Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Pain Support» Founder’s Blog http://restministries.com Joyfully serving the chronically ill with Christian resources and support Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:02:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Finger Splints – How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day http://restministries.com/2010/08/22/finger-splints-how-i-became-crafty-trendy-and-got-street-cred-all-in-one-day/ http://restministries.com/2010/08/22/finger-splints-how-i-became-crafty-trendy-and-got-street-cred-all-in-one-day/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:54:23 +0000 Rest Ministries http://restministries.com/?p=6227 Illness and Crafts. That is the ChronicBabe.com topic of the blog carnival this week and so it motivated me to write about my finger splint. After all, to the critics in Hollywood I am now officially trendy and have some street cred. No, that’s not a typo. It’s “street cred” not “street creed.” But I regress.

I had joint replacement surgery on four fingers in November 2009 and was feeling a bit bummed out that after months of therapy, I was leaving the office with something on my hand now called a “finger splint” that never should have been there.

My therapist was trying to downplay it but it felt like someone had wrapped a big piece of duct tape around my fingers.

finger splint 250 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

What I currently wear every day

The surgery had not been as successful as surgeon, rheumatologist, or hand therapist had hoped. My range of movement was much less than they had anticipated, despite my wearing the large outrigger splint 12 weeks instead of 6 and doing all of my exercises.

In the end one finger, my “ring finger,” was crooked. It sticks up too far. It pops in and out of place. It is a silicone joint that is permanently in the wrong location. It won’t “slip back into place.” And yes, it drives me nutty.

To most people, my finger just appears slightly curved–no big deal, right? But I can’t really bend it down, which means I don’t really have a grasp with my hand. My other fingers get lost when the ring finger muscle it constantly determined to ride an invisible wave. I can’t grasp the steering wheel of the car or pick up something.

And it’s as though my hand gets tired, the ring finger always wanting all the attention. It sends little signals to my brain like a hyper poodle in her puppy years: “It’s me, pick me up, look at me, can we play? Come on, please, please?”

All through months of therapy I had jokingly said, “I just need a bigger diamond for my wedding band, right? Can you write a prescription for my husband for that?” I didn’t even care if it was a real stone. I just wanted weight.

So, this is how I ended up with what they call a “finger splint,” a long piece of medical material (that my husband would love to get his hands on to use for models). They heat it and then wrap it around your fingers to form a splint.

“Just think of it like a girdle” the therapist smiled. “This is a FOREVER kind of thing.”

“There is a REASON I don’t wear girdles!” I insisted (also with a smile.)

So, that’s where my head was as I left. Annoyed at the botched surgery.

The week previously I had seen the surgeon’s x-rays. In the surgery room the x-ray looked fine. A week later, it was crooked. It was why I had signed on the dotted line before surgery I understood there was no guarantee. It is what it is.

So I drove over to Michael’s craft store and found a sticky strip of fake tiny rhinestones. I trimmed it down and put it on the splint. Much improved. And since the medical material tends to turn an ugly dark ivory, toasted marshmallow color, it would help people see the glitz and not the “dirt.”

A few hours later I went to Walmart and as I walked by a girl about twelve she exclaimed, “Oh! I love your ring!” I paused and looked down and then did a quick explanation that was totally confusing and unnecessary. But in the end I told her, “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

cast 3 300x225 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

The Outrigger Splint - worn 12 weeks 24/7

I updated the photo of my outrigger splint on Facebook to my finger splint and people said I had “pimped” my assistive device. I had never thought anything I did would be described as “pimping” but there ya go. Life is odd.

I’m still wearing it. I’m on my second one now. I have ordered a sterling silver finger ring splint that didn’t fit, got re-measured by my therapist, and have sent it back now to be melted down and get a different kind of ring and size. To the right you can see what my first one looked like. The black and white photos down below shoes what the next one will look like that I will try.

The other option is to go see a different surgeon and see what is involved in re-doing surgery on this finger. That is my plan (after dental work and cataract surgery).

