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“It is the highest privilege of my life. . . ‘ – Dianne Knight

February 14, 2011 by John Knight

Sometimes I read Dianne sections of things I am reading.  On Saturday I asked what she thought of this statement following a description of the burdens placed on families experiencing disability:

These are not trivial burdens, and the desire to avoid them does not indicate a character flaw, any more than wanting to avoid a hiatus in one’s education or career. Whether a woman wants to terminate a pregnancy to avoid the burdens that come with being a mother, or whether she wants to terminate a pregnancy to avoid burdens that come with being the mother of this child, the rationale for the abortion is the same: the avoidance of burdens that she finds unacceptable.  Bonnie Steinbock, Disability, Prenatal Testing and Selective Abortion in Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights edited by Erik Parens and Adrienne Asche, p. 119.

Dianne’s simple response: it is the highest privilege of my life to be the mother of that boy.

After more than 15 years of living with and caring for our son, she has no romantic notions about what living with disability is like.  The relentless nature of disability is understood, and the particular burdens that come with this boy drive us to God on a regular basis.

That is the difference.  As his parents, we know we are needy and that the daily issues of his disability would crush us. Bonnie Steinbock is articulating a normal outcome of radical individualism.  The mother, in her example, is completely alone.  Our culture tells us that we are entirely free to make any decision we desire, even if it results in the destruction of a smaller human being.  Implied in that is that if you choose the harder, better thing, they will abandon you to that choice because it inconveniences them.

God does not abandon us.  And not only are we not alone, but God has promised to supply every need (Philippians 4:19), that his plan is to benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11), Jesus himself will send a helper (John 14:16-17), God will comfort us (Psalm 71:20-21), and he has given us other people to encourage us (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

So, ‘as sorrowful yet always rejoicing’ (2 Corinthians 6:10), Dianne can authentically say, God has granted and sustains the honor of mothering this boy.

Posted in Book Commentary, commentary | 1 Comment »

“God is gracious to expose sin through circumstance” – Chris Nelson

February 13, 2011 by John Knight

Yesterday, Pastor John provided a helpful word on why we need to remind ourselves about God’s promises and character.  In this post, Chris Nelson points out how God reminds us about his mercy and grace in the midst of the real circumstances of our lives.

It’s 8:27 and the bus comes at 8:30.

“Great time for a movement, Andrew.  Look at dad’s face – it’s not smiling or laughing.  Settle down.  NOW!  Let’s get shoes and coat on.”

It’s 8:32.

“Stand still, Andrew.  This is NOT time to be silly.  We’re just waiting for the bus.  I don’t have time for this garbage.”

It’s 8:35.

“Where is the bus?!  It’s that new bus driver.  If he started his route a little earlier to give extra time for the kids to get on he wouldn’t be late.  Seriously, why couldn’t the afternoon driver just do the morning route too?”

It’s 8:45.

“Forget it.  Andrew, let’s go, dad will drive you to school.  Seriously, not even bothering to show up; it’s not like it’s the first day of school or something.  How difficult is it to pick 4 or 5 kids up on time?”

Phone rings.

“Transportation called.  The bus was in an accident.”

My irritation and attitude was exceedingly sinful.  My lack of patience was exceedingly unloving.  My lack of giving the benefit of the doubt, particularly without knowing anything of the circumstances leading to the bus being late, was exceedingly selfish and judgmental.  Jesus’ atoning work on the cross is freshly precious.

All things are in God’s hands, including bus accidents with physically and mentally disabled children.  Thankfully all of the children involved in the accident appear to be physically okay.  Thankfully God used that incident to freshly expose my sinful heart, humble it, and lead me back to the Throne of Grace.

Posted in commentary | 1 Comment »

He did it, again!

February 12, 2011 by John Knight

Thursday we met Paul’s new neurologist.  We were pleased that almost all of Paul’s records had made it to him, and we were even able to look at some of the internal pictures of his head and body.  We are most certainly fearfully and wonderfully made!

But, of course, he encouraged more tests.  So we were sent from the bright, colorful, cheerful children’s clinic to a hospital laboratory for yet another blood draw.

This was not a happy place at all.  It was busy and noisy.  The staff were trying to be pleasant but clearly were mostly trying to keep up.  The lighting was dim and furniture was functional but not pretty.  The worst part was the television – tuned to some artificially happy morning show that was shocking in its banality, with the volume turned up too loud.  Dianne said she could feel evil in the room.

So, of course, God sent in some light.

Paul, unprompted, lifted his head off my shoulder and sings as loud as he can:

Jesus loves the little children!

All the children of the world!

Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight!

Jesus loves the little children of the world!

Then he laid his head back on my shoulder and giggled.

How many will be in the kingdom of heaven because of this fearless, joy-filled boy born blind?

