Favorite Tweets for December

Life is short. Eat dessert first.

It was a busy month for all of us, right? But especially so for the Espinosa family: 2 birthdays, 1 anniversary (15 years!), Hanukkah, and Christmas.

Let's celebrate a wonderful month, and a exhilarating year, in which we saw God provide for us in everything.

Here were some of my favorite Tweets (@EspinosaJoey) from the past month:

From Others 

@ValerieHulme:  "Seek to heal what is broken. Lead with love. Follow love w/ compassion. Listen. Learn." Great words from @TMProject.

@Elloh_L:  "The only thing I know to do is partner with God the Father to teach people to be color blessed, not color blind." @DerwinLGray  

@ElizabethEsther:  "I can sincerely BELIEVE I'm not racist while still BEHAVING in discriminatory ways." http://www.elizabethesther.com/2014/12/maybe-im-a-racist-and-i-didnt-even-know-it-2.html … // #BlackLivesMatter

@MillVillageFarm:   Thanks @SCCLF for awarding our @GoodToGoGV Mobile Market $10k to help extend our work to additional communities!   

@FallonTonight:  Microsoft is ending Clip Art for Word. It's a small inconvenience for Word users, and a devastating blow for church newsletters. #fallonmono

@CSLewisDaily:  "In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.” ~ #CSLewis  

@PopAtomicStudio:  I'm not saying renewables are bad - they are an important piece of the puzzle, but can't go it alone & do have limitations. @EnergiewendeGER

@Lecrae:  Sick to my stomach about the killing of these NYPD officers. More people dead, more families hurting, more division. God help us.

@BobGoff:  Wise men set out to find a baby who God sent to find us. 

@ChrchCurmudgeon:  They call it a "selfie" because "narcissistie" is too hard to spell.

IJM:  "Two pre-requisites for churches doing justice: courage + humility. They seldom coexist." @IJimMartin #TheJustChurch

From Me

The verdict in the #EricGarner case explains & validates the frustration of the black community in #Ferguson.

Bought beer. Got carded. #stillgotit

If you want to see how a church body can bless families who have children with special needs, watch this: http://buff.ly/1AXQVZN  #kidmin

You can be a part of life-change & community transformation in #GreenvilleSC. http://buff.ly/16eEcYT  

Just had a job interview where the interviewer prayed for me before I left. #firsttime #SouthsideChristian

"The key to understanding masculinity is Jesus Christ." Mark Driscoll (in Real Marriage)... http://ift.tt/1wsnQo4   

College-access programs assist students who grow up in #poverty. http://buff.ly/16uhtZ6  (via @DiverseIssues) #education

"You sit on a throne of lies!"   

Chinese food DOES sound good right about now... "Chinese takeout on Christmas" http://buff.ly/1xe7Zgj 

Gifts FOR and FROM Dads: 2 Great Videos for Father's Day

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart."   (Colossians 3:21)

From Jim Valvano (HT: ClickstopCulture):

A Letter from Dad to His Son (HT: Focus on the Family):

Related Links:

• After Father's Day  
• The Father Effect (video) 
• A Message from a Dad to His Son (music video)
• What Dads Need to Tell and Do With Their Children  
• 4 Things That Dads Need to Do to Be Connected to Their Family  
• 4 Ways that Good Dads Make a Difference  

Book Winner: Leading a Special Neesd Ministry

Well that was easy!

Last week, we offered to give away a free copy of the book Leading a Special Needs Ministry. And we have a winner!

Shelly Burkey -- please contact me to send me your address, so you can get your book.

If you didn't win, you can still buy this book from the Orange store, with a discount. From now until the end of the year, use the Coupon Code LSNM2 to receive $2 off the cover price. 

Edit: Now available to buy on Amazon. 

Book Review: Leading a Special Needs Ministry

Does your church have a ministry to children who have special needs? If so, do you wonder how to have a bigger or better impact? And if your church doesn't, are you looking to start one?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you MUST buy Leading a Special Need Ministry by Amy Fenton Lee.