One day my husband said, “Did you see People magazine? There is a ring in there like yours!” Yep, leave it to Rihanna to make a 2-finger ring popular. I was hip, right? Wrong. The article stated:

“. . . two years ago, you couldn’t watch an episode of The Hills without catching a glimpse of Lauren Conrad’s knuckle-duster name ring. Well, now TV stars and singers alike just can’t get enough of the two-finger accessory. Thin and feminine designs work best—and keep it to just two fingers. A row full of knuckles guarantees you a Fashion DUI.”

Fashion DUI. Now I was pimping and had a fashion DUI. I wonder what the people on “What Not To Wear” would think of my black, bulky, diabetic Mary Jane shoes?

And some of you may even agree. Hating my puffy prednisone face, I had temporarily made my Facebook profile photo a picture of this amazing crafty finger splint. When I changed it back to a photo of my face you said, “Oh good, I was so tired of looking at your fingers and that painful splint!”

multi finger ring Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

It's trendy! 1 star for each joint replaced, maybe?

Little did you know you were seeing art in action, though, huh? Because as I was writing this article, I found a new Hollywood attitude. Here is the article with some photos if you are interested in joining my fad, Multi Finger Rings That Pack A Punch!

Fashion Allure says:

“Flaunt your street cred with an extravagant hip hop style. With celebrity clientele including Rihanna, Megan Fox, Alicia Keys and Fergie, a two-finger, three-finger and four-finger ring is all the craze right now! Meant to be worn simultaneously on multiple fingers, the multi-finger ring is providing for a flashy and a truly dramatic look.”

So, now, with just a click of a mouse, I can define myself as flashy and dramatic. But what on earth is my street cred? What actually is a street cred? I had to look that up. Urban dictionary says, “Commanding a level of respect in an urban environment due to experience in or knowledge of issues affecting those environments; imaginary ‘points’ you get when you do something cool.”

Hmmm. . . don’t know if I qualify in the sense they mean. I suppose in the patient community, however, I’ve got me some “street cred”–if you can get “points” for joint replacement surgery. Can I have one for each finger I had replaced?

The article also says, “This playful and trendy ring type will get you maximum of desired attention. Hurry up and get one before it’s gone!”

silver ring splint 3 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One DayWell, who knew? Do I really want that kind of attention? I’m asking myself, do I really want to look like the kind of person who wears brass knuckles? And do they mean, “hurry” because the rings will be gone? Or the trend? Probably the trend.

And I will once again be committing a fashion faux pa.

The bummer part is all these fashionistas get to take it the rings off when they start to feel uncomfortable. I imagine I feel a bit like how people with migraines don’t want to hear about how someone’s head band or pony tail is giving them a headache.

Overall, am looking forward to receiving my next ring in the mail and seeing what it feels like. With rheumatoid arthritis, any ring is hard to fit, when your hands swell and knuckles flare. But I am getting weary of having to clean my little medical ring with toothpaste to get rid of the stink. . . I mean scent.

Sterling silver will be a huge improvement and who knows? Maybe I will just look like a 40-something mom who is hip enough to wear what somebody from some show called “The Mountains” is wearing–I mean “The Hills.”

Whatever!

lisa-copen-signature

___________________________________

Looking for a splint for some kind of deformation of your hands? The story behind Silver Ring Splint company is interesting! The web site states:

In 1974, occupational therapist Cynthia Garris was forced to take a new look at splint therapy – in that year, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She had long believed in the value of splinting, but soon realized that none of the existing technologies addressed the long-term use of splints. While plastic splints were fine for treating short-term trauma, no one would willingly use this cumbersome and embarrassing solution for the remainder of their lifetime. In 1985, she set out to design and manufacture a new series of splints that were both more effective and far more attractive than the splints then in use. In the process, she revolutionized every aspect of splint therapy.

facebook profile 80x80 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and is in the process of getting ready for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week!

]]> Illness and Crafts. That is the ChronicBabe.com topic of the blog carnival this week and so it motivated me to write about my finger splint. After all, to the critics in Hollywood I am now officially trendy and have some street cred. No, that’s not a typo. It’s “street cred” not “street creed.” But I regress.

I had joint replacement surgery on four fingers in November 2009 and was feeling a bit bummed out that after months of therapy, I was leaving the office with something on my hand now called a “finger splint” that never should have been there.

