Why Bother Living When I Am Facing a Serious Infection Without a Hand to Hold?

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By Lisa Copen, this is a reprint from http://thinkingaboutsuicide.com where Lisa is a contributor. The web site is a good place to turn during those rough days to help you remember that God cares about you and is here beside you even when you don't feel like it. Have you ever wondered where God is when no one seems to hold your hand through those tough times? When you cope with health problems, you hold on and fight to stay positive, but there are days when you can easily wonder, "Why bother living when I am facing a serious infection without a hand to hold?" It was the seventh day of being hospitalized with the flesh eating bacteria and I felt so alone. The couple of people who had visited were friends my husband had emailed or … [Read more...]

Welcome and Updates From Lisa For 2011

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Hello, friends! I am excited to say that our web site is nearly back after 2 months of restructuring after a corruption in late 2010. The video below explains my heart, my thanks, and that devotionals will begin within the week! … [Read more...]

Living with Chronic Pain Isn’t Fun . . . But it Can Be Funny!

I was walking through a store yesterday & overheard two women who were clerks at the gift shop speaking. The conversation went something like this: "She was recently diagnosed with MS, but she is doing really well. She has a really great attitude." "Well, she must be in remission then if she has a good attitude." "No, I don't think she's in remission. She has just decided to take whatever life throws at her & try to have best attitude possible." "Well, most people go into remission when they have MS. It probably can't be that bad." It took everything in me to walk by & not jump in & share exactly what I thought of the one woman's perception of chronic illness. One of the more difficult parts of illness is learning to live with chronic … [Read more...]

Pain Solutions Magazine Online Has Article by Lisa

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Magazines continue to go through phases of trying to get off the ground and Pain Solutions is no exception. it was supposed to be out last summer of 2009, and just now their first issue has come out and it's only digital. But . . . we understand that all too well around here! Please note: Here is my paragraph of disclaimer: While it is a secular publication & Rest Ministries does not recommend or endorse it in any way, I am excited to be able to go out "into the world" so more people can hear about Rest Ministries. Still, did they have to put a half nude woman on the cover? I grow weary of this! . . . but this is one of the reasons Rest Ministries exists. So you have been forewarned; it's not suitable for everyone. I have an … [Read more...]

6 Reasons the Chronically Ill Should Shun Making Resolutions

"3-2-1 Happy New Year!" Is it? When that ball dropped in Times Square did you have some New Year's resolutions all ready to start January second? - I'm going to lose that extra weight - I'll really save some money this year - I'll give people more grace - I will exercise on a regular schedule - I will start some good habits We all start out with the best of intentions but as March 23rd rolls around we reflect on all the ways we've already let our goals slide. It's easy to feel like we are letting ourselves & those we love down. The concept of setting resolutions is worthy & helpful for most people. When you are chronically ill, however, resolutions can be wearisome & even scary. Most of the time our bodies & our health, … [Read more...]

Nothing is Too Small To Matter to God

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Luke 12:7 I am fortunate that I have never had to deal with a complete loss of my hair. However, being on certain medications, including a kind of injectable low dose chemotherapy, has given my once precious thick hair online of its own. It has turned thin & straight, to kinky & frizzy. Now it is somewhere in between, being both thin & frizzy, straight to kinky. Every time I go to get it cut the beautician exclaims how it feels like straw or even pretend doll’s hair. When you live daily with a chronic illness it can be easy to become discouraged when your body doesn't work the way you wish it would. Perhaps you feel like every muscle aches in your body. Or that you are … [Read more...]

The Outer Fringe

“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light & darkness. The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke. By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. By his breath the skies became fair; his h& pierced the gliding serpent. And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can underst& the thunder of his power?" (Job 26:7-14 NIV) Even though I may have read these words on … [Read more...]

Finding Hope Despite Depression – Mini-Bible Study

Depression is a difficult trial to endure. God has promised to carry us through each trial. In this Bible study below on depression, God’s Bible promises will shine a light of hope to carry you through. God is here for you in the present “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” (Psalm 130:1-2, NIV) God hears our cries for help in the midst of depression. Have you been depressed? Describe a trial of depression you have experienced. How has God answered your cries for help? Journaling can be used as a form of prayer You can address it to God. You can then release all of your concerns to God. You can then end it on a positive note with … [Read more...]

A Progression of Praise

“You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain & new wine abound” (Psalm 4:7). I noticed an interesting progression in this Psalm. David began with a cry of distress, asking God to answer him (verse 1). He acknowledged that God heard & answered his cries (verse 3), & then meditated in his heart, offering the sacrifices of praise to & trust in God (verses 4-5). He ended the Psalm being filled with joy. I also noted that in other Psalms of distress, whether joy was a byproduct or not, the authors reminded themselves of God’s faithfulness & ended with victorious words of assurance. I began thinking of the way I h&le my times of distress. Yes, I cry out to God, begging for relief, but do I continue as David … [Read more...]

Reminder: Devotionals are Moving Friday!

Just a reminder that we are moving our devotionals! You can still receive them via email each day (at the same time event!), but you need to sign up! Friday WILL BE THE LAST DAY that you will receive them from this email address. We are UNABLE to transfer your membership. DIRECTIONS: Click below, enter your email & the confirm code. If you cannot read the confirmation code just hit the refresh button or click the link below again to open up a new page. Click here to get devotionals PLUS the other 1-2 postings/articles on Rest Ministries web site each day (best option) http://tinyurl.com/ydbcj8q Click here to get JUST devotionals: http://tinyurl.com/r4ol29c Still want Today’s Promise? Sign up directly w/ Pat … [Read more...]

Bearing Faithfulness

Grapevines in Isreal "Remain in me, & I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4 NIV). Jesus has spoken of the need to abide in him - that he is my Vine. It is from him that I am nourished & live & have my being. Christ transmits the image of his Father into me. The transformation happens slowly. Jesus modeled how it is done. He remained stoically nailed to the Cross. He died to self for me. At times the Vine’s purpose may seem confining, especially when I do not underst& how God is working. I, too am asked to die to self in order for God’s will in my life to be accomplished. He wants me to bear faithfulness in two … [Read more...]

HopeNotes #84 is Posted

Merry Christmas.Rest Ministries weekly issue of HopeNotes are an encouragement to you. Our newsletter, is now available for you. You can always find the most recent issue at this link: http://www.restministries.org/hopenotes/mostrecent.htm … [Read more...]