God Still Remembers

"To the One who remembered us in our low estate, His love endures forever," (Psalm 136:23)I have a bad memory. I simply can't remember things the way I used to. Oftentimes, I group things in threes to help me remember. Sometimes, it works. Other times, I still forget.At church tonight, we sang, "So remember your people, remember your children, remember your promise, O God." Then and there, I thanked God for remembering. When I was yet a sinner, when I was yet forgettable, God remembered me. I was helpless and could not on my own stand before a Holy God. I could do nothing to save myself or to earn His love. Yet he remembered me. He saw my sinfulness, my need for a Savior. He sent Jesus - his one and only perfect Son - to die and bring me forever unto Him. God remembered me. More than two thousand years later, God continues to remember me. His thoughts toward me outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139:17-18). He doesn't forget me. Instead, he's continually thinking about me. My pain, my sadness, my fear. He keeps me in His memory.He is also moved to help me, just as He was moved to save me. When pain overpowers me, God remembers me with His strength. When sadness plagues me, God remembers me with His joy. When fear overwhelms me, God remembers me with His peace. God remembers me with love.Sometimes, I don't have much to offer. No strength. No joy. No peace. Other times, I myself want to forget. God still remembers. Sometimes, family and friends forget. No calls. No letters. No visits. But God still remembers. He continues thinking. He continues loving. He continues saving.My low estate. My brokenness. My forgetfulness. Thank God, He still remembers.Prayer: Father, thank you for remembering me on the cross, and thank you for remembering me in my pain. Help me not to forget that you always remember. Amen.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Daphne is a thirty-something freelance writer and speaker who comforts others with the comfort she herself has received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). She is a leader in a Christ-centered recovery program and is daily learning to believe God through all of her physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Contact Daphne at daphne@daphnewrites.com.

God's Love Is Complete

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV)Have you ever wondered if God's love is really all you need? Is it really enough to get you through those very tough times in your life? Is God's love a constant? Is there anywhere that God's love cannot reach?There are times when I struggle. I struggle to make sense of what is happening to me, or around me. Struggle knowing what is the right thing to do in the circumstances. Wondering if there is anyone who really understands or knows how I am feeling.But knowing the love of God, is what makes it possible for me to go on. Knowing that God will be there with me to face whatever today, or tomorrow brings and knowing that God's love cannot be lost by any mistakes that I make, makes me able to get up and face a new day, each and every day.As humans we show love to one another, but we also do things to other people that aggravate, hurt or upset them. Because we are human, we will keep on doing that. Our relationships with other people are always flawed, even though in our own way, we may love them.God loves us no matter what we do, we cannot be outside of God's love. His love is all-encompassing and we cannot escape from it.I love Renee Bondi's book, The Last Dance but Not the Last Song, where she says about the above verses :"God's love is complete. It is wide – covering all our experiences and reaching out to the whole world. It is long – continuing the length of our lives. It is high – rising to the heights of our joy and celebration. It is deep – reaching to the depths of our despair and hopelessness. When you feel cut off or alone, remember that you can never be outside of God's love." God's love is truly complete. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for writing, travel and photography.

Power Sources

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."(Revelation 4:11 NIV)I recently had difficulty with my computer. It would intermittently shut down. An evaluation determined that its battery was not recognizing its power source. This problem was fixed but it got me to thinking about my life. My "battery"- the physical cells that God has created that comprise "me"- are constantly helping me. Daily, they are regenerating to promote proper growth and health. Some may be encountering attacks from within causing sickness. At such times, other cells come to my body's defense. My spiritual life also has its cells that must be nourished or they will dim, degenerate, or even die. How do I stay connected to my power source, Jesus? He has promised never to leave me or forsake me. So, I must choose to stay close to him. I want my "batteries" charged with his life and care. I commit to taking time to converse with him when I pray. His Word is ever fresh with insights if I ask his Spirit to guide me as I read. I also need times of fellowship with other believers. God desires that all parts of me stay refreshed. When my body and soul are tired, I require rest. Even Jesus needed time apart from busyness for his own restoration.God's peace comes to me through various facets of his creation. I can breathe fresh air, rejoice in a sunset, hold a loved one. Reading or listening to a good book, closing my eyes and letting beautiful music fill my soul also goes far to recharge me when I am weary. Ceasing from striving will help me let God take control - a sure way to let him keep me from shutting down. In so many ways God's power and presence is near. I want to recognize him in all ways possible.Prayer: Lord, in formal and less formal ways you and your power are ever near to restore my weary being. Help me recognize you at every turn in my day and rejoice in your nearness. Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHORLynn 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.