My therapist was trying to downplay it but it felt like someone had wrapped a big piece of duct tape around my fingers.

finger splint 250 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

What I currently wear every day

The surgery had not been as successful as surgeon, rheumatologist, or hand therapist had hoped. My range of movement was much less than they had anticipated, despite my wearing the large outrigger splint 12 weeks instead of 6 and doing all of my exercises.

In the end one finger, my “ring finger,” was crooked. It sticks up too far. It pops in and out of place. It is a silicone joint that is permanently in the wrong location. It won’t “slip back into place.” And yes, it drives me nutty.

To most people, my finger just appears slightly curved–no big deal, right? But I can’t really bend it down, which means I don’t really have a grasp with my hand. My other fingers get lost when the ring finger muscle it constantly determined to ride an invisible wave. I can’t grasp the steering wheel of the car or pick up something.

And it’s as though my hand gets tired, the ring finger always wanting all the attention. It sends little signals to my brain like a hyper poodle in her puppy years: “It’s me, pick me up, look at me, can we play? Come on, please, please?”

All through months of therapy I had jokingly said, “I just need a bigger diamond for my wedding band, right? Can you write a prescription for my husband for that?” I didn’t even care if it was a real stone. I just wanted weight.

So, this is how I ended up with what they call a “finger splint,” a long piece of medical material (that my husband would love to get his hands on to use for models). They heat it and then wrap it around your fingers to form a splint.

“Just think of it like a girdle” the therapist smiled. “This is a FOREVER kind of thing.”

“There is a REASON I don’t wear girdles!” I insisted (also with a smile.)

So, that’s where my head was as I left. Annoyed at the botched surgery.

The week previously I had seen the surgeon’s x-rays. In the surgery room the x-ray looked fine. A week later, it was crooked. It was why I had signed on the dotted line before surgery I understood there was no guarantee. It is what it is.

So I drove over to Michael’s craft store and found a sticky strip of fake tiny rhinestones. I trimmed it down and put it on the splint. Much improved. And since the medical material tends to turn an ugly dark ivory, toasted marshmallow color, it would help people see the glitz and not the “dirt.”

A few hours later I went to Walmart and as I walked by a girl about twelve she exclaimed, “Oh! I love your ring!” I paused and looked down and then did a quick explanation that was totally confusing and unnecessary. But in the end I told her, “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

cast 3 300x225 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

The Outrigger Splint - worn 12 weeks 24/7

I updated the photo of my outrigger splint on Facebook to my finger splint and people said I had “pimped” my assistive device. I had never thought anything I did would be described as “pimping” but there ya go. Life is odd.

I’m still wearing it. I’m on my second one now. I have ordered a sterling silver finger ring splint that didn’t fit, got re-measured by my therapist, and have sent it back now to be melted down and get a different kind of ring and size. To the right you can see what my first one looked like. The black and white photos down below shoes what the next one will look like that I will try.

The other option is to go see a different surgeon and see what is involved in re-doing surgery on this finger. That is my plan (after dental work and cataract surgery).

One day my husband said, “Did you see People magazine? There is a ring in there like yours!” Yep, leave it to Rihanna to make a 2-finger ring popular. I was hip, right? Wrong. The article stated:

“. . . two years ago, you couldn’t watch an episode of The Hills without catching a glimpse of Lauren Conrad’s knuckle-duster name ring. Well, now TV stars and singers alike just can’t get enough of the two-finger accessory. Thin and feminine designs work best—and keep it to just two fingers. A row full of knuckles guarantees you a Fashion DUI.”

Fashion DUI. Now I was pimping and had a fashion DUI. I wonder what the people on “What Not To Wear” would think of my black, bulky, diabetic Mary Jane shoes?

And some of you may even agree. Hating my puffy prednisone face, I had temporarily made my Facebook profile photo a picture of this amazing crafty finger splint. When I changed it back to a photo of my face you said, “Oh good, I was so tired of looking at your fingers and that painful splint!”

multi finger ring Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

It's trendy! 1 star for each joint replaced, maybe?

