Charity Island

The weekend has come to an end and we are starting a New Week with these words of wisdom Read: Psalm 107:23-32 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 46-4; Hebrews 6 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. —Nahum 1:7 Charity Island is the largest island in Saginaw Bay in the Michigan waters of Lake Huron. For many years the island has provided a lighthouse for navigational aid and a safe harbor for those sailing these waters. The island received its name because sailors believed it was there “through the charity of God.” Sometimes in life we have to navigate through seas of troubling circumstances. Like those sailors we need guidance and a place of safety; we might wish for our own Charity Island. The psalmist understood that God is the one who can bring tranquility to troubled waters and guide us to safe harbors. He wrote, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven” (Ps. 107:29-30). While no one asks for the storms of life, they can multiply our appreciation for the guidance and refuge God provides. He offers the light of His Spirit and His Word to guide us. It is the safe harbor of His love that we long for. He alone can be our ultimate “Charity Island.” —Dennis Fisher Father, help me to seek Your light to guide me through the storms of life. Share your story of how the Lord has been your light in the comments section below. The living God will always be our shelter. INSIGHT: Today’s psalm reminds us that God can indeed guide us to safe havens in the midst of life’s storms and trials. However, this psalm also reminds us that the same God who calms the storm and points the way to our “desired haven” (v. 30) is the God who sometimes stirs up the oceans in our lives. It is God who “stirred up a tempest” (v. 25) that caused the sailors to melt with fear and reel and stagger (vv. 26,27). Then “they cried out to the Lord . . . and he brought them out of their distress” (v. 28). The God who stirs the seas wants us to turn to Him for help. J.R. Hudberg

He Trains My Hands

The end of the week is here we have wrapped up a long week so hear are some words of encouragement to help us ALL reflect on Read: Exodus 4:10-17 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 37-39; Hebrews 3 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. —Psalm 144:1 When former NBA player David Wood was playing for Taugrés de Baskonia, I was with him at a Spanish Basketball Cup final. Before one game, he read Psalm 144:1: “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” He turned to me and said, “You see? It’s as if God has written this verse just for me! He trains my hands to catch rebounds and my fingers to shoot!” David felt called to play basketball and had learned that God takes us as we are and enables us to do what He calls us to do. We can easily dismiss ourselves as having little use to God because we feel we have nothing to offer. When God appeared to Moses and assigned him the task of telling the Israelites that He would deliver them from the Egyptians (Ex. 3:16-17), Moses felt inadequate. He said to the Lord, “I have never been eloquent . . . . I am slow of speech and tongue” (4:10). Perhaps Moses had some kind of speech impediment, or he was just afraid, but God overcame his inadequacy with His sufficiency. God said, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (v. 12). All God wants from us is to follow His plans. He will sort out the rest. In His mighty hands, you can be a blessing to others. —Jaime Fernández Garrido Here I am, Lord, ready to serve You in whatever way You desire. Lead me. Dr. Jaime Fernández Garrido is director of the evangelical radio and television program Born Again God’s call to a task includes His strength to complete it. INSIGHT: When God called Moses to deliver the Jews from Egyptian bondage, Moses protested and offered various reasons why he was not the right candidate for the job (Ex. 3). He questioned his own identity (v. 11), his lack of authority (v. 13), and his credibility and acceptability (4:1). God responded by assuring Moses of His power and presence (4:1-9). Moses then continued his protest, saying he lacked eloquence and was “slow of speech and tongue" (v. 10). But God assured Moses He would enable him to speak powerfully and effectively (v. 12). Running out of excuses, Moses asked God to “send someone else” (v. 13). He was angry with Moses for his lack of trust and being unwilling to take up the assignment (v. 14). God told Moses that He would enable him to do what He called him to do. Sim Kay Tee

