God Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

When I In Awesome Wonder Consider All – Video

July 29, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Happy Sunday! Years ago before our son was born my husband and I had the chance to take an Alaskan cruise. It was an amazing time with my family and I felt like I truly saw God's hand on our earth. As we went through the glaciers and heard the cracking of the ice, I remember they played, "How Great Thou Art" over the loudspeakers on the ship. I will always recall the awe of seeing what God created and truly how great He was. Seeing chunks of icebergs fall into the water in Glacier Bay was an extraordinary experience that made me feel very small, yet also cared for. The lyrics, "when I in awesome wonder. . . " took on new meaning. "Oh, God," I prayed, "You are an awesome wonder. Never let me forget to see that in ways each … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Reflection, Spiritually Struggling, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Alaska, Carrie Underwood, Glacier, God, Great Comet, How Great Thou Art, Religion and Spirituality, Thy

Your Father Will Help You Cross The Finish Line Too – Video

July 23, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Happy Sunday! I first saw this video when I was sitting at my son's karate class and I nearly started to cry. Soon the 2012 Summer Olympics will begin and they will be filled with many touching moments. But this video below is of a special young man, Derek Redmond, who pulled a hamstring in the 1992 Olympics when running the 400 meters semi-final. As he limped around the track, his dad met him and helped him finish. There is noting wrong with wanting to finish the races in our lives, but look around, because God isn't expecting you to run the race on your own. Like Derek's dad, God is running to meet you and run beside you, at whatever pace you are able, incredibly proud of who you are. You can read more about this moment on ESPN's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attitude, Loneliness, Overwhelmed, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: 1992 Summer Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics, Derek, Derek Redmond, ESPN, God, GodTube, Olympic

Just As Long as You Stand By Me – Video

July 15, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Happy Sunday! It is so easy to get caught up in our own little world, even the news about the city we live in or our country, and forget that we are all God's children, scattered all over the world. We all hurt, we all need the Lord, and. . . we need each other too. This is a beautiful video that will remind you that there are people world-wide that are saying, "Just as long as you stand by me than I can _____." (Imagine, what could you do if someone promised to stand by you?) Be sure to listen past the 1-minute mark for more surprises. If you are receiving this in your email, you likely cannot see the video within the email. Click the title above to go to our website to watch it. Stand By Me - People of the World Playing for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Friendships, Hurt Feelings, Love, Reflection, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Christianity, God, GodTube, Happy Sunday, Jesus, Lord, Religion and Spirituality, Video

Heaven IS For Real! – Video

July 8, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Happy Sunday! Have you ever wondered if heaven really is for real? This last Easter my pastor shared a great deal about the family behind the book heaven is for real, as 4-year-old Colton visits heaven during his near death surgery. If someone you love has died, I am sure this will bring you some comfort today. And if you are wondering how exactly we know Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, this little boy's story is certain to reassure you to continue to have faith that Jesus is the Son of God and he has already gone there to prepare a place just for you. If you are receiving this in your email, you likely cannot see the video within the email. Click the title above to go to our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Fear, Videos, What's New?, Worry Tagged With: boy dies and sees grandpa, boy goes to heaven, colton burpo, Easter, God, GodTube, Heaven Is for Real, Jesus, Little Boy, Near-death experience

Independence Day

July 4, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

I get goosebumps when I hear Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA Song." To our American friends, Happy Fourth of July. To our international friends, we are so grateful to have your friendship here at Rest Ministries. It seems lately we here in America are fighting over so many things with one another. The haves and have nots, the beliefs and belief nots. Today, let us--together--agree that we can stand together and say, "God bless the USA." And then live accordingly. Because God has blessed the USA. We have not created all of our success without Him. We are so eager to be independent of God. Let's celebrate Independence Day this year saying, "Lord, I am dependent on You." Here are so past July 4th devotionals you may be interested … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: God, Independence Day, July, July fourth, Lee Greenwood, Lord, United States, USA

Accepting Help From Others When Weak From Illness

July 3, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—” (Jude 1:24) Living with multiple sclerosis is an adventure. Just when I get used to specific symptoms, new challenges emerge, like weaker arms. These motivate me to find strategies that will help. But accepting help from others when weak from illness is something that can be difficult to do. At the food store, I asserted myself. “Please pack the items so the bags are light.” The checker loaded each bag with fewer items. But even several cans and a gallon of water feel like a ton of bricks to me. Granted, I don’t look like a weakling. It’s hard for others to understand. So, nowadays I place my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Explaining Illness, Overwhelmed, What's New? Tagged With: Amalekite, Amen., God, Jesus, Joshua, Moses, Vicki

