United States Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

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

Be Encouraged and Continue to Daily Persevere

March 1, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

By Chelsey-Ann Fernandez Lawrence When I was 17, my parents told me that there were three times I almost died in the ICU. One time, I stopped breathing. The other time, my blood pressure fell really low. Another time, I was losing a great deal of blood and nobody knew why. When I recovered, the doctors called me "the miracle child" because they couldn't believe it when, within a week after waking up from my coma, I was talking, walking (as much as I could anyway), and laughing again. At 17 I was given a second chance at life Looking back, I wonder if I made the most of this second chance in life. I did change my life direction. I went from planning on going to law school to planning a career in human services. I sought to volunteer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Coping Skills, What's New? Tagged With: Blake Shelton, Business, Canada, Chelsey, God, Health, Trinity Western University, United States

Find a Church That Understands Disabilities

January 4, 2012 By admin 3 Comments

If you are looking for a church that is more likely to understand your physical limitations, including illness, cancer, or disabilities, Joni and Friends is an excellent resource. This international Christian ministry has an updated list of churches around the USA who have shared their desire to create an environment that welcomes those who may be "differently-abled." To enter your zipcode into the search engine click here. You may also want to visit our HopeKeepers map to see if there is a church near you who has a HopeKeepers group that serves the chronically ill. Are you in a church where you want to stay but think they may be able to use a bit of a "refresher" on reaching out to the chronically ill? Our little booklet, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, Links, Need to Know, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Christian Church, christian ministry, Christianity, Church, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, United States

When You Are Ill and Part of Our Military Family

November 28, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

November is National Military Family Appreciation Month and where do we even begin? Not only do these families sacrifice their time together, but they but they put their lives on the line, move their families all over the world continuously, and live on a very limited income. This life can be hard for many of us to imagine if we are healthy, but consider those moms and dads who are chronically ill; those who face the daily pain and physical limitations at we face living with illness, yet they also have a spouse who may not even be home for months at a time. Wednesday Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed will share a story with us from her book about a chronically ill mom and wife who is in a military family. The article, "Worn Out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Marriage, Person w/ Illness, Profiles, Share Your Story, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic, Essential Tremor, God, Health, Japan, sensory processing disorder, Support group, United States

Devotion: Remembering 9/11

September 10, 2011 By admin 4 Comments

Note from Lisa: This is the devotional I wrote September 13, 2001. Over the next few days when we are inundated with stories and images of September 11, 2001, we are reminded to "not forget." At the same time, it's not the most pleasant memories to relive. But regardless of if you watch the TV specials, take time to spend in prayer this week and lift it all up to the Lord, especially the thousands who still suffer daily with coughs, cancers, post traumatic stress disorder, and many other chronic conditions, especially grief. "They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: 'Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Canada, God, Jesus, Lord, New Zealand, Prayer, United States

Withdrawls

September 8, 2011 By admin 7 Comments

I am down to 10 mgs of prednisone. It's taken 4 months. I was at 20 mgs for nearly 3 years. "Prednisone is not good for you!" people told me. I know. If only you knew, I wanted to say. See this fat? See my eyes with huge cataracts? My swollen feet? . . . I know. But I don't know what to do. I flared out of control at 19 mg. After a decade with the same rheumatologist, I found a new doctor in April. Please, Lord, let him be able to help me. He is helping me. I like him. I believe he knows what he is doing. He treats chronic symptoms with long-term help, acute symptoms with temporary relief so my life can continue. I am now down to 10 mg from 20. A miracle. My goal is 5. I will likely be at 5 the rest of my … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coping Skills, Founder's Blog, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: Cold turkey, Counties, Health, Lord, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis, San Diego, United States

Think About . . . Not Being Sick

August 23, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

I am lying in bed trying to get comfortable. I've flipped my pillow over a dozen times. Covers off, covers on. Heating pad. Ice pack. I am sick. And I am grumpy. I had the week planned. Fun times with son before school starts, play date with kids and movie on Wednesday. I am to get my first 5-hour infusion of a new drug Friday with babysitter all arranged, husband driving me there and getting off work early to bring me home. Plans with friends on Saturday night if I feel up to it after the infusion. Instead I find myself trying to decide between nibbling on a saltine or a Ritz. What would be more likely for me to keep down? I have nothing positive to find in this I say to myself. People would be so disappointed in me. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attitude, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: California, God, husband, Lord, Rest Ministries, Rheumatoid arthritis, San Diego, United States

