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I could have turned up the music or made some calls, but I let my heart get still and quiet. Fortunately I was not alone.

46: The Divine Comforter

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     This summer, I was driving along the Interstate, headed to a family camp. After we had spent some of June and most of July at my Mom’s bedside, and then conducted two memorial services, this was one of the first times I had some significant time alone with God to process her passing and my own grief. 

     I was not looking forward to grieving. I could have turned up the music or made some calls, but I let my heart get still and quiet. Fortunately I was not alone. As I got quiet I was cognizant of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and His name came to mind as I sensed His presence. Jesus called Him the Comforter. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, John 14:16.

     Some tears were shed that day in the car. It was a sacred time as I allowed myself time to experience sadness and the loss of my Mother. And I was seeing a new aspect of the third person of the Trinity. He was, and is, a helper or a comforter. He met me that day in the car and comforted and consoled me as only He could. 

I have often thought about the Father and the Son in times of grief and pain because I was more aware of verses like these: 

     2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, 

     Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

But this summer I learned to know more about the nature and nearness of the paraclete who comes along side of us and ministers as only He can.

 

Some Input and Some New Output

Some Input

     This fall I am revising and updating the book, The Christian Home and Family Worship. This past year I asked people who had read the book, what parts encouraged them the most. Many said reading about how other families had family worship in their homes was a big help. 

     For those of you who are having family worship, would you mind sending me an email with a glimpse into your home? Here are some questions that may help to get you thinking and prime the pump.

1. When do you meet? (morning, evening, after dinner, during breakfast, etc.)

2. Where do you meet? (living room, dining room, children’s bed room, kitchen, etc.)

3. What does a typical family get together look like? (After praying, we take turns reading the Bible, Dad reads the Bible, Mom reads the Bible, then we talk about it, sing a hymn, we act out what we read, we draw pictures of a key verse, etc.).

4. How often do you meet?

5. What is your children’s favorite part?

6. What would you say to someone who is just starting out?

7. Any other advice?

If you have any other advice for how I might improve the book I would be glad for your input.

 

Some New Output

Podcast #5 has just posted, check it out by clicking here! The topic is how much our Heavenly Father Likes Us!