1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
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Tuesday, September 10, 2013
In Your Own Special Way
One of the most wonderful things about writing for God, is that you get to meet some very interesting people along the way and many of them happen to be from different countries. Its amazing that the world wide web could connect you to people that you would never meet under normal circumstances.It just shows you the power that our Father, God has by giving man his greatest creations, the ideals to create.After all we are all creators in our own special way and when a thought comes to mind God then gives us the ability to do what ever we put our minds too.Which brings me to the topic of today,"In your own special way."Just a few weeks ago I met a very interesting young lady, who has great love for her deaf friends, the deaf community and communicating through sign language.Its my strong opinion that anyone who cares for the elderly, deaf, those with communication barriers or those who happen to be wounded because of war, are very special people and are real Angels of God. It takes a very special individual or person to deal with Gods wounded or impaired children.These are true soldiers or Angels of God and God is always please when someone helps the ones that are less fortunate than themselves. After meeting this very special person, I was encouraged to know that God still works in mysterious ways. He always put very special people in places where they are needed and all for the glory of God.
Some readers have asked me this very special question, "How does one who may happen to be deaf or one that has communication barriers give God praise? My answer to you or to anyone who may read this, if you are interested in praising God you should always do it , in your own special or unique way. The reason for my answer is because the word says,( Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.) Which means what ever that is in your heart or mind, God will judge it rather its good or bad. One doesn't have to get on their knees or even speak, if they are incapable of doing so.God has the power to read our thoughts or minds and its our actions that God truly judges. If one wants to praise God, always do it pure of heart and in their own special way.(Ecclesiastes
11:9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your
heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and
whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you
into judgment.)
May God bless you always,
Charles
Isaiah 45:18 For thus said the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the
earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed
it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. 1 Corinthians
4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until
the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will
expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise
from God.
What a great blog. Thanks for the topic. What is amazing to me (as a staunch advocate for Deaf people) is that so many non-Deaf people know so little about the ADC (American Deaf Community). For a cultural awakening it'd probably be extremely beneficial for people to step outside of their comfort zone and visit, let's say, a Deaf church. It will become VERY clear VERY quickly 'how Deaf people pray, praise, and worship'! There is no such thing as a communication barrier between God and his children. That is, God is able to understand the deepest crevices of our thoughts. I said, THOUGHTS. Therefore, imagine if a person has another communication system (i.e. Sign Language). Can God not understand? Well, he understands our thoughts so...enough said, huh?
I am the owner of an interpreting agency based out of Washington, DC (www.MaldonInterpreting.com). We interpret in Churches EVERY-SINGLE-SUNDAY for people who are Deaf. There need be no mistake made---Deaf people are able to HEAR the word, PRAISE, PRAY, and WORSHIP right along with non-Deaf people.
My first exposure with a deaf person was my childhood visiting my two cousins who both were deaf. I was at the age of 4 at the time where I would talk to them but I could not understand what they were trying to tell me. They were in the age group of 40 plus and did not have the opportunity to go to a school to learn sign language. There parents and siblings were all hearing so they created their own home made signs to communicate. Years went by and my next exposure to the deaf community was working at a Deaf Action Center. I never realized or thought about how deaf people communicated to the hearing world for the basic necessities in life. I remember taking the call for an elderly, deaf lady who wanted to call the local pharmacy to have her prescription filled. A call that would have taken me 5 minutes or less took over an hour. I was truly amazed and decided it was time to learn how to communicate using sign language. I took a free sign language class offered at a local library in Baton Rouge and this is when I was formally introduced to my now deaf family. I joined the deaf church and experienced praise and worship to God on a level that is hard to explain in words. No I did not understand all the signs but there was always an interpreter there to speak so that the hearing that attended would understand what the deaf pastor was signing. I began learning words must faster as they signed songs and prayers. I was always welcomed in the church services and did not feel out of place. I could feel the spirit of God present as they signed the songs and their facial expressions and body language made you relate to the song and its meaning. My deaf family and friends are very special to me. I see them as my angels watching over me. I have learned so much from them. They can do the same things I can do and many things better than I can do, with some the only exception is hearing. While the hearing community may pray, praise and worship God by use of voice and instruments the Deaf community do the same thing with use of their hands and facial expressions. Through prayer, commitment and trust in God from my deaf and hearing friends I began my mission to introduce others to sign language and this is how Communicating Thru Sign began. I welcome everyone to come learn just how people who are deaf commune with the Lord. Blessings...Communicating Thru Sign
I began learning sign language in high school. I was intrigued by this beautiful language found on the tip of your fingers. It didn't hurt that you could "talk" with your mouth full either :0) I attended a Christian Deaf retreat and immediately I was hooked! I was amazed to see that they worshiped with the same songs as my church but they signed! It was very beautiful to see the artistic signing and how the songs came alive through fluid motions and gestures. This language connected them to the heart of God in the same way that the spoken word did for me.
Some years ago, I worked with several staff members who are deaf. Just watching them communicating with their hands really intrigued me. From that time on, I so wanted to communicate with my coworkers without having to write notes. They taught me some, but because we still had to do our work, I wasn't able to practice enough with them. When I was introduced to ‘Communicating thru Signs’, I knew then it was a godsend. I’m taking advantage of the free classes and hope to continue becoming more fluent in that I will be able to communicate with grace to the deaf community, my friends.