God Has And Never Will Lose Sight Of You

"But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore,you are of more value than many sparrows."Matthew 10: 30,31 (NKJV)God Never Lost Sight Of You TodayMy brother uses Twitter on the computer and I follow his site because he is veryencouraging about our Christian walk. My favorite quote he has written is,"God never lost sight of you today. There wasn't a solitary instant He was unaware of you."I have not been able to stop thinking about that quote, and that is what brought me to this scripture in Matthew. These words have brought so much peace and encouragement to me every day. Our heavenly Father knows all things, even to the smallest of details about us. This shows His tenderness and love towards us.We all sometimes face trials, temptations, and tribulations throughout our daily lives. But God says "fear not" we are more valueable than many sparrows. As we go through our daily lives of chronic pain, or loneliness, we do not have to be afraid. When we know God loves us so much, that He gave His only Son for us, we know that He is not away from us, not for even an instant!This is sometimes hard to comprehend. We are never out of God's thoughts, and He knows every detail about us. Our thoughts, our aches and pains, our fears, and even our laughter. While we are sleeping He is watching over us.Knowing all these things and reading God's word telling us how important we are to Him, has been teaching me that I don't have to be afraid or feel alone any more. God is there for all our needs, and listens to every word and whisper we have to say to Him. I sometimes wonder if He evens smiles when we laugh through the day.It has been just the last few years that I have been living alone. I remember how afraid I would be at times, and oh how lonely the days and nights felt. But now I understand that I am never alone, and that God cares for me and watches over me, all the time. Not just part time, but every moment. He promises this to all of us, and speaks it in His Word. We just need to ask Him into our hearts and there He will come to live forever. Never to be afraid again, never to be alone again. Margie Scott lives in Arizona. She strives daily to trust God's grace will always provide, as challenges arise due to heart problems, Parkinson, fibromyalgia, and spinal stenosis.mscott123@cox.net

God Heals the Broken Hearted

"He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the 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 AUTHORPastor 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

God Chose Me

"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.

God's Love Through Suffering

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." (Thessalonians 3:5 NIV)Anyone who has a chronic illness will identify with this verse. Paul's prayer for his fellow believers conveys the picture of a policeman standing in the roadway directing cars away from danger and into safety. This safe place is to believe in and receive our Father's love; a foundational truth of our faith which covers us in the midst of our trying circumstances.Christ's perseverance was unyielding because He knew His Father loved Him. In Mark 1:11 as Jesus was being baptized the Holy Spirit descended and a voice came from heaven saying: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." The Father knew all that His Son would suffer and I am convinced Jesus knew it too. This affirmation of that love propelled Jesus to finish that which was set before Him.Physically suffering does not negate the love that the Father has for us. No, we are not Christ and yes, His suffering had a real purpose, the salvation of souls. But I must be honest and say that the chronic pain I experience has brought me closer to the Lord in that I continually seek Him not only for myself but for others. I have an understanding - an empathy as it were - that comes from going through suffering. This is invaluable when it comes to reaching out to those who do not know the Christ that I know. Is it hard? Absolutely! Are there days when I cry? Yes! But I persevere and so do you, because Paul prayed a prayer for us, that the Lord would always direct our hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. We would love to be healed and I do pray for that, but in the meantime we rely on the Holy Spirit to continually direct us into our Father's love so that we like Jesus will finish the tasks He has set before us! ABOUT THE AUTHORCatherine Barron lives in Sheridan, Montana. She is semi retired and loves to read, write and her latest hobby outdoor photography although her first love will always be the word of God. She considers her fibromyalgia a formidable unrelenting teacher.

