Chronic illness Pain Support

Pray for Amazing Opportunity

I've just been given a wonderful gift from our Lord! I received a call that American Bible Society Presents television show, which is syndicated in over 400 areas in the USA, is intested in featuring Rest Ministries on their program. (Oh, happy dance!)

Details will be announced in January, but the format will be a lot like our video on our web site, where they interview me and visit a HopeKeepers group.

You can actually watch the complete episodes online too. I just watched EPISODE 47 from October 22, 2007. It has a wonderful story about how a church reaches out to people who have cancer. It's a wonderful model for us to pray about for our own ministry under the HopeKeepers program.

Please praise the Lord for this wonderful blessing! The oppotunity for us to be able to let people who are hurting and feeling isolated with chronic illness or pain know there is hope and support available is our true purpose!

Pray with me that this will come to pass and that the Lord will direct my steps to give Him the glory!

Lisa

Rest Ministries has a new "SQUIDOO" Page

Okay, so I am trying to understand the whole social networking thing. . .

and agree that we don't have to have a web page on every single one of them.

But the truth is these sites have millions of people visit them each week so it's kind of like throwing out a net to see what you catch. Because those "fish" may never swim over to a chronic illness Christian web site otherswise, right?

So, Rest Ministries has an official Squdoo web site.

http://www.squidoo.com/thrivingwithchronicillness

We used this social networking to help spread the word about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awarness Week and had a good response, so we're adding Rest Ministries resources to Squidoo too. I haven't figured out the "lens thing" yet, but I do know that if YOU understand it, somehow by adding us to your lens, we can both benefit. That's my limit of expertise at the moment. Feel free to send me instructions if you know what I am talking about and can help.

Bless you!
Lisa Copen
http://www.restministries.org
And now also residing over at . . .
http://www.squidoo.com/thrivingwithchronicillness

Articles on Focus on the Family Mention Rest Ministries!

I am honored to have been interviewed by author Mary Yerkes who recently contributed a series of articles for Focus on the Family about living with chronic illness. Check them out here!

• Adjusting to Life with Chronic Illness
• Remaining Positive When Facing a Chronic Illness
• When We Suffer: A Biblical Perspective on Pain and Chronic Illness
• Ministering Effectively to the Chronically Ill
• Story: A Journey through Chronic Illness

We've had some pastors ask, "Why hasn't James Dobson mentioned Lisa?" Well, we were on the web site before but web site are ever-changing. Above are some fresh links and comments from myself as founder as Rest Ministries, to provide for pastors, where you can show we are are Dobson-approved.

Lisa

Call for submissions for PROPOSAL for Chicken Soup/Illness Book

I am currently working on a proposal to pitch a book to Chicken Soup for those with chronic illness. I am looking for the “best of the best” stories to include with my proposal You may submitt a story (or 2 or 3.. however many you want, just be selective) for possibly inclusion with the proposal. Even if it doesn’t end up with the proposal it could end up in the book if it comes to be.

If you know of anyone who is an excellent writer who has a chronic illness or experience in that area, such as a caregiver, please forward this to them too!

DEADLINE: 2 WEEKS, OCTOBER 26, 2007!!
I am pitching soon!

Personally, I don’t believe Chicken soup books are the answer to people’s hole in their lives that only God can fill. Reading nice stories can cheer a person up or make them take a second look at their own lives and decisions, but ultimately they still need God.

But the truth is, the chicken soup series has reached millions of people (108,000,000 the last I heard) and there are over 100 million people who live with illness in the USA. As part of Rest Ministries goal to REACH those who do not know Jesus, if I can write/edit a Chicken Soup book for these people and it has the potential to lead them to Rest Ministries and ULITMATELY GOD… than it’s a wonderful tool for evangelism.

That said, if you’ve read the Chicken Soup books you know that the term “God” is used somewhat loosely except in the specific Christian books. I don’t “endorse” this, but I do believe that God can use anything.

So… for the 3 stories I submit I need 2 to not be spiritual. I don’t like that fact, but I need to convince those in charge that I understand it’s not specifically a Christian book. Since my background is specifically in Christians with chronic illness area, they are going to be looking closely to see if I will try to slant the book in this way.

