We are living in unusual times but the opportunities to minister to hurting people never ceases. 

Recently I stood by a father at the hospital while his son was taken off life support.  A few days later a golfing friend’s wife of 72 years died unexpectedly.  When these moments come, we wonder what to say or do. 

 

I am reading again a book I highly recommend, Did I Say The Right Thing by Mitch Schultz.  My goal and hope is to encourage the church to see the care of those who grieve and mourn of the highest priority.  If you find yourself alongside someone suffering from loss, perhaps God is asking you to play a strategic role in bringing that person back to restored usefulness.  In the beginning your role will be to comfort and encourage but it won't stop there.  

 

When the doors of opportunity open again, I hope to give to each pastor the following books: 

 

            Did I Say The Right Thing by Mitch A Schultz – RegularBaptistPress.org

            Suicide of a Child by Adina Wrobleski – Centering.org

            Someone I Love Died by Christine Harder Tangvald –  DavidCCook.org   [This book is to be read

            with small children.]

            “Miscarriage” BWC (Because We Care Resources) – Centering.org

            Series of notes from Comforting The Bereaved by Warren and David Wiersbe. 

 

You may want to purchase these books for your pastor.  They would be books which could greatly enhance his ministry.

 

Along with those books for the pastors, I hope to give enough of the following to get churches or small groups started in this ministry. 

 

From the Discovery Series – discoveryseries.org/catalog

            “Life After Loss—Grieving with Hope”

            “When Tears Remain—Loving God through the Loss of a Child”

            “When You're Left Behind—Surviving the Aftermath of Suicide”

Stephen Ministries Books – 4  timely books uniquely timed to finding hope and healing as they journey through grief. 

 

A great resource to check out is Centering Books and Grief Resources – Centering.org

phone #1-866-218-0101.

 

I ask you to join me in prayer for open doors to share and provide the books for churches to get started in this ministry.  Pray God will give us leaders like the children of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32).

 

If you have any prayer requests or something you would like me to pass on to others, let me know.

 

Remember, "Where God Guides, God Provides" (Isaiah 58:11).

 

In Christ,

Pastor Vail​

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Isaiah 58:11  The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; 

You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.​

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