Broken Pieces

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful" (Psalm 139:14 NIV)When I was travelling in China, I visited Xi'an, the home of the Terracotta Warriors and saw the wonderful sight of the warriors that in most cases were found in tiny broken pieces. When the tombs were opened some of the warriors were intact, but there were also piles of debris. Many of them have been painstakingly reconstructed and the process goes on to arrange them again as they were thousands of years ago. Each one has a different face.While I was walking around, amazed at the sights, I was powerfully reminded of a couple of things.The words of a song were going round and round in my head. Its called Broken Pieces and the chorus says:"Pick up the broken pieces and bring them to the Lord;Pick up the broken pieces, trust in His holy word.He can put them back together and make your life complete,Just place the broken pieces at the Saviour's feet."*Sometimes we can feel like we have made such a mess of our lives, or that things have happened that change our lives so much that we find it hard to make sense of what is left.God knows us. As it says in Psalm 139,"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me….you perceive my thoughts from afar.….you are familiar with all my ways……For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.….All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."God can make sense of it all. He can take the pieces of our lives and put them together to make them into something beautiful – and something He can use. In order to make a beautiful mosaic, you need to break the piece of pottery and re-arrange the pieces into something new.Maybe we need to look at our lives as God sees them – not just as broken pieces, but as pieces of potential.Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you care about all the pieces of our lives and that you can make them into something beautiful. ABOUT THE AUTHORFiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She has had many years of chronic pain, but God continues to make something out of the pieces of her broken life.* by Ruby Kitchen & James Martin Jr.
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Go to the Sheperd of your Heart

"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise, You perceivemy thoughts from afar. You discern my lying down;You are familiar with all my ways." (Psalm 139:1-3 NIV)Have you ever felt on the edge of despair.....you go fromone doctor to the next, test after test only to find yourselftired and frustrated that there is not a cure for yourchronic illness. You may feel enveloped in pain froma lack of support from family and friends who may say,"Get over it.....it's all in your head." Who do you turnto? Does no one understand?! There is One Who doesunderstand and can help you, His name is Jesus.God is everywhere around you. He is there in the mountain-tops of joy and in the valleys of despair. One of the most profound miracles God made was creating you. You are nothere by mistake and despite how you feel this very moment,God has a plan and a purpose for your life. God loves you.He formed and loved you, even when you were in your mother's womb You bear His image. (Genesis 1:27)God loves you so very much that He sent His One and only Son, Jesus to this earth. Go to the Great Shepherd of Your heart, Jesus. Have you strayed from God's fold? Let Jesusgo and meet you where you are little lamb and carry you inHis arms where you will be loved, cherished and embracedin His Mercy."He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads mebesides quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me inthe paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." (Psalm 23:2,3 NIV)Go little lamb and nestle in the Savior's arms. He will meet youright where you are. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn fro Me, for I am gentle and humble in heat, and you will findrest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)May God's blessings be with you always. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Kay DeCarlo, 47, Devotion Coordinator for Rest Ministries lives withher husband Joe and two sweet furry dog children Daphne Mae and Alicein beautiful Connecticut. As a survivor of Hodgkin's Disease, Viral Encephalitis and Congestive Heart Failure, Kay has never lost sight that God is bigger than any trail or circumstance she faces. Kay struggles with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress and Diabetes.

Come Away and Rest

"I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." (Psalm 55:8 NIV)We are often exhorted in Scripture to cast our cares on the Lord so that he can sustain us. This tells me that such times are inevitable. Psalm 55 is filled with the cries of one who is distraught, and is in need of the comfort of a calm shelter. Jesus himself needed a respite from the crowds, and the demands that drained his human body. He sought times alone with his Father. Their relationship gave him direction. It also provided solace and peace-filled restoration. If Jesus needed this kind of rest, how much more are we in need of the same? We see an example for us in what he did. Our physical and emotional challenges can intensify and weary us. We are to set aside time to be renewed with the energy and encouragement to persevere. How do you rest and find refuge in overwhelming times? Are you someone who can get away from your home? I have experienced times of refreshment in God's magnificent creation, most often in a quiet and natural environment where his beauty is manifested. Are you homebound? I know that I can find rest in recalling places I once visited. I thank God for such memories that remain fresh within me. He blessed me with the events that created the memories in the first place. He was present with me when they occurred. He is also present with me as I rest in the joy of them again. In truth, wherever we are, God is ever near. He asks for our attention to be focused on him alone. He loves us for we are his own. Any place can become a place of rest if we can stop, relax, and allow God to meet us where we are. He is our rest. Let's allow him to reveal his nearness and his perpetual care.Prayer: Lord, help me to turn my attention to you alone, and allow you to be my refuge. You are ever ready to shelter me and strengthen me. I am ever grateful for your faithfulness to me. Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHORLynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, WA. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.

