Founder’s Blog

Devotion: Are We Really Meant to Fear God?

January 21, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

"The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14) "Why does God want us to be afraid of Him?" asked my sweet son recently. We were reading a scripture and it mentioned how we should fear the Lord. This is a question that most of us have asked at one time or another, and one we don't always get a satisfactory answer. I mean, God tells us He is our Father, our Abba, our friend, our protector. . . and then on the other hand He wants us to be afraid of Him? What kind of friend does that? When we live with a chronic illness we are up against all sorts of things that we can fear. We fear going to the doctor, we fear not going to the doctor. We fear taking the medications and dealing with side … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Founder's Blog, What's New? Tagged With: Abba, Bible, David, Fear the Lord, God, Lord, Psalm, San Diego, why does god allow bad things to happen to good people, why does god get angry or mad, why should we fear the lord

From Lisa – Resting in the New Year

January 9, 2012 By admin 21 Comments

It is the second week in January. According to the world, it is time to "get busy." But I feel like molasses is a world of energy drinks. I still have much I want to give, but it is not bubbling just below the surface like it usually does. Despite all the hype about doing, I am just concentrating on being. Well, the word "concentrating" is over-stating the reality. Honestly, I am just wandering around, resting in not having a to-do list of items that "must be done today or else," and yet, still feeling like I am wasting time by just resting. There is a long list of things I should be doing for this ministry. I feel my presence has not been what protocol dictates. Yet, I don't like to fake it. I want to be real with you. I want to be … [Read more...]

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

Devotion: God Always Remembers Us, Especially When We Are Hurting

December 10, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

"And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant. . . . and the Lord remembered her." (1 Samuel 1:11a, 19b) One of the first times I had a table at a health conference to exhibit to encourage attendance they had bus transportation for many women from an assisted living center. There were over 50 booths and many women walked around with their canes or zoomed around on their carts. As they would come to my table, I would explain to each of them about Rest Ministries and they'd say, "Now, sweetie, I think this is just lovely." They'd take a brochure and walk on. About thirty minutes later they would come back by again and say, "Oh, now what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Founder's Blog, What's New? Tagged With: Books of Samuel, Chronic, God, Jesus, Lord, Mental Health, Rest Ministries, San Diego

Devotion: Never Let Your Youth (or Years!) Discourage You

December 1, 2011 By admin 6 Comments

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. . . Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." (1 Timothy 4:12,14) When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis I was just 24 years old and when I began Rest Ministries I was 26. I could not easily find young adults who lived with chronic illness each day, but I also was unable to find a ministry that was specifically for those with chronic illness. Wow, how the Internet has changed so many things! Now the idea of an "invisible illness" is not something unusual to hear of, but a popular "keyword" in search … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Founder's Blog, What's New?

Devotion: When You Can’t See Your Options, God Can Cast Out Fear

November 20, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6) As I am learning more about ADHD, a diagnosis my son received earlier this year, I am beginning to see why he reacts the way he does to certain situations. One noticeable response is when something is different than his typical routine he emotionally freezes up. I recently heard a a wonderful explanation of why it may be hard for him to see another option as being viable, despite our best attempt to present him with multiple choices. For example, if you always drive to the grocery store a certain route, and one day there is construction, the average person may instinctively just drive … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Founder's Blog, What's New? Tagged With: anxiety, fear, God, Jesus, Lord, Prayer, Rest Ministries, San Diego

Prayer Request for Inspirational Ministry Leader

November 16, 2011 By admin 7 Comments

My heart has been grieving the past few weeks because a dear friend of mine, Jennifer Saake, whom many of you now, suffered a stroke. I only know what her husband, has posted on Facebook updates, but she can use your prayers, and even a note of encouragement if you have the opportunity. To be honest, I have never met Jenni in person. We both began our ministries around 1997 and met online. She had a ministry for those with infertility. I had a ministry for those with chronic illness. But she also had a chronic illness and I also was dealing with infertility. We both juggled illnesses and ministries and families and searched for God's will for our lives. And through the years we also learned to navigate the internet, the changes in it, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Founder's Blog, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic, Conditions and Diseases, Facebook, God, hannah's hope, Health, Illness, Infertility, Jenni, jenni saake, jennifer saake, stroke

Preparing Your Holiday Priorities When Chronically Ill

November 15, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Many people are eager to start the chaos of preparing for the holidays, including baking, decorating, shopping and getting together with loved ones. For those with a chronic illness, however, there can be a sense of dread because our desires are much like the rest of the population, but we know our bodies will never hold up to all of the things that we would like to do. "When I think of the holidays, I immediately think of all of the things I need to do and then I am tired just thinking about it," says Karon, who lives with lupus and fibromyalgia. "I used to love to bake and do cookie exchanges. I decorated the whole house. Now just thinking about getting a tree seems overwhelming." As believers, Christmas is a time of celebrating the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Coping Skills, Founder's Blog, Holidays, Person w/ Illness, What's New?

