Posted in Christian

Today is fasting to turn the tide for autism. But what if one has a medical condition to prevent fasting, or is pregnant, or perhaps nursing a baby (or babies!)?

Have a favorite food you can give up? How about coffee or other caffeine products? TV, videos, electronic games of some sort, etc?

Or how about the computer? (I think that's for the more "advanced" among us...).

Check here for more info on fasting for autism.

"When you fast do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(Matthew 6:16-18, NIV)

Looking for a great devotional? Joni Eareckson Tada has a wonderful devotional that you can sign up for daily through her website Joni & Friends. Her devotionals have really been a blessing, & I think most are very appropriate & helpful for those of us raising special needs children.

I'll post today's here as an example. Many of us with autistic children struggle with envy toward others with "NT" children. It can be especially difficult for Christian parents. Her devotional today touches the heart of that matter, & puts things in proper perspective. I hope it's a blessing to someone today.

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
April 23, 2008

A Lesson from a Sprig

"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." 
Psalm 73: 1-3

It's a fact that those who don't believe often possess polished reputations and shining health.  Their children graduate from Stanford University, and the Chamber of Commerce bestows on them community-service awards.  They may even nod approvingly at your religious beliefs.  From all appearances, few Christians seem to measure up to these pillars of the community.
 
For perspective, note this excellent expression by St. Augustine: "It is better to be the meanest number of the body than to be the highest and most important member and cut off from the body; it is better to be a little sprig in the tree joined to the root than to be an arm cut off from the root." *[1]
 
Augustine was right.  When a great arm of a tree is cut off, it may be thick and lush with green leaves, but the little sprig on the tree is in a much better condition because it is joined to the tree.  The other will wither and die in a short time.  So it is with people of the world whom we envy.  They are like great boughs cut off from the tree, for although they have talents and riches, they have no union with God.
 
Please don't envy those who seem to have it better.  You may live in a poor condition, you may lack riches, but you are joined to the Root of Jesse, the Vine, the Branch of the Lord.
 
Prayer:
"God, please save the wicked!  And save me from envying as I pray for them with compassion and empathy."

Blessings,
Joni and Friends

[1]* Burroughs, Jeremiah, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, The Banner of Truth Trust, Pennsylvania, 1992, p. 196.

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust.  Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Used by permission.  Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Posted in Christian

I have been keeping up with the Bible reading challenge & went back to my daily reading schedule. It's light, straight reading, & I don't get uninterrupted time, but it is a good start & I feel stronger when I do keep reading. There are many other changes I'd like to make but am walking in such baby steps.

My daughter just got over a quick virus & now one of the babies is not well, so I'm not sure what this week will be like, but I will try to keep reading regardless, because I'll need to continue especially during this time!

Posted in Christian

My wonderful blogger friend, friends4tea, has come up with a Bible reading challenge for April. This is a great idea, & great timing for me.

I had found a wonderful online Bible reading program & had been doing well with it, but consistency is not always my strong point, & I get lost in the daily sea (or ocean) of responsibilities, so I lost touch with it.

The link for the program was on my other laptop, which I fried out the other day with hot coffee (it was decaf, but that didn't seem to matter). So now I'm using the other one, but the site is listed here on one of my earlier entries.

Go to her blog for the information & join the challenge! I will be putting the button on my sidebar right up top, as a constant reminder (for me that is!).

Also, coming up this weekend I will be passing along some information for all autism prayer warriers for the month of April!

Posted in Christian

This story was shared by someone on an autism Yahoogroup & I am passing it along here...

Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. However, if one stops the car - or is walking by - one will notice something quite amazing.  Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing, but close observation will reveal something even more amazing.  Listening closely, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.  As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.  Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.  Sometimes we are like the blind horse, being guided by God and those whom He places in our lives. Other times, we are the guide horse, helping others see God.  ~ Author Unknown ~

Posted in Christian

I had a real answer to prayer today...

I've been having trouble getting my Bible readings in daily, & it seemed obvious I needed some kind of alternative. I figured I'm at the computer so much (especially with this new laptop!) why not just pull up an online Bible reading program (well, what a "duh" moment). I did find one here that I like very much so far. Go to "Bible Studies And Devotions" pull down menu & then click on "Bible Reading Guides". You can choose whether you'd like to read in chronological order, as things happened, which would mix up the books a bit, or straight through the way the Bible is printed, or mix it up with a litle Old & New Testament daily. Since I really like studying history in order, I decided to go for the chronological readings. I looked through the months & jumped past the books I have read through so far.

Another great aspect of this site is when you get to your daily reading, you can either click on "Read Now" or "Bible Gateway". If you choose "Bible Gateway", it will take you to the reading on that site, where you can choose whatever version of the Bible you prefer! I chose the New King James Version.

I think this was a heavenly answer for me & that it will help me a lot. Hope this info helps someone else as well!

Thanks again, Lord....