Look to the Rock

Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn(Isaiah 51:1)I love this verse. This passage helped me through some of my most difficult days after my thyroid cancer and the onset of my anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I would speak it to myself over and over.There are times in my life when I forget the spiritual roots of my new nature in Christ. When I am in the midst of a setback in pain, anxiety, or depression, how quickly I revert to my old nature of doubt and unbelief. I need to remind myself not only of Who lives within me, but of my Christian "family tree". Hebrews 11 is the great Hero Hall of Fame in Scripture, bearing testimony to the believers who lived by faith, regardless of their physical circumstances and sufferings. Our Lord himself was the perfect example of faith and trust in the Father's plan, never fearing or wavering during times of trial and temptation.We are "cut" from the solid rock of Christ. I see the stones in his "quarry" as representing the countless believers who have lived and will yet live through time. These stones vary in shape, size, and usage. Some of them may be crushed into finer pieces than others. Some may be more prominent than others. Yet they all are chiseled from the same block of stone – Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. When I am tempted to fear and give up hope, I need to remember that I have the strength and solidarity of Christ, and that I am surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses – my brothers and sisters in the faith. Then I will not fear, even when it seems that the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea (Psalm 46:2). I'm not only standing on the solid rock, I'm part of it. Prayer: Lord, when all around me gives way, help me to stand on You – my solid rock. Let me not forget my spiritual heritage, and may it be a source of comfort and inspiration to me. Amen.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.

Have you ever...

From Psalm 31, (NIV)Some people view the Bible as an old "dead" book with no relevance today. Psalm 31 is a petition from David to the Lord. It speaks to us today.Do you ever feel that no one knows your pain? That no one cares? Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. Do you ever feel that you have no one to go to with the challenges you face?v. 9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.Have you ever felt that your body was in active rebellion and that there was no one to understand?v. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.Have you ever felt forsaken?v. 12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.Have you ever felt there is nowhere to turn and no one to trust?v. 14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."Have you ever felt your life is just a random event?v. 15 My times are in your hands;Have you ever wondered who or what can save you?v. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.Have you ever cried for help yet felt far away from God?v. 22 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.Have you ever wondered where can you place your hope?v. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.Prayer: Father God, Your Word is amazing. When the world fails us – You are there. When we are challenged beyond what we feel we can take. You are there. When we need a place of refuge. You are there. Thank you for Your understanding, Your promises, and Your unfailing love.Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHORdeni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her lessons might be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at denipath4change@yahoo.com. Her website is http://www.pathwaysforchange.com .

Love

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, thatwhoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (NIV)LOVESigh....Love. We search for it, long for it, live for it.Have you ever been in love? Have you ever searched for that perfectone? A love who will give their all, always be there, understand youand care for you. A love that is faithful and true. A love that wouldeven die for you!A love that through aging, or sickness will never leave you. Thatunderstands your pain and weaknesses. Who will carry your burdens foryou, comfort you and bring peace to your heart. Gives you purpose ineach living day and guides and protects.Jesus Christ is that love and He has given His all for us. He standsat the door of your heart knocking. Waiting to come in and offers youeternal life. God is love, His words to us in the Bible are sweeterthan any love letter that could ever be created.We were created to love and be loved by God. He loves us just as weare, whether strong or weak. In our health and in our sicknesses. TheCreator of love ask nothing other than we accept Him into our hearts.Ask him into your heart today. Put your love and faith in Him and youwill have true love.In I Corinthians 13:4-8a Paul writes just how beautiful love is. "Lovesuffers long and is kind: love does not envy: love does not paradeitself, is not puffed up: does not behave rudely, does not see itsown, is not provoked, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things,believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love neverfails." This love is describing the love that God shows to us. Hislove never fails us through all circumstances, and through all time.Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love, for loving usunconditionally. Open our hearts today, that we might fall more inlove with You. That we can love You and others as you teach in Yourword. AmenABOUT THE AUTHORMargie Scott lives in Arizona. She strives each day to trust God'sgrace will always provide as challenges arise related to living with,Parkinsons, spinal stenosis,and Fibromyalgia. You can contact Margieat mscott123@cox.net .

