains from Judah;
    Even my chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants will dwell there.
    Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks,
    And the valley of Achor a resting place for herds,
    For My people who seek Me.
    But you who forsake the Lord, who forget My holy mountain,
    Who set a table for Fortune, and who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny,
    I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will bow down to the slaughter.
    Because I called, but you did not answer;
    I spoke, but you did not hear.
    And you did evil in My sight, and chose that in which I did not delight.

    Therefore, thus saith the Lord God,
    Behold, My servants will eat, but you will be hungry,
    Behold, My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty.
    Behold, My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.
    Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart,
    But you will cry out with a heavy heart, and you will wail with a broken spirit. You will leave your name (Christianity) for a curse to My chosen ones,
    And the Lord God will slay you, but my servants will be called by another name.
    Because he who is blessed in the earth will be blessed by the God of truth. (Isa. 65:1-16)

    Luke 13:24,25,26,27

  105. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    That is not at all what I am saying con. Jesus gave it all and what He asks of me is for me to give Him my all and to put Him first. Please do not assume or put words in my mouth I am completely capable of speaking for myself. We are talking about how people can overcome what some see as disabilities but in those weaknesses God is seen above anything we can achieve on our own.

    Mart had asked you if you continued to comment, to comment on the topic and not as a platform for your philosophies and if that is what you want to talk about then start your own blog. We are talking about “the implications of watching those who run on their own track in a world that is already marked by a seemingly infinite number of personal challenges and inequalities.” Do you have any other thoughts on that besides ” i would still keep the Paralympics a secret” and “Jesus wouldn’t watch a celebration of overcoming disabilities. He would heal all the contestants and end the sick display.” which displays a heart of disgust and lack of knowledge about our Lord rather than one full of mercy, compassion and empathy.

    I was trying to get you to see your own disabilities and how in spite of them you are loved anyway but only by understanding that will the love and acceptance be shown towards others.

  106. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    “How to turn a wonderful discussion on a noteworthy topic to a pile of rubbish, again” by confeticat.

  107. confeticat says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    It’s not what you’re saying, because it is what God is saying. If I have disabilities, then I fit right into the topic. Matt. 5:9

  108. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Pooh thank you, you may have brought to light something I have not done enough of and that is, tell about my mother; however I promise to do it more appropriately in another topic.

    We watched the “Great American Bible Challenge” last evening and again just now while Matt’s dinner was heating up.

    The winners this week were a couple and their friend who started “Justin’s Legacy” a charity centered around the disabling syndrome that eventually took the couples young son.

    Another example of a young life snuffed out all too soon, but his life was a wonderful presence to have been shared with all who experienced him.

    There would be some *Spartan’s* among us who would end such a life at birth once the disease became apparent, or worse aborted the fetus once the gene was recognized in the forming body in the womb.

    It is a battle and we are at war, for nothing less than the souls of mankind and the lives of the innocent. We must keep focused on our mission to enlighten a lost world to only power, the only person who can save us from ourselves, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah/Christ.

    Steve

  109. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    You may fit in with the topic but what stops you from discussing it and being a peacemaker rather than being rebellious and not respecting Mart and what he asked of you? After we follow after Jesus we try to stop harming others with His help, not to continue with no regard for anyone else. That is hateful and disrespectful where I come from but I was taught manners.

  110. poohpity says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    I do not get that channel to watch that show and I really wanted to see it.

  111. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Pooh if you go to Game Show Network on the internet, it will give you the directions to watch the entire programs right there on line.

    I hope you find it.

    Steve

  112. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Last week when the 3 young women who ran a food pantry won, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, nor in my house as well.

    Lifting up our Lord and sharing Bible, prime time, I love it.

    Steve

  113. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Certainly everyone can enjoy Jeff Foxworthy; He said last week it was a good thing it was Moses who was there at the burning bush and not Larry the Cable guy, as Larry would have had a hotdog on a coat hanger.

    Steve

  114. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Oscar Pistorius, The Blase Runner, has just created a new world record in the 200 metres in his first heat in the Olympic Stadium.
    Final tomorrow night.

  115. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 1, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    The “Blade Runner”

  116. SFDBWV says:
    September 1, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Oh yes I forgot to tell you pooh, they do not use the King James version in their Bible quotes. I guess so that everyone can understand what is being said. I hope you get a smile and perhaps a laugh out of that, I am.

