Please click this link: How should Christians respond to grief?
(Summary below) SEE the full article by clicking the link above.
How do you respond to someone who has lost:
- a parent?
- a child?
- a spouse?
- a friend?
How have others responded to you when you were grieving?
What responses were helpful or hurtful?
Please post your comments below. I will be following the comments on a regular basis for this week and will have a follow up post next week responding to your comments and questions.
Christian Non-Fiction Review
An Introduction by Roger Harned
As I write this on September 21, 2013, my daughter is celebrating her 21st birthday with friends. If you do the math from the cover photo you will see that Daniel Paul Wisler was born just 28 days before my daughter Rachel, who will be hosting our discussion on grief.
In 1997, the year that Daniel died, Rachel’s mother, my wife Becky, also discovered cancer spreading aggressively through her body. We prayed fervently for the Lord’s intervention, as did many of our faithful friends; but like Daniel, Becky also died 2-10-99.
Please take a moment to read this review from Alice Wisler’s website. Join in our discussion on grief. And consider ordering her book:
GETTING Out Of Bed IN THE MORNING – by Alice J. Wisler
A book by a grieving mom for others going through sorrow associated with loss, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache, is a tribute to my four-year-old son Daniel. Filled with prayers, scripture and thoughts on walking through this rocky path called Life, this is a companion for others who want to know that they are not alone.
Written in devotional format, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning is a companion for those going through sorrow associated with loss—whether brought to the journey through the death of a loved one, failing health, job loss, broken relationships, or weakened family ties.
Getting Out of Bed in the Morning is ideal for:
Alice J. Wisler has contributed an important resource for grieving families by authoring Getting Out Of Bed In The Morning from her own experience of faith in Christ and eternal life.
Again, please SHARE your heart, scriptures and grieving experiences with all of us as your Christian Social Witness.
We appreciate your COMMENTS on this or any post.
Roger Harned
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…” echoed the near-silent words of the graveside.
I thought of the stark contrast of the graveside scene to the love and glory of the depiction of Heaven in the little girl’s picture. I smiled with joy.
“Amen,” the words of the graveside service confirmed in my heart.
They now seemed to be speaking to my soul, rather than to the clutter of noise in my ears and my thoughts.
Everyone left the graveside. I watched as the casket was lowered… and then I left.
+++
It had always seems too difficult to glorify God on earth. We really do love our sin and hate God.
Yet that day and one picture had changed everything.
Jesus was now real. Jesus was now: God in the flesh — flesh and blood, broken and shed for me. His love even for a sinner like me.
I thought of the picture of Jesus carrying a lamb.
I thought again of the weightier significance of a childhood song:
Jesus loves me
This I know
For the Bible
Tells me so.
I am weak
But He is strong
It’s for His love
That I now long.
I think the kid’s verse is different, but this is what I was thinking. It’s what I was singing in my heart. And I had His joy – like a lamb warmly held in His arms. I was safe from the world now.
Jesus loves me, this I know… and I had a little girl to thank… a little girl with a picture of heaven.
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Conclusion to follow tomorrow; but in case you missed any chapters or want to SHARE: