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Joni and Friends Starting San Diego Chapter

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
jaf

If you live in the San Diego area you may be interested to know that Joni and Friends is putting together a satellite office. The first step is to gather together the people who would like to be involved. Joni and Friends is the disability ministry of best-selling author Joni Eareckson Tada who was paralyzed following a diving accident in the 1970s. Rest Ministries is an affiliate ministry of Joni and Friends and I (Lisa) have had the honor of speaking and exhibiting at various Joni and Friends events for years. It is an amazing ministry that has changed the lives of millions of people, from those in third world countries who have received a wheelchair through Joni's Wheels of the World program, to the thousands of families who have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, HopeKeepers Resources, What's New?

How Do You Explain Living With Illness to Your Church?

June 28, 2011 By 4 Comments
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"I want to be able to share the ups and downs but not sound like I am complaining. . ." "I've read about people who are presenting to their church staff about chronic illness, but that makes me too nervous. . ." "A deacon came by to visit me last week and she told me I looked fabulous and that the tests I had to have later that day were 'no big deal.' I wish I could gracefully give her some tips, but I don't want to hurt her feelings." We have a wonderful new tool! A DVD with 24 tips of 2-3 minutes each that are perfect for a church staff to watch. You could give a copy of this DVD to the women's ministry director, perhaps the pastor's wife who you heard is chronically ill. Encourage your congregational care team to watch a couple of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Casseroles, Church Leader, RM Shop E-flyers, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Testimony: Why Do Churches Need HopeKeepers Small Group Ministries?

May 27, 2011 By 1 Comment
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In coming months I will be sharing more of your testimonies about your involvement in small groups, the Sunroom, on Facebook, daily devotionals--wherever Rest Ministries has touched your life. Print, audio, or videos are all welcome if you're interested in sharing. Lisa From a woman we will call Samantha, who has been a part of a HopeKeepers in Southern California that has met for over 10 years. I was a young Christian woman, just starting my career, newly in love, and full of hopes for the future. Then, one day, chronic pain entered my life and set up a long-term stay. Now, over 20 years later, I live in constant severe pain. Do I have many moments of questioning, tears and frustration? If I said I didn't, I'd be giving false … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, Need to Know, Reflection, Share Your Story, Support Group Leader, Testimonies, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

New DVD From RM Helps Communicate Our Needs to Churches

May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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"I just wish there was a way I could help my pastor understand what it's like to live with a chronic illness." If you've ever felt this way, we have a new and fabulous tool we think you will love! I have been working on this since late 2010 and am excited it's all ready! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Casseroles, Church Leader, Explaining Illness, HopeKeepers Resources, Person w/ Illness, RM Shop E-flyers, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Why, As Christians, We Must Go Beyond “You Look So Good!”

May 12, 2011 By 4 Comments
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I recently had a pastor asked me, "If someone comes to church who is chronically ill and they have not looked great recently, and now they look better than usual, is it not okay to then say 'You look so good'?" I thought about it for a moment and replied, "Well, if it was me, I would think, 'Gee, I must have been looking really terrible!' As much as I intellectually know it is a compliment, it would not make me feel good, but rather worse about myself." "I understand what you're saying," said another woman. "Because it is still a comment on our outward appearance." Scripture tells us, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) When we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Invisible Illnesses, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Support Group Leader Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Gift For a Best Friend Who Is Ill Can Be Patio Decorations

April 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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When you have a friend who is ill, it can be difficult to think of some fresh ideas for small little things to bring some cheer to his or her life. In this video, Lisa Copen, author of "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend" supplies ideas of gifts to cheer up a friend who is ill, which can be store bought or homemade wind chimes, gardening tools for arthritis or garden flags. It can be nice to bring real flowers or plants, but then the person who is ill can feel guilty when the plants die. See how a cute decorative garden flower or wind chime can be a wonderful present. You can find more of these videos all at one web site, beyondcasserolesvideos.com . … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Casseroles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Friend Has Illness, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New?

Have a Friend With Illness? Let Her Cry!

