Jesu Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

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: Illness Can Bring Splashes of Hell or Noticeable Gifts

June 18, 2012 By admin 8 Comments

"How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?" (Psalm 13:1-2) How long, Lord? Have you asked this question recently? A couple of months ago a man behind me in line at the dollar store started rubbing his temples and moaning. I asked him if he was okay and he said, "Yes, just tired. Someone young like yourself wouldn't really understand that." I told him that yes, I did understand; I hadn't slept in three days due to an RA flare, but I had to pick up some milk and bread. He responded with sympathy and said, "This is just hell, isn't it? We are living in hell, aren't we?" I smiled and said, "Oh, no, we are just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: God, Invisible Illness Week, Jesu, Joni Eareckson Tada, lisa copen, Lord, Rest Ministries, San Diego

Poem: Forever My God

June 15, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

Beautiful is not the right word It’s so much more One could use the word glory This only captures a tiny glimpse of the reality of your presence The dictionary does not contain a word worthy to describe your majesty I sit here with nothing to give back A broken body A sinful heart Praise is all I can offer In suffering, there is a reality of death You cannot be ignored Without You, I cannot get through my day I think about you all the time The pain brings me to You I cry out to You, my Father Not understanding why, but trusting there will be a when When I am healed Whether on this side of heaven or not, surely I will be healed Trusting in your timing as compassion for others is growing Patience is not a quality that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Poems, What's New? Tagged With: Chicago, Christianity, God, Health, Inflammatory bowel disease, Interstitial cystitis, Jesu, patience, Poetry, Rest Ministries, Trusting

Devotion:We Can All Be Spiritually Fit, Despite Our Weak Bodies

May 22, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) My husband and I come from athletic families. Sports have always been an integral part of our lives. We have football, basketball, and soccer players; ballet dancers, ice skaters, and cheerleaders; kick boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists. Paul’s words, in the above scriptures, make me think of my son, Joshua, who teaches self-defense and kickboxing. He also works out four to five days a week. The discipline pays off. His muscles are well defined. He has energy and stamina that I can only dream about. His movements are fluid, quick, and precise. The defenses are so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Bible, Divine grace, God, Jesu, Joshua, Krav Maga, Physical body, Physical fitness

When a “Fire” Hits Your Life, Do You Know How You Will Respond?

May 10, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

By Shelby Boughman Some of you may know the codes for using the fire extinguishers in the event of a fire. The acronym PASS means "Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Spray." Doing so will help you use the fire extinguisher properly so that you may fight whatever flames may be around you. Yesterday, the Lord gave me a new idea for this. Have you ever thought about other ways we can use this code? In Ephesians 6:16, Paul talks about a vital piece to the Armor of God by saying, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” The enemy is constantly trying to throw fiery darts and battles at us Christians, but we must stand tall and strong, fighting back at Him with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Coping Skills, Loneliness, Ministry - Personal, Spiritually Struggling, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: God, Gospel of Matthew, Jesu, Lord, Lord's Prayer, Prayer

Devotion: Allow God To Lead You Out of the Desert When Illness Makes You Want to Give Up

April 27, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

"But He brought His people out like a flock; He led them like sheep through the desert." (Psalm 78:52) I have made a number of drives over to Phoenix, from San Diego. It is dry and hot, yet before you reach the desert you go over mountains. I always think about the settlers who came through these difficult paths to reach San Diego and eventually settle there. How many horses were injured? How many wheels on covered wagon broken? How many people buried those they loved along that trail? But even more interesting to me is the question, did those who built a homestead out in the desert ever regret that they stopped? "Why didn't you keep going?" I want to ask. "Did you send out a scout and he never returned? Did you begin to believe the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Founder's Blog, Loneliness, Spiritually Struggling, What's New? Tagged With: God, Jesu, Kindle, lisa copen, Lord, Pacific Ocean, Rest Ministries, San Diego

Devotion: Do You Sit at a Wishing Well When You Are Ill? Or Living Well?

April 15, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

"Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water,'" (John 4:10) Bold added. Walking through the malls used to be a joy for me before the pain of illness settled in. I especially enjoyed the water fountains spraying the water into the rays of colored lights. I often found myself looking for a penny or two for my children to wish on and then toss into the water. My fascination with wishing wells inspired me several years ago, when I was still strong enough to work outside, to collect many rocks over the summer. I then constructed my very own rock wishing well in my front yard; it was a monument I was quite proud of. I have done … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Father God, God, Jesu, Jew, John, Kindle, living water, Lord, thirst for god, well, wishing well

Devotion: Accepting You Are Giving To God As Much as You Are Able When Ill

April 12, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy 16:17) At the end of last year, our church gave out volunteer certificates to thank and recognize those who help make our church community function better. It’s been done before, but this time it was recognizing that it’s ten years since the government started National Volunteer Day in Australia. While I did receive a certificate, I had been thinking that week about all the people in the church who do so many things, to care and help others. Like many churches, some people do a lot, and many do little, or even nothing. I am one of the “little” ones and though I guess some people would understand that my health … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Spiritually Struggling, What's New? Tagged With: australia, Book of Deuteronomy, Father God, God, Israelite, Jesu, Melbourne, Sunroom

Devotion: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Jesus Understands the Sorrows of Illness

April 9, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. " (Isaiah 53:3). I have been studying the prophets of the Old Testaments lately. I am always "wowed" by the accuracy of events foretold. In Isaiah, Jesus was described long before His birth. I have come to understand that Bible prophecy of the events already unfolded stands true even with the events now and yet to come. As we read the New Testament events of the life of Jesus, we come to understand that He was a man of many sorrows. He suffered tremendous pain and His hurt ran so deep. Christ died on the Cross, rose from the grave and He ascended to the Father but even knowing this, we as imperfect humans sometimes feel as though He has left us alone … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, God, God the Father, Isaiah, Jesu, Lord, New Testament, Old Testament

Devotion: He is Not There! He Has Risen!

April 8, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and His clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of Him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.'" (Matthew 28: 1-6) My daughter-in-law peeps her head around the corner of the stairwell and says to me, "You might want to turn on the T.V. There is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Easter, Father God, Jesu, Jesus Christ, Lord, Mary Magdalene, Shroud of Turin

Devotion: Saying “Yes” At the Edge of the Unknown– Even When Our Body Says No

April 6, 2012 By admin 8 Comments

"I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10b) I had sought refuge in a small memorial chapel during an unexpected heavy rain shower. Very minimal daylight was present inside. Tapered candles, lit and placed in trays of sand were the first images I could see. Then I saw her in sculpture, bathed in this candlelight--Mary holding Jesus in her arms at the foot of the Cross. God had chosen Mary to birth His son, Jesus. An angelic encounter brought this news to her. Anointed words had greeted her bewilderment, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 1:30). Humbly, Mary said "yes" in agreement. How could she have deeply known what that "yes" would mean? We now know it was a pivotal moment for all of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Easter, God, Jesu, Luke, Lynnwood Washington, Mary, Resurrection of Jesus

Devotion: Being Called a Friend of Jesus Through The Suffering

April 1, 2012 By admin 11 Comments

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15) Friend. What a powerful word. I can count on my treasured friends to be available and trustworthy, to listen and love, to share deeply and empathize. Jesus calls me friend and is my friend. Friendship is perfected in Him. I struggle with this following paradox. I long to alleviate the suffering of my friends. I can encourage but I cannot heal them of physical or emotional pain. Jesus, capable of healing often allows such sufferings to remain. How do I resolve my thought-filled conflict as I trust my truest friend? I look at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Easter, Father God, Friendship, Garden of Gethsemane, Gethsemane, God, Jesu