God’s Name
30 Sep 2009 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: anger, back, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, comfort, depression, fear, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, illness, joy, pain, praise, prayer, rest ministries, worry
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”. (Proverbs 18:10 NIV)
Scripture is filled with passages encouraging us to call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 18:3 says “I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” I have many enemies. These enemies are not physical human beings, but rather thoughts and feelings that rob me of my faith and joy in God.
The enemies of fear, worry, anger, depression, and many others draw me away from believing that God is truly good and in control of my life. At times, these feelings are natural human responses, but Satan knows how to use them in such a way that they become enemies to my spiritual and physical well-being.
God has many names in Scripture and I have found it helpful to speak them. I may praise him for being my Elohim (Creator) when I am able to enjoy the beauty of this world. I may cry out for him to be my Jehovah-sabaoth ( Lord of Hosts) when I need his protection against the attacks of Satan’s lies. When I feel abandoned and hopeless, he is my El Roi (the God Who Sees). I continually ask him to be Jehovah-rapha (Healer), and above all he is my Savior. God’s name is powerful. It is a strong tower – a place of safety and refuge.
Just as I know God’s name, he knows mine: “He calls his own sheep by name” (John 10:3). How wonderful that we each have such an intimate relationship with our Lord! He knows our name and our every need before we even ask. And how comforting to know that regardless of how often we call his name, he always hears our cry.
Prayer: Lord, your Word says that because you love me, you will rescue me and protect me because I know your name. When I call, you will answer (Psalm 91:14,15). Thank you for those wonderful and comforting promises. Help me to believe those promises today. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. She struggles with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may contact her at spindler@cox.net.
Seeing God’s Blessings
29 Sep 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, hopekeepers, illness, joy, pain, rest ministries, sandra platt, trust, worry
- Image via Wikipedia
“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.” Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
I sit down and sip my early morning coffee. I am preparing to spend time with my Lord. But right now my heart is bogged down. It is not leaping for joy, or singing a song. I am so weary from our move. The summer heat and humidity increases my pain. And I am concerned… OK, worrying and fretting. I will go ahead and admit it! Our move cost us money. In this economy we had a pay cut. My two kids are off to Bible College. How can we spare the extra they need for books they will need, or even catch up on our own finances?
OK, calm down I chide myself. I cannot change the state of our finances; but I can control my fretting. I can choose to trust the Lord. I can slow my mind down and ponder the ways God cares for me. I remember this promise. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
So I will look to Him and praise Him. In so many circumstances of our lives He has met our needs in amazing ways! Even this move was a miraculous blessing. And from our new home I see beauty and the wonder of His creation from just about every window.
As I sit at the breakfast table, the sky is pink as the sun rises over the hill across the way. Puffs of fog hang low in the valley around the house and cornfield on the other side of our rural road. I smile as I watch baby finches sing and flit around their feeder. The air is crisp with a hint of fall, and the grass looks like the dew is tipped with frost.
This is my Fathers world. So big and beautiful! The Psalmist writes, “When I consider the heavens, the work of Your finger, the moon and stars which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him.” Psalm 8:3-4
Lord, You created the rooster that crows behind our neighbor’s house. I see a deer family walking so gently across the tree line behind our house. There are rabbits that chase and play leap frog all over the back area. There is even a bunny that wiggles under our fence and wanders up close to our deck. It is a beautiful world! And I rest in the fact that the same God who formed the beauty around me, created me. He knows how my body hurts. He cares that I am worried and afraid. In Psalm 139 we are promised that when we are in pain, or fatigued, or afraid, He hems us in behind, and before and lays His Hand upon us. Psalm 139:5
I think of one of my favorite hymns. “When morning guilds the skies my heart awaking cries, may Jesus Christ be praised.” Yes, Lord, I trust and praise You.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Platt lives in Southern Indiana and is a Pastor’s wife and mother of two wonderful kids in college. Her hearts prayer is this; “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
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It’s Me Again, Lord
28 Sep 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: brain tumor, christian, Conditions and Diseases, God, God the Father, Health, Nancy & Patrick, Support Groups
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9 NIV)
As I was sitting in my easy chair today and meditating upon the Lord’s goodness, a thought came to me. How many times do I talk to God as if talking to my best friend sitting in a chair right beside of me?
