The Will of God

As we begin our new year it can be tempting to wonder if God really understands that our bodies cannot keep up with our dreams of all we’d like to do – for Him, ourselves, our family, those we care about.

But He does know exactly how you are feeling today. . . and how you will feel tomorrow. He knows you lack energy, even on days you may have enthusiasm and you feel like the day was wasted. Remember that God never wastes anything. Your time and your experiences are all a part of His greater plan.

The Will of God

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

Everything happens for a purpose. We may not see the wisdom of it all now, but trust and believe in God that everything is for the best.

~Author unknown

Lisa Copen submitted this devotional. She is the founder of Rest Ministries and live with rheumatoid arthritis.

Every Day Is Christmas

A friend recently sent me this and this year, more than any other, I can relate to it since I have been dependent on friends and strangers to help drive me around from place to place as I continue to recover from joint replacement surgery in my hand.

I hope it encourages you to continue to reach out to those in your life who are strangers or friends. While we may assume that the people around us are well taken as, emotionally provided for, and without needs, it is rarely the case and our helpfulness or even smile can make all the difference in their life.

Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries Director

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Every Day is Christmas

Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find.
When you don’t need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving, of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas, with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you’ve learned to see the friendship, in someone else’s eyes.
When you try a little harder, and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas, when you’ve found that you can be
More concerned with words like “you” and less with “I” and “me.”
When it’s fun to do a favor, and to lend a helping hand,
When being understood means less, than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas, with a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn’t matter, if you’re first or if you’re last.
When you can face your conscience, and be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas, with a stable and a star.

– Author Unknown

Jesus, God’s Love in A Stable!

Jesus, on a snow-white laden night
He came to us this star-bright night.
He was born simply, humbly, too -
A stable of hay and animals few.

Mary, in pains of birth – she knew!
Joseph, to him, it was all so new.
Mary and Joseph a couple pure
Following God’s directions, sure!

They knew this town of Bethlehem
So special it was to both of them.
This town of David – shepherd and king
Jesus was born – Shepherd and King!

Jesus, the Son of the Living God
Entered our world of sin so fraught.
Yet, He came as Saviour and Friend
To bring sin and sickness to an end!

So, let us come to His stable-throne
Throw down our revenging stone.
Let us pick up this Light of God
Find our way to our Creator God!

Jesus, we know loves us all
Not wanting any to perish at all!
So, let us give our hearts to Him
Receiving Eternal Life in Him!

The Babe we know – born for you,
Angels singing to shepherds few.
Born in a humble manger was He -
Saviour and friend, Jesus, to be!

Whatever you find your need
Jesus will help, you’ll see!
Jesus will fill your heart
Never leaving you apart!

Peace, Joy and Love
All Life from Above!
Though, lived here on earth
Abundantly in Him, real worth!

This song I will bring to an end.
God’s Love for you will never end!
Trust in Jesus and His Love for you -
There is nothing He won’t do for you!

Patricia McConnan

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We asked Pat to share about herself. . .

I was born and raised in Canada. Mostly, in Vancouver, B.C.. Then, we moved to the country where I fell in love with nature – 1/2 my poems are about nature – Jesus Creation!

I went to U. of BC. in l963-65. It was in my first year that I discovered I could write poetry. It was well received by the professors and honours English students. In subsequent years, I had a few poems published. Then, I became sick and eventually my writing dwindled.

After I recovered from my mothers death in 2000, I told myself, “why don’t you just sit down and start writing seriously, again!” I did. But, I asked Jesus to give me a new, “Easy Reading” style while keeping my old style (Free Verse). What I have submitted is not either style. I wrote this as a song. I was reading my poetry twice a month at an open mic nite with some very good musicians. They asked me to read my poetry. It seemed to be well received – by those who usuually run when they hear the word “poetry”. That’s why I asked Jesus to give me a new style that would appeal to these people. Jesus gave it to me and showed me it really worked! I did this poetry reading in two places for a full year. It was a good experience!

In l988, I became married and my husband and I moved about 500 miles into the Interior of B.C. where we have lived since then. We have had several businesses. He is a good man and very well liked. Though, he does not know Jesus, yet!