If the proposal is accepted, then I can find out what a suitable amount of stories can flat out mention God in the book. So keep that in mind when you are writing.

If your story is really spiritually related, try to tell the STORY and all the specifics and emotions involved and then sum it up as your “answer to prayer” or “how God brought the pieces together.” Does that make sense?

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Recipe for A Winning Chicken Soup for the Soul® Story –

I’ve adapted this from the Chicken soup web site for the kind of stories I am looking for.

A Chicken Soup for the Soul® story is an inspirational, true story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is a story that opens the heart and rekindles the spirit. It is a simple, inter-denominational, living art piece that touches the soul of the readers and helps them discover basic principles they can use in their own lives. They are personal and often filled with emotion and drama. They are filled with vivid images created by using the five senses. In some stories, the readers feel that they are actually in the scene with the people.

>>>> My very loose chapter ideas are as follows (if you have ideas, let me know – it’s hard to form themes when the stories don’t exist yet)

CHAPTER TITLES

· Making choices about living despite facing a diagnosis (attitude choices and adjustments, events that led you to make them)

· Finding comfort or joy in unexpected places (surprises you found through this less than desireable experience)

· It’s a family affair (how illness impacts your family, questions kids ask, struggles about feeling like a parent who is not fulfilling the “job requirement”, etc.)

· Surviving the daily-ness of illness (what gets you up in the morning, etc. Little things that keep you going)

· Grief that pops up and creative ways to respond

· Waiting rooms that change lives (things that happen in the medial world/hospital/waiting room/interactions with nurses, etc.)

· Spirituality that provides hope in the darkness (BIG time GOD stories here… there’s no other explanation!)

· It’s the little things that make the difference (things people did that helped or encouraged you)

· Sharing the journey (ways you’ve reached out to others, made a difference, found your calling, etc.)

Chicken Soup stories have a beginning, middle and an ending that often closes with a punch, creating emotion rather than simply talking about it. Chicken Soup for the Soul® stories have heart, but also something extra…an element that makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful, more passionate and better about life in general.

A story that causes tears, laughter, goosebumps or any combination of these. A good story covers the range of human emotions. >>>> this is the most important part of the submission. Give me those WILD moments you saw God-“coincidences”

The most powerful stories are about people extending themselves, or performing an act of love, service or courage for another person.

Guidelines for a Chicken Soup for the Soul® Story

1. Tell an exciting, sad or funny story about something that has happened to you or someone you know. Make sure that you introduce the character(s).

2. Tell your story in a way that will make the reader cry, laugh or get goose bumps (the good kind!) Don’t leave anything out — how did you feel?

3. The story should start with action; it should include a problem, issue or situation. It should include dialogue and the character should express their feelings though the conflict or situation. It should end in a result, such as a lesson learned, a positive change or pay-off.

4. Above all, let it come from your HEART! Your story is important!

What a Chicken Soup for the Soul® story IS NOT:

1. A sermon, an essay or eulogy.

2. A term paper, thesis, letter or journal entry.

3. About politics or controversial issues.

4. A “My Grandma Just Died, and Let Me Tell You What A Wonderful Person She Was” or “Let Me Tell You About My Disease or Operation” or “I Gave a Bum Some Money, Aren’t I Incredible?” or “Why My Mother Is the Best Mother” or a personal testimony that may mean nothing to the reader.

Story Specifications

· Email them back to me via email or as a “Word” document (not Word Perfect please) to REST@RESTMINISTRIES.ORG

· Please be sure to type the author’s name and contact information, including a postal address, phone and email

· Stories should be non-fiction, ranging in length between 300-1200 words.

Who Hates to Hear They Look Great? Over Half of the Chronically Ill!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Lisa Copen, Director

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week

888.751.7378 – www.invisibleillness.com 

email: lisa@invisibleillness.com

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Who Hates to Hear They Look Great? Over Half of the Chronically Ill!

Help us spread the word by DIGGING this story. Just click here. !

SAN DIEGO – JULY 2007 — In a recent survey of 611 chronically ill individuals, done by the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week committee, 53.27% of the respondents said that the most frustrating or annoying comment people make about their illness is “But you look so good!”

