Online Blog

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great
and unreachable things you do not know."
(Jeremiah 33:3 NIV)
The last few weeks have been a nightmare, physically
speaking. Most days have found me either in bed, writhing
in pain, or semi-comatose from the medications I've had
to take. The pain has effected what little writing I
normally would do and I find myself becoming more and
more of a shut-in.
Years ago, when our children were toddlers, my husband
and I went with a few of our friends to a Rock concert,
by the band, "Yes". Though I wasn't a familiar with
their music, I did enjoy being with our friends. We
were work-buddies and to my knowledge, I was the only
Christian in the group.
The concert was held at a large auditorium (The Cow
Palace, in San Francisco). Looking around at the crowds
of people and their behavior, I knew I was out of place.
I began silently praying. When the concert started, I
focused my prayers to God about those performing on stage.
Fast forward to today. I was listening to a Christian
music station and preparing to have my daily time of
prayer. I was not feeling real enthusiastic and thought
that I might just read a Psalm or two. The announcer on
the station interrupted my thoughts as he introduced the
next song and remarked that listeners might recognize
one of the singers by his voice, as he formerly sang in
the Rock group, "Yes". The song of praise that followed
was really quite wonderful. My eyes filled with tears as
I remembered the prayers I had said so long ago. How
gracious of God to remind me that He had heard my prayer.
I think of the subjects God has recently laid on my heart
and I feel a spark of excitement. Even if I am not able
to physically serve, I can do the important work of prayer!
Just the thought of the people God may touch, because I
prayed, fills me with a renewed zeal.
This Thanksgiving I'm especially thankful for the gift of
prayer and for God, Who listens. What a truly wonderful
God we serve!
***************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christy Brewster and her husband live on
the Oregon coast. She lives with MS and Diabetes. Her writing
goal is found in Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight,
O LORD my Rock and my Redeemer."
***************************************************************
----parting words----
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES THIS WEEK
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
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"This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to
the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's
word is not chained." (2 Timothy 2:8b-9)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death
or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away." (Revelation 21:4 NIV)
SHOULD I THANK HIM FOR MY PAIN?
SO MANY THINGS TO THANK YOU FOR
SO MANY MOUNTAINS TALL AND STRONG.
SO MANY TIMES YOU'VE HEALED MY HEART
AND SPARED ME FROM HURT AND WRONG.
THE OCEAN WAVES THAT FILL MY SOUL
WITH STRENGTH FROM UP ABOVE.
THE TALL OAK TREES THAT STAND SO TALL
AND ALL MY FAMILIES LOVE.
THE MORNING COFFEE SMELLS SO GOOD
THE BREEZE IS MISTY IN THE AIR.
THE FOOD YOU HAVE GIVEN ME
IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO SHARE.
MY HUSBAND'S SMILING FACE EACH DAY
AS HE SHARES HIS LOVE WITH ME.
THE SCAMPERING OF MY GRANDCHILDREN.
MY ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO SEE.
THANK YOU GOD FOR COLOR.
THANK YOU GOD FOR RAIN.
THANK YOU GOD FOR FLOWERS.
BUT SHOULD I THANK YOU FOR MY PAIN?
YES YOU SAY AS YOU HOLD ME CLOSE TO YOU.
WITHOUT THE PAIN YOU WOULDN'T FEEL
AND THATS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.
YOUR PAIN LAYS STEPS FOR YOU TO BE YOU.
THE GREATEST PAIN THAT EVER COULD BE
WAS THE PAIN I TOOK FOR YOU
WHEN I DIED UPON CALVARY'S TREE.
I DID IT SO I COULD SEE.
SO TAKE YOUR PAIN AND GIVE IT TO ME
BUT ALLOW IT TO HELP YOU GROW
AND ALLOW THE POSITIVE IN YOU
TO SHINE EVERYDAY DAY AND FLOW.
YOUR PRECIOUS PAIN WILL SOME DAY
BE GONE FOR EVER MORE
BUT YOU CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE
WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU IN STORE.
I HAD TO FEEL YOUR PAIN MY CHILD
AND KNOW WHAT YOU GO THROUGH
THATS WHY I GAVE MY LIFE FOR ALL
AND I WILL ALWAYS SEE YOU THROUGH.
************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Dittert (Aka~ Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soulmate Patrick, 2 cats and a
Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early
because of illness.Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy
& is HLA-B27 positive, and her husband had a brain tumor that left
him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group and
Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and Public Access
Television. Visit Nancy's Chronic Pain Web Site at
http://fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/ & Invitation page at

"For you know that it was not with perishable things
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the
empty way of life handed down to you from your
forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a
Lamb without blemish or defect." (I Peter 1:18-19 NIV)
Last year in Bible study, we studied the life of
Moses. In that study, we learned about all the
sacrifices and specific laws that the children of
Israel had to keep. I am so glad that Christ's blood
took care of all those ordinances, and I am saved by
faith in His atoning sacrifice!
Today at church, every song that we sang talked about
the blood of Christ. People gave testimonies of what
they were thankful for. People named things such as:
a changed life, being healed from cancer, our church
body, their families, and so on; however, the common
thing that each expressed was salvation.
So often I load myself down with guilt. Often it is
related to not being able to do the things I feel I
should do, or wish I could do. I get caught up in what
I can't do, rather than what I am able to do through
Christ! Sing this song with me today:
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Prayer: Oh Father, help us to appreciate the precious
gift of your Son's atoning blood. Help us to know
that we are so loved! May we experience the fruit of
the spirit in our lives as we learn to walk with you
and grow in understanding. Fill our hearts to
overflowing so that we can be living examples of
Christ's love.
About the Author:
Lori Mortensen lives in Utah with her husband and son.
She is so grateful to know the secret to being made
"whole", in spite of health and life challenges.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the
empty way of life handed down to you from your
forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a
lamb without blemish or defect." (I Peter 1:18-19 NIV)
Last year in Bible study, we studied the life of
Moses. In that study, we learned about all the
sacrifices and specific laws that the children of
Israel had to keep. I am so glad that Christ's blood
took care of all those ordinances, and I am saved by
faith in His atoning sacrifice!
Today at church, every song that we sang talked about
the blood of Christ. People gave testimonies of what
they were thankful for. People named things such as:
a changed life, being healed from cancer, our church
body, their families, and so on; however, the common
thing that each expressed was salvation.
So often I load myself down with guilt. Often it is
related to not being able to do the things I feel I
should do, or wish I could do. I get caught up in what
I can't do, rather than what I am able to do through
Christ! Sing this song with me today:
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Prayer: Oh Father, help us to appreciate the precious
gift of your Son's atoning blood. Help us to know
that we are so loved! May we experience the fruit of
the spirit in our lives as we learn to walk with you
and grow in understanding. Fill our hearts to
overflowing so that we can be living examples of
Christ's love.
About the Author:
Lori Mortensen lives in Utah with her husband and son.
She is so grateful to know the secret to being made
"whole", in spite of health and life challenges.
************************************************
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************************************************
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http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

"Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalms 34:8, NIV)
As I meditate on the great goodness of God and my multitude of
blessings, I am overwhelmed! God is so good and so faithful, and He
has blessed me so abundantly, undeserving that I am. As I reflect on
this past year, I praise and thank God for the healing He has brought
into my life. Although not completely well, I am much better from
CFIDS than I was even two years ago, and that is definitely an answer
to prayer! Other great blessings from God include living in a free
country where we can elect our leaders; attractive, warm winter
clothes to wear; plenty of good food to eat; a nice home to live in;
a wonderful husband and the list goes on and on.
Both the Old and New Testaments are full of common folk, just like
us, praising God for His goodness, mercy and grace. One of my
favorite praise passages is Mary's Magnificat found in Luke 1:46-55.
In these verses, Mary pours out her praise to the Lord for choosing
her, a lowly maiden, to give birth to Jesus. Several verses down, we
read Zechariah's song to the Lord, praising him for the coming of the
Messiah and for sending His forerunner, John the Baptist (Luke 1:68-
79). And how could we forget Simeon's famous statement after seeing
the promised Lord's Christ, "Sovereign Lord, as You have promised,
You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your
salvation" (Luke 2:29-32).
What blessings can you truly praise and thank God for today? I know
that many of you who read this devotional are experiencing severe
trials of chronic illness and/or pain, but that doesn't mean we don't
all have something to be thankful for. Remembering Romans 8:32
always encourages me to put my hope and trust in the Lord, as "He who
did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all how will He
not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Amen.
Dear Jesus: Forgive us when we grumble and complain about our
circumstances when You have given each of us so much to be thankful
for!
TAMMI'S BIO
Tammi Rhoney and her husband, Todd, recently adopted a new member to
their family, a miniature dachsund named Mini. Tammi enjoys the
company that Mini provides during the day and smiling at her antics.
Take a minute to visit her website at www.lordhelpmyhusband.com.
************************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
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Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
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NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
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Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
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"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31, 32)
"Chirrup, chirrup, chirrup." "Is there a cricket in here?" I combed
my hair and listened while the large ventilation wall fan oscillated
back and forth in the master bath. "How would a cricket get in here?
How will it get out?!" Not being one to squish bugs, I prefer to
release them outside or flush them down the toilet, whichever is more
convenient at the time. For the last four weeks, I have heard this
chirrup and wondered where the little beggar was. And then yesterday,
I turned on the fan to ventilate the shower steam from the mirror and
heard it again. Dee casually walked by and said, "Found the cricket.
It's the fan motor." I have to say, I felt really dumb believing
there was a real bug in my bathroom.
It reminded me of how I can be so easily led astray by the belief in
a lie. That belief affects how I think and eventually behave. For
example, "I am no good to anyone because I can't work like I used
to." If I dwell on that thought for weeks, I am soon so depressed; I
can barely get up in the morning! Jesus said the truth sets me free
from those lies and so, when I start thinking of all I still can do,
depression starts to fade. I can write, create art, and now, thanks
to the new Nintendo Wii gaming system my son bought, I can bowl
again!
I have decided that since this pain is with me for the rest of my
life, I might as well work it in to my schedule instead of getting
down about it. I'll continue to focus my thoughts on what is true and
enjoy all the benefits that come with it.
About the Author:
Pastor Greg Harvey lives in Kansas City, Kansas with his wife Dee,
their two teen sons and Dee's Mom Margie. Greg manages chronic DDD
while Dee deals with crippling RA. Greg's book, "Finding God Faithful
in Turbulent Times" is available and may be obtained by contacting
Greg at gaharvey@...
************************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 2 pm Pacific/4 pm Central/5 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Thursdays 8 pm Pacific/10 pm Central/11 pm Eastern
Fridays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Saturdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Sundays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
every dollar helps!
http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/cat11_1.htm
=====================================================
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would like to subscribe? It's easy! Just send a blank
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"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd
among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the
potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no
hands'?" (Isaiah 45:9 NIV)
Self-glorification was once the order of the day for me. Every
situation in my life was an opportunity to put myself center-stage.
It happened in the big things, like in my Christian life it was
always about what I was going to do for God and never about what he
had done for me. And it happened in the small things like in my
conversations with people. I was always thinking about what I was
going to say next rather than listening to what was being said at the
time.
Then a transforming event happened in my life. I was removed from the
center stage. Like a magician whose illusions were finally shown up
for what they were, feeble trickeries, my illusions of self-control,
self-importance and self-determinism exited stage left behind the
proverbial puff of smoke.
Poor health can really ruin a one-man (woman) show, can't it? You can
be right in the middle of your big soliloquy, your earth shattering
address and suddenly you find yourself speechless, in the audience
second row from the back.
God's eternal story certainly reads like a mystery sometimes. I would
have thought my role (like yours) would have played out a lot better
having one or two more healthy and robust lines to read from. That's
the way I would have written it. But then again maybe it's not
altogether a bad thing to have a non-speaking role from time to time
or even to be sitting second row from the back (off center stage). I
think you see and hear things you wouldn't have otherwise received.
I much prefer to listen now than to speak, as my own health
difficulties have caused me to want to be an audience to the stories
other people are telling, particularly the stories of personal
struggle. I can't help but well up with tears when I see the sadness
of hunger and poverty in the lives of absolute strangers, when
those child sponsorship commercials arrive on my TV. I would have
channel surfed before and flicked to another scene. I'd be perfectly
happy if God were to give me every word that came from my mouth from
here on in, as I know even my most noble thoughts and words when
generated by me can swiftly turn to filthy rags.
I don't know if I would have been seeing things quite this way now
had my health problems not taken me from the center stage (of my own
life, my own thinking) and given me another perspective.
Richard Erber lives in Sydney, Australia. He has spondyloarthropy.
************************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 2 pm Pacific/4 pm Central/5 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Thursdays 8 pm Pacific/10 pm Central/11 pm Eastern
Fridays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Saturdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Sundays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
every dollar helps!
http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/cat11_1.htm
=====================================================
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"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do
not lose heart." (2 Cor. 4:1 NIV)
One of my favorite teachers in High School was Mr. Gillespie.
Whenever we would have an emergency drill, he would repeat this
little line: "When in danger, when in doubt; run in circles, scream
and shout!" (He had a wonderful, offbeat, sense of humor, as you can
probably tell.)
I have to confess, though I'm not able to "run in circles", this kind
of describes my attitude when I'm faced with, yet another, dire
medical emergency. The pain and fear can really play havoc with my
emotions. Maybe you've been there, too. We tend to lose
our "spiritual equilibrium".
Panic and worry does seem to be the way the world would have us
respond. (If you doubt that, just watch a few TV commercials!) But
God says we shouldn't lose heart. After all, we know Who is in
control.
Beloved, when you begin to feel panic over your situation, picture
God gently caressing your head and whispering in your ear: "Don't
lose heart." Feel His love and know that He cares. He sees every
tear, He knows every hurt. He loves you so much . . . cling to Him.
It really does help.
Although Mr. Gillespie's rhyme still brings a smile to my face, it is
knowing God's love and comfort that brings me peace.
**************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christy Brewster and her husband live on the Oregon
coast. She lives with MS and Diabetes. Her writing goal is found in
Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
************************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Thursdays 8 pm Pacific/10 pm Central/11 pm Eastern
Fridays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Saturdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Sundays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
every dollar helps!
http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/cat11_1.htm
=====================================================
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would like to subscribe? It's easy! Just send a blank
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Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between
Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer saying,
"Thus far has the Lord helped us."
1st Samuel 7:12 (NIV)
Literally translated, Ebenezer means 'stone of help.'
An Ebenezer is set up as a visible monument, a
marker to indicate a location where something
significant has been done by God on behalf of His
people.
Parts of my physical appearance remind me every day
of His provision for me. Across my abdomen I have a
horizontal scar about 10 inches inlength. This scar
is the result of a surgery I had as an infant to
correct an intestinal problem that was one of the
complications of cystic fibrosis. For more than two
decades, The LORD God Almighty has given me the
strength I need to live with such a condition.
My husband has a similar type of Ebenezer. Five years
ago he was nearly killed in a severe car accident. In
order to treat his internal injuries, the trauma team
had to perform emergency surgery. The resulting scar is
almost a foot in length and runs approximately from his
ribcage to his navel. God preserved my husband's life
during that time; He has blessed us tremendously in the
years since then. The accident itself is not a fond memory,
but the things that God has done in our relationship as
a result are absolutely wonderful.
These may not be the typical examples of Ebenezers as
depicted in the Old Testament, but for us our scars
remind us of God's awesome power and the ways He preserves
His children. Also, our surgical scars remind us that,
Jesus Christ also bears physical evidence of the incredible
hardship and pain that he endured on the cross on our
behalf. I am humbled daily by that realization.
I am thankful for these reminders that God has given us
and I am gladthat I never need to look very far for an
example of His mercy.
Father, You have helped me so much. I want my life to be a
testimony to others of Your goodness. Thank You for being
near to me and preserving me at all times. Amen.
********************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth, Lauren Beyenhof was
not expected to celebrate her 10th birthday. She is now in
her latetwenties, married, and working as a professional freelance
writer and environmental scientist. Her writing has been featured
in Christian and secular publications.
********************************************************************
----parting words----
Looking for some inspiration? Check out Rest Ministries'
"Comfort Zone" at:
http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/catalog.htm

