Surf genius and Aspergers
It's a caricature that people with Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism are always geniuses. They aren't all geniuses, although diagnosis assumes an IQ that's average or higher. What is true, though, is that "aspies" often develop a strong interest in something, and can even be quite obsessive about it. And a combination of being moderately to extermely clever plus an obsessive interest can lead to an unusual expertise in a particular area.
That's how Tony Attwood (an expert in ASDs) accounts for Clay Marzo's amazing story. It's an inspiration for anyone, but especially for those on the uphill struggle of living an ASD in an NT world.
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author musician theologian
Maggi has kept a blog since September 2003, writing about theology and faith, the arts and literature, and a little about life and random nonsense...
In an increasingly secularised society few people have a good working knowledge of the Bible. Yet a great deal of our culture is built on stories or ideas that come from the Bible. Literature, art, music, language and even the fabric of our society - such as our justice system - are built on Christian concepts and biblical references. The Writing on the Wall provides a fascinating introduction to the Bible's best-known, and most influential, stories. Each chapter gives some background to the text of the Bible, and shows how the stories have become enmeshed in Western culture. Adam and Eve, the ten plagues of Egypt, The Prodigal Son and Mary Magdalene all feature - along with how the Bible has influenced everyone from Shakespeare to Monty Python, and Caravaggio to Banksy. 
Giving It Up explores the Lenten idea of 'giving up', taking it beyond the traditional idea of simply abstaining from something, and suggesting instead that what we need to give up is our existing ideas about God. With a daily readings for each day of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, it follows the heroes of the Bible who had to give up their own too-small ideas about God.
This is Maggi’s bestselling book of daily readings for each day of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Advent is the beginning of the Church year, and marks the anticipation of the coming Messiah. These readings explore how beginnings and endings in our own lives are illuminated by the different Gospel narratives of Christ's coming.
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There was an interesting discussion on Radio 4 this morning (http://tinyurl.com/98fmt) about the role of Outrage (Peter Tatchell) and Stonewall (Michael Cashman in the pursuit of equal rights.
There are similar forces evident in the dialogue between radiacals and moderates and emerging /pioneering/’normal’ church. Worth as listen.
Well said Maggi!