Giving My All, With Thanks
29 Nov 2009 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: attitude, chronic, daily, hopekeepers, illness, isolated, Lynn, pain, rest ministries, Severance, Thanksgiving
“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44 NIV).
I’ve had one vision of this verse – a poor woman with her widow’s mite, willingly dropping that fraction of a penny into a basket.
Now I recognize some of my attitudes, the ones glued to the bottom of my “all” basket that needs emptying. I can be downright selfish when it comes to “giving my all”. Many days, as I am forced to rest on my couch, my pain is my all and little else seems possible.
Then, I view all that is around me and I observe abundant blessings. God has not stopped giving his all to me. I am provided for as I remain isolated from much of the world outside these walls. More importantly, his presence is here with me in the stillness.
I war with feelings of envy as others go about their busy lives during my season of more limitations. It truly is an arrogance, a questioning of God’s plan for my life. He knows what he is doing. I am far from possessing the qualities displayed by the woman praised in this Scripture verse. Her qualities are worthy goals.
The “all” in my basket are some attitudes needing to be surrendered. Next to my basket, God has another one filled with his wealth. These are provisions he wants me to keep – trust, faith, grace, humility, and acceptance. It is from “my basket” that I am to pluck out and plunk into his hands all that is holding me back. With God’s perspective, I will not be comparing my life to that of others. I will deeply recognize that he provides for one and all.
If there is to be any poverty, let it be from my heart draining in thanksgiving to God who loves me in spite of my attitudinal shortcomings. He remains with me to help me see with new eyes.
Prayer: Lord, help me to give my all so that there is room within me to receive your all. Help my heart to rise in thanksgiving for you and your basket full of generosity – ever and always near. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.
Turmoil in the Temple
28 Nov 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily, devotional, fear, fretting, Lynn, meditation, peace, prayer, Severance, trust, turmoil
“Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be a house of prayer’, but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Luke 19:45-46 NIV)
I can see this scene. Jesus, in righteous anger is overturning tables and shouting firmly to those who have brought their outside world of greed into a sacred place. Coins are flying, doves available for sacrifice are flapping away from the disturbance. Perhaps, bystanders feeling fearful are running away or ducking for cover. The noise and chaos is escalating.
This causes me to wonder about my house, the sacred place within me where God has chosen to dwell. Often inner turmoil is present, coming from confusion about my life and future, or concerns awaiting medical test results. Sometimes it is triggered by others’ harsh comments or misunderstandings. I can get distraught over the difficulties in friends’ lives.
There is a healthy and normal caring about myself and others. I am thinking more about the fretting that brings restless thoughts, the ones that cause disorientation. At such times, it is not Jesus in anger who has come into his temple in my heart to cause disturbances. It is my own disturbances that invade the sacred space.
” ‘My house will be a house of prayer’, but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” It is hard to stay in communication with God or even at rest when these other elements clamor for my attention. They are “robbers” who want to take away my peace, my counselor, my God. They want to upset the tables of my trust. They want me to be in turmoil.
Once I recognize the robbers, I am to drive them out, and let them fly and flap and flee in fear. This heart temple is designed as a house where God chooses to dwell. He will help me drive out all things that are not welcomed here.
Prayer: Lord, help me to quickly recognize the “robbers” who can invade our space and private time, or attempt to steal the peace that only you can bring that fills me with faith and trust in you. Amen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.
Hold Me LORD
27 Nov 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: absence, chronic, comfort, daily, devotional, Dittert, faithful, fibromyalgia, love, meditations, Nancy, neuropathy, pain, seizures
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,” (Eph. 2:4 NIV)
God’s precious love is rich and all abiding for His children. Years ago while going through a troubling time in my life I was inspired to write the poem below.
HOLD ME LORD
Will you hold me today Lord?
Will you keep me from falling apart?
Will you show me the way
And mend my broken heart?
Will you hold me tight
And take away my fright?
Will you guide my shaky steps
Away from the darkest night?
I will hold you child
No matter what you do.
I will see you through the night
And always be there for you.
Your love is imprinted in my hands.
For I took your pain
And felt it on the cross
For your eternal gain.
Never fear child of God
He is faithful and true.
