Category Archives: Grief

Religious Syncretism

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We are living a religious syncretism

Syncretism is the blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation into a religious tradition of beliefs from unrelated traditions.

“Ah”, we say. “We would never do that!”

Oh, my friends we do this every time we bend the Word of God to suit ourselves.

The Bible says:

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.”  “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:8-10, NIV)

But we say: “Sorry, God, I don’t believe in tithing. I am poor. I don’t have enough for myself,

And thus, we syncretize the Word of God.

Or we read that God says:

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? (From Matthew 5:43-48, NIV)

And we say, “I will love those who I want to, I will determine by other means who to love and not to love. I am smarter than God.”

Forget the world-wide syncretism of religions and faiths. It starts locally right in our own home.

To be a Christian means to know, love and obey Jesus. Otherwise we are liars. The truth is not in us.

Brenda on Dela’s Voice

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You should be able to find it on the address below or on Dela’s Voice on Facebook.

It’s an hour long and you will find out much more about me than you ever hoped to!!

https://www.facebook.com/delasvoice/videos/2588500427927092/

Let me know what you think! Brenda

Mechanic God

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So you slipped back a bit. Who doesn’t on occasion? Consider this. You have a flat tire on your car; will you correct that by slashing the other three? Of course not!

One flat tire simply means a slight hold up while the mechanic repairs or changes it. Aren’t you worth more than a tire?

Let Mechanic God help you towards the right path again. He is faithful and he will do it!

Wounded

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There was a wounded gal standing on the sidelines, covered in loneliness, poor self-image and fear. She was surrounded by great people who all said “Hi, how are you” before moving on to their friends. They had no time to listen to her answers.

One lady told her to stop moping around, get her act together and join the crowd. Another invited her to the mall but the gal couldn’t keep up with the money, the crowds and the noises.

Finally another woman gave her a hug and asked, “How are you really doing?” She sat down with her and listened, really listened as she shared her loneliness, heartache and assorted other troubles. They spent a quiet hour together. “Don’t worry,” said her new friend. ‘We will get through this together. You can count on me.’

“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, and ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’ (Luke 10:33-35, MSG)

Nancy Zieman Sewing Icon Passed

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If you are not a sewer you might miss the importance of an inspirational life well-lived. Nancy Zieman passed into the arms of Jesus this week. For 30 or more years, I watched her sewing show on PBS all the while improving my sewing skills.

When I had my parotid tumor (Facial gland cancer) I wrote to her to say that we were likely the only two in the same boat. Both TV hosts and both with some facial difficulty;( Nancy had Bells Palsy as a child.)

She called me to tell me from Wisconsin to encourage me and talk about where to get treatment. We had a great discussion.

I said “Nancy are you a Christian?”

I sure am, Maam!”She replied.

Nancy lived her life with dignity and honor and I am proud to have known her even a little bit.

www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-2/honoring-nancy-zieman/

First Air

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Today and every Monday for a while you can hear chapters of my book The Pregnant Pause of Grief. It’s been almost 6 years since my Dear Ronald went to be with Jesus. I started to read the book again myself, just to see how far I have come since that first horrible grief. And then Hopestreamradio.com added it to their Monday roster. Tune in, won’t you? I pray it helps you as it helped me. Brenda J Wood

What Will You say?

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When our last breath is close, what will you say? What will you regret? Experts say that our remorse tends to include the following:

  • I wish I’d been happier, now that I know that happiness is a choice.
  • I wish I’d taken more time to ‘smell the roses.’ Worked less and loved family more.
  • I wish I’d lived the life God wanted for me instead of the life others expected of me.
  • I wished I’d said what I meant and meant what I said.
  • I wish I hadn’t lost touch with so many people.

This verse sums it up.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2, KJV)

Prayer – Lord, help us to make better choices before its too late… Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVERYDAY CHRISTIAN

Consider it all Joy

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There are days when we wonder how we can rejoice. March 22 was my husband’s birthday and I find it to still be a touchy kind of day. Yet in spite of things like death, loneliness and despair, God tells us to:

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4, Amp)

Am I there yet? Absolutely not and maybe not ever. Still I strive toward the goal.

I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. (Philippians 3:14, AMP)

Prayer – Lord, let every day, every circumstance, bring us ever so slightly toward what you call us to be. Amen

Are You There?

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I just read some articles about dementia. Guess what; the sufferers described how their friendships had changed.

“It’s not catching,” said one man. “I can still hold a conversation, but my friends don’t come around like they used to.”

I had the very same experience when my husband died. People who we’d known for decades, simply disappeared. No cards, no letters no phone calls, no contact at all.

What is friendship anyway?

The dictionary defines it this way: Friendship is a mutual feeling of trust and affection and the behavior that typify relationships between friends. Friendship is a relationship between people, organizations, or countries that is characterized by mutual assistance, approval, and support.

So I guess those disappearing ‘friends’ were never our friends to begin with. Honestly, I wish they’d let me know sooner…

Thankfully, we can have a better kind of friendship.

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. (2 Corinthians 13:14, MSG)

Of course, than we have to be his friend too.

Prayer – Father, help us be caring friends, especially during hard times. Amen