Above All Love: Devotional Blog

Six days in, and we are officially on the home stretch. ​If Day 5 was about crossing the halfway line, Day 6 is about steady persistence. The initial novelty has faded, replaced by the rhythmic reality of the task. Much like the autistic experience itself, this challenge isn't always about big breakthroughs—it’s about the quiet strength of showing up day after day, moving forward despite the sensory noise or exhaustion. ​With only two days left, the finish line is finally in sight. Every step taken today is a reminder that while the journey can be long, we don't have to walk it alone. ​ The Goal is in Sight: I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me so far. Every penny raised helps Autism Initiatives continue their vital work. ​If you’d like to help me finish strong, you can donate here: 👉 walkforautism.co.uk/fundraiser/DavidHoldsworth ​"We are not missing pieces. We are the whole picture." 💙

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." — Matthew 22:37-38 All day the religious leaders came at Him — with trick questions, political traps, theological puzzles. And all day He answered with a wisdom that silenced every challenger. Then He turned it all into one breathtaking simplicity: love God, love people. Everything else hangs on this. In a world drowning in complexity, He hands us a compass. Are we still following it? Image from  Christians Unite

Five days in. And that means we're over halfway. There's something that feels significant about that — crossing the midpoint of a challenge. Monday has arrived, the weekend's slower pace is behind us, and the week stretches ahead with a little more structure. For those of us who are autistic, that can actually be a relief. Routine is a friend. After a quieter Sunday, today felt like a return to rhythm. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. That's really all any of us can do, isn't it? Not the whole eight days in one go — just today's steps, today's effort, today's small act of showing up. I've been thinking a lot about why this walk matters — not just the fundraising (though every penny is genuinely needed and appreciated), but what it represents. Walking is ordinary. Everybody does it. And yet, for families like mine, ordinary life carries an extraordinary weight. The sensory load. The waiting lists. The appointments. The a...

"My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." — Matthew 21:13 Jesus walked into the temple and turned over the tables — not in a tantrum, but in a declaration. Holiness matters. Worship cannot be reduced to commerce, and God's presence cannot be auctioned to the highest bidder. He still walks into the temples of our hearts today, looking for what we have allowed to crowd out the sacred. What tables need turning in us? Image from Christians Unite

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey." — Zechariah 9:9 The crowds spread their cloaks and waved their palm branches, expecting a conquering warrior on a warhorse. Instead, heaven's King rode in on a borrowed donkey — not with a sword drawn, but with arms open wide. This was no political revolution dressed in armor; it was a divine rescue mission wrapped in humility. The same hands that flung stars into the sky held no weapon, sought no palace, commanded no legion. He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Every expectation the world had of power and greatness, He quietly, deliberately turned inside out. No crown, no throne, no army — just a donkey and a King who came to give His life for the world. He still turns the world upside down. Will you? *Image via Instagram: @saltandlightwords Two w...

Not every day looks the same. And that's okay. Today is Sunday, and it's been a slower one. Fewer steps on the tracker, and anyone who knows me will understand why — it's been a sensory overload day. The kind where the world feels turned up a little too loud, where everything needs a little more processing, and where the kindest thing you can do for yourself is simply rest and be gentle. There's something quietly fitting about this, actually. This is exactly what the walk is about. Not a highlight reel of easy miles and perfect days — but the honest reality of what it means to live as an autistic person, in a neurodiverse family, doing your best. Some days you hit 10,000 steps before lunch. Other days, you count the steps to the kitchen and call it a win. I'm still walking. Just more slowly today, and closer to home. The challenge doesn't demand perfection — and neither does grace. What matters is that we keep showing up, in whatever way we can, on w...

A Sunday reflection on a week that moved — literally and figuratively. Week 10 has been one of those weeks where everything seems to happen at once. Official Walk for Autism week kicked off, a new set of car keys changed hands, and somewhere in between all of that, life kept its ordinary rhythm of prayer, fidgets, and Finch check-ins. Here's how it all looked. 1 · Volunteering Walk for Autism — Official Week Begins 🦶 It's here! Official Walk for Autism week has started and the steps are happening. There's something quietly energising about knowing that every walk this week has a bigger purpose behind it — each one adds up, and each one counts toward something real. 2 · Fitness Nature Walk With Walk for Autism week in full swing, there have been lots of steps this week — and the nature walk element fits right in. Getting outside, moving through green spaces, and noticing the world around yo...

Three days in, and something has shifted. Day 1 was excitement. Day 2 was determination. Day 3? Day 3 is where it becomes a rhythm. The steps are no longer something I have to think about — they're just part of the day now. Out the door, one foot in front of the other, and the miles take care of themselves. There's something almost meditative about it. As an autistic adult, I find a lot of comfort in routine and repetition, and there's a quiet joy in knowing that today, like yesterday, and the day before — I walked. I kept going. That might sound small, but for anyone who knows the particular weight of sensory overload, anxiety, or simply a world that isn't always built with you in mind, keeping going is never really small. We're nearly halfway through the 8-day challenge now, and the steps are stacking up beautifully. The fundraiser is doing the same — thank you to every single person who has donated or shared the page. You are quite literally helping keep places l...

Day 1 is in the bag, and Day 2 is well underway! The legs are holding up, the steps are being counted, and if you've been kind enough to check the fundraiser page, you'll see we've already blown past the original £50 goal — which is honestly humbling. Every donation, big or small, represents someone who gets it. Someone who understands why this matters. So from the bottom of my heart: thank you. 💙 Today I've been thinking about why I keep moving — not just in a fundraising sense, but in a deeper one. For our family, moving forward is what we do every single day. Sarah, Solomon, Gabriel, Lilianna, Ezra — none of them get to press pause. Neither do I. And so walking 10,000 steps a day feels less like a challenge and more like a small act of solidarity with everything they carry. One step at a time. One day at a time. That's the rhythm of our life. Six days still to go, and the 80,000-step target is firmly in our sights. I'd love to bring as many of you along for ...

