God Understands…When You Feel Sadness and Grief: Chapter 2
When our hearts are filled with deep sadness and grief, we may wonder how to approach God with our deepest hurts. We may question if we can genuinely tell God how we feel. Or like Chad and Tom mentioned in the introduction to this booklet, we may not even know how to grieve. Perhaps like Chad, you’ve been the tough and resilient marine. Maybe the following questions which Chad expressed about grief are also your questions.
God Understands…When You Feel Sadness and Grief: Chapter 3
Many times in our periods of profound sadness or grief, we feel as though we will be in mourning forever. In times of overwhelming loss, we may have trouble believing that we will ever smile again. In the beginning of this booklet, you read about Sara, who believed she was to experience only sadness in life. Perhaps you can relate to the sorrows of Sara.
God Understands…When You Have Doubts
Do you find yourself in doubt, not recognizing yourself or some of the decisions you have made? Do you doubt that God cares or is present in the midst of difficult situations? You are not alone. Peter and Thomas, two of Jesus' closest friends, also experienced times of doubt. Jesus met them at their point of need. He can meet you here, too.
God Understands…When You Have Doubts: Chapter 1
As Pastor Jenkins was leaving his office on a late Thursday afternoon, he saw Henry Jacobson sitting in the front of the sanctuary. Henry’s head was bowed, cupped in his hands. Pastor Jenkins heard muffled sobs. As he walked slowly forward, he saw Henry was dressed in fatigues, reminding the pastor that Henry had been on military deployment three times. When Pastor Jenkins gently touched Henry’s shoulder, not wanting to intrude too much, Henry jumped up and turned as if he were about to strike the pastor.
God Understands…When You Have Doubts: Chapter 2
Pastor Jenkins welcomed Henry to his office for their second visit.
“Hello, Henry. I am glad to see you again. How are you doing?”
“That assignment you gave me was pretty tough. You said to study the Scripture. I realized after I started reading it, I wasn’t sure what you meant when you said ‘study.’ And praying that prayer daily was a challenge. Frankly, there were some days that I missed... I guess I totally messed up. I am sorry I let you down but...”
God Understands…When You Have Doubts: Chapter 3
Henry sat in the second row of the sanctuary. It was 4:10 p.m. He had knocked on Pastor Jenkins’ office door, but there was no response. Henry sat, mulling over his spiritual struggle of the past few weeks – how he had dared to open up, speaking the truth about his doubting himself and others. He sat, trying to steel himself for today’s encounter; he had been thinking about it most of the week, with some fear and shame.
God Understands…When You Have Doubts: Chapter 4
Henry arrived early for his next session with Pastor Jenkins. “Come on in, Henry. I had a cancellation, so we can get started now.”
Henry found the familiar overstuffed chair, which had become a comforting presence in itself.
“I can’t believe that I really told you that I doubted God’s existence last week. I was afraid that you would think that I was a spiritual failure … that you would think badly of me. Then I was really surprised when you asked me what kind of God I didn’t believe in. It seems like every week when I come in to tell you about my doubts I expect that you will blame me for not being strong in my faith, but you just listen and help me think more about my spiritual life, or lack of it.”
God’s Saving Love (Salvation)
Although God demonstrated the full extent of his love through Jesus’ death, he was engaged in the act of salvation throughout the Old Testament. Read more about God’s salvation here.
Greek Versions of the Jewish Scriptures
What does the word “Septuagint” mean? Is the Roman numeral “LXX” significant? Find out the answers to these questions and more.
Grown-up Coloring Pages
Color these four Bible verse designs as you quiet your mind and bring your worries to God.
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