This year has been challenging on many levels. Paul’s still undiagnosed issue has been hard on the family. We’re grateful for the promises God has given to us.
And we’re grateful for many wonderful things God has supplied this year with regards to disability and the church!
- Pastor John delivered one of the most helpful sermons I have heard on God’s sovereignty over disability when he preached Born Blind for the Glory of God in January.
- Just the Way I Am: God’s Good Design in Disability by Krista Horning was released! Pastor John added an encouraging trailer to why this is an important, helpful book in answering the question of suffering. The testimonies that have come to me about its impact have been very sweet.
- Wrestling with an Angel by Greg Lucas was released! Having had the chance to meet Greg and understand a bit of his heart made this book even more precious to me.
- They have existed for a few years, but I was introduced to The Elisha Foundation in 2010 and have been personally encouraged by the men who lead them (and that Matt Perman of Desiring God has joined their board!).
And there were others. Lisa and Larry Jamieson’s book sits in my pile, begging to be read (Dianne has heard Lisa speak and says, “she’s the real deal!”). There are new developments happening at church that, Lord willing, will help us serve more people. There’s a young man who has recorded a song that I’m praying the Lord will use to encourage families in our situation. I’ve heard from several churches that are beginning or expanding their ministries to those living with disabilities.
So, my heart lives ‘as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing’ (2 Corinthians 6:10) as we close 2010.
Happy New Year! May we all experience the miracle of God’s peace and divine heart protection in 2011:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
The Works of God 
Amen! Amen! I totally agree with all those points!
* That sermon was so good for my soul and for BBC as a whole.
* The book – just looking at the cover encourages me & reminds me of God’s GOOD design in disability. (Ps 119:68, 71).
*Wrestling with an Angel – so related to my life! 1st book that I couldn’t put down and I cried through it all…tears of joy, tears of sorrow, but mostly overwhelming tears of God’s sweet grace.
* Lisa Jamieson – Dianne is right…”she’s the real deal!” I read a few chapters & they really inspired me to look to Jesus in the midst of daily struggles.
Thanks for posting this. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness to my family and the disability community.