Hearing God

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (I Kings 19:11-13 NIV)God spoke to Elijah in a small quiet voice, not in the loud crashing sounds around him at the time. We need to be actively listening to hear what God wants to say to us – He uses many forms to get His messages to us.I think many people expect God to get His message across to them with a bolt of lightning, or a booming voice that they can't ignore. Certainly there are stories in the scriptures of people who did hear God's voice that way, but for most of us, God gets his message to us in more subtle ways.Do you even consider the impact of the lines of a song that stay in your mind long after the music has stopped? I've wondered if artists consider which song to place last on their CD's, as the message they leave hanging in the stillness when the music has stopped. Do you come home from church with the lines of a hymn or song still ringing in your ears? A simple phrase that draws you back to the message of the song, or even the preached words from that service.Sometimes, God speaks to me through my pain, not always a message I want to hear, but one I still need to be alert to, and alert to what He is teaching me through it. I want to be open to whatever way God wants to communicate with me, I don't want to miss it.ABOUT THE AUTHORFiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia and is learning to be grateful for the lessons God is teaching her, through more than 20 years of chronic pain.

The Mountains of God

"I will lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1,2)While visiting one of our daughters this summer, we saw Mt. Katahdin, the start of the Appalachian Trail. My husband is a hiker, so that was significant. I began thinking, what is there about mountains that attract us? We enjoy climbing them, vacationing to them, and photographing them. Gazing up at an individual mountain peak or a vast mountain range is awesome to behold - beautiful and majestic in any season of the year. Whether they are bare, snow-covered, green, or golden, mountains evoke feelings of strength, protection, and peacefulness – wonderful visual images of God's might and power. Yet mountains can leave us feeling isolated and lonely as well. At times, I associate mountains with difficult obstacles in my life, such as my daily pain and ongoing health struggles. In those moments when mountains do not seem so pleasant, I need to run to Lord and his Word.Psalm 97:5 says the mountains melt like wax before the Lord. Think about the weight of even one small hill, and the power it would take to move it. This is the power of our God. The God who created, melts, and moves mountains is the God who loves me and lives within me. He is reigning over the entire earth, including my individual life. Nothing that comes my way can keep his power and peace from reaching me. I can choose to allow the mountains in my life to build faith and trust in God, rather than allowing them to leave me feeling desolate and alone. God created mountains – even mine. We will either climb them together, or he will remove them. Whatever he may choose, my help comes from him. Prayer: Father, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so you surround your people now and forevermore (Psalm 125:2). Surround me with the mountains of your love, peace, and strength today. Amen.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.

Choose the Good Life

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3:18 NIV)It is very easy for us to become so serious in our illnesses that we lose sight of simple pleasures and enjoyment. We can actually make things harder than they are at times. It is harmful to our mental well being to always see the cup of life half empty; we must remember it is also half full and hold on to that reality.Anyone can complain of their troubles and bad circumstances—yet there are those enigmatic people who have endured things such as the Nazi concentration camps and are still able to say life and God are good. So there has to be something here that carries us in joy beyond our sufferings and trials, that brings joy in the morning after the darkest of nights.Life is good and God is good. We can choose to see that or not…the choice is up to us. We can also only fixate on our problem times. We can exclude the moments of peace and rest or we can admit that though there are hard times that can take us in circles, we can still appreciate those quiet peace-filled moments. Enjoy the story of a far away place. Savor this meal. Take joy in the soft caress of a loved one. Mostly though be filled with God's power even in our weakness."Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. (Job 22:26)Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for the blessings in our lives. Help us never to let pain and trials get in the way of knowing a and ppreciating your blessings. Thank you, Lord, especially for the blessing of knowing that You will never leave us.ABOUT THE AUTHORPatricia Armstrong lives in Va Beach, Va, and Harrisonburg, Va.(beautiful Shenandoah Valley). She is a retired teacher and enjoys volunteer work in her church and community. Patricia deals with constant pain from peripheral neuropathy but finds strength in knowing God is always present.

