Who is my Neighbour?

Have you ever questioned...Who is my neighbour? The person living next door to me? The people living on my block? The ones who are nice to me? The ones who agree with my thinking? The people living in my town? The people living in my province? The people living in my country? My countries allies? I think that we over analyse this question.

Who is my neighbour?  I like what Jesus has to say about this. I believe this lesson is as applicable today as it was 2000 years ago.

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was travelling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I'm here.’
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”      Luke 10:25-37 New Living Translation (NLT)

The next time you get to help someone, do it. The Samaritan could have walked on past, waited for someone else to help - maybe someone of the same faith, rationalized that it would be too expensive to care for this wounded man, worried that the man had alternative motives for getting beat up, or just thought that it was too dangerous...The Samaritan could have done all these things and had justification. But he didn't. He showed mercy.
And Jesus said - "Now go and do the same." 
Who is my neighbour? I think Jesus answered that question very clearly. :)

Thoughts of a dad with children on the Autistic Spectrum.

Life is ever increasingly speeding up – at least that is the way it seems - and because of this, just gathering my thoughts has been an ever increasing challenge.

If you know my family, we are a mom, a dad, 4 children and 3 dogs. 3 of our children have special needs (neurodivergant) – 2 autistic and one who is globally developmentally delayed. Our oldest daughter is neurotypical. So trust me when I say, we have adjusted to life in a unique way.

I work in a small northern community (population around 1300) as a pastor of a beautiful group of people. The main language here is French, we are English. 2 of our children go to a school each day that is 67 km's away. That is where the English high school is.

Constant advocacy for our children is a must. We communicate with the school on a daily basis through “communication booklets” If warranted, the school will call us to let us know something out of the ordinary has happened. This usually is a couple times a week. Our family life is planned meticulously. Because it has to be. Detailed routine schedules, doctor appointments, special needs workers, school meetings, more doctor appointments. Manoeuvring daily while adapting to life.

It has been years since our first son was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum and still it is hard for me to explain. Not the explanation, but just communicating to people in a way that they understand. Now we have 3 children that are unique. As I wrote that last line, I smiled. I smiled because I know that there are families facing even greater challenges than us and I want to show you my heartfelt empathy to you. :)

So, how do we explain what is going on? Explaining to family, to friends, and to strangers that ask - “what is the matter with your kids?” Actually instead of explaining, I like to use the word “educate”

Here is what we do - my wife or I put on a smile and then start to educate the person who asked the question. We explain that this behaviour is normal for our older son...or our younger son...or our youngest daughter. He/she has trouble focusing, can't sit for periods of time, is easily distracted (unless it sparks a interest, and then for hours at a time they will focus on that item). There are specific textures that drive them to gag, so they are 'picky' on what is eaten. That 'jumping around' that they do (each child is unique – one flaps and nods his head, one jumps, one flaps his hands) is not because they are trying to be disruptive...to them it is a release. A release of anxiety, release of daily pressures, release of being teased, release of over the stimulation of their senses.

Now this is usually what happens – I am then told of a new diet, a new treatment, a new study by the person I am trying to explain (educate) too. I usually smile. 99% of the people are actually trying to be helpful and compassionate so I don't confront, I don't argue, I don't rebut...I smile... and hope that they heard me.

In the back of my mind I sometimes think – and I am sure parents of neurodivergent children would concur - If people knew how much scientific research I have read, how many experts I have talked too, how many doctors I have consulted, how many seminars I have participated in...if people only knew.

I just want to say one last little thing for today – maybe it will help someone in a similar situation or life challenge. One thing that I hold tightly onto is my faith in God. That is what gives me hope. That is what keeps me sane. You see, I was told by a man one day (who has a son with autism) - “Tim, do you know why you and your wife have 3 special needs children? It is because God trusted you enough to watch over them.”

Have a great day friends.

Smoothing out the road

It has been a while...18 months since I last updated my Blog. I took a look and it has had a little over 13,000 views. Not too bad ...lol

I sit in my office today as the road crew replaces the street in front of the church. Normally, the birds are singing and the odd car drives by. Today, there is a constant roar of a machine eating pavement. And in a few days, that noise will be gone and the new road will be complete.

