Faithful Friday: Nick V's story

  Welcome Back Readers~

Over the past couple of weeks, I have tried to post new and inspiring articles/blogs that pertain to the three distinct themes I have introduced over the summer. As you may recall, I mentioned the idea of highlighting real people (close friends) who are determined to make a difference in today’s society no matter what the cost. I still plan to continue the idea next week by interviewing someone you and I both know and love. Maybe if you’re lucky, I will post some hints about who it is and hold a game of some sort for the winner.

In the meantime, I do have something somewhat new planned for you on this “Faithful Friday.” Many of you already know I hold a special place in my heart for people with disabilities who refuse to let their limitations stop them from accomplishing their dreams. One such gentleman is Nick Vujicic; for those not familiar with his story, let me give you a quick summary. Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1982, doctors had no idea that the birth would be nothing but extraordinary. Despite having three sonograms, nothing prepared them for what was to come. You see, there will boy was born without arms and legs. Doctors cannot come up with any medical reason for his disability; so the family did their best to cope- refusing to treat Nick any less than normal because of his limitations. They were determined to treat him just like any normal kid. School, however, was a different story. Nick was bullied because of his disability. As time went on, he began questioning his reason for living, even to the point of trying to take his own life at one point. But after visualizing his parents at his grave, Nick has second thoughts.

And look what God has done in his life. Today, Nick is a speaker, an avid advocate for anti-bullying campaigns, and writer of several books. He is a husband and father to two boys-having never gave  up the hope of being married someday

That being said, I came across this YouTube talk he did surely after being married that talked about this idea of faith and never giving up hope. I thought I would take a minute to share with you

youtube.com/watch?v=6P2nPI6CTlc 

 

Wisdom Wednesday: God's Providence

 In today's wisdom Wednesday, we take a look at the idea of God's providence in our lives.

Music Monday: There's A Place for Us by Carrie Underwood

  Music Monday: There's a Place For Us by Carrie Underwood

by Debbie

Have you ever felt out of place - like you don't belong here? Have you ever felt like it would be easier to give up? I guarantee you're not alone. That's part of the reason I love reading; reading can provide a sense of escape from the difficulties of this world and transport you to another world beyond your imagination. For example, CS Lewis' series  The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, so effortlessly presents this idea of a world beyond the walls of an ordinary wardrobe closet where strange half-man, half-animal characters exist, and a witch dwells, daring to threaten the world's very existence. I won't spoil the rest of the story for those who haven't read this series fully yet (I'll admit I'm one of them, but I have cheated and seen the movies) except to say this leads the children on a spectacular adventure. Not only that, but it stretches readers-both Christian & non-Christian alike to think about their faith in a new way.

When I first heard "There's a Place For Us" as part of the end credits on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in theaters, I couldn't help but tear up. That song explicitly described what I was feeling. I recently struggled with getting "laid off" of a position I loved helping to make sure technology remained accessible to people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the program was cut, leaving me no longer needed. But still, it left me wondering, "Okay, Lord. Now what??"

To be honest, I still wonder what could have been...

Several years later, I still wonder what God has up his sleeve with my writing. Of course, I want to make enough money to provide for myself in the future, Before I get a ton of emails, I realize writers don't make a lot of money. However, since I am disabled and limited in my abilities, writing is something I can do... actually, it is about the only thing I can do! Not to mention that the idea of making money by doing something I enjoy also appeals to me.

But then again, this place is not my home. If you’re Christian, this same goes for you; but unlike the world of make-believe, Heaven is real. One day, Jesus will return and gather his followers to Himself. On that day, my broken body will be made whole, and I will finally be at peace.

To listen to Carrie Underwood’s song, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwmbcLbiF5I

On a personal note, I would encourage you to see all the Chronicles of Narnia movies if you ever get the chance. For those that already are subscribed to Disney +, the movies are now available. They have been on my watchlist for a while now, and I have watched them more than twice Personally, I relate strongly to the character of Lucy because of her propensity to compare herself with others. At times, she is so sure of herself- others not so much. Still,  the character of Aslan reminds her that if she hadn’t have existed, her siblings would not have discovered Narnia.