    Steve

  117. SFDBWV says:
    September 2, 2012 at 6:03 am

    Just as gun shy here this morning as I was yesterday morning about commenting, problem is that normally this is about the only time I get to do this, once in a while a little late afternoon time but not always.

    This is that time of day for me to hope that today will be a better day than yesterday and ask God for it.

    However I also always find myself surrendering to His will even if it is unknown to me.

    Paul Hogan did a cute little movie years ago titled “Almost an Angel”, what is most relevant to this topic in the movie is the young man in the wheelchair whom Paul befriends.

    The young man starts off in the movie being an insulting smart aleck always trying to pick fights and so Paul Hogan accommodates him. Even though the people at the bar tell Paul to ignore him because the young man is a cripple. Paul goes on to say in his Australian accent “Nah he ain’t a cripple he’s just a (blankedy blank)”.

    Matthew has only a couple of friends that ever come to see him, and they not ever often enough, it is most often months and months between visits. What he likes most about the time he gets to spend with them is when they pick on him and don’t treat him like a piece of China, he gets enough pity from himself setting alone with just his dad, so some normal behavior from his friends is most often “just what the doctor ordered”.

    I have learned that the *special* people among us just want to be *normal* not special and appreciate being treated that way.

    I hope that today I can make someone feel special without making them feel abnormal.

    Rain this morning and 65 degrees.

    Steve

  118. confeticat says:
    September 2, 2012 at 9:23 am

    How old is your son, Steve?

    I don’t understand your comment that an abortion is worse than ending a life at birth. The latter would be murder. Maybe it didn’t come out the way you meant it!

    I have compassion for the physically disabled, but the Church is made up of many spiritually disabled and the way this discussion was going struck me as that kind of gathering.

    I see the anti-abortion movement the same way. It is – move heaven and earth to keep a child from being aborted, but when that child is born unwanted and unloved, that’s somebody’s else’s problem. Those children need compassion as much as the physically handicapped!

    Humans can produce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life (John 3:6). The pro-life movement is an avoidance of “You must be born again.”

  119. Bill says:
    September 2, 2012 at 9:40 am

    Con, are you saying you’re not against abortion?

    Your comments and your choice of phraseology (“anti-abortion” rather than pro-life) might indicate you don’t see abortion as “murder.”

    Also, why do you assume pro-life does not also include caring for babies once they are born? Are those positions mutually exclusive? And how do you know born babies aren’t shown compassion?

    And how in the world can you equate pro-life with “avoidance of ‘you must be born sgain'”?!?!?!

    Now I’m totally confused!

  120. confeticat says:
    September 2, 2012 at 10:11 am

    I believe i used both terms Bill. Whether or not abortion is murder is for God to judge.

    Pro-life may care for babies once they are born, I’m not saying it never happens but that’s not the usual. As infants they are shown compassion. They may give them some baby clothes and pay the doctor bills, but not long-term commitment as the child grows up.

    You missed a great opportunity to respond, “How can they be born a second time when they haven’t been born the first time?” so I’ll ask it for you. I’m talking about those who have been born already. The message of the Church today is seen by the world as being two-pronged – pro-life and anti-gay. That is called majoring in minors. Neither is the message of Jesus – you don’t find either in the Gospels. His message is “You must be born again” and if the Church mentions that at all it is sandwiched into Free Grace and produces a stillbirth.

  121. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 10:29 am

    It is impossible to born again if one has not even been born the first time. If I remember correctly, con, you have no idea how to be “born again” or how that second birth happens so why do you push something you do not even know how to do yourself? Other than the platitude with God everything is possible or giving where to find it in the bible but the steps we have to take, you have no idea about or at least the last time we talked you did not have a clue and if you do not know how, then what gives you the thought that you have been born again?

  122. Bill says:
    September 2, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Pro-life is majoring in the minors?!?!?! What about “the least of these”? What about “thou shalt not kill”? I am not saying one has to be pro-life to find oneself in heaven. But I hardly think it’s a minor issue.

    Where did anti-gay come from? I never mentioned it.

    Are you against abortion? Simple question. Please answer.

    Are you suggestion that it’s better to be aborted than to risk not being given red-carpet treatment for the rest of one’s life?

  123. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 10:59 am

    It is so apt the metaphor of the body as used by Paul for the group of believers. When one part suffers as with amputation, being paralyzed, deafness, blindness, mental impairments all the others parts have a challenge to relearn how to do life. Some folks melt under the challenge and become angry, full of self pity and do not even try and relearn how to function. Some folks step up to the challenge and draw on the parts that are still functioning to come to some sort of normalcy.

