The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13-14 Amplified Bible, "For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself." Paul incorporated people into his life and was especially fond of seeking out those who didn't know God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ and God the Holy Spirit and introducing God, Paul and other creyentes (believers) to each other. Paul's growth as a creyente included the growth of others.
Mary Church Terrell, a civil rights activist and women's rights activist, believed that self-development goes with the development of others. Terrell said in her speech The Progress Of Colored Women, "Not only because they are women, but because they are colored women are discouragement and disappointment meeting them at every turn. But in spite of the obstacles encountered, the progress made by colored women along many lines appears like a veritable miracle of modern times."
The miracle Terrell talked about didn't come through selfishness. After talking about the lives and accomplishments of various colored women Terrell also said, "Lifting as they climb, onward and upward they go struggling and striving and hoping that the buds and blossoms of their desires may burst into glorious fruition ere long."
Selfishness may seem beneficial, but it's a lie. Nick Vujicic is of Serbian heritage, born in Australia without arms or legs and immigrant to America. Vujicic is married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara, who is of Latino and Japanese heritage. Together they have a son named Kiyoshi James Vujicic. Vujicic says in his book Limitless Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life, "The kind of self-love and self-acceptance I advocate is not about loving yourself in a self-absorbed, conceited way. The self-love I encourage is self-less. You give more than you take. You offer without being asked. You share when you don't have much. You find happiness by making others smile. You love yourself because you are not all about yourself. You are happy with who you are because you make others happy to be around you."
We all have a tendency toward self-more. The self-more is stingy with people and has to be fought consistently. Victory is possible through God-more. In April 2013 Governor Mary Fallin signed into law the Oklahoma Nondiscrimination in Treatment Act which prevents healthcare providers from denying people lifesaving treatment "on the basis of a view that treats extending the life of an elderly, disabled, or terminally ill individual as of lower value than extending the life of an individual who is younger, nondisabled, or not terminally ill." God loves people of all ages, races, sexes and abilities; God wants us to imitate Him.
Peter Baker reports in The New York Times July 3, 2013, article "Bush a Fond Presence in Africa for Work During and Since His Presidency" that former US President George W. Bush has been in Africa renovating clinics and expanding screening and treatment programs to fight cervical cancer. Bush has also been a long-time friend of immigrants, unborn girls and unborn boys.
Fred Hammond was an unborn boy who survived an attempted abortion. Hammond is also a Gospel singer and father of Breeann Michelle Hammond and Darius Sean Hammond who says in a "Thank You Prelude" prayer at the beginning of Fred Hammond's CD Love Unstoppable, "Lord bless my dad, my mom, my sister, the president and all my family and friends. Lord bless everyone who hears this CD .... And most of all bless someone to be better friends with you because of my dad's music. In Jesus' name. Amen."
May God bless the Senate to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act; may God bless the House to pass immigration reform; may God bless President Barak Obama to sign both into US law; may God bless an unlimited number of people to become better friends with Him.
Showing posts with label Nick Vujicic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nick Vujicic. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Stop Excluding People. Reform Immigration Now!
1 Peter 2:9 New Living Translation Bible says, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." God wants creyentes (believers) to do good like He does good. God also wants creyentes to enjoy the best of this earthly life without idolizing things or people.
One good thing to have is citizenship. The Apostle Paul, a Jew who had Roman citizenship, wrote most of the New Testament. African Americans gained American citizenship via the 14th amendment to the US constitution. Rafael Damani Fowler and I are African Americans, and we value and enjoy our US citizenship.
We also pray that as our legislature is considering immigration reform that many others who are currently being denied US citizenship but value and desire to enjoy it will be granted US citizenship. Diversity in America is good for Americans and people globally. Diversity in America is a world witness as America is the world's leading nation.
Nick Vujicic is of Serbian heritage but born in Australia. Later in life he moved to the United States of America. Vujicic was born without arms and legs not because of a botched abortion but because of tetra-amelia syndrome. Ana Rosa Rodriguez was born without an arm because of a botched abortion. Vujicic, a husband, a father, an evangelist, a motivational speaker, head of the non-profit organization Life Without Limbs and author, writes in his book Limitless Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life, "Researchers found that many who successfully deal with physical adversity actually grow in positive ways, including these:
* They realize they are stronger than they thought, and they tend to recover more quickly from future challenges.
* They discover who truly cares about them, and those relationships grow stronger.
* They put greater value on each day and on the good things in their lives.
* They become stronger spiritually."