"Cast all your anxiety on (Jesus) because He cares
for you." (1Peter 5:7 NIV)
With daily serious Chronic illness I know what it's
like for someone to ask ...."How are you?" Sometimes
people just ask that to be polite and they really
don't want to hear how we REALLY are. So from
experience I have learned to give answers to that
question like this.... "Not too bad", or About the
same!". etc etc.
Have you ever felt that way before... but you resolute
to say only the quickest answer that you can give?
This is a time of year that is wonderfully delightful,
all the festivities, tree trimming, Christimas carols
and having special times with those we love.
It can also be a time of memory, and remembering
things of old that may have not been so happy. We
watch movies that are sweet but sad and they bring
tears to our eyes and perhaps we remember things that
may not have been the best in our life or childhood.
Precious friends... we have a friend that really wants
to know how we are. He is our own personal friend that
we can call on any time of the day or night, 365 days
out of the year. We can tell Him anything. He is ALWAYS
ready to listen intently as we pour our heart out to Him.
Are you hurting deeply today and you feel you have no
where to turn, or maybe you think that Jesus wouldn't want
to hear your heart break. He does dear ones. He's only a
prayer away. Call on Him today... He really wants to
know how you are.
Thank you Jesus for always being here for us. We celebrate
Your birthdaywith hope in our hearts and joy knowing how
much You love us.
~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Dittert (Aka~ Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soulmate Patrick, 2 cats and a
Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early
because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy
& other health issues, and her husband had a brain tumor that left
him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group and
Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and Public
Access TV. Visit Nancy's Chronic Pain Web Site
at http://fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/ & Invitation page at

"Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD,
among the heathen and I will sing praises unto
Thy name." 2 Samuel 22:50
I have found that carrying over Thanksgiving into
the rest of the holiday season can help my
hurting heart to rejoice. I can so easily feel the
pre-holiday blues this time of year and these blues
are much worse when my health is going down-hill
fast. So how do I carryThanksgiving into the rest
of the season? By counting my many blessings!
Sadly, This time of year can make the pain in our
ives more intense.When you ask someone what was the
most painful day they have ever had....usually
something comes to their mind right away, be it
illness,desperation, or a death of a loved-one and
these memories can help intensify the pain during
the Holidays. The deeper our past wounds,the more
we suffer.
In holidays past, I have found myself past the tears,
past the complaining, and past the hope of relief.
The wintry cold months are the hardest on me...and it
is magnified during the holidays. It is always hard to
accept the reality that Pain is now a permanent part of
our lives.
How do I get past the pain to rejoicing? Again I say....
by counting my many blessings!
You see carrying thanksgiving in my heart always gets
me past the blues and into a praising heart. I can focus
on all the Lord has done for my family, and me and soon
I realize just how very blessed I truly am. The LORD has
given me REST for my Weary heart.
Are you weary and burdened today dear child? Try
counting your manyblessings and carrying Thanksgiving
with you. This can give your heart the rest it seeks, as
you remember the blessings in your life, and you can
realize just how loved you truly are.
******************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Debbi Farmer, A homeschool mom from North Carolina; knows the pain of
chronic illness, and broken hearts. She invites all Homeschool Moms
with chronic illness to visit Rest-Ministries "Beyond Surviving
Homeschool" Site at:
http://p211.ezboard.com/bbeyondsurvivinghomeschool

"Praise be to the LORD for He showed His wonderful
love to mewhen I was in a besieged city. In my
alarm I said,I am cut off from your sight!Yet you
heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for
help."(Psalm 31:21-22 NIV)
Have you ever felt that your body or mind was
under siege? I remember some of my darkest times
when I struggled with pain so excruciating that it
felt as if someone had me in a vice and would not
let go. I felt that my body was being attacked by
a cruel adversary, as I now know that it was.
If you are now in a besieged cityâ within yourself,
whether physically or emotionally, take comfort in
these strong and wonderful words of David. If ever
there was a person who knows what if felt like to
be hunted day and night, it was he. David was on
the run for many years and spent much of his life
in anguish. Yet, he was a man after Godâs own
heart and he knew where his strength came from.
No matter how great the pain you feel, you are never
cut off from your Savior. Be assured that when you
cry out to the Father, He will hear you and He will
help you. It is often during this time of siege that
God showers you with His wonderful love, just as He
did for David. God has not changed, nor will He
ever change. He is the same yesterday, today and
forever.
Take comfort today in He who is able to save to the
uttermost. Call upon His name for whatever your
need may be. He will deliver you from the fowler's
snare.
**********************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Nahid, 34, is a stay-at-home mother and wife of a
dear husband and two high-energy boys, 3 and 5. She has
been healed of Crohn's Disease, fibromyalgia, and irritable
bowel syndrome by the Lord through natural and dietary
alternatives. She praises God for delivering her time and
again and setting her feet upon the Rock that cannot be
shaken.
************************************************
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!
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sales, book reviews, give-aways, laughs and
much more.
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
*************************************************
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."
Isaiah 66:13(NIV)
"You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:12 (NIV)
"Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us
alive with Christ." Ephesians 2:4
Jesus came as a baby. Why not as a triumphant king as so many
imagined. A King to come and rescue us from darkness, pain, and
trouble.
God chose to show us He cared for us. He wanted to show His comfort
and show us the way He chose to rescue us. But, God chose first to
show us His love. Just look - see in the manger - there is Mary
holding the baby. What an example of God's love - a mother
holding her baby to protect, take care of, and to love.
This baby was Jesus. He would touch our lives like no person would
ever do. He did come and rescue us for He would go to the cross to
save us.
As Mary held the baby Jesus, so God holds us and surrounds us with
His love.
O come let us adore Him!

