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autobiographies
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You are reading: Christian books for widows
finding the norm by jana berndt
jana sipe berndt is the blessed mother of three grown children, the canine mother of a lovable and mischievous golden retriever, friend to anyone who can keep up with her brisk walks, and a talented musician who usually sits at the piano. Her life was very normal…. her until she one day she wasn’t. Widowed at fifty-two, she faced a future she never asked for, didn’t want, and certainly didn’t foresee. Jana’s honest and faith-filled narrative will encourage, comfort, and inspire you to build resilience in her personal quest for a more joy-filled life. finding a rule will leave you hoping that a new “norm” is possible and worth finding!
wife, widow, now what? by rachel engstrom
when rachel was 28, her husband was diagnosed with leukemia. what they thought was the flu after working too many hours turned out to be the disease that changed their lives and would forever change everything they knew. ella rachel became a cancer wife, manager, cheerleader, and life-savvy juggler as she supported her husband through her illness, until he died two days after her 31st birthday. she had to restart her life and learn to start over as a widow, without a map or a guide to guide her. Rachel’s humor, fearlessness, and faith helped her get through the world of cancer and survive the calamity of mistakes that continued after her death. she fought tooth and nail to survive and is grateful for everything that brought her to this day, despite how difficult it was for her to get there. she wishes she had this advice and a reference story when she was in the jungle of her life with cancer and widowhood. her her hope is to bring you some laughter, comfort, solace and guidance on her own journey, whether it’s through the world of cancer or any other life challenge. wife, widow, now what? chronicles rachel’s journey using her narrative along with original posts from facebook, caringbridge and instagram, while providing resources on navigating cancer diagnosis, treatment, insurance, disability, finances, health care directives, patient and caregiver emotions, self-care and support, and much more.
a tempered faith: rediscovering hope in the ashes of loss by jennifer sands
Jennifer Sands’ gripping first-hand account of a young widow’s questions, doubts and desperate search for answers after her husband’s murder. is the emotionally raw diary of a battle to find footholds of faith in the midst of spiritual pain and darkness. above all, it is a joyous confirmation that what the bible says is true.
Believe: A Young Widow’s Journey Through Brokenness and Back by Jennifer Silvera
after jennifer’s husband, a police officer, was killed in an on-duty accident, grief changed her life. believe follows her story of her long journey out of darkness and her struggle to believe in something after losing everything. As she recounts her journey back to the light, Jennifer offers empathy and encouragement to those who have experienced loss, including those widowed too young. In Jennifer’s story, readers can find reason to believe.
the god of all comfort: finding your way into his arms by dee brestin
After losing her husband of fifty-nine years to cancer, Dee Brestin wondered if her life was over, too. she longed for the consolation of god, but she felt completely alone. she then discovered a secret that suffering souls have learned through the centuries: she began to use classical psalms and hymns to speak the truth to her restless soul. The truths conveyed by these timeless songs, many of which Ella Brestin includes in this book, can soothe her most restless spirit. They invite the wounded heart to be silent before God, to rest like a child in the arms of a loving father. each of us must travel down paths of grief, betrayal, and broken dreams. The God of All Comfort will help readers find their way into the arms of God. With compassion and spiritual wisdom, Brestin draws on the difficult beauty of her own story, as well as her skills as a Bible teacher, to offer companionship, comfort, and hope.
the funny thing about the duel for katie stifter
grief isn’t funny, is it? what happens when life is so heartbreakingly tragic, so heartbreakingly unbearable, that to ease the overwhelming pain you feel, even if only for a minute or two, you just have to laugh? In The Funny Of Grief, author Katie Stifter shares her struggle to survive the sudden and tragic death of her loving husband and best friend, Andy. it’s something she can’t imagine surviving, but she manages, a little bit every day, as she raises her two young sons and their newborn baby, helping them survive her pain as well. By recounting her journey, Katie creates a guide for others who are lost in the midst of her own pain and anguish, ultimately conveying that humor can only help and that there can be happiness after loss.
