Explaining Illness

Survey for Pastors on Mental Illness By Christianity Today

November 12, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Christianity Today: Leadership Edition is doing some research for an upcoming feature in their newsletter on the topic of how churches encounter mental illness these days. Please pass this on to your pastor or anyone who is on staff at your church and ask them to take just 5 minutes to make a difference in creating more awareness of the needs or pastors, as well as those who are in the church body. Christianity Today says, “Whatever your experience, would you be willing to take a brief survey? If so, you will help us better understand what we’re dealing with. For your help we can offer a $20 discount on BuildingChurchLeaders.com. Click here to take the survey. “ On behalf of Rest Ministries, thank you too! ~ Lisa … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, Explaining Illness, Faith Illness Research, Links Tagged With: Christianity, Christianity Today, Local church, Mental disorder, Mental Health, pastor, Religion and Spirituality, Rest Ministries

“Dear Abby” Letter Talks of Congregation Members Spreading Germs

October 30, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

This last week, 10/21/10, someone wrote to Dear Abby asking how to handle people who want to greet her with a kiss. As the “cold and flu” season approaches, most of us with chronic illness can relate well with this woman. We don’t want to be rude, but we don’t always want to go into a long explanation about why we aren’t excited about that kiss on the cheek or handshake. I’m working on an article now about this for the Huffington Post and would love your ideas, experiences and suggestions. How do you handle the times people extend their hand expecting you to shake it, just after they have coughed into it? Do you always carry hand sanitizer in your purse? I’d love some suggestions to share with the masses so please … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Caregiving, Explaining Illness, Person w/ Illness, What's New?

Devotion – Being Authentic About Our Illness So God Can Be Glorified

July 16, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds & praise your Father in heaven."(Matthew 5:16) In having "silent" chronic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia & epilepsy, I have found some people do not underst& the symptoms & feelings I experiencing, such as the deep muscle pain, fatigue or the fear constantly inside of me over when the next seizure would come. I wouldn't tell anyone. I felt all alone in the world. However, when I made the choice to change my attitude toward the illness, everything changed for the better. I prayed & lifted up my symptoms & paralyzing feelings to God. I was no longer embarrassed by not being able to do as much as other friends of mine could do. If a friend asked if … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Explaining Illness, Friend Has Illness, Invisible Illnesses, Person w/ Illness Tagged With: Christ, Christian encouragement, Chronic, Chronic Illness, Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, God, Health, illness ministry, invisible illness, Lord, meditation, Rest Ministries, West Michigan, Writer

If You Are On Facebook & Grandma is Not

May 30, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

If you and many family members have started to share information about your daily happenings as well as photos, you may see how fun it is to connect with loved ones and hear from them more than just one time a year at Christmas. One of the reasons I personally like Facebook is that I receive "real life" updates - about the dog that had to go to the vet after eating a rubber ball, the kid's school play, and even the whole family being sick. I know what to pray for for people today! And the information they share is not all sugar-coated like in the annual Christmas newsletter. But what about Grandma? Or is there someone in your family who refuses to jump on the FB bandwagon even though you have told them all about the fun photos and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Church Leader, Explaining Illness, Grandparents, Links, Organizing, Our Best Tips, Support Group Leader, Technology, What's New? Tagged With: Canada, Christmas, Facebook, Family, Online Communities, People, Social network

Half USA Lives with Chronic Condition

April 30, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

For years now I've been saying that 1 in 3 people in the USA lived with a chronic condition. . . & then it went to nearly 1 in 2. When I speak I often remind people that if it's not them, it's likely someone beside them. The person in line at the bank who is fidgeting (because she can't st& for long) or the woman at the grocery store who leaves her cart (because she needs to go rest for a few minutes.) So today when I saw a similar news story, I thought "Yay! Confirmation." You can watch the video below or read the actual news story here at KOB.com's web site, >"Almost Have The Country Has a Chronic Illness." Related articles by Zemanta 1 in 4 Chronically Ill Elderly Lives Alone (nlm.nih.gov) Only With God's Strength … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Explaining Illness, Health News, Invisible Illnesses, Links, Person w/ Illness, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, Arab, Arab people, Books of the Bible, Chronic, Chronic Illness, Conditions and Diseases, diabetes, Disease, Grocery store, Health, invisible illness, The New York Times Best Seller list, United States