I have chosen to include a couple of my favorite quotes from the movie. They are as follows:

"We have nothing if not belief,"-Voyage of the Dawn Treader

"It is my hope that by knowing me in this world, you may know me better in the next,"-Azlan, Voyage of the Dawn Treader

"Stop doubting your value; don't run from who you are."

- Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Now please watch the movies and send me a note letting me know who you relate to the most.

Faithful Friday: Modern Acts of Christianity In the Real World

Preparing for this week's edition of "Faithful Friday," it occurred to me that my readers may be wondering how I plan on sustaining these unique themes throughout the rest of the summer and beyond. I'm not quite sure of this myself. After all, how many articles on wisdom can one write from a biblical perspective? On the other hand, there are thousands of uplifting songs to choose from; the same is true “celebrity” Christians-that is, those that are willing to live out their faith daily in the public eye no matter what the cost. One such example is Joni Eareckson Tada. Many of you have heard me mention her in previous posts because of her strong commitment to helping disabled communities, especially in underprivileged countries. That being said, I thought I’d share with you a paper I wrote on this exact topic.  I wrote this paper as part of an assignment for my Biblical Studies class at Concordia University of Ann Arbor (CUAA). The title of my paper was: Modern Acts of Christianity In the Real World. In it, I wrote the following:

 "Throughout history, many religious leaders have questioned the divine authority of God and the presence of suffering in life.  This is especially true for it comes to answering the controversial issues involving faith and suffering. It is especially of interest to the disabled community because they question why a loving God would allow the pain of their disability. The Old Testament prophets believed that all physical and mental handicaps were a result of God's judgment and wrath. Others simply reasoned it was an outward symbol of a power struggle between the mind and spirit.  These conclusions all center on the mystery of God's power, His love and suffering in the world. 

 When Jesus encountered a blind man, his disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2). Jesus answered them by explaining that his blindness was not the result of sin but was a way that God would be glorified. "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life" (John 9:3).  To be quite honest, I don't know completely why I was born with cerebral palsy. I guess I will never know until I am face to face with God in heaven, but I believe it was meant to be a way to witness the glory of God. God has granted me several positive examples of people with disabilities that I look up to as role models of Christianity. One is Joni Eareckson Tada.

 On July 30^th, 1967, Joni was severely injured in a diving accident. As a result, she was paralyzed from the neck down.  After the accident, the foundations of her faith were being tested. She had people caring for her 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The everyday freedoms that she took for granted had been taken away from her. Joni lost her ability to walk and also was unable to participate in activities that she had a passion for, like horseback riding and swimming. During the trying times, she found comfort in daily visits from Steve Estes. Steve was a family friend who was attending college to be a Youth Minister. He tried to encourage her by reading her Bible verses, such as James 4:7, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This refocused her into wanting to get back on track with God.

Joni now knew that everything had a purpose. She understood that everything was within God's hands and that God was in control despite the way things looked. Romans 8:28 reassured Joni of this, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

In 1976 she wrote a book entitled "Joni." that detailed her struggle as she returned to faith in God's loving purpose after her accident. The book became so popular that it was made into a movie in 1979 and gained worldwide respect.  Joni got married on July 3^rd, 1982 to Ken Tada. Now, she is a role model of Christian faith and hope and provides inspiration to all those dealing with a disability. She has created a foundation called "Joni and Friends" which provides wheelchairs for disabled people all around the world. She has written a number books on faith, having a deeper relationship with God, and on heaven.

I think this situation is typical for modern Christianity because everyone goes through a phase where they doubt God in one form or another. In the end, this phase creates a stronger bond with our Lord and Savior and we know exactly where we stand with Him. He will never leave us nor forsake us; we are always in His care! It also illustrates to people how these everyday problems can create a strong Christian character and dependence on God.
        I believe it's people like Joni that show the world what true perseverance and dependence on God really means. It makes me want to strive for a deeper relationship with Him. Joni has even inspired me to become a Communications major. She has also inspired thousands of people around the world when she travels as a motivational speaker.