Far from remaining at the theoretical level, this book has a subtitle that says it all: "A Practical Guide to Including Children and Loving Families."

It would be easy to read through this book and feel  overwhelmed, since it contains so many tips and applications from churches across the country. But Amy does this for a purpose. She wants the reader to pick out what is helpful, and to ignore the rest.

Of course, I have a tender spot in my heart for Appendix 7.3, "Training Event for Church Hosts and Sunday Morning Greeters." This section was based on an equipping event we led for Children's Ministry Volunteers at Grace Church. (You can learn more about the special needs ministry at Grace Church by clicking here.) 

And there's more good stuff. . . . We will be giving away a FREE copy of this book. All you have to do is leave a comment with your full name and one sentence explaining how this book can be helpful for you.

(If I don't know you personally, you should also email me your email address, so that if you win, I can get your mailing address. If you are having trouble leaving me a comment, you can email me your name and your sentence, and I will enter in your results.)

The contest will close on Sunday October 13. If you don't win, be sure to buy your copy from the Orange store.

**And more good news!!!  From now until the end of the year, use the Coupon Code LSNM2 to receive $2 off the cover price. Don't miss out!

Edit: Now available to buy on Amazon.

Related Links:

• Special Needs: Managing or Ministering?  
• Top 5 Books I Read in 2013   

Favorite Tweets from December

Happy New Year! As you can tell by my new car decal, I may need some resolutions about starting to exercise.

Here are some of my favorite tweets to close out the year. (You can follow me at @EspinosaJoey).

From Others

@ChrchCurmudgeon:  Driving a hearse with U-Haul past the pastor's house. Someday he'll stop using that illustration.

@PaulTripp:  Grace has not only removed your condemnation, but given you a new identity and new power. Live today in light of that grace.

@DeionSanders:  Let me tell all y'all something that's real!Listen close! If it wasn't for Bo it wouldn't of been No Prime! Bo opened the doors 4 me! Truth

@Compassion:  "Giving back involves a certain amount of giving up." ~Colin Powell #itsaboutgiving

@PastorTullian:  Christmas is the coming of light, life, and love into the occupied territory of darkness, death, and hate. 

@fakejimgregg:  The NRA=ACLU.....both completely insane and out of touch 

@JimGaffigan:  Isn’t there part of everyone that hopes the Mayan calander is right? #letswrapitup #endofworld #creditcardbill

@GloriaFurman:  Bridges: It is b/c we belong to one another & are members of the same body that we are to make each other's needs our own.
 
@RecoveringBapti:  Our deacon board reminds me of the wizard of oz - one needs courage, one needs a heart, one needs a brain, and one just needs to go home

@tomascol:  The best way to prepare for death is to die daily.  

From Myself

Had a great time getting to know 12 prison inmates, as we started The Quest for Authentic Manhood tonight.

"A grumbling spirit is sinful, because it fails to recognize God's goodness and kindness in providing for us every good thing in life that we enjoy." Bruce Ware

When your wife refers to "the blog that I read," but she's not talking about yours. #fail

A comforting word for all of my friends who have a child with a disability. http://buff.ly/RS3zrc

"What should we do with this leftover bacon?" -- No one ever

My car now speaks the truth. #idontrun http://instagr.am/p/Ta9QV1DyuE/

My wife is making me hot cocoa, and we're about to watch Christmas Vacation. #lifeisgood

God's wisdom & grace >>>> Our traditions & comfort

The Strength of Disability

Many people would look at a teenager who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and see a lack of social skills. However, researchers have shown that by focusing on strengths (high intelligence, special interests, etc), "these adolescents are as capable as anyone else of forging strong friendships."

And check out this video, where Julie explains how her extra chromosome is a God-given blessing:

And it's not just that a disability can be an advantage for an individual. Justin Taylor reminds us that through disability, God shows that His power, glory, and grace are magnified.

"I believe a 'theology of brokenness' is desperately needed today—a theology that exalts the preeminence of God while underscoring his mercy and compassion to the frail and brokenhearted."

