Jesus Christ — The Theme

by Sharon Merhalski

People send me a lot of forwards and articles. I don’t have time to read all of them but a statement in one article grabbed my total attention:

“Jesus Christ was the theme of their life.”

As I sat with God and mused on this statement I first thought of a themed birthday party and how obvious the theme is when a person enters the room. From the decorations in the house, the cake, the plates, napkins, cups and games…all will display the theme. And often the birthday person will even wear clothes displaying the theme of the party.

I then thought of Bronner’s, a Christmas store in Michigan where every single thing in the building portrays the Christmas theme…even the way the sales clerks dress. From the time a person gets the building in view until the time they leave and the building is out of sight, the theme of the establishment is unmistakable.
I did a word study to help me further understand the word “theme.”

Theme: a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation; a written exercise; a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement (Webster’s Dictionary)

Theme: the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. (Learner.org)

Our person—our life—not just what we speak–is a message…an “epistle” which in the Strong’s Concordance means: written message; letter.

2Cointhians 3:2-3 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

2 Corinthians 3:3–Barnes Commentary: “They had been made manifest to be such by their conversion. The sense is, it is plain, or evident, that ye are the epistle of Christ.”

“Jesus Christ was the theme of their life.”

Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Work out—Strong’s Concordance G2716 to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: cause, do (deed), perform, work (out).

My heart is filled with questions: What theme have I worked out in my life–with the Holy Spirit–for others to see and not just to hear? How much of my epistle have I written in my own strength and wisdom? Does the theme I have worked to ‘write’ honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and show—not just tell–the power of His resurrection?

I believe God makes it clear that we are responsible to author our lives: In the Old Testament He admonishes us to “up and sanctify yourselves” and in the New Testament He admonishes to “work out”/cause/fashion our “epistles”. We are responsible for writing our books that all men will read. The question is does that book we have chosen to write have the theme of Jesus Christ from the first word of chapter one to the last word of the last chapter?

We just loaded our new web magazine with articles, and we are continuing to do so. Some of the articles were moved over from the old web site…but not until each was read and often edited by the author. Some old articles were even discarded. Some may ask why they needed to be edited…or discarded? Because God continually works to mature/change His children, desiring to teach us Biblical truths, often dispelling things previously learned and believed. (I have grown to believe that all of us need to take inventory to see what we may be embracing that has sadly become the ‘norm’ instead of what the Word of God plainly says is absolute truth.)

The Bible says we need to “put off” and “put on.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old
man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the
spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.”

As I sit here this morning I am asking God to show me where I need to use an editor’s pen. I am seeking the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of the Living God” to re-set…where needed…the theme of my epistle that God may be totally glorified in every nook and cranny of the pages.

Lord, I so desire to be like the Christmas store in Michigan where my theme is plainly seen from the moment a person approaching gets me in view. I want the manifestations of the absolute truths of the Word of God and the power of the Spirit of God to consume the pages of my epistle for Your glory only and the power of Your might through the workings of Your Holy Spirit.

Fainting at the Evil All Around

by Sharon Merhalski

While watching the news this morning I felt ‘faint’ from all of the negative and violent input. God brought this verse to my heart: Psalm 27:13 “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Sometimes it isn’t easy for me to see the goodness of the Lord in the world around me.

After looking up the word “believed” in the Strong’s Concordance I realized seeing the goodness of the Lord is more than simply believing…it is my properly building up or supporting that belief with God’s Word; my fostering it as a parent or nurse; putting my trust in the LORD I believe. God reminded me that I have a part in my not fainting at the happenings of the world around me. But God…none of His children have to live in fear…or lives of “when in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” Praise the Lord.

Asperger’s Syndrome Links

Tony Attwood’s website www.tonyattwood.com.au
Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) formerly NSW Autism Association www.aspect.org.au
Asperger’s Syndrome Partner Information Australia (ASPIA) Sydney NSW www.aspia.org.au
Autism & Aspergers Support Group Inc www.autismsupport.org.au
Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger’s Syndrome www.faaas.org
Maxine Aston’s website www.maxineaston.co.uk
Aspires www.aspires-relationships.com
Hunter Asperger’s Family Support Group – Lorraine ClarkeEmail: lclarke@wnc.ngo.org.au

Asperger’s Families

“It is almost inevitable that the difficulties experienced with Asperger adults will have a negative effect on a couple or family relationships, particularly when individuals are unaware of AS. Problems such as poor communication, sexual concerns, misunderstandings, and a feeling of not being valued or understood frequently occur. These problems can impact both those individuals with AS and the people living with them.”

