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Devotion: Are We Really Meant to Fear God?

January 21, 2012 By 5 Comments
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"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...]

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From Lisa – Resting in the New Year

January 9, 2012 By 21 Comments
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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...]

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

December 10, 2011 By 1 Comment
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"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...]

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

December 1, 2011 By 6 Comments
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"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 3 Comments
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"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...]

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Prayer Request for Inspirational Ministry Leader

November 16, 2011 By 7 Comments
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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...]

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