In 2000 I almost died from complications with double pneumonia – I rode my own motorcycle (new style, woman motorcyclists). That is when I sustained my first severally, chronic, painful conditions – inhospital injuries. In 2004, I began to feel the first syptoms of Fibromyalgia. Also, at about that time, 3 conditions in my lower back in same area became severally, chronically painful! Because of a permanent bad reaction to gabapentin, I am not able to take pain meds! I have been to 2 pain clinics. So, now I am left on my own to try to deal with all this pain! I am almost beside myself! Before 2000, I was healthy as could be, physically! What a different story, now.

Jesus, is my All in All! He is my God, my Saviour, my Best Friend – whoever I need Him to be for me – Jesus is always there! Praise Jesus! It is only because of Jesus that I am able to go on!

I gave my life to Jesus when I was about 10 years but I was in a church where it was very difficult to grown in Jesus! At age 28, I started reading the Bilble, especially the Gospels, in their whole context. That is when Jesus and the Holy Spirit filled me to overflowing with their Love, Joy and Peace! Jesus has been with me very since! – as well as the Holy Spirit! My life has never been the same – thank Jesus!

Writing poetry is a large part of my life – Jesus is in most of my poetry! In the Okanagan (Interior of B.C.) we are in beautifull country with a large river running through the little town. It is a wonderful place to live.

When, I became disabled in 2000, I had to stop working with my husband and their wasn’t much I could do as the chronic, very painful injuries effected my arms, hands and feet! I love writing poetry. I am still doing that though it is extremely difficult to type it out and print. I am in the end process of writing a short book I want to send for publishing. However, my old computer quit and I have had to get a new one that has not co-operated at all! I have continued putting together a short collection of my poetry for publishing. I talk a lot and I write just as much!

The Christmas Rose

I walked along the quiet street alone, the snow was drifting down,
The stores were closed and shuttered in this peaceful little town,
The Christmas rush was ending, for ’twas Christmas Eve, you see,
Still I walked in search of “peace on earth,” and inner peace in me.

“What is Christmas really all about?” I spoke aloud in prayer,
“Lord, show me the true meaning so I’ll have a gift to share.”
I walked on, and in the distance came the glow of a soft light,
It was streaming from a window, giving guidance in the night.

From this tiny little church house I could hear the children sing
Of the “Dear little Lord Jesus, unto You our gifts we bring.”
As I paused and turned toward the door, hoping not to make a sound,
My eyes were drawn to a lovely sight before me on the ground.

I stooped to lift the red, red rose from it’s bed of pure white snow,
Then quietly opened the church house door and entered the soft, warm glow.
The children told of the birth of Christ,
the manger scene was there,
Then a gray-haired saint stood to his feet
with a word he had to share.

He spoke of a cross, and a crown of thorns,
and the scarlet blood that flowed,
He told of lives washed white as snow,
and I looked at my perfect rose!

Then I heard a still, small voice within,
“Child, you asked the true meaning and why,
Oh, I loved you so much that I purchased your life,
you see, I was born to die!”

I stood there in awe as the choir rose to sing,
“Silent Night, peace on earth, love and joy.”
Now forever I’ll share my most precious gift;
Prince of Peace, Savior, Lord, Baby Boy!

Alice Ervin lives in West Carrollton, Ohio with her husband, Dan. She thanks her Lord for being so faithful, and for the comfort and hope He gives as she deals with the daily struggles from her illnesses, fibromyalgia, and arthritis of the spine. Alice is a HopeKeepers group facilitator at her church.

The Raging Sea – Poem

A wave, crashing against the shore
Shaking me from my reverie
I was lost in my thoughts once again
Lost within the confines of my pain
An infinite jumble of emotional fears and doubts
I struggled to make some sense
Of my life thus far

In a world tinged in darkness and pain
I know that my heart remains pure
But not untouched by it
My life of pain has left an imprint upon me
The valleys and crevices are emotions pool
Often overflow within me
Drown me in feelings of despair

And now the wave, lapping at my bare toes
Sends it’s icy fingers up my body
Refreshing and terrifying all the same
Reminding me of the coldness I once carried
Reinforcing this need to grasp onto the
only person that has given me Hope.
And claim Him as my own

A rumble, growling behind a curtain of cloud
Lost amid flashes of white against gray
Perpetuates this growing feeling
Disturbs me, but ever so slightly
Reminds me that I am real
I am alive despite the pain
I am living despite this painful reality
I live with every day

Swirling, darkening, tension grows
As a mighty flash of lightning
Licks a fragile web across the sky
And the Heavens split open
Drenching me in its awesome power
Opening up the flood gates that
Hold my emotions in check

As I had screamed into the wind and rain
Scream against the stinging drops
Rage against the injustice of my life
Of emotions, running wild
I Feel this heart with in me beat wildly
So raw! So real!
I realize I am alive despite sorrows of lost dream

Howling winds begins to carry debris
From my past and present
Carry me forward, into His arms
As I surrender myself, peace calms
The raging storm that is with in me.
Calms the sea that stand before me.

