Category: advocacy

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Personal invitation

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:1‭-‬5

Four ways we judge

  • By appearance – how do I look?
  • By achievement -what have I accomplished
  • By approval – How well am I liked
  • By affluence-How much do I. Own

The greatest changes in our lives take place when we see ourselves the way that God sees us.

How much do I matter to God?


  • No matter how small I feel, Jesus sees me
  • No matter what others say, Jesus values me
  • No matter what I’ve done, Jesus transforms me.
  • No matter how far I’ve gone Jesus seeks me.

How should I respond

So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
Luke 19:6

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
Luke 19:9

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

The Mystery Guest

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:13‭-‬36

What can I learn from this encounter?

  • Jesus can open my eyes
  • Jesus can handle my doubt
  • Jesus can redeem my disappointment

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

The party Crasher

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36‭-‬50

How do we activate God’s Forgiveness

  • We have to recognize that we are sinners
  • We have to realize that we are bankrupt
  • We have to rely on Jesus as our only hope.

How much Do you Love God? Rate yourself 1-10

It’s really easy to tell yourself, I’m definitely a ten, but rate yourself after you read the next section.

When you love someone you:

  • Long to be with them
  • You want to please them
  • You want to tell others about them
  • They become the center of your world

How can I grow in my love for Jesus?

  • Ask God to show me how sinful I am
  • Ask God to help me get to know him better

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23‭-‬24

The party Crasher

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Three Keys to greatness

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles Lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:14‭-‬27

Three Keys to greatness

  • Start by calling sin sin
  • Commit to outserving your friends, family, and others
  • Don’t try to be the greatest you; you can be. Try to be the best Jesus you can be.

1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 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 13:1‭-‬17

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13

3 keys to.greatness

advocacy

Sitting Pretty

Last night I finished this book. It is one woman’s life experience but it reflects the experiences of so many people Hulu live with conditions that can be termed disabilities. If you are someone who wants to know more about what people that need things that seem extra in this world go through on a daily basis read or listen to this book

advocacy

More changing thoughts

It took me forever to want people around me who look like me, but making new friends who work to break the stereotype of the inspirational poster child has been awesome because we are finally living in a time where we can use our voices to provide value.

Thank you for your friendship Krissy and for genuinely. Knowing the frustration and struggle. that sometimes comes with the most basic daily task. It can be incredible sometimes for people who are equipment users to leave someone.in complete shock, but I would challenge anyone who has not lived this life to stop.using the I word, inspiration and thinking that it’s a complement

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. 

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.