Rafael Damani Fowler and I enjoy listening to CDs which were invented by the Japanese. Gospel singer Andrea Helms says in her song "Changed" on the CD Ultimate Gospel vol. 2 Women of Gospel Spirit Rising that she was not supposed to be born. She says about the time before she was born, "The doctors said that I would never walk that I would never talk that I would be nothing ... but I was born healthy." Doctors and other medical professionals know a lot, but they are not all-knowing like God. Doctors and others were not able to tell me that my son, Rafael, has autism, but it's okay. Rafael is glad to be alive instead of aborted.
Un dicho (a proverb) says, "No hay tiempo como el presente ("There is no time like the present.") Now is a good time to pass immigration reform not like the wicked US Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 but a law that welcomes people, doesn't burden them financially and treats them with equality.
One good thing to have is citizenship. The Apostle Paul, a Jew who had Roman citizenship, wrote most of the New Testament. African Americans gained American citizenship via the 14th amendment to the US constitution. Rafael Damani Fowler and I are African Americans, and we value and enjoy our US citizenship.
We also pray that as our legislature is considering immigration reform that many others who are currently being denied US citizenship but value and desire to enjoy it will be granted US citizenship. Diversity in America is good for Americans and people globally. Diversity in America is a world witness as America is the world's leading nation.
Nick Vujicic is of Serbian heritage but born in Australia. Later in life he moved to the United States of America. Vujicic was born without arms and legs not because of a botched abortion but because of tetra-amelia syndrome. Ana Rosa Rodriguez was born without an arm because of a botched abortion. Vujicic, a husband, a father, an evangelist, a motivational speaker, head of the non-profit organization Life Without Limbs and author, writes in his book Limitless Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life, "Researchers found that many who successfully deal with physical adversity actually grow in positive ways, including these:
* They realize they are stronger than they thought, and they tend to recover more quickly from future challenges.
* They discover who truly cares about them, and those relationships grow stronger.
* They put greater value on each day and on the good things in their lives.
* They become stronger spiritually."
Rafael Damani Fowler and I enjoy listening to CDs which were invented by the Japanese. Gospel singer Andrea Helms says in her song "Changed" on the CD Ultimate Gospel vol. 2 Women of Gospel Spirit Rising that she was not supposed to be born. She says about the time before she was born, "The doctors said that I would never walk that I would never talk that I would be nothing ... but I was born healthy." Doctors and other medical professionals know a lot, but they are not all-knowing like God. Doctors and others were not able to tell me that my son, Rafael, has autism, but it's okay. Rafael is glad to be alive instead of aborted.
Un dicho (a proverb) says, "No hay tiempo como el presente ("There is no time like the present.") Now is a good time to pass immigration reform not like the wicked US Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 but a law that welcomes people, doesn't burden them financially and treats them with equality.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Spitting In The Face Of God Or Service?
Proverbs 14:21 Amplified Bible says, "He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor." Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa said, "When you treat any human being as if they were less than a child of God, you are not just doing wrong--you are being sacrilegious. You are desecrating someting that is holy. You are like someone who spits in the face of God."
Low expectations of people are a way of spitting in the face of God. China spits in the face of God with its one-child policy that includes forced abortions and forced sterilizations.
In 2005 Chen Guangcheng filed a class-action lawsuit against local government officials involved in forced abortions and forced sterilizations. For his efforts Guangcheng, who is blind, ended up in jail for five years and in house arrest for two years.
He escaped on foot. Then he connected with He Peirong who drove him to the United States embassy in Beijing, China. A deal was negotiated between China and the United States, and Guangcheng came to live with his wife, Yuan Weijung, and two children in New York. Guangcheng has been a visiting scholar at New York University's U.S.-Asia Law Institute since May 2012.
Sophia Hollander writes in The Wall Street Journal June 13, 2013, article, "Chinese Dissident to Leave NYU," that New York University Spokesman John Beckman said that the university had provided Chen Guangcheng with housing, health insurance, food, clothing and electronic equipment, along with an office and language translation support.
Now New York University is requiring Chen Guangcheng to leave the university by the end of June 2013 while New York University denies that Chen Guangcheng's departure is connected to their opening of a university campus in Shanghai, China.
Creyentes (believers) are called to treat all people non-disabled and disabled well.
Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs not because of a botched abortion but because of tetra-amelia syndrome. Vujicic, who is an evangelist, motivational speaker, head of the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs and author of multiple books, writes in his book Limitless Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life, "I may be disabled, but God is abled." Vujicic is also married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara. On February 13, 2013, this married couple celebrated the birth of Kiyoshi James Vujicic, their son and first child, and they hope to have at least four children.
Some think that the disabled are destined to live a ridiculously bad life and recommend that those who are disabled or may be disabled be killed before birth via abortion. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act seeks to place a national prohibition on abortions of non-disabled and disabled unborn girls and boys 20 weeks and older. Twenty weeks is the age when the unborn begin to feel pain. Instead of spitting in the face of God, serve Him and humanity by praying for Chen Guangcheng, the Chen family, New York University officials and the unborn and by sending an email to your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 1797 the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and to support the bill as is without changes: http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/issues/alert/?alertid=62650516&type=CO.
Low expectations of people are a way of spitting in the face of God. China spits in the face of God with its one-child policy that includes forced abortions and forced sterilizations.
In 2005 Chen Guangcheng filed a class-action lawsuit against local government officials involved in forced abortions and forced sterilizations. For his efforts Guangcheng, who is blind, ended up in jail for five years and in house arrest for two years.
He escaped on foot. Then he connected with He Peirong who drove him to the United States embassy in Beijing, China. A deal was negotiated between China and the United States, and Guangcheng came to live with his wife, Yuan Weijung, and two children in New York. Guangcheng has been a visiting scholar at New York University's U.S.-Asia Law Institute since May 2012.
Sophia Hollander writes in The Wall Street Journal June 13, 2013, article, "Chinese Dissident to Leave NYU," that New York University Spokesman John Beckman said that the university had provided Chen Guangcheng with housing, health insurance, food, clothing and electronic equipment, along with an office and language translation support.
Now New York University is requiring Chen Guangcheng to leave the university by the end of June 2013 while New York University denies that Chen Guangcheng's departure is connected to their opening of a university campus in Shanghai, China.
Creyentes (believers) are called to treat all people non-disabled and disabled well.
Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs not because of a botched abortion but because of tetra-amelia syndrome. Vujicic, who is an evangelist, motivational speaker, head of the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs and author of multiple books, writes in his book Limitless Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life, "I may be disabled, but God is abled." Vujicic is also married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara. On February 13, 2013, this married couple celebrated the birth of Kiyoshi James Vujicic, their son and first child, and they hope to have at least four children.
Some think that the disabled are destined to live a ridiculously bad life and recommend that those who are disabled or may be disabled be killed before birth via abortion. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act seeks to place a national prohibition on abortions of non-disabled and disabled unborn girls and boys 20 weeks and older. Twenty weeks is the age when the unborn begin to feel pain. Instead of spitting in the face of God, serve Him and humanity by praying for Chen Guangcheng, the Chen family, New York University officials and the unborn and by sending an email to your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 1797 the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and to support the bill as is without changes: http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/issues/alert/?alertid=62650516&type=CO.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Who Is A True Advocate for Diversity and Equality?
God loves diversity and equality. Both Abraham and Daniel are mighty men of God. Abraham is a prophet and the patriarch of creyentes (believers). He had eight children. Daniel is a prophet. He had no children. Jesus Christ asked John the apostle to take care of Mary. The book of Luke chapter eight reveals that women took care of many of Jesus' ministry needs.
Some use prenatal genetic testing to seek out the disabled and kill them. Others use their disabilities to glorify God and do good works for people. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. While it would be wonderful to have arms and legs, he uses what God has given him to be an evangelist, motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur (http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org) and to live life to the fullest. Vujicic is also marred to Kanae Miyahara, and the couple have a son named Kiyoshi James Vujicic.
Some sickness and disabilities are acquired after birth. International Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer had breast cancer. Due to early detection, the cancer was caught when it was tiny. Today she is cancer free. Chen Guangcheng became blind due to a childhood illness. He is a self-taught lawyer who helped disabled people in China gain public benefits. He also filed a 2005 class action lawsuit against local authorities practicing forced abortions and forced sterilizations as part of China's one child policy. Guangcheng is active in multiple issues. Currently he is involved in the Defending Freedom Project, a coalition of governmental leaders and human rights groups working to free prisoners of conscience across the globe.
Has anyone seen any coverage of Pastor and US citizen Saeed Abedini in the major secular media? Pastor Abedini is in Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, being persecuted for his Christian faith. Write to him and sign a petition at http://www.savesaeed.org.
Some people think it's a waste of time to study foreign languages. Former South African President Nelson Mandela doesn't think so. Speaking someone's language can open up relationships.