 I was blessed with the opportunity to meet Joni in person at one of her concerts in January 1986 in Westminster, MD.  I was impressed with her personal testimony about her struggle to overcome depression after her accident and her journey to dependence on God.  Her determination to spread God's message through song and art was truly inspirational.  After the concert, I had the opportunity to speak with her personally.  I was really young, but I know that she understands what it is like to have a physical disability and that is why I can relate to her. 

Although there are still many doubts about God and His purpose for physical suffering in today's world, I believe it is through this suffering that he is able to build true character, while showing His work in our lives. My encounter with Joni reinforced this for me. "

But what happened next with this paper is definitely a miracle-somewhere in between handing this paper to my teacher for a grade and posting something like this on the web for a class on a whim, one of Joni’s associates actually saw this and passed along the message to Joni herself… As a result, I received a package in my college PO Box a few months later from Joni herself; she had seen what I had written and taken the time to send me her latest devotional, “Diamonds In the Dust”; this was extremely special to me since she took the time to type down my address at school and mail the book to me. Not only that but I rarely got packages at school since I spent most weekends at home with family because I lived only 15 minutes away from campus.

Music Monday: Lord Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary by Oasis Music

 Music Monday: Lord Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary by Oasis Music

by Debbie

 

During these past three weeks, we've covered a lot of ground when it comes to wisdom. Therefore, I will attempt to summarize these points before going into Music Monday; they are as follows :

1. Wisdom is more than gaining knowledge; instead, it is a sense of awe and reverence toward God.
2.    Wisdom requires trust and faith in His purposes; it requires all-out surrender (remember the example of Sarah & Abraham, Abraham, and Isaac)
3.    Wisdom requires us to remember worth in the Lord; He can take our weaknesses and turn them into masterpieces if only we'd allow it.

So on this "Music Monday," I'd like us to think of ourselves differently. Not only are we God's ambassadors to the world around us, but God Himself is living inside of us. Think about it. God doesn't live inside a church; instead, He CHOOSES to live inside His People. So shouldn't that change how we live daily? Now, this doesn't mean we will be perfect, mind you. We still live in a fallen world and face temptations, but we won't fall prey to them so easily through God's might.

Let this be my prayer today!

You can check out Oasis Worship's "Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary" here: youtube.com/watch?v=pkGN50Jb2WI

wisdom Wednesday the transformative power of Christ

 Welcome back, everyone~

If you’ve been following us the last few days, we’ve been discussing wisdom. The first week, we discovered how wisdom requires a healthy and reverent fear of the Lord. Last week, we looked at an example of wisdom and action- Abraham and Sarah. Although they stumbled on the way, Abraham was willing to follow the Lord’s command and sacrifice his one and only son Isaac. Once the Lord saw he was willing, he provided another sacrifice. This week, we look at our worth in Christ. Please check it out

Wisdom Wednesday: Faith In Action-The Story of Abraham and Sarah

Dear Readers;

 

It just occurred to me that I have not been posting the lifestream of Wisdom Wednesday on here, I'm so sorry. But there's still time to follow along. Last week, we talked about what wisdom truly meant. This week, we will see faith in action in the life of Abraham and Sarah. You can check out my video here:

Music Monday: How You Live (Turn Up The Music) by Point Of Grace

 

Music Monday: How You Live (Turn Up The Music) by Point Of Grace

by Debbie

 

Another weekend has come and gone, and it's time to get back to work. I know what you're thinking, "But Debbie, I can't do it anymore. No one notices me where I work,"

But I can guarantee you somewhere in your realm of influence; you are seen. People say that actions speak louder than words, and it's true. As I said before, as Christians, we serve as God's ambassadors of Truth and Love to the world around us.

So today, even if you think no one is watching. God is. How you live says a lot about you as a person and what you value

The song I've chosen for today's "Music Monday" is all about appreciating every day we have on this earth; it reminds us of the importance of never taking for granted the loved ones in our lives. Because sadly, no one is promised tomorrow.