His love is eternal and
Will always be there for you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert lives in a Berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy. She is still actively involved as a Christian freelance writer and works full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com.
Thankful For Life
26 Nov 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: brain, cancer, chronic, disabilities, Dittert, home, nursing, pain, Pat, thankful, tumor, weakness, wheelchairs
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Phillippians 1:12, NIV)
Yesterday at our nursing home service that we hold on Sunday Nights, I asked the people to share what they were thankful for.
Now before I give you the overwhelming answer… let me say that most of these dear people’s quality of life is not the best. They use walkers, wheelchairs, and their ages range from 80′s to 90′s and even two are in their 100′s. What a great group of people. I would like to hear all the history of their lives. WOW!!!
Well the answer was LIFE. Overwhelmingly they all said it almost like it was rehearsed. The thing they are most thankful for was life.
I wondered how many of us who are disabled and suffer daily with pain, walking issues, and many others disabilities could say this same thing? Many times I myself have complained with pain or of some malady in my body. I will now look at life much differently after last night.
Our Bible example is Paul for all he went through. Beatings, shipwrecked, imprisonments, and many other things. He still had the attitude that God allowed these things to happen to him so he could
keep spreading the gospel. Maybe to a different crowd than everyone else, but at least he was still spreading the gospel.
Paul took what God told him, that my strength is made perfect in weakness, seriously. He still trusted in God despite what he was suffering.
How about you? Are you like Paul? Can you thank God for your disability and go on and work for Him?
Father, today may we receive the grace that you gave Paul and others to be able to go out and be thankful even though we are in pain and suffering. I know this is for the furtherance of the Gospel.
Show me to whom you want me to go, Lord. In Jesus name, AMEN.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Pat Dittert lives in a berm home in Central Iowa with his lovely wife Nancy and 5 fur babies. Pat lives with Chronic Pain from a number of surgeries and injuries. Brain Tumor surgery left him disabled and unable to do most physical activities. He is also a survivor of Cancer and now has 4 stints in his heart. Pat has several Internet Ministries, and is a freelance writer with Christian newspapers, books, Internet, etc. rivpat77@msn.com
Beginning To Sink
25 Nov 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: affliction, back, Bronlynn, chronic, daily, depression, fear, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, hopelessness, illness, rest ministries, Spindler, trust
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. . . (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).
While growing up, my dad was an interim preacher for many churches. We traveled with him, and sometimes would hear the same sermon for weeks. One of his favorites was entitled “Beginning to Sink”, based on the story of Peter walking on the water to Christ. Dad focused on one’s eternal future and dying. Now however, I relate the story to living.
Initially, Peter had enough faith to step out of the boat into the crashing waves, blowing wind, and darkness. Rather than viewing his situation from an earthly perspective, he looked with eyes of trust in and love for the One towards whom he walked. But when his eyes were drawn away from Christ and toward his surroundings, he lost his faith. The moment that happened, his fears became reality.
I am much like Peter. When I take my eyes off Christ for even a moment, I begin to sink. I look at others and am envious. I remember my past and grieve. I think of the present and despair. I look toward the future and am afraid. I lose my faith. Faith is total trust in God, believing that He is good, and that His plans for me are the best even now in my life of trials and pain.
Christ has said He will never leave me or forsake me. He is upholding me with His victorious right hand. He is greater than the one who is in the world. He is a God who works wonders. He is accomplishing His purpose for me. When I keep my eyes focused on Christ and his promises only, I too experience His miracles: endurance to press on during pain and discouragement, strength to touch others despite my weakness, enjoyment and refreshment in the midst of struggles. He surely is worthy of my complete faith and trust, and will keep me from sinking.
Prayer: Lord, give me a steadfast faith that will not waver, fixing my eyes on You alone. 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 view her blog at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com
or contact her at spindler@cox.net.
Open Your Windows
24 Nov 2009 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: accomplishment, activity, Barron, Catherine, chronic, daily, devotion, fibromyalgia, illness, inactivity, intimacy, ministry
“His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:10-11 NIV)
I have been in ministry off and on throughout my Christian life and I love it. The hardest time for me is when reluctantly God puts me on the shelf, when both door and window are tightly closed. My thoughts continue to go to the same place, “I should be doing something.” But what?
