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God’s Yoke Is Easy, So Why Do I Work So Hard?

April 25, 2013 By 6 Comments
WE WORK SO HARD TO **LIVE** WELL WHEN WE ARE CHRONICALLY ILL... It can become exhausting...! So how do we find the rest God offers us when we are working so hard to keep moving? #devotional

When our illness makes us work so hard to have a life and deal with pain, how do we find the rest that God promises us? Kerryn explains. . . “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Almost daily I hear: "Work hard and you can achieve anything!” “I'm working hard to achieve my goals!” “Success only comes through hard work!” Just as my health was dramatically declining, I attended a weekend seminar about achieving your goals, based on Biblical principles. This was a treat, as I've always been driven to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Devotionals, Reflection, What's New?

Do You Need a Dump Pass To Better Cope with Illness?

February 16, 2013 By 15 Comments
EVERYONE WITH ILLNESS NEEDS A DUMP PASS! What's a dump pass? Does your city ever give you a day every six months to take a load of garbage to the dump without being charged? Perhaps you need a special someone to allow you to have a dump pass and get some things off your mind and heart so you can cope even better with #chronic #illness. #devotional

We could all use a dump pass to better cope with illness. Kerryn explains how precious it can be and why. “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. 'For the foundations of the earth are the Lord's; upon them He has set the world.'” (1 Samuel 2:8). “Tomorrow we're having a special time together to talk and I'm giving you a dump pass!” This was the comment my dear husband gave me two nights ago, before he headed off to bed. I couldn't quite work out what he was trying to say though. Yes, I understood that we would finally have time, just the two of us, to chat together. It was much needed. However, the “dump pass” had me … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Reflection, What's New?

Seeing More Than The Rough Brush Strokes Of Illness

November 8, 2012 By 10 Comments
Used with Permission

Have you ever looked at a painting and seen only the strokes, not the whole picture? Kerryn describes how this images was an answer to her prayer. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). On holidays at a friend's beach house, I'm lying on the bed looking at the half open mirror door in front of me. I see the reflection of most of an oil painting hanging above my bed head. It's incomplete, but only because I know what it should look like. Lying here, I know that there's more and it's frustrating not to be able to see the whole painting! Looking at only part of this painting in the reflection, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Reflection, What's New?

Refusing to Live Under The Circumstances of Our Illness

November 2, 2012 By 3 Comments
ARE YOU LIVING UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF YOUR ILLNESS? Ever notice how much of our illness is UNDER? We are undergoing treatment, our disease is underestimated and we feel underappreciated. This is an interesting article on how we can get out from UNDER our circumstances and instead learn to live OVER! #WEGO #NHBPM

Are you living under the circumstances of your illness? Too often we forget that we have a choice to be under--or over--the situations in our life. WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge "What is the weirdest thing about your illness?" I chose to write about how we live under the circumstances of our diseases. Day #2. Lisa Copen "How are you?" we are asked. "Okay," we reply. "Under the circumstances." Illness places us living "under" everything. The words that describe our life can feel abnormal. Many begin with "un" and we are always under. Illness is unidentified, unknown, uncharted, unnamed, underhanded, underestimated. We learn to live "under the weather." We survive by realizing the name for our illness is an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Reflection, This is Me, What's New?, Worry

The Man of Jesus Understands Your Pain

August 5, 2012 By 2 Comments
man of jesus

Karlton shares how the man of Jesus understands all that you are going through in your walk with illness. "Coming to His hometown, He began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. 'Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?' they asked. 'Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all His sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?' And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.'" (Matthew 13:54-57) A few years ago I tried to read a fictional novel about the boy, Jesus. But the story was so foolish … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Coping Skills, Devotionals, Reflection, What's New? Tagged With:

As We Face Our Own Olympics We Get Our Strength From God

July 30, 2012 By 2 Comments
strength from god

Watching the Olympics can be inspiring, or discouraging, depending on our outlook. Bridget shares how we each participate in our own "Olympics" and we get our strength from God. “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. . . You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn” (2 Samuel 22:33-34, 37). There is something almost magical about watching the Olympics. I think it’s seeing people exceed beyond the “normal” that’s exciting. You can’t be a spectator and not be inspired to try your own Olympic sport! The thing I like the most is hearing the stories of how these athletes got started--especially those … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Reflection, What's New? Tagged With: , ,

