Finding the good in grief by John F. Baggett (Kregel Blog Tours)

I read Finding the Good in Grief, in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours. I wanted to read this book because at the time, I was thinking about my former miscarriages. I received a paperback version of the book. I never really grieved over anyone close to me dying, except the unknown babies. My great grandma died in  May, 2000. Could not grieve. I was two months pregnant with a new job, and my job would not let me off work to attend the funeral. One of the reasons I was moved from a temp to a new hire was because of the pregnancy. My inspector from my former department recommended me because I was pregnant. I was a new hire and had not acquired vacation days yet. She died a few days before orientation. I needed the insurance because it was one of those 100% hospitalization plans. I was divided but my grandma and family was visiting the following week.

My grandma died in 2000 as well. She died on November 8th, the day before Brad was born. I did not find out she died until after I had the baby. I thought she died on 9th for the longest until I saw the obituary years later. I had no time to grieve because I was busy with Brad.

I really felt grief after the second miscarry. The first miscarry didn't cause too much grief. I was in pain. Immeasurable pain for the longest. I did not tell anyone. What took me 5 minutes to walk to the bus stop to get to school at that time, now took me 30 to 40 minutes because of the pain I was in. Everything from the back, legs, and feminine areas was in pain. Not to mention the fibroids was acting up, plus back to back Herpes outbreaks. The second miscarry made me question everything: men, relationships, and sex. This one lead me to celibacy, very slowly

Anyway, back to the book:

Dr.Baggett discussed how he lost his son, not to death, but to schizophrenia. I never thought about grief from that standpoint-losing a child, even a parent, or someone close to mental illness. I noticed my kids had mental disorders early.

The book is a short book, consisting of 5 chapters or steps:


Step 1: Trust God and Rely on Others
Step 2: Choose reality instead of illustion
Step 3: Resist the temptation to get stuck
Step 4: Recognize moments of grace
Step 5: Discover new meaning and purpose

Each step also discusses a few sub-steps of grieving. For example. Step 1 discusses shock, while step 2 discusses denial, escape, and victimization. Step 3 discusses questioning, anger, and depression. Step 4 discusses acceptance. Step 5 discusses calling and affirmation. 

I also liked how each chapter ended in discussion questions, with some room to write your answers. This book is great for personal or small group bible study. 

To give you an idea of the first chapter, here are some of the things I highlighted:

1. Grief is universal. Everyone will experience emotional pain. 
2. Grief is a social experience. When something bad happens, it affects more than one person. 
3. Grief is normal. It is not a sign of weakness. 
4. Grief helps emotional and physical healing. 
5. Grief can help us draw closer 
6. Acceptance helps us heal and move on with life. 

This was a great read. I highlighted a lot of passages throughout the book. 

Lifestyle of a Prophet: A 21 Day Journey to embracing your calling by James W. Goll (Book Review).

I read LifeStyle of a Prophet, in exchange for review from Bethany House. The book was written by James W. Goll and published by Chosen Books. I received a paperback version. 

I chose this book because I have no idea what my calling is. I know what I am good at, but is that what God wants me to do? I have done administration at a church before, but got tired of that quick. Basically, the church had a secretary and I was just helping do some work in Microsoft.  The church bought the software, but had no idea what to do next (besides train the secretary). The problems started when the pastor and secretary started calling my house multiple times per day, in a row sometimes, to get me to come in to work. I worked Third shift at a factory, plus was a new mother. I did not get home until 7 am. I needed my sleep. I didn't mind coming in, but not every day and not before 9 am. I was not going to spend all morning typing documents when I can do that at home. The secretary and I worked the same job, but different shifts. write it down and meet me in the parking lot. lol. I also love to read, write, organize, clean, cook, etc. 

But anyway, back to the book: The book is part instructional and part workbook. Each day provides a lesson, prayer, and questions. There is some space to jot down your answers. 

Some highlights which stood out in the first few readings: 

• Page 24: Selfish ambition is not the kingdom way. Promotion does not come from the Lord, but normally after you been in the game and endured a few rounds. 
• Page 25: Abandon any attempts to build your own kingdom or ministry  Forget about building your own empire. Build His Instead. Worship God passionately. Consecrate yourself to him to be his holy dwelling place. 
• Page 25: Do you want to experience the lifestyle of a prophet? It begins with intimacy. Surrender to Jesus and worship him. 
• Page 29 This is what the prophetic life and ministry are all about---human beings being filled with the breath of God, and then in turn exhaling onto others the breath of life they have received from their creator. 
• Question from Day 1: Consider the kind of friendship you desire to have with Jesus? What do you want that relationship to look like? (p.26). 
• Page 35: God wants to talk to you. He wants more than just the "right" answers so you can pass his tests. He wants to draw near to you. He is your adoring father and he cherishes his kids. Questions from the Lord are an invitation to merge from the place of hiding into transparent honesty and light. 

This was an excellent book. Excellent teaching tool, learning tool, and workbook. It also can be a small group bible study.