Joni Eareckson Tada Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

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

In Response to Pat Robertsons Statment on Alzheimer’s and Divorce

September 16, 2011 By admin 21 Comments

I was shocked to hear such a bold statement from Mr. Pat Robertson, 700 club host, who, on Tuesday's broadcast, justified that a person should not be held accountable for leaving his spouse and seeking divorce if his spouse has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. In this scenario Mr. Robertson has shown the world that one's personal comfort, especially in the case of having a spouse with a chronic illness, is more important than the marriage vows of "for better or for worse, until death do us part." The religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) told his "700 Club" viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is justifiable because the disease is "a kind of death." During … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Founder's Blog, Marriage, Person w/ lll Spouse, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: 700 Club, Alzheimer's disease, Christian Broadcasting Network, Joel Hunter, Joni Eareckson Tada, Pat Robertson, Rest Ministries, Terry Meeuwsen

When You Are Tempted to Speed Up the Trip to Heaven – Part 3

July 15, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

When You Are Tempted to Speed Up the Trip to Heaven - Part 1 When You Are Tempted to Speed Up the Trip to Heaven - Part 2 By Lisa Copen Friends aren't perfect (even Jesus' friends couldn't stay awake when He asked them to!) but they make the journey easier. Sometimes they can make even the horrible, laughable. Why are Chevy Chase's National Lampoon's Vacation movie series so popular? Because we can relate! Someone else has vacations that include kids fighting in the backseat, car problems, strange relatives, and closed amusement parks. When my family drove four hours out of the way to an amusement part that was closed, my mom made us get out of the car and take photos at the gate and sign that said "closed for renovations." We … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Depression, Loneliness, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Christianity, God, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Joni, Joni Eareckson Tada

Devotion: Discovering God’s Presence In Our Darkest Moments

May 6, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

"But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay." (Psalm 40:17) God has truly blessed us in ALWAYS being available for us to share our anxieties and worries. Jesus warned us that we'd have problems in the world. No one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering, and no one gets to skate through life problem-free. Life is a series of problems. Every time you solve one, another one is waiting to take its place. I find there is such a temptation to let other activities get in the way of having time with God, especially when things are going well. Yet, my most profound and intimate experiences of worship are often in my darkest days--when my heart is broken, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Father God, God, Heavenly Father, Jesus, Joni Eareckson Tada, Lord, Psalm, Religion & Spirituality

Bible Study by Joni Eareckson Tada On Suffering Can Be Downloaded

February 17, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Whether you are looking for a personal Bible study or something fresh for your HopeKeepers group, Something Greater Than Healing study by Joni Eareckson Tada is available as a download for just $4.95 and you can make up to 1000 copies for your church. Christianity Today says, Joni Eareckson Tada dispensed with the superficial healing narrative decades ago. Paralyzed in a diving accident, Tada was forced to trust a God who doesn’t always heal, who doesn’t always prevent or alleviate our suffering. In her interview with Christianity Today, “Something Greater Than Healing,” Tada describes her hard-won understanding of God’s purposes and sovereign care for his peoplein the midst of their suffering. The 5 teaching points … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, HopeKeepers Resources, Person w/ Illness, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: A Case of You, Christianity, God, Health, James Blake, Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni Mitchell, Religion and Spirituality

Time Magazine Talks with Joni Eareckson Tada

September 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Time Magazine recently interviewed Christian author and disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada . Rest Ministries is honored to be an affiliate of her ministry, Joni and Friends International Disability Center. How are you feeling? Cancer and chronic pain on top of quadriplegia is a little challenging. Right now I’m tired from the chemotherapy and that, coupled with the pain, makes it difficult. At times I’ve thought, “Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” And yet, I know the answer. Some people think there’s another answer, though. At the beginning of your book, you describe an astounding encounter you had in a church parking lot. Yes, this very earnest young man named David … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Attitude, Church Leader, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic pain, David, God, Jesus, Joni, Joni Eareckson Tada, Lord, Rest Ministries