Our Favorite Comfy Cozy Secrets When Chronically Ill

November 14, 2011 By admin 15 Comments

So the rain or snow is falling, the cold evenings abound. Winter. It is here. And when we are chronically ill we may not be able to run out for evening get togethers with friends. We may not even be able to turn up the heater as much as we'd like since we are watching our budget. How do you create some sense of coziness in your life? Here are a few of our best tips. Browse some blogs of your interests you rarely indulge Whatever your interest is, there are multiple blogs about it. The other night I spent over an hour visiting blogs for vintage kitchen decorating. I've shared how I treasure my grandmother's kitchen table in a blog and have decorated with antiques I have collected over the years. (I don't really like to cook or clean, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Founder's Blog, Links, Person w/ Illness, Silly Stuff, What's New?

Devotion: Are You Having a Cactus Day?

November 14, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

"The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." (Matthew 13:22) My son is eight years old now. All boy. He talks constantly. Or he makes cave man sounds at me and refuses to talk at all. He doesn't always communicate. And I want to draw him out, hear about his day, hear what makes him happy, sad, and more. For months I have been trying to play the "rose game" with him when I pick him up from school. "Name one thing that was a rose today and one thing that was a thorn." Brief answers are okay. You can't say recess and lunch as your rose. So last week I pick him up and asked him about his rose and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Founder's Blog, What's New?

Not Feeling Very Thankful? Instead, Focus on God’s Faithfulness

November 13, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

Today we are featuring an article instead of the typical devotional. "What are you thankful for?" Have you heard this question lately? November is the month it seems everyone insists on tackling this topic. We make lists, we try to journal, we blog, we go around the table at Thanksgiving dinner and try to get our children to say that they are thankful for something (and hopefully something that doesn't require batteries!) But what if you are not feeling particularly thankful right now? Sure, we are told to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), but don't we also serve a God who understands what we are going through and who won't anger when our well of thankfulness starts to runs dry? Yes, we do. God does … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Devotionals, Founder's Blog, Spiritually Struggling, What's New? Tagged With: God's faithfulness, god's promises, Illness, thankfulness, when you don't feel thankful

My Blue Rocking Chair

November 11, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

It's uncomfortable to sit in. You barely can relax before it tips and you feel like it will dump you backwards. But I like how it makes me feel. I got it at a discount store, and it was white. Eventually the hot sun cracked the paint. It slivered off like small pieces of icicle coating my patio. I bought deep red paint for it. I like red. It's bold, energizing. I need more energy. Red is good. My parents came to visit. Dad painted it for me and left it out in the grass to dry. The next morning. . . "Are those sprinklers?" Dad asked. "Yes, why?" Long pause. . . "The chair!" he yells and runs out to the grass. Streaked paint. The red paint was now called "primer." One day I am listening to one of my favorite … [Read more...]

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

When Illness Threatens to Make You Feel Invisible

November 8, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

I once heard the comparison that life with chronic illness was sort of like "living in the parenthesis." It can sound like a bad Christmas letter. . . We have had the most fabulous year (despite mom being in the hospital a couple of weeks). We had a wonderful trip to the lake and went camping (mom stayed in a motel nearby) and everyone waterskiied and sunbathed (except mom, she can't be in the sun or ski so she just watched from under a canopy). We went to see the caves (mom couldn't walk the stairs so she just rested at the motel). We are looking forward to getting together with you this year (Mom can't travel so we hope you can visit us!) Does life ever feel that way? Over in the Rest Ministries Sunroom Bet shared her heart on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Coping Skills, Founder's Blog, Invisible Illnesses, Loneliness, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, God, Gospel of Matthew, Invisibility, Jesus, Lord, Martha, Mary