Shootings and death have been in our national news in recent days, most notably in Tucson. Some of the reactions to these events have been...well, strange. It was a little hard to tell whether the televised gathering for victims was a prayer service or a political pep rally. I pray that the families affected found some comfort -- if not at the televised event, in their personal services. But, of course, as those who've had to walk through grief know, a funeral is just the beginning...
In our society, and even in the church, we often treat death like some "social indiscretion." When it occurs, we uncomfortably look the other way till the moment passes...or we say something inept that actually makes it worse for the person who has been plunged into grief.
God, however, does not look the other way from our sorrow. Christ came as a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3), and He did so that "He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). That's what He did on the cross and in His resurrection.
Those of us who have had to walk this road can -- humbly and graciously, but surely -- help others better understand how to minister to people in grief. This is one of our reasons for writing the book, FINDING HOPE IN TIMES OF GRIEF, and for being so personally vulnerable in it. As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Let's pray for an awakening, especially in the church, of enlightened compassion toward those who grieve. God will be glorified through it!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
FINDING HOPE IN TIMES OF GRIEF
2011 has begun! I hope it's off to a great start for you.
For us, on March 1 Harvest House Publishers will be releasing our new book FINDING HOPE IN TIMES OF GRIEF, which Glenda and I were asked to co-author after our 25 year-old son died the day after we buried my father.
While we would have never wanted to be in a position to write such a book, we view this opportunity as being from God, for the purpose of helping others walking through the difficult, deep waters of grief. We thank God for the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ, and pray that many others will come to know Him for themselves through this book.
FINDING HOPE is currently available for pre-release order through various booksellers, including Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Times-Grief-Preston-Parrish/dp/0736930752/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1).
We are grateful that Gary Chapman (author of The Five Love Languages), Evelyn Husband Thompson (widow of Space Shuttle Commander Rick Husband), the organization GriefShare, singer/songwriter Matthew West, Lysa TerKeurst (Proverbs 31 Ministries), and my friend Franklin Graham have been kind enough to give endorsements.
To read an excerpt of the book, go to this url:
http://harvesthousepublishers.com/books_nonfictionbook.cfm?productID=6930758
Also, in connection with the book, we have launched a new Facebook page titled "Finding Hope in Times of Grief." The purpose of this page is to give people who are walking through grief a place (virtual) to share their questions, struggles, and insights, so that they can receive encouragement in experiencing the hope that Jesus Christ offers. If you want to check it out, the link to this page on Facebook is: http://www.facebook.com/FindingHope.
All of this to say - we would surely appreciate your prayers for the ministry of this book and site, and also your help in telling others about it. Grief comes to us all at some time or another. When it does, the "solid rock" foundation of hope in Jesus Christ is what we all need!
Our God is strong, and mighty to save. May He richly bless you during this New Year!
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