Perfection & God

Most of the persons with disability feel that they are not "perfect" or are imperfect. My question to them is "Do you believe in God?". Because if you believe in GOD you cannot accept being not perfect. So it can mean you do not believe in GOD or believe in GOD and think that HE can create something which is less than perfect.

"Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.." - Jesus said.

We have to understand that we are perfect as we are. Our body may be challenged but still we are perfect. Why am I saying that ? Because, I feel that GOD has given me a perfect body to live with muscular dystrophy. Since HIS purpose for me is known to him, HE has given me perfect tool - my body to accomplish the mission.

If we are focused on GOD's plan for us and are ready to receive HIS guidance, then we will try to be with his will. Like Vincent de Paul says "Perfection consists in one thing alone, which is doing the will of GOD.."

Imagination, belief and disability

Kurt Vonnegut said "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be..". So if a person with physical or mental challenges imagines to be disabled, then it comes the truth for them. Many persons believe that the whole world is ganged up against them and it becomes their reality.

I believe what Jesus said "Believe that you shall receive and you shall receive..". in spite of my physical challenges, I do not believe that I am disabled and that the world is a friendly place. This becomes true for me because I have strong belief in it being true.

As a person with disability, the best we can do is to seek GOD's guidance and act accordingly. We must believe that we are working for greater glory of GOD. When we are working for his purpose with strong faith and belief then we will be happy.

So, friends use your GOD given imagination and belief to live a happy life with disability.

Humility and God

Humility is an important way in which we can be god-centered. when we are humble we recognize that we are smaller than we think. When we are humble, we receive GOD's grace to do grander things than we can imagine.

Here we must remember what Jesus said " Go and sit in the last place and then you will be invited to take the first ...". What does Jesus advocate ? He says that to be first be ready to be last, in short be humble in life.

I love what Robert Schuller said "God can do great things through the man who dosen't care who gets the credit ...". How apt. We must do what is right and leave it at that. If we are really humble we will not be concerned who gets credit for it.

If we are doing things to please our ego, then we can't be humble. When we lack humility can we be near GOD. Think about it. Our ultimate goal is to live with our heavenly father.

Humility is the first step towards it.

Faith and God

Faith is what we need in times of distress. Faith in our parents, or the legal system or government or the goodness of humanity. Sometimes we have it, sometimes we don't. The only faith that matters is our faith in GOD.

For someone with a disability (like me), it can become difficult to have faith in GOD. We start reasoning and rationalizing about things, thus we reduce our faith. One thing to note is that faith can't be conditional. Particularly faith in GOD, has to be 100% complete and unconditional.

Why we need faith in GOD, when we have disability ? Because we do not know GOD's plan for us and how HE is going to use our disability to serve his purpose.

Jesus said unto them," Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." - Matthew 17-20

This can be true for us if we have true belief in GOD and also we want to use our faith to bring glory to GOD. Faith in GOD and prayer for unselfish reasons always has positive outcome.

(I think, one most post is warranted for this idea. More tomorrow.)

Body, disability and God

I have muscular dystrophy. Thus my body is becoming disabled. But still I am not disabled. This is not a paradox. We have to understand, that we are not the body.

As long as we identify ourselves as a body, we will experience pain, sorrow and yes disability. We are souls having human experience. To quote Jean Mouroux "The body is made for the soul to express it.."

This does not mean you neglect the body. In fact we must take good care of it, for through this human body we can reach our final home. Consider that our body is the church, the altar is the heart. At the altar Jesus waits to take us home.

When our heart has Jesus, and our minds are focused on our heavenly father - GOD, we start living on a new plane. A plane where the body carries no significance and hence disability, no meaning.

When we understand ourselves are GOD's creation, then we can't be disabled. We are beautiful, divine and perfect. The body might be flawed, but the soul focused on GOD in due course becomes flawless.

Adversity and God

Most of the persons with disability feel that adversity in life is not good. True, life with disability is not a bed of flowers. But then there is another view to life , adversity offers us the chance to grow.

This growth is generally in the inner growth domain, i.e. spiritual growth. Certain religious minded people feel that people with disability suffer because of their sins. I beg to differ.

In fact, I feel blessed or the chosen one. Just like what Matthew Henry said "Extra ordinary afflictions are not always the punishment for extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trials of extra ordinary graces.."