Finding Calmness in the Lack of Chaos

August 4, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

I can't seem to find my voice. I usually have so much to say, thoughts that must get down on paper. But I cannot think in complete sentences. Nothing seems worth saying. A ten-day trip rejuvenated me. . . and exhausted me. I want to cocoon into my own world for a few days. Oddly, I can. My son is at day camp. I have nothing I must do. My husband works late. No need for dinners. Mac and cheese. Peanut butter. Popcorn. I know. Not the best meals. But sometimes every mother just says, "Why not? What harm will it do to have popcorn for dinner?" My email program is broken. I am running a "restore feature." It's been running two days. I can't go through the normal routine of "back to work." It's seems foreign to not have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Reflection, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: Bible, California, Facebook, God, Jeremiah, Rest Ministries, San Diego, United States

He Wants to Fish

August 3, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

"Mom, I want to go fishing. It's free!" I pick up my son from day camp. It's 4 PM. It's 95 degrees. Today they fished at the lake during camp. He has his pole his Grandpa got him 2 years ago. He's used it twice. Now he wants to fish more. I could barely walk down the paved trail to sign him out of camp. My feet are swollen, sore. I am faint from the heat. I hope to make it back to the car. I joke about that, but sometimes I wonder. He stops. He sticks his chest out. His lip curls up. "You aren't seriously going to have a tantrum over this, are you?" I ask. . . calmly of course. I am not one for unplanned battles. Walking down a boat landing and onto the dock is non-negotiable. I have no need to feel guilty. Grandpa … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Parenting, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: Day camp, Fish, Fishing rod, Lord, Mother, Recreation, Rest Ministries, San Diego, United States

Goodie Bag Winner #6,

July 19, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

"I'll Fly Away" devotional by Linda Elmore Teeple reminds us, "God instilled in each of us the ability to create ways to deal with overwhelming pain. If you dissociate, it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with you. It means that you are experiencing overwhelming pain and are creating distance to protect yourself." This seemed to resonate with many of you! Beth shares. . . As I thought of the reference to the dove I remembered what a friend told me just recently. She said that she had seen something few of us have the privilege of seeing in nature. An eagle was taking its fledgling for a flying lesson. She carried it on her back as she flew up high, away from the nest, and then, at a certain point, flipped over, letting the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Announcements, Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christianity, Facebook, God, Health, ICU, Intensive care unit, Religion and Spirituality, United States

Devotion: Take Every Thought and Emotion to Jesus

July 7, 2011 By admin 7 Comments

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. " (2 Corinthians 10:5) Lately I seem to be full of all kinds of emotions. When I'm in a flare I tend to feel helpless, lonely, and depressed. One would think that after spending seventeen years with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia I would not have these feelings anymore. But they are there. Thoughts creep in like: Who will take care of me if I can't even take care of myself? Who will help me with my children? Will my husband run out of patience or be cold and distant? I know I need to bring ever thought captive to Christ. How do you do that when you feel like your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Conditions and Diseases, Fatigue (medical), Fibromyalgia, Health, Pennsylvania, United States

Assisted Suicide Due to Pain of Illness and How It Fits With Our Belief in God

June 15, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

Lisa Copen The facts are frightening. According to American Medical news 51 people died under Washington's assisted-suicide law in 2010, the 1st full year of this law. They were provided with a lethal medication prescribed by a physician. As one who lives with a chronic illness and daily chronic pain, I understand how difficult it can be to get up and face each day when every part of your body aches and no one seems to have any answers. I also am wise enough to know that I have not experienced the kind of darkness that many have. . . yet. I have no doubt that just as many Christians go through "a dark night of the soul" as the darkest depression is described, those with illness surely have some days when they awake and wonder if it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Articles, Medical Professional, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New? Tagged With: Assisted suicide, End-of-Life, Euthanasia, God, oregon, Robert D. Orr, Terminal illness, United States