While the psalmist promises God's protection, it is difficult to face our mortality. But in doing so we better prepare both ourselves and our loved ones for the reality of death. For those with a life-threatening medical condition or terminal illness, this is an urgent concern. In response, Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge, a psychologist, and Robert C. DeVries, a pastor, offer this indispensable guide to the practical and spiritual concerns of dying. With compassion and understanding, they offer sound advice on everything from accepting death as a part of life, legal issues, and funeral planning, to the difficult spiritual questions asked regarding terminal illness and life after death. This book is an important resource for individuals and families facing terminal illness, hospice and nursing personnel, and pastors and counselors.
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Zonnebelt-Smeenge, a clinical psychologist, and De Vries, a pastor and seminary professor, bill their work as everyone's guide to preparing for and coping with death from a Christian perspective. They have forged a reliable tool for the job. Well-organized sections view death from three seasons of life: during good health; after a dire diagnosis; and near the end. Each explains the physical and psychological aspects of facing death, and each offers scripture meditations and prayers. The authors' experiences—each lost a spouse to cancer—lend a gentle personal touch. Practical suggestions abound, answering the flood of questions that come with the prospect of dying. For example, the first section explains what a will should include and how to explain death to children; the last section tells how to recognize that a person has died. The meditations mine scripture for strong insights about such issues as God's control of life, the reason God allows suffering and whether a person should be cremated. The work never mentions hell, focusing exclusively on the joys of heaven. An appendix recommends books to help children, adolescents and young adults deal with grief and death. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and De Vries handle a difficult topic with grace and expertise, and many will find their work useful and comforting.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Practical, Insightful and Reassuring Look at Death,
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This review is from: Living Fully in the Shadow of Death: Assurance and Guidance to Finish Well (Paperback)
Dr. Smeenge and Dr. DeVries combine again to to help us look at life, before, during and after death. They encourage us not to flee from death but to accept and prepare for it. They offer wise suggestions as to how to take stock of our life so as to better live to the fullest and die with peace and dignity. There are pratical suggestions as to how to evaluate one's values and reorder one's life to achieve less regret, more satisfaction. Biblical principals guide the reader and well as sound psychological techiniques. The reassuring grace of God's word rings in Dr. DeVries' 40 meditations that grapple with issues of life and death.
Hospice workers, clery, nurses, physicians, and psychotherapists who help others deal with living and dying, should not miss this rich resource. Family members and all of those who plan to die some day should stop and take note of this guide to better living and better dying. I liked this book and you will too. It is written for us all. Thanks Susan and Bob!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Offers daily meditations to guide the heart,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Living Fully in the Shadow of Death: Assurance and Guidance to Finish Well (Paperback)
The collaboration of licensed clinical psychologist, Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Pastor Robert C. De Vries (Professor of Church Education, Calvin Seminary), Living Fully In The Shadow Of Death: Assurance And Guidance To Finish Well is an invaluable treatise and guide to the practical and spiritual issues and concerns of dying in the modern age. Focusing upon the aspects of emotional and spiritual preparation for the end of life, whether one's own or that of a loved one, Living Fully In The Shadow Of Death offers daily meditations to guide the heart and affimations of the value in life and faith. A serious-minded and helpful look at enjoying the journey that is life, up to the very end.
5.0 out of 5 stars
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This review is from: Living Fully in the Shadow of Death: Assurance and Guidance to Finish Well (Paperback)
This book came through in very fine condition. The service was prompt. The item itself was very helpful in our parish nurse ministry as we work with families and persons who are journeying through the last stages of their or loved ones lives.
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