Posted in Special Events on January 17, 2010| 1 Comment »
Never doubt the power of a believing father.
My dad was the first person to ‘get’ Paul’s inherent dignity and humanity as one of God’s intended creations. He has never wavered in his affections for my boy.
And next week he turns 80! Lord willing, we ‘surprised’ him yesterday with a family party. And though I’m writing this on Friday, I already know what he said as soon as he saw any of us: “where’s Grampa’s buddy! There’s my Pauley-boy!”
Posted in Special Events on December 14, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Special Events, tagged bob horning on October 21, 2009| 2 Comments »
Is it possible to see God as good in the midst of disability?
Bob Horning has parented a wonderful young woman with disabilities for 22 years, and says with confidence that Jesus is good and glorious in the midst of very hard things.
It is a message I have heard him communicate consistently for 10 years; Bob (and his wife, Mary) is the real deal. And not only has he seen God’s goodness, he encourages others in the faith. Bob is one of the great blessings God has provided to the church, and I count him as both a friend and a mentor in this journey with my own children.
Hear or watch him for yourself as he opens last weekend’s breakfast for fathers of children with disabilities with his testimony.
Listen here: Bob Horning at Grace Church 10-17-09
Watch video here: Bob Horning at Grace Church
Posted in Special Events on October 20, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Brenda Fischer is Bethlehem’s Coordinator for the Disability Ministry and worked with Caryn Turner to make this gathering for mothers possible. She provided this report:
The mother’s gathering was a wonderful blessing. We all arrived at Mary Horning’s home in Savage and were greeted with the smell of apple crisp just coming out of the oven. About 10 moms came for fellowship and encouragement. Caryn Turner, our Mother’s Event and Care Coordinator shared a heartfelt testimony and devotion about grumbling in our circumstances juxtaposed with joyfully serving even when life is hard. She spoke of seasons in life when God gives us more resources to serve than in other times and yet her message was that even when things seem crazy, we must never assume that there is nothing we can do to reach out and bless others. One mother shared that sometimes just showing up for church or another event can be a ministry to others who know that it is not easy to come.
I don’t have a child with disabilities to care for. I’m sort of on the outside looking in and hoping to understand and learn. I never ceased to be blessed by the moms living with disability who are growing and strengthened in hardship. Caryn shared that she wasn’t looking to grow up and become spiritually mature at a young age. God brought her to growth through a very hard journey which she is still on and will likely be for years. I don’t want that kind of hardship. None of us do. Caryn told the story of a pastor who drug a very long rope onto stage and colored a very small piece of the rope red. He said that our life on earth can be analogous to this tiny part of red compared to the long rope of living forever. If our good God chooses a path of suffering so that our hearts are drawn to him, the price is very small when put in the perspective of all of eternity. What a precious message Caryn shared. It was not just relevant for parents with a child with disabilities. We all see grief and pain. The mother’s gathering was to end at 9:00, but I don’t think anyone left until 10:00. The devotion was emotional and touched the heart and yet the evening was filled with much joy and laughter. It was hard to break away.
Since my own bride didn’t return until nearly 11:00 p.m., I know it was very hard for everyone to break away! Thank you, Caryn, Mary and Brenda for making that gathering possible and being such an encouragement. God is good to provide what we need in all circumstances!
Posted in Scripture, Special Events, tagged Caryn Turner, devotions on October 19, 2009| 3 Comments »
When God blesses, he is often extravagant! When he called Kempton Turner to Bethlehem, he called Caryn Turner as well. This brother and sister in Jesus live the command to ‘encourage one another every day’ in how they speak, write, parent and give of themselves to tell the world about Jesus.
Caryn prepared this devotion for the mothers of children with disabilities last week. God is glorified when he is made much of in all circumstances!
Evidence of God’s Grace in Affliction (presented by Caryn Turner on Tuesday, October 13)
“I can’t do that!”, “What are they thinking?”, “Don’t they know what I go through?”
“My life is hard enough!”, “How can I serve others with a child like this?”
I’ve said all of these statements before. I’m sure I’m not alone. Many times parents of children with special needs feel that their circumstances or afflictions give them a valid excuse from doing many things. Logically speaking, they’re right! Families affected by disability tend to have less time and energy to do anything extra besides caring for the immediate needs of their family. However, whether your trials and afflictions are pertaining to disability or not, the Bible says that all believers will be afflicted in some way. Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” So, as we wait & hope for Christ’s deliverance, how are we to live? How can we serve others and glorify God in our afflictions? (more…)
Posted in Scripture, Special Events on October 18, 2009| Leave a Comment »
The audio and video are both a little rough. We’re working on getting it cleaned up and hopefully posted soon.
But for now, be encouraged by finding your strength in the joy of the Lord!
Pastor Kempton Turner at Grace Church 10-17-09 from John Knight on Vimeo.
Posted in Special Events, tagged grace church, kempton turner on October 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Kempton Turner, a pastor and a dad with a multiply disabled little boy, will be speaking at Grace Church on Saturday, in Eden Prairie. Don’t worry about RSVPs, just show up.
If the Lord wills, we’ll have audio of his talk on this site in a few days.
You can also find other presentations from Kempton at our ‘Disability Radio‘ site.
If you only have three minutes, here is an example of Kempton challenging young people to go hard after God. Then come back here in a few days to hear what he had to say to us dads:
Posted in Special Events on October 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »
“I am not suffering…People without Jesus are suffering. May we all be encouraged to share the Gospel,” Dianne Knight remarking on her cancer.
Reminder: Dianne and other amazing mothers of children with disabilities will be gathering tonight (Tuesday) at 7:00 p.m. Click here for more details. Even if you did not RSVP, if you are a mother in this situation, you are welcome to attend.
Posted in Special Events on October 7, 2009| Leave a Comment »
A special event just for mothers of children with disabilities is happening next Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the south metro! You can find more information here.
Wonderful things happen when God’s people gather together to proclaim his goodness and sovereignty! If you doubt me (since I obviously wasn’t there), here are some evidences from a gathering a few months ago.
Disability is hard, and God is good to provide for all of our needs. And isn’t God especially good to provide them through other people experiencing the same things we are with our children!
Posted in Special Events on October 4, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Desiring God has posted all the messages from the 2009 Desiring God National Conference in American Sign Language. Spread the word!
And pray that God would raise up more sign language interpreters for Bethlehem and for other like-minded ministries.
The Works of God 