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Notice – The ministries featured in this section of TheologyWeb are guests of this site and in some cases not bargaining for the rough and tumble world of debate forums, though sometimes they are. Additionally, this area is frequented and highlighted for guests who also very often are not acclimated to debate fora. As such, the rules of conduct here will be more strict than in the general forum. This will be something within the discretion of the Moderators and the Ministry Representative, but we simply ask that you conduct yourselves in a manner considerate of the fact that these ministries are our invited guests. You can always feel free to start a related thread in general forum without such extra restrictions. Thank you.

Deeper Waters is founded on the belief that the Christian community has long been in the shallow end of Christianity while there are treasures of the deep waiting to be discovered. Too many in the shallow end are not prepared when they go out beyond those waters and are quickly devoured by sharks. We wish to aid Christians to equip them to navigate the deeper waters of the ocean of truth and come up with treasure in the end.

We also wish to give special aid to those often neglected, that is, the disabled community. This is especially so since our founders are both on the autism spectrum and have a special desire to reach those on that spectrum. While they are a special emphasis, we seek to help others with any disability realize that God can use them and that they are as the Psalmist says, fearfully and wonderfully made.

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Autism Awareness Month Introduction

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  • rogue06
    replied
    Am I the only one that when they read the title keeps seeing Austin Awareness Month?

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Greetings!

    Link

    -------

    How do I respond when you approach? Let’s plunge into the Deeper Waters and find out.

    Last time, I wrote about not knowing people so when they come up to talk to me, I don’t really know what to expect. Immediately, my mind starts racing with all kinds of social rules as I try to figure out what I should or shouldn’t do. I can relate to Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory as he tries to follow rules of social protocol. “I ask you how you are every morning even though I don’t really care.”

    Being somewhat in the public eye, it can be concerning if someone knows me and I don’t know them. I have reached the point where I now can manage to ask someone to refresh my memory. If I have to wear a name tag, that makes it even more difficult on me as I am thinking, “Do you know my name because you can read or because you really know me?”

    One of the worst parts of a greeting in my world is when someone asks the question that I hate so much and dread getting every time. “How are you?” Let’s suppose I’m not doing good that time. Do I want a question to remind me of that? Perhaps I had been getting in a better mood and someone asks something that I naturally will look internally with and return to a depressive state.

    This question is so bad to me that nowadays, I choose to remain absolutely silent to it. I also think it’s really a fake question because I suspect the majority of people who ask it don’t even really care. I remember being at my job one day and bending down to put stuff in my locker when a manager walked by and asked “How are you?” and just kept walking before I could say anything. My mind is immediately thinking, “If you don’t really care, don’t really ask.”

    The exception to this is if I know the question is about a specific situation. Some of my friends know I’m going through a rather strange period of my life right now and when one of them calls and asks “How are you doing?” I know exactly what they’re talking about and I tell them.

    What greeting would I prefer? A simple “Hi” or “Hello” works just fine. Now keep in mind being on the spectrum, I might not say hi back. I might smile or nod or something nonverbal. I plan on getting into nonverbal communication before too long, but it is one way I do respond to communication, especially if I am nervous to some extent around the person.

    If someone doesn’t respond to your greeting as you respect, sure, there’s a chance they’re rude, but maybe they’re not. Maybe they’re on the spectrum and don’t know what to say and could be intimidated to some extent. Please keep this in mind. Also, if you’re a church greeter and you know someone is on the spectrum, it could be good to find out how they would prefer you interact with them in that capacity if at all.

    In Christ,
    Nick Peters
    (And I affirm the virgin birth)
    Support my Patreon here.

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Do I know you?

    Link

    -------

    How do we react around strangers? Let’s plunge into the Deeper Waters and find out.

    Often times, those of us on the Autism spectrum are considered to be rude. Of course, we can be rude, but sometimes when we are called rude, we are not at all intending to be rude. It is just a case of how we don’t know for sure how to act.