 

From: http://www.otherhalf.com.au/aspergers.htm

 

Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder that falls within the autistic spectrum. It is a life-long condition which affects around 1 in 100 people, more commonly men than women. Those with AS are usually of average or above average intelligence, and have a distinct profile of abilities that have been apparent since early childhood. Although Hans Asperger first identified the condition over 50 years ago, it is only now increasing in public awareness. The profile of abilities include: a lack of social and emotional reciprocity and empathy, failure to build friendships, impaired use of non-verbal behaviour (eye gaze and facial expression), difficulty with conversation skills, impaired imagination, intense absorption in a specialist interest, preference for routine and consistency and often problems with motor co-ordination (e.g. problems with handwriting). The disorder may also include a hypersensitivity to specific auditory and tactile experiences and problems with organisation and time management skills. It is now known that individuals with AS may exhibit some or all of these characteristics to a greater or lesser degree. Tony Attwood, a Clinical Psychologist and specialist in this field, describes these individuals as having a “different but not defective way of thinking”. Moreover, they often have a strong desire to seek knowledge, learn and problem-solve. As individuals, they may value creativity over being co-operative or meeting the social or emotional needs of others. Children and adolescents with AS often get into trouble at school, exasperate teachers and are the subject of teasing and bullying. As a result, many tend to experience isolation, rejection and a lack of understanding of their everyday lives. This often results is frustration, anger, anxiety, depression and poor self-esteem. It is almost inevitable that these difficulties will have a negative effect on a couple or family relationships, particularly when individuals are unaware of AS. Problems such as poor communication, sexual concerns, misunderstandings, and a feeling of not being valued or understood frequently occur. These problems can impact both those individuals with AS and the people living with them. On a brighter note, individuals with AS desire to be part of the group and can often learn to encode social cues intellectually rather than instinctively. Likewise, parents, friends and partners can also learn to work with difference and enjoy the rewards that arise from sharing their lives with these unique individuals. Therapists who are cognisant of the implications of AS are able to provide effective coping strategies and can offer both partners and parents greater understanding of themselves and the other.

Asperger’s Syndrome Basics

by S. Michaels

We’ve had several responses to the blog posts concerning my learning to better live with my husband who has Asperger’s Syndrome.  After discussing the need for valid information concerning adults with A.S. we’ve decided to provide a section of information on this blog.  We welcome your input of information and comments.

The following information was very helpful to me during my quest for answers.  I hope it will also be a help to those who are also seeking for answers.  I highly recommend his web site for further information.  (Remember he spells Australian style.  J )

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

–Tony Attwood  http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/

“From my clinical experience I consider that children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking.”

Dr Hans Asperger, an Austrian paediatrician, originally described Asperger’s Syndrome in 1944. The syndrome has more recently been classified as an autistic spectrum disorder. Children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome have an intellectual capacity within the normal range, but have a distinct profile of abilities that has been apparent since early childhood. The profile of abilities includes the following characteristics: *A qualitative impairment in social interaction: Failure to develop friendships that are appropriate to the child’s developmental level. Impaired use of non-verbal behaviour such as eye gaze, facial expression and body language to regulate a social interaction. Lack of social and emotional reciprocity and empathy. Impaired ability to identify social cues and conventions. *A qualitative impairment in subtle communication skills: Fluent speech but difficulties with conversation skills and a tendency to be pedantic, have an unusual prosody and to make a literal interpretation. *Restrictive Interests: The development of special interests that is unusual in their intensity and focus. Preference for routine and consistency. The disorder can also include motor clumsiness and problems with handwriting and being hypersensitive to specific auditory and tactile experiences. There can also be problems with organisational and time management skills and explaining thoughts and ideas using speech. The exact prevalence rates have yet to be determined, but research suggests that it may be as common as one in 250. The aetiology is probably due to factors that affect brain development and not due to emotional deprivation or other psychogenic factors. The characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome described above are based on the diagnostic criteria and current research and have also been modified as a result of my extensive clinical experience. I would like to provide a personalised description of Asperger’s Syndrome that also incorporates the person’s qualities as well as their difficulties. From my clinical experience I consider that children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking. The person usually has a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. There is also a different perception of situations and sensory experiences. The overriding priority may be to solve a problem rather than satisfy the social or emotional needs of others. The person values being creative rather than co-operative. The person with Asperger’s syndrome may perceive errors that are not apparent to others, giving considerable attention to detail, rather than noticing the ‘big picture’. The person is usually renowned for being direct, speaking their mind and being honest and determined and having a strong sense of social justice. The person may actively seek and enjoy solitude, be a loyal friend and have a distinct sense of humour. However, the person with Asperger’s Syndrome can have difficulty with the management and expression of emotions. Children and adults with Asperger’s syndrome may have levels of anxiety, sadness or anger that indicate a secondary mood disorder. There may also be problems expressing the degree of love and affection expected by others.