    I always remember how much the butterfly has to struggle when it comes out of the cocoon. If someone tries to help the butterfly get out of the cocoon it will damage the wings so it will never be able to fly. The shows I have seen when children are born being different if they are coddled they do not learn how to function on their own. It would seem that those who do the paralympics have gotten in their minds that they can and will achieve all that their bodies are capable of doing. The parents often step back in tears as they let go and watch those children fall, fail and then fall and fail all over again but if they don’t they will not be able to do life without continued care. It is very enlightening because I have grown to understand why God does not step in and help all the time.

    There are areas we all need help if we function as a body of believers but I think often times we do more for others than what is in their best interest and often time cripple them even further. Having the wisdom to know what can stunt growth and what can help is often a hard balance to achieve.

  124. confeticat says:
    September 2, 2012 at 11:37 am

    ——————————————————–
    Yes, Bill, pro-life is majoring in minors. God doesn’t ask us to worry about matters out of our control (Luke 12:5). So I don’t take a position on abortion one way or the other. But your remark about red-carpet treatment shows you have little knowledge of how some of these unwanted children live. I have worked in a mission and seen it first-hand.

    The fact that the Church uses the pro-life movement the way they do as well as some of the obnoxious spokesmen like Terry What’s-his-face for it should tell us there is something wrong with it.

    I understand Psalm 139, the wonderful chapter about God creating us in the womb. But that only verifies that ‘God is not finished with us yet’. We are a ‘work in progress’. Psalm 139:16 tells us that God doesn’t count a person’s age from the moment of conception but from birth. And so do we.

    That John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother’s womb was a ‘figure of speech’.

    Gen. 2:7 says that when God breathed the breath of life into man he became a living being. Which would indicate he’s not a living being until birth. This is also the way a person is born the second time, through the Breath of Life, the Holy Spirit.

  125. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I do not believe it was a figure of speech about John the baptist after carrying a child in my womb and knowing that certain things cause them to move but only one who has experienced that would know. Sometimes people talk about things they know nothing about and say that they are or are not, those folks we need to watch because they have limited knowledge and act as if they have more.

    Genesis the creation was not a physical birth and the life did not come until after man was formed from the earth and then had to have breathe breathed into the creation for it to come alive and has nothing to do with a baby in a womb. After carrying one you know when life begins until then one who does not know should not give their uninformed opinion. It is an opinion out of ignorance not out of knowledge. The first trimester there is movement, just a little FYI.

  126. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 11:58 am

    con, your spin on the Bible shows a real lack of knowledge or understanding yet I know if you will give some time in the word and just read what is written and do not add your little adjustments you may learn something. Just read what it says do not add or take away or assume.

  127. Bill says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Con, you just revealed more about yourself in those scant paragraphs than I knew in the reams you’ve written to this point.

    I know where you stand on unborn life. I know where you stand regarding what you perceive as the church’s responsibility to care for “unwanted” children who were not aborted.

    You are as ignorant of science as you are scripture, and woefully callous about human life. You are more concerned with driving home your esoteric theological points than you are about those to whom you direct them.

    I have no idea how you came about your bizarre theology, or your low value of human life. But I do know I’m done listening to you. I’ve given you the benefit of the doubt time and time again. It’s time for me to move on from further engagement.

    I wish you well.

  128. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    Steve,

    Just want to say something about what you said about Matt and his need to be treated normally.
    Following all day coverage on our Channel 4, at 10:30pm they have a followup program called ” The Last Leg” where they take a light hearted look at the days events. It is very tongue in cheek, with tweets from viewers asking silly questions about what is OK to say to various athletes.
    One question asked, “How does a swimmer with no arms get out of the pool”, So they showed a clip of a Chinese girl doing just that.
    All the presenters have various bits missing, so they take the Micky out of each other and various situations.
    The blind football(soccer), being especially targeted.
    Seeing people with cerebral palsy achieving great feats is a wonder to watch.
    One guy, who can control a horse perfectly could hardly stand up when he collected his silver medal.
    It seems it is us who need to become “normal” in our attitudes to others.
    Pity the US networks are not covering this event, you are missing one of the worlds most mind changing events.
    Enlightenment!

  129. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    A sin is a sin whether it is sexual, murder, lying, wanting what you do not have, jealousy, malice, anger, defrauding or defaming. Anything that causes harm to others, yourself and your relationship with God is sin.