And I'm thankful for a churches like Grace Church that have special needs ministries, and for ministries like The Inclusive Church that equip many others.

Related Links:

• Explaining Autism to My Son 
• Special Needs: Managing or Ministering?

Signs of Autism

Due to a combination of factors (see this old post about the HOPE Relay), we have a special place in our hearts for families who have children with special needs. With family members, friends, and our church, we want to love and support those parents and children.

We have had the opportunity to communicate our heart (and proclaim God's love) in these situations, not just to those families affected, but to others as well. In particular, I enjoyed the conversation I had with my son last year, as I was able to explain autism to him, on a level he could understand.

Sometimes, engaging families who have children with special needs is easy, especially when they let you know about the situation. But what do you do when the child exhibits autistic tendencies, but you don't know if he has been diagnosed? (This situation will be touchier in the future, since a New Autism Definition Could Exclude Many.)

I have been involved in a number of situations like this, whether in our church or with the after school program. Sometimes, these children have a diagnosis (like those with ADHD and Emotional Self-Control issues). Other times, we suspected that there was something not being caught by parents, doctors, and/or the school. We want to come alongside the family, and give them the support they need.

Here are some principles that have helped us as we came alongside these families:

1. Pray. Realize that these families need wisdom, peace, and strength that can only come from the Lord.
2. Don't diagnose. The last thing a parent wants to hear (especially from a non-professional like me) is, "Does your child have autism or something?" (Yes, I know a church children's leader who said this to a parent, in a public situation.)
3. Don't generalize. Talk in specific behavioral actions, instead of descriptions. Don't say things like, "He is very wild, and has bad behavior." Explain specific concerns.
4. Offer support. Instead of giving your opinion of what the parent should do, ask, "What can I do to help you and your child?" Put the burden on yourself.
5. Sympathize. While you may not be able to truly empathize, try to understand the stress that the family may be under.

I also encourage you to check out this three-part series from The Inclusive Church. In these posts, Amy Fenton Lee answers the question, "What do you do when a child shows signs of autism?"

1. Part 1.  Common Questions.
2. Part 2.  Approach with Caution.
3. Part 3.  Principles for the Approach.

 image courtesy of BLW Photography via flickr

Saturday Round-Up (September 17)

Some more great articles. But first, since I'm an good at math and a I'm a strong analyzer, what does this comic say about my creativity level? Beh, I don't care.

Engaging Muslims.  “We need an accurate and discerning look at the Muslim world,” Boyd said. “One size does not fit all.”

The Gateway Gospel vs. the Pathway Gospel.  Too often, I think that the gospel-centered life is about having to jump through hoops. I need to remember that it's more about the path of life. 

Fun time at the beach last month

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters.  Great tips. 

Homeschool Blindspots.  Stern warnings for homeschoolers like me. I can see myself already having falling prey to several of these errors. 

Is Spanking Your Child Ultimately Unbiblical?  Amazing things can happen when you abuse and misapply inductive Bible study. Like you equate the same context for punishing lawbreakers and disciplining children.

Children Are a Blessing from God -- All Children.  A good word concerning for how we need to perceive children that are disabled.

Fathers' Testosterone Drops Steeply After Baby Arrives.  The human male's biology is hardwired to change in order to meet the demands of having a newborn.

Saturday Round-Up (September 10)

Hope you have a great weekend. It was a great week for good articles; I think you'll find one or more that will help you.

from The Art of Manliness

Bookend Your Day: The Power of Morning and Evening Routines.  I'm definitely a creature of habit, but I could probably use a little more consistency, and a lot more effective use of my time. Here's a quote from William Blake, "Think in the morning, act in the noon, read in the evening, and sleep at night."  

Spurgeon on a Stupid Way to Read the Scriptures.  "It is always better to read a little and digest it, than it is to read much and then think you have done a good thing by merely reading the letter of the word."