Postponed – Stay Tuned! Joni Eareckson Tada on Larry King Tonight

April 26, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

2:40 PM Update: There's been a change in plans, JAF friends! We just learned moments ago the interview on Larry King Live has been postponed -- it involved a scheduling problem with the appearance of Abbie’s parents. But not to worry, when the interview is rescheduled, God will definitely use your prayers (He's wonderful that way). More later… Joni We've just heard from Joni, of Joni & Friends International Disability Center, that she will be appearing on Larry King Live tonight (Monday, April 26, 2010) to comment on the case of Abbie Dorn, the disabled woman whose ex-husb& has denied her the right to see her 4-year-old triplets. Joni says, "Although significantly brain damaged as a result of post-delivery complications, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Article, Caregiving, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, What's New? Tagged With: clearly, cognitive problems, cogntive difficulties, Disability, Disabled, God, joni and friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, Linda Aufrance, mom, pill box, thinking, Wheelchair

Joni & Friends Hosts Annual Summit For Disabilities Ministries

April 23, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

This annual event is wonderful & I have been honored to be a speaker & exhibitor for past years. This year, with my health being a bit more unpredictable I decided to pass on being involved as a speaker, though, as they date gets closer I am hopeful I may be able to attend. ~Lisa The event is May 7 & 8th & is co-sponsored by: First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena & The Joy Center for the Disabled. The registration form tells a bit about this amazing conference. Learn how to start or exp& a disability ministry at your church. Choose to attend up to 3 workshops each day offered at the Summit sessions on Friday & Saturday. Attend one networking session by geographical area (see how the churches around you are starting or exp&ing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Caregiver, Caregiving, Church Leader, Events, Links, Medical Professional, Our Best Tips, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: caring for ill spouse, Christianity, Church, Denominations, Disability, Elijah, Facebook, jaf, joni and friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, medical condition, Religion and Spirituality, United States

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

Nick Vujicic – A Ministry You Should Know About

March 4, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Nick Vujicic, 26, has a ministry called Life Without Limbs & it is an affiliate of Joni & Friends, as we are here at Rest Ministries. He says on his web site, "I was born without arms or legs & given no medical reason for this condition. Faced with countless challenges & obstacles, God has given me the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. Along with that, the Lord has placed within me an unquenchable passion to share this same hope & genuine love that I've personally experienced with more than two million people all over the globe." Regardless of what one may believe, I can't fathom how they could watch this man & the joy he has & not want to know more about the God that gives him his strength & ministry. Be sure to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Anger, Articles, Depression, Links, Support Group Leader, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: australia, Belt buckle, Christianity, Denominations, disability ministry, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, Ministries, Ministry, Nick Vujicic, Organizations, Robert Gates, Southern Indiana, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Virginia Beach, Website, what is the difference between joy and happiness

Wheelchair Donations Needed for Haiti

February 10, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Joni & Friends is a Christian ministry that Rest Ministries is honored to be an affiliate of. This year they celebrate their 30th anniversary of ministry outreach to people with disabilities & their families across the US & around the world. We invite you to browse their website as they have a wealth of information, resources, & encouragement to help their (& your?) global outreach to the disability community! Joni recently wrote on her website a very personal letter regarding the need for wheelchairs in Haiti due to the devastating earthquake: In that devastating natural disaster, thous&s of victims of the earthquake have become permanently or temporarily disabled. Every day the need for wheelchairs, walkers, canes & crutches … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Church Leader, Links, Medical Professional, Our Best Tips, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Ankle, Book of Kings, Calvary, christian ministry, Colorado, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Disability, Earthquake, Elijah, Friends, Haiti, Infection, Invisibility, Jesus, Jezebel, joni and friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, joni tada, Sermon, Sinai Peninsula, Surgery, Wheelchair

Special Interview with Renee Bondi

February 3, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Reprinted from HopeKeepers Magazine 2004 I was having a ball with wedding plans; my music program was a huge success; I was blessed to have had the opportunity to travel & see the world; I had friends & family to love. My life was full, & I saw nothing but blue skies above," she writes in her book The Last Dance But Not the Last Song. But in May 1988, after a romantic weekend as a prom chaperone with her fiancé, her life would take a dramatic dive—literally. She went to bed filled with innocent anticipation of life ahead, but awoke "diving" off the foot of her bed. She simply remembers being in mid- air & thinking, "Huh?" & then hitting the floor. Filled with searing pain in her neck & shoulders, she thought, "I've really done it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Caregiver, Church Leader, Joy, Marriage, Parenting, Person w/ Illness, Profiles, What's New? Tagged With: bible study, christian ministry, Disability, disability ministry, God, hopekeepers, joni and friends, Joni Eareckson Tada, Medicine, Music, quadraplegic, Religion and Spirituality, renee bondi, Rest Ministries, singing, The Last Dance But Not The Last Song, United States, women of faith, women of virtue