via Facebook on November 16, 2013 at 09:31AM

With Ben and the family as he does his volleyball skills for Special Olympics. GO BEN! via Facebook

“CHRISTIAN RESPONSE to MEDICAL SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS”

Isn't it ironic that now, when we have so many medical, social, and therapeutic assists for those who need them, more and more people who have any reason to believe they will birth a child who might have special needs of any kind choose to terminate that life in utero? We also hear of possible future drugs which may someday cure Downs Syndrome or at least block the effects of the extra chromosome. This begs the questions: What makes a person a person? What are acceptable treatments, especially when those treatments change the very personality of that person? What does the Bible say concerning medical science breakthroughs? Join Pastor Dave Schultz as he interviews Rev. Scott Heitshusen of St. Mark Lutheran, Houston. May we have the wisdom of Solomon as we broach these issues!

via Facebook on September 10, 2013 at 07:43AM

Asking for some prayers this morning: 8-10am Central, to be exact. I have a difficult meeting then. Prayers for His will, His strength, His words, His understanding, His guidance, and His peace. Many thanks!

TED-Ed: There’s no dishonor in having a disability - Steven Claunch

Text here:

More Text.

via Facebook on August 15, 2013 at 06:16AM

BEN UPDATE #2 Well, that wasn't a fun night. I wish I could say the comforter was the only casualty last night, but, no. Some sheets, portions of pajamas, pillow cases, me...fun for all! It was a long, restless night with small throw-ups and many more 'threats' (sounds and manners) of throw-ups. These aren't just 'after shocks,' there's more going on. We're not sure how the day will play out yet, so we need prayers for that, too, please. Many thanks to all y'all! In love and appreciation, Scott & Jen Daniel & Ben via Facebook

via Facebook on August 14, 2013 at 11:12PM

BEN UPDATE We're home. He did throw-up for them (yea??) But he was otherwise "clear. They gave him some anti-nausea med which helped a lot and changed his demeanor for the better. He was able to fulfill their requirements for discharge and have a prescription for anti-vomiting if he needs it. As discharge papers were being drawn up, he did have some residual coughs, but nothing major. We got home and to (our) bed and, yep, the-up on the comforter! Woo-hoo! He's also now. We'll see what the night holds. Keen needs to take her mom to a doc. appointment tomorrow morning and I have a meeting I need to be at and it can't really be rescheduled, so please pray he feels much better tomorrow morning for Daniel to be with him. Thanks to all of you great prayer warriors! via Facebook

via Facebook on August 14, 2013 at 08:21PM

ASKING FOR SOME PRAYERS FOR BEN Today was his first day (half-day) of school. YEA! He was happy to be back and has some new classmates in with him. Jen picked him up and then some lunch and brought it over to Daniel and me at St. Mark. Just after he started eating, Ben "swallowed wrong" and had some coughing to clear it up. After a little bit, he kept coughing, but with some strange internal noises. Then he started making sounds for throwing-up [which is VERY rare for Ben.] He coughed/threw-up a lot of phlemmy mucus several times. Once stopped, we were able to breath for awhile and all seemed ok, and then it would start again. My fabulous sister-in-law and nurse, Heather Stein, was able to come over to the church and listened to his lungs. They didn't sound quite right to her, either. Jen made an appointment to see Ben's pediatrician. Before heading over there she took Ben to the bathroom where he coughed up some pretty sizable chicken nuggets!!! Ben was feeling better nearly immediately! Even so, Jen decided to keep the appointment and go by. The doctor said he sounded clear, but to watch out for some things and, if they showed up, to take him to the ER. Jen called me about 20 minutes ago to say things still aren't right and she is taking him in. Daniel and I will leave St. Mark to meet them soon. We are not concerned. We certainly are no stranger to the hospital - and neither is Ben [though it has been a pretty long time since he was in one, praise the Lord!]. Nevertheless, we do ask for prayers. Many thanks and we'll keep y'all posted. via Facebook

22nd ANNIVERSARY

Twenty-two years ago today, my life changed for the better in more ways than I could ever imagine!

Not coincidentily, it was the same day a Miss Jennifer Stein made the biggest questionable decision of her life.

Happy 22nd, my dear, sweet Bride! I love you more now than then; am committed to you more now than then; and treasure you more now than then!

Much love always,
Hubby

TIM'S PLACE -- YOU'VE GOT BREAKFAST, LUNCH, & HUGS

before

after

3 Things Churches Love That KILL Outreach

What do you think?

http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/5329-3-things-churches-love-that-kill-outreach.html?print

Tests for drug to help Down Syndrome patients to begin in Japan.

Interesting article on the ""Japan Daily Press" and concept as possible help for those who have Down syndrome.

http://japandailypress.com/tests-for-drug-to-help-down-syndrome-patients-to-begin-in-japan-0131516

This warms my heart. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57590194/pope-francis-invites-boy-with-down-syndrome-for-spin-on-popemobile/

Pictures from Martin & Anna RAMIZ wedding, 2013

Other Pics: #annaandmartin2013

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!

A VERY HAPPY & BLESSED HAPPY 48th ANNIVERSARY to my amazing parents, Wayne and Jan Heitshusen! You two have set a wonderful example for Jennifer Stein Heitshusen and me! I love you!

Confirmation of an Amazing Christian Young Man

Wonderful day in the Lord's house with family, friends, and my amazing son. SO proud of him!!! http://ow.ly/i/22NPf

3 Kinds of Weak Vision that Entice Church Leaders

@willmancini In case you missed it: 3 Kinds of Weak Vision that Entice Church Leaders http://t.co/LEO2GPBb6i {link didn't come thru b4}

Insight & Perspective of Special Needs Families

text here.

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dd

Paying for Finn: A special-needs child

By Jeff Howe @crowdsourcing @Money April 22, 2013: 9:11 AM ET

Anxious Willingness

Our Faith is evidenced through our anxious willingness to go where God desires, even when we know afflictions await us; not through God granting what we want, when we want, and in the way we want. Jesus’ Messiahship is evidenced through His anxious willingness to go where His Father desired, even though He knew the affliction that awaited Him; not through His granting people what they wanted.

https://www.bible.com/bible/59/act.20.22-24.esv

Traveling with a Special Needs Child

This article infuriates me on so many levels.

A couple of years ago we had a similar experience, though not as bad. Still irks me!

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Did the TSA Harrass Us Because of Our Special Needs Son?
by Marla Murasko

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marla-murasko/did-the-tsa-harrass-us-because-of-our-special-needs-son_b_3085495.html

3D Printing of Human Tissue

This is amazing stuff, and it appears to bypass the ethical and theological issues raised through alternative methods.

"Oxford University researchers create new 3D printed 'soft material' that could replace human tissue" http://feedly.com/k/YAHXkr

Why do You Seek the Living Among the Dead? HE IS RISEN!

What a glorious morning to celebrate the Event which changed the course of all history for all people for all time!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

The death of Jesus meant forgiveness of all my sins, reconciling me to God.

The resurrection of Jesus means I get to live in that restored and reconciled relationship for all eternity!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

That means that all the fifth and muck no longer dirty me. It means all the disobedience and shame no longer hold me. It means that all the schemes of my flesh and the Devil no longer rule over me!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

What joy! What victory! What relief!

All my hardships, heartaches, and haughtiness are no longer counted against me!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

My pains are only for a time. My struggles are only temporary. My worries are only fleeting.

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Now is the time to stop "looking for the living among the dead." It's time to stop giving credence to the accusations of the Devil. It's time to stop believing our sins and struggles are bigger than His victory, won this Day for us!

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

I praise You, Lord; now and forever!

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Luke 24

Happy Birthday, Son!

Happy 14th birthday (in a half hour) to my amazing son, Daniel!
I am so proud of the young Christian man you are!
I love you more than you know.
Love always,
Dad

I Tremble

Good Friday is one of my favorite worship services of the year. I'm not saying I "enjoy" it, but it so moving and focuses me on My Lord and His Passion more than any other service. It reminds me of the cost of my sins and the tragedy those sins cause. It reminds me that alienation from God (in sin, hypocrisy, apathy, disobedience, etc.) is ugly. It's painful. It's downright horrific.

And yet in the crys of pain and suffering; amidst the blood, sweat, and tears; within the thunder, ripping of curtains, and the quaking of the earth; beyond the darkness and death; there is the stillness of His heart, not in death, but in eternal, unfathomable love. For me!

Though the year I forget that level of sacrifice and love. I forget the enormity of the Day that changed history. I lose sight of the paradox of God dying because of a love for sinners.

"Were you there when they cricified my Lord? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble."

The fact is, I was there. The fact is, I am there.

When I sin, I place myself at that Day of Death. When I stumble in following the Lord, it lays me at His proped up, bloodied feet.

I tremble.

I tremble.

Lord, let Sunday come quickley. I need You. I love You. I want only You.

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ISAIAH 53

¹ Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? ² For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. ³ He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴ Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. ⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? ⁹ And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. ¹⁰ Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹ Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

PSALM 22

¹ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? ² O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. ³ Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. ⁴ In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. ⁵ To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. ⁶ But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. ⁷ All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; ⁸ “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” ⁹ Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. ¹⁰ On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. ¹¹ Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. ¹² Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; ¹³ they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. ¹⁴ I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; ¹⁵ my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. ¹⁶ For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— ¹⁷ I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; ¹⁸ they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. ¹⁹ But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! ²⁰ Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! ²¹ Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! ²² I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: ²³ You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! ²⁴ For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. ²⁵ From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. ²⁶ The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! ²⁷ All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. ²⁸ For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. ²⁹ All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. ³⁰ Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; ³¹ they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

Thank You, precious Savior.

Thank You.

A Worthy Manner for a Worthy Matter

For Maundy/Holy Thursday - Part III

1 Corinthians 11:23-29
"27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

Tonight is Daniel's first communion after the congregational Seder Meal.

When I was the primary confirmation teacher, I would teach my students these six questions because of the tremendous blessings and import of this amazing, Sacred Meal.

1. Do I believe in the Triune God?
2. Have I sinned?
3. Do I repent?
4. Do I trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of my sins and for eternal life?
5. Do I promise that I will amend my sinful life, with the help of the Holy Spirit?
6. Do I trust by faith that in the Sacrament I am receiving the very Body and Blood of Jesus Christ?

These are not exactly the ones I learned from my pastor, nor are they identical to the ones I know other pastors teach or use. But I have found them helpful and I hope you do, too.

May your day be richly blessed!

Take: This is My Body; This is My Blood

For Maundy/Holy Thursday - Part II

Mark 14:12–26 (ESV)
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb…16 the disciples set out and went to the city and…they prepared the Passover. 17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating…22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Blessed Are You If You Do These Things

For Maundy/Holy Thursday - Part I

John 13:3–5, 12–17 (ESV)

³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.