signs of life: memoirs of natalie taylor
Twenty-four-year-old Natalie Taylor led a charmed life. At the age of twenty-four, she had a satisfying job as a high school English teacher, a wonderful husband, a new house, and a baby on the way. Later, while visiting her sister, she receives the news that Josh has died in a freak accident. four months before the birth of her child, natalie is devastated by the loss. What follows is an incredibly powerful emotional journey, as Natalie draws on resources she didn’t even know she had to reimagine and rebuild a life for herself and her child. In vivid and immediate detail, Natalie documents her life from the day of Josh’s death to the birth of her son, Kai, as she struggles with her role as a new mother with everyone watching her for signs of breakdown. imminent. With honesty, raw pain and, most surprisingly, a wicked sense of humor, Natalie recounts the unexpected agonies and joys of her new life.
self-help
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You are reading: Christian books for widows
widow to widow: conversations about the new you by miriam neff
“widow” is a title that women do not want to have. However, according to the Office of the Surgeon General, 800,000 people are widowed or widowed each year in the United States alone. every aspect of a widow’s existence changes whether we like it or not, whether she is ready or not. these changes add to the emotional roller coaster that most women experience after losing their husband. miriam neff understands the journey. As she struggled to understand and accept her new role after her husband’s death, she recognized the need for women to listen to others about her experiences and what helped them transition to this role. new stage of life. from one widow to another she offers practical advice for those coping with the loss of a spouse. Beginning with her own loss, Ella Neff walks the reader through practical issues to encourage them.
navigating grief with humor by melissa mork
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Pain hits us all. death, divorce, a broken childhood, the loss of a job, the loss of identity, or the loss of a dream can bring deep pain to each of us. This book reveals what we can do to get through the tasks of grief with resilience, coping, humor, and purpose. Melissa Mork is a psychology professor and grief counselor who has studied grief throughout her career. when her husband died, leaving her alone as the mother of her two children, everything became very personal. Taking what she learned from her academic and professional studies, and using her questionable sense of humor, Melissa realized that it was humor, laughter, gratitude, and optimism that helped her navigate this grieving process. so personal.
a guide to healing widows by kirstin meekof
When Kristin Meekhof lost her husband to cancer, she discovered what all widows learn: the moment you experience the death of a spouse, you must make crucial decisions that will impact the rest of your life. but where do you start when your world suddenly turns upside down? This inspiring book on widowhood shows grieving widows what to expect in those difficult first five years and how to deal expectantly with the challenges of losing a life partner, including: finances, estate, and medical bills; single parenting; being a widow in the workplace; navigate social situations by yourself. With Meekhof’s first-hand experience and her gentle understanding, this book on healing after loss goes beyond lighting a comforting candle in the darkness of loss. encourages those left behind to face the tumultuous and painful first five years and move forward towards a more hopeful future.
breaking out on your own: a financial guide for widows by kathleen m. rehl
The death of a husband is possibly the most devastating event a woman will experience. she might wonder if she will be able to do it on her own. she may feel overwhelmed and not know what to do next without her partner. kathleen’s guide helps widows become more confident, knowledgeable, and secure about their financial affairs. The book integrates basic financial information with self-reflection exercises that promote financial self-confidence. kathleen is honest about her own struggles as a widow and empathizes with others. This unique guide is presented in a beautiful format, to help heal a woman’s soul, as well as gently focus on money matters. The book is not intended to teach women everything about money and financial planning right away. when someone is emotionally overwhelmed, it’s not wise to overload attention.
getting to the other side of grief: overcoming the loss of a spouse by susan j. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. devries
Two healing practitioners who lost their spouses to death bring empathy, valuable psychological insights, biblical observations, and male and female perspectives to help you experience grief in the healthiest and most complete way.
a grace in disguise: how the soul grows through loss by jerry sittser
loss came suddenly for jerry sittser. In an instant, a tragic car accident claimed three generations of his family: his mother, his wife, and his young daughter. while most of us won’t experience such a catastrophic loss in our lifetime, we all will. and we can, if we want, also know the grace that transforms it. grace in disguise plumbs the depths of grief, whether it be illness, divorce, or the loss of a loved one. the circumstances are not important; what we do with those circumstances is. By coming to the end of ourselves, we can come to the beginning of a new life, one marked by spiritual depth, joy, compassion, and a deeper appreciation of simple blessings.
option b: facing adversity, building resilience, and finding joy by sheryl sandberg and adam grant
after the sudden death of her husband, sheryl sandberg was certain that she and her children would never feel pure joy again. “I was in ‘the void,'” she writes, “a great void that fills your heart and lungs and restricts your ability to think or even breathe.” Ella’s friend Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, told her that there are concrete steps people can take to heal and bounce back from momentous experiences. We are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. it is a muscle that anyone can develop. Option B combines Sheryl’s personal insights with Adam’s eye-opening research on finding strength in the face of adversity.