Embracing Brokenness with Diane Dike – Part 2

April 29, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Yesterday we introduced you to Diane Dike. She is the founder & President of Second Chance with Saving Grace. (SCwSG) a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose mission is to impact the world by focusing on serving, evangelizing, equipping, empowering, & encouraging people to be all God created them to be. They visit schools, churches, hospitals, prisons, civic organizations, delivering Love Kits of encouragement & empowering others to do the same while sharing their personal testimony! Yesterday we posted the first half of her story here in case you've not yet read it! This video shares about how Diane visits schools, prisons, & … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Coping Skills, Explaining Illness, Links, Person w/ Illness, Spiritually Struggling, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Bible, Christianity, Disease, God, Jesus, Pippin, President of the United States, Religion and Spirituality

Embracing Brokenness with Diane Dike – Part 1

April 28, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Diane Dike was an elite athlete, professor, & coach. Yet pain became her constant companion at the tender age of 23. Three years later she was diagnosed with a debilitating, incurable disease called Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis. In the midst of her despair, Diane found the transforming love of Jesus, & discovered the secret to happiness, serving others - & that God has a purpose & a plan for her life - even in a broken body. She challenges people to realize that "With God nothing is impossible, & it's never too late to be all He created you to be." We are delighted to share her story with you today & tomorrow. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJKNzxyes5c&feature=player_embedded ____________________________________ My body went numb … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Explaining Illness, Joy, Links, Person w/ Illness, Profiles, Spiritually Struggling, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic fatigue syndrome, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Hobbit, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pacific Northwest, Pain, Pippin, Question, Research, Return of the King, Rubbermaid, Sierra Nevada

Television Show w/ Lisa Airs this Week

April 15, 2010 By admin 3 Comments

In February I had the honor of meeting Maureen Pratt, author of Peace in the Storm, & getting to be a guest on her new television program, also called Peace in the Storm. It airs this week April 18-April 24th, & if you don't happen to get the channel (I don't either!) you can watch it online live when it airs. And even better news? It's on at least one time a day each week! Even if you do not live in North America, you can still watch too "streaming" as they call it LIVE at www.llbn.tv A little bit about the program: The first episodes of 'Peace in the Storm' began airing on LLBN TV Sunday, February 7. On Sunday of each week, a new episode airs & then re-airs Monday-Friday at a different time each day. The following is further … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Caregiver, Church Leader, Coping Skills, Explaining Illness, Founder's Blog, Friend Has Illness, Links, Medical Professional, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: accessories for crutches, activist websites, attitude impacts illness, birds, California, christian speaker, Chronic Illness, Crutch, Eastern Time Zone, Explaining Illness, gifts for the chronically ill, god cares, god provides, how we can choose to be thankful or resentful, inspirational article, invisible illness, lemonaid crutches, lisa copen, Loneliness, Organizations, outreach, Programs, Rest Ministries, Television, Television program, tv show, why doesn't god always provide for people

Inspirational Thought from Joni Eareckson Tada

March 23, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

We love this encouraging quote from Disability Ministry Advocate, author, speaker & amazing woman, Joni Eareckson Tada. "The fact that disabled people hang in there does something for Christians. It's not about being an inspiration for others, it more than that. . . it's a mystery. God somehow strengthens others by their faithfulness. They may feel like a burden to others, but God thinks the opposite. He thinks its necessary for others to take care of the disabled. . . they do more for one's spiritual well being than can be imagined. What's more is that it's all being credited to the disabled person's account, per Phillipians 1:25-26. If the disabled person is alone & does not meet others, they must endure for the purpose of teaching … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Church Leader, Coping Skills, Explaining Illness, Friend Has Illness, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Person w/ lll Spouse, Scriptures, What's New? Tagged With: academic, association of professional chaplain, Author, chaplain jobs, Christian, Disability, God, Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song), Joni Eareckson Tada, Lord, military chaplain, provides tools for hospital visitation, Religion and Spirituality, Singer, United States

