They Took Him Down They took him downFrom cross to cold and hewn bare stoneIron's music sealed the open woundA hush fell heavy, swallowing all soundMercy pooled where grief met that same stone They took him down They took him downThey laid his hands, the pierced and quiet sideA strip of linen held the breath …
The Pitfalls of Healing Narratives in Church
Disabled Jesus, part 4b Re-reading the Healing Narratives Part 2: A Critique of Healing Culture This is the last in my Lenten season of reflective posts. I'm leaving Holy Week free, except for a Good Friday. Does your church have room for wheelchairs? Assuming they can get up the front steps, then what? Fixed pews …
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Jesus and Social Restoration: Understanding Healing
Disabled Jesus, part 4a Re-reading the Healing Narratives Part 1Social Restoration over Physical Fix Chronic pain is difficult, even when it isn't intense. One of my disabilities is osteoarthritis in my ankle, which requires me to use crutches. I can walk with one crutch or a walking stick, and I often do, but that causes …
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The Church, Disability, and Prophetic Witness
Disabled Jesus, part 3b Prophetic Presence: Subverting Power Dynamics Part 2 I have been watching the Winter Paralympics. Right now, vision-impaired skiing is on TV. The UK won a silver medal! Going downhill on skis with a brightly dressed guide when you only have 5% vision is frightening, even to watch. Well done, Neil Simpson. …
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Understanding Romans 8:35-39 – A Source of Hope
More than Conquerors - Romans 8:35-39 Songs in the New Testament, part 3 "I told you about the walrus and me, manYou know that we're as close as can be, manWell, here's another clue for you allThe walrus was Paul." Words from 'Glass Onion' 1 by The Beatles from the 1968 album 'The Beatles.' This …
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The Power of Vulnerability: Jesus Subverting Power Dynamics
Disabled Jesus, part 3a The Power of Vulnerability: Subverting Power Dynamics Part 1 The coronation of Charles III in May 2023 was a grand televised event watched worldwide, though some parts were held behind a curtain. The guest list included former Prime Ministers and heads of state. There was also representation from the Roman Catholic …
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Disability Identity: Embracing Wholeness in Faith
Disabled Jesus, part 2b Disability as Identity: Wholeness Part 2 I have already mentioned that I have been prayed over to cast out an anger demon. I now understand that I am autistic and have meltdowns for complex reasons, mostly sensory ones like sudden loud noises and bright lights. These meltdowns are not anger, but …
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The Passion Narrative: God’s Call to the Disabled
Disabled Jesus, part 2a Perfection is Not Able-Bodiedness: Wholeness part 1 The first four posts of this series were a general introduction and three posts on God's solidarity with us in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. Now I'm moving on to the second part: Wholeness. 10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am …
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Understanding Autism: Challenges and Celebrity Support
What's new in Autism? February 2026 Celebrity Ambassadors Brit Award-nominated singer Cat Burns is a new Celebrity Ambassador to the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the UK, following her appearance on reality show The Celebrity Traitors in the last year, where she reached the final. The NAS has several Celebrity Ambassadors, an important position, as …
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The Disabled God and Solidarity with Pain
Disabled Jesus, part 1c The Disabled God and Pain - Solidarity part 3 I almost left church, even though it had been praying for me when I was in the hospital and near death. Then I fell into depression. When I shared my feelings, I often heard, "If you are feeling far from God, guess …
Making an ass of myself 