“Although telling someone they look good is often seen as a compliment,” says Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week “it feels like an invalidation of the physical pain or seriousness of one’s illness and the suffering they cope with daily.”

According to Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend,” statistics show that nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic condition and 96% of it is invisible.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week held September 10-16 for 2007, is an outreach to increase awareness that living with an invisible illness can be emotional challenge—as well as physical—and that more people than we would imagine are suffering silently.

Respondents answered the survey at http://www.invisibleillness.com and reported the following other annoying comments people tend to make:

* “Your illness is caused by stress.” (14.22%)

* “If you stopped thinking about it and went back to work…” (12.42%)

* “You can’t be in that much pain. Maybe you just want attention.” (10.95%)

* “Just pray harder.” (9.15%)

Carmen Leal, creator of SomeOne Cares Christian Caregiver Conference and author of The Twenty-Third Psalm for Caregivers says, “When someone appears physically normal people are less likely to show understanding and compassion. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is an important opportunity to help families, businesses, churches, and communities understand that conditions without an outward sign are just as debilitating as other more visible illnesses and disabilities.”

Copen, 38, who has live with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia for fifteen years agrees. “We know that 75% of marriages impacted by illness end in divorce and 70% of suicides have uncontrollable physical pain as a factor.* There are hundreds of invisible illness such as diabetes, cancer, myasthenia gravis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Crohn’s disease as well as mental illness and conditions such as bulimia or migraines. Regardless of one’s illness or level of pain, feeling isolated and misunderstood can be emotionally devastating. We are each responsible for learning how to effectively show compassion and understanding to those we can about, including the chronically ill.”

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week’s web site has articles, resources and will feature twenty online seminars during Sept 10-14, 2007. Guests include Maureen Pratt, author of “Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness” and Jenni Prokopy, founder of ChronicBabe.com. Outreach materials include t-shirts, silicone awareness bracelets and rack cards, appropriate for support groups or the work place state what to say and not say to a chronically ill person.

The theme for 2007’s invisible illness week campaign is “Living with invisible illness is a roller coaster. Help a friend hold on!”

For more information see http://www.invisibleillness.com or call 888-651-7378. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is sponsored by Rest Ministries,

http://www.restministries.org, a Christian organization that serves the chronically ill and HopeKeepers Magazine.

_________________________

* Sources: National Health Interview Survey / Mackenzie TB, Popkin MK: "Suicide in the medical patient.". Intl J Psych in Med 17:3-22, 1987

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SUMMARY:

Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA has a chronic condition and 96% of it is invisible. A new survey reveals that over half of the chronically ill get annoyed when someone says, "You look so good!” because it invalidates their illness and suffering. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week strives to create awareness for invisible illness.

KEYWORDS:

Chronic illness, invisible illness, cronic, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, caregiver, diabetes, cancer, myasthenia gravis, Crohn’s disease, mental illness, migraines, symptoms of illness, bipolar illness, health awareness, health observances, invisible illness week

How Frequently Do the Chronically Ill Attend Church? - Christian Newswire

We are sending out a series of press releases to start building more awareness, give the church some fress ideas and perspectives, and also build some news up for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. If you have a unique story idea you'd like to share, let us know - it may make a great press release!

Lisa

PS: unfortunately, the html code is NOT working on this so it's all bumped togethr ---argh! I've fixed it 5 times and it keeps reverting back. sorry for the inconvenience.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

How Frequently Do the Chronically Ill Attend Church?

Contact: Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries, 858-486-4685, rest@restministries.org

SAN DIEGO, May 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- Many people say that illness makes them become more spiritual, but are they able to get to a church service to have their spiritual needs fulfilled? In a survey of six hundred people done by Rest Ministries, a Christian organization that serves those who live with chronic illness or pain, 44.4% of the respondents said that they attended "less frequently" since being diagnosed with a chronic illness. 17.7% attended more and 37.9% attend church with the same frequency as before they were diagnosed with a chronic illness.