It is my mistake to believe that activity equals accomplishment; this verse affirms that. His delight is not in my “doing” but in my devotion to Him. I believe that it is during these quiet times that my roots grow deeper as I seek Him for Him alone.
He knows my body tires very quickly and I tend to push past its bounds so He leads me beside quiet waters and restores my soul just as the 23rd psalm says. It becomes about our love relationship, the intimacy we have from spending times together rather than works.
As people with chronic illness our hope remains in His unfailing love. Our bodies don’t work as we would like and our “doing” has been greatly diminished but He continues to delight or, according to the Hebrew, “be well pleased” with us. What a blessing!
It is our heart and mind that needs to be refreshed with this word. Laying down what we think pleases God and embracing what He is now saying to me and you.
Do not fear inactivity, but in those times allow the Lord’s love to be a balm that invades your body, soul and spirit so that when He again calls, you might go out again changed, more like Him because we have laid down the “doing” and embraced Him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine Barron lives in Sheridan, Montana. She is semi retired and loves to read, write and enjoy her latest hobby, outdoor photography, although her first love will always be the word of God. She considers her fibromyalgia a formidable unrelenting teacher.
Set Your Heart On A Journey Of A Pilgrimage
23 Nov 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, Bronlynn, chronic, comfort, crisis, depression, determination, disability, faith perseverance, fibromyalgia, headaches, pain, pilgrimage, refreshment, Spindler, strength, Thanksgiving, weeping
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca [Weeping], they make it a place of springs. . . They go from strength to strength, til each appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:5,7)
Each year as Thanksgiving approaches, I remember the stories of the Pilgrims and their first Thanksgiving. The above passage is one of my favorites, and I recently noticed the word “pilgrimage” for the first time. A pilgrimage is a long journey.
But what does it mean to set our hearts on it? We must realize it is indeed a journey. This walk of a pain-filled life is not brief and does not have easy resolutions. It will, however, have an ending, just as any earthly journey does.
We must keep our eyes set on our heavenly destination, maintaining an attitude of faith, perseverance, and determination, regardless of what we encounter along the way. If our hearts are truly set on this journey with God, nothing will make us give up. We will stay on this road and keep going, trusting in the One who planned our trip.
As we persevere, God turns our tears into pools of refreshment, not only for ourselves but for others as well. He enables us to go from strength to strength – not trial to trial or suffering to suffering – but strength to strength. With any new obstacle we encounter – any pain, disability, or crisis – the Lord provides new strength to get us through and to continue on our journey.
The Pilgrims who survived the difficult travel and hard winter found a new and better life. So it will be with us when our earthly journeys end. Some days I enjoy my pilgrimage and other days I do not. But regardless of how I’m feeling or what I encounter, He will be there with me until I see His face.
Prayer: Lord, may I set my heart on this journey with You, ready to accept whatever pain and trials You allow. I know that You are here, and will continue to give the refreshment, comfort, and strength that I need to keep on traveling. 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.
The King And I
22 Nov 2009 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, daily, hopekeepers, illness, Lynn, pain, prayer, rest ministries, Severance
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)
When I think of a throne, images from films or storybooks come to my mind. I see a room where those present are either in awe or in fear of the king seated before them.
When I find myself seeking the Lord, I visualize the man, Jesus. He is more recognizable as I know him as a human being who once lived on earth. He is also my Savior who sent me his Holy Spirit. His Spirit turns my attention to Jesus, and guides me to him.
Jesus now sits interceding for me at the right hand of his Father, my Creator. All of God is available to me. I have come to know that he wants me to come to him, not in fear but with expectation, for he alone knows me in the depths of my being. He is capable of knowing my deepest longings. Awe of his majesty is certainly a fitting feeling for me to have.
This verse says, “. . . approach the throne of grace with confidence.” As I have asked God to reign in all parts of my life, then my heart is the place where I go to draw close to him and find him. It certainly is not a long journey for me to reach him. I find my King in his splendor making this place where we reside together a holy sanctuary.
