Will You Wipe My Tears? Helping Others Through Sorrow
(posted 6/16/08)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction,
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

- 2 Corinthians 1: 3 & 4 -

Our sister in the Lord, Joyce Jamerson knows a lot about grief. Unfortunately she was forced to learn it from the sudden death of her nineteen year old daughter. As difficult as that must have been, Joyce did not allow her immense sorrow to destroy her. What she gained from her struggle is shared in the book, Will You Wipe My Tears?, a book designed to help others navigate the dark waters of the loss of a loved one.

It is a book of both comfort and instruction and is full of valuable information whether you are in the midst of grief or not. We will all encounter tragedy in one form or another and seeing the journey Joyce had to travel and discovering what was helpful to her and what was a hindrance can help us to behave more appropriately and usefully in the future.

Each chapter of the book contains biblical wisdom, personal experience, insight from poetry and other thought-provoking literature, as well as study questions. The reader can use the questions to meditate on her own, or use as discussion in a group.

I am at a young enough age in life where my immediate family and closest friends are still all on this earth. I have not had to experience the loss of those closest to me. However, as a preacher’s wife I have found myself in the midst of funeral preparations for the members of the Lord’s church. Even though I teach Communication classes at a university, I am often at a loss for the right words to say to the family members and close friends at funerals and in the months of adjustment that follow. So often the sentiments that come quickly to mind may do more harm than good. Joyce’s chapter on what to say and do is so helpful.

Reading this book can help you be better prepared to approach a period of grief whether from death or poor health or financial loss or divorce, or whatever circumstance turns your life upside down. It would make a good gift for others also. I recommend it without reservation.

Joyce drew strength from the Lord to see her through and she fulfills the words of the apostle Paul in Second Corinthians chapter one as she comforts others with the comfort she received from our Lord.

Kathleen M. Trigg
Georgia

Have you ever wondered what to say to the grieving and so said nothing? All of us, if we have lived a while, have keenly felt the burden of such doubts. Death, illness, and the deep spiritual problems of others arouse our compasson but too often the fear of saying the wrong thing immobilizes us, leaving them isolated in their pain. Joyce Jamerson has written a book to fill our need. Some years ago our sister was battered with grief after grief, including the sudden death of her teenage daughter, all in a short period of time. She thus has unique qualifications to help us understand the needs of our friends and brethren. I have not yet read the book, but I have heard Joyce’s lesson on this topic. It was very clear and very practical, but more than that, Joyce opens her heart and relives her anguish, so that we may better comfort God’s people and others, as we wish and God desires. Second Corinthians 1:4, “…so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Pain and troubles will come in this life, let us prepare ourselves to offer God’s comfort to those around us. This new book will help. 

Joan Rieber
North Carolina

(Will You Wipe My Tears? by Joyce Jamerson was published in 2008 by Spiritbuilding Publishing in Summitville, Indiana. For more information, visit: www.SpiritBuilding.com.)

Get Ready, Get Set, I Do!
(posted 3/16/07)

In Get Ready, Get Set, I Do!, Charlie Brackett puts fifty years of personal and professional experience into a practical Bible-based resource for couples contemplating marriage as well as married couples. Mr. Brackett skillfully presents scriptures to explore subjects often left untouched, such as God's pattern for roles in marriage, who has a right to marry and divorce, selfishness and its harmful effects on marriage and many other insightful topics.

Couples contemplating marriage are urged to first consider topics such as the level of dedication and spiritual commitment they will bring to the marriage. Specific questions are asked and are excellent topics for discussion during pre-marital counseling or private meditation together. Three keys to a successful marriage are suggested by studying Christ's example of Spirituality, Selflessness, and Skill. Discussions on Christ's skill included relevant topics such as good communication, self-control, positive thinking, loving truth, conflict resolution, and devotion to spiritual values. Emphasis is placed on achieving a level of maturity in which one can communicate timely and effectively.

In addition to discussing how to improve an upcoming or existing marriage, the book has an underlying theme of cultural influences and how society has tried to redefine our roles. Helpful outlines of the husband and wife's roles clearly accentuate God's eternal wisdom in his creation of separate and plainly defined roles for males and females.

Another section identifies factors promoting a peaceful home and contrasts them with the turmoil that so often leads couples to consider divorce. The author does not shy away from highlighting God's strict laws concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage. He cites many biblical passages and presents them in a clear way to help us understand God's will and reasons behind God's firm stand on this subject.

The most practical aspect of this book is the convenient question/answer format throughout the chapters that make it simple for couples to address these issues without having to wonder how to bring up the specific topics. It makes this a very useful tool for couples to exercise self-examination and to contemplate how they will complement each other in their walk together towards a Godly marriage.

Get Ready, Get Set, I Do! is filled with great advice for any couple, and is of particular interest to those couples contemplating a joyous life, bound together within the limits of God's pattern. This book is a must-read since it details the most important guidelines that God has presented to mankind for the sanctity and lifelong dedication of the relationship between a man and woman. It is evident that the author has presented wisdom gained from his counseling of many couples and has a great passion for passing on the true joy he has found within his own marriage.

You can get more information at www.getreadygetsetido.com or place an order at www.clarionword.com.

Laura Dyer (author of Look Who's Talking)
Tennessee

(Get Ready, Get Set, I Do! is written by Charlie Brackett and published by Clarion Word Publishing .)