Words of the Wise

We have approached and entered into the 11th month of the New Year with only 60 more days until 2016 BOY TIME IS MOVING! so has we take a moment to reflect on this new month which is November let's have a sense of Gratitude for ALL that GOD has done for us with these words of wisdom Read: Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 27-29; Titus 3 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard. nkjv —Ecclesiastes 9:17 My niece’s husband recently wrote these words on a social media site: “I would say a lot more online if it weren’t for this little voice that prompts me not to. As a follower of Jesus, you might think that little voice is the Holy Spirit. It isn’t. It’s my wife, Heidi.” With the smile comes a sobering thought. The cautions of a discerning friend can reflect the wisdom of God. Ecclesiastes 9 says that the “words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard” (v. 17 nkjv). Scripture warns us not to be wise in our own eyes or proud (Prov. 3:7; Isa. 5:21; Rom. 12:16). In other words, let’s not assume that we have all the answers! Proverbs 19:20 says, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Whether it is a friend, a spouse, a pastor, or a co-worker, God can use others to teach us more of His wisdom. “Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning,” declares the book of Proverbs (14:33). Part of recognizing the Spirit’s wisdom is discovering how to listen and learn from each other. —Cindy Hess Kasper Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word that teaches me how to love You and others. Thank You also for the people You place in my life to remind me of Your truth. True wisdom begins and ends with God. INSIGHT: The author of the book of Ecclesiastes is unknown. Many believe it to be Solomon, the legendary wise son of King David. However, we are only told that the author is “the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Eccl. 1:1). This description would fit King Solomon. J.R. Hudberg

The Storms of Life

So here we are wrapping up the month of October BOY it went by so FAST! we are at the end of the week already YES! It's FRIDAY! as we prepare for the weekend let's reflect on this month and this week as we ALL prepare our self's to enter into a whole New month, but before we do let's be reminded of this Read: Mark 4:35-5:1 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 20-21; 2 Timothy 4 You may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith . . . may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. —1 Peter 1:6-7 In the book of Mark we read about a terrible storm. The disciples were with Jesus on a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. When a “furious squall came up,” the disciples—among them some seasoned fishermen—were afraid for their lives (4:37-38). Did God not care? Weren’t they handpicked by Jesus and closest to Him? Weren’t they obeying Jesus who told them to “go over to the other side”? (v. 35). Why, then, were they going through such a turbulent time? No one is exempt from the storms of life. But just as the disciples who initially feared the storm later came to revere Christ more, so the storms we face can bring us to a deeper knowledge of God. “Who is this,” the disciples pondered, “even the wind and the waves obey him!” (v. 41). Through our trials we can learn that no storm is big enough to prevent God from accomplishing His will (5:1). While we may not understand why God allows trials to enter our lives, we thank Him that through them we can come to know who He is. We live to serve Him because He has preserved our lives. —Albert Lee Lord, I know I don’t need to fear the storms of life around me. Help me to be calm because I stand secure in You. The storms of life prove the strength of our anchor. INSIGHT: In Mark 4:35-5:43 the gospel writer tells of four miracles to prove that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of God” and therefore has absolute authority over the forces of this physical world (4:35-41), over the powers of the spiritual world (5:1-20), over physical illnesses (5:24-34), and over death (5:35-43). These miracles were designed to answer the question, “Who is this?” (4:41). The first miracle was Jesus calming the storm on Galilee. Because the Sea of Galilee is in a basin about 700 feet below sea level and is surrounded by mountains, sudden and violent storms are common (v. 37). That Jesus was tired and soundly asleep showed that He was fully human (v. 38); that the storm instantly obeyed Him showed He was divine (v. 39). Sim Kay Tee

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As we are fast approaching the end of October I just want to Celebrate and Honor those that have been affected by Breast Cancer 1 in 8 Women will be diagnose with Breast Cancer in their Lifetime so let's take a moment to Celebrate ALL the Men & Women this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thank you for rallying last month!