Sunday is Pentecost which celebrates the birth of the Christian church. In Acts 2 the beginning of the church was multilingual and multicultural. God is not just concerned with one group of people. He is concerned about everyone. God has creyentes (believers) who are reinas y reyes (queens and kings) in all parts of the globe. God wants us to have a relationship with Him and people. He is not for erasing culture and language.
God is not only interested in us, He is also interested in everything around us. While everyone will not be rich, having an abundance of resources can be used for good. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to live well on 10 percent of your income and give away 90 percent? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Complete Jewish Bible says, "As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life." Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa. Nigeria has the world's 10th-largest oil reserves and 7th-largest natural gas reserves. One good use of wealth is to ensure religious freedom for people. What are some good works coming out of Nigeria?
Another good use of wealth is to produce educational materials to overcome evil with good. The following LifeNews.com link shows that Kermit Gosnell is not the only abortionists killing late-term unborn babies, babies born live after botched abortions and women: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/15/another-gosnell-report-shows-texas-abortion-doc-kills-babies-born-alive/.
How many abortionists are like Kermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen? Where is the extensive media coverage of what goes on inside abortion clinics? Abortion affects everyone. Some hot spot coverage exists in China and America. What about regular stories about the survivors of abortion? Gospel Singer and US Citizen Fred Hammond was almost aborted, but he survived it and is still living. There is an endless potential supply of stories about China's one child policy with forced abortions and forced sterilizations.
Have you seen major secular media reports about Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang? A ChinaAid March 24, 2013, "With ChinaAid's Help, Two Victims of China's One-Child Policy Granted UNHCR Refugee Status" article reports that in 1995, when Guo Yanling was eight months pregnant, she was forced to have an abortion. In 1999, she was forcibly sterilized. In 2006, she was imprisoned for not being able to pay a fine for having more than one child. The Chinese government also refused to issue household registrations to her and to her husband, Du Yiliang's, three children without which they are unable to attend school or receive government benefits. Guo Yanling's and Du Yiliang's abortion, sterilization, educational and economic terror experience is typical in China. What isn't nearly as typical is that with ChinaAid’s help, Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang have been granted refugee status by the UN High Commission on Refugees. Notes of encouragement to Du Yiliang and Guo Yanling, requests for interviews and financial contributions to ChinaAid's Emergency Relief Fund can all be submitted to ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu at http://www.chinaaid.org.
Some use prenatal genetic testing to seek out the disabled and kill them. Others use their disabilities to glorify God and do good works for people. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs. While it would be wonderful to have arms and legs, he uses what God has given him to be an evangelist, motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur (http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org) and to live life to the fullest. Vujicic is also marred to Kanae Miyahara, and the couple have a son named Kiyoshi James Vujicic.
Some sickness and disabilities are acquired after birth. International Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer had breast cancer. Due to early detection, the cancer was caught when it was tiny. Today she is cancer free. Chen Guangcheng became blind due to a childhood illness. He is a self-taught lawyer who helped disabled people in China gain public benefits. He also filed a 2005 class action lawsuit against local authorities practicing forced abortions and forced sterilizations as part of China's one child policy. Guangcheng is active in multiple issues. Currently he is involved in the Defending Freedom Project, a coalition of governmental leaders and human rights groups working to free prisoners of conscience across the globe.
Has anyone seen any coverage of Pastor and US citizen Saeed Abedini in the major secular media? Pastor Abedini is in Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, being persecuted for his Christian faith. Write to him and sign a petition at http://www.savesaeed.org.
Some people think it's a waste of time to study foreign languages. Former South African President Nelson Mandela doesn't think so. Speaking someone's language can open up relationships.
Sunday is Pentecost which celebrates the birth of the Christian church. In Acts 2 the beginning of the church was multilingual and multicultural. God is not just concerned with one group of people. He is concerned about everyone. God has creyentes (believers) who are reinas y reyes (queens and kings) in all parts of the globe. God wants us to have a relationship with Him and people. He is not for erasing culture and language.
God is not only interested in us, He is also interested in everything around us. While everyone will not be rich, having an abundance of resources can be used for good. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to live well on 10 percent of your income and give away 90 percent? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Complete Jewish Bible says, "As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life." Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa. Nigeria has the world's 10th-largest oil reserves and 7th-largest natural gas reserves. One good use of wealth is to ensure religious freedom for people. What are some good works coming out of Nigeria?
