His spirit, the power of justice and courage will fill you if you seek him.
He is a rewarder of those who seek him and everyone who calls upon his name will be saved.
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖?
If you are struggling with moving forward following a loss and searching for your best “life after”, let me know. Leave a comment or email me at info@markschutter.com, I’ll follow up with them with some additional information and how to book a 15 minute call to see if I can help.
> Thanks! I am Mark Schutter, Grief Coach for men and author of the memoir ‘Cowboys Are Not Supposed to Cry’
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. ~Ecclesiastes 11:9
We are all dying day by day, but following the diagnosis, I instinctively knew death would find her, statistically, probably before me, and it happened much sooner than I had ever imagined.
CHAPTER 6, TO LOVE WHAT’S LEAVING, PAGE 61 – MARK W. SCHUTTER
Rereading this chapter now I struggle to come up with any coherent meaning to it. We were both denying the reality of her illness I guess, or at the very least the seriousness. However, we were also continuing to live in the face of it. An odd juxtaposition to me even now. It is hard loving someone who is dying, but as Stephen Jenkinson says in his book Die Wise, loving someone is not inevitable, loving someone who will die is.
We go through our days sometimes blissfully unaware that we are all dying a little our days on this earth numbered. And that is okay, even when the reality that time is limited smacks you in the face. You go on and in the daily rhythms of a ‘normal’ life you find some peace and satisfaction regardless of what others might tell you. You must find your own path, ask Jesus to reveal it to you and ask him to walk with you. He will and that is what matters.
To Love What’s Leaving – What is Your Experience?
I did not understand the grief. My heart was broken and yet, I never wanted it to mend. – Chapter 6, To Love What’s Leaving, Cowboys Are Not Supposed to Cry #Memoir #WritersLife #Grief
There are hundreds of bible verses about death, promising a blessed hope after this life. We joke, we ignore, and we trivialize death at every turn. If our physical death is inevitable for each of us why do we so often refuse to acknowledge it?
For centuries throughout history, death has always been a big deal… after a person has died. Ornate ceremonies and trappings to celebrate the life of the one who has died. Fancy carriages like the one above, now hearses, that carry the dead body towards a final resting place. Coffins that are spectacular in their craftmanship that only serve to rot in the ground or burn up in the fire.
And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. ~Ecclesiastes 12:7
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ~Romans 14:8
And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? ~John 11:26
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ~1 Corinthians 15:26
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ~Matthew 5:4
These are only but a few of the many bible verses about death. It is coming for all of us. Do you believe in the one who conquered death?
The only one who died and rose again was and is Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16
Have you placed your trust and faith in him? Death is coming for us all, what then?
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ~John 14:6
There is something mysterious and mystical about a gray rainy PNW day. The silence and shadows will take you in and if you stop and listen you can hear God’s voice and words of truth.
It helps me to get away even briefly with the rush of the holiday season. To stop the busyness of work and the thousand and one things that vie for our attentions.
We must slow down and ask ourselves what is really important. Am I doing what God would have me do or just spinning my wheels in the mud?
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. ~Luke 5:15 NASB
Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west. ~Isaiah 43:5 NASB
These things I have spoken to you to that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33 NASB
There are a lot of troubling things going on all over the world right now. Whether you agree or disagree with decisions being made, I think we can all agree that the current state of affairs is troubling. As we watch events unfold we cannot help but think and worry about the impacts on your personal world. Our families and friends, our workplaces and places we visit all are feeling the effects.
I am in the midst of many changes in my personal life and the decisions often seem overwhelming. However, I trust the one who has the answers even when he doesn’t reveal them to me. I talk a lot about this in my memoir 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐫𝐲 which was just published by Christian Faith Publishing and is available on Amazon.
I have to remind myself that I am not truly alone and there are others struggling with decisions and impacts as well. I think we have a couple of options:
Trust God. This is where our faith determines our outlook and do we believe that God is still in control despite what we see happening all around us.
Reach out in service of others. Those around us who are experiencing similar things, let us help one another grow as individuals and communities.
Shrink back. This should not be an option as this only serves to isolate us more and allows fear, distrust, and distress to grow. (⬅PS – this is exactly what the enemy wants us to do.
Now, what will you choose?
Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine. Though I fall I will rise; Though I live in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. ~Micah 7:8
I reckon it is time to be moving on today and see what adventure lies ahead. 👊
What do you do to rediscover yourself?
Do you ever feel the need to get lost?
Even Jesus went away to be alone, and I find that nature has a way of healing my soul. The world, at least the news, tells us that everything is in disarray and chaotic. And at times it can be, it is then that we must re-center and discover ourselves again. What works for you?
So excited, I received the first physical copies of my memoir and upcoming book today!
First physical copy of my upcoming book! (8/11/2021)
Thank you Jesus, and my family, and friends for all the love and support, and my publisher Christian Faith Publishing. The story of my journey carrying grief and healing will be soon be available. I pray it blesses and helps others dealing with the pain of loss.
Mark Wayne - Author and Warrior 