A Year of Biblical Womanhood. "When the term 'Biblical' can mean anything, it means nothing." True, but where Rachel Evans errs is by not considering context. Still, an interesting and thought-provoking project.

The Perks of the Job Are Not the Job Itself.  Thoughts from a stay-at-home dad. Apparently, there are a lot of these type dads in the blogging world.

How to Comfort a Bereaved Child.  Nine principles (plus one more by yours truly in the comments).

The Duel. I haven't done well keeping up with the Republican candidates for the 2012 Presidential campaign. This article is a good overview. Or, if you only have 47 seconds, watch this video for a recap.

Structured Homeschooling Gets an A+. You know that I don't make a case that home schooling is the only or "Biblical" method for childhood education. But this small Canadian study showed some interesting data, such as home schooled children having advantages over children in public school in math (by a half grade level) in reading (over 2 grade levels). Small class size and individualized attention go a long way.

Family Meals May Encourage Children to Try New Types of Food. Not only are family meal times great for conversation and connection, but they can encourage healthier eating habits.

One Way to Serve Families with Disabled Children. Don't forget about the children in those families who are not disabled.

Take Your Small Groups Off Life Support.  Watch this compelling video. "For every 10 minutes of commute, we are 10% less likely to have meaningful relationships. The average commute for America today? 30 minutes, each way. . . . We weren't built for isolation. We weren't meant to live lives disconnected from one another. We are created in the image of a God who exists in community. We are created for community."

Saturday Round-Up (September 3)

Had a bunch of great articles I read this week. Whittled it down to these few:


Raising Writers in Four Simple Steps.  Use personal experience. Keep it focused. Be specific. Teach revision.

How Dutch Women Got to Be the Happiest in the World.  Around 75% of women in Holland work part-time, whether married or single, kids or no kids. The desire for a fulfilling life doesn't not mean you have to climb the corporate latter.

Kids with Tourette Syndrome.  An excellent overview of this disorder.

Parents' Stress Leaves Lasting Marks on Children's Genes.  I linked to an article last week how stress affects your DNA. Turns out it can affect the DNA of your kids, too, and not in a good way.

The 6 Ways You'll See Your Dad.  Will my kids view me this way?

Developing Healthy Body Image.  Parents play a big role in how their daughters view their bodies. We have to be mindful of the attitudes that we portray.

Studies Question Effectiveness of Sex Offender Laws.  I, too, have lots of problems with these laws. But that's another discussion.

7 Sure-Fire Way to Make Kids Feel Welcome in Church.  Very handy tips from Sam Luce.

Cats & Asperger Syndrome

Joanna told me about this book, and I'm so glad I got a chance to read it a few weeks ago. It's called All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome. Less than 70 pages, with few words, lots of cute pictures (if you like cats), and plenty of thoughts to ponder. Here are some tidbits:

• "He likes to be near those he loves, but doesn't want them to hold him."
• "Loud sounds and sudden movements may scare him."
• "He's often fussy about what he eats."
• "He can do the same thing over and over again, without getting bored."

And my favorite:

• "Don't forget, everyone is different in his own way and there is a little bit of Asperger in us all."

If you know anyone (adult or child) who has autism spectrum disorder, this book is a must buy.


Related Link:

• Explaining Autism to My Son 

Saturday Round-Up (August 20)

For those who have (or are) kids, I hope you had a good first week of school! And because it's the first week of school, I put these in alphabetical order by title. Yay, me.


Complex Choices in Medicare Advantage Program May Overwhelm Seniors.  When looking to set up programs to help others, we need to be sure to focus on the real need. What may be a great idea for one group of people may be detrimental for others.

Early Childhood Allergies.  Researchers have identified a protein that may influence how susceptible children are to multiple allergic diseases, such as hay fever, food allergies, and eczema. This discovery may lead to future treatments that could slow down or eliminate "allergic march" -- the gradual acquisition of allergic diseases.

