I was diagnosed with MS in the summer of 1985, although I had already experienced some daunting symptoms in the years previous. My balance proved to be faltering during a Frances Schaeffer Christian School Conference in the early 80’s. When we were asked to bow our heads and pray, I commenced to fall.

Then in that summer of ‘85 my legs started to feel like they had weights tied around them as I would ascend my three flights of stairs in our home in Placentia, CA. My husband and I were called to minister at Forest Home Family Camp that summer. He as the camp doctor and me as the special music. At this point, symptoms had subsided slightly, but the neurologist still gave me a tentative diagnosis of MS. Aside from memory block a few times that week I was feeling quite well.

One afternoon I climbed up my favorite rock to pray, but midway through the prayer I fell asleep. In my dream I was in a wheelchair, singing, with my hands raised in praise to God. When I awoke, I was at first troubled that I was in a wheelchair, then dumbfounded that I could be singing praises to God. Before long I was enveloped in a deep peace of mind as I felt God’s presence saying, “In whatever condition you are, I will use you.” Those words would prove to be extremely comforting in the years to come.

Twenty- three years later, I am in a wheelchair most of the time and I have found that Christ’s strength is sufficient to see me through any situation He has challenged me with. (II Cor. 12:9). I co-produced one CD and performed on another. I was asked to be the special music and speaker for CASA Senior Conference in Murrieta Springs the fall of 2004 and I now co-lead worship for our church’s Tues. Morning Bible Study.

In our Psalms of Ascent study, we have learned that to be “up” is “down.” I Peter 5:6 relates that if we humble ourselves before God He will lift us up in due time. Yes, it troubles some pastors and music ministers that I can’t “stand” and sing. Somehow, they are worried that I won’t have enough breath support.

Ironically, my voice has never been stronger. I have fallen more in love with my Savior than I ever thought possible because He has proved so very faithful.

My prayer is that more and more churches will realize that possibly the least desirable-looking servant can minister the greatest. Doesn’t God use the foolish to confound the wise? Our Tuesday morning worship team often sings a beautiful praise song by Lenny LeBlanc and Greg Gulley entitled “No Higher Calling.”

It is my prayer song: “Down at Your feet, O Lord, is the most high place; In Your presence, Lord, we seek Your face. There is no higher calling, no greater honor than to bow and kneel before Your throne. I’m amazed at Your glory, embraced by Your mercy. O Lord, I live to worship You.”

Lynn has had MS for 23 years, but still sings and leads worship at her church in Fullerton, CA. With the help of a supportive husband and physical trainer, she manages to keep up a large home and even, tend to 4 grandkids and even ride horseback from time to time. Truly, God is very faithful.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” Hebrews 12:11-12

We’re sorry we missed it but Sunday, June 1 was National Cancer Survivors Day. On that day and throughout the month of June Cancer Recovery Foundation people all over the nation were called to pray for all those who have been affected by cancer. Put it on your calendar for next year, when the Cancer Recovery Foundation calls for everyone to join in an effort to share a common hope for God’s grace and healing to be evident in the lives of everyone living with this disease. People are still encouraged to visit www.cancerrecovery.org to share their prayers. Read the prayer for those with cancer on Rest Ministries Cancer Resource Web Page.

Okay, they don’t actually show up at your house with a little black doctor’s bag and a tub of mayo. But they do have a wide variety of helpful resources in their newsletter called “House Calls.” Blogs, “Ask a Specialist” and Healthy Recipes round out this ezine that is worth subscribing too, even if just to search for later. You can’t find health info from a more reputable place.

None of us like to think about the people who are out there who would want to take advantage our our children’s innocence. But protect yourself and your family with knowledge of who your neighbors are or if you are moving, check out the neighborhood before buying that house.. Lisa just received an email that a sexual predator moved near her and she thought you may also want to know about this web site to be able to get email alerts. The web site is Family Watch Dog. Be safe!

Click here to download our Family Study Guide!