Posted in News | 7 Comments »

Andrew-ing – Guest Post from Chris Nelson

February 11, 2011 by John Knight

I’m grateful to welcome back Chris Nelson to this blog, a member at Bethlehem and a man I respect and love deeply. JPK

Andrew, 9, is the oldest of our three boys. Every cell in his body has an extra long arm of the 18th chromosome attached to the end of his 11th chromosome. He has autism. He has a seizure disorder. He is severely mentally retarded. He is easily irritable and often physically aggressive. My reactions to his often challenging behaviors daily expose my sin, which, not always immediately but at least eventually, leads me to fresh brokenness and repentance and brings me back to the Cross. That is a gift. Andrew is who he is by God’s good design and for God’s glory and for my sanctification.

One of the means of grace God has given us to help him regulate and be able to better function in social settings is a device called ConnectorRx, where one of us is physically connected to Andrew. The device looks a little like something one might use to go rock climbing (or, as someone who doesn’t rock climb, at least what I imagine such gear might look like!).

One Sunday a friend referred to my being connected to my son as “Andrew-ing.” Seemingly gifted with the ability to see the spiritual side of everything, he also remarked that seeing us connected made him think about God’s love for us in calling us to Himself and keeping us connected to Himself. I hadn’t ever thought of that – to me it was simply a device that helped us help Andrew get from A to B with some amount of self control, which helped us leave the house without an anxiety-induced stomachache. But my friend’s comment made me to ponder the spiritual lessons of that simple connector:

  • God is good and He is for us, and He will give us what we need when He knows we need it.
  • No matter how much we may kick and scream and wallow in the sinful desire to go our own way, God loved us first and will not let us go – He knows what is best for His children.
  • God gives us more than we can handle that we might become broken over our sin, and humble ourselves and look to Him rather than ourselves that we might increasingly know at the heart-level what it is to be sorrowful (over sin) but always rejoicing (in and through Jesus).
  • God is merciful to give us means of grace that encourage and help us through challenges – and even more to enable situations, circumstances and even consequences that remind us that our ultimate hope is not means of grace, but the Source of grace.

Posted in commentary | 7 Comments »

Are you caught in the gap between God’s promise and its fulfillment?

February 10, 2011 by John Knight

Someday, my son will live without his disabilities, including these seizure-like episodes he is experiencing.  Someday, I will live free from all the temptation of sin.  We will both see clearly: For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Those of us living with disability in our family are living in a gap.  We know that all of God’s promises are true, and we know that some of those promises will not be fulfilled for a very long time (probably).

I’m working my way though Joel Beeke and Jame LaBelle’s book, Living by God’s Promises, and came across this helpful paragraph (emphases in bold are mine):

Thus, if we steadfastly believe and rest on the foundational promise that God is our God, we will find more comfort than we could find in all the world.  David expresses this beautifully in Psalm 56:8-11: “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Caught in the gap between God’s promise (1 Samuel 16:11-13) and its fulfillment, David finds a world of comfort in the foundational promise of God that God is for him.  Beeke and LaBelle, p. 17

Yes, even today I know that God is for me!  God is for all his children who have been called into saving faith!

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20b).

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17).

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

Yes, I do find a world of comfort that God is for me right now even as I hope in future grace.

Posted in Quotes | 4 Comments »

500 Posts and Counting

February 9, 2011 by John Knight

Back in 1995, God gave Dianne and me a boy who is different than any other boy I’ve ever heard of.  I mean that literally; he has an unusual mix of disabilities.  God has used that boy to reveal more of his grace and power and mercy than I ever could have imagined.

And he has made the Bible more precious than I could have thought possible.

Today marks the 500th post on The Works of God since we started in September 2009.  Given what we imagined as a blog on disability ministry back in 2008 (on an entirely different blog platform), I find that amazing.  And there are still books to be read, journals critiqued, ministries encouraged, and scriptures explored.

If you are new to this blog, this is the boy who God uses to keep me dependent on him.  Paul sang this song following the Easter service in April 2010.  He is 14 years old in this video:

Over the past several months, he has been plagued by mysterious, seizure-like episodes that have discouraged these spontaneous expressions of praise.  God has helped us through these hard months, and we continue to pray for answers.

But Saturday we were given a little gift of the old singing:

Paul is a gift.  So are all the other children and adults with disabilities God has given to his church.  The world needs to know that.

We’ll keep telling that story until we run out of things to say.  It might be a while.

To God be the glory.  Great things he has done!

Posted in News | 34 Comments »

Please Pray for the Children Desiring God Conference

February 8, 2011 by John Knight

Please pray for the Children Desiring God Conference, which is coming up March 10-12.

So much of what we love about Bethlehem has been related to the children and family ministries; our disability ministry is overseen by Family Discipleship.  We know that churches that take this responsibility to the next generations seriously are frequently open to the needs of families dealing with disability.

