What Would Your Church Do? Illness Scenarios Teaching Tool

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By Lisa Copen Have you seen the T.V. show, "What Would You Do? With John Quinones"? In it, they have actors set up a situation and then wait to see if anyone gets involved. Do people stand up for the "underdog"? Will adults buy teens beer? Will people stop a drunk parent from driving? Results are very interesting. Below are some scenarios to help church leaders think, "What would our church do?" We always hope that we will do the right thing. We believe our church will make the best choices for all involved. But sometimes the lines get buried. Phone calls don't get returned because no one has an answer for the hurting person. Too often I hear from people who have called their church with stories like the ones below and the … [Read more...]

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

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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...]

Link Party! Submit or Read About ‘Parenting with a Chronic Illness’

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 To submit your own link, put the code to our "Link Party button" (opens in a new window) on your own site. Then click the little blue button below that says "add your link" to submit your link! … [Read more...]

Cute Frame With Dry Erase Marker Can Encourage You (Or Your Child!)

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My son, 9, doesn't like compliments. He says, "yeah, yeah, whatever," and yet he still needs to know I do notice them. Lately, his attitude and actions have left my husband and I throwing up our arms in desperation wondering what to try next to get through to this growing strong-willed blessing. Here is one thing I am trying: positive reinforcement! I bought a little 4x6 frame at the thrift store and painted it aqua blue to match our coastal cottage bathroom. Then I found a clipart-style beach background and some sunglasses clipart that I added to the right bottom corner. I put the words, "YOU ARE A COOL KID" on it in a fun font at the top and printed it out and framed it with the glass. Did know dry erase markers write easily on … [Read more...]

SNAPPIN Ministries: A Faith-Based Special Needs Parent Network

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By Debbi Farmer What a blessing it is to discover a wonderful ministry online that has the potential of helping so many people. I was blessed recently in discovering yet another “hidden jewel,” Snappin' Ministries. It is a “Special Needs Parent Network” that is essentially a nationwide support network for parents of children with special needs. Their mission is to support and encourage those living with the daily challenge of parenting a special needs child, so that they may experience the genuine love and hope of Jesus in their everyday lives. As a parent who raised and home-schooled a child with special needs, I can tell you from personal experience that finding the support and resources you need in a Christian environment is a … [Read more...]

The Five Essential E’s When Your Child is Ill

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A New DVD Offers Help and Hope for Parenting Children with Special Medical Needs Parents who have a child with a chronic illness or special medical condition are faced with some very difficult and special challenges. The creators of the popular Love and Logic parenting program have just released a new DVD to help parents learn how to encourage their children to solve their own problems, become more confident, and accept responsibility for their own healthcare. Lisa Greene, mother of two children with cystic fibrosis, spent many years learning how to deal with the special challenges of children who fight over food and medications. The new Parenting Children with Special Medical Needs DVD she created with Foster Cline, M.D., and Charles … [Read more...]

AMC Theaters Offers Movie Times for Those with Sensory Sensitivities

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I love movies. If I am watching a movie at home I feel like I need to be folding laundry or working or something. But sitting in a theater, I feel as though I am allowed (required even!) to sit in the dark and give it my full attention. Not everyone gets to enjoy this temporary getaway, however, when it is all a bit too much for your child's sense--or even your own. So I was thrilled to see that AMC Theaters and the Autism Society have teamed up to allow families who are affected by autism (or other disabilities--anyone qualifies) a chance to see movies in a environment that won't overload their senses. The idea for this program all started when one parent who had a child with autism asked for a special screening at AMC Columbia Mall … [Read more...]

Jolene Philo Shares About Her New Book (and free giveaway!) For Parents of Kids With Special Needs

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with Lisa Copen I am so excited today to share with you about two books that are written by a mom who has both the professional credentials as well as the education of experience, Jolene Philo. Jolene joined us here at Rest Ministries in 2009 for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week to discuss the topic that many parents, including those with chronic illness, face on a daily basis-- "When Your Child is Chronically Ill". (This podcast is still available and an encouragement to many, so stop by and listen.) Jolene, thank you again for joining us here at Rest Ministries! Most people are not familiar with your story. Can you tell us a little about your own family? [Jolene:] When our beautiful newborn boy was transferred to … [Read more...]

Find a Church That Understands Disabilities

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If you are looking for a church that is more likely to understand your physical limitations, including illness, cancer, or disabilities, Joni and Friends is an excellent resource. This international Christian ministry has an updated list of churches around the USA who have shared their desire to create an environment that welcomes those who may be "differently-abled." To enter your zipcode into the search engine click here. You may also want to visit our HopeKeepers map to see if there is a church near you who has a HopeKeepers group that serves the chronically ill. … [Read more...]

5 Ways to Stop Discouragement From Getting the Best of You

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By Leslie Vernick Discouragement and disappointment are normal emotions we all experience, even as Christians. Peter felt discouraged with himself when he realized that he wasn't as courageous as he thought he was, even though Jesus had warned him that he would deny him before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:31 and 74,75). We too can feel discouraged and even depressed when we fail to live up to our own or other's expectations. Job felt discouraged and frustrated with his friends. They didn't get it. Trying to be helpful, they only heaped more shame and blame on Job for his afflictions. We also can feel let down by our friends and family. They don't understand what we're going through or don't offer to help as we wish they would. … [Read more...]

I’m a Good Mom Because… Lisa’s (Very Edited) Quote In Parenting Magazine

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My mom had flown down from Oregon to help me when I had a major spinal flare in March.  Among the chaos, I received the email, "We received your submission to Parenting: The School Years magazine and would like to use it, even though we've already completed the article. We need a photo of you and your son ASAP!" I sent a few photos off, but they said the lighting wasn't good enough. So I brushed on some make up and hobbled out side with my son and said, "smile and look cute." Four photos later, Grammy had snapped a great one I zipped off. Next I received an email from the fact-checker. All looked fine. The end of April I began my hunt for Parenting: The School Years magazine. A sub-magazine of Parenting, it was impossible to find, … [Read more...]

The Art of Balancing Motherhood and Chronic Illness

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Motherhood and chronic illness. If these two words relate to your life, chances are they are enough to keep you busy indefinitely. They can easily become a large part of your identity, and they both fight for control over your energy, time, and some days, your sanity. I have been working on a book about living with a chronic illness and being a mom for a few years now. It's about 70 percent done, but something keeps getting in the way of finishing it. You know what kinds of things: motherhood and childhood. And the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. As I work on a chapter about the latest lessons I've discovered, my house tends to erupt in chaos and I feel tested again. Was it God trying to stretch me so the book would … [Read more...]

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