Articles about Death
Martha, Can You Believe?
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Martha was unique in her refusal to not question God. She pursued Jesus in hope of receiving answers and comfort in her time of grief and loss. Using her life we will see the utilization of her skills and God's merciful response to her pain.
Christmas Inspirations
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
What do the Bethlehem manger and a brother dying of AIDS have in common? Article depicts how life-giving responses in difficult circumstances can bring hope and encouragement.
When Bereavement and Holidays Walk Together
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Roles and traditions between family members, especially during the holidays, can be altered when a loved one dies. Article brings tips on coping with this sensitive family issue.
Childlike Needs in Adult Losses
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Author's experience of a brother dying of AIDS portrays how Christ brings commfort through filling unmet childhood needs.
Easter Clothes: Throwing Off Cloaks of Unforgiveness
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Forgiveness brings emotional and spiritual healing. Using Biblical references to Palm Sunday and Easter, and a story from Corrie Ten Boom, this article shows how the old "clothes" or habits around unforgiveness hamper our freedom and joy.
Grief and Changes
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Change within a family life cycle can bring feelings of grief and loss. Article lists six ways to weather the storms of family changes.
Bread of Bethlehem
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Family and the sharing of communion is the backdrop of this article, which explores how to receive life-giving and healing attributes of God during the Christmas season.
Gratitude, It's Own Memory Chain
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Memories triggered at times of yearly occasions are not always pleasant. How do you deal with triggered memories? Can we move from reacting to certain memories to providing ourselves with a plan? See ways people are able to set in motion a positive chain of memories both personal and spiritual.
If You Had Been Here
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
A lively imaginary interaction of the biblical account of the encounter between Mary, Martha and Jesus just before Lazareth is raised from the dead.
Taking Care of Yourself Over Holidays After a Loss
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
After the death of a loved one, various holidays are difficult, especially Christmas. Here are specific ideas for moving through any holiday with gentleness toward yourself and your situation.
Words When It Matters
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Our hearts go out to those who have just experienced loss. What can we say to them? This article explains the importance of words to the grieving person and gives five great ideas of what is helpful to share.
When A Father Dies - Preparing For The Holidays
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The death of a family member creates a kind of stress that one does not understand until they experience the loss themselves. Add the holidays to this and the multiple levels of grief increase. There are a few basic truths that become real in the face of such a loss around the holidays. This article, written to encourage as well as remind us of these truths, utilizes the author's own personal experience to bring the reality of what it means to celebrate living in the face of grief.
Children and Attachment Wounds
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Early trauma in a child’s life can result in attachment wounds in your child. Article describes how a specialized family therapy; Family Narrative Attachment Therapy, can help rebuild bonds between parent and child. Especially useful for foster and adoptive children.
My First Christmas Alone
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Holidays are unique in that they tend to awaken emotions many would rather avoid. Facing your first holidays without a loved one means the development of a new awareness of ourselves along with the loss of our loved one. Brenda candidly shares her experience of her first Christmas without her parents and the reality of our Heavenly Father's understanding.
Suicide Prevention: Making the Connection
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW
Suicide is a very complex subject and is usually not about death at all but rather about wanting to stop the pain. The vast majority of the time, those who are thinking about suicide do give verbal and/ or behavioral warning signs particularly in the last week before the attempt. By knowing the warning signs, loved ones can intervene and provide support. This article lists many verbal and behavioral warning signs of suicide and provides questions to ask if you suspect a loved one may be suicidal.
Fear and Anxiety: Steps to Restoring Courage and Stability
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
The new millenium brings added stressors to our lives including ever-present technology, limited family communication and bonding, overwork, and addictions. This article will explore causes and treatment for fear and anxiety to restore a Godly sense of courageious well-being for ourselves and our families.
Women, Grief, and Jesus
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Women experiencing grief and loss can also know deep comfort, individual attention, and a life-giving future through the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s loving attention to a mother who lost her only son from the gospel of Luke, is explored in this article.
How to Talk about Trauma and Loss with Children
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
This article gives tips and insight for adults in explaining trauma and loss to children. Important points and understanding for both adult and child are given here. If you are a part of a child's life and you need encouragement for difficult conversations because of a loss a child experiences, this article will help you prepare in practical ways.
Forgiveness Means Time
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Not too long ago I met with an eleven-year-old girl who was being adopted by her stepfather. Her father left her mother when she was two months old refusing to have anything to do with them. This she knew only because of what had been passed on through stories from family members. After a few minutes of talking about her experience, she dropped silent, tears running down her face. We sat together for some time in silence. Struggling to talk she managed to get out the words, “I have to get through the tears first.” The simple wisdom of her words seemed so clear. She was not concerned so much with understanding why, as she was with allowing her grief to be just what it was: grief. We often rob ourselves of an opportunity to experience God’s love for us when we try to cover our grief with intellectual analysis, busyness, or plain old denial. The death of my brother parallels this. For seven years I attempted to cover the fact I felt grief. Only after allowing the grief to be present and allowing God to comfort me did I become comfortable with the fact that there was a loss. The understanding that followed altered my character, personality, and life’s work. In time, this eleven-year-old girl may not grieve as hard for her situation. In the meantime her focus is simply to cry and receive comfort.
When People Stumble
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
So many, especially those in positions of authority, are held to a higher standard. The same happens in families. When someone you admire is in authority over you and they fail, it’s a test. Are you going to treat them with respect or are you going to air their dirty laundry. There are many opportunities when we can air the faults of another OR see past the fault to the vulnerability behind the fault. To point out the fault, remind them of it, or make fun of the person will only distance the relationship, bringing death to trust in the long run. If we respect the person (not to mention God) we will look to cover them with mercy and grace in their time of need.
A Rock Through Your Front Window
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW
Have you ever felt as if someone threw a rock through the front window of your life? Maybe, it was after a divorce, sudden job loss, serious accident, grave medical diagnosis, death of a loved one, or broken relationship. It may have felt as if your life and dreams were shattered to pieces and you were left to grieve the loss amidst the shards. Although we cannot control all the circumstances in our lives, we can control how we respond. Do we allow disappointment, fear, anger, and bitterness to take root in our heart? Or...Do we allow ourselves the freedom and space to grieve? Do we allow ourselves the freedom to change and grow?
Miss But Don't Miss
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
A thing about remembering loved ones gone, is that the missing of them is powerful. We need to honor that. In the missing of those gone, we must also be sharply open to NOT miss those who are here.