"We saw His star in the east and have come
to worship Him...they went on their way, and
the star they had seen in the east went ahead
of them until it stopped over the place where
the Child was. When they saw the star, they
were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they
saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they
bowed down and worshipped Him."
Matthew 2:2, 9-11 (NIV)
It was a clear night as I walked outside. There
were no clouds in the sky - just stars. Looking
into the sky I spotted a bright star.
There was a bright star that night so long ago
in Bethlehem. It stood over the place where
Jesus lay in the manger. He had come into the
world for everyone.
The star was the way for every person, no matter
what their background was, or if they were in
pain, or had many needs. He had come into this
world for all of us.
This star shown brightly so no one could miss
how to come to Jesus. So, we could see that
He was here to feel, to hear, to know everything
about us, the good and bad, the pain and fear,
and all our ups and downs.
In my backyard as I walked out toward the star
I too will follow His star and be among the
shepherds and wismen; for I know that I can
come to Jesus, even hurting, and weak as I am.
*****************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bonnie Hall lives in East Central Indiana. The LORD
Jesus provides all she needs as she manages her Celiac
Sprue, Fibromyaligia, Chronic Fatigue, and Arthritis.
You are invited to visit her web page:
http://www.geocities.com/moments_of_hope/ministry.html
************************************************
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
Bi-weekly ezine with news about health issues,
Rest Ministries programs, volunteers, articles,
sales, book reviews, give-aways, laughs and
much more.
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
************************************************
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

"For you know the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, that though He was
rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His
poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9
When earthly cares and problems seem to
come from everywhere,
turn to Jesus Christ our Savior;
He will all your troubles share.
When you're looking for the answers
to the problems of this day,
turn to Jesus Christ our Savior;
call on Him; do not delay.
When your burdens seem too heavy,
and you're getting all upset,
turn to Jesus Christ our Savior,
and your needs will soon be met.
When your life is full of conflict,
and your loyalties are divided,
turn to Jesus Christ our Savior
and the comfort He's provided.
If your friends seem quite unfriendly,
and you're feeling all alone,
turn to Jesus Christ our Savior;
grasp the love that He has shown.
If at times you seem to wonder,
LORD, what is this life about?
Turn to Jesus Christ our Savior,
and He will remove your doubt.
Our lives can be less complex,
and our burdens so much lighter,
when we give our cares to Jesus,
every day will be much brighter!
Prayer: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in
Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks
to Him in song." Amen. Psalm 28:7
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nancy Wilcox lives in North Carolina with her
husband and furry dog Mandy. As she writes, Nancy desires to give God
the glory for all that He has done in her Life as He enables her to
serve Him in various capacities as she lives with chronic illnesses.
************************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Fridays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Saturdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Sundays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
every dollar helps!
http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/cat11_1.htm
=====================================================
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"We make it our goal to please him" (2 Cor.5:9)
As people of pain we are, by necessity, task oriented. Just to begin
the day, we must assess and contemplate what we will realistically be
able to accomplish during the ensuing hours. First we will need to
get up: task number one. Then we will need to walk, or limp as the
case may be, to find whatever help we will need to lessen the pain.
For some that is a shower or Jacuzzi. For others it is another
regimen of pain medication. For many of us, none of these remedies
work very well. Having completed task number 2, we are on to deciding
how we will struggle through the demands of the day ahead. Will
housework get done? Maybe, if we limit that to the kitchen only. Will
the shopping get finished? Maybe if we use the Internet? Will
children be well parented? Will the dog get fed? Will we have enough
energy to visit with a friend?
But this struggle does not give us the right to abandon our goals.
Completing tasks is difficult and often overwhelming. However, if we
do not continue to set goals, and focus on the larger picture we are
at risk of becoming "doers" only, just trying to make it through
another painful and troublesome day. But God expects us to trust Him
for that maneuvering and to dedicate each and every day to
accomplishing something toward His goal and purpose in our lives. He
expects us to empty ourselves everyday of ourselves and wait for Him
to fill us up with His purpose for the day.
There are difficult tasks for us to complete and few if any know
exactly what that challenge means in terms of pain and agony. No one
needs to know. Our greatest task is to remain faithful to God's
calling on our lives and to ask for the grace to do that without
murmuring or complaining.
"Father, I live my whole live waiting to hear those coveted
words, `Well done good and faithful servant' The tasks may be
difficult but the goal is clear."
Bio: Jane lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband, Bill and their
kitty, Tympani. She suffers from several painful ailments including
fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, migraine, and
several herniated discs. She teaches fifth grade in a Christian
school.
************************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Fridays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Saturdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Sundays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
every dollar helps!
http://www.restministries.org/comfortzone/cat11_1.htm
=====================================================
SUBSCRIBE: Did you receive this from a friend and
would like to subscribe? It's easy! Just send a blank
email to

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who
belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10 NIV)
Getting up in the morning, moving muscles that ache, and trying to
put one achey foot down on the floor in front of the other... "Please
move body!" Pushing to get to the bathroom to make ourselves look
presentable. "What will this day hold in store?" More pain. More
frustration? What will it hold?
Ever have mornings like this? I think we all have. We are almost
afraid to do the things we have to do because we know the pain is
still going to be there. It can feel so disheartening. What is our
mind set? Is it a positive one or a negative one? How do we deal
with what life has handed us?
Precious friends... God has promised in his Word to never give us
more than we can tolerate and with His grace we can hold our heads up
high and make it through each day with His blessings.
We have to run the race with perseverance, run it with trust and hope
in Him. Each of us have our own unique burden to bear, but with the
Burden Bearer... we can come through with a positive attitude. We can
even be a blessing to others.
As pastor and founder of my Support Ministry Group I see many dear
ones that are so down and depressed and understandably so. They are
in terrible pain. They are devastated and feel without hope. They
express themselves to the Group and immediately others in the Group
flock around them in prayers and encouragement. You can many times
see how the discouragement dissolves when they are offered Godly love
and support. After a while they too become encouragers to those are
hurting. Praise God! The amazing thing is... the encouragers are ill
too and deal with daily chronic pain... but they are allowing their
weariness to become a blessing and a positive outlet to help others.
Father God help us to be encouragers to all that come into our
lives. Allow your light to shine positively and brightly for you.
Help us to know that there will be a day that we suffer no more and
this time down here on earth is only for a season. In Jesus perfect
name~ Amen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Dittert (Aka~ Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soulmate Patrick, 2 cats and a
Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early
because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy
& is HLA-B27 positive, and her husband had a brain tumor that left
him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group and
Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and Public Access
Television. Visit Nancy's Chronic Pain Web Site
at...http://fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/ & Invitation page at...

"Jesus stopped and said, `Call him.' So they called to the blind
man, `Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.' Throwing his cloak
aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus." Mark 10:49-50 (NIV)
Some days maybe you just don't feel like you can do what you need, or
want to do, let alone what God ask. You wake up with aches, pains
and feel like life is a burden. Your feet hit the floor, you feel
like climbing back in bed, pulling the covers up over your head,
remaining there for the rest of the day.
Maybe the doctor's report wasn't good and you feel like just giving
up instead of studying for the Sunday School lesson you have been
asked to give. The phone rings and it's the prayer circle asking for
you to pray for someone at church, someone facing some problem in
their life. Instead of praying for someone else you feel they need to
be praying for you. You've been dealing with your own hardships for
years now; people seem to forget that.
Possibly you were able to drag yourself out of bed, deciding to read
your Bible and try to find some comfort as you drink your morning
coffee. But as you do, something whispers in your ear. This time it
is God with a request. "Doesn't He know I have enough problems of my
own?" you say aloud.
So many times we refuse God's calling, whether it comes straight from
him or as a request from a friend. We have our own concerns; why does
God want us to do for others, when we feel bad ourselves. Yet, when
our concerns are always on ourselves, ignoring God's calling to work
for Him, serving others, that's when we miss our healing, our
calling, and our purpose. Next time you are summoned, cheer up; God
is calling!
Prayer: God help me jump at Your calling, doing your will, knowing
You'll provide my needs as I serve You by helping others.