This is true in my case. I feel the adversity - in my case dystrophy, has helped me grow more. I can say that I am more alive today than before becoming disabled.

"If an obstacle is put in our path, it is only to prevent us from going the wrong way, and to guide us into what is for us the only right path.." Henry T. Hamblin

Had I not become disabled, I would have probably still be with all my vices and not happy. I feel god has chosen my for a mission and that adversity is a part of that plan. Even, Jesus had to undergo various adversities.

So whats the big deal. I see adversity as God's confidence in me, that I shall transcend them.

Action and God

Peace Pilgrim say "There is a relationship between prayer and action. Receptive prayer results in the inner receiving which motivates to right action...". In my own life I follow this principle. I pray that God gives me the understanding of what is expected of me for the day and I receive the guidance.

I never complain, and try my level best to do what has to be done. We must do what we can. Good thoughts are useless if they are not followed by action. Remember what Theodore Roosevelt said "Do what you can, with what you have,where you are.."

Jesus Christ told us the good news about our loving God and what was expected of us. Most important thing is that Jesus showed us the way by this thoughts and most importantly by

action.

Action is the single most effective anti-depressant particularly for persons with disability.

Acceptance and God

James W. Riley said " When God sends rain.... rain is my choice...". This is what I call acceptance. When we accept that things happen according to God's plan, we align our goals with him.

There is no point in arguing about the rain. Make the most of what such a day offers. I have dystrophy and hence have been constrained physically. I have accepted this with open arms. God has a plan for me and that involves me being disabled.

Many people think it is a sign of weakness to accept things. But I feel, it is the sign of strength of faith and God. Acceptance has to be a conscious choice. "Acceptance is a letting-go process. You let go of you wishes and demands that life can be different" - to quote Gary Emery.

When we accept God's will for us, our life becomes purposeful, fulfilling and happier. And we must remember, Jesus Christ, is there to guide you on the way.
Just like abundance , you have to have acceptance of life as it is, in your life.

(refer post: http://disabilitywithchrist.blogspot.com/2008/01/abundance-and-god.html)

Abundance and God

I thought why not begin the first day of 2008, with thoughts about abundance.

Ernest Holmes once said "God wills us to have everything. As we express life, we fulfill God's law of abundance, but we do this only as we realize that there is good enough to go around - only we know that all God's gifts are given as freely and fully as the air and the sunshine..."

How true. We must live a life acknowledging the abundance in our life. Abundance is an mentality which comes from our being comfortable with ourselves. Stephen R. Covey has said abundance does not depend on external rankings, comparisons,opinions or possessions.

With my dystrophy, what do I have in abundance ? Let me see, a loving family, wonderful friends, time to support and comfort others. Also abundant opportunities to become Christ-like by living true to my faith.

I also feel, to experience true abundance we must give freely and unconditionally. Remember what Jesus Christ has said " To him that has, more shall be given; but from him that has not, the little that he has shall be taken away..."

Wishing a happy and purpose driven year to you.

Thanking God

As the year draws to a close, I reflect on what a personal year it has been. I have to thank the Lord for all that I achieved in the year. As regards to the things which I did not achieve - I am sure they were not in the plan of God.

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for HE is good." -Psalm 106:1

It is time to thank the Lord for his grace and all the joy HE granted me. It is also the time for a silent prayer to HIM. I pray that I understand HIS will and work ceaselessly to bring glory to HIM.

I know that failures mean, it is not God's will. In prayer I ask him to make me HIS instrument for HIS purpose for me.

I also pray that every one find their purpose in life and thus live in harmony with God's will. Remember, Jesus is always there for you to show you the way to our heavenly Father.

Happiness and God

Today I was watching a program about Happiness on BBC TV. They were explaining who their research found that people who were happier lived longer than sad people. They had a group of nuns, who were studied for happiness.

The researchers were saying that they could scientifically prove that happy people live longer. I have a spiritual take on happiness. When one is focused on God, what happens is that there is a longing to go to our Heavenly home. When we are keen to go to our final destination, unknowingly we stop being afraid of death.

When are are not afraid of death we start to really live. We are alive and this also shows up as happiness. Also happiness leads to a sense of fulfillment. Many people say away from God and HIS love, because they feel they have to give up many things. But this is not true.

When you become truly God-centered it is then you start to understand, what true happiness is. In God, our happiness is not limited but expanded.

