Marie Nicole Zimmerle

Wow

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5‭-‬8 NIV

13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:13‭-‬17

11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:11‭-‬12 N

The Big Idea

Be Love so others will Believe

Three ways that Jesus Loved.

1. Jesus loved those who could do nothing for him.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Matthew 25:34‭-‬36

2. Who others had written off

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:10‭-‬13

3. He loved people who loved him imperfectly.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15‭-‬17

Listen now to wow

inspiration

See Jonah run: Jonah Runs from God

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. 4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” 7 Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” 9 He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.) 11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” 13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. 17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:1‭-‬17

Lessons we can Learn from Jonah

God’s word is as clear to us as it was to Jonah
Sin splashes
It’s never to late to turn around
Surrender comes before salvation

See Jonah Run

advocacy

A change of Heart and a full explanation

Has this pandemic made you think about life differently? Did you once see things one way, then see the other side and realize that you would still be you, even if you had not changed yourself because you believed that someone else expected you to change or “get better”?

If you have followed me for a while, you know that I have cerebral palsy.

For the longest time, I believed that getting stronger and being independent meant that I needed to get rid of my chair for good.

With all of the downtime that I’ve had, I realize that I’ve been wrong.

I’m not saying that I believe that I should not be walking; I’m saying that I should not be so quick to feel ashamed of using a wheelchair. I was a wheelchair and walker user from the ages of four to twenty-six.

If you’ve been following me, you already know this, but lately, I’ve been wondering what life would be like if I had kept my wheels in my life. I am starting to see that there are many pros to using more than one piece of equipment.

If I used a chair, I would be able to speed around without waiting for anyone.

The advantage of using a walker is that it’s only of a piece of metal, so it’s easy to transport without thinking of where it fits. Even though I struggle with a stubborn streak, I’ve recently thought that wearing the brace I never wear anymore might be a good idea for long walks.

With all the realizations that I have had there is one thing that still bugs me and makes me feel yucky, why do people that use equipment to get around in life call people that do not ” able-bodied

I think that is one of the weirdest and meanest things that I’ve ever heard, and I was born with my condition that could be considered a disability. I’m not someone who was injured later in life or can be regarded as newly injured.
I would never want to be around someone who referred to me as their disabled friend or family member, nor would I ever refer to anyone of my friends as able-bodied; I think deep in my heart that is why I never wanted to do much with other people who are or were part of the community that I should be closely tired to.

inspiration

Help!

Main Idea

Asking God for help is a sign of spiritual health

1 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And he said, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my Lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!” 6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
2 Kings 6:1‭-‬7

Note: The reason the broken ax was such a big deal.was that iron was expensive, so breaking an ax was equivalent to recking a new car today.

Three Lessons

God is not to busy to help and our cares are not to small

Memory Verse

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

God invites us to pray what we’ve got
Asking for help is more than getting what we want; it’s connecting to who we are talking to.

9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
2 Kings 2:9

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:9‭-‬10‭, ‬13

Bottom line

Help isn’t just about seeing needs fulfilled, but it’s about being filled full with the spirit of God.

Help podcast episode

advocacy

A change of heart

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about the things that have influenced my way of thinking. Sadly, I must admit that the thing that made me go back to physical therapy and learn how to walk long distances was based on the comment and opinion of one person who was a senior( and I don’t mean im high school)

I know that God let me choose to enroll in therapy and do the work, but now I realize that I had haughty attitude about ever using a wheelchair again, and I shouldn’t have been that way.

advocacy

Awareness

Today is #nationalaccessinilityawarenessday

The seven-year-old me knew what it felt like to be separated from friends by people who don’t know what you’re capable of.

The adult me at vitellos knows what it feels like not to be included and then have an awesome friend or two have you back and want you to be included.

As a community, people with disabilities have to do a ton of extra work. When planning to go out and I’m not referring to getting your equipment in your car.

We often have to check for accessibility three times.

Society is not at the place where it should be with accommodations

Now is the time for us in the disability community to stay visible to change the world, One thing at a time.

inspiration

Zip it: complaining

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Philippians 2:14‭-‬15

Three things we often complain about

Companions
Comparisons
Circumstances

If you don’t have a choice in your situation you still have a choice in your attitude
Dr. Rick Mandl

Acton step

When tempted to complain, I’ll say to myself…

It could be worse!
Dr. Rick Mandl

Memory Verse

Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, Shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked perverse people.
Philippians 2:14 -15

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Philippians 2:17 – 18

Three things in which we can always rejoice

The joy of creation
The joy of salvation
The joy of anticipation

Action step

Make the decision to praise God even if….

Zip it. Listen now

inspiration

7 words that change your life: Thanks

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
1 Thessalonians 4:3

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
1 Peter 2:15

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2‭-‬4

How can I Become more thankful?

1. Eliminate when and then thinking.

2 Be the one who circles back

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Luke 17:15‭-‬18 NIV

Memory Verse

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

Listen now

Uncategorized

My invitation can make a difference

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus. Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”). The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, “Come, follow me.” (Philip’s hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.) Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus , Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.” But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.” When Jesus saw him coming he said, “There’s a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body.” Nathanael said, “Where did you get that idea? You don’t know me.” Jesus answered, “One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!” Jesus said, “You’ve become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven’t seen anything yet! Before this is over you’re going to see heaven open and God’s angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again.” John 1:40‭-‬51

How can my invitation make a difference?

1. Believe that Jesus changes lives

2. Recognize that Jesus wants to use me.

Memory verse

Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit., teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you and be sure of this I am with you even to the end of the age
Matthew 28:19-20

3. Care enough to extend an invite

Come and see for yourself Philip said
John 1:46

My invitation can make My invitation can make a difference

inspiration

Difference Makers: My worship can make a difference

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. Acts 16:19‭-‬34

1. My worship is noticed by others

2. My worship invites God’s presence

3. My worship sets me free

Memory Verse

Sirs, what must I do to.be saved? They replied, believe in the Lord Jesus and he will be saved, along with everyone in your household
Acts 16:30-31