Hope

Reflections on Clark Griswold and The Perfect Christmas

Reflections on Clark Griswold and The Perfect Christmas

How much stress do we put on ourselves to have our house perfectly decorated, so we can “enjoy it?” How much tension do we carry trying to navigate the family dinners and getting worried about our own “Cousin Eddie” showing up and making a scene? How often do we fill up our schedules with parties, events, and celebrations because we feel we have to do it? How often do we get to Christmas Day and have nothing left to give when it comes time to truly celebrate the incarnation of Christ and the Lord’s presence in our lives?

Reverse Inclusion: Our Teen and Young Adult Class: Podcast Episode 078

Reverse Inclusion: Our Teen and Young Adult Class: Podcast Episode 078

Reverse inclusion is a class designed for teens and young adults with disabilities that invites typical teenagers and young adults in for the purpose of friendship. It’s for teens like my son James who wouldn’t enjoy being part of our youth group. That environment isn’t safe for him and the curriculum doesn’t fit his needs. So instead we’ve created a class that is a good fit for him and our other teenagers! Listen to this podcast to hear about our strategies to make reverse inclusion work for you and your church!

Confidence in Knowing God Will Finish What He Starts: Podcast Episode 077

Confidence in Knowing God Will Finish What He Starts: Podcast Episode 077

In this week’s episode, Garett shares a follow up story on a message from a previous episode while also discussing how the apostle Paul’s words of encouragement to the church at Philippi should also be a message of encouragement to anyone on the journey to take the hope of Jesus Christ and the love of his church to the special needs community.

Finding Abundance in Seasons of Scarcity: Podcast Episode 076

Finding Abundance in Seasons of Scarcity: Podcast Episode 076

When you think of the biblical concept of abundant life, do you think that is possible in a life that includes disabilities and mental health challenges? In today’s podcast, learn why Catherine contends that it is not only possible, but it is at the heart of what God pours out into the lives of believers. Listen to the podcast or read this post to learn how you can experience His abundance, even if you are living in a season of scarcity.

How did we do that? We didn’t. The Holy Spirit did it!: Podcast Episode 060

How did we do that? We didn’t. The Holy Spirit did it!: Podcast Episode 060

Each summer, our Shine Disabilities Ministry team hosts Camp Freedom, which an action-packed weekend where campers with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities experience summer camp in a way they most enjoy. The blessings and the memories and the logistics from the event always leave me asking “How did we do that?” But as we see through the ministry of Peter and John in Acts 3-4, we didn’t do any of it. The Holy Spirit did it!

Different, Not Harder

Different, Not Harder

"Different, not harder." That was the powerful takeaway from a dear friend who has spoken with Joanna about special needs ministry for years. This leads her to the question: are we fighting for pity or equality?

What if true equality starts with finding common ground?

Faithful Friends, the Son of Man and Extraordinary Things: Podcast Episode 056

 Faithful Friends, the Son of Man and Extraordinary Things: Podcast Episode 056

As Jesus was teaching a large group of people, including church leaders, four men made it a priority to find a way to take their paralyzed friend to the Son of Man. And through their faith, Jesus healed the man both spiritually and physically. In this week’s episode, Garett Wall explores what our churches can learn from the urgency and faithfulness of the man’s friends and how God is glorified in all of it.

The Reason I Gave Church Another Chance

The Reason I Gave Church Another Chance

As members of the disability community or the parents/caregivers who love them, we know the Church is not overtly welcoming. The right body of believers is out there, but they may not know it…yet. They may not even be able to understand…yet. But they will be willing to learn. Consider this your formal invitation to be sure of what you cannot see.

Four Aspects of Perseverance to Help Find Your Ministry Purpose: Podcast Episode 055

Four Aspects of Perseverance to Help Find Your Ministry Purpose: Podcast Episode 055

If your life includes disabilities, you probably already know that perseverance is needed in different ways. If you sense God stirring you towards ministry in some capacity, here are four aspects of perseverance that can help sharpen your understanding of what perseverance looks like in the midst of disabilities.

A New Mental Health Support Group Opportunity: Podcast Episode 051

A New Mental Health Support Group Opportunity: Podcast Episode 051

Are you interested in being part of a new Key Ministry initiative? Learn how you can help us create and launch mental health small groups for families with disabilities, in collaboration with Fresh Hope for Mental Health.