Have you heard his words today?

Have you read the Bible lately? To be honest, I have not. Due to the untidyness of my life I have been mad as hell at God, so I'm not likely to be wanting to read his book. Anyway, I am currently working on a little resource for TEAR Australia about some extremely passionate, creative, tenacious people who live in Kenya and have a disability. The obstacles they overcome and their passion and audacity to live life to the full fill me with admiration. People are so amazing. I guess though, when you get a little story and project brief you don't necessarily learn of their heart ache and pain as they overcome obstacles, nor do you learn of their great joys and the things they laugh about...

As part of this little resource I include a little bit of a bible connection, as this bible teaching stuff is what actually underpins the drive and passion of TEAR, their partners, and me, if I'm honest(don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to get 'good', I just want to walk the path of life) . I am using the passage in Luke5/Mark2 about the paralytic man who has friends who lower him through the roof to Jesus. I'm serious about trying to understand what the bible is saying and so I decided to read it out loud so that I really concentrated on the words. They moved me, those words, they brought tears to my eyes and my breath caught. What the? What is going on here? Jesus the life giver? That's what my focus is. Jesus the life giver touching me? no way. I'm not even sure about reading it outloud again.
This is I did next:

Jesus healed a man
who could not run and skip
he had some friends who helped him
but they couldn't even fit
the crowds were really crowding him
that guy from Galilee
the pharisees and sadducees
came to see what they could see

Have you heard his words today?
he talks about forgiveness
I'm not too sure I want to know
I'm pissed off at the mess-ness

Apparently the pharisees and sadducees
were not too sure about it
but jesus kicked their arses
and said, no doubt about it
it's easy to get a man to walk
but just so that you know
the son of god, says I forgive you
those sins have got to go

Have you heard is words today?
He says get up and walk
take your mat
get out of here, don't baulk

oh course the guy, he praised god
and others got to know
that jesus wants to give us life
not suck us down and tie us up but set our hearts aglow
that's all I've ever wanted
to live with glowing heart
in the midst of everything
with Jesus in most part

Have you heard his words today?
Friend, your sins are forgiven
walk a life of fullness
praise God for all that's given


Why is it once I've written something, there is always I line to which I want to add a caveat? The last line is the one this time! Ah me, oh my.

Jesus and the blind man

I've been reading about poverty and disability for a project I'm hoping to work on. Man, it is a stark reminder of the impact that poverty has upon every life decision you can make, life is a lot, lot harder if you are poor and have a disability.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the problems in the world - how can I even begin to make a dent on these or in my family. No, I thought, hang on, I have thought about this stuff before. The point is not to get overwhelmed by everything in the world, the point is, to do something, however small, not nothing. Right, I can involve myself and my family in learning about issues of poverty, disability and link it to our faith- what does Jesus have to say?

The story of the blind man keeps leaping into my mind, so I'm going from there. I can't stop thinking about the man calling out, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me".

Family Fun Night Idea#1
1. Clear the floor of sharp furniture and lurking toys,
2. sweep or vacuum if necessary, or if time!
3. Blindfold each family member (not the baby perhaps)
4. Throw lollies around, or slightly hide them under the couch cushions,
5. Hunt for lollies, save them up for dessert.

Try to eat dinner still blindfolded. Here are some ideas for discussion:
What would it be like to be blind?
Are there any things you might get better at is you were blind? Could there be any good things?

You know, in Jesus' time there were blind people. If you are blind it is hard to care for your family by working, you need others to help you, or you need to beg to get money. Here's what the bible says... Read Luke 18:35-42, or tell it in your own words, or something in between.
What do you think about what Jesus did and said? What do you think the man did and said?

Do you know what makes people blind today? People can be born that way, disease, malnutrition, injury.
God is still at work today, here is a story about Niry from Madagascar and about how she has been helped to see.

(I've taken this story from the CBM website, go and have a look for more information)

Niry's Story:
"When Niry was brought from Madagascar to a CBM eye clinic, her eyes were weeping uncontrollably.

She was at the end stage of a disease caused by Vitamin A deficiency.

In fact, our ophthalmologist described Niry’s eyes as melting. One eye was already lost.

Thankfully, Niry received treatment straight away in the form of massive

doses of Vitamin A and a nutrition program to improve her health.

In just a few days the sight in her remaining eye was saved.

Niry is proof of the difference you can make in a child’s life simply be providing Vitamin A."

These CBM people are being like Jesus hands and feet to Niry.

How would you like to respond today? pray, draw a picture, something else? (I'm deliberately trying not to tell my kids how to respond. I would like to have a discussion, with my own response as one in the mix, let's see how that goes!)