Christian life
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You are reading: Christian books for widows
a teachable faith: learning about god in everyday life by jennifer sands
jennifer sands, a 9/11 widow, found herself at a crossroads of faith: stay bitter with god and the world, or stand up, take a deep breath, and move on. She uses her own daily experiences during this remarkable journey of faith to illustrate how to gain knowledge of God and build a committed relationship with him through the challenges. She shares what God has taught her through her struggles in a poignant yet light-hearted style. Regardless of the circumstances of her own life, readers gain wisdom, direction, and inspiration to strengthen her own relationship with Christ. This is Jennifer’s second book describing her journey after 9/11. The first, A Tempered Faith, backed by Joni Eareckson Tada and Phillip Yancey chronicles her emotional and spiritual journey in the first year after the terrorist attacks.
a treasured faith: refining a heart for the riches of christ by jennifer sands
Jennifer’s life changed dramatically on 9/11 when her husband Jim was killed in the World Trade Center attacks. she was not a believer in christ before that date; God used that tragedy to bring her salvation as well as a ministry of writing and speaking. God continued her refining work when her life changed again in 2007 with a diagnosis of breast cancer. In “A Faith Treasured,” Jennifer candidly shares her heart and her struggles with radiation treatments. But “a cherished faith” goes far beyond a battle with cancer. This book shares the wisdom and richness discovered when we delve deeper into the Bible and into our souls. It reminds us of the valuable lessons that result from our joy and our trials. and challenges us all to possess a treasured faith… “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” wisdom… growth… laughter… tears… faith… trust… understanding… experience the journey with jennifer as she discovers (or rediscovers) jesus, life’s greatest jewel .
little bits of light… dark & personal growth by joyce rupp
This hope-filled book offers courage and comfort. reaches into the human heart, encouraging the reader to approach the painful darkness within as a help rather than a hindrance to personal growth.
in the light of eternity: perspectives of heaven by randy alcorn
The deepest longing of your heart is for a person and a place. Jesus is that person. heaven is that place. a thousand fakes compete for your attention, trying to convince you that they are what you are looking for. but you will never find true satisfaction with what the shadowlands of this world have to offer. what you truly yearn for can only be found in the land of substance: heaven. in the light of eternity it will take hold of your soul and open your eyes to the realities of heaven.
heaven by randy alcorn
What will heaven be like? Randy Alcorn presents a thoroughly biblical answer, based on years of careful study, presented in an engaging, easy-to-read style. Your conclusions will surprise readers and broaden your thinking on this important topic. heaven will inspire readers to yearn for heaven as long as they live on earth.
shattered dreams: god’s unexpected path to joy by larry crabb
“shattered dreams,” writes dr. larry crabb, “they are never random. they are always a piece in a larger puzzle, a chapter in a larger story. The Holy Spirit uses the pain of broken dreams to help us discover our desire for God, to help us begin to dream the highest dream.” To help you understand this forgotten truth in the deepest and most helpful way, author and counselor Larry Crabb has written a wise, hopeful, honest, and realistic examination of life’s difficulties and tragedies. wraps ideas around the bold story of naomi in the bible’s book of ruth.
walking with god through pain and suffering by timothy keller
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The question of why God would allow pain and suffering in the world has preoccupied believers and non-believers alike for millennia. Timothy Keller, whose books have sold millions of copies to religious and secular readers alike, addresses this enduring theme and shows that there is meaning and reason behind our pain and suffering, making a compelling and groundbreaking case that this essential part of human experience can only be overcome by understanding our relationship with god.