Here is our CCFA October 2015 Newsletter on ALL things Crohn's related. A Letter from the President & CEO As you know, advocacy is an important part of our mission – so I can't thank you enough for taking action last month. As a result of the September Action Alert, more than 844 letters were sent to legislators asking them to express support for medical research on IBD. Your advocacy came at a critical time for legislators to intervene in fiscal year 2016 spending negotiations. Thank you for standing up for the IBD community! What's next? Ask your House Representative to join the Congressional Crohn's and Colitis Caucus and support IBD policy priorities. If your Representative is already a member, thank them for their crucial support. You can also reach out to your local CCFA chapter to work with other advocates and even organize visits to local legislators. Remember: there is strength in numbers – make your voice heard! Richard J. Geswell, CCFA President and CEO Thank you again, Michael Osso Michael Osso President & CEO Change Your Life and the Lives of Others “It was so much more than I ever imagined it could be. It wasn't a training group, it was a support group.” – Missy, Team Challenge 2015 Alumni Are you looking for a support system? A way to fight back? Want to help someone you love affected by IBD? Then Team Challenge is a great place to start. Click here to learn how Mary and her daughter Jessica are conquering Crohn's through Team Challenge, and join us as we take on the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10k or the magical Walt Disney World Half Marathon. Hurry – teams are forming now! Learn more ► Spin4™ Crohn's and Colitis Cures During Awareness Week Take action by joining CCFA's newest event during Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week. Spin4 crohn's and colitis cures™ is an exciting high-energy indoor cycling event taking place on December 5th. Join us at studios in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Maryland/DC, New York, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle, or “Ride Where You Live” and create your own event with friends and family. Visit www.spin4.org to get started. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook. Act now ► Help fund critical IBD research Your generosity helps us advocate for IBD research in Washington, fund groundbreaking studies, and provide compassionate support to patients nationwide. Donate now Calling All College Leaders If you'd still like to apply to the National Council of College Leaders, you're in luck! The deadline has been extended to October 28th. This is a great opportunity for students to take a leadership role in building awareness about IBD while also building their resume. Current Freshmen and Sophomores are welcome to apply. Download the application from CCFA's Campus Connection website today. Need Better Health Insurance? Getting access to affordable healthcare can be challenging for those who need it most. However, recent reform is helping people find quality coverage all in one place. In The Health Insurance Marketplace, you can see all your options, compare plans, and submit an application. Learn more or contact our IBD Help Center at info@ccfa.org. Upcoming Webcast: Understanding IBD Treatment Options Understanding your disease and its treatments is an important way to participate as a member of your healthcare team. Join us on October 29 for a discussion of current treatment options, special considerations and risks, and monitoring your treatment and communicating with your healthcare team. Sign up today! ► Search our resources Find your chapter IBD Clinical Trials and Other Studies CCFA provides a comprehensive database of studies, clinical trials and other research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Some of the recently added studies include: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of investigational product for the induction of symptomatic and endoscopic remission in subjects with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have inadequately responded to or are intolerant to anti-TNF therapy by AbbVie Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Sex Differences in Statural Growth in pediatric Crohn's Disease, sponsored by Weill Cornell Medical College Deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial is an important personal decision, best made with a full understanding of the drug development process and a participant's role. Take Steps Team Challenge CCFA Facebook CCFA Twitter CCFA YouTube CCFA Pinterest Forward Donate to CCFA Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America 7​33 Th​ird Av​en​ue, Sui​te 51​0, Ne​w Y​ork,​ N​Y 10​01​7 www.ccfa.org | 8​00-​93​2-​2​423 Talk with an I​BD Info​rmation Specialist at 88​8.M​y.Gu​t.P​ain | 8​88-​69​4-8​87​2

Hidden in My Heart

So here we are once again getting ready to start a New Week and wrapping up a whole month with these words of wisdom Read: Psalm 119:9-16 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 9-11; 1 Timothy 6 I have hidden your word in my heart. —Psalm 119:11 I’m getting used to reading digital magazines, and I feel good that I’m saving trees. Plus, I don’t have to wait for the magazines to come in the mail. I do, however, miss the print editions because I like to run my fingers through the glossy pages and cut out my favorite recipes. I also have a digital edition of the Bible on my reading device. But I still have my favorite printed Bible—the one I have underlined and read many times. We don’t know the future of the printed page, but one thing we do know: The best place for God’s Word is not on our cell phones, electronic reading devices, or bedside table. In Psalm 119 we read about treasuring the Scriptures in our hearts: “I have hidden your word in my heart” (v. 11). Nothing compares to pondering God’s Word, learning more of Him, and putting it into practice in our daily lives. The best place for His Word lies deep in our souls. We may have many excuses for not reading, meditating, or memorizing, but we need God’s Word. I pray that God will help us store His Word in the best place possible—our hearts. —Keila Ochoa Lord, give me the desire to read Your Word. Then implant it in my heart and thoughts and help me live it out. The best place for God’s Word is our hearts. INSIGHT: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, celebrating God’s law and its importance. Today’s passage is one of the most well known in Scripture. Verse 11 is often quoted and memorized and spells out the outcome of knowing the Bible: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Having knowledge about God is not enough. Knowing and meditating on God’s law is what leads to changed behavior. J.R. Hudberg