You may wonder if it’s one more side effect of your medications or even your illness. Or it this a brand new condition and you want to check out the possibilities fast without wading through dozens of Google results where some of them are for canines. Visit this web site that has a fast Symptom Checker. Granted, when it comes to your illness, you may know more specifics than this database of information but it could still come in handy for those off the wall medical events, like when your husband gets bit by a squirrel (don’t ask!)

Judith, a HopeKeepers leader shared, “I want to thank you for the extra copies of Hopekeepers magazine. People are excited about this wonderful ministry you founded. This is a wonderful tool to help educate members of the church esp. the deaconesses & members of the group. I really appreciate you & all you have done in Christ’s name by the power of the Holy Spirit, Praise the Lord!”

“I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your little notes each week. And I can’t imagine how you do all the things you do each week and still find time to encourage the rest of us! God Bless You for all that you do!” Carolyn

“I love these weekly HopeNotes, Lisa! They’re a breath of hope on a difficult day. Thank you for spending your time and energy on them.” Judy Gann, author of God of All Comfort

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Your newsletter is stunning! I eagerly await its arrival as there are always interesting articles and important information available. Having your newsletter syndicated on my blogsite is the best news I’ve heard yet! Any way for hurting folks to access your wealth of information is great news! Jonnie Wright, author of The Silver Bullet: God’s RX for Chronic Pain

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I am so glad that you have started this ministry. It has been such a blessing to my life. We had our first meeting last night. Six people showed up. Which I felt that was wonderful that many has taken the first step in speaking out and taking off their mask. I truly feel that God’s glory was with us last night. Thank you so much for everything that you have done. Debbie

Remember that old question “Why did the chicken cross the road?” Well, here are a few answers you just may hear from those in the media! It’s a bit long, but we still thought it worth a giggle.
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DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won’t realize that he must first deal with the problem on “THIS” side of the road before it goes after the problem on the “OTHER SIDE” of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he’s acting by not taking on his “CURRENT” problems before adding “NEW” problems.

OPRAH: Well I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I’m going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

GEORGE W BUSH: We don’t really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

ANDERSON COOPER/CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

JUDGE JUDY: That chicken crossed the road because he’s GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer’s Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I’ve not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain. Alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn’t ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn’t that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together - in peace.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2005, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book.Internet explorer is an integral part of eChicken. The Platform is much more stable.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

We must never minimize the suffering of another. Scripture’s mandate to us is, “Weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15, KJV)

Billy Graham
Billy Graham Organization

Hi Friends,

My brilliant plant to send out a newsletter last week while I was visiting my family in Oregon fell short. I’ve been feeling EX-HAUS-TED as I am sure many of you are too. Weather changes, schedule changes (i.e., no school for kids) and those irritating things called illness in our lives can really mess with the plans, huh?

So. . . at last HopeNotes is here and don’t worry, I am going to send out another one by the end of the week because I just have too many resourceful goodies I want to share to get much further behind.

I won’t bore you with details, but if you could keep Rest Ministries in your prayers it would be appreciated. I am trying to get ready to leave again for the Christian retail show July 10th in Florida as well as plan Invisible Illness Week. I have no energy (and even lack some enthusiasm) plus, this is the tightest money has ever been for our ministry. Personally, I’m feeling it too! We are trying to eat out a lot less, clip coupons, only buy necessities, and drive less. Watch the next newsletter for some ways to share how you are finding ways to cut your costs.

Also pray for our many volunteers who are coping with ill spouses, cancer, grand babies who are sick, etc. Despite the setbacks in their lives, I’ve never seen such an amazing group of people who stand firm in God’s love and continue to share it with others, despite their own losses and pain. You all amaze me every day and I am blessed to call you my friend.

This isn’t a request for you to send money when you are just trying to pay the bills and for your medicine, but it is a request for you to pray for God to provide in whatever way He sees fit. I’ve seen Him do it many times. He knows our needs to keep the ministry going and He’s in charge. So thanks for lifting it up to Him!

Thanks for all your prayers,

 
Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director and Founder