“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love“, the singer sang.  1

Watching the movie Lion King this week reminded me of that kind of unfailing love.

Simba lost his father King Mufasa through the treachery of his uncle.  As time passes the young adult, but rebellious king-to-be is avoiding responsibility accompanied by his friends Timon and Pumbaa.

Rafiki, the monkey-mentor, led Simba through the wilderness to a pool of water. Ripples form across the surface of the water, reflecting Mufasa’s face. Simba has a vision of his father speaking to him. 2

Remember me?

Like many men of the time, Elkanah had two wives. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Hannah wanted to have children. 

One day Hannah and her husband were traveling to while the other wife stayed at home with the kids. On their journey to Shiloh her husband asked, “Hannah, why are you so sad?”

Heartbroken, Hannah replied, “Give me children.”

Elkanah loved Hannah.  Her words hurt.  Frustrated he said, “Am I God that I could give you children?” And he added, “Aren’t I better to you than many sons? Aren’t you satisfied with me?”

Because the trajectory of our lives is affected by our relationship with our fathers it must be examined. When our relationship with our dad has left wounds and scars, our “father hunger” needs attention.

Try to be honest, do you feel a sense of loss when you think of your relationship with your father? If so, how do you cope with that loss?

Grief, Loss & Father Hunger

Susan Berger is a researcher studying the grief and loss of others:
– She interviewed hundreds of people
– She studied how they have been able to move on after the death of a loved one.

Who will we trust in the calamities of life?

As I read Torn by Jud Wilhite I kept having a song running through my head.  Perhaps most of the audience this book might attract will not know the 90s band Soundgarden, but “Fell On Black Days” played through my mind on repeat.

“Fell On Black Days“

Whatsoever I’ve feared has
Come to life
Whatsoever I’ve fought off
Became my life
Just when everyday
Seemed to greet
Me with a smile
Sunspots have faded
And now I’m doing time
Cause I fell on
Black days

I screwed up!

Monday I wrote that we have One Love That Is Shared By Two.

Tuesday followed with The Vows We Keep.

Wednesday I celebrated with a Happy 25th Anniversary to US!

Thursday I looked ahead believing that it was The First Day of the 2nd 25 Years.

Friday, I’m aware I screwed up.

I knew it wouldn’t take long.

I’m not perfect, and never claimed to be, but, seriously, it only took one day!?!

Let Me Explain 

I’m forty-nine years old. I don’t feel old, but I don’t feel young either.

I spend my life encouraging others to live their life well.  Mysilentscream.com exists — through stories, some tips, and some Scriptures — to inspire you to live well. 

As I’m nearing fifty I’m looking for “older” people to inspire me to live the rest of my life well too.  Billy Graham’s book Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well seemed like a good fit.

Billy Graham’s book is honest, vulnerable, and inspiring.

Ask most any child, teen, adult or senior citizen, “What is love?” and their answers will vary. They might not vary so much in the quaity of their experience, but the quantity of their experiences.

Sure, love involves feelings — romanticized by music, literature, and other media, but it’s also so much more.

We all yearn to create and — when we feel like we’re losing it — recreate the “love” what we feel we have lost.

Why do marriage fall apart?
Why do dating relationships between people who “love” one another fail?

They feel like the “love” is lost.

Broomball has always been an equalizer sport. Unless you play on a club level or a national level like my friend Paul Thyren, most of us play broomball for fun.

Fun racing around on slippery hockey rink with street shoes or boots wielding awkward brooms; then in a moment of hope you swing the broom hoping to connect with the ball and send it into the opposition’s goal.

Broomball Buddies

Broomball is a great sport to enjoy wintery fun with friends. Here from the winter of 1996 is my dear friend the late Adam Bieringer. Adam passed away in April of 2010 much too young.

Looking back on you Memorial Day Weekend family gatherings, what comes to mind?  Fun?  Laughter?  Joy?  Kids playing?  Grandparents telling stories?

Or, not.  Many people look back and only see a past they fear.

Many of us would prefer to trade our family for another.  Sadly, many of you may believe that your past, and your family’s past will determine your future.

Your past does not have to determine your future; it doesn’t have to.

Don’t fear your past, embrace it.

Today is Good Friday. It’s a day of sorrow and celebration.  A day of sadness and comfort.

Here are Five Key Beliefs To Get You Through A Loss that have helped me and helped others as they grieve.

You will survive
You have a right to grieve
You don’t have to go it alone
God is good
Love never goes to waste

Good Friday is a day I feel grateful; grateful that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for my sins.  Below are some verses of Scripture to meditate on this Good Friday that help me feel grateful: