Facebook Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

Book Giveaways This Week

May 7, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Oh, Don't ya love spring? The humming birds arrive, the flowers bloom, the clutter starts to appear when the sun comes out. Wait a minute. I am talking about myself here. I have been trying to declutter for months. . but I am finally hitting my home office here at Rest Ministries. I want space, open spots on my desk that don't have a pile. But I have so much good stuff! And some of those goodies are books. Most of these are books I have been given by the authors, the publishers, etc. and I just cannot keep them all. They are "like new" (I have read everything on my Kindle since 2008--much easier on my rheumatoid arthritis hands). So these little books are gems that I have barely broken the cover on. Each day I will post the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Books, Events, Give-Aways-Contests, What's New? Tagged With: Amazon Kindle, Author, book, E-book, Facebook, Kindle

“I Thought I Was The Only One” Printable To Share

April 30, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Have you ever heard someone share about their illness experience, whether in person or online, and you responded, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one!" How significant a difference it can make in our perspective and even our ability to cope when we know someone else understands some aspect of what we our feeling--especially when we thought what we felt was a bit unusual. Well, C.S. Lewis said many years ago, "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What? You too? I thought I was the only one!'" How many people could you share this with, who you consider one of those friends? This free printable is 300 dpi resolution (which means it will look good, not all blurry, when you print it out.) It is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Free Printables, What's New? Tagged With: 'What? You too? I thought I was the only one!, C.S. Lewis, cs lewis quote, Facebook, Faithful Provisions, frame, free printable, Friendship, Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, loneliness, Pinterest, printable, quotation, understanding

Disappointment Can Be ‘His Appointment” Printable to Share

April 16, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

Disappointment when you have a chronic illness is part of the journey. Learning to cope with it, when to have a good cry, and when to just sigh and move on, are all part of the process. Who among us have not felt disappointment as we have missed out on an important event, had to stay home while our loved ones participated in something we wanted to share? Maybe you have felt significant grief of disappointment as you had to give up a dream--like having a career, or even a child. Does God really have it all in control? He says yes! The Word tells us, ”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) That should assure us--God directs our steps! But instead it can leave us with a big lump of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Free Printables, What's New? Tagged With: cancel plans, Chronic, Coupon, disappointment, Easter, Facebook, Faithful Provisions, God, Health, his appointment, Illness, lonely, Lord, sadness

Thinking About Suicide Website Offers Hope Through Depression

April 14, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

When you feel like the world is closing in you can actually start thinking about suicide. Lisa shares why she thinks a new Christian web site that addresses suicide is needed. I recently have had the honor of joining a group of Christian women who are writing for a blog ThinkingAboutSuidicide.com. Started by Christian author and speaker, Linda Evans Shepherd, this blog features a daily post on topics related to people who may be thinking about suicide. It is for anyone, those who have recently lost a job, a loved one, health, whatever and offers hope through depression. I recently wrote about this new blog on 3/30/12, New Thinking About Suicide Blog Offers Eternal Hope. Some of you, however, missed this post and then wondered why I was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Need to Know, Person w/ Illness, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, Facebook, hope through depression, is life worth living, Linda Evans Shepherd, lisa copen, Rest Ministries, San Diego, Suicide, thinking about suicide

God LOVES You – Free Printable to Share

February 10, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

The song says, "All we need is love. . ." but what happens when we look around our life and we just don't feel loved? You may feel forgotten, invisible, dismissed, or even a low priority in the lives of those who you love. If Valentine's Day leaves a bitter taste in your mouth take a moment to print out this scripture, Jeremiah 31:3, ""I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Stick it in a pretty frame or just post it on your refrigerator. This week when everyone seems to be talking about roses and valentines and chocolates. . . remember that all of those things are temporary. In fact, none of them will last longer than a week or two. But the love from God is eternal. He has drawn YOU, and with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Free Printables, Love, What's New? Tagged With: Classroom, Facebook, God, holiday, Home, Jeremiah, Opinions, Valentines Day

Prayer Request for Rest Ministries Assistant, Kara

January 27, 2012 By admin 21 Comments

Hi, friends, Many of you have been blessed when you have called Rest Ministries to speak to my volunteer assistant, Kara. Her sweet southern voice and compassion is a comfort to us all, and she keeps the ministry running smoothly and me (relatively) sane. A couple of weeks ago she let me know she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer and last week she had a lumpectomy. I briefly posted on Facebook this week as she was in surgery, but I asked her permission to share it publicly and she said it would be fine (and prayers appreciated). Wednesday following surgery Kara posted the following: I'm already home from the hospital after the lumpectomy and lymph node sampling and praise the Lord that's all for now, depending on what the lymph … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, What's New? Tagged With: Facebook, God, Lord, Lymph node, Medicine, Rest Ministries, Surgery