Little did you know you were seeing art in action, though, huh? Because as I was writing this article, I found a new Hollywood attitude. Here is the article with some photos if you are interested in joining my fad, Multi Finger Rings That Pack A Punch!

Fashion Allure says:

“Flaunt your street cred with an extravagant hip hop style. With celebrity clientele including Rihanna, Megan Fox, Alicia Keys and Fergie, a two-finger, three-finger and four-finger ring is all the craze right now! Meant to be worn simultaneously on multiple fingers, the multi-finger ring is providing for a flashy and a truly dramatic look.”

So, now, with just a click of a mouse, I can define myself as flashy and dramatic. But what on earth is my street cred? What actually is a street cred? I had to look that up. Urban dictionary says, “Commanding a level of respect in an urban environment due to experience in or knowledge of issues affecting those environments; imaginary ‘points’ you get when you do something cool.”

Hmmm. . . don’t know if I qualify in the sense they mean. I suppose in the patient community, however, I’ve got me some “street cred”–if you can get “points” for joint replacement surgery. Can I have one for each finger I had replaced?

The article also says, “This playful and trendy ring type will get you maximum of desired attention. Hurry up and get one before it’s gone!”

silver ring splint 3 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One DayWell, who knew? Do I really want that kind of attention? I’m asking myself, do I really want to look like the kind of person who wears brass knuckles? And do they mean, “hurry” because the rings will be gone? Or the trend? Probably the trend.

And I will once again be committing a fashion faux pa.

The bummer part is all these fashionistas get to take it the rings off when they start to feel uncomfortable. I imagine I feel a bit like how people with migraines don’t want to hear about how someone’s head band or pony tail is giving them a headache.

Overall, am looking forward to receiving my next ring in the mail and seeing what it feels like. With rheumatoid arthritis, any ring is hard to fit, when your hands swell and knuckles flare. But I am getting weary of having to clean my little medical ring with toothpaste to get rid of the stink. . . I mean scent.

Sterling silver will be a huge improvement and who knows? Maybe I will just look like a 40-something mom who is hip enough to wear what somebody from some show called “The Mountains” is wearing–I mean “The Hills.”

Whatever!

lisa-copen-signature

___________________________________

Looking for a splint for some kind of deformation of your hands? The story behind Silver Ring Splint company is interesting! The web site states:

In 1974, occupational therapist Cynthia Garris was forced to take a new look at splint therapy – in that year, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She had long believed in the value of splinting, but soon realized that none of the existing technologies addressed the long-term use of splints. While plastic splints were fine for treating short-term trauma, no one would willingly use this cumbersome and embarrassing solution for the remainder of their lifetime. In 1985, she set out to design and manufacture a new series of splints that were both more effective and far more attractive than the splints then in use. In the process, she revolutionized every aspect of splint therapy.

facebook profile 80x80 Finger Splints How I Became Crafty, Trendy, and Got Street Cred All In One Day

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and is in the process of getting ready for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week!

]]> http://restministries.com/2010/08/22/finger-splints-how-i-became-crafty-trendy-and-got-street-cred-all-in-one-day/feed/ 5 Invisible Illness Week Invites YOU To Change a Life – Press Release http://restministries.com/2010/08/13/invisible-illness-week-invites-you-to-change-life-press-release/ http://restministries.com/2010/08/13/invisible-illness-week-invites-you-to-change-life-press-release/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:09:16 +0000 Rest Ministries http://restministries.com/?p=6191

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week kicks off awareness efforts by spreading anonymous notes around the USA and beyond that will bring encouragement to those suffering silently. Invisible Illness Week, September 13-19, 2010 is an annual event sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill.

When Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries and Invisible Illness Week, had 4 joints replaced in her left hand during the winter of 2009 due to rheumatoid arthritis, she wore a scary looking outrigger splint for four months, 24 hours a day, that caught the attention of many people wherever she went. While some people awkwardly looked the other way, many approached her and started to share their stories.

invisible illness week note small green Invisible Illness Week Invites YOU To Change a Life Press ReleaseLisa quickly realized just how many people are inwardly suffering silently and then when they saw someone who they thought could relate with their pain, they opened up and were willing to share. Many conversations ended with a hug and sometimes a few tears. She had also talked with friends about how, when she saw someone with an invisible illness getting out of a car parked in a handicapped spot, part of her wanted to go over and just say “I understand” but she was afraid how they may respond. She discovered other people with invisible illness felt the same way!