In our internet support group we write personal prayers for people that have special requests. The prayer is published for all to read in the group.
I thought about a sweet and humble e-mail from Jane, one of our dear members in my support ministry, and it lead me to think of much deeper things.
Her comment stated… ” I am not a very ‘eloquent’ speaker so my prayers are short, but they include each and every one of you that are hurting physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, because I hurt physically, mentally, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.”
Her words were much deeper than I think even she realized. What a blessing those words were for me as I meditated on them.
Our wonderful Heavenly Father never expects us to use great fluent and swelling words when we are talking to Him. All He expects is that we come to him in sincerity and truth. To be ourselves!
He know us and He knows exactly where we are coming from. He knows our heart and He wants to hear from us.
Let us always come before the throne of God amidst our prayers and thoughts, being ourselves, and knowing that we are talking to our very best friend. God the Father, the only true God and lover of our souls.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pastor Nancy Dittert lives in a berm home in Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved as Christian freelance writers and work full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet and local Cable TV. Visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at
http://Fibromyalgia help.homestead.com/index.html
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Quiet Waters
27 Sep 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, fear, hopekeepers, illness, pain, peace, rest ministries, sandra platt
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)
Think of it! The Lord, the creator of all of the universe; is my Shepherd. Little words in a sentence often carry great meaning. The Psalmist David did not write the Lord is “a” Shepherd. No, He claimed, the Lord as “My” Shepherd. King David had an intimate relationship with His Lord.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” The Shepherd is the source of life for His sheep. He provides every need and they depend solely upon the Shepherd to keep them safe. When sheep are afraid, they will not lie down. Sheep will not drink from a moving stream, it must be stilled. Therefore the Shepherd must always move about in their midst, providing safety and nourishment, bringing them to stilled waters.
“He restores my soul.” I am a nature lover. Nothing quiets me; nothing restores my soul as much green pastures, being in a beautiful forest, or listening to quiet waters. My husband and I have been in the pastorate for over 18 years. One of the first things we do after a move is to find a State Park or Nature Reserve. A place we could go to for picnics, or just to be quiet and rest from the 24/7 life of a small town pastorate.
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…I know My sheep and My sheep know Me…and I lay down My life for My sheep.” John 10:14-15
Occasionally the Shepherd has to make us lie down in green pastures. Often in our chronic pain we can become afraid. I am having a time of pain and enforced rest right now. But, as His sheep we can be nourished by His Words, lay and rest in green pastures, and be “stilled” by the waters of quietness. By this our souls will be restored.
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” John 10:27-28
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Platt is a minister’s wife and mother of 2 college aged kids. She lives in a beautiful area of Southern Indiana. She enjoys reading, cross stitching, and being outdoors. She has had chronic pain and health for a number of years. She enjoys the friendships and encouragement of being part of Rest Ministries.
In Search of Dogwood
25 Sep 2009 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, chronic illness, Conditions and Diseases, Flower, God, Health, Plant, Tree
- Image via Wikipedia
“There is a time for everything; and a season for every activity under heaven,” (Eccl 3:1,2).
After suffering for years with seizure disorder and depression, I have learned to find great comfort and healing in nature. Whether through the majesty of a beautiful sunrise or the way a bird soars with grace over still calm waters, I am often moved by the beauty He gives us to enjoy. One morning I sat beside the lake enjoying the peaceful surroundings. As the sun rose over the tree line, it seemed I was watching the world awaken. I recalled a favorite picture my daughter had taken last summer of a dogwood tree in full bloom.
I walked over to where I remembered the tree to be and wondered if I would recognize it. I don’t know what a dogwood looks like without the flowers, I thought. I soon realized the Lord was showing me a simple but profound truth. The fact that I may not recognize it as a dogwood would not change the fact that it is the absence of the blossoms simply indicate that it is in another season of its life.
The blossoms are not gone, they just lie dormant. The plant actually gets stronger every year building on previous growth and preparing to be revived again in the spring. The one who created it could still see its full potential in the absence of the blossoms.
