What happened at our last meeting?
We were admonished by Pastor Rick to LOOK BEYOND OUR TRIALS, viewing them as opportunities to learn and grow, building Christ-like character. He began a mini-devotional series of which he shared two fragments out of nine to be shared in the future.
1. God WORKS through ADVERSITY. "Training is no random work." Psalm 94:12
2. We can LEARN MUCH FROM ADVERSITY, seek to learn.
a. Submission to his purpose.
b. Willingness to learn from God's Word.
c. Profit from reminders.
Deut. 8:2,3
NEXT FRAGMENT: "PRUNING" coming up...next meeting.
We had a combined worship time singing with our loved ones led by Clyde Silla and Ryan reminded us of the gift of hope and righteousness we have in a Savior we can sing about.
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Resources
Levels of Adjustment
by Juli A. Koroly
When a family member faces a chronic illness, the entire family structure is rocked to its foundation. The inevitable life changes occur in stages, and we can adjust to them more easily if we recognize these stages when they happen. Having experienced the trauma of my husband’s paralysis following surgery, I have learned to identify three major levels of adjustment. It is important to acknowledge these and understand that we have choices at each of these levels.
The first level of adjustment is accepting the responsibility for our family member through the initial medical crisis, release from the hospital and beyond. The momentary pleasure of having him or her home is soon replaced with abject fear of the enormous job ahead. No instruction manual is sent home, and even the simplest tasks take on Herculean proportion. The types of choices to be made include personal care needs, everyday household management, a plan for disease management, and the level of physical activity permitted. Fortunately, help is available though home health agencies and community programs.
The second level is the reorganization of the home – physically, financially, and in the roles family members play. When our loved one arrives home, it may be necessary to make alterations to accommodate a wheelchair, lift, or walker.
If our loved one has been the main breadwinner, the family’s financial support will suddenly fall to someone else. Major role changes are called for. Both the care recipient and caregiver will feel insecure at first with the loss of the old roles and uncomfortable with their new roles, until they become more familiar.
The third level is the most difficult level of adjustment. Caregiver, care recipient, and other family members must accept the changes this new situation demands. In time, this regime becomes normal. But at first, everyone is in shock with the realization that their circumstances are permanent. Acceptance will come with time, if the family works together.
The entire family must take a proactive role in seeking out educational and support resources and accepting the family’s reconfiguration. This journey will be easier and more productive when everyone concentrates on where you are going, rather than on where you have been.
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a word from our Pastor...Life's Storms
Perhaps the most difficult time to be THANKFUL is when we're in the midst of a setback, a challenge, or a trial. When the storm comes, giving THANKS is rarely our first reaction. Being THANKFUL for adversity is never easy, but it is always right. From experience I know the difficult times are the ones in which God seems to be most at work in our lives, strengthening our weak spots, comforting our hurts, and drawing us to greater dependence. A well-known businessman offered this perspective: "Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees." Let's not neglect to THANK God for the strong winds He allows to blow our direction.
Taken from an article by Grace To You, "Rekindling Gratitude." quote from John MacArthur.
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Saturday, November 23, 2013
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G-130 Room
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9:00am-9:30am > Breakfast & Fellowship
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Care Givers fellowship
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Loved Ones care in next room
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Giving Attention to Prayer
Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Learn how to pray for the people you care about!
"The heart of Paul’s prayer is that they would “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”. That is, that they would live in a way that honors God. "
"He prayed that they would be fruitful in their ministry to others and that they would increase in their real, personal knowledge of God."
As we go into the holidays, spending time with family & friends, many requested prayer for unsaved family members. Also for added strength for the tasks related to care giving and for wisdom (e.g. regarding meds.) and in the use of time & care.
Creator God, You've tucked so much beauty into each portion of creation that to try to take in even a little of it fills me with awe and wonder. Thank You that this is Your world -- no one else can own it. I'm grateful You've created it for us to enjoy. Teach me to pay more attention to the beauty You've surrounded me with. PRAYER BY JONI
***PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THE SUPPORT MINISTRY ROSTER TO PRAY FOR SPECIFIC LOVED ONES AND THEIR CARE GIVERS. Barbara Annan has copies that she has available at ea. meeting.
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Joy in the Journey
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A Puritan Prayer
I BLESS THEE for thou hast created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigor, for providing senses to enjoy delights, for the ease and freedom of limbs, for hands, eyes, ears that do thy biding; for royal bounty providing my daily support, for a full table and overflowing cup, for appetite, taste, sweetness, for social joys of relatives and friends, for ability to serve others, for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities, for a mind to care for my fellow-men, for opportunities of spreading happiness around, for loved ones in the joys of heaven, for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly. I Love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures. Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity." Taken from a PURITAN PRAYER, book VALLEY OF VISION
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This is my favorite Thanksgiving poem– I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. (R.S.)
GRATEFULNESS
by George Herbert (1593- 1633)
Thou that hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, a grateful heart.
See how thy beggar works on thee
By art.
He makes thy gifts occasion more,
And says, If he in this be crossed,
All thou hast given him heretofore
Is lost.
But thou didst reckon, when at first
Thy word our hearts and hands did crave,
What it would come to at the worst
To save.
Perpetual knockings at thy door,
Tears sullying thy transparent rooms,
Gift upon gift, much would have more,
And comes.
This not withstanding, thou wenst on,
And didst allow us all our noise:
Nay thou hast made a sigh and groan
Thy joys.
Not that thou hast not still above
Much better tunes, than groans can make;
But that these country-airs thy love
Did take.
Wherefore I cry, and cry again;
And in no quiet canst thou be,
Till I a thankful heart obtain
Of thee:
Not thankful, when it pleaseth me;
As if thy blessings had spare days:
But such a heart, whose pulse may be
Thy praise.
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