What happens when God takes away the music--literally? Kerryn explains. “Sing to the Lord a new song: sing to the Lord, all the earth” (Psalm 96:1). The Bible is full of verses about singing, worship, and dance. So what happens when the music fades, due to illnesses? Over the years, I've had many times of having “the crutches” that I rely upon stripped away. It's not a comfortable experience, but God uses it to refine me. As a singer in the 80s, I remember the confusion when I clearly heard that the Lord wanted me to lead a dance group at our church, not a group of singers. I set about arguing with God and reminded Him that singing was my gift and talent! What a frivolous activity to try to argue with God! He knew what … [Read more...]

Deni wrote this last week about the loss of her husband. Please continue to keep her and her family in your prayers. -Lisa It obviously stings one's heart when a loved one dies, but does God send us signs to assure us to continue to rely on Him? Deni explains. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21) I know some of you will think nothing of this. I know some of you will think I am reading into things. Some of you may even think that grief has made me a bit "odd." Some of you, however, will nod and understand. You see, my husband passed from this world yesterday afternoon. Yet God saw fit to enable me to be … [Read more...]

Our illness can make us feel trapped like a prisoner, but Karlton explains how we can find freedom through our Savior. "May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die." (Psalm 79:11) Years ago a fellow I worked with committed a crime and was sent to prison. I remember writing to him while he was in prison and telling him that though I was not behind bars, I felt I was made a prisoner because of my illness. If you have been denied your freedom because of sickness and disease you probably understand what I mean when I say that illness makes a person feel like a prisoner. Confined to bed, unable to leave the house, having your abilities limited or restricted altogether, such things … [Read more...]

If you are feeling the thorns and roses in life while living with your illness you are not alone. Kerryn explains how to find the flowers in life. . . “Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills” (Genesis 49:26). Recently, I've become detective--like in looking for blessings. I wasn't always like that though. Usually I was far too busy to fully notice the blessings around me and rarely “stopped to smell the roses.” Now that I'm ill I'm seeing that there's great significance in “smelling the roses.” Two vases of roses are gracing my lounge room, some as tight buds and others as full and generous blooms of joy. I'm thankful that there's little to … [Read more...]

Life can be hard--very hard sometimes. Bronlynn explains her personal loss, but how she is comforted that God is with us. “Surely, as I have planned it, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand” (Isaiah 15:24). A few weeks ago my father passed away from cancer. It was quite a shock, since he died within two weeks of the diagnosis. This has brought major changes into our lives, particularly for my mother. Adjusting to being alone after 57 years of marriage is not easy. She is now downsizing to a smaller apartment which will bring more changes. But God is working things out in merciful and wonderful ways, and for that we are truly thankful. In his book Nearing Home, Billy Graham says, “God designs transitions and … [Read more...]