"People with chronic illness have a wide range of challenges," says Rest Ministries' founder, Lisa Copen, 38, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993. "For some, mornings are very difficult. For others, pain and fatigue is worse in the evening. And once we get to church we are still in pain, trying to find a comfortable seat, stand during worship, and even avoid a hearty shaking of hands or pat on the back which could be excruciatingly painful."

Copen, who is the author of various books for the chronically ill, including So You Want to Start a Chronic Illness/Pain Ministry and Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend, says there are dozens of ways a church can help the chronically ill feel welcome, comfortable and even appreciated. "Even when people aren't able to attend," she says, "a church can reach out to the chronically ill by providing complimentary CDs of the sermon or by posting their bulletin or sermon notes on the church web site."

"People want to feel like others understand that though they appear healthy on the outside, an invisible illness is impacting every area of their life," shares Copen, who also founded National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week held annually in September. www.restministries.org provides practical ways a church can reach out to the chronically ill, including starting a small group in their own church. Rest Ministries' small group program, HopeKeepers, has about 300 groups around the USA and beyond, which provides a refuge to talk about issues related to their spirituality and health.

"Nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic condition," say Copen. "They want to be involved in their church, but it's a simple fact they aren't always going to be able to attend services. Rather than sending token 'Get Well' cards, a church can add Christian books on illness to their library; bring in speakers who live with illness, or support a ministry who serves the ill or disabled such as Joni and Friends or Rest Ministries. By providing opportunities to allow people who are ill to feel acknowledged that their gifts and they daily challenges are noticed they will increase their appreciation of their church, and, likely, even their attendance."

For more information or to schedule an interview with Lisa Copen, please contact her assistant Kara at 858-486-4685 or Lisa at rest@restministries.org.

Our new video is up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB_C4pggS7E

Hi, friends!

I was able to get the video that we had done last month formatted correctly and up on the web site this weekend at http://www.restministries.org . I hope you enjoy seeing some history about the ministry, my 2 cute guys, and a VERY clean office (no, it’s not really as big as it looks, and it’s not as clean as it was in the video J)

Please feel free to share it with others, your pastors, anyone. We hope it allows us to reach more people. We can also provide an actual DVD soon if you need it for a special program, want to share it with your HopeKeepers group, etc.

We are still collecting video clips from HopeKeepers groups. I plan to soon sit down and make kind of an “intro” and “exit” for this video, explaining a bit more about what the ministry offers, chronic illness statistics, etc. The current slant is more “human interest.” But it’s still wonderful and special thanks to Mike Gold of Christ Alive Ministries who did the video for us and has allowed us to use it unconditionally for free (you can see more about his ministry here: http://www.hopechurchvista.com/christalivesd )

Blessings!

Lisa Copen

Rest Ministries

Director
HopeKeepers Magazine Editor

Rest Ministries is featured with Christ Alive Ministries Event

Greetings!

Thanks TONS to all who sent in testimonials, photos and encouragement for our video. The event is being held this Saturday where it will air and then we will soon have it on our web site too. Here is the announcement. Please feel free to forward it to anyone, especially those in the Southern California area!

http://www.restministries.org/mailings/07_christalive-outofarea.htm

Bless you and please pray for us. The last week has been chaotic personally with family matters and more. It’s typical timing that Satan tries to get his grip on my physical health and emotions right before an event where I know God will be glorified. But I couldn’t do it without all the loving prayers you cover me and my family with!

Greetings! I know you may not live in the San Diego area and will be unable to attend, but I wanted to let you know about this exciting event in the life of Rest Ministries. This is surely a gift from the Lord in which many of you have prayed for with us. Please feel free to forward it if you know someone in our neck of the woods. Otherwise, stay posted, as the video will be online in a couple of weeks!

I’m very honored that our ministry, Rest Ministries/HopeKeepers which serves the chronically ill, has been selected as one of the ministries being featured this Saturday. March 17th at 6 p.m by Christ Alive Ministries. This "Christian Unity Event" will be held at Hope Church, located in Vista, CA. I was interviewed in February by the founder, Mike Gold, (many of you prayed for me-- thank you!) and he and I also visited the local HopeKeepers group of Maranatha Chapel.