  130. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    As a born again “gay” man I know only too well the “churches” attitude to the gay issue.
    They see it as a lifestyle choice, I see it as a disability, others see it as an enabling ability.
    What ever your stance, there is nothing the poor person who is “suffering” or “enjoying” life can do about it.
    To me it is as normal as Oscar Pistorius (The Blade Runner) having no legs. He just gets on with life as do I.
    You can either live that life feeling sorry for yourself or get running and achieve Gold.

    A for the pro life issue?
    As with anything, how can we as a group force others into a “moral/ethical” code against their will.
    Let the individual decide and let them face God.
    We are not the judge, HE is.

  131. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    We do get to see them Bob, but starting the 4th of Sept. It is very sad that the coverage on them the networks seem to think they will earn less money than the Olympics. A very sad state of affairs but no body is perfect. I am waiting in anticipation for their airing since my computer is ancient and will not tolerate the feeds. Thank you so much for the continued coverage that you are giving us. :-)

    I agree with Bill. If that is how you see God and His word I would have nothing to do with it let alone follow the great commission. I could not with all my heart give those message to anyone and expect them to know or even want to know our Lord and Savior.

  132. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    confeticat,

    You are entitled to your opinion and beliefs, they are different to mine.
    I understand a lot of what you are saying and where you are coming from, sometimes your choice of words does not convey the meaning you want and that causes problems.
    I would love to chat with you more but maybe not here as it causes raised eyebrows.
    If you link in to BTA Facebook I will invite you as friend onto my Facebook where we can chat freely.

    Bob

  133. Bill says:
    September 2, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    @Bob, your sexual orientation is none of my business. Just as mine is none of yours. I apologize for any lack of compassion shown to you from members of the body of Christ. We are learning, growing, and trying our best to live up to the standard set by Jesus. Too often, we fail. For those times, I apologize.

    As far as morals and ethics go, we expect those to whom we witness (covertly or overtly) to bend to our “code” every single time we give it voice. The Bible IS a moral/ethical code. We can never live up to it perfectly. But it is a standard to which we aspire.

    However, what we should NOT do is try to tell others of the need to be born again, while at the same time tell them human life matters little unless it is petfect. In fact, now I understand why confeticat was so negative about Mart’s topic. Perfect physical and mental wholeness is his ideal. Anything less could have been taken care of in utero.

    The only one here was seems to “force” anything on anyone is confeticat. As pooh wrote, the position con takes is not one anyone would want to follow. Who would want to know the Jesus confeticat preaches?

    I’m done with this thread. It has taken an ugly, sad turn.

  134. confeticat says:
    September 2, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Because you have experienced disapproval and maybe worse regarding the “gay” issue, Bob, you empathize with women facing abortion although that is not your connection. I understand where you’re coming from. After I got out of jail I was put on jury duty. I was so much more with the defense than I would have been before.

    In fact, I was the only one on the jury to find the defendant innocent. Even the judge scolded me because they wanted a unanimous verdict and now they were going to have the time and expense of a retrial. But you don’t let someone fry because you’re afraid to stand up to the group and do what’s right.

  135. SFDBWV says:
    September 2, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Confeticat, Matthew turned 34 this past March, he suffered traumatic brain injury in June of 1999 in an automobile accident.

    Perhaps my attempt to show the ugly side of humans killing humans overshot the basics, but yes murder is murder whether before birth or after.

    The Spartan society inspected their newborn children by a group of elders and decided whether or not the baby was physically fit to be allowed to grow up as a member of their society, if not they were killed outright.

    If the Spartan’s had the technology we do today and could see into the womb as well as into the DNA of the unborn, I am certain they would have also chose abortion as a means of producing the type of people they wanted to be a member of their society.

    One doesn’t have to wonder too far into the imagination to see the tragedy of playing God at the most basic of existence.

    Whether in the womb or on a battlefield or even in a dark alley, many a promising young life has been denied to both victim as well as the society they could have help make a better place to live, all because of people killing people. It is always sad.

    Steve

  136. confeticat says:
    September 2, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Fail to see where Bill gets that I don’t value human life unless it is perfect. Babies come in all sizes, shapes and conditions.

  137. confeticat says:
    September 2, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I had pictured him as younger. Matthew would have been 21, just starting his adult life. That must have been particularly hard to bear and my heart goes out to you Steve.

    The Spartans were way out there – Bill is trying to put me in their camp. Abortion is murder if God says it is, but i don’t think this excuses Christians from trying to force women to bend to their will. The situation could be changed by the woman coming to know Jesus and then she would make the right decision herself.