************************************************
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
Bi-weekly ezine with news about health issues,
Rest Ministries programs, volunteers, articles,
sales, book reviews, give-aways, laughs and
much more.
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
************************************************
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

We go through a local ISP and they have people frantically working on getting things running again.

Hopefully in the next hour or 2 - It's the first time in about 8 years , but bad timing- ugh! Thank you!

Just a reminder, that all orders should be placed by this weekend to have a Christmas delivery.

We also have a new "mall" set up where we receive a percentage of any of your purchases at:

http://www.shopforcharityday.com/93679 (you will find tons of stuff here like Kohls, Sears, Eddie Bauer, Home Depot and a lot of other things too.)

And if you buy anything through Amazon.com be sure to use this link and we'll get a percentage that way too!

Your Christmas shopping will help us out J

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A//www.amazon.com/&tag=restministrie-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

(you may need to piece that back together if you can't click on it. You can also find it at http://www.restministries.org/admin-shopforcharity.htm )

Blessings to you all,

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director
HopeKeepers Magazine Editor

************************************************
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!

http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm

Bi-weekly ezine with news about health issues,
Rest Ministries programs, volunteers, articles,

sales, book reviews, give-aways, laughs and

much more.

http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm

************************************************

Rest Ministries, Inc.

http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star
they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over
the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were
overjoyed." (Matthew 2:9 & 10 NIV)
As Pastor of almost 200 precious Chronically ill people, and being
ill
myself I pray daily for compassion and wisdom as I minister to them.
Sometimes I feel so weary and need a refreshing that only the light
and love of Jesus Christ can give me.
Discussing this subject with my dear husband is a good way for me
to vent and receive counsel and good advice.
Lying in bed tonight I shared with him how it hurts so bad to see my
Chronic pain members hurting physically and emotionally with pain
they have to live with daily. I told him I just want to be able to
give
them hope.
As we discussed it further I pictured in my minds eye a light. I must
point them towards the light. The Light is hope. Without hope there is
nothing.
Our hope is here on earth and permanently with our Lord and
Saviour in the future... our hope lies before us. We must follow the
light
of Gods love and strength. Our hope is in Him.
As the Shepherdmen and Wise Men followed the light of the star to
Bethlehem and the Christ Child we must follow the light of God's
love,
hope and mercy. Our hope is in the Lord. Let us follow the light so
that
we may have hope for our future, now and when we leave this earth to
live eternally with Jesus.
~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Dittert (Aka~ Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soulmate Patrick, 2 cats and a
Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early
because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy
& other health issues, and her husband had a brain tumor that left
him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group and
Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and Public
Access TV. Visit Nancy's Chronic Pain Web Site
at http://fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/ & Invitation page at

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)
Many people misunderstand what is meant by the
phrase "rejoice in our sufferings". This does not mean
that we are supposed to grin and bear it, nor does it
mean we should put up a false front and pretend that
everything is peachy when clearly it isn't.
I understand the word "rejoice" to mean a return to
joy. When Paul writes the words "suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance character; and character,
hope" he is clearly outlining a process thatleads to
being filled with joy.
Becoming filled with joy is not an instantaneous event.
This verse is sort of a treatment plan for attaining a
spirit of joy. It is also a flow chart of how God develops
our inner strength and our identity in Him.
When I experience a lung infection requiring a two-week
course of intravenous antibiotics, do I feel better as
soon as the first dose flows into my bloodstream? Hardly!
I improve gradually, taking one dose at a time. The same is
true of becoming healthier and more joyful in the spiritual
sense.
Life will continue to present each of us with trying
circumstances. Such experiences will inevitably teach us
about ourselves and about God. If we have the maturity to
learn those lessons, we develop strong character and a
healthy perspective on life. People who have strong
character know that God will, in his timing, allow them to
return to a state of joyfulness.
God's plan is an ever moving process--a journey rather
than a destination. Without faith in Jesus, I would most
certainly feel overwhelmed with the challenges of my chronic
illness. Even when I'm not particularly joyful about things
that are going on, I trust God enough to believe that He
will fill me with joy once He's developed in me more
perseverance, character and hope.
Prayer:
Father, I know my hope is in You. Help me to be patient with
Your plan as You develop my character. I believe that even in
the midst of my pain, you can bring about joy in my life. Amen.
****************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth, Lauren Beyenhof was not
expected to celebrate her 10th birthday. She is now in her late
twenties, married, and working as a professional freelance writer
and environmental scientist. Her writing has been featured in
Christian and secular publications.
************************************************
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Wanted to pass this along from my friend, Maureen, author of Peace in the Storm

========================

Happy Christmas!

The Hallmark Channel's program on December 28, 2006 will be focused on "The Problem of Pain." (This is a change from the previous air date of December 27, 2006). One of the segments features me and the work I've been doing on prayer, faith and living with chronic pain and illness. The show airs at 7 a.m. Eastern/Pacific, and 6 a.m. Central -- I hope you can tune in! After it airs, the segment will be posted on: www.newmorningtv.tv. Blessings and joys for this glorious time of year -- and into 2007, Maureen

www.maureenpratt.com

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director
HopeKeepers Magazine Editor

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much more.

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PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
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"Yet I am with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with
Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory...My flesh
and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my
portion forever." Psalm 73:23-24, 26 (NIV)
I am a good worrier. I worry about my health. I worry that it may
get worse than it already is. I worry about who will help me if
anything happens to my husband. I worry about the ability to finish
raising my kids. I worry about the future. I am a first rate
worrier, aren't I?
But I am getting better about letting it go.
I think these things are common worries among those of us with health
problems. We feel that we cannot control our own destinies. We
cannot make plans for the future. I would imagine that more than a
few of us cannot work full time jobs or plan on a long term career.
So we feel fragile, and vulnerable. But, really, none of us can
control our futures. We may get better! A healthy person may get
sick tomorrow! It is said that one out of every one person will die
in their lifetime.
So we need to look to our Father. I am learning to appreciate this
facet of my ill health more and more. It has caused me to turn to God
much more than I probably would have normally.
It has brought me a dependence on God that is bringing me closer to
Him. And it is growing a trust in Him that I need more and more each
day.
Look at our verses! Think of this! He is always with us. He holds
us by our right hand! He guides us with His counsel. Doesn't this
bring to mind an image of a Father and a little child who trusts in
his Daddy? Afterwards He will take us into glory. So what do we
really have to worry about?
He is with us, holds us, and after this life will take us to Himself.
So, we are OK. We are cared for. "Our flesh and our heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Amen!
About the Author: Sandra Platt is a Minister's wife and mother of
two. She lives in Southern Indiana. She has had Fibromyalgia for over
16 years, and has other chronic illnesses too. She loves writing,
reading, cross stitching, and petting her two spoiled cats. Her
hearts cry is found in Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and
my Redeemer."