    Have you ever seen a scene from The Good Doctor where the autistic surgeon on there has all these drawings and images going on in his head? For myself personally, I can have the same kind of phenomenon. When a stranger comes up to me and tries to talk to me, my mind immediately goes to the question of what kind of social protocol is it that I am supposed to follow here.

    Usually, that means staying quiet as much as possible. I will have more to say on being quiet in another blog post. You can expect that in many cases, I will communicate non-verbally when possible.

    This can also happen online. Generally as a rule, if you message me on Facebook and I don’t know you and you’re just asking the general questions like “How are you?” (I hate that question with a passion as a casual greeting and I plan on writing on that later) I will not answer you. If I go somewhere and someone is extraverted around me, it is frightening. If you are the same way online, that is also frightening.

    So if that’s the case, how do you get to know someone on the spectrum?

    Usually, you have to know what really gets us excited and talk about that. You could come up to me and talk about apologetics, video games, certain TV shows, etc. If you can demonstrate we have a common interest, I am much more likely to communicate.

    In a way, picture it like if you were in a situation where someone came up to you who you thought could be a threat. You could have a multiplicity of scenarios going on in your head. It could include a physical response, running, playing casual, grabbing an item nearby to use as a weapon, pressing an emergency alert button on your phone, etc.

    For me, this is similar to what I go through every time I meet someone I don’t know. Now in some situations, it could be more controlled. If I have been at a church and just given a talk and people come up to me after with questions, it is an environment where I know what I can expect and it is much easier. The casual conversation setting is the one that I dread.

    Keep this in mind when you encounter someone on the spectrum. If someone starts acting in a similar way around you you don’t know, they could be on the spectrum. Again, I also want to stress that this might not be the same with everyone, but it is certainly my experience.

    Next week, we will hopefully look at more of the world of Autism.

    In Christ,
    Nick Peters
    (And I affirm the virgin birth)
    Support my Patreon here.

    Leave a comment:


  • Sparko
    replied
    Originally posted by Apologiaphoenix View Post

    And like I said, I hardly ever use Steam. I had completely forgotten it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Originally posted by Sparko View Post

    You are the group OWNER, nick. You have always been part of it.
    And like I said, I hardly ever use Steam. I had completely forgotten it.

    Leave a comment:


  • 3 Resurrections
    replied
    Got it. Thank you both. I will definitely pass this on, and we’ll see what comes of it. If the apostle Paul was “all things to all men” still living on earth today, I bet he would have been a game enthusiast too!

    Leave a comment:


  • Sparko
    replied
    Originally posted by Apologiaphoenix View Post

    Because I just now joined....

    And even if I had joined years ago, I completely forgot. I hardly ever use Steam.
    You are the group OWNER, nick. You have always been part of it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Originally posted by Sparko View Post

    You are one of the Owners of it!

    steam.jpg
    Because I just now joined....

    And even if I had joined years ago, I completely forgot. I hardly ever use Steam.

    Leave a comment:


  • Sparko
    replied
    Originally posted by Apologiaphoenix View Post

    I didn't know about that, but I could try it.
    You are one of the Owners of it!

    steam.jpg

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Originally posted by Sparko View Post

    Tweb has a "steam group" which is like an area on Steam (a gaming platform that hosts a lot of different games, your nephew most likely already uses it) where people can make friends and find people to play with.
    https://steamcommunity.com/groups/twebgamers

    Maybe interest him in joining that, and that would give Nick a place to interact with him?
    I didn't know about that, but I could try it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Sparko
    replied
    Originally posted by 3 Resurrections View Post
    Awww, you are a rare, generous soul Nick. Especially since I’m such a raw newbie here that you don’t know from Eve. I can’t guarantee that the fish will nibble, but if you could message me a safe way to contact you, I could give that to him and just see where it goes. I can tell him (and his parents) that I found this really cool guy that contributes regularly to a Christian forum who likes gaming the same as he does. And one that also “gets” the autism thing.