Another good use of wealth is to produce educational materials to overcome evil with good. The following LifeNews.com link shows that Kermit Gosnell is not the only abortionists killing late-term unborn babies, babies born live after botched abortions and women: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/15/another-gosnell-report-shows-texas-abortion-doc-kills-babies-born-alive/.
How many abortionists are like Kermit Gosnell and Douglas Karpen? Where is the extensive media coverage of what goes on inside abortion clinics? Abortion affects everyone. Some hot spot coverage exists in China and America. What about regular stories about the survivors of abortion? Gospel Singer and US Citizen Fred Hammond was almost aborted, but he survived it and is still living. There is an endless potential supply of stories about China's one child policy with forced abortions and forced sterilizations.
Have you seen major secular media reports about Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang? A ChinaAid March 24, 2013, "With ChinaAid's Help, Two Victims of China's One-Child Policy Granted UNHCR Refugee Status" article reports that in 1995, when Guo Yanling was eight months pregnant, she was forced to have an abortion. In 1999, she was forcibly sterilized. In 2006, she was imprisoned for not being able to pay a fine for having more than one child. The Chinese government also refused to issue household registrations to her and to her husband, Du Yiliang's, three children without which they are unable to attend school or receive government benefits. Guo Yanling's and Du Yiliang's abortion, sterilization, educational and economic terror experience is typical in China. What isn't nearly as typical is that with ChinaAid’s help, Guo Yanling and Du Yiliang have been granted refugee status by the UN High Commission on Refugees. Notes of encouragement to Du Yiliang and Guo Yanling, requests for interviews and financial contributions to ChinaAid's Emergency Relief Fund can all be submitted to ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu at http://www.chinaaid.org.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
"Dumb Ass" Discrimination
Whether a person is a disabled worker or a disabled person unable to work, disability discrimination can be defeated. On May 1, 2013, a federal jury awarded $240 million to 32 mentally disabled men who endured decades of discrimination and abuse in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act while working for Henry’s Turkey Service. On April 26, 2013, Governor Mary Fallin signed into law the Oklahoma Nondiscrimination in Treatment Act which takes effect November 1 and is modeled after anti-discriminatory language in federal law. The law, the first of its kind to be signed into law in the United States of America, will prevent health care providers from denying treatment "on the basis of a view that treats extending the life of an elderly, disabled, or terminally ill individual as of lower value than extending the life of an individual who is younger, nondisabled, or not terminally ill."
Discrimination against persons with disabilities is widespread. The New York Times says Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities is 75 percent higher than for those with no disabilities.
A May 2, 2013, "Workers win $240 million verdict from Texas company" Star-Telegram article says about the Henry’s Turkey Service case brought to court by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), "Jurors were told that the men were called “retarded,” “dumb ass” and “stupid,” and were physically struck and kicked. In at least one case, a disabled worker was handcuffed to a bed. Other punishment included being forced to walk in circles lugging heavy weights. One man had been kicked in the groin and was found with “testicles that were quite swollen,” an EEOC psychologist testified. Others were often locked in their bedrooms at night, she said. Moreover, windows leaked during rainstorms, soaking the men’s beds."
All human life is valuable because each one of us, disabled or typical, is designed by God. Exodus 4:11 New Living Translation Bible says, "Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? "
Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs, writes in his book Unstoppable The Incredible Power of Faith in Action, "Over time I spoke more and more about my faith. Evangelism and inspiration became my greatest passions. Speaking about my love of God and the blessings in my life, including my disabilities and the strength they give me, allows me to serve others. It's given my life a purpose, one that I believe God created for me."
God created all human beings as sexual beings. God designed single sexuality and partner-sex for marriage only. Some persons with disabilities celebrate their sexuality in singleness others in marriage. Vujicic, who is of Serbian heritage, is married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara, who is of mixed Latino and Japanese heritage. On February 13, 2013, this married couple celebrated the birth of Kiyoshi James Vujicic, their son and first child.
Christian minister and Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., says, "This is the ultimate tragedy of segregation. It not only harms one physically but injures one spiritually. It scars the soul and degrades the personality. It inflicts the segregated with a false sense of inferiority, while [giving] the segregator...a false estimate of his own superiority." What King said about segregation can be applied to other types of discrimination.
We do not have a federal holiday to recognize the contributions of persons with illnesses and/or disabilities. Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression, has some good advice: "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."