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer
your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is
your spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1, NIV).
Someone once made the astute observation that the problem with living
sacrifices is they keep crawling off the altar. I have certainly
been guilty of that. At one point in time, I committed myself to the
Lord, saying, "I will sacrifice what I want in life to follow Your
will, not mine!"
Then I had a couple of accidents in which careless drivers who
weren't watching the road rear-ended my car with theirs. A great
deal of pain and therapy ensued. I found myself saying, "Lord, I
don't like what You have allowed in my life!" and I started to creep
toward the edge of the altar.
Then came a third accident in which a car went through a red light
and smashed into me, throwing me into the path of a third vehicle
that crashed into my automobile on the other side. Shocked at the
discovery that God's will involved accidents and chronic pain and
disability, I found myself slithering right off the altar,
saying, "No, not this! This isn't what I had in mind when I said I'd
sacrifice my will to Yours! I don't want to obey You in this!"
When it gets right down to it, when I initially said, "Your will,
Lord, not mine," what I really meant was, "Your will, not mine, as
long as Your will is the same as mine and it doesn't involve hardship
or suffering!"
I now realize that God brought trials to draw me near Him, to
increase my faith, to help me get over my self-centeredness and learn
to depend on Him in all things. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ
asked God to release Him from the trial that was about to come, that
is, the crucifixion. But, ultimately, He obeyed our Heavenly Father
and said, "Not my will, but Yours" (Luke 22:42). Friends, you and I
must follow His example and do the same.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Lou Cornish has fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome. She
lives in Canada.
**********************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES THIS WEEK
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
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NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
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Other scheduled chat ministries:
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Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
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with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
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"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little
while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds
of trials. These have come so that your faithof
greater worth than gold, which perishes even though
refined by firemay be proved genuine and may result
in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is
revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;
and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in
Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious
joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the
salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:6-9 NIV)
Ironically, in those times when it least feels like
Christmas, it might be the most like Christmas. When
nothing seems comfortable, or normal, or familiar, we are
closer to experiencing the purpose of Christmas than at
any other time.
Our LORD Jesus must have been uncomfortable when He left
everything that was eternally familiar and took on human
nature. He who had known only glory and absolute perfection
suddenly found Himself living among sinners in a fallen
world. There was nothing comfortable, normal, or familiar
about the incarnation for our LORD. The move was not a step
up for Him; it was an infinite leap down. Yet this was
Christmas.
Friends, we must realize that life isn't perfect and it never
will be until He comes again to make all things right. How
can God truly love us when He allows pain and suffering to
come into our lives? How can we worship God in a season that
accentuates our greatest pain? We must remember that it was
because of this very pain and suffering that God came into
the world in the first place. Let's rejoice at Christmas.
Prayer: LORD God, we are in awe of the realities of that first
Christmas, and realize that You know, far better than we, the
realities of pain and suffering. Thank you for going before us
and showing us the Way out of this present darkness, into Your
eternal Light! Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
****************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patricia Armstrong lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her
husband, Richard. She is a retired elementary school teacher who
enjoys church activities, camping, reading and gardening. Patricia
prays for those in pain and prays that these people will know
Christ's love and very presence during this Christmas season and all
year long.
********************************************************************
----parting words----
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!
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much more.
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************************************************
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http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

Who Started This Christmas Stuff?
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many
hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else
imaginable; and after hours of hearing both her children asking for
everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the
elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season
time of theyear - overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every
housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that
perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making
sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and
the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in
the car. Shepushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in
with her and all thebags of stuff. When the doors closed, she
couldn't take it anymore and she stated, "Whoever started this whole
Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice
respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him."
For the rest of the trip down in the elevator, it was so quiet you
could have heard a pin drop. This year, don't forget to keep "the One
who started this whole Christmas thing" in your every thought, deed,
purchase and words. If we all did it, just think of how different
this whole world would be.
Don't forget the Reason for the Season....Jesus!
Love,
Kay DeCarlo
Devotional Coordinator
Rest Ministries
1-888-751-REST (7378)

"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear
with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)
Last year while I was at a doctor appointment with my cystic fibrosis
specialist, I got to eavesdrop on a miracle in progress. On my way
to the exam room, I noticed a young woman sitting beside a portable
oxygen tank which had obviously been decorated for the Christmas
season. I offered her a friendly smile and thought to myself "wow,
she's sure taking that in stride."
As I sat beside my husband, I commented to him about what I had just
seen, and described the festive-looking tank. Suddenly, the near-
silent hallway became noisily alive with several excited voices. We
soon learned that this young woman, like many patients with cystic
fibrosis who have progressed to severe lung disease, was waiting to
receive a lung transplant; she had just been paged with the news of
an available donor!
For the rest of the evening, my thoughts kept returning to that young
woman. I contemplated the fact that she was being given a second
chance at life because somewhere nearby, a life had just been lost.
In the same way, God has offered us the gift of life. We were dead in
our sins when he decided that we would send his son to restore us. He
sent his son--flesh, blood, and breath--so in his death we would be
given life.
We are like the young woman who received a new set of lungs that
night. Our names have been called. God's promises have been
fulfilled, and new life in Christ is ours for the taking, sort of
like a "life transplant." Unlike organ transplants, we need never
fear the possibility of rejection! The gift of salvation is one that
cannot be lost.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of new life that you offer
through your Son. How powerful and humbling it is to realize that
through Jesus' death, we are given life. Remind me daily of your
mercy and your love. Amen.
Lauren Beyenhof is a professional freelance writer and environmental
scientist. Her writing has been showcased in print and electronic
media in both Christian and secular publications. Despite the daily
challenges of having cystic fibrosis, she considers herself
extraordinarily blessed to be living a full and vibrant life.
**********************************************
SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES THIS WEEK
Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and
support.
C.A.R.E. CONNECTION:
Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Tuesdays 9 am Pacific/11 am Central/12 noon Eastern
Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Wednesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Fridays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern
Saturdays 2 pm Pacific/4 pm Central/5 pm Eastern
Sundays 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
NOTE: All chat sessions are an hour long. Also note, if you check
the "Room History" when you are in the chat room, all times are in
Pacific time.
Other scheduled chat ministries:
Fellowship hour Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern
Hopekeepers Bible Study Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm
Eastern
TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM: Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm
and type in your name in the box and click on "Connect". (It may
take a few minutes to load the chat room window.)
If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going
to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you
will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central,
Eastern).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar
~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+~~~~+
Compliments of Rest Ministries, serving people who live
with chronic illness or pain. Copyright 2006
=====================================================
IT'S FREE BUT DONATIONS KEEP US GOING
Your gifts are needed and appreciated.
Click here to give a gift in any amount,
every dollar helps!
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"Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for
you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
With daily serious Chronic illness I know what it's
like for someone to ask ...."How are you?" Sometimes
people just ask that to be polite and they really
don't want to hear how we REALLY are. So from
experience I have learned to give answers to that
question like this... "Not too bad", or About the
same!". etc etc.
Have you ever felt that way before... but you resolute
to say only the quickest answer that you can give?
This is a time of year that is wonderfully delightful,
all the festivities, treetrimming, Christimas carols
and having special times with those we love.
It can also be a time of memory, and remembering things
of old that may have not been so happy. We watch movies
that are sweet but sad and they bring tears to our eyes
and perhaps we remember things that may not have been
the best in our life or childhood.
Precious friends... we have a friend that really wants
to know how we are. He is our own personal friend that
we can call on any time of the day or night, 365 days
out of the year. We can tell Him anything. He is ALWAYS
ready to listen intently as we pour our heart out to Him.
Are you hurting deeply today and you feel you have no
where to turn, or maybe you think that Jesus wouldn't want
to hear your heart break. He does dear ones. He's only a
prayer away. Call on Him today....He really wants to
know how you are.
Thank you Jesus for always being here for us. We celebrate
Your birthday with hope in our hearts and joy knowing how
much you love us... Amen.
~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Dittert (Aka~ Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soulmate Patrick, 2 cats and a
Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early
because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy
& is HLA-B27 positive, and her husband had a brain tumor that left
him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group and
Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and Public
Access TV. Visit Nancy's Chronic Pain Web Site
at http://fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/ & Invitation page at

