Tim Howard – a moment of inspiration

I’m not a big reader of Sports Illustrated. We have a free subscription that I thought my son would enjoy (redeemed expiring airline miles). But a friend (Thanks Charlie) asked if we’d noticed Tim Howard was on the cover.

For those who don’t know, Tim Howard is a soccer player (or futbol if you prefer). He’s an excellent goalie who is on the US World Cup Soccer Team.

Tim Howard also has Tourette’s Syndrome. So does my son.

Anyway – to the point – When I picked up the magazine, I noticed a page had been cut. I asked “Who cut up the SI?” My son admitted that he had done it. He wanted to take the picture of Howard. He put it in his pocket…

The last month or so, we’ve seen a bit of an increase in Drew’s TS. It is one of those frustrating diseases that can ebb and flow. January through April were a decent time. But we’ve seen things start to increase again.

Drew has been noticing it too. That’s not a good thing.

My heart was moved when I found he’d taken the picture. It was very good to see him grabbing a bit of inspiration – even if he wanted to do it in secret. I pray that it brings him comfort and encouragement to see someone who has persevered and gone on to good things.

May God provide you with similar encouragement in your walk today.

Yours in Christ,

Marty

Looking back at the year’s top posts

Hey – everyone else is doing it, so shouldn’t I? No, but I was curious anyway.

Since today is the first day of the New Year, I decided to take a look back at posts from this past year. In all, there were over 9,600 clicks on specific posts on this blog. (When you add in 2008 numbers, we topped 10,000 individual clicks!)

The number one post? Marie Osmond’s “Christian” CD! To be honest, I was pretty surprised. Not only did it receive the most hits, it was more controversial than I expected. A number of people chimed in who were quite angry with me for doubting her faith. (To be clear, it wasn’t her faith I doubted, it was the “Christian” part that made me wonder. And, by the way, I am still waiting for answers to my questions…)

The second highest clicked post was Who is Lay Renewal Ministries? Of course, that made me very happy. It’s the reason we started the blog in the first place! Keep clicking on that one and let us know how we can serve!

The third and fifth posts were both related to VBS in 2009: Vacation Bible School in 2009 and VBS 2009. If you add together the various VBS posts, VBS was tops. We look forward to seeing what VBS 2010 receives and – more importantly – how we can serve you with these DISCOUNTED resources in the New Year!

The number four post was Tourette’s Syndrome – My Testimony as the Dad. In fact, that post was also slightly rewritten as an “Opinion Shaper” column in the St. Louis Post Dispatch West County Journal. It was an incredible blessing to see it reach an even greater audience and to hear back from so many people. Other TS postings were very popular – including a few about Tim Howard (a soccer – or “football” player) with TS. Many people were searching for information about him.

Anyway – that’s the Top Five. We’ll see what the New Year brings!

Thanks for reading. Thanks for commenting. Thanks for emailing.

Yours in Christ,

Marty

General Tourette’s Update

It’s been a bit, so I thought I would update on Drew’s Tourette’s. (Find older posts by clicking on the sidebar.)

Adjusting to middle school has been an interesting journey. There are a lot of fantastic blessings that have occurred in the last 6 weeks. Drew enjoys the new school and has made several new friends while still hanging out with old classmates.

Of course, we have had those “bumps” that are frustrating. Because Drew is an energetic and engaging person, it can confuse a person when he suddenly goes into a series of tics. Teachers and students alike are learning but I’m still befuddled at the reactions of adults sometimes. Not only do they not understand how to handle it, some think he is faking. Why would someone fake TS?  Mom and dad handle it in different ways of course, but I won’t elaborate on that.  

(On a funny, but not-funny note: I realize that perhaps I say “You can’t fix stupid” a bit too much. My precocious and wonderful daughter used it the other day with a VERY big grin on her face…)

There’s a lot of private stuff that’s been happening that I won’t put on the blog. Your prayers are appreciated as we continue to seek God’s wisdom and direction. Our lives are His and we pray for His direction in our steps.

Yours in Christ,
Marty

Tourette’s Video – Tim Howard

Here’s an old CBS interview w/soccer star, Tim Howardon life with Tourette’s. Encouraging to show to your children who may struggle with TS!

