Preface: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18 Four years later, I am still rummaging through Heidi’s personal effects. Trinkets, cards and notes she wrote and received, gifts and other items that hold no substantive … Continue reading Death of a Spouse, Part V: Rising Hope in a Risen Savior
Death of a Spouse, Part 4
Preface: This segment is dedicated to the friends of widows and widowers. If you are the friend of someone who recently lost their spouse, the aim of this article is to assist you in supporting your friend who is now a widow or widower. Beginning with the Word of God 13 But I do not … Continue reading Death of a Spouse, Part 4
Remember Your Everlasting Mercy and Love
“Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,for they have been from of old.”Psalm 25:6 ESV I remember the very first time I began to refer to Heidi in the past tense. It was literally minutes after the surgeon broke the news of her passing away. I also remember how shortly after her death … Continue reading Remember Your Everlasting Mercy and Love
How to Deal with Grief at Christmas
The course of grief invariably leads us through seasons, like Christmas and it invariably crosses thresholds of painful memories. But the realization that grief is like a watercourse directed by God which we need not fully grasp or understand will help us move toward accepting the grief when it comes.
Two are better than one
The ebb and flow of loving your spouse becomes tailored made and then reinforced more and more beautifully as time draws on.
How to remember those we love when we grieve
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.Proverbs 10:7 (ESV) Some memories of those in our past are best left not to be remembered. In fact, according to this proverb, it is expected. The name of the wicked will rot. This is not proverbial. This is literal but … Continue reading How to remember those we love when we grieve
This is Not My Home
I need an acquaintance and familiarity with the gospel that quenches the deepest thirst in my soul so as to give up looking for satisfaction on and in things on this side of heaven. I need Christ's comfort. I need stability and direction. I need to remember, albeit however painful, that this is not my home; rather, that Heaven awaits - my true home that will indeed last forever.
Consider the Wildflowers
The further we consider the wildflowers, the more the doors open up in our heart to seeing the gospel. Jesus wants you to consider wildflowers because he wants you to be captivated by his love and provision for you.
A Comfort Received
Introduction: March 28th is the first anniversary of my late wife going to glory. Her name was Heidi. And that is how best to put it that she is in glory. She is not dead but with the Lord. Though we wait for the resurrection of the body (1 Cor 15:42), we know in the … Continue reading A Comfort Received
In the Wake of Grief
God is not above bringing suffering in our lives in order to further unite the body of Christ. If you are suffering, if you are grieving, if you are lost and alone, may I encourage you to consider taking hope that comfort is available in Christ's body; that is, the church of God. Bring yourself closer to Christ's body, and so when you suffer, you can see and experience and learn that suffering is a community activity that brings you closer to Christ himself.
The Death of a Spouse
I wanted to write a piece because I think it’s time to begin sharing this journey. Though I want to write about the death of a spouse as I continue to grieve, I know others reading this will or are facing their own grief, so I am writing as a way to preach the gospel to myself (and to others).
3 months
Today marks three months since Heidi's passing. I wanted to share brief note to give you a sense of where is my heart today. My heart still grieves but it does not grieve as one without hope. And though it grieves, I know the Lord has been comforting me. Each day, there is some news … Continue reading 3 months
A Month Ago…
Today marks one month of Heidi’s death. It’s still sinking in. It’s been a long month. Painful. Disorienting and lonely.
Let Nothing Move You
Like many others, I was taken aback hearing the tragic news of the NBA basketball legend, Kobe Bryant's sudden death, along with several others, including his 13 year old daughter this past Sunday. It was another sad moment when someone we love, respect and admire are suddenly gone. The pain is felt everywhere. I was … Continue reading Let Nothing Move You