"Get a Grip!"
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or
praiseworthythink about such things."
~ Philippians 4:8 NIV
The daily grind was interrupted at lunchtime today.
Dee was out shopping with her Mom and sister, leaving
me home alone. "SighWhat to do for lunch?" I stepped out
into our garage and reached up to the storage shelf where
we keep bulk supplies like Mac and Cheese and Ramen
Noodles. I moved the plastic bags out of the way to reach
for a pack and - - Ahh!!!! It scurried out of the box,
long tail twitching and back feet hoofin' it as fast as
they could go! (My response was somewhat - - less than
masculine and, to be honest, it made me thankful I was
alone.)
"Get a grip Greg! It's just a little mouse for cryin'
ut loud!"
I regained my composure, breathed deeply and decided
not to have Ramen Noodles for lunch.
I called Dee and asked her to bring home a few traps.
She freaked out on the phone and then heartily agreed
to pick some up at the store. They are now set, baited
with extra crunchy peanut butter. (I like it, maybe
mice do too!) We'll see how this drama unfolds within
the next few days.
The event reminded me that most of my physical well-being
has to be managed in my mind. Yes, my body hurts all
the time, but I can choose how to think about it and how
I allow it to affect my mood and outlook. This chronic
pain is real and the brain constantly tells me so, but I
can decide to not let it consume my emotions and
negatively affect my whole life! I need to use the mental
tools available to me when pain invades my body, just
like I use trapping tools when hungry rodents invade my
living space!
All can be well. I just need to get a grip!
***************************************************************
About the Author:
Pastor Greg Harvey lives in Kansas City, Kansas and manages
chronic degenerative disc disease. Dee deals with Rheumatoid
Arthritis and together, Greg and Dee like to volunteer in
their local church by assisting their Small Group leaders
and helping to encourage their church staff as they are able.
Greg's book, "Finding God Faithful in Turbulent Times" is
available and may be obtained by emailing him at
gaharvey@...
************************************************
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much more.
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************************************************
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http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple
and that God's Spirit lives in you?
(1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV)
With the excitement and joy of the Christmas and
New Year's holidays also comes a time when one can
splurge on things that are, shall we say, less than
the best for their bodies! Christmas tins filled
with homemade fudge and cookies, rich cakes and pies
of all kinds, and big sugar-covered hams and sausages
all decorate the tables at many homes and parties all
across the world. Yet, we must, as the Word of God
says, treat our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Treating our bodies as the very temple of God does not
only include in the spiritual realm of keeping our
hearts and minds on the LORD Almighty daily. These
bodies we have are precious and are given to us by
the Maker Himself. They are the only bodies we will
have while we walk this wonderful earth, and we must
treat them with care.
As we seek the LORD's healing hand in our lives through
prayer and by following His commands, we should also be
praying for a revelation and wisdom from God on how we
should be treating our bodies. We cannot expect our
flesh to operate well under a bombardment of junk food,
environmental toxins and lack of exercise. This is simply
not how we were created to perform, and our body knows
it! May we not neglect the wisdom the Lord gives us
because we lack the courage or the will to make necessary
changes in our lives, whether they be dietary or
otherwise. Many diseases and problems that we face can
be helped and even healed through dietary and other
natural interventions.
I encourage you all, friends, as you struggle with pain
and sickness, to keep crying out to the Lord for answers,
never giving up. And when God answers, He may direct you
to make radical changes in your life that will require
much strength and patience; yet you will be richly
rewarded for your diligence in wanting to serve Him in
all areas, including your physical body.
******************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Nahid is a stay-at-home mommy and freelance writer with
a wonderful husband and two precious sons living in the
backwoods of Kentucky. She has been healed of Crohn's Disease,
Fibromyalgia, and IBS through dietary and natural approaches
and is willing to share what she has learned. She prays that
all who suffer will look up and cry out today for answers
from the One who holds all wisdom in His hands.
************************************************
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!
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much more.
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
************************************************
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect,
strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynis, who have been
chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the
Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His
blood: Grace and peace by yours in abundance."
(1 Peter:1:1,2 NIV)
Let us take a moment to recall the connection between
suffering and spiritual growth and the passage above.
Peter's readers were experiencing hard times and in
their distress, began to question God, thus jeopardizing
their spiritual growth. By calling them "elect
outcasts", Peter both acknowledges their suffering and
yet reminds them that God has not forgotten about them.
Those of us dealing daily with pain and illness can
easily begin to forget that God is still keeping us in
His care. We must daily go to the LORD Jesus and honestly
share our feelings of fear, pain and distress. We have
the benefit of God's great grace resources to handle and
deal with the suffering that comes our way in life. We
also have the confident assurance that in the next life
we will never suffer again. Moreover, we know that by
continuing to trust God in spite of suffering, will grow
spiritually, and will be rewarded for our growth in eternity.
The Christian life is a constant struggle, and that
struggle will never end until we meet our LORD face to face.
riends, that is where we find hope. We will meet our LORD
Jesus face to face.
God has promised He will never forsake us. Psalm 37:25 says:
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the
righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." The
grace of God touches every aspect of our lives. God now
treats us as His beloved children, constantly providing for
and attending to all of our needs (Matt.6:25-34). There
has never been a time when God has not been faithful to us
in supplying all of our needs. He never fails to do His
part; our part is merely to remember this fact and to trust
that He never will fail us.
Friends, during this Christmas season, even as we cope with
pain and illness and all the related frustrations; may our
hearts be filled with joy as we again put our trust in the
promise of God that He will lovingly watch over His children.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patricia Armstrong lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with
her husband, Richard. Patricia deals with constant pain from
a nerve disease but finds joy in knowing that pain can be
used to draw her closer to the LORD Jesus. She prays that
others will know this joy especially during this Christmas
season.
************************************************
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PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
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FAX 800-933-1078

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as
working for the Lord, not for men It is the Lord
Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23,24NIV
I once was a teacher. Mostly I taught children from
toddlers through middle school. I also taught adults
occasionally. I enjoyed guiding the learning of
children and adults.
My current job is quite different. There are phone
calls to make: setting medical appointments, arranging
transportation to those appointments, playing phone
tag, and ordering prescription refills (I take about
25 pills a day). I make several calls; then I rest.
There are forms to fill out. (I didn't enjoy the
paperwork when I taught either, but it's a necessary
evil). Five to ten pages for some of the agencies
which provide me services (help paying my rent, buying
food, and purchasing expensive over-the-counter
medications my doctors have prescribed). And the
medical histories I am expected to provide to doctors
and for day surgeries. Sometimes, I need to take
frequent rests because writing makes my wrists and
fingers hurt.
And then there are my exercises: hands, legs, neck
and shoulders. Because of joint damage, I can't walk
briskly for 30 minutes daily for my osteoporosis. With
a walker I can walk to my mailbox 2 ½ blocks away when
the weather's good. It has a seat for when I get
tired. I also go for warm water exercise once a week,
when my schedule permits. There's more resting needed.
How has your job description changed? Do you now
dust the things on one shelf then have to rest? Or let
someone else do the dusting? Are you guiding, from the
couch, your older children as theynot youprepare the
evening meal?
God understands our limitations, even when friends
and family don't. Remember, you are working for Him.
He accepts your service for Him, however limited, as a
gift from your heart.
*******************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sande Huffman lives by herself in Denver, CO. She
lives with deforming rheumatoid arthritis and other
chronic illnesses. She is thankful for household help
in preparing food, cleaning, and help with showering
and shampooing her hair.
************************************************
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much more.
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************************************************
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

