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

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"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...]

Have You Ever Made a “Mentoring Mistake”? VIDEO

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This is a great video of Jennifer Rothschild, founder of womensministry.net (who happens to be a former "cover girl" of our own HopeKeepers magazine that we once had. She is blind and shared some great encouragement with us). Here, with her friend Alicia, they discuss three mentoring mistakes many of us make. There is one tip about choosing to be"Clark Kent" -- not Superman? What is this about? It is a great reminder about not having to show the people we are mentoring us without the scars. Have you ever made a mentoring mistake? Have you delegated too much, or maybe not enough? Have you committed to mentor someone and then were not able to follow through? If you are able to confide in us, we promise not to judge because we have all … [Read more...]

New Book In Store: Stronger Still: A Woman’s Guide to Turning Your Hurt into Healing for Others

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This book, Stronger Still: A Woman's Guide to Turning Your Hurt into Healing for Others (Deeper Still), by Edna Ellison is an amazing workbook to hold in your hand and work your way through if you are trying to figure out how to use the pain in your life to encourage other people. We have it available now at the Rest Ministries shop. I am happy to be able to call Edna a friend through a Christian women writers organization, but even I didn't know all that she had experienced in her life until I read this book. This woman has every right to write about her journey with suffering and how to use it for God's plans. This is an interactive 6-week Bible study that helps guide the reader through her pain and to a point where she can see how … [Read more...]

Making a Difference in the Lives of Soldiers With Illness, Disability, and More

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Debbi Farmer One of the privileges of writing articles to share with the members of Rest Ministries who are looking for resources to help with their particular kind of pain is finding a "hidden jewel" that can out-shine many others. "Healing our Heroes Network" is just that jewel! "Once a Hero always a Hero," however our military heroes today are only human and can suffer many kinds of wounds too complex sometimes to treat, too personal to share, and too deep to heal without help. That is where this wonderful program comes into play. The "Soldiers for Bibles Ministry" a part of Heart of God International Ministries has seen the need to bring together resources to help our heroes in one convenient location. "Healing Our Heroes … [Read more...]

A Different Kind of Mom: Making a Difference at Home and in the World for Christ

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I remember sitting at my first MOPS meeting for Mother's with Preschoolers. After years of waiting to have a child, my husband and I had been blessed with a newborn through adoption. The irony is, all of the moms at the table had new babies. We needed support way before our children reached preschool age! Our of about 10 of us however, I found is disheartening to hear all but myself and another mom say, "Don't you just hate being a parent some days?" Gasp! And these were Christian women. "All I feel like is the maid and the cook" they shared. Looking back, now I realize that I was still in some of the "bliss" of motherhood." Yet, ironically, the only two of us who were content at the moment were both working at home--in the middle of the … [Read more...]

HopeNotes Newsletter #87

Hi, friends, First of all, thank you for all the kind little notes you have sent me over the last few months when I zip off postcards or ezines that say, "more coming soon--life is chaotic now." Your emails always encourage me so much & I appreciate that you never say, "Come on, girl, & get your act together!" Your grace is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G & I am honored to be on the receiving end of it. It's been one of those weeks where it's quiet around my house & yet different things I've been involved in have come together. I feel like I have a million things buzzing through my brain & before I can get them done or down on paper, my brain just wants to shut off. I w&er through the house unmotivated. I sit down & then--literally--can't get up … [Read more...]

Nick Vujicic – A Ministry You Should Know About

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...]

Providing Pastoral Care to Persons with Mental Illness & Their Family

Rev. Rose Anne Briotte, a psychiatric chaplain in Knoxville, TN, & a member of the Mental Health Ministries Advisory Committee, has put together a brochure on "Guidelines for Clergy: Providing Pastoral Care to Persons with Mental Illness & Their Family." It is available on the Mental Health Ministries website by clicking the link above. You may also be interested in an article in The Christianity Century. It looks at the high incidence of clergy depression in clergy that can lead to suicide. Submitted by Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries. Related articles How Do I Find a Good Psychiatrist? (psychcentral.com) … [Read more...]

New Study Finds Clergy Dismiss Depression, Anxiety The Most Often

This is a study that was released Sept 2009 that we are passing on to our readers. We have added the bold parts. New Study Finds Clergy Dismiss Depression, Anxiety The Most Often Released: 9/30/2009 11:50 AM EDT Source: Baylor University Newswise — In 2008, a Baylor University study found nearly a third of those who approached their local church for assistance in response to a personal or family member’s diagnosed mental illness were told by their church pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness. Baylor researchers have now built upon that research & have found that depression & anxiety are the mental illnesses that are dismissed the most often. Research consistently shows that clergy – not … [Read more...]

Wondering What God Will Do with Your Hopes & Dreams?

Have you ever questioned what God has planned for your life? Have you been frustrated that living with a chronic illness has forced you to give up so many of your dreams & goals? How do we keep having hope when our dreams are slipping through our fingers? These are all common questions that cross our mind when we find out that this physical pain we have is called "chronic." And there is no such thing as a "silly dream!" If you are wondering what God has planned for you & are a bit frustrated in this new year as those around you seem to be setting (& even reaching) goals, while you are just trying to get dressed each day, this CD presentation with Lisa Copen is for you! And we are marking it down temporarily to just $6.00 as part of our … [Read more...]

Christian Health Expert Has Book, TV Show & Formerly was Chronically Ill

"Extraordinary Health" is a new television show featuring the ministry of Jordan Rubin, the popular Christian health & wellness expert & author of The Maker's Diet. It began airing on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) last year on March 24. Hosted by America's Biblical Health Coach Jordan Rubin, the series will focus on his successful weight management program Perfect Weight America (also a book) as well as highlights of his bus tour to more than 200 cities. Extraordinary Health with Jordan Rubin features interviews with guests who have succeeded with Rubin's Perfect Weight America weight-management program. Guests share tips about how they overcame common weight control dilemmas & learned how to eat more organic, living foods to … [Read more...]

Christian Financial Resources to Get Organized in the New Year

If tax season has you concerned about what is going on with your finances, help is here! We found a web site that is packed full of the Top 50 Christian Business & Finance Blogs that will help you underst& how to organize your own personal finances, get out of debt, set up college funds, save for retirement, invest, underst& legalese of financial issues & much more. Some of these resources include: ChristianPF.com: This site gives advice on everything from credit card tips, building personal wealth to banking tips. Also be sure to check out the "Money in the Bible" category to help you see your priorities more clearly. Gather by Little: Use simple Bible tips to help you increase your personal wealth, "little by little." Why … [Read more...]