Like the dogwood tree we also experience seasons. When suffering with chronic illness it’s easy to become discouraged and feel that we are not reaching our full potential. As I reflect on this truth, I realize God wants to bring comfort to my heart and calm my anxious thoughts about where I feel I fall short and what I’ve yet to accomplish. He also desires that I would not compare myself with the success or achievements of others, but find rest in Him. There is nothing to compare. They are both beautiful and majestic in their own way and they are simply content being what they were created to be and just like them, He calls us beautiful.
Rene’ Lackey lives in North Richland Hills, Tx with two teenage daughters. After facing many challenging health problems she discovered writing and photography as a source of joy and fulfillment. After experiencing a season of doubt and hopelessness, she enjoys sharing her journey of discovery of God’s faithfulness with others.
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God Heals The Broken-Hearted
24 Sep 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: #iiwk09, awareness week, blogging for invisible illness week, brain tumor, christian, christians and depression, chronic, chronic illness, chronic pain, Conditions and Diseases, depression, depression and illness, disabilities, diseases, God, Health, health conditions, hopekeepers, invisible illness, invisible illness news, invisible illness personal stories, invisible illness virtual conference, invisible illness week, invisible illness week conference, invisible illness week seminars, invisibleillnessweek, Psalm, rest ministries, symptoms
“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of he stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit”. (Psalm 147 3-5 NIV)
Living with chronic illness and dealing with a daily lifestyle of pain is never easy. Many times we look back at the times we were healthier or were able to spread our wings and do more than we can do now.
Then there are the times we deal with well meaning people that do not understand our illnesses, and they seem to think we can “surely get better” if we will just try harder, trust God more, exercise, eat healthier, etc. You know what I am talking about don’t you! We have all been there.
The important thing is… we know our limitations, but many times there are those that do not understand.
Oh but my dear ones… God does understand, and He is always there to mend a broken heart. He is with us 24/7, 365 days a year. He is faithful and just. He is only a prayer away. He will dry your tears my friends.
Call out to Him. Not only will He dry our tears but He will also give us the strength we need to get through our trials, and will give us the ability to forgive those that do not understand us.
May we all trust in the One that is our provider, protector and our redeemer.
The LORD bless you, and keep you: The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, protect you and give you peace.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick, 5 cats and a Lab/ Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved as Christian freelance writers and work full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet and local Cable TV. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at…
http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html
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Ambassadors For Christ
23 Sep 2009 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, depression, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, illness, mission, pain, rest ministries, usefulness
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us (II Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV).
Our pastor recently preached on this passage. I usually associate this verse with foreign missions, but as I listened, I was impressed with a new thought.
He mentioned that the word “ambassador” means having a mission or assignment to carry out. This verse does not say that Christ’s ambassadors are only the healthy, the strong, the mobile, or the mentally alert. It says that we – all believers – are on this mission for God.
Many days I may feel I don’t have any “assignment”– I may not be able to physically “do” anything from my perspective. I then thought about ambassadors to other countries. I’m sure there are times when every day is not packed with activity, yet they still remain as a constant presence, ready and prepared to represent their country.
I can do the same. There may be long periods where I feel there is no “mission” I am capable of carrying out for God, yet His Word says otherwise. We are God’s only vessels on this earth. He has chosen us as well as the healthy and strong to represent him. If nothing else, our continued perseverance and faith is an assignment which may have significant effects in someone else’s life.
Our pastor also reminded us that an ambassador’s home is not where he is serving. He is living their temporarily until his mission is accomplished. I am actually doing that now on earth, and some days I am ready for my assignment to be ended because I just want to go home. But the Lord knows what only I can do for him, and until that is finished, He will keep me here. One glorious day, I will be able to say, “mission accomplished”. May I also hear the Lord say, “well done thou good and faithful servant”.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you choose not only the whole and healthy but the weak and infirm as your vessels, for when we are weak, then you are strong. May we look on every day as an opportunity to represent you and do it well. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. God’s grace and strength give her the ability to deal with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may contact her at spindler@cox.net.
Peace-Filled Life Trusting God
23 Sep 2009 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: awareness week, blogging for invisible illness week, brain tumor, Cable television, christian, christians and depression, chronic illness, chronic pain, Conditions and Diseases, depression, depression and illness, disabilities, diseases, God, Health, health conditions, hopekeepers, invisible illness, invisible illness personal stories, Iowa, rest ministries, Support Groups, symptoms, Website
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)
While enjoying my favorite chair I sit gazing at 3 of our amazing kitties. They are on a cat stand we call the Cat Castle by our large Bay window. It has 4 levels where they can lie down and also has open doors where they can go inside and be alone if they want. The warm sunshine is billowing over their sleepy little furry bodies and they look so at peace and content with their little world.
