For many years Barbara Erichson taught pre-K autistic children. Frequently during class, the children scratched her, pinched her, even bit her and carried on in all sorts of ways that were injurious to her and detrimental to her work. She was not offended. She knew the children were autistic, profoundly handicapped, caught up in their own little worlds with all their needs for structure, the longing to communicate and the inability to do so. With this disability came frustration, anxiety, fear, anger and so on. Barbara envisions God as a pre-K teacher and all of us humans as autistic, profoundly handicapped. And so we live in our own little world shaped by our DNA and all the programming enjoined by our particular culture. Sensing our own uniqueness, we have tremendous difficulty communicating with those around us. Out of sheer frustration, anxiety, fear and anger we end up acting in inappropriate ways which, we were taught, offend God. Barbara suggests we do not offend God; we simply act inappropriately, going against the right order of things, hurting ourselves and others.

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting."

E.E. Cummings

God�s love is unconditional; how can we ask for more?

Kay Arthur

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn

Romans 12:1-3, 9-15

May He grant you your heart�s desire and fulfill all your counsel!

Psalm 20:4

Jesus said, "Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Luke 22:31-32

Wow, I love this scripture. Why? Because in it, I see that Jesus is praying for us weak-faithed people. He is praying that our faith may not fail. And, even if it does, he encourages us to turn again and strengthen others. Jesus is interceding on our behalf. He is praying for you. Read this in Romans 8:24, "Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Where is Christ, and what is he doing? He's at the right hand of the Father, praying for us. Praying for you. Praying that your faith will not fail.

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

Hebrews 10:36

In John 12:26, Jesus said, "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."

"O my people, trust Him all the time. Pour out your longings before Him, for He can help!"

Psalm 62:8