[Faith-talk] the blind jesus

Sun May 25 22:18:22 UTC 2014

Amen and amen, thanks for sharing.

-----Original Message-----
From: Faith-talk [mailto:faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Maureen
Pranghofer via Faith-talk
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2014 1:19 PM
To: Brandon Olivares; debby phillips; Faith-talk, for the discussion of
faith and religion
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] the blind jesus

Hi
I was in a place where I was feeling sorry for myself for quite a number of
years, and what happened is that during that time bad things kept happening.

I lost all of the remaining vision I had, had a spinal cord injury which
left me unable to use my legs, trunk muscles and one hand, lived in several
nursing homes.  But over time I have come to believe that God has great
plans for me because He says so.  That He is my protector, healer, lover,
friend, and as I look at Him things have drastically changed.  Yes I'm still
totally blind with 2 artificial eyes, yes I walk with a leg brace and often
use a power chair, but I know that my future is bright and I expect good
things.  Andrew, focus on that, change your expectations in Jesus and you
will gradually see things change.
I've learned that my words have an amazing power because I'm made in His
image and He spoke things to be so because of Him in us our words have
power.  Even when it doesn't seem apparent I speak positive hopeful things
and after a time they start happening.  Just my experience consistantly over
the past 20 years.
Maureen

-----Original Message-----
From: Brandon Olivares via Faith-talk
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2014 12:04 PM
To: debby phillips ; Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] the blind jesus

Very good post Debby. I think there is always a solution. I've been in the
situation before of being too afraid to advocate for myself, and of course
then I feel like I get stepped on because I have to take whatever comes if I
don't try to change it for myself. But I've also learned that if I want
anything to change, I have to step out. Sometimes that is difficult, and we
don't want to make trouble, or we don't know what will happen if we take a
risk, but that's life. We have to do it anyway and trust that everything
will work out just fine. Then we become more confident and know that we are
in control of our own lives4

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 23, 2014, at 12:49, debby phillips via Faith-talk 
> <faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Okay Andrew, ow get it, there are days when I get sick of being blind, 
> too.  But I think we all get sick of something in our lives.  I have 
> sighted friends who have huge problems, too.  They have trouble 
> getting jobs, they have trouble with their marriages, friends betray 
> them, stuff happens.  I have been left out of family stuff too 
> sometimes.  I have not been believed when I give directions, or other 
> information.  I get it that people turn away from me at church, or 
> don't talk to me.  I understand all that.  I also understand Andrew 
> that you are feeling really angry and depressed.  I understand that you
feel like there's nothing ahead of you.
> But Andrew, people have made suggestions to you about what you might do. 
> I even said that I would advocate for you to go to a Center here in 
> the States to get some training.  At some point, blind or not, we have 
> to try and make some things better for ourselves.  You need to do 
> things to change your own situation.  I know it's difficult.  I know 
> it sucks sometimes, in fact.  But I think that really life can be very 
> good.  You see, there are things that nobody can take away from you, 
> unless you let them.  Nobody can take your dignity.  Unless you give 
> people more power in your life than they are entitled to.  In order 
> for things to happen in your life, you have to make some changes, too.
> It might mean moving physically from where you are.  Maybe you need to 
> consider moving to a city.  Your family may think you can't, and they 
> may try to stop you.  But if you want a life, you have to take some 
> action.  Believe it or not, there are places here in the States that 
> don't have good services, where it's hard to go anywhere because 
> there's no public transportation, etc.  I was in that situation, and I 
> took a huge risk and went to the Colorado Center for the Blind, got 
> some training, and we moved to Spokane, where I do have public 
> transportation, sidewalks, where I can walk to places.  But I had to 
> do a lot of advocating for myself, getting my husband to see my point 
> of view.  Then he became more willing to think about moving.  And now, 
> we both love where we live.  Life isn't easy and we do have to step 
> out of our comfort zone.  I understand that you may have some other issues
going on besides your blindness.  But I think there are solutions.
> Perhaps someone has the phone number, address etc.  of Paul and Mary 
> Ellen Gabias.  I know that they would help you.  I know Mary Ellen
personally
> and I know that she is a kind, resourceful person.     Blessings,    Debby
>
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