Generational Conflict in Ministry.  In ministry (and in life), there are often disagreements and tensions that arise from each person's experiences, perspectives, and skills, even when the ultimate goal is the same. This is a good reminder of the importance to reach out, to listen, and to build relationships. You can also see this article on Tradition vs. Traditionalism.

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver in 6 Different Situations.  Make sure you check this out. One day, you might need to save someone else's life. Or your own. Or your dog's.

Nothing going on here. Just a man giving his dog the Heimlich.

The 'Absurd' Debate About Length of School Year.  Instead of simple, cut-and-dry fixes, we need to make sure we are doing what students really need. But of course, the other side of the coin is that it is essentially impossible to tailor education to each child's wants and needs.

Why Joni Erickson Tada Wants to Bring Her Wheelchair to Heaven.  I'm sharing this story because it's an amazing testimony to someone who is completely trusting in God. And also to brag that I once wrote an newsletter article that was printed opposite one that she wrote. I'm kinda' famous.

Explaining Autism to My Son

"Why does he like little kid toys?"

This was the question from my son Elijah, as we brought a Cars toy to the cash register, to purchase for a friend. The kicker? That friend is a teenage boy, not who you would normally think would be interested in "little kid" stuff. But this boy is different. He likes Cars, Transformers, Lego, Batman, and Star Wars, and not just the movies, but the toys, too.

What makes him different than most teenagers? He has high-functioning autism.

Our kids know a few children who fall in various places along the autism spectrum disorder -- one in the family (who also is a teenager), a few from Grace Church, and several other friends. Therefore, this Q&A that we had walking through the mall was not the first time we talked about autism, but merely continuing a much bigger conversation.

Here are some basic principles that my son and I discussed about:

• For people who have autism, their brains work a little differently. Not wrong or right, just different.
• There are some things this boy is better at (like building toys) and some things he's not as good at (like reading your emotions). 
• Since he's good at some things, we can engage and encourage him in those, like by playing Lego and Cars. 
• We can also intentionally engage and help him in areas that he's not good at. For example, since he's not as good at understanding your emotions, we need to tell him specifically when you like something, or explain when something displeases you.

We kept walking as we talked, and Elijah was soaking it all in. He thought for a moment, and then said, "So, with autism, it's not that anything is wrong. Like, there is nothing that needs to be treated or fixed. Right?"

"Exactly," I replied, "It's just another way that God made us different. He created, loves, and sent His Son to die for each one of us."


How have you talked with children about other folks who have "special needs," like autism?


[Edit: A few weeks after we gave him this gift, we ran into the boy and his mom at an event. Our youngest, Sender, went up to him and asked, "Do you have the car?" Much to our kids' delight, their new friend pulled the toy out of his pocket.]


Related Links:

• Explaining Abortion to My Son  
• Busted! What My Son Thought About My Speeding Ticket
• On a Treadmill 
• Special Needs: Managing or Ministering   
• Signs of Autism  
• Cats & Asperger Syndrome 
• HOPE Relay   

Saturday Round-Up (July 16)

Hope you find at least one worthwhile.

How to Use Batching to Become More Productive.  We all know (don't you?) that multi-tasking is horrible, horrible, horrible for productivity. I'm going to start using the technique proposed in this article, where you list your tasks and focus on one at a time for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break.

Glasses That Expose What People Are Really Feeling.  These were originally designed for people with autism, who tend to have difficulty reading others' emotions.

Loss of Motion After Knee Surgery.  I played football for 10 years with no major knee injuries. Then, just two months into marriage, I tore my ACL playing church league basketball. (Boasting Alert: I tore it landing after blocking a 3-point shot.) Since I probably only have 95% of my range of motion, I'm sure I have arthritis waiting for me down the road.

India's Grassroots Revival.   "The Indian church is growing at a rate three times that of India's Hindu population." A long article, but worth looking through. 

Warren Buffet on Ending the Deficit in 5 Minutes. So simple. (But it's a lack of true leadership -- on both sides -- that hinders the process.)

Amazon Sales Tax.  I always thought that it was odd that you could avoid paying sales tax by ordering through the mail. But I do like paying less money!