They have no fears because they know they are loved and taken care of daily. There may be dangers and fears outside the Bay window, but inside they are in the hands of their masters.
It reminds me of us as humans. When we truly trust our Heavenly Father we can rest in Him no matter what conditions the world is in, because God created us and the beautiful world we live in.
When our trust is in Him we may worry some but we know we are winners in the end. There may be dangers outside… but as long as we stay close to the Master, He will protect and provide.
Prayer: Merciful Father keep us close to You, protected and cared for in your hands. We thank You Lord.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick, 5 cats and a Lab/ Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved as Christian freelance writers and work full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet and local Cable TV. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at…
http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html
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The Rusty Tin Man
23 Sep 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: blogging for invisible illness week, brain tumor, christian, christians and depression, chronic illness, chronic pain, Conditions and Diseases, depression, depression and illness, disabilities, diseases, God, Health, health conditions, hopekeepers, invisible illness, invisible illness news, invisible illness virtual conference, invisible illness week conference, invisible illness week seminars, Lord, Psalm, rest ministries, symptoms
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psa. 100:2 NIV)
I couldn’t help but be totally amused at the typo on my last Rest Ministries devotional. My laughter almost brought tears to my eyes as the scripture was supposed to say “Trust in the Lord” but instead it said “Rust in the Lord”.
Seriously speaking though we do at times feel like the “Rusty Tin Man” from The Wizard of Oz.
Our bodies do not function like they used to. I remember being able to stand on my head as a youngster, and riding my bike and skates every day was some of my favorite things to do. But even as a tiny and petite child I couldn’t quite keep up with all the other kids when it came to running as it would wind me so badly.
Now I am older and dealing with pains, and aches from my Fibro and Neuropathy. It’s fun to look back at my childhood, but focusing on my life’s chapter today with a joyful heart can sometimes be hard.
Keeping a good sense of humor and remaining positive is quite possible with the help of our precious Lord. I have found that listening to Praise and Worship music helps me tremendously. Nothing helps me more to get out of the mulley grubs when I am feeling down. Also singing along with the music gives my heart joy and also pleases the Lord.
For as the Word of God says in Psalm 86:4… “Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
The LORD bless us, and keep us: The LORD make his face shine upon us, and be gracious unto us: The LORD lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace… Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick, 5 cats and a Lab/ Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved as Christian freelance writers and work full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet and local Cable TV. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at… http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html
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God Chose Me
20 Sep 2009 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, cope, Fiona Burrows, hopekeepers, illness, pain, rest ministries, uselessness, worthlessness
“You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” (John 15:16 NIV)
In Jesus’ story of the Vine and the Branches, I was struck anew by the above verse. God chose me and He chose me to go and bear fruit.
When you live with a chronic illness, it sometimes seems that you are not able to do much that is very useful. Maybe your time seems to be spent just trying to get through another day of pain, or coping with a new set of symptoms. Maybe you are all too aware of the things you used to be able to do, but now are unable to do because of your health.
It’s depressing and I know, I feel at times that there isn’t much worthwhile about my life. I don’t seem to be able to accomplish what I want to do and sometimes all I see is the things I can’t do, or can’t do anymore.
Here Jesus was saying to his disciples that He had chosen them to go and bear fruit. He was telling them that they could do things that would count for eternity – fruit that would last. Because of their relationship with Him and what Jesus had taught them, they were going to do really worthwhile things.
God can use each one of us, no matter how little we think we can do. If God is able to take our little and multiply it for His purposes, we can be part of His greater plans. God doesn’t see our lack of ability, He sees how we can be part of the bearing fruit – fruit that will last.
God chose me, He sees and knows my limitations, yet He still gives me opportunity to do things that will count for eternity. Maybe I don’t see how they will, but He does.
Prayer: Father, help me not to lose sight of the value that you see in my life, and to be mindful of the opportunities you place before me. Thank you that you chose me. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia and is grateful that God still has ways to use her, despite the chronic pain she has had for over 20 years.
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