All Comments for: Stumbling After Jesus | Christianity Today

Free Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Home > 2007 > July

Christianity Today, July, 2007 |

Foolish Things

Stumbling After Jesus

The Christian life was never meant to be a cakewalk.

Stan Guthrie | posted 7/10/2007 09:06AM

Recently, my eight-year-old son left Sunday school frowning. It seems a couple of his classmates had been making fun of me. (I have moderate cerebral palsy, a birth condition that causes my erratic gait.) ...

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Rate and Comment on this article

Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 comments.

Page: 1

Show All

Shelly Weiss

Posted: July 23, 2007 3:42 PM


Excellent perspective! Who would we be without our afflictions? Each day, I am reminded how much I rely on Him. Your son is developing an intimate perspective of his Heavenly Father through the actions of his earthly father. Thank you for glorifyingGod through your so-called 'weaknesses'.

Karen

Posted: July 16, 2007 7:06 PM


Thank you for your sharing. I have MS and use a scooter for walking. I have a five year old. I thank God daily for the example we can be in the world. My son has not yet been ridiculed but, he is starting kindergarten in the fall. I thank you for the example of your son.

Chris

Posted: July 15, 2007 7:59 AM

A remember hearing a preacher once say during a sermon, "You know, the pursuit of happiness is not bibilcal." Initially, I stumbed over that, but upon reflection I think it's true. Guthrie has his the proverbial nail on the head with this article. I would only add that it is sometimes helpful to remember that joy and happiness are two separate things. Happiness is an emotional response based on circumstance. Joy comes from Christ, and it can sustain through even the worst times of our lives.

Betty Hough

Posted: July 11, 2007 8:44 PM


This is one of the best articles I have read in Christianity Today. This world tells us to avoid trials and pain above all things . We need reminding not to be surprised by suffering and hurt, but instead to look for the good only our Lord can bring out of what He allows us to experience !

Emily Lim

Posted: July 11, 2007 12:23 AM

Thanks for this very personal and insightful piece. In my own small way, I can relate to this because I have been living with a rare voice disorder for the past 8 years, immediately after I was married. I struggled to speak, found myself laughed at, sniggered at, receiving strange and rude looks. But through those years of struggle, I found Christ and saw God's favour through loved ones, friends and strangers around me and it's given me strength for the journey. Would I have been happier without it? Definitely. But your hard question - would i be better without it? Probably not. As you say, disability is never good in itself. But I have definitely been able to testify to God's goodness and grace and much as I will never fully understand, there is a purpose to this. I believe God is working through you as you bless others with your writing.

c jasmagy

Posted: July 10, 2007 10:38 PM


Excellent. One of the best articles in CT Mag. to date. Mr. Guthrie understands sound doctrine. My son has CP.

Coy Hall

Posted: July 10, 2007 7:44 PM

I was just browsing when the message in this article grabbed me! Affliction and tribulation certainly are prerequisites to spiritual maturity in many of us who are blessed to be the Called of His mighty summons.. Until down and counted out I was without the sword I now carry with me. The Sword of His living Word which slices through all the clutter this world would put in the way to our divine destiny in His Eternal Kingdom. Thanks for sharing Stan!

Kris Engdahl

Posted: July 10, 2007 1:08 PM

This is a wonderful piece -- thank you. I work in the field of usability -- making things easier to use -- and there is a subspecialty of "accessibility" -- making things easier for differently abled persons to use. (Note that, in the accessibility field, those of us who do not have recognized disabilities are called "TABs" -- temporarily able-bodied. We will all become disabled to some degree as we age.) One of the things people in my field have found is that, when you make anything -- from a faucet handle to a web site -- easier for the impaired to use, you make it easier for everyone to use. Anyway, a lovely article, reminding us of how our value comes from being His creation, His love, and not from our own abilities. We all need reminding. Thank you.

Page: 1

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment