Psychologist Elizabeth Levang, author of Remembering with Love, explains the special ways that men grieve so those who love them can better understand what they're going through. This book is a very honest and straightforward portrayal of men and grief. It has helped many men and those who love them to a deeper understanding and to healing. This book also looks at grief and shows why women seldom understand men's grief and why, so often, men remain in grief for a much longer period, once they begin. Chapters New understandings -- ch. 1. When men and women grieve -- "Follow the wind: songs for stained souls" / Ralph O. Robinson -- ch. 2. Language of grief -- "My father" / Jon Masson -- ch. 3. Process of grieving: the thinking male -- "No longer here / Jim Amundsen -- Realities and challenges -- ch. 4. Denial -- "The last fishing trip" / Larry D. Johnson -- ch. 5. Anger -- "The wounded animal syndrome" / Robert W. Ross -- ch. 6. Control -- "A grief resolved" / J.B. Blair -- ch. 7. Bitterness -- "Fatherless" / John L. Jankord -- ch. 8. Addictive behaviors -- "The price of success" / Richard Friberg -- ch. 9. Despair -- "Caught in a golden parachute" / Jim Murrow -- pt. 3. Prospects for renewal -- ch. 10. Time of change and healing -- "Choosing happiness over sorrow" / Thomas Chalfant -- ch. 11. Transformation -- "The circle of grief" / Kent L. Koppelman.
Ed’s Story is a documentary about Pastor Ed Dobson’s recent life of suffering with ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2000, and given a short time to live, Ed Dobson wrestles with the issues that suffering brings, like worry, identity, forgiveness, gratitude, and healing. But in the midst of his disease, Ed finds hope. Not the kind of hope that ignores suffering, and not the kind of hope that minimizes or bypasses suffering, but the kind of hope that can only come from acknowledging and engaging honestly with suffering. Ed’s Story is a seven-part short film series that takes an intimate look at Ed’s journey with ALS, and inspires us all to become the kind of people who find hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The series includes IT AIN’T OVER
Become the kind of person who can find hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
In It Ain’t Over, the first film in the Ed’s Story series, Ed Dobson reminds us that life isn’t over yet and that we don’t have to feel overwhelmed by the struggles we’re facing today. Difficult news can sometimes make us feel like our lives are over. Ed shows us that we don’t know the future, and that things may turn out quite differently from what we expect.
CONSIDER THE BIRDS
Sometimes we worry too much about the future.
Ed stopped making plans more than two weeks out after his ALS diagnosis. Why? Tomorrow is not guaranteed—for any of us. When we worry about tomorrow, we often miss out on the beauty, richness, and fulfillment of today.
Could living for today be what’s best for us, and could it even free us from the worries of tomorrow?
BE THERE
When those close to us suffer, it’s only natural to want to help. But what do you say when someone’s life falls apart and suffering becomes their reality? How can you show you care?
The people who comforted Ed most were the ones who just showed up and didn’t say a word.
Perhaps just being present can bring more comfort, peace, and a sense of God’s presence than words ever could.
MY GARDEN
Many of us find our identity in what we do. But what happens when our career comes to an abrupt end? What happens when that job is no longer there? Are we still ourselves? Does our identity change?
A pastor for many years, Ed struggled to adjust to a life without the pulpit. He eventually discovered there is much more to who we are than what we do. Could it be that change is an opportunity for a renewed sense of purpose?
ASK FORGIVENESS
When Ed was told that his life would be over in a few short years, he found his priorities drastically rearranged. He wanted to mend relationships that may have been broken. He decided that relationships were way more important than who was right and who was wrong.
Ed discovered that forgiveness is an issue that requires humility. He also discovered a transforming experience for all involved. Could the power of forgiveness lead to a better world around us?
GRATEFUL
Many people start each day with a list of things to accomplish. But it’s possible to get caught up in this list; to anticipate how things will go and actually feel entitled to each of our days. As if they are owed to us.
It wasn’t until Ed was forced to slow down that he truly began to see all that he has been given.
HEALING
Tragedy reminds us what little control we have over life; we are always at the mercy of something other than ourselves. As Ed shares, perhaps acknowledging this lack of control is the key to really understanding the notion of healing.
Lutheran suicide prevention ministry was formed to:
Increase suicide prevention awareness within Lutheran churches/faith-based communities in order to reduce stigma and shame.
Educate congregations and church leaders on appropriate actions to take to prevent suicide and to recover from a suicide death.
Make suicide prevention and recovery important ongoing efforts of congregations with an emphasis on local faith-based communities, church leaders, support groups and educational and advocacy programs.
Give voice to those who have lost family members or loved ones to suicide, as well as those who have acted on suicidal ideation.
Build suicide prevention collaboration among Lutheran, full communion partners, and other faith-based communities.
Many people have questions and views regarding death and the afterlife.... Pastor Steven King (a Lutheran pastor and pubisher) has undertaken much research and prepared numerous bible studies relating to the Biblical view of the afterlife and the resurrection. He offers free of charge the handouts that accompany these studies. They include: Phases of the Afterlife (a 'step-by-step' description, based on the pattern of Christ) Four Views of the Afterlife - Chart (graphic models: four descriptions of human existence) General Resurrection - Scripture Insert (a collection of Scripture verse on the Resurrection) Turtle Example - Afterlife (comparing Biblical resurrection vs. transmigration of the soul) Church Fathers on the Afterlife (some quotations from early Christians) Luther on the Afterlife (showing how his teaching became more biblical over time) Resurrection Themes in the LBW (hymns from the Lutheran Book of Worship) Scripture on Eternal Life (from the Gosepl of John and other NT books) Popular Statements (a 'true/false'-style quiz on afterlife themes) Only God is Eternal (the difference between an immortal God and mortal human beings) The Body and Soul of a Computer (using the harware/software computer as a metphor for body/soul) Aspects of the Self (on the Biblical words for: Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength) Word 'Soul' in the Bible (how the word is actually used in Scripture) Formula of Concord on the Afterlife (selected Lutheran confessional statements) On Near Death Experiences (some Scriptural points to consider) Our Departed Loved Ones (some Bible quotes on the state of the dead) How a Lightbulb Works (compares concept of an "eternal soul" with Biblical creation/resurrection) Earthly and Heavenly Realms (a graph on Heaven, Earth, Hades, Sheol, Paradise, Tartarus, etc.) Up vs Down in the Afterlife (Biblically, heaven is always up, the place of the dead is always down) Where did Jesus go when he died? (a collection of Biblical quotations) Descended to the Dead (a commentary on the creedal statement: Jesus 'descended into hell...") Scripture Quotes on Sheol (OT quotations on the Hebrew "place of the dead") Paradise and Tartarus (on the good and bad parts of Hades) Descriptions of Hell (a collection of NT quotes on fiery Gehenna and 'the Outer Darkness') Theology Cross vs Glory (on the distinction between faithful discipleship and 'reward' theology) To obtain these handouts free of charge visit SolaPublishing
Should you wish to discuss the issue of suicide please contact a pastor, your doctor or a Christian counselor. Feel free to email me with appropriate resources richardschwedes@gmail.com
That we all die is pretty much agreed upon, it's what takes place two seconds later that makes us wonder. Explore this lively and completely relevant topic in Death ... Then What?
Softening death with euphemisms or denying its approach with cosmetic surgery doesn't change the fact it's there -- waiting for us all. Eating healthy, avoiding vices and exercising regularly are all touted as ways to get more mileage from our bodies. And while these practices may increase physical performance, they will not put the skids on our demise. Looking beyond our mortal lives here, man has formulated complex religions, philosophies and ideologies to attempt a glimpse behind the final curtain, dropping on each of us, when we close our eyes in this world for the last time.
Innovative as these systems of thought may be, they offer no solace against the perfect judgment of an omniscient and righteous God. That relief is available only through Jesus' redemptive work on the cross. In Him all the speculations of religious thought and baffling intricacies of philosophical inquiry come crumbling down. As God's creatures -- as sinners -- the end of our days is entirely in His hands. In this fact neither our clever wordplay nor our comedic explanations will do us any good, but only faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
To view an introductory clip or the entire dvd bible study along with study notes visit here
At lutheranfunerals.blogspot.com you will find some resources that will help you when you grieve, and also help you help others as they grieve in a way that connects them to God.
Mike Newman is a pastor with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Currently his calling is with the Texas District, in the area of ministry and mission for what they call area C.
He has written a number of books, some of which he offers free as a download.
On this site you will find the following resources. Satan's Lies: overcoming the Devil's attempts to stunt your spiritual growth Steps Forward: this weaves the ups and downs of life into stories of an ordinary family. Each chapter guides the reader to a healthy dependence on God’s strength and faithfulness.
The following are available for free download. Harrison Town: Stories of a family that help refresh your heart and soul with God's grace. God in the dance: making sense of baptism and Holy Communion in the Lutheran Church. Jesus and the afterlife: Biblical answers to what happens when we die and what will heaven be like. Who believes what: Information about various Christian denominations and other religions A case for Christianity: Discover facts about the Bible’s accuracy and formation; dig into the history of Christianity; find out who Jesus really is.
Recently our parish has commenced a time of discipleship equipping in worship.
We started off with being a disciples through our death.
With the reminder that death is not the end, but the stepping stone to the future with God.
We encouraged people to think about how their funeral service can be used to glorify God, and connect the God we know to some of the people we know.
We encouraged people to think about what message that you want people to know about their loving God, and what bible verses and hymns maybe helpful in supporting.
We also distributed a brochure...encouraging people to think about their funeral, life and God's involvement in both.
We asked people to pray about it, talk it over with their family or close friends and provide the church, their solicitor and family members with a completed copy.
If you would like a copy of the brochure in publisher file feel free to email me richardschwedes@gmail.com