Today is officially Day 1 of the Walk for Autism challenge, and my legs are already warmed up — because I haven't exactly been waiting around! Over the past couple of months I've been quietly clocking up steps ahead of this week, so by the time the official 8-day challenge kicked off this morning (26th March – 2nd April), I'd already built up a bit of momentum. The goal is 10,000 steps a day, every day, raising money for Autism Initiatives — and I'm going into it with a decent head start on the 80,000-step target. If you've seen my fundraiser page, you'll already know why this cause sits so close to my heart. I'm walking for my wife Sarah, for Solomon, Gabriel, Lilianna, and Ezra — a family that is, in every sense, living and breathing neurodiversity every single day. I'm also walking as an autistic adult myself, because I know firsthand how much it means to have a community that simply gets you. And speaking of community — later in April I...

Zacchaeus WELCOME Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to be respectable, or popular, or have a good reputation. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this. If you need to take a break, step away and come back later — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. HYMN We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. PRAYER Loving God, Thank you for seeking us out — even when we have climbed our own trees to watch from a distance, not daring to get too close. Help us to hear you calling our name today. Give us the courage to come down and welcome you in. May we...

​It’s Sunday, which means it is time to check in and see how I’m progressing with my Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. Week 9 has been all about movement, reflection, and staying organized. ​Here is a look at what I’ve been up to this week: ​ 1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism 👟 ​I’m currently in the planning stages for the Walk for Autism . I plan on joining a walk with friends from No6 one stop shop in late April as well as my virtual walks. It’s exciting to see the logistics coming together! ​ 2. Fitness: Nature Walk 🌿 ​There is nothing like a bit of fresh air to clear the head. My fitness focus this week was more nature walking to get those steps in. Spring has sprung!  ​ 3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Daily Office 📖 ​My hobby continues to be a source of quiet reflection. I have been practicing daily prayer using the Northumbria Office . ​ Activity: I’ve been documenting my reflections right here in relation to my faith connecting my digital...

1. Volunteering — Walk for Autism This week's volunteering continues to be centred around the Walk for Autism.  Sponsor here! 2. Fitness — Nature Walk For fitness this week I've been getting out for a nature walk.  3. Hobby — The Digital Parish & Daily Office My hobby this week has been continuing with The Digital Parish and the Daily Office. I've been using the Northumbria Community Office for daily prayer and documenting my reflections here on the blog. This rhythm has been a real anchor. This week also brought some significant movement in my online ministry. I revisited my Simply Fellowship idea — the dream of launching an in-person meeting — and sat with some honesty about where I actually am right now. With my autism, social anxiety, and the realities of family and work-life balance, an in-person meeting simply isn't the right step at this moment. Maybe it will be one day. Maybe it won't. And I'm learning to be at peace with not ...

  WELCOME "Welcome to Above All Love. I'm David, and this is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to believe the right things or feel the right feelings. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are listening to this. If you need to move, fidget, or pause and come back later — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here." HYMN "We're going to begin with a hymn. I'll read it rather than sing it — one verse, slowly. You might want to just listen, or read along, or simply close your eyes. Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light." PRAYER "Let's pray together. Loving God, Thank you for bringing us together in this moment — wherever we each are. He...

  Mencap Gateway Week 7 Evidence Checklist Sunday check-in · approx. 5 minutes   Sunday reflection on advocacy, faith, community, and daily life Here's this week's evidence checklist and reflection. It's been a full, tender week — plans changed, ideas grew quieter and warmer, and small acts of advocacy continued behind the scenes. As always, progress isn't always loud. Section 1 🚶 Volunteering — Walk for Autism Evidence:   This week's advocacy and visibility work for Walk for Autism: Fundraising link posted on the   No. 6 One Stop Shop Facebook group   to reach a wider local audience. Used the   @highlight   feature to boost the post's reach and engagement. Section 2 🌿 Fitness — Nature Walk Evidence: Pictures of walk around the Scottish Bird Gardens in Lauder. Section 3 📖 Hobby — The Digital Parish & Daily Office Activity Daily prayer using the   Northumbria Community Office , with reflections on faith and life on this blog. This week also ...

Lord God, Judge of all the earth — We come before You with heavy hearts. We grieve. We are angry. And yet we hold fast to hope, because Your justice is certain. You have spoken plainly through Your word. Your heart breaks for those whose lives are crushed by the powerful. You see what we see: We see these things today, Lord. We see systems that protect the powerful and leave the poor behind. We see the cost of war borne by those who never chose it. And we hear Your word grieve alongside us: So with Amos, we long for something better: All scripture quotations are taken from the  EasyEnglish Bible (EASY) , © MissionAssist. Available freely at  easyenglish.bible . Used under their open licence for non-commercial use.

  A Christian Witness Against War What Christians through the centuries have said about violence, the sword, and the way of Jesus — from the Early Church Fathers to Spurgeon, Moody, Bonhoeffer, and beyond. Resource compiled from christian pacifism blog This post gathers the Christian witness against war from across two thousand years of church history. It is not primarily a political argument. It is a spiritual one. The question it asks is simply this: what does faithfulness to Jesus look like when the drums of war begin to beat? What have faithful men and women said — not just in our time, but throughout the centuries? Their answers are worth hearing. ✦ ✦ ✦ The Early Church: "A Christian Must Not Kill, Ever" Before Constantine, before the church was entangled with empire, Christians held a remarkably consistent position on violence. The earliest believers understood, from the teaching of Jesus himself, that their warfare was not of this world. Their testimony is striking in ...