    This whole covid isolation thing is disastrous for his type of personality that needs to be prodded into relating with other people. One skill he does have is some really creative drawing abilities. And if it’s true that animals recognize a “safe” person, then their rescued cat Oliver who absolutely fawns over my grandson is an indication that there is definitely some salvageable material here. And thank you again for offering, Nick, even if he doesn’t follow through with anything in response.

    Blessings!
    Tweb has a "steam group" which is like an area on Steam (a gaming platform that hosts a lot of different games, your nephew most likely already uses it) where people can make friends and find people to play with.
    https://steamcommunity.com/groups/twebgamers

    Maybe interest him in joining that, and that would give Nick a place to interact with him?

    Leave a comment:


  • 3 Resurrections
    replied
    Awww, you are a rare, generous soul Nick. Especially since I’m such a raw newbie here that you don’t know from Eve. I can’t guarantee that the fish will nibble, but if you could message me a safe way to contact you, I could give that to him and just see where it goes. I can tell him (and his parents) that I found this really cool guy that contributes regularly to a Christian forum who likes gaming the same as he does. And one that also “gets” the autism thing.

    This whole covid isolation thing is disastrous for his type of personality that needs to be prodded into relating with other people. One skill he does have is some really creative drawing abilities. And if it’s true that animals recognize a “safe” person, then their rescued cat Oliver who absolutely fawns over my grandson is an indication that there is definitely some salvageable material here. And thank you again for offering, Nick, even if he doesn’t follow through with anything in response.

    Blessings!

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Originally posted by 3 Resurrections View Post
    His relationship with his Dad is pretty solid, I think. Aside from the usual teen ranting, I think he does respect his Dad for the most part.
    That's relieving to hear. That's the main person to work on. The number one way to reach a family for Christ is to reach the Dad.

    Any chance the boy might want to talk to me? Even if it's just casual talk on gaming.

    Leave a comment:


  • 3 Resurrections
    replied
    His relationship with his Dad is pretty solid, I think. Aside from the usual teen ranting, I think he does respect his Dad for the most part.

    Leave a comment:


  • Apologiaphoenix
    replied
    Originally posted by 3 Resurrections View Post
    Thank you both for commenting...

    I think the cynicism comes from their family having some very negative experiences in a couple mega-churches they used to attend when their boys were very young. My daughter was in tears yesterday talking to me about him. "I can't change what's going on in his head", she said. "Until something switches in there, there's nothing I can say that will help". She is absolutely right about needing something "switched" in his head, and that would be Jesus entering his life. But she, too, is also cynical about the hypocritical religious atmosphere that they came from, so I don't think she realizes that Jesus really is the only hope to get her son out of his gloom-and-doom outlook about virtually everything. Jesus can heal ANY obsession, you are right about that, Sparko.

    Nick, you asked if he reads any literature on religion or Christianity. None at all that I'm aware of. Reading is a grinding chore for him which he avoids at all costs, regardless of the book's theme. He DOES like to help me out with my house renovation and landscape projects and walking my neighbor's dog which he loves, if it is just him and me together. Even though he does plenty of complaining while we are doing it, I don't give him any slack to be lazy, and plenty of encouragement for anything he accomplishes. The special school aide that came to their house for a parent-teacher conference with him asked him what he liked to do for fun. Of all things, he mentioned working with me in yard cleanup, mowing, and shoveling landscape materials as something he enjoyed, so maybe I have a very tiny sphere of influence that I could build on. I've got this really cute video of him using a sledgehammer on breaking up our entire asphalt driveway - which he unexpectedly got a real kick out of doing with me.

    I've got to think out of the box on this one, aside from praying for them, which I do....Maybe if something happens to my husband with his health issues, an opportunity might open up for a conversation with our grandson about our faith. I would love to hear about anyone else's success (or even failure) at evangelism with Autistic young people. They are no different than anyone else in needing a Savior. It is very comforting to read scriptures of how Christ met people at whatever state they were in, and dealt very personally with their own situation and their need of Him.
    How is his relationship with his Dad?

    Leave a comment:

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