Copen shares, “Most people are not looking for large support groups or 100 percent understanding when it comes to living with a chronic illness. People in pain often times just want ONE person who really ‘gets it.’ And that one person can make a world of difference.”

Notes may say “If you are wondering if someone cares, someone does,” or “Your pain may be invisible, but you are seen! Hang in there!” and then followed with the web site invisibleillness.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which Copen began in 2002, will make 2010 the year of “Each One Can Reach One.” Thousands of people around the world are participating by leaving encouraging sticky notes anywhere they think of, from bathroom mirrors and community bulletin boards, to inside of envelopes when they pay their bills.

With nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA living with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, or fibromyalgia, about 96% of illnesses are invisible.* The hope of the people involved at National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is to remind people that although they may feel like they are alone in their pain, there are people who do care and understand the unspoken language of invisible illness.

It is easy to get involved. Grab a pen and some paper and share some encouragement in just a sentence! Add invisibleillness.com at the bottom so those who find the notes nowhere to discover more encouragement and get involved too!

Bloggers and the patient community will be participating in additional ways including blogging about invisible illnesses and conditions and attending virtual seminars online during the week of September 13-19.

*http://invisibleillnessweek.com/media-toolkit/statistics/

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]]>

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week kicks off awareness efforts by spreading anonymous notes around the USA and beyond that will bring encouragement to those suffering silently. Invisible Illness Week, September 13-19, 2010 is an annual event sponsored by Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill.

When Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries and Invisible Illness Week, had 4 joints replaced in her left hand during the winter of 2009 due to rheumatoid arthritis, she wore a scary looking outrigger splint for four months, 24 hours a day, that caught the attention of many people wherever she went. While some people awkwardly looked the other way, many approached her and started to share their stories.

invisible illness week note small green Invisible Illness Week Invites YOU To Change a Life Press ReleaseLisa quickly realized just how many people are inwardly suffering silently and then when they saw someone who they thought could relate with their pain, they opened up and were willing to share. Many conversations ended with a hug and sometimes a few tears. She had also talked with friends about how, when she saw someone with an invisible illness getting out of a car parked in a handicapped spot, part of her wanted to go over and just say “I understand” but she was afraid how they may respond. She discovered other people with invisible illness felt the same way!

Copen shares, “Most people are not looking for large support groups or 100 percent understanding when it comes to living with a chronic illness. People in pain often times just want ONE person who really ‘gets it.’ And that one person can make a world of difference.”

Notes may say “If you are wondering if someone cares, someone does,” or “Your pain may be invisible, but you are seen! Hang in there!” and then followed with the web site invisibleillness.com.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which Copen began in 2002, will make 2010 the year of “Each One Can Reach One.” Thousands of people around the world are participating by leaving encouraging sticky notes anywhere they think of, from bathroom mirrors and community bulletin boards, to inside of envelopes when they pay their bills.

With nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA living with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, or fibromyalgia, about 96% of illnesses are invisible.* The hope of the people involved at National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is to remind people that although they may feel like they are alone in their pain, there are people who do care and understand the unspoken language of invisible illness.

It is easy to get involved. Grab a pen and some paper and share some encouragement in just a sentence! Add invisibleillness.com at the bottom so those who find the notes nowhere to discover more encouragement and get involved too!

Bloggers and the patient community will be participating in additional ways including blogging about invisible illnesses and conditions and attending virtual seminars online during the week of September 13-19.

*http://invisibleillnessweek.com/media-toolkit/statistics/

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]]> http://restministries.com/2010/08/13/invisible-illness-week-invites-you-to-change-life-press-release/feed/ 6 Invisible Illness Week – Share God’s Reminder to YOU While Helping Us Kick Things Off http://restministries.com/2010/08/09/invisible-illness-week-share-gods-reminder-to-you-while-helping-us-kick-things-off/ http://restministries.com/2010/08/09/invisible-illness-week-share-gods-reminder-to-you-while-helping-us-kick-things-off/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:28:52 +0000 Rest Ministries http://restministries.com/?p=6052 get dressed small Invisible Illness Week Share Gods Reminder to YOU While Helping Us Kick Things OffNational Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is right around the corner Sept 13 – 19, 2010. While we won’t be doing a full conference this year we will be changing lives! And it all starts with YOU!