  138. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    How did you serve jury duty after you had been arrested? That is a new one for me normally the courts do not allow someone with a record to serve on a jury or vote.

    I would have to agree with self proclaiming Christians forcing their will on others. What is not right for them they tend to force their beliefs on others. Good one, con regarding the change in the women would be due to a change of heart from Jesus living within her.

  139. SFDBWV says:
    September 2, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Confeticat, you are as entitled to your opinion as is everyone else. Abortion is a very divisive issue and often touches the nerves of all on both sides of the matter, causing more often a heated exchange rather than an intellectual discussion.

    What is at the basics of it for me is that it is death by decision, not by the natural consequences of living.

    There is not doubt that women have always faced a different set of rules for them then men, one can debate that to the end of their lives, but it remains women have it more difficult in certain areas of life then do men.

    Once a woman is pregnant she no longer is responsible for her life, but now the life of another. She has two lives to protect and present to God.

    If she decides to kill the unborn child, it is murder for convenience, the same reason murder is committed at any time, for *self* to be satisfied.

    God said it was wrong when He wrote with His finger in stone that “Thou shall not commit murder”.

    I apologize, I will be leaving and not able to respond again until tomorrow morning as is the way it is for me here. I hope whatever else is discussed it is with curtsey, kindness, patience and love.

    Steve

  140. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 2, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    Oscar Pistorus(The Blade Runner) just lost out on gold to Brazilian Alan Olivaira.
    5 minutes ago.

  141. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 2, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    that was in the 200 metre final for his group.

  142. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 2, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    We’ve(GB) just got a Gold in the T54 wheelchair 5000 Metre final,Dave Weir just got a 5 minute standing(those that can) ovation from the 80,000 strong crowd.
    last event in the stadium tonight, Awesome

  143. poohpity says:
    September 2, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    Steve, I think you may have missed con’s point on that one.

  144. His Sparrow says:
    September 2, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    Enlightenment…

    Sometimes what we think it takes to do something isn’t “it” at all. The Paralympians demonstrate this.

    My experience: When I ride a horse. I ride: eyes, legs, hands. Most people, without enlightenment ride with hands, or hand dominated to balance self on beast…

    Enligtenment…I close my eyes and let my inner sense of balance (physiology) adjust my position center my weight over the center of balance on my horse. When I am balanced over this object, it only takes something as simple as looking in a direction to cause a change in my weight-position to which the horse responds. Jumping horses go where the rider looks.

    How I train for this is by closing my eyes while riding, exercises on horseback to train my movements to be disciplined and riding without using my hands.

    Sometimes what I think it takes to be a Christian isn’t “it” at all. It takes the inner balancing by the Holy Spirit.

    I love my paralympic friends!

  145. phpatato says:
    September 2, 2012 at 11:59 pm

    Bill

    There are still plenty of seats in the VIP section. You can join me and several others from here who much prefer to sit on the sidelines….lately. Sad that the input has narrowed to just a few names now.

    But hey…the coffee is tasty hot and the company is great. You are most welcome to join the rest of us!

  146. His Sparrow says:
    September 3, 2012 at 12:02 am

    Wow, did I typo

    (PHYSIOLOGY) ADJUST MY POSITION/CENTER…..

  147. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 6, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    We have just won a gold in the men’s Paralympic T54 100 metres final. 10.9 seconds a new Para record.

    Also got gold in the men’s wheelchair 800 metre final!

  148. His Sparrow says:
    September 7, 2012 at 1:14 am

    Sophie Christiansen of GB got triple gold medal at 2012 in Equestrian Event (Dressage). Britain got 4 gold, five silver, 1 bronze and their 5th team title.

    That’s fantastico!

  149. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 8, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Last full night tonight with lot’s of track events going on. Plus USA & GB in the wheelchair basketball final.
    :-)

  150. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 8, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Sorry USA v GB is for a Bronze Medal.

  151. cherielyn says:
    September 8, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Wish I were able to see the Paralympics. Too bad there is not enough sposorship of the events to allow it to be on TV here in the US.

  152. Bob in Cornwall England says:
    September 9, 2012 at 4:10 am

    yes a great shame.
    You are missing so much.
    In lots of way it has been more spectacular than the Olympics with many world records.
    A great closing ceremony planned for tonight.
    The lack of coverage in the US will be regretted in the future.
    Again the USA not fully understanding what is going on in the world.

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