Chronic Illness Ministry Highlighted at SXSWinteractive as Social Networking and Health Success Story

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Rest Ministries, a Christian non-profit organization for people who live with chronic illness or pain, was recently featured as "one of the organizations doing it right" by Jenni Prokopy who spoke a the SXSWinteractive technology conference. San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2011 -- Rest Ministries, a Christian non-profit organization for people who live with chronic illness or pain, has had a website since 1996 and was recently included as an example of some healthcare social networks doing their work well . Founded by Lisa Copen, 42, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for eighteen years, their health social network is called "The Sunroom" and it was recently featured as "one of the organizations doing it right" by Jenni … [Read more...]

Lisa Welcomes You After Clicking Over From The Huffington Post!

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Thanks for coming on over from one of my articles at Huffngton Post. I am not sure what your needs are, but I am happy to help if you have any trouble finding resources here. Here are a few of our tops areas on our site. Connect with others in our social network in the Sunroom Have an ill friend or are you a caregiver for someone who is ill? Would you like daily devotionals? See the box at the top right of this page! Looking for books, gifts, or small group resources related to illness? (This is how our ministry keeps going) The video below is my welcome and information on how to get my latest free download! … [Read more...]

Are You Part of Our Sunroom Family?

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To connect the thousands of people here at Rest Ministries who have a chronic illness, are a caregiver, etc. we have our Sunroom social network. If you are not yet part of it, we invite you to join us. If you are. . . well, we are trying to catch up with you! Some people sign up but then don't come back, some are there 3 times a day, & some people may not use the Sunroom a lot, but they love being a part of it so they know they can go there when they are feeling blue & want someone who understands. Many people are searching for social support & medical illness is a big factor in the reason why. There are even some groups in the Sunroom that offer faith based support for mental illness. We are happy we can provide a place … [Read more...]

Coupons & More Coupons

I love the little thrill of clipping out the coupon for an item I would have purchased even without the coupon. But it can actually be even a little more exciting to find printable coupons online that you wouldn't have had otherwise. We found another site to add to you money-saving bookmarks: smartsource.com & then enter your zipcode. Another tips is look up your favorite local stores on Facebook or Twitter or ask them if they have a site that offers coupons. Lately I've noticed nearly every little store I go into from Smoothie King to the movies has a Facebook account for that LOCAL shop with coupons just for local customers! And while you are clipping coupons, if you see a big ticket item with a great coupon, clip it & as you are … [Read more...]

If You Are On Facebook & Grandma is Not

If you and many family members have started to share information about your daily happenings as well as photos, you may see how fun it is to connect with loved ones and hear from them more than just one time a year at Christmas. One of the reasons I personally like Facebook is that I receive "real life" updates - about the dog that had to go to the vet after eating a rubber ball, the kid's school play, and even the whole family being sick. I know what to pray for for people today! And the information they share is not all sugar-coated like in the annual Christmas newsletter. But what about Grandma? Or is there someone in your family who refuses to jump on the FB bandwagon even though you have told them all about the fun photos and … [Read more...]

Churches Will Explore Internet Opportunities on Sunday April 25

When I began Rest Ministries back in 1997 people were just beginning to log on to the internet. It was a wonderful opportunity for a nonprofit organization to let people know they existed without spending money (that wasn't available) on brochures or marketing. Instead it just took time. . . something I had a lot of at the moment. Over the years I have seen the internet be an amazing tool for ministry & so that is one of the reasons I always am eager to support Internet Evangelism Day. They have just posted this announcement & I wanted to pass it along. It's also a great tool to provide to your pastoral staff. ~Lisa Internet Evangelism Day is an annual digital outreach focus day for churches. This year, it is scheduled for … [Read more...]

My Family Doesn’t See The Benefit of Me Doing Online Ministry When Bed-Bound

I spend a great deal of time in bed due to my illness & have made some amazing friendships & really feel like God has given me a ministry on the Internet reaching out to other people who are hurting & encouraging them. I am on Facebook, twitter, & other social networks. But my family sees this as an aimless waste of time & tells me that I don't have real relationships with these people so I can't truly make a difference. Do you think they are right? And if not, how can I convince them that people online need the Lord too & I may be someone they reach out to? -Renee (real name withheld) Renee, I disagree with your family. God has given us a wonderful tool to use to glorify Him. I have been a support group leader for people who suffer … [Read more...]

How to Update Your Sunroom Profile Photo

We are spiffy-ing up our Sunroom & have noticed that many members still are using the default sunflower image you see on the right on your profile page. This is just a reminder about how to change it to your own photo selection. Remember, it doesn't have to be a photo of you or your face, but any photo of a flower, sunset, household item, whatever, that helps members better able to recognize you! Plus, we have some members that create accounts & never come back. We will be "cleaning" accounts up & a personal photo you choose will save me some time in being able to identify that your account is current. So here are some simple instructions: Sign in to the community at restministriessunroom.com Go to your "My Page". Click … [Read more...]

View The Whole Shebang! 64-Page HopeKeepers Magazine

Merry Christmas! If you haven't yet had a chance to check out our current issue of HopeKeepers magazine, now is the time.  Our December issue is completely free & available to read online in its digital format, or you can out up to 15 pages at one sitting. Please help us spread the word by posting this to your Twitter, Facebook, etc. We would love for others to know about HopeKeepers magazine! … [Read more...]

Christians Posting About Bible This Week

Christians are promoting the Bible this week on major internet websites including Twitter, FaceBook, & MySpace. They are deliberately posting messages about the Bible & repeating other people's messages about the Bible. The Bible As Poetry website has even prepared 200 Twitter- length messages about the Bible for people to use. Each of the Bible messages is less than 140 characters long because that is the maximum length allowed for messages on Twitter.com. Christians can copy these short messages & make them their own messages on social networking websites. The plan to increase the number of times the Bible is mentioned is called 'Make the Bible go Viral.' It runs until next Sunday night (November 29). Reprinted … [Read more...]

Does the Internet Help or Hinder a Church?

A report done in 2000, Congregations Say the Internet Helps their Spiritual & Community Life by Pew Internet & American Life Project says: At a time when some worry that the Internet is isolating users & replacing traditional communities with virtual ones, a new survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project suggests that many churches & synagogues have found new energy & purpose through use of the Internet. Most of the 1,309 responding congregations say their Web sites & email use have helped the spiritual life of their faith communities & bound members closer together. 83% of those respondents say that their church's use of the Internet has helped congregational life 25% say it has helped a great deal 81% say the use … [Read more...]

Facebook for Pastors – Free Ebook

Is your pastor on Facebook? Or are you not yet on Facebook & wondering what it could offer you? Here is a great way to be introduced to Facebook from a ministry outreach perspective. Chris Forbes, founder of Ministry Marketing Coach, speaks & writes on the subjects of ministry marketing, faith-based nonprofit marketing, social marketing, & Guerrilla Marketing for nonprofits. He has written a 31 page e-book called Facebook for Pastors to help pastors & other ministry leaders make the most of Facebook as a great networking tool. And shows how to build relationships & connect with people. Tips included in this book are: How to make the most of your profile information Tips for Networking with People in Facebook All about … [Read more...]