I saw the information in our newspaper that CTS was offering free sign language classes. For a number of years I had been interested in learning sign language, but not enough to want to pay for it! I think God was reaching out to me saying, "What's your excuse now?" I reluctantly went to the first class and am so glad I did. I have been practicing words and looking up new ones through websites, hoping to become better at it. Like any new language, if you don't practice, you will forget it. I am hopeful that those who communicate using ASL will realize I am trying to learn their language and be patient with me as my skills grow.
My daughter and I are currently taking Communicating Thru Sign language classes at the Carver Branch Library and are thoroughly enjoying every class! To be able to learn and communicate using ASL to speak, sing songs, Praise the Lord and spread love with those who can't hear or can't speak has been such a blessing. Thanks to Carol Taylor - Eleam, Gwendolyn Hayes, Tywanna, Carondelette, Donna and Kathleen, the whole team! We look forward to the intermediate classes in the spring.
What a great blog. Thanks for the topic. What is amazing to me (as a staunch advocate for Deaf people) is that so many non-Deaf people know so little about the ADC (American Deaf Community). For a cultural awakening it'd probably be extremely beneficial for people to step outside of their comfort zone and visit, let's say, a Deaf church. It will become VERY clear VERY quickly 'how Deaf people pray, praise, and worship'! There is no such thing as a communication barrier between God and his children. That is, God is able to understand the deepest crevices of our thoughts. I said, THOUGHTS. Therefore, imagine if a person has another communication system (i.e. Sign Language). Can God not understand? Well, he understands our thoughts so...enough said, huh?
ReplyDeleteI am the owner of an interpreting agency based out of Washington, DC (www.MaldonInterpreting.com). We interpret in Churches EVERY-SINGLE-SUNDAY for people who are Deaf. There need be no mistake made---Deaf people are able to HEAR the word, PRAISE, PRAY, and WORSHIP right along with non-Deaf people.
My first exposure with a deaf person was my childhood visiting my two cousins who both were deaf. I was at the age of 4 at the time where I would talk to them but I could not understand what they were trying to tell me. They were in the age group of 40 plus and did not have the opportunity to go to a school to learn sign language. There parents and siblings were all hearing so they created their own home made signs to communicate. Years went by and my next exposure to the deaf community was working at a Deaf Action Center. I never realized or thought about how deaf people communicated to the hearing world for the basic necessities in life. I remember taking the call for an elderly, deaf lady who wanted to call the local pharmacy to have her prescription filled. A call that would have taken me 5 minutes or less took over an hour. I was truly amazed and decided it was time to learn how to communicate using sign language. I took a free sign language class offered at a local library in Baton Rouge and this is when I was formally introduced to my now deaf family. I joined the deaf church and experienced praise and worship to God on a level that is hard to explain in words. No I did not understand all the signs but there was always an interpreter there to speak so that the hearing that attended would understand what the deaf pastor was signing. I began learning words must faster as they signed songs and prayers. I was always welcomed in the church services and did not feel out of place. I could feel the spirit of God present as they signed the songs and their facial expressions and body language made you relate to the song and its meaning. My deaf family and friends are very special to me. I see them as my angels watching over me. I have learned so much from them. They can do the same things I can do and many things better than I can do, with some the only exception is hearing. While the hearing community may pray, praise and worship God by use of voice and instruments the Deaf community do the same thing with use of their hands and facial expressions. Through prayer, commitment and trust in God from my deaf and hearing friends I began my mission to introduce others to sign language and this is how Communicating Thru Sign began. I welcome everyone to come learn just how people who are deaf commune with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteBlessings...Communicating Thru Sign
I began learning sign language in high school. I was intrigued by this beautiful language found on the tip of your fingers. It didn't hurt that you could "talk" with your mouth full either :0) I attended a Christian Deaf retreat and immediately I was hooked! I was amazed to see that they worshiped with the same songs as my church but they signed! It was very beautiful to see the artistic signing and how the songs came alive through fluid motions and gestures. This language connected them to the heart of God in the same way that the spoken word did for me.
ReplyDeleteSome years ago, I worked with several staff members who are deaf. Just watching them communicating with their hands really intrigued me. From that time on, I so wanted to communicate with my coworkers without having to write notes. They taught me some, but because we still had to do our work, I wasn't able to practice enough with them. When I was introduced to ‘Communicating thru Signs’, I knew then it was a godsend. I’m taking advantage of the free classes and hope to continue becoming more fluent in that I will be able to communicate with grace to the deaf community, my friends.
ReplyDeleteI saw the information in our newspaper that CTS was offering free sign language classes. For a number of years I had been interested in learning sign language, but not enough to want to pay for it! I think God was reaching out to me saying, "What's your excuse now?"
ReplyDeleteI reluctantly went to the first class and am so glad I did. I have been practicing words and looking up new ones through websites, hoping to become better at it. Like any new language, if you don't practice, you will forget it. I am hopeful that those who communicate using ASL will realize I am trying to learn their language and be patient with me as my skills grow.
My daughter and I are currently taking Communicating Thru Sign language classes at the Carver Branch Library and are thoroughly enjoying every class! To be able to learn and communicate using ASL to speak, sing songs, Praise the Lord and spread love with those who can't hear or can't speak has been such a blessing. Thanks to Carol Taylor - Eleam, Gwendolyn Hayes, Tywanna, Carondelette, Donna and Kathleen, the whole team! We look forward to the intermediate classes in the spring.
ReplyDelete