Our minds can be like that pavement machine – every now and then it gets loud, noisy, the earth shakes, things look terrible and traffic slows to a halt.

Watchman Nee said, “An unpeaceful mind cannot operate normally. Hence the Apostle teaches us to “have no anxiety [stress] about anything” (Phil. 4:6). Deliver all anxious thoughts to God as soon as they arise. Let the peace of God maintain your heart and mind (v. 7).

I would like to share some Scriptures with you – Scripture to help bring peace back to your mind:

Philippians 4:6,7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Dr. Henry Brandt puts it like this:

TAKE A STEP
Find a little time to evaluate your reactions to your current situations.

What is keeping you from experiencing God’s love, joy, and peace?

Are you willing to yield yourself to the Lord?

Are you willing to release the emotions to Him that are affecting your life in a negative way?

Do you truly desire His peace?

Ask God to fill you with His peace and to show you how you can change.

My final thought...The road eventually will be smooth, once the builder is finished with it :)

Do you know your weakness?

 

Good morning friends and family....Do you know that our enemy knows our weaknesses? He designs temptations to carefully match your personality. Think with me for a moment...Fear in the path of an introvert, ease and release of the uncontrolled tongue to the exhausted person, uncontrolled desire for food for the lonely or busy, false promises of a better life to the love starved spouse, numbness of alcohol to the depressed, ultimate self sufficiency to the strong willed with the fantasy that he or she needs no one else...the list goes on and on...What is your weak spot? I bet you know what it is. 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Be aware...be alert...Today, give it over to God. Ask for His grace, ask for His help....then allow Him help you. You may need to change your habits by removing yourself from situations that are not helpful to you...you may need to change your friends - not all friends are friends - if someone is tearing you down and using you, you need to rethink that friendship...you may need to change how you see life - Do you realize the God REALLY LOVES YOU and wants the best for you....you may need to change how you view yourself - You are a beautiful creation, designed by God and have great value...Remember friends, one day at a time and the learning happens "during" the journey Have a great day friends !

What I learned in 2013.

It has been a while since I blogged...A lot has gone on in the last 6 months - So where do I start? 2013 will be a year I never will forget. I've learned a lot. A lot that is deeply personal to me. A lot about myself and I will share some of it with you – my friends, my family.
I learned that life is like a vapour, here one minute, gone the next. I talked to my mom at 5:20pm one day...and that very night she went home to be with the Lord.
I learned priorities. God, my family then church, and that and is making me a better husband, a better dad, and a better pastor.
I learned that I have friends that deeply care for me and my family.
I learned that if you do not get the rest you need, your body will force you to rest.
I learned that God is in control and He will accomplish His will, with or without my help.
I also learned that if I get in God's way, He will gently correct – as a loving Father does.
I learned that it doesn't matter what people say about me – my confidence and self worth comes from God, not people.
I learned that my children are a beautiful gift...a gift that God has entrusted into my and wife's hands. They are precious flowers, delicate and in need of constant caring and love.
I learned that my wife means more to me now, than ever before.
I learned that God is not in a rush, nothing catches Him by surprise...God's plan is not according to my timing, it's according to His.
I learned that Bethel really loves my family and me. God has His hand on this Assembly – Good things are happening – we must remain faithful to God's timing, one day at a time, one step at a time.
I learned that the people of Smooth Rock Falls are loving, caring and considerate – even more than I ever dreamed.
I learned that 2013 was just that....a learning year for me. A year of refining. I'd be lying if I said it was painless. I'd be lying if I said it was comfortable. I'd be lying if I said it was fun...it wasn't. But here is the thing that I learned...joy comes in the morning. The morning may or may not be 2014...I don't know. But I do know Who is in control. I do know that He is just. And I know that He loves me, my cherished wife, my blessed children, my precious Bethel family, and the wonderful people of Smooth Rock Falls. What better place to be May God bless you in 2014 !