Lack of Sick Leave Creates Tough Choices for Rural Workers.   "Caring for their own health or that of a loved one should not cost rural workers a paycheck or a job."

Lessons in Manliness from The Old Man and the Sea.  Love this review. Makes me want to go back and join Santiago on his adventure.

The Decline of the Nuclear Family.  "In the face of the confusion, hopelessness, and lack of any answers from our culture, one of the most radical things the church can call Christians to is back to God’s design for men and women."

Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Do Your Children Rank).  "Live the gospel in the things that no one sees. Sacrifice for your children in places that only they will know about. Put their value ahead of yours. Grow them up in the clean air of gospel living. . . . If you tell them the gospel, but live to yourself, they will never believe it."

Saturday Round-Up

Like last week, here's a list of articles that I found interesting and helpful. I hope you enjoy at least one or two. If not? Well, I guess I just wasted my time.


How to Remember a Person's Name (And What to Do When You Can't).  Written by . . . ummm . . . Mr. . . . ummmmmm . . . . You know who I'm talking about.

Growing Up Colt.  A review of the new book by Brad & Colt McCoy. I love the principle "Prepare your children for the path, not the path for your children." Our culture teaches that parents are supposed to make life easy for their kids. And here is Colt's video testimony:

Education: It Must Begin and End With Virtue.  An encouragement to focus on reading, writing, and art.

Low Fertility in Europe Reversed.  A population needs to between 2.1 and 2.2 children per women in order to maintain or grow its numbers. Since World War II, most countries in the European Union have seen their birth rate decrease. Some of this has stabilized, but currently zero of the 27 EU nations met this fertility rate, and over half have a rate below 1.5.

Six Truths on Christian Involvement in Society.  Notes from a John Piper sermon from 2000. Similar (but a more theological case) to what I wrote about Why Christians Should Serve Outside of the Church.

5 Pieces of Art by Children with Autism.  You'll want to see these, and read the descriptions from the artists. Here's one example:

 
Why Are Air Conditioners So Heavy?   Not a complicated answer -- it's the copper in it. But this title caught my attention because we've had 100 degree whether, and our building (for our summer camp) is cooled by five window-AC units.


Why Do I Keep Doing the Same Sin Over & Over Again?   The core problem is that I think I am stronger than my sin. I need the power of Jesus working in me, and this happens best in community.

Special Needs: Managing or Ministering?

We have several boys in the after school program that are diagnosed with specific special needs. One boy has high-functioning autism, and another is in a special education class in his school. And as I've said before, a handful have ADHD.

I'm thankful for the leaders I got to work with over the years at Grace Church, who worked diligently to minister to families who have children with special needs. I learned so much from them, not just terminology and information, but I saw them sacrificially serve these families.

In working with these children in our program, I was reminded of a couple of articles written by Amy Fenton Lee, of The Inclusive Church. I got to know her through a mutual friend, and she once came up for a special needs training event that we did. From that meeting, she produced a couple of articles that I still refer back to, to help me get re-oriented to a ministry mindset.

1. Special Needs: Managed or Ministered To?  The title of this article came from a comment that a friend and fellow parent made, "Parents of children with special needs don't want to be managed. They want to be ministered to."
2. Special Needs Training for Church Greeters  This is a summary of the training event we did, where a staff member interviewed both volunteer leaders and parents who have children with special needs.

These articles reminded me of a couple of things as I interact with families who are a part of the after school program:

1. I need to be intentional to reach out to families here who have children with special needs. Yes, I need to manage the needs of the child, but I need to do it out of a desire to lovingly minister to them, not just check off a box.
2. I need to be intentional to ensure that all staff and volunteers are equipped to minister to these families.

On the other side, if you have a child with special needs, here is another article that Amy wrote, about how you can help the church (or other ministry organization) prepare for your child's visit.

