Spiritual Development

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?

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.

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?

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.

DATC2023 by the Numbers: Podcast Episode 50

DATC2023 by the Numbers: Podcast Episode 50

In this week’s episode, Beth celebrates our 50th episode and shares some DATC2023 stats, from geographic breakdown of attendees to number of snacks consumed.

Reimagine: Podcast Episode 041

Reimagine: Podcast Episode 041

In today’s episode, Beth invites you to pull up a chair to her new whiteboard as, together, we learn about new perspectives and ideas in disability ministry.

Acceptable and Accessible Churches with Chris Hulshof: Podcast Episode 036

Acceptable and Accessible Churches with Chris Hulshof: Podcast Episode 036

In this episode, Sandra Peoples is joined by Chris Hulshof. Together they discuss the importance of churches that are both acceptable and accessible to those with disabilities.

Advertise Every Miracle: A Lesson from Hanukkah

Advertise Every Miracle: A Lesson from Hanukkah

Somewhere along my walk of faith, God opened my eyes to the wealth of substance my faith was missing by not studying the roots of our faith as Christians, which lay in Judaism. The season of Hanukkah is coming to a close, but it holds a unique hope for us.