One way the Japanese get to know people better is by enjoying a tea ceremony. Ethiopians do it by enjoying a coffee ceremony. Tea, coffee and other things can be enjoyed by the disabled and the typical on any day especially on February 12, which is Lincoln's birthday.
Instead of a holiday honoring multiple presidents on one day, what about a separate federal holiday recognizing Lincoln whose birthday is February 12, 1809? Write to me about it at:
Michele F. Jackson
P.O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, VA 22195
Also share a tweet @Michelelove30 via the social media Twitter.
Needing a caretaker or some other type of assistance is not shameful. Disabled or typical, we all need help in various ways. Chen Guangcheng, who became blind as a result of a childhood illness and now wears dark sunglasses, is a self-taught lawyer from China who helped the disabled win public benefits and aided farmers fighting illegal land seizures. Guangcheng became internationally known for filing a 2005 law suit against a local government for forced abortions and forced sterilizations practiced as part of China’s one-child policy. Later he endured physical and psychological abuse in jail and in house arrest. Eventually he escaped to the United States and testified before Congress on April 9, 2013, regarding human rights abuses in China.
Defeating disability discrimination and other types of discrimination is godly. Disabled or typical God desires a good life for us. Jesus Christ says in John 10:10 Amplified Bible, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
Discrimination against persons with disabilities is widespread. The New York Times says Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities is 75 percent higher than for those with no disabilities.
A May 2, 2013, "Workers win $240 million verdict from Texas company" Star-Telegram article says about the Henry’s Turkey Service case brought to court by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), "Jurors were told that the men were called “retarded,” “dumb ass” and “stupid,” and were physically struck and kicked. In at least one case, a disabled worker was handcuffed to a bed. Other punishment included being forced to walk in circles lugging heavy weights. One man had been kicked in the groin and was found with “testicles that were quite swollen,” an EEOC psychologist testified. Others were often locked in their bedrooms at night, she said. Moreover, windows leaked during rainstorms, soaking the men’s beds."
All human life is valuable because each one of us, disabled or typical, is designed by God. Exodus 4:11 New Living Translation Bible says, "Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? "
Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs, writes in his book Unstoppable The Incredible Power of Faith in Action, "Over time I spoke more and more about my faith. Evangelism and inspiration became my greatest passions. Speaking about my love of God and the blessings in my life, including my disabilities and the strength they give me, allows me to serve others. It's given my life a purpose, one that I believe God created for me."
God created all human beings as sexual beings. God designed single sexuality and partner-sex for marriage only. Some persons with disabilities celebrate their sexuality in singleness others in marriage. Vujicic, who is of Serbian heritage, is married to Kanae Loida Vujicic-Miyahara, who is of mixed Latino and Japanese heritage. On February 13, 2013, this married couple celebrated the birth of Kiyoshi James Vujicic, their son and first child.
Christian minister and Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., says, "This is the ultimate tragedy of segregation. It not only harms one physically but injures one spiritually. It scars the soul and degrades the personality. It inflicts the segregated with a false sense of inferiority, while [giving] the segregator...a false estimate of his own superiority." What King said about segregation can be applied to other types of discrimination.
We do not have a federal holiday to recognize the contributions of persons with illnesses and/or disabilities. Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression, has some good advice: "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."
One way the Japanese get to know people better is by enjoying a tea ceremony. Ethiopians do it by enjoying a coffee ceremony. Tea, coffee and other things can be enjoyed by the disabled and the typical on any day especially on February 12, which is Lincoln's birthday.
Instead of a holiday honoring multiple presidents on one day, what about a separate federal holiday recognizing Lincoln whose birthday is February 12, 1809? Write to me about it at:
Michele F. Jackson
P.O. Box 2106
Woodbridge, VA 22195
Also share a tweet @Michelelove30 via the social media Twitter.
Needing a caretaker or some other type of assistance is not shameful. Disabled or typical, we all need help in various ways. Chen Guangcheng, who became blind as a result of a childhood illness and now wears dark sunglasses, is a self-taught lawyer from China who helped the disabled win public benefits and aided farmers fighting illegal land seizures. Guangcheng became internationally known for filing a 2005 law suit against a local government for forced abortions and forced sterilizations practiced as part of China’s one-child policy. Later he endured physical and psychological abuse in jail and in house arrest. Eventually he escaped to the United States and testified before Congress on April 9, 2013, regarding human rights abuses in China.
Defeating disability discrimination and other types of discrimination is godly. Disabled or typical God desires a good life for us. Jesus Christ says in John 10:10 Amplified Bible, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."
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