I just made a video below so if you don’t see it for some reason, be sure to click here to watch it “Share a Photo of a Note You’ve Posted to Encourage Yourself!” on our YouTube Channel.

During this video I share with you the (odd) verse God pulled out of scripture for me to work on… and I ask you to share your message with us that God wants to “work on” you with.

  • Write your scripture or affirmation on a note.
  • Stick it on your mirror.
  • Take a photo with you in the background.
  • Post it here at our Invisible Illness Week web site.

That’s it! Then you can start getting creative and deciding what your other notes will say that you will leave in places around the community for people to find who are hurting. You can find out more about the story behind the notes (and why) at our “sister site” National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week.

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]]> get dressed small Invisible Illness Week Share Gods Reminder to YOU While Helping Us Kick Things OffNational Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is right around the corner Sept 13 – 19, 2010. While we won’t be doing a full conference this year we will be changing lives! And it all starts with YOU!

I just made a video below so if you don’t see it for some reason, be sure to click here to watch it “Share a Photo of a Note You’ve Posted to Encourage Yourself!” on our YouTube Channel.

During this video I share with you the (odd) verse God pulled out of scripture for me to work on… and I ask you to share your message with us that God wants to “work on” you with.

  • Write your scripture or affirmation on a note.
  • Stick it on your mirror.
  • Take a photo with you in the background.
  • Post it here at our Invisible Illness Week web site.

That’s it! Then you can start getting creative and deciding what your other notes will say that you will leave in places around the community for people to find who are hurting. You can find out more about the story behind the notes (and why) at our “sister site” National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week.

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]]> http://restministries.com/2010/08/09/invisible-illness-week-share-gods-reminder-to-you-while-helping-us-kick-things-off/feed/ 1 Devotion – Explanation of the 23rd Psalm In Japanese is Comforting http://restministries.com/2010/07/24/devotion-explanation-of-23rd-psalm-in-japanese-is-comforting/ http://restministries.com/2010/07/24/devotion-explanation-of-23rd-psalm-in-japanese-is-comforting/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:10 +0000 Rest Ministries http://restministries.com/?p=5511 “The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush. . .” (Psalm 23:1, Japanese Translation)

explanation of 23rd psalm sheep grazing Devotion Explanation of the 23rd Psalm In Japanese is Comforting

Would you like to take a new look at Psalm 23? So often we open up our Bible and the words blur past us. When our heart is hurting or our body is in pain, we can quickly skip over certain passages, such as the words for the 23rd Psalm, because we think we know them already and that we won’t get anything fresh out of them today to offer encouragement. It’s time like this looking at another translation can help us slow down and look again at certain scriptures.

Below are the words to the 23rd Psalm. It was recently read to us and one of my womens retreats, and this translation from the Japanese Bible gives Psalm 23 meaning. In fact, it describes exactly what we need t do with scripture! “He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.”

I hope you are blessed as well and that it gives you a new explanation of the 23rd Psalm.

Words for Psalm 23

The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush;
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,
He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity,
He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here,
His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance,
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows,
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house for ever.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and lives with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. She lives in San Diego with her husband and son and her new book is “How to Start a Chronic Illness Small Group Ministry.”

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]]> “The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush. . .” (Psalm 23:1, Japanese Translation)

explanation of 23rd psalm sheep grazing Devotion Explanation of the 23rd Psalm In Japanese is Comforting

Would you like to take a new look at Psalm 23? So often we open up our Bible and the words blur past us. When our heart is hurting or our body is in pain, we can quickly skip over certain passages, such as the words for the 23rd Psalm, because we think we know them already and that we won’t get anything fresh out of them today to offer encouragement. It’s time like this looking at another translation can help us slow down and look again at certain scriptures.

