boston commoner.

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Quick prayer request, folks:

My older sister Liz and her husband, Bob, are expecting their first child and my first neice, Emily Grace, any day now. (more…)

Mark 10:27: And Jesus looking upon them saith, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

Some of you have been praying for my brother John’s salvation. I posted an article several months ago (click here to read it) that talks about the changes the Lord has made in John’s heart–changes and motivations that would be miraculous in the heart of any sinner, but which are even more apparently awe-inspiring when one considers the mental limitations inherent for someone with John’s degree of Down’s Syndrome and other communication problems. The following is an excerpt from an e-mail I sent my pastor concerning further progress the Lord is making in John’s heart of hearts. I hope it’s an encouragment to you and a reminder to pray for him and others like him. (more…)

Mark 10:27: 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

Some of you know that my younger brother John is a huge burden on my heart. Not only do I worry over his daily safety and happiness, but I worry over his soul. Because of his Down’s Syndrome and other issues, it is very hard to know just how much he understands about what you are saying to him, even where only mildly complex concepts are concerned. As such, it is difficult to know what he understands about the Lord.

Now, John used to hate going to church, in the way that he hated going to most public places. Think “sensory overload.” The people, the background noise, and, especially, the organ, were likely sources of real physical pain to him. It became easier to leave him home with my father on Sunday mornings, which scenario has been the norm for years. My mom has, however, taken him to her church on occasions when my father is unavailable. So much has changed in how John deals with social venues, and we’re delighted that he now enjoys going to family gatherings, restaurants, and, when necessary, church. But old habits die hard, and it’s still been easier to leave him home with my dad on Sundays.

But I’ve recently grown dissatisfied with such a senseless routine. Does it follow that, simply because John might not fully grasp all of the concepts preached in a given sermon, that he should therefore be cut off from the entire fellowship and influence of the spiritual family? No. And why do we hope, in doing more of the same, to reep different results? (more…)

This morning I found a wonderful e-mail from Lisa Knies herself, right in my very own inbox! It’s been a while since I’ve heard from her personally, as she is apparently having some e-mail trouble. She’d hi-jacked a local library computer and was doing her best to catch up on e-mails without the aid of an address book. She’s been encouraged by the comments and posts here, as well as by all of the personal snail mail she’s been getting. She’s not competely in the clear yet, however; she’s back in the hospital today getting prepped for her second surgery. She sent this message along and asked that I post it: (more…)

Many of you have probably received this e-mail from Lisa recently: (more…)