Gentle Shepherd Ministries

Faith plays a roll in any kind of grief, but

not the way that some people think. Some

people seem to have the idea that, people

with a strong faith do not grieve, and are

above grieving. Some people imply that

believing faith in God advocates stoicism.

They may even quote the two words in

the scripture "grieve not." They forget to

quote the rest of the scripture, in which

these two words are found.(1^st.Thess.4:13)

''Grieve not as those that have no hope"

And then I would say, for Goodness sake

grieve when you have something to

grieve about! Some of what I personally

have experienced is

I have resisted returning to activities

that Bob and I used to do together, and

still have problems with that. But I am

beginning to have hope, struggling to

affirm the reality that he is really gone.

I am a strong believer in Jesus Christ.

I know him in a close personal way,

But I do grieve. "Yes I Believe and

I Grieve."

"Good Grief" by Granger E. Westberg

is a book that I recommend, It can be

found in your Christian book stores. It

will help you to hang in there and just

be yourself, grieve "your way" It is the

Jesus wasn't vague or indefinite about the

reality of a personal existence after death.

Few would accuse Jesus of being an evil

man or a false teacher. Even atheists and

people belonging to non-Christians religions

usually refer to Jesus with deference and

respect. Jesus wasn't vague or indefinite

about the reality of a continuing personal

existence after death. He said, "Do not

fear those who kill the body, but cannot

kill the soul." But rather fear Him who is

able to destory both the soul and body

in hell." In (Matthew 10:28) Jesus promised

paradise to the repentant thief who was

dying at His side, but He also used the

Valley of Hinnom--a foul garbage dump

outside of Jersusalem-- as a symbol of

what awaits those who insist on risking

the judgment of God. According to Jesus,

facing the reality of life after death is the

most significant issue of life. He said, for

example, that if an eye keeps you from

God, you have reason to get rid of that eye.

" It is better for you to enter the kingdom

of God with one eye than to have two

eyes and be thrown into hell" (Mark 9:47

(NIV).

For us, death of a mate is so hard to bear

It is so hard to face everyday knowing

that on this earth, there is never going

to be another today with Him/Her.

The ache in our hearts is an ache that

Is a pain with such depth that it is

Indescribable. For a long time I just

wanted to crawl off by myself, curl

up in a ball and nurse my pain. I did

not want anyone to touch me. I did not

want to see the light of day. I did

not want to deal with the raw facts.

The fact that, this is it. He's passed

from this life, and I am left here to learn

to live with only memories of our life together

here on this earth, until I can go to my

heavenly home. But for our loved ones.

It is different. The Words below say it

best for them.

This isn't death...it's glory!

It isn't dark...It's light

It's isn't stumbling ,groping,

or even faith...it's sight!

This isn't grief...it's having

My last tear wiped away;

It's sunrise...it's the morning

Of my eternal day.

This isn't even praying...

It's speaking face to face;

Listening and Glimpsing

The wonder of his grace.

This is the end of pleading

For strength to bear my pains;

Not even pains dark memory

will even live again.

How did I bear the earth life

Before I knew the rapture of

meeting face to face

The one who sought me, saved me,

And Kept me by His grace.

Father, In Jesus name I lift all widows and

Widowers boldly before the throne of

Grace. I ask the power of the Holy Spirit

to overcome the depression and the

loneness that We as widows and

widowers are experiencing. Lord you

understand, and we are your-children.

When other people leaves us and we

feel unloved, I am thankful that you

will never leave us nor forsake us.

Jesus, you gave your life for us, and

You call us your friend. Jesus I am

thankful that you live in our hearts,

and that we are on our way to Heaven.

Thank you Lord, for that is so much to

be thankful for. Lord Jesus, when we

are lonely and depressed and discouraged,

as we all are at times experiencing. Help

us to shift our thinking upon things that

are pure, Holy and good, even when

we realize that we are apart from our

husbands and wives for awhile. Heavenly

Father, I ask you to strengthen us while

these present feelings have overwhelmed

us. I thank you that you have assigned angels

who will accompany us and defend us and

preserve us in all of our ways. Thank you

Lord that in fact we are not alone. For

your word states that " There is nothing that

can separate us from the Love Of Christ not

pain, nor sorrow, nor stress, nor depression-

nor loneliness. For we all shall come to the

top, through any circumstance or trial though

Jesus Love. Lord Jesus I thank you, that you

are concerned with every circumstance,

and even the smallest detail that concerns

all of us, and you are our help! I ask you for

friends for each one of us, that will admonish,

and encourage us, and one another.

Teach all of us, who are grieving and in

these circumstances how to trust others

and be a friend who sticks closer than a

brother. Help us all walk in your love and

show ourselves friendly. O Lord Help each

of us to remember that you are our anchor

in the mist of the Storms of life. For it is in

Jesus name I pray, Amen

This is in dedication to my Husband.

Bob Power

10-26-1937 - 4-12-1999

Karen Power