devotionals
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You are reading: Christian books for widows
words to live by sarah kroenke
words to live by is a collection of musings and quotes, but not the kind you’d expect. the words in this book are spoken by palliative care patients… people who have little time left to share. these are words of love, laughter, regret, pain and inspiration. this book reminds readers to live a life where nothing is left unfinished in your heart.
letter to a grieving heart: consolation & hope for those who hurt by billy sprague
With honesty, compassion and perspective, Billy Sprague reaches out as only someone who has suffered profound loss can. Facing the deaths of a fiancé, a beloved grandmother, and a favorite college professor, Sprague reaches deep into her soul to share insights and encouragement with those living through pain and heartbreak. Illustrated with peaceful and hopeful nature photos, this letter to a broken heart will comfort the brokenhearted and assure them that one day they, too, will feel sunshine again.
daily consolation meditations for seasons of mourning by randy becton
People grieving the loss of a dear friend or family member often feel alone, abandoned and helpless. and those who want to comfort them may feel inadequate and speechless. in daily comfort, the afflicted will find thirty daily devotions to help them overcome their anguish. Respecting the anguish and emotional turmoil of the afflicted, these devotions avoid commonplaces and offer genuine empathy and wisdom. Topics such as recovery, coping with death, normal grief and abnormal grief, and using the psalms on a daily basis will help those who are grieving to examine the path through despair and take the next steps to live life again.
jesus calling: enjoying peace in his presence by sarah young
Jesus Calling is a devotional full of unique and inspired heavenly treasures for every day of the year. after many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary sarah young decided to listen to god with pen in hand and write down everything she believed he was saying to her. She was awkward at first, but gradually her diary changed from monologue to dialogue. she knew her writing was not inspired like scripture is, but journaling helped her draw closer to god. others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, hence the title Jesus Calling. it is sarah’s fervent prayer that our savior blesses readers with his presence and his peace in ever deeper measure.
jesus always: embracing joy in his presence by sarah young
current life is full of difficulties: loss, sadness, fear. In the midst of these challenges, joy often feels impossible or out of reach. But Jesus has more for his followers than a life of toil, pain, and discontent. He offers abundant life, life to the full, life overflowing with joy! Jesus Always, the new 365-day devotional from best-selling author Sarah Young, was written as part of Sarah Young’s exploration of the promises of joy in scripture. written as if jesus himself were speaking directly to the reader, jesus always invites you to a new way of living: a life of joy.
streams in the desert: 366 daily devotional readings from mrs. Carlos E. cowboy and jim reimann
For years, beloved classical devotional streams in the desert have sustained and replenished God’s weary desert travelers. Now bursting forth like a sparkling clear river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration, this updated edition of Streams in the Desert promises to revive and refresh today’s generation of faithful travelers, providing daily scripture passages from the popular new international version and modern easy-to-understand language that beautifully captures the timeless essence of the original devotional.
biblical studies
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You are reading: Christian books for widows
not only: 11 inspiring stories of brave widows from the bible by miriam neff
You are not alone. Even if you have suffered a terrible tragedy, even if you have lost the person dearest to you, God’s love holds you in his comforting embrace. miriam neff shares this essential message through the powerful testimony of eleven widows in the bible. her stories are brought to narrative life in lyrical first-person prose that takes readers inside the pain, strength, and faith of these women. Both haunting and hopeful, the heartwarming stories not only remind us of what it means to love and what it means to live with God.
you’ll get through it: hope and help for your turbulent times by max lucado
You’re afraid you won’t make it. we all do. we fear that the depression will never go away, the screaming will never stop, the pain will never go away. in the pits, surrounded by steep walls and painful reminders, we wonder: will this gray sky ever lighten? Will this burden ever lighten? In You’ll Get Out of This, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado offers sweet assurance. “liberation is to the bible what jazz music is to mardi gras: bold, raucous, and everywhere.”
the good and beautiful god: falling in love with the god jesus knows by james bryan smith
“god wants me to try harder”. “God blesses me when I behave well and punishes me when I behave badly.” “God is angry with me.” We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. some are true, but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes that those thoughts determine not only who we are, but also how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing about a person is what he thinks about God. the path to spiritual transformation begins here. Going back to the Gospels, Smith invites you to test your ideas to see if they match what Jesus himself reveals about God.