April 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Okay, so this sounds a bit tough, but it's not meant to be. Too often tears make us feel uncomfortable and we are quick to offer biblical quotes of encouragement to suffering friends with illness instead of just listening. It can truly be an honor and a gift when someone feels they can cry in our presence. Join me, Lisa Copen, http://BeyondCasseroles.com author, as I explain that though we may be quick to say, "Big girls dont cry!" tears can be okay! You can find more of these videos all at one web site, beyondcasserolesvideos.com . … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Casseroles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bible Study by Joni Eareckson Tada On Suffering Can Be Downloaded

February 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Whether you are looking for a personal Bible study or something fresh for your HopeKeepers group, Something Greater Than Healing study by Joni Eareckson Tada is available as a download for just $4.95 and you can make up to 1000 copies for your church. Christianity Today says, Joni Eareckson Tada dispensed with the superficial healing narrative decades ago. Paralyzed in a diving accident, Tada was forced to trust a God who doesn’t always heal, who doesn’t always prevent or alleviate our suffering. In her interview with Christianity Today, “Something Greater Than Healing,” Tada describes her hard-won understanding of God’s purposes and sovereign care for his peoplein the midst of their suffering. The 5 teaching points … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, HopeKeepers Resources, Person w/ Illness, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

7 Secrets the Chronically Ill Want Chaplains to Know

February 16, 2011 By 3 Comments
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By Lisa Copen 1. Have a sense of humor about my illness if I do. I know you're trained to search for if I'm in denial, but sometimes a good laugh about a situation or health challenge is my way of coping so feel free to laugh with me. 2. I will likely tell you I go to church more often than I do. You're a chaplain, so I have to sound somewhat disciplined if I am a spiritual person, right? (Never mind that lying to you isn't exactly "spiritual.") Honestly, as much as I may want to go, I get there a lot less. If you have any way to get my church to put the service online or on a free CD I will listen to it. 3. Skip the platitudes. You probably already know that but it's easy for anyone to slip into saying things like "God won't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Need to Know, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ministering to Those Who Have Lost Someone They Love

February 13, 2011 By 1 Comment
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By Fran Caffey Sandin “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12: 15 NASB) Rejoicing comes easily when something good happens in the lives of friends. But when death and its sorrow invade a home, we often find ourselves struggling for an adequate response. We sincerely want to help, but deep inside we’re afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, not being “strong” enough, or of becoming depressed. Who among us ever feels sufficient when death intrudes? And yet, that is when we’re needed most of all. The good news is that, in spite of our human weaknesses and fears, God can use us to uplift and encourage the bereaved. When the Holy Spirit dwells within our hearts, He will be our guide, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Love, Need to Know, Relationships, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Daily Devotionals Now Available Via Kindle Subscription

February 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Over at Rest Ministries, we've had daily devotionals for over ten years. We've seen technology continue to move forward and so are excited about this new addition to the devotionals! If you have a Kindle, the popular e-reader from Amazon.com, you will be excited to know that our daily devotionals are now available on the Kindle! If you don't have a Kindle, you can just keep this information in the "things I don't need to worry about" file. [Or if you are considering buying a Kindle use this link and Rest Ministries will get a small donation with our affiliate link!] If you are interested in subscribing to the devotionals via your Kindle, you can do it at the direct link here on Amazon or do a search on the Kindle itself. It will pop … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Devotionals, Links, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Technology, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Battery Operated Flameless Candles Great Gift Idea For Chronically Ill By Beyond Casseroles Author Lisa Copen

October 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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As Autumn is upon us we are tempted to go buy those sweet smelling candles that have scents of pumpkin, spice cake, apples and more. I do love them and it creates a cozy mood, especially when the time changes and it gets dark earlier. But I’ve not hand a candle with a wick and a flame for years due to my own concern about remembering to put it out or bump it. Join me in the video below for a few minutes as I share my first tip from Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend . And remember, these videos can all be embedded directly into YOUR web site or blog too if you have one. When the video is done playing, just click on the “share” button for the piece of code. (And… if you can click “like” … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beyond Casseroles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Friend Has Illness, Our Best Tips, Videos Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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