So let's live today as if it was our very last-wear that pretty dress, kiss your children good night

Point Of Grace's "How you Live (Turn Up The Music)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjFyvzUk-cg

 

 

Five Lessons Learned from Chronic Illness: Alisha’s Story

Five Lessons Learned from Chronic Illness: Alisha’s Story 

by Debbie 

 Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference virtually from home. This conference taught lessons on everything- from how to take an idea and run with it to new marketing ideas for the published author. During this time, I also connected with other writers through zoom, and we shared how God led us to be writers; these stories not only inspired me to keep writing but I felt led to share them here with you

Alisha’s Diagnosis

 Growing up, Alisha Scroggins dreamed big just like any other little girls. She wanted to get married and someday serve as a missionary to those in Africa. Scroggins believed in Jesus and thought she had her whole life to look forward to. At 23, she was working as a middle school teacher in the daytime, but also served as a supervisor for a Christian residential school in Grundy Virginia. But after just 2 1/2 years of working there, Scroggins began exhibiting strange symptoms and unusual food allergies. In fact, she even developed hives after eating Chick-Fil-A.

“One freak reaction turned into more and more,” said Scroggins.

It was then that she decided to consult a doctor and was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation-meaning she was virtually allergic to everything. This limited her diet to only eggs and carrots. Unfazed by the diagnosis, she didn’t take it seriously at first; despite being extremely weak and fatigued, Scoggins did whatever she could to keep her jobs.

“Honestly, I blew it off as being no big deal. Although as it took over more and more of my world and caused me to lose my job by the summer of 2019, I was devastated and definitely felt completely alone,”

Her “New Normal”

From that point on, her lifestyle changed drastically; no longer was she consumed by her outdoor hobbies, instead she remained vigilant about her health doing whatever she could to stay alive. Over the course of the next year, her symptoms began to intensify, seven to several other diagnoses and the decision to insert a feeding tube. Instead of simplifying matters, it only complicated things for Scroggins. These complications included think everything from two blood clots, a pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis several bouts of sepsis as well as other infections. Despite these setbacks, she never gave up hope that God had something bigger in mind for her.

The Near-Death Experience that Changed Everything

As her condition worsened and she found herself hospitalized over 100 times, Scroggins refused to give up and feel sorry for herself. Instead, she discovered solace in her writing; there she was able to make sense of her emotions and everything she experienced.

 “It really became a way for me to express all that was going on in my head and heart when I got sick and was in bed/resting so much.” Scroggins said.

She began to take her writing more seriously one day in April 2020. During her stay at the hospital, she coded due to a of her central line. In those few minutes, she had no pulse; however, she felt God speaking to her.

“I remember very clearly God telling me ‘I am not done with you yet’ as I took a big deep breath and came back to life in my body. It was from that experience that ‘Mess 2 Masterpiece’ and really my vulnerability with everything I was going through birthed.”

Five Lessons Learned from Chronic Illness

From then on, she has remained dedicated to her mission – teaching others to search for Jesus in even the darkest of circumstances. She hopes that her story will encourage others not to take a single day in life for granted-because tomorrow is not promised for anyone. Although her experience with chronic illness has been a painful one, she has learned some invaluable lessons:

1. Never judge someone else. Always extend grace. So many people are fighting battles we know nothing about
2.   There is such power in prayer. I could give example after example of how I’ve seen God move in the big and little… He is so personal and intimate.
3. God’s purposes and plans may not be in the timing nor look like we expect. He doesn’t require that we understand but just that our hearts are open to Him.
4. It’s okay to have emotion and even express that emotion to God. He isn’t scared of us or even our strongest emotions and it produces this beautiful rawness.  
5. Our purpose and significance isn’t found in a job or relationship, making a certain amount of money or being able to fit in a specific size. Even in bed, God can use us when we surrender all and make the mission of our lives glorifying Him. I’ve come to realize that if one person comes to know Jesus because of me/my circumstance then it was all worth it.
   

I think Scroggins puts it best when she says, “Even amidst suffering and struggles, we can have genuine joy in Jesus in knowing He is with us so we are never alone. We also know this world is not our home.”

 

This brave young woman is still defying the odds that the doctors put on her living this long. For more information on her ministry, please feel free to visit her website at:

 

 

https://alishascroggins.com/?fbclid=IwAR3ZxaJriqysj9IH6TZMLNwaeSm3yIMJltDh-azwa5vl3hISs2gwR8Pqu_I