When I In Awesome Wonder Consider All – Video

July 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
how-great-thou-art

Happy Sunday! Years ago before our son was born my husband and I had the chance to take an Alaskan cruise. It was an amazing time with my family and I felt like I truly saw God's hand on our earth. As we went through the glaciers and heard the cracking of the ice, I remember they played, "How Great Thou Art" over the loudspeakers on the ship. I will always recall the awe of seeing what God created and truly how great He was. Seeing chunks of icebergs fall into the water in Glacier Bay was an extraordinary experience that made me feel very small, yet also cared for. The lyrics, "when I in awesome wonder. . . " took on new meaning. "Oh, God," I prayed, "You are an awesome wonder. Never let me forget to see that in ways each … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Reflection, Spiritually Struggling, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Just As Long as You Stand By Me – Video

July 15, 2012 By 1 Comment
stand-by

Happy Sunday! It is so easy to get caught up in our own little world, even the news about the city we live in or our country, and forget that we are all God's children, scattered all over the world. We all hurt, we all need the Lord, and. . . we need each other too. This is a beautiful video that will remind you that there are people world-wide that are saying, "Just as long as you stand by me than I can _____." (Imagine, what could you do if someone promised to stand by you?) Be sure to listen past the 1-minute mark for more surprises. If you are receiving this in your email, you likely cannot see the video within the email. Click the title above to go to our website to watch it. Stand By Me - People of the World Playing for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, Love, Reflection, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Devotion: God’s Purpose In Our Life May Be Much Different Than We Expect

July 1, 2012 By 5 Comments
1-gods-plans

"What is my life purpose?" you may ask. You may even believe you have discovered it. But many of those with illness find it is different than they ever imagined. "The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return home and tell how much God has done for you.' So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him." (Luke 8:38-39) I hear from so many of you here at Rest Ministries who tell me the many ways you long to minister to others. Some of you are still able to occasionally travel on mission trips, but there are also many who are no longer able to do so, due to the limitations of your illness, such as traveling, risk of infection, not being near medical … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Finding Purpose, Founder's Blog, Reflection, Self -Esteem, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You – Video

June 24, 2012 By 4 Comments
thankyou

Happy Sunday! I was in college driving to church on a Sunday morning when Boys II Men came on the radio. As one who loves gospel and jazz, I immediately turned it up and was surprised to hear this style of music on the pop radio channel. Here at Rest Ministries we talk a lot about struggles. We don't want to put a "Pollyanna" spin on things, because when we have an attitude adjustment it is because we gave our circumstances over to the Lord--not because we woke up and decided it would all be okay. But that is not to say our attitude can't use some adjusting! And one of the ways we can do this is to just tell God, "Thank You!" You may not be a fan of your situation right now, but there is still something you can find in your life to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Joy, Overwhelmed, Reflection, Spiritually Struggling, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , ,

What Do You Want Your Faith-Legacy To Be? Donna Has an Idea with Scrapbooking!

May 1, 2012 By 2 Comments
donna

Scrapbooking Your Faith By Debbi Farmer One of my favorite hobbies is scrapbooking. I have so many memories that I want to keepsake for others to enjoy down the years. I am often looking for new resources to add to my scrapbooking technique. Perhaps that is why I found this book and web-site to be so fascinating and wanted to share it with you. Scrapbook Your Christian Faith: The Beginners Guide to Scrapbooking Your Spiritual Legacy by Donna Riner Weber is just one of those many treasures that you have to share with all of your friends. I recently interviewed Donna Riner Weber about her book and website and discovered for myself how to scrapbook my Christian faith. What is Donna's story? One crisp, cool Friday afternoon in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Hobbies-Crafts, Joy, Loneliness, Ministry - Personal, Profiles, Reflection, Statistics, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Make a Difference Today To Someone Who is Hurting

April 24, 2012 By 1 Comment
never-get-tired

  Even when you feel you are too ill to make a difference, you can! We all can make a difference to someone, whether it is a loved one or a total stranger. Little ways count. 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 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Attitude, Reflection, Spiritually Struggling, What's New? Tagged With: , , , ,
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