Below are the words to the 23rd Psalm. It was recently read to us and one of my womens retreats, and this translation from the Japanese Bible gives Psalm 23 meaning. In fact, it describes exactly what we need t do with scripture! “He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.”

I hope you are blessed as well and that it gives you a new explanation of the 23rd Psalm.

Words for Psalm 23

The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush;
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,
He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity,
He leads me in the ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here,
His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance,
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows,
Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house for ever.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and lives with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. She lives in San Diego with her husband and son and her new book is “How to Start a Chronic Illness Small Group Ministry.”

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]]> http://restministries.com/2010/07/24/devotion-explanation-of-23rd-psalm-in-japanese-is-comforting/feed/ 1 Joni Eareckson Tada Encouraging Even More Through Cancer Experience http://restministries.com/2010/07/21/joni-eareckson-tada-encouraging-even-more-through-cancer-experience/ http://restministries.com/2010/07/21/joni-eareckson-tada-encouraging-even-more-through-cancer-experience/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:27:59 +0000 Rest Ministries http://restministries.com/?p=5433 joni eareckson tada and ken joni and friends Joni Eareckson Tada Encouraging Even More Through Cancer ExperienceAs many of you may may know, Joni Earckson Tada recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and now will be starting chemotherapy. Somehow in the midst of all this she has found not only peace, but also the ability to write on her blog and even do some videos so that we can see firsthand the sparkle of the Holy Spirit within her.

I have had my share of complaining about MRIs and how difficult they are for someone with rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic pain. Getting positioned on those–well–what I call “two by fours” — to go into the tube is not easy and quite uncomfortable. But today I read Joni’s post and had quite a new perspective.

Bless you for praying for me yesterday as I underwent an MRI — it’s not easy getting me and my bulky wheelchair into one of those diagnostic trailer-trucks in the hospital parking lot, but we did it (and I didn’t experience a minute of claustrophobia)! The tests went well, but please pray for the two MRI technicians to whom we gave Joni books — as we drove home, we kept praying for all the many people we’re meeting on this new mission field. It was a long day, but an encouraging one.

You can read more encouraging like this from her each day at her blog Joni’s Corner on the Joni and Friend’s web site.

She is also on Facebook, under Joni and Friends on Facebook! I know that she has received an overwhelming amount of mail via the post office, but she is reading the comments on her Facebook page rather quickly, so feel free to offer her your love and support and prayers here too.

The Christian Examiner article “Joni Eareckson Tada gets ‘positive prognosis’ after surgery” quoted her as saying, “I’ve often said that our afflictions come from the hand of our all-wise and sovereign God, who loves us and wants what is best for us,” Tada said several days prior to the surgery. “So, although cancer is something new, I am content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me. Yes, it’s alarming, but rest assured that Ken [her husband] and I are utterly convinced that God is going to use this to stretch our faith, brighten our hope and strengthen our witness to others.”

I know she is an inspiration to many of us, and I realize her blog shares all the ways God is using her as well as the cancer. But. . . friends. . . you and I know that even when we see God at work, and even when we know He has a purpose, there are those dark moments of the night when we shed our tears. She is human and needs our loving prayers around her too.

Lisa

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]]> joni eareckson tada and ken joni and friends Joni Eareckson Tada Encouraging Even More Through Cancer ExperienceAs many of you may may know, Joni Earckson Tada recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery and now will be starting chemotherapy. Somehow in the midst of all this she has found not only peace, but also the ability to write on her blog and even do some videos so that we can see firsthand the sparkle of the Holy Spirit within her.

I have had my share of complaining about MRIs and how difficult they are for someone with rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic pain. Getting positioned on those–well–what I call “two by fours” — to go into the tube is not easy and quite uncomfortable. But today I read Joni’s post and had quite a new perspective.

Bless you for praying for me yesterday as I underwent an MRI — it’s not easy getting me and my bulky wheelchair into one of those diagnostic trailer-trucks in the hospital parking lot, but we did it (and I didn’t experience a minute of claustrophobia)! The tests went well, but please pray for the two MRI technicians to whom we gave Joni books — as we drove home, we kept praying for all the many people we’re meeting on this new mission field. It was a long day, but an encouraging one.