Remember, "I come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly."- John 10:10. Understand Jesus came to us, so that we have a fulfilling and happy purposeful life.

Relationship with Christ

Yesterday I visited a page by Shelly Weiss about Living with Disability. I was happy to note that there was some one like me, who was happy and feeling proud to have a special relationship with Jesus Christ.

She has articulated her thoughts clearly. Her thoughts on non-discrimination resonated with my own thoughts.

I was happy, that someone wrote of their special relationship with Jesus Christ and how it is helping them to live with disability. I feel we can face any kind of challenges, if we are true to the faith and have the special mentor in Jesus Christ.

I shall post the link to the article, when I find it.

Divine strength

I have muscular dystrophy and as such my body is becoming weak. But, still I am in high spirits. How come I am able to do that? Let me share a secret with you.

I have a simple assumption for my life - God is always helping me. Remember what is said in the Bible "If God be for us, who can be against us" - Romans 8:31. This is my thinking. God is there for me and if HE is on my side there is nothing which can stand in my way.

But how do I get the strength to move ahead on my life's journey ? Simple. I use the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not my power, but I use the power of Jesus, which gives me my spiritual strength.

It has been said in the holy book, just remember it "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13. So my friends remember, we can achieve much more in life only if we use the divine strength which is always there for us to claim.

Christmas and Gifts

Merry Christmas !!! It is the season of holidays and giving. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. We give our friends and family and others various gifts. That spirit of giving is wonderful. God loves the spirit of giving. But stop for a moment.

Have you ever considered about what you can gift to Jesus ? You might say what an absurd idea. Giving to Jesus ? Why not, I say. But what can we gift to the Son of God - who has every thing. The only gift we can give to Jesus our saviour is our commitment to live our lives as commanded in the holy book - THE HOLY BIBLE.

The greatest birthday gift by which we can please Jesus, is by living true to Christian values.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy and purpose driven new year 2008.

Fighting Spirit and God

People are amazed with the way I live with dystrophy. They say that I have a fighting spirit. But I beg to differ. The reason I am happy is because I know that I am not my body.

When one starts identifying with their body they feel miserable if they get disabled. I know that I am a soul having an experience of the human body this life time. I have been created by God in my mothers womb with a specific purpose in this life.

What is God's purpose for me ? I don't know. Only thing that I know is that HIS will, shall prevail. So, I try to understand my purpose in life and make it as close to God's purpose for me. I do not fight my disease - dystrophy. I have embraced it with open arms and a loving heart.

May be my purpose in life is to show others that we are more than our bodies. We have a divine mission and purpose. So let us do what God wants us to do - for HE knows what is best for us.

Instead for fighting our situations we should figure out how we can become Christ-like by our every day thoughts and actions and thus move on the spiritual journey to return to our heavenly Father.

Hopeless and Pray more

In 1990, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. The day that I was told about it, my mind went into an overdrive. I was told that this disease had no cure and hence there was nothing the doctors could do. So I was thinking about the hopelessness of my situation and how to deal with it.

I could have gone into depression. But somehow, I started to think about what I could do. And a thought came to my mind, that when the situation is hopeless - then pray more. So I started, saying a silent prayer asking God to give me guidance about living life with dystrophy.

To my amazement, I received my guidance in form of a feeling that Jesus was looking at me and calling me to his way. I was always a believer but not a ritualistic person. So I decided that to live with dystrophy/ disability by adhering to the Christian values.

So I always tell people when it is hopeless - pray more for divine guidance.

God and my life story

I have muscular dystrophy. It is a degenerative disease with no cure. Still I am always positive and in cheerful spirits. So my friends wanted me to share my story with others to help them.

But I was reluctant. Finally, I accepted and started writing my story about two years ago. But some how I felt hollow and fake. I was writing about what I thought I did to live a wonderful life.

Somehow, it did not ring true to me. I frequently abandoned writing. I justified by saying who would be interested in my history?

In my heart I knew what I had to do but was avoiding it. Finally, I decided that I would write the experiences, based on my actions but include the god given guidance which actually has helped me.

So, this blog will not be secular, but will be based on my spiritual and religious experiences. It will also highlight the role God has played in my life and how Jesus has been the guiding principle to my happy purposeful life.

Disability, Christ and Me

Hi, I am Edwin Fatuck and this is my blog about how Jesus has helped me live a wonderful life with disability. More of my experiences soon.