Prayer Request for Inspirational Ministry Leader

November 16, 2011 By admin 8 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Articles, Founder's Blog, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic, Conditions and Diseases, Facebook, God, hannah's hope, Health, Illness, Infertility, Jenni, jenni saake, jennifer saake, stroke

Finding Calmness in the Lack of Chaos

August 4, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

I can't seem to find my voice. I usually have so much to say, thoughts that must get down on paper. But I cannot think in complete sentences. Nothing seems worth saying. A ten-day trip rejuvenated me. . . and exhausted me. I want to cocoon into my own world for a few days. Oddly, I can. My son is at day camp. I have nothing I must do. My husband works late. No need for dinners. Mac and cheese. Peanut butter. Popcorn. I know. Not the best meals. But sometimes every mother just says, "Why not? What harm will it do to have popcorn for dinner?" My email program is broken. I am running a "restore feature." It's been running two days. I can't go through the normal routine of "back to work." It's seems foreign to not have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Reflection, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: Bible, California, Facebook, God, Jeremiah, Rest Ministries, San Diego, United States

Devotion: Does It Feel Like God is In “Not Responding” Mode?

July 22, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

"I cry out to You, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but You merely look at me." (Job 30:20) If you have been following my tweets or posts on Facebook you know I have been having a frustrating few days on my computers. One computer is having some of it's own rebellious teenager issues (It's 18 months old, ). But another computer confirms some of the problems are related to the internet itself. No matter what I try to do or fix, I get that frustrating error message, "Not Responding." Most of the time I can see even see the screen I want, but then it grows dim and I can't access the information. As I have sat there staring at the screen, I've had time to think (and pray!) and some of the reflections have reminded me of how we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christianity, Facebook, God, Health, Jesus, Prayer, Religion & Spirituality, Rheumatoid arthritis

Goodie Bag Winner #6,

July 19, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

"I'll Fly Away" devotional by Linda Elmore Teeple reminds us, "God instilled in each of us the ability to create ways to deal with overwhelming pain. If you dissociate, it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with you. It means that you are experiencing overwhelming pain and are creating distance to protect yourself." This seemed to resonate with many of you! Beth shares. . . As I thought of the reference to the dove I remembered what a friend told me just recently. She said that she had seen something few of us have the privilege of seeing in nature. An eagle was taking its fledgling for a flying lesson. She carried it on her back as she flew up high, away from the nest, and then, at a certain point, flipped over, letting the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christianity, Facebook, God, Health, ICU, Intensive care unit, Religion and Spirituality, United States

Goodies Bags Each Week for Commenters! Why Do the Devotionals Now Have a Question at the End?

June 1, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

Have you noticed in the last week that now each devotional has a question following it? Why? Because we care about your opinion! There are a lot of places people share their thoughts through Rest Ministries such as Facebook or in the Sunroom, but we would love to hear your specific reflections on some of the ways that the devotionals make you think a bit more than usual. Over 5000 people receive the daily devotionals and we believe that we can learn a great deal ourselves (the Rest Ministries writers and volunteers) through hearing how you have grown. Some of you may receive these devotionals by email each day, some via the Amazon Kindle e-reader, others through a Facebook or Sunroom link, etc. But just click on the title and it will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: bible study, DVD, Facebook, God, Lord, Religion and Spirituality, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis

Testimony: Why Do Churches Need HopeKeepers Small Group Ministries?

May 27, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

In coming months I will be sharing more of your testimonies about your involvement in small groups, the Sunroom, on Facebook, daily devotionals--wherever Rest Ministries has touched your life. Print, audio, or videos are all welcome if you're interested in sharing. Lisa From a woman we will call Samantha, who has been a part of a HopeKeepers in Southern California that has met for over 10 years. I was a young Christian woman, just starting my career, newly in love, and full of hopes for the future. Then, one day, chronic pain entered my life and set up a long-term stay. Now, over 20 years later, I live in constant severe pain. Do I have many moments of questioning, tears and frustration? If I said I didn't, I'd be giving false … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, Need to Know, Reflection, Share Your Story, Support Group Leader, Testimonies, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Chronic pain, DVD, Facebook, God, Pain, Rest Ministries, Southern California