You can read more encouraging like this from her each day at her blog Joni’s Corner on the Joni and Friend’s web site.

She is also on Facebook, under Joni and Friends on Facebook! I know that she has received an overwhelming amount of mail via the post office, but she is reading the comments on her Facebook page rather quickly, so feel free to offer her your love and support and prayers here too.

The Christian Examiner article “Joni Eareckson Tada gets ‘positive prognosis’ after surgery” quoted her as saying, “I’ve often said that our afflictions come from the hand of our all-wise and sovereign God, who loves us and wants what is best for us,” Tada said several days prior to the surgery. “So, although cancer is something new, I am content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me. Yes, it’s alarming, but rest assured that Ken [her husband] and I are utterly convinced that God is going to use this to stretch our faith, brighten our hope and strengthen our witness to others.”

I know she is an inspiration to many of us, and I realize her blog shares all the ways God is using her as well as the cancer. But. . . friends. . . you and I know that even when we see God at work, and even when we know He has a purpose, there are those dark moments of the night when we shed our tears. She is human and needs our loving prayers around her too.

Lisa

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]]> http://restministries.com/2010/07/21/joni-eareckson-tada-encouraging-even-more-through-cancer-experience/feed/ 0 TV Show With Lisa Re-Airing This Week! http://restministries.com/2010/07/10/tv-show-with-lisa-re-airing-this-week/ http://restministries.com/2010/07/10/tv-show-with-lisa-re-airing-this-week/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:22:03 +0000 Rest Ministries http://restministries.com/?p=5290 peace in storm show1 TV Show With Lisa Re Airing This Week!We’re excited that Maureen Pratt’s TV Show, Peace in the Storm, interviewing Rest Ministries founder, Lisa Copen, is re-airing this week!

If you do not get the channel (many of us do not) you CAN watch it online LIVE (the actual TV channel airs on the internet, but the programs are NOT archived.)  You can read the original announcement about this program here, Founder of Christian Illness Ministry Appears on National Television Show and Lisa’s thoughts about taping A Peace in The Storm.

The episode with Lisa will be airing each day this week (schedule is below). In North America, LLBN can currently be seen via Glorystar Christian Satellite Channel 105, cable/​low and high power TV stations in select areas (Channel 17 on Loma Linda Time-Warner Cable), MOIPTV, and at www.llbn.tv.

We don’t have any technical tips. We found that it worked on 1 of our 3 computers. Make sure you have the most recent copy of player software installed (it will ask you if you want to update it.)

PEACE IN THE STORM BROADCAST SCHEDULE

DAY:        PST – MST -  CST  -  EST
Sunday:    2:00 PM – 3:00 PM -  4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Monday:    10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Tuesday:    8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday:    3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Thursday:    11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Friday:    1:00 AM – 2:00 AM – 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM

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]]> peace in storm show1 TV Show With Lisa Re Airing This Week!We’re excited that Maureen Pratt’s TV Show, Peace in the Storm, interviewing Rest Ministries founder, Lisa Copen, is re-airing this week!

If you do not get the channel (many of us do not) you CAN watch it online LIVE (the actual TV channel airs on the internet, but the programs are NOT archived.)  You can read the original announcement about this program here, Founder of Christian Illness Ministry Appears on National Television Show and Lisa’s thoughts about taping A Peace in The Storm.

The episode with Lisa will be airing each day this week (schedule is below). In North America, LLBN can currently be seen via Glorystar Christian Satellite Channel 105, cable/​low and high power TV stations in select areas (Channel 17 on Loma Linda Time-Warner Cable), MOIPTV, and at www.llbn.tv.

We don’t have any technical tips. We found that it worked on 1 of our 3 computers. Make sure you have the most recent copy of player software installed (it will ask you if you want to update it.)

PEACE IN THE STORM BROADCAST SCHEDULE

DAY:        PST – MST -  CST  -  EST
Sunday:    2:00 PM – 3:00 PM -  4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Monday:    10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Tuesday:    8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday:    3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Thursday:    11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Friday:    1:00 AM – 2:00 AM – 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM

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