As I look towards the calming waters
I see Him walking upon the waters
As He moves towards me His foots
Steps I see in the sand.
He cups my face with His gentle fingers
And I know that despite the pain I
Feel, my life has always been in
His hands…

By Barbara Engle Dec 3 2008

My name is Barbara Engle. I am 54 years old and I have been battling the reality of Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease all my life. As a result of Crohn’s of the stomach I developed Gastroparesis. 12 years ago I was in a car accident the left me battling the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. By the grace of God and His mercy, I have learned to live with my illness and not be defeated by it. The friends that I have made here at Rest Ministries Sunroom have been a real blessing in my life and I love to share with them some of my poems and article of encouragement. Visit her web site here.

What is Ministry?

Ministry Is….

Listening, when you’d rather fix the problem.
Searching for the joy, when it’s easier to say “it’s not fair.”
Helping, when you feel like you’re the one that needs the help.
Telling God, “use me,” when you’d rather ask to be rescued.
Encouraging, even when you don’t understand God’s reasoning.
Hugging when it feels awkward.
Saying, “let’s pray right now,” instead of “I’ll pray for you.”
Serving, when you doubt you have anything left to give.
Comforting, by being the flicker of light in others’ dark caverns.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
[author unknown]

My Broken Heart

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens,” (Psalm 68:19).

How does a broken heart heal Lord?
Where do you take all the pain?
Do you remove it and store it in darkness?
Or is it the thunder I hear with the rain?
Are the stars little explosions of heartbreak?
Is the sea filled up with the dread
of brokeness, tears and heartache
of the lonely, afflicted, mislead?
God where do you place all the hurting?
Where does all that pain lie?

Child why is it you ask me such questions
when the answer has always been thine
The cross is where all of that hurting
all the pain and suffering you tend
no matter what your affliction
My Son’s sacrifice dealt with its end
Any tears that you shed hereafter
I store in heavenly jars
They’re my treasured pearls and keepsakes
’til I have you safe in my arms

I love you my child can you hear me?
My cry of devotion echoes through eternity,
poured out in the blood of Jesus
so that I can have you always and forever
created you were just for me.

Julie Munro lives in New Zealand and is a solo mum to her daughter Hannah. Julie deals with the effects of endometriosis, chronic fatigue, and other illnesses, with a sense of humor and is learning to let the joy that is felt in God’s constant presence help her make it through each day.

Reprinted from HopeKeepers Magazine, 2004

Beyond My Smile

Look at me. I look normal
As far as your eyes can see
But hidden beyond my smile
Chronic illness brings me to my knees

I go about my everyday
With a prayer upon my heart
And pray for everything I do
That this brain fog will depart

I ask Him for strength that I might cope
Then I pray for peace of mind
I search within my soul
For someone who is kind

When I lay down to rest at night
I pray He ll help me sleep
Tuck me in and kiss my head
That I will not weep

With each new day comes the pain
Only my physical body knows
Illness is no respecter of people
It latches on and there it grows

You can t just share with anyone
They just don t understand
Take it to the Lord in prayer
And He will help you stand

One day at a time is what you do
And rest whenever you need
Then if it goes undone
Tomorrow you’ll plant another seed

It’s not something easily dealt with
Nor are doctors easy to find
Sometimes they brush you off
Making you think you’ve lost your mind

But then life goes on and you keep trying
And send up another prayer
With tears you feel so broken
Like there s no one to really care

You never give up for your strength is in God
Every step that you take, down each road you trod
Through the briars and brambles, the dark domain
God Almighty, He doth reign

There are those of us who identify
And know what it takes to get through
The power of God is awesome
And He s there for me and you

Anne B. Parker ©2007, Used with permission