If God Sends Us On Stony Paths He Provides Strong Shoes

July 2, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian author, who along with her father and other family members helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II had been quoted as saying, “If God sends us on stony paths He provides strong shoes.” Have you ever walked on a stone road in your bare feet or shoes with insufficient soles? I know I have done both and my feet were bruised and cut. Whatever the terrain may be when we decide to take a walk, we are to be prepared for what we may come across. This brings … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Loneliness, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Corrie ten Boom, God, Holocaust, Shoe, World War II

Devotion: God’s Purpose In Our Life May Be Much Different Than We Expect

July 1, 2012 By admin 5 Comments

"What is my life purpose?" you may ask. You may even believe you have discovered it. But many of those with illness find it is different than they ever imagined. "The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return home and tell how much God has done for you.' So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him." (Luke 8:38-39) I hear from so many of you here at Rest Ministries who tell me the many ways you long to minister to others. Some of you are still able to occasionally travel on mission trips, but there are also many who are no longer able to do so, due to the limitations of your illness, such as traveling, risk of infection, not being near medical … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Finding Purpose, Founder's Blog, Reflection, Self -Esteem, What's New? Tagged With: California, Chronic, God, god's calling, Illness, Jesu, Kindle, Lord, Ministry, mission trips, Rest Ministries

Devotion: Avoiding Losing Ourselves To The Hardship In Our Lives During Illness

June 30, 2012 By admin 19 Comments

"He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship." (Lamentations 3:4-6) It is not easy to live with hardship, and to suffer enduring pain. We can lose ourselves in the hardships that come into our lives. Not long ago I was talking to someone who told me about a member of his family that was so caught up in a disappointing event that the person had a mental breakdown over it. We can let our hardships become so all-encompassing that it is difficult to see beyond them, even single events in our lives can swallow up the good things, the many wonderful events, that God would have us focus upon instead. I think that for those of us who suffer, and have suffered much difficulty in life, if we were to balance everything … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attitude, Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: attitude about illness, blessing, Christian, disappointment, God, karlton douglas, Kindle, Lord, Ohio

Fear and Anxiety Is An Unwanted Companion to Chronic Illness

June 27, 2012 By admin 7 Comments

Just when we think we have conquered most of the fear and anxiety of living with daily illness, it can start all over again. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). I met with a specialist who strongly believes that a new medical treatment is the best way for me to proceed to keep my body strong. He was caring and informative. The final decision is mine. He mentioned potential side effects but felt that they are remote for me. I came away from the appointment thankful for his care, but overwhelmed mentally and emotionally with one more thing. You all know that feeling. . . more fear and anxiety. I agree that this doctor is right. I know that God has created wonderful means in the medical … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, What's New?, Worry Tagged With: anxiety, fear and anxiety, God, Jesus Christ, Lord, lynn severance

Avoiding a Life of Misery: Facing Down The Aches and Pains

June 26, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

A note from Lisa: Remember, if you feel you have a life of misery, suffer from depression, or even deal with suicidal thoughts you are not alone. In the devotional below, Karlton speaks of both extreme depression that need medical intervention, as well as our "melancholy moods." There is a great difference between these two areas, but they are often lumped together. If you are feeling suicidal at all, I encourage you to visit a Christian web site I write for ThinkingAboutSuicide.com or seek out immediate help. __________________________ When coping with chronic illness it can feel like we are leading a life of misery. God is bigger than our circumstances, however, and gives us hope to hold onto. "Then we cried out to the Lord, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Devotionals, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New? Tagged With: God, Health, life is a misery, life of misery, Mental Health, Ohio, Suicidal Thoughts

‘Why Won’t God Heal You?’ I Am Asked. Here is My Answer

June 25, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

"Why won't God heal you?" These words can sting because they feel like judgement, but I have learned how to answer with bold faith. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) Many times I'm asked, "Why doesn't God heal you?" or "Why does God allow you to be in such pain?" What happened today, is a good example that. . . Let me tell you one answer to the question, "Why doesn't God heal you?" I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles today. I waited two hours for them to complete the transaction in about eight minutes (I ordered a disability license plate). I was very thankful that I was done in time to make it to my chiropractor … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Explaining Illness, Healing, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic pain, Failed back syndrome, God, god heal me, god heal you, Lord, Lord's Cricket Ground, Pain, Prayer