For Chronically Ill “Not By Sight” Book Offers Validation & Underst&ing

March 19, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Not By Sight is a wonderful little booklet that can help friends & family to see the courage & faith that abounds in those with debilitating conditions. It gives them simple, pragmatic examples of "What to say" & "What not to say" in order to truly be a source of encouragement. This book is written by Sherri O'Connell, co-founder of Invisible Disabilities Advocate. It is full of Scripture & quotes from physicians who specialize in chronic conditions & many would say it should be a "must have" for all believers, church staff & ministry leaders. Read more here at our bookstore chronicillnessbooks.com … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Caregiver, Church Leader, Explaining Illness, Friend Has Illness, Hurt Feelings, Invisible Illnesses, Links, Medical Professional, Person w/ Illness, RM Shop E-flyers, What's New? Tagged With: activist websites, advocate medical, Barbecue, book, Books, Christianity, Chronic, Church, comfort zone books, Denominations, Faith, God, Health, health mission, invisible disabilities, invisible illness, Lydia, Memorial Day, Memorial Web Sites, Military, Pastoral Resources, Religion and Spirituality, Shopping, Tent, Veterans

New Study Finds Clergy Dismiss Depression, Anxiety The Most Often

February 25, 2010 By admin 2 Comments

This is a study that was released Sept 2009 that we are passing on to our readers. We have added the bold parts. New Study Finds Clergy Dismiss Depression, Anxiety The Most Often Released: 9/30/2009 11:50 AM EDT Source: Baylor University Newswise — In 2008, a Baylor University study found nearly a third of those who approached their local church for assistance in response to a personal or family member’s diagnosed mental illness were told by their church pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness. Baylor researchers have now built upon that research & have found that depression & anxiety are the mental illnesses that are dismissed the most often. Research consistently shows that clergy – not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Church Leader, Depression, Explaining Illness, Health News, Hurt Feelings, Mental Illness, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Statistics, What's New? Tagged With: Bipolar Disorder, caring for ill in church, Christian, Church Leadership, Depression, disabilities, elders, Faith, Health, Herbal tea, hospital visitation, Illness, Live attenuated influenza vaccine, Major depressive disorder, Mary E. Siegel, Mental disorder, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Ministry, Ministry - Personal, parish nurses, pastoral care, pastors, PhD, Psychology, stephen minister, stephen ministry

My Family Doesn’t See The Benefit of Me Doing Online Ministry When Bed-Bound

February 7, 2010 By admin 7 Comments

I spend a great deal of time in bed due to my illness & have made some amazing friendships & really feel like God has given me a ministry on the Internet reaching out to other people who are hurting & encouraging them. I am on Facebook, twitter, & other social networks. But my family sees this as an aimless waste of time & tells me that I don't have real relationships with these people so I can't truly make a difference. Do you think they are right? And if not, how can I convince them that people online need the Lord too & I may be someone they reach out to? -Renee (real name withheld) Renee, I disagree with your family. God has given us a wonderful tool to use to glorify Him. I have been a support group leader for people who suffer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Explaining Illness, Help! Q/A, Person w/ Illness Tagged With: Author, Bears, Christian encouragement, Christianity, Ecclesiastes, encouragement, Epistle to the Colossians, Facebook, free daily bread devotionals, God, Hospital, Human, Illness, Jehovah Jireh, Jesus, Lisa Saunders, My Times, Newspaper, Religion and Spirituality, Social network, suffering, Support group