What He (Christ) opens no one can shut, and what He
shuts no one can open. See, I have placed before you
an open door . Revelation 3:7,8 NIV
How often I've wept before a closed door in my
life. Teaching was one of those. Others have been
vegetable gardening, camping, and traveling.
It took me some time to stop staring at the closed
doors and see, instead, the doors God has opened for
me.
I've discovered that I really enjoy crafting words
into something that shows others that God loves them.
I have a small indoor garden. Recently, my hoya
plant rewarded my diligent watering and care by
blooming profusely. That was a blessing!
Even though I can no longer take the bus downtown
to have coffee with a friend, by using a small world
map and a list of requests, I can travel the world in
prayer.
How are you handling the closed and open doors in
your life? Are you grieving your losses inconsolably?
Have you lost all hope of being able to make any
contribution to the world? Do you lack energy even to
care for your family?
Take heart, God's beloved child. God is still in
control. "'For I know the plans I have for you,'
declares the LORD, `Plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'"
(Jeremiah 29:11). Despite our present limitations, we
have a great futuretearless and pain free for all
eternity in the presence of our loving God!
Prayer: Father, help us to turn our attention to
the doors You have opened for us instead of continuing
to resent the ones our illnesses have closed. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sande Huffman is an elementary teacher retired more
than a decade ago by `rheumy Arthur Ritis'. She lives
by herself in Denver, CO. She is knocking on a few
other doors in her life. One is writing books for
children. She would like to weave into the books God's
absolute truths in a culture that tells them "truth is
relative".
**************************************************************
----parting words----
Are you struggling with your faith? Do you desire that God draw
near to you? Send a prayer request to Rest Ministries prayer team
at: http://www.restministries.org/pro-prayerteam.asp
More is wrought by the power of prayer than anything else in
this world! God bless you!

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ
not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for
Him," (Philippians 1:29 NIV)
My illness has made me pretty much a "shut in" of
late. I've always been somewhat of an extrovert and
very involved in ministry; it is hard to be sidelined.
Being a spiritual writer (or teacher) can be lonely.
People assume that no matter what, you'll face it
with the faith of Noah, the patience of Job and the
courage of David. That is a fine goal to be sure, but
more often I find myself reacting like Peter; sinking
and crying out, "LORD, save me!" (Matt. 14:30)
There are other people at my church who have also gone
through serious physical illnesses. One by one, most
of them, have been healed. While I am truly happy for
them, I find myself wondering, why not me? Don't
misunderstand, God has been gracious to me. He has
given me assignments (mostly prayer related) and He's
given me a ministry to others suffering with chronic
illness. However most of my time is still spent in bed.
I have these words written in the front of my Bible:
"The pain of life best buys for us that intimacy with
Christ that money is powerless to purchase."
(Calvin Miller) I hang onto this thought when the pain
and loneliness are at their peak. I realize once more
what a blessed vantage point God has given me and I
know that the quality of my relationship with Him has
only been deepened by my need. I wouldn't trade that
for anything - even a clean bill of health!
So the next time I'm tempted to feel sorry for myself,
with the Holy Spirit's help, I'm going to praise God
instead. How truly great is our God!
*************************************************************
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christy Brewster and her husband live on
the Oregon coast. She lives with MS and Diabetes. Her writing
goal is found in Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD,
my Rock and my Redeemer."
**************************************************************
----parting words----
************************************************
GET ON OUR MAILING LIST! Don't miss out!
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Bi-weekly ezine with news about health issues,
Rest Ministries programs, volunteers, articles,
sales, book reviews, give-aways, laughs and
much more.
http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine.htm
************************************************
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928 , San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078

Come to me all ye who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)
Why is it that pain, sorrow and sadness in our lives stick out in our
memories more than the happy events in our lives, especially during
the holidays? Perhaps it is because pain is such a strong emotion
that can leave scars that seem to take forever to heal, if they ever
heal at all.
With me the Holidays that are approaching us, often brings depression
and despair to my weary heart. Memories of holidays past with loved-
ones who are not here anymore, and memories of holidays past where I
was not sick and disabled, tends to cause my heart to feel heavy and
saddened. Trying to cope and deal with pain on a daily bases tends
to land one feeling so very lost and sorrowful especially this time
of year.
There is Hope though. There is One who promises rest for the weary.
There is One who knows our burdens and loves us deeply and that One is
the Lord Jesus Christ. Placing our faith in Him can strengthen our
resolve and give us the endurance we need to carry-on. Praising my
Savior for the blessings in my life can indeed carry me past the pain
and into a "rejoicing" Heart.
Are you weary and burdened today dear child?. Go to the Lord in pray,
He has promised to meet you there.
Debbi Farmer, A homeschool mom from North Carolina; knows the pain of
chronic illness, and broken hearts. She invites all Homeschool Moms
with chronic illness to visit Rest-Ministries "Beyond Surviving
Homeschool" Site at:
http://p211.ezboard.com/bbeyondsurvivinghomeschool

"Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll, are they not in your
record?" (Psalm 56:6 NIV)
Have you ever thought. "How much does God really care about my
physical and emotional pain?"
Living with chronic pain daily is not easy. I remember 25 years ago
saying " I usually have 1 or 2 bad pain days a week". But what
happens when it gets turned around and we say "I usually have one
good day a week if I am lucky?" Ouch! That hits home doesn't it!
A good and loving parent will sit by the bedside of their sick child
night after night. As loving parents, when our child hurts, we hurt.
Our hearts break when we see our children going through things that
are hurtful to them whether they are young children or adult
children. We fall on our knees seeking God for them and for their
betterment.
How much more God loves us. It is incomparable. The most loving and
caring parent in the world cannot even come close to loving us as
much as God loves us. He loves us so much that he puts our tears in
a Bottle.
I received the most beautiful Christmas gift this year. It's a
crystal tear drop shimmering and sparkling. It brought tears to my
eyes as I hung it on our small Christmas tree. It reminded me that
God loves me so much that he saved my tears in a bottle and that they
are so precious to him.
Oh yes dear friends that is love, abiding, eternal love that will
never fail.
Thank you Father for your concern and abiding love. Also Father we
thank you for The Ministry of Rest Ministries and how it touches and
blesses our lives... Amen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Dittert (Aka Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soulmate Patrick, 2 cats and a
Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors,retiring early
Because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia and
Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left
Him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group
and Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and Public
Access TV. Write Nancy at nancierose@... and visit her
Chronic Pain Web Site at
http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html
**********************************************
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rest Ministries, Inc.
http://www.restministries.org
http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
Toll-free 888-751-7378
FAX 800-933-1078
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