Their theme this year is “Holding Fast to the Word of Truth” and includes plenary sessions by Pastor John, Pastor David, and Pastor Kempton from Bethlehem and Dr. Russell Moore from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I’ve heard every one of these men say important things about God and disability.  This conference isn’t about that issue, but I’m still excited to hear them!

Please also pray for the staff of Children Desiring God.  Nearly every member has been hit with something that has laid them low or slowed them down physically, including their Executive Director who needed emergency surgery last week and will be weeks in recovery.  Through it all I’ve seen them encourage each other to remember that God will provide all that they need and they serve in the strength that God provides.

This year, Brenda Fischer and I will again be leading seminars related to disability and the sovereignty of God.  For the first time, there will also be a table dedicated to disability ministry.  Please pray for us as we make our final preparations for this conference.

And related to the theme of the conference, Children Desiring God has released a tool to help with Bible memorization: FighterVerses.com.  The verse this week is absolutely relevant to those of us dealing with disability:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?  Psalm 56:3-4

Thank you for praying!

Posted in News, Prayer Requests | 2 Comments »

If the point is health care, stop offering abortions

February 7, 2011 by John Knight

Abortion supporters have had a hard few weeks.  The revelations of the Philadelphia ‘doctor’ and the videos of a Planned Parenthood representative have not made the practitioners of abortion services look good (please note: the stories at those links are graphic and not suitable for children).

Members of the House of Representatives and various state lawmakers are now seeking to end the public funding of Planned Parenthood clinics.  Public funding of Planned Parenthood generally pays for other health services they provide, although limited public funding for abortions is allowed.

In response to these attacks on their funding, New York Times columnist Gail Collins offers a spirited defense of Planned Parenthood.  One aspect of that defense is all the other services Planned Parenthood provides:

But here’s the most notable thing about this whole debate: The people trying to put Planned Parenthood out of business do not seem concerned about what would happen to the 1.85 million low-income women who get family-planning help and medical care at the clinics each year. It just doesn’t come up. There’s not even a vague contingency plan. . .

There is no comparable organization to Planned Parenthood, providing the same kind of services on a national basis. If there were, most of the women eligible for Medicaid-financed family-planning assistance wouldn’t have to go without it.

Ms. Collins is being a little disingenuous.  Public funding for health services would not decrease, they just would not be allocated to organizations that also provide abortions.

I propose a compromise.  Since these other health services are so valuable (though several are also morally questionable), Planned Parenthood should stop offering abortion services and concentrate on these other services.  That would immediately take away the best argument those against Planned Parenthood have.  Besides, according to their 2008 annual report, ‘only’ 3% of their services are abortions.

I doubt that will happen.

Gail Collins is a gifted writer; even her ‘straw man’ and ad hominem arguments are more clever than most.  But the highest expression of Planned Parenthood in terms of their mission is abortion.  We must not be distracted from that horrible fact.

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Proving Jesus is always right: Matthew 5:29 from the perspective of having no eyes

February 6, 2011 by John Knight

My Paul has no eyes.  Jesus said it would be better for us to be like Paul, having no eyes, than to sin:

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29

The following is a true story.

On Thursday a box of 10 Hostess Ho Hos made it into the van.  Three children and one adult each had one, leaving six.  The rest were being saved for ‘movie night’ on Friday.

One child simply could not stop thinking about those Ho Hos.

While the rest of the family was distracted with dinner guests Thursday evening, that child ate four more Ho Hos.  This same child also ate the last two for breakfast the next morning.

So, this child disobeyed mom, stole something that wasn’t his, considered his own desires ahead of his siblings, did not practice self-control, and allowed his eyes and his thoughts to constantly come back to what was tempting him.  These are typical, childish sins, of course.  But they were sins.

Paul has never been tempted to steal Ho Hos, or anything else for that matter.  He is completely free from that kind of sin.

And which child do we feel sorry for?

Posted in commentary, Scripture | 4 Comments »

What feeds and informs prayer

February 5, 2011 by John Knight

Joel Beeke was a participant at the most recent Desiring God Conference for Pastors and is the author of many books, a couple of which I picked up this week.  In Living by God’s Promises, Beeke and LaBelle offer this nugget of assurance about prayer:

The promises of God are the rule of prayer. Just as we hope for and believe what God has promised, so we must pray for what God has promised. David makes this evident in 2 Samuel 7:27, when he prays, “For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee” (cf. Luke 1:38). Having the promise of God in hand not only emboldened David’s hope and strengthened his faith, but it also fed and informed his prayer. Truly, we do not have a prayer without the promises of God (emphasis mine).

Beeke and LaBelle, pp. 2-3.

Posted in Quotes | Leave a Comment »

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