Cancer Can't Take it Away

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)After a number of years of sickness and knowing that she is probably very close to the end of her life here on earth, today the wife of our Senior Pastor, asked to be able to talk to the people of her Church family.She is physically very frail, but today she was strong and brave, as she shared with us the words she wanted to say. Her love for God still radiates so strongly; her belief that God hasn't forgotten her in her pain, but that He in His grace, has been there all along, even during the very dark times; her gratefulness for all of the many forms of support and encouragement she and her family have received over the time of her illness; how much she has missed being able to worship with her Church community. She also talked about how she has been challenged to pray for others who are sick or suffering – and encouraged us to go on doing the same.Her words were heartfelt and powerful, that even though cancer has been able to progressively take away so much from her life, there are things that cancer can never take away. It can't take away love – love that is given and love that is received, and the ultimate love that comes from God. God's love transcends even the hardest parts of our lives and not even death can separate us from God's love. Nothing can take God's love from us.These words of Paul in his letter to the Romans, give us a promise that we can hold onto – no matter what life holds for us, today or in the future. God is there and His love and His grace is sufficient, give us the courage we need to go on, until that day when we will be reunited with Christ and with those others who have gone before us.Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia and knows that only with God's help does she face the challenges of chronic pain.

Resting in God's Goodness

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." (Psalm 116:7 NIV)I was getting seriously discouraged. My bed and I were becoming too intimate, once again. You'd think after 17 years of experiencing the ebb and flow of debilitating illness, I'd get used to going through the valleys. That I'd remember it wouldn't last forever.All my mind could think about were losses. I wanted to be able to not just wash my hair or shave my legs, but be able to do both in one shower. I wanted to be able to watch a movie in its entirety instead of dividing it into three evenings. I wanted to join my family for dinner instead of laying in bed. Fear of the unknown and worry over how things would get done gripped my heart, squeezing the life out of me.I knew I needed a change. So, I hauled myself out of bed and sat on our deck. It was twilight. God's beauty assaulted my senses. Trees, grass, and tomato plants were thick with the newness that comes with early summer. The perfume of honeysuckle enveloped the breeze. Sherbet hues faded in the sky as the sun set. Children's voices drifted from the park as parents led them home to bed.How could I not see His goodness while in the midst of a setback? I was surrounded by His greatness. All the things I couldn't do over the last week faded to the back of my mind. All the fears and disappointments lost their hold on me. What remained was the belief that the God of all creation did hold me in His psalm. His goodness was there all the time. I was just blinded to it when I was too absorbed in my own pain. Even if this valley lasts for a while, I will rest in Him believing in His goodness.Prayer: Father, God, please gift us with a reminder of your greatness and goodness and love for us. We need you, now more than ever. In your name I pray, Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHORDana Kennedy is a survivor, encourager, wife and mother. She lives with POTS and CFS and fibromyalgia. Her dream is to help others traveling similar paths. She and her family make their home in Liberty, Missouri. Dana welcomes your comments at dtearosee@earthlink.net

HOPE

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. “ (Psalm 27:13-14 New International Version)
Some days what I need more than anything else is hope. I need to know I will see the goodness of the Lord in THIS world. Often it feels so far away.
Today, beloved – I offer you hope.
It is hard to be told to wait, to be strong, to take heart. But some days that is what we must do.
Some folks think that God doesn’t hear us – or doesn’t answer. It’s my belief that God always answers: Sometimes “yes”, sometimes “no”, and maybe hardest of all “wait.”
Yet the Psalmist was confident that at some point He would again see the goodness of God. He doesn’t know when. He doesn’t know how. However, he holds on to the hope – a confident hope – that God will answer. The Psalmist’s job – to wait – be strong – and take heart.
For those of us with chronic illnesses – God offers us hope. It takes courage and endurance to hold on to that hope. We must be strong when we feel weak. Yet God promises to give us that strength. We must take heart. We have the witnesses of those who have gone before us. We have God’s word – His promises to all who believe.
Take heart, dear reader, as impossible as it may seem, God will hold true to His word and we will see the goodness of the Lord, in whatever form it takes, in the land of the living.
Be strong.
Take heart.
Wait.
In this we find our hope.
Prayer: Father God, Thank you for your amazing promises to us. Thank you that you hold out hope when it feels hopeless. I pray each person reading this today can claim your promises and are granted the endurance they need for today – and for each day thereafter.
ABOUT THE AUTHORdeni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her words might be encouraging to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at denipath4change@yahoo.com.