If I have done wrong, he is ready to forgive. If I have known joy, we rejoice together. If he wants to guide me with his direction for my life, I must be quiet, listen, and respond as best I can. When my physical or emotional pain is heavy, he asks that I rest with him. He understands how I feel.
The King and I – what treasured times we share.
Prayer: Thank you, my Lord of lords and King of kings for dwelling within me. I rejoice that you are spiritually within me. When I choose to seek you, you are readily found by me. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.
Letting Go of Memory Lane
20 Nov 2009 8 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, daily, dana, devotional, fatigue, fibromyalgia, Kennedy, meditations, memories, nostalgia, orthostatic, past, postural, present, syndrome, tachycardia
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
Prairie dresses and bonnet strings flapped in the breeze as three girls ran barefoot down the trail behind our home. Our daughter brought the 1800′s pioneer life alive with a home fashioned from a tent, an outdoor church complete with a handmade cross, and of course, our dog Max, transformed into a pony.
Seeing the girls embrace a bygone era brought on my own form of nostalgia. Memories of healthier times rushed through my mind. Satisfying days filled with teaching and night classes. Needling pain as my sides cramped from running. Romantic nights savored with my husband. Talking and interacting with people all day long. Memories of every moment of every day being crammed with things I was able to do.
While it may be healthy at times to take a trip down memory lane, I find I am with Paul. He reminds us repeatedly to press on. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13b-14).
Hanging onto the past keeps me from living contentedly in the present. I begin to yearn for what I can not have, and I find myself angry over all the losses. It’s easier to cope and thrive in a less than healthy body when I let go of desiring my old life before illness. By embracing the present, I am freed to soar on wings like eagles.
And, isn’t that what God desires for each of us?
Prayer: Father, God, help us to let go of the past and embrace our present. Living fully for you, even when that includes illness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dana Kennedy is a survivor, encourager, wife and mother. She writes a devotional column for Glory and Strength e-magazine. Dana lives with postural orthostatic tachycardia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Her dream is to spread God’s hope through her life and words. She and her family make their home in Liberty, Missouri. Dana welcomes your contact at dtearosee@earthlink.net.
Set Your Heart On A Pilgrimage
19 Nov 2009 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: blessing, chronic, daily, Devotionals, fatigue, fibrolyalgia, joy, meditations, multiple sclerosis, pain, pilgrimage, Platt, progressive, sandra, strength, weeping
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.” (Psalm 84:5-7)
Blessed are those whose strength is in You. I sure am blessed then, for there is no strength in me this day. I don’t mean to be cavalier about God’s strength. Not at all. But this is the type of day where I have to gather my energy just to pet my cats! Have you ever had that kind of day?
This Psalm is one of a pilgrim expressing his passion for God’s house. The first verse reads; “How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
There are days when I want to go to the dwelling place of the Lord. I do. Not really at times of great pain; but more at the times when fatigue is all encompassing. Like today. My soul does yearn, my body cries out for the living God. But I am setting my heart on Pilgrimage.
My strength is in Him. I trust, lean on, put my whole body and its need for strength in Him. I walk with His strength. I tend to my family, with His strength. I sit at this computer so that I can share this with you…in His strength. And I will go from strength to strength until the time I appear before God.
“As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs.” Baca is a place of weeping. The meaning of this is that the pilgrim turns his troubles into blessings. His weeping becomes joy. Notice that his joy doesn’t break out when he arrives at the house of God. The joy is with him, on the journey! Once he has set his heart on pilgrimage, his weeping becomes joy. Even though he isn’t home yet, he knows he is going there. so the journey itself brings him joy!
Beyond our pain. Beyond our weakness. In our fear or worry, we can, as an act of faith, set our hearts on Pilgrimage. We can have joy for the journey. Our weeping can become joy, and blessing. In His strength.
Amen. Thank you Lord Jesus!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Platt is a Pastor’s wife and mother of 2 college kids. She lives in Southern Indiana. She has had Fibromyalgia for 18 years, and since then has added numerous illnesses to the list. She has just been diagnosed with Progressive M.S. She lives with the joy of having set her heart on pilgrimage. You may write to Sandra at Rest Ministries, and she also has a Sunroom page there.
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