The Top Christian Books About Grief and Loss

grief-books

Grief. It is such a simple word yet it holds sooo-o-o much emotion, doesn't it? A few months ago someone at Rest Ministries asked me what books I would recommend for some different areas of grief, and in looking at my list from years past, I realized sadly that many of them had gone out of print. So I started compiling a new list. To add to the books I was aware of, I asked a group of Christian women authors of a group I am part of, AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). They eagerly told me what books they recommend to people (many of them are also counselors), and what books they had written of specific areas of grief. Some of these books we have even carried in our Rest Ministries bookstore over the years such as, The … [Read more...]

Devotion: Allow God To Lead You Out of the Desert When Illness Makes You Want to Give Up

27-ocean-when-ill-dont-give-up

"But He brought His people out like a flock; He led them like sheep through the desert." (Psalm 78:52) I have made a number of drives over to Phoenix, from San Diego. It is dry and hot, yet before you reach the desert you go over mountains. I always think about the settlers who came through these difficult paths to reach San Diego and eventually settle there. How many horses were injured? How many wheels on covered wagon broken? How many people buried those they loved along that trail? But even more interesting to me is the question, did those who built a homestead out in the desert ever regret that they stopped? "Why didn't you keep going?" I want to ask. "Did you send out a scout and he never returned? Did you begin to believe the … [Read more...]

Devotion: How to Offer Our Sufferings as an Act of Worship to God

26-open-hands-surrender-illness

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1). Worship can be expressed in various forms. Some examples are through music, tithes and offerings, responding to the teaching of God’s Word, and performing acts of service and mercy in God’s name. This verse suggests something else to me as well--worshiping God through my sacrifices of earthly suffering. I am slowly learning to be aware of ways in which I can do this. As I endure the ongoing struggle with migraines day after day, I am trying to praise God for the ability He gives me to keep functioning and serving through them. When I am not able … [Read more...]

Dear Fear: A Letter To My Fears When Living with Chronic Illness

woman-fear

By Melissa Svensen Dear Fear, We have known one another for a while now. You tell me lies all the time, yet I keep letting you back in my life. You overwhelm me with what ifs. What if you don’t ever get well… What if God does not want to heal you. . . What if you never accomplish your dreams. . . What if you never get to eat food that tastes good again. . . What if you have to live in chronic pain for the rest of your life. . . What if you can’t stick to the diet you need to follow to get well. . . What if your kids get the same illness as you, or something much worse. . . What if you can never feel intimacy with others because of your past abuse. . . What if people do not recognize your worth. . . What if your life … [Read more...]

Devotion: When Illness Creates a Habit Of Disappointment

25-disappointment-illness

"They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed." (Job 6:20) After a long period of continued decline with my health the disappointment of my situation seemed to stamp itself upon me. There is something terrible about continually expecting disappointment, always preparing for more problems. It's like anxiously awaiting rain under a stormy sky. I believe disappointment has the power to imprint itself upon us, because even after I saw gradual improvement with my condition, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Sometimes it feels as if the nerve endings of our soul is frayed. Continued friction from additional hardships and trials can leave us in a state of mind where we are … [Read more...]

You Are God’s Messenger Today For Someone Who is Hurting

gods-messenger-today-postcard

By Donna Riner Weber Numerous items fell onto the bed as I dumped the contents of my purse. One especially drew my attention--a post card of 4 adorable white fuzzy, fluffy puppies. It reminded me of the mini-type postcards that I like to share. I purchase the little 15 cent variety from the Christian Book Stores. Adorable baby animals create the backdrop for a Bible verse on one side. On the opposite side I usually write a Bible verse or some type of message I feel God leads me to write. I place these in restaurants, hotel rooms, restrooms etc.--wherever, God leads. Then I pray for the person whom God will lead to the little card. It brings pleasure to me as I sprinkle these in various places as we travel. Although I love to … [Read more...]

Devotion: How God Can Use Your Affliction to Bring You Closer to Him

22-good-to-be-afflicated

"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold” (Psalm 119:71-72). From my journal during a recent health battle I wrote the following. . . The nausea and back pain are getting worse. All I want to do is sit by my fireplace, put some heat on my back and open the Word. I love how the Word instantly calms my anxiousness and restores my inner peace. Why is it then that I only seem to read my Bible and pray when I’m sick, tired, or frustrated? Dear God, I know how important it is for me to spend time with You daily, but yet I do not do it. I know that when I do make my quiet time with You a priority my day starts off … [Read more...]

Devotion: Facing The Long Haul Of Chronic Illness

18-longhaulofillness

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:10-12) Chronic illness is not a sprint--it’s a long haul. Hence the “chronic." Sometimes that seems so hard to face. The fact that we can look at the future knowing that we may not improve, can bring those feelings of depression as we struggle not to be overwhelmed. As Christians, we can look forward … [Read more...]

New Book In Store: Stronger Still: A Woman’s Guide to Turning Your Hurt into Healing for Others

bk-stronger-still

This book, Stronger Still: A Woman's Guide to Turning Your Hurt into Healing for Others (Deeper Still), by Edna Ellison is an amazing workbook to hold in your hand and work your way through if you are trying to figure out how to use the pain in your life to encourage other people. We have it available now at the Rest Ministries shop. I am happy to be able to call Edna a friend through a Christian women writers organization, but even I didn't know all that she had experienced in her life until I read this book. This woman has every right to write about her journey with suffering and how to use it for God's plans. This is an interactive 6-week Bible study that helps guide the reader through her pain and to a point where she can see how … [Read more...]

Walls and Boundaries: Understanding Their Differences In Your Relationships

wall

By Cecil Murphey "I've learned that building walls isn't the same as setting boundaries." I heard those words last month from a woman in my seminar audience. I've thought about that statement almost every day. Both walls and boundaries are important. I need to be aware of their difference and appreciate their value. Have you built walls to protect yourself from more emotional pain? I'm learning to build walls to protect myself from people who demand my time and constantly ask me to do things for them. Walls provide safety. I need to close myself off from some individuals. Once they get inside the walls, it's difficult to push them out. Walls remind me of the old story of the Arab and his camel during a sandstorm. The camel … [Read more...]

Thinking About Suicide Website Offers Hope Through Depression

thnking-of-suicide

I recently have had the honor of joining a group of Christian women who are writing for a blog ThinkingAboutSuidicide.com. Started by Christian author and speaker, Linda Evans Shepherd, this blog features a daily post on topics related to people who may be thinking about suicide. It is for anyone, those who have recently lost a job, a loved one, health, whatever and offers hope through depression. I recently wrote about this new blog on 3/30/12, New Thinking About Suicide Blog Offers Eternal Hope. Some of you, however, missed this post and then wondered why I was "liking" a page on Facebook that is called "Thinking About Suicide". Don't worry! I am just supporting the efforts to help spread the word. Below is a short video message to … [Read more...]

What I’d Like to Tell My Pastor About Living with Illness

tell-pastor-about-illness

Living with chronic illness is lonely. Everyone around us seems to be enjoying health, happiness, and the ability to at least pursue their dreams. But many of us feel lonely, scared, and disappointed. We are faced with so many insecurities and we are living with an illness that we have not been able to pray away, cry away, or confess away. So we turn to our church for guidance, for acceptance, for unconditional support during the most difficult time in our life. But churches are made up of people—all of us imperfect. And our church does not always give us what we need; in fact, sometimes, the people say things that hurt us even more. "Everything will work out fine. Just keep praying." "If you just came to Bible study I am sure … [Read more...]

AWSOM Powered