Tim Howard was a star w/Manchester United, Everton, Metro Stars and the United States National Team.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/13/60minutes/main666797.shtml

(See previous posts on TS at https://layrenewal.wordpress.com/category/tourettes-syndrome/.)

The Missing Stop Sign

Attending a Tourette’s Syndrome support group last night, I heard one person call TS “The Missing Stop Sign.” I found that a very interesting phrase and a pretty accurate depiction.

I think it is also a fairly accurate word picture for trying to live a Christ-centered life in a sinful world. (Paul’s difficult passage in Romans 7 expresses this as well.)

It’s a quick but interesting thought to contemplate for today:

When life if difficult, what is the “stop sign” in your life that will keep you from sinning?

What will keep you seeking after God’s will in all things?

Yours in Christ,

Marty

Tourette’s Book

Today, I finished reading a book called Jerk, California written by Jonathan Friesen. Like Against Medical Advice by Cory Friedman, this book paints a powerful picture of the struggles of an individual with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS). In contrast to AMA, Jerk is written as a novel – with some autobiographical elements.

In Jerk, the reader is introduced to Sam, a young man on the verge of graduating from high school. Sam’s father died when he was only two and his stepfather is a verbally and physically abusive shell of a man. He has treated Sam like garbage since the onset of his TS.

I’ll skip a lot of plot of the story, but when Sam graduates, his father’s best friend comes for a visit. He issues an invitation to Sam to leave the abusive situation. Sam’s quest towards emotional healing begins.

I recommend reading Jerkfor teens and parents struggling with TS. Friesen’s first-hand knowledge provides incredible insights to what it must be like to wrestle with the disease. The reader is also treated to some perspectives on dating, faith and family. In an “interview with the author” section at the end of the book, Friesen opens up just a bit more of himself as well.

It’s not the easiest read due to some slightly mature subject matter (alcoholism, death, abuse and more), but Friesen handles the subjects with care and heart. The reader won’t be shocked or (most likely) offended at anything. (But again, this is not a book for children – teens or adults only.)

Yours in Christ,

Marty

God in Pain and Tourette’s

Sometimes, the more interesting discussions can take place not on the blog comments but in the private emails. In reading this you may feel a bit like you’ve been listening to a radio program and the hosts come back on laughing. You wonder why but they don’t tell you. And that’s essentially what I’m doing here…

With that vague introduction, I want to spend a few minutes just contemplating faith, Jesus, Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) and life in general.

I don’t know what it is like to feel TS the way my son does. I only know it as a father.  I read a lot (see Cory Friedman – Against Medical Advice post) to try to get a better understanding. I’ll never know completely but I try to empathize as best I can so I can be a better dad.

But I have heard a few comments about the “cruelness” of the disease. A few of those have also made comments toward God. I’m not quite sure what to do with those…

You see, I do NOT see God as cruel. I know God is incredibly loving and mercy filled. I see and experience His grace and mercy every day. 

In contrast, I do know that sin is horrible, tragic and has wrought incredible difficulty on our world. [Don’t misunderstand – I’m NOT saying that Drew sinned so God is punishing him.]

We have sinned. You, me, everyone has fallen short of the glory of God. Sin has consequences. The world is not a perfect place as a result of SIN.

The ramifications don’t always seem fair. My brother grew up with perfect vision while I was legally blind without corrective glasses. While that’s a simplistic example, I’m sure you can think of many more examples of things that don’t seem “fair” in our eyes.

Where is God in all of this? He’s right there. Not as a cruel and harsh gleefully laughing judge but as a kind, compassionate and loving Father. He doesn’t take pleasure in pain. God wants us to turn our hearts to Him in obedience. He wants us to experience His love and peace.

So – what does this mean for those who suffer with Tourette’s (or cancer or Alzheimer’s or poverty or depression or job loss or whatever)?

I don’t have a fancy answer. Try C S Lewis and the Problem of Pain or Philip Yancey’s Where is God When it Hurts. (great books)

But I do have an idea – try leaning a little more on Him. Whatever your issue, trying surrendering a little more of yourself to Him. Realize that we don’t have all the answers, but He is there to offer His love.

Maybe that’s a way of getting a little closer to Him today?

Yours in Christ,

Marty