Mike Gold is the producer (cameraman, interviewer, etc) who is the founder of Christ Alive Ministries. He works for a local television station as his “day job” and founded this ministry in 2006.

Mike describes his ministry as "a Christian unity event centered on a broadcast-quality, TV-style program that shows the stories of Christians who do the hard work every day building the Kingdom of God in...

==> Read more about Rest Ministries is featured with Christ Alive Ministries Event

Author speaks on Problem of Pain

Thought I would pass this along. It's great that chronic pain is getting this kind of attention and Maureen is a wonderful person to speak on behalf of it!

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On Wednesday, December 27, the Hallmark Channel's show, "New Morning," will be focused on "The Problem of Pain." The show will include a segment featuring author, Maureen Pratt, author Peace in the Storm. She will be discussing her writing and speaking work as encouragement for people who suffer from lupus, chronic pain or illness, to have hope. After the show airs real time, the segment will be available on the Hallmark Channel's website (www.hallmarkchannel.com/newmorning), so people who don't get cable will be able to access the segment there.

Article About HopeKeepers Group

What  a wonderful article on a local HopeKeepers Group! Congratulations Sherri for spreading the word, not just about the group, but about the need for all people to understand chronic illness and it's impact on individuals and families.

Lisa Copen
http://ww.restministries.org

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Chronic illness offers new view of faith

The Cincinnati Post

Column by Kevin Eigelbach

Every morning, Sherri Chapin wakes up and wonders what she won't be able to do today that she could do yesterday.

A diagnosis of legal blindness due to diabetic retinopathy forced Chapin, 52, the former pastor of United Methodist Churches in Ludlow and Covington, to retire in June, 2005.

She can barely see to read, and her eyes don't adjust well to light anymore.

"It's like walking out of a dark movie theater into the light, all the time," she said.

Since her diagnosis, things have only gotten worse. Her kidneys only function at about 20 percent, she needs periodic transfusions for chronic anemia and suffers from complications for gastric bypass surgery.

Last July, she broke her femur and shattered her knee, which required several weeks of inpatient care and ongoing physical therapy. "All in all, I'm a medical mess," she said.

Last May and June, she felt very useless. She never lost her faith, but did question her image of God.

She told friends, if God is love, then God had a different definition of love. "I still believe that's true, but not in the critical way I did at the time," she said.

She learned that chronic illness isolates its victims. Churches rally around short-term medical crisis, but don't do well helping people with long-term problems.

Fellow believers told her kind things like: "Maybe you should trust God more," or "Maybe you should pray more," as if God would magically heal her if she only showed enough faith.

"That shuts down your desire to talk about the situation," she said.

One day, while searching the Internet for resources for people in her situation, she found www.restministries.com.

It's the home page for a network of support groups/Bible studies called HopeKeepers, for people with chronic illness or pain.

Chapin wants to create two HopeKeepers groups in Kenton County, places where sufferers can vent their feelings about God without feeling judged.

"This is a journey I have personally taken, and I feel like I can offer a perspective a healthy person may not be able to," she said.

She's convinced that although she can't pastor a church anymore, she can find ways to serve God's people. Those interested in joining such a group should email her at Hopekeepers@fuse.net.

I agree with Chapin that church people don't do a good job handling chronic suffering, but it's not just church people.

I think Americans in general, with our love of quick fixes and our short attention spans, don't have much patience with it.

A little suffering's OK, but after a while, it's like, "Get over it already. We're tired of hearing about it."

We do not embrace the idea that suffering redeems us, or that it's part of God's plan. St. Paul's admonition to "endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" would have little traction among today's Christians.

Chapin's experience also reminds me of my in-laws, who heard those "if only she had more faith" comments when their daughter was dying of brain cancer. Yet their daughter had more faith than anyone they knew - she led her parents and all six of her siblings to faith in Christ.

So, a word for you preachers who say that only our lack of faith keeps us all from being healthy, wealthy and wise: As Jesus said of the hypocrites, "You already have your reward."

May you die poor and sick.

Staff reporter Kevin Eigelbach writes on religion for The Post. Reach him at keigelbach@cincypost.com.

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061123/LIFE/611230308/1005Publication date: 11-23-2006