Related Links:

• The Strength of Disability   
• Book Review: Leading a Special Needs Ministry   

ADHD and Emotional Self-Control

image courtesy of Michael Jacksonfan via flickr

Five boys can make all the difference. No, I'm not talking about the five in the picture to the right. I'm talking about five boys that I work with each week in the after school program in Allendale.

When Marvin Love started working regularly with this program, it gave us the chance to shift around some responsibilities. Since he prefers the older kids, and is really good with them, he took over the 4th - 8th grade group where I had been leading. That allowed me to focus more time on the 2nd and 3rd graders.

This was much-needed since this class had already gone through a number of volunteer leaders. I am no expert on childhood and education, but I knew I could at least add some time and energy to this group of kids.

What I saw immediately was that their energy put mine to shame. Their voices rapidly increased in volume, as they clamored for attention. They ignored directions, even after I repeated myself multiple times.

But two things soon became clear to me:

1. These kids are not that different than mine.
2. The "they" that caused the most problems were only part of the class, and the worst has been a group of 5 or 6 boys, out of a total class size of about 25.

As I've been working with this group for about two months now, it's amazing the difference in how things go depending on whether those boys are there. And it's rarely just one or 2 of them there; it's pretty much all or nothing.

But I've been learning that their behavior is only part of the issue. In fact, God reminds me that that their external actions merely reflect an internal reality. Much of this, of course, is related to the spiritual condition of their hearts, as I am sure that most of this group are unregenerate.

I am also seeing that a lot of this is due to emotional and physiological issues.  A few of these boys will melt into tears when I pull them aside to discuss their behavior (like this boy who struggled with his emotions). Even more, when I obtained report cards from the schools, I learned that one of these boys (whose temperament can change in an instant from lovable to wanting to fight) is in a special education class.

I also learned that one other boy in that class has ADHD, and when his medicine is wearing off at the end of the day, it can get bad. (Although I'm excited to say that he earned our class's "Youth of the Week" award last week.) In truth, probably a few kids in there (and a few in the other groups) have ADHD, and at least half have emotional self-control issues.

It was interesting to read that there seems to be a connection between ADHD and emotional self-control, especially that this can run in families (and everyone seems to be related down here). While the connection is clear, it has not yet been determined if one issue causes the other. But the real-life implications are serious. "Individuals with ADHD who also display emotional overreaction have a reduced quality of life and difficulties with personal relationships and social success."

I know that we cannot fix anything in the short-term, but we can't just excuse the behavior. One day, after a boy in the oldest class (who has ADHD) was jumping off of tables and bookshelves, I told his mom, "I understand that he cannot always control his behavior. But we have to work with him over the next few years to teach him how. While he can get away with jumping off tables when he is 10, he has to learn that he can't still do that when he's 18."


Related Link:

• Special Needs: Managing or Ministering? 

HOPE Relay

I'll be running in a relay today, my first-ever road race.  It's the first annual HOPE Relay, sponsored by the HOPE Foundation, which works with children who have autism.  Our 5-member team is the "BunchaNancies!" and we'll cover about 42 miles, starting at 10:30AM on Paris Mountain.  Since I'm not a runner, I was slick enough to put the team together, and then claim the shortest legs (3.6 miles and 2.5 miles).  Joanna and Hannah will be volunteering -- kinda' ironic that they have to be there earlier than I do, and that they'll be doing more work than I will.

Why is this event and cause important to us?

• Often people who have disabilities get overlooked, devalued, and even shunned.  But we believe that each person, each child, is created in God's image, with infinite value -- valuable enough that God sent His Son to die for each of us.  Read more thoughts from our church here.
• Joanna's nephew Nick, has Aspberger's syndrome.  I'll be running in his honor.
• My grandmother taught special needs for a long-time, and some of that love has been passed down to me.
• We have many friends who have children with a variety of special needs.  We want to support them in their journey.

If you want to learn more about why and how we should minister to children with special needs, see the label "special needs" on this blog (Grace Church currently ministers to at least 20 children who have special needs).  Furthermore, any church looking for more resources in this area should check out The Inclusive Church blog.